Category: Hair
Target Beauty Box – June 2020
Just one Target Beauty Box in June? How rude!
June’s theme is “Beauty Trendsetters” and includes products promoted by celebrity makeup artists and Instagram influencers. The first thing I noticed was a heavily photoshopped Kardashian glaring at me from the box. Turns out Khloe is a spokesperson for Tanologist Drops Sunless Tanning Treatments. 100% fuck no on this product.
The rest of the products in the box are a mix of cool and questionable. I’ve gotten samples of Lumify Redness Reliever Drops before and they’re pretty good. I’ve been using the Honestly pHresh Prebiotic Deodorant in “Sea Mineral” and it works as well as my other natural deodorants. I haven’t had a chance to use the tenoverten Rose Polish Remover Wipes or the Yuni Travel Shower Sheet Wipes. Ditto on the Waterl<ss Instant Moisture Dry Conditioner.
I’m intrigued by the Rae DeStress Capsules – lord knows I need to destress right now. I Tried to figure out what was in them by reading the package – a “Proprietary Blend” with Ashwagandha Root Extract and Bacopa Monnniera Whole Aerial Extract. Uhhhhhhh…I guess it’s not the most questionable thing I’ve taken, so I might as well give it a spin – down the hatch!
This box was $7, with free shipping, plus 5% off with my Target Red Card. The box came with a $3 off $15 coupon, and the coupon has an extended expiration date of 10/1/20. I still have a coupon from last month left, so I’m glad Target is giving extra time to redeem.
Yes to Ulta
That Ulta, they keep getting me with their “gift with purchase” offers. My $60 purchase brought me a 10 piece “Patio Prep” Sampler. The sampler includes: My Amazing Replenish Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner (This brand is new to me and I am excited to try it); L’Oreal Voluminous Primer/Base (I’ve gotten 3-4 samples of this and still have never tried it); Cover FX Mattifying Primer + Acne Treatment (Intrigued by this product – looking forward to trying this as well); Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum; Milani Bold Matte Lipstick in “I am Worthy” (I have not tried it yet, but it looks like my favorite shade, KvD “Lolita”); belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb (YES – I will never run out!); Hey Honey! 24Seven! Honey Day & Night Cream; and skyn Iceland The Antidote Cooling Daily Lotion. No lie – this is the best sample bag I’ve received in a good long while!
The way I’ve been shopping at Ulta lately, is filling my shopping cart with things I want, waiting for a good promo or deal. Yes to… products were BOGO Half, so I picked up a few items for my son: Yes to Tomatoes Triple Threat Acne Treatment Kit ($12.99 and includes a sulfur solution like Kate Somerville – I might have to switch myself) and Yes to Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Cleanser ($5, down from $9.99). He acted offended, but I’ve noticed a real improvement in his complexion since he’s started using them.
I added to my conditioner hoard with John Frieda Wonder Drops – Frizz Smoothing Wonder Mask ($1.47 each and also BOGO Half). I got two and used one so far. It felt like a normal conditioner to me – nothing special. The packettes are smaller than I’m used to – only one application. I also ordered a Diane Hanging Shower Comb ($3.50) to evenly distribute my conditioning packs.
I liked the ColourPop Ultra Blotted Lip in my last order, so I ordered another one – “Cherry on Top”, a blackened cherry ($7).
EVERYWHERE is selling face masks now. I bought a pack of 3 from Kitsch for $12.99. They are good quality and breathable, so I’ll definitely buy more now that Texas has a Face Mask Order across the whole state.
I found a few 75% off clearance goodies: Ulta Transforming Clay Cleanser ($3.12, down from $12.50 ), which is supposed to change colors after 30 seconds, but changes color immediately – so weird. Also, Beauty by Popsugar Liquid Velvet Lip in “Be Racy” ($6, down from $24), which was way pinker than I expected and kind of tacky, as in made my lips stick together.
The last few things I threw in my cart were random – a Rebels Refinery Skull Lip Balm in “Mint”, because it reminded me of a lighter that I used to have, and a back-up Zoya Remove+ ($10). Oh, and don’t forget about that $3.50 off coupon!
