The End of Blogtember!

Hello friends!

I don't think I will be able to keep up with Blogtember anymore. I've had a lot of fun doing it, but I've been having some minor health problems, so I will be laying low for the next week or so, and I can't commit to keeping up with my schedule.

While I'm sad that I've had to abandon Blogtember, I still have lots of great ideas for future blogposts. I'll start posting again as soon as I feel up to it, so keep checking my Google+ and Twitter to see when I post next!

Thanks for understanding!


Always,

Nani xx

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Blogtember Day Five: My Morning Skin Products!

My Morning Skincare Products!

Hello Friends!

Since I outlined my Caroline Hirons inspired skincare routine yesterday, I thought I'd go into a little more detail on the products I've picked out. My skin is responding really well to these, and they are [almost] all drugstore products!

My morning routine starts with a cleansing. I chose the Burt's Bees Radiance Facial Cleanser with Royal Jelly ($10, pictured above). I love this cleanser! It's really gentle, and 99% natural. It doesn't have any foaming agents or parabens, and almost all of the ingredients are derived from plants. It does have cleansing beads in it, but the beads are jojoba, and don't abrade the skin, so they don't bother me. I find it to be really effective, and the royal jelly is really nourishing (it's what bees produce to feed the larvae and queens). I'm about halfway through with this bottle, and I am planning on repurchasing.

I follow that with a the Avalon Organics' Vitamin C Renewal Balancing Toner ($12.50). This stuff is amazing. It is filled with nutrients- vitamin C to fight hyper-pigmentation, fruit acids to encourage natural exfoliation, and aloe to soothe the skin. It is also pH balanced to what a normal skin environment should be. And can I just say- it smells AMAZING. I don't know if you guys grew up drinking Tang, but that's what it smells like. The bottle is really big, too. It's 8.5 oz (251 mL), but since you only need one or two dampened cotton rounds, this is going to last me a very long time. I'm very happy with this stuff, and I will definitely repurchase.

The next step is my Boots Botanics Rosewater Toning Spritz ($8.40). I'm not in love with this hydrating spray, but it does the job. It's 100% organic, and is mainly water and rose water. However, it has a very high alcohol content, which kind of counteracts the hydrating properties. I'm on the look out for a better spray hydrator, but it looks like I'm going to end up spending a little more for a hyaluronic product.

The moisturizer I use changes most days, but the one that I use most days is the one higher end product on this list- Ole Henriksen Vitamin Plus moisturizer for oily and blemish prone skin ($35). I find this stuff to be really moisturizing, and it seems to help with oil control. I love it! A little goes a long way, so I will repurchase, but probably not for a long while yet.

This is routine generally takes me about five minutes (depending on how awake I am!), so I do it most days. When I'm in a rush, the last two steps tend to get neglected.

Check back Friday for my evening routine!

Always,

Nani xx

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Blogtember Day 4: My Skincare Routine, Part One!

My Caroline Hirons Inspired Skincare Routine

Hello Friends!

I have been really struggling to keep to my schedule, but here's my make-up post for yesterday!

My skin is nowhere near perfect, but since updating my skincare routine, I have really seen improvement.

With acne-prone skin, I always favored acne face wipes, foaming or scrubbing cleansers, harsh toners, and lots of chemicals. A few months ago, I discovered skin expert Caroline Hirons on Youtube, and after spending several hours reading her blog, I knew I needed to make a change.

First to go were the face wipes. While they take off a lot of makeup, they leave anything that has settled into pores. Next was the foaming cleanser- they can be hard on skin and can affect the pH of the skin, actually encouraging acne. Finally the astringent toners. They strip the skin of all oils, drying it out, and can inflame acne.

Now that you know what I  don't do, here's my routine.

Morning:

• Natural, gentle cleanser, free of parabens, foaming agents, mineral oil, and other nasties, applied to dry skin, and then scrubbed off with a warm, wet wash cloth.
• Fruit based, pH balancing toner, applied with a cotton round. I looked for one that was alcohol free or low, and high in fruit acids.
• Spray Hydrator with rosewater and glycerin. One with Hyaluronic acid is best.
• Mineral Oil free moisturizer. (sometimes I skip this step and go straight to my Miracle Skin Transformer.

