QBB Hauls: Recent TJMaxx/Marshalls Finds

Welcome to another QBB Hauls! I've been lurking around my local TJMaxx a lot and have been finding some real beauty gems there. It's not only drugstore brands- it's also high end. But let's start on the drugstore side of things.

After purchasing two of their baked palettes and watching a number of YouTube videos, I was so pumped to spot some of the larger BH Cosmetics palettes at my local TJMaxx! It ironically happened right after I was browsing their website and didn't know what to purchase.

I found two of the Contour & Blush palettes (1 &2), 2 of the blush palettes (Glamorous & Professional), and the Foundation & Concealer 2 Palette.  The total price for these 5 palettes? $25.49 plus tax! Admittedly the Foundation/Concealer Palette is too dark for me but I wanted to play and test the formula. I can bronze/contour for sure.

Moving on, let's talk some other makeup finds. 

I purchased the Style Essentials All About Glow Palette on clearance for $3 because I wanted to test the quality. Likewise, the Absolute New York True Palettes Element looked like foiled shadows in gemstone shades for $6. I just want to give it a chance. I also spotted a Milani Liquid Eye liner in Brown for $1.99 near my checkout line. For the same price, I also nabbed ELF Tinted Moisturizer in Porcelain for the same price.

Oh yeah, I think I forgot something. That's one of the Marc Jacobs Style Eye-Con No 7 palettes in 202 The Tease (the purple one) for $19.99. I've been able to find two of these over the past three weeks. I spotted the MJ nail polishes for $9.99 each but passed.

You can also find some awesome skincare deals at TJMaxx, if you didn't know.

I got a bareMinerals Good Clean Fun cleanser set on clearance for $10, A 6-pack of Precision Beauty nail files (flamingo!), 2 Flamingo clippers from Precision Beauty,  a package of Ole Henriksen Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths, 1 Yes to Grapefruit Lip Balm, a 2-pack of Lavanilla deodorants (for $16.99!), Schmidt's Rose & Vanilla deodorant.

Last up are the masks I nabbed at TJMaxx.  I've got SpaLife Miraculous Moisturizing Hand Gloves (2 pairs, $3.99), SpaLife Under Eye Strips (12 pack, $2.99), and a random Pore-Shrinking mask from CVS. Whoops.

Have you found anything interesting at TJMaxx recently?

QBB Hauls: Various Drugstore Fun

Today's QBB Hauls is lots of fun drugstore products that I've been purchasing lately. I'm waiting for the big L'Oreal and Maybelline releases... I've got Walgreens rewards at the ready!

• Now, this first one isn't from the drugstore, but it's drugstore priced. If you want to know why I purchased it, watch this video. This is the Docolor Multi-function Contour & Highlight Brush- it's a drugstore dupe of the NARS Ita.
• I discovered Milani Rosa Romantica Baked Powder Blush- I think this is a new shade? It's #13. I found it at CVS and it's lovely. In the packaging, it appears to be lighter than many of the other shades. I decluttered most of the blushes from this collection because they were all dark, so this is exciting! Update: After writing the post but before posting, I opened and swatched. This is so a highlight, not a blush.
• Next up, two new Revlon releases. I have the Revlon Youth FX Fill & Blur Concealer in 01 Fair and the Youth FX Fill & Blur Foundation in 110 Ivory. Even though this won't match my body, I'm still curious to try it. At the price (really high for drugstore), I didn't want to get multiple shades.
• I finally picked up the Milani Contour & Highlight duo in 01 Fair because I'm going to try more creams (at least I want to).
• Not from my local drugstore, but I finally got my hands on the L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara! I can't wait to try it out and report back.
• Lastly, one of my local Walgreens was getting rid of L'Oreal Color Riche Extraordinaires. I like the formula with the one that I have, so I picked up 101 Rose Melody and 601 Nude Ballet for 50% off each.
• I also picked up Sally Hansen Miracle Gel 589 Punk-ish Purple at 50% off. I was obsessed with this formula last summer.

Now, a little bit of skincare/hair goodness/self-tanner.

I've got Yes to Blueberries (I love this), Yes to Primrose Oil makeup removing towels, Hask Greek Yogurt Color Protection Deep Conditioner Mask, Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer, and Jergens Natural Glow Wet Skin Moisturizer (I can't wait to try this!)

I also have something else that I didn't get in the drugstore but it does fit.

Isn't the exterior packaging beautiful? The studio lights make it dance.

I caved when Wet 'n Wild said there were only 50 kits left. It took forever to get it. I ordered on 23 May and didn't get until 3 June. This is my first purchase from Wet 'n Wild direct, and I'm not sure about future purchases. I can get the brand at the end of my road (literally), so unless it's a special kit I'm not sure because I'm so impatient. Still, this is just special.

