Steal: $10 off $10 at American Apparel

Sign up for a $10 off at American Apparel coupon here.  You can choose from either online or in-store. This coupon expires 5/15 and is not valid towards shipping.  Shipping is $5 so you'd be getting 50% off if you order online with a purchase of $10

Note: Not valid on sale items :(

Steal: Bikinis under $10

I never understood why bathing suits always cost so much money for the amount of fabric it comes with.  However, here are some exceptions:
The solid colored $4.50 a piece suits at Forever21 come in black, navy, pink, and yellow I believe.  They do come with some padding.  I tried looking at Forever21.com but they didn't have so I suggest checking your store.  If you live near Albany, NY, the Forever21 there has a rack of them right outside of Heritage by the dressing rooms.

If you don't like any of them, OP at Walmart also has them for around $12 a set; They used to be $10

H&M has bathing suits for $4.95 a piece.  There's around 5 different sets going for $4.95 a piece, others are $9.95+.  They're REALLY cute this year <------

There are also bikini tops from American Apparel going for $2.50 online.

Free: BBW Signature Collection Travel Size Item

Pick out a 3oz Signature Collection at Bath and Body Works and get it free with any purchase!  Remember to bring in this coupon and this offer expires 5/4/11

Free: Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss W/ Purchase

Until 5/4/11, Victoria's Secret is giving out free Beauty Rush lip glosses retailing $7 for free with ANY purchase. Don't forget to print out this coupon!

Free: BBW Royal Collection Lip Gloss or Pocketbac

For today, 4/29 only, stop by any Bath and Body Works store or bathandbodyworks.com, and choose from a free Royal Collection lip gloss or pocketbac with any purchase.  Don't forget to take this coupon with you!

There is also $1 shipping online with $25+ purchase.

Tips for Dry Skin

• Obviously, you should moisturize after cleansing.  If you don't, you'll get flaky skin which will in turn clog up your pores and trust me.  Dry, breakout prone skin is tough to treat.
• If you suffer from flaky skin and can't seem to get the flakes off no matter how many times you exfoliate, try the scotch tape method.  Just take some clear scotch tape and stick it on your flaky patch, pull it off, and repeat.  You will see all the dead skin cells on your tape.  Don't do this too much or you'll end up like me a 1.5 years ago with a peeling, irritated nose because I literally riped all the skin off of my nose.  A very thick layer too.
• Alpha hydroxy acids at a pH level of 5 is highly moisturizing
• If you suffer from breakouts, the safest way for you to moisturize is to mix glycerin with water  and use that as your moisturizer.  Never ever use glycerin without water or else it will dry your skin out
• Don't forget to moisturize your under eyes.  You may not be 30, but dry skin exaggerates lines.
• If your skin is dry during the day and you have makeup on, try Mac Fix+ to moisturize a bit.  I call this my spray on moisturizer sometimes.
• Don't use drying products.  I know that this is simple, but a lot of people just don't understand.  Anything with salicyclic acid, benzoyl peroxide, alcohol, and denat. alcohol is drying.  If you have to use it, do it sparingly.
• Don't exfoliate too harshly.  That means, gently scrub your skin with your finger tips, not aggressively with your palms.  You may think you'll have baby soft skin afterwards, but really, you'll just have soft, dry, irritated skin.
• Don't use St. Ives Apricot Scrubs because the walnut shells microscopically tear your skin.  You can't see it, but trust me, the damage is there