Evening:

• Cream cleanser, applied to dry skin, allowed to sit for a few minutes, and then wiped off with a warm, wet wash cloth. There's two routes to go with this- cream or balm. I prefer the balm, but it is harder to get off. I find that I need to rinse out the wash cloth at least once during the process. This step really helps to get all of my makeup off. It's definitely too heavy for morning use.
• I use the same cleanser from the morning in the evening. The second cleanse takes off any residual makeup or balm cleanser. Caroline Hirons says that a second cleanse is essential, and I'm always so surprised how much more makeup comes off.
• I follow with the toner and spray routine from the morning.
• Acne treatment- I'm still using my same treatment, since it was too expensive to toss, but I will be looking for a natural option once I use it up.
• Night cream-  I use an enzymatic cream to help with my skin.
• Toss my washcloth in the wash- they grow bacteria that can cause acne!

For more information as to the rationale of this routine, I really recommend looking at Caroline Hirons' blog, BeautyMouth, and especially her cleansing and routines cheat sheets.

Tomorrow I will go into more details about my morning products!

Always,

Nani xx

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Blogtember Day Three: My Favorite Primer/BB Cream!

Miracle Skin Transformer Acne Control Tinted Moisturizer!

(Image from the MST website)

Hello Friends,

Today, to wrap up week one of Blogtember, I thought I would show you guys my final foundation-type product!

The Miracle Skin Transformer: Acne Control ($48) is sold as a tinted moisturizer, but I'm not sure I agree with that. The coverage is a little too heavy for that, more like a good BB Cream. That being said, it's not like any BB Cream I've tried, either. There should be another category... Something like "Wears like a Moisturizer, Claims to do a lot like a BB Cream, and Not quite heavy enough to be a Foundation." Sounds marketable to me! :)

All of that being said, this product was sold to me as a primer. As you may know, I've been through almost as many primers as I have foundations... and that's saying something. Almost every time I've tried a new one, I've found it adequate at best. After expressing my frustrations to a friend, he whisked me off to a small display found in the very back of my local Sephora. "This is your solution!"

At first glance, I was non-plussed. It claimed a lot, but I took a sample home to try it. First, let me tell you that, unlike other BB Cream/tinted moisturizers, it doesn't look orange on me at all. It's also pretty long lasting (even on oily skin). By the end of my sample I was hooked. Even though it is labeled as a tinted moisturizer, I do wear it under my other foundation, and I love it. It's light enough that you don't feel like it's there, but I definitely notice a difference if I don't use it! I have worn it on it it's own, but feel like it wears better (on me) with a setting powder over the top.

Now, for it's claims:

• Flawless Finish - Probably true on better skin than mine, but it is pretty good at covering even angry blemishes, cancelling out most (if not all) of the redness.
  
• Moisturizes - True. I put it on in place of my morning moisturizer sometimes, and haven't had any problems.
  
• Treats and Prevents Breakouts - True. Like any other salicylic acid-containing products, it does help with breakouts, but it's not terribly noticeable when used in conjunction with other acne fighting products. They also sell a sheer version for night time use, but I'm not sure it would be any better than a less-expensive salicylic acid product.
  
• Oil-Control - True! This is where the product really got my attention. I have had so much trouble with makeup breaking down or "separating" in my oily zones, and this has effectively stopped that. I am so impressed with this. It's what I was after in a primer, and this has performed better in that respect than any other primer I've used.
  

Overall, I feel like this product does a great job living up to what it claims to do. It has really helped with a lot of my skin struggles, and I will definitely re-purchase!

Always,

Nani xx

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Blogtember Day Two: Favorite Drugstore Foundation!

Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin

Hello Friends!

I already failed at keeping to my schedule! *SIGH*

Since I did my favorite high-end foundation Monday, I thought I would do my drugstore foundation today! It seems like this stuff is everywhere right now, and for good reason!

This foundation was recommended to me by several people, and I was looking for something a bit lighter than the Cover Fx cream, since it's been awfully hot and humid here lately, so I thought I'd give it a try when I saw it at the drugstore.

To my surprise, I found the right shade my first try! I wear shade 180, Sand Beige, and I went for the Combination/Oily version of the foundation (they also make a version for Normal/Dry skin, which I hear is also amazing).

On first inspection, I wasn't thrilled with the packaging- I don't like foundations that have an open top (as opposed to a pump), but the foundation is relatively thick for a liquid foundation, so it's not going to pour out really fast. 

