Wednesday, October 30, 2013

October Favorites

It's been a while since I've done a "favorites" post, but October brought some new (and some old!) products in to my makeup and hair regimen that are worthy of talking about. Here's what I've been loving this past month.



  • Covergirl Clump Crusher by Lashblast Mascara - Ohhhhh my word, what took me so long to try this stuff out?! This is easily going to be a part of my mascara collection from here on out because it's just that awesome. You can layer this on as thick as you want and you can bet your lashes won't get clumpy. This is an awesome drugstore mascara, and it costs just $6.99!
  • Macadamia Healing Oil Spray - This is a holy grail product of mine that I won't ever go without again. This will make your hair silky smooth and it will smell absolutely amazing while doing so. I use it once a week on second-day hair to keep my hair moisturized, tangle-free and shiny.


  • CeraVe Moisturizing Cream - I've got the big daddy tub of this stuff because I use it daily, but I need so little to moisturize my whole face that I think I'll have this for a lifetime. If you've got dry skin, especially if you are prone to a dry face, this stuff will keep your skin moisturized all day long without breaking you out. Look for it at any drugstore.
  • Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla & Macadamia Kiss - I'd heard the hype about these lip butters all over the internet and I finally gave in to temptation one day during a stroll around Ulta. I don't regret my purchase for a second. This stuff smells like a dream, it's creamy and soft on the lips, and it is so moisturizing. You can find these at any drugstore for under $5.
  • e.l.f. Professional Foundation Brush - To be honest,  I think this would make for a horrible foundation brush. I don't use it for that. I actually use it to set my under-eye area after using concealer. It's cheap, it works well for what I use it for, and I use it nearly every day! You can pick this brush up at Target for just $1!!
  • L'Oreal La Laque Lipstick in 411 Never Lacque-ing - I won't go in to detail on this as I did a full review here, but I am so obsessed with this color. It is a natural dusty pink that is ultra shiny and really pigmented. I've been seeing these clearanced out at Target and Walgreens, so sadly I think these lipsticks are limited edition. Grab them while you can!

What have you been loving this month? Let me know in the comments below!

Monday, October 28, 2013

Review: Wantable Box



Not too long ago I was put in touch with a subscription box company called Wantable who asked me to do a review on their box. Seeing as I love my Ipsy and Birchbox subscriptions, I was more than excited to see what Wantable had in store, and once I received my box, I couldn't wait to share it with you.


Wantable is a bit different than Ipsy or Birchbox in a few ways. First and foremost, Wantable is not just a beauty subscription box; you can choose from one of three categories - makeup, accessories, or intimates. Secondly, once you select which box you want (I chose makeup, obviously) you take a very detailed survey about your likes and dislikes. This survey will customize your box entirely, unlike Birchbox and Ipsy which vary only slightly per subscriber. Lastly, the cost of this monthly subscription box is much higher than the $10/month you would pay for Birchbox or Ipsy. Wantable costs $36/month -- perhaps the one downside to this subscription. However, you do get what you pay for. One MORE cool thing about Wantable is they're based out of Milwaukee, WI... gotta love a Midwest brand!



Here's what I received...




Lise Watier Ombre Souffle Supreme Sample 

This is the only teeny-tiny sample, and even with it's small size, you could easily get a few uses out of it. This eyeshadow is really fluffy and light, and these colors are gorgeous. The left is Vert Enchante and the right is Sunrise Peach.


Lise Watier Ombre Souffle Supreme in Tartan Magique - value: $24.00

As I said, you get what you pay for. This is a full size cream eyeshadow, valued at $24! That nearly covers the cost of the entire box! This feels like a mousse dessert, light and whipped. I wish it was a different color, as I don't wear blue much, but oh well.

Michael Marcus Nail Polish in Blood Red - value: $15.00

I've never heard of this brand, but I like the packaging. You all know I'm happy to get a nail polish, but I'm even happier when I get a full-size polish in a subscription box! Every girl needs a good red nail color, and this is just that. 

Besame Cosmetics Lipstick in Exotic Pink - value: $22.00

I can not get over this packaging... it's gorgeous! It even came in a velvet pouch, too! In. Love. It doesn't hurt that the color is absolutely amazing, too! The cut of the lipstick is a little weird, but I'm willing to look past that because everything else is so stinkin' perfect!


