Category: Face
Sephora Play! June 2019 – Destination Beauty
What a coincidence – this month’s Sephora Play! box is stocked with travel essentials and we leave on a 10 day road trip across America in a just a few weeks. (Driving from Texas to New York state counts as across America, right?)
I swear, I JUST used up my last sample of Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Balm – literally 3 days ago. (I got a sample in my March ipsy bag.) The texture is dreamy smooth and it really does remove makeup quickly and completely. I’m still getting used to applying to my dry face and then emulsifying, but I am getting there.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in “Original Berry” is another product I’ve tried before and used up (August 2018 Allure Beauty Box). As much as I hate applying lip balms with my finger, I did not mind so much with this one.
Also in this month’s Play! box: tarte babassu foundcealer skincare Foundation SPF 20 in “16S” (curious about this Frankenstein product); Herbivore Rose Hibiscus Coconut Water Hydrating Face Mist (I’ve found that these face mists work GREAT at removing liquid lipstick – wow!); Sephora Collection All Day Hydrator – Hydrate & Glow; and Klorane Anti-Pollution Shampoo and Conditioner with Aquatic Mint (weird).
I feel like this is a high value box with products I’ll actually use – good job, Sephora!
Sephora Play gives you a lot of bang for your buck each month. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
Deja Ulta Haul
I am getting serious deja vu from this Ulta Haul – oh yeah, I did a haul like this almost exactly a year ago.
I decided to use my 20% code to stock up on L’Oreal Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color for the kids ($10.99 each) in “Red”, “Maroon”, and “Burgundy”. I also picked up a L’Oreal Colorista Highlights Kit (also $10.99). Will I ruin my hair? Maybe…but maybe it will look amazing? The color isn’t important – I just need to process it to pick up the pink dye I’ll add to it later…
In addition to the hair dye, I grabbed one of the cute little I Heart Revolution Donut Palette ($7) – of course, I got the “Chocolate Dipped”. I also grabbed some sale NYX lippies – Liquid Suede Metallic Creme Lipstick in “Acme” ($2.09, down from $2.99) and Lip Lingerie Glitter in “Eurotrash” ($5.25, down from $7.50). I am a bit disappointed in the Lip Lingerie Glitter – it is more like a glossy paste than a long lasting liquid lipstick – but I am IN LOVE with the Liquid Suede in “Acme” – it is perfect!
I also continued my experimentation with hair dissolving chemicals by picking up Nair Glides Away Sensitive Formula Hair Remover with Coconut Oil for Bikini, Arms & Underarms ($8.99). I haven’t tried it yet, but hopeful.
I got a HUGE Beauty Break with my $65 order – a 14 piece Fresh by Day Summer Sampler. Inside the sampler: NEST Grapefruit & Verbena Fragranced Body Wipes (weird); Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Polish (oh, it’s for your legs); Vichy Purete Thermale One Step Cleanser for Sensitive Skin (a positively huge 3.3 oz tube); Bed Head by TIGI Queen Beach Salt Infused Texture Spray (another full size product); Clean Rain; eyeko Yoga Waterproof Mascara (nope); Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture CC Cream; MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Setting Spray; PUR Lit Mist; Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter; Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen Lotion with Diamond Dust (a shimmery suntan lotion – crazy); Poo-Pourri “Lavender Vanilla”; Mamonde Petal Spa Oil to Foam (I LOVE the way this smells); and CoTZ Face Moisture Mineral Sunscreen. A great set of summer samples!
I got a second 20% off code after this order, but it expired yesterday. Oh well…$522 to Diamond status.
June 2019 Allure Beauty Box – Refresher Course
Ooooh, now this neon green pouch – I can get behind this beauty of a bag! It’s all slimy inside though – because the Floss My New Favorite Lip Gloss leaked all inside of it. It leaked right through the cardboard box it was in and slimed everything in the bag. Jeez.
