Free for Haul Friday, Volume #442
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: Dior Bronzers (just two of the new shades), Guerlain #62 Rouge G, YSL Liquid Color Balm (only 3 shades), Sephora Cream Lip Stains (12 shades, I think)
- Weekend plans:
Stay cool, haha! The usual–blogging with no specific plans, though I try to focus my weekends on processing rather than photographing if I can.Well, Mellan’s undergoing emergency surgery for a possible foreign body in his stomach (I look forward to finding out what), so waiting on that to finish up and then helping him with recovery.Mellan just woke up from surgery, and along with a few biopsies taken, he apparently had a giant hairball in his stomach that’s been removed, so I guess he is part cat… - What’s on your music playlist right now?: It’s a mix of recent releases from Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha, Post Malone, and Logic.
P.S. — Join us over in the official Temptalia chatroom on Discord! 🙂
This week's doggo photo/video...
Share your pet photos to the Temptalia Pets flickr group!
Haul: a whole lot of clothes!
Weekend plans: Try to win a trip (crossing my fingers), pack for my upcoming cruise, and maybe get to sleep in a bit before no sleep week lol
What’s on your music playlist right now?: I’ve been listening to a lot of podcasts and 90’s alternative
Love that photo!
Haul: I got some conditioner from a new brand at Target. Can’t recall the name.
Weekend: Yardwork, shopping for food, and idk what else.
Current playlist: All I’ve been listening to is french cafe radio on pandora. My husband puts on industrial/futurepop/synthpop when we play video games lately to make me feel better. I get real sick of his emo/screamo/sadexcuseforrock real fast.
Yep, I wouldn’t like that music either Erin.
Ulta Platinum 20% off – Smashbox x Vlada Highlighter in Rosemantic (OMG, the2D rose packaging is STUNNING!!! Worthy of Guerlain or Dior) and Liquid Lip in XO Vlada ( gorgeous rosy, copper peach, matches Rosemantic perfectly, very metallic and moisturizing). Tarte Be A Mermaid Shadow Palette ( pans are very small but pretty rosy colors), ABH Soft Glam ( swatches well, nicely coordinated colors/finishes), DOC Lip Gloss in Messy Bun, NARS Highlighting Powder in Maldives ( pan is loose), Too Faced Natural Nudes in Pout About It and Throwin’ Suede (pretty colors, good pigment, glossy, and moisturizing), UD Eyeliner in Woodstock (to match the eye shadow), Ofra Highlighting Luxury Powder (this is soft matte, so not highlighting at all), Benefit Bad Gal Bang Volumizing mascara, NYX Milk Eye Pencil, IT Concealer Brush # 203 (thanks for the rec Michele)
Weekend- color hair, shop for clothes, rest, test makeup
Music -whatever’s on the radio
Katherine, you just gave me a reason to pull myself together and go to Ulta today: SB x Vlada! Rosemantic’s swatches along with her eyeshadow palette have me swooning. ?
Nancy, I don’t think you will be disappointed with Rosemantic! I think the shade will look gorgeous on you, and the packaging/embossing are really HE looking.
Haul: Sephora VIB Rouge haul week 1
NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation Gobi – Light 3 (a little dark but looks good with white added, want Siberia shade in the future though)
Dr. Brandt Skincare needles no more™ 0.085 oz, 2.5 g
COVER FX Power Play Foundation G10 (Perfect shade for me)
Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Lip (love the new KvD lipstick formula compared to the old one!)
Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer in White & Smoke sample (WANTED to try them so this was perfect)
Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Eye Shadow Palette
Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette
Marc Jacobs Beauty Re(marc)able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate Ivory 12 (Like an NC15 but the right undertone, I just need to lighten it with white.)
The second weekend for the Sephora sale I wanted to place an order for 4 of the new Sephora Cream Lip Stains and a lip kit but the kit sold out (the one with the Feny lipstick in it), and I wanted to see the shades of liquid lipsticks in person first.
Weekend plans: Decompress. My 90-year-old grandma is in the hospital after a stroke, and she’s doing remarkably well and full cognitive functions considering how much of the brain it happened to. But they need to monitor her vitals still as she has high blood pressure at the moment. But it looks like May 10 is when they are aiming to release her.
I was let go from my programming job… rats…. But it came down to them needing someone with more experience…. which I’m a junior and don’t have yet.
And my sewing machine is getting fixed so I might only have 2 weeks to make a dress when I get it back… O_o
What’s on your music playlist right now?: Still just the radio… 😐
I’m so sorry about the ordeal your Grandma is going through, Warpaint & Unicorns. Strokes are rough going to recover from. My Mom had a fairly mild stroke about 7 years before she died, but she bounced back faster than we expected. Hopefully it will be the same for your G-Ma!
Sorry to hear about your job. I have a feeling you’ll land on your feet very soon. IT is growing in a big way. Good luck from a fellow IT girl 🙂
Modern Renaissance and Soft Glam in the same haul? You’ll be set!
Hoping for a full and speedy recovery for your grandmother.
Will you be able to manage while you look for another position?
I’ve been putting off getting the Modern Renaissance because I was hoping to get it in a swap for years. lol Don’t regret getting both at all.
Went back to mu Tim’s minimum wage job for now.
I am glad to hear that your grandma is doing so well after her stroke, but getting her blood pressure down is key.
Sorry to hear about the loss of your job – very traumatic experience and I hope you pick up one soon. Anyway, how are you supposed to get experience if they don’t train you?
I’ve been in this loop for the past year of you don’t have enough experience to get a job but how do you get experience if you can’t get a job…. Blarg.
