The Weekly Drugstore Makeup Sales (8/5 - 8/11)

CVS shoppers: Scan your Extra Care card at the red scanner box this week to receive a coupon for $5 off any $15 cosmetics purchase (one coupon per card, exp 8/11). If you've been wanting to pick up any of the Sally Hansen Magnetics I reviewed here, this week when you spend $10 on Sally Hansen you get $3 Extra Bucks. Buy 2 Magentics ($9.99 each) and use the CVS red scanner box coupon mentioned above and your total out of pocket goes down from $19.98 to $14.98. Then you'll get $6 back in Extra Bucks since the limit is 2 on this Extra Bucks offer, bringing you final cost after rewards down to $8.98 for two polishes. Maybelline fans: when you spend $10 on any Maybelline face, eye or lip cosmetics this week, you'll get $3 Extra Bucks, PLUS, Maybelline Shadow Quads, Volum' Express Mascaras and Color Sensational lip colors are all 2/$10 this week. Doesn't get easier than that! If you've been wanting to try the Maybelline BB cream I reviewed, don't forget about this $1 off coupon. Speaking of BB creams, the other BB cream from L'Oreal, the Youth Code BB Cream, is on sale this week for $11.99 (normally $16.99) and there's a $1 off L'Oreal skincare coupon here to bring your out-of-pocket down to $10.99. One more good deal: Garnier stylers are $2.99 this week and there's a $1 off Garnier Styler coupon here.

Rite Aid shoppers: Wet n Wild fans: guess which promotion is BACK? This week all Wet n Wild products with a regular retail price of $0.99 (Wild Shine polishes, select liners, lipsticks, etc.) will be $0.69 each. This is always a good time to stock up on your favorites! Maybelline fans: spend $15 on any Maybelline products get $3+UP. To go along with this sale, Great Lash mascara and Color Sensational lip colors are $5 each (I don't know if this includes the LE Great Lash colored mascaras, so ask a cashier to confirm). AND there are lots of Maybelline coupons in this month's Video Values (which you can combine with manufacturer's coupons if you have any). All Organix, got2b and Finesse haircare is BOGOFREE this week and so are select Clearasil products. Also, Glam Camp 2012 is now live (click here for details). Lastly, L'Oreal Ever haircare is on sale for $5.99 each and when you buy 2 you get $5+UP (be sure to use this coupon for $1 off).

Walgreens shoppers:  Organix haircare and select got2b haircare are BOGOFREE through 8/25. Sally Hansen nail products and lip care are BOGO1/2OFF this week, and there's a coupon for $1 off the Sally Hansen Magnetics I just reviewed inside the August Walgreens Coupon Booklet. There's also a $1 off coupon for Salon Effects in the same booklet, so you could by one of each and save $2 on top of the BOGO1/2OFF sale.  Garnier fans: this week all Garnier haircare is 3/$10 and there are coupons to go with it: click here for $1 off any Garnier styler and click here for $1 off any Garnier shampoo, conditioner or treatment. Walgreens is also running the Carmex lotion deal again (it's been a while since they've run this one!): buy a Carmex Healing Cream, Lotion or Ointment (click here for my review) for $4.99 and you'll get $4 back in Register Rewards, bringing you final cost down to $0.99. I have to tell you, Mr. G was recently very badly sunburnt, and after trying every lotion and potion in my house, the only thing that he said made his red-hot lobster skin feel better was the Carmex Healing Lotion.So yeah, I think I'll be stocking up for the next time he stupidly forgets to apply sunscreen before surfing! PS: If you need "filler" this week (if you're a couponer) be sure to check the school supply aisle for lots of back-to-school cheapies.

Now through tomorrow (Sunday 8/5): Butter London or Deborah Lippmann B2G1FREE + free shipping

A huge thanks to reader Allison L. for letting us know that now through tomorrow (Sunday, 8/5) you can order two Deborah Lippmann or Butter London nail polishes from Nordstrom and get a third polish FREE with free shipping (shipping is always free at Nordstrom.com but I just thought I'd add that in case you didn't know!). 

