Sunday, May 31, 2015

Jamberry Celeb Status over MAC Bad Fairy


I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while and unfortunately it will probably be a few days until I update again.  I have a huge comprehensive exam in a few days and I've been spending the week leading up to it studying non stop and not leaving my apartment.  So therefore...no makeup.  I did do my nails last night though during my study break so I thought I should at least share that with you guys until this exam is behind me!


This week I used my Jamberry wrap in Celeb Status.  This is a clear wrap with three different patterns (hearts, stars, and chevron stripes) meaning you can either put it over another Jamberry wrap or stick it over your favorite nail polish. I opted for the second and put it over MACs Bad Fairy polish. I do wish I had chosen a different color. I think this wrap would have popped more with a lighter shade of polish. Anyway I had a bit of trouble with this run mostly because I have no air conditioning and its been in the 80s so my apartment is hot. Like really hot.  I was doing my nails and I think because they never really got a chance to cool down and because I was rushing they didn't turn out as nicely as usual.  Also the heat caused my nail polish to not quite dry even after waiting for what seemed like forever so whenever I made a wrap mistake when I pulled up on it to fix it some polish sometimes came off with it, leading to even more mistakes......
Moral of the story, don't apply Jamberrys in a hot apartment.
I really need an air conditioner....


Beside that these are super cute and I think next time I'll put them over a light lavender or even a white to really make the patterns pop!


BONUS! I also Jammed out my toes.  this picture was taken after already wearing them for two weeks and they are still going strong.  Jamberry pedicures will more than likely last me a month or two which is pretty awesome.  On my big toe is a Zoya polish in dark green with the clear wrap called Whisper on top.  On my toes is the junior wrap called Frosted.


Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Jamberry Sheet Music Wraps


The wraps for this week have a special purpose!  My boyfriend's birthday is tomorrow and because he plays piano and loves music I wanted to do my nails special for his day! :)

I knew that these Sheet Music Jamberry wraps would be perfect!


I pulled out my old clarinet for this one!  I played consistently for 8 years but unfortunately stopped when I went to college. Anyway...these nails are definitely adorable. From far away they don't pop like some other designs do but when you get close enough to see the details they are just so pretty and interesting.  While they are not exactly accurate (what is up with those random ledger lines with no notes on them??) they will be perfect for any music lover!


I accidentally misaligned my thumb a bit but otherwise this application went really well.  I had some metallics on last week but didn't post them because I did a really crappy job applying them.  I just can't get them to cooperate.  I guess I'm not on that level yet.....However they still stayed on for a week and could have gone longer but I wanted to put these on in prep for my love's birthday.  If you are new to Jamberry DO NOT ORDER METALLICS. I would hate for someone to get metallics and be unable to make them look nice and write off Jamberry completely.  I have only used the regulars and they apply beautifully. I hope to pick up some glitters soon and give those a try.


I may have had a bit too much fun with these clarinet shots :P





Sunday, May 24, 2015

Like Twice, My Clothing Experience

My mom has been subscribed to Stitch Fix for a few months now and I've been jealous of the cute high end outfits she has been receiving.  I looked into subscribing but almost had a heart attack at the prices.  I am a poor student, I can't afford $90 jeans!! So I started browsing the internet for a cheaper alternative.  I love the idea of a stylist picking out clothes for me so I can go outside my comfort zone but I don't need insanely expensive pieces.  I shop at thrift stores and the clearance section.....
Well I couldn't find anything quite like that but instead discovered Twice, a clothing store that specializes in selling high end pre owned brand named clothing.  I hopped on and browsed the site, quickly finding all sorts of items in my size between $8 to $12 a piece. I filled my cart until I reached $50 to get the free shipping and placed an order for 9 articles of clothing.  I had the 40% off sign up discount so.....NINE pieces for FIFTY dollars.  That averages to about $5.50 a piece and I didn't even have to browse through a thrift store. Here is my order info to give you an idea of how much I saved.