Tips for Oily Skin

• When you have oily skin, you probably think you don't need to moisturize.  That is absolutely not true.  Everyone of all skin types should moisturize.  If you don't moisturize, you skin will get dehydrated which in turn will cause your skin to produce even MORE oil as a defense mechanism.
• A lot of people with oily skin like to be squinky clean after cleansing.  Sure, it feels great, but if your cleanser is very stripping, your skin will become imbalanced and breakout/product more oil.
• Harsh cleansers also strip away your acid mantle which is a pH 4-5 protective boundary of your skin.  The acid mantle helps keep bacteria at bay. Removing it would mean more breakouts/irritation.
• Oily skin types should stick to oil-free face products
• You should always keep blotting papers to soak up the oil.  I don't recommend putting on powder over oil because it is just disgusting.  It is much more sanitary to remove and then powder.
• To help keep the skin from producing excessive oil, try a mattifying face primer.  Mac sells a great one.
• If you wear makeup and you have a constant battle with oil, try Skindinavia Finish Spray.
• If you suffer from break outs, don't jack up on the acne products because it will dry out your skin tremendously.  Then you will go through a cycle of crazy dry flaky skin to super oily to crazy dry, over and over again.
• I recommend cleansing 2-3x a day.  
• Try to stay away from dewy/cream face makeup.  Also stay away from shimmers.  It will exaggerate oil.

My policy for purchasing makeup

Yes, I have a crap ton of makeup and I do still buy constantly, but I never break the bank.  Here are my policies for buying makeup

• I refuse to buy any drugstore makeup full priced.  Ever (unless it is e.l.f.).  Drugstore makeup go on BOGO 50%, BOGO free, or 40% constantly.  
• If whatever drugstore makeup I want is over $5, I won't get it because I know that after sales and coupons, everything is either <$5 or free.
• If I have a coupon for something that is still >$5 after using the coupon, I will save the coupon until the product is on sale.  Coupons generally expire 1 month after print if you get it from Coupons.com.  If it is from a manufacturer's website or packaging, it expires in 6-12 months.
• I always, always, always, research the makeup I want before purchasing so that I know I won't be getting a low quality product and wasting my money.  Makeupalley.com is the way to go when researching for reviews and swatches.
• I subscribe to Rite Aid, Walgreens, and CVS weekly circulation ads so I know when something is on sale so I can get it for just about free.
• I only buy high end makeup if it is a cult absolute buy and I need it.  For the most part, I don't buy cult products because I know there are dupes for everything.  I will have up a drugstore dupes for high end products soon.
• If I want to buy something at Sephora, I either wait till December for the $15 off $35 or 20% Friends and Family coupon.  On rare occasions, I do purchase full price.  I will generally only do this when it is a value set.
• If I want to try out a high end product, but I don't know if it is going to work for me, I will ask for a sample of it.  Beauty counters are always willing to give out samples because it will attract more customers.
• If there is something at Sephora I want and it is Asian, I will look for it on eBay.  Generally, Asian cosmetics are still cheaper on eBay even though they have to mail it out overseas.
• If a product does not work for me or there is something wrong with it, I will go right ahead and return it.  A lot of people think that if makeup is opened or used, you can't return it.  It is absolutely not true at most beauty counters.  Companies want you to be satisfied.  This includes Sephora, Macy's, Mac, CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens.  

Steal: 13 Sinful Colors Nail Polishes for $12

At Rite Aid till the end of this week, is having a BOGO 50% AND if you buy $5 worth, you get $2 back in UP+ Rewards.  The nail polishes run for $2 each.  After BOGO, you would be paying $3 for two bottles You are limited to 4 UP+ Rewards which means that you can buy 13 bottles for $12.  There are no coupons needed for this, but you can sweeten the deal by using 2 $1 off any non-prescription purchase coupons found on the Rite Aid Video Values section after watching videos.

Steal: $10 off $10 at Aerie

Oh my lord.  Aerie has just released a $10 off $10 coupon on their facebook.  This coupon is valid from 4/28 to 5/1 in stores only.  I freaking love American Eagle these days.

Since I'll be over there 4x during the promotional period.  I've calculated that I can get 16 pairs of the $3.95 ones for $5.78 plus tax or 12 pairs of the $4.95 ones for $3.26 plus tax.  The $3.95 ones were originally $7.50 whereas the $4.95 ones were around $9.50-12.50.  Since there is a 30% off clearance, I'll be saving $115 on them!


