Tag Archive | money saving

Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense Review

Jul5

Happy day after the July 4th!  I’m off work today just hanging out.  I visited my friend Marv earlier, now I’m just chillaxing on the couch.  Having had the past five days off I visited Ulta twice. (Obsessed much? Yes).

Gravity is not being kind to my eyelids, as I watch them disappear before my eyes, literally.  I’ve been looking into some possible procedures, but after doing extensive research, I’ve decided against it.  I did a Botox eyelift four years ago, I liked the results, but it only lasted three months and cost $600.

I’ve never been big on liquid eyeliner on my lids, as I wear glasses and I could never get the darn line straight. I was looking through my vast eye make up collection, and came across a freebie Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense.  I tried it and really liked it.  I went to my local Ulta and got Intense Clove.  I must say it really enhances my eye color, and makes my lids not quite so hooded looking. The color lasts all day, and doesn’t smudge. I just did a quickie eye make up job today, as I was only going to do volunteer work.

I got a post card in the mail from Ulta saying I could get a full size Clinique  Clarifying toner with any purchase.  A $14 value. Dang, winner winner, chicken dinner!  I was looking for a clarifying cleanser and the salesperson said to use this instead. The salesperson was super helpful with my color selection.

Here are a few photos.  Please keep in mind I’m 57, and know I will never have the eyelids of my youth without medical intervention. And I’m okay with that.

The Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense at Ulta is $16.50.  I got Intense Clove.  I used points since I’m a Ulta rewards member and only paid $7.50.  Clinique Quickliner at Ulta

 

 

 

 

 

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Ulta Freebie-Buxom Lip Polish

Jul4

Can I just say I’m a goofball when it comes to free stuff?  I’m an Ulta rewards member, and I get emails everyday from them.  Lately I’ve been getting some great emails for new products, and some classic items as well.

I got the email for some free Buxom Lip gloss with purchase on June 30th.  You have to act quickly on these freebies, as they tend to run out fast. I got a full size Buxom lip polish in Dolly from Ipsy a few years ago.  I love it, and only use it on specials occasions, why, because I’m a goofball.  The color of the freebie was Dolly, so I was all in.

It’s a pretty mauve color that would flatter any skin tone.  When I do wear it, it’s over lipstick.  It stays on well, and really enhances the color of whatever lipstick you have on.

I went to my local Ulta right after they opened on July 1st, and they had already run out. I ran out of the house with no make-up, and didn’t even brush my teeth, to get free lip gloss. (did I mention I’m a goof ball?) I went to the next closest Ulta and scored my freebie.

It’s $20 at Ulta.  I got a generous sample that went right into my purse. If you are a Ulta rewards member, don’t forget to check your emails daily.

 

Buxom Lip Polish in Dolly

Tarte Review

Jun25

Hello!  I had a fun day off yesterday,  visiting my local Ulta for a haircut and style.  My awesome stylist Taleah asked me if I wanted a Tarte make over after my hair appointment.  I’m like heck yeah!  We were going out with friends later, and I had not done my make up yet.

I’ve used a few products from the Tarte line, but never any make up.  The Tarte make up artist Shannon, did an awesome job, and I ended up buying two items.

Tarte Make over Freebies 6-24-16

Freebies!

Tarte Make over Lip Sculptor VIP 6-24-16

VIP Lip Sculptor

Tarte Make over Swatch Lip color 6-24-16

Lip Color swatches

Tarte Make over Tarteist Contour Palette 6-24-16

Contour Palette

Tarte Make over Tarteist Contour Palette 6-24-16.jpg-1

Haircut 6-24-16

Great coverage make up!

Shannon used all of the colors from the contour palette, taking me through each step.  I’ve been a make up artist in the past, and she really knew her products.  My eyelids have practically vanished due to gravity, so I was glad to be able to see my eyes better. It’s $45 at Tarte Contour Palette

The Lip Sculptor in VIP is awesome!  Super creamy lipstick with a matching gloss that wasn’t sticky at all.   It’s $24 at VIP Lip Sculptor

Not only did I get these two great products, but I got two freebies as well.  A deluxe sample of the Maracuja Oil and Maracuja C-brighter eye treatment. I’ve used both products before and they are great.

The best part, not only did I get some amazing products, but as a Ulta rewards member I got 20% off my purchase.  It’s a once a year promotion where you can get 20% off your entire purchase including premium brands.

Ulta knocks it out of the park again!

 

 

 

Thrift Store Haul & Tips

Jun22

Here are a few things from a recent trip to my favorite Goodwill store.  I didn’t pay more than $3 for any one item.  I scored some NYDJ (Not Your Daughter’s Jeans) NYDJ on Amazon jeans for $3.50, this style sells for over $100!

