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Free for Haul Friday, Volume #321
Welcome to Free For Haul Friday!
- Haul: A few pieces from Dior spring, Sephora x Pantone, Nuxe de Miel lip balm, some skin care
- Weekend plans: Relax! Clean! My parents have been here for the last week, which was really fun, and I was like a kid on Christmas morning waiting for them to come (instead of presents) as it’s the first time they’ve seen the house since we moved in. I’m just not used to having a full house of people, and it’ll be good to get back into our regular routine, lol!
- Did you make any New Year’s resolutions (non-beauty)?: I don’t make actual resolutions, though the beginning of the year is always the time where we try to eat better.
Share your pet photos to the Temptalia Pets flickr group! 🙂
Happy New Year Christine. xoxo for the handsome tree guardian Mellan from me and the boys.
Happy new year, Lily!
Mellan Conquers Christmas!
Haul:
Neiman Marcus: YSL La Laque Couture Boho Stones (Peace Green)
Zoya (Pre-Order Sale): Whispers Transitional Collection Sampler (Eastyn, Lake, Cala, Misty, Ireland, April)
Drugstore.com (20% Off Haircare): Kevin Murphy Angel Masque Strengthening and Thickening Conditioning Treatment, Kevin Murphy Shimmer Shine Repairing Shine Mist, La Roche-Posay Effaclar BB Blur (Fair/Light), Sally Hansen Big Peel Off Base Coat
Beauty.com (Applied Drugstore Dollars – Total Cost Was $15!): Lipstick Queen Lip Nouveau Set (Red Sinner, Saint Berry, Butterfly Ball in Fly), 3 Free Samples
Beauty.com ($10 Off): Alterna Caviar Repair Rx Duo Kit, 3 Free Samples
Weekend plans: Not much. My cat, Trouble, had surgery for a hematoma on his ear on Thursday and is in “the cone of shame”. He has to wear it for the next 3 weeks. My other cat, Kat, had some ear issues that the vet also dealt with. I need to try to keep them both happy. The collar is a nightmare! The vet had it looped around with gauze that ran around his neck and around his belly – had to cut it off….6 hours later, we rigged something with a harness.
Did you make any New Year’s resolutions (non-beauty)?: I don’t make resolutions. I actually posted about this on my FB page…will share if anyone is interested (didn’t copy here w/o permission as it is lengthy at 7 paragraphs). Or anyone is free to look as my page is public.
How do you like Boho Stones/Peace Green, Michele?
Broke my own rule and went from Cover Girl Nemesis to YSL Carmen D’Or. Usually vary color family. Will do Peace Green by Friday and post back.
Tried Peace Green today. Pic is on my Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Like most YSL polishes it dries quickly. The brush is ample and makes application easy. First coat went on streaky. Second coat resolved most of the unevenness. Honestly, I think it would have looked better with a third coat. The shade is really pretty. It is an iridescent light green with strong yellow undertones. Even for my coloring the shade is extremely wearable. I think just about anyone can wear this shade. I don’t know how long it will wear chip-free but if it’s true to YSL I’d guess just under a week…but we’ll see. I’d rate it a B or B+ bc of the coverage issue.
Thank you, Michele!! I picked one up, too, and it didn’t self-level as much as I wanted 🙁 Pretty color though!
I really wish some of the high-end brands would get their act together with their formulas. They do outstanding in coming up with interesting and unique shades and then put them in formulas that have application issues and definitely don’t last as long as other brands. I think the one exception to this that I’ve found is JINSoon. Her polishes are easy to apply and have an easy 2 week wear on me. (Zoya comes in at roughly a week to a week and a half and other brands on me are Smith & Cult (1-2 days at best), YSL (4 days), Dior (5-6 days), Marc Jacobs (3-4 days).)
Cute pic! A real tie..Is 2016 the year of ties instead of bow ties?!
Haul: lets see. ..Nars Taos, Chanel Tisse Gabrielle, Tom Ford Lips & Boys Daniel, too faced love Flush blush palette. I pre-presaled a bunch of stuff from the MAC Faery collection. I have to go pick it up though. I should of had it mailed to me!
Weekend plans: Go get my Mac stuff! Doing some volunteer stuff with my daughter’s Girl scout troop Sat. and she finally comes home after a week being gone after that. She has been with her father for a week which has been torture for me. She normally lives with me, beside an occasional day or two. So, that’s been really hard.
