Pittsburgh Haul January 2014

Here is the haul from my recent impromptu trip to Pittsburgh. 

From LOFT at Ross Park Mall:

I saw this shirt and it reminded me of 90's era Drew Barrymore. I had to have the shirt. There was a sale going on when I showed up so I got the shirt for 40% off. 

There are tiny cream colored, embroidered daises all throughout the shirt.  The base of the shirt is very sheer, so I have to wear something under it. 

From Gabriel Brother's:

Another sheer shirt. This one is black and long sleeves. The only thing that I don't like about shirts like these is that they are easily snagged.

From one of two different Marshall's stores: 

Here is another cream colored shirt. This is a long sleeved sweater on the front and the upper half of the back.  The bottom half of the back is made out of the same color chiffon.  There is a single pocket on the breast with a little chiffon flap to close the pocket. I thought that this shirt would be long enough to wear over leggings, but also nice enough to wear with jeans and still look put together. 

I found this shirt in the clearance section and it was my favorite piece that I picked up.  The sleeves and back of the shirt are made out of a heather grey sweatshirt material and the front of the shirt is made out of a white, cable knit sweater.  This shirt is so comfortable and its different. I haven't seen this style of shirt, made out of these two types of fabric before. 

These boots are from American Eagle and they were on clearance for $16.00! They are made out of a khaki suede and the sides of the boots are not stiff and structured so they have a lot of movement when you walk. 

**Fun Fact** 

American Eagle Outfitters corporate campus is in Pittsburgh. I ended up coming across the campus while we were leaving. We saw the big American Eagle mascot looming on the side of a building, we drove closer by to see that it was headquarters. 

Cobalt Blue peep toe d'Orsay flats by Franco Sarto.  I have been obsessed with finding a comfortable d'orsay flat recently.  Most of these shoes cut into the top of my feet from the toe section of the shoe. These shoes were really comfortable when I tried them on. I will have to store these shoes away for the spring time, because the shoes look weird with stockings or tights and it's currently too cold to wear them without it. If the toe wasn't open I think that these shoes would look fine with tights, the open toe shows the hem of the socks, which is weird. 

MOR candle in Black Currant Iris. This is the second one of these candles I have found. I really love the brand MOR. They make some delicious scents. My favorite scent from MOR is Neroli Clementine. I have a tube of the Neroli Clementine hand cream on my desk at work, the Lychee Flower hand cream by my bed and a Neroli Clementine sugar scrub in my shower. I have been finding this brand all over the place in clearance sections of Marshall's and Ulta. You cannot order from the website right now, it will be opening up again sometime soon. I have a suspicion that they will be rebranding and clearing out their old product to get ready for the new stuff. 

From Sephora in Ross Park Mall:

Soap and Glory "Beginners Luxe" set. This included "Clean on Me" shower gel, "Scrub of Your Life" body scrub, full sized "The Righteous Butter" body butter and a set of exfoiliating gloves. I have been using the body butter a lot recently, the scent is really nice and it absorbs quickly in the skin. The body butter also seems to last for a really long time on your skin. 

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil hand cream in Vanilla Apricot.  I wasn't planning on purchasing this and haven't heard anything about this hand cream before. I was walking around the Sephora store, had dry hands and found this hand cream first so I tried this product with one of those testers, and continued on my merry way. As I continued to walk around the store, I kept feeling my hands and see how soft they were. I had to pick up a tube of this! Even when I was at the checkout counter, the girl ringing me up, commented that this hand cream is the best in the store. 

Haul: Sephora Sun Safety Kit

So apparently Sephora puts together a baggie each spring with different products to protect your skin from the sun. This year is the first year that I have heard about it and I knew that it tends to sell out fast. Once I heard that it was up for sale I immediately ordered a kit.  I am going on a trip to Thailand in the next month and I need some sun protection. Plus with all the new flight bag rules ($100 for a second bag?!) I am trying to pack light so that I can go crazy with the shopping and not have to worry too much about the weight.

The bag is $30.00 plus shipping - unless you purchase $50.00 worth of product which makes the shipping free. $20.00 of the purchase of the bag goes towards the Skin Cancer Foundation. The claim is that the bag contains $210.00 worth of product.

Click on this link to purchase the bag for yourself. Hurry, it's sure to sell out fast.

One side.

The other side.

The bag. Plastic on the main parts. The outer sides are in a metallic gold color with metalic pink piping. The inside of the bag is a muted pink. Double zippers. The zipper pulls say 'Sephora' as well as embroidered pink on both sides. 

All the items I received in the bag.

0.5 oz. Lancome Bienfait Multi-Vital Sunscreen Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30

Full size: 1.7 oz. for $45.00

0.5 fl. oz. Tarte Brazilliance Skin Rejuvenating Maracuja self tanner

Full size: 5.5 oz. for $37.00

0.5 oz. Boscia Self-Defense Vital Antioxidant Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30

Full size: 1.4 fl. oz. $36.00

0.16 fl. oz. Miracle Skin Transformer SPF 20 face in Medium I received an exact same sample of this in my last New Beauty Test Tube.

