Emergency ULTA Hair Related Haul

I can think of very few beauty situations that are less frustrating than when your hair dryer starts to spark and smell like burning plastic about two minutes after you've initiated contact with it. I'm not one of those girls that can go natural in the hair department. I need me some heat and lots of it or I look like a drowned rat or a grease head who hasn't washed her hair in a week because there is absolutely no volume or lift when I air-dry my hair, it just lays there flat against my head but still frizzy. Flat and frizzy? I can't think of anything worse. Except knowing you're going to have to spend three digits on something that is an essentially rather boring purchase. I'm not big on hair stuff, I'm more of a makeup girl and spending $100 in ULTA on stuff that isn't makeup just seems kind of a waste and more of a duty than an enjoyable spending spree.

But as beauty fate would have it, the same day my hair dryer fizzled out, a 20% off coupon from ULTA landed in my mailbox. A coupon with barely any exclusions good on your entire purchase! 

So I spent some time testing out all of the hairdryers in the mid-expensive range because I want this baby to last. Spending $30 on a hairdryer will ultimately end in spending another $30 and then another $30 because they just don't last. Do you know that before I started spending a lot on a hairdryer, my hair would just break off so easily and never grow. Fast forward to buying a good hairdryer and my hair finally grows and feels a lot better. Who knows if there is a correlation there but it helps me to justify cost. 

So the most expensive hair dryers at ULTA are the T3 brand that range from $100-$250. I have two requirements for a hair dryer: that they are semi-lightweight and that they come with one of those attachments that eliminate direct between hair and metal. Moving on, Chi makes the next most expensive category of driers from about $150-$200 and then Rusk, Sedu and others. My shopping willpower is weak and naturally inclined to go with the best available because of curiosity as to WHY its supposed to be the best. But I finally showed my willpower who was boss and opted for a T3, but a cheaper T3 that was on sale for $100 + my coupon brought it down to around $80.

T3 Veloce Tourmaline Hairdryer $99 at ULTA, exciting isn't it?

Not willing to let my coupon go to waste on just ONE item, I purchased the Rusk Bright shampoo that is good for blondes, like not for normal blondes but the ones like me who actually have zero pigment left in their hair and take platinum to whole new level. My hairdresser advised me that the Rusk was good but not to use it TOO often or it would turn my hair pink. That was actually the selling point for me because that means it is powerful and that is what I need when the brassiness starts to surface and the dreaded "gold" starts to take over your previously silvery/blonde locks. 

I also picked up some fancy eyelashes by Eylure, the number 1 selling false eyelash in the UK. The Party Perfect line from Eyelure includes fancier looking lashes than its normal line. I love them because they are thick with sparkles and then get longer on the outside portion. I'm wearing them for my cat costume on Halloween. Not that long, sparkly lashes have much to do with cats.

And that was it! I did look at the makeup aisles but wasn't tempted so that must mean there is absolutely nothing of interest out right now for me to not even be tempted! Dare I say I am content at the moment with my makeup collection? Don't worry, it won't last.

A Lipstick for Everyone! My Current Favorite From Too Faced

I may have mentioned this lipstick briefly in a previous post but allow me to reiterate. I have been enjoying the Too Faced lipstick in "Centerfold" ($20) for quite some time now and I thought it was my duty as a beauty informant to tell you about it. This was my first Too Faced lipstick and I am quite impressed. I don't normally go for those cutesy gimicky brands with all of the fancy packaging, although they are quite pleasing to the eye. However, I have come to realize that Too Faced makes a fantastic lipstick. The formula is pretty much perfect in that it is formulated with Shea Butter and other hydrating components that make it so comfortable and totally non-drying. Honestly its the perfect consistency and what I love is that the formula doesn't emphasize any of your lip imperfections like flaky and dry patches (:cough:like some MAC lipsticks can). And it has a pleasant fragrance which oddly enough, kind of smells like beer if you really concentrate on the scent long enough to experience those fragrance notes. Call me crazy, it still smells good. I apologize to Too Faced for thinking I was too good for its products. I now know they sure make a killer lipstick. And I know my lipstick.

Bonus: no need for a gloss with this lipstick because it gives enough of a pretty sheen on its own.

Oh, the packing is adorable! Its shiny, pink, and has a jewel looking mechanism on one end. And the cap is pink inside which I really enjoy. Its all in the details ladies. You know how babies are attracted to shiny things? I think women are attracted to pink and sparkly things. I'm pretty sure it stems from childhood and the desire to become a princess. 

The color: Centerfold is the perfect shade for everyone whether they be pale or dark, cool or warm, 16 or 60, this beautiful mid-tone mauve with a hint of a purple undertone will flatter anyone's lips. Trust me on this one. I can't tell you how perfect this shade is for fall. So get on out there to ULTA, if you received the 20% coupon in the mail like I did, I'm pretty sure it can be used on almost everything except Lancome and fragrances. If you already have Centerfold or another TF shade or if you end up buying it because of my recommendation, I'd love to hear how you like it! P.S. don't really pay attention to the photo above as it doesn't really represent the true color of Centerfold, the actual color is not dark. See below for a good swatch.

Too Faced Centerfold is on the left. This is not my photo, I can't find whose it is or I would give credit!

Lipstick to me is one of life's simple little pleasures. A woman always feels better in lipstick as it is an instant pick-me-up. I have so many fond memories of lipstick, from looking at my grandmother's gold lipstick tubes always encompassing a very fragrant floral scent to buying my first lipstick to becoming obsessed with it and needing to touch up in between every class in high school. I just love lipstick.

Anyone Have Access to Catrice Products?

Hello to any of you international lovelies out there that can get their hands on some Catrice "Nude Rose" lipliner(s) for me in the US. Catrice is not sold in the US unfortunately. If you are located in an area of the world where Catrice is easily accessible to you and you would like to do a little swap with me, please comment below. I would be happy to make a purchase for you that would equal the price of what I'm looking for, and throw in a little something something extra for your kindness in helping a sister out. 

According to their website, Catrice can be found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland but not sure if they've expanded any further.