   Subtotal                        $83.55
  Coupon                        -$33.42
Shipping                        Free!
   Total                             $50.13

The way it works is that people sell their lightly used and undamaged items to the company and they put them up for sale. You can add an item to your cart and it is held for an hour before it goes back into the clothing pool.  To give you an idea I added about 20 things to my wish list and then had to go out for dinner with my family.  when I returned about 25% of those items had been sold, some that I really liked :(
So I quickly added everything that was still available in my wishlist to my cart and looked through to find the things I liked the best and that I felt were closest to my measurements. I deleted the things I didn't absolutely love, releasing them from hold and allowing someone else to add it to their cart for an hour.

I made my purchase on May 10th, it shipped May 11th, and I received my items on May 16th.

Now the real test will be how well these items fit and their overall quality.  Let's check it out.

Ann Taylor Loft
Purple 3/4 Sleeve Blouse
SIZE XS • ORIG. $48.99
$7.95







So this shirt fit really well, as I expected because it was in my usual Loft size. The material is kind of silky smooth, which I wasn't expecting but I kind of like it.  the whole point of this order was to go outside my comfort zone a bit and I definitely did with this material.  I'll definitely have to be careful not to let this wrinkle however.  It will be really nice in the Fall.


Ann Taylor Loft
Blue Tank Top
SIZE 0 • ORIG. $34.30
$7.95





Unfortunately this was unwearable...it was unbelievably small. My boobs need to be about two sizes smaller to get into this tank top, I couldn't zip it up the whole way.  I know I am a XS/S in Loft sizes but this tank top was sized in numbers.  I should have known better than to assume I was a size zero in anything.  Because this was a final sale item it cannot be returned.  This is stated clearly upon purchase so it was my own fault for taking a sizing chance on a non returnable item.  However I am a bit annoyed that its bust measurement was 30 inches, as was most of the items I bought so I really thought I was safe.  Moral of the story....do not order from a brand that you do not know for sure what your size is from them and if you do make sure it is a returnable item.

Ann Taylor Loft
Black "Marisa" Shorts
SIZE 2 • ORIG. $55.15
$7.95


These were a bit longer than I expected.  I really should have payed attention to the length measurement provided.  Regardless I still really like them and they will make a really comfy summer dress pant.  I wore these to my boyfriends birthday dinner!  The only weird thing about these is that the button is on the opposite end of what I'm used to so buttoning these up is always a bit awkward. I'm not sure why as I've never had this happen with Loft jeans.


Ann Taylor Loft
Purple Solid Mini Skirt
SIZE 0 • ORIG. $69.00
$11.95





This skirt is so adorable and is a material similar to the 3/4 sleeve Loft blouse.  I do not own a skirt in this material but it is very light and smooth and will be very cute in the spring and summer, and maybe even the fall with a pair of leggings.  I'm not yet sure if I'm going to wear clothing over or under this skirt.



Urban Renewal by Urban Outfitters
Purple Plaid Mini Skirt
SIZE M/L • ORIG. $38.00
$9.95





This skirt is my favorite.  It is so cute and fits so well! It is also wool which is a material I have never owned before.  It has a nice smooth internal lining, making this a brilliantly adorable skirt for fall and winter...or maybe even a chilly spring day. It may be a bit too hot for summer though.  

BDG by Urban Outfitters
Solid Maroon T-Shirt
SIZE M • ORIG. $39.20
$11.95




So this shirt is the only one I got that was a bit too big.  Now I know at least that I am a small at Urban Outfitters.  I've never shopped there before so I had no idea going in. I wish they would include a waist measurement.  It fits fine in the arms and boobs but is way baggy around my waist.  Since they pin the mannequins its impossible to know how the fit will be.  It isn't a total loss though.  It is very warm and will make a great snuggly comfy sweater in the winter time.  Calling it a T-shirt was pretty far fetched as it is definitely sweater material.

Express
Striped Grey Tank Top
SIZE M • ORIG. $34.30
$9.95




This tank top is so cute and fits jut right! It isn't super tight but isn't awkwardly baggy anywhere either.  To my dismay it had a shelf bra but it actually fits comfortably over my boobs, which has yet to ever happen with a built in bra, usually I have to cut them out.  I'm happy! :D
I'll be wearing it this summer for sure! (That awkward bulge at my hip is the internal tag that will need to be cut out).

