Category: Body
Target Beauty Boxes – April 2020
Thank you Target, for giving me two Target Beauty Boxes for April. My online shopping is ridiculous right now…
The box on the left is called “Clean Routine” and is filled with health-conscious alternatives to every day products. I tried out the Lavanila Pure Healthy Vanilla Deodorant today. It’s not as good as the Schmidt’s deodorant, but it kept most of the funk away. (I totally just sniffed my armpit – a little funky, but not bad.) Also included in the “Clean Routine” box: artnaturals Vitamin C Serum (I’ve been using a lot of serums in my morning routine since Quarantine started); hello bpa-free toothbrush (I’ll throw it in the bin for guests); Love Beauty and Planet Coconut Milk & White Jasmine Hand Cream (I have the one I received in the April 2019 box in my purse); and hello Hemp Seed Oil + Coconut Oil Fluoride Free Toothpaste (I’ve been using this for the past few days – it’s like brushing your teeth with oregano).
The other box is themed “Spring Into Clean” and is full of healthy cleaning products. I am LOVING the full sized SheaMoisture Cannabis & Witch Hazel Skin Rescue Cream Cleanser. It takes a lot of rinsing, but I like the way it feels and smells. Also inside: Pacifica Glowing Makeup Removing Wipes; The Good Stuff Complete Repair Balm (another repeat from April 2019); Acure Resurfacing Overnight Glycolic Treatment; and Spring & Vine Tea Tree & Mint Scalp Soothing Shampoo Bar (I gave to the husband, but he hasn’t used it yet.
Each box was $7, with free shipping, plus 5% off with my Target Red Card. Both boxes came with $3 off $15 coupons, and THESE coupons have an extended expiration date of 8/6/20. I was able to use BOTH of last month’s coupons already! I even used one of them to order these two boxes, adding some body wash for my daughter to the order to bump the total over $15.
March 2020 Allure Beauty Box – Spring Vibes
Oh come on Allure Beauty Box – you gotta do better than this!
I hate when Beauty Boxes just throw a bunch of random old products in a box together. I got Floss My New Favorite Lip Gloss in “Lax” in last June’s box. Don’t even get me started on the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in “Zero” – I think I have about 12 of these.
I wasn’t upset to get Mamonde Red Energy Recovery Serum – I’ve been wearing it every morning after my show. I’m not sure what it is helping my skin recover from, but it feels nice.
Also in this month’s box: Rodial Glamolash Mascara XXL; Dr. Botanicals Lemon Superfood All-in-One Rescue Butter; and Lapcos Ceramide Firming Mask.
Okay Allure Beauty Box – you’re on warning! No more crappy boxes or I am gonna have to cancel!
The Allure Beauty Box is $15/month, but they give you $5 off your first box. They also offer an option for $150/year – a savings of $30. Sign up via my referral link.
Orange Capsule
I know it’s super cliched…but this palette is SO PIGMENTED.
This PIGMENTED palette is the Sugarpill C2 Orange Capsule ($42), an Ulta exclusive. This is my first experience with Sugarpill shadows, and I am very impressed. No primer needed with these shadows – they spread on the lid like butter. I was drawn to this palette for one particular shade – that bright turquoise shimmer – “Skyrise”. Even though I loved they way it looked on me, my husband said I look like Mimi from The Drew Carey Show. He doesn’t understand FASHION. Now I want the Pink Capsule Palette!
I also tried out a new brow pencil – Colourpop Brow Boss in “Dark Brown” ($6). It’s a great price, but still not as good my Ulta Holy Grail for a few dollars more. It doesn’t blend as well and fades throughout the day. It’s fine for work, though.
Black Moon Lippies are 30% off ($12.60, down from $18) – I wonder if this means they are dropping the brand? Anyway, I picked up “Warrior”, a Breast Cancer Awareness nude matte.
