IPSY November 2013 bag (Review)

I don't know how to apologize for this review for being so late. Been in a stressful rush lately to apply to get my Esthetician license with some hiccups and possibly missing the due date. I am glad to say I am back home in Hawaii and ready to work (preferably not in retail.) Then again to be honest with my readers the few that there are, I never planned to be 26 still living with my parents. They are amazing people don't get me wrong but sometimes when you fail at getting a job or anything career wise it can become disheartening. The last thing I want to be is a disappointment to them, I want to live on my own, and know what it's like to file my own taxes without help. Yet I am part of the percentage of Americans that don't get a job in their field right after they graduate College because it's competitive and they like this thing called experience (And they don't want to be the ones to give it to you.) All personal matters aside I love my interest in the cosmetic world and the fan base it creates. And I hope I can share my gathered knowledge and get paid for it one day. Yet for now I will just leave what I learned here or what I've found that I think would interest others as well. 

Thank you for being curious enough to see what I have to say about things that make us happy. Because options are like assholes, everyone's got one and this blog is mine. ;)

Ok now to the good stuff!

List of products:
1. [Full sized] Kiss, ever ez lashes - 03 (Came with glue and applicator)
2. [Full sized] Pixi beauty, bronzer - Subtly Suntouched
3. [Full sized] Nailtini - Caviar Cocktail
4. [Full sized] Be a Bombshell, lip crayon - Shameless
5. [Full sized] EM cosmetics, waterliner - Emerald
6. [Full sized] Starlooks, Gem eye pencil - Amethyst


Wow 6 full sized products for November that's redonkulous. Ipsy's reputation for being one of the best beauty subscriptions is undisputed. I used to compare them with Birchbox and let me tell you Ipsy always makes room for improvement while Birch just believes in their diehard fans. Which is ok, nothing wrong with it. I just need a better deal for my buck is all, cause well I am jobless for the moment. :/

Bag & Product photos:

My Ipsy November 2013 bag.

I am soooo happy they went with snake print this time, can't tell you how much I am a reptile print gal. The color is actually gold out of photo but I've notice that it changes with format or with different lighting. Needless to say I was blessed with an over abundance.


Product photos and reviews:

Kiss, ever ez lashes - 03

These were amazing lashes, they are light weight and on a clear band. The length is just enough to pass for a natural look. This was just crazy to receive because it's 2 pairs of false lashes with an applicator and glue. The glue was good, it did not irritate my eyes and did a decent job of staying on. Although it was clear glue that has a duo chrome hue which I thought was rather unusual for lash glue. But it dried clear and looked just fine after I lined it. If this doesn't get you to want to subscribe just wait.

Pixi beauty, bronzer - Subtly Suntouched

Now Pixi has some great stuff and for this bronzer I just loved the velvet finish of the case. Yet Ipsy kinda hit a miss with me on the color. When this could work for fair skin this just look like there was nothing on my face. The slight shimmer probably could be seen just the color was meh worthy. I do like a good bronzer, I just prefer to be able to see it and then blend it.

Nailtini - Caviar Cocktail

Now this wasn't the original color I was expecting to get, there was a copper-ish one. Yet I actually liked and worked with this shade better. The metallic dark gray color just popped in lights and complimented my skin tone rather well. The perfect transition color from fall to winter, in fact most metallic shades are best suited for this time. That won't stop me though from wearing this shade in the other seasons as well. This is the 3rd nailtini polish I've gotten over the year and this one I will keep for myself. (Not that I need anymore nail polish. Seriously I have a decent massive collection.)

Be a Bombshell, lip crayon - Shameless

Meh, is the word I've choose to describe this color. It's pretty sheer fuchsia color, can build up but the shimmer in it just turns me off. The formula is decent and might even be better then the Revlon lip crayons with out the minty smell. Shameless just didn't work for me at this moment, maybe later in a year I'll change my thoughts about it and heck this could work for you if you just love the color of the swatches. It just didn't get my goat.

EM cosmetics, waterliner - Emerald

Color predictable, but boy did this liner live up to the hype! Totally giggly that Michelle Phan decided to share her line with us this month and even more to come. I already have two of the lipsticks and just love love love them. The color always seems predictable since they know it's my favorite color. The formula is really exquisite, highly pigmented, easy to work with, and really is meant for that water line. I mean its semi-permanent once it drys, which means you need to be a little fast and precise. Has a built in sharpener and smudge tip as well.

