I took advantage of the large candle sale at Bath and Body Works to stock up on the large three wick candles. During this sale those three wick candles are $10 off, for a price of $14.50 per candle.
(Left) Midnight Blue Citrus – Juicy Citrus, Fresh Spring Water, Sweet Mango
Let’s check out my ColourPop haul from February 2019. This encompasses a couple orders, including ColourPop’s new colorful mascaras.
Eyeshadows
I couldn’t find a great palette with green shadows so I did a “Build Your Own Palette” from ColourPop. I also ordered a couple Super Shock Shadows (Paradox, Liberty and Cusp). The single shadow colors included: Hear Me Out, Get Out, Cute Alert, Pinky Promise, Slay-Farer, Superzoom, Formation, Tiny Tangerines, Sideline, Team Captain, Conjour Up and Wishful Winking. This custom palette has worked out well for me and I love the shadow formula.
Mascaras
I love love colorful mascaras. I have the purple mascara from Nyx as well as a burgundy mascara from a drugstore brand. So, I was excited to see the wide range of colors that ColourPop released. I bought red (Left on Red), purple (Purple Prose) and black (Black on Black).
Lux Lipsticks
The lux cream lipsticks from ColourPop are one of my favorite formulas. They stay on my and don’t feel drying. I love wearing these for work because I don’t have to worry about re-applying. While my local Ulta has a few colors, they were limited and I wanted to round out my collection. From left to right the colors are:
What’s Your Sign
Liquid Courage
21 Questions
Angel City
Y2K
Lippie Sticks
While I know I love the lux cream lipsticks, I’ve been interested in trying ColourPop’s highly regarded lippie sticks. So I ordered a set of them to try out. From left to right the colors are (after the clear lippie primer): Sky Walking
SinglesSwag was my very first subscription box and while I almost considered cancelling it at one point, it is now my favorite box. Their curation of items is on point and unique.
There are two subscription options: $40 per month for 6-7 full size products or $25 per month for 3-4 full size products. For the larger box you generally you get a piece of jewelry, a tasty treat, at least one skincare item, a beauty item and more.
Overall Box Impressions: This month’s box was more miss than hit in terms of products but that’s mostly due to products I’m just not personally into. The total retail value of the box, as noted by SinglesSwag, is $268. I think that’s overstated just a bit given the estimated $75 value of the necklace and the $75 value of the nail growth serum, but the total value is still over $130. I received eight full size products plus an extra item for being a loyal subscriber. There was also a small bag of kettlecorn popcorn but the bag was open when I unboxed so I had to throw it in the trash.
Manna Kadar Bath Bombs & Reusable Cooling Eye Pads
While I generally like bath bombs these Manna Kadar Beauty Sea Minerals bath bombs (3 pack) are pretty small and don’t have much scent to them for being “aromatherapy.” The MSRP for the 3 pack is $15 which is pretty high for their size.
I am however excited by the reusable cooling eye pads from Oh K! Beauty. The panda eyes are very cute and I like that we received something so reusable. It does say the eye pads should be put in the fridge, NOT the freezer. MSRP: $12
Skin Chemists Lip Plumper
This is the Rose Quartz Lip Plump from Skin Chemists. I don’t use a lip plumper very often but I do like the effect plumpers provide so I will happily give this one a try. The packaging states that this product combines “the benefits of lip gloss and lip balm, with an active plumping effect for hydrated lips.” It also contains Vitamin E. MSRP: $32.
Kevia Long Pendant Necklace
We’re back to gold toned jewelry again (I so loved the couple silver pieces we received) but I actually like this necklace. It has a very rustic feel and the chain is a darker metal rather than shiny gold. I was able to find the material content information on Kevia’s website: ” This modern black rhodium-plate necklace measures 30″ long with a 2″ circular 18K gold plate pendant.” MSRP: $75.
Lauren B. Beauty Nail Growth Serum
Now while I like nail growth products, and recognize the quality of Lauren B. Beauty, I think the retail price of $75 on this item is excessive. This serum is supposed to “boost natural nail growth and strength.” MSRP: $75
LXMI Pure Nilotica Melt
This product is actually pretty cool and innovative as it is a balm to oil. So it goes on like a balm but then your body heat melts it into more of a nourishing oil. I’m so excited to try this on my dry winter hands. MSRP: $28
Yoga Headbands
When I saw this in the spoilers I was pretty meh but once I actually saw and touched these I fell in love. I received a twelve pack of Manduka Yogitoes headbands. They are super soft and stretchy and feel great on the head. A lot of headbands are so tight on me they cause headaches but these feel amazon. I’m also really happy with the jewel tone colors. Surprising even to me is this is one of the favorite items I received. MSRP: $28
Loyalty Item: Lemon Verbena Hand Cream
This was an extra item I received from SinglesSwag for being a loyal subscriber. This hand cream from Fringe is full size and smells great! I was worried the lemon scent would be too strong but it is actually a pleasant floral garden smell. Very nice of SinglesSwag to recognize loyal subscribers.
