Tag: Sale
Deep Hydration Ulta Haul
The last day of Beauty Steals, they had Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream for 50% off – $23 instead of $46. I jumped on that deal QUICK.
I also wanted to try Bum Bum Hair, so I ordered travel sizes of Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Joia Strengthening + Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner. ($12 each) It smells SO GOOD and it makes my hair feel so soft – I need full sizes ASAP, so I can put these travel sizes in my travel bag.
I loved my Shhhowercap, but the vinyl lining was flaking into my hair and I had to throw it away. I decided to take a chance on a Kitsch Satin-Lined Shower Cap ($24) and I am not disappointed. The elastic doesn’t pop off my (rather large) head and the extended cap size hold ALL of my hair.
I was only able to use a $3.50 off $15 coupon…bummer.
$942 to Diamond in 2025…
Bum Bum Ulta Haul
When LaLa is in town, we HAVE to go to Ulta.
I *think* I was the one that introduced LaLa to Bum Bum Cream? We both LOVE Bum Bum Cream! We both grabbed the Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Jet Set ($30), which includes Deluxe samples of Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel, and Cheirosa 6 Perfume Mist. I need full sizes of ALL of these! Oh, and did you know that they make Shampoo and Conditioner now? It ain’t cheap, so I’m waiting for a sale or coupon before I try it.
I’ve been on a indie nail polish kick for the last several months, but I couldn’t pass up this Sally Hansen x Sesame Street 4 polish set ($10.99, down from $19.99), which includes 4 shades inspired by Big Bird (“Think BIG”), Elmo (“Elmo Love Hue”), Cookie Monster (“C is for Color”), and Oscar the Grouch (“SCRAM!”). I also picked up a Garnier SkinActive Mattifying Micellar Cleansing Water ($11.99). I hope it doesn’t suck.
Oh, and the weekend we went, Ulta was offering $10 off $50 or $20 off $100 – including PRESTIGE! What a smoking deal!
$1,006 to Diamond in 2025.
First Ulta Haul of 2024
I know, it’s kind of hard to believe that I haven’t had an Ulta haul yet this year…to be fair, I ordered back on the 5th of February – I’ve just been busy with work, school, kids, a sick husband, excuses…so let’s get to it!
I am very easily swayed by the monthly Diamond Love List emails…When I showed off my new Drybar The Single Shot Round Blow-Dryer Brush ($108.50, down from $155), he gave me SO MUCH SHIT, since I spent so much money on the Dyson Air Wrap. My answer was that my child stole my Air Wrap and I am too lazy to walk all the way to her bathroom to get it…and my Revlon One-Step smells like burnt dog hair. And really, it was only $25.50 after using $83 of Ulta points…
I was talking to a girl in one of my MBA classes and she said that she would never buy a perfume without smelling it…hi, it’s me – I’m the one who does that, it’s me. I knew that I would LOVE Fresh Beauty Hesperides Grapefruit Eau de Parfum Rollerball ($29) before ever smelling it and I was right. It reminds me of my mom…
Lippies were 30%, so I loaded my cart: Flower Beauty Bitten Lip Stain in “Tempt” ($8.40, down from $12 – it’s very similar to the Colourpop Stain) and KVD Beauty Everlasting Hyperlight Vegan Transfer-Proof Liquid Lipstick in “Ghost Bloom” ($16.10, down from $23) for me; Makeup Revolution Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory x Revolution Brat Lip Gloss ($4.90, down from $7) and Makeup Revolution Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory x Revolution Lip Balm ($4.90, down from $7) for Lil. I also added in Hempz White Peach Rosé & Peony Herbal Shave Gel ($6.49, down from $12.99) because it was half off. A bit disappointing to use, as it wasn’t as slippy as the Caress Body Wash I had been using to shave.
I am deeply saddened that I didn’t get to a salon to use my $25 off beauty services coupon for another year of Diamond, but I did remember to use my free foundation coupon. This year, I chose Clinique Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder Foundation in “01 Stay Buff”, a $39 value.
My $30 makeup purchase qualified me for a 4 pieces NARS gift, which includes NARS Climax Mascara; NARS Lipstick in “Inappropriate Red”; NARS Bronzing Powder and NARS High-Pigment Longwear Eyeliner in “Via Veneto”. I probably won’t use any of it. I also qualified for a free hair gift, but it sold out before I could place my order. Boo.
