This is just a quickie post to let you know about a cool little development over at Sephora.
They've started up an Amazon Prime-esque program called My Flash. In a nutshell, for $25 a year, you'll receive free 2nd day shipping* on an unlimited amount of orders, with no minimum total required. Orders can also be overnighted at the reduced rate of $5.95.
*Cue record scratch* Say what???
Now, I don't know about you, but for me, this is a steal. Let's do some math:
Regular shipping is $5.95 (let's call it $6, shall we?) and takes four business days to arrive. To receive your order in two days (like with My Flash), you'll have to shell out $16.95 (let's call it $17, 'cause...really...). If the amount of time it takes for your order to arrive doesn't matter to you, and you would never pay to expedite shipping, My Flash will pay for itself in, roughly, five orders. Sounds like a lot, but I'll get to that in a minute. If shipping time is an issue, and you're one of those folks who finds themself rush ordering on a regular basis, My Flash will pay for itself with two orders. If you've ever had to overnight an order, then the reduced rate will pay for itself with three orders.
In case you're wondering, last year, I placed four orders. In 2011, before my town's beauty population explosion caused an Ulta to be built across the street from a brand new Sephora Inside JCPenney, I placed eight orders. I would have placed more orders each year, believe it or not, had it not been for the shipping fee. You see, there have been many, many (manymanymanymany) times when I've been doing makeup for a project, and realize a little late in the game that I miscalculated just how much of a product I was going to need. There have also been those times when, at the very last minute, Thomas and I figured out exactly what it was that a character needed to really make them pop, and I'm sorry, but I'm not paying $17 to overnight one item. Nope. Ain't happenin'. Thomas and I usually end up checking both Sephora and Ulta, and then end up with me combing the shelves of the drugstore or Sally's, trying to find something sort of comparable to what it is I really needed. I also tend to use trial sizes, because they're easier to carry, take up way less space, and I'm more likely to use them up before they expire. I like trial sized Benfit Bad Gal mascaras for my actresses, trial sized Bumble and Bumble Prep for setting and re-setting curls, and if I have a particularly oily-skinned actor, a trial sized Urban Decay De-Slick. You can't get Prep in the Sephora Inside JCPenney, and the mascaras are kind of hit and miss. The De-Slick's not too hard to find, but one out of three isn't exactly good. Considering how stressed out I got on the last film, the fact that I can now just sit back on my couch, grab the iPad, and order whatever it is that I need, in whatever size I prefer, and have it show up on my doorstep two days later is a flipping dream come true.
So, yeah, I signed up. Immediately. Did not pass Go. I placed my first order while I was at it, for a three-dollar product. I didn't need anything (and really didn't need to spend any money), but I wanted to test it out. I placed the order on Wednesday at almost 2pm Central (the cut-off for same-day shipping is 3pm, but it doesn't specify time zone. I assumed Pacific, since the company is based out of San Francisco), and received my package today (Friday) at 11:15am. In it, I found the customary three free samples, and another bonus sample that I'd requested with a coupon code.
I'm a happy camper. Of course, the value of this program is completely dependent upon your own shopping habits, but for me, this is kind of a god-send.
What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments.
*I have to add this: Only available in the Continental US. Excludes Canada, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii, P.O. Boxes, APO/FPO, HAZMAT orders. HAZMAT will receive free ground shipping. Cut-off time for 1-day shipping is 12pm. Now you know, and knowing is half the battle.
Showing posts with label online shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label online shopping. Show all posts
Friday, June 14, 2013
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Hey, Mr. Postman!: Top Five ELF Products Worth the Shipping
You've gotta love E.L.F.
If you're on a budget (and aren't we all?), those little one- and two- and three-dollar price tags can be pretty darn hard to resist. I mean, come on! How am I supposed to say no to a lipgloss that looks just like Stila's Lip Glaze, but only costs a buck? I could get twenty-two of the E.L.F. for the price of a single Stila! Not that I need twenty-two lipglosses, but it's the principle.
Unfortunately, the downside to having ridiculously low prices is that, by comparison, your online shipping rates can look a tad on the high side. I don't know about you, but I have a hard time paying more for shipping than for the item to be shipped. Sure, you could try to find your item locally, since Target and select Walgreen's carry an assortment of E.L.F. products. They just don't have anywhere close to the entire line, meaning that there are times when you can't circumvent the shipping costs. With that, I have compiled a list of the top five ('cause that seemed like a good number) E.L.F. products worth the cost of shipping.
Now, please bear in mind, this is not a list of the five best E.L.F. products. These are items that are A) high-quality, B) classically useful (not just super trendy and fun--these are warhorses), C) either difficult to dupe with a readily available item, or are dupes of much more expensive items. Basically, these are items that, were you to add the almost seven dollar shipping charge to the original amount, you would still come out ahead. Now, on to the list!
5. Studio Lip Exfoliator ($3)
I'm a fan of making my own lip scrubs, but they're not always the most travel-friendly option. This little gem is unique in the fact that the scrub comes in a solid form and is housed in a cute little lipstick tube. You can toss this in your purse or travel bag and not worry about sugary liquid spilling out of a tub and onto your other products. The scrub smells and tastes like yummy maple and brown sugar, and is chock full of skin-loving ingredients like shea butter, vitamin E, and jojoba oil. Even at what amounts to a $10 price point ($3 + $7 shipping), it's a good buy.
4. Studio Lip Lock Pencil ($3)
If you wear brightly colored lipstick, this is a must-have in your kit. This pencil outlines the outside of your lipline to keep color from feathering or creeping into any fine lines. There are a couple of drugstore varieties of this product, but I have yet to actually see one in a brick-and-mortar store. If you go the Sephora route, a clear lip liner--which is all this is, really--will run anywhere from $14-$20. The E.L.F. version works like a dream and, even with shipping, is still easier on your wallet.
3. Studio Eye Shadow "C" Brush ($3)
This is a very basic eyeshadow brush, but it's one of the best I've ever worked with. I use mostly Real Techniques now, but every now and then I grab this one, and am reminded how awesome it is, and wonder why I don't use it more often (why don't I use it more often?). The brush has a sleek handle design and very densely packed synthetic bristles. It picks up product really well, lays it down really well, and blends really well. Basically, it performs really well (in case you hadn't picked up on that). If you're going to spend ten bucks on an eyeshadow brush, this is the one to buy.
2. Studio HD Blush ($3)
Considered to be a dupe for Make Up For Ever's HD Blush, E.L.F.'s version packs a very pigmented punch. It's creamy, applies smoothly, and wears well. It's a top notch formula, and a steal at a ten-dollar price point.
1. Studio High Definition Powder ($6)
HD powder is a silica-based finishing powder that can be used to set makeup, but is mainly utilized for its airbrushing effect. It leaves skin looking flawless, silky smooth, and camera-ready. There are several on the market (most notably by Make Up For Ever), and tend to carry low-volumes and high-prices. E.L.F.'s version is only six bucks--expensive by E.L.F.'s standards--and you get a figurative ton of product. Yellow and Shimmer versions are also available, but the standout is the original transluscent powder. With shipping, it'll set you back about $13, but you'll still be getting more bang for your buck.
Of course, this is assuming you only need to purchase one item. But I know none of us would ever go makeup crazy on the E.L.F. website...right?...Guys?...Hey! Wait up!! I need some brow gel...and lip gloss...and a blush...and.........
If you're on a budget (and aren't we all?), those little one- and two- and three-dollar price tags can be pretty darn hard to resist. I mean, come on! How am I supposed to say no to a lipgloss that looks just like Stila's Lip Glaze, but only costs a buck? I could get twenty-two of the E.L.F. for the price of a single Stila! Not that I need twenty-two lipglosses, but it's the principle.
Unfortunately, the downside to having ridiculously low prices is that, by comparison, your online shipping rates can look a tad on the high side. I don't know about you, but I have a hard time paying more for shipping than for the item to be shipped. Sure, you could try to find your item locally, since Target and select Walgreen's carry an assortment of E.L.F. products. They just don't have anywhere close to the entire line, meaning that there are times when you can't circumvent the shipping costs. With that, I have compiled a list of the top five ('cause that seemed like a good number) E.L.F. products worth the cost of shipping.
