Category: Makeup
July 2022 Ipsy Bag – Soak It All In
July’s bag is FAN-friggin-tastic! Not just the products – although the products are great – but look at the bag. LOOK at the starfish zipper pull! And the turquoise matches my wall…
When it comes to eye shadow, ipsy usually gives single pans…occasionally a duo with tiny little pans. I was shocked to see a full 12 pan eye shadow palette as one of my product choices this months. I JUMPED on the Trendbeauty Luminosity Eyeshadow Palette – the colors are gorgeous. I wore it yesterday and the colors are creamy and smooth, blending well without a primer. I am in LOVE.
Also in this month’s bag: Complex Culture Kiss Bliss Lip Gloss in “Joy De Vivre” (I was excited about the kiss of tint until I tried it – fairly invisible on my lips); Pear Nova Hand Cream Mini in “Coconut Eucalyptus” (I may have fucked up and put this on my face – I was wondering why it was SO thick…it d’oh!); Pyunkang Yul Highly Moisturizing Essence Sheet Mask; and The Nue Co. Barrier Culture Cleanser (VERY slimy, but okay).
I decided to splurge on a $5 add-on for my bag – the So Pastel Nail Duo, with We are Fluide “Neptune’s Cove” and Law Beauty Essentials “Net Worth How Much”. I thought these add-ons shipped with my bag, but they charged me $1.49 handling and shipped it separately. How is this profitable??? I guess I should stop asking questions and enjoy my cheap nail polish…
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $13/month and Glam Bag X for an extra $43/quarterly. If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
All this for Velveeta Nails…
Why yes, I DID purchase the viral Velveeta Nail Polish…did you think I wouldn’t?
I snatched up the Nails.INC x VELVEETA Pinkies Out Polish Creamy Smooth Cheese Scented Nail Polish Duo ($15), as well as the Nails.INC x VELVEETA Irresistible Nail Stickers ($4.99). I cannot wait to experience the cheese fingers for myself!
I have a strong aversion to paying for shipping, so I loaded my cart with items to hit the $50 threshold for free shipping. I had always wanted to try magnetic nail polish, so I got the Get Magnetized Magnet Effect Nail Polish Duo ($15). I also got Color Changing Nail Polish in “Feel the Hotness” ($10), Leopard Spot Topper in “Prowling in Paddington” ($10), and Nourishing Lip Balm in “Share My Fantasy” ($3.20).
I used a code to get 10% off my first order, as well as a free Gel Effect nail polish in “Regent Place”.
I do find it rather odd that Nails Inc (a London based company) is selling a nail polish themed after a product that is rare to find (affordably) in the UK. In fact, I’ve mailed Velveeta to friends in Scotland, as it’s so hard to find. I’ve also packed it in my (daughter’s) carry-on while traveling to Alaska, and got popped by Security. Apparently, fake cheeze looks like C4, when packed inside a 6 year old’s luggage…
Overboard Hauls
I have always been obsessed with eye shadow palettes, but there haven’t been many good ones in a long while…until NOW!
This post will be a combination of an order I placed a few weeks ago, but it arrived the same day I got my hairs did and bought a bunch of stuff at Ulta. I placed the online order because the Saturday before THAT, I took Lily to get her hairs did and wanted to use the $10 off $40 coupon mailer, but it didn’t go into effect until Sunday. I also had a coupon in the app, so I got to use both!
I had been eyeing the Thor: Love and Thunder line at Ulta and I was THRILLED to find Ulta Beauty items for BOGO. Not BOGO 40% or 50%, but Buy One, Get One FREE. I got the Thor: Love and Thunder Be Worthy Break Apart Eye Palette ($25) and the Thor: Love and Thunder Valkyrie Eye Palette (FREE, from $20). The two palettes also got me a FREE Tote Bag, which was arrived several days later. Although the packaging is top notch, I am a bit disappointed in the quality of the eye shadows. They are not as pigmented as previous palettes (I am thinking of the the AMAZING Frida Kahlo palette). The shadows are a bit flaky and have a lot of fallout. If I had paid full price for both, I’d be PISSED. I’ll still use them, but I think I’ll have to use a primer.
I splurged on my daughter a little bit and ordered some of the wet n wild Lilo & Stitch products. I was disappointed that the eye shadow was out of stock online, but I got her the Hula Honey Glow Face Palette ($10.49) and Experiment 626 Makeup Brush Set ($16.99). I also snagged a few clearance items – Nailtopia Nail Lacquer in “FOMO” ($1.75, down from $10) and Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Color Removing Wipes ($2.80, down from $4). I also grabbed a Colourpop Sonic Blooms Glossy Lip Stain in “Tutti Frutti” ($8). I went to use it the other day, but it was BROKEN! The lip of the bottle had broken off inside the cap. I’d seen nail polish do this, but never a lip product. Ulta Customer Care was very helpful and immediately sent me a replacement.
