Perversion

For Urban Decay Perversion Mascara

I love how big and fluffy the brush is. The results of this mascara is stunning. Look at how thick my lashes look with my eyes closed! The brush makes the mascara very easy to swipe on and grabbing every lash and saturating it with color. This makes my eye lashes look like I’m wearing falsies. While I loved the effect, I prefer more natural looking lashes, but I would definitely repurchase a travel sized tube again for days that I want something dramatic. There is still some mascara in the tube, but the formula started flaking on me so I knew it had to go. The mascara itself was thick and sort of gel like which I liked a loot better than wet mascaras I hate wet mascaras with a passion. With my long lashes, it just ends up getting everywhere, making a huge mess. I highly recommend this mascara.

With Love ❤

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A Long Time Coming

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

I am trying to catch up on reviewing all of my subscription boxes. This is the last one from Ipsy, then I’ll have to do Jan, Feb, and March of Birchbox to catch up on all of them. I want to catch up, so they can be more relevant. My ideal would be to do the monthly box review when I get the new month’s box. I’m going to try to do one every week for the next few weeks, but we’ll see how that goes. Some weekends, I don’t have the time to write a really extensive post. These types of posts usually take me a couple of hours with getting the photos and trying out those products one last time.

The Theme:

Fresh Start is a suiting theme for January’s Bag. Everything in my bag related directly to having a fresh, natural face. Since the no makeup makeup trend has taken off, I liked that Ipsy stayed current with all of the trends. It is a very trendy bag of what is in now. Some of the makeup becomes outdated really fast because of it. This was one of my favorite themed bags though. I really love the natural look.

The Bag:

I like the simplicity of this bag, but I don’t care for the orange zipper. If they zipper would have been in a different color, I think that I would have liked it a lot better. If it was red, it would have been patriotic and more nautical as well. It is a simple makeup bag and I like it. There is not much more I can say about it.

(MALIN+GOETZ) Mojito Lip Balm, 0.20 oz for 12 USD

 

This is a great value for a full sized lip balm. I will be giving this away in my next giveaway, so I haven’t used it or anything. I have so many lip balms that I really do not need another one. So, one of you lucky readers will win this baby right here. Mojito sounds amazing to be honest. Has anyone tried this? What did you think? I’d love to know.

La Fresh Eco-Beauty Be Good. Good Day. Day Moisturizer, 0.5 oz for 13.99 USD

I did not think that this moisturizer was that expensive, which is really surprising to me. I have a review for this coming up on my blog and spoiler alert, I did not care for it. This is the reason that I cannot believe that it is this expensive, so not worth it.

Manna Kadar Cosmetics Sheer Glo, 0.27 oz for 7.25?

I assumed that the full sized is 1 fl oz, so I calculated the price from there. It is just an estimation. This just gives a pretty all over glow that I quite enjoy on no makeup days, but it is very subtle, almost non-existent. On days that I use makeup, I sometimes add a little to my foundation, but never to my moisturizer. My foundation easily covers up any glow this gives you. I also like to use it as eye shadow and on the brow bones. I don’t use it on my cheeks after applying foundation, because for some reason cream highlighters tend to remove my foundation in those spots. Anyone know a solution to this?

Hikari Cosmetics Mechanical Eye Liner in Storm, 0.2 grams for 13 USD

Another full sized item?! I love that this bag has three full sized items and that everything is relatively expensive. This bag almost redeemed Ipsy for me. I love how you can build it up or get a sheer wash of color. This is the perfect color to complement my grey eyes. I only use this to smoke out my bottom lash line since the crayon is a bit hard and not creamy. It gives a nice smoke effect and makes my bottom lashes look thicker.

Pacifica Natural Mineral Coconut Eye Shadow in Treasure, 0.08 oz for 3.50 USD

This is the third full sized product that comes in a pallet. After swatching the eye shadow, I realized that I have the EXACT same color from a Be A Bombshell Cosmetics compact. So, I will be giving away this eye shadow as well in the coming weeks. It is a gorgeous bronze/gold eye shadow that you can make a lot of looks out of. I love using bronze colors in the Summer and I can guarantee that this will be a staple.

BONUS: J. Cat Beauty Wonder Lip Paint in Mad Splatter, 0.33 oz for 4.99 USD

This was the item that I used my points on. It isn’t a color that I wear a lot, but when I want a bold lip, I go for this tube. I love the color for a night out or if I’m feeling like a diva going through magazines at home. I am currently rocking it right now. It is pretty pink color and you can keep it light for day and glam it up for night by layering more on. It is very intense and stains. I apply mine with a q-tip and only apply a tiny dot at a time.

Well, that was my January goods! The total was 49.74 USD and with my bonus was 54.73! It was a great note to end my subscription on. Maybe someday, I will go back, but for now, I am happier with Birchbox than I ever was with Ipsy. That is it for today!

