Beauty &amp; Books

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Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Favorite 5: August 2015

**If you are receiving this post via email, you may want to check out my actual site as the email throws off the formatting**

Another month come and gone! I’m not amused that the last “summer month” is over… Here are the my favorite five cruelty-free products I’ve been liking lately, in no particular order:

1. Urban Decay Revolution High-Color Lipgloss in Bittersweet

I received a sample of this in my May ipsy bag (read my review here) and loved it so much I got the full-size. This gloss is a beautiful purple that isn’t too out there. It isn’t sticky at all either, sits nicely on the lips and is really pigmented. The dough foot applicator is pointed making precise application easier. There is a slight makeup smell to it (no vanilla or cookies here), but it doesn’t linger. I definitely would like another one of these, perhaps in a neutral color.

2. Whish Shave Cream in Blueberry

I received this sample in my April Birchbox (read my review here). If found this shaving cream to be moisturizing. It doesn’t foam or lather up, it is like a lotion. It is free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, DEA, petrochemicals, etc. It contains shea butter and coconut oil, along with other moisturizing ingredients. The full-size of this item (5 oz.) is $20—very expensive for a shaving cream. I may add it to my Christmas list. I really liked it, but can’t justify spending that much on shaving cream.

3. e.l.f. Flawless Concealer Brush

e.l.f. makes some great brushes and most range in price from $1-$6. This is a fluffy concealer brush that works really well to blend concealer around the eyes, especially the space between your eyes and nose. It cleans off really easily (I use baby shampoo) which is a big plus in a brush that you use to apply cream products. I would recommend this brush (and most other e.l.f. brushes)—you can find e.l.f. at Target and some CVS are starting to carry e.l.f. I’ve even found e.l.f. at The Christmas Tree Shop.

4. the Balm Nude Dude Volume 2 Mini Nude Eyeshadow in Flirty

I received this eyeshadow sample in my April 2015 ipsy bag (read my review here). What would I do without subscription boxes! This is a mid-tone purple with a hint of taupe and gold duo chrome. It is absolutely gorgeous. I’ve been using this on the outer V of my eyes because it goes really well with the Maybelline Color Tattoo in Hydrangea Hype that I’m trying to use up as part of my Finish 5 By Fall Challenge (read about my challenge here). The two purples play well off each other and my green eyes. I’m yet to be disappointed by a the Balm product.

5. Skin Perfecting Blush in SPB1 Rose Gold (Limited Edition)

I received this in my July Starlooks subscription box (read my review here). I’ve been using this as an eyeshadow crease color instead of a blush. It goes really nice when I have Hydrangea Hype on my lid and Flirty on my outer crease. This rose gold color goes really well with the purples. I originally thought this was peachy-bronze, but it is definitely more of a rose gold.

Swatches (left to right): Urban Decay's Bittersweet, the Balm's Flirty and Starlooks's Rose Gold

What products have you been loving lately? Let me know!

Disclaimer: All products are purchased by me or my lovely husband unless otherwise noted in the post. All opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you. This post is not sponsored.

Referral Links:

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Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

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Monday, August 31, 2015

First Impressions: Starlooks LooksBook Mini X Resort Edition Subscription Box

**If you are receiving this post via email, you may want to check out my actual site as the email throws off the formatting**

I was pleasantly surprised to receive this Starlooks LooksBook in the mail because I already received my Starlooks Custom Subscription Box for August (you can read my review here). The LooksBook Subscription Box is new to Starlooks. It is $12 per month, includes limited edition perfect size (about ¾ of full-size) products and gift cards. The LooksBook differs from the Custom Subscription Box in a couple of ways: you do not pick the products you receive in the LooksBook like you do with the Custom box and the LooksBook is meant to be a collection of products that go together. Starlooks is a company that carries cruelty-free, professional-level makeup. Full disclosure: Starlooks was kind enough to send me this box free of charge to review, so a big thank you to them! With that said, I will still give my honest opinion of the products I received.

Information insert on the LooksBook Box

The theme for August is “Resort.” The box the products come in is very sturdy and has a magnetic closure. The box contains the three products and an insert that gives tips on how best to use the products. The packaging is very nice and definitely gives more of an “experience” than the Custom Box does.

How the box looks when you first open it.

Tips on how to use the included products.

I’ve used each of the makeup products once (I just got the box in the mail) and wanted to give you my first impressions on them.

1. Starlooks Water Eyeshadow in WS1 Aqua (0.08 oz/2.5 g)

This eyeshadow stick is in a very pretty, subtle aqua color with gold shimmer. This color is on trend with other “mermaid” type colors that are popular right now. The product looks like it is aqua, but when you apply it to the eyes the gold really comes through and it looks gorgeous. It is blendable and the color is buildable—the It is a wetter formula for an eyeshadow stick and is a bit sticky—but I imagine the stickiness helps the product stay put. I really like this color and you get a ton of product.

