Passport to Beauty Vol. 1 - Louise Young L34 Super Foundation Brush

Louise Young LY34 Super Foundation Brush; $41.00 at Nordstrom - However, I just checked the Nordstrom.com website and the LY34 no longer appears!  Hopefully, you can still get it in store

Welcome to Passport to Beauty - a new series on this blog that will feature products from international (read: non-US based) brands. Since becoming a dedicated makeup magpie earlier this year, I've watched dozens of videos from Youtube beauty gurus from around the world featuring an array of products that I now lust after.  Alas, some of the products I covet are inevitably unavailable in the US or are hard to come by like the brushes from UK-based Louise Young cosmetics.

BOTTOM LINE: At $41.00, it's definitely an investment, but the LY34 is a beautifully crafted brush that does what it's supposed to do AMAZINGLY.  If you primarily use liquid foundation,  this should be on your wish list.

A favorite brand amongst UK-based beauty bloggers and Youtube gurus, Louise Young brushes were only available to US customers via the Louise Young website willing to  pay the approx $15 international shipping fee.  

HOWEVER, just before Christmas I was online shopping for gifts on the Nordstrom website and I was OVERJOYED to find that Louise Young brushes had come to the US - and thanks to Nordstrom, with FREE shipping. WOOT!  I immediately placed an order.

It was agonizing trying to choose between the LY34 and LY02 - also synthetic, but more of a paddle shape, compared to the rounder LY34.  What clinched my decision was the rounded point of the brush, which is perfect for the nose and undereye area.

Since the brush arrived, I have used it exclusively.  I even travelled with it over the holidays, though it's a tad on the large side to be totally travel-friendly. I sometimes pick it up and just stroke it like a soft, cuddly puppy. With the first use, you can see why this is Louise Young's bestseller.  The website describes it as "a large luxurious brush" that "applies foundation perfectly." And boy, does it ever. 

The taklon bristles are so incredibly soft and packed densely, but with enough give to blend your liquid foundation seamlessly and with minimal effort.  I was a dedicated BeautyBlender girl, but after doing a side by side comparison, the LY34 wins.  Don't get me wrong, I still think the BeautyBlender is great, but I feel like the LY34 brush buffs the foundation into my skin giving a more natural finish and literally in half the time it takes me with a damp BeautyBlender.

Not only are the taklon bristles soft, but they clean easily and the brush dries overnight after I wash it. I haven't had any fallout from it.

Though I purchased the LY34 from Nordstrom.com in November, I saw today that it's not currently on the website, though other Louise Young brushes are. Hopefully they are re-stocking and will put it back up on the website. If you're at all interested in this LY34 and you live in the US, you may want to RUN, not walk to the nearest Nordstrom's near you to see if they have it in store.



*All products mentioned in this review were purchased by me. No promotional consideration was given for this post. The opinions expressed here are 100% my own.

Christmas Haul 2012 aka "Thanks, Santa!" PART 2

I TOLD you that Santa was reeeeeealllly good to me this year.  I have been loving playing with all my precious new additions to my collection. Nearly every one of the above deserves its own in-depth, stand-alone review.  Let me know which ones you want to see the most!

1. Best of Becca Gift Set (LE) - including: Eye Tint (in Baroque), Beach Tint (in Grapefruit), Resurfacing Primer, Shimmering Skin Perfector (in Opal) and The Ultimate Mascara

I had been itching to try Becca products for a while now and couldn't decide which I wanted more - one of the beach tints or a shimmering skin perfector. Before Christmas, I spotted this set on Sephora's website (it is no longer available there, sadly) and I knew I had to have it. I bought it for $58 and of the 5 products, 3 were full size!

2. Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer  - not available in US / purchased in Canada for $19;  Another product I learned about from some of my favorite UK beauty bloggers. I spotted it in a drug store while I was visiting my parents in Toronto and picked it up. I have the Healthy Mix Serum Foundation and LOVE it, so I was ecstatic to try this out.  Light, smooth, great blend-ability. It's a tad too light for my skin, but works well to highlight the under-eye area.

3. Real Techniques Travel Essentials Brush Set - ($17.99 at Drugstore.com)  Ah, the famed brushes by Samantha Chapman, youtube beauty guru.  Good quality, great price.  The multi-task brush in this set is my new go-to for blush and bronzer.

4. Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow in #25 - ($20.00 at Sephora) - I've been trying different ways of filling my brows and trying to find one with staying power. This was recommended to me by a friend. The staying power is great and the waterproof factor will be key for the sweaty summer months. I'm still trying to get the hang of this and am experimenting with different brushes to get the most natural effect.  

5. Urban Decay Naked Nail Set (LE) - ($26.00 at Sephora) - So pretty. There have been a few reviews expressing concern by a few of the polish formula's ingredients. As far as the colors go, they really are beautiful. The wear time is about average with a good base and top coat.  It's limited edition so if you're interested in picking this up, it's best to get it now.

6. Real Techniques Starter Set - ($17.99 at Drugstore.com) - I bought this set almost solely for the deluxe crease brush.  It really is great for blending in your concealer. The jury is still out on the other brushes, but I really wish Real Techniques would sell the crease brush as a single. I would totally buy more!

7. Guerlain Meteorites in Perles Du Dragon (LE) - ($58.00 at Dillard's, but may be unavailable now)  Part of the Holiday Collection for 2012. Part setting power, part highlighter, part skin perfector - Guerlain Meteorites are either something you either LOVE it or you just don't get what all the fuss is about. Right now, I'm not sure which I am.  I'm still playing with this product and need to test it out a bit more. 

8. MAC Fluidline Brow Gelcreme in Deep Dark Brunette (LE) - ($15.00 at MAC) - Yup, another brow product. Like I said, I'm on the quest for my perfect brow routine. It's gotten rave reviews online. This is another limited edition so if you want to pick it up, you'll have to hunt it down in stores.

9. Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder (Translucent) - ($35.00 at Sephora) - If you wear liquid foundation or concealer, you need to set it with a good powder. I've been using pressed powder, but hate how it can look cakey if you're not careful. Enter Laura Mercier's Loose Setting Powder. Silky, airy and so far, it has never been cakey. Win!

10. Guerlain Terracotta Loose Powder Kohl - in Noir - ($36.00 at Sephora) - This was one of those "out there" products that intrigued me, but that I could never envision splurging on. So I put it on my list to Santa and lo, there it was on Christmas morning. I have trouble finding anything that stays put on my waterline, so I wanted to try more kohl products. Sadly, the kohl pencils I found still migrate on me, so I was searching for an alternative. This caught my eye (ha, ha).  Intimidating when you see the long, thin, rod applicator. Still trying to get the hang of this one. A full review coming soon.

11. Christian Dior Creme De Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm - ($27.00 at Sephora) - While I was in Colorado, my lips got horribly dry while I was out and about doing some last minute Christmas shopping.  I was without my favorite Qtica lip balm, so I popped into Sephora (convenient, huh?) and found this.  The packaging was so lush and I had heard some good things, so I got it.  It's been great, smells lovely and helps keep my lips hydrated and flake free. So far it definitely delivers on the smoothing action, but I'm yet to be convinced that it's worth the $27.00 price tag for a product that looks very similar to the iconic (and much more reasonably priced) Rosebud Salve.

12. YSL Rouge Couture Vernis À Lèvres Glossy Stain in #26 Violine Surrealiste - ($32.00 at Nordstrom) - This color is a new release for the spring.  Love these. Will buy more of these. Rich color and great staying power. 'Nuff said.

13. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC-5 - ($30.00 at Nordstrom) I'm one of those unfortunate ones that gets hyperpigmentation really easily. I have a constellation of dark spots on my face from previous breakouts. They're annoying and unsightly. And until they fade, they need to be covered. I've tried a few different concealers, but finding the right consistency AND color has proved to be a challenge. I feel like Goldilocks sometimes with my constant chirping, "This one's too dry." Or "This one's too wet."  Hopefully Laura Mercier's highly praised Secret Camouflage will be just right.

14. Guerlain LIU Calligraphy Palette (LE) - currently unavailable in stores - When I opened this present on Christmas Day, I SQUEALED. My lovely and dedicated mother-in-law literally HUNTED THIS DOWN just before Christmas (aside: Thanks, Mom!) and I'm so touched and ecstatic that she did. The palette is / was the star of Guerlain's holiday collection.  I'm probably not going to do a full review as this product is LE and unavailable in stores now (why tempt you with what you can't have?), but certainly, I will post pics of any looks I create with this.

