I got a fix!

Welp, remember that ULTA gift card insanity? I STILL have the dang thing because it wouldn't work online, and I don't have an ULTA here. Today i got an email saying that from now until Sunday, (8/2) ULTA is giving away a Deluxe Sample Bag - (in addition to their usual 3 free samples with any purchase) - when you spend $25.

I lurve samples.
i lurve beauty products.
i lurve free stuff.

So i went browsing to see if anything jumped out at me...
And then i saw it - Bare Minerals Hydrating Mineral Veil! HUH?? How did i miss this? You know how using too much mineral veil can make your face feel tight and dry? Well this is meant to solve that problem! And since my skin is naturally on the dryer side, this sounds perfect. I ordered the kit which includes an antibacterial-treated Hydrate & Brighten Brush.

The only thing holding up the purchase was the gift card issue. I have refused to buy anything from ULTA until i could use the rewards i EARNED. So, like so many times before, i plugged in the numbers and VOILA! IT WORKED! YAY! I don't have to boycott anymore!!!! And i've got awesome goodies on the way!

BTW - If you decide to place an order to get the rad gift bag, be sure to try using the $3.50 off $10.00 coupon. The code is 22959. (Some products are excluded from this promotion, like Bare Minerals, dang it.) And if you spend $50 or more, you'll qualify for free shipping. :)

The Rumors WERE True.

So did you get free make up? cologne? shower gel? moisturizer?

I went to Macy's on day 2 of this fiasco, and all that was left to choose from were 2 different moisturizers, and 2 different shower gels. I chose Clinique moisturizer. I was happy. Free stuff makes me smile. :) I was back at the mall yesterday and the deal was DONE. Big red stickers that said "OUT OF PRODUCT" were plastered over the sign about the event. I live in a decent sized town, so maybe smaller towns still have some goods left. Check your Macy's or Dillard's if you haven't already.

The reason for my trip to the mall was to visit the Clinique counter anyway. I have had great success for a year now, using products other than their 3 step skincare line. However, in recent weeks, my skin has FREAKED out and I've had a constant breakout. Not sure what is going on just yet, but thought the 3 step was the FIRST step in the right direction. Oh how I've missed the "Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion". They say it's like a drink of water for the face and OMG. It is.

So anyways, just an update on the make up freebie. It's legit and if you run really fast, you might find something left for you. :) Good Luck!

FREE MAKEUP!

Starting today, high end cosmetics companies such as Clinique, Lancome, Clarins, Estee Lauder and others, are giving away free cosmetics! YES - REALLY FREE! Read this article for the deets!:


(and thanks so much to Monica for pointing this out! woot!)

Oh, Allure Magazine, How Do I Love Thee?

Let me count the ways...

1. your magazine rocks.

2. you have a presence and a wall of fame on one of my fave shows - Shear Genius.

3. you send me presents!

Yes, today i received a sample of Exceptionnel De Chanel volume intense mascara and all i have to do is try it in place of my beloved Loreal Telescopic for a week, and then tell them how I like it. DONE! It was like Christmas in my mailbox today. Woot! Thank you Allure!!

I haven't tried it yet, but as soon as I do, i will tell you what i think. Upon initial inspection, the Chanel brush looks like a combo of the Loreal Telescopic "comb" style wand, and the new Maybelline Colossal "super full" wand - so this could be very promising!

Free Brush Bag From Benefit

Benefit offers up this adorable brush case for FREE with any brush purchase! The Betty Bag features a flap on top that flips up to reveal 4 brush pouches, and a zipper compartment on the side to hold shadow, powder and gloss for quick touch ups. Perfect to keep in your purse, or take on weekend getaways. Just add any brush to your cart, and enter code BETTYBAG at checkout.

A good brush to pick up? This hard angle brush is very versatile, and one of my must have's. Use it to fill in brows, apply shadow as liner, or to create a perfect "cat eye" shape on the outer corners of your lids. Just load the end of the brush with shadow, dab it on at an upward angle pointing towards the outer tip of your eyebrow, and then fill in your lid and crease from there. It makes it SO easy! Like coloring inside the lines. :)

If you decide to stock up on any of their "Buh-Buys", skincare products, or other cosmetics, enter promo code FRESHP65 for free shipping on purchases of $65 or more. While you're there, check out Benefit's Beauty School, and order yourself a catalog for new powder room reading material. (C'mon... we all read in the "Jane"...)

Got Some Freebies.

Of the ones i posted about before, a few have arrived.

The perfume sample - lame. Basically like what you'd find in a magazine except glued to a card and mailed in an envelope.

The Sunsilk sample - cool. Good sized samples of shampoo, conditioner, and styling lotion, a web addy to go to and watch hair styling videos, and 2 coupons for $1 off future purchases.

*Update* Herbal Essence Free Mani/Pedi

I picked up two specially marked bottles of Herbal Essence products (Color Me Happy Shampoo & Conditioner) and went to the H.E. website to get the skinny on the deal. I had to go to another page, tlc-rewards.com, and enter the UPC codes off of both bottles. When i did so, it first came back telling me that both numbers were not eligible for the offer. I sat here scratching my color treated head for a moment, because there is a big HUGE advertisement on the front of both bottles. As it turns out, they are only interested in the main and bigger printed number, directly below the bar code. Not so much the 2 smaller corner numbers that flank the main one.
Anyhoo, once it accepted both UPC's, it instructed me to download and print a pdf redemption form. As it turns out, you need to mail this form in along with your ORIGINAL receipt. No copies accepted. So, if you are purchasing, say a new plasma, and your shampoo & conditioner all in one trip, your best bet is to make them separate purchases. Luckily, my receipt is a mish-mosh of baby formula, mascara and Windex. I'm not having anxiety about giving up the original.


Now I'll take a moment to be a bit of a Debbie-downer. TLC Rewards is a "concierge" service for other companies wishing to run these types of promotions. When I was in the hospital after having Caleb, (my just-turned-one year old. *sniff*) I received a gift diaper bag from Similac, full of samples and coupons. Along with all the loot, was a voucher from Similac, for a promotion run thru this TLC company, and it was meant to treat me to some pampering. The rewards varied from haircut to massage. I chose a massage, OF COURSE, and called the 800 number to set it all up. They said they would call me with a list of participating salons. Weeks went by. I called back. I got a pre-recorded message saying that TLC was very busy and re-organizing their system and to try back 2 MONTHS LATER! As I'm sure they'd anticipated, i got too busy with my newborn, and then eventually lost the voucher. boo hoo. So i'm hoping to have a better experience this time, but I thought I'd pass on the dirt I have on this fantastic concierge service. < / sarcasm>

Freebies

These are NOT the "free" offers that require you to apply for credit cards and take surveys. These are just a few free samples - straight from the brands, that I thought you might wanna take advantage of. Enjoy!

Sunsilk

Dove

"Sensational" Perfume Sample

John Frieda Weatherworks/Night Serum


I'll add more if I come across any. :)

FREE Mani or Pedi!

Even though I am very devoted to Pureology shampoo and conditioner for my color treated hair, my "back-up" shampoo is Herbal Essence! (The one in the pink bottle.) It smells so good, and never hurts my demi-permanent hair color. Well, Herbal Essence is running a promotion where if you purchase specially marked bottles of their product, you can redeem a voucher good for a free manicure or pedicure! Go HERE for all the info!