I find that the coverage is medium to full, and I was really impressed by how much redness it covers up (I rarely wear concealer with it). I apply it with a rounded, fairly dense brush (my favorites is the Real Techniques buffing brush), and it goes on very smoothly.

The foundation sells for $11.99 full price, but Revlon products are often on sale at drugstores (I got mine for 50% percent off!). I also recommend buying at store that has a good makeup return policy. I found out that Rite-Aid and its affiliates will return or exchange any beauty products for any reason, so that takes the stress out of choosing a shade! (I am not sponsored by Rite-Aid, but that got me excited, and I thought I'd pass that along!)

I love this foundation, and I am definitely planning on re-purchasing!

Always,

Nani xx

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Blogtember Day One: Cover FX review

Cover Fx Total Cover Cream Foundation 

Hello Friends!

The quest is over!!  I've finally found my holy grail foundation! (Well, two of them, but that's another post)

As many of you guys know, I've been searching and searching for the right foundation for the last year. Every time I found one, I was disappointed in it within a few months. This time I thought I'd wait to let you know about it for a while to make sure I loved it- erand I do!

I had tried the Cover Fx foundation before (in shade N20- a neutral), but had gone for a cheaper option at the time. After returning that one, I got rematched in the Cover Fx to shade G20 (for "light skin with golden undertones). I had always been matched to neutral colors in the past, so I was a bit skeptical, but after trying this stuff for a few days, I was convinced. (I suppose I shouldn't be surprised with Native American and Filipina heritage on my mother's side.)

The cream formulation works surprisingly well with my oily skin, although I do use setting spray and sheer powder with it. I find it very buildable, and great for medium to full coverage. It's not too heavy on the skin, but it's not my favorite for hot days.

I think one of my favorite things about this foundation is how great it's been for my skin. The MAC foundation I was using was very hard on my skin, and I've been having pretty bad breakouts since then. This foundation is free of a ton of acnegenic and irritating ingredients, and it almost seems to be be aiding in clearing up the acne. It also works very well to cover any redness I have.

The foundation is available in a wide range of shades in Neutral, Gold, and Pink undertones (a total of 26, I believe), with mineral powder foundation and cream concealers to match. It sells for $42 at Sephora, and it has lasted me about two and a half months so far. I have hit pan, but their is a lot of product left around the edges, so I think it will definitely last the month, and possibly into October.

All in all, this is a great product, and I recommend it for anyone looking for a light wearing cream foundation!

Always,

Nani xx

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Blogtember!

Hello Friends!

As per usual, I've been neglecting my blog. Life has been so crazy this summer- it seems like I'm never home! To make up for the flaky blogging, I've decided to do something that I'm calling "Blogtember!"

Here's the plan- Ideally, I'll be posting three blog posts per week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. They will vary in length and topic, but I'm thinking there will be a lot of product reviews as well as a few longer posts. 

I would love it if you guys had any ideas for posts you would like to see! You can leave ideas either as comments on here or you can tweet me @nanibug03.

Let me know if you're going to do Blogtember too!

Always,

Nani xx

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My First M.A.C. Haul + Review!

Hello Friends!

I don't know what's taken me so long, but I've never tried anything from MAC before. I received a gift card for my recent graduation, and I thought it was high time to try some out!

I have to preface this review with a side note. I was not terribly impressed with employees that "helped" me out. The MAC counter that I went to was in an upscale department store in my area, and them employees certainly made that clear. Until I made it clear that I intended to purchase enough product to make it worth their while, I was treated like I wasn't quite good enough- posh enough- to be there. Looking back, I probably should have said something to the management or customer service desk, but I just didn't think of it at the time.

I went ahead and had a full makeover. The look was a little... much... for me, but that's what you expect from the over-made-up girls you see at MAC counters. I didn't purchase all of the products they used, since some of them were duplicates of similar products I already had, but I did purchase some of them. Here's my reviews, after a month of trial.

MAC Prep + Prime Skin Smoother - $30

This stuff is interesting. It's pretty thick and gloopy, almost like shortening (okay... not the most flattering description... sorry), but when it goes on, it settles into a smooth, almost silicone like texture. It works well to smooth over rough or dry areas on the face. I find it to work pretty well, but I wouldn't use it as an all-over primer, since it is fairly heavy. It works well in conjunction with a lighter primer for the rest of the face.

