Ipsy Glam Bag April 2014

Ipsy is one of my favorite subscriptions.  Its cheap at only $10/month and lets subscribers try 4-5 makeup and skin care products. To sign up or for more information, click my link here. The theme of this month's Glam Bag is Beauty Rocks!

 I especially love Ipsy because I like to try new things but I am always afraid to commit the big bucks to try something that I might not like and this subscription provides a great opportunity to get outside my beauty comfort zone without paying a lot to do so.

Aside from the occasional Mary Kay or Beauty Control party, I have never worn lip liner.  I actually kind of like it.  I never would have bought it in the store but now I'm considering trying other colors.  I like that this nude shade lasts a long time and I really like wearing it under my Pop! Beauty lip gloss from the February Glam Bag.

I LOVE this brand.  I have really thick hair and it always looks nice when I leave the house but by the time I get to my office, it lays flat on my head and it never keeps its volume.  This Root Pump product from Big Sexy Hair helps me avoid the dreaded gravity-head.

I'm not sure how I feel about this product yet.  Dr. Brandt's microdermabrasion smells cirtrusy and definitely exfoliates well, but I think it dries out my skin a bit.  I'm not sure if its the product or the weather.  I do like how smooth my skin feels after I use it, and I will continue to use it, but I'm not sure I'm sold.

Pop! goes the shadow by Elizabeth Mott is a perfect shimmery summery color.  I've been using it as a highlighter because its a very light shade but I really like it and it lasts all day.

This is my favorite item in the bag.  I love eyeliner.  This is Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet eyeliner and it is really smooth.  I was really excited to receive this in my glam bag because I love Urban Decay products.

I'm not crazy about the retro record bag design this month, but it does fit the theme. I do like the products and will definitely get some good use out of them.  8 stars this month Ipsy.  Way to go!

Social Bliss: The Style Box April 2014

WOOOOO!  I love everything about this box.  I feel like I just won the subscription lottery.

The Style Box from Social Bliss is an experience.  This is an expertly matched box of fashion accessories delivered monthly to your doorstep for $39.99.  Click here for more info or to sign up! This is so much fun.  This month's Style Box has a value of $206.00 and everything in it is something that I would consider purchasing on my own.

This Month's Style is "Classy & Fabulous."  Oh it is.  It really is.

Hello Gorgeous.  This is the star of the box, a classy and fabulous "Socialite's Night Out" bag by Izzy & Ali valued at $129.00.  I love it.  Mine is black, which is great because I can mix it with almost anything, but other subscribers also got navy blue or gray.  I would have been happy with any of the colors, but I wear a lot of black so this suits me.

I also got these gorgeous earrings.  Diamonds are a girls best friend.  These may not be real diamonds, but they are very pretty and this picture doesn't do them justice.  They are also super lightweight.  I've been wearing them all day and they don't feel like they are weighing heavily on my ears like some dangle earrings tend to do. (Touch of Sparkle: $50)

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara: I love Too Faced products and will happily use this. ($15)

 

Yes. I love this.  The Little Black Compact ($5) is perfect for my purse and I love the rose shape.

 

The only item that might not get as much use is this Girls Night Out nail art kit by Stella ($7), but I will definitely try it out.  I'm okay at painting my nails but nail art is not my forte.  (The other day I tried doing a funky french with two different shades of brown and it ended up looking like I just had dirt under my fingernails.  True Story.  Not a good look.)

10 out of 10 stars!  THANK YOU SOCIAL BLISS!

If you are interested in trying this subscription, I love it and totally support your decision.

Birchbox Man April 2014

As promised, I let my boyfriend review his Birchbox Man box.  I let him have full creative license so please enjoy!  Birchbox Man is $20/Month.  Click Here to sign up!

A Case of SPRING FEVER

Hello there. 

