What I’m buying from Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty

This isn’t super well known, but I am a beauty junkie. Get me started on a chat about favourite moisturizers or lipsticks, and I’ll apologize in advance because I never shut up.

That’s why I love when Ulta has their 21 Days of Beauty events. It’s a chance for me to stock up on some of my beauty faves at 50% off, and a chance to try some new products at a low-risk price.

Below are some of the products I’m thinking about purchasing during this year’s event. If this is your first time shopping one of these, keep a look out for their surprise steals, but also checkin early on Sephora’s site - they often price match the same items during the event.

Monday, March 12

Peach & Lily Matcha Pudding Antioxidant Creme

I really don’t need another moisturizer right now, but I might spring for this one. I’ve heard really good things about this antioxidant creme, especially considering how lightweight it is, and might stock up now so I can use it this summer. 

Tuesday, March 14

Nudestix Nudies Bloom

Nudies Bloom is a really pretty creme blush. Instead of applying this directly, I love to apply these with a slanted blush brush, putting the product on the brush first and pushing the product onto the high points of my cheekbones. Poppy girl is the perfect summer shade for this red head.

Belif Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask

This is a gorgeous winter, nighttime moisturizer. If your skin is feeling parched or tight, buy this. Trust me. 

Thursday, March 16

Strivectin Super-C Retinol Brighten & Corect Vitamin C Serum

This serum has been in my saved items for awhile, but with all the deals around the holidays for Drunk Elephant and Sunday Riley, I stocked up on those vitamin C serums instead. The combo of vitamin C and retinol has me intrigued, will it keep my wrinkles at bay even better?

Friday, March 17

Clarins Double Serum

I am actively looking for a non-vitamin C serum for days I give my skin a break from actives, right now I’m using up a bunch of samples to see if anything stands out from the others. Given the reviews on this one, this might be 

Saturday, March 18

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer

I don’t really need another concealer right now, but when Fenty goes on sale I pay attention. I might consult Tiktok for my final purchase decision here, since they love Fenty’s Pro Filt’r Foundation. This steal also might make me step in store for the first time in awhile given the shade range the Rihanna provides. 

Nuface Mini

I don’t invest in a lot of beauty tools, but I did invest a few years ago in this one and have never looked back. I’m convinced that this little device is keeping my jawline from falling quicker, and I’m a huge fan of how it carves out my cheekbones after each use. I rarely see this at 50% off so it’s a great time to spring for one. 

Sunday March 19

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz

Ulta offers Brow Wiz every 21 Days of Beauty Events and every time I always purchase one of these. I know there are other, better reviewed brow products out there, but I always come back to this one. The taupe colour is a better summer shade for me than a lot of other brands, so I’ll be stocking up now before the weather gets warmer.  

It Brushes for Ulta

If you’re searching for a new brush to apply cream bronzer, It foundation brushes are some of faves to do. I especially love the angled ones, they help keep product near the top of my forehead and help me carve out above my cheekbones with ease. 

Sunday, March 26

Tula Cult Classic Cleanser

I love buying fancy cleansers during the Ulta event. It’s such a treat to use these in the morning, and this one does a great job of cleansing my skin in the morning, without stripping it and making it feel parched. 

Tarte Maracuja Juicy Plumping Lip Gloss

If you didn’t pick these up when they went viral last year, these plumping lip glosses are already half off during Ulta’s event. I love that the shade range is all nudes, and honestly haven’t had the application issue that some of the reviewers say they’ve had (full disclosure: I haven’t finished mine yet). 

Monday, March 27

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion

Shiseido sunscreen half off? I’m pumped. I’ve never tried this cult classic formula and might stay up late to add this to cart so I don’t miss out. 

Tuesday, March 28

Grande Cosmetics GrandeBrow

I’ve seen a lot of success with the GrandeLASH, I’ve even had to reduce my frequency of application because my lashes have gotten so long. Despite the resurgence of skinny brows, I still love the feathery look, and might pick this up to help fill out my own.

Friday, March 31

First Aid Beauty Jumbo Ingrown Hair Pads

*whispers* Summer is coming. Time to get prepared. IYKYK. 

Saturday, April 1

Lancome Lash Idole

I can’t believe this mascara is part of this sale! The waterproof version is one of two mascaras that I’ve found that keep my lashes curled and doesn’t smudge and fallout below my eyes. 

StriVectin Peptight Tightening Neck Serum Roller

I’m currently using this as part of my night routine and love how easy the roller makes it to apply. The twist cap also alleviates leeks and messes, and there’s not pot to put a scoop or finger in. The product itself is hydrating and helps to keep me seeing my tech neck.

