"New" kits released

Well I hope everyone had a lovely Easter holiday...

Smashbox is offering 2 "new" kits for Mother's Day ...should be a thing of excitement for me but this time it's not :(
1-Super chic kit (2011) has the brow tech / liner palette, lip gloss in aura and tease (yep older items)
2-Naturally Pretty (2011) PF primer w/ spf 15, blush/sl's duo super/model, mascara-black, limitless lip gloss in "for keeps"....the gloss is only thing I am drooling over ...the other 3 items have been around for ages :(

yeah I know, I can't expect them to be always coming out with new products...but...a truly original kit on occasion would be nice ...though this gives me a new color combo idea to play with...and a way to update my older makeup, I WANT NEW SHADES! ;)  ahhhh well...a girl can dream

Anyway, off to do some work around here...will be checking in tomorrow for the ldl specials :)

Until then...be safe and enjoy!

Smashbox special offer

Smashbox is offering something different this week....can not use it with Let's Do Lunch though...

Choice of jet set waterproof eyeliner in midnight blue ...code ITEYES
Choice of lip gloss in smitten... code ITLIPS
Choice of creamy cheek color in captivate...code ITCHEEKS

Way it works...place a 70.00 order and then choose your free gift by entering 1 of those promo codes when placing your order.  5 pretty points per $1 = 350 points for this...500 gets you a 10.00 gift certificate...ebates gives % cash back as well for buying off smashbox.com through their link ...pretty point members get a free gift automatically...currently it is the deluxe size sample of the Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion in "Glow".  plus the 2 other free samples for placing normal order....so lots of perks to think about.  Email about it says this ends on April 21 2011....
so I think I am doing the complexion perfection kit (49.00),
Double take lip color - gossamer (love this shade and can always use backup) (22.00
photo finish foundation primer w/ spf 15 deluxe sample (free)
photo finish lid primer sample packet (free)
jet set eye liner in midnight blue (free but worth 22.00)
artificial light luminizing primer in glow deluxe sample (free)
= 71.00 + tax....shipping is free and will get 355 points from smashbox...points from my credit card...and 4% back from ebates...yes I am looking forward to this smashbox delivery!

Enjoy your week everyone!

Style Files!

Okay got it in the mail today! Here's the details on it...

3 mini "books" ....eye shadow, eye liner, lip / cheek.

Pro's list :

• well-organized
• variety of colors
• 5 featured looks with book showing how-to do each (with a model matching my coloring)
• all wearable colors 
• mix of matte and shimmer eye shadows
• 4 cream liners palette style as well as 2 pencils
• 2 blush choices
• 2 gloss choices

Con's list:

• no seal on the cream palette liners - means will dry out fast unless stored in ziploc freezer bag when not in use. (can't just leave on dresser / throw in drawer)
• cute set up but bulky if wanting to toss into small clutch - won't fit. could only take lip gloss and eye pencil with me if using clutch as purse for day (these eye shadows, liners,  and blushes are stuck in the "book"...grip room 2 case style would have been more practical) 
• glosses are nice but having an actual lipstick would have been nice - 1 gloss 1 lip...since there are a few light eye shadows, could of offered way to play up the lips
• 4 cream liners with 2 pencils...a lip pencil in place of one of the sticks would be nice...will be doing that when packing it to travel...
• was hoping for a more all in 1 kit.
• most of this kit was made in china and smashbox china facility isn't as quality control good as the usa made items (good but not as good)

Okay ...now since I traded my credit card points in for a sephora gift card, and used the 15% off Beauty Insider special with ebates 4% special...price was 53.15 counting tax (-2.01 I will get back from ebates in May) and I paid $0.00 ...plus added more points to my Insider points account....so ...I should not complain too much / list so many con's.  I just was expecting more out of this ...though...it is online and that teaches me to read product details closer :)

Sale@ Sephora!

