Ipsy August 2013

I meant to write this DAYS ago but haven't been able to until now.

Ipsy teamed up with quite a few brands for their August 2013 bag:

This months theme was Glamour Academy. The bag was purple with gold Ipsy emblems: 

My bag this month contained products from NOYA, Pixi, Pacifica, Michael Todd, and NYX:

NOYA kosher lip balm in Vanilla (value, $3.99):

This smells really good and glides on easily. I was a little disappointed that I didn't get the Urban Decay sample, but I do love lip balms so still a win for me. (Full-size. $3.99)

Michael Todd true organically JoJoBa Charcoal Facial Scrub (1fl oz, value $5)

 I haven't used this yet, but it smells great! The back of the bottle says, "[..Unique facial scrub formulated using the powers of Jojoba Wax Beads and Activated Charcoal to effectively remove dead skin, impurities, and toxins. Gentle enough for sensitive and acne prone skin types...]"

I was a little surprised that it's actually black:

.... but it does have charcoal in it. I plan to use this. (Full-size 3.4fl oz, $18)

Pixi Lash Booster mascara in Blackest Black (value $7):

I'm not really much of a mascara user..

....but I'll give this a try. (Full-size, $17)

Pacifica Alight mutli-mineral BB cream (.34fl oz, value $7):

I love BB creams and am so happy to have got this! The tube says it has shade-matching technology.

(I squirted waaaay too much out on accident..) 

Blended:

I really like it! I will probably buy a full sized bottle when my sample runs out. (Full size, 

NYX Powder Blush in Copper (full size, value $5):

This is my first NYX product.

(My daughter got into it hence the tiny indents)

Honestly I'm not to pleased with the color for a blush. I mean, who uses COPPER for a blush?😱

Swatched:

Blended:

I will most definitely use this...but as a bronzer/highlighter (full size, $5)

All-in-all I am pleased with Ipsy, as usual. The total value for my bag this month was about $30. Not too bad.

(ETA: I'm not 100% sure of the value of each sample this month, I just looked at others blogs and seen what they valued them at. I will update this if needed when I'm on my PC)

E.O.S. Lip Balm in Summer Fruit

E.O.S. (Evolution Of Smooth), is an organic (95% at least) lip balm. It is available in two different packages - smooth stick and smooth sphere (I have the latter.

There are seven flavors to choose from in the smooth spheres - blueberry acai, strawberry sorbet, pomegranate raspberry, summer fruit, sweet mint, honeysuckle honeydew, medicated tangerine, lemon drop with SPF 15.

And three flavors in the smooth sticks - pomegranate raspberry, vanilla bean, and sweet mint.

The website for E.O.S. claims that these balms are petrolatum & paraben free. 

Site description:

• Long-lasting moisture
• Shea butter & vitamin E
• Smoothes on clear
• Precisely glides on lips
• Twist-off top

• Gluten-free
• Paraben-free
• Petrolatum-free
• Phthalate-free
• 0.25 oz

I really like these, actually. Summer fruit has a peachy scent. I wouldn't say it "precisely" glides on, but it is smooth.

And my lips are definitely softer and more moisturized. Another good thing is these are NOT tested on animals - sweet!

I will totally be buying more of these!

Ingredients:

Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Beeswax (Cire D'abeille)*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Natural Flavor (Aroma), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract*, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract*, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract*, Prunus Persica (Peach) Fruit Extract*, Linalool**. *Organic. **Component of Natural Flavor. Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth.

July 2013 Ipsy Review

Ipsy continues to be one of my favorite beauty sub boxes!

July's theme was "Beach Beauty".

The bag:

(I love this bag!)

 

 

First Look:

I just LOVE this month's items!

 

Big Sex Hair Weatherproof Hairspray (1.4 oz, value $6.31):

Now I'm not a big user of hairspray, but when I do use it, I really use it. I've read mostly positive reviews of Big Sexy Hair products so I doubt I'll be disappointed.

COOLA Mineral Sunscreen Tinted Moisturizer (.23fl oz, value $5.04):

COOLA has been in quite a few sub boxes this year. This is my first time receiving one of their products and I like it. It has a nice tint. The smell is a little odd but I'll use it. (Full-size $36.00)

Salt Air Roll On Oil Perfume by Demeter (.29fl oz, value $10):

I love love love this!❤. It smells so good! i'm super picky about scents so I'm glad to have finally received one I like. It is very reminiscent of the beach, soft, feminine and a bit salty❤. *swoon*. (Various sizes, prices)

bh Cosmetics California Collection Sampler (3 pots, $2.91):

I used flash to try an capture the color more accurately. I really like these. Each color comes from a collection that sells for $10. I don't know if I'd buy the whole individual collection for these, but I'll definitely keep this in my make up bag. bh Cosmetics also has customizable palettes and each color pot costs $ .97 

POP Pouty Pop Crayon in Fushia Flirt (value, $4.16):

This isn't a bad color but I was so hoping for the coral. I've been dying to try a coral lippie T_T alas, this is definitely a POP of color but it also makes the lips look a bit chapped. Not too bad though. (Set of 6, $25).

The total value of my July Ipsy bag was..

$28.42!!

Not too shabby.

GlossyBox June 2013

I meant to write this review a while ago, but my computer has been out of commission and it's hard to write posts from my phone. (Well the writing part is easy, it's the publishing that is difficult..)

Anyways, let's get down to business!

GlossyBox teamed up with Dallas Shaw this month to bring us the "American Beauty" box. 

