Category: Hair
July 2021 Ipsy Bag – Stay Golden
I got an email today that August’s glam bag X shipped, so I better get on July! (Yes, I upgraded to Glam Bag X – more on that later.)
July’s bag design seemed plain and boring – until the zipper pull caught my eyes – it’s a gorgeous gold sun, with a vibrant blue (probably plastic) crystal.
I’ll be honest – I’ve only had a chance to try one of the products in this month’s bag and it was my product choice this month – Purlisse Beauty WATERMELON + CHARCOAL Purifying Cleanser. I really do enjoy Purlisse products – maybe I’ll actually buy some some day.
Also in this month’s “Stay Golden” bag: Dermedicine Advanced Skincare Retinol Detox High Potency Mask; OUAI Scalp & Body Scrub; Realher Dreams So Big Eyeshadow Duo in “Imagine” & “Ambition”; and Tarte Sea Quench Hydrating Primer.
Not a bad little bag this month…
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $12/month. If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
Target Beauty Capsule – At-Home Luxuries
I may have splurged a bit this month and picked up two more Target Beauty Capsules…
The first capsule is At-Home Luxuries and contains 9 luxurious spa items. It’s very likely that I will NOT be using the Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Hemp Body Oil – I hate the way cocoa butter smells, as well as that hempy smell. I am also unlikely to use the HUGE Resin Gua Sha – I haven’t tried the tiny one from last month’s ipsy yet. I am also not interested in the Olay Premium Body Rinse Off Body Conditioner Shea Butter. What is the point of a lotion hyou have to rinse off? Ain’t nobody got time for that!
I will, however, try out the rest of the products in the box: DERMA E Hydrating Eye Cream; Que Bella Professional Illuminating Holographic Peel off Mask; Hair Food Avocado & Argan Oil Hair Mask (yassss); ACURE Brightening Facial Scrub Pouch; Artnaturals Collagen Booster; and SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Brightening Body Lotion.
This box comes with ANOTHER $5 off $15 coupon, but it is also in-store only. HUGE bummer!
The At-Home Luxuries Target Beauty Capsule is $14.99 and still available! Use your Target Red Card for 5% off.
Hairy Ulta Haul
Sometimes, you just gotta stock up on a few things. The price went up on NatureLab.Tokyo Perfect Smooth Conditioner Refills ($23, was $22)! I also used up an Ulta Ultra Slim Brow Pencil in “Dark Brown” ($10), which freaked me out, so I ordered 2.
My Shhhowercap is on its last legs, so I’m auditioning replacements that are not $43. This Kitsch Striped Luxe Shower Cap ($24) is working out so far – it doesn’t have the rubber strip like the Shhhowercap, but it’s keeping things dry so far. Fingers crossed. I also threw a set of Kitsch Large Dome Claw Clips ($10) in my cart – I have SO much hair right now.
A few impulse sale buys – KVD Beauty Studded Kiss Creme Lipstick in “OG Lolita” ($10, down from $20). I’ve been wanting to try this shade…but imagine my shock that the packaging was the old Kat Von D Beauty labelling. How old is this lipstick? At least a year and a half old…ugh. It did not smell and wore just find, but still annoying. I also snagged a 75% off Pacifica Plant Magic Polish in “Buena Fortuna” ($2.50, down from $10).
There were a lot of gifts with purchase in this order., even with my $5 off $40 coupon. I got a Free MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation deluxe sample with my $25 makeup purchase, as well as a Kylie Cosmetics Concealer. I’ll probably never use either. I also got free 18 piece Day Tripper bag with my $85 purchase, which came with Kenra Volume Spray; Patchology Chill Mode Soothing Cannabis Seed Oil-Infused Eye Gels (I used a different set of Patchology Eye Gels this morning – I cannot tell for sure, but I think they helped…but not sure); Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Cream; Exuviance Overnight Transformation Complex; MAC Studio Fix+; Vichy Mineral 89 Booster Quotidien Fortifiant; Benefit The POREfessional (I have SO much of this stuff – but I use it, so it’s okay); Korres Nourishing Probiotic Gel-Cream (I hope it does not make me poop); Bliss Drench & Quench Cream-to-Water Hydrator; Clinique My Happy; Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara in “Very Black”; Hanksin Hyaluron exfoliating AHA Treatment; Rusk Puremix Native Fig Replenishing Shampoo & Conditioner (I just got this in the last sample bag); Clinique Almost Lipstick in “Black Honey” (I love this balm – I just found an old one in my lipstick and trashed it because it smelled funny); Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum; Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm; and Philosophy Nature in a Jar Cica Complex Recovery Moisturizer. There’s some good stuff in here!
