Category: Makeup
BFF Shopping
Lily BEGGED me to go to Ulta yesterday. I wasn’t planning on going, but then she also talked my BFF and HER daughter into wanting to go – who am I to say no?
Besides, I had a $10 off anything birthday coupon to use. I broke down and got the Urban Decay Pore Perfecting Primer Potion ($31). I’ve come to the conclusion that the primer potion is what made their Naked Skin Foundation look so good. So even though I still have an unopened tube the The POREfessional, I went ahead and got it. I also got my Ulta Birthday Gift – an Ulta Complete Eyes Palette in “Indie”.
My BFF found the discontinued Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Color Correcting Powder, so she bought every single one on the rack at ‘Buy 1, Get 1 50% off’ – she got 4! She will be color corrected for quite a long time!
I then started my search for a larger shower rack to hold all my shower gels. (I have so many, I’m about to have to start piling them up on the floor of my shower stall.) We then hit Home Goods – nothing good there – and Ross – Lily talked me into getting her some sandals and I got a shirt, but no larger shower racks. My BFF could take it no more, so she bid us farewell. I then tried Marshall’s – still nothing. I didn’t have a Bed Bath & Beyond coupon with me, so I didn’t bother.
Ultimately, I gave up and went to Bath & Body Works anyway. I wanted to smell their new scent – Love & Sunshine. I thought I would love it, because it’s lemon and strawberries, but it didn’t really have a smell to me. .But right beside it was the new scent that came out at Xmas – A Thousand Wishes. Yup, that’s what I wanted. I took advantage of the ‘Buy 3, Get 3’ and picked up a Body Cream, Fragrance Mist and 2 Shower Gels. I also got a back up Mad About You Shower Gel and a Twilight Woods Bubble Bath for the hubs. In addition to my 20% coupon, I also had a coupon for a free travel size, so I completed my travel set and got a Mad About You Travel Size Shower Gel.
Now where am I gonna put my new Shower Gel???
February Birchbox – Rent the Runway
Excuses, excuses – I got my Birchbox two days ago and am just now getting around to posting it.
I just cannot resist the specially curated boxes! This month’s curated box is by Rent the Runway, a service that rents designer gown. I was ready to assume that it was a service I wouldn’t be able to use (like Stitch Fix), but they actually carry gowns up to size 22 – and not just a dozen or so…over a hundred! The fact remains though, even with a $30 off code in this box, I never, ever, ever have an occasion to wear a Badgley Mischka gown. Just never.
I will, however, use most of the other goodies in my box: derm e Anti-Wrinkle Vitamin A Glycolic Scrub, Fekkai Blowout Hair Refresher Dry Shampoo (yup, another one), Not Soap, Radio Body Wash in “The Stuff that Cupid dips his arrows in” (blackberry and vanilla, with added pheromones – I’ll save this for Valentine’s Day), Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner in “Raina”, and theBalm Read My Lips lip gloss in “Bam!” (I’ve been wanting to try theBalm).
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.
Bout Damn Time
I was wondering if my Ulta order was EVER gonna get here.
On the last day of January, I used a 20% coupon to get the stuff I couldn’t find in-store. I ordered Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Pressed Finishing Powder in “Naked Medium Light”, a Urban Decay Good Karma Optical Blurring Blush and Ulta Makeup Brush and Sponge Cleaner to clean it. I also couldn’t resist grabbing stila’s Glow and Behold Makeup Set, which includes Convertible Color Dual Lip & Cheek Cream in “Magnolia”, Deluxe Lip Glaze in “Gleam”, Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in “Lionfish” and a cool rhinestone headband. Normally priced $29, it was only $20 – $16 after my coupon! I really just wanted the headband. (I immediately put it on and showed my husband and he looked at me like I put a cat turd on my head. Ass.)
I chose the skincare sampler – yet another Smashbox sample – Photo Finish Foundation Primer. I also received Altchek MD Daily Moisturizer. Only 2 samples – so sad. I guess technically 3, if I count the philosophy “live joyously” scent card. I don’t.
