Zoya Black Friday Haul

I limited my Black Friday hauling to Zoya, knocking out one Christmas present in the process! I also, um, acquired more than a few polishes for myself, as Zoya had a spectacular GWP.  With any $72 purchase, you also received a "Cheers to All" Dream Box of 12 polishes, plus a mini Color Lock System, plus a mini bottle of polish remover, plus the Qtica Half Time Polish Drying Accelator, plus free shipping.  So all told, I ended up with a boat load of polish:-)

First up, I purchased a create your own box set of six polishes for my aunt.  She wears only light pink/peachy/beige frost polishes.  I kid you not, that's her preference and she's quite particular about them.  So, I hope she likes these, as it's not easy to find frost finish polishes these days. 

Gie Gie, Hermina, Lily

Fortunately, Zoya allows you to sort polishes by finish on their site, so that helped, but I spent HOURS going through polishes selecting these.

Austine, Meadow, Clara

To get my purchase price to the specified amount, I ordered a make your own 3 set for myself.  I've got to say, I'm loving the boxes these come in - such nice presentation!

Cynthia, Amber, Fei Fei

The "Cheers to All" Dream Box contained only one dupe - Sarah - and all the other colors are ones I really like and will totally wear. 

Ziv, Timo, Black Swan

Dream, Cassedy, Payton

Stacy, Anaka, Sarah

Dakota, Rekha, Noot

Did you do any Black Friday hauling?  There are soooo many good sales going on right now, I've totally overindulged :-)

The Mother of All Gift Bags: Space NK Autumn Beauty Event

Refinery29 called this "a gift with purchase on steroids", and I'd say that's an apt description.  I was not familiar with Space NK, but when I saw this one day gift with purchase offer (Sept. 12th) while perusing blogs, I took the plunge.  And it was a plunge, as you had to spend $250 in order to get this GWP valued at over $350 (it's actually $504, according to my calculations).  Call it an early birthday gift to myself or a reward for my recent promotion and raise, or just poorly restrained impulses, but it was worth it :-)

A mixture of deluxe, travel, and full sized skincare, haircare, and makeup products , the bag contained:

• Space NK Tote Bag
• Lipstick Queen Sinner Pinky Nude Lipstick (full size) (sample value $22)
• Rococo Nail Apparel Brocade Crème (full size) (sample value $16.50)
• African Botanics Pure Marula Oil (17 ml) (sample value $21.59)
• Antica Farmacista Prosecco Room Fragrance (25 ml) (sample value $7)
• Bumble and bumble Texture Hair (Un) Dressing Crème (15 ml) (sample value $2.84)
• By Terry Cellularose Brightening Serum (4 ml) (sample value $15.60)
• Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum (10 ml) (sample value $26.33)
• Chantecaille Mini Brilliant Gloss in Lucky (1.5 ml) (sample value $1.67)
• Clark’s Botanicals Deep Moisture Mask (15 ml) (sample value $21.48)
• Darphin Azahar Cleansing Micellar Water (50 ml) (sample value $10)
• DevaCurl 3-Step Introductory Kit (1 fl.oz No-Poo, One Condition & Light Defining Gel) (sample value $4.80)
• Diptyque Volutes Solid Perfume (.14 oz) (sample value $42.66)
• Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic Acid + Retinol Brightening Solution (.25 fl.oz) (sample value $16.25)
• Goldfaden MD Doctor’s Scrub (3.75 g) (sample value $2.81)
• Hampton Sun After Sun Moisturizer (2 fl.oz) (sample value $8)
• Hourglass Film Noir Mascara (.15 oz) (sample value $12)
• Natura Bissé Oxygen Gel (10 ml) (sample value $17)
• Oribe Côte d’Azur Hair Refresher (65 ml full size) (sample value $22)
• Philip B Light-Weight Deep Conditioning Crème Rinse (15 ml) or Russian Amber Shampoo (15 ml) (sample value $4.88)
• Radical Skincare Youth Infusion Serum (8 ml) (sample value $45.33)
• Rahua Conditioner (60 ml) (sample value $7.42)
• Ren Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream (15 ml) (sample value $16.50)
• Revive Masques des Yeux (7 ml) (sample value $43.79)
• Rodial Bee Venom Moisturizer (5 ml) (sample value $19)
• Serge Normant Meta Silk Shampoo (60 ml) (sample value $6.50)
• Serge Normant Meta Velour Conditioner (60 ml) (sample value $6.50)
• Sunday Riley Good Genes Treatment (10 ml) (sample value $35)
• Tata Harper Rejuvenating Serum (15 ml) (sample value $22.05)
• Wei Gingko Leaf Repairing Décolletage Treatment Pad (single use) (sample value $11.33)
• Zelens Transformer Instant Renewal Mask (5 ml single use) (sample value $15)

Space NK apothecary is UK based and features a curated collection of innovative beauty products both online and in store from all over the world.  There are no Space NK stores near me, but fortunately the GWP was available with online purchases as well. 

