December 2013 Summary Part 2

Oddly, I think I might be feeling a tad better today. Still coughing some, but it's not quite as bad sounding or frequent. Hopefully, this is a sign that it's on its way out. <crosses fingers> Anyway, onto part 2 of my December sub summary. And again, I'm only doing it this way for December because I've been sick for a while and I just want to catch up. January subs will go back to normal reviews. :)

PopSugar Must Have

December's box included a Lulu Frost bracelet ($110), a set Mixt Studio wrapping paper ($9), a full size Modelco Fiber Lashxtend mascara ($24), a set of 4 Govino Go Anywhere flutes ($12.95), a package of CC Made Caramel Corn ($4), a pack of NCLA Nail Wraps ($16), and 2 packages of Ghirardelli Squares - caramel and a holiday mix (I can't find the holiday mix, so I'll guess about $10 for the 2 packages). I wasn't overly thrilled with this box. I like the nail wraps and we ate the Ghriardelli Squares, but pretty much everything else ended up in my trade list. Also, I'm baffled by the super expensive bracelet. It's ok (just not my style), but not really worth $110 to me.

Rocks Box Set 3

I was really happy with this set of bracelets. The small Gorjana Chaplin bracelet ($50) was cute, but a bit too dainty for me, so it was rated a "like". The Ashlar Drusy Wrap ($60 according to Rocks Box, $65 on the Ashlar website) put me through a range of reactions, haha. When I first saw it balled up in the organza bag, I was like, "What the? Is this a hair tie?", but then I took it out and saw the cute stone on it (I'm really liking drusy stones since discovering them through Rocks Box!), so I liked it a lot more. Really, the 2 problems I had with it were 1. The length was such that I either had to wrap it an extra time around and make it quite snug or wrap it less and have quite a bit of fabric dangling that I'd have to tuck in (and tuck back in as it fell out throughout the day), and 2. The stone kept getting turned around on my hand so that the pretty side was hiding. Too much hassle for a $60 bracelet, no matter how cute it is, so it also got a "like". The last one, the House of Harlow Sunburst Bangle ($68, link is for a different color). Oh, I loved this as soon as I saw it. The sparkly stones and the navy leather together were just so pretty. I kept my box a bit longer than usual because of this bracelet. Oh, I was so tempted to buy it. But, budgets. I do kind of wonder what kind of turn around in brands Rocks Box has. Maybe after I rack up some more credits, I could ask them to send this to me again and then I could buy it. If they still have it around by then.

Rocks Box Set 4

This was another fun set of bracelets. I'm definitely enjoying getting just bracelets from them much better than having them send me a mix. Anyway, from the top. The top wrap is a leather CC Skye Double Wrap Portico Bracelet in Silver and Black ($155 - I think this is the priciest thing they've sent me yet!). I like it because it's edgier, but the clasp popped open 2 or 3 times, which is 2 or 3 times too many for a $155 bracelet. The second bracelet is a Edge of Amber Tamri Bangle in Silver (Rocks Box prices it at $85, the Edge of Amber site prices the gunmetal color (they don't seem to have silver) at $90 on sale for $45). I really liked this bangle too. I love the shape. I'd be a little annoyed to pay even the discounted $68 from Rocks Box though when you can get a similar color (that I like just as well) on the Edge of Amber site for $45 on sale. The last set of bracelets is an interlocked pair of Anuja Tolia Polk a Dot Bangles in Silver (Rocks Box say $56, the Anuja Tolia site says $65). I just wasn't wild on this one. Very noisy jingling and so big that it pretty easily fell off my wrist unless I was wearing something else in front of it, like in the picture.

Starlooks Starbox

Well, I tried to guess which palette it was going to be based on their look book, but they surprised me and sent out an unreleased palette! I like it though! There are some really pretty colors in this - plenty for a neutral look and some to add some pop! I'm very happy with it! And a funny thing - last month, I noticed I didn't get my little monthly crystal shard (I'm not sure if it was just me or everyone, but it was not a big deal at all - it's just a tiny free touch Starlooks has always popped in the box for fun). This month, there were 2 in there! Ha! Also, an added bonus - there was a card in the box saying that starting now, Starlooks is starting a loyalty program where continuous subscribers get a free $35 gift every 3 months! Awesome!

