December 2013 Summary Part 1

Well, I decided on the summary route. I'll post the "display" picture for each box with a little summary of what's in it/my reaction. And I want to point out, I don't plan to do it this way again. It's just because I'm feeling really sick and I'm so behind. Next month will resume normal posts.

Wantable

This included:

• Starlooks shadow (Frosting - a sparkly light pink)
• Starlooks Eye Pencil (Exit to Eden - sparkly light green, though a bit darker and less sparkly than their Gem Eye Pencil in Fancy)
• Girlactik Glam Eye Powder (Nude Glam - a sparkly taupey color)
• La Bella Donna Liquid Eyeliner Pen (Black)
• Bonus item - Victoria anolin-Agg-Tval soap

Overall, I mostly liked what I got. When the sent out the email saying that Starlooks was a featured brand this month, I didn't initially want any, since I already get their subscription and I worried there would be possible dupes. Luckily, I didn't get anything I already had. I'm not a huge fan of the eye pencil because it's not a hugely flattering color, but the shadow makes a good base color. The Girlactik shadow is awesome, just like the shimmer powder I got last month. The La Bella Donna eyeliner pen seems pretty good. I'm kind of overloaded on black liners though. I switched up my profile a bit for next month to try to avoid getting more. The bonus item isn't a bad size, but kind of reminds me of hotel soap. The value of this box was $66. More than the box cost, but a tad low. I did only get 4 full size items though. I still like Wantable though.

Julep Monthly Box

I upgraded to the full collection which included 9 polishes (I added on one more), the Neutral Eye Palette, their Blank Canvas Mattifying Eye Primer, and a set of Twistband hair ties as the bonus (bah). I really like most of the polishes (that's why I upgraded!), but I think my favorites are Joelle and Shoshanna because of the holographic glitters. I think they look better with at least 3 coats though - Julep's swatches don't do them justice. The eye primer isn't bad and I was super happy with the palette. The colors are really soft, almost creamy (even though they're pressed powder), and nicely pigmented. I hope they make more palettes! I was very happy with my box.

Julep Naughty and Nice Mystery Box

Just to note, I added on the mystery add on (I think it was the Kajal liner and 3 of the polishes) and also bought their Eyes All Aglow set (I had a 40% off coupon - I figured why not? I got everything for only $31!) They just all came in the same box, so I took a picture of everything. The Eyes All Aglow set is fantastic. Mini liners, but I love, love the colors. Sparkly and very soft and smooth!
Of the polishes, 4 were new to me (first set of swatches) - I like Aviva and Brenda, but I'm not so sure about the other 2. The other 5 are dupes and are now in my swap list. Those are in the second swatch picture. The Kajal liner, part of the mystery add-on, was a dupe, but I love it, so I'm keeping it (swatched on the bottom of the last picture)! The mystery box also included a tube of their lip gloss in Timeless (keep), a 1 oz Rock Star Hand Cream (dupe and I just arranged a trade for it!), a 1 oz Blank Canvas Face Primer (keep), a set of Green Tea Blotting Papers (dupe), 2 foil packets of Luxe Repair (dupe), and 2 foil packets of Luxe Care hand cream (keep). A mixed box, but not bad for $31.

Square Hue

I tried to resist, but in the end caved and got Square Hue this month. It came with a glossy red, a pearlescent white, and a GORGEOUS silver holo! The holo makes it worth it! Love it.

Phone Case of the Month

This is a cute case and I like it better than last month's for sure, but I still kinda would prefer something a bit girlier. I guess it's easier to make everything gender neutral if they have a big subscription base and don't have time to see if the subscriber is a man or woman, but I've seen some very pretty cases. I think I'm giving them one more month.

