Category: Hair
Bougie Brazilian Ulta Haul
So my daughter makes fun of all the Sol de Janeiro that I buy…she says that I have the taste of an 11 year old ‘Sephora kid’…She’s 18 and it is totally lost on her that these 11 year olds have MOTHERS and THEIR MOTHERS are the ones buying these kids adult products at Sephora and making Tik Toks to monetize their children. All of this is to say…I don’t smell like an 11 year old – these 11 year olds smell like a 50 year old woman!
ANYWAY…Sol de Janeiro came out with a new scent and I purchased it sight unsmelled. Rosa Charmosa AKA Cheriosa 91 is a passionfruit and rose mix, so I was fairly certain I would LOVE it and LOVE it I did. I picked up Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 91 Hair & Body Perfume Mist ($26) and Rosa Charmosa Dewy Cream ($24) and it’s become my “go to” scent. I bought the smaller sizes, but will be buying larger sizes shortly.
I figured I would keep on going and filled my cart with Sol de Janeiro. I picked up a Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Visibly Firming Refillable Body Cream ($44), Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Body Collagen-Boosting Elasti-Cream with Bio-Retinol ($48), and Sol de Janeiro Rio Deo Aluminum-Free Refillable Deodorant Cheirosa 68 ($18). I’ll be using the Rosa Charmosa with Beija Flor – they meld well together.
Rounding off my cart, I also got a new lube – Playground Free Love Extra-Gentle Water-Based Personal Lubricant ($18) – because Ulta was out of stock of the other one I like. I also grabbed an Ulta Beauty Magic Marker Lip Stain in “Cocoa Mood” ($11.50) and it’s the Rum Raisin of my dreams. (Remember in the 90s, when Clinique “Rum Raisin” was all the rage?)
My order got me several different gifts with purchase. I got a Cetaphil Facial Cleanser with my $50 purchase. I also got Sol de Janeiro 4 piece gift with my $65 brand purchase, which included a Bum Bum Cream and Body Spray only in the bag – it was missing the Body Badalada Lotion that was supposed to come with it. I am kind of salty about that, because I was looking forward to trying it.
The BIG gift with purchase was the Free Diamond Exclusive 40 Piece Beauty Bag with select $185 shipped purchase, Inside the super cute terry cloth makeup bag was tarte tarlette Tubing Mascara Primer; Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil; deluxe size Prada “Paradoxe“; Peach & Lily Retinol for All Renewing Serum; Milani Conceal + Perfect Blur Out Powder; Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair!; Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in “Whiskey”; Beautybio The Balance Gel Cleanser; Fresh Black Tea Renewal Serum; CeraVe Invisible Mineral Sunscreen; Supergoop! Dew Screen; Living proof. Perfect hair Day Dry Shampoo (going to the daughter); Verb Frizz Defense Smoothing Spray; Urban Veda Daily Purifying Facial Wash; Cetaphil Nourishing Oil to Foam Cleanser; Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Dewy Liquid Blush; Clarins Lip Comfort Oil “04”; Joico Dream Blowout Glass; Buxom Plump Shot Lip Serum; Origins Check and Balances Gentle Foaming Face Wash; La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foam Cleanser; Mighty Patch Invisible+ (definitely going to the daughter); Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain; Vichy Liftactiv 16% Pure Vitamin C Brightening Serum; ma:nyo Galac Niacin 3.0 Essence; Sebastian Professional Porion 9 Leave-in Conditioner & Styling Cream; Pureology Hydrate Shampoo & Conditioner (deluxe bottles!); Morphe Solo Artist Priming Cream Eyeshadow in “Mixtape”; Pixi Glow Tonic; L.A. Girl Perfect Precision Lip Liner in “Blushing”; Ethique Beauty Love at First Swipe Scalp Health Mini Solid Shampoo (I’m frustrated with how long it takes to use the Kitsch one I got, but I’ll give this one a try); Sunday Riley CEO Brightening Serum; Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara; Carolina Herrera “La Bomba”; divi Scalp Serum; Rabanne “Million Gold for her”; NOYZ “Detour”; and Estee Lauder Double Wear Smooth & Blur Primer. I am not even made that it’s 90% skin stuff – it will save me a few months of buying face wash and serums.
