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Free for Haul Friday, Volume #372
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: Smashbox Gel Eyeliners, Make Up For Ever Star Lit Powders/Liquids
- Weekend plans: My parents are visiting next week, so tidy up a few areas of the house. Celebrate Mellan’s birthday (he’s a Christmas Eve baby) with extra snuggles, a few extra dog treats, and bury him with toys.
- If you could have any super power, what would it be?: I think moving things with my mind would be pretty cool.
This week's doggo photo/video...
Share your pet photos to the Temptalia Pets flickr group!
Haul: UD Revolution Lipgloss in Liar, Sephora Ultra Shine Lipgloss in Deep Rose, and a pack of Beautyblenders from Alcone during their 25% off sale – it was a reeeally good deal. Also, my parents bought a “Treat of the Month Club” membership for my doggos and I am ridiculously excited for that, lol
Weekend plans: CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS CHRISTMASSSS! My husband’s work schedule is such that we can’t head out to his family in Cincinnati until Christmas day 🙁 but then we’ll spend the next 5 days there. We’ll probably open gifts from each other and have a nice evening together on Saturday.
If you could have any super power, what would it be? I also think telekinesis would be the best/most useful superpower, but heck – I’d take any of them!
Yay for new glosses!
I’ve never heard of Treat of the Month club! Is that the company that does it?
Have a nice Christmas Eve with your hubby!
I’m not sure how they found it, it’s a company called Amazing Clubs and it looks like they offer monthly gift shipments of pretty much anything!
Haul: NARS Rigel, Fresh Seaberry Oil, Bite Squid ink, and a few points perks like Vanille Insensee and Morrocan Oil.
Weekend Plans: Trying to figure out Christmas dinner for one and making it 🙁 I’m starting the weekend off with a massage after work, then grocery shopping. For Saturday, I will probably get a sushi lunch and see a matinee of Rogue One. Sunday, I’ll bake/make my breakfast and watch movies. Maybe try to get back into blogging now that the wicked flu has passed.
Superpower: I’d like to be able to teleport, fly, be invisible at will, or how the power to duplicate things. I’d be willing to take any of those 😛
Squid Ink!!! You got it!
Oooh please let me know what you think of Squid Ink or blog it!
Also, please take me with you to Rogue One. Nobody I know ehre wants to see it! I just bought a pair of C3PO shoes and need to wear them!
@Michele: I wrote a review on Squid Ink. It’s on my blog. 🙂
Awesome – thank you!
Yay, you got Squid Ink! 🙂
My favourite deep blue is for sure Bite Squid Ink. I’m really happy Bite made it and Kale permanent.
Love to see squid ink on you. Put it up on your blog.
Haul: I have gotten quite a few things over the last few weeks and not posted about it. First I got the black and gold box set from Peter Thomas Roth. It contains two face masks, some golden cream and a cleanser. Then I also got facial cleanser from the pharmacy because they had a “buy 3 pay for 2” deal. So I am probably set for cleanser until next christmas. Then I got the YSL rouge pour couture in the color rouge rock. Have wanted it for a long time. Every time I am in a store I put it on so now I got it. Then I had a 20 % discount check so I got the Elie Saabe perfume. And then I got the Mac soft frost and double gleam highlighters.
I managed to buy all these things for myself when christmas shopping for others! LOL
Weekend plans: I am going to relatives to celebrate christmas.
Superpower: Well it would be good to be able to put thoughts in peoples heads. Although that would be scary if the wrong person would be able to do. I would just use it to stop people from carrying out weird things. Like some politican was like “now we will bomb” and I would put different thought in their mind and there would be no bombing.
Great haul, Anna! Have you tried either of the PTR masks yet?
HAUL: The Body Shop had a 50% sale so I got one of the Honey Bronzers that have been around for a little while. I would have gotten 01 and 02, but only 01 was in stock. It’s a very light, slightly rosy beige but maintains a “tan” look without going peachy on the cheeks, which is good for a bronzer, imo. 02 looked less rosy, more yellowy so I was interested to try that one, too, but alas. I think I would recommend either of them for super pale folk with yellowy undertones. Matte but not dry looking, buildable and blends easy, and the packaging is cute. I also grabbed one of their cream Highlighting Domes, 03, the dark one that looks like a bronzer. The color is a little confusing, as it’s a red-orange copper, so not quite right for me (I thought it would be a dark reddish bronze but it’s much brighter). But it’s a very nice product, blends super easy with a few swipes of the fingers and dries to a powder finish quickly. Only downside is it’s heavily scented.
WEEKEND PLANS: I hope to chill with some wine and a movie tonight because this week was hectic. I’ve got family parties tomorrow, Sunday, and Monday. Can’t wait to dole out my presents, though!
SUPER POWER: Definitely to go back in time, haha!
50% off! Whew! That’s a great deal 🙂
Have a relaxing Friday night, Ginny!
Haul: Won’t get it till the new year but I placed an order for Sugarpills Girl Crush Lipstick, Kim Chi & Trinket Liquid Lip Color, and Pumpkin Spice Lip & Eye Duo
Weekend plans: Working tomorrow till close which should be around 4pm. Christmas is my B-day as well and thankfully it’s the only day my job closes on. So staying home with my family and I get boxing day (26th) off. 😉
If you could have any super power, what would it be?: Move fast and get more stuff done. lol
Happy birthday!!! 😀
Happy birthday!
Awesome Sugarpill picks…let me know what you think please!
It will be the first time trying their liquid lipstick formula. 😉
★ *˛ ˚♥* ✰。˚ ˛˚ ♥ 。✰˚* ˚ ★
.•°*”˜˜”*°•. ˜”*°• •°*”˜ .•°*”˜˜”*°•.
.•°*”˜ Happy Birthday !!! ˜”*°•.
.•°*”˜.•°*”˜.•°*”˜ ˜”*°•.˜”*°•.˜”*°•.
