Category: Fragrance
KvD Beauty Addiction
I don’t care if I’m between houses – I’ll just get my Sephora order sent to my in-laws’ house.
Sephora renamed their “Rewards Boutique” – it’s now “Rewards Bazaar” and new items are added every Thursday. The Thursday before last…they added a new 500 point item – The Kat Von D Beauty Addiction Set, which includes Ink Liner in “Trooper”, Tattoo Liner in “Mad Max Brown”, Studded Kiss Lipstick in “Cathedral” (been dying to try), Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in “Vampira” and a “vegan leather” (whatever the fuck that means – vinyl?) makeup pouch. Yup, had to have it…so what can I order to get it???
I settled on the Sephora Z palette ($28) – I’ve got quite a few loose pans of shadows from my sub boxes, I was a bit annoyed when Sally showed me that Makeup Revolution launched their own (significantly cheaper) customizable palette the very next day after my order. Sigh.
I used a code to get Deluxe samples of the two new Elizabeth and James scents – Nirvana Rose and Nirvana Bourbon. I did NOT like either. Per my son, Nirvana Rose smells like hand sanitizer and Nirvana Bourbon smells like a hobo’s asscrack. Maybe they’ll grow on me…
For my three samples, I got Balenciaga Skin (which smells very alcohol-y), Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Acqua (am I allergic to Neroli? I got an immediate headache!), and Hourglass Ambient Light Correcting Primer.
Only $13 away from Rouge in 2017!
Sephora Play! August 2016 – The Eye Openers
Except for the perfume sample, this month’s box is entirely focused on eye products, hence “The Eye Openers”. The first thing I noticed was the adorable muslin bag with winking eyes – “Wink outside the box.” What can I store in this bag?
Inside this month’s box: Urban Decay Cosmetics Perversion Mascara (I love getting more of this); Caudalie Resveratrol [Lift] Eye Lifting Balm; Lancome Energie De Vie Smoothing & Glowing Liquid Care Moisturizer; Sephora Contour eye pencil 12HR wear in “Flirting game” (taupe shimmer); Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow in I-544 (iridescent pink granite); and CLEAN Reserve Blonde Rose (I love a rose scent, but I prefer a greener rose – this one is heavy on the musk…also, within 3 minute, it gave me a massive headache – UGH).
I am loving every single thing in this box AGAIN. If I had to pick one subscription box to keep and get rid of the rest – it would be Sephora’s.
If you haven’t signed up yet – get off your ass and DO IT! 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.
Lock-It
That feeling when you come home from vacation to a Sephora box…
I just used up my pressed compact of Urban Decay Ultra Definition Finishing Powder and went to order another one from Sephora…and they don’t stock it anymore. What the fuck? It’s not discontinued, because Ulta and Nordstrom still have it…but I was already on the site and committed to ordering something…so I decided to take a chance with Kat Von D Lock-It Powder Foundation in Medium 52 (there wasn’t an exact match to my Color IQ, so I just took a wild guess). I’d been wearing my MAC Studio Fix lately and decided I needed a slightly darker shade to match my very slight tan…
I tried it out today with just a moisturizer underneath and was impressed at the coverage – very good coverage, but it didn’t cake up on me like the MAC Studio Fix. I think I may have found a new best friend for summer skin. I’m looking forward to trying it with a primer for even better coverage.
I used a code to get a free tarte Rainforest of the Sea Drench Lip Splash in “Cabana Boy” – it’s a beautiful matte mauve, but NOT drying. It felt like chapstick, but stayed almost all day! I did have to reapply after my Whopperito, but that goes without saying.
I used 100 points to try a Milk Makeup Gel Brow Pencil in “Pilsner”. A little of this baby goes a long way – it glides on and stays put. “Pilsner” is the perfect color for me – I got lucky. The full size comes with a spooly end, so I might be switching from Anastasia…if I ever use up all the brow pencils I already have…
I almost forgot my other free samples – Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation Mattifying Oil Free, Lancôme Energie de Vie Daily Aqua-Gel, and Dior Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet (my scent of the day – it wears wonderfully over B&BW Peony).
