Sunday, August 7, 2016

Birchbox - July 2016



I’ve been debating about whether to keep getting Birchbox or not lately, but this box was one of the better recent ones.  Like my recent Ipsy posts, I’m posting this for completeness and comparison purposes, especially because my August box came early this month.  Look for more coming soon!


Catherine Malandrino Style de Paris – This fragrance overwhelmed me from when I first opened the box, and not in a good way.  I tend to like sweeter scents, and this one has none of that.  Not for me.


Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion Pore Perfecting Exfoliator – I’m not a huge fan of these types products, preferring face scrubs that I can use in the shower.  I also haven’t been a huge fan of Dr. Brandt exfoliation products in the past, but I will give this a shot since I’ve never tried it before.  What type of exfoliator do you prefer?  Do you have a favorite brand or do you switch things up?



LOC Ultra Gloss Lip Pencil in Punch Line – I’ve really liked everything I’ve tried from LOC so far.  I was a little wary when I first saw this color since I don’t usually go for this type of pink, but being sheer I think I can make this work.  I will need to see how it wears because I can have problems with feathering.


Marcelle Xtension Plus Curl Curling & Lengthening Mascara – I’ve said before and I’ll say it again, I like getting mascara samples.  I know I’ll be trying this, I just don’t know when I’ll get to it, because it seems like everyone sent mascara this month.  What type of mascara do you prefer: lengthening, thickening, or some other kind?  Shout out below!


Coola Makeup Setting Spray – I don’t necessarily use setting spray every day, but I use it enough to be interested in this.  I also really appreciate that this has sunscreen in it.  While I haven’t been a huge fan of Coola sunscreens in the past because I’ve still gotten sunburns through them, but I wouldn’t use this as my sole sunscreen so I’m thinking it should work out ok.  Are you a fan of setting sprays?

So looking at this month’s box, there’s 3 things I’m really looking forward to using and two that I either definitely won’t use (perfume) or is only a try-and-see for me.

How was your box this month?  

Note: Birchbox link is my referral link.

Birchbox - June 2016



I know this Birchbox post is WAY late, but I’m going to put it up anyway so we can compare the boxes month to month.  I’d rather have as complete a set as possible for now, even if things get posted late because I can’t stay on top of the pictures.


Avene Thermal Spring Water – I haven’t been using my moisturizing sprays lately, but this may be much more useful as the weather turns cooler.



Lavanila The Healthy Sunscreen Sport Luxe Face & Body Cream SPF 30 – I didn’t know that Lavanila carried sunscreen, so this was a surprise.  I’ve been trying out all of the sunscreen samples I’ve been receiving, but it will take a lot to surpass my favorites.


Kiehl’s Precision Lifting & Pore-Tightening Concentrate – I look forward to trying out this face serum once I get through the ones I’m using now.  What’s your favorite face serum?


The Beauty Crop PBJ Smoothie Stick Creamy Lip Crayon in Raisin the Roof – This lip crayon has a slippery feel and fruity scent, but the color was not that great on me.


Benefit Gimme Brow in Light – I love Gimme Brow.  I am really glad they didn't get rid of it and, as far as I can tell, didn't change the formula when Benefit re-released their brow line.  This will get used as soon as I finish the one I already have open.  What brow products are you currently using?

I haven’t been overly thrilled with my Birchboxes lately, but this one wasn’t too bad.  I think part of it is that Ipsy has just been far surpassing them month to month this year.  Are you still satisfied with Birchbox?

Note: Birchbox link is my referral link.

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Ipsy - June 2016


I want to try to get this Ipsy post up more for completeness and comparison purposes, even though it’s late.  As usual, my problem was getting the pictures taken and processed.  Better late than never, I guess.  J


Marc Anthony Dream Waves Beach Spray – I’m a fan of salt sprays and use them every day.  This is a really handy travel size, so it will definitely get used.


Japonesque Solid Brush Cleaner – I’ve heard really good things about solid brush cleaner in general, and am starting to run low on my usual brush cleaner, so this will come in handy soon.  What do you use to clean your brushes?


Seraphine Botanicals Natural Blush in Happy Hibiscus – I’ve already used this, and it’s a really pretty natural flush color.  I really like it, and it now has a home in my daily makeup bag.


Formula X Nail Color in Wingwoman (Sephora) – This is a gorgeous nail polish in a great formula.


Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Fireball – I was a little disappointed when I first saw this because I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with this color pink.  However, I found that it worked great as a fading color above the crease when doing a deep or complex purple eye look.  Now that I figured this out, and since it’s the classic wonderful UD eyeshadow formula, it should get more use than I originally anticipated.  What would you do with a rich pink eyeshadow?

I have been really happy with my recent Ipsy bags, and this is no exception.  I do prefer when it contains a lot of makeup, but what makeup junkie wouldn’t?  In fact, lately it’s been my favorite subscription service by far.  How was your Ipsy bag this month?  How does it compare to other subscription services you’ve received lately?

Note: Ipsy link is my referral link.

Ipsy - July 2016


Ipsy continues to rock it out!  There isn’t a single thing in this month’s box that I’m not excited to try.


Luxie Small Angle Brush – I love using a small angle brush to apply cream eye liner, so this will get used.  I’ve also really liked the other Luxie brushes I’ve received from Ipsy.


Organic Surge Daily Care Reviving Eye Gel – I’m a big fan of eye creams and gels.  I use them twice a day and am always looking for new ones.



The Balm Meet Matt(e) Trimony Matte Eyeshadow Palette in Matt Moskowitz – This, of all things, is probably the item I’m least excited about.  I’m not a huge matte eyeshadow fan, and on swatching this was kind of dry and patchy.  I usually really love The Balm products, especially their eyeshadows, so I will give it a shot, but so far I’m not overwhelmed.  Are you a matte eyeshadow fan or do you prefer a little shimmer?


Model Co Power Lash Black Mascara – I love receiving mascara samples, so I’m excited to see this.  I am, however, overflowing in mascara, so I don’t quite know when I’ll get to try it.  What mascara do you think I should try?


Trestique Mini Highlight Stick in Maldives Luminescent – I’ve had mixed luck with Trestique products, so I didn’t know what to expect when I swatched this.  Then I tried it.  OMG!  It is so smooth and the color is beautiful.  I look forward to using this soon.  How has your luck been with Trestique?  Do you have a favorite product?

This month may be one of Ipsy’s best!  How was your bag this month?

Note: Ipsy link is my referral link.

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Favorites - July 2016

I’ve been all about simplicity this month, with very minimal makeup most days.  So this month, instead of specific products, I’m going to discuss general makeup ideas I’ve been using.


Simple Lipstick

I have been all about using lipstick that I didn’t really have to think about this month.  I could just put it on and go, and sometimes I didn’t even need a mirror to apply.  Some of my favorites have been the Burt’s Bees Lipstick in Lily Lake and MAC Viva Glam VI.  These are just so simple and go with every look I put together.


Gold Cream Eyeshadow

I use this as a base just about every day, even if I use powder or other creams on top.  My favorites recently have been LOC One & Done Shadow Stick in On Point and Maybelline Color Tattoo Crayon in Gold Rush.  I even made sure to add the Color Tattoo to my travel makeup bag before my trip.


Purple Eyeliner

The only times I don’t wear eyeliner are when I’m sick or absolutely sure I’m not leaving the house that day.  Black is almost always too harsh for my coloring, although I can rock most other medium and dark colors pretty well.  I use brown quite a bit, but lately purple has been my go-to.  I talked about my favorite Urban Decay one last month, but the one I traveled with was Mally Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Liner in Dusky Plum.

No Base Makeup

My skin has been doing pretty well this month, so I’ve been giving both it and myself a break.  I throw on a little bit of concealer where needed over my sunscreen and go on with the rest of my makeup.  I’ve also been using up my Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Concealer and Maybelline Fit Me Concealer.


Brows


You might be thinking, just brows?  Well, here’s the thing: I was never really that into doing my brows.  I know, I know, with today’s focus on brows, how could I not care?  Well, mine have always been decently full and never needed much grooming aside from an occasional waxing.  But recently I’ve noticed they are a bit unruly if I don’t at least take a spoolie to them.  So most mornings I usually toss some Benefit Gimme Brow into them and go on my way.  I’ve also been enjoying the Anastasia Perfect Brow Pencil for days when they need a little more.  On the other hand, I have been really disappointed with the NYX Micro Brow Pencil; the pencil is really hard and it feels like I have to go over the same area many times before anything shows up.  I’ve just ordered some new Benefit brow products, so I’m looking forward to trying them out over the next few months.

What were some of your favorite makeup tricks or techniques this month?  How about favorite products that I should try?  Shout out in the comments below!