Sunday, January 26, 2014

Birchbox - January 2014

About Birchbox: "For $10.00 each month, you'll receive a selection of samples that we’ve tried (and retried) ourselves. We source our samples from both well-known brands and emerging gems. The women’s subscription includes everything from skincare to makeup, as well as fun non-beauty extras."
 Click here to Subscribe!

Birchbox - January 2014 (1 of 2)



Nail Rock in Velvet Navy


Size Received: Full Size
Value: $7.00

"Every kit comes with two pieces: a polish for a solid foundation and a pot that houses a textured topper. Accent options include Nail Sequin, for the ultimate disco-ball mani; Nail Glitter, to create serious sparkle; Nail Caviar, for a rich encrusted look; and Nail Velvet, which leaves a luxe matte finish."


Toni & Guy Prep Heat Protection Mist


Size received: 2.53 fl oz
Value: $7.59

"This leave-in mist goes to work in high temperatures, safeguarding strands from the styling tools we love to hate (and hate to love). Bonus: It bestows softness and shine to hair while banishing frizz."


Paula's Choice RESIST C15 Super Booster


Size Received: 0.12 fl oz
Value: $8.06

"A potent dose of 15% stabilized vitamin C starts working immediately to fade dark spots and leftover acne scars while also quelling redness. Antioxidant vitamin E, ferulic acid, and peptides help repair telltale signs of aging—like wrinkles and slackness—and stimulate collagen production, resulting in a smoother, tighter complexion. Bonus: The nonirritating formula is free of fragrances and dyes, and never tested on animals."


100% Pure Super Fruits Reparative Cream


Size Received: Three 0.067 fl oz packets
Value: $4.40


Ahmad Teas in Apricot Sunrise, English Tea No. 1, Green Tea Pure 


Size Received: 3 Tea Bags
Value: $0.53

"Ahmad's teas come in a variety of mouthwatering flavors, all perfectly blended with high-grade ingredients. Each order comes with two boxes for a total of 40 teabags."


Purchase & Value

Box Cost: $10.00
Box Value: $27.58


Birchbox - January 2014 (2 of 2)



Inika Mineral Eye Shadow in Eternal Marine


Size Received: Full Size
Value: $20.00

"Made using the highest quality ingredients, including mica and zinc oxide, these shadows are rich in pigment for vivid colors that stay on all day."


Nail Rock in Red Glitter




Size Received: Full Size
Value: $7.00

"Every kit comes with two pieces: a polish for a solid foundation and a pot that houses a textured topper. Accent options include Nail Sequin, for the ultimate disco-ball mani; Nail Glitter, to create serious sparkle; Nail Caviar, for a rich encrusted look; and Nail Velvet, which leaves a luxe matte finish."


Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Creme


Size Received: 1.6 oz
Value: $8.00

"Fekkai’s encapsulated shine-release complex imparts softening olive oil into each strand throughout the day. Hair looks healthy, smooth, and oh-so-shiny."


Ahmad Teas in Apricot Sunrise, English Tea No. 1, Green Tea Pure 



Size Received: 3 Tea Bags
Value: $0.53

"Ahmad's teas come in a variety of mouthwatering flavors, all perfectly blended with high-grade ingredients. Each order comes with two boxes for a total of 40 teabags."


100% Pure Nourishing Body Cream in Pink Grapefruit


Size Received: Three 0.067 fl oz packs
Value: $0.38

"Packed with nourishing cocoa and avocado butters, as well as skin-softening fruit oils, this super hydrating formula replenishes and soothes dry skin. And, since they’re formulated without water, artificial ingredients, or fillers, the lotions are ultra-rich and concentrated."


Purchase & Value

Box Cost: $10.00
Box Value: $35.91

Floating Hearts

Let the Valentine's manicures begin!

This design began with a base coat and two coats of Zoya Godiva.


Over that, I used Bondi Horny Mistress + Bundle Monster stamping plate BM-H18 to create the heart design.


I usually leave Pixie Dust polishes in their naturally grainy/matte state, but since I wanted this one to be glossy, I added two coats of Sephora X top coat over the hearts to finish the manicure.