★ *˛ ˚♥* ✰。˚˛˚ ♥ 。✰˚* ˚ ★
Happy Birthday and I hope you have a pampered and relaxing day.
We try too have a chill Christmas Day and do nothing but cook dinner. 😉 My Mom is born on the 29th so we go out later in the week for dinner at a restaurant.
Happy Birthday! A Christmas baby 🙂
Happy Birthday!
Haul- some Estee Lauder pretties for my aunt for xmas; beard stuff for my husband (Brother’s Artisan Oil- it’s fantastic).
Weekend: spending a quiet weekend/xmas eve with the hubby and Christmas dinner with my family. Also, I’m off work for the next 11 days (SCHOOL VACATION!) so I’ll be doing a lot of sleeping in!
Superpower: The ability to read minds. I’m nosy and love secrets.
Enjoy your Christmas, Sarah! 😀
Haul:
I am carefully replacing brushes and tossing/selling the ones that I do not use. In this week I is the Hakuhodo Yachiyo, Medium Tapered brush. I saw it at the link below, and had an “aha!” moment. This is what I have been looking for for careful blush application. I share what I like here, but try not to *recommend* because we’re all so different. But this brush is a MAGIC WAND! Honestly, I am swept away with it. Absolutely love it. https://olgablik.com/2015/07/25/nars-dual-intensity-blush-reviews-photos-swatches/
* Tom Ford Ravish Blush. Swoon. Love it. I can even mix with with Wicked for a different look altogether.
* Sephora eye pencil in Go For a Ride (Dark Green) — bye bye dry, tugging MAC dark green pencil (Devotion) that I struggled with for years because I liked the color.
Weekend:
Christmas in our house. Big meal and my boys all home with various SOs.
Super power:
To see into the future.
Happy Birthday, Mellan!
Forgot…
Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Hi-Lustre Lipstick in Slow Burn.
Who ever thought a lipstick can make your eyes pop? I think this one kinda does. I like this coppery/red/russet color on me lots more than I expected. VERY comfy to wear, and it lasts well.
Love that shade of lipstick, I must investigate Slow Burn.
Have a great Christmas with your family.
Genevieve — EL lipsticks are new to me (at least in decades and decades), and I have to say the comfort of the wear and the longevity has me sold. With your lovely porcelain coloring and hair, Slow Burn might work beautifully. It has just a little shimmer too.
I’ll be looking at other shades in this line now that I have this one. It may usurp my Givenchy love in 2017 that’s how much I like it. Mon dieu! 🙂
Glad to hear the Hakuhodo Yachiyo is working so well for you, Linda!
I loved Be Go For A Ride!
I love Go for A Ride ( have no idea how my previous statement got so messed up)
Tammy, You mean like my new product Living Prook? I am the queen of typos. 🙂
Lol
Haul: nothing this week, after I pigged out during several sales! Tried for the first time this week: two pigments from MAC (Silver and Silver Fog), two eyeshadow palettes from Kat Von D: the Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette, and the Eye Contour Quad in Smoke, both of which I liked more than I expected; the finish is much better on my lids than most mattes, these don’t make my lids look dry; great to use with my Metal Matte and Interstellar palettes. Considering Wayne Goss’s holiday brush, but, I will probably pass as I did last year — it’s so much for one brush, even if I understand why it costs so much, and think it’s really beautiful, I don’t need it that much. I hope I won’t regret passing it up.
Weekend plans: a little baking and preparing for a quiet celebration at home.
Super power? Healing.
Happy to hear that the Kat Von D palettes are working so well for you!
The brush is ridiculously long, Fran. I cannot imagine using it due to the length alone!
Thanks for the reassurance, Christine 🙂
LOL at Mellon. We also make our dog wait “for the signal” before eating. It’s the most intense 10 seconds of his day!
Haul: Pixi MultiBalm in Baby Blossom and L’Oréal Lip Paint in Spicy Nude. And one last Boots Botanics cleansing balm on clearance because it appears that all the Boots and No 7 products are being discontinued, at least at my local Target!
Weekend plans: Traveling to and staying at my boyfriend’s parents’ house for Christmas. No big plans or parties, just hanging out and having some good food.
If I could have any superpower: I would love to be able to read minds! I’m just nosy, I guess. 🙂
He bolts like lightning when we release him, haha!
Safe travels, Dianne! Merry Christmas!
Tehehe! My big cat, Scunci, gets sooo excited at the prospect of getting his morning wet food that he gets a case of the “Wild Woolys” where he tears all around the living room, pouncing all over, and will then howl at me by the entrance to the kitchen! Isn’t it hilarious how our furbabies react to being fed?!???
Haul: Nothing, Nada, Zilch!
Weekend plans: Hair, meeting on Sunday, and nothing else really except to try to catch up on sleep.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be: Teleporting myself and loved ones ANYWHERE we wanted to go! I’d move us to CND! (for REAL)
…..Or invisibility? That could be super cool, too!?
How funny! I have never heard of/known a cat that actually goes crazy for food! That is great.
Scunci is the first that I’ve ever seen or known of, myself! And I’m a veteran cat owner. Never had such a goofball for a cat before!
Our 21 year old Maine Coon will lead us to the cupboard that has her treats and to the refrigerator when she wants ice cubes in her water dish. She’s quite vocal about it too 🙂
Shari, Maine Coon cat purrsonalities are certainly larger than life! They seem quite fearless, too, as I’ve found out ever since getting a new neighbor next door who has a Bengal Cat. Well Bengals are also very intelligent cats, as well, and this one not only figured out there’s a big male cat here, but gets up on my chairs outside and trys to intimidate Scunci! The other day, I literally had a catfight going on with just my window separating these two 20+ lb felines. I was afraid they’d break the window! ?
OMG Nancy, this is, I think, the first time you have not reported a Haul!
Have a relaxing weekend.