Only $41 to Rouge in 2017…
Sephora Play! July 2016 – Effortless Summer
I feel a bit guilty that this month’s Sephora Play! bpx has been sitting my my counter – unopened – for a week. I’ve been so busy with…stuff…and life…and stuff…
I ripped open the box and found a bevy of perfect products to give me an “Effortless Summer”. Inside the adorable pink popsicle bag: NEST Fragrances Citrine (a clean citrus and freesia blend – it didn’t make my husband gag); First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser with Red Clay (I used it last night – it is the most beautiful shimmery rust colored gel); OUAI Wave Spray; Smashbox Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer (Yassssss queen – I need these crater pores minimized); Beauty Blender Blotterazzi (I’ve been curious about this – I usually use paper towels from the bathroom to blot); and Too Faced Soleil Matte Bronzer in “Chocolate” (LOVE the smell – I need to locate the other one of these that I have).
If you haven’t signed up yet – get off your can and DO IT! 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.
Sephora Play! June 2016 – The Minimalists
What am I gonna do with all of these white canvas bags Sephora is now sending out in their play boxes? Ideas, anyone?
This month’s products are intended to help you create an easy summer routine, with that lovely cliche…less is more. Maybe. we’ll see…
The first thing I noticed in the box was the bright fuchsia bottle of Tarte Tarteguard 30 Sunscreen Lotion. It’s not waterproof, so I’ll try to figure out a time to try it out. Also in this month’s box/bag: bareMinerals Bareskin Sheer Sun Serum Bronzer (hmmm…maybe I can use for contouring); Benefit They’re Real Mascara (drowning in mascara right now, but this is a good one); Bumble and bumble. Don’t Blow It (H)air Styler; Becca Backlight Priming Filter (I probably have samples of this already, but haven’t tried it); and Tocca Florence Eau de Parfum (Bergamot and Violet – a bit too “mature” for me).
If you haven’t signed up yet – what are you waiting for? 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.
The Triumphant Return of Peony
I tend to get really excited about the Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Sale…but this time is different…it’s like a dream come true.
We all have discontinued scents that we pine over. For my mom, it was Love’s Baby Soft Lemon. For my husband, it’s the original formula of Van Cleef & Arpels Tsar. One of mine is Bath & Body Works Peony. (Some of the others are B&BW’s original Rose and Cedar & Clary Sage; and Victoria’s Secret Delicate Petals and Secret Charm).
The last time I was able to buy it was in 2004, when I was pregnant with my son. I loaded up at a Semi-Annual Sale. My stock had lasted well into 2009, because I remember having some left when I moved into this house. I’ve been holding onto that last quarter inch of Fragrance Mist, wearing it a few times a year.
On Sunday, one of my dreams came true – Peony is one of Bath & Body Works’ flashback fragrances.
Since I happened to have a 20% off + free shipping code from my last online order, I went ahead and used the website. Flashback fragrances are $3.75 – whoa! I loaded up and got 4 Shower Gels, 2 Body Creams, 2 Fine Fragrance Mists and 1 Lotion. I’ll probably get more before the end of the summer…
I wasn’t exactly running low on Hand Soap…but I bought 24 anyway because they were on sale for $3 each…and 20% off made them $2.40. Plus, I didn’t have to carry them out to my car. I was a bit disturbed when I opened the box – it looks like they just dumped them in there…but they all look intact.
There were 3 different coupons in the box…I’m predicting another haul before the end of the sale…I’ve got a whole ‘nother month!
Target Beauty Boxes – June 2016
One for me and one my man…
My box was $10 and loaded to the gills: Pantene Expert Intense Hydration Shampoo (a HUGE bottle – but no conditioner!); SheaMoisture Fruit Fusion Creme Rinse (I guess I can use this with the Pantene Shampoo); Pixi Mesmerizing Mineral Duo in “Apricot Glow”; Laneige Water Bank Serum (love Laneige); S.W. Basics Exfoliant (Um, basically granola); L’Oreal Paris True Match Cushion Foundation in “Nude Beige”; L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Volume Filler Cream (what will I be filling with this?); Soap & Glory Righteous Butter Body Cream (yum); Yes to Cucumbers 10-count Facial Wipes (How many of these do I have now?); CoTZ Face SPF 40 (coming to Mexico with me); and e.l.f. Lip Kiss Balm in “Bare Kiss”.
