Category: Body
Last Shopping Trip of the Year
Having to work on New Year’s Eve is a total bummer…I drowned my sorrow in cheap bath products. I had already been to the Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Sale on Monday to buy some gifts and got to use a $10 off $40 coupon…but I forgot the $20 off $50 coupon – I had to go back, right?
Half the stuff is for my husband – shower gel (Twilight Woods and Dark Amber) and foam bath (Energy Aromatherapy). I bought a shit-ton of shower puffs – I just don’t like any other ones – Bath & Body Works are the absolute best. I picked up Pure Paradise Shower Gel (online only now!) and decided to try a new scent in shower gel and body lotion – Strawberry Sparkler (I used it today – it smells like strawberry syrup). I also bought some new travel sizes for my next trip – Pink Jasmine Kiss & Blackberry.
…and I didn’t even buy any hand soap! (Only because most of what they had out was that weird foamy shit – I don’t care for the foam.)
I was pretty proud that my receipt said I saved $92.75. Yeah, I know this shit is overpriced, but regardless – I got a lot of stuff for $39.
December Beauty Box 5 – Merry & Bright
I got my Beauty Box 5 and Ipsy bag on Saturday, but as you can tell, I’m getting a little backed up in hoard…
This month’s theme is “Merry & Bright”. This is a very odd box. Inside: Jaqua “Pink Champagne” Hand Creme with Meadowfoam Seed Oil (What the fuck is meadowfoam? It kind of smells like diaper ointment…); Absolute! New York Nail Polish Remover Pads in “Lavender” (I tried it last night and after some furious rubbing, I got all the polish and glitter off one nail. There is NO WAY one pad will work on all 10 nails. It’s non-acetone and smells like freshly poured asphalt, NOT lavender); Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Mostiurizer (I’ve heard good things about Juice Beauty – excited); Nanacoco Nail Polish in “Emerald” (So pretty); and Lucky Brand “Lucky Number 6” (a spicy, oriental scent that reminds me of B&BW “Japanese Cherry Blossom”).
No makeup. What????
Merry 20% off Xmas to Me!
My husband and I have a unique arrangement. We tell each other exactly what we want for gifts and then go buy it. We occasionally surprise each other, but for the most part, we know what’s coming. He wanted a breadmaker, so I ordered it from Amazon, got it 2 days later and started making bread. I REALLY wanted the Urban Decay Vice3 Palette…and wouldn’t you know it, I just got a 20% off at Ulta coupon!
Since my husband is out of town fishing, I decided to “be nice” and go pick up my own gift today. I say “be nice”, because it really benefits me. I get to use my 20% coupon AND I get the Ultamate Rewards points. Of course, the first Ulta was out of stock. So I got to use my $5 off $10 coupon on Zoya Remove+ and some headbands.
I found success at the second Ulta though – they had at least 20 vice3 palettes. (I wonder if I have to wait until Xmas to use it? I bet I can use it tomorrow, since he already got to use his breadmaker…) I also picked up a 4 pack of $10 gift cards for teacher gifts. Since both Logan’s teachers complimented my nails during my last parent teacher conference, I think they’ll enjoy it…
I had to hit Bath & Body Works – I couldn’t resist $2.50 Hand Soaps, especially since they were only $2 with my 20% off coupon. I showed restraint and only picked up 16…which I will be sharing with my little sister.
I also hit Bed Bath & Beyond to use a 20% off coupon on a new ceramic skillet for my husband’s birthday. (I totally hoard those coupons. My sister and BFF even save theirs for me…let me know if you need one – I have plenty extra this year.) How lucky am I that he always wants kitchen stuff for gifts?
Merry 20% off Xmas to me!
Allure Beauty Box – December 2014
Because I knew this season’s Allure Beauty Box would go on sale during my Thanksgiving vacation, I set an alarm on my phone to remind me to jump on the computer and purchase it…again, I was able to get this value-packed box of goodies – over $250 of stuff for $44.95 + $10 shipping.