Haul: I picked up a bunch of things with the 20% off Ulta code:
– Crest Whitestrips
– Aquaphor healing oitment
– Garnier Micellar Water
– Tarte Double Duty Color Correcting palette
– EOS shave cream (2x)
– Tarte Shape Tape concealer (I want to know if the hype is real)
– Shiseido facial Cotton
– Japonesque Kumadori blending brush
– Japonesque contour/highlight brush
– Organic to green Great Barrier Chap Guard
– Organic to Green Artic lip moisturizer
– Matrix Indian Alma strengthening oil
– Matrix Murumuru controlling oil
– Matrix Egyptian Hibiscus color correcting oil
Weekend plans: Spending time with family and eating all of the delicious food
If you could have any super power, what would it be?: Teleportation because it would cut down on so much of my travel time lol
By the way, I just remembered I never answered your question about the ugly Christmas outfit. It was a variation on the ugly Christmas sweater theme. I just wore an ugly Christmas patterned dress with a clashing scarf instead.
How do you like the Japonesque brushes, Monica?
Teleporting would be awesome! Maybe that would be what I’d go for, so I wouldn’t have to travel (which I loathe).
Haul: Notoriously Morbid December vanishing cabinet. Also my mom sent me Urban Decay Naked Smokey palette and a Sephora Collection eye shadow palette for Yule.
Weekend plans: my brother-in-law is here, and we’re going to put him to work today hanging drywall and cement board in the bathroom 🙂 Tomorrow we might go to a movie and we have a big German feast planned, and Sunday is our yearly Die Hard marathon in our pajamas w/breakfast all day.
If you could have a superpower: teleportation
LOL! Family members to the rescue!
I’m putting my Dad to work next week to do some electrical work, haha.
Have a lovely weekend, Alice! 🙂
Bet he’s a greyhound when you release him 😉
*Haul – UD AfterDark shadow palette (I hesitated because I had so many shadows already, but glad I got it. They need to make Scene a single) and with Sephora $25 reward card– Shiseido lipstick in Rose Crush and Bare Minerals Gen Nude lipstick in Queen
*Weekend – have 4 days off (yay!) and no hosting (double yay!) , roast a ham to bring over to my brother’s place for Christmas, run errands, test & organize makeup, catch up on reading beauty blogs, sleep in, relax
*Superpowers–if I could spin like Wonder Woman and instantly transform myself every morning into perfectly done makeup, hair, dress and walk out the door in 30 secs
So happy you are digging the Afterdark palette! It was a nice UD release, even if it felt a bit redundant given what they’ve done in the past.
Enjoy your four days off! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you too, Christine! Hope you enjoy some time with your family 🙂
Happy Birthday Mellan!! A Christmas Eve furbaby, best gift ever. I’m sure Mama is spoiling you extra rotten today, enjoy 🙂
Now THAT’S a super power I hadn’t thought of! 🙂
We don’t host on Christmas day either and it is wonderful. And on Boxing Day, it’s just the family so no pressure there to have the house spotlessly clean. Besides, once the grand children open up their presents, the place will look pretty messy. No worries for me though.
We already hosted Thanksgiving and that was stressful enough! Since we have a little one, we hadn’t hosted in at least 4 years, and that was probably the last time we had done a thorough cleaning. We had to give the house a massive scrub down and spring clean all the junk out, took many weeks and weekends, but the nice part is our house is the cleanest it’s been in the longest time LOL But so glad we are off the hook for Christmas! Hope you enjoy!
We will have a great day, the only problem is the heatwave that is going to last for a week at least. It is hard to cook when it is 37 celsius.
Haul:
ASOS: Barry M Cor Balmy Tinted Lip Balm (Currant Bun 5, Adam & Eve 1)
Beautylish: Jeffree Star Skin Frost (Princess Cut), Jouer Lip Topper (Frost Bite, Skinny Dip)
B-Glowing (20% off): Paul & Joe Powder Cheek Blush Refill (Secret D’Or), Nail Polish Holiday 2016 (23/Christmas Cheer and 21/Firewood)
Birchbox (20% off): Liz Earle Pure Muslin Cloths (7 pack), Saphira Hair Mineral Mud
ColourPop (earned $10 e gift card): Nice, Cookies, Bijou
Concrete Minerals (Free ship no minimum code): Vegan Lip Tint (Glamourpuss, Sweetness, Tease, Vamp, Lovergirl)
Illamasqua (20% off): Lip Slay Gift Set (Satin Lipstick in Rockabilly, Lip Pencil in Creative, Lip Lure in Virtue), Chisel and Glow Gift Set (Gleam in Aurora, Gel Sculpt, Round Buffing Brush), Deluxe Hydra Veil Sample
Illamasqua (Everything 50-70% off): Intense Lipgloss (Touch, Indulge), Sketch Stick (Fly, Free, Higher, Trip. Spirit), Sheer Lipgloss (Devine), Eye Colouring Pencil (Debonair, Seize), Precision Ink (Wisdom), Powder Blusher (Dulcet), Deluxe Hydra Veil sample
Kiko Milano: High Pigment West and Dry Eyeshadow (Matte Pine Green, Metallic Indigo, Satin Mocha, Metallic Sapphire, Satin Iridescent Grey), Colour Sphere Duo Mat&Pearly Eyeshadow (Wisteria/Orchid)
NARS (Free ship): Duo Eyeshadow (Quai Des Brumes), GWPs – Mini Orgasm Lip Gloss, Mini Dolce Vita Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, Mini Gentle Eye Makeup Remover
Nordstrom: MAC Look in a Box – Be a Little Naughty
Notoriously Morbid (25% off): Loose Matte Pigment (Burn All the Witches; Under Controlled Circumstances; Curds & Whey; Boundary Issues; Cute, Weak & Kittenie; Mr. Library), Highlighter (Harlequin), Blush (Anywhere), Diablo Lip Rouge (Wicked Heart), Slumber Salve (Mystik Spiral)
Pixi (10% off and points): Lash Nourishing Makeup Remover Pads, Hello Rose! (Set includes Glow Booster in Pink Pearl, Beauty Blush Duo in Rose Gold, and LipLift Max in Sheer Rose)
Sephora: KVD Alchemist Holographic Palette, Milk Makeup Lip Metal (Slayer, Buffy), UD Afterdark Eyeshadow Palette, Shiseido Rouge Rouge Lipstick (deluxe sample – RD501 Ruby Copper), Atelier Cologene Vanille Intensee Cologne Absolue Pure Perfume (2, 100 point reward)
Target (25% off): The Bathery Merry Clean & Bright Charcoal Infused 4 pc Spa Set (6), Beauty Sample Box (GWP)
Ulta: Nyx Cosmetics Dewy and Matte Finish Makeup Setting Spray (Buy 1/Get 1 50% off), Tarte Double Duty Beauty Don’t Quit Your Day Dream Eyeshadow Palette (sale), Lancome Holiday Matte Lip Collection (sale), PUR Transformation Sculpting Eye Shadow and Cheek Palette (sale)
Weekend plans: Not certain yet.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?: I don’t want any super powers. I’m happy with who and what I am. 🙂
I hear so many good things about Pixi! What are your top three products from them?