It’s so rare that I spend enough for the massive gift with purchases…this one required a $130 spend! Inside the HUGE satiny makeup bag: drybar DETOX Thickening Dry Shampoo (giving to my daughter, so I don’t have to buy her some); Urban Decay Glide-On Eye Pencil in “Whiskey”; Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate; Dear Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner (there’s licorice root in it, I’m scared); e.l.f. Liquid Poreless Putty Primer; Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder; Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Primer; megababe Space Bar (I think I have 3 of these now); Lancôme Cils Booster Mascara Base (and 3 of these); Clinique Almost Lipstick in “Black Honey” (yasss, the one in my purse is almost gone); Eau Thermale Avene Tolerance Cleanser; philosophy Purity Made Simple Pore Extractor Clay Mask; Peach & Lily Glass Skin Face Polisher; Estee Lauder Nutritious Melting Soft Creme Mask; Andrew Fitzsimmons Restructuring 10-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner; NYX Epic Ink Liner in “Black”; Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder; Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash; Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam (NOPE); Maybelline Sky High Mascara; La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum; Pixi Glow Tonic; Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen; Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Body Oil; Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow; Dermalogica Micellar Prebiotic Precleanse (precleanse? I ain’t washing my face twice); Living proof. Clarifying Detox Shampoo (but no conditioner?); and Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner. PHEW, that’s a lot of good samples!
$1,105 to Diamond in 2025…
Semi-Annual What WHAT!
Oh, my favorite sale of the year – Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Sale. Even though there is sale over the summer, the after Xmas sale is FAR superior…because that’s when the Halloween stuff comes out!
My first trip was a quick stop on my traditional ‘day after Xmas looking for cheap candy’ shopping trip. We ended up at the store near my office, which usually has a decent selection. Except for the “Sunshine Mimosa” Wallflower Refill, everything I got was 75% Halloween. I had been eyeing this goth candleholder for months and was thrilled to lay my hands on it for 75% off. I also grabbed some hand soaps and a bewitching “Everlasting Magic” Body Cream. I spent $28.61, and saved $73.17.
A few days later, Lily & I were shopping in Tyler with our LaLa and we stopped in again. I came across a csent called “Satin Slippers” and became OBSESSED. It’s white rose forward, which is a rare find. Plus, it was in the $4.95 bucket – super cheap! But alas, they only had Body Spray and Body Cream – no Shower Gel! I was able to find some more Wallflower, some Body Cream for Lily, and some “Vampire Blood” Hand Cream for my purse (nothing screams WEIRDO like pulling “Vampire Blood” lotion out of your purse in public). I spent $46.35 this time, but saved $83.58.
I wanted that “Satin Slippers” Shower Gel, so on the way home from Nac, I made up a plan to stop at a few locations to look. We stopped in Spring, but they didn’t have it either. Right before we hit home, we stopped at the location closest to home and…MOTHERLODE! Not only did I find my “Satin Slippers” Shower Gel, they also had “Everlasting Magic” – I bought two of each. I also bought another Halloween Candleholder, a Halloween Wallflower Plug shaped like a coffin, and MORE candles. I spent $82.24, but saved $144.37!
In total, I spent $157.20 and “saved” $301.02. Obviously, Bath & Body Works is ridiculously overpriced, but I love it anyway.
As we near the 10th anniversary of Beauty Hoard, it crosses my mind that people MAY not be interested in reading about every product I buy…but then it also crosses my mind that I don’t do this for other people, I do it for myself, to create accountability in my shopping addiction and my overwhelming need for beauty rituals.
Here’s to another decade of soap hoarding!
Revolution x Wizard of Oz
When a brand releases a Wizard of Oz collaboration, I listen…and it’s a lot easier when it’s one of my favorite brands, like Revolution. (I had no problem skipping Kylie Jenner’s Wizard of Oz Collaboration last year.)
I was fortunate to hit a 30% off sale and got both the Revolution x Wizard of Oz Emerald City Set ($33.60, down from $48) and the Revolution x Wizard of Oz Yellow Brick Road Set ($14, down from $20).
