Category: Makeup
Barbie x GLOSSYBOX
GLOSSYBOX is one of the few subscription boxes that I haven’t tried yet. When I saw ads for the Barbie x GLOSSYBOX collaboration, I had to get in on it.
I was excited to see that GLOSSYBOX allows non-subscribers to purchase their limited edition boxes – phew! The Barbie box was $35 for me, but $30 for GLOSSYBOX subscribers. It’s still available to order – click here!
I wish I had looked a bit closer at what was included in the box before I ordered it…I was pissed when I realized that the included eye shadow palette – ĀTHR Beauty Moonlight Crystal Palette – in the Halsey Glam Bag X last August. Well fuck…some lucky person might be getting it as a gift? It’s a GREAT palette, for a night out or even a grocery store trip.
The other big winner in the box was the Revolution Beauty Pout Bomb Plumping Gloss in “Candy”. At first, I was put off by the color – it’s super light. But then I had the idea to pair it with a darker lip liner and it looked AMAZING. I don’t care for plumping products that are spicy and hurt, but this one is just a mildly tingly mint. I love it!
I’ve been washing my face with the GLOSSYBOX SKINCARE Gentle Foaming Cleanser. It’s light and rinses clean. I also like the Cuvée Beauty Champagne Infused Eau De Parfum Rollerball. It reminds me of a Mimosa – champagne and orange juice.
The box also included First Aid Beauty Niacinamide Brightening Cream; Knesko Skin Rose Quartz Antioxidant Collagen Face Mask; Spectrum Collection A10 Small Fan Brush; Emilie Heathe Makeup Hair Clips (they are weird looking, but I like the concept); Floss Beauty Highlighter in “Sunbeam”; and a Makeup Eraser (I mean…I can always use another washcloth?)
I feel like I got a lot of value for just $35, even though the eye shadow was a dupe. According to GLOSSYBOX, the retail value of the box is over $230.
GLOSSYBOX subscriptions range from $21 monthly (if you purchase one month at a time) to $17.50 monthly (if you purchase a year at a time).
August 2022 Glam Bag X – Alicia Keys
I’ve been receiving Keys Soulcare products in the last several Glam Bag X boxes – I was wondering when we would see Alicia Keys as a curator!
I love that I get to pick THREE products in every Glam Bag X. I liked the One/Size Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder in May’s bag so much that I chose One/Size Turn up the Base Versatile Powder Foundation in “Fair 1” this time. The powder foundation gives decent coverage and gives a very filtered look…but it’s about one tic too light for me…meaning it will be perfect for winter when I retreat inside.
My other product choices were a Baublebar June Bracelet Set (2 gold bracelets – I gave one to my daughter), and Epione Beverly Hills Flawless Serum. I’ve been using it at night because it’s super thick, almost like honey.
For some odd reason, the (non-choice) products I received are not what’s showing up on ipsy’s site for me…so weird. The only one that is accurate was the Huda Beauty Silk Balm Honey Kiss Lip Balm in “Queen Bee” (a basic clear lip balm with a doe foot applicator). The site lists 4 other products, but I received 5 additional products: Keys Soulcare Be Luminous Exfoliator (a powder that turns to foam – interesting feeling); Go-To Skincare Skin Party (a thick skin cream); LYS Beauty Aim High Liquid Highlighter (no thanks); oSea Essential Hydrating Oil (I don’t like oils on my face, so I gave it to my daughter); and Rinna Beauty Lipgloss in “Guilty Pleasure” (I haven’t tried it yet, Lisa Rinna’s lips scare the FUCK out of me).
When I put my bag together, it said it was worth $449…not sure if it is worth more or less than that, due to the product changes…I feel like it was a nice box, so I guess that’s all that matters.
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.
PEEPS Polish Haul
$1.50 nail polish…yes…$1.50 PEEPs nail polish…you have my interest AND you have my attention.
Even though it’s well past Easter, I added the entire Sally Hansen Insta-Dri x PEEPS Collection to my cart – “PEEPS Pink”, “PEEPS Yellow”, “PEEPS White”, “PEEPS Blue”, and “PEEPS Fruit Punch.” Is “Fruit Punch” even a color?
I love freebies, so I restocked on my favorite brow pencil – Ulta Ultra Slim Brow Pencil in “Dark Brown” and “Medium Brown” ($10 each). This gave me a free 10 piece gift from Ulta: Eye Shadow Palette (8 shades); Highlighter & Blush Duo; Luxe Lipstick in “Raisin”; Tinted Lip Oil (great for removing long wear lip paint); Clear Brow Gel; Matte Eye Primer in Nude; Mattifying Face Primer; Lash Flash Mascara; and a Makeup Removing Cloth in a faux leather Makeup Bag.
I am a sucked for each new lippie that NYX puts out, so I grabbed a NYX Smooth Whip Blurring Matte Lip Cream in “Velvet Robe” ($8), which granted me a freebie: an NYX Suede Matte Velvet Vegan Lip Liner in “Sandstorm”. Oh, I have this shade of Liquid Suede!
I purchased a Conair True Glow Sonic Facial Brush Replacement Head ($8, down from $10) because…they come with an adapter for the recently out-of-business Clarisonic! I tried it and the little adapter piece that came with it worked like a charm…I am so glad I hadn’t trashed it yet. My daughter is obsessed with Stranger Things, so I got her a half price MAC Lip Glass in “Rockin’ Robin” ($10, down from $20). I also added an INVISIBOBBLE Waver Traceless Hair Clip ($3.50) for funsies.
Not only did I use a $5 off coupon, but I got more freebies – thank you Diamond Day! I got a Platinum & Diamond 4 piece gift that included four Jane Iredale products: POMMISST Hydration Spray, Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain, Beyond Lash Volumizing Mascara, and Smooth Affair Illuminating Glow Face Primer. I also got a Platinum & Diamond Exclusive gift from NEST Fragrances – three votive candles in “Grapefruit” (burning now – smells so good), “Ocean Mist & Sea Salt”, and “Wild Mint & Eucalyptus”.
$313 to Diamond in 2023!
Makeup Revolution x Coca Cola
Nothing like a vacation with your bestie…I was quite chuffed to find the Makeup Revolution x Coca Cola Palettes in the goodie bag she brought me all the way from Scotland. It almost makes up for the Buckfast…almost…
The full size palette has 18 shimmery shades, while the mini palette has 9. I’ve tried them both and they are outstanding. They go on smooth and blend well. I dressed up my eyes to go to the grocery store and the sample lady went out of her way to compliment my eye shadow, as I was shoving my face full of sandwich samples. I said, “Thank you – my husband says I look like a sexy racoon.”
I hadn’t seen these palettes in the states…I was under the impression that they didn’t launch here…but a quick Google confirmed that Target has them. Run, do not walk, to buy these!
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!