A list of exciting things that happened in the beauty world while I was away

As promised, now that I'm back to blogging (yay!), I mentioned that I would give you a list of the "big" things that I missed while I was away. I'm so excited to discuss everything with you, and I would LOVE if you could update me on anything I failed to cover in this post.

Before I get to the list, I want to thank everyone who took the time to comment on my last post. Your words were like a

Life update

Dear readers,

First off, I'd like to apologize for not posting something sooner. I've actually tried to write this blog post dozens of times over the past few days, but "real life" duties have kept me from finishing it until now.

If you'd like to know what's been going on with me over the past month, and my plans for the future, please keep reading...

BEST NEWS EVER:

My dad is out of the

No weekly drugstore sale wrapup this week

Due to a family emergency, I won't be able to post the usual weekly drugstore wrapup for this week. My dad has been in the hospital since the 4th of July and we're unsure how long he will continue to be hosptalized.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.

Love,
G

NEW Maybelline The Brights and The Smokes palettes now on the Ulta website

If you've been keeping up with my coverage of the new-for-2014 products from Maybelline, then you know that in addition to the new The Nudes Palette (CLICK HERE for my full review), there were supposed to be two additional palettes coming out this year. Well thanks to reader Fae F. for leaving a comment on the You Tell Me page today, alerting us to the fact the other two palettes are officially

New Big Lots and Dollar Tree sightings

I've got some new Dollar Tree and Big Lots sightings for you today, thanks to some kind readers!

First up, reader @boredorbananas on Instagram spotted this at her Dollar Tree today and was nice enough to share a pic:




image credit: @boredorbananas for Nouveau Cheap

AcneFree 24 Hour Severe Acne Clearing System

(Retail: around $25; Dollar Tree price: $1)



I've blogged in the past about how

It's back: BOGOFREE all Physicians Formula cosmetics at Target (7/6 - 7/19)

Many thanks to reader Cammi for letting us know that the BOGOFREE Physicians Formula sale at Target is BACK, starting next week!

From the Physicians Formula Facebook page:




Set your calendars, PF fans!

Thanks again, Cammi, for the great tip!

Macy's beauty clearance deals (Urban Decay, Benefit and more)

So I was poking around the Macy's website this morning and stumbled across some nice clearance deals on higher-end makeup. Naturally, you KNOW I had to share...




I'm not sure how long these items will be available at these clearance prices (I'm assuming they'll be priced like this until they're sold out). So I wouldn't wait too long if you want them.



NOTE: you get free shipping on orders

Just one more reason to love her...

image source


"Lately I've been using a Kate Somerville face wash, but I'm also a great believer in drugstore products. You don't have to spend a lot of money to get quality stuff nowadays." 
--Helen Mirren, Redbook, July 2014

4th of July Beauty Sale Round-Up

LAST UPDATE: 12:15PM, 7/3/14.

Here's a round-up of the Independence Day beauty deals that I know about so far. I will update this list as more come through (and thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to this list!).  




ASOS (US site) - 4th of July Sale beauty deals HERE (no code required). Also, enter code PARTYINTHEUSA for 20% off regularly-priced items. Free everyday shipping

Sinful Colors Round-Up (new displays and new shades)

Over the past few weeks, there have been several new Sinful Colors displays popping up at Rite Aid and Walgreens. In fact, there are so many new displays right now that it's been a little crazy trying to make sense of them all! I always want to tell you exactly what is new and what is being repromoted within each new display, and I have several readers to thank for helping me in that endeavor. So

The Wednesday Question

What are the most valuable things you've learned from reading beauty blogs?



I can't even begin to list all of the valuable things I've learned from beauty blogs, but I think one of the MOST valuable things I've learned is that you can you clean up a manicure with razor-sharp precision using a small makeup brush dipped in acetone. Before beauty blogs came into my life, it just never occurred

New Ulta Clearance Sightings!

Heads up, Ulta shoppers! There are some FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC deals now surfacing at Ulta stores, and I've got a ton of them to share with you today.



PLEASE READ: Ulta clearance markdowns can vary from store to store, and they are often in-store only (not online). The markdowns may also occur at different times, meaning you may not see these now, but if you check back in a week, they could be

Review: Eclos Daily HydraPrimer SPF30

Purchased by Me
I believe it was Dita Von Teese who once said, "You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there's still going to be somebody who hates peaches." 

That's pretty much how I feel about this new primer from Eclos. I've been quietly loving it and keeping it all to myself for several months now, and I realize that the moment I publish this review, there are probably