Full size: 0.85 oz. for $18.00

0.64 oz Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream + Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ for face

Full size: 2 oz. for $35.00

0.03 oz. Bare Minerals Mineral Veil Broad Spectrum SPF 25

Full size: 0.3 oz. for $20.00

Bare Minerals mini Flawless Face brush

Full size: $22.00

0.3 fl. oz. Clarins UV Plus HP Broad Spectrum SPF 40 

Full size: 1.7 oz. for $40.00

0.14 oz. Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer

Full size: 0.35 oz. for $30.00

.25 0z Dr. Brandt Flexitone BB Cream with broad spectrum SPF 30

Full size: 1 oz. for $30.00

0.169 fl. oz. Sephora Age defy moisture cream SPF 15 Sunscreen

Full size: 1 oz. for $15.00

1.69 fl. oz. St. Tropez 'One Night Only' Instant Glow Body Lotion

Full size: 5 oz for $15.00

.25 fl. oz. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 20

Full size: 1 fl. oz. for $42.00

0.5 oz. L'Occitane en Provence Brightening Hand Care

Full size: 2.5 oz for $30.00

0.5 oz. Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Moisture Defense Lotion oil free SPF 30

Full size: 1.7 oz. for $42.00

0.5 fl. oz. Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer

Full size: 4 fl. oz. for $54.00

0.5 fl. oz. Ole Henriksen Protect the Truth SPF 50+

Full size: 1.7 fl. oz. for $35.00

0.5 fl. oz. Origins A Perfect World SPF 25

Full size: 6.7 fl. oz. for $27.50

I also am signed up for the Beauty Insider program and with the purchase I made of the Sun Safety Kit, I was able to get a 500 perk point gift. I have been hearing that Buxom lip glosses are really good and the 500 point perk was a Buxom Glow and Tell gift set. The set included: 

0.2 fl. oz. Lash in Blackest Black

0.23 fl. oz Divine Goddess Luminizer

0.07 fl. oz. Full-On Lip Polish lipgloss in Tonya

0.07 oz. Hot Escapes Bronzer in Tahiti

There was also a coupon code for a deluxe sample of your choice. You could either choose from a mascara, Murad cleanser or a Shiseido lip gloss. 

.06 oz. Shiseido Lacuer Rouge in RD 607

And lastly, as with every Sephora.com order I picked my three samples. 

.33 fl. oz. Living Proof frizz nourishing styling cream

0.33 fl oz. Soap and Glory The Righteous Butter

0.03 fl. oz. hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation in Nude

New Beauty Test Tube May 2013

In my last post I mentioned that I heard that New Beauty Test Tube was changing their shipping schedule from a quarterly beauty box to a bi-monthly one. I did receive an email that this would be the new schedule and I received the first box on that new schedule today. 

Price: $29.99

Ships out: Every other month

First Look!

Celebrity Beauty Secrets Book Normally the Test Tube comes with a copy of New Beauty Magazine, this month I received a book written by New Beauty's Beauty editors. I usually just throw away the magazine each month, but I think that I might actually look through this book. 

Retail Value: $14.95 

1.7 fl. oz. Bliss Body Butter in 'Lemon and Sage'

Approximate Value: $4.33

0.85 fl. oz. Ahava 3-in-1 Mineral Toning Cleanser

Approximate Value: $3.00

.17 fl. oz. Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil So excited to try this one out! I have heard some really great things about this Argan oil and I keep hearing that Josie Maran's is the best. I was eventually going to purchase a little bottle to try out, now I don't have to!

Approximate Value: $5.35

FULL SIZE 0.15 fl. oz. Bare Minerals 'Marvelous Moxie' lipgloss in 'Spark Plug' This is a new product that Bare Minerals just came out with. 

Approximate Value: $18.00

0.5 fl. oz. Lumene 'Vitamin C+ Age Defying Artic Cloudberry Day Cream'

Approximate Value: $5.88

15 Packets ( 0.02 fl. oz. in each packet) of Hydroxatone 'Instant Effect 90 Second Wrinkle Reducer on the go singles'

Approximate Value: $39.98

2 fl. oz. Ojon 'Damage Reverse' Restorative Conditioner

Approximate Value: $10.00

1 fl. oz. Philosophy shampoo, bath and shower gel in 'Love Sweet Love'

Approximate Value: $1.50

1.9 oz. Living Proof Full Thickening Mousse

Approximate Value: $10.40

This month I received an extra bag of Bonus Products. I have never received these extras in any other Test Tube. This might be a special for the change in their company. It came in a clear plastic bag - perfect for airplane carryon items. 

