Month: November 2021
Cyber Diamond
Here we go, here’s the haul that made me Ulta Diamond for 2022.
I’m sure it’s not shocking that finally bought the Urban Decay Cosmetics Naked Cyber Eyeshadow Palette ($49), but it might be shocking that I paid full price. (I am still saving my Ulta points for a Dyson Airwrap – I’m up to $312!) It’s a very versatile palette, although I am concerned about the quality. The shadows are not as buttery as the first several Naked palettes – a few of the shimmers are downright CHALKY. Ugh. Use a primer and you’ll be fine, but it’s an annoying extra step. Also, watch out for fallout – the glitters get everywhere. I do wish there was at least one more dark, saturated shade besides the burnt orange, but I can mix and match with another palette.
I recently got new bleached streaks in my hair (another Ulta trip) and decided to dye them turquoise when I get sick of blond. I decided to try Arctic Fox in “Aquamarine” ($17) – my kids SWEAR by it. I feel like I’m cheating on Overtone, but their turquoise didn’t take well on my hair. Holding out hope for Arctic Fox.
I had seen the Kitsch Leopard Print Towel Scrunchies ($10.50, on sale from $14) at full price in the store, but was thrilled to find them for 25% online. I also splurged on Kitsch Moisturizing Spa Socks ($12, on sale from $16). I feel like the open toe design will be more comfortable to sleep in – it’s hard for me sleep in regular socks. I also threw in some Ulta Exfoliating Cotton Pads ($2.09), because why not?
I DID use the $20 off $100 coupon code that was out before the holiday sales, and I still qualified for the Hello Holidays 23 piece More Glow Beauty Bag. Inside the bag: Clarins Re-Boost Refreshing Hydrating Cream; Megababe Antibacterial Wipes in “Squeaky Clean” (note to self: do NOT confuse with makeup remover wipes); Good Molecules Silicone-Free Priming Moisturizer; Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Intense; Ellis Brooklyn Sweet; Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris Eau de Parfum Intense (What are all these “intense” perfumes?); Lancome La Vie est Belle (2 samples of this one); Not Your Mother’s Naturals Activated Bamboo Charcoal & Purple Moonstone Shampoo and Conditioner (I’ve been wanting to try this one; Joico Defy Damage Protective Shampoo, Conditioner, Masque & Shield (4 packettes!); MAC Lipstick Samples in “Ruby Woo”, “M-A-C Red” and “Cockney”; Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream; The Body Shop Body Butter in “British Rose” (I think this sample is why I chose this particular bag); Living proof. Restore Repair Mask; Jack Black Performance Remedy Turbo Wash (will go to the husband or the son); Kate Somerville +Retinol Vita C Power Serum; tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer; Dear, Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream (I’m scared that the package says “For Nighttime Only” – will I burst into flames if I use it in the daytime?); Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream; Biosilk Silk Therapy Leave-In Treatment; Benefit Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer in “Light Cool”; and NYX The Marshmallow Primer (made with marshmallow root – weird). The bag is super cushy, made out of ski-suit material.
(There were also a few gifts (not shown) from this haul – shhhhh…)
$2.95 Hand Soap
I only had a dozen or so bottles of Hand Soap under my sink – it was very nearly a soap emergency!
Bath & Body Works to the rescue – they had $2.95 Hand Soaps last Saturday. I bought 20.
I was a little annoyed that they wouldn’t allow me to stack my 20% off coupon with the sale – they’ve done that in the past. They did let me stack the free product coupon, so I let Lily pick out a body wash. She chose “Champagne Apple & Honey”. I was intrigued by the scent, so I also picked a Hand Soap in that scent.
The receipt said I saved $103.50 – not bad, not bad at all.
Baelien
“Lara, what’s with all the matte polishes?”
One of my CHILDREN ran off with my top coat. I am not brave enough to enter the lair of the teenage boy, so there it will stay. Glisten & Glow is having a 30% off Black Friday sale, so I already ordered more…but it probably won’t make it here until next week. For those of you questioning my decision to just buy another bottle…you must not have teenagers.
This is Sinful Colors “Baelien”, from Saweetie’s Xtraterrestrial Effects Collection. It’s a textured sand-colored polish. This is two coats of “Baelien” over Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Base Coat.
November 2021 Glam Bag X – Huda
Okay, write this down – this quarter’s Glam Bag X is SO good that I’ve tried every single product in the box…that’s right, every single one!
