Glossybox January

   This Christmas my awesome friend Nikki gave me a Glossybox as a gift. I was so blown away by the presentation and the items in the box that I had to get more! Glossybox is another beauty subscription service that offers luxury items for $21.95 a month. The items range from beauty to fashion, and from the box I received as a gift I knew I was in for a treat! January's box is inspired by the beauty blogger The Man Repeller, a unique and colorful woman who offers very informative and fun beauty advice. This month's box was filled with some of her favorite products, I was really excited to see what I got!
   
   Usually items come in a cute pink reusable box, but this collaboration resulted in a cute silver box! For my first box this was really building up to be an awesome experience!

   
   Unfortunately, there was a huge shipping discrepancy with the January boxes, so most people (including myself) received their boxes in February. This is my first time with Glossybox, and so far the customer service isn't so great. They have a great reputation, so I'm hoping to attribute the lackluster customer service to the fact that there was high demand for the January boxes. There was also a pretty big fluke, where some people wound up receiving two boxes. I received two, which I totally didn't mind, but not everyone did, hence why I say fluke. I think that a second box for everyone would've sort of made up for the long wait. Then I started hearing that boxes were missing items, had doubles, or nothing at all! I even heard that someone had received a box filled with nothing but six of the same lipsticks! Again, I'm hoping to attribute all this to a crazy January, since my boxes were fine. The only difference between my boxes was that one was missing the giant Man Repeller sticker, lucky me!

box one

box two

   In my boxes I received a packet of Le Métier de Beaute facial cream, a bottle of Sebastian Potion No.9 Styling Treatment, a mini of Estée Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara, a mini tube of Fresh Umbrian Clay Mattifying Serum, a sample of Narcisco Rodriguez perfume, a bottle of OPI Liquid Sand nail polish, a Tarte Natural Beauty lipstick, and a Tarte Maracuja lip gloss. 

box one

box two

Le Métier de Beaute Replenishing Daily Solution ($225.00 for full size)

   I really love this cream! It is light and velvety smooth, it feels more like a whipped cream! It has a very light scent that is pleasant. A little goes a long way too, I only needed about a nickel-sized amount for my whole face! It melts into skin and doesn't feel greasy. My skin felt so supple and soft, and it has SPF 30 in it so my skin is protected and gorgeous! The only painful thing about this cream is the price tag, over 200 dollars! This cream is amazing and I want the full size sooo bad, but it is a dream deferred. 




Sebastian Potion No.9 Wearable Styling Treatment ($19.00 for full size)

   This hair serum is good to use on either damp or dry hair. On damp hair it helps to make hair soft and silky, and on dry hair it's great for giving hair texture. I've been using it for the waves in my hair, my hair has a mind of its own and tends to be somewhat lifeless. This hair serum has helped to give life to my dull waves, making them bouncy and full. My hair looks super cute when I pull it up in a ponytail, I kind of look like A teeny bopper! 




Estée Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Mascara ($25.00 for full size)

   This mascara really gave me Hollywood lashes! I have thick lashes as it is, but this mascara made them look so much fuller and dramatic without overdoing it. It doesn't clump and it dries so quickly. My lashes don't feel stiff either, they're still soft and flexible while staying in place and keeping volume. 




Fresh Umbrian Clay Mattifying Serum ($35.00 for full size)

   This facial serum controls oil and reduces shine. It has an earthy scent that is kind of weird but easy to get used to. It absorbs well into skin and doesn't leave a greasy residue. It works pretty well for shine control, I am prone to oily skin, especially in hot weather. It helps control the oil I have now, but it's cold out so I will have to really put this to the test come summertime. Besides that it feels very nice on my skin. I felt a very slight tingling, but no irritation. 




Narcisco Rodriguez Perfume ($77.00-$104.00 for full size)

   This is a very light powdery and floral scent. For some reason it gave me a slight headache, and I only used two spritzes. So you don't need more than one spritz. It lasts very long, and is a great spring scent. 




OPI Liquid Sand Nail Polish, Can't Let Go ($9.00)

   I had no idea about this polish before getting it in my Glossybox. This polish is a glitter purple that dries matte but has a sandy texture. It feels kind of cool actually. It has great coverage and dries very quickly, so you should only need one coat.




Tarte Natural Beauty Lipstick, Fierce ($26.00)

   This is a highly pigmented lipstick, in a vibrant red. It is matte and very creamy. It hydrates my lips and lasts very long, but it stains pretty easily. Put it this way, my bf winds up looking fabulous when I kiss him while wearing this! I have a bunch of vibrant red lipsticks, and this easily took its place as one of my new favorites. This shade is great for a bombshell look, and will pop paired with almost any style. I was really hoping for this lipstick, one of the "or" products was a cheek tint, which I didn't need. I don't really need any more lipstick either - wait, yes I do...I'll pretend I never said that! 




