August 2013 Ipsy Bag

I am very delayed in posting this, but my bag also took like what seemed forever to get to me.  I am happy with this month's bag!  The theme is 'Glamour Academy' which is ironically very close to Birchbox's that was 'Finishing School'. 

I have decided I like Birchbox's cards better.  They tell you specifically what products you are getting, what they are, how to use them, and their prices.  Plus, they give a nice description and explanation to their theme.  Ipsy just gives you brands and their sales, but you don't receive the coupon codes until later in the month anyways.  Some of these brands, you don't even get in your bag.

They have teamed up with benefit to have Ipsy members host a Lash Bash party.  I entered a while ago, and that would be neat to win and invite friends over.

I am most excited about this product.  It is Michael Todd's Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub.  I have heard amazing things about Michael Todd products.  The other product you could have gotten was a pumpkin one and I LOOOOVE pumpkin, but I've always wanted to try a charcoal product too because they pull all that nasty stuff out of your skin.

 Next is shimmer powder in Bronze by Mica.  I have never heard of this brand before.  I don't really use loose powders, so I'll probably give this away.  I swatched it and it is pretty, but I have others that are similar that aren't loose.

 I haven't tried much of anything from this brand, but I know they sell it at Target.  This is the Lash Booster Mascara from Pixi in Blackest Black.  I always love to try new mascara's so we'll see how this one holds up.  I don't think it is waterproof, which makes me very sad.

This is a Multi-Mineral BB Cream from Pacifica.  Again, a brand I've never heard of before.  I wonder if this is one of the wannabe BB creams, or whether it is the real stuff.

Last is the Revolution Lipstick in Anarchy by Urban Decay.  I want to be really excited for this product, but I'm not.  I think when makeup is sent out, that it needs to be in colors that are more 'user friendly'/ neutral.  This is a super bright fuchsia color and after getting so many of these colors from Birchbox and never wearing them because they are too bold, I was sad to see yet another color I probably won't wear.  The little lipstick is so cute though!

This month's bag is not very cute.  I will not be using this. 

Overall, this month with Ipsy was good.  Aside from the ugly bag, the super long delivery wait, and the crazy lipstick color, I liked it.  What did you all think of your bags? 

-polish. impress. repeat.

Birchbox: August 2013 - Finishing School

I'm probably the last person on the planet to post their August Birchbox, but I've been preoccupied.  My deepest apologies.  This month's Birchbox theme is 'Finishing School'.  Not like the end of the year finishing, but the finishing school where girls used to go to learn how to be proper and elegant.  This box was a 6 on a scale of 10.  Let's jump in!

 The first thing on my card was Arangara "SHOWER GEL".  Notice this isn't shower gel, it is body lotion.  I'd prefer a body lotion anyways, so it wasn't a big deal to me.  I didn't know if they sent me the wrong item or if it was a typo.  Indeed it was a typo after confirmation from Birchbox's customer service.  Olive and rose are two scents I don't really enjoy, but if this lotion is amazing, I can deal with the scent.

Next is the Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation  by  Becca.  This is the most disappointing product I have received in a very long time.  This colors are wayyyy to dark for my skin color.  I can't even use ONE of them.  I'll be giving this away.  It seems great though; it is lightweight and it brightens, perfects, and soothes.

This is the Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Eyeliner by Mally Beauty in the color Sailor.  This is the product I am most excited to use.  It is a pencil eyeliner which I love.  It is in a stunning dark blue AND it is waterproof!  Yay!  This will be a nice alternative to my staple black liner.

This is 100% Organic Argan Oil by Violet Oasis.  I always get disappointed when I get oils in these tiny samples, but they actually last quite a while.  A little goes a long way.  I am excited because I have never used pure Moroccan oil before.  This stuff is great for skin and hair to smooth and nourish.

Lastly, this was my "Beauty Extra".  I don't know why it is an 'extra' and not just part of the box...  Anyways, this is Creme de la Creme Conditioner by Miss Jessie's Original.  I'm assuming this was also a typo because it says on my card that I was to be getting Shampoo.  I can understand ONE typo, but two out of 5 products...  Anyways, I love a good conditioner, so I'm not too upset.


I haven't ever had this many errors with Birchbox, but they weren't HUGE errors.  I'm still a Birchbox lover and I think it is a great way to try out new products.  If you are interested in joining, it is $10 a month and you can click here to sign up.

If you are a subscriber, what are you liking most from your August box?

-polish. impress. repeat.

Essie - The Girls Are Out

Sorry again for the long hiatus.  I'm back with a few posts for you all.  This is "The Girls Are Out" from Essie's Naughty Nautical Summer 2013 collection.  It is a bright fuchsia with bits of tiny silver glitter.  It is gorgeous.  I used two coats here and the formula was good.

I will say that this collection was a nice summer alternative to my beloved neons.

Now that summer is ending, what has been your favorite summer polish?

-polish. impress. repeat.

Influenster Slim-Fast Strawberries ’N’ Cream Shake Box

I've been on vacation and so I haven't posted anything in a while.  While I was gone, I was selected to get another box from Influenster.  It is food and I know this isn't a food blog, but I thought I'd share this with you all anyways.

 In my box I got a bottle of Strawberries and Cream Slim Fast, drink recipe cards, and a plastic martini glass.  The recipe cards have mocktail recipes on one side and the alcoholic version of it on the reverse side.  Considering I only have the Strawberries and Cream flavor, I can't use all the other recipe cards that use the other flavors.

I've never done a Slim Fast diet, and I don't plan on starting one any time soon.  I'm doing well with exercise and eating healthier currently and I don't think I need to put Slim Fast in my diet.

I made my own version of their Strawberry Colada mocktail.  I use a little of the slim fast shake, some frozen strawberries, ice, and a pina colada mixer.  It was pretty good.

Have any of you ever tried Slim Fast?  What has your experience been like?

-polish. impress. repeat.


****This post was created in connection with my appointment as a SlimFast Ambassador.

July 2013 Birchbox

Birchbox time!  This month's theme is 'Power Play' and it goes along with a new TV series from USA called Suits.  I've never heard of it and from what I have now seen through Birchbox, I still don't think I'm interested.  I was excited for this when I saw my card because one of my all favorite items I have received in a past Birchbox was from the brand Number 4 and I got something in my July box from them.

First is 100% Pure's Nourishing Body Cream.  I'm excited because it looks like these have a coconut scent.  Also, my skin is in dire need of moisturizers right now with the dry summer heat...

Next is Benefit's Gir Meets Pearl highlighter.  I have used quite a few Benefit products, but this is a new one for me.  Excited to try it out and see how luminous it is!

This is Number 4's Super Comb Prep & Protect.  It looks like this is a heat protectant which is nice, but I think it is also a conditioner and sun protectant too.  I'm interested to try it out.

I've wanted to try something from this brand!  This is G-1 Moisturizing Face Cream from Benta Berry.  Like I said earlier, moisturizers are my friends right now.  I hope this is as amazing as I hope it to be!

My beauty extra this month are these Birchbox bobby pins.  I have never used such thick bobby pins, so I'm interested to try them out.  They came in blue and white which I would have preferred either of those over green, but I'm not going to cry about it.

Birchbox is a monthly beauty subscription where you pay $10 a month to get 4-5 deluxe sized HIGH END beauty products.  It's an amazing service that I really enjoy.  If you are interested in joining, here's a link to check it out:  http://birch.ly/1bJUrvA.

If you got a Birchbox this month, what did you get different in your box?

-polish. impress. repeat.