Is Groupon good or bad for you?

Alwin Fuchsia

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Do you ever feel like you're spending MORE money than you would after signing up for services like Groupon. I know the point of them is getting great deals, but if I never saw the deal, then I would never be tempted to shop.

It's like what they say about diet drinks. People still get fat from drinking diet because they drink more of it thinking it's not hurting them.

What is Groupon?
Local shops and some online retailers will offer limited time discounts where you can get at least a 50% off savings by paying the cost upfront. You can then redeem your savings at a later time until it expires. You're buying a rare coupon!

Essentially you are pre-buying a set amount of money to spend at a store you may or may not end up going to later. Retailers are happy to get that "down payment" and even though it's a 50% off discount for you- There's a good chance many people will forget to claim their credit! So don't forget! How many times have I thrown away physical, FREE coupons from Express that read "$15 off $30" or "$15 off anything" at The Limited? Many many times!

I'm guilty- So far I've spent:
$5 for $10 of gelato
$15 for 3 movie tickets and a soda ($5 each)
$15 for $30 of plants and garden supplies
$5 for $10 at a mexican bakery I've always want to visit
$150 for six laser hair removal treatments

Of those I've only claimed 2 movie tickets and one laser hair removal treatment. It's almost $200 on coupons alone. I am def not going to be buying any more for now. Yes the Laser hair removal is a big chunk, but it's hopefully a long lasting benefit. Too early to tell from one visit so far. Also I'm planning on getting the plants (shown above) later this week too. I scoped the store on Sunday to be sure there were things I wanted to buy.

I would say it's good to buy the Groupon if you KNOW you'll use it within 1-2 weeks otherwise you run the risk of forgetting and losing that money. If you have an iPhone you can download the app and it's easy to check on expiring groupons. But then it's also tempting to look at the deals! ah!

If you're curious and you want to sign up, I'll receive a $10 credit after your first purchase. My referral link is here. If you get friends to sign up you can too!

I speak too soon! I am going to buy another groupon for ebay that is $7 for a $15 giftcard! I LOVE eBay and thanks to Jean for tweeting the deal. (or is that no thanks hahaha) http://www.groupon.com/deals/ebay

To answer the title of this post, I'm going to conclude it's bad for me! :D

Dirt Cheap Finds at the Drugstore

I don't know how or why but this weekend I found great deals at Walgreens and CVS.

First up was Walgreens. I went to return some Simply something Lemongrass lipbalm. It was hands down nasty! I noticed the bin next to the beauty counter had tons of Sinful Colors polish on sale for 2/$1! I thought "hey these are really liked on blogs so I'll give them another chance at this price." Previously I bought a sheer white pearl color which really did not impress me and left my expectations low. I picked up an even six with a few being possible gifts.

Apparently this sale had been going on for awhile since the pickings were slim with mostly brown and other ugly colors. Plus this lady was trying to buy 20 bottles, and it was not her first time there. BUT don't get too excited because she told me the other Walgreens were not having this sale. I suppose mine was just trying to get rid of them. I picked up Purple Diamond, Savage, What's Your Name, Fiji, Gorgeous, and Fig.

These make me think they are China Glaze dupes because of the size. The formula is not as good, but it's great for the price! Miles better than the first dud I picked up.

Then on Sunday I stopped by CVS and bamn there was a table marked 90% off. Of course I had to rummage through it. This is what I picked up and almost everything was under $1 and close to $0.50! Woo hoo! I only wonder what there was before I got there. I got there at 5pm and I assume the coupon ladies had all morning to rummage though it. I did see a guy with a basket full of random chargers or cables and what not. I bet he's going to resell those in his shop or on ebay.

They had bumpits but only blond ones left. The Texan in me has always wanted to try one. I'm sure it's a piece of junk though. Anyhow, I'm excited about everything especially the tweezermans! I have a full size one, and I love it.

You'll never know when you'll bump into a clearance table at CVS, so just keep shopping! 

Beauty Deals at Ulta

Every Spring ULTA has a beauty event but this year it's all about the great deals! For 21 days they are having different one day deals! Check the complete list here. I've singled out the ones I thought you may like most.

CARGO 50% OFF! I need a refill of the blu_ray powder! I even put this in my calendar so I don't forget!

Free Lancome Genifique! No purchase!

I swear I post too much about Lancome recently but this deal is too good not to post. It's free! Go to Lancome's website here and sign up to receive a free 7-day Sample! You give them your name and email, then you will print out a confirmation to take to your Lancome counter. I'm guessing the samples will look like this:

This is how they looked the last time. It's awesome!! Can't ever have enough Free Genifique! I'd say it'd be fun to hit up both department stores in my mall. ^_~ (Macy's & Dillard's) They gave these out during "Genes Day" and I'm guessing they had leftovers.

Btw this is my gift with purchase from my Bloomingdales order I mentioned in a previous post. It's fabulous! I love the bag and the pink lip gloss.

Are you Addicted yet?

If you've been to the department stores lately you might have noticed giant poster displays featuring Kate Moss for Dior. She's the new face for the Dior Addict lipsticks and they are releasing 44 new colors in March. 44 is an insane amount! I'm imagining Karla Sugar's arm now. hahaha. What do you think of Kate's winged eye makeup? I don't really like it at all...

They've got new lipsticks for everyone! Quite interesting names on some of them as you will see.

 Bobo... Do you know what a Bobo is? According to Urban Dictionary it is either:

• a Korean dude who muds like a maniac and farts uncontrollably
• a Finnish word for a well endowed gentleman
• one who knows nothing...idiot...downright stupid..imbeclie
• or BOBO the clown!

