Since we are facing a pandemic and financial meltdown, it is important for me to act financially responsible, but it’s hard with all these beauty sales and having no place to go besides work and home. Y’all, I was trying to go broke this month! Not only was there Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty (along with Sephora riding their coat tails), but Nordstrom threw bonus points my way! Luckily, I didn’t actually go broke, but I did drop some serious coint. Yes, I might have purchased all of the things! Keep reading to see all the steals and deals I couldn’t resist hauling even as Earth implodes with The ‘Rona.
BECCA Ultimate Lip Definer, Originally $18
I have never tried any of BECCA’s lip liners. For less than $10, it is most certainly worth a try. Chill is a great nude lip liner for us melanated beauties.
BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highlighter, Originally $41
BECCA makes some of the most beautiful highlighters. I’ve been wanting to try their liquid highlighters, but I have been unwilling to pay $40. Thanks to Topaz being 50% off along with bonus points, this highlighter was a must haul during the March bonus points sale at Nordys.
Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Eyebrow Gel, Originally $24
I love using a tinted brow gel to quickly give my brows some volume and shape. This one from Benefit is a cult classic, and I also want to experience it for myself. I am a brown skin girl with black brows, so I picked up 6 (Warm Black-Brown).
BUXOM Full-On Plumping Lip Cream Gloss, Originally $21
Like a lot of products on the list, this is my first time trying BUXOM’s lip products. I’ve heard plenty of makeup lovers raving about BUXOM’s lip products, and I am finally giving it a try. I really wanted to try Moscow Mule, but it was already sold out, so I settled for Kir Royale. I hope it still gives me the nude lip I’m looking for.
COVER FX Custom Enhancer Drops, Originally $42
I LOVE to glow to the gods each and every day! I have eyed this liquid highlighter in Candlelight for the longest time, but the price always kept me away. At 50% off, it is finally my time to shine … literally!
COVER FX Dewy Skin Primer + Hydrating, Originally $38
I recently purchased the COVER FX Natural Finish Foundation, and I like using a brand’s foundation and primer together whenever possible. I have dry skin, so I’m all about getting that dewy glow with my makeup. These are both new purchases to my makeup routine, so I am super excited to give them a try.
COVER FX Monochromatic Blush Duo, Originally $38
I might have been most excited about this steal. I went back and forth of whether to get Sweet Mulberry or Spiced Cinnamon. In the end, I went with Sweet Mulberry because this shade felt the most interesting. I already have the Sephora Spice Market Blush Palette, and the shades in those remind me of Spiced Cinnamon. Watching my girl Kelsee Briana Bae Jai review these blushes really sealed the deal for me, and I’m even more excited about this blush now!!
DERMABLEND Loose Setting Powder, Originally $29
As my obsession with setting powders continues, I had to add this cult fave to my collection. My beauty faves have been raving about this for years. Jackie Aina swears by Warm Saffron. If it’s good enough for Ms. Aina, then it is a must-try for me. For, 50% off, I’m here to see if the hype is real.
Lancôme La Base Pro Oil Free Primer, Originally $42
When Lancôme is on sale for 50% off, I will be there to purchase it. The only Lancôme makeup product I’ve tried has been their lash primer, so I was excited to give this face primer a try. It has a nearly 5-star rating, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this works with my collection of foundations.
Lancôme Long Time No Shine Loose Setting Powder, Originally $39
As previously mentioned, I have recently become a little obsessed with setting powders (even with my dry AF skin) because I need my makeup to last 8+ hour work days. At the store, I got to test before I bought, and OMG!! This Lancôme powder felt soft, buttery, and finely milled. This setting powder was a Hot Buy, so it was only 30% off. However, for less than $30, I would be a beauty-loving fool to walk away from this deal!
Lime Crime Prelude Chroma Palette, Originally $38
Lime Crime is another brand where I have never tried any of their products. This 50% off sale is the perfect opportunity for me to give one of these cult faves a try. This palette didn’t look like anything else in my collection, and I’m excited to get these colors on my eyes!!
