April 2016 Favorites

Hey y'all! I hope everyone had a wonderful April, and I hope y'all discovered some new and amazing products. Keep reading below to find out what products have made it to my favorites list.

1.) Freeman Feeling Beautiful 4-in-1 Apple Cider Vinegar Foaming Clay Mask

I saw someone post about this on Facebook recently, and she commented on how well it did with clearing up her acne prone skin. Well after reading that, I knew I had to try this out. I use this as a mask and also as a cleanser with my cleansing brush, and it has truly worked wonders for my skin. I don't have near as many breakouts as I was having. Plus this stuff smells so amazing!!

2.) Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick 

There has been so many people talking about these lipsticks recently, and for good reason. There is such a wide range of colors to choose from, and the formula is amazing! They glide on easily and they last for hours on the lips! I purchased mine in the colors Meringue, which is a beautiful peachy nude, and Pepper, which is a dusty rose color. I love them both, and I will definitely be buying more shades!

3.) Color FX Custom Color Drops

This stuff is amazing! It offers a full coverage, but you can also mix it with face oil to sheer it out some if you have dry skin and prefer a light to medium coverage. I personally love the full coverage that it provides, and a little bit goes a long way!! I just add 4 small drops to my foundation brush and apply. I purchased mine in the shade P30. 

4.) Physicians Formula MuruMuru Butter Bronzer

I use a bronzer everyday that I wear makeup, and this has got to be my all time favorite drugstore bronzer! It applies and blends out so well! Plus it smells amazing!!! If you love bronzers like I do, get this, you won't regret it!

5.) Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner Pro Starter Kit

I have been searching high and low for a good brush cleaner, that doesn't take the better part of the day to use to clean my brushes. I've finally found one. This stuff literally got makeup off my brushes that regular cleaning did not. It made cleaning my brushes a much quicker chore, so now I don't completely dread that time of the week when I sit down to clean them. You can also use this to spot clean your brushes between uses, and it dries very quickly too!

6.) Makeup Revolution Iconic 3 Redemption Eye Shadow Palette

For being a drugstore product that only cost me $7, this is one hell of a good palette!!!  The colors are soft, buttery, and they blend like a dream! Now all the Makeup Revolution eye shadow palettes are NOT created equal. I also have one of the palettes that has 32 eye shadows in it (Mermaids Forever) , and while some of the shades are amazing, the majority of those eye shadows are very lackluster. Stick with the palettes like the one shown above, and I promise you will love them!

Alright everyone, that is my list of favorites for the month of April. Be sure to let me know what products made your favorites list by commenting below!

Ipsy May 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!

I'm praying for the Glamglow!!

Those nail polishes are so pretty!

I need that Hikari in my life!!

I'm loving these bags this month!! I'm hoping for either the pink or the blue!

The above shown picture just came through on Snapchat just a little bit ago. What do y'all think? I'm so in love with the destination theme for May, and that bag is too cute!! Plus it looks like there will be more than one type of Glamglow sample given this coming month. Also, that lipstick looks so amazing!!  I cannot wait to get my bag!

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

IT Cosmetics No Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner

Smashbox X-Rated Mascara

Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment

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

May Birchbox Curated Box and Sample Choice

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

This month's theme is based on outdoor beauty. All subscribers that decide to go with sample choice will receive their products in the beautiful above featured box. The sample choices for the month of May are:

1.) Supergoop! Sun Defying Sunscreen Oil with Meadowfoam SPF 50

2.) Coola Classic Sport Face SPF 50 White Tea Moisturizer 

3.) Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel for Body 

4.) Vita Liberata Fabulous Self Tanning Gradual Lotion 

Here is the curated box for the month of May:

1.) Clean Blossom Eau de Parfum

2.) Davines LOVE Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner Packette

3.) Coola SPF 30 Organic Makeup Setting Spray

4.) Modelco Lip Lacquer in Creme Brulee

5.) Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer

What are your thoughts on the sample choices and curated box for the month of May? I honestly don't know which one I will pick!

Sample choice for May will begin April 28th for everyone, and it will start on April 27th for all ACE members. 

For those of y'all that are not currently subscribed to Birchbox, there are several promo codes that you can use when you first subscribe to earn some free stuff.  They are:

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 winged eyeliner crazy easy!

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RIFLEBOOKS: Use this promo code when checking out to get the notebook set shown below.

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

April 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. 

  

I know a lot of people were once again upset about the items coming in this months Boxycharm, but I was personally very excited. This month I received:

1.) Blinc Cosmetics Black Lash Primer

Back in January, all subscribers received the Blinc mascara in their box, so it just makes sense that Boxycharm would also send us the primer, as well. I have been wanting to try a lash primer for quite some time. Given that I haven't used many lash primers in the past, I cannot say how well this compares to other brands, but it does work quite well. This retails for $26.

2.) Anderson Lilley Manhattan Beach Hand Cream

I am such a sucker for a good hand cream, because I work in a hospital and I am constantly washing my hands. This one is SOOO good! It has a very thick consistency, and it feels very moisturizing.  It has a nice, fresh scent that isn't too over powering. Plus the size of it is HUGE! I'm so happy that I received this! It retails for $24.

3.) Pur~lisse Daily Lip Nourisher

I personally love lip balms and lip oils, and this one is pretty great! It has a very light consistency, and a little bit goes a long way. I put some on before bed last night, and my lips felt amazing when I woke up this morning!! This retails for $16.

4.) Ofra Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in Pasadena

I love Ofra liquid lipsticks, and I was so excited to receive mine in the shade Pasadena. It's such a beautiful color, and like all other Ofra liquid lipsticks, it lasts for hours on the lips before reapplication is needed. This retails for $19.90.

