Author: Lara
June Birchbox – Face the Day
Month after month, Birchbox’s curated boxes are the ones I gravitate towards. I don’t know if it’s because I like to know what’s coming or if it’s because the curated boxes are well put together, er…curated. I don’t know why I like what I like…I just do.
June’s curated box is “Face the Day” and includes one of my favorite mascaras – Benefit Roller Lash. It is the only mascara that does exactly what it says it does…that I’ve tried, anyway. Also in this month’s box: Davines SU Hair & Body Wash (I’m skeptical of shampoo/body washes, although this one is specifically formulated for use after sun exposure…so it might make sense); Murad Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 15 PA++ (ooooh, gonna try this tomorrow); Davroe Ends Repair; and Mellow Cosmetics Liquid Lip Paint in “Tehran” (never heard of the brand, but I’m game).
Like I said, good box, huh?
If you would like to try Birchbox, click on my referral link – https://www.birchbox.com/invite/5453f – I’ll get 50 points if you join.
Knockout
Damn right that Formula X “Knockout” was the first one I grabbed from my new box – it’s a fucking knockout!
I’ve been in a pink mood lately, so I decided that I wanted a hot pink on my toes for vacation. If I was gonna do my toes, my fingers ought to match – for a few days at least. “Knockout” is pure fire, the hottest of the hot pink. It’s not just a pink creme – there’s a flash of blue in this hot pink.
I started with Sinful Colors Base Coat and got full coverage in just two coats of “Knockout”. I topped with “HK Girl”.
Did you notice that I chopped my nails down to nubs again? They were long and strong, except for the broken middle finger…so I went ahead and cut them all to match. Boo.
I’ve got to say, this polish lasts and lasts, even with non-matching brands of base coat and top coat. I put it on Sunday night and it’s still going strong on Thursday. Noice!
Two Sephora Orders are Better Than One
Midnight, Saturday before last (the day of the VIB Fall Preview Event)…lounging on the couch, watching a Snapped marathon, like ya do…and I see a note on Nouveau Cheap that Sephora had just listed ALL their Formula X polishes on clearance for $2 each. This is not a drill!
I placed a conservative order of just 7 polishes: “Knockout” (hot pink with a flash of blue); “Impeccable” (peachy taupe); “Motivated” (metallic mandarin); “Blazing” (shimmery maroon); “Prismatic” (glittery turquoise); “Discovery” (metallic aqua); and “Serenity” (purple glitter in a black base). See – very conservative.
For samples, I received Dior Backstage Pros with Dior Addict Lip Maximizer in “Pink”, Lip Glow in “Pink” and a tiny lip brush; Living proof. Perfect hair Day Shampoo & Conditioner; and belif The true cream – Moisturizing bomb. (What is it with these brands and their random-ass capitalization???)
Little did I know…that my Event Shopping Trip that very same day would re-qualify me for Beauty Insider Status in 2018 and a 10% code would be waiting for me in my email…
So on Tuesday, I ended up placing another order using that 10% code. My order was necessitated by the launch of the Kat von D “Lolita” Eye Shadow & Blush ($19) – I had to have it. It’s everything I hoped it would be – a perfect match to the lipstick and super-pigmented.
It would be a waste to use that code on a single shadow…so I browsed the sale page and saw that the UD Basquiat Collection was all on sale, as well as the tarte Make Believe in Yourself Collection…Decisions, decisions. After reading several reviews, I decided on the tarte Make Believe in Yourself Eye & Cheek Palette ($30, down from $40). I’ve never tried tarte shadows and the reviews on this palette are good. I tried it out this morning and the shadows ARE creamy, with no fallout. They blend like BUTTAH. I also grabbed Limited Edition Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint in “Festival” ($16, down from $18) from the same collection. It’s a light matte mauve, lighter than I expected.
I used 100 points to get a mini Kat von D Everlasting Lip Liquid in “Lovesick” – pretty sure I don’t have that one. For my samples, I got L’Occitane Creme Divine, Dior Miss Dior Absolutely Blooming and Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cream. Bahhhhhhh!
Only $478 left…I can do it!
Target Beauty Boxes – June 2017
Two Target Beauty Boxes this month – one for him and one for me.