MAC Matchmaster Foundation in Shade 1 - $33

Okay, you guys know I'm always on the prowl for a the foundation. I was actually really impressed with this one. Having been skeptical about the "color adjusting" technology for quite a while, I asked the makeup artist how exactly it works. She mumbled something about having pink, yellow, brown, and reflective pigments... I'm not sure either of us understand what she said, but I can say that this foundation works pretty well for me. I have fair skin with slightly yellow undertones, and this comes closer to matching my skin than most foundations.

It works adequately on my oily skin (when used with primers, powders, and other oil control methods), but I don't think it's anything to write home about on that accord. It's definitely a medium coverage, and I find I like it better with a light dusting of a powder foundation over it.

My main issue with this foundation is my fault- the weather got nice, and I ended up getting a tan a few weeks later, so it's now too light... sigh.

OH! Also, I asked the girl at the counter about the many people who say that MAC foundations make them break out. She said that they are "non-acnegenic," so it must be that those people just "didn't wash their faces." Well... I wash my face, and I broke out. So.

MAC Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow in Brownluxe - $40

Okay... So I definitely did NOT realize this was $40! I don't know if it was on sale or if I just didn't ask... but FORTY! For eye shadow! Grrrr....

I really like this palette. It had one matte, the "eggshell" at the top, a "frosty orange gold," a shiny "light yellow chocolate," and two pearl shades "deep bronze" and "blackened plum."  They work well on their own, but look really lovely together. I find that I like them best when used wet- the makeup artist used setting spray on the brush after she loaded it with shadow. It gives a really lovely rich tone.

This one needs a preface. While waiting for my appointment, I perused their counter. I saw these lip products, and told my friend that I wouldn't be caught dead in them... So that's what I ended up wearing... and loving them. They are quite gaudy, so bare with me, as these are my favorites from the trip.

Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick - $15 and Viva Glam Nicki 2 Lipglass -$15

I really love these two paired together. The purple of the lipglass counters the yellowy-ness of the lipstick, and calms it down. I haven't had the guts to wear them separately yet. I do recommend applying the lipstick with a brush, it's not very forgiving. 

A side note about these products- I don't know if you guys already know this, but all proceeds of the Viva Glam lines go towards helping people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

All in all, I had an interesting time with MAC. I love some of the products, but not enough to make me a regular customer, when there's a Sephora in the same complex!

What are some of your favorite MAC products? Let me know in the comment section.

Always,

Nani xx

Salon Review: Urban Waxx

*In the interest of full disclosure, I was provided this service in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed in this review, however, are my real and honest views.*

Hello Friends!

Recently, I was approached by a salon in my area, Urban Waxx, to do a review. With summer upon us- yes, even here, in the Pacific North West- it's shorts and swimsuit season. Normally, I'm not really one for waxing in salons, but this experience may very well have changed my mind.

I went to one of Urban Waxx's three Portland, Oregon locations. I was able to use their very user-friendly online scheduler to make an appointment, which was great! A few days before the appointment, I got a reminder call, which also would have been great, but unfortunately I was getting ready for a cousin's wedding, and promptly forgot.

Monday rolled around, and I got another call- their very polite receptionist, wondering if I was going to make my appointment... which was supposed to have started five minutes prior! They were very sweet about it, and allowed me to reschedule (although they normally charge for half the price of the appointment you miss) for later that day.

Of course, although I left an HOUR early to get to the salon that was 30 minutes away from my house, I ran into construction... But once again, the staff were very understanding, and I made it there only a minute late.

Once at the salon, I was very impressed. I went to their Division branch, which is located in SE Portland, about ten minutes from downtown. The building itself was easy to find, and the interior was really nice and airy. I was immediately greeted by the receptionist- who, incidentally, spent about ten minutes looking at the ingredients of their body butters with my mom, in case they had jojoba in them (she's allergic)-  and was taken back very promptly.

My esthetician, Adrianna, was very warm and friendly, and made me feel very comfortable. The waxing took place in a large, private room, even though I was only having my eyebrows done. Once in the room, Adrianna gave me a mirror so that we could look at my eyebrows together and she could get an idea of what I wanted. We agreed that we both liked the natural shape of my eyebrows, but that they could use some tidying- and that's exactly what she did.

