Bonjour Jolie - August 2015

          I signed up for Bonjour Jolie late enough into July that I got both my July and August boxes in the month of August. I had actually forgotten I was getting another box so it was a complete surprise after work. I did not get any shipping information for this one either but I am not really upset by that. I know it ships at the beginning of each month and without tracking information it is one less thing to check obsessively.

          This month's theme is Hot August Nights. If you are not familiar with Bonjour Jolie it is a period supply subscription service that comes to your door in a discreet box with everything you need plus a few extra things to help you get through this cranky time. For some more information check out on of my first posts here. 

             First we have the period supplies, you can get different combinations of many brands of tampons, pads, liners and/or menstrual cups. If you prefer your items not to be handled you can pick a full box of one item. You also get a couple packets of Advil and Summer's Eve Cleansing Cloths to keep your business fresh. 

           Every box includes snacks and Bonjour Jolie nailed it this month, M&M's cookies? Yes. Ate them right away. We also got some Rock Candy Sticks, Gobstoppers, Lemon Heads and Jelly Bellys. All solid candy choices. All these are worth about $7. 

          So many teas, last month we got some cold drink mixes and while they were yummy I am glad we got tea this month. It is currently too hot to think about hot water but I love trying new teas. I have put a no buy in place because I just have so much tea piled up. This way I get to try a variety without filling my cupboards. Also according to the card the word stash comes from back in the day when tea was usually transported but clipper ship and the captain was presented with some of the finest teas for his personal use, AKA his "stash" and that, children, is why we use the word stash to describe anything put away carefully because it is precious to us. Tea and a fun fact, what more do you need? 

Bonjour Jolie Beach Waves Salt Spray $15 at bonjourjolie.com/shop

          This is the pampering item this month and it's a very good size. I will always be willing to try anoth beach spray, easy waves without using heat? Yes. Give me that. This one is supposed to add texture and waves without making your hair sticky or drying it out because it has organic argan oil to moisturize. It smells like argan oil and just slightly of citrus. I gave it a quick spray and it really did not make my hair sticky or dry, I have used sprays that have given better waves but this is almost like a conditioner along with a wave spray.

Just a Little Sparkle Silver Plated Rhinestone Headband $19 at addjustalittlesparkle.com 

          This is pretty cute and at first I was concerned it would get stuck in my hair but it is really quite comfortable. This is handmade and apparently they have all different ones for different occasions. If you  want to get one of your very own you can use the code "BONJOUR" for $5 off until 8/31/15

          The value of this box is $41.25 without including the period supplies in the first photo. I am impressed with both boxes I have received so far and am glad I have signed up if for no other reason than I don't have to think about buying tampons. 

 

Sign up for your own Bonjour Jolie box. 

Check out the July Box. 

 

Thanks for reading!

A. 

@dirty_cupcake  

Birchbox Canada - August 2015

          I loved my Birchbox this month! It is probably the first box where everything is really suited for me. This month it seems like products I have wanted to try just appeared in my subscription boxes. 

          First, look how cute the box is under there, it's just a cute little pool. I can't bear to throw any of the boxes out because they are so cute. I have re-purposed some and I am sure around Christmas time I will find uses for them. Enough about the box lets move on to the samples inside. 

St. Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Sample Value $7.75 Full Size $31

This convenient, innovative self-tanner delivers buildable Color for a natural-looking glow 

        I was so excited to see this sample in my box, I had seen this in a friends shower and was considering giving it a try. I am terrified of self tanner, I am next level pale so I need something that is not going to be dramatic at the first application and this is perfect! To use it you shower like normal and after you are all scrubbed, turn off the shower, put this lotion on while you are still wet and standing in the shower, wait for three minutes and then rinse it off with just water. I tried this today and I was just going to put it on my legs in case I messed it up or it just turned out horrible. It was so easy to apply so I just used it all over and most surprisingly it smells nice! It rinsed off easily and left my skin so soft. There was no immediate colour but over time a very gradual and natural looking change occurred without streaks or spots. The colour is very light, almost unnoticeable but I think it would be very buildable. I think this is perfect for someone like me who is very pale and inexperienced with self tanner. 

Balance Me Congested Skin Serum Sample Value $15.86 Full Sized $34 

Calming spot treatment that fights blemishes, refines pores, and balances skin without drying.

           Lately I have been struggling with many more blemishes than I have ever had in my life so this was another welcome product. It has a very natural scent and is 99% natural. I am currently using the Clinique Acne Solutions System (review to come) but I will add this in there as an extra measure.  I have used it a couple times and I do like it but haven't noticed a huge difference, I doubt it's worth the price tag.

amika Un.done Texture Spray Sample Value $4.82 Full Sized $26.50

Styling spray that gives hair effortless, tousled volume, loads of shine and a dreamy scent.