With Love,

Thinking Of You: December Ipsy

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

I am finally getting around to posting my thoughts on the December Ipsy bag of goodies that I received. That means that I will have only one more Ipsy post like this and I will have three or four more Birchbox posts to put up. I am trying my hardest to put one up every week, so that in a month I will be all caught up. I would like to be doing these on the same week that I upload that month’s unboxing. I guess, it is good this way as well, because I get a bit more time to be testing out all of the products. Everything has it’s good and bad and I just like to go with the flow. Without further ado, here are my thoughts:

The Theme:

Thinking of you is just a cute theme, but it sounds kind of like Valentines Day more than Christmas if you ask me. Only a few products really go with the theme of a Christmas Party type thing. It really seems like just any old month. I actually have yet to try one of these products (hint: It’s a mascara, because I have two open already and they last FOREVER.)

The Bag:

I think that the bag is simple and cute. It looks and feels kind of like satin. The only negative is the cheap plastic charm. I would have preferred it i it was just a plain metal heart and did not say Ipsy. I removed it from the bag, so that I can use it to keep my toiletries in it. I could see getting a lot of use out of it or using it as part of someone’s present.

CAILYN Cosmetics Just Mineral Eye Polish in Orchid, 0.09 oz for 15 USD [Full sized]

I love that this is a full sized product and a very wearable shade. It is a nude peach color with a bit of shimmer in it. It is a nude shade that I tend to put all over the lid. If I am looking to add more to my look, I will take a deeper brown and put it in the crease. This was smooth and very blendable. I absolutely love it and it is full sized. I can see getting a lot of use out of this color. It is very neutral.

Beauty Without Cruelty A.H.A. 3% Facial Cleanser, 2 fl oz for 2.98 USD

I enjoy using this cleanser, but I would not purchase it. It is a very thick clear gel and I have to use quite a bit of it to get it to lather. It is hard to get it to be ungel-like and takes a bit of washing off to get it off. I will be using this as a morning cleanser, but when it is used up, it is used up. I would not recommend it, because it is difficult to use.

Sexy Hair 450° Blow Out Heat Defense Blow Dry Spray Mini, 1.7 fl oz for 8.04 USD

I am glad to have gotten an expensive brand product, but the performance left much to be desired. It has a nice Hawaiian Topics Sunscreen scent to it that I like. My hair seemed to be well protected from hot tools when I used this. There was no burning hair smell. I used this when I curled and straightened my hair. I’ve used about a fourth to a third of the bottle. It left my hair slightly sticky and a bit dirty feeling. My hair straightened hung lanky. My hair curled didn’t stay curled as long as usual. I didn’t add other products with this, just this on its own. I don’t like how it makes my hand feel, but I will use it and see if layering hairspray on top has any effect on the texture of my hair.

NYX Cosmetics Butter Lip Balm in Marshmallow, 0.14 oz for 4 USD [full sized]

YAY! Another full sized product and I love NYX. The butter gloss is amazing! But so is this lip balm, except the color. It is way too pale on a nude on my lips. It makes me look sickly. It is great for an at home lip balm, but I will not be wearing this outdoors for sure. It is so smooth and silky feeling on the lips. They really are great value for a great product as long as you get the right shade.

 tarte deluxe lights, camera, lashes™ 4-in-1 mascara, .10 fl oz for 8.33 USD [almost half of the full sized]

I just finished up a full sized mascara, so I will be looking forward to trying this out. I just tried it out over a different formula and it seems to be a nice formula. It seems to be a drier formula, which I like. It also has a short spiky wand that seems to grip the lashes and pulls the formula through them. I am hoping that this could be the day time version of the Urban Decay Perversion Mascara. I’m hoping it will be less dramatic, but still a nice eye opening formula for a girl who does not curl her lashes.

Overall, the value of this bag was 38.35 USD, which is more than triple of the amount of the subscription. I have to say that this bag was a great value and that I loved 2 of the products, disliked two, and am unsure about the Tarte yet. I was ready to let this subscription go and move on to bigger and better things. What did you get in your December Ipsy? Did yo love it?

With Love,

Girl Meets Glitter: November Ipsy

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

I know that I am really far behind on this, but I swear I will be catching up within the next month or so. So, this week, I am breaking down the November Ipsy bag piece by piece and letting you all know my first impression on the product based with playing around with it for a couple of months now. I will be showing you product pictures as well as swatches and how the product looks on my skin/hair. The hair spray will be hard to demonstrate, but I’ll just show you a hair style look that I locked in with this pray and nothing else. You will get the general idea of it at least. I’m just going to jump right into it now!

The Theme:

[I thought I had pictures of the November Bag, but I didn’t. I had to go back and take all of the pictures you see in this post very recently. So, to make up for not having the card picture, here’s one of the girl!]

I thought that this was a really great theme that month. You all know me! I’m a sucker for anything glittery or sparkling. So, I was very excited for this theme, however I have to say that the contents of this bag have left me underwhelmed. Only one of the items truly had glitter, one had sparkle, and the other had shine. I was expecting more…glitter. Maybe some loose glitter or something. Did anyone else feel that the bag fell short in the glitter department? Please let me know that I am not the only one. I do think that the card is very pretty though.

