Amanda's First ipsy Bag Review

I finally made the switch from Birchbox to ipsy and I am SO glad that I did. Not only are the products I received a lot better (I liked 4 out of 5 of them and usually I only like one from my Birchbox) but they were FULL sized products instead of tiny samples. All for the same price! I couldn't believe the difference and do not regret the switch at all. 

The products all came in a cute bag that matched the theme of the month. June was On the Wild Side. Pretty fitting, no? 

Here's what  I got this month: 

1. Cailyn Cosmetics Line-Fix Gel Eyeliner with built-in brush in Iron. I loved the applicator on this gel eyeliner. I was able to easily make a sexy cat eye look without the mess. I really liked the color too. Iron was a darker grey and wasn't too harsh to wear during the day. I can't wait to create more makeup looks with this! 

2. NYX Cream Blush in Boho Chic. Another winner. This blush was perfect with my coloring and lasted all day. I loved the creamy texture and the way it glided on my skin. Definitely recommend this product! 

3. J.Cat Beauty Sparking Cream Palette. This was the one thing in my bag that I did not like this month. You can't use this on your eyes so it has to be applied somewhere on your body. I haven't used body glitter since the 8th grade (embarrassingly enough my girlfriends and I used to dump buckets of glitter on ourselves before going to our middle school dances. The horror!) Some reviewers have suggested mixing this with nail polish -- not a bad idea that I might look into if I don't use this for halloween or give it to my niece to play with. Oh well, they can't all be fantastic! 

4. Starlooks Lip Pencil in Tipsy. I loved this lip pencil! It was a perfect coral color that looks great with my coloring. It stayed on forever and didn't have a bad smell or taste. I was searching for a coral lip liner and am so glad that I waited for this! 

5. Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil. This highlighter pencil is amazing. I used it in place of my concealer when I tried it out and it did a great job of covering my under eye circles and highlighted the features in my face very well. I've been wanting to try a pencil like this and am so glad I received it this month! 

Overall I loved my ipsy bag and can't wait to see what I get next month! So long, Birchbox! You won't be missed :) 

Want to try out ipsy for yourself? Click here to sign up! 

Amanda's May Birchbox

I can't believe it's already the middle of May! Let's take a look at what I got in my Birchbox this month.

1. Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner

According to the Birchbox Breakdown: The makeup experts at Sumita have created a versatile eyeliner that exceeds all our tough standards: sensational blending abilities, bold colors, and non-irritating formulas. The soft wax formula goes on smooth to create clean lines or can be smudged to smoky perfection. Plus, the long-lasting liner will hold up all day and night.

My Review: I really did not like this product. I loved the color (I got a sapphire blue one) but sadly this product fell short. Halfway through the workday it was running down my face -- not a good look. When I got home it was almost impossible to get off the rest with eye makeup remover. I figured it would be a piece of cake it get off since it had been running so much earlier but sadly it was not. I won't be using the rest of my sample.

2.  COOLA Classic SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturizer for Face

According to the Birchbox Breakdown: This classic sunblock has everything we want in a daily SPF. The eco-friendly formula is made with 70 percent certified organic ingredients and protects from both UVA rays that lead to premature aging and UVB rays that cause painful burns. Plus, the refreshing cucumber scent gives us yet another reason to love the lightweight formula.

My review: I LOVED this sunscreen! I'm all about organic products (especially for my face and body) and was very excited to get this. I've been really taking extra care with my skin lately and as I've gotten older I now realize how important it is to protect my skin, especially my face. It's super light and non greasy. I easily can put this under my makeup and not notice the difference. I am seriously considering purchasing the full size when my sample runs out. 

3. Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle

According to the Birchbox Breakdown: We tend to gravitate toward products that have as many functions as Imelda Marcos has pairs of shoes. (Okay, that may be a slight exaggeration.) Beauty Protector’s leave-in mist is about as versatile as they come. It conditions, shields from heat and sun damage, and–of course–detangles, among other things. Plus, it’s 100% vegan and suitable for all hair types. 

