Tag: L’Oreal

A Li’l Bit of Everything Ulta Haul
Sometimes, shopping is just adding stuff to cart until it feels “right”…or at least until you get a bunch of shit for free.
I cannot remember how I started just dropping things in my cart, but I think I started looking for pore clearing masks. Ulta no longer carries Freeman, but there was a 30% off sale and a GWP on Florence by Mills, so I decided to try Florence by Mills Feed Your Soul Berry in Love Pore Mask ($16.10, down from $23 – this was a very thin, very strongly berry scented mask – it dripped everywhere before it dried) and Clear The Way Clarifying Mud Mask ($16.10, down from $23 – a more traditional mud mask, I liked this one much better). The 3 piece gift with purchase included a full size Feed Ypur Soul Love U Latte Coffee Glow Mask (haven’t tried yet); Swimming Under the Eyes Hydrating Under Eyes Gel Pads and a Silicone Face Mask Brush.
But then I started seeing stuff on sale…Arctic Fox Hair Color was 25% off, so I picked up “Virgin Pink” and “Poison” ($13.87, down from $18.49. Tree Hut was on sale, so I picked up a Tree Hut Moisturizing Shave Oil in “Moroccan Rose” ($9.99, down from $10.99). Zoya was also 30%, so I got two bottles of Zoya Remove+ ($8.40, down from $12). Inner Circle was 30% off, so I got Glamping – Santal Wood Hand Wash ($3.49, down from $4.99 – it smells SO GOOD). Flowery was 30% off, so I picked up my favorite Blue Max 4-way Buffing Block ($2.09, down from $2.99). MONDAY Haircare was BOGO50%, so I bought little travel sizes of SMOOTH Shampoo and Conditioner for Curly & Frizzy Hair with Wheat Protein ($3.49 + $1.74) for my cruise. I liked the product, but the packaging was annoying AF and hard to squeeze. I won’t be purchasing again.
Then I saw that Ulta had a free Beauty Bag with $22 purchase (what happened to $19.50?), and I just used up my favorite lip stain so I dropped an Ulta Beauty Collection Weightless Water Lip Stain in “Plum Paradise” ($11.50) in my cart. Then I dropped a few packages of Exfoliating Cotton Rounds ($4.49 each) in my cart. Inside the free gift – I chose the leopard print, of course: a 5 pan eyeshadow palette; Matte Veil Face Primer; Pop Star Lashes High Definition Volumizing Mascara; Cream Blush; Matte Veil Eye Primer; Lip Stain (appears to also be “Plum Paradise”; Jelly Gloss Lip Gel; an eyeshadow brush and foam blender.
I had a premonition that my favorite Pattern claw clip would break soon, so I picked up a back-up for $12. I also grabbed an extra Ulta Loofah ($3).
I qualified for a free 16 piece gift with my $80 purchase, which included e.l.f. Power Grip Primer; pixi Glow Mist; Thayers Facial Toner in “Rose Petal” (my favorite!); No7 Future Renew Night Serum; Vichy Liftactive Bonding Serum; Peach Slices Snail Rescue Purifying Cleanser; belif The True Cream – Aqua Bomb (another favorite!); CeraVe Balancing Air Foam Cleanser; Juvia’s Place Culture Multi-Chrome Shadow in “It Girl”; Ulta Beauty Collection Pop Star Lashes Volumizing Mascara (another one?); CNP Propolis Lipcerin; Differin Epiduo Acne Gel; La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser; Some By Mi AHA.BHA.PHA Miracle Cream; L’Oreal True Match Lumi Glotion in “903 Medium Glow”; and Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser.
I also qualified for a free 20 piece gift with my $125 purchase, which included Nakery Beauty Soothing Moisture Wipes (for my butt); StriVection peptight Face Life Serum; Azzaro “The Most Wanted”; Prada “Paradoxe” Deluxe Sample; tarte Platinum Mascara; another belif The True Cream – Aqua Bomb; Ralph Lauren “Polo”; Bumble and bumble. Bb. Seaweed Oil; Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-eyes Volume Mascara; Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave-In Treatment; Ole Henriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer; Yves Saint Laurent “Libre Berry Crush”; Kylie Cosmetics Supple Kiss Lip Glaze in “003 Rose Bloom”; Mugler “Alien Pulp”; Burberry “Goddess”; Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash (I’m still using the full size from my last Ipsy Ultimate); SEEN Leave-In Conditioner; Yves Saint Laurent “Myself” Deluxe Sample; Prada “Paradigme” Deluxe Sample; and Origins Ginzing Energizing Lightweight Moisturizer. Lots of good stuff!
I also got a free Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment with my skincare purchase.
…and then I used a $10 giftcard and $53 in points, because you know I am frugal like that.
Just $325 to Diamond in 2027!

