november hauls - planner and makeup

hi guys! please excuse the lighting in all of these photos as i try to figure out the new setup. i decided to go ahead and put this post up a little early because the only things i have coming in the mail are canadian stickers, which can wait til next month's post. ~Lindsay

sephora rouge sale goodies are in their own separate post! click here!

ulta -- all of the unicorns. i also got a few other skincare repeats which are not pictured, as well as the clean & clear acne triple clear bubble cleanser, urban decay naked skin concealer in light warm (was on sale!), alterna cc cream (also on sale!), jergens natural glow lotion (this stuff is great for pasty days!), anastasia eyeshadow in stone, and the sally hansen salon chrome nail kit.

• i had to return the nail kit. it was awful. just before attempting to do it myself, T sent me a video by christine of how awful nearly all of the sets were. and i don't have time (or products) to do the gel method, so i tried the tacky polish method and got mixed results over 3 fingers. i used opi black onyx. i waited until i thought it was reasonably dry/tacky before applying the powder, but got inconsistent results. one nail looked okish and two nails, the applicator picked up the polish onto the sponge and that was it. i was done. and not only that, it didn't look as amazing as the box showed. so i agree. these sets are a pass.

unicorn tears highlighter, lipstick, melted latex; light warm concealer, eyeshadow in stone, milani strobelight

unicorn tears lipstick

unicorn tears melted latex

please excuse the sloppy paint job. i figured i would clean up after applying the special topcoat, but yeah.......no.

old navy -- penguin socks! these were like $3? and super cute!
sigma -- someone over at sigma needs a raise. their analytics is ridiculous. less than 1 hour after looking at the page for sigmagic brush foam, i got an email, hey free F86 with any purchase. pshh well yeah, i'll buy your $15 brush shampoo and get a free $25 brush. please and thank you!
walmart -- kiss and impress nails, milani afterglow highlighter in strobelight
target -- pixi endless silky eye pen in black noir
macy's -- they were having a sale and these were half off! urban decay 24/7 pencil in underground

graze -- i got myself a full 8 snack box in the mail, and the wrapping on the package was the same. this time though, it somehow felt more secure? weird. [i also got a set of that raspberry muffin one i mentioned liking last time, and that came in a normal people box, properly sealed and what have you. sorry for not photographing.] anyway, i enjoyed most of these snacks and updated my profile with my preferences on them.

planner stuffs -- here's the link to my etsy list of purchased planner stuff
SweetKawaiiDesign -- she was giving away this supah amazing pilot pen and cute die cut for every order over $15 that day, and of course, i need every pen ever.

Bolderbon -- soo many freebies! i ordered the penguin weekly kit, 52 week savings, weekends, and declutter sheets and the rest are oops and freebies! so awesome!

spring 2016 walmart beauty box -- classic

hi guys! i was recently alerted that this time, walmart began offering two different beauty boxes for purchase, both are $5 each. prior to this, they had two or so different boxes that shipped out each season, presumably based upon your age group...because that's one of the things it asked in your profile. i made a separate post for the "trendsetter" subscription, which you can click here to see what i got in it. if you'd like to subscribe, you can sign up here. ~Lin-chan ^.~

