A Beauty Detoxer's Wish List

Mmmm... I'm itching to spend some money!

1. Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Powder Foundation ($34) - If you follow me on instagram, you saw that I did a #sephorahaul of my mother's last week. (Yes...lame-o. I was spending her money, not mine. BUT, she's a doll and it went on my VIB card!) She got this gem, and... I used it. Duh! It went on so smoothly (not too powder-y/cake-y... you know how those powder foundations can be). I currently use a mineral foundation that is specifically for oily skin, and this Josie Maran gloriousness stayed matte (over my CC cream) all day! I could feel the argan oil actually balancing out my skin. I've read reviews that say it runs out really quickly (one user said 2 months), so it seems a bit pricey for the use, but it was wonderful. And, of course, I love how natural Josie's products are.

2. Soapwalla Deodorant Cream ($14) - I like to jump on Refinery29.com every now & then. They had a great article about beauty trends that are done... All-natural deodorant being one of those trends. I can attest to that. I do love my Lavanilla (I rave on & on in my first ever post), but the hubs doesn't when it doesn't last all day long. He will make me put my Dove on before I can hug him... Ha! So, I was intrigued by seeing that this spreads on as a cream, and supposedly lasts all day... I adore lavender, peppermint and tea tree. Woot woot! It has ALL THREE. Plus, you know I'm digging that it's paraben, chemical, alluminum and petroleum free.

3. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Creme Colour Concentrate in Pleasure Model ($20) - I've been on the hunt for a neutral cream shadow base. There are a bazillion out there (yes... I've counted), but as you know, I'm detoxing my cosmetics. I am interested in OCC; I've not used it before, but it's cruelty, paraben, sulfate and phthalate free! I would really like to see it in person, but nowhere near me carries it. I'll just have to order it online and return in-store if it's not what I'm looking for. Gotta love Sephora's return policy! I hope it's not like a warm pink. I need an almost-not-there pink for my albino skin. Crossing my fingers eyes!

4. Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment ($69) - Since seeing pictures of this mask in use on Pinterest of someone's gangrene-looking nose, I've been so fascinated. (Go ahead... google it or search in Pinterest. It's grossly awesome). Having struggled with acne my whole non-baby life, I like a good mask. If this wasn't $69, I'd already have it. Anyone else use this? Is it worth it? And, you guessed it... paraben, sulfate, phthalate free! It does have phenoxyethanol, which is scored as a 4 for toxicity on EWG's Skin Deep database. I'm feeling a little ok with it, because it's only sitting on my skin for 10-20 minutes max, twice a week max. 

5. Jurlique Eye Makeup Remover ($25) - Thanks to my monthly Birchbox, I'm getting exposed to products beyond what Sephora carries. Jurlique is one of those new brands I'm wanting to get more of! I read an article recently about how the French have some of the best skin in the world due to their toilette that they pass down to their next generation. It's a ritual! And they're much less harsh than we are on our skin. So, after all my years of astringent and acne creams, I'm moving over to sensitive, kinder products. This remover is missing all those toxins I've mentioned before (except for the phenoxyethanol). I'm having a hard time using more natural products that still get off all my mascara and gel/waterproof liner. My Bliss Lid + Lash Wash is working great now, but when it's gone, I'm not repurchasing, because of  the propylene glycol. I plan to use my Birchbox points when I get to 100 next month again to purchase this and try.

6. Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow in Titanium ($32) - This is my "naughty" wish... It's definitely not natural (primer has parabens), but I got hooked when watching this Sephora video. My brother's wedding is in less than a month, and I'm wearing a gray/silver dress in "mercury." This will go perfectly. I had a Sephora employee demo it for me last time I was in a store, and it is so versatile and beautiful. But $32 for one eye shadow is making me cringe a bit... We'll see if I make this unnatural plunge... :) Has anyone else used it? Thoughts?

I know it's dangerous for me to read other bloggers wish lists, because then I spend money... Tell me if I was a bad influence on you! It'll make me happy. (Is that wrong?)

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Sephora.com Haul

One of my biggest guilty pleasures is Sephora.com. I like it much better than the store... don't ask me why. Maybe because no one asks me if I need help. And when I'm still there 3 hours later, no one suspects me of shop lifting...

I had considered a spending ban for the new year, but eff that. Minus nail polishes - those are out of control.

Look at all these goodies! I bet you'd be surprised if I told you I'd only paid for two of them... Well, be surprised!

Another reason I lurve shopping on Sephora.com is the free shipping for over $50, plus my points (had over 600), plus my VIB code (see my breakdown of the new VIB kit here) "2013" for two deluxe samples.

