IPSY BAG: November 2014

look at what a sick day can give me! enough free time to set up back-to-back posts! whee ~
ipsy's November bag - "Girls Meets Glitter"

1) Elizabeth Mott : you're so FINE Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in "Glitterati"
It’s not just any liquid eyeliner. With you’re so FINE’s micro-tipped brush, you can control your strokes to create dramatic, and sharp cat eyes! This brush is so control friendly that creating precise, symmetrical lines is ridiculously easy, so it’s perfect for first time liquid eyeliner users too.
size: 3 g (full size!)
retail value: $17.99
promotion: 50% off online purchase with code IPSYFINE; expired 1/10/15

i was just thinking of trying a new liquid eyeliner. i would have preferred if i got the other color which is just regular ol' 'Black'. this eyeliner is thin but it really isn't that fine. the glitter makes it difficult to be extremely precise but i don't really have an issue with that since i have to line my eyes super thick anyway. the eyeliner dries quick enough and stays put throughout the work day. yep, i wore it to work; it's pretty and subtle enough.
a quick note about the smell though. glitter eyeliners always has this super manufactured smell that makes you pause and think, 'ugh, whatever chemicals are in this must be horrible for me' but then you bat your eyes and shrug, meh.

2) J. Cat Beauty : Wonder Lip Paint in "WLP111 Red Potion"
For invincible color and impeccable wear, the Wonder Lip Paint serves justice! With the twofold blend of endurance and delivery of intense pigmentation, this will become your heroine of lip colors. Paint your lips to perfection for your day and nighttime adventures! 
size: 10 mL (full size!)
retail value: $4.99
promotion: 25% off online purchase with code 25JCAT; expired 12/31/14

these Wonder Lip Paints obviously come across as wannabe OCC Lip Tars. they also come in 36 colors including greys and greens.
i haven't invested in Lip Tars yet so i was happy to give this a try. the tiniest amount, as you can see, gives you more than enough product that is for sure leaving a stain behind.
i love the dark shade 'Red Potion' appears to be in the tube but it blends out to be more of a wine-berry shade but i am sure i can layer it on if needed.
a word of caution if you are using your fingers because it can messy around the lip area, and of course, on your finger.

3) Be A Bombshell Cosmetics : Eye Base in "Submissive"
This eye base is a highly pigmented, long-lasting product that can be used as a single cream color or used as an eye base to build color. 
size: 2.5 g (full size!)
retail value: $14.00

"Submissive" is described on the Be A Bombshell website as an intense creamy bronze with gold shimmer. it really is not that intense but rather just a base. and it is a fairly good base. my eyeshadow has stayed on for about 12 hours, although it obviously doesn't look like it did when i first applied my makeup but still impressive. 

4) TEMPTU : S/B Highlighter in "050 Pink Pearl"
A cult favorite of makeup artists around the globe, TEMPTU S/B Highlighter is the perfect product that goes on sheer for an overall illuminating and contouring effect. Light-reflecting and transfer resistant, S/B Highlighter glides on effortlessly for a brilliant complexion boost that contours to highlight your best features.
size: 3 mL
retail value: $27.50 (30 mL) or $100.00 (120 mL)
promotion: 25% off online purchase with code IPSY; expired 12/31/14; US only

S/B? huh? that required a little bit of digging on the TEMPTU website.
S/B stands for silicone-based which TEMPTU suggests for a soft focus effect. in the swatch below, 'Pink Pearl' is not screaming SPARKLE but instead you see a soft shimmer when the light touches it.
i know TEMPTU is recognized as an airbrush makeup company but this particular product can be applied with an airbrush, fingers, brush or sponge. all you really need is a few drops. the sample we got was tiny but i guess you can throw it in your purse for some highlighting touch ups.
TEMPTU's highlighters also come in various shades of shimmer and bronze.