Hmmmmm. Not a big Pixi fan to be honest. In fact, this set is actually the first Pixi stuff I like. I’ve found many of their color products to be poorly pigmented and/or dry. I had won a Pixi contest a while back and got a nail polish (chipped on the 1st day), black liner (ran like mad), a lippie (poorly pigmented), and something else that i can’t remember but clearly didn’t impress me. This set swatched very well (surprise) and I think I’ll be happy with the components. The rose lippie pulls with a brown undertone so it’s def. a warm but it’s sheer so I think it will go well with the blush and highlighter. I am baffled though that the glow primer is pink (cool) but the other products are warm….
Ahh, that is good to know – thank you for the heads up! 🙂
HAUL- Got a bunch of Colourpop stuff in for myself…other than that, low-buy 2017!
Weekend plans- CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN. Just found out that some online friends are coming to visit next weekend for New Years….also Christmas with the fam on Sunday!
If you could have any super power, what would it be?- Photokenisis, or the ability to manipulate light.
Best luck on your low-buy for Amber! What are your “rules” for your low-buy?
1. There’s a indie shop that reopens on the 2nd (Shiro Cosmetics) Pick up a couple things from their sale.
2. NO NEW EYESHADOWS OR hIGHLIGHTERS. I’ve picked up so darn many the past couple months, and I need to get off the duochrome crack..
3. Only restock things that I pan or empty. I use very little in the way of face products in general, so that will help. I have plenty of mascara and everything else.
4. Organize my collection and so something different every day I wear makeup.
Haul-Shiseido Advanced Hydro Liquid compact foundation-a whim purchase but I am in love-shade o20, Shiseido Into the Woods trio was gifted to me by a lovely internet friend, too
Weekend plans-My son and my sister and her DH will be joining DH and I for Christmas. Looking forward to being off work until Jan 3/17.
Super power-the ability to fly would be awesome
Enjoy your nice vacation, Stephanie! Do you have anything you’re hoping to do/see/go while you’re off of work?
Haul: Boots Botanics eye makeup remover, gel-cream, eye serum, face cleanser, and clay mask (they were on clearance), Lush bath bombs: Shoot for the Stars, Luxury Pud, Northern Lights, Father Christmas, So White, Never Mind the Ballistic, bubble bars in Santasaurus and Jester, and a Luxury Bath Melt in Snow Angel. From Colourpop I got Notion lip color and three lip colors for a friend. From the drugstore I got a cute gift set with Maybelline the Falsies Push Up Angel mascara and Lasting Drama Waterproof pencil. It was $13 so it was like paying $6.50 for each one. I also got Maybelline Master Graphic eyeliner, Pumped Up Colossal mascara, and a limited edition Yardley London soap in Toasted Vanilla.
Weekend plans: Make one final pre Christmas trip to Whole Foods to get a few things, and I hope to spend time with a friend.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?: To teleport in and out of places. I’d save a bundle on taxi and subway fare. 🙂
Someone likes their baths!! 🙂 How often would you say you take a bath?
Haha, surely it’s not Zoe! Lol. I stocked up because I wanted to try most of the Christmas bath bombs. I took a bath every day of my holiday vacation, but ordinarily I take 2 or 3 baths a week. I went all out just for the holiday season because I took videos of the bath bombs in water for a future blog post. I wanted to record as many demos as I possibly could.
Haul:
I got elf flawless finish foundation and I’m waiting on thst in the mail!
I also, went to sephora and got four foundation samples. All of my foundations are too dark/way too pink.
So I went and got a sample of Urban Decay all nighter (which I do like!! It’s a great shade match, bease I got it a shade lighter than normal to make up for the oxidizing)
I also got a huge sample of tarte Amazonian clay full coverage foundation, because of Nancy T. (Thanks girl!!) And I’m in LOVE. it’s so thick and creamy, and it’s not too dark/light, and it’s very yellow on me and actually matches my neck! It wears pretty darn amazingly on my oily skin too!!
I also got two samples of Benefits oxygen wow foundation! I’m the shade beige in the summer, but in the winter I’m a mix of champagne and petal! And I really do like this foundation! It’s not full coverage which I usually like, but it’s nice and easy!!
I’m also going shopping on the 27th for clothes! As you all know, I’m a public speaker for my job. And I need to look pulled together and professional/make a good first impression. So im going shopping for some new blouses, dress pants, and high waisted pencil skirts!! (And of course I’m going to throw in a new maxi dress/Jean jacket as a pick me up LOL)
Weekend plans: I’m spending the 24th with my parents, sibling, and my best friend! It’s our tradition that the five of us spend Christmas eve together eating lots of food!
