ShopMissa Haul

This is gonna be a long one dolls so grab some tea and get ready for a haul.

Over the last few years I've pretty much phased out makeup.  My bare faced days greatly outnumber my made up ones and even when makeup does grace my face it's mostly just my eyes that get any attention.  One of the steps I'm trying to take to help with my anxiety and depression is to start taking care of myself on the inside and out.  That means a new haircut and color, and to start once again using makeup.

Without further ado it's haul time!

lol Creme Eye Glitter: Top L Starry Night, Top R More Champagne, Bottom The Joker

AOA Diamond Lipgloss: L-R; Mermaid, Glitz, Pixie

AOA Wonder Matte Liquid Lipstick: L-R; Cashmere, Extra

Roll On Sparkle Eyeshadow in Nude Diaphne
AOA Perfect Eye Primer in Nude
Roll on Sparkle Eyeshadow in Vegas Baby

AOA Starlet Eyeliner: L-R;Paparazzi, Superstar, Golden Girl, Spotlight, Fame

Intense Colour Waterproof Eyeliner in Black
AOA Sculpting Brow Pencil in Dark Brown
AOA Go Brown Mascara in Medium Brown

Amuse Pro Liquid Illuminate in Champagne and Sorbe

Santee Powder Brow Liner in Dark Brown

lol 5 Eye Shadow Pallete in From Paris With Love and Indi Go Girl

AOA Brush Cleaner

AOA Mask Brush

Amuse Single Highlighter in Color 1

lol Face Powder in Light

Beauty Treats Color Corrector in Pink

Santee Skinny Eyeliner
S,he Makeup Lip Primer in Nude
Prism Cream Eyeshadow in Bronze

Planet Topper Pen, Alien Topper Pen

AOA Sugar Lip Scrub in Watermelon

AOA Cotton Puffs

Hopefully these gems will make it into future favorites or unfavorites posts. If there are any of these products you want to see in a full on review let me know in the comments!

Ipsy Glam Bag June 2018

Hello Dolls!  Its Ipsy time and this month was a fun one. Previous biases were pushed aside in favor of new experiences.  Boundaries were pushed and beauty prevailed! Okay, that was a little much but you get the idea. 

This months bag was colorful and fun inside and out.

Red Tri Colored Makeup Bag

Blue? Hmm...

Steve Laurant Eyeshadow in Blueberry: I've never been a huge fan of blue eyeshadow. In fact I've been a huge believer that it should have stayed in the 80's and 90's where it belonged. Since dyeing my hair blue I have found a new set of feelings towards blue eyeshadow. It's fun for under the lid or as a pop of color over a traditional black wing eyeliner. This isn't an overpowering blue but my goodness does it have some pigment. 

Liquid Eyeliner? Yes Please!

Jonteblu Felt Tip Eyeliner Pencil in Black: I love me a good black eyeliner and currently have at least 3 in different makeup bags in purses and in my vanity. I haven't opened this one yet for that reason but I'm still very happy to have one for when those run out.

Baby Brush

Luxie Beauty 245 Small Shader Eye Brush: I'm not the kind of person who spends money on brushes or beauty blenders (knock offs are better in some cases) so I love getting brushes in beauty bags. It's pretty small but very soft which is always a plus in my book.

Oh, It's you again

Cotz Natural Tinted Face SPF 40: I've gotten this in beauty subscription boxes before and I never used it. I was concerned it would be too dark on my face or that it would make me break out or something ridiculous. This time I think I will give it a chance though. It swatched out without any noticeable color and will be nice for days out on the boat.

Hello Old Friends

The Saem Natural Acai Berry Sheet Mask and Natural-tox Apple Sheet Mask: Sheet masks and I have a long history together. I buy them or get them in boxes, say I'm going to use them, and then NEVER DO. I mean ever. I mean I still have some from a year ago I haven't used. I swore I would change my ways and break out of my comfort zone and I'm not mad about it. I tried the berry one earlier today and was pleasantly surprised how much it smelled like a blue icee. I will be gifting the apple one because I don't really like apple scented things.

Overall I like the bag. I will use everything I got (sans the apple mask) and am giving some old hang ups a new chance in my routine.

I rate this bag with an A

Motivational Wednesday

Life is full of people that try to hold you back. They try to put you into a box to feel powerful, in control, a sense of sameness.  As soon as you break free of those negative feelings, those negative people, they try desperately to put you back into the box you just escaped from.  