Okay...I am lacking as a hardcore blogger....I know this, you all know this...*hangs head in shame*  I can not believe I forgot to mention details about Sephora's sale...

between April 15-21, those in usa, enter code BICHIC in promo box and get 15% off your purchase.  If you use a server like ebates, it is an additional 4% off....yes not much but hey 19% off total bill before taxes? and if it is over 50.00 your getting free shipping....FYI I bought the masters class style files collection...59.00 - 15% + tax = 50.13.  Not bad huh? lol the code is NOT a one time thing....use as often as you like...so...to take advantage of the samples I want to try...I placed 2 59.00 orders...and saved 18.00 plus got 6 samples instead of  3....yes I know they offer deluxe sample....however I am currently hoarding my BI points and samples? big deal right? well...nearest sephora is 2 hours from me and to try scents or lotions/ creams before buying and stuck with something...sample packets are fantastic way to do it!

Enjoy!

The Nerdy Fashionista - Life as a Girly Engineer: April Giveaway Leader Board

The Nerdy Fashionista - Life as a Girly Engineer: April Giveaway Leader Board: "Leader Board as of April 16th, 2011 1. Meg Adams (6 posts) 2. Danielle McCarroll (4 posts) 3. Morgan Kontz - Kacey Fetcho Phillips (2 ..."

Finally!!!

Yayyyyyyy! I did it! My "beauty bible"is now published on here....any that I am not sure of, I put at the bottom of 2011 list with a line drawn separating 2011 and the unknowns....if anyone knows the years of them...would love it if you could let me know!  Next project is to change 2005 and later to 2006 and later and use the page that frees up to list the "before and after name changes"...grrr lol

Until later...enjoy your weekend!

Let's Do Lunch Thursday

Well todays special is the Heartbreaker perfume rollette again....guess they have a lot in stock?  It is a very light scent and great for spring...only issue I have with it is that the scent does not last very long before needing to be reapplied...but for a free gift item...it is worthy of consideration

Be sure to check smashbox's site of new arrivals....They brought out lip stains with matching lip lip seal balms...I am thinking it is the color in a gloss ....as a lot of their colors have made appearances in the past as glosses...if this is the case, I want them all lol just for convenience of having it 2 in 1...with the sephora vip 15% off next week that I got in the mail....I think some new smashbox goodies are in order :)  one of which is the style files collection I have been putting off getting....this gives me the incentive for it (along with the gift card I traded my credit card points in for) ...will let you know what I settle on and whether it is a must have it or leave it item

I bought my softbox lip collection last week...got to say overall colors are great...though I don't think I will be wearing the glam or 24/7 very often :(  ...glam is a bright purplish pink...24/7 is def. purple....but when in mood for something different...maybe....*glances at the 2 glosses skeptically*  collection has 6 in it...so 4 love its / 2 leave its...is pretty good average I guess...

My project this week is the remainder of the collection listings to get it current...and to find a new rolling 2 tier train case....I learned the hard way that they are not fire-proof even when they say heat-proof....though insides not touched...everything did indeed get melted and needing replaced, so that has been my project this past couple months...thank goodness there is ebay :)

So...besides a touch of the flu which made posting last priority on tuesday (last call was an eyeshadow? if i remember right)....I am back to trying to get this up-to-date and will make decision this week on whether to "review" each individual product...as well as whether to have a page listing the individual items that were not part of kits...that have undergone name changes that I am aware of..(example = Lust eyeliner / tempt and scene marker trio / blockbuster trio)  I know smashbox wants to breath new life into some colors but really....they should announce it...since if you love a color combo and it is "discontinued" to be brought back as something else...it is helpful to know what the something else is :) so...I will be only individually listing last 5 years...and clumping older into 1 page to free up a spot for the name changes that occurred....

Until next time...enjoy your week!

