So here’s the situation. I just got back from a wonderful trip to Spain that was divided into three parts: a few days in Barcelona, a 60+ mile hike on the Camino de Santiago and then a few days along the Costa Brava. Those are three very different vacations. And I had to pack for all them in a bag I could carry on my back during the hike portion of the trip. (technically, I could’ve put the non-hike stuff in a locker at the airport, but that would really be too convenient, and probably too smart for me. And yea—clearly it was.)
As we have established, I’m a pro at packing light. So keeping the weigh down was not a problem for me. I was able to pack everything I needed in a bag that weighed less than 15 pounds.
got a new pack for the trip off a packing light story. it was okay. really designed for boys though.
This was seriously a source of pride for me. But did I pack right? Especially when it came to my skin care/makeup game. Let’s review!
I’ve been talking a lot lately about new things I’ve purchased, but I’ve also used up a lot, too! In the meantime, my “empties” collection has grown to an insane level.
So, it’s time to take out the trash, aka put together an “empties” post.
Here are my takes on the round of used up products.
Arcona, Cranberry Gommage: Friends. This thing is old. Like I have no idea how old it is, but I know it’s at least three years, and that’s probably being kind. I used to be crazy for this scrub, it smells great and really brightens your face, but I’ve since been all in for the Juara scrub, so this one got forgotten. And it’s expensive. Thus its hiding in the back of my shower for too too long. It’s gone now and probably won’t be coming back.
Arcona, Toner Tea Bar: Ooh, I also LOVED this bar. I used it with my Clarisonic and it really cleared up my skin. In fact, that combo was really the turning point for my skin settling down. But then I abandoned it and haven’t used it in a long time. Also my original Clarisonic broke which is probably why that duo went away. But I have a new Clarisonic I’m trying again—more in the future on that—so maybe we will meet again. But no for now.
Three Ulta related posts in a row! Sheesh! But I kinda love this sale–I think its marketing genius–and it gets me looking at stuff I forgot about or stuff I’ve wanted to try or stuff I never knew existed.
So I’ve been taking full advantage of the promotion and pick up a bunch of things.
Again–you can ALWAYS return things at any retailer: Ulta, Sephora, Walgreens–so if you don’t like it, take it back.
While I haven’t’ tried everything I’ve purchased, so far there haven’t been any big misses that I know will be returned.
So here’s what I’ve purchased and my initial thoughts on them.
Mario Badescu: last Saturday was the 25% off Mario day, so I stocked up on a few things and picked up a few things to try.
As you know, I’ve been trying to go cruelty-free with my new makeup purchases.
Buying cruelty-free hasn’t been as challenging as I expected–once I got over the shock that it was still a thing–I missed the whole “China mandate” that requires it to sell products there. Luckily, it looks like there might be an end to that rule on the horizon, which will hopefully make it an issue we never have to think about again.
There are definitely a few high end makeup brands that don’t work for me anymore, but primarily, my favorites like Tarte Cosmetics and Urban Decay are still good.
It’s a little more difficult on the drugstore side–and with skin care TBH–but I’ve found a few lines that are extremely affordable and have some great products I might’ve missed out on.
To get a pretty comprehensive listing of who tests on animals and who doesn’t, Cruelty-free Kitty has been a great resource. And rule of thumb on the drugstore side–if it’s one of the big companies like Revlon, Maybelline and L’Oreal–there is testing.
With Ulta’s variety of BOGO deals through their “21 Days of Beauty” sale--I thought it might be a nice time to review some of these new items I’ve picked up since focusing on cruelty-free shopping–just in case you’re looking to refresh your makeup bag for spring. (SPRING!!!!)
i tried to throw a bunch of these in a bag to do a photo at work where the light is better, and then forgot some of them at home. oh well!
Wet n Wild: This line was a shocker to me, but it’s actually even on Peta’s list of cruelty-free brands. How great is that?! I’ve got two favorites from the line–one old and one new. First the new:
I know I’ve mentioned it before but it’s worth saying it again: this foundation is fantastic! And so easy to apply. I can tell it’s going to be a summer staple–it’s so lightweight–and the cover is perfect for me. And $8.99! I can tell it’s gonna run low faster than other foundations I own, but it’s still worth it. And it means I’m reaching for it all the time, which I am!
I get weirdly excited when I get an Ulta catalog in the mail–which is funny–because I’m notoriously terrible at going through my mail! I’m seriously going to miss jury duty and be jailed. I’m sure of it.
But there’s something about getting that pink catalog with all the pictures of makeup and skin care that has to be what it was like for straight boys in 1981 to get their magazine in the black wrapper. I shouldn’t even look, but of course, I’m going to. The objects are unattainable for anyone pretending to be on a budget. And it’s possibly all fantasy anyway.
It didn’t stop them, and it’s not stopping me.
So let’s manage our excitement for spring colors, new palette launches and BOGO50s together, shall we?
These are my picks for the “21 Days of Beauty” sale that starts on Sunday, March 18th–our own version of March Madness–if you will.
(and reminder–i’m still trying to go cruelty-free–so my picks reflect this ethic.)
I was scrolling through my YouTube feed last night and randomly came across this video by Jenna Dewan Tatum which is funny because I don’t remember subscribing to her channel or ever watching any of her videos.
The past two weeks, I had a bunch of work meetings that required travel.
Because I’m also in rehearsals for the show I’m working on, I needed to be in town at night, so I did a number of up and backs–Madison to Northern Wisconsin and back–i.e. lots of windshield time.
all the caffeine
Basically, that means early mornings on the road. I hate getting up early anyway, but when I get up, usually my eyelids are super puffy so putting on eye makeup doesn’t work.
And now that I’m older, I have to get out and walk around during a drive to cut down the amount of time I just sit. #problemsafter40
With an Ulta gift card burning a hole in my wallet, I strolled through the aisles after a meeting last week. I wasn’t really looking for anything in particular.
I like looking at brushes, even though I have plenty, and I found this little kit in the EcoTools section.
I really like all of the EcoTools line I’ve tried and I appreciate that they are affordable and environmentally-friendly.
People joke that I can never review movies or concerts or shows–even though I go to a lot of them–because I like everything.
And they are right.
I don’t generally have negative things to say–if anything–I love it all! Every song is my new favorite and every movie is the best I’ve seen.
I say this just to lay the foundation that I’m not a hater.
But I’ve been wanting to write this post for almost two months and haven’t because every time I start thinking about it, my blood pressure soars and I become completely filled with rage.
In fact–mentioning this movie to me has become something of a pastime to friends and family who want to torment me. (yes, that’s a hobby, especially with family members.)
Because I hate this movie with the white hot energy of a thousand suns.
Not much, IMO. Ever since I was a kid scratching my skin off with way too much St. Ives Apricot Scrub, I’ve loved the feeling of getting my skin as clean as possible.
Of course, now we know it doesn’t have to be harsh to be effective, but I still get so much satisfaction from a good exfoliating scrub.
With winter trying it’s best to flake all my skin off, here are my favorite ways to take control of my exfoliating game and get that so fresh and so clean feeling today.
photo courtesy of dermastore.com
JUARA Radiance Enzyme Scrub
This one is by far my favorite. I’ve mentioned it before in an empties post, but it’s definitely worth bringing attention to again.