Now, please bear in mind, this is not a list of the five best E.L.F. products. These are items that are A) high-quality, B) classically useful (not just super trendy and fun--these are warhorses), C) either difficult to dupe with a readily available item, or are dupes of much more expensive items. Basically, these are items that, were you to add the almost seven dollar shipping charge to the original amount, you would still come out ahead. Now, on to the list!
5. Studio Lip Exfoliator ($3)
I'm a fan of making my own lip scrubs, but they're not always the most travel-friendly option. This little gem is unique in the fact that the scrub comes in a solid form and is housed in a cute little lipstick tube. You can toss this in your purse or travel bag and not worry about sugary liquid spilling out of a tub and onto your other products. The scrub smells and tastes like yummy maple and brown sugar, and is chock full of skin-loving ingredients like shea butter, vitamin E, and jojoba oil. Even at what amounts to a $10 price point ($3 + $7 shipping), it's a good buy.
4. Studio Lip Lock Pencil ($3)
If you wear brightly colored lipstick, this is a must-have in your kit. This pencil outlines the outside of your lipline to keep color from feathering or creeping into any fine lines. There are a couple of drugstore varieties of this product, but I have yet to actually see one in a brick-and-mortar store. If you go the Sephora route, a clear lip liner--which is all this is, really--will run anywhere from $14-$20. The E.L.F. version works like a dream and, even with shipping, is still easier on your wallet.
3. Studio Eye Shadow "C" Brush ($3)
This is a very basic eyeshadow brush, but it's one of the best I've ever worked with. I use mostly Real Techniques now, but every now and then I grab this one, and am reminded how awesome it is, and wonder why I don't use it more often (why don't I use it more often?). The brush has a sleek handle design and very densely packed synthetic bristles. It picks up product really well, lays it down really well, and blends really well. Basically, it performs really well (in case you hadn't picked up on that). If you're going to spend ten bucks on an eyeshadow brush, this is the one to buy.
2. Studio HD Blush ($3)
Considered to be a dupe for Make Up For Ever's HD Blush, E.L.F.'s version packs a very pigmented punch. It's creamy, applies smoothly, and wears well. It's a top notch formula, and a steal at a ten-dollar price point.
1. Studio High Definition Powder ($6)
HD powder is a silica-based finishing powder that can be used to set makeup, but is mainly utilized for its airbrushing effect. It leaves skin looking flawless, silky smooth, and camera-ready. There are several on the market (most notably by Make Up For Ever), and tend to carry low-volumes and high-prices. E.L.F.'s version is only six bucks--expensive by E.L.F.'s standards--and you get a figurative ton of product. Yellow and Shimmer versions are also available, but the standout is the original transluscent powder. With shipping, it'll set you back about $13, but you'll still be getting more bang for your buck.
Of course, this is assuming you only need to purchase one item. But I know none of us would ever go makeup crazy on the E.L.F. website...right?...Guys?...Hey! Wait up!! I need some brow gel...and lip gloss...and a blush...and.........
Thursday, August 30, 2012
How Glossy is Your Box?: August Glossybox Opening
Hot dog! I somehow managed to get my August Glossybox in August!!! How cool is that?! This is going to be really long and amazingly picture-heavy, so let's just get right to it. I can, in all honesty, say that this is the best Glossybox we've had yet!
Immediately upon opening, we have the increasingly unnecessary GlossyMag. I said it last month, and I'll say it again: this is useless. *Spoiler Alert* There's nothing neon in the box.
The pretty pink box that I've yet to figure out how to repurpose this month. Any ideas? Leave 'em in the comments!
This month's insert with the theme. August was "Pure Luxury", and they weren't kidding!
The items, along with brief descriptions and prices for the full-sized versions.
Here's a new one: a coupon for a free gift with purchase. That's nice. Probably won't use it, but I appreciate the gesture.
Here's the item I was most excited for: Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster! It's a vitamin C serum, and supposely works wonders on dullness. I've been wanting a vitamin C serum forever, it seems, and I've really enjoyed using it over the past couple of days. I actually have seen a difference in the "glow" of my skin.
Sorry this is fuzzy. I did this unboxing during Hurricane Isaac, and was having to go pretty quick, since we could have lost power at any moment. Plus, let's face it, I'm a horrible photographer. This is the bottle of serum, and it's a very generous sample. The size is .5 oz, or half the full-size. It's about the size of a nail polish, and since you only use a drop or two at a time, should last a good, long while.
Next up, we have the Biolage Exquisite Oil.
This is a small sample, but as with the serum, it only takes a drop. I used this on the ends of my hair before pulling it into a side pony, and my frizzy, wavy, crazy hair obeyed. That's unusual.
This product just plain intrigues me. It's a face primer, but has decent-sized flecks of gold floating in it.
Do you see them? It's like Goldschlager! How on Earth does that work?!
Truth be told, it works really well. The consistency of the primer is very smooth and light, non-greasy, and doesn't feel silicone-based. The gold flecks don't show up too horribly on skin, either. You just end up with a pretty glow. I used it underneath my Rimmel Clean Slate, which has a tendency to feel really heavy and look a little ashy. Not only did I not feel the urge to run and tear the make up off of my face after a few hours, my makeup did look brighter, and it stayed put nicely, even in crazy Hurricane humidity. The full-size is only $20, with is not bad at all, and this is nearly full-sized. I have a long time to play with it, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how it does in the long run.
Here's another highly anticipated product! See, each month, Glossybox varies a couple of items. Sometimes it's by style (like half of subscribers get an eyeshadow and half get a lipgloss--that sort of thing), and sometimes it's by color. That's how this month's went, and I was dying to know which color of this gorgeous Illamasqua nail polish I was going to get! This Purity, and it's just lovely. It reminds me of when I played an Angel in a super-fun production of Anything Goes. Our names were Purity, Charity, Chastity, and Virtue (me), and we had a couple of costumes that were very close to this color, only slightly pinker. No one else may care, but it made me smile.
The color is much brighter in person. It's a rich, vibrant peach, and I think it'll be the perfect nude for my skin tone. I have not tried this yet, but plan to tonight. I've been waiting for the storm to completely pass, since clean-up can be a bi--I mean, it can chip your polish. Yeah, that's it...
The other variable in the box was this ridiculously, incredibly, even-if-I-could-I-don't-think-I-could expensive, thirty-five dollar lip glaze from Ellis Faas.
The packaging is beyond cool. Thomas said I should definitely carry it everywhere I go, since it'll work on both werewolves and vampires, and he wants to know I'm safe. I'm glad to know he cares.
The color I got was L209 (Toffee Beige) in the Milky Lips collection. I don't know why I even included swatches, since they look nothing like this in person. The color is, like the Illamasqua, a beautiful peachy-nude.
I wore this yesterday, and was pleasantly surprised at how moisturizing and lightweight it was, and at how long the color lasted. Of course, for $35, I should probably expect to be all those things while tap dancing and balancing my checkbook. Still and all, I think this might be the first nude lipcolor that has ever worked for me. It's just gorgeous for redheads.
Here's one last look at all of the products, side by side. These are some impressive products at some impressive sizes. Good job, Glossybox, and thank you!
Oh! In case you're curious, here's the price breakdown for each item:
Ole Henriksen $24 for .5 oz
Biolage $1.14 for .16 oz
Touch in Sol $18.76 for 1.06 oz
Illamasqua $14 for Full-Sized Item
Ellis Faas $35 for Full-Sized Item
Total Worth of Glossybox $92.90
Total Paid for Glossybox $21.00
That means that this box was actually worth the price of almost four and a half Glossyboxes. Wowzers.
Also, if you were wondering, the nail polish I was wearing in the pictures was Fast Track by China Glaze.
Ole Henriksen $24 for .5 oz
Biolage $1.14 for .16 oz
Touch in Sol $18.76 for 1.06 oz
Illamasqua $14 for Full-Sized Item
Ellis Faas $35 for Full-Sized Item
Total Worth of Glossybox $92.90
Total Paid for Glossybox $21.00
That means that this box was actually worth the price of almost four and a half Glossyboxes. Wowzers.
