Polish Pickup May 2023 – Junk Food
Ya’ll…I might be hooked on Polish Pickup.
May’s theme was Junk Food…and I may have gravitated towards a specific kind of junk food – Mountain Dew. Three of the four items I purchased are Mountain Dew related! The Vapid Wax “Gamer Fuel” Wax Melts ($6) and Bluebird Lacquer Cuticle Balm No More Uglies in “Baja Blast” ($7) are scented like…you guessed it…Mountain Dew “Baja Blast”, my favorite flavor of Mountain Dew. They really DO smell like “Baja Blast” tastes, although the wax melts have an underlying hint of that orange puke sawdust smell (that weird shit they used to pour on vomit in elementary school, it’s a very unique smell.) One of the polishes I ordered is By Vanessa Molina “Purple Thunder” ($13), which is based on Mountain Dew “Purple Thunder”. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered this flavor…now I’m on the hunt! (A quick google says it’s exclusive to Circle K – I’ll be looking.)
Lilypad Lacquer “Licorice Allsorts” ($14) is the other polish I picked. Although I wouldn’t touch licorice with a 10 foot pole, this polish drew me in…I’m excited to see what they look like in person…
Influenster Vox Box – Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath Gloss
Influenster and Charlotte Tilbury graciously sent me a complimentary sample of Collagen Lip Bath in “Refresh Rose” in exchange for my honest review.
Normally, I’m not a big fan of lip plumpers. My sister got me Lip Venom when it first came out – I don’t think they even make it anymore, it was so spicy. I’ve also tried Too Faced Lip Injection, as well as several other brands. I never noticed much of a difference, but then again I have full lips. I am definitely not the target market. The website touts marine collagen as the ingredient that causes plumper lips. The tingling feeling is coming from menthol and peppermint oil, so if you’re sensitive to either of those two ingredients – it’s best to steer clear. I definitely prefer the minty tingle to the capsicum that fuels some other plumpers.
I am also not big on lip glosses right now, preferring a smoother balm that doesn’t get all over everything. I will say that the collagen lip bath doesn’t make a mess and it felt nice on my lips. Since “Refresh Rose” is a clear gloss, I’v e been using it over lip stains and I really like how it feels and lasts all day. I also like the unique heart shaped applicator…that’s a new one to me.
I looked up the price point – $35 – and internally screamed. A bit pricy for a gloss, no matter how nice. If they drop it down to $20, I think they’d sell a lot more…I’m guessing that’s why I’ve never gotten any Charlotte Tilbury products before…it’s pricey AF.
Berry Crush
Sinful Colors “Berry Crush” is from Winnie Harlow’s “Fruity Blend” Collection. It’s an…odd polish. It’s a sheer, demi-matte red, with black micro-glitter that looks like seeds. It really does look like a smoothie made with strawberries and blueberries.
This is two coats of “Berry Crush” over Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Top Coat. This polish chipped super fast without a top coat.
Comet Mebro
Funky Fingers “Comet Mebro” is supposed to be a color-changing solar polish…but since I bought it on clearance over 6 years ago…I guess this polish is no longer feeling like changing it’s color. I tried it in full sun…nothing. I even shoved my hands underneath one of my husband’s plant lights…NOTHING. Oh well.
Without that fun feature, this is just another sheer blue nail polish.
This is two coats of “Comet Mebro” (…and what a cringey name) under Vibrant Scents Base Coat in “Island Petals” and under Vibrant Scents Top Coat in “Island Petals”.
On a Date Sephora Haul
Believe it or not, I hadn’t bought anything from Sephora since the end of 2020 – that’s right, almost three whole years! Instead of trying to hit top tier status in both Ulta and Sephora’s loyalty programs, and since the Sephora Play! Subscription Box died of COVID, I consciously decided to put all my beauty eggs in one basket. Being able to buy KVD, Fenty and Fresh – previously Sephora exclusives – made the decision that much easier. It’s not a boycott, it’s just smart shopping…but now and then, a product pops up that I can’t get at Ulta, so I get it at Sephora.
I was at the First Colony Mall a few weeks ago – waiting for the girlchild attending a birthday dinner – and I decided to take a sniff at Sephora. My first sniff was Jo Malone Red Roses. It was nice, but not as nice as Jo Loves White Roses & Lemon Leaves. I then tried Maison Margiela REPLICA On a Date – it’s got a plummy rose scent, which tickles my memories. It reminds me on a scent my mother wore in the 80s – no idea which one. I noted it for later, since there were no purse sprays in stock. I also sampled Tom Ford Rose Prick…ain’t no way I’m spending $395 on a perfume, no matter how good it smells. I walked out empty-handed…
Lo and behold, a 20% off promo code arrived in my email that very day. (Did I set off a geo-fence by walking into a Sephora? Possibly…) I ordered the Travel Spray of On a Date, happy to save $7 off $35. I’ve been wearing it almost nonstop since I got it.
For my two free samples, I picked a pouch of Amika bust your brass Intense Repair Mask (for the next time I get highlights); and Mugler Alien Goddess, which I forgot smells like roach spray. Who wants the pile of Mugler samples I’ve collected over the years? It ALL smells awful…inbox me and it’s yours.
Sephora is now offering free shipping for all Beauty Insider Members, no minimum purchase, which is a nice perk. All of my points expired though – I had a couple of thousand points! $972 to Rouge…LOL.
PEEPS Classic Chick
Last PEEPS polish…I promise!
Actually…I still have a few (untextured) PEEPS polishes left to try out. I absolutely will not be able to keep that promise. How about I chill and wait a few months? Cool? Cool.
