Beauty Box 5 Special Box Delivery

I recently received a free box from Beauty Box 5 and was pleasantly surprised. I decided to buy a three month subscription to try them out a bit. I guess when I ordered, I ordered in time to receive another July box (my mom got most of the contents, except the lip balm. I love that shiznit) and an offer for a  a special mystery box with “high-end” cosmetics. I know high-end cosmetics, I mean, c’mon. I was excited to see what Beauty Box 5 meant by high-end. At $39.00 USD, I didn’t know what to expect.

When I got the box, there was no postcard with product listings, so I decided to do a little research…

CATTIVA Retractable Waterproof Eye Liner in Black ($20 USD)

From the website: Intense eyes have never been so defined. Creamy and easy to apply, this very black, paraben-free, waterproof formula is the secret to a perfectly lined eye. Fortified with hyaluronic acid and vitamins to fight the effects of aging and last all day. Retractable dispenser.

Here’s the thing: I rarely wear black eye liner. It really looks too harsh on me. I may try this one out because the website intrigues me.

OFRA Lip gloss Plumper in Sultry ($12.95 USD)

From the website: A unique color lip gloss formulated by OFRA Cosmetic Laboratories with a touch of lip plumper for a beautiful fuller lips.

I am pretty sure I received an OFRA gloss in an ipsy bag. I don’t remember trying it. The color is pretty enough, kind of plummy, so I will give it a whirl.

GlamNatural Mascara in Black ($28 USD)

From the website:  Our eco-mascara in classic black- Mascara is the key to every woman’s makeup regimen. This ever-important tool meets the strict BodySafe standard. It is vegan, paraben free, and will give you gorgeous wide-eyed look you crave.

Don’t get excited. I received a mini tube of this $28 mascara. I know that an eco-mascara is good for me but I also would probably never spend $28 for mascara. (Not to say that I never did- that Armani Eyes to Kill was NOT good and I learned my lesson.)

For info about the polish, keep reading.

Bellapierre Shimmer Powder in Celebration ($14.99 USD)

There is no description on the website, except that this is mineral make-up. In fact, the package doesn’t even tell me that this is shimmer powder or that this product can be used on the eyes. Granted it is pretty, but I am not big on loose pigments. I’m so over them. Someone will end up with this pretty gold eye shadow. It won’t be me.

Nicka K Nail Polish  ($4.99 USD): I’ll spare you website details. I recently saw a pack of these on Groupon for like $10.Nicka K is a discount brand and they also make ABSOLUTE cosmetics, which GlossyBox loved putting in their subscriptions (hence, I stopped subscribing to GlossyBox.) I am not saying this product is bad- I have yet to try it- but this is not high-end. Oh- and I also got this in the regular subscription box. My mom got the double.

This box was not a terrible deal but I also needed to double check the value of the box. Though I was happy with the regular subscription, I will not order one of the special boxes again.  Granted the products surpassed the $39 price tag, some of the items are obscure to me. I do hope I find something that I love.

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

 

 

Beauty Box 5 Believer

A few weeks ago, Doreen of Love Anela, blogged about receiving a complimentary beauty box from Beauty Box 5. I have written about my disappointment with beauty boxes in the past, and though I recently tried GlossyBox again, we soon parted ways. (I still subscribe to ipsy and FabFitFun.) I understand that I won’t like everything that comes in a beauty box delivery BUT I also  hope that if I fill out a profile, someone would  care to refer to it.  I received my first Beauty Box 5 on Monday. After the day my husband and I had, it was a sweet surprise. I was even happier when I opened it.

The box was a nice bright sea-foam green. The items were tucked safely right in the box with shredded paper. Nothing came messy or broken. There were a few inserts included. The July box is themed “Defining Moments,” encouraging subscribers to “treasure accomplishments.” In all honesty, I’m not big on themes but I think it is nice that the company wants you to carry out a purpose.

Let’s get to the good stuff!

Revlon Bold Lacquer Mascara ($7.99 USD): This mascara is a newbie on the market. It should add volume and definition, with lift- no eyelash curler?  I can almost feel a panic attack. I have a bunch of mascaras to try but since Revlon wants us to #flashyourlash this will be the next on my list.

