Unboxing: Ipsy | July 2014

Hello, Lovelies!

Yesterday I shared my Unboxing: Beauty Box 5 for July, and now it's time to reveal the products I received from this month's Ipsy Glam Bag! And I have to say, Ipsy is definitely my favorite service that I subscribe to. Although I only started getting beauty boxes since a few months ago, the experience I've had with ipsy is the most enjoyable! From the pretty makeup bags and the fun products that fill them, to the inspirational website and the beauty community within it... I love everything about ipsy!

Take a peek at what I got last month from Ipsy and BB5!

Ipsy is a $10- monthly subscription service where members receive a Glam Bag filled with deluxe samples and full-sized beauty and makeup products. For me, the value of the bags has exceeded the cost of the monthly service! I've discovered so many new products and brands that I wouldn't normally buy on my own. There are great discounts on the products I try and love, and it's a really awesome way to build my makeup collection!

July's theme is "Sensationally Sunkissed." It's perfect for the contents of this month's bag which is all about Summer! Did I mention it's my favorite time of the year? I'm really loving bright pops of color these days... on my lips, in my clothes and accessories, on my Filofax, everywhere! When I saw this neon pink scalloped makeup bag I was in love! The items inside also work with the Simple. Summer. Beauty. and makeup look I'm using this season too. 

Here is what my bag included:

Bare Minerals 5-in-1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow in Divine Wine

$18- for 3 ml / Sample: $6- for 1 ml

I'm already a fan of this brand and so excited to sample one of their newest products! Although I don't typically wear cream eyeshadow, the 5-in-1 claim is very intriguing... Long-Wear Color, Prime, Brighten, Smooth, and Protect. Not sure if the shade is me, but it sounds like it'll be a really great eyeshadow base. I can't wait to try it out!

Hang Ten Dark Tanning Oil - SPF 08

$11.99 for 8 fl oz / $1.49 for 1 fl oz

Being Hawaiian and spending a tiny part of my childhood on the islands, I'm pretty familiar with tanning oil. Besides the ocean, it's one of the very distinct scents on the beaches of Hawaii. I actually love the smell... coconut and tropical. Now living in the Pacific NW, 9 months out of the year we get nothing but rain. No sunshine means my naturally tan skin is pretty much non-existent. In the summer I like to soak up the sun to bring back that natural tan I was born with, and have some protection too! But this oil doesn't provide enough SPF to really make it useful. Not sure if I'll be using it...

Pixi Beauty Mini Tinted Brilliance Balm in Pretty Pink

$14- for 3 g / Sample: $8.40 for 1.8 g

If you know me, you know that I love lip products! And these chubby crayons are a current obsession! I really like Pixi and I'm glad I got my hands on one of these little guys! It may not be full-size but this adorable mini is awesome! The formula is very moisturizing, and it smells fresh and minty. The shade comes out as a subtle rosy pink on my pigmented lips. It's very natural and pretty.

POP Beauty Sunkissed Bronzer in Secret Sunshine

Retail Value: $10- for .25 oz

Who doesn't love getting a full-size product? Although I don't use bronzer often [I also have one by e.l.f. and Wet 'n Wild], I'm excited to try out a new brand. I'm pretty familiar with POP Beauty having seen older ipsy unboxings on You Tube, but this is my first time getting an item by them. The shade of this bronzer is quite pretty. I haven't worn it yet, but in the pan it appears to have a shimmer.

Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Beach Spray

$19.95 for 5.1 fl oz / Sample: $7 for 1.7 fl oz

I've heard wonderful things about this brand, and I was pretty stoked to get this beach spray which I've always wanted to try! This formula helps heal hair damage with the power of Argan Oil. It has many other healthy hair ingredients like Soy Protein to nourish and strengthen hair and Cocoa Extract to condition and protect it. Sea Salt provides that textured beachy feel. This spray smells pretty amazing too! I can't wait to use it... it's like Summer in a Bottle.

Total Value of July's Bag: $32.89

$10- Monthly Subscription

Now you can see why I love ipsy so much! If this is a service that you're curious about, I definitely think it's worth the money. You can also take a beauty survey that helps ipsy match products suited to what you use and like. And reviewing the items you receive each month helps ipsy personalize your Glam Bag even more! You'll also earn ipsy points that can be redeemed for free products!

Want to be an ipster? Please subscribe using my link.

Feel free to browse my other Beauty and Unboxing posts. If you're already a Glam Bag subscriber, check out my profile on ipsy. You can also stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

Are you a Beauty Box Addict? Which ones are your favorite? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? I'd love to hear it! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated.

