Category: Hair
Target Beauty Boxes – December 2015
See, I’ve gotten smart – I throw my husband a beauty box every once in a while to keep him happy…
Just like last December, Target offered “His” and “Hers” Beauty Boxes. The “His” Box was $5 and included a Target brand Up & Up Five Blade Razor (since he joined the Five Dollar Shave Club, I might steal this for my legs); Degree Dry Spray in “Adventure”; Gillette Clinical Endurance Antiperspirant in “Cool Wave” (apparently, Target thinks men are stinky); Axe “Apollo” Shower Gel; and Dove “Extra Fresh” Body and Face Wash. Oh, and a $3 off $15 coupon.
This should keep him off my back for a few months at least…
The $10 “Hers” box is MUCH more exciting. Inside: Clairol Hair Food Dry Shampoo; CoverGirl Star Wars Lipstick in “30” (Yes, yes, yes! I’ve been wanting one of these!); Maybelline Push Up Drama Mascara in “Blackest Black”; CeraVe Eye Repair Cream; Goody Ouchless Elastics Sweat Stretch (they are made like those loops you make potholders out of); Pacifica Love³ Eye Shadow Trio (very pretty earth tones); Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream (another LOVE); and Olay Regenerist Microsculpting Cream (What am I going to microsculpt?).
…and another $3 off $15 coupon.
Ulta Cyber Fundays
The weekend before Thanksgiving/Black Friday, Ulta ran a “Cyber Fundays” promotion with a bunch of stuff on sale, plus a gift with purchase sample bag on orders of $60+, plus $10 off. I decided to knock out some stocking stuffers, plus get a few things for myself. Imagine my surprise when Ulta decided to break my modest order into three different shipments.
The first box was rather piddly – just a travel size Joico K-PAK Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor (my BFF swears by K-PAKs, so I thought I’d give them a try while on sale) and a few stocking stuffers from the 5/$5 Promotion.
The second box was also small – a single lotion stocking stuffer, my variety sampler – Lumene Time Freeze Instant Lift Serum and Burt’s Bees Renewal Intensive Firming Serum – and my gift with purchase…Inside the Berry Glam Beauty Bag: Too Faced Born This Way Foundation with 3 different shades – “Vanilla”, “Light Beige” and “Sand”; Gucci “Bamboo” (not bad, smells like Crystals in Vegas); “Pink Sugar” (too hookery); Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo; Pureology Coulour Fanatic Instant Deep-Conditioning Mask; Benefit ThePOREfessional Pro Balm & License to Blot Set; Urban Decay Cosmetics Revolution Lipstick (Card with 4 sample colors); Giorgio Armani “Acqua Di Gio”; Whish Body Butter in “Winterberry” (the last one I got smelled like hot dog water, so I am scared to try this one); It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product (guaranteed in every Ulta sample bag); Ralph Lauren “Romance”; Philosophy Purity Made Simple 3-in-1 Cleanser for Face and Eyes; Ulta Legendary Lengths Lengthening Mascara; Clarins Super Restorative Day; Alterna Haircare Caviar CC Cream (for hair); Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer (I have SO much of this shit); Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream; Nip+Fab Skin Dragon’s Blood Fix Plumping Serum (it couldn’t be worse than the snake venom that nut in Vegas smeared all over my face); and a BUNCH of Ulta coupons.
FINALLY…the third box had the REAL stuff I ordered: John Frieda Liquid Shine Shampoo and Conditioner ($3.74 each!); Joico K-PAK Shampoo (to go with the conditioner); Ulta Rose Gold Palette (been lusting after this FOREVER); Poo-Pourri “Merry Spritzmas” (for my son – at 10, he is starting to get manly shits); eos Holiday Set (also for him), some other stocking stuffers and some nail buffers for ME.
I monitored Ulta’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales and it looks like the Cyber Fundays sale was actually the better deal (for me, anyway). They’re still sending different sale emails every day, though…I may not be done ordering yet!
yassss bitch!
