Ipsy Glam Bag - August 2013

After taking what seemed like forever, my Ipsy bag showed up this week! It's something I look forward to every month, and this month was no exception!

Ipsy's theme this month is "Glamour Academy", which I think is a really cute theme for the back-to-school season. Ipsy says that the Glamour Academy bag is perfect for the professional or student, and that it contains beauty essentials to stash in your bag as well as goodies to help you prep for an event or party. Sounds good to me!

Over the last several months, Ipsy has been refining and using their IpsyMatch system to send out bag variations. I have finally managed to tweak my profile in such a way that I have been super happy with my bags each month! Here's what I got for August.

The bag itself this month is a cute purple and gold print...reminds me a little of Harry Potter! I received five items this month.

Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub - This is a gentle exfoliating scrub using charcoal to remove impurities and jojoba wax to gently exfloliate. I was so excited to get this! I've always been curious about Michael Todd's products, and I have a charcoal mask from Origins that I adore. I have used it, and it didn't disappoint! It is not too abrasive and left my skin feeling super soft and smooth. Plus, it gives you an awesome case of scaryface (while using),  perfect for disturbing any brothers, boyfriends, or husbands you might have around. Always a bonus!

Pacifica Alight BB Cream - This is a shade adjusting BB cream that is sheer and illuminating. I love Pacifica, and I like BB creams, but this one doesn't work for me! It is too dark for my pale skin, and it has zero coverage.  That said, I'm happy to have tried it, because it is the sort of product I might have bought at some point. Glad to know I should save my money and buy the Pacifica goodies I do love!

Pixi Lash Booster Mascara - This is a simple black mascara. Pixi is another brand I like, so I was happy to try this. Upon use, it is okay! It is not super lengthening or thickening, but it offers a nice natural look with just a bit of definition and some color for my pale lashes. I'll use up the sample for everyday looks, but I don't think I'll purchase it. I do like my dramatic mascaras!

Urban Decay Revolution lipstick in Anarchy - This is something I was so excited to try! I love Urban Decay, but I never did try their lipsticks. This promises to be longwearing while not being drying. I got the shade Anarchy, which is a bright fuschia pink (which is exactly the right shade to send me to make me super excited!). Let me tell you, this stuff lasts! I am more prone to reach for lip balms because lipsticks never last on me, and when at work, I can't be bothered to reapply a billion times. I put this on in the morning, and more than 8 hours later, I had to physically remove it! It survived 8 hours, a full meal, several drinks, and even a toothbrushing! I'm super impressed with the staying power, the feel, and the color is just beautiful. I am definitely going to be buying a couple of these!

MicaBeauty shimmer powder in Bronze - I received this product in the shade Earth in April. I loved that one, and I love this one too! It is simply a loose shimmery pigment. It is a bronzey gold color and so sparkly. I'm excited to use this more and add some shimmer to my looks!

Here are light swatches of the Urban Decay in Anarchy and the MicaBeauty shimmer in Bronze. Both are just lovely.

Here, I am wearing the Pacifica BB cream, the MicaBeauty shimmer powder (on eyes), the Pixi mascara, and the Urban Decay lipstick! I am wearing no other makeup, so excuse the scary skin. As you can see, the shimmer is subtle, the mascara is darkening but doesn't provide much length (I think I'll try it paired with another mascara!) and the lipstick is nice and bold! (Normally with this shadow, I would have added another color or two and some eyeliner, and I'd normally wear a bit of blush and/or some highlighter, but I wanted to keep things for this picture limited to the items in the bag!)

And because I can't turn down an opportunity to disturb others, here is the charcoal mask in action! Love it! (and yes, that is the lipstick, still going after 8 hours, brushing my teeth, AND washing my face!)

Ipsy did a really great job with my bag this month! Most of the items were just outstanding, and I will be purchasing full sizes of them...and the couple that aren't my favorite, I am still glad to have tried! This is one of my favorite bags to date.

What was in your bag this month?

IF you haven't joined yet, feel free to use my referral link to sign up!