My review: I wish the sample pump wasn't broken -- I couldn't give this a fair try because nothing would come out of the spray pump. It's really thick so it didn't work well to put some of the product in my hand. It made my hair too weighed down because of the amount of product that I put on it. Sadly I won't be trying the rest of my sample. 

4. Folle de Joie eau de parfum

According to the Birchbox Breakdown: There are two spots that feature prominently in our wanderlust-fueled daydreams: SoCal beaches and Parisian sidewalk cafés. Luckily, we can live vicariously through Joie’s refreshing new fragrance. Folle de Joie, which translates to “crazy with joy,” evokes both the relaxed and playful vibe of California and the seductiveness and refinement of the City of Light. 

My review: I really liked this perfume. The scent is amazing and it's not overpowering at all. I wish the full size was a little cheaper because I would seriously consider purchasing this!

5. Pilot Corporation of America Acroball PureWhite®

According to the Birchbox Breakdown: Jot down all your brilliant ideas with these colorful hybrid ink pens. Featuring gorgeous colors, a retractable tip and a comfy contoured grip, they make writing fashionable again. Choose between assorted 3, 4, or 5 packs.

My review: I didn't mind the pen -- I got a pink one and I've been using it at work for my to-do list and special notes. I wish this was a bonus or extra item instead of replacing a beauty item entirely. I felt like they ran out of samples and threw this one in there. I was expecting a little more from Birchbox this month. 

Overall I was disappointed in this month's box. Three products were major bummers and there was only one product this month that I would consider purchasing. Unless my June box is a major hit, I'm seriously considering canceling my subscription. We shall see! 

Beauty Review: NuMe Classic Curling Wand

I've seen curling wands all over the place but never tried one until recently. What rock have I been living under? My sister used her NuMe curling wand on me when she did my hair for my bachelorette party and I loved the way my hair looked. The curl stayed in all night and it still even held the next day. That never happens to my hair! I knew I had to get one of my own. 

I purchased the 25mm classic curling wand in black. Shipping was extremely quick and I had my wand in a matter of days! The wand also comes with a glove to protect the hand used to curl your hand. Don't be too cool for the glove -- it will save your life. I made the mistake of not using it once and after burning my hand really bad, I'll never make that mistake again. The iron gets really hot really fast so be careful when using the wand.

 

 

I thought it would take longer to curl my hair since you have to wrap each section and hold it for a few seconds but it's actually a lot faster than my other curling iron! I split my hair into three sections (top, middle and bottom) and start with the bottom layer moving up. After all the layers are done I brush out the curls with a paddle brush for a more relaxed wavy look. Finish off with some smoothing serum and hairspray and you're good to go!

I will never go back to my old iron after making this switch. I'm so glad my sister introduced me to this amazing curling wand! Need some help on how to use a wand? Check out these videos on their website!

Have you used a curling wand before? What other beauty tools have you been wanting to try? 

Beauty: Read This Before Purchasing Any New Products!

I recently used a gift certificate for a spa day from my groom. My morning of pampering included a body wrap, massage and a facial. When I was getting my facial she asked me a lot of questions about my current routine and what I wanted to improve about my skin. Not only did I walk away with some great tips but she let me in on an amazing secret: CosmeticsCop.com. 

This website is full of expert and customer reviews on any beauty product you can think of. You can search by brand, product or type of product. 

There is also a TON of advice about specific beauty questions. I'm already hooked and I know I will be using this as a great resource to educate myself on the best way to take care of my skin.  

Search all brands: 

 By a specific product line:

By type of product: 

The next time you're looking to invest in some new skincare or makeup products I highly recommend checking it out! 

Have you used this website or a similar one before purchasing your beauty products? Would negative reviews impact what you purchase?

Lush Products Review: Ocean Salt and Shine So Bright

On a recent shopping spree I stopped in at Lush and picked up a couple things that I’m really excited to review for you today! 

