PSA

Lipstick Is My Vice

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Lipstick Is My ViceUrban Decay Lipstick is my Vice

The title of this post isn’t true. Lipstick isn’t my vice. I enjoy what I enjoy, but I’m definite an eye rather than a lip girl. I didn’t realize it at the time but when I bought F-Bomb for $11, it was because UD is killing the Revolution Lipstick line in favor of their Lipstick Is My Vice / Vice Lipstick line which launches June 5.

It feels, to me, like we lost the Revolution line too soon. After a long time without lipsticks from Urban Decay, many of us rejoiced when the Revolution line came out. They gradually added mattes and sheers to the line to cover a lot of interests when it comes to lipcolor. Well, like so many Game of Thrones characters, their life was cut short.

It isn’t all bad, as I found looking at Temptalia’s swatches. The shades we’ve come to love are staying, with a (supposedly) new and improved formula. There are 100 lipsticks being released, and 74 of them are brand new shades. Furthermore, they will be priced to compete with MAC’s lipsticks – only $17 a tube down from $22 for a Revolution lipstick. Let’s hope a drop in price does not equate to a drop in quality. Additionally, they are revamping many of the lip pencils out there – so if you’re a pencil pusher, that should be good news for you, too.

Get the $11 Revolution Lipsticks while you can from Sephora, Ulta, Macy’s. They are selling out.

Self Tanning Prep

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It’s finally sunless tanning season! Maybe you bother year ’round, maybe you’ve already started for the year – but for the rest of us, here are some tips on how to achieve a great sunless tan regardless of the products you’re using.

Shower

Self Tanning Prep - Original Dove Beauty Bar

For best results, you should always apply to just-cleaned skin! When I’m showering with self tanning prep in mind, I use a mild soap like classic Dove (which is what I use in the shower most of the time anyway). Some of the richer, creamier body washes contain oils (great for ultra-moisturizing, not great for self tanning prep). While you’re at it…

Shave

remingtonshaver

…at least the areas you wish to tan with coarser hair, such as the lower legs. Don’t feel like you need to shave everywhere – for instance, I don’t shave my forearms; the hair that grows there is fine and light.. If you wax or have removed the hair via a laser device, you get to skip this – lucky you! Still, you need to…

Exfoliate

Self Tanning Prep - Eco Tools Shower Gloves

While in the shower, exfoliate your skin to remove any dry or errant patches. Sunless tanner works best when everything is smooth; otherwise you risk a patchy or muddy application. No product can prevent it – you simply have to do your due-diligence. I use a pair of scrubby shower gloves or a sugar- or salt-based scrub. If your scrub has oils (many do!), you might want to do this before you suds up to remove any oils.

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Sephora Love Note (VIB & VIB Rouge)

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Sephora Love Note

The Sephora Love Note Sale is now live!

VIB customers can use code VIBNOTE now through April 13 to score 15% off their orders.

In addition, VIB Rouge customers could use code ROUGENOTE starting yesterday to score 15% off. I’d hope people dropping $1k+ per annum got something a little more than just a day – be it a whole week or another 5% off. If you’re VIBR and disappointed, let Sephora know!

Regrettably using one of the Sephora Love Note codes, means you can’t use a code for samples. Boo.

Remember to stack your savings by using eBates and get 4-8% cash back at Sephora!

Surprise! A New Look

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Notice anything different?

I did do something with my hair (a cut, nothing exciting), but that’s not what I’m talking about. You couldn’t have known that.

After 2/3 of forever…surprise! I’ve gotten a facelift!

By, “I,” I mean the site, of course. I’ve never had cosmetic surgery.

I have a wonderful new logo and social presence (if you follow me on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook you’ll see it flows over to those platforms, too) thanks to my wonderful graphic designer. I communicated my vision and boy, did she deliver! She has a blog that I read and follow, too, but is doing some housekeeping for herself; I’ll share her details when she gives me the green light.

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Now Over – Deals & Steals – $15 Purity

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Every now and then I come across a great deal that I can’t help but share, regardless of my posting schedule. Philosophy’s cult-favorite Purity facial cleanser normally runs $24 for 8oz. Over the holidays, Sephora had an online-only 8oz for $15 special. Alas, it sold out swiftly.

PurityNordstrom Philosophy Purity Duo, $15

To my delight (and perhaps yours), Nordstrom has an 8oz bottle PLUS a 1oz travel/sample bottle for only $15. Because it’s Nordstrom, it’s always free shipping.

I’ve had a 2-or 3-oz bottle for AGES because a tiny bit goes a long way (especially with my Clarisonic, but even without!) and I alternate it with Cetaphil Gentle, so this will last me nearly forever. I have some air travel coming up this year, so the 1oz bottle is welcome to withstand TSA scrutiny, too.

The sale, the shipping, and 3% back at eBates made me jump earlier this morning. Now I’m good on face wash (combined with my current stock) for over a year! Some people like to use it to clean their brushes, too; as for me, I’ll stick to using it on my face, but for product minimalists out there, this is a multitasker.

Urban Decay Freelove Dupe

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I can never hope to be a massive repository of dupe information like Temptalia is, but if I notice something neat, I’ll point it out.

So, recently, I hosted a giveaway for a single pot of Urban Decay’s Freelove eyeshadow. Freelove is a lovely pinky-peachy-gold with a frosty, satin finish.

Urban Decay Freelove Dupe (Freelove)

I love it.

I was in Ulta redeeming my birthday freebie last month when I came upon a display of the Nyx Prismatic shadows. Nyx Prismatic Golden Peach caught my eye and looked familiar, so I swatched it and found that it was an Urban Decay Freelove Dupe!

It’s SO close to Urban Decay Freelove but only 1/3 of the price ($6 vs $18)! Main difference is that Golden Peach is a tad more shimmer. Temptalia’s reviews of each suggests that Golden Peach lasts a bit longer on the lid than Freelove.

Urban Decay Freelove Dupe - Nyx Prismatic Golden PeachNyx Prismatic Golden Peach – an Urban Decay Freelove Dupe

Unfortunately, my hasty store swatch was not photo-worthy. I didn’t buy one for myself since I already have Freelove (and I’m not a dupe hoarder) BUT if I didn’t already own it and needed to decide between the two, I’d probably go with Golden Peach.

So if you missed my giveaway and can’t justify dropping $18 on a shade (I can’t either – I bought them half off), don’t despair – get this! NYX goes on sale at Ulta fairly regularly, too (40% off or BOGO 50% off are common)!