Birchbox - August 2013

My Birchbox shipped and showed up pretty early this month! I'll say that, while I was excited to get it so early, I canceled my Birchbox subscription this month. It's not that it has been terrible, or even all bad, over the last few months...but when you're consistently finding yourself not excited or even disappointed in a service each month, it's time to cancel! After all, there are a ton of subs out there and general discontent means I can find another one to suit my current needs better!

The theme for August is Finishing School, and was designed around products that can add the perfect finishing touch! I'll say that the products in my box don't really scream "finishing touch" to me, but I never really pay much mind to the themes, anyway! Here's what I got this month (I don't know how the picture got flipped, but I'm not going to mess with reuploading it...you totally get the idea, right?)

Juice Beauty Oil Free Moisturizer - I have used this moisturizer (and several other products) from Juice Beauty before. I really like it! It is light enough for the summer and doesn't cause me to break out. I'm currently working on completely overhauling my skincare routine (man, my skin is unhappy this summer) so I know this will get use, eventually.

stila stay all day liquid lipstick - I love stila, and I am always happy to receive items from the brand. However, this particular item, I will be trading. Not because there is anything wrong with it (actually, I have heard it is awesome with great staying power), but simply because I am currently swimming in red lip products...I have them coming out of my ears! So, as much as I'd like to open this and try it, I figure it's better to pass it off to a home where it will be properly loved. I know I wouldn't reach for it as often as I should!

Jasmine Seven Fresh Feet Wipes - This is one of those products I'm undecided on. On one hand, I am barefoot as much as possible and my feet do get dirty. On the other hand, I don't really sub to a beauty service to receive two minty wet wipes. So, I'll use the samples (actually, I already used one. ) It feels nice on the feet, but a similar effect can be had with a baby wipe and a swipe of minty foot lotion, which I already have.

TanTowel Self Tanning Towelette for the Body - Okay. This might be a great product. I wouldn't know, because there is nothing in the beauty product world I despise more than I despise self tanners. There is nothing I am less likely to use.  Birchbox seems determined to send me these things, and I really wish there was a way to opt out of receiving them. I like my pale skin, and I have no desire to change it. This isn't something like makeup that you can try and wipe off if it doesn't suit you. They wouldn't send out hair dye or skin bleach...so why are they so determined with the tanner? Even if I wanted to use it, one wipe is for one half of the body...so what are you supposed to do for the other half? This has already been given away.

Coastal Scents mini quad from the Mirage Palette - I was surprised to see Coastal Scents in my Birchbox this month. I love Coastal Scents, as is evidenced by the more than 400 shadows I own by them. But, I already have the Mirage palette, so I'm giving this sample away. The colors are beautiful, though, and like all over Coastal Scents shadows, they are super pigmented for the low price. If you do want to buy this (or any other CS palette) make sure to buy from Coastal Scents directly, as Birchbox has majorly marked up the price!

Overall, I am not regretting cancelling. The moisturizer and the stila are great products, but this just wasn't the best box for me. I am sure over time I will find myself missing the Birchbox points system, though, and come crawling back!

What was in your box this month?

CEW Beauty Insiders Award Winner Mass Appeal box by Birchbox.

Every year, the CEW Beauty Awards nominates and honors the best and most innovative beauty products of the year. Last year, Beauty Bar teamed up with them to create a box of some of the best products for a great price. This year, Birchbox took on the task, and they created two limited edition Birchboxes - one showcasing some of the drugstore brand winners, and one showcasing the prestige brands. I had a discount code to use and some  points, so I picked up both boxes!

I placed my order on Wednesday and I already received it today, Friday! Pretty impressive shipping.

This is the Mass Appeal box. This one contains some of the CEW Beauty Insiders' favorite drugstore products.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain - This is a retractable lip crayon that promises moisture and shiny vivid pigment. I received the color Lovestruck, which is a bright fuschia pink! I've swatched it below. I love this shade.

Olay Pro-X Spot Fading Treatment - This is a serum that helps diminish dark spots and discoloration. I hope this helps some of my acne scars!

Nivea A Kiss of Olive Oil & Lemon Moisture Rich Lip Care - This is a hydrating lip balm. Nivea makes my absolute favorite balms, but I haven't tried this one yet. It smells amazing and I am super excited for it.

Burt's Bees Ultimate Care Hand Cream - This is a nourishing hand cream with baobab and watermelon seed oils. I wash my hands a billion times a day at work, so I appreciate a good hand cream!

L'Oreal Paris Infallible eyeshadow - This is a 24 hour waterproof eyeshadow! It goes on as a shimmery pigmented cream. I received the shade Glistening Garnet, which is a red based purpley pink shade with a lilac sheen. Super pretty!

Simple Revitalizing Roll-On - This is an eye serum that perks up tired eyes. It has cucumber and vitamin B5. I am a big fan of products like this and am really excited to see how this one works out for me!

Here is the Lovestruck balm stain and Glistening Garnet shadow.

And here it is from a different angle so you can see the way the shadow color shifts! Super pretty!

Here is the shadow on bare skin (no other shadows or liner) and the balm stain on bare lips. Forgive the fact that I"m not wearing any other makeup, I just wanted to see how the colors would look!

I am super happy with this box, and every single thing will be used. It retailed for only $12, and the value far exceeds that! I actually found that I preferred this box to the prestige one!

Did you pick up either of these boxes? What do you think?

Veet EasyWax Electrical Roll-On Kit review

I received an opportunity to try the new Veet EasyWax system from Influenster, and I jumped at the chance!

I haven't done much waxing...partially because I'm a wimp, and partially because it seemed like a huge mess. I have tried the wax strips and they are alright, but not always effective.

Veet EasyWax is an electrical roll-on...basically, you plug it in, let it warm up, then roll on the wax, apply the strips, and yank them off. It's super easy and very effective.

I'll be using it all summer! You can find it on their site! :)

DISCLAIMER: I received a product for free from Influenster. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated!

Ipsy - July 2013

Ipsy has been pretty exciting since they started their IpsyMatch system and sending out more product variation! It's fun to anticipate what you might get.

This month, the theme was "Beach Beauty" and as you can probably guess, it is products suitable for summertime and the outdoors, preparing for a day at the beach! There were two products that everyone got, one that came in 3 variations of a similar product (and everyone got one of the variations), one either/or, and one product that you got to suit your profile out of a selection of four. Sounds confusing, I know!

The bag itself this month is transparent clear vinyl - love it! The items I received are actually the exact ones I wanted! 

Coola Mineral Face SPF 20 Moisturizer in Unscented - This is a mineral sunscreen. They sent out this version, a tinted version with rose essence, and possibly the cucumber scented version. I have tried a Coola product before and really liked it, so I am happy to have this, especially as I am trying to move more toward mineral and physical sunscreens as opposed to chemical ones.

Pop Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon in Fuchsia Flirt - This is one of the products that everyone got, though they sent out a few different colors. Ir's nourishing and plumping. The shade I got is great - a nice cool pink! I'll be using this a lot.

BH Cosmetics California Collection eyeshadow sample - BH Cosmetics released 3 different California palettes containing shadows and blushes. This sample has a shade from each of the three! We got a purple, a brown, and a gold. They are nice and soft and pigmented...I'm really tempted to buy the palettes. This is another product that everyone got.

Demeter - Salt Air perfume oil roll on - This is the product I wanted most of all (and it was the main variation, there was only a 1/4 chance of getting it), and I am so excited that I got it! It is a perfume oil that really does smell like the beach. I smell the water, the salt, and the sun...there's a hint of sunscreen. It's really fresh and really different from my usual sweet or fruity scents. 

Sexy Hair Weatherproof Humidity Resistant Spray - This was an either/or item, and of the two, I preferred this one. It isn't really a hairspray, it is meant to be a finishing spray to protect your hair from the effects of humidity. I live in the midwest, so humidity is a big issue. I'm looking forward to trying this!

As always, the sample sizes are great and the value far exceeds the $10 I paid. The perfume roll-on alone retails for $10!

Here is the lip crayon being worn! Excuse the morning hair and the sunglasses (I got them in another sub this week). I love the color!

And here are swatches of the lip crayon and the 3 shadows.

This is one of my favorite months for Ipsy! Everything is great and summery and will be happily used.  IpsyMatch seems to be working for me, as I expressed interest in fragrances and makeup. What was in your bag this month?

Birchbox - July 2013

Wow, I am behind on my posts this month. I received my Birchbox at the beginning of the week (early in the month for me!) This was the first time in ages I got my box before the contents were listed on the site...it was nice to be surprised for once!

This month, Birchbox went with a theme of "Power Play", promising hardworking samples to help us take control of any situation, and they had cast members of the tv show Suits (which I've never seen or heard of, but whatever) pick some of the samples. Interestingly, they had added points to my account before I even got my box letting me know that I was getting a duplicate sample that I had received in a past month. They didn't say what the duplicate sample was, so I was really curious, and hoping that it was one that I had liked.

Here's my box!

Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect spray - This was the sample that I had gotten in a previous box. Luckily for me, I loved it, so I was okay with getting it again! It is a leave in conditioner, and it detangles and protects from heat and the sun. It's free of sulfates and has lots of good natural ingredients in it. It kept my hair nice and soft and smooth, and I would buy the full size if it weren't so expensive!

Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin cream - This cream has lots of ceramides! It promises to combat redness, roughness, and irritation as well as being super moisturizing.  I love a good skincare product, so I am really happy to get this! It feels nice and hydrating on my skin, and I look forward to seeing what it does for me with repeated usage.

ModelCo Party Proof lipstick in Get Naked - This is a longwearing matte lipstick in a perfect nude. I actually do not own a nude lipstick and I am really impressed with this one! It is lighter than my lips (which are quite pigmented), but it doesn't look bad with my very pale skin. I am excited to wear this with some of my bolder, brighter eye looks. It has a nice fruity smell and a super hydrating feel!

La Fresh Instant Body Smoother wipes - These are refreshing wipes with a minty scent, made to help refresh and relax you. I tried one after walking home in the scorching sun and it felt amazing!

Birchbox bobby pins - This is the extra this month. They are super cute, and very heavy duty! I love bobby pins for my barely long enough for a ponytail hair. This is one of my favorite extras!

Here is the lipstick on my arm and on my lips. I think it will be great alone or to tone down a bright/bold lippie!

Overall, I think this is a great box, and I am happy to use everything. Birchbox and the cast of Suits did a great job this month, in my opinion. 

What was in your box?

Starlooks Starbox - June 2013

June marked Starlooks' one year anniversary! June's box delivered staple products they thought we could use every day. (I do my makeup differently every single day, because I'm crazy and I get bored, so I don't really HAVE staple products, but, that's beside the point...) The looks book and card featured a mod 60s look that was really fun, and there was special anniversary packaging, too!

The anniversary box is super cute, and the black and white theme matches the theme of the looks book and contents card.

This month, we received three products and a little extra. 

Bronzer in Montego Bay - This is a bronzer with a satin finish. It can be used to contour, and can also be used on the body! Note that it looks darker in the photo than it really is! Now, this product is a scary one for me - I am pale and pink toned, and I have never had a tan in my life, so items meant to make you look tan generally look terrible on me. But, I am going to play with this and try to find a way to make it work for me! Someone suggested using it for contouring under my foundation, and I think I'll be giving that a try soon.

Eye Pencil in White - This is a creamy eyeliner pencil in white. As with Starlooks' other pencils, it is very soft and creamy! It can be used on the waterline to make the eyes look better, or it can be used on the lid as a shadow base. I will likely use it for both! I have recently come to love white liners, so I am happy to get this.

Precision Eye Pen in Black - This is a fine tipped liquid liner in black. This is actually their first repeated product (they generally don't repeat exact items, but to me it makes sense to repeat basics like a black liquid liner after a year or so)  - they sent it out in their very first box, and it is a great staple item. I love that you can get a really fine line with it.

The bonus is a cute peace sign pin. It goes with the mod theme of the month, and while I've seen a lot of people complain about it, I think it's pretty cute and will attach it to a jean jacket or one of my messenger bags.

As always, this box was a really great value. I do have to say that I am a bit disappointed in this anniversary box, simply because there is nothing exciting in it! The liners are nice, and I don't have and have never really used a bronzer so that will be interesting to play with...but it's hard to get excited over a box full of staples! I wish they had included one fun color item! Regardless, Starlooks remains one of my favorite subs and I'm really excited to see what they do for July.

Glamour Doll Eyes OTM - June 2013

Well, this post is a little late...because while I received mty OTM last week, unfortunately my shadow was fused shut! I was able to see the prettiness, but not play with it - torture! GDE has great service, though, and they promptly sent me a replacement!

This month, the OTM came in the cutest blue pouch with bonus pop rocks! It's a beautiful blue with red and silver shimmers - perfect for the 4th of July!

The top swatch is on bare skin, while the bottom is on primer. As you can see, the color is super vibrant!

As always, I am super happy with my OTM. I can't recommend this sub enough if you're a fan of shadows!

Recent Purchase; Zoya Polish Haul!

Recently, Zoya had a buy one get one free promotion on polishes from their current and past summer lines! As Zoya is my favorite brand of polish, I couldn't resist picking some up!

Zoya polishes always have a great formula. They aren't too thick or too thin for me. They are free of nasty chemicals (they are 5 Free!) and though they cost only $8, I find them to rival or beat the more expensive brands.

They come in a huge variety of gorgeous colors, and they are the ONLY polish that I can wear for 2-3 days with minimal chipping (I work in healthcare, which is a nightmare on the hands! I can't even count the number of times I wash my hands on any given day...) I picked up eight gorgeous shimmery/sparkly colors that you probably need in your collection!

Midori is described as "glowing medium apple green with yellow undertones and strong gold shimmer". It is different than any green I own. I can't wait to wear it!

Zuza is a "deep, saturated oceanic turquoise with gold and silver metallic shimmer and a foil-like finish". This color is amazing! I wore it for three days with very little chipping and lots of compliments. It's the perfect summer shade.

Charla is a tropical blue sparkling metallic. It is quite possibly my favorite polish that I own! Pictures do not do it justice. It is like sparkly blue and green mermaid polish! I'm wearing it right now and I can't stop looking at my nails!

Tallulah is a "medium electric cobalt blue with bright aqua shimmer", and it is just a gorgeous bright blue. I will be rocking it for the 4th of July, for sure!

Kimber is a "rich, bright, and saturated medium magenta with strong gold metallic shimmer and a foil-like finish". I generally prefer blues, purples, greens, and other unconventional shades for my nails, but this one is just gorgeous!

Carly is a "rich, bold, red-toned purple with iridescent red and silver metallic shimmer and a dense foil finish". It's a perfect purple color.

Mimi is a royal purple sparkling metallic! It is a much more blue-toned purple than Carly, but is equally gorgeous. 

Faye is a "bronzed mauve with purple and brown undertones flooded with bright gold sparkle". This is a really unique color! It alternates between looking purple, brown, and gold depending on the light. There is a TON of sparkle! 

Here is Zuza being worn, though pictures don't show its beauty. Such a perfect color!

And here is Charla! This polish is so insanely sparkly and so rich and bright! It is definitely one of my favorite shades, along with Storm!

As with all of my other Zoyas, I am impressed with the formula of all of these that I have tried so far. I will be spending the rest of my summer wearing these beautiful colors...I'm having a hard time wearing the same shade for more than a day without wanting to strip it off and try the next!

Have you tried Zoya yet? What are your favorite colors?

Bloglovin

I believe we only have something like 3 more weeks until Google Reader is gone. So, if we haven't followed each other on Bloglovin yet, let's make sure to do so!

Here is my bloglovin page! 

New sub: Unmentionably Cheeky (a monthly panty subscription service!)

Living in a tiny town, there just aren't many places to shop. As such, I have really come to love and appreciate subscription services - they are the main way I try beauty products, but they're also branching out into other areas!

Unmentionably Cheeky delivers panties to your mailbox every month. Currently, you can get 3 pairs a month (in sizes small, medium, or large) for $8 a month! They are run by a husband and wife team and they aim to send out undies that are fun, flirty, and feminine.

I was recently given to opportunity to try out their service! My package came quickly, discretely packaged in a pretty pink envelope.

Inside, they were wrapped in pretty tissue...like a little present!

And, the undies! I received three different styles and colors. All are nice, soft lace!

These black ones are probably my favorite! So simple, but so cute. The lace is soft and stretchy.

These pink ones with black trim are equally soft, with a fuller cut in the back. I love the little pink bow!

The blue ones are a bit different! They have the soft lace, but also cotton. 

The back is adorable on these!

All of these panties are branded by Unmentionably Cheeky!

Overall, I am pretty impressed with this service! The panties are great quality for the price. It's not uncommon for a cute pair of undies to cost twice what you're paying for all three pairs, here! This sub combines something that everyone loves (getting something in the mail) with something everyone needs (cute underwear). How can you go wrong with that?

Definitely check Unmentionably Cheeky out, either on their site, their Facebook, or their Twitter!

*Disclaimer: I was provided with a product free of charge for review purposes. I was not otherwise compensated and all opinions are my own.

Fortune Cookie Soap - Summer Soap Box

I've been wanting to try Fortune Cookie Soap for ages! They're a small, independent bath and body company with really fun and whimsical products (like soaps shaped like fortune cookies, of course). They offer a seasonal (quarterly) subscription box, which contains around 8 sample/travel sized products for $19.95. This is my first one!

This is a fortune cookie soap in "One in a Melon". It smells like a watermelon jolly rancher! It's so cute, and I've been using it all week. Just a nice soap that looks adorable chilling by my sink.

Whipped Cream in "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere". This is their version of body butter. I love the texture! It's nice and rich, but not too thick or stiff. It absorbs well and moisturizes well. The scent smells like fruity drinks, and is fun for summer.

Sugar Scrub in "I Scream, You Scream". This is a scrub that smells exactly like neopolitan ice cream, with strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate. This is my favorite item in the box! It's a creamy sugar scrub rather than an oily one. I wanted to eat it!

Don't Be Jelly jelly soap in Body Shot. This is a cool product, I've never tried a jelly soap! It smells (and looks) like jello shots! Fun!

Where The Sun Don't Shine solid suncreen stick. As a super easily burnt person, I am happy to get this! It is SPF 15 and perfect to keep in my bag to add a little extra protection. It smells like banana and coconut, super summery!

This is sea salt hair spritz in Aquaholic. It is meant to give that beachy hair t to exture. Now, these sprays never work for me when it comes to beachy waves, but I like this to add a little texture when I want to tie my hair back or braid it. It smells just like a pina colada!

OCD hand sanitizer in "Do You Salsa or Mango?" It sanitizes your hands and smells like mango salsa. It's a different scent, and I like it! I use a ton of hand sanitizer at work, so I was happy to get this!

"Mother Pucker" shower steamer. This is kind of like a bath bomb, only for the shower. I didn't really get much enjoyment out of it, though - it smelled nice, but the scent was overpowered by the other products I was using in the shower. Fun to try, but not something I'd buy.

Overall, I really liked this box! Lots of fun products. I will be buying some more of the "I Scream, You Scream" scent and I am already excited to see what comes in the fall box!

Have you tried Fortune Cookie Soaps yet?

Ipsy-June 2013

Wow, I'm behind on my posts lately! I've had my Ipsy bag for about a week now, and I'm just now getting around to playing with everything!

June is Ipsy's 2nd month using the IpsyMatch system, attempting to match us up with appropriate bags to suit us. As such, there were once again quite a few different bag variations you could receive. The theme this month is "On the Wild Side". Here's mine!

Starlooks - Lip Pencil in Tipsy - I actually already have this exact pencil I received in a Starbox, but it's a beautiful coral pink with a super creamy texture. I will absolutely use this one after I finish my other one.

NYX Cream Blush in Rose Petal - I am glad I got a cream blush! This color is nice - a peachy pink, great for a natural look. The texture is great - almost like a mousse or gel!