Oh, and I got a Women Founded Beauty Sample Bag, with it Cosmetics Mini Blurring Foundation Brush; Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer, Sweet Spot Labs Vanilla Blossom Gentle Wash (it says “gynecologist recommended”, so I guess it is for my vajayjay?); Benefit The POREfessional, Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream (I’ve tried this before and really like the smell); Sunday Riley A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum; Pattern Heavy Conditioner for Coilies (will be gifted to a curly-headed friend); Sagely Naturals CBD Cream (I tried a previous sample of this while in Vegas, and it TINGLED so bad – I loved it); DefineMe Sofia Isabel Fragrance (an orangey vanilla rollerball); and Drybar Jump Start Quick Dry Blowout Serum.
I was able to use a $3.50 off coupon, leaving me with $1,007 more to get to Diamond again.
FabFitFun – Spring 2020
reVive Light Therapy Glo Wrinkle and Anti-Aging Light Device: So while being quarantined and I figured what the hell, I’ll get a FabFitFun box and see what this wand is all about. Well ladies, buy it. Only after using it every day for about a week I’ve noticed my “mom lines” or 11’s as they call them in the Botox world have gone down. I use it nightly in spots I think I need it after I wash and put my serums on. You just hold it in place for three minutes, mind you, you look like a unicorn when taking care of those mom lines, but it’s super easy. True test is what happens after a month of use. But I like it. Worth the price to buy at $68.
WEI Two in one Purify and Glow Mask: One mask looks and smells like honey and brown sugar mixed together. Ya slap that on with your hand because the brush they give you doesn’t work with this mask. Wait five minutes, run it in to exfoliate and rinse off with warm water, it was good, nothing crazy. The second mask is a mud mask, this does work well with the brush, goes oh smooth, definitely tingles and honestly doesn’t smell bad. Made my face feel smooth after i had it on for 20 mins. Takes a little rubbing to get it off, that’s what she said, but it’s mud, kinda expect that from those kinds of masks. Now it retails for $45 for the set of 8 masks. I do one after the other so it’s like $11.25 each set, and that’s not to bad for these masks. Would I buy it again, possibly.
Spongelle Body Wash infused buffer: Honestly no idea how many uses this baby will get. It says multi use but is that 2, 5, 10?? Who knows. I do know it’s smells absolutely amazing! Scent is black orchid, never smelled one but if it smells like this, sign me up for a dozen. But would I pay $16 for this thing……. I don’t know. Maybe if I was on a splurge and saw them I might, but it would I be perfect for a week long vacation. It definitely exfoliates and leaves you smelling sweet! The sponge is hard when dry and definitely has a lot of soap in it.
Whish Blue Matcha Restoring Mask: So the directions say to keep in till it goes white from blue. It’s not really blue, it’s more of a grey. Applied easy with my brush, it doesn’t come with one. It smells great and doesn’t do that flake off thing lots of clay like masks do. My face feels amazing after using it and looks so healthy and glowing, my pores look smaller too. This jar is heavy, lots of product. Always love simple packaging. It retails for $58! Yikes right. But if you look at it in how many times you would get use out of it. It’s pricey but not bad for the amount of mask you get and the results. It would definitely be on my must have purchase list if I have some extra bucks to spend.
Calpak packing cubes: Eh. You get 3 cubes, large, medium and small. They are pretty colored and made ok. They retail for $40, I wouldn’t spend that much when you can get more on amazon for half that price, I have them in purple myself. Cool, yes! Worth the $40 to spend, nope. Save your $ and go to Amazon.
Stone Cold Fox tea towels: Love these! Basic color and design but well made and larger sized kitchen towels. Saving these babies to put out when we redo the kitchen. They retail for $38 for two. Would I spend that on kitchen towels, no, but I do love them and happy I got them.
AG Hair Fast Food Leave in: I’m super weird about leave ins. I have thin hair and lots of stuff tends to weigh it down. This smells great and if you’re heat styling or have over processed hair it’s great! Big tube of product. Retails for $24 and for all the product you get, it’s fantastic. I don’t use a lot of it, so it will last me a long time! Hair didn’t feel weighed down at all.
Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray: I’ve never been a water spray face person. Not sure if I like it or if I don’t. It’s cool. Retails for $14. Says it’s good for sunburns, skin issues, razor burn, diaper rash. I used it after my mask and it felt great. This probably needs to be used more to understand it’s full effect. New to the water spray game I guess. I did use it after I shaved my legs and they felt super refreshed. So would I buy it again at $14, yeah why not.
FabFitFun is delivered quarterly and costs $49.99. You can get $10 off your first box by clicking my referral link.
Target Beauty Boxes – March 2020
For the third month in a row, Target gave us two Beauty Boxes this month!
The “Spring Break” box knocked it out of the park. The star of the box is a FULL SIZE Schmidt’s Rose & Black Pepper Natural Deodorant, which retails for $7.99 on its own! I’d gotten samples of Schmidt’s previously, and it left my pits red and irritated. I gave this one a shot and I’ve had no redness or irritation. I am in love with the peppery scent!
Also in the “Spring Break” box: Thayer’s Witch Hazel Alcohol-Free Toner Facial Mist; Nexxus Therappe Ultimate Moisture Shampoo; Nexxus Humectress Ultimate Moisture Conditioner (this scent brings me back to my childhood, when my mom would buy this conditioner and I would sneak it); Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Unscented Refreshing Dry Shampoo; OGX Refresh & Restore + Coconut Miracle Oil Dry Shampoo (do I really need two more dry shampoos?); and Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. This is a fantastic box!
The other box was themed “Dermatologist-Trusted Skincare” and included: La Roche Posay Touleraine Hydrating Gentle Cleanser; CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin; CeraVe Eye Repair Cream; Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich; La Roche Posay Anthelios Tinted Mineral Suncreen – SPF 50 (this stuff is really good – I’ve sampled it before); CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion; Vichy Mineral 89 Eyes; and Vichy Mineral 89. This is a great, high end box!
Each box was $7, with free shipping, plus 5% off with my Target Red Card. (Strangely enough, no consolidation discount was offered with the March boxes.) Both boxes came with $3 off $15 coupons, and THESE coupons have an extended expiration date of 6/30/20. I should have no problems getting to use both these coupons!
Target Beauty Boxes – February 2020
Target made me go full “Karen” this month, I almost had to ask for a manager.
I was late to order the February boxes, because I was in Vegas. I went to order the boxes mid-month and Target’s website was telling me that there was a $25 minimum order for free shipping now – the hell? I poked around and there were comments on My Subscription Addiction describing the same issue. I chatted into Support and the agent was…less than helpful. He just kept quoting that I had to meet the threshold, even after I told him that I’d been buying individual Target Beauty Boxes for YEARS with free shipping. I politely bid him adieu, asking him to please refer this issue up the chain, as I wouldn’t be purchasing any more Beauty Boxes until it’s been fixed.
Turns out it must have been a temporary glitch. I went back and checked my shopping cart and I was able to complete my order with Free Shipping, and NO issues. As a matter of face, Target’s site even offered my a $1 consolidation discount, if I’d agree to slower shipping in fewer boxes. Now, I have NO illusions that the fix had anything to do with me or my chat into Support. It HAD to be a coincidence…right?
In any case, I snatched up both February boxes. The “Pucker Up” box was solely lip products. The star product is the St. Ives Passionfruit Lip Scrub. While not as sweet and tasty as Jeffree’s, it close. It left my lips soft and smooth and wasn’t nasty and greasy like the wet n wild scrub. Also in the lippie box: TwelveNYC Perfect Pout Cooling Gel Lip Mask (I keep forgetting to put in the freezer, so I can try it); Dr. Bronner Lip Balm in “Peppermint” (I bet it’s as tingly as the soap); Burt’s Bees Moisturizing Lip Mask; Milani Bold Color Statement Matte Lipstick in “I am Confident”; Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer in “Peony”; and Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Plumping Gloss in “Plums Up” (this STINGS like Lip Venom – and there is no tint to the gloss – BOO.) This box was a great value!
