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Laura Geller Baked Blush N Brighten Dupe

Dec11

Happy Sunday! Being a snowy day today, I went shopping. I had to make my second Ulta trip this week because I needed to pick up something for my co-worker. Months ago I got a Laura Gellar Baked Blush N Brighten in Tropic Hues from Ipsy.  I really like the color and was contemplating buying a full size which is $28.  I have a 20% off coupon for my entire purchase that I’m holding out buying anything until I have a ton of stuff to buy. Since I’m a platinum rewards member at Ulta, my 20% off coupon works for prestige brands.  Anywho, I was looking at some clearance items and found the almost exact color by Palladio. I’m guessing Ulta won’t be carrying this line any longer since everything was on clearance.  I do see they carry this at Sally Beauty Palladio Herbal Baked Blush in Blushin’ for $6.99.  I paid $1.79 at Ulta.  I was able to compare the two colors at the store.

Holy cow!  They are almost identical. The swatch looks a wee bit different, but they look the same on.

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Such a pretty peachy color

This is such a nice color on my pasty white skin.

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Still have Bell’s palsy so no smile and a half assed make up job.

 

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Thanks for stopping by.

Goodwill Year End Haul

Dec11

Happy Sunday!   I cleaned my closet this weekend and filled five garbage bags with clothes to donate. While I was cleaning, I realized that I have way too many clothes.  But I’m a woman and we can never have too many clothes, kind of the same way  we feel about shoes.

Since it’s officially winter here in Wisconsin, I was jonesing for some different sweaters, so off I went to Goodwill.  It’s snowing today, so the store was hardly busy at all, yeah!  No screaming kids! I scored lots of good stuff. Of course I need nothing, but that never stops me.

For a whopping $22, I got two pairs of pants, four sweaters, two tee shirts, a tank top and a hippy blouse.

All of the items were name brand and in excellent condition.  I got 8 items for 50% off the tag price, then 25% off of my entire purchase.

Here are my sweaters.  I especially like the paisley print cardigan.

The tee shirts and tank top will look great under sweaters I already own.

And this cute hippy blouse. Super comfy.

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I also got a pair of Dockers trouser jeans and some black Levi corduroys. Now I’m all set, at least until I lose the 30 pounds hanging off my arse.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Frizz Free Finally-Zero Frizz review

Dec4

Happy Sunday!  I think I may have finally found a solution for my frizzy hair.  I have naturally curly, super dry, fine hair. As I’ve been in menopause for eight years, it has gotten out of control.  Like it’s a good thing I don’t smoke, as my hair is a serious fire hazard!

I’ve been contemplating cutting may hair all off, because I just can’t make it look right.  I wear my hair up most of the time. I’m constantly switching up my hair care, looking for anything that will make the frizz go away. Not to mention I’ve spent a ton of money. It’s very frustrating.

Here’s my usual hair-frizzy, curly mess.

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Fire hazard!

Here’s me after using   Zero Frizz Conditioner   and  Zero Frizz Keratin Smoothing shampoo. I bought the shampoo and conditioner for only $1.98 each at Bed, Bath and Beyond.  I think it’s being discontinued. Some BBB’s have awesome health and beauty products.  Of course, I find something I like, and now I can only buy it online. I also used Sally Hershberger Curvaceous Curl Perfection Cream  for $10 USD.  It worked great in my curls, and is a heat protector. I let my hair dry naturally, then straightened  it with Simply Straight Straightening Brush which I purchased at BBB six months ago.

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Not too shabby for four day hair

I’m still suffering from Bell’s Palsy, so this is as much as I can smile right now. I went to BBB today and bought up all the rest of the Zero Frizz shampoo and conditioner they had. I now have 6 bottles of shampoo and 2 bottles of conditioner. I only wash my hair twice a week, so I’m guessing this should last me for awhile.

If anyone knows of a similar product that does the same thing, please let me know.

Thanks for stopping by.

