Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!
Feb6

Must Read Tips For Musicians In 2019

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Must Read Tips For Musicians In 2019

For every musician, a main goal at the beginning of every year is to get better at your music and make a greater impression in the industry. No matter what level you’re at, we hope these tips will help you:

Online mastering:

To ignore the process of audio mastering is to make a massive mistake. A lot of people confuse mixing and mastering with one another. However, they are two completely different processes. Mastering is the final stage in the music production process. It tightens, defines, and polishes the piece of music without altering the sound excessively. It can bring a clarity and a punch which no amount of mixing can achieve. To release a piece of music without it would essentially mean you were bringing out an incomplete track.

Nonetheless, the reason why people still overlook mastering is because they see it as a hassle and an expense. Not everybody has the capability of getting down to the studio in question nor do they have the money available to pay the extortionate hourly rates charged by many mastering professionals today. However, you need not worry about any of this anymore. There are online mastering services available, which are cheaper and much easier too.

SEO:

Both SEO and website design affect the success of any musician today. Since your campaigns will be tailored to bringing more people to your website and converting them from visitors into actual fans, you need to pay great attention to the overall feel and look of your site. A poorly designed website can be an instant turn off and is something you will need to outsource if you don’t have the skills to do it yourself. To begin finding a professional that is a good fit for you, simply enter a search for “web design in Huntsville” (or your local area) and you will be able to see online portfolios, reviews, and more. Similarly, you must work to ensure your website is visible, hence the need for professional SEO.

For online marketing success, you should, therefore, work with an expert SEO consultant. Their service should provide you with quality content to post on your website, including, for example, information about you, your gigs, and so on. You should also ensure that you are adding videos and images (where required) on top of your text. After that, you can, with the help of the consultant, focus on marketing your website to the target market. Search engine optimization is important to your overall online marketing plan. Stay away from easy options and ‘quick tricks’ because search engines are now smarter than ever before. They know all the tricks you will try to pull, including poor-quality content that is stuffed with keywords. So, focus on quality content using tested SEO strategies, or by working with full SEO and marketing services to attain the best results.

It is also worth looking for marketing packages that have been specifically tailored to the music industry. Targeting potential fans and record companies is a lot different than trying to drum up customers for a retail business, for example. You can find Soundcloud promotion packages, which are great for any musician. These packages are designed to ensure your music gets heard by the right people. While packages differ from supplier to supplier, you will generally find that these companies will post your music across different platforms, from blogs to social media pages.

We understand that this is a lot of information and it can feel overwhelming. Rest assured that all of these marketing aspects do not need to be completed at once. Set your own pace with A beginners guide to music publishing and do what you know you can accomplish. Then, you can outsource for the areas that you know you need help with.

Invest in quality equipment:

Investing in professional studio equipment should be something to think about early on in your music career. That way you can plan ahead and expand the equipment as your career moves forward. It is also cheaper to do it in bits, rather than suddenly have to find the cash for a complete top-of-the-range kit. As well as your instrument, you will want a decent pair of headphones, a computer, and look at Aeros Loop Studio vs Boss RC-505 for your looper. Depending on how far you intend to go, things like good soundproofing and a dedicated music studio might also be on the list.

Alexander Technique:

Another tip for musicians in 2019 is to try the Alexander Technique. You may have heard about this before. It is a method that was developed in the 1980s by Matthias Alexander. It is designed to promote overall well-being through increasing your awareness of posture so that your body experiences minimal effort and strain.

Instead of maintaining ease and using the fluid techniques required, musicians restrain themselves with muscular tension during a soft passage, for instance. This is just one example of a common overreaction. Over time, such action can result into regular misuse, which can cause injuries. This is where the Alexander Technique comes in. It will help you to find the right balance so that you can play an instrument with greater ease, while protecting your body and improving your music in the process.

There are lots of different ways that you can improve your efforts in 2019. If you are a musician, whether you have much experience or not, use the tips that have been provided in this guide so that you can achieve more throughout the year!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Feb6

Additional January 2019 Finishes

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Additional January 2019 Finishes

Howdy! Last month brought me lots of empties, because I was finally able to get back to all of my beauty routines post surgery. It was so nice to feel pampered again and I enjoyed using up the products that were sitting there unused for the entire month of December. All of my posts are prewritten and I managed to finish an additonal handful of empties during the last haul of January, which we will be discussing today. Take a look:

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Would I Use Again?