For those who have been living under a rock, the Wet 'n Wild Unicorn Glow Collection.

Please let me know if you'd like me to review any of these items.

What have you been purchasing from the drugstore lately?

QBB Hauls: MAC, Aveda & NYX

Here's another QBB Hauls for you today! This is a combination of goodies from MAC, CCO, Nordstrom, Aveda, and NYX. I'm blessed to have access to so many stores.

Let's start with MAC goodies. These are from three places-the eyeshadow is a Back2MAC, one foundation is from Nordstrom, and the other from CCO.

Why so much foundation? It's because your QBB is on the self-tanner train as of late and nothing works anymore!

From L-R, you have: Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation- NW18 (I own NW13 and that's actually a bit light in general. When I'm not self-tanned, I can mix the two until I repurchase NW15), Pro Longwear Foundation in NW15 (I've been matched to NW13 normally), Little MAC Pigment- Rich Purple (who can resist a $5 pigment, right?), and Eyeshadow in New Crop (a B2M splurge- I'm slowly getting all of the Bangin' Brilliant shades since they refuse to put them out in pan form).

Let's take a small haircare detour from the darker foundation theme for a minute.  I'm going to post a hair routine in the next month, but I do use color conditioners from Aveda as a huge part of my routine. They were 20% off, so I nabbed both. Black Malva is dark and cool, whereas Clove is brown and warm. I also had a coupon for a mini beautifying body moisturizer.


Moving on to my stop at NYX (that store is so dangerous for me, as is Kiko!), I've got 2 foundations to play with. I really feel like the lighting is off in their store because these foundations seem so dark at home.

L-R: Invincible Foundation in 02 Fair, Cosmic Metals Lip Creme- 15 Retro Harmony, Slide On Glide On, Stay On & Definitely a Turn On Waterproof Liners- Glitzy Gold, Jewel, Purple Blaze, Wonder Pencil in Light, and Stay Matte But Not Flat Foundation in 17 Warm.

Have you picked up anything from these brands recently?

Everyday Makeup Drawer: 4-10 June 2017

I've been doing some version of an "Everyday Makeup Drawer" since I moved my stash to what has become my beauty room and got set up with two Alex 9-Drawers.

Unlike some others who do this, mine is usually replenished every Sunday. Although I'm actively working on Project Use them ALL, I am obsessing over the Natasha Denona Sunset Palette and plan to use it this week. Also, keep in mind that I'm self-tanned.

First, here's some action shots of this week's drawers:

I didn't include the lip products because they live somewhere else. The compartment with the Know Cosmetics & Glitter Glue is staples that live in the drawer permanently.

Items I'm testing are denoted with a (t). Items that live in my drawer every week are denoted with (p). Many of these will be staying put until they're finished.

Primers: Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water (p), Guerlain L'Or (p), CoverFX Mattifying Primer, Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer- Pore Minimizing, Lancome La Base Pro Pore Eraser (t), Milk Makeup Blue Stick (t), L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base (p)

Color Correctors: LA Girl Pro Conceal- Lavender Corrector (p), Marc Jacobs Cover(t) Stick- Co(vert) Affairs (p), Tarte Colored Clay CC Undereye Corrector (p)

Concealers: NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer- Chantilly (p), Tarte Shape Tape- Fair & Fair Beige (p),  Cle de Peau The Concealer- Ivory, Catrice Liquid Camouflage Concealer

Foundations: MAC Pro Longwear Foundation- NW15, It Cosmetics CC Cream- Fair, Light, Mac Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation- NW13 & NW 18, Lancome Teint Idole- 100

Powders: Chanel Les Beiges- No. 10, It Cosmetics CC Powder- Fair, Laura Geller- Golden Beige, Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder- Ethereal Light (p)

Eye Primers: MAC Paint Pot- Painterly (p)

Eyebrows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Whiz- Dark Brown (p), Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow- Dark Brown

Contour: Urban Decay Naked Skin Shapeshifter- Light/Medium (t)

Bronzer: Marc Jacobs Tan-Tastic!

