beauty

Glossybox January 2016

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I’ve seem to hit that point in the month where I finally have received nearly all of my subscription boxes. There is nothing I love more than coming home to a fun box and checking out all the new products in these curated boxes.

Over the past year I’ve had a love – hate relationship with Glossybox. I love that the products are full sized or deluxe sized. Sometimes though the products are all misses for me. But I missed getting it, and took advantage of a deal on Gilt recently, so I’m locked in for the next 6 months.

This month was interesting. I don’t love everything. But I’m willing to try it all out!

Products in this months box:

Beautiful Nutrition Lemon Rinse Gentle Clarifying Treatment

MeMeMe Lip Glide in Playful Peach

-417 Foot Nourishing Cream

Royal Apothic Cream Creme to Go

Emite Make Up Diamond Heart

What did you guys think of this months box?

#BEAUTYCONBFF

Until recently I was unaware the Beautycon made a monthly box. I saw an ad for it on my Facebook (I know, I’ve been seeing a lot on there lately) and was super intrigued. Mostly perhaps because this month the box was curated by Bethany Mota.

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I did read spoilers ahead of time, so I knew what I’d be getting, but that didn’t make me any less excited about receiving it. I couldn’t wait for it to get here! It was packaged pretty well, but unfortunately the eye shadow was cracked and separated. Otherwise though I’m very happy!

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These are deemed Bethany’s “winter essentials” and this is definitely a super fun box. The packaging, items – it all mixes together for a sugary sweet box of all things girly. Here is a peek inside the box:

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Murad Hydrating Toner – I can’t wait to try this! I’ve heard great things about Murad

Essie Marshmallow Nail Color

Maybelline NY The Falsies Push Up Mascara

Soap & Glory Hand Food Hydrating Hand Cream – Love this hand cream for keeping in my purse. Super small and portable.

Garnier Fructis Root Amp Lifting Spray Mousse

Disney Minnie Mouse Tattoo Junkee Jewelry Inspired Tattoos

Disney Sequin Minnie Mouse Ears – I’m hoping to get to Disney soon, so these and the tattoos are perfect!

NIKE $20 Gift Card Off $50 Purchase – This came in the cutest, tiniest shoe box!

Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor

ColourPop Highlighter – Sadly this was broken, but I think I can still use it because it is so creamy! LOVE the color!

Aeropostale $10 Gift Card Off $50 Purchase

Beautycon Gold Digger Notebook – This came super scratched, but is still so cute and I love the gold!

Have any of you tried this box? Thoughts??

My Favorite Blogger Series

I thought it would be fun for me to feature favorite bloggers/YouTubers that I frequent. My absolute favorite is Kristina from PrettyShinySparkly. She has a blog and is a YouTuber, and we share similar tastes. Many of the items she has recommended, I’ve gone on to purchase. I’ve linked her latest video and blog post below – check her out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utfyoYYC2xk

http://prettyshinysparkly.com/

October Favorites (So late – I know!)

So I know – November is nearly over and here I am posting my favorites form LAST month. Bear with me on this. Have any of you suddenly looked at the calendar and the month has flown by? Welcome to my life. I was stunned the other day when I realized the month was half over.

What exactly was I loving last month?

Surprise – NO makeup!

With the weather getting cooler I am back to loving my warm scents. I’ve had my Burberry Brit perfume for years and still can’t get enough each fall. Screen Shot 2015-11-17 at 10.16.00 PM.png

Two words: BATH BOMBS. Ok, so I know Lush has been famous for these for some time, but apparently I got on that train pretty late. I found the one below in Francesca’s Collections and while it wasn’t a fantastic smell it was so fun and relaxing I was super excited to get to Lush to try more!

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I rediscovered my love of macarons! I was staying at a hotel for work, and saw these gorgeous treats in the window of the sweets shop and just had to help myself!

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And above all else – I rediscovered my love of Disney! I was sent to Anaheim, CA for a work conference and we stayed in Disneyland. It was so much fun, and certainly a once in a lifetime experience.