1. colgate optic white platinum express white toothpaste in fresh mint (1.45oz--mini, ret. $1.97) -- so i used the tube that came in my trendsetter box..and no. this is not my definition of a fresh mint flavor. more like medicinal. bleh!
   repurchase? no
2. neutrogena MoistureSmooth color stick in almond nude (.08oz--mini, ret. $6.77 for .011oz [$1.38]) -- this is the same shade that came in my trendsetter box, so i'll be passing this one along.
   repurchase? nah
3. banana boat sun comfort broad spectrum spf 30 sunscreen (1oz--mini, ret. $7.49 for 6oz [$1.25]) -- got one of these in my march target box, but i'm interested in trying it out this summer--if i ever go do anything in the sun, lol!
   repurchase? maybe
4. jergens wet skin moisturizer with monoi oil (2oz--mini, ret. $6.99 for 10oz [$1.40]) -- i got one of these recently again too! this came in one of the january target boxes. i actually really enjoyed samples of the coconut one, but i don't really like the scent of the floral one.
   repurchase? maybe the coconut one
5. cetaphil gentle skin cleanser (1oz--mini, ret. $10.39 for 16oz [$0.65]) -- i'm interested in trying this out, since i've heard great things about this. super awesome that it's unscented!
   repurchase? maybe
6. dove dry oil moisture body wash (1.8oz--mini, ret. $5.97 for 22oz [$0.49]) -- this smells super good!! well most argan oil products smell like this..but yeah. i can't wait to try it!
   repurchase? maybe
7. roc multi correxion 5-in-1 chest, neck, & face cream (.17oz--mini, ret. $23.72 for 1.7oz [$1.38]) -- has an older, florally type of scent to it. i'm not really a fan, so this is getting passed along.
   repurchase? no
8. curel rough skin rescue (.7oz--mini, ret. $7.57 for 20oz [$0.26]) -- this feels very nice. the texture or thickness the perfect mix of lotiony and body cream. it doesn't have a strong scent, and i can't wait to use it!
   repurchase? maybe
9. neutrogena healthy skin liquid makeup sampler card (~$12 for 1oz) -- i've actually been interested in trying this, and now i have almost all of the colors to try color matching! woohoo.
   repurchase? maybe
10. extra advertisement cards

approximate product value: ~$9

spring 2016 walmart beauty box -- trendsetter

hi guys! i was recently alerted that this time, walmart began offering two different beauty boxes, both are $5 each. i'll make a separate post for the "classic" subscription as soon as it comes in, but here's this season's trendsetter box! if you'd like to subscribe, you can sign up here. ~Lin-chan ^.~

1. colgate optic white platinum express white toothpaste in fresh mint (1.45oz--mini, ret. $1.97) -- i'm not sure if i used this kind before or not, but i've really been liking the crest 3D white toothpaste in radiant mint. this stuff is gross. no. not minty, tastes medicinal!
   repurchase? maybe no
2. biore baking soda pore cleanser (1oz--mini, ret. $6.76 for 6.77oz [$1]) -- i've been actually using this face wash recently, and i've been liking it. not my absolute favorite, but it definitely gets the job done.
    repurchase? maybe
3. jergens natural glow daily moisturizer for fair to medium skintones (2oz--mini, ret. $8.21 for 7.5oz [$2.19]) -- this smells really nice! i'm not sure how i'll like this compared to their bb body lotion, but it seems like a similar concept.
   repurchase? maybe
4. john frieda brilliant brunette subtle lightening shampoo (2oz--mini, ret. $8.97 for 8.3oz [$2.16]) -- this smells pretty nice. i'm not planning on using it though...don't exactly want to lighten the color my my hair.
   repurchase? no
5. curel itch defense body wash (1oz--mini, ret. $6.62 for 10oz [$0.66]) -- this doesn't have much of a scent. i'm intersted in trying it out, but i don't really have dry itchy skin.
   repurchase? probably not
6. cerave healing ointment (.0085oz--mini, ret. $14.63 for 5oz [$0.03]) -- never really used the sample of aquaphor i got in one of the previous boxes, but we'll see.
   repurchase? nah
7. neutrogena MoistureSmooth color stick in almond nude (.08oz--mini, ret. $6.77 for .011oz [$1.38]) -- this is a very flattering nude color for me and feels very nice and balmy.
   repurchase? probably not, this is a nice size and i'm not looking for new lippies right now
8. vera wang embrace periwinkle and iris (sample, ret. $28.32 for 1oz) -- i know that i've said many times that i hate floral scents... but this one's actually an exception. it's pretty nice, an older, sophisticated scent.
   repurchase? probably not
9. neutrogena acne correct & cover pink grapefruit moisturizer (sample, ret. $9.42 for 1.7oz) -- i'm definitely interested in giving this a try, but i'm not sure that i'll get a full size, for the price and there's other things i like and use.
   -- i like the "available at walmart" sticker that they were compelled to adhere to this card. because you know, the walmart beauty box it contains products that aren't sold at walmart. >.>
   repurchase? maybe
10. burt's bees bb cream in light/medium (sample, ret. $15 for 1.7oz) -- this shade is probably going to be too dark for me, so i'll pass this along.
    repurchase? probably not
11. loreal age perfect glow renewal facial oil (sample, ret. $15.13 for 1oz) -- still not getting on the facial oil train, so i'll pass this along.
    repurchase? no
12. extra advertisement cards

