Beauty Box 5 Unboxing: December 2014

This is only my second box and I have to say, I'm not pleased. I subscribed because the October box looked awesome. So when I subscribed in November, I put in the promo code to get the previous box for free. The November box wasn't very good. I got the whole theme of it, however the samples could've been better and I never got the October box. Instead, I got this box for free. I'm a little sad, but it's already done and I'm no longer subscribed. 

Many of you probably know what Beauty Box 5 is, but just in case, it's a monthly beauty subscription box. The price varies depending on if you get monthly ($12/month), quarterly ($30/3 months) or yearly ($99/year). This months box is themed "Merry & Bright". 

1. Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Moisturizer 0.26 fl oz (Retail: $65 for 1.7 oz)

2. Luck Brand Luck Number 6 EDP sample (Retail: $15.99-$60)

3. Nana coco nail polish in Diamond 0.5 fl oz (Retail: $3.95 for 0.5 fl oz) 

4. Absolute! New York nail polish remover pads on Spring Fresh 32 pads (Retail: $2.99 for 32 pads)

5. Jaqua Bath & Body Collection lotion in Pink Champagne 2 fl oz (Retail: $18-$36) 

I'm super excited for the Juice Beauty moisturizer! I've heard nothing but great things about it. I'm not so sure about the perfume; it smells really strong. Like knock-you-off-your-feet strong lol. 

Everything in this box will get used, but I'm glad I unsubscribed. I know it's a sample box, which is awesome, but there's so many beauty subscription boxes out there that seem to be taking more time and thought to them. Am I wrong?

Let me know what boxes I should try! 

Haul-y, jolly, Christmas

Hey guys! So it's been a while since I've blogged. I was sick and work has been kind of kicking my butt lately. I did, however, have some time to do some shopping. :)

I went to Ulta, T.J. Maxx, Target and Sephora and all places were having great sales. 

So here is my haul along with some swatches. 

First up is Ulta and T.J. Maxx. 

I've been wanting to try a new finishing powder. Don't get me wrong; I love my NARS one, but it's pretty expensive. So after researching as much as I could find about the brand Japonesque Color, I found that Ulta had this "best sellers" kit for $28. It only comes with deluxe sizes, but it's a great way for me to try out not only the powder, but the brand overall. 

Japonesque Color Velvet Touch Finishing Powder

Japonesque Color Velvet Touch Blush in the shade 03

Japonesque Color Pro Performance Lipstick in the shade 02

My first impressions are good. The blush and lipstick are very pigmented and both powders are extremely soft. 

I also picked up two NYX matte lipsticks from Ulta. 

NYX Matte Lipsticks in the shades Tea Rose and Sweet Pink

I've never owned the matte lipsticks, but I've heard great things about them. They're really pigmented and creamy. Sweet Pink looked more dark on the display, but I'm super excited for Tea Rose! 

 I also picked up a mini Not Your Mothers Way To Grow leave-in conditioner. I'm in the process of growing out my hair (there will be a review on the Biotin vitamin I've been taking), so I figured this could along with that. 

Cargo HD CC Cream in Light

At an endcap display at T.J. Maxx, I found this CC cream by Cargo. I've never tried the white-to-color type of BB creams, so this is fairly new to me. I like the consistency of it, but the color scares me a little (as you can see by the picture lol). Hopefully it'll blend with my skin tone when I have a little more color. 

OPI Liquid Sand nail polishin Get Your Number

This nail polish is beautiful. I have another liquid sand nail polish and I actually like it. I'm sure I'm going to love this one.  

Next up is Target. 

NYX Mood Lip Gloss in Affectionate and Sensual  

I'm really intrigued by the mood lip glosses that are out on the market right now. I tried both of these out and Affectionate turns into a really pretty pink flush on my lips. Sensual seemed to just stay the color that is swatched above which didn't look as good. I'm a little bummed. 

Sonia Kashuk Bare Necessities palette (using UD primer potion)

My pictures are not doing this palette any justice. The colors are really pretty and rose gold toned. 

I picked up a Suave dry shampoo as well. It's the only dry shampoo (I've only tried some of the drugstore ones) that I like. The only problem I have with all dry shampoos is that when I do wash my hair after using it, I end up having to wash twice because the first time doesn't lather. It's the weirdest thing. Does this happen to everyone?

Lastly, Sephora. 

I bought the small size of the Josie Maran "light" Argan oil. I've tried the original and I loved it. This version is supposed to absorb quicker into a matte-satin finish. 

Urban Decay eyeshadows in Virgin and Zephyr (no primer)

I'm sure you all know what Virgin looks like lol, but I figured I'd do a swatch anyway. These two are my holy grail eyeshadows. I usually use only two eyeshadows; one all over the lid and one in the crease. Both colors are my lid colors. I just choose whether I want a shimmer or a matte-satin eye. 