Also, if you were wondering, the nail polish I was wearing in the pictures was Fast Track by China Glaze.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Mystery Solved!: StyleMint Mystery Bag Review
Quick ranty question before I get into today's entry: Why has no one invented tinted sunscreen? Not tinted moisturizer with SPF, not bronzer with SPF, but actual tinted sunscreen? That way, you could put it on from tip to toe and have perfectly even skin. No more messing around with "skin perfectors" or "tone-enriching ribbons" (a.k.a. glitter); just a sheer tint in the sunscreen itself. Why does that not exist? /end of rant.
Okay, so yesterday I received my StyleMint Mystery Bag in the mail, and since the last review I did of a Mystery Bag was so popular, I thought I'd do one on this bag, too. Plus, I've noticed that a lot of the ladies on the StyleMint Facebook page have been interested in seeing how the shirts look on "normal" people. Well, I'm pretty average, so I took some photos that you can use as reference, if you want. I'm 5'3", and on the StyleMint sizing guide, I'm a 3 (Medium).
First, a review:
StyleMint runs this kind of promotion about once a quarter. Normally, they coincide with a holiday or special event (i.e. the Academy Awards, Halloween, Christmas), but this one was just for the fun of it, I guess. I expected to hear, somewhere along the way, that they were Olympics-themed, but that didn't happen, and that's fine by me. The themes never mean anything, anyway. This "bag", like all the ones before it, came as an envelope stuffed with brown paper-wrapped shirts. No bag, no theme, no fuss, no muss. This is not a criticism, by the way.
In the past, the bags have tended to be either a shirt and a JewelMint item (JewelMint is a sister company, and normally runs a similar promotion alongside the StyleMint one), or a shirt and another StyleMint item (sunglasses, leggings, tote bag, etc.), with maybe a coupon code or two tossed in for good measure. That's not a bad deal for $29.99, and I've been happy with those bags in the past. This bag, though, took the cake. For the price of one shirt, you received three StyleMint items. Now, those items could be pretty much anything in the StyleMint catalog, but you'd get three of them, so the bag was definitely more than worth the pricetag.
Now, some ladies have complained that they didn't like what they got. You don't get to pick your items, so you could end up with things that aren't to your taste. One lady even received an item she'd previously returned (I mean, not the same exact shirt, but the same style of shirt. It was a new shirt. Oh, you know what I mean). That is the gamble. That's also why you get so much for so little, so it's a trade-off.
I'm thrilled with my bag. I now have six StyleMint shirts and StyleMint dress, and all but one shirt and the dress were Mystery Bag purchases. They're all excellent quality, feel amazing, and look really cute on. Sure, you might have to put a little more thought into how you'll wear your shirt, but I think that just adds to the fun of the bag. My only complaint is with the shipping. I never got a tracking notice, and it's not the first time. All I had to do, though, was ask customer service, and they got the notice to me ASAP. I will say that StyleMint (as well as JewelMint) has excellent customer service. I'm continually impressed by them. The shipping is generally pretty slow, but the customer service makes up for it.
So, let me show what I got. These pictures are not styled in any way. I just threw the shirts on over a pair of Sweetheart jeans from Old Navy and a pair of CL by Laundry flats. I also didn't try the shirts on before taking these photos. We're all seeing them for the first time together, folks.
The first one I tried on was the Brooklyn T. Admittedly, when I first saw this, I was a little less than impressed. I haven't been into fussy florals since the very early 90s, when none of us knew any better. What was I going to do with this old lady shirt?
I was going to rock it, that's what! This may be my favorite shirt out of the bunch, now that I've tried it on. I wore it to work today, that's how much I love it. I shot from the side, instead of full-on, because I wanted you to see how it's lower in the back. For me, it's a really flattering cut. This is very lightweight with a wide scoop neck, so you could layer with it, but it's dark enough that you don't need anything underneath it. The red is also much more muted in person than in photographs. It's a lovely shirt, and nothing like the chintz sofa cushion I thought it was going to be.
I like this a lot, but it's not grabbing me the way the Brooklyn T did, which is weird, because, between the two of them, I'd have picked this from the online pictures before I'd have picked the Brooklyn. It's just a basic tee, albeit a really soft and high-quality basic tee. Scoop neck, level hem. I think this is going to look really cute layered under a black cable-knit hoodie this Fall and Winter.
This last shirt just made me giggle. I need to wear it on-set, sometimes, or maybe to rehearsals. Heck, I need this tattooed onto my forehead. I showed it to Thomas and he laughed out loud. In case it's too difficult to read, it says, "I'm Almost Not Crazy".
Okay, there are two shots here. This one shows how the lettering falls, and the one below shows the snug fit and sheerness of the tee.
I love the way this is made. The material is super-soft and lightweight, and it feels like it custom forms itself around your body (I know it doesn't, but it's just that soft and flexible). It's also cut with a longer line, so you never look short-waisted, or feel like you can't bend over with confidence. I hate shirts that creep up in the back, and leave you wondering if you're *ahem* exposed anywhere you shouldn't be. No worries with this.
So, that's my Mystery Bag, folks, along with my thoughts and, hopefully, a little sizing reference. I apologize for all the camera-in-the-face photos, but you work with what you've got, I guess. Did anybody else get a Mystery Bag? What did you think? Let me know in the comments.
Okay, so yesterday I received my StyleMint Mystery Bag in the mail, and since the last review I did of a Mystery Bag was so popular, I thought I'd do one on this bag, too. Plus, I've noticed that a lot of the ladies on the StyleMint Facebook page have been interested in seeing how the shirts look on "normal" people. Well, I'm pretty average, so I took some photos that you can use as reference, if you want. I'm 5'3", and on the StyleMint sizing guide, I'm a 3 (Medium).
First, a review:
StyleMint runs this kind of promotion about once a quarter. Normally, they coincide with a holiday or special event (i.e. the Academy Awards, Halloween, Christmas), but this one was just for the fun of it, I guess. I expected to hear, somewhere along the way, that they were Olympics-themed, but that didn't happen, and that's fine by me. The themes never mean anything, anyway. This "bag", like all the ones before it, came as an envelope stuffed with brown paper-wrapped shirts. No bag, no theme, no fuss, no muss. This is not a criticism, by the way.
In the past, the bags have tended to be either a shirt and a JewelMint item (JewelMint is a sister company, and normally runs a similar promotion alongside the StyleMint one), or a shirt and another StyleMint item (sunglasses, leggings, tote bag, etc.), with maybe a coupon code or two tossed in for good measure. That's not a bad deal for $29.99, and I've been happy with those bags in the past. This bag, though, took the cake. For the price of one shirt, you received three StyleMint items. Now, those items could be pretty much anything in the StyleMint catalog, but you'd get three of them, so the bag was definitely more than worth the pricetag.
Now, some ladies have complained that they didn't like what they got. You don't get to pick your items, so you could end up with things that aren't to your taste. One lady even received an item she'd previously returned (I mean, not the same exact shirt, but the same style of shirt. It was a new shirt. Oh, you know what I mean). That is the gamble. That's also why you get so much for so little, so it's a trade-off.
I'm thrilled with my bag. I now have six StyleMint shirts and StyleMint dress, and all but one shirt and the dress were Mystery Bag purchases. They're all excellent quality, feel amazing, and look really cute on. Sure, you might have to put a little more thought into how you'll wear your shirt, but I think that just adds to the fun of the bag. My only complaint is with the shipping. I never got a tracking notice, and it's not the first time. All I had to do, though, was ask customer service, and they got the notice to me ASAP. I will say that StyleMint (as well as JewelMint) has excellent customer service. I'm continually impressed by them. The shipping is generally pretty slow, but the customer service makes up for it.
So, let me show what I got. These pictures are not styled in any way. I just threw the shirts on over a pair of Sweetheart jeans from Old Navy and a pair of CL by Laundry flats. I also didn't try the shirts on before taking these photos. We're all seeing them for the first time together, folks.
 |
| Photo Credit: StyleMint |
I was going to rock it, that's what! This may be my favorite shirt out of the bunch, now that I've tried it on. I wore it to work today, that's how much I love it. I shot from the side, instead of full-on, because I wanted you to see how it's lower in the back. For me, it's a really flattering cut. This is very lightweight with a wide scoop neck, so you could layer with it, but it's dark enough that you don't need anything underneath it. The red is also much more muted in person than in photographs. It's a lovely shirt, and nothing like the chintz sofa cushion I thought it was going to be.
 |
| Photo Credit: StyleMint |
Next up, the Savannah T in black. I immediately liked how the stars are made to look like sketches and doodles, and not like cookie-cutter stamps. To me, that's more interesting.
