$80 worth of NARS products for $50!

I am so excited about this deal!

 Gilt City has an offer for an $80 voucher towards NARS cosmetics online for $50.  But that's not all!........ They have a special right now where if you refer someone you get 20% off your first purchase and so does the person that you refer!!!  So if you make your first purchase through someone that referred you the total comes to $40!!!  Double deal!

Hurry before it sells out.  I just ordered mine.  The voucher for future online purchase can be redeemed until February

My referral link is below for those who need it.  If you already have a friend who is a Gilt City member run and tell them to refer you asap!  This ends up coming up to 50% off NARS ($80 of merchandise for $40 after discount)

And you can't beat that with a BAT!   haha

http://www.giltcity.com/invite/impulsivebeautyescap


**TIP: When you register click on Washington DC deals.  For some reason the NARS deal didnt show up when I selected my actual city.  You can always change your city later to view your local deals

HAPPY SHOPPING EVERYONE!!!!  I'm excited, I love a good deal

Napoleon Perdis cosmetics on sale at Hautelook today

This is a brand that I don't hear about very often.  I purchased Napoleon Perdis mascara a long time ago from Sephora when it was on clearance and have not seen this brand there since (in my local store). 

On Hautelook today there are eye shadows priced as low as $8.00 and nail polish priced at $6.00.  Other items include brush sets, gloss, lipstick, eyeshadow, baked blush and a few multi item sets.

Does anyone plan on picking up anything?  What are you favorite Napoleon Perdis products?

For those who are unfamiliar with Hautelook it is a discount website that features brands for sale that vary from day to day.  They feature cosmetics, accessories, clothing, shoes and even household items.  Their sales are super low if you catch them.  But quantities are always limited so the popular items go first.  The pigment set pictured below is on sale for $9.00. 

I've ordered many things from them over the past few years. My husband enjoys the site too, as it seems that men's items go for so much cheaper than women's.  Now might be a good time to browse the site for early Christmas shopping! 

Must register to be able to purchase from their site and they email you daily on the deals coming up.
They also have a great referral program after you register where you can earn $10 for each friend you refer.  Sometimes it pays to spread the word!!

If you'd like to register visit my registration link at: 
http://www.hautelook.com/invite/getadeal10

BLOG Sale!! All new, nothing tested or used

So here we go, my first blog sale.  Because I'm a product junkie you will see that all of my items starting out are new and unused. I have so much that I need to clear out.   I plan to add in nail polish as well but need to sort through my collection first

I took a group pic because everything is new and there is no usage to show.  This group pic is just a handful of the items that I will be adding.  There will be more.... not sure if I can edit this later or if I will have to start a new post.

Shipping: $2.99 for (1) item, $3.65 for (2) items and $4.50 for (3) and up
I ship with a delivery confirmation number.  US shipping only. 
Payments via paypal to confirmed addresses.  Will accept a money order for purchases over $40

Free sample with each purchase (Some are pictured below).  You can specify which sample you'd like if still available.  One per person so I have enough to go around

Email me at impulsivebeautyescapades@gmail.com if interested :)





SAMPLES (pictured above)

ITEMS FOR SALE.  All new unless otherwise noted

Philosophy Eye and Lip in a Tube $18

MAC Summer Rose Beauty Powder (From Liberty of London LE) $38

MAC 1n lipglass (from n Collection) $10

MAC Naked Space lipglass (from Neo Sci Fi) $10

Bobbi Brown Milk Chocolate Pot Rouge $16

MAC Penny Shadestick (first run. discontinued) $18

MAC Soft Force eye shadow (from Style Warriors) $13

MAC Azalea Blossom Ombre

MAC Viva Glamourous Viva Glam Cool lip palette (1 gloss VI, 2 lipstick VG II and IV, with mirror and 316se brush) $27

MAC pigment vial in Gold Mode $7

MAC pigment vial in Gold Dusk $7

MAC Marine Life (LE) $45

MAC Jellicious lipgelee (discontinued) $11

MAC 189 Brush $25

Korres Guava to Go Set (body butter and lip butter, expires end of Dec) $11

Bobbi Brown Best of Chocolate Palette (4 lip and 4 eye colors, palette discontinued) $38 retailed for $55

THANKS GUYS!!!