15. Louise Young Brushes - LY34  Super Foundation Brush / LY19 Taklon Shadow Brush - ($41.00 and $18.00, respectively - exclusively in the US at Nordstrom)  OMG. A full review on the foundation brush is going to be featured as the first post in a new series on this blog called Passport to Beauty.  Hailing from the UK, I was jumping up and down when I saw that these were now available in the US.  I confess - I sometimes stroke this brush as if it were a cherished pet. So soft. So perfect. I'm totally smitten. I haven't touched my Beauty Blender since this arrived.

16. Jane Iredale Crease Brush - ($17.00 at Beauty.com) - Sigh. It's hard to follow on the heels of the Louise Young foundation brush.  I bought this because I needed a pointed crease brush for more precise application. Saw this on beauty.com and tossed it in with the order. It's a totally fine brush, perhaps a tad spendy for what it is, but it does the job.

17. Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Blushing Bride - ($25.00 at Beauty.com) - I love a healthy plummy flush during the colder months.  It seems that every beauty guru has talked about Tarte's Amazonian Clay blushes. I jumped on the bandwagon and sure enough, these are great. I love the color, but other than that, I'm not sure what else to say about it. I didn't think it was particularly long wearing, but I don't have overly oily skin, so in general makeup staying power hasn't been a problem for me.  Good product.

So after receiving such an embarrassment of riches for Christmas this year, I'm officially on a self-imposed No-Buy for a while so that I can really play with all these new lovelies.  (I know, I know - famous last words!)   If you want swatches or an in-depth review of any of the products I mentioned in either Part 1 or Part 2, let me know! Ta, for now!!

Christmas Haul 2012 aka "THANKS SANTA!!!" - Part 1

Wow, I must have been a VERY good girl this year because Santa came and boy, was he generous. Of course it is better to give than receive, but can't I revel in the receiving just a little bit?

Alright, alright...maybe I wasn't THAT good, but I found some great sales. While Santa was still overly generous to this makeup brat, I admit I may have *ahem* snuck a few things into my own stocking.

Let's get to the good stuff. First up,  skincare and fragrance.

1. REN ClearCalm Clarifying Clay Cleanser - (Sephora - $32.00 for 5.1oz) Try saying that 3 times fast!  So, I got this because my skin was freaking out in the dry cold air of Colorado this Christmas. I love REN because they are good quality products without a whole lot of filler and other chemicals that could clog up already problematic skin.  

2. Micro Needle Roller - (Amazon.com - $12.00 - I bought the 0.5mm) Ok, a full series regarding my more extreme cosmetic adventures is shortly forthcoming. I have lots of hyperpigmentation spots on my face and read about micro-needling as a treatment.  Basically, surgical needles are put on a roller and yes, you roll it over your face to help serums and moisturizers penetrate deeper. Also, the micro punctures are supposed to help stimulate blood flow and collagen production. Yup, folks - like your front lawn, you're basically aerating your face. With needles.  Oy vey. This seemed like a good idea when I read about it.  

3. Sabon NYC Body Butter (sabonnyc.com) / $12.00 per 3.7oz bar - So my lovely young sisters-in-law gave me these for Christmas. I got the Lemon Mint and Patchouli Lavender scents.  I HATE putting on lotion in general.  But the cold air has been so utterly drying, I have had to slather it on to keep my skin from cracking. The body butter bars are a cool idea. Cut off a chunk and the heat from your hands and body melt it, turning it into a moisturizing lotion for your skin.  Like the name "butter" suggests, these get quite greasy.  The feeling does go away after the product sinks in, but for me, that took at least 30-45 mins after application. Definitely moisturizing and I love the scent, but some may be turned off by the initial greasy feel.

4. Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intesive Exfoliating Treatment - (Sephora - $85.00 for 2oz)  Dry skin and dead skin can dull a complexion like no other. I picked up this award winning exfoliant after trying a sample I got in one of my beauty subscription boxes.  This is powerful stuff- DON'T make the mistake of using too often or for too long before you know what your tolerance is. The first time I used it, I ended up using longer than I should have and my skin felt windburned and sensitive for the entire next day.  A little goes a long way and 2-3 times per week is enough to keep my skin exfoliated and the dry flaky patches away.

