Kiss Ever Pro Lashes

These lashes. THESE LASHES. You don't even understand, these lashes, guise, these lashes are amazing.

The lashes are so soft and with them being so plush I was imagining they would look very fake and caterpillar-like but they didn't whatsoever. I did have to fill in some extra eyeliner to blend in the thick band but that's okay. The only thing I wasn't too happy about was the '24hour' glue didn't last more than 3 hours on the inside corners of my eyes. Granted, that could have been my fault. I could have not put enough on. I'll be wearing these again and using more glue so I'll be able to give another review on that issue. Other than that I absolutely LOVE these lashes and the whole kit is sold for $5.99 at Walgreens.

The lashes in use.

*I got this kit for free in the Beauty Blogger VoxBox from Influenster.

NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Compact

I was lucky enough to receive this product in my Beauty Blogger VoxBox to try out for free and write a review on. It comes with a little double ended sponge applicator, eye primer, illuminator, and 4 shades of eye shadow ranging from white to black, all shimmery.

illuminator

I really actually love this illuminator. It blends out so well and matches my skintone perfectly. It adds a nice highlight but doesn't make you look like a disco ball which is really nice! Plus it's sooo creamy.

primer

The primer is okay, nothing super extravagant. I'm always going to be biased by Urban Decay's Primer Potion but this primer is okay for the price you pay. It's kind of cakey to me, finishes a little too 'dry' to me and doesn't really lock in the color as well as it could.

shadows

 For a cheaper compact of shadows the payout is decent. These swatches were without primer so they might show differently with some primer underneath but I just wanted to show the initial payout from silver, silver-grey, dark grey, black. Surprisingly the dark grey is darker than the black, which is actually two layers while the dark grey is only one. The silver is nice, very shimmery but not overly glittery. I definitely approve of the silver.

All in all, it's a decent compact/palette for the price you pay ($4.99) but I'll always be biased and lean more towards higher end brands for the color payout you get. It's a lovely starter compact for someone just getting involved in the makeup world.

*I got this product for free in my Beauty Blogger VoxBox. These images are my own.

Beauty Blogger Voxbox 2012

Recently I was lucky enough to be selected to receive Influenster's Beauty Blogger Voxbox. No lie, this box was filled with AMAZING goodies!! I was so excited!

The box included the following:

• Vitabath Fragrance Mist in Ivy & Lily 8 fl oz worth $9.99 (full size received)
• Not Your Mother's Kinky Moves Curl Defining Hair Cream 1.5 fl oz worth $2.25 (full size 4 fl oz worth $5.99)
• Bath and Body Works Mini Candle in Mahogany Teakwood worth $3.50 (or 2 for $5 in store)
• NYC IndividualEyes palette in Dark Shadows worth $4.99 (full size received)
• Kiss Ever Pro Lashes Starter Kit worth $4.99 (full size received)
• Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin worth $7.29 (full size received)
• E-boost sample packet
• 2 Bath and Body Works coupons for 3-Wick Candle for $10

This mist smells so delicious. It's very clean and fresh and not over powering at all! In all honesty I probably won't use it as a body spray since I tend to stick to my perfumes but it will be a GREAT bathroom/room spray.

After taking me forever to figure out that there was something covering the opening I finally got to try this cream out. Not only does it smell amazing but it didn't leave my hair quite as "crunchy" as other curl creams have. My hair was left very soft and it wasn't weighed down by a whole bunch of gook. I have a feeling I'll be buying some more of this as Christmas presents!

This little candle is so potent it smelled up my entire mailbox! Now that it's out in the open I don't even have to light it for it to get an entire room smelling like it. This candle is a part of Bath and Body works new line of White Barn candles. I don't even want to light it and waste it it smells so yummy! Maybe I'll give it to my mom at Christmas?

I was shocked to find such a big eye shadow palette in this box. It was something I wasn't expecting at all. I actually already have this exact one so I may use it for a giveaway or a Christmas gift. Maybe I'll just keep it until my other runs out? I'm not sure yet. The colors blend VERY well together and have a minimal fall out. The primer is okay, I'm still biased to my Urban Decay ;) I'd recommend this as a great starters palette though! Fun to experiment with.