I'm taking payments via paypal.  If interested please email me at impulsivebeautyescapades@gmail.com with the names of the items that you want.  If you want a particular sample don't forget to mention or I'll select one at random :)

Edit 11/10--NEW ITEMS BEING ADDED SOON



NARS Holiday 2011

In stores now!  NARS has an amazing lineup of holiday colors.  This holiday collection features blush, shadows, lip, liner, a multiple and nail colors




Nars Holiday 2011 In stores now



But the part that really makes my heart flutter are the holiday gifts.  Gimme gimme gimme!  Online beginning November 1st (see below)

'For Holiday 2011, NARS introduces Modern Kabuki, a collection of specially designed gifts for the ardent makeup aficionado, inspired by François Nars’ travels throughout Japan, his deep interest in Japanese culture, and his fascination with Kabuki makeup. The collection captures the exquisite artistry of Japan’s Kabuki theater. Every detail is a vibrant, modern, iconic interpretation of the centuries-old dramatic form.'

HANAMICHI KABUKI-INSPIRED EYESHADOW PALETTE  $65.00 USD

Japanese for “flower path,” this Kabuki theater walkway that extends into the audience was the inspiration for this eyeshadow palette, featuring a Kabuki-themed
design and accompanied by a mini Kabuki Eye Brush.  The colors are evocative of shades found in Kabuki theater- an icy white with flowers in rich shimmering deep
rose and gold and matte black



MIE KABUKI MINI SOFT TOUCH SHADOW PENCIL COFFRET $55.00 USD

A collection of six mini, top-selling and limited edition Soft Touch Shadow Pencils. Just like their namesake Mie Kabuki- which references a moment of high emotion
culminating in an extremely dramatic pose-these creamy, blendable, long-wearing crayons create bold, dramatic looks with just a few strokes





KUROKO KABUKI MINI NAIL POLISH COFFRET $35.00 USD


The set includes four mini-sized, bold and vivid nail polish colors based on shades traditionally used in Kabuki theatre





KUDOKI KABUKI MINI LIP COFFRET $125.00 USD

Named for an element of Kabuki dance, this year’s take on the Bento Box set features three new vibrant, super-saturated, limited edition shades poured into
custom ceramic cups. Included is its own Kabuki Lip Brush and sleek keepsake wooden box

And finally the show stopper that makes my heart go pitter patter!!!....



NAGAUTA KABUKI BRUSH SET $225 USD

Encased in an ultra-luxurious keepsake wooden bento box with red lacquer interior,this exquisite five-piece brush set is named for the principal musical forms in Kabuki theater and includes two new brushes exclusive to the set

Barney's Exclusive

If I could buy everything I would.  However I'd have a stomach ache and headache for about a month due to guilt. Ha. 

I do plan to buy at least one item.  And in the meantime I will dream about the brush and lip set.  What are you planning to get?  Will you be buying or passing on this collection?  Share :)

CND Anchor Blue and Sally Hansen Effect in Girl Flower

Where do I start?  CND polish in general is a dream to use for me.  The formula is so thick and creamy it applies like a dream.  Anchor Blue is a bright blue creme that really comes to life on the nails. Wearing the color actually put me in a good mood.  Weird.  I had no complaints about this color or the formula. 




CND Anchor Blue #544


I decided to pair my manicure with Sally Hansen Effects in Girl Flower.  These nail effects are very cutesy and I've collected quite a few since they first came out.  This was the first one that I actually wore and hey are said to last up to 10 days, although I didn't wear them that long.  It was easy to apply and really looked like actual nail polish once applied the nail.  Just be sure to push your cuticles back and apply it as close as possible so there is not a gap between the pattern and the actual nail.  I applied this mani in a hurry and didn't wrap the tips so apologies for the messy nails

I chose to only use on on each hand as an accent. Using them on all 10 nails at a time is a bit much (for me).  But I tend to lean toward the conservative side when it comes to nail art so 2 accent nails is a lot for me.  Those of you are are more into nail art will probably love these effects as a full mani.  I say so for it!