Is it possible that this box is even better than the last one? Inside: Aloxxi Conditioning Detangler (Lily might be getting this); Bioré Self heating One Minute Mask (I would have tried this out tonight if it wasn’t for a freak mustache wax accident this morning – don’t ask); Burt’s Bees Cucumber & Sage Facial Cleansing Towelettes (I totally used up the e.l.f. ones I got last time, so I know I’ll use these); Cetaphil Intensive Moisturizing Cream; Clean & Clear Morning Burst Hydrating Gel Moisturizer; Colgate Optic White Toothbrush + Built-In Whitening Pen (weird); Colgate Optic White Platinum Whiten & Protect Toothpaste (cool); Curel Skincare Rough Skin Rescue (the only duplicate from the last box – my husband already called dibs on this bottle to take to work); Dove White Beauty Bar (I didn’t know people still used bar soap?); Jergens Natural Glow 3 Days To Glow Moisturizer (I don’t need to be browner, so this will be gifted); John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Colour Protecting Moisturising Conditioner (this shit is my JAM); John Frieda Colour Refreshing Gloss for Cool Brunettes; John Frieda Frizz Ease Nourishing Oil Elixir; Neutrogena Boost Water Gel; Not Your Mother’s Whip It Up Cream Styling Mousse (do people still use mousse?); Organic Doctor Organic Manuka Honey Hand & Nail Cream; Organic Doctor Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Hydrating Radiance Elixir; Physicians Formula Nude Wear Glowing Nude Blush in “Rose” (YES, YES, YES); Rusk Texture Dry Finishing Spray; Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in “Sweet Talker”; scünci Hair Emergency Kit (my purse needs this); Shea Moisture Superfruit Complex Body Lotion; Splat hair Chalk in “Dusty Rose” (why not?); and Style Sexy Hair Dry Shampoo (yes, more dry shampoo).
My only disappointment was that there was no face wash! Now I have to go buy some fucking face wash!
Target Beauty Boxes – December 2014
I wasn’t expecting another Target Beauty Box so soon – the last one came around just 2 months ago! This time, there were 3 boxes to choose from. Of course, I got the regular $10 Beauty Box for myself, but this time – they had a $5 Men’s box. My husband has been envious of all my subscription boxes, and now he finally got one! There was also a natural box, but none of the products interested me, so I skipped it.
Inside the Men’s box: Gillette ProGlide FlexBall Razor – we both use Mach3 and this looks similar; Dove Men+Care Dry Deodorant Spray; Old Spice Swagger 2in1 Shampoo and Conditioner – the last deodorant I bought him was Old Spice Swagger, so this will match; Neutrogena Men Invigorating Face Wash – I don’t think I have ever seem my husband wash his face…at least not like girls wash their face; Proraso Shaving Cream; and AXE Peace Shower Gel – yay for travel sizes!
The Women’s Beauty Box is a major score for $10. Inside: Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen – maybe this is THE ONE, the one that will give me the correct cat eye; Revlon HD Lacquer in “Petalite” – I am getting overloaded with Barbie pink lip gloss; Clairol Hair Food Thickening Solution – it’s a full size product, but it sounds like a pain in the ass to use, having to put in your wet hair, comb through and then rinse out; L’Oreal Butterfly Intenza Mascara – I love the original, so this one has to be twice as good; Cover Girl Eye Enhancers in “Daring Nudes” – no matter how many expensive palettes I get, I still use these Cover Girl quads weekly; ChapStick Total Hydration Lip Care in “Sweet Peach”; Laneige Water Sleeping Mask; and Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Advanced Serum.
As always, free shipping on these boxes and 5% off with my Red Card. You can’t beat this deal with a stick!
$3 Lotion
I got more lotion for my basket!
A few weeks ago, Bath & Body Works had all of their body lotion on sale for $3. My sister and I went in halfsies on an online order to get 10 of them, so we could also use a $10 off $30 coupon. I got “White Citrus”, “Secret Wonderland”, “Pure Paradise”, “Carried Away” and “Mad About You”.
I am nothing, if not predictable.
Coming Up Roses
So I had $30 in Birchbox points burning a hole in my pocket…and a 20% off coupon code, so I HAD to place an order.
Ever since I discovered Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in “Soft Brown”, I have an almost pathological fear of running out and not having a back-up. Yeah, it’s $21…but it is the only eyebrow pencil I’ve found that doesn’t make me look like Cruella DeVille.
I am always looking for a good rose scent, so I decided to try Jurlique “Essence of Rose” Roll-on Fragrance Oil. It’s a traditional rose scent – my husband wrinkled his nose and said, “Grandma.” Well…tough shit. I also got Jurlique Love Balm in “Rose” – the cold weather is taking a toll on my cuticles and knuckles.
My free mystery add-on was 2 pouches from Hairkop Essences: Treatment Conditioner and Leave In Moisturizing Cream. They both contain Obliphica (Sea-Buckthorn) Fruit Extract. I have no idea what that is and it kind of scares me.
So I got $60 of loot for $10.80. I LOVE Birchbox so fucking much.
November Beauty Box 5 – Gracefully Grounded
Just like last month, I got my Beauty Box 5 on the same day (Saturday) that I got the shipping email. I understand them hedging their bets – why not send the emails a bit later than they day the drop them in the mail? No matter what, I get them pretty quick since they are based in Austin.
“Gracefully Grounded” is November’s theme. Inside my box: L’Oreal Paris Nail Color (Really – another polish without a name? I thought L’Oreal always names their polishes? I call this one Bright Ass Tomato Red…); DenTek Floss Picks + Case (perfect for my purse); HASK Macadamia Revitalizing Shine Oil; Laura Ashley Body Butter in “Cherry Blossom” (Is Laura Ashley still around or is this product left over from the 80s?); and Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash (I got a full size in my Allure Beauty Box, but haven’t tried it yet.)
My BFF didn’t get hers until today – I FINALLY got one of my boxes before her!
Mediterranean Fall
When you get those GOOD coupons in your email…50% off selected fall items, 3 wick candles 2/$22 and an additional 25% off your purchase…you gotta go!
I picked up two candles – “Smoked Berries & Incense” and “Topaz Waters”. I let my husband smell them – he wrinkled his nose and banned them from the bedroom. Awwwww!
I showed restraint and picked up three 50% off hand soaps – “Topaz Waters”, “Moroccan Fig & Honey” (my husband HATED this one), and “Malaysian Pomegranate”.
On a related note, I switched out the summer scent – “Aloha Orchid” – from my powder room and replaced it with a winter scent – “Sparkling Pink Champagne”. My son got really upset – because it didn’t smell as good. Soap is a very divisive issue in our house.
Extreme Bedroom Makeover
So….my nail polish collection has gotten a little bit out of control. I’ve been fine the last few years, storing them in a plastic caddy, but then I filled both sides and had to get another caddy for remover and tools and then even that was not enough. I’ve got polishes EVERYWHERE – on the floor, on my vanity table, still in stacked subscription boxes…not to mention scattered through the rest of the house.
It’s not just the polishes that are the problem – it’s the subscription boxes. Since I’m a hoarder, I can’t throw any of the boxes away because I NEED them. I use them to mail stuff, to put gifts in and I’ve also started covering them with fancy Duck Tape to use for storage. The problem is that I get boxes faster than I can use them. Not to mention all the samples that come in those boxes – they are stacked up everywhere as well.
Again, Angie is my inspiration. I had been really considering getting a HELMER from IKEA (the nail blogger holy grail of nail polish storage), but I don’t quite have THAT much polish. (The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. Obviously, I’m not there yet.) Angie suggested getting a RÅSKOG instead – it lets you see what you’ve got. We finally made the long trek to IKEA yesterday and I picked one up – after visiting my grandparents, who are conveniently buried across the street from IKEA. (It’s like they planned it.)
I put all of my polishes into the bottom two trays – including my Julep Color Caddy. I may end up booting it if I run out of room, but it’s so pretty! I tried to clean up the lotions and other stuff on my vanity – I dusted and culled a few old bottles. What I really need to do is clean out the drawers, which are filled mostly with jewelry – important stuff I inherited from my mother and grandmother, but also stupid stuff, like my elementary school jewelry. That’s a project that would take an entire weekend…at the very least.
The vanity itself was my grandmother’s. The finish is horrible – scratched and scuffed – but I don’t have the gumption yet to refinish it like I did my other vanity. (I did a red and black crackle finish on the other one – it’s beautiful, but it was a pain in the ass.) I went ahead and put all my boxes underneath it, I don’t sit at it, so really it’s just storage.
I’m very happy with the result. I expect I’ll outgrow my RÅSKOG soon, but I’ve got room for another…