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.
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.
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?
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.
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…
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…
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…
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.
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!
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.
Gel
Same as when you brush, only this time with gel to hold the hairs in place.
Highlight
Line underneath your brow.
Blend
You’ll look silly if you don’t. If you need to you can also use your finger.
I almost never post twice in one day, but when one of your favorite beauty bloggers tags you for a ‘This or That’ post, you do it. Thanks, Kristina!
How This or That works:
1. State who tagged you (provide link) Answer all the questions.
2. Select one ‘This or That’ question for all your readers to answer.
3. Tag 4 others to answer ALL of the “this or that” questions on their blogs (provide links)… They say you really get to know people when they’re put in tight situations. Today’s “This or That” is going to do just that!”
Any other fellow bloggers that want to are more than welcome to consider themselves tagged!
Not a blogger + not tagged?
It’s OK, you can still comment! And I’d be interested to know your answer for number 29!
And voilà!