Oh, and I got a Truly Beauty Break with my $60 purchase – it came with 4 full size products: CBD Jelly Anti-Blemish Body Cleanser (smells like a watermelon Jolly Rancher!); Nice Melons Whipped Body Butter (it had melted in my mailbox); Berry Cheeky Clearing Butt Polish (both my children tried to steal this from me!); and Berry Cheeky Clearing Butt Serum.
All that came in the mail…and I still bought more stuff in person. I was SO excited that my store had the wet n wild Lilo & Stitch Ohana Palette ($16.99)! I also splurged on two more Colourpop Glossy Lip Stains in “Ice Pop” and “Twice Shy”, as well as one of their new eye shadow palettes – X-tra Celestial “Clearly in Love” ($12). (I wanted that free makeup bag.) The Colourpop eye shadow is so much better in quality than the Ulta! It’s creamy and has incredible color payoff without a primer. Ulta needs to get on it. I also snagged a new bottle of Poo-pourri in “Amalfi Flush” for the family vacation…if you know, you know.
Since I wasn’t able to use all the Ulta points I had saved up on the Dyson Air Wrap a few months ago, I used $250 on my hair and purchase…that makes $500 so far this year!
$366 to Diamond in 2023.
Wet Ulta Haul
Lily discovered the absolute BEST hairbrush for wet hair at LaLa’s house, so we had to order them for ourselves! I ordered two WET BRUSH Pro Flex Dry Brushes – at $15.99, not cheap…but these brushes are THAT good. She grabbed the coral one, and I was left with the teal, which is the color I would’ve chosen anyway.
I had a $10 off $40 coupon, so I filled my basket with other things I needed. I got a 12oz Thayers Witch Hazel in “Rose Petal” ($10.95), as well as a travel size at BOGO 40% ($2.39 after discount). After scrolling through the clearance, I found the I ❤ Revolution Mini Rose Cream Palette for 50% off ($4.50, down from $9). I also tried out the new Colourpop Glossy Lip Stain in “Caftan” from the Shore Thing Collection ($8) – I am OBSESSED with this lip stain. I stays on for hours and doesn’t dry out my lips like the matte lip paints I love so much. I’ll be stocking up on these.
My $50 purchase came with a Megababe 4 piece gift…that’s giving me serious deja vu. It included a mini Rosy Pits Daily Deodorant (my fave), Thigh Rescue, Squeaky Clean Hand Sanitizer, and Squeaky Clean Antibacterial Wipes…It’s almost identical to the Megababe gift I received a year ago! I ain’t even mad…
Just $494 to Diamond in 2023.
June 2022 Ipsy Bag – Show Your Colors
This month’s ipsy bag is a bit…meh. Except for that lemon zipper pull – I am OBSESSED.
I have been pampering my skin this year, so my product choice was Tatcha Indigo Night Cream. It’s THICK, but it’s not making me break out, so I like it. I think it would be better ion the winter than the summer, but since I opened it, I might as well use it.
Also in this month’s bag: Able Skincare Hyaluronic + Retinol Radical Youth Activator Serum (with a crisp cucumber scent, I LOVE this serum); Dr. Paw Paw Overnight Lip Mask (honestly, I haven’t tried it yet); Tarte Maneater Voluptuous Mascara (again, I have plenty of mascara, so I haven’t tried it yet); and Brow Atelier Groom & Sculpt Tinted Brow Gel in Chestnut (I don’t even have enough brows to groom or sculpt).
I am a bit disappointed with this month’s bag, but I’m CERTAIN that next month’s bag will be better.
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $13/month and Glam Bag X for an extra $43/quarterly. If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
Wild Green Arctic Fox
You know me, I’m a SUCKER for a 50% off sale…
Arctic Fox Hair Color for 50% off – that’s just $9.24! I loaded up…I got 5 shades: “Purple AF”, “Virgin Pink”, “Wrath”, “Aquamarine”, and “Ritual”. I am not sure what Lily and I will be doing with all these colors…you’ll just have to wait and see. I also grabbed a Punky Color Lightning Fast Bleach Kit for her, which came with a free brush and gloves.
I also purchased the Urban Decay Cosmetics Wild Greens Eyeshadow Palette ($22, down from $44). Green eyeshadow is hit or miss with my green eyes, but I figure it’s worth a shot at 50% off. I’ve used it a few times and I am liking the neutral peaches more than the greens.
This purchase was made back at the end of May – during Ulta’s Gorgeous Hair Event. I would’ve posted earlier, but there was a bizarre screw-up on my order…instead of my Wild Greens palette, I received a jar of It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream. Sure, the face cream is regularly $50, much more than the $22 I spent on the palette…but it’s the principle! I called Ulta Customer Care and they were quick to ship me out a palette AND a return label for the cream. I was kind of hoping they’d tell me to keep it, but I was a good girl and sent it right back…in a Sephora box.
Just $546 to Diamond in 2023!
May 2022 Glam Bag X – Madelaine Petsch
I must be tragically uncool…I don’t know who this quarter’s ipsy curator is either! Google told me that Madelaine Petsch is in Riverdale, a show I have no interest in watching, based on the world’s worst comic book. But maybe she has good taste in beauty products…
I admit, I only picked the SONÄGE SKINCARE Baby Frioz Mini Ice Globes in “Lilac” because they look like tiny crack pipes. They are NOT crack pipes – you are supposed to put them in the fridge and then rub them on your face. I have not done this.
