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What Was Your Last Impulse Makeup Purchase?

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Grocery stores call it Point of Sale, or POS (no, seriously, they do) — the racks of candy bars, soft drinks and magazines placed strategically in the checkout lane. It’s the stuff they’re hoping we’ll buy at the last minute before we leave the store.

I fall for it all the time… I was at Trader Joe’s last night and grabbed a chocolate bar on a whim, and it got me thinking about impulse makeup — ya know, the stuff you didn’t plan to buy when you walked into Sephora but grabbed it just the same.

The last time I did it was at the Laura Mercier counter a couple weeks ago. I went intending only to get the Eye Kohl in Stormy Grey from the Silk Road Collection, but I grabbed the Lip Plumper in Ruby Glaze at the last minute. Poor thing just looked like it needed a friend. 🙂

Do you remember your last impulse makeup purchase?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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Comments

  1. Too Face Shadow Insurance – I was at Sephora and it was at their Point of Sale 😉 the little tubs before the cashier? I picked it up there. Haven’t used it much though as I’m such a big fan of UDPP (cracked the tube open and emptied the contents into two MAC sample jars…I don’t think I’ll be needing more eyeshadow primer anytime soon). So, on second thoughts, I probably should not have purchased it.

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    • You should try it out soon! I remember using it a few years ago and really liking it. The only thing is it tends to dry out after you have it for a while, which makes the shadows harder to blend.

      Reply

  2. Chanel gloss in Fatale, 2 hrs away from home is my nearest Chanel counter…and when I got home it looked like I was given a returned gloss because the bottom of the box was ripped and taped back and there was already gloss around the rim…*sigh* I took that as a SIGN so the following week it was returned for money back, held off further impulse lol

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    • Oh no. 🙁 The same thing happened to me at Sephora. I bought a NARS lipstick and it was clearly USED when I opened it up for the first time, blech!

      Now I make it a habit to check over the boxes before I leave the vicinity of the store.

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      • That happened to me a few times too, but instead of being used, the product inside the box was the wrong color! So frustrating! I always have to remind myself to open the box and check before I leave the store!

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      • Thanks ladies, although I’m sorry it happened to you as well it’s nice to know I’m not alone with this! I’m apalled that such a “high end” cosmetic counter would make such a “mistake”, however I am learning that I need to check all items before I leave as well! Darn impulses lol

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  3. So my husband bought me a mac 15 pan palette and I put TWO eyeshadows in it, thinking that I would add one eyeshadow every month and build it up slowly.

    I walked into mac just to check out darkly my dear blush – I walked out with eyeshadow pans in swiss chocolate, handwritten, amber lights and patina and eyeshadow singles in mulch and club. As if that wasn’t bad enough, since it looked so pretty on, I bought indianwood paint pot!!!

    Kill me NOW!

    Reply

      • I think you do – I love it with amber lights (I know you LOVE that one), with expensive pink and even with mulch. I love how it’s not as intense as embark so it is safe for work 😀

        any more colours that I can check out once my credit card recovers? I’m thinking bronze, star violet, sumptuous olive, goldmine… 😛 😀

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      • YES you do 😀 it’s like embark but less intense…it goes great with expensive pink, amber lights, star violet… 😀

        what other neutrals do you recommend for my nc44 skintone?

        Reply

  4. Mine was at Ulta – this new Physicians Formula powder and blush with a pretty heart print. They were on an endcap and had coupons attached, so they got me!

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  6. Blame my student living costs but my last impulse buy was a simple NIVEA nail polish in “Amarettini”. But it’s pretty 😉

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  7. I randomly picked up a baked eyeshadow duo from Hard Candy the last time I was at Walmart. My hubs was taking too long in the dog food isle so I wandered in to cosmetics 😀 I actually really love it (the duo is called “high maintenance”) and want to check out a few others. Nice shimmer and good pigmentation for 6 bucks, can’t go wrong!

    Reply

    • Haha, the same thing always happens to me and El Hub. He goes into the pet store to look for accoutrements for his fish, Sushi, and I just happen to wander into the Sephora next door. 🙂

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  8. I believe it was MAC Cantaloupe blush when I was at the MAC PRO store. That was the first time I was at the PRO store and I’m not in the area often, so when I met the peachy brown goodness that is Cantaloupe I had to have it! 🙂

    That was months ago though. I’m on a strict budget now, so I have to think long and hard if I want to buy something.
    Arianne recently posted … Simple Smoky Eyes with Smink Nancy Oh!