  • Suave Cocoa Butter & Shea body wash: MAYBE
  • Garnier Micellar Water: YES
  • Bath & Body Works lotions: YES
  • Fresh Soy Face Cleanser: NO!!
  • Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask: NO!!

Why/Why Not?

Suave Body Wash: Like the other Suave body wash that we chatted about in my January Finishes post, this one is still a maybe for me. I will say that I liked the Cocoa Butter & Shea scent much better than the Almond one. I’m a sucker for anything cocoa butter! But, this body wash didn’t lather very well and I felt like it was drying my skin out. Maybe it would be better to use during the warmer months but, during the middle of winter, it was just not enough to keep my skin hydrated. It took me exactly one month to finish one bottle.

Garnier Micellar Water: We all know I’d use this product again. Thank you, next!

B&BW Lotions: I used up Pretty As A Peach and Orchard Leaves & Blue Sky travel sized lotions from Bath & Body Works after a long soak in the tub and it was nice! I am partial to Pretty As A Peach but, the Orchard Leaves & Blue Sky smelled really good. Its scent was exactly like breathing in crisp autumn air and it was refreshing after the sweeter peach aroma. I got about one and a half full body uses out of one travel sized bottle.

Fresh Cleanser: I received this soy cleanser by Fresh during a huge freebie haul from Sephora and it was disappointing at best. The only positive, was that it smelled like cucumbers and I really liked that! However, the cleanser made my skin feel very tight and it did nothing to remove my makeup. In fact, I don’t think it did anything. It did not lather at all and I would definitely not recommend it.

Glow Recipe Mask: The Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask by Glow Recipe was a freebie during my last Sephora haul. You can read the full review in the Face Mask Festivities post but, just know that this product is not worth the forty five dollar price tag for a full jar in no way shape or form. I have used daily moisturizers that were more nourishing than this sleep mask and I had to use a lot of product to feel like it was doing anything. Not impressed and I would not recommend it.

Although this batch of empties was not the best, I’m still happy to have used them up! There is nothing better than finishing a product and moving on to the next thing that you have been dying to try. 😀

Have you used any of the products above? What did you think about them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb5

Bath Bomb Blitz: Lush’s Shoot For The Stars Edition

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Bath Bomb Blitz: Lush’s Shoot For The Stars Edition

Hiii everyone! Today, we are going to discuss one of the bath bombs from Lush that I got from the darling Kate of Live In The Nautical for Christmas. I know, I know it’s over a month after the holiday but, I was incapacitated for most of December and the first week of January and the rest of that month was spent trying to catch up on missed work. So, a long soak in the tub with a Lush bath bomb was just what the doctor ordered now that I feel like I can finally relax a little. Take a look at Shoot For The Stars:

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Shoot For The Stars has easily been one of the best bath bombs that I’ve used in a long time. First of all, it smelled amazing. I caught wonderful whiffs of creamy vanilla, which is one of my favorite scents, and being enveloped in that during a soak felt so lush! And, more importantly, the color show that the bath bomb put on was pretty spectacular, too!

As you can see from the first picture of Shoot For The Stars in the water, is that it got to work as soon as it was in the tub. It rocketed all about, leaving behind gorgeous azure blue in its path, along with shooting star trails of gold glitter. It took a solid two plus minutes for the bath bomb to fizz out but, that was not the end of it.

The most fun part about Shoot For The Stars is that the four glitter stars embedded in the bomb became detached. Instead of letting them dissolve, I took them in my hands and rubbed them over my body. It left my skin glowing in golden sparkle and it matched my new metallic face mask perfectly!

The stars had me feeling like I just applied lotion – they were so insanely hydrating. #smallbutmighty And, the bath water was so nourishing for my skin, too. I love using the Lush bath bombs for that reason alone. I shave when I’m taking a bath and I get out of the tub feeling like I put body butter on. There is nothing better.

I would definitely use Shoot For The Stars again and give it an eight out of ten. Highly recommend!