Elven Ulta Haul
I purchased a bunch of e.l.f. products, so it’s an “Elven Ulta Haul” – get it? I crack myself up sometimes, I really do.
I noticed bristles falling out of my favorite kabuki brush, so I’ve been on the hunt for a replacement. (I’m pretty sure that the one I’m using is 10-12 years old.) I’ve gotten several in the past decade, but I think the e.l.f. Cosmetics Kabuki Face Brush ($7) is my favorite. It’s huge and it’s SOFT.
I decided the add a few more e.l.f. products to my cart and I was not disappointed. The e.l.f. Cosmetics Main Stain Lip Marker in “Hotvine” ($5) is the best lip marker I’ve ever gotten – it’s the perfect intensity for lips and it stays all day! It’s still there when I get home from work, imagine that. The e.l.f. Cosmetics Sheer For It Blush Tint in “Burgun-Did That” ($5) is not quite as good, but it’s as good as the Ulta version at half the price so I’ll be switching. I don’t even know if I need more brush soap, but I added the e.l.f. Cosmetics Clean Queen Solid Brush & Sponge Cleaner ($5) to my cart just in case. Okay, not just in case – I wanted the gift with purchase, which was an e.l.f. Cosmetics Flawless Face 6 Piece Brush Collection. I don’t NEED more makeup brushes, but I’ll use these as my travel set. I wasn’t ready to forsake my Ulta eyebrow pencil for e.l.f., so I picked up an Ulta Beauty Ultra Slim Brow Pencil in “Dark Brown” ($6.60) while it was on sale.
I am auditioning new shampoos and conditioners, so I added L’Oreal EverPure Sulfate Free Iron Sleek Smoothing Shampoo & Conditioner ($10.99 each, with 200 extra Ulta points) to my cart. I’ll swap these into the shower when I finish the Pantene Rosewater set I got at HEB.
Thayers was BOGO50, so I picked up a Thayers 80 Hour Hydrating Milky Liquid Moisturizer ($14.99) and a Thayers Oil Balancing Jelly Toner ($7.49) – it was kombucha in it. I’m not used to the jelly texture, but I’m trying…
My purchase got me a few more gifts with purchase. My diamond gift was a Redken All Soft Mask Deluxe sample and I also got a 12 piece gift with my $65 purchase: Vacation Shimmer Oil SPF 30; tarte tartelette XL Tubing Mascara; Eau Thermale Avene Vitamin ActivC9 Serum; Vichy LiftActiv Bonding Serum; Some By Mi Air Fit Sunscreen SPF50; Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam in Dark (definitely giving this away); belif Super drops Niacinamide Golden Glow Serum; e.l.f. Skin Whoa Glow SPF 30; NYX Butter Gloss in “Creme Brulee”; and La Roche-Posay HyaluB5 Serum. That’s only 10 items, so I am kind of annoyed.
I was already annoyed because the main box was crushed and the Blush Tint and Brush Cleaner were missing, leaving only crushed boxes. Ulta Customer Support was very helpful and sent replacements right away and even included a second free brush set – my heroes!
I’m poor right now, so I used a $10 off coupon, as well as $17.50 in Ulta points. I also had a gift card in my purse, but I forgot to use it…
Just $582 to Diamond in 2027.