           This is a nothing product I was looking to try before I found it in the box this month. I'm looking for a texture spray and this is a brand I have heard a lot about from different blogs and YouTube. I have not yet had a chance to try this as it is far to hot to do anything but stick my hair in a bun or clip immediately after brushing it out. It does smell nice which is not something I can say about most hair sprays. 

LAQA & Co. Cheeky Lip Crayon in Cray Cray Sample Value $5? Set of 3 $26

This creamy crayon delivers a rich, easy to apply color for both lips and cheeks. 

            I am always happy to receive lips products and I have another lip colour from the brand that I love. This was a little bit of a disappointment, as I find the lip and cheek combos usually are, it doesn't go on the lips well, has spotty coverage and just looks cheap. I habve not tried it as a cheek colour but I don't have high hopes. Also the sample size is rather deceiving, it looks like a full sized crayon but there is only about an inch, if that, of product. It's a waste of packaging, it would look so cute if it was packaged relative to the amount of product. I am going to play around with it and might be able to make it work but it is not an immediate favourite. 

Crabtree & Evelyn Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy Sample Value $5.50 Full Sized $32

Made with macadamia oil and shea butter, this ultra-nourishing cream hydrates and protects hands. 

          On the packaging it says "gardeners" and has a little person planting something, this really is the perfect lotion for someone working with their hands. It is insanely moisturizing but absorbs quickly doesn't leave a greasy film at all. It has a spicy sent that is almost masculine. This is a lotion I am going to keep in my purse over the winter as it will have no problem combating dry winter skin. 

Value of the box $38.93

          As I said before I love my Birchbox and the products were all items that seem tailored for me. The value is not amazing but I will use at least four out of the five products regularly and if I do not use the fifth it will go to my sister.

Check out my last Birchbox post

Try it out for yourself!

Thanks for reading!

A.

@dirty_cupcake

Ipsy - August 2015

           I was a fan of my Ipsy bag as soon as I saw my Glam Room. I got a good mix  items and all in shades I will wear. It does seems like if you redeem for points your bag will ship later, which makes sense as it likely takes longer to process. This month my bag came around the 15th as it usually does.

          I love the bag itself, I am a huge fan of both hound's-tooth and pink, I just wish they would put the zippers on the top of the bags instead of the front. 

Trust Fund Beauty Nail Polish in Elegantly Wasted Full Sized $15 

          Really? A fifteen bucks for nail polish? That seems excessive. I use gel polish exclusively on my fingernails but the colour is adorable so I will use it on my toes. I usually count nail polish as a lost item because I just do not use it or want it but this is cute both in colour and packaging. 

Briogeo Blossom and Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizer Sample Value $0.78  Full Sized $18

          This smells very uplifting, a very light ginger and citrus scent. I have yet to find a volumizing product that really works for me but I am excited to try this one out. 

noyah Natural Lipstick in Desert Rose Sample Value $4.50 Full Sized $18

          I have another shade of this lipstick I got from points and already know I love the formula, it is so creamy and opaque. This is the perfect shade to use until it is time for red and berry shades. 

Juara Skin Care Turmeric Antioxidant Radiance Facial Mask Sample Value $3.50 Full Sized $35

          I actually stopped writing to go try this out. It really feels more like a lotion than a mask, the next time I use it I will do it after a more gentle cleanser as it did sting just a little on the drier parts of y face. I did not notice a huge difference after using it other than my skin was a little softer. Based on the little blub on the Ipsy site saying to expect amazing things after one use it was kind of a let down. The sample size is probably good for three or four masks if you really stretch it but a bigger sample would have been nice.

Skone Cosmetics Luxe Doubler Eye/Lip Pencil in Wine Full Size $12

          I am not sure I am comfortable using the same product on my lips and then my eyes. I will use this as a lip liner as I was just looking to pick up some more berry, wine and red shades. I have yet to wear it but it goes on smoothly and is a beautiful colour.

          Over all I am happy with my bag, two lip products, a skincare, a hair products is a good mix for me. I would have preferred something other than nail polish but at least it is a colour I will wear.

The value of this bag is nearly $50!

Not bad for a $10 subscription

Try Ipsy for yourself

Check out last months bag

Thanks for reading!

A.

@dirty_cupcake

Project Ten Pan Summer 2015 Finale

          I am a little early with my final Project Pan post because I am just really not working on it anymore but that is okay since I finished at least ten products! Be sure to check out my original post and first update to read it all from the beginning. 

