Glossybox is here! Woohoo! This box has some makeup, a tool, hair care, & a skincare product. I have swatches & mini reviews below… & I might have found my very blackest eyeshadow ever! Please enjoy my thoughts below!

Here’s the card for this month with the card info & such. I also received another card (pictured below) that offered 20% off your first purchase from Mastey with the code GLOSSYBOX. Shhhh don’t tell them I told you okay?These boxes are awesome (I’ve been storing everything from pictures to Christmas gifts in them!) along with some crinkle worms which Sawyer (our kitten) absolutely appreciates.

Let’s take a peek inside my November 2013 Glossybox!:

Emite Makeup Micronized Eye Shadow in Dams– This eyeshadow is ridiculously black! I mean, to a crazy degree! I swatched it below with the brush provided & then on my finger as well. SO black & SO pigmented! I haven’t compared my black eyeshadows in a long time…I might need to do that again soon!

Jelly Pong Pong 2 in 1 Eyeliner & Shadow Pencil– I’m a bit confused with this pencil…I have no idea what shade it is! I can’t find it on the pencil anywhere & I doubt the only shade they have is this deep green? Either way, it is really pretty & will make a lovely eyeshadow base! Love the shimmer & smoky look to it.

Mastey Color Protection Color Protecting Leave-In Oil Treatment– This is a nice big sample, 2 fl oz of oil! I don’t love the packaging of this sample, I definitely appreciate having a glass bottle with a dropper now! No big deal because this is a sample but just something to note! This smells SO good & somewhat floral.

Nicka K New York Professional Eyeshadow Brush– This is a blending eyeshadow brush from a brand I’ve never tried before, thanks Glossybox for something out of the norm! I personally like boxes that include a variety of brands I already love & new brands to check out. Anyway, this is a really lightweight brush made of “quality pony hair”. I don’t know if I’ve ever had a pong hair brush before but it is really soft but still has the perfect density to pick up eyeshadow & actually blend into the crease.

The Aloe Source Jojoba Radiance Cleansing Polish-This is a sulfate-free cleanser that is supposed to remove makeup, oil, & impurities. On top of that it has jojoba microbeads & alpha & beta hydroxy acids to exfoliate. It promises to nourish & soothe skin with aloe vera & says it is suitable for all skin types. It smells like a regular cleanser & looks like a clear gel with white micro beads in it.

Here are the swatches! On the left is the very finest line I could get next to a thicker line of the Jelly Pong Pong 2-in-1 Eyeliner. Next to that is a quick swipe of the Emite Micronized Eyeshadow in Dams using the brush & then a swipe using my full finger. Look how black it is right?

If you’re interested in signing up for Glossybox USA it is a monthly subscription service for only $21 a month. I have posted lots of reviews so check them out for reference!

I liked this box, definitely some fun new items to play with including some full sizes! Do you receive Glossybox? What did you get this month?

This month Ipsy really put together something special & very makeup related.With a bag of all makeup & one nail polish the value is way past the $10 the bag cost to purchase. Plus, this month we received 6 products. I think they added the EM by Michelle Phan as a kind of “extra” which was smart. I’ve seen lots of reviews on EM products, some favorable & some not so much so I was very interested in trying it for myself! Keep reading to see mini reviews & swatches of the items I received!

The items I received in the Ipsy November 2013 bag:

Be A Bombshell Cosmetics Lip Crayon in Hot Damn– I love lip pencils & automatic twist ups are my heart song. So easy to use! This is a very bright red shade & actually feels like more of a satin rather than a matte or glossy finish. This has some very fine shimmer in the formula as well which makes it appear more interesting. I actually like that this isn’t your expected holiday red.

Starlooks Gem Pencil in Topaz– This is a normal eyeliner pencil (as in you have to sharpen it) but it is super creamy & pigmented. I’m not sure why it is called topaz because it is definitely a silver…but whatever. This is a nice shade for the winter season & it applies without tugging. You can smudge it out so this might even make a nice base?

Nailtini Lacquer in Champagne– Another Nailtini! I actually enjoy getting nail polishes in my Ipsy bags so I look forward tot his. I love this shade, it is a champagne-ish rose gold. I haven’t applied this yet but it is a metallic with some ultra fine shimmer throughout. Pretty!

Pixi Beauty Bronzer in Subtly Suntouched– I wouldn’t call this a bronzer, even on my super fair skin. This is almost a slightly bronze shimmering finishing powder? I have no idea how I’m going to use this, it goes on super light but I don’t really reach for bronze-y highlights. This is going to take some thinking.