I had a $20 off coupon code, as well as $20.50 in Ulta points, which is what I used to justify this little splurge. Only $684 to Diamond in 2027.
Green & Pink Aesthetic Ulta Haul
I didn’t plan it this way…but how come everything I ordered was matchy-matchy green and pink?
Yes, another restock on Vichy Dercos Selenium Sulfide Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Hair + Scalp Moisturizing Conditioner ($19.99 each). I’m down to using once or twice a week, so this should last me a bit longer. Speaking of hair, scünci was half off, so I got Polybands for me (or my Barbies…$3.50) and Hosiery Elastics for Lily ($4).
I’m a sucker for Urban Decay AND lip stains, so I decided to try out their newest drop – Urban Decay Cosmetics Lip Toy pH Staining Lip Oil in “Jam Sesh” ($24). Unfortunately, I am underwhelmed by this product for the price. I mean, it looks nice…but the stain doesn’t last all day like the r.e.m. Beauty stains. I even got one of the high staining shades!
Good thing I bought two of my Ulta Beauty Ultra Slim Brow Pencils in “Dark Brown” ($11), because they jacked the price up to $12 in store – but they are still $11 online? Make it make sense. At least I got a free eight piece gift with my $21.50 purchase: Ultimate Lashes Mascara in “Brown”; Soft Blur Face Primer; Makeup Puff; Lip Stain deluxe sample; 5 Pan Eyeshadow Palette; Cosmetic Brush; and Matte Veil Eye Primer deluxe sample in a brilliant green Pouch.
Not only did I get a free Briogeo Avocado + Kiwi Hair Mask with my $50 purchse, but I also got an 8 piece skincare gift with my $90 purchase. Inside the skincare gift: Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Cream (I’ve been using this at night – not bad); Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser (I already used this one up – it’s squishy); Peach & Lily Miniprotein Exosome Bioactive Ampoule (What do all those words mean?); Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum; Beautybio The Zenbubble Oil-Free Calming Gel Cream (I LOVE the way this one feels on my skin at night); and Ole Henriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer. I’ll try all of them…eventually.
I decided to be cheap this order and used a $5 off coupon, as well as $20.50 off in Ulta points. YOLO.
Just $828 until Diamond in 2027.
Peachy Skin Ulta Haul
Lily needed more face wash and one day during Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty Event and her Peach Slices Snail Rescue Purifying Cleanser ($14.99) was BOGO 40% off, so I picked her up two. I kept the gift with purchase (a sample size Snail Rescue Purifying Cleanser) for myself. Kate Somerville EradiKate 3% Sulfur Daily Foaming Cleanser was half off ($23 instead of $46), so I got her one of those to try, too. She isn’t into makeup, but at least I can make sure she has good skincare.
My Thayers Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Facial Toner in “Rose Petal” was also BOGO 40% off, so I picked up two for myself. I also added a Zoya Remove+ Nail Polish Remover ($12) for the hell of it…and to get another gift with purchase. I even got to use a $10 off coupon.
The free 5 piece mystery gift with my $65 purchase included Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Dry Shampoo (giving to Lily as well); e.l.f. Cosmetics Smoky Kohl Eyeliner in “Rare Emerald” (might keep this one); Tula Skincare A+ Renewal Serum (keeping for me); NYX Epic Wear Eyeliner Stick in “Turquoise Storm” (cleaning out old eyeliner stock?); and rms Beauty Legendary Lip Oil (great for removing longwear liquid lipstick!).
$962 to Diamond in 2027.
February 2026 Ipsy Ultimate – Spring Collection
No curator for this quarter’s Ipsy Ultimate. I’m not even mad though – I usually have to Google who they are these days.
My favorite product choice this month was Fable & Mane SahaScalp Wild Ginger Purifying Scrub ($36). With the psoriasis flare I had a few months ago, my scalp is still recovering. Of course, my first stop was a new dermatologist to get a topical steroid to get it under control…but this scrub has really helped knock the mummy dust off of my scalp. I might actually purchase this when I run out.