Here's what I've got:

- Lorac Unzipped Eyeshadow Palette - $40

- Buxom Shimmer Shine and Smoke set - 500 points

- Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores - 100 points

- Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil - "2013" deluxe sample

- Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum - "2013" deluxe sample

- Origins Sensory Therapy Peace of Mind On the Spot Treatment - $12

- Lancome Trevor perfume sample

- YSL L'Homme sample

- Stella McCartney L.I.L.Y. sample

I just got all this stuff TODAY. Literally couldn't wait a minute to talk about it. When I walked in and saw the box on the counter I got super excited  demonstratively giddy, and the hubs just laughed at me. Since I just got it today I don't have a lot of comments on the product (that's relative to what you think is a lot... let's be honest. I'm long winded), but I will give you some great images and details. Here goes!

Packaging is cool. Not as grippy as the Pro (should stay cleaner), but it's magnetic! I like that & the large mirror, too. 

 Look at that! Shimmer AND matte! So glad they kept with their tradition of combining the two. After being so extremely pleased with the Pro Palette I didn't expect anything less!

I actually really like that there isn't a black shade. Almost every palette ever made has a black for liner, but I don't need that. I'd rather have the extra shade to play with. I also don't have any brown eye liners, so this UNTAMED is perfect.

I love the names of these shades! The Pro Palette was a simple "White, Taupe, Nude, Mauve..." but these are fun and sexy... like it's title of Unzipped!

And now for the REAL reason I bought this whole thing. One of my *Beauty Library* items is the Behind the Scenes primer. It's the BEST I've used. Yes, better than UDPP & Too Faced. I'm getting low on my small size from the Pro Palette. So, while on Sephora.com about to put the $21 primer in my shopping cart I thought: Well, heck... for $19 more I can get my primer AND a new Lorac palette. You can't argue with that logic, can you? (Don't try...) 

I always wait so long to cash in my Beauty Insider points, because I'm not thrilled with the options time and time again. When I saw this one I thought Finally! A perk I will use! (I think a lot, huh?) 

The gloss might be a bit too warm for me and the luminizer (or whatever they call it... too lazy to go look at the box) is really gold. I tend to gravitate towards silver and cool tones, so these will be interesting to try. The liner which has goes on with a fine point and is water proof. I think we'll be good friends. Just a heads up - it has "silver" in the title, and the packaging is navy, but it really looked black on my skin. I'm a little confused by it.

I've already used this mascara before and really like it. It works well for every day lashes. I wouldn't say it gives huge volume or amazing, dramatic results. However, that brush is da bomb at keeping it clump-free. It's also the least flaky mascara I've used.

Having acne and oily prone skin I'm always down for trying a new mask. I'm a fan of origins because of their natural leanings and chemical consciousness. Again, I was impressed with this being a 100 point perk.

Look how thick that goes on! And I didn't dispense very much. This sample will last a LONG time, Folks!

If you read my January Ipsy glam bag review, you know how much I love Josie Maran's 100% Argan Oil for so many reasons. It's friendly to acne prone skin and hasn't even broken me out. So, when this was offered as a deluxe sample, I thought (shocking, I know...) Sah-weet!

It's a cleansing oil. Is that even possible? I guess so! I'll be trying it tonight to remove my makeup (while simultaneously crossing my fingers that I won't have 15 huge blemishes in the morning). 

I'm a HUGE Tarte fan! Like Origins (or Korres or Fresh) they work hard to eliminate ingredients like Propylene Glycol, SLS, and parabens. So, I've always been curious about their illuminating serum. So far I'm a little surprised. It came out really watery. I would recommend shaking it up first. 

You can see how it's thicker than many illuminizers, etc. 

This albino gal would rather call it a bronzer. So, if you're a tanner person than me (which means anything darker than a piece of paper) it will probably serve its purpose. If you are as fair as I am, then welcome to your new bronzer... I'm not sure how I feel about that. It looks pretty orange, huh?

Another Origins item I have been interested in for years but never purchased is their Sensory Therapy Peace of Mind. You just take a spot of it and put it on your ear lobes, temples, back of your neck or on your forehead and it helps relieve headaches and stress. I've actually read so many reviews of migraine sufferers who have had success with this goodness. 

I love anything with essential oils! It took me forever to spend $12 on this little bitty bottle, but who wouldn't spend that and more for a real peace of mind?