I wish I could post a picture, but my camera is freaking out right now, so I'll post pictures as soon as I can get it figured out. My eyebrows are seriously awesome. That sounds awfully vein, but I'm pretty darn excited about them... I may or may not have spent a portion of the ride home wiggling them around in time to the music... But hey, I wasn't driving :) 

Anyway, all this to say, I had a great experience at Urban Waxx, and I would highly recommend them to anyone in the Portland area looking for a great waxing experience. Maybe I'll see you there!

Always,

Nani xx

A big thank you to Kendall from Urban Waxx for setting this up for me! You can contact them at (503) 342-7028 or at www.urbanwaxx.com

They Broke My Face!!! Or "How Smashbox Nearly Ruined My Graduation"

Hello Friends!

Normally I'm try to keep things pretty positive on this blog... But everyone needs a rant sometimes, don't they? If you're not up for a rant today, now would probably be a good time to click away... 

Anyway, it all started with Sephora's 15th birthday party. I had gone in to get a refill of my Caudalie cleansing water the week before, and one of the attendants offered my mom and I appointments for "Free Smashbox Makeovers!!!" that Saturday. It seemed like a good plan to me, so we signed up for the last two spots.

As I've said before, I have several friends who work in Sephora, and so I'm used to getting treated like a princess there... so this might be a bit of an overreaction, but bear with me. When we arrived, there were two "guest artists" from Smashbox waiting to do our makeup. 

The whole experience was a little strange. Neither of the artist introduced themselves. The one working on my face (let's call her Jen), asked what my skin type was, and a general idea we wanted to go with. Since I tend to wear either natural or purple-ish toned eyemakeup, I asked that we stay away from those (so she used a dark champange color with a palette of purples.. but I digress), and left the rest of it up to her. (Apparently the other one, [who we'll call Katie] had similar listening skills... My mom was also unimpressed.)

Jen said that she also has oily skin and that their Photo Finish Targeted Line and Pore Primer (above) was the only thing that worked for her, so I was game to try it. She put it on my T-Zone, and across the tops of my cheeks. 

Fast forward through a truly unimpressive appointment (which they then informed us was "free with purchase," not free) to Friday, the date of my graduation ceremony.

I got up that morning, and went through my normal morning routine, not noticing anything unusual, until I went to put on my foundation. It wouldn't stick to my forehead. At all. I use a great primer, and I've never had any problems with it before... it just wouldn't stick. So I tried another foundation. And another primer. Nothing would stick. I should have taken a picture. I looked like a baby with an angel kiss/stork bite birthmark on my forehead (google it, if you're not sure what I'm talking about). It was bizarre.

In a bit of a panic, I asked my mom what she thought I should do, and we tried several more things... Nothing worked. Eventually, it clicked. Jen, the Smashbox artist, had gone back over that area (the one that would not hold makeup) with that primer a few times- more than anywhere else on my my face. 

Totally discouraged, we called Sephora and arranged an appointment for that afternoon (this time with someone I knew). At the appointment I explained my theory. SB, my friend at Sephora agreed. She had heard some bad reviews of that product (and those artists- it really was free, not free with purchase!), and reported the incident to her manager.

Inspecting my "bald" spot, she decided that the top layer of skin had died, and gave me a free chemical peel. Afterwards, the spot gave her a little trouble, but she went well over the normal 40 minute appointment to make sure I looked okay, and really saved the day.

I'm not sure if there's a moral to this story... more of just a rant. I also don't recommend that primer!

Have you ever had bad makeup counter or makeover experiences? Let me know in the comments below!

Always,

Nani xx

(Very Late) May Subscription Box Review! (Part One - Birchbox)

Hello Friends!

Once again, I have fallen off the face of the planet- this time to graduate! (I am now the possessor of an Associates degree!) ...And once again, I'm back, telling you that I'll be more posting more consistently. Maybe this time it will stick?

When I began this post back in May, I had planned on doing a simple 3 part unboxing post. The upside of me taking forever to post is that I've now had time to try many of the products, so I can give a true review. :)

This time around, I was a little disappointed when I opened my Birchbox. Maybe it was in comparison to the other boxes I got, but it seemed like it was a little sparse and unimpressive.

This month I received five samples, one of which was a duplicate to one I received a few months ago. Additionally, from what I've been hearing on the internet, a few of these are left overs from last month's Birchbox Man boxes. I'm not really sure how I feel about that- I don't have a problem with the samples, but part of what sets Birchbox apart is that they customize the box to your profile, and if they're just reusing left overs, that doesn't seem very customized to me. HOWEVER, like I mentioned, I don't have any problems with the samples themselves.

