May 2013 Glam Bag

Ipsy's May Glam Bag was "Spring Fling" themed: Delight your beauty routine with products that will get you blooming from head to toe!  I have to say, I'm really in love with this month's theme and bag.  Ipsy hit the nail on the head and provided a great array of products that are perfect for spring and summer.  (Also, how cute is this month's chevron-printed bag?)

This month I received four amazing color makeup products and a bronzing body lotion:

Mirabella - Colour Sheers in Posy ($22.00/3 g)
Beautifully sheer lip color to wear all day and night.  Mango butter base nourishes lips.

Sample size: 3 g
Sample value: $22.00

Sheer lip colors are huge right now and I'm a big fan of their ease and comfort for everyday wear.  This Mirabella Colour Sheer glides on beautifully, feels great on the lips, and I love the color Posy provides!

Yaby - Concealer Refill in Buff ($4.85/3.5 g)
Yaby concealers have a creamy texture and are extremely easy to apply.  They are highly pigmented to correct any imperfections on the face and body, are creamy and gentle for around the eyes and are tear proof!  Vegan friendly and contain no animal byproducts.

Sample size: unknown (weighs 2 g including the pan)
Sample value: unknown (approximately $2.77)

I wasn't impressed with the Yaby eyeshadows I received in a previous Glam Bag, so I was a little hesitant about this concealer.  Unfortunately, as you will see in the swatch below, the shade I received (Buff) is much too dark for my pale skin, so this concealer won't do much for me.  From what I can gather of the texture from swatching, it feels a little dry but seems to provide nice, even coverage.  I am a bit disappointed that I received the shade Buff when Ipsy sent out a lighter shade to other subscribers. Ipsy does have a beauty profile on their website, which I have filled out to say that I am the fairest of fair skintones.  Overall, this mixup isn't too disappointing since the concealer wasn't a high-value sample and I wasn't impressed with the brand through previous sampling.

Zoya - Nail Polish in Blu ($8.00/0.5 oz)
Zoya Nail Polish and Treatments put beauty, fashion and style into every bottle with innovative custom color creations and fashion trend adaptation resulting in a truly luxury cosmetic experience.

Sample size: 0.5 oz
Sample value: $8.00

I really like Zoya polish so I was thrilled to receive one in my bag this month.  The shade I received, Blu, is a very light pastel blue, perfect for spring and unlike anything I currently own.  I'm excited to try this out for my next manicure.

Juice Beauty - Reflecting Gloss in Pink ($15.00/0.28 oz)
This exclusive, pre-launch of the Juice Beauty Reflecting Gloss will give your lips brilliant shine while keeping them healthy and nourished.  A combination of antioxidant-rich acai and goji berries, natural minerals and sweet agave nectar that will give your lips radiant color.  Made with certified organic ingredients.

Sample size: 0.14 oz
Sample value: $7.50

Let me just start by saying how AMAZING this lip gloss smells.  It's so fruity and delicious, but in a natural so-fresh-you-could-eat-it kind of way.  Not only does this gloss smell divine, it feels very moisturizing and not sticky in the slightest.  It's very pleasant to wear and provides a pretty, sheer tint on the lips.  LOVE this product!

St. Tropez - One Night Only Instant Glow Body Lotion ($18.00/5 oz)
St. Tropez's lightweight cream is the perfect party accessory!  It gives you an instant beautiful golden glow that as easy to put on as it is to take off.  Who is it for?: Anyone who wants a quick boost of color when you're running out of time, heading to a party or want a bronzed glow for an event.  For a quick, non-committal, instant tan that simply washes off with soap and water.  Why is it different?: Free from tanning agents, One Night Only is transfer-resistant so you can tan and go--and look gorgeous!

Sample size: 1.69 oz
Sample value: $6.08

I'm usually one to love and embrace my fair skin, so I'm not sure I'll get much use out of this product.  Sometimes I do like to give my legs a hint of color when I'm wearing shorts or dresses in the summer, so I may end up giving this a try.  St. Tropez is a wildly popular brand, so I'm sure this is a lovely product, just not one that I would typically reach for.  The sample is a fantastic size though, so it would probably last me all summer if I do decide to use it.

