Unboxing: Birchbox September 2013

For those of you who are not sure exactly what Birchbox is, it's a monthly beauty sample subscription box service that costs $10 per month. Like with most of these services you begin by filling out a profile with questions like what kind of samples you'd most prefer, what type of hair and skin you have, color of skin, etc. Based on these questions every month 5 or so deluxe beauty samples, and sometimes full size, are sent to you. Also every month comes with a theme that the items are supposed to represent. At any time you are able to skip months or stop your subscription.

I used to receive Birchbox a while ago and was slowly becoming more and more disappointed with the things I received so I stopped my subscription about a year ago. Recently I got curious about them again so I started up my subscription again. This is the first month I've gotten and I have to say I actually really like most of the things I got. The nail polish and mascara are seriously amazing and I also really love the hand cream as well. This month's theme was "Heritage" and it was also Birchbox's anniversary month. Sadly I didn't receive any full sized products this round, but the sizes of the samples are actually very nice so I don't mind at all. I'm looking forward to the next couple of months so I can really make up my mind whether I want to keep getting the box or not.

Amika Blow Up Spray - Full Size $24

WHAT: Lightweight mist that adds lift and major shine for the perfect blowout.

HOW: Spray on damp hair before blow-drying. Use on dry hair to restyle or for light hold.

-I haven't tried this yet, but definitely will next time I shampoo my hair. I love anything that promises me volume and shine. This is actually a very nice sample size and will probably last me a good while, because it takes me forever to go through hair products.

RUFFIAN Nail Lacquer-Delirium - Full Size $10 

WHAT: Bold purple from the fashion label's first lacquer collection. Exclusive to Birchbox!

HOW: Apply two coats for a glossy finish, then share your #RuffianManicure !

-I love, love, love this nail polish. The color is the gorgeous metallic blue violet and it applies beautifully and smoothly. The only bad thing about this is I'm scared it's going to be gone soon with as much as I'm wanting to use it. 

Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream - Full Size $15

WHAT: This antiaging hand cream nourishes and fades fine lines with antioxidant grapeseed oil.

HOW: Massage a quarter-sized amount into hands and cuticles. Great as a pre-mani treatment.

-This is such a nice hand cream. It's moisturizing, yet not greasy and absorbs super easily. The scent is very lemony and herbal, so not everyone's cup of tea. The scent doesn't bother me at all, I actually really like it. I've been using this on my hands and nails since I received it and my skin is loving it. I'm also loving that the size is perfect for my purse and will last for quite a while, because you only need the smallest bit.

Eyeko Black Magic mascara - Full Size $24

WHAT: Water-resistant formula that curls, adds volume, and has major staying power.

HOW: Sweep the brush upward to coat your lashes.

-This is the first Eyeko product I have ever used and now I'm wanting to try more. This mascara is everything I look for in a mascara: super black, natural bristled, curved brush, super volumizing,  long lasting, and gives a great curl.

VOESH New York Green Tea Pedicure  - 3 step treatment $12

WHAT: This pampering mask nourishes and softens with grape seed extract and green tea.

HOW: Evenly apply on feet. Leave for 3-5 minutes, then rinse. Follow with VOESH Pedicure Lotion.

-I'm saving this foot mask for my next pamper session.

Unboxing: Glossybox September 2013

This month's Glossybox theme was "All You Need For Fall" and it came with a nice arrangement of must-have products. I was quite happy to see that this Glossybox came with quite a few full size products, in fact all except for one is full sized. The box includes a thickening hair product, eyelash curler, eyeliner marker, makeup remover pen, and a perfume. I have to say I'm actually very happy with this month's box, which has been a rarity with Glossybox as of late. I keep giving them a chance because I really love the brand and the idea of the brand, thankfully this month it's good- so onto the products received:

BCBGMAXAZRIA Bon Genre Eau De Parfum

 

^Full Size: $75.00 / 3.4 oz

Seductive, mysterious, and intriguing, BCBGMAXAZRIA Bon Genre is a statement-making fragrance inspired by the effortlessly cool sensibility of the urban rocker woman.

-This is not a full size product, yet it is the BEST sample size I have ever received and the scent is beyond beautiful- it's light, airy, fresh, and yet still sensual. The notes are litchi and red berries spiced with black pepper and refreshed with bergamot, a blend of black jasmine, tuberose, tiger orchid and cardamom, hot amber, Australian sandalwood, patchouli and black vanilla. It's really just a beautiful scent.

Be A Bombshell Eyeliner Pen in Onyx

Full Size: $14.99 / .11 oz

Master your cat-eye look with a flick of this easy-to-use eyeliner pen. The marker-like tip is easy to use and goes on smoothly for precise definition while the long-lasting, water resistant formula ensures your makeup stays fresh throughout the day.

-I'm pretty sure this is a full sized product. I'm not usually a fan of these fat eyeliner pens, because I feel like they're isn't much precision to them and they usually seem really dry too. This one does have a nice tip and good color payoff, but I'm not too keen on using this. This thing is full of parabens. I counted 5 different kinds in the ingredient list, so no thank you I will pass on this liner.

Emite Makeup Eyelash Curler

Full Size $30.50

Accentuate your eyes this Fall with impeccably curled lashes! This eyelash curler has a special curved design that angles to suit all eye shapes and curls without disturbing the makeup underneath. Your eye lashes will remain in perfect shape all day.

-This is of course full size and it came with three replacement curler cushions as well. This eyelash curler is hands down the best I have ever tried! It fit my eye so perfectly, didn't pinch, didn't ruin my eye liner, and gave a gorgeous long lasting curl. This product alone cost more than what I paid for my glossybox and made the whole box well worth it. This is for sure a new part of my daily makeup routine.

Nioxin Diamax Treatment

Full Size $50.00 / 3.4OZ

To achieve a fuller looking head of hair this fall, look no further then Nioxin Diamax. This treatment increases the thickness of the hair shaft and strengthens hair against breakage, which makes hair fuller and more manageable.

-This is a full size product. I have not used this product yet, but I am super excited to. While in hair school I had plenty of guests who swore by the Nioxin brand so I'm hoping for great things,

Oceane Makeup Remover Pen

Full Size $5.30 / 3 ML

The tip of the pen contains an odorless liquid makeup remover that does not dry out the skin. It is perfect for removing excess, makeup during application (for example, while perfecting a cat-eye) or touch-ups during the day.

-This is a full size product. I haven't tried this product out yet, but I'm hoping it is better than the other products like this I've tried. Usually these things are so dry and don't do much but smudge the makeup around. However, if this does work it would seriously be awesome to clean up eyeliner with. Also I love that it comes with three replacent heads, because they tend to get dirty rather quick.

Cotton Candy Bubblegum: Sigma Creme De Couture palette

Today's look is a cotton candy inspired eye look using the Sigma Creme De Couture palette. I did a review on this palette yesterday and I will link it below if you're interested in seeing my thoughts and swatches of the shadows. So for this look I wanted to use the awesome blue and pink shades in the palette to create this pretty pastel eye. These shadows all worked so well together and blended so nicely, which is unusual for a lot of matte colors. Even though it is now officially Autumn I still think colors like this are totally fun to play around with. While I know this look is definitely not everyone's cup of tea, I seriously always urge people to have fun an play around with their makeup or you will never know what works for you or what doesn't. Bonus is that even if you wouldn't wear this in every day real life Halloween is right around the corner and this look would be perfect for a lot of different looks. So just have fun and take yourself out of your comfort zone a little bit.

How To: EYES

-Apply your fave primer all over the lid, then apply a white base everywhere you are going to apply shadow.

-Take the color "Blue Chocolat" and apply it to the inner 1/3 of the eyelids.

-Next, take "Blueberry Cream" and apply it onto the rest of the lid leaving the very outer corner open.

-On a large fluffy brush you want to blend "Cherry Blossom" all over your crease to act as your transition color. You want this color to go almost all the way up to your brow bone.

-Highlight the brow bone with any matte cream or white shadow you like.

-Next, take "Lavender Honey" and blend that shadow into the crease right up to the transition shade.

-Now take "Redberry Rose" and blend it into your crease, bringing it up to about mid-crease and right into your outer corner. 

-On a small blending brush take "Cassis" and blend it right into the socket line of the crease and blend it down into your outer corner and the outer corner of the lower lash line. Make sure you blend all the colors in the crease so there are no harsh lines. You want the crease very blown out.

-You may need to touch up your lid colors if you feel like you blended any of them away.

-Take a deep blue gel liner and line the upper lash line creating a small wing at the outer corner. Then rim your eyes with the same color. I love that the deep blue still defines the eye but is slightly less harsh and the blue goes along with the other colors.

-On the remaining space of the lower lash line apply "Blueberry Cream", then apply "Blue Chocolat" around the tear ducts. Run "Redberry Rose" right underneath the other colors to create a sort of pink shadow.

-Apply a glitter base to the inner part of the lower lash line and apply a light pink glitter. This really adds some pop and fun to the look.

-Curl your lashes and apply mascara to finish off the eyes.