New Year’s Resolution’s: My health is pretty much the center of my resolution again. Jan 13 marks 3 years of dealing with Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia. MY doctor’s still can’t figure out if I have MS too or not. With the holidays, everything went on hold. It’s been rough. ATN is rare and they just don’t know what to do it seems like. My goals, focus on trying to get my health back to as close to normal as possible. I’m traveling to the Mayo clinic in Phoenix to see a specialist in Feb. Hoping, he has some solutions for me to make this a little more manageable.
Haha! He’ll probably stick with the bow ties. The ties get in his water bowl! 😉
Good luck with the specialist, Nicole! At least you have next steps in place. Here’s hoping 2016 gives you an answer!
Thanks Christine!
Any suggestions for sight seeing near Phoenix? I’m bringing my daughter and mom for a five day trip when I come out to Mayo. I know there are a lot of Temptalia followers in Az. too. I have a consultation there. But, I have been wanting to see how I feel in different climates. So, we are going to hang out. I’m pretty excited!
I feel like @nancy_t would know far better than I about sightseeing! We haven’t done much of that yet, but I know that people have emphasized seeing Sedona and Flagstaff! Grand Canyon, too, but that is a longer drive (more like a very long day trip or a 2-day trip).
Ok,yes. I need to hit her up too! A friend of mine said to get to Sedona as well. Sounds like that may be in the cards! Thanks! 🙂
Wishing you better health in 2016, Nicole!
Thank you Katherine! That means a lot to me. Happy New year to you and your family! 🙂
Hi Nicole, I can sympathize with your health resolution. Doctors suggested the Mayo Clinic for a health condition and after 2.5 days, they had a diagnosis. I’ve been working with a local specialists and we had made a lot progress hiwever it has been undermined – again – this time by removing a medicarion that I believe was the foundation to improved health. It has affected my travel and kept my Xmas activities very local. Will be glad to see the specialist later this month. I can’t soeak highly enogh about the Mayo Clinic and their physicians and practices. Wishing you all the best!
Tracey, thank you for your comment! It’s very reassuring . I have a rare condition and the local doctors are just ignorant to it. At this point I have been doing my own research and exhausted in state facilities for my insurance to cover out of state. But, I’m footing travel expenses.
I’m really sorry about your Xmas plans. Mine wasn’t so trilling either. It’s hard to be not healthy when others are celebrating. Keep your hopes up. Don’t stop looking. Something that helped me a lot was an online support group for my condition. Actually through Facebook, of all things. But, seeing what is helping all these other people all over the world- it helps me not feel alone in this.My thoughts and prayers are with you. If you ever need to spill something-anything- I’m here. Good luck to you. 🙂
Thanks for your kind words and encouragement, Nicole. This change in where my health was has been very challenging and my typical go-to remedies are less effective. I’m very thankful to have a specialist who is still curious and I will have a new doctor next week who I think will be quite good, so I hope the group assembled will right the ship to stabilize my health so we can focus on improving it. I incurred significant out-of-pocket expenses for my time at Mayo but it was worth every penny as my doctors were at a loss as to what was going on with me. I hope you have a similar experience and enjoy the time there with your family. Thank you for your suppirt and prayers. Know you are in mine as well. I am conforted that others have challenges but keep going and we prop each other up from time to time. Best of luck in February!
Pretty tree! Mellan looks so excited, what did your boy get for Xmas?
*Haul- nothing! Last week, I ordered from Ulta with my 20% Platinum coupon, but it hasn’t even shipped yet. But I’m eyeing the Dior and NARS spring collections, still trying to figure out if I will get that Dior highlighter or not, so pricey.
*Weekend -had dinner with some friends, rest, relax, need to do spring cleaning reaaally bad
*NY Resolutions -same ones every year, and they are SO hard to keep –buy less makeup/skincare, eat healthier, exercise, lose some weight. I have a treadmill at home, so there’s no excuse either
Lots and lots of toys, hahaha! I think four toys and then some small treats for training 🙂
I hope your Ulta order ships soon!
Haul: I got a load of LA Splash Liquid Matte lipsticks in a swap.
