BEAUTY BOX 5: September 2014

a quickie post to get September reviews out of the way... ugh it gets harder and harder to keep up and now the holidays are creeping up on us. next week is my work Christmas party already!

and i must say i am very proud of myself this weekend. got a few people checked off my shopping list already!!! normally i am panicking on Christmas Eve but i am hoping to avoid that at all costs this year. it's looking good so far... :)

September's BB5 - "Balancing Act"

1) Nicka K New York : Eye Light Crayon in "NEL007 Bronze"
size: 1.6 g (full size!)
retail value: $4.49

i was giddy when my eyes fell upon this item. giddy! a feeling i haven't had while opening beauty boxes as of late. but i have a thing for gold (this is actually a bronze, i know)... and crayons.
"Bronze" is not too bronze-y and is a very nice shimmer. i wouldn't use it as an all over color on the eyelids but it's great for giving off that POP in the corner of your eyes. prettttttty.

2) Natural Style by FUBU : Deep Conditioner & Co-Wash
size: 14 mL x 2 
retail value: $9.99 (340 g)

haven't tried this.
plenty of oils.
what is a co-wash?

3) Sally Hansen : Toe Spacers 
size: 1 pair (full size!)
retail value: $1.99

aaaaaand not going to use these. i've probably ever used toe spacers once or twice in my life.

4) My Beauty Spot : Nail Polish 
size: 12 mL 
retail value: $24.99 for a set of 6

aaaaaaalso not going to use this. the purple (with shimmer) is actually slightly darker than it appears in the photos.

5) Lashem : 3 in 1 Eye Bright
size: 5 mL
retail value: $40.00 (15 mL)

hmm. i've been told that eye creams are useful but i haven't seen its benefits just yet... so i will just hold onto this.

so one hit and the rest are misses for me. those aren't good numbers.
oh well. back to Doctor Who! i just watched a Steven Moffat-written episode and i can't stop thinking about it.

AT THIS MOMENT ...
currently listening: "New Flame" by Chris Brown featuring Usher & Rick Ross
just watched: A Million Ways to Die in the West (not recommended)
still watching: Doctor Who Season 4 // Walking Dead Season 5 // Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 1
now reading: "When God Was a Rabbit" by Sarah Winman (still - i know! i sort of took a break...)

IPSY BAG : January 2014

January 2014 - 19 Reasons
i've finally made it to the 2014 subscriptions... aww yeah! i want to squeeze in another post before i leave for Philadelphia on wednesday though. i'm heading down to my friend's graduation and we will be visiting New York and Pittsburgh as well. it's all very exciting to me because i haven't been to many places in the states.

alsoooooo i went to my third (i think) BSB concert on friday and it was amazing (AHHH NICK CARTER)! it was awesome to see all 5 of them back together. they thanked the fans for being there for 21 years... 21 years!! that's crazy that it has been that long. i was super happy that they played a lot of their old hits. i also know some of their new ones since i had a BSB only playlist at work for the last 3 days in preparation :)

anyway, my phone died after the concert which made me kick myself the rest of the night because a friend convinced me to head to the after party and this was the closest i have ever been to them!! i could see the sweat on their foreheads! i touched AJ and Howie's hands!! i got Howie's autograph!!!

eeeeeeeee! i was in awe for sure! it was like an estrogen-fuelled mosh pit but it was worth it. Howie was super cool cause he was taking selfies with people's phones and signing autographs. yay!! i am very glad i went even though i felt super old at the club later. super old. a boy who actually looked 16 kept trying to hold my hand and dance with me and i was like 'i am pretty sure i am like 10 years older than you'! the club scene is veryyy strange to me now. 

anyway, back to ipsy! ipsy's 19 Reasons bag is referring to the 19 brands they worked with in January.  they also want you to find a reason why 2014 will be amazing. i'm already enjoying 2014 quite a bit and my upcoming trips to Philly/New York/Pittsburgh and then Orlando in the summer will be fantastic, i'm sure. plus, i just went to the Backstreet Boys and will be going to see John Legend next month. swoon!

1) Benefit : the Porefessional
Quickly minimize the appearance of pores & fine lines for smoother-than-smooth skin! Apply this silky, lightweight balm alone, under or over makeup. Translucent, oil-free formula complements all skintones and helps makeup stay put. Contains a Vitamin E derivative, known to protect skin from free radicals.
size: 3 mL
retail value: $31 (22 mL)
promotion: free gift with online purchase // expired Feb 15, 2014 

this makes it three! three times i've found this in a beauty bag. the other 2 times were from Topbox - April 2012 and February 2013. guess i won't be running out anytime soon and i still enjoy how smooth it makes my skin feel.

