Category: Makeup
Give Me Some Balm
Oh hey, so here’s my order from Sephora’s Spring VIB Sale. It took over two weeks to get here, which is understandable…but work has been literally INSANE the past week, so I haven’t been posting…
Sephora hasn’t been wowing me lately, but I did find a few things that sparked my interest. I’d been eyeing the new Sephora Favorites “Give Me Some Balm” Kit ($29), because almost every day, I’ve been wearing nothing but lip balm. The star of the set is the FULL SIZE Pat McGrath Labs Lip Fetish Balm in “Clear” – hands down, this is the prettiest tube I own! I’m also pumped about the Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment in “Clear” – it’s minty. Even though I hate applying lip balm with my finger, the peachy scent of the Too Faced Cosmetics Peach Mega Moisture Lip Balm has me keeping it by my bedside. Also included in the kit – FULL SIZE tarte SEA Quench Lip Rescue in “rose” and Jouer Cosmetics Essential Lip Enhancer Conditioning Lip Treatment. All my fellow work-from-homers must have picked up this kit, too – it’s no longer available!
I also snagged another Cocofloss in “Fresh Coconut” ($9) – I LOOOOOVE this dental floss.
Do I really need red eyeliner? No, but it was on clearance for $10, so I picked up a Kat Von D, um, I mean KVD Vegan Beauty Ink Well Long Wear Eye Liner in “Outlaw”. I haven’t tried it yet, maybe I’ll leave the house by Halloween?
For samples, I got Chanel Coco Mademoiselle and a sample card of Shiseido VisionAiry Gel Lipstick (meh). I never would’ve picked the lipstick, but I did pick the perfume. Why does it smell like a Mens’ scent?
On a side note, Sephora Play! is no more! April was to be the final box, but changing my expiration date didn’t take in my account and I missed out on the very last box. (It probably would’ve been a bunch of leftover samples, anyway). Thanks for nothing, COVID-19.
Without Sephora Play!, will I be able to spend $208 more to get VIB status for 2021?
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.
April 2020 Ipsy Bag – Full Bloom
April’s ipsy bag is super bitchin’! I love the big wooden ring on the zipper and the soft lavender flowers.
For this month’s product choice, I selected Oryza Beauty Foiler Alert – Metallic Eye Shadow in “Rosé”. I have not tried it yet – maybe for my next video conference? I also haven’t tried the Araceli Beauty Ojos Perfectos Gel Pencil Eyeliner in “Black/Negro”.
I have been able to try the rest of the products in this month’s bag. I used the Ahava 24K Gold Mineral Mus Mask over the weekend. Even though it didn’t clear my pores as well as traditional mud masks, it made my skin so soft and glowing.
I’ve also been using the MURAD Nutrient-Charged Water Gel as my go-to moisturizer – it smells WONDERFUL. I’d actually pay for this one.
Stay tuned to see Context Skin Nail Lacquer in “Slow Down”.
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $12/month. If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
Genie
It’s been a while since I’ve ordered directly from Black Moon Cosmetics (dang, three years) and I’d forgotten how beautiful their packaging is.
A few weeks ago, they were offering free shipping on orders $15+, so I used this opportunity to order “Genie”, an iridescent fuchsia lippie ($18). I absolutely love this lippie – I wore it to the grocery store, because that is the only place I get to go right now.
My order also came with a free set of Black Moon Lynx Lashes ($14 value). Um, thanks?
On the Run
I am fully aware of the irony of continuing to buy eye shadow while under lockdown. I get to go to the grocery store once a week and I need to look HAWT when I go…
Sephora lured me in with 50% off the Urban Decay On the Run Mini Palettes ($12.50, down from $25). I’ve been drooling over these little 8 shade palettes. I Selected two of the five: “Detour” (blues and browns) and “Shortcut” (reds and mauves). I’ve had a chance to try both palettes and they are so blendable and smooth. I didn’t even have to pull out the shadow primer. I can see myself going back to these again and again. Now I want to get the other 3 colorways – please go on sale again!
I was able to snag a sample of Lord Jones Royal Oil, basically a CBD Beauty Oil. The only two ingredients are grapeseed oil and CBD oil…I’m hesitant to coat my face in grapeseed oil, as I’m recovering from a breakout. I’ll try it later, I think. I also got samples of Cristophe Robin Detangling Gelee with Sea Minerals and Marc Jacobs Youthquake Gel Creme.
Sephora is offering free shipping while their stores are closed. Don’t threaten me with a good time! Just $281 to VIB in 2021.
March 2020 Sephora Play! – Wild Beauty
Hmmm…only slightly fewer repeats in March’s Sephora Play! box.
