Ipsy – March 2016

March’s Ipsy was all about Spring.  There were actually 2 bags this month with an inverse color scheme of each other: one mostly blue with pink flower outlines, the other mostly pink with blue flower outlines. (I got the blue with pink outlines seen above) While the design doesn’t overly thrill me, it’s not the worst I’ve seen, either.

I love makeup, so I absolutely love when my subscription boxes are heavy on makeup samples.  Ipsy definitely kept me satisfied this month!  Out of the 5 samples, 3 were makeup.  Then there was 1 tool and one body product.  Not only that, but just about everything was full size this month.  Overall, this was a really good bag!

On to the products:

• Margaret Dabbs London Super Shiner Buffer – This is a full-size nail buffer that seems to be pretty decent.  It’s a little irksome to me that it doesn’t fit well into the bag, but that’s the price for being a full-size product.
• Nourish Organic Rejuvenating Rose Hip & Rosewater Body Oil Mist – I’ve liked the few other products I’ve tried from this brand before, so I’m interested in this one.  The kiddo pointed out that it says in the name that it’s a mist, but the sample came in a tube, so I won’t get the full experience of how this product is truly supposed to work.  Also, based on past experience with products from this company, oils in tubes can be a messy scenario.
• Pixi Beauty Blush Duo – This is beautiful!  I wouldn’t call both of these blushes, because one is definitely light enough even on me to be a highlighter, but the swatches look gorgeous.  I do wish the lid was a flip-top instead of a screw-off for convenience purposes, but it seems to be a very secure lid so I’m not overly concerned.
• Vera Mona Eyeshadow in Clover – This seems like a beautiful eyeshadow, and a multitasking product at that.  It’s a shimmery pink, so it could probably be used as a shimmery blush or highlighter as well, depending on your skin tone.  I’m a little surprised to see a pink eyeshadow; so many people don’t like them.  I seem to be one of the few who will use pink eyeshadows routinely; mixed properly with other colors, especially purples, they don’t make me look sick like others claim.  (It looks like this is normally one color that comes in a palette, but I don't see it sold separately on their website.)
• NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick in Kitten Heels – This bright red matte liquid lipstick is a gorgeous formula.  It is definitely not transfer proof, but it also never claims to be.  It reminds me a lot of the Rimmel Matte Lip Velvets in texture when they go on, or even the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams, but it dries down more.

Again, I am so happy with this month’s bag.  This is probably one of the best product-wise I have gotten in a long time.

What did you get in your Ipsy this month?  Did you get any of these same products?  Were you happy with yours or could it have been better?  Shout out in the comments!

Note: Ipsy link is my referral link.  If you haven’t joined yet, you should give it a try!

All products link to the company's website when possible, but they can all be purchase through Ipsy as well.

Birchbox – March 2016

I’m actually going to get this out in a timely manner this month J

This month, Birchbox chose a theme of Ladies First to celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month.  The box itself is beautiful with its muted geometric pattern, and the products inside seem to be a good mix.

• Parlor by Jeff Chastain Volumizing and Texturizing Shampoo and Conditioner – I do tend to use the shampoo and conditioner samples.  Not thrilled that the conditioner is in a rippy packet, but I’ll deal.
• Juara Radiance Enzyme Scrub – I’m so glad I got a face scrub this month.  It’s been a long time.  Not a huge fan of enzyme ones, but I’ll give it a shot.
• Clarisonic Sonic Radiance AM Skin Illuminating Cleanser – Again, I’m glad that I got a face wash because it’s been a while since I’ve been able to try a new one.  This one is supposed to be best when used with a Clairsonic brush system, which I don’t have and don’t plan on getting on advice of my dermatologist.  At least it can be used alone.
• Trestique Mini Shadow Crayon in Aspen Pine – I’ve used one of these in another color that wasn’t the best, but this one seems to be much more pigmented in the swatch.  It is one of the most interesting colors I’ve ever seen.  It’s sort of a dark olive green that looks almost black, with the green is enhanced by a gold shimmer.  I look forward figuring out a look using this color.
• Cartier Baiser Vole Eau de Parfum – Not always the biggest perfume sample, but it is nice to receive one every now and then.  Unfortunately, I don’t really like this one, but I have found some favorites this way.

  

So, overall, not the best, but not the worst box.  The samples were all a decent size, and because there was a perfume sample I got 6 this month.  Yay for more samples!

