DECEMBER Randoms

[Pippin]

Dec 12, 2016 21:17:26 GMT -5 marriedfilingjoint said:

I don't know how to spend my Sephora coupon. I had in my mind that it expired the day Sweet Peach comes back but it expires the day before (unless it's launching early for Rouge). I guess I could stock up on foundation or powder.

Same here. I swear it said the 14th originally but everything is the 15th now. I'm going to wait and see if they release it for rouge otherwise I'll just get some backup skincare. Boo

[kittycatlove]

I had been waiting to pull the trigger on using my Sephora coupon and yesterday my credit card was compromised, so now I can't place an order since I won't have a new card for a couple of days. I guess it's a good thing since I had a bunch of boxes come in last week.

Speaking of, I love the cat eyes palette I got in the too faced mystery bag. I would never have bought it, but am really liking it.

[bluelikejazz]

I used my Ulta coupon to buy TF Chocolate Bon Bons, and I'm in love! Plus I bought a hair dryer, some Jack Black chapstick for DH, and a handful of NYX stuff.

[saz]

I don't think I'm going to use my Sephora code. It's $15 and expires today. I have ordered SO MUCH lately and had ordered from Sephora about a week before the code came. Whoops. PM me if you want it!

[Champagne Supernova]

I think I'm going to stock up on skin stuff and get another shade of Smashbox Always on Matte with my coupon. I don't really know what else to get and I hate buying beauty products for people as presents.

[wawa]

Dec 13, 2016 11:38:34 GMT -5 saz said:

I don't think I'm going to use my Sephora code. It's $15 and expires today. I have ordered SO MUCH lately and had ordered from Sephora about a week before the code came. Whoops. PM me if you want it!

I didn't even realize I had one until I got the "your free $15 expires today!" email.

I had also been sitting on a credit card rewards gift card for a while.

So between one real gift card, one sephora gift card code, one free sample code, and the full year's worth of my accumulated points (I had 112 of them!  lols!) I got two of the bite duo mini's and one of the $45 sets from Atelier Cologne, a becca backlight primer deluxe sample, a perfume sample for Vespasia (and two other perfume samples that sounded interesting), and a FAB cream deluxe sample for $12. 

So...same stuff I buy every time I shop at Sephora.  Predictable wawa is predictable.  Eventually I'll get tired of accumulating bite and atelier cologne mini's, but that time has not yet come.

[ESF]

I haven't pulled the trigger on my Sephora coupon yet because I've been waiting for a good promo code. If the Merry mini sucks tomorrow, I'll still place my order, but I was really hoping for something good.

[kristie]

So while in Victoria's Secret a few weeks ago I grabbed one of their conditioning lip balms. It is sold out online now, but they probably still have it in store. I am seriously impressed. It seems very very similar to bite's agave lip mask, just not quite as thick. It even kind of smells the same. I got it with one of the 3/15 deals, so not bad at all. Looks like this....

[pixy0stix]

The latest instagram trend is glitter tears. I keep snort laughing thinking of doing that and wandering out to show my husband. I have a hard time getting any reaction from him nowadays.

ETA: Or stars under their eyes.

[peachykate]

I bought three more MAC shadows today and now have a complete 15 shadow palette. I also went a little crazy at Ulta on a few Makeup Revolution palettes, they came to less than $20 and have good reviews so we will see.

[Vespasia]

wawa I guess that means we need to get together soon.

[pandorica]

I'm so lost on skin care stuff, there's too much information! And my skin badly needs something new, it's looking all sad, wrinkly and dull all of a sudden. I thought I wouldn't have to worry about this until 30 at least, but my face has other ideas apparently

Can someone just tell me exactly what to get - from Ulta and cruelty free? Does this exist?

[cottoncandy]

I realized I have not received an email from ulta in over a week. Anyone else? My email settings have not changed...

[Champagne Supernova]

Dec 14, 2016 0:22:24 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

Shocking. Too faced website keeps crashing with the peach launch.

I was able to get on around 5:30 am PST but I decided not to get the palette.  

It's such a let down because I waited for it but of course, now that it's time to checkout, I changed my mind. I have this feeling that the shades are not going to look good on me.

[wawa]

Dec 14, 2016 14:06:15 GMT -5 cottoncandy said:

I realized I have not received an email from ulta in over a week. Anyone else? My email settings have not changed...

nope, they've been up my butt sideways.

a hot buys email today, point promo emails on the 10th, 11th and 12th, plus the reminder emails about my 20% off coupon. 

