Glossy, Glossy!!!

Hello all!! My Glossybox came in this month and I must say that I was very very happy with what I got!!

 Now, the total value of the items in this box came to a whopping, $109.79 and I only paid $21.00 for the entire box. 

The first item is a hair serum by Nioxin Diamax: 

 This hair serum is advertised to thicken the strands of your hair and strengthen against breakage. A full size of this product is 3.4oz and retails for $50.00, the size we got in the box was 3.38oz. SCORE!!!!

Next, we have the " Essential Makeup Remover Pen" : 

 This pen is said to contain" an odorless liquid makeup remover that does not dry out the skin." Now for someone like me who is prone to smudging her eye makeup no less than 2 hours after application, this pen is a godsend!! After I pulled it out of the box, it went right into my purse. Full size of this item retails for $5.30 and we received the full size in the box!!

Next item made me happier than a kid at Christmas!! The BCBGMAZAZRIA bon genre perfume sample! 

The most impressive thing about this sample is that it was not the traditional size perfume sample, this baby is the size of a traditional rollerball perfume that you would purchase at any Ulta, Sephora, or anywhere for around $19.00!! I received the same scent in another box recently and loved the smell, but think I remember that the fragrance did not last very long but the scent is amazing nonetheless!! Full size of this is $75.00

Next, was a pen eyeliner from the company " Be a Bombshell" : 

 I LOVE eyeliner pens/marker type devices like this because they take the guesswork out of application and are sooooooooo easy for someone like me who is "wing tipped eyeliner challenged" Now the item that we got said that it was only .1oz and that a full size was .11oz, but this pen fits into my entire palm so I am unsure if that was a typo or what, but full size retails at $14.00.

And last but not least is the item I was most.... amazed maybe is the word at receiving. This is an eyelash curler by the company Elite Makeup: 

 Now this curler came with like three extra pads so that you can change them out when they get old so that's convenient, but again, not the amazing part. The amazing part is that this eyelash curler retails for $30.50!! I am really happy that I got it in this box because I would have never purchased it on my own lol!!!

So that is my box for this month, see my full video unboxing here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZY-MGX1tlg   and thanks for reading!!

Boscia Luminizing Black Mask Review

So...... This happened

 And I thought that I'd tell you about it. So I received this mask sample in one of my beauty boxes and wanted to try it out this past weekend. 

 The mask application directions state, that you are to apply it to a dry face ( avoiding eyebrows and facial hair in general ) and allow it to harden for 30 minutes. 

After doing this, I began to peel the mask off and ..... WOW.... Or should I say OWW!!! See video of mask application AND removal here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYCkBfmsRG0 

Although this mask DID seem to make my skin appear brighter and feel smoother, this is not something that I would purchase in full size simply because it HURTS to remove!!!!

Now I get that pain is beauty but... Removing this mask from my face was equivalent to applying a Biore' pore strip or Bandaid across my entire face and SLOWLY peeling it off. Not fun. I will stick to my non-epidermis stripping masks from this point on. Thanks for reading!!

My first Blush Mystery Beauty Box!!

So, a few weeks ago, I posed the question on one of my video's or maybe even on my Facebook page, ( I can't remember which to be honest) asking what beauty box would you all recommend. Someone who watched that video told me about the Blush Mystery Beauty Box, and gave such a stunning review of it, I HAD to give it a try and I was NOT DISAPPOINTED!

 All of the items came wrapped in this stamped tissue paper and the first thing that I noticed after removing the actual bag out was that there were SAMPLES in the bottom of the box!! WTF?! 

 These little gems were actually JUST samples and not what other boxes will include in the actual box that you are paying for as the samples of the box. Included in the samples was an oil serum for wrinkles and crows feet, a Laura Geller Spackle sample , and finally a very substantial sample of a Blush cream eye shadow in the shade "azure".

After the initial shock of actually receiving the samples for free,I dove into the actual items in the box. First up was a full size nail polish by the company" LVX" 

The shade, I was not too crazy about because it does not look well with my skin shade, however this particular brand of nail polish is 5 FREE (not 3)  and was described as chip resistant and animal cruelty free which is important. 

