Black Friday Beauty Haul 2013

Black Friday 2013 has come and is on it's way out.  This is the first year that I didn't have to work on Black Friday in a while so I decided to take advantage of having the day off and went out shopping at 12:00am.

I decided to go to the mall and stopped by Sephora first.  Sephora usually has $10.00 deal sets that they offer on Black Friday and I wanted to check them out.

Clean Sweep set from Ole Henriksen. This set included a 1.5 fl.oz.  'African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser' and a set of 10 'Truth to Go' facial wipes. 

Next I got the 'Draw the Line' Eyeliner sampler.  This set was $30.00 and has a retail value of $79.00. I am currently on a mission to find the perfect eyeliner.  Included in this set were some eyeliners that I was going to purchase full sized and full priced to try out but seeing this set made that easier and cheaper for me. Some of the eyeliners in the set were full sized. 

 FULL SIZED Eyeko 'Skinny Liquid Eyeliner' in Black.

FULL SIZED? Sephora 'Long-Lasting 12 HR Wear Eye Liner' in Glitter Black.

0.01oz Double ended Urban Decay '24/7 Glide on Eye Pencil' in Perversion (black) and Demolition (dark espresso brown).

0.01 fl. oz. Stila 'Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner' in Intense Black.

FULL SIZED? Stila 'Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner' in stingray (black).

0.025 oz. Make Up For Ever 'Aqua Eyes' waterproof eyeliner pencil in Black. 

 I received this sample from Yu Be  of their Moisturizing Skin cream. I have a big bottle of this and I use it regularly as a hand cream. I was actually going to pick up a small size of this as I was going through the checkout line to put in my purse, but stopped at the $16.00 price tag.  

Next I picked up some items from Bath and Body Works.  They were having their three wick candle sale (2 for $22) and their Wallflower two packs were $5.00 each as part of the Black Friday deals. 

 Cranberry Pear Bellini Wallflowers 

Peach Bellini 3 Wick Candle

'Tis the Season 3 Wick Candle

Red Velvet Cupcake 3 Wick Candle

Leaves 3 Wick Candle

Caribbean Escape Wallflowers

Bath and Body Works usually does a gift bag that you can purchase on black friday that contains some of their most popular products and scents in it for a discounted price with a minimum purchase. This years 2013 Holiday VIP Tote was $20.00 with a minimum $40.00 purchase.

FULL SIZED Forever Midnight Body Cream 

0.25 fl. oz. Forever Red fragrance

FULL SIZED Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Lotion

FULL SIZED Eucalyptus Spearmint Body Wash and Foam Bath 

Mini Champagne Toast Scented Candle

FULL SIZED Fresh Sparking Snow Anti-Bacterial Gentle Foaming Hand Soap

FULL SIZED Cream White Body Poof

That was it for the beauty items that I picked up this Black Friday. I think I found some really good deals and it wasn't too hectic shopping at 12:00am. The line at Sephora was really short and I didn't have to wait long.  The line at Bath and Body Works was really long. It wove from the back of the store where the registers were to the entrance of the store. The line wasn't too bad to wait in and it moved along.  There were a lot of Bath and Body Works employees directing the line  and they placed large red dots on the floor to help guide the line along.  Normally the overly happy, giddy BBW employees that are in every store are often a little too much for me. But I think that attitude helped BBW with the often stressful BlackFriday shopping.  The employees made everyone feel like we were in it together and would get out alive. I think this was a successful Black Friday Haul and I am happy with what I got. 

Influenster Rose Vox Box

I was selected for the most rent VoxBox from Influenster.

Influenster is a website dedicated to product reviews. You sign up for the site and review all the different products on the site. Each review you submit and your activity on the site gives you points towards your Influenster score. The higher your score the more likely you will be picked to receive boxes from Influenster to try out and review. 

Every so often they curate a box of different products and send them out to a few lucky people that fit into the demographics they need. I was lucky enough to be picked for this box.

First Look!