approximate product value: ~$9

october favorites & mehs

hi guys! only a couple items last month too. enjoy. ~Lin-chan ^.~

favorites:

designer or die, silk sheets, style icon, star treatment, lingerie lover, wild nights

1. becca shimmering skin perfector poured in opal -- i took this on my orlando trip and i loved it. you guys know i'm not as huge into cream cheek products..but this was buttah. it blended out amazingly.
2. buxom custom palette (shadows listed above) -- i think i did a pretty good job at picking these 6 shades. the first four are great for more neutral looks, and sometimes i like changing it  up and using the first two and last three to semi-replicate what i've been doing with the maybelline blushed nudes palette.
1. i've got another one sitting on my sephora wishlist right now. some of them are out of stock and i haven't swatched them in the store yet. but we're going to wait until the vib sale and see what kind of discounts we can get.
3. jergens bb body cream -- i forgot how much i loved this lotion. omg. the scent is nice and the tint it gives is super nice too. just make sure it's dry before putting clothes on because the color will transfer.
4. luxie beauty tapered blending eye brush 205 -- i redeemed some ipsy points for this and got it with this month's bag. and it became an instant favorite. it's a great crease area brush, super soft and fluffy.

random favorites: 

1. stoli ginger beer -- not a recent favorite. actually my mom gave us some of these a while back when i decided i wanted to try moscow mules. turns out those are absolutely disgusting, but stoli ginger beer (compared to about 4 other brands we've tried) is really, really good. ginger beer is non-alcoholic, it's ginger soda. not ginger ale, but strong gingery soda.
2. not your father's rootbeer -- this is alcoholic. it's hard rootbeer. and it's really good. i hate anything that remotely tastes like alcohol, and this you almost can't tell. and it also has a higher abv than your average beer. so not only is it super drinkable, making you think nothing of it, if you stand up too fast you'll feel it. haha. 
1. note: this is better on ice than in the bottle.
2. in comparison, the coney island one is absolutely gross. again, it has alcohol taste.
3. disclaimer: drink responsibly and yadda yadda. don't drink if you're under age, etc.

meh/undecided: 

1. becca shimmering skin perfector [liquid] in opal -- i also took this with me on our orlando trip. and i did not like this quite as much. i felt that it blended away and didn't really show up as strongly as i would have liked. i guess you could consider it more natural looking than the poured and pressed versions, which i like more.

fall 2015 walmart beauty box

hi guys! the fall walmart beauty box has arrived! and there's sooo many new things to try!! (if you'd like to subscribe, you can sign up here.) ~Lin-chan ^.~

