Tag: Make Up For Ever
August 2024 Ipsy Icon Box – Chrissy Teigen and John Legend
Oh. That girl from the lip sync show and her husband (I think he is a singer?) put their name on this quarter’s ipsy Icon Box. Cool cool.
I’m being a little sarcastic…of course, I know who Chrissy Teigen is. I don’t hate her or anything – she just exists in a realm so outside of my interests, that I don’t really have much to say about her – negative or positive.
That being said, this quarter’s Icon Box is pretty weird. The product choices were pretty lame. I picked Make Up Forever HD Skin Twist & Light 24HR Luminous Finishing Powder in “Light” ($45) and it was SO complicated to figure out how to use. I finally realized that twisting the bottom will fill up the middle reservoir with the powder. The powder seems to be a mix of skintone, pink and purple powder, so it makes my skin kind of…fairy-like and glowy? I haven’t even tried the other two product choices – Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara ($29) and Moon Oral Care Kendall Jenner Rose Mint Teeth Whitening Pen ($24.99). I know I have a strict anti-Kardashian/Jenner rule, but maybe I can sell it on Poshmark?
I have tried several of the other box items: Femmue Brilliant Cleansing Gel ($32 and a BITCH to rinse clean from my face); GXVE Beauty Most Def Clean Instant Definition Sculpting Eyebrow Pencil in “4 – Neutral Medium Brown” ($24 and an intriguing blade-like pencil – I really like this for my brows); Il Makiage Color Boss Master Eyeshadow Palette ($61 – REALLY – and I haven’t tried it yet); Lithe Beauty Everyday Brush Set ($48 and the last thing I need is more makeup brushes, but I didn’t have a choice); and MZ Skin Calming Moisturizer ($130 – I’m using at night and WHAT THE FUCK is up with the price?).
Supposedly, this is $394 worth of weird ass products. The only one I’d buy again is the $24 Gwen Stefani Brow Pencil…Here’s to hoping the next quarter is better.
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
Sephora Favorites Hello! Haul-Star Heroes
So Sephora discontinues their monthly Play! sample subscription box, only to release a non-subscription sample bag every month? I figured the Hello! set wouldn’t be every month, but they’re coming out pretty regularly.
The samples in this month’s “Haul-Star Heroes” aren’t very exciting, but since Sephora is still offering free shipping, I went ahead and bit. The best sample in the set is Caudalie Vinopure Pore Purifying Gel Cleanser. It smells so good! I mean, it cleans my face just fine, but I really like the scent.
Versace Bright Crystal is one of my sister’s favorite scents – I’ve gotten it for her several times. Instead of sending her this sample, I’ve been wearing it – I kinda like it! I won’t start wearing it regularly though – I’d be annoyed if someone poached my signature scent.
Also in the set: Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Microfinishing Loose Powder; Ren Clean Skincare AHA Smart Renewal Body Serum (I wonder what this will do to my BODY?); and Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara. Meh. The set came with 15% off coupons for each of the products included, but I don’t see myself buying any of them.
My son has been bleaching the hell out of his hair, so I picked Kerastase Blond Absolu Shampoo & Conditioner for him – I’ve got him using a purple shampoo/conditioner once a week for brassiness. I also got a sample card of Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiere Radiance Perfecting Foundation – all the colors look too dark for me.
Just $138 to Beauty Insider for 2021.
Sephora Play! August 2018 – Beauty Schooled
Just so you know…I canceled my Birchbox. August’s box was the last one that I will review…I finally put my money where my mouth is – back in my wallet.
I don’t know why I always end up procrastinating on the Sephora Play! box – or why I always end up leaving it to be reviewed last. I know I didn’t receive it last. It’s usually the best box I receive each month, too. I must crave delayed gratification?
I snatched up the Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay. I love clay masks…but add rose into the mix…the mask is rose colored AND has a light rose scent. I am not sure what it retexturized, but it made my skin soft and smooth.
