Rejoice beauty lovers and try-ers of new things, Sephora has it’s very own monthly subscription box! The box is called Play! By Sephora and it started September 2015, but the caveat is that you can’t just sign up and get it, you have to be on a wait list first (womp womp). It took me about 2-3 months to get off the wait list (they email you and let you know when that happy day comes). I haven’t received my first box yet, but I can’t wait! The box has about 5 samples along with a Play! book that explains what they are and how to use them. You also get a card called a Play Pass that you can bring into Sephora to get a free personalized tutorial and 50 bonus Beauty Insider points (which means even more samples!) when you make a purchase. The box is totally reasonable at $10 a month plus sales tax and shipping is included. Hurry up and sign-up for the wait list for Play! By Sephora so you can get in on the next box! Also a little hint, when you get the email that says you’re off the wait list and you click the link to get the box it looks like you’re signing up for the wait list again, but don’t worry that’s the correct box to enter your email address into. Here’s what the May 2016 Play! By Sephora box looked like: Continue reading “Play! By Sephora”
Category: Skin Care
Skincare products, skin care routines, skin care recommendations, celebrity skin care, real housewives skin care, skin care for combination skin, face wash, retin-a, serums, face masks, treatments, facials, microdermabrasion, sun protection, SPF, skin cancer, body care, moisturizers, lotion, cremes, skin discoloration, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, sagging skin, botox, fillers, dysport, juvaderm, injectables, non surgical procedures, lasers, celebrity skin care secrets, facial massage, spas
Father’s Day Gift Ideas
Last year for Father’s Day I gave my dad a themed gift that was semi-“beauty” related so I thought I’d share the idea here! I’ll start by saying that the photo in this header is from when my dad took me to Turks and Caicos. We’ve been boating and going to tropical locations since I was in the womb (literally) so this is a “fun in sun” gift idea that isn’t actually fun at all, but it is super useful and practical, so… But seriously, thank you so much daddy-o for inspiring my love of travel and exploring!
I’ve posted about how I’ve had melanoma before and my dad had basal cell carcinoma removed from his head somewhat recently. This means I try to be VERY diligent about my sun protection and try to convince my family to do the same since we live in Florida and Southern California. Here’s what I got him:
Jack Black ‘Double-Duty’ Face Moisturizer SPF 20 ($28) This is a broad spectrum sunscreen meaning it protects agains UVA and UVB rays (major key). The ‘Double-Duty’ part is that it contains powerful antioxidants that help protect skin from aging from sun exposure. No matter who you are those 2 things are what you should be looking for in a sunscreen. This also had great customer reviews. Also, what man knows how to buy himself a moisturizer… Continue reading “Father’s Day Gift Ideas”
Where to Buy Makeup in LA
If you’re a beauty junkie that’s planning a trip to Los Angeles you might be wondering where to buy makeup in LA. I’m not a makeup artist or really “in the biz” so all of these places are also open to the public. I’ll start off by saying that Los Angeles is a large city and even though 2 locations may seem close distance-wise, it can take forever to get between them especially if you are going during rush hour. I’ll start with a few of the big ones you may have heard of that are unique to LA. These are all located in the Valley. I’ve made a Google Map of the best makeup shopping in LA. If you’re coming in from out of town you may arrive at the LAX airport and the Valley is going to be the furthest possible place from the airport so I would not recommend making these your first stops, but here they are:
Best Deals at the Sephora Spring 2016 VIB Sale
Sephora has 2 big sales a year and one of them is upon us – the Sephora VIB Sale from 4/8-13/16 you get 15% off all purchases. If you’re like me you want to maximize that in order to get the best value possible so you can feel like you beat the system.
Here are some really good deals:
Sephora Favorites Deluxe Perfume Sampler ($65)
Let’s take a look at those savings:
The price of this set is $65 ($114 Value) -15% off with VIBNOTE (must be Sephora VIB) through Wednesday 4/13/16 = $55.25 and -10% off for everyone else with code BINOTE through Tuesday, 4/12/16 = $58.50
– 0.24 oz Atelier Cologne Sud Magnolia Cologne Absolue dabber (Scent certificate redeems for 1 oz bottle ) 0.25oz Rollerball is $25, 1oz is $85 Continue reading “Best Deals at the Sephora Spring 2016 VIB Sale”
Sephora VIB Sale Spring 2016 Reviews and Recommendations
I wanted to make a quick post where I re-evaluate my previous reviews to give you some ideas for what to buy and what to skip at the Sephora VIB Sale 2016 which starts in 3 days on Thursday April 7th if you’re VIB Rouge or April 8th if you’re VIB and goes until the 13th.
As a refresher in order to be Sephora VIB you must spend $500 in a calendar year. The good news is that if you spend more than that then it rolls over towards the next year. To find out your status you can log on to Sephora.com and click “(Your name)’s Account” in the top right corner. If it says “VIB Beauty Insider” you’re in! You can use “VIBNOTE” online during the sale and get 15% off your entire purchase.
