Ipsy April 2014

Ipsy April 2014

Ipsy survived the monsoon and my mailman was able to deliver it without needing to canoe through the streets. I was really, really looking forward to this month after seeing my updated Glam Room!

The bag itself

This bag is a lot bigger than normal! It is taller, which is nice if I want to carry around long brushes. They will fit diagonally in this without getting the bristles smushed. 

Demeter Jasmine Roll On Perfume Oil

I've really been getting into indie perfumes lately, and was not as bummed as I normally would be to see this in my bag. Demeter roll ons are not that potent, and don't last that long, so wearing this isn't an all day commitment. This smells like jasmine, which is warm and floral, and faintly tropical. It is perfect for warm summer nights! The single note can also be used to layer with other fragrances, to create something new.  

Old bottle, left.  New bottle, right.

I got a different roll-on from Demeter in a previous Ipsy bag, and the bottles have changed! They both are 0.29 fl.oz., but the new round bottle looks a lot bigger. 

Blurry, sorry :( 

I guess it makes you think you are getting more product for your money?

$10 for 0.29 fl.oz. 

Midnight Fountain polish by Rainbow Honey

This nailpolish by rainbow honey is one of the items I was really looking forward to! I have lusted over their polishes for so long! They have amazing glitter combos, like this one, midnight fountain.

Glitters! So many glitters!

This is a bright blue jelly packed with glitter! There are large iridescent and dark blue hexagons, medium iridescent squares, small iridescent hexagons, and lots of shimmers! 

2 coats of Midnight Fountain

It is pretty grainy on, and will need a thick layer of top coat if uneven nail surfaces bother you. 

This polish is exactly what I hoped it would be! It dried fast and takes all the work out of putting together a perfect jelly sandwich. 

Rainbow Honey polishes are 15 mL for $10, making the 5 mL sample worth $3.33.

I've gotten this same product in Birchbox before. I actually really like it! It is a scrub with very fine particles, that noticeably exfoliate your face. It is too harsh to use every day, but I have been doing it once a week and am happy with the results... as long as I scrub gently. Plus, it smells like lemons!

Full size is $78 for 2 oz., making the 0.25 oz sample worth $9.75

Mary Kay At Play Jelly Gloss in Berry Me

Mary Kay At Play jelly gloss in Berry Me isn't something I would have picked for myself, and all I can see when I look at the logo is AOL! Didn't they have the @ sign with a triangle?

I tried to spread it into a heart shape... somewhat successfully? It was too sticky to really have any kind of precision.

After this swatch, I was really afraid the gloss would be super sticky on my lips, because it was super sticky on my hand. It was.  This is like trying to spread half-melted taffy around!

Rainy days suck.  Rainy day hair sucks. This lipgloss also kinda sucks.

It is nice and sheer, and also unflavored and unscented. It goes on wicked sticky, and isn't slick, so it lasts longer than slippery glosses do.  I am a fan of the color, and how long it lasts, but I am not a fan of the texture.

9.5 mL sells for $10

Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil

Here it is! The reason I was the most excited for this month's Ipsy! A brand new UD 24/7 liner in black velvet. This was touted as a super intense matte black. 

Black Velvet, if you please!

If you like ultra black eyeliners, this is for you! I compared it to all my other black 24/7 liners as seen below:

What? You don't have 5 slightly different black eyeliners from the same brand?
Don't judge me.

Perversion, the top line, was my deepest matte black up until now. Check out black velvet! It is black like my soul! This is the inkiest epitome of black I have ever seen in an eyeliner. It is UNREAL. 

It has a slightly different texture than my other 24/7 liners, though.  It is a little harder and not as smooth during application as the other blacks in my collection.  The difference isn't anything drastic, but I use these eyeliners every day (I don't ever wear any other liners BUT 24/7!), so it was something I picked up on.  If you aren't as obsessed with this product as I am, you probably won't tell.

This is travel-sized, 0.03 oz, and the full-size (0.04 oz) is $20, making the sample worth $15.

April 2014 Ipsy

Total value: $58.08

All together, I think this was a great month of Ipsy. The UD and Rainbow Honey, plus a spare of the microdermabrasion scrub? Awesome. The perfume was better than expected and overall I am happy. I'll ignore the gloss.  For only $10, I got a great deal this month!

