Ipsy January 2016

           The theme for the bag this month is "All Eyes on You" The print on the bag fits it well with cute, retro glasses wearing faces all over it. As you would expect all my products were for the eyes so lets dive in.

Peek Beauty Natural Stain Brow Powder Full Size $22 Sample Value $11
           First, how cute is this little tin? I love the packaging. Second, this is a great product. This is in the colour Espresso and is a pretty universal brown shade, it gives a natural look and if you are going for a darker or more intense brow look you can layer it without it looking cakey. Swatch below.
          
theBalm Mr. Write (Now) Eyeliner in Jac Full size $17
           I love the Balm products and was very happy to see everyone got an eyeliner from the Balm in their bag this month. I just got rid of most of my eyeliners since many of them were getting old. This is sort of a muddy bronze and since natural shadows are my jam this will go with most of my makeup looks. It goes on smoothly enough and has great staying power. Swatch below.

Klorane Floral Water Makeup Remover with Soothing Cornflower Full size $24 Sample Value $1.50
           At first I was not overly excited about makeup remover as I have a couple samples from Clinique to use up but this is a wonderful product. It effortlessly removes every bit of waterproof makeup without stinging my eyes or making them red. If I can find this in a store I will be buying this when I use up all my samples of eye makeup remover.

Hikari Cosmetics Cream Metallic Pigment Shadow in Mink $13
          I have said before that I am over getting single shadows but this one is a beautiful colour, it is a shimmery, metallic shadow but not so dramatic that I can't pull it off for a daytime look. Swatch below.

Hey Honey Skin Care Open Your Eyes Contour Lifting Fluid Full Size $28  Sample Value ~$15

             This is meant to firm skin, reduce fine lines, hydrate and reduce puffiness. I am nearing thirty so I think I will start looking into anti-aging and firming products. as a result I have that checked as one of my concerns in my profile. I have only used this a couple times so I can not really speak to its effectiveness but I did notice some firming and depuffing the couple times it did try it.

Peek Brow Powder, Hikari Shadow and theBalm eyeliner

           I also got a bonus item with my points this month:

Nude ProGenious Treatment Oil Full Size $97 Sample Value $16
           Honestly I only got this becasue I thought it was going to come in a cute little dropper bottle like the Jouer oil I had gotten before. According to Sephora this oil will: 

"Transform your skin with this signature treatment oil of 10 carefully-selected, nutritious plant oils. These replenishing oils—including apricot, meadowfoam, camelina, and macadamia nut—are rich in omegas 3, 6, 7, and 9, and provide essential building blocks for youthful, healthy-looking skin. This precisely balanced formula of nutrients quickly absorbs to provide 24 hours of moisture, improve the appearance of fine lines, and reveal a smoother complexion. Use daily to increase your skin’s natural radiance."

           So that doesn't sound like a bad thing.

           Even without the bonus sample item the total of my bag come to $80 which even with the awful exchange rate is pretty great. I will use all the items and repurchase at least one of them. 

Thanks for reading,

A

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Birchbox Canada November 2015 GlamLifeGuru Box

                    

          Let me start by fangirling just a little bit. I adore Tati Westbrook and when I saw that she was curating a box there was no question, I was getting it. Tati is a beauty YouTuber and has been for the last five years. She consistently posts five videos a week that range from tutorials, reviews, Hot or Not on new releases/products, and hauls for both high end and drugstore beauty products. Before starting you tube Tati was an Image Consultant which she describes as a 9-5 desk job putting together programs with makeup, health and fashion items. Tati is in her early thirties and a little older than most of the beauty YouTubers, which I love. She has the knowledge and experience to recommend products that I know are going to work. I would love to have her makeup skills and her hair is just always perfect, Tati is easily in my top 3 YouTubers.  OK, embarrassing gushing done. If Tati was to read this, unlikely, I would probably die of embarrassment and hope to god I had my facts straight. Lets talk about the actual products in the box.

            

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels Full Size 8 for $33, Sample Value $4.13
           These are not my favourite eye pads on the market but I can not deny that they work to reduce puffiness and are a great pampering item. I am currently on vacation so these will be great to help me unwind. I think I will take Tati's suggestion and put them in the fridge for a little bit first.


Living Proof Perfect hair Day PhD. Dry Shampoo Full Size $28, Sample Value $13.01
          I am not one of those lucky girls that can wash their hair every few days or even every other day. I have tried a few different dry shampoos without much luck, mostly I use them to make my hair less disgusting for the gym, to run quick errands or if I use too much product in my hair. I am not ready to give up on day two hair and based on the reviews from Tati and others this is an amazing dry shampoo. 


theBalm Cosmetics Frat Boy Blush/Shadow Full Size $27 Value $1.69ish
           I have tried a few things from theBalm and love everything I have tried. Check out this haul for more. Lately I have also been looking to expand my blush collection so I am quite excited to try this out. The only issue I can foresee is that my blush brush is much too large for the pan. Swatch below.


LOC One & Done Shadow Stick in Day Trip Full Size $12
            Love of Color is Birchbox's new makeup line and Tati collaborated with them to make this first collection. I bought the Ultimate Collection so I already have this but I am still glad to have another as it is not a permanent collection. These shadow sticks are amazing, I normally avoid cream shadows but these do not budge at all. For a full review of these and the the matte lipsticks check this out.

                           

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre (24 hour miricle cream) Full Size $28 Sample Value $1.87
          I received this in either my last Birchbox or Ipsy bag and I don't hate having another sample. I have very oily skin so finding a moisturizer to wear under my makeup can be a challenge. I find this one absorbs quickly and does not leave my face feeling any greasier than normal. The sample may look tiny but you need such a small amount that I have not even used half of the first sample I have and I use it at least five days a week.


           Overall this box has a value of $32.70, not huge but a good value for a $10/$15 box. A couple of items are not items I would choose myself but I am glad to receive them all the same. I think I am most excited about the blush and shadow stick. 

Check out Tati's YouTube Channel

Thanks for reading!

A.

@dirty_cupcake

Check out my last Birchbox