Popsugar Must Have February 2014

Popsugar Must Have February 2014

First Look

This month's Popsugar Must Have box had a "pamper yourself oh and also it's Valentine's Day" theme.  This was the month that people could get for $20 using the awesome 50% off code released a few weeks ago.  That made this box an excellent deal for some people, and it caused some of those who paid full price to have a few issues with the box.

PSMH February 2014

Me? I'm indifferent.  This just confirms to me that not renewing my subscription after it expires in March is the way to go.  I already signed up for FabFitFun which is $50 quarterly.  (Get $5 off the Spring box using code ZOE or EARLY5.)

Dial Vitamin Boox Lotion Infused Body Wash

I'm just going to get this one out of the way.  This body wash polarized the internets.  It is listed as a "Special Extra" in the booklet, and is not supposed to count toward the total value of the box.  Fine.  Birchbox does this all the time- they feature drugstore items in addition to the normal content for the month.  I don't have a problem with BB or PSMH doing this.  As long as it is a bonus, great.

Some people found the inclusion of this body was to be insulting.  They felt it devalued the box as a whole, and would have been better to just omit it all together.  It inflated the box weight significantly without contributing to the value.  That's their opinion, and they are entitled to it.

I am just happy to stockpile more bodywash!  This one smells like kiwis and isn't too girly.  

$3?  Price may vary depending on stores and current sales.

Whew!  Onto the "real" stuff...

Nourish Organic Argan Face Serum

Last month Ipsy included a sample of face lotion from this brand in my bag.  It was just ok.  This is better.  Normally when I read "face serum," I think of a thinner, gel-like product.  Serum?  Right?  Something with some viscosity to it? 

No.  This is a mixture of oils and oils alone.  I wouldn't call that a "serum," and it totally squirted all over the place because I was expecting something with a little more heft to it when I pushed on the pump.  Oh well.  Nomenclature notwithstanding, this is a decent mix of oils.  It is mostly safflower, with argan, sweet orange (which contributes the most to the scent), apricot and rosehip seed oils.  It also has vitamin E.  That's it.  No additives or silicones or anything.  It was a little on the heavy side on my skin, and took a little longer than I'd like to absorb, so I won't wear it in the morning.  At night,  this is great.

20 mL is $23.99 on Nourish Organic's site.

Sugarwish Mini Red Cinnamon Hearts

Cinnamon hearts always remind me of my mom.  There were very few candies in the world that our family did not enjoy, but as far as I remember, she was the only one that liked these.  I thought they were too spicy for my delicate baby mouth.  I've since aged a couple decades, and discovered that these are indeed delicious.  They are also small, which is good.  And not chocolate, which is better. 

I don't like chocolate.  It's ok if that makes you not read my blog anymore.  

Sugarwish is a mail-order candygram company.  You send a gift card to someone and they pick out the candy they want, and Sugarwish sends it to them.  The smallest size you can gift is 4 1/4lb bags for $25 including shipping.  They have the kinds of candy you normally see in the bulk-candy mall stores.

The candy hearts we were sent are 1/4lb, giving them a value of $6.25.  I definitely wouldn't pay that much for cinnamon hearts, but they did come in a cute box with a bow.  Packaging is everything!  There was also a 20% coupon. (I also think it's kinda cute that Popsugar included another company with sugar in the name!)

k. hall designs Peony Travel Candle

This is such a cute candle!  I love the tin, I love the scent (I wouldn't normally like a floral), and I will definitely burn this.  Very appropriate for a pampering/Valentine's themed box.  Would a jar candle have been better?  Yes.  But I'll make do.

$11 on k hall designs' site.

ModelCo Lip Pops Duo Lip Gloss and Lipstick

This is a dual-ended lipgloss and lipstick combination product.  Both ends smell like strawberry to me.  The gloss is clear with a little shimmer, even though it is tinted pink in the bottle.  The lipstick is a brown-leaning medium mauve color which will be flattering on most people.  I managed to leave the lipstick twisted-up after this picture and smushed it into the cap.  That is what I get for taking pictures of my stuff while on too much cold medicine.

I could not find this product individually on ModelCo's website.  It looks like this is the nude lipstick/ striptease gloss combination included in this set.  The set is $49 and includes three of these combos and a mascara.  

I'll estimate $12.25 for this by itself.

ncLA Polish in Rodeo Drive Royalty

What could be more massacre-themed than blood-red nail polish?  Not much, and I'm happy to have another ncLA polish to try out.  We got one over the summer in another PSMH box, and I really liked it.  However, that one was a creme formula, and this one is more of a jelly.  I prefer the creme!  This went on unevenly and was tricky for even me to apply.  My bottle does have a wonky brush, though.

Rodeo Drive Royalty in bright light, 2 coats

This picture is a little lighter than the polish looks in real life.  It is closer to the bottle color.  I'd say it is the color of blood before it has a chance to oxidize- like when you are getting blood drawn into a small tube.  That color.

This is $16 on the ncLA site.  They also call it a creme and that it is cran-apple colored.  They may be less-morbid people than me.