Also in this month’s Beauty Schooled box/bag: Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick in “C211” (ugh, what’s up with the goddamn number – it’s a dusty rose nude); Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel (skip); Living proof. T.B.D. Multi-Tasking Styler (their products are always good); Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer (I already have one of these open); and OUAI VOLUME Shampoo and Conditioner.
I remembered to use my 50 point card this month – go me!
Give up 2 pumpkin spice lattes and you’ve paid for it! Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
July 2018 Allure Beauty Box – Summer Essentials
This month’s Allure Beauty Box is FULL. I honestly don’t know how they Jenga’d all these products in here.
Even though it’s a “drugstore” product, I am hyped to get another Olay Regenerist Whip Active Moisturizer (I’ve already used up the one I got in an April Target Beauty Box). It’s so light and airy – I love these whipped moisturizers for the summer.
Also crammed into this month’s box: Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil (another one I’m excited to try); Feel Harmony Rose Petal Facial Mask (yassss rose); Doucce Ultra Precision Eyeliner in “Blue”; Derma-e Essentials Mineral Powder (I’ve never tried a powder with SPF – interesting); OUAI Haircare Leave In Conditioner; Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil in “Full Red” (so, I’m supposed to use this on my lips and my eyes? I’ll look like Pennywise!); and The Organic Pharmacy Antioxidant Lip Balm.
This month’s box also included a $20 off code for Baublebar. I’ve gotten Baublebar codes in boxes before and never used them. I don’t think this time will be different.
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. You can sign up at https://beautybox.allure.com.
Sephora Play! April 2018 – Insta Beauty
I am fully aware that I am prone to hyperbole…but…this month’s Sephora Play box might be the best box I’ve ever received. I say that not because the products are good or high dollar, but because there are several BRAND NEW products that I’ve been wanting to try.
I just saw It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Poreless Finish Airbrush Pressed Powder in an Ulta circular. I wore it this morning, over only moisturizer and…WOW. It’s translucent and adds no color, but it adds a soft focus veil that is hard to beat. I think I need to buy a full size!
I have also been curious about Urban Decay Hi-Fi Shine Ultra Cushion Lipgloss in “SPL”. I am not in a glossy lip phase, but who is to say that glossy can’t come back in 2018?
Also in this month’s Insta Beauty box: Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Perfector in “Shade #6” (fingers crossed that it matches my skin tone); Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Rescue Mask; Peter Thomas Roth Skin to Die for No-Filter Mattifying Primer & Complexion Perfector; and Miu Miu L’eau Rosee (I have a deluxe sample of this and I wore it ALL winter).
Again, I will use every single one of these products!
If you don’t get Sephora Play, join us for Festival Fun. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
Sephora Play! December 2017 – Glam Straight
I know, I know. Again. Don’t even say it.
December’s box is full of party products – special products for a night out. Before I could even get excited about any of the products, I was in awe of the Art Deco pouch that came with this month’s box. It’s total Gatsby.
After the pouch, I was drawn to the Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Cream – it’s a soothing cream that eliminates redness. My scabby winter skin could use the help. Also in this month’s box – Atelier Cologne Clementine California (so happy – I just used up a travel spray of this); drybar Triple Sec 3-in-1, Clinique pretty easy liquid eyelining pen in “black”; Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Mat in M401 “Hot Red”; and Smashbox Cover Shot: Golden Hour Eye Shadow Duo. I could almost do a full face with this box. I’dd look really weird with no eyebrows though.
Do you get Sephora Play? This is far and away, the best subscription box I get every month. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
Sephora Play! October 2017 – Complexion Companions
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know.
Sephora must have heard my complaints last month – fragrance is back. This month’s fragrance is Chanel Gabrielle. It’s an old fashioned scent, reminiscent of Estee Lauder – maybe White Linen or Joy.
