Archived Post
Free for Haul Friday, Volume #391
Share your recent beauty purchases or rediscovered favorites in your stash (for those on low/no-buys!), chit chat about weekend plans, and learn a little more about each other!
Let's Chat!
Share your own answers in the comments!
- Haul: Nothing quite yet…
- Weekend plans: Relax with my family!
- What do you love (and hate) about summer?: I love the sunshine, though I’m lucky that we get so much sunshine year-round in Arizona that I’m really not pining for it, lol! In Arizona, we get some cool storms that come through during monsoon season, which are fun to watch. The hard part is that because it is so hot out here that poor Mellan stays inside most of the summer!
This week's doggo photo/video...
Share your pet photos to the Temptalia Pets flickr group!
Hugs to Mellan!
Haul:
Beautyhabit: Olivine Atelier Love + Roses Beauty Mist, Paul & Joe Facial Cotton (3), Paul & Joe LE Gel Blush (Fantasy 001). Just ordered this morning. The P&J is part of their new Summer Collection.
Besame – 1965 Portrait Peach Lipstick, Spring Bird Bag (1/2 off). Shipped but not received. The peach is a new shade for Besame.
Bumble & Bumble: Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil, BB Color Stick (Lilac), Mending Masque, GWP (deluxe sizes) – Surf Infusion, Don’t Blow It (3), Invisible Oil Primer, Thickening Hairspray; GWP (packet) – Surf Shampoo & Conditioner (2), Color Minded Shampoo & Conditioner, Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner (2)
Deciem: The Ordinary Serum Foundation and Coverage Foundation (1.2N). I love the Ofra serum foundation but I always like to know what my options are; especially since these are so inexpensive. The site said there’s a big backlog of orders and it may be 10 days or longer before it ships but not in a hurry for them.
Gerard: Hydra Matte Lipstick (90210 – on sale for $12). Shipped but not received.
Kiko Milano (10% off): Lips&Cheeks (02 Sorbet Watermelon, 03 Tonic Fuchsia), Baked Blush (01 Natural Beach). Arriving today. These are all part of their Summer Collection.
MAC: Prep+Prime Fix+/Fruity Juicy (pre-order)
Marc Jacobs: Le Marc Lip Crème (Kate 260). Swatch posted this morning.
Origins ($20 off): APW Age-Defense Skin Guardian with White Tea (I use this on my hands and cuticles at night – works wonders!), Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay, 5 deluxe samples
Sephora: B&B Don’t Blow It, UD x Basquiat Epigram.
Ulta: Nyx Lid Lingerie Eye Tint (Morning Sky, New Romance, Whimsy, Nude to Me – Buy 1, Get 1 ½ off), Maybelline Eyestudio Master Precise Skinny Gel Pencil (Defining Black, Sharp Brown – Buy 1, Get 1 ½ off and Refined Charcoal sale ½ price), Ofra Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick (Solano, Angeles, Plumas), Travel Size Buttercream Cupcake 3-in-1 Beauty Smoothie (Buy 2 , Get 1 free – 3), E.L.F. Aqua Beauty Aqua Infused Blush & Bronzer (Bronzed Pink Beige), 3 pc YSL Black Opium GWP, 10 pc GWP. Some swatches already posted; will continue to post the rest.
Weekend plans: My daughter’s cat got toxic liver poisoning from the use of Sentry flea med. He didn’t have fleas but as she takes him outside it was applied as a preventative. She’s been taking him to the vet every day this week for infusions. She asked me to go with her tomorrow morning since the vet will have updated labs and will be discussing a treatment plan, if necessary, going forward. Otherwise, not sure – it’s supposed to be more rain tomorrow.
What do you love (and hate) about summer?: I can’t think of a single redeeming thing about Summer. I dislike the heat and humidity. there’s nothing more disgusting that walking out of your front door and immediately beginning to sweat. I always count the days until Fall (my fav season) arrives.
I hope your daughter’s cat is okay!! So frustrating that something used for prevention has caused such problems 🙁
I have read the horrible side effects of flea medicines and now only buy mine from the vet (to the tune of about $500 a year in flea meds, and $300 a year in yearly check-ups so my cats will be eligible for the outrageously expensive flea meds).
But they are my babies.
Hoping and praying that the infusions work for Rachel’s kitty! I know how scary this must be. ??
I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter’s kitty. I hope it will recover.
I hope your daughter’s cat gets better soon. They should take this medication off the market if it causes so many problems.
How do you find the Ordinary’s products?
I don’t have the foundations yet so I can’t speak to them. I think their skincare line is respectable and I have considered going back to it. I’ve used their Rose Hip Oil, Advanced Retinoid, Hyaluronic Acid, and Buffet in the past. While I felt the hyaluronic acid worked, I also didn’t care for the smell. It wasn’t bad and probably wouldn’t bother most people but I can be sensitive to certain scents when they’re on my face. I think my biggest issue, and generally why I switched, was that there wasn’t a good formula in their line to target fine lines under the eyes. For that, I used one of the other Deciem brand -NIOD (Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate). NIOD, unlike The Ordinary, is NOT inexpensive (I believe it was something like $65 or $70). So, since I was spending so much on the eye product, I started looking for a single line to address everything. In retrospect, I probably should have just stuck with their system. I also have used The Chemistry Brand’s (another company under Deciem) Hand Chemistry. Frankly I didn’t feel that it was any better than the drugstore brand Neutrogena.
Thanks Michele for the info – you are fund of knowledge re makeup and skincare! It’s just that I have heard so much on the internet re The Ordinary that I was keen to know.
Thank you. The Ordinary does a good job of stripping down skincare products to just the active ingredients; all without fancy packaging and that really brings down the price. You might have to wait now because of their big color release, but the parent company, Deciem, is pretty good about responding to questions about “what skincare would be best for me?” If you’re interested you can always shoot them an email or send them a message on Facebook. By the way, if you’re in the U.S., the shipments come out of NJ and there is a toll free phone number.
Oh no I’m sorry to hear about your daughter’s cat ?, I hope she pulls through. I hope you don’t mind but I did a Google for Sentry flea treatment and this came up: https://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/sentry.html – shockingly she isn’t the only one xx
Claire (and everyone else) – Thank you for the good wishes. The recent labs showed that while the liver size is shrinking (inflammation going down), more liver cells have died. So, it’s another week of infusions and then another panel of labs. If the liver doesn’t improve it will be a referral to an internist. And, ye, my daughter has filed a claim with Sentry. They won’t consider reimbursing expense until treatment is completed. Meanwhile she’s at roughly $2,000 in care so far.
How a company can sell a product that can prove deadly to our pets is beyond me, so sorry, hope treatment works quickly.
Awwww, look at those eyes!!
*Haul – MAC 40% off – Pro Longwear Cream Shadow Sticks – I was very late to the game on these, so sad as I think these are being DC’d. I really liked Sweet Viola (nice base for purple or pink shadows), so I also picked up Lilacked (another fave), Tea Leaves, and Silver Coin. From Sephora,free deluxe sample of Tatcha Water Cream, want to see what the buzz is about. From Memebox, Chateau Labiotte Wine Tint in Merlot Burgundy @ 50% off+free shipping-OMG, the most ridiculously cute lip tint ever, in an tiny, exact replica of a red wine bottle. I haven’t tested the product yet, and the tube is small, but the packaging alone is worth it. UD x Basquiat collection lipstick in Epigram. OMG, color is gorgeous! And hard to dupe, pairs perfectly with MAC Nutcracker Duo – Pleasure Model blush/Whisper of Gilt highlighter, for a peachy brown/gold summer look. I didn’t care for the artwork, and was going to skip the collection altogether, until I saw your swatch of Epigram, and of course Michele did some enabling as well. Very thrilled with this great find, and the artwork is starting to grow on me. Every time I look at my lipstick collection and see 2 funky looking eye balls staring back at me, I will thank/blame you and Michele 😉
* Weekend – haircut, lunches and dinners with family and friend
*Summer – love that my skin has more moisture. Not enough warm sunny days, our summers in SF tend to be foggy. Oh, and since I’m in CA, great summer fruits, peaches, watermelons
Let us know how the Water Cream works out! I got a pitch the other day that said it was the #1 selling moisturizer at Sephora right now, lol!
Haul: so many crafty things from Joann’s. other than that probably last minute things for my trip next week.
