October 2013 Glam Bag

The October "Art of Beauty" Ipsy Glam Bag was "a month of masterful makeup tricks and delightful beauty treats.  Whether you're headed to a fancy Fall ball or impressing the crowd with a jaw-dropping avant-garde costume, this month's brand partners have something to help perfect your Look!"

The October Glam Bag was white vinyl accented in hot pink with the quote, "Love of beauty is taste. The creation of beauty is art."  Most months I'm not really fond of the bags sent along with the products; they're usually rather cheaply made and a little juvenile in design.  This month was no exception.  However, I don't really mind because the bags aren't something I'm particularly interested in as I have plenty of quality makeup bags.  I've kept a few of mine around but usually give away or donate the ones that I don't love.

My October Ipsy Glam Bag included the following items:

be Delectable - Hand Cream in Strawberry & Cream ($10.00/4 oz)
Indulge your hands with a well-deserved treat.  This ultra nourishing hand cream is enriched with shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera to smooth, nourish and rejuvenate hands and cuticles.  Rich, and never greasy, this beautiful blend is kissed with a delectable scent.

Sample size: 2 oz
Sample value: $5.00

I'm really digging this hand cream!  The scent is seriously mouth-watering and the formula is very moisturizing but absorbs into the skin incredibly fast.  I may have found a new favorite hand cream!  If you're not a fan of super sweet food scents, this may not be for you.  I, however, am a huge fan.

Big Sexy Hair - Blow Dry Volumizing Gel ($16.95/8.5 oz)
The Sexy Hair Blow Gel is an alcohol-free gel that thickens hair while adding volume.  It also helps retain moisture so your hair never feels dry.  Delivers a light to medium hold.

Sample size: 1.7 oz
Sample value: $3.39

I've tried quite a few volumizing products over the past few years.  Nothing I've found really seems to give my fine hair lasting lift.  I'm happy to have another volumizing product to test out, and this is a generous sample size.  Here's to hoping I have good luck with this Blow Dry Volumizing Gel.

Buxom - Full-On Lip Polish in Dolly ($19.00/0.15 oz)
Tingle, plump & shine your pout to super-sexy proportions with sheer, shimmering Full-On Lip Polish in Dolly.  This bestselling dusty mauve gloss creates the look of fuller, more voluptuous lips while Vitamin A & E help keep them soft, smooth an protected.

Sample size: 0.07 oz
Sample value: $8.87

{Swatch of the Buxom Full-On Lip Polish in Dolly}

I don't normally like plumping glosses as many can be quite painful to wear.  This Full-On Lip Polish tingles the lips; however, I don't find it uncomfortable.  I really love the color I received.  Dolly is a gorgeous, wearable "shimmering muted plum."  This is a shade that would be lovely year-round.  I've heard so many good things about the Buxom glosses, I'm thrilled to have finally gotten to try one.

Zoya - Nail Polish in Mason ($8.00/0.5 oz)
Part of the Fall 2013 Cashmeres & Satins Collection, these shades are created to work together with this season's most stylish runway designs and luxurious fabric blends.  These ultra long-wearing, glossy nail lacquers by Zoya are BIG5FREE - free of toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate (DBP).

Sample size: 0.5 oz
Sample value: $8.00

{Swatch of the Zoya Nail Polish in Mason - two coats}

I generally love Zoya nail polish, so I'm always happy to see one included in any of my beauty boxes/bags.  Mason applies beautifully and is entirely opaque in two coats (you can get away with one if you're careful).  The color isn't one that I'd normally reach for, but I'll probably wear it once or twice during the holiday season as it has a festive flair about it.

H2O Plus - Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment ($36.00/1.7 oz)
The H2O Plus Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment is clinically proven oil-free moisture gel that delivers deep hydrating.  Marine botanical rapidly replenish depleted skin and fills surface lines with a surge of moisture.  Vitamins A and E help fight against environmental damage and phospholipid microspheres deliver time-released hydration to keep skin looking revitalized all day.

Sample size: 0.34 oz
Sample value: $7.20

This Hydrating Treatment has a very lightweight gel-like texture.  I haven't tried it on my face yet, but rubbed into the back of my hand it seems fairly moisturizing without any greasiness.  I'm a little weary of the ingredients (lots of silicones and a hefty dose of fragrance, for example, which tend to break my skin out), so this might be a product I only use on my neck and chest.