Thanks for stopping by!

Unboxing: Beauty Box 5 | July 2014

Happy Monday! 

I was super excited to find my beauty boxes waiting for me in my mailbox over the weekend. It feels like my birthday each and every month! I've only been getting them for the last few months, but I must admit that I'm already hooked! It's such a fun way to discover new brands and products, try items I wouldn't typically purchase on my own, get great discounts on the products I fall in love with, and an awesome way to build my makeup and beauty collection :)

Take a peek at what I got lost month from BB5 and Ipsy!

Beauty Box 5 is a $12- subscription service. Each month you get 5 deluxe/full-size samples delivered right to your door. The value of my products has always exceeded the monthly cost of my box! If this is a type of service that you're curious about, it's definitely worth it in my opinion!

The theme for BB5's July beauty box is "Defining Moments." Although it wasn't as impressive as previous months, I'm still pretty happy about the products I received. The thing I love most about BB5 is how they send me a variety of products ranging from hair, skincare, and makeup. My box never seems too heavy with one specific type of product. I also like how they include organic/natural products every month too!

Here is what I got this month:

Revlon Bold Lacquer Mascara in Blackest Black

Retail Value: $7.99 for .24 fl oz

I love getting full-size makeup products in my beauty boxes! This is actually the 2nd tube of mascara I've gotten from BB5. I get them so often in my various boxes that I currently have 3 unopened tubes waiting to be tested! Right now I have a favorite mascara that I use on a day-to-day basis, so I'm not sure when I will be trying this one. But since I have so many new tubes, I think I'll start layering them with my favorite one... Maybe I'll come up with the perfect mascara combo!

HASK Argan Oil Intense Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment

Retail Value: $2.49 for 1.75 oz

I'm not a fan of foil packets because they never provide enough product to give it a good test run. But surprisingly, I actually like this one! It has just enough product for 2-3 uses. I'm really big on hair care products and I've been meaning to try one with Argan oil. My hair could use a deep conditioning right now, so this hair mask is perfect!

Body Drench Candy Licious Lips in Grape Lollipop

Retail Value: $3.99 for .09 oz

Lip products are an all-time favorite. Let it be lipstick, lip gloss, or a balm like this one... I love 'em all! Since my lips tend to be on the dry side, I ALWAYS carry a lip balm with me. And it's really cool when I get them in my beauty boxes! This moisturizing lip balm is infused with beeswax, coconut oil, and vitamin E. It tastes and smells just like a grape lollipop! And I'm not the only one who loves it... so does my little one and the Hubby ;-)

Anna Naturals Glowing Mama Walnut Face & Body Scrub

$10.99 for 4 fl oz / Sample: $2.75 for 1 oz

I really love natural skincare products and I get really excited when I find one in my beauty box. BB5 has introduced me to some wonderful all-natural brands. This vegan scrub is infused with moisturizing botanicals for safe and gentle exfoliation without parabens, harsh chemicals, or artificial ingredients. I exfoliate twice a week, which does wonders for my skin! So I'm really looking forward to trying out this scrub.

Miss Jessie's Multicultural Curls

$16- for 8.5 oz / Sample: FREE

Like I mentioned earlier, I don't care for foil packets. And this is the product that really disappoints me . Not because it's a foil packet [the size is pretty decent], but because it's a sample that anyone can get for free from Miss Jessie's. I actually received this same exact freebie directly from Miss Jessie's website a couple of months ago. Honestly, I don't think it's fair that we're getting these types of items in a PAID beauty box service. It kind of feels like I was robbed of an item this month...

Anyway, I haven't had the chance to test out this product yet [which I now have two samples of], but it seems like it's right up my alley. I tend to go natural during the summer, limiting my use of heat-styling tools. So I'm ready to try anything that helps enhance my naturally curly hair.

Value of July's Box: $17.22

$12- Monthly Subscription

Although this month's box had a low-value compared to the others I've previously gotten, I really like most of the products I received. Sometimes the items in these beauty boxes may be a hit or miss, but it's all part of the fun! Overall, they really are a great value for your money. And there are so many different subscription services to choose from!

Don't forget to check out June's BB5 and Ipsy unboxing, if you haven't already. And stay tuned, because next I'll be unboxing my July Glam Bag from Ipsy! 

If you're interested in subscribing to Beauty Box 5, please sign up using my link.

Feel free to browse the other Beauty posts on my blog! You can also stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

Are you addicted to beauty boxes? Which ones are you subscribed to? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? I'd love to hear it! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated.

Thanks for stopping by!