I pulled out some other blues to compare and I couldn't find and exact dupe for there are some that come very close.  The closest one being OPI Orge The Top Blue (which I love to pieces).

SH Blue Me Away, Zoya Robyn, OPI Orge the Top Blue, CND Anchor Blue, Orly Calypso Breeze

CND nail colours are available for purchase at beautybrands.com. Also at other various retail locations.

What CND colors do you currently have or want to try?

Operation: Use Your Stash

It's hard to believe that even though I am a beauty products junkie, I often buy and buy without using.  I think that half of the fun of being a collector is the hunt.

But if I'm going to continue to buy and not use then it makes no sense.  It has to stop.  So I'm forcing myself to start using my beauty products more often.  I've been doing this for nail polish for quite some time.  I have only been wearing new colors and trying to repeat until I've made it through all of my untrieds (which will take a million years).

From time to time I will post here about the products that I've tried and give you a mini review.  I'll get to work my way through my stash and review for you guys at the same time.  Win-win! :)

This look was fairly simple.  I really didn't feel like wearing a lot of product on my face.  Temperatures have been holding steady at 100degrees and above where I live.  For the past few months I'm lip gloss and maybe blush if I'm lucky.   

Eyes:  I used MAC Saddle (brown) and MAC Neutral Pink.  I believe neutral pink is from the discontinued MAC N Collection unless it has been re-released recently.  Scott Barnes mascara and MAC fluidline in Dipdown

Neutral pink is so neutral that I have to use a base ( I used Urban Decay primer potion) and pack the color on like crazy or it barely shows up on me. It kind of annoys me actually.  But for the sake of "using my stash:, I went with it.
Saddle is a staple color for me.  I don't wear eyeshadow daily, but when I do I almost always incorporate this color
The Scott Barnes mascara pretty much sucks and doesn't do anything for me. Not sure if its dried out or just an all around dud.  Will probably throw it out soon.
MAC Dipdown fluidline is a beautiful dark brown that I wore on my waterline.  I know people tend to use liner on their upper lid but I prefer my lower lashline or waterline.  MAC fluidlines stay put on my waterline and don't budge. 

Lips:  Bobbi Brown Honeysuckle creamy lip color and MAC Cultured lip glass. 

BB creamy lip colors are super super creamy.  One does not necessarily need a gloss on top with this but I always wear gloss with my lipsticks out of habit. 
Cultured lip glass is a color I've had for too long.  I probably need to throw it out or recycle back to MAC.  But I feel like I need to wear it a few more times...just cuz.  :)  It's a nice lighter pink that leans a teeny tad towards the thin side which I prefer.

Face:  MAC Warm Blend mineralize skinfinish.  Perfection.  I love this thing.  Why don't I pull it out everyday?  I don't know.  It bronzes, blushes and highlights me at the same time.  Love.  i don't remember what collection this came out with.  Someone please put it in the comments section if you remember

Verdict:  I need to use my MSF more, throw out the Scott Barnes mascara and recyle the Cultured lipglass to back to mac program.  See!  Using your stash does payoff.  haha!

NARS Vestale Nail Polish

I am lucky to have met a fabulous NARS SA who lets me play with the displays until I'm blue in the face.  Oh how I have longed for an SA who was patient enough to let me try before I buy without making me rush.  Let's face it, I'm a beauty product junkie so I always come back and buy.  I just like to play and sample first when I can. It keeps me from having too many... Impulsive Beauty Escpades.  Womp womp! (cheesy joke) LOL.

I was able to paint my entire hand on this particular day.  My SA (sales associate) was helping some other ladies who wanted feedback and opinions on everything they touched (unlike me, I like to swatch first and ask talk later).  So she told me to have fun trying on colors and even gave me polish remover.

I was really curious about was Vestale.  They were all sold out but I knew that I could order it elsewhere.  So I took the opportunity to try the tester to see if this polish would be worth ordering.  I was able to do two coats in the store with top coat.  You didn't believe me when I told you that this SA is awesome did you?  LOL!!

The formula applied nicely.  The first coat was a little streaky so I proceeded with a second coat.  Perfect!  It was a good thing that I had time because if I just stopped at the first coat I would have been disappointed.

The color is not a huge standout.  It's conservative and understated.  A nice neutral but perfect for a business setting or for those who don't like to bother with overstated nails.  On the other hand it could be a bit boring for those that like attention grabbing colors.

I liked it a lot but kept thinking that it may not be original enough to justify purchasing.  Rescue Beauty Lounge Plie and CND Perfectly Bare come to mind.  They are not exact dupes but still in that same color family.  I'm on the fence about this one because it seems a tad bit more warm and complementary to my skin tone than the above mentioned colors.

Vestale was originally released as a Nordstrom exclusive but can now be found on the NARS website. NARS online currently has free 2 day shipping.

Thoughts?

China Glaze Happy Go Lucky nail polish

Happy Go Lucky is from the China Glaze Up and Away Collection from Spring of 2010. 

This pic comes from the archives.  I haven't worn it in a really long time but since I had the picture saved I figured I would post about it while it's still technically summer and everyone is still wearing bright manis and pedis.

This was a great color on my skintone.  It really pops and screams spring/summer.  It's very bright and not a subtle color but not too loud or tacky either.  I remember getting several compliments when I wore it.

The formula, on the other hand was not the greatest.  It was very thick and goopy. But considering the price point of China Glaze I guess I can't complain... much. Meh. I purchased it at a discount.  If you can get past the goopy (or maybe I received a bad bottle) then it's a great Spring/Summer color to have in your collection.  Plus, you can always use thinner if you get a really thick bottle too.  I have Seche Restore but have only used it on my Seche Vite so far.  I haven't been brave enough to test it on polishes.  I think I'm afraid that I may ruin them.  I need to get over that.

I'm not usually one to stick to "seasons" on nail colors, but I don't think I would reach for this one at all in the Fall/Winter.  It's much to bright.  But never say never.  Who knows.  If you already own this color pull it out now before summer is officially over. 

China Glaze nail polish can be found in Ulta stores for $6.50.  Can also be found at select online etailers at a discount.  Online is probably your best bet to find this color since it's from a past collection.

Urban Decay 15 Year Anniversary Eye Shadow Palette --Initial thoughts

These are just initial thoughts because I don't yet own the palette.  But after swatching it today, I'm going back to get it.

---------------

So for today's escapade I found myself in Ulta.  I was there to use my Ulta Rewards coupon when I spotted the Urban Decay Anniversary display again.  I'd seen it two times before but resisted.  I don't know what drew me to try it this time because I own all of the UD Book of Shadows, the Naked Palette and the Ammo Palette.  Plus I really don't need 15 new shadows all at once.  I don't even wear eye shadow everyday.

But somehow I found myself hovering over the tester and the next thing I knew I was swatching the back of my hand.  As always the texture of these shadows were perfect.  They glided on my hand with no effort and were deeply pigmented with the slightest swipe.

15 year Anniversary Collection features 15 new shadows

At first I only swatched a few, but then I went back and had to try out the rest.  At that point I was trying to justify in my head if I really needed them.




Quick in store swatches with no base


I swatched all but the black because I figured it was just black.  These photos were taken in my car from my cell phone just to give you guys an idea.  Very pigmented and no base was used.  I could have used a heavier hand but was just swatching lightly. 

For those of you who have never used Urban Decay shadows, they rarely disappoint in the formula department.  Velvety and smooth and oh so pigmented!  The downside can be that a large majority of them are shimmer/shiny.  What comes with shimmer shadows?  Fallout.