The details:

Per the fine print above, you must buy either all Deborah Lippmanns or all Butter Londons (you cannot mix and match) and they must all be the same price to qualify. Enter code BUYANDSAVE at checkout and the third polish in your cart will be deducted.

Thanks again, Allison L, for the heads-up on this deal!

(UPDATE) Rite Aid Glam Camp 2012 is now live!

I mentioned last week that Rite Aid's Glam Camp was back again this year, and thanks to reader palette_obsession2 for letting us know that the details of this year's promotion are now up on the Glam Camp website.

If you haven't participated in Glam Camp before, every summer Rite Aid does a special promotion where if you spend a set amount on products from a variety of beauty brands, you're eligible to receive prize. In past years, the prize has been a beauty bag with samples, but this year they're doing things a little differently:

UPDATE: THIS OFFER HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH OCTOBER 31ST. DEADLINE TO SUBMIT YOUR REBATE IS NOW NOVEMBER 29TH.

This year you get a pink scarf, and you also become a member of the Glam Camp Coupon Club, which will give you access to "high value coupons and a free item."

UPDATE: Here is more information I recieved directly from Rite Aid regarding what you will receive:

Coupons are for...between $2 and $5 off a range of beauty products at Rite Aid including hair products, lip glosses, nail enamel and more. The free item is a nail enamel you’ll only see on shelves at Rite Aid...

Do you hear that, my fellow lacquer-heads? There's going to be a Rite Aid-exclusive nail polish soon, and Rite Aid Glam Camp Members will get it FREE.

Not too shabby, considering that the requirements will be pretty effortless for a lot of us:

All you have to do to get the scarf, coupons and free nail polish is purchase $15 worth of products from the any of the following brands: Maybelline, Sally Hansen, Rimmel, got2b, CoverGirl, Demeter, Jesse's Girl, Clean & Clear, Dove, Veet. You don't need to spend $15 all at once. Your total will accrue on your receipts, so once you hit $15 you'll know it (just make sure you keep your receipts!). Once you hit the $15 mark, you'll just enter your receipt information online here (you'll need to register for Rite Aid's Single Check Rebate program if you're not already a member), and Rite Aid will do the rest.

Thanks so much, palette_obsession2, for letting us know that this year's Glam Camp offer is now live!

Review & Swatches: Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Colors

Even though there are other magnetic polishes available at the drugstore these days, there's no doubt that the Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Colors are the most widely-available and easiest to find. I received six of the eight shades in the range for review, so I'd love to share my thoughts with you in case you've been thinking about a purchase:

Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color

(retail: $9.99, 0.31 oz)

New beauty freebies, sales, coupons & giveaways

Here's a list of the latest beauty-related freebies and giveaways that have hit my desk this week:

• Thank to reader Paris on Facebook who let us know that Walgreens is running a month-long BOGOFREE sale on Organix haircare (through 8/25). Reader Stephanie on Facebook said she also spotted select got2b products BOGOFREE as well. Thanks, gals!

• The big Allure August Free Stuff Blowout is back again this year, and it's already underway. Allure is giving away over 32,000 beauty and fashion items throughout the month of August, with multiple giveaways each day. You've got to act quickly for these though--sometimes the prizes are given to the first 500 readers while other times it's only for the first 10, 20 or 50 readers.  Click on the Calender of Giveaways for dates and times (NOTE: all start-times are EASTERN). You can click here to access the entry form, and if you have any questions about how to enter (there always seem to be issues with this every year due to the high volume of entries) please see the Official Rules here for details (scroll all the way to the bottom). I obviously can't answer your questions if you have issues with entering, so I suggest reading the rules beforehand and hopefully you can enter successfully! 

• Click here to sign up for a free Garnier Fall Fight Shampoo and Conditioner sample (while supplies last).

• Click here (Facebook) to get a free sample of the new Tom's of Maine Naturally Dry Antiperspirant (while supplies last)

• Click here for a new Bath & Body Works coupon good for 20% off your entire purchase (expires 8/5). And don't forget that the Welcome To Paris fragrance event (gifts with purchase!) is coming up Aug 11th.

