BEAUTY BOX 5: December 2013

who was i kidding? i was wayyy off with my estimate in my last post - i am more like half way done December's boxes.

next up: BB5's "Naughty and Nice" December box

1) NYX Cosmetics Love in Rio Eyeshadow Palette in "LIR02 Mo Rockin' Beats"
after a rather disappointing experience with a very similar looking palette with POP Beauty in ipsy's bag, i think i'll pass on opening this up... i mean the only difference between the two is that this one has a matte white, a shimmery grey and a matte black while the other palette had all the same shades but shimmery. i am totally up for a swap/sale if you are interested :) the bow where you pop open the lid is super cute!

size: 3 g (full size!)
retail value: $6.00
promotion: 20% off online purchase until Dec 31/13 [expired]

2) Body Drench Daily Moisturizing Lotion - The Original
when it say's 'The Original', it must mean that this was such a hit that it has been imitated right?
the lotion is non-greasy and has a whipped-like texture. it also smells strongly of baby powder which i personally don't mind.

size: 59 mL
retail value: $8.99 (500 mL)

3) OFRA Cosmetics Lipgloss Plumper in "Sultry"
the description refers to this lipgloss as the perfect color for winter. and i finally get to it just when winter is coming to an end... wait, who am i kidding?? i live in Calgary! snow in May is almost a guarantee. you just never know with Calgary weather - sorry to all you optimists that have been walking around in flats and skirts.

the lipgloss is only available in "Sultry" which is a shimmery maroon color. the shimmer is not extreme and the shade is actually not as dark as it appears in the tube. it's a color i would be comfortable enough wearing during the day.
the plumping effect is also not too strong - i feel just a hint of 'stinging' if you want to call it that and it is very brief after the lipgloss is first applied.

size: 10 mL (full size!)
retail value: $12.95
promotion: 25% off online purchase until Feb 28/14 [expired]

4) Clean & Clear Morning Burst Hydrating Gel Moisturizer
mmmmm this reminds me of my childhood... does this remind anyone else of a certain type of prescription medicine you had to keep in the fridge? and it was for tummy aches? or perhaps colds? i can't remember what it was but i thought it was banana flavored. anyways, i just remember it being yummy... just like Dimetapp-C!

this gel moisturizer is very lightweight and is absorbed quickly into the skin. i do not believe the moisture is very long-lasting since it just disappears so quickly. aside from being oil-free, i don't know what other benefits it really has since it doesn't have other important qualities i look for in a moisturizer (i.e. SPF).

size: 14 g
retail value: $6.99 (85 g)

5) Sam Villa Brush Cleaner
you can always count on BB5 for diversity: a brush cleaner! that's a first. and one that doubles as a teasing brush?? i'm all for volume! but teasing does make my arms feel weak rather quickly...

this would be immensely useful in my house since the hair collects on my round brushes until i can no longer see the brush... until finally the boyfriend takes a look at it and asks why you allow such a mass of hair/lint/other to grow so massively to which you don't really have a good answer for. so he proceeds to take it off himself not knowing how tangly and stubborn long thick hair could be. you try to ignore it as he struggles and struggles, only to find a nice fur ball on your pillow the next day.
lovely isn't it?

size: 1 brush cleaner (full size!)
retail value: $4.95
promotion: 20% off online purchase until Dec 31/13 [expired]

so that's a decent December box in my opinion. the only thing i probably will not use is the NYX eyeshadow but only because i have many palettes in the same shades. i love NYX so if it was any other color, i'd probably have cracked it open by now. as mentioned in the previous section, the brush cleaner will be useful!

LUXE BOX: December 2013 [Winter Edition]

gooooooooood evening!
i've swung by today to give you a mighty quick post on the... last... December box i have? i might be wrong. there could still be one more hiding.

this is getting ridiculous, i know i know!

here goes:

1) Clinique High Impact Mascara in "01 Black"
ho hum - i've seen plenty of these included in the gift sets during Clinique bonus time.

size: 3.5 mL

retail value: $9.50 (8 g)

2) COVERGIRL LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm in "245 Ruby Twist"

i haven't dabbled with COVERGIRL for a while and i was surprised with how quickly i fell in love with this - the ease of application, the color, the moisturizing and light feel it has - all of it! it's so summery too which i am sure everyone is anticipating the change in weather.

size: 314 g (full size!)

retail value: $10

3) Essie Nail Lacquer in "728 Dive Bar"

most of the Essies in my collection are matte shades so this is something different. Essie calls this color "a mysterious blackest blue with shimmer". i love how it is dark with a blue-green shimmer. must try on my nails next week.

size: 13.5 mL (full size!)

retail value: $11

4) EVOLVh UltraShine Moisture Conditioner 

hmm something seems to be missing...

oh what's that? shampoo?

that's right! i don't know why Loose Button decided to cheap out on us and just give us the second step and not the first... 

but i must admit, i loved this when i received it in my Glymm bag who-knows-when (actually i do - it was September 2012!). it's natural, smells lovely and makes your hair feel super soft and light.

which is why i wish there was a shampoo to go with this!! aghhh 

size: 75 mL

retail value: $25 (250 mL)

5) Honibe Honey Lozenges in "Lemon"

whaaaaaaaaaaaat? 

size: 4 lozenges

retail value: $5.99 (10 pack); $9.99 (20 pack)

6) Loose Button Gel Eye Pads

i don't own a set of these so i was feeling okay about getting these. but if you scroll down a bit and see the value Loose Button slapped on these, your eyes might fall out of your head and you will no longer be able to use such expensive gel eye pads.

size: 2 pads

retail value: $30 (yaaaaaaaa right)

7) L'Occitane Pivoine Flora Eau de Toilette

the heart of this scent lies in peonies - which i like. it's not 'heavy' and the tiny bottle is adorbs. i actually haven't tried any L'Occittane eau de toilettes before (or even knew they had a fragrance line...).

size: 5 mL

retail value: $47 (80 mL)

8) Simple Pleasures Hand & Body Cream in "Vanilla Bloom"

the scent is nice and not overpowering but i can tell that creams like this one tend to be sold in clothing stores who throw all their body care items near the checkout i.e. F21, H&M. the lotion is watery so it does not do much for long-lasting moisture.

(oh wait! it is the same brand as the cream in last season's box - no wonder the quality felt the same...)

size: 237 mL (full size!)

retail value: $10

i sort of wish i could've cancelled when i was strong. but now there is another Luxe Box sitting in the corner, waiting for me to get around to it. i must say i am happy to try the COVERGIRL Jumbo Gloss Balm. the Honey Lozenges counted as 1 of my 8 items which is sort of silly... the cost of those eye pads were outrageous... conditioner, mascara, lotion - nothing really grabs me anymore.

maybe it's time.

are you still with Loose Button? and are you happy? 

thanks for reading!

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.