Free for Haul Friday, Volume #411
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: Same as last week… just about all the holiday launches I’ve posted about, I’ve purchased something from!
- Weekend plans: I have adult errands to run like going to the bank to deposit foreign checks (always a nightmare!) and retirement planning. I’m hoping to spend the rest of the day getting some reviews written and then Saturday will be a photo/swatch morning!
- Are you ready for fall?: Fall is my favorite season, so… always… but being in Arizona now, with summers so hot (even though I find them tolerable since I’m inside so much), it will be a nice reprieve to fall below 100 degrees on average.
P.S. — Join us over in the official Temptalia chatroom on Discord! 🙂
This week's mellan photo/video...
Share your pet photos to the Temptalia Pets flickr group!
Haul: I haven’t had time at work to post my hauls. We were always incredibly busy but now it is exponentially busy. I started supervising my first social work intern approximately four weeks ago, and one of our fellow social workers was taken to another hospital for SIX WEEKS due to a unit not having a social worker at all. It’s going to be pretty rough for the next six weeks. Who am I kidding, it’s going to always be rough around here!
From the Ulta 21 days of beauty: Buxom Plumpline Lip Liners in Espionage, Dolly Danger, Hush Hush, Restricted and Covert Affair (like them all, most especially Covert Affair); NYX white eyeshadow base (it helps all eyeshadows pop); Bare Minerals Gen Nude Buttercream glasses in Heartbreaker, Forbidden and Snarky (I do like this formula and am not put off by the Playdough smell, and I really love Forbidden, which I am wearing today on top of Covert Affair); Benefit Roller Lash (this is second purchase, I like Roller Lash but I accidentally got brown); Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Face Wash (I buy one of these every time Ulta has 21 days of beauty, I use it to exfoliate my entire body before applying tanning lotions); Cover FX Perfect Setting Powder (I was excited to get this for half off, it’s been on my wish list for a year); and today I will pick up the Derma Doctor KP Duty AHA Moisturizer (for antiaging and exfoliation).
When I was in Chicago with my husband two weeks ago I picked up some fun new items that stood out to me (part of the fun of seeing beauty items in person). I fell in love with the MAC LipTensity formula and Clarecast is my absolute best color. I also picked up MAC’s Cremesheen lipstick in On Hold (I was surprised this was described as coral, as I have many coral lipsticks and on me this color is more of a almost nude soft warm rose). It is a fantastic color that brightens my look in a more subdued way than my normal in-your-face coral (which I also love BTW). I bought a lovely paisley shirt from Altered State (lovely isn’t exactly the right word, STUNNING is more the word) that is shot through with just a touch of royal blue (it is mostly brown/bronze/dark gold). I immediately wanted royal blue eyeliner and mascara to wear with it, so I picked up the Sephora brand eyeliner and mascara. I haven’t actually worn these yet as we are having some kind of heat wave in Illinois (it’s been in the 90s all week) but I am excited to give these a try as soon as I can bear to wear sleeves again. Since I was trying the royal blue, I also picked up the purple eyeliner and matching mascara.
From the Sephora Weekly Wow I picked up two Tarties Matte Lip Paints (Bounce and Fly). I still haven’t tried either, as I don’t do well with matte liquid lipsticks, so I may just return them unused. Anyone had any luck with these? I am 51, so age is part of the equation here.
While picking up the Tartiest Matte Lip Paints, Buxon’s Full On Lip Cream in Rose Julep caught my eye, so I grabbed it to gloss up the matte lip paints.
Lastly, I got a deluxe sample of the fragrance Assam of India from Scentbird. I could wear this fragrance every day, all the time. It’s just right up my alley. However, the staying power is no good. It’s completely gone in three hours, even my husband cannot smell it so I know it’s not just me.
Weekend plans/recent events: We had a tragedy in our neighborhood on Wednesday. A young man who had robbed a bank was killed by police officers just a few houses away from us after pointing a gun at police officers. The standoff lasted almost three hours, and unfortunately, my 20 year old son and his friends witnessed the event. My street was closed off until close to midnight. Yes, I knew him and yes this is very, very sad. This weekend I will focus on rest and self-care.
Am I ready for fall? No! I have decided summer is my favorite season. It took me awhile to warm up to summer, lol, after living in Phoenix, AZ, for 16 years. But seriously, as pretty as fall is in the Midwest, nothing compares to the delicious warmth of the summer sun on my bare arms, legs, and feet, and no color palette suits my skin tone better than the bold teals and corals of summer. I never want it to end.
I heard there are some staying power issues with that Berdoues line..I haven’t tried Assam but the bottle is so cute! Not affiliated at all but Parfum1 is a good place to buy that line…they got twenty to twenty-five percent off specials often.
I wish they would fix the problem because this is one of the best-smelling perfumes, and I own (embarrassingly) more fragrances that I am willing to admit.
Tammy what a great haul! I have tried the tarte matte lip pants twice and twice I’ve taken them back. They just don’t feel great on the lips to me.
So sorry about that kid being killed. How horrible to witness that so close to home!
Awww, I should probably just return them before I open them 🙁
Great haul Tammy! I work in a hospital and I think you summed up the reality pretty well here…
I’m really curious about the LipTensity formula – what are your thoughts?
Hope your weekend is relaxing – feeling sad for your family and your neighbors.
So yes, the hospital, I don’t understand why we can’t hire an adequate number of employees to get the job done! (All of us are working 10+ hours a day.)
LipTensity is pigmented and moisturizing without being so slippery that it runs all over the place. I like strong coverage in my lip products with enough moisture for my older lips, but I also need the color to stay on my lips and not end up feathering. This formula works for me.
I LOVE this in every way!
Thank you, Linda.