(UD setting spray and that tarte holiday blush set are both on sale btw.  today only.  If I hadn't just placed an order and had no business buying more blush I'd be all over the tarte set.)

[cottoncandy]

Dec 14, 2016 14:22:58 GMT -5 wawa said:

Dec 14, 2016 14:06:15 GMT -5 cottoncandy said:

I realized I have not received an email from ulta in over a week. Anyone else? My email settings have not changed...

nope, they've been up my butt sideways.

a hot buys email today, point promo emails on the 10th, 11th and 12th, plus the reminder emails about my 20% off coupon. 

(UD setting spray and that tarte holiday blush set are both on sale btw.  today only.  If I hadn't just placed an order and had no business buying more blush I'd be all over the tarte set.)

Thanks! How can I waste my money on more makeup I don't need if they don't spam me?!?

[notasafeplace]

Dec 14, 2016 14:22:58 GMT -5 wawa said:

Dec 14, 2016 14:06:15 GMT -5 cottoncandy said:

I realized I have not received an email from ulta in over a week. Anyone else? My email settings have not changed...

nope, they've been up my butt sideways.

a hot buys email today, point promo emails on the 10th, 11th and 12th, plus the reminder emails about my 20% off coupon. 

(UD setting spray and that tarte holiday blush set are both on sale btw.  today only.  If I hadn't just placed an order and had no business buying more blush I'd be all over the tarte set.)

I'm pissed because last January I unsubscribed from emails to curb my spending. Then I signed back up for them in October in anticipation of the holidays. Still don't get any emails. I've called customer service twice and nothing has changed. When I try to sign up again it says that I'm already on their list.

I am only like $50 away from platinum and if I still don't get emails after that I'm going to have to raise hell. I'm not sure what else they can do for me though.

[notasafeplace]

Also, I wish Ulta has a flash shipping deal like Sephora. I would buy so much more from them.

[secretlyevil]

Dec 11, 2016 11:41:24 GMT -5 notasafeplace said:

I have found a miracle cream. It's the Cerave moisturizing cream in the big tub.

I've only used it a few nights now but the dry spots that showed up my face as the day went on are gone and my skin looks calmer.

It's a thick cream but soaks right in. It's helped my hands and cuticles a lot too just from my couple days of using it.

that's kick ass stuff

[secretlyevil]

Dec 14, 2016 8:35:46 GMT -5 pandorica said:

I'm so lost on skin care stuff, there's too much information! And my skin badly needs something new, it's looking all sad, wrinkly and dull all of a sudden. I thought I wouldn't have to worry about this until 30 at least, but my face has other ideas apparently

Can someone just tell me exactly what to get - from Ulta and cruelty free? Does this exist?

There's a lot of cruelty-free lines at Ulta.

[pandorica]

Dec 14, 2016 20:59:56 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

Dec 14, 2016 8:35:46 GMT -5 pandorica said:

I'm so lost on skin care stuff, there's too much information! And my skin badly needs something new, it's looking all sad, wrinkly and dull all of a sudden. I thought I wouldn't have to worry about this until 30 at least, but my face has other ideas apparently

Can someone just tell me exactly what to get - from Ulta and cruelty free? Does this exist?

There's a lot of cruelty-free lines at Ulta.

I know, but the stuff I'm buying doesn't seem to be doing much for my skin, I think I need a different/better skin care routine

[sporky]

Dec 15, 2016 8:21:34 GMT -5 pandorica said:

Dec 14, 2016 20:59:56 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

There's a lot of cruelty-free lines at Ulta.

I know, but the stuff I'm buying doesn't seem to be doing much for my skin, I think I need a different/better skin care routine

What is your current routine? I'm sure some of us can help tweak and make recommendations with a little more information.

[pandorica]

Dec 15, 2016 9:50:33 GMT -5 sporky said:

Dec 15, 2016 8:21:34 GMT -5 pandorica said:

I know, but the stuff I'm buying doesn't seem to be doing much for my skin, I think I need a different/better skin care routine

What is your current routine? I'm sure some of us can help tweak and make recommendations with a little more information.

Super basic, not even a real routine compared to most here it seems! I wash my face at night, currently using a Burts Bees face wash, and then a night time moisturizer, currently Shea Moisture.... that's it. I have a Julep oil cleanser that I think I'm going to start using too.

[wawa]

Dec 15, 2016 8:21:34 GMT -5 pandorica said:

Dec 14, 2016 20:59:56 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

There's a lot of cruelty-free lines at Ulta.