This box was named the Rose VoxBox.

Lindt chocolate truffle. I an already fully aware of and familiar with this product. I have a Lindt store at the outlet mall near me and go in the store whenever I'm at the mall in hopes of getting a sample. Each time you go in the store the employees will walk around with a basket of chocolate and offer you a sample of whatever they are offering at that time. It's nice to not have to nonchalantly walk around a store with no intent to make any purchases, 'just coming in for a sample and leaving, ma'am'. Needless to say I like these chocolate truffles. I prefer dark chocolate- milk chocolate is also good - so is the white chocolate----its all good! 

Kiss Gradation Polishes in Film Noir. I was beyond intrigued to see this in the box.  I got a manicure a while ago with a purple gradation effect on my nails. I made sure to pay close attention to the girl doing my nails techniques to go home and try it out for myself. I wasn't able to get it just right. This kit shows you how to easily do it at home on your nails. 

I ripped open the box and did my nails.  The directions were easily understood and even more surprising was how easily it was to create the ombre look on my nails. Sure there are things that I will be doing differently - you can see the line of the second polish on some of the nails if you look really closely and I didn't follow the directions to the T. The directions state that you paint polish 1 all over your nails, 2 on the top 1/3 and 3 on the top 1/2. I correctly followed polishes 1 and 2's steps, but didn't put polish three on 1/2 of my nail. I ended up painting the whole nail after mixing the polishes. I thought that it looked nicer. But after it dried, I realized that by painting 3 on the whole nail the gradation look was not as prominent. It still looked good, but didn't have the wow factor with it. I will follow the rules the next time I do my nails to see how I like it. The only thing that I didn't like about this polish is that it chipped really easily. Even with a good topcoat ( my favorite is Seche Vite - which is a couple of dollars cheaper at Sally Beauty Supply than at Ulta -FYI )

Rimmel Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara in black. This is not waterproof, which is the only type of mascara that I will use. I have really short, really straight lashes and waterproof is the only type of mascara that will hold my curl. This mascara didn't even hold my curl long enough for me to finish applying the mascara. It also didn't last very long and I would have to wipe the bottom of my eyes all day long to get rid of the run off. I will not be purchasing this mascara and am thinking of even throwing away the tube that I have open now - this just isn't for me.

VitaBath hydrating lotion in Green Apple and White Lily scent Only a few of the Voxboxes were said to have this lotion in it. I"m happy that I was in that few. This lotion has a soufflé texture to it and doesn't really absorb into my skin very quickly. But I still like this lotion. I really like the scent. I usually like the fruity, tropical scents and this is right up my alley.  I think I remember VitaBath products being sold in Sears department stores like 10 years ago. I haven't been in a Sears in a really long time, so I'm not sure if this is the same brand or maybe it's being rebranded. 

Dr. Scholl's for Her Cozy Cushions shoe inserts. Dr. Scholl's has partnered with Influenster a lot, recently. This is the second Dr. Scholl's product that I have received from Influenster. 

Belvita Blueberry breakfast biscuits These were so good and I will definitely be purchasing these. The only thing I didn't like about these was that I wish there was more blueberries in each biscuit.

**I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Fab Fit Fun Fall Box 2013

I received my FabFitFun box...finally!

This box had a series of mishaps that kept coming. First there was a billing error and some of the subscribers were charged twice for the box and California tax - despite the state that they actually live in. I was one of the lucky few that had that billing error. I checked my emails from Fab Fit Fun and I was charged twice at like 3:00am my time and by 4:00am there was an email sent out alerting us to the error. Which was excellent service in my mind. They also let those affected know that for our troubles they were going to be adding an extra item in our boxes. 

Once the box was shipped - which took forever from the time that the email saying our credit cards were billed to the actual shipment of the box was like a months time in between. Maybe even two months-it seemed like forever. Either way, once the box was shipped, I received another email from Fab Fit Fun saying that some of the boxes were shipped out without one of the items that were a part of the sneak peak that they showed us would be in the box. 