After this purchase, I’m 40% to Diamond in 2021 ($719 to go)…but I have $61 in points. The new Urban Decay Naked Ultraviolet Palette drops in a few days and I’ve got my eye on it…
Double Dollars
I may have hit two more Dollar Trees over the last week, searching for more nail polish.
I did find two more two packs worth getting! The first one had Sinful Colors “Thera-pewter” from the “Stoned Crystal Shimmer” collection and “Bite Me”, which I feel like was from a Halloween collection. The other pack had Sinful Shine “Rule My World” and “Clay Me” from the “Stoned Crystal Shimmer” collection.
I also found a two pack of nameless wet ‘n wild polishes. I HATE nameless polishes – but I got em anyway. There was a blue shimmer and a pink and red glitter.
It’s hot as hell here in Southeast Texas, so I definitely recommend picking up a few $1 fans from Dollar Tree. I found a “Shade” fan to match my “Slay” fan.
I do NOT recommend picking up hair clips from Dollar Tree – these cheap shitty plastic clips did not hold all of my hair and they scratched my scalp. I gave them to Lily.
Do you have any hot Dollar Tree deals to share?
Sephora Favorites Hello! Beauty Icons Set
Just a month after Sephora unceremoniously killed their $10 monthly Beauty Box subscription, they release a $10 sample set. OhhhhhhKAY, I’ll bite.
Yeah, I picked up the $10 Sephora Favorites Hello! Beauty Icons Set. Honestly, I wouldn’t have bothered if I had to pay for shipping with it, but Sephora is still offering free shipping for COVID.
Why do I have so much Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb? I get samples from every service, month after month. It’s fine, I even wore it today. I’d never buy it, but it’s an okay scent if you have half a dozen samples of it.
I used the Living proof. Restore Repair Mask on my hair this morning – it smells so expensive, but didn’t make is noticeably softer.
Also in the kit: NARS Lipstick in “Toléde”; Youth to The People Superfood Antioxidant Cleaner (I’ve gotten this in a box previously – it’s good); Nudestix Nudies Matte Blush & Bronze in “Sunkissed”; and Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream (love this stuff, going to put it on before bed tonight).
Oh, and the set included 15% off coupons for full sizes of the included products. Yeah, I will never use them.
I also got regular Sephora samples: Verb Ghost Shampoo & Conditioner and Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask. Just $198 to maintain my VIB status.
FYI, the set is currently still available on Sephora’s site, so go get it here.
Conditioner Hoarding
I found something new to hoard! I am so excited!
Even though I have two full sets of shampoo & conditioner in my shower (Head & Shoulders Smooth & Silky and Herbal Essences White Grapefruit & Mosa Mint), I discovered Love Beauty & Planet Indian Lilac and Clove Leaf Positively Shine Shampoo & Conditioner ($6.99 each). I had to order them and immediately try them. I didn’t know how much I love lilac. I was hoping for more of a clove scent, so I could reminisce about smoking cloves in a Denny’s and coughing up blood, but all I smell is lilac.
So, what’s up with the lonely bottle of Love Beauty & Planet Murumuru Butter & Rose Blooming Color Conditioner? That’s what I received in my original order, instead of the Indian Lilac. I put in a ticket and Target sent me the correct conditioner AND let me keep this one. Shit, now I have to buy a matching shampoo…
I also decided to get a bunch of deep conditioning packs. I only ordered one HASK Keratin Protein Pack ($1.79), but they sent me 2 – another score! I tried one today and my hair is strong enough to pull a car! Probably, I didn’t test it.
I also ordered an OGX Coconut Miracle Oil Hair Mask ($3.99), SheaMoisture Jamaican Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Treatment Masque ($2.99), SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Recovery Treatment Masque ($2.99), and SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque ($2.99). Even with my super-long, needing-a-haircut-bad hair, I can get two uses out of each packet, so if I use two packets a month, my hair should be in REALLY good condition in 6 months or so…
I used the $3 off coupon from my April Beauty Boxes. I also bought enough Beauty products to get a $5 Target Gift Card to use later (I used it the other day to order Contact Solution and Love Home & Planet Laundry Detergent).
Target Beauty Boxes – May 2020
For the fifth month in a row, Target’s given us TWO Beauty Boxes to choose from…but why choose just one, when you can have them both?
