L'Oreal New True Match Powders

I found these 2 displays at my trusty Scripps Ranch CVS. It looks like L'Oreal has revamped their True Match line with some new offerings.

Sally Hansen Perfectly Pink Collection OR NOT

First off, I already know the quality of these Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips. They work good enough and the print is middle of the road, I should have a video review of them up soon on YouTube. Onto my review of the perfectly pink collection set pictured below. This is fresh off the press and has just occurred tonight.

Initial Thoughts
I thought this set was a good deal because they retail for $10 each pattern normally. Indeed 3 sets of strips would usually retail for $30 (Not over $30, might want to think about the verbiage on that next time Sally Hansen). My initial thought was Sweet Tart An is my favorite pattern and Booty Camp looks promising too but the last set of strips is really a throw away because it is just a solid pink color. Logically, one would look to buy nail strips for nail art so a solid  print is really confusing.  But I'm okay with 2 out of the 3 strips being useful because it's still worth the value.

Opening The Box
As soon as I got home I opened them.  My initial assessment of their value and my contentment with that to expect soon turned into confusion.  Why, you might ask? The first pattern I see is a black and white hound tooth. Hello Sally Hansen, the set is called perfectly pink, there is no PINK in that pattern. My thought was "oh, how nice they included an extra set." WRONG! Instead of getting the Sweet Tart-An pattern (which caught my eye), I got a hounds tooth pattern.  My second thought was, okay they must have messed up this box. WRONG! I open the second box and it has the same problem!

Conclusion
Be weary of any gift set from Sally Hansen in the future. I have actually read other blogs who had different problems with Sally Hansen holiday gift sets. But I honestly thought with the exact products listed and pictured that I would be safe receiving the goods promised. They have not fulfilled their end of the deal to sell me what they advertized. I feel like Sally Hansen pulled a fast one on me and cheated me. You sold me a box of lies! I took photos to document this ASAP.  I'm surprised a large company would let this type of mistake go on. I have contacted COTY and will update this blog to let you know if and/or what they response. Stay tuned on that note.

I realize this may come off as a bit of a rant but I'm really disappointed and wish I didn't pick up 2 boxes of lies.

Coastal Scents Deal Alert and Haul

I received another email alert from Coastal Scents regarding the 40% off sale going on now. This sale ends January 2nd 2014.

I took part in the Black Friday Cyber Monday sale and if you would like to see what I picked up from that purchase then check out my haul.

I am extremely impressed with this brand and I actually find their "dupe" for the 217 MAC brush to be pretty comparable performance wise. Below is a casual photo I snapped using my iphone after washing and drying my new brush. MAC 217 on the left and the Coastal Scents PRO BLENDING FLUFF BR-250 on the right. I feel confident in saying I will be buying the Coastal Scents version going forward. My love for the 217 is huge in that I even have a backup of that one. So it is saying a lot that I no longer feel the need to repurchase that item from MAC.

New Physicians Formula Foundations Super CC and Youthful Wear

I spotted this new display at my local San Diego CVS. It looks like Physcian's Formula is offering some revamped Foundation and Powder lines.

Because I already own way too much makeup I am just sharing my excitement with posts of new displays without buying on my own. It looks like these originally came with $3 off stickers but as per usual someone has already taken these off, probably for themselves to use when there is a sale on these. I know how crazy couponers work!

My Rock Concerts

I've decided to keep a tally of my concerts. Why a post that is not beauty related? Because it's my blog and I can do what I want with it. In all seriousness, concerts are events and moments in time that we can remember and enjoy and I find myself enjoying them thanks to my husband Blaine. I can split my concert going experience by pre-Blaine and the Blaine era. Before meeting him I had only gone to 3 shows and really consider myself a concert virgin.

Yes, I have seen Bryan Adams 4 times, he was my first concert and probably why he's my favorite show. His voice is incredible live and even though I went to see the Bare Bones tour twice it was really special and memorable in San Diego at the Spreckles Theatre. The venue was intimate and we were 3rd or 4th row and I swear he was looking in our direction (okay fine, specifically my direction) and singing to me all night (You can ask Blaine). *sigh*

Duran Duran, yes I have seen them live a few times. I was most impressed the first time I saw them on their Astronaut tour. Since then I've been less impressed and a few times have made Blaine go alone to a few shows. It has been hard for me to get into their albums since Astronaut. Still, I have an appreciation and enjoy some of their songs; Rio, Planet Earth, Girls on Film, Notorious, Wild Boys, Ordinary World, Come Undone, Hungry Like the Wolf, Sunrise, Chains to name a few. Okay fine, I might be a closet fan.