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Sephora Play-Nov. 2016

Nov20

Happy Sunday!  I got my second Sephora play bag, and I’m so digging it. This month’s bag is Best in Glow.  I got five deluxe samples and a fragrance sample.  The cost is only $10 a month.  All of the items are available from Sephora.  This is a huge advantage over my Ipsy subscription, as some of their items are not readily available. Now if Ulta would only do a beauty box, I would be in heaven.

One of the best things I like about the Sephora Play is the detailed description and use of products guide included each month.  You know exactly what to do with each item.

First up,  Cover FX Illuminating Primer a glow inducing , silicone-free primer preps skin with a light-reflecting mineral complex and helps eliminate dullness. I can’t wait to try this, as my skin has gotten dull as I’ve gotten older.

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet- okay, you had me at Vinosource! A rejuvenating and lightweight luscious gel cream that hydrates and softens skin while visibly calming redness and congestion. This moisturizer has ingredients that are unique to Caudalie’s skincare collection. Organic grape water, a mineral rich elixir and grape seed polyphenols.  I hear the box of wine in the fridge calling my name.

Laura Mercer Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Rose Gold-Multipurpose, high-pigment eyeshadow stick glides on and blends easily for transfer proof, all-day wear. Not only can this be used as a eye shadow, but also an eyeliner and highlighter.  I love multi purpose sticks.

Sephora Collection Ultra Shine Lip Gel in Pin Up Pink-Hydrating, glossy lip gel visibly plumps lips with a lustrous sheen and always flattering hot pink hue-no sticky light pink color, easy to wear alone or over lipstick.

Glamglow GravityMud Firming treatment-Peel off mask turns a brilliant silver when applied and uses targeted ingredients to make skin appear firm and toned. I need a 55 gallon container of this bad boy, I want to use it on my entire body.

Maison Margiela Replica By The Fireplace- Channel the scent and feeling of a chilly evening spent by the fireplace with this warm, woody scent for both men and women.

 

Julep Maven Event-Ulta

Nov12

Happy Saturday!  I recently signed up to become a Julep Maven.  As a result I got invited to a Julep event at Ulta. I’ve only recently started using Julep products, mostly nail polish, which is awesome!

Today I got to try some make up.  Found my new favorite lip balm. Julep It’s Balm in Vintage Mauve for $20 USD.  I also got a nail treatment which I really like. Julep Take a Breather Oxygen Nail Treatment in Sheer Ivory for $18 USD.  I wouldn’t normally spend that much on lip balm or a nail treatment, but I’m really digging Julep products right now, so it was totally worth it.  Plus I got two free gifts, a deluxe size of  It’s Whipped Matte Lip Mousse in Bisou, and deluxe sample of Length Matters Mascara along with a cute make up bag.

I got a travel duo Love your bare face cleansing oil and Konjac sponge set for $19 USD.  Being a Ulta rewards member, I got triple points on my purchases.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Curel Hydratherapy Review

Nov8

Happy Tuesday!  Winter is coming to Wisconsin, and I’m not thrilled. Being a menopausal middle aged woman, I have some dry, crinkly, crepey  skin.  My skin literally went from pretty decent overall, to this tissue thin looking old lady crap. It’s bad enough that my muscle tone went to all to heck, now my skin is getting super dry too.

Well dry skin,  Curel Hydratherpay Wet Skin Moisturizer you rock!  I hate putting on lotion after I shower because well, I’m lazy. I finally have my snooze button pressing down to four times, it use to be seven times. (I hate mornings)

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This is a game changer.  You use this lotion in the shower.  You don’t have to rinse it off, nor be careful when you dry off.  You don’t need to use a lot either.  A quarter size will cover your whole body.

Here’s what Curel has to say:

Why Wet Skin?
After showering, your pores are open, providing an easy pathway for moisture to absorb into just-showered skin. Curél® HYDRATHERAPY WET SKIN MOISTURIZER, with Advanced Ceramide Complex, penetrates deeply into the skin’s surface bringing moisture to the source of dryness. It absorbs immediately and with continued use will end your dry skin!

