Not Another LA Blonde

Tag: mascara

12 DAYS OF BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDAR
Happy Monday!! Can y’all believe it’s almost Christmas!? Where did December go?? I got this advent calendar quite a while ago and I’m only just now getting around writing about it. With all the shopping and holiday party planning I’ve been doing, I just ran out of time to share this with y’all.

Get merry and bright with the 12 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar, a Target Exclusive! This unique curation is a great way to sample favorite items from some of our top brands to keep you looking and feeling festive all season long.

The box is an unbelievable value of $58 for ONLY $15! I’ve never gotten this Advent Calendar from Target before so I was super anxious to see it in person and try everything out! This box is still in stock and can be purchased here.

Here is a BREAKDOWN of the goodies:
1. Maybelline Great Last Mascara– Value for 0.15 oz = $1.56
A full size, 0.43 oz., tube retails for $4.49 in store. “This mascara features a lash-doubling formula that glides on to build great-looking lashes. The lash-building brush makes it easy to get a full-lash look.” This mascara was also in the November Beauty Box that Target offers once a month. I think that this mascara works well and is fairly inexpensive. I used to use this brand ALL the time, but somewhere along the way, strayed away but I think I may be making my way back to this mascara after testing this one out!
1. e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator– Value = $3.00
FULL SIZE!! “A sweet sugar and smoothing sensation, infused with Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Avocado, Grape and Jojoba Oils to nourish and protect.” This is not a product that I was particularly excited to receive, and did not actually try it out. I’m sure that the product is great, but it’s not something that I was interested in.
1. HASK Argan Oil Repairing Shine – Value for 0.625 oz. = $0.25
A regular 15 oz. bottle of this oil is $5.99 in the store. “This lightweight, alcohol-free oil absorbs instantly to provide frizz-free shine without leaving an oily residue. Argan oil is rich in essential fatty acids and penetrates hair to restore shine and provide soft, silky results in dry, damaged hair.” I have actually used this product before and liked it. With the weather in SoCal being so dry lately, I found this to be the perfect remedy to keep my hair healthy and shiny.
1. Acure Eye Cream–Value for 1 oz. = $8.99
This is a full size product!! “Edelweiss extract and chlorella provide deep hydration to protect the skin’s moisture barrier…you won’t believe your eyes.” Unfortunately, this was another product that I did not try. I really wanted to like/try everything in this box, but my eyes are sooo sensitive that I couldn’t risk having a reaction to this eye cream.
1. Pixi Glow Tonic–Value for 0.5 oz. = $2.20
A full 3.4 oz. bottle of this retails for $15 in store. “Original 5% Glyolic acid Formula with Aloe Vera and Ginseng. Gently exfoliates to remove dead skin cells, revealing healthy glowing skin. For all skin types. Clinically proven results.” This was such a life saver the last few weeks with all the wind/dry weather we’ve been getting. My face was soo dry and peely, I looked like I had powder all over that I didn’t know how to blend haha This was a great product and I highly recommend it.
1. Vichy Mineral 89 Face Moisturizer–Value for 0.15 oz. = $1.99
A full 1.69 oz bottle of this moisturizer retails for $22.49. “Mineral 89 combines the highest concentration of Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water enriched with 15 minerals and Hyaluroinc Acid to enhance long term hydration, essential for healthy skin.” It left my skin feeling super hydrated which was nice. This moisturizer is a little on the pricey side and I probably wouldn’t purchase on my own.
1. NYX Bright Idea Illuminating Stick– Value = $7.99
This is a full size product. “Get your glow on with the NYX Professional Makeup Bright Idea Stick. This glitzy, shimmering cream cosmetic is perfect for highlighting and strobing, and brings just the right amount of sparkle to your look.” This highlighting stick comes in 8 colors. This is another product that I didn’t try out. I’m not great with makeup as it is, so I don’t even try and get into the whole highlighting thing.
1. Nexxus New York Salon Care Humectress Ultimate Moisture Protein Complex Intensely Hydrating Masque– Value for 1.5 oz. = $3.99
This is a FULL size product! “Nexxus Humectress Hair Masque for Dry Hair works by binding moisture deep within each hair fiber, distributing Elastin Protein, and creating a protective barrier of moisture.” Hair masks can be such a life saver during the winter months. They’re also great if you get your hair colored on a regular basis as they keep your hair looking healthy and not all dried out! This one is inexpensive and can be used a few times!
1. Honest Beauty Everything Organic Facial Oil – Value for 0.03 oz. = $1.65
The full size 1 oz container of this facial oil retails for $55. “Replenish moisture-depleted skin by amplifying its natural defenses for a supple, smooth and youthful look. Think antioxidant-dense, pure seed and fruit oils — each drop rich in the same fatty acids and vitamins known to feed your body.” I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again…I am not a face oil kind of girl. I know, I know, there are sooo many benefits to using it, but I’m just not into it at the moment. Plus, the full size of this one is super expensive!
1. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge – Value = $5.99
“The rounded sides of the sponge help blend large areas of the face with a repeated dabbing or stippling motion. The precision tip helps cover blemishes and imperfections, and the flat edge helps contour around the eyes and nose.” These are perfect for blending your face makeup and my mom uses them all the time! You can get them pretty much anywhere, but this is a good price!
1. Eylure False Eyelashes Natural No.031 – Value = $3.74
“Eylure Naturals No.031 is a loosely woven, compact lash that delivers extra length & fullness. The unique ‘curve’ of Eylure’s lashes allows the lash to ‘hug’ the eye, making application easier and wear completely comfy. Handmade and reusable.” Ok, who doesn’t love a good pair of false lashes? I love putting them on and making it look like I actually have eyelashes for once. These are super inexpensive and go on easily and look super natural if you’re going for that look. I will definitely be purchasing these at a later date.
1. Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash – Value for 0.7 oz. = $3.99
“Harness the power of the ocean with marine extracts. Coconut water and natural actives come together in our gentle sulfate-free foaming cleanser that removes daily toxins and make-up.” Ok, this face wash smell sooo good. I threw it in my gym bag and the coconut scent really smells fresh after a nice workout. I would definitely buy this face wash!