2015 Sephora VIB Purchases:
Continue reading “Sephora VIB Sale Spring 2016 Reviews and Recommendations”
Sephora VIB Sale Spring 2016 What to Buy and What to Skip
As I mentioned in my previous post, the Sephora VIB sale Spring 2016 is back starting April 7th for VIB Rouge and April 8th for straight VIB through the 13th, 2016. The spring discount is the typical 15% off. The discount works both in store and online (using code VIBNOTE). Also, you can basically get another 4% off taking you to 19% by using Ebates:
So let’s get into the purchases that I have made since my Fall Sephora VIB Sale post:
Continue reading “Sephora VIB Sale Spring 2016 What to Buy and What to Skip”
Sephora VIB Sale Post Round-Up and Ebates Info
The Spring 2016 Sephora VIB sale is coming up April 8-13th, 2016 (if you’re Sephora VIB Rouge the sale starts April 7th). I wanted to make a list of all of my prior VIB posts to help you make your shopping lists. Here they are from newest to oldest:
- Best Deals at the Sephora Spring 2016 VIB Sale
- Sephora VIB Sale Spring 2016 Reviews and Recommendations
- Sephora VIB Sale Spring 2016 What to Buy and What to Skip
- Sephora VIB Sale What to Buy and What to Skip (Fall) 2015
- Sephora VIB Wish List (Spring 2015)
- Sephora VIB Sale Spring 2015
- Reviews of My Sephora VIB 2014 Purchases
- What I Bought at the Sephora VIB Sale
- Sephora VIB Sale What to Buy and What to Skip (Fall 2014)
Remember the Spring sale is 15% off for Sephora VIBs (login at Sephora.com to figure out if you’re VIB). The fall sale is the bigger one at 20%, but who doesn’t like a discount on makeup and beauty supplies!? You can redeem the discount both online and in store and this years Sephora VIB Sale coupon code is “VIBNOTE” which you will enter at checkout.
Also, don’t forget that joining Ebates will get you cash back on top of your discount. The current Ebates deal is 4% cash back which would bring your “discount” to 19% which means you can buy more fun things 😉 To use Ebates just
2. Search for Sephora on Ebates and click the link: Continue reading “Sephora VIB Sale Post Round-Up and Ebates Info”
Best Products by theBalm on HauteLook
Attention everyone, this is not a test! theBalm is on HauteLook and most of the products are 50% off! This sale ends on 1/20/16 so do not wait!!! Go now!! theBalm is sold at places like Frends Beauty in LA and the big fancy Walgreens on Sunset Blvd, but otherwise it can be somewhat hard to find. I mentioned it in my 2015 Makeup Favorites post because two of my faves came from theBalm and I had some honorable mentions in there as well. theBalm has excellent quality, fantastic pigmentation, and adorable and creative packaging, what else could you need?? Without further ado here’s some recommendations and reviews!
My Favorite Products from theBalm
theBalm Highlighters
How the hell do I use a highlighter? You may be asking yourself. Well friend, using either your finger or a blush start with a small amount because this stuff is PIGMENTED! Put some on the inner corners of your eyes, down the bridge (center going from top to bottom) of your nose and a little extra on the tip of your nose, put some on your brow bone (draw a line following directly beneath your eyebrow), put some on the high points of your cheeks (almost to your temples under your eyes), put some on your cupid’s bow (right along the ridge of your upper lip) and put some on the center of your bottom lip. You don’t have to put it on all of these places, but these are some options that will have you look like a shimmering glowing goddess. You can also just use this like you would an eyeshadow.
Mary-Lou Manizer by theBalm
Mary-Lou Manizer by theBalm (normally $24 on sale for $12): This stunning highlight shade is a favorite of the beauty community for a reason. It’s a shimmering honey color that can be used as a highlighter or as an eyeshadow. This color looks great on the fairest to medium skin tones.
Cindy-Lou Manizer
Cindy-Lou Manizer by theBalm (normally $24 on sale for $12): This is also a highlighter that looks gorgeous on top of a pink or coral blush. It has more of a pinky-peach duo chrome that looks gorgeous when light hits it. I’ve been wearing Cindy-Lou even more than Mary-lou lately!
theBalm Bronzer/Contour Powder
Bahama Mama Bronzer/Shadow/Contour Powder
Bahama Mama Bronzer/Shadow/Contour Powder by theBalm (Normally $20 on sale for $10): My absolute favorite contour color! This shade has more of a neutral undertone so it won’t make you look orange! This powder is VERY PIGMENTED so again, start slowly and work up until you get the desired effect. This shade looks great on fair to medium-dark complexions. I also use it all over the lid as a matte-brown eye shadow or sometimes as a crease color. I use it all over the face as a bronzer as well when I want to look DARK!
theBalm Blush
FratBoy Blush/Shadow
FratBoy Blush/Shadow by theBalm (Normally $21 on sale for $10.50): This is a great peach shade with a hint of pink and subtle shimmer. This shade definitely packs a punch (highly pigmented) and is great for a good glow. I LOVE their packaging “So many men, so little time…” how perfect, right?
INSTAIN Blush in Lace
INSTAIN Blush in Lace by theBalm (Normally $22 on sale for $11): Looking for a blush as crazy intense as Lace is this season on the Bachelor? Well look no further! Holy PIGMENT. This blush is BRIGHT as heck so only use it if you’re looking for an intense and long-lasting effect. This blush is for bold girls!
theBalm Lipstick
theBalm Girls Lipstick in Ima Goodkisser
theBalm Girls Lipstick in Ima Goodkisser (Normally $17 on sale for $8.50): First of all, I love how these lipsticks are a cute little play on Bond girls. This lipstick is moisturizing and has decent pigmentation, but is by no means completely opaque. This color is a nice soft-shimmering coral and has a vanilla-mint scent. I like this lipstick and the color, but I think it tends to get on my teeth more because it’s so moisturizing. Take that info with a grain of salt since I feel like I get lipstick on my teeth 95% of the time that I wear it ha!
theBalm Eyeliner
Schwing Liquid Eyeliner in Black
Schwing Liquid Eyeliner in Black by theBalm (Normally $17 on sale for $8.50): My favorite liquid eyeliner! Very pigmented and very black so you won’t have to keep going over and over your line! This is long lasting and fast drying and a matte black color. I highly recommend this!
Products that I didn’t like as much:
Give Crease a Chance – All-Over Eye Shadow/Eye Blending Brush (Normally $26.50 on sale for $13.25): This brush didn’t really wow me especially for the price. The quality wasn’t that great and the brushes are enormous for eyeshadow. I say skip.
NudeDude Eyeshadow Palette by theBalm (Normally $36 on sale for $18): This palette is very cute, but I rarely find myself reaching for it. I also find that it has a lot of fall out. If I didn’t already have way too many eye shadow palettes, I would get the Meet Matt(e) Nude palette because the beauty community LOVES that one and it has a nice range of shades and great pigmentation.
Products I bought today from theBalm
I picked up BalmShelter Tinted Moisturizer in Light because my skin is THIRSTY! And this one is supposed to be good, a Bahama Mama Bronzer/Contour/Shadow Powder for my sister, CabanaBoy blush which is a plum rose with a subtle shimmer because I just read Dita Von Teese’s book and want to be her, and timeBalm Face Primer because I need a new primer and I like how this one has antioxidants! I was tempted to get Balm Desert bronzer, Overshadow Eye Shadow in No Money, No Honey (but I already have like 12 gold glitters), and Read My Lips in Pop! But I stayed strong and resisted!! Hehe.
Here’s my HauteLook link which will give me a $20 credit if you sign up and make a purchase and will further fuel my makeup addiction 😉 Going through my emails it looks like HauteLook had theBalm today 1/18/16, 9/25/15, 5/1/15, 1/23/15 so every January, May, and September so DON’T MISS THIS 50% OFF THE BALM SALE ON HAUTELOOK YOU WILL REGRET IT!!
Sephora VIB Sale What to Buy and What to Skip 2015
It’s almost here! Sephora’s biggest sale of the year (20% off all purchases) is the Sephora VIB sale and this year’s taking place Friday November 13-16, 2015 both online and in stores. Be sure to check out last year’s Sephora VIB Sale 2014 post with lot’s of reviews and recommendations of products that are still available. As a refresher in order to be VIB you must spend $500 in a calendar year. The good news is that if you spend more than that then it rolls over towards the next year. To find out your status you can log on to Sephora.com and click “(Your name)’s Account” in the top right corner. If it says “VIB Beauty Insider” you’re in! You can use VIB20 online during the sale and get 20% off your entire purchase. If you don’t have VIB you can ask one of your beauty obsessed friends to add a few things to their basket for you. If you don’t have VIB or even a Sephora account you’re not getting the discount, BUT they always offer the BEST gifts with purchase. This year you can pick 1 of 4, it includes 8 samples and a free clutch, and you only have to make a $25 purchase which is like half of 1 thing at Sephora. You can use the code “partypicks” to get in on that fine deal.
Let’s start off with updated reviews of last year’s purchases because liking a product an entire year later is a real testament to whether a product is truly worthy or not.
Continue reading “Sephora VIB Sale What to Buy and What to Skip 2015”
My Travel and Flying Essentials
On the last Traveling in Style post I gave you some of Derek Blasberg’s tips that I have incorporated into my traveling, but today I’m passing on some of my very own!