My other two product choices were meh – not a lot of good products to choose from this month. I picked Tatcha Camellia Gold Spun Moisturizing Lip Balm ($32), which is like the Goldschlager of lip balms, and NARS Cosmetics Quad Eyeshadow Palette in “Kuala Lumpur” ($55), which is almost too pink for me. I’ve only used it once and I don’t foresee reaching for it often. I was hoping for more of a NARS Orgasm pink.
The products I did not get to pick were pretty good. I got Kevyn Aucoin Indecent Mascara in “Black” ($32 – one of the best mascaras I’ve tried – no clumps!); Rodial Collagen Drops ($95 – I’ve been using this on my face at night and I can definitely tell a difference in some of my deep wrinkles); Il Makiage Shade Addict High Impact Eye Color Palette ($68 and a much better match for my skintone than the NARS palette); Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Wand Duo in “Pillow Talk” + “Pinkgasm” ($84 and gifted to my big sis with a bunch of other Tilbury samples); and Dr. Brandt Skincare Glycolic Skin Renewal Mask ($52 – haven’t tried it yet).
$454 in this quarter’s box – I’m very pleased with my choices.
I subscribe to the original ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and ipsy Ultimate (formerly Icon Box, and before that – Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
First Ulta Haul of 2026
There was a really good sale going on during the beginning of January, so I stocked up on a few things…
Vichy Dercos seems to be helping with the heartbreak of psoriasis, so I restocked on Vichy Dercos Selenium Sulfide Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Dercos Hair + Scalp Moisturizing Conditioner ($15.99 each, down from $19.99). This purchase netted me a free sample of Vichy Mineral 89 Serum.
I couldn’t pass up the BOGO 40% on Garnier, so I got 2 Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water with Rose Water (normally $11.99), as well as another pack of Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Eco Pads 3 Pack ($7.19, down from $11.99). This purchase netted me a free metallic train case…I quibble with their definition of train case – it’s just a medium size makeup bag.
Ulta Beauty products were 30% off, so I picked my Ulta Beauty Ultra Slim Brow Pencil in “Dark Brown” ($7.70, down from $11) and Exfoliating Round Cotton Pads ($2.79, down from $3.99).
Against my better judgment, I bought another crackle nail polish – Sally Hansen Insta-Dri x Stranger Things Nail Polish in “Rift” ($7.99). It wasn’t even on sale! But then I scrolled the sale page and bought Covergirl STRANGER THINGS The Bite PH Transforming Lip Gloss in “Hawkins Lab” ($4.50, down from $7.99). The slimy green gloss turns into a coral-leaning pink. (I like the r.e.m. beauty one better.) It also smells like burnt marshmallow goo, which tracks with that weird white goo in the upside down. I also got Orly Nail Lacquer in “Vintage” ($4.20) because it matches my living room.
I used a $5 off coupon AND $50 in Ulta points from my holiday shopping.
$1,143 to Diamond in 2027!
After Xmas Gift Card Haul
So my old boss gave me a “connection award” right before Xmas…but instead of $250 extra on my paycheck, the best I could do was pick out gift cards from some website. Right. And there was a fee with each one, so I was only able to get $225 in gift cards. Okay. I got $50 in food gift cards for each of my kids, which left my with $125 for myself…what kind of damage could I do with $125???
That $100 Ulta gift card went quick. I found out (the hard way) that I am allergic to zinc pyrithione – the active ingredient in the CeraVe anti-dandruff shampoo & conditioner I just bought. My scalp was weeping and bleeding – the whole works. I splurged on Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo ($19.99), Conditioner ($19.99) and Scalp Serum ($48.99). The active ingredient is selenium sulfide and salicylic acid, which thankfully didn’t cause a problem. (My psoriasis is still a problem, so I met with a new dermatologist yesterday that hooked me up with a topical steroid.) That wasn’t quite $100, so I tried out a new Ulta Buffing Foundation Brush ($18) as well. I even got to use a $3.50 off $15 coupon.
The last $25 went to a Bath & Body Works gift card – just in time for the Semi-Annual Sale. This year’s sale was disappointing, but hand soaps and Wallflowers were $2.99, so I picked up 10 hand soaps and a few Wallflowers. I also grabbed more Antibacterial Hand Spray – 3/$10. I was feeling spicy, so I bought my children the most atrocious body sprays I could find. My son and his girl got “Holiday Pickle Ornament” which is not exactly nasty, but not something a human could wear without smelling like a deli tray. It’s less dilly than the candle – imagine “Cucumber Melon”, but with a kick. My daughter got “Cereal Milk Soft Serve” which made me gag. It reminded me of breast milk vomit – it was that bad.