$10 per month will get you 5-6 samples from Ipsy, and they are usually full or deluxe sample sizes.  You fill out a profile and Ipsy tries their best to match you with the products that you would like the best.  It's hit or miss, but the value of the bag is always way higher than the price you pay!

If you want to try it out, please use my signup link here.  I'll get some bonus Ipsy points for each referral.

No special consideration or compensation was received for this post and all thoughts and opinions are my own. All items mentioned within were paid for by me. This post contains a referral link.

Birchbox April 2014

Birchbox April 2014

Birchbox's theme this month was "Rainy Days", and it took extra long to get to me! I normally have my box before the site updates, so it is usually a surprise.  Not this month! I got my box later than usual, so I knew what to expect.

First Look

So, I'm having camera issues with my iPhone :( Sorry!

My idea card was to "try new things like contouring or curling your hair".
I do both of those already, try again.

Shea Terra Organics Rose Hips Black Soap Deep Pore Facial Cleanser

Shea Terra Organics Rose Hips Black Soap

This soap is supposed to fight blemishes and signs of aging.  You apply it, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse it off.  I have used it twice so far, and it makes my skin feel very, very clean.  Squeaky clean! But, not tight or dry.  I find that really unusual; most of the extra-clean-feeling soaps leave me tight and dry, but this one leaves my skin soft and smooth.  I like it!  Plus, black soap is different from the soaps we are all familiar with. It is the ash of various plants (cocoa pods, etc) mixed with Shea butter and left to saponify in the sun. There aren't any unnatural ingredients in this.

Full size is $16 for 4 fl.oz., the 1 fl.oz. sample is worth $4.

Fekkai Technician Color Care Shampoo

Fekkai Color Care Shampoo

I have not tried this.  I probably won't.  Why? Because it is sulfate-based.  I find it highly discouraging that a shampoo designed for colored hair would contain SLS!  Yeah, yeah, it smells great and leaves your hair soft (according to the reviews)... but seriously?  Sulfates? I don't care how lathery my shampoo gets, I don't want to strip all the oils and color!  Fekkai Fail.


$20 for 8 fl.oz., making the 2 fl.oz. sample worth $5.

Color Club Gala's Gem Collection in Gold Struck

Color Club in Gold Struck

This is a very light pink, with a gold undertone.  It's not very gold in and of itself, so I don't know why they named this "gold struck." The finish is pearly and reflective, bordering on metallic.  I love the color and the idea of the finish... but it is a streaky, globby mess and I hate CC's formula to begin with.  This polish is just terrible!  I couldn't stand to wear it for more than a few hours.

Gross and streaky.  Even the top coat didn't help much.

$13 for the set of 4 colors from BB, making 1 polish (all minis, 0.25 fl.oz.) worth $3.25.

theBalm Cosmetics How 'Bout Them Apples? in Pie

How 'Bout Them Apples?

This is a new product from theBalm, and it is cream-based lip and cheek stain.  The full-sized kit comes with six colors, all with apple-themed names, in a palette.  

Oh, hello.

I got the color "pie" which is a bright pink, that blends out to a natural looking flush.  It's not that bad.  It is on the thinner, greasy side of things, but it isn't super drying like a lot of 2-in-1 products.  

Pie on my lips...
...and contouring. See, BB? I'm way ahead of you.

I like the convenience of this, and the little magnetic case it came in, so it will be good to keep in my purse for touch-ups.  Not my favorite product, but it doesn't suck either.

Pie on my cheeks, too!
I'm wearing the Porridge Duck-backed t-shirt from March Golden Tote :)

The full size looks to be $32 for 20g (3 1/3 g per color), and the sample is not labelled with a mass.  Judging from the size of the pans in the full palette, and the size of the sample, I would estimate 1g of product in the version BB sent, making it worth $1.60.

Kind Healthy Grain Bar in Maple Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt

Kind bar

Oh, Birchbox.  I would so much rather get a foil-packet-product than receive another granola/power/meal replacement bar.  Kind is a good brand, and I will definitely eat this for breakfast at some point this week, but I don't subscribe to BB to try food. This is something I would normally pick up at the supermarket to try.  What I like about BB is that they send new products from familiar brands, or small versions of expensive products that I normally wouldn't buy.  This is not in line with their usual standard, and I get disappointed every time it happens.