Empties: Products We Used Up | June 2014

Hello, Lovelies! I don't know about you, but I love watching the Empties videos from my favorite beauty gurus on YouTube. I really enjoy discovering new products, and usually if it's in a Empties video it obviously worked for them and they like it a lot. I've tried all sorts of different products from recommendations I've seen on YT and beauty blogs.

I decided to start saving all of our empty health and beauty care containers too. Since we use lots of different products everyday, I thought it would be cool to share the stuff our family goes through each month. This will be another fun series...

I keep all of our empty packages and containers in a large metal bucket that I thrifted from our local Goodwill last year. It was only $.99! How could I pass it up? Pink happens to be my favorite color, and the saying and image couldn't be more perfect. It's gotten a couple scratches over time, but no big deal... it is holding trash! I added an "Empties" tag secured with twine just in case someone mistakes it for the actual garbage can.

THE PRODUCTS WE USED UP IN JUNE

• Cleansing Towelettes Makeup Remover Wipes by Up & Up [$3.64 from Target]: This was just okay for me. It didn't work any better than the standard baby wipes that I use to remove my makeup sometimes. But the main reason I didn't like it is because it isn't very gentle. It actually burned my sensitive skin a bit.
• Foamin' Fun Shampoo & Bodywash in Lavender by BabyGanics [$9.99 from Target]: Our daughter has been a "green" baby since she was in the womb. And the only things that touch her skin are made from organic and natural ingredients. The handy pump on this product disperses foamy soap that serves double-duty as a shampoo and body wash! It's the 3rd bottle we've gone through... definitely a favorite!
• Fresh High Endurance Deodorant by Old Spice [3 oz / $3.97 from Walmart]: The Hubby really likes this brand's antiperspirant and deodorant. He's gone through hundreds of these over the last decade! Walmart sells them as a 2-pack at a really affordable price.
• Macadamia Oil Shampoo by Organix [13 fl oz / $4.99 from Fred Meyer]: I'm currently finishing up a huge bottle of Cleansing Conditioner by Wen, but once a week I give my hair a really good shampooing. I've used this brand for years and have tried many of the different lines. This one is for dry and damaged hair. OGX is also eco-friendly and cruelty-free!
• NYC Liquid Eyeliner in Black [.17  fl oz / $2.74 from Walmart]: I've repurchased this so many times! It's not a favorite, but I do like it. The applicator is really easy to work with and the black formula has a pearly finish.

• Colgate Total Whitening Gel Toothpaste [6 oz / $2.96 from Walmart]: This is the only toothpaste we ever purchase. Although we've tried many different kinds, it's the one we always go back to. It leaves our whole mouth feeling fresh and clean all day long.
• Gentle Saline Wipes for Stuffy Noses by Boogie Wipes [10 ct. / $1.00 from Dollar Tree]: We'll purchase this over and over again as long as our little one lets us wipe her nose. If you're a parent, you know with kids comes runny noses. And you also know what that leads too... These handy little wipes clean stubborn boogies and soothe sore little noses. Always prepared, we keep one of these 10 ct. travel packs in our car, another one in my handbag, and a 30 ct. pack at home!
• Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub by Clean & Clear [5 oz / $4.99 from Target]: We've been using this for years. It's one of the few products that we ALWAYS buy when we run out! The reason we love this one so much is because of the tingly sensation you get when you apply it. We've tried so many other facial exfoliating scrubs, but none of them are quite like this one. It's a MUST-HAVE! And our skin feels so clean and smooth after we use it.
• Homeopathic Cold 'n Cough 4 Kids by Hyland's [4 oz / $4.99 from Walmart]: Generations of children in my family have used this natural health care line. And this is another one of those products that we repurchase when it's gone. When she gets sick I feel safe letting her take this, and it's just as effective as the other brands of cold medicine available for children.
• Homeopathic Cold 'n Cough 4 Kids Nighttime by Hyland's [4 oz / $4.99 from Walmart]: This is a great companion to the product I previously mentioned. It really helps her sleep and she doesn't wake up feeling groggy. The multi-symptom formula soothes all of her discomforts.

That's the last of it! I hope you enjoyed today's post :) Be sure to check back next month for July's Empties! In the meantime, feel free to browse my other Beauty posts. You can also stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

Have you tried any of the products I mentioned? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? I'd love to hear it! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated.

Thanks for stopping by!

