Beauty Archives - Page 11 of 16 - Twenty Something Plus

February 6, 2015

My Last Julep Maven Box…

Yes, this is my last Julep Maven Box.

But not for the reason you might think.

Because of my current situation, I’ve had to make some big girl decisions and won’t be getting any boxes for a while… With the exception of Birchbox, because I have a year subscription, THANK THE LORD!

The plan was to skip the January Julep Maven box, but I was so intrigued by the Luxe Lip Conditioning Treatment, that I just couldn’t. I also really wanted the February Julep Maven box, but you have to draw the line somewhere…

Trust me, if I had it my way, I wouldn’t ever skip a month! Then again, I’m glad to have the option to when I need.

I got the January Bombshell box and it included:

And because Julep is just the sweetest ever, they added on a special little gift. (I thought I’d gone temporarily insane and spent even more money, but nope!)

And, as always, the sweet treat!

I haven’t gotten around to testing these all out just yet, but when I do, you will know!

Except for the Junior Mints. I don’t like them, so I gave them to my mom. She was happy.

Still not a Julep Maven?

Use the code BEMINE to get the Valentine Welcome Box for FREE!

You get discounts…

February 2, 2015

Birchbox Plus Because Sometimes More is More

I don’t consider myself to be greedy.

However, sometimes a girl just wants more.

Birchbox gets that. In addition to your monthly subscription box, you can now add-on items!

When I saw the January Birchbox Plus selection, I wanted them all. I had a little extra cash at the time, so I splurged. Hey, treat yo’self, right?

This is not a luxury I will be able to indulge in often but it was SO worth it! Had it not been for this option, and reduced pricing, there is probably next to no way that I’d have been lucky enough to get my hands on some of these coveted blogger favorites.

The Everygirl Travel Mug | $18

Pointe Studio Grip Sock Set | $10-12/pair

Bow & Drape Sweatshirt | $48

And as an extra little added bonus they threw in a Tosi Almond Super Bites Mini and some Kusmi BB Detox Tea. I got all of this for under $60. Pretty sweet deal, if you ask me, and well worth the wait!

If you don’t have Birchbox and want it, sign up here.
Not convinced?
Check out some of my other Birchbox posts.

Also, make sure to stay tuned for my February Birchbox unboxing. I’m thinking about giving video another go…
Thoughts?

January 16, 2015

My January Birchbox

I was not the least bit surprised by the contents of my Birchbox this month.

Why not?
Because I selected the Relax & Recharge box.

Tea, a deep conditioning mask, eye cream? This was truly the perfect box to start off the year.

This weekend I’m planning a little at home spa session, and the samples I got are perfect for just that!

When Travelmate Sheet Mask | $28

Teapigs Tea Temples | $10

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask | $26

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream | $38

Perlier Intensive Nurturing Body Balm | $28.45*

Manna Kadar Lip Locked in All of Me**| $24

I’m still waiting on my Birchbox Plus add-ons, so stay tuned!

*When I saw the price my first thought was, um random much? But, hey at least it’s under $30!
**Not in love with the color, but intrigued enough to want to try the same product in a different shade. Perhaps Siren or maybe Pino Noir?

January 14, 2015

The ULTAmate Experience

I recently went to ULTA.

Nbd.

Except…

MAJOR BIG DEAL!

Up until then, I had never actually shopped at ULTA.

I didn’t buy much, just hair dye.

But the fact that there was a salon in the back, pretty much had me sold.

And the men’s selection impressed the manfriend.

Being able to shop somewhere that was basically Sephora meets CVS, was pretty brilliant. So, obviously, I signed up for their ULTAmate Rewards program.

The point system seems pretty straight forward, one point for every dollar, and qualifying for Platinum status is much cheaper than Sephora’s VIB Rouge. A whole $600 cheaper!

That’s not say that I will be completely abandoning Sephora, but I like to have options.

Are you Team ULTA or Team Sephora?

January 9, 2015

My Last 5 Birchbox Boxes

When Birchbox introduced the option to select a curated feature box, I was both intrigued yet hesitant. I liked getting my five little surprises in the mail, but the power to choose?

Given that the first feature box was a collaboration with The Everygirl, I wanted to at least try this newness…

August | The Everygirl

Acure Organics Brightening Facial Scrub

Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect

Not Soap, Radio Body Wash

Benefit They’re Real! Push-Up Liner

Harvey Prince Hello

September | Fashionista

Macadamia Professional Flawless Cleansing Conditioner

Naobay Body Radiance Lotion

Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Supreme Mascara

dr. brandt Exclusive Clean Up Nice Kit

Cynthia Rowley Beauty Eyeliner

October | Laggies

Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator, Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle, TOCCA Crema da Mano Luxe, ModelCo Power Lash Long Wear Black Mascara, SAGE + fasten Onward Eau de Parfum

November | Buzz Feed Life

Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips, amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo, Greenleaf Candle, Mirenesse iCurl Secret Weapon 24 Hour Mascara, Dr. Jart+ Pore Minimalist Mask

DecemberCamille Beckman Body Butter, BORGHESE Splendore Brightening Makeup, Beauty Protector Protect & Oil, Mirenesse Mattifinity Lip Rouge, Royal Apothic Cuppa Cuppa Firming Tea Treatment Mask

I could have sworn for December I had selected the featured box. After getting over my initial disappointment, I found that I actually liked the products I ended up getting even better.