Velvet
Pink T-Shirt
FITS SIZE S • ORIG. $77.60
$7.95





I think this shirt is my absolute favorite! It is so cute and fits so well! I don't own much pink and I own nothing with this sort of style.  I'm not wearing anything under it here but I definitely will when wearing it out.  I paired this with a blank tank top and the black Loft pants for a nice dinner with my boyfriend and his family. The sleeve decoration things are a bit out of my comfort zone but I'm trying hard to rock them! This is perfect for spring and summer.

Jones New York
Green T-Shirt
SIZE P • ORIG. $47.20
$7.95







This is another one that I got that was out of my comfort zone.  I don't think I own anything this color but oh my gosh I love this shirt.  I always thought I was too broad shouldered for poofy sleeves but I'm trying to embrace it and not feel negative about my body.  This fits perfectly and is very adorable. I showed my mom this one and she said "I thought you said these were used?" I said, yep they are! and she said "Wow, I'd never have been able to tell!" :3
This is adorable for both spring and summer.

I don't know if it will help in your Twice shopping endeavors but my measurements are 35", 25", 36" and all of these outfits fit fine except when mentioned otherwise.

So overall I think I did pretty well.  Out of the 9 outfits I got only one that didn't fit.  Unfortunately its not one I can return so I'll be seeing if I can sell it to my brother's girlfriend for $4 to get some of my money back.  She is the only person I know how is smaller than me so I may have to look to Ebay if she doesn't want it.
I had quite a few that I absolutely adored and a few that were pretty ok, but I will wear all of them (minus the tank top) for sure!
If you would like to get $10 off your first order click this link and then I'll get $10 off as well! We both win! Yay!
 liketwice.com/QO1H2

Friday, May 22, 2015

Spring Watercolor Nails

This weeks manicure is a mix of polish and Jamberry! I think Jams are going to become a staple in my polish looks.  My experience with them has been great and I can see using them all the time. For this nail look I will be reviewing a Jam sample, a nail polish I got in an Ipsy bag, and a nail polish I got for free.


My Jams from last week could have lasted a few more days but I was really itching to change things up so I took them off. I had a watercolor flower patterned Jam I really wanted to try out so I paired it with a hot pink and mint colored polish.  
The Jam is Faded Bouquet and while I think its a cool design I'm not sure I'd buy it.  I was a bit sad that with the sample I got the pink flower was in the middle of the strip, meaning it didn't make it onto my nail. that was supposed to help tie in the hot pink a bit.  The nail on my other hand doesn't have any pink showing at all. Oh well.  At least I don't have to worry about it chipping for the next week or so.
The pink polish I got in my April Ipsy glam bag and it was my absolute favorite product that month! I really like this nail polish.  I almost didn't even need two coats it goes on so opaque.  The formula is also not too thick and not too thin. Its a really nice polish overall.  Its by Julie G, a branch of Jesse's Girl cosmetics, and the color is Damsel.
The mint color is by Wet n Wild from their Spoiled collection.  The color is Mar-zi-panna. My opinion of this one is the opposite, I really don't like it.  The formula is thick and more gel like which I hate in a nail polish.  It was difficult to apply neatly as the brush is huge.  It also took forever to dry....the pink was good so I started doing things and ended up botching up my pinky because even though the pink was dry...the mint wasn't :/


They definitely make a statement but in a cute and spring themed way!


Overall, I think this mani is adorable and perfect for spring!

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Fortune Cookie Soap Straight On Till Morning Summer Soap Box 2015


As school lets out and the temperature rises summer is on the horizon! This month Fortune Cookie Soap is helping me prep for summer with their Peter Pan themed soap box!  This one is called Straight on Till Morning and is packed with cutely named products with a delightful summer scents!


I loved Peter Pan when I was little and was pretty pleased with the overall theme.  The scents however are not quite as up my alley as I tend to me a spring/fall scent kind of gal rather than a summer/winter.  That is not to say they aren't lovely as most of them are, I just personally don't see my self buying a ton of these like I did with Spring.