Okay, let's get to it.

Marvis Toothpaste in "Classic Strong Mint" ($10.50 full size)

First impressions: I love the packaging of this toothpaste. It's very vintage inspired, and looks great. It also smells very good, and seemed like a pretty good sized sample.

After using twice: While the packaging is neat, the toothpaste itself is pretty average.The ingredients are comparable to your basic drugstore toothpaste, including the nasty stuff, like sodium lauryl sulfates. It's very minty- like real mint, not fake, candy mint- but otherwise not memorable. Also, the package was about half-full of air.

Verdict: I probably won't buy this stuff, since I think $10.50 is a lot for a basic toothpaste, but I will probably finish the sample next time I go out of town.

Runa Guayusa Tea Sampler Pack ($7.00/16 tea bags)

What it is: Guayusa (pronounced gwy-yoo-sah) is an Amazonian traditional tea. It's selling points are that each bag has as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, and more antioxidants than green tea. I think they're going to try and bring this in like the other designer teas. My sample came with four flavors: traditional, mint, ginger citrus, and cinnamon lemon grass.

After one cup: I tried the the ginger citrus tea yesterday morning. On first impressions, I didn't notice a lot of difference from any other herbal tea. It's tasty, especially with some honey added. As far as the caffeine, I'm not normally affected by it much, so I'm not the best to judge that.

Verdict: I think I would buy this again if I saw it in a store. I will definitely try the other flavors, as well.

amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask ($40/500ml)

First Impression: Mixed feelings. I really hair masks, but I've received this sample - from Birchbox- before. I have received duplicated products before, but it's always been multiple colors of of a nail polish, that sort of thing. I like the product, so I didn't complain to the company, but if it happens again, I think I will.

After using: As I mentioned, I've used this before, so I already knew my hair was in for a treat. I like this hair mask a lot. It's very strong, so a little goes a long way. I have very thick, butt-length hair, and I was able to get two uses out of this. My hair felt great afterwards, and the product smells wonderful!

Verdict: I'm not sure if I will purchase this product. The price is a little high for what I normally spend on hair, if you take in to account that I got two uses from 20ml, then it works out to about $0.80 a use, so that would be a negative factor for me. This might be something that I would spend my Birchbox points on.

Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner ($11) (in Raina and Black)

First impressions: I was pretty excited to see one of these when I opened my box (my mom gave me hers, since it didn't work for her). Since I have trouble getting eyeliner that lasts, I was excited by the long-lasting properties they're known for. The colors we got were Raina, the lovely navy (Left above, and bottom below), and Black (Right above, and top below). 

After several uses: As you can see above, the colors are true and vibrant. As far as color pay-off, I think they're on par with Urban Decay 24/7. They also have a similar texture to the 24/7 pencils, and go on really smoothly. Unfortunately, they just don't last on me. They look great on, but after a few hours, I find that they've traveled or are just smeared. I'd love to hear if someone with a less-oily eyelid had similar problems? The reviews on Birchbox all seemed really positive.

Verdict: I won't be buying these again, even though they are beautiful!


Alright- that was my May Birchbox. Stay tuned for my Glossybox and Green Grab Bag reviews, as well as a bit of a rant post - consider yourself warned! 

Always,

Nani xx

Subscription Box Reviews!

I'm BACK!

Hello, Friends!

Sorry I've been away so long! I've begun my externship, and I'm getting used to working full time. However, I'm going to be catching up with lots of posts coming in the next few weeks.

Also! I've been given an opportunity by a local business to do a review of a service they offer- I'm pretty excited! More details to come as I get them.

Okay- to the boxes.

As many of you know, I've been subscribed to Birchbox for a year. I was very pleased with the service for a long time, but lately I've been feeling like the samples aren't as good (or as generous) as they have been in the past. (And I'm not the only one- the girls at Eleventh Gorgeous made a similar statement in their Birchbox vs. Ipsy video, and my mom is getting frustrated, too.)

Since I'm not as enchanted as I was, I decided to look around at other subscriptions. I settled on trying two other boxes- Glossybox and Green Grab Bag. In this post I will address the services themselves, and in future posts I'll address the contents.

Glossybox (starting at $21/month)

I was a little apprehensive to try this box, since it's pretty expensive, but I thought I'd give it a three month trial. So far I've received one box from them.