The 25 I’m spending the day at home, just lounging around playing with the new makeups!!
The 26th Im going to my grandma’s house! I have 24 cousins, and 20 out of the 24 all show up at her house, and so do all of the aunts and uncles! We have spent boxing day at grandma’s house every year since before I was born. And I’m looking forward to being force fed good food, and being jumped all over by my second cousins 😛
I’m the youngest of the grandchildren, and then there’s 3 great grandkids. So all the older cousins make me deal with their kids/the great grand kids. LOL.
If I could have any super power what would it be: I would want to slectivly read minds. So like. I would have to make the choice to read minds, not just hear it all the time! I’d love to see what people think when they first see me, or meet me. I’m vain ahaha
The best part about getting older was that the next generation was born and I no longer had to sit at the kids’ table, LOL.
May you have a blast with all of your extended family, Shannon! That is really special to have so much closeness beyond just immediate family 🙂
MAN! My older brother (turning 25 very soon!) Still has to sit at the kids table with us LOL.
I don’t mind the kids table, because most of the time it’s us younger grand kids (My one cousin is 3 weeks apart from me in age!!)
I’m so happy I don’t have to sit with the 4 year old great grandson haha!! 😛
Thank you so much Christine!! When I lived in Toronto, We lived in the same complex as my uncle and my two older cousins, and we would always get together all the time. So I’m so used to being surrounded by this GINORMOUS family ahaha.
My favourite (Shhh!! Don’t tell anyone!! 😛 ) cousin, the one 3 weeks younger than me, she lives in South Carolina. And the rest of us are In Canada! So I’m so looking forward to seeing her, and my other close cousin, who just moved back to Canada from London England!!
Haul: Sephora: Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow (in Rose Gold Retro): I love it. It adds a little bit of colour to the eyes without having to add an eyeshadow underneath. It’s gliterry but I find that it does not make me look like a disco ball. I applied a small dot on the eyelids, and then use my finger to spread it. I worked one eye at a time as it dries fast. I didn’t use a primer.
Cover Fx Illuminating Setting Powder in Radiant Finish (travel size). I want to try this setting powder as the Laura Mercier Translucent one does not work well on me for some reason (it gets absorbed completely into my BB Cream or foundation, in a very short period of time). Maybe I’m doing something wrong but I get better results with the Bare Minerals Mineral Veil.
YSL Touche Eclat Blur Primer (discount promotion of $25): haven’t tried it yet but I heard good things about it.
NUDE Skincare Perfect Cleanse Omega Cleansing Jelly: it was on sale on Sephora and I heard Stephanie Nicole on YT raving about it. The NUDE Skincare was acquired by Beautycounter; hopefully Beautycounter will carry on the line’s successful formula starting January, as it does not contain harmful chemicals.
Crabtree & Evelyn: Classic Florals Hand Therapy Set (six hand creams @25g each); it was $30 (instead $48) + free shipping last week.
Clarisonic Canada: I finally bought a Clarisonic (Mia 3 w/t sensitive brush); I used the 25% discount by a YT blogger on any Clarisonic device (USA & Canada), so I finally gave in. I’ve been using it every night for more than a week now and I can say that it makes a difference in my case. I have dry, sensitive skin and no matter which products I’ve been using (Drunk Elephant, Paula’s Choice), my skin seemed not to absorb them; the pores got clogged easily and the skin looked dry and oily at the same time, if that makes any sense. Using the same skincare products, I can see a difference while cleansing with Clarisonic; they are well absorbed into the skin and the oiliness is gone. Three years ago I was put on a harsh hormonal treatment prior to my surgery for endometriosis (artificial menopause induced by monthly injections with Lupron Depot for a year); this treatment almost destroyed my skin without having any effect on my endometriosis, as I lost an ovary following a four-hour surgery to clean the endometriosis tissue from my abdomen and remove two ovarian cysts. My skin became very dry and somehow thick; I found myself with small bumps on my forehead and cheeks and the facials did not help. It seems that the Clarisonic device is helping me.
Weekend plans: Some cooking and preparing for Christmas.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?: The spell used by Dumbledore to clean up the house that Horace Slughorn was temporarily staying at, in Half Blood Prince 🙂 On a more serious note, I would love to decode what’s in the mind of the people I’m interacting with; something on the line of Dr. Paul Ekman’s ability to “read” people, portrayed by Tim Roth in the TV series “Lie to me”.
How did the eyeshadow hold up over time, Nicole? Any fallout?
Happy to hear the Clarisonic is working out for you! I haven’t used mine regularly in so long, but every time I do, I remember why it is so popular!
Love the YSL Blur Primer – it’s my HG. The scent took a bit getting used to, but it fades quickly.
Haul: Lush Rose Jam shower gel (I think that’s the only thing I’ve purchased for myself but I have the feeling there is something else and I just can’t recall what).
Weekend plans: wrapping gifts, getting younger son’s bedroom cleared out of all the stuff we’ve been storing in there so he can actually sleep in it, rather than sleeping in the guest room, doing the last of the grocery shopping and prepping the things I’m bringing to our family Xmas dinner.
Super-power – Oh, I have given this a lot of thought and I’ve developed a NEW “super power”. It’s call “Vehicular Vengeance”. I want to be able to smash into the cars of people who park in “no stopping” zones, who stop in rush hour traffic because “I’ll just be 2 minutes”, people who park blocking MY driveway, etc. I want to be able to smash the cars of these people and do it with impunity (that’s the “super power” part). I am just SO fed up with selfish drivers. Before that, the super power I wanted was to be able to drive a car with a standard transmission, so some of you can feel good that, to me, at least, you are a super-hero!
Oooh, someone blocking YOUR driveway, that’s really frustrating!!
What will you be making for your Christmas dinner, Mariella?