5) Marc Anthony : Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Volume Shine Hairspray
Get extra volume, shine and hold with this dual purpose hairspray; nourishing and styling in one! This argan oil, keratin and grape seed oil infused hairspray gives you strong and flexible hold plus deep nourishment, strengthening and conditioning as you style. 
size: 53 mL
retail value: $8.99

nice citrus scent but i have yet to fully test out the hold feature since i normally let me hair do its own thang since it is naturally straight (and a little boring). i mean, who has time to do their makeup and their hair in the morning? not this girl. i like sleep.

this has been a pretty good bag - i was excited about the eyeliner, lip paint and the eye base. all of which i will use regularly. i was initially afraid of products being too glittery when i read the word GLITTER as being the theme but most of it is subtle and wearable.

AT THIS MOMENT ...
currently listening: Girls Chase Boys - Ingrid Michaelson
just watched: nothing yet :) just going through Doctor Who episodes!
still watching: Doctor Who Season 5 // Walking Dead Season 5 // Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 1 // Vampire Diaries Season 5
now reading: "When God Was a Rabbit" by Sarah Winman

WANTABLE : October 2014 [Accessories]

today, i stayed home sick. lessons learned: do not consume expired miso paste.

let's get the last October box out of the way shall we?

1) Emily Maynard : Natalie Bracelet

retail value: $65.00

i was definitely intrigued when i pulled this fancy box (and pouch) out. looking at the name, it sounded like a celebrity... and then i remembered. her name was plastered on many tabloids by the checkout lanes - Emily Maynard was on the Bachelor who later became a Bachelorette. i haven't followed the show since Bob from season 4 and Trista from season 1. and Wikipedia tells me there has been 29 seasons of the Bachelor and Bachelorette! 29!

anyway, back to the Natalie bracelet. this brass ox-plated cuff is adjustable. the cuff has been hammered flat and does not feel heavy.
this is the most expensive piece i have received from Wantable, but sadly it is not something i would wear. check out the sale board for a great deal :)

2) Delany Earrings

retail value: $16.00

uhm no. definitely not me. these just scream 80s to me. the plastic is not impressive either. 

3) Harper Rose Earrings

retail value: $18.00

okay, did we do a 180 here? cause these earrings i love!
possibly my new favs. they are so easy to wear. small but definitely does the job. 

4) Shannon Ring

retail value: $9.00

i don't know how i feel about this ring. different but interesting... it doesn't look horrible but just... different. i could try to make it work but it is a tad big. it is slightly loose on my thumb so i am thinking it is a size 7.5 - 8?

so October's pieces are all over the place - i can't really see myself wearing two or more of them together. i received two pairs of earrings - one pair is totally my taste while the other one is the completely opposite!

AT THIS MOMENT ...
currently listening: Salvation - Gabrielle Aplin
just watched: Guardians of the Galaxy (again); Edge of Tomorrow (again); Beautiful Creatures (surprisingly good)
still watching: Doctor Who Season 4 5 (goodbye Tenth Doctor) // Walking Dead Season 5 // Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 1 // Vampire Diaries Season 5
now reading: "When God Was a Rabbit" by Sarah Winman

FANCY BOX: October 2014

looks like Fancy is cutting back on the info cards... bummer. sort of defeats the purpose of getting a 'handpicked' item from Kelly if i have no idea why she chose it anyway... for all i know, someone not named Kelly is throwing these random items in. :P

1) American Apparel : Glow in the Dark Nail Polish in "65469 Neptune"
retail value: $18.00 (3 bottles)

okay, i can handle glow in the dark polish, i can handle blue polish, but WHY three bottles of it?! i do not understand... what am i going to do with 3 bottles? (see sale page...)
as you can see, the polish has settled and although i can see a ball in there, the polish is still very thick so it is difficult to shake this up. i don't have a UV light to test this polish out just yet.

2) DIY Nails: Nails Decals in "Celestial"
retail value: $10.00

DIY Nails is a UK company and they carry a range of nail decals - you can even get the faces of Breaking Bad on your nails! the nail decals can also double as temporary tattoos. nail decals seem like a lot of work to me but i might try it out one day if all it takes is a little bit of water...

