Pick-Ups & Deliveries: September 2014

on
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Get a snack and a drink and get comfortable, 'cause this month's haul post is a long one. I'd taken on a few extra wedding jobs over the past month so I found myself with an influx of cash, and proceeded to do copious amounts of shopping. It all started when I went to the Estée Lauder warehouse sale at the beginning of September with my friend Steph.

Darphin Hydraskin Light Gel Crème and Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair

Origins A Perfect World Highly Hydrating Body Lotion with White Tea (x 2)

Michael Kors Holiday Nail Lacquer Set: Runway Star, Rock Star, and Superstar

MAC Powder Blush in Bred for Beauty, Lipstick in Embrace Me, and Nail Lacquer in Coffee Break

This is the first time I'd seen Darphin being carried at the warehouse sale (I didn't even know they were owned by Lauder). Darphin is a brand that I've always wanted to try but their products are just a little too expensive for me to justify at retail price. But when I saw their moisturizers being sold at 50% off, I didn't even hesitate; I ended up getting the Hydraskin Light Cream Gel for $40 from $80. And I also got a bottle of my favourite Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair (the old formula, not the new one that I haven't tried yet) for $50 (!) from $97. Other purchases include two tubes of Origins A Perfect World Body Lotion for $18 each from $32.50, a Michael Kors nail polish set for $25 from $50, and a MAC charity grab bag for $5 (that included Bred for Beauty blush and Embrace Me lipstick). The free gift was a MAC Nail Lacquer in Coffee Break.

MAC #262, #130, #132, and #127 Brushes

MAC Lipsticks in Siss and Yash, Matchmaster Concealer in 2 and 3, and Studio Sculpt Defining Powder in Light Plus

MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Finishing Mist

Several days later, I made a trip to a MAC Store to get all The Simpsons collection goodies (which I reviewed earlier this month here, here, here, and here), during which I also bought some new brushes, two new lipsticks in Siss and Yash (permanent at MAC Stores, re-promoted in the Artificially Wild collection), two shades in the new Matchmaster Concealer (amazingly weightless, medium buildable coverage, natural satin finish in a super-convenient stick), the new Studio Sculpt Defining Powder in Light Plus for more natural highlighting, and three new bottles of Fix+ (now in fancy new packaging that mimics frosted glass).

Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum

Clinique Gift with Purchase: Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief, Deep Comfort Hand and Cuticle Cream, Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+, Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent, All About Shadow Duo and Soft-Pressed Powder Blusher Palette, Chubby Stick Baby Tint in Flowering Freesia, and High Impact Mascara

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Hydrating Colour Lipshine in 46 Liberté and 89 Satisfaction

I went to The Bay to pick up the Clinique Smart Serum that I had pre-ordered with my friend for their Gift with Purchase event. I had been really curious about this serum since its launch (the fact that it sounded so much like Lauder's Advanced Night Repair is actually what sold me on it) and was going to buy it regardless of whether or not there was a gift, but I decided to support them during their event since I know their targets are crazy high. My friend added a tube of Deep Comfort Hand and Cuticle Cream to my gift 'cause she's awesome like that. While I was at The Bay, I stopped by the Chanel counter for a peruse and somehow ended up not with one, but two new Chanel Rouge Coco Shines. As none of the new limited edition shades appealed to me, I got two permanent shades instead (Satisfaction is the perfect everyday MLBB-meets-nude shade that I wanted Boy to be, and Liberté is the closest shade I've found to replace my beloved Rivage). I had enough points on my rewards card to redeem $20, though, so at least I didn't have to pay full price.

NYX Blushes in Summer Peach, Peach, and Pinky

NYX Round Lipsticks in Pumpkin Pie, Tea Rose, and Doll

I went to the doctor's a couple of weeks ago to get a new prescription for my eczema, and made my way to my local Rexall to pick up my new ointment. Not only did I not realize I lived so close to a Rexall, but I also discovered that they carry a huge selection of NYX products there! That wasn't completely ravaged by barbarians (ahem, Target)! So, killing two birds with one stone, I picked out a bunch of NYX goodies while waiting for the pharmacy to prepare my prescription. They didn't have any of those Butter Glosses that everyone's been raving about, but I did end up with three new blushes and three new lipsticks.

