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GLOSSYBOX: June 2014 Review.

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With nearly two years worth of GlossyBoxes under my belt, I strongly feel that the collaborations and themed boxes are my favorite to receive. It’s always a treat to see what comes in boxes curated by successful bloggers and beauty insiders, and the brightly colored or patterned themed boxes really stand out among the pink and black ones that usually arrive in the mail.

June’s GlossyBox was just that. With a “Stars & Stripes” theme, or as I called it- the “America! F*ck Yeah!” box- which arrived just in time for the Fourth, the box was, as you could probably guess- patterned like the American flag- and was filled with American-made products and a mystery gift card to C. Wonder (the card amount can be anything from $5 – $500!) I plan to re-use the box this week when I gift some Fourth of July goodies to my niece.

What I Received:

RUSK Texture Dry Finishing Spray

Sumita Beauty ‘Champagne’ Eye Shadow Pencil (*Full Size!*)

Camille Beckman Platinumé Gold Imperial Repair Hand Therapy

AYRES Patagonia Body Butter

STRANGEBEAUTIFUL Library of Color COLORBLOC

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Product # 1: RUSK Texture Dry Finishing Spray ($18)

I’m going to start with my least favorite product in June’s GlossyBox. From past experiences, texture sprays do nothing for me. Be it because of my curly hair- which I think can be considered a texture all in itself- but most sprays I’ve tried over time have made my curls crunchy, stiff, and have given them the appearance of having a chalky residue on them. Even still, I attempted this spray and hoped for the best. I knew I was in trouble the second I shook the can as directed, pressed down on the nozzle, and the spray shot out of the aerosol container like a bullet instead of a gentle spritz. Sure enough, my hair almost immediately became stiff and crunchy- and even after working it through my curls with my fingers to the best of my abilities- there was still white, chalky residue left behind. Ew.

Would I Purchase?: No. This product was a complete and total dud from start to finish for me. Between the difficulty in spraying it into my hair in short, quick bursts, to the less than desirable results and the patchy white specks it left behind from my roots to the ends of my strands- I would skip this spray entirely.

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Product # 2: Sumita Beauty ‘Champagne’ Eye Shadow Pencil ($18)

When it comes to my makeup regimen, especially Monday-Friday mornings before I head to work, convenience is key. I want to look nice and put together, but I also don’t want to be late to the office- and I also don’t want to have to get up at 5:30 a.m. specifically to perfect a smokey eye. Enter this pencil, which just made my weekday A.M. crunch way easier. With a soft tip to ensure no uncomfortable poking or scratching takes place, this beautiful and flattering shimmery golden/nude applied like a dream and stayed in place for my entire work day and well into the evening without fading or smudging. I’ve been wearing it daily, blending it from my lids into my crease. It gives me just enough color to make my eyes look bright and awake- without being too time consuming to use. I’m in love.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I was thrilled that I received a full size of this product, and will absolutely be re-purchasing when I run out of it. This is a pencil I would keep in my purse at all times, as it’s a great, long-lasting eye shadow that is suitable for everyday wear- but can also be used as a lovely highlighter, too.

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Product # 3: Camille Beckman Platinumé Gold Imperial Repair Hand Therapy ($20)

In the Summer months, my face gets more oily- but my hands feel dryer. How or why that happens, I’ll never know. Maybe it’s because Mother Nature is a cruel prankster, or maybe it’s because I spend more time outdoors and am frequently using hand sanitizer as a result (but let’s just blame Mother Nature for it for now, okay?) Either way- I tend to keep a rich hand cream or balm in my bag for those instances where my palms need a little extra T.L.C.

I was intrigued when I first opened this tube of hand cream, mainly because of it’s really refreshing citrus and floral scent- which was strong and stayed on me for quite a while- but wasn’t overpowering to the point of causing a headache. It was just a very pretty fragrance that I was frequently complimented on whenever I used this product. And the actual formula of the cream? Amazing. My hands felt so moisturized, so soft, and so relieved for hours. I was really impressed with how often I DIDN’T have to keep re-applying this stuff to maintain the results.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! This might legitimately be one of the best hand creams I’ve ever used. It was lightweight, worked wonders on my skin, smelled great, and lasted for a really long time. I would definitely purchase this in the future- and would also probably invest in the body lotion that is available in this collection, too.

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Product # 4: AYRES Patagonia Body Butter ($28)

If it wasn’t obvious by now, I am really picky when it comes to lotions/creams. I like my skin to feel nourished and moisturized without looking or feeling slick and greasy- and I also don’t like to be overloaded with chemicals, dyes, perfumes or anything that can cause a painful or damaging reaction. The more natural, the better. I’ve heard good things about AYRES products in the past, and was excited to receive a sample of their body butter in June’s GlossyBox. Sure enough, this formula- good for all skin types- sank into my skin when I applied it post-shower without leaving any kind of film or sheen behind. The texture of this product wasn’t heavy like other body butters I’ve tried in the past- which was also a bonus as it makes for a mess-free experience. My skin felt soft for hours and was lightly scented with a surprisingly relaxing combination of jasmine, rosemary, and a hint of patchouli. I enjoyed this very much.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! This is actually a great body butter for the Summer because of how lightweight in consistency it is. The butter is easy to apply, smells nice, is all-natural, and is full of antioxidants and vitamins that are good for my skin. Also? a full-sized tub is only $28. Awesome.

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Product # 5: STRANGEBEAUTIFUL Library of Color COLORBLOC ($18)

And lastly, with the Fourth approaching, GlossyBox made sure I was able to give myself a ‘MERICUH’N manicure with these two highly pigmented nail lacquers from STRANGEBEAUTIFUL. After one coat, my nails were vibrantly popping with the bright red and navy blue- but the photo above is after two coats and a top coat to seal the shades in- and I’m very pleased with the results. The polish dried quickly, and even after a lot of typing and everyday wear and tear, there’s been no smudging or chipping.

Do you know why? Do you?

BECAUSE THESE COLORS DON’T RUN.

Sorry. I had to say it.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I don’t know if I would necessarily purchase the same red and navy blue in the future, but I’m really enjoying the pigmentation and longevity of the formula of these lacquers and would love to try some of the other available shades.

With the exception of the pepper spray disguised as hairspray, I thoroughly enjoyed June’s GlossyBox. Through the “Stars & Stripes” box, I’ve discovered four products/brands I will be following/purchasing from in the future, and now with the eye shadow pencil and nail polish- I have everything I need to look pretty and patriotic on the Fourth of July!

Ipsy Bag: June 2014 Review.

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I never thought it would be possible to fall madly in love with a $10 a month subscription service, but here we are and here I am- very much smitten with Ipsy, who have been on a quality winning streak over the past few months. June’s bag, “Pretty in Paradise,” was already a hit for me just by the bag alone: a bright, Summery, tropical/floral print pouch- designed by Rebecca Minkoff– that I’ve been using as a makeshift wallet over the past few days.

What was inside the bag was even better.

What I Received:

Nicka K New York Shimmer Eyeliner (*Full Size!*)

NYX Butter Gloss in ‘Apple Strudel’ (*Full Size!*)

Realtree for Her Perfume Spray

Be A Bombshell ‘Lash Out’ Mascara (*Full Size!*)

Dove Pure Care Dry Oil Nourishing Treatment with African Macadamia Oil

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Product # 1: Nicka K New York Shimmer Eyeliner ($4.99)

The last time I received a liquid eyeliner in a subscription service, it was a bright purple one that had come in one of my GlossyBoxes. While the color was pretty for the whole five minutes it stayed put on my eyelid before things went downhill- the overall experience was a flaking, smudging mess- and I had vowed never to venture into the land of liquid eyeliners ever again. I was quite content with my gel and soft pencil liners.

When I first saw this bright, sparkling blue liquid liner with a very, VERY thin applicator- I wasn’t expecting much. In all actuality, I had even prepared myself for when it would inevitably flake off by bringing a makeup remover pen with me after I’d applied it (which was surprisingly easy and mess-free, by the way. Both of my lids came out nice, thin, and even in one sweep!) Instead, the liner stayed in place all. day. with no smudging, flaking, fading, or staining. I’m talking 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. of continuous wear. I was impressed, to say the least- and when I saw the other available colors this formula comes in, including two matte shades- I recanted, just a little- on my vow never to use liquid liners again.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! While I was admittedly a little concerned with the amount of shimmer this eyeliner seemed to have at first glance (it gave me flashbacks to some of my questionable makeup choices circa 2001/2002,) the color was actually quite lovely on my lids and in no way garish. It was just the right amount of pigment and sparkle.  Of course, as I’ve already stated- the longevity of this eyeliner is incredible, and for $4.99 a tube- you can’t go wrong. I would re-purchase this blue, as well as most of the other colors in the collection, too!

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Product # 2: NYX Butter Gloss in ‘Apple Strudel’ ($5)

With a name like ‘Apple Strudel,’ I had expected this gloss (which smells faintly like the dessert) to be more red than the bright peach/coral it actually was. With buildable coverage, this gloss applied like an absolute dream and felt wonderful on my lips- making them look and feel soft and smooth. The color, perfect for the Summer, lasted a considerable amount of time before I had to re-apply, but even after it had faded, my lips still felt hydrated and, well, buttery! This formula comes in a wide array of colors, all with fun, cute dessert names. I’m eyeing ‘Cherry Pie,’ ‘Tiramisu,’ and ‘Strawberry Parfait’ as we speak.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I’ve always been more of a lipstick kind of girl, but this gloss really won me over. This color complimented my skin tone, but more than anything- I loved the rich, moisturizing formula that left my lips silky and not sticky. Much like the Nicka K eyeliner I received in this month’s Ipsy bag- this was also an affordable find. You also can’t beat the $5 price tag. It’s a win/win.

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Product # 3: Realtree for Her Perfume Spray ($24.99)

I’ve developed a bit of a knack for detecting what notes are in certain fragrances just by one whiff, but this perfume spray from Realtree had me stumped when I spritzed some on me. At first, this fragrance smelled like a mix of florals and fruit, but as time wore on, it seemed to smell a bit more musky and heavy on my skin. It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing- but it was hard to pin down what exactly this perfume was going for. It did last for a very long time, though, which meant less re-applications were needed and that’s always a good thing- but this wasn’t exactly a fragrance I’d wear in the Summer. Maybe in the transitional months like in Spring and Fall- where I can get away with wearing a heavier perfume with a little more fruit/floral undertones to it.

Would I Purchase?: Maybe. While this perfume wasn’t bad by any means, it didn’t exactly “wow” me with it’s ever-changing notes. I don’t mind subtle changes in a perfume, but this one had completely shifted drastically after a couple of hours and I hadn’t been prepared for it. Thankfully, both the floral/fruit and the musky aspects of this perfume all smelled good- but I’m not sure it’s something I would make a point to wear on a regular basis.

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Product # 4: Be A Bombshell ‘Lash Out’ Mascara ($15)

I’ve been in need of a replacement mascara for a couple of weeks now, and was about to head off to Sephora this week to find one when this full-sized tube came in June’s Ipsy bag. I’m still on the fence when it comes to ‘Be A Bombshell’ cosmetics, having come across some hits, and some misses in the months they’ve teamed up with Ipsy. While I appreciated the long, cone-shaped brush of this mascara- which made for an easy application to all of my lashes (including the pesky ones by the inner corners of my eyes,) even after three coats- my lashes didn’t look particularly longer, fuller, or more dramatic. I tried it for a few days, just to be sure- but there was no improvement. Looks like it’s back to Sephora for me.

Would I Purchase?: No. This mascara didn’t give me any real noticeable results, even with multiple coats. The only upside to this formula- since overall it was a disappointing product- was that the mascara didn’t flake or smudge. It’s got longevity on it’s side, but that’s about it.

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Product # 5: Dove Pure Care Dry Oil Nourishing Treatment with African Macadamia Oil ($12.99)

My hair tends to get a little dry in the Summer, be it from days at the beach to my obsession with sea salt sprays- which means deep conditioning and hydration are a must to preserve my hair’s health, color, and curl. I typically stock up on hair masks and conditioners on a weekly basis, and my shower cap has become my best friend for overnight treatments. When I saw this small tube of Dove’s new color-safe treatment- infused with sunflower seed, almond, coconut, and macadamia oils- among others- I was pretty excited to give it a try.

I’ve been using this product in two ways. The first, as a nighttime mask after wetting and conditioning my hair. I rub some of this oil in my palms and run it through my still damp strands before I tie my hair up into a loose bun, cap it, and let it soak in overnight. When I wake up in the morning and rinse the oil out, my hair is silky smooth, and much easier to style.

The second way is as an actual daytime styling product, again after wetting and conditioning my hair. After I spritz in some of my sea salt spray, I rub just a little bit of this oil over my curls to keep them from drying out without diminishing or destroying the beachy, wavy look I covet so much this time of year. Again, my hair feels smooth and soft to the touch all day long.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! This is one of those great, versatile hair care products that won’t damage your strands or break your budget. This oil can be used sparingly for sleek styling, or generously for a deep, conditioning treatment. My hair looks and feels great after each use, and a little goes a long way- so I know when I purchase a full-sized bottle- I’d be getting my money’s worth.

With the exception of the mascara, and the perfume that I’m still undecided on- June’s Ipsy bag was a hit for me. Two of the three full-sized products I received I LOVED, and I was introduced to a great hair care treatment that I plan on incorporating into my Summer styling regimen in the coming weeks.

And again, the bag really is super pretty.

xox

GLOSSYBOX: May 2014 Review.

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After April’s shipping debacle, it seems GlossyBox is back on track- going above and beyond with May’s box- a collaboration with BERGDORF GOODMAN. Not only did subscribers receive six high-end samples covering skin care, hair care, and makeup- but we also got an added bonus in the form of a $25 BERGDORF GOODMAN gift card that can be used on any merchandise in store or online. I’ve been perusing their website over the past few days, debating on what I should apply my gift card towards, and I’m leaning towards a nice, thin scarf for when I travel this Summer- since it can get a little chilly on airplanes!

But enough about my indecisive shopping- let’s get to the samples.

What I Received:

Alterna Professional Haircare CAVIAR CC Cream for Hair 10-in-1 Complete Correction

Chantecaille Luminous Gloss in ‘Lychee’

Lancer Skincare Eye Contour Lifting Cream

Atelier Cologne Rose Anonyme Cologne Absolue

Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Skin Primer

RéVive Skincare Intensité Volumizing Eye Serum

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Product # 1: Alterna Professional Haircare CAVIAR CC Cream for Hair 10-in-1 Complete Correction ($25)

I’m a big fan of Alterna’s Bamboo line, since the styling products have given me fantastic results in the past. I’ve heard great things about their CAVIAR collection, too- but I’d never tried it ’til now. This lightweight cream, which provides multiple benefits such as frizz-control, anti-breakage, and UV protection, combed through my damp hair easily without weighing it down- and didn’t feel stiff once it had dried. My curls looked shiny and felt silky smooth to the touch- and stayed that way all day. The best thing about this product is that it can be used by itself. It doesn’t necessarily have to be paired or followed-up with anything to make my hair look and feel great.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I LOVED this cream. Just a small amount per use gave me incredible results in minutes, and the protection and nurturing benefits were only a plus. When I stock up on my Bamboo products, this will also be a must-have in my order. I highly recommend it for all hair types.

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Product # 2: Chantecaille Luminous Gloss in ‘Lychee’ ($34)

I am so ridiculously picky about lip glosses- especially ones that cost a pretty penny. If I’m spending more than a reasonable amount on a lip color- I expect mindblowing results. This $34 tube of bright pink pigment was described as being able to stay shiny for up to six hours while providing continuous hydration. If by “hydration,” they meant “stickiness,” then yes- that’s exactly what it did. My lips felt tacky for a couple of hours after I applied this gloss- and the color? It barely showed up. In order to get any of the pink to pop, I had to layer a ton of this stuff on. I wasn’t a fan, and this product is definitely not worth the price.

Would I Purchase?: No. This lip gloss was a total dud. Between the lack of color and the horrible sticky finish- I was disappointed in this one. From my own makeup collection, a good dupe of the color without all the fuss (but with SPF!) would be Clinique’s Long Last Glosswear in either the shade ‘Kissyfit’ or ‘Cabana Crush.’ The best part? Clinique’s is waaaay more affordable.

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Product # 3: Lancer Skincare Eye Contour Lifting Cream ($275)

I’ll give you a minute to get over the insane price tag on this one. Take your time. Believe me, when I found out- I needed a couple of minutes myself. Reluctantly breaking away from my $3 tub of Vaseline, I gave this light cream a try- gently patting it around my eye area before bed for a few nights. Admittedly, the cream felt a little weird when it started to sink in. It wasn’t painful or irritating by any means, but my eyes did water- if only slightly and very briefly. The mornings after each use, I have to say- the area around my eye looked smoother, and brighter. I was impressed.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! Okay, okay, hear me out. I would absolutely purchase this if I won the lottery- or if I had an excess of cash, didn’t have to worry about things like bills or keeping a roof over my head or food in my kitchen- and felt like being frivolous. This really is a good product that delivers quick results and if $275 was within my reasonable and rational price range to spend on a .85 oz bottle, I would do it.

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Product # 4: Atelier Cologne Rose Anonyme Cologne Absolue ($140)

When it comes to anything rose scented, I’m a little cautious. I love roses, and their fragrance is pleasant in moderation- but many times in perfumes or candles- it can easily cross the fine line between subtle and overwhelming. When I first sniffed the opened bottle of this perfume, it did seem a bit strong- but once it was on my skin, it smelled more like a beautiful blend of floral and musk. It was, in a word, intoxicating, and it stayed on me for hours and hours without fading- so multiple retouches weren’t necessary at all.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I don’t think I’d wear this perfume much during the day, since it seems a bit heavy for the office or when I’m out at brunch with friends, for example- but this would be a beautiful evening/night out perfume- and unlike a $275 eye cream, I wouldn’t feel guilty for splurging on this.

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Product # 5: Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Skin Primer ($45)

I don’t ask much when it comes to primer. Hold my makeup in place and don’t clog my pores- and we’re good. This particular formula, infused with Vitamin E and chamomile, not only held my makeup in place all day without causing any blackheads or breakouts- but it kept my skin looking and feeling soft and supple, too. As the description of the product stated, this primer helped my foundation ‘glide’ over my skin- giving me even, flawless, and long-lasting coverage. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful primer love affair.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I’ve tried a lot of primers over the years, but this is definitely one of my favorites. I liked the consistency, the ease in which it applied to my skin without drying me out (or making me look shiny,) and the way it held my makeup for hours. The price is a little steep, but a little goes a long way- so if and when I do purchase this in the future, I know it’s not a product I would run out of quickly.

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Product # 6: RéVive Skincare Intensité Volumizing Eye Serum ($350)

I know you’re probably still reeling from the $275 price tag of the other eye cream I received in May’s GlossyBox, so I’m sorry to throw this $350 one at you so soon. The final sample I received, and unquestionably, the most expensive of the bunch- was built up to be the crème de la crème of eye serums- capable of considerably diminishing dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines in no time at all. I half expected unicorns, rainbows, and a wish-granting leprechaun to pop out of the bottle the moment I opened it.

I applied this as instructed for a couple of nights (and on one occasion, I accidentally got some IN my eye and there are no words to properly describe how badly it burned,) only to wake up and be completely underwhelmed with the results. While my eye area did look a little brighter- it wasn’t nearly as effective as the Lancer eye cream. $350 for this? I’ll pass.

Would I Purchase?: No. This serum was all hype and minimal results. I wasn’t impressed with it at all.

Overall, May’s GlossyBox was a fun, if not extravagant experience. While I did find a couple of products that I would definitely consider splurging on- the others were simply nice to try. As far as the two samples I didn’t enjoy, however- they were more than made up for with the $25 gift card. Very, very cool.

Geek Chic Cosmetics: “This Isn’t A Democracy” Eye Shadows.

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I had mentioned it in a post last week, but in case anyone missed it- the lovely Imogen recently sent me the entire “This Isn’t A Democracy” Walking-Dead themed eye shadow collection from Geek Chic Cosmetics. It’s definitely not a secret by now that I love everything TWD-related, and I certainly love makeup, so the mash-up of the two brings me an indescribable amount of joy. As much as I wanted to wear all of these six shadows at once, I paced myself- limiting my eyes to one color per day so that I could get the best sense of application, pigmentation, and longevity for each one individually.

Geek Chic Cosmetics, a vegan and cruelty-free company based out of Oregon, was founded and is run by Chantel, Deb, and Phil. They have a wide array of eye, lip, face, and body products with “geeky” themes and collections geared towards different fandoms- like ‘Sherlock’ and ‘Lord of the Rings,’ among others. Browsing their site is a lot of fun and I fully plan on purchasing some of the stuff from their other collections soon.

But first, let’s talk about “This Isn’t A Democracy.” For $5.99 per shadow ($1.25 per sample,) these shades come packed in a nice round pot with an image of Rick Grimes, gun in hand and Carl’s future hat on his head, overlooking what’s left of Atlanta. If the packaging wasn’t enough to sell me on this collection- the names of the colors included in it absolutely did.

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Shade # 1: “We’re All Infected”

From Geek Chic’s website: “Yeah, Rick, that’s approximately number one on the list of things I’d want to know. A bright blue teal with violet interference and sparkle, darkens when wet to also make a great eyeliner. Can stain.”

This deep and dramatic teal was the first shade from this collection that I tried, and with it’s rich pigmentation and glitter- my eyes definitely popped! As someone with very blue eyes, I’ve been told that blues and aquas are shades to be avoided with shadows and liners- but this color was beautiful and definitely something I’d wear for a bold look during a night out, or blended with one of my golden shadows for a more subtle, Summer-y/beachy daytime look.

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Shade # 2: “He’s Korean”

From Geek Chic’s website: “You got some balls for a chinaman.” Daryl figured it out eventually, okay. A ruby pearl shadow with soft golden shimmer.”

One of the best throwback lines to Season 1 came in the form of Daryl Dixon, who had previously disregarded Glenn’s ethnicity way back when, bluntly correcting his big brother Merle by telling him Glenn wasn’t, in fact, Chinese- in the second half of Season 3. It’s also the name of this beautiful (and very sparkly!) rose-hued shadow that didn’t look too dark on my lids. This is a gorgeous neutral color that is suitable for daytime wear, but please be advised- this shade has a LOT of sparkle- so be sure to gently sweep a clean powder brush under your lower lids and along your cheekbones to collect any fall-out.

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Shade # 3: “You Best Pray I’m Dead”

From Geek Chic’s website: “Am I the only zen one around here?” Definitely most likely to survive a zombie apocalypse. It’s good to be the fan favorite. A survivalist badass with a soft nougaty center. Aww. Golden green with a subtle red glow.”

Although this shadow is described as having a subtle red glow- I couldn’t see it at all. On my lids, this shade looked like a light mint green/gold. It was considerably lighter and less sparkly than the previous two shadows, but still noticeable. I liked that I could wear this shade by itself for a subtle hint of color, or blend it with other shadows to create bright, fun looks for work.

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Shade # 4: “I Ain’t A Judas”

From Geek Chic’s website: “I know how the safety works.” Andrea stuck to her ethics and trusted her gut. Unfortunately, and it got her labeled untrustworthy by all sides and got her killed in the end. It’s okay, she’s still alive and well in the comic. A soft silver with golden interference and copper sparks.

Comic Andrea > Show Andrea. With that fact out of the way, this was another lighter, less-sparkly shade that, like “You Best Pray I’m Dead,” is tame enough to be worn during the day all by itself- or blended with other eye shadow shades. Personally, I think this is the perfect grey to use when creating a classic smokey eye since it’s not too dark or loaded with glitter.

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Shade # 5: “Clementine Will Remember”

From Geek Chic’s website: “So often, games saddle us with with kid characters that are basically luggage who exist solely to artificially inflate tension. Clem broke the mold and made our hearts melt every time we had to dash her tenuous hopes, either on purpose or when our thumbs “slipped”… either way, Clem will remember that. Steel grey and packed full of red, gold, and copper sparks. A color to remember.”

I think I may have actually wailed when I saw the name of this shadow, because Telltale’s “Walking Dead” game, and specifically the horrors and devastating losses poor little Clementine has had to face through each episode- has pretty much destroyed me. This shade, venturing back into the darker, more pigmented territory- was a very cool looking grey/black with multi-colored sparkles that showed up brilliantly in the light. I plan on blending this with “I Ain’t A Judas” to create that classic smokey eye I was talking about.

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Shade # 6: “Stay in the House, Carl”

From Geek Chic’s website: “He’s definitely not in the house. Try out by the swamp near the loose zombies. Unsupervised. A luscious chocolate brown with copper and golden highlights.”

And finally, my favorite named shadow in this collection. This color, while dark and without a lot of glitter or sheen, looked really pretty around my blue eyes. This would be a phenomenal color to use in the fall, but I think the hint of gold/bronze in this shadow would make for a very pretty dramatic, nighttime look for the Summer.

Overall, I really enjoyed “This Isn’t A Democracy” as a whole. The shadows were pigmented, applied easily and evenly, and lasted all day without fading, smudging, creasing, or flaking. I like that I can mix and match the shades, the lighter ones and the darker, bolder ones- to create different looks as opposed to being stuck with a cluster of difficult colors that are near impossible to work with or blend. I will say that if you are not a fan of sparkle, you might want to steer clear of shades like “He’s Korean” and “We’re All Infected,” both of which are very glittery. I loved the look of them, however- and any excess could be easily fixed in no time at all.

And with all that being said, count me among the newest fans of Geek Chic Cosmetics. They’re fun, affordable, and their eye shadows are really good quality. I’m already compiling a list of some of their other products and collections I want to try soon!

And thanks so much again to my beautiful, sweet, and amazing friend Imogen for sending me these shadows!

Ipsy Bag: May 2014 Review.

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One of the things I love about Ipsy is that they aren’t afraid to mix it up. One month I may receive a bag that consists mostly of makeup, then the next month- it’s all about hair care- and so on. I never feel like I’m receiving too much of the same types of products month after month, which means I rarely get bored.

While May’s bag did include both a cosmetic and hair care product, three out of the five focused on skincare. The bag itself, a cute leaf-printed pouch, was made with really soft material and will most certainly be used again in the future.

What I Received:

derma e Microdermabrasion Scrub

Pacifica Mineral Eyeshadow Duo

Hang Ten Classic Sport SPF50

Lulu Blossom Dreamsicle Body Balm (*FULL SIZE!*)

Eva NYC Rock-a-Wave Curl Cream (*FULL SIZE!*)

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Product # 1: derma e Microdermabrasion Scrub ($32.50)

In April’s Ipsy Bag, I had received a dr. brandt microdermabrasion scrub that I had really liked despite it’s high price tag. This scrub, which is half the cost of the dr. brandt one- is also identical to it- right down to it’s lemon scent. I have combination skin that is prone to occasional breakouts, especially in the more hot and humid months- so these types of products are phenomenal for clearing out my pores and sloughing away any dead skin and bacteria once or twice a week. This particular scrub gave me great results. My skin felt smooth, soft, clean, and refreshed after each use- and the cost is a lot kinder on my wallet than the previous microdermabrasion product I’d received from Ipsy.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I’d actually purchase this scrub instead of the dr. brandt one, not because it isn’t a great product- but because this derma e scrub is less costly, but gives the same fantastic results. I highly recommend this for anyone who needs a little something extra in terms of exfoliation and deep-cleansing for their skin.

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Product # 2: Pacifica Mineral Eyeshadow Duo ($14- $17 for Full-Sized Palettes)

At first glance, I thought the color combination of this duo- a pearl/white sheen and a light purple- was a little odd, and I wasn’t entirely sure if it would look good on my eyes. Fortunately, the shades weren’t too dark, and when blended, gave me a subtle smoky eye that I could wear during the day- including to the office. The downside was that blending this shadow proved to be a task in itself. The colors in this duo aren’t really pigmented that much, and I found myself having to keep applying more and more of each shade to get it to show up on my lids at all.

In terms of longevity, the shadow lasted most of the day with primer- and I didn’t notice any fading or fall-out along the outer corners of my eyes until much later on in the evening (after I’d applied it early in the morning,) so that was another positive aspect of the shadow I was pleased with. Unfortunately, the finished look and the long-lasting formula doesn’t lessen my disappointment with the difficulty I had applying it.

Would I Purchase?: No. I like Pacifica’s body creams, and I’ve heard great things about their perfumes and skin care (although I haven’t tried them for myself yet,) but this eye shadow was so poorly pigmented and the amount of time it took to get it to not only show up, but to blend properly- was frustrating. I’ll stick with my Urban Decay palettes for now.

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Product # 3: Hang Ten Classic Sport SPF50 ($12.99)

One of the most valuable lessons I learned early on in life was to always wear sunscreen. Another valuable lesson, one that I learned the hard way a couple of years ago after a day-long excursion at the beach that resulted in the worst full-body sunburn I’d ever experienced and a week’s worth of being bedridden with sun poisoning- was to always make sure your sunscreen hadn’t expired before you put it on. I replace my bottles often and do expiration date checks regularly for that very reason. I like high level SPFs, so when I saw this colorful tube of SPF50 in May’s Ipsy bag, I was pretty happy.

This waterproof formula, which is free of harmful chemicals or added fragrances- sank into my skin easily and didn’t make me feel or look oily and sticky. I applied this on all of my exposed skin before a recent all-day outing in the sun- and didn’t get burned or red at all. Success!

Would I Purchase?: Yes! With Summer just around the corner, and a week-long trip to Southern California looming not too far in the distance, I’m going to need to stock up on more SPF to get me through the sunny days. This Hang Ten sunscreen is fairly priced and does exactly what it’s supposed to. I have a feeling I’ll be ordering a full-sized bottle soon.

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Product # 4: Lulu Blossom Dreamsicle Body Balm ($10)

Why, oh why, haven’t I heard of LuLu Blossom Cosmetics before now? Natural and vegan? Cute packaging? Even cuter product names? It’s like everything I love about independent cosmetic brands rolled into one- with the added bonus of smelling amazing, too. This non-greasy, all-purpose balm, in a convenient little tin, smelled just like an orange creamsicle- so naturally I wanted to slather it all over myself. Luckily, the balm is pretty solid, which means no mess and no wasting the product by accidentally taking more than necessary, either. A little goes a long way- and I managed to moisturize my elbows, knees, cuticles- and even tame a few frizzy flyaways- with just a couple of dabs from the tin. This is definitely another “perfect for traveling” product.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! As much as I love a good body cream or lotion, this balm is really convenient- not only for travel, but for the multiple ways it can be used, too. I really liked that it was instantly hydrating, but didn’t leave any kind of film on my skin or in my hair, and more than anything- I really, really liked the citrus/vanilla fragrance- which is very Summer-y.

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Product # 5: Eva NYC Rock-a-Wave Curl Cream ($8)

When it comes to hair styling, I look for products that won’t weigh my curls down or make them look and feel stiff or crunchy. It wasn’t easy- but I’ve found a handful of go-to styling creams and sprays that have worked wonders for me over the years. I’m never opposed to trying new products or new brands, of course- so I didn’t hesitate to scrunch this lightly cocoa-scented cream through my freshly washed hair while it was still damp, letting it air dry, and hoping for the best.

The result was soft, manageable curls that were refreshingly crunch and frizz-free (thanks in part to the Argan Oil, I’m sure.) My hair looked shiny- not slimy- and felt hydrated and conditioned. I have a feeling this product will join my collection of keepers.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! For $8 a bottle, I would definitely purchase this in the future- and probably in bulk. I have thick hair, but I achieved great results using only about a half-dollar sized amount of this cream. I couldn’t stop touching my curls after each use.

May’s Ipsy bag was a hit for me. I really liked four out of the five products I received (and loved the bag!) and was introduced to a couple of new brands I plan on exploring more in the future- which is really what beauty box subscription services are all about.

GLOSSYBOX: April 2014 Review.

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Oh, GlossyBox, what can I say about you that hasn’t already been said? Some months, you blow me away with the quality and value of what you send me (March’s box was a perfect example of that.) Other months, I’m underwhelmed- but one thing always stays consistent- your shipping method is downright stressful. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve grown accustomed to being charged for my box at the beginning of the month, only to receive it weeks later, sometimes at the beginning of the following month- but April’s shipping was pretty much a disaster. From my understanding, the boxes were sent out at the last possible second before billing began for May, and trying to track them was near impossible.

GlossyBox, I love you- I do! I’ve been introduced to so many wonderful brands and products through your service (and $21 a month is a steal!) but you’ve got to get your shipping under control. I don’t expect it to always be perfect, because things happen and that’s life- but there needs to be some improvement, if only a little bit to keep subscribers in the loop on the status of their stuff!

Anyway, I DID eventually receive April’s box, so let’s get to it.

What I Received:

Caldrea Tea Olive Lime Body Wash

Bellápierre Cosmetics Super Gloss in ‘Vanilla Pink’ (*FULL SIZE!*)

Ciaté London Paint Pot Nail Polish in ‘Twinset and Pearls’ (*FULL SIZE!*)

Aqua Spa Relax Body Crème

LA Splash Cosmetics Eyeshadow Sealer/Base (*FULL SIZE!*)

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Product # 1: Caldrea Tea Olive Lime Body Wash ($18)

I can appreciate any product that smells like a dessert, so when I first caught a whiff of this foaming body wash, which reminded me of Key lime pie- I was pretty excited to try it out. The wash itself lathered up nicely, and paired with the lime fragrance, which wasn’t too overpowering- it was actually really refreshing. My skin felt hydrated and smooth- and stayed that way long after my shower.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! This is one of those products that I’d not only love to have for myself, but available for guests, as well- and it would also make a wonderful gift. I really liked the fragrance (I’m a big fan of anything citrus,) but I especially loved how soft- but cleansed- my skin felt after each use.

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Product # 2: Bellápierre Cosmetics Super Gloss in ‘Vanilla Pink’ ($24.50)

When I saw this tube of rosy-neutral lip gloss upon opening April’s GlossyBox, I wasn’t exactly excited, and was already prepared to be blasé about how it looked on my lips. Whenever cosmetic subscription services send any kind of lip color, nine times out of ten- it’s a rose/neutral- and it can get sort of boring after a while! Regardless, I opted to give it a chance- and I’m certainly glad I did! This vanilla-scented gloss, packed with vitamin E and moisturizing oils, applied smoothly, not sticky- and left a slightly-frosted finish that didn’t look too shiny or sparkly. It was just right, and didn’t wash me out.

I loved the way this product looked and felt, but there was only one downside- the longevity. This gloss didn’t last nearly as long as I would have hoped, and multiple re-applications were necessary to keep the color on my lips.

Would I Purchase?: Maybe. I really did love the overall quality of this gloss, from the color to the finish to how soft it made my lips feel- but it’s lack of staying power is a near deal-breaker for me. If Bellápierre Cosmetics could re-formulate this so that it had the same texture and consistency, but lasted twice as long- I’d buy it in a heartbeat for sure!

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Product # 3: Ciaté London Paint Pot Nail Polish in ‘Twinset and Pearls’ ($15)

I’ve heard a lot of good things about Ciaté nail polishes before, but had never actually tried them until I received this bottle in April’s GlossyBox. At first glance, I thought the packaging was simply adorable (look at the little bow! Just look at it!) and the pearl color of the lacquer seemed really pretty. When it came time to get a proper manicure this weekend, I brought this product with me- and although the polish applied easily enough and dried quickly, I was a little disappointed with how transparent this particular color looked on my nails, like I had nothing on them at all! Ciaté is advertised as being highly pigmented, so I was a bit let-down with this one.

Would I Purchase?: No. Don’t get me wrong- I would LOVE to try some of the other beautiful shades Ciaté has to offer, but I wouldn’t purchase “Twinset and Pearls” again. It did absolutely nothing for me.

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Product # 4: Aqua Spa Relax Body Crème ($9.99)

Having run out of my hand lotion earlier this week, I was relieved to find a nice (albeit slightly warped) travel-sized tube of hand/body cream in my April box to use as a replacement. This rich cream smells heavenly- truly relaxing and therapeutic- and sank into my skin without leaving behind any kind of film or greasy residue. My hands felt intensely moisturized and soft for hours, and the fragrance lasted just as long. Even now as I type this, I can still smell traces of the lavender! I think this would be a great before-bed body cream to hydrate the skin and calm the mind. It’s lovely.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! Like the body wash I received in April’s box, this is another universally awesome product that I’d not only keep for myself, but purchase to gift to others, too. The moisturizing benefits of this cream are fantastic, but so is the aromatherapy!

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Product # 5: LA Splash Cosmetics Eyeshadow Sealer/Base ($8.99)

I’m a stickler for my Urban Decay Primer Potion. It’s worked well for me for years, and I’ve never really had a reason to venture to other eye shadow primers because of it. I’m never opposed to trying something new, however, and seeing that this primer had a convenient doe foot applicator for mess-free precision- I gave it a go and hoped for the best.

So here’s the good news: this primer held my eye shadow in place all day. I mean all. day. There was no creasing, no fading, and no flaking. My shadow didn’t budge and looked freshly applied from morning ’til night. Great, right?

The bad news? Applying this stuff was a nightmare. It was sticky, like glue, and felt heavy on my lids even after it had dried- and even though it held my shadow in place, actually applying and blending the shadow on top of this product was a process all in itself since the consistency of the primer was so tacky. Yikes.

Would I Purchase?: No. Despite the fact that this primer packs a powerful punch in terms of all-day wear, actually getting this product on my eyelids- comfortably, mind you- was such a hassle that it outweighs the good aspects. I’ll stick with my Urban Decay Primer Potion, thank you!

The shipping debacle aside, I liked April’s GlossyBox. The body wash and body cream were big hits, and even the lip gloss was nice, despite it not lasting all that long on my lips- so three out of five products having favorable reviews isn’t bad at all. May’s box, a collaboration with Bergdorf Goodman, is shaping up to (hopefully) be a great collection of products, so I’m looking forward to that. Fingers crossed that it arrives before mid-June!

Ipsy Bag: April 2014 Review.

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Happy Easter! Before I head out to spend the afternoon with my family and eat half my body weight in chocolate rabbits and Cadbury cream eggs, I wanted to write about April’s Ipsy bag, themed “Beauty Rocks!” (just in time for festival season.) Included in the samples and products I received this month was the Coastal Scents Medium Eye Shadow Brush. Since I already have enough makeup brushes to last me a lifetime (and then some,) I opted to give the brush to a friend instead of only using it once- solely to write about it- and passing it on. Hence, there won’t be a review for it in this post.

Makeup brushes are pretty easy to review, anyway- so even though this post will be short by one of the usual five products I typically receive with the Ipsy subscription service- the other four products I did keep for myself were still a lot of fun to try!

What I Received:

dr. brandt microdermabrasion

Elizabeth Mott pop! goes the shadow in “Champagne” (*FULL SIZE!*)

Starlooks Luscious Longwear Lip Pencil in “Naked” (*FULL SIZE!*)

Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil in “Black Velvet”

Not Pictured:

Coastal Scents Medium Shadow Brush (*FULL SIZE!*)

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Product # 1: dr. brandt microdermabrasion ($78)

Every night, after I remove my makeup and before I go about my usual skin care regimen, I use a gentle cream-based exfoliating scrub to clear out my pores of any dirt or makeup my facial towelettes may have missed. When I first opened this small tube of microdermabrasion cream, with a subtle lemon scent and a texture similar to my daily facial scrub- I anticipated achieving the same results.

After massaging this cream into my cleansed (and slightly damp) skin for a few minutes, as directed on the tube, I rinsed my face and was pleasantly surprised with how much more soft and smooth my skin felt- and how my pores seemed to have shrank in no time at all! While I do still love my scrub, this is a great product to use every few days/nights for extra exfoliation without drying or stripping my skin the way masks or harsher scrubs tend to do.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! While the $78 price tag is a little staggering, I really liked the results I had with this product, and I wouldn’t be opposed to buying a full-sized tube for weekly use. I love the crisp, clean fragrance of the cream, the easy application- and most of all- how great my skin feels and looks after each time I use it.

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Product # 2: Elizabeth Mott pop! goes the shadow in “Champagne” ($12.99)

Even though I have some truly beautiful eye shadow palettes in my collection that include lighter, brightening shades- I can never have enough highlighter shadows- especially for the days where I don’t want to wear a lot of eye makeup but don’t want my eyes to look dark and dreary, either.

Enter this shimmery, nude, single powder shadow from Elizabeth Mott. “Champagne” applied easily- with no flaking or creasing- and stayed put all day and well into the night with a primer. I’ve been wearing it all over my lids and up to my brow for the past few days at work and while running errands- and it definitely brightens up my eyes without making me look too glittery. It’s just a nice, natural shade that I plan on incorporating with my palettes.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! The “POP!’ collection features two other, darker colors as well- both of which look nice for achieving a dramatic eye- but I think “Champagne” will be one of my go-to’s when I ultimately decide to re-stock on eye shadows and highlighters in the future. It’s just a beautiful, complimentary shade on me.

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Product # 3: Starlooks Luscious Longwear Lip Pencil in “Naked” ($14)

When it comes to lip liner, I rarely (if ever) use it. I’m very much a lipstick-n’-leave, gloss-n’-go kind of girl, and lip liners are reserved for special occasions or formal affairs where I know I won’t have time for mirror checks or touch-up breaks. I decided to give this creamy liner from Starlooks a go, however- and while I was pretty impressed with the overall pigmentation (the color was WAY more pink than nude, though,) it didn’t seem to last long before it eventually pooled towards the outer edges of my lips- creating a ring of sorts around my mouth- and then faded completely.

The photo above was taken shortly after I lined my lips with “Naked,” filled them in with the color, and then applied a light layer of neutral gloss to try and tone down the garish baby doll pink. It didn’t work too well, and ultimately this liner washed me out.

Would I Purchase?: No. Between the unflattering color itself, and it’s inability to stay in place or last longer than an hour at the most- I’ll pass on this liner and just keep on with my usual way of wearing lip colors. This product was, unfortunately, a dud for me.

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Product # 4: Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil in “Black Velvet” ($20)

When it comes to eye liners, one of my favorite brands to turn to is Urban Decay. Their pencil liners are soft, pigmented, and they last a really, really long time- much longer than competitors brands. I’d heard of the “Black Velvet” liner, but had yet to try it, so I was pretty excited when I received a travel-sized pencil in April’s Ipsy bag.

Much to my surprise- the pencil was hard, almost rough, against my eyelid, resulting in the color not applying evenly at all. Not only that, but within a couple of hours, the liner had flaked down so badly from my lids onto my cheeks that when I unconsciously brushed  the back of my hand along my face to push some hair away from my eyes, the flaked eyeliner smeared all over my cheekbones- giving me weird black flecks and streaks on my skin.

Not even before the end of the day, the liner had run down the outer corner of my eye, flaked something awful, and was pretty much everywhere on my face except for where I had initially applied it. To say I was disappointed was an understatement.

Would I Purchase?: No. Absolutely not- which is a shame considering how much I like and swear by Urban Decay’s products. This liner was just terrible. I’d advise staying far, far away from the “Velvet” stuff and just use a black pencil from one of their regular “Glide-On” liner collections, instead. You’ll get better application, pigmentation, and longevity from those.

So April’s bag featured two great products, two not-so-great ones, and a nice gift for a friend. Overall, I wasn’t blown away with this month’s assortment of products, although I may be a bit spoiled since the past couple of Ipsy bags I’ve received this year have been beyond great. I’m just hoping May’s bag picks up the slack from April’s.

And my April Loot Crate and GlossyBox should be on their way shortly!

P.S.- Have you entered my Spring Giveaway yet?

Spring Giveaway!

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With a few beautiful days behind me and the promise of even sunnier, warmer ones ahead- I thought I’d celebrate this beautiful and much-anticipated season by doing a giveaway for one lucky U.S-based “Legally Redhead” reader to make their Springtime even more sensational!

I am giving away a pre-paid three-month subscription to one of the following subscription services:

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For The Beauty Buff:

The Service: GlossyBox

The Price: $21 per month.

What It Is: GlossyBox is a beauty and makeup subscription service. They send out 4-5 deluxe and full size beauty products each month.

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For The Geek & Gamer:

The Service: Loot Crate

The Price: $19.37 per month.

What It Is: Loot Crate is monthly subscription service “for geeks and gamers.” Each month they send you collectibles, stickers, (sometimes t-shirts) and other fun items.

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For The Foodie:

The Service: Yumvelope

The Price: $21 per month

What It Is: Yumvelope sends out some of the best-tasting artisanal food products to their customers monthly. $21 gets you a large USPS padded envelope sent to you filled with a minimum of six full-size products, including snacks, drinks, desserts, and chocolates.

Sound good? I certainly hope so!

This giveaway is going to run from today (April 15th) through Tuesday, April 29th at 11:59 P.M. EST., after which a winner will be randomly chosen via the giveaway’s Rafflecopter page. From there, I will contact the winner privately so I can set them up with the three-month subscription of their choice (please remember: the choices are between GlossyBox, Loot Crate, and Yumvelope.)