I’m so sorry to hear about what happened to the young man, and that your son had to witness it. ((((((hugs)))))
This event was hard on so many levels, some of which I’m not at liberty to discuss. I knew the person who died and I cannot wrap my mind around the belief that this event had to end in his death. The fact that it happened in my neighborhood and my son was there to witness it moved it from a sad but removed event to an up-close-and-personal event. The fact that it was an African American male killed by the police makes it more of an controversial/ethical dilemma. I guess what really has me thinking is that I am trained every year in non-violent deescalation techniques that actually are very effective, and I am really beginning to question the way these types of situations are handled.
So many social issue sorrows on top of the personal ones. I imagine it will take the community a long time to heal. Sending prayers and love to you all.
It’s just awful what has happened in your neighbourhood Tammy – terrible for all concerned.
It is so terrible, Genevieve. My heart just aches for his family. I saw the lights on in their home last night, and it’s just so hard, wondering what they are thinking and feeling, wondering why this happened, wondering how we can make it better. And we can’t, not for this family. Nothing will make this better.
There really is a need for clinical teams to go out with police in these kinds of situations to best handle events like these. We’ve had this kind of issue too, but luckily not so close to home. In the end police command, here in Victoria, did train a number of people as part of a clinical team for these situations and so far, when they have been employed, it has worked well.
Spending money on infrastructure to the community is a necessity I think and the work you do is just so vital for the community at large.
How is your son travelling Tammy? It must have so awful for him and his friends.
Haul: nothing
Weekend plans: I’m going to a historic house and garden tomorrow. Other than that…probably cleaning and maybe scrapbooking
Are you ready for fall?: I LOVE FALL. I’m ready for all things October: birthday, visit with bff, and ATL.
Haul: Colourpop I Think I Love You, some cheapo Eco-tools brushes…Becca highlighter mini in Vanilla Quartz and Super Mario lip gloss in Saved Peach.
Weekend plans: Still gently trying to maybe get that pigeon to find another home besides my porch! It is super cute that everyday he is on my porch light hanging out…but he gotta go somehow…cause he is messy!
Fall: What is fall? Lol. I saw snow today on the higher elevations…so already seeing snow…it goes from very hot..to super cold…I wish I had fall. Lol. And summer is my fave season…as winter here is like six months long…so…not really ready..I like my sunshine:( but gotta accept it I guess.
Haul: I went a little crazy at Sephora…I needed retail therapy ok? LOL
Too Faced Just Peachy eyeshadow palette, Too Faced Sweetie Pie bronzer, Too Faced Peach My Cheeks blush, (I normally hate scented products from Too Faced but these smell really nice to me and I love all things peaches so I’m loving this collection). Also picked up the Too Faced Better than Sex mascara in waterproof but I don’t like how high maintenance it is to apply.
Fenty Beauty matchstix matte skinstick in Almond and the Fenty Beauty matchstix shimmer skinstick in Yacht Life.
Tarte Claystick foundation and Tarte smoothie blender foundation brush
Too Cool for School Dinoplatz lip balm in Spilled Wine
Milk Makeup Micellar water makeup remover wipes
Tom Ford Lips and Boys lipsticks in Christopher, Tony, and Leonardo
Estee Lauder highlighter in Modern Mercury
Anastasia BH Glow Kit in Sun Dipped
Weekend Plans: washing my makeup brushes to try all my new makeup 😀 and also cooking up a feast of Salvadoran food with my mom for a party
Are you ready for fall?: Yes! I live in Texas and let’s just say I also enjoy cooler temps…I love crisp cold mornings and evenings, and I love pumpkin spice lattes, and cozy sweaters and wearing layers.
Modern Mercury is everything it’s cracked up to be!
I haven’t had a chance to really play with it yet but am so excited as I was thinking about how I don’t own many spectacular highlighters.
What a great haul! I hope you enjoyed every minute of it and love your new products!. I love my Anastasia Glow Palette in Sun
Dipped and have been wearing it this week. I have five Lips and Boys and all of them are great!
Thank you and yes I had the greatest time shopping for these things. I went to the store by myself and just spent like 2 hours looking at everything. Haven’t had a chance to play with the Glow kit yet but have heard so many good things about it.
I have five Lips and Boys now too. I already owned Michael and Rafael (low key Jane the Virgin fan lol) and feel like these Tom Ford lipsticks are some of the best on the market!
Haul: I redid my entire makeup storage system so it’s not all stacked on top of my vanity. I had some target gift cards and bought a 6-cubby cube organizer and drawers for it. Now stuff is grouped better and less accessible to my cats.
No new makeup. I did get suckered in by Target’s halloween stuff though and bought a purple bat “neon sign” light, purple fairy lights, purple path lights (our front door is set back behind the garage), black snakeskin patterned pillar candles, and an acrylic coffin box.
Weekend plans: Paint the guest bedroom & bathroom. Go down to the old house and dust/sweep/make sure everything is in order for closing next Friday (though I might do that on Tuesday).
Are you ready for fall? YES if it ever gets to be fall lol! it was 95 yesterday which is pretty ridiculous for Chicago this time of year.
I feel like it’s only fair that we get some 90 degree days in early Fall because it regularly snows here on the first day of Spring! 🙂
Haul: a Dose matte lip when they were on sale for my sister (Christmas Gift) and the new Peach Foundation!
Weekend plans: Spooky movies and grilling- a fall & summer combo since the summer weather is still hanging on.
Are you ready for fall? YES! And I have been for months! I love fall!
Joan, hopefully your sister doesn’t read Temptalia or her Christmas surprise isn’t going to be a surprise, lol😁
Haha, I haven’t shared the secret of temptalia awesome-ness with her yet! 😉
Haul: L’Oreal Infallible Total Cover, to use on my legs because I would like to wear dresses for a bit.
