My 23rd Birthday Haul
Hey Beauty Bees,
As most of you already know, my birthday was this past week and I did one of my favorite things to ring in another year of life - shopping! Being apart of many free retail loyalty programs, I was gifted with a ton of birthday freebie coupons and gift card rewards to use toward a purchase in store. I was originally going to do just a very basic haul but after sharing the above photo on Facebook with a caption explaining I only spent around $20 for everything shown, I got a huge response. A lot of you were asking me to "share my ways" with you so that is exactly what I am going to do.
Along with showing you what I got for my birthday, I am going to give you a special inside look on how I got everything above for so cheap and even link to how you can sign up for yourself!
Sephora
I am apart of Sephora's Beauty Insider program which gives out a free birthday gift every year during your birthday month. This year I received a Marc Jacobs beauty duo that included an eyeliner and lipstick. Sephora also had a special Beauty Insider sale going on that gave all cardholders 10% off their purchase, which gave me a discount on my Ole Henriksen Makeup Wipes. Once at the checkout I found out I had enough Beauty Insider points (100) to use toward another little reward product, DryBar Bay Breeze Hydrating Shot.
Retail Price/ Sale Price
Marc Jacobs Birthday Duo - $19.83
DryBar Bay Breeze Hydrating Shot Reward - $12.00
Ole Henriksen Makeup Wipes - $15.00/$13.50
Coupons Used: Beauty Insider Birthday Freebie, 100 Beauty Insider Points, 10% off coupon
Out of Pocket: $14.34
This makeup brand also has a great rewards program called FAB (Friends with Benefits). Once again this program gives out a birthday makeup gift during the month of your birthday and this year I received a Lasting Line Eyeliner in Eternal Bronze. On the morning of my birthday, BareMinerals sent me an email that I was able to bring in store and show an associate to receive my gift.
Retail Price/ Sale Price
Lasting Line Eyeliner - $16.00
Coupons Used: FAB Birthday Freebie Coupon
Out of Pocket: $0.00
They do not have a rewards program but I did have a Lush gift card that I had been holding on to since Christmas that I really wanted to use. With a linen closet full of bath bombs and bubble bars, I knew walking into the store that I wanted to try out something new.
Retail Price/ Sale Price
Dirty Massage Bar - $10.95
Percup Massage Bar - $12.95
Foot Soak and Fancy Free Foot Soap - $6.95
Honey Trap Lip Balm - $7.95
Coupons Used: $40 Gift Card
Out of Pocket: $1.22
Victoria's Secret
If you have an account with Victoria's Secret or are part of the PINK Nation program, you should receive a gift card either through an email or in the mail. I was lucky enough to be sent a $10 gift card through both methods, giving me the opportunity to make two separate purchases with a discount. When I arrived in store, I found out they were having an amazing sale on many of the beauty products - 2/$10.
Retail Price/ Sale Price
Retail Price/ Sale Price
Victoria's Secret Fantasies Coconut Passion Fragrant Hand & Body Cream - $18.00/$5.00
Victoria's Secret Fantasies Coconut Passion Fragrance Mist- $18.00/$5.00
Victoria's Secret Total Attraction Fragrance Mist - $10.00/$5.00
Victoria's Secret Secret Escape Fragrance Mist - $10.00/$5.00
Coupons Used: 2 Birthday Reward $10 Gift Cards
Out of Pocket: $0.00
This freebie was not "birthday" related, however this promotion did run into my birthday month so I waited for this shopping trip to pick it up. If you have your address filled out on your Bath and Body Works account, from time to time they send out mailers that include purchase coupons or free products. This particular coupon I had received was for a free travel size signature product up to $5, no purchase necessary. The best part was that the cashier included another coupon for me to use for my next trip in.
Retail Price/ Sale Price
Retail Price/ Sale Price
Hello Beautiful Travel Size Shower Gel - $5.00
Coupons Used: Free Product Mailer Coupon
Out of Pocket: $0.00
This particular store has a loyalty program called Charm Club Rewards. Along with earning points from dollars spent at Charming Charlie resulting in rewards certificates, you will receive a special birthday rewards certificate. Through my email I received a $5 rewards certificate which I was excited to use toward some new accessories. I ended up going with an impassable deal of scarves that were marked down to $4.99 each but also were buy one get one 50% off!