Brazen Friends With Benefits

This month was a matte month. Meh. We got a matte very light beige/almost white and dark brown, a very light pink blush, and a dark red sparkly lip gloss. I'm not wild at all on the eye colors, but I may be able to use them mixed into other looks. The dark brown one isn't too bad now that I see it again. The blush seems very light, even for me. I do like the lip gloss, but I have to use it super sparingly to keep from looking ridiculous because it's so dark. The bonus this month was a little lip palette, but oddly, the colors are very, very similar to each other. There's seriously, like, half a shade of difference between each one, if that. I'm not a huge fan of it. For me, this month was a little bit of a let down, but that's mostly because I don't like matte colors. I appreciate getting to try a blush, but it really doesn't work for me. Hopefully next month will be back to at least a mix of sparkly and matte.

Glamour Doll Eyes Of The Month

Busted sample, Fire Breather sample, My First Time blush as eyeshadow, My First Time blush as blush, Mistletoe Makeout, and Christmas Calories Don't Count

 Well, I didn't think I'd get to pick this up this month because we were actually at the airport leaving for Disney World when the store opened up for December's OTM. My phone was going super slow, but I got it. And I'm glad I did! Apparently, December is a special month for Glamour Doll Eyes. It's considered a bonus month that is sold separately, so I couldn't get a 3 month sub starting this month (I'll have to try for that next week). It also cost a little bit more (I think it was like $9 or 10 instead of the normal $7) because she sends out more in December! Normally, its one color of the month and a bonus item, maybe 2. This month we got 2 eye shadows, a blush, 2 baggie samples, a Black Luna Lacquer nail polish, a Suds N Sass soap, a Sedona Lace blender brush, and a little bag of candy. I LOVED everything I got. My blush was purple and I even ended up really liking that!

So, that's it for December!

Starlooks November 2013 Review

My Starlooks Starbox came a bit early again in November (I'm just late in writing about it)! For $17.68 per month ($15 for the box, $2.68 for shipping), you get 3-4 full sized items of makeup and usually a smaller bonus item or sample. I love that we get full size items from Starlooks and there's usually at least one item I really like in each box. Sometimes the whole box is awesome. November's theme was Return to Monaco. I forgot to take a picture of the box, so we'll start with the info card.

This was the look featured in this month's "lookbook" online using the included products

Info card

Starting with the biggest item, I first pulled out the 5 Shade Shadow Palette in "Monaco" ($41!). This appears to be new (that's what the note suggests) and isn't even on the site yet. I was a bit surprised to see an eye palette this month when they've already told us December's box will have a big 15 shade eye palette. But, hey, I'll take as many eyeshadows as they want to give me! At first I thought this was a rather bold palette, but really, it's only the one color that's super bold. The rest are really everyday-usable. The palette includes a matte white, shimmery taupe, matte blueish black, matte reddish orange, and a shimmery gold. I'm not a huge fan of matte shadows because I sometimes feel like they can look a bit chalky or blotchy, but these aren't too bad. I only had a little trouble with the white, but white is a color to be used sparingly and as a highlight or lightening base, so coverage is not a huge issue with white. The 2 shimmery colors are really nice! I was surprised with the gold. Usually when I swatch a gold, it looks a bit too bold/garish for my tastes, but this one is actually pretty soft and subtle. I really like it.

Starlooks 5 Shade Shadow Palette in "Monaco"

Better lit shot of the palette

Swatches of the palette colors

The remaining 2 big items went together well - a Slanted Liner Brush #824 ($18) and an Infinity Pot Liner in Orion ($13). I have tons of brushes, but I love to add more to the collection. The Starlooks liner brush works very well. Firm enough to line effectively. The eye liner color is definitely not something I have. It's a bit bold for me - kind of a turquoise blue. Really lovely color, I'm just not sure I can pull it off. It's a long wear liner, though, so if I do wear it, it shouldn't budge!