HASK Argan Oil Intense Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment ($2.49 USD): I can find HASK products in the local beauty supply. I even have used their hair placenta spray (sounds gross and works wonders). This packet has a generous amount of product. It is a nourishing cream that should make my hair soft and shiny for up to two weeks. BB5 also mentions that the packet has two uses. I love argan oil and have high hopes for this one!

 

Body Drench Candy Licious Lips ($3.99 USD): Skinny little tube promises to pack a candy flavored punch. They aren’t lying. I got Red Licorice and I swear I’m wearing a Twizzler. It also helps that the beeswax, coconut oil, and vitamin make for a smooth and soothing application.

Anna Naturals Glowing Mama Walnut Face & Body Scrub ($10.99 USD 4 fl oz): A vegan scrub that is not formulated with parabens, chemicals, or harsh fragrances will be welcome in my cleansing routine. This sample should be good for about three uses.  We do end up putting about 500 chemicals on our bodies daily, something to lower that number is a help.

Starlooks Lip Liner in Tickle Me Pink ($12.00 USD): Starlooks is another brand that offers a beauty box but seem to also be making their way into other beauty subscriptions. I have a few items from them and do enjoy using their products. Tickle Me Pink is a nice neutral pink that seems versatile.

My first Beauty Box 5 was a success and gave me a chance to try their subscription without costing me a dime. At $12 USD a month, I think I may have to try them out for a bit!

Is that a Twizzler on your lips, or are you just happy to see me?

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Falling into Fragrance- Bergamot’s October Collection

I received my second Bergamot box last Friday and gave myself some time to try each scent in the delivery. I think this month’s selection was better than last’s. Take a sniff.

“Oh! the Indian Summer! it stirs up the flying embers-all the dead days of the year-into momentary new life!” ~Walt Whitman (This quote was in the pamphlet. Love me some Walt.)

October’s Collection is titled Indian Summer.  Since NYC has been trying to kick out those last dregs of humid days (I got a stupid mosquito bite yesterday), I am more than happy to use anything Fall-like.  The fragrances revolve around scents from “Autumn’s kitchen”- ginger, pear, and oolong tea, two are from brands I never heard from and one is available at some mass beauty retailers.

The scent strips that are filed neatly beneath the mini-sprays are a most excellent addition to the box.

I’ll start with the first scent I tried, DSH Perfumes D’Anjou. At first spray I thought, “Ooooh! Freshly washed hair!” Pear, blended with notes of rose, lily, and cyclamen made for a really easy to wear fragrance that smelled so clean and delicious. I sniffed my wrists all day and found that though it did fade, I could smell it faintly. D’Anjou is my favorite out of the three selections for two reason. One- it really is a beautiful scent that is a bit unique and two- it is not overwhelming. The September collection I found to be a bit cloying so this was a refreshing change.

DSH Perfumes D’Anjou

Tuesday morning, I spritzed myself with Ginger Ciao by Yosh. I was uber-excited for this fragrance. Tiger Lily! Ylang Ylang! Ginger! Coconut! A spicy, sweet, floral? It sounds fantastic… BUT it wasn’t for me. I’m not sure if it is my skin chemistry but it really smelled ummm… like Design. I wore Design in the 90s but it was created in 1985 by Paul Sebastian. I found Ginger Ciao to be an opulent scent and a bit strong for my liking.  Maybe the Ylang Ylang really came through on me. I don’t know. I think this may smell gorgeous on someone else and I will be sure to pass it along.

Ginger Ciao by Yosh

Last but not least is Oolang Infini by Atelier Cologne. If I had to choose, I would choose D’Anjou but I have already used up half of this sample. Why, you ask? Since it is a cologne, it does not last very long. On the other hand, the dry down is spectacular so I didn’t mind. On first spray, you get hit with citrusy bergamot. Then Atelier Cologne used their noses. The dry down floats into Tunisian orange blossom, and gets edgy with smoke and leather. It is everything I want to smell like.

Atelier Cologne Oolang Infini

I will wear D’Anjou one more time but thinking about it, Oolang might just be for me! Agh! Decisions, decisions.

What scent do you prefer in the cooler months?

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Keeping It #Realsies! Prepping for the Benefit #LashBash!

Hey all! This past Saturday, I was one of 1,000 throwing a Benefit #LashBash, sponsered by Benefit and ipsy. I just want to share a few photos of my prep for a girls’ night in! Bat those lashes and take a peek!

Our “real” reason for the #LashBash!

