Target Beauty Box - Spring 2015

Target recently released another beauty box (currently out of stock), this one for $5 with free shipping.  While they don’t release on a regular schedule, I’ve made the executive decision to call it the spring box since all the other spring collections are out now.  I haven't seen many people talk about this one yet, so I'm glad I'm able to share it with you.

Upon opening the box (which is a nice sturdy black one this time instead of the white one I’ve seen in the past), you are greeted with a card calling you beautiful.  Nice touch Target!  The back of this card has the explanations of the products and a $3 off a $15 beauty purchase coupon.  Also included is a coupon for 20% off and a complementary gift at DermStore.com.

I was SO EXCITED when I opened up the tissue paper and saw what was inside!  I already knew I liked one of the items, and I had wanted to try 2 others.

• Maybelline Color Elixir by Color Sensational Lip Color (Full Size) - I already have another shade of Color Elixir that I purchased on my own, and I find that it’s one of the best lip gloss/lipstick/lip stain combos on the market today.  I received Rose Redefined this time, which I probably wouldn’t have picked out on my own since it is a lighter pink than I would typically choose.  It swatches rather sheer, but I haven’t had a chance to actually wear it yet.  Do you prefer to wear glosses, or are you a lipstick fan?  Or something else?

• L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray & Set - I am so happy to see this!  I have been wanting to try this, but have been put off by the price.  It gets rave reviews all over the interwebs, and most say it is just as good or better than high-end setting sprays.  This is a 3.4 oz bottle, so I’d call it a travel size.  How do you set your makeup?  Have you jumped on the setting spray bandwagon?

• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream - I am a Neutrogena skincare fan in general, so was excited to see this sample as well.  I just ran out of my nighttime face cream and was looking forward to starting this one.  As it says in the name, it has a gel-like cream texture, is wonderfully moisturizing, and a you only need a little to cover your face.  This truly is a sample size at 0.25 oz.

• TRESemme TRES Two Extra Hold Hairspray - If you’ve read some of my previous box posts, you know that I don’t typically use hairspray.  This one seems to smell nice, and at 1.5 oz is a good size for travel.

• SheaMoisture Superfruit Complex 10-in-1 Renewal System Shampoo - This is a lovely smelling shampoo and a really good size sample/travel size at 3.2 oz.  I look forward to using it, though I do wish it had come with a matching conditioner.

I am so glad I picked up this box!  The Color Elixir alone is worth more than the cost of this box.  Add in the cost of the L’Oreal setting spray (based on the full size price of $14), and this was totally worth it.

Were you able to get your hands on Target's spring box?  What was your favorite product?

First ColourPop Haul!

ColourPop, if you have not yet heard of them, is huge right now in the v/blogging world right now.  They have a huge variety of eyeshadows, lipsticks, and matching lip liners.  Recently, they have also gotten into blushes, and will soon (if not already) be coming out with a line of highlighters.

The first thing that should be noted in general about these products is that all of the check and eye products are creams.  *Happy Dance*  That being said, they all come in their own pot, even if you purchase them in a kit so they don’t dry out.  Also, they don’t have a typical cream texture but one that is more sponge-like. 

Finally, the price makes these even more fabulous, especially when considering how great the quality is (and it is!).  All the eyeshadows (including pressed pigments), lipsticks, and liners are $5, while the blushes are $8.  You can’t beat that!

I have totally been loving duochrome eyeshadows recently, and have been wearing at least one almost every day.  So when I discovered that ColourPop carries several, I quickly placed an order and grabbed every one they had.  I also had my eye on a few blushes after watching a video so grabbed those to qualify for free shipping.

Blushes

Prenup – The ColourPop website describes this as a mid-tone plum pink.  It is a light enough blush that I don’t have to be uber careful with my application and it still looks natural.

Trickery – This soft pastel true peach per the website has become my go-to peach blush since I got it.  It’s perfect for lighter skin tones, though might not show up well on darker ones.