THE VALUE

For only $15, this box is such a steal! It comes with quite a few full size items which is great! There were so many items that I had never used before that I loved and will be purchasing again. Of course there were a few that I was a little unsure of or wouldn’t pay that high of a price for, but it’s nice to have the option to try them out! This is perfect for trying out a new product that you may not normally buy. This would also make a great last minute Christmas gift for that beauty lover in your life!

Again, if you would like to purchase this box from Target, you can buy it here.

XOXO
December 18, 2017
Ipsy – October 2017

Happy Monday y’all! I know I haven’t blogged in a while, I’ve just been feeling a little uninspired lately and am trying to get out of this little funk. I have so much respect for all the bloggers out there who work full time and still find time to blog; I’m struggling with that right now and am trying to find a better balance so I can do both with ease.

But here’s to trying to get back into the swing of things. Let’s talk about my OCTOBER IPSY BAG. I review what comes in my bag every month and I never seem to get the brands that I’ve chosen in my preferences, but this month I was pleasantly surprised to find that I liked the brands that were chosen at random for me!

If I’m being completely honest, every month when my bag comes I go back and forth on whether or not I want to continue subscribing or not. This was one of those months that makes me want to keep receiving my bag every month.

With all that being said, I’ll share with you what I got in my pouch this month:

For starters, the theme of this month’s bag was SPELLBOUND. The bag was cute; it was made to look like crimson and lace.

The Products:

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion Value for 0.8 g = $13.00

The full size liner retails for $20.00. This liner really does last all day! It glides on super smooth and I loved that it came in the black color (I hate when Ipsy gives you random colors like teal or purple). I normally only wear black liner so I loved that this was in my bag! I’ve also been wanting to try out other brands of eyeliner and have heard good things about Urban Decay. I look forward to getting more of this brand in my bag! This product can also be found at Sephora, Ulta Beauty and Nordstrom.

TARTE delux lights, camera, lashes 4-in-1 mascara Value for 3 ml = $9.86

The full size mascara retails for $23.00. Lengthening. Curling. Volumizing. Conditioning. This mascara seriously makes your lashes look longer, fatter, and lifted in just a few quick strokes. The awesome “MagniLASH” wand was designed to coat separate, and define every lash. This formula is cruelty-free and totally vegan. I normally use Tarte mascara but recently ran out, so now I’m good for just a little bit longer. I love getting mascara samples in my bags! This mascara can be found at Sephora and Ulta.

Furless Black Beauty Blending Crease Brush Value = $11.99

FULL SIZE PRODUCT! This brush has teal bristles! How cute is that!? The dome shape gets into hard-to-reach spots and blends out color seamlessly. It’s so soft and is hypoallergenic, vegan and cruelty-free. I’m not always a huge fan of getting brushes so I’m actually super disappointed in this one especially since I just bought a new blending brush (oh well). I do really like how soft the brush is, so maybe I’ll keep this one for future use.

