Ipsy June 2014

Ipsy June 2014

Continuing the back-log of June subscriptions, here is my Ipsy bag.

Rebecca Minkoff for Ipsy

I love the bag!  This is probably my favorite Ipsy bag to date, and I've been carrying it around ever since it arrived.  My one complaint is that the zipper is not on the top, but it's a minor detail.  The print makes up for it.

Carol's Daughter Sacred Tiare Styling Cream

I haven't tried this yet, and to be honest, I totally forgot about it.  Anti-breakage and anti-frizz sounds good though, I could use some of that (provided it is effective) on humid days like today.  If it works, I wouldn't be against picking up a tube of it, as it is relatively inexpensive for a hair product and you can find it at Target.

90 mL full size is $12, 15 mL sample worth $2

Realtree for her

Ugh, another perfume.  Great.  What happened to sending makeup, Ipsy?  This smells soft and powdery on me- like Love's Baby Soft, but without the nostalgia. It's pretty inoffensive, so I don't think I will have a problem wearing this to work.... if I remember it.  It's pretty boring.

$20 for 100 mL, making this (3 mL? it's about twice the normal size) sample worth $0.60

Nicka K Shimmer Eyeliner in Blue

This has a felt tip that is pretty flexible, so you can draw thinner or thicker lines depending on your mood.  The eyeliner itself is metallic and has a pretty thin consistency, with chunks of glitter in it.  You definitely need two coats of this, minimum, to really pack a punch.

Full size, $4.99

Shimmery

I was really excited to get another NYX Butter Gloss in this month's bag! I have a few already, and they are among my favorite lip glosses.

NYX Butter gloss in Eclair

This color is a little on the pale side for me, but makes for a nice nude lip.  In a weird twist, I got this bag a week before my niece was born... and we have been calling her baby Eclair because her name is Emerson Claire!  Weird.

The gloss itself is not sticky, very shiny, and smells and tastes like a dessert.

This is full sized, $5.

Ofra Universal Eyebrow Pencil

This eyebrow pencil isn't much different from any of the others that I have.  If you press hard, you get a dark brown line.  If you use a lighter touch, the color is softer.  However, this is definitely NOT a universal pencil.  It works for me, but probably wouldn't if you have any other brow color besides medium brown.  I think I like the Chella version better, because it is self-sharpening!

This is full sized, $13.

Ipsy June 2014

All in all, it was not the worst bag, but not the best either.  If the perfume and hair samples had been swapped out for makeup, I would have enjoyed it more.  Ipsy has sent a lot of skin and hair care products recently, and I would like to get back to makeup-only bags!

All together, my bag had a value of $25.59

Ipsy is $10 per month and sends you 4-6 deluxe and full-sized (mostly makeup) items in a reusable makeup bag.  You can review each item on their site for 10 points each, and every 1000 Ipsy points will get you a bonus item.  If you want to try it out, please use my link here.  I'll get some extra Ipsy points for each referral.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Balm, Balm Stain, and Matte Balms

I also picked up a set of these three Revlon products as an Ipsy deal!  I got them for $18, which is saving about 33% each.  They came loose in a pink Ipsy mailer... weird.  I guess I was expecting them to be wrapped or something?

Pretty

It was a little off-topic, but I did want to show that Ipsy does one deal per week where you can get a discount on a featured product from that month's bag.

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.

Popsugar Must Have January 2014

Popsugar Musthave January 2014

I got my box early this month!  Very early.  In fact, spoilers only started showing up this morning.  FedEx usually gets to my house around 6:30 pm, so I wasn't the first, but I am one of the first to open up the January offering from Popsugar.

This month is all about keeping your resolutions.

What's inside?

I really feel like PSMH is grasping at straws when they choose themes, and with how they try to fit their items into said theme.  It's ok to just send a box of stuff.  I promise.

Anyway, the big-ticket item this month is a (Malin + Goetz) Detox Face Mask.

(Malin + Goetz) Detox Face Mask

This goes on like a lotion and foams up after sitting on your skin.  I tried it out, and it was a very interesting sensation.  It feels like little bubbles popping all over your face!  My skin feels smooth and hydrated after using it, and it smells like almonds (benzaldehyde).  Not bad.  I like it a lot!

4 oz, sells for $40 on the (M+G) site.

Next up is a book by Eric Helms: The Juice Generation

The Juice Generation by Eric Helms 

I have a juicer.  I've used it a few times, but it is a pain to clean.  It also takes a LOT of produce to make a glass of juice.  This has juice and smoothie recipes, as well as a guide for getting started and easing your way into juicing.  Maybe I'll give it a try.  Or, maybe this will just sit with my other cookbooks and be neglected.  

