Makeup

Labor Day Sales Roundup

September 1, 2018 by playworkrepeat Leave a Comment

What would Labor Day Weekend be without all the great sales?! I love seeing all the deals, but it’s hard to keep track of all of the great bargains out there. Here’s a roundup of some of my favorite online retailers and the sales they are currently running, which I’ll keep updating throughout the weekend. Happy shopping!

Labor Day Sales

Beauty Bioscience :: Love my GloPRO, and now you can have it too for 20% off! Since I already have the product and a couple of the heads, I may take advantage of this offer for some creams and this stunning rose quartz attachment. CODE: LDW20

Boden :: Offering 20% for adults and 25% for wee ones. Love this brand for myself and my son. CODE: G9C2

Dermstore :: Up to 20% off on participating brands, which they are kind enough to list here. Nothing worse than finding out the product you threw in your cart with your fingers crossed for discount is not participating, so I really appreciate this list and — to be quite honest — will shop directly from it. Skincare is an expensive hobby! The email I received also mentions receiving a Allies of Skin 1A All-Day Pollution Air Mask with a purchase of $200 or more. CODE: LABORDAY

Joss & Main :: Up to 80% on a lot of great stuff and free shipping on “everything” (I’m sure exclusions apply, but still incentivizing). They are also having flash deals on Monday. Color me intrigued. Very interested in the area rug sale, which goes up to a 65% discount.

Macy’s :: They are having huge sales for dang near everything, but I usually use these sales to buy big ticket furniture for the house. During their last sale on July 4th, I scored a fantastic sectional at an amazing price. Furniture sales looking pretty great this time around, too – up to 65% off!

Nordstrom :: Offering up 40% on so many great items!

Paula’s Choice :: This skincare line is offering 20% off with certain exclusions and free shipping on orders of $50+.

Sephora :: It’s still going on! I listed my recommendation and wish list in this post, and there’s still time to save! Rouge members receive 20% off (CODE: YESROUGE), VIB members receive 15% off (CODE: YESVIB) and Insider members receive 10% off (CODE: YESINSIDER). Codes are good once for online shopping (unlimited at the store), so make sure you’ve got everything you want in there! It’s free to sign up and the sale lasts until 9/3.

Sephora Beauty Insider Appreciation Sale || Hits & Wish List

August 24, 2018 by playworkrepeat 1 Comment

I love a good beauty sale! Sephora’s Beauty Insider Appreciation event is here, which means you can stock up on your staples and feel better about trying out some of those splurge items at a discount!

For those looking for some great new skincare items, here are some products I LOVE and would buy again and again!

1) Indie Lee Discovery Kit || 2) Tatcha Bestsellers Set || 3) Tatcha The Essence || 4) Drunk Elephant B-Hydra || 5) Drunk Elephant Protini || 6) Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser || 7) Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt || 8) Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

And here are some new-to-me products I’m eyeing for myself.

1) Saturday Skin No Bad Days Set || 2) Origins Dr. Andrew Weil For Origins™ Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Treatment Lotion || 3) Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance™ Shampoo || 4) Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance™ Conditioner || 5) Herbivore Prism Exfoliating Glow Potion || 6) Tarte Quench Lip Rescue Balm – Rainforest of the Sea™ Collection in Berry || 7) Omorovicza Acid Fix AHA BHA Treatment

Happy shopping!!

Beauty Review: Boxes, Samples & Empties {July 2018 Edition}

July 31, 2018 by playworkrepeat Leave a Comment

Some amazing beauty finds this month, so let’s jump right in!

July 2018 Sephora Play Box

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Paaarty :: I’m a big fan of Tarte’s products, and this blush is no exception. The color is so pretty and it goes on flawlessly. I have a full-size version in the shade Exposed that I like to wear in the Fall, but Paaarty is perfect in achieving that Summer flush.

Tarte Color Splash Lipstick in Salt Lyfe :: I love how moisturizing the Rainforest of the Sea line is, and this lipstick follows suit. The color is very pretty, although possibly more of an early Fall color for me. Wouldn’t mind picking up another one in a more pink-hued shade, possibly Sunkissed.

Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer :: Up in the air on this one. I’ve heard so much about the benefits of squalane that my expectations may have been unrealistically high. The moisturizer was well-suited for my combo-oily skin, but I didn’t get the wow factor I was (likely unrealistically) expecting.

