Archives for June 2013

Birchbox for June 2013 featuring Color Club, Mirenesse, & More!

June 20, 2013 By StephanieLouise 393Leave a Comment2013-06-20+12%3A57%3A00StephanieLouise

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I bought it. Referral links.

So…Birchbox has pretty much re-branded itself. It appears to be more of an overall brand. Out with the pink & in with the multi-sex prints & colors. Not that men can’t rock pink, but you know what I mean. They also seem to have changed logos, no more pink square. I was SO close to canceling Birchbox after a few too many duds but I’m glad I didn’t! Keep reading to see why!

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The box itself is different as well. The interior has a chevron pattern. The theme this month is Wanderlust. Aptly named since they have launched in a few more countries! They also included some cute postcards which you can see in the video.

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My thoughts:
Birchbox & Color Club Nail Polish in Reign in Spain- This is a neon pastel orange shade. I haven’t worn it yet but I like Color Club so I’m happy to see it in my Birchbox. These shades are Birchbox exclusive.

Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk- This is a nice size, enough for me to know I like it. This isn’t the most clarifying dry shampoo I’ve used but it smells wonderful! I really love this scent!

Mirenesse Glossy Kiss Lipstick in Perfect Kiss- This is a full size lippie! I love pencils like this, so easy to use on the go & they always apply nicely. This pencil says it can be used on cheeks too but I haven’t tried it that way. I do love the color so far!

Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser- This scent is fabulous with lemongrass extract & natural sugar. I love it, it smells great & is fine enough for an even exfoliation.

100% Pure Nourishing Body Cream- I received the Coconut Nourishing Body Cream & the Vanilla Bean Nourishing Body Cream. I think I’ve received samples of this before but I think it was another subscription service. They smell really nice & aren’t too thick or thin. Nothing mind blowing.

Overall, I’m impressed with this Birchbox. It was well worth the $10 I spent. I’m glad I stuck around & I’ll give it another shot. Want to sign up? Here’s my referral link for only $10 a month.

Lancome Nail Polishes in Ultramarine Green, Aqua Bleu, & Midnight Rose Swatches & Review

June 19, 2013 By StephanieLouise 394Leave a Comment2013-06-19+22%3A21%3A00StephanieLouise

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PR Sample. Affiliate Links.

When it comes to nail polish, color is king. I can work with any kind of formula for a great color. Then…there are those polishes that hit home in all of the areas. Beautiful formula, shiny finish, gorgeous shades? Lancome has me hooked. On top of that, these are blues & a purple…I couldn’t ask for more. Check out the swatches & review of the Lancome Vernis in Love polishes below!

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These shades come packaged in your standard Lancome packaging, nice silver boxes. Unfortunately, that is the only location the polish name is located. I’ve included numbers next to the shades below for reference since the number is on the bottom of the bottle for shade reference.

From Lancome: Inspired by the new trendy Rouge In Love lip collection, Vernis in Love is a high potency nail lacquer perfectly themed to compliment every woman’s mood and style. With ultimate brilliance, intense color, and a mistake-free application, your nails will love the lasting shine and pop of color that stays put for days.

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Ultramarine Green 521- A creamy blue leaning turquoise. Perfect shade. 2 coats. Part of the Lancôme Aquatic Summer 2013 Collection.

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Aqua Bleu 545- Creamy cornflower medium blue. It looks brighter here than in person. Gorgeous. 2 coats. Part of the Lancôme Aquatic Summer 2013 Collection.

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Midnight Rose 441- A beautiful red toned berry. 2 coats. Part of the Part of the Lancôme Fall 2012 Collection.

All three shades were pretty fabulous, from application to wear. Each shade is a lovely cream with an awesome brush. When I first opened the bottles I wasn’t impressed, the brush looks average. However, upon application, I was very happy. These applied like butter & leveled out beautifully. I wore the shades for several days with nice wear as well. I could have gotten away with one medium coat if I wasn’t doing swatches, they’re very nicely opaque. Very impressed overall.

Do you own any Lancome nail polishes? Any shades I need to scope out next?

