Beauty swaps (part 11)

I'm behind on my swaps too! I was busy, so I haven't swapped as often but I posted a bunch of items and should be making trades soon!

Forty-first swap

This was a coup! I not only off-loaded the Flintstones-esque stone bracelet I scored a full size Clean Freak dry shampoo! I was originally a bit off put by the smell of it, but it has grown on me and I am loving this product right now.

Forty-second swap

For this swap I sent off the Pür Big Look Waterproof Mascara to Maryland, and in exchange I received a Ruffian polish and remover towelette. I really like the Ruffian brand polishes, so this was a solidly good swap.

Forty-third swap

Another good swap! This time I sent off two Julep nail buffers (about a $1 value) and some lemon mints I received in the Escape Monthly Paris box. In return I choose this exclusive to Ipsy Nicole by OPI polish. Bonus, I swapped with Sarah from Illinois and crossed another state off the list!

This shade is called On a Gilt Trip, and dries to a matte gold. Very fun.

Forty-fourth swap

You might recognize this hand cream of the last installment of swaps. Turns out even this "unscented" lotion was too strong smelling for me. Oh, well. I got some great items instead!

I swapped a Be a Bombshell lipgloss in Hot Mess (this was the free one I received as a GWP. Score!), the Institut Karité hand cream, and L.A. Fresh make-up removing wipes for a Julep mascara in Espresso, Hard Candy mascara in blue, and a Butter London eye liner in Earl Gray. Very pleased with this one!

Stay tuned! More swaps to come!

My eDivv "shop" is: http://edivv.com/items?shop_id=936. Come swap with me!  :-)

Birchbox vs ipsy: November 2014

Time again for another birchbox vs ipsy match-up!

What came in my Birchbox?

Gilchrist & Soames lotion, amika hair mask, theBalm Cindy-Lou Manizer, Cynthia Rowley Beauty lip stain, Royal Apothic face mask, and bonus Dang coconut chips.

What did my ipsy bag contain?

Starlooks eye liner, J.Cat Beauty lip paint, Marc Anthony hair spray, IT Cosmetics concealer, and SeaRx lotion.

The winner: Birchbox.

Birchbox didn't thrill me, but I like that they sent higher quality and non-US brand products. Plus, I love that they partnered with (RED) for a good cause and are donating money to it.

Birchbox: 5, ipsy: 6

My referral links are below, should you like to sign up and give me free points:

Birchbox:

https://www.birchbox.com/invite/hv6ks

ipsy: http://www.ipsy.com/r/4xwr

Ipsy: November 2014

In the late review home stretch!

The November theme was: Girl Meets Glitter.

The reverse had details on how to win a one-year free ipsy subscription.

The bag was fun, but back to a bad plastic material.

First look:

SeaRx

Birch Sap Moisturizing Lotion

Sample size: 0.3 oz (Full size: $32)

"This silky-smooth, non-greasy formulation for the face and body contains ingredients known for their extra strength moisturizing characteristics. It delivers minerals, oligoelements, and sugars combined with birch sap to smooth and strengthen skin while providing long lasting moisturizing effects. It helps to maintain a healthy glow while providing a degree of protection from sunlight."

I'm not finding this product all that appealing, so I will be swapping it away.

IT Cosmetics 

Bye Bye Under Eye - Neutral Medium

Sample size: 0.11 fl oz (Full size: $24)

"This best-selling, cult-favorite and award-winning concealer delivers highly pigmented, long-lasting coverage that won’t crease or crack. Infused with anti-aging technology, vitamins and high-performance pigments, this multipurpose concealer improves the appearance of wrinkles and effectively conceals the appearance of skin imperfections including dark circles, bags, redness, hyperpigmentation, broken capillaries, age spots and discoloration. Finally an extreme concealer that makes you look younger!"

I have a concealer, but I may give this one a shot. I've heard good things about this brand.

J.Cat Beauty

Wonder Lip Paint - Mad Splatter

Full size sample! Sample size: 0.33 oz (Full size: $4.99)

"For invincible color and impeccable wear, the Wonder Lip Paint serves justice! With the twofold blend of endurance and delivery of intense pigmentation, this will become your heroine of lip colors. Paint your lips to perfection for your day and nighttime adventures!"

Not gonna lie, I'm a bit intimidated by this product. The color is bold, and I am not entirely sure how to use a lip paint. I am curious to see how it looks on though.

Marc Anthony

Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Volume Shine Hairspray

Sample size: 1.5 oz (Full size: $8.29)

"Get extra volume, shine and hold with this dual purpose hairspray; nourishing and styling in one! This argan oil, keratin and grape seed oil infused hairspray gives you strong and flexible hold plus deep nourishment, strengthening and conditioning as you style. 

