Tag: NARS
Sephora 2 in 1
I’m going to kill 2 birds with one stone and post about a trip to Sephora AND a Sephora shipment.
Over the weekend, I persuaded my husband to drop me off at Sephora, in between an eye doctor appointment, torrential downpours and a stop by Academy to get fishing licenses. He actually parked the car, instead of circling the parking lot. Maybe next time, I can get him to come in (yeah, right).
I just wanted one thing…my free rollerball. As I expected, I chose Tory Burch Jolie Fleur Rose.
I browsed briefly, but nothing else caught my eye. They had several of the half-price Urban Decay lipsticks, but I didn’t bother. No money spent on this trip!
I didn’t bother, because I knew I had one coming…I chose Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick in “1993” ($11). Mostly because it looks like my kind of brown…but also because 1993…1993 was a wild year for me – 17.I’m fairly certain that 1993 was the last time I was single for an extended amount of time…enough said.
I was far more excited about the new 500 point NARS “The Rules Box” (which is already sold out). I wanted to get NARS “Orgasm” Blush in my hot little hands…Also in the box: NARS Audacious Mascara, “Chelsea Girls” Lip Gloss and Pro-Prime Smudgeproof Eye Shadow Base (been looking for a new one). I’m about to get NARSed out!
For my regular threee samples, I got Pinrose Treehouse Royal (a single use foil pack); Too Faced Glitter Glue Glitter Eye Shadow Primer (curious about this one); and GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment.
Just $11 spent here…and $151 to Rouge!
Sephora Play! 08 – The It Crowd
Oh, hi there Sephora Play! The 8th box is “the It Crowd”, something I’ve never really been a part of…
This month’s box has several products I’m excited to try…Milk Makeup Sunshine Oil (it smells AWESOME); Sunday Riley Good Genes Treatment; Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream; NARS Satin Lip Pencil in “Rikugien” (I have one of these from LAST year’s Sephora birthday gift); Sephora Collection Colorful Cheek Ink Blush Gel in “Peony”; and Derek Lam 10 Crosby “2AM Kiss” (it smells like something I’ve smelled before, but I can’t place it.)
If you haven’t signed up yet – now is the time. 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.
Rouge Note
Last week was the hotly anticipated Spring discount code for Sephora. 15% off anything and everything. Sephora isn’t like Ulta, throwing coupons around left and right – this is a BIG deal.
The first thing I ordered (on Friday) was the Atelier Cologne Nécessaire Nomade set ($45). It’s a cute little tin with 8 .14 oz travel sprays. The included scents are Bergamote Soleil, Cédrat Enivrant (my absolute favorite Atelier scent – my original travel spray is almost empty), Orange Sanguine, Pomélo Paradis (I’ve been coveting this one since smelling it in-store), Mandarine Glaciale (I already have one of these, too – but so what?), Sud Magnolia, Figuier Ardent, and Cédre Atlas. I just wish I wasn’t suffering from the worst ever sinus cold, so I could enjoy the scents…fuck it, I’ll spray them all over me so everyone else can enjoy them.
For samples, I got Lancome Advanced Genifique (not what I picked), NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 30, and Benefit The POREfessional.
I actually got the thing I ordered Sunday first – on Wednesday. Funny how that works.
I never thought I’d buy a Clarisonic. But ever since I started this site, with all the subscription boxes and samples, I’ve been taking better and better care of my skin and I can really tell the difference. Then I got an extra Clarisonic brush head with an Ultra freebie. So I took the plunge…and picked the Clarisonic Mia 2 Faded Rose Floral Favorites Set ($149), which includes Boscia Tsubaki Cleansing Oil-Gel and L’Occitane Pivoine Sublime Perfecting Cream. (Both Sephora and Ulta carry many different Clarisonic sets, with different colors and different products. Unfortunately, Ulta excludes the Mia 2 from coupons, or I would have used my 20% off coupon to buy one there.) I used it for the first time last night and it was a bit weird, but my skin felt soooo soft afterwards. Only time will tell if it makes a long-term difference in my skin and I keep using it…or get bored and shove it in a drawer.
For samples, I got Atelier Figuier Ardent, First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream and GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment (Again, not what I picked – but I’ll take it). I also used points to get the Estee Edit Dissolve the Drama 2-in-1 Makeup Remover + Cleanser.
I made a pretty good dent in my spend…only $197 to Rouge status for 2017!
Summerstash
Oh Nouveau Cheap, you are so dangerous to me…the moment she posted Sephora Favorites Summerstash on sale for $30 (regularly $45), I jumped all over it.
Even though this set came out a year or two ago, I neeeeeeeded it. Inside the sassy gold canvas bag: Buxom Divine Goddess Luminizer in “Venus” (the product I am least likely to use); Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in “Mermaid’s Dream” (yassss); Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee; Marc Jacobs Beauty Mini Lash Lifter in “Blacquer”; Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Waterproof Pencil (my big sis called dibs); NARS Travel Size “Laguna” Bronzing Powder; Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Stained Gloss in “New Wave” (AND it came with a brush!); stila Cosmetics Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow in “Kitten” (YASSSS); and Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray.