In this particular palette it appears that all of their shadows have some type of sparkle, sheen or frost.  The only color that is a matte is the black, which I did not swatch

All of my swatches are in random order.  I was just trying to fit them on my hand.  I'm going to cave and get this palette before it's too late even though I already own 2.1 million shadows.   Let me know if you would like to see a full review later

This palette was released back in July as a Limited Edition. Retails for $55 in select stores. 

Dior Saint-Tropez Nail Polish #401

**First off I must apologize for my pics.  They are not the greatest. I'm new to this blogging thing so I need to figure out how to take better pics or buy a new camera eventually.  But please bear with me for now :) **
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Initially I purchased this color due to hype. It was not a must have for me but I caved because I kept reading so much about the much anticipated release. I normally cannot wear light shades of green/mint because of the yellow undertones in my skin.  It just never works (Essie Mint Candy Apple, Chanel Nouvelle Vague...both fails for me). But I am pleased to say that this color is gorgeous both in the bottle and on me too!  (If I do say so myself)



Dior Saint-Tropez  (One Coat)

 Saint-Tropez was released as a limited edition online for $21 and reportedly sold out immediately.  It was also available in select Dior boutiques where I was able to find mine before it sold out.

Color:  It pulls more blue than green on me and I was very pleased.  I planned to only wear this shade for a day or two, as I am working through my untrieds and trying to get through summer brights so I can begin to pull out my vamps.  I'm normally not a seasonal polish person because I wear what I like, whenever.  However, I am currently living in a sea of untried polishes so it just makes sense to pull out as many brights as I can while its still summer.

Formula:  The color is great but the formula really disappointed me.  It was extremely thick and difficult to apply.  So thick, that I had to take extra care not to go over the same area twice because it would have made a thick mess.  I only did one coat for this reason.  There were a few spots that were thinner than others on my nail but I just wanted it to be over and didn't bother with a second coat. 

This is not the first Dior that had a thick formula that I did not appreciate.  All of their polishes are not like this, I guess it just depends on the color.  I would like to use thinner because I love the color so much, but I don't want to ruin it as its not a cheapy polish.  Let me know if any of you have had luck thinning a Dior

I wore this for about 5 days before it began to show major wear.  I didn't wrap my tips with color as I usually do because I was trying to hurry though the mani.  I had some minor tip wear immediately due to the top coat I used (Seche Vite) but that was to be expected.

Brush:  The brush is huge, the same shape and width of the Sally Hansen Complete manicure brush. I don't really like it, because I have smaller nail beds.  But over all its not bad.  Two swipes and I'm done.  The curve of the brush fits nicely when you are trying to get close the the cuticles.  I don't like cleanup afterwards so I'm always trying to get my cuticle edge as perfect as I can




China Glaze For Audrey/ Dior St. Tropez/Milani Dressmaker/ Essie Turquoise and Caicos


Comparison:  This color does not look like anything that I own in the bottle.  I pulled out a few colors to compare (some tried and untried). All the others have more green and not the unique blue/green combo that makes St. Tropez so original.  If I had to pick one I'd say its closest to China Glaze For Audrey but its not a dupe at all.

Despite my difficulty with the formula I do recommend that you pick one up if you can still find it.  It's a unique color and I enjoyed wearing it. 

Was available on www.dior.com for $21usd but is now sold out.  But maybe they will bring it back at some point?  Hopefully. 

Intro

This has been a really long time coming.  I've thought about starting a blog many times over the past few years but it just never seemed like the right time. Well, here I am!  I plan to use this blog to post reviews and opinions about the latest beauty products that I've acquired.  I will try to keep it versatile and discuss makeup, nail polish, beauty products, shoes and handbags because those are the things that I enjoy buying the most.

I will also use this blog to post a heads up on the latest sales and deals so please stay tuned for that as well.  I love a good deal!

Welcome and thanks for stopping by!