Wednesday, July 15, 2015

♥ July Ipsy Unboxing + June Review ♥

          ♥ July Ipsy Unboxing + June Review ♥



Ipsy is a monthly subscription box for makeup products.
I was not given this box. All opinions are my own. Based off my preferences! :D
Cost: $10 per month
They ship to the U.S., and Canada

There is a wide variety of options for Ipsy bags. You take a quiz when you first sign up (this can be retaken as many times as you like). This effects what is in your bag each month. Each time you get a bag you have the option of reviewing the items you received. I've found that this is the best way to effect what you get in your bag each month. The more reviews you complete the more likely you are to like your bags. 



I love this Summer beach bag for July! I'm not sure how much I associate these products with Summer though. The eye-shadow was in bubble wrap, the lip product in a box, and the tweezers in plastic sleeve.




This dry shampoo is supposed to remove excess oil AND odor (my hair has never smelled…..has it??? Ew) Revives and adds volume.
Claims:
-No white residue
-aluminium free
-rich in vit C and omegas
-refreshing scent

I like the little pink can way better than their usual Arizona orange/yellow desert design. I gave this a try because I'm on second day hair today. The smell is strong sweet floral if you are okay with that I almost wouldn't wear a perfume with this. My husband noticed the scent right away. 

It does spray white but massaged in well without a cast or residue left over. I didn't notice it did much for the oil in my hair though. I have extremely oily hair though so and dry shampoos have never helped me with oil. This would be a "halfway through day one" dry shampoo.. to help me out at all! Again... it isn't any worse than ANY other dry shampoo I've ever tried though. 



100% natural and USDA Certified Organic
100% Cruelty Free
Hydrate and smooth lips.  Regenerating and restructuring properties. UV protection. Mongongo oil is rich in magnesium, zinc, cooper, calcium, and anti-oxidants. Nothing artificial. Also has rosemary extract, vitamin E from non-GMO sunflowers.
Available in two sizes .15 and .25
In the 0.15oz size the available flavors are blackberry, orange, and vanilla coconut.
In the 0.25oz only orange and vanilla coconut are available.

Holy crap. When I saw this item in my sneak peek.. I was disappointed. I like lip balms but I buy them myself. I couldn't imagine getting one that changed my life. This is now my holy grail lip balm. I do not typically like anything coconut scented or flavored. I like coconut okay but it isn't something I like to smell particularly. This smells. like. heaven. It smells like a coconut cupcake.. vanilla and toast coconut. I can't stop smelling it! 

So, I'm NOT into scented lip products either. I like when they smell okay but if the scent lingers it makes me sick. For example, my favorite lip products are the lippie stix by Colourpop but... I have been wearing them less and less because the vanilla scent lingers and I can smell it on my lips and it makes me feel SICK after awhile. 

This is not the case for this lip balm. It smells amazing in the tube but once on my lips I can't smell it. Plus, taking into account all the natural components of this, it's awesome!



Stainless steel professional tweezers. Tips are hand-filed at a 45 degree angle. Calculated tension and perfectly aligned.

I'm sure I didn't need a second pair of tweezers lol unlike brushes the pair I had were serving their purpose. But.. I think I'll pass my pair onto my husband and keep these sleek black ones! (Pink versions were also sent out). Who pays $17.49 for tweezers? Unless they have some pain killers in them I can't imagine ever paying that much.




Below is in the sunlight



Below is in the shade


12 quads to chose from, optimal for highlighting, contouring, and defining the eyes.
Long lasting wear without creasing or fading.
Vibrant and richly pigmented formula.
Smoothly applies and blends with minimal fallout.

Okay, here me out. There were two versions sent out from this company. I'm glad I got this version. I'm not a big eye-shadow fan. I have a few palettes that have a trillion neutrals that I love. However, after swatching these I was reminded of something. Coffeebreakwithdani's metamorphosis quad with Colourpop. Yeah! I mean they just AREN'T as pigmented and in the container they don't look the same. Only after swatching did I notice a similarity. Even then.. they aren't dupes. Just the shade and undertones are similar. 

So, below is the colors again in the shade
 Here is the metamorphosis quad -
Top Row (L to R) Kindness and Bravery
Bottom Row (Left to R) Strength and Hope

So.. since mine don't have names.. I'll just refer to their position on my hand. I believe that the far left is the most like Hope (the white shade), then Strength (the warm light brown), Bravery (the dark brown), and on the far right of my hand looks like Kindness. 

If you look at these swatches of these colors though... they are all MUCH more pigmented and/or darker. I think the quad though is as close to metamorphosis as I'll get! My swatches weren't very pigmented and looked like it might lean toward fall out and be patchy. I'll let you know next month though how these work out! 