The non-water based, fast drying formula freeze-frames your volume and hold without stickiness or flaking and it’s flexible finish creates workable styles for easy re-styling without crunch or heavy build-up. It creates a luminous finish and shields against humidity for longer lasting styles. Sun Protectors keep the sun and other elements from damaging your full bodied mane. What more could you want from a hairspray?"

I am not a frequent hair spray user, but I think I will keep this one on hand for those rare occasions.

Starlooks

Gem Eye Pencil - Ultra Olive

Full size sample! Sample size: 0.1 oz (Full Size: $17)

"Starlooks' extremely popular Gem Eye Pencils are soft, creamy and highly-pigmented with a metallic, micro-glitter finish. This one-of-a-kind, versatile formula can be used as both an eye liner and an eye shadow base."

Another greenish color product, but I am kinda diggin this one! I like the gold shimmer to it.

Summary: a good bag, with some bold choices. I'm pleased!

ipsy: http://www.ipsy.com/r/4xwr

My referral link, should you like to sign up and give me free points.  :-)

Birchbox: November 2014

Progress! I'm less than a month behind on reviews now!

Birchbox partnered with (RED) this month for AIDS awareness. The special mailer packaging included AIDS related facts. They even donated a dollar for every photo of the mailer posted and tagged with #shaRED.

November's theme was: Giving.

The flip side had the info on the products in the box.

A holiday booklet was also included:

First look:

amika

Nourishing Mask

Sample size: 20ml (Full size: $28)

"Paraben-free treatment that conditions and repairs with superfruit sea buckthorn berry. Once a week, smooth onto lengths and ends of damp hair. Leave 5-10 minutes before rinsing."

I love amika's crazy colorful packaging. The smell is nice too. I'm on the fence about keeping this item, since I seem to have a number of hair masks at the moment.

Cynthia Rowley Beauty

Creamy Lip Stain - Heartthrob

Sample size: 0.079 oz (Full size: $20)

"A long-wearing stain from the NYC-based designer that gives unbeatable moisture and shine. Sweep over lips for a sheer, perfect-for-fall red color. Layer on for a deeper shade."

Such a tiny sample! I'm a bit nervous as to how this color will look on me. I'll give it a shot though.

Gilchrist & Soames

Spa Therapy Body Lotion

Sample size: 40ml (Full size: $15)

"Antioxidant-rich moisturizer that smooths and softens with botanicals like grape seed. Massage generously into dry skin."

A British brand! Love my Brits! I am a picky lotion person though, so I will probably be swapping this one away.

Royal Apothic

Cuppa Cuppa Firming Tea Treatment Mask

Sample size: 0.33 fl oz (Full size: $58)

"Made with antioxidant-rich tea, this mask firms and brightens skin in just eight minutes. Apply to face and neck. To remove, wet fingers and rub in a circular pattern, then rinse."

I picked this as my sample choice for the month. Another Brit brand too. I'm looking forward to testing this mask out.

theBalm cosmetics

Cindy-Lou Manizer

Sample size: 0.57g (Full size: $24)

"This shimmery, soft pink highlighter perks up your features with a natural-looking glow. Sweep onto cheekbones or eyelids, or lightly dust onto face for a luminous look."

Another clever name and packaging from theBalm. Looking forward to trying this product, especially since I've never used a highlighter before.

dang

Toasted Coconut Chips

Sample size: 0.7 oz (Full size: $18 for pack of 6)

These chips were included as a lifestyle bonus. I'm intrigued and will be trying them as a snack at work tomorrow!

Summary: overall a solid box. Nothing super exciting, but nothing super disappointing. Plus, no perfume sample!

Birchbox:

https://www.birchbox.com/invite/hv6ks

My referral link should you like to subscribe and give me free points.  :-)

Allure Sample Society: October 2014

Still sloughing through October...

The magazine detailing the products:

First look!

Estée Lauder

Enlighten Dark Spot Correcting Night Serum

Sample size: 0.24 fl oz (full size: $62-$92)

I'm feeling a bit ho-hum about this product. I think I'll see what swap offers I get for it.

Bond No. 9

Chinatown perfume

Sample size: 0.057 fl oz (full size: $190-$270)

I thought this was candy at first glance. Which would have actually been better than another perfume sample. The smell is really unpleasant too. Ugh. 

L'Oréal Paris

Advanced Haircare Total Repair 5 Restoring Shampoo and Conditioner

Sample size: 1.7 fl oz/each (full size: $4.99/each)

Drugstore shampoo and conditioner?! This may actually be more disappointing than the perfume sample...