I haven't had a reason to try these out yet and I don't want to waste them but they look very pretty! I'm a bit afraid they'll be so thick I'll look like I have caterpillars on my eyes but who knows, they could look 10x better on! I'm going to a concert tomorrow night so maybe I'll give them a try then! If I do then I'll take a picture and update this with how they look!

These are the coolest things ever. You just twirl your hair into a bun, swirl one clip at a time into the base of your bun and voila! Your hair is stuck snug. I may have to pick up a few more of these.

I'm not a huge fan of the E-boost packets so that'll probably go in my trade bag but the coupons will most definitely be used. A 3 wick candle for only $10? Yes please!

So what'd I tell ya? This box was so full of amazing goodies! If you'd like an invite comment below with your e-mail and I'll invite you, otherwise go on over to the Influenster website and click 'request invite'!

www.influenster.com

Sheer Cover Duo Concealer Review

Recently I received a mini Sheer Cover Duo Concealer in my Spring Beauty VoxBox from Influenster. Some of you may know of Sheer Cover from infomercials on late night TV or from MyGlam (they sent out a full size a few months back). I actually decided to give this one to my mom since I already had a full size but nonetheless, here's my review! :)

*disclaimer: this is not my image. i got it from google images.

At a first glance I absolutely LOVE the packaging. The clear case really gives it that sleek, elegant look at to me personally, it doesn't feel cheap at all. The concealer comes with two shades, a lighter and a darker shade so you can wear one, the other, or mix! Since I got the 'medium' toning I actually have to mix the light and dark together to get a color that works well with my skintone. That's not a big deal to me, that's why they give you two shades!

The concealer is actually very creamy. A tad bit too creamy for my taste. It works well enough on under eye circles but I had a pretty difficult time getting decent coverage on any blemishes. It's pretty hard to 'build up'. It more or less just blends into your skin rather onto it. It got a little frustrating at times when I would try to put my liquid foundation on top of it and then the two would just blend together. What's the point in a concealer then? Perhaps it would work better with a powder foundation. Also, I have one fine crease under each eye and the concealer took no time at all working itself into that crease making it very prominent and bright. I constantly had to blend my foundation and concealer together through to day to ensure I didn't have a bright line under each eye. (I wouldn't recommend wearing on a hot or humid day)

Another thing that kind of bothered me is the fact that this product is part of a subscription program. In order to buy this product you have to sign up for a monthly shipping program that automatically charges you and ships out your products like Pro-Activ.

A 30-Day Starter Kit is $30 for a full size Duo Concealer, Bronzing Tan Minerals, Mineral Foundation SPF-15, Studio Foundation Brush, Studio Concealing Brush, Extra Length Mineral Mascara, Base Perfector Primer, and an Ultimate Makeover Kit.

Buy Sheer Cover 30-Day Supply Kit Here

All in all, it's a pretty OK product to me. I have a few other favorites that top this product but it's a nice backup to carry along in my purse.

*disclaimer: influenster is a free program where i take surveys, earn badges, and am occasionally sent a box of free products to review for more online badges. all opinions are my own.

  

What is Ipsy (formerly MyGlam)?

What is Ipsy?

Ipsy is the beauty product sample service that was started by YouTube guru Michelle Phan along with the “stylists” Promise Phan, Jessica Harlow from MissJessicaHarlow, Andrea from AndreasChoice, and Bethany of MacBarbie07. Together, the girls combined their knowledge of beauty and created Ipsy.

Previously, Ipsy was formerly known as MyGlam and earlier this year MyGlad underwent a huge rebranding overhaul and became Ipsy.

While registering, you take a style quiz much like that of Birchbox. While taking the quiz you answer questions pertaining to your personal style (club-goer, natural, sporty, etc), which stylist you best relate to, how comfortable you are with makeup, how adventurous you are with makeup, which brands you love, which products you love the most and the typical skin/hair questions you would expect to answer. The quiz is available on the website to be retaken any time you'd like to change up your answers.