• Attention Boscia fans! Thanks to reader Lindsay for the heads-up that now through August 5th or 9th (sorry, the fine print is hard to read on the website), you can visit the Boscia website and enter code Silver12 to get "over $150 in free product with any $40 purchase". This is a grab bag type of promotion but the website states that you may receive "cleanser, tonic, treatment moisturizer, blotting linens...and more." Shipping is free on orders $50+. 

• And last but not least, I just received the following info from St. Ives about a new freebie:

1. Visit  the St. Ives Facebook page,  Facebook.com/StIves, and click on the Summer Blockbuster Poster app
2. Fans choose a Facebook photo or upload a new one that showcases their fresh face and the joy of fresh skin
3. Invite up to eight friends to be part of the poster as "co-stars"
4. Create and design the title for the poster 
5. Be entered for a chance to win prizes, including a trip for two to Los Angeles (all participants will receive a free St. Ives Blemish Control Apricot Scrub, while supplies last)
6. Share your poster on your wall and with friends

Sneak Peek: L'Oreal Project Runway Fall 2012 Collections

They're baaaaaaack! Remember last year's L'Oreal Project Runway Collection? Well L'Oreal's back at it again, and judging from the advance pics of this year's collections, I think they've outdone themselves this year!

Click here to take a peek (scroll to the bottom and you can enlarge every piece in the collection).

My must-haves: 

Colour Riche Gloss in The Mystic's Shine (duochrome lavender and pink!)
Color Riche Lipcolor in The Mystic's Kiss (purple lipstick!)

Colour Riche Nail Polish in The Temptress's Touch (that flash of green!)

Studio Secrets Eyeshadow Quad in The Muse's Gaze (kelly green eyeshadow!)

According to Racked.com, this collection launches in stores this September, but as we all know, these things have a tendency to pop up earlier than their official release dates. If last year's Project Runway Collection is any indication, we should see the big display at Walgreens first.

What do you think of the 2012 Project Runway Collections? Do they appeal to you more, or less, than last year's offerings?

Review: e.l.f. Essential Beauty School Eyeshadow Compact in Neutral

If you haven't been to your local Big Lots lately, then you might not know that many of the e.l.f. kits that were part of this Target end-cap display are also now available at Big Lots. Just about every eyeshadow set that is in the Target display, as well as the 10-piece brush set, etc. have been spotted at not only my local Big Lots locations, but other locations across the nation (thanks to many of you for confirming that). So if you're interested in getting any of these sets and you haven't seen them at your local Target, check Big Lots!

When I first spotted the influx of e.l.f. sets at my local Big Lots, I immediately purchased the Neutral Eyeshadow Compact. I've been wanting it for a while now and never found it at Target, so I was happy to finally get my hands on it.

NOTE: You might have noticed that the title of this blog post doesn't match the name of this kit when compared to the box below. That's because e.l.f. sometimes changes the names of their products, but I figured it was best to call it by its official name that is currently on e.l.f. website: e.l.f. Essential Beauty School Eyeshadow Compact in Neutral (also known as: e.l.f. Eyeshadow Collection Neutral Eyeshadow Compact).

 e.l.f. Essential Beauty School Eyeshadow Compact in Neutral  

(aka: e.l.f. Eyeshadow Collection Neutral Eyeshadow Compact)

(retail: $3, 0.17 oz)

theBalm Triple Play Friday is BACK (starts midnight Eastern TONIGHT, 8/3)

A huge thanks to reader Annette for letting us know that theBalm's Triple Play Friday is BACK:

(from theBalm Facebook page)

Triple Play Friday is back...Get all three shadyLady palettes for the price of one! Visit theBalm.com on August 3rd from 12am EST to 11:59pm EST to order this one-day-only deal. No special codes necessary. Shipping within the United States is $3.28. For international orders standard shipping rates apply: please see website for details. One purchase per household, while supplies last.

If you're new to theBalm, the shadyLady palettes retail for $39.95 and contain nine shadows each. So for $39.95 + $3.28 shipping, you'll get 27 shadyLady shadows. That is quite the deal, especially since the shadyLady shadows are, well, the bomb. Check out my review of some of the shadyLady shades here.