5. L'Occitane Shea Butter Honey Hand Cream - (Available at L'Occitane.com $10.00 for 1oz. tube)  Even though I generally loathe putting on body lotion, I can't be without L'Occitane's shea butter hand cream. I have one within reach wherever I go. I keep one on my desk, one in my purse, one by the bed. I have tried a few of them (they come in a myriad of different fragrances), but I am addicted to the original and this lightly fragranced honey version. The cream sinks in quickly, moisturizes well and leaves no greasy feeling. As a calligrapher, I am constantly washing ink off my hands. L'Occitane's hand cream has been a lifesaver. HG / Hall of Fame status achieved. 

6. Careprost Solution - (Amazon.com - $30 - $40 for 3ml) Okay, this another kind of "extreme" beauty product. Essentially, it's the generic version of Latisse eyelash growing serum. It has the same active ingredient.  My stick-straight, stubby Asian lashes are nothing to write home about, so I started using this before Christmas. So far, no major change.  Will be posting my progress as I continue to use it.

7. Diptyque Eau de Toilette in Volutes - (Beautybar.com - $88.00 for 1.7oz) - Got this in a beauty box. Tried the sample. My guy couldn't stop sniffing my neck. Seriously.  Of course, I knew I could expect to get the full size version. If the description of your ideal perfume includes the words bright, sweet, or citrus, this is not for you. How to describe the fragrance?   Spicy, musky, but also delicately feminine. Exquisite.

STOCKING STUFFERS

1.  Ecotools Bamboo Deluxe Concealer brush - $4.00 at Drugstore.com

2.  E.L.F. Eyelash and Brow Wand - $1.49 at Drugstore.com

3. Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray - $29.00 for 4oz. - Raved about by beauty gurus on youtube, I was so excited to get this finishing spray. If you're like me and your makeup tends to migrate, this might help.

4. E.L.F. Angled Eyeliner Brush - $3.00 at Target.com

5. Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Crease Shadow Brush - $9.49 at Target.com - SUPER soft. Rivals my higher end brushes. Love it!

6. Revlon Lip Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Crush - $8.99 at Drugstore.com

7. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Raspberry Bite - $7.00 at Drugstore.com

8. Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie - $7.49 at Drugstore.com - Ok, from #6, 7 and 8 you can see I clearly have a thing for bright fuschia lips right now.  If red was my go-to color for the holidays, fuschia is the color I'm going for to herald in spring.

9. & 10. L'Oreal Color Riche Caresse Wet Shine Stain in Endless Red and Infinite Fuschia - $9.99 each at Drugstore.com - If you are, like me, a fan of YSL's Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stains, then this could be the new drugstore product for you. L'Oreal's drugstore version just launched and the product packs a ton of shine and color for a 1/3 of the price. L'Oreal actually owns YSL, so I was expecting great things.  So far so good, but to me, I love the luxe packaging of the YSL version, but this might be a great option for trying some trendier colors (hello, fuschia!) at a lower price point.

11. Wet n Wild Color Icon Trio in Knock on Wood - $2.99 at Drugstore.com - I have jumped on the bandwagon.  These are great shadows. Great color payoff and I love the groupings of colors. I already have my eye on 3 other sets (I'm Getting Sunburned, Walking on Eggshells and Silent Treatment). As inexpensive as these are, why not?

Swatches of  #6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11

12. OPI Nail Varnish in Vampsterdam and The World is Not Enough (not pictured) - $8.00 at Drugstore.com

13. Butter London 3 Free Nail Varnish in British Racing Green - $15.00 at Beauty.com  - The color of 2013 is emerald green according to Pantone. While I couldn't find a great emerald green nail polish, I did come across this darker green from Butter London. My nails are still recovering from being split, but once they've mended, I can't wait to pop this on for some fun color.

WHEW.  Ok, that was just part 1 of the Christmas Haul.  Stay tuned for Part 2!

