Sephora PlayBox is it worth it???

Hey there makeup junkies! For my first post in an extremely long time, I decided to talk about Sephora play box. I was on their waiting list for several months - as I'm sure some of you were/are as well. (I do mean several months). I finally received the email that they had openings. I excitedly joined, and waited for my first box. I want you all to keep in mind these are all my own opinions from my own experiences. If that's the case that is great, because it means you are getting your money's worth. 

For those of you that might not have had a chance to try one of these monthly subscriptions, there are several different type of subscriptions out there. They have different price ranges from $9.99 to $50.00 (or more). You sign up and every month you receive a box with different samples, based on the questions you answered when you signed up. 

I have subscribed to both Birchbox and Ipsy and was extremely satisfied with their service and boxes that they sent. I'm no longer subscribed to Birchbox, only because I decided I had to many monthly subscriptions and needed to cut down. I did prefer Ipsy over Birchbox, which is why I kept them. 

My first box was meh at best. It was the May play box, the samples are just really small. I know what you are thinking...they are suppose to be sample size. But Ipsy sometimes sends full size samples. Not in every box, but you know in some of them. The June play box, had the Becca Backlight Primer (which I had received as a gift with purchase), the Tarteguard sunscreen (again already had with a previous purchase), the Benefits They're real mascara (already have 5 of these), the Bareminerals liquid bronzer. The perfume in every box might be nice for some. But for me personally not so much, as certain scents give me terrible headaches. Most of them are sitting in my little vanity waiting to be given away. At least they will get used by someone else. 

Another factor was the mailing time, my box arrives almost at the end of the month. That just drives me nuts..maybe it's only me. 

My last box the August playbox, was a terrible mess. Not only did it get here really late in the month, it was missing 3 products. So I call Sephora the rep informed me that the products were sold out. They were very nice to refund me my $10.61, since I did not get the complete box I paid for. But then when i said I wanted to cancel my subscription, they did not ask why, if there was a reason I was unhappy. No survey to ask how they can make it better. 

I've called plenty of places to cancel subscriptions, and they ask..why, what can we do to keep you, how can we make it better. Sephora really dropped the ball on that one. 

In any event, for me the $10.61 price was not really worth the samples I was receiving. This is for me personally, I'm sure this works for some people that they might not have the opportunity to shop every month and receive 5 samples of mascara (hides face in shame).

Thanks so much for stopping by! I was on vacation this week, which is why I was able to post something. Now that I look at it, it is very long. So if you managed to read all my ramblings THANK YOU!!!! 

Ipsy bag - January 2015

Hello lovelies, Happy Monday! I’m working on keeping to my goal of posting once a week. This week I’ll actually have two post – the next one will be on Wednesday.

So for today – I wanted to share what I received in my January Ipsy bag. I use to have Birchbox as well, but decided to take a little break from that subscription.

Here is what I received:

I’m excited to try out the brush they sent, and the Pacifica eye shadow. I’ve already tried the lip balm they sent – not bad but I don’t enjoy the taste it leaves behind. Overall it was a pretty good bag. I have so many of those bags now – I have no idea what to use them for. Any suggestions out there? I’m thinking of maybe doing little giveaways, fill the bag up with little goodies…what do you all think?

Thanks for stopping by. 

Urban Decay Oz Great Powerful Pallet

Hello beauties, Happy Friday!!! 

So one of  my goals for this year is to use my eye shadow pallets more often. I have a day time job and although I wear makeup daily – I don’t take the time to do my eyes. Really in the morning I’m trying everything possible to get a few more minutes of shut eye. Being that I’m “investing” in these eye shadow pallets” I need to start using them more often and not just when I have a special occasion or going out… Honestly I don't go out that often, I'm more of a home body, therefore I don't get much use out of my eye shadows. 

So this week I’ve been using the Urban Decay Oz Great Powerful pallet - The Theodora Palette (I have both the pallets that came out) the colors are so pretty. Of course because I’m using it for work I am mostly using the colors that are neutral. I've been alternating between Beware and Bewitch, both our netural brown colors. 

