Mini Haul - Zoya Nail Polish

Hey there!

Yeah, I did it again!

So what!

I know. It's a sickness. When Zoya had a nail polish sale (plus free gift) I just had to add to my collection. I couldn't resist. There were a few colors from the new collection that I wanted to try and an older one. I also really wanted to branch out and try the lippie stick that was the freebie.

I decided on Brittany, Brigitte and Tove. Brittany and Tove are from the newest satin collection but a top coat will take care of the matte problem (because in my book a matte polish IS a problem).

Brittany and Brigitte are shades of mauve and I am super excited to wear them (in fact, Brigitte is in cue for this weekend). Tove is a dusty blue that I am dying to get on my fingers. The swatches are 2 coats but I'm almost sure that 1 coat would have been enough. I am pretty happy about this purchase.

And that lippie is looks like a party waiting to happen. It's a bit dark in the tube so I wish I could have had the fall and winter to play with it but it might be sheerer or lighter than I think. We'll see.

The entire package was only $27, shipping and handling included. That's $6.75 per item. Not bad in my book. Just wait for the review and I'll let you know if they are worth it.

Ulta.com Product Review

Hey there!!

Folks, we've been hauling so much stuff, I thought it was time to review some of that stuff. I try to use things at least 2 weeks before I give my opinion. These are items that I've had for about that time so I feel confident that my opinion is safe.

These are items that I picked up from Ulta.com. I knew that I was going to try out some new brushes because in my head (ain't that a scary place to be?!) I need more. So, I ordered two of the Eco Tools brushes-- the Tapered Blush Brush and the Custom Coverage Buffing Brush. I haven't used the buffing brush yet (see how much I needed it) but I have tried the blush brush and I love it! The width is nice, the taper is nice, it's just a great brush. I have used this every day, washed it several times and not one hair has shed. Oh, and it's super soft. Gotta love that.

I also picked up an Essence lip liner in Red Blush. This was a price filler. I need to spend $10 and this liner helped me do it. I'm glad I didn't expect much from this liner because I didn't get much. It doesn't last on the lips and once you put on your lipstick, it moves. I mean moves! I was not a fan. I am soooo glad that this was just a filler. I'd have been very disappointed if I were expecting more.

The reason I needed a filler was because I purchased the NYX Illuminator in Chaotic. I had heard really good things about this product and was very excited to get it. When you see this pretty peachy pink color, you honestly think it's going to warm your cheeks and add a glow. It doesn't do that. In fact, it doesn't do anything for me. No warmth, no glow, no nuthin! The only saving grace for the Illuminator and the lip liner was that I got them for right at $5 total (Cyber Monday sale). I will be able to pass the Illuminator to a friend (a paler friend) that might be able to get some color from this. We'll see.

So my Ulta purchases were 50/50. Considering I only paid $13 for everything, I'll take it. The makeup brushes are worth that.

This has taught me that Ulta.com is probably not a good place for me. I definitely need to go into that store and try before I buy.

DuWop Cosmetics Haul - Review

Hey there!

I'm still reviewing the stuff from last weekend's haul. I went a little crazy and you guys get to benefit from my craziness! If you look at the pics from last weekend, you'd think I spent a lot but remember, I am a super shopper so I buy at a discount!!

I'm not sure why but all of the DuWop Cosmetics items at my local Dillard's were 75% off. Everyone knows that a discount sticker gets me extremely excited. Even though they had quite a bit of stuff on sale, I was trying not to buy a bunch of stuff that I won't really use so I only picked up 2 items.

 

Top - Double Glow
Bottom - Keep Blushin
Thumb - I have no idea what's going on, obviously not lotion!

I thought I'd try the Double Glow Luminous Face Balm (Champagne) and Keep Blushing Water-resistant Blush (Rose). They both looked harmless enough. I took a look at the DuWop website (because I had heard of but never tried this line) and it doesn't appear that it's being discontinued or anything. The colors I bought are on sale for the full price too. So...

I tried the Double Glow first (orig $25, sale $6.25). Because summer is here (officially!!), I like a little glow to my skin. I've discovered that illuminators are the best way to go! This one is a creamy champagne color (as the name hints). I know that it gives off too much of a glow on my hand but I got carried away and used the amount that I'd use on both cheeks. Really, once you put it on, it gives you a soft glow that looks very pretty. I'd repurchase for $6.25. I might even purchase it for $12.50, because a little goes a long way and that .42oz jar will last a good little while. I don't think I'd purchase it at full price. It's nice but there are nicer ones at the $25 price point.