Suave 24 Hour Protection Everlasting Sunshine Deodorant Review

June 19, 2013 By StephanieLouise 395Leave a Comment2013-06-19+18%3A17%3A00StephanieLouise

PR Sample. Affiliate links.

It isn’t very often I show a deodorant on my site. There has to be something pretty exceptional about it. Personally, I walk in & pick my deodorant by sight & scent. I know I know… not the most scientific am I? But for me, those are what convince me to purchase. Suave Everlasting Sunshine Deodorant is affordable, promises 24 hour protection, & has a great, unique scent. Keep reading to find out if it is for you!
Nouveau Cheap reviewed this scent in body wash form over a year ago (check out her review here) & I’ve been wanting to try it ever since. A banana/passion fruit/vanilla scented product? The Suave Everlasting Sunshine scent also comes in a body wash, lotion, shampoo & conditioner that I might need to scope out.

The deodorant itself is a great surprise. It applies thin & evenly, none of that residue yuckiness. I like the basic twist bottom on this as well. I really smell the banana & tropical scent with a base note of warm vanilla. I love this scent for summer especially!

Have you used Suave deodorant before? Does Suave’s Everlasting Sunshine scent sound like something you’d enjoy?

My First RocksBox: What to Expect, Packaging, & Will I Keep It?

June 19, 2013 By StephanieLouise 396Leave a Comment2013-06-19+13%3A52%3A00StephanieLouise

PR Sample from iFabbo. Referral links.

So with all of the subscription boxes out there what makes RocksBox different? Well, for one thing, it isn’t cosmetic related. Or something you get to keep. It is really more of a rental/lease to buy service. For $19 a month, you get 3 pieces of jewelry from specialty designers. Want to see what I received & what I think overall? Just keep reading!

When it comes to jewelry I am pretty varied. I wear flower studs one day & spiked bracelets the next. Actually, sometimes I wear them at the same time. I like that you fill out a jewelery type survey so they know what to send & choose certain pieces that may interest you. They will select your pieces from this survey.

When they mail it to you the box in the first photo is in a bubble wrapper. Another bubble wrapper is included for return. The box is very pretty & closes with a pink ribbon. Inside is a blue paper with a thin pink ribbon. Beneath that are your jewelry pieces in little baggies. I would prefer something nicer & more secure but everything arrived intact so it must work.

You also receive a paper with information on it. It isn’t a glossy card but a print out from the computer. On it you’ll find information about each piece as well as the retail price & the member’s price you can purchase it for. I’ve had my pieces for about a week now & am going to share my thoughts.

Tahitin Holiday Bangles in Navy by Urban Gem
Retail Price: $58.00 Member Price: $46.40
I wanted to like these…but I don’t. I’m not a big fan of the hinge clasps, they look kind of cheesy to me. These also ran small even on my small wrists. After wearing for about 20 minutes I realized on 2 of the 3 bracelets the clasps didn’t meet up perfectly & took them off. They weren’t my style anyway…but I did try!

Tumbleweed Pendant in Ruthenium by Viento
Retail Price: $100.00 Member Price: $80.00
I liked this…in theory. It is a really cool looking piece & looks like hands clasping. I like the metal, the chain is nice, but it feels more like a ring. In fact, it fits on me like a ring. It snagged on my hair & just didn’t feel like a me piece.

Emerald Cut Drops in Black Onyx by Margaret Elizabeth
Retail Price: $118.00 Member Price: $94.40
These were the pieces I thought I’d like the most. They are shiny black emerald cut earrings. But they were just too heavy for me. After wearing them awhile, I took them off & put in some lightweight earrings. Audios. I think I would have loved this in some sort of necklace form.

So what do you do with these pieces? Well, you can wear them for up to 60 days or you can return all the pieces you don’t want to buy in the included bubble wrapper & they’ll send you new ones.

Want to earn credits? Me too! This is important with any subscription service for me because freebies are just plain fun. You’ll receive $25 for every new member that you refer. You’ll also receive $5 for posting a photo of you wearing your items & tagging @RocksBox per RocksBox set. Luckily, I have a code for 50% a 3 month subscription thanks to iFabbo, just use the code FABB when you sign up! Please use my referral code here, I’ll love you forever!