This is it for Ulta hauls…I think. Just $457 to Diamond.
Megababe Ulta Haul
Get ready for post after post of Ulta Hauls – they keep having great sales on stuff I need!
I was attracted to one of the Wednesday Beauty Breaks a few weeks ago – it was a 4 piece sampler from Megababe with $50 purchase! I’d been dying to try Megababe Rosy Pits Daily Deodorant, but it’s always sold out. I got a deluxe sample of Rosy Pits, as well as Thigh Rescue Anti-Friction Stick, Squeaky Clean Hand Sanitizer, and Space Bar Detoxifying Charcoal Underarm Bar.
Ulta happened to be having some great sales on body products, so I picked up Megababe Chest-o Presto Clarifying Body Acne Mist ($18 – my son has not had overwhelming results with Pacifica Bacne Warrior, so I am trying this one out on myself and so far, it seems to be helping with the breakouts on my chest and back), Ulta Super Soothe Gentle Daily Cleanser ($10 – very cucumber-y scent), and Tweezerman Rose Gold Slant Tweezers ($20.70, down from $23 – my daughter wanted tweezers, so I gave her my old ones) for myself. I got Ulta Sunless Tanner Facing Mousse ($1.29, down from $3.24) for the boy child – I maybe regret buying him the Self Tanner. I got eos Shea Better Shaving Cream ($1.99, down from $3.99) for the girl child. I was able to use the usual $3.50 off $15 coupon.
My order also came with a 27 piece Beauty Sample Bag (free with $35 purchase): Australian Glow Facial Bronzing Mist with Rosewater (although I love rosewater, the boy will be getting this one); wet n wild PrimeFocus Primer Serum (I have one of these on my sink right now); Buxom Wanderlust Primer-Infused Blush Sample Card; Tan-Luxe Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum (again, to the boy); Weleda Skin Food; Crepe Erase Body Smoothing Pre-Treatment (just like the Infomercial!); Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris; Skyn Iceland Arctic Elixir; Urban Decay Primer Potion; Hempz Pink Pomelo & Himalayan Sea Salt Herbal Body Salt Scrub; Hey Honey Sweet Treat Wild Berry & Honey Yogurt Recovery Mask (the tube is jacked up – pretty sure it is empty); it Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream (I think I have two of these already); Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil; Curlsmith Hold Me Softly Style Balm (going to the boy); Alterna My Hair My Canvas Cool Hydrations Nourishing Masque; NatureLab.Tokyo Perfect Smooth Shampoo & Conditioner; The Route The Party Peel Golden Illuminizing Peel; John Frieda Frizz Ease Leave-In Conditioner; Nioxin Scalp Relief Cleanser, Conditioner & Soothing Serum; Banila Co Miss Flower & Mr. Honey Propolis Rejuvenating Ampoule; Estee Lauder Beautiful Magnolia (intriguing scent, I have a bottle of the original Beautiful and this one is very similar); NudeStix Lip Glace; Barefoot Scientist High Dive Hydration Cream (I NEED this for my dry ass feet); Lancome Hydra Zen Gel-Creme; Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask; Smashbox Photo Finish Oil & Shine Control Primer; and Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Cream. What a great batch of samples!
I’ve got three more orders to review after this, so I’ll post my spend to Diamond Status after the last one.
Target Beauty Capsule – Fresh Finds
Goodbye Target Beauty Box, Hello Target Beauty Capsule. At long last, Target has released a replacement for their beloved monthly beauty boxes!
I ordered the Target Beauty Capsule over a month ago, as part of a larger order….but silly me, I didn’t check the address and ended up accidentally shipping it to my sister in New York. (I had just sent birthday gifts for her kids.) She graciously shipped my shit back to me – so much for my free shipping.