Total bag value: $32.46

Overall I was pretty satisfied with my Ipsy bag for October.  I love the hand cream, will get a ton of wear out of the Buxom Lip Polish and look forward to testing out the Big Sexy Hair Blow Dry Volumizing Gel.

October 2013 Birchbox

The October 2013 Birchbox was "devoted to award winners, celeb favorites, up-and-comers--and all the other products we can't stop talking about."  My October 2013 box included five items: a couple full-size lip products and a few deluxe samples.

12 Benefits - Instant Healthy Hair Treatment ($19.00/6 oz)
Created by two industry experts, this heroic all-in-one detangles, protects, and heels.

Sample size: 1.5 oz
Sample value: $4.75

I haven't tried this out just yet (using up a few other leave-in products first), but I'm really pleased with the sample size and packaging.  I generally really enjoy products like this so I imagine this will be a hit. The claims remind me a lot of It's a 10, but this product is cheaper per ounce.  I purchased It's a 10 once and loved it, but I felt I had to use a ton of the product to see a difference and I couldn't justify repurchasing it as quickly as I used up the bottle.  I'm hoping I have more luck with this 12 Benefits treatment!

Karuna - Hydrating Mask ($28.00/4 masks)
This all-natural cloth mask is infused with a hydrating cocktail of antioxidants.

Sample size: 1 mask
Sample value: $7.00

I have oily skin and tend to prefer using a clay mask at least once a week to absorb excess oil and clear out my pores (the Borghese Fango Active Mud for Face & Body is my favorite); however, every now and then--especially in fall and winter--I do like to give my skin an extra dose of moisture with a hydrating mask. I've tried a couple other hydrating sheets masks and have really enjoyed them, so I'm looking forward to trying this one from Karuna.

POP Beauty - Aqua Lacquer in Flowering Fuchsia ($14.00/0.34 oz)
A British makeup pro created this sheer gloss, which plumps and hydrates with jojoba oil.

Sample size: 0.34 oz
Sample value: $14.00

This POP Beauty Aqua Lacquer is sheer, slightly minty, and silky smooth (not at all sticky).  The shade I received, Flowering Fuchsia, is a really pretty vibrant pink, sheer with no shimmer.  It's pretty on it's own or layered over a lipstick.

The POP Beauty Aqua Lacquers have a flat plastic applicator.  Personally, I'm not crazy about the way these sort of applicators apply product or feel on the lips.  I find they're best used to sort of dab the product on the lip, rather than applying the product in a sweeping motion.  Other than my slight annoyance with the applicator, I really enjoy this product!

Supergoop! - City Sunscreen Serum ($42.00/1.6 oz)
This anti-aging SPF 30 serum, which creates a weightless UV shield, can be worn year-round.

Sample size: 5ml
Sample value: $4.44

Unfortunately this was a repeat sample for me (I first received it as two small foil packets in my July 2012 Birchbox).  Fortunately Birchbox realized the mistake of sending a repeat sample and provided me with 100 Birchbox points ($10.00 value to use in the Birchbox shop) as an apology.  I couldn't have been more pleased with their generosity to quickly offer an apology for the situation.

That aside, the serum itself is something I'll probably set aside and save for next summer.  It does have a strong sunscreen set, but dries fairly quickly and feels mostly weightless on the skin.  I think this will be nice to have for the humid days of summer.  I don't think it's a particularly special product.  I wouldn't splurge to purchase it full size, but it's a sample that I'll certainly (happily) use.

ChapStick - Hydration Lock (approximately $3.00/0.15 oz)
Chapstick Hydration Lock is clinically proven to moisturize lips, from 9-5.  It also doubles as a lip primer and comes chock full of damage-defending antioxidants like CoQ10 and Vitamin E.

Sample size: 0.15 oz
Sample value: approximately $3.00

Admittedly, I wasn't thrilled to see an item from ChapStick in my Birchbox; however, the claims for this product were pretty dramatic and I was curious to see if it lived up to them.  I will say, I don't find this product particularly hydrating in itself.  This isn't something I'd reach for if my lips were dry, irritated, or flaky.  However, what I do like this product for is sort of a lip primer before applying a pigmented lip product.  I will apply this over hydrated, smooth (no flakes) lips and it acts similarly to how a silicone primer does on the skin.  It fills in any fine lines on the lips, creating a smooth and somewhat plumped canvas.  It feels slightly silky on the lips, providing the perfect foundation for any other lip products to glide over.  I find that my pigmented lip products have a more perfected appearance when applied over a thin layer of this Hydration Lock.  For me, this feels more lightweight than most lip balms, so it doesn't interfere with other lip products as much as a heavy balm might.

