Category: Makeup
Got Any More of Them Free Gifts with Purchase?
Been a while since I got one of these Ulta Bags – I’ve passed on the last one or two that Ulta offered. But this one looked fairly good…so when I was FINALLY getting my hair cut on Saturday, I decided to indulge.
The 12 products inside the snaky aqua bag: Amped Mascara in “Jet Black”, Full Size Matte Lipstick in “Petal” (limited edition), Full Size Brow Tint in “Medium”, Eye shadow Palette shades in “Lace”, “Charm”, “Nostalgia”, “Vintage”, “Delicate”, and “Seaside” (these shadows are the thing that drew me to the bag), Cheek Palette shades in “Fresh Glow Highlighter” and “Nude Pink Blush”, Eye Makeup Remover Pads, Full size Nude Matte Eye Shadow Primer, Lip Gloss Stain in “Treason”, Dual Eye Liner in “Majesty” and “Smoke”, Blush Brush, and a Cosmetic Pencil Sharpener. The bag also had a coupon for $5 off any $15 Ulta Beauty cosmetics or brush purchase.
So I had to spend $21.50 on Ulta products to get my free little bag – and it was easier than I thought it would be. I’d been wanting to try Ulta’s new Ultra Slim Brow Pencil in “Dark Brown” ($10) – a dupe of ABH Brow Wiz, I’m hoping. I grabbed a nail clipper for Lily, since she was using one of mine; an Ergonomic 3 Way Nail Buffer; some eyeshadow applicators and a couple of packs of Exfoliating Cotton Pads – I can always use more cotton pads.
PLUS, I had a $10 off coupon for my birthday AND a code for a deluxe sample of Benefit The POREfessional AND double points for my birthday month. All in all, I spent about $13 for all these goodies – SCORE!
Black Metals
Thank you Black Moon Cosmetics, for bring back the Black Metals Collection.
Originally launched last fall (October?), the Black Metal Trinity was released as a Limited Edition Set, and included “Immortal” (blackened purple), “Armageddon” (blackened red), and “Sorrow” (blackened blue). “Myth” (blackened green) was available separately. I wasn’t feeling the green, purple or blue, so I passed and it sold out. Fast forward to February and Black Moon Cosmetics has added the collection to their permanent collection AND added a new shade called “Eternal” (blackened rose gold).
I HAD to have “Eternal”. I also added “Armageddon” and “Sleepwalker” (matte blackest black) to my order.
I haven’t had a chance to try “Sleepwalker yet – it’s not exactly an every day shade. “Eternal” looks amazing on – darker than I’d expected, but looked fantastic all day. “Armageddon” is my favorite – the most glittery red lipstick I’ve seen. This is what I WISHED Urban Decay “Trap Queen” had been.
Lara & the Holograms
Birchbox sends you an email saying that I have $19.50 in points that are in danger of expiring…what do you do? WHAT DO YOU DO?
I…get on the site and starting shopping immediately. I settle on a Milk Makeup Holographic Stick ($28) – just $8.50 after my credits. Imagine my surprise when I opened up my box to fine 2 Holographic Sticks! (Birchbox must like to send me two of things.) I guess it’s Sally’s lucky day – she’ll be getting the other one!
I also used a code to get a free Tony Moly Nose Pack. I’m guessing it’s like a Biore Nose Strip?
To be honest, I’ve been a bit bored with Birchbox, since they ended their original points system. I admit it was a pain in the ass to review all those products, but it was worth it for those sweet, sweet points. I’m not saying I’m gonna cancel, but it’s a possibility.
Target Beauty Box – February 2017
I’m not exaggerating when I say that this might be one of the best Target Beauty Boxes that I’ve ever received. Lots of goodies in this $10 box.
Let’s see what we’ve got…Soap and Glory Face Soap & Clarity Face Wash (been wanting to try this brand); Schwarzkopf Gliss Ultimate Repair Shampoo & Conditioner (Oooohhh, from Schwarzkopf, makers of my favorite shampoo/conditioner from back in the day – Citre Shine…wish they still made it); Raw Sugar Coconut & Mango Body Wash; W3ll People Expressionist Mascara; Sun Bum Sunless Self-Tanning Towelette (the only product that’s a NOPE); Masque Bar Hydrating Face Mask; and L’Oreal Pure Clay Masks – 3 masks, one with red algae, one with eucalyptus and one with charcoal (I am most hyped about these masks).
Except for that tanning wipe, I’ll be sampling all of these within the next week or two!