My local Aerie store has them at $2.95 each!  I got 5 pairs for $0.35 after coupon and 30% off clearance.  You can get 10 pairs for $0.65 if you pick all the ones on clearance!  There are some that are on promotion for $2.95 so they don't qualify for the 30% off.  Don't forget, there are also bras on sale for $14.95 so after discounts, you could get one for $0.46.  You heard me, $0.46

Note: You can also use this towards American Eagle items.  You just have to throw in something from Aerie into the pile

Tips for sensitive skin

1. Before wearing new clothes, wash them first.  The dye can irritate your skin and itch like crazy.  It is also more healthy because the chemicals can seep into your system if unwashed.
2. The less ingredients the better.  You never know if something is going to irritate your skin so the less chemicals, the better.
3. Wear sunscreen.  Nobody wants a sunburn
4. Don't use products with strong alpha hydroxy acids.  In order for products with a good amount of alpha hydroxy acids to work, it has to irritate your skin.  For sensitive skin, it will hurt.  Even my skin stings when I put it on and turns red for a good hour.
5. Use a pH balanced cleanser.  Unbalanced pH levels will make your skin freak out
6. Wear a green primer/corrector.  Sensitive skin turns to to red so the green will cancel it.
7. Don't use harsh exfoliants.  When exfoliating with a physical exfoliator, don't scrub too hard.  If you over exfoliate, your skin will be even more irritated.
8. Don't use a lot of acne products.  I went through a stage where I just jacked up on it and it hurt to even put lotion on.
9. Don't pick your skin.  
10. Don't use Bare Minerals because there is an ingredient in their powders that will irritate your skin even though they say it doesn't.
11. Try to stick to using natural products.  Chances are, it has less chemicals in it.  Try aloe vera gel.
12. Go paraben free.  Preservatives are never good for you
13. Try not to use face washes with sulfates.  They dry out your skin and clog it up
14. If you use a toner, try to get one without alcohol.  It is very irritating to the skin and will dry it up.
15. Always moisturize your skin after washing.  It doesn't matter if you have oily skin or not.  You need to stay hydrated.  

Weekly Roundup: 4/24-4/30, saved $369.06!

I will be updating this throughout the week on my findings and such:

1. Ordered a pair of $50 American Eagle jeans for $16 shipped
2. My Planet Flop flip flops came in the mail!  They're Brazilian natural rubber and they're so comfortable.  Retail $24, got them for $0.20 on Fraction Price by using a free $7 gift card from Swagbucks
3. Sunglasses that came free with purchase of my flip flops.  Retail $20
4. 0.25oz Zapzyt sample, retail $5 for a 1oz
5. Free Kenneth Cole Reaction sunglasses from Nomorerack.  Retail $75
6. Bottle of Matrix Biolage Sunsorials Protective Hair Oil from doing a L'oreal Consumer Testing survey.  Retail $20
7. Free yellow band watch from Budget Gadgets.  Retail $2
8. 10 pairs of underwear at Aerie for less than $2 using facebook coupon.  Most retail $7.50 a piece, in total, the ones I purchased were $79.
9. Free BBW Royal Collection lip gloss in Orange with purchase of a $1.50 hand sanitizer.  Retail $8
10. A pair of khaki shorts at Forever21 for $9.80
11. My ruffled military jacket came in the mail!  It's a cream color, crop cut, I will not be wearing this buttoned up because it makes me look even more top heavy.
12. An e.l.f. Studio Blush in Pink Passion, $3 and Shimmery Facial Whip in Lilac Petal, $1
13. American Eagle Skinny Jeans in Deep Indigo, $13.97 from $39.50
14. American Eagle Drapey High-Waist Shorts in Steel Grey for $9.99 after $10 off coupon.  They're on promotion in stores for $19.99, $24.95 online.  Originally $39.50
15. 4 pairs of undies and t-shirt for $2 after coupon at Aerie.  Priced $7.50 each originally for the undies and $19.50 for the t-shirt.
16. Free Mio water enhancer in Sweet Tea at Price Chopper with coupon. Retail $3.99
17. Sample of Miss Dior Cherie at Sephora
18. Bought 2 e.l.f. Studio Stippling Brushes off eBay because my store didn't carry it and I didn't want to buy $25 of stuff on eyeslipsface.com nor spend $7.95 on shipping.  Retail $3 each.  Got them for $8.45 shipped using my $15 Groupon eBay coupon purchased for $7

Saved a total of $369.06 and spent $63 this week!

