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Sephora Play Oct. 2016

Oct21

Hello and happy Friday!  I recently was invited to sign up for Sephora Play.  I got the email while I was waiting to board a flight. I quickly signed up, it was very early in the morning, and I was in a hurry. Lately I was wondering if I really signed up as I hadn’t gotten any kind of confirmation.

Well today I got my first Sephora Play package. Woo hoo!  I absolutely love it!  I got five deluxe samples and a cute cloth bag. Every bag includes a fragrance sample as well.

sephora-play-oct-2016

This is my third subscription box service.  I currently have Ipsy and Julep.  I’ve had Ipsy since it started, some five or so years ago.  I just started the Julep box.  The Sephora Play is $10 a month. Sephora Play.  Now I’m an Ulta girl through and through, but I have  bought a few things from Sephora, but haven’t found the variety like I do at Ulta.

I got a nice variety of items. Plus one thing that stands out is the pamphlet that came with my box.  Every item is discussed in detail, and also directions on how to use the products.  This is quite different from Ipsy, as you get no info on the products. Also a card was attached that had all of the items listed with the cost of the full size. Impressive. If I make a purchase with this card I get 50 Sephora beauty points.

sephora-october-2016-play-info

Here is what I got:

Madame C.J. Walker Scent & Shine Coconut Oil-smells wonderful, can’t wait to use it on my naturally curly hair.

Farmacy Skin Dew Mist-I’m sure my dry skin will love this.

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum-description says “resurfaces dull and congested skin.”  Yes, please!

Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick in Driver’s Seat-a pretty coral color, perfect for Fall.

sephora-oct-16-smashbox-matte-liquid-lipstick-drivers-seat

And my most favorite item is The Estee Edit Flash Photo Gloss-the description says it makes your teeth look whiter, here it is over the matte lipcolor I got, I think it does work.

sephora-oct-2016-estee-edit-flash-photo-gloss

sepphora-oct-2016-lipstik-chill

Last, but not least is a sample of Derek Lam 10 Crosby Silent St.-a soft blend of white musks, and subtle florals.

I am very pleased with this new subscription box, and look forward to November’s box.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

The POREfessional Face Primer by Benefit

Oct16

I’ve never really had a problem with big pores.  I take good care of my skin, so large pores were never an issue for me. Until menopause came knocking at my door.  Now I seem to have them on my nose. I’ve tried several different products, but nothing seemed to work.

I got a sample of The Pore Professional when I bought some Benefit products a few years ago.  I never really used it, and basically forgot I even had it. For whatever reason I looked on the Ulta website and watched a video on how to use this primer.  Turns out I was using it all wrong. Now that I learned the correct way to apply it, I love it.  It also works well for lines under your eyes, and other wrinkles you might have.  A little goes a long way.  It retails for $31 for .75 ounces. The trick is to dab a little of the product on your pores, you don’t need very much, and rubbing it in doesn’t work.

Here’s what Ulta has to say about it:

“Quickly minimize the appearance of pores & fine lines for smoother-than-smooth skin! Apply this silky, lightweight balm alone, under or over makeup. Translucent, oil-free formula complements all skintones and helps makeup stay put. Contains a vitamin E derivative, known to protect skin from free radicals.

The POREfessional is the #1 best-selling Prestige Face Primer in the US*

*Source: The NPD Group, Inc. / BeautyTrends, US Prestige Makeup Item Dollar Sales, January 2015 – December 2015”

I’ve purchased various Benefit gift sets over the years, so I have enough to last me for a long time.  I will definitely fork over the $31 when all my little tubes run out.

Thanks for stopping by.benefit-the-pore-professional-10-16-16

 

 

Clinique Chubby Stick Lip Balm

Oct16

Happy Sunday!  Can I just say I carry way too many colors of lipstick with me. Like at least five tubes of either gloss, balm, lip stick, you name it, I carry it. Now I’m not sure why I carry so many, but I guess I’m an oddball that way.  I’ve been wearing lipstick since I was 14.

Planning a recent vacation for 10 days involved only bringing essentials, as we were staying at four hotels in two countries. I thought a colored lip balm would do the trick.  I already have several, but none of them were doing anything for me. I was at a fashion show recently and tried a Clinique Chubby Stick in Bountiful Blush  Turns out it was a great color on me, so I bought one at Ulta for $17.  Normally I wouldn’t spend that much on a lip balm, but the color looks very nice, and I was running out of time. Once this runs out I’ll find a cheaper dupe.

It’s a pretty rosy color that I think would work well on any skin tone. It’s easy to use, and you don’t need a mirror.  It’s very moisturizing and it stays on for a long time.