Well, they don’t usually block it entirely (except for the landscaping truck that does work for our next door neighbour…block HER driveway, why don’t you?) but we paid to have it widened so we can have both cars side by side rather than having to jockey the cars. But we paid for this convenience to US….not for other people to block it, figuring that we have enough room to dipsy-doodle around them. Generally, we just put a nice but stern note on their windshield but I’ve been tempted to call bylaw enforcement to issue a big, honkin’ ticket! But that almost bothers me less than people who figure they can park wherever they want or cut you off or make a left turn from the wrong lane….I’d like to just be able to crash into those people and get away with it!
I’m not hosting Xmas dinner this year so get off easy. I’m making a family favourite salad that we have always called “The Judi Variation” and an appetizer (probably guacamole, as that works for the people who don’t eat gluten). Our extra chairs, 3 folding tables and my big electric roaster have also been borrowed for the event, though I think this year it will only be around 20 people (when we’ve had it here, it’s been closer to 30).
Good boy, Mellan! I love that complete lasered-in attentiveness – he knows it’s coming, but . . . .must. . . . be . . . patient!
Haul:
Giorgio Armani Designer Lift and Maestro foundations – wanted to try their sheer and full coverage, as I already have Lasting Silk which is medium coverage. I wish their shade ranges were consistent across the board for easier selection online, though. I have Lasting Silk in 5.5, but in these 2, when I went to the website and went by their shade descriptions that I used for Lasting Silk (light, warm), it is # 4. I swatched on half my face and so far so good! I love their foundations and am very pleased with these.
Giorgio Armani Primer – I wanted to try this to use with the GA foundations, not sure if it will measure up to YSL Blur Primer, but then I suppose the bases have to match for any to be effective. Looking forward to trying this with my new foundations.
Chanel Les Ombres Codes Subtil, Codes Elegants – so excited to wear the gold on NYE! we’re probably staying in with a small gathering, but I’m still going to get dolled up. I was going to get the Joues Elegance and Libre, but I have dupes for both and I want to keep my lipstick buying to just MAC or Nars Audacious (and maybe to Tom Ford in 2017).
MAC Look in a Box(es) Be an Original, Be Sweet and Dreamy, Be a Little Naughty – just ordered and these should be here by Saturday. Love that they are all packaged separately now and that they include a mascara. I’m going to de-pot and put them all in their own palette (except the lipstick). I think these are great deals and I feel like I”m getting a lot of product for the money.
MAC Extra Dimension Eye shadows Stylishly Merry, Havana
MAC Lovejoy blush
Weekend plans: Leisurely clean the house, re-organize my stash (I feel like a little girl with dolls or toys when I do this – sometimes I’m just looking at it and not re-organizing it, just laying it all out so I can look over it annnnnd I just made it weird), laundry, cooking and just staying in. All of the holiday gifts are sent and everyone has been gifted, no more holiday gatherings to go to so I feel like I can finally relax.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Hands-on healing – I’m a curmudgeon but I can’t stand to see suffering, especially with animals. That or time-travel.
It is always weird when a brand uses the same shade naming system, but the shades are not consistent. I think that just makes no sense at all…
Hope you love the new Chanel quads – they have such a beautiful finish!
Pearl, I’ve had Havana since it first came out in the really large pans (I prefer the smaller ones, and the smaller price tag, since I’m never likely to finish even a small pan of eyeshadow). It is such a lovely colour – one of those very flattering shades that, even though it’s “brown”, is unique in its finish and the colour. Enjoy!
Thank you! I love the color – and the extra dimension finish is my favorite. 🙂
Which Armani primer did you get – the light master, fluid master or Maestro UV primer?
Fluid master (to go with Lasting Silk).
Haul: Butter London Glow Pen in Moonstone and Rose Gold, Bobbi Brown lipstick in Red Velvet, Smashbox Primer Oil (repurchase), Lancôme Cils Booster, KVD Metal Crush eye shadow in Paranoid. For my daughter I purchased Clinique Acne Care system, Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation and Concealer, Fiona Stiles Matte Foundation, ABH liquid lipstick in Sepia, Heathers and Potion and Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder in Translucent.
Weekend Plans: We are having Christmas dinner at my house this year and so the whole family minus one of my siblings will be here. I am cooking Prime Rib which makes me a little nervous because I have never prepared it at home. Luckily I have Joy of Cooking and can read a recipe so should be okay. It is the timing when you are cooking something you have never cooked before!
Super Power: I am going to go with flying although I would say time travel but that really isn’t a super power!
Good luck cooking the prime rib, Deborah! I’m sure you will do a great job with it! 🙂
Prime Rib – delicious! The ends will be more done than the middle when you are finished with the initial roasting; I myself like the end cuts, but most of my family like the rare – med. rare portions from the middle, so we always had a pan of consumme/au jus simmering on the back burner to dip those pieces (the middle cuts) in if they needed just a bit more donenss. Probably not the most elegant, but it worked and we didn’t have to hack off pieces and and send a lump of the roast back in the oven for more doneness.
Thank you so much for the advice. I don’t think my family will set to much value on how I get it done as long as I do !!! I did pick up supplies to make Au Jus and like you mentioned, my mom, daughter and I like the end cuts but the entire rest of the family likes it really rare. At this point I am just going to go with it and pray for the best.
It’s going to be great! Merry Christmas!
Haul: Smashbox Matte Liquid Lipstick Out Loud, Jouer Lip Topper in Skinny Dip and Tan Lines , I really love how much this brightens and last over dry or matte lipsticks!
Weekend Plans: Wrapping gifts, cooking for Christmas dinner, Washing my hair ,Getting ready to travel to Baltimore for my families Kwanzza celebration
If You could have any super power, what would it be? : To be able to give love and peace to any living creature.
I have heard so many great things about Smashbox’s liquid lipstick formula! Does it have a transfer-proof dry down?
