Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips

I love makeup palettes. They seem to be a great way to get a bunch of colors all at once. The problem is that a lot of the palettes I seem to love are a little bit too pricey for me to buy all the time. So, when I saw these for only $11.99 (from Ulta.com, who also had a buy one get one half off sale at the time) I couldn't help but order 2 of them. 

Now, since I ordered them online instead of in store I didn't realize just how small they were. They are significantly smaller than the palettes that I usually buy. 

I picked the classic nude and warm nude. The colors in them really aren't all that different. They're a lot more alike than I had realized, which is my own fault. I probably could have done with just one of them. 

When you look at them the colors really are similar, which I guess makes sense since they are both nude palettes, and nude colors are nude colors. 

The colors in the classic palette were set up a little strange to be since they didn't range from light to dark. They all swatched nicely, and I liked them.

The warm nude palette also swatched nicely. The colors seemed great.

It wasn't until I went to use the palettes that I started to have problems. The little brush that came with the palettes was extremely hard to use. It made applying the product difficult. Also, due to the small size of the palette its hard to use just one of the colors. I tried using my normal brushes but they all proved to be problematic as well. The small colors were too small. 

The shadows also weren't as pigmented when I went to put them on as they had appeared to be when watched. I had to use a large amount of product to get a decent amount of color.

The formula was creamy but seemed to flake a good deal when I tried to use it, and then after all of the work to get it to look right (since they weren't very blendable) the color didn't even last all day. I tried both with and without an eyeshadow primer, and yet the shadow still wore off by mid day. 

I had such high hopes for these palettes and ended up extremely disappointed in both of them. This is one product that you get less than what you pay for. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone, and I won't be purchasing them again.

Until Next Time,

Sara

Nadine West August 2015

Nadine West is a clothing subscription service. Nadine West is completely free, unless you keep an item. You only pay for what you keep. There is no subscription fee or anything else. Each month you are sent 1 top, and 2 pieces of jewelry. The prices for each item varies, but I have yet to see something more than $25, which makes it pretty affordable for the most part. 

It comes in pretty pink package, just like Ipsy does. 

Inside your outfit is wrapped in pretty pink tissue paper. 

This month I received a pair of purple, green, and silver earrings. They were very cute, but not something I can ever see myself wearing. They kind of reminded me of an easter egg. I sent them back. 

This turquoise necklace was gorgeous, but again, not something I can see myself wearing. So I didnt keep it either. 

This pink top was very cute. Extremely thin but cute. 

I especially loved the back detail. It was way too small in the arms though. I felt like my arms were going to fall off it was so tight. I was extremely sad to have to send it back because it was so nice. 

My second shirt was also very cute. I do feel that a tank top in August was a little strange. I've been packing up all of my summer stuff since were getting into fall, and so I couldnt see spending any money on a tank top.

It did have really cute back detail as well, but it was a tad bit too short for me. 

This month I didnt keep anything. There just wasnt anything that fit right, or was my style. I'm hoping that next month I'll get something that I can actually keep. This was the first month that I had ever received two shirts, and I kind of liked it. It was nice having a second chance to find something that I was really going to like. 

I enjoy getting my Nadine West package every month, though I do wish that I would actually get some items that I like. It feels like I give feedback every month, and yet I still dont receive anything that really fits my style. I am hoping that once winter comes I start getting things that I like. I'm a sucker for a cute sweater. 

I definitely think that Nadine West is worth at least trying, considering that its free if you dont like anything. And you at least have a chance to try something that you normally wouldnt pick out for yourself. I'll continue receiving mine for a couple more months at least. 

Until Next Time,

Sara

Chemex is code for awesome

I love coffee. Love love love. I could live on coffee. I'm not even joking. I run on coffee. 

Now, normally, I use my keurig. Because its easy. Its quick. It requires very little effort or thought, which is a very good thing when I wake up in the morning with the kids and need my caffeine asap. So, when I heard of the chemex, I was a little hesitant. Why would I bother trying something that required more energy? Why deviate from my current routine???

But I did it. I bought one. Because part of me really needed to know what the hype is all about. I needed to know if it really could make my coffee taste any better. I needed to know if I was missing out on something amazing. 

I went with the small 1-3 cup pint sized one. 

The chemex its self looks pretty neat. I love the steam lined look of it. And the wood piece around the neck works really nicely as a handle. 

The filters were a little strange to me. Having to fold my own filter seemed like a pain, and the type of filters you buy at the grocery store won't work. You have to buy the fancy filters, but they aren't really that much more expensive it just means you have to order them ahead of time. Its possible that they sell them in stores, but none of the ones around me don't. 