New! Limitless Lip Stain & Color Seal Balm + 3 new lip gloss shades

New! Limitless Lip Stain & Color Seal Balm + 3 new lip gloss shades

Newest Editions from Smashbox site!! Loving how the stains look, hopefully their reality matches the hype and dried out lips doesn't happen....

maybe that will be my Tuesday lunch purchase :)

Let's Do Lunch Thursday

For those of you who have not checked Smashbox website yet, todays lunch special is the Heartbreaker perfume.  It sells for 22.00 and is the free gift for todays shopping....good thing for me as mine is almost empty! A floral and spice scent that is light and fitting for spring....plus it is free :)  worth checking out the site from 9-2 pst if there is anything you need

Yes I tend to sound like a smashbox ad, but remember....I am not affiliated with them and I do not get paid by them (my products were purchased by me).  I use the products exclusively since they are one of the very few that I have not broken out from and always get compliments when I use...so my entire train case (and it is the oversized 2 section rolling kind) is overflowing with smashbox products :)

If you are looking at the collection links and see one I missed....please let me know. I have around 30 I still have to type out...but most of the collections / kits should be posted and showing....I am chipping away at listing them.    I am also considering making a link for "create your own" collections....color combinations I have used that worked well and will open postings for anyone on that for people to share their own tried and true experiments (no it does not have to be all smashbox items for it)

Until later...have fun and enjoy!

Todays "Lets do lunch"

Good morning everyone!

Today is tuesday so todays lets do lunch on smashbox site is the lip gloss in "stunning"

This shade has been used in the collection (rapture holiday 2008) so if you are filling in the collection or replacing the shade you should be thrilled :)

my let's do lunch bag of the day is
travel size photo finish adjust foundation primer -17.00
photo finish foundation primer spf 15 travel size - free
photo finish lid primer packet - free
lip enhancing gloss - stunning (15.00 value medium sized) - free
and if like normal for them, another travel size mascara - free (they usually send this but i think it has to do with pretty points membership)

total = 17.00 + 1.42 sales tax = 18.42
ebates gives 4% cash back = $0.68 (nice chunk of tax paid back)
pretty points earned - 85 (approx 1.70 towards next purchase)


oh and I updated the 2010 collections....feel free to take a look :)
Enjoy!

Ulta Friends and family

20% off at Ulta Friends and family event! April 2- April 9 , use coupon code 15555.  Now...my problem with this is ...Online can not use on Smashbox things...but..in store if you received the card in the mail, you can use it.  So..Guess I am headed to Ulta this week for 20% off my entire purchase :)

Weekend!

Hope everyone's weekend is going well! Feel free to comment or ask questions or offer tips...this is new experience for me and sometimes I feel as if I am talking to myself though the page views say 160+ people and 7 countries viewing here :)

Smashbox comment on the official fan page asked opinion about 2 items....and I thought I would share and ask what people think...

1- Bronzer in spring (ideal tip is use 3 design and reverse 3 to apply only to forehead cheek and jawline so as to not overdo it)  good idea? bad idea? wait for summer for more natural? and for application...what do you think of the 3 pattern...I have done it and like how easy when i am in rush, though shading isnt always ideal for my skin tone...

2- burgundy lip color is being looked at for fall shade....should it be now? or keep only the light and vibrant colors for spring and summer?
         I use burgundy when going out in evening but not sure if daytime glam is a good mix for me in summer...anyone using it already and which shades are your favs?

The Nerdy Fashionista - Life as a Girly Engineer: April Giveaway

The Nerdy Fashionista - Life as a Girly Engineer: April Giveaway: "The April Giveaway is a big one - and therefore it requires a little extra effort on your part. Let's talk about the good stuff first...."

Yes I do view others beauty blogs to see tips and trends....this one happens to be featuring a contest of skin care / smashbox stash items / jewelry / clutch....enjoy!

Hope everyone is ready for spring!  it's april and new colors are being announced as well as hints at fall shades...

Smashbox has mascara they are featuring and their pro mua released a video showing the beauty of using purple to the brow bone (who would have thought the bad 80s look could be made good?)  the video can be found posted on Smashbooks facebook page...i saw it and tried it out tonight (with a few adjustments) and got a ton of compliments on how i looked..

Also I added more collections to the list.....I am getting there...slowly but eventually my beauty book will be copied to here...i am more concerned with posting it all then with reviewing each ....i might go through and pick my years favourites from each once done...still figuring this out...

Til then, happy reading and enjoy winter being over :)