IPSY BAG: August 2014

i'm trying to fall back into routine but it's so difficult to settle back in after visiting the happiest place on Earth (as well as another magical place - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!). i took a two week trip to Florida mid-August and it was amazing!! 

hot hot hot but amazing. 8 days straight of theme parks (with a water park day thrown in the middle) which included plenty of eating, lineups, rides and merchandise but it was all fun. ALL of it. we did 4 days of Disney World and 3 Universal Studios. i hope i will get to doing a whole post on the trip!

August : Beauty Schooled

1) ABSOLUTE : You're the Balm Lip Balm in "Grape"
Treat your lips with this ultra-moisturizing lip balm from Absolute New York. This lightly tinted, creamy, conditioning formula softens, smooths, and protects lips for a seriously kissable pout. Discover this must-have balm for sensationally soft and luscious lips! 
size: 12 g
retail value: $5.99 (24 g - duo)
promotion: 30% off online purchase with code IPSY; US only; expires Sept 11, 2014

i love love love the smell of grape products... sooooo yummy! as much as i love grape, the glitter in this balm is a turnoff. i do not like putting just glitter on my lips - it's okay if there was some color in the product but i find it odd if it's just specks of glitter on my lips.

2) Dr. Brandt : Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer 
A cult favorite, Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer is Dr. Brandt’s quick fix for flawless, photo-ready skin. It is the miracle base to create the perfect skin canvas for long-lasting makeup and well-preserved skin. This velvety formula absorbs excess oil, minimizes pores, blurs fine lines and is resistant to sweat and humidity. Prime, touch-up and treat while perfecting your makeup.
size: 7.5 mL
retail value: $45.00 (30 mL)
promotion: 20% off online purchase & free travel size Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer & free shipping with code IPSY20; expires Oct 31, 2014

i wish i can actually see my pores minimizing but i have yet to encounter a product that does that. primer is always handy though.

3) Urban Decay : Perversion Mascara
Urban Decay's ultra-creamy, lengthening and volumizing mascara features triple-black pigments and a deeply nourishing ingredient blend. Perversion Mascara gets you sexy in one stroke, yet it won’t quit until you say when.
size: 3 mL
retail value: $22.00 (12mL)

this mascara boasts 'triple-black pigments' which sounds pretty interesting to me. i already have dark eyelashes (albeit being extremely sparse) so i am curious if this would make them even darker.

4) Coastal Scents : Forever Blush in "Fresh" and "Elegant"
Coastal Scents Forever Blush boasts 18 perfectly pigmented, powder blushes with a long-lasting rush of color. Complete with a mirror, these color-packed compacts go a long way.
size: 2.4 g
retail value: $7.95 (10 g)
promotion: 25% off online purchase with code blush25off; expires Oct 6, 2014

i decided not to swatch this because i have too much blush to use... the two shades in this sample are Fresh and Elegant. Fresh is a matte peach and Elegant is a satin pink - there's a bit of shimmer in this one.

5) Lord & Berry : Silk Kajal Kohl-Liner Eye Pencil in "#1001 Black"
Sensual and exotic, that's the effect that Silk Kajal Kohl Eye Pencil delivers. Just like the traditional Kohl, but with the modern ease and control of a pencil. Giving a semi-matte finish that is also smudgeable, Silk Kajal Kohl's soft tip is ophthalmologically-tested and gentle enough to be used on the inner eye. Also available in Nudo and White.
size: 0.6 g
retail value: $16.00 (1.44 g)
promotion: 25% off online purchase with code LAB@14091; expires Oct 15, 2014

this mini black eye liner goes on nice and dark but smudges easily. it is intended to be that way but i would advise against using it on your lower waterline if you do not wish to transform into a raccoon mid-day.

the August bag was a bit of a miss to me. there are some products i could have liked but there was always something missing (or in some cases like the lip balm - there's too much of...). i don't want such products to go to waste so i will be putting up a For Sale section. i will post the link up here once it's done!

WANTABLE: July 2014 [Accessories Box]

it's the day before i head to Florida and what i should be doing is packing but i will feel more complete if i was able to get all my July boxes out of the way. 

here's the last box for the month of July! it featured Danna Ann who is an 'expert' (of what, i am not sure) but i do like the majority of her jewelry selections.

i am not sure if this has been happening for a while now (since i skipped reviewing a few months worth of Wantable boxes) but there's a personal touch with the sticker on the box and the jewelry comes in these velvet pouches now.

 the July box contained four jewelry pieces:

1) Francesca Necklace
retail value: $18

this is not something i would normally choose myself but i can see myself wearing it. i like the detailing on the tree as well as the contrast with the coin.

2) Jodie Bracelet
retail value: $14

this is a unique piece... i've never seen a bracelet that is half leather and half gold like this. the white stone is very nice but the main problem i have with this is that it is not very secure. the leather does not wrap tightly around the stone so if it is hanging loosely on your wrist, it may just unhook and fall off.

3) Brittney Earrings
retail value: $24

cute earrings! i never say no to bows.

4) London Ring
retail value: $14

eeeeeeeeeh. not a fan of adjustable rings. plus, the smallest size it can be is just small enough to fit on my middle finger. 

3 out of the 4 pieces fit my preferences, although the bracelet is too loose for my liking. still, the box is quite pricey and i will be skipping months in the future. i only got up to July as a birthday treat.

is anyone still subscribed to Wantable? they seem to have a variety of other types of boxes now.

FANCY BOX: July 2014 [Coco Rocha]

i always look forward to opening my Fancy boxes since you never know what to expect. 

sadly, i was not a big fan this month:

1) Passport Luggage Tag
Passport luggage tag-a luggage tag that's ready to take on the world!
retail value: $10

soo uhm, this is sort of flimsy... and pretty much asking for trouble.

2) Wallpaper City Guide: NYC
Wallpaper* City Guides present a tightly edited, discreetly packaged list of the best a location has to offer the design conscious traveller. Here is a precise, informative, insider’s checklist of all you need to know about the world’s most intoxicating cities.
retail value: $14

this could have been useful when i was actually in NY in May... neat idea but not that interesting to me.

3) Privé Zipper Pouch by Izola
Izola's zipper pouches are 100% cotton and lined with PEVA to keep the contents dry and tidy. Use in the bathroom, for travel, or for your desk to keep all those pencils and pens organized.
retail value: $28

i have plenty of bags i use for traveling but i guess i did not have one that was plastic-y inside so that you can throw a wet swimsuit in there (Google tells me Privé means private). but $28 retail value?! 

4) Universal Travel Adapter by Kikkerland Design
Worldwide compatibility, more than 150 countries. Ultra compact for travel, folds flatter than any other adapter on the market.
retail value: $15

not something i need right now but maybe down the road when i travel to Australia again. or perhaps... Europe!

5) Well Kept Screen Towelettes
Each pack contains 15 pre-moistened towelettes, useful for cleaning a variety of electronics and lenses.
retail value: $13

i've never once been like, ya know what i could really use right now? a screen towelette! 

this month was my last Coco Rocha box. i thought i'd stick around until my birthday month and then decide... unfortunately, this was probably the most disappointing Coco Rocha box i've opened thus far. the items all revolved around a fun theme - traveling - but they were very lackluster.
Fancy boxes are all about sending you goods worth over $80. well this box just made it. the total of the retail value is $80 but that's nowhere near what i think it is worth. i'm thinking more like the $30 range.

i'm going to try my hand with Kelly Rowland next month. but just the one time! and it might be time to finally wash my hands of this.