Don't let them.

We are each made to be unique, and to be accepted, appreciated, and celebrated for it.  Never apologize for how you look or who you are.  It's what makes you you, and you are pretty damn awesome.

Sample Society February 2014

Spoiler Alert: This month's beauty boxes are ah-mazing!

As you all know by now I am a huge fan of beauty boxes.  I get four subscriptions, and one of those subscriptions is to the Allure Sample Society Box.  This month's box is choc full of awesome goodies, which I have split up into two categories: Skincare and Haircare.

 

-Skincare-

 Murad Intensive-C Radiance Peel- I have always wanted to try this, but have never wanted to spend the money on something I wasn't sure I would like.  I guess you put this on like a mask, leave it on for a few minutes, and wash it off.  I'm excited.

AHAVA Dead Sea Osmoter Concentrate- This smells so good.  So very good.  I am almost regretting saying I like getting serums in boxes because they just keep coming, but this smells so damn good I don't care.  I'm looking forward to using this.

Murad Intensive Radiance Serum- I have this, I like it, I use this every morning.  It smells like oranges.

-Haircare-

Phytokeratin Ultra Repair Mask-  I actually put this in my shower so I could use it. This winter weather is making my hair limp and sad and yet frizzy and the ends are fried.  Fingers crossed this works miracles.  Oh, and I like the metal tube. 

Alterna Bamboo 48-Hour Sustainable Volume Spray-  I love this brand, so when I saw it in this month's box I was really excited.  You're supposed to put this on wet hair and blow dry it, but I don't blow dry my hair.  I might just use this on wet hair and not blow dry it and see what happens.

I am thrilled at the contents of this month's box, and I will use everything in here.  I cannot wait until next month.

Birchbox January 2014

Once again the new year has arrived, and with it a whole new set of beauty boxes to enjoy!

Birchbox is always one of my favorite boxes to open, and this month they did not disappoint.

 

These cute cards come with every box.  They give you a rundown of what products you got in this month's box, the full retail value, and a little snippet of info about the product itself.

 

My favorite fragrance is Viva La Juicy by Juicy Couture.  When I opened up this month's box I saw a shiny pink package and immediately though it was going to be Viva La Juicy, but it was Couture La La.  I've always found the smell to be a little too prefumey (does that make sense?), but it is always nice to have little bottles on hand when you want to change up your scent for a day.  Maybe this will grow on me?

I have tried a sample of the Burts Bees Night Cream before, and I was super excited to see the day lotion in this month's box.  This was our add on item (what?!?! Best add on yet), and not only does it smell delicious but if it's anything like it's counterpart it will be gone in a few days.

The Inika product I received was an eyeshadow. It's a loose powder in the color Eternal Marine.  The best way to describe the color is blue/green/gray.  I think over a black or white shadow this would look amazing, especially in these winter months.

The Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Cream reminds me of a leave in conditioner more than a glossing cream.  It smells like lemons and feels slick to the touch.  I can imagine this being very easy to use too much product on your hair, but if it really tames fly aways it's a chance I'm willing to take.

When I first saw the Nail Rock product I squealed like a little kid.  I have been looking for a navy color for months and can never seem to find one, so the color for me is a huge hit (I'm actually wearing it now).  The flocking powder makes me nervous and excited all at the same time.  I have never been ballsy enough to go buy the flocking powder myself, but I have almost every other nail art product besides it.  I will definitely be trying this out in the immediate future, so look for a review!

I love love love love loved this months box.  I have never been happier with Birchbox, and hope this is an omen of good things to come this year with this subscription box.

Do you subscribe to Birchbox?

Monday Optimism

Today started off really well.  I woke up on time, got to work on time, and one of the first customers up to my desk said I was beautiful.   I thought to myself "Damn, today is going to be awesome."  

Then it all went south.  I left work feeling like I had been dragged through the mud, and looked at like I was a fool more times than I can count or wish to count.  Needless to say I got really down on myself and sorta snapped.  I threw up my hands at the end of the day and was like "I'm done!  I'm out!  No more!".  Talk about bad attitude.

By the time I got home, and had settled into this chair, I started thinking about all the ways my day was good, instead of the ways my day went badly.  I woke up this morning, I wasn't late for work, I had money to buy myself food, I had gas to get me to and from work, I have co workers who helped me out even though it wasn't their "job" to help me out, and I made it home safely back to my apartment to be able to share this with all of you, and those aren't even all of the things I have to be grateful for today.

