How to Get the Most Out of Ulta aka Why I Prefer Ulta to Sephora

Dear Mimi,

When you become old enough to start buying makeup, you may think Sephora should be your first stop. But nay! Steer towards Ulta. Always steer towards Ulta if possible, unless there’s a specific brand which ONLY Sephora carries, and Ulta doesn’t (which aren’t relatively many). Otherwise, Ulta all the way. And here’s why.

Not too long ago, I received the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette ($49), Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette ($42), Tarte Shape Tape Concealer ($24), and an eyelash serum ($50) FOR FREE!!! (Well, I payed $7 for the eyelash serum, but still!) How did I do it? One word: points.

Sephora and Ulta both have a points system that works in similar ways. You sign up for their rewards program (this has to happen in order for any of this to occur) and you get one point for every dollar you spend. However, Sephora only allows you to redeem your points on samples or sample sets, never on full size products.

2016 Favorite Finds (with Emojis!)

Dear Mimi,

2016, although crappy in general, was great for beauty. So many new and fantastic products came out and this is the year when I really got into makeup and I figured out what thing were, when to use them, and how. My skincare regimen also paid off and I found some products for life! Brace yourself, it’s going to be a long post, so I’ve separated them into categories. I won’t go into too much explanation for each product, mainly just emoji ratings with a brief explanation, so just know I love all of them haha. Check out my October, November, and December favorites or Internet Made Me Buy It for more explanations, if mentioned.

Makeup:

Primers

Tarte Timeless Smoothing Primer ($39 for 0.5 oz): 😁 So soft and creamy, foundation goes on flawlessly with this primer.

Laura Geller Spackle Primer ($32 for 2 oz): 😎 I didn’t have high hopes for this primer at first, but it works so well! Every time I use it, I love it even more. It’s so light and moisturizing, and makes my foundation last wonderfully.

Smashbox Photofinish Primer ($36 for 1 oz): 😊 This primer is more silicone-y, but really smooths my face and makes it even for the foundation to adhere to.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($20): 😋 My go to eyeshadow primer. The only thing that I don’t like about it (and I’ve only noticed it the last few times) is that it will crinkle and crease when it accidentally transfers under my eyes, on top of my concealer. It leaves a mark which emphasizes my dry spots and looks super weird. It doesn’t go away that easily either. But use this before doing your face makeup and it’s great for eyeshadows!

Smashbox 24 Hour Eyeshadow Primer ($21): 😙 Found this recently, but I love it! Really lightweight, no creasing, and makes all the discoloration on your eyes go away for a clean canvas.

Didi’s Delightful and Disastrous! December 2016

Dear Mimi,

This is it. We’re saying goodbye to 2016. And honestly? I couldn’t be happier.

These are the products I used a lot specifically in December, but check out my 2016 Favorite Finds (out tomorrow!) for all the products I loved during the whole of 2016.

*Disclaimers*: None of these links are affiliate links or sponsored. These companies have no idea I exist, and I merely add the links to their websites to make it easier for you to check them out, if you’d like. The end.

Didi’s Delightful and Disastrous! November 2016

~Note: There was a bit of an issue with this post as it wasn’t showing up correctly. But that’s all fixed now! 🙂 Sorry for the inconvenience. (Technology, amirite?)

Dear Mimi,

I can’t believe there’s only a month left in the year °o°. That is INSANE.

November was a whirlwind, so sorry this is a little late. One of my close friends got married, and then there was Thanksgiving, and holiday shopping, and whew! I didn’t even realize it went by that quickly. Anyway, I still did get to try out a few products and here’s what I think were worth it and not.

*Disclaimers*: None of these links are affiliate links or sponsored. These companies have no idea I exist, and I merely add the links to their websites to make it easier for you to check them out, if you’d like. The end.

Didi’s Delightful & Disastrous! October 2016

Dear Mimi,

As I am going through life, trying new things and experiencing different moments, I will come across things I like and would wholly recommend to you, and things that I would stay away from.

Hence, my new monthly tidbit, Didi’s Delightful & Disastrous! At the end of every month, I will share with you, from all the stuff I have tried, things that I like (those would be “delightful”) and things that I would rather not repeat (aka “disastrous”). Hope you enjoy!

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October was definitely a busy month for me. I was trying some new skincare products, taking a break from my beloved Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate (I will be going back, don’t worry. Just wanted to see how some other samples, which I’ve had for longer than I’d like to admit, performed). I was also in the market for a new fragrance, and that has been a struggle in and of itself. So, without further ado, here’s what was delightful and disastrous for this month!

*Disclaimers*: None of these links are affiliate links or sponsored. These companies have no idea I exist, and I merely add the links to their websites to make it easier for you to check them out, if you’d like. The end.

Beauty Products the Internet Made Me Buy (and How I Feel About Them)

Dear Mimi,

When you get older and start exploring in makeup, there will be things that you hear about that everyone is buying. Literally everyone and their moms. And sisters. Everyone. I don’t know if YouTube will still be a thing in 10 years, but if it is, (and even if it’s not), you’ll hear people talking about these ah-mazing products and guess what? You’re gonna want to buy them and try them out for yourself. And most of them will be kind of expensive. You’ll start racking up those Ulta and Sephora points like it’s your job. Not that I’m speaking from experience or anything (*nervous laugh*).

Well, here are the products that I did not have enough self-restraint to escape from purchasing and what I really think about them. Were they worth it? Were people just lying/pretending? Or were they really things I would buy again AND tell you to buy too? Let’s find out.