Sephora Play (actually named Play! by Sephora) contains five sample sized products, per their website. Products include makeup, haircare, perfumes, skincare and other beauty products. The subscription is $10 per month.
Time to stop yacking and start unboxing!
Overall Box Impressions: This is my second month receiving this box. General consensus is brands are higher end (i.e. the Sunday Riley and Drunk Elephant) but the sample sizes are small. You do receive an extra sample that is frequently a foil pouch or perfume. My favorite item I received this month is the Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick.
Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick
Pretty color and my favorite Bite Beauty formula, all in one. The shade is Rhubarb, a saturated plum-rose color. The formula is soft and creamy and I don’t have a lot of issues with this transferring to my teeth.
Fresh Rose Face Mask
I love rose face masks as they generally soothe redness and irritation so I’m hoping this one performs in a similar way. The info sheet notes that this mask is designed to be toning and hydrating. I haven’t tried the mask yet but I did sneak a sniff and it has a very strong smell.
Milk Makeup Matte About You
This is a matte primer stick that is designed to minimize the appearance of pores and fine lines. It appears from the info sheet instructions that the product is actually intended to be used all over the face but the sample size is likely a bit small for that. I was worried at first this would be too dark for my skin but it says it goes on clear.
Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Gold Eye Masks
This set of gold foil eye masks are designed to brighten and hydrate the skin, including diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I love Wander Beauty and didn’t realize they made skin care masks so am excited to give these a try.
Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet
This is a gel-cream that is designed to hydrate and calm the skin, using grape water, chamomile and grape seed, all ingredients I like or am interested in trying. I’m going to save this sample for the next time my face skin goes AHHHH from trying a new product it doesn’t agree with.
Perfume Sample: Stella McCartney
This is the “extra” sample for the month and I much prefer perfume to foil packets. I actually have a sample of this perfume from Sephora (in-store) and liked it. Top Note: Rose; Middle Note: Peony Flower; Base Notes: Mandarin, Amber. Interestingly, I’ve made “perfumes” from essential oils so I understand the concept of top/middle/base notes but I’ve never seen mandarin used as a base note. So, that gives me some ideas for essential oil blends.
Ipsy contains five sample sized products that are personalized based on your profile. Products include beauty products with a heavy focus on makeup. The subscription is $10 per month and you also have the option to add additional samples (for additional dollars) and shopping on their website gives you cash back. All together, very slick.
I actually get two Ipsy bags. I originally set up this structure to test out their profile algorithim and see if it really worked. The results have historically been mixed but I rarely get duplicate items (and when I do, they’re items I like). One bag is intended to be my “makeup” bag and the other is intended to be my “skincare” bag. That said, this month my “skincare” bag had no real skincare products.
Time to stop yacking and start unbagging! I apologize for the whacky lighting on the photos – I couldn’t seem to get a sunny day for pictures! Don’t fear – my new lights are on the way from Amazon!
My “Makeup” Bag
Overall Bag Impressions: The bag screams Valentine’s Day and if it was red, rather than pink, I’d totally be on board. As my “makeup” bag, my profile for this account is focused on receiving makeup items. This month is pretty spot on, with the exception of the hair product (which was in both my bags even though I don’t have hair products marked). I really wasn’t wowed by ANY of the items in my bag this month. My favorite item is the No Pore Blem priming water.
Eyeko Lash Alert Mascara
This is by far one of my least favorite brands – I’ve yet to receive a product from them that performs well. This mascara fits right in the same category. I normally like curved wands, and maybe this is wonky because it’s a sample size, but in order to line up the curve to your lashes the straight part of the wand you have to hold it nearly against the skin of your temple. Or you have to be a contortionist. This is a nope.
Doucce Fierce & Fine Graphic Pen in Black
This eyeliner appears to have a fine but very flexible tip. Very dark black but haven’t tried it yet to determine its staying power. I thought I unmarked eyeliners in my Ipsy profile but maybe I did that AFTER the selection date. I know that sometimes you will still get those items you don’t have marked but I have a LOT of eyeliners.
Laritzy Lip Gloss in Curve
I received a bright red gloss from this company in a prior box (not Ipsy) and it was only so-so. It was very sticky and was very attracted to my long hair. Laritzy products are cruelty-free and vegan-friendly (per their own representation. Interesting note, the card from Ipsy suggests putting on a balm under the gloss, which I’ve never heard of doing before for a gloss product.
Marc Anthony Strengthening Grow Long Anti-Breakage Mask
This hair mask is designed to strengthen and improve the elasticity of hair strands. I prefer a good leave-in conditioner over a hair mask (because you have to get BACK in the shower to rinse out the mask) but I will give this a try. This winter the shafts and tips of my hair, especially in back, have been dry and prone to breaking, so maybe this will help. I did receive this in both of my bags.
Touch In Sol No Poreblem Priming Water
I just received the Touch in Sol No Poreblem Primer in my BoxyCharm so I was glad this was a slightly different product from Touch in Sol (priming water versus priming lotion). Touch in Sol is a Korean beauty brand and per Ipsy’s tip, a little bit goes a long way.
