Lip Monthly May 2016

Lip Monthly May 2016

This is only the second month I have gotten a Lip Monthly subscription.  Last month April 2016 I was so unimpressed that I thought I unsubscribed but I guess I didn't because I got another bag this month May 2016.   I will admit, I am glad I didn't cancel because I was truly impressed with this month's bag.  

Lip Monthly sends you mainly lip products except for one product that is NOT a lip product. This month we got a fantastic Jor'el Parker mud mask.  It smells good to me, but I am a mask-oholic so it does not take much to impress me with mud mask.  Is that a word mask-oholic? *laughs*.  It is a gross green but the benefits totally out ways the color.  

We got three lip products: the first one is by Dirty Little Secret which I have never heard of before. The lipstick goes on soft and creamy and was not drying at all. As you have heard me say many times I have started applying a loose powder over my lipstick to make it last even longer.  So when I wore this lipstick it lasted all day.  I am actually wearing it in my YouTube Video. I am very impressed with the color pigmentation.

Another lip product we got is So Susan-Jello Shot.. it is an all natural product that has the lasting power like nothing I have seen.  It takes a very long time for the color to disappear.  I have seen some reviews that talked about this color dried pinkish on them.. for me it is more of a coral color. Regardless, it stains your lips no doubt! 

The third lipstick we got is by Manna and not only was the color a beautiful plum color it is also a stain that last for a long time.  The formula is creamy and your lips do not dry out at all. The color is very pigmented and the formula does not go on patchy.

Here is something I have learned... although I was not happy with Lip Monthly last month, and actually thought I cancelled my subscription but did not, I am actually I didn't. So my lesson learned with makeup subscriptions is at least try to stick with them two-three months.. because you never know until what theme they will have next month!

If you use code: 50Off you can get your June Bag for 50% off.  Interested? Click on the link to learn more. Lip Monthly

BoxyCharm May 2016

BoxyCharm May 2016

As most months once again BoxyCharm did not disappoint me.  Actually, they sort of impressed me as they do most months.  But as I said in my YouTube video, there is nothing you can be 100% satisfied with 100% of the time.. and if by chance you can, it is very seldom.

BoxyCharm like Ipsy makes each of us look forward to next months glambags.  They both have this way of building our excitement, which is fun but as they say curiosity can also drive a woman bonkers. *laughs* Here is my YouTube Video I made for this months makeup subscriptions I subscribe to. 

In our BoxyCharm May 2016 we got a beautiful Makeup Geek powder blush.  I have not used a lot of Makeup Geeks products, but this blush was very pigmented and such a beautiful color. I am pretty impressed with it.  But a little GOES a long way!!

We received a Purr double duo eyeliner which is fantastic.  On one end it is a roll up kohl liner that can be used for a smokey eye effect and/or to wear on your water line.  The other end is a felt tip liner that can be used for a very fine line. It would be perfect to use for a very defined wing.

We also received a beautiful nude colored lip-liner by Starlooks.  Now I was introduced to Starlooks by BoxyCharm in the very first box I got from them.  Needless to say, I love Starlooks, their products has a wonderful staying power.  I have not used the lip-liner yet, but I know for a fact that the eyeliner last all day when you apply it.

There was an eye brow gel in the box that I absolutely love.  It is by Tonya Crooks and it is a clear gel which works for everyone. The only thing I can say besides I love this product and it keeps my eyebrows tamed and in place is it is taking me a little time to get use to the bigger brush end. Most of the eyebrow gels I have used has a smaller wand.  I am not complaining because I am very impressed with how the gel works.

We got a beautiful mint green color nail polish by Ella Mila.  The container is cute as a button with an elephant on it.  And this has nothing to do with the product itself, but the elephant's trunk is going upwards which is always a good sign.  The nail polish went on good.  It is very pigmented and I suppose it could take one coat for a beautiful effect.  It also removed very easily which I always appreciate in a nail polish.  The color is great for spring/summer!!

Last but not least we were sent a beautiful scented perfume sample by Catherine Malandrino. This will be perfect to wear during the summer months.  It has a flora/sweet/patchouli scent (I can smell a tiny bit of musk-but that could just be me). Needless to say, it is a beautiful scent.

That is our May 2016 BoxyCharm Box... pretty impressive don't you agree?  The first box I ever got with them literally blew me away.. I got an eye-shadow palette, set of eye shadow brushes and other products. The eye-shadow brush set alone cost more than the $21 monthly subscription  So if you would like to join me in a monthly makeup surprise... join me on BoxyCharm.

Ipsy May 2016 GlamBag

Ipsy May 2016-Glam Bag Review

I can honestly say that Ipsy you did not let me down with this GlamBag!! First, in my humble opinion, no bag can go wrong when it includes a makeup brush!  So here are my thoughts on a few of the items.  Some I have not tried yet, like the mask!!