Whip Hand Cosmetics Cheek Flash in Beachhouse - value: $18.00

I'm in love with this blush (I admit, I am a blush fanatic). This is the brightest, most insanely shimmery pink blush I now own, and with a light hand I think this color can look really natural on your cheeks. The only thing I don't love is the packaging - this could really benefit from one of those screens that you dip your brush on to to apply product... instead you've got a container that's bound to make a mess.

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And that's the October Wantable box! While this is a bit pricey, I do think you get your money's worth -- this box alone is valued at $79, double the price you pay! If you want to branch out and try unique, boutique brands that you won't find in stores, start with Wantable. I really enjoyed this box, and would love to hear from you if you've tried Wantable, too! 

If you want a Wantable box, just go to their website (www.wantable.com) and sign up today! I've got this feeling you won't be disappointed. :)

Friday, October 25, 2013

OttLite Makeup Mirror

The last 8 months have been a total blur. Back in February, my husband and I moved back to our hometown (an hour and a half away from where we were living), I started a brand new job, and we spent 7 months living in my parents basement as we searched for our own place. After realizing we enjoyed being home, we decided to place our roots here, and bought our first house in September. 

Upon buying our home, one thing I was really excited about was the opportunity to have my own makeup/dressing room. My husband, sick of knocking my bottles of random goo and makeup around while we lived at my parent's house, was ALSO excited for me to have my own makeup room. I set up shop, but quickly noticed that the lighting in my room was horrible. On weekdays it's not even light out while I get ready for work, so natural light isn't an option. Not ideal when the days I choose to wear makeup are typically weekdays. I started looking for a solution right away.

Say hello to the problem-solver, the OttLite Makeup Mirror.


This thing is the bomb. As you can tell from the picture, the two lights are on the side, with a mirror in the middle. The mirror actually flips, too; one side is normal (1x magnification), the other side has 5x magnification for mega-detailed, up close makeup application. 


Hopefully you can tell just how bright this puppy is from the picture above, however it's not too bright. The best part about this mirror is that it mimics natural lighting, something I've never been able to find in any makeup mirror. Most often, makeup lights have warm, yellow lighting which doesn't allow you to see the true color and application of your makeup. This mirror is just like opening the window curtains and letting the natural light in -- it's truly amazing.

Another great thing - the price is really affordable. I got mine on Amazon for $49.99, but you can also get an OttLite at Target, too. 

I couldn't recommend the OttLite enough. If you have bad, or overly yellow lighting in your house and want to apply your makeup how others are see it in "real life", this is what you've been searching for. Great price, great product -- get you one!


Wednesday, October 23, 2013

L'Oreal La Lacque and Le Matte Lipsticks


We all have our beauty weaknesses, those things we just can't pass up when browsing the racks at the drugstore, Sephora, Macy's (pick your poison)... For me, those things are blush and lipsticks. So naturally, when I finally stumbled upon these lippies at Target, I just couldn't say no! And really, I practiced restraint because I bought just three of the eight total pencils in this collection (that's good, right?!) Say hello to L'Oreal's Le Lacque and Le Matte lipsticks, my new favorite things.


                                 

I got just one of the Le Matte lipsticks, and the one I got is in the shade 408 She's So Matte. I'm a gloss girl through and through, but I have to say I'm really impressed with this matte shade. It has a very velvety texture that glides on smoothly but doesn't feel dry. You can see from the picture that it does look a tad sheer, despite several using passes over the lips while applying.  Regardless, it is definitely bold, and it will stain the lips, but it's just not quite on par with the La Lacque lipsticks. 



Say hello to L'Oreal's La Lacque lipstick in 412 Lacquer-ized. This lipstick is summer in a stick - SO neon! The formula is so so so impressive. It goes on with all the shininess of a gloss, the thickness of a lipstick, and the pigmentation of a lip tar. The one thing that might bug some is the old-school powdery floral lipstick scent these have. Aside from that, this is a hands down perfect lippie. 



411 Never Lacque-ing is by far my favorite of the three (as you can tell, I couldn't resist trying it on right away when I bought it... hence the used tip in the first picture). This color is amazing... like, should have bought a backup, amazing. THAT good. Just like the other La Lacque lipstick, it's creamy, opaque, and super glossy. You need just a couple swipes over the lips and you're good to go. Never Lacque-ing is that perfect dusty pink color, a nice everyday color that for me is almost a "my lips but better" pink. 