The Keep Blushing blush (orig $22, sale $5.50) is a different matter. The color was wrong, but that's my fault. But in addition to the color being wrong, it was a chalky, dusty color. It reminded me of the pink color in your sidewalk chalk box. I tried to blend it out and make it work but it was too chalky. I would certainly not purchase this again.

But, because I had to do some research on the DuWop website, I noticed a few other things that I'd like to try. I will pass on the lip venum, even though the colors look really nice, but I did take a second look at the angel washes and the mini private lipstick collection.

I dunno -- I'm thinking about it!

Have you ever tried DuWop cosmetics? What did you think?

Weekend Haul

Hey there!

I didn't do as much damage as I thought I would folks. I had some retail therapy planned this weekend. I had a rough week and only saving money helps with that kind of week! I'll make sure to tell you what I think about everything that I purchased.

My first stop...Walgreens. Several folks had posted on Instagram, their super finds. Sighhhh. My 2 local Walgreens didn't have those same super finds. I picked up the two Baby Lips Balms that you see (Just Peachy & Coral Crave) and Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant nail polish (Diva After Dark). I didn't see much else. I'm not sure if the good folks hadn't had time to put stickers on stuff but Walgreens doesn't have a price checker like CVS so it's hard to know.

Anywho, my next stop was Ulta. I've mentioned a few times that I don't make it to Ulta often because I don't live near one. So, when I get there, I linger. Oddly enough, I linger near the cash register only. Yesterday the deals at the register were mainly nail polish. I had just gotten a ton of polish during the CVS Super Spectacular Mega Haul so it wasn't as if I needed much more. But, I caught some Zoya polish (Dhara - PixieDust, Piaf - Metalic & Carter - PixieDust) on sale for $4.99 and I had my $3.50 off of $10 coupon so I decided to add to the collection. This is almost the only time that I purchase high end polishes. I can't drop $8.50 for a nail polish. This is the perfect time.

I was looking for a black sweater to make one of my dresses office worthy and wandered into Dillard's. These pretty blue boxes (with pink discount stickers) caught my eye. DuWop cosmetics appears to be leaving Dillard's (I didn't investigate that or anything, I'm just speculating). They had quite a few things but the Double Glow 7 luminous face balm (champagne) and Keep Blushing water resistant blush (rose) caught my eye. The face balm is normally $25 but I got it for $6.50 and the blush is normally $22 and I got it for $5.50. Sounds great...unless I like them and want more!

Right next to Dillard's was Bath & Body Works. They were having their semi-annual sale. Unfortunately they didn't have the Signature Lemon scent that I loooooove. So I settled for Coconut Lime Breeze, and Malibu Heat shower gels. I also got Peach Bellini and Watermelon Lemonade candles in a jar. I've been picking up quite a few candles lately so I didn't want to add too many. As I type this I have 3 candles burning in different rooms. Someone call the fire department! Oh, I also picked up 3 hand soaps - Berry Sangria, Orange Creamsicle Swirl and Sugar Berry Shortcake. I think I was the last person on earth to get on the B&BW hand soap craze. I had been using whatever else I found but on Black Friday this past year I purchased 2 and the kiddo made me promise we wouldn't use anything else from then on. I agree.

I also picked up a small early-harvest raspberry bubble bath from The Body Shop for $4. I think the early-harvest raspberry line must be a scent that they are discontinuing because the early-harvest raspberry soap, lotion, room spray and body butter was on sale too. I looked on their website and perhaps they are just making way for...raspberry scent. Seriously, go look.

Target didn't have as much as I thought it would but I picked up a Sally Hansen Sugar Shimmer in Berried Under. My mom picked up Cinny Sweet. Mom loves deep berry or wine colors. It's almost the only thing in her collection.

The other polishes I picked up were from Victoria's Secret. They are discontinuing their makeup line so everything was half price. I've never tried their nail polish but I've been on a pink kick so I thought I'd try String Bikini (bubble gum pink) and Peep Show (pearlescent pink). I also picked up a metalized eye shadow in Gold Card, a lip gloss in Devotion and a lipstick in True. I do plan to visit another Victoria's Secret and see if I can find anything else...

...because obviously this haul wasn't big enough! I need more!

No worries. I'll most definitely find more.

Sunday Fun Day - Nail Polish Haul

Hey there!