This is worth about $0.79

Birchbox April 2014
All Together

Total Value $14.64.  After reviews, I got another $5 worth of point to spend in the BB shop.  This isn't a very high value overall, but it is still worth more than the $10 I paid for it.  I will eat the Kind bar, and I will use up the face soap.  The theBalm product is ok, and I will keep it around.  That's about it.

This was just a mediocre month for me.  I've had worse, but there wasn't anything amazing in this batch of samples.


If you want to try out Birchbox, please use my link here.  It costs $10 per month and your samples are personalized based on a quiz you fill out when you sign up.  You will get 4-6 deluxe, and sometimes full-sized, items from skincare to hair products to makeup.  Each item you receive, you can review for 10 BB points.  Every 100 points gets you $10 to spend in the online BB shop! You also get 50 points for each referral.

No special consideration or compensation was received for this post and all thoughts and opinions are my own. All items mentioned within were paid for by me.

Julep April 2014 Classic with a Twist Review

Julep April 2014 Review

I had some Jules saved up, so I decided that I wanted this month's featured product enough to spend them on a box!  I liked the polish colors in the Classic with a Twist box the most, so I chose that option.  Julep also gave you a choice of two blush and two bronzer colors.  I went with the lightest blush, called Peach Bellini.

The Vivid Collection
Julep April 2014

First look!  Julep included 2 hard candies as an extra this month, and they were gone within 10 minutes.  Non-chocolate candy doesn't last long around me!

Caitlin, pink, and Mariska, orange

As you can see from the bottles, Caitlin is a bright hibiscus pink with golden microshimmer, and Mariska is a tangerine with a more subtle shimmer.

Caitlin and Mariska

These will make great pedi polishes this summer! Nice and bright for the beach :)  Now, if only the weather would get the notice...

Caitlin with Mariska accent- 2 coats, no topcoat

These went on really well, and dried to a rubbery finish.  Mariska looks more rubbery than Caitlin, which has more apparent shimmer to add some dimension.  They dried fast, and needed two coats for evenness.  There is still some visible nail line under Caitlin, but it didn't bother me enough to do a third coat.

Caitlin and Mariska, 2 coats with Julep Freedom Polymer Top Coat

With top coat, these polishes really come alive! I love them!  The above picture was taken on day 2... some tip wear and apparently my cuticles are really awful at the moment.  Sorry.

Glow Blush

The blush is the reason I got this box.  I have to say, the hard plastic packaging with included mirror is a HUGE improvement over the packaging that the eyeshadow palette came in a few months ago!  That cardboard isn't holding up well to my abuse.  This, however, is sleek and stylish and is way classier!

Glow Blush in Peach Bellini

The plastic protector layer is a nice touch, and the blush is gorgeous.  It is very shimmery, though, so beware!

Peach Bellini swatched once over bare skin

This is a really light color, but the pigmentation is good.  It is hard to apply too much with a color this light, but it looked very natural on my super-pale skin.  It is a very soft, smoothly applying powder.  I really like it, and am very glad that I opted in this month.

Peach Bellini on my stupid face in the stairwell at work

Julep Classic with a Twist, April

Overall, I'm definitely satisfied with this box!  The nail polishes are fabulous as always, and Julep has seriously stepped up their makeup game with the blush packaging.  It was the great quality I expected, but the compact added a nice touch.

Julep costs $19.99 a month, and you can sign up with my link here.  Use code FREEBOX to get your first month for free, just pay shipping!  Cancel at any time by calling Julep.  You can skip once every few months now, which is unfortunate.  The people who signed up prior to December 2013 can skip any and all months. You do build up points every month you take, and can redeem them on boxes in the future, which is what I did for this one.  You also get discounted pricing on regular items in Julep's online store.  Julep allows you to pick which box style you receive each month, which is nice.  You always know what you are getting!  Selection windows are from the 20th-24th of each month.

No special consideration or compensation was received for this post and all thoughts and opinions are my own. All items mentioned within were paid for by me. This post contains a referral link; I will get 1000 Jules for each signup through my link (1/2 of a Maven box).