Dear Santa...Presenting the Christmas Wish-List of a Makeup Junkie

Come on, admit it. Even though most of us are long past the point of writing actual letters to Santa, I'll bet you still make a mental list of pretty little things you hope to find in your stocking this year. I certainly have and with all the lovely, delectable holiday palettes and gorgeously packaged products, my list is longer than ever this year.

1. Guerlain Limited Edition Calligraphy Palette $79.00 at Sephora  2. Tom Ford Eye Quad in Silvered Topaz $75.00 at Bergdorf Goodman  3.  YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain - I want No. 2 Brun Glace - $32.00 at Sephora  4. Diptyque Eau de Toilette in Volutes - $88.00 at diptyqueparis.com  5.  Burberry Lip Velvet Lipstick in 310 Military Red - $30.00 at Nordstrom  6. Mason Pearson Pocket Brush - $88.00 available at Beauty.com  7. Guerlain Terracotta Loose Kohl in Brun Dore $36.00 at saksfifthavenue.com  8. Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro Matte in Artdeco $32.00 at Nordstrom 9. Guerlain Meteorites in Teint Dore $58.00 at Sephora  10. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal $42.00 at Sephora 11. Louise Young Super Foundation Brush LY34  $41.00 at Nordstrom

Oh Santa, maybe I haven't been as good as I'm supposed to be this year - but really, what would have been the fun in that? But I thought I would put out this list just in case you're feeling especially generous this year ;)

XO,

Me

Latest Haul aka "The Haul that Will Make My Guy Freak Out"

I really didn't mean to do it,  it just kind of got away from me.  But it was the perfect storm of Friends & Family sales / Black Friday / Cyber Monday...you know how the story goes. And before I knew it, I had amassed a rather alarming pile of (albeit delectable) goodies that I debated about NOT sharing with you.  Why, you ask?

2 reasons, really -

1)  My repeated lack of self-control is embarrassing and I fear my seemingly endless haul posts might be getting tedious for you, dear reader.

Annnnnnndddddd....

2) My guy might just end up grounding me after seeing everything all laid out :S

Well, consequences be damned!  Here's what I got:

(Good) Skin is In

From L to R - 1) Sjal Mineral Kalla Energy Toner $70.00 at  2)  P50 1970 Exfoliant by Biologique Recherche 5.1oz for $55.00 @ Rescue Rittenhouse Spa  3)  BabyFoot - Foot mask for $20.00 on Amazon

I've been using P50 by Biologique Recherche for the last 4 months as an exfoliant on the advice of skincare guru extraordinaire Ms. Caroline Hirons of Beautymouth. Even though I've been experimenting with different cleansers, toners and moisturizers, I have been using P50 consistently and my skin is getting that glow back and the dark spots and hyperpigmentation are fading a lot faster because of it.  

I'm most excited about BabyFoot - ok, a foot mask, come on!  But my feet get horribly dry and Babyfoot is essentially 2 booties filled with the solution. You slip on for an hour and over the course of the subsequent several days the dead skin sloughs off and leaves you with baby-soft feet. *fingers...er, toes...crossed*

Face of Base (*Does anyone else remember that group from the '90s??*)

I have resisted wearing foundation for most of my adult life. I felt that it looked too heavy and fake and I hated the way it felt like my skin was suffocating. I hated how it would end up on my clothes. Fast forward to now where new formulations tout being super lightweight.  I have pretty good skin, but definitely have gotten to the point where I need some base coverage to even out my skin tone and cover up some hyperpigmentation. And of course, I'm still after that "lit from within" look.

I've been using Urban Decay's Naked Skin foundation or Missha's Perfect Coverage BB cream since it launched this summer and I do like the coverage each gives me, but after hearing about some rave reviews on some other products (and some well-timed sales), I took the plunge.

