Category: Face
Shade + Light Glimmer
Oh Kat Von D, just take all my money…
I told myself that I wasn’t going to order this palette on release day (7/11)…I lied. I ordered it.
Kat Von D Cosmetics Shade + Light Glimmer Eye Contour Palette ($49) is the shiny sister to the original Shade + Light palette, which is entirely matte. I got that palette for Xmas a few years ago and I was not thrilled with it at first…until I learned how to use it. Once I learned how to use it and contour my eyes, I fell in love with it.
I tried it out several days in a row and the quality is fantabulous. It blends well without primer and the variety of finishes are fun to play with. I have not yet used it with the matte version – that’s next on my list. I DID use the eye shadow over lipstick to “glimmerize” a matte lipstick – it looked amazing. Definitely try it.
I’m torn – I have been trying to compare it in my head with the Naked Heat palette…but they are SO different. I couldn’t choose one as a superior palette – they do two different things! Ugh, you just have to get BOTH of them.
One of the hardest parts of placing a Sephora order is picking which promo code to use. I save all of my Sephora emails in a folder, so I can easily access the most current promo codes. I found one for free deluxe samples of Living proof. No Frizz Shampoo & Conditioner. As much as Jennifer Anniston annoys me, Living proof. is one of the best hair lines I’ve ever sampled. I say “sampled” because an 8 oz. bottle is $25. Fuck a bunch of that…unless I win the lottery.
I am obsessed with the perfume samples I got with my order. I’ve been wanting to try Jo Malone for a while and I received a sample of Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia. It is different than any other fragrance I’ve tried. I cannot even explain it. It smells like…luxury. It’s pricey at $65, but not too ridiculous. I want to sample more before I pick this one. The other fragrance I got was Maison Margiela REPLICA Lipstick On. This one blew my mind. It immediately brought back memories of this old Art Deco armoire that my mom had – I believe it was lined with Cedar. This perfume smells like a mix of the inside of that armoire and literally, an old tube of lipstick. I know I am not describing it in the most attractive way, but it’s what I imagine Bette Davis must have smelled like. I might have to sell a kidney for it…it’s $126.
Oh…and a little foilpack of Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream.
Just $383 left until Rouge for 2018…maybe I will buy that $126 perfume…
July Ipsy Bag – Over Easy
Forget this month’s ipsy bag for a moment…and LOOK at the mailer. This month’s gold mailer has me SHOOK. I’ve been getting ipsy for 3+ years and this is the first time there’s been a change to that familiar fuchsia mailer. I ain’t even mad though.
That gold mailer almost distracted me from this month’s makeup bag…oh my. I don’t even know what to think about that sad little egg, Gudetama. I don’t hate it…but…I’m not in love.
I’m not overly excited about the products in this month’s bag either – they’re not bad products, but not stuff I “need”. I’m thinking the first thing I’ll sample is the tarte Rainforest of the Sea deep dive cleansing gel. I really liked their FRXXXTION stick. Also inside this month’s box: Beau Gâchis Illuminating Brush; BRTC Jasmine Waterful Sleeping Mask (TONIGHT); Japonesque Velvet Touch Primer at first glance, I thought this was the Smashbox primer); and OFRA eyeshadow in “Gold Rush”.
There was also a rather thick booklet from ipsy, promoting their new ipsy cash program. I’m all for cash back on my purchases, but I don’t know if I can divert my purchases from Ulta and Sephora – I gots to get my points.
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.
Naked Heat
I’d passed quite a few opportunities over the past month to pick up the newest Urban Decay Naked Heat palette ($54). Both Ulta and Sephora had a few pre-sales, then there was the official online launch. But the stars aligned while I was on vacation…not only had I accrued $53 in Ulta points (my last spend was the Alice Through the Looking Glass palette), but I received a 20% off anything coupon from Ulta….would it work?
Fuck yeah, it worked! But to my delight/dismay, I was now under the $50 shipping threshold. What is there to do, but to also add one of the new Urban Decay Naked Heat Vice Lipsticks in “Scorched” ($17). All told, I paid $4.11 for the palette and the matching lipstick. My samples were good, too – NARS Blush in “Orgasm” and it Cosmetics No. 50 Serum Collagen Veil.
Damn, I’m good.
I waited a bit after receiving to write my review…I wanted a chance to fully try it out and make sure before declaring it the palette of the year. IT’S THE FUCKING PALETTE OF THE YEAR. No joke, I’ve been using this palette every single day since I got it. The rich bronzes, coppers and bronzes blend beautifully and coordinate well together. There’s a full range of shades and finishes. This might be my favorite Naked palette now – so sorry, Naked 3.
$86.66 away from Platinum status for 2018.
Saint or Sinner?
Fragrance is a very personal thing. What smells wonderful on one person, may well smell like a corpse flower once it hits your own skin. The only way to know…is to try it out. I get SO many samples from my boxes, that I have a good chance to try out lots and lots of different fragrances. (Collecting perfume samples is something I’ve been up to since I worked up enough courage to start asking for samples at the Foley’s Makeup Counter while shopping with my mom.)
Sometimes though, you just buy a fragrance – whether based on the brand, the name or even the bottle. Even though I was in the middle of my vacation, I couldn’t pass up the $15 off $50 email…I went ahead and ordered travel sizes of Kat Von D Saint and Sinner at $22 each. I crossed my fingers as I opened Saint to smell it…and promptly spilled it all over my arm. Luckily, I’m a fan of the light vanilla jasmine scent. Sinner is a spicier scent, with cinnamon and patchouli. For some reason, it just doesn’t last on me – I cannot catch a whiff even 10 minutes after putting it on. For me, Saint is the clear winner and I could see buying a larger bottle.
I also ordered Sephora Collection Luster Matte Long-Wear Lip Color in “Rose Luster” ($7, down from $16) to get to $50. It’s a nice matte color, but I didn’t feel like it was very long lasting.
For samples, I ended up with Madame C.J. Walker Beauty Culture Silkening Blow Out Creme (weird), philosophy Purity Made Simple 3-in-1 Cleanser (love this stuff); and Lancome Dual Finish Multi-Tasking Powder & Foundation in One All Day Wear.
Only $432 left til Rouge!
Sephora Play! June 2017 – Your Summer Starters
Oops! I left town without finishing my homework…
Without further ado, here’s June box/bag, “Your Summer Starters”: Benefit The POREfessional (so much of this stuff, but it works); OUAI Rose Hair & Body Oil (smells so good); First Aid Beauty Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer (excited to try); Rich Kid Coconut Oil Gel (ooooh, more coconut); Kat Von D Everlasting Lip Liquid in “K-Dub” (This is SO my color, well…my old car’s color; Also, I used the alias ‘L-Dub’ on another blog years ago); and Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium (nope).
A great box, cannot wait to use more of the products!
I wish I could use the 50 point bonus cards on online orders – I hardly EVER go into the store.
If you haven’t signed up yet, do so now. This is by far the best subscription box I get every month. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
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.
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.
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…