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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?

Review: Southern Lilly Lady

On Instagram I follow @southernlillylady, a blogger who recently started her own subscription box. She dresses primarily in Lilly Pulitzer in her photos, and I thought I would fall IN LOVE with this box without ever even knowing what was in it. It is $20 per box and you need to commit to three boxes (I got so excited I only read the fine print later…) You can buy the box here. FullSizeRender 18

Anyway, when the box arrived it was totally crushed and partially opened. So that was bummer #1. Then I opened it and was super bummed with the contents. There is no booklet or anything, just the products.

It came with a mason jar with a lemonade recipe, a bunch of paper straws, some tropical bath powder, pineapple earrings and a sparkly bracelet. The jewelry aside I’m not that into the other items. Its not like the drink came with a mix or was immediately useful. I can go to the store and buy a box of mason jars for nothing. I adore the concept though and am hoping next months is much better, and perhaps a little more luxurious to reflect the title of the box.

Review: Birchbox July 2015

This month I absolutely hated my Birchbox. Super disappointing. I either have the products already, or can’t use the new ones. I really wish I had done the curated box, and regret missing the deadline for it.

Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil – Full Size $39

I love this B&B line, but I have SO many samples of this stuff that it will take me forever to get through it!

Harvey Prince Hello Body Cream – Full Size $22

I have so many bottles of the harvey Prince perfumes, and I’m not a huge fan of the scents. This lotion is no different. The smell is long lasting, and I’m just not into the citrus-floral scent.

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive – Full Size $39

I have this already, and might be able to use another tube. I barely use the one I have because I’m not fond of the scent. But I think I might be able to use this.

stila look at me liquid lipstick trio – Set of 3 $20

I received the bright red version, and the color won’t work well with my skin color. I wear a lot of red, but I just don’t see this working. Its going in my swap pile!

Supergoop! Anti-Aging City Sunscreen Serum SPF 30 – Full Size $42

I feel like all boxes send Supergoop! in the summer and I’m incredibly overloaded with it! I definitely like the brand but I need to unload a few of the products.

How were your Birchboxes this month?! Let me know in the comments!

Review: Sephora Sun Safety Kit

When I first heard this was being released, I was so incredibly excited. I love sets like this, and appreciate the chance to test out products before I make a big purchase. [Note: This is the full kit, not the one from JC Penney which was smaller]. Now that I’ve had time to play with some of the products, I want to offer my mid summer opinion. Those I know or have tried are in bold.

The Sephora Sun Safety Kit includes 16 products:

– 0.2 oz AmorePacific Natural Protector SPF 30

– 0.3 oz Clarins UV Plus Anti-Pollution Broad Spectrum SPF 50

– 0.5 oz Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 in Light Medium

THIS IS MY FAVORITE. Okay, so I got a little excited, but I’ve been using this as a foundation because it covers so well and I absolutely love it. It makes my skin look flawless, and it is definitely full coverage.

– 0.25 oz Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare™ Dark Spot Sun Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen

– 0.17 oz Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45

– 0.08 oz Fresh® Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15

I LOVE THIS. I had never tried a Fresh lip treatment before, and generally don’t wear lip balm type products. This has the BEST smell, and I always through it in my bag to head to the pool or beach. Can’t be beat.

– 0.5 oz Josie Maran Cosmetics Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47

I love the consistency of this, but haven’t used it enough to have a strong opinion.

– 0.34 oz Korres Yoghurt Nourishing Fluid Veil Broad Spectrum SPF 30

– 0.17 oz Murad® Invisiblur™ Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30

This felt pretty great when I applied it. I’ve never tried a Murad product before this. Anyone have any thoughts?

– 0.1 oz Ole Henriksen total truth™ eye crème SPF 15

I used this every night before I picked this bag up, and am thrilled to have another sample.

– 0.5 oz Origins VitaZing™ Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Energy-Boosting Moisturizer with Mangosteen

I am a huge fan of Origins face creams, and this one is just as good as anything I’ve tried.

– Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Moisture Defense® Lotion SPF 30

– 0.6 oz Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 50+ WetForce Broad Spectrum Water Resistant (80 Minutes)

– 1.69 oz St. Tropez One Night Only in Light-Medium

Can’t wait to try this! I’m a little afraid it might transfer, but St. Tropez is a favorite brand of mine.

– 0.34 oz Supergoop!® City Sunscreen Serum SPF 30

Supergoop! is always great. It does its job, but this doesn’t make me jump up and down.

– 0.34 oz Vita Liberata Passion Flower & Argan Dry Oil Broad Spectrum SPF 50

– Travel bag

I threw this out after I unpacked it. It is large, and could definitely store a lot of stuff, but I just didn’t have room for it.

16 products for $32! I’m working my way through the other products. Who else picked this up? Thoughts?

Room Tour- Southern Style

My parents live part time in South Carolina, and when they built their new house over a year ago they gave me the loft as my bedroom. Due to my work schedule I don’t get to go down there that often. Last summer I picked out furniture and the color scheme (gray and yellow). The skeleton came together over this past year, and on my recent vacation we went shopping to pick out some finishing touches.

The bed and dresser are from a local furniture store in SC, and I fell in love with the mirrored style right away. All of the pillows and the comforter are from Home Goods, as are both of the night stands.

The nightstand on the right I picked up first, and it had awful drawer pulls. I instead found some on sale at Anthropology, and the piece now matches the decor much better!

I still needed another night stand, and when I went back a year later I found many more mirrored options. This one was perfect:

Last year when I was shopping I also found this gray chair at Home Goods, along with the lamp and table pictured below. When I went back last week I found that ottoman in Target, and thought it would highlight the yellow on the bed.

The dresser us gorgeous and has large drawers for storing clothes. I found a lamp this trip that matches the lamp I picked up on my last trip. Home Goods also had fun mirrored boxes, and I picked up one for the dresser. The jewelry hanger I found at Target. (Sorry for the yellow quality of the picture!)

I found this gorgeous piece of art at the local Ross – it was apparently hand made in Indonesia, and I can’t wait to have it hung on the wall:

There was one wall that had me stumped. I thought to put a large mirror there, but considering everything else is so heavily mirrored, I instead opted for a desk. I found a white desk at World Market, and it wound up being their last in store. We got it heavily discounted (score!) and picked up one of their dining chairs that had a fun pattern for the room. Click on the words “desk” and “dining chair” for links! The elephant, lamp and flowers are of course, from Home Goods.

I hope you enjoyed my room tour and design thoughts!

GabGoesGlam

Beauty. Lifestyle. Fashion.