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When You Walk Into Ulta for One Thing…

September 15th, 2014 by Karen 28 Comments










…and you walk out with a bag full of things you have deemed “necessities.”

The plan was to run in, grab cotton swabs, and run out.

I actually go through these things pretty fast. I use them to blend the edges of my eye makeup (especially liner on my bottom lash line), to apply lash glue to false lashes (I break them in half and use one of the broken ends without the cotton swab), to fix the edges of my lipstick…so many things.

Since I was already there at Ulta, I figured I might as well pick up a few other things I was also running low on…

And then came the other “Ah, might as well!” purchases, like a 1-inch barrel curling iron, which I’ve wanted for a while to do tighter curls…

And these false lashes by Eyelure, which were buy one, get one 50% off…

And one NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk (I like these as a base for bright eyeshadow).

Yup, I’ll be right in and out! Just gotta grab one thing. That’s what I always say…

When You Walk Into Ulta for One Thing… / Originally published September 15th, 2014

There are 28 comments on this post. Leave yours.

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Comments

  1. Allison C says

    September 15th, 2014 at 9:30 pm

    😀 Tell me about it! I’ve been writing about Ulta’s 21 Days, and I’ve been trying to stay out of the store until the deal that I really must have. I don’t trust myself to browse or go in for sponges etc ‘coz I know I can’t resist. But last time I was there a while back, I scored a good deal on falsies. Now, I just hope you’ll do a tutorial on applying individual lashes since I haven’t been able to crack the code!

    I think you did very well, Karen. Those were mostly staple products that you bought. Good girl!

    Reply
  2. Rozae says

    September 15th, 2014 at 9:45 pm

    I make a list, le list and stick with it!

    Reply
  3. Puri says

    September 15th, 2014 at 11:37 pm

    LOL I know that feel all too well. If I had a car, I’d be at Ulta waayyy too often. Buying all the things…^^;;;

    Reply
  4. Divya says

    September 16th, 2014 at 1:52 am

    I need to get that clear brow gel too! Have been using the body shop one which is too wet sometimes!

    Reply
  5. Kiss & Make-up says

    September 16th, 2014 at 3:45 am

    Happens to me all the time. Everywhere. Nice haul, Karen 🙂 But all necessities, right!

    Reply
  6. Alison M says

    September 16th, 2014 at 3:48 am

    I do the same thing in Target. Which is why I never go to either unless I really really need to!

    Reply
  7. Agata says

    September 16th, 2014 at 4:51 am

    That always happens at Ulta, there is no way to walk out with just what you came for.

    Reply
  8. Twyla Munden says

    September 16th, 2014 at 6:26 am

    I Love Ulta!! I dropped $100 in 20 minutes in there when I visited USA in May! AND I hate to admit it but I bought some of the Kardashian Line – Lipglosses which are not too bad. Also found NYX Baked Blush & Butter Gloss Lipgloss which won’t be avail here til 2015. 🙁 I’ve never used NYX Milk as a base, Will have to try that this wk!! thanks for the pointers!!

    Reply
  9. Sharon says

    September 16th, 2014 at 6:33 am

    That brow gel is awesome! I never let myself walk into Ulta unless I’ve just gotten paid, lol. Too tempting!

    Reply
  10. Ankita@corallista says

    September 16th, 2014 at 7:06 am

    Those Eyelure lashes look amazing Karen!! I live in Tokyo so there are loads of options for false lashes here but I still can’t help lusting after brands that are not easily available here 😛

    Reply
  11. Niki says

    September 16th, 2014 at 7:13 am

    I just recently bought the NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow in Milk and I love how it makes any eyeshadow really pop!! I love the Anastasia Brow Wiz and Brow Gel too! They’re holy grail status for me!

    Reply
  12. Amanda says

    September 16th, 2014 at 8:05 am

    I really want to try the brow gel. I’m using a Cover Girl one right now because I thought it was an item I could go cheaper with. I now stand corrected.
    I’m embarrassed to say I’m scared to try a pencil for my brows. I’m intimidated. It seems difficult to make it look natural. I’ve never tried. I just use the Benefit Gimme Brow (love) but that doesn’t give that really polished , neat look. Any suggestion for a beginner?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 16th, 2014 at 9:57 am

      Hi Amanda,

      I can see how it would be scary, especially if you’re used to the more natural look Benefit Gimme Brow. I think one thing that helps when using pencils to get that really natural look is to brush the brows down, fill in the sparse parts with the pencil, then repeat. Do that until you get the fullness that you are aiming for. If the look is still too bold for you, you can use brush your Gimme Brow or a clear brow gel to tone them down.