Unboxing: Ipsy | June 2014

For the last couple of months I've embarked on a new journey into the world of beauty subscription boxes. And if you're a subscriber to any of the fabulous services available right now, you're probably already addicted to them like I am! Slowly but surely, I've managed to finally catch up with sharing all of my past "Unboxings." Since I have 2 new boxes en route to my house as I type, I thought I should share last month's Glam Bag with you today. If you missed May's Ipsy unbagging, you can find it here.

Ipsy is $10- monthly subscription service where members receive exclusive makeup bags filled with deluxe samples and full-sized makeup and beauty products. In my own personal experience, the value of my bags has exceeded the cost of my monthly payment! It's such an exciting way to discover new products I wouldn't usually purchase, get great discounts on the stuff I try and love, and a really fun resource to build my makeup collection! Beauty Box 5 is another monthly service I'm subscribed to.

June's theme is "Pretty in Paradise," which is quite fitting for summer. It's my favorite season of the year so I'm happy to get anything tailored to simple warm-weather beauty. The bag itself was created by Rebecca Minkoff, and the tropical design is just my style. Ipsy has done a really great job at offering me a variety of products from makeup, beauty, and skincare. My bags never feel too heavy in one type of product.

Here is what was included:

Nicka K New York Shimmer Eyeliner in Blue

$4.99 for .1oz / Sample: Full Size!

I'm pretty familiar with the Nicka K brand, as this is the 3rd product I've gotten in a beauty box. I've also sampled their lipstick and nail polish. I really enjoyed both, so I was really excited to test out this eyeliner too! Although blue isn't a color I would typically buy or even use everyday, it's still a fun shade to have in my collection. This liquid liner is pretty intense and almost has a metallic finish. It's quite beautiful! And the teal blue shade is perfect for summer!

The price of this line is pretty affordable, so I can try other shades without breaking the bank. I've never seen Nicka K in any of my local stores, so I'll most likely have to purchase everything online. That doesn't bother me though because I love online shopping!

NYX Butter Gloss in Eclair

Retail Value: $5- for 8mL / Sample: Full Size!

I love lip products and the NYX brand. So you can imagine how happy I was to get their butter gloss in my Glam Bag! It's exactly like the name implies... a buttery and creamy lip gloss. This shade is a bit too light for my super pigmented lips, but it looks great over nude lipstick. And it smells amazing!

I'm a huge fan of NYX cosmetics and I know I'll be purchasing more of these butter glosses in other shades. A few of the local stores I do my everyday shopping at carry this brand, so I can easily find a good variety of products and shades.

Carol's Daughter Sacred Tiare Styling Cream

Only at Target: $12- for 3oz / Sample: $2- for .5oz

I'm totally cool with getting hair care samples in my beauty boxes. I actually really enjoy discovering new products that help manage my curly Hawaiian hair. In the summertime I try to stay away from hot styling tools and let my natural hair do its thing. This styling cream is definitely something that I would purchase if I saw it in a store. It's made with coconut oil and healthy hair vitamins, has anti-breakage and anti-frizz properties, and even smells like the tropics! 

Right out of the shower, I apply a small amount from mid-shaft working down to the ends of my hair. Then I gather sections in my hand and scrunch them together. This gives me tight and bouncy curls. I just let my hair air-dry as I go on with my day. This styling cream is very lightweight and leaves me with soft, frizz-free hair. And it really defines my curls!

OFRA Universal Eyebrow Pencil

$13- for .4oz / Sample: Full Size!

I currently use the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Brunette, which I'm extremely happy with. But it's nice to have a backup eyebrow pencil of some sort. I'm not familiar with OFRA brand and I'm willing to try anything, I'm just not sure about this "Universal" color. I do have dark brown hair with red highlights right now, so this shade may work for me. Not sure if it will for everyone though...

I don't believe this is a product that I would purchase in the future, since I already have something that I love. But I really haven't given it a good test run to say for sure. It claims to be waterproof too! We'll see.

REALTREE for Her Perfume

Retail Value: $6.99 [Travel Size] for 5mL

I remember specifically not choosing "Fragrance" in the ipsy questionnaire I took, so I was a bit surprised to see this in my Glam Room. I'm just not a big perfume person. I have a few scents that I like, but I don't wear or shop for fragrance these days. Funny thing is, I actually enjoy this scent! It's fresh and pretty, and the packaging is really cute too! I also love that it has a spritzer and is much bigger than your standard perfume sample. It's perfect for summer!

Total Value of June's Box: $31.98

$10- Monthly Subscription

Looks like another high-value bag from Ipsy. Plus 4 out of 5 products this month were deluxe or full-size!! These are the reasons why I love this service. You get such a great value for your money. Be sure to take the beauty survey that helps Ipsy match you to the products you use and like. There may be times when you get something unexpected, but reviewing the items you receive each month helps Ipsy personalize your Glam Bag even more! You'll also earn ipsy points that can be redeemed for free products!

