to pamper / summer refresh beauty kit

I’m surprised this beauty kit hasn’t sold out yet… it’s a steal if you like nicer products. I got it for the Tata Harper and Susanne Kaufmann, and I don’t mind trying the other products. It’s also available in the EU, APAC, and GB sites.

Image: NAP

Price: $90

Value: $505 (based on NAP prices)

• $125 Full size (smaller size) Tata Harper Concentrated Brightening Serum: 9.8 ml/0.33 fl.oz. (Previously reviewed the original formulation, the only drawback was the cost.)
• $98 Full size U Beauty The Sculpt Arm Compound: 120 ml/4.0 fl.oz.
• $72 Full size One Ocean Ultra Hydrating Algae Oil: 30 ml/1.0 fl.oz.
• $45 Full size Susanne Kaufmann Cleansing Gel: 100 ml/ 3.4 fl.oz (The second item I was most excited about.)
• $37 Full size (smaller size) Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil: 15 ml/0.5 fl.oz
• $30 Full size Phillip Kingsley Swimcap Mask: 75 ml/2.5 fl.oz.
• $25 Full size Wander Beauty Unlashed Volume and Curl Mascara: 9 g/0.31 oz
• $20 Full size (smaller size) Oribe Mystify Restyling Spray: 50 ml/1.7 fl.oz.
• $20 40 Full size Pursoma Après Savasana Soak: 113 g/4.0 oz. (They included two bags of this so it’s a $40 value, not sure if it was a mistake.)
• $13 Full size two Silke hair ties
• The clear pouch with zipper is also very sturdy.

There is another beauty kit if you are interested in any of the products.

Also worth mentioning that I got a few of these and each beauty set comes in its own cardboard box (that is great for shipping), leading to a very large overall box.

to shop / {sale alert} peach and lily collection

Images: Ulta

Ulta’s Love Your Skin event has kicked off and day 3 has select items from Peach and Lily’s collection (which is always excluded from their own site’s sale). Their line is formulated well and most importantly, very well priced during sales. The first item is 50% off and the rest are 30% off (EDIT: while the Matcha Pudding is a one day promotion, the rest should be available through January 25, while supplies last). I’ve tried all but the toner and oil.

to shop / recent purchases

I’ve been using Method hand soap in my Muji containers for years, but I guess more moisture couldn’t hurt. I like L’Occitane hand products, so when a promo gave out, I promptly ordered the Verbena shea butter liquid soap refill. I would’ve ordered the ultra rich soap if it had a refill. I fell in love with their Ultra Rich shea butter collection during a summer trip to the Canadian Rockies (it’s super dry there) and also highly recommend their newer intensive hand items. Use code FACE or BODY for 20% off, free shipping over $10, and an Almond Discovery set (mini Almond hand cream, skin oil, and shower oil). Doesn’t work on sale items.

Image: Nordstrom

to shop / tatcha lucky bag

Tatcha‘s fukubukuro (“lucky bag”) promotion is back through January 17, 2019 with code LUCK19. These bags are a part of the Japanese New Year traditions. I wouldn’t buy something just to get the grab bag, but it’s a nice treat if you’re already planning a purchase. This is one of Tatcha’s better promotions.

(Edit:

In 2019, I got four products in my lucky bag: Beautyberry Camellia Lip Balm (full size), the Luminous Dewy Skin Mask (full size, single use), and two travel size products — the Luminous Deep Hydration Firming Serum and Luminous Deep Hydration Firming Eye Serum. They retail for $108. I ended up reselling these. The proceeds were a nice “discount” to my actual purchase.)

In 2018, I got four travel size products in my lucky bag – the Luminous Deep Hydration Firming eye serum, Indigo Soothing Rice Enzyme Powder, Silk Cream, and a Luminous Dewy Skin sheet mask. None of this interested me so I passed these products on.

In 2017, I got two products – a full size Deep Hydration Firming Serum and a travel size Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder. I saw that some people got travel size items instead of a full size item.

I haven’t used much Tatcha over the last year aside from the One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil (review). They have reformulated many products and launched a few over the last year. The new Violet-C Brightening Serum looks interesting, but I’m waiting for more reviews before I consider it. The lip products are fun, but let’s face it — I rarely wear lipstick.

to shop / tatcha lucky bag

Tatcha‘s fukubukuro (“lucky bag”) promotion is back through January 14, 2018 with code LUCK18. These bags are a part of the Japanese New Year traditions — retailers selling grab bags of goods at discounted prices, partially to unload excess inventory. I wouldn’t buy something just to get the grab bag, but it’s a nice treat if you’re already planning a purchase.

Last year, I got two products in my lucky bag – a full size Deep Hydration Firming Serum ($95 value) and a travel size Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder ($15 value). I saw that some people got more travel size items instead of a full size item.

I recommend the:

• One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil (review). I love cleansers and this is great as a year-round cleansing oil. I use this a few times a week as a first cleanse (I have been alternating with the Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser). I’m finishing up my second bottle and have a third on deck.
• Indigo collection (review).
• I no longer regularly use it, but the Dewy Skin Mist (review) is great if you need/love glow. I don’t recommend it if you have enough glow, which is my case mainly thanks to the LJH Vita Propolis Ampoule and Drunk Elephant C Firma Day Serum.
• Essence (review).

The Water Cream is really popular, but I tried it and found it too scented and performed similarly to other products. I will be trying the new Deep Cleanse.