Week-end plans: none. I woke up with a cold yesterday and am not feeling so hot
Ready for fall? Yes, in the sense that I have clothes for cooler weather easily available and the Sephora collections I bought last week have some heavier moisturizer in them. Mentally I am not at all ready. Although I loved the start of school, fall is my least favorite season.
I have just got over a really bad cold so I can sympathise Lesley. Throat gargles, saline nose drops and panadol really helped. I hope you get better soon.
Thank you so much, Genevieve.
Haul: Kat von D Shade & Light Eyeshadow Palette. This has quickly become my HG of eyeshadow palettes. They’re incredibly easy to blend. It took me a long time to finally get this palette, but I’m so very happy with it.
Weekend plans: Visiting family, chores
Are you ready for fall? Clothing-wise, yes. I love fall clothes, even if it’s too hot to wear them. It can be 90 degrees in the middle of October and I’ll still wear boots. Makeup-wise, I don’t really change anything about my makeup due to the time of year. Season-wise, I’m ready for hurricane season to be over, but we still have a long way to go.
Haul: Nothing yet, though I’m considering that Tarte set. Since moving off base, we’re on a much shorter leash for our discretionary spending. Plus I’m back to supporting my sister full time, so my entire paycheck is gone pretty much.
Weekend: I’ve got a full load planned, shopping for food/house stuff, cleaning two houses (my new one and my old one), and luckily a message on Sunday. I’m overdue for one. I joined hand and stone for a monthly visit but I’ve been so busy I haven’t been able to get in for almost two months. I often suck at self-care and I’m trying to get better.
Fall: It’s my favorite season too, so yeah I’m ready. I’m not ready for PSL, legwarmers, han solo sloan rangers, or seahawks mania. I know I’m a hater. I’m not ready for my next Bday though.
How are you travelling Erin? You seem to have had a rough couple of months and hopefully your new house is better. Is your sister ill?
We didn’t travel far, just to another town by the base but it’s been about 8k of an adventure because the army keeps refusing to give us our housing allowance, meaning we’ve had to pay first, security, pet deposit, and application/admin fees ourselves, plus the seconds months rent out of pocket. It’s really the extra 2k doing me in. The moving fees for help and the truck were about $500. We don’t really have friends in the area and my husband was working on the days we needed to move furnishings/appliances.
My sister is the reason we needed to move off base. They don’t allow family to live with you. My sister is currently in outpatient rehab. She lost her job and her roommate kicked her out when they found out. So she and her dog had nowhere to go. Most of her friends were “party” people and they made it clear they wouldn’t want her cramping their style. So to keep my sister from living off the street, I moved to help her. I’m her chauffeur, cook, and doggie daycare for the time being. I treat her as I’d want to be treated and feed her the same things I’m eating, so it’s not cheap. I don’t make much, only about 2k a month. It’s a huge financial burden.
We also just found out we are getting transferred to AZ which they were not supposed to do because we were supposed to stay here in WA until he left the army. Meaning I just spent all this money for potentially nothing. We’re trying to work it out because I don’t want to move again and we don’t have the money to live off base in AZ. We’d need a better/bigger/dog-friendly house than the army is willing to pay for.
To be honest, with this and everything else going on, I’m at my wit’s end.
Oh Erin, no wonder you have had a rough time! Not only are you and your husband being screwed around by the army, you are also taking care of your sister full time as well. Is there anyone at the army base you can appeal to? I guess you have tried every avenue. This is all so unfair.
I am sure that your sister appreciates everything you are doing for her and the financial burden is huge for you.
I wouldn’t want to be moving all the time either, with the financial costs of bonds and rent. I really hope that there is an end to this soon for you.
Erin, I am so sorry. That is absolutely crappy how you guys are being treated. It’s a crying shame how we treat our armed forces. I’m hoping it gets worked out and you get your housing allowance and won’t have to move again. ((((hugs))))
Erin, I am so sorry to hear about all that is going on in your life. I have had similar issues in the past and can only say that taking one day at a time is all that I could do. I hope and pray that everything will soon work out for you. I am so thankful for your families service and recognize daily that the freedom’s we enjoy come at a great sacrifice by military families. Nothing is too much to thank our military for their service. I will pray that you are able to stay where you live now and that your sister is able to successfully complete her recovery. Try to find time for yourself. Take care.
Haul:
KVD: Saint + Sinner Eyeshadow Palette, Mini Tattoo Liner (Trooper, GWP) – Arrives today. Not sure I’m going to bother to swatch it.
Lime Crime (20% off): Pocket Candy Palettes Pocket Candy (Pink Lemonade, Sugar Plum) – Shipped but not received yet
MAC: Zoom Lash/Little MAC (Plum Reserve, Beets Me), MAC x Nicki Minaj Lipstick The Pinkprint, Nicki’s Nude). Both lipsticks are a love for me (surprisingly!)
MAC (15% off): Zoom Lash/Little MAC (High Esteem), MAC Studio Quiktrik Stick (Softly Does It/Tight and Tawny), Extra Dimension x2 Compact MAC Select (Preferred/Private Reserved) Thanks Katherine for alerting me to the MAC Select duo! Just ordered this morning.
Macy’s (15% off): Urban Decay Afterglow Blush (Rapture). Backup.
Notoriously Morbid ($20 off): Crystalline Eye/Face Highlighter Pressed Palette, Pumpkin Halo/Sleepy Hallow Sept Crypt Creation. Not shipped yet.
Saks: Guerlain Mon Precieux Nectar Extract 4.2 oz, Tote with Samples, $35 Gift Card (GWP), 3 samples
Sephora (15% off): Buxom Metalix Lip Glide (Violet Spark). I hope BUxom releases more shades. I now own all 4 and they’re all good.
