Philosophy Cosmetics At Big Lots

When I first started blogging, I was heavy into going to Big Lots to look for polish. At first, I found some cool stuff but as time went on, I was coming out empty-handed. Eventually, I just gave up.

Then, I heard that the stores were getting in Philosophy brand makeup. I have a couple of the Philosophy fragrances, which I adore! However, I don't even think I knew they had makeup. But, that all changed when I read Nouveau Cheap's blog. Someone had spotted Philosophy makeup at their Big Lots and I got caught up in the rave.

Here are some blurry photos I took today...

My excuse for the bad photos is a new cell phone. It's an upgrade for me, so there's a learning curve going on. :/

Here's what I came home with...

The collection is called: The Color of Grace. At the top left, Heavenly Light Pink Illuminator; The Supernatural Coloring Book; Amazing Grace Shimmering Face Powder.

This is the Pink Illuminator...

 

 

 

 

 Next is the Supernatural Coloring Book. I love the neutral tones...

 These are swatches of the bottom blush, middle contour/bronzer and the top, left lip cream...

 Wow, these are buttery smooth!

I then there was a change in management as a (non)hostile company came in to take over the project. Kayla loves the windows and insisted on an office with a window...

Next, I swatched the shadows and the lip creme at the bottom again...

Last is my favorite, I think. It is Amazing Grace Shimmering Face Powder...

I like the shimmer this makes on my skin. I did put on a thick swatch of it to show, so it is a lot lighter to brush over the entire face. I tried this on over my makeup and I love how it looks.

And, just because I'm on a facial cleansing wipe obsession, I got this package for $1. And I found a Revlon Color Stay Sheer for $2...

I love that shade!!! It's called 'Blossom'. Didn't seem sheer to me!

And, management said this was a job well done. She then threw caution to the wind and said 'Give away one, new Shimmering Face Powder to a reader!' So, I thought that would be fun.

 

Leave me a comment on why you like shimmery face powder along with your email address and I'll draw a winner on Thursday, May 17 at 8 PM EST. One entry, please. And you need to leave both pieces of information for your entry to count.

I Spy....A Whole, Brand New Makeup Store!!!

I spied that a brand, new store opened at the Altamonte Springs Mall, here in Florida. It is named 'Red Lips'. The owner, Murat, told me that they had just opened last Saturday. I hope I didn't scare him when I saw this store and walked in all bug-eyed and my mouth hanging open...

Murat told me that he doesn't even have in all the products yet, but I let him know that I was way happy already. Can you imagine a WALL of NYX cosmetics!!!...

And to the right of the front door, a VANITY area!!...

This area isn't finished yet. Makeup mirrors will be installed and sampling tools will be set up too. Now you know why I'm soooo excited about this new store. Can you see the red lips border at the top of the wall!


This table is at the very front...

I lot of these products are Kleancolor Cosmetics. And here we have an entire display of Jordana nail polish...

To the left of the nail polish shelves is a display of Jordana makeup and more polish.

Lots and lots of palettes....

And, here is what I got...

At the top: NYX Le Chick Flick waterproof mascara; Kleancolor cuticle oil (neat bottle, eh?) Kleancolor American Eyedol Eye Shadow in Taupe; and two palettes of blushes from Kleancolor. Can you see the price on the blushes...$2.99 each. And these were not hard to use powders. They have great pigmentation but, I'll do a full review on those later.


Can you tell that I'm excited about Red Lips Cosmetic Store? And it's at the mall close to my own home. Plus, I have clients that I visit in this mall, at least every other week. Murat is going to get to know me very well. 

And Murat would like for you to get to know Red Lips store too. He is sponsoring a mini giveaway of the Kleancolor American Eyedol Eye Shadow. Did you take a look at the taupe shade in my photo? That's what we're giving away. And, I'm making this so easy even a caveman could do it. In the comments, tell me why you would like to receive this taupe shadow. This giveaway will end on Wednesday, May 16 at 8 PM, EST. Only one entry per person and you have to leave a comment about why you'd like the shadow AND put your email address too so I can contact you. I'll give the winner 72 hours (3 days) to contact me before I choose another winner. 


See? Easy! And I'll be sharing more about the Red Lips Cosmetic Store as it gets more products in. Heck, I'll probably be sharing a lot of photos from there!!! So, if you stop in, tell them Libby's Pink Vanity sent you. :)

Tool Tuesday: Stylist Emery Board

Seriously, not all beauty tools have to be expensive. Take, for instance, this humble nail tool...

