Emily Johnson

Milani Keep It Full Glossy Plumping Balm ($15.99) is new, permanent 3-in-1 plumping lip balm available in 12 shades that adds shine, color, moisture, and volume to lips that launched with the Milani Spring 2025 Collection. I picked up a shade at ulta.com and I’m in love with this formula and will be going back for more shortly! Use code 393244 for $5 off at Ulta because honestly, near $16, is pretty expensive for this formula!

Let’s take a look at my review and swatches below.

Milani Keep It Full Glossy Plumping Balm does indeed look like Tarte’s Maracuja Juicy Lip but it isn’t a dupe by any means. The packaging is the same click to up pen as Tarte’s but again, the formula is a lot different. Available in 12 shades this is a 3-in-1 lip balm formula versus the Tarte’s formula which is marketed more as a lipgloss. A single shade is $15.99 and the size is 0.074 oz. Formula-wise it’s a lot balmier than products like ColourPop So Juicy Plumping Gloss Balm, E.L.F. Pout Clout Lip Plumping Pen, and NYX Fat Oil Slick Click. But the prices do vary on each! For comparison NYX’s are $11 and 0.07 oz, Colourpop are $10 each and 0.07 oz each, the E.L.F. are $8 at the same size, and Tarte are $24 and 0.095 oz in size. Milani’s are 0.074 oz which is actually the closest to Tarte’s size and $16 each. However, in the world of drugstore makeup they are by far the most expensive. I love the formula but as I said in my recent Milani Conceal + Perfect Blur Out Skin Tint the prices are pretty high on drugstore makeup lately. The good thing is there are always deals on drugstore makeup which makes things a lot more easier to digest but I know I’m not alone seeing prices like this and thinking wow, things have really gone up!

Milani did an outstanding job with the Spring launches this year. I love this formula. It is a good deal different compared to some of the formulas we’ve seen. Mainly, I think it’s more balmy and thicker. It is indeed a 3-in-1 formula that gets you the shiny of a gloss, moisture of a lip balm, and the pigment of a sheerer lipstick. I only purchased the shade Honey so far which is a lovely tan nude but I’ll be purchasing more soon. This has a melty balm consistency. It isn’t super lightweight but does have a super moisturizing feel on lips and hugs them in a nice hydrating hug. It isn’t tacky or sticky but it is a product you know you have on your lips so don’t expect something lightweight. It creates a juicy, glossy layer on lips. I have drier lips so this formula is perfect as it keeps my lips nice and moist through the wear. The shade I got wasn’t incredibly pigmented but it is a very nice my lips but better nude. It wears for around four hours and the shine stays strong during that time. The color doesn’t migrate nor does it feather and it looks smooth, super glossy, and beautiful on my lips. It’s supposed to have a plumping effect and I’d say you do get a certain fullness due to the balm, thicker formula but it doesn’t have a flavor or fragrance like peppermint or cinnamon so no tingling or plumping action from ingredients like that. It does have a blend of nourishing oils and butters like mango seed butter, apricot oil, pomegranate oil, and Kalahari melon oil.

As with all pens like this you have to be careful how much you swivel up as they don’t swivel down. You only need a little bit for your entire mouth. Too much will result in the product breaking off when you apply it and when you go to put the cap back on. Just swivel up a little and if you need more just go in and swivel more up.

Milani did a fab job with this formula. Yeah, the price is a bit high but as I said when was the last time any of us have paid full-price for drugstore makeup? I’ll be watching out for a sale to haul more of these soon!

Where to buy

Ulta

Fine’ry is hinting threw new fragrances for Spring 2025 that will be arriving releasing December 29th at target.com. The new scents are called No Prince Required, She’s a Goodie, and Rosalina. Fine’ry Spring 2025 is a little early as last year Fine’ry Pistachio Please, Without A Trace, and The New Rouge On which were part of their Spring 2024 Collection dropped in February but already they are teasing us with releases in December. Ok, Fine’ry, we’re ready!