Glossybox

My MIL gifted me a 6 month subscription to Glossybox, which was very sweet! This month we got:

• Anatomicals You Need a Blooming Shower shower gel ($3.39) - huge product! I'm not a huge rose scent lover though. Probably trading this.
• Michael Todd Pumpkin Mask ($10) - I got one of these from Ipsy, which I haven't gotten to try yet. Whether I like that one or not decides whether this stays or goes.
• Ardency Inn Liquid Eyeliner ($19) - Full size! As I said above, I like black liquid eyeliner, but I have soo many. I'll keep this, but I really don't need any more!
• Nails Inc Victoria Polish ($9.50) - Unlike earlier this year, when we got a mini Nails Inc from Glossybox, this one is full size! Unfortunately, it looks a lot like Julep's Coco, so I don't think I'm going to keep it. I didn't swatch it to be sure, but the pictures online look pretty similar.
• Naobay Oxygenating Cream ($26.14) - Absorbs quickly and smells nice. Definitely a keeper. I kinda wish we got the original packaging though! Cute!

Overall value $68.03! Not bad! I'm pretty happy with the variety, too! My only complaint for Glossybox is that I can't merge this gift subscription with my old account or move my Glossydots over so that I don't lose those Glossydots!

Well, I'm spent for now. I'll continue with the other 6 tomorrow. I do technically have 2 others (Citrus Lane and Kiwi Crate) that aren't even open yet, but they're Emily's and she's a bit overloaded from Christmas, so I'm saving them for next month. I may or may not review those 2 since they'll be old news by then, haha.  
 
(And just a disclaimer: I bought these boxes myself and was not compensated for these reviews in any way. All opinions are my own. I have included referral links.)

Sick

Hoo boy. I have not been well. I've barely gotten out of bed this past week. Thankfully, Christmas Eve and Christmas day weren't so bad, so I was able to get everything wrapped and mostly enjoy Christmas. But, I just can't shake this cough. And that's the only symptom, other than total lack of energy. I get winded and wheezy when I try to walk anywhere and go into a coughing fit. Going outside in the (moderate) cold makes it 10x worse. I've been to the doctor twice and he's convinced it's just viral bronchitis, so I can't take antibiotics. He's given me first a prescription expectorant, which just made things worse, and then a prescription suppressant, which helps a little. I'm sleeping with a warm humidifier with vicks in it. Nothing is making it go away though. I've skipped a few family things this week which makes it even worse. Thankfully, Chris has been home so he's really been awesome taking care of Emily (and me).
The doctor wants to put me on a steroid for a short time, but it would interfere with my hormones, so I have to wait at least until this cycle is over so I don't totally bugger up my 3rd clomid cycle. I may have to skip next month though if I'm not pregnant this month (I'm 95% sure I'm not. I have no symptoms plus I'm doubtful I could even get pregnant with being sick, the physical act of coughing so much - I'm pretty sure I pulled a stomach muscle, and all the cough medicines I've been on). I'm torn because, on the one hand, the age separation between Emily and my next kid, if there even is one, is already more than I wanted it to be. I don't want to keep pushing it out by not even trying next month. On the other hand, if this sickness is getting in the way of getting pregnant or if my only chance at getting rid of the sickness (the steroid) would basically ruin a month anyway, I may as well not waste one of my remaining 3 months of clomid. I may as well just spend next month trying to get better. It just pisses me off. I hate anything that gets in the way of getting pregnant and it doesn't really look like I have a choice next month. Unless by some miracle, I'm pregnant now. But I really doubt it.
Plus my birthday is next week. I really don't want to celebrate. I'll be 32. I know I'm still youngish and all that blood work I had done says I'm still good and fertile (why I'm not pregnant, I don't know), but for some reason, my birthday just makes me sad. A whole year wasted trying to get pregnant. Only to end up not. And I've already watched my first miscarriage due date come and go. It's hard not to think "I should have a second child now". Another year closer to 35, when fertility supposedly takes a dive and you're automatically labeled "high risk" and "advanced maternal age" if you do get pregnant. I know plenty of people continue to have babies past 35 (and I'm not even at 35 yet), but I just don't even want to think about my age let alone celebrate it.
Anyway, I just wanted to pop in and update the blog, since I haven't posted in a while. I'm sorry it got a bit more depressing than I expected. I thought I'd just come in and say I was sick and that would be that. Anyway, since I have quite a few December reviews still to post, I may look through and either just post my favorites or make a summary post so I'm not super behind for January.