What is your favorite bath bomb from Lush? What are some of your other favorite Lush products? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb4

Stingy Girl Secret

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Stingy Girl Secret

Hiiii! Okay, so before you read this post, a back story is definitely required. Because, even I have to admit, my Stingy Girl Secret makes me sound like the biggest cheapo on the planet. But, I promise you that this was the most unintentional hack I’ve ever come across. Let’s begin:

As all of you know, I had a really unfortunate oral surgery in December that left me suffering for an entire month. Although I am feeling much better, I am still having issues with beverages that are too cold. During recovery, I could only drink or eat anything that was tepid in heat because of the extreme sensitivity that my mouth was experiencing. With that in mind, we may proceed.

Monday is essentially my busiest day of the week, because I have back to back clients all day. Because of this, I like to get a little treat before I start my work day. AKA, I go to Starbucks after I fill up my car at the gas station. It has been my routine for some time now, and my day always feels off if I falter from that.

Normally, I enjoy an iced coffee to start off my work week. But, after an unfortunate incident, I just haven’t had the taste for it. (Long story short, my mouth started bleeding profusely when I was at a client’s house while drinking my iced coffee. The bleeding had nothing to do with the drink but, for now, I just can’t stomach it.)

Anyways, I’ve been on a big green tea kick from Starbucks since that happened post surgery, but I know that my mouth couldn’t handle a hot or an iced tea. So, upon my first trip back to Starbucks when I felt up to it, I went into the store instead of the drive thru, because this required the utmost sensitivity. I hesitantly walked up to the counter and asked for a room temperature green tea with anxious thoughts rushing through my head.

Is this request even possible?

Will they deny me my request for a not hot but not cold beverage?

Should I just run away screaming and never show my face again?!?!?!

Luckily, I didn’t have to run out of the door in shame and return only with a paper bag on my head, because the barista said I could do an iced green tea with no ice. An iced green tea with no ice?? My god, it’s so simple. So brilliant. So exactly what I needed. An iced green tea with no ice. It was a revelation. I paid for my drink and eagerly awaited for it down the way. Once my name was called, I reached for the cup and I couldn’t believe it.

IT WAS FILLED TO THE BRIM!!!

In my hazy post surgery gone wrong trauma, I really don’t know what I was expecting. For them to just fill the cup halfway because of the no ice request, I guess. But, no. My Trenta cup was filled all the way to the top with BEVERAGE. It was a miracle.

I really didn’t realize how little drink that I was getting from an iced beverage when the ice was actually in it. On my normal Monday morning commute, I would finish my drink on my way to work. But, now that I have a filled to the brim drink, I can sip on it happily for a while when I’m working. And, to this day, I always ask for my iced drink with no ice so that my sensitive teeth aren’t screaming at me and I can get a full whopping thirty ounces of beverage with no questions asked.

Stingy? Yes. But, this find was so unintentional and honestly so simple, it’s a bit stupid. BUT, it was literally the only highlight of the major trauma that I went through last month and I had to share it with all of you. I don’t know what I was getting at with this essay but, I’ve said my piece, and I feel really great about it – so thanks for reading! 😀 lololol

What is one of your stingy secrets? How do you save money when you treat yourself? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb3

February 2019 Funky Time Jams

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February 2019 Funky Time Jams

Howdy! After the month of January dragging ass like it does every year, we are finally into February, which is sure to fly by. And, I’m glad for it, because it was starting to feel like January 47th! Now that the pace has been picked up with our short little month of love among us, some hard hitting jams are definitely called for. Take a listen:

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to these songs or videos.

As some of you know, I enjoy going to a vinyl record club at one of the local libraries in my area. At one of our last meetings, the album Let It Be by The Replacements was brought in and I was a huge fan. There is nothing better than gathering with your friends to play some early punk rock, and it’s always a hoot to pick out the bands that you can tell drew inspiration from The Replacements. For example, did anyone notice that Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day sounds exactly like the lead singer?!

I have also been hooked on Marilyn Manson’s Golden Age Of Grotesque, which features many of his more popular crowd pleasers, which I like playing to get me hyped on my way to work. And, finally, you may have noticed that a little rap was thrown into the mix, as well. But, I just couldn’t help myself. My sister was playing Nicki Minaj’s new album, Queen, while we ran errands and anyone who says that Majesty isn’t a banger is a liar. That song gets stuck in my head so badly and the only cure is playing it on repeat, of course!

Which album would you bring into a record club? Which album do you think that I should bring in on my next turn? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb2

Clinique Chubby Stick Swatch In Super Strawberry

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Clinique Chubby Stick Swatch In Super Strawberry

Hiiii! One of my newest obsessions as of late are the Clinique Chubby Sticks. They are a moisturizing lip balm that add a perfect pop of color without having to apply a lipstick. I love using the chubby sticks while I’m working, because I’m basically talking all day during my job and I never have to worry about the balm smearing, getting on my teeth, or making a big red mess while I’m eating. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll always be a red lipstick girl but, when you’re on the go constantly, nothing beats a tinted balm.

During my last Sephora haul, I used my Beauty Insider points to snag another chubby stick in Super Strawberry FO FREE. I was yearning for a balm in a red shade and this one hits the spot. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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What I like about the Clinique Chubby Sticks the most is that you’re not just rubbing a sticky gloss on your lips. This balm is insanely hydrating, and that is exactly what I need during these frigid winter months, because my lips chap so easily to the point that they feel completely raw. This is another reason why I have been using these products more frequently than a normal lipstick during work, because nothing sucks away moisture like a lippie clinging onto your lips for dear life all day. The chubby sticks lock in soothing hydration on my lips while still making them very pretty and, the best part, is that I don’t have to constantly reapply it as if I were using a chapstick.

And, speaking of chapstick, this balm doesn’t create one of my biggest pet peeves – the white flecks that form on your lips while using a lip chap. I hate that SO much and I would constantly check if any of that filmy white goop was appearing if all I had on me was a chapstick to apply. Please tell me someone else knows what I’m talking about!

Anyways, lol, I love the Clinique Chubby Sticks and I pretty much want them in every color. That’s not too much to ask for, right? 😀

What product are you currently obsessed with? Who else is a big Clinique fan? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb1

Don’t Let Your Disability Define Your Life

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Don’t Let Your Disability Define Your Life

Disability is something that has been defining people for years and years. There’s, sadly, still so much bullying and hate that we just can’t stand to think of. Because those with disabilities deserve support the most. Not support to live their lives, but support to help them believe they can live their lives on their own, without carrying around that label of having a disability. If carrying around a label is something you feel like you’ve been doing all your life, it’s time to rip it clean off. There are so many things you can do with your life, and so many things your mind can think if you don’t let your disability define you. Some of which, we want to talk about today. It’s the perfect time to think about how the rest of this year is going to be totally different. Have a read on to find out more:

The Mindset Of Other People:

This is a really important one that we wanted to start with, because we think that more often than not it’s the mindset of other people rather than yourself that’s holding you back. And, thankfully, we will say that there is now such a better understanding of the different disabilities out there, how they can affect the life of that person, and how they deserve to be treated. At the end of the day, even though our body’s or minds might be a little different, we still crave those basic human needs of love, affection, and normality. What we’re trying to say here is, if you ever come across someone who you know is being a bit awkward and standoffish because of your disability, simply try and educate them. Don’t be afraid to talk about your condition and express that you’re no different to anyone else in the things that you want out of life. If this doesn’t work, just walk away. You really don’t need negative people like that in your life, and you should gravitate as much as you can towards the people who are positive to you.

The Things You Think Will Hold You Back:

Finances are something that is talked about a lot in life and, disability or not, everyone goes through a struggle at some point. If you ever feel like you are in a rut with money, don’t be afraid to look at loans for people on disability with bad credit. It’s a quick way of getting that pick me up that you need, without having to worry about being rejected. We will promote safe lending and encourage you to always make sure that you’re only borrowing what you can, so that you don’t find yourself in more financial trouble further down the line.

The Life You Need To Think About Living:

The life you need to think about living is a free one. It’s a life where you’re out with your friends or family, making the best experiences for you to look back on when you get older. Don’t be that person who is always staying in on the weekend, because before you know it a whole life is passing you by. Going out for food or drinks, swimming, walking, going to the cinema… there is a world of things out there for you to do, you just need to have the motivation to go and do it. You might feel limited in what you can do compared to your other friends, but if they’re true friends they’ll be the ones encouraging you to do it. Surround yourself with the right people who are going to enrich your life. If you feel like you don’t have the right people in your life, it might be time to join a new crowd. Participate in clubs, do things you don’t usually do, and you’ll soon start to feel your mood lifting completely.

