Monthly Beauty Buys | March 2016

In March, I really thought I could get by without purchasing anything beauty related (with the exception of some clear brow gel I desperately needed), but then Ulta decided to kick off their 21 Days of Beauty!! I didn’t do as much damage as I could have, but I still bought more than I really thought I would at the beginning of the month.

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Ipsy seriously read my mind with their Pixi #ipsyOffer early in March. For $12, I bought the following three items:

Pixi Brow Tamer in Translucent

The brow gel I so needed has left me a bit disappointed. The hold is not as strong as I need it to be and I don’t think I even want to keep it. I’m considering trying out the clear brow gel from NYX, but I still don’t know. Any recommendations?

Pixi Mini Endless Silky Eye Pen in Black Noir

I didn’t really need another black eyeliner, but this mini will be put to good use regardless.

Pixi Fairy Dust in Copper Sheen

To be honest, I haven’t even opened this yet, but it does look like a beautiful color.

Then, Ulta sent me an email featuring the first Platinum Perk for their 21 Days event, the following palette for only $25 annndddd…………..wait for it…………….free shipping!

Becca Afterglow Palette

This palette includes small pans of their Pressed Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone, Rose Gold, and Topaz, along with two of their Mineral Blushes – Wild Honey and Flowerchild. I’ve been wanting to try Becca’s Mineral Blushes, so I’m glad two are included in the palette.

A trip to a newly opened H.E.B. and their extensive beauty section in my hometown led me to picking up the following three items.

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

The very famous Luminoso now has a place in my collection! After all the hype, I’m not as impressed as I thought I would be. The packaging is bulky and the glow is not as intense as I expected, but it’s still a gorgeous color that I will definitely be using.

Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow in Bella Chiffon

My little sister also recommended this shiny shade for the inner corners of my eyes. She said she has also been using it as a highlighter. It doesn’t have the intense glow I prefer in my highlighters, but I could see how that would work.

Wet n’ Wild 1 Step Wonder Gel Nail Color in Condensed Milk

I wanted to see if this nail polish was really as great as everyone says it is, so I stopped myself at one shade. First off, the color on the outer packaging does not match the color of the nail polish in the slightest. The nail polish is whiter, but not totally white, and it also wasn’t as opaque as I would have preferred. I’ve only applied it twice so far, but I’m regretfully realizing that it’s not for me.

When I saw that Philosophy’s Miracle Worker on March 24th was going to be half off at Ulta, I knew it would be the perfect gift for my mom! Usually 2oz of this gel-like moisturizer retails for $60!! I would have liked to get one for myself as well, but I have so many moisturizers/day creams to get through thanks to my subscription addiction, that I don’t know how long it would be sitting around in my stash before I reached for it. I still used the opportunity to order a few other tidbits for myself, though.

Revlon Matte Top Coat

I love the look of matte nails. I have been wanting a matte top coat for ages and since Revlon Cosmetics were buy one, get one 50% off, I thought I might as well make the most out of it.

Revlon Nail Enamel in Flirt

I also couldn’t resist this beautiful spring color.

Boots Botanics Organic Facial Oil

I was in need of a face oil to mix with my foundation and I have been really curious about this brand. I’ve seen it at Target recently and I was really pleased to see that Ulta also has it, only most of the products seem to only be sold online.

Boots Botanics Organic Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm

Boots Botanics was also buy one, get one 50% off and I noticed that this hot cloth cleansing balm was incredibly affordable, especially with Ulta’s deal. I’ve been curious about these sorts of cleansers and so I thought it would be fun to try it. I’ve used it a couple of time already, but I still don’t know how I feel about it. It sort of reminds me of a cleansing oil, but this seems to leave a heavy film on my skin. It hasn’t caused a breakout or anything, but I still don’t feel comfortable layering on the rest of my skincare products after using it.

I rounded out my month with another purchase from Ulta. Why do they do this to me?! I thought choosing the curated April Birchbox with the deluxe Laura Geller Blush-n-Brighten would take away the temptation of the full-size $15 Beauty Steal, but I think it really only made the temptation stronger!

Laura Geller Blush-n-Brighten Baked Cheek Color in Pink Buttercream

I succumbed to my temptation and bought this beautiful color. I really hope I don’t regret it.

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils in Yogurt, Milk, Iced Mocha, and Sparkle Green

I love shadow sticks and I have been holding off on buying these until they were on sale. With the buy one, get one 50% off deal and the coupon for $3.50 off a $10 purchase, these totaled to about $2.50 each.

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I didn’t spend as much as I did during last September’s 21 Days of Beauty, but I still definitely went over budget (even with the great deals I scored). I really need to be saving more money and practicing some more self-restraint!! That will definitely be my goal for May: no more blushes, no more eyeshadows, no more weakness!! 😛