The Bag:

I love the bag!!!! It is so glittery and sparkly. It is absolutely amazing and no wonder why?! It is designed by Forever 21, my favorite brand for just about everything. I give the bag a big 5 out of 5 stars for amazing-ness. This bag will not stop me from unsubscribing though. My last bag will be January and my first Birchbox will be soon. Super excited!

The Contents:

Jcat Wonder Lip Paint in Red Potion, 0.33 oz for 4.99 USD [full sized]:

This stuff is super pigmented and a little bit goes a really long way. This stuff is just as good in my opinion to the original Lip Tar. The lip paint is moisturizing and long lasting. Red Potion is not a true red. It is more of a berry red with purple / blue undertones. I love rocking this lip for a night out or just being fancy on a night in. The tube will honestly last me forever. I just wish that it came with a brush applicator tip to make applying this product less messy. This stains the back of your hands, so use a plate or something to put a dot of product on and dip your lip brush into it. This color is unforgiving if you brush it outside of your lip line. It will feather. You cannot achieve a Kylie Jenner look with this. How I like to apply this is with a q-tip and a paper cup (or a cupcake wrapper). I dot the color on my lips to get the color build up that I want, then throw out the extra. I don’t like to stain my brushes if I can help it.

I put one dot of product into it and I used like a tenth of that. You really do not need much at all. I then like to use a clear gloss on top using a q-tip as well. I like to get a bit of gloss and rub it and mix it into the color, muting down a bit. I am using the pillowplush lip balm from EM Cosmetics in the color sorbet, which does not even tint my lips so I call it clear.

As you can see, I love this balm and have used it multiple times. You can also see by the two pictures that the lip paint goes from a blood red to more of a lighter pink with the aid of this gloss.

Marc Anthony Oil of Moroccan Argan Oil Volume Shine Hair Spray, 1.5 oz for 1.38 USD [sample]:

I loved this product so much I already used up all of it and reviewed it. If you want to read the review to learn more, click HERE. It works well and I would consider purchasing it. Right now, I have four cans of hair spray, so I’m all set.

Be A Bombshell Cosmetics Eye Base in Submissive, 0.09 oz for 14. 99 [full sized]:

I enjoy this base color. I think that it looks great on its own and you can definitely build it up. I like that I can create a subtle eye look with it or a bold one. It still creases on me, but I have very oily eye lids and have not found a primer that works. This does not crease too bad. As you can see by the photos. If you are looking for something as an everyday eye look, I really enjoy this, but I prefer using my Bare Minerals BB Cream Shadows. It is decent and I like it. If you are looking for something better but pricier, I prefer the Bare Minerals, because they DO NOT crease on me AT ALL. They are not a primer, but they work beautifully.

TEMPTU S/B Highlighter in Pink Pearl, 0.1 fl oz for 2.75 USD [sample]:

I reach for this highlighter on a weekly basis. I like to use this to highlight my cheekbones and the inner corners of my eyes. I, even on occasion, use it as an eye shadow. If I get my eyebrows pluck, I use this as an eye bone highlight as well. Speaking of which, I really need to get my brows done. It has been MONTHS since I got them done last. It’s only like 15 dollars with a 5 dollar tip (I give that if I really love my brows, otherwise it’s 2 or 3). This is a very subtle highlighter, which I quite enjoy. It’s not glittery or sparkly, which is another thing that I love. It just gives a nice sheen.

Elizabeth Mott You’re So FINE Eyeliner in Glitterati, 0.1 oz for 17.99 [full sized]:

I like the glitter flecks in the eyeliner. It adds an unexpected touch to your basic black. It is a much needed upgrade and this eyeliner is a breeze to apply. It does not take much practice to get the perfect cat-eye that is almost matching, but remember, your eyes are SISTERS not twins. I always have to keep that in mind when I do my makeup. This is great for a glam look or for something more natural. Sometimes, I just apply the eyeliner with no eye shadow, just to be low key about it. It is quite expensive, but I find that liquid liners last for at least 6 months. You do get your money’s worth and I’m always reaching for this.

Well, the grand total for the November bag was 42.10 USD, which is almost 50 USD! I was surprised about the full sized items and very pleased. I really loved this bag, but I had so many disappointing ones. I was ready and excited for Birchbox. I needed a change for the new year. Do you like Birchbox or Ipsy better? Let me know in the comments!

My overall look using all of the mentioned products, plus a few others:

With Love,

Beauty Candy: October Ipsy

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

I have the results of how I feel about my October Ipsy bag for you! What did you all think about your October Ipsy? Overall, I really enjoyed mine, but I have yet to actually purchase something that I received in my bag, so there is that. I think that it is a great sampling program. I also feel like it is time to move on from this. I am thinking about joining Birchbox, because the point system seems to be much better than Ipsy and you can choose anything you want. The shop is not limited to a handful of choices that sellout faster than you can purchase them. So, in the New Year I will say Hello to Birchbox and Goodbye to Ipsy. Do you guys think that this is a sound decision? Thanks guys!

