pixelbunny's picks

Mr Pixelbunny was lucky enough this year to snag an early bird ticket to the L’Oréal Warehouse Sale this year so we made a date out of going. We went in with the intention of stocking up on body lotion as it’s the one thing we consistently go through on a regular basis. Everything else was we were going to leave up to fate.

First Visit

• Garnier Intensive 7 Days Repairing Lotion with shea butter for extra dry skin – $5 (orig. $7.97)
• Garnier Intensive 7 Days Nourishing Lotion with manga oil for dry skin – $2 (orig. $4.97)
• Garnier Hydra Express 24H Hydrating Gel-Cream with peach oil for dry skin – $2 (orig. $4.97)
• Lancôme Tonique Radiance – $23.25 (orig. $40)
• Lancôme Huile Douceur – $24 (orig. $40, but discontinued)
• Matrix Biolage ExquisiteOil Micro Oil shampoo – $17.50 (orig. $22)
• Matrix Biolage ExquisiteOil Oil Crème conditioner – $18 (orig. $22)

Body lotion is a must and was one of the main reasons for going to the sale. So into our bag went the Garnier lotions. Lancôme’s Tonique Radiance is a favourite toner in this household, and even though I had just bought two large format bottles from the Lancôme website literally a week ago, I had to pick up one more. Huile Douceur was more of an impulse buy as I like to try oil cleansers here and there, but it wasn’t until I got home and looked it up to find it’s already discontinued. I really liked the Biolage Full Lift Volumizing shampoo and conditioner I bought at the Fall 2014 sale, but it wasn’t here anymore. Instead, we picked up Biolage ExquisiteOil to try out.

• Essie Good to Go Rapid Dry Top Coat – $4.75 (orig. $10.75)
• Lancôme Lip Lover mini trio – $27.50 (orig. $46)
• Lancôme Vernis in Love in #137 Rouge Cabaret – $11.50 (orig. $19)
• Lancôme Vernis in Love in #545 Aqua Bleu – $8.75 (orig. $19)
• Lancôme Vernis in Love in #550 Illuminations – $8.75 (orig. $19)
• Maybelline Baby Lips in peppermint x2 – $2 each (orig. $3.56)

I love Lancôme’s vernis in love for the wide paddle brush and beautifully smooth formulation so I picked up a few of those. I’d also heard rave reviews for lip lover so seeing the mini trio in three very wearable colours seemed like a good chance to try it out. Of course, Maybelline’s baby lips are a no brainer. I love the clear ones because I can wear it during the day AND at night, so a double use.

That night we tried out the Biolage ExquisiteOil shampoo and conditioner to see if we liked it. We ended up loving it, and a second trip was planned for the next day to stock up.

Second Visit

• Matrix Biolage ExquisiteOil Micro Oil shampoo x3 – $17.50 each (orig. $22)
• Matrix Biolage ExquisiteOil Oil Crème conditioner x3 – $18 each (orig. $22)

I think this should last us until the next sale, right?

• Garnier Hydra Express 24H Hydrating Gel-Cream with grape oil x3 – $2 each (orig. $4.97)
• Vichy Pureté Thermale 3 in 1 Calming Cleansing Micellar Solution for sensitive skin and eyes – $16.50 (orig. $20)
• La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP – $19.75 (orig. $33)
• Maybelline Baby Lips in peppermint x2 – $2 each (orig. $3.56)

More body lotions of course; the lighter lotions being specifically for the upcoming warmer months. I picked up Vichy’s Pureté Thermale to try out, and a larger pump bottle of La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar Baume AP, since that stuff is working wonders for my eczema. And then I picked up two more Maybelline Baby Lips because you can never have too many.

Total value = $469.81
Total paid = $309.75! (with taxes, it came to $350.01)

If you’re able to snag an early bird ticket, it’s best to go during that first weekend. Early bird tickets are fewer in number than regular tickets so there aren’t as many people there as the regular ticket weekends. We went around 11am and there weren’t too many people. We ran into one of Mr’s coworkers who had gone right at 9am and he told us he and his wife were with a huge crowd.

<rant> My only complaint was on the second day. Security wasn’t very good at checking tickets at the door and let in everyone with a 2015 ticket. This posed a problem when it came to cashiers as they weren’t consistent. While I was in line, I noticed one cashier had called a manager over to dispute the customer’s ticket. I could overhear the manager saying that the customer’s ticket was not an early bird ticket, and that she could not purchase items until the weekend after. The customer argued and I don’t know the outcome, but it makes sense that if you don’t have an early bird ticket, you shouldn’t be able to purchase anything until your allotted weekend. However, I looked at the people checking out around me and tons of people had later tickets, not the early bird ticket. I fumed as I watched the cashier take the ticket and rang in their items. What’s the point of having early bird tickets if no one is checking the tickets properly? The non early bird tickets clearly state that the sale starts on March 11, so people who showed up on March 7 and 8 have excuse for showing up early unless they knowingly knew there was an early bird weekend. </rant>

Anyways, if you’re able to snag a ticket to go to this event, it’s definitely worth going to! If you’re interested in seeing my posts on previous sale you can click below:

• Fall 2014
• Spring 2014
• Fall 2013
• Spring 2013
• Fall 2012

I was a little late in getting to this sale this time around and didn’t go until the very last day. I think if I had gone earlier, there might have been more things to choose from, but being that it was the last day, I think all the really good things were gone and all that was left were the so-so things. I didn’t get a lot of things this time around, probably because of what was left.

The haul

• L’Oréal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Moisturizing Fluid – $6.50 each (orig $9.99)
• Garnier Body Intensive 7 Days Soothing Lotion in Honey– $3 (orig. $10.95)
• Garnier Refreshing Remover Cleansing Towelettes – $4.75 (orig, $9.97)
• L’Oréal Ideal Moisture for Sensitive Skin – $4.75 (orig. $10.47)
• Biotherm Aquasource Superserum – $27.75 (not available anymore but some online stores have it for $62.50)
• Essie Sleek Stick Nail Appliqué in Show Me Your Stuff – $4.75 (orig. $12.99)

Total Value = $126.86
Total Price Paid = $58 (with taxes, it was $65.54)

As much as I love going to the L’Oréal warehouse sales, I’m finding that the same things are being put out year after year. You also have to look at the dates on packages very carefully. Sunscreen I found to have expiry dates ranging from Dec 2014 to Jun 2016. I spotted a whole bunch of Lancôme Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate (not the newer Advanced Genifique) and they had dates on the bottom of the boxes that had “JN 00”! So June 2000? Now I’m pretty sure that isn’t an expiry date but maybe a production date? Does this mean that it has been sitting around for 14 years?! As much as I wanted to stock up on Genifique (I love it sooo much), I couldn’t bring myself to buy something that’s potentially 14 years old.

[Edit: April 1, 2014 – Thanks to Wendyyy, the date I thought was on the bottom of the package is actually a batch code. I used Cosmetic Calculator to look up the production and expiry dates on my products and they’re still good! Next time there’s a sale, I’m going to have this handy on my phone so I can check while I’m on the go!]

Did you go to the warehouse sale? What did you pick up?

Running late and didn’t have time to do your nails? Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-On Manicure has you covered. From my Influenster #MapleVoxBox, I received the pattern in Holla!

imPRESS Press-On Manicure – $8.99-$10.99

The packaging itself is a very pliable plastic box. Easy to open.

Container

On the display tray are five different designs in five different sizes. There are two of each design in the same size so you can match your left and right hand if you wished. The remaining nail covers are loose behind the display tray.

Beautiful designs

There are 24 nail covers in total, with 12 different sizes. Each nail cover is made of hard plastic and is rounded, so as to fit the natural curve of your nail.

Another look at a different angle

On my nails 

I found the application of these nails to be incredibly easy. After measuring out which nail cover fits which nail, I laid them all out on a table and started applying them in order. Most of the time was spent figuring out which nail cover fit which nail. Putting them on took me less than a couple of minutes. I do feel the nail covers on my nail, and the feeling may or may not go away, depending on how sensitive you are. For me personally, I could still feel the nail cover. Although it’s not an uncomfortable or painful feeling – it’s more of an annoying kind of feeling – you know it’s there and it’s not going to go away.

My overall impression is that these nail covers are a fast and easy way to have a beautiful look in a very short amount of time. For parties or even just a night out, I think these work great. For long term use, it doesn’t work for me. I would likely use them for a few hours out, then take them off when I got home.

Have you ever tried printed nail covers before? Let me know your experience below!

*I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. I was not compensated in any way. My opinions are entirely my own.

It’s Luxebox time!

Surprisingly, I received some mail today! That’s right, mail delivery on a sunday? Maybe because it’s getting closer to holidays? In any case, I received my Winter Luxebox today! So what could I do but anxiously open it up?

The contents

To be honest, I was pretty disappointed with this season’s box. Most of what I received were small samples and not considered a deluxe size at all. Here’s the breakdown.

EVOLVh UltraShine Moisture Shampoo

Never heard of this brand but am open to trying it. However, I would have appreciated it if they included the matching conditioner. I’m a shampoo and conditioner kind of gal, so only having shampoo in the box perplexes me. Now I need to use a conditioner that’s from an entirely different brand that might not even work well with this shampoo.

Full size: 250ml for $24
Sample size: 75ml for $7.20

Keratase Elixer Ultime

I’m pretty sure I received something really similar in a previous box, though not exactly the same. This is a hair oil that’s meant for colour-treated hair. This is something I’m positive I had indicated in my personal profile that I do NOT have. This is a completely useless product for me.

Full size: 250ml for $42
Sample size: 3ml for $0.50

theBalm Stainiac

I was only introduced to theBalm from the last Luxebox so this is something I’m willing to try out. I wonder how it is compared to Benefit’s Benetint?

Full size: 0.3 oz for $17
Sample size: $2.27

Essie No More Film

I’m very disappointed with this as No More Film was part of Essie’s 2012 Resort Collection, which means the collection has been out for over a year now. To have this in the box now is pretty late.

Full size: 13.6ml for $11.99
Sample size: This is the full size.

Yves Rocher Sexy Pulp Ultra Volume mascara

A mini tube of mascara. I’m not too interested in mascara since I can only wear it when I wear my contacts. I’m still willing to try it out though.

Full size: 9ml for $19
Sample size: $5.28

L’Occitane 20% Shea Hand Cream

The one thing I’m really really excited to try. I’ve heard so many good things about L’Occitane’s hand creams, especially this one in particular. I can’t wait to try it out!

Full size: 150ml for $30
Sample size: $2

Loose Button lip brush

I feel like these Loose Button branded brushes shouldn’t be counted as part of the 6-7 deluxe samples that each box is supposed to contain. For consumers that are as like-minded as I am, I am paying for these quarterly boxes to receive up-to-date deluxe samples that are on trend with the current season. A lip brush is not what I consider something that is “on trend”. I am treating this as a freebie throw in and not counting it in the value of the box.

Full size: No price, but I’m going to guess around $6.
Sample size: This would be considered full size.

To sum it all up…

# of sample size products = 5
# of full size products = 1
Total value of this season’s Luxe Box = $29.24

Wow Loose Button. This box was pretty much a fail. To put out a box that costs only marginally more than what I paid for when all of your other boxes have had much greater value? This is enough to seriously make me consider cancelling my subscription altogether. Even though you’re providing consumers with the option to “upgrade” their boxes by paying extra, I feel like it’s just an extra cash grab to gain more money. Part of the fun is not knowing what you’re going to get and the surprise that comes with it. However, if you’re advertising 6-7 deluxe beauty samples, then that’s what you should be providing. Never mind. Their website now says 7-8 trial sized beauty and lifestyle items. I’m remember when they made the change from monthly to seasonal, they said the extra time would allow them to curate better deluxe sized samples.

I’ll be taking some time deciding if I want to continue with my subscription or not. Hopefully all of your boxes were much better than what I received.

It is that time of the year again – L’Oréal’s biannual warehouse sale held in Toronto. I’ve been going ever since Mr. Pixelbunny started bringing home these tickets from work, and I can’t pass up on scoring on some good bargains. You can see my previous visits here and here. Here is my haul for this time. For reference, I looked up the full price for each and put it in brackets.

Nail polishes, foundation, body lotion, and face cream

• L’Oréal Color Riche mini in 305 Dating Coral x2 – $2.50 each (orig. $3.99)
• Essie Luxe Effects in A Cut Above – $4 (orig. $9.99)
• Essie Luxe Effects in Pure Pearlification – $4 (orig. $9.99)
• Lancôme Teint Idole Fresh Wear in Bisque 3N – $14.75 (orig. $40)
• Garnier Body Intensive 7 Days Soothing Lotion in Honey – $3.75 (orig. $7.79)
• L’Oréal Men Expert Vita Lift Anti-Wrinkle & Firming Moisturizer – $9.75 (orig. $15.79)

Gorgeous eyeshadow palettes!

• Lancôme Les Oeillades in 02 Blondette Fatale – $19.75 (orig. $54)
• Lancôme Color Design Eye Brightening All-in-One 5 Shadow & Liner Palette in 505 Sparkling Intoxication – $14.75 (orig. $54)

Total worth  = $199.54
Total spent = $75.75!!! (including taxes, it came out to $85.60)

As you can see, lots of items are old (the Lancôme eye shadows are from 2011 and 2012), and some are still on the current market (Essie polishes, Lancoôme foundation). I love that you’re paying a fraction of the retail price and that alone makes it worth going.

Some notable things I saw there that might interest some of you:

• Maybelline Baby Lips – can’t remember how much but there was lots of them!
• Lancôme Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate – these are the older formulation (not the Advanced Genifique) but holy cow were they a steal! Instead of $95 for a 30ml bottle, it was only $30!!!! They also had the larger 75ml bottles for $50 (instead of $155!) so if you were interested in trying Genifique, this is the perfect time to get one. Or, to stock up if you’re already a user.
• Essie polishes for $4 or buy 5 get 1 free.

