Prestige

Worth It? FabFitFun

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Although I previously swore of subscription boxes, I subscribed to FabFitFun for five seasons. Unlike my previous subscription box experiences, FabFitFun doesn’t just flood you with a half dozen mini or sample size items on a quarterly basis; nay. You get full size product across a range of categories, a degree of customization, and sometimes other neat things that aren’t product (if you don’t opt out). The value of the items DOES exceed the price you’re paying for the box.

I’ve heard some feedback that people were offput due to the higher price ($50/box), but considering that it is quarterly, it ends up being right around $16.67 per month; not bad in the scheme of things.

Cool Features

When you subscribe, you complete a survey about your preferences. For example, I opted into necklaces, makeup, and skincare – but out of snacks and bracelets, and I rated fragrances as low interest. These preferences are ranked from a Love\Like\Neutral\Meh\DO NOT WANT perspective, so you can rank without being black-and-white.

Per box, there’s an element of customization available in each box for members. You keep an eye on your email for a message from FabFitFun on when your window is open, then go in and make your choices. If you don’t, you get what you get.

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Clarisonic Shutting Down; WTF L’Oreal

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Since 2004 (founded 2001), Clarisonic has been improving the cleansing game of countless people. Many of us suckers who bought into the sonic cleansing technology became devotees. The company was acquired by cosmetics giant L’Oreal in 2011. Since then, dozens of iterations of their cleansing devices have been designed and released. I’ve reviewed two of the devices – the Mia 2 and the Smart Profile.

Clarisonic Going out of Business
Clarisonic Shutting Down as of 9/30/2020

The End of an Era

When the news dropped last week that L’Oreal is shutting down the Clarisonic brand, however, many beauty consumers (myself included) were shocked. They are closing effective September 30 of this year and immediately marked down everything 50% on their own site with guidance for other retailers to do the same. Retailers may continue to offer product after that date, but items are not being manufactured or restocked.

Hey, cool, another thing I (and many others) really like getting discontinued. Sweeeet.

Why?

Parent company L’Oreal reports:

This difficult decision was made so that L’Oréal can focus its attention on its other core business offerings.

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October 2019 Favorites

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October 2019 FavoritesOctober 2019 Favorites
1. Becca Backlight Priming Filter, $39 / 2. Pointed Cotton Swabs, $3 / 3. The Ordinary 7% Glycolic Acid Toner, $9
/ 4. The Ordinary 10% Lactic Acid + 2% HA, $7 / 5. Makartt Nail Drill, $58

It’s been six months since I made a favorites post. Ayeee. Just in time to take advantage of the November Beauty Insider sale, though, if the prestige items intrigue you! Let’s jump into it.

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Manicure Monday – 8/12/2019 – Revel Nail Aurora + Bubbly & Catch-Up

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Yeah, wow, hi. We’ll get into the hiatus in a sec, but first:

I tried an acrylic dip nail system! I suck at it but, third application in, am getting better. I’ve been waffling on waiting to talk about it until I am good at it for Insta-worthy pics but…since when do I care about being Insta-worthy?

Revel Nail Aurora and Revel Nail BubblyRevel Nail Aurora & Revel Nail Bubbly

I’m not writing a review of Revel Nail Aurora and Revel Nail Bubbly dip powders in this post, but I’ll share a couple thoughts:

  • This picture does not capture color accurately. I am wearing both Revel Nail Aurora, which is a nice, light nude pink (it definitely looks pink in person) and Revel Nail Bubbly on top.
  • Although not evident in this picture, my application is fairly bulky. This is because:
    • This application is three dips instead of two because I wanted to use Revel Nail Bubbly on top for some shimmer.
    • I suck at finish filing acrylic. This led me to buy an e-file, which I am still getting the hang of, but it has changed my pedicure world dramatically.

OKAY.

I recently saw an Instagram post from a blogger who decided to face the music regarding her content and who ultimately discontinued her project. That was a bit eye-opening for me. I’m not there, but it’s undeniable to me that I bet Beauty Skeptic take a back seat to everything else. Better no content than half-assed content, right? I haven’t really been buying and trying much stuff, so its really been a drought of content inspiration here, BUT here’s what I’ve been up to:

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Becca Backlight Priming Filter

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Becca Backlight Priming filterBecca Backlight Priming Filter, $40

Megawatt highlighting isn’t for me. I do like, however, boasting a little glow without going full disco ball chic. Usually, I strategically cocktail luminizing and highlighting products with my BB Cream. Lately, though, my current go-to method with Becca Backlight Priming Filter is, I’ve come to believe, better.

The product normally retails for around $40 for an ounce. I found it at Costco for around $18 at one point – so I bought it to try. An ounce doesn’t sound like much, but a little goes a very long way and lasts forever-and-a-day.

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Kopari Coconut Deodorant

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Kopari Coconut Deodorant

Today, we’re back on glamorous AF beauty topics to talk about Kopari Coconut Deodorant.

Fortunate not to be prone to sweating much, I generally eschew antiperspirants except in special cases. In the past, I’ve shared that I use primarily use Old Spice. GASP, I know. If you’re new here, that sounds crazy as hell (and, ridiculously, an impassioned discussion of this very topic net my table free dessert at an upscale restaurant on a recent business trip). It isn’t, though; Bearglove is a surprisingly neutral scent, even if it is favored by Terry Crews.

I’ve also tried Lavanila and an inexpensive Arm & Hammer product. I’m not particularly hell-bent on the natural route (see previously my criticism of 1 part baking soda, 1 part essential oils or patchouli, and 1 part denial about efficacy); effectiveness is my priority. But if effective might come in a natural-ish route, I’m up for it.

Coming Across Kopari Coconut Deodorant

I first heard about Kopari Coconut Deodorant, $14 from Stephanie. I find her recommendations reliable and was therefore curious, but I had to reconcile this with my deeply-rooted skepticism of The Magical All-Curative Salve that is Coconut Oil. For a while, the beauty world was intoxicated with coconut oil; somehow, it occupied this be-all-end-all pedestal much like duct tape does for other things. Free of:

  • aluminum,
  • silicones,
  • parabens,
  • phthalates, and
  • baking soda

it turns out that Kopari Coconut Deodorant is a decent product -and cruelty free to boot. More details on their FAQ, here.

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