I know not every day is going to be the best day ever, and some days may be just downright foul, but instead of wallowing in the bad moments we need to turn ourselves around and look at the silver linings.  All days have them.  I promise.

Sample Society January 2014

New year, new batch of beauty boxes arriving at my door.

The Sample Society beauty box is quickly becoming an obsession of mine.

 

I love getting these cards in beauty boxes. Sometimes I get a product and have no idea how to use it, and these give you an idea about not only how to use the product, but why.

 

I've gotten a butter LONDON product in this box before, and I love this brand.  This cuticle oil is something I have seen on other beauty blogs and really wanted to try, but $15 seemed a little much for me.  I can officially say I'm obsessed with this product and it is perfect to keep next to the bed on these cold winter nights.  Bonus, it smells like coconuts and yummy.

The Nicole by Nicole Riche smells like any adult perfume you stole from your mom when you were a kid, albeit a little more flowery and fruity.  This is a perfume I will definitely keep of fancy dinners and parties.  It makes me feel like a grown up.

I rmember being a kid and buying the blue and green color changing lipsticks that were huge in the 90's.  Like most things 90's, this has come back in a more sophisticated way, which is less shocking to the eyes and more of a descrete party trick than a full blown magic show.  While the sample is small, it packs a punch, and I am totally in love with it. Bonus, it smells like strawberry lollipops.  Really?  Amazing.

I have the night version of the Hope In A Jar moisturizer and I love it.  This... I do not love.  Not one bit.  I will be dedicating a post to it later.  

The StriVectin moisturizer is supposed to help with fine lines an wrinkles.  I think early prevention of wrinkles is a great idea, but the size of this sample is very deceiving (this tiny sample came in such a big box) and I'm not sure how much it will actually help.  But I do love a good moisturizer. 

I like all but one of the products in this box.  I always feel like I get a great deal when I open up this box, and it only seems to get better every month.

Have you tried any of the products in this box?

Blush Mystery Beauty Box January 2014

January is the start of a new year, and a new round of beauty boxes!

The first box I received this month was the Blush Mystery Beauty Box.

Even before I dug into the bag I got a sneak peek of what I would find inside with this cute little card.  Not only does it tell me what's inside the bag, but also a little about what the products do.  I have a bag full of the cards from all of my beauty boxes hidden under my vanity in case I ever need to remember what something does, or where it came from.

 

Cetaphil reminds me of a cold cream, or something you would use if you were sick to make you feel better.  I'm not sure why, but that's what I associate the name with.  Apparently I am wrong in thinking that though, and it is actually a skincare brand, and I got a sample of their cleanser and lotion as my added bonus mystery item this month.  Not super thrilled, but I know it will get used. 

Side note: I hate lotion foil packets.  I never use the whole thing in one go and it usually leaks all over the place. Does anyone else have this problem?

 

The smallest sample I got in this month's bag is the Jane Iredale Lipstick in Tokyo.   It is a sparkly pink color, and even though most people think this is too small for anything and a waste, I love it.  I never use a whole tube of lipstick, and this little gem fits in any sized clutch or pocket.

The Glytone Hydrate Eye Cream is a welcome surprise in a beauty box.  I hear bloggers rant up and down about eye creams but you rarely find one in beauty boxes, unless it's in the dreaded foil packets.  This is great because it comes in a tube, you can reseal it, and you have more than enough to fully experience the product.

The Goldfaden MD Wake Up Call is a serum/lotion you apply at night to help you look more awake and refreshed in the morning.  I can tell this will be a welcome addition to my flu season (or hangover) makeup/skincare collection. 

The Klorane Leave In Conditioner smells delicious.  I don't like to use leave in creams as much as I like leave in sprays, but it is definitely worth a shot.  Especially on the weekends where I stay inside I can put some of this in my hair and not worry about it being too greasy.

The LeeDee is a very strange product.  It is an exfoliator, but to me it just looks like a thick dull metal blade.  You're supposed to run it along your skin in the shower and it is supposed to take of dead skincells.  Who knows.  I'll try it and report back.

The final thing I pulled out of the bag was the oddest thing I have ever gotten in a beauty box... ever.  It's Harmonized Water.  It's supposed to help regulate your digestive system (think along the lines of activia).  I'm extremely skeptical about this.  I don't want it to make me sick, and I don't know if it's another snake oil product that people bought into with the new health kick probiotic thing happening in the US.