Weekend plans: pack and probably a date night 🙂
What do you love (and hate) about summer?: I don’t love the heat. My favorite thing is the longer days. It means I can spend more time doing things.
What are you crafting?
Those eyes need a treat!
Haul:
Chanel Coco Codes Blush Harmony. Anyone else have this? (I know Tammy likes it too.) This is fantastic. I was very, very surprised at how impressed I am with it. It’s versatile. It’s lovely in many combos–and as someone who loves to mix, this is fantastic for me. But most of all the application and the wear blew me away. This stuff holds up all day unlike any other blush I own, or maybe ever owned. I wonder if all Chanel blushes are like this? I have to say this is superior to everything else I have from TF, to MAC, to Hourglass, to MUFE.
Chanel Tisse Venetien shadow quad just in but I haven’t tried it yet. Will report next week.
Weekend plans:
Tonight we have a birthday part for one of my husband’s college friends. Hubby got all his degrees from MIT, and when we were back in the day, these friends of his were the absolute stereotype of the nerdy, socially-awkward geek. But time passes, and years happen and a number of these guys and their wives/partners have become some of our best friends. Didn’t see it coming at age 19, but you gotta give people a chance to come into themselves. 🙂
What do you love (and hate) about summer?:
Living in NE where we have real winter, there is not one thing I hate about summer. It can get humid, it can get hot — I don’t care! It’s such a short span for us, I just revel in the ease and the slower pace. Fall is my favorite season, but you will never hear me complain about summer ever.
The regular Chanel blush range wears nicely on me, though shorter than TF/MJB for me, which are the longer-wearing formulas that I can remember.
I can’t imagine a real winter, and frankly, don’t want to, LOL! I get so cold so easily!
Yep, blush harmony lasts and lasts and lasts. I bet I could sleep in it and it would still be there in the morning!
I love Chanel’s blush harmony from the past 2 years. Coco Codes is the perfect complement to the Rouge No 1 collection. Glad you’re loving it!
I have the Chanel blush. It’s fantastic! I was worried it would pull too warm for me but it’s such a lovely combination of shades and tones it works like a dream.
Meh Chanel has a less than 4 hour staying power on me when everything else lasts a full 8 hr work day. I think Chanel is the most overrated high end brand and far too much glitter for my liking. Tom Ford and Marc Jacobs are far superior imo
Hi Erica!
I always feel mildly bad when someone is disappointed in things I love! TF is good, mostly. MJ blushes — nope and nope for me. They are just gone in 4 hours on me! I’d bet we would have a few things to trade. 🙂
Haul: Nothing yet, need to track down more of the NARS x CG collection since it seems Sephora has really dropped the ball on it.
Weekend: I had planned to be busy and do somethings in Seattle and around here but I strained a ligament last night in my knee getting off the couch after reading a book of all things. It hurts like an SOB. I’m pretty sure I’m probably not going to be able to do anything and might have to drop out of my workout class this Monday 🙁
Summer: I dislike not having AC. I’ve not had AC in 7 years and I’m over it. I do like being able to take my pup swimming regularly and wear a lot of maxi skirts!
I hope your knee feels better soon!
I hope your knee improves soon. I can’t imagine living without an A/C – no wonder you’re over it!
Yikes! Hope your knee feels better soon!
Haul: From Sephora I did two orders to get the last two samples.
SEPHORA COLLECTION Contour Matte Gel Eyeliner Waterproof in09 Sly Like A Fox
TOUCH IN SOL Style Neon Super Proof Gel Liner in Eclectic Electric
STELLAR Limitless Foundation in S01
BURBERRY Lip Velvet Lipstick deluxe sample in Nude No. 407 – 0.02 oz/ 0.75 mL
BITE BEAUTY Lip Pencil deluxe sample in 22 – 0.05 oz/ 1.5 mL
Weekend plans: Same old, Also working on my other dress for Anime North.
What do you love (and hate) about summer?: I love the dry heat when we get it. but over 27C (about 80F) we start to get really high humidex that feels like we are in a lobster boil in southern Ontario. lol When it gets to 32(89.6F) it feels like 109F.
I hope you enjoy the new Burberry Lip Velvet Lipstick sample!
It’s my first Burberry product too. :3
Hope your TiS eye pencil turns out better than the 3 I got and returned. Unwearable. The consumer review I did was so bad that they didn’t print it. I think I said e.l. ought not be torture. Funny, that same day, my c.r. of mufe artist shadow was up, before I even logged off. Seriously.
It’s awful……… it completely dry, the shade of TOUCH IN SOL I picked up. I need to find a way to return it without paying more for it in shipping than its worth.
Well both my SEPHORA COLLECTION Sly Like A Fox and TOUCH IN SOL Eclectic Electric not that I got a return shipping slip. Both are dried out and Eclectic Electric is not even adhering to the skin…..
Thoughts on Stella foundation?
I have fully tested it yet but I call it a light to medium coverage foundation unlike their claims to medium to full. will get a full review in June though.
Update on my Perfect 10 Peel (intermediate): I got this peel on Wednesday, April 26, and I am still peeling! For those that are considering this procedure, I would recommend four days of down time before returning to work. Last week on Friday my skin was falling off in flakes onto my clothes. The major peeling was done by Monday, but my skin continues to flake. I thought I would be able to wear foundation or BB cream, and I have, but it’s a challenge because my skin is actually not healed yet (it’s similar to being chapped) and so the foundation and BB creams do not look smooth and flawless. I’ve been told I’m really going to like how my skin looks by the end of the next week, and I’m hoping that’s true.
Haul: When Visage had their spring sale last month I ordered a couple new brushes. Having been disappointed by the GSN-02 powder brush, which I used daily for a month, I decided to try the T-1 powder brush. Apparently all the T series brushes feel amazing on the skin, and this one is no exception. I was pleasantly surprised at it’s performance. Whereas before I was not impressed with my Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Skin Perfecting Micro Powder, now I am totally in love with this powder when I apply it with the T-1 brush. (On a side note, I also re-red Christine’s review of the Tom Ford Bronzer brush, which is the best brush I’ve ever gotten, and I saw her recommendation to use it with Guerlain’s Meteorites. I’ve been doing this all week, and it’s amazing!) After two years of looking for a good powder brush, I now feel like I have one in the T-1.
chikuhodo RC-2 Cheek: Again, after not loving the Z-8 cheek brush, I wasn’t sure if I would like the RC-2. I did some research and saw it was repeatedly highly recommended, so I gave it a chance. I do like it so much better than the Z-8. I will continue to use the Z-8 (I have to eventually figure out why others love the Z-8) but the RC-2 is better for me. So far my favorite blush brush of all time is still Bobbi Brown’s blush brush.
Chikuhodo Z-5 eyeshadow brush: Not love at first use, but I continue to use it daily and am enticed to reach for it daily, so we will see where this relationship goes.
Update on Viseart 10 Warm Matte Palette: OMG these mattes are so soft, so blendable, so warm…just delicious!
Marc Jacobs Dew You Dew Drops: I don’t use liquid highlighters and was initially thinking I had made a mistake in buying this. I tried patting it on my cheeks and eye lids as a highlighter and was not impressed. Then I mixed it with It Cosmetics CC cream and it was stunning! I mean movie star stunning. Most highlighting products don’t work with my oily t-zone but this one did not make me look greasy or shiny at all. Today I applied it to my cheeks and browbone with a liquid foundation buffing brush and it is just beautiful. A great purchase!
NAR’S Lip tint in Ephelide: I purchase Promise also, which is a very pretty color, but Ephelide has stolen my heart. I have been looking for a color like this for years and must have bought five other lipsticks/glosses trying to get a color similar to this one. It looks so good against my medium warm skin tone, and is made to go with MAC’S Love cloud blush and any springy purple or blue eye look.
Weekend plans: Celebrating Cinco De Mayo tonight. My husband and I began dating on Cinco De Mayo 28 years ago, so we consider this our first anniversary. I am also thinking about a trip to Chicago to try to find a dress for my daughter’s June wedding.
Summer: Fresh fruits and veggies, barbecues, cold beer, margaritas, green grass, gardens, sleeveless tops and dresses, sandals, flip flops, suntans, coffee on the porch in the morning, and all the lovely saturated colorful lipsticks, blushes, glosses, and eye shadows.