Free: Mini perfumes at Sephora

Pick from a mini Dior Miss Dior Chérie Eau de Parfum (0.17 oz), Bvlgari Mon Jasmin Noir Eau de Parfum (0.17 oz), Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Florale Eau de Toilette (0.13 oz), or Versace Bright Crystal Eau de Toilette (0.12 oz) on your $25+ order at Sephora.com using the code MINISCENT at checkout.  This offer is not valid in stores or in Canada


I personally think the mini Miss Dior Cherie perfume is best out of the bunch,  #1, it smells sophisticated and not so much the omfg guys, I'm FRUITY!  and #2, the sample is worth around $7. If you're talking value wise, the Bvlgari one is the way to go.  The sample is worth around $8.
Not that much of a difference, so just pick what you want.

Free: Garnier Fructis Pure Clean shampoo and conditioner (again!)

This time, you can snatch a sample from Walmart!  Click is here.

Free: BBW Tote and Full Size Body Lotion

On Saturday 4/30, Bath and Body Works will be having another I love Fragrance Event.  It will be from 1-5pm at BBW stores.  If you purchase any Signature Collection item, it doesn't have to be full size, you will get a free tote bag and a full size Into The Wild body lotion.  This pack is worth around $15.

And I'm pretty sure theres $1 Into The Wild lotions at the front desk so it will be an awesome deal.

Just ordered: American Eagle Ankle Jeggings

Since silly little me didn't know that almost all stores are closed on Easter Sunday, I went to both malls, thinking that I was gonna score some more jeans for $15 and have the ones I bought price adjusted.  Well, that didn't exactly work out so out of desperation, I ordered a pair of ankle jeggings from American Eagle online.  There was free shipping and 20% off everything until the end of Sunday so I had to take advantage.  To be honest, there weren't even my top choice.  I actually tried on a pair of skinnys in Medium Antique and I loved them; I'm really into antique distressing, especially the ones at the ankle like these jeans had.Problem is, the online store doesn't have 30% off clearance, only the stores do and I wasn't sure when the sale was going to last because the stores don't even know.

So for my top choices, I had either the ankle jeggings in super vintage wash or white; vintage flare in deep dark or these high waisted drapey shorts.  My dilemma was to not get the shorts because I could get 2 similar pairs for the price of 1 at Forever21, I already had bootcut jeans in that shade but the opening is 3" smaller but that makes no difference, and I already had white skinny jeans that are too big for me but it's not that difficult having them taken in. <---- So the jeggings it was.  Plus, I don't own any ripped jeans to be honest, well except my pink ones, but those aren't blue.  The jeans came out to be around $16 shipped, it would have been $50 if I bought them full price.  If you use ebates, you get 3% cash back.  If you also purchase through MyPoints, you get 2 points for every dollar spent.

And then today, I check the site and apparently the store still have the 30% off so I'm actually going to go the store this weekend and get the Medium Antique pair for $21 anyways.  I can also get the jeggings price adjusted to be $14.  I'm a much bigger fan of a skinny opening as opposed to the skin tight legging kind.  Once I have both pairs, I'll decide which to keep or both and we'll go from there.

Oh and if you're wondering why I'm getting ankle jeans, it is because I am 5'3" and my legs are short.  I wear a 30" inseam and cropped jeans come up perfect.  Sometimes, short length jeans are still 2 inches too long.

Tip: If you have short legs, go for jeans that a just a tid bit too long because it will elongate your legs and stay away from jeans that end at your calves because it will make you look shorter.