I’ve gained a few pounds lately, so I was looking for some shorts.  I couldn’t find any so I bought four pairs of jeans to cut off.  The NYDJ brand fits perfectly.  My friend swears by them, but I would never pay over $100 for a pair of jeans, I don’t care how good they might make my butt look.  I just want my butt to look smaller.

A few of the items are for winter, but who cares! I’ll be more than set once the cold weather rolls around.  It is truly amazing what you can find.  My wardrobe just keeps getting better, and I’m keeping more money in my pocket.

Here are some tips for successful shopping at a thrift store:

  1. Give yourself plenty of time to shop. I’ve found men’s clothing mixed in with the women’s. Also you need to look in a size up or down from what you normally wear. It’s common to find other sizes mixed in with yours.
  2. Look at labels first. I could never afford to wear designer clothes before, now I can. I also find deals on items from our local department stores, as well as nationwide stores such as Kohl’s.
  3. Sign up for store rewards cards. I get advance notices of sales and coupons as well.
  4. Shopping on half price tag day. Usually on Sunday and Monday a particular color of price tag will be 50% off.  Sunday is probably the best time to shop because most people donate on Saturday.
  5. If you have lost weight or are losing weight, it’s the best place to go to reward yourself. When you have lost some weight and your old clothes are getting too baggy, shop Goodwill. Who wants to spend a lot of money on clothes, only to have them not fit in a month or so.
  6. Go outside your comfort zone. Before I discovered Goodwill, the colors of my wardrobe were indicative of my exciting occupation. I didn’t own anything pink, purple or coral.  Now I have all the colors of the rainbow in my closet.
  7. Go often. You will be amazed at the amount of brand new with the tag items you will find.
  8. Last but not least. Find out when your local department is having a Goodwill sale. When you donate items to the store they will give you a coupon good for that store. A week after the sale is over, go to your local Goodwill.  You will be amazed at the selection.  January 1st is great also; as many people (including myself) wait until the last minute to donate for the previous year.
  9. And the most important thing, donate regularly to your local thrift store. They help many people in the community, and it’s a great tax write off.

Nail Polish-Which works best?

Jun5

It’s funny as I was channel surfing the other night and Pulp Fiction was on. It was the part that Uma Thurman was in.  Remember how crazy everyone got over her nail polish?  It’s been a few years ago, (okay like 20) since Pulp Fiction came out, but I remember her part vividly.  I loved that polish.  Was I going to pay more than $20 for a bottle of Chanel polish, um no.  I found a dupe that looked just a good.

So I made a trip to Dollar Tree today and bought a bunch of nail polish.  I was showing my husband what I bought, and telling him that it’s amazing how much ladies spend on nail polish.  One blogger I follow says she has 900 bottles! Wow! I have about 50, and I thought that was way too much.

Do you really need to spend a lot on nail polish? I’ve been using drugstore brands and Ulta’s own brand for years.  I don’t think I’ve paid more than $6 for a bottle of nail polish.  I’ve found that as long as you use a good base and top coat, you don’t have to spend a fortune on polish.

Here’s an article I found on the most expensive nail polish in the world.  Crazy!

5 Most Expensive Nail Polishes in the World

What do you find works the best for you?

Happy Sunday!uma_thurman_pulp_fiction_iogtviy-sized_2

 

 

 

 

DIY Acrylic Nails

May30

DIY Acrylic nails 5-28-16

 

Happy Memorial Day!  I wanted to do something patriotic for the holiday, so I decided to try my hand at doing my own acrylic nails.  I know this has nothing to do with the holiday, except the nail art and color I used. My own nails are brittle and take forever to grow.  Plus I have man hands, and need longer nails to not look like said man.  I looked at some stick on nails, but they were too short and too small.  I thought about going to one of the many nail salons in town to get a full set done, and decided that I’m too cheap, and I bet I could do them myself.

So after reviewing Pinterest and YouTube, I decided what the heck, I can do this. So off to Sally Beauty I went. Salons in my area charge anywhere from $35 to $70 for a full set. I paid less than $45 for the complete nail kit, nail form kit and better brush.

First off I have to give the staff at Sally Beauty props.  Whenever I have shopped there the staff is beyond helpful and very knowledgeable.  I’ve never done acrylic nails before, so I had a lot of questions.  Plus I have a short attention span and didn’t want anything to difficult or too expensive.  I have a tendency to buy beauty products, then they end up under my bathroom sink, then given to my 20 year old niece six months later.