Book, $15.96 paperback on Amazon.  Cheaper for Kindle version.

Also included this month is a pair of tech gloves from Jack + Lucy

Jack + Lucy golves

These are gray (chenille?) gloves with conductive threads woven into the forefingers and thumbs.

Gloves

They are nice in the sense that they extend above the wrist, eliminating the pesky gap between short gloves and coat sleeves.  The fingers are a little big on me, these don't stretch very much which could be a problem for some of the smaller-handed ladies out there.  These do work with my phone, but not as well as just with a finger.  I'm not sure if it is because I have a screen protector on or not, but I have to be very deliberate with my gestures when I use these to manipulate my phone content.

I couldn't find this brand anywhere online, and there wasn't a website listed in the PSMH booklet.  I'll estimate these at $15 to be nice.

Since it is January, I sort of expected a calendar of some sort in this month's box.  I was right.

Rifle Paper Co. Cities Calendar

This stand-up calendar from Rifle Paper Co. features cute drawings of a different city each month. The actual calendar part of each page is pretty small, and I don't like that there isn't room to write down appointments and reminders for the days.

January: New York

The pictures are cute, and I'm sure I will find someone that will like this.  I use a blotter-style calendar at work, so I can write down my appointments and reminders and research goals for each day. It also gives me space to write down random things, so I don't need to dig around for paper.  This calendar is not as practical.  Cute, yes.  Practical, no.

This is $16 on the Rifle Paper Co. website.

I wish I had never opened the next item:

Pipcorn Truffle Flavored Mini Popcorn

Pipcorn Mini Popcorn in Truffle flavor from Pipsnacks.  This is amazing.  It is SO GOOD!  I can't even tell you how delicious this popcorn is.  Seriously.  It is salty and savory and light and because the kernels are mini, there aren't any big chunks of hull to get stuck in your teeth!  This mini version is supposed to be easier to digest.

Mini popcorns

All I know is that this is the best bagged popcorn I've ever had.  Ever. 

Pipcorn is $18 for 3 bags ($6 each) and comes in a variety of flavors.  

Last, but not least... well, ok.  Maybe least.  Revlon by Marchesa Box o' Files.

Revlon by Marchesa Box o Files

This is a box of nail files.  They are cute.  They file my nails.  I'm not too excited about them, but whatever.  I'll still use them.

$3.49 at Target.

Popsugar Must Have January 2014

All together, this box had an estimated value of $96.45.

I like the face mask and LOVE the popcorn.  I'll actually use the gloves and files, but that's about it.  At least it is better than months where I just give everything away.  I wasn't blown away by anything.  The last few boxes have been kinda dull for me.  I don't plan on renewing my subscription when it runs out in March.  I'll get 2 more boxes, and then move on to a different subscription.  Maybe FabFitFun?  Any ideas?

If you want to try out Popsugar, please use my link here.  I'll get a free month if I refer 1 more person.   It costs $39.95 per month, plus tax if applicable, and you get discounts if you buy a 3, 6, or 12 month subscription.  Right now, you can get 3 months for the price of two with code NEWYEAR.  Other codes include $10 off your first box with code JAN10, or a free necklace with code HEART14.

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; see above for details.

The Week in Nails, September 8

First day of school

I did this last Sunday and it stayed on until Tuesday. 3 days. 

Julep Florence with Padma stamped and on accent nail from this month's Classic with a Twist Julep box.

Princess sparkles

I wore this for 2 days. 

3 coats Essie Lion Around and 2 coats China Glaze Prism on accent. No base, Seche on top. 

My first finger on this hand split down the middle! I have no idea why, but I cut it as close as I could and there is still a little that is split beyond that.  I'm going to try to be careful, and not have it split more, but I have a feeling this nail will be a short little nub for a while.  

Sweater weather

I barely got 2 days out of this before I was sick of it. I really want to like the fuzzy coat polish I bought.  I just don't.  

2 coats Revlon Scented in Cotton Candy. 2 coats Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat in Wool Lite. Seche in between the two glitter coats.

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.

Birchbox for CEW

I made a post recently about some special edition boxes that Birchbox put out in collaboration with CEW, the Cosmetic Executive Women, Insiders' Beauty Awards of 2013.

I decided that since I either own or have tried that majority of the Prestige box (still available for $18), I should go for the Mass Appeal collection (currently sold out).

This cost $12 and arrived today!  I love that Birchbox is able to ship my orders so fast.  It was just what I needed after a tough work day.

First look! It came in a normal pink Birchbox shipping box, but since I ordered other products, that pink box was within yet another box.  Boxception.