The shadows have good color payoff, I used these colors on my crease, and then on my lid I used the Too Faced Shadow insurance in Champagne. It works very well for me, keeps it simple and not too - glittery/shimmery. 

I know the Oz Great and Powerful pallets were limited edition, I'm sorry for talking about them when you can't get them. But this is what i'm using this week, so just wanted to share.

First up is Beware

Here we have Bewitch

These are swatches:

AND....I thought I would torture you all with my mug shot! Not a very good shot of the shadow...but I have on Bewitch

Well that's all for now, tomorrow I will have a post up on my Ipsy bag. 

Thank you for stopping by! 

Amazonian clay full coverage airbrush foundation

Hello beauties! It's been too long since I've posted something. Sorry about that, but work and man it takes time to upload and edit pictures. In any event, I just wanted to share my thoughts on Tarte's Amazonian clay full coverage airbrush foundation. (what a mouth full) I have sensitive skin, so it's hard for me to try new things on a whim. But I was lucky enough this did not give me a rash or break me out. I must say it has pretty good coverage, although you do have to build it. If you have good skin that does not need a lot of coverage, then this would be good for you. I tend to use it on days i'm not in a hurry to get to work. The lasting power is meh...not bad but not great, then again it is a powder foundation. I do love the kabuki brush, it's dense and great to buff on the powder. I'm in the color medium-tan sand (for medium to tan skin with yellow undertones). I do want to grab the blush pallet that came out for this holiday season. I missed it last year and have regretted ever since. I'll be back with more later this week. 

June Favorites

Hello lovelies, I wanted to share some of my most used products in June. I have an office job, so I wear makeup Monday - Friday. I try to give my skin a breather on the weekends, because although I love makeup - I'm not feeling it everyday. I don't wear eyeshadow to work unless it's a big important meeting or something. Since I'm new to wearing makeup - I'm not very fast so putting eye shadow in the mornings would take a long time. 

Anyways, something new that I've added to my skin regime is the Loreal Youth perfecter  It smells heavenly and my skin feels so soft and the makeup applies smoothly. It really has made a difference on how my skin looks and feels. I apply it before I put any moisturizer. 

As far as foundation, I don't use them for work, at least not heavy ones. But I do like wearing a BB creme, something light if not I will just use powder. I've been using IT cosmetics CC creme, daily. I love this product, it does not feel heavy on my skin at all and it covers so much. My makeup last so all day basically. I'm in the color TAN.

I love to use my Real Techinques miracle complexion sponge. Now it is a bit denser than the beauty blender but it works just as good if not better. I love the flat top that it has, for some reason this works better for me. 

For concealers I've been using erase paste by benefit in deep. I have medium but it was too bright for my skin. Lucky it was only a small sample that I had bought a bit back. I use my E.L.F concealer to apply it. I just dip the ed of the brush in the pot and boom your good to go. On top of that I add some of my Maybelline age rewind, in Honey. It's my fave for drugstore and easy application. 

I use my Houseglass lighting in DIM as a sort of setting powder- these are really good.

For blushes I've been using the Clinique cheek pop in 03 - berry pop. It does not have any glitter or shimmer, it is a very pretty color. I alternated between this color and the Tarte amazonian clay 12-hour blush - in captivating!!! It's a warm peach color. As you can probably see from my pic, my skin is a bit tanned. I didn't think this color would show on me very nicely or at all. But it does, and it's so nice for a glowy look for the summer time. Very glad I picked it up. 

For lipsticks one of my all time faves is the Too Faced La creme lipstick in Teddy Berry- this is my 2nd one. I use it all the time, it's described as a dusty rose color. 

The last thing I do before I leave is apply a little bit of the Mally poreless face defender. It really does take away the greasy look on your nose. It also last a long time. - I guess I should review how long it really does last. 