Ipsy December 2013 Review

Ipsy is one of my favorite inexpensive sub boxes! For only $10 a month, you get 4-5 samples or full size makeup and beauty products plus a cute makeup bag every month! December's theme was "Celebration".

Theme

"Info" card - more just a list of the possible brands this month

 This month's bag was probably one of my favorite so far! Nice shiny black quilted bag. Cute!

December's bag

This bag was kind of a mix of things I liked and things I didn't. We'll start with the ones I liked. The first item was a Pop Beauty 3 color eye palette (~$7.20 - they don't seem to sell these, just bigger palettes). There were 2 varieties sent out, a collection of browns and a collection of blacks. I got the black version, which I'm very happy about! It's pretty nice. The colors are pigmented and soft. I'll definitely use this. Use coupon code EyeLuvPOP on their site for 25% off any purchase!

Pop Beauty eye shadow palette

Swatches of the eye shadow colors

Another product everyone got a variety of was the Be a Bombshell The One Stick ($16.00). 3 varieties of this went out and I got Flustered, a "warm bright pink". It is quite bright. Thankfully it blends very well and doesn't look so crazy. It's called The One Stick because it's one product that can be used on lips, cheeks, or eyes (I'm not sure I'd put it on my eyes though - that would probably just make me look really sick). I like this product. I kind of wonder if I might've liked the Girl Crush version better, but mine certainly isn't bad. Use coupon code IPSY40 on their site for 40% off any purchase plus a free full sized Raspberry Tart blush!

Be a Bombshell The One Stick in Flustered

Swatch of The One Stick. The top part is unblended and the bottom is blended out.

The last item I technically liked was a Demeter Roll On Perfume Oil in the scent Snow ($10.00). I say technically because I do really like this scent, but I already had it. Last time Ipsy featured Demeter, I used the coupon code to buy like 8 of their roll on scents, including Snow (and it does actually remind me of snow!). So, now I have 2. I may try to trade this, but I'm a little wary of shipping a liquid like this. I don't want it to arrive leaked or anything. At least I have another coupon code, ipsy20dfl, now to buy more scents at 20% off, though! They do make some great scents!

Demeter Roll On Perfume Oil in Snow

Onto the products I didn't like as much. The first was a full sized bottle of Nicka K Nail Color in the color NY112 Classic Taupe ($4.99). 2 varieties went out, the other being Ripe Apple, a dark red, which I think I might've preferred. This taupe is just so dull. I know I won't use it, so I didn't even swatch it. Into the trade pile. This month, Ipsy sent out 3 different brands of polish and this one, by far, was the most boring. I really would've preferred to try either the Starrily or Jesse's Girl polish. Those looked fun! Also, looking through the Nicka K nail polish on their site, I find it a little weird that all their different lines come in different shaped bottles. The shape of the bottle I got is fairly unique. Pick that one and stick with it! It's good to have a signature style. Use coupon code IPSY on their site for 30% off any purchase.

Nicka K Nail Color in NY112 Classic Taupe

My last product was a full size J. Cat Beauty The Big Lip Pencil in the color Caramel Mocha ($3.99). I don't like lip crayons or the orangey brown color I got. I didn't even try it because, unlike some colors I'm totally unsure of, I knew this wouldn't be a good color for me. Into the trade pile. Use coupon code jcatlips on their site for 30% off any purchase.

J. Cat Beauty The Big Lip Pencil in Caramel Mocha

December 2013 Ipsy bag

Overall, a mixed bag. Definitely not terrible though. I like the Be a Bombshell stick and the Pop palette and I would've loved the Demeter if I didn't already have it. Of the products I didn't get, I'm really not too upset I didn't get any of the false lashes (don't need more) or the eyeshadow blender brush (I think I have 3 already!). I might've liked to try the English Laundry perfume, but it looks like a lot of people had theirs arrive spilled, so I'm not sad I missed out on that! And again, I would've liked one of the other 2 polishes. But, overall, my value was $42.18, which is great for a $10 sub, so I really can't complain too much!

