Category: Hair
The Disappointment is Real
One last round of online shopping before I go back to work this week – I’ve been out of the office over ten weeks! I haven’t had that long off work ever, not even after my kids. I wonder if I will remember how to do my “real” job?
I’m not going to worry about that right now…instead, I am going to focus on my intense disappointment over Winky Lux Flower Balm ($14). I was prepared for my lips to turn any color in a range of red to pink to purple, but I wasn’t expecting what I ended up with – which was absolutely nothing. I couldn’t perceive any noticeable change in the color of my lips at all. I just paid $14 for Chapstick.
I filled my baskets with basics (that I actually needed) just to justify that damn lip balm. 2 bottles of Zoya Remove+ Nail Polish Remover ($10) – the best polish remover in the whole world, right Beth? I also noticed that SheaMoisture was Buy One, Get One Half Off, so I ordered back-ups of SheaMoisture Peace Rose Oil Shampoo and Conditioner (normally $11.49).
Oh, I was also able to take advantage of last week’s bareMinerals Beauty Break. I was able to pick my shade of BarePro Foundation. I took a shot in the dark and chose “Cashmere 06”. Also included: bareMinerals Skinsorials Skin Longevity Vital Power Infusion (huh?); Gen Nude Patent Lip Lacquer (color isn’t noted on the vial, but I think it may be “dahling”); Prime Time Original Foundation Primer; and Original Mineral Veil. I tried out bareMineral original foundation when it first launched – ~13 years ago? It somehow made me look older than I was, but now I’m that age, so maybe I should try it again? I’m looking forward to trying these old and new products.
For my samples, I got OGX Orchid Oil Shampoo & Conditioner and St. Moritz Professional Wash Off Tan (nope, nope, nope).
I also decided to bop in to Ulta for a haircut yesterday. I am completely incapable of walking out of Ulta empty-handed.
NYX has really found their niche in liquid lipsticks – they have over a dozen different lines, each of which has a distinctly different formula and feel. Right now, my favorite line is definitely the Metallic version of the Soft Matte Lip Creams. I had to pick up two more, since NYX Cosmetics are Buy One, Get One Half Off. I chose “Monte Carlo” (a pink leaning red) and “Rome” (rosy mauve?). Normally $6.99, the sale made them $5.24 each.
I wish I had figured out about using the Ulta Salon sooner – only $197.67 to Ulta Platinum. I also have $67.50 in Ulta points – I see a splurge in my future…
Sephora Play! March 2018 – Festival of Beauty
Is it me, or is “Festival” the most over-used campaign buzzword in the Beauty World right now? It’s getting to be ridiculous, kind of like “Unicorn”. Don’t get me wrong, I was deep into Festivals and outside concert in my youth. I religiously attended Lollapalooza 1992 through 1995, and various other outside concerts…but back then, the only makeup I needed back then was black eyeliner…
What I SHOULD have worn was sunscreen. I never did and I always got a sunburn every damn time. So it was nice of Sephora to include Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | PA+++. The package says invisible SPF, primer and anti-aging treatment in one – I’m sold!
Also in the Festival box: Buxom Plumpline Lip Liner Crayon in “Hush Hush”; Sephora Matte Perfection Powder Foundation in “14 Neutral Linen” (close to the shade I’ve been using – “16 Cool Linen”); Verb Ghost Oil; Lancome Miel-en-Mousse Foaming Cleanser and Makeup Remover; and a tiny foilpack of OUAI Anti-Frizz. Oh, and a snazzy tie-dye pouch that says “Beauty is my Spirit Animal”.
If you don’t get Sephora Play, join us for Festival Fun. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
March 2018 Birchbox – finally. spring.
This month, I chose the single sample choice, instead of the Curated Box. I wanted that Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream.
I shouldn’t have bitched about not getting a fragrance last month, though – this month’s fragrance, TokyoMilk Dark Bulletproof, gave me the WORST headache. Also in this month’s box: Marcelle Ultimate Volume Nano Mascara; OUAI Leave In Conditioner; and Winky Lux Glazed Lips Donut Lip Gloss (Winky Lux makes those clear, color-changing lipsticks with the flower inside – I want one BAD!)
This box was a bit lame. Birchbox is a serious yo-yo!
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.
Target Beauty Box – March 2018
I snatched up the March Target Beauty Box – the February Box sold out before I could order it. No big loss though – it was all Honest Beauty. I am not AT ALL interested in Jessica Alba’s makeup. Blech.
This month’s box has lots of new products – or at least they said new on the label: Olay Cleaning Infusions Body Wash in “Crushed Ginger”; No7 Early Defence Glow Activating Serum; St. Ives Collagen Elastin Moisturizer (I cannot tell if this is for my hands or for my face); Nexxus Dry Shampoo (ugh, starting to get so much dry shampoo again); Pantene Foam Conditioner (weird); Clairol Color Crave Hair Makeup in “Brilliant Amethyst” (it washes out after one use…mmm’kay, why?); and wet n wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Quad in “Sweet as Candy” (while the product itself isn’t new, the packaging and formula are new).
As usual, the box included a $3 off $15 Beauty coupon. The box was $7, with free shipping and 5% off with my Target Red Card. A great value this month!
February 2018 Birchbox – Follow Your Heart
This month’s box has some heft to it. I mean that literally – it was really heavy for a Birchbox.
The weight was due to two absolutely gigantic (for Birchbox, anyway) sample bottles – Love Beauty and Planet Smooth and Serene Argan Oil & Lavender Shampoo and Conditioner. Birchbox heard my prayers! Matching shampoo and conditioner in matching sizes! Sometimes lavender gives me a headache though…I’ll have to be careful with the shampoo and conditioner.