BH Cosmetics Galaxy Chic Baked Eyeshadow in Aphrodite– I absolutely LOVE this shade, it is so pretty! This is a cranberry based burgundy baked eyeshadow that can be used wet or dry. I love the red tones that shine through & pink-ish shimmer when the light hits it. So lovely. I’d actually be interested in picking up this palette since the single is apparently from the full sized palette & they aren’t sold as singles.

EM Michelle Phan Creamy Color Classic Lipstick in Nude Lace– I was really excited when i saw I was receiving this lipstick in my IPSY preview but I was pretty bummed in person for one reason: wayyyy too brown for me! I don’t think I can pull this off without looking like a 90s reject because I’m so fair. Anyway, the basics: wonderfully creamy, very pigmented in one swipe, & the packaging feels very heavy & luxe. I’m impressed overall (good thing since it costs quite a bit!) but I wish I had gotten a shade I could use, probably something with more pink.

Swatches left to right: Em Michelle Phan Creamy Color Classic Lipstick in Nude Lace, Starlooks Gem Pencil in Topaz, Be A Bombshell Cosmetics Lip Crayon in Hot Damn, BH Cosmetics Galaxy Chic Baked Eyeshadow in Aphrodite, & Pixi Beauty Bronzer in Subtly Suntouched.

Overall I’m really happy with the overall value of this bag. in case you aren’t familiar, Ipsy is a monthly beauty subscription service that costs only $10. Please use my referral link if you choose to sign up, I really appreciate it! I think they did a nice job choosing products I’d use for a night out & throughout the holiday season. My least favorite thing about this month? I think the bag looks & feels super cheap…I won’t be using this. I consider this an “extra” though so it doesn’t phase me much.

What did you get in your Ipsy bag this month? Anything I should check out? Any products you want to see in a look or tutorial?

Let’s just get this out of the way real quick: This was a freaking awesome Glossybox! Okay now to retain my composure & tell you why: One item in this box was already on my list to repurchase & I’ve been using it for over a month. Yes. I love it that much! This box has makeup, possibly a new HG status exfoliating product, perfume, & skincare. Keep reading to see the details!

This month Glossybox had a collaboration with Byrdie who claims to be your new destination for all things beauty. Well, Stephanie Louise from All Things Beautiful is feeling threatened, please don’t drop me! (I kid I kid) They have lots of stylists & such on their site & bring lots of new ideas to the beauty world. Cool stuff. The box this month was an awesome gray shade & the card was laid out a bit different. I like that they have been playing around with their design, fun to see something new each month.

Tarte Lights Camera Flashes Mascara– Yes, this is the product! A full sized mascara I love that retails for $23 in my $21 box? You bet I was happy, I pretty much saved $2 then got the rest of the items free! This mascara has been my go-to favorite for at least a month & my favorite Tarte formula so far. No flaking, beautiful packaging, & a seriously cool brush. This wand has two sides that do both things I want: lengthen & coat then volumize & separate. I’m just so happy ya’ll, I’m tearing up. Plus it is really black which I also love! A great splurge item & then Glossybox saves me $23! Be my best friend Glossy?

Balance Me Tinted Lip Salve in Super Soft Beige-This is your regular tube gloss but for some reason mine was at least 1/3 empty? Not sure if they all come like that but that was honestly the first thing I noticed. I was nervous about the shade but it is actually really sheer. It has a minty scent & contains lots of oils to moisturize. A nice shiny gloss. This shade was an exclusive for Glossybox subscribers.

Sesha Skin Therapy Renu Exfoliating Gel– I seriously think this might be something I need to pick up ASAP after working through a few more skincare lines I’m reviewing. This gel says it is for all skin types (I have dry/combo skin for reference) & says it “removes dead skin cells & unclogs pores with papaya enzymes”. I personally love enzyme cleansers/masks/exfoliants so I was already excited but this pretty much blew my mind. I haven’t tried anything like this! You apply this to dry skin (it looks like a clear gel) then you start lightly rubbing it in with circular motions. This gel starts beading up (so gross!) with dead skin & such removes it without any irritation or even redness to my somewhat sensitive skin. I’m always left red after exfoliating…except now! You keep massaging it in until it dries & pulls crud up then you just wash it off. Poof awesome skin. This was ridiculous & I was hooked in just one application!

Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream– I’m a big Fresh fan & have used multiple products from them over the years. This moisturizer promises to help ease the signs of aging while boosting radiance. I found at least the radiant part to be true as I have to use something longer then a week or two to see big signs. With ingredients like lotus flower extract, both fig & hibiscus fruit extracts, & the ever effective blue-green algae this is something I feel good about feeding to my skin. This is a pricey moisturizer in full size so I’d consider picking this up next time I need something for day use when my skin is just feeling a bit more dull.

