Tag: Coupons
Been So Long Ulta
It’s been so long Ulta…I’ve missed you.
As you can tell, I’ve drastically cut back on purchasing the past few months, with the move and unpacking and having less space in the new place…but I couldn’t break this ritual…I buy a UD palette every time I hit a milestone at work – you know, raises, bonuses, etc. I hit an unexpected milestone, so I decided on a little “treat yo self”.
I immediately snatched up Urban Decay XX Vice Ltd Reloaded Palette for $34, down from $56. I already have the previous 3 Vice palettes, and have most of these colors in my original UD palettes, but so what? I’ve used it for the last three days in a row – I love it! It’s actually my favorite of the Vice palettes. The palette didn’t come with any free samples inside though…rude!
Since the “Beautiful Hair” event was going on last week, I grabbed the daily special – John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Visibly Deeper Shampoo & Conditioner at 40% off – $5.99 instead of $9.99. I’m a bit disappointed – I’ve been using it for a week and I don’t notice a lick of difference in the tone of my hair. I mean, the shampoo is as nice as any other John Frieda, but I don’t expect to rebuy.
I also took advantage of “Buy One, Get One Half Off” on Freeman Beauty Masks – I got Cucumber Facial Peel-Off Mask and Pear Pore Clean Mask. They both smell fantastic, but Pear is the best…
For freebies, I got a free Deluxe Size Buxom Wildly Whipped Lightweight Liquid Lipstick in “Centerfold”. The texture is luxurious, but it doesn’t dry matte like I expected – it gets on everything. I also got L’Oreal Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Moisturizer with Sunscreen and Lab Series Future Rescue Repair Serum (this is for dudes, wonder if I can get my husband to try it?)
You know I used a $3.50 coupon and got free shipping…oh yes I did.
Ulta Stars Aligned
The stars aligned to give me a 20% off anything coupon for Ulta at the same time I had enough points on MyPoints (referral link if you’re interested in joining – I’ve been a member for 18 years and have gotten $100s of gift cards) for a $25 Ulta gift card. And on the very same weekend that I was scheduled for a haircut. Did you know that you can use those coupons on salon services? You sure can! (I had set this appointment up three months ago and I couldn’t have planned it better.)
I got there a bit early, so I decided to take advantage of the NYX BOGOHalf sale. For myself, I picked up another NYX Micro Brow Pencil in “Chocolate” (I had been using “Ash Brown”); NYX Sculpt & Highlight Brow Contour in “Medium Beige/Ash Brown” (I used it today – the brow pencil was a little fatter than I like, but I really liked the built in highlighter); another NYX Ombre Lip Duo in “Cookies & Cream” (also used this today – dark brown and nude combo is a bit much for summer, but it looked good on me); and NYX Blotting Powder in “Light/Medium” (I used this over sunscreen moisturizer for oil control – it gave sheer matte coverage with no caking). I also picked up 4 NYX Retractable Eyeliners for my big sis. It is impossible to get makeup in Ketchikan and she liked the one she picked up on her visit a few months ago.
I also grabbed a Freeman Mint & Lemon Clay Mask at 15% off. They are like Pokemon – gotta catch em all.
I ended up saving well over $50 between gift cards, sales and coupons. Go me!
The Triumphant Return of Peony
I tend to get really excited about the Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Sale…but this time is different…it’s like a dream come true.
We all have discontinued scents that we pine over. For my mom, it was Love’s Baby Soft Lemon. For my husband, it’s the original formula of Van Cleef & Arpels Tsar. One of mine is Bath & Body Works Peony. (Some of the others are B&BW’s original Rose and Cedar & Clary Sage; and Victoria’s Secret Delicate Petals and Secret Charm).
The last time I was able to buy it was in 2004, when I was pregnant with my son. I loaded up at a Semi-Annual Sale. My stock had lasted well into 2009, because I remember having some left when I moved into this house. I’ve been holding onto that last quarter inch of Fragrance Mist, wearing it a few times a year.
On Sunday, one of my dreams came true – Peony is one of Bath & Body Works’ flashback fragrances.
Since I happened to have a 20% off + free shipping code from my last online order, I went ahead and used the website. Flashback fragrances are $3.75 – whoa! I loaded up and got 4 Shower Gels, 2 Body Creams, 2 Fine Fragrance Mists and 1 Lotion. I’ll probably get more before the end of the summer…
I wasn’t exactly running low on Hand Soap…but I bought 24 anyway because they were on sale for $3 each…and 20% off made them $2.40. Plus, I didn’t have to carry them out to my car. I was a bit disturbed when I opened the box – it looks like they just dumped them in there…but they all look intact.