Surprise Surprise I was again affected by this shipping snafu and another box was shipped out to me with the sneak peak item that was promised. 

Keep reading below to see what I got and the extra item that I was shipped. 

First Look!

As with each box, a card with Guianna Rancic was added, describing each of the products included in the box.

There were also a bunch of cards/coupons/brochures included in this box.

Bright Pink quick start guide to breast cancer awareness and a sticker and text program that will text you each months of remind you to do a monthly at home break cancer check. 

Bliss coupon for a free facial. There was a lot of restrictions to this coupon and the closest Bliss Salon to my location was one of those restricted sites. So I won't be using this coupon.

Gorjana coupon for use on their website.

FabFitFun sticker

Starlooks card

Awkward Family Photos cards with different pictures and a game on the back.

 FULL SIZE Gorjana Canary Scarf Two sneak peaks were released for this box. This is one of those sneak peak items. I really liked this scarf. The colors are really nice together and its in a light fabric. Perfect for the fall or as a style piece. Not so much for warmth.

FULL SIZE Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Cleansing Foam This is the second sneak peak item and the one that was missing from the original shipment. I don't normally purchase foaming products because it's really not worth your money. Like 80% of the bottle is water and the rest of it is the actual product.

 FULL SIZE Spa Ritual nail laquer in Health, Wealth and Happiness

Health Warrior Chia Bar in Apple Cinnamon This just sounds disgusting to me. 

FULL SIZE Surface Trinity Protein Cream 

FULL SIZE Starlooks eyeshadow palette in St. Tropez I seem to be getting a lot of Starlooks products in beauty boxes. Fun Fact - Starlooks has their own monthly box that they send out with all only Starlooks products in the box. 

2 packs Drinkwel 3 vegetarian capsules I can't really buy in to this actually working. I will try it out the next time I'm going out drinking, but my hopes are not high.

FULL SIZE Barre 3 Standing Slim with Sadie Lincoln DVD

FULL SIZE Orville Redenbacher Classic Butter and Sea Salt box with three pop up bowls of popcorn 

FULL SIZE Orly nail Lacquer in Go Deeper Sorry this pic is so blurry. I accidentally deleted the non blurry pics.  This is the extra product that was added to the boxes that were affected by the billing issue. It's a little upsetting that it's another nail polish, when one was already added to the box. But I liked that it was a different brand and a different type of polish  (full color vs. a glitter). And I really can't complain because it was really nice of Fab Fit Fun to even think of adding an extra product.

In all I continue to really like this subscription box, despite the high price, $49.99 a quarter, I feel like the value is really great each box. I also like the variety of different products that they send out in each box. It's not just all beauty items or, just food. There is a really good mix each box of beauty, lifestyle and food items. 

New Beauty Test Tube September 2013

My New Beauty Test Tube came in the mail and the changes keep coming! 

RecentlyTest tube changed their shipping schedule, going from a quarterly subscription service to a bimonthly one. The most recent shipment had an aestheic change.  The new packaging is super cute, with pink hexagons throughout the boxes and tube. They also started wrapping the products in tissue paper instead of just packing everything in a box. 

First Look!

I really like the new changes that they made to the packaging! How cute is the pink and orange honeycomb design!?!

It Cosmetics was highly featured in the tube.  This booklet was included to showcase all the It Cosmetics products that they offer. 

FULL SIZE It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Powder Brush. This brush was really soft, but I'm not sure it will be my everyday powder brush.

2.26 fl. oz BioSilk Silk Therapy

2 fl.oz. It's a 10 Miracle Leave in Plus Keratin This is the second time I have received a sample of this leave in conditioner. The first one I received as the lite version. It will be nice to compare the two and see which works better for my hair. 

.5 fl. oz La Roche-Posay 'Mela-D' deep cleansing, brightening foaming cream

.5 fl. oz. Smashbox 'Photo Finish' Foundation Primer I already have a sample size of this product that I bought in a kit. I love this primer and it is my go to primer.  Although I already have this product, I was happy to receive another one. 