When I was asked to be a guest reviewer of this month’s Birchbox my first thought was, ‘Is that some kind of fried chicken meal deal at KFC?’ and then my girlfriend explained to me that she had said ‘Birchbox’ and not, to my slight disappointment, ‘Bird-box’.  While the actual Birchbox contained no fast food items or delicious sides, the treasure inside was greater than anything you’d find on an Extra Value Menu.  

The items collected in this box are as follows:

A vial of genuine Atelier Cologne that makes Axe Body Spray smell like something a dyspeptic Hobo would spray after using a truck stop bathroom in Mumbai.  This item isn’t something that would normally be in my price range (Full size bottles can cost anywhere from $75-$100) but, if I could, I would wear it out for an exciting night of intrigue and mystery.  

Naturaltech Energizing Shampoo smells great and feels as refreshing as a minty Breath Strip on a winter day. As a virile male with a magnificent shock of thick, lustrous hair, I was a little off put by the description which says that it’s “for scalp and fragile, thinning hair" but then, I guess most sophisticated males are not as blessed.  While I’m quite fond of the shampoo itself, I do not like how the bottle is prone to pour large amounts out at one time.  

Hanz de fuko Claymation

Unfortunately this Claymation isn’t the kind that brought us the likes of Gumby or The California Raisins (and to a lesser extent, Davey and Goliath).  In actuality it’s a hair styling wax that maintains shape even on the windiest of days.  In fact, the first time I tried it was the same day my girlfriend and I went to out to the park to fly kites.  She and her roommate were quite amused at how my hair kept it’s shape while flopping in the wind.

Vasanti Cosmetics Brighten Up! Exfoliating Cleanser

Something I’ve come to accept about myself is that I have the pores of a 14 year old on school picture day.  So I need a facial scrub that will keep my face clean of my own disgusting fingerprints.  This fancy face wash does the job well enough while smelling like fresh papaya and tasting like aloe hand cream.  I additionally like the how the scrub has micro-crystals to exfoliate my face (although, I would not recommend using on your eyes).

And the T-shirt, well, it’s a T-shirt.  But it’s a nice t-shirt (courtesy of Alternative Apparel).  Light and comfortable to wear around the house yet stylish enough to wear out to your favorite casual dining chain.  I think it’d be better if it had an ironic saying or a logo from discontinued soda printed on it, but that’s just me.

Altogether, this Birchbox was the best one I’ve ever had and am quite impressed by the variety of high-quality products for today’s modern man.    

Birchbox April 2014

I received my April Birchbox (a week or so ago... whoops) but FINALLY get to post my review!  Birchbox is $10/Month and lets subscribers try samples of beauty products.  To Subscribe, please click my link HERE.

I really enjoy Birchbox because they send brands that I am not always overly familiar with and I love to try new things. I even signed up my boyfriend for Birchbox Man (Guest review coming soon!)

I have to say that this box was hit-and-miss for me this month, but the packaging is just too cute.

 This hot pink pillow box caught my eye first. Tucked inside were a Sumita Color Contrast eyeliner in Plum and a Color Club Gala Gems Collection nail polish in "Heirloom Pearls."  I am loving this eyeliner!  It is a very deep purple and goes on nicely.  I also love that it isn't black.  I wear too much black... (don't we all?)  The nail polish is pretty, but I'm not such a fan of white polish and this is very much a pearly white color so it will probably be given to my sister aka my new brand manager.  She has been awarded this title so that she can sample all the products that I don't want to keep...  Pretty sweet gig.

I should preference this by saying that I am pretty picky about my fragrance choices, but Yogini: The scent of liberation is pretty awful.  I couldn't smell it through the packaging so of course I spritzed it on my neck before going out to dinner with my boyfriend and my roommate.  I quickly regretted that decision when my boyfriend told me I "smell like Dillard's."  yep.  This will make you smell like a department store.  I tossed it.  Sorry Birchbox, not a fan.

I love snacks though! so this Kind Maple Pumpkin Seed granola bar was a win. 