Packaging:

Of the three boxes, the packaging of Glossybox is far superior. It comes shipped in a cardboard box, which opens to reveal a ballerina pink, hard sided box. (The picture doesn't do the color justice.) The box is really nice quality- It's definitely meant to be reused. Also, it has a really cute polka dot pattern inside.

The contents are padded with soft black paper... confetti, I guess? It's kind of like Easter grass, and wrapped in black tissue paper, sealed with a sticker and tied with a length of dusty rose ribbon.

Shipping:

Glossybox takes a while to ship, 5-10 business days, I believe, and it doesn't ship until halfway through the month. The box that I'm going to show in my upcoming post is actually the April box, but I won't receive the next box until almost June.

Price vs. Value:

I used the prices of the full size products to estimate the worth of the samples in each of the boxes. I payed $20 for this box, and, if my calculations are accurate, the samples are actually worth almost $50. A good chunk of that is a very small sample of a face cream that retails at $225 for the full size, which leads me to my next point. While some of the samples are reasonably priced, it feels funny trying a product that I know I will never buy. I'll see what comes in the next box. Additionally, there were two full sized products within, so that makes me feel a little better about it.

Green Grab Bag ($15/month)

I heard about Green Grab Bag on YouTube. They're a fairly new company, and only serve the USA currently. Their mission is to bring eco-friendly, non-toxic beauty products, and to support smaller businesses. I've got to say, I was really very impressed with this box. I've received two boxes from them so far, and they are really stuffed full of great products.

Packaging:

As a company that promotes an eco-friendly lifestyle, they eschew the Birchbox/Glossybox trend of having an inner and an outer box, instead shipping in a strong box made out of 100% recycled content. Inside, similar to Glossybox, you find the products nestled in that springy paper confetti (green, of course) and wrapped in tissue paper (also green).

Shipping:

Green Grab Bags are sent priority mail (at no extra charge!) so they arrive 1-3 days after shipping. Since they ship out on the eighth, I believe, they normally come around the tenth.

Price vs. Value:

Again, I've been very impressed with the amount of high quality product I receive from them. Using that same method, I estimated that the product in this box was worth about $30 dollars (with two full sized products included). One thing I really appreciate about this box is that all of the products are fairly reasonably priced. So far, the most expensive thing they've shipped to me was $34 full sized. Additionally, instead of having the points system, they just post coupon/discount codes on their website for each of the products shipped out.

Special Note:

When I subscribed, something happened, and I was signed up twice (without my knowledge). The next day I got an email from one of the founders of the company explaining the situation, and wanting to know whether she should cancel one of them. I was very impressed.

On the other hand, their website really leaves something to be desired. There is no "Account manager" type page. Once you've subscribed, the only way to manage your account is through a small cancellation button on the "join now" page.

All in all, I was pretty impressed this month. Once my three months with Glossybox are up, I will have to consider whether I want to re-up, as it is so expensive, but I think I'll probably keep Green Grab Bag for a while.

Always,

Nani xx

(Look out for the "first impression" reviews of the products in each box later this week!

Hey Bloggers!

Hello Friends!

This going to be a quick post about a project I'm really excited about!

My friend Fazana from TextBookBeauty is starting a website that will feature up and coming bloggers, photographers, and YouTubers. She has a survey here that she's asking bloggers to fill out.

If you're interested in the project, please fill out the survey, and contact her at textbookbeauty@gmail.com! 

Always,

Nani xx

P.S. Look out for  Ulta Haul and  Beauty Box comparison posts coming up in the next few weeks!

Finals Week!

Hello friends!

It's my final exam week, so I'm probably not going to be able post this week. I will be back for sure next week!

Thanks for understanding!

Always,

Nani xx

Big NARS Haul + Review!

Hello Friends!

A few weeks ago Sephora had their big Very Important Beauty Insider (the upper level rewards program) event, and they sent me a coupon, so I went in in search of one thing- concealer... But that day they had a consultant from NARS there, and she gave me a makeover.. I came out with five. But they were on sale, and one was free... so that helps... I guess. -_- I have the self control of a two year old!

I have been having a HECK of a time with my skin lately. I think it's the cause of the "foundation quest" I've been on. It's super oily, and I've been having a problem with my makeup sliding, so the NARS consultant, Kellie, suggested I try out their primer.  This is the NARS Oil-Free Pro-Prime Pore Refining Primer ($34 - NOTE: I can't find my receipt, but I can tell you I did not pay full price for these products! I think I had about 20% off... I wish I could remember!)