Makeup Geek Blushes
(Top: Love Affair, Hanky Panky, and Head Over Heels
Bottom: Rendezvous, Secret Admirer, and Honeymoon)

Makeup Geek Blushes
(Top: Summer Fling, Bliss, and Smitten
Bottom: Infatuation, Spell Bound, and Romance)

Makeup Geek Eyeshadows
(Top: Lemon Drop, Pixie Dust, Shimmermint, Poison Ivy, and Envy
Middle: Appletini, Sea Mist, Shark Bait, Poolside, and Mermaid
Bottom: Peacock, Ocean Breeze, Nautica, Neptune, and Duchess)

Then, online shopping happened. A lot of it. A bit too much, really. Some might even call it going overboard. I found out that Makeup Geek had re-stocked all their blush pans, so I got the other eight shades that I wasn't able to get last time I ordered from them. I've also been using their eyeshadows quite frequently and have been incredibly impressed with their quality and execution, so I decided to get 15 more eyeshadows in the green and blue families (I got mostly neutrals and warm shades last time). I did not need them at all because, really, how often do I use these types of colour? But the collector/hoarder in me is just like, "More, more, more!" and at $5.99 a pop, I can't really resist... And then I bought new MAC palettes to put them in because I decided I like the look of the new palettes way better than the old palettes I had put them in.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Gold and Rose Gold

Becca Mineral Blushes (clockwise from left): Flowerchild, Damselfly, Songbird, and Wild Honey

Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Just Dance and Harlem Nocturne

I was watching a YouTube video that featured Becca's Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Rose Gold and was like, "Oooooh, so pretty!" Which obviously led me to check it out on Sephora's website, where I saw that they also had a new shade called Champagne Gold. I was adding them to my wishlist thinking I'd wait until the next VIB sale to get them... but visions of gorgeous shimmery skin kept dancing in my head and I was like, "Fuck it, I'm getting them." So I added the two shades to my basket... and as I looked through my wishlist, I remembered that Becca's Mineral Blushes had been on my to-buy list for months. I think I would've waited to purchase them if Becca was available in any of the Sephora locations remotely close to me, but as it's not, I allowed myself to get two. And then I couldn't decide on which two to get because four of the shades were on my wishlist. I was debating over these shades for over half an hour before I was like, "Oh, fuck it. I'll just get all four." Clearly, my self-control is non-existent. Another case in point: I went into Sephora last week looking for Ardency Inn (which they didn't carry) and came out with two new Deborah Lippmann nail polishes instead. 

Cirque Nail Lacquer in Magic Hour, Lullaby, Xochitl, Planet Caravan, and Baptisia

Cirque Nail Lacquer in French Roast, Lichen, Lonesome George, Bejeweled, and Tibetan Nights

Speaking of nail polish and online shopping... I put in a massive order of Cirque polishes at Nail Polish Canada. I've noticed that I'll go one month without being intrigued by nail polishes at all and almost being positively bored by all the offerings, and then the next month, without fail, I will want every single shade I come across. I remember going on that site for months and almost all of the Cirque shades that I wanted were never in stock, so when I saw that they had most of the ones I wanted available again, I just binged. I got ten shades total from five separate collections, but I think Lichen is that one that I'd been lemming for nearly a year now. 

Soap & Paper Factory Ultra Moisturizing Shea Butter Hand Cream in Green Tea and Marine

Soap & Paper Factory Shea Butter Soap in Marine and Green Tea

Soap & Paper Factory Lip Butter in Blood Orange and Limoncello

I was ordering some new books on Indigo last weekend when I noticed two things: a) they carry Soap & Paper Factory and b) a lot of it was on sale. I have been interested in Soap & Paper Factory's products from when I first saw them featured in an issue of Lucky magazine six of seven years ago. At the time, however, no stores were carrying their products here and they wouldn't ship to Canada from their website (and even if they did, it would probably have cost an arm and a leg). So I never got to try them out. But Indigo has their shea butter hand creams and bar soaps on sale for 50% off right now, so I bought two of each in Green Tea and Marine scents (I've been using bar soap almost exclusively at home because I've discovered that a lot of liquid hand soaps irritate my hands). I also got a coupon code for an extra 15% off gift items, so I added two of their lip butters in Blood Orange and Limoncello, too. 