Even though I don’t plan on going outside much this summer, I grabbed the “Sunscreen Queen” box. I did happen to visit Lala’s pool this weekend and got to try out two of the sunscreens! The first day, I used CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Face Lotion with Sunscreen – SPF 30. It did well in the pool, although I must admit that I just lounged and didn’t go completely underwater. The second day, I opted for a bit stronger protection with Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen – SPF 50 Mineral Lotion. It protected my face well – I should’ve put it on my shoulders! Also in this box: Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Spry – SPF 30; Bare Republic Mineral Shimmer Holographic Shimmer Stick (weird – I am paranoid to try these); La Roche Posay Anthelios Melt-in Sunscreen Milk – SPF 60 (you got my attention with SPF 60…but the milk part is scaring me away); and RoC Multi Correxion 5-in-1 Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer – SPF 30. I’m ready for the 3 or 4 times I have to go outside this summer!
The “Summer Hair & Skin Care” box has a wider range of products. I’ve already used the HASK Argan Oil Repairing Deep Conditioner Packet – it was great for my hair, but didn’t smell as nice as the Unwined line. Also in this box: CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen Lotion for Face – SPF 50; Heritage Store Rosewater Spray (the bottle says to spray on face, hair, body…okay!); Biore Charcoal Deep Cleansing Pore Strips; COLAB Original Dry Shampoo; Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Soft Waves Sea Salt Spray with Tropical Banana Fragrance (do I want my hair to smell like banana?); and Eva NYC Mane Magic 10-in-1 Primer.
Each box was $7, with free shipping, plus 5% off with my Target Red Card. Both boxes came with $3 off $15 coupons, and the coupons have an extended expiration date of 9/4/20. I used one of last month’s coupons to get these boxes, and I used the other one to hoard shampoo and conditioner (post coming soon).
Target Beauty Boxes – April 2020
Thank you Target, for giving me two Target Beauty Boxes for April. My online shopping is ridiculous right now…
The box on the left is called “Clean Routine” and is filled with health-conscious alternatives to every day products. I tried out the Lavanila Pure Healthy Vanilla Deodorant today. It’s not as good as the Schmidt’s deodorant, but it kept most of the funk away. (I totally just sniffed my armpit – a little funky, but not bad.) Also included in the “Clean Routine” box: artnaturals Vitamin C Serum (I’ve been using a lot of serums in my morning routine since Quarantine started); hello bpa-free toothbrush (I’ll throw it in the bin for guests); Love Beauty and Planet Coconut Milk & White Jasmine Hand Cream (I have the one I received in the April 2019 box in my purse); and hello Hemp Seed Oil + Coconut Oil Fluoride Free Toothpaste (I’ve been using this for the past few days – it’s like brushing your teeth with oregano).
The other box is themed “Spring Into Clean” and is full of healthy cleaning products. I am LOVING the full sized SheaMoisture Cannabis & Witch Hazel Skin Rescue Cream Cleanser. It takes a lot of rinsing, but I like the way it feels and smells. Also inside: Pacifica Glowing Makeup Removing Wipes; The Good Stuff Complete Repair Balm (another repeat from April 2019); Acure Resurfacing Overnight Glycolic Treatment; and Spring & Vine Tea Tree & Mint Scalp Soothing Shampoo Bar (I gave to the husband, but he hasn’t used it yet.
Each box was $7, with free shipping, plus 5% off with my Target Red Card. Both boxes came with $3 off $15 coupons, and THESE coupons have an extended expiration date of 8/6/20. I was able to use BOTH of last month’s coupons already! I even used one of them to order these two boxes, adding some body wash for my daughter to the order to bump the total over $15.
Instinct + Transformation
Makeup Revolution Palettes at 40% off? Don’t mind if I do!
I’ve had my eye on the Revolution x Alexis Stone collaboration since it launched. I hesitated, not because of the price, but because of the unlikelihood that I would get much use out of it. But FOMO and a great price convinced me. The Instinct Palette ($15, down from $25) is a 28 shade matte palette with a rainbow of colors. Makeup Revolution has really upped their quality – these shadows were super pigmented and wore well without primer. (I did get a little bit of staining with the pink shadows, so be warned.) The Transformation Palette ($9, down from $15) has 7 shimmery shades that can be worn alone or over your Instinct shades, which is what I did.