What did you get in your bag this month? If you want to subscribe, please use my link! If you haven't tried it and you like makeup/beauty stuff, you should!

(And just a disclaimer: I bought this box myself and was not compensated for this review in any way. All opinions are my own. I have included referral links.)

Lip Factory December 2013 Review

After skipping November's "all about lips" month, I decided I wanted to get Lip Factory again, and thanks to a pretty big sale I made of some of my unused box items, I was able to get it without any impact on the budget! Lip Factory is a makeup subscription box. For $22 a month, you get 5-6 (I'm guessing based on my past 2 months) full size products. Obviously they're called Lip Factory, so you will get at least 1-2 lip products, but again, based on my experience so far, it looks like they often have other stuff mixed in. And as I mentioned just a second ago, they do have an occasional month of all lip products.

Opening the box, pretty card!

Info card

First peek

My first peek was pretty great! I love makeup boxes and this one is chock full! The first little item, more a sample than anything else, is a foil packet of PureCeuticals Pumpkin Enzyme Cleanse. The full size is $39.00 and Lip Factory says this packet is worth about $3. Seems a tad high for a one use packet, but I'll give it to them. Anyway, this is supposed to be gentle and aromatic, which sounds nice, so I'll definitely try it. I do like pumpkin, so I hope it actually smells like it!

PureCeuticals Pumpkin Enzyme Cleanse

The first real product was a full size Michael Marcus Plump Lip Plumper ($20). I am super thrilled that the first lip product I took out of this box isn't a lip color! This is mean to to increase shine, hydration, and volume. I tried it out right away, and like most lip plumpers, I do feel a tingle, so it seems to work at least a bit! I like these kinds of products because I feel like I can put them on and it just enhances my natural lips without smearing a bunch of color on them.

Michael Marcus Plump Lip Plumper

Next up was a full sized MeMeMe Boho Balm Lip and Cheek Tint ($10.62). There are 2 different varieties of this and I got Pink Rouge. This has 2 different colored balms that can be used on lips and cheeks. It applies smoothly and the colors aren't bad. I'm a little unsure of the lighter color, but the darker color is really nice! I'm happy with this, too!

MeMeMe Boho Balm Cheek and Lip Tint

Swatches of the 2 colors of the MeMeMe balm

The last lip item I got was actually not on my card. It looks like it was from November's box. I'm not sure if they just had extras and sent them out to everyone or what. I'm certainly not complaining though! It's a full sized ModelCo. Lip Couture Lipstick in the color Luella ($17.00). I can't seem to find that color online. <shrug> When I first opened it, I was fairly sure it would be too dark for me, and after going back and forth, I finally decided to just try it. It's actually pretty great! I like it! And it has a cute little mirror on the tube!

ModelCo. Lip Couture Lipstick in Luella

Swatch of the ModelCo. Lipstick

The next product is a full size (ok, everything but the first item is a full sized product, maybe I don't need to say that anymore!) tube of Essence Lash and Brow Gel Mascara ($2.99). It's clear. I definitely won't use it on my eyes because I don't do natural mascara (I go big or nothing) but I'll definitely try it out on my brows. Sometimes they can get a little unruly. In fact, in every single one of my wedding pictures, my one eyebrow has a bit pushed down and it bothers me so much! Why didn't anyone tell me!?

Essence Lash and Brow Gel Mascara

Ok, you might have to blow it up, but I can see the wonky eyebrow!

Next up was a J. Cat Beauty Fab Five Eye Shadow Palette ($4.00). I got the FES116. Now, one would think I'd be all over this, seeing as how it's eye stuff. Sure, it's cheap, but I love plenty of cheap eyeshadows - I love the palettes I've gotten from bhcosmetics and Coastal Scents. But honestly, I looked at this, and it just looks so much like something a MUCH younger girl might play with. I'm not a fan of the colors and I just haven't been impressed with many (if any) of the J. Cat items I've tried. So, into the trade pile. Naturally, I didn't swatch them.

