Nails Inc. Victoria

Hey everyone! Today I want to show you my swatches from the polish I got in last month's Glossybox!!

 

 Nails Inc. Victoria

 

Depending on the lighting it appears as a chocolate wine or a blood red shade. While I like the idea of vampy nail polish, this one wasn't my favorite. I think I prefer to wear black or dark purple shades.

 

What do you think of this shade? Do you like vampy nail colors?

If so, what's your favorite dark shade?

 

 



Ipsy Glam Bag January 2014

Hey Mermaids! Today I want to finally show you what I got in this month's Ipsy bag!!

This month's theme is 19 Reasons!

 

January Bag

 

This might be my least favorite bag design. While I love the blue and green colors, I'm not thrilled with the graphic on the bag.

 

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

Deluxe Sample (1 fl oz)-$4.95 Value!

 

Other Ipsters received Benefit the POREfessional, Coastal Scents Small Foundation Brush, Sexy Hair Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Tri-Wheat Leave In Conditioner, or Marula Pure Marula Facial Oil. While I was hoping to get the Sexy Hair product, I am excited to try out this hair mask because I've never used one before. I think it will be a nice addition to my hair care routine. It smells really nice, kind of like a light coconut scent. And I should be able to get multiple uses out of it since I recently cut my hair short like Amanda Seyfriend's style in the movie In Time.

 

Elizabeth Mott Smooth Shadow (Pearl)

Deluxe Size (0.7 g)-$7 Value!

 

You could have also received this in the color Penny or Yaby Liquid Foundation in Buff. You can use this smooth shadow as an eyeliner, eyeshadow, or highlighter. However, I have other eyeshadow I'd rather use, so I will be putting this in my giveaway pile.

 

MicaBeauty Tinted Lip Balm (Fiesta)

Deluxe Size (2.5 g)-$18.75 Value!

 

Ipsters could have also received this in Natural or (MALIN + GOETZ) Mojito Lip Balm. I kind of wanted to try the Mojito Lip Balm since I've never tried any (MALIN + GOETZ) products before, but I am content getting this since I liked the MicaBeauty Eyeshadow I received in my August Glam Bag. Plus, rumor has it that MicaBeauty and Cailyn Cosmetics may be using the same PLM (private label manufacturer), so their products are pretty much the same. Since I loved the Cailyn Cosmetics Tinted Lip Balm I received in my September Ipsy Bag, I'm sure I'll enjoy this one too.

 

Proactiv+ Mark Fading Pads

Deluxe Size (4 Pads)-10.93 Value!

 

This was one of two variation items I received. Other items you could have received were Nourish Organic Lightweight Moisturizing Face Lotion, Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Dry Shampoo, Absolute! Makeup Cleansing Tissue, Willa On The Go Face Towelettes, Epice Purifying Exfoliant, Faith Aromatherapy Tahitian Monoi Anti-Aging Sugar Scrub, Balanced Guru Balm Me Up Organic Sweet Cocoa & Tangy Body Balm, Skiin Soothing and Smoothing Eye Cream, Apothederm Bright Skin Serum, and LeeAnni Eco 3 in 1 Revolution.

I was disappointed to see Proactiv+ in my Ipsy bag. I don't suffer from acne besides the occasional zit, so I don't see getting much use out of these. Plus, according to the Cosmetics Cop, these pads contain strong irritants, and the pH is outside the range needed for the active ingredient to exfoliate skin and improve marks from past breakouts. So if I'm going to get an acne treatment product, I'd at least like it to work!!

Nourish Organic Lightweight Moisturizing Face Lotion

Deluxe Size (0.5 oz) $6.47 Value!

 

This was the other variation item I received. I would have liked to try the Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Dry Shampoo or Faith Aromatherapy Tahitian Monoi Anti-Aging Sugar Scrub, but I am still excited to try this product out. It smells really nice and you all know how much I am loving rosewater lately!

 

Total Paid: $10.00
Total Value: $48.10!

 Even though this was one of the highest valued bags I've received, it was a bit of a disappointment this month. While I was happy to see Ipsy incorporating more skincare and non-makeup items this month, I wasn't thrilled with Proactiv+ being in the mix.

 

If  you'd like to sign up for Ipsy, I'd love it if you'd use my referral link!

By doing so I can earn credit towards receiving an additional product in my bag to review!

 

Birchbox January 2014

Hey everyone, today I'm going over what I got in this month's Birchbox!!

January Birchbox

This month's theme is Go Time!

They included some cards in this month's box!

 

Nail Rock (Red Glitter)
Full Size (0.3 fl oz)-$7.00!

I was super excited to get this in my box after seeing it in a sneak peak! I absolutely love glitter nails and this will help me with my new years resolutions to do more nail art.
 

 

100% Pure Vitamin A & Coenzyme Q10 Wrinkle Smoothing Night Cream
Sample size (0.067 fl oz)-$1.59 Value

100% Pure Super Fruits Reparative Cream
Sample Size (0.067 fl oz)-$1.47 Value
 

100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream
Sample Size (0.067 fl oz)-$1.27 Value

 I love coffee, so I was psyched to see I'd be getting the eye cream in my box! But since my box preview only showed the eye cream, it was a surprise to see I was also getting two moisturizers!
 