Last week Walgreens put all of their Sinful Colors nail polishes on sale for .99 cents (to my knowledge it was all of them. I didn't hear that the special edition ones weren't on sale too but I could be mistaken). I don't have to tell anyone that I RAN to Walgreens to get every Sinful Colors nail polish that I didn't have. I have some Walgreens points/money so even though it looks like I spent a lot of money, I didn't really. And remember, each polish was only .99 cents! 

Just a bit on my nail polish collection. It's not massive or anything and it's not exclusively drugstore or mostly high end -- it's a mix. I just like nail polish. I don't change my hair color or even my hair cut that often. Polish is something I can change every week or so. I can go very demure with a soft pink or mauve or I can go all out and wear a bright red or silver or a funky blue color. Until very recently, I kept all my nail polish in boxes and on my dresser and in my dresser drawers and anywhere else I could find space. So, when I needed a particular color or shade and couldn't find it, I'd either stop looking for it or just pick up another color similar. And then I stumbled on the perfect box and created the perfect spacers for that box.

I'll get to that in a second.

I had a few Sinful Colors nail polish shades before this Walgreens haul but I used this as my opportunity to beef up my collection. I picked up 20 new colors to add to the 11 that I already had. I didn't stop at the safe pink, peach and nude colors. I added some purples, blues, greens and deep reds. At .99 cents, I thought it was a smart move.

I visited 4 different Walgreens locations and they were all nicely stocked up. It appeared that had pulled out all of the shades from the back rooms and all the locations had them arranged nicely in their cases. I was pretty proud of Walgreens for keeping it all organized! Normally when I stop by my Walgreens locations, finding the collection (makeup ,nails, whatever) that I'm looking for is a hit or miss and a hit might mean that whatever I'm looking for is in the middle of a bit of a mess.

That was not the case this time. I was able to pick up 20 fan-tabulous colors to add to my collection. My toes and hands are going to be very happy this summer!! My Monday Nail Polish Change blogs are going to be full!

I also used this opportunity to show off my latest DIY project on Instagram!! If you've been on my Instagram page you saw that I made some inserts for my nail polish containers. There aren't perfect or anything but I am sooo proud of these! I mean look at it!! LOL. I took time out each evening after work for about 4 days to create this (it may only take 2 days now that I've done my starter one). If you are interested in a quick tutorial, let me know and I might add one to my Monday posts.

So get ready peeps! There's going to be quite a bit of nail polishing going on this summer!

e.l.f. Studio Lotion Wipes & e.l.f. Studio Fan Brush

Quite a bit ago I did an e.l.f. haul when the website had a really good discount (50% off I believe). I picked up a few goodies that I wanted to try that I couldn't find in my local Target or Wal-Mart stores. I have reviewed everything in the package except the eye lash curler pads, lotion wipes and fan brush. Eye lash curler pads don't really need reviewing do they? But, I figured I should talk a bit about the wipes and brush.

Let's start with the e.l.f. Studio Fan Brush ($3.00). I wasn't sure what I was going to do with this. I've seen folks with fan brushes and I didn't have one, so I wanted to get one. Sephora.com says it is to "add the finishing touches to your look". It does that by dusting, wiping and redistributing powders along your features. I watched a YouTube video where it was used to polish your finished look. I also saw another video (and read on blogs) where it was used to place highlighters. I've played with mine and at this point, I probably could do without it. I don't see a huge difference in the look when I use it. But, I'm going to reserve any scathing review because I do want to play with it more.

The brush itself is soft and feels very airy and light on my face. When I used it to "polish" my look, I didn't see a real difference but I also didn't do it as slowly or carefully as the lady did in the video that I watched. When I used it to put on my highlighter, I did like that it didn't pick up much but spread it over the tops of my cheeks well. I liked the effect but I do want to play with it more.

So the last purchase was the e.l.f. Studio Lotion Wipes. I got mine in Vanilla and Coconut. I don't know what I was expecting because I wasn't sure what a lotion wipe was. The eyeslipsface website says it's to "hydrate your body with silky smooth moisture". They are convenient for travel and easier than "carrying around a bulky lotion bottle".

Yes, I laughed when I read that because I imagined putting my big 26.5 oz bottle of lotion in my little sling bag! No, I have a small travel size lotion that I keep in my purse and believe it or not, it's easier to carry that than a pack of lotion wipes. But, I digress....

