Julep Maven GIVEAWAY!!

Hi there beautifuls! So I hope you've gotten a chance to see my recent unboxing of my first Maven box!
If you havent than have a look at it here (http://vixenslovee.blogspot.com/2011/11/julep-maven-november-it-girl-box.html).

If this was something you liked or wanted to try; you can for only $5!! Use the code vixenslovee at checkout to get this amazing offer.

If you're still hesitant to try this out, you can win a 3 month subscription for free!


Rules:
1. Must subscribe to this blog either by email or through the link in the upper left hand corner.


2. Must leave a comment on this post describing what you would hope for in your first Maven box. (Take a look at their website and choose your favorite product) [FIRST WAY TO ENTER!]

You can checkout all the exciting products here:
http://www.julep.com/Home.htm


3. Follow VixensLovee on twitter and tweet me that you have entered (If you dont have a twitter account then email me so you are not disqualified!) [SECOND WAY TO ENTER!]

You can follow me on twitter here: https://twitter.com/#!/VixensLovee

4. Like VixensLovee on Facebook and share with your friends! [THIRD WAY TO ENTER!]
You can do so here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/VixensLovee/332864153394118


5. You may enter as many times as you want!


6. Entries along the lines of : "Enter me/I subscribed" will be disqualified

Additional details:
-Contest will end on December 24th at 11:59 PM.
-I will choose and announce a winner on Christmas morning!
-This IS open to US and Canada entries! YAY! :)


If you have any questions concerning the giveaway, feel free to send me an email or contact me on twitter!

This is just my way of saying THANKYOU to the beauty community and all my subbies; Love you guys!! :)

And of course, a special thanks to Julep and the Maven program for the amazing partnership!


GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!
-Monique :)

Julep Maven November "It Girl" Box

Hello ladies! So I have been waaaay off track these past weeks (It feels so much longer!) but here I am feeling refreshed and with tons of ideas for posts in my head! I wish I could get them out as fast as I thought them!
But anyway, what I have been wanting to get out is news about this company! And my first Maven box!
Here's my thoughts on the box overall.

Julep Maven box

Packaging: This cute little black box (looks like a shoe box) is what gets delivered to your doorstep. Open it up to find a few papers and notecards sitting atop a paperbag tied with ribbon (their idea of "giftwrapped"). I believe each month features a different colored ribbon. Mine was pink for Breast Cancer Awareness month I believe. And all your goodies come inside the bag, no tissue paper like BirchBox or LuxeBox.

Polish comes gift wrapped

Items recieved: This month I got two nail polishes; Zoe and Samantha. I also recieved a full sized Facial for Hands Glycolic Hand Scrub. The last thing I found at the bottom of my bag was 2 mini travel samples: the hand scrub again and their Everyday SPF Handcream; which I thought was nice o have in  my purse just in case.

Hand Scrub
$32

How much was paid: This was my introductory box that I got for free, but is available to everyone with coupon code vixenslovee for only $5!

Mini samples; perfect to toss in my purse!

Overall box value: All items add up to an overall value of $60. If you use the code and get this for $5, this is a Steal!


Liked/disliked: I liked the two nail polishes. Im not the type to wear pink polish, but my sister is so she liked that alot. The orange fall color was perfect for Halloween and even for Thanksgiving. I will definitely be sharing this with family and girlfriends over holiday parties! The hand scrub smells citrus-ey and leaves my hands very smooth and soft; especially helpful during winter months when my hands dry and crack from the cold.

Polishes.
Left: Zoe $14
Right: Samantha $14

Overall: For my first box, I am very pleased with what I got. For the price, it is phenomenal, and even for the regular price of $20, this is still a good deal in my opinion. I hope my next box is just as great!

What do you girls think? Did you like this? Would you try it? Let me know! and don't forget, use coupon code vixenslovee for an introductory price of $5! Happy shopping! :)

MIA: with a terrible cold!

Hey ladies!! I am so so sorry to have fallen behind on my posting and tweets lately. I was supposed to have covered my Coastal Scents haul and the Julep giveaway by now (Btw, my first box came in already, let me tell you girls: gorgeous!).

Unfortunately, I came down with a cold last week and thought I was getting over it; but somehow, its only gotten worse! I've been getting LOTS of rest, fluids, staying bundled up and all that, but I only feel worse than before :/

I guess I'll just have to give it a few more days. As soon as Im better, look forward to the giveaway and tons of hauls and reviews! (I may have gone a little overboard on the "Hope this makes me feel better" shopping.. everyone does that, right?..). Until then ladies,
Stay Lovely!
-Monique

PS
How do you get over your colds? Any family traditions/recipes? I'd love to try some new soups recipes!