A Shadowy Birthday
Yesterday was my birthday!
I was able to schedule a birthday lunch with my BFF at Fuddrucker’s – our favorite place to get diarrhea.
She went all out on my gift – 2 Too Faced Eye Shadow Palettes – a la Mode Eyes and Cat Eyes – I had been wanting both of those, especially the Cat Eyes…it comes with wet/dry shadows.
She also got me Twin Peaks pajamas – absolutely blown away! The shirt says “the owls are not what they seem.”
Her birthday is in a few short months – I had better start shopping now…
I had known that my husband finally broke down and went to Sephora last weekend – poor thing, I think he was petrified. He did good though – he got me 2 Urban Decay Eye Shadow Palettes – Naked and Shadow Box. He even remembered to give them my email address so I could get the points! They also gave him my Sephora Birthday Gift from NARS – a 3 piece set with NARS Satin Lip Pencil in “Rikugien”, NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in “Cruella” and NARS Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in “Via Veneto”. He is definitely a keeper.
The kids also gave me awesome gifts. My son picked out a set of gourmet chocolate sauces and my daughter got me a Day of the Dead Tervis cup. I’m a lucky mommy.
I liked turning 39 – I think I might turn 39 again next year!
February Julep Maven Box – The Afterglow Collection
Julep’s shipping department is on point this month – I got my February box on January 31st!
February’s box is “The Afterglow Collection”. The star of this month’s box is Glow Highlighting Powder – a multitasking marvel designed to play up light and play down wrinkles, discoloration, and pores. (Julep’s words, not mine.) I was intrigued enough to pick it for my box. I also received Illume Face & Eye Brightener in “rise & shine” – which is not what I picked. The choices for the box were “champagne” & “pink” – I think I picked “pink”, but “rise & shine” looks like somewhere in between the two. How odd. I also used my Jules to add Bombshell “Elise” to my box. All Mavens received Classic with a Twist “Hartleigh” – red, pink and white glitter with heart glitter!
I’m excited to try the highlighter and brightener – another great box.
Not a Julep Maven? CLICK HERE to join! Get a FREE Valentine’s Day Welcome Box with code BEMINE!
My Sissy Loves Me
I went over to my little sister’s house yesterday to hold her new baby – a little cutie named Evelyn – and I got to open my birthday present early!
I got excited as soon as I saw the Sephora bag. The first thing I pulled out was a Peter Thomas Roth Rose Anti-Aging Kit with Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Cleansing Gel, Pink Bombshell Lip Balm, Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask and a Signature Rose Printed Bag. She knows me so well – almost every year, she gets me something rose scented – my absolute favorite flower scent on the planet. I have never heard of Peter Thomas Roth, but I am excited to try it. I also don’t know what the deal is with plant stem cells being in every product these days. All plants have stems, right?
I reached into the bag again and pulled out the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette – I literally squealed with delight! I had wanted this one so bad…and it smells like chocolate! She doesn’t pay much attention to my beauty product obsessions, but she knows that I like chocolate.
The last thing in the bag was Zoya “Leslie”. She had gotten it in her Allure Beauty Box and knew she wouldn’t use it. I don’t get the Allure Beauty Box, but I might have to start…
She couldn’t have picked more perfect presents for me – she is so thoughtful and picked out perfect presents for me. Good thing I have 3+ months to pick out presents for her that are just as thoughtful…
Love/Hate/Ulta
My 20% at Ulta coupon expires today, so of course I had to use it – I can’t let it go to waste!
After gymnastics, I carted Lily straight to Ulta. I sat her in a stool beside me and started in with the foundation. I knew that I wanted to get Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup – I just wanted to check the colors. I had sampled 3.5, but I wanted to check the lighter colors. Ultimately, I stuck with the 3.5 I also wanted the Good Karma Optical Blurring Blush, but they were out of stock. I went ahead and picked up Naked Skin Beauty Balm in “Light” as well – even though this Ulta still doesn’t have a sample of it out. I, too, like to live dangerously. (I washed my face as soon as I got home and put it on – I like it! It’s light coverage, but blends well and doesn’t accentuate my winter dryness too badly.)
