Category: Body
$5 Friday
I know I said I’d use up what I had before I bought more…but $5!
Last Friday, I got that magical email from Bath & Body Works that “selected fragrances” were on sale for $5 – shower gel, body cream, even fine fragrance mist! When I got there, it was all the new scents! It was Friday – I had the beginnings of a migraine – so I treated myself to a full set of both “Midnight Peony” (the muskier sister to my old favorite “Peony”) and “Rose Water and Ivy” (maybe my new favorite – it’s very similar to the long discontinued “Delicate Petals” from Victoria’s Secret).
I also had a coupon for a free item up to $14, so I got a “Hello Beautiful” Shower Gel to fill up my travel size bottle. So that was 7 products for $30 – that’s a smoking deal!
I also sampled another new scent that I’m adding to my wishlist – “Kaleidoscope”. (It wasn’t on sale, or I would’ve gotten it.) The main note is pink pepper – I have no idea what that really is, but it’s spicy and I love it. I think Tory Burch also has Pink Pepper, because that’s what it reminds me of.
One Last Semi-Stop
I controlled myself so well…until Sunday, the very last day of the Semi-Annual Sale. I found myself at the mall, killing time while Lily was at a birthday party…
The pickens were pretty slim on the last day of the sale….but there was plenty of $2 and $3 Hand Soap. I picked up 12 – 10 for me and 2 for my big sis, because they match her kitchen.
I used a $10 off $30 coupon – all this was just $23 AND CHANGE!
Just 6 more months until the next sale…
Deja Ulta Haul
I am getting serious deja vu from this Ulta Haul – oh yeah, I did a haul like this almost exactly a year ago.
I decided to use my 20% code to stock up on L’Oreal Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color for the kids ($10.99 each) in “Red”, “Maroon”, and “Burgundy”. I also picked up a L’Oreal Colorista Highlights Kit (also $10.99). Will I ruin my hair? Maybe…but maybe it will look amazing? The color isn’t important – I just need to process it to pick up the pink dye I’ll add to it later…
In addition to the hair dye, I grabbed one of the cute little I Heart Revolution Donut Palette ($7) – of course, I got the “Chocolate Dipped”. I also grabbed some sale NYX lippies – Liquid Suede Metallic Creme Lipstick in “Acme” ($2.09, down from $2.99) and Lip Lingerie Glitter in “Eurotrash” ($5.25, down from $7.50). I am a bit disappointed in the Lip Lingerie Glitter – it is more like a glossy paste than a long lasting liquid lipstick – but I am IN LOVE with the Liquid Suede in “Acme” – it is perfect!
I also continued my experimentation with hair dissolving chemicals by picking up Nair Glides Away Sensitive Formula Hair Remover with Coconut Oil for Bikini, Arms & Underarms ($8.99). I haven’t tried it yet, but hopeful.
I got a HUGE Beauty Break with my $65 order – a 14 piece Fresh by Day Summer Sampler. Inside the sampler: NEST Grapefruit & Verbena Fragranced Body Wipes (weird); Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Polish (oh, it’s for your legs); Vichy Purete Thermale One Step Cleanser for Sensitive Skin (a positively huge 3.3 oz tube); Bed Head by TIGI Queen Beach Salt Infused Texture Spray (another full size product); Clean Rain; eyeko Yoga Waterproof Mascara (nope); Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture CC Cream; MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Setting Spray; PUR Lit Mist; Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter; Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen Lotion with Diamond Dust (a shimmery suntan lotion – crazy); Poo-Pourri “Lavender Vanilla”; Mamonde Petal Spa Oil to Foam (I LOVE the way this smells); and CoTZ Face Moisture Mineral Sunscreen. A great set of summer samples!
I got a second 20% off code after this order, but it expired yesterday. Oh well…$522 to Diamond status.
Target Beauty Boxes – June 2019
It’s no surprise that Target released His & Hers boxes this month – gotta get in on that Father’s Day action!
His box is themed “Dopp Kit Essentials” – I had to google “Dopp Kit” because I’d never heard that term before – it’s a toiletry bag for dudes. Inside this “Dopp Kit”: Crest Gum Detoxify Deep Clean Toothpaste; Bulldog Men’s Skincare Moisturizer, Face Wash & Shave Gel; Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Antiperspirant; Gillette SkinGuard Men’s Razor; Old Spice Fresher Collection Deep Sea Invisible Solid Deodorant; and Head & Shoulders Old Spice Pure Sport Men’s Anti-Dandruff 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner. Believe it or not, my husband kept only the toothpaste and Head & Shoulders – and gave the rest to my son. I guess he is my new recipient!
