Monday, March 21, 2016

Ipsy April 2016 Spoilers!

Hey y'all! It's finally time yet again for some Ipsy spoilers. Based on the first sneak peek, next month is looking pretty fantastic! Keep reading below to find out more.  This post contains referral links!


The first two Snapchat sneak peeks were pretty amazing; however, this one doesn't peak my interest. Is there anything you see you like above??


Those brushes!!!  


Everything in this spoiler looks amazing!!  






Starlooks Cream Shadow in Rose Gold

 Starlooks Luxe Eye Pencil in Jet

Trust Fund Beauty That Glow Tho

City Color Cosmetics Highlight Trio

 Luxie Beauty Dreamcatcher Tapered Highlighter Brush 522

 tarte cosmetics LipSurgence™ lip crème in wonder

L.A.B.² Just Blending In Shadow Brush




Above are the bags everyone will be receiving for the month of April. I really like them!!


The above two photos are off Ipsy's Snapchat channel from a few months back. That brush Karen is using looks amazing!!


This month all subscribers will be receiving one of the items featured above in their Ipsy bag.




All of these items look amazing! Which one are you hoping to receive in your Ipsy bag next month? Comment below and let me know. Also, continue checking in, because I will post more spoilers here as they become available!


https://www.ipsy.com/new?refer=vhsxq




April Birchbox Curated Box and Sample Choice + Coupon Codes

Alright everyone, it is nearly time to make decisions on sample choice and/or the curated box for Birchbox for the month of April.  Keep reading below to found out more. This post contains referral links. 

This month's theme is based on "all-natural" beauty. The three sample choice options that Birchbox subscribers have for the month of April are:




This sample choice will include a cream eye shadow, blush and lipstick. 





If you decide to go with the sample choice this month, all of your goodies will come in the BEAUTIFUL Rifle Paper CO box shown below. 


Now on to the fantastic curated box.







Holy Cow!! That curated box looks like it maybe the winner for me. What about y'all?  

I believe that sample choice for the month of April will begin March 25th for ACE members, and then the day after that for everyone else. (Correct me if I'm wrong guys).  Birchbox is offering a special right now for all CURRENT subscribers. If you use the promo code EARLY25 before March 24, 2016, you will be able to select your sample choice/curated box the same day as ACE members.  Just pick out $25 in goodies on the online Birchbox shop, and enter the code above to get in on this!

If you are a brand new subscriber, here are some promo codes for you:

EYEKOGIFT: Use this promo code when checking out to get a full-size Eyeko Fat Liquid Eyeliner. I featured this in my February 2016 favorites. I love this eyeliner, and it really does make doing cat eyes crazy easy!

SUBSCRIBENOW50: Use this promo code when checking out to earn $5 to use in the online Birchbox shop.

Click on the link below to subscribe to Birchbox today!!

https://www.birchbox.com/invite/katiebb

March Birchbox Vs. Ipsy

It's finally that time of the month where I compare both my Birchbox, and my Ipsy subscriptions to see which one is the best. Both subscription services are only $10/month, and they both send out 5-6 sample or deluxe sized samples each month. Both offer reward points for reviewing the items that you receive, which in turn you can use to cash in on some pretty amazing products.  This post contains referral links.


This month in Birchbox, I decided to go with the Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo, because I have heard nothing but good things about it. I also purchased the curated box separately, because there were some items in there that I have tried in the past and love. This month in Birchbox I received:



This has to be one, if not THE, best dry shampoos that I have ever tried. It smells amazing, and it doesn't leave a white cast in my hair if I accidentally apply too much. I can definitely see what all the hype is about!




I received my eye shadow trio in the shade Filter. These are everyday wearable shades that will go with literally everything. My only complaint is that the lighter shade does have some extra fallout, otherwise this is a VERY nice sample to receive in my Birchbox.



I was very hesitant to try this product at first, because I have oily, acne prone skin, and I have to be very particular about my moisturizers.  I have been using this product for the past week now, and I have not noticed any breakouts or anything. It is very moisturizing without leaving your skin feeling greasy. Also a little bit goes a long way, so this sample will last me quite a while.




Once again I received another stain type product in my Birchbox. I am not the biggest fan of lip or cheek stains, and this one is no different. I have only tried it on my lips, and the color did not last very long, and it was quite messy. This was a definite miss for me.



This was a another miss for me, because the size of this sample was just way too tiny. I unfortunately do not own a Clarisonic, so I feel like I was not able to get all that I could out of this product. 



This month in my Ipsy bag, I received:




When I first swatched this eyeliner on the back of my hand, I wasn't that impressed with it; however, I did try it on my eyes, and I ended up loving it! It was very easy to create a cat eye with this eyeliner, and it lasted all day!  Love it!!



I have received this product before in a past Birchbox, and I still have yet to make it through that other sample. You have to be careful with this product because it will leave your hair greasy if you apply too much. However, it does do a good job of smoothing my split ends. 



I honestly haven't had the chance to try this product yet; however, it does say that it is for acne-prone skin, which I do have. Hopefully this will work for me. 



I have also received this product in another subscription before, so I was sadly disappointed to be receiving it again. It is a very good product, so I will definitely use it. I just wish I had received a product that I haven't tried before. 

Modelco Lip Lacquer Lip Gloss in the shade Socialite:



I am totally a glossy gloss kinda gal, and this stuff hits the nail on the head. It's beautifully glossy, and the color is fantastic, as well. Love this!!