Eye Shadows

Girly – I use this creamy vanilla shadow with a flash of pink and gold duochrome finish primarily as a base.  However, I have used it on top of some bolder colors with interesting effects.  To me, it can come across as either yellow or white.  

Cheeky – This is called a mid-toned candy coral pink with a duochrome finish by ColourPop.  So far, I have tried this once, and discovered it is a pink I need to be careful with so I don’t look sick.  I topped it with Girly and it created an orange look.

So Quiche – I find it so hard to describe this shadow, but ColourPop lists it as a soft olive with a highly reflective gold and pink violet glittery duochrome metallic finish.  They say on the website that there are no words in the dictionary to describe this, and I tend to agree.  I guess you’ll just have to try it yourself.  J

Ibiza – I actually thought this bright turquoise with silver and gold duochrome finish would be one of my least used of the bunch, but I have used this several times for a fun look.  I pair this with a more muted purple for a fun, peacock-inspired look.

Slave2Pink (Pressed Pigment) – I haven’t quite figured out how to use this electric neon pink with blue, violet, hot pink, and silver glitter and metallic duochrome finish.  It wasn’t until I received it that I learned that pressed pigments are supposed to be used in the eye area.  Some more thinking to do on this one… 

Partridge – This saddle brown undertone shadow with a green duochrome finish totally reminds me of the bottom right shadow in the Wet ‘n Wild Comfort Zone palette, but as a cream.  I love this! Try it as a single shadow look.

Bae – This rich eggplant purple with an emerald and turquoise glittery duochrome has been my most used of the bunch by far.  This has been my go-to when I want a dark, dramatic eye.  It is also one of the only shadows I ever use as an eyeliner; it gives such a gorgeous color to the lower lash line.

Close up really shows some of the blue

I’ve only tried the blushes and eyeshadows so far, but when I try the lip products out, I’ll share my opinions, of course.

Aside from the basic product pictures on the website, there are also pictures of many of the products applied to different skin tones.  I have found this incredibly helpful since the names don’t usually describe the color well.

So, based on my first order, I will definitely be getting more.  What do you think I should try?  I think a Lippie Stix will be in my next order, but I’m still trying to decide which one.

What are your favorite ColourPop products?  Which ones should I try next?

Ipsy - April 2015

The theme of this month's Ipsy bag is Beautifully Bohemian.  I am thrilled with this month's bag, and can't wait to share why.

First off, the bag itself is adorable.  Everyone who has seen it has commented on just how cute it is.  The pattern reminds me of straw placemats but it feels so much softer.

·        Theorie Argan Oil Ultimate Reform Hair Serum – I love a good hair serum, especially one that reminds me of a salon, and this one is just that.  It took me a little while to figure out how to actually dispense the product, but now that I figured that out, I look forward to including this in my morning routine.

·        The Balm Nude Dude Mini Nude Eyeshadow in Fit – I have been wanting to try The Balm eyeshadows, and have thought about picking up several of the nude palettes.  This is a great way for me to try them out.  So far, I've liked the other products from The Balm that I've used, and have even bought a full-sized Stainiac after sampling it in Birchbox several years ago.

·        Hikari Blush in Tango – This blush is HUGE!  It looks super bright in the package and seems to be very pigmented when I swatch it, so I'll probably have to be careful when I apply it.

·        Mally Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Liner in Shimmering Black – This is a full-sized eyeliner, and is the only type of black eyeliner I will wear on a regular basis (shimmering).  I've heard really good things about Mally eyeliners, and I've liked the other products I've tried from them.

·        Mullein and Sparrow All Natural Tinted Lip and Cheek Balm – This smells so good, kind of like a high end orange dessert.  I can see myself really liking this as a lip balm, but I'm not so sure how I'll like it on the cheeks, which is opposite of how I usually feel about dual-use products like this.

This was a great bag this month.  I really like both full-sized products, and the other samples are all really good sizes.  Definitely, definitely worth the cost this month.

How was your Ipsy bag this month?  What was your favorite product?

If you're not signed up for Ipsy yet, check it out here (my referral link).