Hopefully, my scalp clears up soon. Fingers crossed for better stuff at this summer’s Semi-Annual Sale.
December 2025 Ipsy Bag – Play Beauty Spread Joy
…December has been so busy that I’ve only tried one of the samples!
My product choice this month was Briogeo Hair Care Superfood Avocado + Kiwi Mega Moisture Hair Mask. I picked it because I have more shampoo than conditioner and can use it with leftover shampoo.
The rest of my products were Eleman Beauty The Gel Lip Pencil in “So Sultry”; Ellis Brooklyn “Dear Sky” (wearing it right now – I love this scent on me, very juicy and fruity); Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm Gloss in “Rose”; and Beauty for Certain Tubing Brow Gel (I shall be gifting this one – I don’t need tubes hanging off my 3 eyebrow hairs).
The bag has bows on it, so I am saving it for my son’s girlfriend – she loves ribbons and bows!
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
Hydrating Ulta Haul
My purchases from November’s Diamond Love List are all about hydration – my hair, my body, my legs – all of it.
I was hoping that the NatureLab. Tokyo Saisei combo would help with my flakes, but I’m not seeing any improvement. I saw good things online about CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner ($11.99 each). I haven’t started them yet – but I’m about 2/3 of the way through the Saisei…maybe another week or two.
I have been wanting Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Elasti Renewing Body Wash ($26), so I got it (with an Xmas gift) and qualified for a free 3-piece gift, which includes a makeup bag, with deluxe samples of Bum Bum Cream and Firmeza Body Oil.
Have I mentioned lately how much I love the scent of Tree Hut Tangerine? There was a sale, so I restocked on Tree Hut Moisturizing Shave Oil in “Tangerine” ($9.99, down from $10.99) and Tree Hut Serum-Infused Hand Wash in “Tangerine” ($4.89, down from $5.99).
I always need more deodorant, so I decided to try megababe Soapy Pits Aluminum-Free Clear Gel Deodorant ($14).
Even though I used a $20 off $100 code, plus $9 in Ulta points, I still qualified for a free 11 Piece Hydration Gift with select $75 shipped purchase (what did I say about ‘hydration’). Inside the gift: Knours. Be Kind Hydrating Jojoba Oil + Aloe Vera H2O Double Duty Mist (I have no idea); Lancome Renergie Yeux H.C.F. Triple Serum; philosophy hope in a jar smooth-slow multi-tasking moisturizer; belif The True Cream – aqua bomb; DORE La Creme All-in-One Daily Moisturizer; Tula Skincare 24-7 Ultra Hydration Serum; Drunk Elephant Bora Barrier Repair Cream; Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Rich Barrier Moisturizer; Origins Ginzing Glow-Boosting Gel Moisturizer; and COSRX The Ceramide Skin Barrier Moisturizer. I will use every one of these, except maybe that weird jojoba oil.
Saisei Ulta Haul
It’s been a bit since I’ve taken advantage, but I still love Diamond Love List Mondays…
I POUNCED on a new hair routine – it’s been a while since I did that, but a new product line from NatureLab. Tokyo had me intrigued. I used a few of their lines a few years back, before I switched to Sol de Janeiro. I grabbed NatureLab. Tokyo Saisei Stress Defense Amino Acid Shampoo and Saisei Restoring Therapy Conditioner ($22 each), as well as Saisei Biomimetic Peptide Treatment Essence ($46). This line is supposed to destress your scalp and minimize fallout and color loss – my husband will appreciate it, based on the labubu-sized clump of hair he recently pulled out of the shower drain. It’s only been a week, so no results to report yet.
My current favorite lippie was in my purse when it got stolen several months ago and it wasn’t re-released with products for the second Wicked film, so I decided to try r.e.m. beauty Wicked So Popular pH Adaptive Lip Oil ($25). It gives long lasting color…but it is fucking GLINDA pink. It’s fine with my skin tone, depending on what I’m wearing, but not as good as Tulip Fields. Ugh.
