Free for Haul Friday, Volume #440
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: Guerlain Rouge Gs (new formula) from Selfridges… I’m prepping this post a bit early but am still waiting to hear about if/when US launch will occur…
- Weekend plans: It’s starting to warm up, so if it doesn’t get too hot, probably take a walk through the neighborhood, maybe walk downtown.
- What are three little things that make you happy?: Tiramisu, Mellan wiggling, hubby doing laundry.
P.S. — Join us over in the official Temptalia chatroom on Discord! 🙂
This week's doggo photo/video...
Share your pet photos to the Temptalia Pets flickr group!
Haul: I didn’t BUY any new makeup this week but my Juvia’s Place Magic palette arrived! I’ve only tried a couple of colors and I’m looking forward to trying more this weekend.
Weekend plans: Saturday we’re hitting the local gin distillery for a bottle of their current limited edition batch made with Japanese botanicals. Sunday I’m meeting a friend for brunch and then teaching her some dance stuff — I’m offering a workshop later this month and she’s my guinea pig. Then my partner and I have reservations. It’s Seattle Restaurant week (actually 17 days, but whatever) so we are eating out more than normal to take advantage of deals and try new places.
Little things that make me happy: The way my cat starts purring when he sits next to me (he’s doing it now), the first sip of a really good cup of tea, when my partner decides to cook lunch for us on a work day (we both work from home).
Your weekend sounds great – have fun!
Haul: Picky Bars, Dear Lizzy scrapbook goodies, and Craft the Life You Love by Amy Tangerine
Weekend plans: I am doing my monthly family dinner, and I desperately need to clean!
What are three little things that make you happy?: Sanpellegrino Pomegranate Orange, reading a new book, journal prompts in my art journal.
I love those sodas! I wish they didn’t have so much sugar. I only have one like once a year :/
It’s a nice treat. I usually don’t drink too much soda either.
Haul:
*SauceBox Cosmetics — Equinox Collection: Eyeshadows in Roxanne, Daffodil, Moth, and Sea Glass. The first three are absolutely stunning. Moth is my new favorite gray eyeshadow. Sea Glass is a bit weak and really patchy on bare skin (for me, YMMV), but great over primer.
*Sephora — UD Vice Lipstick in Outspoken.
*Walmart — Physician’s Formula Murumuru Butter Blush in Vintage Rose and Butter Highlighter in Pearl (which I mistook for Iridescence because it was the only white highlighter they had on the display. At least it’s still pretty). Hard Candy Velvet Lip Mousse in Wisteria, Stroke of Gorgeous Colored Mascara in Daredevil and Royal Treatment, and Fierce Effects Lipstick in Manatee, Envy, Tempt Me, and Crave. EcoTools Total Perfecting Blender sponge, E.l.f. spoolie brushes, and Pond’s makeup wipes.
Weekend plans: Today is my friend’s birthday, so another friend and I are taking her out for Mexican food and margaritas. I’m hoping to get a day alone with my hubby this weekend, but I don’t think it’ll happen. Other than that, grocery shopping and laundry, etc.
What are three little things that make you happy?: My kids and hubby saying they love me, babies, new lipstick.
I could use some margaritas, send some my way!
*sending virtual margaritas*
Do you like the Hard Candy?
Have fun at dinner! Hope you get your alone time with Hubby!
I like Wisteria a lot. The Fierce Effects Lipsticks are great. I have all of the original shades, so I wanted some of the new ones. They didn’t even have a place for the yellow one, though, and it was sold out online. 🙁 I haven’t tried the mascaras yet, but I hope to this weekend.
Oh, thanks so much. I’ve looked at the brand multiple times but wasn’t sure.
That’s a lovely thing to do for your friend and I hope you both enjoy your lunch. And I also love the three little things that make you happy too.
Lunch was great. I was driving, so no margaritas for me. 🙁 My older son came along, and my hubby stopped by on his dinner break, so we had a lot of fun.
Outspoken looks like a nice color.
It’s really beautiful in person.
Haul:
Artist Couture: Illuminati
Beautylish: Make-Up Atelier Palette Eye Shadows (T21 Tropic, T30 Moon Light)
GoodGoth: Annabel Lee Perfume Oil, Mary Shelley Perfume Oil, Aquarium Eyeshadow, Blue Metal Lipstick, Hard to Get Eyeshadow, Lingerling Lipstick
Ilia (50% off): Mascara (Macao, Asphalt Jungle), Lipstick Crayon (99 Red Balloons, Call Me), Lipstick (Pink Kashmir, Neon Angel)
Linda Hallberg Cosmetics: Enchanted Secrets Palette, Mood Crayons Kit, Sharpe Diem and Anger Mood Crayon (GWP)
Ulta ($3.50 off): Nyx Professional Makeup Holographic Halo Eye Tint (Wild Orchid, Acid Blue), Butter London Glazen Nail Lacquer (50% off – Prism, Unicorn, Oil Slick)
Ulta ($3.50 off): Ofra Cosmetics Pressed Banana Powder, Ulta Rainbow Dust Eye Shadow Palette, 10 Pc All-Around All Stars (GWP)
Weekend plans: Depends on how I’m feeling. Having a few medical issues and am very tired. I’ll swatch of course though 🙂
What are three little things that make you happy?: Quirky things, that first cup of coffee in the morning, driving back roads.
Absolutely enjoy the first cup of good quality coffee in the morning as well. We are very much back roads driving people too. I really enjoy the different outlook and mountain vistas.