June’s theme is “Refresher Course” and includes products that are intended to get you out the door quicker. So, you know I am nuts about eyebrow pencils. I grabbed the one included in the box as soon as I opened it last week – The Browgal Eyebrow Pencil – and holy shit, I have used it EVERY SINGLE DAY. This is a BOMB eyebrow pencil. Even though I get annoyed by the kind of pencils you have to sharpen, this one has a sharpener in the LID – genius! The only con – The Browgal is not sold at Ulta or Sephora, but I can go online – https://thebrowgal.com/. Oooh, and I can use code ALLURE19 for 10% off my order.
Also in this month’s box: Moroccanoil Treatment (I just got this in December’s Sephora Play!); Eau Thermale Avene Thermal Spring Water (eye roll); Context Vitamin C All Day Eye Cream; and SGX NYC The Do-It-All 3-in-1 Dry Shampoo (ugh, more of this shit).
If it wasn’t for that eyebrow pencil, I’d be pissed off about this box. I don’t regularly use ANY of the other product types!
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. Sign up via my referral link.
Target Beauty Boxes – June 2019
It’s no surprise that Target released His & Hers boxes this month – gotta get in on that Father’s Day action!
His box is themed “Dopp Kit Essentials” – I had to google “Dopp Kit” because I’d never heard that term before – it’s a toiletry bag for dudes. Inside this “Dopp Kit”: Crest Gum Detoxify Deep Clean Toothpaste; Bulldog Men’s Skincare Moisturizer, Face Wash & Shave Gel; Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Antiperspirant; Gillette SkinGuard Men’s Razor; Old Spice Fresher Collection Deep Sea Invisible Solid Deodorant; and Head & Shoulders Old Spice Pure Sport Men’s Anti-Dandruff 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner. Believe it or not, my husband kept only the toothpaste and Head & Shoulders – and gave the rest to my son. I guess he is my new recipient!
Her box, um, I mean MY box is themed “Jet-Set-Go” and contains: TRESemme Between Washes Volumizing Dry Shampoo (I need my work wife to come to my house and teach me how to use this shit); Pixi T-Zone Peel Off Mask (interesting); CND Vinylux Mini Duo Pack in “Romantique” (I am very skeptical of these at-home gel polishes, but I’ll give it a spin); Pantene Pro-V Intense Rescue Shots Ampoules Hair Treatment; and Herbal Essences Bio Renew Revitalize Cucumber & Green Tea Dry Shampoo (why the fuck did they put two dry shampoos in one fucking box???)
I feel like the His Box is a good value for $7, but I am annoyed that I paid $7 for the Hers Box. As usual, free shipping, 5% off with my Red Card and each one came with a $3 off $15 coupon. Again, the His Box has a scannable app coupon, but the Hers Box has an old fashioned coupon. Odd.
Triple Freebie Haul
Not 10 minutes after I placed that last Sephora order, I placed this Ulta order…I had kept adding things to my shopping cart over the past month and when the freebies were just right…I made my move.
The biggest part of my haul was Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo and Conditioner (regularly $20 each, on sale 2/$24). I’d samples this duo a few months ago at my sister’s house – it made my hair feel amazing! The price has held me back – even on sale, this is the most expensive shampoo/conditioner I’ve purchased yet. I’m going to give it a trial before switching for good…
I had sworn off Nair when I was 15 – I tried it once and it made me look like I had leg measles and didn’t melt the hair off. I was swayed by a new product – Nair Charcoal Brighten & Smooth Leg Mask ($11.99). I tested a large patch on my shin and it actually worked this time. I left it on for the 10 minutes recommended and it actually worked on me – I was shocked. It still smells like burning diapers, but it didn’t give me a rash. I am trying my entire leg in a few days – fingers crossed.
I also tried a new deodorant – Meow Meow Tweet Grapefruit Baking Soda Free Deodorant Stick ($14). I know, I know – I’ve scoffed at fancy hippy deodorants for years…but I’d noticed periodic rashes from regular antiperspirants over the last few years, and since my surgery, I’d stopped using them almost altogether. I live in Texas though – I probably should use something. I’ve been using the Meow Meow Tweet and I feel like is working at repelling odor – but it doesn’t stop my pits from getting moist. I may have to start alternating with an antiperspirant to see if that helps.