Rollng Stones, I've seen them twice and Mick Jagger has incredible stage presence and I admire the energy. I aspire to be that agile my entire life. Though their music is very melodic and catchy it is not something I find myself listening to outside the shows. Another band I've been guilty of having my hubby see a few shows alone or with other friends.

Coldplay, a band who's music I never tire of listening. Blaine best describes great music as something you don't skip on your playlist. Even though they're a fun show and I've seen them 4 times, they're slightly pricey for the length they play. By the last show we saw in 2009 they already had a pretty decent catalog to play from but the show was only an hour and a half... so slightly disappointing to drive a few hours for such a short experience. Which brings me to Pearl Jam. I never grew up a fan of Pearl Jam or Eddie Vedder. I found his singing expression to come off very angry and frightening. Fast forward to my wonderful husband dragging me to their shows (I'm not being sarcastic). Because I got to experience them live I am now a fan! They have great energy, play for 3 plus hours, sound amazing, look healthy.. I could go on but my husband would ask me to stop or pretend he didn't hear me. I now have a school girl crush and we like to tease each other that in high school I never understood their appeal and as an adult I'm swooning.Their new album Lightning Bolt is a great Rock N Roll record and I highly recommend it.

People I've never seen but would love to experience would be JT (Justin Timberlake) and Beyonce.

If you're wondering, I went to see Katy Perry and Britney with girlfriends as I wouldn't dream of dragging Blaine to see them although one of these days I should for all the shows he's taken me to see.

Blaine concert going era:

November 21st 2013 - Pearl Jam Lightning Bolt tour 2013 @ Viejas (SDSU)
May 11th 2013 - Rolling Stones @ MGM Las Vegas
August 9th 2011 - Katy Perry California Dreams Tour @ San Diego Sports Arena
April 14th 2011 - Duran Duran @ Pomona Theatre

April 9th 2011 - Bryan Adams Bare Bones Tour @ LA Royce Hall
September 27th 2010 - Bryan Adams Bare Bones Tour @ San Diego Spreckles
August 21st 2010 - Summer Pops w/Jodi Benson @ San Diego Embarcadero
November 11th 2009 - Lady Gaga & Kayne @ San Diego Sports Arena <CANCELLED DUE TO KAYNE LOSING HIS MIND>
September 24th 2009 - Britney @ San Diego Sports Arena
July 18th 2009 - Coldplay @ LA Home Depot Center
November 25th 2008 - Coldplay @ Anaheim Honda Center
August 27th 2008 - Radiohead @ San Diego Cricket Wireless Amp
May 8th 2008 - Duran Duran @ Valley View Casino San Diego
June 23rd 2007 - Foo Fighters and The Police @ LA Dodgers Stadium
August 15th 2006 - Death Cab for Cutie @ San Diego Bayside Embarcadero
July 7th 2006 - Pearl Jam @ San Diego Cox Arena (SDSU)
June 27th 2006 - Radiohead @ San Diego Embarcadero
June 15th 2006 - Hall & Oates @ Del Mar Fair
Feb 4th 2006 - Coldplay @ LA Forum
Nov 11th 2005 - The Rolling Stones @ San Diego Petco Park
Nov 4th 2005 - Def Leppard/Bryan Adams @ San Diego IPAY1 Center
Oct 22nd 2005 - Queen + Paul Rodgers @ LA Hollywood Bowl
Sept 27th 2005 - Foo Fighters & Weezer @ San Diego Cox Arena
Aug 26th 2005 - Coldplay @ San Diego Coors Amp
March 30 2005 - U2 @ San Diego Sports Arena
Feb 25 2005 - Duran Duran Astronaut tour @ San Diego Sports Arena
June 6 2004 - Dashboard Confessional @ San Diego Cox Arena (SDSU)

Pre-Blaine: -

Sept 21 2003 - Dashboard Confessional @ SDSU's open-air
Jan 5 1994 - Bryan Adams @ Hong Kong Coliseum
Feb 10th 1993 - Bryan Adams @ Hong Kong Convention Centre
Feb 3rd 1993 - Chicago @ Hong Kong Convention Centre

New Physician's Formula Nude Wear Glowing Makeup

Last night when I was shopping for my Secret Santa at work I spotted this display at CVS in San Diego, CA. I have closer up photos of each product. It looks like there are Glowing Nude Bronzers in Light Bronzer and Bronzer, Glowing Nude Blushes in Natural and Rose, Glowing Nude Powder in Light and Medium and a Touch of Glow hi-lighting pen. Everything retailed for $13.99 at this particular CVS.