Now, Ipsy uses a program called IpsyMatch that works with algorithms to put together bags that match your product reviews and style quiz. With some bags, some Ipsters aren't too convinced IpsyMatch is working 100% due to receiving items they said they didn't like but at the same time, it could be due to how adventurous you said you were in the style quiz. So far, my bags have been greatly catered to my likes and style and I have zero complaints about it. Then again, I'm pretty easy to please as long as I know I'm getting my moneys worth.

For only $10 a month, or $110 a year, paying subscribers get mailed a cute makeup bag full of 4-5 deluxe samples and sometimes even some full size items. Each month's products get mixed reviews, especially as they've started to do more and more "either-or" products. In the beginning everyone got the same products only some may have gotten different colors. As Ipsy gets bigger and bigger with more companies to work with, they've been doing more "either-or" products in each bag. Usually, there's 5 or so products and each subscriber will get 2 of those products. There are no guarantees to which products you will get but that's were IpsyMatch supposedly comes in to play.

After their rebranding, Ipsy's website is much more interactive. You still have your "Glam Room" that lists out that month's bag and the items you received in your bag but now you can review each item individually  and give your input on how interested you are in receiving product similar as well as that brand and color.

As far as a points/referral program goes, they have finally started to give you points for each referral you get. For each referral, you get 250 points. When you save up enough points  you can earn an extra item in your next monthly bag. Personally, the items are kind of ridiculously priced in points currency (an OPI Nicole nail polish for 1000 points) and unless you manage to get a ton of people to sign up, you'll never get a bonus item, let alone two or more. I'm sure this system will work itself out in time and get better.

On the new interactive website you can also make "looks" for others in the community to like using products from that month's bag. Each month, you also get discount codes for each company that is in the bags. The codes can range anywhere from free samples, free shipping, and a certain percentage off of your purchase.

All in all, I absolutely love Ipsy. I highly recommend them and love watching the company grow. I've been with them since their first month (Dec. '11) and now we're nearing their two year mark and it's so incredible to see how much they have grown.

Overview:

• $10/month or $110/year (1 month free)
• No online shop, does give discount codes, link to shop
• Points/referral program
• 4-5 Deluxe samples. Occasionally a full size product
• Ships between the 10^th and 15^th of every month

        -Great product/sample sizes
        -Good mix of samples

        -Cute makeup bag

        -Fun community on FB/Ipsy.com

www.Ipsy.com

First Day of School Glam

Today’s my first day back to school (Winter quarter) and I’m wearing fake eyelashes. Not the full sets, just the little demi ends, but still. I guess I feel the need to impress the computer I’ll be sitting in front of all day. :P

If someone would have told me 5 months ago that I would be wearing fake eyelashes to school I would have told them they were crazy. It’s hard to believe that 5 months ago the extent of my makeup wearing ability was just foundation, powder, and mascara. Of course, I’m still learning things and will be for the rest of my life but for just having learned so much 5 months ago, I think I’m doing pretty well. Thanks Britt <3

How dressed up do you ladies (or guys?) get for the first day back at school?

When did you first really start getting into beauty/fashion/makeup and who helped teach you?

E-Bay Fakes: MAC Hello Kitty Brush Set

This ‘MAC’ Hello Kitty Brush Set was the second set of items I got in my Ebay order out of 3 items. The second fraudulent set of brushes. After I noticed the EcoTools brush set was a fake I decided to do some research on the MAC Hello Kitty Brush set they have produced. The first thing I found out was that they made a set of THREE (3) brushes not 6 like mine, also they came in a Hello Kitty head holder, not a case. (It’s still hella cute though, real or not.)

After examining the brushes further I noticed the handles were very plastic-y feeling. I sadly don’t have any real MAC brushes I could compare to but I’m pretty sure MAC brushes are made of wood, not plastic, and the real one’s aren’t as shiny as these are. Also, the logo wouldn’t scratch off with my finger nail as I read real logos do. (Since it’s just paint on wood.)

Secondly, I looked up an image of a MAC brush and compared the necks. The crimping of the fake brushes’ necks are no where near as deep and bulbous looking as the real ones are.

The bristles feel super soft so since I did pay money for these I will be using them, but I have to admit, the counterfeiters are really stepping up their game. To someone who doesn’t know how to do research and doesn’t know a thing about makeup brushes, they’d think they were the real deal.

Be careful out there shoppers! Pay attention to all the tiny details and good luck.

