Category: Makeup
Jeffree Star Holiday Collection 2017
Jeffree Star Cosmetics released his Holiday Glitter Collection on November 18th. He’s been a busy bee this year, with a summer collection, a collab with Manny MUA and his family collection just a month ago. I hadn’t been interested in any of those collections…but this year’s Holiday Collection is on a whole other level.
It included 8 liquid lipsticks, 3 Ammo lipsticks, 3 new lips scrubs and 2 highlighter palettes. You know me – all I want are those liquid lipsticks. I actually tried to purchase the bundle of 8 ($105), but it had already sold out…at 12:03, just minutes after launch!
I decided to be conservative and pick out my favorite 4 colors.
I received my order 5 days ago, but it took me a bit to try out all the colors. I hope it was worth the wait!
Instead of swatches on my arm, I decided to be narcissistic and use selfies.
“Poinsettia” is a bright, metallic red – perfect for any skin tone. I think I might like this one the best out of the collection. It’s somewhat similar to Kat Von D “Dazzle”, but I wouldn’t call it a dupe.
“Santa Baby” is a matter berry/wine. I like that it doesn’t lean too pink – this is a very mature berry.
“First Class” is a metallic true gold. The gold applies a bit thinner than the matte colors. I feel like it would be a knockout with a darker lip liner or a highlight.
Finally, we’ve got “Human Nature”, a dark mauve. I feel like it is very much a dupe of my favorite Jeffree shade – “Androgyny”. I’ll be doing a comparison swatch sometime soon. This shade looks the best on me, out of the four I picked.
More swatches coming soon!
November Ipsy Bag – All You
This month’s ipsy bag is themed “ALL YOU” and features products for real ipsy subscribers!
The first item that caught my eye was the tarte Deluxe Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in “Feisty”. I was all disappointed because I thought it was a color I already had, but I was wrong! I got “paaarty” in my Sephora birthday gift, which is a cooler nude. Score!
Also in this month’s gold bag (there was also a blue version): SLMISSGLAM B36 Tapered Highlight Brush; Manna Kadar Cosmetics HD Perfecting Powder; Youth to the People Age Prevention Cleanser (with Kale – I’d rather wash my face with it than eat it); and Benefit They’re Real! Mascara Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara (I prefer the Roller Lash, but this one is good, too).
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.
Sephora Play! November 2017 – Survival of the Chillest
How about I let Sephora go first this month? Er, second…
This month’s “Survival of the Chillest” box is all about self-care – pampering products to the max. I am most excited about Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores. My skin has been a nightmare lately and charcoal and clay and sulfur seem to be the only things that help.
Also in this month’s box: Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara; IGK Mistress Hydrating Hair Balm (the name is icky); Sephora Collection Rouge Cream Lipstick in “The Red” (I feel like I have this already); Caudalie Vinoperfect Concentrated Brightening Essence and Burberry My Burberry Blush.
I am feeling like I need another pampering day…even though this is my 9th (and last) day off in a row – I feel like Thanksgiving vacation hit me like a truck.
Have you signed up for Sephora Play? This is by far the best subscription box I get every month. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
Rouge for 2018
This is it, the tiny purchase that pushed me over the goalposts for Sephora Rouge!
I had gotten a tiny sample of Sephora Matte Perfection Powder Foundation ($20) last week, so I decided to try a full size while I still had my 20% off. I picked a lighter shade – “16 Cool Linen” after a good 10 minutes of swatching on my arm.
I also decided to pick up another Kat Von D Beauty Everlasting Glimmer Veil Liquid Lipstick ($22), this time in “Rocker”, a sparkly orange with gold glimmer. I had a hard time deciding, there a pink and a black that I also want.
Since I purchased in store, I was able to get my Rouge Gift – a VIB ROUGE PRO Mini Flawless Airbrush #56.5. It’s for cream or liquid foundation – I haven’t tried it out yet…but soon.
So that’s it, $1,000 for the third year in a row. What will 2018 bring?
Farsali Unicorn Essence
Remember that unicorn stuff that everyone was slapping on their face earlier this year? I bought some!
I bought the small size (.34oz) of Farsali Unicorn Essence Skin Enhancing Antioxidant Serum ($20). I noticed the smaller size when I was in the store, but since they were out of stock, I ordered online with my 20% off code.
I’ve been using it as a primer for several days and so far, I haven’t noticed the slightest difference in how my makeup lasts. It has no effect on my pores, but my skin does feel very soft while it’s on. It smells wonderful and the scent lasts all day…if you’re into having a face that smells like cotton candy. I won’t say it’s a horrible product, but it’s certainly not something I’d buy again. It doesn’t seem to do much except make your face smell good. I’d say there’s a reason that this product hasn’t been seen in any Influencers’ repertoires lately. Now that Sephora is carrying the brand, there’s no need to pay the Influencers for placement?