What were you loving last month?

Empties Part I

I have been saving empty products FOREVER. I hate hoarding trash, but I don’t think there is a better way to share what products I’d buy again, what I regret and what just didn’t work. I have SO many saved up stay tuned for Part II next month!

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First up are two brands of makeup removing wipes. I have a preferred brand that I love, but wanted to give these a try. The Ole Henriksen brand felt great but I couldn’t get past the smell. It wasn’t bad – but it wasn’t good. I want to try another scent to see if I like those better. And the yes to blueberries were TERRIBLE. Smelled horrible and didn’t work. I couldn’t even finish the pack of 8.

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I also was not a fan of the BareMinerals Prime Time. It definitely didn’t help hold my makeup. I did love the NYX Shine Killer though! It was GREAT and filled my pores so makeup didn’t sink in. I’d absolutely put that on the re-buy list. The ology body wash smells amazing and is so natural. I’ve bought this a few times and fall in love with it each time. I usually find mine at Walgreens. The Origins Ginzing Eye Cream is great too. That sample lasted for so long! The Urban Decay setting spray is a cult favorite, and I was so sad to be out. If I didn’t have my Model in a Bottle I’d definitely grab this again. And Serge Normant can do no wrong – this hair spray got used up so fast! I bought more products to try from the line.

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You’ll have to roll with me on these – some of them are SO old! I finally did a mascara clean out, and these are just a few that went in the trash. Instead of going through them one by one I’ll pick out a few. The Josie Maran Black Oil is amazing. I’ve blogged about it before – it does wonder for my lashes. The Lancome eyeliner (second from right) has been holy grail status for me. So sad it’s out of commission. The Roller Lash mascara went in the trash pile after 2 uses. I couldn’t stand it! Super disappointed since everyone raved about it. The other products are great, but not worth detailing nor picking up again.

Have any of you used any of the products above? Thoughts?

VIB Sephora Haul -UPDATE

This weekend I was at the mall, and found myself in the Sephora inside JC Penney. I had totally forgot to check there before thinking my sale shopping was over. I came across two sets, that I believe are exclusive to these Sephora’s. SO glad I went and checked it out!

I picked up the Sephora Favorites Beauty Unmasked – and I couldn’t resist the group of products they put together for this: FullSizeRender 26.jpg

I also picked up the Sephora Favorites Skin Wonderland, and again, the group of products is amazing. I had been thinking I hadn’t picked up any skin care items, and now I rounded out my haul! Can’t wait to try them out!

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VIB Rouge Sephora Haul

The Sephora VIB sale is my FAVORITE time of year. This year I hit Rouge status (which is both thrilling and embarrassing) and I couldn’t wait for my 20% to arrive. I went a little crazy picking things up since I took a bit of a Sephora hiatus in recent months. What better time to buy then when the entire store is on sale?! I prefer buying value sets because I feel like I get a lot for my money and I get to try everything I’ve been eyeing without dropping tons of money.

I just HAD to pick up the makeup bag above, because it is in my favorite color combo, gold and white. I also picked up the Burberry BURBERRY KISSES lipstick in Military Red No. 109, because the packaging is gorgeous in gold, and the red color is perfect for the holidays. I can’t wait to try it! I also love anything that smells like almonds (although strangely I don’t like almonds) and fell in love with the L’Occitane Almond Delights set. Their hand cream is my favorite, and I was so excited to see the almond scent.

There are SO many sets this season, and I had to think hard about what I could really use. I ordered the Give Me More Lip set which has some pretty great colors that I can try, and I picked up the Extend Your Style set in store. I love dry shampoo so it will definitely be used.

I would normally pass right over the perfume set, but once I found out that it includes a certificate for a full size perfume (from those included in the set) I went ahead and picked it up. I already have a few of the samples, but wanted to try a few more. I wound up throwing out about 5 of them. I think I might pick up Prada Candy in the full size version. (I’m in love with it!)