So I followed the directions and I folded the filter up and put it into my pretty new chemex

You then put the coffee in, and then enough water to wet the grounds, and then you wait 30 seconds before adding anymore water. This apparently lets the ground bloom, whatever that means. 

Then you add more water, keeping the water level an inch or so below the top of the chemex. 

That little bump on the glass is supposed to be the full mark. 

I always seem to fill mine a little higher than you're supposed to, but it doesn't seem to make a difference.

I found that in my normal coffee cup the chemex makes me about 1.5 cups of coffee. With all the effort I wish I had gone with the bigger size. It would be nice to make more cups all at once.

The chemex claims that it makes great coffee, without any bitterness. And its true. My coffee really does taste fantastic. I love it. 

I don't know that I will be replacing my keurig completely, because honestly I don't have the time to make coffee with the chemex every day, and there is no way that Im going to get up earlier just to make it. I do love it though. My normal coffee tastes better in it, and its worth the effort. 

Until Next Time,

Sara

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick

I had seen the Melted lipstick by Too Faced ($21) and wanted to try it for the longest time. It just looked fun, and who doesnt love a fun lipstick? I finally gave in and purchased one from Ulta.

The packaging is nice. It doesnt really look like lipstick, more like a lip gloss, but still. I love it, the packaging that is. 

The applicator is a nice velvet tip. Its really soft. This goes on easily. Its really easy to get it precisely where you want it to be. 

There's no smell, or flavor to this, which seems pretty normal for a lipstick. Though the glossy formula had me expecting something. 

I picked Melted Berry for my shade which is described as a berry red. To me its not really red at all. Its got more of a purple color. 

The description on Sephora's website states "The shine of a gloss, lasting power of a stain, and pigment-packed color of a liquid lipstick, all in one high-impact formula. Bold, long-wearing color glides on cleanly with the precision tip applicator, delivering rich color with staying power." 

It is definitely shiney, and has a ton of pigment. I found that I was able to put a thin layer on for lighter color, or I could layer it on thicker and end up with a deeper color, which is really nice. I didnt find that it was long lasting at all though. I found that it wore off extremely quickly, even when all I was doing was talking, not eating or drinking. My lipsticks that dont claim to be long lasting wear better than this.

I also had a lot of issues with feathering, and always seemed to end up with lipstick on my chin. I'm not really sure how the lipstick managed to migrate all the way down my face, but it seemed to. 

I wore this lipstick several times because I love the color, and I love how quickly I can put it on. But I dont think that I will be buying it again, which has me kind of sad. I really wanted to love this lipstick but it just didnt wear well at all. I dont have the patience to constantly check if there's lipstick on my chin. And I dont want to go around all day looking like either I dont know where my lips are or like a clown. 

Maybe my next lipstick test will go better. I really want to find a liquid lipstick that I like, if only because the liquid seems to apply easier. And generally requires no liner.

Until Next Time,

Sara

Kat Von D Monarch Palette Review and Swatches

I recently purchased the Monarch Eyeshadow Palette by Kat Von D from Sephora ($46). I'm a sucker for pretty packaging, and this one definitely caught my eye. Its just so pretty.

The palette itself feels very sturdy. Its not flimsy at all, which is a good thing. I feel like I could drop it and it would hold up pretty well. I dont have to worry about it getting bumped around if I put it in a drawer, because its solid and wouldnt end up broken. 

See how pretty it is? Its just eye catching. 

The back of the box that the palette came in has the names of the eye shadows listed. I do wish that the names were also printed on the inside of the palette, since I know that I wont keep the box. 

The inside of the palette has a mirror, in case you need to fix your makeup on the go, which is a nice feature. I rarely seem to use the mirrors that come on my makeup products, but its nice to have the option in case I need it. 

The shadows are all richly pigmented, and have a nice creamy formula. When I applied them they went on with ease. It didnt take more than a swipe to get a solid amount of color. They also blended with ease. 

From top to bottom: Entomology (matte), Telepathy (super shimmer), Tiny Death (slight sparkle)

These three colors are extremely light base colors. They were intended to be used as bases, and they work great for that.

Top to bottom: Wrath, Papilio, Summerfly, Killing Jar, Delaney

These five shades are all shimmer shadows. They're light, but easily layered if you want a more intense look. 

Top to bottom: Vanish, Disintegration, Shadow Box, Deadhead

These shadows are all matte, except disintegration which has a slight shimmer to it. They're more pigmented than the shimmer shadows. 

Overall I love this palette. It has some great colors, and they all go well together. I love that they seem to stay on pretty well, and they are easy to blend. They also dont seem to flake the way other shadows do. 