The Theme:

[I totally forgot to take a picture of the card and it utterly got destroyed by the dogs!]

Look at how guilty they are!

I really didn’t see how the theme again relates to the actual products. I get that the bag is eye candy, because it is nice to look at. Everything else? Not so much. The only item that remotely relates is the eye shadow, because again, the pun on “Eye” Candy or Beauty Candy. Maybe, the bags are just too customize-able that some people’s don’t fit under the theme? They really should make sure that all of the products under the theme should relate to it and not just a few that doesn’t make it into most people’s bag. I just think that they could have taken this theme in a really great direction and it fell short. That being said, most of the actual items, I really liked.

The Bag:

I love this teal bag. It is definitely more green than blue, which is a very pretty color. The color of the Caribbean ocean really is what it is. I usually have this style of bag from Ipsy, so I kind of which they did more of a variety of bag shapes. I still really like it though. This is a very unique bag and I think that I am going to use this to hold my Filofax accessories. Speaking of my Filofax, I really need to decorate it a bit more for the holidays. Does anyone have any ideas for that? Thanks in advance!

City Color Be Matte Lipstick in Cappuccino, 0.105 oz for 5 USD

Lol. I just realized that my lips look huge in this picture! I guess, it really does help to over-line your lips to give them a bit of volume. This is a full sized matte lipstick that I quite enjoy using. This is going to get a ton of use out of it, but I am hesitant about buying it. It is not a moisturizing formula whatsoever, but I also feel like if it was, the formula wouldn’t be matte. This is literally the perfect neutral color and I just love it. Getting a full sized product is a major score! Did I get more full-sized? Wait and see and read more to find out.

ECRU New York Acacia Protein BB Cream Beauty Balm For Hair, 1 fl oz for 12 USD

This is the travel sized version of their full sized product. I think that this product is really expensive for such a small amount and the product itself is really light. The product is so light that I do not think that this is very moisturizing at all. I add some beauty oil to it to make it more moisturizing, while still keeping the formula very light. I will use this product up, because it is a luxury and I don’t like to waste anything. Unless you have baby fine hair, I could not see this being very moisturizing on its own. The redeeming quality in this product is that it doesn’t contain a lot of nasty chemicals, which is always a good thing.

Epice International Purifying Exfoliant, 1 fl oz for 9.70 USD

I have used this product a few times and I don’t think there is anything special about it. It is a decent exfoliant, but it will not replace my Lush Ocean Salt scrub, which I absolutely love to death and I have even gotten my dad into using it as well. I still have half a tub of it and I bought it in May. So, I think that I will buy it as a birthday present again to myself. Anyways, back to this product, I feel like my St. Ives gives a more satisfying scrub and this has micro-beads that are killing the coral reefs. So, it is safe to say that I will not be purchasing this at all. If it was fantastic, maybe, but as it is, no.

Figs & Rouge Hand Cream in Mango Mandarin, 0.67 oz for 6.37 USD

I cannot believe that this hand cream is full sized. The price is super expensive for two thirds of an ounce. That is crazy! That being said, I would buy this as a gift for a hand cream obsessed friend. It smells incredible and absorbs quickly without all the grease. It is a light hand cream, so do not expect miracles. It is great at maintaining great skin, though. I feel like this would be the perfect summer hand cream. I keep this small tube with my laptop, so I can keep my hands soft as I type.  I notice my dry hands, when typing and hand cream stops me from picking at the dead skin.

Mica Beauty Cosmetics Mineral Eye Shadow in 34 Harlequin, 0.1 oz for 14.95 USD

Another full sized product! Wow, that is three full sized product in this past month’s Ipsy bag, which definitely makes up for the bad theme. I love this eye shadow. It is very bold, but it blends out beautifully into a wisp of color, which I quite enjoy. I was able to blend this out in my crease to just a hint of green. It was so beautiful paired with another light green color that I used as a base, which I will be sharing in this post as well. Mineral shadows blend out beautifully, so do not be afraid of it if you are not a fan of bold color. It can be as bold or understated as you want it to be. The key is to blend, blend, blend, if you want an understated look. It took me 5 minutes or so of blending on each eye for the color I wanted to achieve.

Bonus Extra 1,000 Point Perk: BareMinerals 5-in-1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow Broad Spectrum SPF 15 in Delicate Moss, 0.1 fl oz for 18 USD

Blended

I spent my Ipsy points on this full sized product and I couldn’t be happier. It is the best everyday base for my eyes that bring out my unique eye color. I hate how limiting the options are on Ipsy though. It is the reason that I have decided that I will be cancelling my subscription and picking up Birchbox and Fortune Cookie Soap Box as well. I love Ipsy, but I have enough makeup now. I think Birchbox is more body care oriented, so I’m gonna give that one a try and so is FCSB. So, these posts are the last ones you will see from me. Who knows? Maybe, I will pick it up again in the future.