The lotion wipes smell good. They do have a nice vanilla/coconut blend. It's not too artificial and it doesn't overpower any perfume or body oil that you may have on. The packaging is great. It's not just a pull back, sticky plastic -- there's a "proper" lid before the pull back, sticky plastic. I think that keeps the product moist longer. And, yes, the product is moist. I think it's a but moister than I like my lotions. It wasn't super wet but I don't like watery lotions so the feel of this as a lotion wasn't something I could wrap my head around. But, the feel of this as a refreshing wipe, I could. The sheet isn't too thin. I think it could stand to be a tad bit thicker but if that is going to change the price from $3.00, never mind. I think the price point is just fine.

I went to a baseball game a few nights ago and took these. I gave everyone  a wipe for their arms. They looked at me like I was crazy but they used them.

            "Oh, this is nice."

            "What the hell is this for?"

            "It smells good."

And those are honest reviews folks. You can't make that kinda stuff up!

Everyone liked them, for a refresher. I told them that they were lotion wipes and I saw 3 blank stares. Then I said, "No, I mean refresher wipes." I got 1 blank stare and 2, "Oh, ok" 's.

So the bottom line? I'm still playing with the fan brush. I only paid $1.50 for it and I think that price is ok. I think once I learn how to use it properly, the real $3.00 price will be ok too. The lotion wipes for $3.00 -- nahhhhh. The refresher wipes for $3.00 -- maybe, if the scent is right. The refresher wipes for $1.50 -- oh yeah. This smells nice.

Sally Beauty Supply Haul - China Glaze & Finger Paints

A few weekends ago Sally Beauty Supply had a deep discount on their already discounted nail polishes. Right near the front door, my Sally Beauty had a table of China Glaze colors and Finger Paints colors. I don't really need nail polish but who waits until they need makeup and polish to buy them, right? Oh, there are people like that? Sorry, not me.

If you have been sleeping on Sally Beauty Supply for polish and makeup, you need to wake up. They have some top shelf polish. They also have all the accoutrements that you need for nail care, hand care, feet care as well as hair care. I find myself in there at least twice a month and I come out with some great deals and some wonderful new finds. If you join their beauty club, you get discounts. If you aren't interested in their beauty club, just checkout their discount tables and you'll still get great deals.

Anywho, I picked up 8 polishes and only paid about $12 total. I have a fair amount of China Glaze in my collection and only a few Finger Paints but I can tell you that all of the China Glaze & Finger Paints that I have, were purchased when they were heavily discounted. I kinda do that with nail polish. It's very rare that I buy it without some sort of discount.

So I picked up Howl You Doing, Be Merry Be Bright, Bells Will Be Blinging, Glitz n Pieces, Elfin' Around & Vertical Rush from China Glaze and A Heart For Art and Be A Pal-ette from Finger Paints. I haven't had a chance to use them yet so I swatched them on my wheel for you.

The glitters all look exciting to me except Howl You Doing. I'm not sure about that one. It looks like a matte purple. It may take me a while to try that one. The others are ready to be party nails!

The other two China Glaze and the two Finger Paint colors are pearlescent colors and they all look so delightful! I cannot wait to wear these.

Do you catch the Sally Beauty sale? Do you have China Glaze and Finger Paints in your collection?

Bath & Body Works Candle Haul

 

I like candles. I like candles that smell really good. I like candles that smell really good that I get on sale. Bath & Body Works had a sale on candles. Guess what I purchased?!

Bath & Body Works sends an email almost every day and normally I ignore them. This time they sent an email and promised me $5 mason jar candles and a free $14.00 or less item. You know I high tailed it down there right after work.

I didn't go crazy this time. I had just purchased several mini's a few weeks before. I only got 5 candles (ONLY -- did you see that I actually used the work ONLY). I picked up Frosted Cupcake, Watermelon Lemonade, Coconut Leaves, Lemon Verbena and Garden Strawberry. Yes, I realize that they all reference food. Don't judge me!

My faves are Garden Strawberry and Coconut Leaves. OMG. Garden Strawberry is the best candle ever (well, you know). It smells so good. You think that there is a bowl of sweet, delicious strawberries nearby. And the Coconut Leaves candle smells like coconut and vanilla. That is such a wonderful scent as well. Takes me back to the beach every time.