Until Next Time, 

Sara

IPSY Review July 2015

Ipsy is a monthly subscription where you receive 5 full size or deluxe sample sized products in a cute make-up bag each month. It costs $10. You can get yours by clicking here.

When you first sign up you take a style quiz, which helps determine what variation of the bag you'll receive each month. Once you get your bag you can review the items, and that also helps determine what you will get in each of the following months. I dont know how much I believe this. My bag seems to be random. I seem to get products and colors that I've repeatedly said that I dont like. My personal belief is that the bags are more random than they tell you. 

And yes, I've been told that if I dont like what I get in my bag I should just cancel, but I love the surprise, and I do enjoy trying out the new products. Sometimes I get something that looks like I'd never use it and then I end up loving it. Also, I chose to pay for my full year upfront, so there's no point in canceling when I've already paid for it. Anyways, done with my rant and on to this months bag!

The theme was Summer Lovin', which is pretty fun.

The first product that I received was HD Powder by City Color ($3.49). It's a loose powder thats meant to be put on after all your other makeup. It sets it, fills in lines, and just gives you more matte look. I'm excited to see how this turns out. I have pretty oily skin, so it might be good to have on hand.  

The next item I received was Cleanance Gel by Eau Thermale Avene ($2.48). This is a soapless cleanser thats supposed to help minimize blemishes. I'm not normally one to switch up my skin care regiment, mainly because I have acne prone skin and I've finally found the right combination of products to help minimize that. I'll probably pass this along to my sister, or a friend who will use it. 

Thirdly I received was Beachy Salt Spray by Coolway ($2). I wont be using this product. At all. I'm just not a fan of salt sprays, or the coolway brand. I've told Ipsy this the many times theyve sent me coolway products, but here I am getting another one. Not cool.

My fourth item was a 2 in 1 eyeliner/ shadow by Jelly Pong Pong ($15.95). I like this. Its a very pretty dark brown / copper shimmer. I dont know if I will use it as an eyeshadow, but I will be using it as a liner. I know that I've said I'm tired of brown eye shadows but this was very pretty, and very pigmented. 

My last item was lip balm by Be A Bombshell ($14). Its not a bad lip balm, if you like lip balm, which I dont. I think I would have liked this product more if I had been sent Ruby instead of French Kiss. French Kiss is a pale pale pink shade, that leaves next to no color once applied. I'm a big fan of bright over the top lipsticks, so this missed the mark for me. It is a decent quality though. 

Overall I think this bag missed the mark completely for me. There's only 1 product that I will actually be using, which is kind of a let down. I keep leaving my reviews and hoping that next month will bring me better results. The overall value of my bag was $37.92. The makeup bag this month was completely adorable. 

Until Next Time, 

Sara 

Walgreens VoxBox

Recently I received a VoxBox from Influenster. This to me is pretty exciting. I love getting mail. And I love free stuff. That makes a voxbox perfect! For those of you who don't know, a VoxBox is what influenster.com calls the box of free goodies that they send out. Influenster is a review website where consumers (you and me!) can go an leave feedback on all the products that we use. Randomly they send out surveys that you take, which then allow you to receive voxboxes. In order to join you have to be invited (leave your email in the comments if you'd like an invite).

I've been part of influenster for 2 or 3 years now and have received some pretty cool boxes. I think the Mary Kay was my favorite. Anyways, back to my latest box. This box is called the Walgreens box, and inside there were two full sized products. When I was emailed that I was getting the box I didn't know which products I would be getting. Once I got the box I was excited because I got 2 products that I actually want to try, instead of one I can't use (there was a shampoo / conditioner for wavy hair, which my pixie cut doesn't need).

 

First I received Dove go fresh Revitalize Body Wash in mandarin and tiare flower scent. The smell is a little over powering when you first open the bottle. Its definitely orange. I don't know that I would pick this scent in the future just because its really strong when I'm showering with it. It doesn't seem to leave much of a smell after you rinse off, which is good. This body wash lathers extremely well, which is always a good thing for me. I love having a nice bubbly lather. I felt nice and clean after using this, which is always important for a body wash. 

It claims to be moisturizing, and it wash, but not as much as I had been hoping. I still felt dry afterwards. Of course this could just be because I have crazy dry skin. It did make me slightly less dry, but not to the point that I would buy the product for the moisturizing effects. Overall I like this body wash, and would most likely buy it in the future. 

The second product that I received was Vaseline Intensive Care Healing Serum, Advanced Relief. Now this I loved. Seriously its a great product. It leaves my skin feeling soft, and not dry at all. Best of all, it lasts. I can put it on after my shower and I'm done, good to go till the next shower. It doesn't have a strong odor, or really one at all. I like that there isn't a scent because I like to smell like my perfume, not all sorts of other things mixed in. I used this lotion on both of my kids and it left their skin soft as well. Also, a little bit of it went a long way, which means that one bottle will last me for a while. I know that I will be purchasing this in the future. Its a 5 out of 5 for me. Love it.

Overall I loved my Walgreen VoxBox from Influenster. I received 2 products for free, and liked both of them. 

Nadine West Review

Nadine West is a clothing subscription service, similar to StitchFix. The main difference is that Nadine West is completely free, unless you keep an item. You only pay for what you keep. There is no subscription fee or anything else. Each month you are sent 1 top, and 3 pieces of jewelry. The prices for each item varies, but I have yet to see something more than $25. Which is pretty affordable.

I have received 3 outfits so far, and I have kept 1 pair of earrings and sent everything else back. I'm actually not sure why I kept the earrings, but they are these cute little black plastic feathers, and at the time it seemed like a good idea.

Now each month they send you a letter telling you what they've sent you, and how much it all costs. Here's mine from my first and third times. (Since I don't seem to have a picture from the second time for some reason)

I was extremely excited to receive my first outfit. I had really high hopes of being able to find some new tops that would look amazing, and possibly even some jewelry, though that was secondary. I don't often wear anything but my rings, so that really didn't matter. Anyways, when I got my pink package I couldn't wait to see what I got. It was seriously exciting. Until I opened that package that is.

I received a top that was super thin, long sleeved and cute, but poorly made. It was obvious that wasn't going to hold up to being worn and washed. Possibly if I had the time to hand wash it, it might have been okay, but with 2 kids I don't have the time for delicates as an everyday occurrence. As I stated on the sheet (which you send back to them) I loved the top. It was a nice style, and it was pretty. But it didn't fit. And the quality was poor. I also received a very cute pair of stud earrings. I loved them. I wanted to keep them. But they were heavy, and the back didn't stay on, which means the earring kept falling out. I wasn't going to pay for something that I could never wear. I tried putting a back from a different earring on it to see if it would be tight enough, but that didn't work. I was really disappointed to send them back. Lastly, I received a bulky flower necklace. It was not my style, and seemed over priced for what it was. I sent it back without a second thought. 

Now, after my first time I emailed them my feedback as well, and was told it was added to my profile and hopefully next month would be better. I was excited with how quickly they responded and couldn't wait for next month.

I got Decembers outfit and was even more disappointed. I got another top that was super thin, and was already falling apart when I pulled it out of the package. It was a very nice deep teal color, but that was the only good thing. I felt that my feedback had been ignored. I got a second top that was super clingy (which doesn't work for me since I has a pooch from my kids and am well endowed), and the quality was still lacking. I did get the previously mentioned pair of plastic feather earrings that I kept. They were very cute and I have worn them a few times. I honestly don't remember what else I got, thats how little of an impression it left on me. I emailed them my feedback yet again, but it took some time before anyone bothered to respond. I actually had to email them a second time before I got a response. 

This brings us to January's outfit. I was so happy when I opened the package. They had sent me this beautiful black and white striped sweater. It was EXACTLY like something that I would have picked for myself. It was soft, and beautiful. I couldn't wait to try it on. I knew that if it fit I was going to keep it. And then I saw the size tag. It was a SMALL. I am a LARGE. The paper stated that they had sent me a large but in my package was a small. I was so disappointed. And frustrated. I immediately emailed them, and a day later received a response that they were sorry for the mistake and yes, my profile states large, and thats what I should have been sent. They offered to send me the same top in my next shipment. That would mean that in February the one top I would get would be the one I should have gotten in January. I declined. I told them that I felt that I was being gipped. That I didn't actually receive a top because of their error. They told me "Don't be sad, we'll make sure that you get a top as cute as the one that we just sent you." This was not the response I was looking for. 

At this moment I'm not impressed with Nadine West. They did nothing to correct an error that they admitted to making, which ended in the customer missing out. I feel that the customer service I have received has been subpar. Emails have gone unanswered, and I have had to contact them more than once in order to get a response. They failed to correct a mistake. The quality of the first 2 tops was lacking, as well as the quality of some of the jewelry. 

For the time being I will continue to receive the shipments, only because it doesn't cost me anything to do so. If I was paying for this service I would cancel right now. I would not pay to receive this subscription. I do hope that as I receive future orders they will be the correct size, and better quality. I also hope they improve their customer service, because right now its lacking. 

I currently would only recommend Nadine West because its free if you don't keep anything. That is the only pro that I have found so far. Everything else I have to say about this company is negative. If that changes in the future I will be sure to say for, but right now I am unimpressed.