So here is the haul! This time around we got a fortune cookie soap, a perfume, a lip balm, a hand sanitizer, a salt scrub, a shower steamer, a deodorant, and a moisturizer! Yay!

Let's jump right in and start talking about the products.


First up is the most beautiful bar of soap I've ever seen in my life.  Just wow.  The galaxy pattern and glitter make this incredible.  It's almost too pretty to use....but for the sake of this review it is a sacrifice I must take!

Initial Sniff: This smells divine.  The berries are very strong and very yummy! The mint is there too but thankfully isn't too powerful. I'm not sure what pomelo is however so I can't comment on that.  

In Action: These seem pretty consistent so far.  They suds up nicely and last quite a while.  I've used this one once so far and the glitter is still there, so it won't be all falling off on the first use.

Verdict: I really want to try their shampoo bars and this may be the scent I buy it in because it is one of my favorites from the collection.


Initial Sniff: Oh my goodness this smells like an extremely strong alcoholic tropical beverage. The coconut is very overpowering but is evened out a bit by the fruit.  I can't specifically smell cherries but its definitely fruity. 

In Action: Even when on this still smells like an alcoholic fruity drink.  I think the sparkle factor of this one is greater than last seasons.  The glitter is more noticeable and stays on the hands for at least an hour.

Verdict: This is an interesting scent and is kinda fun since it mimics a fruity coconut daiquiri, but its not really for me. The coconut is way too sweet and strong.


Initial Sniff: This is really nice and another one of my favorites this month.  You can't go wrong with peaches and apricots, it is very pleasant. Also its lavender colored which made me smile when I opened it!

In Action: Compared to some of the stronger scented whipped creams this one does not last near as long.  I love applying this before bed because it is so light and comforting and it doesn't matter if the smell fades in 1-2 hours because I'll be fast asleep.

Verdict: I am not yet sure if I am going to get something in this scent.  I really love it but it isn't super unique.  Perhaps only if it is released as a linen spray.


So this perfume is like a mini lava lamp, its pretty cool. It separates so you shake it before use and it creates a cool bubbly, oily mix.  It really does look like a mermaid lagoon.

Initial Sniff: It seems the only scent in here is coconut which had me hesitant as the coconut in the hand santizer was pretty strong and I tend to not like strong coconut, but this is completely different.  It is light and airy and reminds me of the ocean.  I really like this.

In Action: So because I didn't read the instructions first I didn't shake this and ended up spraying blue on my arm.  So please shake it and don't stain your clothing.  Once on it leaves behind a light and pleasant coconut scent that isn't tacky or obnoxious.  It is very subtle and very summery. It lasted on me for about 3-4 hours and I think the smell gets better as it wears.

Verdict: While I really like this I'm not sure I like it enough to buy a full size.  Coconut just isn't really me.  If you do love coconut I would highly highly recommend this though.


While the tube on this is tiny it seems like there is a decent amount of product in here which is pretty neat! I just wish it was a bit pigmented.

Initial Sniff: The watermelon is very noticeable.  I can also pick up on the pineapple a bit.  It is very fresh and fruity and fun! I t kind of reminds me of PEZ. I really like it and will be throwing it in my purse as my summer travel lip balm. 

In Action: It goes on a bit less smooth than I expected, however it isn't uncomfortable to apply. The watermelon scent is pleasing and fun and not too sweet and artificial. It definitely softened my lips and I'll probably use it as a base under my lipstick to keep my lips soft this summer.

Verdict:  I already have quite the lip balm collection and since there is no pigment I do not think I'd buy this. Also because of the summer theme I'd have liked to see some SPF added.  Without it, its nice and the smell is lovely but it's just not for me. I like color and sun protection too much. :P



Initial Sniff: This is kind of gross....Like...really gross. I honestly don't know how to describe this, it kind of reminds me of old soap that your grandma has kept in the cupboard for 10 years past its expiration.  I know I've tried a margarita once and hated it so maybe that's why I don't like this scent.  I'm hoping it will smell differently once I take it in the shower.

