Beauty Box Swap : Reveal!

Hello dolls! About a month ago I signed up for the Beauty Box Swap hosted by Tiffany, Megan, and Andrea. The object of the Swap was that we'd have someone who would send us a beauty box and then you would send a box to someone else. I actually sent my box to Megan, one of the hosts! I had so much fun stalking her blog to see what she might like.

I got an amazing box from Courtney! She did a fabulous job picking out products without even seeing my makeup wish list page. I was amazed the minute I saw the package. The bubble mailer she used is adorable! 

The bubble mailer is the blue polkadot part. I had to cover up both of our addresses! 

As you can see, Miss Courtney gave me the cutest card and what she wrote inside was so sweet! I'm really glad we got a chance to meet through the swap. I also must say her blog business cards are so cute :)

Girlfriend was amazing when she did her shopping! I've been dying to try the Simple cleansing cloths so when I saw she got me a sample pack I was pumped. They are the best. I like that they are a smooth wipe and that they don't have the raised bumps. They're also very gentle on the skin and leave my skin feeling soft not stripped! 

The light sparkly pink shade is a Julep nail color (Audrey) which we were both amazed I didn't already have considering I'm a Maven. I love this shade and I think it'll be perfect for winter when I just want a wash of color and some sparkle. Along with the polish she sent a nail file and some strips to paint french tips with. I'm real happy about the file considering I use them up so quick! The strips I was also excited about, I never do french manicures because I can't make them look the same and it drives me nuts. I'm excited to do some color blocking with the strips! 

I'm adoring the Wet 'n Wild cream shadow stick in Graphite. It's a beautiful dark grey color with some shimmer. I don't usually use cream shadows because they crease so bad on my oily skin but I used this as a liner on my waterline one day and it stayed put! As a cream shadow I'm sure it wouldn't crease, it will make a beautiful addition to a smokey eye! 

I'm not familiar with the brand of the eye cream but I'm so glad she sent it. I've been needing a new eye cream and the sample packs have worked wonders while I search for a new one. Eye cream is so not cheap so these have got me a LONG way! I really feel like this particular eye cream has helped with my puffiness in the mornings.

The final item was an eyeshadow duo from NYC. I really love these colors. The lighter shade is a pretty champagne color which will be perfect for an inner corner highlight and browbone shade. The darker shade looks peach to me but comes off a gorgeous light almond brown shade. I love it. They both have some shimmer which I love. I also am so excited to break into these this fall! 

Overall I'm so thrilled with my bag from Courtney. I'm subscribed to Beauty Army and Birchbox and love getting each box each month but having a box from someone who specifically bought everything for you and making a new friend is so much better! If another round of Beauty Box Swap is opened up I will for sure participate! I had a ton of fun stalking Megan's blog and ripping my package open! Thank you so much Courtney! 

theBalm = The Bomb

Hey girls! This post is kind of a review/heads up on an awesome sale happening Friday! If any of you have ever shopped at Hautelook you know how amazing some of their deals are. Usually you can find clothes, makeup, home goods, personal care products, and designer goods at up to 75% off. 

Well if you have ever used or heard of theBalm they are going to be featured on Hautelook tomorrow (Friday July 20 at 6a.m. Pacific!) Run, don't walk to your computer at this time! First, I think the packaging for their products is adorable. Second, the pigmentation and quality of these products are so nice. Lastly, almost any product you get has some serious versatility. Besides the lipsticks and their palette I think almost all of their other products can be used on at least two different places on your face. Seriously, I have three products to tell you about to give you an idea of their quality and types of makeup they have. 

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First up is Stainiac. It is a stain for your lips and cheeks but in a gel like formula. I got this product in a recent Birchbox and the shade is Beauty Queen. It's a rosy red and it really does stain your lips. Even working at the cleaners where it is 90 million degrees I found that the stain stayed put and didn't bleed or fade. The full size product is 0.3oz. and retails for $17.00

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Next up is a GORGEOUS highlighter/shadow/luminizer. Hence the name Mary-Lou Manizer. First off the packaging of this product is so cute. Second, there is a TON of product and it is fairly versatile. I use this on my cheeks as a highlight and also in my inner corner. However, I think it would be a beautiful color all over the lid or as a brow bone highlight. One of the main reasons I love this highlighter so much is because the tone of it works with my very fair skin and doesn't look to white on me. It is quite shimmery (not glittery) so you might be turned off by that but I think it would look beautiful on just about any skin tone. The full size product is 0.3oz and retails for $24.00 

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Last is probably one of the best eyeshadow palettes I have seen. I believe this palette is very comparable to the Naked palette by Urban Decay (I own it as well) and some of the shades are dupes. This palette does have a stark white and some more pink shades but the right half of the palette looks similar to Naked. The brush included in this palette is nothing to rave about and the packaging is similar to Naked in the fact that it also has a mirror on top and the magnetic closure. I like that you can use the Nude 'Tude palette for day or night looks and it has a variety of shimmer, matte, and glitter shades. My personal favorite shades are Stand-Offish, Schitzo, Silly, Sophisticated, Sultry, and Selfish. The palette retails for $36.00 and is usually on Hautelook for $18.00 I believe! 

The products I plan on snatching tomorrow are some of their blushes and maybe the Time Balm concealer. I really want Hot Mama, Down Boy, Frat Boy, and Cabana Boy blush but I'm going to try to limit myself so my paycheck isn't gone the same day I get it! Let me know what products y'all love by theBalm and if you plan on picking any up! 

Haul : Ulta & Walmart

Hey Guys! Okay so I got an order from Ulta in Saturday while I was out of town. Ulta isn't in my town, the closest one is about an hour and a half away so I have to take advantage of the sales while they have 'em!

Let the hauling begin!

First I picked up some new mascara since Ulta is having their BOGO 1/2 off sale. I went a little crazy.

L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes in Black $8.99

Maybelline Lash Stiletto in Very Black $8.49

Maybelline One by One Volum' Express in Blackest Black $7.99

Maybelline Illegal Length Fiber Extensions in Very Black $8.99

Maybelline Mega Plush Volum' Express in Blackest Black $6.99

Freeman Beauty Anti-Stress Deep Sea Minerals Mask $3.99

Benefit Erase Paste Mini in Medium 2 $10.00

Revlon Super Lustrous Gloss in Coral Reef $6.99

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweetheart $8.99

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Cherish $8.99

Revlon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart $7.49

Sally Hanson Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear in Pacific Blue $2.59

Wet 'n Wild Megalast in I Need a Refresh-Mint $1.99

China Glaze Hunger Games Collection color in Riveting $4.99

China Glaze Hunger Games Collection in Electrifying $4.99

Well that's it for the haul! If there are any products you guys want me to review or anything let me know!

Glossybox: June 2012

Hey Guys! We all know about the latest hype about all of the beauty box subscription services. I personally am subscribed to Glossybox, Birchbox, and Julep. I love these boxes and rarely have a problem with the products...who doesn't love getting a box full of goodies? I also love being able to try out brands I don't know or I'm not sure of.

Anyways, I'm just going to let you know what products showed up in my Glossybox and what I think of them.

1. Ahava | Hibiscus & Velvet Cream Body Wash ($22 for 17oz)

-My first impression of this body wash was that Glossybox sent a generous sample size. After opening the bottle I noticed the smell is a very natural smell. I personally do not love the smell but I also don't find that the scent is offensive by any means. I used this body was while on a weekend trip and found it to be very moisturizing and noticed the scent lightly on my skin after I had showered.

VERDICT: I probably wouldn't purchase this product for the fact that I'm not a fan of the scent.

2. First Aid Beauty | Shave Cream ($16.50 for 6.8oz)

-This product is honestly one of my absolute least favorite products of all time. Let me start off by saying that I usually don't use shaving cream or gel. I find shaving to be more difficult and messy and find that my shave is not nearly as close. Now, when I used this product I did like the fact that it is more of a thick cream. It is not a foam or a lotiony type shaving product. I feel like this makes getting a close shave easier. However, I noticed the "squeaky clean" feeling of my skin after using it and I absolutely cannot stand that feeling. Also, I just used this on my right leg and shaved the left leg as normal (sans any shaving cream.) After about five minutes my right leg was on FIRE. I mean burning. Then, later on in the day I noticed irritation and razor burn EVERYWHERE. I'm not sure if it was an allergic reaction or what but I definitely won't be trying that out again!

VERDICT: I will not be repurchasing this product.

3. Ofra Cosmetics | ICE Eyeshadow ($14.95 for 0.47oz)

-This eyeshadow is a mix between a cream and powder. It finishes to a powder like consistency. I think I might actually like this product if it wasn't such a dark purple/maroon color. I'm thinking in the fall it will be a more wearable shade.

VERDICT: I'm undecided on this product due to the color sent to me. I'm also unsure about the wear and staying power of this shadow.

4. vBEAUTE | Lite Up, Buying Time, & Eye Never ($85.00 - $150.00)

-The tubes of these products are so small I don't feel like I'm going to be able to see if I like them or not. When I did use the eye gel I felt like it was so greasy that my face would break out. The price of these products really turns me off as well.

VERDICT: For the money I would not repurchase.

5. Wella Professionals | Enrich Moisturizing Treatment ($12.00 for 5.07oz)

-In this particular Glossybox I feel like this product is one of the better ones. I like that it is a styling product but I personally don't know how it will pan out in my hair. This product is meant for thin/fine hair and I by far have thick curly hair! I'm hoping this product will add extra hydration to my curls without weighing them down. I can say that the scent is very pleasant and not overbearing.

VERDICT: I have not tested the product and therefor cannot rate it.

6. A Perfume Organic | Urban Organic ($65.00 for 0.41oz)

-This perfume is one of the most nauseating scents on my skin. I am not a fan of the spicyness of this scent. I feel like it smells something along the lines of salsa in the kitchen. To me this fragrance should be a home fragrance.

VERDICT: I would not repurchase.

All in all I think that Glossybox could use some work. Last month I felt like I got my money's worth. This month I don't feel the same, buuuuut, before someone goes assuming I hate this company I would like to say I plan on staying subscribed to Glossybox. I think they have the most luxurious samples and you are guaranteed at least one full size product each month. I feel like it does exactly what they intended...for people to test out new products!