Weekend plans: Enjoying the first proper snow today. It’s been month+ without snow… I always want snow for Chrsitmas being in Ontario. lol
Watch the Force Awakens last night to ring in the new year.
Also try to salvage out pre-lit tree. The one side 3 strands burnt out. 😡 It’s the type of lighting where if one light bulb goes out, that light only stays out the rest of the strand is fine, but the strands all started to burn out last week and it only 5 years old.
Did you make any New Year’s resolutions (non-beauty)?: Try to work in some time to work out. Probably on the weekend as the weekdays it’s impossible to get the time in the past 4 months.
Aww! Enjoy your day of snow 😀
Sorry about your tree, though!
Love how spiffy Mellan looks in his tie, lol!
Haul: Too Faced LoveFlush blush palette (with free deluxe eyeliner and samples of Chocolate Soleil bronzers), Morphe 35P in Plum eye palette. Sales purchases: Spoilt Cow set in a velvet vanity case from Cowshed, black Minnetonka moccasin boots from ASOS.com (love the sales!)
Plans for weekend: Meeting up with friends who moved to Australia a few years ago, they’ve had a little girl since and so have we, so it’ll be nice to see each other again. They’re here for the Xmas season with family.
Resolutions: Nah I don’t make resolutions as a rule either, though I aim to get my iron and vit b12 levels up so I have more energy this year!
Love Flush! Yay! Such a great palette 🙂
Haul: Nothing this week – I think I froze up when I saw a sneak peek of Tom Ford Beauty’s Spring 2016 release. It looked like there were 3 or 4 quads and 4 eye creams. I am saving up!
Weekend plans: Continuing the early spring cleaning and purging, anything from cookbooks to pots and pans to clothes to sheets to towels, etc. We bought some new furniture pieces, one of them being a makeup storage unit of sorts. It’s a mirror, but then you turn it around (it swivels) and it has shelving and storage in the back! I am ordering vases and gem fillers and more acrylic organizers and am excited for them to come in so I can start organizing!
New Years Resolutions: I didn’t do any this year. I did last year and was looking at them (I made 10) and I have 8 that have become habit so I figure I did okay and best not to push it. Maybe work on the other 2 this year but that’s it, no new goals set for this year.
Happy New Year! 😀
How fun! I love organizing. It’s always REALLY fun when you start a new system!
OMG, heeeelp me! I just googled it, and it looks like Tom Ford is coming out swinging with metallics ! 5 new shadow quads, 4 cream shadows (Platinum is back and will be MINE), 4 nail polishes, 2 bronzers, and a sparkly gold gloss. And UD is coming out with Vice 4LE, which is full of spring-like looking purples, blues, and greens and some mattes too (???), exactly my kind of palette. Between NARS, Dior, Surratt, Tom Ford, and UD, I’m a goner and it’s only spring! I will need a second job to pay for all this
Katherine, how did you find out about Vice 4 LE??? I can’t find any info!
The new palette is called UD Vice 4LE or UD Vice Reloaded. There are pics on Instagram, but if you don’t do instagram, you can google “urban decay vice reloaded” and there are pics of the actual palette. It looks like a really great mix of colors –some shades from their current line, a number that were discontinued but brought back in this palette, think some new ones, and a few mattes too! I don’t have a ton of UD shadows, so this is perfect for me, and I can wear every single shade. I MUST HAVE IT!
Katherine, thanks for the UD info. I’m an addict.
I know! I saw a sneak peek of the new UD release also and ?.
There are at least two of the TF eyeshadow quads that I want, one of them being the one in the style of Nude Dip called Honeymoon. I wish I could get a better look at the cream colors. I’m really excited about this release!
I hope MAC doesn’t come out with anything terribly impressive (I can’t believe I just said that) because between the Urban Decay palette and Tom Ford, I need to be on a no-buy until March. Of 2017. ?
Haul: Oh man! I’ve gotten a lot, between gift cards and little splurges on myself. I got the MAC Beauty Powder in Pearl Sunshine, which I’m loving as a blush, and the Morphe M500 brush because that was recommended as something to do a sheer blush application since most blushes can be a bit intense on me since I’m fair. I got the Physician’s Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Nude palette for face and eyes in Natural Nude, a refill of the Maybelline Age Rewind concealer I love so much, and then I’ve ordered a bunch of stuff that hasn’t arrived yet: two Sigma eye brushes (E32, E40), Makeup Geek Blushes in Romance and Spellbound, and from Sephora the Laura Mercier transparent setting powder that’s so raved about, the Becca Backlight primer, and a Beauty Blender set with two of their sponges and a bottle of brush cleaner. Phew! I wore myself out just typing that all!