I also snagged the I Heart Revolution Tasty Avocado Palette ($10, down from $15) and Tasty Hot Dog Palette ($7.49). I know that I look horrible in green eye shadow, but I couldn’t resist that cute avocado packaging. When I tried it out, I wasn’t wrong – my husband refused to go get ice cream with me while I was wearing it. The Hot Dog Palette was a nice surprise – I never knew that mustard and ketchup vibes would look so good on me.
My hair is growing out of control, so I got a few new hair tools – the Pattern Hair Clip ($10) is bigger than the octopus clips I’ve been using and it holds ALL my hair. It’s designed for curly hair, but works just fine on straight hair, too. I also got the Invisibobble Bunstar ($8 for 2). This little sperm-shaped piece of plastic screws in and holds your bun! I don’t exactly understand how it works, but it does.
I also got my son another L’Oreal Colorista Highlight Kit and myself an Ulta Tinted Juice Infused Lip Oil ($4.50, down from $9).
This 5 piece Benefit gift with purchase was the last Beauty Break I’ve seen – two weeks ago. A $60 purchase got me a Benefit makeup bag with my favorite mascara – Benefit Roller Lash, as well as The POREfessional Hydrate Primer, Precisely My Brow Pencil in “Warm Light Brown”, and Gimme Brow Brow-Volumizing Fiber Gel in “Warm Brown”. A $75 purchase got me a Benefit “Laughter is the Best Cosmetic” Canvas Tote. I want more Beauty Breaks – where did they go???
Just $935 to Diamond status!
April 2020 Allure Beauty Box – Spritzed Up
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb is far from one of my favorite scents, but I’m impressed by the size of the sample included in this month’s “Spritzed Up” box. It’s not one of those stupid little vials – this is a Deluxe Mini with 7 whole mL! I may have to give it another try…
Also in this month’s box: Thrive Causemetics Lip Filler Long Wearing + Plumping Lip Liner in “Valisia” (I actually tried this one out – it’s okay, but there was no plumping to be had); Eva NYC Mane Magic 10-in-1 Primer (I like this brand, but I haven’t done my hair since…Vegas?); Lué by Jean Seo Balance Hydrating & Calming Serum; Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment (I’ve gotten this in a couple different Sephora Play! boxes – it’s nice); Akar Skin Balance Toning Mist (I’m not a toner girl, but the smell of this one brings me back – it reminds me of when I thought I was making “perfume” by letting rose petals ferment in water bottles – that sounds negative, but it’s not, it’s a really earthy scent); and a Pūrlisse Watermelon Energizing Sheet Mask (Yes, I have enough sheet masks to wallpaper my bathroom, what’s one more?)
Kind of a grab bag of items this month – I like it.
The Allure Beauty Box is $15/month, but they give you $5 off your first box. They also offer an option for $150/year – a savings of $30. Sign up via my referral link.
Easter Egg Hair
I didn’t dye eggs on Easter…but I did dye my hair.
Shortly after the quarantine started I ordered 3 new samples ($11 each) from oVertone: Extreme Teal, Pink for Brown Hair, and Purple for Brown Hair. Shipping was slower than usual and it took a bit to get here, and then…procrastination. I finally got around to dying my hair on Easter Sunday.
I just went for it and used all of them. I didn’t mix them all together – I sectioned my dry hair and applied separately. I used Extreme Teal on the right side – it did not take well on my hair. It wasn’t teal, as much as a swampy grey-blue. I used Purple for Brown Hair on the center and Pink for Brown Hair on the left side. I am much more impressed by the “for Brown Hair” formulas. The “Extreme” formula did not color the brown portion of my hair at all, just the highlighted portion. There is a “Blue for Brown Hair” – maybe I’ll try that one?
I can get about one more use out of the remainder of the three sample jars. $16.50 per dye session is a bit pricey – but that’s because I bought samples. The full size is $29 and I can get 2.5-3 applications, (if I remember correctly), which is $11.60 to $9.67, if I stretch it, which is a bit more affordable. It’s still more expensive than Clairol Color Crave or L’Oreal Colorista, but my hair feels so much better after using oVertone. It’s definitely a luxurious product and absolutely worth it.