Meet Sally Hansen Insta-Dri “PEEPS Classic Chick”. It’s just a plain yellow, sugar textured polish. It’s hard to get that “right” shade of yellow on my skin, but this is it. This is the first yellow polish that I’ve worn that doesn’t make me look sick. I donned it for my son’s recent Graduation Party…HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION. Damn, I’m getting old.
This is two coats of “PEEPS Classic Chick” over Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Top Coat.
PEEPS Cotton Candy
Easter is long gone, but the PEEPS nail polish remains…
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri “PEEPS Cotton Candy” is so fun! In addition to the sugary texture of the soft pink cotton candy colored polish, there’s also different sizes of blue glitter in the mix. “PEEPS Cotton Candy” is my favorite of ALL of the PEEPS polishes.
This is two coats of “PEEPS Cotton Candy” over Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Base Coat.
May 2023 Ipsy Icon Box – Anastasia Soare
Anastasia? Of Anastasia Beverly Hills? That’s a really BIG name to start off Glam Bag X’s new identity as Icon Box. Anastasia Soare is definitely an icon – a BROW icon.
I am absolutely OBSESSED with Anastasia’s contribution: the new Anastasia Beverly Hills Primrose Palette ($55). I missed it when it dropped in 2021, so it’s a not a new product at all, but it’s new to me and that is all that counts. I love a good 10 shade palette, but I really appreciate it when a brand give you HUGE pans of your base colors. The shades are neutral, yet bold and maintain the high quality that I expect from ABH. I will struggle not to use it every day for the rest of 2023.
I am also obsessed with one of my product choices – Pat McGrath Labs LiquiLUST Legendary Wear Lipstick in “Rose Divinity” ($32). It’s a metallic mauve and I LOVE it. My other product choices were Grown Alchemist Polishing Facial Exfoliant ($65) and Kate Somerville Dry Skin Saver ($56). I admit, I haven’t had a chance to try either – soon!
Also in my Icon Box: Alamar Cosmetics Alamar Essentials Eye Trio Brushes ($18); Volition Beauty Golden Eye Brightening Serum with Vitamin C + Niacinamide ($40); MAC Magic Extension 5mm Fibre Mascara in “Extensive Black” ($26); and Skin Inc Body Sculpt Fit Serum ($32.50). I haven’t tried any of these products either…I know, I’m slackin’.
All together, my box was worth $324 – not bad.
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $13/month and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $43/quarterly. If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
Hook ’em, Honey
I’ve used Sinful Colors “Copper Pot” before, but not for such a special reason…last week, we celebrated the life of a close family friend, Honey, and in honor of her love of all things University of Texas, we were asked to wear burnt orange. Even graduating from a Texas System School, I don’t own a single thing in burnt orange, so my nails would have to do…I picked up one of her Bevo stuffies and was excited to see how well it matched…Hook ’em, Honey!
This is two coats of “Copper Pot” over Vibrant Scents Base Coat “Island Petals” and under Vibrant Scents Top Coat “Island Petals”. I’m not so sure that Sinful Colors is a good combo with Vibrant Scents – I caught a few bubbles in the top coat.
Diamond Freebie Haul
I love the first Monday of every month. Not because it’s a Monday, but because that’s when Ulta has their “Diamond Love List”, which is full of exclusive deals and freebies for Diamond Members!
The best part about the “Diamond Love List” is getting to try new products before the official launch. Fresh Rose & Hyaluronic Acid Lightweight Moisturizer ($46) is a lighter version of the Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream that I love. I’ve been using it under my makeup and I love how light it feels. It’s a bit pricier than Oil of Olay, but those are damn near $30 now! I’m getting uncomfortably close to 50 years old, so it might be time to splurge a little bit…I mean, it’s not La Mer.
My hair needs more than a sample pack of deep conditioner, so I splurged on Joico K-PAK Color Therapy Luster Lock ($38.50). It came with a gift with purchase – a free shower cap and hair wrap set. Who doesn’t need an extra shower cap and hair wrap?
What else did I “add to cart”? Aquaphor Touch-Free Healing Ointment ($9.99) is THE BEST. Smartypits Natural Deodorant Sample Pack – Sensitive Skin ($10, down from $20) – I couldn’t pass up this set of 4 trial size deodorants. So far, I’ve only used “Rose Lavender”, but it hasn’t irritated my skin. I also picked up a few more Flowery Nail Buffers, at 40% off. I also got a pair of Diane Daisy/Clean-Cut Shear 5” ($8.79, down from $10.99) for Logan. I caught him cutting his hair with kitchen scissors!
My order also contained a birthday gift for my sister…not pictured.
…and now for the free stuff! I got an exclusive Clarins 4 piece set with my $35 skincare purchase: Clarins Double Serum Eye; Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté; Total Cleansing Oil; Extra-Firming Night Cream; and Instant Smooth – that’s five things! I also got a free mystery gift with select hair care purchase: it Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream Anti-Aging; Biolage Strength Repairing Spray; Love Wellness Call Me Collagen; Drybar Liquid Glass Shampoo & Conditioner; Verb Ghost Shampoo & Conditioner; Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo; Living proof. Perfect hair Day 5-in-1 Styling Treatment; and it Cosmetics Bye Bye Lines Serum. Last, but not least, I got a Platinum & Diamond Exclusive 11 piece gift with $35 hair purchase: Biolage All-In-One Multi-benefit Spray; Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother; Living proof. Perfect hair Day Enhancing Treatment; Batiste Dry Shampoo; Bed Head Master Piece Hairspray; ANOTHER Love Wellness Call Me Collagen; Better Not Younger Wake Up Call Volumizing Shampoo (but no conditioner?); Virtue Healing Oil; OUAI Treatment Masque; and Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Leave-In Conditioner. My hair is so lucky!
On top of all those freebies, I was able to use a $10 off $50 coupon…just $718 to Diamond in 2024.