Lush Ocean Salt

Who doesn’t love a trip to the beach? I think if you’re unable to hit the beach, using Lush’s Ocean Salt is the next best thing. Ocean Salt is an exfoliating face and body scrub that contains natural ingredients like avocado, coconut, grapefruit, lime, vodka (yup!) and sea salt. Seriously—it’s like a cocktail! The avocado and coconut work to moisturize and soften while the other ingredients help to clear dirt and remove dead skin.

Ocean Salt is a wonderful exfoliator and probably the best face scrub I’ve ever used. It does a great job of cleansing and removing dirt from the skin while getting rid of dry/dead skin cells. I was surprised at how soft my skin felt after my first use. It’s really helped clear up a few breakouts I had as well as improve the overall look and feel of my skin. I usually use exfoliators at night so that I can apply my thicker cream as opposed to lighter day facial lotion. I think that’s a must with this product.

A word of caution with this scrub—it contains very fine and larger pieces of salt. Be careful using it if you have sensitive skin. It could be a little abrasive. Lush’s website says this product is best for those with oily/combination skin, but I’ve had a lot of success with it even though my skin is on the drier side. 

Tip: If you purchase the product, make sure you mix it before the first time you use it. Most of the salt lies on the top of the pot and needs to be blended with the other ingredients.

The scrub is intended to be used for face and body, but because the product is a little pricey I’ve decided I’m reserving it for use on my face and neck. Ocean Salt is available for $21.95 for 4.2 ounces or $35.95 for 8.8 ounces. 

Lush Shine So Bright

If you’ve ever struggled with split ends, Shine So Bright is a balm that can help repair split ends and make hair shine according to the Lush website. Shine So Bright is made with coconut and olive oils, free range eggs and shea butter. The balm is also scented with grapefruit, orange flower, neroli and rosewood perfume. As with a lot of products from Lush, this one is vegetarian.

I bought this product on a whim. I try to take really good care of my hair, but have a few split ends. I deal more with a little bit of breakage from washing, combing, blowdrying and brushing my hair. If you’re expecting a balm like this to completely rid your hair of split ends, your expectations are too high. But, what this product is GREAT at is masking split ends, taming fly-aways and managing frizz. Though the balm won’t magically fix, it certainly will condition and nourish your hair while controlling some common issues.

The balm is a solid product that feels a little waxy. When you run your fingers across the balm, the heat from your skin will soften the product and make it easy to apply to your hair. I’ve found that the best use of this product is use it judiciously to tame frizzy or unruly hair during the day. The product can make hair a little greasy, so really go easy on it if you’ve just styled your hair and are on your way out for the day. If you want to use the product as more of a treatment, apply it to your hair before you go to bed. Make sure to either sleep with your hair in a bun or use something to protect your pillow from any residue.

One added bonus of this product is the scent. Some reviews on the Lush website say the scent is strange or overpowering, but I found it to be the right amount of sweet and floral. For me, it’s not too potent and I couldn’t stop smelling my hair the first time I applied it!

Shine So Bright is available for $9.95 for a 0.3 ounce tin. 

Have you tried anything from Lush? What are your favorite products?

Review: Bite Beauty Luminous Créme Lipstick

I’ve wanted to try several Bite Beauty products for a while and finally—with the help of a Sephora coupon—I purchased my first tube of their lipstick.

Bite Beauty is a company based in Toronto and their products are available in Sephora stores. They’ve got a range of lip products, including lipsticks, lip primer, lipstick pencils, lip tints, liquid lacquers, lip plumping oil, lip scrubs and butters and lip glosses. One of the best things about the brand is that the products are made from natural ingredients like antioxidants and organic oils that are good for you. 

It was hard to decide which product to try first, but I opted for a tube of their Luminous Créme Lipstick in the color Salut (described as nude almond). It’s the perfect color for a day look, totally appropriate for work and can be used as complement for evening makeup that’s heavy on the eyes.

