Category: Makeup
Sephora Play! October 2018 – Scary Good Beauty
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Scary good beauty? Count me in!
I am always happy to get products from First Aid Beauty. This box has First Aid Beauty Coconut Water Cream. I love smelling like a coconut.
Also in this month’s box: Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray (I keep getting this and I never use it – I need to stop being so lazy); Benefit Gimme Brow Brow-Volumizing Fiber Gel (I’m too far gone for this); Anastasia Beverly Hills Banana Stick Contour (interesting – I might give it a spin); Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum; and Kat Von D Saint & Sinner Eau de Parfums (two fragrances is a good deal, even though I already have them).
I guess the switch to ziploc baggies is a permanent one. That’s OK – I have at least 2 dozen fabric pouches that I don’t know what to do with.
Goshdarnit! I went to Sephora today and I forgot to use my Play! card. You’d think I’d be better than this by now.
Sephora Play is THE bestest box I receive every month. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
October 2018 Ipsy Bag – Ipsy After Dark
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This bag! I must work it into the rotation immediately! Blood red pleather, embossed with a stunning masquerade mask – I love it!
Other than the bag, the first thing that I noticed about this month’s products was the MAC Little Lipglass in “Love Child”. Even though I have not been loving glosses lately, I am digging the shimmery plum color. My lips look the best in plums and fuchsias.
Also in this month’s bag: Naked Cosmetics Loose Pigment in “Heavy Metal HE-03” (I’ve gotten a bucket of pigments and shadows from Naked Cosmetics and never played with them – I need to either try them or trash them); Murad Essential-C Cleanser; Eyeko Skinny Travel Size Liquid Eyeliner in “Carbon Black”; and a Beau Gachis Eyebrow Brush (oooooh, another one – when it rains, it pours).
A so-so set of products this month, but the dynamite bag makes up for it.
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.
Target Beauty Boxes – October 2018
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Two boxes for two months in a row? Yes, please!
The “Hello Bright Eyes!” box is ALL eye products – I have two of them! The product that excited me the most was the Sonia Kashuk Brow Line + Fill Brush with Spoolie. I don’t have a full size Brow Brush – I’ve been using the tiny brush that came with an ABH Dip Brow Sample. This product alone is worth the price of the box. Also in this box: Acure Radically Rejuvenating Under Eye Hydrogel Mask; Lumify Eye Drops; Covergirl Get in Line Liquid Eyeliner; and Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara Mini. This box is the total package!
The other box is “Hello Autumn Groove” – products for the changing seasons. I squee’ed when I saw the Olay Total Effects Whips Moisturizer – I love this stuff. The Love Beauty and Planet Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower Shampoo and Conditioner also went straight into my shower. Also in this box: Tom’s Luminous White Toothpaste with Flouride (not a fan of this stuff – tastes weird); bliss Makeup Melt Dry/Wet Gentle Jelly Cleanser with Rose Flower; and Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion.
And you cannot really see them in the picture, but even the boxes themselves are fancy. They have designed on them, kind of like Birchboxes.
Both boxes had the usual $3 off a Beauty/Personal Care purchase of $15 or more. (I already used one of them yesterday – both my kids were out of shampoo/conditioner…and OF COURSE they each demand a different brand.) Each box was $7, with free shipping and 5% off with my Red Card.
I’ve got a Fetish…or Two
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I found myself pleasantly surprised last week, when a friend in one of my fb groups added me to her list for Sephora’s Friends & Family Event – a day of 20% off shopping!
I may have splurged a little bit…not only did I order the Kat Von D Fetish Eyeshadow Palette ($63), but I also got the Kat Von D Fetish Blush + Highlighter Palette ($43). I thought there was supposed to be a lipstick set to, but it never launched…probably because people got their panties in a bunch over “Underage Red” again.