Want to be an ipster? Please subscribe using my link.

Next week I'll be unboxing my July beauty boxes, so stay tuned if you want to see what I got! If you're a current Glam Bag subscriber check out my profile on Ipsy. And feel free to browse my other Beauty posts. You can also stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

Are you a beauty box addict? Which ones are your favorite? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? I'd love to hear it! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated.

Mahalo for stopping by!

Unboxing: Beauty Box 5 | June 2014

If you're a subscriber to any beauty boxes, you know how addicting they can be! Every month I stalk my postman for my packages ;) Despite both of my subscriptions being later than normal this month, the products inside were worth the wait! Take a peek to see my what I got last month from ipsy and BB5.

Beauty Box 5 is a $12- subscription service. Each month you get 5 deluxe/full-size samples delivered right to your door. In my experience, the value of these items usually exceeds the monthly cost of each box! It's such a fun way to test out new products you wouldn't normally purchase on your own, get great discounts on the products you try and love, and an awesome way to build your makeup collection!

This month's box was full of lots of wonderful goodies! BB5 does a really great job of offering a variety of beauty products from hair, makeup, and skincare. I don't ever feel like I'm getting too much of one specific type of product. So far, I also like how they've included organic/natural cosmetics and beauty care in every box. Not sure if that's normal for BB5...

Here is what my box consisted of:

Design Essentials Curl Enhancing Mousse

$15.99 for 7.5oz / Sample: $3.90 for 1.83oz

I already buy these types of products for my naturally-curly Hawaiian hair, so I'm always happy to test out something new! This mousse doesn't leave your hair feeling "crunchy" like most of them do, and it smells so good. With this, my curls were defined, bouncy and frizz-free. This mousse is also infused with olive oil and Vitamin B which is said to nourish the hair while providing added moisture and shine.

Nicka K New York Nail Polish in Ripe Apple

$4.99 for .5oz / Sample: Full Size!

I'm such a nail polish junkie! I love getting bottles of it in my beauty boxes. It gives me the chance to try out new brands and trendy colors that I've never seen or heard of. BB5 sent me my very first Nicka K product [a lipstick] last month. And I'm so happy to try this polish too!

Sedona Lace Blender Brush

Retail Value: $8.95

This is the first "tool" I've received in a beauty box and my very first Sedona Lace makeup brush. I have to say that I'm impressed with BB5! I've heard about this brand before and was super excited to see this eyeshadow brush in my box! It's very high-quality and definitely my favorite item to date from Beauty Box 5.

Glam Natural Mascara

$28- for .25oz / Sample: Full Size!

For me, mascara is a must-have beauty product! I'm currently working on a tube of my favorite, and have a new one to test out after that one's gone. So this will have to wait a bit before I can try it out. Heck, I may even end up layering the different ones I have to see if can come up with a winning combination! The thing I love most about this mascara is that it's natural.

Eslor Skincare Foil Packets

$42- for 1oz / Sample: Free!

This is probably the most disappointing item I've ever gotten in a beauty box. I don't care for foil packets. They never provide you with enough product to really give it a good test run. Plus, these were on Eslor's website as a free sample that anyone can order. Why would someone want something in a paid subscription box that they can get for free on their own? They shouldn't have included this as one of my 5 items. It could have been a bonus or something!

Total Value of June's Box: $45.84

$12- Monthly Subscription

As you can see, this month was a high-value box even though it had some foil packets. I really shouldn't complain because I did get two full-size products + a makeup brush! Overall I think these types of beauty box subscription services are a really great value. And there are so many different ones out there! 

Don't forget to check out May's ipsy and BB5 unboxing, if you haven't already! And stay tuned because I'll be getting July's boxes very soon. I can't wait! It's such a lovely surprise each and every month. 

You can stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

Are you addicted to beauty boxes? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? I'd love to hear it! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated.

Thanks for stopping by!

2014: Life | June Favorites

Hello, Lovelies! Are you enjoying this beautiful Summer sunshine? I'm absolutely loving it! And I thought today would be a great time to share a few of my favorite things from June. I think this will be the start of a fun monthly series where I get to talk about my beauty, makeup, fashion and entertainment loves!

The weather started warming up a bit here so I went with simple and natural makeup. But I really wanted to play around with color too! Lips and nails are the best canvases. I ROCKED hot pink! It's the perfect pop of color for me.