I hope you are feeling better soon Michele.
It’s just so relaxing to me! Ironically, my daughter intensely dislikes driving back roads. To each his own I guess. And thank you!
I still have yet to try the Atelier formula. I think you recommended it to me almost two years ago.
🙂 There’s so much out there sometimes it’s hard to get to new things. I still need to get Tropics swatched and have another MUA palette arriving this coming week! The brand seems to be pretty consistent with quality.
HAUL: Nothing really just a freebie mini of Becca Opal Pressed. I’m using it as an eye shadow and liking it as a finishing touch. I don’t really have many “highlighting” eyeshadows, they actually tend to look dry and and chalky on me even though I’m super fair. I often feel like they total ruin a look. But the highlighter has a sheerer, more reflective finish so I’m liking it.
WEEKEND: Visiting a local dairy farm and looking forward to some delicious cheese with high butterfat content.
3 things that make me happy: Kitten Snuggles, popping open a bottle, that drumroll moment (or lion’s roar, whatever, depends on the studio) right before a movie’s opening credits roll.
Haul: Nothing yet but it’s VIB. I need to make sure my budget can handle it! Will probably shop tonight.
Weekend: Cleaning, shopping for food, and probably some organizing. Nothing fun, that’s for sure 🙁
Three little things: Soy Chai from sbux, My pets doing anything cute, and the constant random creatures in my new yard. I’m trying to make peace with the grey hawks and peregrine falcons scooping up lizards. The carpenter bees have to go. So far its been mostly lizards, birds, butterflies, and a tarantula. So.many.birds.and.lizards.
I’d like to add my husband doing chores but he complains and swears the whole time he has to do anything domestic that isn’t his own laundry. Takes the joy out of it.
Funny about that Erin, my husband is the same. Whenever he does domestic chores he always wants me to ‘help’ him, which is so very annoying because I usually have things to do myself.
It certainly does take the joy out of it and I often think it was just better and easier to have done it myself, but of course, that is the rub.
Funny how a lot of men are clones…….
Haul: Urban Decay Hi-Fi Shine Lip Gloss in Beso and Backtalk, ABH Brow Wiz, Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara, Kate Spade Walk on Air Eau de Parfum rollerball, and three Marc Jacobs Highliners: Overnight, Blaquer, and In the Buff (that last one was a freebie with purchase). And now, my wallet must rest.
(“Haul” side note: Why do I always get ignored by Sephora’s sales associates? They seem bothered when I ask for assistance. I am obviously a woman who loves and knows makeup and I’m never demanding or rude. Is it because I’m over 50? I prefer shopping at Saks 5th Ave or Macy’s because their sales associates are usually so nice and helpful.)
Weekend plans: Big party on Saturday night and season finale of The Walking Dead on Sunday night (Insert excited zombie growl here!)
Three little things that make me happy: My dog, new lipstick, lazy Sundays
You may not be the target customer at Sephora, for whatever reason. I don’t think those employees work on commission but they do have sales encentives like pushing certain products for the week, etc. Maybe they are trained that younger people make more impulse purchases and so they spend their time targeting that customer. Whenever I go into a Blue Mercury (US beauty boutique that sells only high end brands… idk if they are regional or Nationwide) I might as well be a ghost, I can walk around for fifteen minutes completely ignored. I’m 30. The SAs there probably target women in their late 30s and up, figuring they have more money to spend.
Blue Mercury is a national chain. I’ve been there a few times and I’m always treated nicely by SAs, except for one time when they had a visiting MUA from Chantecaille, who was very snobbish and rude. I had never looked at this brand before, but her bad attitude drove me away from her counter, eliminating any possibility of making a sale.
It’s too bad Sephora SAs have that kind of prejudice. I’m a pretty easy sell when it comes to makeup (I’m VIB at Sephora and Platinum at Ulta, and, if they had makeup rewards programs, I’d also have earned a good status at Macy’s and SFA).
Yes Seraphine I can relate to that issue of being ignored by beauty staff in beauty shops, especially Mecca Cosmetica and sometimes in Sephora. The reality is that I probably know more about makeup than they do.
Very true. I’ve actually pulled up photos on my phone to show uninformed Sephora SAs.
Seraphine, I’m older than you and while I find the service at my local Sephora has gone down-hill (lots of staff turnover and my fave SA’s from a few years back are no longer there), I don’t feel particularly ignored. I think maybe because I’m there a fair bit, seem to know what I’m looking for and maybe because of my age and how I dress the SAs figure I’ve got more to spend there than someone younger, I generally get treated fine – certainly not “ignored” unless it’s crazy busy.
I usually shop during my lunch break or after work, so I’m dressed well and my makeup is always done, so that’s not it. And SAs at other stores can tell I’m someone who wants to buy. The Sephoras near me have a lot of staff turnover, so I don’t often see the same SAs more than once. I forgot to mention that the SAs at my nearby Ulta are very nice and helpful, too, so it’s definitely a Sephora thing. All three Sephoras that I go to on a regular basis are the same way. Time to stop going to Sephora on a regular basis…lol!
I almost always have same experience at Sephora, and am also over 50. I’ve just decided it’s a good way to keep me on my low-buy, as I kind of avoid going there anymore. I like Nordstrom; and Neimans and Saks when I get to visit one.
You’re right about the no-buy. I’d probably spend a lot more if the Sephora SAs were better. That’s a good way to look at it.