1. simple cleansing facial wipes (7 wipes--mini, ret. $3.66 for 25 wipes [$1.03]) -- do i even have to say anything about these?
   repurchase? duh
2. aussie mega hairspray (1.5oz--mini, ret. $3.74 for 17oz [$0.33]) -- this has a strangely amazing fruity candy type smell and idk. i haven't tried many things from their line, but i feel like they're underrated.
    repurchase? maybe
3. act advanced care plaque guard in frosted mint (1oz--mini, ret. $6.48 for 33.8oz [$0.19]) -- i haven't had an act mouthwash in a really long time. we'll have to see about this one.
   repurchase? probably not
4. aveeno positively radiant daily moisturizer with sunscreen spf 30 (.3oz--mini, ret. $11.49 for 2.5oz [$1.38]) -- you guys know i'm not a fan of facial sunscreens. this, however, has a nice fragrance that counterbalances the sunscreen scent, making it more bearable. i'm interested in trying this out.
   repurchase? maybe
5. jergens wet skin moisturizer samples in coconut oil and monoi oil (.25oz each--minis, ret. $6.84 for 10oz [$0.34]) -- we'll have to see how this goes. something about putting this onto skin while it's wet and it absorbs better? idk. we'll try  it out.
   repurchase? maybe
6. biore self heating one minute mask (1 use (.25oz)--sample, ret. $4.39 for 4 uses [$1.10]) -- i've never noticed this product before. i'm interested in trying it out.
   repurchase? maybe
7. nivea extended moisture body lotion (.14oz--sample, ret. $5.30 for 16.9oz [$0.04]) -- try all the lotions?
   repurchase? maybe
8. dove advanced care deodorant in beauty finish (.5oz--mini, ret. $6.68 for 2.6oz [$1.28]) -- this smells soo freaking good. i've tried other dove deodorants before and enjoyed them, so i'm hoping this'll be a similar experience.
   repurchase? maybe
9. neutrogena healthy volume mascara in black (.16oz--mini, ret. $7.95 for .21oz [$6.06]) -- i've been eyeing this mascara for a while now, but i haven't gotten it because...........i have too many mascaras or samples to still go through. ~.~
   repurchase? maybe
10. schick hydro silk disposable razor (1 razor, ret. $9.06 for 3 razors [$3.02]) -- i already love this line of razors. i have the non-disposables of these.
    repurchase? maybe
11. coupons for jergens, biore, and dove

approximate product value: ~$14.77

sidenote: anyone else think that this is hilarious? usps is somehow disrupting the time-space continuum and traversing the state, nearly corner to corner, in a mere 15 minutes! ...or 21 hours. ya know... who knows?!

summer 2015 walmart beauty box

hi all! i just got my summer walmart beauty box in the mail! low value of this box aside, i like that there was a wide variety of sample items in here plus a full size item. (if you'd like to subscribe, you can sign up here.) ~Lin-chan ^.~

1. nyc liquid lipshine lip gloss in fashion ave fuchsia (.24oz--full size, ret. $1.87) -- i would have never picked this up on my own. especially something that has fuchsia in the name. buuuut. this gloss is not sticky, it's very balmy, and the color is pretty sheer with a nice shimmer to it. kudos!
   repurchase? maybe
2. dove go fresh body wash in mandarin & tiare flower (1.8oz--mini, ret. $5.47 for 22oz [$0.45]) -- what the hell walmart. we got this in the last box. you could have at least sent out a different scent or something! anyway, this stuff was good, but not my favorite.
    repurchase? nah
3. st. ives apricot scrub (1oz--mini, ret. $3.54 for 6oz [$0.59]) -- i used to use this a long time ago, and i've stopped and started trying out other things.
   repurchase? nah
4. clear scalp & hair therapy complete care nourishing anti-dandruff shampoo (1.7oz--mini, ret. $4.98 for 12.9oz [$0.66]) -- i love clear brand shampoos, but i don't need anything moisturizing, as i've said many times before...
   repurchase? no
5. nivea soft nourishing creme (.84oz--mini, ret. $3.74 for 6.8oz [$0.46]) -- i've heard good things about this as a hand cream, but i'm not so sure i like it. it has a very thin consistency, and it has a very strong baby powder smell.
   repurchase? nah
6. neutrogena cool dry sport sunscreen lotion spf 70 (.5oz--mini, ret. $8.49 for 5oz [$0.85]) -- so far, all i've got to say is that it doesn't smell like sunscreen...so that is a huge plus in my book.
   repurchase? maybe
7. one direction you & i perfume sample (1.5ml--sample, ret. £21.00 for 30ml [~$1.70]) -- this has a nice fruity but floraly scent. it's pretty interesting, but i'm not sure if it's for me.
   repurchase? nah
8. jergens natural glow 3 days to glow moisturizer sample set (.84oz--sample, ret. $6.75 for 4oz [$1.42]) -- this sampler is for medium to tan skintones..which is obviously for me... and yall know how much i love self-tanners...... so i'm going to pass this off to my mom.
   repurchase? no
9. coupons for ecotools, real techniques, and essential tools brushes

approximate product value: ~$8

winter 2014 walmart beauty box

hi all! today i bring you the second installment of walmart's beauty box program! (if you'd like to subscribe, you can sign up here.) ~Lin-chan ^.~

1. olay fresh effects everything off makeup removing cloths in honeysuckle & white tea (7 wipes, ret. $3.97 for 25 wipes [$1.11]) -- i was really interested in trying these..mostly because of the super colorful prettyful packaging..but these smell weird to me and they burn my eyes like crazy. so i'm going to pass the rest of these off........
   repurchase? no
2. jergens bb body cream for light skintones (1oz--mini, ret. $11.97 for 7.5oz [$1.60]) -- i already love this stuff!
   repurchase? yes
3. nivea cocoa butter body lotion (foil sample, ret. $4.97 for 16.9oz) -- i'm interested in trying this out. cocoa butter smells really good in general and this stuff is fairly inexpensive to repurchase
   repurchase? maybe 
4. maybelline dream wonder powder sample in ????? (sample, ret. $6.94) -- i already have this powder and it's ok, not my favorite. it keeps me fairly matte for most of the day, but i still like rimmel stay matte better.
   repurchase? nah
5. maybelline the buffs color sensational lipstick in maple kiss (full size, ret. $4.97) -- i'm undecided about this lipstick. like, i like the formula, but the shade is really weird browny-orange on me. we'll have to see.....
   repurchase? not this shade
6. l'oreal oleo therapy shampoo & conditioner (2oz each--minis, ret. $6.99/ea for 8.5oz [$3.29]) -- these smell pretty interesting. i'll give them a try but i'm not sure if they'll work out because of the moisture level...
   repurchase? probably not

approximate product value: ~$12

spring 2014 favorites

it's that time again~! my quarterly favorites post! ~Lin-chan ^.~

ps, i think i'll start doing regrets posts. i don't remember exactly what i bought when and what i gave away recently, so i'll have one for ya starting next quarter!

brazilian tan, mudslide, turn on the teal, milani eye tech; kitten & walking on eggshells trio (swatched dry)

1. revlon lipstick in brazilian tan -- it's kinda sad at how much i like this lipstick. it's a great nude for me but it's limited edition for this past summer collection. booooo. a comparable permanent shade is revlon's honey bare, but it's not as perfect as brazilian tan. (i went and gots myself 2 backups!)
2. buxom lip cream in mudslide -- i got this lil baby sample from a sephora order and i didn't think i'd love it as much as i do. like, i do like buxom glosses, but this was a new one, a new kind..but i was like: it's free, just add it to the cart. and now, it's featured here in my favorites!
3. milani eye tech extreme liquid liner -- to be honest, i didn't like this liner at first. i didn't like how stiff the tip was and it can't flex what-so-ever. but it's interesting because that's what i like about this liner. for my so-called 'stamping liner method'--where you hold the applicator horizontally and kind of stamp it along-- it works great. by not being flexible it ensures a more even application without frays or brush marks. it's been more awesome than i thought.
4. maybelline master drama chromatics eyeliner pencil in turn on the teal -- i love this liner. not only is the color great and (for even me) wearable, but the formulation is amazing and it really does stay put, doesn't fade, doesn't get patchy. it's freaking amazing. i wish they sold a black when they released these because i'm not sure if the retractable ones are the same quality or not.
5. eyeshadow combo: stila kitten & crease shade from wet n wild walking on eggshells trio -- a few years ago, i got one of the sephora favorites boxes and it had a kitten shadow in it. i depotted it whenever i got my unii and z palettes and totally forgot about it. i recently pulled it out and thought it was such a great shade, a pretty champagne, but i didn't want to wear it by itself since it's kind of close to my skintone and i wanted some definition in the crease. so i started using the crease shade from the walking on eggshells trio and it's been a great combo!
6. elf studio prism eyeshadow palette in naked: while we were on the cruise i used this pretty much every day. i even brought the naked3 palette with me and i found that i kept using the elf one instead!

swatched dry

1. tone soothing body wash (oatmeal & shea) -- this is such a good and inexpensive body wash. it's like $3.50 at walmart, and it has a very light and unoffensive scent. it feels great. i'm sad that i didn't try them sooner.
2. jergens bb body for light skintones -- i first got this in my $5 target box and i was quite skeptical at the time. but i really do like it a lot. i went and bought this full size tube already. the scent is also light and unoffensive, it goes on nice and smoothly, and gives the skin a light and healthy glow. be careful with this lotion thought, it can transfer to your clothes if you don't let it finish absorbing.

may hauls

hi guys! i didn't go too crazy this month because we're going on vacation~! woohoo! anyway hope you had a great may and yesssssssss! summertime! ~Lin-chan ^.~

brushegg (purchased here) -- similar in concept to sigma's brush glove, this is more compact and ergonomic. it was $10 with shipping, so not too bad! i was hoping she'd send me a mint one (color is chosen at random) but at the very least, i'm glad i waited long enough that she doesn't have any more of the custard-yellow ones..ew! i've been really enjoying using this little guy, so at this rate, i don't think i'll make a separate post for the sigma brush glove anymore...i'm sure there's enough reviews for it out there. the brushegg is a good size and it's very functional without the need for the gazillion textures of the sigma ove' glove.

posiebalm, orgasm, concealer, copper lustre, black cherry liner

• kohls.com: lorac 3D lustre liner in copper black cherry -- there was this shirt i wanted but our store didn't have the right size/color combo, and i needed to add a little bit more to get free shipping ^.~
• the camera did not do that black cherry liner justice. it's a black with a red tone and red microshimmer. it's gorgeous.
• cvs: almay clear complexion concealer in light -- i am all about acne-fighting products. buy all the salicylic acid makeup! (and yay for having extra bucks!)
• benefitcosmetics.com: posiebalm -- poisetint in balm form! sah-weet.
• sephora.com (2 orders): tarte maracuja c-brighter eye cream, 100 points: nars orgasm gloss, codes: smashbox eye primer, pantone universe radiant orchid bag

bbb/target: loreal miss manga mascara, jergens bb body, soft lips cube in vanilla bean, elf contour brush, neutrogena makeup remover wipes--because i forgot if i liked these or not....

• uh of course i would buy manga mascara, the otaku within needed it, even though the european reviews are so-so. 我要眼象睛漫画！买所有的东西!
• i do think that it does give a manga/anime-eyes effect. like the lashes clump together kinda piece-y similar to characters' eyes in peach girl and i.n.v.u. ...kinda..kinda..? kandee johnson has a video demo/review of this mascara for those interested.

swatches: cruisin chic & back to basics smudgepots; naked & sunset prism shadow palettes (swatched dry)

eyeslipsface.com: they were having a mother's day "sale", so for $25+shipping, i got $40 worth of stuff. yep. essential smudge brush, studio blush brush, 2x small tapered brushes, prism eyeshadow palettes in naked & sunset, essential smudgepots in cruisin chic & back to basics, makeup remover wipes, 12pk of spoolies

• i haven't gotten around to using the smudgepots yet, but they have a really smooth and creamy consistency; much more so than what maybelline color tattoos or the benefit creaseless cream shadows have. i was quite impressed.

• makeupgeek.com (2 orders): large pink z palette..because i needed another one? MUG eyeshadow starter kit/dotted leaf z palette bundle (for swatches, see photo on the product page)
• shadow pans, as placed in my palette (L-R, T-B): shimma shimma, prom night, unexpected, cocoa bear, crème brulee, glamorous, mocha, drama queen, corrupt
• cvs: maybelline master drama chromatic liner in plum persuasion, automatic liner in midnight master, [not pictured] covergirl nail polish in being blonde (see notd post)

musk, lychee, montana (swatched dry)

• sephora: bite beauty luminous crème lipstick duo in neutral (musk & lychee) -- it's so itty bitty! i luff it!
• target: sheamoisture eyeshadow pan in montana