Also in this month’s curated box: Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment (I’ve had this before and loved what it did for my skin); Doucce Cosmetics Luscious Lip Stain in “Steaming Red”; and Beauty Crop Wing Woman Liquid Eyeliner in “Black”.
No fragrances this month – I only miss them when I don’t get them.
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.
Ulta Birthday Trip
I had an afternoon Doctor Appointment last week and I decided not to be a lazy shit and leave the house before noon. I thought I’d hit Ulta to pick up my Birthday Gift and see what else I can pick up.
I’ve started this new habit of keeping a list of stuff I want from Ulta in my basket in the app, so I don’t forget and can compare prices. I had at least half a dozen random items and this store did not have a single one of them in stock. Really? I had a $10 off coupon burning a hole in my pocket!
I decided to finally try the NYX Liquid Suede Metallics, since they were Buy One, Get One 50% Off. I picked up “Buzzkill” (hot pink) and “Go Rogue” (black). Warning, the pink STAINS bad, as I found out today. I also grabbed a few different nail buffers. The biggest part of my purchase was a set of Hot Tools Soft Pillow Rollers for my daughter’s birthday next week – don’t worry, she doesn’t even know what Instagram is.
This quarter’s birthday gift is kind of lame – Just an Ulta Cranberry & Pomegranate Lip Oil and Mask. The rest of the year gets NARS, it Cosmetics and Lancome! I got the shaft.
Disappointed, I hit a second Ulta on the way to my appointment and again – disappointment. I actually ended up placing an online order a few days ago…I’m excited!
February 2018 Ipsy Bag – Unzipped
Ipsy takes on a monumental task with February’s theme, “Unzipped”, the insert card boldly declaring, “Being sexy isn’t limited to a certain size, shape, or age.” Not only YES, but FUCK YASSS! Thank you, Ipsy!
I’m a big fan of black lace on nude – I have several skirts and dresses, not to mention lingerie, that would be a swell match for this bag.
The products are a bit “meh” this month, but not horrible. I’m actually glad to have a bit of dry shampoo – I’d given all mine away around Xmas-time. It’s Eva NYC Freshen Up Dry Shampoo. Also in this month’s bag: -417 Hand Moisturizer (a neutral scent, I cannot quite place it); TRÈSTIQUE Mini Eye Pencil in “Swiss Chocolate”; Beaute Basics Eyeshadow in “Lavish”; and a Luxie Beauty Blending and Shading Eye Brush 249 (I think this is going into my travel makeup brush set).
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.
Gloomy Lotion
As cynical as I am, I’m a sucker for a new products. I’ve been wanting to get my hands on L’Oreal’s True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer in “Fair” ($14.99). (In my head, I always think Gloomy Lotion). I’ve been really liking the GlamGlow Illuminating Moisturizer. The Gloomy Lotion doesn’t smell as good, but it does the job – I like it.
Since I had a 20% off coupon, I filled my cart with a few other things to get to $50. I also wanted to try Maybelline’s Total Temptation Eyebrow Definer Pencil in “Medium Brown” ($7.99). I’ve been loving on the Ulta Slim, but this one is a winner, too! It’t only about 2/3 the length, so it might not be such a good deal pricewise. I got a $5 off a future purchase from those brands for my purchase.
I also got refills of my SheaMoisture Peace Rose Oil Complex Shampoo and Conditioner ($11.49). It wasn’t on sale, but hey, 20% off. Speaking of rose, I also had to try out Philosophy‘s new scent – Amazing Grace Nude Rose ($20). It’s similar with Ballet Rose, but instead of notes of leather, there are green notes. It made my husband gag, so that’s a really good sign.
Oh, and thanks for actually sending me samples, Ulta! I got a cared with three different shades of Too Faced Born This Way Foundation and a card with samples of L’Oreal Revitalift Serum and Moisturizer.
Only $397.23 to get to Platinum for 2019. Chances of hitting Diamond status? At this juncture, I’d say highly unlikely.
Sephora Play January 2018 – Happy You Year!
It’s January 31st, I had major surgery and I am still managing to cover all my January boxes in January. High Five!
This month’s “Happy You Year” bag is filled with products to revitalize. The first thing I squealed over is the GlamGlow SuperCleanse Clearing Cream-to-Foam Cleanser – I LOVE GlamGlow!
Also in this month’s bag: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask (just a foil pack, boo); Lancome Cils Booster Super-Enhancing Mascara Booster (don’t care); Smashbox Photo FInish Primerizer (primer AND moisturizer – genius!); Ole Henriksen Hygge HydraClay Detox Mask (I love me some masks); and Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream.
No fragrance though – boo!
If you don’t get Sephora Play, sign up TODAY. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
January 2018 Ipsy Bag – Game Face
I gotta get through these boxes before they cut me open!
This month’s “Game Face” ipsy bag is totally 80s! The products are anything but retro. The first product that caught my eye was the F.A.R.A.H BRUSHES Z-Tweeze Dual Ended Tweezer – I’ve never seen a product like this before and I consider myself a tweezer aficionado. One end has the usual wide slant tweezers, but the other end has pointy ones. I cannot wait to start attacking ingrown hairs with these!
Also in this month’s bag: CAKE BY CAKE BEAUTY Heavy Cream Intensive Body Balm; DIRTY LITTLE SECRET COSMETICS Eyeshadow in “Sangria” (sparkly red eyeshadow – yes please!); THEBALM COSMETICS Mary-Lou Manizer; and ANDALOU NATURALS Argan & Shea Styling Cream.
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.