Jelly Pong Pong Cosmetics-Caribbean Sun Bronzer Duo

I will admit, I am pretty impressed with this little duo.  The colors go great with my complexion.  I use the darker one for contouring my cheeks and the lighter one as a little extra color for a glow.  The formula is very nice, it is very pigmented and it blends very nice.  I really like this product. On a scale 1-10, I will give it a "10"

INSPR Beauty Eye Fluff Brush

I am sorry but you CANNOT go wrong by getting any kind of makeup brush in your GlamBags.  Maybe not everyone thinks that way, but to a makeup brush junkie, this was a great addition to the bag! This brush has very soft bristles, it blends your eye-shadow like a dream and it is a light brush so it is not bulky in your hand.  On a scale 1-10, I will give it "10"

IT Cosmetics and Smashbox

There are two of my favorite products.  I have used them for a while so this was a great addition to the May GlamBag!! The smashbox mascara gives your lashes a fantastic length, and the IT gel pencil works fantastic on the water-liner.  Just to give it a little more staying power.. if you line your water rim, than go over it with a black eye-shadow, the liner will last all day!!  Both of these products get a '10' from me.. love them both!

Ipsy, you did it again, fantastic May Glambag.. I look forward to seeing June's Glambag!! If any of you would like to join me in getting a June Glambag from Ipsy, just click here

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New Popular Style Makeup Brushes

The JPNK Makeup Brush Set

The big trend on the internet these days is this style of makeup brushes except you hear a lot about the high end style of brush which runs over $500 for a set.  These little jewels cost less than $10 and are worth their weight fifty times in their performance.

I will admit, often when you are watching YouTube video's from various makeup guru's, sometimes they will peek your interest in different products they talk about.  This style of makeup brush has been the talk around YouTube, so I broke down and purchased this set from Amazon-just so I could write this review. They are NOT the high end expensive brushes they are the less than $10 brushes that (to me) works wonders!!

The hair material on these brushes (You get two to a set) is synthetic hair and they are used to apply foundation and/or powder.  Because the bristles are dense, applying foundation is a breeze.  I have found by using these brushes, it takes very little product to get an airbrush affect on your face.  Which tells me, you are using less product which means in the long run you will end up saving money.  I use the smaller brush for concealer, again, using very little product which will save money in the end.

Although, I only purchased these brushes so I could write a review, I can tell you, I will not be without them.  I love the performance of these brushes and for the price and the affect it gives my complexion, it is well beyond worth the $10.00

So yes, world, although these brushes may not be high end priced, I highly recommend them.

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Urban Decay Beauty Haul Addiction

Urban Decay Makeup

This photo is not the whole beauty haul.. needless to say there is more that I just could not fit into the picture, but I do have a good excuse... Urban Decay truly rocks!!

So here are my thoughts... We all know that when you are young and can wear anything your heart desires, of course Urban Decay is going to be one of the brands you go for.. but what about those of us that have mature skin or are older?? You know me and what I am about to say, even older women can Rock Urban Decay Makeup!!

I am very new to this brand, I know, I know.. I said it before but just in case there is anyone new reading this.. my first real purchase was the Alice Through the Looking Glass Eye-Shadow Palette which is beyond the moon and back.  Than I wrote a blog post called: My Urban Decay Beauty Haul  where I talk about a few wonderful products and NOW I am addicted!!

I have fallen madly in love with the Naked Skin items.. I have the Naked Skin Eye-shadow Palette-3 which is a MUST have!  It is a mixture of matte and a few shimmer eye-shadows that are beautiful soft colors that are rich in pigmentation.  When you put them on they feel like a cream, and last all day until you take your makeup off at night.  For those with hooded eyes, this palette has the right combination that makes your eyes look youthful and alive.  I use the Urban Decay Anti-Aging eye primer before I apply the shadows and it makes a HUGE difference.  

Who says older women cannot wear a shimmering highlighter?  I purchased the Urban Decay Naked Illuminated and OMG, it gives you a small amount of shimmer and makes your face look so pretty!! It is microfine shimmer that is baked into a beautiful disk that gives you this beautiful illuminating glow. It is not too shimmery and it is just the perfect highlighter for mature skin (in my humble opinion).

Recently, I have learned a new trick in keeping liner on my waterline all day.  After you use a black liner on your water-line, follow up applying a black eye-shadow to the inner rim with a small angled brush. I have never been so impressed as I am with Urban Decay makeup brushes.  The small angled brush I got just for this purpose came in a beautiful Gothic looking case.  It just totally impressed me to no end!