My other item choices were Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum and One/Size Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder in ” Translucent”. These items go GREAT together. Topping the serum with the setting powder is the perfect summer “no makeup” makeup look. This combo will be my go-to this summer.
Madelaine’s picks for me were Dew of the Gods Claydate Healing Face Mask (the packaging says that the clay was blessed by Buddhist monks – what kind of whack shit is that?); KVD Vegan Beauty Tattoo Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in “Trooper Black” (I’ll save this for the next time one of my children asks for an eyeliner); Saint Jane Beauty Luxury Body Serum (this is basically cooking oil – what do I do with this?); Saturday Skin Rise + Shine Gentle Cleanser (this cleanser makes my skin squeak like Irish Spring – I like it); and TYS Beauty Lip Treat (another lip plumper, ugh).
I like the products I chose MUCH more than Madelaine’s picks…
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $13/month and Glam Bag X for an extra $43/quarterly. If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
Perfect Smooth Haul
It wasn’t on sale, but I was almost out of shampoo! I cannot risk a single day with dirty hair, so instead of waiting for a sale, I just ordered refills of my favorite (right now) – NatureLab.Tokyo Perfect Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner ($23 each). My hair is also feeling sad and dry, so I added a SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Protein-Strong Treatment (30% off, so only $2.44).
Nail stuff was also 30% off, so I got some new Flowery buffers and a new Ulta toenail clipper. OPI Nail Lacquer Thinner ($10.40) was FINALLY back in stock, so I bought a bottle to try to revive some of my old crusty polishes.
My order was pretty boring, but even with the $3.50 off $15 coupon, it qualified me for a free 10 piece gift with my $60 order. The star of the gift is another tube of NYX Lip Lingerie XXL in “Turn-On”. THIS is the color I’ve been looking for! It goes on a boring brown, but as it dries, it becomes a near dupe for KVD “Lolita” – I love this shade! Also in the gift: Formula 10.0.6 Draw It All Out Skin-Detoxifying Mask; Covergirl Clean Fresh Brow Gel; Kristin Ess Reconstructive Moisture Mask (yassss, my hair needs help); Kneipp Mineral Bath Salt in “Eucalyptus” (offering to my son); Urban Skin RX Retinol Rapid Repair & Dark Spot Treatment; L’Oreal Infallible Matte-Lock Primer; Peach Slices Snail Rescue; Ahava Deadsea Water Mineral Hand Cream; and CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser.
$622 to Diamond in 2023.
April 2022 Ipsy Bag – Keep Growing
April’s bag is the cutest in a long while – covered with delicate daisies, it’s also made out of recycled materials. Way to keep plastic out of landfills, ipsy!
I have been SO busy this month that I’ve barely gotten to try any of the products in this month’s bag. I HAVE tried the Complex Culture Fresh Start Eyeshadow Palette – it’s a perfect neutral shadow quad, but with a little sparkle. The shadows are very blendable and vivid – highly recommend. I also tried out the fragrance – Nanette Le0ore “Enchanted Flora” and it is STRONG. My husband said it was old lady smelling, but not bad. I feel like this is what I would use to hide the fact that I was sneaking a cigarette behind the school, if indeed I did that type of thing…which I don’t.
Also in this month’s bag: Context Skin Nude Balm in “Back for More” (Why haven’t I tried this? I’ve been balming it up lately); Dionis Goat Milk Body Lotion in “White Jasmine & Shea”; and Honey Jarret Rose Clay Purifying Mask (this was my product choice this month and I haven’t even had a chance to try it).
Nice bag this month!
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $13/month and Glam Bag X for an extra $43/quarterly. If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
TikTok Hair
I did a thing.
I saw an Instagram ad for this hair thingie that has supposedly gone viral on TikTok and I thought, why not? Even though I just bought a $550 hair vacuum, I went ahead and spent $16 on a Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set. I tried it fresh out of the shower and left it in for about 5 hours while I puttered around the house…but my hair is too long and thick and had not fully dried. It was still fairly wavy though. I need to try it overnight, on dry hair. I’m concerned I might strangle myself though, since I sleep on my side and flip 20 or 30 times a night…more to come. I don’t feel as bad about buying the stupid tghing since I had a $3 off $15 coupon.
I usually don’t get too excited about Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty Event, most of the products aren’t my cup of tea…but…on one of the final days…I saw Kate Somerville EradiKate Daily Foaming Cleanser for half off ($22 instead of $44), I snagged two tubes – one for me and one for my son. He said it smells like a rosy fart – it’s the sulfur!
I also picked up a tube of NYX Lip Lingerie XXL Long-Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick in “Bust Ed” ($9.50). It was very soft on my lips and VERY dark and vibrant. It is more purple than I was expecting, but it looks good on me.
$698 to Platinum in 2023.