The majority of the US stores are located within Bloomingdales, with 7 free standing ones.  I'll have to keep an eye out for them when I'm traveling, as I'm pretty sure Mobile will not be on the list to get one anytime soon.

I'm going to have so much fun playing with everything and feel amply stocked up with high end skincare items.  I'm glad NK Space is on my radar now!

Estee Lauder Lilly Pulitzer Shadow Floral Pure Color Palette

This lovely little palette was part of the Estee Lauder Shadow Floral GWP that was offered at Bloomingdales earlier this month.  I've never tried any Estee Lauder eyeshadows, but am a huge fan of their Pure Color blushes.  This eyeshadow colors included in this palette is the duo Waves, the shimmer finish Tempting Mocha, and the satin Sugar Cube.  The Pure Color Blush is called Lover's Blush and is in the shimmer finish.

 Waves is actually a Pure Color shadow duo retails for $32 on it's own.  The lighter color is a sheer gold and the darker a peacock blue.  Both of these apply sheer, but can be built up in color.  Tempting Mocha is a lovely taupe that was nicely pigmented and applied nicely.  It was the best performing of the four in terms of color, as the others were more sheer.  Sugar Cube is a nice highlight shade for the inner eye or brow bone, depending on your coloring.  Both Tempting Mocha and Sugar Cube are available as single eyeshadows and retail for $21 each.  Pricey, I know.  I wasn't impressed with any of these enough to pay to want to pay those prices, although I think they are decent shadows. 

Lover's Blush almost looks like a light colored bronzer in the palette, but the gold shimmer in it did leave a bit of peach cast which moved it more into blush category, IMO.  It also applied sheer but can be built up in color.  A few swipes yields some gold flecks, whereas buffing on repeatedly built up color.  A highlight of the Pure Color blushes is that they look so natural on, and it is difficult to overdo them.  At first your think "these are poorly pigmented", but I actually don't think that's the case.  Their sheerness allows the color to build without looking cakey and I always end up thinking "wow, my skin looks better" when I use them. 

I saw this palette on ebay for $10, which would be totally worth it to me for the blush alone.  The shadows are a nice bonus and I like how they looked on, but are not something I would spring for on their own.

Disclaimer:  I received this as a gift with purchase.

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Estee Lauder Spring 2013 Lilly Pulitzer Shadow Floral Gift Set Preview

I picked up another of the Estee Lauder & Lilly Pulitzer gift sets, this time from Bloomingdales.  If you were not aware of these, Estee Lauder teamed up with the Lilly Pulitzer company to offer a series of gift sets from various department stores over the spring and summer.  I got the first one, called Summer Nights, from Lord & Taylor back in December.  I found a couple of products from it that I loved, such as the double-ended concealer and mascara.

The set I'm showing you today is called Shadow Floral and was available at Bloomingdales with any $45 Estee Lauder purcase.  It contained the same double-ended concealer/mascara, plus an eyeshadow and blush palette that is seriously pretty.  Sadly, Lilly Pulitzer died the week that I received this, which made the GWP a bit poignant.  I realize that her prints have probably not been in the mainstream consciousness for a while now.  Or maybe I'm wrong, as a commentary on the recent Mad Men premiere noted Megan's wearing of Pulitzer prints throughout the show, so maybe there will be a revival.  Ah, the '60's :-)  And poor Megan - little does she know that all is not right in the Draper marriage.

So, without further adieu, let me show you the Shadow Floral set.  There were different options to chose from, and I selected the Bold makeup collection:

The palette features the Shadow Floral print and is cardboard with a magnet closure.  It has a nice heft to it and feels quite substantial for cardboard.  Featuring four eyeshadows and a blush, it's the highlight of the GWP for me.  I'm seriously in love with Estee Lauder's Pure Color Blushes, and was excited to get another one as part of a palette.  I'll have a separate review on this lovely soon.

The Pure Color lipstick is Rubellite, a pinky red with shimmer.  It's nicely pigmented and leaves a bit of stain behind.  The other makeup item is a Pure Color Intense Kajal eyeliner in Blackened Sapphire.

The skincare items I chose were the Daywear moisturizer and the Idealist serum.

Shadow Floral makeup bag

Lastly, I'll leave you with this interesting article on Lilly Pulitzer's life from the New York Times.  There are 3 more Lilly Pulitzer gift sets left in the series, which you can see here. 

Disclaimer:  I purchased this. 