Fallible Ulta Haul
Ugh. Not only did I lose my favorite powder foundation somewhere between my house and San Francisco earlier this month…but when I finally ordered a replacement of my L’Oreal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation In A Powder in “20 Ivory” ($16.99), it arrived absolutely SHATTERED. These things happen and Ulta’s Customer Service Chat Agent made it right immediately. 10/10 service and I received a replacement within a few days.
I added a few new polishes to my cart – Holo Taco “Blue Rizzler” ($14) and Holo Taco “Garden Party Taco” ($13) – and they happened to be in the bubble wrap with the powder and got a bit dusty. No damage to my Thayers Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Facial Toner in “Rose Petal” ($10.95).
I qualified for a free Wellness Sampler with my $50 purchase (even though I used a $10 off coupon). Inside the Wellness Sampler: Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Elasti-Cream (I don’t care that I just got one of these – I love the scent); lemme Debloat Daily Digestive Gummies (Not the kind of gummies I usually take, but I’ll give them a whirl); The Good Patch Rescue Patch (it appears to be for a hangover – I’ll try next time I go to Cali); Tan-Luxe Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum (NOPE.); Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Facial Moisturizer SPF 35; Tula Skincare 24-7 moisture hydrating day & night cream (love this brand); Sunday Riley Good Genes; philosophy amazing grace hydrating shower gel; and dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream. This is a bad ass sample bag with only one dud!
$662 to Diamond in 2026.

Pink Pony Ulta Haul
Killing some time before I had to go pick up the kid from Marching Band last week, so I bopped into Ulta to have a look around…
L’Oreal Colorista is not my favorite hair dye, but for $3, I don’t mind have an extra “Metallic Pink” on hand for…dancing at the Pink Pony Club? Or whatever…
I know it’s dumb, but I bought The Body Shop Edelweiss Cleansing Concentrate for Lily…because this year’s Marching Band show opens with “Edelweiss” from The Sound of Music and I thought it would be funny…I spent $6.25 for that eye roll!
I love Wet n Wild’s Fantasy Makers Halloween line, so I grabbed their “Vampire Venom” Lip Gloss Stain ($6.49). It’s got the weirdest applicator. I was expecting a doe foot – but it’s a little plastic spatula? It’s a sheer glossy stain, okay looking I guess.
Finally, I snagged a bottle of L.A. Girl Pro Matte Mixing Pigment in “White” ($9) for my super-secret Halloween makeup that I’ve told everyone about already. Shhhhh…
At least I got to use a $3.50 off $15 coupon!

Well, Fuck You TOO Fed Ex
I was shocked that my poor Ulta order made it through this abuse from Fed Ex…UPS would NEVER.
Really, the main product I was worried about was the L’Oreal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation In A Powder in “20 Ivory” ($12.74 – 25% off), but I spy no cracks. I would’ve been SO MAD!
I also decided to try Derma E Psorzema Scalp Relief Shampoo and Conditioner ($9.75 each – 25% off) to tackle the heartbreak of psoriasis. It has tee tree oil and tingles. [My late mother LOVED tingly shampoo, especially Nioxin – I feel like she would’ve LIVED for this product.]
I’d been fairly indifferent to the endless Disney Collection from Nailtopia, but I literally screamed when I saw Nailtopia’s Spongebob Squarepants 25th Anniversary collection – and on sale for 30% off. I controlled myself and only picked up “Squidward” and “Golden Pineapple”. Oh, and throw in a new Eco Tools Exfoliating EcoPouf Loofah ($2.99) and Thayers pH Balancing Daily Cleanser with Aloe Vera ($14.99) for good measure.
I lucked into three different gifts with purchase! The Free 11 Piece Back To School sampler with $50 purchase came with Matrix Food for Soft Shampoo & Conditioner (deluxe bottles!); Redken One United Multi-Benefit Treatment; Lancome Lipstick (some random pink color); another Thayers pH Balancing Daily Cleanser with Aloe Vera (going in my travel bag NOW); it Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Mascara in “Super Black”; NYX Vivid Rich Mechanical Eyeliner in “Always Onyx”; L’Oreal Revitalift Derm Intensives Plumping Serum (hello, travel bag); Maybelline The Falsies Surreal Mascara; La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50; and CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser. That’s a DAMN GOOD freebie bag! I also got a Kiehl’s Free Set For School Gift #3 with $50 purchase that came with Kiehl’s Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Solution; Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser; and Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Soft Cream. Last, but not least, there was the Free 13 Piece Mystery Sampler with $60 Ulta Beauty Rewards Credit Card purchase that came with OUAI Leave In Conditioner; Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil; Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm; Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Primer (ugh, I just got rid of like…10 of these); Good Molecules Lightweight Daily Moisturizer (travel bag); Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD Lash Enhancing Serum; Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum (travel bag – LOVE this stuff); it Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream; La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser (travel bag); Vichy Liftactiv Supreme H.A. Serum; Lancome Cils Booster XL Mascara Base; L’Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream; and e.l.f. Power Grip Primer. I’ve got a lot of trips coming up and I’m set on samples for my travel bag!
I got my hairs did yesterday and my son and his girlfriend have been using my Ulta account, so only $164 to Diamond in 2025.