So the Capsule comes in a fun box with a little spinner and these products: Theory Freshness Care Essential Mint Fluoride Toothpaste (I usually use sensitivity toothpaste, but I’ve been alternating with this one and it tastes marvelous); Hero Cosmetics Lightning Wand Mini (it’s a spot lightening serum); Spring & Vine Shampoo Bar in Tea Tree & Mint (I have too much hair for this!); Cocokind Texture Smoothing Cream; Luster & Lum Collagen Peptides Dietary Supplement (it’s unflavored and I have no idea what to do with it); Tom’s of Maine Plastic-Free Natural Strength Sensitive Creamy Coconut with Hemp Seed Oil 48H Deodorant; Humphreys Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Toner with Rose; Eva NYC Freshen Up Dry Shampoo (going to my son); and a Reusable Silicone Face Mask Cover (I have no idea what to do with this…other that re-enacting that scene in The Office where Dwight pretends to be Hannibal Lecter with a piece of bologna).
This Target Beauty Capsule even comes with a beauty coupon – $5 off $15, which is better than the $3 coupon that used to come with Target Beauty Box.
Target Beauty Capsule is $14.99 and still available! Use your Target Red Card for 5% off.
Gorgeous Hair, Perfect Repair
I just barely caught the end of May’s Gorgeous Hair Event. I was all hyped to get 50% off NatureLab. Tokyo…but of course, all of the big refill bags of Perfect Smooth were out of stock…so I settled for trying out regular sizes of NatureLab. Tokyo Perfect Repair Shampoo and Conditioner. $7.50 is still better than $15.
I also took advantage of a BOGO 40% off order on Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Cleanser. The Cadillac of Acne Cleansers is $11.99 regular price! One for me and one for the kids. Oh, and also a Biore T-Zone Targeted Deep Cleansing Pore Strips ($7.99, down from $9.99).
I was disappointed by the 50% off Lipstick Queen Mini in “Route 66” ($6, down from $12). The description promised green lipstick that creates tangerine lips, but they were the same shade of pink as my Frog Prince lipstick. Arghhhhh.
I know it’s basically just a Sharpie, but my daughter really liked the BIC BodyMark Temporary Tattoo Marker ($3.99, down from $4.99).
My order qualified me for a Living Proof. Beauty Break, which came with 5 Deluxe Samples: Perfect hair Day Dry Shampoo, Perfect hair Day Weightless Mask, Perfect hair Day 5-in-1 Styling Treatment, plus Perfect hair Day Shampoo and Conditioner.
(Is adding a superfluous period to your branding a thing? Looking at you, NatureLab. Tokyo & Living Proof. .)
$734 to Diamond…
April 2021 Allure Beauty Box – Packing List
April’s theme is “Packing List” and contains a little bit of everything.
The star of the box is the Chella La Vie Eyeshadow Palette. It’s hard to go wrong with a neutral eyeshadow quad. I’ve been using the shades for the past week and they are very flattering. The shades are good quality and blend well.
I am running out of room for serums. I am still using the U Beauty Resurfacing Compound from February’s Box during the day and the Dermelect Self Esteem Beauty Sleep Serum from November’s box at night. This month’s box contains akar Restore Eye Serum, but it will have to wait.
Also in this month’s box: Maapilim Face Moisturizer, Aveda Botanical Repair Masque (I love the way Aveda products smell); Cargo Swimmables Eye Liner Pencil in “Dorado Beach” (a waterproof gold eyeliner – it actually looks great underneath my lash line); and Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Duo (cannot wait to try these).
An interesting box, but not quite sure it was worth how much I paid for it…
The Allure Beauty Box is $23/month. They also offer an option for $250/year – a savings of $26. Sign up via my referral link.
Hair Haul
Everyone in the family was needing a little hair care, so another Ulta haul was in order…
For myself, I ordered a NatureLab.Tokyo Perfect Smooth Shampoo Refill ($22) to match the Conditioner. I also got a back-up Colorista Bleach Highlights Kit ($10.99).
