Monday, September 25, 2017

9/25 Money Monday

I received a $3 rebate, which went to savings.

I cashed in several birthday rewards from various companies: $10 at Kohls, free makeup at Ulta and Sephora, free pastry at Panera, and free coffee at Starbucks

I used a combo of sales, online coupon codes, rewards certificates, and Old Navy cash to get a pile of new fall clothes for about $10 cash.  I, of course, shopped through ebates and got part of that $10 back.

I used Office Depot Rewards to order batteries.  The batteries had a Rewards offer that makes them only a penny each pack after Rewards.

I used a combo of sale, coupon, and rebate to score a free bottle of vitamins for my daughter.

I sold a craft kit on OfferUp.  She paid with a $5 bill, so I fed the $5 Tin.

Friday, September 22, 2017

9/22 Firsts and Finals

We have been super busy here and it's been a bit since I did a roundup:

Firsts
*Chapstick total hydration in blood orange  First, I was disappointed to discover that it's clear.  Each scent/flavor has a colored stripe that I thought was the color of the balm.  Nope, it's clear.  It is super hydrating and doesn't have that waxy original Chapstick feeling.  I just wish it was colored.

*Clinique Moisture Surge lotion  I really like this.  It's moisturizing, but not greasy and absorbs quickly.  Fortunately, a recent Clinique splurge scored me two deluxe samples, so I'm set for a while.

*Curls Blueberry Bliss leave in conditioner  My hair loves this!  It's soft and my waves are more pronounced, without frizzing.

*elf Lip Plumping Gloss There is a tingle upon application, but not too strong.  The color I tried is Sparkling Rose which is pretty in the tube, but almost invisible on the lip.  There's a shine, but sadly the color vanishes.  It's also super sticky, even hours later.  This is a miss for me.

*elf shadow/liner stick in black/smoke  The shadow is a dark charcoal and the liner is true black.  I love this for a quick look and you can't beat the price.

*L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise mascara This is an obvious Too Faced dupe.  Even down to the tube color.  The wand is the same, but I think the L'Oreal formula is ever so slightly better.  It's not as wet and isn't clumpy.  It gives the curl, length, and volume and is less than half the price.  L'Oreal for the win!

*lush Elbow Grease  This is a HG status cult fave.  I finally got my hands on one and the hype is real.  It smells amazing!  It's moisturizing, without being greasy.  Works wonders on my always dry elbows AND my tat looks fresher.  I hope they never stop making this one.

*Mario Badescu facial spray with aloe, cucumber, green tea  I already love the rose version, so I had to try this one, too.  This would be wonderful during summer, at the pool or beach.  It's hydrating and refreshing, smells fantastic.

*Maybelline Colossal Big Shot in Poppin' Purple  I've already tried the Big Shot in black.  It's okay, not very dramatic, but works for day.  I was excited to see the purple version because it's fun to change things up now and then.  Sadly, the formula's not the same.  This did nothing for my lashes, not length or volume.  Three coats to see the purple and still small lashes.  Totally bummed.

*Pro Foot Heel Rescue  YES!  This is magic in a bottle.

*Wella Perfect Me balm  This hair product feels more like a face lotion, so I didn't have much hope.  However, it held down frizz on super humid days, made my ends hydrated and soft, added shine without looking greasy.

Finals
*eyeko liquid eyeliner  Sad to finish this, as it's a fave.  It's jet black and doesn't budge, even when tight-lining.  Definitely will replace.

*L'Oreal Hydra Genius lotion  It was okay, not great.  Not a repurchase, but I would use another sample if it came my way.

*Suave Moroccan Infusion lotion  This was my second bottle, so I will be replacing.  This is my favorite leg lotion.  It softens, leaves a bit of a gleam, but isn't greasy.  Love this!

*Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara  Not sad, because I have a ^ Lash Paradise.

Faves
*eyeko liner, Lash Paradise, Elbow Grease, MB spray, Heel Rescue

Flops
*elf gloss, purple mascara

Friday, September 8, 2017

9/8 Firsts and Finals

Firsts
*Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Zero shampoo & conditioner  This smells great and my hair felt sleek and soft, almost like it had a light coating of oil.  The package says 'zero silicone', but they've replaced it with something my hair apparently does not like.  About an hour after drying, it frizzed up rather badly.  No, it wasn't a humid day.  I won't be repurchasing this.

*Masque Bar Hydrating peel off mask  This mask took forever to dry completely and then didn't peel off easily.  It did make my skin very hydrated and soft.

*Ulta Beauty Matte Lip Crayon  It's matte, but not drying, which is huge!  The shade 'soiree' is a deep brick, very fall.  It lasts for hours without touch up.

Finals
*Maybelline Colossal Big Shot mascara  It's a decent every day mascara.  The packaging is gorgeous.

*No. 4 Restore & Repair Hair Oil  I loved this stuff.  Lightweight, but effective, moisturized the ends without greasing out, and it smells amazing.  Definitely will look to repurchase.

Faves
*No. 4 hair oil

Flops
*Zero S/C