Category: Makeup
BFFsgiving Shopping
I got to see my BFF yesterday! And we went shopping!
So we hit Ulta first…but while we were still in the parking lot, I was finishing up some Sephora orders. I got an email offering a 24 hour window for VIB members to order the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Palette before it hits stores on 12/1. ADD TO CART! Since that’s what my BFF and I decided our men are getting us both for Xmas, we were kind enough to do their Xmas shopping for them…
Since I placed a huge Ulta order last week with their Cyber Fundays promotion, I didn’t need much – just some Zoya Remove+. I was drawn to the 5/$5 goodies though. I got a few stocking stuffers for my daughter – bobbie pins and lip gloss – and a few for my self – a nail buffer, Ulta Nail Lacquer in “Silver Bells” and my favorite, a little travel makeup brush set.
We also hit Bath & Body Works, but that was a complete bust – nothing really jumped out at us, so we left empty handed.
Next up, Sephora…well, the Sephora inside of JC Penney’s. We didn’t feel quite brave enough to step foot in a mall.
As soon as I saw the Kat Von D Lolita Lip Duo, I knew it would be mine…even though I already have one “Lolita”, I wanted to try “Lolita II”. Just $19.50 for both.
I even remembered to bring in my Play! card for 50 extra points! I just checked my account…I only need to spend $132 to hit Rouge status…can I do it within the next 5 weeks?
Sephora Play! 03 – November 2015
November’s Sephora Play! is “The Exclusives” – products that Sephora says can only be found there…are you sure Sephora? Because I bought a bottle of “Stella” by Stella McCartney at Ulta – but that was last year, so it might be exclusive to Sephora now?
Besides the sample of “Stella”, my box also includes Make Up For Ever Skin Equalizer (which I bought in Vegas a few months ago – great primer); Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencil in “Rhubarb”; Buxom Full-On Lip Cream in “Dolly” (this should go well with the “Rhubarb”); Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil 12Hr Wear Waterproof in “My Boyfriend’s Jeans”; and Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil (I have SO MUCH damn Argan Oil now). Another amazing box!
Someday, I’ll actually remember to bring the card for 50 extra points into Sephora – I forgot last time!
Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can get on the wait list at sephora.com/play.
November Birchbox – Feeling Fancy
November’s Birchbox has me “Feeling Fancy” – and smelling GOOD.
I know I just bought Roses de Chloe, but now I am going to have to go buy Cartier Eau De Cartier Goutte de Rose – obviously, another rose scent, but different – it smells somehow greener? Birchbox’s description says it’s unisex, but I really can’t see that happening – it’s too floral. Also inside my box – MAKE Skin Illuminator (Ugh.); Number 4 Flouro5 Elixer Restore & Repair Oil; PARLOR by Jeff Chastain Touchable Curl Cream; and LOC Matte Lipstick in “First Kiss” (I’m excited about trying Birchbox’s new house brand!)
All in all, a very glamorous box!
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.
VIB 20% Off!!!
It’s that magical time of the year – 20% off weekend for Sephora VIBs. I absolutely knocked some Xmas shopping out of the way, but I also picked up a few things for myself.
I couldn’t contain my excitement, so I zipped over to Sephora on Friday, during lunch. (I was bummed that Roses de Chloe was no longer one of the samples I could choose with an online order, so I wanted to sniff it.) Yup, I loved it, so I picked up a Roses de Chloe rollerball ($28). When we met, my husband couldn’t stand all the rose perfume I wore, but he said, “Hey! That’s nice.” Does that mean he’s getting old and likes it when I smell like his grandma? I also used my points to get Make Up For Ever HD Powder. I was pissed that they no longer had samples of Tory Burch Absolu – of course they don’t have the good stuff during a sale. I also got a free Sephora tote.
Then on Saturday, I hit the Sephora inside JC Penney – I wanted to check out all their Xmas sets, since they’re different than the sets inside a regular Sephora. I happened upon the Formula X Ultimate Ombre Set on clearance for $13.99 (down from $29.50). Yay!
It’s Sunday night and I have a few more hours…trying not to shop anymore.
November Beauty Box 5 – Boosted Basics
Oh, Beauty Box 5…you had me…then you lost me.
After several months of really good boxes, November is a WEIRD box. Inside this month’s “Boosted Basics” box: La Fresh good day. day moisturizer (to match the good night. moisturizer I received in an ipsy bag a few months ago?); Kaunis Facial Mask (I do love facial masks); Altchek MD Eye Gel Pads (set of 2); MOODmatcher Luxe Twist Stick in “Orange” (I used to have a green MOODmatcher in Jr. High! I tried the orange and it was a pleasant enough coral pinky hue – very moisturizing); and The All Natural Face Vegan Matte Cream Lip & Cheek Color in “Dusky Rose” (I am suspicious that the label looks like it was printed on a home printer – damn vegans).
It’s not a BAD box, just a WEIRD one.