I received small tubes for each of my guests!

I started by setting up my apartment. Though it is pretty spacious by NYC standards, I was having seven guests plus the hubs- he hid in his office but treated for pizza. He is the best!  Anyhoo- my coffee table was a beauty extravaganza. I set up sample and perfume tester stations for my guests to play with and take home to try before they buy!

Here is a shot of the whole table.

My “Try at Your Own Risk” sample bar!

My #realsies frame- you’ll see more of this in the next post- and my Fine. Brush Me Off. Station

There were sweet treats, too, along with a little bling!

I’m a teacher- we need books, even at a party.

I think the perfume sample bar was my favorite. I even had paper strips for testing scents!

You’re Getting Testy Perfume Sample Station

Carmella joined us, too!

In case someone forgot their mirror, I had that covered!

I see you.

I even made special gifts for each guest from my Product Hoochie stash plus a raffle for a skin brush or skincare set.

I set up the gift bags from Benefit and ipsy…

But this even isn’t half of it! My friends and I had a blast! Stay tuned this week for a post about the party and more goodies from Benefit & ipsy!

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

I was selected by Benefit and ipsy to host a Benefit LashBash. I received the Benefit products complimentary and this will have no influence on my review. All other items were purchased by me.

Back with Bergamot

Bergamot (Image from leydenhouse,com

Bergamot is a fragrant citrus fruit that is about the size of an orange but the color of a lemon. They can be found in Calabria, a province of Reggio in southern Italy. You may find the scent of bergamot familiar, especially if you enjoy a cup of Earl Grey tea. The bergamot I am telling you all about isn’t just a confused lemon or orange. Bergamotis one of the latest beauty boxes and delivers three sample sized fragrances to your door every month. I found it on a whim and signed up. I love perfume and enjoy trying different ones. I rarely wear the same scent everyday, though I am loving my current fall fragrance (more on that in another post).

Love at first sight? Ya think?

Here is Bergamot’s philosophy on fragrance shopping: At the perfume counter, we’re bombarded with too many smells and pushy salespeople. Bergamot’s discovery set lets you sample at your own pace, in your home, and as part of your daily routine, so you can truly experience the subtle notes a scent can evoke. 

Sounds pretty good, right? I was so excited when I received my first box last week. It was packed up really well in all white with black writing. I loved the minimalist packaging, giving you the idea that the delivery is all about the fragrance, not what it came in. The theme of Collection No. 1 is Love at First Sight. Inside are three sample sprays and scent strips.

I can’t even with the test strips.

The three samples are JASMIN ET CIGARETTE by ETAT LIBRE D’ORANGE, LOVE by MCMC FRAGRANCES, and EVENING EDGED IN GOLD by INEKE. I was happy to see that the brands are a bit obscure (and that MCMC is in Brooklyn, NY! I’m a very proud Brooklynite!). Since I don’t like smelling like everyone else, this gives me more variety!  There is also a pamphlet with information about each perfume. I didn’t really even bother reading it until after I tried each sample. With that said, let’s start with Love by MCMC Fragrances.

I wore Love to work one day. On first spritz, it smelled very green and herbal to me. I wasn’t that thrilled about it but as the day went on, it did grow on me. It softened up and smelled a little more woody and smoky. It seems my schnoz was spot on. Check out the description from Bergamot: The first impression is an explosion of … complex Japanese yuzu citrus, crisp French basil and bright magnolia. As time wears on… more subtle notes emerge… a smoky gunpowder tinged with ancient resinous woods…

Though I did enjoy MCMC’s Love, I will not be purchasing it. I don’t have enough of a crush on it but I will finish up the sample.

I then tried  JASMIN ET CIGARETTE by ETAT LIBRE D’ORANGE. I sprayed it on and did not like it. At all. I actually regretted spraying it on my wrist without using a scent strip. Bergamot describes this as “sexy and delicious.” I felt like I dipped my skin into an ashtray, Blech. I was upset that I didn’t like it on me either, since the notes are spot on to what I normally love in a perfume: a candy-ish sweet note to complement the jasmine, composed of apricot and tonka bean. The tobacco opens into a blend of woods and musk, giving the scent a hint of toughness. I sniffed myself throughout the day, hoping I would like the dry down but had no luck. I also found it faded pretty fast.