I like this a lot, but it's not grabbing me the way the Brooklyn T did, which is weird, because, between the two of them, I'd have picked this from the online pictures before I'd have picked the Brooklyn. It's just a basic tee, albeit a really soft and high-quality basic tee. Scoop neck, level hem. I think this is going to look really cute layered under a black cable-knit hoodie this Fall and Winter.
 |
| Photo Credit: StyleMint |
I love the way this is made. The material is super-soft and lightweight, and it feels like it custom forms itself around your body (I know it doesn't, but it's just that soft and flexible). It's also cut with a longer line, so you never look short-waisted, or feel like you can't bend over with confidence. I hate shirts that creep up in the back, and leave you wondering if you're *ahem* exposed anywhere you shouldn't be. No worries with this.
So, that's my Mystery Bag, folks, along with my thoughts and, hopefully, a little sizing reference. I apologize for all the camera-in-the-face photos, but you work with what you've got, I guess. Did anybody else get a Mystery Bag? What did you think? Let me know in the comments.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Frugal Friday: No Fakes Allowed!
Ages ago, I posted about a couple of discount clothing and makeup sites that made Recession-Era retail therapy a whole lot easier. Well, add one more to the list: allcosmeticswholesale.com. I've ordered from them before, and I can tell you, without reservation, that they are the real deal. This is not a knock-off, fake, or whatever you want to call it kind of shady site. If you order a MAC eyeshadow, you're going to get a MAC eyeshadow. You're just going to pay a heckuva lot less for it.
Give it a look-see and tell me what you think. In the meantime, I'm taking the rest of the day off. I've got a performance tonight, and I'm trying to stay as relaxed and rested as humanly possible. In other words, I'm only very strung-out instead of incredibly strung-out.
Have a great weekend, and happy bargain hunting!
Give it a look-see and tell me what you think. In the meantime, I'm taking the rest of the day off. I've got a performance tonight, and I'm trying to stay as relaxed and rested as humanly possible. In other words, I'm only very strung-out instead of incredibly strung-out.
Have a great weekend, and happy bargain hunting!
Friday, May 11, 2012
Frugal Friday: How Glossy Is Your Box?
...wait...that doesn't sound right...
Hey! There's actually STUFF this Friday!! Check out these deals!
E.L.F.: $1.98 shipping on orders $15 and over. Use code 198SHIP by 5/12/12.
BeautyMint: Get $15 off, plus free blotting papers with your first order. Use code BMBLOT15. Today only.
TooFaced: Friends and Family Sale! Take 20% off your purchase with code FFSPRING12. (Fine print says "select items" but email says "everything". I say, pick what you want and give it a shot.)
And a head's up: Stila sale on Hautelook Monday!! Starts at 10AM CT, and the good stuff will go quickly! Good luck!
If you're a sample junkie like me, have I got an early Christmas present for you! Glossybox, the sampling program popular in over fifteen countries, has finally made it to the US! I'm not talking those little packet samples that get tossed in with your Sephora purchases, either. These are deluxe mini, travel, and sometimes FULL sized products.
The way it works: Place your order ($21/month, $115/6 months, $220/12 months), and Glossybox will send you five (or possibly more, from what I've seen online) products to play with. Cancel at any time. You'll also fill out a Beauty Profile, which asks about hair and skin, and stuff like that.
I've never used the service before, obviously, but I have signed up for the very first edition as an early birthday present to myself, and will happily share all the details of my experience with you. I can already tell you that this won't be a monthly thing for me, since it's not exactly pocket change, but it might be a nice way to stock up on minis before a vacation. This month's box supposedly holds products from C.O. Bigelow (love them!), O.P.I. (yay!), and Kryolan (oooh! That's stage pro stuff! I can use that!), among others.
Have any of you used a sample service before? Birchbox? Test Tube? How'd it go? Leave your experiences in the comments below. Thanks!
Hey! There's actually STUFF this Friday!! Check out these deals!
E.L.F.: $1.98 shipping on orders $15 and over. Use code 198SHIP by 5/12/12.
BeautyMint: Get $15 off, plus free blotting papers with your first order. Use code BMBLOT15. Today only.
TooFaced: Friends and Family Sale! Take 20% off your purchase with code FFSPRING12. (Fine print says "select items" but email says "everything". I say, pick what you want and give it a shot.)
And a head's up: Stila sale on Hautelook Monday!! Starts at 10AM CT, and the good stuff will go quickly! Good luck!
 |
| Photo Credit: Glossybox |
The way it works: Place your order ($21/month, $115/6 months, $220/12 months), and Glossybox will send you five (or possibly more, from what I've seen online) products to play with. Cancel at any time. You'll also fill out a Beauty Profile, which asks about hair and skin, and stuff like that.
I've never used the service before, obviously, but I have signed up for the very first edition as an early birthday present to myself, and will happily share all the details of my experience with you. I can already tell you that this won't be a monthly thing for me, since it's not exactly pocket change, but it might be a nice way to stock up on minis before a vacation. This month's box supposedly holds products from C.O. Bigelow (love them!), O.P.I. (yay!), and Kryolan (oooh! That's stage pro stuff! I can use that!), among others.
Have any of you used a sample service before? Birchbox? Test Tube? How'd it go? Leave your experiences in the comments below. Thanks!
Friday, April 27, 2012
Frugal Friday: Help Me, Hautelook!
It's time for Frugal Friday!!!!! Yay!!! Here are this week's major deals!!!!
Bath & Body Works: Take 20% off your total with code SPRING2050.
Wow...that was certainly anti-climactic.
I don't know about you, but these days, I am broke. B-R-O-K-E, broke. Most everyone I know is in the same boat, so I'm not beating myself up about it. I just have to tighten things up a bit and be smart about where my money goes. That said, I still like to shop, and still like to have nice things. What's a girl to do?
Well, this girl--a girl who was raised by a Grand Champion bargain hunter, who was raised by Lady High Ruler Of All Things Sale Related--has upped her game a bit, so to speak. You may have noticed me mention a site called Hautelook once or twice on this blog. If you are into designer...well, anything, this site's flash sales may be just the ticket for you.
To give an example: I love Urban Decay cosmetics. All of them. I've yet to use a UD product I didn't just love. Every now and then, Hautelook will run an Urban Decay sale. About a week prior, the announcement will be made. Then, the day of, the sale will start at 8AM Pacific on.the.dot. At that time, the products up for sale will appear onscreen, and they will be heavily discounted. I picked up an Urban Lash set, including a travel 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero, a mascara made specifically for false lashes, and a set of Urban Lashes in Minx for $7. The lashes alone are usually $15. That's what I'm talking about. (And yes, before you ask, I really did need the lashes. See yesterday's post for details.)
Now, not everything from the brand in question will be up for grabs. That is important to remember. You will only have a small selection of items to choose from. In the case of UD, all of the products offered were already on sale at the brand site. Still, the Hautelook price was cheaper. The products won't always be sale items, though. Recently, I picked up a Vincent Longo eyeshadow quad in colors I've been searching for forever. It normally retails for $42. I paid $15.
Stila, Kinerase, TanTowel, DKNY, Calvin Klein, American Apparel, Laura Ashley, Betsey Johnson, William Rast, NYX, Puma...even E.L.F. (and I didn't think they could get any cheaper!) are just some of the brands that host events on Hautelook. You do have to act fast with these sales, though. They only last a few days, and items can sell out quickly. Also, once you place something in your cart, you only have 15 minutes to checkout, so decide on everything you want before you snap up that first item. Shipping rates can vary, but mine have always been in the area of $5. Shipping will take for-freaking-ever (be ye warned!), but it's worth the wait for prices like these. Plus, it's like a mini-Christmas every time I see the Hautelook label in the mail. This site has proven to me that, even though I'm on a budget, I can still have my favorites and save a few bucks at the same time. I don't know how they do it, but I'm not complaining.