Let’s get started. I purchased this kit  Beauty Secrets 4 in 1 Extension Kit. Buy here. for $17.59 with my Sally club card.  It had everything I needed. I also purchased these Form a Nail Nail Forms Form a Nail Nail Forms. for $7.79.  This is the product which really sold me on doing the nails myself.  It is super easy to use. The nail forms are reusable and make for a smooth finish.

This is what sold me on the whole fake nail deal.

 

I prepped my nails, and off I went.  I have to say the brush that came with kit was really crummy. Given how crummy it was, I was surprised at my end result.  I bought another brush that worked way better for $9.29 at Sally. Beauty Science #8 Pro Sculpt Brush . Again the staff at Sally was so helpful.  One of my nails had popped off, so I needed to do a repair.  Using the Nail Forms makes it a breeze.  I also purchased Terrific Tips Nail tip cutters for $6.49 at Sally Beauty. Nail tip cutters

 

 

After I put the tips on and filed them I used this Gelous Advanced Gel coat to smooth things out. Gelous Advanced Gel Coat at Sally Beauty.  I use this all the time when doing a regular manicure, and it makes my nails look like I’ve had a gel manicure.  Next I used Revlon Colorstay Longwear Nail enamel in Indigo Night. Nail color Here it is on Amazon.  I bought mine at Dollar Tree for $1.  I also used L.A. Colors Art Deco in Silver L.A. Colors Art Deco in Silver another Dollar Tree find at $1. To finish things off I used my go to favorite top coat, Sally Hansen Insta Dry Top coat  Best top coat ever!  I’ve been using this top coat for years.  I have not found any top coat that works better.  It’s $5.99 at Ulta.  This stuff is so good that I can paint my nails before I go to bed, and they end up perfect the next day.

DIY Acrylic nails 5-28-16-polish used

 

One last note, after the one nail popped off, I put nail glue in the crack between my natural nail and the tip on the back of my nail.  They feel much more secure now.

I hope you enjoyed my first DIY nail post.  Thanks for stopping by.

Wet n Wild Megaglo Illuminating Palette Review

Jan19

Can I just say it’s freezing ass cold here in Wisconsin.  This past Sunday, after my visit with Marv (the elderly gentleman I visit every Sunday), I stopped at my local Walgreens.  Coupons in hand from the Sunday paper, and the Walgreens store ad, I headed for the Wet n Wild section.  I’ve used Wet N Wild products many times over the years, but lately they have really upped their game.

I bought the new Megaglo Illuminating Palette in Catwalk Pink. It has four colors, two shades of gold, a rosy peach, and a pinky ivory color.  All shimmery, all wonderful.  I couldn’t wait until I got home to try it, so I slapped some on in the car.  Wow! I love it!  This was my third stop of the day, and the temperature was a whopping -4 below with a  wicked wind chill.  I needed something to make me think that it might be warm someday.  I never put blush on with my fingers, but thought, what the hell???

This lovely palette was $4.99, but I had $2 in coupons. What a deal!  Once I put it on with a brush for work yesterday, it looked even better.

You will have to excuse this photo, as I barely have any makeup on.  But I like photos in natural light.  Being in the car outside Walgreens is about as natural as you can get.

If you are feeling the bite of winter, this palette by Wet N Wild will warm you right up!

P.S. Sorry the photos are sideways, I don’t know what happened.

P.P.S. My lip color is my own tinted lip balm I made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water

Jan8

I have to say Garnier is really stepping up their game in skin care.  I’ve used various Garnier products over the years, and have always been satisfied.

I am totally loving this new cleansing water.  I had tried Simple Micellar Water in the past, and was not impressed.  I’m pretty lazy when it comes to washing (or worshing if you are from the Midwest) my face.  My mom the local Avon lady did teach me at a young age to always wash my face before bed.

Now I wash my face as soon as I get home from work. I’m pretty frightening looking without make-up, and am sure I’ve scared a few of my neighbors when the dogs take off, and I have to go chasing after them. All no make-uppy,  frizzy hair everywhere.  Generally quite a sight to see, but I digress.  I want the easiest way to take my make up off.  I was using wet towelettes for awhile, but them seem to dry out too fast.

This cleansing water not only cleans all make up off, but takes off eye make-up as well.  It left my skin feeling very clean, with no residue.  Winner winner, chicken dinner!

I bought it at now wait for it- you guessed it Ulta! Here’s the link  http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod13531031# I paid a whopping $6.46 for 13.5 ounces.  The regular price is $8.99, but it was on sale, and I had a coupon.