I was thrilled to see that one of the 500 point perks was from YSL. I love Black Opium, and I’ve been wanting to try some more of their products. The Touche Eclat looks fantastic and I can’t wait to try it.

Beyond what is pictured I picked up:

-Beautyblender Solid Bar

-Miniemergency kit (Black studded version)

-Burberry Eyebrow Definer

-Estee Lauder Be Envied: Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick Collection

-Kat Von D Studded Lipstick in Lolita

I will definitely post about the items that I love! What did you pick up at the sale?

Review: BoxyCharm July 2015

I have read so many reviews of how great BoxyCharm is, and just needed to see for myself! I love that nearly all the products are full size!

MDMflow Greater Than Mascara – (new to American market)

The packaging is gorgeous! I’m excited to try it. BoxyCharm did send an email out saying that you need to prime it before use, which is a little scary. But hopefully if I did it correctly this will be amazing!

Vasanti Professional Blush Brush – $29

This brush is nice and I love getting brushes in boxes. I definitely think I can use this for conturing!

yourMinerals Transparent Veil Setting Powder – $26

I’m not a big fan of this brand, but I’m willing to give this a shot.

gorge I’ll make you look amazing daily spray – $29.95

I’m super excited for this since I have crazy frizzy hair. I saw this was in another box this month too – so I’m hoping that’s a good sign!

OFRA Cosmetics Lip Liner – $13

I don’t use lip liners that often, so I might trade this.

Overall I’m excited with the products I received and am looking forward to seeing what I get next month!

Review: Allure Beauty Box July 2015

This month is the first time the Allure Beauty Box has been put out under its new name – it was previously Sample Society. I LOVED this month! Such great brands, and decent sized products. WTG Allure!

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer – Full Size $27

I found out about this from my salon and already have the full size and a travel. So glad to have another! It makes my hair silky soft and really protects it. I won’t travel without it!

SuperGoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50 – Full Size $28

I feel like I’ve been SuperGooped out, but I saw this product on one of the talkshows recently and really wanted to try it. I’m really into setting sprays and so excited this was in the box.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum Synchronized Complex II – Full Size $65

I’ve love these serums forever, and already used a different one. I swear by them and believe they make my skin look so much better.

Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo Spray– Full Size $25

I’ve had this in a bunch of boxes, and it works pretty well so I’m always glad to have more dry shampoo.

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Infinite Daring Length + Volume Mascara in Black – Full Size

I just tried this and love it. It definitely brings the volume.

Invisibobble – $8 for 3

This is a clear hairtie that looks like a telephone cord. Super weird, not sure how I feel about it.

Overall I LOVED this box. Keep it up Allure!

Review: Stitchfix July 2015

I decided to try this based on a friend’s recommendation. Basically you sign up and fill out an extensive profile and link your social media and pinterest to the site. Then a personal shopper selects items for you and ships you out a box based on your likes. I was really intrigued by this idea. At $20 it costs significantly less than Le Tote (which I hated, btw) and seemed like a good idea. I even wrote my stylist a note at their prompting telling her my favorite colors and what I was looking for. What came in my box was far from what I wanted.

They send this card describing how to style your pieces:

This was the first piece I pulled out. I’m not a fan of the pattern and its cheaply made. They were asking around $50 for it….

I included that I have a really short torso, and things like this next piece wouldn’t be possible. Not great:

I did say I liked dresses, but due to being bigger on the bottom this wasn’t the best choice for me, but nice color though:

This next shirt wasn’t bad, but wasn’t great:

The only thing I LOVED was this necklace. Gorgeous color! I purchased it for sure. The nice thing is that the $20 you pay for the box goes toward the price of the item. So it was $34 and I paid an additional $14. If you buy all the items you get 25% off the order.

Who else has tried Stitchfix? Thoughts?

GabGoesGlam

Beauty. Lifestyle. Fashion.