Here’s me in Costa Rica with a bit of a tan (very tan for me, as I don’t tan). I think it makes your teeth look whiter also.  My selfies skills suck, as my nose really isn’t that big. Oh well.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana & Dupe

Oct16

Happy Sunday!  I love perfume, especially florals. I have my go to fragrances, and seldom buy anything new.  Getting ready for a recent vacation to the tropics, I was at my favorite store, Ulta and spied a fragrance ad that caught my eye.  It was Light Blue by Dolce & Gabanna.  The models were in swimsuits and appeared to be somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea. I tried it and immediately fell in love.  Not wanting to fork out $98 for a 3.3 ounce bottle, I went to Dolce & Gabana Light Blue for Women 3.3 ounces on Amazon and purchased it for $36.90, free shipping with Amazon Prime.

Next stop, I bought a travel perfume bottle to take my new favorite scent on vacation. I was at Wal-Mart buying travel size stuff and came across  Capri Breeze  I bought a small can of body spray that is .5 ounces for a $1. It smells exactly like the real thing. I even went back the next day and bought the rest of their stock, which was five cans of spray.

I took two cans on vacation, and used one up completely.  This stuff smells so good. It’s great to throw in your purse or gym bag. You can spray it all over your body.  I’ve never used a body spray before, and enjoyed how easy it is to use.  No dripping or getting too much on.

These travel size body sprays would make great gifts, along with being a good stocking stuffer.  When my 3.3 ounce bottles runs out, I’ll definitely be buying the bigger size Capri Breeze which is only $2.98 for 2.5 ounces.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

Maybelline Superstay Better Skin Powder Foundation

Oct16

Happy Sunday!  I’m finally getting back into the  swing of things after being on vacation for 10 days.

Being an avid beauty junkie, I’m always on the lookout for the next best thing. About two months ago, I started using Maybelline Superstay Better Skin skin transforming powder in Classic Ivory.  I purchased it at Ulta for $10.99.  I try to use a foundation with an SPF of at least 30, along with a moisturizer with at least a SPF of 30 every day as well. This foundation does not contain any SPF. It has Salicylic Acid  and promises to transform your skin in three weeks.

Here is the description from Ulta’s website:

What if a powder could cover like a foundation and control shine all-day?

“Superstay Better Skin Powder covers like a foundation. It uses a unique blend of soft, finely-milled powders to deliver all-day complete coverage that feels lightweight and breathable on skin.

In addition the powder’s creamy texture blends seamlessly and gives all-day oil control for a shine-free finish.
Finally, the formula contains skin-clarifying salicylic acid, which is proven to reduce the appearance of imperfections, pores and unevenness while flawlessly covering.”

You can adjust the coverage easily by how you apply it.  If I want more coverage, I use the sponge applicator that came with it.  I prefer using a kabuki brush, as it’s a much lighter coverage.

I was leary of the Salicylic Acid being too harsh for my mature skin.  I’ve never had a problem with acne, and I know this ingredient works well for that.

I have to say  I’ve been very pleasantly surprised with this product.  Not only does it give me all day coverage, but I do feel my skin has improved.  I have very nice skin for my age, and don’t need too much coverage. The picture below was just taken last week, we were on vacation in Central America, so I have a bit of a tan. It lasts all day, and I never need to touch it up.

I have some color (IE spots), as I just returned from vacation.
Easy to carry, includes mirror

If you are looking for a nice drugstore brand powder foundation, this is a real winner.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Super Nail Swiss Silk Nail Wraps

Sep11

If you like long nails like I do, this product is a must.  I discovered these years ago.  I’m still on my original package.  I just purchased another one yesterday because I had a coupon for 15% off my entire purchase at Sally Beauty.

Super Nail Swiss Silk Nail Wraps are $4.99 for a package of 40.  They come in various sizes and are self adhesive. They are pre-shaped in a nail shape, so you don’t have to trim too much off.  I have broken nails completely off and have been able to save the nail.  Lately I’ve been using several layers to make my nails super strong. I cover the entire nail with the wrap, then cover completely with brush on nail glue. Let dry, then apply more nail glue.  You may need to buff them with a fine grade nail file. I then apply my favorite basecoat, also available at Sally Beauty. Gelous Nail Gel basecoat for $5.99.  It’s a thick basecoat,  but it’s the best I’ve ever used.

I currently have three nails with silk wraps on them.  I’ve had up to five nails at a time with the wraps. They are awesome! For extra strength, I brush nail glue behind the nail with the wrap.  Just make sure when you change polish to use a non acetone polish remover.  Otherwise you will weaken the nail wrap.super-nail-swiss-silk-9-11-16

 

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Guess which nail has the wrap?? It’s my middle finger.