Of course when the time can to renew my subscription, I had to! I mean, I have already purchased two full sized products from the lot, and they are currently in heavy rotation.

My January box should be arriving soon and come with a little something plus…

January 7, 2015

First Purchase of 2015

My first purchase of 2015 was such a bargain…

For 99 cents, I was able to pick up a lipstick darker than what I typically wear and discover I that absolutely love how it looks!

For such a low price, the quality was far better that I expected. While I like the color of lipstick better than lipgloss, I prefer the moisture that lipgloss provides and New York Color Ultra Moist Lip Wear does both.

Now, I’m no MUA, but I do enjoy playing with makeup and trying to teach myself a thing or two.
Here are the other products that I used for this look…

Maybelline The Nudes, Maybelline Brow Drama, Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer.

2015 seems to already be opening up a whole new set of doors, so excited to try new makeup products and share my finds with you!

December 24, 2014

Long Lasting Makeup

With all of the holiday parties, gatherings and events going on this time of year, the struggle to save face is real.

By that I mean that it’s hard enough to get makeup to last throughout the day, and then the night? Forget it!

Well, I found five long lasting makeup products that help my face last!

While any waterproof mascara is technically longer lasting, I hate clumps. AND since I don’t really have any lashes to begin with the Revlon Lash Potion is the best mascara for me to wear daily, on long days I opt for water proof.

If you had told me that there was an eye shadow primer could guarantee that your shadow would last until you washed it off, as much as I would have wanted to, I would not have believed you. BUT I SWEAR THIS DOES! I can wear the sparkliest of all shadows and at the end of the day it’s still all there.

All of it.

And just as bold as when I first applied it.

The only setback it that it makes washing off your makeup really hard to do. It comes off just fine, but I want to leave it. Forever.

Lip primer is something that I found very unnecessary. I have big lips so no need to plump, so why bother?

Then I tried the Julep lip primer after getting it for free in my monthly Julep Maven box. I’ve been missing out!

Those fine lines? Gone. Made for a dreamy application of my lipstick.

I will say that I still had to reapply a few times, but not nearly as often as I would without it.

Blush is one of those things that disappears first, and you don’t really even notice. I tried Paula Dorf’s Cheek Color in Passion and I kid you not, I noticed.

Not that it had faded, but my rosy cheeks were very much still there! I didn’t even use a primer or anything the first time I wore it.

And just in case, spray your face with Urban Decay’s Makeup Setting Spray and you’re set!

Literally.

I apologize in advance for the pain that this post will cause you when you go to wash your face before bed.

Sorry…

+ Paula Dorf is offering 20% off of any Cheek Color purchase. Just use code CHEEK!

This post was a sponsored post, powered by BrandBacker.

December 19, 2014

Sagittarius Nail Wraps

I think it’s pretty safe to say that I was more excited for Scratch to release their Zodiac Collection sagittarius nail wraps, than I was for my actual birthday.

The Zodiac Collection nail wrap sets include a set of custom nail wraps designed by Katie E. Lehman, comes in a custom sleeve complete with horoscope AND the cutest matching midi ring!

I am not exactly the most creative when it comes to nail art, but thanks to Scratch, I don’t really have to be…

Scratch also has a monthly mani box, and each month they feature a different (and super cool) artist. Plus, you get a fun surprise based on that month’s artist.

A ‘little birdie’ told me that they’ve got some “seriously amazing plans” for 2015!

#squee

December 15, 2014

Bloggers Holiday Wish Lists

All I want for Christmas is…

EVERYTHING!

No, but seriously, with so much great stuff out there it can be kind of hard to decide what to put on your holiday wish list.

While there are a lot of things that I would like to make mine, I am asking Santa for a few (OK ten) blogger faves to put under my tree this year…

Can you tell that I’m just a little obsessed with makeup sets and the color gold much?

The tree isn’t the only thing I’ve been thinking about.
By the chimney there’s something that needs to be filled.
And in case you’re stumped for stocking stuffers, here’s a few ideas to hint to the fam…

+ Everything is clickable so click away!

+Need more ideas? Check out these Bloggers Holiday Wish Lists as well!

Sammi from College Beauty Buff

Lisa from Subscription Therapy

Vivienne from Jolie Pagaille

December 11, 2014

How to Get Billion Dollar Brows

A little while back I did a blog post on brows. When I shared the sneak peek on Instagram, I had a couple of people ask me how to do eyebrows. While I do consider myself to be a beauty blogger, I am very much aware that I am not a makeup artist.

Now, that being said, here are the steps that I take when I do my eyebrows…

Brush + Fill
Up and out when brushing, then quick tiny strokes when filling.