I don't even know its' proper name, but what a handy little booger it is! I get these at Sally's Beauty Supply. They are only 25 cents too. And I like that there are fun colors to choose from, like pink, green and purple.

It's a stylist with each end an emery board. I use it to do fine filing on the sides or undersides of my nails. If I get a bit of polish on my skin, next to my nail, I can use this to gently rub it off, after the polish has dried. Some of my nails are bowed at the end. I can use this stylist to file the underneath tip of my nail.

They don't last near as long as a flat and bigger emery board. However, I have them in my nail kit, handy should I need to file in a small area.

Have you seen these? What else do you use yours for?

Sometimes 'Shop' Means More Than Just 'Buy'

When I was younger (not that I'm old now!), I would take the time to comparison shop. That, as opposed to seeing something I like, and buying it without further financial thought. However, let me tell you why I don't do this hardly at all anymore: I know a deal when I see it.


That's a bold statement and a bit boisterous. But, because of my job, I'm in stores almost every day. I have a fairly good idea, in a ballpark sort of way, what the prices are of many items. So, I don't have to waste time and gas (both, which are really expensive) hunting for the best deal. Plus, there is the Internet and smartphone apps to give me all these comparisons, right at my fingertips.


But, I want to share with you something I found. And, I should have taken a photo of my smug mug too. 


There was no way in HELL I was walking out of the store without this...

 

I fancied this right away at Forever 21. At $7.89, I didn't even ask myself if it was something I REALLY needed. No point in asking myself stupid questions.


If you think I treat my makeup like works of art, you win! Yes, I do. I can sit with a new palette of shadows or a brand, new tube of lipstick and just gaze at it. Sigh...the simple pleasures.


It wasn't too many days later, I was at a different mall. I had finished up my work for that day and I loafed shopped looked browsed around. Totally unexpected, I found this at Urban Outfitters...

 

Same thing!!! However, the Urban Outfitter (UO) palette is 34%, or 1/3, more than the one I got at Forever 21. 


There are some surprising ways to think about this. The first one that comes to mind is that Urban Outfitters makes more money on their palette. However, that assumes that UO got theirs for the same price as Forever 21. Depending on either companies' purchasing power, UO may have had to pay more for theirs to begin with. 


Another assumption is that Urban Outfitters needs more per sale because they have more overhead. While this may be true, I don't know for sure. It could be that Forever 21 doesn't want to make as much profit on their merchandise. Nah. That isn't going to happen.


However, there is a twist to this pricing game: Regardless of which business made more money, did I save any money? I actually didn't. Not only am I out $7.89 plus tax, these shadows are just not working for me.


Unless I find a shadow primer that works so these shadows do not crease as wickedly as they have been, I wasted my money.


But then, I could always frame it and mount it on the wall...by the vanity.

Target's Beauty Bag: Coupons and Samples

Last week I got my Target Beauty Bag. I didn't even know if my request had gone through when I applied online so, I was super thrilled when this came in the mail...

 And the answer is "YES"; a grown woman will squeal in delight over a cute, little bag and some sweet samples...

And heck ya, I need coupons to go with it! I dig the stuff Target has in their beauty bags. And, back to the little bag...OMG! OMG! OMG!....

If Libby (my ragdoll cat and mascot of this blog) had gone to college, these would have been her varsity colors!!


Let's take a peek inside, right after I drool some more over this BAG!!!!...

Loreal's Magic Lumi Light Infusing primer (I used it already and will review it on a Sample Sunday post); Nivea Extended Moisture body lotion (smells good!); Neutrogena's Fresh Foaming Cleanser; Pantene's Fine Hair Conditioner; Simple's Cleansing Facial Wipes.


Stand out from this group is Simple's Cleansing Facial Wipes. I read a couple of beauty blogs were the writers felt they were cheating using facial wipes to remove their makeup. I've never felt I was cheating using them. I think cheating would be not washing my face at all!!!! 

So, this got me to thinking about doing a series on cleansing facial wipes. I'll use a brand for 7 days and do a review on it. I'll do a full review on the Simple facial wipes next week. But a sneak peek....I love 'em! Check in next week and see why.


Those coupons are in my purse and ready to be turned in at Target this weekend. Sweet! Oh, and that DARLING BAG!!!!!! Yes, I can go on and on.


Do you get the Target Beauty Bag?