Beauty Fiends is giving away 3 of the new Revlon Parfumerie Nail Polishes! Colors being raffled off are Moonlit Walk, Wild Violets, and Powder Puff.
Good Luck Everyone!
Friday, February 21, 2014
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
BB Couture For Nails-Nail Lacquer in Snow Bunny: Day 1
As stated earlier today, I recently won a giveaway from The Beauty Clutch. Having some brand new polish I decided to use one of them for this weeks longevity review. This week's polish is BB Couture for Nails in Snow Bunny. Snow Bunny is a light pink creme polish and is from BB's Pastel Bunnies line.
Snow Bunny Without Flash
Snow Bunny With Flash
This polish claims to have a 4 in 1 formula. The bottle states that it is a base coat, top coat, nail color, and nail strengthener all in one bottle. For this reason I used Snow Bunny on bare nails to get a true test of this polish.
Application: I liked the formula of this polish. It was not too thick or too thin. The first coat was a little streaky, but evened out by the second coat. I also only applied two coats as detailed on the bottles instructions.
This polish and the photos were taken on Day 1 which was this last Sunday (2/16). Will follow up on this polish later in the week.
In My Mailbox: Spotlight on The Beauty Clutch Shop
The Beauty Clutch is an online shop the offers nail polish, nail treatments, spa bath & body products, hand & foot care, and accessories. From browsing the site, they seem to have quite a few high quality brands at pretty good prices. They also at times carry hard to find nail polish colors that have been discontinued.
I came across The Beauty Clutch while browsing Twitter. At the time, they had a giveaway going for their 1000th like on Facebook. I happened to be one of the lucky winners! Here is what I got in my mailbox from them a few days ago.
The giveaway prize was two glitter top coats from Verity and a creme color of my choice.
Shades left to right: Verity SE38 Royal Glitters, BB Couture in Snow Bunny (a light pink creme), & Verity SE35 Valentine
Close Ups of the Glitters
Royal Glitters includes micro silver glitter, small round red glitter, holographic bar glitter and white pearlized square glitter in a clear base.
Valentine includes small holographic square glitter, small round red glitter, and pink hearts in a clear base
Packaging from the company was very good as you can see. Polishes were wrapped in bubble wrap and then packed with peanuts to ensure safe arrival.
I had a great experience with this company and would totally recommend them. If you would like more information from The Beauty Clutch or would like to order, you can visit their site here or check them out on Facebook.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Ipsy and Birchbox Comparison
This is just a quick comparison of my beauty box subscriptions for the month of February. Hope you enjoy!
February 2014 Ipsy Glam Bag
Thoughts-- (for details about the products please see my Ipsy Unboxing post here.)
The Negatives: In the four months I have received Ipsy this was probably my lowest valued bag and had the most items I was not that thrilled about. The shades chosen for me where not what I would have picked. The blush and the lip gloss seemed too bright and I don't wear false lashes. In all, I ended up swapping two products (blush and lashes) with other make-up lovers this month to get two items I would enjoy more.
The Positives: This bag had one of my all time favorite brands in it! I love Zoya nail polish and it was so great to get a full sized product from them. Also, I did actually try the lip gloss and it is a great color pink, not too bright at all. It has an unpleasant smell when first applied (almost plastic-y) but that fades away pretty quickly, so I guess my review of that product is more mixed than positive. I also really liked the bag and am excited to try the mask. All products in the bag were a good sample size or full sized.
February 2014 US Weekly Birchbox
Thoughts-- (for details about the products please see my Birchbox Unboxing Post here.)
Negatives: Sample sizes. When I looked at my box it was hard not to notice that there really wasn't much in there. I have pretty small hands and I can fit all 4 beauty products in the palm of my hand. To give you an idea, the nail polish is about the same height as a quarter. Product price for full size. It is nice to try more expensive products, but it is really not in my beauty budget to purchase them. In this box I received a serum that retails for $75 for the full size and the full size is only 1 oz! The "lifestyle extra". While I love the teas they sent me, I would rather have another skincare/hair care/make-up item instead of a "lifestyle extra". It almost seems like the "extra" is there to make the box appear more full. The fact that this counts as one of the premium samples did not slip past me.
Positives: Birchbox does appear to have "higher end" samples than most found in Ipsy. While it is nice to try them, even if I loved the product there is a VERY slim chance that I would ever go out and buy them (see above in negatives). This box does seem to give a bigger variety of products I just don't know if it is right for me.
Breakdown
Cost for both Ipsy and Birchbox is $10 per month
Value of Feb. Ipsy: $30.50
Value of Feb Birchbox: $18.71
(or $28.66 if I include the US Weekly Magazine Subscription that they are including this month)
So what do I think is the better value? Personally, I would have to go with Ipsy. Although the products are not as "high end" as Birchbox, I get big enough samples in my bag to give the product a good try. Even their smaller samples seem bigger than the average size of the Birchbox samples I received. Also, because the product sizes are so small in Birchbox the value of the box tends to be lower than Ipsy even if the products are more expensive in full size. The value of the box goes up a bit when I add the "bonus" of the magazine, but this is not typical of Birchbox and I honestly will probably opt out of the magazine since I normally don't read them. I probably will also not keep Birchbox much longer because it is not my cup of tea. It was worth a try though!