I love these lipsticks! The retractable pencil applicator makes applying these a breeze. Pigmentation and formula are exceptional. I'd recommend the La Lacque lipsticks more than the Le Matte lipsticks. Overall, these are a true must have if you're a lippie lover like myself. 


Product: 5/5
Pigmentation: 5/5
Texture: 4/5
Packaging:  5/5




Monday, October 21, 2013

Battle of the Subscription Boxes IV: Birchbox vs. Ipsy

If you follow my monthly "Battle of the Subscription Boxes" posts, you may have noticed that things have heated up! In the beginning, Ipsy beat Birchbox hands down, no doubt about it. However, these last couple months the winner hasn't been so clear. I'll show you what I mean...



First and foremost, how cute is this bag?!


Full-size product - holla!!! Regardless of the fact that this brush costs just a mere $2.49, I am super impressed with the quality. It's very dense and soft, and I can always use more eye shadow brushes.


This is darn near close to full size (full-size are 2.5g, this is 2.0g) which is awesome, especially considering the price tag on these mineral eye shimmers. This color is absolutely stunning, but I don't often like to wear blue eye shadow so I don't know if this will get touched much.


ANOTHER full-size product! This is a lip liner from the brand Star Looks in the color "Tipsy" which is a really pretty pinkish coral. It is surprisingly creamy, too. (Recognize this brand? You might have seen it here.)


I have SO many hairspray samples, but oddly enough I'm okay with adding another to my collection since these are so nice for travelling. Birchbox used to use hair samples of this size as their "big" product each month, but I'm happy to say that this big sample is the smallest thing in my Ipsy bag this month. Awesome.


Annnnnd another awesome full-size product! Holy jackpot, Ipsy!! Zoya is perhaps my all-time favorite nail polish brand, so I'm overjoyed to add this metallic green shimmer to my collection!





I know there are a bunch of you perfume sample haters out there, but I love them. This scent is described as "carefree yet sophisticated" with hints of California beaches and Parisian charm. I think the packaging is beautiful, and it smells pretty good, too!


Full-size alert! I feel like all of a sudden POP Beauty is everywhere, and I'm totally okay with it. Especially if it means I'm receiving a super gorgeous lip gloss for a fraction of the price in my Birchbox!


I've received products from this brand in my previous Birchboxes, but truth be told, I don't know if I've ever tried them! I'm just glad this looks to have enough product to truly give me an idea of whether or not I like it, therefore making me more likely to give this sample a shot. 


Birchbox counted the cloth this wash came with as a separate sample (retails at $6 for 2 cloths) which I think is stupid. But otherwise, I have heard about this product and have wanted to try it so I'm glad to give I can try it out before deciding to purchase it. Plus, how great is the packaging? (Can you tell I'm a sucker for great packaging? Ha!)


I am a chapstick HOUND. I go through it like no one's business, so this is an awesome sample to receive (in full-size, too!) I've already tried this out and it smells amazing and feels great on the lips.

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As I said, it's getting hard to determine a clear winner between these Birchbox vs. Ipsy battles! I think this month I'm going to have to say Ipsy, just due to the simple fact that all but one product was full-sized. However, I still REALLY enjoyed this month's Birchbox.

If you want to sign up for Birchbox or Ipsy, click the the links in this sentence. Each subscription box costs just $10 a month and you get to try some awesome stuff, which is a great way to test out higher-end beauty products before shelling out some serious cash. See my other Battle of the Subscription Boxes posts to get a good idea of what you'll receive.

So, who do YOU think was this month's winner?

Thursday, October 17, 2013

BA Star Lip Pencil in Holiday Red



You might be thinking, "Where do I remember seeing BA Star before?" And if you read often enough, it's probably because you saw my review of their Star Dust eye shadow. Or perhaps you've shopped for performance makeup and come across BA Star. Either way, BA Star offers bright, bold makeup at drugstore prices. 

BA Star sent me this Lip Pencil in Holiday Red (retails for $8.75) and I've really been enjoying it. Take a look...


From the looks of it, this lip pencil appears to be a deep brick red but that's not the case. The color is very much a "holiday red" as the name suggests.


Natural Light

Artificial Light


This red is not for the timid lipstick wearer; as you can see, it's bright and bold! Because it's a pencil it applied super easily and didn't stray outside of the lines. If you're really picky or have troubles applying it, it can always be cleaned up with some concealer around the lip line. However, if you do stray outside the lines, work quickly to clean up because this lip pencil will stain your lips. 

This color did transfer a bit while eating, but that's to be expected as it stays semi-creamy on the lips for awhile. Eventually it does dry and stays rather dry, but because it stains you can easily put on some gloss or balm and the color will stick around for hours.

Overall, I really enjoy this lip pencil. The color payoff is great, the wear-time is great, and besides from being slightly drying, this product is awesome! I'd recommend it. 

You can buy these lip pencils online at bastar.com.
BA Star has been kind enough to offer Glazed Over readers 50% off on purchases made at their website. Just use code: BBLips

**This post contains a product provided for honest consideration

Monday, October 14, 2013

Taryn's Treasures - Natural Soaps & Lotions


Not too long ago, I was put in touch with a company called Taryn's Treasures, based out of Florida. After reading a bit about the products they create, namely all natural soaps, I knew I had to try them out. I love bath products, but I especially love bath products that are wholesome and natural, and so I agreed to change up my shower regimen to get the scoop on some new products.

If you go to Taryn's Treasures website - tarynsbathtreasures.com, and don't see one of the products I've reviewed, just give them a holler and they can make it just for you. They're also totally open to creating a unique product for you as well, so if you have an idea you want made in to reality, shoot them an email!

Make sure to check out the end of this blog post for a special Glazed Over discount code!

Let's get right in to it...



The first thing I was sent was this coffee soap. This little sample is about 1/3 the size of a typical bar sold on the Taryn's Treasures website. Full-size soap bars retail for just $4.80. 

I was really excited about this because I love coffee, and this has actual coffee grounds in it which are great for exfoliating skin. The first thing I noticed is that is has a faint coffee smell, it isn't too overpowering, and it certainly won't linger on the skin after your shower which some will love and others won't. Personally, I like a little smell to linger on my skin. 

The lowdown: I really wanted to love this soap, but it was far too exfoliating for my skin and it actually scratched up my arm, even with a light scrubbing on my body. My husband tried it out too and he had a better experience with it. I think if you're nice and careful with it, and you like a soap that will get you clean, exfoliate your skin, and won't leave any scent behind, this one's for you.


The second thing I received was this peppermint soap, which is my favorite of the shower products sent to me. Again, this is just 1/3 of the size of a normal soap bar, full-size retails for $4.80. This smells lovely like peppermint, as the name suggests. Much like the coffee soap, the smell is not overpowering and the smell won't linger on your skin after a shower.

The lowdown: I really enjoyed this soap, and I think those of you with normal skin will like it, too. If you have dry skin, this might not be for you as it's not moisturizing. This little sample lasted me a long time, and I would imagine the full-size samples would last you weeks!


This Spa Scent Shave Bar is a gem! Again, this is just 1/3 of the size of a normal soap bar, but full-size retails for $4.80. It's made with Koalin Clay and oatmeal, and the scent is clean and refreshing. This soap suds up fast, making for a nice quick lather. You can use this as a shaving lather, or you can use it just to rinse off. 

The lowdown: I liked how fast the Spa Scent Shave Bar lathered up, and it felt nice on the skin. This soap was a tad more hydrating than the other two, but still best for normal skin that is not too dry already.


This Juicy Sugar Scrub Cube is made with beeswax, shea butter and sunflower oil to exfoliate your skin and leave it soft. I really liked the scent of this, as it was sugary and sweet. These come in packs of 4 large cubes for $2.50. 

The lowdown: Unfortunately, this just wasn't a hit for me. I scrubbed it on my body and it left a white sticky film on my skin, so I had to use a body wash again to get it off, and that still didn't get everything. I was hoping this would be my new favorite body scrub, but sadly it isn't. 


The last product I received was this lavender peppermint body lotion. The pictured lotion is a 3 oz size, but they only sell 8 oz size which goes for $12.50. Unlike most commercial lotions, this Taryn's Treasures lotion  does not contain alcohol. It is made with aloe, coconut oil, olive oil, locally obtained beeswax, the fragrance of your choice, and GSE. 

The lowdown: I liked this product - it wasn't my most favorite lotion, but it's a great alternative to lotions packed with chemicals. When I opened it I did notice some separation, which is normal as it's a natural product without all the preservatives and chemicals that keep things in their place in most commercial lotions. After stirring and shaking once, I haven't had a problem with separation again.

This lotion does feel a bit oily on the skin, but it soaks in nicely and smells really refreshing and herbal. The scent disappears rather quickly, something I like as I don't want my lotions to clash with the perfume I wear. I would recommend this if you're interested in trying a natural lotion.


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All in all, I enjoyed trying these products by Taryn's Treasures. I like to switch up my cosmetics and skin care items to include natural products that don't include mystery chemicals I can't pronounce, and Taryn's Treasures offers a great alternative at a good price.

And as promised, Taryn's Treasures has been nice enough to offer a special discount to all Glazed Over readers - $3 off of a $20 purchase, at tarynsbathtreasures.com. AND all purchases come with free samples! Just use code "briannarocks" at checkout!

Let me know what your favorite natural products are, and certainly let me know if you've tried or plan to try anything from Taryn's Treasures!

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Essie - Power Clutch


Say hello to an awesome autumn color, Essie's Power Clutch! This color is new to me, but old in the polish world; Power Clutch is actually from the Essie 2011 fall collection. I'm fairly certain I snagged this on sale at TJ Maxx, so go figure it's ages old. 


Power Clutch is a really great murky grey-green. More often than not this color appears more grey, but in different lights you can certainly see the blueish green undertones. This is a great cream finish polish that looks professional for work, and trendy for an evening out. A win-win in my book. 

Application was nice and smooth, typical to most Essie polishes I've used. I'm wearing two coats, topped off with one coat of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri top coat. 

If you like this color, you can find it all over the internet or at WalMart. 

Have you tried Power Clutch?

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Makeup Mail: Miyu Teas & Beauty

First and foremost, thanks for bearing with me as I'm internet-less! On Saturday my husband and father in law ran cable through our house, so fingers crossed that by this coming week I'll be back up and running regularly! For now, I am bumming internet off my parents. ;) 

On to the goods - last week I got this gorgeous little Miyu sample set from Birchbox as part of their Birchbloggers program and I am so excited to share it with you. You may have noticed that Miyu Beauty recently launched their collection and made it available to Birchbox subscribers. They only have a small selection of products so far, all of which you'll see in this gorgeous sample set, appropriately named "A Prettea Little Quartet", I received. There may be few items, but each one is fabulous. 


How gorgeous is this packaging? Through every aspect of the Miyu brand, it's clear design is important to them. Everything is absolutely beautiful. Check out their website to see what I mean. 



The Prettea Little Quartet is made up of four different products - 2 facial mists and 2 different teas.  The idea is that you use these products in combination with each other in order to achieve beautiful skin by treating the inside and the outside, a philosophy I love. I think Miyu is on to something many cosmetic companies tend to look over - skin health that starts with what you put in to your body. 


There are two different facial mists, the first being the De-Stress Mi Beauty Essence which smells lightly like peppermint, with hints of licorice, ginger, honeysuckle and dandelion. The purpose of this product is to soothe and calm irritated skin. It feels lovely on the skin, and has a nice cooling feeling once applied.

This facial mist is to be paired with the De-Stress Mi Beauty Tea, a fresh and earthy tea filled with peppermint, licorice, chamomile and candied pearls (which you can see in the tea bags - adorable!)

The second facial mist is the Hydrate Mi Beauty Essence, which is meant to hydrate the skin with water-binding wild pansy and sodium hyaluronate. This spray has a light rose scent, and feels very refreshing on the skin. 

This facial mist is to be paired with the Hydrate Mi Beauty Tea, a light and fruity blend that is caffeine-free. This tea is comprised of green rooibos, goji berries, rose petals, snow pear essence and candied pearls. 

To use, spray the facial mist on prior to moisturizing your face.  Begin by using the De-Stress Mi combination of facial mist and tea for a couple weeks. Once your skin has adjusted to this regimen and become more resilient, switch to the Hydrate-Mi combination to replenish the water in your skin.


I'm loving this "Prettea Little Quartet" (so clever). All aspects of these products are delicate, feminine, and carefully considered. Lucky for you - I'll be giving one of these sets away to one lucky winner! Stay tuned for the giveaway entry, coming very soon! 

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