Tag Archives: free

Jul27

AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel Cleansing Powder Review

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AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel Cleansing Powder Review

Greetings! During my last Sephora haul, one of the two free samples I chose with my order was the AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel Cleansing Powder. Woo, that is a mouthful! I tested this product out a few days ago and I’m not sure how to feel about it. Of course, it’s always nice to try something new. But, just one tester sample isn’t exactly enough to give you a full idea of how the product works. We’ll get into that further in a sec but, first, take a look at some pics:

peelpeel1peel2

My impression from reading the reviews for the peel on Sephora’s website is that it is viewed as a miracle product by its users. The reviews boasted of how well it exfoliates and that after using it, their skin was perfect. But, I have a hard time seeing how that was possible during my tester run with the powder to foam product.

After adding a few drops of water to the powder seen above, any attempt at “lathering” it onto my skin was in vain because it dried almost instantly. While some reviewers said that the peel tightened their pores, my skin was only left feeling dry and dehydrated. The name of this AmorePacific peel is all very confusing because the reviewers claim that it’s an exfoliater and not a peel. Meanwhile, I didn’t think it was much of anything!

If you have the option to sample this product with your online Sephora purchase, I wouldn’t recommend it. This exfoliater/peel/whatever it is is something that needs to be used several times before you can form an opinion on it and the amount that I was given really wasn’t enough to do anything for me. And, maybe this product is a holy grail one – but, I just wasn’t seeing it.

Has anyone used the AmorePacific peel before? What were your thoughts on it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul24

Jouer Lip Creme Liquid Lipstick Swatch In Rose Gold

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Jouer Lip Creme Liquid Lipstick Swatch In Rose Gold

Hi! Today, we are going to take a look at the swatch for Jouer’s Lip Creme Liquid Lipstick in Rose Gold. I have not tried this product on yet and, frankly, I am a bit nervous to because the reviews for it on Sephora’s website were abysmal at best. However, I think that the color is gorgeous and I’m hoping that I won’t hate it as much as everyone else does when I get around to using it, lol. Take a look:

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The main complaint with this lippie among the reviews is that it is dry as the Sahara Desert and, even just from having it on my hand, I agree. It dried in the ten seconds it took me to take the pictures and it was about a bitch to take off. I had to scrub fairly roughly with water and then micellar water to get it completely removed. So, imagine having to do that on the sensitive skin on your lips. No thanks.

It’s too bad, because I like the color a lot and it’s disappointing to get something that might suck. But, at the end of the day, I got the sample size FO FREE so it’s not like any harm was done. I just wish those product reviews were up before I chose this as a freebie!

Has anyone tried this lippie by Jouer before? What are your thoughts on it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul23

Clinique Almost Lipstick Swatch In Black Honey

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Clinique Almost Lipstick Swatch In Black Honey

Helloooo everyone and welcome to a new post where we will be swatching Clinique’s “Almost Lipstick” in Black Honey. I got this lippie FO FREE with my Beauty Insider points from Sephora and I like it well enough but I do feel like the name is super misleading. My dumbass, who didn’t read what the product was like, assumed that it would be more of a cream based lippie judging by the pictures. However, it feels and looks very glossy. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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So, I guess the buzz on this product is that it fuses with your natural lip color to create a shade that is unique just for you. Did I really notice anything that special about it? No. But, that’s not to say that I didn’t like the color because I did. I was surprised at how light such a dark shade appeared on me and I thought the glossy, plum shade looked nice.

Do I think that a large sized tube of the Almost Lipstick is worth twenty dollars for what’s basically a lip gloss? Not at all and if I didn’t get it for free with my points, I would never consider purchasing it. I’m a little disappointed with this product. I don’t know what I was expecting but it definitely wasn’t the results I had. Maybe I just feel that way a bit more because I normally really like all of the Clinique goodies that I have tried so this one feels very lackluster.

But, in conclusion, save your money for something more worth it because a tinted lip balm is not worth twenty dolla holla. #notimpressed

What are your thoughts on the Clinique Almost Lipstick? What is your favorite Clinique product? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul22

Sephora Haul

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Sephora Haul

Helloooo everyone! I promise you I’m done shopping for a while, just kidding I will never be done shopping so I have a Sephora Haul to share with all of you! This needed to happen, though, because I can’t live without my leave in conditioner by IGK and I was almost out. So, I stocked up by getting two bottles of that and a bunch of free goodies. Make sure to check in tomorrow and the following day for swatches of the lip colors by Clinique and Jouer!

haul

The Haul:

  • Two IGK Mistress hydrating hair balms
  • Jouer lip creme in Rose Gold (FREE!)
  • Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey (FREE!)
  • Belif The true cream aqua bomb sample (FREE!)
  • AmorePacific enzyme peel sample (FREE!)