Total box value: $33.19

I'm really pleased with my October Birchbox!  I received a nice selection of generously-sized samples (and a couple of full-size products).  Every product is one that I'll use and I've been pretty pleased with the ones I've tried thus far.

What did you receive in your October box?

October 2013 Sweet Taste Trunk

Four months subscribed to Taste Trunk and my love of the service continues to grow.  For October I tried out the Sweet Trunk for the first time and was beyond thrilled with the selection I received.

Just before the death of flowers,

And before they are buried in snow

There comes a festival season

When nature is all aglow.

Each month Taste Trunk offers four different trunk themes to choose from: the Gourmet Trunk, the Health Trunk, the Sweet Trunk, and the BBQ Trunk.  For $29/month (plus a $5.99 shipping charge--these trunks can be quite heavy and ship USPS Priority Mail, arriving promptly on or before the 15th of the month), you receive "5-10 products, discount coupons, backgrounds on the companies and amazing recipe ideas."

My October Sweet Trunk included a variety of decadent cookies from four different companies.  I was pretty much drooling the entire time I snapped these photos and immediately enjoyed a sampling of the cookies once I finished taking pictures.

Cake - Coconut Macaroons (value unknown, estimating approximately $10.00)
"Our distinctive Coconut Macaroon, made from the finest organic ingredients, is one of life's little pleasures.  A sinfully delicious alchemy, it's caramelized exterior encases a chewy, moist, center that is sure to send your senses into a state of euphoria.  Isn't it time to indulge yourself?  Gluten free by design, organic by choice."

Oh my gosh, these were amazing!  These were definitely the highlight of this month's trunk, in my opinion.  Funny thing because I was most disappointed to see these when I opened my box.  It wasn't until earlier this year that I really began embracing coconut in desserts.  I had never (at least not to my recollection) even tried a coconut macaroon until I bit into one of these glorious morsels.  I was blown away!  The description on the back of the package described these perfectly 'a chewy, moist center encased by a caramelized exterior.'  The taste and texture of these was brilliant.  I'm now on the hunt for the perfect macaroon recipe to recreate these in my own kitchen since, unfortunately, I can't purchase these anywhere near me.

Wooden Table Baking Co. - Alfajores ($5.50/3 alfajores)
"We make our alfajores from scratch with high quality all natural ingredients in small batches.  Try our alfajores with your favorite afternoon beverage or for dessert.  Discover a special treat that so many Argentineans already know and love."

These cookies had a beautiful texture and bold, yet balanced flavor.  These alfajores were also a first for me and they were delicious!

Il Molientto Bakery - Baci di Dama ($6.00/3.17 oz)
"A speciality in Piemonte, Italy, these Baci di Dama or "Lady Kisses" cookies are made with hazelnuts and almonds, with a rich layer of dark Belgian chocolate."

I loved these "Lady Kisses" far more than I expected.  These humble little cookies reminded me of Sandies, which were a favorite of mine growing up.  Next to the Coconut Macaroons, these were my favorite of the box.  Absolutely delicious!

Marlo's Bake Shop - Original and Midnight Marlos ($14.99/6 cookies)
"For starters, it's not biscotti.  Marlos are...well, different.  Sure, they're twice baked like biscotti, but the similarities end there.  Marlos are unique, handmade cookies baked in small batches using the highest quality ingredients available."

These biscotti were good, but definitely the least memorable of the bunch.  Neither my husband or I were particularly crazy about these.  Plain they were definitely bland and somewhat dry.  Dipped in coffee or milk enhanced them a bit, but they weren't anything overly special.

Approximate value of my October Sweet Taste Trunk: $36.49

The October Sweet Trunk definitely didn't disappoint.  Not only were these contents unique and delicious, I really enjoyed trying out several new-to-me types of cookies.  The experience was utterly satisfying and I love the inspiration the experience brought me to try out a few new recipes.  I can't wait to see what the November Sweet Trunk has in store!

If you'd like to try Taste Trunk, you can save 25% on your first trunk with the code "winsomegirl25" which will bring your cost down to $21.75 (plus $5.99 shipping).  If you do decide to sign up, please kindly provide my name (Amy Kelly) as your referral during checkout.

*Full disclosure: I paid for the Taste Trunk subscription with my own money.  I receive no benefit if you use the discount code Taste Trunk provided me to share with you.  I am, however, an ambassador for the company and receive a very small commission when new members enter my name as their referral during checkout.