Contrary to popular belief, I understand people who are not at all into cosmetics. It’s not for everyone, and I’m well aware. I assume the abstainer to be either impervious to pop culture brainwashing, or naturally gorgeous and will look better without all that crap on anyway. Whatever reason someone has for not getting their whole body caught in the bear trap that is the cosmetics industry, I recognize that luck and I envy you. However, some of us really do “need” foundation or mascara or blush or whatever. Right, Eva Longoria?
Recognize that I have less than no room to talk. Without makeup on, I look like some kind of Dickensian street urchin.
Anyway, even if you’re not into cosmetics, I highly recommend signing up to be a Sephora Beauty Insider. It costs nothing upfront, and your email inbox will be constantly under siege with promo after promo after useless promo. But on the rare occasion when SBI actually decides to cut you a legitimate deal, it is sooooo worth wading through months of junkmail:
See what I mean? $15 off a $35 purchase is pretty good. So, while YOU may not be into cosmetics, there is likely no shortage of people in your world whose lives could be changed forever by Clinique All About Eyes concealer. Maybe your mom, sister, girlfriend (romantic or platonic), favorite office lady, or female Secret Santa victim could reap the benefits of your SBI status this Holiday season. Let’s say you get somebody something rad like the Carol’s Daughter Shea Souffle’ giftset (orig $35), which makes you look like the most generous giver-of-luxurious-gifts person, and with this coupon, you’re only out $20. Whee! Or, you know, if you’re like me and actually want to buy cosmetics for yourself, this does take a bit of the sting out of frivolous spending during the worst financial crisis of our time. Siiiigh. Happy shopping.
December 1, 2008 at 11:06 am
Ha! SephWhora sent me a reminder to use my $15 coupon, yo. There was just no way I was going to go anywhere near a mall last weekend.
December 1, 2008 at 11:29 am
I joined SBI because my mother in law is always asking me to bring her expensive creams and stuff that’s cheaper here in the US than the UK and I pretty much get a ‘deluxe sample’ every time I shop for her.
I was so psyched for this coupon though because I just decided on Friday that I’m buying myself an early present this year so i can look pretty this holiday season. And now I can do so cheaply!
December 1, 2008 at 11:54 am
Oh, Lord, don’t remind me. In the last twelve hours, I’ve gotten emails from MAC and Aveda, and that same reminder that K talked about.
I also got, like, three emails from Ulta over the weekend and I actually wound up ordering some stuff, despite the fact that the site was alll kinds of fucked up.
I want to take advantage of the Sephora coupon, but I’m feeling guilty about buying anything else for myself when Christmas is coming up. And people are hungry and shit, yo.
December 1, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Oh, and also? The thing that pisses me off about Sephora is that they very rarely have free shipping unless you spend over $50, and the nearest Sephora is kind of far away from me. So if I just need something little, I feel ridiculous spending money on shipping, so I usually wind up buying a bunch of stuff I didn’t necessarily want. Assholes.
December 1, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Wow, that Beauty Insider is awfully familiar with the nicknames.
December 1, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I assume the abstainer to be either impervious to pop culture brainwashing, or naturally gorgeous and will look better without all that crap on anyway.
I fall into the third category: Too goddamn lazy to actually use all her cheap ass cosmetics (Nivea, woo!) so why should she spend any more money on it.
December 1, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Please tell me that “You, Whore” is just BDJ being clever with the registration page.
December 1, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Can we talk about Clinique’s All About Eyes for a sec? Because man oh man, I loved that stuff for the few weeks I was using it, until i realized it was the reason my eyes would not stop watering once I put it on. So I’m no longer teary, but I look like arse.
December 1, 2008 at 3:33 pm
@CeeJee: hee! yes.
@badenbaden: wow, really? is it all Clinique stuff or just AAE, you think?
December 1, 2008 at 4:58 pm
K – I’m not sure. My skin/eyes became ridiculously sensitive a couple of years ago when I used Bare Minerals and began to get hives and blurred vision. I stopped that when I figured out the problem, but ever since then, certain makeups cause problems. I’m really bummed AAE is one of them, because I LOVED it for the few weeks I used it. I don’t use any other Clinique stuff, so I’m not sure if it’s everything or just AAE.
December 1, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Also I find it amusing I am getting coupons for all sorts of retailers trying to ensure that I bolster the economy by shopping this holiday season. And I’m buying gifts for like 3 people.
@ Baden baden: Clinique AAE made my eyes really itchy when i tried it. Someone told me once their products have a lot of synthetic chemicals in them, which could be why they bothered my peepers so much. I’m testing out Boscia Amino something eye treatment right now and liking it and so far, no itching or watering.
@ BDJ: can we have an eye cream post please? It would be holiday appropriate since we’ll all be going to lots of parties and getting little sleep.
December 1, 2008 at 5:38 pm
@h_a_l: I used the Boscia eye stuff for a while and never had any problems with it. I used the enlivening amino somethingorother and the more intensive one. both are very light and do a decent job of moisturizing, but I switched b/c I want something with some more oomph for the corners of my eyes that tend to get dry and also for under eye puffiness since I didn’t see any difference with the Boscia. currently auditioning Kinerase eye creams, we’ll see.
December 1, 2008 at 7:19 pm
“Dickensian street urchin”
ZOMG! Panda, just put together a coffee table book of insults (with accompanying photos), it’ll be a best-seller!
December 1, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Yes! Get Taschen to print it!
December 2, 2008 at 10:57 am
I got this (and the reminder) and I’ve also got $10 worth of Ulta points burning a hole in my pocket. That’s trouble!
December 2, 2008 at 3:26 pm
@dotty: I love the Ulta points, and how at the lowest level you get like, a free Q-tip. I am at that level now, but our place just opened up.
Not a makeup person, but I am a sucker for Ulta and Sephora. In Dallas, I went to Sephora and spent $50 on crap I didn’t’ need. At Ulta, I got some buttercream frosting body wash that I kind of want to eat. Thanks for sharing, BDJ. I may have to go waste time on Sephora.com now.
December 3, 2008 at 12:51 pm
@h_a_l: I’m trying that Boscia amino stuff now and I do not like it as much as I like what Clinique AAE does for my eyes. Not sure why though. The Boscia stuff does smell lovely but it just doesn’t de-puff and de-circle my eyes like AAE does.