Lastly, I sprayed on EVENING EDGED IN GOLD by INEKE. On first spray, I smell Calvin Klein’s Eternity. I kid you not. There is something very strong and cloying about it.  The scent is powdery and floral and very feminine. I personally don’t really care for it. It actually reminds me too much of something my grandmother would wear. I love my grandmother but she loves a strong perfume and it really reminds me of something she has worn. Check out what Bergamot says:  the highlight of this fragrance is powdery osmanthus, a rare yellow-blossomed flower from China. Flecked with sweet fruit and cinnamon, the drydown has a soft, leathery quality, making it easy and pleasing to wear. I can’t agree with pleasing to wear. I’m choking.

No winners here this month but if I did want to purchase one the fragrances I sampled, I would do so through Bergamot’s site and get the next month’s sample set for free. I could even gift it if I liked. I checked out the shop anyway and found that there were four more fragrances available that I did not get to sample.  The funny thing is that after reading the other fragrance descriptions, they seem to be more my scent style. I do like that I tried a few things that are a bit more out of the box for me.

A six month Bergamot plan is $14 US a month. I purchased the three month plan for $16 US a month. If you want to try one box, it is $18 US.  There is no referral code yet but if I do get one, I will let you know!

I do hope I get to try more perfumes from MCMC, Ineke, and ETAT LIBRE D’ORANGE. Though I wasn’t necessarily a fan of what I got this month, that does not mean they don’t have other scents I would adore.

I am trying to get back into some blogging schedule. I am hoping within a few weeks, I am back to posting at least three times a week. Until then…

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Beauty Boxes: A Rant

I am annoyed.

This is not a good feeling to have. I think it started when I got an email from Glossybox opting out of their automatic renewal. Since I will be moving, I figured I shouldn’t have them just renew my subscription. The thing that got me was that they only gave subscribers two days to say “no thanks.” Ugh. But it was that email that sent me down the slippery slope.

Boxes. Blech.

I ordered one box from Blush.com. The box looked interesting enough. As I waited for my delivery, I received my Glossybox. The contents were pretty good (Sue Devvitt face powder, a Jelly Pong Pong chubby lipstick) but these were higher end products than usual. If you get Glossybox USA, they have sent us some Absolute! products. I want you to know that I have seen these in my local independent beauty supply for under $3 US, with a health warning. Yes, a health warning. I was horrified. Basically, the product is probably made where they don’t care if they add the not so good for you chemicals. And for Glossybox to keep sending their subscribers products from a company that does this really makes me angry.

One. Of many.

Here are some more…

Chubby stick lip stains: Though I like them and use them pretty frequently, I think I got three chubby stick lip stains in two months. Enough already.

Beach Waves Style Spray: Ummm… two full size bottles and one travel size. Why do I fill out surveys asking what type of hair I have, etc, when I never get things good for it?

Don’t let this happen to you.

Dry Shampoo: I don’t really have a use for dry shampoo. I can use baby powder if necessary to cut grease.

In the words of Kelly Clarkson: Never again.

Sunscreen ( especially Coola): After the giant, painful zit incident I will not use it. Ever again. I don’t want leg zits, too.

Self-Tanning Towelettes: Usually I got one in a subscription package. What the heck is one going to do? Maybe, if I combined the five different self-tanners I received, I would have a good glow.

Ignore the hair tie.

Hair Conditioning Treatments: These aren’t so bad. Until you have six small tubes or jars.

After mentioning all of this to my husband, we both figured companies just send out a bunch of samples to these beauty box places and we get them. I understand the goal is for the consumer to try new products BUT we pay for these subscriptions. I really think that the companies need to pay more attention to what the consumer actually needs- not what they have in stock. The other issue is that these companies are sending the same products, sometimes even the same brand.

I said buh-bye to Birchbox and after December, sayonara GlossyBox. I will not order the Blush.com box again, either.

Grrr…

Keep Calm (I’m not, obviously) & Primp On! XOXO

I Have A Lot of Beauty Boxes to Recycle

There were more. Trust me.

And I only mean that after I have opened them and emptied the contents! I got FIVE beauty packages in the mail this week. In this post, we will take a gander at my GlossyBox and Birchbox deliveries. In the next post, we need to discuss the HauteLook Summer Beauty bag and a package all the way from someone Short (and Sweet) in Texas. I will give you a quick rundown of each box and then pick and choose the items I really think you need to know about in future posts.  Here we go!

