May Ipsy Bag!!

Okay!  At least I am in the correct month now!  Ipsy really wowed me this month.  I have enjoyed getting their bags, but this one is my favorite of the two!  Want to know why??

Barefoot Exfoliating Body Polish ???

I admit, I haven't yet tried this, but I will tomorrow.  We are getting ready for a family reunion by a lake, and I need to put on some self tanner so my legs are not light beacons for fish.  And before I dare put the self tanner on, I need to exfoliate.  That being said, I have used (and still do, actually) Barefoot products, and for a drugstore brand, they are at the top of my list!  They even included a $2 off coupon with one of the samples.  I have not seen this product in store before, and I am hoping the $2 coupon is not a premonition of this being expensive.  Stay tuned, though...I will add a PS in my June review for how this worked out.

Hang Ten 50 Natural Sunscreen ★★★★

I really don't know much about this company, but I did try their sun screen.  It seems to do the trick!  An SPF of 50 is great for redheads like myself (and everyone else...skin cancer is bad, mmmkay?  Protect your skin!!) AND as a bonus, it smells good AND is non-greasy!!  The back label also claims Oxybenzone free, Paraben Free, Retinyl Palmitate free, and synthetic fragrance free.  I would definitely buy this brand again!

Pacifica Eye Shadow - Duo 2 ★★★

I don't know much about this brand either, and to be honest, I haven't really even given this eye shadow a try.  I don't wear "colors", per se.  I am a more neutrals kind of girl, so the purple will not work for me.  I suppose the white might make a good eyebrow highlight, but I honestly haven't tried it.  This will probably go to the 10 year old.  However, I do love the fact they are 100% vegan, Cruelty Free, free of FD&C  coloring, and free of parabens and petroleum.  So, it is "clean" and that makes you feel good.  Also, a portion (I don't know how much) of every sale from this company goes "to support clean water".  I haven't done my research so I am not sure what that means...but it sounds good!

Purlisse Pur-Moist Hydra Balance Moisturizer ★★★★★

I was happy to see this included!!  I was introduced to this exact product from another subscription box last month and I LOVE it!  I use it everyday.  I was so thrilled to see this in Ipsy this month!!  Makes my supply last a little longer, and hopefully, for anyone else that hadn't known about it before, they will try it and fall in love like I did!

LuLu Blossom Dreamsicle Body Balm ★★★★★

As much as I love Purlisse (and I DO!!), this little tin was the front runner for Ipsy this month.  Purlisse is great, but having already been exposed to it before, it takes a second seat to this gem.  This body balm is Amazing!  The tin is only 2 oz, but it's great for on the go!  A little goes a long way and it smells heavenly.  Just.  Heavenly. Use it on your cuticles, or elbows or knees or even your feet.  Or use it on pulse points and drive your sweet-tooth having guy a little crazy.  *wink*

Ipsy did a great job with this month's bag, and I am so looking forward to next month's!

Until next time,
XOXO
Sam

April BoxyCharm!!

April's BoxyCharm was the belle of the ball for me this month for two reasons...But, because I am a mysterious, mischievous minx, you will have to read each review to find out why.

I forgot to snag pictures, and it;s been several weeks, so I am just putting the titles of the products here.

1.) ModelCo Blush Cheek Powder in Peach Bellini ★★★

Don't get me wrong, I love ModelCo!  BoxyCharm introduced me to their products in March and I reaaalllyyy like it!!  But, my blush literally fell out in a full powdery mess when I first opened it.  I am assuming it's supposed to be more solid, but..it fell out in the top drawer of my vanity, and since it was all in one pile, there was no real way to try it because WAY to much clung to my blush brush.  I am assuming here this is neither ModelCo's fault, nor BoxyCharms but just what happens sometimes in shipping.  All in all, I was unable to use the Peach Bellini Blush in any form, so I can't tell you whether it's good or not.

2.) Ofra Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in “Hollywood” ★★★

If you look this up, do not be shocked by the color.  It looks BRIGHT PINK...but it isn't that pink when you put it on.  The color is pretty good, but...I found it to be a bit drying and...not to my liking.  I will give this one to my 10 year old who is just learning to experiment with make up.