When it comes to shopping Sephora, I always try and get the most bang for my buck. And, although the IGK product I got is expensive, I got all kinds of free goodies and free shipping to make up for it. I can’t wait to show you guys swatches of the new lip colors because they are GORGEOUS. I am especially obsessed with the metallic Jouer lip creme in Rose Gold – you guys are going to love it!

I am also always up for aqua bomb style moisturizers so I will be looking forward to giving the sample by Belif a go. But, I am most curious about the enzyme peel by AmorePacific. So, be on the lookout for my post on giving that a try and we’ll figure out just what the heck it is together. 😀

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

Jun16

Birthday Freebies

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Birthday Freebies

Helloooo everyone! As you all know, Lil Red is all about free stuff. But, I didn’t want to say stuff, I wanted to say SHIT. So, yes, Lil Red is all about free shit. I am a member of a lot of different rewards programs that are always very generous when a birthday rolls around and I spend the month of June cashing in on it. So, if you have any of the following stores or eateries in your area, be sure to sign up for their rewards programs so you can be treated on your birthday, too!

  • Sephora Beauty Insider Kat Von D or Drunk Elephant mini gift set
  • Free burrito from Moe’s
  • Free small smoothie from Robek’s
  • Free beverage of any size from Dunkin’ Donuts
  • Free cinnamon sticks from Pizza Hut
  • Free beverage from Starbucks
  • Free Grand Slam breakfast from Denny’s
  • Free dessert from Olive Garden

Altogether, these birthday freebies total out to at least forty dollars, making the sometimes annoyingness of signing up for an app or reward card completely worth it.

Happy savings!

Which other stores or restaurants offer freebies or deals on your birthday? Which rewards program do you use the most? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun12

Sephora Birthday Gift

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Sephora Birthday Gift

Howdy! When it comes to my birthday, I always try to cash in on the freebies that are offered through rewards programs at my favorite stores and eateries. As a Beauty Insider for Sephora, that means I get to pick a freebie birthday gift between two mini gift sets. This year, the choice was between a Kat Von D liquid liner, loose powder, and lipstick samples or a cleanser and moisturizer by Drunk Elephant. Because I don’t use liquid liner or any type of powder, I went with the Drunk Elephant option seen below:

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I have never used any Drunk Elephant products before, but I’ve heard nothing but good things about it so I am looking forward to giving my freebies a try. I can always use moisturizers and cleansers, too, so even if these don’t last me very long it will be a few days of using something that I didn’t actually buy. And, for a frugal gal like me, this is always a plus! Although I wasn’t too thrilled with the birthday gift choices from Sephora this year, free is free, and maybe I will have found a new favorite brand!

What did you choose for your Sephora birthday gift? Have you ever used the Drunk Elephant brand before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun9

TJMaxx Beauty Haul

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TJMaxx Beauty Haul

Hiii! When I need a reup on my beauty and skin care supplies, I hit up TJMaxx, rinse, and repeat. Their beauty aisle is chock full of good stuff where I have discovered my favorites from The Body Shop as well as trying out new brands that I usually end up loving. Thanks to rewards points from the TJMaxx/Homegoods/Marshall’s credit card, I had twenty bucks to spend to stock up and got all of the following products FO FREE. Check it out:

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The Haul:

I was super happy with the haul seen above because I got products that I needed, like a new charcoal bar and scrub. But, I also got to add to my supplies when it comes to serum and moisturizer so it was a very successful shopping trip overall. What I am most excited about, though, is the Azure Lux Rose Gold serum, which I love so very very much. After using this wonder serum up in February, I vowed to purchase it again if I ever came across it. So, I was thrilled to make good on my word because that serum really is the best and leaves your skin simply glowing.

I am looking forward to trying out my new scrub come my next shaving sesh, because the Lavender Coconut scent is divine and I have also never tried a coffee scrub before! The value of this bottle was great, too, because it’s huge and I got it for a whole six bucks. And, in the beauty world, all I am hearing about is all Manuka honey everything so I’m definitely eager to give my new moisturizer a try after I finish up my current jar. Thank you, TJMaxx! 😀

Where do you get all of your beauty and skin care products at? How do you shop beauty on a budget? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May20

Lil Red’s Book Club: Hide By Lisa Gardner Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Hide By Lisa Gardner Edition

Hi! I love visiting the local libraries in my area because you never know what kind of events are taking place or good stuff that they’re giving away. At the library in North Hill that I go to with one of my clients, there are always a few boxes of books that are free for the taking and we always enjoy looking through those. The last time that we were there, I had a massive haul of thriller, horror, and suspense books including Hide by Lisa Gardner.

I just finished this suspense filled whodoneit a few days ago and I LOVED it. Normally, I am very good at figuring out the outcome of a book or movie well before the grand reveal but, for once, this one kept me guessing the entire time. I hate to brag, but this honestly never happens.

Hide revolves around Tanya or Annabelle or whatever her name is because, sometimes, she doesn’t even know. Her life has been on the run nonstop since her youth and, just as she thought that things were finally settling down, an underground chamber containing the mummified remains of six little girls was found on the grounds of an abandoned mental hospital.