1) Bobbi Brown Bronze Shimmer Brick $40.00 2) Bobbi Brown Face Blending Brush $45.00  3) Bourjois Healthy Mix Gel Foundation #56  $20.00 - available at asos.com  4) Giorgio Armani Maestro Foundation (Shade 7)  $62.00  5) Diorskin Forever Flawless Foundation (in Honey Beige) $47.00  6)  YSL Touche Eclat in 4.5 and 5.0 $40.00 each

The Eyes Have It 

1) D-UP Perfect Extension Mascara in Black  $20.00 (at imomoko.com)  2)  1 Day Lash Perm Long Curl Mascara  in Black $17.99 (at imomoko.com)  3) Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink $22.00  4) MAC Paintpot in Soft Ochre $18.00  5)  Lioele Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown  $14.00  6) MAC Kohl Pencil in Powersurge  $15.00 7) MAC Kohl Pencil in Teddy $15.00   8. Rimmel Soft Kohl Pencil in Jungle Green $3.59  9) Solone Magic Waterproof Pencil in Golden Black $6.99  10) NYC Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Moody Blue  $3.60 11) Stila Smudge Stick in Blue Ribbon  $20.00 12)  Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner in 15 $23.00

I'm still on the quest for my Holy Grail mascara - one that holds curl, doesn't flake or smudge, isn't near impossible to take off and doesn't make my lashes crunchy. Is that too much to ask? So far, the D-UP mascara fails the all-important curl test, so it's going to go to my mom (don't worry, I had used a disposable wand as I always do for the first time with any new mascara, just for this very reason).  The Lash Perm is fine, but it doesn't blow my mind. Alas, the quest continues.

1) MAC Powersurge  $15.00 2) MAC Teddy $15.00  3) Rimmel Jungle Green  $3.59  4) Solone Golden Black $6.99 (at imomoko.com)  5) NYC Moody Blue  $3.60  6) Stila Blue Ribbon $20.00  7)  MUFE #15 $23.00

I've been experimenting with loads more color and finishes rather than just the neutrals.  The metallic / glittery flecks in the MAC and Solone Pencils are going to be great for the round of holiday parties this season.  

Top L to R -  1)  NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Cordura $34.00 2)  Wet n Wild ColorIcon Eyeshadow Palette in Blue Had me at Hello $4.99 3)  L'Oreal Project Runway in Temptress' Gaze $8.95 

Bottom L to R - Sephora Moonshadow Trio in Dusk to Dawn and Afterglow each $7.00

Pucker Up and Kiss Me

How I love the luxurious packaging of high-end cosmetics. Seriously, I can see an addiction forming. I don't know if it's just me, but when paying premium for a lipstick, I want the color to be rich, sumptuous and saturated. Don't get me wrong, I love the pinky nude everyday shades, but for a special occasion, nothing says special like a red or wine lipstick in a gorgeous case.

1) Rouge D'Armani #608  $30.00 2) YSL Rouge Pur Couture in Belle Du Rose  $32.00 3)  Nars Lipgloss in Stolen Kisses  $24.00 4) Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Damned  $24.00 5) Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Bahama $24.00 6)  NYX Lip Pencil in Ever  $3.49  7) NYX Lip Pencil in Peekaboo Neutral $3.49  8)  Too Faced Perfect Lips Pencil in Perfect Spice  $17.00 9)  Urban Decay Super Saturated Lipgloss in Naked $19.00

SEE SWATCHES BELOW

Fancy Fingertips

When getting ready for the holiday party circuit, don't forget your mani. After spending time, money and effort perfecting your makeup look, doing up your digits can pull the whole thing together.  Maybe you're not a nail art person, but there are plenty of simple looks you can pull off with the right colors and finishes. 

Left Picture - Top (from left)  1) OPI Man with the Golden Gun 18kt gold topcoat $30.00 2)  Deborah Lippman Cleopatra in NY  $18.00 3) Deborah Lippmann No More Drama  $16.00 4) The New Black Glimmer Twins (one metallic finish black and one matte black) both for $10.00

Bottom:  Orly Galaxy Girl and Orly Space Cadet each $10.00

Right Picture - Deborah Lippmann No More Drama accented with OPI Man with the Golden Gun topcoat

So yes, I am now officially a bonafide addict.  I feel a blog sale coming up soon....stay tuned!

*All products mentioned in this post were purchased by me (and I have the credit card bills to prove it!). No promotional consideration was given and no compensation received. All opinons expressed are 100% my own.

Pop Sugar Must Have - November Edition

I haven't even had a chance to do a post on October's box and surprise, November's box just turned up on my doorstep!  Despite some earlier misgivings, I get really excited for the Must Have box simply because you really never know what you're going to get - from makeup and accessories to food to books and stationary, it's been an eclectic mix of goodies that keep me coming back for more.