Yes it does and it’s not as drying as most liquid lipsticks. Merry Christmas Christine!
Haul: I went a little HAM at Ulta, using my 20% off coupon….
– Dior Diorshow Mascara
– Jack Black Lip balms x3
– Lorac Porefection Baked Perfecting Powder x2 (this is my everyday powder foundation)
– Too Faced Born This Way Naturally Radiant Concealer
– Too Faced HangoveRx Primer
– Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette (I’m trying to figure out a way to “air out” the palette…WOW does it smell!)
– Beauty Blender (from Costco for $14.99!)
Weekend plans: Christmas Eve dinner with the family and Christmas morning with the family.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?: Reading minds.
Great haul, Audrey!! 🙂
What flavor of lip balm did you get?
Always the mint one (green)!
Haul Sephora: Rita Hazan Root Touch Up (didn’t manage to get my hair done before the holiday), Estee Edit Coco balm in Currant.
Nordstrom: backup Tom Ford A/W Eyeshadow Duo, Brow mascara in taupe, Thierry Mugler Muse perfum, invisibobble hair ties, Dior LE Matte lip and cheek in 003, Chantecaille rose face mist in the 1oz travel size, Glamglow mini mud in brightening/orange one, Chantecaille liquid lip matte in Suzy and Dorian (Suzy may go back – it’s too nude for me on its own and not sure I want to futz with a liner to change the color. Dovima and Carmen are beautiful, so I had to restrain myself. Lastly I grabbed the new Chantecaille mermaid shadow in Hematite.
Reporting back on La Mer The Powder… I really, really like it and I’m not a huge powder user. I wanted to give it a good test before giving a thumbs up or down and the verdict is it’s worth it. It gives a nice glowy finish to the skin without looking powdered or dry. I’m actually using it over a foundation I’m not loving and I still like the effect of the powder, which tells me I’m going to like it more over a foundation I like better. I’ve traveled with it successfully – through fits in well in the jar, so I’m not left with a huge mess. On my fair skin it doesn’t add color, just a nice bright effect but it isn’t a true translucent. Deeper skin tones should test in store to see what it translates to. This will last me a long time but it’s definitely a re-buy. I know the fandom for the original, but putting that aside, it’s a great powder and still a good amount of product.
Plans: up in Massachusetts through the New Year with the in-laws and a few days in Vermont with friends.
Superpower: hmmmm…telepathy maybe.
I’ve actually wanted to buy my mom the touch-up stuff – do you like it?
Thank you so much for reviewing the La Mer powder! Might have to try it after all 🙂
You know, it’s pretty good for covering greys on darker hair. I went with the lighter brown shade so it would blend in better. It has a small nozzle so you can focus it better and I used short little bursts to get the right amount of product; too long a burst and you’ll get more color than you probably want. You have to be a little carful around the hairline so you don’t get it on your face, but it comes off the skin easily. I spray above my ears and buff the edges with my fingers. It’s definitely quick if she doesn’t want to sit there with a brush going through every section but by bit and for $25 it’s not an expensive experiment.
My pleasure on the La Mer powder! I always feel like I look dry, even with normal skin, when I use powder so this was a nice find. I did have a little dry patch around my brows from a new acid and a small healing spot on my chin and the powder moved over it nicely, not emphasizing or clinging. I had hesitated because of the color in the powder but it wasn’t noticeable at all. Makes me wish I had tried the original!
Enjoy your parents’ visit! And happy birthday to Mellan!
Haul: Hubby got me a car for Christmas! Best haul ever!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 My old one died and would cost more to fix than it’s worth.
Notoriously Morbid — December Vanishing Cabinet (based on Gremlins); Black Friday The Upside Down Collection; The Winchester Gospels Collection; Mystic Mattes liquid lipsticks in Awful Good Girl and Night Divine; Highlighter in Power of the Fae; and loose eyeshadows in Boundary Issues, My Souls on Fire, and I Wanna Do Girly Stuff.
Weekend plans: Odds and ends shopping/errands and cooking tomorrow. Christmas Day we’re going to see Rogue One after we open presents and eat breakfast. A friend of mine will be joining us.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?: Invisibility. Perfect for someone with anxiety. 😉
Yay for a new car, Rachel!! 🙂 Did it have one of those giant ribbons that all the car commercials have? LOL! (I’m going to doubt it, and the cost to get a ribbon is probably atrocious!)
He said it did when he bought it, but he had to take it off to drive it home. He forgot his phone, so he couldn’t even get a picture. lol
Mellon looks like he waiting for Santa to arrive with his toys!
Haul: Clarin’s Joli Rouge Longwear Shine lipsticks in Spicy Cinnamon (no surprises here!) and Ginger – just absolutely gorgeous, long wearing shades
Back ups of Clarins Super Restorative Foundation in Linen
For Australian readers, I have discovered a new (to me) online Beauty retailer, Cosmetic Capital and they have had some amazing deals and products. Everything has been delivered promptly too.
Weekend Plans – Saturday – preparing, as much as I can, the food for Christmas Day on Sunday. I have wrapped all the presents, but have kept them hidden because the of two little elves that have been visiting this week (Olivia and Lachlan – who has been quite ill (hayfever, teething, eye infection) but is now better.
Sunday is Christmas Day – so we go to our old neighbours for brunch and to my twin sister for dinner, with her partner’s family. A big day.
Then on Boxing Day we have just our family for a seafood lunch, so the children aren’t too overwhelmed.
It will be a challenge this year, as we are having our first heatwave of the summer season too.
Happy Christmas Christine to you and your family. I hope you get to have a well earned rest and that Santa is kind to you.
Happy Christmas to all the great readers of this blog, this is a true online community of really lovely people and I love reading your comments.
Super Powers – Teleportation for sure. No more stuck in traffic jams. That would be heavenly.
Clarins makes some great products, don’t they?
