FREE K-Mart Haul!

There’s one thing I like about stores that have rewards programs for their members … purchasing the things you need, allow you to gain points (etc.) for the things you want.  I was able to rack up a number of points using K-Marts Shop Your Way Rewards Program over the months of November and December, basically doing some Christmas shopping and some shopping for myself. I had loaded a few rewards incentives onto my card on the Shop Your Way Rewards site and off I went.  I had over $30 in points racked up from 3 transactions so I decided to use the points towards a few items I wanted to pick up before they expired.

The items pictured were completely free after using my rewards card.  I also had a few dollars left on my card, which I used the following week to pick up some candy at the store for Christmas gifts. Can’t beat free money right?

Here’s what I got:

• Conair 1 inch curling iron
• Tresemme Thermal Creations
• Aussie Aussome Volume hair spray.

QUESTION:

Are you a K-Mart Shop Your Way Rewards member?

Klout Perk: Freeman Masks

I was awarded a Klout perk which was featuring Freeman masks.  I’ve tried some Freeman products in the past and have enjoyed them pretty much across the board. There have been a number of Freeman products I have not tried, so I was pretty excited to see the Charcoal & Black Sugar mask in the package I received. Since I have oily/acne prone skin I enjoy the effect charcoal has on my skin … so I’m pretty much excited to see how that mask fairs on my skin.  I’ve tried the cucumber mask in the past, but I have never tried their avocado mask so again, another product I’m looking forward to trying.

These are the few masks I’ve received:

Cucumber Facial Peel-Off Mask. According to the pamphlet, this mask is an all-over face mask for total renewal.  It is a thick gel mask that dries into a thin sheet that you peel to reveal brand-spanking new skin.

Avocado & Oatmeal Facial Clay Mask. According to the pamphlet, this is a great product to use in the T-Zone or any oily spots. It’s supposed to channel old school beauty routines with Freeman’s modern-day clay mask that pulls toxins out of the skin.

Charcoal & Black Sugar Facial Polishing Mask. This product is supposed to be great for dull, dry patches.  According to the pamphlet, the new product starts as a scrub but then purifies like a mask.

QUESTION:

Have you tried any Freeman masks?

Haul: Practically free Vitamins & Makeup

I frequent the posts by fellow couponers on Instagram to see what deals are popping up in stores. I admit, my coupon game can be pretty snazzy, but I don’t have all the time in the world to seek out deals on my own – so that’s where the internet becomes a great tool.

Last week instagram and the couponing blogs were going bonkers because Nature Made vitamins were on sale, where if you bought two you paid less for the 2 than you would’ve if they were buy one get one 50% off.  The great thing also was that with each 2 bottles of vitamins you were awarded 3,000 register rewards ($3 equivalent) – without there being a cap on how many you could purchase.

Now if you take vitamins daily, like I, this sounds like a great deal … but to spend $10-18 to get $3 back, well, isn’t quite worth it.  But what made it worth it? Well the $5 off Nature Made coupons which were available in the Walgreen’s diabetes magazine. We were able to pair up $5 coupons on each bottle of vitamins (unless the equivalent total was $8 – then you could use a $5 and a $3 coupon).  I was able to get a number of vitamins completely free (B-12, Vitamin C, D3, etc.) the other vitamins I got I paid $2 for and got $3 back on my Rewards card.

After coupons, I only paid $7.30 for all the items pictured (the Elf Evil Queen kit was on clearance for $4.99 – but was originally $9.99). Talk about a great deal!

Nordstrom Mario Badescu Haul

I have been trying to complete my Mario Badescu acne skincare collection that was created for me from the skincare team at Mario Badescu. Initially I ordered four of the 8-9 items that were recommended for me. Initially I didn’t order everything because it was over $200 and I just wasn’t feeling that a number of months back.

I had been checking out sales on websites (Mario Badescu and Nordstrom) and was impatiently waiting. Since Ulta carries the line in-store I was frequenting the store near my favorite Trader Joe’s but unfortunately the line is always be pretty much picked over with only testers available. So, in stepped Nordstrom! They were having a “free gift with purchase” deal which was for a $60 (or $30 – I can’t remember) value collagen skincare kit. So … I jumped on board!  Plus with my Ebates account I was able to score 5% cash back just from ordering off the Nordstrom website, so it was a no brainer.