We know the world is changing so quickly and so is the views of disability, but let’s change how you view your world and its surroundings, too!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Feb1

4 Home Décor Doggy Dos And Don’ts To Live By

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4 Home Décor Doggy Dos And Don’ts To Live By

Everybody wants the American dream – the job, the partner, and the house. Decorating is something homeowners take seriously because it impacts lives. Living in a dark, dingy property is bound to make you miserable. Likewise, renovating every other week and spending a small fortune on repair won’t help your stress levels. You want a dream home, and that means the interior has to be perfect.

Unfortunately, as a pet owner, this isn’t always easy. As well as being cuddly and adorable, dogs are messy and can cause havoc. One minute they’re chilling and the next they’re chewing anything in sight. Even when pooches are happy and relaxed, the hair from their fur cramps your home’s style. Yep, it isn’t straightforward to be an animal lover and a fashionista at the same time. But, with home décor dos and don’ts for dogs, you can finally live in peace without fear of coming home to a scratched-up sofa. Here’s what to do and what not to do:

Don’t: Splurge Too Much

It’s nice to splurge on furniture or rugs; it helps to turn the house into a home. The problem, is that dogs aren’t clean freaks and they will tread things through the house, especially in the winter. What you’re left with is a permanently stained armchair or shag rug, which will be marked forever. No matter what you do, nothing will lift the stain so it’s money down the drain.

Cheap alternatives might not look as good but they are easier to replace. Plus, the fabrics aren’t as thick or deep so the marks tend to come out with the help of baking soda and warm, soapy water. If you do buy something expensive that you want to preserve, make sure it comes with a guarantee.

Of course, you can spend money on features that are expensive yet don’t have the same risk. Tiles are perfect examples. High-quality tiles are costly and instantly boost the appeal of a home, and they don’t leave permanent stains. Thanks to the texture, dirt and grime are straightforward to wipe off with a little bit of elbow grease.

Do: Put Breakables Out Of Reach

Most homes have things that are fancy and expensive. They are also fragile and break at the slightest touch. With a canine jumping up and down, they are perilous objects to decorate with unless they are in a safe place. That means, putting them out of reach where nobody, not even a playful Labrador, can get to them.

First, place breakable items on shelves. As long as the shelves are a couple of feet from the ground, they should be secure yet still in your eye line. Another option, is to hang them from the walls. Hanging art is the new thing for pet owners as they create a dramatic feel and are out of your pet’s reach. https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160718/midtown/hang-heavy-pictures-mirrors-objects-how has more.

Last but not least, don’t forget about cabinets. Because they’re sturdy, they’re hard to push over or knock down. But, thanks to the glass, you can still put your delicate features on display so that the interior doesn’t take a hit. Put one in the corner of the room up against a wall to make it doubly safe from energetic canines.

Don’t: Leave Furniture Uncovered

Furniture is often the focal point of any room. Walk into the kitchen, living room, or bathroom and the first thing you’ll notice are the fixtures. So, it’s imperative that they are in as good a condition as physically possible for a long time. Furniture doesn’t come cheap and homeowners don’t want to replace them regularly. The good news, is that covers are available which prevent dogs from making a mess.

Slipcovers aren’t the most attractive accessories in the world, but they do make a difference. From scratches to marks to bodily functions, the plastic sheet bears the brunt of the damage. Owners whose pooches suffer from a lack of bladder training might want to check out https://petparentsbrand.com/products/dog-belly-bands. There are some things slipcovers can’t prevent that doggie diapers can.

To spruce things up, you can swap slipcovers for throws and blankets. As long as they don’t potty everywhere, a throw is a perfect protector. Plus, it’s machine-washable so you don’t have to throw it out when it gets dirty. Put it in the washing machine and it will come out as good as new. Https://www.thespruce.com/great-pet-friendly-fabrics-1976777 is an excellent source of inspiration if you need it.

Do: Be The Boss

Although there are ways to limit the damage, the best course of action is to take control. As the owner, the dog should listen to your commands. This doesn’t mean you need to be a dictator; more you should set rules they have to follow. There is still some flexibility as long as they are in the right place. Take a doggy corner as an example. Choose a part of the room where it doesn’t matter if they molt and get fur on the floor or mark with their muddy paws. A pet-zone gives you and your dog the ability to relax without always thinking about the furniture. Pick somewhere with a hardwood or laminate floor to avoid stains.

With a pet, there are precautions you have to take to maintain the décor in your home. Use the tips above to get your place chic AND pet friendly.