    Reply

  9. when i went to sephora last friday to check out the hello kitty line, i ended up going home with the UD 24×7 shadow pencil set. that was totally impulse!

    Reply

      • goodnessgracious — i LOVELOVELOVE it!

        its like a 24×7 pencil on steroids!

        so far, im loving midnight cowboy, baked and uzi ( you know me and my grays) …

        today i used asphyxia with some fuschia pigment on top! <33333

        Reply

  10. I picked up a new fragrance on a whim at Sephora last week – Tocca’s “Giulietta.” It smells really pretty and the bottle is really elegant.

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      • I sniffed all of them and they all smell light & wonderful – but Giulietta was the one calling my name the loudest. 😀

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        • Giulietta is my very favorite spring into summer fragrance. It reminds me of my back packing days on Corsica when I’d lie down in a field of wild flowers and enjoy the intoxicating fragrance and the hot Mediterranean sun.

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  11. I haven’t bought any impulse makeup because I’m using up my stash and only replacing things I need – goal for the new year! I did buy a bag at Marshals and it was more then I normally spend, I’ve kept the tags on it and I’m still debating about keeping it. I like it a lot, but I just don’t know!

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  12. The last makeup item I bought was Vintage Selection paint pot by MAC … the sales girl told me I could use it as a highlight and it looked so pretty on her! … I’ve used it about a few times on my eye, but I’ve yet to use it as a highlight. It’s a really pretty color, somewhere in between Bare Study and Rubenesque … No regrets here 🙂
    Evelyn recently posted … Versatile Blogger Award!

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  13. I wasn’t going to do it. I just wasn’t. But then I was in Holt Renfrew and found myself bee-lining to the Chantecaille counter. Suddenly I was the proud new owner of a Chantecaille lip chic in dahlia. That’s an expensive little impluse, but I’m happy I did it. I love that stuff! Such a beautiful color and it goes on so smooth and is so moisturizing. I need to stay away from there. I’ve been impluse buying nail polishes lately, too. I picked up that Burlesque collection OPI put out. Amazing colors, though and I like the little tiny bottles.

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  14. I was in Sephora this weekend “just browsing” and left with Stila’s Kitten eyeshadow, Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte in Rose Opera, and Nars’ eyeshadow in Fez!!!!
    So much for browsing.

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  15. Philosophy Peppermint Bark lipgloss- POS at Sephora. Those little bins are my downfall; it’s impossible for me to buy anything there, without adding to my total halfway though the checkout line. However, it’s one of my current favorite lippies! Tastes like peppermint hot chocolate and has a nice subtle red/gold sheen, not sticky… all around EXCELLENT.

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    • I am so addicted to those Philosphy lip glosses! I have way too many flavors. They’re awesome, though! So moisturizing and they stay on for hours. I think Philosophy puts crack in them to make sure we keep buying more.

      Reply

  16. Oh goodness, I do that every time I walk into Sephora or Ulta lol. I haven’t been able to shop too much though, because I’m saving up to move out soon. The last impulse buy was online though, on allwholesalecosmetics.com; they sell my Time Balm concealer for $11.99 and shipping is about $4, so I just picked a red lipstick by Stila because it was $4.99 🙂

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  17. lol! my last impulse purchase was LM silk road collection too, im loving that brand more and more these days! i bought the palette and the ruby glaze, did you buy the palette too karen? it’s really amazing and a perfect spring collection.

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  18. My last impulse purchase was online — I ordered more Studio Fix the other day, and wouldn’t you know the Undercurrent pearlglide fell into my cart. I am finally going to learn to make teal work for me, darnit!
    Amber recently posted … Seeking inspiration

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  20. As a New Years resolution I told myself I didn’t need another lipstick. And then I saw your swatches of Chanel’s Coquette, so I tried to stay away from every beauty department at a 10 mile radius. But when I finished my shampoo I had to go and then the girl at the check-out said “Ah, Chanel! That will be 28 euros.” I was like D’oh! But now I love it… 🙂

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  21. Yes, mine was yesterday… I saw an email from ELF (which I usually delete b/c I don’t need anything). There was 50% off items so I splurged and bought like 10 things. A couple lip items, a couple nail polishes, a highlight, and a couple other things.