Steal: 50% off at The Body Shop

For today only, you can buy a $40 voucher for The Body Shop on Groupon for only $20.  The voucher is worth $45 if redeemed by May 30th 2011.  This voucher is valid at any The Body Shop store and will expire on August 27th 2011.  You are limited to 3 vouchers per person and you may only use 1 per visit.

If you don't know what to buy, their body butters smell sooo good!

Steal: 40% Entire Store at Hollister

Take 40% your entire purchase at Hollister till the 25th.  Details are listed on the site.  You do not need a coupon.

Free: Lorac Bronzer and Lipstick

Take this coupon with you to your local Sephora at JCP and choose from Lorac TANtalizer Baked Bronzer or Mini Couture Shine Liquid Lipstick in Glam deluxe samples.  The samples should be worth around $5-7 each.

Free: Physicians Formula makeup

Physicians Formula is offering full rebates for their Mineral Wear Correcting Primers, Organic Wear Jumbo Mascara, and Eye Booster Eyeliner or Serum.  Before you run out to the stores and purchase one, you have to know that you MUST purchase the ones with the Try Me Free stickers.  If you purchased one without, it's okay.  Just go find one of the SAME product with the sticker and just rip the sticker off.

Keep in mind that you must purchase these items at most the price listed in the Try Me Free sticker.  If it goes over, the company won't rebate you the remainder.  The Organic Wear Jumbo Mascara must be at or under $9.99

You will need to print out a form for EACH product and fill it out and send in the receipt with the product highlighted, the Try Me Free sticker to the address specified on the form.  The link to all the forms is here.

Each product rebate has a different address so make sure you purchase them on different receipts.  Also, when mailing out the Try Me Free sticker, make sure it is the right one!  They all look the same, but when you open them up, it will say what product it is for.

You must purchased these products from 1/1/11 to 12/31/11 so you have till the end of the year to find the stickers.  You must mail out the rebates by 1/14/2012.  However, for the Mineral Wear Correcting Primer, the promotion period is from 12/20/10 to 11/30/11 and you must mail it out by 12/14/11

For the week from 4/24-4/30, CVS is having a promotion for if you buy $10+ of Physicians Formula, you get $3 of Extrabucks back.  So, if you buy one of the rebate items, you get $3 for purchasing it!

Oh!  Don't get the Bamboo Wear powders if you see a Try Me Free sticker on it!  This was last years promotion!  I still see them in store and I almost got tricked the other day.

Weekly Savings: Spring Break Round Up, saved $233!

Here are some deals I scored and things that came in the mail this week:

1. Free earrings from Nomorerack.  These aren't my style so I'll be giving them away.
2. Free Sample Showcase box with a Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant sample as highlight
3. Free True Blue Spa Shea Butter Hand Cream from Bath & Body Works as a part of the BBW Luv Club
4. Free Cargo One Base sample from a JCP mailed coupon
5. Free VS Pink ruched panty from Pink Nation coupon
6. Free VS Dream Angels Heavenly perfume sample from Facebook coupon
7. Found a $19.95 VS Pink bra for $12.99 on sale which is very very rare.
8. Free Origins Checks And Balances Cleanser from Earth Day promotion
9. Dolce Vita for Target wedges that I ordered solely using free gift cards from Plum District
10. Free $5 gift card to Amazon from Swagbucks
11. $40 American Eagle jeans for $11.  I might go grab another pair for $16, originally $40
12. Neoteric Cosmetics order that I put it a while ago.  Reunited at last with Alpha Hydrox and Batiste!  I ordered 2 of each type on a BOGO $.60
13. 2 free Mac lipglasses from the Nomorerack promotion.  I got them in Spite and Orange Descence assortedly.  Not a big fan of the color of Spite, but hey, its free.
14. Grey flip flops from Fraction Price for $.20.  I had a $7 gift card from Swagbucks.
15. $25 Ruffled military jacket from Target for $1.64 by using free gift cards from a Plum District promotion
16. $25 Nyx powder for $0.95 from Hautelook.
17. Rimmel white eyeliner, Eyebrow pencil in hazel, and nail polish in Purple Rain for $4 all together.  Rimmel is BOGO 50% at Rite aid this week and I had 3 $2 coupons
18. Free Orbit gum using coupon
19. 6 NYC nail polishes and 2 lipsticks for $2 using 4 $1.50/2 coupons.
20. Free Physcians Formula Organic Wear Jumbo Mascara and Eye Boosting Serum after rebate

Pretty freaking successful week. This week I got around $300 worth of stuff for only $67, saving around $233.  OH YES.