So what do I think of RocksBox? Well, I’m reserving judgement. None of these pieces are for me but I’ll give them 3 strikes like all other boxes. For me, this box was a let down & I’m sending it back today. I also had to wait a really long time (over 2 months) before I got a box. I’ll be sure to update you ASAP about my next box though, I hope it arrives much sooner.

What do you you think of the idea of RocksBox? Will you be signing up?

*Products provided by iFabbo through their SHOP program. All opinions are 100% my own.

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrubs Review + They’re on Sale!

June 18, 2013 By StephanieLouise 397Leave a Comment2013-06-18+22%3A08%3A00StephanieLouise

I bought it. Affiliate links.

When it comes to body products I tend to go by scent. I’m one of those girls that uses things seasonally, candy apple is for winter & coconut is for summer. So what product do I use year round that has exceptional scents? Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrubs! I received one around winter in a travel size & have been hooked ever since! Right now they are buy one get one 50% off at ULTA so I moved up this review so you can catch them on sale.
From the ULTA website: Delight your senses as you smooth your skin with this rich, exfoliating Shea Sugar Scrub. The whole sugar grains provide a gentle yet deep exfoliation. Our scrubs also contain extra-moisturizing Shea Nut Oil to help preserve your skin’s natural moisture and are enriched with vitamin C to keep skin looking young and healthy. All Tree Hut Products are made with Certified Organic Shea Butter and natural extracts. Our products are Paraben Free and DMDM Free.

Normally I’m pretty opinionated, especially when it comes to scents. & I frequently have a favorite. This is not one of those times! I have 3 scents/varieties & I’ll definitely be checking out the rest. I need to scope out some of their other products as well…shame on me for not doing that already right? I’ll break down each scent for you a bit below. These scrubs are some of my absolute favorites because they aren’t too scratchy yet they manage to make my skin feel like butter. They exfoliate so nicely & leave my skin smooth.

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrubs in Almond & Honey- This smells somewhat warm & comforting. Love it. This blend contains certified organic shea butter, natural almond extract, & honey.

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrubs in Tropical Mango- Tropical but not too summery- perfect year round for me. I love fruity scents, especially mango. This blend contains mango puree & certified organic shea butter.

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrubs in Coconut Lime- This is the scent I got a sample size of that started the collecting. It smells like fresh summer. Contains certified organic shea butter, natural coconut extract, & natural lime extract.

I bought mine from ULTA & plan to snap up a few more. They last me quite awhile & are easy to scoop up. I definitely want to try Brazilian Nut as well! I wanted to pick it up but it had been messed with unfortunately.

Have you tried any Tree Hut products? What are your favorite scrubs? Which scent appeals to you most?

Hpnotiq’s GlamLouder: Bling It On! to Win Contest & Sweepstakes

June 18, 2013 By StephanieLouise 398Leave a Comment2013-06-18+18%3A18%3A00StephanieLouise

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We See Beauty Faye Toogood Collection for MAKE Review & Swatches

June 18, 2013 By StephanieLouise 399Leave a Comment2013-06-18+15%3A00%3A00StephanieLouise

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PR Sample.

We See Beauty has a lovely collection of professional & wild makeup that easily blends into any cosmetic routine (see my first review from We See Beauty here). This review is featuring items from the new Faye Toogood collection. If you are interested in achieving matte, dewy or both on your skin then this is definitely the post for you! There are some definite hits in this collection that I think you’ll love! Keep reading to see some seriously innovative products.

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We Se Beauty Faye Toogood Collaboration:
Known for her stark and poetic creations, London-based furniture and interiors designer Faye Toogood turns her eye to makeup, collaborating with artist Ayami Nishimura for the concept collection for MAKE.

Academically trained in the theory and practice of art, Faye collides a pure respect for the past and a self-expressed vulnerability of nature for the New Medieval Collection for MAKE. Sitting in her London studio, Faye shares her fascination with the unexpected destructive qualities of nature, the current flux of our society, and the way natural materials can convey a narrative of hope in color and textures.