Her box, um, I mean MY box is themed “Jet-Set-Go” and contains: TRESemme Between Washes Volumizing Dry Shampoo (I need my work wife to come to my house and teach me how to use this shit); Pixi T-Zone Peel Off Mask (interesting); CND Vinylux Mini Duo Pack in “Romantique” (I am very skeptical of these at-home gel polishes, but I’ll give it a spin); Pantene Pro-V Intense Rescue Shots Ampoules Hair Treatment; and Herbal Essences Bio Renew Revitalize Cucumber & Green Tea Dry Shampoo (why the fuck did they put two dry shampoos in one fucking box???)
I feel like the His Box is a good value for $7, but I am annoyed that I paid $7 for the Hers Box. As usual, free shipping, 5% off with my Red Card and each one came with a $3 off $15 coupon. Again, the His Box has a scannable app coupon, but the Hers Box has an old fashioned coupon. Odd.
Semi-Annual Split
God bless the employees at Bath & Body Works. They let me split my order into two transactions, so I could use two $10 off $40 coupons.
The first bag is nothing but Hand Soap. I got 14 of them. Most were $3 or $3.25, but one of them was $1.65 (75% off). One of them was “Black Cherry Merlot”, my daughter’s favorite scent.
The second bag is mostly $3 Wallflowers – I picked up 11 of them. Again, I picked up 2 “Black Cherry Merlot” for my daughter’s Wallflowers. The rest are a variety of scents. I also picked up another loofah ($3.95) and a Neon Flamingo Scentportable Holder ($4.25).
The sale should be going on for another couple of weeks – I’m fairly sure this is not my last trip, especially since I just got a 20% off $25 coupon in my email today.
Triple Freebie Haul
Not 10 minutes after I placed that last Sephora order, I placed this Ulta order…I had kept adding things to my shopping cart over the past month and when the freebies were just right…I made my move.
The biggest part of my haul was Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo and Conditioner (regularly $20 each, on sale 2/$24). I’d samples this duo a few months ago at my sister’s house – it made my hair feel amazing! The price has held me back – even on sale, this is the most expensive shampoo/conditioner I’ve purchased yet. I’m going to give it a trial before switching for good…
I had sworn off Nair when I was 15 – I tried it once and it made me look like I had leg measles and didn’t melt the hair off. I was swayed by a new product – Nair Charcoal Brighten & Smooth Leg Mask ($11.99). I tested a large patch on my shin and it actually worked this time. I left it on for the 10 minutes recommended and it actually worked on me – I was shocked. It still smells like burning diapers, but it didn’t give me a rash. I am trying my entire leg in a few days – fingers crossed.
I also tried a new deodorant – Meow Meow Tweet Grapefruit Baking Soda Free Deodorant Stick ($14). I know, I know – I’ve scoffed at fancy hippy deodorants for years…but I’d noticed periodic rashes from regular antiperspirants over the last few years, and since my surgery, I’d stopped using them almost altogether. I live in Texas though – I probably should use something. I’ve been using the Meow Meow Tweet and I feel like is working at repelling odor – but it doesn’t stop my pits from getting moist. I may have to start alternating with an antiperspirant to see if that helps.
I’ve been eyeing the Sally Hansen x Jelly Belly collaboration for a while and finally decided to pick up the Sally Hansen Insta Dri x Jelly Belly Nail Color Duo Pack with “Berry Blue” and “Tutti Fruiti” ($7.99).
Ulta was offering a free 3 piece gift with $19.50 purchase – a huge Beach Bag, a Matte Bronzer, and Lip Plumping Transforming Top Coat. I am paranoid about going without eyebrows, so I got a back-up Ulta Ultra Slim Brow Pencil in “Dark Brown” ($10). I also snagged the Mercury in Retrograde 5 Piece Rose Quartz Look Book ($16). I got the set solely based on a lyric from the song “Wasted Youth” by Jenny Lewis – the line about “Mercury in Retrograde” has been in my head for weeks. (The whole album “On the Line” is amazing – you should check it out.) The kit includes Confidence Boost Facial Mist, Be-You-Tiful Cream Eyeshadow (light pink shadow with shimmer), Self Love Lip Crayon (creamy, rosy pink), Crystal Blush (rosy-toned pearl blush), and Rose Quartz Face Gems (54 count). The blush is my favorite part, but I was pleasantly surprised by the cream eyeshadow.
And the freebies…I got a Glow All Day 5 Piece Sampler with my $65 purchase: Murad Resurgence Replenishing Multi-Acid Peel; Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Bright & Plump Moisturizer; Derma e Vitamin C Concentrated Serum; Boscia Matcha Magic Super-Antioxidant Mask; and Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Power Serum. I got a Step Up 7 Piece Sampler with my $75 purchase: Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels; Botanics Hydration Burst Sheet Mask; Clarins Hydra-Essentiel Creme; Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion; Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair; I Dew Care Cake My Day Hydrating Sprinkle Wash-Off Mask; and First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser. My skin is going to feel FANTASTIC!
