Category: Makeup
Target Beauty Boxes – January 2018
Ooooh! Another two box month!
The first box – “Hello Staycay” – has a wide variety of products. Even though I’ve gotten them before, I was compelled to use the Pretty Animalz Tiger Sheet Mask immediately. The cat ran away, but it super-hydrated my skin – I’ll be using more of these masks soon. Also included in the Staycay box: Nexxus Humectress Hair Mask; Dove Gentle Exfoliating Body Polish “Crushed Macadamia & Rice Milk” (I bet this smells SO good!); OGX Biotin & Collagen Shampoo (where is the conditioner mother fuckers???); Mrs. Meyer’s Body Wash in “Basil” (this is WEIRD); Vichy Mineral 89 Face Moisturizer; and CoverGirl Melting Pout Lipstick in “Evan-Gel-Ical” (obviously a dupe of Too Face Melted – yay!). I will use every single thing in this box – and hopefully, the $3 off $15 coupon, too. I only used one of the two coupons I got last month.
The second box – “Hello Jetsetter” – is all products from across the pond – the best that Boots (an UK store) has to offer. I was pumped to see a full eyeshadow palette from Sleek MakeUP – 12 matte and shimmering colors. Also inside the Boots box: No7 Restore & Renew Serum; No7 Airbrush Away Primer; Soap & Glory Righteous Body Butter; Soap & Glory Pillow Plump Lip Gloss; and Botanics Shine Away Ionic Clay Mask. Again, another box that I will use ALL of…except maybe the coupon. This coupon is $5 off $20…but only on the brands included in this box. We shall see…
Both boxes were $7, with free shipping and 5% off with my Target Red Card. Both were chock full of good stuff – I wish they were this good every month!
Double Troublemaker
So my first Sephora order of 2018 actually turned out to be my last order of 2017. So I ended up placing a second order for the Urban Decay Troublemaker palette (normally $39, on sale for $24). But why???
I wanted to take advantage of the “Sale on Sale” – an extra 20% off on sale items (bringing the price down to $19.80)…but I wanted my sale to count towards 2018 and going Rouge. So I was fucking around on my phone on New Year’s Eve, but after midnight….in Texas. I figured I could place my order and it would count towards 2018…nope. I got my order summary and it said December 31, 2017. Fuck. I emailed customer service and asked if they could fix it. Sephora Customer Service actually answered on New Year’s Day, but gave me the dumbass answer that they could not modify the sales date on the order and that I should just reorder the palette and return the first one. So I did. I figured that I could get three extra samples and just take the extra palette back…but there were no fucking samples in either box. what the FUCK, Sephora??? I emailed customer service – still waiting to hear back. At least I got another 2017 Rouge gift…not sure why.
…now about the palette itself. Troublemaker was released as a companion to their new Troublemaker Mascara, a deluxe sample of which is also included in the box.
The palette has just 9 colors, with matte and shimmer finishes. The colors lean warm and all mesh rather well with each other. I’ve used the palette for the last two days and have found the colors to be standard Urban Decay quality, although I noticed that the shimmers shifted darker on my eyes than in the pan – oxidation?
The middle shade, “Clash” is a dupe for “Furious/Anger” from the Pulp Fiction palette. I’m not mad or anything, just pointing it out.
The Troublemaker Mascara is nice – I like it better than the Perversion Mascara. It’s less clumpy and I feel like it defines my lashes better. That being said, the Deluxe tube is annoying – the wand is too short and I feel like I am in danger of stabbing myself in the side of the nose.
I would hesitate to pay $39 for this palette, but $19.80 is a fair price. Now to decide what to do with the other one…to return or to gift???
$970 to Rouge…can I do it?
Sephora Play! December 2017 – Glam Straight
I know, I know. Again. Don’t even say it.
December’s box is full of party products – special products for a night out. Before I could even get excited about any of the products, I was in awe of the Art Deco pouch that came with this month’s box. It’s total Gatsby.
After the pouch, I was drawn to the Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Cream – it’s a soothing cream that eliminates redness. My scabby winter skin could use the help. Also in this month’s box – Atelier Cologne Clementine California (so happy – I just used up a travel spray of this); drybar Triple Sec 3-in-1, Clinique pretty easy liquid eyelining pen in “black”; Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Mat in M401 “Hot Red”; and Smashbox Cover Shot: Golden Hour Eye Shadow Duo. I could almost do a full face with this box. I’dd look really weird with no eyebrows though.