Essence The Gel Nail Polish

Sep11

Ulta is my favorite store. Since I’m a rewards member, they are always sending me coupons for free stuff. Well, free with any purchase.  Today’s freebie was Matrix Total Results Color Obsessed shampoo and conditioner. They are each 1.7 ounces. Perfect for our upcoming vacation. I would imagine it’s pricey, but free works very well for me. Matrix Total Results Color Obsessed shampoo

I didn’t need anything, so I grabbed some  Essence The Gel nail polish on Jeans On! This polish is only a $1.99, and I love this color of blue. I was turned on to this brand by another beauty blogger. This is really some pretty darn good polish.  It stays on well, and is very shiny.  Can’t got wrong for under $2 bucks. If I wasn’t digging my current manicure so much, I would be wearing this now.

I also got some Ulta Make up Wedges for $1.99. These are good quality sponges that are easy to clean. I just throw mine in a lingerie bag and wash them in the washing machine.

 

 

Cover Your Gray-Fill-In Powder

Sep3

I was looking for a quick gray cover up as my husband and I were headed for a festival.  I have blonde hair with a decent amount of silver.  I picked this up on a recent trip to Ulta.  I have a similar product by Joan Rivers called Great Hair Day. I had a 20% off coupon that expired today.  This product was $11.99, and I paid $9.59. I purchased light brown/blonde.

The description says this instantly fills in thinning areas, and it does. It contains Procapil which targets the main causes of alopecia: poor scalp micro-circulation, follicle ageing and follicle atrophy caused by dihydrotestosterone.

This is a brush on powder that looks like eye shadow, and includes a brush. You dab it on your gray roots. It works fairly well. It’s great for any areas that are thinning. It does make your hair feel a bit dry, and it stays on well.

The photo is taken outdoors so you can see how well it covers.

I have a funky hairline, and this helps to fill it in.  I would definitely purchase it again.

Cover your gray fill-in powder

 

Living Proof Full Dry Volume Blast

Sep3

First off let me say I was super excited to try this new product.  I love their Perfect Hair Day Dry shampoo.  I picked the Full Dry Volume Blast up today at Ulta.  The salesperson had to get it from the back, as it’s not coming out until tomorrow.  I was so anxious to try it, I didn’t get the free gift that comes with it.

It’s suppose to give you instant, lasting volume and texture. All it gave me was a rat’s nest.

What a ginormous disappointment. I have naturally curly hair that I usually straighten.  As I’ve been going through menopause, my hair has really changed. My hair is very fine, and dry to begin with.  I need volume like crazy, but this product blows.  While it did add some volume, it made my hair feel like straw. I couldn’t even get my fingers through my hair. I feel like I have a bale of hay on my head.  I went outside and it basically fell and frizzed out. I’m washing it out tomorrow.

It’s $29 for 7.5 ounces.  Maybe it might work on a different type of hair, but it didn’t do a darn thing for me.

No Lift Nails Cuticle Oil Review

Jul10

I’m always glad when something good comes out of doing something regrettable.  I did my own acrylic nails about two months ago.  While I loved the look, I didn’t realize how hard the fake nails would be on my natural nails. While doing some research for acrylic nail after care, I came across this awesome product.

Fast forward six weeks later, let me introduce you to No Lift Nails Cuticle Oil. Holy flipping cow!  I kept the fake ones on until my own grew out. I picked some up at Sally Beauty for $6.99 No Lift Nails Cuticle Oil  The ingredients are simple: Avocado Oil, Almond Oil, Vitamin E and fragrance.  It smells amazing. I put a drop on each nail before bed and massage it over my entire nail and cuticle.  The bottle is one ounce.

Cuticle Oil 7-10-16

In just six short weeks, my nails are all long and strong as heck.  My nail polish has been lasting longer, hardly chipping at all.

Cuticle Oil Nails 7-10-16

Here is a photo of my July 4th manicure.  I didn’t feel like redoing my nails, so I painted a silver line where the new growth is.  My nails grew an 1/8 inch in two weeks!  I started out with a wild blue color and just kept adding on.  I do my nails at night, and put this on over my polish, no smudges at all!  I actually filed my nails a bit here, as I wanted them to be squared off. My nails were really brittle before and would always break.  I feel like I have a gel manicure because they are so strong.

I have only used a small amount after daily use for six weeks. I sometimes will put some on my hands. I literally want to gnaw on my fingers because it smells so good.

Cuticle Oil 7-10-16 after two months of daily use

You can buy it on Amazon, but it’s $10. I actually paid less than $6.99 at Sally Beauty because I have a rewards card. It’s funny because I have been taking 5000 mg of Biotin for months and it wasn’t doing anything for my nails.  This stuff is awesome!

Thanks for stopping by.