Whew. This a pretty long post lol, but I did want to include swatches. Has anyone tried some of these products? If so, what did you think? 

FOTD--Autumn eyes and Berry lips

Here in Arizona, we have about a month and a half of Autumn/Fall. Sad, I know. But it's my favorite season and this look is inspired by it. 

 

What I used--

-Skin 79 BB Cream: Hot Pink

-Urban Decay Primer Potion: Original

-Jemma Kidd eyeshadow: Vintage

-Lancôme Color Design: Taupe Craze

-Maybelline Eye Studio gel eyeliner: Blackest Black and Charcoal 

-Benefit Erase Paste: Fair

-NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder: Crystal

-Maybelline blush: Corsica Coral

-Jordan Best Lashes: Black

-Maybelline False Lashes: Blackest Black ( waterproof ) 

-NYX Lip liner: Prune

-Smith's Rosebud Salve

-E.L.F. setting spray 

I hope all of you are having a fun and safe holiday. HAPPY THANKSGIVING! :)

FOTD-ASU Maroon

In the spirit of ASU beating Washington State (52-31), I decided to to do a subtle maroon look. 

I used MAC's Sketch eyeshadow which is the closest color to maroon I own. The lighting is making it look more purple, but Sketch is beautiful burgundy brown. 

What I used--

-Skin 79 BB Cream: Hot Pink

-Urban Decay Primer Potion

-Urban Decay Naked Palette- Virgin & Sin

-MAC Sketch

-Maybelline Eye Studio gel eyeliner: Blackest Black

-Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner: Zero

-NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder: Crystal

-Maybelline blush: Corsica Coral

-Jordan Best Lashes: Black

- NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss: Salsa

It's a subtle look with Sketch on the outer corner. I don't usually use black eyeliner on my upper lash line, but with this look it works. 

GO ASU! :)

 

Get To Know Me!

I saw these questions on Emily's blog (Beauty Broadcast) and thought it would be a great way for you all to get to know me a little more! :)

 

 

 

1. Is your hair naturally curly or straight? Straight, but I have noticed that there is a wave to it now

2. What is your natural hair color? Red

3. Do you dye it yourself or go to a salon? I’ve never dyed my hair. I am au natural 

4. How often do you wash your hair? I have to wash it every day or it’ll get oily. I’ve tried dry shampoos, but none of them seem to work for me.

5. Do you wear the same style every day or change it?

I am a vet tech, so I almost always have it up due to bodily fluids potentially getting in it lol. But on the weekends I like to have down.

6. Do you do your own mani/pedi or go to a salon? Years ago, I would always get my nails done (acrylic). After about a week, I would get bored and the take them off, which is a huge waste of money! So now I do them on my own.

7. How often to you change your nail polish? Probably every 4 to 5 days.

8. Do you polish your toes in the winter, too or just in the summer? Yes. Naked toes don’t look good on me lol

9. How long does it take to put on your makeup? Usually it takes me 15 to 20 minutes. Sometimes, if I’m extremely tired before work, it can take me 10.  

10. What do you do first? Face or eyes? Both at the same time lol. I’ll put BB cream/ foundation first, then go to my eyes, then back to the face for finishing powder and blush, THEN mascara lol.

11. Do you "collect" makeup or just buy what you need when you need it? If something catches my eye and intrigues me (which actually happens a lot), I’ll buy it. So I'm more of a collector lol.

12. How often do you wear false eyelashes? Never. I used to wear them for dance recitals, but now there is really no point.

13. Do you do a full face of makeup every day? Most of the time I do. Unless I’m tired (#9). Then it’s BB cream, paint pot, finishing powder and mascara.

14. Do you wear makeup when you are home alone (or with family)? If there isn’t really anything special going on or not going out later, then no.

15. Will you leave the house without makeup? Yes and I have many times. Not ashamed lol

16. How many high end products do you have? I am a bonafide Urban Decay eye shadow user. LOVE THEM! I have all 3 Naked palettes, the first basics and a lot of singles lol. I also have NARS, MAC, Benefit and other random brands.

*I am not a high end snob whatsoever. I have a lot of drugstore as well :)

17. How often do you wash your makeup brushes? At least once/week.

18. Do you plan your OOTD every night or decide when you are getting dressed? I kind of decide as I’m going lol. Sometimes it’s planned.

19. How often do you change your handbag? Oh Lord. Besides makeup, handbags are my kryptonite. I have SO many, it’s ridiculous. I used to change them every 2 to 3 months (sooner if I found a new one), but I’m in love with the one I’m currently using, so it’ll be a while before I change it again.