 Bath & Body Works 3-Wick Candles in Wasabi Apple and Bourbon Butterscotch

Bath & Body Works Mason Jar Candles in Pumpkin Caramel Latte, Caramel Pumpkin Swirl, and Pumpkin Pecan Waffles

And then I went back on my word and ended up buying more candles. Because Bath & Body Works always has these ridiculous, irresistible sales and an extra coupon on top of the sales, and you end up buying all the things. They were having a 2 for $25.50 sale for their 3-wick candles, and I had a coupon for an extra 20% off, so I bought Wasabi Apple and Bourbon Butterscotch. Then, literally a week later, they were having a 3 for $25 sale for their mason jar candles. So I got three pumpkin scents (I don't like them in the 3-wicks because they're way too strong and way too sweet, but they give off just the right amount of scent in the mason jars), and had another coupon for 20% off that I got through e-mail. But it's over now, guys. I'm done. No more. Really. I swear. (Let's see how long this lasts.)


What did you get this month? Any sales you just couldn't resist? 
14 comments on "Pick-Ups & Deliveries: September 2014"
  1. All the things! i went a little crazy at the inglot store b/c there was a discount for their preview. but i think that's been the only thing. a few baubles here and there but no major purchases.

    my cousin is coming up from the states so i'm trying to hold back from getting stuff at Ulta but its hard haha *rolls eyes at self*

    man. i would LOVE to go to those estee lauder warehouse sales. i never know when they're on and never can procure a ticket. alas.

    Jenn
    A Beautiful Zen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, fair enough -- I went nuts at Inglot when I first went to one of their stores in Montreal and again when I went to their flagship in NYC. I have four custom palettes now, lol. Think I might apply for their pro program discount, though. 20% off is pretty decent and there's no fee!

      I've never been to an Ulta, for some reason. I guess the places I go to in the US don't have Ulta. The only thing that I really want to get my hands on from there is the LORAC palettes...

      The Lauder warehouse sales happen four times a year, in March, June, September, and December. You can only get a ticket through Lauder employees or companies that Lauder is associated with (like, I know they give tickets to a company as a whole to dole out to their employees). Basically, make friends with someone who works for a Lauder company, lol.

      Delete
  2. Cirque Lichen is BEAUTIFUL. It is one of my favorite polishes, ever. I have a dozen or so Cirque polishes and they are pretty lovely, although the wear time isn't as good for me as Dior or Lippmann.

    I was pretty tame in September...I think I bought one Maybelline lipstick, which was about $5. YAY ME. But the MAC Mattes are supposed to release on the site tomorrow and I want Living Legend, Fashion Revival, and Pander Me. I also have always wanted Mehr, so maybe I'll pick that up...I DON'T KNOW. THERE ARE SO MANY.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember seeing your post on Lichen and that was when the lemming really started, lol! It's probably my favourite shade of the ten I bought, and the formula is AMAZE. Was wearing it for nearly a week and even my guy friends were complimenting me on it, lol. I'm wearing Planet Caravan right now, and it's also lovely. I find the wear time to be about the same on me as other brands, though I don't usually keep on polish for longer than a week because I get bored. :P

      MAC's The Matte Lip is officially on their website. ;) I bought all of them, LOL!

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    2. I just ordered Pander Me and Living Legend. Tried to keep it tame because we are going back to Seattle at the end of the month for a short trip, and I MUST HAVE $$$ FOR NORDSTROM.

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    3. Lol, TRUE. Nordstrom's coming here soon. Never actually been to one, so gonna see what all the excitement's about. Though I wonder if it's going to be like Hudson's Bay here.

      I bought all of the lipsticks from The Matte Lip because I am ridiculous. Surprised you didn't get Fashion Revival! Probably my fave from the lot, along with Living Legend.