The other box was “Self Love” themed, and included Que Bella Radiance Boost Shimmering Cream Face Mask; Pacifica Island Vanilla by Pacifica Perfumed Hair & Body Mist; Aveeno Moisturizing CICA Balm (I brought this to work to use and it was…slick – I swear, it left like lube on my hands); Yuni My OM World Calming Aromatherapy Body Mist; Village Naturals Therapy Aches and Pains Muscle Relief Mineral Bath Soak (will be handing off to one of my kids); Masque Bar Silver Foil Pearl Peel Off Mask; and TwelveNYC Bright-Eyed Cooling Gel Eye Pads (again, someone remind me to put these in the freezer).
Each box was $7, with free shipping, that $1 Consolidation discount plus 5% off with my Target Red Card. Both boxes came with $3 off $15 coupons, but they expired 3/1. I had only gotten the boxes 2-3 days before that and I did not have time to use them.
Vegas Birthday
As many times as we’ve been to Vegas – I’ve never been on my actual birthday!
My lips were getting dry and I forgot to pack extra lip moisture. I dragged my husband into Sephora, with the intention of buying a mini Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask (like I did last time), but they did not have any of the minis in stock and I didn’t feel like spending $26 on lip stuff. My husband had shown me a Kiehl’s Lip Balm for $10, which was what I was getting until I saw the bin of Smith’s by the checkout. Grabbed two Rosebud Perfume Co. tubes: Rosebud Salve in a Tube ($7) and Menthol and Eucalyptus Lip Balm ($7). They were very moisturizing and I could share with my husband.
I also used this opportunity to pick up this year’s birthday gift. I was gonna wait and order online to get the Jo Malone sample, but I decided to go ahead and get the Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream and Coco Cabana Cream Set – that stuff smells so good! There were also gifts from Milk Makeup and Briogeo available.
$316 to VIB…
Target Beauty Boxes – January 2020
Target released TWO Beauty Boxes for January – hallelujah!
I was really excited to get a sample of Love Home & Planet Laundry Detergent “Lavender & Argan Oil” – even though lavender gives me a headache. I am obsessed with the laundry detergent though – I have the Rose version and I love the way it makes my clothes smell! The bottle came with a $2 off coupon, which I will DEFINITELY use. Also in the “Clean Up Your Beauty Routine”box: Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Body Lotion (giving to my son); Lumene Nordic-C Cleansing Balm; Lumene Nordic-C Arctic Berry Oil Cocktail; Native Deodorant Mini in “Charcoal”; Burt’s Bees Flouride Free Purely White Zen Peppermint Toothpaste (going to Vegas with me); Mrs. Meyer’s Oat Blossom Hand Soap, and Up & Up Premium Cotton Rounds (also perfect for Vegas).
The other box – “Out with the Old, In with the New” – is full of brand new products: Clairol Hair Food Coconut & Chai Spice Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioner (the scent sounds weird, but I’ll try it); Crest 3D White Radiant Mint Toothpaste (maybe I’ll let my husband use this one in Vegas); Que Bella Limited Edition Watermelon peel off mask & Cooling Avocado Clay Mask Duo; Creme of Nature Perfect Hold with Exotic Shine (This says it is for “edges” – I don’t think I have “edges”); Boots No7 Laboratories Firming Booster Serum; Olay Regenerist Whip Facial Moisturizer (I love the way this feels on my face – my face just drinks it up); and Olay Regenrist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer (this one is great, too).
Both of these boxes were GREAT!
Each box was $7, with free shipping, plus 5% off with my Target Red Card. Both boxes came with $3 off $15 coupons that expire in just a few days – I better hurry! I did use last month’s coupon – I took my daughter to Target the day after Xmas and bought half off Xmas Beauty goodies, like brushes and nail polish gift sets.