I’ve been using both palettes this week and let me just say…neither of them are subtle! The matte eyeshadows are VERY pigmented and the shimmer/glitters are pigmented AND super glimmery. I am struggling with how I would wear this palette to work. The lighter matte colors in the palette are deceptive – they are NOT light once they get on your face. I do feel that there is sort of a disconnect between the eye palette and the cheek palette. The cheek colors are almost neon, but the shadows are all dark and goth. The cheek colors are seem to lean cool, as well – no warm colors. I’m still experimenting with the blushes and and highlighters, but I’m not sold on the cheek palette yet.
I also splurged on a Bite Beauty Sweet Treats Agave Lip Care Set ($12). It’s a Xmas set that includes Agave Sugar Lip Scrub Packette, Agave Lip Balm and Agave Lip Mask – I am addicted to the Lip Mask that I picked up in Vegas.
I used 250 points A Rosy Duo by Fresh Beauty, which comes with a Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream and Sugar Lip Treatment in “Rose”. (I know I just got one of these – shut it.) The other samples I got are Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, Clinique Self-Heating Blackhead Extractor, and Klorane Soothing and Anti-Irritating Gel Shampoo & Conditioner with Peony (looking forward to trying this one – I love peony almost as much as rose).
Just $106 to Rouge Status for 2019…it will be a breeze!
On Wednesday, We Shop at Walgreen’s (and Ulta)
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Sinful Colors were 5/$5 this week – only 6 weeks or so since the last sale!
I set aside my entire Wednesday to Walgreen’s hop, so I’d be sure to find Halloween polishes. As luck would have it, I found most of the 2018 Halloween Collection, “Conjured Color”, at the first Walgreen’s. I picked up “Witch, Please”, “Mist-erious”, “Bitten”, “Bad Witch”, and “Spellbound”. Score! I also grabbed a few Wet N Wild Liquid Catsuit Liquid Lipsticks from the Halloween Display – “Bewitched” and “Shady Witch”. No “Zombie Blush” in the Halloween Display though. I didn’t realize it, but I had accrued $10 in Bonus Bucks – Score again!
I hit three more Walgreen’s in search of “Zombie Blush” – nothing. (That might sound like a lot of driving, but it was a really tight circle in the Richmond/Katy area. Plus, I drive a Hybrid, so…) I made a quick stop at my Ulta, but no luck there…at first. I immediately spied an OPI Grease Collection Mini Set ($10.97, down from $14.50) and grabbed it for Lily (and myself, I admit). I was about to leave, when I checked a random aisle of hair ties and stuff…and there was the Wet N Wild “Zombie Blush” Display!!! It was $5.99, plus I grabbed another Halloween Liquid Catsuit – “Pink Your Poison”. I hate when ulta has the lame 20% off one item coupons. I couldn’t use it on a clearance item, so I got 20% off my “Zombie Blush” – a measly $1.20 off. At least they have a 3x points for Platinum going this week.
The “Zombie Blush” is amazing! It looks like a grungy grey-green in the pan, but shifts to a rusty reddish shade on your cheeks or eyes. Be warned – a little goes a long, LONG way. It is reminiscent of the color shifting shade in the “Plaid to the Bone” Quad I got a while back.
On a side note, on Friday, I went to a fifth Walgreen’s, still searching for more colors. I found 4 polishes, plus the Matte Top Coat from the “Radical Matte” Collection…but when I went to check out and this collection wasn’t included in the sale. I had to walk away…
Soapy Saturday
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$3 for ALL Hand Soaps, plus a 20% off coupon? That wasn’t even the most exciting part…
…a new Bath & Body Works opened up closer to me! I was checking traffic on Google and there it was – a location I had apparently never noticed before, in the Shops at Bella Terra. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by an very exuberant employee named Toby. (I am pretty sure Toby is gonna be my new BFF.) I asked how long they’d been open and he told me three weeks. Frankly, I’m shocked that it took me three weeks to notice.
There wasn’t a limit, but I limited myself to 15 soaps, which ended up as $2.40 each after coupon. I was excited to get some Halloween soaps, like “Vampire Blood” – I put them out immediately. I also let me kids pick a scent. My son picked “Flannel” (he is so grunge, like me) and my daughter picked “Coconut Pumpkin Latte” (is she becoming basic, like me?). Merkin does NOT look impressed by my haul, does she?