Feb1

Face Mask Festivities: Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask Edition

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Face Mask Festivities: Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask Edition

Hi everyone and welcome to a new issue of Face Mask Festivities! Today, we are going to be chatting about the Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask that I got FO FREE from my last Sephora Haul. I love me a good sleeping mask, so I was very excited to give this one a try. Glow Recipe is also a Korean beauty brand, and I always enjoy experimenting with that type of skin care – especially since K beauty made ample waves throughout 2018. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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My two favorite sleeping masks are the Vitamin E and Drops Of Youth Bouncy masks from The Body Shop. And, sadly, I can’t add this Glow Recipe one to my list of faves. It was fine, but there was nothing special about it that would warrant a forty-five dollar price tag for a full sized jar.

My main problem with this mask was its texture. I am so used to the super rich Vitamin E and the gel Drops Of Youth masks from TBS, and this mask just didn’t meet those standards. It had a consistency that was slightly thicker than Lubriderm lotion and there was nothing that felt plush or pampering about it. I like when sleeping masks are a thick cream or gel, because I feel like it’s really getting into my skin as I catch some Z’s, as it doesn’t absorb right away. The Glow Recipe mask absorbed within thirty minutes, and I felt like it didn’t do anything during my beauty sleep.

My skin did feel hydrated upon awakening, but it was the hydration that you would feel from a standard moisturizer, not a high end sleep mask. Although any mask is nice to try out, in my opinion, I wouldn’t recommend this one unless you got a sample. The price is far too steep for a product that did not work as well as something that you could get from a drugstore. #notimpressed

What is your favorite brand of K beauty products? What is your favorite sleeping mask to use? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan31

Sephora Haul

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Sephora Haul

Hi! Every four months or so, I like to stock up on the goodies that I use from Sephora. AKA, my Better Than Sex mascara and a fabulous hair balm by IGK. All of my Sephora shopping is always done online, because they sure know how to add on the freebies with excellent promotions and samples. And, it is always free shipping if you spend over fifty dollars, which is so not hard to do! Take a look at my most recent haul and let’s discuss:

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The Haul:

  • Sephora Favorites Lashstash To Go gift set
  • IGK Mistress Hydrating Hair Balm
  • Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Deliciously Shiny Lipstick sample (FREE!)
  • Atelier Cologne perfume sample (FREE!)
  • Clinique Chubby Stick in Super Strawberry (FREE!)
  • Glow Recipe Avocado Sleeping Mask sample (FREE!)

I was so happy to have purchased the mascara gift set because, not only did it come with five samples of mascara, but it included a voucher to get a full size of your favorite for free. This gift set was twenty-eight dollars, and a full size of any of the mascaras in the set is usually twenty-four or twenty-five bucks. Talk about a steal! The mascaras that came in the set are Too Faced’s Better Than Sex, Buxom’s Lash Mascara, Lancome’s waterproof Monsieur Big, Smashbox’s Super Fan, and Tarte’s Lights, Camera, Lashes. I’m looking forward to trying all of these mascaras but, let’s be honest, we all know that I’ll be getting a full size in Better Than Sex!

Purchasing my IGK hair balm was also a must for me. Although it’s a bit pricey at twenty-nine dollars, it takes me a good long while to finish one bottle. I began using the one I’m on right now in October and I’m still not done with it – and I use it daily. So, I’m definitely willing to shell out for something that lasts me that long. And, my hair has never been more soft and shiny since my IGK regimen so, continue to shell out, I will.

And, finally, the freebies! With each Sephora online purchase, you get at least two to three free samples to choose from. This time, I picked a perfume sample in Vanille Insensee, which is divine and two lipstick pods from Guerlain to swatch. I also used one of their promo codes to receive a free mini jar of the Glow Recipe Avocado Sleeping Mask, which you can review in tomorrow’s Face Mask Festivities. To top it off, I used my Beauty Insider points for a free Clinique Chubby Stick. I am obsessed with these moisturizing balms that give the perfect pop of color and I just had to give a more red shade a go. I can’t wait to try it out!

I have such fun shopping online with Sephora and picking out the best deals to give me the most bang for my buck. And, judging from the haul above, I’d say that I did a pretty good job!

Which stores offer the best online discounts? How do you shop smart at Sephora? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah