Birthday/UnBirthday Haul.

Birthday Haul Time!

or...

If you wan t to get all technical, Unbirthday Haul Time. 

I say Unbirthday, since I was born on February 29th, evil Leap Year. And this year, there is no 29th of February. On the pesky non Leap Year, years, I celebrate both on the 28th and 1st of March. So, I went shopping at Ulta Beauty in store, as well as online and I went to Sephora for the first time. Then we have some of the things my husband and sister gifted to me.

First we have a Lipstick Palette from Stila from my online purchases, this palette has six really pretty shades. This palette is quite small, but we'll see how it works out.

Next is the they're Real! mascara by benefit sample/travel size. You're going to see a theme here I think, since I'm looking for better mascaras that won't irritate my eyes, but won't flake off or run. 

Now we have a travel size Lorac Tantolizer Baked Bronzer. I love there Tantolizer Matte Bronzer, but a lot of Matte products makes me look washed out, so I'm experimenting with some dewier looks to see if I like them or not. At the moment Ulta is running a free gift special with Lorac Products online and in store with some items, so with this I also got a sample of their Stay Matte face primer.

Aero Minerale Mineral Makeup Mist in the shade bare. This is suppose to be a dupe for Dior's spray on foundation, along with the one from Napoleon Cosmetics. I was looking for a quicker way to do my foundation, since I do have kids and my youngest is less than six months old. With the reviews and research I did, this looks promising. 

Now an eyeliner felt pen by Pixel. I've never heard of this brand before, but I didn't want to spend a ton of money on a liquid liner in pen form. This was the cheapest I found I do believe or somewhere around there. I'm eager to try this out, since the brand is new to me I don't have any expectations. I love trying new brands, especially if I've heard little or nothing about them. 

And lastly from my online shopping, I got the Dr. Lin skincare Acne Cleansing Pads. I'm not afraid to admit to myself and to anyone that I'm extremely lazy when it comes to nighttime face cleaning. Washing my face the traditional way, wakes me up. I don't want to be awake at night when I want to settle down. So, I have cleansing wipes that I use, now I have something that will replace my toner at nighttime. Also has 2% Salicylic Acid in them, so I can amp up my skincare, even though I love my Equate Beauty skincare line. 

Now on to my in store purchases from Ulta. I had my rewards certificate to use and I don't yet have a Kabuki brush. So, I grabbed this one by Ultas professional line of brushes. The brush is pretty soft, I haven't gotten around to using this yet, so we'll see how it holds up to my other brushes.

Forgive my poor editing, but I don't think you wanted to see my floor. 

Ultas Rewards Club birthday gift for February was a full size CK Cosmetics Mascara. So, of course I grabbed one while I was there. I'm REALLY excited about this mascara because of the wand. It's different. I've never seen another wand like it before and I'm dying to see how well it works. 

Lorac Pro Palette...

Let's just take a moment to enjoy those words.

This palette has been on my MUST HAVE list and because, it was my birthday I decided to splurge on it. This also came with a free sample, which was their eyeshadow primer. 

Now, on to what I got at Sephora. I only grabbed two things and one was my Beauty Insider Birthday Gift from Sephora, but still, it counts.

For my Beauty Insider gift, I chose the Makeup Forever Mascara and Rouge Lipstick mini's. It was this or something from benefit. Since I already got a mascara from that brand, I decided to go with a brand I haven't tried before. Thus, my reason for getting this. 

NARS Blush and Bronzer Duo in Orgasm and Laguna. This wasn't my original reason for going into the only Sephora in my area. I had gone intending to purchase one of the Hourglass Blushes, but my Sephora didn't carry them in store. I don't own a lot of blushes, I normally use my lipsticks or a few matte blushes that I do own. As I said before, I've been looking to try more dewy looks, but I didn't want a blush chocked full of evil glitter pixies. And sadly, most "dewy" blushes are. DrugStorePrincess aka Hilary was there and helped me go through blushes. When NARS Orgasm was brought up, I've heard a lot of hype about the product, both good and bad and I hadn't really considered getting it. Well, I was won over by the swatch, so I ended up purchasing the duo, since it made more financial sense, because I liked the bronzer too. 

Now, onto what my sister got me.

We have some Kiss Nail Dresses in neon colors with neon polka dots. I assume these are different from the Stick On Nail strips I've already reviewed, but I do really like this design. We shall see how different these are.  

A hand cream by bodycology in vanilla sugar. Sorry for the crap photo, but you get the point, it's lotion. Now this stuff smells heavenly. I love anything vanilla scented and these types of scents tend not to aggravate my migraine headaches, where a lot of perfume or candle scents do. So far, I love this and it's still winter and I need all the moisturizers I can get my hands on.

Finally my husband got me some clothes. Now, I'm ridiculously picky about dresses or skirts. From the material, to the length, cut, you name it, I nitpick. But, it seems, my husband tends to find the ones that I love. He's found two others that always hit the dirty laundry, as soon as its clean, this one is no different. The shoulder pieces are a soft mesh and the rest of the dress is this soft t-shirt like material. The length us just above the knee where I don't feel overly subconscious, but it doesn't make me look shorter than I already am like long skirts or dresses tend to do.  

Here's the closeup of the pattern on the dress. It's sugar skulls, crosses and some type of flower. I looks like a rose, I'm pretty sure that's what it is, but I could be wrong.

I'm a huge Nightmare Before Christmas fan. And he found me a pencil skirt with the ending scene of the movie on it. The skirt is another just above the knee length and the cut of a pencil skirt is very slimming and flatters my figure. It's also made of a material that doesn't restrict you when you walk, which is very nice. 

Last thing is another pencil skirt, same fabric and cut. This one is just has a different pattern, which is different colored stained glass windows and crosses.

That's the end of my birthday haul, I hope you enjoyed it and it's not bragging by any means, but if you like these types of posts let me know or let me know what you'd like to see next. I'll be posting reviews here and on my tumblr, simplydarkpleasureblog.tumblr.com on the same days and time. So if you'd prefer to follow me exclusively there, then you're more than welcome to do so. As always come find me on Twitter via the widget here or @Blog_SDP where you can get immediate updates on blog posts and general updates from me.

Until next time,
Stay Creative.

Mini Ulta Beauty Haul

I was going to save this for later in the week, but my model for the makeup look I'm working on is sick, so adjustments needed to be made, since I didn't have the time to do it on myself for Monday. 

Oh well, the show must go on I suppose. 

I needed to go shopping for a few things for this future makeup look and I had a coupon for 20% off my entire purchase at Ulta Beauty. The only crappy thing was, I was on such a strict budget that it was almost too sad to be unable to go buck wild like I had wanted to. Despite my budget restrictions, Ultas sales are to die for right now, so many awesome deals.

Shall we get right into this mini haul then?

Maybelline  New York
Clean Express Makeup Remover

I was completely out of eye makeup remover and this was buy one get one 50%. You could mix and match with other brands, I don't remember if I grabbed a qualifying item to go with this or not, but I needed this, especially when I saw it claimed to remove even waterproof mascara. All know that waterproof mascara is murder to remove, so I figured this was worth a try. I tested it out  on the back of my hand where I had tested out a waterproof product and it seemed to work, so we shall see if it works on really set on waterproof eye makeup.

Next, we have some of your standard eyelash curlers. I don't remember the brand, these were on clearance for 1.00USD and the packaging has already be deposited in the trash, so it shall remain a mystery for now. Believe it or not, these are my first eyelash curlers that I've ever owned. I had always felt it was an unnecessary step in my personal makeup routine for the longest time, but after a few dozen videos on some nifty tricks you can do with these by the Youtube Beauty Gurus I subscribe to, I started to lean towards maybe buying some. These were dirt cheap, as I said I have been curious about using these for a while, but didn't want to spend a whole lot of money on one. A dollar for a curiosity? Sure, why not. 

Now we have a Whipped Eyeshadow by Ulta, in the color Whipped Cream. This was bought for possible use in these special little makeup look I'm planning. I don't own any whipped or cream eyeshadows in my collection yet and this is the first. It's a pretty pearl white shade and the texture is a bit different. I've tested it a little when I got home and I'm still not sure what to make of this product yet. If it doesn't work for the makeup look, I may try using this for a highlighter of some sort.

essence Beauty Beats Eyeshadow
I'm Backstage

Another eyeshadow, this one from a company called, essence. I've used a lip liner from this brand before and was very impressed. They're a drug store brand and I was on a budget, so I grabbed this guy. I'm Backstage is another pearl shadow, in an icy blue color. It does reflect blue, but it also has micro glitter in it that appears to be silver, a faint blue color and maybe some baby pink. I'm very excited to use this.

essence kajal pencil
004 White

Something else that I regrettably didn't have in my collection, which is your basic white eyeliner pencil. I would have had a least one a long time ago, but would you believe that every time I go and look for any and I do mean ANY white eyeliner, it's all sold out? Even with my multiple trips to Ulta or purchasing online? I finally got to the store when they had some in stock in my budget range. After swatching this guy on my hand, I was so happy that the eyeliner texture felt as nice as the lip liner I had purchased back in December. I have high hopes for this product, can't wait to see if it holds up to my expectations.

NYX Ultra Pearl Mania Loose Pigments
2x Pearl White and Baby Blue

So many regrets it seems and loose pigments aren't an exception. I ogle loose pigments on a regular basis, but always seem to talk myself out of buying any. Not this time though! This was on my top two things I specifically went to Ulta for. I picked up two in Pearl White and one in Baby Blue. One of the Pearl Whites I'm stashing away for the giveaway that's slowly being put together. I've heard a lot of good things about NYX's loose pigments in the past, so do to my budget restrictions these were just what I was looking for. I would have preferred to find a darker shade of blue, but I can make this one work. These are so pearly and glittery, that I want to save the details for a review. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills
Beauty Genius Clear Waterproofing Gel

Nope, no mixing mediums in my collection either. Some reviewer I am...

This was the last thing I specifically went to Ulta for. Now I wasn't looking for this brand in particular, I had hoped for something on the lower end of the spectrum so I could splurge on other things, but as fate would have it, this was the only one I could find at the Ulta Beauty I was at. And I had to have it. I've never tried anything from Anastasia, I've heard many, many, many good things about this brand. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed. It claims it "bonds, seals and waterproofs powder makeup, loose shadows, micas and glitters." "Safe to to use on the eyelids, face, lips and on the body", directly on the box. I'm going to have to experiment with this, since I've never used anything like this before, but we must use it sparingly.

*GASP!*

Look, look, look!!!

I found them!

If you read my last haul post from Walmart and Dollar General, I was searching and searching for these, only to be met with utter disappointment. Apparently my local Walmart isn't going to carry these awesome, amazing, Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips anymore. I had hoped I'd find these when I was at Ulta and I did! The one I ended up grabbing was Queen of the Jungle, which is a giraffe print. Normally, this isn't something I'd gravitate towards, but for some reason it spoke to me. And that darn budget of mine and needing certain things, I could only grab one for now. But, at least my mind is put to ease and I know I can find these again. This is my "go to" fancy manicure/nail art product, if I don't have the time to actually and paint designs myself. Sooo happy!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain
Darling 

Lastly, we have a balm stain from Revlon. I had purchased one of these in December in a red shade, as a impulse buy when I was looking to explore wearing a red lip again. I thought a stain that was also a balm would be the best way for me personally to test the waters of a red lip again. I ended up wearing that color out to dinner with my husband that same night and I fell in love. I had seen the display for this shade, but at that particular time it was out of stock and I wanted it so bad. When I saw that Ulta had one of these left when I was there, I had to grab it. It's a really nice light purple that leans towards the redder side of purple, so it has slight pink undertones to it. Maybe if I manage to get my hands on a few more of these I'll do a review. 

And that wraps up this mini Ulta Beauty haul. 

Remember to check out my Influenster profile where I try to update brief reviews daily click the widget on the blog to go directly there. Feel free to like me on Facebook at Simply Dark Pleasures, follow me on google plus, Twitter @Blog_SDP,  or send an email at simplydarkpleasures@gmail.com . All links to those are displayed as tabs or there's buttons floating around the site.

Don't forget to drop a comment on any of my social networks or this post with suggestions for what you'd like to possibly win in the giveaway. 

Until Next Time,

Stay Creative. 

January Favorite Products, Future Happenings.

Today marks the end of January. So what better way to end this cold miserable month than with a blog about my favorite products for January. Or it could be the fact that I haven't developed feelings towards a new product to write about. 

I'll never tell...

Some of these products you've already seen in reviews whether you've loved me enough to cruise to my Influenster Profile and see my semi-daily reviews. Or you've loved me enough to check out reviews here; the home of Simply Dark Pleasures, for my lengthy dribble of words.

Some I haven't mentioned yet and might do a review later on. You never know with me. Even if I haven't talked about them yet, doesn't mean I enjoy them any less for it.

SACK OF FAVES!

Here we have a sack...well more like a makeup bag that never has anything in it, filled with everything that will be mentioned in this post. Every "New Year" I do make a resolution. It's been the same for the last five years or so and that has been, Not To Injure Myself! I never make it a full year without severely hurting myself, and since five days before Christmas I "severely" injured my right arm (we're not going all the way there), I decided to change it. This year I went with something simple. It's vain, it's beauty related and its SKIN CARE. Better skin was this years resolution. So there is quite a few skin care things in this months faves. 

We'll get the big guys out of the way first. This is Equates Three Set Acne Treatment System. My husband purchased this for me, as a start up for my new years resolution. It comes with your Cleanser, Toner and Repairing Lotion all in one kit for around 20.00USD. It's compared to Proactiv, but I've never used it so I can't draw any similarities between the two. What I can say is if it didn't work for me, it wouldn't be in my faves obviously. Another review? Possibly? Maybe?

Moving on...

When I ordered from Ulta.com last, they had this promotion going on if you spent 40.00USD you got this makeup bag stuffed full of samples for free. So, because, I was going to spend 50.00USD to get free shipping, I nabbed it and this was one of the samples. I'm in the "age range" where I do need to start thinking about aging skin (though I hate to admit it) and on top of having dry skin; especially during the winter, I need to exfoliate. I'm nearing the end of this tube already and I'm almost afraid to see how much a full size tube is. This stuff feels so nice on skin (though it is a bit rough, but exfoliates can be) my face feels so smooth after using this. It recommends only using it every other day, but I go about every two days since my skin can be quite sensitive. I'll be sad when this guy is all gone.

Another sampler from the makeup bag I got from Ulta Beauty, is dermalogica active moist face moisturizer. A facial moisturizer is an essential in my skincare routine, again for dry skin and it's winter in New York. And not the city either. Though my skin is normally lizard like dry, it likes to go fast food greasy on me if I'm not careful with what I put on my face. A lot of facial moisturizers do this to me, but this one does not. Another sample that I'm going to have to get a full size of, since it doesn't clog my pores, doesn't make me greasy and it does what it says it does. I've actually been using another one from Pond's to extend the life of this one. The Ponds one is good, but this one is amazing.

Breaking away from skincare now! But still on the track with a face product.

purminerals Correcting Primer
Prep & Perfect

purminerals Correcting Primer
Dark Spot Correcter

Never in my life have I ever owned a face primer, but I knew I wanted some, but my skin can be on the sensitive side, so I have to be careful. These came in a set of three, all were travel sizes, but for 20.00USD I couldn't go wrong with giving these a go. Let's just say, I'm sticking with these for now on, unless they're discontinued. The Prep and Perfect is great for all over the face and the Dark Spot Correcter has saved me from the dark circles under my eyes. No longer need to use concealer for my under eye area because of that. Needless to say that is awesome. Best part is, is they're nothing in these guys that will irritate my skin in any way, shape or form. It feels like silk being put on the face without feeling greasy. Win! My foundation has never laid better on my face and major bonus, these have anti-aging ingredients in them.

Lorac TANtalizer Highlighter and Matte Bronzer Duo. I reviewed this on Influenster and it most definitely belongs here on the list of my January faves. I'm not much for the "bronzed" look especially during the winter, but I do like the way contouring looks on me.

 And perhaps it's just me, but every bronzing powder I pick up has sparkle, shimmer, glitter or something shiny in it. Or it's WAY to orange on my skin tone. This one appeared more cool toned, there was no shiny bits in it and it came with a highlighter to match. Who could resist that? 

I use this every time I do my makeup these days. The only thing I can negatively say about this is the packaging is that mirror stuff that collects fingerprints like a forensic analysts dream! So it always look's a bit dirty when it really isn't. That's the only iffy thing about it, but the product itself is amazing.

Moving forward to the eyes. We have bareMinerals Mineral Eyeshadow in Sultry. Oh my Cheezit! This stuff is gorgeous! Beautiful, neutral, champagne, sparkly color. And pigmented. A little of this goes a loooooooong way, but it's just so darn pretty. Great for an all over lid color for a netural eye look and if you perhaps want a shiny highlight on the brow. Can't express in words how much I love this.

bareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara

An area in which I'm extremely picky.
Mascara.
I've tried my fair share of mascaras and all of them have irritated my eyes or were just crappy all around (clumping, runny, applicator wasn't good). I don't have the fullest lashes on the planet, nor do I have extremely fine lashes. But my eyes, like my skin, are extremely sensitive to products. It doesn't take much to irritate them if something is even near them. I finally found a mascara that doesn't leave me wanting to dig my eyes out with a spoon. I don't know what the heck is the difference, all I know is that there is one when it comes to bareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara.

Onto lippy products.

L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Tinted Lip Balm in Pink Satin

You know this was going to make this list, if you read my latest review. Besides me grabbing one shade that I didn't care for, this particular shade lives on my person, since I bought it. 

Rimmel London Lasting Finish 1000 Kisses Lip Contouring Pencil In Natural
&
NYX Round Case Lipstick: In The Nude

I've been on a nude lip kick lately, probably because I've found some amazing products that fit my tastes. The Rimmel London Lasting Finish lip liner has been my go to natural lip liner for the month of January. If I'm not rocking my L'Oreal Lip Balm, this is what I'm wearing on a daily basis, under my lipstick or just on its own. 

Natural (nude) lip, lipstick is one from NYX. Nothing fancy, just their round case line, but this color is fantastic. The formula is creamy and leans towards the peachy side in color. It is a pearly like lipstick so the lips look glossy without the lip gloss. And for NYX prices, this is a steal and something I will be repurchasing again once it's empty.

NYX Lip Pencil in Plush Red
&
NYX Matte Lipstick in Pure Red

I normally reserve a bold lip for special occasions or if I'm going out with my husband and I want to look extra snazzy. I find that regular red lip products bleed on me no matter what I do, I do know a few tricks to prevent and even stop this, but sometimes I just want to slap my face on and get out the door. 

A lip liner for a red lip is a necessity, so I grabbed Red Plush from NYX in there standard lip liner pencil. It's a good liner and it's kind on the wallet too. It's a blue toned red, so it'll give the illusion of whiter teeth and is nice for fairer skin. 

NYX Matte Lipstick in Pure Red...Love! I thought maybe a matte red lip would help with the bleeding issue I have and it made a huge difference. To be honest, I don't have any other Matte lip product to compare this one to, but this one works for me. And I have used this on date nights with the husband and on the few rare days where I wanted to rock the bold lip just for the fun of it. Any other future Matte lip color I try is thanks to this one. I haven't worn this alone without a liner underneath, so as to whether it's drying to the lips, I don't know. It works, I love it and so it is a favorite. 

That wraps up my January favorites. I hope you enjoyed this post. I'm trying my best to get better quality photos for you guys, but until I save up enough for a new camera, what I've got is going to have to work.

Coming up, I'll be doing a small giveaway via Rafflecopter. I want to know what YOU would like to win and I'll go from there!
Also working on Simply Dark Pleasures first inspired makeup look, so keep checking for updates on that. Still working out the kinks on going about doing that via a blog post, but it's going to happen.

Remember to check out my Influenster profile where I try to update brief reviews daily click the widget on the blog to go directly there. Feel free to like me on Facebook at Simply Dark Pleasures, follow me on google plus, Twitter @Blog_SDP,  or send an email at simplydarkpleasures@gmail.com . All links to those are displayed as tabs or there's buttons floating around the site.