How to unclog aerosol bottles

This happens occasionally with dry shampoo.  I've had 2 bottles out of 5 clog up on me.  For the longest time, I had no idea how to unclog them because everyone just said to run it under hot water.  Well, I did, and they still were clogged.  I finally learned the trick a few days ago; to take off the nozzle and run both in hot water.  It frightened me in doing that at first because I was afraid of breaking it.

I finally took the courage today and pulled the nozzle off; ran it under hot water and viola!  Unclogged bottle of dry shampoo!

Aerosol bottles clog up because the particles inside the bottles may be big and collect.  This also happens with self tanners.

Absolute steal: $40 AE jeans for $11

Oh my goodness.  So at American Eagle, I found a pair of Slim Boot Dark Indigo Wash jeans for only $13.97.  Wow.  They are originally $39.50, down to $19.95.  AE currently has an additional 30% off clearance merchandise, making these $13.97.  I, of course, bought them.  When I went home, I found that there is a 20% off everything at AE so with the 20% off included, the jeans would have only cost $11.  Amazing.

Now if you want to hit up this deal, make sure you ask a sales associate to show you the jeans because they are not marked down in the stores.  Just ask them to grab you jeans that are $20 and under because thats what I did.

The Slim Boot jeans are $11.17, the Skinny cut ones are $15.96 after coupon so pick what you want.  The price may vary at your store like it does online.  Make sure you use your AE Rewards card so you can score up coupons later.

You can find the 20% off coupon here.  This coupon is good till the end of 4/24/11.  I'm not sure how long the deal is going to last because the associates don't even know until the week of.

The 20% off is good online and there is free shipping till the end of 4/24/11.

Just ordered: Ruffled Military Jacket

Well, since Target decided to cancel my order of these lovely shoes that I've been waiting for in the mail for over a month.  I had it back ordered last month and oh, the manufacturer decided not to have my size.  The smallest was a 7.5 and these shoes ran huge so there was no way I could fit comfortably into them.  I've resorted to order this jacket since none of the shoes on the site were appealing enough.

Yes I know, it looks funny on the model; clothes always seem to fit weird on models. I don't know why.  What I do know is that this will be a very cute jacket that I will be wearing OPEN.  My boobs are never done just when a jacket is all the way up.  If you are top heavy, you know what I mean.

Note: There is also a black version which I decided against because I have lots and lots of black jackets and they catch lint like crazy.

This jacket looks like it was inspired by the <---------- Free People Ruffled Military Jacket that came out 3 years ago, retailing around $150.

The jacket, Xhilaration Juniors French Terry Military Jacket, retails for $24.99.  I managed to snatch it for only $1.64.  Here is how I did it:

Jacket price: $24.99

Shipping: $4.99

NY 4% Clothing tax: $1

Credit that I got from my angry email for canceling my order: $5

Gift card leftovers that I got from a Plum District promotion for free: $19.34

Gift card that I got from Target when they messed up my refund: $5

24.99+4.99+1-5-19.34-4=$1.64

Be a smart shopper!