There were 3 different coupons in the box…I’m predicting another haul before the end of the sale…I’ve got a whole ‘nother month!
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.
Ulta…Note?
Ulta gives out unique coupon codes for their spring 20% off, so I didn’t have a cute name for this post…Instead of one or two big things, I bought a lot of little stuff. I also bought some gifts for another upcoming birthday, so those items are not shown, of course.
I can’t pass up 97 cent polishes, so the first thing I added to my cart were essie “Strut Your Stuff” and China Glaze “Long Kiss”. I then added two Freeman Beauty Masks – “Sweet Tea & Lemon Peel-Away Clay Mask” and “Apple Cider Vinegar 4-in-1 Foaming Clay”. I wanted to try another shade of Makeup Revolution Lip Euphoria, so I got “Aura”. I added another Zoya Remove+ for shits and giggles.
There were so many gifts with purchase last week! I got free Redken pack with Beach Envy Volume Texturizing Shampoo & Conditioner, Beach Envy Wave Aid and 25 Benefits One United Multi-Benefit Treatment (I have a full size of this that I use all the time). I also got a free Ahava pack with Dead Sea Crystal Osmoter Facial Serum (the fuck?), Time to Clear Purifying Mud Mask, Time to Hydrate Essential Day Moisturizer, Dead Sea Water Mineral Body Lotion, and a free tote bag. By far, the best samples were in the free Smashbox bag, which came with all this: Ahava Beauty Before Age Uplift Day and Uplift Night Cream, Parissa Brow Shaper Mini Wax Strips (I don’t have eyebrows, but I have a mustache – wonder if it will work?), pür Correcting Primer, Hampton Sun Sunless Tanning Gel (NO), Estee Lauder Modern Muse Le Rouge (me likey), Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue (me no likey), MyChelle Dermaceuticals Refining Sugar Cleanser, Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer (for real), StriVectin Advanced Retinol Intensive Night Moisturizer, It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product, LORAC POREfection Mattifying Face Primer and Benefit Benetint.
Oh ya, also samples of Benefit Dew the Hoola Bronzer and Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Powder Foundation.
Phew…my fingers are TIRED.
Rouge Note
Last week was the hotly anticipated Spring discount code for Sephora. 15% off anything and everything. Sephora isn’t like Ulta, throwing coupons around left and right – this is a BIG deal.
The first thing I ordered (on Friday) was the Atelier Cologne Nécessaire Nomade set ($45). It’s a cute little tin with 8 .14 oz travel sprays. The included scents are Bergamote Soleil, Cédrat Enivrant (my absolute favorite Atelier scent – my original travel spray is almost empty), Orange Sanguine, Pomélo Paradis (I’ve been coveting this one since smelling it in-store), Mandarine Glaciale (I already have one of these, too – but so what?), Sud Magnolia, Figuier Ardent, and Cédre Atlas. I just wish I wasn’t suffering from the worst ever sinus cold, so I could enjoy the scents…fuck it, I’ll spray them all over me so everyone else can enjoy them.
For samples, I got Lancome Advanced Genifique (not what I picked), NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 30, and Benefit The POREfessional.
I actually got the thing I ordered Sunday first – on Wednesday. Funny how that works.
I never thought I’d buy a Clarisonic. But ever since I started this site, with all the subscription boxes and samples, I’ve been taking better and better care of my skin and I can really tell the difference. Then I got an extra Clarisonic brush head with an Ultra freebie. So I took the plunge…and picked the Clarisonic Mia 2 Faded Rose Floral Favorites Set ($149), which includes Boscia Tsubaki Cleansing Oil-Gel and L’Occitane Pivoine Sublime Perfecting Cream. (Both Sephora and Ulta carry many different Clarisonic sets, with different colors and different products. Unfortunately, Ulta excludes the Mia 2 from coupons, or I would have used my 20% off coupon to buy one there.) I used it for the first time last night and it was a bit weird, but my skin felt soooo soft afterwards. Only time will tell if it makes a long-term difference in my skin and I keep using it…or get bored and shove it in a drawer.
For samples, I got Atelier Figuier Ardent, First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream and GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment (Again, not what I picked – but I’ll take it). I also used points to get the Estee Edit Dissolve the Drama 2-in-1 Makeup Remover + Cleanser.
I made a pretty good dent in my spend…only $197 to Rouge status for 2017!
Beauty in Bloom
The last few Limited Edition boxes from Birchbox haven’t been that exciting…but I was enticed by the “Beauty in Bloom” box. I can’t pass up flowery products.