Keep us posted on the peel – I hope it gets to the good part soon for you… and if the end result was worth it, lol!
Happy anniversary! My parents are about to celebrate their 35th soon – 28 years is amazing!
That Perfect 10 Peel sounds like it is a bit of a problem for your skin. I sincerely hope for your sake that it’s worth it…
Hopefully you will find the colour and outfit you like in Chicago. Congratulations on your 28 years together too.
Genevieve, The peeling I got from the Perfect 10 Peel was expected. The estheticians at my dermatologist’s office get more excited in direct proportion to the amount of peeling they see occurring after the peel. When the peeling is not significant, they intensify the peel in an effort to induce peeling. I get regular glycolic acid peels and they don’t make my skin peel. I knew this peel would be different and I was okay with that.
As an update, I woke up this morning with beautiful skin!
It’s great that the peel has worked out for you Tammy, I was a little alarmed at how it was going and thought that the amount of peeling seemed excessive. But that’s what the product is supposed to do – I am relieved for you.
Would you do the peel again or don’t know yet? Interesting about the Marc Jacobs. I have to admit I was curious about it. I do use liquid highlighters but I’ve never mixed them in with my foundation. I use CC cream sometimes so now I’m seriously considering it. Thank you!
Michele, I will probably do the peel again. Today is my first day seeing a glimpse of my fresh skin, and it looks very nice. I am primarily interested in the anti-aging effects of damaging the skin mildly in order to increase collagen production. Improvement of skin texture, helping with fine lines and wrinkles, and decreasing the appearance of large pores are also added benefits for me. I don’t have skin discolorations or rough skin texture, but I’m sure that my skin care routine, which includes daily use of vitamin C, retin A, and 10% glycolic acid, plays a role in keeping discolorations and texture at bay. I am a firm believer in using acids on the face for antiaging benefits.
Thanks for your perspective. I appreciate the risk/benefit analysis because that’s what I was looking at (but with no experience to put into it). Also great to hear that you’re seeing results and they’re positive! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your experience with Viseart warm mattes. I’ve been wanting it for weeks — even though I probably have dupes — I just so appreciate Viseart quality and would use this palette often
AB, I have several of the Viseart Palettes, including the dark mattes, and I was expecting this one to be on par with the others. In all honesty, the warm mattes palette, in my opinion, are above par to the other palettes. Don’t get me wrong, I would not give any of my Viseart palettes up because each has unique colors I’ve fallen in love with, but just from a texture standpoint, I really am impressed with the quallity of warm mattes.
Happy anniversary!
Haul: Bobbi Brown No Smudge Mascara (my all time fave), Benefit Galifornia blush, Nars Velvet Matte lip pencil in Dragon Girl, AmorePacific Treatment Cleansing Oil for Face & Eyes, It’s Skin Macaron lip balm in green apple, AND i back to MAC’ed a few items and got two free MAC lipsticks in Lady Danger and Film Noir 😀
Weekend Plans: organizing my wardrobe and spending time with friends
What do you love (and hate) about summer?: I love the long days and the way that summer mornings feel. I hate how hot summers are in Texas where I live.
Lady Danger is such a great shade!
Random question: are you planning to review the new Ciate Glow-To Illuminating blushes? would loooove to get your thoughts on them before purchasing!!!
Sorry, I don’t have those at this time!
God, those are pretty on the surface treatment. I was psyched, until I looked at the Sephora swatches. The similarities in high glow and little differentiation in actual color had me dismayed. Not that you can trust those photoshopped swatches at all, but I would have preferred more color and less highlight in the powder’s balance.
Mac Shy Girl, Freckletone(its d/c so I got an extra one) lipsticks , Mac Spice lip gloss, Clinique serum.
No plans for weekend.
It gets too hot in Las Vegas so I really do not like the Summer that much. Hard for the boys to play outside.
Have a great weekend Christine, a big hug and kiss for the always gorgeous Mellan from me and the boys.
Poor Freckletone! I can’t believe it’s discontinued!
Wait wha freckletone is discontinued? I should have bought a few backups of that. I hope it shows up in my CCO then. That’s a favorite of mine and one of my first MAC Lipsticks!
Haul: I’m resisting placing an Kiko order to haul eye shadows because I’m waiting for a coupon larger than 10% and I have shadows from previous hauls during the big spring sales that I have yet to try. I can’t justify new products if I have products in my stash that I haven’t even opened yet! ><
Weekend plans: My mom is flying in for the weekend. …I'm going to need a lot of whiskey to get through the weekend.
What do you love (and hate) about summer?: It's hot. It's sunny. Makeup melts. My hair frizzes and sticks to my neck/face. Ugh.
Here’s hoping they have a bigger sale soon!!
I was going to say enjoy your mom’s visit but if a lot of whiskey is needed, then maybe I hope that it goes by quickly for you instead!
Haul: Formula X polishes on sale for TWO DOLLARS at Sephora ??? and baby diapers.
Weekend: Hubby is sick and I’m keeping myself and the baby faaaaar away from him. She’s only five weeks old and I’m terrified she’ll get sick. I’ll be solo on baby duty until he gets better.
Summer: Love- EVERYTHING; Hate- when my car seats are too hot.
Wow! $2?? That’s amazing!
Hope hubby gets well soon so he can help you with the baby!
How is your little treasure going? I have a funny feeling Sarah that you will be caring for two babies this weekend… (men are either dying or they’re fine – when they are sick, they are like little kids…)
My baby is adorable. Yesterday was a little tough- lots of crying and fussing. But we have our good days, too. I’m better at interpreting her cues and calming her faster now. I could definitely use more sleep, though.
Yes, little ones have their ups and downs – that’s for sure. The best advice I received from my mother when I was a new parent was to prepare the evening meal during their morning sleep, so that when the ‘witching hour’ came later on in the day, at least we had some food to eat!
Take care Sarah – nap when you can.
Oooh great deal! Hope your hubby feels better soon.
Mellan has been giving me life this year…….literally.
I lost my beloved KC (hound girl) after sixteen years, she was the best girl ever. Compassionate, fun loving, intelligent, generous, sweet, beautiful, pretty, with the softest ears and loved to make me laugh. I miss her every moment of every day.
This is the first day I can even talk about it. I love looking at the love you have for your little boy, these wondrous spirits just make life so much better and its demonstrated by all that you do in this world.
Thank you for sharing your doggie boy with us Christine 🙂
I am so glad you were able to enjoy her while she was around – she sounds like an amazing companion and very well-loved.
They are always so easy to love!
I truly enjoyed her every day. Thanks 🙂
So sorry about KC. She sounds incredible and was a lucky girl to live with you. Losing a furbaby is just dreadful, especially one that hangs the sun and moon for you.
Thanks for the kind words kph! She was incredible.
How sad that you have lost your beloved dog – they are so much a part of your life and family. KC sounds like a really beautiful doggie.
I’m sorry for your loss
Kristina, I am so sad to hear about your loss of your truly wonderful KC. It is always hardest when it’s one who gets that close to us, endearing themselves to us for life. Sadly for, it’s usually theirs, as we tend to outlive them. They do, however, live on in our hearts forever.
Haul: Juicy Couture Couture fragrance for my grandmother. Anyone know if they’re discontinuing this fragrance? I can’t find 3.4oz bottles anywhere!
Weekend plans: Helping an elderly couple at our church host a yard sale. They are so precious! Wait on one of my final grades? Do you have any family coming in town?
What do you love (and hate) about summer?: Definitely having more sunlight during the day is the absolute best. I love making fresh bruschetta with tomatoes and basil from my garden. I love grilling–especially the smell. I love having more cause to get together and hang outside. I absolutely HAAAAATE the bugs. I’m terrified of bees/wasps/hornets. I wear jeans and a sweatshirt even on super hot nights when I’m outside because mosquitos love me. I am their very favorite.
Oh no! I hope they aren’t discontinuing it 🙁
As far as I know, Juicy discontinued Couture Couture a while back. It’s one of my favorite spring/summer scents, so I was very sad.
Joyce, you can buy the frag here: https://www.fragrancenet.com/perfume/juicy-couture/couture-couture-by-juicy-couture/eau-de-parfum#181826
I’ve purchased from them several times; they’re legitimate. The shipments come out of Deer Park, NY typically and it does take a few days to get to me.