Do you get Sephora Play? This is far and away, the best subscription box I get every month. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
December 2017 Ipsy Bag – Snow Glow
This month’s “Snow Glow” bag is full of interesting products.
Obviously, the first thing that caught my eye is the HUGE packet – The Coffee Scrub in “Coconut”. It’s basically coconut scented coffee grounds repurposed as a facial exfoliant. My only question – are these USED coffee grounds???
Also in this month’s bag: MAC In Extreme Dimension Lash Mascara in “Black Extreme” (NICE – I’ve never tried MAC mascara); Luxie Beauty Precision Shader Onyx Brush 239; MEECH AND MIA Loose Eyeshadow Pigment in “White”; and TRÈSTIQUE Mini Brow Pencil in “Americano” (looks a bit chubby, but I’ll give it a whirl).
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.
December 2017 Birchbox – On the Dot, Off the Cuff
This month’s Birchbox was a “Hail Mary” pass – I was all set to cancel my subscription until I saw the goodies in this month’s fabulous box. I’d had weak boxes for the last several months and now that the point system has been overhauled…but lo and behold…an amazing box! They’ve earned a brief reprieve.
I was expecting the Davines MINU Illuminating Shampoo – For Color-Treated Hair – it was my sample choice this month. The box also came with foil packs of Davines MINU Illuminating Conditioner – For Color-Treated Hair and Davines MINU Hair Serum – For Color-Treated Hair. Bahhhhh….foil packs….no….
The goodies I wasn’t expecting: Stila Cosmetics HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara (they messed up and I got TWO of these!); Lavanila The Healthy Fragrance Pure Vanilla Eau de Parfum (eh); LOC Liquid Shimmer Shadow in “Eclipse”; and Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum. Oh, and I almost forgot…an eyelash curler. A FUCKING eyelash curler. Does anyone even use those anymore?
If you would like to try Birchbox, click on my referral link – https://www.birchbox.com/invite/5453f – I’ll get 50 points if you join.
Target Beauty Boxes – December 2017
Two Target Beauty Boxes for December – it’s an Xmas miracle! Well, not really – it happens every few months.
The “Hers” box (right) seems a bit light for $7. It includes Hask Coconut Oil Deep Conditioner (I’ve gotten a lot of these, and have just started using them); Rimmel London Shake it Fresh Mascara in “Very Black” (the fuck? I’m supposed to shake it up before using it?); imPRESS Press-On Manicure (Who has fingers this small? My 9 year old, I hope); Nexxus Comb Thru Finishing Mist (I’ve gotten several cans of this – I like it); Vera Wang Embrace Marigold and Gardenia (Dammit, this is the wrong one!); My Beauty Diary Black Pearl Mask; and Chapstick Red Lip Tint.
The “His” box is much beefier – I can see either my husband or son using all of this: Axe Dual 2-in-1 Shampoo + Conditioner (I had just bought my husband this exact same thing); Dove Men+Care Dry Spray Antiperspirant; Pacinos Styling Pomade (well…maybe not this); Crest Whitening Therapy Toothpaste; Olivina Cleansing Cloths (are these for the butthole?); Dove Elements Body Wash and Cremo Beard Scruff Cream & Oil.
Two $7 boxes with free shipping and an additional 5% off with my Target Red Card. Two $3 off $15 coupons – I’m going to Target tomorrow.
Love is Sacrifice
I already hit Rouge Status at Sephora for the year…so I don’t need to buy anything else…but they sent me a $25 off $50 coupon…what to do???
I have been eyeing the new Urban Decay Troublemaker Palette – but they didn’t carry it in the store I visited. (I was in store because I had accidentally bought a display tester for a gift – good thing I noticed before I wrapped it!) I must have walked a circuit around the store at least three times, eyeing different palettes and even testing a Tarte Tinted Moisturizer. Ultimately, I decided to use my coupon on a gift for someone I love. I shall not reveal more, lest he become suspicious…Looks like I’ll be ending the year at $1,071 spent at Sephora…
BUT…a new 500 pt set caught my eye – Kat Von D Beauty Addiction Volume 2! It includes Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in “Nahz Fur Atoo”, Lock-It Setting Powder (I’ve been wanting to try it), Tattoo Liner in “Trooper”, samples of “Saint” and “Sinner”, plus a tiny purse mirror. Yes, it absolutely was coming home with me!