Daily Sightings: Sephora DISNEY COLLECTION Ariel

I have always been intruiged by the Sephora Disney Collaboration but their price points always seem so high. And after a few of the not so glowing reviews I have pretty much avoided picking anything up. However, these 2 items surfaced on the sale section of Sephora's online website and caught my eye:-

DISNEY COLLECTION Ariel Whatcha-Nail-Callit 6 Piece Nail Set

DISNEY COLLECTION - Ariel Storylook Eyeshadow Palette Volume 3

Does anyone know what Volume 3 means? As an avid Sephora online website stalker I know that items go in and out of stock regularly so an item that is showing as not in stock can easier tonight turn up again.

*Daily Sighting posts are time sensitive and usually refer to items that I find interesting when browsing my favorite sites will not be around very long.

Mani of the day: L’Oreal Gold Dust and Sally Hansen Diamond Strength

Lately I have come to realize that I am a pinks and reds kind of gal when it comes to nail polish. I thought the Sally Hansen red pictured below was the perfect pin up red. What do you think? I was feeling festive for the holidays coming up and I have a hard time leaving it to a traditional 1 color nail look so I layered them.

Sally Hansen Diamond Strength No Chip Nail Color in Diamonds And Rubies (1 coat)
L'Oreal Gold Dust Collection in I Like It Chucky (2 coats)

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW First Impression

During Sephora's November VIB sale I received a sample of the Benefit Stay Flawless 15-Hour Primer stick and Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW foundation. Check out my first impression and review below.

Coastal Scents Revealed Palette 50%

Last month from Black Friday to Cyber Monday I made my first Coastal Scents purchase. They had a whopping 50% off the entire site and free shipping on orders over $50! My Black Friday purchase just came in and I had a chance to fall in love with this brand! I will be sharing my buys in a future haul either on YouTube or here as well. The product quality is phenomenal! One of the items I thought about picking up, Coastal Scents Revealed Palette during that sale was out of stock. But I just received an email saying it is back in stock. 

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips

I won these nail strips form influenster last summer and finally broke them out. The print that they sent to me was the Queen of the Jungle pictured below in a casual photo I shot as I walked from my car to the office.

Each box comes with 16 strips that are split into 2 packets of 8. I was able to use 1 packet of 8 to do all 10 fingernails because my nails are currently short enough that some nail strips could cover 2 fingers.

I would rate these better than Jamberry Nails but not as good as Sephora OPI strips. Unfortunately, Sephora seems to be discontinuing their strips but you can still find them on Sephora's website in their sale section and discount stores like Marshall's and TJ Maxx. 

Jamberry Nail first impression video

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Sephora OPI Nail strip trial video

Freeman Beauty Best of Beauty Seasonal Set

If you missed out on the Freeman Beauty Mystery Spooky Bag or their Black Friday sale. Don't fear, there is always a sale in the future. I just received an email about this deal below.

According to the email this set comes with the following:-

Feeling Beautiful™ Cucumber Facial
Peel-Off Mask 6 oz.
Bare Foot® Peppermint & Plum Foot Lotion 5.3 oz.
Bare Foot® Repair for Cracked Heels 3.4 oz.
Vita-K® Professional for Spider Veins 3.0 oz.
Psssst!® Original Dry Shampoo 5.3 oz.
Eclos™ Instant Radiance Facial Scrub 5.0 oz.
c. Booth™ Walnut Shell Body Scrub & Cleanser 16.0 oz.

1 sachet each of
• Feeling Beautiful™ Avocado & Oatmeal
Facial Clay Mask 0.5 oz.
• Feeling Beautiful™ Charcoal & Black Sugar Facial
Polishing Mask 0.5 oz.
• Feeling Beautiful™ Dead Sea Minerals Facial
Anti-Stress Mask o.5 oz.
• Bare Foot® Peppermint & Plum Foot Scrub 0.5 oz.
• Freeman® Beauty Socks

If you want to see the awesome finds in my Freeman Beauty mystery bag from this past October check out my video below.