Haul: Won’t get it til Monday, but I placed my The Ordinary haul from Beautylish! I got The Buffet, moisturizer, glycolic toner, and Squalane. I’m so excited to try it all!
Weekend plans: Rest up! Do a little shopping… hopefully the weather won’t be nasty, we’ve had SO MUCH rain in the Midwest lately
What do you love (and hate) about summer?: I love summer!! I love the heat, the sunshine, the half-day Friday’s at work… there isn’t much I don’t love about summer. Maybe the humidity? But I even would even take that over cold weather any day.
Can’t wait for your haul to arrive, Julia! I keep seeing so much Ordinary hauled lately!
How do you find The Ordinary’s products Julia?
This will be my first experience with them! I ordered an array of items because I love the concept of the brand and they are so INexpensive that I needed 4 things to even hit the free shipping threshold of $35. Will report back 🙂
Thanks Julia! I hope they work for you.
Sephora: BECCA x Chrissy Teigen Glow Face palette
Last order from the Sephora VIB Sale finally arrived last week so these are all the products I ordered from the sale: HERBIVORE Blue Tansy Mask (reordered the second jar as for me, this is a HG mask); UD x BASQUIAT the Gold ES Palette, x the Blush Palette; SHISEIDO Facial Cottons (165 sheets); UD Grind House sharpener; DEBORAH LIPPMAN Hologram Girl Gel Lab Pro Nail Set; KVD Mother of All Mini Lipstick Duo; SEPHORA Lip Balm & Scrub in Honey; DRUNK ELEPHANT rise + glow combo & the nightbright combo; YSL Tint-In-Oil (Peach Me Love).
Yves Rocher – Earth Day discount (Canada): I did not order from them in years. I placed a small order last week and FYI, their Rouge Vertige Liquid Balm formula (shade Rose) is identical if not better IMO than the YSL Tint-In-Oil balm one. Not sticky at all and leaves a nice tint of colour on your lips once the shine is gone. The other YR products I ordered: the Tiare Traditional Oil and the Shower Oil Care for very dry skin (love this in-shower oil).
Weekend Plans: Planned to do some work in the garden with my hubby but here where I live in Canada (Montreal region) they announce 4-5 days of rain. So I will stay indoors and relax. It’s cold and dark. We haven’t had much sun and warm weather in the past weeks. Where is the summer?
What do you love (and hate) about summer? : I love everything about summer. Unfortunately, we have only three months of summer here in Quebec CA (if we are lucky). I find that in the past years the summers are shorter and shorter here. I miss the summers in Europe, where I’m born and where I used to live until eleven years ago.
What a great VIB haul, Nicole! Shiseido’s Facial Cottons are great. What do you use on them?
I’ve been using the Shiseido Facial Cottons since last year and I love them too, Christine. I use them when applying my Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner or the Vivierskin Refreshing Toner (the latter is a pharmaceutical grade toner).
When I apply a facial mask that does not need rinsing off (like the Clinique Even Better Brightening Moisture Mask), I use them to pat into the skin or to I remove the excess after the required time.
Also, I love to soak four of them in warm Chamomile tea and apply them on my entire eye area (two on each eye), for thirty minutes in the evening. It’s so soothing. I know you can use the teabags but I prefer to use organic Chamomile Loose Leaf (whole flowers). I alternate the Chamomile tea with Cornflower Floral Water; the latter is great for tired eyes.
I feel like I asked this question to you before, aw! I will have to try soaking them in tea sometimes – that sounds really great 🙂
Haul: I didn’t buy anything beauty-related this week because of my VIB shopping sprees (I spent way too much money), but I did buy a bottle of wheatgerm oil and beeswax for soapmaking.
Weekend plans: Hopefully the workmen will get more done in our kitchen so we can get things moving with the clean up. They’re redoing the floors.
What do you love and hate about summer?: I love no snow, the blue skies, the chance to plant flowers and herbs. I hate the sticky humidity, and my neighborhood is in the Bronx, so there is loud music late at night and kids playing basketball in the streets and sidewalks. It’s hard to sleep at night and I am always worried I’ll get hit by a ball as I walk by the kids.
No snow always sounds good to me, but I don’t think I’d care for a lot of loud music at night!
Hope the floors get done soon!
Mellan’s eyes take one in. So gentle and soft! Yep, I do believe he is a day brightener!❤ ??
Haul: Waiting for 2 orders to get here. From Sephora, UD Basquiat cheek palette and Post-Punk 24/7 eyeliner. And from MAC: Peach Blossom Pink Lipglass (because hey, I can still wear lipgloss!) and Lilaked Pro Long wear eyeshadow stick. Oh, and because I was told to toss any eyeliner or mascara that I had on back on Monday when unbeknownst to me, blisters had begun, I pipicked up a tube of Maybelline Full & Soft Waterproof mascara in Very Black. For when this clears up enough to wear eye makeup again.
Weekend plans: Hair, finish nails (started yesterday?), lots of rest trying to recover from having Shingles.
What do you love (or HATE) about summer: Haha! Living in AZ, I hate everything about it except that during monsoon season I get to take some really cool pictures of the storms. But when I lived in NJ, it was so different for me! I used to look forward to summer there. Going to the beach, especially! Family cookouts, the canopy of green, our veggie garden, etc. ?
How do you get through the AZ summer then, Nancy? 😉
Feel better soon!!
By almost *literally* keeping vampire hours! Well for leaving the house, anyways. If I must leave earlier, I use my “sunbrella”.These summers are BRUTAL.
TYVM, Christine! Saw an eye specialist this morning , he told me that while he will need to keep checking my eye, there is NO sign of ocular shingles infection! Yay! ?
Zoster. Feel for ya. Even the painkillers don’t work. Not that anyone dares prescribe them any more, at least around here. The antiviral worked beautifully for me. Praying you aren’t left with postherpetic neuralgia.
By almost *literally* keeping vampire hours! Well for leaving the house, anyways. If I must leave earlier, I use my “sunbrella”.These summers are BRUTAL.
TYVM, Christine! Saw an eye specialist this morning , he told me that while he will need to keep checking my eye, there is NO sign of ocular shingles infection! Yay! ?
It sure is hell on earth, KJH. That it’s on my head and face makes me feel unsightly AND in agony. The Tramadol they prescribed coupled with Tylenol allays the pain enough for me to get stuff done. I really hope I don’t wind up with that post hepatic neuralgia, I’ve heard that it’s just awful. My daughter who is the vite/ supplement mgr. at a Sprout’s here recommended neem oil and colloidal silver as topical treatment, it really worked! My face stopped feeling as if a pot of grease blew up in my face as soon as the colloidal silver touched it!
Nancy — thanks for sharing the neem oil and silver treatment. I get shingles breakouts maybe annually for last several years, and I’ve tried a lot of things but never that. Going out today to pick these things up. Good luck with your recovery.
Oh Nancy – shingles are so terrible! We have a shingles vaccination out here and I am planning to get it because I had chicken pox as a child.
I hope you are getting better. It must have been bad if you couldn’t wear makeup for awhile.
And I can understand how you feel about summer too….
Feel better, Nancy! Shingles are so painful. After seeing a neighbor go through the agony of shingles, she decided to get vacinated (available in Canada).
Hope you can get rid of the shingles soon! sos sorry. On the bright side, you have some amazing things to play with when you do get better!
Thank you so much everyone for your kind words and well wishes!
Tracey E. and Genevieve, isn’t it weird that over here they almost always make people wait until they are 60 before insurance covers the shingles vaccine? Where you are, it seems far easier to receive what you need when you need it or may need it.
Michele, I know right?!? I can hardly wait to get the all clear to use eye makeup, or for that matter, anything else on that part of my face!
There is wisdom in Mellan’s gaze…
Haul: Not much, just: UD Basquiat collection eyeliner in Anatomy (like it — definitely a strong color, but sheers well; lasts a good long time); in search of volumizing hair products, bought a Redkin conditioner supposed to give beachy-volume (can’t find it online or remember the name, but the one in a light blue bottle) that I like and may try the shampoo next.
Weekend: Nothing special except that it’s special to have a whole weekend with nothing intense to do. So just
low key and pleasant: gym, massage, errands, tasks and some roaming around in the city.
Summer? I like it for awhile, but come July and August it gets very hot and humid here, in the almost-deep-south, and it’s hard to keep energy up. I just want to hang out in air conditioned places and sip ice water. Always happy when autumn comes around.