Bath & Body Works: Take 20% off your total with code SPRING2050.
Wow...that was certainly anti-climactic.
I don't know about you, but these days, I am broke. B-R-O-K-E, broke. Most everyone I know is in the same boat, so I'm not beating myself up about it. I just have to tighten things up a bit and be smart about where my money goes. That said, I still like to shop, and still like to have nice things. What's a girl to do?
Well, this girl--a girl who was raised by a Grand Champion bargain hunter, who was raised by Lady High Ruler Of All Things Sale Related--has upped her game a bit, so to speak. You may have noticed me mention a site called Hautelook once or twice on this blog. If you are into designer...well, anything, this site's flash sales may be just the ticket for you.
To give an example: I love Urban Decay cosmetics. All of them. I've yet to use a UD product I didn't just love. Every now and then, Hautelook will run an Urban Decay sale. About a week prior, the announcement will be made. Then, the day of, the sale will start at 8AM Pacific on.the.dot. At that time, the products up for sale will appear onscreen, and they will be heavily discounted. I picked up an Urban Lash set, including a travel 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero, a mascara made specifically for false lashes, and a set of Urban Lashes in Minx for $7. The lashes alone are usually $15. That's what I'm talking about. (And yes, before you ask, I really did need the lashes. See yesterday's post for details.)
Now, not everything from the brand in question will be up for grabs. That is important to remember. You will only have a small selection of items to choose from. In the case of UD, all of the products offered were already on sale at the brand site. Still, the Hautelook price was cheaper. The products won't always be sale items, though. Recently, I picked up a Vincent Longo eyeshadow quad in colors I've been searching for forever. It normally retails for $42. I paid $15.
Stila, Kinerase, TanTowel, DKNY, Calvin Klein, American Apparel, Laura Ashley, Betsey Johnson, William Rast, NYX, Puma...even E.L.F. (and I didn't think they could get any cheaper!) are just some of the brands that host events on Hautelook. You do have to act fast with these sales, though. They only last a few days, and items can sell out quickly. Also, once you place something in your cart, you only have 15 minutes to checkout, so decide on everything you want before you snap up that first item. Shipping rates can vary, but mine have always been in the area of $5. Shipping will take for-freaking-ever (be ye warned!), but it's worth the wait for prices like these. Plus, it's like a mini-Christmas every time I see the Hautelook label in the mail. This site has proven to me that, even though I'm on a budget, I can still have my favorites and save a few bucks at the same time. I don't know how they do it, but I'm not complaining.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Steal of the Century! Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Pencil Stash Review
Seriously, this is about as no-brainer as it gets. Urban Decay has their 24/7 Shadow Pencil Stash (Holiday 2011) on sale right now. You get five travel pencils for nine bucks. Regular price was $34. That's a ridiculous deal. However, if you really want the math on this, here goes:
1 full-sized UD Shadow Pencil (.10 oz) = $20
5 full-sized UD Shadow Pencils (.50 oz) = $100
1 travel-sized UD Shadow Pencil (.088 oz) = $17.60 (not available separately, so don't worry about it)
5 travel-sized UD Shadow Pencils (.44 oz) = $88
Therefore, what should cost $88, and was originally Holiday-priced at $34, that I picked up for $12, is now on sale for $9. You're getting five pencils for about half the cost of one. Excuse me for a second...
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm sorry. I, quite literally, had to stop typing for a moment to laugh at the utter insanity of that price. And the thing is, all but one of the colors in this set are available separately in the $20 full size. My brain is having a hard time wrapping itself around this one. If you like smoky eyes, glide-on liners, cream shadows, glitter shadows, highlighted inner corners, or are just too lazy to use a brush (like me this morning), do yourself a favor and pick up one of these sets. Heck, pick up two or three. Give away any colors you don't like, and you'll still end up way ahead of the game.
Right. Now, onto the review:
I picked this set up a while back, when I snagged the Rollergirl Palette, and have been borderline obsessed with it ever since. You might have noticed. Anyhoo, let's look at this thing.
Packaging: The set comes in a very sturdy, shiny cardboard holder. I've been keeping my pencils in the holder, and shoving the entire thing into a drawer in my bathroom. After a few weeks of this, the holder is still in practically mint condition, and my pencils have stayed nice and organized. The first time you go to take them out, though, you better have a screwdriver on hand. Those suckers are in there tight! I'm also a fan of how the outside of each pencil is the same color as the shadow, itself, and the names are clearly printed on each. Caps are clear, and appear to be thick enough to avoid breakage. 10 out of 10.
1 full-sized UD Shadow Pencil (.10 oz) = $20
5 full-sized UD Shadow Pencils (.50 oz) = $100
1 travel-sized UD Shadow Pencil (.088 oz) = $17.60 (not available separately, so don't worry about it)
5 travel-sized UD Shadow Pencils (.44 oz) = $88
Therefore, what should cost $88, and was originally Holiday-priced at $34, that I picked up for $12, is now on sale for $9. You're getting five pencils for about half the cost of one. Excuse me for a second...
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm sorry. I, quite literally, had to stop typing for a moment to laugh at the utter insanity of that price. And the thing is, all but one of the colors in this set are available separately in the $20 full size. My brain is having a hard time wrapping itself around this one. If you like smoky eyes, glide-on liners, cream shadows, glitter shadows, highlighted inner corners, or are just too lazy to use a brush (like me this morning), do yourself a favor and pick up one of these sets. Heck, pick up two or three. Give away any colors you don't like, and you'll still end up way ahead of the game.
Right. Now, onto the review:
I picked this set up a while back, when I snagged the Rollergirl Palette, and have been borderline obsessed with it ever since. You might have noticed. Anyhoo, let's look at this thing.
Packaging: The set comes in a very sturdy, shiny cardboard holder. I've been keeping my pencils in the holder, and shoving the entire thing into a drawer in my bathroom. After a few weeks of this, the holder is still in practically mint condition, and my pencils have stayed nice and organized. The first time you go to take them out, though, you better have a screwdriver on hand. Those suckers are in there tight! I'm also a fan of how the outside of each pencil is the same color as the shadow, itself, and the names are clearly printed on each. Caps are clear, and appear to be thick enough to avoid breakage. 10 out of 10.
Colors: From left to right: Delinquent (glittery dark purple), Juju (frosted taupe), Rehab (bronzed brown), Sin (shimmering champagne), and Clash (glittery bright turquoise).
 |
| Photo Credit: Urban Decay |
For me, the most wearable are Rehab and Sin, and I often use them in combination. I spread Rehad across the lid and under the lower lash line, and highlight my inner corners with Sin. I've also used Sin as a cheek highlight with nice results. Delinquent is a much more wearable purple than you might imagine, though I do tend to tone it down with a neutral crease color. Clash is an absolutely divine turquoise. It's not an everyday kind of color, but for those times when you want a serious pop of color, this is unspeakably beautiful. I've found myself planning outfits around it. Juju is the only clunker for me. It's probably the perfect color for somebody out there, but I just can't wear it. It's so close to my skin tone that it just makes me look ill and a little pasty. 8 out of 10.
Quality: I just want you to look at something really quickly:
 |
| Top to bottom: Delinquent, Sin, Juju, Rehab, and Clash |
Each of those colors (and please, ignore my hairy arm...) was swatched ONE TIME in only ONE DIRECTION. That's how smooth and pigmented they are. Also, if you're a glitter girl, like I am, this is the only way to do glitter. There is zero fallout when applying. Wherever you put this is where it stays, glitter included. Blends like a dream--even with fingers--with color payoff in spades. 10 out of 10.
Wear: This is my eye after six hours of wearing Delinquent:
 |
| Makeup Used: Delinquent on lid, UD Busted shadow in crease, UD Bootycall shadow on browbone, Sin on inner corner, Tarte Lights, Camera, Action Mascara |
It's still there, and it's still really purple. The glitter is exactly where I put it, with maybe one or two flecks of fallout. There is some creasing, but considering the heat and humidity of my current climate (think: Sauna in Hell), and the fact that it's been on six hours without primer (oh, yeah, did I forget to mention that? No primer needed! One less step in the morning!), I'd say that's doing pretty darn well. 9.5 out of 10.