I even already used the $3 off $15 coupon! I picked up some Sea Breeze, a new shower cap and mustache wax (don’t judge – PCOS is a bitch). I saved my 5% with my Red Card.
Mystery Revolution 2: Electric Boogaloo
Damn you, Makeup Revolution Mystery Bags! There was actually a bunch of stuff I’ve been wanting, so it was fairly easy to find £30 (~$42 USD) to get the free Mystery Bag.
The site was sold out of the thing I wanted most – that Unicorn Rainbow Highlighter, but I was thrilled to get the new Golden Bar Palette (which they now carry at Ulta!), the My Sign Complete Eye Base in “Aquarius” (aqua isn’t exactly my color, but I wore it yesterday and I looked like a mermaid – except for the brow powder, which was a complete shitshow) and two of the new Retro Luxe Lip Kits in “Echelon” and “Noble” (also at Ulta) , which are dupes for the Kylie Lip Kits. Having never tried the Kylie Kits, I was impressed with the quality. I haven’t been impressed with Makeup Revolution Lip Products, but these aren’t bad, if a bit sticky. The lip pencils are delicate though – I snapped the tip off “Echelon” the first time it touched my lips. They last well, unless you eat chicken wings.
So far, I’ve been pretty thrilled with the Makeup Revolution Mystery Bags – the 2 I’ve gotten so far have been pretty decent, but this one is fairly lame. I biggest miss is that there was no full-size eyeshadow palette. Inside: Cream Blush in “Rose Cream” (it looks a bit sweaty); Salvation Intense Lip Lacquer in “A Love Like That”; The One Blush Stick in “Matte Rush” (haven’t tried the last one I received yet); Radiant Lights Highlighter in “Glow” (the only duplicate I’ve gotten so far, gonna save for Sally); Baked Eyeshadow in “Electric Dream” (ugh, blue eyeshadow); I ♥ Makeup Lipstick in “Heart is Beating”; The One Foundation in “12” (So…is doing blackface still considered bad taste?); and Liquid Concealer in “Natural” (looks a bit dried up). So…blue eyeshadow and blackface foundation…alrighty then.
By far, the Golden Bar Palette has made me happiest – I find myself wanting to wear it every day. Since I’m a sucker for free – I might take the mystery bag plunge again…if those Horoscope Kits go sale, I’m gonna buy them ALL.
Everlasting Flash – February 2017
Sephora and Kat Von D launched a new monthly promotion for 2017 called “Everlasting Flash” – a different deal on Kat Von D Everlasting Lip Liquids on the first Wednesday of every month. I couldn’t resist this month’s deal – 6 FULL-SIZE Everlasting Lip Liquids in all new nude shades for $99 – normally $20 each, that’s a savings of $21!
I’ve been drooling over the colors since they were revealed weeks and weeks ago. Mostly the darker shades, but I’ll take them all. I even swatched them for you! From top to bottom: “Muneca” (the only one I’ve worn so far, it’s too light for me on it’s own, but looked amazing with gold eyeshadow pressed into it), “Ophelia”, “Ludwig”, “Hawkwind”, “Sanctuary” (I am predicting that this one will be my favorite – it’s closest to my current fave, “Lolita”) and “Crucifix”.
I totally blew my monthly makeup budget on the 2nd of the month.
I don’t know why I keep getting perfume samples on purpose…I have so much, but I just can’t resist them. I used a code to get a sample bag that includes Aerin Lilac Path, Wildfox (I can already tell I like this one), Tory Burch Love Relentlessly (even more!), Prada Candy Florale, Stella McCartney Stella, Chloe Roses de Chloe (I was excited until I found my rollerball in my travel makeup bag – I had lost it over a year ago), Marc Jacobs Daisy Dot, and a mini Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in “Legendary”.
For my usual three samples, again, I did not receive what I picked…but I can’t remember what I picked, so I guess not a big deal. I got yet another sample of Skin Inc Pure Revival Peel (they must have SO much of this – I keep getting it), Derek Lam 10 Crosby Drunk on Youth (wore it yesterday – nice and clean scent), and Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation (high hopes for this one – I think I might have picked it).
Looking forward to being tempted by next month’s Everlasting Flash!
20% off Vice
Anyone else get a 20% off coupon from Ulta the Saturday before last? I found it while we were sitting in traffic, on the way to buy my car…sure as shit, I used it.
I didn’t think to hard about ordering 3 more of the new Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipsticks – I got “Studded” (a metallic gray-brown recently spotted on Ruby Rose – it’s so hot), “Tryst” (a neon-y pink/red that seems like a dupe for JS “Watermelon Soda”) and “Trap Queen” (I wanted this gold glittery red to be more glittery – a bit disappointed). Very happy to get these for 20% off!