Happy that Anatomy is wearing well on you, AB! What eye makeup have you paired it with?
So far just neutrals — vanilla to honey to mid-range warm browns; I’ll explore more this weekend.
Haul:
Ulta: Elf Aqua Beauty eye shadow in Gold, Clinique Acne Cleansing Gel for my daughter, Elf Makeup Remover pen, Elf Highlighter brush, Elf BB Foundation Serum in fair, Ofra Liquid Lipstick in Santa Ana, Elf face palette, Elf Hydration Moisturizer, Anastasia Dip Brow in Taupe, Smashbox Photo Focus Primer and Rapid Lash.
Sephora: Cover FX Mattifying Primer with Anti Acne for my daughter, Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder, Sunday Riley Tidal, CEO and Martian for my daughter, ABH stick foundation in Fawn for contouring and Porcelain, Ilia Lipstick Crayon in 99 Red Balloons, MUFE Long Lasting Complexion sampler set, Ilia Soft Focus Setting Powder, Lancôme Matte Shaker High Pigment Liquid in Kiss Me Cherie and Pink Power and finally Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara. I actually hauled the Marc Jacobs mascara last week as I had heard so many good things about it and that it was many people’s HG mascara. I only ever use Cover Girl in a waterproof formula because over the 40 years of my wearing mascara I have only ever been able to use CG. It never flakes or gives me raccoon eyes. But, I was open to trying the Marc Jacobs and was hoping for the perfect mascara. Sadly, I have tried using it every way I can think of and within an hour it is flaking and by two hours I have huge raccoon eyes. I am going to give it to my daughter to try but I was so sad.
Weekend Plans: Not much, I am recovering from a serious migraine and since my daughter graduates next weekend I am taking it easy this weekend in hopes that I will be better next weekend. I am also having more back pain and I am due for another back injection but I am trying to put it off for awhile so a quiet weekend is the ticket.
Summer is really beautiful here in Montana and since we have such cold and snowy winters we like to take advantage of the summer months. I love the color, the mountains and the full running rivers and lakes. It is really an ideal place to be but, and there is always a but right, the bugs are horrendous. If you aren’t a fan of insects of every kind and size you should probably avoid the place!
Are there a lot of bugs in the fall, too?
So sad the MJB mascara didn’t work for you – here’s hoping it is better on your daughter! I hope you feel better after your migraine. Those are terrible and can be so exhausting!
Montana, from what I have seen in pictures, is a beautiful place in all seasons. I can imagine your autumns would be spectacular.
I hope your migraine and back pains ease over the weekend. Congratulations to your daughter graduating. What an achievement!
Thank you for your comment. Yes, I feel that I have truly achieved a milestone with my daughter. I had breast cancer in 2000 and she was 5 years old. I told my oncologist to keep me alive until she finished high school. She was in kindergarten then. After high school I told him I wanted to live to see her make it through college and next week will be the culmination of a lot of work on both our parts. I told my oncologist now I want to see her get married and have my grandbabies!! I keep moving the goal post on him, LOL.
Montana is truly blessed with exceptional beauty all year around and each season brings a beauty all its own. Right now there are so many shades of green and blue as I look out to the river that the beauty almost hurts your eyes and no picture I have yet taken has captured the essence of its grandeur. It isn’t for everyone though. Grocery shopping is an hour roundtrip. Clothes shopping is 3 hours away. There isn’t a movie theater for 3 hours and the streets roll up at 5 pm no matter what. A lot of people would be bored or would go stir crazy but for me it is just the peace I needed.
How horrendous for you to have had breast cancer when your daughter was so little – it must have been truly frightening for you. Both you and your daughter have done so well. Congratulations.
When you live in Montana must be so beautiful, notwithstanding the downside re shopping. The beautiful all year round scenery would make up for that.
Haul: My friend sent me three of the Makeup Geek Showstopper Creme Stain in Jitterbug, Curtsey, and Do Si Do. I’m not having as bad an experience with them as you did, Christine! So far, at least. I also ordered Becca Backlight Priming Filter and Shimmering Skin Perfector liquid in Champagne; looking for a good liquid highlighter to mix with Nars All Day Luminous. Despite having “luminous” in the name, I feel it’s been dulling out my skin a bit. That leads into a question I have for you Christine: what are your favorite liquid highlighters to mix with foundation?
Weekend plans: Schoolwork, as usual! I enjoy it though. 🙂
What do you love (and hate) about summer?: I hate almost everything about summer. The weather is so not for me. I do love getting lots and lots of sunlight though. Aaaand I guess sometimes it’s nice to wear dresses and skirts without tights, and shorts, and short sleeve shirts…
I’m thrilled to hear that your Showstoppers are better, Allison! Here’s hoping they stay that way for you 🙂
I like Kevyn Aucoin, Becca, and MJB’s new one for mixing! Cover FX ones are nice but I tend to use those on top of foundation!
Nice, thanks! I tried a sample of Mac Strobe Cream mixed with my foundation the other day, and it was simply beautiful. I’m still excited to try the Becca stuff though 🙂 I wonder if I can get a sample of the Marc Jacobs…
I am loving the new Marc Jacob’s Dew You liquid highlighter to mix in with foundation. I have used the Kevyn Aucoin one for years and it is very nice as well.
Nice! I wonder if I can get a sample of the Marc Jacobs…
This photo is too cute it’s as if his expression is in response to him having to stay in most of the summer because of the heat.
All it has been doing today is raining constantly with a few down pours but as long as it stays cool I am happy I hate when it rains and it’s humid at the same time. The weather here in North East is one day beautiful one day hot and humid one day Cold. So the comforter keeps going on and off the bed!
Haul: Dior’s Diorshow mono eyeshadow in Blazing & Bronze it hasn’t arrived yet should be here today sometime.
Weekend plans: Some indoor cleaning and relaxing.
Can’t wait for your new eyeshadows to arrive, Maria!
Haul: Two Sephora eyeshadows that are being discontinued – Fall Leaves and Cookie Crunch. I don’t understand why they discontinue colours that really haven’t been around all that long and which are also really good. Figured I’d better snap ’em up while I can. I did call Sephora as well to have the Nars Rue Allant duo put aside but I’ve not been able to get there because….
Weekend Plans: My husband just got home from hospital. He had a cardiac ablation yesterday (and a pretty invasive pre-test the day before). If I can get out tomorrow (I’m more exhausted than he is), I will go to the gym and go to Sephora at least to see (and probably buy) the Nars duo.
What I love about summer is all the fabulous local produce (I’m going to try my hand at heirloom tomatoes this year) and the fact that I have summers off. What I don’t like – how oppressively, unbearably hot and humid it gets (and this seems to be getting worse with climate change/global warming). My lovely spring flowers tend to cook and die in the space of a day and the summer garden often looks parched and miserable and it is too hot to do or want to do much of anything at all.
The Sephora range seems to go through a lot of iterations, which makes it hard to keep up (and hard to fall in love with) 🙁
How is your husband doing? Hope you and him can get some rest!
If you’d asked me 2 hours ago, I’d have said he was doing great but now he’s having another episode of racing heart (entirely normal and they said it would/could happen) but he’s getting all stressed about it. He’s not the best patient in the world but I think a lot of men tend to be like this.
I have fallen hard for some of the Sephora eyeshadows and can’t understand why they have such a rapid “turn over”. On the Canadian site, Cashmere Coat is already GONE but so many of the others that are marked down are really amazing colours (not sure if you ever tried Secret Keeper but it’s another great one and they’re axing it as well). I do have the feeling that a lot of people shy away from the brand generally (I remember when the shadows and liners were all pretty sub-par but in the past 5 or so years, that has really changed; still, it’s very possible that the former poor quality has stayed in many people’s minds and this keeps them from buying some of the newer ones).
Aww! I’m glad you had some info from the doctors that another episode was possible, but hopefully, he’s feeling better now and/or calmed down!
I would tend to agree – the idea of ‘house brand’ being good is probably just not the perception of most, and I think that the Sephora range can sometimes be oddly priced (sometimes a great, affordable price point and other times seems a little high – not for quality for but for the brand’s “perceived value”).