I won't go into grave detail re: the perfumes. I do have a mini rant. Why is perfume the ONLY sample that's been available lately? I want makeup samples - lipstick, mascara, eyeshadow? Or what about primers? Any of you received any great samples from the 3 free in every order?

Are you interested in any of these things? Let me know, and I'll do a more in depth review after I've used them!

Are any of these going on your "To Get" or "To Get After this Dumb Spending Ban" list?

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January 2013 Ipsy Glam Bag!

Being a newbie beauty blogger I stumbled upon the world of beauty subscriptions a la Ipsy & Birchbox, etc while reading blogs and discussing it on forums. After reading lots of reviews and thoughts I decided to go with Birchbox, but was excited when I found Ipsy... It jumped up even higher on my list when I realized there was no waiting list (like Birchbox).

I've seen pix of Glossybox & Birchbox packaging, and they go all out! But Ipsy takes a minimalist approach with a bright pink bubble package. It's fun and simple! When you pull out all the goodies you won't find tissue paper or anything else other than one simple card with fun graphics and a sweet saying - perfectly pretty for a cork board or picture frame. On the back it lists the discount you'll find on each brand when you log into your account on Ipsy.com.

Gotta itemize it all!

• Pacifica Tuscan Orange Blood Body Butter - 2.5 fl oz - Retail $7
• Martini Nail Laquer in Frappe - Retail around $11-13
• Josie Maran 100% Argan Oil - .17 fl oz - worth about $4 based on Retail of .5 oz
• London SOHO Beauty crease brush - Retail $9
• Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray - 1.5 oz - Retail $12
• Black Ipsy makeup bag with stars on a white background - Priceless? Remember those MC commercials? Ha!

If you add all that business up, we've got an estimated value of about $42 on the low end. That's a great bargain, if you ask me!

I was excited to see the Pacifica body butter in Tuscan Blood Orange fall out of this glam bag. I'm a big fan of buying beauty products at Whole Foods (Whole Body), and I've seen this brand there many times. (I also adore Sephora and know they carry a few fragrances). It smells very fruity and citrus-y. I'm normally not a big fan of fruit scents in my body products but this is a sophisticated, rich smell. The shea & mango butters and chamomile help mute the sweet orange, rounding it all out & taking it from what one remembers as Lipsmackers (90's kids unite!) to L'Occitane. Of course I LOVE love LOVE that there are no parabens, no propylene glycol and no SLS. It's also made in the USA! While writing this post I started with a big dollop and still have silky hands (an hour later) without having ever felt greasy!

The nail Laquer wasn't the most exciting item, but its a good neutral. Here is a swatch with one coat - very sheer with a slight peachy undertone. After learning more about Nailtini I started to get excited. I like to buy Essie polishes (I mean... who doesn't?), because it does not have formaldehyde, and I was excited to learn this brand also prides it self on limiting toxic ingredients! Again, more natural and made in the USA!

Josie Maran's argan oil is actually one of my *Beauty Library* items, so I was stoked to find a mini bottle of it I can now use for travel or to toss in my bag. It's not scented and has a slight natural smell. What's fun is the packaging says it's cold pressed to maintain nutrients AND that the smell changes depending on the batch. So... your smell may not be my smell. :) It has many uses, but I mainly use it after I shave to prevent razor burn. I also use it in my wet hair before drying and as a facial moisturizer. I love that even the mini size has a dropper as part of the topper.

A makeup brush! How can you go wrong with that? I'm a big fan of tools and see them as an investment. I already have a great crease brush from Merle Norman but its not as fluffy (is that a proper MUA word?) as this one. I'm curious to see how well it focuses on the crease. It almost seems big enough to be a blending brush. But it retails $9 usually, so my $10 seems like a great deal!

I've used Big Sexy Hair's root volume spray before and it was so-so, so I'm curious to see how this hairspray works to volumize... I've never had a love affair with any hairspray. (The longest relationship I've ever had is with Rusk W8less, and it's because it smells delightful). We just don't mesh, generally, so we shall see...

I have so many makeup bags! That's perhaps one of my least favorite things about the Ipsy Glam Bags. Maybe if it was cute I would feel differently, but it's solid black on the outside - pretty underwhelming. I read on Sephora's Beauty Talk where someone had the idea to donate them to women's shelters with product you don't want. I just might do that!

So, what do you fellow beauty babes think about this January 2013 Ipsy versus other subscriptions you've received? What do you do with all the bags? Was it worth $10 + shipping? (I think so!...)


If you want an in detail review of one or more of these products let me know so I can write one just for you once I get to use it a good bit.

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