I don’t know about Sephora. I’m 48, and the SAs at my local Sephoras have always been great to me. Maybe it’s demographics for your area? It’s really crappy to treat someone that way, regardless.
Perhaps you’re right … it’s demographics. It’s weird that I only have problems at Sephoras in my area. I’ve been to a couple others out of town when on vacation and had no problems.
Maybe the local managers are just jerks. ;(
Haul: Ofra Free Spirit palette; Jeffree Star Blood Sugar palette.
Weekend Plans: The usual (i.e. nothing special).
Three things that make me happy: Beatles music; working out; my kittens.
Blood Sugar!! Love it
That ear photo is too funny!!! Mellan, how you do that, bubbster?!??
Haul: Hit the Sephora Rouge sale late last night, and ordered: Viseart Absinthe and Tryst palettes, UD Outspoken Vice Lipstick and Fenty ProFilt’r Foundation in 290 (weirdly lighter than 260!). Going to get up to the mall Sephora to decide between ABH Amrezy Highlighter and Hourglass Gold Flash highlighter stick. Still want to get another PMG lipstick, but I was too lazy to look up your reviews for the shades I was considering.
Weekend plans: Hitting the Sephora up the street later today (God willing)! Doing hair tomorrow, meeting on Sunday. This Cirque Colors nail polish I applied last weekend still looks perfectly fine. Which surprised me since this is not a touted as long-wearing polish! Gorgeous color, too!
What are 3 little things that make you happy? My 2 feline children! Scunci is such a goofball, but has such a serious looking face, that it just cracks me up. Getting to spend time with my (human) children. Being near water. Nearest thing is that fairly good sized man-made “lake” at the park on Hayden.
Amrezy is on its way to my house. I don’t know where it will rate in my world, but it’s getting serious attention in the makeup world.
Tammy, I’m now kicking myself for not picking up Amrezy. Tried on Amrezy on one cheek and Hourglass Gold Flash on the other last night. Loved that wet look of HGF, so I bought that one. Got home, looked in my mirrors here, HGF had LITERALLY melted away into nothingness! My cheeks ate it up, leaving little more than a super subtle glow behind. I have no idea what happened?!?
I’m dying to hear your opinion when you get the Absinthe palette! I’ve got an old Clinique palette (Jenna’s Essentials) that I think has a dupe for the darkest shade in the palette and I probably have dupes of all the other shades but still…. As I posted to Tammy further down, I was gob-smacked to see 3 or 4 Viseart Colour Theory Palettes in store at my local Sephora (they are still shown as “online only”) but, of course, they didn’t have either Absinthe or Chroma and those are the only 2 I want (the Makeup gods conspiring against me???)
Edit to add: Last night, I did get to Sephora (minor miracle!), picked up Giorgio Armani Ecstasy Laquer in Luce (was on the phone with my daughter at the time, who was aghast that I was about to grab a disposable wand and try it on from the tester, talked me out of it with a recounting of her experiences while working at Sephora), and the WL item for quite some time, Hourglass Gold Flash highlighter stick. Luce is fabulous!!! Lasted through dinner!
Okay, Luce is in my cart! You should pick up Amrezy!
Haul: Reupping on my Sunday Riley skincare (Luna + Good Genes), the Natasha Denona Arya palette. I’m going to wait to buy a couple of other things until the second weekend of the Sephora sale. Also bought my HG DevaCurl Matcha mask from Ulta.
Weekend plans: Driving to Nashville in a few hours for a quick birthday weekend trip and a Decemberists concert!!
Three things that make me happy: wet kitten noses, cookie dough ice cream, and red lips on a low-makeup day!
I hope you have a wonderful birthday weekend, Melissa!
I LOVE the Decemberists! I bought their new cd last month!
Happy Birthday!
Hahhahaha!! Those look like Spock ears 🙂
Christine, I picked up the new Rouge G on Sephora’s USA website yesterday, got 15% off!
*Haul – Ulta Beauty Steal 50% off – Dose Of Colors Mauvelous Mauves- nice colors/pigment but very soft and powdery, hoping it will hold up on my oily lids
*Weekend -it’s been a grueling week at work, so rest, chores, then check out some open houses, not buying but curious
*3 things -makeup, good food, my kid when she’s being sweet
Haul:
Sephora sale: Nest reed diffuser in Grapefruit, Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula oil, Touch in Sol No Poreblem primer, Grande Cosmetics GrandBROW Enhancing Serum, Amika The Kure Repair Shampoo and Conditioner.
Ulta: Clarisonic brush head in Radiance (20% off coupon), Makeup Revolution Reloaded Palette in Division, IT Cosmetics eye smudger brush.
Weekend plans: summer today and tomorrow and winter is back on Sunday. Tomorrow I will try to get outside and devote Sunday to indoor activities like coloring my hair.
Three little things that make me happy. I love questions like this because it is easy to lose track of small pleasures. 1. Seeing the leaves come out on the trees. 2. Unexpectedly hearing favorite music. 3. When my cat takes his pill by himself.
Haul: Laneige Time Freeze sleeping mask, Lanolips Multi Purpose Superbalm, Anastasia Beverly Hills eye pencil sharpener, another Sephora Cappuccino eye liner pencil and a sample of Replica By The Fireplace – lord, it’s gorgeous but I’m sure it’s one of those very polarizing “love it/hate it” scents. I love it.
Weekend plans: we’re hunkering in for a weekend of dreadful weather – ice storms, freezing rain, high winds, possible downed trees and loss of hydro….cripes…it is SPRING for crying out loud!