Products Used

Sephora X Nail Cleanser
One coat Nailtek Hydration Therapy II
Two coats Zoya Godiva
Bondi Horny Mistress + Bundle Monster BM-H18
Two coats Sephora X Top Coat


Pixie Zebra


Two coats of Zoya Dahlia, stamped with Konad white stamping polish + Konad plate M57.


Thursday, January 16, 2014

Ipsy - January 2014

Ipsy is a beauty subscription service that delivers 5-6 deluxe and full-sized beauty items to your door for $10 per month, click here to subscribe!

Ipsy - January 2014



Theme & Bag


This months theme is '19 Reasons 2014 Will Be Amazing', and the bag is light blue with beauty product packaging print.


Elizabeth Mott Smooth Shadow Creamy Eye Pencil in Penny


Size Received: 0.7g
Value: $7.00

""The ultimate gel pencil that’s smooth like butter and packed with deliciously creamy colors. These velvety pencils glide on with ease, and contain just enough shimmer. They’re also waterproof and perfect to wear all day and night, a must have for all color lovers!"


MicaBeauty Tinted Lip Balm in Fiesta


Size received: 2.5g
Value: $18.75

"MicaBeauty's 24 hour Tinted Lip Balm conditions your lips without smudge while delivering sophisticated finish. Infused with Vitamin E, MicaBeauty's Tinted Lip Balm helps keep your lips soft, smooth and protected. For a sheer wash of color, one swipe is all you need. Do you want even bolder pout? Simply apply another swipe and this lip balm will create lips every woman covets.
Kiss-Proof!
Smudge-Proof!"


LeeAnni Eco 3 in 1 Revolution


Size Received: 0.35 oz
Value: $2.62

"With this 3 in 1 Revolotion, it's a toner, serum, and lotion in one bottle! Helps moisturize, even out skin tone by reducing scarring and promoting skin regeneration. Gluten free. "


Absolute! Makeup Cleansing Tissue in Pomegranite


Size Received: 10 Wipes
Value: $1.51

"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."


Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Tri-Wheat Leave In Conditioner


Size Received: 1.7 fl oz
Value: $3.59

"The powerful combination of Soy and Cocoa work synergistically to perfectly care for your hair! A conditioner that is both a nourishing moisturizer and mild protein reconstructor and safe to use on color-treated hair. This truly amazing conditioner reconstructs, moisturizes and combats environmental stress on all types of hair. "


Purchase and Value

Bag Cost: $10.00
Bag Value: $33.47

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Brazen Butterflies

Today's manicure began with a base coat and two coats of Sephora X Brazen. Next, I painted small amounts of Starrily Euphoria onto a piece of cosmetic wedge sponge, and dabbed that to the tips of my nails until I achieved the desired glitter gradient effect.


 Euphoria has adorable little butterfly glitters that I just had to have!!


Lastly, I added a layer of Gelous gel top coat to smooth out the glitter, and finished with a coat of Sephora X top coat.

Products Used

Sephora X Nail Cleanser
1 coat Nailtek Foundation 1
1 coat Sephora X Base Coat
2 coats Sephora X Brazen
Starrily Euphoria
1 coat Gelous Advanced Gel Top Coat
1 coat Seohora X Top Coat

Monday, January 6, 2014

Sea Glass by Starrily

A short time ago, Ipsy sampled some Starrily glitter polish in their monthly bag. Since Ipsy offers discount codes for the brands they feature in their bags, I  decided to use my discount to pick up some Starrily mini glitter polishes. 

This manicure began with two coats of Sinful Colors At Sea.


Over that, I added one coat of Starrily Sea Glass.


Sea Glass is different sizes of shredded blue glitter in a clear base.


Lastly, I sealed the manicure with two coats of Gelous gel top coat, and a coat of Seche Vite top coat. Later, I added an extra coat or two of top coat to the nails that had a few bits of glitter sticking up. For the most part, the glitter shreds were not very difficult to work with or make smooth.


Products Used

Sephora X Nail Cleanser
1 coat Nailtek Foundation 1
1 coat Sephora X Base Coat
2 coats Sinful Colors At Sea
1 coat Starrily Sea Glass
2 coats Gelous Advanced Gel Top Coat
1-2 coats Seche Vite Top Coat