Ulta and Cosmetics Review

I'll start by saying I've always used Avon Cosmetics. I love Avon. But. My skin is changing. My hormones are off the charts d/t a recent miscarriage, and well, its causing my face to breakout with cystic acne. (Not Avon, the miscarriage) I look like a 12 year old going through puberty right now... And I'm 32 years young.

The first time I went into Ulta I was not impressed to say the very least. I felt the prices were ridiculous. But let's face it- My products come from Avon which is far more affordable- unfortunately I need a skincare change. My daughter and I were checking out different hair care products, and ended up purchasing some hairspray and leave in conditioner by Garnier. I'll admit it, I was concerned if I ventured over to the cosmetics section I'd have a stroke over prices, so we paid and left.

Yesterday, the kids needed new shoes. Yup. You guessed it. The shoe store is right next to Ulta. So after a gruelling hour in the shoe store, I mean anxiety ridden "Don't touch that", and "No!!! I am not purchasing you 50 pair of flats, I am not a millionaire" meltdowns, we made our way from the store. (Thank God that's over.) Ulta. Right there. Shining brightly with women scurrying in and out of all ages. So. I sucked it up and went inside for round two. Yes. With 2 kids ages 4 and 9. I totally did that. Surely they can go through the anguish of mommy looking at makeup after that insane trip to the shoe store. Right?!

Once inside I went straight to the cosmetic side of the store. All of the makeup brand labels were clearly marked on the shelves and walls. I found SmashBox cosmetics- I've heard great things about SmashBox. A beauty consultant came over to assist me, unfortunately my brain is mush, and I cannot remember her name. She was tall, curvy, glasses, brunette, well put together, young (20 maybe?), and her skin? How the hell does she have such beautiful flawless fair skin!!? What is she doing I'm not?! **Jealous**
I begin asking her a series of questions about SmashBox cosmetics which she answered honestly and professionally. We settled on the SmashBox Color correcting face primer. It's green. Umm...green. But OK. Next I gave her some background about my current situation, hormones causing cystic acne, and skin changes. I explained I needed a light weight foundation with SPF that won't clog my pores in my shade- medium to full coverage, that will last and not melt off when I'm doing a bazillion chest compressions or pulling someone from the wreckage of a car. I mean, I need to look good doing it, not a hot mess.  She wasn't grossed out by what I was telling her (She's gaining my trust now). She recommended a foundation she uses, and said she also has some issues with cystic acne, and this is all she's used for 8 months. (Score!!) She brought over a CC+ plus cream by It cosmetics in fair and light. She asked if she could remove my current foundation and apply a sample of the CC+ foundation. What?! You want to what?!! I explained I had the kids and that probably wouldn't be a wise decision. Oh. But I was soooo wrong!! She motioned for another consultant to come over, and said "Can you show them what stickers we have while I change her foundation?" The consultant agreed with a smile on her face and took them an isle over. (UMM.. WOW?) My consultant should be 21 So I can buy her a beer as a reward. She took off my foundation, applied a mystery moisturizer from clinique, smashbox color correcting primer and the CC+ foundation. (The kids have moved on from getting colorful temp tattoos applied to their arms to showing off their new shoes to their new found in store sitter) I turned towards the mirror and... Well...  My new foundation matched my skin. I ran my fingers over my face. Hmm. It's not to dry. It's not oily. And there's more. It has actually reduced the redness around my new found painfully red and swollen under the skin monsters. Reduced the redness by at least 50%. Only one sentence followed-  "Wow." The beautiful consultant went over and brought back the full size brand spanking new CC+ full coverage foundation. So my next stroke inducing question comes next "How much is it?" She replied "Well, it is expensive, but I love it, and it has everything you're looking for. It is absolutely my favorite, and I think you will love it. It's $39."  WHAT?!!! For a CC cream?!! She can't be serious!!! I looked back in the mirror, ran my fingers across my face again... Let out a HUGE sigh... And shocked myself at what flew out of my mouth "I'll take it." (I completely stunned myself). "While we are at it I'd also like to try something comparable to the Glimmersticks eyeliner by Avon. Hell. Let's go all out." I knew she wouldn't disappoint. She took me straight over to a display of Laura Geller (who?) Eye crayons. She took out her samples and began drawing lines across her hand. My favorite was the Copper penny shade. Sparkling and beautiful. "How much?" She replied "$16." I say "Holy shit". Yep. Real classy, I know. But the color is beautiful. Once more I stun myself and say "I'll take it." What the hell is wrong with me?! Sheesh!!!