Snow White Ulta Haul
I usually splurge a little bit in March, around tax/bonus time…but this year, I may have splurged a lot, buying the whole Disney Snow White x Colourpop Collection ($104). Wait – since I used $125 in Ulta points on my order, does that mean I didn’t splurge at all? All this only cost $12.43, so maybe not a splurge…does that mean I still get to have a splurge?
At first, I was only going to buy the “Thy Magic Spell” Lip Kit ($20) for myself, which is the Evil Queen themed lip set, with Crème Lux Lipstick in “Evil Queen”, Lippie Pencil in “Jealous Much”, and Lux Lip Gloss in “Queen G”. Then I saw the Snow White themed “Love’s First Kiss” set, with Crème Lux Lipstick in “Snow White”, Lippie Pencil in “Such a Beauty”, and Lux Lip Gloss in “Red as Rose” and I wanted to give it to Lily…and then I saw the whole collection, and said FUCK IT, I want it ALL. My only complaint is that the full collection did not come in a nice promo box, like the Malibu Barbie Collection – but maybe that’s because I got it directly from Colourpop? Whatever, like I need more boxes…Also in the collection: “Dreams Come True” Pressed Powder Palette, Super Shock Blush in “Fair Enough”, Super Shock Blush in “I Wish I Wish”, Super Shock Blush in “Just Rosy”, and “Just One Bite” Lippie Scrub. Surprisingly, my favorite part of the collection is the blushes – they have a springy, almost gel-like texture.
I got the L’Oreal Detox & Brighten Clay Mask ($12.99) because I really liked that line of cleansers…I was disappointed to find that this mask does NOT smell like the cleanser I loved so much. It smells like…well…dirt. The jar was half empty, too – I’ll be lucky to get three uses out of it! It’s probably old stock from the original line – six years ago!
My purse needed a replacement buffer, so I got another Flowery Blue Max 4-Way Buffing Block ($2.99) – these are my favorite.
I have been enjoying the Ulta Weightless Water Lip Stain in “Very Berry”, so I ordered “Mango Dreams” ($10) and “Pink Popsicle” ($10), too. I need to order “Cherry Pie” to get the whole set…or steal the one I stuck in Lily’s Xmas stocking. I paid full price, so I could get an Ulta free 10 piece gift. Inside the bright yellow makeup bag: Poreless Face Primer; Tinted Eye Primer in “Champagne”; Lip Gloss in “Velvet Mauve”; Lip Oil in “Peach” (hands down, the best product for removing longwear lipstick); Maximum Lashes Mascara, 2 Eye Shadow Quads, an eye shadow brush and a makeup sponge.
Speaking of freebies, I was supposed to get 3 more gifts with purchase for National Lash Day, but the initial Lash Day Sampler Pack with $65 purchase went out of stock before my box was packed. Whatever, it was a bunch of fake lashes, anyway. I still got the 6 Piece Lash Day Step-Up Sampler with $85 purchase, which included Clinique High Impact Mascara; Benefit Bad Girl Bang Mascara; KISS Lash Purify Eye Makeup Remover and Lash Cleanser; Grande Lash-MD Lash Enhancing Serum; e.l.f. Big Mood Mascara, and a little Tweezerman Mascara Guard. Time to throw away all my current mascara and switch to new tubes! I also got an 8 Piece Makeup Obsession Sampler with $60 purchase, which included a L’Oreal Blend Artist Foundation Sponge, a Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge; Ulta Juice Infused Lip Oil in “Red Apple”; a Morphe Oval Shadow Brush; Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Color in “Rosegold”; Pro.Conceal White Concealer; Smashbox Photo Finish Illuminate Glow Primer; and Milani Cheek Kiss Liquid Blush in “Nude Flush”.
That’s right…all this for $12.43 and a $3.50 off $15 coupon. And I still have $80 in Ulta points!
$963 to Diamond in 2024.