  

Products Used:

EYES:

-Milani eyeshadow primer

-NYX eyeshadow base- White

-Sigma Creme De Couture palette- Blue Chocolat, Blueberry Cream, Cherry Blossom, Lavender Honey, Redberry Rose, Cassis

-Maybelline Eye Studio gel liner- Sapphire

-LA Splash eyeshadow sealer base

-Wet 'n Wild Mega Sparkle Confetti- Pink Sugar

-Covergirl Flamed Up Mega Curl mascara- Very Black Blaze

FACE:

-Urban Decay Naked Skin foundation- 0.5

-Flower Lighten Up brightening concealer- BC1

-Neutrogena Skin Clearing blemish concealer- Fair

-Dermablend setting powder

-Philosophy bronzer

-Milani Baked Blush- Dolce Pink

-Revlon Colorstay Mineral Finishing powder- Brighten

-Loreal Colour Riche eyeshadow quad- Cupa Joe (brows)

-Lime Crime lipstick- Great Pink Planet

-Maybelline lip gloss- Punch of Pink

-No7 Hydrating Mineral Water spray

How To: Face

-Buff a natural finish foundation all over my face to even my skin out and give some coverage.

-Then use a brightening concealer under the eyes and on the face to highlight certain areas. Then I used an anti-blemish concealer on the wonderful pimples that have popped up on my skin.

-Set everything with a translucent powder to lock the foundation in place and bring down some of the shine.

-I used a cool toned bronzer to sculpt my face. I've been gorging myself on candy lately and it for sure shows in my face so contouring really helps.

-Then take a shimmery pink blush and apply it onto the apples of the cheeks and blend upwards.

-Then take a pink toned highlighter and apply it to the high points of your face.

-Fill in your brows as you normally would.

-You can apply a nude lip if you want, but I went with a bright cool-toned pink lipstick and then topped it off with a matching lip gloss.

-I spritzed a mineral water spray all over my face to take down the powdery finish on the skin.

I have to say I really love all these eyeshadows and the way this look came out. The colors in this palette are just absolutely beautiful and they apply so soft and smooth to the eyes. Also as you can tell from my pictures I cut off all my hair and changed my part. I have to say I'm really loving it. I figured new season, new hair and I haven't had it this short in about 7-8 years. I'm still getting used to it, but so far it's really fun.

Also if any of you guys have requests for Halloween makeup looks I'd be more than happy to hear them. I'm trying to think of a few to do.

Sigma Creme De Couture review: http://themakeupjunkie0106.blogspot.com/2013/09/sigma-creme-couture-macaron-inspired.html

Check this look out on MakeupBee: https://www.makeupbee.com/look.php?look_id=91098

Sigma Creme Couture macaron inspired eye shadows- Review & Swatches + a 10% off coupon code!

Sigma recently launched a new all matte, macaron inspired palette called Creme Couture. This palette is filled with 16 fun colored all matte shades that are just as beautiful on the eyes as in the pan. When I first got the email about the release of this palette I literally let out a super loud squeal of delight, thank goodness I was in my house where no one could see me because it was rather embarassing. This is just absolutely my dream palette, the colors are beautiful, creamy, and uber pigmented. I was so blown away by the pigmentation of these shadows, because normally most matte pastels and bright shadows are chalky and skip when they are applied but these just went on the eye so smooth and opaque- even the lightest shades. I love that they kept with the macaron inspiration throughout the entire palette- like the names, colors, and even the box which looks like a cute little treat box. This awesome little box sells for $32, a great deal if you ask me.

Redberry Rose, Apricot Flower, Passion Fruit, Cherry Blossom

Redberry Rose- hot pink

Apricot Flower- peach-y coral

Passion Fruit- mauve coral

Cherry Blossom- light baby pink

Meyer Lemon, Ginger Pumpkin, Cafe Au Lait, Blueberry Cream

Meyer Lemon- pastel yellow

Ginger Pumpkin- true orange

Cafe Au Lait- Deep brown

Blueberry Cream- neon pastel blue

Violet Whip, Lavender Honey, Cassis, Elderberry

Violet Whip- pastel lilac

Lavender Honey- pink violet

Cassis- medium bright purple

Elderberry- Deep plum

Blue Chocolat, Almond Pear, Creme DE Menthe, Citron Pistachio

Blue Chocolat- pale powder blue

Almond Pear- pastel sea foam green

Creme DE Menthe- light turquoise

Citron Pistachio- lime green

Overall I am super happy with this palette. The packaging is unlike their other palettes, which looked super large and bulky. This is small, compact, and great for traveling. I've never owned a full palette from Sigma, but I do own some of their single shadows so I was hoping that this palette would have the same pigmentation as those and I was super happy that they do. This palette is not for you girls who only wear neutral shadows, however the shades are bright yet soft so you can easily add them into neutral looks for some fun pops of color that won't overshadow the other colors. I just feel like this palette is pure perfection- it's bright, yet pastel, crazy pigmented, and applies like a dream. I really wish Sigma would now make an all matte neutral palette with this same formulation, because that would be super awesome!