Why Ceramides?
Ceramides, naturally present in healthy skin, are vital building blocks to maintaining skin’s moisture barrier. When ceramides are lost, skin becomes dry and damaged. Curél® HYDRA THERAPY WET SKIN MOISTURIZER, with Advanced Ceramide Complex, penetrates to the source of dryness, helping to replenish skin’s ceramide levels and repair the moisture barrier.

  • Water activated moisture works deep into skin’s surface
  • Helps repair moisture barrier
  • Contains our proprietary Advanced Ceramide Complex
  • Immediately Absorbs
  • Completely Greaseless
  • Skin feels 3x more hydrated instantly
  • Fragrance Free
  • Dermatologist Recommended
  • Received the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance™
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I bought mine at Wal-Mart for $6 for 8 ounces. Their was a $2 coupon attached, so without the coupon it would have been $8.  It is well worth it, and I will purchase it again.
Thanks for stopping by.

 

Julep Nail Color

Nov2

Happy Wednesday!  My nails were so long until I went on vacation recently.  I cut them down before we went, and three weeks later they are finally growing in.

Here’s a really pretty sparkle color by Julep in Ebony.  I got it free with this month’s Julep box.  I signed up for three months, and this was my last one. I like the polish, but the boxes are a bit pricey ($20USD) per month.  You can pick your products which is nice.

This is only one coat, over a medium blue I already had on.  Julep Ebony It girl.  It’s a graphite holographic polish.  It’s really cool. It’s on sale for only $4.99.  Julep is some of the best polish I have ever used.  It stays on well, and is deeply pigmented.

Nightmare on Kylie Street

Nov1

Yikes!  I so wanted to love this Sinful Colors Kylie Denim & Bling in Kargo.  It’s a really cool blue matte color. It looked great on, but taking it off, OMG, what a nightmare!

I bought some other colors from this collection because they were on clearance. They were only $2 each, so I figured what the heck.

I used straight up acetone to try and remove this polish. My nails were really long, and I had some silk wraps on that ended up getting wrecked. These are not tips, but my own nails that I loved.  Now they are a lot shorter since I got back from vacation.

Lucky for me we had some industrial hand cleaner in the basement. It got most of it off.

Check it out.  I don’t know if I just got a bad batch or what, but it quickly went in the trash.

 

Olay Eyes Review

Oct22

Happy Saturday!  Finding a good eye cream has always been a challenge for me. I have mature skin, (i.e. old) and have purchased so many eye creams over the years. I’ve tried prestige brands that didn’t really do anything. I hate spending a lot of money on something that ultimately doesn’t work.

I bought the Olay Eyes at Ulta awhile back.  I was using up a Philosophy eye cream that I started using in June.  Never really saw any results with that, but it was expensive, and I didn’t feel like taking it back.

I used the Olay Eyes for the first time last night.  When they say instant results, they were not kidding.  Here is what Ulta  has to say:

“Fight dark circles, wrinkles and puffy eyes in an instant with Olay Eyes Ultimate Eye Perfecting Cream. This 3-in-1 Decircler, DeWrinkler & DePuffer instantly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Supercharged with peptides and vitamins, it renews skin¿s surface over time and reduces puffiness by massaging onto skin. Formulated with Olay’s color-correcting technology, it acts as a touch of concealer that matches all skin tones. The powerful formula hydrates to smooth and brighten the eye area. Give your eyes a boost of beauty and moisture with Ultimate Eye Cream for wrinkles, puffy eyes, and dark circles.”

One of my biggest eye issues besides under eye circles is wrinkled eyelids. I’m 57 and gravity has taken its toll on my eyelids. I had a Botox eyelift a few years ago, but it only last for three months and cost $600. I wear glasses, so that hides a lot.

I used the Olay Eyes for the first time last night. When I woke up this morning, my eyelid wrinkles were reduced.  I had to do a double take. I’ve never tried any eye cream that had instant results like this.  To say I was thrilled would be an understatement. It retails for $29.99 at Ulta. I had  coupons, so I paid $20 for a .4 ounce jar.  You use very little. I can’t wait to see the long-term results.

I give this a 10/10.

Thanks for stopping by.

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