When I tried it in-store, I was pretty pleased with it, but I'm not sold on it anymore. I think that it would work better for someone with a fairly normal skin type. It's a great primer- it smooths over pores and some fine lines, and evens out the skin, but I find that it doesn't hold very long. It really helps with application, but I'm not sure that it does anything (for my skin type) in the long run. 

Verdict: I'll finish it, but I don't think I'll buy it again.

This next product will probably come as no surprise to those of you who read my blog regularly... I got a new foundation, guys!

This is the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation ($44 full price) in Light 02 "Mont Blanc," a color they describe as "fair with slight pink undertones." Now there's three words in there that would normal make me steer far, far, away from this product- sheer, glow, and pink. With my acne-prone oily skin, I tend towards things that say "matte" and "full-coverage," and my skin is generally considered neutral... But Kellie convinced me otherwise, and as far as I can tell, she was right.

This color isn't too pink at all- I would have called it a neutral. (For those of you who watch Zoella, this is her go-to foundation shade that she wears in most of her videos.) Also, I wouldn't call it a sheer or light-coverage... I'd call it a build-able medium. Unless I have a very red blemish, I don't wear any spot concealer with it. Kellie suggested applying it with fingers so that it would emulsify well, and that definitely works well, but it also works well with a buffing-type brush, for those of you that, like me, don't like to use your fingers.  It's not a long wear foundation, but it does last well. The only time that I have had any problems with it is when I don't seal it.

My favorite thing about this foundation is actually the thing that scared me the most: "Glow." As most oily-skinned people do, I shy away from anything labeled "glow," but this really doesn't make me look shiny- it just makes your skin look like SKIN. Matte foundations often make the skin almost look dull or ashy, and this makes it looks so healthy without adding any shine.

I only have one complaint about this product, and it's not a fatal flaw. In the store, they all have little pumps on them, and with that giant cap, one would expect them to to come with one, but they don't. they come like this:

Unfortunately, Sephora doesn't carry the pump tops, and it's $6 (plus $5 shipping) to buy one from NARS. It's not a huge deal, but it's a little strange.

Verdict: I would definitely recommend this, and I am almost certain I will be buying this foundation again. (And that's a big deal, coming from me!)

Since I've been making forays into the world of contouring, we picked out this Radiant Creamy Concealer ($28 full price) in 01 Chantilly as a highlighting concealer. This is a "true ivory" color, and, I kid you not, it looks like corpse flesh in the tube. I was so skeptical about it! It works well as an under-eye concealer/brightener, though, and I really like it. HOWEVER. Beware- if you use too much under your eyes, you will spend the whole day having people comment on your "sunglasses tan." (Yeah... That happened. It's a learning curve.) A little goes a long way!

Verdict: Yes, I will purchase it again, but with the speed I'm using it, It's more likely to be because it has expired than run out!

The last item I bought was their Light Reflecting Setting Powder ($34 full price). It's a microfinish powder in a compact- something I've been looking for. It looks very shimmery in the palette (it doesn't show in the picture), but it doesn't wear like a shimmer powder, it just adds a dimension to the foundation. It came with a cute little padded pouch with pockets for the the palette and the velvet "puff" (the little rectangle over the mirror), but it makes it very bulky, and I prefer to apply powder with a brush, so the little bag just hangs out in my makeup drawer.

Verdict: I like this stuff- it's not a holy grail product, but I'll probably buy it again.

Since I purchased NARS products during their special promotion, Kellie gave me a free Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil ($25) in New Lover. It's a "gold infused strawberry" color, so it's basically the lip equivalent of their Orgasm blush, and it's great!

Verdict: I love their lip pencils (I'm wearing Cruella in my profile pic), so this is definitely a yes.

Bonus product:

I bought the Blush/Bronzer Duo in Orgasm/Laguna ($41) a while back, and I never reviewed it. I use this palette ever day. This picture really doesn't do it justice, but those two colors are the best blush and bronzer I've ever worn. Laguna is a matte, so it's great for contouring, and the gold in the blush... I love this stuff.

Verdict: Do I even have to say?

Alright guys, sorry for the delay in getting this post up! I'd love to hear what your favorite NARS products are, or if you have used any of these before, and if they worked for you!

Always,

Nani xx