Sunday, September 30, 2012

September Glossybox

To say this month has been absolutely hectic would be an understatement. It has absolutely shot by & I'm amazed that I will wake up tomorrow & it will be OCTOBER. What?!

I apologize for the lack of posts lately - like I said, things have been crazy lately! But I do have quite a bit of posts lined up & will also be posting my giveaway winner sometime this week so keep an eye out! :)
 

 As soon as I opened this box I was jumping for joy! I used all these products right away because I was so tempted to try them out. Hence why the pictures are so bad…sorry!

GKHair Moisturizing Shampoo & GKHair Moisturizing Conditioner
Full size 10.1oz - $20.00
Nourished with plant extracts, this superior smoothing shampoo will purify and moisturize the scalp and hair

Kryolan For Glossybox Moisture Rich Lipstick in GLOSSY pink
Full size 0.14oz - $14
Treat your lips to a creamy, long lasting lipstick enriched with vitamin E to stimulate and hydrate your lips. This perfect pop of GLOSSY pink compliments all skin tones and lifestyles.
As you can probably see I've been using this lipstick ALOT lately! I love this color, its great for fall. It also adds color to your lip without being too overpowering aka its workplace appropriate!

Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42
Full size 1.69oz - $29.99
Hailing for Korea, this Blemish Balm, also known as BB Cream is a multi-tasking powerhouse for the face. This multi-use cream provides light coverage, soothes, protects, and moisturizes.

OC 8 Professional Mattifying Gel
Full size 1.6zoz - $30.00
This innovative mattifying gel lets you get control of your shine all day long. Clinically tested, this one of a kind gel keeps shine down while helping you achieve a fresh flawless even tone look for all skin types.

First of all, when you open your Glossbox and find that 3 out of the 5 products are all full sized you can’t help but smile! And what is even better is that I was hoping I would get items like these!

My hair has been a bit frazzled lately and I need something that would really CLEAN my hair. I’ve already tried the shampoo & conditioner once and it did leave my hair super smooth, thumbs up so far! I’m on the hunt for my holy grail foundation so when I saw a BB Cream I squeed with excitement! I’ll be trying it out so except a full review soon!

Have you guys ever been overly excited with the products in a beauty box?!
 

Thursday, September 20, 2012

September Birchbox

This is my first ever Birchbox!


I have to admit I wasn't as WOWed by it as I was with my Glossybox but for $10 a month you really can't go wrong!

So what was inside this month's box?


Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional
Full-size, $29
Camouflage visible pores with this velvety face primer. The translucent formula works wonders beneath makeup

Color Club Birchbox Customer Polish
Full-size, $8
We teamed up with Color Club to create this custom shade, inspired by Fall 2012 collections

Kate Spade New York Twirl
Full-size, $18-$80
A blend of fruity and floral notes, this modern classic feels joyful and care-free

Nexxus Pro-Mend Split End Treatment System
Full-size, $9.99-$14.99
Infused with coconut oil and amino acids, this shampoo, conditioner and leave-in treatment work together to fix unsightly split ends

Twistband Hair Tie
Set of 12, $18
Give your ponytail a makeover with these colorful, snag-free elastics


Not too shabby for my first Birchbox. I admit I could have done without the hair tie and even the nailpolish but what can ya do? That's the point of these boxes! I can't wait to try some of these out - I already have the POREfessional but you can never have too many, right?!

If you are interested in becoming a Birchbox member you can follow this link! You are put on a waiting list but its usually only a two week wait & for $10 a month its totally worth it!

Do you have any of these products already? What do you think of them?

Monday, September 17, 2012

Giveaway! EOS Alice In Wonderland Lip Balms

Hi all! So as I said in my last post I said I'd be doing a giveaway soon :) I was at Target the other day I spotted these little guys and had to pick them up...one of myself & one for you!!



I know that these bad boys are had to come by in other places so I decided to pick up an extra to give away to a winner! :)

Here are a few rules:
- Open internationally
- I will pick one winner via Rafflecopter
- You can get 2 points for following on Twitter
- You can get an additional 2 points for Tweeting about the giveaway
- You can get 3 points for commenting on this post telling me what country you are from
- You can get 3 points for following on GFC

Simple, yes? This contest will be open until the end of the month. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, September 16, 2012

My Recent Haul

So despite being sick this past week I did find the time to get some new products!


Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Remembering 9/11

Photo credit courtesy of Google Images

A little bit of a different post from me today - I want to take this time to reflect back on to the horrific tragedy that this country endured 11 years ago today. Such a sad day in the nation's history but since than it has only made us stronger. My heart goes out to everyone affected by the events that day. We lost so many innocent young souls, and so many brave men and women risked their own lives to save others - true acts of heroism.

To those who may have lost someone that day, I'm sorry. And to those who saved and served, I thank you. You keep this country strong <3



As for me, I apologize for the lack of posts this week. I came down with something & have not been feeling well at all. I come home from work & go straight to bed :(

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Summer Essentials


With summer coming to an unofficial end (WAHH) I decided to make a post dedicated to my most grabbed items!

 Essie Turquoise & Caicos
There is probably no surprise here whatsoever. Essie has been my go to brand for the last year & this color is my spring/summer favorite. Whenever I was unsure of what color to paint my nails, or just too lazy to really look & decide on a color, this was the one I ALWAYS came back to! It’s such a nice shade, I’m obsessed with it. Unfortunately I think it’s safe to say it will be going into retirement until next spring! Thanks turquoise & caicos for being my go-to shade this year!

Laura Geller Tinted Moisturizer
I’m all about minimalistic makeup in the summer, and Laura Geller’s tinted moisturizer was the one for me. I used to use Revlon Photofinish but come summertime my face just felt so cakey and heavy with that on. So I tried out Laura Geller’s Tinted Moisturizer and though it was ten times better than the Photofinish. I’ve used it everyday as my go to for a light summertime look! It was light coverage which is what I was looking for in 90 degree weather. My only problem with this product was that it contained shimmer. It wasn’t very obvious but after touching my face I would notice some shimmer on my hands! Not what I was looking for, but it got the job done!

TRESemmé Dry Shampoo (full review here)
If there is one thing I hate, its having to shampoo my hair all the time. I have pretty long hair and I see washing my hair as a chore and something that takes up too much time. So to avoid having to deal with that I reach for my Tresemmé Dry Shampoo! This wasn’t the BEST product I have ever used but it did get the job done for those in between washes. Especially considering the hot and humid weather we have been experiencing over here!

The Body Shop Coconut Body Scrub
I was hoping to feature this product in a monthly empties post but this was actually the only product I did finish! I love this scrub. I’ve had it for a while but I really only use this during the summertime when I’m looking to get a nice glow. It smells so good and it makes my skin feel so incredibly soft and shiny.

EOS Lip Balm in Strawberry Sorbet
I love love love chapstick! So when I saw my sister with one of these little guys I was so intrigued! The next time I was at Target I picked one up & then I became obsessed. I use this every day & my favorite part about it is the smell. It smells so good and actually makes me a little hungry!

Covergirl Lash Blast Volume
As already mentioned, I like to keep my makeup to a minimum in the summer. So I really like to make my eyes pop, and what easier way to do that than with mascara? This got the job done and I might even go as far as saying its one of the best mascaras I have ever used. I often pick out high end mascara’s in my Sephora samples but none of them have truly compared to this one. This is a product that I’m sure will continue to use well into the fall.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweetheart
So I only just recently purchased this item but I am obsessed and I wish I would have gotten it sooner! When I was younger I use to purchase drugstore brands often (mainly because I didn’t have the money for highend products) and Revlon used to be one of those. Over the years I’ve found myself drifting from Revlon because I didn’t like the quality anymore. But this absolutely surprised me! It goes on so smooth and the color payoff is amazing! Its bright and lasts for such a long time. I like the minty smell too! I’m sure that I will be purchasing a bunch more shades soon enough!

Thursday, September 6, 2012

My Wishlist #02


I've honestly been on the hunt for any kind of blazer - it doesn't necessarily have to be Topshop but that's the only site I've come across with nice ones! I love blazers, I think they can make the most casual outfit look professional. I've checked the Forever 21 website but I'm just disappointed & know that it will most likely not fit/fall apart/be uncomfortable.

I know the Naked 2 Palette is all the rage lately, but I really like the colors in this palette! I know there are a million places I could find this palette but I still haven't been able to justify the cost of this bad boy. But Ulta is doing a $10 off any online purchase of $60 or more with code 89776 if anyone is interested!

I feel as though I don't really need to explain this one. I love Essie & this is a shade I've been after for a while. I FINALLY managed to find two Fiji's in Target the other day (the last two!) so I scooped them up so fast for my sister & I.

