Shannon’s Origins Black Friday Haul!

The week of Black Friday leading up to the day after Cyber Monday Origins was having a deal where you could get $10 off your order and get free shipping.  I tried a few samples of Origins products at Sephora and planned on picking up a bottle of a few things at Sephora but decided to get them straight from Origins because of the money off deal.  I also made this purchase using my Ebates account so I got 8 or 9% cash back on top of what I spent.

I did run into a little technical difficulty when trying to submit my order.  Origins website was still advertising the coupon code for the $10 off but when I went to submit my order (it had just turned midnight) the website had a technical difficulty and was not allowing the code – stating it had expired.  I e-mailed Origins and the next day they had sent out a mass e-mail to all letting them know that due to a technical glitch on their website they extended the code for an additional two days to make up for any inconvenience it ma have caused.  As soon as I read the e-mail I immediately threw the two items I wanted into my online cart and purchased.  Shipping was really fast – I received my order not even a week after placing it.

Here’s what I picked up:

-          Origins Zero Oil

-          Origins Clear Improvements

Trader Joe’s Beauty Haul

This is a Trader Joe’s beauty haul from earlier last month.  I was going into Trader Joe’s to pick up some food items and decided to grab a few things in the beauty section.  Liliana had posted about the face wash and I decided to pick up a bottle to try out for myself.  I admit, I purchased it but haven’t tried it yet.  I’ve been using a skincare routine and I’m trying to see if it’s working – basically I’m allowing my skin sometime to get used to the routine to see if it’s going to freak out.  The bottom line is the face wash was created with a dermatologist who sells a similar version for a larger price tag.  If you want to read about the All-In-One face wash from Trader Joe’s marketing words – see here: http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article.asp?article_id=257.

While looking through the beauty items I noticed they had a tea tree line of shampoos and conditioners and I figured I’d grab it since me and my boyfriend get very dry scalps (even though my hair gets oily).  A dry scalp usually leads to incredible itchiness and/or dandruff so I have hopes this will help the both of us.  That is, if I can get my boyfriend to use it.  Last I picked up a jar of coconut oil because I saw a post by Lyndsay talking about how this is great to moisturize your legs when shaving.  I was hoping my Trader Joe’s would have a smaller jar, but this was the only size available.  The woman that worked there told me it’s great to use as a moisturizer (as in slathering on and leaving for a few and/or shaving) she also said it’s good to cook with and she even said her sister-in-law uses it in her coffee.  That made me raise a brow because I love coffee …. so perhaps we’ll see!

Here’s what I picked up:

-          Trader Joe’s Nourish All-In-One Cleanser

-          Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo

-          Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner

-          Trader Jot’s Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

Shannon's Amazing Clearance Haul!

I popped into one of the local grocery stores yesterday after running a few errands.  I needed to pick a couple things up and since I was right next door I popped on in instead of driving to the grocery store nearest my house.  In this particular grocery store I tend to check out their clearance section (in the back of the store near the dairy section) because they tend to clearance items just because there's only a few of the item remaining so they throw them on the clearance shelf to get rid of them.  I was looking through the cold medicine bin and tucked in the very corner of the bin were a few of these AcneFree 24 Hour Acne Clearing Systems marked down to $5!  I've seen a few people sharing hauls where they've purchased these systems and really like them -- so I figured why not?  I've been looking for acne cleanser that worked, so with fingers crossed, I tried it out tonight and hope to enjoy the results.  I also spotted a single eos lip balm in summer fruit!  The greatest part?  It was 90 CENTS! SCORE!  I have my eos lip balm on my computer at work, so I threw this one in my purse to have with me all the time.  I prefer medicated lip balms the most, but these are nice when I just feel my lips are slightly dry -- but with the one at work?  I've been slathering that bad boy on all day -- almost like it's part of my daily work routine haha.

REVIEW: Simple Smoothing Facial Scrub

I admit I went a little crazy when Simple first was introduced to the US. I purchased a bunch of products they came out with and after I went through a few bottles of the refreshing facial wash gel I decided it would be best to give the Smoothing Facial Scrub a try. I don’t exfoliate my face everyday and I was hoping this would be a wonderful alternative to using harsh exfoliates in the shower. Sadly, I don’t think this will be my everyday exfoliate in the shower. I feel as though it does a decent job when my face is all sweaty and gross, but for an everyday product, I don’t feel it’s that fabulous as exfoliating. The exfoliates in it are VERY small. Granted, Simple is a sensitive skin product, so I can understand why the exfoliating particles are so fine – but I personally would prefer something that’s a little grittier to pull the gunk off my face.

PACKAGING & PRICE
A full size bottle comes with 5 fl ounces of product in it. The bottle itself is a light lime green which is a bit opaque, but not completely. The price itself truly varies where you purchase it. CVS sells this for $7.99 a bottle – but you’d more inclined to receive some sort of ECB offer, or a buy 1 get 1 offer at CVS/Walgreens than you would at say a Target or Walmart. The bottle sells for $6.99 at Target and I do know there is currently a coupon available online for $2.50 off the purchase of 2, or $1.50 off the purchase of one.

