There is a TJ Maxx a few miles south and a Marshalls several miles north so I check them each every week or two. I’ve been having more luck finding skincare products as of late. I lucked out this month finding a couple products from Boscia and several lipsticks from brands I haven’t seen before at the stores. There is a TJ Maxx a few miles south and a Marshalls several miles north so I check them each every week or two. I’ve been having more luck finding skincare products as of late. I lucked out this month finding a couple products from Boscia and several lipsticks from brands I haven’t seen before at the stores.
Left to Right:
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (2oz.) TJMaxx $6.99, Sephora $12.00.
Derma E Natural Mineral Oil-Free Sunscreen TJ Maxx $3.00, Derma E online store $19.75.
Foot masks from Cala TJMaxx $4.99 for each box
I have just recently tried the exfoliating peel gel from Boscia and loved how gently it exfoliated. I had committed to buying this in the future at Sephora or Ulta so I was excited to find this at a discount. The detoxifying black cleanser warms when rubbed and feels so luxurious. Exfoliating Peel Gel: Marshalls $9.99, Sephora $34; Detoxifying Black Cleanser $7.00, Sephora $10.
A couple great Stila finds – a Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in Garnet (TJMaxx: $7.99, Sephora $24) and a Vivid & Vibrant Eye Shadow Duo in Labrodite (TJ Maxx: $5.99, Sephora $20). The red liquid eye shadow is beautiful!
As I tend to do, I bought several lip products – although I did focus on new to me brands/formulas. These included: TooFaced La Creme mini in Naked Dolly ($3.99); Lorac Alter Ego in Siren ($3.99), Lipstick Queen Famous Last Words in Dear John ($5.99) and Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Gloss in Vintage ($7.99).
I love finding great deals on makeup, skin care and tools at TJMaxx and Marshalls. I’ve never seen an expired or fake product, but I have seen some that were damaged or had been swatched. Now, you do need to price compare a bit because I have seen TJMaxx selling items for the same price as you would find at Ulta (that’s rare though).
Skin Care:
Derma E Dark Circle Reducing Eye Cream – this is an amazing eye cream but is not carried by Ulta, which makes me so sad. TJMaxx $5.99, Derma E online store $29.95.
Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner – This is the blackhead extractor mask (eek!) and given my large pores, I’m very excited to try. TJ Maxx $11.99, Sephora $42 (for the Pore Purifying Mask – closest item I could find).
Derma E Anti-Wrinkle Advanced Antioxidant Moisturizer – another product not in Derma E’s collection at Ulta but I haven’t tried it yet to see if I’m in love with it. TJMaxx $5.99, Derma E online store $14.95.
Makeup:
MAC holiday set of mini lipsticks – This cute little set has three shades, one is gold, and the other two are red. This was originally called the Snowball set in the “warm” shade set. Marshalls $12.99.
Becca Jet, Set, and Glow Set – this is the actually the second time I’ve bought this set. It contains a mini pot of the Under Eye Brightening Corrector, which doesn’t work on me, and a 0.5 oz tube of the Backlight Filter Face Primer and a 0.5 oz tube of the First Light Filter Face Primer. Now, 1 oz of either of those primers is $39. So for $13 at TJ Maxx you essentially get a $39 primer. Marshalls $12.99, Sephora $25.00.
Bath and Body:
Spongeables Body Wash in a Sponge – I really like the Spongelle products but they’re only available online so you can’t scent test them (and I’m picky about scents). So, I want to give the Spongeable one a try. TJMaxx: $4.99.
Shower Cap – I only wash my hair every 2-3 days so on the in-between days I have to put my hair up and try to keep it dry. I also sometimes use a shower cap when I have a leave-in hair mask. My old one was clear and thin (and starting to yellow) so when I saw this one with cats, I immediately grabbed it! TJMaxx: $4.99.
Ipsy contains five sample sized products that are personalized based on your profile. Products include beauty products with a heavy focus on makeup. The subscription is $10 per month and you also have the option to add additional samples (for additional dollars) and shopping on their website gives you cash back. All together, very slick.