I hate to do this, but I have to say that it was a draw this month for me. I liked 3 out of the 5 products in both of my Birchbox and Ipsy. Which was your favorite this month, and what did you receive? Let me know in the comments section below, and if you haven't already signed up for these subscription services, click below to get started today!!


https://www.birchbox.com/invite/katiebb




Saturday, March 19, 2016

March 2016 Boxycharm Unboxing

It's finally time again for another unboxing, Boxycharm style. I was so excited about this months box.  For those that don't know, Boxycharm is a $21/month beauty subscription service that sends 5-6  FULL SIZE beauty products each month. Nearly every box has a total value of over $100 worth of product in it. They also offer a rewards program where you can earn full sized products for free. This box does lean more towards the makeup side of beauty; however, they do include skincare/haircare, as well. Keep reading below to see what I received this month. This post does contain referral links. 


This month all subscribers could have received a different variation in their boxes. Above is my box for the month of March.  This month I received:



It is a beautiful silver base with pink-purple reflects. Subtle, yet very pretty. I also finally purchased a Z-Palette, so I will have somewhere to store all of my pans now :)


Here is Rockstar swatched.  I love it!



Cupcake is a matte medium pink shade, and it looks to be a perfect crease shade!


Here is cupcake swatched.



I used this bad boy yesterday for the first time, and I'm officially hooked. It provided me with the best contour ever! I will never go back to using my old contour brush again!



I was nervous that this color wouldn't match my eyebrows, like so many other brow products. But is does!! I love it!


Here it is swatched.



I really like this perfume. It's sweet, yet sophisticated enough to wear on a date night. On the website it describes it as "Crafted with notes of Ruby Red Grapefruit and NashiPear blending with Orange Blossom and Gardenia, it's the essence of those summers on the beach or evening strolls through the park. Enjoy mid notes of Violet and Ocean Breeze with a base layer of Patchouli dry down that will leave you embraced in elegance and grace. "



Holy wow! When I say this thing is huge, I mean it. Plus look at that price tag!!! It amazes me how Boxycharm is able to put full size products in their $21/month box, and still do great! I have not used this product yet, as I am trying to make it through my other eye creams, but I have to say, I'm super excited to have received this!

The overall value for this box is $153!!!!!!  Having only paid $21, I would say this is one of the best subscription boxes out there. There is still time to get your hands on this month's box. Click on the link below to get started today!





Thursday, March 3, 2016

March Boxycharm Sneak Peeks!

It's sneak peek time everyone! After seeing this following sneak peek, I am even more excited about receiving my Boxycharm this month! Keep reading below to see what ALL subscribers will be getting.  This post contains referral links.



Boxycharm is a $21/month beauty subscription service that sends 5-6  FULL SIZE beauty products each month. Nearly every box has a total value of over $100 worth of product in it. They also offer a rewards program where you can earn full sized products for free. This box does lean more towards the makeup side of beauty; however, they do include skincare/haircare, as well. 



Subscribers will not receive all of the items featured above; however, they will receive 5 of any of the items shown. What are you hoping to get??


This month all subscribers will be receiving either one, two, or all three of the items featured above!




This month's theme is Sweet Treats, and all subscribers will be receiving TWO Makeup Geek eye shadows in their box. There will be ONE matte eye shadow and ONE duo-chrome eye shadow in EACH box. I remember when Boxycharm sampled these on their Snapchat, and the color selections were GORGEOUS!! I so cannot wait to see what colors everyone gets!

If you are not already subscribed to Boxycharm, it's not too late to get this box! Just click the link below to sign up now! These boxes do sell out from time to time. so don't miss out! Also, continue to check back in daily for new sneak peeks!


February 2016 Favorites

Hey ya'll. I know this is a few days late; however, I finally got time to post my favorites for the month of February. Keep reading below to see what I have been loving lately!

1.) Soap and Glory Breakfast Scrub


Everyone knows that during the winter months, dry skin abounds, and having a scrub to help slough off that dead skin is essential. I have used this scrub every other day in the shower, and it has really helped the dry skin on my arms and legs. I also have keratosis pilaris on my arms, and this has literally been the only thing that I have found that has helped smooth the bumps. It smells SOOOOOOO good too!  Definite A+ in my book!



My wonderful husband bought this for me as a Valentine's Day gift this year (side note: he totally wins husband of the year, because makeup is so much better than flowers), and I have literally been using it everyday since receiving it. It makes creating cat eyes so much easier, especially for people like me that are slightly challenged when it comes to creating the perfect wing. It has a fantastic formula, and it lasts ALL. DAY. LONG! Definitely pick this up if you are on the market for a new eyeliner!



Y'all!  This mascara has quickly become one of my absolute favorites. The formula is so good, and it doesn't flake on me throughout the day like a lot of other brands do. It gives me the perfect volume and length, as well. For a drugstore mascara, this stuff is simply amazing!!  



I discovered this scent back in August when I first subscribed to Birchbox, and it was the only perfume that I took with me on my cruise vacation back in August. I fell in love with it then; however, when my sample ran out I never repurchased it, because it is on the pricey side. However, my wonderful husband (I'm telling y'all...he totally wins husband of the year) gifted me the full size of it for Valentine's Day. I have been wearing it every single day since, and it reminds me so much of our family vacation.  "The perfume opens with a burst of freshness from a blend of citrus and a light woodsy floral, giving way to hints of cognac. Its middle notes——jasmine and Damascenia rose——give the scent a carefree, summery vibe. Warm base notes of spicy woods and rich leather add a seductive finish."  This is definitely my new go-to-scent!




This has literally got to be my favorite palette out of the entire Too Faced Chocolate eye shadow  line. The colors are absolutely gorgeous, and they seriously blend like a dream. I typically go for a more brown/taupe eye shadow look; however, I do like to mix it up every now in then, and this palette lets me do all of that and more. Plus it smells just like chocolate! What more could you want?!?!?!

Alright everyone, that is my list of favorites for the month of February. I hope ya'll enjoyed it! Comment below to let me know what some of your favorites were, and if you also like any of the products listed above.