I’ve been eyeing the Sally Hansen x Jelly Belly collaboration for a while and finally decided to pick up the Sally Hansen Insta Dri x Jelly Belly Nail Color Duo Pack with “Berry Blue” and “Tutti Fruiti” ($7.99).
Ulta was offering a free 3 piece gift with $19.50 purchase – a huge Beach Bag, a Matte Bronzer, and Lip Plumping Transforming Top Coat. I am paranoid about going without eyebrows, so I got a back-up Ulta Ultra Slim Brow Pencil in “Dark Brown” ($10). I also snagged the Mercury in Retrograde 5 Piece Rose Quartz Look Book ($16). I got the set solely based on a lyric from the song “Wasted Youth” by Jenny Lewis – the line about “Mercury in Retrograde” has been in my head for weeks. (The whole album “On the Line” is amazing – you should check it out.) The kit includes Confidence Boost Facial Mist, Be-You-Tiful Cream Eyeshadow (light pink shadow with shimmer), Self Love Lip Crayon (creamy, rosy pink), Crystal Blush (rosy-toned pearl blush), and Rose Quartz Face Gems (54 count). The blush is my favorite part, but I was pleasantly surprised by the cream eyeshadow.
And the freebies…I got a Glow All Day 5 Piece Sampler with my $65 purchase: Murad Resurgence Replenishing Multi-Acid Peel; Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Bright & Plump Moisturizer; Derma e Vitamin C Concentrated Serum; Boscia Matcha Magic Super-Antioxidant Mask; and Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Power Serum. I got a Step Up 7 Piece Sampler with my $75 purchase: Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels; Botanics Hydration Burst Sheet Mask; Clarins Hydra-Essentiel Creme; Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion; Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair; I Dew Care Cake My Day Hydrating Sprinkle Wash-Off Mask; and First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser. My skin is going to feel FANTASTIC!
Looks like this haul made me Platinum for 2020 – just $733 to Diamond status. I also am up to $53 in points…hmmmm, what do I want to buy???
Sugar Strawberry
I cannot believe I paid $33 for a fucking face wash.
Fresh Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash ($33) is a new product and it’s not exactly what I expected. I was expecting a cloying fake strawberry scent, but it was a natural raw strawberry smell – very subtle. The scrub has two different sizes of sugar crystals – it’s very refreshing. The grapeseed oil leaves my face hydrated, but not greasy. I am still not sure I’ll buy it again – $33 goddamn – but I do like the product.
I also picked up another new skin product – Sephora Collection Hemp Mousse Instant Mask ($7). It’s supposed to target blemishes, but I used it and couldn’t really tell if it did anything. Oh, and it vaguely smells like pot, which is weird.
As usual, I stopped by the Sale page…I picked up a Sephora Collection Luster Matte Long-Wear Lip Color in “Magenta Luster” ($3, down from $16). I feel like I got this formula in a Play! box and liked it?
I used a promo code to get a set from Tata Harper – Regenerating Cleanser and Resurfacing Mask. I only got ONE of the free samples I chose at check-out – the Glow Recipe Avocado Sleeping Mask – and I cannot wait to try it. I was so annoyed that a sample was missing, that I contacted customer care. They did give me 200 points, so I guess I shouldn’t complain too much.
$741 to Rouge status in 2020…
May 2019 Ipsy Bag – Daydream
Oh wow, a full sized, five color eyeshadow palette in this month’s ipsy bag! It’s the Pacifica Beauty Island Life Eyeshadow Palette. Ipsy has a new product selection option now – kind of like Birchbox – and apparently, I picked this palette. Good job, me. I missed the product choice window for next month though – boo.
I already grabbed the F.A.R.A.H. Brushes 22E Shade & Blend Brush for my travel makeup bag. Normally, a dual-ended brush would annoy me, but it’s perfect for a makeup bag.
Also in this month’s, “Daydream” bag: Illamasqua Hydra Veil Primer; Inmo Velveteen Dream Eyeshadow in “Super Bass” (this brand is new to me, and the color is intriguing); and Papa Recipe Eggplant Clearing 5.5 Cleansing Foam (oooh, eggplant).