How was your Birchbox this month?  Did you get any of these products?  Of course, all of the products mentioned above can be purchased through the Birchbox store, and I have linked the company's webpage specifically for that product when available.

Note: Birchbox link is a referral link

Favorites – February 2016

Again, another very late post, but there are a few favorite products from February that I need to mention.  Most of what I tried this month was just OK, but there were a few standouts that really need to be mentioned.

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream – I haven’t been this impressed in a face cream in so long, and this is from the drugstore!  Why do so many face creams smell flowery?  It just doesn’t make sense to me.  But this one really doesn’t have a scent; if anything, it has a very slight fresh scent.  I like this so much I actually bought the full size, which I rarely do.

100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream – I received this in a Birchbox a while ago, and was quite surprised when I saw it.  It is HUGE not only for a subscription box but for an eye cream itself.  I think it actually works really well and I (think) I do notice a difference in my eye puffiness.  It does have a bit of a scent to it, but it smells more like chocolate to me than coffee (which is good because I don’t like coffee).

Bare Minerals Face Makeup Brushes – I’ve mentioned before that my husband is addicted to QVC.  I told him once that I have been liking Bare Minerals products, and he has since bought me several kits.  The kits usually come with some brushes.  These brushes are AMAZING!  Most of them are the right size to travel with, are SO soft, and blend in product amazingly.

So those are the products that really jumped out at me in February.  What should I try that you think is absolutely fantastic?

Note: Birchbox link is my referral link

Birchbox and Ipsy – February 2016

I know this is going up when then March subscriptions are coming out, but I want to get this up mostly for completeness purposes.  If you read my last two posts (here and here), then you can understand why this is so late.

I was somewhat unimpressed with both Birchbox and Ipsy this month.  Looking back over them to write up this post, I realize they are not as disappointing as my first impressions, but I’m still not overly thrilled.  I think the big thing was the product size.  Everything just seemed so tiny!

February 2016 Birchbox

Birchbox

• Parlor by Jeff Chastain Moisturizing Sea Salt Spray – Sea salt spray is a staple for me and I use it every day.  I’m looking forward to trying this one and comparing it to my usual Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray.
• Living Proof Restore Mask Treatment – I don’t use a lot of hair masks and don’t find a lot of use for them.  I recently used one up as conditioner, and I usually use them before I swim.  Not overly thrilled to see this one.
• Arrow Cooling Cheek Tint in Pink Punch – I love receiving makeup, so this was a pleasant treat.  The sample, however is tiny, and when I swatched it it was rather light even on my pale skin.  One thing I did find, however, was that this caused a stain where I had left a non-blended area during swatching that I could NOT get off even with thorough scrubbing.  So be forewarned: make sure to blend in quickly or risk not being able to get it off.
• DermaE Hydrating Serum – I like face serums, and after using this last night it felt really nice.  It was a tiny little tube.
• Pop Beauty Matte Velvet Lipstick in Cozy Crimson – I love that this is a full size product in a color that I will wear!  It seemed like a nice creamy formula without shimmer.  Definitely think this is more velvet and not super matte, but that’s OK with me.

February 2016 Ipsy

Ipsy

• Not Your Mother’s In a Heart Beat Blow Dry Accelerator – Love the product line, but I almost never dry my hair, so I won’t get much use out of this.
• Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil – I’m interested in trying this out.  I’m trying to be more consistent in wearing primer, especially now that I have finished my Tarte BB Cream (coming up in my March empties, so more on that then).
• Paula Dorf Baby Eyes Enhancer – I do use nude eyeliner in my waterline, and I was pleasantly surprised by how soft this felt when I swatched.  But this is such a tiny little pencil!  I think I’ll be able to sharpen it maybe twice before I’ll have trouble holding it.
• Chella Lip Pencil in Passionate Pink – Another tiny pencil.  I normally love lip products, but this is in a color I have trouble wearing.  It’s somewhere between a bright pink and a hot pink, and I think a lot of people would have trouble wearing it.
• Luxie Flat Definer Brush – I have had good luck with Luxie brushes, and I do like that this is full size.  I’m not usually a fan of brushes this shape, but I’ll give it a fair shot.

What did you think of your Birchbox and Ipsy this month?  I’ve already heard of at least one other person who was disappointed with their Ipsy this month, so I know I’m not the only one.  Shout out your experiences in the comments below!