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  3. Holy moly. *___*

    I considered those hand creams from Indigo but I never end up liking perfume-centered creams and just find myself crawling back to Glysomed or something boring like that. (Currently using MoroccanOil hand cream and it's just okay.)

    Totally LOLed at the Becca blush part - ONLY YOU, DENISE.

    And I'm really liking the subtle upgrades to MAC's packaging. Good stuff!

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    Replies
    1. I like using scented creams when I'm out of the house 'cause it acts kind of like perfume for my hands while also moisturizing them, so it's great for someone like me, who's a smoker but also has dry hands. :P The only issue with scented hand creams is that I get really bored with them after a while so I rarely ever finish a tube. You'd think I'd learn by now not to buy so many but the pretty packaging gets me EVERY. DAMN. TIME. I do use Glysomed before bed, though, 'cause it's more repairing.

      LOL, I am a blush fiend through and through, Liz. I didn't even realize how much blush I bought this month until I did this post. It's a sickness.

      And yes, I agree. MAC is upping their game with the packaging. Mixed reviews on the MSFs, though -- people either love the package change or they hate it (they're sleeker but more bulky, so it depends on what you like). I do think the new Fix+ packaging is quite fancy, though. Really does like like frosted glass!

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    2. I don't mind a little bulk because it's still quite slick looking, but the new mineralize packaging makes the lids harder to open for whatever reason. I always feel like a clumsy barbarian at the MAC store now, lol.

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    3. LOL. It's because the new packaging is magnetized instead of that push-button closure. If you have moisturizer on your hands, you're in real trouble, lol!

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  4. I like the new Fix+ packaging! And I'm curious to hear what you think of the Clinique Smart Serum - I received the large bottle from my rep and it's the only non-green product I'm using right now. My skin looks pretty darn good so I'm liking it so far!

    All those pretty Becca blushes! And Makeup Geek ones! ~drools~ AND those lovely Cirque polishes! Lichen IS indeed gorgeous. I hope you swatch them all!

    These epic shopping trips of yours are awesome LOL I am totally able to live vicariously through you, it's fantastic ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I tried the a Smart Serum sample for a couple days -- not enough to see a difference, but I like the texture and the way it makes my skin feel, so I bought the full size. I'm gonna finish my Lauder Night Repair Serum before opening the Smart Serum, though, so I probably won't use it with regularity until mid-winter, lol.

      I don't do a ton of nail polish swatches here anymore, but I do post a lot on Instagram, lol. Lichen is probably my favourite from the ten I bought. :)

      The Becca and Makeup Geek blushes are GORGEOUS. Reviews coming soon. I've been having too much fun wearing them, lol. I swear all my paycheques go straight back to make-up. Guess I'm in the right field. ;)

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  5. So your empties post had me feeling horrible about myself but this one comforts me haha. I like seeing that other people are buying lots of stuff too. And the stuff you are buying is so pretty. I almost bought Becca Rose Gold the other day, but it was sold out. I swear the Becca section seems to be picked over all the time. Anyway. I have my eye on that Champagne Gold too.

    How do you like those MAC Matchmaster concealers?

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    Replies
    1. LOL, I justify my shopping hauls with my empties, you know? :P Or at least that's what I tell myself. Except I buy FAR more than I use up. I mean, the make-up I finish are usually staple products that I use everyday (mascara, foundation, eyebrow pencil). Actually finishing things like lipstick or blush or eyeshadow is much more of a feat for me because I have SO MANY of them. And like, how often am I gonna use that neon green shadow or frosted taupe lipstick? :P I'm just a hoarder.

      I usually order Becca products semi-blindly (I usually just look up swatches of them) because it's not that widely available in stores here. Will post reviews of both Rose Gold and Champagne Gold soon! :)

      I really like the Matchmaster concealers. They're not gonna be for everyone because the coverage is medium at most, but that's what I like about it. Blending is effortless and the consistency is like a really light gel-cream. Great for evening out skintone, not great for hiding scars or break-outs.

      Delete

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