Weekend plans: Just relaxing and working! Nothing too strenuous, although today I need to sort out my payment for the coming semester 🙁 That’s never fun! Also, writing thank-you notes.
New Year’s Resolution: To learn a new knitting technique every month, and to finish all my Christmas gifts on time! I’m still finishing up a few from this year…
Sounds like you did really well this holiday season, Kat! Can’t wait for you to receive all your new goodies 🙂
Haul: Stila Stay All Day Liner in Dark Brown (I think it was this week!); Clarins Lip Comfort Oil; another Buxom Customizable eyeshadow palette – this time, I got Patent Leather, Room Service, Silk Sheets, Cool Caviar, Gold Status (I think I meant to get 24K Gold Stilettos but I got “verklempt”) and Bold Bling. I really wanted to get the Anastasia Self Made palette but I was way too late – they were sold out. I only wanted it for one very difficult to dupe shade!
Weekend plans: yoga and maybe the gym tomorrow; laundry, laundry, laundry (we had house guests so the beds, including younger son’s, all need stripping) and, sadly, moving youngest son back to his university town. He got home from 4 months in San Francisco just before Xmas so we’ve had him for almost 2 weeks, which was lovely; I’d like to keep him a few more days, though!
New Year’s Resolutions: I usually make a health-related one (stuff like flossing more often!) but I didn’t make one this year except for learning to use hubby’s new car. It’s got so much technology and “abnormal” stuff and weird turn signals and weird wipers so I’m serious when I say I need to LEARN how to use it!
The Buxom palettes are addicting!
I’m glad you were able to have so many friends/family over the holidays, Mariella! I am sure you particularly enjoyed have your youngest back for two weeks after a long absence!
Haul: I finally got my Christmas on and picked up a replacement for my Fresh Black Tea Infusion which wasn’t gone but I don’t want to be out of it ever. I also got the Cuadalie mask set which came back in stock thank goodness and the OH Truth duo. I’m hoping the OH duo will help me stick to a morning skincare routine. I’m great about night time, but I need more moisture and I could add that easily with a solid morning routine.
Weekend plans: My husband is about to leave for three months and one of my best friends passed away unexpectedly two days after Christmas. I’m not doing so well so it will be mostly loafing and the gym or dog park . I will venture forth and get food on Sunday. Tonight, I’m making some pasta to drown my sorrows in carb filled goodness.
Resolutions: I’m not one to change very much but I do find it’s good for me to use the new year as an excuse to make some behavior modifications. My plans last year for this were mostly trashed due to illness though I didn’t get better about using up my perfume and lipcolor stashes even if I spent half the year on the couch or in bed/hospital. This year, I want to be more active and get in the best shape I can within reason and start trying for a family. My husband will be gone for almost an entire year so I will have a lot of me time to make that happen. My other new years resolution is to win a large sum of money in the lottery. I’m only partly kidding on the last one.
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of one of your best friends, Erin 🙁 You are in my thoughts!
Oh no, very sorry to hear about your friend. Sounds like 2015 was a rough year, I’m hoping 2016 will be better for you
Oh my goodness, he really does look as if he’s guarding all the goodies! LoL! ?
Haul: Well, I’m going to hell, LoL! Last night, I went against my own rule to never buy KVD, and bought Iggy. Just couldn’t resist. Only did so because I was feeling so very leary about buying any MAC on eBay. So; Crushed Metal Iggy, Sephora Contour pencil in Fairytale, Belif Moisturizing Bomb, MAC x Ellie Goulding Halcyon Nights palette and from the Fairy Collection, Foiled Shadow in Magic In Your Eyes.
Weekend plans: Other than my usual hair and nail routine, I am hoping that my son gets a day off so that we can go see Star Wars The Force Awakens. We’ll see…
New Year’s resolutions?: Nope! I never do because I just don’t believe in them. Although, I am someone who can make a firm, resolute decision and never, ever go against it, like when I quit smoking nearly 23 years ago and never took another puff on a cigarette again! It was late April, not Jan. 1st! However, KVD was the extremely rare exception to my usual decisiveness.