Favourite Purchases of 2022

One of the reasons I love shopping so much is the chance to discover something new. A new piece of fashion, a new beauty product, even a trip to a new destination all provide the opportunity to try something and even transform into something new.

Without further ado, here are some of my favourite purchases of 2022.

1. Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray: during the summer heat and after a weeklong trip to Canada where masks were still mandated, my skin started to FREAK. OUT. I had been watching Katie Jane Hughes use this spray in her instagram stories for awhile and pulled the trigger on trying it. This stuff lives up to its name, it calmed the freakouts on my skin, balanced it back to normal, and now has become a staple item in my morning skincare routing. Highly recommend.

2. Coldplay Music of the Spheres Concert tickets: when one of my favourite bands schedules a show for my birthday, its a no-brainer that I’ll purchase tickets no matter where they play. Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres show was a transcendant experience, three hours of the band’s hit songs coupled with a light show the rivals any other. The trek to Atlanta made it all the more special, with a chance to re-explore and fall back in love with a city I hadn’t visited in years.

3. Zara Wool Blend Black Maxi Skirt: yes I inadvertently purchased the maxi that went viral on Instagram, but it’s so easy to see why. A sturdy suited material, a flattering mid-rise waist and belt loops (!) made this maxi skirt one of the most versatile pieces in my wardrobe this fall. It was effortless to style, dressed up comfy everyday basics, and added a dose to posh and confidence to all my WFO looks.

4. Kindersalmon Mia Oversized Bag: I LOVE my hybrid work schedule, but it does require quite a bit of schlepping of stuff back-and-forth during the week. And while I love a structured leather bag for the office, I just couldn’t handle a work bag that literally weighed me down multiple times a week. I came across this oversized hobo while browsing one of my favourite online shops earlier this year and I couldn’t hit purchase fast enough. It’s lightweight, yet classic, and the touch of leather provides the polish to take this into any boardroom I need to travel too.

5. La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 60 Sunscreen Stick: once you own a sunscreen stick, you never, ever have an excuse to leave the house without it again. I picked this stick up at Shopper’s Drug Mart in Canada upon recommendation of one of their beauty advisors, and I’m already researching how to repurchase it without crossing the border because I love it so much much. It makes applying sunscreen so easy, but even better, the sunscreen wears like a dream for workouts. It’s thick but not greasy, and best of all doesn’t run down your face at the first sign a sweat.
   
   

What to buy at Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty Event

It’s Ulta Beauty Event time again, this time makeup take center stage during their 21 day event. Similar to their skincare sale, I love to pick up tried and true favourites for deep discounts when I can and also splurge on some finds I want to try at a more affordable price.

Find my picks below for what’s worth it to purchase during their 21 Days of Beauty Event.

Extra tip: Link your Target Circle to your Ulta Rewards and get twice the rewards during the event.

Week One

March 13:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz

I love the Ulta puts a universally loved product like Brow Wiz in every one of their make up sales. What else can I say about this product that you don’t already know?

Tula Protect & Glow

I’m so excited that Protect & Glow hit the sale this time around - I’m literally down to my last drops of this. One of my 2021 faves, this formula leaves a beautiful pearl glow on your skin, a perfect sun protected base layer under all kinds of makeup. If you’re fair like I am, this gives you the dewy, juicy face look like Super Goop’s Glow Screen does, but without the too dark tan layer.

March 14:

Smashbox Mattifying Primer

Katie Jane Hughes used Smashbox’s Mattifying Primer in her instagram story recently, as a substitute for setting powder for one of her daily looks. She applied this in her t-zone areas and and then followed with the rest of her base makeup, and the primer negated any need for powder to set her look. I am so curious to try the same, especially as the temps rise, and when I saw this on sale, knew I wanted to pick it up.

March 15:

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

I’m using the toner right now, and love how evenly the spray disperses product. Its so fast and easy for my (always rushed) morning routine. Can’t wait to try the essence to see if it does the same.

Week Two

March 20:

Buxom Full-On Plumping Lip Cream

I have one of these already and it applies like a dream. Now that we’re mostly maskless again, lip creams and glosses might find their way back to rotation. These really do give you a plumping effect, and the consistency of the formula is a dream.

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer

When I’m looking for more coverage than normal, or need to tone down the tan of my Super Goop Glow Screen, I pull out my shape tape concealer. This stuff lasted all day under a mask during a humid Toronto summer, when you need that little bit of extra coverage, without the weight of a foundation, this stuff is golden.