Starlooks, Gem eye pencil - Amethyst

Did not expect to get two eyeliners in one bag, that is a first. They are different colors and brands which feels like a cop-out but a cop-out in my favor. I really wanted to try this shade to get me out of my purple shy. Shimmery enough to pass for a silver but purple undertone to give it a shy pop of color. This wasn't so water proof though, when I did try this with a primer it still creased. Though I think that was the primers fault. Pigmentation is fantastic and easy to work with.

So that is all she wrote, for last month's Ipsy bag, if you want me to review October let me know in the comments. Though personally I wasn't really that into what I got after I came home to see it. I will however show you my Halloween photo since it is a rather good Kabuki fox makeup look that Rose shock inspired me to do. The mouth is the same but I felt after the fact that I should have added more teeth. Contacts were from Pinkyparadise in Venus Bright red.

So whether your late in the game or ahead of the trend do it because it satisfies you.

-Val

Aztec gold in a pot of gold (Nail sticker mani)

Since prints are such a fashion find for any wardrobe, it is unfortunate that I have not mastered this fashion trend. So naturally I look to a nail art to get me comfortable with prints. I don't know what it is or if any other people have this problem with bold prints. Yet this gold Aztec nail sticker from Maybelline has given me the gumption to try it. Because it's still fall I think this mani would be great for the transition into winter with the combination of gold and black it's pretty edgy but classic.

Review on Maybelline nail fashion sticker - Aztec gold:
This was such a promising print and just very well done to fit my nails even if I cut one nail template in half. See I have pretty small nails and that's ok sometimes. Whats not ok are nail stickers that are HUGE and even if I tried to used it the print would just look terrible if I cut it to fit my nail size. Like sizing in clothes there is no universal size chart so they make excess in large sizes to accommodate what "Normal" sized people are. If I buy a top I have to get it taken in or not buy it at all, same with nail art stickers... I digress. Now what I didn't like about these nail art stickers in particular is that to make it semi reflective it was thick. The problem I had with them is that even when I filed them down around the edges and sealed them in with a top coat. They were too thick and lifted anyway around the edges. You will see what I mean in the photos.

How to achieve this nail mani:
So to prep your nail, start by wiping it with some nail polish remover and let it dry. If you wash your hands with water the nail will not completely dry and will often cause bubbling under the polish. Then add the base coat, get your nail stickers ready to the proper size. Cut to fit, then place them on, file off the excess and seal them in with a top coat. On the ring finger and the thumb use a gold nail polish. After it has dried use a tiny drop of top coat to where you want to put the nail gem. Add your gem then seal with a top coat. For this mani I had to add and extra top coat a few days after to try to decrease the sticker from lifting.



Product list:
1. Seche Vite, dry fast - base coat.
2. Maybelline fashion nail stickers - Aztec gold.
3. Elf nail varnish - Pot of gold.
4. Black medium sized nail gem.
4. Seche Vite, dry fast - top coat.

Product photo:

Photo of the mani:

Alright my darhlings, whether you're late in the game or ahead of the trend. Do it because it makes you happy.
-Val

Smokey Brown Diamond mani

Yet another Fall themed nail art mani that is even easier to do! Yes, I do a lot of easy manicures. Mostly because I hardly have the patience to sit for long hours at a time not touching anything. I bought the Elf Disney villain theme nail polish collection at the local Walgreens and my plan is to use all the colors at least once. Using one of the colors from the Cruella Deville series called Smokey brown. I just added some medium sized gems and voila. A simple nail mani that matches the Smokey browns of the fall season. This is the third Halloween inspired fall mani.

*To set the nail art gems use a decent dot of the top coat to adhere it securely.

Product list:
1. Seche Vite, dry fast - base coat.
2. Elf Disney villains 2013 nail varnish - Smokey brown.
3. Medium sized nail art gems - Silver/clear color.
4. Seche Vite, dry fast - top coat.


Product Photo:

Nail polish mani Photo:

Elf (Disney Villains 2013) - Smokey Brown

Whether you're late in the game or ahead of the trend do it because it makes you feel fabulous.

-Val

Konfidential Boo-gie down nail mani

Yay another easy DIY glitter combo. Being super glad I stumble upon the China glaze Halloween colors I just could not talk myself out of getting Boo-gie down. White, black, and orange glitter with a speckled look can't go wrong with that. Even though there are lots of colors to pair this glitter top coat with. I wanted to go with a beige look so that it just feels like a warm pumpkin spice latte look. So if you couldn't get your hands on this polish don't worry there will be dupes similar or you could combine the new Sephora glitter polishes together. Bomb! problem solved. Haha ok so here we are with the second Halloween themed mani.


Product list:
1. Seche Vite, dry fast - Base coat.
2. Nicole OPI - Kim Konfidential.
3. China glaze - Boo-gie down.
4. Seche Vite, dry fast - Top coat.