Bvlgari Eau Parfumee Green Tea– Not only does this scent involve green tea (easily one of my favorite drinks to sip on while I type!) but it is also supposed to be unisex. This is a really great size sample although I always prefer a rollerball or spritzer. For me personally, this isn’t something I would have picked up to wear. While pleasant & quite neutral, I tend to prefer something more feminine which is just personal preference.

Obviously I loved this box & it was a steal for my personal beauty habits. I send lots of X’s & O’s to Glossybox & Byrdie for this one, great collaboration! If you’re interested in signing up for Glossybox USA it is a monthly subscription service for only $21 a month. I have posted lots of reviews so check them out for reference!

I’m really excited to show you the Beauty Box 5 box for this month, it is definitely one of my favorites! I have 5 items & they’re all things I’m interested in using which is always a plus! Plus…a full sized lipstick?! Woo! Keep reading to see what is inside!

This month we have a body lotion, toe separators (which I consider a tool), nail polish, lipstick, & some facial cleansing wipes. So that’s a body product, tool, nail product, makeup item, & a skincare item. Beauty Box 5 does a really great job with variety, always happy with that!

Here are the included cards for this month. If you click on the image it will enlarge so you can read them more clearly if you want more information.

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion- This is a 1 fl oz lotion, great for my purse! It isn’t super thick or rich so maybe not best for my extra dry skin this time of year but nice for day to day. I also like that it is fragrance free, perfect for my purse since I’m usually wearing a fragrance of some kind.

Swissco Glitter Toe Separators- Really cute & super glittery! I already have some I’m using currently so I’m saving these for a little girl in the future. I’m constantly doing other people’s nails so these will be a fun surprise!

LA Fresh Travel-Lite Facial Cleansing Wipes- LOVE travel wipes. I’ve gotten quite a few from LA Fresh & have been saving them for travel. You get 8 in this pack & I keep them in my purse for melting makeup or touchups. Also great for post-workout!

Nubar Alter Ego Nail Lacquer in Kristal- How pretty is this polish!? I love the iridescence & the formula is nice & even when applied. I swatched it below next to the lipstick so you can see how pretty it is!

Model Co Lipstick Couture in Sunset- A full sized lipstick? This pays for the box this month already! Retailing for $17 this is a really nice color as well. I love the mirror on the outside & the white plastic packaging is sturdy. This is a muted orange toned coral which makes it easy to wear pretty much year round. I consider these types of lip colors neutral perfection for fall because it isn’t too bright & is moisturizing. No shimmer in this, just moisturizing & semi-sheer with buildable coverage.

How pretty are these swatches? Lovely right? Really a very “me” box this month, very happy overall!

You can subscribe to Beauty Box 5 monthly for $12 a month, $30 for 3 months ($10 a month), or even $99 a year (only $8.25 a month!) which is a pretty darn good set of deals if you ask me! You receive 5 samples monthly & it has helped to introduce me to lots of new brands to play with!

What do you think of this box? Anything you want full reviews on? What did you get in your box this month?

When it comes to RocksBox (the jewelry subscription that lets you try new pieces & buy them at reduced prices or return them for new ones) they seem to be pretty hit or miss with my style. As always I received 3 items, read more to see them & what I thought!

This month…my box was pretty knocked up. They were really nice when they started out but I think the re-use is take a toll on the quality. The packaging inside is still nice & unlike in the beginning the jewelry is safe & separated.

Stilla Pendant in Gold from Viento
Retail Price: $100.00 Member Price: $80.00
This necklace is really pretty & has a nice quality chain. I like the color of the jewels as well but they don’t really stand out against the gold.

Drop Earrings in Blue & Gold from Lucas Jack
Retail Price: $79.00 Member Price: $63.20
These earrings are a nice color & very lightweight…but definitely not worth the price. They feel & unfortunately look like plastic. Cute but not for me.

Nail Bangle in Gold by CC Skye
Retail Price: $95.00 Member Price: $76.00
I really like this bracelet! It basically looks like a giant golden nail but rounded into a bangle. I’ve seen a lot of bracelets like this lately & they go with pretty much everything.

This was another pricey month eh? Also…kind of thrown that all three pieces are gold. Don’t get me wrong, I love gold, but usually they send different types of metal. At least I got one of each though, that is nice variety. You can return all the pieces you don’t want to buy in the included bubble wrapper & they’ll send you new ones. I really liked the bracelet but I just bought a similar kind of design (but in silver with spikes) so I’ll bee sending all 3 back this month. You can check out my Instagram to see me wearing them both together!

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!


What do you think? Any pieces you’d want to pick up? Have something similar?

Wantable is a new to me subscription that has three options: beauty, intimates, & accessories. There is a very in depth quiz (more on that below!) that gears your interests then your box is shipped out full of mystery items promising to be worth $80-$100 in value. Was it worth it & what did I get? keep reading to find out! [Read more…]