Value: $15 (estimate, this product isn’t on the website yet)

2. Starlooks Highlighter/Blush Duo in BHD1 Tropic/Ritz (0.06 oz./1.6 g)

The highlighter “Ritz” is a golden champagne and is very strong. It gives an intense, pretty sheen to the cheekbones and is not glittery. You can definitely tell that the highlight is there, but it doesn’t look chunky or fake. This could double as an eyeshadow as well. The blush “Tropic” is a nice peachy/orange that has a sheen to it as well. Tropic is nicely pigmented so you don’t need a ton of product. My only complaint is that it’s a little hard to pick up the product because the pan is so small.

Value: $13 (estimate, this product isn’t on the website yet)

3. Starlooks Lipstick in LS1 Jet Set (0.03 oz./1.0 g)

This lipstick is a coral that is on the pink side. It adds a sheer wash of color, but is buildable to semi-opaque coverage. Starlooks recommends exfoliating the lips before applying and I definitely agree. This lipstick applies patchy and clings to any dryness on the lips. This product is not for me—I don’t like the way it applies and the color is too light so it washes me out.

Value: $9 (estimate based on perfect size lipglosses because this item is not on the website yet)

Swatches (left to right): Aqua Water Eyeshadow, Ritz Highlighter, Tropics Blush, Jet Set Lipstick.

And here are the gift cards I received:

1. $15 Gift Card to Torrain

Torrain makes tote bags, wallets, handbags, etc. out of recycled plastic products. The products are very unique and I like that the materials are upcycled. You can find them at torrain.org.

2. $50 to Versa Swimwear

This website has a special section for Starlooks members only, a nice touch. However, the swimsuits start at $85 and are definitely not my style. I don’t think I will be using this gift card. You can check them out at versaswimwear.com

3. $20?? Gift Card to The Laboratory

This site sells affordable jewelry, clothing and swimwear. This site is definitely more my speed. Check them out at shopthelaboratory.com.

Total Makeup Value: $37

Total Gift Card Value: $85 (?)

_____________________

Total Box Value: $122

I feel like this is a really well curated box. All the products not only reflect the theme of “Resort” but go together very well. The gold in the eyeshadow plays well with the highlighter and the similarity in color between the blush and lipstick allow the aqua of the eyeshadow to really shine. I really love the aqua eyeshadow—this is a color I would never choose myself but it is gorgeous! These colors are great for Spring/Summer and definitely leave you with a beachy, fresh look. I wish this box came out before the end of August because Fall colors are right around the corner.

If you’re interested in signing up for the Starlooks LooksBook Subscription Box you can use my myreferral link or hop onto Subscriptions.Starlooks.com.

Disclaimer: Starlooks sent me this Looks Book Subscription Box free for review. However, all opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment or free products. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you. This post is not sponsored.

Referral Links:

Starlooks: https://subscriptions.starlooks.com/?refer=REF5869 / Subscriptions.Starlooks.com

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Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Finish 5 By Fall 2015 Challenge: Update #1

**If you are receiving this post via email, you may want to check out my actual site as the email throws off the formatting**

In this challenge, I am trying to use up five products by the beginning of Fall (September 23^rd). I first saw this challenge on PrettyPistol86’s YouTube channel. There is a whole community of YouTubers that do challenges like these throughout the year to try to finish up products in their makeup collections. I decided to jump on this challenge because I want to use up products I have that are not cruelty-free. Since I try so many products to review, I want to make sure I focus on finishing up some so I don’t have a lot of extra products lying around. You can read my introduction to this challenge here.

Here’s the progress I’ve made in the month I’ve been doing this challenge:

1. Philosophy Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion (32 oz.)

I didn’t make as much progress on this as I thought I would. You can see my starting line and the progress I’ve made since I introduced this challenge I’ve used up about a quarter of the product I had left. I thought I would be halfway done since I’m using it every day, but I don’t think that I will finish this up by September 23^rd. This lotion absorbs into the skin really well, which is always appreciated so that your clothes don’t stick to your skin. It has a slight floral scent that is not overbearing.

2. L’Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Makeup SPF 17 in N1 Neutral Soft Ivory

I’ve made some good progress on this foundation but I’m not sure if I can use it up by the 23^rd. I have over 50% of the bottle to go. I will be sad to see this foundation go, but I have a few other foundations I need to use up too.

3. L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara

There is definitely less product on the mascara brush now, so I know I’m getting close to the end of this product. I’ve had this mascara open for a little bit and would have to throw it out at the end of September anyway so I wanted to use it up. This is an all around good mascara and it very popular among YouTubers. You can read my full review of this mascara here.