LORAC Unzipped Eyeshadow Palette, Originally $25
I have never tried a LORAC palette, and the mini LORAC Unzipped Palettes are definitely a steal at $12.50. All of the palettes were beautiful, but Brazen reminds me too much of the Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette, and Unfiltered looks like a smaller version of the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette. I already have both of those Urban Decay palettes and don’t need any repeats. The Elegance Palette was the most originally looking palette of the three, so I happily scooped it up.
MAC Lip Pencil, Originally $18
This is my first lip pencil from MAC, and just like the BECCA one, I sought a color that would work as nude lip liner for me. Cork fit the bill. As the NappyHeadedJojoba says, MAC Cork is a must in any brown girl’s makeup collection.
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Face Powder, Originally $36
Originally, I wasn’t planning to purchase this steal, but the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish is one of those HG beauty products that people are always raving about. For less than $20, it was an offer I could not refuse, and I ordered this in Dark Deepest before the cult fave sold out.
MAC Prep + Prime Lip Primer, Originally $19
I’m still on the fence about lip primers in general. I have tried one from Sephora and one from L.A. Girl. Neither of them wowed me. Since MAC is known for their lipsticks, I thought their primer may give me the results I’m looking for. However, I was not about paying $20 to find out. At $10, I will definitely put it in my basket.
NABLA Skin Glazing, Originally $24
This highlighter was another product I was really excited about trying. I have never tried anything from the NABLA, and the highlighter in Adults Only is nothing like I’ve ever seen. I can’t wait to adorn my face with this coppery red glow!
Patchology FlashPatch Rejuvenating Eye Gels, Originally $50
I am getting close to finishing up the Florence by Mills Swimming Under Eye Gel Pads, so I decided to try these Patchology Eye Gels next. I have been wanting to try Patchology for a while, but I refuse to pay $50 for a jar of eye gels. For $25, we can definitely talk.
Urban Decay Cosmetics Sin Eyeshadow Primer Potion, Originally $24
After taking a break to explore what’s out in the world of eyeshadow primers, I am making my way back to the OG Urban Decay Primer Potion. I love a shimmery base, so I picking up Sin was an no brainer.
VDL Lumilayer Primer Fresh, Originally $32
I’ve never heard of this brand before, but I was intrigued by this Ulta Hot Buy. I am excited to try this primer, and I can’t wait to share all the deets with you fellow makeup mavens. If you used it before, I would love to hear about your experience in the comments.
WellBe Set of 7 Washable Cosmetic Cloths, $30
In an effort to have a more eco-conscious makeup removing routine, I purchased these reusable cotton pads. Although I absolutely LOVE my Shiseido Facial Cotton, I am looking forward to using less of them since their single use. I already create plenty of single use waste with my sheet masks. I didn’t get these on sale, but I got bonus points, which is still great because it’s getting me closer to another Nordy Note.
Zoeva Authentik Skin Natural Luminous Foundation, Originally $28
This year, Ulta blessed up with an extra preview day for this edition of 21 Days of Beauty. This Zoeva foundation was the one item that captured my interest. It was an “Online Only” steal, but lucky for me, my local Ulta carries Zoeva, so I could try to find a match. The selection was limited, but I was able to find an idea of which shade would work for me. Then, I used Findation to confirm that my best match is 380N Smile. I’ve purchased several foundations this month, but I think I am most excited to try this Zoeva one.
WOW! Y’all, I really did some damage to my beauty budget with this 21 Days of Beauty (and more!) Haul, but I don’t regret any of my purchases, and I’m so excited to try all of my new goodies. Keep a look out for future posts where I will be sharing my experiences and letting you know if you should “Haul It” or sound the “Scam Alert” to keep you from wasting your dough.
Did you haul big during Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty?