Pharmagel skincare review

After great success with the last part of my skincare revamp, I decided to try another new to me brand, Pharmagel. Pharmagel is "pharmaceutical grade anti-aging skincare" and the products sounded great! They use ingredients suitable for sensitive skin, and they do not test on animals. The products are suitable for all skintypes, which is great for me - my skin can never decide what it wants to be. One week my cheeks feel like the sahara, the next week my t-zone is an oil slick. I always appreciate products that help balance this out!

I contacted them hoping to try some small samples, and they offered to let me try out and review their travel sized products! I received the Daily Express Regimen (linked here!), which includes four travel sized products. I have used them for the last 3 weeks, and I'm ready to share my thoughts!

Here is what Pharmagel has to say about this regimen:

Method of Use
STEP 1: Massage Hydra Cleanse® over face in gentle circular motion. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.

STEP 2: (1-3x weekly): Apply Enzymé Ex-Cell® to clean, wet skin and massage gently. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.

STEP 3: After cleansing, apply Botanical Tonique® with a cotton pad or lightly spray face for an extra “pick-me-up.”

STEP 4: Apply Firma Derm® to face and body after bathing. Gently massage into skin until absorbed.
Active Ingredients
STEP 1: Oat Extract; Seaweed Extracts: Dulse, Wakame, Sea Lettuce, Algae, Spirulina.
STEP 2: Micronized Walnut Shell Powder, Papaya Extract, Sunflower Oil, Allantoin.
STEP 3: Passion Flower Extract, Arnica Extract, Chamomile Extract, Bergamot Extract, Panthenol (Vitamin B), Witch Hazel.
STEP 4: Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (stabilized Vitamin C), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Gingko Biloba.

I followed this regimen exactly as directed, adding a mask once weekly. I have to say I am quite impressed with these products! The cleanser is gentle and did not dry out my skin. The scrub is just amazing, left  my face smooth and soft and glowy! It wasn't too abrasive, which is good...some are and actually make breakouts worse. The toner is light and refreshing, and I love that it has a spray top...very convenient. It might be my favorite part! And the moisturizer is great, I used it on my face as well as my hands. Not too heavy, but very moisturizing. It didn't break me out, just left me nice and soft.

I'm really happy with how my skin has reacted to these products. My oil levels do seem to have evened out, though that wasn't a promised benefit! Even my monthly hormonal breakouts have lessened, and my skin in general looks pretty and glowing.

I have received comments from friends about how great my skin looks, so I'm sold! I will be seeking out more products, for sure.

Have you tried Pharmagel products yet?

Disclaimer: I received free items to review. I was not compensated, and all opinions are my own.

Recent Purchases

I was really excited when I found a few things at Walgreens...so I splurged a bit.

When Wet n Wild released the Pop Art trios, I was too broke to even look for them, so I put them out of my mind. I never saw them anywhere (and didn't specifically look for them). Today, I was looking for the Fantasy Makers products and I happened to notice the pop art trios on the bottom shelf at my Walgreens! I was really excited, so I snagged 5 (all they had besides the red, black, and white one). You know I love some bright colors, so I am super excited to play with these!

In the middle is a few Jordana eyeliners. I got all the blue, green, and purple shades. They were super cheap, and I wanted colorful liners to go underneath my shadows on my bottom lash line to add a bit of a pop. Excited to see how the pigmentation is on these.

I also grabbed two of the Fantasy Makers glitter palettes. It's getting close to halloween, and I want to add some sparkle, plus it's fun to use on the kids at work.

But the most exciting thing was the Disney Villains look books! My Walgreens does not carry elf, and when I looked these up when they first came out, there were none within 50 miles of me, so I was resigned to never getting my hands on them. But this week, they showed up at my Walgreens! I wanted all of them, but settled on my two favorites for now, Ursula and Maleficent. When they did similar books last year, I got only Maleficent.

These are the pop art trios I snagged. SO PRETTY. I overlook Wet n Wild a lot, but I think I'm going to love these.

Ursula has always been my favorite villain! I love the look of these this year. Last year's were cute, but more awkward and I like the more modern look of these, and the magnetic closure. I also love that the shadow is removable and that they included a lip gloss instead of pencils!

I  like the new items included better! I will use the heck out of that brush. Last year's sets had fake eyelashes, which are nice in theory, but I can't apply them to save my life, so they are a wasted item on me. I love that it comes with primer, liquid, AND pencil liner, as well as mascara.

I think Ursula's shadows are beautiful. I do think it's odd that they included pink lipgloss instead of a bright red...Ursula rocked the reds! But it's a color I'll wear. I also kind of wish the liner was in a teal or aqua or even a purple, but black will do.

Maleficent is my other favorite villain, and as I got her set last year, I had to get the new one. The art on these is so pretty!

This one has the same liners, brush, and primer, but a red gloss and different shadows. Love this look! The black liners make total sense in this one. I have dupes now, but that's to be expected.

I've also recently purchased Real Techniques brushes and Urban Decay's Deluxe shadow box...my makeup collection is happy right now.

Have you bought anything exciting recently?

Glossybox, September 2013

My September Glossybox finally showed up yesterday. Yes, it is October, but I am excusing it because I resubbed a bit later in the month.

This month's theme is "All You Need For Fall", which is basically the theme my soul would create if souls were in the business of creating sub box themes. The only way they could make a more "me" theme would be to fill the box with apple cider, dip it in caramel, and package it inside of a pumpkin. So, yeah. Good box month for me.

The box contains 5 products, 4 of which are full sized (and the fifth could be considered to be full sized, to some.

As you can see, this box is really full! And I am so happy to have the pretty pink boxes again. When I cancelled my sub a while back, I found myself really missing the pretty packaging, and I do love the boxes for storage and organization.

Here are the items I got this month. This month, there were no variations, and everyone got the same items, which to me is a nice break from the box envy and disappointment that tends to happen when you don't get what you were hoping for.

Oceane Makeup Remover Pen - This is a marker-style pen filled with makeup remover. I absolutely love this idea, it will be great for correcting eyeliner mistakes and touching up runs, smears, and fallout. It comes with extra tips, which is really nice! I love getting unique items like this in boxes.

Nioxin Diamax Treatment - This is the big item this month. It's a full sized bottle of this treatment, which is designed to give volume and fullness, as well as manageability. It also promises to help strengthen the hair. I have quite a bit of hair, but it is fine, and cut into an angled bob, so extra volume is always welcome! I actually resubbed due to this spoiler, because I've heard great things about this product.

Be A Bombshell Eyeliner Pen (Onyx)- I have actually had this item before. It is a marker-style eyeliner pen in black. The good news is I just threw out my other one, because it was getting old and dry. It's a nice liner. It is great for a thicker line, in my opinion. I do wish they had sent out other colors, as I'm really into colored liners lately! But I can always use another black pen liner. 

BCBGMaxAzria - Bon Genre Eau De Parfum - This is a rollerball-sized perfume spray. It's supposed to be a mix of feminine and edgy, which kind of suits me perfectly. Before I tried it, I heard people say it smelled "mature", which worried me because that is not my cup of tea... but I am happy to say that I really love this fragrance! On me, it is sweet and fruity with just a bit of an edge, with just slight muskiness and a backbone of vanilla. I am seriously considering saving up for a larger bottle of this...it's perfect for fall and winter for me.

Emite Makeup Eyelash Curler - So, a few months ago, my eyelash curler fell on the floor and was stepped on. It was bent, but still useable (just annoying). So I hoped for MONTHS that a sub would send out an eyelash curler, but no one did. So, a few weeks ago, I bought one. And the NEXT DAY, someone got their Glossybox and posted these contents. Go figure! But, this curler is really great. It looks cool, came with extra pads, and it fits my eyes wonderfully without pinching! This and the perfume are my favorite items in the box!

Overall, this is actually one of my favorite Glossyboxes to date. I really love every item and it was a really fantastic value. This made me glad that I signed back up for Glossybox!

What do you think of September's box?

Blush Mystery Beauty box - September 2013

After weeding all my subs down to nothing, I did some careful research while deciding what to subscribe to and what to pass on. I decided to give the blush mystery beauty box a shot, based on some really great reviews and unboxings!

This was my first month of blush! The shipping was fast and I was really excited to get it! Blush is $25/month and includes at least $100 of products, which is a pretty great value. Here's what I got for September!

Aside from the bag itself, I got three little bonuses - a blush branded blue cream eyeshadow, a small sample of emu oil, and a sample of Lumene moisturizer. I'm happy to try all of the above! The shadow is a nice bright shimmery color.

The biggest item this month is this Racinne Deluxe Travel Set. This is a 4 piece anti-aging skincare set! I've been using anti-aging products religiously over the last few years...despite still being in my 20s, prevention is easier than curing, so I'm happy to give this a shot and see what it does for me. I love the shiny gold packaging!

This is a pop beauty lip crayon in Fuchsia Flirt. I actually have this same crayon already, so I gave this one away, but it is a nice product. It isn't really fuchsia..to me it's more of a bubblegum pink. It doubles as a cream blush.

This first item is Caviar Anti-Aging dry shampoo by Alterna. I love dry shampoos, and all of the alterna products I have tried have been really nice. I love the cute little bottle. The 2nd item is Brad Biophotonic Skin Care Ultra Peel. It treats dark spots and evens the skintone. I haven't heard of this brand, but I love peels so this is a welcome addition to my box, as well!

This is a product I have heard others rave about - brow gel by Anastasia! I have gotten brow gels before that have been too dark for my fairly blonde brows. I'm happy to get a clear one. I don't do much with my brows so I like the idea of a clear gel to help me keep them in order.

This is a foot cream by Amlactin. It doesn't have a scent to it, but it feels nice and moisturizing. My skin gets dry in the fall and winter, so I'm always looking for creams to keep my hands and feet soft! I think this will be part of my bedtime ritual.

And finally, a nail polish by LVX. They sent out 6 different shades this month. I got Koko, which is a nice chocolate brown. I don't wear browns often, but I am glad to get this to branch out! It's a really pretty color for fall. I haven't tried this brand and I'm excited to.

Overall, I am really happy with this box! I love the variety of items - there's skincare, makeup, hair care, polish, and foot cream! This is definitely a fantastic value for what I paid, and I'm excited to see what comes in future boxes.

Have you tried blush yet?

Ipsy - September 2013

This month, I had to get a new card and wait for it to arrive, so my Ipsy sub shipped and arrived late! I'm glad to finally have it to play with, though!

September's theme is Classic Beauty. This is not my favorite theme (I tend toward the more edgy than classic), but no big deal. :)

The bag itself is cute this month - pretty blue with a kind of abstract butterfly print in black. This is the first month that I don't think the bag they picked for me suits my profile, though! I received both lip products, and while I love lip products, I had them deselected because I have way too many. Everyone got a lip product this month, so I would have gotten one regardless, but I kind of wish I had gotten the Freeman masks instead of the 2nd! No big deal, though.

This month, they sent a paper card sample of the new em cosmetics line by Michelle Phan. There is a lot of controversy about this line (questionable quality and very high pricing), but I'm glad to get a little sample just to see for myself. The colors I got could not be more boring, but we'll see how I feel about the quality! I have not heard great things.

This is a full sized nyx eyeshadow. I love shadows, but this is a sparkly black, and I have a few of those, so I opted to pass it along in a swap box instead of swatching/trying it. It looks pretty, though! Nyx is an affordable brand, but I don't mind getting it because it is not available near me. 

This is a deluxe sized It's So Big mascara by Elizabeth Mott. Again, this is something I am not opening to try right now. I love mascara, but I have several open right now and don't want any to go to waste! I will try this after I've used up my open ones. I always like mascara, but I'm kind of swimming in them right now, so I'm ready for my subs to take a hiatus from them while I use up my stash!

This is a lipstick by J.Cat in Honeycrisp. It is a light nude color. I have a few other J Cat lipsticks, and they are pretty nice! This color is not one I'd normally wear, but I've been appreciating a nude lip lately. The color will also be great for toning down bright/dark colors, as well. This is a full sized lipstick.

Cailyn calls this a tinted lip balm, but is much more pigmented and much less moist/balmy than a balm to me! It's in Big Apple, and it's a nice bright red shade that pulls a bit pink on me. I love the packaging and I've been really into red lips lately, so this will be used.

Here are swatches of the two lippies in bad lighting. 

And finally, an eyeliner pen by Jesse's Girl. Again, I'm not opening this yet, as I have a few open, but I am always happy to receive an eye pen. I wish it was in a fun color rather than black, but it's a staple that looks nice.

Overall, this isn't my favorite Ipsy bag, but it isn't bad! Everything but the shadow will be used, and it's a pretty good value as always! It definitely fits the Classic Beauty theme. I'm really looking forward to seeing what October brings!

What was in your bag this month? Do you like the classic beauty look?

Acure Organics skin care review

I posted a couple of weeks ago about needing a skincare overhaul, and said I was beginning a new regimen of products by Acure Organics! Now, after using those products for over 2 weeks, I am ready to weigh in on them!


Acure Organics is a family owned and operated company that makes natural and certified organic skincare products (as well as some for the body and hair.) They use certified organic and fair trade ingredients, which makes me feel good about trying them on my fussy combination skin. They are never tested on animals, and they are free of preservatives and nasty chemicals.


I used nothing but these products for the last 3 weeks, with the exception of a weekly mask, which I always use.

 First of all, isn't the packaging on these products cute? I love the bright clean look.

This is the Sensitive Facial Cleanser.  It is a soothing, gentle cleanser with a nice creamy (but not heavy) texture. It contains probiotics as well as argan and pumpkin seed oils! It is fragrance free and completely non-irritating. It is pH balanced and the probiotics help reduce inflammation. I found this cleanser to be great for daily use! It cleansed my face of dirt and oils, but didn't dry me out at all. 

This is the Brightening Facial Scrub. It is an exfoliating scrub that contains sea kelp, green clay, lemon peel and chlorella growth factor (which is extracted from algae, and helps support cellular replication). It also contains Argan stem cells, which help stimulate dermal skin cells...really cool technology! This scrub is really effective. It clears the pores and sloughs away dead skin to keep skin bright. I absolutely love this stuff! It's a little crazy looking - green (thanks, sea kelp) which I enjoy. It has a pleasant light natural scent.  I use this 3 times a week, and I love how smooth it leaves my skin. It is not too abrasive and leaves my skin looking clear and bright.

This is the balancing rose + red tea facial toner. This is a gentle toner, and it does not sting. It helps balance the pH levels of the skin after rinsing, and has a light natural scent. I will admit I have been pretty neglectful of toners, but I have fallen in love with this one. It feels nice and refreshing on the skin, and really does seem to help balance out my combination skin. This might be my favorite product of the line!

This Day Cream contains Gotu Kola stem cells, which help the skin to maintain its own hyaluronic acid to balance moisture levels and firm and plump the skin. It is light, but hydrating, with a light citrusy scent. I found this to be great for daily use - not too heavy, and didn't leave me greasy. A little goes a long way, and while it wasn't too heavy for my combo skin, I also think drier skin types would like this cream, as well.

The Night Cream contains a blend of amazing oils and anti-aging ingredients, as well! This is a richer consistency than the day cream (but still not too heavy) and has a really nice lavender scent. This cream is great - I wake up with my skin feeling soft and hydrated. The lavender scent makes it really calming for bedtime.

Finally, I tried the leave-in conditioner. Like many of the skincare products, it contains argan oil and stem cells to strengthen and protect the follicle. My hair is thick and color treated, so I was super excited to try this - and I fell in love! It smells amazing, light and citrusy (thanks to the lemongrass!) This spray detangles my hair and leaves it nice and soft, but never weighed down or greasy. I have found many leave in sprays to be too heavy or sticky, this one is just perfect.

Overall, I have fallen in love with Acure's products over the last 3 weeks! My skin looks and feels so much smoother and brighter. The amazing ingredients make me feel good about using the products, and the company's values and service make them a company I am happy to support. I will be purchasing more products in the future, and I definitely recommend these products to anyone looking to rejuvenate their skincare routine. 

If you'd like, please check them out at www.acureorganics.com. 

Disclaimer: I received products for review from the company. I was not compensated for this review, and my opinion is my own.

Skin care overhaul beginning!

I have mentioned in some previous posts that I've been having a lot of skin issues lately. My combination skin is getting fussier...it's either feeling tight, rough, and dry, or oily with breakouts. My current go-to products just haven't been cutting it! I've decided to seek out a whole new routine.

Starting today, I am trying out a whole new regimen by Acure. Acure Organics is a company that makes natural an certified organic skincare products (as well as body and hair products). They feature plant stem cell technology, use some really amazing ingredients, and I'm really excited to see what their products do for me.

For the next few weeks, I will be using only these products! After this time, I will be posting a full report/review of the products and my results.

The products I will be trying are their Sensitive Facial Cleanser, Brightening Facial Scrub, Balancing Rose + Red Tea Facial Toner, Day Cream, Night Cream, and Leave-In Conditioner for my hair. (And how cute is this packaging?)

I'm excited to see how these products work for me and share them with you!

Have you discovered a new great brand or product lately?

*Disclaimer: I was provided with complimentary products to try and review. I was not compensated or paid for my opinion. All thoughts are honest and my own.

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?