Three things that make me happy: seeing the successes my 3 children are making of their lives, seeing my trilliums and Japanese Tree Peonies return in the spring, having a long and happy marriage. (and can I add “old episodes of Doc Martin and Rumpole of the Bailey).
It is wonderful to see when your adult children do really well in life, not only their professional lives, but also as people.
We are really proud of the way our youngest son has shown himself to be such a great father to his children – really caring, a good sense of humour and lots of love. He is also a domestic saviour as well, doing lots of the washing, cleaning bathrooms and cooking. Nicholas is currently finishing his Accounting Masters, with only one and a half units to go.
David, our eldest is a Senior Systems Analyst for a corporate company and is als a devoted uncle to his niece and nephew. He is always buying them toys, clothes etc and they just adore him anyway because he is so calm and placid.
I am sure that your three children are just as wonderful too, having such terrific parents as you two have been – I can tell from here.
Genevieve, so great to hear how well your kids turned out! It’s great to see the newer generation of guys doing their share of chores. My Mom worked full time, there were 4 kids, but she still did 95% of the chores (cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc), same story with Hubby’s mom and she had 3 kids, but we split the chores pretty evenly. Glad times have changed!
Thanks Katherine – I worked full time when my children went to school and I actually taught them how to separate the clothes for the washing machine, how to vacuum and how to clean a bathroom. My Italian mother in law use to shake her head at this!
But I wanted my sons to be practical and to learn how to take care of themselves and be independent and self reliant, which they now are.
Haul: Most of what I have purchased this week has not arrived yet but from the Sephora 15% sale I ordered at 1 A.M.: Drunk Elephant The Littles Kit x 3, DE The Rise and Glow Duo, DE Acid Trip Set, DE Baby Peekee and Juju bar x 2, Giorgio Armani Beauty Ecstasy Lacquer in Adrenaline, Sunday Riley Good Genes, Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic and Retinol Eye Cream, Samples: SuperGoop Sunscreen, Kat Von D Studded Kiss Sample set and Urban Decay All Night Concealer set. I also picked up two 100 point perks. I got the Stila Huge Extreme Mascara and DryBar Volume Booster Root Lift.
Ulta: Urban Decay All Nighter Foundation for my daughter to try. Pur Eye Shadow palette in Visionary,
Herbergers: Lancôme Matte Shaker in I Like to Mauve It, Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation for my daughter and a sample of the Lancôme Teint Idole Foundation for my daughter to try.
Beautylish: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter in shade 1, Fair, Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Prismatic Amethyst.
Weekend Plans: Shopping for flooring for my entry way and bathrooms. I currently have ceramic tile in all three areas. It is ridiculously cold under foot in the winter time and because the builder did not put a proper sub-flooring under, the tiles are wobbling. I am trying to decide whether I want to do wood flooring or a wood “look” with vinyl planks. I would love the wood floors and they are not any more expensive up here than the vinyl but the upkeep and the exposure to wet in the winter time is making me lean towards the vinyl. I am also trying to decide what tone to go with. I love the look of a greyish barn wood flooring but would result in my baseboards, cabinets and everything having to be replaced which I don’t want to do. I have pretty much only antique furniture so that would dictate a more traditional flooring decision but I don’t want anything too dark. Anyway, that is my dilemma for the weekend.
Three things that make me happy: #1. My daughter. She is the most amazing young woman. Smart, funny, talented, caring and my best friend. I had her very late in life and she was born very premature. She weighed 2 pounds and spent a lot of weeks in the ICU. We have a bond that is just special. #2. Water. I know that sounds kind of crazy but I love the water in any way, shape and form. I lived by the ocean when I was little and have always had rivers and lakes in my backyard. I just love the way the sun and moon play off the water and the way it shimmers and flows. #3. Music. I love all kinds of music (well maybe not bluegrass) and it has been an integral part of my life. I grew up during the most amazing time for music, the 50’s, 60’s and early 70’s. I have been privileged to get to see many performers live and it is one of the most powerful memory provoking mediums. I remember so many of the big events in my life by the music I associate with the event.
#4. Books. I am an avid reader and always have been. I have had to stop buying books because I don’t have room to store them anymore so I am purchasing E-books now but when I particularly love a book, I will buy it anyway so that I can keep it for re-reading. I enjoy the experience of reading a real book. The feel of the paper, the smell of the paper, just everything about the book.
Made me think of my personal Jimi Hendrix experience, which is not fit to print, even what I wore….. some days I marvel that we survived those days.
Hi kjh,
I am with you in wondering how I survived my youth. I think back on some of the crazy things I did in my teens and early 20’s and it is a miracle. If my daughter did some of the things I did at her age I would have a coronary. Mind you, it wasn’t anything illegal or bad but just chances I took and putting myself into situations that could have proved very dangerous. I have some great memories, though, LOL.
Your daughter sounds wonderful Deborah and I am sure that the bonds between you exist because you were such a loving mother.
I am an avid reader as well and ran out of space in my huge bookcase. Now I have rekindled my interest in the library, it does make it easier to read a wider range of books and get to know new authors.
Hi Genevieve,
As you know I live in a really small town and out-read my library quite a while ago. I have read and donated quite a few books to the library in town. Those that I don’t want to keep and re-read. Reading has been a lifesaver through the winter months here in Montana.