I’ve gotten the Glamglow GLOWSTARTER Mega Illuminating Moisturizer in “Nude Glow” in TWO different Play! boxes: November 2019 and March 2017. I ain’t even mad though, because I love this moisturizer. I use it up as soon as I get it.
I’d gotten a sample of NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment in “Starwoman” a few years ago, but I don’t think I even used it. I’ll use it this time?
I recently gotten a sample of Moschino Toy 2 in an Ulta Sample Bag, but hadn’t tried it yet. I wore it today and was surprised to find that it’s a keeper! The main accord is green apple and somehow, I LOVE it.
Also is this month’s “Wild Beauty” bag: Laura Mercier Caviar Chrome Eyeshadow Stick in “Metallic Taupe”; Fresh Sugar Mint Rush Freshening Lip Treatment (waiting on my bedside table to be applied before bed); and Amika Un.Done Volume and Matte Texture Spray (at least it’s not dry shampoo).
Not a bad box – I’ll use almost everything.
Sephora Play gives you 5-6 prestige samples a month, for just $10! You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
March 2020 Allure Beauty Box – Spring Vibes
Oh come on Allure Beauty Box – you gotta do better than this!
I hate when Beauty Boxes just throw a bunch of random old products in a box together. I got Floss My New Favorite Lip Gloss in “Lax” in last June’s box. Don’t even get me started on the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in “Zero” – I think I have about 12 of these.
I wasn’t upset to get Mamonde Red Energy Recovery Serum – I’ve been wearing it every morning after my show. I’m not sure what it is helping my skin recover from, but it feels nice.
Also in this month’s box: Rodial Glamolash Mascara XXL; Dr. Botanicals Lemon Superfood All-in-One Rescue Butter; and Lapcos Ceramide Firming Mask.
Okay Allure Beauty Box – you’re on warning! No more crappy boxes or I am gonna have to cancel!
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.
Orange Capsule
I know it’s super cliched…but this palette is SO PIGMENTED.
This PIGMENTED palette is the Sugarpill C2 Orange Capsule ($42), an Ulta exclusive. This is my first experience with Sugarpill shadows, and I am very impressed. No primer needed with these shadows – they spread on the lid like butter. I was drawn to this palette for one particular shade – that bright turquoise shimmer – “Skyrise”. Even though I loved they way it looked on me, my husband said I look like Mimi from The Drew Carey Show. He doesn’t understand FASHION. Now I want the Pink Capsule Palette!
I also tried out a new brow pencil – Colourpop Brow Boss in “Dark Brown” ($6). It’s a great price, but still not as good my Ulta Holy Grail for a few dollars more. It doesn’t blend as well and fades throughout the day. It’s fine for work, though.
Black Moon Lippies are 30% off ($12.60, down from $18) – I wonder if this means they are dropping the brand? Anyway, I picked up “Warrior”, a Breast Cancer Awareness nude matte.
Oh, and I got a Women Founded Beauty Sample Bag, with it Cosmetics Mini Blurring Foundation Brush; Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer, Sweet Spot Labs Vanilla Blossom Gentle Wash (it says “gynecologist recommended”, so I guess it is for my vajayjay?); Benefit The POREfessional, Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream (I’ve tried this before and really like the smell); Sunday Riley A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum; Pattern Heavy Conditioner for Coilies (will be gifted to a curly-headed friend); Sagely Naturals CBD Cream (I tried a previous sample of this while in Vegas, and it TINGLED so bad – I loved it); DefineMe Sofia Isabel Fragrance (an orangey vanilla rollerball); and Drybar Jump Start Quick Dry Blowout Serum.
I was able to use a $3.50 off coupon, leaving me with $1,007 more to get to Diamond again.
March 2020 Ipsy Bag – Celebrate You
I am all out of order this month – I barely know what day it is or what subscriptions I’ve gotten!
This month commemorates Ipsy’s 100th Glam Bag! I haven’t been a subscriber since the start, but I’ve gotten at least 60-70 of those bags. This month’s bag is one of the more homely color schemes – teal and chartreuse.
I love clay masks and I was expecting the Generation Clay Brightening Purple Clay Mask to be BRIGHT PURPLE. It was not. It was nice on my skin and made it soft and silky, though.
Also in this month’s 100th glam bag (with a bonus 6th product!): Luxie Beauty Periwinkle Pro Precision Tapered Brush; Awake Lip Therapy Mask; Mischo Beauty Nail Lacquer in “Unbroken”; Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream (my product choice this month); and Belle en Argent Lip Luire Gloss in “Jealous of Us”.
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $12/month. If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.