And I'm not only loving beauty products... colorful cotton tank tops are a staple in my wardrobe. On those sunny sleeveless days, I like to wear bold and fun accessories too! What do you think of my watch?

It's been a pretty laid-back summer. Fun exploring the great outdoors. Chillaxin' in the comfort of our home. And during those nights in, we love to watch movies together on the flat screen. Redbox is our DVD rental provider of choice, but Netflix is our best friend! We've enjoyed this service for so many years. It can be watched on all of our devices... even in the living room on Xbox Live! There are so many different things to see. I love having long weekend marathons when I discover a new TV show! Want to know my favorite one this month?

THE DETAILS

BEAUTY

• Super Beblesh Balm (BB Cream) for Combination/Oily Skin by SKIN79 [$14.95 from Amazon] | This Korean BB cream is so different compared to Western brands. I love it! Product review coming soon.
• Sweet Almond Oil 100% Pure Moisturizing Oil by Now Foods [$4.99 from Central Market] | A holy grail product! Once a week I let my hair sit in this stuff overnight.
• The Rocket Volum' Express Mascara in Blackest Black by Maybelline [$4- on Sale at Target] | With just 2 coats it separates, lengthens, and gives your lashes volume, all without clumping!
• Brow Wiz in Brunette by Anastasia Beverly Hills [$21- from sephora.com] | This pencil allows me to lightly and easily shape and fill my sparse brows for a complete but natural look.
• Blender Brush - EB 13 by Sedona Lace [Value: $9.95 - Sample from BeautyBox5] It's perfect. Very high quality! So awesome for BB5 to include it for June! That unboxing will be up here soon...
• NAKED Basics Palette by Urban Decay [$28- at sephora.com] | Incredibly versatile. Create simple and natural everyday looks to dramatic and sultry smoky eyes.
• Kalinka Beauty Blush in East Side Story by Essence [$2.99 at Fred Meyer] | This lovely coral shade brings life to my face.
• HD Studio Finishing Powder by NYX [Retail Value: $9.99 - A Gift] | I use it alone on no-makeup days, as well as on my T-zone after applying BB cream. My glasses make my nose super oily so this really helps combat shine!
• Complexion Brush from Studio Line by e.l.f. [$2.50 from TJ Maxx] | I love it for any face powders!
• Colorsensational Vivids Lipstick in Fuschia Flash by Maybelline [$4.99 from Walmart] | I adore this color! It's my kind of pink. I saw somewhere that it's a dupe for MAC's Candy Yum Yum.
• 5-in-1 Lip Protectant Cube in Pomegranate-Blueberry by Softlips [Value: $3.49 - Freebie from Influenster] | I've officially replaced my eos lip balm. This one is awesome!
• Nail Polish in Daredevil by Sinful Colors [$1.99 from Walmart] | A bright and vivid hot pink that's perfect for summer. It's a fabulous shade on toes!

FASHION

• Ribbed Cotton Tank Tops by Mossimo & No Boundaries [<$5-/each at Target & Walmart] | My drawers are stocked with fun and colorful solids and prints. They are so affordable and work great with any summer outfit. I live in them!
• Leather Cuff Band Watch in Punk Rock Floral Design by Nemesis [$34.95 from Amazon] | The hubby knows my style so well. This gorgeous piece of arm candy was a birthday gift!

MOVIES

Son of God

Released on DVD June 2014

If you read the bible or grew up with bible stories, you're really going to enjoy it! This adaptation is amazing... it brought tears to my eyes. We had the pleasure of seeing this when it originally aired as a series called The Bible on The History Channel late last year. We then found it on Netflix a few months ago. It had a run on the big screen for a short time as Son of God and then released on DVD for everyone this month.

TV

My regular shows are on break until next season, but Netflix has been such a good friend. I discovered a new show called The Killing, and finished all 3 seasons throughout the month of June! TV shows featuring the Pacific NW are my favorite, and this one takes place in Seattle [just a 45 minute ferry ride from me]. 

I really love dark, gritty, crime dramas, and intense cop shows filled with dynamic relationships and flawed characters. Unfortunately, this show was cancelled by the original network [AMC] in 2013, but Netflix picked up the final season which airs August 1, 2014. Finally... I can't wait to see how it all ends. The Season 3 finale was a real cliffhanger!

MUSIC

Throughout the warmer spring and summer months [or anytime, really] all you'll find me listening to is Feel Good Island Music. We call it "JaWaiian", or Hawaiian Reggae. The mellow beats and soulful lyrics relaxes my mind and body, and reminds me to take it easy and just enjoy life. Want to hear a sampling of my playlist? You can find it here. [Just click the Play Audio button on the bottom left of the screen.]

Wow! That was A LOT of stuff! I really hope you enjoyed today's post and discovered something new along the way. And feel free to browse my other Beauty posts! 

You can also stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

What did you think of my June Favorites? Are you familiar with anything I mentioned today? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? I'd love to hear it! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated.

Thanks for stopping by!

First Impression: Ipsy | May 2014

If you're familiar with my blog, you know that I've recently ventured into the "beauty" niche. It's actually a longtime love, but I've only been blogging about my makeup and beauty adventures since the springtime. May was my very first month with beauty box subscription services. And I have to say that I'm hooked! It's such a fun way to discover new products that I wouldn't typically buy on my own, get great discounts on the products I try and love, and an awesome way to build my makeup collection. 

Ipsy is a $10 monthly subscription service where members receive a Glam Bag filled with deluxe samples and full-sized beauty and makeup products. For me, the value of the boxes has exceeded the cost of the monthly service! Beauty Box 5 is another monthly beauty service I'm subscribed to.

May's theme was "Fresh Picks." Although I saw bad reviews from members disappointed with the items from this month's bag, I couldn't have been happier. Many ipsters received more skincare than makeup. But my bag actually had everything you'd expect from a beauty subscription service. A range of makeup, haircare, and skincare!

I know this post is a little late, but it has given me a chance to really use and review these products for you...

Here is what my bag included:

Avene Thermal Spring Water

$18- for 10.58oz / Sample: $6.01 for 1.76oz

This is one of those products that I wouldn't normally buy on my own. A can of French water? Thanks, ipsy! But after reading the little pamphlet that came with it and doing some research online, I decided to give it a try. It's amazing! I know, I know... what's so special about a can of water? It can be used as a makeup setting spray, to refresh your face after a workout, cool you down on a hot day, soothe underarm razor burn, offer your little one relief from diaper rash, hydrate the dry skin on your face, and so much more.

I'm not sure if I'll be repurchasing it because of the price, but this season it's a summer favorite and has a place in my everyday bag. It really makes my parched skin feel refreshed!

Balanced Guru No Frizz Oil

$25- for 1oz / Sample: $12.50 for .5oz

I really love searching for my next favorite hair product! And ipsy couldn't have picked a more perfect item for me to try. This lightweight oil contains organic ingredients that controls frizz and helps nourish and repair your hair. It does have a distinct scent of lemon and eucalyptus which may bother some people, but I think it smells fresh and clean! 

That $25 price tag is a reason I may not purchase this in the future, but I just love "green" beauty products! When it comes to my naturally curly hair, I do a weekly almond oil treatment, use a thermal protectant spray when flat ironing, and apply light creams or oils to define my tight curls on those natural hair days. A little bit of this product goes a long way; I just apply it to the ends where my hair needs the most help.

BOO-BOO COVER-UP

$19.99 for .34oz / Sample: Full Size!

Since I go for a more natural look, I hardly wear face makeup like foundation and concealer. I also have dry, sensitive skin, so although I do worry about a breakout from testing new products on my face, I'm always open to trying it at least once. At the moment, I only own a few drugstore foundations and concealers. I'm super excited about this brand!

It's a bit on the expensive side for my taste, so I'm happy to have a full-sized product to test. This is a special face and body concealer that was made to apply over scrapes, cuts, scars, or "boo-boos." I believe it helps with the healing process using some type of medicine. The Medium shade goes well with my olive skin tone.

HANG TEN Classic Sport Sunscreen

$12.99 for 6oz / Sample: $2.17 for 1oz

Sunscreen isn't something that I would choose to have in my beauty boxes, since I can easily buy it myself at any store. I'm familiar with the brand and like that this particular sunscreen has natural ingredients. It's also a sport version with SPF 50 making it perfect for outdoor family fun in and out of the water this summer! It's not a favorite product, but I'm happy to have it in my stash. I probably won't be purchasing this one in the future since I have more sunscreen than I need.

Pacifica Eye Shadow

$14- for Mystical Quad Palette / Sample: $[?] Duo Created for Ipsy

I first discovered Pacifica at my local grocery store while shopping the "natural" health & beauty aisles. Although I'm familiar with the brand, this eyeshadow is actually the first makeup item I own from them. The line uses natural ingredients and is cruelty-free. It's a little expensive, but if the quality is great I may need to purchase more products from Pacifica!