What will you be making for Christmas dinner, Genevieve? So glad that Lachlan is doing better now. Merry Christmas to you and your family! 🙂
Thank you Christine.
My task this year is to make all the salads, as I am the Salad Queen in our family..
I am making:
Green and grain salad – mixed leaves, grated carrot and beetroot, Lebanese cucumber, feta, walnuts, pumpkin seed, avocado
Carrot Salad: grated carrots, chopped apple, cranberries, with a yogurt, apple cider and cumin dressing
Noodle salad: wombok, spring onions, pine nuts with shredded crisp noodles and dressing (olive oil, vinegar, soy sauce and a teaspoon of sugar)
I also meant to say that I have started using a few Clarins products lately and I have found them to be really good. The lipsticks are divine.
And yes, it is great that Lachlan is well. Both Nicholas and Anika had some really shocking nights with him – no sleep at all because he was so ill.
Best wishes for you and your family too.
Haul: Nothing, only things from my M&S beauty calendar. I’m liking my Burt’s Bees lip balm, wow the peppermint in it is strong! Loving my Rituals Sakura body cream, it’s very thick and has a lovely scent. The calendar’s been very strong on skincare and less so on makeup, I think it’s good though.
Plans for weekend: We’re at my parents’ for Xmas, had a long difficult drive up north today. Had bad weather but avoided the worst of Storm Barbara. We’ll go for a short walk tomorrow if the weather’s ok, and go to midnight mass at the church in the village. Xmas day will be a quiet do, will be interesting to see what our 2 and a half year old daughter makes of it. Last year she found it a bit overwhelming with all the presents and would only open one or two at a time.
Superpower I’d like to have: To eradicate all the bad in the world.
Glad you were able to avoid the worst of the storm – and so happy you made it safe and sound!
Phoenix is just getting hit by the rains that were in California, though we aren’t getting too much activity overall.
Haul: First Aid Beauty – Beauty-wise- Hello FAB 3 in 1 Superfruit Color Correcting Cushion, Anastasia Beverly Hills Self-Made Palette and Anastasia Beverly Hills Artist Palette off Depop. Non-beauty-wise I got some really awesome satin PJs from River Island and a bunch of candles from Anthropologie’s 30% off sale (that Boulangerie Espresso candle gives me life!)
Weekend plans: Christmas-y stuff? Not a lot planned though, just a meal. And I must shun my parents so I can watch the Sense8 special that just came out on Netflix.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?: It used to be either flight or telekinesis, but these days it would be super-healing for obvious reasons.
Hope you have a lovely Christmas, Anne, and have time to watch the Sense8 special!
It looks like he’s doing a little modified yoga pose, the little sweetheart! Hope he has a wonderful Christmas, does he get a little dinner too? We are bad and give ours a full dinner, albeit a tiny portion, which they love, they actually eat beside us. Yes, we are insane, and need help, but it’s Christmas!
He doesn’t! I would be fine with giving him a bit of protein, but he doesn’t seem to do well with random food – he’ll have tummy trouble later on, so we stick to his regular food. He does get extra treats and a long walk for his birthday, though 🙂
Haul: I let myself get talked into buying Deja Vu Dead Sea products at my local area mall. I picked up the serum and a cream. I’ll see how it works – which it better for the price tag.
Weekend plans: I work both at a hospital and a retail job, so my whole weekend is working, of course.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?: I would love a power that makes people behave more rationally and courteously whenever I’m nearby. I tire of stupid people.
May the work be as pleasant as it possibly can be! I figure that’s the nicest thing I wish for you given you are working a retail job during the holidays!
Haul: I finally get to try out my Two faced Sweet Peach eyeshadow and highlighter/bronze/blush palettes… so I can’t wait to try them out!
Weekend plans: Baking tons of cookies for Xmas eve and Xmas… and looking forward to hanging out with close family and friends. I’d love to get a fresh coat of paint on my nails, so plans to do that before I head to my sister’s for Xmas eve.
Super power: I’d love to be able to teleport! It would just make travel so much easier lol!
Hope you love your new Sweet Peach palettes, Vivian!
Haul: Ordered Wayne Goss’ Artist Brush. Will decide to keep when I receive it and see reviews. Bought a Bobbi Brown corrector and hand cream (discounted).
Weekend Plans: We may be in for a blizzard, so keeping an eye on the forecast. Spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with our extended families. Lots of visiting, eating, playing games, watching movies and football, and church on Christmas Eve.
Super power: I’d like to cure people of their illnesses.
Happy birthday, Mellan! Wishing everyone a joyful Christmas.
Keep us posted on how you like the Artist Brush!
The brush head is fine, but for the price point, I prefer Chikuhodo Zs or SUQQU (though I’m aware those aren’t a mix of hairs). I actually think my Hakuhodo squirrel/goat mixes are softer. The handle is sooo long, but if you have a lot of Make Up For Ever or Urban Decay brushes, it might not seem as long. It is definitely much longer compared to Wayne Goss’ other brushes, though.
Merry Christmas, Tracey!
Haul: This week nothing.
Weekend Plans: We celebrate Hanukkah, so lighting the candles and a festive family meal complete with brisket, potato pancakes, Brussels sprouts, and doughnuts and coffee for dessert.
Super Power: The ability to teleport to any place I desired, and the ability to teleport anyone that annoys me to the moon.
How fun! Any time spent with family and good food is always nice to do 🙂
LOL, I like that you wanted to be able to teleport… and to teleport others!!
Haul: I did get some things during the 20% off sale at Ulta… but it hasn’t arrived yet!
Weekend plans: Christmas Eve with duck dinner and opening presents with my immediate family, Christmas Day with extended family, roasted lamb and more presents!
If you could have any super power, what would it be?: Ability to heal people 🙂
Yum, duck! How does your family prepare the duck?
Aww Mellan’s a Capricorn like me! I knew I liked that dog, lol Happy Birthday Good Boy!
Hahaha!