Next we have: 

 Amlactin, which is a foot cream used to slough off rough patches on your feet and moisturize. Now I would have considered this product ideal for the spring and summer months because that is sandal season, and most women ,if anything like me, are paying special attention to their feet in the warmer months. Pedicures in the summer are a weekly if not a biweekly ritual,  but as we enter the fall months, this product has reminded me of how important it is to take care of your feet with pedicures ALL year around and not just the spring/summer months. Fuzzy socks and nighttime moisture weekly pedicure routine, here I come!

Next:  

 Now when I saw the heading on this tube I was like " ummm no thanks!", just because it said "Ultra Peel" I thought it may be something that may be too harsh for my face. However, after reading the description, I saw that it is actually a dark spot treatment cream.   I have been looking for a dark spot treatment cream,  so I am hoping that this one is some hidden gem that works miracles. 

Next was an item that I received in another beauty box but just in a different shade: 

 This fuchsia shade is very bright and does "Pop" lol, but not quite what I had in mind for the coming Fall season. However, some of you know how I am about my lip products so I will TAKE IT!! LOL!!

Next was a dry shampoo by the brand Alterna

 Now the package says ANTI-AGING, but I don't know what that means in conjunction with the fact that this is a dry shampoo. Is there such a thing as anti aging dry or wet shampoo and what exactly does it do?? In ANY case, this item is also free of parabens and cruelty free which again, is amazing!! As I stated in my unboxing video,{ or at least I MEANT to state it this way :o) } I do use dry shampoo as a refresher and to add a "different" texture to my hair when it needs it and I don't have time to wash it. 

When I pulled this next item out of the box it was as if the heavens opened up and poured out a song of unparalleled ..... Ok maybe I am exaggerating but it was AWESOME!! Anastasia clear brow gel!! I am just over the moon that an Anastasia product was included in a BEAUTY BOX!! As someone who owns a few Anastasia products, I know that this is a very expensive line but also one of quality that is well worth it. Sooo excited!!!!

And Finally, this is an anti aging skincare system that was included in its entirety from the brand Racinne.

 What was so amazing to me was that this kit included a serum, two creams, ( one for your decolletage, and one for your face ) and a mask. Now these items were not in full size, but each item in this 4 piece kit was a deluxe sample and suitable for multiple applications.

My overall opinion of this box is that it is AMAZING!! I am so excited to have gotten the information to sign up for their monthly subscription. Now this subscription service is a bit pricey as their monthy subscription service is $24.95 but I totally think that it is worth it! When I went on to order this box, I searched for coupon codes and found one to give you $5.00 off of your first box when you sign up for a monthly subscription. I will link below the link to the actual box, the coupon code, and my video unboxing!! Thanks for reading and happy shopping!!!

Link to Unboxing Video!!! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulPvgAAKYZM

Link to Blush  September  Beauty Box: http://www.blush.com/product_September+2013_53565.htm

Coupon Code for $5.00 off your first box: BFBL5

Julep Bare Face Cleansing Oil

So, in my Julep Maven box last month, (August 2013) I received the  Bare Face Cleansing Oil:

 This oil is described as a "..conditioning formula [that] reaches deep into pores to dissolve makeup, dirt, and other skin impurities, then rinsed clean with no oily residue. " 

To this, I thought "yea right" because I had never used a cleansing oil and just ASSUMED it would leave a horrible, oily, residue that would be impossible to get off.  But thankfully, someone on YouTube that watched my unboxing, told me to try it out because I may be pleasantly suprised.... And so I did. 

 The bottle came with a really handy pump and the directions say to, " Pump a liberal amount into dry hands and massage over dry face. Rinse thoroughly with warm water." And so again... I did. 

Massaging the oil into my face without a doubt obviously felt moisturizing to my skin. The oil seemed to break down the makeup as I massaged and then when I rinsed, the oil, when mixed with water looked almost like milk but was non oily, and left NO residue! WHA?!!??!

After rinsing and parting my face dry, my skin felt clean, mositurised, and very, very, soft. I have to give this product a thumbs up and will be purchasing after this bottle is gone!! Thanks for reading!

Julep Video Unboxing August 2013: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNMY8FhStJE

Link to purchase from Julep: http://www.julep.com/shop/collections/september-cityscape-collection/bare-face-cleansing-oil.html

Ipsy September 2013 Unbagging!!!

So my Ipsy bag  arrived earlier this week and I ,as always, was very happy with my items. Let us first start with the actual bag that we got:

 This bag is really simple, but with a lot of detail and in dark colors that are just PERFECT for Fall!! The main thing, is that the bag does not feel cheap or seem as if it is not  going to hold up to being in my purse and jostled around day to day full of products!