J. Cat Beauty Fab Five Eye Shadow Palette

The last item was a full sized NCLA nail polish in the color Prized Possessions ($16.00). Wow, what a gorgeous polish!! I LOVE it! Purple sparkly goodness. A purple jelly base with blue, green, silver, and purple glitter of various sizes. I sort of want to buy all the other colors in the series Blvck Mvrket. And maybe all the Holos too. And like 5 others. Geez. Birthday coming up!

NCLA polish in Prized Possessions

December 2013 Lip Factory

This was a very full, amazing box. I loved almost everything and it had a value of $73.61! That's a great value for a $22 box! I will absolutely be continuing this subscription (I do have to find out when the next all about lips box is though - I'll still most likely skip that one just because I don't always love lip stuff).

Did you get Lip Factory this month? What did you get? If you'd like to sign up, go to their website! If you don't mind using it, my referral number is 385045 - apparently, you can enter it in a special referral spot in your beauty profile after you sign up.

(And just a disclaimer: I bought this box myself and was not compensated for this review in any way. All opinions are my own. I have included a referral number, but no referral links.)

Birchbox December 2013 Review

Birchbox is one of the lower priced subscriptions where for $10 a month (or less if you subscribe for a year), you get 4-6 sample products (though looking through my history, I have a box of 8 in there!). They're usually of the smaller variety, given that this is only a $10 sub, but there's occasionally a full sized item thrown in too. When you sign up, you fill out a profile (basic stuff - skin type, hair color/type, what basic kinds of products you like, etc) and there are I think 50 possible box combinations each month that you can get, which is, I suppose, somewhat based on your profile. You can also review your items each month, which doesn't have any impact on your future boxes, but does give you points - 10 points per review (100 points = $10) which you can ultimately use in their pretty large shop, which sells full size products. I recently resubscribed for a year with Birchbox after being away from them for about 6 months. The theme for December was "Sparkle and Shine".

Outer box, cute holiday print

Inner box

Info card

Info card side 2

 The first item I took out was the Greenleaf Candle Co. Starlight Votive Candle ($1.92). I can find this scent, but not the candle cube in this scent on their site. <shrug> Anyway, its a small votive candle with a VERY strong scent. It's a mix of fruit, citrus (isn't citrus fruit?), mint and white musk. I hoped I might like it because of the musk, but it's just way too strong a scent and I'm not sure what it is I don't like, but I can't wait to get rid of it. I can smell it through doors it's so strong. Into my trade pile.

Greenleaf Candle Co. Starlight Votive Candle

Next up was a sample tube of Skin & Co Roma Truffle Therapy Serum ($25!). Geez, expensive little sample! It's supposed to hydrate and reduce fine lines. I'll definitely give it a shot, although full size is $75, so I'm kind of hoping I don't love it!

Skin & Co Roma Truffle Therapy Serum

My next item was a sample bottle of N4 High Perfomance Hair Care Non-Aerosol Hair Spray ($4.48). This is supposed to give flexible, strong hold, but I'm not a huge hair spray user, so this won't be used sadly. Into the trade pile.

N4 High Performance Hair Care Non-Aerosol Hair Spray

The next product was a mini Color Club polish in the color Top Shelf ($3.73). It's a pretty, subtle gold, but I think I have something that looks like it, so I'm not sure I'll be keeping it. I haven't swatched it just in case I decide to trade it.

Color Club polish in Top Shelf (isn't that a cute little container behind it too?)

The last big product was a tiny tube of Supersmile Ultimate Lip Balm ($7.26). I'm kind of surprised at how expensive this teeny tube is. It claims to hydrate, exfoliate, nourish, condition, and restore a youthful appearance and has a vanilla almond scent. I like the scent and I like lip balm, so I'm definitely keeping this one!

Supersmile Ultimate Lip Balm

As a little bonus, we also got a promotional Birchbox phone sticky cleaner. It's basically an advertisement for their new phone app, but it's not a bad idea. You can stick the little square onto your phone and when you need it, take it off and use the non-sticky side to clean your phone's screen off! I'm not sure how well it will stick to my phone seeing how my phone is in and out of my pocket all day long, but we'll see.

