"Makeup Mayhem" on HauteLook this week (50%+ off Tarina Tarantino, Illamasqua, theBalm, LORAC, etc.)

Disclosure: This post contains referral links.
So this week HauteLook is having their big makeup feature. Most things look like they are 50% off or more. We've got BH Cosmetics (meh), Tarina Tarantino (good lipstick, eyeliner, and eyeshadow - avoid the "eye dream hyperlight" for its horrible packaging) - and later this week LORAC (Wednesday), Illamasqua (Thursday), and theBalm (Friday). I've bought all of my theBalm makeup through HauteLook, since it's always been at least 50% off. They tend to have a wide selection including most of their new products. This is also one of the only places Illamasqua is currently sold in North America, unless I am mistaken and they've returned to some other stores recently.

You have to take into account the shipping costs (usually about $6 for beauty stuff) and the long shipping time (2-3 weeks). Obviously your shipping will go farthest if you buy multiple things at once, so if you want to shop more than one brand, it might be worth waiting until they are both available at the same time. Usually each brand stays on the site for about 4 days, but some of the most popular items might sell out.

I don't need anything right now, so I'm not looking too closely. Normally I would be all over this. Think of me if you get something good? I will post reminders about Illamasqua and theBalm, because I am grading this week, and blogging is an excellent form of procrastination.

You need an account to browse HauteLook, so I've included my referral link above, but you are of course not obligated to click it.

Butter London and Urban Decay are on HauteLook today, LORAC tomorrow

Disclosure: This post contains a referral link.
You might want to order a few things to make the shipping stretch further, if that is the kind of financial logic that makes sense to you (no judgement here). So you could either do Butter London + Urban Decay today, or Butter London + LORAC tomorrow. Or some other combination - they sell a bunch of other shit, of course. The Butter London polishes are $7 each, or a bit more expensive in most of the sets (but you get a makeup bag, yay?). The price for individual bottles is less expensive than ULTA's sale last week, but there isn't as much selection.

L'Occitane and LORAC are on HauteLook today (up to 92% off)

I think L'Occitane is just okay, but I know lots of people love it. But LORAC! There are some nice eyeshadow palettes available, which is what I think LORAC is best known for (not the Pro, of course), and lip glosses and eyeliners and foundations and tanners, etc. I'd skip the double-sided mascara. I had a tube of it once, and it was not at all impressive. The Wet-Dry Powder is what is 92% off, fyi, but several other things are 70%+ off.

The links above are my invite link (you need an account to browse HauteLook). Shipping is $6 and usually takes a few weeks.

LORAC is on HauteLook (eyeshadows for $3, blushes for $4-5, etc.)

Disclosure: This post contains a referral link.
Check it out.

LORAC Little Lace Palettes now only $8 on HauteLook

These LORAC eyeshadow palettes are down to $8 from $12 now. They're small, but from reviews I've seen, the smaller, cheaper LORAC palettes are just as great quality as their big, popular ones, like the Pro palette. Tempting.

You need an account to browse HauteLook, so here's my invite link, if you'd like to use it.

LORAC Little Lace Palettes $12 from HauteLook (ends tomorrow at 8 am PST)

Disclosure: This post contains a referral link.
I can't find any swatches or reviews of these, but LORAC eyeshadows seem to be pretty universally loved, so it might be worth it for this price. There's a cooler and a warmer option. Which one looks better?

(You need an account to browse HauteLook.)

LORAC Stylist eyeshadow palette $15 from HauteLook (plus NYX sale)

Disclosure: This post contains referral links.
I haven't been able to find any swatches of this one, so I'm guessing it is probably new. In my experience (and from what I've read), LORAC eyeshadows are really good quality, and this is super cheap for that brand. You get 8 neutral shadows, and two highlighter shades. It says that it is a "$100 value" for whatever that's worth.

NYX is also on HauteLook right now, if you want to make your shipping costs count.

LORAC is on HauteLook today (up to 80% off)

Disclosure: This post contains an invite link.
The sale includes the Mint Edition set for $18 and lip/eye pencils starting at $3.

Shipping is free with a $100 order, otherwise it's $6.

HauteLook Summer Beauty Bag (14 things for $20 - mostly makeup this time)

This one looks a little better than the last. You get a bag with a travel size Urban Decay eye pencil, full size NYX lipstick, full size Mirenesse lip lacquer, full size LORAC mascara, Diptyque perfume sample, some ponytail holders, several makeup brushes, mini hairspray, mini L'Occitane hairspray, etc. I like it, because it's mostly makeup, and it seems worthwhile for $20.

You need an account to browse HauteLook, so go ahead and use my invite link, if you like.

It'll be available until Monday, July 15. What do you think?

Do I Need This? Eyeshadow Primer (with comparison, reviews, and photos of seven primers)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Here is the latest installment of "Do I Need This?", a series about new and trendy beauty products (or just those that might be unfamiliar and baffling to both of us). I'll offer my experience and opinion about whether or not I think the product under consideration is worth shelling out for. Obviously, you don't need ANY beauty products, so the answer is always going to be no, a little bit. But is it going to change your life (or face)? Is it going to make things easier? Are you going to notice any difference at all if you use it? That's what I'm getting at. You may disagree with my verdict, because we all have different bodies/faces/brains/desires, but I'll try to give you a starting point at least.

Short answer: Yes, if you wear eyeshadow or eyeliner.

The $25 Beauty Bag is back on HauteLook

In case you missed it the other day. It's supposed to have a $200 value - I'm not sure about that, but the LORAC mascara alone will cost you $22 at Sephora, and the eyeshadow would be $19, so even without the other 9 things, it's a good deal.

Here's my invite link, if you don't have an account (you need one to browse).

LORAC makeup is on HauteLook today

There are some really good sets, from $12-28, of lipgloss, eyeliner, and/or eyeshadow. It seems like you get good deal of stuff in each set. I've tried a few LORAC products, including the baked eyeshadow. The "Rockstar" trio is on sale here for $5, down from $26, but I have only used the "Movie Star" trio, which is great. It's too bad that their eyeshadow primer isn't included! It's fucking awesome stuff.

Anyway, I am going to google some of these things and see if there's anything I need ("need" ha), but I thought I'd let you know now, before things start selling out.

If you don't have an account, here's my invite link. As always, be warned that when you buy things from sites like HauteLook, they can take a long time to ship. You have to suffer to be cheaply beautiful, I guess.