Korres Wild Rose Vitamin C Active Brightening Oil :: Ugh, I did not want to admit this to myself, but…it appears my skin has some sensitivity to this product. I wish I could give this a good review — or any review — but it broke my skin out on every occasion in which I used it. I was so bummed – it has some great reviews out there.

Algenist GENIUS Liquid Collagen :: I was so excited this was included in this month’s Play!, and it did not disappoint. My skin felt like it had more bounce after each use. Beautiful product…and it smells divine!

Briogeo Rosarco™ Blow Dry Perfection Heat Protectant Crème :: I’m starting to think there is just no help for this hair. It’s hard to tell if this made my hair more frizzy, or if my hair is just beyond repair with this humidity. Either way, wasn’t enough for me to repurchase or recommend.

July 2018 Birchbox

Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser :: Nice cleanser, although I did find it to be a little rough on my skin if I used it the day after using a GloPro microneedling tool.

COOLA® Classic Moisturizer SPF 30 – Cucumber :: Loved this! Smells great, the sun protection was solid and it didn’t break me out. Great summer alternative to my usual moisturizer.

ARROW REVIVE Cooling Cheek Tint :: I had a really hard time applying this, but I’ve honestly never been much of a cheek tint/stain person. I’ll be passing this one along.

Lise Watier HydraForce BB Cream :: Nice subtle coverage, but it made my skin a little greasy throughout the day. Might be better suited for the cooler months for skin on the oily side.

amika Velveteen Dream Smoothing Balm :: This left my hair incredibly greasy. Hard pass for me.

Samples & Empties

Putting these two together this month, because there wasn’t a whole lot that I was able to empty out. Just one..very…important…item — Drunk Elephant’s Protini. I have to say, I’ve noticed a difference since this beauty has left my skincare regime. I will be purchasing this again.

Other samples I tried out this month include:

It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream™ Transforming Moisturizing Super Cream :: I’m not sure if it’s transformative, but it was certainly a nice cream. Better for night for combo-oily skin such as mine.

Sunday Riley C.E.O. Serum :: Sunday Riley is one of my favorite brands. In fact, I religiously used Good Genes for years and would go back to it in a heartbeat! There are so many fantastic Vitamin C serums out there right now — like Drunk Elephant’s C-Firma and Maelove’s The Glow Maker — that I can’t say I’ll give C.E.O. a second look.

La Mer Moisturizing Soft Creme :: Same as the Confidence in a Cream for me, but it truly is so hard to get a feel for a product after just a couple of uses. It was certainly lovely and would work well as part of my night routine. Suppose I was just expecting fireworks with the name La Mer attached.

Fresh Black Tea Corset Cream Firming Moisturizer :: Firming, indeed…I LOVED this! Noticed a difference immediately. I’ll be picking up a full-sized version at the Sephora sale this Fall.

Lancome Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Eye :: I liked how moisturizing this eye cream was, though I’m not sure I saw enough of a benefit to spring for the full-size with plenty of other effective and budget-friendly alternatives on the market.

Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask with Echinacea GreenEnvy :: Saved this one for last because it was so incredibly different. There is a very warm sensation when you apply this mask, and one of the few I can say really feels like it is hydrating as advertised. Once I removed the mask, my skin was positively glowing. Also going on the next Sephora sale wish list. I would definitely recommend it.

Beauty Review: Boxes, Samples & Empties {June 2018}

July 3, 2018 by playworkrepeat Leave a Comment

A quick look at the beauty subscription boxes, samples and empties from last month.

June 2018 Sephora Play Box

Milk Makeup Kush Mascara in Boom Black :: This is a lovely light mascara, great for those not looking for volume. My lashes almost felt moisturized — a definite bonus!

Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover :: Loved this. My eyes are very sensitive, and removing eye makeup can be challenging. This was effective and painless.

Too Faced Melted Matte Liquified Long Wear Matte Lipstick in Queen B :: It’s no joke — this is MATTE, but it glides on nicely and the color is beautiful. Definitely something I’ll save for Fall.

Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb :: I’ve been using this at night recently since I ran out of my usual nighttime moisturizer. Actually loving this for Summer PM. It’s hydrating without leaving my skin greasy. A must have in your beauty routine, especially in the cooler months ahead.