With Love,

Selena Hannah xoxoxo

Street Style: September Ipsy

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

I know that I am a month late with my glam bag, but I have decided that I am going to wait to write my review. I want to actually have something more to say than “I hope it works”. This will be sort of like first impressions after a month of use. I hope you enjoy it. Let me know. Do you like this style or do you want me to go back to my old ways?

The Theme:

I really do not understand how the theme of street style relates to any of the products that I got in my bag, not even the rock n’ roll bag goes with the theme. I really don’t. I am not a fan of this theme or this bag this month. It just wasn’t really my style and some of the products turned out to really not suit me.

The Bag:

I love the actual bag this month! I really like the square shape and the studs on it. I can really coordinate my makeup bags with my purses now. I can keep a bag with makeup goodies in each purse and only have to take my wallet out of one and put it in another. So simple when I am rushing out the door.

Nourish Organic Moisturizing Cream Face Cleanser With Cucumber & Watercress, 2.33 USD for 1 fl oz

Although this is 100% USDA certified organic, it smells like Ivory soap, not a flattering scent at all. Because of the smell, I haven’t wanted to use this cleanser. I will to tell you how I think of it though, in the long run. So far, I haven’t liked the way it feels on my skin. It is a good sized sample to try, so I will be using this on the weekends or in the shower to give my face a break from all of the acne medicine that I use during the week on it to keep my skin presentable.

Crown Brush Infinity Shadow/Crease Duet Brush, 17.50 USD for C476

This is such a soft brush and I have used it a few times without any shedding whatsoever, which is pretty amazing to get in an Ipsy bag. This helps my eye shadows be more bendable and create a flawless finish. I am still not anywhere near really good with applying makeup, but I am getting there. That is for sure.

Pacifica Natural Minerals Eyeliner in O3F4 Gunmetal, 2.75 USD for 0.26 oz

The formula is very smooth, but the color is very shimmery. It does not hold up on my waterline. Maybe it would if it were more matte? It does match the color of my eyes though and it enhances them as well. I feel like this would make a great subtle cat eye. I am still looking for the perfect waterline eyeliner though. This is a nice creamy consistency. I just wish that they would send me a sharpener already. I need one for all of my dull pencils. Lol. I always forget to buy one at the store.

Mitchell & Peach English Growers Luxury Hand Cream in Flora No. 1, 13.61 USD for 1.1 fl oz

This is a real expensive sample!!! So excited! The formula of the lotion is really nice and is fast absorbing without a sticky, greasy feel to it, just a moisturized feel if you know what I mean. The sent itself is spicy at first and I do not like it at all. One I rub it into my hands, the scent changes, getting less spicy and more floral. I like the more floral, slightly tea scented smell of the hands better than that initial spiciness. That being said, I am not really a fan of the scent either way. I really enjoy the formula though.

Cailyn Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss in 08 Love Affair, 19 USD for 0.14 fl oz

This one is even more expensive! I feel like I just got the best deal with this bag. This is not hooker red like I first thought it would look like. It is a flattering dark berry red with blue undertones. I love the way my lips look with this on. It is not an everyday shade for work, but it is a great shade for a night out or hanging out with friends. You still need a mirror to apply this, because it is a pretty opaque gloss that you do not want to mess up. It feels very moisturizing and light on the lips. I feel very comfortable wearing it and it has quickly become a Fall staple of mine. I would consider buying another one of these in a nude color. It has a satin finish.

I would give this bag two stars, since I only really like two of the products and I do not really like the rest. Ipsy needs to wow me by New Years or I am switching to Birchbox. I don’t want to have a lot of stuff that I don’t want/use. It is different if its a flavor, so I give it to a friend than if the product preforms poorly. The value of this bag was 55.19 USD. An amazing value, but I just wish that I loved everything.

With Love,

Selena Hannah xoxoxo

 

Beauty Schooled: August Ipsy

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

I know that I am late again with my Ipsy update, but it gives me a bit more time to really form my opinion on the product to see if I actually like how the product perform, instead of just how aesthetically pleasing it is. Now, get ready to see everything that I received in my Ipsy bag. Let me know if you got the same EXACT bag. So far, I haven’t come across a person who has an IDENTICAL bag to myself.

The Theme:

I like the idea of the theme of Beauty Schooled, but I did not see how the theme connected to the bag. I get the contest, but the contents off the bag did not relate to beauty school. Beauty basics, maybe? I do not know. I just do not think that the theme went very well with this month’s bag. The theme in no way shape or form made me love the bag any less.

The Bag:

It is an old school beauty bag that is very dated, but cute in a reminiscent sort of way. I will enjoy using this plastic-y bag as a pencil case at my new desk job. It will add a bit of personality to my desk. At first, I did not like this bag, but it is slowly growing on me like some kind of beauty mold. LOL.