Here's a few little Mexican supersitions I'll share, my grandmother has been yelling things like this at me all week!
***Don't try these at home! This is just for laughs***

-Don't walk around barefoot!
-Put Bapuru (Vixs vapor rub) on your chest, joints, and the soles of your feet, but don't take a shower the next day!! (Yeah, that one was hard for me)
-Here drink this tea! (it was yucky!)
-Put a spoonful of Vixs in your tea and drink it! (I told her I did it when her back was turned)
-Rub some Vix in your nostrils! (That one burned...)
-Dont eat jalepenos! They have vinegar!
-Dont eat anything with vinegar!
-Dont eat that avocado, its too fresh.
-Dont eat potatoes, they'll give you cough!
AND a bunch of other crazy things that don't make sense to me half the time!!
But my grandmother means well :)

Were you raised with any funny things like this? Let me know in the comments section, I'd love to hear them! After all, they say laughter is the best medicine! Stay lovely ladies :)

Julep and the Julep Maven (It Girl) Box!

Hey ladies, any of you fans of BirchBox, New Beauty Test Tube, Eco-Emi Box, Luxe Box, and other sampling companies? Then you'll LOVE Julep's Maven Box!

For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, these are sampling companies. You pay a monthly subscription fee of about $10 and they send you a box with about 5 deluxe sized beauty, skin, and haircare samples (With the exception of Test-Tube which sends about 15-30 samples once every 3 months for 30 dollars).


These are great because its like a mini christmas every month! But sometimes they're not so great for various reasons. Most people feel that they're not getting their $ worth.

Julep is another company that sends monthly samples, but these are not samples from different companies. These are samples from their company alone. You can check out all of Julep's nail polishes, and spa treatments here:
http://www.julep.com/Home.htm

Some of Julep's gorgeous nail colors!

Here's what sets Julep (like tulip) apart from the other companies:
-Like I said before, these are only Julep products: nail polish, hand and foot spa treatments 
-Julep sends a box every month for $20. For some this seems like way too much; keep reading and I'll show you why its not!
-Additional 20% off your Julep purchases (apart from your Maven box)
-Free shipping on ALL purchases
-You can skip a box anytime you want (Like if you spent your stash on a "just becuase" gift)
-You can skip the box for yourself, and have it sent to a friend instead that month (In case you forgot to get Mom or Sis a gift!) Plus: Every box comes already gift wrapped!
-A percentage of the proceeds from each product in your box is donated to charities that empower women; a new charity is selected every month.
- Julep offers FULL sized products every month.
-And, each month is gauranteed to have more than $40 in product.

Julep featured in Lucky magazine.

Julep made the "It" List in Elle magazine.

A few articles and magazines that Julep Maven has been featured in.

Some may want cosmetics, hair and skincare over hand and foot products; but if this is something you want to try or you just want to get your moneys then maybe this is for you.

Stay tuned, I'll do a full review on my first Maven Box and I'm doing a GIVEAWAY!

Is this something you would be willing to try? Or would you just test it through the giveaway first? Let me know in the Comments section below!

Stay Lovely,
Monique

Coastal Scents Sale for Halloween!

Hey everyone! Halloween is coming up and right now you can save on CS palettes and brushes; perfect for your halloween tutorials and costumes!

Take off 38% on ALL makeup palettes and hotpots!

And take save 25% on all brushes!

No coupon code necessary; offers expire Nov. 3rd

What will you be dressing up as? Let me know in the Comments section below!

Sephora's Allure Beauty Editor's Palette

Click to enlarge

This is the second item on my Sephora haul and its another "Traveler's" palette (A palette for on the go!). I had a lot of questions as to why I bought two traveler palettes.
Here's why: The Colorista palette allowed me to pick any shades I wanted for the smaller palette. But sometimes, I took so much time trying to pick and choose colors that it defyed thepurpose of even buying the palette at all; to spend less time at home finicking over my makeup at home! So, I bought the Allure Beauty Editor's Palette by Sephora because it includes 5 already assembled mini palettes in one! When I am really in a hurry, I jsut pick one and go!

Here are the details:

Available at: Sephora

Price: I purchased mine for $54; last I heard it was only $17! :D

Details: 5 mini makeup palettes set into one large container/case. Each palette offers a different look. All the palettes contain 6 shadows, 1 blush, and 1 lip gloss. The palettes pop out of the case and can be put in the mini-compact for on-the-go use.