Info card

The inside of the box isn't printed, like the July Suits edition was, but the top has a nice chevron print.

First look... the Olay treatment was hiding

Here it is!

The item I was most excited about was the Infallible eye shadow from L'Oreal...until I opened the box.  I received a reddish-purple color called, "Glistening Garnet", however it looked much better once I swatched it.  I don't normally wear reds or pinks near my eyes because I'm so fair and I feel like it makes me look like I have conjunctivitis.  For this reason, I do not have a lot of pink or red eye shadows (except the random ones sent in sub boxes) and this is totally different from everything I have in my collection.

L'Oreal Infallible in 557 (Glistening Garnet).  This is the bottom of the container.

Image from drugstore.com

Full size, approximate retail $7.99 but I'm sure there are all kinds of coupons out there, as well as pharmacy reward deals.

It comes with a little plastic damper?  Is that the right word? It seems like you pack down the powder with it.  IDK.  I used it to smear some of the shadow on my hand.

 If you look at the bigger size of the swatch picture, you can see that there is definitely some multidimensional shimmer to the product, which makes it swing more to the purple side of things, thus making it infinitely more wearable.  I'll have to give it a try.

Nivea Olive Oil and Lemon Moisture Rich Lip Care

Image from Drugstore.com

Full size, approximate retail value $2.99. You can never have enough chapsticks or lip balms or moisturizing lip treatments, or whatever you want to call the gunk you smear all over your kisser.  I don't really want to open this until I have to, or until I lose all of the currently open lip products I'm using.

Olay Professional Pro-X Even Skin Tone Spot Fading Treatment

Image from Drugstore.com

This retails for about $32.99 for 40 mL.  The sample size is 7 mL, an approximate value of $5.77.  It is certainly a large enough sample for me to tell if I like the product or not!  Do freckles count as dark spots?  I have too many!  Damn you, Irish/Scottish heritage! Damn you, sun!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in 040 (Rendezvous)

Image from Drugstore.com

This is also full-sized and retails for about $8.99, but again, there are always sales and coupons.  

I LOVE THESE LIP BALM STAINS.  I have 4 of them, including this color, so now I have a duplicate.  Or a gift for someone because everybody should know how awesome these crayons are.  They twist up- no sharpening needed, smell a little minty (but not overpowering), and the stain lasts a long time and wears evenly.  There is no gross stain ring around the edges of your lips at the end of the day.  Depending on how hard you press, you can get anywhere from a light wash of a pretty, warm pink color to a deep, intense orange out of this particular shade.  It's amazing.  Seriously.  This is one of the reasons I ordered the Mass Appeal box- so I could get one of these for cheaper than I could even with coupons and on sale!

Simple Revitalizing Eye Roll-On

Image from Drugstore.com

This is another full-size product, which retails for about $10.99.  It has a cooling metal roller-ball, and I bet this would be awesome if you kept it in the fridge and used it in the morning to deflate any under-eye puffiness.  It felt nice when I applied it, but I'm sure that's mostly due to the cold metal ball and less due to the generic ingredients in this product.  Either way, it feels nice and can't do much harm.

Burt's Bees Ultimate Care Hand Cream

Image from Drugstore.com

The full-sized hand cream retails for about $12.99 for 90g.  This 50g sample has a value of about $7.22 and is slightly more than half the full size!  I think that Burt's Bees makes some great products, and this hand cream is no exception.  It came sealed within the tube, which always makes me happy, and it smells wonderful without any added fragrance.  It's nice and thick and will be perfect in the winter when my hands dry out from the cold and from washing them so many times a day.  I'm bringing this to work in the morning and I'm going to toss the old hand cream that's on my desk because it's from about 5 years ago and smells bad.  I didn't want to buy another one when I wasn't finished, but now I don't have to ;)

The overall value of the products included in the Birchbox & CEW Mass Appeal Box is approximately $43.95.  Because these are all products readily available in drugstores like CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens, that is the highest price you should expect to pay for everything combined.  Store specials and newspaper and online coupons will get you most of these products for a few dollars less than I listed.  It was still a great deal at $12, and an even better deal because I paid for it with my Birchbox points!


If you are not signed up for Birchbox and would like to join, here is my referral link.  In the name of disclosure, I will get 50 BB points after your first month.  BB costs $10/month, including shipping, and will send 4-6 sample and full-sized products to you.  You can then review the products you received and earn 10 points each.  Every 100 points gives you $10 to spend on full-sized products in their shop.  It is one of the best values out there!

This post contains products that I purchased with my money.  No compensation was received for this post and all opinions are my own.  This post also contains a referral link.  I will earn 50 BB points for every person who subscribes using my unique code.