J Cat Eyelashes - MEH. I have tried a billion different ways and times, and I cannot apply false lashes to save my life. I will put these aside for a trade or gift. To their credit, they are cute and seem like they'd look very natural!

J Cat Sparkling Cream Palette in Volta - Okay. This product looks gorgeous in the pans, but it is terrible. Big chunky glitter in a greasy base, not safe for eyes...it is essentially body glitter. I love sparkle, I love glitter...but what the heck am I supposed to do with this?

Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil - This is a creamy nude pencil. It is actually a bit darker than my skin, so for me it isn't much of a highlighter, but the skin around my eyes is darker than the rest of my face and I find that this does brighten them up as a base and/or on the waterline! 

I have to say that I am really bummed that I didn't get the purple gel liner that many got this month. The idea of IpsyMatch is to suit our styles, and this bag doesn't really do that for me. The bag itself is my favorite part, and I do like the blush, lip pencil, and highlighter! Not a terrible bag, but not one of my favorites.

Here is a swatch of the lipliner, blush and the highlighter. I applied the blush heavily then blended it down so you can see how it can be intense or sheer!

Despite being a bit disappointed this month, I still love Ipsy and look forward to seeing what else they have in store. As always, if you haven't joined, feel free to join using my referral link!

What was in your bag this month?

Birchbox - June 2013

I feel like I waited for ages for my Birchbox this month! (I didn't, I guess I was just impatient.)  I don't know what it was about May, but it felt like it lasted a century! Now that I've aged a half a century, my box finally showed up a few days ago.

This month, Birchbox went with a theme of wanderlust! They say these are products from near and far that will work for our summer adventures. Well, I am old and boring and I have to work all the time, so my adventures are limited...but my beauty stash doesn't know that! Last June was probably my least favorite box ever (I got a ziploc bag and a self tanner wipe...), so I wasn't expecting much.

First of all, BB gave themselves a bit of a facelift this month. The website has a whole new look, as does the packaging and logo. I like it, and I like change!

The outer box is still their trademark pink, but now it has the new logo.

The inner box has also changed, it is now simpler, but more sturdy.

I have to say I'm underwhelmed with my box this month, but it is not terrible!

I got:

Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk - This is a dry shampoo spray with natural ingredients. I have never had much luck with dry shampoos, but I tried this one and it is actually nice. It smells fresh and it doesn't leave my hair stiff or sticky. The sample is a great size and it should last a while! I won't be buying the full size, though, simply because it is $18.

Color Club + Birchbox Wanderlust Collection polish in London Calling - Birchbox and Color Club created a four shade collection together inspired by cities. I got London Calling, which is a neon pastel green. The color is fun and bright, but I truly hate Color Club's formula...it goes on streaky and uneven and peels and chips on me. 

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Hi-Definition Hydrating Mineral Perfecting Powder - This is just what it sounds like - a mineral perfecting powder. The sample is small but I can definitely get several uses out of it. It left my skin nice and matte even after sweating. It's a great product, but I don't find it to be superior to other powders I have and it is much more expensive. I am glad I got the chance to try it, though!

29 Cosmetics - 29 Preserves Skin Care Collection - This is a quartet of skincare products with antioxidants to protect and firm skin. I am not too thrilled with this, because I think with skincare, one time use samples are not enough. So, I have already used these, and while they didn't do anything bad to my skin, I won't be buying the products, due to the skimpy sample size. I really wish companies would include about a week's worth of uses in their skincare samples!

Twistband - Nautical Collection - I love twistbands, and I have a whole baggie of them. It's a less exciting sample than it would have been a few months ago, though, simply because I chopped off my hair. I can still use it to pull it into a micro ponytail, though, and I love the sailboat print!

There were also 5 cute postcards, but I forgot to put them in the picture!

Overall, this is a pretty blah bag, but the powder and shampoo are good enough. I think I was mostly disappointed because there were a ton of products I really wanted to try this month, and I didn't get any of them! My last few boxes have been pretty nice, though, so I can't really complain.

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What was in your Birchbox this month?