Top Perfume Picks

I have a pretty decent stash of perfumes as you can see and here are some of favorites:

1. Juicy Couture - I bought this perfume online before I had even smelled it for the first time.  At the time, I had $300 dollars to waste on whatever I wanted (I made $2,000 from blogging) and I decided to purchase my very first perfume.  And of course, it had to be Juicy Couture because that was what most girls aspired to be made of.  So silly little me, opened up the package thinking that it was going to smell like heaven, woke up to a sickening floral overkill and headed off to the dentist.  And I mean that quite literally.  It took me a while to realize that I was actually in love with Viva La Juicy instead of Juicy Couture and that I had purchased the wrong one thinking it was the same thing.  So for half a year, I tried to love this perfume, I tried so hard and then I just gave up on it.  It just smelled so sickening.  I left this alone for a year and then finally, I tried it again and feel in love with it.  They say perfumes go bad after a while, but this one went good.  I don't know what it is about this perfume, but it is my absolute favorite.  After the floral top notes, I get this warm caramel that I just can't get enough of.  Thank goodness I bought the 3.4oz.  The necklace is pretty cute too.  I wore it to prom.  Oh and don't buy the body sorbet.  It smells even more disgusting than when I first got the perfume.

2. Versace Bright Crystal - Like I said, I fell in love with Viva La Juicy 3 years ago.  By the time I purchased it, every single person had it.  I've always been one for nonconformity and to wear the same perfume as half the girls around just wasn't for me so back to Sephora it went.  Out of the Sephora fragrance sampler that I received as a gift, was also a sample of Versace Bright Crystal.  At the time, I tried I liked the smell, but didn't love it.  As time grew on, I started to fall for it.  One time, I went into Macy's and sprayed myself 15x with Bright Crystal and the car and everything around me smelt divine. And that was when I fell in love with Versace Bright Crystal.  If you are looking for a more sophisticated version of Viva La Juicy, get this baby. It is more clean and less sickening sweet, but still with that delicious touch of Viva La Juicy; I've actually been called on for wearing Viva when I was wearing this.

3. Bath & Body Works Carried Away - Definition of delicious.  I have the entire collection minus the body butter.

4. Thierry Mugler Womanity - One of the most intriguing perfumes ever.  It smells so freaking fresh, it is unbelievable.  This perfume has notes of salt and caviar.  Salt = vacation at the beach. 

5. Christian Dior Miss Dior Cherie - This is my "night" perfume.  I don't go out much at all but this is what I would wear.  It smells woody so I classify it as sophisticated and formal.  Some say that it is a sweet perfume, but honey, there is nothing girly about this one.  I've been eying this perfume since 4th grade.

I also very much like Aquolina Pink Sugar, Juicy Couture Peace & Love, Beyonce Heat Rush, Givenchy Ange ou Demon Le Secret, Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gioia and Benefit Laughing with me Lee Lee

FTC: I won Womanity from Teen Vogue in a sweepstakes.  Bright Crystal was a gift.

Free: Designer Sunglasses

YAY!  Another Nomorerack referral giveaway!  This promotion will go from 4/21/11 to 4/25/11 Midnight PST.  You will need a miminum of 17 referrals to receive a pair of Kenneth Cole sunglasses retailing $75!  There are 5 different Kenneth Coles, 1 pair of Lucky Brand, and 2 of Ralph Lauren.  So start signing up now!  Keep in mind that they do check for fraud so don't sign up 2x on the same computer or else you'll be denied.  Referred friends also get $10 of credit to spend on whatever they want.  For every friend that you refer that makes a purchase, you will receive $10 of credit as well.  Your friends do NOT need to make a purchase and sign up is FREE.  I actually don't even recommend purchasing anything from there because they are known to not ship things out in a timely matter

Free: Oliveology shave gel

You can snatch a free bottle of Oliveology shave gel here.  If you don't feel like doing the facebook thing, just go here.  You will have to pay $4.95 for shipping if you don't want to pick it up at their headquarters.  The shave gel retails for $12.  The cool thing about this shave gel is that it helps preserve your razor blades!

Free: Starbucks brewed tea or coffee

For Earth Day, 4/22/11, Starbucks is giving out free brewed tea or coffee for anyone that brings in a reusable mug or tumbler.  You can choose from hot or iced and this is available at participating Starbucks stores.

Free: VS Pink ruched panty w/ purchase and $10 off a bra

All Pink Nation members can log in and print out a coupon for a free ruched back panty and a $10 off a bra coupon.  If you are not yet a member, you can sign up here.