And now, for the most important part:

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Comment on this post with your first name, your e-mail address, and which of the three subscription services you’d like to try the most. (comment moderation is turned on to avoid spambots- but rest assured I will absolutely approve yours a.s.a.p!)

2. You can also tweet about the giveaway- but please provide a link to this post in your tweet.

3. Visit the giveaway’s Rafflecopter page to verify you’ve commented and/or tweeted. This is essential, because I am choosing the winner via Rafflecopter’s random selection process- and I want to be sure everyone gets a fair chance by having their entries show up accurately!

That’s it! Good luck to everyone who enters!

Side note: Don’t fret, readers outside the U.S! When this giveaway is done, I will be having another one (with a similar prize) especially for you shortly afterwards. I am in the process of researching subscription services that provide shipment to other countries (and I always welcome suggestions!)

Any questions/concerns can be sent to me directly at AshleyDeLarge@gmail.com

xox

Just For Redheads Beauty Products Review.

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If my pictures (or at least the title of this blog) weren’t enough of an indication, I have bright red hair and very fair skin- and while I love the head-turning combination of the two, it makes buying flattering cosmetics a little tricky at times. It’s easy for some beauty products to wash me out- or worse- make me look orange. It’s even easier for certain colors of eye shadows or lipsticks to cause me to not only stumble, but trip and fall completely over the line between “natural’ and “character out of a Tim Burton movie” with little to no effort at all. I have to tread carefully when trying new cosmetics, as made evident by my beauty box subscription reviews over the months.

I was recently contacted by Just For Redheads Beauty Products, a cosmetics company based out of Arizona that specialize in skincare, hair care, and makeup for- you guessed it- redheads. Founded by Paula Pennypacker in 1993, Just For Redheads, or “JFR” for short, have a wide array of products at reasonable, affordable prices for fiery-haired females like myself to help us achieve both natural, everyday makeup looks, as well as less-harsh dramatic looks, too. Their hair care is col0r-safe, and the nourishing shampoos and conditioners contain sunscreen to help protect sensitive scalps and prevent reds from fading. Not only that, JFR have an assortment of nail polishes, brushes, and beauty tools, too. They’ve been featured in PEOPLE Magazine, the LA Times, and on the Lifetime Network, among other media. Best of all? They ship internationally- so lovely redheads outside of the U.S. can get their hands on these products, too!

I was asked if I’d be interested in trying some of their products, and of course I jumped at the chance! My bundle of stuff arrived quicker than I anticipated, and I was beyond excited to dive right in and use everything. All of the products I received were full-sized, and came with an emery board and two pencil sharpeners (which I’m especially thankful for, because I have a habit of misplacing my sharpeners constantly.)

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Cream Shadow Eye Lighter in “Antique Brass”

First things first- I loved the silky texture of this combination nude/soft gold shadow. It wasn’t too hard or too “crumbly” the way other cream shadows can be on contact. It applied smoothly, and gave me just enough color where I could wear it on it’s own for a subtle hint of shimmer, build it to a slightly more noticeable smoky eye, or use it as a base to create a different look all together. I DO recommend using a primer with this product, as I do with all shadows (even the cream ones.) My eyelids are more on the oily side, so wearing this shadow all by itself with no primer caused it to crease in no time at all. With a primer, however- it stayed in place comfortably for hours without budging or fading.

This particular formula of shadow comes in ten different shades, all of them lovely, but I feel “Antique Brass” would also be most suitable for highlighting he brow bone, too. It’s just a great, versatile color.

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"Baroque"

“Baroque”

"Sienna"

“Sienna”

(*PLEASE NOTE: I’m wearing my green contact lenses in the photos above. The colors of the liners appear similar against the natural blue of my eyes, as well.*)

Ultimate Gel Eye Liners in “Baroque” and “Sienna”

Give me gel eyeliner in a pencil form, and I will give you my money. Like the cream shadow, these pencils were incredibly silky- and not at all irritating on my delicate eyelid (they have Vitamin E and Jojoba Oil in them, which may explain that.) The colors: “Baroque,” a beautiful, shiny pewter shade, and “Sienna,” a less shiny, deep brown- applied without fuss or smudging. If the pigmentation of the shades or mess-free and smooth application weren’t enough to win me over, then the lasting power definitely did it. These liners stayed in place all day without fading, flaking, or running down underneath my eye. I was thrilled.

This type of eyeliner only comes in these two shades right now, but I’m hoping JFR add more selections soon because I love these  so much. Between the two, I’d have to say my favorite shade is “Baroque,” if only because of the shimmer it has and the way it seems to brighten my whole eye area- but I’ve been wearing both colors regularly since I’ve received them.

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Mascara Voyage in “Ginger Auburn”

While I have overall fair features, my eyebrows and eyelashes have always been on the darker side. As such, I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to wear dramatic amounts of black mascara and pull it off (at least I’d like to think so.) From past experience, I need quite a few brush strokes of brown or brown/black mascara to get it to show up on me. This mascara, a medium-brown, and with a tapered brush to get to those pesky corner lashes, did require more than a couple swipes- and the result was a very natural, very subtle look I thought would be appropriate for work or for those “au naturale” makeup days.

Application wise, this mascara didn’t clump or flake everywhere, and although I’ve become so accustomed to the dramatic, false-lash look, I can see myself wearing this during the day in the office. This formula comes in four shades, and I think if I were to purchase one in the future- I would probably go one shade darker, just to match my eyelashes a little more closely.

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Brow Tint in “Auburn”

When I first unscrewed the cap of this brow tint, I was a little concerned with how light it appeared on the mascara-style-brush. As I’ve mentioned, my brows and eyelashes are on the darker side, so I was worried that this would make them look strange. Even still, I wanted to try it. I applied the tint gingerly, gradually adding more when I saw how well the color blended with my brows. When I was done, my eyebrows looked fuller, even, and most importantly- natural. There was no weird residue left behind, or stiffness to the touch. I think out of everything I received in my JFR care package, this product was the most pleasantly surprising. At first glance, I never would have guessed the color would have looked so good.

This formula comes in three shades, “Auburn” being the medium between the other two available colors.

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Clockwise from top left: Beachy, Sultry, Chestnut, and Desir.

Clockwise from top left: Beachy, Sultry, Chestnut, and Desir.

Auburn Mineral Lipstick Kit

Finally, to go with my assortment of eye products, JFR sent me this lipstick/balm compact that fits perfectly in my makeup bag. The colors, selected specifically for those with Auburn hair, are universally flattering and range between the light nude “Chestnut,’ to the subtle pink “Beachy,” to the deeper, more dramatic “Desir,” and finally, the bold and bright “Sultry.” The lipsticks, applied with a brush, were hydrating and non-sticky, and lasted for a really long time. I only had to re-apply once or twice throughout the day, and my lips didn’t feel dry or cracked even after the color wore off. These balms didn’t leave behind any kind of stain or ring around the edges of my lips, either- which is always a plus.

There are two types of these compacts: “Auburn” and “Strawberry Blonde” (lighter shades.) From the “Auburn” compact, I think my favorite color by far is “Chestnut.” I love a good nude color, and this one was fantastic.

Overall, I am so, so pleased with everything I received from JFR. This is a great line for women with red hair and/or fair skin who have been searching for alternatives for more natural-looking, quality beauty products that won’t break the bank or give undesirable results. I’m so appreciative for the opportunity to write up this review. I greatly enjoyed trying everything that was sent to me- and look forward to making purchases from the brand in the future. Thanks, JFR!*

*I do not work for Just For Redheads Beauty Products, nor am I being paid by JFR for this review. All opinions in this post are entirely my own.*

xx

GLOSSYBOX: March 2014 Review.

Comments 5 Standard

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This past weekend has been a strange one. On Saturday morning, while heading down the walkway towards my driveway and my car, I slipped on a patch of ice that had accumulated when the melting snow pooled and froze overnight. Now, I’m no stranger to taking a tumble. I’ve lost my footing enough times to know what a sprained tailbone or scraped knees feel like- but this time, I fell forward onto my face. Luckily, I had the mind to put my hands out in front of me to try and break my fall, if only a little, but I still managed to successfully smash my mouth and nose off of the back of my hands- resulting in quite the nosebleed and the slight shifting of my two front teeth from the force of the impact.

When the blood was rinsed away and the initial shock wore off, I noticed a small gap between my front teeth that hadn’t been there before. In fact, I hadn’t seen that gap since I was 13 (the year I got braces,) and it’s unexpected return resulted in a call to my dentist and the setting up of a couple of appointments within the next couple of weeks for x-rays and procedures to fix the damage. I was briefly on a precautionary diet of soft foods only (i.e.- soup, pudding, and instant breakfast mixes,) but have since gone back to eating regular food as the swelling goes down and the cuts on the inside of my mouth begin to heal.

Mind the gap! A few hours after my initial faceplant- sans-blood everywhere.

Mind the gap!
A few hours after my initial faceplant- sans-blood everywhere.

Despite some soreness and general nervousness at the possibility of having to have any kind of surgery, even if it’s minor, I’m not without humor about the situation. I’ve been embracing my temporary Georgia May Jagger/Vanessa Paradis’ tooth-gap while I have it, and my friends (and my mom!) have been so good at keeping my spirits up. I’d originally had a date on Saturday night with Troy to see the new Muppets movie and get ice cream- the Muppets being my idea, of course, and the ice cream being his- and obviously that was postponed- but he was a good sport about it and unbelievably compassionate. I’m hoping to re-schedule soon.

My March GlossyBox arrived last Friday, and with a few quiet days at home as I recovered from my accident, I decided to make the most of my unplanned time off and have some fun with the products I received.

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This month’s GlossyBox came with an extra surprise in the form of a beautiful bangle bracelet from Alex and Ani. I own two A&A bracelets, the “Aunt” charm from my niece, brother, and sister-in-law- and a skeleton key charm from my aunt and uncle. I love them both, and this swan charm will be a nice addition to the collection.

WHAT I RECEIVED:

Alex and Ani “Scent 7” Soap Bar (*Full Size!*)

Alterna Haircare’s Bamboo Volume “Plumping Strand Expand”

Nails, Inc. Nail Polish in “Brook Street”

Sisley: Paris’ Black Rose Cream Mask

Etre Belle Cosmetics Anti-Aging Liplift Peel (*Full Size!*)

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Product # 1: Alex and Ani “Scent 7” Soap Bar ($14)

Alex and Ani really went all out in March’s GlossyBox, first with the charm bracelet, and then with this full-sized bar of soap from their new “Scent 7” collection. I’m a sucker for pretty soaps, and this one was particularly luxurious- not only because of how nice it smelled (like the perfect combination of spices and a hint of musk,) but also because of how nice it felt on my skin. The bar lathered up nicely, made my skin feel squeaky-clean and conditioned without drying it out or leaving behind any kind of residue. The fragrance also stayed on my skin for quite some time after I dried off, which was nice. I love it!

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I think this is a great soap, and definitely something I’d like to keep next to my tub in the future. I also think this would make a lovely gift for any bath product aficionado because of it’s quality and price-point. I’d like to try more products from this fragrance collection.

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Product # 2: Alterna Haircare’s Bamboo Volume “Plumping Strand Expand” ($22)

I’ve used Alterna Bamboo products in the past (specifically their ‘BoHo Waves” spray,) and loved the results, so seeing another product from the line that I was otherwise unfamiliar with was a treat. My hair is naturally pretty thick, so I wasn’t sure if the results this “plumping” cream was supposed to give me would actually be noticeable. I applied as directed, pinned my hair up, and let it dry overnight. When I brushed out my hair the following morning, my hair felt soft, and smooth, but didn’t look or feel particularly thicker. Although the results weren’t necessarily bad, this isn’t something I think I would need in my hair styling regimen.

Would I Purchase?: No. I think this product might be better suited for those with finer hair, as it could possibly thicken their strands better than it did mine- but I’ll stick to my usual products. The texture of this cream felt nice, not heavy- and it’s perfectly suitable for those with color-treated hair- but it didn’t “wow” me.

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Product # 3: Nails, Inc. Nail Polish in “Brook Street” ($9.50)

Ah, Nails, Inc. We meet again- and this time- you’re in the most irresistible of shades. I don’t care if it’s not going to be Summer for a few more months- one look at this tropical pink/coral color and I had to have it on my nails immediately. I’m a big fan of the Nails, Inc. polishes I’ve received in my beauty box subscriptions so far- from their wide array of shades, to their finishes, and to the longevity of their formulas. This lacquer was no exception. I’m absolutely smitten with the color. Really. The photo above doesn’t do it justice.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I would definitely purchase a full-sized bottle of “Brook Street.” It’s so bright, fun, and Summer-y. I have a feeling I’ll be sporting this non-stop from June through August when I spend the majority of my weekends cruising the coast or running around on the beach and the boardwalk.

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Product # 4: Sisley: Paris’ Black Rose Cream Mask ($158)

Yes, you read that correctly. A 2.1 .oz tube of this mask goes for $158 a pop. When I discovered that tidbit of information, I was almost afraid to open the tiny sample I received for fear that I would somehow destroy it before I had the chance to try it. When I think of face masks, I think of heavy clays, or painful peels (R.I.P. eyebrows,) but the Black Rose Cream Mask is applied almost like a moisturizer, left on undisturbed for 10-15 minutes, and then any excess is gently wiped off. I used the sample as directed, taking in the light rose fragrance of the mask as I applied it- waited the appropriate amount of time- give or take a few minutes- and then lightly tissued my face.

The results? There were none. My skin looked, and felt, the exact same way it had before I applied the mask. There was no noticeable smoothness, or softness. My skin wasn’t particularly hydrated more than usual. Even when I attempted a little more of the mask a few days later, I still didn’t see a difference.

Would I Purchase?: No. Are you kidding? Absolutely not. $158 is entirely too much money to be spending on such a small amount of product that gives me no better result than if I had applied a lightweight moisturizer, instead. Save the money you would have wasted on this dud of a product and spend it on a mask that actually works, instead.

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Product # 5: Etre Belle Cosmetics Anti-Aging Liplift Peel ($18)

As it turns out, when you fall and smash your face and have to go to the dentist to assess the damage- your lips tend to end up a little cracked and dry at the end of the day. Who would have thought? It should come as no surprise that I was beyond relieved to get a lip exfoliator- with a convenient angled tip for a mess-free application- just in time to relieve my pout. Even after just one use, my lips felt so much softer and looked a lot less chapped. I also noticed that when I used this product and applied lipstick shortly afterwards, the color went on a lot smoother and stayed in place a little longer than usual.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I thought this lip exfoliant was fantastic, and a little bit goes a long way. This is one of those products I plan on keeping in my makeup bag at all times should I need a pre-lipstick prep or just a quick refresher for my lips in case they get a little rough during the day. This stuff really works, and it only takes a minute to use it.

Three products I loved, two I didn’t- and a beautiful bracelet to make up for said two samples that didn’t blow me away? Overall, I’d say March’s GlossyBox was a hit. I loved the variety in what I received, as well as the value (which was pretty incredible this month!) Keep it up, GB.

xox