Final Verdict: 9.4 out of 10. For this price, buy as many as you possibly can. Trust me, you'll use them.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Frugal Friday: Urban Decay Rollergirl Palette Review
Seriously, this is all I could find this week. How sad is that?:
E.L.F.: $1.99 shipping on any order $15 or over with code 199SHIP. Exp. 3/26.
Too Faced: Free deluxe Chocolate Soleil Bronzer with any purchase from the new Summer Royalty collection. No code necessary. Exp. 3/31.
Today's Frugal Friday tip/trick is very simple: Don't forget about brand websites.
You see, I have gotten so dependent upon Sephora and Ulta for all my cosmetic needs, that I sometimes forget that my favorite brands have websites, as well. If there's something I want, I check either Sephora or Ulta, and if they don't have it...well, I guess I didn't need it. Except that sometimes I really do need it, like when my favorite foundation was discontinued. Or, I didn't realize I needed it at the time it was available, and now that I've seen umpteen-thousand reviews on it, my life will not be complete without it, like the Urban Decay Rollergirl Palette. When I checked the specialty stores, I was completely out of luck. However, when I surfed on down to the brand sites, and clicked on their pretty, shiny, SALE icons, I found exactly what I needed, and for much lower prices than I normally would have found. In fact, I saved so much on the Rollergirl Palette, that I was able to pick up a set of insanely-reduced 24/7 Shadow Pencils, too, so...SCORE!
(Actually, in all honesty, the foundation was still a no-go. The brand site did still carry it, though, just not in my shade. That said, the shades that hadn't sold out were marked down to a third of their original price. That's crazy.)
The moral of the story is: Always check the brand websites sale sections. You never know what you're going to find, or how cheap it'll be.
Now, with that, how 'bout a review of the Rollergirl Palette? I know, I'm a little (okay, a lot) late to the party on this one, since it's been around for a year; but the pricing hasn't been this good up until now, and I'm not made of money. If you're like me, you've held off on purchasing this, and now that it's only (*gasp*) $13.00 (reg. $32), you're seriously considering it. This review is for you. Personally. I hope you feel all nice and special now.
Okay, first off, I'm a palette junkie. I love having everything neatly organized for me in something I can toss in a purse or travel case. Plus, with palettes, you generally get a lot of product for not a lot of money (comparatively speaking, of course). In this case, the combined retail price of each individual item would have been $73.85 (thank you, Temptalia, for doing all that math for me). Even at $32, that's a deep discount.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. What might those individual items be? Glad you asked! You get four full-sized shadows (okay, so a smidgen less because they're square and not round, but it's a negligible difference. It's the same as the Midnight Emergency palette.), a two-thirds-sized 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Whiskey, and a deluxe sample-sized tube of Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in Crush.
Packaging: The palette is economically-sized to hold just what it needs to and not take up any extra real estate. There is a small and, unfortunately, fairly useless mirror on the inside of the hinged lid. I guess it's better than nothing, but if they'd skipped it entirely, I wouldn't feel any worse off. The four shadows are lined up inside, with the liner nestled in an crevice underneath. The lip gloss is separate, and can not be enclosed in the palette. The palette, itself, is constructed of an extremely heavy cardboard, opens on a hinge, and closes magnetically. I would not feel safe carrying this in my purse, because at worst it could fall open and the contents could be damaged. At best, the dust from the eyeshadow could coat everything else floating around in my purse. I do think it would be okay in a well-organized travel case, though. The cardboard edges could get dinged up a bit, but the products, themselves, should be fine. The entire palette is decorated in disco-worth metallics, florals, and photos of some bodacious babe in a bikini. She is wearing roller skates, if that helps. 6 out of 10.
Eyeshadows: The products are where the palette pays off. Starting with the eyeshadows, you get: Darkhorse (deep chocolate brown with bronze shimmer), Suspect (bronze shimmer), palette exclusive Verve (shimmering mushroom), and Woodstock (shocking pink shimmer). That's the surprise inside, folks. One of these things is not like the others, and that's Woodstock. I thought there was no way on God's green Earth I could pull that off, but the other colors were so gorgeous that I figured I could deal with one clunker, and maybe it would come in handy on occasion. Guys, that's my new favorite color to wear. It's beyond amazing, and completely wearable, but more on that in a minute. The shadows are, as per usual for UD, wonderfully pigmented and smooth to apply. I am loving that these are shimmers and not glitters, because hot pink fallout is not a good look on anyone, and there's none of that with this. They're just darn fine shadows. Of course, if you already have the Naked Palette or Book of Shadows Vol. III, you really don't need this, as they contain Darkhorse and Suspect (respectively), and Woodstock is part of the permanent collection. If you don't, though, or just like having coordinating shades packaged together, this is fabulous. 8 out of 10.
Eyeliner: I'm in love. More often than not, I opt for brown liner over black, anyway, so I was tickled to see this shade included. Unfortunately, I've never been able to find a pencil liner that applied easily...until this one. It's like butter, y'all. Better still, after several hours of wear in uncomfortably humid weather, it hasn't budged. At all. I'm sold. 10 out of 10.
Lip Gloss: This was another product I was originally concerned about. I've been burned by hot pink lip gloss before, but figured, "what the hey?" Afterall, it was the shadows I was after, anyway. This was just bonus, and I supposed I could let Mom give it a shot if it didn't work out on me.
Sorry, Mom.
In the tube, the gloss is a scarily bright pink. To quote Temptalia, "It’s almost like magenta met bubblegum pink, and then they had a lovechild." When you apply it, though, it's so sheer that you just get a wash of color. It's not a natural flush, but it's not too far off. This is part of the permanent Lip Junkie collection, so you can grab it without getting the rest of the palette. What's funny, though, is it'll cost more that way. Not too sticky, minty, feels smooth and moisturizing, and it plumps lips. This is a really nice gloss. 9 out of 10.
Final Verdict: 8.2 out of 10. Well worth the $13, even if you just want one item out of the group.
Now, I promised that the pink was wearable, didn't I? Well, here's how I did it:
1. Apply Woodstock from lash to crease.
4. Layer Suspect over Darkhorse and blend outward.
5. Line lower lashes with Darkhorse, and upper lashline with Whiskey.
6. Brush mascara onto upper and lower lashes.
Hope this helps! Have a great weekend!
E.L.F.: $1.99 shipping on any order $15 or over with code 199SHIP. Exp. 3/26.
Too Faced: Free deluxe Chocolate Soleil Bronzer with any purchase from the new Summer Royalty collection. No code necessary. Exp. 3/31.
Today's Frugal Friday tip/trick is very simple: Don't forget about brand websites.
You see, I have gotten so dependent upon Sephora and Ulta for all my cosmetic needs, that I sometimes forget that my favorite brands have websites, as well. If there's something I want, I check either Sephora or Ulta, and if they don't have it...well, I guess I didn't need it. Except that sometimes I really do need it, like when my favorite foundation was discontinued. Or, I didn't realize I needed it at the time it was available, and now that I've seen umpteen-thousand reviews on it, my life will not be complete without it, like the Urban Decay Rollergirl Palette. When I checked the specialty stores, I was completely out of luck. However, when I surfed on down to the brand sites, and clicked on their pretty, shiny, SALE icons, I found exactly what I needed, and for much lower prices than I normally would have found. In fact, I saved so much on the Rollergirl Palette, that I was able to pick up a set of insanely-reduced 24/7 Shadow Pencils, too, so...SCORE!
(Actually, in all honesty, the foundation was still a no-go. The brand site did still carry it, though, just not in my shade. That said, the shades that hadn't sold out were marked down to a third of their original price. That's crazy.)