2)  (MALIN+GOETZ) : Mojito Lip Balm
The (MALIN+GOETZ) Mojito Lip Balm is as soothing to the lips as it is to the senses. Flavored with (MALIN+GOETZ) Mojito, this lip balm is scientifically blended to restore and replenish. The hydrating lip gel easily integrates for daily maintenance, prevention and treatment of dry, irritated lips. Color and Paraben free.

size: 10 g [full size]

retail value: $12

mojitos hey? that's a new flavor of lip balm for me. i am trying to rely less on lip balm cause i feel like my lips have to recover on their own from the winter but i might see if my boyfriend would use this. it looks plain enough right? i just don't know how he would feel about the gel texture...

3) Balanced Guru : Balm Me Up Organic Sweet Cocoa & Tangy Body Balm

Treat your whole body with a smooth and buttery body balm. Enriched with healthy butters and an invigorating blend of essential oils that will wake up your senses and moisturize your skin without leaving it greasy or tacky. Make sure you work it well into elbows, knees and even your feet, they'll thank you later!

size: 30 mL [trial size - $12]

retail value: $45 (120 mL)
promotion: 20% off online purchase // expired Feb 28, 2014 // US only

this body balm claims to moisturize your skin without leaving it greasy but i find that this is really difficult especially if the product contains so many different butters and oils. my experience with this body balm is that it leaves a shiny look/greasy feeling after application but over time, this will fade but the moisture remains.

4) Absolute! : Make-up Cleansing Tissues with 'Cucumber Extract'

Pre-moistened, refreshingly fragranced, water-based cloths designed to instantly remove even waterproof makeup without irritation. Infused with natural extracts and botanicals, Absolute! Makeup Cleansing Tissues are formulated to reawaken and soften skin, while helping to reduce puffiness. Made of delicate spun lace, our convenient, effortless 1-step tissues are gentle enough for use on sensitive skin and around the eye area.

size: 10 tissues [$2.49]

retail value: $7.99 [60 tissues]
promotion: 30% off online purchase // expired Feb 10, 2014 // US only

ipsy has teamed up once again with Nicka K. the Absolute! line of cleanings tissues include a number of other extracts such as Vitamin C, green tea and pomegranate. 

5) yaby : Natural Finish Liquid Foundation in 'Buff'

The yaby Liquid Foundation leaves an unbelievably natural, super smooth texture and is extremely easy to apply. Mimics the skin's natural sheen to create the most realistic flawless skin. Oil-free.

size: 8 mL [full size!]

retail value: $13.55
promotion: 20% off online purchase // expired Jan 31, 2014

the yaby liquid foundations all come in this small size which is great for carrying around. yaby also has color correctors as well. i've tried a few yaby products now (thanks to ipsy and Topbox) including some concealers which were decent but not highly pigmented. this 'Buff' shade is meant to be neutral but i think it is just a bit light for my skin. the smell is not the greatest since it smells sort of metal-y.

and tada! that makes up the first beauty bag from ipsy for the year... sort of a boring start in my opinion.

did you like your ipsy bag? what concerts are you going to this year?

IPSY BAG: December 2013

thought i'd share what i did last last weekend: Harry Potter The Exhibition in Edmonton!! good thing we bought tickets a couple days beforehand because all shows were sold out when we got there. phew! sunday was the last day so i hope you were able to make it if you had wanted to go! 

of course, pictures weren't allowed so here's a photo of a rook chess piece that was just outside of the exhibition area; also some Chocolate Frogs (i got Voldemort - chocolate was very tiny and for $6!) and some House Pins because magically, the four of us that went were sorted (on Pottermore) to four different houses - what are the chances?? worked out soooo perfectly. anyway, it was a fun day! 

i DEFINITELY want to check out The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando!!

andddd polina says to catch up already so here goes!
:)

reminds me of Glymm's bag in August 2012 - same texture, different design!

ipsy's December bag was all about "Celebration" - which was what i was hoping Topbox would be participating in but nopeeeee. let's check it out and find out for ourselves, shall we?

1) Be a Bombshell The One Stick in "Flustered"

An all-in-one multiple stick with a smooth texture. Apply to eyelids, cheeks or lips for the perfect pop of color anywhere.