Next we have my most favorite product in the bag, this "Cailyn tinted lip balm" in the shade Big Apple.

 When I first pulled it out of the bag, I thought, "ok another lip balm, that's cool"  but then I swatched it: 

 Not only is this lip balm highly pigmented, it seems to be MATTE as well!! I am IN LOVE!

Next, we have this nail polish from Butter London in a sample size: 

 This color is a dead ringer for my other favorite by OPI "Mrs. O'leary's BBQ". But this is Butter London's "La Moss" and is the perfect "oxblood" color for Fall!! 

Next is a full size NYX eye shadow in the color "Cryptonite" 

 This shade is BEAUTIFUL! It is gray, but what the camera doesn't pick up too well, are  the flecks of blue shimmer that give the color some depth. I don't own anything like this so I am soooooooooooo excited!

The next two items are staple products in anyone's makeup collection. This Starlooks eye  pencil is very soft and PERFECT for your water line. I can only hope it is not transferable once it sets. ( crossing my fingers )

And last but not least is this mascara by the brand: "It's So Big": 

 

This is advertised as a volumizing mascara, and I cannot wait to try it out! Thanks for reading! Video unboxing video link here: http://youtu.be/4fAJEnit6VM

Birchbox September 2013 Unboxing Review!

So I received my Birchbox today, and the very first item I pulled out I was sooo excited about because 1. I have never owed a lip gloss from this brand before, and 2. I am a lip JUNKIE!! It was this Benefit Sugarbomb Lip gloss:

 This lip gloss is sheer while adding just the right amount of color,and after applying it, I must say it goes on super smooth and smells like candy!! #SUPERSCORE!

Next, I have this nail polish by the brand 'Ruffian" :

 This is a very beautiful light green color that I think has some hints of yellow as an undertone. I would think of this as more of a spring color than something I would think of wearing in the Fall season, however I think it would be perfect for an accent nail!

Next we have this little hand cream that is marketed as a " gardeners hand healer" but actually named Baume Du Jardiner, pour les mains ( for the hands)

  This hand lotion is VERY thick and creamy and smells fresh and faintly of lime. The combination is very pleasant and seems to linger after the lotion is absorbed. 

Next we have the " baobab oil moisturizing Hair & Body Shampoo."

 This is advertised as a hair and body shampoo, but the two in one items that I have seen I have never been brave enough to use for both things they are supposedly made for. Call me old fashioned, but I think its weird to wash your body with the same thing that you are washing your hair with. The one thing that I noticed about this product is that it smelled faintly of oil and also contains a couple of different oils in the ingredients. Knowing this, I would think that as a shampoo it MAY not be the best thing to use HOWEVER, as a body wash, it seems brilliant!!! The oils in the wash are sure to hydrate your skin and I for one, am super excited to try it!

And finally, this perfume sample was the last item in the box it is by BCBG:

 This perfume smelled AMAZING!! It was fruity, and feminine with just the right amount of sophistication. Your MUST smell it for yourself, BUT the one thing that I did notice is that a few hours after wearing it, the scent totally wore off and I sprayed quite a bit on myself initially because I fell in love with the scent instantly. This is the only thing that would put me off of purchasing the full size product.

Overall, this was one amazing box, I absolutely LOVE the lipgloss and the hand cream is going directly into my makeup bag!! Thanks for reading and be sure to check out my YouTube channel for the full video unboxing!! Link to video unboxing here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6DRdu08KeA

Little Black Bag Unboxing September 2013!

So, I was looking on the Little Black Bag website and realized that they carry more things than purses and shoes. They also have a BEAUTY SECTION!! This should not have surprised me because I received the Michael Todd Pumpkin Facial mask from them, but the two things ( receiving a beauty/skincare product & them offering beauty products as "boxes" ) just never clicked in my head.

So this month, instead of a purse, I decided to get something from the beauty portion of the website. The first item that I got is from the brand INCOCO.

 These are the "real nail polish" strips claiming to contain a base coat, color coat, and a top coat all in one. Here is a closeup of the color I picked called "Ruby Shoes Tips" 

 I think this color is beautiful and will look great for Fall! I love the color Red and the sparkles put me in a festive kind of mood. 

The next thing that was picked for me, was another set of the nail appliques in the color " Disco Queen Tips".