Gorjana Brooks Jewelry Roll

This is this month's "big ticket" item: a faux leather jewelry roll from Gorjana + Griffin.  It is a poppy-red color, close to the zipper pulls in the next picture.  There are three zippered compartments inside and it is held together by wrapping some ties around the thing and kinda tying it the best you can.  The edges of that tie are not stitched onto the back of the pouch well, at all.  I also have random glue splotches around the zippers on the inside.  

Gorjana Brooks Jewelry Roll, inside

I don't feel like this would make traveling with jewelry any easier for me.  I don't often bring much with me, and what I do bring, I wear.  I have a small container I put it in while I go through security, and then it goes back on.  I will probably use this as a clutch, instead.  My iPhone fits in a pocket, and I can put my cards and cash in the others.  Voila.

This is $45 on the Gorjana website and this exact color doesn't seem to be listed.  PSMH also included a $25 off-your-next-full-priced-order coupon code.  I have two of these now, and will never use them because shipping is too expensive and I can't combine the codes with each other or with sale items.  If you think this is something you would be interested in, please let me know in the comments! I will email you one of my codes! I have two! Two people can get $25 off codes!  Yay!

PSMH February 2014

All together, this box had a total (approximated) value of $117.49.  More importantly, I'll actually use and enjoy everything included.  I still probably won't renew my subscription.  I'd rather try out other boxes!

Popsugar Must Have is $40 per month, with slight discounts if you prepay for a certain number of months ahead of time.  You get 6 (sometimes with +1 bonus) full-sized items from various categories.  It is a very diverse subscription and you never know what will be included.  It consistently has a value of over $100.

If you want to try PSMH for yourself, please use my referral link here.  I'll get a free month for every so many people who join using that link.

This post contains items purchased by me.  No special consideration or compensation was received and all thoughts and opinions are my own.  This post contains referral links to PSMH and FFF. 

Popsugar Must Have December 2013 Review

Popsugar Must Have December 2013

As always, I peeked this month!

December Popsugar!

 Popsugar suggested that the December box is, "the wish list you never knew you needed," and I'm not quite sure about that.  I wouldn't wish for wrapping paper, but I appreciate it in time to wrap gifts. 

Look at this stuff!

Mixt Studio Holiday Gifting Set

This recycled paper wrapping paper came with three small-ish sheets in different designs, twine, and tags.  I will definitely use this!  

Wrapping Paper

My favorite is the blue snowflake print, and I like that they include everything you need to wrap up some cute gifts.

Paper Prints

Three sheets (19-20 x 30 inches), twine, and gift tags, $9 on Mixt site.

Govino Go Anywhere Flutes

I'll take my champagne to go, please

This is a set of 4 sturdy plastic champagne flutes with a little finger notch in each.  I don't have champagne flutes, but I do have some mis-matched wine glasses because I keep breaking them.  For that reason, I like these plastic glasses!  I have some plastic wine glasses that came in a picnic set, but these look a little nicer.

Set of 4, $12.95 on Govino's website.

Modelco Fibre Lashxtend Black Mascara

Modelco will make me beautiful

I got this exact mascara in a birchbox about a year ago.  I liked it enough that I used up the whole tube, and that never happens.  I usually get bored and start alternating, and then throw out a handful of partially used tubes after a few months.  A nice feature of this mascara is that the tube has a mirror on the side of it!  

Reflectron of my ceiling.

The fibers add length and a little volume without looking like you have little spider legs above your eyelids.  It's not the best mascara I've ever used, but it's far from the worst.  I'll happily add it to my pile to use up.

The weird thing is, I couldn't find this mascara by itself on ModelCo's website!  They had normal Lashxtend (tubing) mascara, and an "unboxed" black mascara that didn't mention anything about fibers, and a fiber falsie mascara set thing that is definitely not this.  However, they are selling this as part of a set with an eyeliner for $10 on sale.  The same mascara is $24 in the Birchbox shop.

CC Made Caramel Corn in Pistachio Nut (3 oz)

Pistachio Caramel Corn!

This is really good popcorn! I was going to save it, but my willpower lasted all of one hour.  The pistachios are different in this caramel corn, but in a good way.  They add a nice salty/savory crunch that is different from the normal peanuts you see in products like this.  The popcorn was fluffy and the caramel was buttery and crunchy, and I'm glad I opened this!

3 oz bags sell for $4 on the CC Made site.

ncLA Peppermint Lane Nail Wraps.

Polka-dots and Candy Cane Stripes

I've used these nail wraps before, and they last a day or two before I peel them off.  I like this style because you put down clear nail polish before and after applying the strips.  They do not dry out if you open the package, and they give you 26- enough for at least 2 manicures.  These would also make nice accent nail designs!

ncLA nail wraps, $16.

Ghirardelli Squares Chocolate, Milk & Caramel (5.32 oz) and Holiday Assortment (7.18 oz)

Who doesn't like chocolate?... oh, right.  Me.