Total box value: approximately $46.35

{Swatches of the Mirabella Colour Sheer in Posy, Yaby Concealer Refill in Buff, and Juicy Beauty Reflecting Gloss in Pink.}

Additionally, this month (along with other "active members of the Ipsy community") I also received one of the brand new Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadows in the shade Glitter Rock.

Urban Decay - Moondust Eyeshadow in Glitter Rock ($20.00/0.05 oz)
You've never seen a sparkly shadow this sophisticated.  Moondust is dazzling sparkly but with a super refined, incredibly sophisticated feel (and not a single speck of chunky glitter).  Microfine bits of iridescent sparkle collide with intense, dreamy hues and lush, 3-D metallics--for an effect that's out of this world.

Sample size: 0.05 oz
Sample value: $20.00

The new Moondust Eyeshadows are best applied with fingers and can be worn dry or wet (for a more intense look).  I'm a huge fan of Urban Decay shadows, so I was thrilled to receive one of these new shades!  The Moondust Eyeshadows come in seven shades; I received Glitter Rock which is a unique purple-pink.  This shade isn't something I'd normally gravitate toward, but it's very pretty and I think it would be a lot of fun for an colorful, glittery spring/summer look.  The collection does contain a few neutral shades for a more subtle, sparkly look.  I'm looking forward to experimenting with Glitter Rock.  It has a sheer quality about it--sort of a translucent, ethereal shimmer.  I think it would be lovely as a pop of color on the center of the lid, perhaps paired with a deep purple liner.

{Swatches of the Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in Glitter Rock, applied dry (left) and wet (right).}

I'm really thrilled with my Glam Bag this month.  The two lip products and nail polish are huge favorites and I'm excited to experiment with the new Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow.  This is one of my favorite Glam Bags: the products themselves are great and Ipsy did a fantastic job of choosing products that fit the theme.

May 2013 Birchbox

The May 2013 Birchbox theme was "beauty diaries."  From your morning routine (sunrise yoga or snooze button and espresso) to your ice cream preferences (classic vanilla or rocky road with all the toppings), you've got a style and personality all your own.  This month's Birchbox is about you: the order in which you try your products, your daily routine, the techniques you've mastered.  We want you to spill big-time--consider it your beauty-tell-all.

My May Birchbox included the following samples:

Joie - Folle de Joie eau de parfum ($98/3.4 oz)
For its debut scent, the chic fashion brand created this carefree mix of mandarin, rose, and sandalwood.

Sample size: 0.06 oz
Sample value: $1.73

I think this scent will be a nice summer evening fragrance.  It's a lot more bold and warm than what I typically wear, but I find it very pleasant.  It's a lovely mix of citrus, floral, and woodsy notes.  It's sophisticated while still being playful and youthful.

Klorane - Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk ($18/3.2 oz)
Beloved by celebs, this award-winning formula adds tons of texture and helps revive second-day styles.

Sample size: 1.06 oz
Sample value: $5.96

Dry shampoo is an absolute must-have product for me.  I have my favorites (Lush's No Drought and Batiste), but I'm always excited to try others.  I'm curious to try this formula since it markets itself as being "gentle."  I'm a bit skeptical of the price though; with incredibly oily hair and bangs, I go through dry shampoo rather quickly and I tend to prefer mine to be a bit more modestly priced.  This one from Klorane is $18 for 3.2 oz (which from my experience would only be enough product to last me a couple of weeks tops).  All that said, I'm really happy to have this sample to try and I've been meaning to pick up a small bottle to keep in my purse so this is PERFECT!

Supergoop! - Daily Correct SPF 35 CC Cream ($32/1.6 oz)
This next-generation CC cream provides corrective coverage and triple protects against UVA, UVB, and infrared-A rays.