Sephora: Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick (Amber), GWP – Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil (Flirting Game). Testing amber today. Worked perfectly as a cooltoned contour for fair-light skin. Seems to be wearing well.
Ulta: IT Airbrush Complexion Perfection Brush #115, Dermalogica Travel Size Daily Superfoliant (Beauty Steals), Earth Therapeutics Foot File
Ulta (In Store): I exchanged a backup Algenist primer and the lousy Laura Geller toppers and bought bareMinerals Stroke of Light (Luminous 1), Pur Disappearing Act (Porcelain). I love the Stroke of Light. The Pur is the wrong shade so it’s going to be exchanged.
Weekend plans: Tonight after work I have to go with my daughter to the vet. The feral rescue kitten got really sick again and it’s his follow-up. We’re also discussing whether her other cat will undergo a thyroidectomy or go 4 hours away to UVA for high dose iodine therapy. After, I’m sure she’ll con me into buying dinner. Saturday morning I have an early hair appointment. Might go to Ulta.
Are you ready for fall?: I’m ALWAYS ready for Fall! Sadly it’s almost 90 here today and it doesn’t look like it’s going to be Fall-like for a while.
I hope the kitty cat gets better; vet bills are SO expensive too. It’s always wonderful to read your hauls Michele. I hope you have some fun playing with them.
Thank you. I think we just hit $7,000 for the 3 cats in treatment! 🙂
Bless you for taking such good care of them.
OMG – I hope you take out lottery tickets Michele – just for your vet bills!
Hoping for the best for the kitties!
Thank you!
Haul: Hourglass Metallic Strobe palette, which I am loving! So shiny 😍. I did end up returning the Becca Apres Ski palette- not enough color variation and frankly some of the shades weren’t even that shimmery.
Weekend plans: Catch up on sleep and enjoy this heat wave Chicago is having- the second half of our summer was very cool, which I found disappointing. I love summer! So I am happily soaking up the sun on these bonus warm days.
Are you ready for fall?: I dont mind fall but I’m already dreading winter… I hate the cold!!
I’m not too far away (Peoria, IL) and I have been LOVING the heat wave! Like you, I love love love summer! And fall, as beautiful as it is, only makes me think of winter, which is an unbearable thought.
Your Mellan and my Scunch are such contortionists! Loving this adorably relaxed pic of Me. Mellan!
Haul: MAC x Nicki Minaj: Nicki’s Nude Lipstick, N•U•D•E Lipglass, and also Among The Fireflies and (late last night) Mmmmm lipsticks. When ordering Mmmmm, I also bought Electroplate eyeshadow from their Goodbyes. Not sure whether I bought the Fenty Universal lipgloss before or after last Friday’s FFH? But I absolutely adore how wonderful it both looks and FEELS.
Weekend plans: Y’all know the drill; hair, possibly nails (although they still look great, so?), meeting on Sunday. But I’m also dealing with either a bug in my GI tract or a nasty flare-up from my Crohn’s. Last night was just plain awful. Couldn’t even eat the beautiful salmon dinner I cooked. Bummer.
Are you ready for Fall?: Oh gosh, YES. Months ago, in fact. Fall here is actually just like late summer in NJ, so it makes me long to go back there. 15 long AZ summers to many for me. Fall in NJ is SPLENDID! The trees turning so many different shades of red, orange, gold, even plum!
My sister has diveritculitis and I know how horrible that can be, but Crohn’s is much worse – so I am thinking and praying for you Nancy.
Would it ever be possible for you to return to NJ? I know how much you dislike the AZ summers.
Thank you, Genevieve! Anyone who has seen Adam Sandler’s The Waterboy will get what I mean when I say: “Crohn’s is the Devil!” But, diverticulitis is no joke, either. Both are painful, debilitating diseases.
As for moving back to NJ, I think about it all the time. However, the one thing holding me back is that my children are here. One is 28, the other just turned 31, so they’re both adults with their own lives. Yet I still have the feeling that I’d be abandoning them?
Yes, I understand totally what you mean about leaving AZ with your kids there. And even though they are adults, they are still your children.
I hope your Crohn’s has settled down a bit today for you.
Hope you feel better soon, Nancy, and eat a special meal to celebrate when you do.
I’ve been on a no-buy for the whole year and although I have fallen off the wagon, I’ve mostly been good. But I did place a ColourPop order that should show up in the next couple days and I am excited! I got three pressed powder eyeshadow singles (Liar, Liar, Come and Get it, and Snake Eyes), one SuperShock eyeshadow (As it Waves) and a pink pressed powder highlighter (Go Honey). I’m a wee bit nervous about Snake Eyes and Go Honey because there haven’t been Temptalia reviews yet but fingers crossed. (Christine did post a swatch of Go Honey and it LOOKS perfect but we shall see!)
Weekend plans: I have a few tentative plans but I’ve been so tired lately I might just stay home and rest.
Fall: YES. This summer was super hot and I am ready for chilly weather.
Haul: I purchased the Sephora Give Me More Lip set. I want to try new lip products and this one has Wander Lips, Bobbi Brown, Huda liquid lip, Touch Sol, & Too Faced Melted Latex. All ones I haven’t tried so that’s exciting. Such a good package this year. I also got BiTE Beauty Mini Amuse Bouche Liquid Lipstick Set. Then I got a sample of Rihanna’s foundation in 480. I think I need a different color so I am trying a sample in hopes to see if this one work. I got a new Boscia Knojac Cleansing sponge, Another NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment in Star Woman and I wanted to try new skin care so I picked up the Farmacy Skin Savior Kit to try and so far I am loving it. Then I got the ABH tinted brow gel in Granite.
