Birchbox's Subscription Gift Cynthia Rowley

I love Birchbox. For an annual subscription, Birchbox was offering it at $99/12 months vs. the normal $110. In addition, they provided this beautiful Cynthia Rowley gift which includes this really cute bag, liquid eyeliner, and a palette.

Unfortunately, I believe the offer is over, but keep an eye out for other wonderful Birchbox offers!

I have to admit that after my friend gifted me a subscription, I've been hooked. I have already gifted 2 subscriptions and am considering gifting another...addiction much?

I did not swatch any products, because I might want to gift!

Liquid Eyeliner in Brown Ink

Eyeshadow Palette- No. 1

Colors: Clove, Sugarplum, Patina, Mink, Champagne

Here's my referral link if you are interested: Click Here

Coupons:

Buy any new subscription and get 100 birchbox points ($10) BBPLUS100 (Expire 9/30), BBJETBLUE, BBSTORE100, BBBONUS

Spent $90 on gift subsciptions or in the new bridal shop and receive a free modern mermaid box GIFTFORME

Lorac Pro 2 Palette

I was able to jump on HSN.com's sale when they had $20 off something over $40. $22 + tax for the Lorac Pro 2? Sign me up ASAP. I received my palette last week and decided there's a million swatches out there so I didn't swatch the eyeshadows. Overall I'm loving, but still learning how to use this palette. I'm more of a neutrals sort of girl, so its a challenge getting work appropriate eyes together in a jiffy in the morning. 

The shipping took nearly 2-3 weeks to arrive, because HSN sold out and had to wait for Lorac to provide more. The box it came in had "this package is excited to see you" written all over it. Which I found hilarious. :)

As everyone probably has said before, the Lorac eye shadows are so buttery. I have heard of some fall out, but a quick tap of the brush will help with that. I love the slim packaging of this palette.

Do you all love the Lorac Pro 2? 

10 Mystery Boxes from Allure's Sample Society

I received these boxes nearly 3 months ago, but I figured it would be good for me to run through what I received in case it comes around again. Allure also revamped their boxes recently so it might not be an accurate representation of what is to come.

Allure's Sample Society had a sale for mystery boxes (probably to clear up old stock) so I order 2 orders of 5 boxes for $25 after applying a coupon code I paid $35 for all 10 boxes. The subscription is normally $15/month. (If you are signing up please put my referral: CHRI951622)

Now that I'm blogging I need to work on better picture taking.   

All items from 10 boxes

Lips

Eye

Hair

Body

Face

Nail Polishes

Fragrances

Miscellaneous Items: Blotting Paper, Hair Clips, Fashion Tape, 3 candles 

Considering I received this 3 months ago, I don't think I have significantly used anything. I have gifted a few items. But I think I just need to work through my stash!

My collection!

As part of an exchange, I was asked to take a picture of my collection. This was as of September 18th, 2014.

Eye shadows: I want to expand this the most. 

Brushes: Sonia Kashunk, Ecotools, and Sigma

Blushes something I need to up my game with

Powders, Concealers, Highlighters

Primers, Foundations

Open Mascara

Eyeliners - I probably have too much of this

Lip Glosses

Lipsticks didn't realize I had so much of this til now

Nailpolishes...way too many!

Mascaras to use

Eyeliners to use

Collection Highlights:

• Favorite Product: Urban Decay Naked 1 Palette
• Newest Products: Rimmel Scandal Eyes
• Most Excited to Use: Drugstore Mascaras cause I never have used them before
• Products to Get Rid of: Gifting some of my extras?
• Product to Swap: If I get Naked 3 I'll gift away my Pixi Palette

Beauty Bar Haul / Nordstrom Returns

I absolutely love getting packages in the mail - there's just something about it that makes me so happy. Maybe it's like opening presents for Christmas/Birthdays. I don't know! Anyway, my Beauty Bar and Nordstrom orders came in (both Clarisonic Mia 2)

First let's cover Beauty Bar:

Lorac Pocket Pro - might be gifting this! But at the same time I love the colors: Nude, Pewter, Espresso

It came inside the travel case

It says to charge the Clarisonic for 24 hours, can't wait to try it tonight!

Free gifts!

Fresh Squeeze 20 count GWP

• Deepa Gumani Headband
• Jane Tran Pins
• Hope in a Jar a to z cream in medium
• Tatcha Japanese Beauty Papers (30 sheets)
• Phytokeratine Masque Ultra-Repairing Mask (Hair)
• Caviar CC Cream Leave in Hair Perfecto
• Algeria Caviar Dry Shampoo
• Vita Liberate Luxury Tan
• Murad Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++
• MD Solar Sciences 30 Mineral Tinted Crème Board Spectrum SPF 30
• Cotz Face Balanced Mineral Complex
• Diego Dallas Palma Classic Lipstick in 29
• Sisleya Eye and Lip Contour Cream
• Ergo Laszlo Firmarine Moisturizer SPF 30
• Caudalie VinoPerfect Radiance Serum Complexion Correcting
• Supergoop City Sunscreen Serum Board Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++
• Herbal Essentials Lavender Towelette
• Jane Iredale LipDrink
• Still Lip Glaze Apricot
• Illume Desert Tulip Scented Candle

I am impressed with how quickly Beauty Bar's order shipped out and I definitely am impressed with the GWP that I was able to add to my order (they take more than one coupon code). A few of these items are repeats from what I got with I ordered the Allure Beauty Box, but that's okay! Just more for me to try out and bring on trips. I do kind of wish I got a different design for my Clarisonic, but oh well its just a pattern. 