Tarte Natural Beauty Maracuja Divine Shine Lip Gloss ($21.00)

   I got this Tarte product in the second box, I'm glad it wasn't another of the same lipstick like I heard some people got. I'm still also glad it wasn't the cheek tint! Now this was a nice yet frustrating gloss, you have to press the clicky bottom piece to pump the gloss to the brush applicator. I have created for your enjoyment a rage comic illustrating exactly what went down:

   I literally sat through over half an episode of True Blood trying to get the gloss to the brush. I thought it was broken after a while. Finally I got it to the brush and got to swatch it. 

   This a very nice gloss, it has a light red tint, and isn't sticky. It is a bit thick though, but it applies nicely and the applicator helps it spread well. It also has mint it it, so there's a faint tingling that is kind of nice. My lips felt hydrated and the gloss lasts pretty long. It holds up against water pretty well too, I forgot I was wearing it when I hopped in the shower and it didn't come off until I wiped it off.

   



   I'm not really sure how to feel about Glossybox as a company yet. I have heard good things about the service, but bad things about their customer relations. I had an alright experience, but I could've done without the long wait. I am happy my boxes had no issues, and I am hoping to find a positive change for the February box experience.



If you would like to try Glossybox you can sign up here.

Lime Crime Fairytale Hand Mirror!

Any Lime Crime fans out there? Then you might want to check this out! I fell in love with this item, and just had to show you all!

   For anyone new to the brand, Lime Crime is a gorgeous line of cosmetics (vegan btw) that is great for bringing out your inner storybook princess! Recently they came out with the Fairytale Hand Mirror, a beautiful mirror adorned in gemstones and pearls that is so pretty it'd make even Snow White jealous! The original price was $29.99, but I got it on sale for $14.99!

This mirror is absolutely gorgeous! It has a handmade quality to it, which I love, and is so elegant! The gold and red work so well together, and the red gemstones with the pearls make it a beautiful piece for any vanity! I really wanted to show you all this beautiful mirror, so here are some pics!

Dying to get your hands on one? Check out Lime Crime's website and get this and gorgeous cosmetics!

I Made A Huuuuge Mistake!

Okay, so like a jackass I managed to delete almost all the pics in my posted blogs. I removed them from my photobucket to make room, not realizing it would delete them from the blog as well! I WILL fix it, it will just take some time, since I have a crapload of backtracking to do. I'm really sorry about this guys! Just wanted to let you guys know!

Shick Hydro Silk Razor Review!

   I received another Bzzkit yaaaaaay! This time I got to try out the Shick Hydro Silk razor, an awesome razor that will make you throw away any razor you have lying around your bathroom! I also got a bunch of coupons to share with friends!

   I actually have prior experience with this razor, I use it on a weekly basis! I had first gotten one through my Birchbox subscription, and from there I was hooked! This razor is friggin' amazing! Since using this razor I have smooth baby soft legs after every shave that, when not attacked by cold weather of course, look great! This razor is so awesome, you'll want to show off your gorgeous legs!

On to the Review!

my razor and the new  razor :)

   The razor has 5 "curve sensing" blades with skin guards that give a close shave without cutting or irritating you. The handle is awesome, it's soft  and the grip gives you superior control. Plus, the shape of the handle makes it so that the razor is never submerged in water, preserving it for longer! There is also a water-activated moisturizing serum made with marine extracts and shea butter on the on the top and bottom of the razor that hydrates and helps the razor glide across skin with ease. This razor is great for shaving anywhere on your body, armpits, ankles, you name it! My favorite part of this razor is the pivoting head, it makes for seamless shaving!



   Now, what is one of the hardest places to shave on your body ladies? If you said knees, you're totally right! If you thought something else, it's great for that too! 

   I can't even begin to count how many times I've nicked my knees while shaving! Other razors I've used wouldn't even get everything. The pivoting head and the blades glide over my knees so easily and gets all of the hair. It makes shaving super fast too! A few quick swipes and your good to go! The one thing I would highly suggest is that you use a shaving cream and not a body soap with this razor, I think the soap and the serum together form a slimy mix that is just a pain in the ass to wash out of the blades.
   My legs get super dry during the winter, and even with that being the case, this razor gives my legs several days of relief! After using this razor my legs are silky and hydrated for a while!

   
   Another great thing about this razor is that it is refillable! The refills come in 4 packs, and since each blade refill lasts super long you won't have to buy more for quite a while! The razor also comes with a shower hook, so you can stick it to your bathroom wall and have your razor easily accessible! 

   Still not sold? well check out the awards this razor has won:

* Winner: Best Razor, 2012 Cosmo Beauty Awards

* Named Best Hair Remover: 2012 Beauty Awards Fitness Magazine, Prevention Magazine and Ladies' Home Journal



   This razor isn't only a ladies' fave, men love it too! My bf kept stealing my Shick Hydro Silk razor to use because he loved how well it shaved his face without cutting or irritating. Now that there's a second he can have one of his own and I won't have to go on a police search for mine! I highly recommend this razor, you will not be disappointed! You can buy it and the refills at any drugstore or online, the starter kit sells for about $9.49 and the 4 pack of refills usually goes for about $15.11. 