Lancome & Estee Lauder Gift Time

Raise your hand if you can't resist a gift with purchase event!! The best gwp in my opinion is always the Lancome at Bloomingdales one. They offer 7 awesome samples that you get to pick from 12. It's a yearly thing, and I ordered about 2 years ago. I still have some of the little items even. I skipped last year but I'm all in this year! An interesting thing is that the first time I ordered they sent ALL 14 of the samples. Amazing! They did this for other people too. I know from searching on forums. I'm hoping that they do it again hehe!

Basically if you love gift time, you must indulge now! I got three people to buy this already haha. :D

Lancôme Gift Love in Paris - FREE with any $39.50 Lancôme purchase! Up To A $160 Value. Choose 7 Beauty Favorites to go with your free bag!
THE BEST - It’s Your Free Choice

Yours With Any $39.50 Lancôme Purchase. buy here

Choose 7 Beauty Favorites to go with your free bag!

- GÉNIFIQUE Youth Activating Concentrate*
- HIGH RÉSOLUTION REFILL-3X™ Triple Action Renewal Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF 15*
- RÉNERGIE LIFT VOLUMETRY SPF 15*
- ABSOLUE PREMIUM BX Absolute Replenishing Cream SPF 15*
- CRÈME RADIANCE Cleanser*
- BI-FACIL Double-Action Makeup Remover
- BLUSH SUBTIL Powder Blush in Sheer Armourose
- COLOR DESIGN Eye Shadow QUAD
- JUICY TUBES Ultra Shiny Lipgloss in Fruity Pop*
- COLOR DESIGN Sensational Effects Lipcolor in All Done Up*
- LE CRAYON KHÔL EyeLiner in Black Ebony
- HYPNOSE DRAMA Mascara

I starred(*) what I chose. Shipping's going to be about $6-10 depending. Plus no Tax for ME!

I ordered the Lily Rose lipstick and Le Gris L'wren mini polish to qualify for the gift.

They also have nice skincare packs that are a good value! Together it's worth $55 + a mini eye makeup remover and pouch. Right now the Lancôme Radiance Cleansing Set Dual Pack is $44.50.

These are hot right now too. It's a new look for Lancome. You can tell they are trying to appeal to the younger generation now. Lancôme Color Design 5 Shadow & Liner Palette in Pink Envy. PRICE: $48.00

The ever popular Genefique. I know that I tried it once on my skin and it was instantly softer. I plan on trying it out for a week with samples and seeing how it goes.

I forgot to use ebates! Dangnabit! My referral for $5 if you signup and purchase through them.





My Picks that are gift friendly:

Gifts & Sets by Lancôme

Also there's a gift with a $32.50 Estee Lauder purchase at Macy's. The products in the upper right corner are for a purchase over $60. I usually wait until the Nordstrom gift but this one seemed okay. Plus I have a $50 Macy's gift card! I'm going on Friday with my mom!

Estée Lauder Time Zone Line and Wrinkle Reducing Lotion SPF 15 - $58.00

It's expensive, but I tried the sample of this cream before, and I really liked the results. I'm opting to get the lotion this time because it has a pump and it's a lighter texture being a lotion. Now I just have to find a $2 filler. hmm...

So much spending this week! $51.50 at Bloomingdales, $23 at Nordstroms, and now maybe $13 at Macy's. I should read more budgeting blogs sheesh!

My first Dior Polish & some freebies

I was browsing around Nordstrom.com, and I saw that the Dior Pink Boa (349) Polish was marked in stock, so of course I had to stop by tonight and see it in person. I think it released in January and every counter I asked never had it! It's a pretty Barbie shoe pink, and I like it so far. If not, I have no shame in returning or exchanging it. They had a couple samples of the Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche lotion and toilette sitting out so I picked those up too. Along with a Peace, Love & Juicy Couture sample spray. The chanel lotion smells better than the perfume once dried down.

Next I stopped by Sephora to get my sister's free birthday gift and across from that is Godiva. I had only planned to get my free chocolate of the month, but when I saw these Strawberry Truffles I just had to have them. They are so cute! The pink is milk and the red is dark. They did not have packs of dark. :( The girl was awesome too- she asked me to sample two pieces (the choco oreo and the cheesecake truffle). If you sign up for their rewards program you get a free piece each month!! No catch! Plus if you spend $10 that month you get an additional 2 pre-selected pieces. It's usually something simple like the heart and clam one I think. She was awesome because most of the time they try to get me to buy stuff, not offer it for free. :)

Remember this classic hard Strawberry candy? It looks like the Godiva inspiration.

At Sephora all the employees have to wear this Hello Kitty bow apparently. It's kinda cute actually. It looks to be made of vinyl. I kind of want to make one... I'm curious if the guys have to wear this too.

It reminded me of these flashing bow headbands everyone was wearing at the Tet Festival in California. We found this one on the ground



Items mentioned in this post:

Fragrances by Juicy Couture

February Favorites

My favorites for February!

1. Mac Marquised' Lipstick $15.50

Pretty and natural. It's on the sheer side but it has enough pigment to coat the lips with a nice natural pink color. It's sold out at most counters. I did see some last weekend in Dallas.

2. Mac Mighty Aphrodite Blush $25.50

	Pretty and pigmented. It's now sold out in most places.

3. Zoya remove+ polish remover 8oz for $9.99

Well worth the price! It's the best ever. I can't believe how awesome a nail polish remover could be. It smells nice, removes everything without need to scrub, and it leaves my nails feeling nice afterwards.

4. Chanel Black Pearl Polish $25

This is so pretty! I couldn't stop staring at my nails with this on. It would be a great first high-end polish to try.

5. Buxom Mascara

This is some awesome mascara! It glides on silky and does everything a mascara should. Volumize, Curl, and Define! Thank you JBreezy for this!



Have you tried any of these?