Overall I thought the box was okay.  I liked last months box a lot more, and hoped they would stay on that trend into the new year, but if this box is representative of what's to come I'm a little nervous. 

Would you subscribe to the Blush Box after seeing the contents of this month's box?

Shopaholic Tag

The Shopaholic Tag

THE QUESTIONS:

1. Would you consider yourself a shopaholic?
I am a binge shopper.  I go through weeks where I refuse to spend any money, and then weeks where I come home with a new goodie every day.  Sometimes it’s makeup, or clothes, or even a few weeks where I buy a bunch of stuff for crafts.    

2. How would you classify your style?
Tomboy classic comfortable casual.  I like menswear, vests, simple buttonups, pencil skirts, a-line dresses, sweaters, leggings, dark denim.  I like to keep my clothing simple, and with my body shape those classic shapes and tomboy accents really play up the things I like about my appearance.  I do wish that I was one of those people who could pull off effortless casual chic bohemian looks though.

3. What store can you not leave without buying at least one thing?
Target.  I love the comfortable clothes they have, and I buy most of my makeup from there.  I never leave empty handed.

4. Where do you find the best deals?
Online.  Old Navy, Aeropostale, Sephora, everywhere.  I like shopping online as opposed to in the store because I hate crowds, and they always have coupon codes and good deals online.

5. What designer are you willing to splurge for?
None.  I don’t have a favorite designer and I don’t have a lot of money.  I will spend money on makeup/skincare/haircare though…

6. Do you have a "go to" shopping outfit?
Flared jeans, moccasins, a loose sweater/cardigan with a tank underneath.  I don’t like to feel restricted when I am out in a crowd. 

7. What is your guilty pleasure? (Aside from make up)
Rings.  I have so many rings it’s ridiculous.

8. What is one staple clothing piece you cannot live without?
Dark denim.  I love dark denim. 
 
9. What is a trend you hope never goes out of style?
Loose flowy sweaters with tanks underneath. 

10. A trend that you loved that passed way too quickly?
Vests.  I have such a hard time finding nice vests, and I used to wear them everyday. 

11. Who is your fashion icon?
Becca Tobin, Khloe Kardashian, Anne Hathaway, Kate Beckinsale.  Classic chic and yet comfortable.

Get To Know Me Tag

I am obsessed with blog tags, and I found this get to know me tag on Bow Tied Beauty's blog.

Get To Know Me Tag

1. On my nightstand you'll find: Lamp, chapstick, a drink of some sort, my phone.

2. The literary character I'm most like is (take this quiz and share your answer!): Hermione from Harry Potter.  I did not see that one coming.

3. I'm currently obsessed with: Jewelry making, my new camera, becoming a more positive person. 

4. My favourite superhero is: Batman!  I love his gadgets and that he’s just a regular person (well, besides the rich thing), and he can still make a difference.

5. Favourite beauty product of 2013: Argan Oil.  Oils in general actually.  Why did I not know about them sooner?

6. If I could have dinner with anyone dead or alive it would have to be: Oh goodness.  I have no idea.

7. Winter is here - how do you prep your skin for battle? Vitamin E oil and lots of body butters for my legs and arms.  The Vitamin E oil is amazing on my dry skin.

8. My perfect date night makeup consists of: Red lips, winged eyeliner, a light smoky eye, some bronzer and a little blush to top it all off. 

9. My go-to skin beautifying snack/drink is: Water.  Water can make your skin look amazing, and you can always tell when you aren’t getting enough of it.

10. My tv boyfriend is: The Doctor.  Any incarnation will do.  But Ten or Eleven would be my top picks if I had to choose.

11. If my evening clutch could only hold one beauty item it would be: Chapstick.  I don’t really touch up my makeup after I put it on (I end up looking clownish). 

12. One beauty tip I would pass on to my real/fictional daughter: Drink a lot of water, and cut back on the sugary drinks. 

13. The most nostalgic item from my childhood: I got rid of a lot of the momentos from my childhood.  I do have some old books though that I still love.

14. My tv show of the moment: I’m in limbo because of the mid season finales that just happened.  I’m watching Oddities right now and think it’s pretty cool.

15. My favourite quote is: “Take your aim like artemis and kill another dove, but when your heart becomes a hunter you may wound your chance to love”- Holly Brook