As often is the case, I took advantage of the recent Presidents Day sale at Ulta to replace a couple of items that I knew I am running out of and to try a couple of new things on sale.
My favorite primer with skincare benefits is IT Cosmetics No. 50 Serum Anti-Aging Foundation Primer. In addition to creating a smooth canvas for my foundation, it contains antiaging ingredients so I feel like I’m getting more bang for my buck. It is very hydrating so my makeup doesn’t seem to settle into fine lines and wrinkles as much as with other less emollient primers. This is my third bottle. Though pricey at $48, each bottle lasts me just short of a year.
IT Cosmetics was kind enough to include a free travel size Confidence In A Cleanser that I haven’t tried yet. But I love Confidence In A Cream so I imagine this will be a good one. Have you tried it?
In my Ipsy Plus box a couple of months ago, I got Morphe Highlighter, and I was very impressed with the quality of the highlighter. Now that Morphe is at Ulta, I decided to take advantage of the sale and try one of their palettes. I’m on a grey kick lately, so I bought 9I So Iconic Artistry Palette, Blend The Rules, an affordable ($12) 9 pan eyeshadow palette that’s a mix of shimmer and mattes in mostly neutral shades.
I chose that palette because there’s a perfect looking medium grey matte shadow that I needed for my collection. I’ll probably use the deep blue shadow as an eyeliner. I’ll do a swatch and review on this when I’ve had a chance to use it more than once. The packaging alone is worth the price. I love the heavy black plastic palette and large mirror.
In order to get free shipping, I decided to add in a nail polish. In 2018, I discovered Morgan Taylor Professional Nail Lacquer, and I’ve become a big fan. In fact, I might even say it’s my favorite polish brand. I love the wide brush, and on my finicky nails, I always get almost a week of wear. I bought the metallic rose gold, No Way Rosé. I haven’t had a chance to use it yet, but I’ll show it to you when I do.
So that’s it from Ulta, but at the same time, I repurchased a tube of Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for my super dry in the winter lips. I started out with Dr. Lipp Miracle Balm in the pink tube, but that one seems to have disappeared since it was the exact same product – medical-grade lanolin – except in a pink instead of a grey tube. If you’re vegan, obviously you would have to pass on this, but if you’re not and you have exceptionally dry lips, this is the one to try. It is so hydrating that a tiny bit goes a long way. A tube lasts me almost a year. It’s colorless and unscented.
Did you pick up anything during the Presidents Day sales?
great haul! Love all the IT cosmetics products you chose and I also like using lanolin on my lips!
That palette looks really pretty!
Intrigued w/ the IT primer, sounds like a great product!!!
The polish looks like a great shade and very much your taste. I don’t think I’ve ever tried the IT Primer which surprises me. Sounds like your haul was successful.
Love the nail color, I don’t know that I’ve ever tried the IT Primer–how weird. Right now I’m using the one that came in my last BoxyCharm box–very hydrating.
IT No. 50 Serum is a combo primer skincare serum. I’m on my third bottle. I remember you mentioned that you got a hydrating primer in your Boxycharm box that you love.
I love the colors in that Morphe Palette – and it is so reasonably priced!
That orphan palette is really beautiful! Also that nail color is perfection, and it is stunning on you!
Nice haul! I love that polish color on you!
Thanks, Laura! I haven’t tried the nail polish yet. I was trying to get enough light to show the shade but I’m wearing something else 😉 Maybe tonight, I’ll try it
Wow you got some goodies! I’m a huge fan of It Cosmetics, but I’ve actually never tried their primer. Might have to give it a shot. The palette is also so pretty, as well as that polish color!
That Morphe palette looks gorgeous. Love the blue shadow. And you know I love MT polish!
I’ve become such a fan of MT polish. I love everything about it: brush, formula, wear
I’m intrigued by the It serum! I’d love to give it a try!
Hi Allison, I’m just catching up on my starred emails so don’t be surprised when you see several comments from me today,lol. I adore the IT primer serum, I generally buy it when it’s on sale at QVC, 2 for about $60.00 and on easy pay. At that price point I consider it affordable. I also have a cleanser for a sub box and need to use it so I can see if it’s worth buying but right now I have so many cleansers, full and sample size, I promised myself I would use most of them up before making another purchase. The nail polish looks great,exactly my kind of color. The Morphe eye shadows look nice as well. I’ve been using my Hannalea(SIC?) lip treatment and it’s lasting forever. Great review,nice mini haul. On to the next email,lol. xo
Laura, great to hear from you! And thank you for the tip about the IT primer serum at QVC! I haven’t opened my new bottle yet since I’m finishing up the dregs of the old one. I find a bottle lasts me for about 10 months or so. I have to remember to check QVC when my new bottle gets toward the end. I haven’t bought anything on QVC in a while. But I got an excellent deal on a sparkly big jar of PRAI Neck Cream, my new fave, on HSN in early January. I think you are right to try to use up all your cleansers before buying more. I was eager to try Morphe shadow palette because they’re so affordable, and with the 20% off, it was very cheap. I got a Morphe highlighter in the Ipsy Plus box and it is fabulous. The shadows are nice. Frankly, I just bought the Butter Shadow Palette from Physicians Formula at CVS for the same price, and I’m not really a fan. I’ll review it soon. Glad the Hanalei Lip Balm is working out. I bought the 3 mini tubes, and I have them in my purse and travel bag. I still love them!
Hi Allison … I’m wondering about the IT serum/primer. Do you apply this to clean skin and then apply your foundation immediately after? Or do you still use other products (moisturizer, spf, etc) after the serum/primer? I’m quite intrigued by this product and thinking of buying it but I’m just not sure how it is used. Thanks.
Paula, thank you for your question! Since I have such dry skin, I do apply it on top of an essence or light serum and moisturizer. It gives me more hydration and the dimethicone gives my skin a smoother canvas to work with. If there’s a Sephora near you, you should go in and ask for a sample to try out to make sure it suits you. LMK if you do 😀
Thanks, Allison. No Sephora where I live, but in June I will be doing some shopping, so I will see if I can snag a sample.
I hope you can find a sample through IT, Paula, when you do your June haul. Because it’s $48USD, I try to buy it on sale, and I know it’s more in Canada. Always good to get a sample to be sure it will suit you!
I love Morphe shadows so much. I may need to grab that palette.