First up is the July GlossyBox, le Grand Bleu, or the Big Blue, or the Grand Indigo (I made that up.) Very disappointing delivery- probably most disappointing of the lot and there was no magazine! Actually, that’s good news because that means things will be looking up from here. There were five products plus a “bonus.” At $21 a month, I deserve a bonus. Unfortunately, I will not use three of them and only one is a full size product and the cheapest in the box.

Okay, give to Cindy, give to my sister, okay, throw in travel bag, give to someone that needs it

The Brazilian Blowout Acai Deep Conditioning Mask will be used up when I need to deep condition. (Remind me to tell you my Rio acai story sometime. I was fun in my 20s!)  Bvlgari Eau Parfumee au the Blanc Shampoo & Shower Gel is the third product from the white tea fragrance line. Though I like the scent, enough alread, my friend Cindy likes the smell and just like I passed off the soap to her, she will get the shower gel. Nails Inc. Baker Street Nail Polish may look like a regular bottle but it is small and I know because I already own it. My sister is lucky. That girl ends up with everything. Figs & Rouge Cherry Blossom Tinted Balm Tube is full size and is $9 US. I thought it was an L’Occitane hand cream. Nope. I will use it since I like the way the tube looks. My “bonus” is Nicka K New York Absolute! Make-Up Cleansing towelettes. I have said it before and I will say it again- they sell this brand at my local beauty supply and the make-up runs around $3 US on average. Lastly is the Evologie Intensive Blemish Serum. I rarely get acne and I like my good old tea tree to handle that.  I am not impressed with this month’s selections- they are way too run of the mill and small!

Every year, the Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) have the Insiders’ Beauty Awards. Birchbox curated two boxes of winners. They were recently on sale- $26 for both. I thought that was pretty good and had some points left, so I managed to score both for $23.31. I’ll start with the Prestige Headliners – Birchbox for CEW. Originally priced at $18 US, this little box had the stuff you could buy at Sephora or a department store.

Birchbox Prestige Headliners

Since there are so many, I’ll list:

-IT Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Brow Pencil (might be a full size- Sam over at Samandro22 got me into filling in my brows!)

-Living Proof Prime Style Extender (Decent sized tube. Eh.)

-Julep Nail Color in Teri (It’s a full bottle!)

-Julep Essential Cuticle Oil (Another biggie! For my dry cuticles, I need a miracle.)

-Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Triple Defense Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 50 (“Deluxe”Sample)

-La Fresh Eco-Beauty Oil-Free Face Cleanser, Scented (2 wipes. I’m cool with that.)

Next is the Birchbox for CEW Mass Market Finalists. This box is a treasure trove of drugstore finds and I have only tried two out of the six! Five of the products are full size, making for a great value.

On the cheap.

-Olay Pro-X Spot Fading Treatment (Sample tube but it should last a bit because you only use a few drops at a time.)

-Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey (Love these!)

-L’Oreal Paris Infallible Eye Shadow in #557 Glistening Garnet (I hope it is way better than the Armani Eyes to Kill one I bought.)

-Burt’s Bees Ultimate Care Hand Cream (Full size tube- since I finished my most recent favorite, I will try this next.)

-Nivea A Kiss of Olive OIl & Lemon Moisture Rich Lip Care (Finally! My favorite balm is LaBello- it is Nivea in the States and this flavor is more European!)

-Simple Revitalizing Eye Roll-On (I love eye rolls…)

What do you think? I have a lot of work ahead of me, huh?

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

–

FabFitFun and Fantastic!

Earlier this week I wrote a post about the HauteLook & Nordstrom Summer Beauty Bag (click here to read the post). I was very disappointed. Luckily, I received my FabFitFun (fff) box by Giliana Rancic, too, and this delivery did not disappoint! Though it is $49.95 a box, it only comes quarterly and this being my second box, I find the contents are valued way beyond the cost. Here are the goods:

Five full size products, sunnies, and something good for travel.

I will start off with skincare. First up is Purlisse-Pur-Delicate Gentle Soy Milk Cleanser ($36 US). A Vogue favorite, it is a gentle, soap-free cleanser that does double duty as an eye make-up remover. I am currently using a soap-free ultra gentle cleanser and I do like them since I find they cut the oil in my skin enough without drying me out. I can’t wait to try it!