I know, but the stuff I'm buying doesn't seem to be doing much for my skin, I think I need a different/better skin care routine

Give us a rundown of what you're currently using.  Cleanser, moisturizer, spf, etc.  I am totally willing to offer marginally informed opinions if you really just want someone to tell you what to do. 

It'll at least be a starting point. 

[pandorica]

Dec 15, 2016 10:31:48 GMT -5 wawa said:

Dec 15, 2016 8:21:34 GMT -5 pandorica said:

I know, but the stuff I'm buying doesn't seem to be doing much for my skin, I think I need a different/better skin care routine

Give us a rundown of what you're currently using.  Cleanser, moisturizer, spf, etc.  I am totally willing to offer marginally informed opinions if you really just want someone to tell you what to do. 

It'll at least be a starting point. 

I would LOVE someone to tell me what to do! I've read some of your other stuff on this subject, but I could find some things at Ulta or didn't think they were cruelty free, so I gave up. I just wrote out my "routine" above

[sporky]

pandorica, Does it have to be from Ulta? I love Pixi's glow tonic and you can get that from Target (if you're in the US). It's great for dealing with dullness. You should also have something with an spf for the mornings. I'm not positive mine is cruelty-free and it's not an Ulta brand either, so hopefully someone else can chime in with a suggestion on that.

[pandorica]

Dec 15, 2016 10:53:44 GMT -5 sporky said:

pandorica, Does it have to be from Ulta? I love Pixi's glow tonic and you can get that from Target (if you're in the US). It's great for dealing with dullness. You should also have something with an spf for the mornings. I'm not positive mine is cruelty-free and it's not an Ulta brand either, so hopefully someone else can chime in with a suggestion on that.

It doesn't have to be, but I'm still trying to get to 2000 points so it hurts me a little bit to get this kind of stuff somewhere else

[wawa]

Oh goddamn it! pandorica, I had a whole thing written out with links and everything and fucking PB ate it. Lemme try this again:

Handy brand cheat sheet:

I think if I were you and starting totally from scratch I'd pick up the $30 first aid beauty travel size kit (cleanswer that I *think* has an acceptable low pH), start using your julep oil cleanser as a first cleanser, ditch the burt bees which probably ahs a too high pH (all the burt bees ones I could find info on were 10's) and add in a daytime moisturizer (either that FAB one from the kit, or maybe something from the
Yes To brand. Tomatoes if you're oily, cucumbers if you're dry/combo/normal. If you want an eye cream I like both the Yes to Blueberries (day) and the Mario Badascu Glycolic eye cream (night). Then once you've made sure your skin likes those new things, start using the exfolianting FAB pads (AHA, which is good for texture/dullness/fine lines. I use a similar much cheaper product from St. Ives. Juice Beauty also has a similar looking thing. I've not used either, but adding in an AHA is a sound starting point once you've got the cleansing and basic moisture levels set), and ALSO starting using a daily spf AT LEAST 30. Mine is neither ulta nor cruelty free, so maybe try one of the Coola ones?

the spf is an absolute MUST if you add in the AHA. Also - FYI AHA goes right after cleansing, before anything else.

If you're dry - a facial oil would also be nice. I used to use a cheap "argan" oil from physicians formula and liked it fine, but my skin isn't fussy. The mario badascu rose hip oil has been on my list for a while. I also like their rose spray. I use the oil before my moisturizer (a few drops on my palms, pat pat on my face) and the spray whenever I feel like it.

If you're oily/blemish prone, the tea tree line from the body shop is nice. I use the plain tea tree oil as a spot treatment sometimes before my moisturizer, and occasionally if I'm having an greasy day I pull out the tea tree matte lotion instead of my usual moisturizer.

[pandorica]

wawa thank you!!

[Pippin]

Dec 14, 2016 8:35:46 GMT -5 pandorica said:

I'm so lost on skin care stuff, there's too much information! And my skin badly needs something new, it's looking all sad, wrinkly and dull all of a sudden. I thought I wouldn't have to worry about this until 30 at least, but my face has other ideas apparently

Can someone just tell me exactly what to get - from Ulta and cruelty free? Does this exist?

I'm sure I'm starting to sound like a broken record but the Hey Honey Good Morning Serum helped me with pretty much those same problems. This stuff just gives life to my face and it doubles as a pretty good primer. It's at Ulta online and they did run a 5x pts promo back in October so hopefully they will run those a few times a year. I'm on my 5th or 6th bottle by now, I love this stuff.