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  23. Mine was Diorskin Nude foundation a week ago. I’ve already got Make Up For Ever HD, which I love, but skincare and foundations are my vice. I love a fresh face more than smokey eyes.

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  24. Last weekend I went to Sephora to check out a Josie Maran primer mist a friend has been raving about. Which lead to swatching a bit since I was there and buying NARS Downtown gloss. Probably never would have swatched it if I wasn’t playing around because it is just too dark in the tub for my daily color comfort zone. But it was just too pretty to pass up.

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  25. Nars duo wand lip gloss thingy was TEN DOLLARS! I originally went int there to get the illuminator and ended up with that great little deal. :] It was also at the “pos,” lol.

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  26. I must be the most impulsive person EVER, but I have been aiming to restrain myself lately.. but I have to say, the impulse on cosmetics would be the Evian water refreshener duo I purchased, over a week ago and is still in its packaging. Maybe that’s a sign for me to return them..

    On the other hand, I recently fell in love with the elegant packaging of Godiva, and bought over $50 worth, and still want more. I just like looking at them, is that a crime? : (

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  28. Mine was MAC paint pot in Painterly! I went in for some Fluidline but walked out with Painterly, too, especially after hearing all of the rave reviews for it as a eyeshadow base (and I’ve never used one before)! Love it so far!
    Meg O. recently posted … Tranny Cat

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  30. The MAC Manish Arora eyeshadow palette! I saw it on Ebay and had to have it… £42! I didn’t realize until after I bought it that it was in British pounds. DOH! That impulse cost me a pretty penny.

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  31. I bought all 6 Kat Von D eyeshadow palettes when I found them as they aren’t available in the UK, I love them.

    Also the new lavander butterfly fever blush from Lancome along with the Paul and Joe cat lipsticks- I couldn’t resist them so I bought all 3 colours- I’ll never use them!

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  32. Mine was a 2-pack of Burt’s Bees lip balm (peppermint) on my way out of Target on Wednesday. The boys had their alternate winter coats on and both left their lip balm in their primary coats. I saw the 2-pack next to the register as a sign that they needed more. 🙂

    I was saved yesterday from my constant impulse desire to buy that darn Tokidoki liner in Donutello that I would never wear, but love so much. The Hubs gave me the “meh, I don’t think so” when I asked his opinion. I’m pretty sure I would have bought it if not for the much-needed intervention!

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  33. I went to Macy’s yesterday to pick up a tub of Chanel’s Soleil Tan de Chanel bronzing makeup base and stopped by the MAC counter on the way to it and ended up buying Crosswires lipstick and Pink Lemonade lipglass. I love all three items…well, for only owning them 24 hours anyway 😉

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  34. I was at Ulta the other day picking up more moisturizer, and I picked up a sample size of Philosophy’s Help Me. Used it before, loved it, and my current retinol (a Neutrogena Ageless Intensives one, I don’t recommend.) is almost used up. It was $18, so between that and my $33 moisturizer I was less than thrilled. I need it but goodness, trying to get my skin under control is so expensive.

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  36. While browsing at Macy’s, I picked up Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Light foundation. I hadn’t used a lot of EL’s foundations in the past, but I’m really liking this one – it isn’t too heavy and it lives up to it’s “stay-in-place” promises.

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  38. I love this blog, I find it really helpful to read Karen and everyone else’s comments before parting with my cash, especially for more expensive things.

    Earlier this week I paid my first visit to the MAC shop, which I would never have done before reading MBB. I got Blot Powder and so far I love it.

    I resisted any impulse buys in MAC but today I was in a drugstore we have here in the UK called Superdrug and I decided to check out NYC lipsticks, as I remember Karen reviewing them a while back. I selected one colour and so far I’m delighted, it feels nice not dry on my lips and seems to last quite well.

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  39. I was invited to my friends hen do last week and we’re all going out in fancy dress. Since it is one of the Bi-Annual Goth weekend festivals in our home town that weekend the theme is Goth and the bride-to-be is going as corpse bride. So when I saw Chanel Rouge Allure lipstick I impulsively bought it for the occasion! It should goth up any old black ensemble sufficiently I think!

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  41. Last Friday after work I grabbed a quick coffee with my sister and we popped into Sephora…I spotted the new Stila collection and immediately purchased the new Coconut Crush Lip & Cheek stain….it’s so pretty and wil be great for Summer!