3.) ModelCo Eye Pencil in Black ★★★★★

I. Love. This. Eye. Pencil!  Seriously, I use it almost everyday.  The lid has a handy built in sharpener,  so a quick 1/4 turn gives you a nice sharp point for a thinner line.  It glides on smooth, and actually attaches to the tear line of the lower lid (my experience has been that eye liner pencils don't attach well.)  First run along the tear line, and it's there, and the BEST PART, is that the eye liner tends to stay!  I love in the desert, and it can get sweltering out here, and often if I wear eyeliner on a hot day, I end up looking like a raccoon by 3 PM.  Even if I powder underneath, which I don't like to do, because the powder often settles into the wrinkles I am starting to develop.  (I am 36...it happens)  Not with this eye liner...nope.  It's awesome!  Will definitely buy!!

4.) bellapierre Nail Polish in Lavender ★★★★

Cute nail polish.  I wore it on my toes, and it was great!  

5.) Coolway Glow Finishing Oil ★★★★

I loved this stuff, too.  ESPECIALLY with my hair texture and humidity induced frizziness.  Now, as with all hair finishing oils, "a little dab'll do ya", and one, maybe two sprays should be more than enough.  More than that, and your hair may end up feeling greasy.  That's the nature of finishing oils, though...not a mark against the product.



And there you have it!!  For me, front runners were the ModelCo eye liner (HIGHLY recommend) and the CoolWay Glow.  Sorry about the no pictures thing, but I figured for this instance, you could Google it if you are curious.

Until next time,
XOXO
Sam

April Birchbox!!

Okay, I know I am SUPER late with this.  I believe I mentioned in a previous blog that I just started a new business, and, as much as I love it, it is totally taking up 90% of my time, with the remaining 10% equally spread out to eating, sleeping, hygiene and family time.  

I know, excuses, excuses...right?  Who needs to shave their legs when they have blogs to write? Yeah, I know.    However, my husband appreciates the leg shaving...so...ya know....

Anyway, without further ado, let's get this party started since I have 6 boxes to blog about!!

Kind Healthy Grains Bar - Maple Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt ★★★★

Birchbox, have you been reading my mind??  This bar was scrumptious!  In fact, I ate it pretty quick and uhhhh didn't save the wrapper so I can't tell you the nutrition content.  But, salty+sweet+natural nutrition?  And yummy!!  WINNING!!

N4 Lumiere d'Hiver Reconstructing Masque ★★★

Don't let the French fool you...I didn't think this was particularly special.  That being said, maybe my hair was just too far gone?  I hadn't had a haircut in over a year and, as I straighten my naturally crazy hair, it was pretty damaged.  A years worth of damage.  It was better than normal conditioning, but it isn't anything I am going to run out and get.  I will stick with my Redken, I believe.

N4 Lumiere d'Hiver Clarifying Shampoo★★★

Same as above, this was okay, in my experience, but maybe it's an unfair judgment as I had ALOT of hair (thick and long) that was severely damaged.  Still not much to write home about...for me.

Yogini perfume★★★★

I loved this little sample.  I am normally attracted to sweeter smelling scents and this one is a bit more woodsy/earthy but it smells good.  Sophisticated without pretension.  However, I think those of us in our late 20s/30s will appreciate it more than a teenager...which if fine by me.  ;)  Nothing worse than a 30-something year old woman smelling like a 17 year old.  (Okay, there are worse things...disregard the snark.)

Color Club Nail Lacquer ★★★

This nail polish was okay...okay for summer, maybe?  I actually like a little (a lot) more color, and stand out nails.  I will for sure check this out in other shades, though!

Sumita Eye Pencil★★★★★

I was starting to think this box was a little ho-hum and nearly ignored this little gem.  SOOOO glad I gave it a chance!!  Sumita eye liner is smooth and velvety and GREAT for a smokey eye.  I don't know much about this company but I definitely will use this entire pencil, and would likely buy another one!

And that's it!!  I know this is short and sweet, but like I said, I have 5 more to do, AND, in all fairness, when I reviewed these, it was actually in April.  The Sumita eyeliner was a stand out though, and I still use it!  If you purchase one thing from these items, my money would be on Sumita eye liner.

Until next time, 

XOXO

Sam