Product photo:

Nail mani photo:

Whether you're late in the game or ahead of the trend, do it because it makes you happy.

-Val

A French Sparkle Storm Tokidoki Candy.

Yes more of the Tokidoki nail art sticker manies. I really like Tokidoki nail art stickers because they just seem so fitting for nail designs. So this is one of my Halloween nail manies I have in my line up to show you for the last few days of this month and the rest of the Fall holiday. There was the skull candy stickers that I thought would be a good with a black and white sparkle combo. So it's simple and just festive enough for those tricks and treats. Plus now that I don't work at the retail job, I can now go let my inner nail artist out without fear. NO FEAR! maybe a little hesitant on some designs. Here is the first design I want to show to you today.

Pretty much it's a very easy no fuss design. Always use a base coat, or use a top coat as a double for a base. I used to get yellow nail after some polishes and even staining, so prep. Then apply your polish color in the pattern you want. Add the sticker, then set the design with your top coat. If the sticker lifts you can use the tip of a tooth pick with a little top coat on it and adhere under the sticker to secure it.

Product List:
1. Seche Vite, dry fast - Base coat.
2. Zoya - Storm.
3. LA Splash - French sparkle.
4. Tokidoki nail art stickers - Skull candy.
5. Seche Vite, dry fast - Top coat.


Product photo:

Nail Photos:

So whether you're late in the game or ahead of the trend do it cause it makes you trendy as @$%&.
-Val

Ipsy September 2013 bag review

Today I have my Ipsy September 2013 bag to review for you!

Now I am aware it's October but I must stress I am in Portland and my mail is being sent to the address in Hawaii so I have to have my lovely mother Fedex my subscriptions here. Which makes them late to review so be prepared for October to be the same. Now we all ready have seen Ipsy VS Birchbox and since I canceled the Birchbox there really is no reason to keep beating a dead horse. Personally I wanted to try Birchbox because some of the things in my past Ipsy bags were just not my cup of tea. But lately after they updated the personal quiz my bags have been tremendously better.

Lets get it on~ ohhh.

List of products:
1. Full sized, Skyn iceland: Hydro cool firming eye gels.
2. Full sized, Starlooks: Kohl eye pencil - K01 Obsidian.
3. Full sized, NYX: Single shadows - ES86 Lanikai.
4. Travel sized, Elizabeth Mott: It's so b!g volumizing mascara.
5. Full sized, Cailyn: Tinded lip balm - Big apple.

Woop woop!

Skyn Iceland: Hydro cool firming eye gels.

I have been wanting to try these for a while, since Michelle Phan had them in her travel video. It seemed like something I wanted to try so yay! Now when I read the reviews from other Ipsy fans they said it has a menthol burn on it. To reduce the puffy eye, which sadly I don't really care about. In fact an odd thing is I love it when I wake up to a puffy face just not a puffy nose. But if it takes care of dark circles I am all for it! Now if you have sensitive eyes like me it might not be the best because you will tear.

Starlooks: Kohl eye pencil - K01 Obsidian.

Now I have quite a few of eye liners just sitting in a pile, but you can never have enough eyeliner. This Kohl liner isn't my first, yet it's one of the better formulas I've tried. Not to dry but creamy enough to blend. Also I like the charcoal look, because it's a great base for a smokey eye. Even though I rarely do the smokey eye.

NYX: Single shadows - ES86 Lanikai.

Great job Ipsy for reading my mind! I just can't believe I finally have ONE of these. Yes just one, this one! Because I always see these in the drugstore but I never got one. I have been wanting to try them, yet never found a reason to get one mainly because some of the colors I can dupe with. The texture is smooth and just easy to blend. I would however use a primer or a base color under this since its pretty sheer coverage. What I like about this is that it's a simmer but looks matte in indoor lighting.

Elizabeth Mott: It's so b!g volumizing mascara.

Uuuggghhh, now when it comes to mascaras I just don't really care for the ones they send me in these bags. After the pixi fiasco I changed my beauty quiz so I won't get anymore. But I guess I was too late for this one. I have read some good and bad reviews on this, but since my sister interested in trying out a new mascara I'll just give this to her. The brush doesn't look like I'd be ok with the application process. So meh. That's my spheal on it.

Cailyn: Tinded lip balm - Big apple.

This lip balm seems more like a lipstick formula to me, yet really lip balm was the original form of lipstick before the bullet so. Breaking down that knowledge for ya, I really was happy to see this in my bag and surprised even more after I used it. It's actually a nice matte lip balm and nicely pigmented. The only problem I had with this was the brush I used for the application made it patchy. Yet when I used this as a base for another matte lipstick it gave a nice bright effect. For example I used MAC's retro matte lipstick in Dangerous on the center of my lips and this as a base. It made me look aaamazing. Just fabulous.