I tried out their new powder foundation – Naked Skin Ultra Definition Powder Foundation, but my skin is too dry right now for a powder foundation. I wanted to get the Naked Skin Ultra Definition Pressed Finishing Powder in “Medium Light” – but of course, that was out of stock, too. That’s what I hate about the Copperfield Ulta – they are always out of stock! They didn’t have the Vice 3 when I wanted it either!
I checked the clearance polish, but nothing jumped out at me. There was another clearance kiosk by the checkout and I couldn’t resist a Revlon Electric Chrome Super Lustrous Lipgloss in “Killer-Watt”, from the Amazing Spider-Man Collection. It rang up $1.97. I tried it this afternoon and absolutely love it.
Luckily, I received another 20% off online only coupon today, so I didn’t bother driving across town – I just ordered the rest of what I wanted off the website. Grrrrrr…the Willowbrook Ulta always has what I want. Luckily, I’m moving offices within the next few weeks and it is just barely close enough to Willowbrook to be able to bop over during my lunch hour…
HEB Enabler
I love my enabler husband. All we needed was yogurt for smoothies, but he let me meander through the cosmetics department first…just in case there was a polish I missed.
Of course there was…I found Sally Hansen Sugar Shimmer “Work of Tart”. I also spied a Milani Runway Eyes wet/dry shadow in “Girls Luv Pink”. The sticker on the shadow said $3.34 – a good deal – but it rang up for $1, just like the polish. Score!
Review – Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup
I am *almost* 39 years old and I still haven’t found the perfect foundation. Most of the time, I just wear moisturizer and translucent powder, hoping for the best. I think I might be closer though…
My samples have started piling up, so I’ve been making a concerted effort to start trying more of them. Yesterday morning, I came across a sample of Urban Decay Naked Skin that I had gotten back in March. The description from Urban Decay’s site makes it sound like magic:
Naked Skin uses light-diffusing spheres to ‘blur’ imperfections for a luminous, demi-matte finish that feels invisible but looks professionally retouched.
I started with the Urban Decay Pore Perfecting Complexion Primer Potion ($31). I was very similar to Benefit The POREfessional – it made everything smooth and closed those pores right up. I then applied Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup in 3.5 ($39) – what a long name! I just used my fingers, but it glided on smoothly on top of the primer. Luckily, 3.5 was a pretty close match. It covered all the redness and didn’t stick to my peach fuzz too badly. I finished with Ulta Minerals Finishing Powder – it looked amazing! (I tried to take a few selfies, but my bathroom lighting is shit.)
$39 is a lot of money to spend on foundation – I have several other samples that I want to try before I make a final decision. Also, I’m not positive whether the success was from the foundation or the primer. I want to try the Naked Skin Beauty Balm, too. Within the next few weeks, I want to try to go to Sephora and try their Color IQ system to help me verify the color I need – it’s a computer that takes pictures of your skin and tells you what brands and shades will match. Science and shit!
January Ipsy Bag – Fresh Start
This is it – the last of my subscriptions for the month.
This might be the most cohesive Ipsy Bag that I’ve ever received – I could conceivably use all of these products together and not look like a clown! January’s theme is “Fresh Start” and includes Elizabeth Mott All Over Shadow Brush (I will never have to buy brushes again); Hikari Cosmetics Mechanical Eye Liner in “Storm”; (MALIN+GOETZ) Mojito Lip Balm (I’m wearing it now – I leaned over to give my husband a smooch and he didn’t gag, so that’s a good sign); Pacifica Natural Mineral Coconut Eye Shadow in “Ethereal”; and Velvet 59 Velvet Rose Lipgloss in “Noisette”.
I’ll be trying all these out tomorrow…
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.