      Do you have a phone with a camera? One thing that I find helpful is to take a quick selfie after I do my brows. For some reason it’s easier to tell in pics if your brows are even, go figure!

      HTH, feel free to ask any other questions! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Kim says

    September 16th, 2014 at 8:15 am

    Oh, I hear you. I’m a sucker for a sale, too (how can you NOT buy them at BOG1/2? 🙂 How does the Brow Wiz work for you? I’m not unhappy with it but I’m not in love.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 16th, 2014 at 9:51 am

      Hi Kim,

      I like it, but ya know, I like Tom Ford’s brow pencil even more. It is SO GOOD (and crazy expensive). But the Brow Wiz does the job. When I pair it with the brow gel I’m pretty happy. Are you using the Brow Wiz by itself? Or do you set it with something?

      Reply
  14. Kelly B. says

    September 16th, 2014 at 8:35 am

    I have the same problem 😀 Although I always grab their $3.50 off coupon and limit myself to the $10-I’ve found it helps 😀

    Reply
  15. gio says

    September 16th, 2014 at 9:47 am

    I do the same thing too. Nice haul!

    Reply
  16. Liis says

    September 16th, 2014 at 11:34 am

    that nyx jumbo eye pencil in Milk – is it twistable?
    plastic is terribly difficult to sharpen…

    Reply
  17. Cathy says

    September 16th, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    Bit like me today. I went in to L’Occitane to buy their Almond Delicious Paste and came out with…hand scrub, Divine Cream, Divine Oil, a free gift…I swear shop assistants see me coming!

    Reply
  18. Rachel P. says

    September 16th, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    Fun that you got the curling iron! I love doing tighter curls the first day and letting them fall into waves the days following, hope to see some pics with the styles you try out! I am playing fill-the-basket on Ulta right now- got a gift card for my birthday and am looking at an IT Cosmetics Brush Set (the splurge), some Tresemme Dry Shampoo, Mario Badescu Botanical Gel, a Maybelline lipstick, some Vichy Aqualia Cream (hopefully this helps with winter dryness!) and a nail file (boring).

    Reply
  19. Ms. Heathen says

    September 16th, 2014 at 12:46 pm

    I’d love to hear how the Eylure lashes work out, they look amazing.

    Reply
  20. Marisa says

    September 16th, 2014 at 1:01 pm

    Oh no!
    I know what you mean I have a list of makeup on my I phone and I try to stick to that but… Something “hops into my cart” I have a hair appointment this Saturday and I will try not to go too crazy although I have had my eye on the Berry shade released by Maybellines Matte collection …

    Reply
  21. BETSY says

    September 16th, 2014 at 1:28 pm

    I get into trouble when the pharmacy clerk at CVS tells me “We’ll have your prescription ready in fifteen minutes if you want to wait” and I say “Sure, I’ll wait” and then I head over to the Beauty Department to “just look around.” And there I am, half an hour later, paying for my prescription and – cotton balls, lotion, shower gel, two nail polishes on sale, a lipstick, an Almay eyeshadow, a Goody headband…

    Reply
  22. Barbara says

    September 16th, 2014 at 2:10 pm

    Is the clear eyebrow gel good and how much does it cost?

    I also spend a fortune at any drugstore cosmetics dept 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 16th, 2014 at 2:17 pm

      Hi Barbara,

      It’s $22, and it’s EXCELLENT. By far the best clear brow gel I’ve ever tried. I like that the hold is very firm, and how it dries to a non-shiny finish.

      Reply
      • Liz says

        September 17th, 2014 at 5:41 pm

        ITA the brow gel is worth every penny. I’ve used clear mascara from the drugstore and the final result isn’t impressive. The Anastasia brow gel not only holds my brows in place but they are more defined and give them a polished look. It’s very discrete and you can’t tell it’s there. You just see polished brows

        Reply
  23. Liz says

    September 17th, 2014 at 5:37 pm

    You really need to try japanese cotton swabs. They are all black and lint free. I don’t know how they do it. They are soft too. I bought some at Muji. They are game changing and I don’t buy precision q tips anymore.

    Reply
  24. Majick says

    September 16th, 2015 at 4:56 am

    Most of your staples are my staples. I will have to try the brow gel and lashes at some point. Right now I’m trying to use up all my stuff before buying more (yeah, you can get off the floor and stop laughing anytime).lol

    Reply

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