"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.

Tarina Tarantino is on HauteLook 50-60% off

I was looking forward to this one. Most of the Tarina Tarantino eyeshadows get A+ ratings from Temptalia, and reliable sources praise the blushes and lipsticks too! I have some of the eyeliners, which are also fantastic (especially when discounted). It seems like not a lot of people have heard of this brand outside of bloggers, but I'd like to try some more.

Shipping is $6 and usual takes a couple of weeks. You need an account to browse HauteLook, so here is my invite link, if you'd like to use it.

Tarina Tarantino is on HauteLook this weekend

It's good stuff, and the prices are great. Google for some reviews - people like this shit.

You need an account to browse HauteLook, so here is my invite link, if you are so inclined.

(Hey, also, sorry I haven't been writing anything with much substance lately. I've been busy and the never-ending winter is making it hard for me to muster up the motivation/inspiration to accomplish anything but the bare minimum. I have some things lined up, and I will try to get to them soon. Hopefully the sun will come out again before long!)

Big fucking eyeliner comparison (also: an excellent alternative to expensive liners from brands like Urban Decay or Tarina Tarantino for significantly less than $10)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

First thing first: This post is loooong. I'm long-winded. You should be used to that by now. But gird your loins or steel your . . . buns, or something.

I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again, until everyone is sick of it: ULTA brand makeup is underrated. They have some good shit, and it goes on sale very regularly for very cheap. There's no reason why you should ever have to pay more than $4 for most things, and often you'll get them for less than $3. (To be clear, I am in no way affiliated with ULTA. In fact, they kicked me out of their affiliate program a long time ago, because of the foul language, I'm sure. I've just been repeatedly impressed by their in-house line.)

But for whatever reason, it's relatively hard to find useful information on makeup blogs about this brand (maybe they don't send out press samples). Plus the photos on the ULTA site are not always very informative or accurate. I just went ahead and bought some of their gel eyeliner pencils on the basis of some good experiences with their other liners. I hope the swatches below will be helpful. I was also curious how these would compare to some other, more expensive favorites, like those from Urban Decay or Tarina Tarantino. You remember that all makeup pencils come from the same few suppliers, right? So these could actually be manufactured by the same supplier as those fancy brands. I got out all my pencil liners (i.e. ones that need sharpening) to compare (see above photo).

Tarina Tarantino Cosmetics on HauteLook (up to 63% off)

Disclosure: This post contains a referral link.
This is some good shit! I have some of the eyeliner pencils, and they are fucking awesome. $6 is totally reasonable for one of the best eyeliners you will ever use. Check out Beauty Reductionista's post for some other reviews.

You need an account to browse HauteLook, so use my invite link to sign up, if you are so inclined.

Tarina Tarantino Cosmetics on HauteLook (45-53% off)

This shit gets really high ratings on the blogs and message boards. You can find a bunch of swatches from Temptalia. I had a hard time deciding between the eyeshadows, which look amazing in swatches, and the eyeliners, but I ultimately went with the blue and purple eyeliners, since I don't have anything like that.

You need an account to browse HauteLook, so go ahead and use my invite link (same as above), if you are so generously inclined.