Category: Face
June Birchbox – Everyday Magic
I’m ready to perform some “everyday magic” with this month’s Birchbox.
No curated box this month – I wanted the sample choice. I hadn’t yet gotten the Goof Proof Brow Pencil when I chose Benefit Gimme Brow Brow-Volumizing Fiber Gel in Shade 3 for my sample choice this month. To be honest, I’m scared of how it will look with fiber gel in my brows. My eyebrows are fairly sparse – they need volume, but…scared! I’ll report back when I try it.
Also in this month’s box: Balance Me Congested Skin Serum (hmmmm…); Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser (I LOVE anything that promises to clean my crater pores); Oribe Dry Texturing Spray (?); and The Beauty Crop PBJ Smoothie Stick in “Raisin the Roof”.
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.
Target Beauty Boxes – June 2016
One for me and one my man…
My box was $10 and loaded to the gills: Pantene Expert Intense Hydration Shampoo (a HUGE bottle – but no conditioner!); SheaMoisture Fruit Fusion Creme Rinse (I guess I can use this with the Pantene Shampoo); Pixi Mesmerizing Mineral Duo in “Apricot Glow”; Laneige Water Bank Serum (love Laneige); S.W. Basics Exfoliant (Um, basically granola); L’Oreal Paris True Match Cushion Foundation in “Nude Beige”; L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Volume Filler Cream (what will I be filling with this?); Soap & Glory Righteous Butter Body Cream (yum); Yes to Cucumbers 10-count Facial Wipes (How many of these do I have now?); CoTZ Face SPF 40 (coming to Mexico with me); and e.l.f. Lip Kiss Balm in “Bare Kiss”.
His box was $5 and not nearly as full: Nautica Life Cologne (husband said NOPE); got2B Glued Spiking Glue (husband shaves head, son has long hair); Marlowe No. 142 Men’s Shave Gel; Axe White Label Night Body Wash; Old Spice Hardest Working Deodorant; Dove Men + Care Complete Care 2-in-1 Shampoo; Nivea Men Creme (moisturizer?); Schick Hydro Men’s Razor; CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar (the box opened slightly and left soapy flakes all over the inside of the box); and Remington Beard Boss Beard Oil (husband said nope, but I’m gonna make him try it). With all these travel sizes, he’s ready to travel, too!
As always, I got 5% off with my Target Red Card and a coupon for $3.50 off any beauty purchase of $15 in each box. I also remembered to use the $3.50 off coupon from last month’s box – SCORE!
Flawless Ulta Haul
So…sometimes you just wanna buy something,
After perusing the Memorial Day sales…I was just about to place another overseas Makeup Revolution order (since they were giving away £25 Mystery Bags again), but I had a hard time getting my order up to £30. The only palette I really wanted badly was the Flawless Matte…
…and Ulta has it! On Memorial Day, they were giving away a free mystery sampler with a $50 purchase…no brainer.
So, in addition to the Makeup Revolution Flawless Matte Palette ($15), I also picked up a Makeup Revolution Baked Blusher in “Loved Me the Best” ($5) – these seem to be Laura Geller dupes – LOVE.
I also picked up one of the new NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipsticks – “Clubhopper” ($6.99) and one of the new NYX Plush Gel Lipsticks – “Breakup” ($6.99). I tried “Breakup” today – so smooth and moisturizing, but doesn’t last long on the lips.
How else can I get to $50? 2 bottles of Zoya Remove+ ($10 each) and a pack of Ulta Exfoliating Cotton Pads ($3.49). Done!
That Mystery Bag had some cool stuff: Mario Badescu Enzyme Revitalizing Mask, LORAC Alter Ego Lip Gloss in “Goddess”; Ahava Dead Sea Crystal Osmoter X6; NKD Skin Tinted Tan Mousse (NOPE); bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in “Get Ready” (my third one – I sent the last one to Sally); and Rodial Glamoxy Snake Serum (like that shit in Vegas?).
I also got a free sample of DevaCurl Waves Ahead Loo-Poo Delight – I don’t have curls, but why not try it for free? The free Butter London lippie was sold out. Sad face.
For my regular samples, I got Redken High Rise Volume Shampoo & Conditioner and Garnier Skin Active Clearly Brighter Brightening & Smoothing Daily Moisturizer.