Oh, and I also asked for a sample of Maison Margiela REPLICA Lipstick On. I just don’t have $126 to spend on perfume right now…
Thanksgiving Day Shopping
Oooohhh! My Thanksgiving orders came in at the end of last week! I didn’t even wait – I did all my ordering on Thursday. Shipping is definitely getting slower and slower.
Ulta was offering a free 9 pc gift with a $50 order, so you know I hit that shit. The only thing I really needed was another Ulta Ultra Slim Brow Pencil in “Dark Brown” ($10), everything else was just extra.
I do, however, think I’ve found my “forever” shampoo and conditioner – SheaMoisture Peace Rose Oil Complex Nourish & Silken Shampoo and Conditioner (normally $11.49, but on sale – buy one, get one 40% off). This is the scent I’ve been waiting my whole life for – rose shampoo and conditioner! And it makes my hair feel AMAZING. So soft and so shiny. It’s pricey, but I’m not even mad. This is THE ONE.
Oh, I ordered some other small odds and ends for the kids’ stockings. One of those things got me a free sample of Seche Vite! I’ve been wanting to try it for ages.
The free 9 pc bag was full of Ulta goodies: an eyeshadow palette (love the purpley colors), a highlighter palette, a blush brush, a double ended eye liner – “plum” and “blackout”, a Matte Lip Crayon in “Soiree”, an eye liner sharpener, Tinted Eye Primer in “Satin Blush”, and Color Rush Lip Gloss in “Olivia”. Oh, and a $5 off $15 coupon for Ulta products.
I was only a little annoyed that my sample pack was not included in my order.
I also got my Victoria’s Secret order. Someone always ends up with one of their robes as a gift from me – shhhh…don’t tell!
No one wants to see a pile of bras, so I’ll stick to the important stuff.
Since all the lippies were on sale for $8, I added one to plump up my order – I gotta get that free tote bag! I got a Velvet Matte Cream Lip Stain in “Perfection”. Yeah, they transfer onto anything and everything, but they still last all day on my lips.
December Julep Maven Box – Going Baroque
I’m really making an attempt to be on the ball this month. That – AND I really want to dig into all these polishes!
I feel like I splurged a bit on this month’s “Going Baroque” Collection. I was really excited to see the it’s whipped Matte Lip Mousse in metallic finishes, so I added both to my box – “bacio”, copper russet metallic matte, and “spark”, plum metallic matte. Even thought the Lip Mousses transfer onto everything, I really like how they feel on my lips. I also added Classic with a Twist “Kayleigh”, holly berry iridescent shimmer. What a red!
The splurge was adding three add-ons this month, using up almost all my saved Jules. I added Bombshell “Persephone”, crushed berry holographic, It Girl “Dyani”, starry night sky holographic, AND white snowflake decals. For my trouble, they sent me a free polish – Boho Glam “Magdalene”. Boo – I got this one back in 2015.
The biggest mystery is the addition of Bombshell “Mira”, cast iron matte shimmer, in this month’s box. It was a new polish created for October’s Divine Darkness Mystery Box. Maybe a freebie that everyone got instead of candy? I’ll happily take it!
Not a Julep Maven? Click HERE to join – I’ll get a $15 credit and you’ll get your first box free!
November Birchbox – prep. set. party!
Is it December already? Oops.
This month’s curated box is products meant to prep for a party. Apparently…a very orange party.
Included in this month’s box: JUARA Candlenut Body Creme (a repeat); Smashbox Cosmetics Always on Matte Liquid Lipstick in “Driver’s Seat” (it’s SO orangey); Marcelle Hydra-C Eye Contour Gel-Cream; Living proof. STYLE|LAB T.B.D. Multi-Tasking Styler (interested in trying this out); and LAQA & Co. B’Lighter in “Peacher’s Daughter”.
More than any other box I get, my Birchbox samples just sit and gather dust. I need to nut up and decide if I should keep it or not.
If you would like to try Birchbox, click on my referral link – https://www.birchbox.com/invite/5453f – I’ll get 50 points if you join.