          First lets just take a quick look at the products I had used up in the first month and two I decided to just toss. 

For more information on these products and how 

I felt about them near the end click here.

           I have used up nine more products since my last update. I focused on my project pan so well during the first month that I had a lot more freedom for my second month and really did not have to focus on these products. 

Phytorelax Laboratories Argan Oil Treatment

          This was the product I was most concerned about using up since I only used one or two pumps at a time in my hair but I found another use for it. I was having issues with my legs being so dry that I had horrible razor burn, I put this on before shaving my legs and it moisturized well enough that I could shave my legs without regretting it. I liked this hair oil but it is not a stand out product for me. I do love the bottle with the pump and I am going to keep it to put some hair oil samples in that came in terrible packaging.

Marc Anthony Bye Bye Frizz Conditioner

          This is a decent conditioner, it's a little heavy for my hair but is great if I use a clarifying shampoo. It did not take too long to use up and I am glad that I have one less bottle in the shower. Although by the time this goes up I am sure it will be replaced with something else. I wold not repurchase this particular product but if you have dry, frizzy hair it would be a lot better for you than I.

ECRU New York Protein BB Cream 

          This was on okay product, I am sure it was good for my hair but I do not think there was any noticeable difference on the days I used it. Would not repurchase.

Vaseline Spray and Go Moisturizer

             It is impossible to tell how much/little progress I made with this. I just do not like this lotion, it is too watery, is sticky for a while afterwards and it does not moisturize that well. I did use it a couple times but I did not really put any effort into using it.

Clean and Clear Blackhead Eraser Cleansing Mask

          Even with using this on a regular basis I did not find it did much to "erase" blackheads but it did do a good job of deep cleaning. I would not repurchase but it is not a bad product.

Épicé Therapeutic Moisturizer

          I liked this moisturizer because it was not heavy or greasy. I used it on days I was just around the house and not wearing makeup since it was such a light moisturizer it was great for summer. Not amazing but I do not have anything bad to say about it. 

Julep Rock Star Hand Cream

          This hand cream was such a challenge! I was making everyone use this so I could be done with it, there is probably enough to use once more but I am calling it a win. Too bad I have another larger bottle and possible another travel sized one. It is a nice lotion but the scent has offended so many people that I can not bring it to work and do not like using it in public. I could use the others I have left in my manicure routine I suppose.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Full Coverage Foundation

           I go back and forth over this foundation, it is a thick foundation and the very definition of full coverage but some days I feel like it does not get along with my oily skin then the next day it is my holy grail. I just can not make a decision on it.

NYX Love in Rio Eyeshadow Trio

          My goal was to hit pan on the center shade and I hit pan on all three! I thought I  might do so on the pink shade but was surprised to do it for the brown. I liked this trio more every time I used it but I am trying to de-clutter and since I feel like I got my money out of this I can throw it out without feeling wasteful, well not as wasteful.

Lord and Berry Kohl Liner in Black

          I actually cheered when this was done. It goes on very smooth but smudges like it is its job. I was sharpening it more than I would normally to use it up because I refused to let it win.

           I never did find the Julep lip gloss I started the project with and I have searched everywhere. I am kind of pissed about it, I was really trying to use it up. Overall I used up fourteen products! I was not sure I would be able to focus on these items but clearly it worked out. Next time I will try some more challenging items.

  Thanks for reading!

A.

@dirty_cupcake

Bonjour Jolie July 2015

          I have signed up for a new monthly subscription! I had tried a single box from Bonjour Jolie at the beginning of the year and it remains the most popular post so it seems you would enjoy more of these type of posts.

          If you have not heard of Bonjour Jolie it is a "A Premium Subscription Box Designed Exclusively for women to Be Pampered During Their Period!" 

Cost: 

Try it box $20

Monthly Subscription: $16 

Shipping: USA $5, Canada $8.50, Worldwide International $14.50

There are also three and six month subscriptions that save you a couple dollars per box for paying upfront.

          Active duty military members and their spouses recieve free shipping to military bases, APO's and FPO's when using the code "MILITARY"

Each Box Containes:

• up to 25 feminine items - can chose a combination of pads, tampons, liners and even menstrual cups or a sealed box of pads, tampons or menstrual cups
• hand curated gift
• specialty bath and body pampering items
• artisan confections
• teas and drinks
• feminine wipes
• advil
• a card with some information about the items including price and which snacks are sugar free, vegan or gluten free

          You can also give information about allergies and change your preferences for feminine items. 

          In the USA you can pick your shipment date based on your cycle but all international orders are shipped the first week of the month due to varied international shipping delivery times.