And no one seems to be hiring for junior Web Developer positions or Web Designer at all the past year so I keep going to intermediate interviews and getting turned down.
I might have to pimp myself out on my days off to do free work after May. Went back to working Tims or 4 days only for now.
My grandma is looking to be released sooner this week so that good for her. My Mom (daughter in law there) is worried she will have to be moved out of here Retirement Home apartment though which has to be seen first how she does with her balance and taking up her walker more.
One of my son’s went through that experience – not qualified or experienced enough for some levels and yet over qualified for others. It was really frustrating for him. The trouble when places don’t hire junior staff is that down the line there won’t be any to take over when the senior ones leave. It is really poor planning for their business. Cold comfort for you though.
Yes, it is a waiting game for your grandma to see how good her mobility is after the stroke. Will she need to go to a rehabilitation centre for awhile? Hopefully she won’t have to move out of her home – that would be very sad for her.
Oh no! I swear when it rain, it pours! I’m so sorry to hear all the bad news 🙁 I wish your grandma a quick recovery and hope you will find a new job soon. Glad you were able to find some good stuff on sale
I’m sorry to hear about your grandmother’s health though good news that she is recovering well and with full cognitive abilities. It’s really tough being let go from a job. I suspect a female programmer is in high demand, at all experience levels. I hope it’s even better than what you left.
I”m glad your grandma is recovering nicely. I’m sorry to hear about your job. I hope you’ll find something else real soon.
Hope this upcoming week is better! Happy to hear your grandmother is doing quite well and fingers and paws crossed she continues on a speedy recovery!
Haul: Picked up some Eylure lashes for tonight’s dance performance. Also my Viseart Absinthe palette arrived after I had already landed in CA. It’s sitting there in WA, waiting for me.
Weekend plans: Tonight, performing at a belly dance show. Tomorrow, teaching a workshop on my signature prop, taking my co-teacher’s workshop, then we may go to a Gothic-themed burlesque show with our host. Sunday, take another workshop and then have a fun dance jam. So excited 🙂
What’s on my playlist: It ranges from Turkish belly dance music to alternative blues to looped cello music to mythpunk to steampunk to Gothic world fusion to electronica to Tuvan throat singing. My tastes are a little eclectic 🙂
What a fabulous weekend you have lined up AJ – enjoy all your dance sessions.
Got lots. Too much. Loving more American giant sweats. Made in the USA, all cotton, good workmanship. What’s not to love? Offbeat HL from BH and Lottie London. LL makes good powder cheek, though have not tried any other products. Yes, it happened again. UD En Fuego on me is not in the same universe as Ms. Christine. Not my all time fave family browned red, but kind of similar to MAC Deeply Rooted. Both are purple on me. (Neither is on Christine.) I wish I understood this; think it is an ingredient thing more than a lip color thing. And every time s.t. massively differs, it pulls purple on me. Sigh. Good thing I like purple. More Demeter than anyone needs. Per-fekt eye gel, not an instant love. Plans:SSDW, but finished a 3 day horrorshow with the registry, including having my transponder, (that is not attached to pay by plate, despite being in the same Boston office and for the same purpose) belong to someone named Steve. Never used it, and still it’s wrong. Massachusetts gets an A+ in Byzantine Bureaucracy. I think I paid for Steve, but who cares? It’s over, and anyone who wants to renew a license cannot, bec Soc Security computer link has been down for 2 days. Not that they will cut you any slack, if you are stopped. If I explained what happened, i’d still be writing Mon AM. Playlist:just stream the classical station. Default ease. Choices on other platforms vary highly.
Haul:
Beautylish: Make-Up Atelier Palette Eye Shadows (T23 Citric Tones)
Besame: Marvel Infinity Wars – Infinity Stones Rollerball Lip Glosses, Infinity Stones Eye Shadows
Birchbox (Got free points – cost $2.10): April 2018 Curated Box (Davines LOVE Smoothing Shampoo + Conditioner, Clarins Multi-Active Day Cream, Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip And Cheek Stain in Forever Pink, Acure Organics Briliantly Brightening Face Scrub, Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner) – I’ll destash the non cf items but thought it was a great deal for what I paid!
Credo (10% off): Rituel de Fille Inner Glow Pigment (Frenzy, Rapture), Rituel de Fille Forbidden Lipstick (Carnal)
Fragrance.net (37% off): Tom Ford – Oud Wood, Alaia – Alaia Blanche
IDUN Minerals (15% off): Pressed Powder (Ljulig), Liquid Foundation Brush, Angled Blending Brush
KKW Beauty: KKW x Argenis Crème Color Sticks Set
Riley Rose (15% off): R+Co Shampoo and Conditioner (full and travel sizes), 2 piece eye GWP
Sally Beauty (15% off): Stow N’ Go Travel Curling Iron, Heat Resistant Storage Case & Thermal Mat (GWP). I had been looking for a travel curling iron and Ulta and Sephora did not have one. I looked in Walmart and nope. I was so excited when I got the promo and chanced it to find one at Sally!
