December Beauty Purchases

I vowed to spend less in December, and I definitely did better than my massive spending spree in November... At the beginning of the month, I somehow received a 15% off code at Saks that also worked on cosmetics... So with a gift card handy, I bought myself Kiehl's Rosa Artica Eye Balm, the Armani Nude Lip Kit, and Armani Maestro Eraser in shade 4.

Throughout the month, I made a number of purchases at Sephora, and there were a few products from November and December's purchases that didn't make the cut. Most notably, Fresh Umbrian Clay Foundation (too light) and AmorePacific Tinted Moisturizer (too strongly scented.) I was both depressed and relieved, LOL!

I did manage to grab a great Origins 500 point perk from Sephora, along with the eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner from a promo code when I bought FairyDrops Scandal Queen Mascara. There was another decent promo code in here somewhere, but I can't remember what anymore!

I finally decided to buy Becca Mineral Bronzing Powder, which I had wanted for quite some time. I also grabbed a few Sephora Brand Lip Liners, and Stila Smudge Crayon in Black. While Christmas shopping, I was sorely tempted by Korres Goddess Beauty Color Collection, as I had always sort of wanted that cheek trio. At $29, it was a decent price, and I also picked up Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Liner in Espresso Ink that day. In my quest to replenish some different shades of liner, I grabbed the Sephora + Pantone Black Magic Eyeliner set, which was super pigmented and budgeproof when I swatched it in store. And I also grabbed Bobbi Brown Long Wear Eye Pencil in Black Plum because it is such a pretty shade!

Along the way, I grabbed a Rimmel x Kate Moss Lipstick that I found on sale on one of my many attempts to shop the CVS Beauty Clearance. (Why is Revlon not on sale?? Maybe it is now?) I also fell for the Space NK sale on the day after Christmas, and I cannot wait for my goodies to arrive. I grabbed By Terry Bronze Opulent, a couple By Terry Lipsticks, Jemma Kidd Light as Air Foundation, an eye liner, and lip liner, all on massive clearance.

I did also receive a few beauty items for Christmas that were on my list - Burt's Bee's Lemon Cuticle Butter, Maybelline Color Tattoo Inked in Pink, and a nice holiday set from Lush! But my Christmas gifts were pretty non-beauty oriented, and I'm still obsessing over some of the amazing things my boyfriend spoiled me with...

All in all, after gift cards, returns, and the like, I ended up spending only $82! Not bad, if I do say so myself... It could have been much worse, especially since the holidays always make me want to spend like crazy!

How do you think I did with my spending in December? How did you do with yours? Have you tried any of these goodies, or are they on your list of things to buy in 2013? ;)

November Beauty Purchases

November was a TOUGH month when it came to staying on budget. All of the sales were hard to resist, and sadly, I didn't make it. Don't judge me! :) I started off ok, despite purchasing a gorgeous Tom Ford Lipstick Set and the Aphrodisiac lipstick from the current collection. I managed to fit these in by readjusting some of my other (less important) budgets for the month! And then came the Sephora VIB sale. UH OH! Fortunately, I had a ton of store credit from earlier returns, but I still purchased a bit more than I originally planned. Here's what I grabbed: Becca Beach Tint Duo, Origins Make a Difference Plus+ Rejuvenating Moisturizer, Clarins Instant Smooth Self Tanning, Benefit Watts Up 100 point perk, Caudalie Divine Oil mini, Bobbi Brown Long Wear Even Finish Foundation (which I ended up returning a few days ago),  Guerlain Rouge G Lipstick in Gemma, a $1 glass nail file, and my all time favorite, Dior Diorshow Maximizer. At the drugstore one day, I grabbed some nail polish thinner for the first time, and a pretty pink shade of CoverGirl Lip Perfection in Verve.

At this point, I was doing moderately ok. If I didn't spend ANY more, I would have stayed around the budgets I had allocated, by a few dollars... And then came Burberry!! I heard about a GWP at Nordstrom San Francisco, and I jumped on it! I purchased Burberry's new Complete Eye Palette in Pink Taupe, and the Sheer Eyeshadows in Almond, Pale Barley, and Midnight Brown. Here's the GWP. There was also a very large makeup bag! :)

The other day, I went to Sephora to make a return, and I left with a whole pile of goodies. For my boyfriend, I grabbed First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Concentrate and Anthony Logistics Grooming to Go.  Tempted by all the pretty bloggers wearing Guerlain Rouge G in Gigolo, I picked that up as well. I also wanted a nude liner, so I grabbed Tarte Emphaseyes Inner Rim Brightener. I also grabbed a few things on Cyber Monday - and look at all the samples I got from Kiehl's with my little tube of Ultimate Strength Hand Salve!

