Another Glossy Box, Another Mixed Review.

Last week, I finally received my April Glossy Box. It was incredibly late, again, which is the main reason I was underwhelmed upon opening it. Customer service was courteous but ended up deleting a bunch of the surveys I had that would have lead to points and then a free box. Two of the items really not working for me ended up being a good thing because my sister really loves her new lip gloss and it made me happy to pack perfume in my grandmother's next care package.

The pop art-inspired box was appreciated by my daughter who wasted no time in claiming it as her own.

The bag, way too loud for me, went to my sister.

From what I've read, I was one of the lucky ones, as half of subscribers received a lip tar that was the exact same orange as that of construction cones. 

This smells really good and is a great product to add to the Proganix oil I received last month. 

This smells good on my skin for all of four minutes before it takes on a scent that makes me wrinkle my nose in disdain. It's simply a question of chemistry, though, as it smells wonderful in the bottle and I'm sure my grandmother, who loves waterlilies, will enjoy it.

I have never had anything negative to say about Estée Lauder products and I'm not about to start. For me, this is what made the difference between me hanging on for another month and cancelling.

I forgot to photograph it so here is a photo I took from amazon.com of the Julep Smoky Taupe Shimmer Gel Eye Glider that was also in this box. It goes on well and I had been looking for an opportunity to try Julep make-up and so I'm also happy with this product. 

I'll see what Glossy Box has in store for me when May's box arrives, sometime in June, and then I'll decide if I'll keep this up or try one of the other subscriptions I've had my eye on. Either way, I do prefer this rather passive way of shopping for cosmetics, as long as everything I have is going into feeding my kids and starting my business. It prevents me from overspending and I do love discovering products I may have otherwise overlooked!

Read more »

Hello, Ipsy. Goodbye, Ipsy.

In December, I subscribed to Ipsy. I've received two of their glam bags since and I do not want a third. I'm not sure why they ask people to fill out a survey, if they're going to send you whatever the hell they need to get rid of anyway. A coworker also signed up. She has olive skin, dark, curly hair and uses completely different products than I do and this month we got the exact same bag.

In January's bag, I received five products. I love one, am indifferent about two and I hate the other two.

(I normally use natural light when taking photos but I live in Canada and I work five days a week and so most of the time, that's impossible in the winter).

This Healthy Sexy Hair nourishing soy spray would probably be better if I wasn't allergic to soy. The eye shadow pencil is super shimmery, which I can't stand. The pencil tip is also really tiny and rounded, two traits I'm not looking for in an eye shadow applicator. I'll stick to powder and my Lancome brushes, thank you.

This facial scrub is terribly greasy. If I want a super exfoliator such as this one, I'll stick to raw sugar and lemon with a drop or two of olive oil.

This lip gloss is one of the products I feel indifferent toward. The colour is quite nice but it's super thin and the amount I need to apply in order for it to show makes my lips feel disgusting.

The one product I do love is this argan and rosewater face lotion by Nourish Organics. I'm actually going to be buying more of this.

I figured I'd wait and see what February's bag looked like before calling it quits. On Monday, this arrived.

The lashes are great and I'll try out the facial mask but the rest is not anything I would buy or even try out. Light purple, shimmery eye shadow (with a fuzzy, lip gloss style applicator), hot pink lip gloss and the palest pink nail polish. I feel like this was put together for my fifteen-year-old sister and that's exactly who will score all of the pieces I do not want.

The concept isn't a bad one, though, and I might hook my sister up with a subscription for her sixteenth birthday. ...I hope she doesn't read this.

I think what it comes down to is that I am a product snob and I do appreciate finer make-up than what I have been receiving from these guys. I'm just not the right market.

I'll try to find time to review my January Wantable box, this week. Now that was a hit!

Read more »

My First Wantable Box (Or: A Make-Up Surprise Box for Grown-Ups!)

A little over a week ago, I received my first Wantable subscription in the mail and I must say I'm rather pleased! It was worth a little over $70 USD and subscriptions come out to $46.00 a month when you live in Canada (I believe it's $36.00 plus tax with free shipping in the States). Due to the move and holiday events, it was a little while before I could test these products out but, finally, here is my official December Wantable box review!

...I dislike the Color Club nail lacquer ($8.00 USD) I received. It took three coats to become completely matte and it still wasn't consistent, despite me applying it evenly. I'll keep paying $2.00 more for OPI and Sally Hansen.

I'm really loving  Bésame's Classic Colour Lipstick in Cherry Red (usually about $22 USD). It's creamy and wonderful and I love the dramatic, vintage look I get when I pair it with MAC's Vino lip pencil. I've been forgoing the darker reds for a few years now, choosing to wear brighter, more classic reds, but I feel like I'm coming back home with this colour. I'm also a sucker for pretty packaging and I really like what they've done with theirs.I am defintiely a new Bésame customer.

Eveline's  Professional Art Make-Up Eyeliner Pen (£5.99) goes on smoothly (minus the slight stinging sensation that thankfully ebbs as it dries) and lasts a long time. I prefer gels and will not be buying another one of these but I do like it enough to use it daily until it tuns out. I was a little surprised when, in the shower, I caught peripheral glimpses of black flakes on my skin. I realized it was the eyeliner and all was well but heads-up!

The Sormé Brow Lift brow highlighting pencil is great. It's smooth and, when blended, works its magic without being seen. This is something I would buy again. 

Starlooks' lengthening mascara ($16 USD) was a definite score. This really dense brush somehow lifts, separates and lengthens without clumping. It stays on rather well but comes off easily enough, when needed. I love the matte, metal tube it comes in, too. Great weight and texture. I don'T know if I would use this on false lashes but it's perfect for daytime and casual wear.

I have yet to try the instant skin tightener and line filler by skiin. I've never been one to cross over into the realm but I'm willing to, at my age. I'll give it a shot on the week-end, when I don't have to go into work, just in case my sensitive skin reacts to it.

Here's a messy-haired shot of me on Christmas Day, wearing some of the goodies I received.

Read more »