          Let's take a look at the July box:

          Each group of items come in different coloured organza bags or a sealed plastic wrap so your items are not just floating about the box.

          Beyond the necessary feminine items you also get packets of advil, heat pads and feminine wipes. All of these things can be so very helpful during your period, from easing cramps to helping you feel more fresh.

          Another very important part of surviving your period is having the right snacks. This time we have some Fiji Apple Crisps which are freeze dried apples and delicious. The only ingredient is apples so a healthy snack too. We also go a handful of Swedish Fish, some fruit filled sea shell candies and a package of skittles. 

          These little guys are the teas and drinks section of the box and at first I was not sure how good they were going to be but I was blown away. The Pina Colada tasted exactly like you would expect a pina colada to taste. It says to mix them with water but I am sure you could mix them with your alcohol of choice (given you are of age in your country of residence) and they wold still be delicious. 

Bonjour Jolie Organic Body Scrub, $12

           "Made with organic olive oil and jojoba oils, sugar and essential oils. Gently exfoliates your skin while drenching it in nourishing oils. Vegan and gluten free."

          I was so happy to see that the pampering item was a body scrub, easily one of my favourite pampering items. It smells like a tropical vacation after you have spilt your drink on yourself. I have not used it yet but am looking forward to it. To purchase one of your own go to BonjourJolie.com/Shop.

Silver and Stone Starfish Necklace, $14

Etsy.com/shop/ElliesButton

          "This delicate silver plated necklace lets you keep a peice of the beach with you all year long"

          The gift is this super cute necklace and I am sure I will get some wear out of it.

Value of the box: $35+ 

          That is without the cost of the feminine product, heat pads, Advil or wipes. Clearly this is worth what you pay for it, especially when you consider you do not need to remember to pick up tampons or whatever you need or make any special trips.

Check out my previous Bonjour Jolie post

Check out Bonjour Jolie for yourself

Thanks for reading!

A.

@dirty_cupcake

Haul August 2015

           This haul is another collective haul since I am on a low buy there are items I have picked up here and there over the last few months. Since it is so spread out I don't have prices for everything. There are something's that have become favourites and others that have been complete flops. Go get some coffee this is going to take a while. 

Bath and Body Works Three Wick Candles in Fresh Water and Sea Salt, Coastal Sun, and Summer Boardwalk 

          These were picked up during the semi annual sale and were clearly some sort of three for whatever deal. I have burnt the Fresh Water and Boadwalk candles so far and love both of them. I would only fail miserably in describing the scent of Fresh Water and Sea Salt so I will just say it is like a perfumed twist on a fresh cotton type of scent. The Summer Boardwalk smells like caramel corn and vanilla and fills my whole apartment with scent. It is not for someone who is scent sensitive but I like my candles to offend as many people's allergies as possible so it is perfect for me. I have not lit the Costal Sun candle but I have high hopes for it. I imagine the orange citrus scent will be equally powerful. I have so many summery candles to use up that I might not get to this one until next year. 

Bath and Body Works Eucalyptus and Spearmint shower gel and fragrance mist $5ish each

         I have been in love with the Stress Relief collection for some time, less in love with the price of some of the items. These smell exactly the same and were in a discount bin for like $5 during the semi annual sale. Of course I picked them up.

Healthy Sexy Hair Soya Want it All 22 in 1 Leave in Treatment Original Price: $20 Winners Price: $12.99 

         I have tried a few different products from this line, mostly through Ipsy, and have loved all of them. I do not usually use leave in treatments like this since my hair is so easily weighed down but this one isn't too bad for those days your hair is just dull, dry and frizzy. I do not know what all of the 22 things it apparently does since they do not show their math, Mrs. Neil would be pissed. 

Pecksniff's England Candles in Grapefruit & Citron and Gardenia & White Peach Original Price: $14 Winners Price: $6.99

          These smell more natural than the BBW candles and less perfumed. I can't stop smelling the Gardania & White Peach one, it's just so fresh and feminine. I hope I get to these before the Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin season is upon us, otherwise known as Fall. 

5th Ave Fashionista Cleansing & Makeup Remover Towelettes with Ylang Ylang Oil Original Price: $8.99 Winners Price: $6.99

          I was out of makeup wipes and these were by the cash so they came home with me. These are really gentle yet effective and allegedly ylang ylang helps balance dry and oily skin by regulating sebum production. They take off my makeup without over drying and smell nice. I'd buy them again if I found them but I wouldn't go online to find them. 

