Empties on My Replacement List

Do you ever have a beauty product that you hate or maybe you're even neutral towards it, but you don't want to throw it away because you feel guilty for spending so much money on it so you keep marching on with it until you (finally!) use it all?! I am so guilty of that!!

But today, I found three products in my bag that are empty that I loved so much, that I've put them on my replacement list. 

Can you tell they were loved? Look how much makeup is stuck to them!

1. Smash box Photo Finish Lid Primer- this was a smaller size I received in a try it kit I purchased. I think it worked so well since it is a little pigmented & I have fair skin. 

2. ModelCo Fibre Lash Extend Extreme Black Lengthening Mascara. I didn't really care for it at first since it doesn't make my lashes thicker or THAT long, but I realized this was a great mascara for the "no makeup" days because it made my lashes look natural all while giving it a little something extra. Plus, there is a handy mirror on the side. 

3. Stila Smudge Stick WaterProof Eyeliner in Lionfish. They don't lie- it really does not smudge. I even wore this to the pool & beach multiple times. It was golden! This one glides on like butter making it super easy to apply and I love the Lionfish shade, especially for the warmer months when I'm not wearing a lot of makeup and feel that black liner would be way harsh. 

What are the top items on your replacement list?

Birchbox September

September's BB theme was Heritage and they focused on brand history. September also happens to be Birchbox's anniversary month (3 years!) so they do have an video to share that celebrates customer stories.

 

Also included was a little card with a discount code for 30% off of anything from the Customer Favorites Shop! 

I got a little excited when I saw this cute, red, heart shaped card from Jouer about finding the right red lipstick. I was assuming that I had gotten a lipstick as well, but that was not the case. I guess everyone got one of these in their box??

Here's what the contents look like... 

I had marked the option in my profile that I didn't like fragrances in my box- this is the first fragrance I have received since checking that and let me tell you, it *STANKS*!! The little spray bottle had actually come loose from the card and I could smell it as soon as I started unwrapping. 

Description card of the contents

BCBGMAXAZRIA Bon Genre- Eeew. This will be going to my perfume loving sister.

COOLA Tinted Matte SPF 30 for Face- I almost purchased this over the summer BEFORE I went to the beach, but instead I just took the other two COOLA samples I had received with me (the Rose tinted one and the regular face one in the cucumber scent). So, I was happy I got this, but really bummed on the timing, because I live in the mountains and it's basically already Fall here. The pools have been closed and I've already taken my vacation...

Ojon Restorative Lash Treatment and Mascara Duo- I'm almost certain that this is a full size sample, which is really nice. But, I'm really not sure what a "restorative" treatment is supposed to be about. I tried this out already and it did seem to go on nicely and made my lashes look full. And, now that I think of it, I kind of remember using something from Loreal years ago that was a duo where you applied the white mascara first then followed with the black.

RUFFIAN Nail Lacquer in Fox Hunt- this is the orange shade, not something I would typically pick out for myself (I am more of a classics kind of gal), but the orange is nice for Fall. I'm just really happy that I didn't get that AWFUL purple shade!!

VOESH New York Lemon Pedicure Scrub- This little packet looks like it could do both feet and boy, oh boy, do my feet need it! I did find it a little humorous that the package states on the front "for professional use only".

I was headed to a soccer practice so I applied the COOLA instead of a bb cream. I'm also wearing the Ojon mascara here, a lipstick & eye liner from my Sep. Ipsy bag.

Birchbox is $10/month. Interested in signing up? You can earn points on your product reviews and friend referrals that can be used toward the purchase of full size products!

ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick

I liked the ModelCo lipstick I received in my August BB so much that I went ahead and ordered the neutral set of lipsticks they had. The price was something like $24 for three full size lipsticks, so not bad at all.

 

The set came in a cute little box...

See-through lids

Kitty, Dusk, Get Naked

 

tarte Cosmetics Sale!

If you're a fan of tarte Cosmetics or want to check them out, now is the time because on HauteLook some of their products are as much as 50% off! And they even have a few of the Amazonian clay line!!

I really wanted to get some of the LipSurgence lip shine pencils as I seemed to have misplaced mine, but they currently only have two colors featured for this sale and I'm not sure that I'm crazy about either one of them....

Hurry, because some things have already began to sell out! These offers are valid until Saturday 8am Pacific time or until sold out.

HauteLook is a Nordstrom company that offer new daily sale events for women, men, kids, & home décor. It is free to join. Invite a friend to become a member and when that friend makes their first purchase you will receive a $10 credit to your account! How sweet is that?!

Birchbox August

My August BB finally arrived on Friday late afternoon (I JUST got to open it this morning as Friday was hectic & I worked yesterday!), and I have to say, I am quite pleased with it : )

The August theme is Finishing School (there is the cute little card to tell you about it & your products), which focuses on finishing touches. BB has also collaborated with Ann Taylor for this months box and you can see a list of what they are deeming "fall's best accessory trends"-images included. Also, they have added an Ann Taylor coupon. 

Buffing beads, hair treatment, oil free moisturizer, ModelCo lipstick, and oil free face cleanser wipes.

I'm excited to have received the ModelCo lipstick, but red never seems to work out for me, so I'm a little disappointed that I got this shade... I dunno, I always feel like red lipstick makes my teeth look yellow and I get really paranoid... does anyone else feel that way??

I did try the hair treatment today after my shower in place of the other products that I generally use in my hair and I even though today was only my first day of using it, I must say I was impressed! When I first smelled it through the bottle, it kind of reminded me of a bug deterrant that my grandmother used to use. After squirting some out, it smelled more manly to me. But, my hair was SO SOFT after I blow dried it today....!!

If you're interested in receiving great products such as these in your mailbox every month for only $10, sign up here! Your account will be billed on the 1st of every month and boxes begin to ship around the 10th.

Ipsy August

My August Ipsy bag FINALLY arrived! Apparently there were some shipping issues this month with the DHL service and many of their bags were rerouted. People were upset. I'm talking, pissed off, threatening to unsubscribe, cutting a huge hissy upset over this. Now, I will say, I did check my tracking email several times just to see the whereabouts of my bag and the possible arrival time, but geez, I knew the bag would arrive eventually!

On the 8th it started out in NC then went to IL where it sat for four days! On the 14th it arrived in KY and on the 15th it made it to GA. Finally, on the 16th it arrived in VA where it was delivered to me. Wow.

 

Anywho, this month's theme of the bag is Glamour Academy...

There is a card included telling you about a "Lash Bash" party from Benefit. There are more details on the Ipsy Facebook page.

Above, you can see the card showing all of the different brands that were offered this month and what discounts you can receive with those brands. I must say, I was really really hoping for the UD lipstick to be in my bag!

Here is what the Glamour Academy bag looks like. I am really not a fan of it. It's cute, but I think it is more suited for a younger girl. I really don't think I would carry this.

The contents are
- Michael Todd Organics Pumpkin rich facial mask
-City Color Cheek Stain
-Noya Lip Balm Cherry
-MICA Beauty loose eyeshadow in Bronze
-PIXI Lash Booster Mascara (I have not opened it yet, but this is seriously the smallest tube of mascara I have seen that is not one of those little samples!)

And here you can see what the colors of the eyeshadow and cheek stain look like.

Three of these brands I have never heard of (City Color, NOYA, and Michael Todd Organics) so I'm excited to try those. Although, I am horrible about remembering I have facial masks, I have super oily skin so I'm not sure how well a cheek stick will work for me, and I have a zillion lip balms!

Mail Call!

Look what finally came in the mail?!