I also grabbed a Moisture Lip Crayon in “Peony” ($6.50, down from $8.50), but it was so disappointing. “Peony” was only the color, not the scent. The scent was…bubblegum. Gag.
I cannot WAIT to go see Toby again!
September 2018 Allure Beauty Box – Best of Beauty Award Winner
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First, this box had me like “YASSSS” – but then I was like “WEEEEAK”.
This month’s “Best of Beauty” box includes a FULL SIZE MAC Lipstick ($18.50 value) in either “Ruby Woo” or “Lustering”. I was pumped, expecting to receive a tube of MAC’s most well known shade….but I received “Lustering” – a glossy watermelon pink. Boo.
And then I saw the fancy set of tarte Tarteist Pro Girl Boss Lashes and Tarteist Pro Lash Adhesive in “Clear”. I don’t really like the feel of spiders glued to me eyes, so it’s gonna be a no from me.
There were two possible hair products – either Living Proof Full Dry Volume Blast (an awesome product that gives your hair volume and staying power) or IGK Rich Kid Coconut Oil Gel (for natural curls). Guess which one I got – the IGK one.
All hope is not lost. The box also includes Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial. The other option was Lala Retro Whipped Cream, which I also would have enjoyed. At least my skin will be happy!
I need to stop my bitching – this is a high value box
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. You can sign up at https://beautybox.allure.com.
Pink Hair, Don’t Care
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That’s a lie – I do care. I care about my pink hair…very, VERY much.
I have feeling that I will be sporting pink hair for much, MUCH longer than I expected. I’ve never tried Clairol Color Crave before, but the box says it’s Semi-Permanent, lasting up to 15 washes. The shade is “Flamingo” – now you know why I bought it.) I’ve already washed it 5 times and have barely seen a change in the shade. I go back to work in a little over two weeks. Oops. Obviously, I could cover it up with brown…but I really don’t want to do that. If I have to, I can transition to red pretty easily. I’m just gonna stop worrying about it and see what happens…
ANYWAY, I wanted my nails to match my hair. I pulled nearly a dozen pink Julep polishes – I had several that were very, very close. Ultimately, I settled on Julep “Raleigh”, which I received just a few months ago. It’s the HOTTEST pink. Before a thick coat of “Raleigh”, I started with Julep Oxygen Smoothing Base Coat and streaks of Julep “Coco” to represent the brown in my hair. I guess technicality this is only one and half coats of polish? I sealed the deal with Glisten & Glow Top Coat.
I also painted my toes to match, leaving out the “Coco”.
In case you’re wondering – and I know you are – my lipstick is Kat Von D Everlasting Lip Liquid in “Miss Argentina”.
Pink forever!
Sephora Play! September 2018 – Next-Gen Beauty
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As soon as I saw that this month’s products came in a fancy ziploc bag, I got suspicious…is Sephora starting to cut corners on their monthly box?
I was somewhat relieved when I poured this month’s products into my lap – plenty of products, nice brands, too.
Sephora is pushing Sunday Riley hardcore. Not only did I get two of their products in this month’s extra skincare box, but another one here – Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream. I think I have enough for a complete regime now!
Also in this month’s Next-Gen box: Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer (I’m down on this brand after their messy Social Media drama, but I’ll try this product); Peter Thomas Roth Hungarian Thermal Water Mineral-Rich Atomic Heat Mask (sounds fancy, yet scary at the same time); Nudestix Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencil in “Kiss”; Sephora Collection LashCraft Big Volume Mascara in “Black”; and Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Nectar.
Don’t worry, Sephora Play is still the BEST box I receive every month. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
Fire Dragon vs. Ice Dragon
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I never really cared about wet n wild makeup – not since Junior High anyway – until they started putting out these awesome collections. I am still peeved that I missed the Goth-o-Graphic Box, but it never hit Ulta as promised.