Looks like this haul made me Platinum for 2020 – just $733 to Diamond status. I also am up to $53 in points…hmmmm, what do I want to buy???
Scentporta-yay
As much as I complain about all the retail spam I get – how else would I know about all the good sales? I got an email from Bath & Body Works that Scentportables would be $1.95 each on Memorial Day, so I got my ass in the car!
I threw 10 in the basket, mostly “Rose Water & Ivy”, but a few other scents, too. The store wouldn’t let me stack coupons, so the rest of my haul was a separate transaction, so I could use the coupons I got in the mail – 20% off, plus a free product up to $6. For my free product, I got a travel size Shower Gel in “Hello Beautiful” – that’s the current scent in my travel bag. I also got a few body poofs and Lily is now obsessed with “Black Cherry Merlot” and wanted a Hand Cream – I made her pay me back.
I did not go crazy because I know the Semi Annual Sale is just around the corner…stay tuned for more soap hoarding!
Sephora Play! May 2019 – Beauty BFFs
I am INTRIGUED by the name of May’s fragrance sample – Viktor & Rolf Salty Flower. I know, I know – I need to grow up. I usually like citrus scents, but I haven’t decided how I feel about this one. It’s got a hint of orange, but it’s buried underneath a powdery, old lady smell. I’ll have to wear it a few times to really decide.
Also included in this month’s “Beauty BFFs” box: Benefit Cosmetics BADgal BANG! Mascara (a decent mascara); Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick in “Stepping Out” (reminds me of NYX Soft Matte Metallic in “Cannes”); Sol de Janeiro Copa Cabana Cream (smells so good that I want to drink it); It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Eye Cream (bahhhh); and Alterna Haircare Caviar Anti-Aging Restructuring Bond Repair Leave-in Heat Protectant Spray.
A good box, with a wide variety of useful products.
Sephora Play is one of the better subscription boxes with consistently high-end products. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
May 2019 Allure Beauty Box – Smooth Sailing
Ooooh, a box full of summer pampering products!
I was thrilled to see Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream in this month’s box – I love this stuff…the rest of the box…um….
Also in this month’s box: St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Gel, with an application mitt (not a chance I’ll be using this); ModelCo Eyelites Metallic Eyeshadow in “St Barts”; Laritzy Cosmetics Lip Gloss in “Vibe”; Lue by Jean Seo Erase Cleansing, Exfoliating and Brightening Powder (seriously, is this for laundry?); and Nunzio Saviano Anti-Frizz Sheets.
I kind of feel like the box is bullshit this month…Allure, you are on notice!
Oh, the clutch is orange this month. Um, what am I gonna do with all these fucking clutches?
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.
Target Beauty Box – May 2019
“Festival Beauty Headliners” – have I mentioned lately how much I hate the “Festival Beauty” label? Where are all these festivals that people are going to outside of Coachella? I mean, I was a regular attendee of Lollapalooza back in the 90s, but we didn’t wear crazy makeup and culturally appropriated Native American headdresses…we just drew on each other with sharpies, got really muddy and sunburned. That’s the REAL “Festival Beauty.”
ANYWAY, this “Festival Beauty” box isn’t bad, actually. I am pretty sure that my daughter will end up with a bunch of it – like the Dove Cool Essentials Dry Spray Antiperspirant and the Sincerely Jules Assorted Jewelry Hair Rings. She braids her hair a lot and these would actually look really cute on her. I’ll also give her the Hawaiian Tropic Antioxidant Sunscreen Mist.
Also included: Bliss Jelly Glow Peel (I am getting to love all the Bliss samples Target is sending), Masque Bar Holographic Mask Sachet (I already used this peel-off mask – I am not sure it made me glow, but it smelled nice); SGX NYC The Do-It-All 3-in-1 Dry Texture Spray; and Sinful Colors “Fool for Azul” (ohh sky blue).
I also added Pacifica Rose Water Sleek & Shiny Shampoo and Conditioner ($9.99) to my order. Target was running an offer for a $5 gift card with a $20 beauty purchase, plus I had another $5 gift card from a previous deal. I have no idea how they provide the gift cards on online orders though – I never got it. I put in a ticket to follow up and they just refunded the $7 for the box – not what I asked for, but whatever. Thanks, Target! Regarding the Pacifica Shampoo & Conditioner, it’s okay I guess. I was expecting a stronger smell for the price. The Love Beauty and Planet Rose products have a stronger, longer lasting scent.
The “Festival Beauty Headliners” box is a good value for $7. As usual, free shipping, 5% off with my Red Card and it came with a $3 off $15 coupon. I haven’t used it yet, but I did use one of the coupons from last month! I stocked up on St. Ives Cleansers – a few weeks ago, they were running a deal for a $5 gift card with the purchase of 4, which is the same gift card I used on this order.