Weekend plans: This weekend is lowkey. My job is having their annual Gala Fundraiser and I’m volunteering so I get to dress up in cocktail attire and schmooze with wealthy folk while we ask for their money. Then HULU put Will & Grace in streaming so I am like a kid in a candy store. It’s gonna be me, will, Anastasia Beaverhosen, Just Jack and Gracie!
Are you ready for fall?: FALL is my favorite season!! I haven’t fall organized my closet yet. I change my closet every season to have that seasons items hanging on top and shoes and boots ready so that’s exciting cause I get to go through my wardrobe and see whats needed for winter which means SHOPPING time! lol
Mo, I hope you like the Sephora lip favorites. Huda liquid lip is my favorite liquid lip formula. It doesn’t dry my lips out. I love Muse.
I am so curious about the Huda lip products. I didn’t realize there was a small one in the Give Me More Lip set. I might have to check that out.
I got Huda lip strobes and I LOVE them!! They’re just a gloss but still they’re beautiful so I’m hoping the liquid lipsticks are great too.
Mellan goes, yes, there’s the spot!
*Haul – Loreal x Balmain Lipstick in Fever! My local Saks has them in stock already. The swatch is a scary looking 70s orange, but love the color on my lips. It’s the first orange lipstick that I can pull off, think because it has yellow undertones that go well with mine. MAC Select Duo Compact with Extra Dimension Blush / Highlighter in Selected & Superb – got sucked in by the pretty, wearable colors and embossing. And I got Lorac Mega Pro 4 and KVD Saint & Sinner shadow palettes coming soon, will report back next week
*Weekend – getting ready for upcoming family vacation to San Diego. If anybody has any fave restaurants/activities, let me know
*Oh yes, we’ve had some cray weather here in SF (dry heatwaves of 90-106F, then tropical humidity) and with many houses not having A/C, more than ready for fall
Whenever my orange lipsticks aren’t quite right on their own, I pop them on top of a more red lipstick, or I pop a hint of pigmented nude or pink gloss in the center. I am at the point where I can make most orange lipsticks work.
Thanks for the tips Tammy!
Haul: Mac Mineralize Skin Finish Natural – which I use as a powder foundation. This is the first time I’ve used it and I’m really impressed – it’s a great color match, nice natural finish with perfect light/medium coverage, and plays well with powder highlighters/blushes. I ordered MacxNicki Minaj lipstick in The Pinkprint (though Christine’s review of it was not stellar), but haven’t gotten it yet. I might go back for Nicki’s Nude with the 15% off. UD Lipstick in Heartache – haven’t tried it yet but I’m excited to! I also got the Becca highlighter in Lilac Geode – super pretty but BLINDING and that’s just not “me”, so I gave it away.
Weekend plans: out to dinner with my sis for her birthday, taking my boys shoe shopping, going to a party on Saturday night, getting some exercise on Sunday (mountain biking if the weather is good, gym if it’s raining).
Ready for fall?: Mixed emotions. Our summer has been brutally hot so I’m not sad for that to end, but we seem to have gone straight from 90-degree heat to 50’s and rainy. No beautiful fall weather with 70-80 degree temps?!! As much as I love skiing, I’m not quite ready to stop mountain biking so I’m hoping the rain lets off and we actually GET a fall…
Here in Melb Aus, we tend to go straight from winter to summer (eg today is 30 celcius and last week it was 12 c) and it is so disconcerting. But we often have a pretty good autumn.
Haul:
Sephora- Huda Beauty Desert Dusk palette x 2, Milk Makeup Oil Stick, Milk Makeup Blur Stick.
Target-Cover Girl Healthy Elixir Foundation and several face masks.
I have to mention how I broke my own rule and ordered the Huda palette. I had promised myself that I would never stay up and wait for a palette to drop. I wasn’t even particularly interested in this palette but my daughter wanted it. I knew that there was a chance it would sell out and then she would have to wait for an unknown amount of time. I didn’t have any idea what time the palette was suppose to drop and so figured it might be midnight EST. That time came and went on Sephora and no palette drop. I kept seeing an icon for the chat which I had no idea that Sephora even had but clicked on it and everyone was asking the same question, “Where is the palette? When is it suppose to drop?” About 1 AM someone who works at Sephora said that it was going to drop at midnight PST. I quickly went to the page and it still said that it was “coming soon”. Back and forth and lots of refreshing and still no palette. Many people were saying they had purchased and many like me did not see it available. I was about to give up as it was already about 1:30 AM when someone came on and said, “add the palette to your loves list and then click add to bag and it will go through. I did and sure enough, it did. I went to bed being fairly sure that I had purchased a palette for my daughter and myself that was going to be sold out when I woke in the morning. I got up and the palette was still available. That was God telling me that my original plan not to buy into the hype and stay up to try and get a product was the correct action. I swear, never again!! Let’s see how long I can maintain that plan, LOL.
Weekend plans: Not much. It has turned quite cold here and my system hasn’t adjusted yet. We went from heat, fire and smoke one week to literally cold and snow this week. I am sure we will probably have an Indian Summer in October but for right now I haven’t adjusted so remaining in out of the cold.
Ready for fall? I definitely am. It was such a difficult late summer with all of the forest fires and the smoke being so heavy that you couldn’t be outside for any length of time. I am happy to have it cool off and see the trees begin to change to fall colors. In general, fall is my favorite season of the year. I love everything about it including the changes in makeup colors. Not that I always adhere to the accepted color palette but I do like a vampy lip.
Thank goodness those fires have ceased Deborah – our fire season is heating up to be a bad one, particularly in NSW.
I am sure your daughter will love the Huda palette and will thank you from the bottom of her heart for it.