 Claims:
"This long-lasting lipstick combines the power of highly-pigmented coverage and a unique satin, matte finish. The lipstick’s smooth, ultra creamy texture and added coconut oil extract nourishes and hydrates the lips, with color that lasts for up to 8 hours."

A lipstick! yay. Finally. Ha ha. This is a super bright coral color on me. I'm sure a lot of people weren't happy to get this color in their bags. It is a super bright neon coral color. I'm not sure if it sat in the sunlight for a long time but putting it on was a chore. It was EXTREMELY soft and warm. So, it might do better after cooled down some. I'll let you know next month in my review. Otherwise I love the color, it has a citrus smell (weird.. but I like it).

Total spent for the bag: $10
Total bag is worth: $51.48
Total saved: $41.48

APRIL REVIEW


1. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
This smashbox primer worked great. I like the velvety feel it gave after it set. It kept my eye-shadows on really well without creasing. I don't wear foundation a lot or eye-shadow so I still have some of this.


2. Formula X Nail Polish "Power Source"
I was disappointed in this formulax nail polish. I've heard such amazing things about them but the lauren b polishes I get in boxycharm are WAY better formula. I do like the color though and I didn't have anything like it. There was also virtually NO smell which is a welcome change.



I loooooove this vit c serum! I love the orangey smell of it and using it. However, I did have some breakouts.. I'm not sure if it was from this though or just stress. I've stopped using it for now so we'll see. I don't think it is from this though. I could be this HOTT weather we are having right now. Oiliness + sweating. Ugh.



I've only used this a couple times (too pink for every day) but it is a really lovely color! I'm glad to have it in my collection. Coupled with the smashbox primer they didn't crease or anything. No fall out.



5. BioRepublic Skincare Face Masks
FAVORITE item in last months bag were these face masks. I've used all three and I can't decide which is my favorite. I'm obsessed with face masks though, so that isn't a surprise.



Thank you so much for following along. 


Thursday, June 18, 2015

☼☼ June Boxycharm Unboxing + May Review☼☼



Boxycharm is a monthly beauty subscription box that sends 4-5 full-size beauty/makeup products.

I was not given this box. All opinions are my own. Based off my preferences! :D

Cost: $21 per month (FREE SHIPPING!)

My referral link

They only ship to 48 U.S. states. (They don't ship to Hawaii or Alaska yet.)



 Front of card

Back of card


 Front of coupon: Mali beads


Here is the coupon code: BOXYCHARM for $20 off









I'm excited about this! The directions say to apply to my face and let it dry. I love the green color, right? Cover my face with green slime... in order to be prettier. That sounds like me. This is supposed to tighten skin, diminish fine lines, and enhance blood circulation. That sounds good. lol. 





This is my first kabuki brush! I'm excited to finally have one even though this one is TINY! The brush is more dense than I thought it would be. There was some shedding though.... so not sure about that $29.99 price tag! 


 Out of the tube! GOLD!
 Out of the sun. Click (or select the photo) to see it closure.
 In the sun! So beautiful.


This is interesting! I love the packaging, I love that there is pineapple, green tea, and vitamin C! It says you can use it as a regular highlight under brow or on cheeks and inner corner of they eye. OR... mix it with your foundation for a subtle glow! Or even... in a lotion.

I've read a few places that this company is launching their own subscription box! How does that work? lol. I mean.. will it just be THEIR products? Hmm. 






This is from their nude line - color Volume IV - I didn't want to take off my coral nail polish (because I just put it on yesterday lol) so I just took off the ring fingers and added this nude shade. I LOVE this color. I love how nude colors look on my hands. This is ONE COAT. Such an amazing formula. Not streaky, Self leavening is nice. 







I'd like to start saying that a lot of people got a "Doucce Click Click Lipstick" rather than this in their boxes. My heart is shriveling up and dying every time LIPSTICK is an option and the cosmos aren't in alignment in time for me to get one. WHAT do I need to DO... in order to get the sticks for my LIPS?!  Plus.... it clickclicks.. to open? I might just buy myself one. Shame. 

Moving on.... this pinkie lavender shade is unusual and on any other day I'd be thrilled with it. I like cargo eyeshadows.

Total spent for the bag: $21
Total bag is worth: $117.99
Total saved: $96.99

MAY REVIEW


I like this bronze shimmer for my temples and what not (I don't use it on my cheeks) it leaves a nice glow on my pale-ish skin without looking dirty.


Perfection. I love this COLOR and formula. The Lip Bar has crazy shades though so I'm not sure how soon I'll be purchasing another of their lipsticks.