The moral of the story is: Always check the brand websites sale sections. You never know what you're going to find, or how cheap it'll be.
 |
| Photo Credit: Urban Decay |
Okay, first off, I'm a palette junkie. I love having everything neatly organized for me in something I can toss in a purse or travel case. Plus, with palettes, you generally get a lot of product for not a lot of money (comparatively speaking, of course). In this case, the combined retail price of each individual item would have been $73.85 (thank you, Temptalia, for doing all that math for me). Even at $32, that's a deep discount.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. What might those individual items be? Glad you asked! You get four full-sized shadows (okay, so a smidgen less because they're square and not round, but it's a negligible difference. It's the same as the Midnight Emergency palette.), a two-thirds-sized 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Whiskey, and a deluxe sample-sized tube of Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in Crush.
Packaging: The palette is economically-sized to hold just what it needs to and not take up any extra real estate. There is a small and, unfortunately, fairly useless mirror on the inside of the hinged lid. I guess it's better than nothing, but if they'd skipped it entirely, I wouldn't feel any worse off. The four shadows are lined up inside, with the liner nestled in an crevice underneath. The lip gloss is separate, and can not be enclosed in the palette. The palette, itself, is constructed of an extremely heavy cardboard, opens on a hinge, and closes magnetically. I would not feel safe carrying this in my purse, because at worst it could fall open and the contents could be damaged. At best, the dust from the eyeshadow could coat everything else floating around in my purse. I do think it would be okay in a well-organized travel case, though. The cardboard edges could get dinged up a bit, but the products, themselves, should be fine. The entire palette is decorated in disco-worth metallics, florals, and photos of some bodacious babe in a bikini. She is wearing roller skates, if that helps. 6 out of 10.
Eyeshadows: The products are where the palette pays off. Starting with the eyeshadows, you get: Darkhorse (deep chocolate brown with bronze shimmer), Suspect (bronze shimmer), palette exclusive Verve (shimmering mushroom), and Woodstock (shocking pink shimmer). That's the surprise inside, folks. One of these things is not like the others, and that's Woodstock. I thought there was no way on God's green Earth I could pull that off, but the other colors were so gorgeous that I figured I could deal with one clunker, and maybe it would come in handy on occasion. Guys, that's my new favorite color to wear. It's beyond amazing, and completely wearable, but more on that in a minute. The shadows are, as per usual for UD, wonderfully pigmented and smooth to apply. I am loving that these are shimmers and not glitters, because hot pink fallout is not a good look on anyone, and there's none of that with this. They're just darn fine shadows. Of course, if you already have the Naked Palette or Book of Shadows Vol. III, you really don't need this, as they contain Darkhorse and Suspect (respectively), and Woodstock is part of the permanent collection. If you don't, though, or just like having coordinating shades packaged together, this is fabulous. 8 out of 10.
Eyeliner: I'm in love. More often than not, I opt for brown liner over black, anyway, so I was tickled to see this shade included. Unfortunately, I've never been able to find a pencil liner that applied easily...until this one. It's like butter, y'all. Better still, after several hours of wear in uncomfortably humid weather, it hasn't budged. At all. I'm sold. 10 out of 10.
 |
Sorry, Mom.
In the tube, the gloss is a scarily bright pink. To quote Temptalia, "It’s almost like magenta met bubblegum pink, and then they had a lovechild." When you apply it, though, it's so sheer that you just get a wash of color. It's not a natural flush, but it's not too far off. This is part of the permanent Lip Junkie collection, so you can grab it without getting the rest of the palette. What's funny, though, is it'll cost more that way. Not too sticky, minty, feels smooth and moisturizing, and it plumps lips. This is a really nice gloss. 9 out of 10.
Final Verdict: 8.2 out of 10. Well worth the $13, even if you just want one item out of the group.
Now, I promised that the pink was wearable, didn't I? Well, here's how I did it:
1. Apply Woodstock from lash to crease.
2. Sweep Verve on browbone to highlight.
3. Shade crease and outer corner with Darkhorse for definition.4. Layer Suspect over Darkhorse and blend outward.
5. Line lower lashes with Darkhorse, and upper lashline with Whiskey.
6. Brush mascara onto upper and lower lashes.
Behold, the cruddiest snapshot ever!!!
Closer for detail:
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| Please forgive my brows. They have a shaping coming, I promise! |
Friday, March 16, 2012
Frugal Friday: The Saving O' the Green!
Happy Friday before St. Paddy's Day!! There were a few nice deals this week, so let's hit those first:
Sally Beauty Supply: Save 20% on any purchase $50 or more with code 555117. Exp. 3/19.
E.L.F.: Get an 11-pc. Studio Brush Set for $3 with any purchase of $25 or more with code SPRING. Exp. 3/19.
Smashbox: Save $10 on any $50 purchase with code SAVENOW. Exp. 3/18.
Kohl's: Save 20% on any purchase with code FF20MAR. Exp. 3/18.
In honor of the holiday (and because I'm already too drunk to type--I kid!! I'm never too drunk to type), I thought I'd let makeup maven Madison show you a festive tutorial. Take it away, Maddy!
Video Credit: YouTube
Love her shirt? You can get it for your own little leprechaun for only $5.99 here.
Now, go stomp on some snakes, or eat some cabbage, or something. Me? I'll have another round, barkeep! *hic*
Sally Beauty Supply: Save 20% on any purchase $50 or more with code 555117. Exp. 3/19.
E.L.F.: Get an 11-pc. Studio Brush Set for $3 with any purchase of $25 or more with code SPRING. Exp. 3/19.
Smashbox: Save $10 on any $50 purchase with code SAVENOW. Exp. 3/18.
Kohl's: Save 20% on any purchase with code FF20MAR. Exp. 3/18.
In honor of the holiday (and because I'm already too drunk to type--I kid!! I'm never too drunk to type), I thought I'd let makeup maven Madison show you a festive tutorial. Take it away, Maddy!
Video Credit: YouTube
Love her shirt? You can get it for your own little leprechaun for only $5.99 here.
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| Photo Credit: Target |
Friday, February 17, 2012
Frugal Friday and Some Heavenly High Heels
This polka-dotted, treat-filled pump (available in dark or milk chocolate) is roughly one pound of chocolaty deliciousness, and can be yours for $39.95. Not really feeling into the whole "Cinderella's lost slipper" vibe? Pick up a pair (delivered in the most adorable tissue-lined shoebox!) for $76.95. In case you're wondering, yes, they are life-sized, but no, I would not recommend wearing them. Of course, that is one way to get around having to share...
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| Photo Credit (All): Sweet Designs Chocolatier |
Want to read more from the delightful Erin O'Brien? Her new book, The Irish Hungarian Guide To the Domestic Arts, is available on Amazon for $14.00. While you wait for the beautifully-written hilarity to arrive, check out her blog for an oasis of intelligent humor in this increasingly crass cyber-world.
And now, it's time for some Frugal Friday deals!
Disney Store: Use code HAPPY25 for 25% off any Parks merchandise through 2/20/12.
Smashbox: Enter the code SMASH25 for $25 off any $100 purchase. Ends 2/19/12.
Old Navy: Save 15% off any online order, or 25% off any online order of $100 or more with code ONSAVEBIG. Ends 2/20/12.
MAC Cosmetics: Free shipping on any online order through 2/20/12. No code necessary.
Victoria's Secret: Free 3pc. travel bag set with any $45 in-store Beauty purchase. Expires 2/17/12. Have a wonderful weekend!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
It's Over! It's Finally Over!
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| Photo Credit: Someecards.com |
I'm so sick of these materialistic commercials. For me, Valentine's is about showing appreciation for all the loves in your life--not about going into debt trying to quantify your affection. My Valentine's plans? A home-cooked dinner, a fancy homemade dessert, and some snuggling on the couch. It's about being together; not about diamonds, roses, or reservations.
So, to celebrate this blessed occasion, here are some fun deals on goodies for all my lovely little valentines out there. I adore you all! Have a fantastic day!
Old Navy: Save 14% off anything today with the code ONLOVE.
Dressbarn: Free Shipping today on orders $14 and over. No code needed.
Smashbox: Free Precision Liner with any purchase until 5pm ET. $20 value, and no code needed.
E.L.F.: Free Shipping on orders $14 and over with the code FSLOVE.
BeautyMint: Get $20 off a 4-piece system with the code VAL20. (exp. 2/15)
Aeropostale: Take 14% off anything (except clearance and fragrance) with the code 14VDAY.