I got some decent samples with my order: Kat Von D Lock-it Makeup Setting Mist; Bvlgari Aqva Pour Homme Atlantigve (it smells like old school Aqua Velva, like my dad used to wear – a big ole NOPE); and Algenist REVEAL Concentrated Color Correcting Drops (you can either add to your makeup product or use directly on your face…hmmmm).
Only $22 to ROUGE…
Target Beauty Box – November 2017
I paid $7 for this.
I’d feel worse about it, but I already used the $3 off coupon from this month’s box…not that I’m bragging or anything. It’s not that it’s a skimpy box, it’s just not quite as packed full as the last couple of boxes.
The big shiny thing in the box is a MISSHA Snail Hydro-Gel Mask. Yes, another product with snail slime in it. I’m not even fazed by this shit anymore. Also in this box: Dove Derma 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner (I don’t have dandruff, but it’s good to have this just in case); Skinfix Ultra Rich Hand Cream (perfect for my purse); Tom’s of Maine Coconut Bar Soap; Maybelline Great Lash Mini Mascara (a staple from high school); and La Roche-Posay Facial Cleanser.
So, $7 box with free shipping and an additional 5% off with my Target Red Card. I already used the $3 off $15 coupon – I bought a mountain of face wash. No regrets.
Full Advantage
I didn’t take last Friday off, just so I could go to Sephora…but since I was off…I decided to take full advantage of my 20% off code…and go to Sephora.
In addition to a buttload of Xmas shopping (shhhhhhh!), I picked up Kate Somerville EradiKate Daily Cleanser Acne Treatment ($38) and EradiKate Acne Treatment ($26). I haven’t found anything that compares to this sulfur wash and my deluxe sample is almost empty.
The one mistake I made was my timing. The closest Sephora is across the street from Cinco Ranch High School…and damned if I didn’t show up right as school let out. The whole store was asses to elbows with high school girls…and they were all putting makeup directly on their faces – don’t they know that’s how you get herpes??? Fortunately though, the high school girls weren’t buying anything – no line to check out. As I mentioned earlier, I remembered my Sephora Play! card for 50 extra points and I splurged 100 points on a deluxe sample of Kate Somerville Wrinkle Warrior 2-in-1 Plumping Moisturizer + Serum. I’ve already tried it and it’s fantastic, but I’d be hard pressed to pay $95 for a full size! I also got a sample of Sephora Matte Perfection Powder Foundation in “26 neutral sand – sable” – I hope the shade is a match! Oh, and the Tote Bag – the whole reason I decided to go in person instead of ordering online…
I really did try to get to Rouge on this trip, but I just couldn’t make it happen…only $38 left to go though!
Sephora Play! October 2017 – Complexion Companions
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know.
Sephora must have heard my complaints last month – fragrance is back. This month’s fragrance is Chanel Gabrielle. It’s an old fashioned scent, reminiscent of Estee Lauder – maybe White Linen or Joy.
The rest of the products in this month’s “Complexion Companions” box are…you guessed it…for your complexion. I am most excited to try Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder – it’s insta-famous. Also included: Becca First Light Priming Filter Instant Complexion Refresh (I think I tried a sample of this before and it broke me out?); Make Up For ever Ultra HD Skin Booster Hydra-Plump Serum, Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation in R230 (I’m betting it’s too dark, since I use 115 in their Cover Stick); and Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in “Moonlight” (Hmmm…).
A very interesting and cohesive box this month.
I am SO proud of myself for remembering to grab the Play! card when I went to Sephora Friday – I got my 50 points!
Do yourself a favor and sign up NOW. This is by far the best subscription box I get every month. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
October Birchbox – Behind the Scenes Beauty
…And I’m back to the curated box option this month.
Really, I wanted the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate. Kiehl’s is really good stuff! I’m also happy to try the Matrix Biolage R.A.W. Uplift Shampoo and Conditioner – matching deluxe samples of each! No foil packs!
Also in this month’s “Behind the Scenes Beauty” box: [comfort zone] Hydramemory Cream Gel and Stila Cosmetics Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner (I feel like I have at least 6 of these).
Quite a good box this month…keep it up, Birchbox!
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.
October Ipsy Bag – Spellbound
This month’s crimson lace makeup bag is absolutely outstanding. Sure, I have more makeup bags than any human being ought to have…but you never know when you’ll need another one.
The first thing I saw in the bag, was the huge Urban Decay package…I got excited, hoping it was the new Troublemaker Mascara (I know, I bitch about too much mascara – but new is new). But no, it was an Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in “Perversion”. I think I have 3 or 4 of these. I don’t even use eyeliner anymore…but I can use this for my Halloween eyebrows? Also in this month’s bag: Nail Medic Charcoal Infused Nail Polish in “Volcanic Ash” (ipsy, why do you send me so much gray nail polish?); tarte deluxe lifted sweatproof mascara (just say NO to waterproof mascara); Hey Honey Trick AND Treat: ACTIVE PROPOLIS CREAM CONCEALER; and TONYMOLY Peach Hand Cream (yummy!).
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.