Sephora (15% off): Marc Jacobs Beauty Finish-Line Perfecting Coconut Setting Powder, Marc Jacobs Beauty Eye-Conic Multi-Finish Eyeshadow Palette: Coconut Fantasy Collection (Fantascene), BECCA Glow Lip Gloss (Foxglove, Camelia)
Twisted Wonderland Perfumery (10% off): Sample Set: Absolutely Alice, What’s In The Hookah, Mad Tea Party, Killer Klowns, Never Sleep Again
Ulta (50% off): Buxom LE Va-Va Plump Shiny Liquid Lipstick (Guava Kiss, Paradise Found), UD Afterglow 8 Hour Powder Blush (Bittersweet)
Ulta: Lime Crime Venus III Pressed Powder Palette
Ulta: Makeup Revolution Liquid Highlighter (Ethereal, Luminous Luna – BOGO50), Dose of Colors Hidden Treasures Palette (Diamond Tier GWP), Sally Hansen Insta-Dri x Crayola Spring Fling (Sea Green, Wisteria, Sky Blue, Cotton Candy – BOGO50)
Ulta ($3.50 off): Urban Decay Beached Vice Lipstick (Heatwave, 100 Degrees), Liquid Palisade French Polish Barrier (Thin), Earth Therapeutics Foot File
Wake the Dead Scrubs: Solid Cologne
Weekend plans: Girls’ weekend in Annapolis! WooHoo!
What’s on your music playlist right now?: St. Vincent, Shawn Mendes, Justin Timberlake, Nicki Minaj, some old tracks, and waiting for the Ann Wilson summer release
I’m curious to see how you like the Va Va Plump line.
Both of my swatch/mini reviews are up. Overall quick take – pigmented – tend to be a “little goes a long way” – stains – has a lot of slip on application.
Is that Ann Wilson from Heart Michele – if so, I just love her voice.
Enjoy your girls weekend – that would be so much fun.
Yes it is. She has a new solo album that is releasing this Summer. she’s doing other people’s music. I pre-ordered it and it comes autographed! I love her voice too. And thank you!!!
I’m thrilled you may be reviewing the Sephora lip stains!
Haul: Cover FX Natural Finish Foundation, Becca Chocolate Geode highlighter, a replacement of my Hyalmide blur primer, and The Ordinary Retinol 0.2 plus Squalane. I am still debating on some of the Colour PopX Shayla collab but I will more than likely pass.
Weekend plans: Our little town has our huge annual spring festival this weekend. It will be my fiance’s first time attending, so I am excited that we get to experience all of the food and music together.
What’s on your music playlist right now?: J Cole’s new album and my Discover Weekly R&B playlist has Janelle Monae, SZA, Khalid, Miguel, and others.
Haul: bh cosmetics festival palette and mario badescu grapefruit and glycolic acid cleansing lotion.
Weekend plans: dinner with fiancees family… however i do work so not much else.
Music playlist: listening to nina simone alot lately. Ie. I’m feeling good.
Good music choice!
Haul:
UD Naked Heat: I haven’t tried this yet but it will probably be okay. I have been following Nisha at Sugar Puff and Fluff, and I wanted to recreate her Naked Heat look. I love Nisha because she’s about my age (2-3 years younger) and she’s fashionable, beautiful and informative.
Also this week I picked up Shiseido’s Synchro Skin foundation, another Nisha recommendation. She recommended Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk, which I’ve been wearing for three years, but she prefers the Shiseido due to color match issues. I have only used it two days so it’s too early to tell where this will land in my foundation preferences. I know it has more coverage than Luminous Silk. For me it needs a glowy primer underneath, otherwise it looks “flat.” It does not emphasize my pores or wrinkles. It is flattering on my skin, and it passed the most difficult test of all: looking good in my visor mirror of my car (many foundations look scary in the car visor mirror for some reason). It wears well, actually looking better after a few hours when my skin oils soften it up and bring a little glow. It does not wear as long as Cover FX Power Play or Lancome Teint Idole, which both have outstanding wear time. My initial thought is that I still like Luminous Silk better but I wonder if I will become attached to the increased coverage over time. I’m not used to wearing medium coverage foundations, and when I do I tend to wear just a tiny bit, or mix them with oils or highlighter creams to thin them out.
Too Faced Life’s a Festival Palette: I tried very hard to resist this palette (I’m too old, I don’t need it, the quality won’t be as impressive as some of the other palettes I’ve bought this season), but in the end I picked it up anyway. This is EXACTLY the kind of palette I love! I am all about color and sparkle. So this grandma is going to rock a little rainbow for at least one more season! (I can be an old lady next year lol.)
NARS Audacious lipstick in Juliette. Straight out of the tube this lipstick is too bright, even for me, but popped in the center of any red, coral, orange, or raspberry lipstick, it is GORGEOUS!
Chanel Affresco eyeshadow palette: I’ve worn this four days this week. The formula of the shadows is very good. I like the options to make understated looks, easy looks, bold looks, and complex looks all in one palette. The green and teal shadows are able to be applied in an understated manner that is appropriate for work. I actually wish Lancome had made a palette like this when I was a MUA, because I was always trying to encourage women to give green eyeshadow a try (it was so flattering on those that would let me apply it!). Some women are afraid of color but when a brand launches a palette that includes these colors, long-time customers will often allow the counter girls show them how to incorporate a teal or green eyeshadow into their look. Surprisingly enough, though I have always loved bold colors the best, I am quite taken with a look I do with the medium brown (#2 in Christine’s review) and the pink peach (#7). This palette is very dupable but it is cohesive, good for travel due to its size, and gives options for several different looks.
Chanel Rouge Allure Vibrante lipstick. I am in love! I got compliments the first time I wore it. It’s bright and it’s a little bold, but it turns into a soft stunner when topped with a sparkling pink gloss.
Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Foschia Rosa. This blush is not quite pigmented enough on its own. I use it on the apples of my cheeks in conjunction with some of the incredibly lovely shades from my new NARS Wanted 1 palette (I recommend the NARS palette wholeheartedly).