Links to the items: Remember if you have signed up for the ebates, go to their website first, login and then click on the links to either sephora or ultra or search for any store you want to purchase from. That way you can get money back for your purchase!!!!

http://www.sephora.com/amazonian-clay-12-hour-blush-P278610?skuId=1306844
http://www.sephora.com/la-creme-P374933?skuId=1442342
http://www.sephora.com/product/productDetail.jsp?keyword=CLINIQUE%20Cheek%20Pop%20P384996&skuId=1579051&productId=P384996&_requestid=89976
http://www.sephora.com/product/productDetail.jsp?keyword=HOURGLASS%20Ambient%20Lighting%20Palette%20P382309&skuId=1606086&productId=P382309&_requestid=90049
http://www.sephora.com/product/productDetail.jsp?keyword=erase%20paste&skuId=1073691&productId=P208603&_requestid=90097
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5490017
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/a/Real-Techniques/_/N-1z140ys?ciSelector=searchResults

Thanks for stopping by

Sephora Haul

Hi there beauties, 

So....did a "little" bit of online shopping. Normally I like going into the store, but i'm trying out ebates. Everyone talks about it and I figured if I can make a little money from my purchases why not try it out. I did two separate orders, one through ebates and one through ibotta. Ibotta is another way to make money, if you buy anything that is on their list, you get money put into your account.  I know for sure Ibotta works because I already got money put into my paypal. 

Here are referral links if you want to try them out. 
ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=C2wNJSbVVHTEVBtFNUknMQ%3D%3D%26eeid=26471

For ibotta you can download the app - then register and use code vbxg3q if you would like. 

These are the items I bought. Sorry for the lighting, it was in my room and at night. 

Anyways, enough about that. I placed two orders and because of that I was able to use two different codes, I used one to try the "they're real benefit eyeliner" and then I picked a blue sephora eyeliner. I'm hoping I like the smashbox contour kit.

 I also got the Tarte slenderizer brush it's double ended. I don't contour heavily but I like to learn new things. 

I also picked up two Sugar lip balms one is the lip conditioner, and the other one is a new color only at Sephora (not sure if that's forever or not) Tulip is the color, very pretty and bright-pink. 

I also picked up the Tarte Rainforest after dark pallet. So pretty and I love the blush. 

Well that's all folks, are there any good makeup blogs that any of you can recommend, I like learning makeup tips from actual gurus. Me I just like to talk about it and share. 

Thanks so much for stopping by. 

Lorac Lipstick

Well hello lovely chicadees! Wanted to give you all my thoughts on the LORAC Alter Ego Highly Pigmented Cream Lipstick. (wow what a mouthful). All though they have amazing colors - I'm not that brave to try some of those beautiful bright colors. So I normally pick colors I can wear everyday (like to work). I got the color CEO #1495. 

(disclaimer: I suck at describing colors and scents) 

The color is described as a dusty rose. It is very creamy, and smells ah-mazing! It has a somewhat vanilla scent, very soft and not over powering or anything like that. It is very pigmented - and lasts a decent amount of time. But as with some lipsticks as the day wears on you are left with a ring around your lip line and not much color in the center of your lip. You just need to re-apply but other than that I really like this lipstick. 

The picture below will show you what it looks like on bare lips (no balm on lips). If you have dry/chappy lips you will see the lines.

I got mine at Ulta for $16.00. Not a bad price, considering some of the prices out there. They do have a lot of colors, I believe the most popular one is the Goddess one? I think that is the color the youtube beauty gurus have been going crazy for. I tried it but I felt for me that the color didn't look good on my tone of skin. (Of course my friend was like it looks great, but I wasn't feeling it). When I tried it has a purple tone underneath it, but I felt it washed my skin out. Not sure, maybe with proper makeup it would look better. 

Well thank you for stopping by, and reading my very first beauty blog post. I'm just a makeup lover. I'm not in anyway a professional or an experienced makeup artist at that. I just like to play with makeup and see what comes out.