It’s really gentle on your skin, containing no oil, alcohol or fragrance. One cotton square was all it took to remove both my eye make-up and foundation.  They also have a formula for water proof eye make.  I highly recommend this if you want to clean your face in no time.Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water 1-8-16

 

 

 

2015-My Favorites Make up Round Up

Dec28

Hello! And welcome to my highlights for 2015.  I’m an admitted make up junkie.  I love trying new products and sharing my results with the world.  A little about me, I’m a middle aged accountant who loves all things make up.  I’ve been wearing make up for over 40 years.  My mom was the neighborhood Avon lady, so I learned about skin care at a young age. I believe in aging well.  I’m not trying to look like I’m twenty, but I do want to look good for my age. So without further ado, here are my top make up and skin care finds for 2015.  They are not in any particular order, and I have reviewed some on previous blog posts.

Women’s Rogaine 5% foam-If you are losing your hair, this is the product for you.  I’ve been using Rogaine for fifteen years and it really works. It does make your hair dry, so extra moisturizing is a must.  $30 for a two month supply. http://www.rogaine.com/product/women%E2%80%99s+rogaine-+foam+2-month+supply+auto+delivery+.do?sortby=ourPicks#.VoGuQPkrLrc

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E Skin Therapy oil $10 at https://www.palmers.com/en/cocoa-butter-formula/55-skin-therapy-oil-face.html  Has all the great ingredients you look for, but not the price.  I use four drops on my face every night.  I’ve been using it for months and have seen a great improvement in my skin.  Lines softened, smoother texture, more money in my pocket, what’s not to love?

Estee Lauder Advanced Time Zone Age Reversing Line/Wrinkle eye cream-$9 for a deluxe sample on EBay.  I am so digging this eye cream.  I’ve been using it for two months, and have seen a definite decrease in the lines under my eyes. I’ll be buying a full size soon.

OMG! Where have Frownies been all my life???  https://www.frownies.com/  These babies have been around for over a hundred years! They are about as low tech for wrinkle reduction as one could ever imagine.  They are basically brown kraft tape with a special adhesive that you get wet and put on your wrinkles. I found them at Bed Bath and Beyond for $16.  A package will last you 6-8 weeks. They totally work, and I love them.  No Botox for me!

Wet N Wild Fergie Center Stage Collection Rose Champagne Glow highlighter- $10 http://www.amazon.com/Wet-Wild-Centerstage-Collection-A045/dp/B00AXYFKZI/ref=sr_1_3?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1451340660&sr=1-3&keywords=wet+n+wild+centerstage+collection  You can’t find this in stores anymore, but it’s flipping awesome! I bought mine at Walgreens earlier this year.  It’s baked and has a pale rose glow, great for my 56 year old face! Not too shimmery, just right and very natural looking.

YBBB Brow Power Skinny Pencil in Universal Transforming Taupe by IT Cosmetics. $24 at Ulta.  I discovered IT cosmetics late in the year, and I really like all of the products I’ve tried.  This ultra-thin eye pencil is no exception.  My brows are blonde and this pencil really makes them pop.  It also has a spooly brush to finish off your look. The color stays on until you take it off. No crazy brows for me, I’m over 50, and just want a natural look.   http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5770243

IT Your Skin but Better CC + Airbrush Perfecting Powder SPF 50- $35 at Ulta.  This is a game changer for me. I just throw on some 30 SPF moisturizer and buff this stuff on, and I’m out the door.  It has buildable coverage, but does look airbrushed.  I love the fact that it has an SPF of 50. Always a plus. http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod12251077

Maybelline Master Prime By Face Studio Primer SPF 30 in Blur & Illuminate $8 at Bed, Bath and Beyond.  My local BBB recently started carrying cosmetics.  I have to say, they have quite the selection, and awesome prices. BBB always has 20% off coupons. This is a great rose colored primer.  I mix it with any liquid foundation I might be using and it really blurs imperfections out, and adds a nice glow.

elf High Definition Under eye Setting Powder- $3 at Target. This is by far the best discovery for me for 2015. http://www.target.com/p/e-l-f-high-definition-undereye-setting-powder/-/A-14795896#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=ELF+high+definition+undereye  Where can you find any kick ass product for $3??? The brush that comes with it is junk, but the powder is flipping wonderful.  It’s a white powder that you brush on after you put your concealer on.  Lines are decreased, and it lasts all day.

Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector-$29 at Ulta http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod11881009  Another under eye cover up game changer.  I got a BECCA gift set at Ulta to try out.  This was by far my favorite item.  It covers well, and a little goes a long way.

I hope you enjoyed my year in review.  Thanks for stopping by, and Happy New Year!