Keeping with the food theme are my Watermelon Lemonade and Frosted Cupcake candles. Shut up -- Just shut up! These candles are ridiculous! The Watermelon Lemonade is a sweet, lemony scent that really does make you think of a glass of watermelon lemonade (and if you have not ever had a glass of watermelon lemonade, you need to find a restaurant that serves it and take a swig). Frosted Cupcake smells like a container of cupcake frosting and of course I know what that smells like! Haven't you eaten sweet frosting out of the container? That's not just me, I know that! It reminds me of Betty Crocker's vanilla frosting. Theirs (in my opinion) is a bit sweeter than the rest.

And last, but certainly not least is Lemon Verbena. I love this smell in general. There is something fresh about verbena and you mix in lemon, you have a scent that reminds you of a clean space. I have hand soaps, body wash, body soaps and other "clean products" that are in lemon verbena. Some people like the smell of Mr. Clean. I like the smell of Lemon Verbena.

And that's my candle haul. That's pretty good for a candle loving girl! I got out of the store for $25.

Oh, and my free item? A candle people! Weren't you listening?

It's A Haul Y'all!

Grab a snack and something cold to drink folks! We're going to spend some time together.

I spend the past week or so going a tiny bit crazy. It's all a part of my birthday haul! I mentioned at the beginning of the month that this is my Birthday Month and I planned on pampering myself a little bit. If you've noticed, many of the posts this month are positive reviews on the things that I love. If that bothers you a bit, don't worry. May is right around the corner and there have been some stinkers this month. I'll tell you all about it!

I know that you look at the haul pic and shake your head. It's ok cause I have more pictures! But, I'm not ashamed! I told you I had big shopping plans. Didn't you believe me? LOL.

My first thought was just to tell you about ALL the stuff that I purchased over the last week. I know. It's a lot of stuff and who has an hour to spend reading about all that? So I decided to just break it down by purchase type. That won't involve you investing in a bookmark and new eyeglasses.

BUBBLE BATH

I think I've mentioned it before. I like baths. I like bubbles and luxurious shower gels. They make me feel like a queen. To me, a shower is something you do really quickly to get the dirt and grime off. A bubble bath, on the other hand, is used for relaxing. You take your time and let the day fall off of you or you take your time and prepare your mind for the day ahead. Either way, it's a slow, purposeful thing.

And boy do I have a bubble bath collection already! I have a 4 foot high shower caddy next to the tub that is full of bubble bath. Then I have bottles of bubble bath in a pretty basket next to the tub. And then, I have some smaller gels in the 4 corners next to the tub. I'm a bubble bath/shower junkie. I admit it.

So, to add to my addiction, I picked up a few bottles this week. Everyone knows that ULTA was having a big sale last week so I picked up 3 minis -- Lollipop Twist, Marshmallow Chick and Yum Yum Yumberry. Can I just tell you how yummy they smell? The Lollipop Twist smells like a cherry flavored Jolly Rancher and the Marshmallow Chick smells like a lemony piece of sweet, sugary, cotton candy (how's that for descriptive?). The Yum Yum Yumberry smells like berries, just average. It smells like every other berry flavor you've  smelled. But, the other 2 will be future purchases for sure. They all lather well and I can see me getting the full size bottles of Lollipop Twist and Marshmallow Chick.

I also picked up a Coconut Grove Cleansing Shower Gel from Ulta. It was in the 3 for $10 section. It smells very nice and coconutty (I know it's not a real word but it should be!) but it's very liquidy. It's nice but I can't see me buying it again. I had to use a third of the tube to get all washed up and it never lathered.

I went to Wal-Mart, used a high value coupon and picked up 2 Nivea "Touch Of" fragrances -- Touch of Happiness and Touch of Sparkle. Touch of Happiness really does make me happy. It smells very fresh with a bright, citrus scent. Touch of Sparkle is a soft, light scent that just reminds you of clean laundry. They both are so creamy and feel very rich and luxurious. Nivea costs a bit more than others but it's so worth it.

St. Ives is a brand that I always buy but I didn't have these 2. I purchased Even & Bright and Revitalizing Pear & Soy. Yes, yes, yes, people. Both of these are great scents. They are a rich formula and a little but goes a lot way. It suds up really nicely and that's important! It's not a creamy formula and not one of the first ones that I grab but I do like the smell and they leave the entire bathroom smelling great.

I also bought a random Zest body wash(Creamy Cocoa Butter & Shea) and Herbal Essences Honey I Smell Good body wash. I haven't tried either of these but I'm pretty sure I'll like them.

So as you can guess, I smell pretty delightful right about now. I'm luxuriated and refreshed and my bathroom smells good too! If I had smell-o-computer, you'd be a happy camper.

I know I am!