Yes, my daughter and I have a very special relationship. Her father and I divorced when she was 9 and it has been a “you and I against the world” kind of situation. We travelled a lot when she was younger and basically spent all of our time together. She rarely saw her father as he remarried and had two step-daughters that were roughly her age so over time he stopped having her for visitation. That was the primary reason I offered to have him stay with me so that they could re-establish a relationship. That didn’t work so I am hoping that I didn’t make their relationship worse. She is happy that it is just going to be her and I again. I am encouraging her to move to a bigger city because the things that she is passionate about are in the cities. We are going to go to Europe together in the fall and then she will relocate to a larger city with a friend from college.
Sorry for taking so long to reply to your post Deborah.
Re the books – yes it is an issue when the library is small and you have easily read everything that you liked and you are a long way from a larger library.
I have always been able to tell that you and your daughter have such a close bond together that distance (re her location to a larger city) will not break. It’s so lovely that you both are going to Europe together and will, no doubt, have a wonderful time.
It’s a shame that her father, dare I say neglected? her during her formative years and has payed a price for that because you can’t get those years back once they have gone. It was very good of you to give him a chance to repair his relationship with his daughter, but whether it would succeed or not was up to them. You are a wonderful person Deborah. I really do admire you.
Your DE haul made me go back to the Sephora website to make sure I only want Protini, lol. I’m all stocked up on my C-Firma and B-Hydra, and I’m using glycolic acid from my dermatologist office along with prescription strength Retin A, so I think I’m good.
We just put luxury vinyl planking in grey driftwood and I love it. We chose it for the durability.
I have only tried the DE Sukari Baby Facial and wanted to try a few more things but I also wanted my daughter to try the whole line before returning to the Doctor and starting on Accutane. She has really struggled with acne that only seems to be getting worse. We have tried pretty much every treatment known to man and pretty much all the accepted acne treatments except Accutane. She hasn’t tried the DE just because of the price but we determined that we would give this a shot as sort of a final attempt to handle it without Accutane and if that doesn’t work then we will start the Accutane. The philosophy of DE seems to be eliminating a lot of the traditional irritants to the skin and returning skin to a more normal Ph level. I also wanted to try a couple of things and with our trip to Europe in the fall I wanted to get a good group of sample kits so that was my reasoning for purchasing The LIttles kit as I can try the products for a lesser price and if I like some of the products I can purchase the full sizes. Also the kit is a good size for travel in the fall so would repurchase a kit for the trip.
I am so in love with the floor that you put in and I think it would look really lovely in my house. I am just struggling with meshing it with my current furniture and décor style. I have definitely decided to go with vinyl. It just makes sense for my life and environment. I looked at quite a few today and will go to a different flooring store in Sandpoint, Idaho tomorrow and then make my final decision.
I know exactly what you mean, we actually are having to change EVERYTHING in our home to accommodate the color of flooring we chose. We just got the kitchen counters put in two weeks ago, my husband is building the table this weekend. We have our vacation now scheduled to paint the middle and upper level of our home. We bought new furniture for the dining room and are in the process of changing all the light fixtures (yes, even those were a problem with the cool-toned flooring). We have had to replace all wood trim with white trim and crown molding. We eventually have to replace our couches, but that will be a few years down the road. After we paint the house, our next project will be putting in new flooring in the lower and upper levels (we only have it on the main level at this time).
Oh my gosh, Deborah, your daughter’s survival story and your deep bond with her actually made some of those wet things pool up in my eyes! (A rarity for me) She definitely held on, survived and has thrived due to your very deep love for her, as well as you being such a devoted Mom. You are both so very blessed to have one another.
Haul:
Viseart Petite Pro 2: I had so much trouble with this palette. I had originally planned to use it for the entire week but had to give up after three days. The purple matte was almost useless. The shimmers were okay. On Tuesday I had to wipe everything off and start over. The palette applied horribly in the mornings with brushes but better in the evening, on top of my other eyeshadows, when applied with my fingers??? I just don’t know what happened!
Marc Jacobs Matte Gel Eye Crayon in (Grape)vine. I have previously had bad luck with these liners but decided to try again. It seems like it’s hard to find a creamy, pigmented purple liner. This one is good, but not great.
Perricone No Mascara Mascara: I like it because it’s dark and supposedly good for my lashes. Unfortunately it gets clumpy, flakes, and runs all over my face when I’m at the gym.
Cover FX Power Play Foundation: I started out with a sample of this and ended up buying a bottle. When I folirst put it on it was okay, but what surprised me was the way it got better as the day wore on. It’s got good coverage considering how light it is, which is another plus. NARS Luminous Weightless feels much heavier than this. It isn’t as pretty as Luminous Silk but it wears longer and covers my pores better. It didn’t accentuate dry areas or wrinkles, nor did it break apart in my oily t-zone. I’m not in love, but now that the sample is gone, I want to spend some more time getting to know this foundation.
Dior Forever Undercover Foundation: This one gave me that dry, powdery, cakey, plastic face look. It accentuated wrinkles even when mixed with face oils or luminizers.
Clinique Colorpop lipsticks in Love Pop and Bare Pop: These are so pretty, moisturizing and easy to wear! Perfect for spring and natural looks.
Menopause has turned my previously thick, heavy and healthy head full of curls into a thin, fine, dry mess. I ditched my decade of Joico and started using Verb Ghost Shampoo and Conditioner and Briogio’s Curl Charisma Leave-in Defining Cream. I am moving from trying to control my curls with heavy conditioners and strong-hold gels to embracing the body and allowing my hair to be more natural. So far, so good. I like these products because they don’t weigh my hair down.