I did a significant Sephora shadow haul during the sale, mostly ones that were being d/c’d and five bucks. I was able to finish my project of an extension palette for my fave, Zoeva En Taupe…grays, mauves, greiges. All mattes, with the only warmish shade being Panama Weekend. Plus another S well palette with shimmers, more gilded, but still a tad rosy, grossly neutral. Dirt bloody cheap. Might do an additional one with colors. Plus ysl touche eclat in the peach corrector and med cool shade for undereye. S.t. I think I need a lilac corrector to fix the sallowness in correctors. That’d mean up to six layers…. W.E.: managed to persuade the store manager to let me work three nights, with alternating Fri/Sat off. Starts tonight, and next w/e, I’ll have my third Sat off in pushing six years. If the Seatlle pattern ever lets up, engage in some cultural appropriation. In my case, it’s photoing my dachshunds in their Cinco serapes. Massively cute, but they dislike outfits and look at me balefully. No Mellan contented expressions there! Summer: the ocean, the foliage, reading on the porch, offering the dog kids their pool, cormorants. Less liked: not into the general pink and coral looks, and hate the extra time factor to get in and out of town due to beach and play traffic, plus overcrowding at the public beach….they even park in my yard’s parking spaces! I think I will enjoy reclaiming my yard work from the stoners who used to ruin everything.
It’s a shame that Sephora are discontinuing these shades because they are beautiful. I just looked them up.
I hope your husband recovers well from his medical procedures – they can be quite worrying and painful as well. I can understand that you would be more tired and exhausted taking care of him and worrying about the procedure yourself. Take care and I hope you do get an hour or so to yourself tomorrow.
Genevieve, thank you so much for your kind words. They mean a lot. It’s funny – we here are all “strangers” to one another but in some ways, it really does feel like we’ve known one another though this site and our shared love of makeup and it brings us together in ways beyond mere makeup. As for taking care of myself – if I can get out today, I’m going to Sephora to pick up the Nars e/s duo (if I like it…I’ve only seen it here so want to give it a swipe/swatch before I buy it).
That’s so true Mariella, we have all come to know each other quite well through this blog – as far away from each other we live.
Good luck at getting away for an hour or so today and I hope you find something special at Sephora.
Hope you husband is recovering well.
Sorry to hear about your husband. I hope his condition improves soon.
Haul: Origins Night-a-Mins night cream, It Cosmetics Eyelift-in-a-Tube concealer, Kat Von D Lock It setting powder
Weekend plans: Laundry, doing a bit of cleaning, catching up on sleep, going to see Guardians of the Galaxy
What do I love and hate about summer: I LOVE sleeping in and having far fewer responsibilities than throughout the school year. I HATE heat and humidity, and lack of routine. I always mean to make a routine for myself, but I never get around to it.
I don’t miss the school year, lol! I am totally with you on lack of routine, though – I live for a good schedule!
Haul: I got two things I wasn’t planning on, and one thing I was…
Weekend plans: Binge watch the new Sense8 season
What do you love (and hate) about summer?: I hate summer. I hate the heat, the longer days (now that I’m up in Oregon it’s like 16 hours and was worse in Canada) and the sticky, dusty air. I don’t mind when we get summer rain, but that tends to be sparse. It also doesn’t help that the heat exacerbates my chronic pain… Basically what I love about summer is when it ends.
Ack I totally left out my haul while thinking about how much I hate summer XD. The two unplanned items were the Boscia Luminizing Black Mask, as I’ve been wanting it for ages and just had a weak moment. I also got the Sephora Favorites – Sunkissed Glow Set as it had a bunch of stuff I would have bought anyways and two of the full size items would have already been more that the $45 price tag. The thing I planned on getting (and now that I think about it I picked up a few other things at the mall that I had planned on when I next had to go there) was the Jo Malone spring cologne, Star Magnolia (the half size, of course). It’s a gorgeous citrus-y floral. I also picked up two things at the Body Shop- their Almond Nail & Cuticle Oil Pen which I had run out of, and 6 of there muslin cloths as it was buy 3 get 3 free on them and I needed to stock up. I also went by Lush with my five empty pots and got my free Fresh Face Mask, which this time was the Catastrophe Cosmetic one to calm my face the hell down.
Oh nice to know the Jo Malone is good. How do you like the mask?
The mask is still in the post but I shall be getting it sometime this week. I’ve heard it can be painful to pull off your face as it really gets in there, but it super-duper cleans out your pores. I hope it lives up to that!
If you think about it, let us know how it works after you’ve had a chance to try it please.
It came in the post today and I used it right then. I quite liked it. It didn’t irritate my super-sensitive skin (thanks medications!), and I made sure to avoid any hair/brows/eyes/lip areas.
I’d recommend using a headband type thing (I use this one and it’s the best, its $7 on amazon and has ears: https://smile.amazon.com/GEOOT-Makeup-Cats-Hair-Black/dp/B01C5CXHYG/ref=sr_1_17_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1494376233&sr=1-17&keywords=cat%2Bear%2Bheadband&th=1)
It got some of my whiteheads out but not ALL, but that’s okay. You have to make sure to use a decent amount to make it opaque otherwise it doesn’t work. My skin does feel smoother, especially my chin which has been feeling uneven lately, and the pores around my nose look smaller which is great.
It also wasn’t painful for me to remove, but I have a major chronic/progressive pain thing going on so my pain tolerance is ridiculously high and I’m on pain meds so don’t base the pain thing on me
Overall, is it worth it? Maybe. It’s $34 for 2.8 oz which puts it about a dollar more per oz than the PTR Pumpkin Enzyme Mask which is my go-to resurfacer. But it’s FUN. There is something uniquely satisfying about peeling off a mask (reminds me of when my friends and I did those nose strips back in the day). I’d say it’s especially good for oily/acne prone skin or uneven texture. I don’t regret buying it as it’s the only peel off mask I’ve owned aside from one sample of some other mask I don’t remember. Basically, if $34 doesn’t put you out and you want a fun mask that clears your skin out somewhat, but not entirely, than go for it. But keep it the hell away from any hair!
Sephora Favorites can be such a lovely way to try out products without spending a ton – and I feel like even travel sizes can last awhile!
The lip and liner set is half price, now….30$. Just might. Even if you give away your dupes and dislikes, it’s usually a good deal.
This one was particularly worth it for me. It contained three full size items-
– Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Gel Eye Crayon in Ro(cocoa)
– NARS lip gloss in Orgasm
– Urban Decay eyeshadow in Half Baked
and really generous deluxe sample sizes of
– BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal (and the mini version even has their sink-drain looking outer packaging!)
– Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze Light
– Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance version
– Milk Makeup’s Liquid Strobe in Beam
– Tarte’s Brazilliance Self Tanner (that’ll go to my sister)
– Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer in Medium/Deep (already have this so also going to my sister, and the sample has a mirror and is a sturdy plastic compact).
Basically if this stuff appeals to anyone, go grab it as it’s still available! It’s $45 and it’s like $150 or so worth of stuff. I’ll link it below:
http://www.sephora.com/product/productDetail.jsp?skuId=1923218&om_mmc=tr-us_us_order_confirmation-TAG_1-LINK_1&emtc2=08da4e42-a740-4bae-93ee-24bbba877396&emlid=7295e2338dfe4399859ce479b2b16c50&emcid=19361542&promo=DESC_1&viq_epid=414f6ad6-4af7-4ada-9c62-d1dda002f133%7C19361542
Ooh, that northerly latitude thing is so weird. Once, I was in John O’Groats, the northernmost point in mainland Scotland in June. It NEVER got dark. Navy bluish, yeah, but you could read outside in unlit areas at 11P.
Yep, that’s me too Anne. I only love summer when I see the back of it and I think, OK, two more weeks of summer to go.
Yup – same here. “Summer” can last into October – the heat waves and humidity. I love spring and I love autumn but in S. Ontario, those seasons, as I’ve said here so often, last about 5 minutes (actually, this year, the spring has been nice but we have had almost too much rain, which is a serious problem for the farmers as they can’t get equipment into the fields) – the temps, except for 1 or 2 days, have been cool, though (there is even talk of the possibility of flurries tomorrow night! In MAY!!!) and what I like about that is that my tulips, daffs and other spring flowers are lasting and looking bright and sprightly rather than blooming and then withering in the heat within 2 days! And all the greenery looks SO green and fresh. If we had more temperate summers, I would enjoy them more. Last summer, I made 2 trips to NYC and THAT was so oppressive and awful. Most of the things we really wanted to do, we just couldn’t do because of the unbearable heat.