The Revolution x Wizard of Oz Emerald City Set includes an 18-pan Ruby Slipper Eye Shadow Palette, a gold eyeliner, two lip glosses (plum & pink), a lovely blush that is VERY similar to my favorite blush (NARS “Orgasm”), a Toto Blending Sponge, a silver Tin Man Highlighter, and two hair ties with BLUE GINGHAM bows. I have been using the the blush and glosses (over WONDERSKIN stains) continuously.
The Revolution x Wizard of Oz Yellow Brick Road Set includes a 15-pan Eye Shadow Palette, 2 Eye Shadow Brushes, and a gold shimmering lip gloss. I’ve been using this palette more than the Ruby Slipper one, because it’s nudes and golds.
There was also another little something in the order, but it’s an Xmas gift, so I’ll keep it to myself.
I also got a free gift – that I totally did not find in the box – until I reviewed my receipt to write this post. (I actually dug had to dig through my pile of cardboard shipping boxes to find it – embarrassing.) I got a free palette worth $6 – Makeup Reloaded Shadow Palette – Affection. I haven’t tried it yet…and I am a little scared because it’s a “pressed pigment” palette, NOT eye shadow. It’s got stuff in it that shouldn’t be used around the eyes…at least not in the US. I guess I’ll try it on my eyes the next time I leave the country? KIDDING!
CeraVe Ulta Haul
I know buying face wash is not very exciting, but 40% off CeraVe was a deal I couldn’t pass up…I got CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser with Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid ($10.79, down from $17.99) for me and CeraVe Acne Control Face Cleanser, 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment ($11.39, down from $18.99) for Lily.
Essence and Milani was also on sale, so I got Essence Electric Glow Color Changing Lipstick ($3.49, down from $4.99) – almost as good as Frog Prince, but not quite – and Milani Precision Brow Pencil in “Dark Brown” ($7.69, down from $10.99). It’s a decent pencil – as good as Ulta’s!
Oh, there was definitely more stuff in this order…but Xmas is coming and Nailtopia was also 40% off.
$148 to Diamond in 2024.
Last (Semi-Annual) Chance!
Believe it or not, I only hit Bath & Body Works ONCE during this Semi-Annual Sale…it was the first day of the sale, so they had lots of stuff, but the discounts weren’t there.
About a week in though, they had a really good coupon code – 20% off AND free shipping, so I loaded up my cart with hand soaps, plus some of the Aromatherapy line was 75% off, so I decided to try “Orange Flower Sandalwood” Body Wash and Ultimate Hydration Cream – it’s really good! Most orange products are sickly sweet, but the Sandalwood gives it a nice woody undertone.
Technically, I guess I hit the sale twice…I believe that TODAY is the last day of the sale, so go get some soap!
National Nail Polish Day 2023
Last June, I wanted the Scünci Pride Claw Clips ($7.99), but I didn’t order them in time and they were sold out. Not this year! One for me and one for daughter. The Great Hair Event was still going on when I placed the order, so I ordered Arctic Fox “Poison” for 50% off ($9.24 instead of $18.49). I intended it for my daughter, and even ordered a Lime Crime Bushy Brow Pencil in “Valentine” ($15)…but it was missing from my order! Then she told me that she has to die her hair back brown for Band…so I guess I’ll use it in my hair? I don’t need the brow pencil, so I just accepted a refund from customer care.
Oh, and I have been liking moisturizing primers lately, so I decided to try Tula Filter Primer Blurring & Moisturizing Primer ($38). I really like it so far – it is very smoothing and as far as I can tell, I am NOT breaking out. It’s a similar texture to Benefit Primers, except it doesn’t roll up into booger particles on your fingers.
Since I ordered this little haul on National Nail Polish Day, I received one of two different samplers with my $50 purchase. Inside the sampler: Flowery Duraboard Nail File 2 pack; Dashing Diva Glow Gel Nail Strips in “Ballet Blooms Mini”; Londontown KUR Perfecting Nail Veil “Shade 4” (‘Nail Veil’ – that’s a new one); Sally Hansen Insta-Dri “Petal Pusher”; Essie “Mrs. Always Right” (it me!); OPI Infinite Shine “Sage Simulation”; and China Glaze “Tropic Like It’s Hot”.
Just $591 to Diamond in 2024.
Summer Fun Ulta Haul
I must be depressed…I’ve been shopping an awful lot lately. Hmmm…oh well, I’ll feel a lot better if my skin looks nice.