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  42. Dior nail polish in Bond Street. I saw it swatched on a nail blog, and ordered it immediately. I usually don’t make rash decisions when it comes to $20 nail polish, but it was so pretty I had to have it!

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  43. I bought an Illamsqua lip gloss – the sheer one in hot pink. I was looking for the Valentine’s intense lip gloss in that hot dark red but no dice!

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  47. I just now got back from Walgreens where I was stocking up on some feminine hygiene products, and at the end of an aisle they had some new Wet n Wild Color Icon Shadow trios on display. Did I just keep on going? Of course not! I grabbed the trio in Silent Treatment, which looks like it’s going to be gorgeous! There’s a taupe, a deep cool-toned chocolate brown, and a pinkish nude color. Can’t wait to play with it.

    Pretty much every trip to a store ends up in some sort of impulse makeup purchase for me! : )

    Reply

    • I just bought “silent treatment” yesterday as an impulse buy too! I wore it today and am in love. Such a pretty day look and the quality of the shadows is amazing for the price. I went back to Walgreens today for more colors…

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  48. I admit it, I have absolutely no discipline when it comes to impulse buying. None. Zero. Zip. I’d like to blame Target, Ulta or wherever my mood has landed me but that wouldn’t be fair…it’s all on me. I must try out the newest, or in some cases, just the brightest, shiniest packaging. My most recent was a buy one/get one free temptation for Maybelline Mascara. I love, love, love Volum’Express the Falsies Washable Mascara so I grabbed one and right next to it was the new Volum’Express One by One Mascara. Can I just say….so not impressed. Maybe if I thought about it, I’d have realized they are the polar opposites of each other. So, until it’s empty, One by One will grace my lower lashes, while the meatier Falsies does the job on my upper lashes. 🙂

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  51. My impulse buys always seem to revolve around lipsticks and lip glosses. They just seem so innocent, even when I know I have no business buying any more makeup that day! I also like to look through the clearance stands at Ulta…they actually have some cute things. I recently got a couple of adorable glittery, jeweled compacts for just $2.50 each…one for me and one for my daughter. Love them!

    Shannon
    Lipstick Musings
    Shannon recently posted … Make Up Forever Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick-Moulin Rouge

    Reply

  52. A double pack, smaller versions though, of Urban Decay 24/7 liners at ULTA when I was picking up AnGel by Deva. I was torn between the one I got, it has Rockstar and Oil Slick, or Zero and Bourbon. Decisions, decision.

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  53. almost everything I buy is on impulse! I recently purchased the new revlon glosses, but I returned them, I got th new Covergirl lipstick, and returned that too. I also found a Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Bronze at my local Cosmetic Company Store, and after researching it I decided to buy it. Still haven’t tried it but I am looking forward to it!
    Jennifer recently posted … The Beauty Benefits of White Eyeliner

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  55. I went to sephora to return a damaged item i received in the mail (coconut bubble bath) and ended up getting Benefit danelion blush, oscar Blandi dry shampoo (the worst purchase ever!) and smashbox eye brightener

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  56. I am funny about impulse buys…it doesn’t matter if I love the stuff – I always end up returning it. There are so many other items on my current must have list that I just can’t keep it.

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  57. I don’t usually impulse buy at Sephora or Ulta. I tend to go to those stores with a specific product in mind. but I did buy one of the new covergirl naturelux gloss balms from Target yesterday. I like it!

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  58. I actually got one of the High Beam to-go tubes that were sitting at the counter. I LOVE the product, and having an extra one that I can keep in my purse or car to just throw on is so convenient! 🙂

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  59. Urban Decay Naked Palette. I was at Ulta yesterday, on impulse, and a sales girl was putting stock out, including the new Too Faced Romantic kit, so I’m assuming she had just put the two Naked Palettes out. After circling the store once hemming and hawing, I went for it. I’ve literally spent months telling myself why I didn’t need it, but as soon as I saw it in stock, it had to be mine. I don’t know if I actually liked it more so than feeling like I needed something that’s in such high demand…silly, I know! The cashier had no idea they received any to put out so I’m glad I snatched one. I really do love it. Shimmering, satiny, neutral shadows is what I’m all about. And it has the eyeliners, so yay. I also bought three of the new Wet N’ Wild Color Icon trios at CVS earlier in the day. They had literally just put those out too. Clearly a good day to buy makeup!

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  63. Hello Kitty by Sephora products! they just looked so cute in their displays…but i certainly don’t regret it, they’re amazing products! =)

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  64. OMG My entire life is an impulse buy. I plan my budget on bare bones minimum JUST so I have extra money on hand in case I see something I like. I recently started online shopping, via ebay, bonanza, and ecrater. OMG they are soooooooo easy to be impulsive about!

    Everytime I physically go to MAC, its all about impulse. LOL. I will usually go with a small list, but I never go unless I have an extra hundy dolla bill laying around because I KNOW I will find several somethings I can’t live without for my next project. Everytime I have a shift scheduled and I use a new product I haven’t tried before and then I obsess over it until I add it to my kit/collection.

    Randomly my last one was the palace pedigreed eye shadow quad. Decided to google it, and Bloomingdale.com still had it in stock, amazingly. I paid WAY too much for it, kinda silly really with the shipping plus it isn’t with my discount. It arrived today,and I am thrilled to have it anyways. I used it on a customer once when it premiered with the launch last year and haven’t stopped thinking about it since. That’s me in a nutshell. Also bought the Ban This! dear to wear lipglass and the Fab Frenzy Superglass off MAC.com this week. Triple impulse! Yay…excited for this weekend…hehe.

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  66. Last time it happened was when I was buying my mom her Christmas gift at the Lancome counter in Macy’s. I was just getting her a lipstick, but then the sales woman convinced me to grab her a lip liner too so I could get this free clutch and whatnot. I’m a sucker for free products!

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  67. I went for a stroll in Sephora (yes I know, totally silly) and ended up walking out with Dior Nude Natural glow foundation. I think I managed to find the appropriate color for my face without the help of the magically disappearing staff. lol It feels really nice, let’s hope it works out well.

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  68. Two of the new Wet n Wild eyeliner pencils, Olive and Amethyst, at Walgreens today. Luckily they were only 99 cents, so even if they weren’t great quality it wouldn’t be too much of a loss. 🙂

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  69. Usually when I’m stressed I get the impulse to shop, so earlier this week when the boss pointedly told me about invoicing on time, I had a mini-freakout and when I came back to myself, I had just finished buying stuff at Ulta. Not regretting it, though! They’re having “Buy 2 get 2 free” and I purchased two Super Shiny lipglosses (Mischief and Lovely) and got two eyeshadows (Trendsetter and Plum Noir) free! I feel like it’s not terrible to impulse shop if you only ever shop the sales!

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  71. Too Faced Pixie Pin Ups set.. because it was on sale. ($25 from $32!) Not much of a discount but you know when you just want to buy something?? Don’t think it’s worth it though because my last 10 “spur of the moment” beauty purchases have gone unused. Aghhhh!! So horrible but I can’t help it. =(
    kali recently posted … Robot Love &amp Lunch

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  75. My last impulse purchase was…. Maybelline Fit Foundation! I fell in love immediately. Before, I was a little disappointed in my tinted moisturizer (No7/Boots) b/c it’s a little too dark (there’s only 3 shades: light, medium and dark).

    I like dewey foundations w/o too much coverage, no cakey or dry look. I like Neutrogena Healthy Skin foundation but it’s a little heavy.

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  76. I picked up an Essence lipstick and a new blush brush (from Essence, also), when I was only going to the drugstore to check out the bargain foundations, because I needed one, and I told myself that I shouldn’t buy anything else… but the bargains… and I don’t mind them, because they are fantastic! 🙂

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  78. Nars Deep Throat…….enough said.
    but there is a problem with online impulse buys, you dont get the same feeling when it takes 14 days to get to your house..Thanks You Fed Ex Smart Post

    Reply

  81. I bought 3 drugstore foundations in a rage of frustration from high-end failures. I also bought the Revlon Aqua Powder Mineral Makeup, and 2 lip balms.

    Expect to see me on an episode of Intervention in the near future. My husband can write my letter in one of my impulse-purchase eyeliners.
    Amanda recently posted … Check Out My Video Tutorial!

    Reply

  82. I was in Target today and found both of the Pixi Winter Wakeup eyeshadow palettes (No.1 Bright & Light and No.2 Shade & Shape) for $2.50 a piece! I snagged them both. The pigmentation is really nice, the powders are soft, and I like all the colors, especially for next to no money. I couldn’t pass them up!

    I’m hoping the No.2 palette makes the ache for the UD Naked palette go away for a bit, haha.

    Reply

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