BLAQ Mask Value for 15 ml = $7.25

The full size of this primer (60 ml) retails for $29.00. This is literally like detox for your skin. Activated charcoal gets rid of toxins and impurities deep in your pores. This mask gets rid of blackheads super-fast and peels off easily. It only takes 15 minutes to work its magic. LIFESAVER!!! I love this mask so much! Just put it on the sections of your face that you feel you need a detox on (for me it’s my nose!). I will definitely be buying this product once I’m done with the sample. BLAQ is an Australian skincare brand designed to take prime position on your bathroom vanity.

JM Solution Water Luminous Jelly Cleanser Value for 1 oz = $4.93

The full size of this primer (5.07 oz) retails for $25.00. This jelly-like formula felt so refreshing on our skin, and then bubbled up like crazy when we mixed it with water. It’s made with hyaluronic acid which helps keep your skin hydrated even after you wash it off. It deep cleans, but it’s way gentle so you can use it all the time – perf if you have sensitive skin. This cleanser can be found at GILT and is currently on sale for $18, but is sold out (so check back)! I really liked this product as well!

For the month of OCTOBER, the bag is worth about $47.03. There was only one full size product this month,but the $10 you pay for the bag is such a steal! This bag is actually lower than other bags I’ve received, but I’d rather have product I like for a lower value than things I don’t like at a higher value.

The cost of the box every month is $10 + tax and free shipping. So for 5 products (one of which should be full size, the low price is a pretty good bargain. The bag is great if you’re looking to try out different products that you may not currently use.

Another perk to the bag is that almost every product that comes in your bag also has a discount code for that brand! So not only do you get a great product, you can also buy the full size at a cheaper price.

To subscribe to Ipsy use my referral link to discover new brands/products that you might come to love that you wouldn’t otherwise try!

XOXO

p.s Let me know if you got anything different that you absolutely loved!

October 30, 2017
Target Beauty Box – September: Your New Basics
Happy Thursday!! Thank goodness it’s almost the weekend; it’s just been one of those weeks that seems like you have a million things to do but not enough time (go to an Angel baseball game or finish the cheer bows you need to make? Both!)! For instance…this post, I got my box in the mail about a week ago and I’m only just now getting around writing about it. Good thing tomorrow is my off day!

The Target Beauty Box is a one-time purchase monthly box that includes deluxe and full sized beauty products that you can find at Target and of course other retailers. This month there were 2 boxes available, so I purchased both!

The box varies in price from $7-$10 so it’s relatively inexpensive to purchase a box. This month the box was $7! I like that you can choose every month if you want to buy the box or not since it’s not an actual subscription.