Weekend plans: Preparing for a trip to California next weekend. I haven’t been to my home state in 20 years. I am looking forward to seeing relatives I haven’t seen since we were all young. It is a celebration of my aunt’s life, who passed away a few days ago. This is not a sad event. My aunt was an amazing woman who lived a good life, and was fortunate to be surrounded by the family who loved her when it was time for her to say goodbye.
Playlist: Greta Van Fleet, The Weeknd, Jack White, Jamiroquia, and Parquet Courts.
Tammy, first of all, I’m sorry for your lost. But I must say, your Aunt sounds like she went out happy and satisfied with her life!
Also…we don’t EVER have to do the traditional “lil ol’ lady” thing! EVER! Rock that color and shimmer till the brush drops.?
Nancy, well said! No fading into the taupe background for this lil ol lady! I’m goin’ down in a blaze of colors and sparkles!!
I’m sorry for your loss, but it sounds great that your family will be celebrating her life.
OMG Christine, I am so sorry to hear about Mellan. That poor dog has had more than his share of health crisis. I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers. xoxo Deb
I am sending healing vibes out to Mellan.
Poor Mellan! OMG. That sweet baby has been through the wringer with operations and medical conditions. My heart hurts for you guys having to go through yet one more serious crisis with him, and for Mellan, because he doesn’t deserve it.
Haul: Just 2 basics to report. Maybelline Full & Soft Waterproof Mascara and a Real Techniques orange makeup sponge in a last ditch effort to get Fenty ProFilt’r Foundation to apply as beautifully and as well matched as it was last September. It just doesn’t look the same now. ?
Weekend plans: Hair of course, listen in to meeting via phone tie-in on Sunday, do my ratchet looking nails TODAY. Try to get out to the park. I’ve barely left the house in almost 3 months. Nothing except food shopping, doctor appointments, other medical and a few short trips to Sephora. As a result, I’m looking PALE. Well, pale for me. Usually, by now I’ve darkened up to my 8-9 month color just because I’m out there running my errands and whatnot catching public transit and also hoofing it. Just been too down to even feel like going to the park or just getting out to get outside.
What’s been on your playlist? It’s all over the place, to be perfectly honest! Certain songs have been hitting all the feels lately, like Lights Down Low by Max w/ Gnash, Say Nothing by Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton, and an oldie by Evanescence, Sober. I do still listen to a lot of Weekn’d. Probably not the cheeriest of tunes, I know.
Barely left the house in three months? What’s going on?
I am with Tammy, Nancy, what is happening? I hope that you can get out and as a line from the movie, Hope Floats, “blow the stink off you!” I have noticed you haven’t been on IG and commented a while ago that I was missing you on IG. Is there anything we can do for you to cheer you up? I know it may sound silly since we only know each other because of this blog and IG but I am serious. If there is anything I can do for you, just let me know.
I’m so sorry, Tammy and Deborah, I didn’t mean to worry you or anyone else reading this. It’s just a rough patch. Mostly, I’m just feeling very disappointed in myself right now. Wishing I would’ve gone harder at looking at apartments and all the related stuff all the way back in December or January, instead of *beginning* in late February. That, and a few other things. One is that Digoxin’s ugly side effects, ie; depression.
(((((((((((hugs))))))))))) Nancy. I’m sorry you’ve been so down. Sending prayers for the apartment situation.
Oh yikes, sorry to hear you’ve been feeling down. Glad Smashbox x Vlada got you out of the house today
Haul (past three weeks) : Sephora VIB Rouge sale : Drunk Elephant C-Tango Eye Cream, DECIEM NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1, MJ Highliner Matte Gel Eyeliner in (Brown)ie 43; Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Fresh Cut Split End Mender (repurchase); CoverFX Perfect Setting Powder Mini (I already have both the illuminating and the matte version); MJ O!Mega Bronzer Coconut Perfect Tan – Coconut Fantasy Collection; Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 (repurchase); BECCA Hydra-Mist Set & Refresh Powder and Consonant Natural Foaming Face Wash (repurchase as it is my favorite face wash during the summer).
I love the DE C-Tango Eye Cream. I’m using it in the morning only (I keep it in the fridge, as suggested). It is very hydrating and keeps my eye area hydrated under makeup which is a big thing for me. So far, my eye area was getting drier in the course of the day under foundation and/or concealer. Not with this eye cream. It was highly recommended by Stephanie Nicole and Caroline Hirons so I wanted to give it a try.
The MJ O!Mega Bronzer Coconut has arrived broken. When I opened the package from Sephora, I knew something was wrong as I saw powder all over. The box containing the bronzer was opened at one end and so was the lid of the bronzer. I guess someone from Sephora dropped it and put it like this in the package. The packaging was not faulty as there was bubble plastic at the bottom and plenty of paper in the package so that the bronzer cannot move. I returned it back to Sephora and called the concierge line, as advised by the beauty advisor in store who told me that Sephora has the means to send me another one, even if it was out of stock online. Of course, the CSR denied that they can do such a thing but she put me on a notification list (different that the reminder available online). I was so disappointed when I received the broken bronzer; what bothered me, was the obvious fact that the item had been sent damaged.
Paula’s Choice: I used my 15% birthday discount and I purchased the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid and the Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask. I received for free the Resist Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment. I’m impressed with the 2% BHA Liquid as I’ve already seen positive effects on my skin after two weeks of using it twice a week.
Other purchases: Marcelle Instant Eye Make-Up Remover (Waterproof – Oil Free). I don’t use waterproof mascara but I find that this makeup remover takes away gently and effectively my MJ gel eyeliner.