This lipstick is incredibly creamy, goes on smoothly and feels really nourishing. It won’t dry out your lips like some lip products tend to do. The product is advertised as long-lasting, but I found this to be a little bit lacking. The lipstick comes off pretty easily while eating or drinking.

The downside is the price—$28 for one tube. Other Bite Beauty products range from $15 – $28 for individual products and more than that for sets. But, from my experience with the brand so far it’s totally worth. I’m really looking forward to trying the wide range of colors and other lip product formulas.

Have you tried Bite Beauty yet? What do you think of the brand?

Amanda's April Birchbox Review

My April Birchbox was pretty good! I got a wide variety of products this month and got to try some brands out that I had been wanting to try. Here's a look at what I got this month along with my reviews:

1. Skin&Co Bagnodoccia Body Gel

According to the Birchbox Breakdown: Our shower had very little in common with sunny Sicily until we tried these delightful body washes. Lightly scented with zesty ingredients sourced from Italy, Skin&Co Roma’s gels work into a rich lather that purifies skin with moisturizing olive oil and plant extracts aplenty.

My Review: I really liked the way this shower gel smelled and felt on my skin. It wasn't overpowering at all and made me feel really clean and my skin was so smooth after using. I would definitely consider purchasing this product! 

2. Nexxus® Youth Renewal™ Rejuvenating Elixir

According to the Birchbox Breakdown: Think your hair doesn’t grow fast enough? The real problem could be breakage, which is caused by heat styling, overbrushing, and even aging. Give your strands back their youthful luster with this silky serum. It strengthens from the inside out, resulting in healthier, younger looking hair in just one week.

My Review: This hair elixir smelled fantastic. My hair did have a little more body and shine the second time I used it. I'm really happy with the hair repair oil that I'm already using so I most likely won't purchase the full size, but it was nice to try out a different brand. 

3. StriVectin-SD™ Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles

According to the Birchbox Breakdown: When it comes to aging gracefully, it’s all about the eyes. This clinically-proven, award-winning concentrate provides a proverbial hat trick of benefits: it reduces the appearance of wrinkles, diminishes dark under-eye circles, and keeps puffiness in check.

My Review: After about 2 straight weeks of use I've started to see some minimal results. It hasn't been anything dramatic, but I have yet to find a eye cream that has amazing instant results. I have started to see some wrinkles around my eyes and I think using a product like this would be great for maintenance and keeping my skin more youthful looking. I'm still searching for my miracle product but will consider purchasing a full sized product to see how it worked with prolonged use. 

4. Youngblood Anti-Shine Mattifier

According to the Birchbox Breakdown: When it comes to shine, there’s a thin line between a dewy, radiant complexion and looking like you moonlight as an auto-mechanic. To stay onthis side of an oil spill, we rely on Youngblood’s Anti-Shine Mattifier. The balm-like formula keeps oil in check all day long while upping your makeup’s staying power. The translucent hue seamlessly blends in with all skin tones and leaves behind a satiny finish.

My Review: My skin is on the dry side so this mattifier didn't do much for me. It felt and looked like a chapstick consistency so it didn't seem like it would help that much with oil. However, I put it on my t-zone and it didn't make my skin feel oily at all. I never get oily skin so I won't be purchasing this product. 

5. Weleda Body Lotion

According to the Birchbox Breakdown: We’ve heard the buzz about natural products, but most lack the lush scents and silky textures we crave. Not so with this Swiss brand’s new collection of nourishing body lotions. Made with all-natural fruit extracts, the lightweight formula is loaded with rejuvenating ingredients that boost elasticity and protect skin against environmental aggressors.

My Review: Not a fan. Sorry, but this lotion was not great at all. I received three small samples of this product in different scents and I didn't like any of them. I didn't think the lotion did a great job of moisturizing my skin and the smell was so overpowering. I would not purchase this! 

Overall I'm happy with the products I was able to try. There are some more brands I can cross of my list of ones to try! 

Did you get a April Birchbox? Have you tried any of the products listed above?