Since I got a better deal from Beauty Bar, than Nordstrom, I will be returning my purchase there ( see my post My Buying Dilemma for more information on pricing.) But I did open my packaging box for some photos:

Sorry about the fuzz ball picture. 

I couldn't resist checking out the bag. Isn't this zipper cute?!

I can't wait to use my Clarisonic, hopefully it does miracles for my acne prone skin! What's your experience?

My Order Won't Process at ULTA.com

Ulta is currently underways (in the last week) of their 21 days of Beauty Steals. Nothing really jumped out at my when I first saw the line up. Though now I do regret not going for the Stila In the Light Palettes ($20 on sale) and the Clarisonic Brushes for Buy One Get One Free ($27 for two) though I do admit that I think I have enough Clarisonic Brushes to last the year right now.

I received the e-mail today and was tempted to buy the Cargo Shanghai Nights palette for $20 (originally $39) the colors just looked pretty. I quickly went to the web to see what are other's opinions of Cargo eye shadows because I never owned one. Anyway I decided to grab it for an exchange that I am doing and one for a future gift to a friend along with two CK One Classic Lipsticks $9 (originally $16) to make the free shipping at $50. I am not a new customer to Ulta nor Ulta.com, but for some reason, the website would not take my payment no matter what card I used. The pending charges showed up so its not like I typed in my card number incorrectly.

So I took my complaint to Twitter and Facebook, and received a response from Twitter to e-mail Ulta's customer service, which I did and in turn...I got an automated response that they would get back to me within 24 hours. 24 hours, when the beauty steal is gone.

I really do love Ulta. I love having drugstore and prestige brands. I haven't had a bad experience at Ulta either (though it seems as though many have). But I am underwhelmed by their customer service and ability to let customers make purchases on their website.

I will try making the purchase at various points during the day, but overall I expect to lose out on this deal.

Walmart Beauty Box

Who knew WalMart would enter the Beauty Box game? For $5 quarterly, I jumped right in. After all I'm always on the hunt for good drug store branded make up. I ordered around 9/3/14 and received my box on 9/19/14 with no shipping email or notification. I am going to continue with this subscription, because I think it paid for itself with the products I realized and $20 a year sounds like a good deal to me! (You can cancel at anytime). 

Sign up for a box here: https://beautybox.walmart.com/

The box

Products:

• Cover Girl After Dark
• L'Oreal the Balm Lovely Mocha
• Dove Advanced Hair Series Oxygen Moisture Shampoo
• Dove Advanced Hair Series Oxygen Mositure Conditioner
• Dove Pure Care Dry Oil
• Nicki Minaj Pink Friday Perfume Sample
• L'Oreal Youth Code Pore Vanisher
• Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant
• Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear Makeup

I haven't had the chance to try any products yet, I'm most excited for this nailpolish, because I don't have a color like this. I'll definitely be using the Dove on vacation. I gave my mom the Pore Vanisher.

Weekend Couponing & Resdiscoveries!

I went to Target this weekend and picked up 4 products! I believe that I got a steal for it. 

Maybelline Color Show Go Nude $1.48 (clearance) - $1 Manufacture Coupon (weekly smartsource) = $0.48

Maybelline Color Show Taupe on Trend $1.48 (clearance) - $1 Manufacture Coupon (www.redplum.com) = $0.48

Eco Tools Retractable Kabuki $6.99 - $1 Manufacture Coupon (www.coupons.com) = $5.99

Eco Tools Facial Sponge $5.99 - $ 5.99 Free with Eco Tools purchase = $0

Total before tax = $6.95 (5% off with Red Card). 

I'm look forward to having nudes in my crazy nailpolish collection! 

I was home this weekend so I decided to go through my makeup drawer and throw out a bunch of stuff. I ended up throwing out like 7 dried out mascaras. It felt pretty good to declutter! While cleaning I was able to rediscover a few things! 

Anyone remember these glitter tattoos and jem tattoos? I don't think I'll use it but I thought it was interesting to refind. I also have that rainbow to iron onto some plain top or pants. I am came across some nail polishes. I remember wanting these prism nail polishes so badly because my middle school math teacher had it on and while she wrote on the projector I just stared at her nails. 