The story is told from the perspectives of Bobby Dodge, a new detective and Annabelle and it switches back and forth every few chapters. Both the detective and Annabelle are trying to solve the mystery of who committed such an atrocious crime and fast. Because, somehow, Annabelle is the missing key and she very well could be next.

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Although this book was just about four hundred and fifty pages, it felt like a quick read and I definitely recommend it for fans of crime related psychological thrillers. My only qualm is that a cheap bottle of window cleaner from the Dollar Tree managed to open in my car and spill all over my book, which made it look pretty gross! Thankfully, I was still able to read it despite the water logged pages and now I am really interested in reading more of Lisa Gardner’s work!

What is your favorite genre to read? What are you reading right now (Other than my blog, of course!)? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May19

Lil Red’s Presidential Medal Of Freedom: Too Faced Melted Matte In Queen B Edition

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Lil Red’s Presidential Medal Of Freedom: Too Faced Melted Matte In Queen B Edition

Helloooo! Have any of you ever had a beauty product that you were pretty excited about but just never bothered using? Lol, because that’s what definitely happened with the Sephora freebie I got of Too Faced’s Melted Matte lip paint. I got the shade in Queen B FO FREE with a twenty-five dollar online purchase and I thought that the deep mauve shade was pretty but it also is a color that I wouldn’t normally wear so it just sat unused in my makeup box until May 15th, 2019.

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On that fateful day, I was wearing a turquoise spaghetti strap top, denim shorts, black mini platforms, and a jean jacket. I thought that the above shade would look so good with the various blue hues that I had in my OOTD so I put some on, threw the tube of lippie in my bag, and headed out the door.

I was right, of course, because the lipstick looked divine. And, like anyone, I was expecting to have to reapply after working, eating lunch, and kissing my boyfriend. But… I didn’t? I was blown away! This lip paint literally didn’t budge. So, I continued on with my day which included eating Indian food and more kissing my boyfriend. AND IT STILL STAYED ON! It looked like I had just applied it and, at that point, I had had the color on for at least ten hours.

HOW DOES THAT EVEN HAPPEN?!
HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?!
WHY HAS IT TAKEN ME ALMOST A YEAR TO USE THIS LIPPIE?!
TUNE IN NEXT WEEK ON I HAVE NO IDEA!

But, seriously though. How is that even possible? This is why I have to award the Too Faced Melted Matte lip paint with the Lil Red Presidential Medal Of Freedom. For withstanding Indian food, PDA, and a day on the job without so much as budging. I thank you for your commendable service and cannot recommend this product enough! 😀

What is your favorite product by Too Faced? Do you have any products that have been sitting unused in your stash? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr30

Lil Sephora Haul

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Lil Sephora Haul

Helloooo everyone! Within the past year or so, I have become absolutely addicted with shopping Sephora. Can you believe that there was a point in my life when I didn’t understand why people were so obsessed with it?! I used to think that it was so overpriced but, if you know how to shop their deals online, then you literally make out like a bandit with tons of free goodies and promotions.

Whenever I need a reup on my beloved Better Than Sex mascara, I always turn to Sephora’s website so that I can get some free swag with the things that I needed to purchase anyways. In my most recent haul, I grabbed two more BTS mascaras, my favorite highlighter in Sephora’s Golden Hour collection in Dusk, and three freebies. Take a look:

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The Haul:

  • 2 Better Than Sex mascaras by Too Faced
  • Golden Hour collection highlighter in Dusk by Sephora
  • Laura Mercier lipstick in Classic Red – FREE!
  • Daisy by Marc Jacobs perfume sample – FREE!
  • Jack Black Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser sample – FREE!

Although I do love shopping Sephora online, it is sometimes disappointing to receive your package and see that the samples that you ordered were replaced with different ones. I originally chose a face mask and serum sample as my two freebies and got the perfume and cleanser, instead, most likely because the two I wanted were out of stock. It’s fine, but I’m not really a perfume girl and I can never tell if I like a cleanser by just one sample use. This has actually happened the past several times I ordered with Sephora and, believe me, I’m not mad about it. It’s just more annoying than anything.

Another unfortunate instance with this order was that the box for one of my mascaras was completely un-intact, which is a little disconcerting with makeup. I’m not worried about it, but it’s just not a good look to open your box and see one of the rather expensive mascara tubes just hanging out in there instead of in its package. Normally, Sephora’s packaging is on point and this was easily the worst overall order I’ve had since shopping with them.

Despite the hiccups with my freebie samples and the poor packaging, I am excited to try the Classic Red lipstick shade by Laura Mercier, which I got for free with a twenty-five dollar purchase. Be on the lookout for a swatch post for that soon. And, here’s to a better unboxing experience next time!

What is your favorite store to purchase makeup from? Which store offers the best freebies or rewards programs? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah