Sephora

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NOW CLOSED Eight Month Blog Giveaway: Clinique Black Honey Set NOW CLOSED

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered!

This month I was scratching my head as to what to give away. You know, my little blog does not make any money (yet). And I pay for things out of pocket. I very much believe in random acts of kindness. I try to do a little something everyday. But it is easy to forget. During the holiday month countdown, I do bigger things. Like leaving a small gift card in a book at the bookstore. Or buying coffee for the person behind me. I just won’t buy flowers for our house that week or skip eating out.

So, I have to keep my giveaways small. But I love doing them! It is my act of kindness to anyone who reads this blog. You are so kind to me when you stop in or comment. I sometimes can get into a funk. This blog has kept my head above water and just made me happy for eight months. Thank you!

During the recent Sephora sale, I picked up an item I wanted to do for a giveaway. There is a slight problem of it not having shipped to me yet. If for some reason, it does not ship, I will have to substitute the package for a $20 gift card instead. Please be aware that this might happen when entering. I will update this as soon as I know more. I am hoping it ships, because. (Update 11/11: It shipped!) it was such a steal for the items in it:

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It is the Clinique Black Honey package. It was a great deal and with the discount became even more so. The package comes with:

– 0.14 oz A Different Enamel in Black Honey
– 0.21 oz Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Black Honey
– 0.14 oz High Impact Mascara in Black Honey
– 0.06 oz Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

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Black honey is sometimes referred to as the “sisterhood” lipstick, because it looks good on everyone. Every skin tone. Every smile. It just works. And I love that! Plus, it has the word “honey” in it and this beekeeper’s daughter loved that, too.

To enter simply leave a comment telling me what made you smile this week. Sometimes it’s hard to concentrate on the good. So, let’s do that together.

I’ll share: my smile this week was coming home and finding that my husband had gone to the grocery store and picked me up all of the ingredients to cook chicken chili for myself and the kids before he had left for work. I didn’t have to go out. The kicker is, my husband doesn’t even like chicken chili. He was just being nice. Gosh, I love him.

You can also earn a second entry by following this blog. You can do so any old way on the right hand side of the page. Just make sure to leave a second comment stating you are following.

Limit two entries per person.

This giveaway runs from 12:00 a.m. PST on Sunday, November 10, 2013 to 9:00 p.m. PST Thursday, November 14, 2014.

I will use random.org to pick one winner. That winner will be contacted by the email address they entered with on November 15, 2014. Please use a valid email address when entering. The winner’s name will be posted on this blog on November 16, 2014. I will ship out package as soon as possible to the winner.

Okay. I think that is it for technicalities.

Thank you all so much! I appreciate your readership and your kindness! I hope your week makes you smile!

* This giveaway is not sponsored or affiliated with Sephora or Clinique.

* I will attempt to contact the winner three times. If I receive no response within two weeks, the winner will have forfeit the prize. A new winner will be drawn.

* Past winners are welcome to enter. : )

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It’s The Little Things: Sephora’s VIB 20% Off Event

I am just a tad bit more excited today than usual. It is finally here! Sephora’s yearly sale for their VIB members. Really quick, VIB stands for “Very Important Beauty Insider.” You have to spend $350 a year at Sephora to qualify (welcome to the world of having a teenage daughter). Right now, they are giving VIB’s 20% off everything from November 7-11th with a special offer code. Hooray! I waited all year to stock up on my make up and all of my daughter’s necessities.

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Of course, my cart held a Chubby Stick…or two. I am also going to try the Chubby Stick Eyeshadows.

It is also such a great time for gift buying as well. I know I purchased some great gifts for family members today. ; )

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I also stocked up on my nightly facial wipes that I use from Ole Henriksen.

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I have been experimenting with fake eyelashes, so I bought some more.

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And I picked up some tubes of Benefit’s They’re Real Mascara. This may seem hypocritical after my other purchase above, but a girl’s gotta have options. And fun. Lots of fun!

If you are not a VIB, there is still a chance you can save 20%. The invitation says the VIB can bring a friend with them to the store. So, if you have a friend who is a VIB, maybe you could ask to go shopping with them.