Did you go to the sale? What did you pick up? Let me know in the comments below!

The last colour that I picked up from the L’Oreal Warehouse sale for Spring 2013, this mini bottle is a sheer, pale, peachy pink colour.

Pretty pale peachy pink

Nail swatch

You can see in the above picture that the colour goes on really sheer. Pictured is two coats of polish. I might have to try painting a base coat of white before painting the colour on to get a more opaque look. Again, I’m not wearing any top coat but you can see how glossy the finish is.

Drip-drip!

I love the wide paddle brush because it makes application so much easier and faster than the thinner brushes.

Another polish I picked up from the L’Oreal Warehouse sale for Spring 2013, this colour is a a bright pink.

Mini bottle

I love these mini 5ml bottles because they’re just enough to try a colour without committing to a full size bottle. This colour is super pretty – a bright pink (but not a hot pink). No shimmer in this colour and dries to a perfectly glossy finish. Again, I got away with 10 days of wear before chips started showing. These formulas are amazing!

Nail swatch

This would also be good for summer time too, not just for spring. See how ridiculously glossy this is? I took this picture without using top coat.

Another artistic attempt

I need more practice getting that drop in focus!

I picked this one up at the L’Oreal Warehouse sale for Spring 2013. It’s a gorgeous orange-pink colour that wears beautifully.

Mini bottle that holds 5ml

You can’t see it in the picture, but on close up inspection of the bottle, you can see some shimmer in the colour. The colour also looks slightly different depending on what lighting you’re in. Outdoors, the colour leans more orange whereas indoors, the colour leans more pink.

On the nails

I love this colour. It’s so bright and perfect for Spring. I wore this with both base and top coat and was astonishingly chip-free for 10 days. 10 days! That’s unheard of for me and nail polish!

Fancy shot

Behold my sad attempt at a fancy shot. It’s incredibly hard doing this when one hand is holding the brush and the other hand is trying to steady a camera. I need to dig out the old tripod.

I picked this one up at the L’Oreal Warehouse sale for Spring 2013. This was originally released as part of L’Oréal’s Miss Candy Collection for Summer 2012. These mini bottles are the perfect size for me because I’ll actually have a chance at finishing one rather than have multiple bottles collect dust. Each mini bottle contains 5ml.

#616 – Innocent Green

It’s a gorgeous teal, blue-green in colour. Depending on the light you’re in, the colour will be slightly different. It shows up more blue under natural light, and when in indoor light, it shows up more green. Beautiful colour for spring though!

New paddle brush design

Another thing I love is the brush size. It’s a new wider, paddle shaped brush. It’s very similar to Lancôme’s nail vernis brush. Because of it’s wide size, it’s very easy to apply the polish to each nail. It was pretty opaque with one coat, but out of habit, I put on two coats. The result is super shiny and glossy. Absolutely gorgeous! I need to swatch the rest of the bottles that I got soon!

When I first saw Lancôme’s Vernis in Love for their Spring 2013 collection, I fell in love with the colours – specifically 301M, Sugar Rose. It is a gorgeous pale, pastel pink, which is a perfect shade for spring. I had to get my hands on it.

This picture doesn’t do the colour justice!

When it arrived in my mail, I obsessed over it. The beautiful glass bottle with its sleek black cap, the cute little Lancôme rose detail on the glass bottle and top of cap, the gorgeous shade of colour. I opened the bottle and squealed some more. The brush is amazing. It’s significantly wider than Essie’s nail polish brushes, which makes for easier application. The formula is thicker too, so I figured application would be quick and easy. And that’s when my smile started to falter.

As gorgeous as this shade is, it applies extremely sheer. It took 3 coats in order to give off an opaque look, and even then, some nails required a fourth. This likely wouldn’t have been a problem with Essie polishes since their formula is lighter, but with Lancôme’s, the thick formula is your enemy. Three to four coats makes for a ghastly appearance around the edges (especially if you’re a beginner with nail polish like me). I’m not very good at applying exactly overtop of the same edge as the previous coat, so there are notable ridges along the side of the nail.

I think that if you were to go for any of Lancôme’s darker or more pigmented colours, you would love it. However, for such light pastels such as Sugar Rose, I think you’re better off with Essie since the lighter formula will be more forgiving when more than 2 coats are applied.

If you’re thinking of picking up any of the spring colours, I’d suggest going for the other colours, but to skip over this one. Sorry Lancôme, but this shade was disappointing to me.