La Chatelaine Shea Butter Hand Cream $20ish

          This was a Costco find, I had walked past it twice but was powerless to resist the third time.  I prefer to have all my lotion in small tubes like this and there are so many scents! Each of these are made in France with 20% Shea Butter. They all smell amazing and have a lingering scent that just seems so sophisticated to me. They all also came in this giant tin that I sure to re-purpose. I also love the packaging, it looks so vintage and it's just so cute. All the scents are:

Lemon Verbena

Gardenia

Pear 

Coconut Milk 

Shea

Sweet Almond

Rose Acacia - the only one I don't like and won't use 

Orange Blossum -currently in use 

Lavender

Passion Fruit

Lychee Bilberry 

Citrus 

BH Cosmetics BH Studio Pro HD Foundation in Shade 103 and Anti-Shine Primer 

          I got this for a really good deal online and was so excited because the description and reviews made it seem like this was a great combo to help fight oily skin. I am so glad they were on sale because they were a huge disappointment. The days I wore both of these to work, because I really gave them a fair shot both together and separately, I just took a makeup wipe and removed all my foundation. It felt like it made my skin more oily and then sat on top of the oil and sliding around as it pleased. The foundation is a little better than the primer but not much, I do like how it goes on and is a good match in terms of colour. I will give the foundation another try in the winter with some different primers when my skin isn't so oily. Overall each of these were a huge disappointment. 

Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector $18 and a couple free samples from Sephora

           I have been trying to find a drug store primer to control my oily skin but finally broke down after hearing Ashley Elisabeth on YouTube rave about it I broke down and bought the small size. This is without a doubt the best primer I have used to date. It instantly mattifies and does control oil quite well. I only use it on my T-zone and on my chin since it's a little pricey and while it does let a little oil show throughout the day it still keeps my makeup from separating or sliding off. It did take a couple applications to learn how to best apply this and foundation over it. I would repurchase but am not ready to declare it the end all be all of primers. 

          The samples pictured are a Bobby Brown Hydrating Face Cream which I haven't tried and the Lancôme Super-Enhancing Mascara Base. I have never used a mascara base, my lashes are quite long with a decent mascara so I figured it wouldn't do much for me. So very wrong, this with any mascara makes my lashes look like fake lashes, I've received compliments from the most random, non makeup loving people each time I have used this. I'm afraid to look up how much it would cost for a full size because I am fairly certain I would no be willing to purchase it. 

Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous Fresh Complexion Oil Free Foundation $7.99

          This is something else recommended by Ashley Elizabeth and it is lovely. At first. I find it oxidizes after a few hours and turns a little orange. I picked this up at Walmart on sale for like $5. My only other complaint is that even though I got it in the lightest shade it is still a tad too dark for me. 

Flower by Drew Barrymore Powder Up in L01 Light $9.98

           When I saw that Drew Berrymore had started a cosmetics line I really wanted to try it but couldn't decide which product. I honestly bought this one because I thought the packaging would look cute on my desk and I did not have any loose powders. I ended up throwing out the little poof that came with it and apply it with a big fluffy brush. The powder is triple milled so it is so fine and soft. I have always preferred pressed powder to set my makeup even after trying other loose powders but I find myself reaching for this over my usual pressed powder because it does such a great job setting my makeup and absorbing oil. The next item I want to try is the foundation from Flower but I have so many other foundations that I need to go through some of them first.

Redken Stay High 18 High Hold Gel to Mousse 

          I finally got my hair cut and I asked my stylist to recommended some styling product to help me style for volume and she bee lined for this product. It comes out like a mousse but it's gel, you just rub it between your hands and I just run them through my hair to add some volume and hold all over before I blow dry. Nothing complicated here. 

Redken Styling Mini Trial Kit in Make Waves $19.99

          At the same time I picked this up to try some new hair products. Included are mini versions of Pillow Proof Blow Dry Two Day Extender, Pillow Proof Blow Dry Express Primer and Rough Paste 12 Working Material. I really like the primer and use that before the gel/mousse witchcraft and it really seems to speed up the drying process and keep it from getting stringy throughout the day. I haven't used the paste much but will occasionally use it to keep my side bangs situation under control but it smells awful. I haven't used the dry shampoo simply because I don't use dry shampoo much but I want to try it out and if it works well it's perfect for keeping at my desk at work or for travel. The only item from the trial I would repurchase is the primer, the paste will likely last for the rest of my life. 


           Holy that took forever. If you stuck it through to the end I commend you. Or pity you because clearly you have nothing else to do or are on a bus trying to look busy while that creepy guy stares at you. Best of luck with Creeps Magee.

Thanks for reading!

A.

@dirty_cupcake  

Check out some other hauls