I have finally used up the last of my Murad Oil Control Mattifier that I purchased last November and desperately needed a new one because it is literally 115° outside and without it, I would not be wearing any makeup after about 5 minutes.
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| $39.50 Ulta.com |
While I was there, I spoke with the Napoleon Perdis rep who gave me a little lesson on all of their products and raved about everything I asked him about. Of course he would, he works for the company and if I sell his product, he makes money. None the less, he talked me into getting the Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot face primer. I actually don't really use this for myself very often because I've really been needing a mattifier but I do like using it on clients. It seems to moisturize well and provides a nice base for foundation.
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| $39 Ulta.com |
Last night, I went into work at Ulta and was greeted with a bag full of gratis. I had missed the training over the weekend and so I wasn't able to pick it up until last night. I got some really great products that I'm very excited to try out.
The first item I received was the StriVectin-SH Protect SPF 30 sunscreen*. As far as I can tell, it's just a sun screen for your face that comes with a hefty price tag and claims of wrinkle reduction with some anti-oxidant complexes. Oh well, it's summer and I'm embracing the pale so an SPF of 30 is nothing I will turn away.
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| $49 Ulta.com |
The next thing I got was the Hydroxatone AM/PM Anti-Wrinkle Complex*. I don't know what I think about this yet but I can tell that it will be way to heavy of a cream for day use. I started using it last night and so far, no breakouts or extra oily skin today. I'll keep up with it and see if I notice any changes in my skin tone or texture.
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| $80 Ulta.com |
I also received the Bare Minerals Brightening Foundation Primer*. Although it is the #1 selling prestige brand in Ulta, I don't understand the appeal of Bare Minerals. It's a mess and no matter what you do, you look ashy. That's not what we're talking about here though. From what I can tell, this is just a basic dimethicone based primer with some light reflective particles in it. I don't think I'll be using this for myself because dimethicone based primers don't really benefit my skin but I could see this being a wonderful product for mature skin.
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| $21 Ulta.com |
Also from the Bare Minerals line, I received a blush in Vintage Peach*. It is a true peach colored blush with significant gold shimmer to it. While I think it's probably too shimmery for my cheeks, I think this will make a gorgeous eye shadow color. This could also be a really pretty highlight for darker skin tones. The texture and pigmentation is decent and so I think this will actually be a good product from them.
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| $18 Ulta.com |
The last thing I received from Bare Minerals is a lip gloss in the color Sprinkles. It is a light clear butter colored gloss with silver sparkles in it. The glitter is very subtle and it is a very sheer gloss. The smell is something like a cross between vanilla cupcakes and play dough. Not two scents that you'd put together but I imagine this is what MAC wanted their plush glasses to smell like. Thankfully, it does not taste like either of those scents. It is not overly sticky although I am very aware when I'm wearing this gloss and does seem to moisturize some.
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| $15 Ulta.com |
The next thing I got was Urban Decay's Lush Lash System* which has a serum on one side and a mask on the other. The serum is applied like a liquid eye liner to the tops of your lashes once or twice a day (I will only be using this at night) and the mask (which is dispensed like a mascara) is to be used on your lashes them selves to help condition them. It claims to produce 25% longer/thicker lashes in 2 weeks with 63% improvement in 6 weeks. I started using it last night and so far no irritation although I could tell that there was something on my lashes when I woke up. I'm going to do a full review on this product showing my transformation at 3 weeks and then again at 6 weeks.
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| $42 Ulta.com |
Along with the serum and mask, Urban Decay is coming out with a Lush Lash Mascara* that also has the growth serum infused in it. The wand is a rubber wand with a sort of hourglass shape to it. It's thicker on the outsides and comes in a little in the middle. From using it today, I have to say I'm really not that impressed with the formula. My lashes feel stiff like they have hairspray or something on them. I also don't think that the brush did anything great in the department of lengthening or separating. I will continue to use this in conjunction with the serum and mask simply because I want my lashes to grow thicker and if this will help, I will suffer through some crunchy lashes for a little bit.
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| $20 Urbandecay.com |
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| $20 Ulta.com |
The last thing from Urban Decay is one of their new 24/7 liquid eye liners in the color Siren*. This product is love! I don't usually go for liquid eyeliners (or colored eye liners for that matter) but this is actually a fabulous product. It has the tiniest little brush that is great for creating the thinnest lines or the sharpest wings. The color is absolutely beautiful too. If you look at it dead on, it is a shimmery teal color but at an angle, it's almost a cobalt blue. The best part of this is that it is waterproof. As I said earlier, it is literally 115° outside today and I'm not wearing an eye primer. With hooded eyes, that is a recipe for disaster. Not here though. There is absolutely no transfer and my lids are looking pretty oily.
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| $18 Urbandecay.com |
Last but not least, I received an item from Tarte. I think that there were some extras of this item left over from a previous gratis and that's how I ended up with it but none the less, I'm happy to have it. I received the Tarte Emphaseyes aqua-gel eyeliner in black*. It is one of those liners that comes in a twist up pencil that you don't have to sharpen. This pencil is super creamy and black. It is a gel eye liner in a pencil form. Because of that, you have to be very careful as it is extremely delicate and will break off. Tarte is known for their all natural ingredients and this product is no different. Made without sulfates, parabens, mineral oil, petrolatum, or any synthetic ingredients.
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| $18 Ulta.com |
Now on to the most exciting part of the Haul and the whole reason I decided to do this post today. The Tarte for True Blood products are finally available in Ulta and I jumped at the chance to purchase the palette. I was in the store yesterday and saw it for the first time in real life and knew that it had to be mine. This palette features 17 brand new eye shadows, a full size Emphaseyes aqua-gel eyeliner in black, a mini tube of their natural eye primer, and a little tube of their Lights Camera Lashes mascara all contained in a sexy black and red corset box. I am so excited to use this and normally I'd be all over the many neutral and matte colors that come in the palette but what really sold it for me was the gorgeous shimmery green color called moss. Now normally, I hate greens (terrible thing to say, discriminating against a color) but there's something about the texture and depth of this one that I really find beautiful. Anyway, I'm going to get some photos and swatches up in the next post. I can't remember the last time I was this psyched for something.
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| $52 Ulta.com |
Anyway, that's it for the Haul. I think that was enough makeup for a while and I'm so excited to be able to try these new products that I normally would not have looked at. Let me know if you want reviews on any of these items.
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