Simply Dark Pleasures does have a PO Box if there is something specific you want reviewed. Details are at the "About" section of the blog, you are never obligated to send anything.

Until Next Time,
Stay Creative.

Shopping Haul, This weeks coming reviews.

Today's post is a little different than previous posts so far, that's because I had a review on some eyeshadows I got recently and I really couldn't come up with the right words that would accurately describe my feelings towards them.
So instead of pulling my hair out trying to forcefully write about something that just wasn't working, I went shopping. Now, unless I travel literally forty-five minutes my options are pretty scarce. And by scarce I mean that I live in the middle of nowhere and the closest places to shop are Walmart, Family Dollar or Dollar General. Even then, to get to Walmart is a half hour drive from where I live.

Walmart Haul

Our local Walmart unfortunately isn't stocked as nicely as I've seen others, but it is a small area so I can't blame them. I went in for my normal stock the house up on things shopping, plus all of this. Not everything will be reviewed this coming week, but this is the collective of things that gathered up just for me.

 First was this box of WARHEADS Sour Dippers Pucker Packs. These were in the Valentines Day section with all the different bags of edible Valentine exchange things for kids. I'm a WARHEAD junkie, I LOVE everything WARHEAD, minus the gummy cubes. Yuck... (*shudder*). I'm the kind of person that drinks lemon juice straight with no type of reaction and receives all the odd sideways glances when I don't make the normal lip puckered expression, when you've obviously have gotten a taste of something tart/sour. So I live for this kind of stuff and this I've never seen. For flavors you get Sour Blue Raspberry Sticks with Sour Cherry Powder and Sour Watermelon with Sour Green Apple Powder. And for 2.96USD for twenty-six pouches of delicious sour sugar, I wasn't walking away without a box. You will also notice the Cadbury Creme Eggs in the group photo...They don't get their own picture, since I've probably already eaten them. If not I'm going to very very soon.

 Off to the craft section of Walmart, I stopped and grabbed some thick yarn in black and pink mixed with smalls bits of blue, yellow and green. I'm currently working on crocheting a blanket for myself and I needed some more yarn. I actually got two of each color, but only thought the need to take a photo of each color I grabbed. These were 2.97USD a piece, I believe and since I don't have them right next to me at the moment, I can't remember the brand it is and I'm too lazy to go look at the moment.

Next are some lip liners by Rimmel London...because my local Walmart seems to no longer carry the Sally Hanson Salon Effects Strips. Quite frankly it made me angry and had been the only reason I wandered my happy ass into the cosmetics section. So to ease my irritation, I picked up these, which are the Rimmel London Lasting Finish 1000 Kisses Stay On Lip Contouring Pencils. (Ha! I'll be the judge of that!) I grabbed 007 Rose Quartz, 049 Natural and 009 Mauve Shimmer.

 And lastly, L'Oreals Color Riche Tinted Lip Balms. Winter is evil and I've noticed that a lot of, if not all cosmetic brands are putting up these tinted lip balms. I have one from Revlon that I do enjoy, but again I'm always out looking for those "Holy Grail" makeup item must haves. And I was still fuming over the nail strip ordeal, so I grabbed two of these in 118 Pink Satin and 518 Tender Mauve.

Found my nail strips. Though I ended up stopping at the Dollar General that is about five minutes away from home to see if maybe, just maybe my Sally Hanson ones were there. So of course, because I went in there looking for one thing I came out with five things instead.

Kiss Stick On Strips were what I found, instead of what I was exactly looking for. I hadn't seen these either, so at this point I was just happy to find something that resembled what I had intended to buy at Walmart in the first place. These I will be reviewing Monday so come back and see.

Finally, some Wet N' Wild Lipsticks in Just Peachy, Cherry Picking and Mauve Outta Here. These were bought to pair with the Rimmel London Lip Liners and Cherry Picking was an impulse buy since the color caught my eye when I was browsing the rack.

Since most of these I'm going to do an more in depth review I didn't really want to give too much away or do swatches until I have a good idea how I feel about them. So haul post finished. Hope you're having a good day or evening, wherever you are.

Until next time. Stay creative.