First off, this quarter’s box was curated by Huda Kattan. Her beauty empire has grown significantly since the Allure Beauty Box she curated a few years ago, although not without a few controversies and product labelling mishaps…
The star of the box is the PMD Beauty Clean Smart Cleansing Device in “Warmth”. I’ll admit, when my husband saw it, he thought it was a totally different type of toy. (I’ll let you know if that pans out – so far, I’ve only used it on my FACE.) I was happy to get this device, if only as a replacement for my Clarisonic. RIP Clarisonic. I loved my Clarisonic, but I am on my last brush head, so I guess my love affair will end when it gets too nasty to use. The PMD device is entirely silicone – no replacement brushes to buy – AND runs on batteries. At ~$60, it’s also a much more affordable solution than the Clarisonic.
The other products that Huda curated for me were: Cela Masque De Glacier Clay Mask (a little goes a long way with this one; there’s a slight tingle as it dries, but nothing serious); Wishful Thirst Trap Juice HA3 Peptide Serum (Wishful is Huda’s skincare brand – this serum feels nice and has a slight tightening effect); Huda Beauty Legit Lashes in “Vanta Black” (this is a double ended mascara – one brush for volume and one brush for length – but spoiler alert – I cannot see any difference between either brush); and Rare Beauty With Gratitude Dewy Lip Balm in “Honor” (I was underwhelmed to receive another clear lip balm…until I tried it – how does this smell like a literal cloud? I LOVE it!)
I got to choose THREE products. I chose Huda Beauty Haze Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette in “Purple” (I wish I would have had this back in October, when I was wearing my purple “BAND MOM” T-shirt every weekend; quality is middling and not very blendable – hard pass on buying more of these); Ahava Dermud Intensive Foot Cream (my feet LOVE this); and First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads (remind my of the Stridex pads of my youth).
At a total value of $323, I am absolutely and totally happy with this quarter’s bag. Wait, since I did not get a bag this month, I guess it is just a box. Whatever.
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $12/month and 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.
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.
Holidaze
I received Color Street “Holidaze” as a freebie with my last order…I couldn’t wait to get some glitter on my nails.
I love they way these look, but my application was a bit sketchy. Let me tell you where I fucked up…instead of using my crystal glass file, I was lazy and just used the tiny file in the Color Street package. Big mistake! It left the edges all raggedy and didn’t look as good as the last few times.
I think I’d like to mix “Holidaze” with “Zoomer & Zorbit” – that would look great!
Magik Touch
Does anyone else have a pile of untried nail polishes from over five years ago?
No? It’s just me?
I am doing my best to get through the really old polishes…maybe if I can commit to trying one a month, I’ll get through them…by 2056.
This is two coats of Sinful Colors “Magik Touch” over Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Base Coat. I topped with Glisten & Glow Matte Top Coat, but I probably did not need to – it’s already a matte polish.
“Magik Touch” is from the Kylie Jenner “Trend Matters Angel” Collection. It’s an icy powder blue matte – I was willing winter into existence…but I live in Texas, so who am I kidding.
Linked Nails
I am TOTALLY all-in when it comes to be a Band Mom. Not only did I crochet my son a hat to match the colors of the props of this year’s State-bound Marching Show – Linked – but I also did my nails to match.
I picked three colors from last year’s Sporty Brights Collection: Sinful Colors “Werk Out” (purple), Sinful Colors “Warning!” (orange), and Sinful Colors “Trainers” (pink). These are the rubberized polishes – they are so cool! I started with Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Base Coat, two coats of each color, and then a contrasting dotticure. I wanted to use the Sinful Colors Rubber Top Coat…but I couldn’t find it! How did I manage to lose this top coat??? I tore my nail cart apart looking for it, but no luck…I broke down and topped with Glisten & Glow Matte Top Coat instead.
In case you’re interested in the hat, the pattern I used was the Ugly Christmas Sweater Beanie by Hooked on Sunshine and it’s FREE!
Blackcherry Halloween
I meant to post this on Halloween, but I ran out of time before leaving town…
For my Halloween week mani, I wanted to try out some Halloween Nail Decals. I have no idea when or where I got these decals. They didn’t match any of my Julep boxes, but maybe they came in another box?
The bloody background is Sinful Colors Quick Bliss “Blackcherry”. “Blackcherry” is super sparkly and shiny, but I did not want to overwhelm the stickers, so I topped the decals with Glisten & Glow Matte Top Coat. I used Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Base Coat for the base coat and two coats of “Blackcherry”.
“Blackcherry” is beautiful on it’s own – I’ll be trying it with a shiny top coat soon.