Pick-Ups & Deliveries: February 2014

on
Thursday, February 13, 2014
So, I realize that it's only been about two weeks since my last haul post, but as you all know, Chinese New Year happened... and with that comes lucky red pockets... which means extra cash for make-up! I'm sure I could've spent it much more wisely, but it's me we're talking about here, and we all know the first thing I did was make a trip to Sephora. 

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain in 16 Pourpre Preview and Rouge Volupté Shine Lipstick in 15 Corail Intuitive

Formula X for Sephora Effects Nail Color in Celestial and Vortex

Clarins Hydra-Matte Lotion and One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleansers (VIB 100 point perks!)

I wasn't actually looking for anything specific, but I went over to swatch some YSL Glossy Stains and ended up wanting all of them. But they're also $38 a pop and I decided that I wanted to pick up another YSL lipstick while I was there, so I chose the one I was most drawn to, a gorgeous pinky-purple orchid shade, and then got a Rouge Volupté Shine in a soft peach-coral shade as a replacement for my beloved but discontinued Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in 50 Rivage. And after so many raves over Sephora's new Formula X nail polishes, I decided to pick up two of the Effects shades that I didn't have anything similar to: Celestial (an aquamarine and gold glitter shift) and Vortex (an ocean blue and rainbow glitter shift). Finally, I was looking for a new day moisturizer and wanted something that was mattifying but also hydrating, so I decided to try Clarins' Truly Matte Hydra-Matte Lotion, because it's lightweight and has a nice texture. And they were offering Clarins' One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser as their 100 VIB point perk that day, too, so I redeemed 300 points to get three.

Hard Candy Nail Color in Hip Hip Hooray, Mermaid Magic, Emerald's Eve, and So So Sequin

Clinique Cheek Pops (clockwise from bottom left): Plum Pop, Berry Pop, Ginger Pop, and Peach Pop

Clinique Gift: Take the Day Off Makeup Remover, Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+, Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF 20, High Impact Mascara in Black, Chubby Stick Intense in Heftiest Hibiscus, and All About Eyeshadow Duo in Neutral Territory with Blushing Blush Powder Blush in Sunset Glow

A few days later, I made a trip to the mall to grab some things at Wal-Mart and, naturally, made a detour in the cosmetics section. I thought I did pretty well because I only came out with four Hard Candy nail polishes (can't complain at $3.99 each!). Of course, I was like, "Oh, I'm already at the mall, I might as well take a walk around." Which lead me to The Bay, because I wanted to check out those new Clinique Cheek Pops that are getting so many raves all over the interwebs... and my, oh, my, it was love at first swatch. They are Clinique's dupe of MAC's Extra Dimension Blushes (not surprising, as they are both Estée Lauder companies), but Clinique surprised even me with their bright, fun, cheerful shades that are so... un-Clinique. And the daisy pattern! How could I resist?! They were on their Gift with Purchase event, too, which doesn't usually tempt me, but I was like, "Well, if I'm gonna get these, anyway, I might as well get some free goodies." So I bought not one, not two, but all four shades. Because I am a true blush fiend like that.

Tarte Clean Slate Poreless 12-Hour Perfecting Primer and Clean Slate 360º Creaseless 12-Hour Smoothing Eye Primer

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blushes in True Love, Fearless, and Flush

Tarte Glamazon Pure Performance Lipstick in Whimsy, Inspired, Pure, Bold, and Timeless (from Aqualillies for Tarte collection)

A couple weeks ago, a make-up artist friend of mine told me that Tarte has a pro artist program that allows approved make-up artists to receive 40% off (models can apply for a 20% discount). It is absolutely free to join (there is no annual fee like MAC's PRO membership), but it is an online-only discount (Tarte doesn't have physical stores). I figured I had nothing to lose by applying for the program, so I sent in my resume. Two days later, I got approved. And then I knew I was in trouble, because I want all the things. I looked through their website for about half an hour, fresh on the excitement of getting my pro discount approval... and ended up ordering ten products. It was like going grocery shopping on an empty stomach. You end up buying way too much stuff, totally blowing your budget on things you didn't need at all but just really, really want (blushes are my potato chips). And I was already trying to control myself, because these products are only a third of my list. Thank god you can only use your pro discount one a month. (Side note, though, I put my order in three days ago and my shipment arrived this afternoon. Speedy delivery, indeed!)