In Action: Well the scent didn't improve but I love the feel of the salt scrub.  It isn't too rough and the crystals slowly dissolve as you use it.  My hands were left nice and soft afterwards.  I asked my parents how they felt about it and they both liked it.  My mom who occasionally drinks margaritas said it smelled like one and was quite nice.  My dad who loves margaritas said it smells like perfume, haha. 

Verdict: No. Just no.  I like the salt scrub but the scent is disgusting to me....however if you do like margaritas you may enjoy this way more than I did.

UPDATE: I've used half of this now and I think it smells a lot better.  Maybe only a certain note was rising to the top so that was the majority of what I smelled at first. I wouldn't buy anything with this scent but it doesn't smell as bad as previously described.



I am so excited about this!  I was just thinking about trying out an indie deodorant and now I can!  I have an issue with sweating and it sucks.  I have a prescription power roll on antiperspirant that works for 3 days.  The issue is that it has no deodorant properties and I am not allowed to pair it with other antiperspirants....so it's been sadly sitting in my closet unused. But now I'm hoping I can pair it with this and have the best of both worlds!!

Initial Sniff: From the stick this smells sort of odd. But then again I'm not a huge green apple person. It smells strange and artificial to me so I'm not really feeling it.

In Action: I rubbed this on this morning and then went to meet my mom for lunch.  the scent lasts about 1 hour and is quite subtle. I had it on for two hours and while I couldn't smell the deodorant I also couldn't smell myself which is nice. If these deodorants become a thing I may definitely pick one up.

Verdict: I love the idea of an indie deodorant but I'm not a huge fan of this scent.  If they release a deodorant line I will probably buy it in a different fragrance.  Maybe The Captain!


Initial Sniff: This smells very floral and lovely.  I love flowers and am glad at least one floral was included in this release.  Flowers, berries, and cream is like perfect for me! I love this.

In Action: I don't know why but I just cannot get these steamers to work.  I've heard of such great results from other bloggers but I get nothing.  No scent, not anything...just a shower fizz slowly fizzing down the drain.  Maybe I just don't have a shower that is suited for these....

Verdict: I will definitely be purchasing something with this scent after the release.  Perhaps a perfume!



BONUS!


The bonus this time was a red feather.  It goes with the Peter Pan theme but is a bit less useful as the butterfly from last time that is now decorating my bathroom mirror.  Oh well.  Maybe my rats will like playing with it.

I'm very excited to use my $10 off coupon included in the box and am currently planning on purchasing an item of Second Star To The Right and The Captain.  Lost boys is still up in the air.


_______________________________________________

UPDATE!

The launch party happened and my wallet officially hates me.  I bought so much......look forward to my summer haul post!! I got a bit more than I expected because at the end of the launch party stream we were given a code for 25% off! I basically got the linen spray and wax tarts free!

Here is a little sneak peek at what I'll be reviewing!

SECOND STAR TO THE RIGHT Wax Tart
SECOND STAR TO THE RIGHT Linen Spray
KISS Shampoo & Conditioner Combo Bar
KISS Wax Tart
THE CAPTAIN Aloe Me?
THE CAPTAIN Veggie Protein Deodorant
THE CAPTAIN Perfume Oil - 2 dram
LOST BOYS Perfume Oil - 1 dram
LOST BOYS Hydrate Me

I also wanted the Lost Boys solid bubble bath but it sold out in my cart :(

Can you tell my four favorite scents?? Haha! Many of these products I have yet to try so I'm very excited!

Monday, May 18, 2015

Ipsy Glam Bag May 2015

You may have noticed that I did not review my April glam bag...well there are a few reasons for that.  One, I didn't get my hands on it until May 2nd.  Two, the lipstick it came with was broken and needed to be replaced.  Three, there was only one product that I really loved which I will be reviewing in a nail polish post shortly.

May on the other hand I was pretty excited for....also my bag came a week earlier than usual!! Yay! Usually my mom gets hers and then mine comes in the mail over a week later...to the same house! What? This time, for the first time, they both came on the same day which makes much more sense.