Now here is the biggie, I have never tried Urban Decay Lipsticks until I watched a video by my friend Vicckers One & aHalf Cents on YouTube!! She was wearing one of the Alice Through the Looking Glass lipsticks and after watching her, I decided to order me the Madhatter Lipstick and need I say, it is all over!! I love the creamy moisture feeling you get from Urban Decay Lipsticks and yet, they have great staying power!! I was so impressed I had to order a couple more of the lipsticks, love them!  To make them last even longer, I apply a loose powder over my lipstick and it makes it stay all day long!!

I am going to do a separate blog post about some other Urban Decay products I am using.. because they deserve full attention.. so do these products but the naked skin concealer and 'other' things... wow!!!

Bottom Line... this post will be continued... Love you Urban Decay!!

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My Pacifica Haul

Pacifica Natural Beauty Company

I actually learned about the brand Pacifica via a YouTuber that I subscribe to.  She was reviewing the DreamBig Lash Extending 7 in 1 mascara.  Since EVERYONE knows that I am a huge mascara junkie, of course I would have to try it and give my thoughts, right? When I found the product at Targets, I also found they have other skin care products and other makeup items as well.  So I picked up a few skin care items and have been using them for about a week now, and decided it was time to write a review.

Pacifica DreamBig Mascara

Straight up and foremost, the packaging of this mascara is by far the prettiest and cutest packaging I have ever seen for a mascara.  Who could ever go wrong with unicorns? I mean seriously.. look at the packaging!!  

Pacifica is 100% Vegan and Cruelty-Free! This mascara does NOT contain carmine, parabens or mineral oil.  One of the things I love best is, it is made in the United States. This mascara is considered 7-1 which means it is a lash serum, instant length, life and separates, volumizing, conditioning, rich color and 2-1 brush.  The top of the tube has a switch that enables you to change the mascara wand.  One twist  will give your lashes volume, and the other way will give you length.  

I truly like the formula of this mascara.  I am not as crazy about the volume side of the wand but I do love the length this mascara gives you.  I mean, you can get fantastic length!! I personally applied one coat- let it dry and than applied another coat I did this two or three times and my length was as good as some of the high end mascara's I wear. The Con (s):  It left me raccoon eyes, but again as I have said in other mascara reviews, I have to be careful because my lashes do get pretty long so maybe I just did not apply enough powder under my eyes. The mascara normally runs around $15.99- But you have to look at the fact that it is a natural product with fantastic packaging!!

Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash

I have been hearing a lot lately about marine phytonutrients so I wanted to try this product mainly because of that.  This product is also 100% Vegan and Cruely Free and formulated without petroleum, parabens, SLS or phthlates.  This face wash removes make-up, cleanses and tone. It has coconut water, sea algae complex and powerhouse antioxidants and is for all skin types.  This product (again something important to me) is made in the United States and a portion proceeds supports Clean Water.

I really like this Sea Foam Complete Face Wash. I suppose for me it is a good feeling knowing I am cleaning my face with a natural product without all of the harmful chemicals that seem to be appearing in many skin care items these days.  My skin feels smooth after using it; not dried out. I do not have any con's about the product and I would highly recommend it.  

Pacifica Underarm Deodorant Wipes

For months now I have been hooked on wipes, especially facial wipes, when I found these deodorant wipes with the summer months approaching us here in Georgia, I had to get these and try them.  They are 100% Vegan. Cruelty-Free and formulated without sulfates, SLS, parabens, phthalates and petrolatum.  You get 30 pre-moistened natural towelettes that are a natural essential oil blend and aluminum free.  

I use them for freshening up during the day especially while at work.  I do not care who you are, if you work hard you are going to sweat!  These towelettes give you that extra bit of protection that comes in handy.  They are a natural blend of essential oils and coconut milk to help neutralize odor. 

As I said, I use them for freshening up during the day.  I continue to use my regular deodorant but these are great to have handy. They easily fit in your purse and (to me) smell fantastic!  

Pacifica Coco Pure Makeup Removing Wipes

These coconut milk infused towelettes are suppose to gently remove makeup, daily pollutants and everything you clings to your skin during the day.  They are 100% Vegan. Cruelty Free and formulated without sulfates, SLS, parabens, phthalates and petrolatum and they are made in the United States.

When I tried to incorporate these wipes into my nightly cleansing regime they did not remove my makeup that good;  so I had to use my regular cleansing balm. However, I do use these in the morning while I do my morning cleansing regime. They make my face feel clean, fresh and with the jojoba and aloe, I know my skin is getting extra benefits.  These wipes and the deodorant wipes are both very affordable and the benefits are great.  

As I mentioned earlier, I would highly recommend checking out Pacifica.  They have a lot of different products that are within reason cost wise. This is their addy in case you would like to read more about them:  Pacifica

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