Birchbox phone sticky cleaner thing

Advertisement side

December 2013 Birchbox

So, this was Birchbox, box version 16. The approximate value is $42.39! Not bad, even if most of the value is from one item. Also, even though a couple of my items are going to the trade pile, I don't really think this is a bad box. The products are a good size and variety. There's just a few things that aren't necessarily for me. I am looking forward to trying the serum and the lip balm, though!

If you get Birchbox, what did you get for December? I know there are quite a lot of variations. If you don't already get Birchbox and are interested in signing up, please use my link! When I logged out, it looked like the normal month to month sign up had a 2 week wait list, which isn't really that bad, but maybe being invited would help skip that wait.


(And just a disclaimer: I bought this box myself. I was not compensated for this review in any way. All opinions are my own. I have included referral links.)

Influenster Violet VoxBox

I qualified for another VoxBox recently with Influenster! If you aren't familiar with them, Influenster is a site where you can use social media to give your opinions on a huge variety of things. You can specialize in 5 categories (mine are Beauty, Pop Culture, Fashionista, Sweet Tooth, and Decorator) and your activity level determines when you qualify to try things from a variety of brands. Once you qualify, they send you a box containing items you get to try out for free in exchange for a set of review activities like tweets, Instagram shots, Vines, blog posts, etc.

I was pretty excited to qualify for a larger VoxBox (my first was a single product - it was still a good one though!). The Violet VoxBox included several products from different brands, so it was kind of like getting a subscription box! It seemed to be quite a while between hearing I qualified and getting the box, but that's ok.

Info card

Info card side 2, product info

So, all Violet VoxBoxes included the first 3 items, and select Influensters would get one or more other items. I ended up getting 2 of the bonus items! Yay! My first item was a gray Goody Athletique Headband ($6.00). This headband is adjustable, which is nice because I felt it actually sat pretty securely on my head, unlike any of the twistband style headbands that are popular these days. It's also moisture wicking, which would be great for working out. It's a bit on the thicker side for something I'd wear everyday, but for exercising, sure.

Goody Athletique Ouchless Headwrap

Next was a full size bottle of Sally Hansen Triple Shine nail polish in the color Vanity Flare ($4.99). It's a nice classic purple creme that isn't too like any other polish I have. On the positive side, the result is very nice - very shiny and smooth looking. That's really the most important thing, too. On the negative side, the brush is gigantic and the polish is super thick - those things together equals very hard to use. I'm glad the results were still good though. Funny thing is, I've tried some of the glitters from the Triple Shine line and really didn't have too much trouble with thick polish on those. Maybe it's just the cremes.

Sally Hansen Triple Shine nail polish in Vanity Flare

The last main item everyone who got this box got was a Soyjoy bar ($0.99). Mine was banana. I wasn't a huge fan of this. It was a bit dense and had an odd tang that I don't really associate with banana flavor. I think it was the pineapple or raisins in it. Oh well.

Soyjoy Banana

My first bonus item was a Montagne Jeunesse Red Earth Clay Spa Mask ($2.49). This was really interesting. I'm pretty sure I've tried this brand before and it was just a bunch of stuff you smeared on your face - a typical mask. These new ones are bamboo masks that are infused with clay. Much less messy! Once on, it's a typical mask - leave it on 10-15 min, remove, etc. I was actually pretty pleased with this!

Montagne Jeunesse Red Earth Clay Spa Mask

My other bonus item (and last item) was a travel size Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo ($5.99). I'm a mom. Dry shampoo is a wonderful thing for moms. I was very happy to get this. It seems to work about as well as some of the other ones I've tried and has a bit less residue than other brands, which is nice. The scent is a little weird, but it doesn't really seem to linger too long.

Not your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo

Violet VoxBox

I was pretty thrilled to get to try all of this for free. I got at least a few items I liked and will use again!

If you're interested in joining Influenster, the link at the top of the post will take you to their page, or if you think you'll really stick with it, I'd be happy to share one of my 5 invites! Just leave me a message in the comments and I'll give you the details!

(This box was provided to me for free from Influenster in exchange for a review of the products I got. As always, my opinions are 100% my own and honest. No other compensation was received.)