First of all the bag this month is freaking adorable.  There were three possible graphics available and I got the one I like the most.  Lipstick is life.  I showed it to my boyfriend and he said it was the most accurate bag ever. :P
Anyway, overall I liked this bag, it has some of everything...color, tools, hair, skincare, primer....just wow everything is different! I was quite pleased.

1. Briogeo Rosarco Milk™ Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray

"This ultra lightweight leave-in conditioning spray fortifies your hair with nourishing rosehip, argan, and coconut oils. Its silicone-free formula adds hydration & moisture without weighing hair down.

Multi-benefits: hydrates, reduces frizz, enhances manageability, strengthens hair, protects against UV rays & heat, and nourishes hair."

I was really looking forward to a leave in conditioning spray as I generally don't condition every time I shower because of my short hair.

4/5




I'm going to list the bad first with this one.  I was really expecting it to leave my hair a bit softer than it did.  It didn't really add any softness whatsoever which was a bit of a disappointment for me. Luckily for this spray however besides its meh smell, that's its only big negative.  Otherwise it definitely conditions and gets rid of tangles (at least for me and my short barely tangly hair). I was actually going to give this a 3/5 until I saw that it protects against UV rays.  That automatically increases it by a point for me. I can see this being a poolside staple. 

Where to buy: Briogeohair.com, Sephora
Price: $20 ($4)


2. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Lip Pencil + BONUS Revolution High-Color Lipgloss

"Get primed and ready for action. Urban Decay's long-lasting, waterproof liner glides on smoothly to prime AND define—for long-lasting lip color and clean lines. Smooch. Pout. Smack. Nibble. Lick. 24/7 stays put through everything (yes, EVERYTHING) you do. When you use this liner to fill in your lips completely, it primes them for lipstick or gloss, grabbing on to color to help it last.
Next, finish the bad girl beautiful look with a sample of Urban Decay's brand new Revolution High-Color Lipgloss—insanely intense color with high shine. The high-coverage, ultra-pigmented formula lays down all the color you crave in one coat."

This was a pretty neat sample! It included a mini Ozone lip primer and two samples of their new lip gloss! If only the packaging wasn't really inconvenient.

4/5


Here is the packing.  The lip liner was in the center and the two colors were in the envelope. It included Ozone the lip liner and Failbait and Bittersweet the lip gloss.

First I'm going to talk about the lip liner


I was actually thinking about buying this last year but I opted for Mary Kay's clear lip liner instead as it was much cheaper.  I do really like this however and am really glad to get it as a sample.  It isn't actually clear, it leaves behind a slight sheer matte white when swatched.  It is subtle but definitely there.  I love clear liners because they can go under any sort of lip product.  They are especially nice for lip glosses as sometimes you don't want to alter the color of the gloss alone by putting a colored liner underneath.  the neatest thing about this liner is that it instantly matted my lips!  They were shiny and then I applied this and bam. Matte. That's pretty awesome.  The bad thing about this is that the cap was insanely hard to get off....I pulled and tugged and fought with it for a while.  If you look closely you can see the pencils battle scars.  Fortunately I was the victor. 

Next up are the lip gloss samples.


Here is a close up of the lip gloss packaging featuring Bittersweet.  They are just kind of packed into a sealed container.  Once you pull the back off there is no way to reseal it which is really unfortunate as there is a TON of product in here! You don't need a lot of this gloss to get pigment so there is probably a good week or two worth of gloss in one of these!  For the time being  I'm sealing it with a bobby pin and storing it untilted.  This stupid packaging is the reason this product did not get 5/5 for me.


I will only be reviewing the Failbait color as I received a sample size of Bittersweet from Sephora before I knew about this Ipsy bag and was already planning on reviewing it separately.  So Failbait is a pretty standard pink gloss.  The color isn't unique or special so unfortunately there are about a million glosses in existence that are this color and way waaay cheaper.  As for quality, these glosses really are quite awesome.  They apply easily and pigmented.  On my lips in this picture I literally only applied a tiny dab. It lasts for a long time as far as glosses go (3-4 hours for me) and keeps my lips moisturized.  the only downside...if you do not like sticky glosses you will not like this.  It is very sticky when you put your lips together.  My boyfriend hates when I wear it because I'm too sticky to kiss. :P

Where to buy: Urbandecay.com, Sephora
Price:
Liner: $20 ($13.33)
Gloss: $22 ($3?)

