ULTA First Impressions and Haul!

Recently I've been all up in the beauty community on YouTube, and I saw a ton of gabber about this magical place called Ulta that combines the affordability of drugstore products, the high-end glam of Sephora, and the convenience of employees who know their stuff. I had to visit this place! So, needless to say, when I spotted one on the way home, I jumped at the chance to spend a lovely Saturday with Mommy Dearest checking out a possible new beauty heaven.

My First Impressions!
Upon walking in, I was a tad overwhelmed at the sheer volume of products in the store. Since there was so much to keep clean and straight, I can understand that the place was a little bit messy (especially since their power had gone out earlier in the day, and the employees were frantically running around trying to fix their register system), but the cluttered shelves also added to the sense of not knowing where anything was and overwhelmed-ness. However, I rolled up my sleeves and delved into the mass of beauty awesomeness and ended up spending quite a bundle. Since it was only my first time, and since I found so much cool stuff with the help of the lovely lady that helped me, I'm totally going to cut them slack for the crazy mess. Everybody has their messy days, right? I will most definitely be returning, especially since I joined their Rewards program (more to come later on how it measures up to Sephora's).

My Haul!

1. Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser: This is what one of the employees recommended for a drugstore under eye concealer. She said it's the only drugstore concealer she'll use, and the only one that even close to works. So I picked one up for me and another for Mommy Dearest. I'll put up a proper review for it later, but so far I think it's pretty great.

2. Ulta automatic eye liner in Rasin, Bronze, and Charcoal: They were on sale for $2 each so I figured I'd try something from Ulta's brand since I never had before. Just like with all these products, I'll put up proper reviews in the future, but my first impressions for these liners aren't good. I've only used Rasin so far, and I don't like it. The color isn't pigmented, so it takes forever to put on and it doesn't stay on at all.

3. Paul Mitchell Extra Body Daily Boost Spray: I LOVE THIS STUFF. Mommy Dearest had some that I borrowed to give my fine roots a little lift and I just HAD to get my own. So worth the price.

4. TIGI Bedhead 3/4 in. Ceramic Curling Wand: I've been wanting to try a wand, and I was recommended this one, and it's pretty and purple! I needed to get a smaller barreled one since my hair doesn't hold curl well. Hopefully it will just loosen out into what I want. I'm so not a hair person so lord only knows what it'll end up looking like. If anyone has any wand styling tips, let me know!!!

Stay Fabulous!
-Rachel