March 21:

Nabla Eyeshadow Palettes

Another Katie Jane Hughes recommendation, I’ve always been curious about Nabla's eyeshadow formulas, especially since KJH and I have similar skin tones. At this price it might be time to pick up one or two and have a little eyeshadow fun.

March 24:

Estee Lauder Radiant Skin Repair + Renew Set

My one rule for any Ulta event is to always, ALWAYS, stock up on one of my OGs, Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair. This set looks to include an almost full size version, and for wont find ANR for much lower than the $25 here.

Week 3

April 1:

Benefit Gimme Brow+ Tinted Volumizing Brow Gel

I love this stuff for no makeup days, days with hats, and days that require constant sunglasses. It adds a great tint to my otherwise non-noticeable brows, and when you brush is backwards, then forwards, it coats each hair with the perfect amount of product. Love this stuff.

Benefit The POREfessional Super Setter Pore Minimizing Spray

I always stock up on makeup setters heading into the summer months. I’ve been trying a mini size of this for the past couple months, and can tell its going to be a workhorse for me as the temperatures rise. Up there with Urban Decay’s 24 Hour setting spray, this stuff locks in base makeup really well, and keeps my face from looking super oily for most of the day.

What to buy at Ulta's 2022 Love Your Skin Event

It’s the most wonderful time, of the year…

Yes, I get the irony of using that phrase on January 2nd. But if you’re a skincare lover like me, it is a wonderful time because Ulta’s Love Your Skin event is BACK.

I LOVE this sale. More than all of their others. It’s so approachable, introducing me to some amazing products at half-price that I’ve grown to LOVE.

So if you’re looking to ramp up your skincare routine or just stocks up on some of your faves, here are my picks for what’s worth buying at this year’s event.

Ulta’s Love Your Skin event runs from January 2 – 22. Don’t forget to check their app for extra deals if you’re a platinum or diamond member.

January 2: NuFace Trinity Facial Toning Device

Ulta is kicking off this sale (and 2022!) with a bang – with NuFace! This price is great for the full size version – I own the mini and love it. I use it a couple times a week and have noticed quite and improvement in my skin. It only adds 10 minutes to your night routine – so worth it for the results.

January 3: Skyn Iceland Firming Eye Gels

These eye gels are so convenient for travel, they’re not super goopy and won’t make a mess in you bag. What I love most about them is they DON’T BUDGE after you put them on, you don’t have to worry about them slipping and sliding around your face. At this price they’re a steal – no wonder Patrick Ta uses them on all his clients!

January 4: Live Tinted Eye Masks & Banila Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm

I’ve been hearing for years how beloved Banila balm is in k-beauty circles, so I thrilled to see it for the first time during this year’s event. Definitely picking this up for sure. I’m also a sucker for cutely shaped eye masks, so definitely picking up these Live Tinted eye masks for the first time as well.

January 7: COSRX Treatment Toner

Another *want to try* product for me, this Treatment Toner has been in my “save for later” shopping bag for years. My current Indie Lee toner is almost out, which is perfect timing to pick this one up.

January 9: Sunday Riley Power Couple Mini Kit

Good Genes is one of my holy grail products. It’s desert island for me. If you’ve never tried Good Genes and always wanted to, this mini size is a steal to test out this cult lactic acid treatment. Just remember: don’t use it daily when trying it out :)

January 14: Lancome Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover

This stuff is legendary, it’s the best for removing heavy eye makeup, hands down. As events and nights out hopefully start to pickup here soon, this eye makeup remover is great to have on hand for stubborn waterproof mascaras and glitter eyeshadows. Just add some to a cotton pad, hold it in place over your eye, and let the product work its magic and remove everything.

January 15: Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkly Smoothing Eye Cream

If you only buy one thing from this sale, BUY THIS. This eye cream is another holy grail product of mine, especially when using it at night. (This entire line from Shiseido is fantastic.) Your eyes wake up brighter, smoother, and refreshed - regardless of how many hours of shut-eye you got the night before.

January 16: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair

This stuff is so legendary, famous beauty editor Alex Steinherr refers to it by ANR only. It’s the perfect nighttime serum to follow your retinols or acids - add a layer of hydration of this serum before your heavy creams and moisturizers and wait for the amazing results. In winter, I’ll even use this when my skin needs a little extra TLC, its perfect on those skin rehab days when it gets super cold. And you guessed right, of course it's a holy grail/desert island list too.

January 20: Elemis Cleansing Balm

This cleansing balm has been part of this event for a couple years, and each time I’ve been meaning to pick it up to try. Normally I can’t justify spending $60 for a face cleanser, but at $32, it might be time to finally add this one to my cart.