My first Influenster Vox Box!

It's been a long time since I have posted.  Nearly a year.  Boy do I have the staying power to keep on keeping on.  Ha!

Well recently I became an Influenster.  I do Ipsy again but have quit the pop sugar must have boxes.

So anyway back to Influenster.  I signed up and they send you stuff for you to try out and basically review.  I got the nurture voxbox last month.  It came with a bunch of great items and some coupons for food.  I do love my food.

So I got some Red Vines, a coupon for Uncle Bens Rice, a coupon for Ore'ida easy fries,A bottle of Attitude (sold at Target) 2 in 1 shampoo & body wash, a trial package of Hada Labo ultimate anti-aging facial mask, a bottle (and sample package of Blue Lizard Australian sunscreen, and finally a bottle of non-drowsy dramamine.

   
I give this box an A+.  I have or will use everything in it.  And one huge yes that is perfect Influenster gets from me?  Putting the shampoo in a zip bag.  Not all sample boxes do that.  I was so happy it had been done.

So some highlights.  I used the Attitude shampoo/body wash.  Didn't realize (because I didn't pay attention) that there was no conditioner.  BUT my hair didn't need it.  The shampoo smelled good, cleaned my hair well and did not leave it feeling heavy like some shampoos can do.  All in all a good product. 

I have yet to try the sunscreen but that is because it has been raining the majority of the time since I got the box in the mail.  Really pretty much suck although I do love rain.  Hopefully I will get to the lake to try this out on myself and the kiddos. 

I used the Hado Labo facial mask and it was nice.  It was a great size.  I had plenty of mask that actually made it too big so I had to overlap the material on top of itself.  It had a pleasant smell and it left my skin feeling soft and not sticky or anything. 

Review of Flower Beauty nail polish

So I was recently in Wal-Mart.  Yes yes I know walmart not great store with with not great prices but I was there.  Of course I had to walk through the makeup section as I do sometimes (ok every time I am in a store that sells it).  I happened to notice a brand I had never seen before.  Flower.  It is by Drew Berrymore.  And everything that I can remember looking at, had a name that was a flower or a twist on a flower name.  http://flowerbeauty.com/

So I only grabbed the polish but I will be going back to try some other items.  They had a really pretty shade of lip color I want to get.  This polish is called Cosmos-politan.  It is a gorgeous bright pink color.  The color in the picture is pretty true.  The brush is a nice size that it should only take a couple swipes from side to side to get polish on your whole nail.  And while it is thin putting on, with this shade at least a couple coats give a nice cover, isn't lumpy, nor have areas where the color isn't consistent.

This manicure is not a great one but I did it for the picture. Again the color looks pretty true in the image as it really does on my nails.  This is two coats.

Overall I like this brand of polish.  There were several bright colors, some pretty neutrals etc.  I paid $5 (rounding up) for this bottle which is 4oz.  The prices were reasonable for all the products.  I would say like Revlon prices.  Between 5 and 10 dollars depending on the item but I might of missed something more expensive.

So if you are looking for a cute polish and don't want to spend a bunch try out this brand and let me know what you think.  Do you agree or disagree with my review?

November Pop Sugar Must Have

So I am running behind.  I got my pop sugar box a week or so ago. 

So this is everything.  As usual in the white with pink box, wrapped in pink tissue paper.  Bubble wrap to fill the empty areas and keep everything secure.  

So first.  Well since the apple chips are showing I will start there.  These are by bare fruit and are super yum.  Sea Salt Caramel flavoring.  Hint of caramel.  Enough to have the taste but not over powering.  I personally could not taste the sea salt but I know others who did.

  

 http://www.baresnacks.com/all-natural-sea-salt-caramel.php

When buying these they come in packs of 10 for $34.18.  Which equals about $3.42 for the one bag.

Next is the Strawberry and Blackcurrant Cream Preserves.  Made by Maison de Monaco.  This is what their website says about this flavor.  

Strawberry & blackcurrant cream: We use a high quality ‘Crème de Cassis’ (a black currant liqueur made by Massenez) imported from France to bring out the sweetness of our strawberries. The liqueur is put in early during the cooking so there is no alcohol left in the finished jam.

 I have yet to try this myself yet but a friend has tried it and claimed it is divine.  I have some english muffins I will be trying it with this weekend.

 

http://www.maisondemonaco.com/home/products

It doesn't seem as if you can buy one jar alone online.  They sell it in sets of 6 for $36 (not counting shipping and all that jazz).  So one jar would be $6.