My “Skin Care” Bag
Overall Bag Impressions: This bag is so-so – as in better than my “makeup” bag but disappointed there are no skin care products. The powder foundation sample is super small and very cool toned for my skin. Lip treatment sample is also very small. Hopefully Ipsy doesn’t go the way of BirchBox by having teeny tiny unfunctional sample sizes. My favorite item is the Luxie brush.
MAC Studio Fixed Powder Foundation
This matte-finish powder foundation is supposed to give medium to full coverage and is buildable. Unfortunately, this sample is too small to even get me through one full coverage application. It’s also very yellow and warm.
Belle En Argent Lip Luire Lip Gloss
Wait – didn’t I just receive this lip gloss in a different shade literally LAST month? Since I subscribe to Ipsy to try new products and brands, receiving the same product two months in a row is off putting to me. Ok. That said, I do like the shade, I Love That Car. The gloss is made with jojoba and castor seed oils.
Hanalei Lip Treatment in Peach Pink
I love a nice hydrating lip treatment but this sample is teeny (and the tube is not full). This balm includes kukui oil, which itself includes vitamins A, C, and E. As I’ve mentioned previously, I frequently make my own clear lip glosses with vitamins, essential oils and cocoa and/or shea butter. So, I likely wouldn’t run out and re-buy this.
Luxie Precision Blending Eye Brush
I always love receiving a Luxie eye brush because they are great for blending and shading. This are vegan (and cruelty-free) brushes. The precision eye brush has a tapered head and I love using these for adding a darker shade to my outside corner or along the lash line.
BoxyCharm, which I’ve only been getting for a few months, contains four to five full sized products, per their website. The products are what I would call higher end (versus drugstore). The subscription is $21 per month and will have a retail value of over $100.
Overall Box Impressions: I was hesitant to subscribe to a box with full sized items because I was worried I would be left with full sizes of items I didn’t love or wouldn’t use. That hasn’t been the case though – the curation of items in BoxyCharm it top notch. My two favorite items are the Touch in Sol Primer and the Pretty Vulgar highlighter. The mascara is one of my staples so I guess that’s a third favorite. I received variation 3 (as noted in the corner of my card). If you get this box, which variation did you receive? What was in your box? The total retail value of the box, as noted by BoxyCharm, is $121. That’s a little higher than last month and about the same as the month before that.
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
This has been the big hyped product for BoxyCharm this month – a full size tube of my favorite mascaras. I’m going to keep it sealed up while I use my current tube. I also have the waterproof version, which I think is more clumpy than the regular version. Both are extremely volumizing and really separate your lashes.
This highlighter is just beautiful – I don’t know of a better word to describe it. The one I received is in the shade Sparkling Sass, which is a light gold with very peach undertones. The box variation was to receive this highlighter or a bronzer. I have yet to find a Pretty Vulgar product I do not like. I only wish my Sephora carried them in store so I could sample a few of their other products! MSRP: $32. Website: https://www.prettyvulgar.com/shimmering-swan-highlighter.html
Touch in Sol No Poreblem Primer
I had actually never heard of this primer from Touch In Sol before, even though I’m always on the hunt for a good pore-minimizing primer. I also received a small sample of this in one of my Ipsy bags, so apparently its pore minimizer month :). I’ve never heard it mentioned by beauty YouTubers I follow but it is highly rated and I look forward to giving it a try. MSRP: $18 Website: https://www.sephora.com/product/no-poreblem-primer-P419640
Farmacy Clean Bee Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser
So not a great product for me (it contains honey which causes me to breakout in a horrible manner), which is a bummer because I was looking forward to trying something from Farmacy. Aside from the honey, of course, it sounds like a great cleanser with many natural ingredents (ie chamomile and calendula). I have actually already found someone to swap with – I’m sending her this cleanser and she’s sending me an item from February’s BoxyCharm that I didn’t receive! MSRP: $22 Website: https://www.farmacybeauty.com/products/clean-bee
Trestique Prime + Glaze Lip Crayon
I’m a lipstick hoarder. I admit this. We’ve discussed this. What I think is so cool about this lip crayon (aside from the magnet in the lid that makes it snap close) is there is a lip primer in one end of the crayon. Perfect travel lippie – everything is right there in one. The color I received is English Rose which is a deep rose shade. I have a feeling I might me wearing this soon – like tomorrow. MSRP: $25 Website: https://trestique.com/products/lip-glaze
Week before last I was surfing a makeup Facebook group I belong to and someone mentioned that Kohl’s had certain items related to BH Cosmetics Royal Affair line on deep deep deep DEEP discount. The 20 pan eyeshadow palette was $3.60 and the 10 piece brush set was $5. What a steal! I did buy an extra palette for my mom. I had actually looked at this palette before at Ulta but thought $18 was a bit much for the three shades I really wanted (the green ones).
MooseBeauty 