Lastly were the Number Four clarifying shampoo and reconstructing mask.  I gave the shampoo a good few tries, but its hard to tell with shampoo if its any better than my current shampoo.  I will say that this is a low-lather formula.  I like a lot of lather, personally, as I like to know its working so I was not a huge fan.  The reconstructing mask is great though!  It made my hair feel so soft!



So there you have it.  Not my favorite but I got to try a few new things and the eyeliner and hair mask were awesome so I guess that sort of made up for the less than desirable products.  I'd give 4 out of 10 stars on this months box.  I still love Birchbox though!

Julep Maven - Speckled for Spring Mystery Box

I love surprises. When I saw that Julep was offering Spring Mystery boxes I eagerly jumped at the opportunity. I chose the 100% Mystery Box for $24.99 with an $18.99 add on. When I got my box in the mail, I was thrilled to see all of the goodies.

Can I just say that I will never use another brand of nail polish again?  I love the colors.  I love the shape of the bottle.  I love the quality and how nice my nails look, even though every time I paint my nails I can never "stay in the lines."  I especially love that little sticker they put on the top so that you can "swatch" the color.  Why doesn't anyone else do this?  Its so smart!

In this box (along with the add-on) I received 7 nail polishes and 1 topcoat.  I'm wearing that grey one on the end called "Daria."  I feel like I should be watching MTV...

I also received the Blank Canvas plumping lip primer and "Zinnia" lip vernis.  I love this color.  Love. It.

But there's more!  I also got a Nail Moisture Mask, Glycolic hand scrub sample, and Luxe Care hand cream.... and....

 .... a sweet little packet of Forget-me-not seeds.

Wow!  My nails are going to be well taken care of.  Thanks Julep!

10 out of 10 stars on this box, easily.

Too Faced Natural Eyes Tutorial from Xclosetoreal

I am so in love with my new Too Faced Natural Eyes palette from my April Popsugar Must Have Box (view review here) and have found some great tutorials on YouTube.  This is my favorite from vlogger Xclosetoreal check it out below and check out her other posts here

POPSUGAR Must Have April 2014

Happy Sunday!

I was super excited to get this month's Popsugar box.  I have been very impressed with the quality and value on these boxes so I was pleased to open it and find all of the goods.  The Popsugar box is $39.99/month with free shipping and the value always exceeds the cost of the box.  This month the suggested retail prices of the items in the box total roughly $110 and everything is fantastic.

There were three high-value Must Have Home items in this box.  Adorable tea towels with the phrases "Totally" and "Awesome" emblazoned on in bright fun colors, a small leather bound notebook that reads "Run the world" and a Caldrea Rosewater Driftwood scented hand soap.

Aren't they cute?  These will definitely go to good use.  My roommate is totally jealous. (sugg. retail $18)

I usually go for the foamy anti-bacterial hand soaps from Bath and Body works but this one smells amazing so I will definitely use it. (Sugg. Retail $10.50).  The notebook has silver edged paper and a leather cover.  It is just too pretty so it will be staying in my purse.  (Sugg. Retail $20)

The Must Have Food item this month is from another monthly subscription box - Nature Box.

This is the Popsugar Must Have Mix created custom for Popsugar.  Its loaded with almonds, soybeans, corn and cranberries and its really yummy.  I'm snacking on it while writing this post!  As an added bonus if you subscribe to Nature Box using promo code POPSUGAR, you will receive 50% off your first box!

The Must Have Beauty item is Natural Eyes palette from Too Faced.

The packaging is just too pretty.

(Of course, when opening this, i managed to accidentally smash my fingers into two of the colors.. I am very graceful...)I have the Urban Decay Naked palette, which I love, and these colors are similar to some of the shades in Naked, but I like the smaller size of this one so it will be a lot easier to take with me places.  (sugg. retail $36)

And Last, but certainly not least, the Must Have Fashion BlueAvacado (Eco) Shopper.  This cute little green zippered pouch goes from this:

 To This:

Its super handy and I will be keeping it in my car.  I even used it today at the grocery store! (Sugg. Retail $25)

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What did you think of this months box?  Was there anything you didn't like?