Note: Referral links included above

Empties - February 2016

The past few weeks (month?) have been extremely crazy for me, which is why I'm only getting around to posting this now.  But between spending a lot of time away from home and making a concerted effort to use up my stash, my empties pile in February was huge!  This month was heavier in hair care than usual, mostly because I used up a whole bunch of hotel bottles I had laying around.  Skincare and Face Care are also big categories this month; some items were single use, and some were items that have been almost done for a while and I made it a point to finish them.

Also notable was that I didn't have any Neutrogena wipes nor hand sanitizer this month.  Not to worry, though; the empty hand sanitizer bottles will be flowing soon.  As for the wipes, I was trying out a different full-size pack and really didn't like them.  So between travel and this other pack, just one mini pack this month.

(Note: Birchbox link below is my referral link.)

Makeup

• Ulta Raincoat Waterproof Topcoat for Mascara – Full size.  This product is a clear coat of mascara that you put on top of your regular mascara to (theoretically) make it waterproof.  It didn’t work for me.  You’re better off wearing waterproof mascara.  I’ve also heard you can do the same thing by putting a layer waterproof mascara over your regular mascara.  Repurchase: No.

Face Care

• Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Towlettes – Travel size from Target Beauty Box.  These smelled nice, but weren’t great at removing makeup.  Purchase: No.
• Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet – Sample from Birchbox (not on Caudalie website).  This pilled a bit on my skin depending on how much I used.  Not a fan.  Purchase: No.
• CeraVe Eye Repair Cream – Sample from Target Beauty Box.  While I was using this and a few other new products, the skin around my eyes was very irritated.  Not sure if it was this, but since this didn’t do anything special, I’m going to avoid this.  Purchase: No.
• Clark’s Botanicals Smoothing Marine Cream – Sample from QVC (received in the Advent Calendar).  This felt rather unusual going on, but not in a way I enjoyed.  The scent vaguely reminds me of the dog – it’s faint but I don’t like it, especially for a facial product.  Purchase: No.
• Hada Labo Ultimate Anti-Aging Deep Hydration Facial Mask – Full size (single packet) from Target Beauty Box.  Nice enough sheet mask.  Purchase: Maybe.
• Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream – Sample from Target Beauty Box.  A relatively light face cream, but with a relatively strong floral fragrance.  Not a fan of the scent, so even though the texture was nice, I won’t be purchasing this unless  they reformulate.  Purchase: No.
• Make Up For Ever Sens’Eyes Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser – Travel size.  HG product.  Gets off absolutely everything, even stubborn eyeliner that other makeup removers won’t.  The full size is a little expensive for me, but the travel size is worth it so I don’t have to worry about what makeup I wear when on the go.  I’m trying another cream eye makeup remover now, and if it doesn’t match up, the full size may be in my future.  Repurchase: Yes (already have).
• Supergoop! Play SPF 30 Water Resistant Everyday Sunscreen – Sample from Birchbox.  I’m so glad this is gone.  This was nothing special, and I still occasionally burned through it.  I also didn’t like the feel of it under makeup.  Purchase: No.
• Walgreens Cleansing Eyelid Pad – Full size.  I didn’t use these to remove eye makeup but rather just clean my makeup-free eyelids.  I have a different process now, so I didn’t finish my box.  Getting rid of the ones I have left because they are expired.  Repurchase: No.