EDIT, to add; MAC Cheek Pollen!
Green and green, Nancy! I wonder if you’ll pair Iggy with Fairytale.
And congrats on kicking smoking and keeping at it 🙂
Nancy, did you see pics of the new UD Vice Reloaded palette??? OMG, it’s stunning!!! A great mix of neutrals, blues, greens, purples, and teals. There are pics on instagram or you can google it. I see some cult classic shades from their current line, but I think there are also some previously discontinued shades, a few new shades, and some mattes too. And this palette will give me all the colors needed to get a look inspired by that spring Dior Rose Garden palette, except the pigment will be on steroids LOL If you have enough shadows already, then great, but if not, I don’t want you to miss out! I think it’s suppose to come out this month. I don’t have a lot of UD shadows, so I’m going to be stalking the internet, I MUST have it!!
Haul: Urban Decay Spectrum palette (it’s available in Canada), Charlotte Tilbury Stoned Rose lipstick and Ecsasty blush. Received CT’s Pink Kiss lip set, Chanel lipstick and eyeshadow palette from the Rouge Allure collection (I bought the highlighter earlier) and Origins eye gel for puffy eyes.
Weekend plans: We all have colds, so resting and getting rid of our colds.
New Year’s resolutions: I hope to be kinder, more patient and less judgemental.
Great haul, Tracey! Have you tried the Origins eye gel before?
Feel better!
Thanks, Christine. I’m hitting the drug store tomorrow. I haven’t tried the Origins eye gel before – it showed up in my stocking. It’s interesting – can be used as a 5-10 min treatment or as an overnight mask. My go-to for puffiness is Clarins Extra Firming Lift Perfection Serum (or something like that).
Happy New Year, everyone!
Haul: Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstick in Blue Velvet order arrived. Other than that, nothing, because I got so much at Christmas.
Weekend plans: Taking care of some paperwork that I’m horribly behind on. Spend some time with my hubby, because his vacation is over on Monday.
Did you make any New Year’s resolutions (non-beauty)? I never make resolutions.
Paperwork! Ah, the perils of adulthood. I have a pile I need to go through!
No haul for me! I purposely waited to shop in ’16 ( VIB, Platinum -2017 ) but am wanting to try the new MUFE HD concealer so maybe next week will have a mini haul.
Weekend plans…take down decorations
Enjoy your next haul when it comes 😀
Haul: I got a few of the soon-to-be discontinued MAC shadows (Bamboo, Folie, Mystery & Soot) and their Fashion Revival lipstick which was also in their “Goodbyes” section. I also cracked and ordered the Becca Champagne Pop highlighter and a Nest diffuser that was on sale at Sephora.
Weekend plans: Try not to dip into the post-holiday blues.
Did you make any New Year’s resolutions (non-beauty)?: Not really, but I filled the left eye of a Daruma with the hope that I get a diagnosis & treatment this year as it’s been 4 years without one.
I can’t believe they are DISCONTINUING THOSE EYESHADOWS! I COULDN’T BELIEVE IT. I WAS IN SHOCK.
I KNOW!!! I’m still debating getting some of the other shadows (the other ones to be discontinued are Aquadisiac, Crystal Avalanche, Electra, Filament, and Idol Eyes) but I’m not familiar with them and they’re mostly silver/pale grey ones aside from Aquadisiac, and I don’t do too much cool-toned pale + shimmer looks.
Crystal Avalanche is cool – almost like a bluish iridescent white. Aquadisiac I have a soft spot for, since it is aqua and there are so few aquas on the market, but it’s not the best performing. Idol Eyes I loathe (it’s a Lustre, so it’s pretty much sparkle everywhere but on the lid with sheer, crumbly color!).
Happy new year!!
Haul: Too Faced Love Flush Blush in Baby Love and Justify My Love, H&M Soft Kajal Eye Pencil in Pale Nude, Lush Snowfairy shower gel, The Body Shop Strawberry body lotion and Camomille Waterproof makeup remover. I’m so excited for the blushes, they’re so cute I don’t want to use them!
Weekend plans: I don’t think I have any… Or well I plan on eating the potatoes au gratin left overs!
Did you make any New Year’s resolutions (non-beauty)?: Nope 🙂
Happy new year, Tova!
Have you had a chance to try the H&M Soft Kajal yet?
Yes, and it’s actually a decent liner! It was only 39sek (less than 5usd) so I’m not disappointed 🙂
Thank you. Happy New Year to you too and I wish you continued happiness, health and success!
Thank you so much! 🙂
Mellon looks so good just sitting there waiting for his presents…
I am really happy that your parents came to visit you for the festive season. I am sure they love your new home.
I hope you do get a chance to relax, as it has been a big year for you.
Haul: I decided to get the Mariposa UD palette (a golden oldie I know) because it had that beautiful Money colour and Mushroom.
Weekend plans: I have entertained family and friends x 4 in the past week (over Christmas and New Year) and now I am exhausted and my house needs a good clean…..I am going shopping with my daughter in law to buy linen for my grand daughter’s new big girl bed…..
New Year’s Resolution: I just don’t make them. But I know it’s going to be a busy one with a new grand baby happening in the next 3 weeks or so.
It was nice to see them! And selfishly, happy for them to see the house 😀
Money is a cool shade. Like a murky green! It’s not an easy shade to find, I think.
Hope next week you can get some rest in, Genevieve! Happy new year!
Happy New Year,Christine! 🙂
Haul: Too Faced Melted Chocolate in Chocolate Honey, Formula X Divine Stardust Nail Polish Effect in Athena, Formula X Nail Polish in AlchemyII, Fresh Cocoa Exfoliating Body Soap
Weekend Plan: just relex around the house before going back to work.
Did you make any New Year’s resolutions (non-beauty)?: “stop being lasy and go to gym more” and “eat less fast food,eat more healthy”
Thanks, pePear! Happy new year 🙂
I bought Alchemy II but haven’t tried it yet!
Haul: Spring 2016 – they were all on display at the drugstore, and I got all excited:
L’Oréal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation in Classic Ivory (N2)
L’Oréal Colour Riche Monos Eye Shadows in Sunset Seine, Violet Beaute, Pain Au Chocolat, Quartz Fume, Teal Couture, Green Promenade, Mademoiselle Pink, Paris Beach, and Little Beige Dress…so basically all of them.
L’Oréal Infallible Pro Contour Palette in Light
Cover Girl TruNaked Eye Shadow Palettes – all three!
Maybelline Dream Velvet Soft-Matte Hydrating Foundation in Porcelain Ivory
Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Color in 40 Berry Boost
Maybelline Color Tattoo Concentrated Crayon – all of them!
Maybelline Master Prime Eyeshadow Bases – all three
Physicians Formula Super BB InstaReady Contour Trio BB Sticks in Blush and Bronzer
Physicians Formula Super BB InstaReady Filter Trio BB Powder
Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Cushion Foundation in Light
Weekend plans: We went out to brunch for New Year’s Day. Volunteering Saturday at the Humane Society.
Did you make any New Year’s resolutions (non-beauty)? This year is going to be my Year of Atonement – atoning for all sins committed in the last 38 years – i.e. not eating well, not exercising enough, spending too much money (see above!), etc., before I turn 40 next year! 😮
Happy New Year, Christine!
Nice drugstore haul, Pteetsa! I wonder if anything is out here yet. I haven’t been near a drugstore recently (been mostly at home with family for the last two weeks).
Happy new year! 🙂
Haul: Mini Maybelline haul this week to get myself to Platinum at Ulta for 2016. Fit Me matte foundation, Fit me concealer (LOVE LOVE LOVE this) and two Creamy Matte lipsticks: Divine Wine and Siren in Scarlet. I’m very happy. Divine Wine is stunning.
Weekend plans: Working, same as usual!
Did you make any New Year’s resolutions (non-beauty)?: Get my mental health stabilized and work through some of my garbage in therapy.
Happy New Year, Christine! Thanks for bringing so much joy. Temptalia is my refuge and relaxation at the end of the day.
Congrats on hitting platinum, Liz! 🙂 And best wishes for successful therapy sessions.
Happy new year!!