3) Kitsch : Charm Jewelry Necklace & Earring Set in "Be Electric"
retail value: $32.00 (CAD $38.72)

hands down my favorite item in the box. i love simple jewelry like this - so easy to wear! and plus, lightning bolts! any Harry Potter references are welcome :)
the necklace and earrings are 14 k gold plated brass but they are also available in sterling silver plated brass. the necklace chain is 16 inches, so it sits right between my collar bones.
Kitsch ships to Canada and their prices aren't bad either. their rings are especially cute!

4) Paperwallet : Wallet in "Galaxy"
retail value: $14.00

this particular 'Galaxy' design is part of the "Pattern Series". it is a very pretty design... reminds me of my desktop background at work. the faces of two Sphynx cats chill on the inside where you would put your cash. Paperwallet products are made from a type of paper called Tyvek - it's thin and waterproof. i tried (not too hard) tearing it and it didn't work. it is also 100% recyclable! that's neat for sure but i don't really use wallets. instead, i rather flip through about 20 cards before i find my credit card. you know how it is. i gave this away during one of the Christmas exchanges last year.

5) WallsNeedLove : Wall Decals in "Silver - Coronata Stars"
retail value: $12.00

at first i was like, what am i going to do with this?? but, after checking out the website, i am inspired! there is one photo in particular where it looks like the stars are bursting from the corner of a room and the stars are just falling. very pretty!
there are plenty of designs as well as a number of colors to choose from - 40 to be exact!
tutorials are available which would definitely be useful to me.
i believe their design packs change recently because the website says there are 28 in each but mine says 30.

some of the contents were misses, but those that were a hit - hit hard! i especially love the Kitsch jewelry set because it is so dainty and cute. i was feeling iffy about the WallsNeedLove wall decals but their website has inspired me! i just need to figure out now where to release the inspiration... decisions decisions!

AT THIS MOMENT ...
currently listening: "Panic Cord" by Gabrielle Aplin
just watched: nothing since Edge of Tomorrow
still watching: Doctor Who Season 4 // Walking Dead Season 5 // Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 1 // Vampire Diaries Season 5
now reading: "When God Was a Rabbit" by Sarah Winman 

BEAUTY BOX 5: October 2014

yesterday, we celebrated our NINTH year together. my boyfriend and i decided to honor the day by going to our first Brazilian BBQ and eating meat, meat and more meat. regular meat, spicy meat and meat wrapped up in meat. then finishing with some cake. then we went home and fell into a food coma. it was a very lovely night.

- - -

October's box "Effortless Allure" is all about simplicity:

1) ChapStick : Dual-Ended Hydration Lock Day & Night
size: 2.2 g x 2 (full size!)
retail value: $2.99

first up, definitely a simple beauty product since it is ChapStick and all but wait... dual-ended!? that is impossible!
one end is for use during the day so it has SPF while night is about restoring moisture. i've never seen a product like this - intriguing but also slightly gimmicky,,,

2) Bellapierre Cosmetics : Cheek & Lip Stain in "Pink"
size: 5 g (full size!)
retail value: $19.99

pretty shade but slightly too pink as a lip color for me... check out the sale board! 

3) Extend Your Beauty : Cosmetic Tool
size: 1 tool (full size!)
retail value: $5.49

another product that i have not seen before which is neat but to be honest, it looks sort of cheap. it looks like a product i could find at the dollar store.

and check out the back! Diswasher safe? wait - wha?? so many questions...

4) Nanacoco : Nail Polish in "20055 Romantic Cruise"
size: 15 mL (full size!)
retail value: $3.95

i keep picking up blue nail polish and adding it to my collection but it's the shade i use least. why do i continue to do that? ... sale page time!

5) Lashem : Picture Perfect Instant Wrinkle Reducer
size: 5 mL
retail value: $3.95 (15 g)

last month we got the eye bright version. the wrinkles are coming. must. prepare.

and voila! meh meh meh. effortless indeed... don't have much to say; every item is lackluster.

AT THIS MOMENT ...
currently listening: Just A Lil Bit (Av.i Remix) - 50 Cent
just watched: Edge of Tomorrow
still watching: Doctor Who Season 4 // Walking Dead Season 5 // Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 1 // Vampire Diaries Season 5
now reading: "When God Was a Rabbit" by Sarah Winman 

TOPBOX: October 2014 [Regular]

happy happy new year everybody! i hope your holidays were fabulous. i went back to work this week and i must say i could've used another week - only because it was quite a busy holiday. there was not one single day where i was able to lounge in pajamas and binge watch Netflix all day. other than that, it was a great time. spent plenty of time with friends and fam. and yes... somehow i ended up at the mall on Christmas Eve again. thought i was going to be able to avoid it since i was doing pretty good even before December hit. but lo and behold, every weekend in December was busy busy busy! one weekend it was my company's Christmas party and then there was a friend's wedding and then bam! it comes and goes so quickly doesn't it?
and then New Years. i feel that as i get older, fewer and fewer people have actual plans on New Years. for the beginning of 2015, the boyfriend and i just stayed in with his sisters. watched the countdown on TV. also watched a bunch of French rap videos. some of it is actually really good! actually i can't exactly comment on the rapping but to me - whose French is limited to bonjour, pamplemousse and voulez-vous coucher avec moi - it sounded pretty good.

flashback to October! October's Regular Topbox featured products available at London Drugs.

1) Prestige Cosmetics : Makeup Eraser Pen
size: 2.5 mL (full size!)
retail value: $9.00

oo neato! this is a product i've never used before... the slanted tip looks like it would be great for creating the perfect winged eye. it would also be very useful if you are as impatient as i am waiting for my liquid liner to dry...
i have only encountered Prestige Cosmetics at London Drugs. this pen is from their Back to Black collection; oil- and alcohol-free.

2) Cargo Cosmetics : Cargo_HD Picture Perfect Eye Shadow Primer
size: 5 g
retail value: $25 (11 g)

i have yet to be amazed by Cargo Cosmetics but i am willing to give this 'HD' product a chance. at first, the primer is a nude shade but blends into the skin.

3) Vichy : Purifying Foaming Water Radiance Revealer
size: 50 mL (full size!)
retail value: $23

fancy words hey? radiance revealer... one pump dispenses enough foam to lather your face. it feels like you are washing your face in a fountain of flowers. after rinsing, my skin is is feeling utterly soft.

4) Lise Watier : Lift & Firm 3D Duo Serum 24 Hrs (Instant Lifting Day Serum & Firming Night Serum)
size: 2 x 3 mL
retail value: $78 (2 x 20 mL)

the packaging touts the instant effectiveness of these serums - as quick as 15 minutes! there are high percentages of people saying they had firmer, smoother, denser skin... but if you look at the tiny writing, you will see that they tested this on 25 people. not very representative at all.
still - lifting and firming are going to be real issues in the near future. will hold onto these. :)

first time in a long time that i've been slightly impressed by Topbox. the Prestige Makeup Remover Pen is a new product for me so that is pretty exciting. maybe it is the timing as well since i was in need of a new cleanser. not sure how well foaming water will be at keeping pimples at bay...

AT THIS MOMENT ...
currently listening: "The Beginning" by Ryan Arcand (if you haven't checked out the video 'Man on the street plays beautifully', then go! the song is absolutely beautiful and moving)
just watched: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (after re-watching the other two as well - LOVE the trilogy, which is not surprising since i was also blown away by LOTR. the final movie was amazing - i was in awe the entire time)
still watching: Doctor Who Season 4 // Walking Dead Season 5 // Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 1 // Vampire Diaries Season 5
now reading: "When God Was a Rabbit" by Sarah Winman (finally decided to pick it up again - on Part 2!)