Slanted Liner Brush #824

First look at the liner - it looked navy at first

And then I dipped the liner brush into it

Swatch of the Infinity Liner

November 2013 Starlooks (I forgot to take a picture of it alone, but that eye pencil sharpener was this month's bonus item)

Once again, I'm happy with my new Starlooks products. The liner is a bit bold and may take some courage to try to wear but I love the palette and the brush. And the total value this month is $72 (maybe $75 with the sharpener), so as usual well over the box price. The one weird thing I noticed this month, and it's totally not a big deal at all, is that I didn't get my monthly tiny crystal! They always stick a little crystal in. Oh well, haha.

Deals (and, oh, I guess I did take a picture of the sharpener!)

Just as a reminder, December's box will have a 15 Shade Shadow Palette in it! $99 value! Based on the looks in the lookbook for next month, I'm guessing it will be either Festival, Bridal Shower, or New Year's Eve (or maybe St. Patty's Day, but I don't think so because it doesn't have black). Here's the look shown:

I see browns and black and maybe something coppery - looks most like the New Year's Eve palette to me. I love the look!

Anyway, if you're interested at all in this sub, really, now's the time to sign up! I think you have until the 10th to sign up to get December's box.

(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.)

Starlooks October 2013 Review

It's near the end of the month (ok, it was when I started this post!), and as always, my Starlooks Starbox, arrived! For $17.68 per month ($15 for the box, $2.68 for shipping), you get 3-4 full sized items of makeup and usually a smaller bonus item or sample. I love that we get full size items from Starlooks and there's usually at least one item I really like in each box. Sometimes the whole box is awesome. September's theme was "Alice", I guess in Wonderland?

Back to the usual box

Info card

The bonus this month was a $50 discount for Rivet & Sway, an online eyeglasses service - basically they send you 3 frames to try on, you pick one, send them all back and they put your prescription into the one you chose. I know I've gotten an offer like this once before from a sub box, but I can't remember which one. Anyway, I do wear contacts and I do need a new pair of glasses (for nighttime and days I don't go out) and they seem like nice glasses, but I really need to sit in a physical place and try on loads of pairs. Not 3. And I intend to use my insurance to get at least a discount of some sort, which I'm not sure is taken with this site. So, here's the offer if you want the code. I don't think it's unique, so should be useable for more than one person. Honestly, I don't really like these discount "bonuses". You have to pay something to use them. That's not a bonus. I'd rather get a sample of something by Starlooks that's unreleased or something like that.

Rivet & Sway offer

The first product we got this month was a Gem Eye Pencil (used to be called Diamondline Eye Pencil, not sure why the name change) in Mirage ($14). At first when I saw this, I thought it was a color I already had so I was a little bummed, but when I went to go look at the one I had, I realized I have Deja Vu, a light silver, whereas this is Mirage, a darker bluish gray. So, yay! Now I have 5 of these and I love them all!

Starlooks Gem Eye Pencil in Mirage

Next up was a lipstick, or so I thought. It's actually a Tendergloss in the color Puzzy ($13). Because I thought it was a lipstick, I was initially a little bummed again (I should've learned from the first time not to judge right away!), but then I saw that the color looked pretty tame. And then I swatched it and realized it's sheer and sparkly and wonderful!! Tenderglosses are described as a combination of lipstick (pigment of a sheer lipstick) and lipgloss (moisturizing and shiny). I really love this! I'm tempted to try another, but looking at the shades, with no swatches (bah!), I wonder if I got the best shade already, so I may just wait and see if they ever send out another. Thinking about it now, I think I may actually have one other shade from a previous month this year that I didn't like. I think it was a frosty bronze one.

Starlooks Tendergloss in Puzzy

Our final product this month was a really nice 3 Shade Blush Palette in 3B1 ($46!). It looks like they make these in 7 varieties based on skin tone, so I wonder if they were customized to our skin tone or if everyone got 3B1. Luckily, 3B1 is perfect for me. I love the colors - a nice pink pink, a peachier pink, and a darker mauvey pink. They're very pigmented, which is great since you don't have to use a lot, but it does mean you have to go easy with the brush. I also like that they're not shiny. I know some are to give a "dewy" or "glowing" look, but on me, I feel like it just looks shiny, so I'm happy these aren't.