I finally used some points to get some goodies – Buxom Objects of Obsession (500 pts), which includes Mini Vanity Lash Mascara in “Show-Off Black”; Mini Hold the Line Waterproof Eyeliner in “I’ll Be Waiting”; Mini Full-On Lip Cream in “Kir Royale”; and Mini Full-On Lip Polish in “Sophia”. I also got two 100 pt items – Pink Gel Coat Nail Strengthener & Brightener and Liquid Blendercleanser.
I also used a code to get two extra samples – NARS Audacious Mascara in “Black Moon” and First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream – in addition to the three regular samples, Marc Jacobs “Decadence” (smells like the inside of a rich old lady’s purse); Dr. Dennis Gross ferulic + retinol wrinkle recovery peel and Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer.
I may have too much mascara now…
The Saga of “Give Me Some Nude Lip”
I’m going to tell you a story…it’s a very scary story…but I can promise that it has a happy ending.
The Monday before last, Sephora released an all-nude version of their “Give Me Some Lip” Set – even though it was $28, I had to have it. Inside the all new “Give Me Some Nude Lip” Set: Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Lipstick in “Milky Way”; NARS Lipstick in “Dolce Vita”; Marc Jacobs Beauty Mini (P)Outliner Longwear Lip Pencil in “Prim(Rose) (cocoa spice)”; NUDESTIX Lip + Cheek Crayon in “Whisper”; and Tarte Deluxe Tarteist Lip Paint in “Namaste Nude”.
On Thursday…my box arrived. I gleefully opened the box, carefully peeled the sticker seals from the lip-shaped box…and the contents were FUCKED UP…Noooooooooooooo! There were two Marc Jacobs lip liners and no Tarte Lip Paint. A tragedy. I called Sephora Customer Service…and their computers were down and they couldn’t help me. I called an hour later…and the phone jockey hung up on me. I called right back…computers still down. Finally, a few hours after that – everything was back to normal and I got someone who could help me. She told me that she would send out another one immediately and I could just return this one to my closest store. YES.
So while I waited, at least I had other samples to play with. My order qualified for the free Beauty to Love Sample bag, which came with Becca Backlight Priming Filter (huh?); Atelier Cologne “Mandarine Glaciale” (I have so many samples of this, but I love it); Perricone MD Re:Firm Surface Recovery Treatment; Touch in Sol Feels Like Honey Moon Skin Base (I just tried the one I got in my last Allure Beauty Thrills – it’s ok, but not moisturizing enough for winter); BITE Beauty Agave Lip Masks (I tried the last sample I got a few days ago – feel nice at bedtime); First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Sleeping Cream; Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer; and Skin Inc Pure Deepsea Hydrating Mask. I’m glad I got these good samples, because I didn’t get ANY of the ones I picked at checkout. Instead I got Thierry Mugler “Alien” (Smells so gross); Clinique Moisture Surge (I like this stuff); and Dr. brandt Do Not Age Beauty Sleep Serum.
On Saturday, I dutifully delivered my fucked up lip set to Sephora. The return was quick, but then the “Cast Member” decided I need skin stuff and showed me a bunch of skin care stuff and smears some Kate Somerville stuff on my hand. I thanked her and got the hell out of there without buying a thing.
Days passed…On Tuesday, my new box arrived.
I was holding my breath as I opened it…YES! Everything in this box was perfect. I also got three more samples – Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Makeup Stick (I feel like I keep getting Lancome stuff and I should be more excited about it…but I’m not); Prada “Candy” and DKNY “Be Desired”.
I’m going to be taking all these nude beauties with me to Vegas in a few days – I can’t wait to try them all! Good thing I ordered it on the first day it was available…it’s already out of stock! Yay – happy ending!
Vegas Sephora Makeover
When I made VIB status at Sephora, I got a voucher for a free custom makeover. Even though there are Sephoras everywhere here, it’s not like I have the time to schedule a makeover. I had nothing but time while I was in Vegas this past weekend, so I figured – why not now?
I scheduled my makeover at the Miracle Mile Sephora, right on the Vegas strip. (I was too lazy to walk all the way to the Forum shops.) I told my artist, Glenn, to start me over completely. He used Sephora PANTONE Color IQ to get my exact skin tone – 1y06. He tried the matching shade of Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation in “118 – Flesh”, but it was a bit too dark, so he went with “115 – Ivory”. The Color IQ system is AMAZING – now I’ll always know the right color for me!
Glenn taught me the error of my ways – all along, I had been putting foundation first, then doing my eyes and getting eye shadow fall out everywhere. He showed me how to do my eyes first, then use eye cream to clean up the fallout. The eye cream sucks up the makeup, plus freshens under your eyes. For my eyes, he used a combination of the Kat Von D Shade & Light palette + Metal Crush eye shadows in “Raw Power”, “Thunderstruck” & “Symphony”. For the liner, he used Kat Von D Tattoo Liner (which I’ve got). Mascara was Dior.
My eyebrows…are a WORK OF ART. They’re bigger than my usual, but ON FLEEK. Glenn introduced me to the Hourglass Brow Sculpting Pencil. I’m breaking up with my Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz!
He then went to work on my foundation with the Make Up For Ever system. First was the Skin Equalizer, then the stick foundation. He used a foundation brush and it blended beautifully. He finished with NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder and Make Up Forever Setting Spray. He did go a bit nuts contouring with bronzer, which is not my usual look, but I don’t look like Kim Kardashian, so there’s that.
For my lips, he went neutral with liner and lipstick from Buxom. Glenn was an absolute rock star. My makeover was supposed to be 45 minutes and he spent an HOUR and 45 minutes with me. We spent the whole time talking about our shared interests – John Waters, Face Off & Rocky Horror.
Since I was fresh off a $250 Gremlins slot machine win, I went a little nuts…but not TOO nuts. I got the Make Up For Ever Skin Equalizer & Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation. I held back on the Kat Von D Shade & Light palette (it’s so similar to my Monarch palette), but I did get Kat Von D Metal Crush Raw Power. I also got the Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil in “Warm Brunette”. I also got a Sephora lip brush – I think it will allow me to use Kat Von D “Piaf” without looking like a lunatic.
The best part? They let me use my VIB 10% discount again!
The next day, I used the techniques that Glenn taught me. I used my Beauty Blender with the foundation stick and the results were even better – I was able to get thinner, more natural coverage. I was right about the lip brush – I rocked “Piaf” on Saturday night and didn’t look like a freak!
Beauty Insider Love #2
Technically, this is my 2nd purchase using my 10% off Beauty Insider code, since I placed an online order yesterday.
I am usually annoyed by the lack of selection at the JC Penney’s Sephora, but I had to go to get their exclusive Summer Obsessions set. The main reason I wanted the set was the beautyblender. (Now I just need Loo to show me how to use it.) Also inside the coral makeup bag: Benefit “Watt’s Up”; NARS Lip Gloss in “Turkish Delight”; Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour blush in “fearless”; Tarte lights, camera, splashes 4-in-1 waterproof mascara (the one product I’m unlikely to use); Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer; and Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray (wish I would have had this when I was in New Orleans).
I also snagged a clearance bottle of Formula X Nail Polish in “Law of Attraction” for $2.99. I also got a free sample of Pink Sugar eau de toillette. It kinda smells like cotton candy.
My code is good until Monday – I’m trying to resist buying the Kat Von D Monarch palette…but I just might have to pull the trigger.
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!
Following in My Footsteps…
While the boyfriend is away…the BFFs will play.
We don’t usually go to the mall, but when we do – we Sephora. (And Nordstrom Rack and Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works and you get the picture…) I have been hearing about lots of Kat Von D on clearance lately, so I was ecstatic to find the Esperanza Palette on clearance for $19! To be honest, I am more in love with Kat Von D’s packaging than the actually makeup, but I keep buying it anyway. I used this palette this morning and it faded quite a bit by lunch, but there was nowhere near as much fallout as the Chrysalis Palette. I’m going to try it with a primer next time.
I asked a girl who worked there if they carried Atelier there or if it was only online and she looked at me as if I asked for Jean Nate. Seriously? I am not a fragrance snob by any means, but really? I guess I need to hit Neiman Marcus to get a sniff…
I was smelling rollerballs and I happened to pick up Stella by Stella McCartney. Holy Fucking Shit – it’s the rose I’ve been looking for. I had my BFF smell it and she said, “It smells like you.” (Notice that she did NOT say it smelled good.) Of course, they were out of the rollerball. I wasn’t smitten enough to blow $52 on the bigger size, so I figured I could just order it online…but the website is also out of stock. I guess I’ll keep looking…
While I was rooting through the clearance bin, I wasn’t exactly paying attention to what my child was doing. I could see her right beside me in my peripheral vision, so I didn’t think anything of it. I grabbed 2 of the Esperanza Palettes and went to show my finds to my BFF. My child did not follow. I went back to get her and she was balls deep in applying makeup. To be fair, I think she was applying NARS blush when I found her, so she appears to have very expensive taste in cosmetics. I wonder where she got that from? I hope she didn’t get face cooties…
Lunchtime Shopping FTW
Some days, you just have to get out of the office and buy something.
Since I realized that there is a Nordstrom Rack close to my office, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I wanted to check out their jeans section, because I had paid full price for the last 2 pairs of jeans that I bought and I figured there have to be deals out there somewhere. I lucked out and found a pair of Lucky Brand Capris for 65% off. After the dressing room, I headed towards the beauty section…
I shouldn’t have done that. They had piles of Smashbox, stila, LORAC and NARS. It was mostly out of season palettes and discontinued colors, but the prices were good. I dug around a little, but nothing really caught my eye. I was rooting around in a display and came across a single 2-pack of Butter London nail polish – Double Take with “Rebel Fox” and “Brass Monkey”. I’ve heard great things about the brand, but was scared away by the price – $15 each. The 2-pack was $12, so I figured I’d give it a shot. I was even happier when I checked out and it rang up for $9. FOR THE WIN!