Hey guys! Apologies again for Ashleigh and I not keeping things updated. We have both had one crazy month. Thankfully everyone is safe and sound so we can get back to it!
I realize it's the last day of the month, but I thought I would sneak these in before December rolls around.
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Each month Ashleigh and I get subscription boxes with makeup and beauty products. I personally subscribe to two, though Ashleigh has opted to have more.
The two subscriptions I have are to Birchbox and Ipsy. For $20 a month total I get anywhere from 8 to 12 deluxe/full size products to sample. It's a great value and I can't tell you how many products it has helped Ashleigh and I both discover.
BIRCHBOX
The Birchbox theme this month was "More Good" inspired by November being the month of giving. I got 4 products this month and a bonus item, chocolate! The box also came with their holiday gift guide booklet.
Product 1:
Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil
$18
I admit, I'm not big on non-powder highlighters due to my skin type. I already had one of these from a previous Ipsy bag as well so it was not my favorite item in the box. However, the creamy consistency of the pencil and it's color tone works great on my cupid's bow without causing problems with my lip color.
If you like highlighter pencils this is the one I would suggest, they're just not my thing!
Product 2:
Color Club Cocktail Hour Collection Nail Polish in Top Shelf
$8
I don't know if it's just me, but if you want nail polish that you have to *fight* to get off this is for you. Every time I use a Color Club polish it stays until I go to remove it, and removal is not easy! It took removal tricks, cutting my nails, and three different removers to finally get this polish off. I don't plan on using this polish again as I miss my nails! I do love the color though so I'm sad to see it go.
Product 3:
Tocca Crema de Mano in Cleopatra
$8 to 20
This was the best thing in my box this month. Cleopatra is a mix of grapefruit and cucumber tones. The cream does wonders for your hands, absorbs quickly, and doesn't leave your hands sticky. As a farmer my hands get beat up on a daily basis, and teaching ballet requires soft hands so a good lotion is a must for me. I will be getting this in full size as soon as I run out of my sample.
Product 4:
Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator
$34
This is getting sent to Ashleigh as I can't exfoliate my face, once again due to my skin type. Once a month exfoliation is even rough on my skin. From what I can tell this product should be amazing. You'll have to ask Ashleigh to review it for you ; )
Bonus Item:
Chuao Chocopod in Orange and Dark Chocolate
Pack of 8 $9.95
This reminded me of the chocolate oranges you slam onto your table at the holidays and eat "slice by slice". The only difference is this had some candied orange peel in it as well. It wasn't anything special in my book, especially when relating to the cost.
IPSY
The Ipsy theme of the month was "Glam it Up" and there is nothing like getting a little adventurous with your style for the holidays. Not only was the monthly bag gold, but we got 6 products this month, and in my case almost everyone was full size.
Product 1:
em Cosmetics Lip Gallery Creamy Color Sheer Lipstick in Hug Me
$16.50
I was very curious about how this product would turn out as it comes from Michelle Phan's line of cosmetics. It has an extremely creamy consistency and applies well. As it is a sheer lipstick in a nude tone the color payoff is not very high, but that is to be expected. What I found after wearing this is that it feels oily on my lips. It may be just me, but it's not something I would buy for the cost when I can get my favorites for around the same price.
Product 2:
Be a Bombshell Lip Crayon in Hot Damn
$14
This is my favorite lip crayon I've tried. The color can build up from sheer to bold without feeling thick on your lips. I can even put a thin coat of gloss over this and it is still light as air. I love the color names and the staying power. The only downside is the crayon is fairly hard and does not feel creamy when you apply it. That said, I would buy this over the lipstick above in a heartbeat.
Product 3:
Nailtini Straight Up Color Nail Lacquer in Champagne
$13
This in on my top 5 nail polish brand list. If I could afford to do so I would buy the entire collection! With 2 to 3 coats depending on the shade it is chip free, no top coat needed. The colors are fun and range from neutral to wild. I think what I love most is the bottle itself is taller and thinner so it's easier to store.
Product 4:
Pixi Beauty Bronzer in Subtly Suntouched
$18 with Kabuki Brush
Overall this is a nice bronzer. The shade I got would work well for any but the deepest skintone. It feels nice going onto the skin and stays with you through the day. The only issue I had with it was it is almost as shimmery as a highlighter. It will be great on those few weeks a year my skin has a dull period, but as a daily use item it's not for me.
Product 5:
Starlooks Gem Eye Pencil in Topaz
$14
This is one eyeliner I have no problem with using as a dupe for Urban Decay's 24/7 pencils. I have a love affair with Urban Decay so finding something I like just as well is not easy. The pencil glides on without breaking up the line and stays all day. It's everything you'd want in an eyeliner. Now, I have no idea why Topaz is silver in color. I wonder what the color developers were thinking. The downside is there are not many colors to choose from and they are all metallic.
Product 6:
BH Cosmetics Galaxy Chic Baked Eyeshadow in Aphrodite
Currently $12.95 for the palette
Ashleigh will tell you that until I tried this shadow I LOATHED baked eye shadows. I didn't want anything to do with them and they didn't want anything to do with me either! Now that I have tried this, I WANT IT! As an Ipsy member I get a discount on this palette that lasts until the end of December. A big plus since right now money is being spent on gifts for others. I will be doing a full review on this palette once it arrives so stay tuned to how BH converted me to using baked shadows.
That's all for my subscription boxes this month. Up next is my Black Friday results post and how I managed to get out of Ulta without going over my $100 budget!
~Amanda
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