After seeing a post over at I Covet Thee I decided that this needed to be the next shade added to my Essie arsenal. Unfortunately if you see from the links I posted for the Essie polishes they are sold out on the website & really hard to find on any other one too! E-bay is probably the best bet.

Studs are all over the place lately! When I saw these...and the studs...I knew I had to have them. I think they're super cute & would make a great look for the fall weather and even into the winter!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Surprise! August Glossybox!


Better late than never, right? So I finally got around to signing up for a Glossybox subscription. I signed up for the 6 month subscription which was $115 – so around $19 a box.

I know that a million and one people receive & review these boxes but whose to say my opinion is irrelevant, right?! So here we go.

My initial reaction is “THIS IS SO CUTE.” Obviously. Glossybox receives big credit for the way they package their boxes up. It always seems better when someone takes the time to make something look presentable. So what was inside?
 Biolage ExquisiteOil Replenishing Treatment
Full Size 3.1 oz - $22.00
This treatment is a versatile serum with a Moringa Oil Blend. This ultimate potion gives instant shine and weightless replenishment to all hair types.

Ellis Fass Ellis Lips
Full Size 0.095 oz - $35.00
The lightweight and long-lasting lip products come in three fabulous textures: creamy lips for a matte finish, milky lips for a gloss finish and glazed lips for a touch of color. They are paraben-free, loaded with vitamin E and blend into the lips leaving them soft and conditioned.

Illamasqua Nail Varnish
Full Size 0.5 oz - $14.00
Award-winning, extremely hardwearing and chip-resistant, these an Illamasaqua Nail Varnish for every shade of humanity. Apply two coats for extra intensity. Make a statement and talk with your hands.

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum
Full Size 1.0 oz - $48.00
This high powered vitamin C complex helps smooth out lines and wrinkles, fights environmental aggressors and keeps your skin moisturized, nourished and protected. Apply mornings and evenings.

Touch In Sol Feel Like Honey Moon Skin Base
Full Size 1.13 oz - $20.00
Apply this fantastic primer after your skincare routine and before your makeup. Its honey textures firms and revitalizes the skin and allows for a better makeup application.

I have to say I'm already quite pleased with my first box simply for the fact that I received 2 full sized products already equaling over what I paid for the box. Yay! I plan on reviewing some items shortly so keep an eye out ;)

Do you guys subscribe to Glossybox? What do you think of these products? Would you use them?

Monday, September 3, 2012

Julep Maven Box!



 So of course as I was browsing the web one day I came across Julep. I’ve seen these polishes around time & time again but I never really paid much attention to it…we all know my heart belongs to Essie.

But when I saw that I could become a Julep Maven for $0.01 I could NOT pass up an offer. Who doesn’t love a steal? So I signed up & took a little quiz that determined my “style profile.” There are a variety of style profiles available which all contain different sets of colors.

This was my first box – it was It Girl. I love these colors!

Claire - Blake - Morgan

Boxes are $19.99 a month which is great considering these are usually a $40.00 value. But the BEST part about becoming a Julep Maven is the freedom that comes with these boxes. First they e-mail you with a preview of the upcoming box for the month so you can decide if you want those shades or you can pick a different profile. If you’re not a fan of the shades that fit your profile you can easily select a different profile or you can even skip an entire month & you won’t even be charged.

As for the polishes themselves, I have to say I like them. They are a bit thin compared to Essie but as long as you don’t overload your brush you should be good to go. I used two coats on the pictures above & as you can see, they turned out really well! I love the variety of colors and just the whole concept of the boxes in general so I’m going to continue with the Julep Maven Box!

As a Julep Maven you also get the opportunity to get 20% off AND free shipping in the Maven Boutique. They also have a referral program so if you’re feeling in the mood, head on over using this link ;) -- http://julep.com/?r=23404844

Unfortunately I can’t find the code I used to get them for a penny...I’m so sorry about that…I’ve 
searched high & low! But I did find that if you enter 2FREE at checkout, you get your first box for $9.99 PLUS two extra polishes! That’s a $70 value. It’s so worth it, so head on over & sign up!!!

(EDIT) Erica over at Abundance of Erica has so kindly informed me that she believes the code for the $0.01 box can be purchased using code PENNY. I do think that is the same code that I used but I'm not 100% positive if that code would still work now. If anyone finds out, please let us know! :)