Thanks so much, Annette, for the heads-up!

Review: Milani Limited Edition Color Play Felt-Tip Liquid Pens for Eye, Face or Body

Remember back in the beginning of July when I posted about these new LE liquid liners from Milani? If you missed my post, the Milani Color Play liners are limited edition felt-tip pens that can be used on the eye, face or body. You may have spotted these pens already at select Walgreens and Fred Meyer locations, but if not, you can also get them on the Milani website. Today I'd like to give you a closer look at them--I received all six shades for review. These pens are so fun and I have to admit this was probably the most fun I've ever had writing a review (you'll see why in a minute):

Milani Limited Edition Color Play Felt-Tip Liquid Pens for Eye, Face or Body

(retail: $6.99 each, 0.02 oz)

Pink Point, Black Line, White Line, Jaded Edge, Blue Definition, Gray Strokes 

Spotted: makeup clearance sale at Target

Target's clearance sales aren't always consistent, meaning certain stores don't always have the same items on clearance as other stores. BUT, I wanted to give you an idea of the things I've spotted on clearance lately at Target (this week) so that if you see something here that's a favorite of yours, you can visit your local Target and HOPEFULLY you'll find it on clearance as well. Also, whenever I see red clearance tags like this, I always feel like it's an indicator of what's about to be discontinued, so even if you don't find these items on clearance in your area, you might want to stock up if any of these products are favorites of yours. They might be gone for good!

NOTE: none of these products were in clearance bins or end-caps. There were all located in the permanent displays for each brand:

The Target-Exclusive Revlon Custom Eyes Quad in Gold Spun is on clearance for $6.33 (regularly $9.14). NONE of the other shades were on clearance

GREAT news about the CEW Insiders' Choice Beauty Box!

Remember my post about the CEW Beauty Box last week? Well I have some FANTASTIC news for those of you who weren't able to buy it the first time around! When this box first launched, it was only available in certain regions of the US, but guess what? It's now avaialable EVERYWHERE within the US! I just received the following information directly from PR:

"Any customer can now purchase the beauty box from anywhere in the U.S. – the box can be shipped to any U.S. zip code."

MANY Nouveau Cheap readers have purchased this box in the past week and everyone I've heard from has been very happy with their purchase (check the comments here for reader feedback). Shipping seems to be very speedy (some have even received next-day delivery). So if you want it, get it while you can!

Here are the details in case you missed it the first time around:

The must-have, coveted summer beauty set has arrived. The expert curators of Beauty Bar have joined forces with Cosmetic Executive Women to bring you the limited-edition Insiders’ Choice Beauty Box, filled with 11 luxe beauty products voted as the top picks of this year’s CEW Beauty Insiders’ Choice Awards.

This best-in-beauty exclusive features essentials handpicked by industry pros, including products from Burt’s Bees, Sally Hansen, and L’Occitane to name a few. The ultimate summer gift for your favorite beauty addict – or a fabulous treat for yourself – the Insiders’ Choice Beauty Box is valued at $109, but is available for a special price of just $25.

As an extra perk for Beauty Bar consumers, between now and August 31st, 2012, when you buy two Insiders’ Choice Beauty Boxes, you’ll receive one free. Use code BBCEW at checkout.
 
The Insiders’ Choice Beauty Box includes the following award-winning products:

• StriVectin Tightening Neck Cream (deluxe sample)

• Burt's Bees Richly Replenishing Cocoa & Cupuacu Butters Body Lotion (6 oz.)

• Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Red Dahlia

• IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer (travel size)

• Dr. T's Supergoop! All-Over Everyday UV Lotion for Face + Body SPF 30 (travel size)

• Sally Hansen SalonEffects Nail Color Strips in Animal Instinct

• L'Occitane Lavender Hand Cream (1 oz.)

• Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser for Dark Circles Treatment Concealer in Neutralizer

• Heidi Klum Shine Eau de Toilette (.5 oz)

• L'Oreal Paris Voluminous False Fiber Lashes

• L'Oreal Paris Youth Code Serum Intense

REMEMBER: if you're a new Beauty Bar customer, 2-day shipping is FREE on this box. And if you enter code BBCEW at checkout, you can buy TWO boxes and get ONE FREE (to clarify, you'll spend $50 on two boxes and get an additional box FREE).

The Wednesday Question

If money were no issue, would you continue to purchase drugstore beauty products?

I've been using drugstore beauty products since before some of you were born (sad but true) and even if I had all the money in the world, nothing would ever change that. The only difference would be that I'd probably buy ALL of the shades in a new range instead of counting my pennies and only buying the shades that I think might work for me!

 I've always been addicted to drugstore beauty products because of their convenience and price points but over the past ten years, drugstore brands have really stepped up their game and, for me personally, many current drugstore beauty products perform just as well, if not better, than some of their higher-end counterparts. But I'll admit that I would probably make more higher-end purchases for color cosmetics (un-dupe-able shadows, polishes, etc.) if I had some extra money in my wallet. Oh, and my fragrance collection would probably be so large that I'd need to buy a new home (which I guess I'd do anyway if money were no issue!).

Review: Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector SPF30

After I posted my L'Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream review, I told you that I'd be reviewing the Maybelline version next, so here it is! I purchased the Maybelline version shortly after I purchased the L'Oreal version and I've been using both of these products off and on for several weeks now. I've got a lot to say about this one, so let's jump right into it:

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector SPF30 in Light

(retail: around $8.50, 1.0 oz)

Review & swatches: L'Oreal Limited Edition Nail Color in Brit Invasion

Remember the Limited Edition L'Oreal London Fall Nail Color Collection I showed you a few weeks ago? Well I finally found the display in my area, and when I saw the colors in person, I had a hard time deciding on just one bottle (I gave myself a limit since they weren't on sale when I found them). After much debate, I finally decided on the shade Brit Invasion, which I purchased for around $5.99 at my local Rite Aid.

 L'Oreal Brit Invasion

(retail: around $5.99, 0.39 oz)

Buy 2 Clean & Clear or Neutrogena products at Target, get a cute tote bag FREE

This just in!

Available NOW: buy any two CLEAN & CLEAR® or NEUTROGENA® products at your local Target and receive a special edition tote bag of your choice FREE upon check-out:

 

o   CLEAN & CLEAR® Girl Up tote bag:  With every CLEAN & CLEAR® Girl Up tote, consumers are helping support Girl Up, a United Nations Foundation organization dedicated to bettering the lives of young women in impoverished countries.

Review: Pantene Pro-V Aqua Light Shampoo and Conditioner

When it comes to me and haircare, "silicone" is not a four-letter-word (aka: bad word, evil word, horrible word). I know that for many of you (especially you curly-haired folks) silicone-free haircare products work best, and I completely understand that. For some, products containing silicones (especially those that are not water-soluble and don't break down when you cleanse the hair) are a big no-no because they can build up on the hair and eventually cause hair to look flat, weighed down and generally icky. I get that. I absolutely get that.

But for me personally, when it comes to haircare products, silicones work wonders. I've tried going silicone-free many times, and my hair just never looks as good as when I use haircare that does contain silicones. I do understand though, that silicones can build up on the hair, and that you do need to use a good clarifying shampoo about once a week to avoid build-up. 

For example: have you ever loved a haircare product and the way it made your hair look, only to discover that a few months into using it, the product magically stopped working? That could very well be because the silicones in the product built up on your hair and gradually made your hair look flat and lifeless. The next time this happens, try using a clarifying shampoo (I love the ones by Suave and Vo5) for a day or two, and return to using your favorite products. You might just find that they start working again.

Well that was an incredibly long intro to this review, but I just had to get that out there because when I saw the new-ish Aqua Light collection from Pantene a while back, I thought to myself: "Dare I?"

I did, and now I'd like to share my thoughts with you! I picked up both the shampoo and conditioner at Rite Aid a little over three weeks ago and have been using both ever since:

 Pantene Pro-V Aqua Light Shampoo and Conditioner

(retail: around $6 each, 12.6 oz)

Spotted at Big Lots: my holy grail foundation!