Here’s what I ordered:

• Acne Facial Cleanser
• Buffering Lotion
• Drying Cream

And these are the products that came in the collagen kit:

• Super Collagen Mask
• Peptide Renewal Serum
• Collagen Moisturizing SPF 15

QUESTION:

Have you tried anything from the Mario Badescu line?

Klout Perk: EcoTools Brushes and False Lashes

I was awarded a pretty cool Klout perk a few weeks ago. I wasn’t sure what I was going to receive until I got my package delivered.  I have heard great things about EcoTools brushes and even their line of false lashes but I had never tried them out myself. From what I understand they have really fabulous brushes and I’m looking forward to adding these to my brush collection.  I haven’t ever used false lashes so I’m interested in seeing how these work. I had a pair of falsies in the past that had a huge band and were just … awful. So we’ll see how these EcoTools lashes are!

Here’s what I received:

• EcoTools Lash & Brow Duo
• EcoTools Full Eye Shadow
• EcoTools Naturally Beautiful Lash System in Naturally Lush and Wispy & Flared

Received my specialized Mario Badescu Samples

About two months ago I went browsing on the Mario Badescu website.  I have heard many rave reviews on their acne line and while I was getting frustrated with my own skin I decided to sign up to receive some samples to try out the products.  I was considering getting some from Ulta, but the Ulta website doesn’t stock the products and I wasn’t going to drive 1+ hours out of my way to the only Ulta around me.

I filled out the requested survey which based around me and my skincare concerns.  About a week later I received a specialized e-mail from one of the Mario Badescu skin care advisors who reviewed my information and decided on what particular regime I should try.  The e-mail was very informative, advising what product to use when, where and how often.  I was also advised that due to a significant increase in sample requests orders for samples were being released in 5-6 weeks after the initial submittal went through.  This was also before the hurricane which put New Jersey and New York under a lot of trouble due to the flooding and power outages, so the samples took a bit longer, which was quite expected and I’m not complaining in the least.

I received my package and was quite surprised with the volume of samples.  The product contains enough for at least 1-3 usages (depending on the product).  But here’s what I got in my package:

- Enzyme Cleansing Gel

- Special Cucumber Lotion  

- Hyaluronic eye cream

- Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 17

- Drying Mask

- Healing & Soothing Mask  

- Drying lotion

- Buffering lotion

- Drying Cream

Received my BzzAgent CoverGirl Flipstick BzzCampaign!

I was invited to take part in the CoverGirl Flipstick BzzCampaign.  I was pretty excited to be invited into the campaign because I saw the campaign discussed on the BzzAgent Facebook page – but at the time I did not receive an invitation.  I did not connect the dots that the Flipstick lipsticks were the line that was currently out in stores that aided in creating an ombre lip.  That is until I was at CVS and I glanced through the CoverGirl section and spotted the line.

Last week I received my BzzAGent kit and was excited to see I received actual lipsticks instead and three separate shades at that!  Even more excited I was when I saw the shades were complimentary toward my skin tone.  I am a sucker for brown lipsticks since they compliment me so well  - all of which are gorgeous.

The three shades received were: Minx, Stunner and Vixen.

Along with the intro kit I received a stack of coupons (if anyone wants coupons let me know).  I also received a booklet discussing the product as we BzzAgents typically receive as an intro to any campaign.

Overall I am pretty excited to play around with these some more.

BzzAgent : Received my Burts Bees Intense Hydration Kit

I admit this is a super late and belated post.  I received this box a few weeks ago and just haven’t gotten around to posting about my receiving it.  I received an e-mail from BzzAgent advising that I qualified to participate in this Burts Bees Intense Hydration BzzCampaign.  Quite excitedly I opted in because I have heard so many great things about the Burts Bees brand – and I haven’t tried any of their products outside of their chapstick.  Anyways!