 These looked on sight to be a kind of zebra print, but a closeup of these, really shows how beautiful they are: 

Now I should mention, that these appliques are just TIPS and not for the entire nail which I love because this print all over the nail in either shade may be a bit much but this is perfect for a tip, or even as an accent nail.

The final item in my box this month was a head scarf by the company RAJ: 

 As soon as I saw this scarf, I thought of how I wanted to style it for fall. My first thought was to wear this with maybe a white button down shirt, dark wash jeans, and brown riding boots! Soo excited to wear BOOTS this season!! But I digress. 

So these are all of the items that I received in this month's box! My video unboxing will be linked below. Thanks for reading!!  YouTube Unboxing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d45a6Q_ByLI  

Concealer issues!

So, I have been using the Mac studio finish concealer for YEARS

and am finding that it is beginning to crease under my eyes! ( I refuse to admit it MAY just be that I am getting older and those lines more pronounced :o(   ) 

So I decided to try the YSL anti-cernes concealer which is marketed as one that does not crease under your eyes. 

 And in the battle of the concealers:

 My conclusion is this, the Mac concealer conceals a MULTITUDE of sins and imperfections but no matter how I apply it, it tends to crease on me. The YSL on the other  hand does NOT crease at ALL but the coverage is not that great. So the quest continues to find just the perfect concealer for my skin. TO INFINITY AND BEYYYYYYYOOOOOONNNNNNNDDDDD! :o)

Favorite Fall Nail Colors!

So I was going through my nail polish collection this weekend and started to look at some of the colors I wanted to incorporate into the oncoming Fall season and here are my picks:

 The first color is by Dior, and its called "Sienna" 

 This is a lighter color that is on trend for this fall season in its light, but muted tones. I just saw a commercial that Topshop has a coat in this exact color that they are releasing for the fall season. This muted shade is what makes it work for Fall; its light, but not BRIGHT. (Hey, thats a little rhyme.... Ok, moving on) 

The next shade is by Julep, and I had this color on my nails earlier this week and LOVED IT. This is the shade, "Martha" 

 This shade also is keeping in line with the Dior polish in that it is a light color that is muted. This color is  fun, feminine, and a VERY opaque shade of muted pink. Unlike its sister "hot pink" this pink is more reserved and perfect for brightening up your hands as we approach Autumn. 

The next shade is probably one of the funnest shades I own that for me is strictly reserved for Fall, it is "T.V Party" by Nars: 

 This color is from Nars Andy Warhol collection and while I'm none too sure of its availability at Sephora any longer, there HAS to be somewhere else that sells this. This color is a true orange and I love wearing it with a brown glittery accent nail to punch up a true fall look. 

Next we have Illamasqua nail varnish in, "Rampage" : 

 A true green color that looks beautiful and rich on your nails. Perfect for Fall!

Next we have Essie's "Blue Rhapsody" : 

 This color reminds me if an Ice princess because it is such a cool tone with a light reflecting quality without shimmer. Perfect for snowy days, it makes your fingers look as if they have been dipped in ice.

Moving on, we have one of my favorite blue shades, Opi's "Swimsuit... Nailed it!" : 

 This shimmery blue, dresses up your nails, and is just deep and rich enough of a color to take you from fall right into the winter and holiday season. There is a tiny bit of glitter but the pieces are so small, it just looks like little light reflectors on your nails and is NOT difficult to remove at all. 

Now lets get into the red shades!!

First we have my personal fave: 

"Mrs Oleary's Bbq" This color was very much on trend last season because it is a true "oxblood" color. However I loved it well before it became popular, and will love it long after. Its a deep red, with slight berry undertones. Looks BEAUTIFUL on all skintones. 

Next we have 

 "Paloma" by Zoya. This is more of a true berry shade with less notes of a deep red than the OPI polish but is perfect if you want a lighter berry shade for fall. 

My last red shade is 

 " Hot, Hot, Heat" by Sinful Colors. This is a true candy apple red. I usually reserve this shade for the holidays. My family and I celebrate Christmas and this shade is perfect  for any holiday parties or functions! Its festive and cheery and always makes me happy when I wear it because to me it spells HOLIDAYS!!

And last but not least is a color that I recently received in my Julep subscription: 

 This is, "Padma" a beautiful purple shade that I currently have on my nails and am in love with. It is the perfect transition color into fall, not too berry, not too holiday, just too beautiful. Thanks for reading!

Full Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1LFMdEWNyE