I am so happy that this summer is over. I hate to say that since they are predicting a particularly long, cold winter here in Montana but I would rather deal with the cold and snow than continue to breath that smoke filled air. I am still coughing even though the smoke has been gone for about 5 days. I will be praying that your fire season is not so bad as ours. I don’t know about Australia but the majority of our fires are started by dry lightening strikes and there just isn’t anything you can do about it. The randomness of it is particularly difficult.
I am truly blessed that my daughter is appreciative of everything she gets and rarely actually asks for anything, although I purchase a lot for her she isn’t expecting it or hounding me for things.
Our fires often start by exploding eucalyptus tree leaves, arsonists and lightening. NSW is already on fire alerts because of the unseasonably hot spring weather they have been experiencing. The smoke clouds and ash really play havic with your breathing, so I bet you’ll be glad of some autumn weather. Do you get snowed in during winter?
Exploding eucalyptus leaves? I have never heard of that. Is it the oil in the leaves that gets so hot that they explode? I love the scent of eucalyptus. I grew up in Southern California and there are a lot of eucalyptus trees. The smell of the trees coupled with salt air always remind me of my youth.
Yes, I do get snowed in sometimes and last year was the worst. I was housebound from early January through late March. My brother would come and blow the snow out and then try and get my car out and it was futile. I would hike out to the road and he would pick me up there to go shopping for groceries and to get my mail. They are predicting an equally long, cold winter this year. Climate change is real, IMO. One thing about being housebound for a long period is on-line shopping therapy. I think I purchased more makeup during that period of time than I did the whole previous year. I also had plenty of time to play with it, LOL.
Yes, it is the oil in the leaves that get so hot that they explode.
Does it get a bit scary being snowed in? I think I would get cabin fever and I understand how important the internet is for you and not just for online shopping.
Your daughter sounds like a really lovely girl, but then I think she has a wonderful mum too.
Genevieve, my brother-in-law fights fires in Perth. He spends about 6 months there every year. He loves Australia.
Always pretty hot in Perth during summer and they had some bad bushfires last year. I hope your brother in law keeps safe and it is a pretty part of the world.
You got the number one palette on my wish list! I love the formula for Huda’s mattes, I know not everyone loves them but they work for me. They are soft and blendable and do not make the wrinkles on my eyelids stand out like other mattes can do. I hope you like it so much that you don’t regret the drama surrounding the purchase, lol.
As I said, I wasn’t particularly interested in it but since I was buying one for my daughter I thought I would go ahead and pick one up for myself and if I really hated it I could give it to one of her friends. They are always willing to take makeup off my hands and since my daughter and I have such different skin types, tones and shades my products tend to work better for her pale friends. Anyway, ordered and it arrived really quickly which was something else I was surprised about given the number of palettes they were shipping out. I have to say I was pretty happy with the overall purchase process this time and the palette arrived really well packaged which is not always the case with Sephora. Happy they had enough palettes for the initial launch and everyone who wanted one could get it.
When the package arrived I opened the palette and was stunned with how beautiful it is. The outside is gorgeous and the inside has a translucent over lay that lets you see the shadows but has her eyes on it and the look of the shadow through that overlay is amazing. They swatch like a dream and I haven’t used it yet because I have been painting furniture for my craft room and didn’t feel like putting makeup on but can’t wait to use it.
Now I am wondering about the Natasha Denona palette. I really like the looks of that one also but my only experience with her shadow formula has not been a good one.
I think if you like the Huda shadows you would not be disappointed in this palette. Truly beautiful.
I know I will love it, I’m just trying to wait until October to stay within my makeup budget. Thank you for the feedback, now I’m even more excited!
BTW, I do the same for one of my adult daughters. She is an amazing mother to my three grandchildren, works hard to raise these children on an extremely limited budget, and she never asks for anything. I try to indulge her a bit by buying her a few nice things a year (okay, more than a few) because she loves makeup as much as I do and would never be able to afford these products.
You are a good mom!
Thank you Leslie, I do try to be. I had my daughter later in life, 40 years old, and truly thank God for her. I hadn’t planned on having any children and then the choice was removed and it was clear immediately that being a mother was such a special relationship. Had I never had her I doubt I would have felt anything missing but glad I don’t have to miss this special bond. She was born a momma’s girl and that hasn’t changed. We are super close and have been through a lot including my having cancer, divorce and the loss of two of her best friends from cancer at really young ages. She is sensitive, caring and very strong. She has strong opinions and isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes. Sometimes that part of her personality scares me a little and she is trying to be more aware of exactly who she is speaking to but without compromising her principles.
I enjoy buying things for her and have “spoiled ” her according to many of my family and her friends but she has never expected or demanded anything and it is my pleasure to buy for her.
Reading this makes me feel so good. Thank you for sharing.
Deborah, this was so nice to read – what beautiful sentiments. You and your daughter are lucky to have each other. I have 2 boys and as much as I believe I was made to be a mother of sons, I have a close relationship with my own mom and I feel a certain sadness that I won’t have that with a daughter (and that my boys will likely leave me when they grow up)! Hope you’ve had a great weekend and thanks for your openness and warmth :).
I’m glad you were able to get the palette! I’m with you on the forest fire situation. The cooler weather and little bit of rain we’ve had this week have helped a lot. It’s so nice to be able to breathe here again.
Haul:
Besame: Rose and Pink Masterliner Lip Pencil, Cocoa and Naturale Masterliner Lip Pencil (both half off and still available) and the Snow White Storybook Palette.
Beautylish: Charlotte Tilbury Instant Eye Palette
Ulta 21 Days of Beauty sale: MAC Russian Red and Velvet Teddy lipsticks, Dose of Colors Matte Liquid Lipsticks in Mondaze, Truffle and Rosebud. I might return the Dose liquid lipsticks. I love the colors, but can’t seem to get them to look good on my lips.