Happy shaving ladies!

Sephora Disney Princess Collection, Jasmine!

    A while back I wrote about Sephora and Disney teaming up for a makeup line dedicated to the princesses, the first princess being Cinderella (check it out here!). Now they've released a sneak peek of the next princess to grace us with her presence, Princess Jasmine! 
   For lack of a better term, I went absolutely apesh*t when I saw the Cinderella collection (which is still available), and this next addition was different. As a kid I was called Princess Jasmine by my friends, mainly because of my long black hair and my complexion (and the fact that there was an ongoing debate as to what nationality I was 0_o). I even dressed up as her for Halloween one year. She wasn't my favorite princess (Cinderella is) but she was a princess I admired for her courage and her strong will. 

   The collection features gorgeous colors inspired by the movie and several products that are sure to bring out your inner princess! The collection includes an eyeliner set, a nail polish set, a compact mirror, a perfume, a body shimmer, and two eyeshadow palettes! Here's a close up of these gorgeous products! (photos from beautezine.com)

   

   

   The collection will be available in March. Beauty Insiders were able to get early access to the Cinderella collection so if you happen to be one keep an eye out for this one! I can't wait to get my hands on some Disney goodness! What princess would you want to see next?

Birchbox January

This month's Birchbox was very nice, but there were a couple of products I wasn't too thrilled with. 

   In my box I received a sample of Skinny Chic perfume, a mini blush and shadow from theBalm, a sample of Ojon Rare Blend hair oil, a cream from Embryolisse, and a mini mascara from Lashem.




Harvey Prince Skinny Chic Perfume ($21.00-$55.00 for full size)

   This is a perfume that's supposed to do more than make you smell good. The notes of mint and citrus create an energizing fragrance that is also supposed to help curb your appetite. It didn't really do anything for my appetite to be honest but it smells incredible! The scent is fun and flirty, and reminiscent of summer. It lasts pretty long too. I spritzed this on my scarf and I was asked quite a few times what I was wearing. I think I will be buying the full size, it is a very unique scent and I think it would make a great addition to my collection!




theBalm Hot Mama Shadow and Blush All-in-One ($20.00 for full size)

   This blush can also be used as an eyeshadow or a highlighter if you like. It is a light summery pink with a hint of shimmer. It is very nicely pigmented and is very easy to blend, so you don't need to use a lot. It isn't at all chalky. As a blush it gives a great natural rosy tint that can be built up to a great dramatic look. As an eyeshadow its sheerness also makes it nice for a quick swipe and go. As a facial highlighter it brightens up the face nicely and gives a youthful and natural looking glow. I may buy the full size, but for now I am holding onto this sample for as long as possible, I am in love!




Ojon Rare Blend Oil Total Hair Therapy ($35.00 for full size)

   This hair oil is supposed to give hair shine, nourish dry hair and repair damage. The colors were very pretty, and you have to shake it in order for the oil to be effective. While it smelled very nice it didn't really do anything for my hair. It didn't leave my hair feeling greasy, but I didn't see much of a change. There was some added shine, but no noticeable difference. It was nice to try but it was a miss for me.




Embryolisse 24-HR Miracle Cream ($16.00 for full size)

   This cream really is a miracle! You can use this as a moisturizer, a makeup remover, a shave soother, makeup primer, and even baby cream! 

   As a moisturizer it's fantastic! It's rich but not too heavy, and there is no greasy feeling or residue on the skin. It leaves your face feeling soft and looking silky smooth! A little goes a long way! As a makeup remover it is really great too! I found it hard to believe it could really remove makeup, but I was pleasantly surprised! I put a little on a cottonball and wiped away my eye makeup with ease! It took a few more swipes to finish, but it effectively removed all makeup from my eyes. I haven't used it for soothing any shave irritation, I'm pretty good with a razor. And I don't have a baby so I don't know how well it works for that. But after hearing that you could use it as primer, I tried it and it was pretty good. I usually use BB cream these days, but for this I used foundation, and it made my foundation feel as nice and light as BB cream. I may buy the full size, I haven't decided yet. But this was a great product and I'm glad I got to check it out!




Lashem Double Trouble Mascara ($19.99 for full size)

   
   This was the one sample I was absolutely livid about, it was super small, making it almost impossible to use so close to the eye. I felt like I was going to poke my eye!

   This mascara is supposed to add volume and length, which is great. HOWEVER, the full size has two sides, so it's a two-step process. HOW IN THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO REALLY EXPERIENCE THE PRODUCT'S FULL POTENTIAL WITH WHAT SEEMED LIKE ONLY ONE STEP? This sample made no sense, and it didn't do anything special. If they somehow managed to mix the formula together in that teeny tube, why is it that there are TWO SIDES to the full size? I call bull on this sample, it was a bad tease, and I am disappointed in Birchbox on this one. I hear that the full size is phenomenal though, but I will not be buying it. I have plenty of mascara, and this sample was the one chance to sell me on another one. 




If you want to join Birchbox you can sign up here.