Free: Full size Origins cleanser

Tomrrow, 4/22/11, bring your current skin care product (full or empty) to any Origins store/counter with this printed out and receive a free full size Checks and Balances or A Perfect World cleanser as a part of Earth Day.  There is no purchase required.

Note: You should just hit print on the page, you can't fill in the spaces online.

Free: Neutrogena naturals lip balm

With purchase of any Neutrogena naturals product at Walmart, you can also pick out a Neutrogena naturals lip balm.  Make sure you bring the coupon found here.  The lip balm isn't anything close to holy grail for me.  It doesn't stay on my lips for long, but then again, its just me.

FTC:  I received the lip balm as a gift from a friend

Steal: $25 Nyx powder for only $0.95 shipped

Wooo! Hautelook is having a flash sale for Nyx cosmetics today!  The Nyx Black Label Compact Powder retails for $25 is going for only $5.  On top of that, Hautelook has a $10 off coupon, WELCOME10OFF, it is valid if they email it to you.  With shipping calculated into the equation, the order will cost only $0.95.  But if you live in the state of New York, you're going to have to pay $1.83 because it is New York and we pay taxes.

If you don't know your shade, watch this video.

But if you don't want a powder, go check out the Juicy Couture sale. Terry hoodies are going for $55, they are originally $127

Free: Victoria's Secret Dream Angels Heavenly perfume

Get a deluxe sample of Victoria's Secret Dream Angels Heavenly Perfume at select VS stores.  Call your store ahead of time and bring this coupon.  This offer is good till 5/9/11

Steal: Free $20 credit to Ruelala

OMG!  This promotion is back! Sign up now at Ruelala and you will find $20 of credit just sitting there waiting for you!  Ruelala specializes in flash sales of brand name clothing, accessories, and home products.  You will find great deals on things in stores currently, full priced for 50-90% off!  Shipping is $9.95 for your 1st order of the day.  Any order after that on the same day, comes with free shipping.  With your free $20 credit, you can snatch free stuff!

Your $20 credit will show up within 48 hours and you must sign up before 4/25/11.  The credits will disappear after 5/25/11 so you have over a month to spend your credits.

Why I buy backups like a hoarder

Actually, I'm pretty much a hoarder.  I can't throw away paper bags, plastic bags, packaging, empty bottles of makeup/hair stuff and anything that can have the least bit of use because I simply will not waste anything.  My closet consists of clothes that I have kept since 3rd grade and yes, I still wear them.  I actually haven't thrown out or given away any clothes since 5th grade.  I know that sounds bad, but trust me, my parents won't let me.  It's not completely my fault.

Now I have backups of everything because A) I don't like the feeling that one day I'll run out of something and will fall in desperation because it is an everyday necessity, B) things go on sale when you least need them, C) I am on a mission in finding my holy grail product, or D) it makes me feel good that I have a collection of everything girly.

My reasons may seem unreasonable to some, but you can't deny the fact that one day, one day, you will run out of something you use everyday.  Let it be deodorant, shampoo, lotion, whatever you use on a daily basis. I like security in my life which is why I need backups of everything.

Oh and here is another reason:  Companies are discontinuing products like crazy because of the recession.  My favorite waterproof mascara was discontinued, so was my favorite primer, eye brow gel, and one of my favorite blushers.  Once you have found a holy grail, it can not be replaced because it is a holy grail and none other will be better.  So in the chance that my holy grail items will be discontinued, I back it up baby.

Tip to all makeup hoarders: If you buy a backup of something, DON'T USE IT until your opened copy is done.  Trust me on this one; makeup expires.  When I was first starting out, I had 25 mascaras open at the same time.  Yes, 25.  A mascara expires 3-6 months after it has been opened.  It takes 3-6 months to at least finish 1 mascara if used on daily basis.  So take my advice and try not to have too many liquid/cream products open at the same time.  Liquids expire faster than powders because bacteria grow easier there.