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  

Ipsy - July 2015

          When I first saw my Glam Room I was not excited for my bag, there were a couple things I would get some use out of but nothing had me stalking the mail man. Luckily so since it shipped later than usual again. I'm not sure why it has been shipping so late the last few months, maybe when you redeem for points items it takes longer to process. Once I tried a couple items I completely changed my mind, I love the eyeshadow and bronzer. Let's get into it:

Shea Moisture Lip Crayon in Sarah $9.99 Full Sized Product

          This is an item I redeemed my points for, I am always looking for more lip products. This one is not my favourite and at first I was quite disappointed by it but I noticed that once it wore off it left a really nice stain that looked great under a pink gloss. I do not like it by itself mostly because I'm not a fan of the iridescent quality. Swatched below. 

Crown Brush Professional Tweezers $10.50 or $6.99 on sale Full Sized Product 

          I would not replace my current tweezers with this as I prefer to have ones that are a little bit longer but these are excellent. I do not have any in my purse makeup bag so these are going right in there. 

Jor'el Parker Eau to Parfume in Classico $21 Full Sized Product 

          I love receiving perfumes even though I am rarely able to wear them. The description says "Indulge in the spicy seduction of Indian Tuberose, the striking and sweet sensation of Turkish Cyclamen and the purifying calm of Spanish Mandarin." Now, I do not know what most of those things are but it sounds very exotic and smells so as well. It has a very energizing or awakening scent. 

Jersey Shore Cosmetics Mongongo Vanilla Coconut Cream Lip Conditioner $10 Full Sized Product 

          This is a 100% natural and USDA certified Organic with UV protection as well as being cruelty free. It is a lip balm, not exciting but always useful. I would not pay $10 for it but I will use it for sure.

Nicka K New York Eye Shadow Quad in NY075 Sierra $4.99 Full a Sized Product

          I was surprised this quad was so inexpensive, I love these shadows. This product completely changed my opinion of this month's bag. They are so soft, pigmented and blend together perfectly. The colours are perfect for brown eyes and I am glad I did not get the other option which I think would be best for green eyes. With these four colours you can create a nice, everyday neutral look or a more dramatic smokey eye. If I was to go on a trip I would just grab this little quad and leave my other palettes at home. See swatches below. 

Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer in Park Ave. Princess $10.31 Sample Value $20.31 Full Size

          I am not skilled in the art of contouring or much of a bronzer user. I already have a hard time finding foundation that is pale enough so added bronzer just makes me look dirty or like I can't shade match. This one is perfect for pale girls like me, with a light hand it added some warmth to my face without being too dark to work with my skin tone. Easily blendable, smooth application and hours of budge proof wear make this a beautiful product and also turned my opinion of the bag. 

Swatches for Shea Moisture Lip Crayon, Nicka K New York Eye Shadow, and Tarte Bronzer along the top.

          While still not my favourite bag I ended up liking it more than I originally thought I would. The bag itself is super cute and certainly one of my favourites. Overall I ended up liking this bag and the value is pretty decent. 

Total value of bag: $56.80

Thanks for reading!

A. 

Try Ipsy for yourself! 

June Ipsy Review 

Her Fitness Box - Spring Box

          So I was not expecting to get this box. I had signed up for Her Fitness Box right when they first started, then it was a monthly subscription which they soon changed to quarterly. I cancelled because there was very little communication and I wasn't even sure I would be getting this second box. Her Fitness Box is from Australia, hence the Spring Box in November. This one is definitely better that the first one I got, I am impressed by the improvement and would consider giving them a second chance after this if it wasn't $49.95 now. Ok, here we go:

          Her Fitness Box doesn't actually come in a box but rather a simple but always useful fabric tote.

Included are cards for a couple items, recipes, exercises and an information card on the contents. 

          The first item is a blue exercise ball, I didnt take a photo as its just a folded bunch of plastic at the moment. I am very excited about this, I have been considering buying one but putting it off. This is a $30 AUS value.

Slim Secrets Fit & Fab Protein Bar $2.70 Aus

          Next item is a Slim Secrets Fit & Fab Protein Bar. It is Creme Caramel flavour with 9.3 grams of protein and it was terrible. I really wanted to like this as protein bars a something I do eat and like to keep in my purse and desk at work. The texture was chalky and just kind of crumbled in my mouth. I wont even eat the rest of it.

 Emma Organics Hand & Nail Revive - 5gram sample $3.97 AUS for both

          Emma Organics Hand & Nail Revive is the next item. There were two 5 gram foil packets, it opened them up to put them into an empty jar. The first thing I noticed was that it smelled like a barn, an actual barn with cows, hay and feed. Luckily the smell does not linger because it is actually a very nice lotion. I will use it but I certainly will not take it anywhere or purchase simply because of the scent.

Woman's Health or Energy Booster 15/20 grams $30 for a 30 day pack so $1 AUS each. 

          This is an interesting product, something I am interested in trying for sure but it does not say if it is the Woman's Health or Energy Booster anywhere. The description on the card reads: "These natural vegan powders are designed to be added daily to your smoothies, and can help lower your cholesterol, reduce fatigue and anxiety and increase brain function." So it sounds like a good product, excited to try.

 Probiotic Solutions Fresh Feet - Odour Eater, 50ml Full Size $3.00 AUS

          This spray is scent free, chemical free, earth friendly, as well as family and pet friendly. I do not have any products like as I haven't had a need for it but it is something I will throw in my gym bag and use in my winter boots. 

 BX Earth - Bit Of A Soft Touch Body-wash 500ml Full size 7.99 AUS

          This smells amazing and sounds like it is going to be great for my skin. The card description: "Made with sweet smelling peach and Manuka honey with soothing goat's milk and jojoba oil, this nourishing body wash is full of botanical based ingredients, antioxidants, bio-active extracts and natural oils that benefit your body's well-being. It is environmentally friendly and free of harsh detergents." I normally am not a fan of peach scents but this is just so light and sweet, it almost smells like raspberries. I am very excited to try this in my next shower.

Naturals Crunch - Natural Sweetner 250grams Full Size $8.59 AUS

          This is from the makers of Equal, it is 100% natural. So just a natural sweetener so I am interested. By itself it doesn't taste like sugar but it would be good in coffee or tea, I will be replacing my sugar dish by the coffee maker with this.

Bare Blends - Native Whey Protein Isolate - 30 grams. $4.80 AUS for both.

          This is another product I will use, it came with two samples so I will give one to Beast to try. I prefer to use protein that isn't Whey Isolate, like the Carnivor line. Milk and I just aren't best friends so I try to avoid it. Both packets are Organic Vanilla Bean.

These were not listed on the card, a terry cloth headband and a pedometer.

     Overall this was a pretty great surprise in the mail. I wont resubscribe but I am glad I got the two bags I did. I would say it it worth what you pay for it but the price is a little steep. I will keep an eye on this subscription in case I change my mind about signing back up.

Total value: $62.05 AUS / $59.65 CAN          

November Ipsy Bag - Girl Meets Glitter

           When I first heard November's theme I wasn't really feeling it; don't get me wrong I get distracted by all things glittery but I would rather not ADD shine to my face. Luckily most of the sparkles ended up on the bag, which is adorable. I am not sure how I feel about the contents.

          At first I was only really excited for the liquid eyeliner from Elizabeth Mott. The Its So Big mascara is my new favorite, with a light hand it is a great everyday black mascara, however, layers like you are getting ready to walk the streets. That is what I look for in a mascara, who doesn't really? Admit it. Back to my original point: not pumped. THEN I started seeing all the unbagging photos on Facebook so I am looking forward to trying out everything. Unfortunately I will be waiting a bit, for whatever reason my bag shipped seriously late this month. Can't win 'em all.

November 2014 Ipsy bag with bonus item Evian Facial Spray

          I will post a review video soon but right now I am hungover and look like hell, nobody needs to see this hot mess. Check back for my video!

And here it is: http://youtu.be/AK-JNhAFvjk

          Ok. So this just in: I hate editing and I suck at it. There is a buzzing noise and I have no idea how to make it stop. You probably shouldn't bother watching it. I didn't. I'm only posting it because my cousin wants it.

Click here is you want to get 4-5 deluxe sample or full size items in a cute bag for $10 a month ($5 shipping to Canada) 

 Thanks for reading! Comment, share and spread the word. 

A.