Golden Tote March 2014

Golden Tote, March 2014

Well, that's it.  I'm going on a diet!

I was so excited to get my $149 March Golden Tote! I had picked out some cute items and was looking forward to my surprises.

The tote itself

We will start with the surprise items.

Priddy by Puella Gray and White Striped Dress

Priddy by Puella gray and white striped dress- back view

I love this dress! It is exactly something that I would have picked out for myself!  

Priddy striped dress, back

Between the crossed back, the above-the-knee length, and the gray and white striped pattern, it is just about my perfect dress!  

Priddy striped dress, front

It's a little on the snug side, though :(  That's ok... at this rate, I'll have another month of snow before I can even wear this, so there is time to shed my winter pounds.

Porridge duck-backed T-shirt

Porridge tee... with DUCKS

This was one of the spoiled surprise items this month, and I am in love! 

Porridge tee, front

I was really hoping to get the duck print, I think it is so fun.  There were a few other patterns sent out this month, and they are all adorable!  

Porridge tee, back
Do you know one of the collective nouns for ducks is a PLUMP?  I have a plump of ducks on this shirt.

Plus, this is probably THE MOST comfy t-shirt I have ever owned.  It's amazingly soft and drapey.

Noble Sweater in driftwood

Noble sweater

I'm making up that color, but it's a pale purple-toned taupe.  It is a nice stretchy one-size-fits-most ribbon knit sweater.  

Noble sweater, front

It's cute!  I will get a lot of use out of this, as I really like open-knit patterns.  The seaming is a little weird, and I wish there were either zero or two pockets, but it is totally wearable.  

Noble sweater, back

I like that it is on the bigger side, and that is is super stretchy.  We all have bloated days, right?

Under Skies Lace-print shell

Under Skies lace-print shell

I actually wore this today and liked it more than I thought I would.  It looks so much better under a cardigan!  

Kinda boring like this
Under Skies lace print top

The print is subtle, and the material is silky soft.  It drapes nicely, but tends to get a little static-y.  

Big girl clothes!
Needs a sweater
Under Skies lace print top

I'll get some use out of it, especially if I end up going to a week-long conference this June, which I just registered for.  I need some big-girl, non-grad-student clothes!  I'm getting there, and Golden Tote is helping.

Here we go with the two items I chose.

Black and White Plaid shirt by Thread and Supply (Not-so-basic button-up)

Thread and Supply plaid button-up

I was hoping this would be flannel, but it is just a really soft cotton.  It's pretty sturdy, but still totally comfortable.  It is also a tiny snug and I can't button it all the way because of button gaps!  

I keep trying new poses and they are all awkward, then they end with me with my hand on my hip like always.
Not so basic button up in black and white

I wore a cami under it to work yesterday and it was ok, but I'm going to have to be vigilant about not putting it in the dryer!  

Thread and Supply button up

Normally everything I order from GT fits me perfectly, so I was a little sad about this shirt.  I didn't change my size preferences, either.  I guess this shirt just runs small!  Another reason to stop eating pizza and take-out.  (But it's so convenient and delicious!)

Elephant Dress by Porridge

Elephant dress by Porridte

I'm a little embarrassed I'm actually putting these pictures online!  It was quite the ordeal to zip me into this, and I couldn't wear a bra, and I'm pretty sure that this is obscene.  

...but it has POCKETS!

So, in short, this dress is way too small! I ordered the size I normally wear in dresses, but I definitely should have sized up.  I'm going to sell or trade this.  I don't even think losing a few pounds would work :(

Elephants!

This really bums me out.  This elephant dress is the reason I got the tote in the first place!  Ugh.

All together

Anyway, it was a decent tote style-wise, even with the size mishaps.  I picked two items and received 4 more in my $149 tote.  They also offer a smaller tote every month for $49, where you get to choose 1 item and receive 1-2 more.  The new sale is usually up the first week of the month, and I usually get my tote 3.5 weeks after ordering.  This is not a recurring subscription.



This is what is behind me in all those pictures, by the way!

I didn't know orchids dropped their flowers! I was so sad this fall! But now it is re-blooming :)

No special consideration or compensation was received for this post and all thoughts and opinions are my own. All items mentioned within were paid for by me.