Skincare

• Ala Moana Hotel Facial Soap – Hotel sample.  Standard hotel soap bar.  Purchase: No.
• Citrus Fusion Body Lotion – Hotel sample.  Standard hotel lotion.  Purchase: No.
• Hair & Body Therapeutics Smooth Skin Lotion – Hotel sample.  Felt a bit drying to me, but not the worst lotion in the world.  Purchase: No.
• L’Occitane Crème Mains Dry Skin Hand Cream – Sample from QVC.  Nice, thick hand cream in a good size for traveling.  Purchase: Maybe.
• LUSH Dragon’s Egg Bath Bomb – Full size.  The kiddo used this, and she seemed to enjoy it.  Repurchase: Maybe.
• LUSH Sakura Bath Bomb – Full size.  I’m not a huge bath fan, so maybe I’m missing something, but I really don’t understand the big deal about the bath bombs.  These are really nifty to watch dissolve, but it didn’t do anything for me once I got in.  I was expecting to feel extra moisturized or something, but didn’t really notice anything special.  Repurchase: No.
• Oscar de la Renta Foaming Body Scrub – Rippy packet possibly from Ulta (product not available on brand or Ulta website).  For some reason, I was really surprised that this was a true body scrub and not just a soap.  It is definitely a unisex to masculine scent.  Purchase: Maybe.
• Softsoap Black Raspberry & Vanilla Hand Soap – Full size.  I inherited this from my parents, and really enjoyed this foaming soap.  I liked the both the scent and the formulation.  I will probably go back to a Softsoap of some kind once I use up some other soaps.  Purchase/Repurchase: Yes.
• Thann Aromatic Wood Body Wash – Hotel sample.  Standard hotel body wash with a nice scent.  Purchase: No.
• Thann Rice Brann Oil Soap Bar Aromatic Wood Orange and Tangerine – Hotel sample.  This was a nice scent and not overly drying as soap.  Again, I have a ton of soap to get through, and this wasn’t the best I’ve ever used, but it was nice while it lasted.  Purchase: No.

Fragrance

• Gucci Guilty Diamonds Eau de Toilette – Sample Card from Sephora (product not available on brand or Sephora website).  Traditional old lady perfume.  Not my type.  Purchase: No.
• Maison Martin Margiela ‘Replica’ Beach Walk Eau de Toilette – Sample Card from Sephora.  Very strong but not sweet enough for me.  Purchase: No.

Hair Care

• Eva NYC Soften Up Conditioner – Rippy packet possibly from Ulta.  Nice thick conditioner, but not special enough to have to run out and buy it now.  Purchase: Maybe.
• Fekkai Blowout Hair Refresher Dry Shampoo – Sample from Target Beauty Box.  Decent dry shampoo.  I don’t use dry shampoo often, so full sizes aren’t usually worth me getting.  Purchase: Probably Not.
• Hair & Body Therapeutics Energize Shampoo – Hotel Sample.  Standard shampoo.  Purchase: No.
• Keratherapy Keratin Infused Color Protect Conditioner – Full size.  This left my hair feeling greasy and heavy.  I don’t think it works well on me since I tend to let my hair dry naturally; I think it may be better for people who routinely straighten their hair.  Repurchase: No.
• Neutrogena Clean Normalizing Shampoo and Conditioner – Hotel sample.  Strong shampoo that almost felt stripping.  Relatively light conditioner.  Ok, but my hair usually needs more moisturizing than this provided, especially when used together.  Purchase: No.
• Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray – Sample from Birchbox.  This didn’t do much for my hair.  My hair much prefers a standard sea salt spray.  Purchase: No.
• Pantene Pro-V Shampoo and Conditioner – Hotel Sample (Conditioner x 2).  Standard Pantene conditioner. I like other haircare better.  Purchase: No.
• Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Smooth Vitality Shampoo and Conditioner – Hotel sample (Conditioner x 2).  Standard Pantene product.  I like other haircare better.  Purchase: No.
• Purity Basics Shampoo – Hotel sample.  Rather drying and felt like it stripped my hair.  Purchase: No.
• Thann Aromatic Wood Aromatherapy Shampoo and Conditioner – Hotel Sample.  Standard hotel conditioner that smelled rather nice.  Purchase: No.

Other

• Alcon Opti-Free Pure Moist Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution – Travel size.  Tossing this because it’s expired and found while cleaning and reorganizing my products.  Don’t need contact solution now that I’ve been using daily contact lenses.  Repurchase: No.
• Degree MotionSense Shower Clean Invisible Solid Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant – Full size.  HG product.  Repurchase: Yes.
• Extra Thick Felt Nail Polish Remover Pad in Regular – Single from a Full Size box.  Single pad removed all 10 fingers worth of polish, which was good.  Less messy than regular polish remover, especially for keeping in a bag or desk.  Repurchase: Maybe (if I can remember where I got it from J ).

Giveups

• Thann Aromatic Wood Aromatherapy Body Lotion: Hotel Sample - (Per Duff) Not a very good moisturizer, didn’t do much for my hands.  With Caprylic Acid in it, don’t really want to smell like goat.  Purchase: No.
• Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara in Black – Sample from Walmart Beauty Box.  Not a bad mascara, but not for me.  It took at least 4 layers to get anywhere near the look I like, even with a mascara primer.  Left my lashes a little too natural looking for my taste.  Purchase: No.