I really like the shades that came in Duo 2! There's a really pretty purple and a shimmery pinkish-white. The colors aren't extremely pigmented, but they are buildable. I think they provide you a subtle hint of color and shimmer perfect for light, natural summer makeup looks. 

Total Value of May's Bag: +$40.67

$10- Monthly Subscription

As you can see, the value of my bag was worth more than what I pay each month! I love ipsy! If this is a service you're curious about, I definitely think it's worth the money. You can also take a beauty survey that helps ipsy match products suited to what you use and like. And reviewing the items you receive each month helps ipsy personalize your Glam Bag even more! You'll also earn ipsy points that can be redeemed for free products!

Want to be an ipster? Please subscribe using my link.

Next week I'm planning to share my June Ipsy & BB5 boxes, so stay tuned! 

I really look forward to getting these awesome packages in the mail every month. It's a little way that I like to spoil myself. Can't wait to see what's coming this month and to share it here with you! 

Feel free to browse my other Beauty posts. You can also stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

Are you addicted to beauty boxes? Which ones are you subscribed to? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? I'd love to hear it! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated.

Thanks for stopping!

First Impression: Beauty Box 5 | May 2014

This year I've decided to expand my blog to include more of my many passions. My love for beauty, makeup, and skincare has been a longtime affair, but I thought it would be fun to start sharing my new adventures here with you all. 

The month of May was my first experience with beauty box subscription services, and I have to say that I am hooked! It's such a fun way to discover new products that I wouldn't typically purchase on my own, get great discounts on the products I try and love, and an awesome way to build your makeup collection.

Beauty Box 5 is a $12- subscription service, but I received my very first box FREE of charge. Each month you get 5 deluxe/full-size samples delivered right to your door. The value of your products usually exceeds the monthly cost of each box. So if this type of service is something you want to try, it's definitely worth it in my opinion! 

You'll find something special at the end of this post...

I was pleasantly surprised at the products I received this month. From what I've seen across different social media sites, most beauty box services mainly send either skincare or makeup. My Beauty Box 5 had a variety of different products ranging from hair care, skincare, and makeup. Everything you would expect from a beauty subscription service!

Here is what my box included:

Coolway Shampoo & Conditioner

$19.99 each for 8.6oz / Sample: $2.32 each for 1oz.

Although shampoo and conditioner isn't my favorite thing to get in a beauty box, I'm happy to give this set a try. I would've been bummed if I got just the shampoo or just the conditioner, so it is really nice to have both [even though this set counts as 2 of my 5 products]. And the 1 oz. sample size is a good amount to really give it a good test run.

LA Fresh Wipes

$19.99 for 48ct / Sample: 3@ $.42 each

This is one of those products that I wouldn't typically buy on my own. But I do have to say they are pretty handy to have! If you're a busy mom like me, there have been times that you forgot to put on deodorant. Yikes! These little wipe packets easily fit in your purse. Or stash some in your gym bag!

Shea Terra Organics Rose Hips Black Soap

$18- for 4oz / Sample: $4.50 for 1oz.

I love anything organic, especially when it comes to skincare! So this bottle of 100% natural facial cleanser is definitely something that I would purchase if I was out shopping. Micro-dermabrasion in a bottle... Yes, please! I haven't had the chance to try it yet, but I will be sure to update this post with a review when I do.

Nicka K Lipstick in Concerto

$4.99 for .12oz - Full Size Sample

Lippies are one of my favorite makeup products, so I was extremely happy to get this in my Beauty Box 5. I've never tried the Nicka K brand before and I'm glad to have it in my collection. The formula is nice and this color looks great on my olive/tan skin tone.

Total Value of May's Box: $15.39

$12- Monthly Subscription Box

Overall, Beauty Box 5 is a really good beauty box subscription service. They ship boxes out on the 8th of every month, and I got mine super fast! Their customer service department is really friendly and they answer your questions in a timely manner. Although it's great, I've been wanting to try out other beauty boxes without breaking the bank. I'm not completely sure if this one will stay on my list. 

I also got my June BB5 box already! I'll be sure to post it this week...

If you're interested in subscribing to Beauty Box 5, please sign up using my link.

SPECIAL COUPON CODE

Enter FREE614 at checkout to:

- get a free introduction box

- or save $12 off a quarterly subscription

- or save $12 off a yearly subscription

*Code expires 6/30/14.

Have you checked out my First Impression: Ipsy? Feel free to browse the other Beauty posts on my blog. You can also stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my fan page on Facebook.

Are you BB5 subscriber? How do you like it? Hooked on beauty boxes? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? I'd love to hear it! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated.

Thanks for stopping by!