A HUGE thanks to reader Lore K. for this one! Lore found THIS at her local Big Lots recently:

 image credit: Lore K. for Nouveau Cheap

Physicians Formula Healthy Wear Powder Foundation SPF50 in Natural Beige

(retail: $14.95; Big Lots price: $4)

Pictures and swatches of the new Maybelline Color Tattoo shades

After yesterday's post about the four new shades of Maybelline Color Tattoos, I received tweets and comments from readers Halifax, Dawn and Vick all sharing a link to the new colors (pics and swatches).

So check out Sasquatch Swatch's blog post here if you'd like to see them.

Thanks so much, Halifax, Dawn and Vick, for the link!

New sales, new products and more!

There's so much going on in the budget-beauty-world today that I can barely keep track of it all (if you saw my posts from yesterday then you know that it's been quite a week already!). So I decided to put everything into one neat and tidy blog post--please take a minute to scan through because I don't want you to miss anything!

• Thanks to reader Sydney for letting us know that NYX is on HauteLook now through Wed. 8/1. Only members can view the items on sale, but membership is free and you're usually approved in less than 24 hours. I spotted the Crimson Amulet palette for $15 (regular price: $25), which I reviewed here. I'd like to tell you that, of all the palettes I own, I've been getting the most mileage from this palette lately. The eyeshadow shades are extremely wearable (shimmers and mattes) and they look great over the HD primer (you get a mini HD primer with this palette). Also, the blushes are so beautifully pigmented and long-wearing...I think this palette's a steal for $15. There are TONS of other products on sale (palettes, sets, etc.) so definitely check it out ASAP before things start to sell out.

• Thanks to readers Priya and nojazzatthealter for the heads-up that Tarte Cosmetics is having their Friends and Family sale now through 8/6. Use code FFAUG for 30% off your order, and you get free shipping on orders of $40 or more. Not everything on the site is included in the 30% off deal, so be sure to read the fine print before making a purchase.

• Thanks to reader Vick for letting us know that Maybelline is releasing FOUR new Color Tattoo shades! According to Vick, the names are Ready, Set, Green (a medium green color), Fuschia Fever (a pinkish purple), Test My Teal (a dusty tealish blue) and a fourth shade that's said to be a royal blue color. How exciting!

• Avon is having a Christmas in July sale. Now through tomorrow, 7/31, enter code SALEXMAS to get $0.99 shipping on orders of $10 or more OR free shipping on orders of $20 or more. Click here to view the makeup sale page (there's lot on sale right now).

• Reader @debbiedayglo recently spotted some Cynthia Rowley nail polishes at her local Marshalls, and we've been chit-chatting back and forth about these mysterious polishes for a few days now. These are NOT the Cynthia Rowley for Avon polishes from a while back--the polishes at Marshalls  look like this, but it seems that very little is known about them in general. Just wanted to put this out there for all my fellow lacquer-heads who love hunting down hard-to-find polishes!

• Speaking of polishes, reader Zadidoll let us know that Solar Club, a division of Color Club, recently put out a new line of color-changing polishes called Ruby Wing. Color-changing polishes are not new (I love the ones from Del Sol), but there are a few Ruby Wing polishes that ARE pretty unique, such as the ones that contain holographic flakes! Oooh la la!

Thanks SO much, Sydney, Priya, nojazzatthealter, Vick and @debbiedayglo for all of the excellent tips and info! I really appreciate it!

New Rimmel Cosmetics coupon

Heads-up, Rimmel fans! Red Plum has brought back their $1 off Rimmel coupon, perfectly timed to use with the sales going on this week!

Click here to  grab it.

If you missed my weekly drugstore sales post, here are the Rimmel sales going on this week (now through 8/4):

CVS: BOGO1/2OFF all Rimmel cosmetics

RITE AID: BOGO1/2OFF all Rimmel cosmetics; spend $15 get $5+UP (limit 2)

WALGREENS: BOGO1/2OFF all Rimmel cosmetics

New collections from Pond's and Herbal Essences

A huge thanks readers Jess and M. for the heads-up about some new products from Pond's and Herbal Essences!