Next in the is the Lands End wine tote.  Now I don't drink wine so I don't know what I will do with this but maybe I can re-gift in some form.  It came in a pretty natural canvas and red color scheme.  

 http://www.landsend.com/products/single-canvas-wine-tote/id_242871?cm_mmc=139971612&source=GS  $12

Next there was a bar of soap.  Now I haven't used it yet because I don't use bar soap but I might put it in the down stairs half bath for use in there.  It is from The Soap and Paper Factory in the roland pine smell.  In the wrapper it smells nice and not over-powering.

http://www.soapandpaperfactory.com/product/111/  $8

After this there was a candle.  Naughty by Illume.  A nice enough candle.  Kind of manly smelling which is not a scent I enjoy generally, but it is not a bad smell.  I have it in my kitchen on my window sill.  

 

http://www.illumecandles.com/showproduct.aspx?ProductID=909&SEName=naughty-boxed-glass#.Uo2Ck-J0m0M  $15.75

Next after that is some nail polish remover pads.  They worked pretty good.  While I didn't think there wasn't much of a peach scent to the pads, but there was no nasty smell that most removers have so that was a HUGE bonus.  The pads are quite small so it pretty much took one pad per nail but that is no biggie to me. 

 

I can't find a place to buy it from other than this site I don't know of first hand so buyer beware.

http://www.beautyempireusa.com/Absolute_Nail_Polish_Remover_32_Pads_p/3351-abs-nc.htm  $1.29

And this is a good timing item.  With holidays around the corner and the husband being a photographer and having kids, this will come in handy.  It is a gift card/coupon for $30 from Canvaspop.  While I have never used them I have heard of them so I will be making use of this coupon to make a canvas print of my mini spawns. 

 

 http://www.canvaspop.com/

So than there is this gorgeous, soft, long, wonderful, fabulous shawl/scarf/wrap.  Seriously out of everything I have gotten from popsugar this is the best thing (says the makeup artist who has gotten some nice makeup from them).  I got this a day or so before date night with the hubby and I wore this over my shirt for a bit of flare, contrast to the outfit and because we were going to a show on the strip I assumed the theater would be chilly.  And it was, but this wrapped around me kept me comfortable.  It came full of static of course but throw it in the dryer with a couple bounce sheets and even softer and static gone. 

http://www.michaelstars.com/scarves/folk-art-wrap-2  $42

So total value assuming I didn't leave anything out is $118.46.  Not bad for paying basically $40.

Referral link to join PopSugar Must Have subscription box service  http://popsu.gr/hAop

More goodies in the mail!

 So the other day I got some new goodies in the mail.  It was my birthday a few days ago so I ordered a couple things from Sephora to get my birthday benefit item.  Than I also found a fabulous deal on EM Cosmetics so I ordered from there.

 So first www.sephora.com.  From there I got some of those velvet eyeliner applications.  I got them because I loved winged eyeliner and no matter how well I can do it on other people I suck at getting it even on myself.  So shoot, why not try it. 

I have not tried a pair yet but shall be going out with the hubby one night soon so I shall try them then.  I love them and I hope they work as well as I want.  I kinda wish they came in different colors but alas just black.  The top box was $7 for the 3 pairs and the bottom set was $3.

http://www.sephora.com/black-magic-eyeliner-applique-set-P376611?skuId=1439785
http://www.sephora.com/velvet-eyeliner-appliques-P374912?skuId=1418011

Than also I used up my beauty insider points and got several items.  I got the little sample of Benefit Benetint, Nars Pro-Prime Light Optimizer and Boscia Detoxifying Black Cleanser.  Those were each 100 points.  Than from the 3 free samples I got Smashbox Liquid Halo High Definition Light foundation (with 4 shades and price for regular size bottle of this foundation is $42!) and a perfume sample but I don't recall the name at this moment.

Than of course I got my birthday item.  I think for as long as I have been ordering from Sephora I have never gotten my birthday item.  And this year it was samples of the Benefit They're Real! mascara and than Watt's Up! which I believe is a highlighter.  Have yet to try either item.  It came in a cute little package that said happy birthday and an adorable design. 

All in all love what I got from Sephora.  It is my favorite makeup shop. 

Than my other package was the Life Palette I ordered from EM Cosmetics.  As I said there was a great deal. 

This was it.  I got the Love Palette.  When I ordered I also got the travel palette case for free with my order.  Than also I got free shipping and save I think another 20 or so dollars.  Over all the price for a life palette is $75 and I paid under $50.  Right now there is still free shipping and you get the travel palette also as a bonus.