Weekend plans: Study for my upcoming bar exams. Oh, boy. When the university exams look like a walk in the park compared to these two exams.
My current playlist: Anything Coldplay + Vivaldi The Four Seasons. Vivaldi calms me down in this period.
Christine, I will try my luck for the third time with the following question in hopes that you don’t find it irrelevant or inappropriate so as not to be posted: would you review some makeup items from the recently launched Inglot x JLo collection? Thank you as always 🙂
I never thought of the DE C-Tango eye cream for hydration. I might have to check it out.
Tammy, before the sale, I had on my list the Biossance Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel that I’ve been using since last year. I wouldn’t say that it’s a gel but more like a light cream. I used it over NIOD Fractioned Eye Concentrate or Hylamide SubQ Eyes (both by DECIEM), AM and PM. This regiment was good as it had very good ingredients but it was not enough moisturizing for me. Meaning that after a couple of hours after putting my makeup (foundation and/or concealer), the eye area was getting quite dry and when I was smiling, I could see those lines at the corner of my eye going down towards the cheeks, lines that I didn’t even know I had.
I’m in my mid-thirties but I’ve always had very dry and dehydrated eye area since I was 16, for no reason. My mom’s esthetician at that time “diagnosed” me so to speak, and advised me to start using an eye cream even if I didn’t need one on the rest of the face. To cut the long story short, before the sale I watched on YT the first video (out of the two) that Stephanie Nicole & Caroline Hirons shot together in April this year. If you watch the Part I – Q&A with Caroline Hirons (posted on Steph’s channel), at approx. min. 9:00 they are asked about their favorite EC. Also, Steph talks about this EC in her last two videos (VIB Sale recc and her morning skincare routine). Steph and Caroline are both notoriously reluctant to using an EC, so the fact that they both raved about it made me to consider it.
What I suggest to you if you want to try it before buying it (this is what I did before the Sephora sale), is to go to a Sephora store and put 2-3 pumps from their tester in a small sample jar (I always keep a couple of these at home as I exchange skincare with my friends for testing purposes). At the Sephora store where I go, they let me do this. It is a thick cream, thicker than any other EC I’ve ever used. I’m using it only in the morning, with no other eye serum underneath (I apply first the Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Lotion all over the face, as I’ve always did). One pump is more than enough to cover the entire eye area for both eyes (underneath, on the lid and above the lid). It gets absorbed fast and it leaves a feeling of hydration and plumpness in my case. I’ve tried it with the two foundations that I’ve been using for the past six months: Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation and the Bare Minerals Original SPF15 Foundation (the mineral powder one) and I don’t have those smile lines anymore. For me, it’s working so far. I’m curious to see its long-term effects and benefits, that is after a 3-month period, as it seems to have an impressive list of ingredients. Hope this helps 🙂
Nicole, I also got the DE C-Tango Eye cream during the Sephora sale! It’s been sitting in the box unused, as I was testing another eye cream, but after seeing you rave about the constant hydration, I will be giving it a try ASAP. I’m curious what your thoughts are on the Becca Hydra Mist Set & Refresh powder. Does it really set and refresh makeup throughout the day, without looking dry or cakey?
Katherine, I haven’t tried it yet. I got it on Friday and when I opened the jar (it’s quite a large jar, but no so much powder in it) and saw the sticker on the protective lid with the text “Keep me closed to keep me cool” I told myself “Oh, my”. I will try it next week for sure, over my Koh Gen Do Aqua foundation, to see if it’s indeed hydrating. Keep you posted. I bought it as it intrigued me to see a powder made with 50% water.
Speaking of products sitting in the box unused, my first order from the VIB sale was for the DE C-Tango EC and the DECIEM NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1. The latter was out of stock in minutes and has been since (on Sephora CA). It is raved by many and the founder of DECIEM said that if you need one product from the NIOD range, this is the one. HE recommends to use it under the eyes as well. The box has two bottles: the liquid (activator) and the copper ions (powder). They have to be mixed but I haven’t done it. I will be using it under the eyes as well, but I wanted to see first how the DE C-Tango performs with nothing else underneath.
Oh thanks for the tip on that Niod! Assuming the DE Tango doesn’t work for my under eyes, that will be next, assuming it ever comes back in stock. I also bought the Belief Moisturizing Eye Bomb, and while it’s a nice cream, it’s nothing special –on my under eyes, the hydration doesn’t last more than a few hours under concealer/foundation, let alone 26 hrs as it claims, so that one is going back. The ironic thing is that my upper lids are oily, while my under eyes are dry, wish it was the other way around, sigh. Thanks for testing the Becca powder for me! Yes, I was also trying to figure out how it could be 50% water, but hey, if it hydrates, then great. Oh BTW, Happy Birthday!!!
Thank you Katherine!!
Re: NIOD: it will act more like a serum as it is a liquid to be mixed with powder and it claims to have anti-aging/anti-wrinkle properties. I don’t think that it will be enough to moisturize or hydrate the eye area. Give DE C-Tango a try since you already have it.
Gosh I hope Mellan is alright!!
Just saw the post about Mellan’s emergency surgery. Hope everything goes well!
Oh no! My thoughts are with Mellan for a fast recovery.
Haul: Marc Jacobs Highliner in Grapevine and Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Amethyst (I was in a purple mood.) I also got an unexpected bonus the other day: When I bought a Michael Kors top that was 50% off at Macy’s, I received a $10 rewards coupon, which I promptly spent on an expensive lipstick that I’ve been coveting for a long time: Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick in Pirate.
Weekend plans: Hanging out with friends.
Playlist: Lots of my old favorites from the 1990s
Pirate! Perfect haul!
Haul: I cracked during the Sephora sale and got the Tom Ford Lips & Boys (and Girls) in the shade Anne as I like the color and it’s my name so. I also got like 6 packs of the Sephora Collection Total Softies Cotton Facial Pads (I usually get the round ones (the Soft Touch Cotton Pads) but they were out so I went for these as the drugstore ones I’ve been using feel waaay too abrasive. I also restocked on the FAB Ultra Repair Cream. I went by Lush to hunt for some dry skin in-shower remedies (chronic pain means covering myself head to toe in moisturizer after I shower takes too much energy) and picked up the King Of Skin Body Butter and the Oaty Creamy Dreamy Shower Cream and finally remembered to bring in five old Lush pots and got a free fresh face mask (BB Seaweed).
Weekend plans: Oh no I’ll keep Mellan in my thoughts! And for me just recovering from a busy medical week and getting ready for another busy medical week (and month, and potentially two or three or six or whatevs months…)
What’s on your music playlist right now?: I’ve been kind of disconnected from music lately which is very not-me so I’ll have to check some stuff out soon.
Oh Mellan what a cutie you are. I hope surgery went well and that recovery is quick. I know how much you love this little guy and you must be stressed a little at his having surgery. Try and get some rest, Christine.
Haul: So, second weekend of Sephora sale for VIB Rouge saw me finding things I didn’t know I wanted!! I picked up the Guerlain Baby Glow Highlighter stick, Pat MacGrath Mothership Subliminal Platinum eye palette, Dior Hydra Life Pores Away Pink Clay Mask, Dior Addist Lip Glow in Revolver, Stila Glitter and Glow in Fairy Tale and Perlina, Pretty Vulgar Shimmering Swan Highlighter and Rouge G customizable lip in 65.
Ulta: L. A. Girl Pro Foundation Whitener, Essence Super Precise Eye Liner, Essence Super Fine Eye Liner, MAC Extra Dimension Skin Finish in Whisper of Guilt for my daughter, Dominique Cosmetics the Latte Palette, Lashfood Maximum System Duo, L.A. Girl Lip Liner in Nude and the mini size of Benefits Gold Rush blush.
Weekend plans: Nothing special. Dinner tonight with my family and getting ready to have a minor surgical intervention next week for my back pain.
Music on repeat:: I have very eclectic taste in music and really mix up my listening favorites. I got Sirius on my new car and am wondering how I lived without it so long. Right now I am enjoying Rickie Lee Jones, Harry Styles, Little Mix, English Congregation and Toby Keith.
You got Subliminal! You will have to let me know your thoughts.
Those Rouge G’s are just stunning: I like about ten of the colors, I don’t know how to pick one to try.
I LOVE Rickie Lee Jones!
Wishing you a successful surgical intervention with rapid recovery time.
Good luck with the pain relief for your back, Deborah! I know last time didn’t go as well as you’d hoped so I have my fingers crossed for you! 🙂
Haul: Nothing.
Weekend plans: Going to see our new puppy tomorrow; we lost our girl Skye a couple of months ago, and the pup is her niece! Can’t wait 🙂
What’s on your music playlist right now?: Red Hot Chili Peppers, White Zombie and Black Sabbath.
White Zombie! I will have to revisit my favorites.
Oh no, Mellan!! I am sorry for your baby’s troubles and hope for a weekend of rest and recovery for all?
Oh man, I’m glad to see Mellan’s surgery went well and he’s recovering! I hope the hairball was the extent of the problem.
Us too!
Mellon, what have you been eating? My goodness Christine, what a worry for you. At least it’s nothing serious. I hope you all recover well. I guess I know what your weekend will consist of.
Haul: Just some Sukin chia seed oil, Olivella day moisturizing cream that I am going to try out.
Weekend Plans: Nothing on the horizon. We had our own medical emergency this week, with Lachlan (our two year old grandson) having a major croup attack. It happened late at night, with very little warning. He woke up coughing, then vomiting and struggling to breathe. My son rang for an ambulance and they came really quickly. They had to administer medication to him immediately, which didn’t initially work. The ambulance officers called for a backup MICA (an intesive care unit) – they are so lucky that they live near to an ambulance station and a major hospital, the MICA arrived and administered more medication and then transported him to the intensive care unit at the hospital.
My son rang us and all of us (eldest son, husband and I ) rushed to their place. Anika, my daughter in law, went in the ambulance as Nicholas had to stay home with Olivia. When we arrived at their place, our son took Nick to the hospital.
At the hospital a team of doctors were working on Lachlan as he kept struggling to breathe and they performed a tracheotomy on him. Both parents stayed with him.
We stayed the rest of the night at their place and took Olivia to our place the next day.
The next morning Lachlan was much better and the trache was removed and he was kept in for the rest of the week (It happened, our time Tuesday night) and was released this morning.
Lachlan is much better, still tired and very clingy to his mummy (understandably) and we are exhausted too with the worry. So we are hoping for a very quiet weekend.
Playlist music: Hmm – Gossamer by Pauline Scanlon (Celtic artist); Celia Pavey (Aussie singer) and that’s about it at the moment.
Happy to hear Lachlan is recovering now but what an awful week for you and your family!!
All my best wishes to your family, Genevieve!
Thank you Christine – I think the worst part about it was that the croup came out of the blue without any warning. It’s great to see him up and about now and much better.
How is Mellon going?
He is doing well! He seems to be back to his normal self today 🙂
That’s a relief for you – it’s so worrying when your doggie (or grandson for that matter) are unwell.