My son needed shampoo & conditioner for his bleached hair, so I grabbed Pacifica Sunshine Highs Shampoo & Conditioner ($10 each) while they were BOGO 40% off.
I decided to treat my daughter with Colorista Semi-Permanent Color in “Purple” ($10.99).
All this hair stuff qualified me for a free 12 piece Hair Color Sampler. The sampler included Madison Reed Color Protecting Shampoo & Conditioner (I’ve been curious about this brand for a long time); Virtue Recovery Shampoo & Conditioner; Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo & Conditioner (I don’t know what citric acid will do for my hair, but looking forward to trying it); Kenra Color Maintenance Shampoo & Conditioner; Fekkai Technician Color Shampoo (no conditioner?); AG Hair Care Ultradynamics Extra-Firm Finishing Spray; Pureology Color Fanatic Multitasking Leave-In Spray (giving to my son); and DevaCurl Noo-Poo Blue Anti-Brass Zero Lather Curl Cleanser (also giving to my son).
On the non-hair front, I picked up St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist ($15, down from $30) for my kids, because they LOVED the previous sample I got…for myself, I got Ulta Coffee & Chocolate Energizing Superfood Mud Mask ($4, down from $8) – it smells good enough to eat! It sucked all the gunk out of my pores and made my skin super soft.
I qualified for a second gift with purchase – a Best Seller 7 Piece Gift, with my $65 purchase. This gift included Smashbox Photo Finish Primer; Bumble and bumble. Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer; Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Complex (I love this stuff); Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment (I also love THIS stuff); MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick in “Werk, Werk, Werk” (it’s red…meh); and Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Hydrator. That was only 6 pieces!!! What a rip-off…
Just $784 to Diamond!
February 2021 Allure Beauty Box – Making Time
Uh oh, Allure Beauty Box is back on their bullshit again…
February’s box is another boring box, with weird products. The last few have been so good…but now this weird stuff…
U Beauty Resurfacing Compound is a beauty serum with retinol…and supposedly $148 for the one ounce bottle that came in my box. $148 an ounce! It’s a perfectly serviceable serum, but I haven’t been using it every day – I’m afraid to use retinol too often on my sensitive skin.
Also in the box: Christophe Robin Daily Hair Cream; Floss Lip Advocate in “Your Honor” (what an odd product name); Madeca Derma Revitalizing Mask; La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen SPF 100 (and it’s water resistant!); and Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask (I’ve been using this on my face at night – it smells nice).
I hope next month’s box is better – I bet it gets here tomorrow.
The Allure Beauty Box recently increased their price from $15 to $23/month. They also offer an option for $250/year – a savings of $26. Sign up via my referral link.
February Diamond Day
I’ve needed shampoo for a bit, but I’ve started waiting until Ulta’s Diamond Day each month, to see what goodies they offer up…
For February’s Diamond Day, they offered the Kylie Cosmetics Birthday Sipping Pretty Palette ($65) FREE with $20 purchase. Since it came out in 2018, they must have had a bunch sitting around – let’s see if I can sell it on Poshmark. I also got a Cover FX Monochromatic Lip Color ($21) FREE with a $25 purchase.
I really like NatureLab.Tokyo Perfect Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner, so I bought a Bottle of the Shampoo ($14) and a refill pouch of the Conditioner ($22). The pouch saves me ~26 cents per ounce – yes, I did the math!
I am forever in search of new acne products, so I grabbed OH K! Blemish Powder ($15). I was expecting a powder, but it’s a liquid! It’s very similar to Kate Somerville EradiKate, but with Calamine instead of sulfur. It does reduce redness and dried out my breakout zones – but couldn’t I just use MUCH cheaper calamine lotion???
I am continuing my obsession with lip balms into 2021 – I got the Ulta Harry Potter X Ulta Beauty Magic Lip Balm Set ($8.99) – a set of 5 magically named glitter lip balms. The balms are supposed to be scented, but I couldn’t smell anything. I gave the lavender (purple glitter) and matcha (green glitter) balms to my daughter and kept blueberry, honey & rose for myself.
Just $1,065 to Diamond in 2022…I better get to shopping.