The only thing that I feel like this palette is missing is a matte cream shade and a matte light or medium brown. I feel like those two colors are quintessential for a complete makeup look and would have still fit in perfect with the theme of this palette. However, for once I am just so happy with this palette that I don't even mind going into other palettes to get those two shades. The other thing I really like about this palette, is that there are lots of shades that can be used for other things such as blush for the face. I feel like for the price this palette is a steal and a must have for anyone who is a fan of colorful eyeshadows. I think this would make an awesome holiday gift for any girl who is a fan of makeup. I don't think anyone would be unhappy or disappointed with this adorable little package in their stocking!

Sigma has a 10% off coupon code for the month of September, so I would recommend getting this palette now if you want it because the deal is amazing: http://www.sigmabeauty.com/?Click=158935  Enter code: LJW2013

(palette bought and paid for by me)

Silver & Emerald Smokey Eye- Urban Decay Vice 2

So today's look is a gorgeous silver and emerald smokey eye using the new Urban Decay Vice 2 palette. This was my first time actually using the shadows on my eyes and I have to say they totally did not disappoint, even the shadow that I had trouble with swatching yesterday applied beautifully to the lids. The shadows are so buttery and pigmented and the amount of fall out was so minimal, I mean Urban Decay has totally stepped up there formulation and the outcome is amazing! There are so many beautiful shadows in this palette that I had a hard time picking which ones to use first, but the silver and the green really stood out to me so that's what I went with. I really had no idea how this look was going to turn out and I hadn't even planned on posting this, but the shadows ended up looking really pretty together that I figured I'd let ya'll see the outcome.

How To: EYES

-Apply your favorite primer all over the eyes. I used my sample of the new UD Anti-Aging Primer Potion, which I am completely head over heels with. I've had my shadow on for about 12 hours now and it still looks flawless.

-Next, on a large fluffy brush blend the shade "Habit" into the crease as your transition/blending color.

-I used my face powder on the brow bone to mattify it and act as my brow highlight.

-I then took the shade "Rewind" on a smaller blending brush and applied it into my crease, keeping it right under the blending color. Blend the two shadows together so there are no harsh lines.

-On a small shader brush take the color "Shellshock" and apply it to the inner 1/3 of the eyelids. 

-On the same brush take the color "Damaged" and apply it to the rest of the lid, leaving the very outer corner blank. Blend the line between the silver and the green.

-On a small blending brush take the shade "Smokeout" and apply it into the crease and outer corner. You want to keep this shadow confined to the socket line.

-Then take the shadow "Lovesick" and apply it on top of the last shade in the outer corner and crease. 

-On the lower lash line take "Damaged" and apply in under the lashes leaving the inner corner open.

-Apply "Shellshock" around the tear ducts and the inner corner of the lower lash line.

-Apply black gel liner along the upper lash line and also along the inner rims of the eyes.

-Apply lots of black mascara to the top and bottom lashes.

Products Used:

EYES:

-Urban Decay Anti-Aging Primer Potion

-Urban Decay Vice 2 palette- Habit, Rewind, Shellshock, Damaged, Smokeout, Lovesick

-Loreal Lacquer gel liner- blackest black

-Loreal Voluminous Carbon Black

FACE:

-Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream (combo to oily skin)- Light/Medium

-Loreal True Match concealer- C1-2-3 

-Sue Devitt Triple C-weed pressed powder- Quiet & Still

-NYC Bronzer- Sunny

-Wet 'n Wild Color Icon collection bronzer- Reserve Your Cabana

-NYC brow kit- medium

-Loreal La Lacque lipcolor- Never Lacque-ing

How To: Face

-Apply your favorite B.B. cream all over your face and use a concealer under the eyes and on any blemishes.

-Apply a mattifying powder all over your face to set your foundation and take down the shine.

-Use a matte bronzer to contour your face. I used it under my cheekbones, sides of the forehead, under the chin and jaw bone, and down the sides of the nose.

-I used a very natural highlighter on the tops of the cheek bones and down the bridge of the nose

-Fill in your brows as you normally would.

-Then apply a pink shade to your lips to finish off the look.

Check out this look on MakeupBee:  https://www.makeupbee.com/look.php?look_id=91055