Here is a BREAKDOWN of the SEPTEMBER goodies:
1. Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Jar – Value for 7 ml = $2.10
A full size, 1.7 oz., jar retails for $14.99 in store. “Packed with a specially designed Antioxidant complex of Vitamins C, E, and super-fruits Goji berry, & Pomegranate, these water-light formulas are clinically proven to actively repair and protect skin’s moisture barrier improving skin’s healthy and youthful look over time.” I’m not always a fan of day time moisturizers just because I feel like they make me oily during the day but this was not the case with this moisturizer. I really like the Garnier brand so I was excited to see this in my box.
1. Acure Ultra-Hydrating Shampoo – Value for 1.3 oz. = $1.62
A regular 8 oz. bottle of this shampoo is $10 in the store. “ACURE’s Moroccan Argan Oil + Argan Stem Cell Shampoo provides lasting moisture to even the most dry and damaged hair leaving it soft, smooth, and manageable. Sulfate-free and safe for color treated hair, organic Argan Oil and Sea Buckthorn Oil hydrate and smooth, Argan Stem Cells & Pumpkin Seed Oil boost healthy hair growth, CoQ10 supports healthy keratin production. Lock in moisture, repair damage, and strengthen hair follicles with ACURE’s nutrient-rich shampoo!” While I’m not a huge fan of all of this brand’s products, I’m always willing to try out a new shampoo/conditioner. Lately my hair has been pretty dry (idk if it’s the weather or what) so I was excited to see this hydrating shampoo in my box. After using it, I felt like my hair was actually thanking me for giving it “water” hahaha
1. Acure Ultra-Hydrating Conditioner – Value for 1.3 oz. = $1.62
A regular 8 oz. bottle of this shampoo is $10 in the store. “ACURE’s Moroccan Argan Oil + Argan Stem Cell Conditioner provides lasting moisture to even the most dry and damaged hair leaving it soft, smooth and manageable. Safe for color treated hair, organic Argan Oil and Sea Buckthorn Oil hydrate and smooth, Argan Stem Cells & Pumpkin Seed Oil boost healthy hair growth and CoQ10 supports healthy keratin production. Lock in moisture, repair damage, and strengthen hair follicles with ACURE’s nutrient-rich conditioner!” I used this with the shampoo since I wanted the full effect of using the set together (I usually mix and match my shampoo/conditioner). As with the shampoo, I liked how my hair felt after using this and will most likely purchase again to mix in the schedule between my blonde shampoo days!
1. Total Tease Mascara – in Very Black Washable = $7.99
This is a full size product!! “Unlike traditional volumizing Mascaras that can leave a clumpy mess, Total Tease Mascara is defined to catch, comb, and tease for perfectly refined, long full lashes. Lash Teasing comb provides precision separation for a clutter-free lash look with 5X/500% volume.” I can’t remember the last time I bought COVERGIRL mascara…wait I can’t remember the last time I bought mascara period. I’m ALWAYS a huge fan of trying out new mascaras and let’s just say that I was not disappointed in this one. I liked the coverage that it gave my lashes and in terms of mascara isn’t too expensive. I will def be buying this one again.
1. Simple Micellar Water –Value for 1.9 oz. = $1.27
A full 13.5 oz. bottle of this retails for $8.99 in store. “Simple Micellar Cleansing Water thoroughly cleanses and instantly hydrates skin and unclogs pores with a formula that’s gentle enough for sensitive skin. Made with triple purified water and skin-loving ingredients, this cleanser uses tiny molecular balls known as micelles to entrap and dissolve dirt, oil, makeup, and impurities–all without the need for harsh, irritating chemicals. It also instantly boosts skin hydration by 90%, leaving your skin feeling soft, fresh, and revitalized.” AHHH yes I love micellar water. I’ve tried a couple different kinds, but there was something about this one. It didn’t leave my face feeling dried out or slightly sticky. This was super easy to use with my cotton rounds that I also received in this box. This was the travel size so it’s super inexpensive plus a little goes a long way so I won’t have to continuously purchase this item!
1. up&up Premium Cotton Rounds– Value for 2 = $0.06
These are only $0.99 for a 30 pack of cotton rounds! “up&up premium cotton rounds are made with 100% pure cotton. The dual sided design creates a strong, soft and lint free cotton round for all your skin care needs. Gentle enough for all skin types.” These are seriously the best! I use them for EVERYTHING from taking off my eye makeup at the end of the day, to wiping my face with micellar water, to taking off my nail polish. These are super affordable and I am A-OK with buying the Target brand!
1. Sensodyne ProNamel Strong & Bright – Value for 2 oz. = $3.99
The full size is only 3 oz. and retails for $5.99. “Strong Enamel Whiter Teeth; Clinically Proven Enamel Strengthening; Advanced Brightening System” I don’t have sensitive teeth, but this toothpaste works just the same. I loved the way my teeth felt nice and clean after using and left me with a minty taste in my mouth. A definite go to product!
1. NIVEA In-Shower Body Lotion – Value = $5.49
This is a FULL size product! “Contains nourishing almond oil, moisturizes wet skin in seconds, and leaves no sticky feel.” This is the perfect size for my gym bag! Why take the extra step of drying off and then putting on lotion when you can just put this on while your still wet and then get dressed as normal. I don’t know about you, but I hate putting lotion on my legs and then putting jeans on. With this lotion I don’t get that feeling of my legs getting stuck because they’re already moisturized and dry! If you haven’t already, go try this product!

THE VALUE

The value of this September Beauty Box is approximately $24.14. Since this box was only $7.27 including tax and shipping (I have free shipping + 5% off with my Target Debit Card) this is still a great deal even though the value is a little low! There were 8 items in my box this month and 2 were full sized items. This is perfect for trying out a new product that you may not normally buy.

I think this box is a great deal and I love trying new products every month! I also love the fact that if I don’t like the box one month, I don’t have to buy it! The only thing is if you want the box, you have to be quick because they do sell out every month. I can’t wait to see what will be in the August box!

XOXO
September 21, 2017