Links...Just in Case
With both companies you get 4-5 beauty products every month delivered to your door, for just $10. Pick one or both, up to you!
Sunday, February 16, 2014
February 2014 Birchbox Unboxing
Birchbox February 2014 Unboxing
Birchbox is a monthly beauty subscription service. Every month the company will send subscribers 4-5 beauty, grooming, and lifestyle samples of up and coming and/or well known brands. The cost? $10/month for the women's box. Birchbox also makes men's boxes for $20/month. This unboxing is for the women's subscription.
This month Birchbox collaborated with US Weekly. New subscribers received 100 Birchbox points (to use in their shop for products), the subscription box and 12 weeks of US Weekly (a $9.95 value).
The box out of the shipping label.
First Look
Box Theme: Step and Repeat. This box was geared toward the red carpet season.
Sample Sized, Beauty Protector Protect & Oil: Full Size $25.95 (Approx Sample Value $2)
This hair oil works to defend hair against UV rays, heat, and breakage.
Sample Sized Skin&Co Roma Truffle Therapy Serum: Full Size $75 (Approx Sample Value $12.50)
Helps to smooth wrinkles and restore dull, parched skin.
Sample of Harvey Prince fragrance in Hello: Full Size $55 (Approx Sample Value $1)
Top Notes: Meyer Lemon, Mandarin, and Grapefruit
Mid Notes: Forsythia
Dry Notes: Plumeria, Verbena, Tahitian Vanilla, and Musk
OPI Sheet Tints in Don't Violet Me Down: Full Size $9 (Approx Sample Value $2.25)
This is a tinted top coat and will give nails a wash of high shine. Will also add a layer of translucent color.
Lifestyle Extra Sample
Harney & Sons Fine Teas in White Vanilla Grapefruit and Paris (1 Each): Full Size $9.60 (Approx Sample Value $.96)
Links to full sized products at the Birchbox shop are provided on the full size value of each product on this post.
Total Box Value: $18.71
If you would like to join me on Birchbox and subscribe please use my link here. You get 4-5 beauty products every month delivered to your door, for just $10.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
February 2014 Ipsy Unboxing!
February 2014 Ipsy!
Ipsy is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription box. Every month they send subscribers 4-5 beauty products (mainly with deluxe samples and full sized products) and a makeup bag for $10 a month. This is my 4th bag and so far I have really enjoyed the service.
This month Ipsy kept with the Valentine Theme and chose "The Look of Love" to build a glam bag around. This bag was geared more toward make up than skin/hair care, which is what I prefer. The bag was pretty cute, featuring an almost canvas like exterior with a pink leopard silky lining.
To be honest I was kind of iffy about this bag when I saw what I was getting. Some products I knew I wouldn't use, but here is what I got...
City Color Be Matte Blush (full size) in Fresh Melon (Retail: $2.99)
This blush looks a little more subtle on camera than in real life. It has a real orange-y shade to it and looked like it would be quite bright. I ended up swapping this item so I did not swatch or test it.
Skyn ICELAND Fresh Start Mask with Ice Age Mud (sample) 1 Mask Set (Full Size Retail: $39.00 for 6 Mask Sets, Approx. Value $6.50)
Pop Beauty Plump Pout (sample) .15oz in Fuchsia Freesia (Full Size Retail: $16 for .3oz, Approx Value: $8).
I actually was really excited to try this. I am WAY into lip products lately, but as I write this, this gloss is still in it's plastic packaging. I am under the weather right now and want to wait until I recover to try it. It looks really bright but since it is a gloss I will get back to you on how pigmented it is.
J. Cat Beauty Eyelashes & Eyelash Glue in style EL 747L (Retail Value: $3.99)
This is the other product in my bag that I will not be using. I never use false lashes. I am swapping it for something more my style.
Zoya Nail Polish (full size) in Odette from the new Zoya Natural (Retail: $9)
Zoya describes this nail polish as a full coverage, sultry orchid maroon cream. I have to say, I never wear purple polish but I liked this color. I swatched it on my thumb (above) and that was only one coat! It has great coverage!
Total Glam Bag Value: $30.50
If you would like to join me on Ipsy and subscribe to the Glam Bag please use my link here. You get 4-5 beauty products every month delivered to your door, for just $10.
Journey of a Polish: Zoya Naturel Collection: Brigitte
Zoya (one of my favorite brands) has been having TONS of promos lately. If you don't already follow them on Facebook or Twitter (@ZoyaNailPolish) you really should. They always seem to be giving something away. This last week they were promoting designers for New York Fashion Week (they provide the polish) and their Naturel Collection. At the time, I only had access to Brigitte from the line. Brigitte is a lovely mauve tone. Depending on lighting or what it was next to, sometimes it seemed more purple and other times more berry toned. Due to this promo, I took pictures of my mani like EVERYDAY. Here is my journey with Brigitte...
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
With Flash
Without Flash
Monday
Tuesday
Those side chips on my thumb and middle finger are as bad as it got. I put this polish on bare (no base or top coat). I used two light coats for full coverage. Overall I was impressed with this polish. It also is nice that Zoya is 5 free (not as many harsh chemicals).
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