November Ipsy Bag – Beauty Blast
Well, November’s Ipsy bag is BADASS! I love the galaxy print on the bag and the products are top notch. I’m pretty sure Ipsy wins November…
Inside my “Beauty Blast” glam bag: China Glaze Nail Lacquer in “Soft Sienna Silks” (this color is going on my nails TOMORROW); Beaute Basics Sahara Gold Chubby Eye Pencil; LeeAni Eco Go Away Gloomy Day Serum; Smashbox Cosmetics Full Exposure Mascara (NICE); and tre’StiQue Mini Matte Lip Crayon in “Chile Red”.
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.
Never Too Early to Start Xmas Shopping
I couldn’t pass up the chance to combine a 20% off coupon with an already smokin’ deal. I’ve been watching the Urban Decay Naked on the Run palette drop in price on various sites over the past month and it finally popped up at Ulta for $32. It was overpriced at $54, but $25.60 was just the right price. I tried the palette immediately and LOVED the shadow colors. Just the color “Dive” alone is worth it – metallic rose w/golden micro-shimmer. The Naked Lip Gloss “Sesso” is also nice.
I also picked up an Xmas present for Lily – the NYX Mega Glam Nail Polish Set. These little mini polish bottles are perfect for her tiny hands. I’m fairly certain she doesn’t read this site, so I think I’m safe in posting it.
I’ve finally figured out that the best day to order online from Ulta is Beauty Break Wednesdays – when they always have a free gift going. This time, I got a 4 piece sampler from bliss, with Fabulous Makeup Melt gel-to-oil cleanser, Fabulous Foaming Face Wash, Triple Oxygen Radiant Protection Energizing Serum and Instant Energizing Foaming Mask. I also got samples of L de L Cosmetics Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Facial Oil, Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer and Mario Badescu Botanical Exfoliating Scrub.
I can’t wait to use my Sephora VIB 20% off next week!
Target Beauty Box – October 2015 – #2
What! What! WHAT! There were 2 Target Beauty Boxes this month!
This $10 box packs a punch – I don’t even know how they fit it all into the box. Inside my box: Goody Ouchless Silicone Lined Elastics; Cover Girl Intensify Me Eyeliner in “Intense Black” (it has a paddle tip that paints thin and thick lines); Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede Lipstick in “Wardrobe”; RoC Deep Wrinkle Night Cream (I’ve heard good things about RoC, but have never tried it – looking forward to trying it); ACURE Moroccan Argan Oil + Stem Cell Triple Repair Shampoo & Conditioner (big samples, not foil packets!); Skinfix Ultra Rich Body Butter; Hello Toothpaste in “Supermint”; Olly Beauty Vitamins (with Biotin, Vitamins C, E & Borage Oil – I ate them already – they were yummy); and S.W. Basics Certified Organic Body Scrub (At first, I thought it was a packet of granola – it has just three ingredients: sugar, coconut oil & shredded coconut – so it kinda IS granola).
As usual, there’s a coupon $3 off a $15 Beauty purchase. Another great box from Target!
October Beauty Box 5 – Think Pink
Oh. Another Breast Cancer Pink-themed Beauty Box. *Groan* Well SHUT MY MOUTH, this Beauty Box 5 “Think Pink” box has some pretty good stuff in it…
Let’s see what we’ve got…a Happy Hands HappyFace Makeup Cleansing Cloth (it’s supposed to remove all your makeup with just water – WHAT?); a Ferro Cosmetics Pink Rhinestone Kabuki Brush (I’m in the market for a new powder brush – this one is SO soft); Styli-Style Perfect Pout Long Lasting Balm Stick in “Playful Pink”; Knotty Hair Ties (this type is so pretty, but they stretch out so easily); and a Nubar Nail Polish Mini in “Pinktober!” (Of course, it’s called that).
I will actually use all this pink stuff – thanks, Beauty Box 5!
Target Beauty Box – October 2015
So this month’s Target Beauty Box is interesting – it is all products by L’Oréal Paris. Ooooh la la!
Let’s see what we’ve got…Voluminous Mascara in “Blackest Black” (good thing I gave my Sister-in-Law 3 unopened mascaras a few days ago – I have an unending supply); Advanced Haircare Total Repair 5 Restoring Shampoo (well what conditioner am I gonna use, huh?); Elnett Satin Hairpsray (I think I have one of these from another Target box); Age Perfect Cell Renewal Night Cream (this was listed on the car, but there isn’t a sample of it in my box – just a little sticker to “test” if my skin needs renewal – it doesn’t); Revitalift Volume Filler (single use samples of serum and cream); True Match Shade Strips (this is the coolest thing in the box – stickers to place on your face to find the best foundation match); and Advanced Haircare Ultimate Straight Shampoo, Pre-Conditioner and Conditioner (They done changed the game – now I need pre-conditioner before my conditioner???)
Kind of a weeny box for $5. But the mascara alone is more than $5, plus – there’s a coupon for $5 off $20 of L’Oréal, so… Now if they would just set it up as a subscription, instead of me having to order it each month.