75% Off Halloween
Yesterday was the last day of Bath & Body Works’ Semi-Annual Sale, but I snagged this haul late last week, during a lunchtime run to the store in West Oaks Mall. I didn’t even get stabbed!
My primary goal wasn’t even Bath & Body Works Semi Annual Sale – I wanted to check out the Victoria’s Secret Semi-Annual Sale. I don’t need more underwear, but I wanted to see if they had any “Hardcore Rose” Body Wash or Lotion. “Hardcore Rose” is a new scent I discovered – I ordered a $5.99 Rollerball with the pink zebra pajamas I ordered from the Semi-Annual Sale. They did have Velvet Lotion, but no Body Wash, so I skipped buying anything. I did briefly look through the underwear bins, but all that was left was ratty looking thongs. (Besides the Food Court, Bath & Body Works and Victoria’s Secret are literally the only “name brand” stores left in this mall – it’s sad.)
ANYWAY, the lack of traffic meant that there was still Halloween stock left at 75% off, so I snatched up 7 Foaming Hand Soaps and a few spooky Wallflower Refills. I also got Lily a Skeleton Wolf Antibac Holder – it actually howls!
Until next time, dear Semi-Annual Sales!
Naked Honey Diamond
I did it!
What did I do?
Well…I did several things. I bought the Urban Decay Naked Honey Palette ($49), even though I said I wasn’t going to buy it yet. But I had a good reason! I got my hair cut at Ulta the day after Xmas and it put me SO close to Diamond status – only $52 away…so…
Admittedly, the colors are somewhat similar to the Naked 2 palette, but with a bunch of gold shades added. Even so, it’s a good palette. The colors are creamy and blendable, even more blendable that usual! I also like the brush that came with the palette – it’s great for packing color.
Ulta was having a deal offering any it Brushes for Ulta for $5 (regularly $14) with a palette purchase. I got the Airbrush Blending Crease Brush #105. Since it comes with a cap, I’ll through it in my travel bag for Vegas.
I also threw in a few stock-up items – a L’Oreal Colorista Bleach Highlights Kit ($10.99) and a few packs of Exfoliating Cotton Pads ($3.49). Even though I used a $3.50 off $15 coupon, I qualified for the FREE 23 Piece Sparkler Beauty Bag with $70 purchase.
Inside the Sparkler Beauty Bag: Joico Defy Damage Foilpacks with Shampoo, Conditioner, Protective Masque and Protective Shield; NARS Climax Mascara (I’m using it right now – I like it, it’s not clumpy); Rituals The Rituals of Sakura Sensational Foaming Shower Gel; NEST Fragrances Bamboo & Jasmine; Urban Decay Subversion Volumizing Lash Primer; Giorgio Armani Si Passione; Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male; Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in “Dark Brown” (so tiny!); Too Cool for School Rules of Mastic IX Enhancer (you cannot tell by the name, but this is a skin serum); Vichy Mineral 89 Skin Fortifying Daily Booster; Mamonde Lip Sleeping Mask in “Plum Blossom”; Peter Thomas Roth Peptide 21 Wrinkle Resist Serum; First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream; StriVectin anti-wrinkle SD advanced plus Intensive Moisturizing Concentrate; boscia Luminizing Black Mask; Kenneth Cole Mankind Legacy; Grown Alchemist Hydra-Repair Day Cream; Living proof. Perfect hair Day 5-in-1 styling treatment; Phyto Detox Clarifying Detox Shampoo (no matching conditioner – boo); it cosmetics Confidence in a Cream; NYX Retractable Eye Liner in “White”; Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in “Out Loud”; and Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil in 4.5 (another so tiny!). The bag it came in was a glittery blue velvet one, and quite roomy. It might be coming to Vegas with me, too.
So yeah, I’m Ulta Diamond for 2020 – that will give me x1.5 Ulta points and free shipping (over $25)…I’m excited to see what kind of points I can rack up.