Saving on Makeup

Hi all... and Happy Wednesday to you! I wanted to do a little post today about saving on cosmetics through savings programs, sales and coupons. With everyone jumping on the couponing train lately, it's not surprising to see those affiliated with cosmetics companies joining in on that as well! Since, there's a lot to absorb with this topic, I'm just going to take a little at a time. Today, I want to talk about the deal I was able to get last night and how I did it. 

Last night, I did a good shopping trip at Publix for groceries, but I also had some Cover Girl coupons and wanted to take advantage of those on some eye shadow singles. 

Publix have these priced (in Auburn, Alabama) for $2.99 each. Our Publix coupon policy states that you can use 1 manufacturer coupon and 1 store coupon per product. I had a $3 off 2 Cover Girl products coupon from the July 29, 2012 P&G coupon insert from the Sunday newspaper and I also had 2 store coupons from the Publix green advantage flyer that were $1 off 1 Cover Girl or Queen product. So, when I stacked those coupons I was able to get both eye shadows for just .98 or .49 each. After tax it was $1.07 for both full size eye shadows! 

 *Sorry about the right pic. Haven't figured out how to flip it on here yet!*

So the 2 colors I picked I consider both to be "highlight" shades. I picked up #620 in Snow Blossom and #540 in Pink Chiffon. Both are very light and frosty looking. Here are some swatches! (PS: I have a ton of the cover girl singles now. If you are interested in seeing swatches of all the colors I have now, just leave me a comment!)

My skin is light and pink colored as it is so these didn't show up particularly well, but they are both very nice. Snow Blossom, on the top, is a little chalky where as the Pink Chiffon is a really silky feeling. The Snow Blossom also has a little less shimmer than then Pink Chiffon. Both seem to be easy to blend and if they compare to the other Cover Girl shadows I have, they will be long lasting as long as they are used over a decent eye primer. 

Let me know if you have any questions!

- Yours - Jessica -

Julep Maven Subscription - August 2012 Box

<<< Click the link to the left and enter "COLOR2012" in the coupon box to try Julep for just a PENNY!

It's here! 

My August 2012 Julep Maven Subscription Box! 

(Above, you see all my Julep Polishes to date in order of latest received from left to right!)

GASP! Look! It's a bigger box than normal!!

It's Julep's birthday!! (I swear Julep, I didn't know! Otherwise I would have gotten you a gift!)

Inside the box, Julep thanks its' customers for helping them make their first year a success and to enjoy the special tote! <GASP!> I love a tote!

At first glance!

So adorable! Thanks Julep!

Now on to my subscription items:

This month's "Classic With A Twist" box included the following items:

1. Julep Acetone Free Conditioning Nail Polish Remover

2. Hands free pump for nail polish remover

3. Julep polish in the color Felicity

4. Julep polish in the color Alfre

I was able to use the polish remover immediately as I had some ugly chipped polish in serious need to be removed. I thought it felt a little drying at first, but the feel you get afterward is definitely one of softness. The remover works really well and doesn't have a horribly strong scent like so many polish removers. The hands-free pump is AMAZING! I have never had a pump for my remover before and I feel so spoiled now, even wondering how I got on without one before!

On the left is Felicity and on the right is Alfre.

Like the other Julep polishes, these are of excellent quality. These to shades are very opaque and would look great with even just one coat of polish. Felicity is a beautiful shimmering gold color with a very yellow undertone. The word that first came to mind when I put it on was "sun-kissed". Alfre is a very complex color and much more beautiful in person than it is in the picture. In the bottle, it looks like any other silver metal but when you apply the polish, it has a beautiful purple (almost plum colored) undertone. 

The theme of this month's box was "Metallics & Chromes". I definitely think Julep was able to match that description with these particular colors! 

On another note, this month's inspirational card reads as follows:

"What can you celebrate?

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." - Oprah Winfrey"

Nail Look of the Day

This weekend's nail look I am calling "Forgiving French".

Those of you that know how shaky I can be may understand that title! HAHA!

The white part of the manicure, on the tips of the nail, was achieved by using Kate by Julep. The white really only needs 1 coat of polish, however I am very rough on my hands so I used 2 coats. Then I tried to clean up my lines as best I could by using Julep's polish remover from the August box and an old eye shadow brush. After Kate dried, I applied 2 coats of  Audrey by Julep. Because I do not own a Julep top coat yet, I finished the look by applying 1 coat of #120 Diamonds by Sally Hansen Diamond Strength. 

Have a blessed day!

-Yours - Jessica-