(Dallas also drew the sketch on the box❤)

First Look:

The Box:

(Isn't it just fab?❤)

2nd First Look:

REAL First Look:

(oh so many goody goodies!❤)

c. Booth Honey Almond Nourishing Dry Oil Mist (2fl oz value, $4.00):

This stuff smells so yummy! The information card says it's a hydrating oil for the face and body. It adds a boost of glow and radiance. (Full-size 4fl oz, $8.00)

Oscar de la Renta Essential Luxuries (estimated value, $10):

 

(They came in this cute silky bag❤)

I don't know how much comes in each of these as it doesn't say, but each one has enough for at least two uses. 

My favorite is the Oriental Lace.

(Full-size 3.4fl oz, $150)

Philip B Light-Weight Deep Conditioning Crème Rinse (2fl oz value, $10):

This is some sort of conditioner. I have used it once on both myself and my daughter (she has really curly hair so conditioner is a must). It has a nice smell and is definitely light-weight but I'm not really impressed enough to pay $10 for 2 oz of the stuff. We'll stick to Suave Keratin Infusion for now! (Various sizes, $10/ 2oz)

SpaRitual Favorites Nail Polish (full size):

This nail polish is organic and vegan. How cool is that? I got the color "Solitude" which is what I would describe  as a midnight purple (wearing on my toes mow). I would definitely re-purchase this! (Full-size, $12)

tarte complexion enhancing lipstick (full-size, $14.50)

This is my favorite product from the whole box! I've been wanting to try something from tarte for a while now. This did mot disappoint. It goes of smooth and actually does what it says. Love!  (Full-size, $14.50)

The total for this months box comes to around $49.59 which is awesome.

Glossybox wows me every time. I don't know if I'll be able to get July's box - boo! If you have an extra $21 per month GB is totally worth it! 

(July Ipsy review coming soon!)

GlossyBox May 2013 Review

I'm late, I'm late for a very important box review! My apologies, dear readers, but I've had a busy week!

This was my first GlossyBox and I absolutely loved it! May was also GlossyBox's 1 year anniversary in the USA!

Here we GO!

First look:

2nd 1st look:

I apologize but it seems I forgot to take a pic of the real first look! Bummer..

Onto the products!

Volupt Spray by Sebastian Professional ($6.70 Value)

 

I use this frequently. It has a nice smell and isn't too sticky. (full size, $19.99)

Collagen & Aloe Vera Hydro Mask by Être Belle ($3.95 Value)

  I used this last night and actually liked it. I've never used a face mask before so I'm not an expert on the subject but I liked the way my skin felt afterwords. (full size, 10 masks, 29,95 EUR?)

Intense Defense Anti-Aging + Repair Serum by Epionce ($18.13 Value)

A tiny sample of an EXPENSIVE product. It smells nice but there's not way I'd be able to buy it every time I needed it. (full size, $136)

Slow IT Body Lotion and Slow IT Body Wash Samples and Free Wax by European Wax Center ($21.00 Average Value)

I haven't had a chance to use any of these. Soon..(full size, $20)

Absolute! Perfume Stick in 5 NOBLEGE by Nicka K New York ($14.99 Value)

 

Easily my favorite product in the box. This stuff smelt soooo good. I use it daily and definitely plan on re-purchasing!(full size, $14.99)

Guideliner Long Lasting Eye Pencil in Xpresso by Xtreme Lashes ($29.00 Value)

Another love. Seriously smudge free! I was so glad to find the send the brown color. I'm not a fan of black eyeliner so this was perfecto! (full size, $29)

GlideLiner™ Sharpener by Xtreme Lashes ($3 value)

This is for use with the gel eyeliner pencil. It's so special it need it's own sharpener, lol. (price, $3)

The total value of May's GlossyBox came to about $90 which is fab! I'm definitely a fan now. Want GlossyBox? Subscribe here!

(sorry for the poor photo quality...)

May 2013 Birchbox Review

This month's theme was "beauty diaries". 

 After reading so many negative reviews about May's Birchbox, I really unsure about subscribing to it, but decided to anyways. Lemme say I wasn't disappointed, that's for sure!

First look:

Unboxing:

Let me just say I love the box itself and will definitely re-use it. 

2nd first look:

Real first look:

Awesome right? So many goodies!

Protect and Detangle by Beauty Protecter (value, $2.75)

Now, my hair doesn't normal tangle but my daughter's sure does! She's curly headed.. I can't wait to use this on her. Hopefully it will make combing her hair more pleasant for both of us. (Full-size, $21.95)

PROTÉGÉR Age Defying Primer by LAFACE Laboratories (value, $3.25)

I love clear primers, so I'm pretty happy this was in my box! (Full-Size, $65)

Glossy Kiss Lipstick by Mirenesse (value, $26.55)

This is a full-sized product. It goes on smooth and the color is nice. I'll probably use it quite often.

(Full-sized, $26.55)

Folle de Joie eau de parfum by Joie (value $1)

I'm going to be honest, I hated the smell of this. It was super floral with rose being the strong note. I'm not a fan of floral smells at all and ended up giving this sample to my mom. (Full-size, $98)

Lifestyle Extra

Matchbox Itty Bitty Nail Files by Tweezerman | (value $4)

This is also a full-sized product. I don't normally have nail "mishaps" but I'll still carry these around, just in case. (Full-sized, $4)

The total value of my box was about $40, so well worth the $10 it cost me to subscribe. I can't wait for next month's box.