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Nordstrom Lancome GWP

Nordstrom has a Lancome gift with purchase event going on, and I decided that was all the motivation I needed to pick up the Kohl in Love eyeliner pencil  in Deepwater Blue.  It was hard to find any swatches of it online, but it is stunning, so expect to see a review  soon!

In the meantime, here is the Purple gift bag option that I chose.   I've been filling up makeup bags like this with skin care samples and giving them as gifts to my mom.  If she finds something in the samples that she really likes, I get a full sized version for her for the next holiday occasion.  She seems to really like this, and it helps me on finding gifts for her that I know she will use and like.  I think her current request is the serum from the Dr. Weil for Origins collection.  Win/win!
Visionnaire is a fast acting serum which is supposed to visible improve wrinkles, pores, and uneven skin texture in 4 weeks.  It's a generously sized sample, so I say bring it on.











I was excited about the La Base Pro, as I've tried a few foil packets and really like it.  It does a good job of smoothing and mattifying my skin, and I have less issues with liquid foundation settling into my pores.  It's similar to other silicon based primers out there, however, so I find the $42 price tag a bit ridiculous.  I love getting samples, though.

The blush is a pretty pink called Shimmer Pink Pool.  I keep thinking they left "Party" off the name, but no, they didn't.  It is described as a salmon pink with soft gold shimmer.  Very pretty, and definitely a flattering color for my complexion.  Shimmer Pink Pool is part of the Blush Subtil permanent collection.

Shimmer Pink Pool Blush Subtil

There is a nice sized .5 oz of the Absolue Night Recovery Cream, which is supposed to deeply replenish skin's moisture and improve firmness and clarity.  It contains some interesting ingredients such as wild yam, soy, sea algae and barley, as well as utilizing a patented process called Pro-Xylane™ to help restore essential moisture deep in skin's surface.  Sounds fancy, and the price definitely reflects that, as the full sized version will set you back $185.  At that price, it better turn down my covers and leave a chocolate on my pillow as well.

The Color Design lipstick included in this set is a plummy pink creme called Wannabe.  Interesting name!  It's not currently available in Lancome's collection, so if you like it, the GWP seems to be the way to get it.  It got consistently high reviews on MakeupAlley, coming in at 4.3.  I think this one will get wear from me, which isn't always the case with the colors include in GWP sets.

Wannabe Color Design Lipstick

Last is the Hypnose Star mascara in Noir Midnight, which is a volumizing mascara whose brush is also supposed to produce a lining effect.  I did not know about the lining effect, and I'm assuming the brush is the same as included in the full sized version, as the straight edge on one side of the brush is what produces the lining effect.

The Lancome GWP is available until they run out, and it does appear that the Purple gift set has run out online but is still available in store.   To qualify, you have to spend $39.50, but the set is valued up to $127 depending on which option you select.  I'll use everything and really like the colors, so quite happy!

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

Richard Chai Make-Up Bag GWP from Beauty.com

I've become a fan of the gift with purchases that feature exclusive designer makeup bags filled with deluxe sized samples from brands featured on Beauty.com.  This is the third one I've bought, and I'm noticing that the samples featured are mostly unique to each bag, which makes the repeat buyer like me quite happy!

The "Romy" bag is a cobalt blue mini-satchel made of durable waterproof material with magnetic snap closures and top-zip.  It comes with 13 deluxe sized beauty samples:

1. Shaveworks® The Cool Fix® Targeted Gel Lotion
2. Stila® Stay All Day® 10-in-1 HD Beauty Balm
3. GO SMiLE® Double Action Whitening System
4. NUXE® Crème Fraiche® Mask
5. h20+™ Spa Hand and Nail Cream
6. ARCONA® Hydrating Serum, Replenish AM/PM
7. Joanna Vargas Daily Serum
8. CAUDALIE® Premier Cru®, The Ultimate Anti-Ageing Cream
9. PHYTO® Phytopolleine Botanical Scalp Stimulant with Essential Oils for All Hair Types
10. Murad® Acne Clarifying Cleanser
11. PETER THOMAS ROTH® Mega Rich Body Wash
12. The New Black Nail Polish
13. bareMinerals® Mini Stroke of Light Eye Brightener, Luminous

Joanna Vargas serum

 Most of the items, with the exception of the Mini Stroke of Light eye brightener and the stila Stay All Day 10-in-1 HD Beauty Balm are items I have not tried before.  I'm especially intrigued with the bottle green Joanna Vargas Daily Serum, the PHYTO botanical scalp stimulant, the Nuxe masque, and the Arcona serum!

The Richard Chai gift with purchase comes with a $100 Beauty.com purchase, and is estimated at a $150 value.  I think it's a great option, and while spending $100 is nothing to sneeze at, I used it as an opportunity to stock  on needed items such as Clarisonic brush heads. 

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.