Sample size: 0.1 oz
Sample value: $2

This will be the first "CC Cream" that I've tried.  I've tried numerous BB Creams and have a favorite that I use often as my foundation.  Unfortunately this product is much too dark for my skin (despite having received the "Light to Medium" shade--the lightest of the two offered); however, if I blend it throughly it sort of disappears into my skin.  At the same time though, it then provides absolutely no coverage.  This product would be more of an under-foundation sunscreen/primer for me rather than something I would use alone for protection and coverage.

Vitivia - Pro:Vitamin Capsules ($55/28 capsules)
Smooth these nifty single-use capsules on your skin.  Filled with brightening vitamin C or antiaging vitamin A to soften, they renew and repair skin.

Sample size: 6 capsules
Sample value: $11.79

I'm really curious to see what these humble looking capsules can do for my skin.  I received three of the Vitamin A capsules, which are intended to be used in the evening and claim to refine pores, smooth fine lines and reduce skin inflammation.  I also received three of the Vitamin C capsules, which are meant for use in the morning and claim to reduce hyperpigmentation while fighting wrinkles and age spots.  I definitely have a need for pore refining and reduction of hyperpigmentation, so I hope these will work for me.  I'm a bit shocked that the cost per capsule/use is almost $2.  These little capsules better work miracles!

Extra: Pilot Acroball PureWhite Pen ($6.24/4 pack)
We want our pens to be just as stylish as our accessories, which is why we love Pilot Pen's latest innovation, the new Acroball PureWhite hybrid ink pen.  Acroball PureWhite offers vibrant ink colors and all the smoothness of a gel ink pen with none of the smudging or smearing.  Plus, the color-blocked grip is comfy, on-trend and comes in a variety of gorgeous shades--this is no ordinary scribblers.

Sample size: 1 pen
Sample value: $1.56

I forgot to snap a photo of this pen.  I received the "African Violet" shade which is a fun and pretty.  I'm not overly excited about receiving an ink pen in a beauty box, but it's cute and practical so I appreciate that it's something useful.  Along with the pen, a coupon for $1 a 3, 4, or 5 pack was also included.

Total box value: $23.04

Overall I'm not especially excited about any of the products I received this month, but I'm not disappointed either.  I don't particularly feel like these products fit the "beauty diaries" theme, but I find the monthly themes are usually a little pointless since almost all the products are cycled out to different subscribers month after month.

If you received a May Birchbox, I'd love to know what you received and thought about your box this month!  Leave a comment below with details and/or a photo of your box!

April 2013 GLOSSYBOX USA

"Work That Beauty" was the theme of the April GLOSSYBOX USA.  "This April, GLOSSYBOX has a thirst for beauty wellness and we are quenching it with feel-good products!  After a long winter, it's time to be good to your body, whether it's an invigorating wash or an indulgent soak.  Feel the sun's warmth and bring on beachy waves and sun-kissed cheeks.  Bare some skin and go the no makeup-makeup route.  Work your natural beauty and be your best you with GLOSSYBOX this month."

My April 2013 GLOSSYBOX included:

Alterna Haircare - Bamboo Style Boho Waves Tousled Texture Mist ($22.00/4.2 oz)
A weightless texturizing mist that instantly gives natural, "just-back-from-the-beach" waves.  Simply spray on damp or dry hair from roots to ends and shape with fingers for loose, tousled style.

Sample size: 0.85 oz
Sample value: $4.45

I tend to prefer my hair to be soft, shiny, and curled under.  I haven't went for "just-back-from-the-beach" waves in years.  I think the look is really cute and playful on others, but it's not my typical style. I may give this product a try one day soon when I don't have anything special planned just in case my hair ends up looking like a hot mess.  I'll report back if I end up loving this product and become a beachy waves convert.

Bvlgari - Eau Parfumée au thé Blanc Tea Bag for Bath ($9.50/0.5 oz)
Eau Parfumée au thé Blanc is a generous and elegant expression of personal indulgence.  Relaxing and calming.  Eau Parfumée au thé Blanc reflects the precious nature of white tea, offering an intimate and luxurious expression of sensory pleasure.

Sample size: 0.5 oz
Sample value: $9.50

I'm apprehensive to open the foil packet on this product to smell it.  I've never been a fan of any of the Bvlgari scent I've smelled in the past (which have been several), so I doubt I'd like this one either.  Nothing against the brand--they seem lovely and quality--it's just that all their scents are a little too strong and "old" for my personal taste.  I think I'll keep this neatly packaged and send it along to my mom with some other products as part of a little Mother's Day care package.

The Honest Company - Honest Organic Lip Balm ($10.95/3 pack .15 oz)
Honest Lip Balms are made from organic jojoba and oils from olives, sunflowers and coconuts.  Tahitian Tamanu oil, rich with Omega 6 & 9, helps restore vitality and boost moisture.  Perfect for maintaining happy, heathly lips.

Sample size: 0.15 oz
Sample value: $3.65

I'm really impressed with the simple, natural ingredient list on this unscented balm.  It glides on the lips and feels moisturizing without being greasy.  I also appreciate that the price on these is quite reasonable, so I wouldn't hesitate to pick these up if I enjoy the balm with continued use.

TIGI Cosmetics - Glow Blush ($22.00/.07 oz)
A soft, baked powder formula that effortlessly provides a glow-from-within effect and looks beautiful on all skin tones.

Sample size: 0.07 oz
Sample value: $22.00

Honestly, I'm not thrilled about this blush.  The color isn't particularly special and the texture and pigmentation isn't anything to write home about either.  I would pass over this in the store and wouldn't give it a second thought, especially considering it retails for $22.00.

Wash with Joe - Coffemint Invigorating Body Wash ($28.00/16 oz)
This body wash contains an invigorating blend of coffee and mint that helps revitalize and balance the body and the mind while keeping skin superbly clean.

Sample size: 1.0 oz
Sample value: $1.75

The coffee and mint combination of this body wash had me very curious.  Upon smelling it, I was a bit underwhelmed that the scent didn't pop more.  Perhaps it will really shine once I give this a try in the shower.  Overall, not an especially thrilling product to try (and I certainly wouldn't considering spending $28.00 on the full size product as I think that's a little ridiculous for body wash), but I'll give it a whirl.  I love the idea of a coffee scented body wash as little wake-me-up in the morning, so hopefully I'll love this.

Le Métier de Beauté - Replenishing Daily Solution ($225.00/1.7 oz)
This rich, emollient formula protects, conditions and hydrates while it nourishes, rejuvenates and detoxifies skin, restoring a healthy suppleness to your skin.  Paraben-free.

Sample size: 0.1 oz
Sample value: $19.23

I received this same product in my January "Man Repeller" GLOSSYBOX.  After completely using up that sample and thinking nothing of the product, I'm not too thrilled to see it pop up in another box again so soon.  (This is the second time I've received repeat products in close succession from GLOSSYBOX.)  I found this moisturizer a little heavy and, at the same time, not very moisturizing.  I'll pass this along to my mother as well and perhaps it'll work better with her skin type.

Total box value: $60.58

A closer look at the TIGI Glow Blush in the shade Lovely.

All in all, not too excited about my box this month.  The variety of products and value where there, but I just personally don't care for the individual products themselves.  The lip balm I'll thoroughly enjoy, and I'll probably like the bath wash as well, but those products hardly add up to $6.00 in value.  The rest of the box was full of items I'll likely pass on to others who may or may not like them.  I'm pretty bummed to have spent $21.00 on this month's box.  After completing tons of surveys and having a few friends try GLOSSYBOX using my referral, I've finally acquired enough "GLOSSYDOTS" to get my next box free.  After that I'm honestly considering canceling my subscription.  I just haven't felt lately that I've consistently gotten enough value from my boxes to merit the monthly cost.