At $35.00 a month, it's the priciest of all the services I subscribe to, but I figure I'll continue through the end of the year as I'm quite curious to see what PopSugar will do for Christmas. But let's not get ahead of ourselves....

Here's what's inside November's box:

1) Stonewall Kitchen Cinnamon Doughnut Mix - Value $9.95

2) Mandy Ingber's Yogalosophy DVD - Value $14.98

3)  Snow & Graham Letterpress Thank You Notes in "Dogwood" (6 cards and envelopes) - Value $15.00

4) La Boite Spice Mis Trio - Full Size Trio Value (8.25 oz total) for $45.00 / Sample Value (1.5 oz total) for $8.18

5) Mor Lip Macaron in "French Vanilla" - Value $10.00

6) Gorjana Parker Bracelet (burgundy leather with gold hardware) - Value $55.00

TOTAL BOX VALUE:  $113.11

All in all, this was a pretty good box - I LOVE the Gorjana Bracelet and the Mor Lip Macaron. I'm also an avid baker, so I'm looking forward to using the spices and the doughnut mix, too.  Bring on the Christmas edition, PopSugar - I've been especially good this year, so no coal in my box, please ;)

*PopSugar Must Have Box subscription was bought and paid for by me. This review was unsolicited and no compensation was received for it. As always, the opinions expressed are 100% my own.

What's in November's Ipsy Bag?

I got my second Ipsy bag in the mail this week and I gotta say that the Ipsy love continues. After months of being disappointed by another monthly $10 subscription service - which shall remain nameless, ahem - I was fearing more foil packet samples and granola bars. My, how wrong I was!  Unlike that *other* bag, Ipsy is a makeup subscription (YAY!) - no granola bars here, knock on wood.

So, what's in this month's bag?

1) Starlet Cosmetics Intense Eyeliner in Black - FULL SIZE YAY! - $11.00 - I've never heard of this brand before. The pencil is not too soft with good pigmentation. It doesn't drag or pull on the skin and I can always use another black eyeliner that is blendable.

2) Chella Eyebrow Defining Gel (Clear) - $18.00 for 0.19 fl oz / Sample value (0.12 fl oz) $11.37 - Another brand I've never heard of, but as a girl who has recently become addicted to her NYX brow wax pencil, I'm looking forward to testing this one out.

Right - 1. Starlet Cosmetics Intense Eyeliner in Black  2. The Balm Meet Matt(e) Eyeshadow in Matt Batali  3. Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie in Dare Devil    Left - Nailtini Nail Lacquer in Millionaire over Chanel Le Varnis in Pirate

3) The Balm Meet Matt(e) Eyeshadow in Matt Batali - $34.50 for 9 pan palette / Sample value $3.83 - I really like The Balm products. I've been using Mary Lou-Manizer as a highlight shade for a while now and love it's silky, almost creamy texture.  Unfortunately, the lighting in my apartment doesn't do this shade justice (I'm working on fixing that, I swear!) This shade looks brown-ish, but swatches with dark purple-y tones that will look great with some of the other products I've picked up for the fall.

4) Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Dare Devil - $18.00 for 0.15 fl oz / Sample Value $9.00 for (0.7 fl oz) - The color looks intense in the tube, but swatches into a really sheer, pretty berry color. It's definitely your traditional lipgloss and is shiny with a tacky texture. There's a bit of lip plumping action with the peppermint in there. Altogether a good product in a seasonally apropos shade.

5) Nailtini Nail Lacquer in Millionaire - FULL SIZE! Value $13.00 for 0.5 fl oz - This is a bar glitter polish in gold. I don't normally like bar glitter, but the particles are quite fine and goes on quite plushly giving off a very pretty effect.  Over a solid polish, it's a great holiday look.

As Ipsy is known for, all the products came in great makeup bag - this month, a brown microfiber with gold zip that is perfect for stashing in a purse.  Not even counting the value of the bag, the total value of the products is an impressive $48.20.

Oh, Ipsy, thanks for not disappointing.  Can't wait for next month's bag.


*Ipsy subscription was bought and paid for by me. This review was unsolicited and no compensation was received for it. As always, the opinions expressed are 100% my own.