My Nars Pure Radiant Tined Moisturizer in Alaska (for winter!) is scheduled to arrive today, (wohoo!) and my two Sephora orders are estimated to arrive Monday or Tuesday. In those lovely Sephora boxes will be the Fresh Umbrian Clay Foundation that Claire and Taylor rave about, Clinique All About Eyes Concealer, a $3 sale Sephora eyeshadow brush, Becca Bronzing Skin Perfector, and Becca Radiant Skin Foundation. I'm so excited to try out everything, as  my local Sephora stores didn't have any of these available to test.

So, how did I do? I clearly blew any attempt at a budget this month. :( BUT in the end, I seem to have ended up with close to $300 of gift cards and store credit from Sephora, so that definitely helped.

Grand Total Spent: $488 (of my own $$ AHHHH!)

I calculated what I had set out with when I rearranged budgets, etc, and I could have spent about $228... So... I totally went over. Don't hate me! I love my pretty things. :) And who knows, maybe I'll end up not liking one of the products I ordered and save a few bucks. :)

What fun pretty things did you purchase this month? What tips do you have for staying on budget when it comes to beauty? Please share - I'm a girl who could use some help! :)

October Beauty Purchases

As you may know, a few months ago I set out to follow a monthly spending limit when it came to beauty. While I was working in California, I didn't have to follow this spending limit strictly, since I didn't have to pay for food or gas for that 4 month long period. I came home in mid September, a month where I completely blew the beauty budget... So, I knew that the month of October would be a huge challenge! My monthly makeup budget was $25 (!) and I  have also a monthly personal care budget of $25. Sometime during the month, I returned a number of items for store credit and about $84 cash. My boyfriend and I determined that this return money could be put towards beauty as well, if I chose to.

So, how did I do?

I was sorely tempted by Lush haircare early on in the month, and my entire personal care budget went to purchasing Lush Rehab Shampoo and Veganese Conditioner. Afterwards, I realized I still had quite a bit of shampoo, and ought to finish that first... Ooops! But I really can't wait to use up some products and try these! Of course, I was also tempted by the Sephora Friends & Family sale... So with my trusty online code in hand, I ordered a gift set from Becca, Boscia Peppermint Blotting Linens, a Lancome Dual Ended Liner Brush, and a few gift items (not shown). That took up my entire return budget!

The rest of my beauty budget went to a few miscellaneous items - Kiehl's Ultra Moisturizing Eye Stick and L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Blinged & Brilliant. Fortunately, I had a $20 Nordstrom Note that I used for the Kiehl's Eye Stick! 

I also became very intrigued by the Real Techniques brush kits. I spent about $13 on each of these kits, with the intention of giving one to a friend... Hopefully I can follow through, because I am sorely tempted to keep them both! In the end, I *think* I will mix and match to make kits we'll both like! October Beauty Allowance: $134 Grand Total: $145 Grand Total - Minus Gift Items: $110

YAY!

Now I'm carefully plotting my purchases for November, and hoping that I can stay within budget... I have about $69 of Sephora credit that I know I will put to good use during the VIB sale, but I'm becoming more and more tempted by all the goodies out there. Wish me luck!

What do you think of my October purchases? How do you think I did with my spending limit this month? Have any tips for staying within your budget? Please share! I'd love to know! :)

July Beauty Purchases

Here's a look at all the products I picked up this month. The next few months won't be as fun because of my self-imposed spending budget... Scary!

Here are my beauty purchases for the month of July. Hope you will come say hi over at my blog, bronzerbunny.com! Wearing: Butter London Trout Pout on nails, Guerlain Rouge Automatique #103 lipstick, and a little bit of Lush Charisma Skin Tint.

In the video, I am wearing Butter London Trout Pout (awfully chipped, sorry!), a bit of Lush Charisma, and Guerlain Rouge Automatique #103.

Products Mentioned

• Ole Henriksen Aloe Vera Deep Cleanser
• Ren Clearcalm3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser
• Loreal Caresse lipstick in Cotton Pink
• Revlon Photoready Bronzer in Bronzed & Chic
• Lush Hair Doctor Julep box (not shown)
• Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm
• Tom Ford Private Blend Lipstick in Violet Fatale
• Revlon Colorstay Nail Polish in Wild Strawberry
• Revlon Nail Polish in Blue Lagoon
• Milani Shadoweyez in Winter White
• Lush Hottie Massage Bar
• Lush Charisma Skin Tint
• Also mentioned: Capri Blue Volcano Candle & theBalm Nude Tude

After gift cards, coupons, etc the Grand Total for July is about $135. I also returned $22 of items I purchased in June! Not terrible, but not great, which is the reason for my limited spending ban for the rest of the year!

What do you think of my purchases? Have you tried any of these products?