05/23/18 Costco.com Perricone MD Closeout Pricing While Supplies Last

May 23, 2018 | Mermaid Magic

Costco is my Holy Grail of skincare shopping, but full disclosure some people have concerns because it’s gray market. I personally haven’t had any issues with expiration date and authenticity from my orders and their customer service can’t be beat! When a product ends in .97 it means that it’s being priced to sell / transition out of stock. However I’ve seen “last chance” pricing drop even further (I’m looking at you May Coop Activator. I got it for $15 but it dropped even further to $10) so if you’re interested IMO order sooner rather than later.

Perricone MD H2EE Firming Foam Mask $14.97

$50 MSRP listed on the main website. I made a post about this one previously when I first noticed the price drop and since then mine has arrived in the mail. I think of it as a “wash-off” mask and I’ll use it after my weekly glycolic acid 30% peel. It’s an ointment-like texture that turns into a light foam. You have to work fast or it starts foaming up on you! I use maybe 4 pumps per session, the instructions do say “use liberally”. The instructions say leave on for about 10 minutes but I HATE the way it feels as the bubbles subside, it feels incredibly itchy to me. On washing off it leaves a slippery feel on the skin, so beware if you’re one of those people who hate that feeling.

I don’t know that it does much but it does seem to reduce my irritation post-peel. It’s a fun purchase for the price.

Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Bentonite, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Saccharide Isomerate, Disiloxane, Decyl Glucoside, Betaine, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Phosphatidylcholine, Sodium Borohydride, Perfluorohexane, Perfluoromethylcyclopentane, Perfluorodecalin, Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate, Octyldodecyl PCA, Menthyl PCA, Algin, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Coconut Acid, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Isethionate, Butylene Glycol, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Potassium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol.

Perricone MD Cocoa Moisture Mask, 2 fl oz $24.97

$69 MSRP listed on main website. Did you guys know that cocoa butter has the same comedogenic rating as coconut oil? I was really surprised! Haven’t tried this one but watch out if squalane makes you break out.

Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Isopropyl Myristate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polysorbate 60, Mannitol, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Cellulose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethyl MEA, Thioctic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Squalane, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tyrosine, Papain, Bromelain, Ethylhexylglycerin, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Lecithin, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Maltodextrin, Ceteareth-20, Buteth-3, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Propylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Lauryl Glucoside, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Tributyl Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance/Parfum, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Barium Sulfate, Caramel, Silica, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate.

Perricone MD Re:Firm Treatment, 1 fl oz $49.97

$155 MSRP couldn’t find it on their website, strangely but it’s on Sephora. Surprised, but not by the silicone content. (I really should just learn to expect this a lot of high cost products have a lot of silicones in them). I’m pretty curious about this one! But it’s not in my budget this month.

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lactobacillus Ferment, Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethyl MEA, Thioctic Acid, Carnosine, Adenosine, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Decapeptide-4, Oligopeptide-24, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-19, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-28, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Ginko Biloba Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium PCA, Urea, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Lecithin, Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, PEG-240/HDI Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Polysorbate 20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyquaternium-51, Triacetin, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediame Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol.

Perricone MD Neuropeptide Facial Conformer, 2 fl oz $199.97

$325 MSRP on main website. Heck no you aren’t going to catch me dead paying this much for a single product. But peptides are expensive and if you can afford it you’d be saving $125 off of MSRP, so don’t let my lack of money sway you from splurging.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl MEA (DMAE), Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Avena Sativa (Oat) Protein Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Tribehenin, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, PEG-8, Phenoxyethanol, Phosphatidylcholine, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Triethanolamine, L-Tyrosine, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide 2, PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Sorbic Acid, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, Tocotrienols, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polysorbate 20, Rutin, Tocopherol, Copper Gluconate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide (Neuropeptide), Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (Neuropeptide), Parfum (Fragrance), Phaseolus Lunatus (Green Bean) Extract

Good or Bad? Deal Alert: Exp 4/21 Clinique Plum Pop + Pretty Easy Lip Palette

April 6, 2018April 6, 2018 | Mermaid Magic

Stumbled on to an exclusive e-bates offer to receive a full size Pretty Easy Lip Palette using promo code EBFULLSIZE with a $55 purchase. This promo code also includes the 6-piece gift available to everyone with a $40 purchase using the FREEGIFT promo code.

Clinique would have you believe you’re getting a $110 value because of the MSRP but the Plum Pop gift is available for around $20 on e-bay*, and the Pretty Easy Lip Palette is available for around $20 on e-bay * as well.

Good deal or bad deal? Share your thoughts. Personally I gave it a pass today I’m swimming in lip colors after my PeriPera reviews which I’m woefully behind on. I also have more of the way so I think I’ll be set on lip colors until 2020.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links denoted by *.

Deal Alert: Paula’s Choice 15% off + 7.5% Cash Back with E-Bates

April 5, 2018April 6, 2018 | Mermaid Magic

My favorite thing about e-bates is that it stacks with other deals, in this case you’d only be getting back $1.66 but it really ads up (unintentional typo pun)!

New to e-bates? Get an additional $10 cash back for your first purchase.

The bad thing is you only get your cash back quarterly. This is my first ever Paula’s Choice so I’m pretty excited but I also can’t tell if this is a historically good deal. Have you gotten it for less? share your experiences in the comments.

Just looking at the ingredients I wouldn’t recommend if you have a sensitivity to glycols. It has some nice anti-aging and moisturizing ingredients too.

Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), Dipropylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid (beta hydroxy acid exfoliating agent), Pentylene Glycol (hydration), Butylene Glycol (hydration), Polysorbate 20 (texture-enhancing), Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (skin-restorings), Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate (skin-soothing), Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid (antioxidant), Oleanolic Acid (skin-soothing), Sodium Hyaluronate (hydration/skin replenishing), Allantoin (skin-soothing), Trehalose (hydration/skin replenishing), Panthenol (skin-conditioning agent), Glycerin (hydration/skin replenishing), PEG-60 Almond Glycerides (texture-enhancing), Sodium Metabisulfite (stabilizer), PEG/PPG-18/4 Copolymer (solvent), Methyl Gluceth-20, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane (hydration/texture-enhancing), Glycereth-26 (emollient texture-enhancing), Sodium Hydroxide (pH adjuster), Carbomer (gel-based texture-enhancing), Disodium EDTA (stabilizer), Caprylyl Glycol (skin-conditioning agent).

I needed a new BHA. The only one I’ve tried is COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid, despite mediocre reviews COSRX is a very popular, affordable Korean beauty brand. I purchased off Amazon and I still wonder if I received an authentic product. The packaging is so simple that it would be very easy to counterfeit, and it didn’t have any smell despite other reviews saying that they dislike the scent (if I’m nose-blind I’m still in denial). When I’m good with my skincare routine I use a BHA 3x a week, and the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid was making my nose peel so that means it’s working right? Unfortunately I wasn’t getting visible results.

I stumbled on fanserviced-b’s blog post about BHAs and I thought I’d give it a shot. Lucky for me Paula’s Choice is running a promo so I thought I’d share. I have what some people call a “strawberry nose” haha. Once it’s in I’ll take some before and after photos using it on its own and with fiddysnail’s pore method.

Deal Alert: Dermal Korea Collagen Essence Mask Sheet 26 Combo Packs + Sheet Mask Tips for Beginners

April 4, 2018April 8, 2018 | Mermaid Magic

My favorite budget sheet mask series, Dermal Korea Collagen Essence Mask Sheet*, has hit an all-time record low on Amazon at $0.50 per mask for the 26 Red and Green Combo pack (totaling $12.95 USD). Amazon has different combo pack sizes, but I’ve found that the 26-pack is the most economical.

I’m currently working a 12 day mask review series of another budget line, Etude House 0.2mm Therapy Air. To be honest, even though Etude House has a higher MSRP it’s pretty close to call. Purchasing from Amazon is also much more convenient considering you don’t need to wait for a 60% off flash sale, wait 2+ weeks for shipping, and then meet a $60 USD minimum to get free shipping.

Quick Review:

Reputable, mid-quality budget sheet mask, suitable for daily use. Each mask has 0.2% hydrolyzed collagen and a certain percentage of the featured ingredient. I highly recommend this set for people new to sheet masking, see review for the different “flavors” / combo packs below. Cautions: Negative reviews from others complain that the sheet mask is less saturated / wet than other brands, and I also agree that they tend to fit short on the forehead.

Testimonial: These were the first sheet masks I used when I started my skincare journey. Within 2 weeks of daily use I was able to eliminate my crows feet at 30 years old, with emphasis on daily use. The masks honestly aren’t particularly special it was the practice of using them daily that made the difference, but they’re affordable and hydrating. One common complaint from people who don’t use sheet masks often is that the effects are temporary, but from my experiences once your results are obtained you can keep them for at least up to a week or two.

How To Use (for sheet mask beginners): On a clean face after toner apply the sheet mask and leave on for 20-30 mins. To apply the sheet mask, lay flat and tap the bag to make sure that all the sheet mask has absorbed all the essence. Squeeze out any extra essence from the bag and apply to the body (I recommend the neck and chest). After the 20-30 mins are up squeeze out excess serum from the mask and use on the body (I do arms and legs this time). It is not recommended to leave the mask on longer than 30 mins because the cotton begins to absorb moisture from your skin. Some skincare enthusiasts like to save the essence but I strongly do not recommend. Sheet mask essence is not formulated to last after it’s open. If you absolutely insist on this method store the extra essence in the fridge and use within 24 hours.

Ingredients Overview:

water, glycerin, butylene glycol, hydrolized collagen, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, portulaca oleracea extract, beta-glucan, panthenol, tocopherylacetate, polysorbate 80, disodium edta, xanthan gum, perfume, methylparaben. .23 G / sheet contain more essence. Hydrolyzed collagen 0.2 %.

Check each package for its exact ingredient list, but this is a good overview of the ingredients. The mask contains several humectants: glycerin, butylene glycol, hydrolized collagen, and aloe juice. Humectants work by pulling water from the air into your skin.

Red & Green Combo Pack – Skin Elasticity, Soothing*
This is my favorite combo pack of the three, because I think this pack has the best featured ingredient lineup. Most of the featured ingredients are antioxidant and plant based, with the exception of Q10, Collagen, and sodium hyaluronate (alleged to be anti-aging) and red sea cucumber and bird’s nest (exotic Asian medicinal ingredients).

Green & Yellow Combo Pack – Skin Soothing, Nourishing*
This combo pack is fun but some people really have a problem with the horse oil sheet mask (yes, it is what you think unfortunately). Otherwise Platinum and Gold really aren’t proven to have any benefits to the skin.

Yellow & Red Combo Pack – Skin Nourishing, Elasticity*
Same as the Green and Yellow combo pack, I’m just not a fan of the gold and platinum sheet masks. This pack also contains the horse oil sheet mask that people are adverse to.