Sally Hansen Nail Prisms Diamond, Emerald Amethyst, Turquoise Opal

Solar FX Tough Tied (Pastel Blue to Mauve), Sweet Tooth (Peach to Lilac),You're Fired ( Bubble Gum Pink to Denim Blue) - These are supposed to change color in the sun, But I don't think they work anymore. So I'll just use them as regular polish. I also came across some nail stickers! 

See what I mean by not being able to resist a sale? 

My buying dilemma: Clarisonic Mia 2

The Clarisonic face brush has been on my mind for oh so long. For someone with acne prone skin that just doesn't seem to end, this brush sounds like a miracle weapon. I have been dealing with acne since high school, it went crazy during college, and has somewhat simmered down into my twenties. But I still get pimples. I have tried everything from Clearasil, Clean & Clear, Acne Free, ProActiv, Murad, Clinique, Elemis, Tea Tree Oil, and so on...

My current skincare products include:

• AM:
• Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
• Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion (Toner)
• Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel Spot Treatment
• Aveeno Positively Radiant SPF 30

• PM:
• Makeup Towelette to remove make up
• The Face Shop Acne Solution Foam Cleansing or Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel (Using Ulta's Dual Action Cleaning Brush - review to come) 
• Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion (Toner) or Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Lotion
• Philosophy Hope in a Tube Eye Cream
• Olay Renegetist Night Cream or Manuka Doctor Apinourish Rejuvenating Face Mask
• Kate Somerville Eradikate Spot Treatment or my Origins Out of Trouble Face Mask Spot Treatment
• Origins: Out of Trouble Face Mask
• Asian Mask 

If you have suggestions, please let me know! I honestly can't wait to finish some of these products so I can move on to Kores, Dermatologica, Clinique, Shisheido, and other Korean brands...okay now on to the point of this post!

My heart and mind has been set on Clarisonic Mia 2:

• Travel friendly
• Tells me when to move the brush. I'm the type that will move the brush all around as quickly as possible

Here is the comparison chart from Clarisonic's Website  (sorry for the horrible formatting!)

The Mia 2 comes with:

• Mia 2
• Universal Voltage Charger
• Sensitive Brush Head
• Protective Travel Case
• Sample Size Facial Cleanser

Okay now to the price breakdowns:

As you know, the Mia 2 runs for $149 at all stores, but the following stores are where I am considering to purchase it from. *Please note in order to qualify for some of my deals you need to have certain cards/cash back memberships.

Birchbox

• 20% off Coupon Code
• Free 2 samples
• Free Shipping
• Member Points to use
• Total: $119.20 (pre-tax) without points

Nordstrom

• 5x Cashback at ShopDiscover or Chase UR (see cards page for more information)
• Special packaging $221 value (in addition to what the Mia 2 normally comes with)
• Another sensitive Brush Head
• Full-sized (vs. Sample size) 6oz Refreshing Gel Cleanser
• Travel Bag
• In addition, Clarisonic purchases over $99 comes with a colorful barrel bag and another full-size refreshing gel cleanser (6oz) $30 value
• When you order online from Nordstrom you get 3 samples
• For those with Nordstrom card it is currently 3x points until Sunday, September 21, 2014.
• every 2,000 points is $20 Nordstrom note
• Total $149 (pre-tax) - $7.45 CB = $141.51

BeautyBar (My code is CHRI951622)

• 2x Cashback from FatWallet or 4x Cashback from TopCashBack
• If you are new customer you get 20% off your purchase with code AFF20BEAUTYBAR since I am not I qualify for the current code FALLBB14 which is $20 off $100, and $40 off $200

• In addition with an American Express card you get $20 Statement Credit for purchases over $100 (some have this as an available offer) if not tweet #AmexCasa with your synced twitter account (more information to come)

• Let's say I am able to bring my bag total to $200 (big if) I would be paying $160 out of pocket - $20 statement credit - $6.40 CB = $133.60

Lowest price option: Birchbox 

Most bang for my buck: BeautyBar ($40 free products of my choosing)

Close second and very tempting: Nordstrom (with all the freebies for the Clarisonic)

I will most likely be making my purchase from Beauty Bar!

Blogging About Obsessions

In the last 6 months, I have become obsessed with everything makeup. Before this I was just a mascara and eyeliner and foundation on occasion sort of girl. Something must have exploded within me, because my interests just grew. I guess I should have seen it coming with my slow desire to start using the Clinique's free gifts eyeshadows.

I'm the sort of person who is always after a deal. Sometimes if I know something is a deal I will buy it even though I do not need it. Then again, for all you makeup/skincare lovers out there - there's no such thing as too much for us.

Maybe it's because I first discovered Michelle Phan and then it led to other youtube gurus like Jaclyn Hill, Shaaanx, Its Judy Time, Tati, From Head to Toe, Essie Button, Bubzbeauty, Fleur, Hollyannaree just to name a few.

I just wanted to have a space that I can write about products I love, products I bought, and products that I am eyeing and maybe give you some insight on finding the best deal possible!