Starlooks 3 Shade Blush Palette

Closeup

Swatches L to R: Tendergloss (it's sheer so a bit hard to see - it's the shiny bit on the left), Blush Palette (in same order as the palette pictured above)

Swatches of all the Gem Eye Pencils I have - the bottom is Mirage, the one included in this box. The rest, bottom to top after Mirage: Deja Vu, Myth, Fancy, and Roseate.

October 2013 Starlooks Starbox

I'm really happy with this box! A new Gem Eye Pencil for my lovely growing collection, an awesome new lip product that I actually like, and some great new blushes to try! What's not to like there? And a $73 value that I only paid $17.68 for! I wonder if I stick around with them long enough if I'll basically get the whole collection? I don't see myself cancelling anytime soon, so for now, I keep collecting! AND! With this box came 2 exciting other notes:

Coupon!

This is the first note! 50% off is a big deal! I don't think this is a unique code and I'm pretty sure you can use it without being a subscriber, so go for it! I just don't think it works for new subscriptions. I have to admit I've already used it to order the remaining 3 Gem Eye Pencils I didn't have and a few Kohl Eye Pencils! 50% off is awesome! I also have to say, I contacted them to ask about some of the Kohl Eye Pencil colors, since the colors really aren't clear on the website, and they got back to me within a few hours with swatches of just the ones I asked for (6 colors), in the order I asked for - they had gotten some out and swatched them out just for me! Awesome customer service! I do kind of wish they'd just put the swatches on the site, but it's nice that they're quick to help. And they have been every time I've contacted them.

Super December hint!!

This is the second note! Last December, I actually signed up because of a similar hint. We got an amazing $99 palette just like this is talking about. And I emailed them to ask about it and they confirmed it will be one of the ones on their site and it WILL NOT be the same as last year's selection (I didn't want 2 of the same one after all!). I think we got the Birthday Party palette (the second picture) last year. December was an awesome box last year and it will be again this year! So if you're interested at all in this sub, really, now's the time to sign up! You can do a gift sub like the note talks about if you just want December (I think - I don't see anything about it renewing, but I'm not 100% sure. That's just how most gift subs work.), or you can sign up for their regular sub. If you sign up for the regular sub before Nov 10, you'll get November first (no hints up yet), or after the 10th, you'll get December first.

 (And just a disclaimer: I bought this box myself and was not compensated for this review in any way. All opinions are my own. The final link is a referral link, but I also included a non-referral link at the top.)

Starlooks Starbox September 2013 Review

Just before we left for our trip, one of my makeup sub boxes, the Starlooks Starbox, arrived, as it usually does near the end of the month. For $17.68 per month ($15 for the box, $2.68 for shipping), you get 3-4 full sized items of makeup and usually a smaller bonus item or sample. I love that we get full size items from Starlooks and there's usually at least one item I really like in each box. Sometimes the whole box is awesome. September's theme was "Behind the Scenes".

Unopened box

I thought this was a cute touch - an actual wax seal!

 As it turns out, our monthly bonus item was what was in this envelope. A month free (5 requests) at Ooberluxe. I have to be honest. I'm not at all interested in trying this. It sounds to me like paying someone else to google stuff for you. I'm lazy, but not lazy enough to pay for that. So much for the cute presentation of the bonus.

Info card

Opening the box

The first makeup product we got for September was a really nice, neutral lip gloss in Pearl Necklace ($12). I'm glad it's neutral because that means it's something I'll use! It just adds a subtle shine and shimmer to my lips, so I like it!

Starlooks Lip Gloss in Pearl Necklace

Next was an eye product, their Infinity Eye Liner in Milky Way ($13). There are a lot of colors I would have preferred to this shimmery white, but I suppose this gets me to go outside my comfort zone a bit and play to find a way to make it work. I see it being an accent or highlighting color I don't use a whole lot of. I do like the info note's idea of using it as a shadow base to give your shadow a pearlescent effect and the idea of using it to make your own eyeliner by mixing it with a loose powder pigment.

Infinity Eye Liner in Milky Way

The last item was a set of false lashes in model FL13, which doesn't appear to be on the site, but they're all the same price ($13). Starlooks says they can be used up to 10 times, so I'm happy they're not a one time use thing, since that would be a little disappointing unless it were the bonus item. I can't tell if it's on purpose, but my pair seems a little uneven. It makes sense that they'd both taper on one side, at the inner eye, but the one seems to almost taper at both ends while the other gets steadily longer the whole length. I may need to do some trimming or playing. Maybe I just need to try them on and see if it's even noticeable. I don't use false lashes often, but I certainly don't mind having another pair because when I do use them, I feel amazing.

Starlooks FL13 Lashes

Swatches of the gloss and eye liner

September 2013 Starlooks Starbox

While this box was a little less wow for me than others, I still really like the gloss and I'm going to play with the liner and lashes, so it's definitely not a total loss. It's just undetermined at this point. Overall, it had a value of $38 (not counting the bonus), which is good. I peeked at the look book for October and if it includes what I think it will based on the makeup the girl is wearing, I think I'll really like it! I'm guessing a small eye palette (to create the silver and brownish eye look they demonstrate in the picture), maybe an eyeliner (though we did just have one a couple months ago), a pink lip gloss, and maybe a blush. They only had separate focused shots of her eyes and lips, so I'm not sure about the blush.

Starlooks Look Book picture for October

They've also got a brand new referral system going on where each referral earns the referrer a somewhat personalized (the referrer gets to choose eye vs lip vs mix and bold vs neutral vs mix) gift box (up to 3 per month!)! That's a pretty awesome referral bonus! So, if you're thinking about joining, I'd love it if you'd use my link please! :D If you already get the Starbox, what did you think of September? How are you using the eye liner?

(And just a disclaimer: I bought this box myself and was not compensated for this review in any way. All opinions are my own. The final link is a referral link, but I also included a non-referral link at the top.)

Starlooks Starbox August 2013 Review

As usual, near the end of the month, one of my makeup sub boxes, the Starlooks Starbox, arrived. For $17.68 per month ($15 for the box, $2.68 for shipping), you get 3-4 full sized items of makeup and usually a smaller bonus item or sample. I'm always excited to see what products we'll get each month.

This month's theme was actually a special edition for Natalie Corona. Who I'd never heard of. But that's ok!

Pretty box!

Opening the box

Info card

I have to admit, when I first looked into the box, I thought it might've been a mistake that I got 2 lipsticks until I realized they were different shades. And then I was just a little bummed, haha. You know me and lipstick. But, anyway, let's look at the products.

The first lipstick was an Infinity Lipstick in Eons ($15). When I looked at it, it looked a bit dark, but it was in the only color family that I've ever really worn, so I decided to try it on. And I liked it!! A lot! I couldn't believe it!

Starlooks Infinity Lipstick in Eons

The second lipstick, also an Infinity Lipstick, was in the color Endless ($15). This one I liked a bit less because it was a little frosty, but maybe I'll try it with some gloss. It's not terrible.

Starlooks Infinity Lipstick in Endless

The last product was a Glitter Glam in Emerald ($17). Although I'm probably getting a bit too old for it, I still love glitter, so this I thought was pretty cool. A really pretty color too. I'll probably just use it lightly as an accent though.

Starlooks Glitter Glam in Emerald (oddly you can't see the color at all at this angle. I just wanted to show the packaging)

Better view of the color

Swatches: Starlooks Infinity Lipsticks in Endless (L) and Eons (R) and a big pile of Starlooks Glitter Glam in emerald. It actually blended out quite nicely. I probably should have taken a picture of that, too. :/

Our little bonus this month was kind of lame. A red prism crystal thing. And not even a very nice one, really. Mine has some weird color bubbles in the surface.

"Bonus" item (red prism) and the usual monthly crystal

 We also got a lip coupon code and a mini biography of Natalie Corona, for those of us who had never heard of her.

Coupon code and mini biography

I'm not sure I needed this...

Starlooks Starbox August 2013

So, this box turned out to be less of a let down than I thought originally. I'm amazed I found a lipstick I like. That's awesome. While this box doesn't have the gigantic value that last month's had, it's still valued at $47, which is well over the price of the box. I'd still like to see more eye stuff again next month, but that's just me. :)

If you get Starbox, did you like it this month? If you're interested in signing up, head over to their website!

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