Absolute New York You’re The Balm Lip Balm In Grape, 0.42 oz for 2.88 USD

If you were to buy the package of grape and green apple together in the full sized, it is 5.99 USD. That is pretty cheap lip balm as far as lip balms go. This lip balm smells like old school grape in grammar school with subtle sparkles in it. I cannot stand the smell of grape, so I will be giving this away to a friend. It is a full sized product, so I am satisfied with the size of the product. There is not much more to say about the product, because I will not be using it. I am not disappointed, because I know that it will be given a new home, where it will be well loved. The packaging is super cute!

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara 0.1 fl oz for 5.50 USD

Natural

With Urban Decay Perversion Mascara

Natural

With Urban Decay Perversion Mascara

I love this mascara so much for a nice date night look! My lashes are already thick, dark, and long naturally. This mascara turns me into a bombshell! I have never ever seen a mascara that gave me this effect before. I usually use mascara that just sets my lashes and makes them stop from curling into my eyeballs. The Urban Decay mascara makes my face look totally sexy and made-up, even if the mascara is the only makeup that I am wearing. I love, love, love this mascara, but I do not think that I would ever buy it. It is too expensive to only use on dates or when I am going out with the girls. It isn’t for work or just a regular day. Since mascara only lasts for three months, I wouldn’t get much use out of it.

Lord  Berry #1001 Black Silk Mini Kajal Kohl-Liner, 0.02 oz for 4 USD?

Blended

I like that this mini eye liner is small and purse friendly. This does  not hold up on my waterline, where I like to apply eye liner. I have a hard time finding any liner that will last more than an hour on my waterline. I would much rather have a different colored pencil than a black one. It is soft and does not tug on my waterline when applying. Other than that, this is nothing special. I am glad to add this to my collection of pencils.

Coastal Scents Forever Blush Duo in Fresh & Elegant, 0.09 oz for 2.65 USD

This blush duo smells like child’s makeup, but it has the pigmentation of very adult makeup. The pink is very Barbie doll and shimmery. It is perfect for a date night. The peachy-orange-bronzy color is a good day time blush for work or just being out and about. The sample is very small and it is hard to try to get only one of the colors. So, the few times that I have tried this blush, it is mostly one color and a tiny bit off the other. I wish that I only got one color or for the pans to be farther apart. I mean, the pans are the size of eye shadows.

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer, 0.25 fl oz for 12.50 USD

I really love how unoily my skin has been, since I got my Ipsy bag and it is all due to this miracle product. The best part? Even though, it is expensive, I have a 20% off discount code, free shipping, and a free trial size of this product IF I want to dish out the cash for a full-sized product. The code expires at the end of October, so I will be sure to decide by then. I am willing to pay more for products that actually work and I would love to try this out in the full size just to see if the amazing results continue. I don’t notice any changes in my pores, just in how oily my skin is with this on. It cuts down on the oil dramatically. My T Zone is only dewy by the end of the day. I found that I didn’t have to blot midday (I did out of habit, though).

August Ipsy Bag Total: 27.53 USD

Overall, I would give this bag a solid three out of five. It didn’t knock my socks off, but I did find myself loving a couple of items in the bag. I am thinking about trying out Birchbox in the New Year, just to switch things up. Let me know your thoughts on this month’s bag and Birchbox.

With Love,

Selena Hannah xoxoxo

Sensationally Sunkissed: July Ipsy

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

I know that I am extremely late with this one, but I promise to be better for the one that I get in August. I have a few surprises for my blog this month, so stay tuned all month long for some special posts.

The Theme:

The card is not as great as last months, but I still feel that the picture goes with the theme of being a bit “sunkissed” from being outside so much during the summer. However, I feel like two items out of my bag do not go with the theme, since they do not contain SPF and do not scream “summer” to me. Three out of five is still really good though and I do like one of the not so summery items.

The Bag:

OMG! So girly and bright and PINK. This is not my favorite bag, but I am sure that many girls would be thrilled to have it. That being said I do not hate the bag. I just do not love it. It is not my style or cup of tea.

The Contents:

Hang Ten Dark Tanning Oil With Natural Sunscreen SPF 8 Protection, 1.50 USD for 1 fl oz

This is my second least favorite product that was sent to me this month. I do not tan and I am not interested to start. I have had two run-ins with skin cancer and I do not want to have to go through it again a third time. Also, is there really a difference with dark tanning oil and regular tanning oil? I will be using this as a moisturizer. It doesn’t smell the greatest, but it is very moisturizing. It also leaves the prettiest sheen. I would not go out and buy this. It is nice to try out though and Ipsy really responds to feedback from their customers. I doubt that they will send us a product like that again.

Befine Food Skin Care Daily Moisturizer With SPF 14 With Rosemary, Pomegrante, & Rice, 22.50 USD for 1.5 fl oz

This is really close to a full sized product, so I was really glad to get this in my Ipsy bag this month. I love trying moisturizers out and this one has SPF, which is really good for the summer. The moisturizer is very light and hydrating. It smells strongly of SPF with underlying scents of rosemary, not so much a pomegrante scent. It leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth. It will last me at least two months of consistent use. I like that this contains antioxidants and that it is all natural. If I fall in love with this, I might be buying more from this line. I like that I can skip the step of adding on SPF, since my skin can be really sensitive to it.

Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balm in Unique Pink, 10.50 USD for 0.06 oz

This is almost a full sized product as well. It is two thirds of the full sized product and I have to say that the stick is really small for being almost the full size. I love how cute the tube is though. I will get plenty of use out of this tube! The pink balm does not tint my lips, which are pretty pigmented naturally. I can say that if you have pale lips, this will leave a pretty pink stain. My hand is stained from the swatch that I did on the back of my hand. The balm is very minty as well, which is very refreshing and breath freshening. I would buy this once I ran out of the rest of my regular balms.

Whet Refined Nail Lacquer in Facetious, 10 USD for 0.3 fl oz

Another almost full sized product! Wow! My bag was filled with three almost full sized products this month. One of the best bags yet for that reason! Anyways, with two coats on, this polish is still a bit sheer in places, but I feel with more practice, you could apply it in two to three coats instead of four. I’ve only had this polish on for a day, so I cannot comment on its staying power (It starts to wear on the tips after a day, but starts to chip in four days.). The color, however, is way too dark for the summer. It is a dark indigo blue like an ink pot blue, if you know what I mean.It makes my skin look paler than it is and pale skin is not what I am going for in the summer. It doesn’t contain the big three poisons that are in nail polish though, so that is a big plus. Not a fan of the formula, though.

bareMinerals 5 in 1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow With Broad Spectrum SPF 15 in Divine Wine, 6 USD for 0.03 oz

Not Blended

Blended

I really love this cream eyeshadow by bareMinerals! It is super creamy and blendable. I love how these neutral shades can be flattering on anyone. This shade makes my eyes look a bit more dramatic with depth, but not overly made up. I favor more natural looks than in your face bright makeup. Divine Wine does not disappoint. It is matte and sets to be smudge-proof for a day of wear. I cannot say enough about it. I would actually buy this cream eyeshadow.

Well, my overall thoughts on this bag is a three out of a five. It wasn’t my favorite, but I still really liked this bag and I have had the subscription for seven months now. I may only keep this until December, because I am accumulating a lot of makeup. I might switch it up with a different box that isn’t makeup based. What are your thoughts?

With Love,

Selena Hannah xoxoxo

Pretty In Paradise: June Ipsy

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

I know it is kind of late to be taking about June, but I just am now getting to it and I didn’t want to skip the month either. Since I am already late with my review, I will get to what I thought about everything now with this short intro.

The Theme:

I really like the theme for June, because many people go to the beach or go on vacation. So, it makes sense for Ipsy to compile products for the beach: easy, waterproof, effortless, and scented like a vacation if you are having a staycation.

The Bag:

I am so excited to finally say that I have a Rebecca Minkoff bag! I love her as a designer and now I have one of her signature designer makeup bags. It has cute little pineapples on it. The feel of the bag is very luxurious. As I write this, I am switching out my makeup bag, so I have this one in my purse instead. Love, love, love it so much and I cannot say it more. Seriously worth all of my Ipsy subscription money.

The Contents:

• Marc Anthony Dream Waves Beach Spray, 1.52 oz for about 3.50 USD:

 

This little bottle is perfect for traveling and for throwing into your beach bag. It smells like sweet coconut, reminding me of my beloved Hawaiian Tropics Sunscreen. I am so in love with the scent! I estimate that this little bottle would give you a good dozen uses, since it was filled to the top. I would buy this for the scent alone.

• DERMAdoctor DD Cream 15-Benefits-In-1, 0.3 fl oz for 9.50 USD:

 The sample seems pretty full, so I would say that you would get six or so uses out of this one as well. The color seems a tad too dark on the back of my hand, but I think it would give my face the prettiest glow. It also smells like a vacation in a tube, which I quite enjoy in case you haven’t noticed yet. On a different note, what on earth is a white sapphire complex?

• NYX Butter Gloss in BlGO2 Eclair, 0.27 fl oz for 5 USD: 

This tube is actually a bit bigger than the normal size, which is very nice of NYX. The website says that these are 0.23 fl oz, but mine is labeled 0.27. This is a full sized product that is half of the total cost of the bag, which I think is a great value. This buttery gloss smells like candy floss! I was the most excited to receive this talked about NYX product and I have to say that it is raved about for a reason. The pale pink nude is the perfect neutral gloss to use on its own or over lipstick to create a glossy finish and to tone down a bright lip. I love the feel and look of this on my lips. It is the most comfortable gloss I own. It is not sticky in the least, but very buttery and nourishing.