Alterna Haircare CAVIAR Anti-Aging Miracle Multiplying Volume Mist :: I have naturally curly hair, and since getting this product, we’ve had some very humid days. Does this work? I’m not sure yet. I’d like to give it another go under more ideal weather conditions.

June 2018 Birchbox

ModelCo More Brows :: Maybe I’m more of a powder person when it comes to my brows, but I did not love this. It just felt heavy and clumpy. I know a lot of people love Glossier’s Boy Brow and the like, but it has never quite made its way into my beauty arsenal.

Davines SU Hair & Body Wash :: I absolutely love this. The scent is amazing, and I’ve used it as both a shampoo and body wash. Would totally repurchase.

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Moisturizer :: Really enjoying this moisturizer. Nice alternative to my usual beauty regime, especially during the Summer months.

Marcelle City Anti-Pollution Micellar Foaming Cleanser :: I’ve been using this almost every morning in the shower to gently wash off all of my nighttime skin routine products. Refreshing, but not stripping. A perfect reset for all my AM skincare goodies.

June 2018 Beauty Samples

Beauty Samples

Tatcha The Silk Cream, Radiant Deep Brightening Serum and Violet-C Radiance Mask :: During the recent Tatcha Summer sale, I snagged a few samples to try some of the (VERY MANY) products I have my eye on. Of course, each sample went on like a dream and I loved them all. Two out of the three (mask and cream) are cruising their way up the “Need vs Want” list!

Tarte Deep Dive Cleansing Gel and Mermaid Skin Hyaluronic H2O Serum :: These were both nice and smelled amazing. I can see extended use during the Summer being very hydrating.

Amore Pacific Time Response Eye Reserve Creme :: I know I spoke of it before, but this is just the most amazing eye creme. It’s like an instant eye lift. I’ve never seen an eye cream that works so well. Downside, it’s VERY expensive, so I’ll just continue snagging these samples where I can and gushing over how wonderful it is.

June 2018 Beauty Product Empties

Empties

Drunk Elephant Beste Jelly Cleanser :: This cleanser is gold. The bottle you see here is my second completed, and I’m sure I’ll be back again. For right now, I want to try out some new products, but if you’re looking for a go-to gentle cleanser, this is an excellent option.

Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Moisturizer :: Love this moisturizer — it’s my third empty! — but it is definitely a cooler month option for me. Wanted to finish it out before the hotter temps came out swinging.

Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil :: I miss using this, and would definitely repurchase.

The Crème Shop Calm Down, Skin! Sheet Mask :: Used this after a long, sunny (and wonderful!) day on the boat. It was an Easter basket present, and the graphics made wee man laugh hysterically. Couldn’t ask for more.

Boxes, Samples & Empties {May 2018 Edition}

June 1, 2018 by playworkrepeat Leave a Comment

Here’s a look at the boxes, the samples and all the things I’ve emptied out this May.

May 2018 Sephora Play Box

BB Thickening Spray :: Nothing is helping this hair.

Sephora Mud Mask Purifying & Mattifying :: Personally, I’m partial to the Boscia Charcoal Pore Pudding Intensive Wash-Off Treatment.

Benefit The POREfessional Face Primer :: I’m not a primer professional — seems to do the job, but can’t really speak to how it holds up against other brands.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector® Pressed Highlighter in Champagne Pop :: Love this color. Great little highlighter. Not sure if I’ll purchase the full sized version — feels like this super sample will last me a lifetime!

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner :: Game. Freaking. Changer. I’ve been a devout fan of Loreal’s liquid eyeliner for maybe a decade. Nothing else compared…until this. I can’t imagine I’ll go back to Loreal after trying this little wonder.

May 2018 Birchbox

Matrix Mega Sleek Shampoo & Conditioner :: I tried this for a solid week in a variety of climates (thanks to a long weekend away), and this didn’t do much to tame my curly hair. I’m in the market for a new shampoo and conditioner — really wanted this to work.

Hanalei Lip Treatment :: This was a nice balm, keeping my lips moisturized. So partial to my Farmacy Honey Butter Beeswax Lip Balm (which is half the price of Hanalei) for day, and my Laniege Lip Sleeping Mask (which is the same price) for night, that I probably wouldn’t make a switch at this point.