20. What time do you get up & go to sleep? I get up depending on my work schedule, but it’s between 5:30a-6:30a. Going to bed is harder though because my lucky duck of a bf gets to sleep in, so I’ll stay up with him so we can have some time together  until 2a-ish. Most times I fall asleep while we watch a movie/tv show, but then wake up again.

21. How often & when do you workout? Well….I’m walking and lifting heavy dogs while at work if that counts lol. I don’t work out. It actually bores me. That’s one of the reasons why I loved dancing in high school/studio because it’s so much fun and it’s an amazing workout!

22. Left-handed or Right-handed? Mainly right, but I can do certain things with my left.

23. How tall are you? 5’2”

24. Do you speak a foreign language? No. I have always wanted to learn Icelandic though, since I had a grandmother from Reykjavik, but sadly I never got the chance to meet her.

25. How many pets do you have? I have one 8 month old kitten living with me, Blynken. At my parents, I have an almost 2 year old German Shepherd, Willow and two 2 year old ginger kitties, Whiskey and Weasley.

26. How often are you on Blogger? I’ve been to a lot of blogs that are on blogger, at least 4 to 5 times a wk. I check mine at least once a day.

27. Do you read the comments posted on blogs? I do actually and everyone seems really nice! Hopefully I will get that as well :)

28. Do you keep a list of products to try as you see other posts? Yes. I do that with YouTube videos also.

29. How did you come up with your blog name? I came up with about 5 or 6 years ago maybe? I don’t  really know how, but I do remember I wanted something unique, and about beauty. My blog’s website name had “beautyblog” added to it due to Sarah Palin having some political blog or website with that name.

30. What kind of camera do you use for photographs? I’ve been using my iPhone 5s. Fancy Pants lol

31. How often do you clean your house? (Daily, weekly, other) There’s at least one thing to clean daily.

32. What is your favorite color? Turquoise is, by far, my favorite.  I also like pretty much all shades of blue. But really, I like all colors. I’m a really colorful person (I just turned 28 last month and I still LOVE Lisa Frank lol).

33. What is your favorite beauty/fashion magazine? People’s Style Watch

34. Do you swear? Too much. It’s awful.

35. What are you doing with the rest of your day? Painting my nails and reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows :)

 

Review: Paper Facial Masks

This is an initial review on paper facial masks. I order my Skin 79 BB cream on either eBay or Amazon and with my last purchase, I got a sample of an Asian paper mask. 

I've been seeing these pop up more and more and even though I don't like blueberries, I thought I'd give it a try anyway. 

It was a very damp mask, almost to the point of being wet and it was definitely paper. It had holes cut for the eyes, nose and mouth. 

(Yep. I know. Scary. I am posting this ridiculous picture for the sake of my blog lol)

After 30 minutes, I removed the mask. There wasn't any mentioning of having to rinse, which I think is awesomely convenient. My face wasn't sticky and when it dried, it felt really soft.  

Besides the smell of blueberries and it not really fitting, I actually liked it! I have another paper mask I got in my October Glossybox and if it's the same material, I may cut it up into pieces and kind of do a paper mâché-like mask so all of it is touching my skin. 

Have any of you tried a paper facial mask? If so, let me know what you think and your favorites! 

FOTD-Soft & Natural

YAY!! FIRST POST! I started this blog a couple of years ago and for some reason that I can not remember, I never posted anything. Well now I'm restarting this bad boy full force and going to keep at it. :)

This look is soft and natural (hence the name lol).

(I had to post the bottom picture to give some love to my team)

Except for the kitten paw, this is what I used--

-Skin 79 BB Cream: Hot Pink

-MAC Paint Pot: Painterly 

-Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Eyeliner: Blackest Black

-Urban Decay Eyeshadow: Virgin (single) and Limit (Naked 3)

-Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner: Gunmetal 

-NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder: Crystal

-Maybelline Blush: Corsica Coral (package looks gross, but color is beautiful!)

-Jordana Best Lash Extreme: Black 

-Lip Smacker: Bubblegum (not shown) 

I always start out with face first (the BB cream/foundation part) so it'll sink in/dry. I tight lined upper waterline with the Maybeline gel eyeliner using a Real Techniques brush. Then with my fingers, I applied the painterly to my lids. Using E.L.F. brushes, I applied Virgin all over the lid and Limit in the crease, then applied UD eyeliner to upper lash line. Using Real Techniques brushes, again, I applied my setting powder all over face and blush on my cheeks. Last thing on my makeup to-do list is mascara (besides my Bubblegum lip smackers). 

It's a really simple look to achieve and is my go to look at the moment.