0.16 fl. oz. Miracle Skin Transformer SPF 20 Face in 'Medium'

Approximate Value: $4.52

.052 oz. Colore Science Glow and Go Travel Puff in 'Pearl Powder' This product intrigued me The directions state, "Just pat this luxurious puff against your skin to release the pigment.  Then blend gently across the face for sheer even coverage.  Pat two to three times to release more pigment.  Apple more pressure on the sponse to get heavier coverage." The product can be reused and after the product is gone you can use and wash the puff for other products. Apparently Colore Science does not make this product anymore. I was excited to try this out on a trip that I will be taking next month and see how I like it. I guess that's the only time I will be able to use this product...

Approximate Value: $10.00

0.4 oz. Dr. Brandt 'Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner blackhead extractor' 

Approximate Value: $7.33

0.14 fl.oz Lumene Sensitive Touch 5 Minute SOS Cream

Approximate Value: $1.65

.68 fl. oz. Kneipp 'Sleep Well' Herbal Bath Valerian and Hops

Approximate Value: $5.50 

Total Approximate Value: $113.39 for the tube and the book. Total for the bonus items were $29.00. In total this month's tube had a value of $142.39.

I am pretty sure that the bonus items are just leftover stock from previous Test Tubes. The Lumene cream and the Miracle skin transformer were in a Spring 2012 Test Tube. This explains why some of the products are no longer made and the packaging on the Kneipp bath oil and Dr. Brant blackhead extractor is different now. Despite this I still think that it was nice for the added bonus products bag.

I wish this bag had more makeup products in it, but the Test Tube has historically been mostly skincare products. I am much happier with the products that were in this month's tube than the dismal tube I received last time. This definitely makes up for it.

Every other Test Tube also has coupons for Spa Look.  This was the first tube that I did not receive those coupons.  I'm not too upset about the lack of coupons because I have never used them before. I just checked the Spa Look website and they currently have a promotion on the site that is very similar to the coupons that were sent out in the Test Tubes.

Also this month New Beauty started a referral program. If you refer a friend you will receive a free tube and the friend will receive a discount of $5.00 off their next shipment. I checked out the referral program on the New Beauty site and the referring individual needs to submit the name and email address of the friend to get this discount. If you would like for me to get you this discount, leave a comment below with your name and email address. If you would prefer a little more privacy, just email me.

FabFitFun

My FabFitFun box came in the mail!

FabFitFun is a new quarterly sample box that is curated by Giuliana Rancic from E!  The box costs $49.99 per season, which is pricy, but they promise full size and premium samples that will at least have $100.00 worth of products in each box. 

 First look inside!

 Here's everything I received:

FULL SIZE Zoya nail polish in FabFitFun Fuchsia    Used this on my toes. Great polish, great color.
                          Value: $8.00
.11 OZ. Jouer lil gloss in Glisten
                           Estimated Value: $6.67
FULL SIZE Moroccan Oil Hair Treatment  They guaranteed this in the initial sale of the box. Not gonna lie, this is what I was excited to try and one of the main reasons I purchased the box. I have been using this almost every day since I received it and L-O-V-E it! My hair is wayyy overdue for a haircut, so it's dry and damaged. This oil treatment works so well to make my hair healthy and soft! Definitely recommend.
                          Value: $42.00
FULL SIZE Think Thin bar in Peanut Butter Protein Bar
                          Value: $1.99
Jewel Mint Charm Bracelet     I wasn't really excited for this and it isn't my style, but I wore this to work today. I think I had it on for a total of two hours. I had to take it off because I kept banging it on my desk every time I went to type on my computer. Being that I work in a cubicle, I didn't think my office mates appreciated all the noise.
                          Value: $29.99

The card in the box states that "Surprise Bonus Gifts" are included in every box and these bonus gifts can vary box to box. Below are my bonus items.

FULL SIZE Josie Maran Magic Marker Lip Stain with Argan Color Stick in Waltz    Pretty color!  Didn't really last all day, lip stains don't usually last long on my lips.
                           Value: $21.00
Jewel Mint Earrings     Not my style either.
                          Value: $29.99
sample sized Perfekt Brow Perfection Gel  in caramel    Not my color - they offer this in four different colors, I received the second darkest shade. I should have received the darkest shade. Despite this, I tried it out this morning and applied it very lightly. The color worked, didn't really notice a change in my eyebrows. But to give credit to the gel, I don't really notice or care for my eyebrows as much as others do.
                           Value: ? I accidentally threw the package away that the sample came in. It's really not worth it to me to start digging through the trash to see how big the sample was.

Closeups of the Jewel Mint pieces

Total estimated value of my FabFitFun box: $139.64+

This is a new company so this is the first box that they have shipped out. I thought this box was great and am happy that I splurged on the box before it sold out. I can't wait for next quarter's box!