Guess I have to post this here. Having issues of late. I was unable to post under Christine’s reply to a reader, when I had already posted to the reader. Duplicate, but it wasn’t….What I wanted to say was that the Sephora lips and liners set is on sale for $30, half price.
It might have been too deep – we stop nesting comments after a certain threshold as they’ll get too narrow to read!
I would never, ever be able to resist those eyes if Mellan were mine. lol
HAUL: Early Mother’s Day Gifts from my hubby and sons — Urban Decay x Basquiat Collection Tenant and Gold Griot Eyeshadow Palettes and Gallery Blush Palettes. I’m so impressed with the amount of detail UD put into the packaging in this collection. I can’t stop looking at it. I’ve been too sick to wear any of them yet, but I’m impressed with how they’re swatching on me.
WEEKEND PLANS: I’m finally starting to recover from the horrible flu I’ve had the last week, so I’m hoping to catch up on some errands and grocery shopping. And play with my new makeup!
WHAT DO YOU LOVE (AND HATE) ABOUT SUMMER?: LOVE: The long daylight hours. I don’t see so well at night, even with glasses, and the long daylight hours make driving and running errands so much easier. HATE: The heat, especially in August. I really hate any temps over 85 F; high temps make me feel ill. At least we usually we don’t get very humid here in the Portland, OR area.
UD seemed to really think through a lot of details on the collection at least with colors/packaging!
Glad you are starting to feel better, Rachel!
Thank you!
Haul: Tom Ford lipstick in Blush Nude, Chanel eyeliner from the new summer collection…the purple shade, I believe?
Weekend plans: I’m actually off most of this weekend, so I’ll have to figure out something.
What do you love/hate about summer? It’s my least favorite season of the year. Summer is just a long, tedious experience of sunburn, sweat, and oppressive humidity for me. It’s not as bad where I live now as the American South (where summer is NOT a season to which you look forward), but it’s still pretty gross.
I don’t think I would enjoy summer if I lived in an area with high humidity – I loathe the feel of stickiness!
Hope you enjoy your weekend off!!
How very peaceful Mellon looks. I can understand why he can’t go outside in the blazing heat – we have that problem here in Melbourne in summer too. It’s hard on the kids because the playground equipment is just too hot for them to go on.
Haul: MAC lipstick in Fresh Moroccan – a gorgeous red/bronze shade; another bottle of the La Roche Posay Calming cream and some L’Occitane hand creams.
Weekend Plans: We had sad news this week, the passing of my twin sister’s mother in law. She was 91 and an integral part of our family too. She was a surrogate great grandmother to our grandchildren and came to all of the occasions at our place. She was a keen beauty lover, and even on the last day of her life was fussing about what red lipstick to wear. I always bought her a new red lipstick every Christmas. So our weekend will be visiting my family and taking over some home cooked meals so that they don’t have to bother with this detail.
Love/hate about summer: The only thing I like about summer is that you can easily get your clothes dried on the line, but apart from that I really hate summer. I hate feeling hot and as I sunburn so easily, it restricts what I can do outside. I especially hate the hot nights (and it can get very humid here too in Melbourne) that make sleeping so difficult. I am an autumn/winter lover myself.
Yeah, I know some people walk their dogs at 4-5AM but even then just seems too hot since in the evenings here, we are lucky to see temps below 90F!
I’m so sorry for your and your family’s loss, Genevieve! She sounds like someone who lived her life fully and will be missed by her loved ones.
Thank you Christine for your condolences – yes Betty lived a very full life and will be missed by all her family.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Thank you Rachel. You are very kind.
I’m so sorry to hear about your family’s loss. I have Fresh Morroccan, and it’s a stunning shade, one of my fave reds ever.
Thank you Katherine – she was a lovely person. And yes, Fresh Moroccan is a beautiful shade and I am very happy with it.
Haul: Vamp Stamp.
What do I like about Summer? OMG, I live in Canada, we have sooo many months of winter. I love summer! In Alberta we have lots of sunshine so I love the sun. In the summer we can have thunderstorms that come at the end of the day, I get migraines from changes in the barometer so it can be challenging for me to deal with all the headaches. I get botox injections every 3 months (they help with the forehead wrinkles!), I go for accupuncture weekly, I’m on daily meds and I make sure I get enough rest, any more than 2 alcoholic drinks will bring on a migraine, so I’m ususally the designated driver, and I visit Las Vegas a lot, it’s like my second home.
Let us know how you like the Vamp Stamp and if it helps!
Migraines are no good! I’m guessing the Botox is for the migraines with the side effect of helping with wrinkles? I know a few friends who use Botox for that. My late grandmother actually used Botox to control nerve pain in her face. It has so many uses!
Christine, I love the Vamp Stamp. I’m not very steady with my hands first of all and secondly now my wings are exactly the same! No more trying to make them the same! It’s done! This is the best invention ever! I had to order it from Cult Beauty as Vamp Stamp doesn’t ship outside the US yet, for anyone that wants to order one if they live outside of the US. I ordered the large and small stamps and the ink for 52.50 euros, shipping was free and I used coupon code YOU15 for 15% off.
That is so great to hear, Brenda!!
I’m a runner (have ran 10 full insane/crazy/fun/some gorgeous as St. George and Big Sur) so to me is the entire Summer season and I shouldn’t complain living in S.California three miles from Venice Beach cooler weather but I just hate it when it passes my wonderful 70-75 comfortable spoiled day. Lol! I been gardening lots lately before Summer hits I’ll just be watering my thirty plants and laying on my couch with feet up! Love your dog! Those eyes! My brother has the sweetest German Sheperd ‘Shadow’ he thinks he is a person goes in and out of the house as he pleases. Sweet gentle giants.
I can see running in the SoCal heat not being so fun – it can still get quite hot and sometimes even humid in SoCal!
My friend has a German Shepherd – they seem like amazing dogs! She says he’s just like a person, too, LOL!
Haul: Nothing, I made a ColourPop order about a week ago when they had free international shipping so I’m awaiting that. Dreading having to pay the customs and Royal Mail handling fees though ?. Also made a Tarte order. So I am broke this month but I’ve made some sales on my beauty swap and sell groups on FB.
Plans for this weekend: My fiance’s mother has demanded we take out our things out of one of her spare rooms. We moved to a smaller flat in Nov as we were asked to move out our old place so I got rid of half my stuff but couldn’t get rid of everything, the wrench was too much. It still wasn’t enough so we put it in storage at his mum’s until we could move to a proper house, hopefully later this year or the next. She was happy to do so at the time. But now she’s changed her mind and we have a car full of stuff ? to sort out this weekend. We don’t have a lot of storage space at our present flat so decisions will have to be made.
What do I love and hate about summer? I love the better weather, longer days and the fact it’s easier to get out and about. I hate that it doesn’t really get dark at night and it affects my sleep (and my daughter’s!). It doesn’t really get very hot here so it can be really nice. My only real niggle is that it’s not warm for long enough!
Customs are brutal sometimes 🙁 Hope they aren’t TOO bad!
So sorry that you lost your storage solution – I’m sure that’s really frustrating to have moved it all there with certain expectations only to have it completely changed mid-way through!
Haul:
MAC (40% off/Goodbyes)
Kitchmas small pigment
Pro Longwear Waterproof Colour Stick in Tea Leaves
Vamplify in How Chic is This?
MAC (regular)
Foundation pump
Extra Dimension Blush Telling Glow (my E/D blush collection is complete and current . . .for now!)
pre-order for Si, Si Me and Oh My Banana palette – I love that Si, Si Me – it looks so vibrant.
Yonka Phyto 52 (nighttime moisturizer) and Eye Contour
My Biologique Recherche came in! I’ve been using the P50 regular and will transition to the P50 1970 in a few weeks. I’ve used the Lait but will use the Masks Vivant and VP02 this weekend.
Weekend plans: Laying low with cooking and laundry, washing brushes and playing with makeup to pick out a look for the week. It’s been a very busy week and I’m looking forward to a low key, leisurely weekend. Maybe brunch and a manis and pedis with the girls, but other than that, I am staying in.
