It never hurts to ask

I remembered my ULTA coupon today! I also brought the entire catalog with me...a little way for me to stay focused.  I wanted to pick up Too Faced's "a la mode eyes" (sexy St. Tropez eye shadow collection). As an added bonus, it qualified for a gift all on it's own. The cashier rang me up and I was about to go about my merry way when I remember the gift, so I pulled out my handy dandy catalog and asked if the gift was still available.  Sadly, it wasn't...but because I asked, the girl behind the counter put together a few little samples just for me.  I ended up with a lip brush, a bareMinerals primer sample packet and 2oz sample of "it's a 10".  I actually have the full size of "it's a 10" and really like it, so all in all it was a pretty decent sample selection.

Too Faced, a la mode eyes

So, when it comes to ULTA's 21 days of Beauty...be sure to know what offers are available, and it doesn't hurt to ask if they're able to sub in some other samples!

my pretty wishlist

I've put myself on a bit of a beauty (and other non-essential item) spending hold. It's not going to be easy, what with working in the cosmetics department and loving beauty products and knowing that there is an extra employee discount coming up. I'm staying strong though! There will always be things I want and want to try, and so I've created this little wishlist, also I'm new to Polyvore and still getting the hang of it.

my pretty wishlist by tamorama 

Urban Decay makeup
$50 - sephora.com   (Yes, I've got the original, but these colors are so pretty too!)

Benefit Cosmetics eye makeup
$19 - sephora.com  (I've got one, in RSVP and like it and want to try more)

Bulgari fragrance
$64 - macys.com  (I have the original Omnia Cristalline, but I like this new one more)

Too Faced Cosmetics gift sets kit
$46 - sephora.com  (Love a great value kit! Especially with cute bags)

John Masters Organics haircare
€30 - colette.fr  (Read about it in a blog, helps make hair healthy, I'm in!)

NARS Wicked Attraction Set
$49 - sephora.com  (Always wanted to try NARS, and a value kit is a great way to start)

What items are on your wishlist?

pretty bomb balms...yay for BB creams!

All sorts of lines are coming out with their BB creams (Beauty Balm, Blemish Balm, what have you).  Typically they offer more sunscreen protection than a tinted moisturizer. They're also supposed to improve your skin with antioxidants, and many may claim to even out your skin tone.

I'm a fan.  I feel like they offer more coverage than a tinted moisturizer and as California girl, I feel the added sun protection is a plus.  Of the one's that I've tried Clinique's BB Cream (in shade 2, spf 30) remains my favorite.  When I first used it, it seem thick on my skin and I would mix it with my foundation...over the first couple of weeks though I found myself using less and less foundation. Now, I use a little moisturizer to hydrate my skin and a little dab of the BB and I'm good to go (well not counting the makeup steps).

I've also tried the following:

• Smashbox Camera Ready (shade light, spf 35): almost a little too light for me, but really seems to calm redness after a work out.
• Estee Lauder's BB cream (#1 light): the fragrance is too strong for me, it's a fresh scent and all...just too much for my taste.
• Too Faced (Cream Glow, spf 20): I really like this one a lot...it would be my favorite, except for the shimmer in it.  I like a little shimmer now and then, but not every day.
• Skin 79: (BB pink mini set): Admittedly I was warned (via another blog) that this is better on Asian skin.  The product comes from Korea, and it was a good price so I gave it a shot...it just didn't work on my skin tone.
• Origins (shade 1): Just received a sample of this from their counter the other day.  I love the scent it has a little fruity/sweet but light and fades quickly.  The coverage is very light compared to the others I've tried, but good for an all natural kind of day.  They do come in six shades which is more options than anyone else is offering right now.
• Clarins also has their Beauty Balm, which has no tint and no spf.  I love this product because you can put it on before your makeup, or later in the day you can rehydrate your face by gently patting this product into your skin...they don't market it as a BB cream, but I thought I'd throw it in anyway.