Cleansing

Recent Repurchases – Fall/Winter 2016

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Us beauty bloggers talk a LOT about new things we’ve tried, or NEW(ish in my case!) favorites, but I think we collectively do a poor job of talking about what we loved enough to repurchase. I might really enjoy a product for a few months, but by the time I get to the end of the bottle or hit pan, things may have changed.

Here’s are my recent repurchases as of last week.

 

Recent Repuchases - Million Dollar Tan Cabana TanMillion Dollar Tan Cabana Tan

Some of my hunt for a more cost-effective sunless tanner has been chronicled. I’m not unhappy with Million Dollar Tan in the slightest, but accessibility and cost are key items that factor in my buying choices. St Tropez is more accessible didn’t blow my mind. Vita Liberata is more accessible, but also more costly. Many drugstore options are hit-or-miss. On Thanksgiving, Million Dollar Tan featured a 40% off discount – so I snagged the already-discounted 2-pack of Cabana Tan for only $30 TOTAL with the 40% code and free shipping. Normally $32 EACH (I’ve never paid full price, but still) this is a solid deal. With my usage, it takes me forever to get through the product, so it will be about two years before I need to replenish.

For those who would prefer to order through a retailer, Nordstrom carries it now too.

 

2016 Holiday Gift Guide - Big Sexy Hair Volumizing SetBig Sexy Hair Root Pump

I’m utterly helpless when it comes to hair, but I’ve figured out how to be presentable for work. One of the consequences of insisting on having long hair is that long locks tend to weigh down roots, so I need help in that department. I’ve bought a few travel-sized bottles of Big Sexy Hair Root Pump before, too gun-shy to shell out for the a full-sized can. This gift set from JcPenney (fluctuates between $22-25) finally got me to bite the bullet with some promo code and rewards cash for ultra-cheap.

Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki

Sigma F80

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Micellar Water Challenge Conclusion

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Micellar Water

It hardly seems like it, but a month has already passed since I took part in a Micellar Water Challenge. At that time, I also issued that same challenge to you readers – eschew your makeup wipes, and try using micellar water for your makeup removal needs as well.

How My Skin Feels

In a word, my skin feels awesome. Since I started removing my makeup with Micellar Water instead of using a makeup wipe, the skin on my cheeks has retained more of its moisture. Combined with my normal exfoliation routine, my skin is doing pretty well – less flaky skin around my nose. Finally, I’ve not needed to use quite as heavy a hand with moisturizers.

Also, no fragrance! Dear skincare companies, please please stop adding perfumes to facial skincare products. Thanks.

Cost Considerations with Micellar Water

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Labor Day

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I’m giving myself a day off. I hope you have one to enjoy; if not, I hope you have one soon. For today, some more tidbits.

  • The Urban Decay Electric Palette is on clearance at Macy’s for only $24. Tempting.
  • I have a dream that we live in a world where Sephora does Labor Day sales.
  • Speaking of sales, Ulta is doing another 21 Days of Beauty. Today, they have Becca Luminous Blush and IT Cosmetics eyeliner on sale. Truth be told, though, I’m kind of underwhelmed. I will probably pick up two more Clarisonic brush heads on the 16th, though.
  • In 2015 around now, I talked about my experience with makeup sales people. I did visit this past week, though, and had a far more real, sincere experience. Got color matched, got zero false-flattery BS.
  • I tried out the L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte AND Pro-Glow foundations. They wear well, but I haven’t found the right colors for me. How I wish drugstore items had testers – they’d probably lose less money if they did (rather than some asshat choosing to treat stock as their own tester).
  • Happily, I can report that my hair is NOT losing its mind after several months of primarily using Tigi Moisture Maniac.
  • The red Stridex Pads are still treating my skin kindly, too!
  • Beauty Retailers are going to start stocking their Holiday 2016 sets soon. How crazy is that? I won’t buy any of the holiday palettes, but there’s definitely value in some of the other kits.
  • I finally remembered to redeem my Play! Pass and got my extra 50 Beauty Insider points.
  • I’m in desperate need of a DIY Pedicure and plan to give myself one today.

If you do have the day off for Labor Day, what will you spend it doing?

Cheers.

Swisspers Facial Cotton

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Swisspers Facial CottonSwisspers Facial Cotton, $4

Have you joined me in taking the Micellar Water Challenge?

When I started, I only kept some cotton-rounds in the house. The rounds were textured on one side and plush on the other. Somehow, the layers are bound together. The process that does so, however, results in an edge that has a sharp quality to it. That sharp edge + applying facial products = ow.

It’s a good rule of thumb to avoid products that can create micro-cuts on the skin – bacteria doesn’t need much, after all, to cause chaos.

To replace them, I picked up these Swisspers Facial Cotton. They’ve been FAR kinder to my skin than the rounds, and I’m considering clearing the shelf of my local stores because I love them. I hear the Shiseido Facial Cotton pads are the cotton pads, but I can’t bring myself to spend nearly $10 on the damn things.

How do you apply Micellar Water or toner? I’ve tried tissue and it made me crazy.

One Month Micellar Water Challenge

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Micellar WaterWhen I shared my skincare arsenal overhaul earlier this year, I mentioned that I was considering ditching makeup wipes. I was consistently using micellar water to remove my makeup, but at the end of a long day I was letting myself reach for the convenient option.

Well, I’m finally out of makeup wipes. I’m choosing to prioritize my skin over convenience for one month. Since last Friday (August 19) I have exclusively been using the Garnier Micellar Water I wrote about in April.

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Sephora Play July 2016

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Sephora Play July 2016Sephora Play July 2016
Ouai Wave Spray / NEST Citrine / Smashbox Photo Finish Primer /
Benefit Dew the Hoola / First Aid Beauty Cleanser /
not pictured because I am an ass beautyblender Blotterazzi

Ouai Wave Spray

I’ve been seeing Ouai products buzzed about, but I knew (know, really) nothing about the brand. This wave spray claims to add texture by encouraging the hair to fall into a wave pattern. So far, I have used it twice each on damp and dry hair (four times, total). I’m not impressed, unfortunately; the spray did nothing my hair does not do anyway.

Beyond that, it is quite fragranced; in small doses, its fine. Pleasant, even. As much as my hair requires (read: not a small dose), however, is entirely too much. On top of that, the fragrance isn’t for everyone.

>> Have you tried it? Did you have better luck than I did? I think it could do more for hair that is already prone to waves and curls, but…alas, not me.

NEST Citrine

Again with the fragrances – fragrance is so personal, I have difficulty reviewing it. I wouldn’t purchase Citrine, but I don’t hate it. It will come live in my desk at my office for days I forget fragrance (and want to wear something).

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

Who hasn’t tried this primer? I’m not going to wax poetic about it – it’s the standard Photo Finish primer. I’m not bummed by it being here because I can always make use of tiny sample sizes. They’re great for travel, of course, for an emergency desk stash, or to pass along to a friend in need.

That said, I wouldn’t ever buy this full-sized. This anti-chafe gel is a far more affordable dupe (very similar ingredients and feel), even if it is a bit odd to keep in a makeup kit. It’s cheaper at the drugstore, even, than Amazon. The specialty versions, however, with color correction? I would consider those!

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