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Matte Finish Eyeshadows in Sulfur & Warm White- A matte primary vibrant yellow & a matte white with linen undertones. I loved the eyeshadows I reviewed here but these shades are just as gorgeous. I haven’t ever found a matte yellow (or possibly a yellow period) that I like this much. The white also makes a great base for brighter shades. I think maybe an eyeshadow look needs to happen with these two soon!

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Custom Finish Effects Duo in Matte/Dew- Using your fingertips, apply peach formula to areas in need of shine control or matte finish, and the pink formula to areas in where you want moisture or a dewy finish. Can be used over makeup, and applied frequently without caking.

This is probably the most innovative summer product to cross my beauty desk in a long time. The ability to easily blend & apply a matte or dewy finish to the face with an ultra thin cream is amazingly easy. If you love both matte & dewy skin, this product is for you.

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Make Face Gloss- Brightening and subtly illuminating Face Gloss refreshes tired and dull skin in a vitamin-rich formulation that is colorless, enhances skin appearance, balances and maintains moisture. Perfect for wearing on natural skin or as a soft luster finish over foundation and powder.

For those just looking for a glossy/dewy look, this product will be more your style. With a convenient squeeze tube you have lots of control for application. Applying with your fingertips lightly will help to warm up the product a bit for a perfect finish. You can go subtle or full gloss.

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Luminous Lip Gloss in Flesh- A warm salmon pink with a yellow undertone. Beautifully pigmented & gives my lips a flawless look. Really a standup gloss.

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Swatches left to right- Custom Finish Matte/Dew, Face Gloss, Luminous Lip Gloss in Flesh, Matte Eyeshadows in Sulfur & Warm White.

You can purchase the We See Beauty Faye Toogood Collection items featured here on the website.

Any products you see here that interest you? Would you be interested in seeing a matte white & yellow eyeshadow tutorial?

Lush Lacquer Nail Polish in Clowning Around Swatches & Review!

June 17, 2013 By StephanieLouise 400Leave a Comment2013-06-17+22%3A41%3A00StephanieLouise

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Want to see a polish that totally blew my mind? Feast your pretty eyes on Lush Lacquer’s Clowning Around. I bought this off Etsy because I absolutely needed it in my life. I’ve seen so many bloggers come up with beautiful combinations with this glitter combo but for these swatches, white was definitely the winner. Keep reading to see more pictures!

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Lush Lacquer Clowning Around- A mixture of small, medium, & large hexes in hot pink, lime green, bright blue, bright yellow, bright orange, & purple suspended in a clear base. All of the glitters pop neon & layer nicely because they are somewhat sheer. Seen here is 2 coats somewhat sponged on plus a top coat over Wet n Wild French White Creme.

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Love this combo. Obsessed. I bought mine off Etsy in a full size bottle along with a few other shades. I really like the bottle, it feels very professional & heavy. I also didn’t have an issues pulling glitter, tons of it in there & the base it is suspended it is great!

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This shade definitely pops the most over white but I can’t wait to try it over other shades! I think it is going to be really spectacular.

You can purchase Lush Lacquer’s Clowning Around & other shades on Etsy.

It Cosmetics Matte Sweet Apple Vitality Powder Blush Stain Review & Swatches

June 17, 2013 By StephanieLouise 401Leave a Comment2013-06-17+19%3A15%3A00StephanieLouise

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PR Sample. Affiliate Links.

With all of the fabulous blushes on the market today, how do you choose a new one? I go for color, pigmentation, & wear. Does it blend out evenly? Will it last through the winter wind & the summer heat? Is the color a good match for me or just something I’ll reach for here & there? It Cosmetics managed to create a powder blush stain that has impressed me majorly. Keep reading to find out why!
From It Cosmetics: Vitality Cheek Flush is a cheek stain infused into a powder! Developed with plastic surgeons, this hydrating, brightening, and antiaging blush gives the perfect naturally pretty flush of color to the cheeks and lasts. This truly innovative formula contains It Cosmetics’ Hydra-Luxe technology, including ingredients such as plum oil, cherry oil, hyaluronic acid, pomegranate, seaweed extract, grape seed, aloe, and jojoba that all work together to treat, hydrate, condition, and nourish your skin. Plus, Vitality Cheek Flush is packed with antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and E, acai, green tea, and white tea. Talc, paraben, sulfate, mineral oil, petrolatum, synthetic fragrance, and phthalate free. Hypo-allergenic and non-comedogenic. Made in the USA.