Weekend plans?: Not that I can think of. Mowing the lawn maybe.
Are you ready for fall?: YES. I’ve never liked summer that much, and this one has been so hot and humid. I can’t wait for cooler weather.
I’m glad they were sold out then? All but a red shade was sold out when I tried to order for the Ulta 21 Days sale. I didn’t find the deals that impressive. I picked up the Roller Lash Mascara for my daughter and that was about it 🙁
I’m sorry they were sold out. I actually stayed up until 12am (CT, when the sale started) to order mine and ended up looking at swatches/comparing colors for about 45 minutes and when I went to place my order half of them were already sold out.
Yeah, I don’t know if I’d say you missed out on anything. I know a lot of people love them, but I’m really on the fence. I was happy with them at first because they stay true to color on me (unlike most liquid lipsticks, which usually dry very gray or orange), but they cake up so easily. If you go back in to even out the color or press your lips together at all-instant product build up. Also, the Truffle shade does that white pigment on the inner lip thing that is so gross. I’m still trying out different things, but if they don’t improve soon I’ll take them back.
I think a lot of people feel that way. I found a few things to get-the Nars cheek palette, Dose lipsticks and the MAC lipsticks, so it worked out ok for me, but I do agree that nothing was earth shattering or super fun. I wish they had more eyeshadow palettes and things like that in the sale.
🙂 Mellan 🙂
Haul: Some of this is from last week or two, but I forgot to them on my hauls.
*Sephora — Kat von D Saint + Sinner palette; Bite Beauty lipliner and MUFE liquid lipstick point perks; samples.
*ColourPop — She Pressed Powder Shadow Palette; Powder Shadow/Pigment in Team Captain, Paper Tiger, Cannonball, and Rosé All Day. Ultra Satin Liquid Lipstick in Dohee (free gift).
*SugarPill — Poison Plum Pressed Eyeshadow; U4EA Lipstick; Trinket Liquid Lip Color.
*Apocolyptic Beauty (etsy) — eyeshadows in Pumpkin King, Frog’s Breath, Deadgirl, Ginger Snap, End of the World, Existential Vampire, Sinister Sonia, and the Sun & Moon Eye and Face Collection.
*e.l.f. — Mad for Mattes Eyeshadow Palettes in Summer Breeze and Holy Smokes; Rose Gold Eyeshadow Palette; Baked Highlighter in Apricot Glow; Best Friend Eyeshadow Duo in Tea For Two and Soul Mate; Highlighting Brush (love!); HD Powder in Corrective Yellow; Matte Lip Color in Scarlett Night and Rowdy Rouge.
*Notoriously Morbid Vanishing Cabinet — Clue-inspired extra large collection.
Weekend plans: Nothing special
Are you ready for fall?: YES! It was way too hot for too long this year. Even worse with the forest fires that have been going on the last few weeks. Plus, October holds my birthday, Halloween, and a Depeche Mode concert. 🙂
Rachel, you are like my guru for indie brands and unusual color products. I always go check them out after reading your hauls and have ordered a few based on your hauls. I am pale like you but grey hair and brown eyes so not your same coloring but you have made me more adventurous in my color selection and brand selection. Now I have to go check out the Etsy brand you mentioned. Thanks for the inspiration.
Deborah, you are so sweet! You made my day. I don’t feel like I’m super-knowledgeable about indie, but I’m so glad if I can inspire anyone. Apocalyptic Beauty is owned by a friend of mine from a makeup group on Facebook, Alisha, and she’s is a real sweetheart and makeup lover who puts a lot of work into her products.
I’ve tried a few things you’ve spoken about or recommended, too, and been very happy. 🙂
Haul: Nothing so far
Weekend plans: Nothing so far
Ready for fall: yes!! But considering it’s in the 90s at the end of September in the midwest, I’m afraid it won’t come lol. I’m tired of the heat and humidity. I want to wear flannels and boots. I’m so not a sun worshipper which is why most think I’m younger than I am haha But I have started drinking pumpkin spice lattes. Hot weather has never kept me from hot coffee:)
No haul
No weekend plans
No on fall 🙂 It’s cold here so much of the year, I’m always sad to see summer go. Fall is, however, our most beautiful, best season.
The only thing I have to report is that I spent most of the last 10 days on set for a video commercial shoot in LA. I met a fantastic makeup artist (Leah) assigned to our project and who was with us every day. We will be filming again in a number of months, and she agreed I’ll bring my stash and we’ll cull through it during the down times. We were both really busy, but one thing I can note is that at least one pro LA MUA used lots, and lots, and lots of RMS product.
Wayne Goss loves RMS products, especially their cream foundations. I hope you have a very restful weeked, feet up, a good book and someone else to cook you dinner!
Oooo, a chance to spend some time with a make up artist AND your stash! Wouldn’t it be fun if she would use your products on you, to give you new ideas and combinations?
Haul: a few backups of the elf Flawless Finish Foundation, the $2 elf blush in Brick Red (wow it’s pigmented), elf Clay Eyeshadow Palette in Smoked to Perfect (part of the gwp and it’s pretty nice), elf Cream Eyeliner in Black (gwp and it’s really amazing!), and a pretty terrible 3-in-1 mascara.
Weekend plans: hanging out and eating sushi
Are you ready for fall? I’ve had my Halloween decorations up (a few miniature trees, a full size tree, tons of pumpkins, and lots of candles) for a few weeks now. 😛
Haul: I picked up a set of 5 Tarte blushes that were exclusive to Macy’s. I’ve never really tried their formula, but I liked the one that came in the Sephora birthday gift so I thought I’d try some more. There was only one that swatched a bit too brown. I liked all of the others. I also bought a Smashbox mini lipstick set of 6 with a sample tube of mattifyer. I like them too.