Victorian Disco Cosmetics

Has anyone on here heard of or tried Victorian Disco Cosmetics? It’s a really awesome indie company that’s still starting out. Their shadows are handmade and look absolutely gorgeous. Not to mention, they have Sailor Moon names! Who doesn’t want to wear an eyeshadow called ‘Sailor Saturn’?! That’s my kind of make up!

Check out their Etsy and support them!!

Victorian Disco Cosmetics Etsy page

I can’t wait to order some eye shadow once I get more money! Go ‘Like’ their Facebook page as well!!

Victorian Disco Cosmetics Facebook Page

Thanks to robear-rica from Tumblr for this wonderful suggestion!

Purple Eye

Messing around with the new Smokey Eye palette from Too Faced Cosmetics. The inner lid was all purple but my camera had the hardest time capturing the purple for some reason.

Brush Storage

With so many ways to store your makeup brushes how does a girl (or guy!) ever choose?! It took me forever to figure out how to a nice, organized way to keep my brushes out of piles on my counter.

A while ago I had ordered these wax beads that smell like vanilla and rose with tiny sea shells in them. They had just been used for decoration in a bottle but after I found this nifty little jar I knew the beads were the perfect filler! After wrapping a pink ribbon with a diamond-like pendant around the jars neck I knew I had created a perfect little brush holder. 

Not only does it keep my counter free of brush clutter but the handles now smell fabulous.

How do you organize your brushes? Plastic organizers? Drawers? Jars? Share with us! We love to hear from you guys :) 

Green Smokey Eye

Silver, green and black smokey eye.
-Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden
-Lorac Double Feature Concealer
-Lorac Double Feature Highlighter
-Clinique Even Better Foundation in #4
-Makeup For Ever HD Powder
-Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara
-Too Faced Eyeshadow in: Wicked Green, Black Suede, Black Spark (Smoky Eye Palette), and White Lie (Smokey Eye Palette)
-Too Faced Perfect Eyes Eye Liner in Perfect Black (so glossy!)
-Sally Brand Eyebrow Pencil in Medium Brown

The Wicked Green was actually really difficult to work with and it saddened me. :( Flecks would fall on my under eye/cheek area (which is to be expected) but it wouldn’t brush off, it just smeared onto my cheek so reapplication of concealer/foundation/powder was necessary after finishing the shadow.

MyGlam - December Bag

Any ladies out there already subbed to MyGlam? 

MyGlam was put together by Michelle Phan and a few other Youtube glam ladies and it’s a monthly (or yearly) subscription service that ships 4-5 wonderful cosmetic samples right to your door. At $10/mo you really can’t beat the price for what you’re getting!

Each month’s bag is a different design, seemingly based off of that month’s products.

The December bag was an adorable pink/white striped bag with a little mirror attached to it. Even the shipping bag was cute!! Who wouldn’t get excited about a shiny, pink bubble envelope in their mail!? A crazy person, that’s who. Or a guy.. >.>

Aside from the cute, girlylicious bags the contents inside the bag-in-a-bag were AMAZING. (On a personal note, the usuable content to price ratio is much better with MyGlam than Birchbox. Of course, that’s just my opinion.)

Contents:
Cute pink makeup bag
Travel sized Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! mascara ($5-ish)
Full sized Urban Decay eyeshadow pot in Sin ($17)
Travel sized Urban Decay Primer Potion original ($9)What appears to be full sized NYX Matte Lip Cream (like lipstick, only cream) ($6)Full sized Mai Couture acne blotting papiers ($20)
A few sheets of Mai Couture blush papiers
Code for $15 off Urban Decay Book of Shadows
Code for 25% off Mai Couture blotting/blush papiers

As you can see, the bag’s contents are well over $10 worth. No one can say you won’t get your money’s worth. Well, unless you’re a guy! Or don’t use makeup. If you don’t use makeup, what are you doing here?

I’m SUPER excited about January’s bag! I wonder what will be in it?

Who’s gotten the Glam Bag? Who’s signed up for January? Anyone else excited?

MyGlam Website

Disclaimer: These images are my own. I was not paid to make this review. All of the opinions are my own and I paid for my subscription just like everyone else.