Happy New Year. X
Happy new year, Val! 🙂
Mellan says, in perfectly enunciated English, “No one shall come as close as to lay a finger on these gifts without first gaining my approval.” =)
We were just thrilled that our Chihuahua/Dachshund (Paco) didn’t pee on our presents! 😀
Haul: MAC Creamsheen in Quelle Surprise (because I obviously need half a dozen versions of the [almost] exact same color!), the Smashbox ART. LOVE. COLOR. Master Class palette (on sale at Sephora), and UD’s Vice4 (also on sale). The condition the Vice4 arrived in was infuriating.
Weekend plans: The number one thing we’ll do this weekend is put away the Christmas decorations, I also need to start going through all of my makeup to decide what I’m going to keep and what I’m getting rid of. I already sent my youngest daughter a few items that were just taking up space, and I also put together a little bag of unused goodies for a friend.
Did you make any New Year’s resolutions (non-beauty)?: I also don’t make resolutions. The only thing I’m planning on doing differently this year is related to beauty, and it’s to make less mid to high-end purchases. I have more than I can use! I do plan on getting more familiar with lower-end brands. (After all, I can’t NOT buy makeup!!)
Haha! 😉
LOL! One of my parents dogs has a penchant for cardboard. I wonder if she would have had a feast here!
Oh no, what happened to the Vice4?
The Vice4… I think I can calmly discuss it now. Let’s have a go at it…
While opening the Vice4 box, I saw that it looked worn, as if it had been opened a few times already. When I pulled the palette out of the decorative zipper bag, I noticed scratch marks on the bottom of the palette. After opening the palette, I was in disbelief. The shadows had been used (or swatched at the very least). I heard a shifting sound, as if something were loose, so I closed the palette and opened it upside down. Three shadows fell out and onto the mirror.
After sitting with my displeasure for a few hours, I contacted customer service via email. I was not happy with the response. I’ve since mailed a written a letter to Corporate Headquarters in San Francisco regarding this matter, as well as the situation with the Marc Jacobs foundation brush I purchased back in November. I’m curious to see how they are going to respond. IF they are going to respond.
The most upsetting thing about this entire situation is that I LOVE Sephora. :'( As fond as I am of Sephora, there is a new Ulta in town and so many retailers who now offer free shipping that I could adjust to making most of my cosmetics purchases elsewhere.
Oh no! What was Sephora’s response?
“We apologize that the Urban Decay Vice 4 you received in order #000000000 was damaged. Unfortunately, we are now out of stock on this item. A credit card refund of $33.54 was issued to your Card ending in XXXX. Please keep in mind that your financial institution may take approximately 3-10 business days to reflect this transaction in your account after we receive the product back.”
Absolutely no mention of the most concerning issue — that it was a used palette. Then the contradictory statements, “…a refund… was issued…” then going on to say that I will see a credit to my account after they receive the item back. (I never assumed they would be crediting my account before I returned it but the two conflicting statements disturb me.)
I’ve taken photos and I plan I taking the palette into my local Sephora this weekend. I want someone to address the REAL issue with the palette. I still haven’t heard back from Corporate.
My trip to Sephora may be bumped to next weekend, though, if I’m in the ER for too long. There’s a possibility that I may have broken a bone last weekend. I’ve never broken anything before so I don’t know what that experience is like. I just don’t think I should still be having the difficulties I’m having after this many days. (It will be one week tomorrow since I fell onto an asphalt driveway while descending some patio stairs in the dark.)
The conflicting statements is a weird one! Sometimes they do not make you return to get your refund, so it is confusing.
Oh no! Hope you’re okay. Definitely get that checked out!
Haul: I picked up a few lipglosses from Victoria Secret, but mostly I stocked up on their Verbena cream wash because they discontinued it. My favorite scent, and now it’s gone!
Weekend plans: I’m working like I always am, but I had NYE off, so I actually feel pretty rested today.
Did you make any New Year’s resolutions (non-beauty)?: Improve my eating habits (I’m not 20 anymore and physically cannot handle eating garbage anymore) and pay off my credit card debt by June so that I can start putting the money into school loans!
Oh no! Any word on whether VS will be replacing it/reformulating?
I love Mellans’ tie. He looks very handsome!
Haul, not a haul, really some skincare and Tom Ford Seductive Rose eyeshadow quad. I like it, but I don’t love it. The shadows are easy to work with and they are pretty, and very glittery (2 of them), but they aren’t fantastic. I should have consulted Temptalia firs. perhaps, but went with the one I felt for then and there.