Oh my, Genevieve, what a nightmare for your family to have to go through. I am so sorry that little Lachlan needed a trach to breathe, poor baby! Glad that he’s now on the mend and is possibly young enough to have the memory fade away.
Thanks Nancy – it was certainly very scary for both Lachlan and Anika, who at that stage was alone at the hospital. They are so lucky that they have an ambulance station and a major hospital so close to them. He is so much better now, but still touches his scar and says “no”.
Anyway Nancy, how are you travelling? I read on your post that you hadn’t been out and about as much as usual, is it because you have been unwell?
OMG Genevieve, how frightening!! I was scared just reading your words, can’t even imagine actually going through the trauma. I’m SO glad Lachlan got medical help so quickly. Wishing him a quick recovery, and hoping everyone else gets some rest this weekend.
Yes, it was really scary Katherine. I remember saying to you how quickly children can fall ill, well, it was like that. His parents had no warning that he was sick at all.
He has had a few attacks of croup and has been hospitalised before, but this was by far the worst one.
The longest part for us was the journey to their place, which is only 10-15 minutes away, but I swear we got every single red light. Our eldest son took his brother to the hospital and by then he had his trach in. So lucky they live quite close to the hospital and they are fantastic. But it was quite hard on Anika seeing her little boy so sick and all the medical team around him.
Anika’s parents and older sister (who is a trained trauma nurse) came down the next day to the hospital and that also helped them both.
Lachlan is much better now and is running around like nothing happened.
Thank you for your kind thoughts Katherine.
What a worrisome set of events, Genevieve! Glad Lachlan is back home and feeling better. Hope you and your family have a quiet, restorative, uneventful weekend.
Thank you so much Tracey – he is much better now and we are all recovering from the shock, as his croup was right out of the blue – no warning at all.
They are so lucky that they live really close to a fantastic hospital.
Genevieve, that must have been a heart-rending situation for you and your family. I had no idea croup could turn into a life-threatening medical emergency. What are the doctors recommending for the future?
Thanks Tammy – yes croup can be really serious – Nicholas, the father of Lachlan, had croup a number of times as a young baby and had to be hospitalised himeself. It is a virus and cannot be treated by really anything other than steam or humidifyers when they have it. It’s just that this attack came without warning and its onset was so swift. He still has a bit of the stridor breathing (when he inhales or when he coughs), but he is much better now.
The danger is when the airways swell so much (I guess this may be similar to when a person has an allergic reaction to something) that it inhibits breathing and that is what happened with Lachlan.
The lucky part was that they were close to the ambulance station and the MICA team (Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance) – that’s who saved his life.
Very scary indeed. A quiet weekend is what we are having now.
Genevieve — To my heart sorry for what happened to that sweet baby. It brings back memories (shiver) of rushing our 3rd to the hospital with croup, but we didn’t have to go to the point of a tracheotomy. Heavens that as serious a situation as you can get. Let us know how he does.
Thank you Linda for your kind thoughts. Yes, we had to rush Nicholas to hospital on a few occasions with croup as well, and it does bring back those awful memories. It was by far the worst attack of croup Lachlan has had and the decision to do a trache was pretty swift in the hospital. Luckily there was a paedatric surgeon on hand. It happened last Tuesday night (Aus time) and he was going to be released from hospital on Saturday, but it was decided to keep him in an extra day.
He is quite well now, just has a bit of a cough, so he is coming along fine.
Genevieve, that must have been horrible. I can’t imagine having all that happen so suddenly and feeling so helpless for him. I’m glad to read all is calm now. I hope he has a swift recovery and the doctors are able to sort out exactly what happened.
Thanks Pearl – croup is a virus and it affects the air passage causing it to swell up. Some attacks are milder than others. Lachlan has been hospitalised before with it, but this is by far the worst attack he has had. It came without warning.
The doctors can only treat the symptoms. So lucky they live close to a major hospital and ambulance station.
He is back to his old self now, but still has a croup cough – you just have been careful about the night air.
Thank you for your kind thoughts and wishes.
I’m so glad Lachlan is all right. What an awful thing for the little guy to go through. You all must have been worried sick about him.
Yes, Rachel – it all happened so fast and it was lucky that my son rang for the ambulance as soon as possible, and that the MICA (Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance) was available as well. It was quite frightening for him as he panicked when he couldn’t breathe (naturally enough).
We had his older sister Olivia for the week, to take the pressure off Nicholas and Anika. Her parents and family have helped out as well. But OMG it was a shock.
Hugs to sweet Mellan.
Haul:
MAC – Volcanic Ash Exfoliators (2), Fix + in Goldlite and Peachlite (2 each, gifts for an upcoming girls trip)
Pat McGrath – I finally took the plunge and got Bronze Ambition! I had the bigger palette that it goes with in my cart but waited too long and it’s sold out. I doubt it will be back in stock by next Sunday when the sale is over but fingers crossed. I have FINALLY resolved to get just those 2 – too many colors I wouldn’t wear in all of the other palettes but these 2 look perfect for me.
Weekend plans: The usual – cooking/cleaning/laundry. Did some grocery shopping on the way home so that’s done. Saturday facial and a home manicure on Sunday. Also on Sunday I’m going for a makeover from my favorite MUA for MAC Craving. LOVE that color and I’m almost out – I’ve been wearing it with the Amber x 9 palette and Desert Rose blush and want to see how else I can wear it. Plus I love getting my face done.
What’s on your playlist right now?: Audible books – I have 2 or 3 books I’m going back and forth between.