PRODUCT
The product is white in color and has very small exfoliating beads in it. You can’t quite see them to the naked eye, but when you rub your hands together you can feel them. There aren’t a whole lot in there, considering it is made for sensitive skin. It glides onto the skin nicely and you don’t need a whole lot of product to clean your face. For me this would be my “every once in a while” facial scrub and not my everyday facial scrub.

PURCHASING
This is available at all major pharmacy locations (CVS, Walmart, Rite Aid) while it is also available at department stores like Target and Walmart. Target and Walmart do generally have them for the cheapest out of pocket proce, but pharmacy locations tend to be the locations where you can get a good deal of the week. You can also purchase the line at Drugstore.com, Walgreens.com, CVS.com, Amazon.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com.

OVERALL
I would recommend this product if you are looking for a very light exfoliating product for your face – particularly if you have sensitive skin. But if you have sensitive skin and can handle a little harsher of an exfoliate I would not strongly recommend this. I do notice it works when my face is really grimy, but I don’t really notice a difference in my face when I use this on a daily basis. Would I repurchase? Probably but only when my acne meds flare up my face and I can ONLY use sensitive skin products on my face. I find Simple doesn’t aggravate my skin at all and I truly enjoy everything that I have tried from this line.

SUPER late The Body Shop Birthday Haul!

And by super late, I mean it. This is like … from the end of May. There’s been so much going on that posting some things that are on my camera, or even on my phone has just been a chore. But anyway! Better late than never, right? This here is my haul from The Body Shop.
I knew I was getting a Clarasonic Mia from the LUUUX shop so I wanted to have some face was products to use with it. I also wanted some acne based products to use and figured I’d try some out since the shop was having a buy 2 get 1 free sale. Plus they were doing double points on purchases so I separated my transaction into 2 separate purchases to take advantage of my birthday gift and points, etc. Then the great thing was they had a combo bag with the shower cream and the oil for $15 which was a great steal!
Here’s what I picked up:

- Seaweed Clarifying Toner
- Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash
- Tea Tree Blemish Fade Night Lotion. (I really don’t know why I bought this, I have prescription acne products for this specific purpose – but I’m impulsive! Plus the girl that works there really talked this up so, I had to grab it…)
- Shea Shower Cream
- Shea Beautifying Oil

BeFine Face Wash Blog Sale Haul

StephsBeauty (she has a blog as well as a youtube channel) posted a photo on Instagram of a basket of unused skincare items she wanted to put on her blog for sale. In the photo, I noticed she had the BeFine Exfoliating Cleanser which I had been looking up online the week prior, so I asked her the prices for the items and she let me know she had 3 BeFine products. I opted to go with the Gentle Cleanser and the Exfoliating Cleanser because those were the two that stood out to me the most. I figured I would try out the Gentle Cleanser with my Clara onic and the Exfoliating Cleanser I could use when my face just feels yucky and I want something to exfoliate it without taking out my exfoliating kit. I admit I saw Nikki Phillippi on YouTube talking about the exfoliating cleanser and how amazing it was and I wanted it right away. I tend to have the same acne/skin issues that she has and I’m prescribed some of the same topical prescription products she uses so if she finds success with them, I find myself wanting to sink my nails in and try it out myself.

The Gentle Cleanser is made with sugar mint, oats & rice. The box states: Cleanse, condition and protect your skin daily with naturally moisturizing emollients in Sugar. Oats & Rice feed vitamins to rejuvenate skin tone and fighting aging. A hint of fresh mint stimulates circulation refreshing your skin.

The Exfoliating Cleanser is made with brown sugar, sweet almond and oats. The box states: Deep cleansing to gently slough and mostiruze. Almond is naturally high in minerals and removes impurities. Brown Sugar & Oats calm and heal. This non-irritating light buffing cleanser clears away dull and damaged skin.

Overdue Big Lots Haul!

This is a haul I feel I did forever ago.  Probably a month ago or so?  I’ve been meaning to post it but I just haven’t had the real time to sit and write a post.  Yeah, excuses, excuses.  Anyway.  I popped into Big Lots to get some of the Philosophy products Big Lots was selling not too long ago.  My store didn’t have as large of a selection of items as other stores seemed to receive.  Mine had two small displays at two side caps and that was all the items they carried (both were mirror images of one another).  No eye shadow sets, no nothing which is a bummer because that’s what I really wanted – well that and some blush.  But other than that I am happy with the items I purchased.  I love Big Lots because I can find some great deals there at times – whereas other times you need to be conscious of your prices or you’re going to flat out spend too much.

You’ll notice I picked up a knock off perfume.  I used to never do that, but I found some of the perfumes they sell at Big Lots smell pretty dead ringer for the real thing.  I love the Coach scent, but haven’t splurged as of yet to get a bottle and with this I don’t have to.

Here’s what I picked up:

-          St. Ives Fresh Skin – Moisturizing Olive Cleanser

-          Vaseline Clinical Therapy lotion

-          Touch perfume (a knock off to Coach’s perfume)

-          Philosophy – Shimmering Face Powder

-          Philosophy – Mineral Blush Duo

-          Philosophy – Angel Kiss Lip Gloss

-          Revlon Nail Enamel – Midnight Affair (791)

-          Revlon Nail Enamel – Kiss Me Coral (474)

-          Revlon Nail Enamel – Jaded Night

-          Revlon Nail Enamel – Alluring Amber