This is amazing! I tried the darkest shade first because my brows are BLLLACKKKKK. It was TOO dark though. I prefer the middle brown shade. I use the lightest shade as an eyeshadow! This is a VERY pigmented little trio. I have to use a REALLY light hand with it.


The spoolie on this brush is normal. Nothing FANTASTIC to say about it lol but I have a complaint about the brush end. It is SO stiff that sometimes I forget and try and run it through my brow BACKWARD.. and it huuuuuuuurts. OUCH. I've done it TWICE and it was painful. I still use it every day though. lol. 


I didn't have a color like this. I like the formula well enough. I'll always enjoy trying new colors of polish!

Thank you so much for following along.




Monday, June 15, 2015

♥ June Ipsy Unboxing + May Review ♥

  ♥ June Ipsy Unboxing + May Review ♥


(Can we ignore my unkempt lawn and just take in my beautiful doggie angel baby?)

Ipsy is a monthly subscription box for makeup products.
I was not given this box. All opinions are my own. Based off my preferences! :D
Cost: $10 per month
They ship to the U.S., and Canada

There is a wide variety of options for Ipsy bags. You take a quiz when you first sign up (this can be retaken as many times as you like). This effects what is in your bag each month. Each time you get a bag you have the option of reviewing the items you received. I've found that this is the best way to effect what you get in your bag each month. The more reviews you complete the more likely you are to like your bags. 








A lot of people got either this primer or a lipstick. I wish I got the lipstick... because I love them. If I had gotten the lipstick this would have been the HOLY GRAIL OF HEAVENLY bags. The PERFECT of all PERFECTION. I will use this primer and it is awesome QUALITY being a smashbox primer. Just not my favorite item. HUGE plus though... it smells like fruit. Ha ha. I can't stop smelling it. 

2. BioRepublic Skincare Face Masks $4.99 each (3 for $14.95)
- Aloe Rescue Revitalizing Fiber Mask (For Hydration)
- Cucumber Breeze Soothing Fiber Mask (Tightens pores, reduces fine lines, and soothes)
- Green Tea Detox Purifying Fiber Mask (Reduces appearance of blemishes, cleans, and provides anti-oxidants)



Holy smokes. Could I BE any happier?! I'm addicted to face masks. To get THREE different ones in one bag? OVER THE MOON. I would be happy with masks in every bag. lol. Not joking.

These are paraben free and dermatologist tested. All three have Vitamin E.





What? What.... kind of MIND reading is happening with this bag? I wanted a serum.. Ipsy provides. This one smells AMAZING (like oranges - vit C) but I've used it twice and I ADORE it. I wish a full size didn't cost an arm and a leg. I might repurchase though when i'm done. I was afraid it might break me out but so far it hasn't. 

"Lightweight serum. Keeps skin hydrated while reducing signs of aging. Hyaluronic Acid plumps and replenishes. Jojoba oil mimics skins natural oil for light moisture."






This is a hot coral 2 coat nail polish. I like the color (I can't wait to get less pinks/corals though.. BLUES AND GREENS!!! FTW!) The most remarkable part of this polish is that the fumes aren't that horrible. I usually get a headache after painting my nails because I'm sensitive to chemicals. This almost didn't have a scent at all though. It was magical! NO HEADACHE! I want more colors. I wasn't upset getting a mini size either because I've honestly never finished a polish. Ha ha.




TreStiQue... those big kidders. I've heard that I'm not the only one who pulled this product out and assumed the lid had come off during shipping. Upon closer inspection.. the LID looks like a pointed version of the product. Har har har. The actual product is rounded as you can see in the picture above. 

I love the pinkie nude shade I received. I really like these eye-shadow crayons too. So happy to have this little product too!


Total spent for the bag: $10
Total bag is worth: $47.61
Total saved: $37.61


APRIL REVIEW


I didn't like the purple lip gloss sample so I gave both to my cousin. I like the OZONE clear lip crayon though to outline my lips. It keeps my red lipsticks in CHECK! That being said I don't think it works any better than my drugstore versions so I won't be repurchasing.


This was a weird watery lotion that sprayed (which is fine..) but it weighed my hair down. I passed it along to my cousin.


I'm actually in love with It Cosmetics because of subscription boxes. I'm so glad I received this sample. I WILL be getting this again but probably in a shade lighter.


LOVE this pencil. The teal color is beautiful and unique.


When I used the first set I didn't realize I had them on BACKWARD. The small point is meant to be on the inside by your nose. I wore the second set the correct way (looked at the pics lol) and they were comfortable. I wish I had some more of these cooling little eye masks. So, I will most like repurchase them in the future.

Thank you so much for following along.