My willpower may not have extended to the caramel corn, but I have no problem keeping the bags of chocolate closed until Christmas.  These will stay safe until then, but when they hit the candy bowl, all bets are off!  The holiday assortment has Eggnog, Peppermint Bark, and Pumpkin Spice Caramel flavors.  The milk chocolate & caramel squares are my second favorites (I like the peppermint filled dark chocolate the best!).  I like that PS gave us two full bags of chocolate this season!  I know some people were a little disappointed that this wasn't a "higher end" brand, but it will do just fine.  These are individually wrapped and are a holiday stand-by.

You can frequently get these on sale at most mass-market supermarkets and pharmacies.  I went with the lowest price I could find (Walmart) and am estimating $3 and $5 for the two bags.

Last, but not least, (well, ok, maybe) is the "big ticket" item.

Lulu Frost for Popsugar Bracelet.

Lulu Frost Bracelet and fuzzy bag.

When looking at spoilers online, this bracelet looked chunkier than in real life.  That is a good thing.  I am not crazy about the brass chain and the silver charm with glass rhinestones... I feel like they clash.  The charm would look pretty on a silver necklace, and the bracelet chain would look better with... well, anything the same brassy color.

Bracelet being worn.  Check out my burn, too.  Ouch.

I like this more than I expected to, but that's not saying much.  I like the little fuzzy bag it came in more than the bracelet! HA!  I can't see myself paying that much for a brass chain and silver-plated zinc with little bits of cut glass.  I just can't.

Lulu Frost now has this bracelet on their site for $110.

All together, this box had a value of $169.95 (being conservative on the mascara).  I paid $33 for it with my multi-month discount.  The price per month has now increased to $39.95 plus tax.  If you would like to sign up for PSMH, please use my link here.  If I refer one more person, I get a free month!  You can use code REFER5 to save 5$ on your first box.  PSMH sends full (and sometimes deluxe) sized items from all across the board.  They send accessories, home items, makeup and beauty items, food, etc.  You never know, and that is what makes it so exciting every month.  I know that even if I don't like something, I will be able to find a home for it.

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.

The Week in Nails, November 3

Julep Cleopatra with China Glaze Marry a Millionaire on Tips

Matte Black and Sparkles, no top coat, for the 3 days leading up to Halloween.

NCLA Dracula's Bride Nail Wraps

Halloween: Dracula's Bride Nail Wraps.  Everyone asked if I did this myself, and were all disappointed when I said they were nail wraps.  I guess they have come to expect great things from me? 

Julep Aisha (berry) and Cynthia (microglitter)

The final two days of the week (my nails were naked today) I wore two of my November Julep polishes.  Aisha was on my thumb, pinky, and first finger, and Cynthia on my middle and ring.  I should have used a top coat over Cynthia at least, it is semi-matte and chipped pretty easily.

Popsugar Must Have July 2013 Review

Popsugar Must Have July 2013 Review

Why, yes, Popsugar, I will enjoy!

I wasn't thrilled with the spoilers I had seen, but now that the box is here, I'm happy with it. I wasn't happy that it was NOT sealed and could have fallen open at any time on the journey here, but whatever. Everything is accounted for. The contents:

Mighty Leaf Iced Tea in Calypso Mango flavor.
4 tea bags, each makes 1/2 gallon. YUM. Mighty Leaf makes some delicious teas (green tea tropical is delightful) and I can't wait to take up a nice big pitcher of this. I'm glad I got the mango flavor instead of the peach. I like peach iced tea, but I can get that at any time. Mango is a little more interesting.


ncLA polish in "As If!"
As if is a pretty pastel purple. This is one of my favorite year-round nail colors, and I have never tried an ncLA polish. I am seriously impressed. The brush is perfect for thin, even layers of color with minimal effort, and the formula goes on smoothly and dries fast.

2 coats.

Dark Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Crunchy Cookie Chips by Hannamax Baking
I'll give these to my boyfriend, as I don't like sweets and he is a fiend for them.

Supergoop! Sunscreen
Sunscreen makes me happy. I'm super pale and I like to keep it that way. I don't tan and I don't like to burn, so I wear sunscreen every day at least on my face. This has won a bunch of awards, but I'll be able to see for myself if it is as awesome as everyone says. It does have cyclomethicone in it, so if you are avoiding silicones on your face, just a heads up. I don't care either way, I don't break out easily.

King Cube Tray by Tovolo.
My dad has a few ice cube trays by this company, including the King Cubes.  He is a man who is serious about his ice cubes and if this is good enough to keep my dad's drinks cold without getting too watery, then it is good enough for me! These will be awesome in my iced tea. Pro tip: for clearer ice cubes, use boiled (but not distilled) water. It has less dissolved air, which is why ice cubes can be cloudy.

Rose Double Curb Chain necklace by Baublebar
This came with a 20% off code. I like it more than I expected to. It is absolutely not something I would pick for myself, but it looks nice with what I happened to wear to work today:

I look better without a face, trust me.

Popsugar Must Have costs $35 per month, but you get a better deal if you buy a multi-month subscription.  The August box is currently sold out; if you sign up now, September will be your first box.  If you would like to sign up, here is my referral link.

This post contains items that I purchased through Popsugar.  All opinions are my own.  This post also contains a referral link.  If 2 people sign up using my link, I receive a free box.