Lunar New Year Ulta Haul
The Crème Shop had a cute endcap display of Hello Kitty Lunar New Year stuff, but I passed it by in-store, just to order a bunch online for the kids and I. My son likes Kuromi, so I got Kuromi Fortune Macaron Lip Balm in “Lucky Lychee” ($10 each) for him and I. I got my daughter Hello Kitty Fortune Macaron Lip Balm in “Apple Blossom” ($10) for my daughter. So what if they arrived slightly after Lunar New Year? I’ll save the gift with purchase – a set of 4 lucky red envelopes & stickers – for next year.
I saw an Insta post about how amazing L’Oreal Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation In A Powder ($15.99) is, so I added to cart. I used Ulta’s Shade Finder to pick “20 Ivory” and it was (shockingly) a perfect match. The Shade Finder on Sephora’s website is shit, but Ulta’s is REALLY good. This foundation has replaced the Clinique I just got as my holy grail powder foundation – it’s smooth and wonderful and reduces redness. We’ll see how it fares when the weather gets hotter, but for now – I love it.
I also grabbed an L.A. Girl Gloss Lip Stain in “Adored” ($5.99) and I love this one, too! I assumed it was similar to the Colourpop gloss stains I was obsessed with last year and the L.A. Girl ones have better staying power AND are cheaper!
Oh yeah, and I got a NARS 4 Piece Beauty Break with my $50 purchase – even though I used a $5 off coupon to drop my total below $50. Inside the gift: NARS High Pigment Longwear Eyeliner in “Via Veneto”; NARS Bronzing Powder in “Laguna”; NARS Lipstick in “Inappropriate Red”; and NARS Climax Mascara. Good stuff!
Just $1,003 to Diamond in 2024.

Perfect Smooth Haul
It wasn’t on sale, but I was almost out of shampoo! I cannot risk a single day with dirty hair, so instead of waiting for a sale, I just ordered refills of my favorite (right now) – NatureLab.Tokyo Perfect Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner ($23 each). My hair is also feeling sad and dry, so I added a SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Protein-Strong Treatment (30% off, so only $2.44).
Nail stuff was also 30% off, so I got some new Flowery buffers and a new Ulta toenail clipper. OPI Nail Lacquer Thinner ($10.40) was FINALLY back in stock, so I bought a bottle to try to revive some of my old crusty polishes.
My order was pretty boring, but even with the $3.50 off $15 coupon, it qualified me for a free 10 piece gift with my $60 order. The star of the gift is another tube of NYX Lip Lingerie XXL in “Turn-On”. THIS is the color I’ve been looking for! It goes on a boring brown, but as it dries, it becomes a near dupe for KVD “Lolita” – I love this shade! Also in the gift: Formula 10.0.6 Draw It All Out Skin-Detoxifying Mask; Covergirl Clean Fresh Brow Gel; Kristin Ess Reconstructive Moisture Mask (yassss, my hair needs help); Kneipp Mineral Bath Salt in “Eucalyptus” (offering to my son); Urban Skin RX Retinol Rapid Repair & Dark Spot Treatment; L’Oreal Infallible Matte-Lock Primer; Peach Slices Snail Rescue; Ahava Deadsea Water Mineral Hand Cream; and CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser.
$622 to Diamond in 2023.

Influenster Vox Box – L’Oreal Age Perfect Collagen
You know how I know I’m old? Because the type of products I now get from Influenster are Aleve PM, Stayfree Incontinence Pads and old lady skin creams.
You know what though, I am not even mad about this one. Influenster sent me the L’Oreal Age Perfect Collagen Vox Box (complimentary for review purposes), which included TWO full size products: L’Oreal Age Perfect Collagen Expert Day Moisturizer SPF 30 and L’Oreal Age Perfect Collagen Expert Night Moisturizer for Face. Each product ranges in price from $14.99 (Target) to $19.99 (Ulta).
I’ve been using the day moisturizer for about two weeks and I have to say I am really impressed. I know I am SUPPOSED to wear SPF every day, but I’ve always felt like my skin is too sensitive. I was expecting a massive breakout – but it never came. I haven’t had a single clogged pore! This stuff is the real deal. It does have a bit of a “sunscreen-y” smell, but I couldn’t tell if it was intentional?
The night cream is even better than the day cream. As with the day cream, it felt fantastic on my skin and did not clog my pores. I did not have a single breakout. I feel like the extra collagen helped my skin heal more quickly – I had a nasty scrap across the bridge of my nose that healed within DAYS. The fragrance is extra luxe as well.
Ultimately, I would be more likely to buy the night cream than the day cream, but they are both excellent products that worked well on my skin.