Birchbox Limited Edition Boxes

Birchbox has just put out two new limited edition boxes in conjunction with the Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) Beauty Insiders' Choice Awards.

The first box is the Prestige Headliners box for $18.

Photo from Birchbox

The contents are:
Julep Nail Polish (one of my favorite brands)
Julep Essential Cuticle Oil (smells like lavender)
Living Proof Prime Style Extender (this stuff is awesome)
IT Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Brow Pencil
LA Fresh Eco-Beauty Oil-Free Face Cleanser Wipes
Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Triple Defense Shield Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50


The other box is the Mass Appeal box for $12.

Photo from Birchbox

This is the box I bought.  It contains:

Burt's Bees Ultimate Care Hand Cream 

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain (I have 4 of these and can't get enough! Best drugstore lip product I've ever tried!)

Simple Revitalizing Eye Roll-On

L'Oreal Paris Infallible Eyeshadow

Nivea a Kiss of Olive Oil and Lemon Moisture Rich Lip Care

Olay Pro-X Spot Fading Treatment

I have enough Julep polishes and cuticle oil, and already have the living proof product, so I wasn't really interested in buying that box.  The one with the drugstore products, however, I was all about!

If you buy both, you get a $4 discount, bringing the total to $26 for all of the above products.


I had some BB points to spend, so I picked up theBalm's Mary Lou-Manizer since I've heard great things.


If you are not yet a member, you can use my referral code.  It won't get you anything extra, but here are some codes that will:
For free shipping use code BBSHOP
For 15% off a $35 order, use code 7TEEN15

You can only apply one code at a time, so I opted to save 15% (theBalm is shipping free this month) instead of applying it toward a bonus sample-sized product.

Are you getting either box?  I can never seem to resist ;)

Disclaimer: This post contains a referral link.  If you become a Birchbox subscriber using my link, I will receive 50 BB Points at the end of your first month.  All reviews and opinions in this post are my own and no compensation was received for it.

My Quest for the Perfect Coral Nail Polish

Spring, summer, fall... even winter... there is not inappropriate time to wear coral nail polish. I've become obsessed with finding the perfect shade. It needs to be bright, not dull, and shiny, but without shimmer. It has to apply easily without streaks and not take forever to dry. Not too pink and not too orange, and not too expensive. This polish has become my white whale. I couldn't rest until I found it. Every time CVS or Rite Aid got a new seasonal polish display I pounced... and usually ended up disappointed. However, I have amassed a collection of every variation on the coral theme, and will now review them in all of their sunset-y glory. I did the hard work, so you don't have to. Sorry for the random polish splotches. 

 My 10 candidates: 

My first 5 Candidates- the darker ones

American Apparel Nail Lacquer in Sunset Blvd. $6 

This is orange.  2 Coats.

Sally Hansen HD Hi-Definition Nail Color in Three D (discontinued color) $8.95 on Amazon

Orange with a flash of pink.  3 coats.

American Apparel Nail Lacquer in Pink Ladies $6

Non-neon bright pink

Wet n Wild Megalast Nail Color in Tropicalia $1.99 (I have an older bottle, not the new re-styled one)

This is pink and streaky and has a terrible brush. 3 coats isn't quite enough here.

Sinful Colors Professional in Boogie Nights $1.99

Orangey jelly.  3 coats.

The second half- the lighter shades

Color Club Professional Nail Lacquer in Reign in Spain $2 (as part of the $8 Wanderlust collection) The winner! Right in the middle of pink and orange, nice and bright; perfect for summer! 2 coats and my love forever.

Yes! This is the best! 2 coats.

eChina Glaze Nail Lacquer in Flip Flop Fantasy $5.99 (new version) I wish my camera could catch how bright this is.

Neon, semi-matte, very bright and a little too pink.  3 coats.

Revlon Scented Nail Enamel in Strawberry Cream $4.99.  The print doesn't stay on this bottle! Smells great for the first day. Super pretty, a hair darker than Alicia, but STREAKY and with a very thin brush.

This is my bargain pick, but it comes with poorer quality than the others. 3 coats.

Julep Nail Vernis in Alicia $14 or $11.20 for mavens They call this a salmon creme. If it wasn't so expensive I would have backups!

Not quite bright enough for summer; Winter pick.  3 coats.

NYC in a Minute Quick Dry Polish in Peach Sparkle (discontinued color) $1.99

Definitely a peach, and sparkly, but a little too light. 3 coats.

All 10 polishes

The lighter 5

The darker 5 compared to Reign in Spain

Almost ombre nails?