I placed spring haul orders with both Ulta and Sephora. So happy Ulta did their 20% before Sephora’s sale started. In the end, I couldn’t resist Pat McGraths La Vie En Rose. I will report back after I get a chance to use it. I’m so excited to read about what everyone else is hauling!
Weekend plans: Pizza movie night tonight, gym and cooking on Saturday, and my final shift at Bergners on Sunday.
Simple pleasures: I would like to give a shoutout here to tried and true products that are easy to use, always look good, and can be relied on when new products are giving me fits. This week I was so thankful for GA’s Luminous Silk Foundation, NARS Fame blush from the Unfiltered 2 palette (a perfect nude coral), and Charlotte Tilbury’s Eyes to Mesmerize cream shadow in Jean (for a simple eye gloss effect to make my eyes look polished and help me get off to work). These products helped stabilize me when I thought maybe my skin was suddenly horrible (Dior Forever Undercover) and I no longer knew how to apply eyeshadow (Viseart Petite Pro 2).
Hi Tammy, I love Charlotte Tilbury cream shadows and Jean is a summer staple (and probably the shade I use most regularly).
Tracey, the Viseart Pro 2 palette seems to like the Charlotte Tilbury cream shadows. The shadows give me less trouble with the Charlotte Tilbury laid down as a base.
That’s really good to know, Tammy, especially when they were giving you grief when applied on their own!
Tammy, what I took the most comfort from your post is the mere fact that it tells me I’m not the only one who wears makeup to the GYM!!!
I was shocked and awed at Sephora yesterday to see that they have, IN STORE, 3 or 4 of the Viseart Theory palettes even though on the website they are still shown as “online only”. Of course, they didn’t have the 2 I actually WANT (Chroma – the most grey toned one of the original releases – and Absinthe). I already have Cashmere and neither of the other 2 appealed to me at all though I still had to hold myself back from buying one of them simply because of my elation at them being “in store”.
Mariella, I go directly from work to the gym two evenings a week. I barely have time to change my clothes before my RPM classes begin, so there is no time for makeup removal. I also go to gym on Saturday mornings, but I definitely do not wear makeup! I rarely wear makeup on he weekends, with the exception of trying 2 different eye looks before my weekend showers, which is my standard experiment-with-my-stash habit.
Hubby and I go to the gym Saturday mornings but even so, I won’t leave the house without concealer (and skincare with sun protection) and a bit of lip balm. Otherwise, I look half dead and they might get out the defibrillator and use it on me in the mistaken conclusion that I am half dead!
Tammy, don’t feel bad. I love my Viseart shadows but the Petit Pro 1 was a big bust for me, not sure if I got a bad batch or what, but had to return it, as it didn’t apply well at all. For very creamy, very pigmented purple eyeliners, I highly recommend Bare Minerals Round- The- Clock eyeliners in 4 PM (eggplant) and 6 PM (violet-bluish purple). There’s a soft satin sheen that’s flattering, and once they set, they don’t budge. I do have oily lids, so I use primer, but I’ve swatched on my hands without primer, and rubbed as hard as I could, and they aren’t going away without waterproof eye makeup remover. For a light hair oil, Verb Ghost Oil might be my HG (4.6 stars out of 5 on Sephora). I have straight hair with oily roots but dry, fragile ends, and have tried all kinds of oils, but they always weighed my hair down, no matter how little I used. This is the lightest oil I’ve found. I towel dry my hair, put in a small amount of styling cream on my ends, add tiny bit of the oil to ends, then blow dry on low heat with round brush to about 90% dry, then it air dry. The oil disappears and becomes weightless but my ends are moisturized.
Thank you, Katherine, I will pick up those Bare Mineral eye liners ASAP! I am really loving Verb’s Ghost line, sounds like the oil is another winner.
Oh forgot to mention….I’m turing 49 soon and my hair’s been thinning too. I’ve tried all kinds of thickening sprays, all of which weighed my hair down with sticky residue and/or smell bad, but my HG is Bed Head TIGI Superstar Queen for A Day Thickening Spray. After towel drying my hair, I turn my head upside down, spritz a few times mid-length, then blow dry, with head upside down. I swear it completely disappears (no residue, no smell, nothing) but gives me at least 2x as much volume that lasts all day. If I spritz too much, I look like I have a lion’s mane. It’s a big bottle, and Ulta has frequent sales/deals. If they ever DC this one, I’m going to stockpile a lifetime supply!
Haul: Sephora VIB online Violet Voss Hashtag palette, Pat McGraft Platinum Bronze palette, Becca Dreansicle highlighter,Dior Diorshow lash primer, KVD color correcting eye primer stick in tan
Weekend Plans: Heading to Sephora to pick out a few hair care products and some shader makeup brushes maybe, I don’t really need much. I’ll probably buy something from Ulta using my 20% off code. Dinner out
3 Little things that make me happy: Spending time with my family and cat,lol, a great meal, a good book or movie
Platinum Bronze! Please let us know what you think!!
Haul: Nothing this week
Weekend Plans: Nothing really planned, some housework and perhaps a drive through the mountains on Sunday. Maybe my grandchildren over for dinner either Saturday or Sunday.
The weather has turned autumnal this weekend, after some very hot days for April during the week. Yay!
Three Little things that make me happy: My morning coffee from the best little cafe around, which is very close to us; Reading Temptalia and having my grandchildren snuggle up to me.
Other simple pleasures I love are: reading a good book (I am never without a book); enjoying a good meal with friends and a drive to the countryside.
