…and you walk out with a bag full of things you have deemed “necessities.”
The plan was to run in, grab cotton swabs, and run out.
I actually go through these things pretty fast. I use them to blend the edges of my eye makeup (especially liner on my bottom lash line), to apply lash glue to false lashes (I break them in half and use one of the broken ends without the cotton swab), to fix the edges of my lipstick…so many things.
Since I was already there at Ulta, I figured I might as well pick up a few other things I was also running low on…
And then came the other “Ah, might as well!” purchases, like a 1-inch barrel curling iron, which I’ve wanted for a while to do tighter curls…
And these false lashes by Eyelure, which were buy one, get one 50% off…
And one NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk (I like these as a base for bright eyeshadow).
Yup, I’ll be right in and out! Just gotta grab one thing. That’s what I always say…
Allison C says
😀 Tell me about it! I’ve been writing about Ulta’s 21 Days, and I’ve been trying to stay out of the store until the deal that I really must have. I don’t trust myself to browse or go in for sponges etc ‘coz I know I can’t resist. But last time I was there a while back, I scored a good deal on falsies. Now, I just hope you’ll do a tutorial on applying individual lashes since I haven’t been able to crack the code!
I think you did very well, Karen. Those were mostly staple products that you bought. Good girl!
Rozae says
I make a list, le list and stick with it!
Puri says
LOL I know that feel all too well. If I had a car, I’d be at Ulta waayyy too often. Buying all the things…^^;;;
Divya says
I need to get that clear brow gel too! Have been using the body shop one which is too wet sometimes!
Kiss & Make-up says
Happens to me all the time. Everywhere. Nice haul, Karen 🙂 But all necessities, right!
Alison M says
I do the same thing in Target. Which is why I never go to either unless I really really need to!
Agata says
That always happens at Ulta, there is no way to walk out with just what you came for.
Twyla Munden says
I Love Ulta!! I dropped $100 in 20 minutes in there when I visited USA in May! AND I hate to admit it but I bought some of the Kardashian Line – Lipglosses which are not too bad. Also found NYX Baked Blush & Butter Gloss Lipgloss which won’t be avail here til 2015. 🙁 I’ve never used NYX Milk as a base, Will have to try that this wk!! thanks for the pointers!!
Sharon says
That brow gel is awesome! I never let myself walk into Ulta unless I’ve just gotten paid, lol. Too tempting!
Ankita@corallista says
Those Eyelure lashes look amazing Karen!! I live in Tokyo so there are loads of options for false lashes here but I still can’t help lusting after brands that are not easily available here 😛
Niki says
I just recently bought the NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow in Milk and I love how it makes any eyeshadow really pop!! I love the Anastasia Brow Wiz and Brow Gel too! They’re holy grail status for me!
Amanda says
I really want to try the brow gel. I’m using a Cover Girl one right now because I thought it was an item I could go cheaper with. I now stand corrected.
I’m embarrassed to say I’m scared to try a pencil for my brows. I’m intimidated. It seems difficult to make it look natural. I’ve never tried. I just use the Benefit Gimme Brow (love) but that doesn’t give that really polished , neat look. Any suggestion for a beginner?
Karen says
Hi Amanda,
I can see how it would be scary, especially if you’re used to the more natural look Benefit Gimme Brow. I think one thing that helps when using pencils to get that really natural look is to brush the brows down, fill in the sparse parts with the pencil, then repeat. Do that until you get the fullness that you are aiming for. If the look is still too bold for you, you can use brush your Gimme Brow or a clear brow gel to tone them down.
Do you have a phone with a camera? One thing that I find helpful is to take a quick selfie after I do my brows. For some reason it’s easier to tell in pics if your brows are even, go figure!
HTH, feel free to ask any other questions! 🙂
Kim says
Oh, I hear you. I’m a sucker for a sale, too (how can you NOT buy them at BOG1/2? 🙂 How does the Brow Wiz work for you? I’m not unhappy with it but I’m not in love.
Karen says
Hi Kim,
I like it, but ya know, I like Tom Ford’s brow pencil even more. It is SO GOOD (and crazy expensive). But the Brow Wiz does the job. When I pair it with the brow gel I’m pretty happy. Are you using the Brow Wiz by itself? Or do you set it with something?
Kelly B. says
I have the same problem 😀 Although I always grab their $3.50 off coupon and limit myself to the $10-I’ve found it helps 😀
gio says
I do the same thing too. Nice haul!
Liis says
that nyx jumbo eye pencil in Milk – is it twistable?
plastic is terribly difficult to sharpen…
Cathy says
Bit like me today. I went in to L’Occitane to buy their Almond Delicious Paste and came out with…hand scrub, Divine Cream, Divine Oil, a free gift…I swear shop assistants see me coming!
Rachel P. says
Fun that you got the curling iron! I love doing tighter curls the first day and letting them fall into waves the days following, hope to see some pics with the styles you try out! I am playing fill-the-basket on Ulta right now- got a gift card for my birthday and am looking at an IT Cosmetics Brush Set (the splurge), some Tresemme Dry Shampoo, Mario Badescu Botanical Gel, a Maybelline lipstick, some Vichy Aqualia Cream (hopefully this helps with winter dryness!) and a nail file (boring).
Ms. Heathen says
I’d love to hear how the Eylure lashes work out, they look amazing.
Marisa says
Oh no!
I know what you mean I have a list of makeup on my I phone and I try to stick to that but… Something “hops into my cart” I have a hair appointment this Saturday and I will try not to go too crazy although I have had my eye on the Berry shade released by Maybellines Matte collection …
BETSY says
I get into trouble when the pharmacy clerk at CVS tells me “We’ll have your prescription ready in fifteen minutes if you want to wait” and I say “Sure, I’ll wait” and then I head over to the Beauty Department to “just look around.” And there I am, half an hour later, paying for my prescription and – cotton balls, lotion, shower gel, two nail polishes on sale, a lipstick, an Almay eyeshadow, a Goody headband…
Barbara says
Is the clear eyebrow gel good and how much does it cost?
I also spend a fortune at any drugstore cosmetics dept 🙂
Karen says
Hi Barbara,
It’s $22, and it’s EXCELLENT. By far the best clear brow gel I’ve ever tried. I like that the hold is very firm, and how it dries to a non-shiny finish.
Liz says
ITA the brow gel is worth every penny. I’ve used clear mascara from the drugstore and the final result isn’t impressive. The Anastasia brow gel not only holds my brows in place but they are more defined and give them a polished look. It’s very discrete and you can’t tell it’s there. You just see polished brows
Liz says
You really need to try japanese cotton swabs. They are all black and lint free. I don’t know how they do it. They are soft too. I bought some at Muji. They are game changing and I don’t buy precision q tips anymore.
Majick says
Most of your staples are my staples. I will have to try the brow gel and lashes at some point. Right now I’m trying to use up all my stuff before buying more (yeah, you can get off the floor and stop laughing anytime).lol