Cutex Advanced Revival Nail Polish Remover Pads

I really, really love these. The felt leaves very little lint (but a little... it's not perfect). One pad did BOTH hands, which is typically unheard of for me! Before I used the last one (images below) I used the first one on red nails - and still did a great job!

I love that there are "botanical oils" in this. You'll see why later.

So plush!

Before - Sephora polish (really nude pink)

After. They don't look dried out, right?!

Thanks, Influentser for sending me these to try for free in exchange for my opinion!

#socutex #healthynails #contest #ad

2014 Sephora VIB Welcome Kit Unveiled

Sephora VIB Welcome Kit!

Hidy ho! One of my most visited posts was reviewing the VIB welcome kit in 2012. That must mean y'all like to learn about it! I just re-qualified last week while at a JCP Sephora. I'm excited to learn that dollars spent at JCP now qualify towards VIB status. (They didn't used to.)

{In case you're dying to know - in order to qualify, I snatched Ole Henriksen's Sheer Transformation and Bare Minerals' Exfoliating Powder Cleanser while getting a makeover for a wedding. I started my #100DaysofEmpties challenge over on my IG with the Sheer Transformation review. Check it out!}

First obvious difference from 2012 - no physical kit*. (With a janky mirror that won't open). It's all e-mail and coupon codes now. Not bad - less waste, and you don't have to keep track of little paper rectangles. Just show the email in the store. At the bottom of the email there are directions for Sephora associates on how to process the coupons.

*Note - I am a) requalifying, not a new VIB and b) I was not in a free standing store. So, there may be a card given to new VIBs or folks who re-qualify or newly qualify in a free standing location (not JCP).

Note that I didn't get re-qualified for an entire calendar year but until the end of 2015 - 16 whole months! That's nice!

Same as last year - 10% off next order for 30 days and free shipping coupon code for 60 days. I really love the latter, because sometimes you just want something for $25 + 3 free samples (& to maybe use 100 or 500 points for a perk) without having to add stuff in there to get it to $50. Paying for shipping makes me curl up in the corner, weeping; so anything to avoid it is prime. 

The 10% off one - smarter to save for an over $50 order, but do it quick. With the 100 day challenge in play, I may have to spend some (breaking my rules) to not lose the coupons. But if I promise to not use it until I use the equivalent # of empties, will y'all give me permission?? Please?! K. Thanks. :)

Free makeover (normally $50 of product purchased for VIBs, or free for VIB Rouge). And you can put your VIB card on your Passbook on the iPhone for easy scanning at check out.

I've never used this, but there's an 877 number for a free beauty concierge. And after personalizing my VIB account on Sephora.com, it recommends products for me. I've never really bought anything recommended. I already have a hard enough not buying everything other bloggers favorably review. I gotta draw the line somewhere.

Here's the fine print on how to earn points, to re-qualify, etc (in case you were wondering). 

Now if I can just rein it in on my spending and not blow it out with these coupons! #100DaysofEmpties, please help a sister (and her wallet) out.

Hope this helps! What are you most excited about??

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100 Days of Empties Challenge

How IOS 8 Made this Post Happen

Hey, Y'all! Where've ya been all my life? The real question is where have I been. 

Busy. Work-traveling 80% o' the time leaves little time for the best parts of life = writing about all my beauty mania. I have no delusions that thousands (ok. ok; let's be honest, *dozens*...) of folks were waiting with bated breath for my next post 7 months later... Regardless, I enjoy just knowing a few will skim it quickly. 

{Gals, I am fully aware - and unashamed - that I'm super long-winded; so skimming is understandable.}

What drew me out from the land of the blogging dead, you ask? It all started with IOS 8. Yep. I'm generally fine with not updating my phone all that often, seeing as I have like 1200 photos. There's just never enough gigs. The hubs forced me to import them all and upgrade. And then it happened:

<<< Every #notd, #fotd, #bbloggers, and #empties post flashed before my iPhoto eyes; and I found myself longing for some more beauty talk in my life. It's like when you see an old friend and realize how much you missed her. You think: "How did I ever let us grow apart?" >>>

On top of that, one of my favorite instagram accounts has been posting her #100DaysofEmpties challenge for a while now, and I just enjoy reading her reviews. Therefore, IOS 8 + @BeautyEmpties = "I'm baaaaaaaaaaack!" 

(Did you hear that in my creepy movie voice? Good.)

Wanna know how good I am at reviewing empties?? Just check me out here (pre-detox days) and here (post-detox days)!

THE RULES

Simple: In order to buy something or use something new, something has to go. For the next 100 days (ending Dec 29th - the day after my big 3-0!) I'll post the empty with a small review to help YOU know what to consider or ignore on those oh-so-tempting store (or virtual) shelves.

REASONS I *LURVE* IT

<< Numero Uno >>

I have TONS (the literal unit of weight measurement) of product. Between my Birchbox subscription (that's currently on hold to pause the sample madness) and past Julep, Ipsy, Ulta and (the real issue) Sephora orders, things have gotsta GO.

<< Numero Dos >>

I struggle (it's real) to NOT spend money on new products. If it was socially acceptable to have as many mascaras, blushes, brushes, shampoos, lipsticks, etc as the number of nail polishes I have, I would need more room in my house and a better paying job. The current situation isn't as bad as some I've seen, but it's not superb, either...

<< Numero Tres >>

It'll hold me more accountable to my beauty routine. I'll be straight with you... It's inconsistent. I've gotten better at washing my face every night (or using facial wipes), but the following serum, eye cream, then night cream (or daytime moisturizer and eye cream) isn't consistent. I'm excited to treat myself a bit better (especially with all the travel stress to counteract). I mean... I have already washed all my brushes tonight and used foot scrub and face mask samples I had today because of this. (And gave myself a mani... Uh-oh. #NOTD on it's way!)

If you're interested in learning about new (possibly, to you) products and whether I give them a thumbs up or down, then head over to my IG account and give a little follow! 

{And if you're scared of commitment, then just for 100 days.}

Or, if you're adventurous and LAUGH in the face of commitment, then join me?

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