Alright so that's my review of last month's bag. I got to say even though I didn't get somethings I wanted I still got some really great products to try and most of them are full sized products! Now even though I didn't get the Butter London polish I might get one later this year or next year. This month though, they are giving some of the subscribers Zoya fall color nail polish. Unfortunately the colors they are giving away are colors I already have AGAIN. Ughhh. I can't help it that I am ahead on the ZOYA fandom, they are an amazing company and have the best sales. Any way, this bag was good and even greater then my first one so that's saying a lot.

So here is the link for Ipsy: Ipsy.com
I would have out the discount codes for the products on here afterwards but since it's already October they probably don't work anymore.

Whether you're late in the game or ahead of the trend do it because it makes you happy.
-Val

Bella Swan Make-up.

Hello my wonderfuls,
Teehee that makes me think of these power gems for your tools in Harvest moon Island of happiness. Ahhh~ Anyways. Today I have a make up look inspired by the fall season with red leaves falling AND if you want a very easy Halloween costume. I am experiencing Fall season for the first time and I can still say it is my favorite season of all. Hawaii just is summer/spring all year long, our winters are pretty much summer in Portland. For a small update I've moved to Portland for about a 2 months to network and get a good foot hold in both Animation and Makeup artistry. I hope to have a haul post/video for you all. Now I know I'm not the best at making videos. Mainly because I use my webcam & I have a crap shoot video editing system. Not only that I had a video ready but then my laptop got stolen. I know, it's bad excuse but an honest one is that I just don't feel confident enough just yet.
I digress, so this make up look if you haven't figured it out in the Title post, is a Bella Swan make-up inspired look. (I typed inspired because I did my own twist on it.) Though I never read the books, and didn't really care for the movie line. I did like to watch it with my sister who loved the series. My favorite out of the whole thing was her transformation to an immortal being. Just gorgeous even with the creepy red eyes, I loved how plush her face looks and it's luminescence.  Glowing, absolutely glowing.

Soo... here are photos and a list of products I used. Give or take you can use a similar palette or foundation.


List of Products:

FACE
1. CoolA: Tinted moisturizer rose essence 20spf.
2. Garnier Nutritioniste: Skin renew tinted anti-dark-circle roller.
3. Hourglass: Immaculate liquid powder foundation mattifying oil free - Ivory. (Substitute with Maybelline: Oil control stick foundation in 220.)
4. The face shop: Face it BB face powder - NB23.
5. NYX: Mosaic powder - Silk/MPB05.
6. Benefit: Watt's up! soft focus highlighter.

Eyes
1. Rimmel London: Professional eyebrow pencil - 004 Black brown.
2. Chella: Eyebrow defining gel.
3. Too faced: Shadow insurance.
4. Milani: Shadow eyez 12HR wear eyeshadow - 10 Almond cream. (Substitute with Jordana: Made to last 12HR eyeshadow pencil - Continuous almond.) Used as a base.
5. MAC: Christmas 5 warm eyes palette.
6. Urban decay: 24/7 pencil - Demolition.
7. Maybelline: The falsies volum' express [Flared] waterproof mascara.
8. Pinkyparadise: Venus eye - bright red. (Whatever red contacts you prefer.)

Lip
1. NYX: Water proof retractable lip liner - MPL12/ Dark red.
2. MAC: Viva glam 1 matte lipstick. (You don't have to use this if you are going for the original look.)

Products used.

So in the movie her make up is quite natural looking, she has some deep set eyes which is more genetic I would say. With porcelain skin and such pointed features. Given I didn't really contour my face to be similar to her's only because I wanted this to be the look as if I were a vampire.

*On a side note I got this photo off another website who did their own version of the look. I will link the photo to the website so if you want to check their tutorial out just click on the photo.

Photo used by: stylista86.blogspot.com

Now here is my finished look:

The contacts were pretty comfortable, I wouldn't recommend wearing them for more then 8 hours. I just love how spooky they look. Now if this color is too much they have a darker wine color in these. I will link them as Venus Eye Bright Red and Venus Eye Wine Red. They are my favorite brand and style of contacts from the Pinkyparadise website. Because they don't make my eyes too big like a lot of the other contacts. Plus the colors are so vivid I just love the extra pop of color, even if they do appear unnatural in some lighting.


Eye make-up layout:

MAC 5 warm palette, Urban decay Demolition, and Milani eye pencil.

The MAC Viva glam 1 lipstick lips:

MAC Viva glam1.

Here is my personal Video update:
Paintthatgreen - Youtube

I hope you liked it and were inspired to bring out your own inner immortal. Whether you're late in the game or ahead of the trend do it because it makes you happy.

-Val

Ipsy V.S Birchbox August2013 round four *FIGHT!*

Helloo my grand masters of the passion. Today is the last, yes the last V.S blog post. I will be moving to Portland for a while just a month in a half to network and visiting animation studios. Plus I discontinued my Birchbox subscription after this month. I felt by many reasons that I was losing more money then I was getting and we all have seen in past posts why this is. Of course I will still blog about Ipsy subscriptions as well as try new beauty subscriptions out there. But for now lets just end the massacre that is this final battle of the beauty subscriptions.

Our final fight is now here lets begin:
 

Here is our champion Ippsssy<3!!!

Ipsy just blows Birchbox's 10 buck sample box out of the water and even with the extra deals added I can't see how Birchbox just doesn't care to step it up. Ipsy just has the most protective subscribers too, I mean ladies, gee's calm yo tits. Just cause one person didn't agree with something in there bag is NO reason to attack them and tell them to get off to let someone else who shares the SAME opinions you do to step in. If you don't agree just say so and stop being such a bitch. That might be the only reason I find Ipsy lacking on their online site. Protecting their subscribers from their subscribers. I hardly see that on Birchbox, if someone doesn't like it I don't see some crazy lady going off at them.


List of Products:
1.) Deluxe sample sized - Pacifica, Alight multi-mineral BB cream.
2.) Travel sample sized - Michael Todd, Jojoba charcoal facial scrub.
3.) Sample sized - Pixi, Lash booster mascara.
4.) Full sized - MICA, eyeshadow in Bronze.
5.) Sample sized - Urban Decay, Revolution lipstick in Anarchy.

Pacifica, Alight multi-mineral BB cream.

This was a nice sample to try and the fact I get more then one use lets you learn more about it and how this product works. It is a sheer illuminizer with sun protection but again is sheer and even though helps keep your tone even doesn't cover the already there sun spots, acne scares, etc. It is lightly scented and it's alright. It's probably best to use a BB powder on top to make it look more like a natural glow. Best to use concealer as well. (Ipsy 1)

Michael Todd, Jojoba charcoal facial scrub.

 

The Michael Todd true organic line has always been in the back of my mind. Especially for the pumpkin mask which has been raved over and over about. I was hoping to get the mask in my bag and when I got this instead yeah, I admit I was disappointed. But the reviews on the Jojoba charcoal scrub were good on the Ipsy site so I went with it. I used this twice and finally just gave in to love, it is a nice light non abrasive cleansing scrub. The Ipsy site gave all the subscribers a 30% off code for the Michael Todd site, so if I want to just buy the pumpkin mask I can get it at a more affordable price. Because the full price item is just what keeps me at bay. (Ipsy 2)

Pixi, Lash booster mascara.

I keep having a love hate with the mascaras that come in the Ipsy bags. This was another miss in more ways then one. When I read about it, it seems like a dream. A waterproof lash boosting mascara that keeps curl and makes them look full. Um no, the wand stopper pops out and the applicator it's self isn't the type that I like to work with. Because it's really messy I got mascara on the lashes and skin even when I tried to lightly use it. (Ipsy 0)

MICA, eyeshadow in Bronze.

 










MICA's bronze eyeshadow was much to be desired for those who don't have 2 just like it in their beauty collections. This color just pops in the sun and is great for that summer to fall change. For me it came off to shimmery and for someone who always sticks to shimmer. This doesn't get me out of my comfort zone which I was looking for. After I swatched it, just wasn't impressed as I thought I'd be. Highly pigmented as most loose shadows are. Has a great multi-versatile use as a illuminating bronzer (When used with a serious light touch.) So for those who got this and loved it that's great, but for me not so much. (Ipsy 0)

Urban Decay, Revolution lipstick in Anarchy.

I wasn't but was expecting this to be in my bag this month, even though I was looking forward to the 69 color I am happy with Anarchy. I know some of you are saying "OH you're so lucky." Not really but thanks, everybody will eventually get this product in the up and coming bags. It's probably because I've been a subscriber for a while. I actually passed on these when they came out, and told myself I'll get to it when I am fully interested in them. But now that Ipsy has beat me to it, I applaud you Ipsy for the knock out. The bullet of this fuchsia lipstick is beautiful because it has this warm metallic shine to it. But when you look at it on your lips the shine doesn't come out. This was a cute bright color that just pops in light. Not only that it has really good lasting power. There was still a good amount left at the end of the day, after drinking and eating. The formula is so divine and doesn't dry out my lips like most 12 hour lipsticks do. (Ipsy 3)








The challenger the B-brawler of the box! Birchbox~!!!

Oh Birchbox, it was nice while it lasted for 5 months but enough was enough. After that melted lipstick and tiny samples it just didn't seem like this would last. I did like to try all the great products but when you realize you CAN'T afford most of it. Nope...just no. The website is probably the best part because of the exclusive products and limited edition things. The also give great storage space for little nicknacks afterwards. So I just decided to save my 10 dollars for things I do need. But I hope these posts helped other Beauty explorers get a little more info about the differences between the two. So lets end this.

List of products:
1.) Sample size - Dr.Jart+, premium BB cream spf 45.
2.) Deluxe sample size - MIYU beauty, de-stress mi beauty essence & tea.
3.) 2 sample sized - OC8, professional mattifying gel.
4.) Travel sample sized - Whish, exfoliating body wash.
5.) Sample sized - Whish, hair inhibiting deodorant swipes. 

Dr.Jart+, premium BB cream spf 45.

The Dr.Jart+ BB cream was a tiny cute squeeze bottle. Like all the other BB creams Birchbox gives me it never matches my skin tone. I did let it oxidize and it match a little bit better, yet it's not something I wanted to try or ever buy. It's got great coverage, and doesn't feel too heavy on. It did give me a 'looks like your wearing sunscreen face.' Maybe though it's something you'd like to try. (Birchbox 0)

MIYU beauty, de-stress mi beauty essence & tea.

I really liked this, even though it wasn't getting the best reviews on the site. The de-stress mi beauty mist is really light and refreshing. I didn't think so at first since the licorice and peppermint ingredients sound rather harsh. Yet it is so delicate and comforting a great item to have. The tea I haven't tried yet but it has sugar pearls and chamomile. The full price bottles are out of my price range for this though. This was quite enjoyable, my mom liked this too so I might just give it to her for the office. (Birchbox 1)

OC8, professional mattifying gel.

I was pretty happy there were two of these and not just one. Still yet I get more samples then this for free at Sephora. This mattifying gel though from OC8 is great, it's light weight and soaks up quick. I still get oily depending on the foundation or BB cream I use but not as crazy as before. It doesn't really last up to 8 hours on a hot day in Hawaii, but it does it's job. (Birchbox 2)

Whish, exfoliating body wash.

I haven't tried this yet, but I can't wait to. I've had a bamboo body scrub before and it was nice. I guess so nice that the guys used it up. Guys = (Boyfriend's house and roommates.) This is a great sized product too, and in a great budget range. With sugar cane and bamboo powder, it's a nice body scrub to buff off dead skin for a healthy glow. (Birchbox 3)

Whish, hair inhibiting deodorant swipes.

Umm, what you try'na say Brichbox? Hahahaa, but no really I always wanted to try these because there have been times I ran out the door without deodorant. Luckily I work in a perfume heavy half naked store. Did you guess yet? Yeah but I work in the back so the cologne doesn't hide me. As for the hair inhibitor at first I had to ask myself what does that mean? The description says it's a deodorant wipe that slows hair growth. That's like a two for one, multi purpose, and take it with you amazballs. I would probably shell the 16 bucks for this on the website. But I will hold on to this when I really NEED it. (Birchbox 4)




And with a surprise turn around the winner is Birchbox!!!

Go figure right? The month I stop on is the box that actually beats Ipsy. Birchbox snuck(sneak) by with 4 points where Ipsy just got 3. I have to admit I was thinking I may regret this. In all honesty the overall products I was getting from Birchbox with the amount I was giving just left me with a ripped of sense. This box does add up to me, since the MIYU and the Whish body scrub were good sized products to try. That Dr.Jart+ though was a WTF moment. Over all I am glad Birch got to with this one, they actually won the first month that I didn't blog about. But 2 out of 3 just seems like a red flag for my money spending. So congrats Birchbox, own it, cause you did put up a great fight.


Birchbox                                                                                        Ipsy





So whether you're late in the game or ahead of the trend do it because it makes you happy.
-Val

Beautiful Creatures Palette by Pürminerals.

Aloha my savvy beauty hunters!
Today I have for you a review on the Beautiful Creature's palette by Pürminerals. They are going for $19.99 at Nordstorm's rack if you have one near you. When I saw this palette I wasn't all that interested even though I loved the movie and even that I didn't read the books I can already tell I'd love them. The reason I didn't by the palatte at first sight was because I did not know about the company. Pürminerals is a cosmetic line that are about paraben free formulas to give you a much more healthy appearance. Their cosmetics are formulated with good for your skin ingredients to help cover and correct. By now you know that I have a ill informed idea in my head about mineral cosmetics. Yet when motivated by reasons to try it, I do, and just end up loving them. This palette was just adorable and versatile. Mainly for the theme of will you be claimed for the dark or the light choose your side. Of course my favorite character is Ridley, and even though a good nature girl by heart deep inside she is a man eating deviant. So lets get on with the fun shall we.



The Pürmineral's Beautiful creatures palette:

This palette comes with a pinky flesh tone sheer gloss, a charcoal black eyeliner included, and you get a shadow brush in the case.

Eyeliner - Black magic
Lipgloss - Lust
 

Purmineral's Beautiful Creature's Palette.

Inside you have 8 different shades all named to the theme.

Ash copper shimmer - Forbidden
Ivory beige shimmer - Supernatural
Olive green shimmer - Siren
Light beige - Spellbound
Ash taupe shimmer - Fate
Warm burgundy shimmer - Fantasy
White matte - Secret
Warm ash gray - Cursed

Beautiful Creature's Palette.

Swatches:

Forbidden, Supernatural, Siren, Spellbound, Fate, Fantasy, Secret, Cursed, Black magic, & Lust.

Forbidden, Supernatural, Siren, Spellbound, Fate, Fantasy, Secret, Cursed, Black magic, & Lust.

Forbidden, Supernatural, Siren, Spellbound, Fate, Fantasy, Secret, Cursed, Black magic, & Lust.

This was actually a great find and buy. I am happy with the outcome of the palette and extra items. So here is the look I made using this palette. Don't mind my brows I am growing them out.

Using the Too faced primer, then a Lime crime base primer. I know it seems over kill but I did not want this look to go anywhere. I started with Fate over the lid area. Then using Cursed in a smoky wing I build it up to a preferred darkness. Then blended the two shadows together using a bit of Fantasy. After I used Supernatural on the arch and tear duct. On the lower lash line I lined it with Black magic and smudged it out with Fantasy.
On the lips I used a Rimmel london lip liner in Smug, then topped it off with Lust. Add demi lashes, then line the top with Physicians Formula eye boosting liner in Ultra black.































So whether your late in the game, or a head of the trend. Do it because you've been chosen for the dark.

-Val

Ipsy V.S Birchbox July2013 round three *FIGHT!*

Hello my savvy shoppers, I have a new V.S battle for you. I know by now you realize Ipsy will probably win this round also. Yet I figured I'd still do this post for you. Again my Birchbox came in late due to Richmond CA. That is a black hole for packaged if there ever was one. This makes it hard for me to post this during the month they are meant for. The wait can be a little daunting since I do live in Hawaii and no matter what. If the tracking ends in Richmond CA it's safe to say I am not getting it until the real end of the month or when it's already the next month. But without any more waiting here is round three.

Back for more abuse here are our fighters:

Here is our home contender~ Ipssssyy!

Alright let's not get our nickers in a twist. It's obvious by now that Ipsy is a tough beauty box to beat. You do get a hell of a lot better deals. Including promotion codes off every item in the bag even on the products you don't get in the bag. They have been really nice to their subscribers as well as nutorious for giving more then one full sized products or travel tester. Every month they just keep getting better and better. They even listen to their subscribers for constructive critisim. When they ship to me it never gets lost in Richmond CA now and comes as soon as it is shipped.

List of products:
1.) Full sized, POP beauty pouty pop crayon - Rose romance.
2.) Travel sized, CoolA - mineral face SPF 20 Rose Essence tinted moisturizer.
3.) Deluxe sample sized, BH Cosmetics - California Collection Eyeshadow Sample.
4.) Travel sized, Big Sexy Hair - Weather Proof Humidity Resistant Spray.
5.) Sample sized, Benefit - Rose benetint.

POP beauty pouty pop crayon - Rose romance.

 
When I saw a picture in the teaser post I was very ecstatic. Yay! A lip crayon to try and possibly fall in love it. Nope.. under shot my expectations. I was pretty disappointed in this first off was that I thought this color would be perfect for me. Then second it is just too creamy for my lips. It loves to sink into the cracks if you know what I mean. (Ipsy 0)

CoolA - mineral face SPF 20 Rose Essence tinted moisturizer.

When I got this I had a serious sense of dejavu. I almost felt that Ipsy was biting a bit off of Brichbox. Because in the Birchbox last month I received the Cumber sunscreen. Yet I was gun-ho about it after I actually used the Cumber face lotion. In the Ipsy bag you either got then unscented one or the rose essence. Thank the cosmetic God's they sent me the rose essence. This was the second Rose themed item I got. (Ipsy 1)

BH Cosmetics - California Collection Eyeshadow Sample.

Wow, just a high mark for Ipsy on this one. This BH Cosmetics sampler was really the cherry. It gave you one shadow per theme'd palette to test out. The only problem about this was trying to achieve the same amount of pigmentation of two of the shadows. I had to get these wet first before I could swatch them, because they are that sheer. Give or take you can build it up, but I expected the shadows to be rich in color. Well one was, Malibu pretty much held most of the easy pigment. (Ipsy 0)

Big Sexy Hair - Weather Proof Humidity Resistant Spray.

Surprised to receive this product. I never thought I needed a Humidity resistant spray. In fact I figured I never needed one with all the anti-frizz products I have. When Fossie came for a visit to Hawaii though I used this like a germaphobe uses sanitizer (Ok maybe not that much.) It was humid rain, and it felt like walking in a sauna, my hair should have been ugly. Yet I used this product and it kept my mane frizz free and calm. Now when you first spray this into your hair it leaves this really textured feel to it but it goes away rather quickly. (Ipsy 2)

Benefit - Rose benetint.

Yes! what is there to say about Benefits benetint that hasn't already been said. A beautiful natural supple glow to the cheeks and lips. With a delectable scent of rose. (Ipsy 3)



Are you ready ladies and gentle men for the notorious Biirrchbox!!!

G's sometimes I wonder why am I still subscribed or even did subscribe to them? They give you mostly testers and on occasion give you discounts on the items in the box but not all the items do you get discounts for. There is a reason I am letting you know right now that Birchbox has already lost and continue to find out why.

List of Products:
1.) Sample sized,  Juliette Has a Gun - Not a Perfume.
2.) Sample sized, Birchbox Bobby Pins - 1 Set.
3.) Sample sized, theBalm cosmetics InStain Long-Wearing Powder Staining Blush.
4.) Full sized, ModelCo - Party Proof Lipstick in Get naked.
5.) Sample sized, Vivant - Skin Care Green Tea Antioxidant Cleanser.

Juliette Has a Gun - Not a Perfume.

This was rather polite to send, the perfume sample was enjoyable and great for the end of summer scent. It smelled really familiar though as if I had a sample of a Dior perfume. It contains Cetalox which is a warm spicy amber smell. That's the reason why it's not a perfume. Yet on the store site it's $120 dollars without shipping.. wooah um thanks I love it just not that much for a Not a perfume. (Birchbox 1)

Birchbox Bobby Pins - 1 Set.

Ok I thought this was a good idea at the time. Until I actually got it, these hair pins were big for me. A little too big and even though they have an adorable pattern they were a miss for me. Like I said before they are too big, and hard @$$ metal pins it ripped my hair out while I was trying to take them out. (Birchbox 0)

theBalm cosmetics InStain Long-Wearing Powder Staining Blush.

theBalm cosmetics InStain Long-Wearing Powder Staining Blush.

This tangerine blush was cute, and small. A little to small for a blush brush to pick up, yet it's super pigmented and just latches on to your skin good. The color is perfect for my yellow undertones and is cool enough to balance out. (Birchbox 2)

ModelCo - Party Proof Lipstick in Get naked.

ModelCo - Party Proof Lipstick in Get naked.

Alright! The reason why Birchbox lost this battle so badly. Point and case this lipstick. Model Co has great nail polishes I'll give them that but what the hell was this? Let me start off with this product's arrival. It was melted in the tube and smashed against the cap. I figured I could work around that when plop! The bullet just fell out. Then I stuck the bullet back in and tossed it in the freezer to save it. After it was fixed I went to swatch it to find that it is NOT a matte color like it says on the case. It's more cream then anything. Birchbox...Shame. (Birchbox 0 and some hair strands.)

Vivant - Skin Care Green Tea Antioxidant Cleanser.

Now this seems good and nice. Something to clean the face and sounds like a product I'd get into. Haven't used it yet so I can't really say much about it. I was able to use their Lemon grass sugar face scrub and loved it. So I am going on a whim and give Birchbox this point even though it's clear they didn't win this round. (Birchbox 2)


AAAndthewinnerisIpsygofigure!



Haha oh well, it's safe to say Birchbox needs to seriously step up their game. I mean the Men's boxes are much more interesting the the women's. I seriously don't know what was up with the lipstick and hair pins. And I hope this gets a price savvy beauty wonder to go for the better deals. Ipsy I have to admit is a more price geared towards women who can't really break the bank. It also doesn't help when Brichbox offers a 15 dollar box for items you can get at the drugstore. Come on.


So whether your late in the game of ahead of the trend do it because it doesn't break your wallet.

-Val