Free shipping for an order over $50, plus got to use a $3.50 off coupon.
So look at that palette…all those warm matte colors…I tore a chunk out of my thumb nail whilst peeling the plastic off – but it was totally worth it.
Sephora Play! May 2016 – The Forces of Nature
Sephora Play sent out a redesigned box for their 9th month. Instead of an inner box in a cardboard wrapper (like Birchbox), they sent out a standalone box (like Julep and Beauty Box 5). Instead of the tiny magazine, the product insert is now a folded one sheet. (There’s still the Play! Pass, good for 50 extra points on your next Sephora visit.) They’ve also moved away from numbering their boxes – no mention that this is box 9 on the insert.
May’s theme is “The Forces of Nature” and comes with a cute muslin pouch that says “Let’s beauty together”. Inside the pouch: Atelier Cologne “Orange Sanguine”; Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask (I’ve gotten this in boxes a few times and they’ve changed packaging to a tube instead of that annoying tub – thank you); Tarte Tarteist Lip Crayon in “Latergram” (nude); Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in “Kimchi” (bright pink); Origins Maskimizer Skin-optimizing Mask Primer, Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask and Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask (oh, how I love masks); and Korres Wild Rose Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial.
What a dynamite box – I’ll use it all…probably tonight and tomorrow.
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.
Allure Beauty Thrills – May 2016
As a pleasant surprise, Allure Beauty Thrills offered a pre-order several weeks before the May box went on sale. They offered all three of this year’s boxes for $199.95, with free shipping. That’s a $20 premium compared to buying each box separately…but without the hassle of making the tiny ordering window – guaranteed boxes!
I was a bit worried when I lifted the box – it seemed WAY lighter than previous boxes. When I opened the box, it even seemed less full – lots more bubble wrap and paper. But there are plenty of products…they’re just smaller. Inside the May box: Hask Macadamia Moisturizing Shine Oil (I have SO many HASK vials); Burt’s Bees BB Cream in “Light Medium” (I bet this stuff is good) and Burt’s Bees Lipstick in “Magenta Rush”; ChapStick Total Hydration 3 in 1 Lip Care in “Coconut Hydration” (this shit is the BOMB – I used up the last one…who EVER uses up a chapstick?); Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant Battery-Operated Spinbrush (I already have one from another box, so I gave it to Lily) and Truly Radiant Clean & Fresh Toothpaste; Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Intensive Renewal Serum; Completely Bare Calm Down Ingrown Hair, Razor Bump & Redness Eliminator (perfect for summer crotch rash); Caress Mystique Forever Body Wash; Compeed Blister Cushions (I need these – I have a few shoes I’ve been avoiding); Coppertone CLEARLYSheer FACES SPF 30 (Definitely going to try this while out fishing this weekend); Degree Women Dry Spray in “Daisy Fresh”; Not Your Mother’s In A Heart Beat Blow Dry Accelerator; Pureology Pure Volume Style + Care Infusion (the tube is the weirdest ever – an inner layer and outer layer); Redken Beach Envy Volume Wave Aid (yup, more of it); Rituals Magic Touch Body Cream (that sounds almost TOO sexy); scünci Everyday & Active 3x Stronger Braided Elastics (LOVE these); Simple Skincare Micellular MAKE-UP Remover Wipes; Sonia Kashuk Double-Zip Clutch (It’s HUGE); Tangle Teezer Original Detangling Hairbrush (I’m gonna be chasing Little Orphan Lily around the house with this); TIGI Bed Head JOYRIDE Texturizing Powder Balm (the fuck?); and VersaSpa Gradual Tanning Face Moisturizer (a whole lot of NOPE).
I feel like I’ll be using more of the stuff in this box than in past ones…now all I have to do is sit back and wait for my August box to arrive.
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!
May Ipsy Bag – Destination Chic
For the first time…I think EVER – I will be using every single product in my “Destination Chic” ipsy bag this month.
Inside this month’s bag: Pacifica Natural Mineral Coconut Eye Shadow Trio with “Skinny Dip”, “Crush” and “Lovely” (lovely neutrals); Hanalei Lip Treatment (I need this for my recent matte lip obsession); Formula 10.0.6 Pores Be Pure Skin-Clarifying Mud Mask (I love me some mud masks; the tube says this formula was invented in 1933 – O RLY?); Aurora Gel Effect Nail Polish in “Old School Pink” (That is fucking PINK); and Smashbox X-Rated Mascara (Maybe I’ll try this tomorrow – my Benefit Roller Lash was done and I threw it away this morning).