I thanked her for her help, and the kids and I began making our way to the register. And I see this display of mascara. Hmmm. May as well. I just picked up this $24 box of Liner, mascara, and eye makeup remover called They're Real by Benefit and said, rather loudly, "Why the hell not".
We walk up to the cash register to pay. And Ohhhh-emmmm-geeee!!! The total price!? Holy hellz bells.  I swipe my debit card and leave. "I work hard", I tell myself, "I deserve something nice." Pffft. Yea right. Then laugh at myself.  (Hormones)

I work night shift now, so several hours later I left for work wearking the same It CC+ cream my beautiful Ulta consultant applied. We ran ALL NIGHT, one ambulance call after the next.

The CC+ cream lasted then ENTIRE shift. I still looked fresh. How cool is that!? 

Before shift today I applied the cometics.

 First I applied the clinique sample of moisturizer the consultant gave me. Unfortunately I do not know what the actual name of it is. I loved the feel of putting it on, it absobs quickly and smells fresh- not overwhelming. 

Next I applied the SmashBox primer in color correcting adjust. It has minimal fragrance, and it does not absorb quickly. It has a silky feel, and goes on smooth.  I  had to rub it in a bit more, Ill use less next time.  I do not see any color correcting benefits. I'm still pretty red around my little giant monsters on my face (cystic acne) However, because I had to wait a minute for it to absorb, I did notice a slight blur of my freckles. 

Next I applied the It CC+ color correcting full coverage cream and anti aging serum with SPF of 50+. I love that it has anti aging, color correction, AND SPF 50. I wouldn't give it full coverage though.  I'd say more of a medium coverage, goes on and blends easily, and I'm STILL impressed with the result of color correction. Still a good 50-60% coverage of the red monsters.  (Thank you Jesus!!) I did not notice a fragrance. I'm also impressed that its not super heavy- given its got SPF 50 plus all that other stuff. I figured it would be been heavier and hard to blend into my super fair frecked skin (Ginger problems). So that is also a huge plus. 

Next I used the Laura Geller eye crayon in coper penny. I covered my eye lid then fanned it out with my fingers. Still beautiful and sparkling, definitely smooth a creamy.  Maybe a bit too creamy. I am also not used to using eye crayons. So maybe its normal? It looks as wonderful on my lids as it did on the consultants hand. The color pigment is great. 

Now. Nothing on this earth can compare to my glimmersticks eyeliner by Avon. Nothing. It is hands down the best I've ever used.  I'm going to give this They're Real Gel liner a chance though. I pop off the lid and.. Its a soft rubberish like slanted tip. The directions say to twist the top until the gel liner emerges. I go to apply it- unsure if I'm doing it right, and I'm pleased with how easily it transfers to my lash line. It would appear you can use it one way for for a thin line, and another for a thicker more pronounced look. I stuck to the thin line- after all I work EMS night shift. I'm not going out on the town with my husband.  It looks nice. Probably a scosh dark for my fair skin.  Easily applies.  No fragrance noted.  The real question will be if it lasts through my shift or runs.  

Last I apply the They're Real mascara.  Good separation. Short bristles. Definitely appears to lengthen... I apply 2 coats with ease, note no clumping. So far no flaking either.  Again, the real test will be if it lasts throughout my shift without running or flaking.

Overall, my favorite of the products purchased is the It CC+ Cream full coverage foundation.  It is worth the money? We shall see.  

My first Ulta experience was utter shock. 

My second Ulta experience was surprising, in a good way. I am absolutely thrilled with the service we received there. Not just the sweet in store sitter (consultant) who could see mommy just needed a few minutes, but the consultant that helped me was amazing. Constantly smiling, beautiful skin, not pushy, professional, knowledgeable, put together, and friendly. She listened to me.  That was huge. Ulta made the correct decision hiring her. 

I'll be back because of the service we received. I may not be purchasing as much of a haul next time. I mean, I'm not rich. -Candi- 

The Working Mom... In Emergency Medical Services

The sound of the tones sound through the station, a loud echo of the dispatchers voice comes across the overhead speakers.. "Unit 123 respond 25 year old male suicide attempt, unresponsive at this  time.." I jump up slide my boots on, tuck in my shirt and hurry out to the bay where the freshly washed shiny box truck sits plugged into to the sure line. I can hear my partner coming down the hall, our eyes meet and we grumble in unison.."another f#cking suicide attempt."  No matter, its only our third one in the past few hours. I hop in the passenger seat of the rig, my partner in the driver seat and we beacon to metro on the radio. Metro dispatcher gives us the address,  the garage door opens and out we go. light rolling, sirens wailing as we come out to the intersection to make a right. I get a text message from my husband, that my nine year old daughter is fighting with him about homework again. I reply back telling him to make sure she knows if its not done she will be grounded. I look up from my phone to look for a house number. Great. These numbers don't go in order. We drive a bit more and there, in the front yard is a waver, frantically waving us to the residence. My partner marks us on-scene, I jump out grab us a pair gloves, small for me, medium for him, I can feel my phone vibrating in my pocket, two quick vibrations- its a text. I grab the monitor that probably weighs around 25 lbs, or at least it feels like it, and my partner grabs the first out bag. We go inside to find a man approximately 25 years old gurgling and foaming at the mouth. Shit. This guy meant it..After a series of questions we finally figure out this man has overdosed on some kind of pills he got from the street, unknown pills, unknown quantity. The mans mother is animatedly pleading we save his life. "Please, Please!! Hurry!! What are you waiting for!!" All the while my partner is starting an IV, and Im hooking this man, who selfishly decided to commit suicide, up to our monitor. Blood Pressure is shit at 80/46, pulse is 40, respiration's are aganol at 4 breaths per minute. This patient is a pending cardiac arrest. I feel my phone vibrate.. bzzzz bzzzz bzzzzz bzzzzzzz. Damn. Its probably my daughter calling to complain because she has to do her homework. Ill have to call her back. My partner pushes the miracle drug for opiate overdoses, Narcan. Now we wait for just a minute to see if it takes effect. While that's working I get Blood Glucose of 124. The woman is still frantically yelling at us to "save her baby."The man starts grumbling and moving. His pulse rate increases to 96, respiration's increase to 14, and he becomes coherent. "Good morning", my partner says to the patient. "I'm happy to see you are back with us." Well, the man obviously isn't happy we have ruined his plans, as he becomes vulgar and violent. "I want to die!!" He exclaims. Leave me alone!! A law enforcement officer has arrived sometime during our adventure, and tells the patient to calm down before he gets handcuffed and hauled off to jail. The patient complies. We help him to his feet and out to the rig. He climbs up in the back, of course because he has no choice, and slams himself down on the cot. I climb in the driver seat and alert metro of where we are transporting to.... my phone vibrates in my pocket bzzzz. bzzzz. Its a text. I'm betting that little spitfire of mine is getting inpatient. I'm also betting my husband is about to pull his hair out.
Once the patient is safely transferred to the nursing staff at the area hospital, and mark back in service I call home. My husband answers, "Bubby is screaming he don't feel good, and Sissy won't do her homework. She said she don't have to. Can you talk to them?"  Sure. I'll chat with them, it would be a great and welcome sound after the day we have had. "Mommy!! I don't wanna do my homewoooorkkkkk!! I forgot my books and everything I need to do it!! Can I do it tomorrow?!! When is it due," I replied. "Its due on Thursday!! It's only Monday!!" she exclaims on the verge of tears. "OK. Here's the deal, you don't get it done and turned in on time, you're grounded. You understand?" In a very small voice she says "Yes, bubby wants to talk to you." Ok, put him on please. "Mommy?" a tiny obviously upset voice comes on the line. "Yes baby, what's wrong?" He starts whimpering, "Mommy I wanna Popsicle and he wont wet me have one, I just want one!!" Did you eat your dinner? I ask. "No, but I took a bite so can I have one? "No", I say,  "You cannot have one until your dinner is finished, you have taken your meds and are ready for bed, OK?" Bubby starts crying, and before I can Say another word metro is yelling for us across the radio. "Metro to 123... Overdose, cardiac arrest at 123 main street, you are the closest unit"... Holy shat.. that's like... 17 miles west of us. "Mommy I wanna Popsicle!!" I mark en-route with metro, then respond to my upset toddler, "DO what you are supposed to do, and you can have one, OK? Tell him I said its OK. Listen mommy has to go, I have a response." Bubby is still screaming when I hang up. I send a quick text to my husband and outline what I've just went over with both kids, and explain we are heading to a response. He replies back a simple "K". Great now he's even more upset because Bubby is still crying.... Unit 123 to Metro...."
When we finally make it into station at 0430. I throw on a clean uniform and throw mine in to wash. I lay down and set my alarm for 0650. Quitting time is at 0700 hours. I am exhausted. This 24 hour shift is kicking my ass. As I lay down I think of all the things that need done and the plans we have for the afternoon. I think of the kids, and my husband sleeping soundly, I think of the woman throwing up blood all over me that had a brain bleed from drinking too much and falling down the stairs, As I think of the days events, the nagging feeling I didn't get to solve Bubbys crying before he went to bed comes creeping in. Damn. Hopefully everything smoothed out.
0645 hours, tones sound through the station, The dispatchers voice comes across the speakers... "123 respond accident with injuries, time now 0645 hours." I pull myself out of bed, Shove my boots on, and head out to the bay. The relief crew is already here and doing the truck check. "We will take it", he says a bit to chipper for my taste this morning. "OK Thank you very much!!" I grab my soda from the console and pop in a piece of gum... bzzzz bzzzzz bzzzzz bzzzzzz.. my phone. Its vibrating. "Hello?" I answered, "Sissy wont get ready for school and I'm going to be late for my meeting. How fast can you be here?" I feel a big sigh escape my lungs. "Ill be home soon as I can," I hang up, take out the station trash and jump in my car. Uggh my body is so tired. My 5'7" inch 135 lb frame feels like its falling apart at the ripe old age of 31. I look in the review mirrow and see tired blue eyes framed with white skin and bright red hair staring back at me. Geez. I look like shit. I run my fingers through my hair and fluff it up a bit, then under my eyes to wipe away some of yesterdays mascara.  My back and neck are killing me. Killing, ha. That's funny. My back is killing me but four people tried to kill themselves yesterday via pills. Oh such irony. I reach for my pack of cigarettes and my lighter. My husband hates it when I smoke. He detests it actually. But it calms me down. I light it up and crack my window. I let the smoke roll across my tongue as I inhale the menthol goodness. Gawsh this taste good. I don't smoke much. Probably a pack every week or so. I don't smoke at home. I take another draw from my camel menthol. I can feel the nicotine hitting my system. I relax a bit. bzzzzz bzzzzzzz. Another text. "Are you on your way yet?" I don't respond as I'm driving at 70 MPH to get home in time to get the kids to school before they are late. About 2 miles from home I put my cigarette out, roll down all four windows and air the car out. I spray my parfume on me, and drive the rest of the way home with the windows down. I Walk into a complete mad house. Bubby comes running to me he wants to cuddle, "Mommy I missed you!" and starts climbing up my leg. I did put on a clean uniform...right? I think I did. Shit. I left my other one in the wash at work. "Hey man whats going on!! I missed you too!" I hear a wailing coming from the other room. 'MOOOOOMMMM" Oh dear. This can only mean one thing, she can't find anything to wear. I let out another sigh, and start towards her bedroom. My husband catches me in the hallway for a quick kiss and leaves, he's late. "Sis whats wrong" I reply with four year old on my hip and and 75 lb dog whimpering at me and following me down the hallway. "I cant find anything to wear!" I look across her room at the mounds of clothing in her floor. "If you can't find anything to wear then I suppose we should donate all of these clothes to Goodwill?" A look of pure disdain crosses her face. "MOM!! HELP ME FIND SOMETHING!" I look at the time, its 0740, She will be considered tardy in five minutes. I quickly search through her mess and find something glittery, looks like a shirt. I pick up a pair of leggings from another pile and sniff them, they smell clean to me, "You've got 4 minutes before you're late.
Ten minutes later I'm standing in the office of her school signing her in. The office lady is sizing me up. She is well kept, a volunteer, highlights, expensive jeans, and a fine line where her lips should be. I finish up and walk away. "Miss?" She says.  I turn around, "What?" I said, probably bit to gruffly. "She was late two days last week and no one signed her in." What? she was late last week? I thought to myself. Oh well. At least she made it to school dressed. "Ill look into it", I relpy," and walk off.
At Bubby's daycare, I walk him in, he gives me giant hug and kiss, and runs off to play with his friends. "My little boy is all grown up" I mutter. When did this happen?! I stalk back out to my car, throw myself down in my seat and pout. I reach for my cigarettes and flick my bic. I set there pondering for just a minute. "Will I come home to find my son, like that woman found hers yesterday?" I exhale my smoke and quickly throw that idea out. Why would I even think that? Geez. I pull out of day care parking lot and drive the short 3 miles home. Once inside I peel off the uniform and step into the shower. I look around. hmmm. This place needs cleaned up.  Ill take a nap first....
Written sometime between January and May of 2015- this is solely mine, my words, my opinions, my writing. -Candi-