 .14 oz. Amore Pacific 'Color Control Cushion Compact' inTan Blush

This product I was really confused and interested in. The product is in a sponge and you are supposed to press the applicator (which is amazingly soft) into the inner sponge and then apply that to your face. 

I haven't tried out this product, because I am still so confused as to how to wear it. Is it a foundation? a tint? how much coverage does it have? do I apply it before or after my foundation? Blarg.

 FULL SIZED Mally Cosmetics 'Evercolor' eyeliner in "Starlight" When I first saw this I was really disappointed. The  last Mally Eyeliner that I received was a huge disappointment. Once I saw this pretty silver color it made everything better. 

TestTube continued to pack the extra products along with the tubes. 

 Nip+Fab Viper Venom

Nip+Fab No Needle Fix Serum

Lumene BB Cream

 Spa Ritual Handprint Hand serum I've never heard of a hand serum before. I'm interested to see if this work and how it works. 

I love the aesthetic changes that Test Tube has made, but noticed that there has been a lot less full sized products in the tubes than I have previously received. My first tube had numerous full sized products, most of which were all luxury brands that I have never heard of. Now it seems that they are shipping out products that are easily accessible and that other sample boxes have shipped out in their boxes. All of which are in boxes that are much cheaper than the $29.99 plus shipping every two months price tag. Every brand in this tube I have heard of, I already have similar products or have the exact product already. My very first tube I received from Test Tube had mostly all products that I had never heard of. I liked that about the old Test Tube.  I'd rather not see products that I can easily pick up at my local CVS in the tube. 

IPSY September 2013

This month's IPSY bag arrived!

This month's theme was Classic Beauty

The creator of IPSY, Michelle Phan, started out as a You Tube beauty guru. She then created a beauty sample company named MyGlam. Which evolved into IPSY. She just released a makeup line called "EM by Michelle Phan" and is doing some heavy duty marketing for her new line. One such marketing strategy is by putting samples of her makeup in every IPSY bag. What I appreciated about this sample is that it didn't count as one of the samples for the months bag. 

The big selling point of her line is the Life Palette. She included this fold out brochure with three eyeshadow samples and a blush sample.

 0.14 fl. oz. It's so Big by Elizabeth Mott mascara in black? The packaging didn't say what color it was and I didn't want to open the mascara up. I have a lot of different mascaras that I'm trying out and didn't want to open another one and have it start drying out. Interesting fact. Elizabeth Mott only makes two products, this mascara and Lash Cards.

FULL SIZE Starlooks Kohl eye pencil in Obsidian

FULL SIZE Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm in Big Apple. I really wouldn't call this a lip balm. It's not sheer like I would expect from a lip balm. The color on this was really strong and bright. It was more of lipstick, in a pot.

This product separated into three pieces like their eyeliners. The top of the lid separates to a brush. This is the same packaging as the gel eyeliners in their brand. The only difference between the eyeliner and the lip balm is packaging color and the actual product inside the pot. I didn't like the brush for eyeliner application and I really don't like the brush for lip product application either. I felt that it was too stiff for use on the lips. I have been using the brush for eyeshadow that I use to set my gel eyeliner.

FULL SIZE NYX eyeshadow in Purple. Love this color.

FULL SIZE J.Cat Beauty Fantabulous lipstick in Honeycrisp I hated this color. It looked even worse on my lips. It made me look dead. I applied the Cailyn lip balm over top of this and I looked a little more alive, but I still wasn't completely happy with the color.  The packaging was really cheap feeling. I received another J.Cat product in a previous month's bag and the quality of the product was not very impressive. I don't think the products that I have receive in my IPSY bags from this brand, impress me enough to want to make purchases from the brand. 

For some reason I didn't take a picture of this month's bag. If you are really interested in seeing the bag, I'm sure you can search what other people received. Overall I was happy with this month's bag.

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