Retail Price/ Sale Price
Retail Price/ Sale Price
Multi Basketweave Print Scarf - $15.00/$4.99
Blue Smile Pretty Scarf - $14.00/$4.99 ($2.49 with added BOGO discount)
Coupons Used: $5 Birthday Rewards Certificate
Out of Pocket: $2.48
Forever 21
This purchase was actually made by exchanging a few items for store credit. Unfortunately, Forever 21 does not have a loyalty program but I do hope they change that soon because I know I would be the first to sign up! I grabbed a ton of great basics for the Spring, especially the lace cropped camis that will be perfect to layer with loose, low cut tanks.
Retail Price/ Sale Price
Scoop Neck Cami in Pink - $9.90/$6.00
Navy V Neck Tee - $5.90
Lace Trimmed Cropped Cami in Pink - $9.90/$6.00
Lace Trimmed Cropped Cami in Blue - $9.90/$6.00
Cream Basic Cami - $3.90
Coupons Used: $27.40 Store Credit
Out of Pocket: $0.40
This specialty lingerie shop has a loyalty program called Love Soma Rewards, which works on a earning points system to receive money off rewards. When you have your information filled in and are opted in for emails, during your birthday month you will receive a free $10 birthday reward to use towards a purchase. I was in need of a pair of nude panties for a white dress I bought recently so I used this gift card towards that!
Retail Price/ Sale Price
Retail Price/ Sale Price
Nude Embraceable Lace Boyshort - $11.00
Coupons Used: $10 Birthday Reward
Out of Pocket: $1.00
This store had the best deal of the day in my opinion. Torrid's loyalty program is called Torrid Insider. You earn points for every dollar spent and get rewards in $10 increments with every 200 points. Torrid also gives out $10 for your birthday and on your Anniversary of being a Torrid Insider! For my $10 reward, I used it in combination of the clearance sale that was going on which was buy 1 get 2 free! I was able to get many items with this amazing deal!
Retail Price/ Sale Price
Skull Multi Glitter Polish - $5.00/$1.97
Skull Violet and Blue Glitter Polish - $5.00/$3.98
Skull Pink and Black Splatter Polish - $5.00/$3.98
Earcuff and Diamond Studd Set - $14.50/$0.96
Red Statement Ring - $12.50/$8.48
Gold Wide Hoop Earrings - $10.50/$5.48
Coupons Used: $10 Birthday Reward
Out of Pocket: $2.61
This was the final and most favorite freebie of the day! Godiva has a rewards club that gives members exclusive offers, a free piece of chocolate every month in participating boutiques, and much more! Also, in your birthday month you will receive a $10 reward to use toward an online or in store purchase. When I walked in store, I saw that they had a great deal on the large chocolate bars - 3 for $10.
Retail Price/ Sale Price
Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Bar - $3.99/$3.33
Milk Chocolate Salted Caramel Bar - $3.99/$3.33
Dark Chocolate Almond Bar - $3.99/$3.33
Coupons Used: $10 Godiva Birthday Reward
Out of Pocket: $0.00
As you can see above, I got a ton of items for only a small out of pocket amount. After calculating the receipts, I got 30 different things from 10 different stores that retailed at $306.60 for a total price of $22.05. That equals out to only $0.73 per item and a total savings of $284.55! I pride myself on being a great bargain shopper, but even I was shocked at the savings I got that day!
Now I had told Chris not to worry about getting me anything for my birthday this year because I knew how busy he has been with school and work, but of course he did not listen and still got me a couple of little things that he knew I would love.
If you do not already know this about me I am a HUGE fan of "The Flash" and have been obsessed with the television show that has been on lately. Chris bought me the whole first season DVD set and found an action figure of my favorite villain "Captain Cold".
He even went out to get me my favorite strawberry shortcake as a birthday treat from Whole Foods. Usually I am a chocolate-fanatic but for some reason on my birthday I love going for something like this better!
That is everything I got for my birthday this year! If your birthday is in April too, I would love to see what you got as gifts from family, friends or even to yourself!
That is everything I got for my birthday this year! If your birthday is in April too, I would love to see what you got as gifts from family, friends or even to yourself!
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