Tarte Decemeber Friends & Family Sale

I just received the Tarte Cosmetics Early Access email to the friends and family sale. Use code DECFF for 30% off and free shipping on orders over $40. 

The items that catch my eye are the 'bright eyed and beautified eye enhancing tool.' Meant to help in the absorption of your eye products. My mother owns the Clarisonic Opal that runs at $185 so at $18 then 30% off of that, this cheap "dupe" might be worth a shot. 

This year's QVC offering on the tarte website is the "what has your makeup done for you lately" 6 peice collectors set. 

This limited-edition set includes:

(From company website)

• LipSurgence lip shine in vivacious, a pink shade
• maracuja oil rollerball
• maracuja miracle foundation broad spectrum SPF 15
• Amazonian clay finishing powder in white
• gifted Amazonian clay smart mascara
• modernEYES waterproof cream shadow and liner duo in moss and black

Last year during this sale I picked up a great QVC kit (glow your way to gorgeous best of the amazon essentials set) and worth every penny. If want to see what I picked up during this same sale last year check out my video

It's really hard to go for something when previously the value you received was just so amazing. Still, I might pick something up! 

If you want to check them out you, head over to their website here.

CVS Beauty Clearance Sale

It is the wonderful time again when drugstores clearance out their old makeup and make room for new. My favorite is always the CVS sale and this season's offerings seem to be fabulous! Watch my 2 haul and deal alert videos below!

Haul & Deal Alert Video #1

Usually when these sales happen things fly off the shelf so I would hurry up and go there if you want to find something. I saw Physician's Formula, Covergirl, Revlon, NYC Color, Wet N Wild, Nicole By OPI, Kardashian Beauty, Lumene, Rimmel, Neutrogena, Milani, Sally Hansen just to name a few.

The items I picked up were 75% off but there are several 50% off items at CVS as well. Note that many CVS's do not mark these things as clearance but if you use the scanner you can verify they are before purchasing.

Haul Video #2

Product Spotlight: Sibu Beauty Sibu Sea Buckthorn Miracle Stick

What is it with my fascination with trying new products? I was drawn to Sibu Beauty in my quest to find natural skincare. Who can pass up a cruelty free brand that claims to "restore, revitalize and protect youthful beauty?"  

Earlier this year I made a large Sibu Beauty purchase on hautelook. I bought 8 products and intend to try more in the future. My opinion varies on each product I have tried and I will be working on reviews for each of them when I feel I've used them enough to form an opinion.

The Sea Buckthorn Miracle Stick is a moisturizing stick that is housed in a giant chap stick like plastic container (much larger than a chapstick!). It is 2 fl oz in size and retails for $19.95 on Sibu Beauty's website. The twist up container is kept by my bed, as I like to use this on my hands before sleep especially this time of year (winter) when my hands are chapped. I like that I can control exactly where I want to distribute this product and it absorbs quickly. It's not messy, greasy or residue forming. I usually wake up with my hands feeling fine as opposed to severely dried out. Because it is not liquid it would be easy to carry around in a larger handbag (though slightly too bulky for a small handbag). If you know what sea buckthorn smells like, it has that scent of being less fruity and slightly herbal.

This year on Black Friday to Cyber Monday (11/26-12/2) they had an incredible 60% off. However, I want to mention they charged shipping Sibu Beauty's website. Therefore, the discount worked out to be about the same as buying them on discount at hautelook (when buying over $100 to qualify for hautelook's free shipping). So if you missed out on their holiday special, don't worry I think you will be able to catch them on sale again in the future.

Product claims from Company website: Paraben-FREE and Cruelty-FREE. No dairy, wheat, gluten, sodium, yeast or preservatives. Our sea buckthorn is sourced through fair trade agreements with local harvesters in Tibet.

•            Soothes inflammatory skin conditions
•            Promotes skin recovery and healing
•            Supports skins’ natural lipid barrier      
•       Noticeably reduces visible sun damage
•            100% All Natural Ingredients
•            For All Skin Types
•            2 fl. Oz.

disclaimer: I am aware that everyone's skin is different and my tips are what worked for me and my experience. I'm not a healthcare professional and I am only sharing what helped me out. This post is not sponsored and all these opinions are my own.