I also added another Zoya Remove+ to put me over the edge for free shipping – I always need it.
There were a few freebies available – I got another tube of drybar Hot Toddy, plus a full size Honest Beauty Truly Kissable Lip Crayon in “Sheer Chestnut Kiss”. In my sample pack, I got it Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ and ogx Quenching + Coconut Curls Shampoo and Conditioner (I don’t have curls, but I love smelling like coconut).
Thank you Ulta!
Sephora Play! January 2017 – Beauty, Set, Go
Saving the best for last…my January Sephora Play!
I love how they’re missing up the pouches that come every month – this month has nylon and mesh bag and says, “Sweat is just another way to glow” – I’ll have to take their word on it.
The first thing I noticed was the sample of Tory Burch Love Relentlessly – DOH! I just used 100 points to get a sample the order before last. Oh well.
Also is this month’s box: AmorePacific Color Control Cushion Compact; OUAI Treatment Masque (for hair, not my face); Clinique Almost Lipstick in “Black Honey” (I’ve been wanting to try the Black Honey); tarte FRXXXTION Stick (ooooh another stick cleanser – I just used up my Julep Love Your Bare Face Stick); and Youth to the People Kale + Spinach + Hyaluronic Acid Age Prevention Cream.
This month’s box is great – yay!
If you haven’t signed up yet – why? 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.
Friday was a Good Day…
…I didn’t have to use my AK. Oh, and I received boxes from Sephora AND Ulta.
I broke down and decided to order the Milk Makeup Blur Stick ($36) – I had to see what all the fuss was about. The fuss is warranted. I’ve been using it almost every day since I got it. It’s like a giant chapstick for your face. It’s really weird rubbing a giant chapstick on your face, but you get over it when you see what it does for your skin. It makes all of your pores absolutely disappear. I don’t know where they go – and I do not care. For reference, it’s very similar to Benefit The POREfessional, with the added bonus of not having to get it on your hands. This is a must have product.
My excuse for ordering was to get my Sephora Birthday gift – I chose the Tarte Set with Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in “paaarty” and Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint in “Birthday Suit”.
I used a code to get a fancy Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Set with Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex, Advanced Night Repair Eye and Revitalizing Supreme Light Global Anti-Aging Creme. (Why do all these products have such long names?) For my three samples, I got one thing I chose – Clinique Foaming Sonic Facial Soap – and two I didn’t – Calvin Klein Deep Euphoria and Skin Inc. Pure Revival Peel.
Wednesday is the best day to order from Ulta, because of the special Beauty Breaks. I’d been shuffling things in and out of my basket for three weeks, waiting for a good Beauty Break. Imagine surprise when my order arrived on Friday – just two days later.
The Beauty Break that got me was the e.l.f. Beauty Break, with Illuminating Primer, Poreless Face Primer, Moisturizing Lipstick in “Ravishing Rose”, Lip Exfoliator in “Sweet Cherry” (I’ve been using the last one I got to exfoliate after liquid lippies) and a Complexion Brush. I also got a free Deluxe Sample of Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (the best one I’ve used) and drybar Hot Toddy Heat and UV Protectant. My sample pack included Olay Regenerist Moisturizer and H2O+ Beauty Elements Keep It Fresh Face Cleanser.
OH! I bought some stuff, too! I had to get my hand on the new Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipsticks – I got “Conspiracy” and “Amulet”. Although the lipsticks are thinner than Jeffree or Kat’s, they go on smoothly and the colors are unique. I must have MORE…I also grabbed a backup Zoya Remove+ and a Japonesque Solid Brush Cleanser (replacing the one from my ipsy bag that I used up).
Such a good day!
January Ipsy Bag – Metropolis
“Metropolis” is January’s futuristic city theme. Did Superman create this beauty bag for Lois Lane?
The first product that drew my attention was the Pretty Woman Nail Polish in “I Can’t Deal” – it’s a pavement grey cream. So weird – I don’t own any polishes like this at all. Also in this month’s bag: Beaute Basics Contour Blush Brush; Trust Fund Beauty Lipgasm Lipgloss in “Blame Game” (I hope it lives up to it’s name); Naked Cosmetics Mica Pigment in “Desert Sunset #02″ (I got a similar shade in last February’s bag) and Jelly Pong Pong Lip Scrub in “Coffee + Coconut” (looking forward to seeing if this scrub rescues my abused lips).
A very odd bag, but I’ll use most of the items.
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.