CVS Cosmetics Sale 2013 - 20% + 25% OFF Stackable Coupon Codes

CVS.com is offering 20% OFF the entire website when you use coupon code 20SITEWIDE at checkout. 

Get an additional 25% OFF cosmetics when you use coupon code PGBEAUTY at checkout.

Free Shipping applies on orders of $49 or more.

Both coupons can be combined together!!!

Offer expires January 13, 2013.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Philosophy Holiday Clearance 2013: Huge Sale + Free Shipping (no minimum)

Philosophy has so many products on clearance right now. 

Get them before they're gone!

Free Shipping No Minimum [Expires 01/10/2013]

Use Philosophy Coupon THANKS

(stackable with any other coupon, but make sure to use the free shipping coupon 
first before using any other coupon code.)

15% off Entire Order

Use Philosophy Coupon Code MERRY

20% off $50 or more

Use Philosophy Coupon Code UNITED

$5 off $25 or more

Use Philosophy Coupon JAN5OFF25

I bought 2 Gingerbread Man Salt Body Scrub for $12.50 each. I also used the free shipping coupon code THANKS and stacked it with a $5 off coupon code JAN5OFF25. They retail for $25 each, but with the sale and coupons, I paid $10 each. Whooohooo!!

I already have the Bake Shoppe, the Cook Book 4pc Set, Gingerbread Shower Gel, Falling in Love Shower Gel and Cinnamon Buns Shower Gel, which should last me for the entire year. ^_^ (I went a little crazy during Philosophy's 30% OFF sale and Sephora's extra 20% OFF sale.) They all smell so delicious and lather beautifully when used with a loofah! I highly recommend checking out Philosophy's holiday sale section if you want to score some major deals, especially since shipping is free and coupons can be used.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Review + Swatches: Milani The Multitasker Face Powder in 02 Light Medium + 04 Light Tan

(Milani The Multitasker Face Powder in 02 Light Medium and 04 Light Tan)

Pros: 

• affordable (retails $6.99)
• buildable, sheer to light coverage
• matte finish
• looks natural
• feels light on the skin
• doesn't emphasize flakey skin or dry spots
• compact is wrapped in plastic seal
• separate compartment for powder puff and mirror
• lasts at least 8 hours on normal skin (not dry or oily skin)

Cons:

• bulky packaging
• floral design does not go all the way through the pan
• doesn't cover blemishes (that's what concealers are for)
• doesn't layer or cover pores without a silicone-based primer
• lasts 3 hours on oily skin before having to blot
• has a slight baby powder scent to it, but it quickly dissipates within minutes of application (I personally don't mind the scent because it smells good, but I think it would please more people if the powder was fragrance-free.)

(Milani The Multitasker Face Powder in 04 Light Tan)

Packaging: The compact is wrapped in plastic seal, which is a major plus because it's easy to detect whether anyone has tampered with the product. I also love the beautiful floral imprint, which lasts for at least a few uses before it's completely rubbed off. There is also a compartment beneath the powder where there's a mirror and a place to store the powder puff. However, this makes the compact very bulky and thicker than the average powder compact, such as the MAC Select Sheer pressed powder. 

Ingredients: Talc, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Stearate, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Parfum (Fragrance), Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde (Lyral), Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Coumarin, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Eugenol

+/- May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).

(Milani The Multitasker Face Powder in 02 Light Medium - Natural Lighting)

(Milani The Multitasker Face Powder in 02 Light Medium - Direct Sunlight)

(Milani The Multitasker Face Powder in 04 Light Tan - Natural Lighting)

(Milani The Multitasker Face Powder in 04 Light Tan - Direct Sunlight)

Color Matching: Currently, I'm a MAC NC30/35, L'oreal True Match W4, Dior Forever 021 mixed with 031, and MUFE HD 127. The MAC Making Pretty Mystery Sheer Powder in Medium Plus is a perfect match for my skintone, while the MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder in NC30 is a little bit lighter; however, they both work well for my skin tone when used as a setting powder because they are sheer. The Milani Multitasker Face Powder in 02 Light Medium is too light for my skin tone, while 04 Light Tan is a tad bit dark. However, 04 Light Tan has a warm, yellow undertone and works well during the summer months when I'm an NC35/37, L'oreal True Match W6, Dior Forever 031 and MUFE HD 128. (The Milani Multitasker Face Powder comes in 9 shades.)

The Milani Multitasker Face Powder can be used as a setting powder and foundation because it offers buildable, sheer to light coverage. It leaves a matte finish and slightly offers more coverage than a setting powder, but it doesn't offer as much coverage as any of the liquid foundations that I've mentioned above. The coverage is similar to a tinted moisturizer, except it's in powder form. It also doesn't cover blemishes; however, I don't expect it to because that's what concealers are for.

I love the versatility that the Milani powder offers. When applied with a big fluffy brush, it acts as a setting powder and gives me a light dusting of product, which reduces shine and sets my makeup. When applied with a dense brush, it acts as a powder foundation and evens out my skin tone with 2 layers. It doesn't feel heavy on the skin, doesn't leave a cakey finish and doesn't emphasize dry spots or flaky skin as long as you moisturize well. (However, keep in mind, it doesn't layer or build up unless you wear a primer underneath. Also, it doesn't cover pores; therefore, I strongly recommend wearing a silcone-based primer underneath.)  

I have an oily t-zone and normal skin on the rest of my face. The Milani powder lasts at least 3 hours before the natural oils around my nose area starts seeping through. My MAC Select Sheer pressed powder lasts at least 4 hours before I have to start blotting my nose area. However, it's also $24/12g, while the Milani powder retails for $6.99/10.5g. 

MAC Making Pretty Mystery Sheer Powder in Medium Plus

Milani The Multitasker Face Powder in 02 Light Medium 

Milani The Multitasker Face Powder in 04 Light Tan

MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder in NC30

Bottom Line: I recommend checking out the Milani Multitasker Face Powder if you're in the market for a powder that feels light, looks natural and most importantly, is affordable! 

Note: Each Milani Multitasker Face Powder contains 10.5g/0.37oz and comes with one powder puff. It is available at Target ($5.99) and Drugstore.com ($6.49). As with any drugstore product, I would definitely wait for a sale because there is always a "buy one, get one half off" or even a "buy one, get one for free" sale.

By the way, remember to check out my massive giveaway, which ends January 6, 2012. ^_^

*This post contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.

MAC Making Pretty Sheer Mystery Powder in Medium Plus Limited Edition Couture Collection 2012

(Click to enlarge the picture in order to view the ingredients list.)

(Picture was taken after the product had been used.)

Packaging: Let's be honest here. I only bought the MAC Making Pretty Sheer Mystery Powder because of the packaging. I just couldn't resist the cute pink bow and faux shagreen case. The only complaint that I have is that the interior looks slightly cheap in person. The "metallic" edging feels like plastic and looks like it's been painted with a metallic-looking finish. Moreover, the lack of weight to it makes it feel even more cheap.

It comes with one refill pan and 2 powder puffs, which are the same ones that come in the MAC Select Sheer pressed powder compacts. Personally, powder puffs are useless to me because I find them very unsanitary; however, they are convenient to use when you need to touch up throughout the day.

The shade that I'm using is called Medium Plus, which matches my NC30/35 skin tone perfectly. The texture of the powder feels silky smooth and I love that the product is not too soft to the point where it crumbles and makes a mess in the pan. It applies sheer, sets my foundation well and never leaves a cakey finish. The formula is very similar to MAC's Select Sheer pressed powder, which I've purchased countless times before.

Left: MAC Making Pretty Sheer Mystery Powder Refill Pan

Right: MAC Making Pretty Powder Puff

(MAC Making Pretty Sheer Mystery Powder Refill Pan in Medium Plus)

(MAC Making Pretty Sheer Mystery Powder Refill Pan in Medium Plus)

(MAC Making Pretty Powder Puff)

(MAC Making Pretty Powder Puff)

Bottom Line: If packaging is not important to you, then I recommend just getting the MAC Select Sheer pressed powder (12g/$24) because the formula is very similar to the limited edition couture version. I, personally, adore the exterior packaging and love admiring it on my vanity. I just had to get it as a collection piece.

Note: The MAC Making Pretty Sheer Mystery Powder in Medium Plus comes prefilled and with one additional refill pan. Each contains 8g/0.28oz. Two powder puffs are included. This is limited edition and retails

 for $65.

The Sheer Mystery Powder may be sold out, but as many of you know, MAC's couture items have always ended up at the CCO/Estee Lauder Company Store at a discounted price a few months after the collection launch date.

For swatches and comparisons, check out this post. 

Swatches: GlossyBox USA November 2012

(GlossyBox USA November 2012)

(GlossyBox USA November 2012)

GlossyBox USA November 2012 ($59.81 Total Value):

1. Illamasqua Lip & Eye Medium Pencil in Honour .05oz ($20) - I received the full size! The formula is super creamy and glides onto to the skin easily without any tugging. When applied onto my skin, it translates into a chocolate brown shade that's perfect for a day time look because the color doesn't look too dark or harsh.
2. Incoco Nail Polish Applique in Sinderella Full Manicure Set ($8.00) - I received the full size! I never tried nail strips before because I was always worried that they would ruin my nails and that they wouldn't adhere well to my nails. These are actually really easy to apply and they stay on my nails extremely well. (They don't peel off.) The color is very festive and reminds me of the holidays. My favorite thing about these nail strips is that there is no smudging and no drying time. I just stick it onto my nail, buff away the excess with a nail filer and I'm done. These are so convenient! Just make sure you press the nail strips well onto your nails to prevent "air bubbles." (I did my thumb first and as you can see from the picture, there are some "air bubbles" on my nail.) To remove, just use nail polish remover.
3. Kryolan for Glossybox Blusher in Glossy Rosewood 2.5g ($9.00) - I received the full size! It's a bubble gum pink with a matte finish. It has regular pigmentation that's not too sheer or too pigmented when applied with a standard blush brush, such as the Studio Gear #13. (The swatches look extremely pigmented because I applied with a very heavy hand, just to show the color better.) It doesn't leave a chalky finish, but it fades and looks patchy within 6 hours. However, because the compact is so tiny, I just take this wherever I go and touch up throughout the day.
4. Nume Style Arganics by Nume Argan Oil 10ml ($4.99) - The full size costs $59/4oz. A little bit goes a long way. I love this stuff because it makes the ends of my hair look healthy and shiny, but not oily or greasy. (Just be careful and do not over apply it!) GlossyBox also provided a $100 gift certificate towards styling tools and hair extensions; however, I doubt I'll be using it because all the products are priced over $100.
5. Skin&Co Roma Truffle Serum 0.50oz ($17.82) -  The full size costs $36/1.01oz. It doesn't have a floral scent, but I can't pinpoint exactly what it is. The scent kind of reminds me of coconut. The formula is thin and liquidy and it absorbs quickly into the skin. It's suppose to "slow down the signs of aging;" however, I'm a poor candidate to test this claim as I'm still "blessed" with youthful skin. (Check back with me in the next year or two.)

For more information about GlossyBox, check out my previous posts of their August & September box.

Also, I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday and remember, 

there's still time to enter my massive giveaway. =)

*This post contains affiliate links and the products mentioned were provided by GlossyBox for consideration. This does not affect my opinion about the products. I don't do paid or guaranteed reviews. My reviews are based on my own honest opinion.