The “Hello Sunshine” box for her includes Hawaiian Tropic Island Sport Sunscreen (always appreciated); John Frieda Beach Blonde Sea Salt Spray (I have so. much. seal salt spray.); Sinful Colors Nail Polish in “Island Coral” (must be a new shade – I don’t have it); Masque Bar Soothing Sheet Mask; Aussie 3-Minute Miracle Treatment (this is what my son uses on his luscious locks, but I haven’t used it since high school – I’ll give it a whirl); Schick Hydro Silk Women’s Razor; and NYX Gotcha Covered Concealer.
The “Hello Dapper Dude” box for him includes Nivea Men Creme (What the fuck is “Men Creme”?); Olivina Men All-in-One Body Wash in “Bourbon Cedar” (Mmmm…); Schick Hydro 5 Men’s Razor; Dove Men+Care Elements Deodorant; Colgate Optic White Radiant Toothpaste (always appreciated); Yes to Natural Man Cleansing Wipes (Man Cleansing Wipes?); and Axe Adrenaline Cool Charge Body Wash.
We’re leaving for vacation in a few weeks, and all these travel size products will be used!
Each box was $7 this month, plus free shipping and 5% off with my Red Card. Each one also came with a $3 off $15 coupon. The boxes were well, well worth it this month.
Flamingo Swimsuit
Last summer, I found the cutest flamingo swimsuit at Torrid. I paid WAY too much for it, even though it was on sale. I do not care, I LOVE it.
Since I was going on my first dip of the summer, I had to make my nails match my suit. I couldn’t decide on the creamy pink or a glittery pink, so I asked my daughter for advice. Of course, she said to use both…so I did.
I started with Sinful Colors Base Coat and then alternated with Sinful Colors “Zest of Times” and “Let Me Flamingo”. I did two coats of each – I forgot how sheer “Let Me Flamingo” is. I topped with Funky Fingers “As If” – it was the closest I have to a black and white glitter. I cannot believe I don’t have a black and white glitter! I finished with “HK Girl”.
It turned out well, huh?
Dressing Up
I don’t really have many opportunities to “dress up”, unless you count my weekly trip to the grocery store. I attended a high school graduation over the weekend though, and wore an actual dress! Of course, my nails had to match.
The main color of the dress was a wine-like shade, but I decided to emphasize the olive green accent. After Sinful Colors Base Coat, I painted two coats of Deborah Lippmann “Defying Gravity”, from the Wicked Trio. I absolutely love this green. I used Sally Hansen “Rogue Red” in varying patterns for an accent. The triangular shards are reminiscent of the triangles on the dress – perfect! I finished off with “HK Girl”.
I absolutely adored this combination…this scorching summer demands MORE glitter.
June Julep Maven Box – Bask in the Heat
Let me just say, I fucking HATE the summertime. There is NO part of me that is excited to “bask in the heat”. It’s the first week of June and it’s already 95 degrees. Killlllll meeeeeeeeee.
Even though the weather has me grouchy, I can still crack a smile for my Julep box. I went ahead and selected Julep’s new mascara – With a Twist Lash Boosting Bamboo Mascara in “Jet Black”. It’s a decent mascara, very similar to Length Matters, which I love…but I didn’t see any remarkable difference in volume after twisting the brush. I’ll keep practicing…
For polishes, I chose Boho Glam “Marisol” – golden amber metallic – and Classic with a Twist “Jaydra” – Tuscan rose sheer holographic. I don’t know what it is, but I’ve really been digging gold polish. Oh, and I also used Jules to get another love your bare face Detoxifying Cleansing Stick – I love this thing with my Clarisonic.
…and an Atomic Fireball. Fuck you. Yup, grouchy again.
Not a Julep Maven? Click HERE to join – I’ll get a $15 credit and you’ll get your first box free!
VIB Rouge Fall 2017 Preview
I’ve been invited to several exclusive Rouge events over the last two years that I’ve had Rouge status, but this past Saturday was the first time I ever actually went. I actually got up super early, got dressed and drove my ass to Sephora at 9am in the morning.
The Fall Preview Event showcases a few of the new products launching in the fall and makes them available to purchase in very limited quantities. I say very limited, because by the time I arrived, 25 minutes into the event, they had already sold out of the Too Faced Glitter Bomb Palette. I might have been tempted to buy it, especially after swatching it and covering myself with rainbow glitter…but then I think about the owner…and no.
I had snagged a new Clinique Bubble Mask…but then I got a mini-facial with Fresh products. I put that sucker back and purchased Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream ($40) and Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner ($44). I just have a soft spot for rose scents. I also picked up a Deep Pore Replacement Head for my Clarisonic ($27).