Inside this flower-filled box: Darphin Intral Toner; Davines Oi/Oil Absolute Beautifying Potion; Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist; Laura Geller Beauty Baked True Color Blush in “Maui” (so red – I can’t wait to try it); Lollia Relax Shea Butter Handcreme (Lavender and Vanilla, but I can’t smell anything through this blasted cold); Mally Eye-Amplifying Shadow Liner in “Stone” (taupe-ish); NEST Fragrances Grapefruit Classic Candle (even my husband said this smells “yummy”); NEST Fragrances Indigo Eau de Parfum (I’d been curious about NEST for a while – this one is very exotic smelling, almost like nag champa…but without the weedy undertones); Smith & Cult The Shining Lip Lacquer in “Hi-Speed Sonnet” (so glittery); stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara; and an Umbra Prisma Tray (I’m not big on gold, but I really like the geometric styling of this jewelry tray). A GREAT deal!
Although the box was $64, I found a 20% code and used $10 in points, so the total was just $41.20.
Oh…in my free sample pack: Cynthia Rowley Beauty Eyeliner in “Silver” (my third one) and Cargo Swimmables Shadow Stick in “Dory” (like Finding Nemo!)
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.
Mystery Revolution
Honest…I didn’t expect to be placing another Makeup Revolution order so soon. But they offered an Easter Mystery Bag worth £25 with a £30 purchase, plus 20% off for downloading their new app…so…
I ordered on Thursday, March 24th and got a notification that it shipped on Monday, March 28th. I received my package on Tuesday, April 5th. Just 8 days to get from London to me! Sally lives in Scotland and ordered the day after I did and got hers the same day I did – what is that about?
I had to have the new “Fortune Favours the Brave” palette, since it’s unlikely to be released stateside. I am addicted to this palette – I’ve used it for three days straight and haven’t tried any of my other new palettes. The included brush is shit, but the quality of the shadows is top notch. I also got the new “Chocolate Vice” palette. I decided to try the new Lip Amplification in “Epic Love” – I was expecting a dustier rose, but again – bright ass pink. It’s wearable though. I’m not too much of a blush person, but I had to snag two of their newer blush palettes – “Blush Queen”, which is reminiscent of the Laura Geller Baked Blushes I love and “Golden Sugar 2”, which is beautiful rose gold shades.
And then there is the free shit…OMG….so much stuff. I’m most excited about the “Colour Chaos” palette – my husband was horrified by the prospect of me using these bright ass drag queen shadows. Also included in the bag: Ultra Velour Lip Cream in “Move Your Mouth Forever” (nude) ; #Liphug Lipstick in “Let’s Move the Bar” (orange); Radiant Lights “Glow” (an illuminating powder); Amazing Sheer Lip Gloss in “Hey Girl” (peachy); Vivid Blush Lacquer in “O’ Boy” (pink); The One Blush Stick in “Malibu” (rust); and a Mono Eyeshadow in “Adore Moi” (buttery brown).
A lot of interesting stuff to try in the mystery bag – and each one was different. Sally got totally different stuff!
Normally, I like to try most of the stuff I buy before I post, but there’es really too many goodies to try. I’ve let you down…and I am truly sorry for that.
So basically, I ordered all of this quality makeup from overseas and STILL paid less (less than $50 USD with shipping) than buying a single prestige palette – Too Faced or Urban Decay, etc. I am HOOKED on Makeup Revolution.
On Wednesdays, We Order from Ulta
Ulta knows what they are doing, offering their Wednesday Beauty Breaks…I’ll be pondering on whether to order something, I’ll get that email, and I’ve clicked “Complete Order” before I know what hit me…
Since my main purchase was a gift, I’ll show you the stuff for ME that I got. I ordered BOGHalf Freeman Beauty Masks – both new – Banana-Oat Instant Smoothing Mask and Charcoal & Black Sugar Mud Mask. There’s a new Apple Cider Vinegar Mask that I wanted, but it was sold out.
This weeks Beauty Break (free with $50 purchase) was from Laura Geller. It was Baked Marble Eyeshadow Duo in “Pink Icing/Devil’s Food”; Color Drenched Lip Gloss in “Pink Lemonade”; i-care Waterproof Eyeliner in “Charcoal”; and double-ended makeup brush (I wanted this the most!) – all in a cute gold wristlet.
I got nearly the same skincare samples AGAIN – Benefit The POREfessional and smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer. Both are good products – but I have so much! Oh…and I used a $3.50 off coupon to get my total to $50.94 – I’m getting good at this!