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The packaging on these blushes are quite nice with a black rubber type finish (similar to NARS) & is compact enough for travel. You get 3.87g of product & it is made in the USA. You also get a nice little mirror inside the compact.

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I really like using the It Cosmetics French Boutique Blush Brush to apply & blend out the blush. The bristles are dense enough to pick up the product but not too dense that you apply too much. It is really soft & not too big either. I also love the packaging, so nice!

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This is a very pigmented red toned pink. The other 3 shades in this line are all shimmers so if you want a matte, this is the one for you! This blush lasts ages & doesn’t make my dry skin look dull even though it is matte.

It Cosmetics Vitality Cheek Flush Powder Blush Stain & Brush retails for $24.00 and is available on the It Cosmetics website as well as at QVC and in Canada at theshoppingchannel.com.

Would you be interested in trying a blush stain? What are your favorite blush shades?

Getting Fit & Sexy with Slim-Fast!

June 14, 2013 By StephanieLouise 402Leave a CommentGetting+Fit+%26+Sexy+with+Slim-Fast%212013-06-14+23%3A10%3A00StephanieLouise

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Let’s talk about getting healthy. I’ve been making tweaks & planning like a crazy person to create a healthier lifestyle for myself. Sure, hubby is naturally benefiting because I make dinner (therefore I have the power, muahaha!), but the base line is for me. I could definitely go on & tell you about how diabetes runs in my family or how slow I run a mile but you’ve heard all of that before, right? And I could say “Health starts from the inside out like beauty” which is totally true but you’ve heard that before too, correct? Well how about, “I want to look smoking next summer when the Air Force hopefully has enough money to open a pool!”

Sound kind of lame? Okay well hold up & let me explain, sheesh! The base we’re currently stationed at said they aren’t even opening the pool this summer. True story. I’m going a summer without swimming in a pool, which is unheard of. Normally, I’d be dreading picking out a new swimsuit right about now but why bother? We might go fishing but who needs to look cute to do that? Fish just don’t care about how I feel about myself in a bathing suit. Instead I’m channeling all of this non-pool energy into looking hot for next summer. Clearly this includes eating right, exercising, & getting my foxy on. I find I feel better about myself when I’ve done my hair & makeup for the day. Now don’t fret, I didn’t say I HAVE to do it & I can totally go without but it makes me feel better. Why else would I spend hours in front of a mirror coloring myself in with various art supplies?

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Let’s talk food! I’ve been using Slim-Fast for years as a supplemental meal or snack. Oh man, did I forget to eat breakfast again? Boom, it is in my hand ready to go. Starving for chocolate & could devour a whole cake? Yeah a Slim-Fast bar is probably a better option. Oddly enough, most convenience foods (think vending machines) just aren’t as good for you! What is good for me is the fact that one of their bars (Peanut Butter Crunch Snack Bar) tastes exactly like Bart Simpson’s favorite candy bar. Huzzah!

So why else would I want to lose weight? Again…health overall blah blah. But also…to balance better in heels, wear less clothing during this heat without feeling like a blob, & because I really want to pay someone to take in my favorite clothes. How great is that going to feel? Pretty amazing. Plus, I’m going streaking! Okay maybe not REALLY but if I NEED to I want to look as good as possible! What about you? What would you say would be the BEST part about losing a few pounds? Be honest, and be funny! Just leave a comment. Entries will be pooled between participating blogs and two lucky winners will be picked at random to each win a $1,000 SpaFinder gift card!

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 6/13/13 – 6/30/13.

Be sure to visit the Slim-Fast brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!