Evian Brumisateur Facial Spray ($12 US) has been around forever. I currently am using Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir but I am close to finishing it up. I will use this first before I buy another.

Cleanser, face spray, cleansing wipes

Usually fff throws in a surprise. My first box had two- a Butter London Nail Polish and a GoSmile Pen. In this package, there is a travel pack of Yes to Cucumber Facial Towelettes ($2.99 US). There are ten towelettes of all- natural, hypoallergenic goodness and at this size, will fit into my purse for quick clean up. Though not as expensive as the previous surprises, I know I will get use out of these.

But I’m not finished with surprises! The next is a bottle of Orly Nail Polish in Mayhem Mentality ($8.50 US). It is a neon orange and since orange is my favorite color, I am loving this, The application is only okay and it dries matte, which is easily fixed with a shiny topcoat. It also needs three coats or it is streaky, so this is definitely only for when I go for a manicure and pedicure. I would botch the color up if I used this color myself.

Pardon my foot.

For a perfect pucker, there is a Catalina Su Lip Gloss ($14 US).  Catalina Su is Giuliana Rancic’s male-up artist. This is not normally a shade I would wear but I am trying more nudes as of late and will give this a try. I also think this is the only color in the collection so it must be universally flattering. We will see!

Flip flop friendly!

The big ticket item in the box is a pair of Ivory Mason Sunglasses in the Trudel Sunwear Style (On sale $135 US). They are very chic but the style is too small for my face. I also wear glasses and prescription sunglasses so I probably wouldn’t be able to use these. There is a way to exchange the sunglasses but I think I will pass these off  to my mom.

It Hair Care Surf Spray ($6.99 US)is supposed to create beachy waves. This is probably the third or fourth beach wave spray I have received (I got another in my ipsy delivery, too) and I just can’t use it. I don’t like the way my hair looks after a day at the beach. It looks like a mess.

As for sunless tanning, I need to get on the train. My legs are still pasty! Infinity Sun Glow on the Go ($40 US) is an aerosol spray with anti-aging properties. I will give it a whirl.

Beach Essentials?

KIND Bar in Dark Chocolate Chili Almond & Maple Glazed Pecan & Sea Salt is great to throw in a bag for a snack. KIND bars are delish and this sounds ridiculously tasty.

The retail value of the FabFitFun box is $235. I think it was a fabulous buy for the money AND I have a coupon code for $10 off your first FabFitFun VIP box. Just visit their website, sign up, and type 647993 in the coupon code box. The offer expires on August 11th.

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

GLOSSYBOX and I are Exclusive- Almost.

Hello, gorgeous! I hope the week as treated you well and that the weekend treats you even better. I have some interesting PH news to share. It actually isn’t that interesting but after months of complaining and disappointment, I have cancelled my Birchbox subscription. I really thought about it, considering it has started to get a little better but when I received the email that it would be renewed on July 1st, I took the plunge and bid Birchbox adieu. I would post pictures of some of my monthly boxes but why live in the past? Besides. my ipsy and GLOSSYBOX subscriptions should keep me busy enough. I also decided to keep up with FabFitFun, since the first box was excellent and they only ship four times a year.

And after waiting a looooong month, I did get my June GLOSSYBOX today. Curated by Dallas Shaw, the theme is “American Beauty Box.” (You can read more about Dallas Shaw by visiting her website. I really had no clue about her until I read a bit about her today.) I purchased a six month subscription to GLOSSYBOX for $90 US, which was a decent discount. The June box is better than those I have gotten recently. Are you ready?

Pull tab here.

On top is the GLOSSYBOX magazine. I really wish they would save a tree. I always find typos and it takes all of five minutes to read.

Good things come in small packages.

The box has an illustration by Dallas Shaw and this one might be a keeper. Inside there is an insert with the same illustration, a note, and a listing of products.

She hopes I love her selections. I do, too!

The body and hair care portion of the box is actually quite nice. First up is c. Booth Honey Almond Nourishing Dry Oil Mist (2 oz. bottle, $4 US value): An oil that can be used on the body and the face, it absorbs quickly and leaves a “light, lasting glow.” I am attending a wedding tonight and I will try this out of the shower. (Full Size 8 oz., $8 US).