Also, going through ebates online will save an additional 4% back after discounts are applied.

If you are not a VIB with Sephora or maybe now is just not the time to buy make up, my giveaway this month is for something fun from Sephora. I do not know when I will receive it in the mail, but stay tuned for more information on November 10th!

It’s The Little Things: A company appreciating their clientelle! Thank you Sephora!

Are you participating in this event? What is at the top of your wishlist? Please share!

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It’s The Little Things: Good Mascara

I am very spoiled when it comes to mascara. My mom always surprises me with a new one. It is such a treat. Recently she purchased me Benefit’s “They’re Real!” Mascara. I used it for a month. I was not convinced. But then I switched back to my old mascara brand and was appalled. “They’re Real!” Mascara was so much better.

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I ordered myself another one from Sephora and have been a happy customer ever since.

This mascara is on the spendy side. It is actually the only expensive mascara I would say is worth it. I really have tried them all. Well, not really, but I have tried a lot. Benefit’s mascara is much better, in my opinion.

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I have small eyelashes. I am tremendously jealous of the folks who were blessed with gorgeous eyelashes. I must be content to just enhance mine. I am by no means thinking people are going to think my eyelashes are so great they are not real. But they are much better than what I wake up with.

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This does the trick. The best it can with what it has to work with.

If you do not want to spend that much money on mascara, I have ranked my favorites in order of 1-3. I also rated them based on what I have experienced with the products. The last two can be found at the grocery or drug store for much less and I think they work beautifully.

1. Benefit They’re Real! Mascara (9/10. The reason this gets a 9 and not a 10, is because it is hard to remove.)
2. Cover Girl Lash Blast Fusion (the purple mold) (8.25/10: Easy to remove. Great application.)
3. Maybelline Great Lash ( in the pink case) (8/10: Also easy to remove. Does not produce as long of eyelashes as above products.)

4. (For good measure) Lancome Doll Lashes (7.5/10: Harder to remove. Good product the first couple of applications. Not as good after that. But produces better lashes than any of the other products the first few applications.)

It’s the little things: longer eyelashes. The ultimate quest fulfilled.

Have you tried this mascara? What is your favorite mascara?

* Again, this is simply my review. Your miles (or eyelashes in this case) may vary.

Edited to add at 9:45 a.m.: I recommend going to your local Sephora or make up counter for a sample size of the expensive mascaras or to test them out before purchasing a full size.

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It’s The Little Things: Facial Wipes

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I am a believer. A convert. If you will. I tried these facial wipes on a whim from a sample. I thought they felt good and uncharacteristically bought a pack. My skin showed improvement within two weeks. My daughter borrowed them. Her skin showed improvement almost immediately.

I recently ran out of these wipes. God forbid, I go to Sephora and purchase more. No, I must save my 4% back through ebates. I broke out almost instantly waiting for them to arrive in the shipment.

The wipes are called Ole Henriksen Truth To Go Wipes. They are $15 for 30. I am cheap, so I cut mine in half. I have tried cutting them in thirds, but they do not work as well. That means this is a $15 a month habbit for my daughter and myself. It is worth it.

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All I do, is wipe my face with a half of a wipe once a night. This is my nightly routine. In the morning, I scrub with a Murad product in the shower. If I am feeling particularly gluttonous or have a lot of make up to remove, I use the whole wipe. My skin tingles. My makeup is removed. I go to bed happy.

I buy the 30 count package. I have done a little research and I think Sephora sells these wipes the cheapest. (I am not putting a link, because you can choose to go through ebates to receive cash back). You might be able to find them cheaper elsewhere. I am satisfied with Sephora. Even my favorite fancy store, Amazon, cannot compete with their prices. If you purchase through ebates, you save 4%. You also receive free shipping over $50. If you go directly to the Sephora store, I bet they will give you a sample. Maybe even two. If you cut them in half, you would have a four day supply. Then you could decide if they work for you.

I am lazy, so this is the perfect night ritual for me.

It’s the little things: an easy beauty routine.

What’s yours?