The rest of the products in this month’s “Complexion Companions” box are…you guessed it…for your complexion. I am most excited to try Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder – it’s insta-famous. Also included: Becca First Light Priming Filter Instant Complexion Refresh (I think I tried a sample of this before and it broke me out?); Make Up For ever Ultra HD Skin Booster Hydra-Plump Serum, Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation in R230 (I’m betting it’s too dark, since I use 115 in their Cover Stick); and Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in “Moonlight” (Hmmm…).
A very interesting and cohesive box this month.
I am SO proud of myself for remembering to grab the Play! card when I went to Sephora Friday – I got my 50 points!
Do yourself a favor and sign up NOW. 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.
August Ipsy Bag – Good Vibes Only
Boo! No more gold mailer!
Yeah, I’m a bit late with my ipsy post. I feel like the ipsy mailer is most likely to get buried in the mail pail – happens every month! For the first time, I’m not excited about ANY of the products in my bag this month. The bag itself is super cute – it’s a unique shape and has a very nice lining. There were also bags that say “Wild & Free” and “Good Vibes Only” – “Peace Love Lipstick” is obviously the best one.
The products I’m not so thrilled about: JUARA Skincare Rice Facial Cleanser (okay, maybe I am a little bit interested in this one); Promise Organic Nourishing Coconut Milk Face Lotion (this brand is new to me); Firma Beauty 103 Angled Contour Brush (aren’t we done with contouring?); Make Up For Ever Excessive Lash Arresting Volume Mascara; and Steve Laurant Precision Tip Liner in “Black” (another new-to-me brand).
It’s not a horrible bag – a good variety of products – but just nothing exciting.
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.
Sephora Play! April 2017 – Step it Up
Catching up this month…gonna finish all my subscription boxes in the right month!
“Step it Up” is April’s Sephora Play theme and includes products to take your beauty game to the next level. I’m excited to try the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliator – I figure it will alternate well with the EradiKate I received a few weeks ago.
Also in this month’s smashing box: Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream; Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover (it separated in the bottle and my husband has been playing with it); Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil in “M-10” (why can’t they just say “black”); Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer; and Marc Jacobs Daisy.
What a bangin’ box!
If you haven’t signed up yet, get to it. 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.
Everlasting Flash – February 2017
Sephora and Kat Von D launched a new monthly promotion for 2017 called “Everlasting Flash” – a different deal on Kat Von D Everlasting Lip Liquids on the first Wednesday of every month. I couldn’t resist this month’s deal – 6 FULL-SIZE Everlasting Lip Liquids in all new nude shades for $99 – normally $20 each, that’s a savings of $21!
I’ve been drooling over the colors since they were revealed weeks and weeks ago. Mostly the darker shades, but I’ll take them all. I even swatched them for you! From top to bottom: “Muneca” (the only one I’ve worn so far, it’s too light for me on it’s own, but looked amazing with gold eyeshadow pressed into it), “Ophelia”, “Ludwig”, “Hawkwind”, “Sanctuary” (I am predicting that this one will be my favorite – it’s closest to my current fave, “Lolita”) and “Crucifix”.
I totally blew my monthly makeup budget on the 2nd of the month.
I don’t know why I keep getting perfume samples on purpose…I have so much, but I just can’t resist them. I used a code to get a sample bag that includes Aerin Lilac Path, Wildfox (I can already tell I like this one), Tory Burch Love Relentlessly (even more!), Prada Candy Florale, Stella McCartney Stella, Chloe Roses de Chloe (I was excited until I found my rollerball in my travel makeup bag – I had lost it over a year ago), Marc Jacobs Daisy Dot, and a mini Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in “Legendary”.
For my usual three samples, again, I did not receive what I picked…but I can’t remember what I picked, so I guess not a big deal. I got yet another sample of Skin Inc Pure Revival Peel (they must have SO much of this – I keep getting it), Derek Lam 10 Crosby Drunk on Youth (wore it yesterday – nice and clean scent), and Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation (high hopes for this one – I think I might have picked it).
Looking forward to being tempted by next month’s Everlasting Flash!