For my tresses, there is Philip B. Lovin’ Leave-In Conditioner (2 fl oz tube, $8 US) which seems to be a frizz fighting, color saving, heat protector for you tresses. My two ounce tube will come in handy since I am running out of my usual hair cream. It is also a Paraben & Phthalate Free Formula.

I will smell so nice.

I got an email from GLOSSYBOX about two weeks ago stating that some product was unavailable but that there would be a great replacement. I don’t really remember if these Essential Luxuries by Oscar de la Renta are the consolation prize or if it is another product in the box. Whatever the case, I like three out of the six samples. This is Uncle Oscar’s tailored line of six scents that are “imbued with his love of beauty and luxury.” They are: Granada (love it), Oriental Lace (smells divine), Sargasso (I can’t even- delicious), Coralina (yeah, no), Santo Domingo (for those of a certain age), and Mi Corazon (gardenia- a lot of gardenia). A 3.4 ounce bottle of one is $150 US. Pure peanuts in my book, especially if I love it.

Lips and tips weren’t left out either. I have been itching to try SpaRitual Favorites Nail Polish, as it is vegan, certified organic, and made with fair-trade ingredients. Clay Creme was in my box and though I am not particularly fond of the color, it will make for a nice autumn shade. (Full Size bottle $12 US)

Tarte’s Complexion Enhancing Lipstick in Medium to Tan is an interesting addition. I am kind of on the light to medium skintone side, though maybe with a little sun, more medium. I will give this a try in about a week after I get a little more sun (and yes, I use SPF and I never bake myself.) It is a jelly core lipstick in a nude shade that will give the appearance of more youthful lips. I am hoping this works for me because I love a good nude lip. (Full Size Tube $14.50 US).

Lips and my tips!

This month’s GLOSSYBOX retail value is roughly $36 US, which isn’t bad since six months was 90 bucks.

Spoiler. Or just spoiled?

I think the lipstick and nail polish are my favorites though the oil and hair cream will be useful. If you would like to try GLOSSYBOX, use my referral code by clicking here.

See you soon!

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

ipsy-licious!

Hi Lovlies! I am home today with a nasty cold. I can’t hear out of my ears and my head is pounding. Great fun for a Friday. To ease my feeling yucky, I figured I would write about my ipsy delivery. I read about the June bag over at Pink Lady Beauty. Melissa got a slightly different bag but I am happy with the contents.

The theme of this month’s bag is “On the Wild Side.” I think the products I received actually fit into this idea quite nicely!

For the birds!

J. Cat Beauty Sparkling Cream Palette ($4.49 US) : These glitter creams are neutral and that is better for me. If they were colorful I might have more trouble using them than I already will. I am not big on glitter and though these are really pretty, I probably won’t have much use for them. On the description of ipsy’s website, it says to NOT use them on the eyes, which makes it more problematic.

Lots of lights in this bag.

Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil($18 US) :  This pencil will get some serious use. I usually use the beige NANO pencil from Sephora and this one is a chubby pencil that I can use in the corners of my eyes or under my brow bones. This pencil can also help conceal redness and blemishes. This type of pencil is great for people that wear glasses. I do and I swear by some highlighting to help enhance the area that is hidden by my specs.

Starlooks Lips Pencil in Tickle Me Pink ($12 US): I have read a few reviews on Starlooks boxes and am intrigued. If I didn’t already get ipsy, GlossyBox, and Birchbox, I might have taken the plunge. The Starlooks line claims to have quality make-up at pro-prices (I guess they mean a discount.) The color seems to be very vibrant and I will probably use it this summer with a nice gloss over it.

Putting the pieces together.

NYX Mosaic Powder in Dare ($7 US): I love my NYX cosmetics! This powder has shimmer and matte colors. This is more of a rosy gold and I think will make it easy to use, as it can almost double as a light bronzer.

And I hope this next one gives you a giggle. I have now received my fourth bottle of… DRY SHAMPOO. I. CAN’T. EVEN.

My best secret?

Psssst! The TRUE Original Dry Shampoo (Travel Size $2.99 US): Great for sopping up oily roots and adding volume, Psssst! is the matriarch of dry shampoos. Basically, you spray in and brush out- which I why I probably can’t use it. If I put a brush to this head, you’d be looking at Frankenstein’s Bride.

Wild Things!

I am pretty pleased with the month’s bag. It far exceeded the $12 monthly charge.

You still have a few days to enter my giveaway. Click  here for a chance to win!

Until next time…

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO