I received my Glam Bag from IPSY in the mail today and was pretty excited for my goodies. I already sneaked a peak at my Glam Room so I already knew what I was getting.
If you aren't familiar with Ipsy, it's a beauty subscription services, where you get 4-5 beauty products every month delivered to your door, for just $10. Michelle Phan curates the bags! Check it out here: http://www.ipsy.com/r/bvpt
Here's a picture of what I got along with a random beauty tip:
Here's a video of what I got:
Note: Due to a large number of pictures on my phone I was having difficulty with videos so I get cut off at the end.
All I was saying at the end was my left cheek had the peach color coastal scent's blush and my right had the bright pink. Also I ended by getting closer to my lashes to show the mascara coverage, but on my refuse-to-curl lashes, I really couldn't tell the difference than with other urban decay mascaras I use.
List of products: - Information about the product from Ipsy.com 1. Absolute Lip Balm: "Treat your lips with this ultra-moisturizing lip balm from Absolute New York. This lightly tinted, creamy, conditioning formula softens, smooths, and protects lips for a seriously kissable pout. Discover this must-have balm for sensationally soft and luscious lips! Ipsy subscribers who receive this product will receive either Grape or Green Apple. Weight: 12g" *Again I'm so glad I got green apple. It is so smooth and my lips feel soft! I have pretty dry lips because I need to drink more water throughout the day, so this stuff helps! It doesn't have that weird chapstick after taste either, which is a huge plus for me. 2. Dr. Brandt: Pores No More Pore Refiner
"A cult favorite, Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer is Dr. Brandt’s quick fix for flawless, photo-ready skin. It is the miracle base to create the perfect skin canvas for long-lasting makeup and well-preserved skin. This velvety formula absorbs excess oil, minimizes pores, blurs fine lines and is resistant to sweat and humidity. Prime, touch-up and treat while perfecting your makeup. Weight: .25 oz
Key Benefits: - Minimizes the appearance of pores by diffusing light - Blurs imperfections & lines - Erases shine & mattifies skin - Absorbs oil, reduces shine and helps regulate sebum production - Antibacterial action for a healthy skin - Acts as a shield to prevent make-up from clogging pores"
*Even though I don't have large pores, this primer helps with the extra shine I typically get by midday. I also love that it helps keep my makeup from clogging my pores..because that's awesome and important!
3. Urban Decay:Perversion Mascara
"Bigger. Blacker. Badder.Urban Decay's ultra-creamy, lengthening and volumizing mascara features triple-black pigments and a deeply nourishing ingredient blend. Perversion Mascara gets you sexy in one stroke, yet it won’t quit until you say when.Weight: .1 fl oz"
*This mascara has a nice sized wand for full coverage and applied smoothly. I attempted at curling my lashes prior to putting it on, but they didn't stay curled for long. It does go on thick for my liking so I only applied one layer.
4. Coastal Scents: Forever Blush Sample Duo
"Coastal Scents Forever Blush boasts 18 perfectly pigmented, powder blushes with a long-lasting rush of color. Complete with a mirror, these color-packed compacts go a long way. Weight: 2.5g/ 0.09 oz. Ipsters who sample Coastal Scents blush duo will receive the shades Fresh (Left) and Elegant (Right)."
*I thought the "Elegant" shade (in the video I say dark peachy color) applied much easier than the "Fresh" (sparkly pink) shade. I liked both, but would wear the Elegant shade on a daily basis. The only thing I dislike about getting these individual shades, is that I don't have a palette to put them into. I liked the magnetic empty palette we received in an older glam bag, but I don't think the back of these blushes are magnetic. I'd have to check that out.
5. Lord & Berry: Silk Kajal Kohl Eye Pencil
"Sensual and exotic, that's the effect that Silk Kajal Kohl Eye Pencil delivers. Just like the traditional Kohl, but with the modern ease and control of a pencil. Giving a semi-matte finish that is also smudgeable, Silk Kajal Kohl's soft tip is ophthalmologically-tested and gentle enough to be used on the inner eye. Also available in Nudo and White. Weight: 0.02 oz"
*The sample size is really small, which is a downside...just merely for application. I have small hands but I like having a longer pencil to hold. Also, I don't really do pencil eyeliner because I don't have a sharpener that works, so I only use it until it dulls and then it sits around. As far as application, it went on smoothly. Its very black, which is nice. When they say its "smudgeable" it really is...and not in the good way, when you purposefully want to smudge your eyeliner. Maybe I put it on too thick? I'm not sure. But after about an hour I had smudge marks under my eye (did a cat eye, with no liner on the bottom lash). I fixed it and about another hour later, there were more smudge marks. Ugh...! Anyway, here's a look I created. Its later in the day after the video was shot.
So I just got my summer voxbox in the mail and I will be making a video and showing you the contents of my box. I'll do a post on my first impressions of the products and will do a full review on my favorites or per request. Yay so excited to test out these great products! :)
I can't thank Birchbox enough for sending me Stila's One Step Bronze in last month's box. I use it fairly often and have fallen in love with it. I was so intrigued by the design of the product inside the container, which is kind of like a helix of the three components of the bronzer. This product is very shimmery, so it might not be for everyone.
This bronzing serum may look like a sci-fi invention, but don’t be intimidated. The three-in-one primer, bronzer, and skin perfector addresses our three main concerns: oversized pores, unevenness, and lackluster skintone. Made with a triple helix of bronzing, highlighting, and illuminating pigments, the creamy formula has a mousse-like consistency, and is subtly laced with coppery shimmer. We love how it blends easily and dries to a matte finish. Plus, it keeps your skin’s oil levels in check, so your makeup doesn’t slide off midway through the day.
How it Works
The formula uses a trio of complementary pigments: coppery bronze adds warmth, pink-toned bronze evens out skin tone, and Kitten (one of stila’s best-loved shades) brightens and conceals with its soft shimmery champagne hues. When you push down on the applicator, these pigments swirl together to create a lightweight serum. In addition to sheer coverage, it delivers an anti-aging mineral complex that helps regulate oil production while shrinking the look of enlarged pores, fine lines, and wrinkles.
How to Use
Apply this serum to clean skin for an all-over glow. You can wear it by itself or follow with foundation or tinted moisturizer for extra coverage. For subtle highlighting effects, dab on to cheekbones, brow bones, and the tip of your chin. Blend well."
This small amount is all I apply to my entire face.
This might look scary partially blended (and on a smaller portion of skin) but it blends in well.
See all the sparkles? Like I said before, this product may not be for everyone. I don't mind it, because I want the shimmery tone when I'm out in the sun.
This was taken about 20 minutes after the previous picture. I wanted the redness to go away from rubbing in the product and to show that some of the sparkles do fade.
Like Birchbox said earlier in their description, this serum helps balance out my naturally oily skin (mainly in the T zone). I don't really have fine lines or wrinkles, so that part doesn't apply to me; however, this does help even out my skin tone. I love any product that does that. Recently, acne scars have been staying noticeably longer and I need something to help reduce their appearance. Lastly, I also love that it keeps my skin hydrated and nourished. This is crucial, especially in these summer months!
I like layer this product with my sunblock or favorite foundation.
Have you tried this product? What do you think of it? What other Stila products do you recommend?
I love the color Champagne and I think its great for summer! Its kind of copper-y, too, so it goes well with my skin tone and my hair color.
I use two coats and top it off with a clear nail polish and I'm good to go! It lasted about a week and then I got bored and changed my nail color (I'm surprised I lasted that long without changing it). I also like this color because I can wear it at work and its perfect for a more professional environment.
I hope to try some more colors soon. What do you recommend if you've tried ELF's polishes?
Here is my promised post and sorry it took so long! Work has been keeping me busy and I didn't have my normal day off yesterday (gotta make that money!).
So DUN DUN DUNN! Here is my June Birchbox! I will link all the products I got to Birchbox's website and the products' manufacturing website. This way you can read Birchbox member reviews and see the tutorials/videos they have on each product.
The Theme: Jetset
This month's box contained products that were seen as essentials for traveling. Several products were sampled and given to members this month, so there'a a huge variety in the products that everyone received. I can say, without a doubt, that I received one of the better boxes this month. This is solely due to the fact that I got a full sized product worth $36!! Remember, I only paid $10 for this box. Unfortunately, other boxes weren't so great for this month; however, it's like a cycle and I'm sure my box for next month won't be worth as much as this months. It was very satisfying that I got the full size item I wanted though!! I need to stop peeking at other people's birchbox before I get my own, but I'm just not that patient!
Color: Beauty Queen (Sheer Berry Pink) - Full size is $17.00
Review:
This was a product that I was really looking forward to getting in my Birchbox this month, because I've heard great things about the Balm! I really want to win their Nude 'Tude Naughty Palette from their fb contest that they have everyday. Didn't know about this? Just 'like' their Facebook page and write a post on their wall saying which product you would like to win and draw a name every weekday. I hope to win one day!
Anyway, I like this product on my lips, because its a nice sheer color and nothing to dark. It also comes in Prom Queen (Light Pink Color) and Homecoming Queen (Nude/Peach Color) shades. I'll add it a picture of this lip/cheek stain on me in a few days. I have not yet applied it to the apples of my cheeks yet, so I can't review that aspect of the product. I'm also not sure how often I will wear it on my cheeks, but I'll let you guys know how I like it. It is not sticky at all in consistency, so I'm sure it will feel fine once its blended.
YAY!!!! Can't you tell I'm excited for this product?! Once I saw this beauty on the Birchbox June Sneakl Peek video that mentions all the products that are being sampled this month, I instantly wanted it! I don't have any liquid bronzers and this product is much different than your typical bronzing serum.
Birchbox definitely explains it best "The formula uses a trio of complementary pigments: coppery bronze adds warmth, pink-toned bronze evens out skin tone, and Kitten (one of stila’s best-loved shades) brightens and conceals with its soft shimmery champagne hues... In addition to sheer coverage, it delivers an anti-aging mineral complex that helps regulate oil production while shrinking the look of enlarged pores, fine lines, and wrinkles."
I love the shimmery look I get after applying this bronzer and it helps so much with evening my skin tone! I apply this after my Philosophy take a deep breath - oil-free energizing oxygen gel cream moisturizer (that I received in my June Glam Bag) and my face doesn't get oily all day! I have combination skin and while my cheeks are dry, my T zone gets pretty oily midday. With these two products I am now oil/shine free!
I have not used these yet, but I am interested in using them. It is really nice that they gave us two wipes to be able to apply to more than just our face. These wipes take about 3 hours for the tan to fully show, but they are nice because you don't get that orange-fake-tan kind of look. This product actually blends well with your skin tone and brings out that warm, rich tan color. Well, that is what Birchbox says, anyway. I cannot yet say this is my own opinion, but will try this out soon. I'm trying to wait for an occasion that I would need to apply these. I am very "fair" in skin type but it doesn't bother me too much (I like to be able to pull off a ginger hair color).
So Taylor Swift is one of my guilty pleasures, but I can proudly announce that I love this fragrance! Its very light, flowery, and girly. I love, love, love it! I actually received a sample of this fragrance about two weeks ago when I got my NYX Jumbo Pencils (see post here). If I wanted to pay $49.50 for perfume, I'd definitely buy this. Sadly, I cannot afford to spend that, so its going on my birthday/Christmas list!
Lastly, I got this mini Luna bar in Peanut Butter Cookie. It was scrumptious! My school sells Luna Bars so I am very familiar with them. I cannot remember having tried this particular flavor, but it was definitely a nice touch. This was added to the box as an essential to traveling, just in case that "snack craving" strikes mid-flight and you've already devoured your peanuts or pretzels. This comes in handy anytime you need a snack, in my opinion. Full size in a pack of 15 costs $18.75. This seems pretty steep, but individually my school was selling them for at least 2 bucks (they overcharge everything). So it would technically be cheaper to buy in bulk. A 10 pack of minis (which is the size I received) costs $6.99. I think I'd go with the full size pack, but sometimes it can be hard to finish a full size bar (they can be very rich in taste depending on the flavor you choose).
Overall Verdict:
If you couldn't tell I definitely recommend Birchbox to anyone! Click that referral link, if you think you'd like to subscribe! Birchbox allows people to sample a wide range of products that they'd normally would either not have the time or opportunity to try out. I personally think its a great service. There may be glitches every now and then, but services like these are relatively new and might have problems along the way. I haven't had to deal with any issues like missing or damaged samples yet, but I'm sure I've read about it. Happens with Myglam sometimes too.
Let me know what you all think about this box. Did you receive a better or worse box?
"Unboxing" Video:
I also made an "unboxing" video for my Birchbox items. I'm not sure how I feel about the video since it is my first time filming myself. I never realized how hard it is to stare into a camera. I don't know how tv hosts do it! The audio quality is also not high end, so it sounds like I have a small lisp. I did not rehearse before I started filming, so its not the greatest, but I don't think its terrible for a first timer. I'm not sure why I elongate so many of my words during the video, but maybe it was because I was so nervous. I'm posting it as a learning experience and to let everyone know about how awesome Birchbox is!
So I really needed to buy a cleaner for my brushes and found two other great items while browsing e.l.f.'s site! The shipping was only 2.95, so I couldn't beat that.
I wanted this set because I needed new tweezers, I wanted to start having a more defined shape to my eye brow, and the setting mascara will really help with my hairs that end up sticking every which way by the end of the day. My eye brows are somewhat thin in certain areas, so the gel and powder will help fill in those areas for a fuller look.
I really need to clean my brushes so I had to buy this. I saw some good reviews and I've had no problems thus far with any of my e.l.f. products. Hopefully it does its job!
I have soo much trouble keeping my lip color so I needed a primer. Unfortunately, my lips aren't very full and since this was a combo, I figured I'd try it out. The primer has helped a ton with making my color last. Because it is so creamy in color, it helps lighten some of my darker lipsticks, so I can wear my Studio Gear Complete Color Lipstick in Cinnabar and it isn't so dark. I have a few deep reds as well that I have been able to lighten up.
I am very pleased, once again, with my purchase from e.l.f. I really recommend their products! :)