Oh yes on reading a good book — I have many on the shelves that I recall not only for the plot or author but also the experience I had reading them.
Omg, just took a Patticake pic with just those ears, and a sly grin. She’s ambulatory enough to get away from me now! Haul: haven’t done the sales yet. My S cart is pretty much only scent. I asked this question on Muse: Why are Commodity travel sprays considered Hazmat? Travel sprays that are forbidden travel, really? Any answers appreciated. Older Ulta came: UD Vice purple masc (Thanks, Michele), the Nars red powermatte minis, something else. W/e: SSDW. Some spring is here, so walk, not ride, for Patticake. Three things: well, I spent most of the week caring for a friend and her two dogs, who got along fine, at my house. I took her to the hospital on Tues. Dx: Viral Syndrome, a/k/a ILI…influenza-like illness. If your nasal swab comes back negative for flu, and you have massive flu symptoms, that’s the dx. Many people have gotten it…it’s ravaging Atlanta. But you would never know it from the flu,m unless you got the negative swab. Could not send her home to a dysfunctional, out of oil house, when she just had a 102.8 temp. Two days of nonstop talking ragtime, not eating or washing, up all night. She resolved into illogical thinking. So, mostly, I am glad that she is appreciably better tonight, and I was able to take her home today. They made me wear a mask at work, and everyone covered their noses with their shirts. Do not fool with this, or any flu like illness. She rummaged in my stuff at night and broke it, without knowing it, spun around in the hospital with iv, monitors attached, and tried to control the tv with the telephone. A host of other semi-dangerous behaviors. It was a three day delirious nightmare, but no doubt worse for her. She was unaware that her male was marking everything, had no idea of time, no memory. Guess that one crossed the blood-brain barrier. Oy! Lying around with Jussi and Patti tonight seems like very heaven. Also, my cormorants are coming back, and we’ve had some actual spring weather. I will sleep like a flagstone.
Wow – you sound like you have had a really torrid time in the past week or so. It must have been quite worrying for you, and at times, scary. I hope your friend is better now and has calmed down.
A quiet weekend to relax is definitely in order.
Kjh what a kind and caring person you are to nurse a sick friend and take care of her animals. She’s blessed to have a good friend like you.
Oh my gosh, the story you told about caring for your friend was wild! I’m sure at the time it wasn’t funny but I bet the both of you will find it a little comic in retrospect, once the seriousness of the illness has receded from memory.
KJH, you are one truly good friend to your friend! Wow! Sounds like she has Viremia. Which is a nasty one, for sure. I got hit with a severe case of it when I was 33 y.o. Worse than any flu I had ever had, I think. It literally attacks EVERYTHING, including the meninges. Hopefully, she begins to recover soon, but I know first-hand that it can seesaw and convolute for an entire month or longer. Just very glad that she has your support and help through it. As Tammy said, someday, you’ll both have a some ROFL moments over her fever induced hijinks!
Wow, that’s awful about your friend. I’m sorry she was so ill. You were good to take care of her.
Haul: NARS Fort de France, UD Petite Heat, and ABH Soft Glam via the Sephora sale.
Weekend plans: Recover from all the drama and also doctors appointment of this week.
What are three little things that make you happy?: My cat, my family’s cat, and my cat again
I hope you are feeling better Anne and that your appointments turned out to bring you positive news.
I’m feeling overwhelmed about it (as of this week I now have ELEVEN separate types of practitioners, from vascular to pain psychology to acupuncture and everything in between) as I’ve now seen the mountain I have to climb, but I’m very glad to finally be getting down to the business of tacking chronic pain and am hopeful for the first time since this started over 6 years ago. Thank you for asking!
Chronic pain is so, so wearying and emotionally draining. I seriously hope that your many practicioners understand how much you have goine through the past six years and offer you support and relief in their treatment plans. You don’t have to climb that mountain alone.
Anne, Fort de France made its way into my cart too and shipped this morning. I have a tendency to really love the few items I get from NARS every year.
I bought the UD Petite Heat palette for my daughter. Every time she does my hair I bring her a gift for payment. I already bought her the Heat palette, which she loves, so next time I will give her the petite, and maybe the two eyeliners or lipsticks, if they are available.
I think the Soft Glam will be an excellent choice. I seriously debated over it, and will probably pick it up at some point in the future. For right now, those LE Pat McGrath palettes have my full attention but I suspect I would find the Soft Glam more flattering, easier to use, and more reached-for in my stash.
Fort de France is just so gorgeous. When I checked it out in store I was really impressed. Same with Petite Heat. Soft Glam I was initially not impressed with as I thought it was too blasé and similar to a lot of stuff but when I checked it out in store I was really blown away by it!
Haul: Natasha Denona Citrus diamond and blush palette, RCMA warm gold powder, some Inglot rainbow eyeshadows, Farmacy honey salve, The Ordinary AHA 30% peel solution, Designer Brands Absolute Lash (my new HG mascara!) and a Rimmel blush compact, with 3 very pretty pink and rose tones.
Weekend plans: It’s already Saturday here, so I went and finally got my hair cut and got over 6 inches of length taken off. The weather is too rubbish to do much so it will literally be Netflix and chill for the rest of the weekend. I’m making my favourite risotto tonight too.
3 little things that make me happy: Waking up and not having to get out of bed. Overhearing my husbands conversations with the cats, which are often very involved and usually hilarious. Eccles cakes with a cup of tea.