 

INIKA Mineral Eyeshadow (Eternal Marine)
Full Size (0.04 oz)-$20.00 Value!

 

 

With Flash/Without Flash

As you must know by now, I am a lover of Eyeshadow, and I was thrilled when I saw the name of this shade! I love bluey/green shades, but this shade seemed more on the gray side! Still, the shade is quite pretty and it's nice that it can also be used dry or wet as a shadow or eyeliner.

 

Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Crème
Deluxe Size (1.6 oz)-$8.00 Value!

Fekkai is well known for this product, so I'm excited to get it in my box. A little goes a long way (you only need to use about a pea size amount), so this sample will last a long time!

Lifestyle Extra: Ahmad Teas Assorted Teas
(Peach Passion Fruit, English Breakfast, and Mint Mystique)
Deluxe Size (3 bags)-$0.53 Value

I know a lot of people don't like getting tea in their boxes, but I love it! I'm a big tea drinker, and like trying out different brands. I've already used these up, and plan on purchasing another flavor with my Birchbox points in the near future. So until then, keep the tea coming!!

 

Total Paid: $10.00
Total Value: $39.86!

This has got to be the best Birchbox I've gotten by far! It definitely beat Ipsy out of the park this month (post to follow). This was the highest valued box I've received and it contained more full-sized products than normal. This month totally makes up for last month's box!!
  

What did you think of this month's Birchbox?

If you would like to subscribe, please sign up using my referral link here! 

 

Em Cosmetics Black Friday Purchase

I really liked the Creamy Color Sheer Lipstick I received in my November Ipsy bag, so I decided to try another type along with some waterliners during EM Cosmetics Black Friday sale. I received $50 off my $100 order!

 

 

Creamy Color Classic Lipstick

Retail $16.50 Each

 

I swatched all three colors on my hand and on my lips. For some reason they swatched more true to color on the back of my hand. The color seems more toned down in my lip swatches probably due to the lighting. Wow Pink really packs a punch, but it just doesn't do it justice in the lip swatch.

 

 

Cuddle Up Pink, Don't Tell Mom, Wow Pink

 

 

Cuddle Up Pink

 

 

Don't Tell Mom

 

Wow Pink

 

 

Waterliners

 (Rose Gold, Turquoise, and Teal Tease)

Retail $20.00 Each

 

I love the Turquoise shade, but have gotten the most use out of Rose Gold. It works beautifully on my waterline when I use my Pop Beauty Bright Up Your Life Eye Shadow Trio and Immortal Love Kat Von D Autograph Pencil on my top lid.

 

 

Free Samples: The Everything CC, The Great Cover Up

 

Did you take advantage of Em Cosmetics' Black Friday or Cyber Monday sale?

If so, what did you get? If  not, where did you shop?

 

 

 



Black Friday Sephora.com Purchase

Today I'm finally going to show you what I picked up on Black Friday!!
 Everything I got from Sephora was only $10!!
 

 

Tarte Little Miracles Best-Selling Essentials
 

 

Too Faced Better Than Sex Amazing Eyes Set

 

BareMinerals Enchanting Eyes

 

Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow Duo
 

 

Alterna Caviar Moisture Trio
 

 

Lorac Fan Favorite Duo

 

Free Gift With Purchase: Merry Crazy Clutch with 12 samples

 

Dolce & Gabbana Desire Eau de Parfum, CLEAN Skin Eau de Parfum, Gucci Flora Eau de Toilette, Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Dry Bar Cream Soda Smoothing Cream, Lorac Tantalizer Body Bronzing Lumizer, Fab First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, GLAM GLOW Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment,  L'Occitane En Provence Concentre De Lait Milk Concentrate, Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil,Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat, and Stila Convertible Color

 

Free Samples: Escada Especially Escada, Pink Sugar Pink Sugar Eau de Toilette, Calvin Klein Downtown Eau de Parfum

Did you do any shopping for Black Friday? If so, what did you get?

 

Josie Maran Color Of Summer Argan Lip & Cheek Color Stick Set

Hey Sirens! I got my prize in the mail a couple of days ago, so today I am going to show you what I won from the Glossybox 12 Days of Holiday Giveaways facebook contest!!

 

 

I received a card with my prize!

 

It included a nice note inside!

 

 

It also included a promo code! Since I already have a 12 month subscription, I won't be needing this offer. So, if anyone is looking to sign up for Glossybox, try using code GB6b45 to receive 20% off your monthly subscription!

 

 

Josie Maran Color Of Summer Argan Lip & Cheek Color Stick Set

$56.00 Value!!

 

Twinkle, Coral, Pink, Beautiful

 

Without Flash

 

 

 With Flash

 

Twinkle

 

 

Coral

 

 

Pink

 

 

Beautiful

 

Twinkle swatches pretty sheer on the arm, but the shimmer is quite apparent on the lips. I think all of these shades are perfect for days I want a more natural lip look. And while I'm not usually keen on using these types of products on my cheeks, I did try it as a blush and liked the silky feeling. However, Twinkle seems too sheer to use as a blush, and I wasn't thrilled with the amount of shimmer.

 

What do you think of this set? Which is your favorite shade?

Are you a fan of Josie Maran products? If so, what product is your favorite?