First up, Jess spotted an ad in a magazine the other day for this new collection from Pond's and, as luck would have it, it's already been added to the Pond's website (sometimes it takes forever for brands to add new products to their websites so I'm always appreciative when a brand adds products to their site at the same time as the initial marketing campaign):

image source: ponds.com

New Pond's Luminous Clean Collection

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil Set: $12 at Sephora

In addition to the $10 Smashbox and NARS deals I posted about earlier today (click here if you missed them), reader Rebecca just let us know that there's a good UD deal on Sephora.com right now as well:

 image source: sephora.com

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil Stash

On sale for $12 at Sephora 

(regular price: $34)

Don't forget to check out all of the current codes to use at checkout before you place your order!

PS: For those of you who missed my Milani Shadow Eyez review, according to MANY of you, the Milani pencils are near-perfect dupes of the UD pencils. Just wanted to put that out there as an alternative if you don't want to or can't place a Sephora order.

Thanks so much, Rebecca, for the heads-up about this one!

Deborah Lippmann polishes on clearance at HSN

This morning I was perusing all of the beauty clearance pages that I link to at the bottom of my blog, and noticed that there are several Deborah Lippmann sets on clearance right now at HSN.com (I'm not sure how long these have been on the HSN website, but I'm SURE one of you knows the answer to that!).

Deborah Lippmann Lady Sings The Blues and Today Was A Fairytale

$10 + $3.95 shipping 

(regular HSN price: $19)

NOTE: these are mini 0.27oz bottles (regular bottles are 0.5oz)

Deborah Lippmann Lady Is A Tramp and Ruby Red Slippers

$10 + $3.95 shipping 

(regular HSN price: $19)

NOTE: these are mini 0.27oz bottles (regular bottles are 0.5oz) 

Deborah Lippmann Angels We Have Heard On High, Deck The Halls, O' Holy Night (plus bonus jazz CD)

$14.97 + $3.95 shipping 

(regular HSN price: $34.50)

NOTE: these are mini 0.27oz bottles (regular bottles are 0.5oz)

Deborah Lippmann Do You Think I'm Sexy, I Love The Nightlife, Shake Your Groove Thing

$34 + $4.96 shipping 

(regular HSN price: $42)

NOTE: these are full-size 0.5oz bottles

Random thoughts:

I love Today Was A Fairytale over gray. And just look at the glitter-jelly gorgeousness of Lady Sings The Blues.

To view all of the beauty products currently on clearance at HSN, click here.

Smashbox Master Class Eyeshadow Quads: $10 at Sephora

 image source: sephora.com

Smashbox Master Class Eyeshadsow Quad in Hazel

 image source: sephora.com

Smashbox Master Class Eyeshadsow Quad in Brown

A HUGE thanks to reader Snugs Montreal for leaving a comment on the You Tell Me page today about this one:

Right now on Sephora's website you can get the Smashbox Master Class Eyeshadow Quad in Hazel or Brown for just $10 (retail: $22).

I LOVE Smashbox eyeshadows (they were some of the first higher-end shadows I ever owned) so I'm afraid this offer is going to make me pull the trigger on a Sephora order that I've managed to escape placing for a few months now. I don't think I can resist this one, my lovelies. But now the question is: which shade should I get? 

And the other dilemma: which code to use at checkout?? So many choices!

PS: The NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Toundra is still $10 too (retail: $24).

Thanks a million, Snugs Montreal, for the scoop on this deal!

The Lipstick League – week of 7.23.12

Lipstick League Question of the Week:

If, for one month, you could only use one brand for ALL of your makeup needs, which brand would you choose?