A few other “add to cart” moments: Thayers Soak It Up 80HR Liquid Moisturizer for Normal to Dry Skin ($14.99) and Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Facial Toner in “Rose Petal” ($10.95); and wet n wild Bare Focus Tinted Hydrator Tinted Skin Veil ($6.99) – this is fucking foundation, why did they lie? Not quite full coverage, but definitely medium coverage – NOT a veil.
I racked up 4 gifts with purchase on this order! Just for being Diamond, I got a Free Diamond Exclusive belif The True Cream – Moisturizing Bomb with select $50 shipped purchase.
Inside the Free 11 Piece Beauty Bag with $85 shipped purchase: a blue sequined makeup bag; ANOTHER belif The True Cream – Moisturizing Bomb; Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray; mixsoon Soondy Centella Asiatica Essence (I have no fucking idea); Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Conditioner; DIME Luminosity Eye Serum; 2 Wella Invigo Brilliance Vibrant Color Mask; L’Occitane Amande Concentrate de Lait; Gucci Flora “Gorgeous Gardenia” (NO); Smashbox Pore-Vanishing Primer; Lancome Genifique Ultimate Serum; Shiseido Clarifying Cleansing Foam; Billie Eilish “Your Turn” (it smells like new shoes); and Paris Hilton “Iconic” (I actually like this one – I hate that I like it). Please no one tell Ulta that I got 15 items in what was supposed to be an 11 item gift.
Inside the Free Diamond & Platinum Exclusive 22 Piece Beauty Bag with $135 shipped purchase: a blackish green makeup bag; Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 59 Fragrance Mist (I’ve been wanting to try this one – woody vanilla); Tirtir Milk Skin Toner; Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam in “Dark” (nope); ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil; NYX Fat Oil Chillz in “Strawberry Slush”; Dolce & Gabbana “Light Blue” (deluxe size); Redken One United Multi-Benefit Treatment; Mixsoon Bean Cleaning Oil (why do I need to clean my bean?); tarte tartlette Tubing Lash Primer; No7 Future Renew Night Serum; Farmacy Deep Sweep Pore Cleaning Toner; Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical; RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream; NOYZ “Only Human”; Marc Jacobs “Daisy Wild”; Azzaro “The Most Wanted”; Billie Eilish “eilish” (deluxe sample); Good Molecules Lightweight Daily Moisturizer; COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream; CECRED Moisture Sealing Lotion (for hair? wut?); Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel; Peter Thomas Roth Peptide Skinjection Amplified Wrinkle-Fix Serum; and Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother. 24 items in this bag!
Finally, inside the Free Diamond & Platinum Exclusive 9 Piece Skincare Gift with select $25 shipped purchase: bareMinerals Skin Rescue; Murad Environmental Shield Superactive Moisturizer; Benefit The POREfessional Deep Retreat Pore-Clearing Clay Mask; Estee Lauder Nutritious 2-in-1 Foam Cleanser (um, nutritious?); Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50; it Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream Barrier Boost; Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50; Fur Ingrown Concentrate; and Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench SPF 45. Awww…just the 9 items in this one.
Since I knew this order would take me to Diamond Status for 2026, I used a $5 off coupon and $20.50 in Ulta points. How am I going to try all 48 samples???
September 2025 Ipsy Bag – More is More
Another pink glam bag…perfect for storing Barbie clothes!
My product choice this month was Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial. It’s a botanical scented night cream and it is very hydrating. I’s like to say that it smells like…dragonfruit…but the description says banana fruit flower.
Also in this month’s bag: a FULL SIZE Eva NYC Stay Hydrated Leave-In Conditioner (no complaints here, I use Leave-In Conditioner to slick back my hair when I clip it up every day); Hey Honey Wrinkle Smoothing Multi Peptide Serum (great for WFH days); Pinklipps Cosmetics Everlasting Lip Liner in “Rose Brown” (I LOVE the sharpener in the cap – and it looks great with my skin tone); and SONÄGE SKINCARE Gommage Exfoliating Gel (this is the only piece I haven’t tried yet – soon I will).
This is a better bag than recent months – I’ve been needing new skincare!
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.