Oh, and the freebies! The Fresh Rep gave me a Deluxe sample of Fresh Sugar Face Polish and Sugar Lip Treatment Collection. When I checked out, I qualified for a HUGE flower printed pouch and a little gift baggie of samples. Inside the little baggie were 2 of each sample: Lancer The Method: Polish, Cleanse, Nourish; Alterna Haircaire Bamboo Smooth Anti-Frizz PM Overnight Smoothing Treatment and AM Daytime Smoothing Blowout Balm; Shiseido Ibuki Refining Moisturizer; and Ole Henriksen Truth Serum. Weird products, but I’ll try them out.
All these purchases requalified my VIB status for 2018 and put me just $561 away from Rouge. I think I can do it…
Magical Bag
Did I need more liquid lipstick? No, but I wanted it. Same thing.
I’ve been jonesing to try the Ofra Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick ($17) since it dropped at Ulta a few weeks ago. I’d been admiring “Emerald City” – not a duochrome, but a trichrome – for quite some time. I also picked up “Versailles”, because I need more rose gold in my life. “Versailles” is very close to Jeffree Star “Pussy Whipped”, but not quite as peachy. “Versailles” looks better on me, TBH. I haven’t tried “Emerald City” yet. The Ofra formula is nice and smooth and not drying.
I also decided to try Ulta Adjustable Coverage Foundation in “Fair”, which is very affordable at $14. I’m pleased with the performance. it’s light coerage, but a good match for my skin. I also picked up the new Ulta New Hue Shadow Switching Pan. I know I just paid $9 for a sponge in a tin, but this damn thing works like a champ. I don’t know that I could’ve made my own at home for cheaper. I spent just enough on Ulta products to get a FREE Deluxe palette, one of those ones with ALL the products – 24 shadows and blush and lip stuff. I might never use it, but free is free. I used a code for $5 off $15 in Ulta products, so I got all those goodies for a steal.
I also threw in a Zoya Remove+ for shits and giggles. My free sample pack had Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Aging Micro-Sculpting Cream Moisturizer and Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer (for my man).
The real star of my order was the FREE 24 product beauty bag that I got with a $60 purchase. It was packed so full, I can barely get all the stuff back in it!
Inside this magical bag: philosophy time in a bottle repair serum (love this stuff, but too pricey); DevaCurl Buildup Buster Gentle Deep Cleansing Serum; it Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer (I’ve heard good things about this stuff); Sexy Hair Long Sexy Hair Shampoo, Conditioner and Detangler (I don’t have long hair anymore, so I must be patient); NYX Total Control Drop Foundation (4 shades, surely the lightest will work); Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Intensive Eye Contour Cream; Clinique BIY Blend It Yourself Pigment Drops (very interesting concept); Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray (Finally! I’ve been wanting to try this); Ulta Mattifying Balm (another one I’ve wanted to try); Too Faced Mascara Melt Off Cleansing Oil (another genius idea); Jimmy Choo L’eau; Tory Burch Love Relentlessly; Benefit Hoola Quickie Contour Stick; Julep love your bare face Hydrating Cleansing Oil; Unwash Bio-Cleansing Conditioner; First Aid Beauty Oil-Free Mattifying Gel (another WOW product I want to try); Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea (I stuck it in the fridge for a hot nasty day); Organic to Green Coco Oil; Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate; Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Gloss in “Butter Scotch”; Vitabath Spa Day Body Wash in “Lavender Chamomile”; COOLA Classic Sunscreen White Tea Moisturizer; StriVectin Hair Deep Repair Mask; and Smashbox Cover Shot Golden Hour Eye Shadow Duo. Phew, finger cramps. Oh, and another $5 off $15 Ulta coupon.
Bree is Blinding
Looking for a polish that will look great with yellow-stained nails…and I came across Julep “Bree”.
“Bree” is from last December’s Julep box – not sure how I passed this one by. Julep describes this one as golden gardenia multidimensional glitter. Not sure where the gardenia part comes in, but yeah – it’s gold glitter, alright. I’m quite a fan of full coverage glitters and this is one of the fullest coverage glitters I’ve ever used. This is just two thin coats over Julep Oxygen Bonding Base Coat and under “HK Girl”.
“Bree” lasts and lasts…I wore it for a full week (Sunday through Saturday) with minimal edge wear. The best part…”Bree” melted right off when I went to remove it – no scrubbing!