What do you love (and hate) about summer?: I’ve realized lately that Winter and the shorter days really effect my mood and outlook. I don’t mind colder weather and all (and after a hot summer I’m usually ready for it), but when it’s dreary and gray outside and the days are shorter, it’s like there is a cloud (pun not intended, ha!) following me around until Spring hits. I just feel so sad and closed-in. Not even Christmas can cheer me up. I’m a closet Scrooge. I can’t stand the hustle and bustle and crazed gift shopping and I hate the pressure to find the perfect gift for everyone and I hate having to visit family that I don’t like. I am happiest on December 26th because it’s all over. Anyway, I can’t really think of anything that I don’t like about Summer. I love the longer days and how everything seems to slow down, and the heat and warmth make me feel like I can loosen up and relax.
Oooh, I didn’t realize it was a pre-order for the whole collection – I thought it was just the Fix+ spray! Or maybe I’m wrong and you did a pre-order in store…
Pre-order as in told my favorite MAC MUA what I wanted, ha! I think when it comes in, depending on if I can get in or not, she will set it aside or ship for me.
Haul:
I bought Tom Ford Wicked the other day from the CCO. Also bought a beach spray and styling creme from Bumble and Bumble
Weekend plans:
Spring cleaning. I need to clear out a room so I can store my daughter’s futon until I can get someone to move it. I need to buy her a new bed
Love/ hate about Summer: I’m so happy to not be in layers and I love wearing sandals. I hate the mosquitos that will be out bin full force. Also deer ticks are pretty bad this year I guess. I have never had one of those on me so I’m checking myself very carefully every time I step outside .
Yay for old school Wicked! So much better than the new one IMO.
Well I cannot compare but I am definitely in agreement that this blush is fantastic and am thinking why didn’t I pick it up sooner. I cannot stop wearing it. I’ve worn it for the last 4 days and I just may all spring/summer long!
Haul: I didn’t buy anything this week, but I received my last Sephora sale order (Clinique Men moisturizer with SPF, Caudalie Grape Water), and I finally received the Estee Lauder x Victoria Beckham Modern Mercury highlighter that I had order weeks ago!
Weekend plans: voting in the second round of the French presidential election, resting. It’s supposed to be gray and rainy this weekend.
Summer: I love being able to practically live outside and wear nothing but T-shirts and shorts. I also like the longer days and sunshine. I don’t do too well in the heat though, and we don’t have AC at home so the house turns into a furnace… The extremely high UV index here throughout the summer also makes it a dangerous season for the skin. I’ve burnt even after applying sunscreen many times, because I missed one spot or didn’t apply a generous enough amount, despite avoiding exposure.
YAY! Finally, your Modern Mercury is there!
Hello, Mellan, looking so adorable!
Haul: ($10 off Macy’s birthday coupon) Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo in Sepia; from consultation with a Bobbi Brown-trained MUA: (15% off): Rich Lip Color in Rose Blossom (gorgeous shade!), Grey eyeshadow, Retouching Face Pencil in Extra Light, Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Ballet Pink, and Eye Gloss in Island Pink. The consultation focused on how covering my skin on those days when it’s flushing/flaring & makeup melts, high humidity in summer, and trying out the eye gloss/glow sticks. I was encouraged to use powder highlighters vs. the Glow Sticks to so not to move my base foundation. I have 1 in Sunkisses to play with. Foundation suggestions were made as well as how to bind products together to cover the redness during the day (eg. apply the Foundation Stick over top of the Retouching Face Pencil if need more coverage than the Face Pencil). The eye glosses are a work in progress and not meant for all day where. Am playing around to see how best to wear on hooded eyes & so it doesn’t grab mascara. It’s a whimsical product best applied from the stick for max glossiness.
Weekend Plans: Going to symphony on Saturday and packing for visit home to Canada on Monday.
Summer: I love the pleasantly hot & dry prairie summers where I’m from in Canada (I don’t love mosquitoes but that’s a small price to pay for great weather), BBQs, gardening, gathering with friends and neighbours, etc. I dislike the hot & humid summers here in the Midwest. Getting up and going to bed covered in sweat, trying to cool the apt down when it will never reach the bedroom isn’t my favourite day. I try to be out of town at the height of it but it seems that period is becoming longer and less predictable than it used to be. I cope by being near the lake or on the lake. In fact, when thunderstorms come over the lake, we’ll stay and watch them as they’re often brief and activities can resume in an hour or two. I also tend to go to the Farmer’s Market often, so we tend to eat salads, fruits and vegetables more regularly, which I enjoy.
Thanks for the heads up on the Eye Glosses! Not something for me, lol – finally something I can skip 🙂
Hope you had a great time at the symphony!
Haul: Anastasia Beverly Hills Aurorora Glow Kit, which I love! My favorite shades are Eclipse and Lyra. Spectra looks awful on me though, makes me look sort of bruised. I need to play around with the other shades some more, haven’t had much time to yet. I also got tge Urban Decay x Basquiat Golden Griot eyeshadow palette, Epigram lipstick, and Anatomy eyeliner, Bliss eyeshadow quad in Hey Four Eyes (talk about inapproriate; that’s just wrong), the Lorac Pro Palette 3, and the VIB Rouge gift brush. Weekend plans: I live in Kentucky and this is Derby Day! I’m watching the race from home, hoping to win money to spend on more makeup, LOL! It’s cold today and a little rainy at times. We had some hail a few minutes ago but it didn’t last long.If the weather is warmer next year I’d like to see the race in person. What do you love (and hate) about summer? I love cute sandals and I hate the humidity.
Try Spectra on the eyes or layered over/under something – I hope you can find a way to make it work and enjoy it as well!
It worked!! Thank you for suggesting this; I I like wearing shades of lavendar or purple on my eyes and Spectra works well with these. Now I need to try it with all the other shades, especially Orion! I think that would be really pretty in some kind of foiled look.
Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend! 🙂
Haul:
-Sephora Favorites Mascara Sampler, because I already know I like Lancome Hypnose Drama, I’m intrigued by UD Perversion after testing it in-store, and I used to love Buxom mascara, so this seemed like a good investment for minis, then getting one full-size tube when I’m done testing these out. I’m hoping I can stretch it out and avoid buying any other mascaras this year.
-I bought the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, then returned it after I felt a bit guilty for picking up another concealer, when my current combination of color correction and Estee Lauder concealer has been adequate. With new products always coming out and so many existing products on the market already, I hope to get a bit more disciplined about finishing products I already have before adding a new one into the mix, no matter how exciting they may be. That being said…
-Urban Decay Shapeshifter in Light/Medium: This was a risky one to pick up, but at least I used my $20 kickback to bring the price down a bit. I wanted the Basquiat Blush palette, or to pick up Vice lipstick in Blackmail, but I decided this one might be good to grab, as I only have one contour-specific product (a Sleek palette, which is decent, but the contour seems to fade easily), and have never tried any cream contour products. However, I’m still undecided about contouring overall. I’ve been using Bare Minerals Warmth to do sort of a contouring effect with blush (Warmth to contour, a lighter blush above it, then a highlight), but I thought this might be a good opportunity to give traditional contouring another try. Also, it’s very travel-friendly, which is great, as I bring WAY too many products with me when I go anywhere! I like that it has two color-correctors as well. Anyway, part of me thinks “good pick up!” while another part of me thinks “why do you need a contour palette when you don’t really do it anyway?” We’ll see!
Weekend plans: I just took my husband to the airport this morning, so he is on his way back home to The Netherlands. I’ll miss him, but the cats will be thrilled. I’m still at my parents’ house in Baltimore, visiting with my brothers, and will fly next week to their other house in Florida to see them and my grandmother.
What do you love (and hate) about summer?: I love the sunshine, beach weather, etc., but allergies can sometimes strike, and I am not a fan of the heat, when air conditioning isn’t so common in The Netherlands!
Mascara samplers are awesome – lots to try but I love that you can easily finish a tube (whether you loved or hated it) within 3 months! Which one will you use first?
Hm, tough choice! I’m so tempted to start using them now, but my current tube of Hypnose Drama just started working well (I prefer the formula when it’s a bit more dry…it was a gloopy mess before), so I want to wait a bit before opening a mini or two. I’ll probably start with Perversion and Buxom.
Haul:
Marc Jacobs nail color in Desire (candy apple red shimmer),
Marc Jacobs nail color in Wine Not (purple-plum shimmer).
V&R Flowerbomb rollerball.
I love MJB’s polish formula!