Isn’t it so, so heavenly to wake up on a Saturday morning and think “I don’t have to get out and rush for work”. One of the undeniable pleasures of life – I agree,
We have just experienced a really warm and hot week here in Melbourne, only to turn icy and cold today. However, we really, really needed the rain.
I love that one from The Ordinary! And I have super sensitive skin so I was surprised it worked for me. Also overhearing other people’s conversations with cats is pretty effing spectacular, as are Eccles cakes (currants are so underrated in food!)
The Natasha Denona Diamond and Blush palettes were at the top of my want list when the spring releases first came out. The only thing that holds me back is fear they will cause my blush routine to lengthen. Please report back on how you like the palette, as they are still on my wishlist.
Well, I’ve only used it twice but so far I’m impressed. You can use as many or as few options as you fancy but I’m still figuring out the best tool to apply the cream products – I’ve found a tapered stippling blush works very well for the yellow cream glow but for some reason it doesn’t pick up the coral cream blush in the same way… They are lovely and luxurious and surprisingly big – they actually work out to be great value if you look at $ per oz.
Haul: My real haul was a coffeemaker. 🙂 My makeup haul was (25% off) 4 Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Sparkle Sticks in Blue Sapphire, Aurora Pink, Rose Quartz and Tanzanite. I’m critical of Bobbi Brown sparkle and shimmer eyeshadows but I am so pleasantly surprised by this new product. The cream of the crop, to me, is Sapphire Blue. I’m definitely ordering another shade or two. I’m really liking the products that Bobbi Brown has released lately.
Weekend Plans: We have tickets for the symphony and, otherwise, I’ll be watching all the NHL playoff games. It’s going to be a rainy (and maybe snowy?) few days, so I’m settling in for the weekend.
3 little things that make me happy: My mother’s laugh, a cat sleeping on my legs, and my spouse having a cup of coffee poured for me when I get up.
Cream sparkle sticks?! How long have you been using them? I wonder if they would work on my mature eye lids…
Hi Tammy, the Sparkle Sticks have just released and I jumped on them to take advantage of Bobbi Brown’s 25% off Friends and Family sale, which ends tonight, April 14. They are wonderful for my mature, hooded eyes because they stay put and don’t budge, so no transferring above my crease yet beautifully accentuating the lower part of the mobile lid. I’ve only had them for 36 hours and find they work beautifully over a shadow base, especially vibrant shades like Blue Sapphire and Aurora Pink (over Chanel’s Spring single eyeshadow in Nuage Bleu and Blooming Rose, for example). The sparkly, more muted shades like Tanzanite look beautiful on their own. I find they apply best from the bullet and can be built up. There’s also a cooling feel when first applied, which feels great.
You should definitely pick up one or two and give them a try. If you do, let me know what you think!
Tracey,
You are saying to place a shadow down first, such as Chanel Nuage Bleu or Blooming Rose, and then put the cream stick over the shadow? I generally use cream shadows as a base and then top with a powder shadow, this is why I am making sure I understand what you’re suggesting. If it works, it works. I am willing to give it a try.
Hi Tammy, yes, perfectly summarized. I use cream shadow sticks differently than cream shadows in a pot. I find they’re much more versatile. If I feel the eyeshadow look needs to be lighter or have a pop of colour, I look to shimmery cream shadow sticks (or a Nars dual intensity shadow like Rigel). I also have oily, redish eyelids, so my first test was using powder shadows in a similar hue, covering my eyelids and up above the crease. Since Friday, I’ve worn them over a (pressed) powdered eyelid, a matte BB cream shadow stick, and on bare eye lids and I prefer (so far) to have something on the lid, if only a little powder. I’ve also applied a crease shade before and after applying the Sparkle Stick to the lid and found powder applied near or somewhat over the Sparkle shade dramatically reduced the sparkle intensity and the sparkle migrated into the crease shade.
You will love trying these, Tammy. I’d love to hear how you find them. I’m wearing Blue Sapphire today and, despite some lightening, it hasn’t budged.
Oooh, I was curious about those new BB sparkle sticks! Will check them out
Let me know what you think, Katherine! I’m smitten with these and really like the direction BB is going.
Love that tie on Mellan!
Haul: Viseart Siren Theory palette (love). Duraline — wish I’d tried this earlier! Loving turning eyeshadows into eyeliners.
Weekend: Heading to Maine for a week’s vacation. Also as part of a project I’ve been doing for a couple of years, to exploring options on where to live in the future — so will roam the area, check out places to live, etc.
Three little things: Saturday mornings (sense of fresh start/leaving work week behind, sense of promise); very good coffee; fairy lights in decorating
Siren really spoke to me, but I didn’t pull the trigger because in some photos it looks rosy/pink and in others it looks like another warm-orange palette. I’ve had my fill of warm-orange.
Siren is definitely more peach-to-orange. I get it re so many oranges out there these days. I probably could have done without, but the color makes me blue eyes pop, and I’m a sucker for Viseart, so I just did it. No regrets.
Haul: Two of the mini Pat McGrath palettes (Rouge & Bronze… I decided against the Subliminal one b/c I reach for that full size palette the least of the permanent Mothership palettes) & lipstick in Flesh 3, Bare Minerals’ eye cream, Viseart’s setting powder, Nars’ blush palette, Lancome’s Skin Feels Good Foundation
Weekend plans: Work work work work work work (in my best Rihanna imitation). I’m at work right now.
What are three little things that make you happy?: Sleep, my nephew, chocolate