So…last Tuesday, an email appeared in my inbox from Sephora – offering a 24 hour window to order the new Urban Decay Gwen Stefani palette before it officially launched on 12/1. I couldn’t risk a sell out, so I graciously ordered it for my husband…I also placed an order for my bestie, since her man is also buying it for her for Xmas. Aren’t I a sweetheart? Now the hard part…I have to let him wrap it and stick it under the tree for three more weeks…
…BUT…at least I can play with the awesome black and gold sample bag I got with my order. Inside: Ole Henriksen 3 Little Wonders; Skin Inc Pure Deepsea Hydrating Mask; Yves Saint Laurent TOUCHE ÉCLAT (another luminizer); Kate Somerville ExfoliKate; Fresh Soy Conditioning Eye Makeup Remover and Soy Face Cleanser; Living Proof Style Extender; Versace Bright Crystal (going straight to my sister – she loves this scent); Sephora Colorful Blush in “No5 Sweet on you!”; Nude Progenius Omega Treatment Rescue Oil; Beauty Blender Liquid blendercleanser (I wonder if it works better than the baby shampoo I usually use?); Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (I used this for the first time a few weeks ago – it really helps!); and Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer in “Medium Beige” (I think I have some of this somewhere?).
I also got the usual three samples with my order – BITE Beauty Agave Lip Mask in “Champagne”, “Natural” and “Smashed”; REN Clean Skincare Wake Wonderful Night-Time Facial; and Benefit Air Patrol BB Cream Eyelid Primer.
Just $132 left until Rouge…
November Birchbox – Feeling Fancy
November’s Birchbox has me “Feeling Fancy” – and smelling GOOD.
I know I just bought Roses de Chloe, but now I am going to have to go buy Cartier Eau De Cartier Goutte de Rose – obviously, another rose scent, but different – it smells somehow greener? Birchbox’s description says it’s unisex, but I really can’t see that happening – it’s too floral. Also inside my box – MAKE Skin Illuminator (Ugh.); Number 4 Flouro5 Elixer Restore & Repair Oil; PARLOR by Jeff Chastain Touchable Curl Cream; and LOC Matte Lipstick in “First Kiss” (I’m excited about trying Birchbox’s new house brand!)
All in all, a very glamorous box!
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 – October 2015 – #2
What! What! WHAT! There were 2 Target Beauty Boxes this month!
This $10 box packs a punch – I don’t even know how they fit it all into the box. Inside my box: Goody Ouchless Silicone Lined Elastics; Cover Girl Intensify Me Eyeliner in “Intense Black” (it has a paddle tip that paints thin and thick lines); Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede Lipstick in “Wardrobe”; RoC Deep Wrinkle Night Cream (I’ve heard good things about RoC, but have never tried it – looking forward to trying it); ACURE Moroccan Argan Oil + Stem Cell Triple Repair Shampoo & Conditioner (big samples, not foil packets!); Skinfix Ultra Rich Body Butter; Hello Toothpaste in “Supermint”; Olly Beauty Vitamins (with Biotin, Vitamins C, E & Borage Oil – I ate them already – they were yummy); and S.W. Basics Certified Organic Body Scrub (At first, I thought it was a packet of granola – it has just three ingredients: sugar, coconut oil & shredded coconut – so it kinda IS granola).
As usual, there’s a coupon $3 off a $15 Beauty purchase. Another great box from Target!
October Beauty Box 5 – Think Pink
Oh. Another Breast Cancer Pink-themed Beauty Box. *Groan* Well SHUT MY MOUTH, this Beauty Box 5 “Think Pink” box has some pretty good stuff in it…
Let’s see what we’ve got…a Happy Hands HappyFace Makeup Cleansing Cloth (it’s supposed to remove all your makeup with just water – WHAT?); a Ferro Cosmetics Pink Rhinestone Kabuki Brush (I’m in the market for a new powder brush – this one is SO soft); Styli-Style Perfect Pout Long Lasting Balm Stick in “Playful Pink”; Knotty Hair Ties (this type is so pretty, but they stretch out so easily); and a Nubar Nail Polish Mini in “Pinktober!” (Of course, it’s called that).
I will actually use all this pink stuff – thanks, Beauty Box 5!
Fall 2015 Freeman Beauty Mystery Bag
I guess technically, it isn’t a beauty bag – it comes in a box – no bag to be seen. As of Friday night, it’s still available on their website! $30 and free shipping!
Inside this year’s box: c. Booth Mimosa Honeysuckle Body Souffle (this smells SO good – primarily honeysuckle); Barefoot Exfoliating Polish (works on your whole body); Barefoot Repair! Deodorizing Foot Spray (my feet don’t smell, but good to have on hand, I guess); c. Booth Blackberry In-Bath Body Conditioner (Not only do I need pre-conditioner for my hair, now my whole body needs conditioner?); Freeman Hibiscus Overnight Repair Mask; Freeman Daisy Oxygen Revival Mask; psssst! Volumizing Boost Invisible Texturizing Powder (I don’t understand this product – will have to research further); Freeman Pomegranate Body Wash (smells divine); Vita-K Professional for Crow’s Feet; Vita-K Professional for Dark Circles; and three single use mask packs – Facial Purifying Paper Mask in “Star Fruit”; Facial Lava Clay Mask in “Cinnamon & Moroccan”; and Facial Peeling Mask in “Pumpkin” (more pumpkin!). I also picked 4 free samples masks with my order: Facial Enzyme Mask in “Pineapple” (I’ve tried it before and loved it); Pomegranate Revealing Peel-Off Mask; Facial Exfoliating Scrub in “Pink Grapefruit”; and Chocolate & Strawberry Clay Mask (I am the most excited about this one).
No repeats from last year and no duplicates of any full-size products I have. I can’t wait to start putting masks on!
Target Beauty Box – October 2015
So this month’s Target Beauty Box is interesting – it is all products by L’Oréal Paris. Ooooh la la!
Let’s see what we’ve got…Voluminous Mascara in “Blackest Black” (good thing I gave my Sister-in-Law 3 unopened mascaras a few days ago – I have an unending supply); Advanced Haircare Total Repair 5 Restoring Shampoo (well what conditioner am I gonna use, huh?); Elnett Satin Hairpsray (I think I have one of these from another Target box); Age Perfect Cell Renewal Night Cream (this was listed on the car, but there isn’t a sample of it in my box – just a little sticker to “test” if my skin needs renewal – it doesn’t); Revitalift Volume Filler (single use samples of serum and cream); True Match Shade Strips (this is the coolest thing in the box – stickers to place on your face to find the best foundation match); and Advanced Haircare Ultimate Straight Shampoo, Pre-Conditioner and Conditioner (They done changed the game – now I need pre-conditioner before my conditioner???)
Kind of a weeny box for $5. But the mascara alone is more than $5, plus – there’s a coupon for $5 off $20 of L’Oréal, so… Now if they would just set it up as a subscription, instead of me having to order it each month.
Sephora Play – September 2015
It’s here! The first Sephora Play box! Like I need another subscription box…I DO. I NEED MORE BOXES.
Inside the first Play box: Sephora Collection Rouge Infusion in “Peony” (I got this same color in the new “Gimme Some Lip” box – but I like it); Marc Jacobs Highliner in “Blacquer” (I now have enough black eyeliner to transcribe the bible); Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation; Bumble and bumble. Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer (Mmmm – excited about this); GlamGlow SuperCleanse (I love putting mud on my face); and Elizabeth and James “Nirvana White” (Ugh, this is my 3rd one – I can’t give this shit away.)
My box also came with a card that will give me 50 extra points with my next Sephora purchase – WIN!
Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can get on the wait list at sephora.com/play.
Target Beauty Box – September 2015
Yup, every month now!
I’ll admit, I’m not in love with the “Fall in Love” Target Beauty Box – but I reserve the right to change my mind once I try the products. Inside: Jane Carter Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner; Curls Creme Brulee Whipped Curl Creme (I don’t have curly hair, but maybe it tames frizz); Dove Quench Absolute Creme Serum (Again, I don’t have curls); SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil (I am supposed to put this in my hair…UGH, I thought it was hand lotion); Aquaphor Healing Ointment (I could have used this a month ago, when I got my most recent tattoo – I just bought a HUGE tube of it); and Colgate Optic White Platinum Express White Toothpaste (I can throw this in my travel bag).
A very curly hair-centric box, but hey – another $3 off coupon. It wasn’t a total waste of $5.