I cannot believe I am saying this…but I cannot WAIT to get an ingrown hair, so that I can try out the Fur Ingrown Microdart Patch ($22.40, regularly $28). I am a longtime sufferer of ingrowns on my bikini line – I am thrilled to find out if these little patches can ease some of my pain! Updates to come…
Speaking of skincare, I wasn’t thrilled with the wet n wild micellar water I got recently, so I picked up Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water with Rose Water ($11.99). I also want to save the planet from my cotton pad habit, so I also got Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Eco Pads, Reusable, 3 Pack ($11.99). I also received a gift with purchase: a Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water deluxe sample.
I did splurge a little bit…I got the limited edition Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain in “Fuchsia Wife” ($27). I know that’s a lot for a lippie, but I really liked the color name. I was hedging my bets in hoping that the formula is similar to Colourpop Glossy Lip Stains – and it is, although at a premium price. I’ve worn “Fuchsia Wife” a few times and that stuff stays on like crazy! No regertz.
My $60 purchase garnered me ANOTHER gift with purchase – a suncare sampler: Ulta Beauty Gradual Self Tan Facial Mist (gifting to the daughter); Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion (this shit is BOMB); St. Tropez Luxe Tan Tonic Drops (gifting to the son); CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion; COOLA Organic Makeup Setting Spray; La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Correct Daily Lotion; Avene Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Sunscreen Fluid; Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer (gifting to son); and Dermalogica Daily Moisturizer. Ain’t NOBODY gonna burn in my house.
$667 to Diamond Status in 2024.
Diamond Freebie Haul
I love the first Monday of every month. Not because it’s a Monday, but because that’s when Ulta has their “Diamond Love List”, which is full of exclusive deals and freebies for Diamond Members!
The best part about the “Diamond Love List” is getting to try new products before the official launch. Fresh Rose & Hyaluronic Acid Lightweight Moisturizer ($46) is a lighter version of the Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream that I love. I’ve been using it under my makeup and I love how light it feels. It’s a bit pricier than Oil of Olay, but those are damn near $30 now! I’m getting uncomfortably close to 50 years old, so it might be time to splurge a little bit…I mean, it’s not La Mer.
My hair needs more than a sample pack of deep conditioner, so I splurged on Joico K-PAK Color Therapy Luster Lock ($38.50). It came with a gift with purchase – a free shower cap and hair wrap set. Who doesn’t need an extra shower cap and hair wrap?
What else did I “add to cart”? Aquaphor Touch-Free Healing Ointment ($9.99) is THE BEST. Smartypits Natural Deodorant Sample Pack – Sensitive Skin ($10, down from $20) – I couldn’t pass up this set of 4 trial size deodorants. So far, I’ve only used “Rose Lavender”, but it hasn’t irritated my skin. I also picked up a few more Flowery Nail Buffers, at 40% off. I also got a pair of Diane Daisy/Clean-Cut Shear 5” ($8.79, down from $10.99) for Logan. I caught him cutting his hair with kitchen scissors!
My order also contained a birthday gift for my sister…not pictured.
…and now for the free stuff! I got an exclusive Clarins 4 piece set with my $35 skincare purchase: Clarins Double Serum Eye; Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté; Total Cleansing Oil; Extra-Firming Night Cream; and Instant Smooth – that’s five things! I also got a free mystery gift with select hair care purchase: it Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream Anti-Aging; Biolage Strength Repairing Spray; Love Wellness Call Me Collagen; Drybar Liquid Glass Shampoo & Conditioner; Verb Ghost Shampoo & Conditioner; Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo; Living proof. Perfect hair Day 5-in-1 Styling Treatment; and it Cosmetics Bye Bye Lines Serum. Last, but not least, I got a Platinum & Diamond Exclusive 11 piece gift with $35 hair purchase: Biolage All-In-One Multi-benefit Spray; Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother; Living proof. Perfect hair Day Enhancing Treatment; Batiste Dry Shampoo; Bed Head Master Piece Hairspray; ANOTHER Love Wellness Call Me Collagen; Better Not Younger Wake Up Call Volumizing Shampoo (but no conditioner?); Virtue Healing Oil; OUAI Treatment Masque; and Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Leave-In Conditioner. My hair is so lucky!
On top of all those freebies, I was able to use a $10 off $50 coupon…just $718 to Diamond in 2024.