Lush Antiphilitron Shampoo, Coolaulin Hair Conditioner, Back for Breakfast Shower Gel, and The Enchanter Bath Bomb

As for stuff I didn't actually spend my own money on... My Lush friend, A., insisted that he needed to get me a Christmas present no matter how late it was because he felt guilty for not getting me one before Christmas. He didn't know what to get me, so I asked if he could make a Lush Retro order for me (Lush's Retro products are only available online, which is a damn shame because I think some of their best products are Retro), and order regular sizes of Antiphilitron Shampoo and Coolaulin Hair Conditioner. A couple weeks ago, I got the Lush package from him, and he ended up surprising me with jumbo sizes of both, plus an extra mini Back for Breakfast Shower Gel (one of my favourites), and The Enchanter Bath Bomb (which I love, but is being discontinued). It seems like I get spoiled with Lush every month, doesn't it? What can I say, I'm blessed with lovely, generous friends!

Bath & Body Works Shea-Infused Lounge Socks in Honey Bee, Blue Bubbles, and Coral Daisies, and Fresh Picked Mason Jar Candle in Pomelo Grapefruit

Speaking of which, a client of mine, who also happens to work for Bath & Body Works, surprised me with three pairs of shea-infused lounge socks because she knows how much I love them. I couldn't get anymore after the holiday season and was totally bummed out about it because they are the softest, warmest, most delightful socks, ever, and so perfect in the subzero weather we've been having for the past three months. My friend had mentioned that they usually only bring them out for holiday so I'd have to wait until the next holiday season to stock up... but they decided to release Spring edition ones this year! So she got me three of those, plus a Pomelo Grapefruit mason jar candle, which she knew I tried getting my hands on multiple times but couldn't because it was always sold out.
Okay, so I was doing pretty well for the last three months in not buying that much make-up 'cause I went so overboard in November with IMATS and Sephora's VIB sale... but clearly, I made up for the past three months in the past, um, two weeks. I didn't really have an excuse, either, because it's not like there were any crazy sales or anything. I am henceforth on a make-up ban. At least until... March.
8 comments on "Pick-Ups & Deliveries: February 2014"
  1. There's only like 10 days left in Feb, lol! Man, you have the best hauls. I still haven't checked out the Clinique blush yet but I also want all four. And that Tarte discount is awesome! I like them well enough but don't think they're worth the full price charged in Canada. Trying SO HARD not to collect their blushes but it's a losing battle.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's TWO FULL WEEKS left. Just sayin'. :P And not buying cosmetic items for two weeks is a lot for me, okay?!

      You MUST check out the Clinique blushes ASAP. They are AMAZING. And I don't say that lightly, 'cause we all know how I feel about Clinique make-up.

      I think SOME of Tarte's products are worth the price, but you know 40% off means it's ALL WORTH IT. LOL. I think I actually have all of their blushes now. At least, the powder ones. :P

      Delete
  2. LOL. I want to go shopping today. I want, like, all the things, FOR NO REASON.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, I ALWAYS want to go shopping. But reading haul posts or watching haul videos pushes me over the edge -- I end up doing online shopping. :P

      Delete
  3. Curious to hear what you think about the Tarte primer. Going to Seattle next month and hoping to replenish my stock of skincare and makeup essentials ;)

    The Pure Performance lipstick looks tempting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Okay, so I tried the Tarte primer a few days ago. It's okay, but it's quite thick and feels heavy on the skin. I also noticed that it made my foundation oxidize so I looked kind of ashy by mid-day. It made my skin and foundation look and feel smoother, though. However, I do like the Hourglass A LOT more, so I actually think I might exchange the Tarte one. I'll use it one more time to see if my opinion changes, but I would go for the Hourglass one over the Tarte one if you're looking for a good primer!

      The Tarte lipsticks are AMAZING. I will do a review of them soon (probably next week), but I am LOVING them. I don't love the packaging that much because it feels flimsier than it looks, but the formula and texture of the lipsticks themselves are fantastic!

      Delete
  4. Haul posts are the DEVIL! And yours often top the list, Denise :P I always want to run off and buy every freaking piece of makeup and skincare I can get my hands on. If I ever have an excess of cash, WATCH OUT (it's probably a good thing that I don't lol).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! MY BAD. :D

      To be fair, I spend ALL MY MONEY on make-up and skincare. I don't buy clothes/shoes/accessories as often. It's all about priorities... :P

      Delete

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