The Sublime palette is currently available on Pat McGrath’s website for 20% off. Just in case you’re still interested ?
Thank you for the heads up! I waited too long to pull the trigger, darnit. There’s always Sephora . . .
Annnnnnnnd I just ordered MAC PatrickStarrr Me So Chic Face Kit – it should be here next week!
Pearl, the Sublime palette appears to be back is stock at Pat McGrath and 20% sale is still going…
WOO HOOO!! Thank you Tammy!
Thank goodness Mellan is alright! But a hairball???? Yeah, it looks like he thinks he’s a cat! Might be excessively grooming himself because of our wacky weather going hot, then chilly, then hot again? Scunci has been getting tons of mattes, shedding profusely and throwing up hairballs a lot recently. This climate is brutal to our furbabies.
Honestly, we have no idea. He’s around us very frequently, and he’s more the type of dog to lick one area than to just… lick everywhere, so we’d know if we was missing a clump of hair, lol. It was like 4″ long and 2″ tall!
Wow! That’s enormous! (I should know, I pick up enough of them, yuck) What I really didn’t know was that dogs got them, too!
It’s definitely not common in dogs at all, especially for them to be really large since dogs do some grooming and will pass hair normally but yeah… this was abnormal. It’s not a good sign when everyone is fascinated at the vet’s office looking at what they removed, LOL.
I know about the experience of having all the vets and techs coming to stare at something that came out of one of my pets. My cat Lula threw up an intact tape worm that was 10 inches long. My vet asked if she could keep the worm for her personal collection, ?
Yeah, they were like, “Do you want to see it??” And I’m like, YES, I need to see this hairball that just broke the bank, LOL!
Wow, that’s a huge hairball!!! Poor Mellan 🙁 Hope he feels better now. You were probably worried sick over him. I’m sure you will need/want to take care of him while he recovers, so if you want to take it easy on the blogging, we can all understand. There will always be more makeup, but there’s only one Mellan!
No worries – I wrote content in advance while he was in surgery, just in case, so there’ll be no interruptions on the blog 🙂
I hope Mellan has a smooth recuperation from his surgery. Poor little guy.
Thank you!
Haul: 3 Becca Light Chaser highlighters (Opal Flashes Jade, Rose Quartz Flashes Seashell, and Amethyst Flashes Geode) and a backup Kat Von D x Billie Joe Armstrong Basket Case eyeliner pencil (bought on Sephora’s site Wednesday night, just shipped today).
Weekend plans: Ran a bunch of errands today. Tomorrow I work all day and then plan to settle in with a Law & Order: SVU marathon. No Sunday plans beyond probable laundry.
What’s on your music playlist right now?: I have too much music in my iTunes to even know where to start-let’s just say I have a little bit of everything! The last songs I downloaded were “The Greatest Show” and “Rewrite the Stars” off The Greatest Showman soundtrack-I’m a sucker for Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, and musicals.
Best wishes for Mellan!
Haul: Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate Glow Stick in Sunstruck (gift card promo)
Weekend Plans: Spring cleaning around NHL playoff games.
Playlist: New Snow Patrol, new and post-Joshua Tree U2, Tragically Hip.
Forgot part of my haul. Due to the liquidation of Bon Ton stores, my local Bobbi Brown counter was putting out its testers (new, unopened products for MUA use), and promo items. I purchased a two-tone cosmetic bag with samples inside, 6 travel size correct and set brushes, and a few 2 & 3-pan palettes. It’s tough to see employees and customers grapple with the reality that this store/chain is closing in 10-12 weeks.
Also received the 2 new eyeshadow palettes from Charlotte Tilbury and I like them both. The quality of the eyeshadow formula seems more creamy and pigmented. There are shade similarities between these palettes, CT’s Legendary Muse and Tom Ford Honeymoon notably shades 1 and 2 in some of the quads mentioned).
I really hope your Mellan is ok! It’s very distressing when our fur babies are sick. They can’t tell us what is wrong. Thank goodness you are attentive to his behavior thus his “problem”was discovered early.
I hope you & your doggie have a nice restful weekend together!
My thoughts and prayers are with you both as Mellan recouperates.
He is doing well! He certainly doesn’t seem any worse for the wear 🙂
Haul: Korres Wild Rose serum, a whole bunch of free samples including a 7.5mL Exfolikate tube I gave to a friend (she was delighted!) and a mini Nars Multiple in Cococabana that I do not like at all. Still waiting for my Beauty Bay order to turn up so I can get my hands on the Visionary palette.
Weekend plans: Watching Infinity War at the movies with friends, packing some kit so my mother in law can drive it down to Christchurch for my sister in laws’ wedding next weekend (I’m doing her makeup), making beef stew with paprika and sour cream.
Playlist: Old schooling it with the Talking Heads, Blondie, Queen and Led Zep.
I hope Mellan is recovering well from surgery! I’m glad the mass was just a hairball. Sending good thoughts for the biopsy results.
Haul: Apocalyptic Beauty monthly subscription Disco Space Alien theme. Eyeshadows in Ulala and Evila, Ray Gun highlighter, Flying Saucer lipgloss, and Planet X glitter mix.
Weekend plans: We were going to help a friend move, but it’s raining this weekend, so we’ll try for next weekend. So it’ll probably be just the usual chores.
What’s on your music playlist right now?: Nothing. We’ve had houseguests the last three weeks or so, and it’s been too noisy listen to music much.
Thankfully, he is seems to be back to his usual self this morning but recovered quite well overall!
I’m very glad to hear it! 🙂