Month: July 2018
Flights of Fancy
I’ve been eyeing the Limited Edition wet n wild “Flights of Fancy” set on Instagram for a few months. As soon as I noticed the set hit Ulta for $34.99, it was in my cart and I was checking out before I could talk myself out of it.
What did I get for $34.99? Three Color Icon Eyeshadow Quads – “Stop Ruffling My Feathers”, “Flock Party”, and “Hasta La Costa Baby”. The quality is so-so, but I was impressed by the blendability. Three Baked Blushes – “Don’t Flutter Yourself”, “Hummingbird Hype”, and “Dare to Soar”. Warning, these blushes are SUPER pigmented. I looked like a clown after trying the hot pink one, “Dare to Soar”. Four Color Icon Lip Glosses – “Fly Gal“, “Featherless”, “Pout of Paradise”, and “Shut the Pluck Up” (this one is my fave). Two Liquid Eyeliners – “Gilded Wings” and “Winged n’ Wild”. I am not quite sure how to use the Photofocus Primer Water Spray, but I liked that it went on very thin – perfect for sweating in the summer. Last, but not least, PerfectPout Lip Scrub in “Pecker Up” – it’s watermelon flavored!
I am still super-bummed that I was never ever to find the wet n wild Goth-O-Graphic set at Ulta, so I wasn’t about to pass this super cheap set. It’s definitely worth $34.99 – the eyeshadows and lip glosses are usually $4.99 each, so just those would be $35 by themselves.
So what else did I get? Megababes Bust Dust ($16), because even though my new boobs are a lot perkier than they used to be, it IS summer in Texas. Although it keeps things dry for a bit, I feel like I would have to put it on 10 times a day to get full relief. Ugh. I also stumbled upon China Glaze polishes from their “Shades of Paradise” Collection for $1.74 each – score! I picked up “Ma-Holo at Me”, “Don’t Be Sea Salty” and “Kiki in Our Tiki”.
I got to use a $3.50 off coupon AND got an Estee Lauder Beauty Break with my purchase. Inside the Beauty Break: Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II, Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Foam, Day Wear Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant 24H-Moisture Cream, and Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in “Insolent Plum” – what a name! I did get a sample pack this time, with Clinique Stay Matte Oil-Free Makeup in 3 shades, and Emporio Armani Stronger With You (both the husband and the son passed on it).
So, between this order and THREE haircuts for the family on Saturday, only $554.49 to Diamond Status…Hmmm…maybe within reach?
July 2018 Allure Beauty Box – Summer Essentials
This month’s Allure Beauty Box is FULL. I honestly don’t know how they Jenga’d all these products in here.
Even though it’s a “drugstore” product, I am hyped to get another Olay Regenerist Whip Active Moisturizer (I’ve already used up the one I got in an April Target Beauty Box). It’s so light and airy – I love these whipped moisturizers for the summer.
Also crammed into this month’s box: Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil (another one I’m excited to try); Feel Harmony Rose Petal Facial Mask (yassss rose); Doucce Ultra Precision Eyeliner in “Blue”; Derma-e Essentials Mineral Powder (I’ve never tried a powder with SPF – interesting); OUAI Haircare Leave In Conditioner; Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil in “Full Red” (so, I’m supposed to use this on my lips and my eyes? I’ll look like Pennywise!); and The Organic Pharmacy Antioxidant Lip Balm.
This month’s box also included a $20 off code for Baublebar. I’ve gotten Baublebar codes in boxes before and never used them. I don’t think this time will be different.
The Allure Beauty Box is $15/month, but they give you $5 off your first box. They also offer an option for $150/year – a savings of $30. You can sign up at https://beautybox.allure.com.
No 45
I can always count on ipsy to introduce me to to new brands of nail polish – Sundays “No 45” arrived in this month’s bag.
Sundays is a New York Salon that creates 10-free and vegan nail polish. I used to polishes declaring themselves as 3-free and 5-free, even 8-free like Butter London…but 10-free is a new one. 10-free polishes are formulated without dibutyl phthalate, TPHP, toluene, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, parabens, and tert-butyl hydroperoxide.
Can we talk about this perfect baby blue? Even though it was streaky as hell on the first coat, the second coat was perfect. This is two cats above Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Base Coat and under Glisten & Glow Top Coat.
I would want more…but I checked their website and these polishes are $18 a pop…um, NOPE.
Target Beauty Box – July 2018
Hello Rejuvenation!
I will happily take all the rejuvenation I can get – this summer is so hot that a couple of hobbits threw aa ring in my backyard.
I cannot wait to try the Shea Moisture African Black Soap & Charcoal Body Scrub – all the sunscreen has left my back an oozy mess! I don’t know which is worse – sunburn or clogged pores?
Also in this month’s box: Clean & Clear Jelly Sheet Mask; HASK Coconut Dry Shampoo; Nivea Foaming Silk Mousse Body Wash; Up & Up 3 Day Whitening Kit (Oooohhh…for my teefies); TRESemme Repair & Protect 7 Mask; and Acure Brilliantly Brightening Facial Scrub (love this brand).
The box was $7, with free shipping and 5% off with my Red Card. I plan on using my $3 off $15 coupon within the next few days – it expires soon!
July 2018 Ipsy Bag – July 2018
I am a bit weirded out that ipsy’s theme for this month is just “July 2018”. Did they run out of ideas or some shit?
I feel like I just got Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder. Well, not “just” – but back in my October Sephora Play!
Also in this month’s bag – Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Peppermint Oil Cooling Jelly Conditioner (I am curious about how this one feels – tingly?); The Organic Pharmacy Hand Cream in “Marigold & Comfrey” (what is comfrey?); Sundays Nail Polish in “No 45” (new brand with fancy looking branding); and City Color Cosmetics City Chic Eyeshadow in “Skinny Latte”.
I wanna move all my swimming/water park supplies (contact fluid/case, lip balm, extra hair ties, etc.) into this cute aqua bag – it’s perfect!
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.
Sephora Play! July 2018 – More of the Good Stuff
Lucky Sephora box – you arrived first this month, so you get reviewed first!
I was surprised to see such a tarte heavy box this month – Sephora doesn’t usually focus on a single brand. This month’s box has tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in “paaarty” (boo, I got this shade in LAST year’s birthday bonus – it will be gifted); tarte Color Splash Lipstick – Rainforest of the Sea Collection in “Salt Lyfe”; and tarte Deep Dive Cleansing Gel.
Also in this month’s box: Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Face Butter; Caudalie Vinoperfect Concentrated Brightening Essence (I am starting to get really excited about Caudalie products – the viney smell is nice); and Rahua Color Full Hair Mask.
No new fragrances again this month.
I promise, this will be the best $10 you’ll spend each month. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
Metal Matte Mini
I cannot resist a smoking deal!
The Kat Von D Metal Matte Mini Eye Shadow Palette went on sale for $24, down from $39. Even though most of the shades are dupes from the full Metal Matte Palette, I decided I couldn’t pass up the deal. (When I looked side by side, all of the matte shades are dupes, but three of the metals are new.) I absolutely LOVE the neutral shade combos in this version – I feel like I’ve neglected the original, but will hit pan on this one.
I couldn’t find anything else I needed so I could bump my total up to $25 to use a promo code, so I just went without. I DID find something in the Rewards Bazaar though. I used 100 points on Ole Henriksen Cold Plunge Pore Mask. I checked the ingredients and it has kaolin, so a clay mask.
For samples, I got Miu Miu (not as good as L’eau Rosee, but nice); Fresh Soy Face Cleanser; and Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment.
$448 to Rouge!
Sprite Can
Are you sensing a theme here?
July’s Julep polishes are just so…juicy! Julep “Maynette” reminds me of a Sprite Can. I don’t drink much Sprite, and if I’m going to drink a clear lemon-lime soda, it’s usually 7-up. I won’t argue though that Sprite has the prettiest can.
This is two coats of “Maynette” over Julep Oxygen Smoothing Base Coat and under Glisten & Glow Top Coat. The duochrome has a gold shift – can you see it?
Also, what kind of name is Maynette? It’s an astronaut name, that’s what kind it is!
July 2018 Birchbox – How to Hack Your Summer
You got me another month Birchbox!
I was holding out to cancel until I saw the month’s sample choice. I don’t remember what was in the sample choice, but a product in the Curated Box caught my eye…the Makeupdrop The Original Silicone Makeup Applicator. Yeah, it’s tiny…but once I have a chance to try it, I’ll know whether I should use those instead of Beautyblenders. Too bad it’s so fucking hot outside that I cannot even contemplate wearing liquid foundation. Maybe when I got to Vegas in a few weeks?
Also in this month’s Summer Hack box: Bumble and bumble. Don’t Blow It (H)air Styler; Benefit The POREfessional (I have so much of this shit); Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser (love this stuff); and W3ll People Expressionist Mascara.
I ain’t even mad though – if Birchbox can guarantee me at least one desirable sample a month, I don’t mind keeping it. The first month my options are nothing but shit…I will probably cancel.
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.
The Hottest Pink
Oh, their website says that Julep “Raleigh” is the hottest pink shimmer, huh? Well…they are absolutely right! “Raleigh” just might be the hottest of the hot pinks that I own.
I started with Julep Oxygen Smoothing Base Coat, then two coats of “Raleigh”. “Raleigh” had a dreamy consistency, not too thick and not too thin. It’s got a super-dense shimmer and gave full coverage with no VNL in two coats. I finished with Glisten & Glow Top Coat.
It’s not me at all, but I’ve really been into hot pinks this summer, especially on my toes. I usually go for a mermaid-y blue/green look, but I guess I’ve turned over a new leaf, er, petal.