This will be my last makeup haul for some time, as I have put myself on a ban for at least three months. I would really like to be able to keep it up for a year, we’ll see.
I have can buy skincare, you do need that, and if I see something here that is really unique I may get that.
The ban also goes for clothes, except underwear and socks.
The dog being ill this year and the stupid car needing repair all of a sudden dug a little hole in my wallet I feel I should fill,
Boring economic aside.
Weekend plan, doing laundry, recycle and relax
New years resolution, I don’t make them. The makeup ban isn’t one, I decided I was going to do it earlier. I will keep reading, and I’ll stay active. The fact that I’ll not buy will not stop me from being updated.
I’m glad you had a good time over the holidays.
Ah, those pesky things we have to keep in mind as an adult. Hope you can replenish your emergency fund quickly and will find yourself not needing it for all of 2016!
Happy New Year, Christine! Mellan is so cute!
Haul: from ULTA, 20% off: BECCA highlighter poured in Pearl, which I am liking very much with cream contour and blush; IT Cosmetics Waterproof creme-gel eyeliner in Espresso, which works great for tightlining; and CeraVe Skin Renewing Cream Serum, which “contains an encapsulated 1% retinol and ceramide complex” — I add a drop of Paula’s Choice Retinol Booster to bring the retinol itself up to about 1%, and it becomes one of the least expensive retinol serums suitable for sensitive skin (no fragrance, etc.), that I’ve been able to find. From Sephora: Ardency Inn Custom Cover Concentrate in Light Pink Beige — this stuff is great — same concept as the Cover Fx drops, but the color suits me better, is not too yellow — and, thank goodness, isn’t actually pink, either — OK, so I’ll have to mix in a bit of Fair to lighten it up, but I have to do that with everything — point is, it mixes in fantastically with my zinc oxide/titanium dioxide sunscreens that I have to wear if I walk outdoors, due to my sun-sensitive rosacea — gives me an alternative to IT Cosmetics CC Cream, which I do love, but what would I do if they reformulated or discontinued it?; then, I got impulsive and crazy with the sale on sale and bought a Josie Maran skincare set, which worked out great because the SPF 47 moisturizer works great with the Ardency Inn Concentrate, AND… went a little nuts when I saw the Make Up For Ever makeup station on sale, even though I already have many of the shadows in it — at $176 (20% off $220) for 30 items, it comes out to $5.87 per item, so, even if there are a couple of things I won’t get that much use out of, there are plenty that I will use, and I can play with the star powder, the glitter, the Aqua Seal, the false lashes, etc., which I wouldn’t get a chance to so easily (cheaply) otherwise… OK, I went over budget, for sure, and I’m rationalizing here, but, still, I love it.
Weekend plans: mostly relaxing before putting in my last two weeks at a part-time job I’ve come to hate. I gave notice right before Christmas. My other part-time job ends at the end of this month, so I’ll be looking for something new soon. Wish me luck! I might try making bread tomorrow with my new stand mixer. That’s been a lot of fun to use.
New Year’s resolutions: I don’t make them, but I do have a couple of promises to myself for birthday gifts for my 60th birthday, which is coming this August. #1 is to keep off the weight I lost (35-40 pounds); the first few months was easy, now it’s taking a lot of effort — I can see why more than 90% of people who manage to lose a significant amount of weight regain it; #2 is to re-organize all my stuff, starting with reading Marie Kondo’s book. That will give me something to do with my time in between jobs!
Happy new year, Fran! 🙂
Great 20% off haul!
You could always pass on the products/duplicates from the MUFE set that aren’t your bag to a friend or save them as gifts! That’s one way to justify a set 😉
You’re right 🙂 A MUFE eyeshadow trio of untouched duplicates would be a great gift for a makeup lover — and I have some extra empty 3-pan palettes!
Love Mellan’s tie.
Thank you!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.
Happy holidays, Susan 🙂
First beauty purchase in months.
Haul: Sunday Riley power couple. Haven’t used it yet but looking forward to it!
Weekend plans: continue renovating, unpacking from trip, and getting ready for back to work.
Resolutions: nope
Nice! Hope it does your skin some wonders 🙂