Blushes: Natasha Denona Blush Duo #19 (t), Tarte custom blush palette (with Make Up Geek as well), NARS Foreplay palette

Highlighters: Laura Geller Baked Highlighter- French Vanilla (p), Essence Pure Nude- Be My Highlight, Anastasia Beverly Hills Nicole Guerrero Glow Kit, Tom Ford  Skin Illuminating Duo- Moonlight, Milani Baked Blush 13 Rosa Romantica

Eyeshadow Palettes: Tarte Tartelette in Bloom (p), Viseart Neutral Mattes (p), Viseart.Paris Nudes (p), Viseart Warm Mattes, Custom Palette, MAC x 6- Love in the Glades, Natasha Denona Sunset Palette (t)

Eyeshadow Singles: Kiko Milano Water Eyeshadow- 200

Eyeliners: L'Oreal Voluminous Liner Noir (p), Fiona Stiles Eye Defining Pencil- Mulholland, Hourglass Mechanical Gel Eyeliner- Obsidian (p), L Rimmel London Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl- Nude (p), NYX Slide On, Glide On Liner- Golden Bronze, Jewel (t), Burberry Effortless Kohl- Antique Gold (p), NYX Retractable Eye Liner- Gypsy Blue (t), Chanel Style Yeux Waterproof- Terra Rosa, Dior Diorshow Waterproof Liner-Aqua Green (p), Julep Eyeliner- Brown

Eyelash Primer: Urban Decay Subversion Primer (p)

Mascaras: Lancome Monsieur Big (p), L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara (Blackest Black & Waterproof), MAC Upward Lash

What are you trying this week?

QBB Hauls: Ultamate Fun at Ulta

Some of you are mad at me for the funny title, I know. Today I have another QBB Hauls for you. I promise not all of the posts this week will be hauls, but I've got a ton of them to get through. I'm starting to test these items but I require more than 1-2 times to form a real opinion.

Ulta has been killing it as of late. I think they have the absolute best rewards program out there, and I continue to enjoy being a Platinum rewards member. I truly prefer shopping at Ulta these days, and luckily I live near one. My only complaint is that I wish they had faster shipping.

I have a flurry of online orders that should be getting here this week; I'll combine those into one haul as well. These were all purchases that I made this past weekend. If there's something you'd like to see a review on, please let me know. I really only see one item that I may review.

OK, let's break this down.

• Yet another Tarte Tartiest Pro Empty Palette in Wild Animal. I can't rave about these palettes any more. They're sturdy and have a built-in mirror. At $17 each they're far superior to other empty palettes. I've been converting my collection little by little.
• Two items from Anastasia Beverly Hills- Eyeshadow in Gold Rush and the Liquid Lipstick in Rio. Gold Rush is one of the shadows that's on sale; I picked up a number of the others online. This was the only one my store had left. Funny story about the Liquid Lipstick- I thought I was purchasing the gloss, which was on sale. I thought the total was a bit high at checkout but shrugged it off. I brought it home and noticed it was a liquid lipstick. I was going to return it, but I've been wanting to try it out. Rio's not the color I'd normally reach for, but that's a perfect way to try it out.
• Two self-tanning essentials- Ulta Beauty Sunless Tan Applicator Mitt is similar to the St. Tropez one (which I've used). I also picked up the Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for Face, which I've also used and loved in the past. I've been going hard with self-tanner, so I need to even my face a bit.
• Two goodies under the It Cosmetics banner. A travel size of the Your Skin But Better CC+ in Light is a shade darker than I normally wear. I've been in love with the CC cream as of late, but with all of this self-tanning, I need to go darker. The It Brushes for Ulta Essential Bronzer Brush was on sale for $18.10, so why not? I really like the brushes I have from this line.
• One total impulse purchase- the Revolution Makeup Unicorn Hearts Highlighter. I didn't even know that this was being released, so I couldn't resist. I know nothing about this.
• I always pick up any of the J.Cat Beauty Triple Baked Shadows that I spot since the brand's online only for me. This is Triple Crown, a lovely berry trio.
• I also picked up the Real Techniques Miracle Face & Body Sponge for self-tanner reasons.

Have you been shopping much at Ulta recently? What are your favorite finds?

QBB Hauls: Sephora 2017 VIB Rouge Fall Preview Event

Welcome to the first of a new series for me- QBB Hauls. I used to mainly show hauls on Instagram, but I'd like to start posting on this site again. This also allows me to see if there's a highly requested item and rack and stack items I plan to review. Just because I hauled it, I may not post about it. I don't receive products for free, so I'm not getting new items every day. I find hauls fun- perhaps I've watched too many haul videos?

This past Saturday was the Fall 2017 Sephora VIB Rouge Fall Preview Event here in the US. Although US customers weren't treated to sample in our bag or candies, we did have an event. I'm not sure why Sephora favors their Canadian customers for these events (they had closed-door events when US ones were cancelled, and this is actually the 3rd sample bag that they've gotten deluxe samples with but US got an empty bag this year alone), but that's Sephora these days. Don't even get me started on the current status of their warehouses.

Anyway, I digress.

The small bag was the GWP during the event. 

I  also picked up yet another Sephora Collection Solid Brush Cleaner because I go through these like crazy. You'll see so many of these in my empties.