Emi-Jay

Hair ties

Full size sample! Same size: 3 ties (full size: $6.60 for three)

I really don't care for these kind of hair ties. They simply don't stay in my hair, and the claim not to "dent" hair is totally false. 

Bobbi Brown

Smokey Eye Mascara - Black

Sample size: 1 oz (full size: $28)

Black mascara. Ugh. I could seriously not see a black mascara in a sample box for a year and be fine. 

Summary: this box was a total disappointment for me. Especially after last month's box. Fingers crossed that November is better.

Birchbox vs ipsy: October 2014

Time again for another birchbox vs ipsy match-up!

What came in my Birchbox?

Harvey Prince Petaly Noir perfume, Essential Elements shower gel, dr. brandt pores no more, mally beauty lip gloss, ModelCo mascara.

What did my ipsy bag contain?

Figs & Rouge hand cream, Skyn Iceland cleansing cloths, noyah lipstick, MicaBeauty eye shimmer, ECRU New York hair balm.

The winner: ipsy

Ipsy had a number of full size products and a good variety of products. Sadly, I didn't like most of them. Birchbox was just meh and they sent the dreaded perfume sample again!

Birchbox: 4, ipsy: 6

My referral links are below, should you like to sign up and give me free points:

Birchbox:

https://www.birchbox.com/invite/hv6ks

ipsy: http://www.ipsy.com/r/4xwr

Ipsy: October 2014

Another late October review...

The theme was: Beauty Candy.

The reverse had details on how to win a one-year free ipsy subscription.

The bag was a total win for me! I love the color, love the texture. Very cute. Very fun.

First look:

ECRU New York

Acadia Protein BB Cream Beauty Balm for Hair

Full size sample! Sample size: 1.0 fl oz (Full size: $12)

"A first in haircare. Finally, an ultra-light, incredibly versatile, all-in-one multifunctional beauty balm that harnesses the moisturizing and protective power of the patented Acacia Collagen™ for ultimate repair, conditioning, manageability, smoothness, body and shine. Perfect for all hair types. Color safe. Paraben free."

The description just isn't appealing to me, so off to the swap shop it goes.

Figs & Rouge

Hand Cream - Mango Mandarin 

Full size sample! Sample size: 20ml (Full size: $6.37)

"Figs & Rouge Shea Butter Enriched Limited Edition Hand Creams are deliciously fragrant & indulgent. These delectable creams soften, nourish & thoroughly pamper hands throughout the day, quickly absorbing to provide super-soft skin. Apply Figs & Rouge Hand Cream as needed."

Love the packaging, love that the brand is British, just don't love the scent. Off to be swapped.

MicaBeauty

Mineral Eye Shadow - Reluctance

Full size sample! Sample size: 2.5g (Full size: $14.95)

"MicaBeauty® Mineral Eye Shadows’ glamorous shimmers will give you the look you always wanted. MicaBeauty® Mineral Makeup is extremely gentle, free of preservatives, chemicals, dyes, talc, oils, and other fillers. With this unique formula, your Eye Shadows will look ultra-smooth and stay put for hours without creasing or pulling the delicate eye area."

Another strange green colored eye product! I'm on a bad roll here. Le sigh. Off to the swap shop!

noyah

Lipstick - Deeply in Mauve

Sample size: 1.4g (Full size: $18)

"Fall Deeply in Mauve this season! noyah's newest lipstick addition, Deeply in Mauve, has a semi-matte, cream finish that leaves your lips hydrated and nourished. With this luxuriously rich shade of mauve, you can apply a light coat to work as a day-time neutral or build on for a lip statement that will turn heads. Did we already mention this do-it-all lipstick is all-natural? An ingredient list you can actually read, now there’s a concept!"

I'm not usually a dark lipstick kind of gal, but I am going to give this one a shot!

Skyn Iceland

Mini Glacial Cleansing Cloths

Sample size: 10 cloths (Full Size: $15)

"When you're too tired to deal with the whole cleanser and wash cloth routine, these on-the-go foaming cloths are the ultimate skin savior. Infused with Icelandic glacial waters and beneficial natural extracts, they sweep away makeup, dirt, oil and other impurities while refreshing and soothing stressed skin. Best of all, there's no water required. It has a clean scent, never tacky. Great for travel or every day!"

I love cleansing cloths, and have been wanting to try this brand. A win for me!

Summary: overall, good value and variety but sadly just not to my specific tastes. 

ipsy: http://www.ipsy.com/r/4xwr

My referral link, should you like to sign up and give me free points.  :-)