His box was $5 and not nearly as full: Nautica Life Cologne (husband said NOPE); got2B Glued Spiking Glue (husband shaves head, son has long hair); Marlowe No. 142 Men’s Shave Gel; Axe White Label Night Body Wash; Old Spice Hardest Working Deodorant; Dove Men + Care Complete Care 2-in-1 Shampoo; Nivea Men Creme (moisturizer?); Schick Hydro Men’s Razor; CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar (the box opened slightly and left soapy flakes all over the inside of the box); and Remington Beard Boss Beard Oil (husband said nope, but I’m gonna make him try it). With all these travel sizes, he’s ready to travel, too!
As always, I got 5% off with my Target Red Card and a coupon for $3.50 off any beauty purchase of $15 in each box. I also remembered to use the $3.50 off coupon from last month’s box – SCORE!
Sephora Play! May 2016 – The Forces of Nature
Sephora Play sent out a redesigned box for their 9th month. Instead of an inner box in a cardboard wrapper (like Birchbox), they sent out a standalone box (like Julep and Beauty Box 5). Instead of the tiny magazine, the product insert is now a folded one sheet. (There’s still the Play! Pass, good for 50 extra points on your next Sephora visit.) They’ve also moved away from numbering their boxes – no mention that this is box 9 on the insert.
May’s theme is “The Forces of Nature” and comes with a cute muslin pouch that says “Let’s beauty together”. Inside the pouch: Atelier Cologne “Orange Sanguine”; Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask (I’ve gotten this in boxes a few times and they’ve changed packaging to a tube instead of that annoying tub – thank you); Tarte Tarteist Lip Crayon in “Latergram” (nude); Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in “Kimchi” (bright pink); Origins Maskimizer Skin-optimizing Mask Primer, Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask and Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask (oh, how I love masks); and Korres Wild Rose Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial.
What a dynamite box – I’ll use it all…probably tonight and tomorrow.
If you haven’t signed up yet – now is the time. 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.
Sephora 2 in 1
I’m going to kill 2 birds with one stone and post about a trip to Sephora AND a Sephora shipment.
Over the weekend, I persuaded my husband to drop me off at Sephora, in between an eye doctor appointment, torrential downpours and a stop by Academy to get fishing licenses. He actually parked the car, instead of circling the parking lot. Maybe next time, I can get him to come in (yeah, right).
I just wanted one thing…my free rollerball. As I expected, I chose Tory Burch Jolie Fleur Rose.
I browsed briefly, but nothing else caught my eye. They had several of the half-price Urban Decay lipsticks, but I didn’t bother. No money spent on this trip!
I didn’t bother, because I knew I had one coming…I chose Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick in “1993” ($11). Mostly because it looks like my kind of brown…but also because 1993…1993 was a wild year for me – 17.I’m fairly certain that 1993 was the last time I was single for an extended amount of time…enough said.
I was far more excited about the new 500 point NARS “The Rules Box” (which is already sold out). I wanted to get NARS “Orgasm” Blush in my hot little hands…Also in the box: NARS Audacious Mascara, “Chelsea Girls” Lip Gloss and Pro-Prime Smudgeproof Eye Shadow Base (been looking for a new one). I’m about to get NARSed out!
For my regular threee samples, I got Pinrose Treehouse Royal (a single use foil pack); Too Faced Glitter Glue Glitter Eye Shadow Primer (curious about this one); and GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment.
Just $11 spent here…and $151 to Rouge!
May Birchbox – Naturally Radiant
Once again, I was drawn to this month’s curated box – “Naturally Radiant”. You’d think I’d like getting surprised every once in a while…but if the sample choice isn’t as good as at least one product in the curated box, I’ll pick the curated box every time.
These are the products that will make me naturally radiant: Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer (um, I don’t use bronzer, but let’s just pretend this is brown blush?); ModelCo Lip Lacquer in “Creme Brulee” (interesting color); COOLA SPF 30 Organic Makeup Setting Spray (I need to get on the setting spray bandwagon); Davines LOVE Smoothing Shampoo & Conditioner (a repeat from last September; a deluxe shampoo and a single use packet of conditioner KILLS me…especially when it is a spendy brand that I love – when I win the lottery, I’m switching to Davines); and CLEAN Blossom Eau de Parfum (not bad, but not my favorite).
All in all, an AWESOME box. I don’t ever see myself cancelling Birchbox…
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.