And the bag…so flippin’ cute. It’s not a normal zipper bag – it has a single snap – and I love the little landmarks all over the bag. Perfect for summer travel. I believe blue and purple bags were also sent out…but look how well the product colors coordinate with my bag!
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.
Target Beauty Box – May 2016
$10?!?!?! What happened to $5 and $7?
May’s box seems a little pricey compared to more recent boxes…but when I cracked it open, I could see why – lots of products…and higher end products. Inside the “Spring Fling” box: Andalou Age Defying Night Repair Cream (I’ve never heard of this brand…all I can think of is “slicing up eyeballs, oh, oh oh, oh”); Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream (I have a couple of these stored up, but I love them); L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lip Pen La Lacque in “Lacquerized” (bright red); Clairol Hair Food Kiwi Dry Shampoo (hmmmm…); Derma e Firming DMAE Moisturizer; Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream (weird); CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser (perfect for my travel bag); Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Oil (I’m thinking this will work great with my Clarisonic); and L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronzing Towelettes (can I get a “fuck no”?).
As always, I got 5% off with my Target Red Card and a coupon for $3.50 off any beauty purchase of $15.
Amazon Luxury Beauty – Spring 2016
So now Amazon is getting in on the beauty box game. They offered this luxury beauty box for FREE with a qualifying luxury purchase…or $8.99 by itself. I opted to just pay for the box.
I have never heard of most of these brands, but there are a few gems inside the box. Let’s see what I got…L’Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate Body Cream; Sabon Body Lotion in “Delicate Jasmine” (yummy); Ahava Deadsea Water Mineral Hand Cream; Toppik Hair Fattener (odd); bliss Foot Patrol; La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid; Julep It Girl “Carla” ( I don’t have this one!); Juicy Couture Malibu; Nuxe Merveillance Regenerating Night Cream; Vichy Idealia Life Serum; Lierac Mesolift Serum; Vincent Longo Sweet Melody Trio Eyeshadow (I fail to see how these colors would look good on the eye – matte violet, baby pink and mint green…uh, NO.); Shaveworks The Cool Fix (for ingrowns and razor burn – yes please); Marvis Cinnamon Mint Toothpaste; Calvin Klein Euphoria; and Catherine Malandrino Romeance de Provence.
Something in the box smells like patchouli, but I haven’t figured out what it is yet…
There was also a coupon for $10 off a $50 luxury beauty purchase…I may have to browse…
More Sephora Math
Boys and girls, it’s time for another round of Sephora Math. Sephora Math is when you buy something in order to get something else cheaper.
In this case, the new Sephora Favorites Perfume Sampler includes Tory Burch Jolie Fleur Rose, which I was pretty sure I wanted…even though I haven’t smelled it yet. But…rose! Even if I didn’t like it, there are a few other scents in the sampler that I love – Atelier Cologne Mandarine Glaciale and Stella McCartney Stella. Also inside the sampler: Elizabeth and James Nirvana White (no), Gucci Guilty (no), Marc Jacobs Mod Noir (maybe), Tocca Stella (maybe). But it doesn’t matter – I love Jolie Fleur Rose. It reminds me a bit of Rosabotanica, but rosier. Here’s where the Sephora Math comes in…the sampler was $25, but Jolie Fleur Rose is $28…so again, saving $3!
I also got a gift with purchase…the Flower Child Perfume Sampler Bag, which includes Maison Martin Margiela REPLICA Beach Walk, Stella McCartney Stella, Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb, Burberry My Burberry, Elizabeth and James Nirvana White, Chloe by Chloe and the Tory Burch trio: Jolie Fleur Rose, Jolie Fleur Bleue and Jolie Fleur Verte. I am gonna smell SO GOOD.
For samples, I got Benefit The POREfessional (I keep picking the new version, but they send the old one…suck!), Josie Maran Argan Oil Foundation Fluid (6 different shades!), and MD Solar Sciences Evening Facial Repair Serum (also not what I ordered). Only $177 to Rouge!