[ comfort zone ] Remedy Cream to Oil Ultra Gentle Cleanser :: It took a while for the cream to become an oil, and I’m not exactly known for my patience. I had no problem with it — it was a nice first cleanse — but I probably wouldn’t purchase a full size.

Nyakio Kenyan Coffee Face Polish :: I actually LOVED this. My skin felt silky smooth and almost moisturized after using it. I have a few samples and full size face polish-type products to get through before I can commit to a full size version, but I would definitely consider purchasing this in the future.

Samples

Tatcha Bestsellers Set :: During the Sephora VIB sale, I purchased this set to try out some of these products without the hefty price tag. I fell in absolute love with The Water Cream, so much so that I decimated the sample in no time flat. Already went back and made a full size purchase.

Volition Oceanene Youth-Boost Gel :: This would be great for daytime — it’s lightweight, which is perfect for oily skin (like certain spots on my combo skin!).

AmorePacific Time Response Eye Reserve Crème :: First, this was amazing — this is a product that WORKS. For $260, though — wow, it better also take my son to school in the morning. I would love to purchase a full sized version, but can’t justify the cost.

Ole Henriksen Find Your Balance Oil Control Cleanser, Pore-Balance Facial Sauna Scrub and Counter Balance Oil Control Hydrator :: Strong scent, but effective product. Great to use after a weekend at the beach.

Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow :: This produces the most amazing glow with no effort. I’ve been using the sample almost as a foundation, then topping with Becca’s Soft Light Blurring Setting Powder. Amazing combination. Will definitely be buying a full sized version.

Empties

Where have all of my Drunk Elephant products gone?! Nooooooo!!!!

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra :: Can’t live without this. Already had a new bottle ready to go.

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Night Serum :: Love this, but I have so many night serums I want to try. My gut tells me I’ll be back…and soon.

Drunk Elephant Shaba :: This is my second empty for this amazing product. Again, I just have so many different eye treatments I want to explore, but I can’t imagine staying away from this for long.

Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette – Seductive Beauty :: I’ve lived in this palette for the last year, scraping the sides of the shadows to get every last drop. These colors are GORGEOUS! I didn’t use the face makeup as much, so I’ll probably repurchase only shadows going forward. I can’t say enough about how flattering and long-lasting these shadows are. Pure perfection.

2018 Spring Sephora Sale!

April 20, 2018 by playworkrepeat 1 Comment

It’s one of the most wonderful times of the year — the Spring Sephora sale!!

Here’s what I snagged.

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter in Sweet Citrus :: The only body butter that I’ve ever finished. Seriously, ever. Twice.

Too Faced Sweetie Pie Radiant Matte Bronzer – Peaches and Cream Collection :: Bought this as a recommendation from Lindsey Thorne, who I discovered on Instagram a few months ago. Her recommendations are always spot on — and this product has not disappointed.

Becca Soft Light Blurring Setting Powder in Golden Hour :: Also bought this based on Lindsey’s recommendation. Only used it once so far, but I’m loving it.

Tatcha The Essence Plumping Skin Softener :: No joke, I used this last night and this morning and can completely see a difference already. Expensive, but worth it.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Eye Cream :: I’ve had my eye on this for a while (no pun intended), but had too many eye cream samples from Birchbox and Sephora Play to justify a purchase. It’s thicker than I thought it would be, but my hopes are high!

Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum :: I’ve seen this everywhere. Literally, everywhere. How could I not try it?!

Supergoop! x Milly Defense Refresh Setting Mist Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50 :: I’m a sucker for SPF products and cute packaging. Hopefully it will work because I am see-through pale.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Day Serum :: I’m a Drunk Elephant junkie. They do no wrong in my book. I would have bought more, but I don’t wait until the sale to purchase before I run out, and some of their products have a shelf life. Can’t live without this bottle of orange goodness. Or Protini. Or TLC Framboos and Marula Oil. And can’t forget Beste and Babyfacial! Yup, I’m a Drunk Elephant fangirl.

I also bought some make up brushes, but I’ll spare you the details there. May still pick up a few more things this weekend, including Brow Wiz, but only if I can get to the store itself to play with shades.

What were your best buys from the Spring Sephora sale?