As you may know already Fine’ry is an Target exclusive line of fragrances that are inspired popular perfumes currently on the market. I’ve tested a few out and they are quite similar to more expensive perfumes but aren’t exact duplications. A few I’ve tried are Not Another Cherry, The New Rouge, and others..! I’ve liked a lot of what I’ve tried but I don’t think their scents are exactly spot on duplications of the originals but more of a retake on the originals. Although, the reviews are going to roll in with a lot of shouting, carrying on, and telling you how these are exactly the same thing as the originals. I’d take it with a grain of salt. There are many, many spot on dupes of fragrances around but I just think the Fine’ry isn’t a company that does that. They sort of do their own spin on a scent that’s similar but not a dupe.

Although, Fine’ry hasn’t officially given us details on their latest Spring 2025 Collection we do have info popping up all over Tiktok. The new scents are Fine’ry No Prince Required, Fine’ry She’s a Goodie, and Fine’ry Rosalina. “I Don’t Need a Prince” by Kilian would be the inspiration behind No Prince Required or , She’s a a Goodie is inspired by Carolina Herrera’s Good Girl, and Rosa Lina is inspired by Delina Parfums de Marly.

These will be available in the perfume formulas for $29.99 and the body mists which are $8.99-$14.99. They arrive online December 29th. Are you excited about the Fine’ry 2025 Collection?

Where to buy

Target

Hurry over to bathandbodyworks.com today and choose from one of two different gift sets worth over $100 for $35. Just spend $30 and you can select one of the sets to purchase at $35. Each set includes six full-size Bath and Body Works items plus a warm pair of socks all in a cute little gift box!

Choose from these two:
Eucalyptus Spearmint Gift Set ($35 with $30 purchase) includes:
Eucalyptus Spearmint Body Cream (8 oz)
Eucalyptus Spearmint Shower Gel (10 oz)
Eucalyptus Spearmint Essential Oil Mist (5.3 oz)
Eucalyptus Spearmint 3-wick Candle (14.5 oz)
Eucalyptus Spearmint Whipped Body Butter (6.5 oz)
Eucalyptus Spearmint Gel Soap (8 fl oz)
Shea-infused Lounge Socks

Champagne Toast Gift Set ($35 with $30 purchase) includes:
Champagne Toast Body Lotion (8 oz)
Champagne Toast Diamond Shimmer Mist (4.9 oz)
Champagne Toast Fine Fragrance Mist (8 oz)
Champagne Toast Body Wash (10 oz)
Champagne Toast 3-wick Candle (14.5 oz)
Champagne Toast Gentle Foaming Hand Soap (8.75 oz)
Shea-infused Lounge Socks.

Enjoy!

Where to buy

Bath and Body Works

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Anyone up for a story time in my makeup world? If so, gather around and I’ll share my tell of woe. I’m not sure when but I purchased Undone Beauty Illuminating Primer at Ulta. I think it was far back as last year that I got it and recently I found it and started using it! Here’s the story…

I have a basket in my beauty room and I put all the items I want to review into it. Actually, I have two and they’re under my vanity where I have my lightbox set up. One basket has smaller items inside and the other basket has larger palettes or gift sets. It’s my review pile so to speak. Somethings get tossed in and never even get reviewed or used as at some point they are donated or friends and family have a go at them. Other times I’ll go through the items and suddenly discover some hidden gem and that’s exactly what happened with the Undone Beauty Illuminating Primer.

Earlier this month I was sorting through a lot of it to donate and I came across the Undone Beauty Illuminating Primer and I was like, eh, I’ll put this to the side it looks interesting. What is it? It’s something I’ve actually made fun of in the past. Not this particular item but I have looked down on and just sort of ranted at priming oils in the past. I’m not a big fan of primer oils. Yes, I have dry skin but the idea of prepping my skin with an oil sounds horrible. I love facial oils but as part of my evening routine now my daily one. Smashbox introduced ones years ago and scoffed at it. I just think makeup over oil isn’t a good combo.

Technically, speaking Illuminating Primer isn’t a full-on oil but it is oily. This is sort of a lightweight gel that turns into an oil as you roll it onto your skin. Yes, roll it as it comes in a squeeze bottle which has tiny rollers so you can gently roll it on. It creates this fresh, dewy finish after you apply it and my foundation LOVES it. I’ve been having issues with dryness around the sides of my upper nose. It’s winter, runny nose, blowing your nose and all that equals dryness. This stuff is great to moisturize that area and anywhere else on your face that’s experiencing flaky dryness. I wouldn’t recommend it for oily skin but for dry folks like me it’s perfect.