It is beautiful.  There are 24 shades of eyeshadow, 8 lip shades and 4 cheek colors.  It is broken into 4 separate groupings.  Each shade is removable from the large palette to put into the travel palette.  And they have included a little tool to help you pop the tins out.

Sorry the photo is upside down.  Each section has it own name.  So I am going to do them from the top left clockwise.  The top left is the All Yours look, top right is the Girl Time look, the bottom right is the Warm Fuzzies look and the bottom left is the Real Me look.  Included in the kit is a card with some "recipes" for different looks using the different looks.  Also included is a sheet of stickers with names of the different looks which I assume is for when you transfer them into the travel palette.  Also there are some blank stickers for you to mix and match shade and name the look yourself. 

All in all a great haul from both orders for about $60.  One can not complain at all.  I personally can't not wait to try the EM colors and see how they handle.  One last thing I have to say is that the palettes from EM are nice and heavy.  Not flimsy like some brands.  So that was great.  And the packaging for shipping was superb!  You can see it in this picture.  I took the items from the pink tissue paper but there is bubble wrap and that packing paper at the bottom.  Great job Michelle with this brand!  I wish you luck.

And for those who don't know, EM cosmetics is the brain child of Michelle Phan.  She also works with Ipsy which I have posted about.  http://www.emcosmetics.com

October pop sugar must have

First off this box came on my my birthday!  How perfect is that?  Well it was great for me at least.

So also starting Nov 4th the subscription price is going up.  Only $4.95 to make the monthly price $39.95.  A 3 month subscription goes to $109.85, 6 month subscription is $214.70 and a year subscription is $404.40  When you order a 3, 6 or 12 month they do charge your account straight away.  But it is the way to get the most savings.  For instance, separately paying 6 months month by month is $239. 70 so you are saving $25.  With 12 months month by month you spend $479.40 so you save $75.  It might not seem like much but hey, savings is savings.

So now on to my box this month:

This is everything.  Now I won't deny I took everything out and looked than remembered I wanted a picture so I put it all back in.

First there is The Wet Brush.  I have tried it and I really liked it but my hair was not soaking wet but mildly damp.  So I will try it again after I have my hair good and soaking wet.  One nice thing about this company is that they donate money when one buys the pink brush to breast cancer research.  As stated on their website: 

Join Us in the Fight Against Breast Cancer.
JDB will donate 25% of profits per brush
($10,000 minimum) to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

http://www.ts2products.com/wetbrush-store/bca.html  cost of brush $14

To go along with the brush in regards to hair the box included some bobby pins.  But not boring bobby pins.  These pins are from Jane Tran.  The ones we got are blue and green shades.  They seem to hold well.  Someone I know said she wore hers to hot yoga and they held her hair "wonderfully".

 http://www.janetran.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=6&products_id=301  Cost of bobby pins $12


Next there was julep nail polish (which of course is also a subscription service but you can order polish without doing the subscription from what I understand.  There came a card with it to sign up to be a maven but I threw it away I think.  Not interested in the service since I got the polishes in the box.  I got the shade "Mille" and it came with a top coat.  I actually quite like the shade.  It is a mix between a blue and a purple.  The polish is on the thinner side but I like that.  I do not like thick polish.  I swatched it on a nail and a coat and a half  did pretty good coverage.  The black bottle in the photo is their top coat "freedom".

 

http://www.julep.com/shop/nail-color/millie.html  By themselves the bottles are $14.  If you are a maven (the subscription) than they are $11.20  The top coat is $18

Next up there was some NYX cosmetics.  I like NYX so this was good for me.  First up is there liquid brown liner.  From their chocolate collection I guess.  I am not a fan of liquid liner so I am passing this down to a friend who likes brown liner.  Than there is a smokey eye shadow palette.  I love doing smokey eye.  Which is technically suppose to be shades of black to white but now a days everyone does smokey eye in all shades.  But this as you can see is the blacks and brown to nude and white shades.  Sorry the color didn't show just right via my picture.  In my opinion they go on well and the pigment is nice.  A primer will help if not dark enough for you but that is personal choice.

http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/p-192-collection-chocolat.aspx   Cost of liner is $6.00

http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/p-194-the-smokey-shadow-palette.aspx Cost of shadow palette is $7.00

Now on the fashion front.  Included in the box is a gift card to Stitch Fix.  From what I understand this is also a subscription box.  It works a bit differently where you pay $20 a month and your personal shopper sends you clothing items they feel fit the preferences you set for them.  Than you can purchase the items or return them.   The monthly $20 fee is taken off your purchase price. And if you keep all 5 pieces they send you save 25%.I have heard rumors they don't do curvy women (ie plus size anyone over 12 or 14 etc) but as I am not a subscriber I don't know the truth to that.  

https://stitchfix.com/


And also included is a nice little bracelet that is pink nylon cording with gold balls from Gorjana-Griffin It is nice and 100% of the proceeds go to breast cancer research.  But it seems very friendship bracelet like.  Cute but nothing special.

http://www.gorjana-griffin.com/gorjana/bali-bead-bracelet.html  Cost of bracelet $45

And last but not least the food sections.  One is food and the other is a book.

