Pop Beauty Aqua Laquer

The Pop Beauty Aqua Lacquer was one of the goodies I received in this month's BB. I thought it was going to be the typical squeeze tube lip gloss, but was quite surprised when I tested it out! The cap actually unscrews to reveal a plastic wand to apply the lacquer with. How neat!!

 

I received the color Flowering Fuschia

And here is a super minimal look using the Pop Beauty Aqua Lacquer & also the Benefit Fake Up from my October Birchbox.

Birchbox October

It seems like the earlier I get my BB, the worse the samples are, and I think this is the earliest I've ever received my box (10-8).

Let's see if my theory proves right...



Beauty Buzz card

October's theme is Beauty Buzz and Birchbox is focusing on "award winning products, celebrity favorites, and up & coming products". The Beauty Buzz card also says that their October Birchbox Magazine will feature 2013's top products and what experts think the next big thing will be!

Benefit Gimme Brow info card

I'm excited about this Gimme Brow info card as I have seen this product a few times and really thought about purchasing it since I do fill in my brows EVERY DAY. Gimme Brow is available in two shades Light/Medium and Medium/Deep and claims to be long wearing, water resistant, and smudge proof. Price is $22. But, if you purchase from the Birchbox shop, you will earn and extra 50 points and if you use the offer code BADGAL at checkout you can get a free deluxe mini of the Badgal mascara. Now, I don't personally care for that mascara, but with the holidays coming up, that would be a nice addition to add to someones gift bag or stocking.

This is what my box looked like upon unwrapping!
Actually looks amazing!

 

Contents card

One of the best boxes ever!

Here's what the inside of the Liz Earle box looks like

My contents card says to check inside the baggie for your "extra" and didn't specify what it was. My extra was a full size Chapstick Hydration Lock in Vanilla Crème. I'm guessing there were different items offered?? My baggie also included a $1.00 coupon for Chapstick.

POP Beauty and Liz Earle are both British. I've tried several items from POP Beauty before and have always been pleased with them. Liz Earle is new to me, but I'm excited to try it-- the cleanser & clothes in the box counted as two of my items.

And, I have really been wanting to try the Benefit Fakeup Concealer as I've heard great things about it!

So, it seems I was WRONG! I ended up getting my box super early and it was AMAZING!

Get yourself some goodies like these delivered to your mailbox every month for $10 by signing up here! The other great thing about Birchbox is that you get points for reviewing the products they send you in your monthly box- you can then use those points to purchase something out of their shop!

Testing, Testing: ELDW

During my visit to the department store, I saw a friend who works the Estée Lauder counter. We chatted and I told her my skin care problems and she was so kind to recommend their Double Wear formula and give me a decent sized sample. I was matched for the color Sand- again, I thought I would be a lighter shade, but maybe that's where I've been going wrong in drugstore bases.

Now, when I think if Estée Lauder, I don't picture a younger female, such as myself. That brand screams old lady to me. Rich, old, snooty lady. I have no idea why. 

 

Anywho, being as my friends face/makeup looked brilliant and she seemed to be quite educated on the EL products and skincare, I am testing her sample today- today when I am safely at home until a soccer match this evening. 

I've photographed myself immediately after applying the ELDW and then in intervals afterwards. 

I thought I would use my fingertips to apply this foundation as I had read somewhere that it was hard to blend, but after a few initial strokes, I knew I would end up using way too much if I didn't switch to a brush. 

So, here we have initial application. Oh, and look over my nose (and my hair! it is not styled!)-- I'm out of contacts and been having to wear my glasses so now I have those indentions going on... Ugh. 

My face appears to have a
sheen, but I swear it was not oily!

Two hours later

Still not much difference, ELDW
seems to be holding up
well

And finally, 8.5 hours later

Unfortunately, at the end of the
day & sitting out in the semi-hot sun at
a ballgame, my forehead, nose, & part of my cheeks
are quite oily. You can't tell, but somehow my chin held up
rather nicely.

Now, I will say, I was quite pleased with the way the ELDW applied and the way it looked immediately after. However, this is what the description of the product on the Estee Lauder website:
15-hour staying power. Flawless all day.
This worry-free, long-wearing makeup stays fresh and looks natural through heat, humidity, nonstop activity.
Won't change color, smudge or come off on clothes.
Feels lightweight and comfortable.
Now the flawless look you see in the morning is the look you keep all day.

It DID feel lightweight & comfortable, did not change color or come off on my clothes, although I did notice some on my glasses, but in no way did I keep the morning look all day. Which is quite a bummer...Apparently, the ratings on this product (and I'm just going by their website) have went from 5 stars down to 3 stars since they have "re-formulated".

Have you used any of Estee Lauder foundations or powders? If so, do you have a favorite?