Next, I picked up one of the featured items- the Urban Decay Go Naked 100% Perfume Oil. I will review this in the next week or so.

I will also be reviewing my next purchase in the coming week or two- the Milk Makeup Holographic Lip Glosses in Supernova and Mars. I fell in love with these after swatching them. They totally transform any lip color, and I think Mars in particular will be incredible for summer.

I also nabbed one of the Natasha Denona Blush Duos (#19) because I'm so intrigued by the line and wanted to try a face product that isn't the $89 contour palette.

Oh yeah, and I also got the Natasha Denona Sunset Palette! I won't be reviewing because it's almost impossible to find now, but here's a pretty picture of it. If it ever becomes permanent, I'm sure I'll be happy to review.

I can't wait... and yes, I know. But this is a special shadow palette. I never said I wouldn't purchase palettes- I will be getting the new ABH, containing to build my Viseart collection, and buying more from Natasha Denona in particular.

Aside from the fact that Natasha Denona is incredibly pricey, this is a relatively sane haul, right?

Did you attend the 2017 Fall Preview event? If so, what did you purchase?

Sunday Dreaming: Dreaming of Summer

Welcome back to Sunday Dreaming! For those who haven't seen these before, they're a few items I've been side-eying.


1. White Skinny Jeans

Perhaps I was inspired by my Memorial Day wardrobe (in which I promptly ignored the actual temperature and dressed how I wanted), but one of the items at the top of my wishlist is a pair of skinny white denim, non-distressed. I realize that it's trendy to have ripped-up jeans, but it's not for me. I'm looking for something classic.

A few options that I'm considering (note- all of these are Plus Sized):

KUT from the Kloth, $89 (Nordstrom)

Eileen Fisher, $198 (Nordstrom)

SLINK, $98 (Nordstrom)

Lauren Ralph Lauren, $99.50 (Macys)

2. Kendra Scott Summer 2017 Elton Bracelet

Kendra Scott, $65 (Nordstrom)

I have the matching Rayne necklace and Elle earrings already, but I'd like to add the Elton cuff to my large Kendra Scott collection. I like having similar pieces to mix and match. In case you haven't figured it out, you'll most likely see a Kendra Scott piece here every week.

3. Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Primer

This primer retails for $16 and after accidentally purchasing one of the liquid lipsticks, I want to try the primer so much.

This is a really short Sunday Dreaming, but I've been on a purchasing bender as of late, so I'm pulling myself back. Look forward to numerous haul posts in the next few days!


That's it for my Sunday Dreaming this week. What are your top items this week?

Project Use them ALL is LIVE!

A couple of days late, but the page with my master list for Project Use them ALL can be found here.

I'm making great progress- 25 palettes down and over 130 to go. I'd planned to resume actual posts this week, but actual work has gotten in the way. Watch for my May empties & favorites, and a return of Sunday Dreaming this weekend.

And believe it or not, I'm posting this live a little before 5AM getting ready for work. Because that's this week, folks.

Stay beautiful, my friends.

Project Use them ALL Intro

From time to time, I find myself craving a makeup challenge- although I loathe overly restrictive ones. So, I think it's time to challenge myself once again to pull out palettes that are currently languishing in my Alex 9 Drawers.

About mid-May, I suddenly got the urge to start using all of my palettes again. That's where this project (Project Use them ALL) was born. I own way too much makeup for one person, and I'd like to really get to know what's in my collection.

Tomorrow the link for the official page tracking my progress will be live. As will some pictures to give you an idea what I'm working with!

Here's a peek into one of my now unorganized Alex  9 Drawer units with palettes that I need to use.

Yes, those are palettes without a home off to the side! It's in my best interest to get cracking on using these.

I'll post eye/face looks from time to time on my Instagram (@quirkybusyandbeautiful), so take a look.

For example, this is today's look!

I look forward to making my way through more than 150 palettes by 31 December. I hope you'll stick around for the ride with me.

Welcome Back....

I've been thinking about doing this for awhile, but this is the right time. I miss being able to write about items I'm testing out and sharing my opinions with the world. I don't miss feeling like there's a race to review, and I'm ok with being just me.

With that said, I'm going to start posting again. No, not every day. There will be different posts- empties, challenges, efforts to reduce the size of my collection. But Sunday Dreaming will be back.

I will be posting two of my ongoing projects in the coming days- Project Use them ALL and my Mission: 1000. I've been working on one for the past two weeks and the other since Jan 1. In the coming weeks, I hope to also share the items I'm working on using up this year. I've made some really great progress, including hitting pan on every pan of a 12-pan palette already!

So, here's to dipping my toes in.