3 BelláPierre Cosmetics Waterproof Mineral Gel Eyeliner Pencil.

"This super creamy mineral gel eyeliner formula provides effortlessly smooth application and intense pigment for amazing coverage and all day wear. Plus it’s waterproof so you’ll definitely be smudge-free!"
The waterproof aspect of this really had me excited about this liner! 

5/5


So I am pretty impressed with this liner.  It goes on black (thankfully as the color is Ebony) and smoothly.  It is easy to apply a thick or a thin line as long as you keep it sharpened.  I was even able to get it to slightly flick out to a wing which is pretty neat!  I tried smudging it on my bottom lashes and as you can see it didn't do very much.  I also tried rubbing it off my hand and it barely budged.  I've washed my hands twice and its still there. This is the most waterproof liner I've ever used.  I am definitely pleased. I think this may be a liner I could wear swimming!  Yay!
I would have really liked this in a color other than black though.

Where to buy: bellapierre.com
Price: $15


4. AMIE Morning Dew Matte-Finish Moisturizer

"Morning Dew is a really light daily moisturizer that’s totally mineral oil-free and parabens-free. Quickly and easily absorbed into the skin, it gives skin all the hydration it needs while controlling shine and leaving a smooth, matte finish that’s a perfect base for make-up or facing the day or night ‘au naturel’!"

I had such high expectations for this and unfortunately it fell short.....

3/5


Alright so I was so freaking pumped when I saw I was getting a matte moisturizer! Holy crap!  The reason I rarely go out without foundation is because I hate the way moisturizer leaves me all shiny so I always have to put on a mattifying foundation to tone down the obnoxious shine. I thought this would be my answer...my holy grail moisturizer....but alas.  I put this on half my face and a regular moisturizer on the other half, then got my camera ready to show you guys the amazing difference.  There was none.  Both sides of my face were equally as shiny.  I waited a little while...and no change.  Sigh.  Perhaps it keeps oily skin less oily...but don't get my hopes up and advertise as a matte moisturizer.  I almost want to give this a 2 just because of how bummed I am.  Matte aside....it smells better than the last Ipsy moisturizer I got which was cucumbers...ew, but it's still not amazing.  It does moisturize and feels nice on the skin.  

Where to buy: amieskincare.com
Price: ~$5.60 (~$.56)


5. Luxie Beauty Tapered Blending Eye Brush 205

"This Luxie Rose Gold Tapered Blending Eye Brush is a 100% Animal Cruelty Free brush with high quality synthetic hair bristles that are soft to the touch. With its Vegan makeup qualities from bristles to the ferrule this Rose Gold brush is a must have in your makeup collection."

I was bummed about getting another brush but I actually love this!

5/5


This brush is advertised as a blending brush but honestly I don't think I'll be using it as such.  Instead I love it as a crease brush, it fits in there so perfectly!  I think its funny because the last brush I got was a crease brush but it was so small I couldn't get it to work as such so it became my new favorite blender....and now this one is meant to blend but its perfect for my crease.  How silly! :P
The shape of this brush also makes it a good base eye shadow brush meaning that it is definitely going in my travel makeup bag because it will function as both a shadow and crease brush in one!
It is also incredibly soft.  Using this on my eyes was like pillows and kittens.  I really really like this brush and will be looking into this brand for sure.

Where to buy: luxiebeauty.com
Price: $12

Overall I really liked this bag.  It had 4 out of 5 products that I will be using very frequently.   This bag makes me reconsider canceling in July....Unfortunately my mom's experience wasn't as nice as mine.  She got another bronzer and was pretty bummed as she does not use bronzer at all.

This bag totaled $47.89.  This one is definitely an estimate as the lip glosses were a guess and the moisturizer was converted from Euros.  Even without the lip glosses added it was a pretty nicely priced bag with two full sized products!