Weekend: I’ll be putting the final touches on a 2 1/2 day work conference that I’m hosting for a 100+ of my peers. And as long as the doctors have no emergencies and are on time to speak…everything will be perfect. It’ll be nice to see everyone again.
Fall: Absolutely ready for it. I love fall. Where I live we have a great color change because of all the maple trees. Fall is usually temperate so we can get out and work in the yard or just walk around the property and really enjoy the outdoors. And…we celebrate our anniversary in the fall. Next Saturday will be 28 years.
I hope your conference goes well and you enjoy your time with your colleagues.
Haul: Got the KvD Everlasting liquid lipstick 8 set, I own 3 of the shades but I wanted to try the rest of them out. Also a mini MUFE Liquid Lip Color in 105.
Weekend plans: Work and trying to catch up with my blogging. I lost a day in an all-day shopping trip with my Mom this week. lol
Are you ready for fall?: Fall is my favourite season too, but the 31C (87.5F) whether it hotter than our summers right now. lol
Haul: well, trying to order Snow White, with zero success. I always suspect iPad compatibility issues. Prob going to have to haul a new computer, bec threw mine out last week. I have mandatory ceus that I need to do to renew state/national license, and subscribe to an online service that recs a hard wired connection. Don’t really need a laptop with an iPad…. Lorac Pro 4 and Venice Beach came. Jose is offshore and we’ve had 4 days of gloom, bluster, rain, humidity. All shades on everything look awful and dreary! Even if I dig out brights. Ordered sephora bold lip and CP, a few singles from fall l/u and the third set, with silvers, a green, etc, iirc. Will look at MAC, before that expires and get some BL glazen gloss tomorrow. Plans..try to walk the dogs more, despite the weather, ’cause Patticake is flooding the house. Ssdw. Night job. Start the courses. Started binging Treme on Amazon, during housework. Love Wendell Pierce and Clark Peters from the Wire. Pierce is also Meghan Markle’s lawyer dad on Suits. Fall..idk, seems like limbo to me, and I never really had a summer. Might haul some new American Giant sweats, which I love. All cotton available and all USA made. They have some blends now, boo. Confess to being a natural fiber snob. Hauled pocket tees from Etsy. the shirt is so soft and comfy. Bella canvas, never heard of them before. The art is well reproduced. Munch, Van Gogh, etc. I want Hopper and Hundertwasser, and the site says they do specials. Never have to dress even in sportswear anymore, so why not? That’s scary, and sad, the stand off and shooting, Tammy. That people can become so desperate that they do illegal and irrational things, then pay with their life. the unfortunate young gent must have been a danger to others/self for the cops to have to take him out. Devastating all around, esp if you knew him. I got brown roller lash on purpose! Nancy always touted that one, and it must have that shrinking technology, bec it does provide some curl.
He loves being rubbed and patted!
Haul: nothing really. Am tempted by a few lippies, but I have so many to use up that I will wait.
Weekend plans: Friday – took my grandson for a well overdue haircut today (his last 3 attempts by his parents at the hairdresser were ear splittingly dismal) and he was a good boy for Nona (thank God they had an iPad) and now he really looks like a little boy.
Saturday we have having everyone over for dinner and on Sunday, my eldest son and I are taking Olivia to the Royal Melbourne Show. She has never been before and it is a great day – lots of animals, rides and showbags.
Do I love Autumn – yes indeed I do! It’s my favourite season and I really long for the cooler days and nights after, what is usually, an incredibly hot and often humid summer here.
Haha, glad you were able to get your grandson’s hair cut on the fourth try!
His parents couldn’t believe it! It makes him look so grown up now – not quite a little baby anymore. I also got him some new t shirts and shorts and he was thrilled – he kept looking at himself in our big mirror in our bedroom. Such a little treasure he is.
Haul: Stila set of 3 liquid shadows for my niece, Charlotte Tilbury. Instant Eye Palette (en route).
Weekend Plans: staying cool while trying to enjoy the unusually hot and humid temps.
Ready for Fall: Yes! I love Fall and this surprising record breaking temps (90+F) and heat indices (94-98F) in Sept have tested me like no other days since June. I can handle dry heat but this high humidity is unbearable. By this time next week, we will be back in seasonal, Fall-like temps. I’m ready for it.
I got two cheapo makeup sponges and an angled liner brush from H&M that are actually very nice! The sponges are soft and give a good even finish, and the brush is comfy and precise enough. I also got MAC’s Lightful C Tinted Cream – it looked scary thick and creamy, but set into a nice soft matte finish, and the shade Medium is a good match. I wanted to get Nicki’s Nude, but it was sold out everywhere :/
I plan on doing some little things in the house like hanging a few lamps, and maybe going out to pick some lingonberries. Other than that I plan on doing nothing because I just got back from an intense work trip.
Fall is here and I love it, although climate change is fucking up our weather patterns so that fall came early this year and ruined blueberries :/
Haul: nothing this week
Weekend plans: younger son is moving to Toronto this weekend so all is chaos. Older son leaves Monday to go back to base so I want to spend as much time as I can with him before he goes and take him to see his grandmother. Heading out soon to the gym.
Are you ready for fall? – despite the insanely warm weather (high 20’s C and humidex making it feel like mid 30’s), oh yes I am. Autumn (do Americans not use the word “autumn”?) is my absolutely favourite season but here in Southern Ontario, it’s very short-lived. We generally go from a heat wave (like we’re having now) to a blizzard with very little time in between!
I use fall and autumn interchangeably. Just depends on how I feel😊
“Fall” is much more common, but we do sometimes use the word “Autumn.” Autumn is the prettier word, though. 🙂