I did NOT miss the Fire Dragon vs. Ice Dragon Collection Box ($39.99). Inside the Limited Edition box are two set of products – a set of warm toned Fire Dragon products and a set of cool toned Ice Dragon products. I’ve only had a chance to play with the Fire Dragon side, so I might be a little bit biased towards that side. The Fire Side includes Coloricon Loose Pigment in “Gilded Crown” and “Fire Reign”; Coloricon Bronzer in “You’re Dragon Me Down” and “Queen’s Land”; Coloricon Eyeshadow Quad in “Fit for a Queen”; and Megalast Liquid Catsuit Metallic Lipstick in “Queen’s Blood” and “Redlings”. I am IN LOVE with using both shades of lipstick together. The Ice Side includes Coloricon Loose Pigments in “Ice, Ice, Lady” and “To-Knight’s Blue”; Megaglo Highlighting Powder in “Winter Falls in LA” and “Halo Walkers”; Coloricon Eyeshadow Quad in “Mythicool Creatures”; and Megalast Liquid Catsuit Metallic Lipsticks in “Icing on the Wall” and “Shall We Slay”. Lots of cool stuff I still need to play with!
I didn’t stop there. I had added a Pacifica Summer Kale Lip Balm ($1.25) from the sale page. Luckily, it does NOT smell or taste like Kale. I also added the e.l.f. Glow on the Go Selfie Light ($12) this thing is an absolute game changer – no more walking around the bedroom, looking for the perfect light – it makes every selfie perfect. This purchase also got me a gift with purchase – an e.l.f. makeup bag with foil samples of Poreless Face Primer and Hydrating Bubble Mask.
And then I found a BOGO 50% on L’Oreal products. I had been wanting to try their new chocolate lippies AKA L’Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Liquid Lipstick Les Chocolat ($9.99), so I ordered 4 out of the 6 shades – “70% Yum”, “Candy Man”, “Dose of Cocoa”, and “Box O Chocolate”. I’ve only had a chance to try out the first two and they have a really strong chocolate smell when you apply them, but the scent is gone as soon as it dries, which take a little minute. I kind of wanted the smell to stick around, but then I remembered how much my husband used to hate this chocolate lip gloss I used to wear to bed – he said it smelled like “chocolate ass”. Personally, I liked the way it smelled…but whatever. They also are very “infallible” – I had to use strong eye makeup remover to get them off my lips. They WILL last all day, whether you want them to or not. ANYWAY, this purchase also garnered me a gift with purchase – a L’Oreal makeup bag with samples of Pure Clay Cleanser Detox-Brighten (my favorite); Age Perfect Eye Renewal Eye Cream; and Voluminous Mascara Primer/Base.
On top of ALL that, I also got another gift with purchase for using my Ultamate Rewards Card – a reversible sequin makeup bag filled with samples. I am pretty sure my daughter is gonna fight me for this bag. Inside samples included: StriVectin Multi-Action Restorative Cream; Lab Series Future Rescue; dermalogica Rapid Reveal Peel (package says professional-grade, so does that mean I’ll lose 7 layers of skin?); Matrix Biolage Volume Bloom Aqua-Gel Conditioner (what? no shampoo???); Algenist Ultimate Anti-Aging Melting Cleanser; Algenist Genius White Brightening Anti-Aging Cream; tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Highlighter in “exposed”; and an itty bitty sample of Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in “Dark Brown” (my shade!). Pretty nice perk for just a $40 purchase. Oh and my regular samples were pretty lame – a card with 3 sample shades of Clinique 2-in-1 Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer and Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Bonbon. I did remember use a $3.50 off coupon from an email, but this was still a big order for me – over $80. It will pay off in the long term, as there was a 5x points promo running when I ordered.
Just $453 until Diamond Status. Oh, and somehow, I have accrued $86 worth of Ulta Points (see above promo)…I’ve got my eye on that new Urban Decay Naked Cherry Palette – it would match my hair!