DuWop: Save 14% sitewide. No code needed. (exp. 2/19)
TooFaced: Take 15% off your entire purchase with the code VDAYLOVE12.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Frugal Friday: This Is How My Mind Works
Some random observations from today:
Someone is always getting married on the Young & the Restless. Seriously. About once a week (in the 30 minutes, or so, that I catch most days before I go to work), someone will either announce an engagement, find themselves in a forced/arranged/sham marriage, get word that their ex is betrothed to their enemy and will be their kid's step-parent (whoa), or--crazy as it sounds--actually walk down the aisle. Of course, then someone will have to try to stop the ceremony by objecting, shooting someone, or having the bride or groom arrested. I'm telling you, that is one heckuva town. Vegas never had it so interesting.
Weddings make me think of cake. Now I want cake. There's a cupcake shop on the corner near my new house. I will never lose this weight. Oh well.
You don't so much clean an unused bathtub as you dust it. In some ways, I find that to be more difficult. Not only that, do you have any idea how galling it is to exert so much effort cleaning something that was never used? Well, I take that back. It was used once as a crime scene for a friend's student film, but then the only stuff that went into it was fake blood, and that was made with dishwashing detergent; so, in effect, the only thing that's ever been in that tub was soap...and I still had to clean it. That's just irritating.
Oh! There's a gym nextdoor to the cupcake shop! I could join the gym, and then work off whatever calories were in the cup--oh, I can't even get through that sentence. The shop is walking distance from the house, though. I could just walk to and from the cupcake-y goodness, and that wouldn't be so bad. Yeah! That's a plan!
You should never lose hope. Just because you step up to the Plinko game of life with only two chips, and the first one lands on $0, you shouldn't give up. It only takes one chip to hit $10,000. Your chip could be that one.
Forget the cupcakes! I don't need them! I will lose this weight! I will be strong! Now...what can I do about that pesky Krispy Kreme down the street? Sigh...
And now, for this week's deals:
E.L.F.: Get an 8-piece set (plus travel case) for $2 with any $20 online purchase. Just add the Sweetheart Collection set to your cart, along with $20 worth of merchandise, and enter code SWEET at checkout to get your discount. Offer valid until 1/30/12.
StyleMint: Existing members who buy any two Ts today will receive a free Cupid's Kit, which includes one best-selling JewelMint piece, a seamless cami, and either a lip stain or face cream. No code necessary.
JewelMint: Purchase any JewelMint piece today and receive the Take a Bow Ring for free with code BOWRING.
Have a great weekend, guys! (Now, go get your cupcake on!)
Someone is always getting married on the Young & the Restless. Seriously. About once a week (in the 30 minutes, or so, that I catch most days before I go to work), someone will either announce an engagement, find themselves in a forced/arranged/sham marriage, get word that their ex is betrothed to their enemy and will be their kid's step-parent (whoa), or--crazy as it sounds--actually walk down the aisle. Of course, then someone will have to try to stop the ceremony by objecting, shooting someone, or having the bride or groom arrested. I'm telling you, that is one heckuva town. Vegas never had it so interesting.
Weddings make me think of cake. Now I want cake. There's a cupcake shop on the corner near my new house. I will never lose this weight. Oh well.
You don't so much clean an unused bathtub as you dust it. In some ways, I find that to be more difficult. Not only that, do you have any idea how galling it is to exert so much effort cleaning something that was never used? Well, I take that back. It was used once as a crime scene for a friend's student film, but then the only stuff that went into it was fake blood, and that was made with dishwashing detergent; so, in effect, the only thing that's ever been in that tub was soap...and I still had to clean it. That's just irritating.
Oh! There's a gym nextdoor to the cupcake shop! I could join the gym, and then work off whatever calories were in the cup--oh, I can't even get through that sentence. The shop is walking distance from the house, though. I could just walk to and from the cupcake-y goodness, and that wouldn't be so bad. Yeah! That's a plan!
You should never lose hope. Just because you step up to the Plinko game of life with only two chips, and the first one lands on $0, you shouldn't give up. It only takes one chip to hit $10,000. Your chip could be that one.
Forget the cupcakes! I don't need them! I will lose this weight! I will be strong! Now...what can I do about that pesky Krispy Kreme down the street? Sigh...
And now, for this week's deals:
E.L.F.: Get an 8-piece set (plus travel case) for $2 with any $20 online purchase. Just add the Sweetheart Collection set to your cart, along with $20 worth of merchandise, and enter code SWEET at checkout to get your discount. Offer valid until 1/30/12.
StyleMint: Existing members who buy any two Ts today will receive a free Cupid's Kit, which includes one best-selling JewelMint piece, a seamless cami, and either a lip stain or face cream. No code necessary.
JewelMint: Purchase any JewelMint piece today and receive the Take a Bow Ring for free with code BOWRING.
Have a great weekend, guys! (Now, go get your cupcake on!)
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Brainy Beauty
Today, I'm celebrating being alive (and compensating for a horrible hair day) by wearing a precious, handmade headband, featuring a cute little purple felt zombie face. I bought it at an Art Walk, from a really sweet local artist who, sadly, does not have an online shop, even though she's awesome and most definitely should. Anyway, I did some looking and came up with a next-best option for you guys:
Those are the cutest brains ever!! This headband (also available in pink) is $23 plus shipping, and comes from Etsy artist Janine Basil. It's quirky, unexpected, and surprisingly wearable. Visit Janine's shop here.
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| Photo Credit: Janine Basil |
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Pin-Up Posters and Diva Decor
You know how I said yesterday that I hoped to take some pictures of the bathroom last night? Well, I decided to wait on that until there was something decent to photograph. Right now, the towels aren't out, the decor is only halfway installed, and a great big container of spackle is right smack dab in the middle of my countertop. Trust me, you want me to wait on this.
In the meantime, let me tell you about my nowhere-near-finished guest room! (I can tell you're just chompin' at the bit.) The room had been what Thomas referred to as "Andy's Room Blue", but we painted over that with slate gray and trimmed the window, doors, and baseboards in white. Most of the accents are lime green, which really pops against the gray.
The inspiration for the room came, in part, from a rather odd source: Victoria's Secret. I kid thee not.
See, back around the time of the last fashion show, the company held a sweepstakes, and I--for once--won a prize! I received a design-inspired sketch of one of the runway looks. Now, to be perfectly frank, I wasn't thrilled. I was thrilled to get anything, of course, but I'd hoped for a gift card, discount, or maybe a t-shirt. Design-inspired sketch never even entered my mind. What on Earth was I going to do with a picture of some random chick in lingerie?
A few weeks later, my "major award" arrived. Inside a little "Congratulations! You're a Winner!" card was the sweetest little cartoon-like sketch of a redheaded superheroine--all in hot pink with white go-go boots! The background was a lemon-lime green, and the entire piece was beyond adorable. I squealed a little, and decided right then and there that I would decorate the guestroom in a sophisticatedly (is that a word? It is now) girly fashion. The sketch went into a chrome frame with a white mat, and the search for equally precious pinup art commenced.
Since the room's going uber-girly, I thought I'd toss in a frilly mirror...
...then tone things down a bit with a mod lamp.
It's a work-in-progress, but I think we may be getting there. Any thought? I'd love to read them in the comments.
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| Andy's Room. Photo Credit: DisneyWallpaper |
The inspiration for the room came, in part, from a rather odd source: Victoria's Secret. I kid thee not.
See, back around the time of the last fashion show, the company held a sweepstakes, and I--for once--won a prize! I received a design-inspired sketch of one of the runway looks. Now, to be perfectly frank, I wasn't thrilled. I was thrilled to get anything, of course, but I'd hoped for a gift card, discount, or maybe a t-shirt. Design-inspired sketch never even entered my mind. What on Earth was I going to do with a picture of some random chick in lingerie?
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| Photo Credit: CBS News. Change the yellow to pink, and this is my sketch. |
A quick search on Amazon brought up some winners. Here are my favorites:
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| Photo Credit: Poster Shop Live (This and next two) |
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| Link |
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| Link |
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| Photo Credit: Pop Culture Graphics |
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| Photo Credit: Kirkland's |
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| Photo Credit: Target |
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