4. Maybelline Color Tattoo in 135 Hydrangea Hype

*sigh* I feel like I’m making no progress on this Color Tattoo even though I use it just about every day. I’m also getting sick if using this. Since it’s purple, I can’t use a lot of my other eyeshadows and I’m just getting bored with it. I didn’t think that I would use this up by Fall, but I thought I would have some noticeable progress. I’ve seen YouTubers doing “finish it up” challenges (oftentimes called “Project Pans”) where one of their products is a Color Tattoo—they seem to make good progress, but it’s not happening for me.

5. Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in 04 Mega Melon

The Clinique Chubby Sticks are one of my favorite lip products. I’ve made good progress on using this up—I’m about halfway through as evidenced by the lines on the product cap. This color doesn’t go the best with the silvery-purple Color Tattoo so I wish I had thought that out better. It doesn’t look bad, just not ideal.

This is my first Project Pan Challenge and I’m definitely learning a lot; like, that I underestimated the amount of time it takes to use up a product. Oh well…

Are there any products you are trying to use up? Are you doing or contemplating doing your own Project Pan Challenge? Let me know!

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Monday, August 24, 2015

First Impressions: August 2015 LooksBook by Starlooks Subscription Box

**If you are receiving this post via email, you may want to check out my actual site as the email throws off the formatting**

This is a monthly beauty subscription box that costs $12. You receive three “Perfect Size” Starlooks products and three gift cards. “Perfect Size” makeup is about ¾ the size of the full-size product, and is meant to be more transportable and easier to use up than a full-size product. You can also choose what goodies you receive ahead of time online, something that most subscription boxes do not offer. Starlooks is a company that carries cruelty-free, professional-level makeup. Full disclosure: Starlooks was kind enough to send me this box free of charge to review, so a big thank you to them! With that said, I will still give my honest opinion of the products I received.

The products arrive in a Starlooks box. The box and top will be good for storing makeup, like Birchbox boxes. The makeup products were contained within a mesh satchel and the gift cards came in an envelope. This month’s theme is “Resort Edition.”

I’ve used each of the makeup products once (I just got the box in the mail) and wanted to give you my first impressions on them.

1. Starlooks Gimme More Volumizing Mascara (1.13 oz., perfect size)

I’m not seeing this mascara on the website, which is a little weird. When I made my picks it was listed as a new product, so it might not have hit the website yet. It has a natural bristle brush that is cone-shaped. The formula of this is on the wetter side and I think it will be better once it dries out a bit. It curled and lengthened my lashes, but didn’t thicken them. It held the curl all day long and didn’t flake. As far as mascaras go, it was relatively easy to wash off.

Value: $7 (based on other perfect size mascara)

2. Starlooks Long Wear Eyeshadow in ES2 Gold Coast (1.6g, perfect size)

This is a beautiful bronze color with gold shimmer that I think will go great with most eye colors and skin tones. If you like the look of foiled (i.e., shiny) eyeshadows but they scare you a little, this would be a good type of shadow for you to try. This is also a new product that I don’t see on the website yet. It wore well throughout the day, even without an eye primer. This color is multidimensional and would be good for a one eyeshadow look (which is how I wore it today). I packed it onto my lid and blended it out to my crease; I also lined my lower lash line with it.

Value: $9 (?)

3. Starlooks Slanted Liner Brush (#824, full-size)

This is a synthetic angled liner brush. This could be used to apply eye liner or to fill in your brows with powder or gel/pomade. I used this to apply the Starlooks Gold Coast eyeshadow I received to my lower lash line and it worked well.

Value: $18

And here are the gift cards I received:

1. $20 Gift Card to Starlooks Pro, not including celebrity lines (the card had $10 printed but a “2” was written over the 1 making it a $20 card I guess. Little weird…)

2. $20 Gift Card to Starlooks, includes celebrity lines

That’s $40 towards makeup from Starlooks—so I’ve got $80 in gift cards to Starlooks between this and last month. A haul is in order!

3. $25 (I think) Gift Card to Nomad Tribe.

Nomad Tribe works with local artisans around the world to make unique clothing and accessories. Each item has a trim that was made especially for that piece. I will definitely find some things I like here. If you join their mailing list you get 50% off your first purchase!

Total Makeup Value: $34

Total Gift Card Value: $65

_____________________

Total Box Value: $99

This subscription box is definitely well worth the $12. I’m a little concerned that I couldn’t find two of the products online though, hopefully they will be there soon. What are your thoughts on the Starlooks Subscription Box? Let me know! If you’re interested in signing up for the Starlooks Subscription Box you can go through my referral link or hop onto Subscriptions.Starlooks.com.

Disclaimer: Starlooks sent me this Custom Starlooks Subscription Box free for review. However, all opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment or free products. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you. This post is not sponsored.

Referral Links:

Starlooks: https://subscriptions.starlooks.com/?refer=REF5869 / Subscriptions.Starlooks.com

POPSUGAR: http://popsu.gr/uXzQ Save $5 off your first box with the code REFER5

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471