"Flustered" is a warm bright pink which would be perfect for those who also enjoy lots and lots of glitter. i personally do not and i'm also not really drawn into the whole multi-purpose idea. i find that a color that may be great for lips tend not to be the same color i'd want for my eyelids.

size: 7.3 g (full size!)
retail value: $16
promotion: 40% off online purchase and free full-sized blush [expired Jan 15, 2014; US only]

2) NYX Extra Creamy Round Lipstick in "LSS548 Apollo"
A classic lipstick for all occasions that has a mineral-based emollient formula, beautiful velvet texture, saturated color, and resists wear and smudging.

i own more than 10 of these Round Lipsticks from a large eBay order where i spent hours deciding which 10 i actually wanted so i definitely recall ruling out "Apollo".

"Apollo" is a very shimmery orange and when it is this shimmery, it looks metallic. my skin tone practically screams NO to metallic lip colors. ipsy members received 1 of 18 colors - too bad i ended up with this one. i think it looks lovely on darker skin tones though.

size: 4 g (full size!)
retail value: $4.00
promotion: 35% off online purchase of Slim Lip Pencil [expired Jan 15, 2014]

3) POP Beauty Bright Up Your Life Eye Shadow Trio in "Smokin' Hot"
This palette of hues adds definition & intensity to lids, creating a broad range of looks that complements all eye colours. From brightening bare to sultry smoke, these hues blend smoothly onto the lid, adding a veil of silky luster that will outlive the day or night!

i remember those days when Sephora carried POP Beauty and they had these palettes designed for your eye color... i really wanted one of those! so i was a tad excited when i saw this on my ipsy bag. once i tried it however, i realized why Sephora may have stopped carrying it.

the pigmentation is really NOT there. the white is hardly distinguishable. the grey required a few swatches to even get this color and the black is not ... black. all three are shimmery. the quality just reminds me of kids' makeup.
can i also add how hard it was to open this case? you almost have to dig in your nail to pop this open. be careful of your manicures.

size: 4.35 g
retail value: $24 (for a 10 shadow palette)
promotion: 25% off online purchase [expired Jan 15, 2014; US only]

4) English Laundry Signature Pour Homme and Pour Femme Fragrances 
Signature Pour Femme By: English Laundry
Charming, Delicate & Elegant. Signature opens with quince, complimented by white chocolate and jasmine petals at the heart. For a purely peaceful scent, notes of orris roots, powdery musk and sensual woods have been composed at the base. Available in Holiday Gift Sets, Eau De Parfum, Body Lotion, Purse Sprayer and Pure Oil Roll On.

Signature By: English Laundry
Sophisticated, Masculine & Captivating. Signature is a fragrance with aromatic notes of bergamot, lemon, lavender and cedarwood. Nutmeg and coriander are composed in the middle. Signature reveals a base of sandalwood, vetiver, musk and amber. Available in Holiday Gift Set, Eau De Toillete, 3in1 Shampoo + Conditioner +Body Wash, Deodorant Stick and Pocket Sprayer.

i have never heard of this brand before but the packaging was cute and i liked how it came in a set for both him and her. also a spray top - so much more useful! sadly, the "Pour Femme" one leaked so i had like the tiniest bit left but i can for sure tell you what it smells like since it is all over the other products. seems like this leaking problem was quite common too.

"Pour Femme" is very feminine, very floral. it is not a soft-smelling scent. "Pour Homme" smells fresh and musky.

size: N/A but 2 larger than normal perfume spray samples
retail value: $72 (50 mL) for either scent; "Pour Homme": $84 (100 mL), "Pour Femme": $90 (100 mL)
promotion: free shipping and gift bag with online purchase of $75 or more [expired Feb 23, 2014; US only]

5) Nicka K New York in "NY139 Ripe Apple"
The Nicka K New York is specially designed to glide across fingernails with minimal effort for vibrancy that is dazzling and long lasting. Formula is free of DBP, Toublene, and formaldehyde.

ooooh a nail polish brand i've never heard of! the bottle is quite a unique shape. the color is a very deep red - the photos were taken in direct sunlight so they look like a true red here. i think it would look really pretty on the nails.

size: 15 mL (full size!)
retail value: $4.99
promotion: 30% off online purchase [expired Jan 10, 2014; US only]


so ipsy really is great for expanding your makeup collection - plenty of variety in brands as well as type of products. this month's was a tad too shimmery for my liking and it's unfortunate that the perfume leaked.