Here’s the problem I’m having with it. It’s discontinued. Or at least I think it is. It’s not available at Ulta anymore and it’s out of stock on Undone Beauty. I did a panic buy of a second tube that I got brand new on Mercari for $13.99. Now what am I going to do when I’m done with both? Go sit in a corner and cry about it? Sigh. I had when brands discontinue cool stuff! And I hate myself for just trying this now. This was actually a pretty unique item. It’s an oil but not an oil! Feels hydrating, doesn’t feel sticky or tacky, and hydrates nicely and foundation loves it! My foundation applies so smoothly on top of it. I don’t want to waste what I have but I bet it would be great to mix with a powder blush to create a dewy flush on your cheeks.

Here’s to hoping some brand sees this post and comes out with something as interesting in 2025 or maybe Undone Beauty will read it and bring it back!

What items have been discontinued that you wish you had a stock pile of?

I know, I know. Christmas isn’t even here yet PLUS you’re likely trying to recover from all the sales but the Ulta Love Your Skin Event 2025 is on the way. When does the Ulta Love Your Skin Event 2025 start? Ulta Love Your Skin Event starts on December 29th and features a full month of steals and deals on your favorite skincare! It seems way too early to deal with another mega sale but Ulta is here to play! I have this WEIRD suspicion they’re going to offer some of these deals as early as this upcoming Sunday to Platinum and Diamond Members. They know people are still spending Holiday $$ and they’ll want to cash in on that plus after the Holidays everyone is spending gift card money which gives them to open doors to cash in. I could be wrong about the time they do this but I know they’ll likely open the sale to Rewards Members a little earlier that’s for sure.

I always like this sale as I’m a skincare junkie and enjoy stocking up on staples during the sale and even trying out new items! The Ulta Love Your Skin Skin Event will feature weekly steals and also, select brands will be 30% off.

The following items will be available all week long along with daily deals that will be available for one day only:
12/29-1/04 30% Off Select Sun and Body Care from brands like OSEA, Nest, Megababe, Vacation, and More
1/05-1/11 30% Off Select Serums, Treatments, and Skincare Tools from Kopari, Solawave Strivectin, and More
1/12-1/18 30% Off Select Skincare from Clinique, Garnier, Juice Beauty, and More

I only have the daily deals for the first week but I’ll be sure to update this post when the next weeks pop up!

Ulta Love Your Skin Event 12/29 Daily Deals
Murad Vitamin C Trial Kit $20
Nufance Mini and Petite Kit $125
Peach and Lily Day and Night Serum Duo $17.50
Beekman 1802 Healthy Skincare Barrier Best Sellers Set $24.50

Ulta Love Your Skin Event December 30th Daily Deals
Jack Black Cleanser $26
Tarte Maracuja Oil and C Brighter Eye Treatment, $9-24.50
Tan Luxe Drops $25-30

Ulta Love Your Skin Event December 31st Daily Deals
Beekman 1082 Eye Balm $26
Belif Aqua bomb vitamin C Cream $22.50

Ulta Love Your Skin Event January 1st Daily Deals
Perricone MD Vitamin Enriched Eye Base $32.50
Exuviance Eye Contour $44.50.
Origins Plantscription Serum $36

Ulta Love Your Skin Event January 2nd Daily Deals
Shiseido Hydrating Cream $26
Live Tinted Eye Cream $17

Ulta Love Your Skin Event January 3rd Daily Deals
Maelys Body Whip $24.50
Clarins Moisturizer $29.50
Sunday Riley CEO Serum $42.50
Tula Vitamin C Serum $29

Ulta Love Your Skin Event January 4th Daily Deals
Clinique Moisture Surge SPF 28 $15.50
Peach and Lily Glass Skin Serum $19.50
Dermaflash Luxe+ in Seafoam $99.50
Patchology Eye Gels $7-30

See anything you need? I’ll share the rest of the sale items as they become available!

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