• Nicka K New York Shimmer Eyeliner in Green, 0.1 oz for 4.99 USD: 

This was another full-sized product, which made me very happy. Both of my full-sized products made up the value of this bag. The shimmery green is so pretty and not too blingy. I was hoping for blue, but I do not mind getting the green. It is supposed to be waterproof, so I am planning to use this on my waterline. UPDATE: This stuff burns when applied to the waterline. DO NOT APPLY THERE. The angled felt tip brush makes application a breeze, following the contour of the eyelid. I don’t like this as much on my top eyelid though.

• Be A Bombshell Mascara in Lash Out, 0.25 oz for 15 USD: 

Wow. I did not realize that the most expensive product in my bag would be a mascara that I will have to toss out in three months or less. This mascara has a horrid smell, but it is great for setting my long lashes. I use mascara to set my lashes, so they do not curl into my eyeballs, which is very much a problem for me. This stuff really flakes, which isn’t good. It darkens my lashes a bit, so they are more doll-like. Otherwise, I notice no difference between my eye with the mascara and the eye without it. I also just feel really sexy with mascara on.

Overall, I would give this bag 2 stars based on having used the products all month long. The value of this bag was 37.99 USD! That is an amazing value! It is almost four times what I paid for it. I cannot wait for what July will bring!

With Love,

Selena Hannah xoxoxo

Fresh Picks: May Ipsy

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

I have been subscribed to Ipsy for 5 months now and I can absolutely say that the bag just gets better and better with my feedback on the things I liked and the things I didn’t care for. I love that the bag comes predictably on the same day every month. When it gets close to the Saturday it gets delivered, I get super excited and hope that it gets to my apartment a day earlier than expected. Last month, I got my bag super late, because it got lost in shipping. Has this happened to anyone else? So, I got May’s bag just two weeks after I received April’s bag. I didn’t mind, though. It was like getting two presents! I do wish that Ipsy had added something special in my April bag to “makeup” for the incident.

Now, onto my May Fresh Picks:

The Bag:

A beautiful burlap canvas bag with greenery accents. The bag was spot on for a fresh face for May. It fits with their Fresh Picks theme. I really love the bag. I cannot wait to use it at the beach to hold the few essential items that I do take with me. (ooh! That should be an upcoming blog post: Beach essentials! I love inspiring ideas from Ipsy.) Anyways, this really is a quality little bag to stash my goodies in.

The Contents:

Pacifica Natural Beauty Eyeshadow Duo in #2, 0.07 oz:


Based on other products on the Pacifica, I would guess that the value of this eyeshadow is $10, since it is as full sized item. So, counting only this, I did get my bag’s worth of product on this eyeshadow alone. This compact has the prettiest highlight color in white gold and a nice semi-matte smoky purple for a crease color. I will definitely get some good use out of these colors, but I will doubt I would purchase it. I rarely buy makeup and when I do, it is hardly ever eye shadow. I just can never use them up and Ipsy allows me to stock up on them without breaking the bank.

Boo-Boo Cover-Up Concealer in Medium, 0.34 oz:

Based on the Boo-Boo site, this concealer is full-sized and it cost 19.99. So, this is worth 20 dollars basically. I am super excited to try such a high end concealer! I am not sure that I would purchase this even if I really liked it….who am I kidding? If it is a miracle worker, I will be repurchasing. This is the perfect medium color for my skin tone. It blends nicely and seems to cover well. We will see in time just how well this performs for me. I cannot judge it by wearing it once for like ten minutes.

Eau Thermale Avene Eau Thermale Thermal Spring Water, 1.76 oz:

I looked this up online and the sample that I have is worth around 2 dollars. The full-sized is worth 18 dollars at 10.58 oz. I will be purchasing the full-size version of this as soon as I am out of my current facial toner and the new Lush one that I recently purchased. Maybe, I will buy with in June or July by the earliest. I am in love with this! This super cooling water is a great alternative morning/night toner for when my skin is irritated. I am really excited about this one. Is anyone else excited that they got this in their bag?

Hang Ten Classic Sport 50, 1 fl oz:

This sample is around 2.50 USD based on the full-sized product. This stuff smells good, not great, but good. It smells like my childhood at the lake with my family, chasing the family german shepherd. It dries to a glowy (not greasy) finish and leaves skin feeling moisturized as well as protected. I would not purchase this, because I really love Hawaii Tropics so much and this does not hold a candle to how I feel about that sunscreen.

Balanced Guru No Frizz Oil, 0.5 fl oz:


This size retails for 13 dollars on the Guru Balanced website. I love how this stuff is USDA organic and cruelty free. It also smells like candy, (with a bit of lemon grass after scent) the lemon starbursts kind. I haven’t tried this on my hair yet, but even if I did, a single use is not enough to make a proper judgment for a hair or skincare product. I will definitely review this when I finish it though.

I give this bag a strong 4 and a half stars. The half star is for the sunscreen, because I wish it was either bigger or could have been used on the face, instead of body. The overall price of this Ipsy bag was 47.50 USD for the subscription price of 10 USD. I have to say that it was really worth it.

With Love,

Selena Hannah xoxoxo