 

The Burts Bees intense hydration line consists of a full line (day lotion, night cream, treatment mask, cream cleanser, and eye cream) designed to aid in trapping and retaining moisture in the skin.  The following is from the Burts Bees website about this particular line: “Clary Sage, a remarkable botanical that thrives in its harsh environment because of its ability to retain moisture, is the inspiration behind Burt’s Bees Intense Hydration, our natural ode to soft, supple, revitalized skin and our best natural anti-aging solution. Our cream cleanser leaves your skin incredibly soft while our day lotion, eye cream and night cream help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Add the treatment mask for an immediate dose of hydration to give your skin a revitalized look.”

I was quite surprised to see three full-size products and a boatload of samples (night and day creams).  BzzAgent certainly hooked us folks up who were involved in this campaign.  Here’s what I received in my box:

-          Intense Hydration – Cream Cleanser

-          Intense Hydration – Treatment Mask

-          Intense Hydration – Night Cream

-          Intense Hydration – Day Lotion (samples)

-          Intense Hydration – Night Cream (samples)

I received my Target Beauty Bag!

 About a month or so ago, Target was offering up a select number of beauty bags to those who opted into receiving on on their Facebook page.  When I heard about it, I logged into the page, signed up and got my bag.  Soon after the bags had "sold out" so there definitely wasn't as many as there have been in the past.  I actually forgot I was getting this bag - so when I got home from work I was surprised to see a little Target box.  I assumed it was one of the free samples I tried signing up for on Targets website, but since their sample portion of their website never processes for me I wasn't sure what I got until I opened the box.  I saw the leopard bag and did a little screech - it's SO cute!  I love it!  Then again I am a total leopard freak.

The samples within my beauty bag are as follows:

- L'Oreal EverCreme Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner & Deep Nourishing Masque
- Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Total Care Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner
- Jergens Daily Moisture Lotion
- Tekkai Glossing Shampoo & Conditioner
- Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer
- Booklet of Target specific coupons

Shannon’s Free CVS Haul

 

Sometimes I’m quite astounded as to how CVS stays in business with how much money they give away to customers.  By money I mean product, and even ECB’s.  I checked out my Extracare card online and noticed I had a few coupons pending – one was for a few dollars off a Clear shampoo, $3 off a CVS brand shampoo and $3 off a CVS brand face care product.  I went browsing around the store and found a 2-in-1 shampoo for $2.99 making it free after my coupon, a travel size pack of exfoliating face wipes for $2.99 making them free and the Clear shampoo was on sale 2 for $5 the week I went in.  I had a $2 CVS coupon and on the bottles was a $3 off manufacturer’s coupon.  The coupon had expired but since CVS employees did not remove the coupons from the bottles I was told they had to honor it – therefore making it free. Score all around!  Thanks, CVS!

57 CENT CVS Haul!

This is my 57 cent CVS haul!

I popped into CVS yesterday because they had e-mailed me a coupon for a free Unreal candy bar (which you signed up for through their Facebook page).  I also received a 20% off your beauty purchases coupon in my e-mail so I printed that off.  I then logged into my CVS Extracare account online and saw a $2 off any CVS Brand body wash/soap so I printed it out figuring I’d get a pretty decent deal using it. After this, off to CVS I went.  Once inside I scanned my card at the red machine and was given a $2 off any Sally Hansen treatment and a $2 off any Rimmel product.  I was taking my time walking around and decided I did not want to spend $13 on the new Conair brush I wanted so I decided to just get a few things.  I grabbed the Unreal candy (the M&M dupe), headed over to the body wash section and found the CVS brand of Old Spice.  It smelled good so I figured I’d get it for my boyfriend and since it was technically a “beauty” product the 20% off would go against that.  I then decided to see what deal I could score with the Sally Hansen coupon so I saw their Hard as Nails for like $3.53, I figured I could pay the $1.53 for it, but I found a $2 off manufacturer coupon in my purse so it turned out to be free!  The overage from the Sally Hansen coupons and the 20% off beauty for the nail product went towards the body wash reducing the price further.  Not bad for a last minute run into CVS to cure a mini shopping itch.