First the book.  It is The Can't Cook Book: Recipes for the absolutely terrified  I looked through it and although I can cook and pretty darn well I think I will be using some of her recipes.  They look tasty.  Haven't tried anything yet but I have my eye on a couple for the next couple weeks coming up.

Ok is it just me or does this lasagna look good?  This house loves a good lasagna but sometimes I just don't want to take the all the time to do it from scratch for the oven.  So I will be trying this way.  The cook book is available from several places including barnes and noble and amazon and both businesses have it available for download on their e-readers.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-cant-cook-book-jessica-seinfeld/1113741705?ean=9781451662252
http://www.amazon.com/The-Cant-Cook-Book-Absolutely/dp/1451662254

And the last but certainly not least item.  A rice crispy cake from The Crispery.  So a huge big rice crispy treat.  We received their halloween cakes.  I got the one with the orange and black sprinkles.  Each cake weighs about 6 oz.  I haven't tried it but one of my kids did and he said it was "eh".  But he is pretty hard to impress food wise.  I am sure if I gave it to my youngest he will beg for more.

https://www.thecrispery.com/products/Halloween-Sprinkled-Crispycake.html  Cost of cake $3.95


So I believe that is everything other than also included was a card from ford for me to enter to win $250 and $250  donated to one of four breast cancer charities supported by Warriors in Pink in my name.  I will be doing that shortly.  Who can't take a chance to win $250??

Total this box has a value of approx $155.  I averaged the cost of the cookbook to $15 since the price varies depending on where and how you order it.

So if you would like to sign up for Pop Sugar please use my referral link.  http://popsu.gr/hAop  I love this subscription box and always find that value is worth the $35 (soon to be $39.95) I spend.  Even if I don't like every item or can use every item. 

Stila Luxe Eye Shadow Palette look 1

So I got this palette in the mail the other day (see popsugar fall edition post) and I thought I would try a look using some shadows.  The palette comes with nine shadows and a liner.

Also included in the palette is a lookbook with how to do several different looks with different shades.  I picked to do luxe look 1.  This is my take on it.

To do this look I used pink diamond from lash line to brow bone.  Than from lash line to crease I used marilyn.  I blended at the crease line.  I did not use a primer under the shadow this time.  Finally I used the eyeliner included in the palette which is named ladyfish.   Than on my lips I added used O-glow from smashbox (love this product and the fact it works on everyone no matter what).

I loved all these shades.  They work so well together.  When applying and blending the colors there is little fall out (make sure to tap your brush before applying to help remove excess).  I feel the colors are nice and show well without any primer underneath.  

So, I got a lot of cute stuff in my last Ipsy bag.  An eyeliner, a mascara, eyeshadow and a tinted lip balm.  So I decided to try and do a look based on my bag.  I used everything I got in my bag except mascara.  I used the same color line as my eyeshadow.  And than also I added other eyeshadow which I got from Ipsy and was the same brand, I just didn't get it in my Sept bag.

I got a really pretty blue color.  Trust me I know what you are thinking.  "Blue?  How disco is that?"  But really in all honesty the shade is lovely.  It is lanikai by NYX.  I also used other blues from NYX that came in their Be Fierce palette.

So I am wearing the light blue I mentioned above as the main shade than I have a pale peach below the brow and a darker navy blue as the eyeliner.  The lip color is a tinted lip balm by Caitlyn Cosmetics.

Just a nice simple look.

All the makeup is listed in a previous post about Ipsy. 

September Pop Sugar Must Have

So I received my Sept monthly box in today.  Even though I peeked at spoilers I didn't know exactly what everything would be.  Like the two food items in it had different flavors that were possible and one other might have different possibilities.

So lets start. 

It comes in this pink and white box.  And in the inside there the products are covered with pink tissue paper.

And this is the products inside

So this month these are the great items.