I actually get two Ipsy bags. I originally set up this structure to test out their profile algorithim and see if it really worked. The results have historically been mixed but I rarely get duplicate items (and when I do, they’re items I like). One bag is intended to be my “makeup” bag and the other is intended to be my “skincare” bag. That said, this month my “skincare” bag had no real skincare products.
Time to stop yacking and start unbagging! I apologize for the whacky lighting on the photos – I couldn’t seem to get a sunny day for pictures! Don’t fear – my new lights are on the way from Amazon!
My “Makeup” Bag
Overall Bag Impressions: The bag screams Valentine’s Day and if it was red, rather than pink, I’d totally be on board. As my “makeup” bag, my profile for this account is focused on receiving makeup items. This month is pretty spot on, with the exception of the hair product (which was in both my bags even though I don’t have hair products marked). I really wasn’t wowed by ANY of the items in my bag this month. My favorite item is the No Pore Blem priming water.
Eyeko Lash Alert Mascara
This is by far one of my least favorite brands – I’ve yet to receive a product from them that performs well. This mascara fits right in the same category. I normally like curved wands, and maybe this is wonky because it’s a sample size, but in order to line up the curve to your lashes the straight part of the wand you have to hold it nearly against the skin of your temple. Or you have to be a contortionist. This is a nope.
Doucce Fierce & Fine Graphic Pen in Black
This eyeliner appears to have a fine but very flexible tip. Very dark black but haven’t tried it yet to determine its staying power. I thought I unmarked eyeliners in my Ipsy profile but maybe I did that AFTER the selection date. I know that sometimes you will still get those items you don’t have marked but I have a LOT of eyeliners.
Laritzy Lip Gloss in Curve
I received a bright red gloss from this company in a prior box (not Ipsy) and it was only so-so. It was very sticky and was very attracted to my long hair. Laritzy products are cruelty-free and vegan-friendly (per their own representation. Interesting note, the card from Ipsy suggests putting on a balm under the gloss, which I’ve never heard of doing before for a gloss product.
Marc Anthony Strengthening Grow Long Anti-Breakage Mask
This hair mask is designed to strengthen and improve the elasticity of hair strands. I prefer a good leave-in conditioner over a hair mask (because you have to get BACK in the shower to rinse out the mask) but I will give this a try. This winter the shafts and tips of my hair, especially in back, have been dry and prone to breaking, so maybe this will help. I did receive this in both of my bags.
Touch In Sol No Poreblem Priming Water
I just received the Touch in Sol No Poreblem Primer in my BoxyCharm so I was glad this was a slightly different product from Touch in Sol (priming water versus priming lotion). Touch in Sol is a Korean beauty brand and per Ipsy’s tip, a little bit goes a long way.
My “Skin Care” Bag
Overall Bag Impressions: This bag is so-so – as in better than my “makeup” bag but disappointed there are no skin care products. The powder foundation sample is super small and very cool toned for my skin. Lip treatment sample is also very small. Hopefully Ipsy doesn’t go the way of BirchBox by having teeny tiny unfunctional sample sizes. My favorite item is the Luxie brush.
MAC Studio Fixed Powder Foundation
This matte-finish powder foundation is supposed to give medium to full coverage and is buildable. Unfortunately, this sample is too small to even get me through one full coverage application. It’s also very yellow and warm.
Belle En Argent Lip Luire Lip Gloss
Wait – didn’t I just receive this lip gloss in a different shade literally LAST month? Since I subscribe to Ipsy to try new products and brands, receiving the same product two months in a row is off putting to me. Ok. That said, I do like the shade, I Love That Car. The gloss is made with jojoba and castor seed oils.
Hanalei Lip Treatment in Peach Pink
I love a nice hydrating lip treatment but this sample is teeny (and the tube is not full). This balm includes kukui oil, which itself includes vitamins A, C, and E. As I’ve mentioned previously, I frequently make my own clear lip glosses with vitamins, essential oils and cocoa and/or shea butter. So, I likely wouldn’t run out and re-buy this.
Luxie Precision Blending Eye Brush
I always love receiving a Luxie eye brush because they are great for blending and shading. This are vegan (and cruelty-free) brushes. The precision eye brush has a tapered head and I love using these for adding a darker shade to my outside corner or along the lash line.
MooseBeauty 