5.) Your Minerals Eye Shadow in Brown Hypnotic

Can we just take a moment to admire the swatch above?? It is such a beautiful color, and it's SOOO pigmented and creamy! I cannot wait to play with this eye shadow more! This retails for $21.

The overall value of this month's box is $106.90!!!  I personally LOVED everything that I received in my box this month. What about y'all?!? Let me know in the comments section below. If you haven't subscribed yet, it's not too late to do so! Click the link below to get started today!

https://boxycharm.com/refer/Katie-NXJHUJFS

April 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.

So when I did my sneak preview of my Ipsy bag online, I was super excited about some of the items that I would be receiving. This month, I received the following items.

1.) L.A.B- Live and Breathe Beauty Just Blending in Brush

Y'all know I love receiving brushes in these subscription boxes, and this is no different. It works perfectly to blend out my shadows in the outer corner of my eye. I love it! This is, of course, a full-size product, and it retails for $6.99.

2.) Nudestix Cheek + Lip Pencil in Mystic

 

I was so excited to receive this, because I have been wanting to try Nudestix for quite some time. I love this color, and it's a full size product, so that makes it even better!! It retails for $24.

3.) Buxom Cosmetics Wildly Whipped Lightweight Liquid Lipstick in Centerfold

 

When sneak peeks for Ipsy started to pop up for this month, I was praying that I would get this in my bag, and thankfully I did. The color is absolutely gorgeous, and the texture is so creamy.  I will definitely be purchasing this in the full size. This is roughly $6.62 for the deluxe size sample. 

4.) Pur~lisse Beauty Blue Lotus + White Tea Sheet Mask & Blue Lotus + Seaweed Sheet Mask

I am a huge fan of sheet masks, because they are so quick and easy to put on. I'm really excited about receiving two of them in my Ipsy bag, because it gives me the chance to try it twice, and see if it actually works for me. I can't wait for a night in, so I can try these out! This sample is worth roughly $16.

5.) REN Skincare Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream

This moisturizer claims that it will soothe my sensitive skin and also protect against free radicals that cause early aging. Sounds like a winner to me. I've just started using it, so I will update at a later time about what my thoughts are, but it seems like it will be a great!  This is worth roughly $0.90.

The overall value of my Ipsy bag is $54.51!! That's pretty amazing for a $10 subscription bag!

This month for Birchbox, I decided to go with their curated box, because it just looked too darn good to pass up. The curated box included the following items.

1.) TOCCA Crema De Mano Hand Cream in Giulietta

I have never tried the TOCCA brand hand creams before; however, I have tried some of their perfumes, and I love the scent range of this brand. I have also never tried this particular scent before. While the hand cream itself is VERY moisturizing, I don't care for this scent. I was hoping that it would lean more towards the green apple scent side versus the pink tulip, but it doesn't. I will use this sample up, and may even repurchase; however, I will repurchase in a different scent next time. This sample is worth roughly $5.

2.) Marcelle 3-in-1 Micellar Solution

I love the concept of Micellar water, and I have tried several other ones in the past, so I was super excited when I saw this was being offered in this month's box. While it does work well, I still have to wash my face after using it (It claims that you don't have to). Also, it appears to work just as well as the Garnier Micellar Water, but it's almost 3X the price!!  My advice? Get the Garnier, and you'll be just as happy. This sample is worth roughly $1.20.

3.) Dr Jart+ Liftra Contour Cream

I thought this product was going to be really "gimicky" when I received, but I tried it out, and I actually really like it. It really did seem to plump up the areas where I put it, and it helped smooth out my fine lines. The formulation is very thick, so a little bit goes a long way. I was unable to find the price for this sample size. 

4.) PARLOR by Jeff Chastain Volumizing Lifting Spray

Ya'll! The PARLOR line is truly amazing, and this particular product from them is no different. I have A LOT of hair, and that tends to weigh it down, so I like to use products that will give my roots some lift. This stuff works like a charm, plus it smells SOOO good! This sample is worth roughly $6.10

5.) Laura Gellar New York Baked Blush -N- Brighten

 

I saved the best for last, because this stuff is AMAZING!! When I decided on the curated box, I was hoping that I would receive this in the Pink Grapefruit shade, and I did!!!  It kind of reminds me of NARS blush in Orgasm. It's beautiful and it has a small shimmery side to it! A perfect spring blush. Plus the packaging for this sample size was actually really great. It included a little mirror, so you can check out that awesome blush color whenever you want :) I was unable to find the cost of this sample. 

With the cost of the 3 samples that I could find the prices of, this box is already worth more than the $10 I paid for it!

For the month of April, I have to give it to Birchbox!! I love everything that I received in this box, even if I can find cheaper dupes of some of the samples. Everything works great! Ipsy was very close this month, but I haven't tried everything I received yet. 

What did you receive this month?? Let me know in the comment section below. Also, if you haven't signed up for either of these subscription services yet, I have to know why!?!?

Click below to get started today.

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

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

April Boxycharm Sneak Peeks!

It's sneak peek time everyone! After seeing these following sneak peeks, 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. 

I love lip balms, so I'm super excited to try this one out. Has anyone ever tried this particular one before??

This month every subscriber will be receiving Blinc Black Lash Primer in their box. 

Every subscribers will also be receiving a Ofra Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in one of three shades. 

A huge thanks to mysubscriptionaddiction.com for sharing the above picture for everyone. This month all subscribers will be receiving the above featured box. Of course there will be variations like with every box, but either way, it looks like a pretty good month!  This month all subscribers will be receiving:

Ofra Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick

Blinc Black Lash Primer

YourMinerals Eye Shadow

Pur-lisse Comfort Daily Lip Nourisher

AndersonLilley Manhattan Beach Beach Butter Hand Cream

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!

https://boxycharm.com/refer/Katie-NXJHUJFS