A book titled P.S.-You're invited by Erica Domesek  Approximate $20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1451698593/?tag=mh0b-20&hvadid=2478180247&ref=pd_sl_8naxpotitb_e

Next there was a lovely diffuser by Barr-Co.  $45 
The key ingredient notes are milk, oatmeal, vanilla and vetiver.  To me, it smells like coconut.  I love the smell and have to find the perfect place to put this out.  Maybe my dining table since it won't get knocked down there.
http://www.candlesoffmain.com/k-hall-designs-barr-co-diffuser.aspx   

Next up there is a package of cute coasters.  $16
They are paper, but you do all sorts of little things to them to make them so they are more sturdy.  But while paper they are not a sheet of paper thin.  This package comes with two of each print.  So pretty.
http://riflepaperco.com/item/Botanical_Coaster_Set_/250/c52

Than there was a set of headbands from kitsch.  Price range from 11.99 to 24.99
Now I am not a total headband fan, but I like that these are soft and stretchy as well as having no metal parts to pull my hair out.  And there are so many prints they have but the ones I got had a couple bright shades and some neutrals which is perfect for me.  Also included in the box was a coupon for 20% off my next order.
http://www.mykitsch.com/headbands/

Next they included a $25 gift card to shoptiques.com.  Now I have never shopped there, but shoot for $25 I will give them a shot.  I am sure I can find something that is that price or not much higher.

Lastly there were a couple of snack items included.  First was the ThatsIt fruit bar.  I received the Apple and Pear flavor.  It is called thats it as the two ingredients in the bar is apple and pear.  And it was quite yummy.  I took a small sample to taste it but I want to share with my kids.  I know they will like it too.  I will probably buy more and try other flavors.  Speaking of price, it is $19.99 for a box of 12 in your chosen flavor but you can pay $8.99 to get one of each flavor to try them out.  AND they take paypal so that makes it easy.
http://www.thatsitfruit.com/shopbuy-our-products/

The next food item is Sharkies organic energy chews.  $17.80  for a box of 12
I have not tried these yet.  Waiting til I need a bit of energy and also to share with the kiddos.
http://buy.sharkiesinc.com/home

So for $35 (shipping included) I got all these great items.  A friend said the content is very anthropologie in style.  I think I agree to an extent.  Anyway, I paid $35 and the total value is approximately $122.

I really liked the box this month and can not wait to see what comes next month.  It is also my birthday month so while I know I don't get anything special, I hope the box is extra good.

Remember if you want to sign up for popsugar use my referral link  http://popsu.gr/hAop  and try the code refer5 to get $5 off your first box.  There are no obligations on how long to continue if you do sign up.

Sept Popsugar Must Have (fall edition) and Sept Ipsy....

So these are the two I have gotten so far this month.  I am expecting my regular monthly popsugar box and that will come hopefully next week.  First up I will do the popsugar box  This is the special edition for fall that was $100.

It came in a nice black box with everything wrapped in black tissue paper.

 
And included were the following items:

 A beautiful ring by Rachel Zoe 
http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=958087002&tid=plsp1r&kwid=1&ap=14

A lovely notebook by Christian Lacroix (inside covers are of a map)
http://www.libretto-group.com/brands.htm?brand=christian%20lacroix&product=Notebooks&item=Feria

 Than there was a beautiful eyeshadow palette by Stila and a nice face scrub.
http://www.stilacosmetics.com/product/luxe+eye+shadow+palette.do?sortby=ourPicks
 http://www.goldfadenmd.com/doctors-scrub/

 Next is the beautiful bag by Cynthia Vincent.  I got such a beautiful print I was very happy.  It appears they only have one print left in the silk material.
http://cynthiavincent.net/collections/handbags/products/classic-shopper-bag-tribal-diamond

Than there was this bubble bath, it sort of has a very perfumy smell, but I think I will enjoy it anyways.
http://libraryofflowers.com/p/wildflower-fern-bubble-bath  this was the scent I received

And lastly there was a package of cookies.  I was not terribly fond of them due to having parmesan cheese in them but if it weren't for that they would be fabulous.  As someone I know put it, it has the flavor of a great quiche crust.  http://beurreandsel.com/  it was the rosemary parmesan flavor.


And now the sept Ipsy bag.  When it comes it comes in a bright pink bubble envelope and they always send your products in a cute little zippered makeup bag (nothing huge but quite cute).  I use each bag I have gotten so far to sort product in my professional makeup kit so I don't have everything all lumped together in my case.


These are the items sent in this bag for me.  Not every person gets the exact same thing although there is always an item or two everyone will get.

Caitlyn Cosmetics Tinted Lip Balm, Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Volumizing Mascara, NYX Single Eye Shadow,   Starlooks Obsidian Kohl Eye Pencil, and  skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels.

 

And remember if you want to sign up for either of these subscriptions please use my referral links in the post titled "Subscription Boxes".