This is the highest value ipsy bag in a while – and the bag itself is the cutest in years. You know my favorite color is glitter!
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.
May 2019 Allure Beauty Box – Smooth Sailing
Ooooh, a box full of summer pampering products!
I was thrilled to see Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream in this month’s box – I love this stuff…the rest of the box…um….
Also in this month’s box: St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Gel, with an application mitt (not a chance I’ll be using this); ModelCo Eyelites Metallic Eyeshadow in “St Barts”; Laritzy Cosmetics Lip Gloss in “Vibe”; Lue by Jean Seo Erase Cleansing, Exfoliating and Brightening Powder (seriously, is this for laundry?); and Nunzio Saviano Anti-Frizz Sheets.
I kind of feel like the box is bullshit this month…Allure, you are on notice!
Oh, the clutch is orange this month. Um, what am I gonna do with all these fucking clutches?
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. Sign up via my referral link.
Target Beauty Box – May 2019
“Festival Beauty Headliners” – have I mentioned lately how much I hate the “Festival Beauty” label? Where are all these festivals that people are going to outside of Coachella? I mean, I was a regular attendee of Lollapalooza back in the 90s, but we didn’t wear crazy makeup and culturally appropriated Native American headdresses…we just drew on each other with sharpies, got really muddy and sunburned. That’s the REAL “Festival Beauty.”
ANYWAY, this “Festival Beauty” box isn’t bad, actually. I am pretty sure that my daughter will end up with a bunch of it – like the Dove Cool Essentials Dry Spray Antiperspirant and the Sincerely Jules Assorted Jewelry Hair Rings. She braids her hair a lot and these would actually look really cute on her. I’ll also give her the Hawaiian Tropic Antioxidant Sunscreen Mist.
Also included: Bliss Jelly Glow Peel (I am getting to love all the Bliss samples Target is sending), Masque Bar Holographic Mask Sachet (I already used this peel-off mask – I am not sure it made me glow, but it smelled nice); SGX NYC The Do-It-All 3-in-1 Dry Texture Spray; and Sinful Colors “Fool for Azul” (ohh sky blue).
I also added Pacifica Rose Water Sleek & Shiny Shampoo and Conditioner ($9.99) to my order. Target was running an offer for a $5 gift card with a $20 beauty purchase, plus I had another $5 gift card from a previous deal. I have no idea how they provide the gift cards on online orders though – I never got it. I put in a ticket to follow up and they just refunded the $7 for the box – not what I asked for, but whatever. Thanks, Target! Regarding the Pacifica Shampoo & Conditioner, it’s okay I guess. I was expecting a stronger smell for the price. The Love Beauty and Planet Rose products have a stronger, longer lasting scent.
The “Festival Beauty Headliners” box is a good value for $7. As usual, free shipping, 5% off with my Red Card and it came with a $3 off $15 coupon. I haven’t used it yet, but I did use one of the coupons from last month! I stocked up on St. Ives Cleansers – a few weeks ago, they were running a deal for a $5 gift card with the purchase of 4, which is the same gift card I used on this order.
HEY ROUGE
All this “controlling my purchases” is making me tired.
A few weeks back, Sephora’s spring bonus event hit and I placed, the tiniest, most pitiful order. I’d been stalking Dolce Garden since I got a sample of it and used the whole thing. I was going to get the purse spray for $29, but then I saw the Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Travel Set ($45), which includes purse sprays of Dolce, Dolce Garden and Dolce Rosa Excelsa – fuck yeah, I’ll get that. I’ve been alternating between the three sprays for the past week or so. I smell rich.
I also picked up another Cocofloss in “Pure Strawberries” ($9). Best floss ever – just ask my work wife.
My husband was not impressed that I got him a Sephora Collection Shear Genius Eyebrow Trimmer ($11). I guess I’ll have to use it on him in his sleep.
For samples, I got a sample I chose – philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser and one I did not – belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb. I don’t mind about the belif though – I love it.
If I would’ve been smart, I would’ve ordered a birthday gift for my sister during the bonus period, but I forgot and did it Friday. Yes, I love her enough to pay full price. $794 to Rouge. Fuck.