G's answer: Admittedly, that would be pure torture, but if I had to? Maybelline. I'm always surprised when people say they don't care for Maybelline. I personally can't fathom that, because so many of their products work very well for me. I cannot live without their Define-A-Brow pencil (I always have two extra back-ups at all times because I constantly live under the threat of accidentally running out), and their concealers (SuperStay and Age Rewind) are the only concealers I can 100% depend on these days. I also love the taupe Color Tattoo, Colossal Volum' Express Mascara (yellow tube) and Color Sensational lipsticks and glosses, and I often use Dream Matte Mousse foundation and Dream Matte powder. The only thing I'm not too keen on is their blushes (why did they have to discontinue the Dream Mousse blushes--especially the ones that didn't contain sparkle?? Those rocked my world). I haven't tried the Dream Bouncy blushes yet, but this would compel me to finally buy some (I've been meaning to try them for months now). And of course I could go longer than a month using just the Maybelline polishes I already own (so many of their LEs are gorgeous).

Links of the Week:

Vampy Varnish – Love plump, shiny, saturated lips? Then you’ll love the new Buxom Full-Bodied Lip Glosses this season.

we heart this – Do you really need another product with Argan Oil? If it’s Moroccanoil, the answer is yes.

Clumps of Mascara – is giving away a pretty awesome beauty bag. You’ll definitely want to get in on this one.

Gouldylox Reviews – If you want to slim your face and jawline in a hurry, this will do the trick. It’s not permanent, but in a pinch it will work. (And it feels great.)

Nouveau Cheap – Do I love the new L’Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream? Do I hate it? Am I on the fence? Come see for yourself.

Pink Sith – wouldn’t be LION if she told you the brushes from the Japonesque Safari Chic Set are PURRfect!

Prime Beauty – asks Hot weather making you melt?  Cool off and perk up with Laura Mercier’s Tone Perfecting Eye Gel!

Phyrra – lets her skin shine through with Urban Decay Naked Skin Liquid Foundation. See why she loves it!

Guest Post of the Week, as chosen by Vampy Varnish – Jessica from Beautezine is one of my favorite bloggers (and people!) and she’s got the new fall goodies from Yves Saint Laurent covered!

If YOU could only use one brand for a month, which would it be?

My mom's a junkie (and I'm her dealer)

My 72-year-old mom's latest glitter manicure

My mom is 72 years old and in the past year or so, she's developed an addiction that many of us share:  

She's obsessed with glitter nail polish.

 (here's proof)

Truth be told, I think this addiction is absolutely adorable, and I'm afraid that I "feed her habit" on a regular basis. About once or twice a week, I like to visit my parents and I always bring over new polishes for my mom to try. I ask her to pick her favorites, and then I proceed to give her a new manicure. She loves it, I love it, and it's a fun time for both of us. The polishes we used for the above manicure: Salon Perfect Lavender Icing (base color) and Jordana Glitters Specialty Nail Polish in Sequins. 

The moral of this story: you're NEVER too old to rock glitter. Just ask my mom (and her friends at Bingo who are constantly jealous of her "pretty manicures").

The Weekly Drugstore Makeup Sales (7/29 - 8/4)

In today's paper (Sunday, 7/29) there's going to be a P&G insert featuring coupons for various P&G products (click here for the full list--coupons may vary from region to region). There are some good Olay and CoverGirl coupons this time around. To find out if your local newspaper will carry this insert, click here. All three drugstores are running sales this week to coincide with this coupon insert for even more savings. For example, at CVS, Pantene haircare is 2/$6.79 this week, and there's a coupon for $3 off 2 Pantene products in the P&G insert, bringing you final cost down to 2/$3.79. And at Rite Aid, Pantene haircare is on sale this week for 2/$7 and you get $2+UP, so that's another great way to use the P&G insert coupon.

PRINTABLE COUPONS THAT CAN BE USED WITH THIS WEEKS' SALES:

$2 off Revlon ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup

$1 off any Maybelline face cosmetic (includes BB cream)

$1 off any L'Oreal eye cosmetic

$1 off any L'Oreal Ever haircare product

$1 off any L'Oreal skincare product

$1 off any Garnier moisturizer

$1 off any Garnier haircare product

$0.75 off any Suave body wash 

Click here for the following printable coupons (sorry, no direct links):
$1 off Neutrogena face cosmetic
$1 off Neutrogena lip or eye cosmetic
$1 off Clean & Clear product
$1 off Aveeno suncare product