Compact for mini-palettes.
The hole is to pop the palette out.
Includes a nice mirror and peep-pocket for lip gloss to show through.
Click to enlarge

Packaging: Large shiney, plastic case. Has the Sephora logo on the front. Windows allow you to peek through to the palettes.


Removing from the encasing and inserting into mini compact
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Pros: These shadows are so beautiful, they have great color payoff and I am very satisfied with them. There is a nice mix of matte and shimmer shades. The blushes are gorgeous and have amazing pigmentation; all the blushes are matte (yay!). The large case/container that this comes in is sturdy. The palettes pop out easily, but not too easily (they will not be falling out every few minutes). I like that I don't need a stylus/pick to remove the palettes like in the Colorista palette. The colors apply with minimal effort, just tap your brush into them and you have enough product! The lip glosses--Oh my goodness, I love them! They have the look and feel of a gloss but the color of a rich lipstick! And they last a good while. The blush and shadows last me a full work/school day with a primer or some sort.


"Beauty 101"
Neutral glam for those just beginning
Soft taupes and warm cheeks
Click to enlarge



"Sparkles Fly"
Sultry evening look
Berry red gloss and a warm sunkissed cheek
Click to enlarge

Cons: The shadows are the slightest bit too soft. One of the shadows is matte black and I accidently dropped it on the floor in my bedroom; it chipped a little and left tons of fall out on my white carpet! (anyone know how to get that out?). So handle these carefully. Other than that, I have no complaints about this palette! Except that I bought it when it was still full price LOL!

"Color Theory"
Pop of color!
Nude gloss and blush to tone down the bright eyes
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"All Fun No Sun"
Bronze with a pop of purple!
Rosey pink gloss and a warm blush
Click to enlarge

Would I buy this again / Recommend to a friend: YES! Absolutely; I am rarely so completely satisfied with a product but this one has earned its high marks! It makes for a great gift and looks pretty sitting attop a vanity :)

"Where There's Smoke"
Smokey evening look
Mauve cheek and a classic red lip
Click to enlarge

Did you ladies love this palette? Do you like the idea of a "on-the-go" palette? Or do you already have something like this? Let me know in the comments below!

Sephora Colorista Palette

Has this ever happened to you?: You have three or so favorite shades but they're in a larger palette. When you're in a hurry, you try to just bring the entire thing with you but end up with a broken palette or crushed makeup! There is a fix! Sephora has recently come out with two "traveler palettes". The idea is a small removable palette within a larger one holding all of the shades! PERFECT!

The flash blackened the mirror in a photo. Half of the lid is see-through.
Click to enlarge

Here's the skinny!:

Available at: Sephora

Price: (temporarily?) Discontinued, was available for $30

Details: 40 eyeshadows, 15 Lip colors, 3 Cheek and 3 Bronzer shades, 5 Cream liners, 1 Removable palette and 1 stylus/pick to remove makeup pans. The lip, shadow, and liner pans are all dime sized. The blush and bronzers are about 2'' X 3''.


Blush and Bronzer Swatched
Click to enlarge

Pros: Great for travel, small yet sturdy, Nice large mirror on bigger palette, Large variety of shades for the beginner or all makeup lovers. The colors are bright and vibrant. The blushes and bronzers have great color payoff. Lip colors have good pigmentation and are not overly sticky.

Removable inner Palette
Click to enlarge

Cons: Stylus/Pick tends to fall out of place quite often and chip shadows. Cream liners are not very pigmented ; they take multiple applications to show up effectively. Lip colors tend to melt quickly/easily. Most shades are shimmer/not very many matte shades (only 5). Bronzers have a slight amount of shimmer to them.

Eyeshadows. These were too shimmery, they picked up too much of the flash; Still beautiful shadows!
Click to enlarge

Recommendations: Store this flat or remove the little pick to keep it from crashing into your makeup pans; about three of my lip shades have been smeared by this little guy, and two of my blushes have been chipped from it as well. Definitely use a primer for these shadows. They are not horrible in pigmentation, but will last longer with a primer. The lip glosses in this palette are very fragile. I do not recommend taking them with you in the smaller palette because they melt in even minimal heat very easily, and they tend to get full of loose shadow fallout.

Lip Color and Cream Liner swatches.
Click to enlarge

I really enjoy this palette. I took it with me when I went on vacation this summer. It was perfect in size and held some of my favorite shades. Keep an eye out this Christmas for it to come back on sale!

Be ONE LESS!

Knowing I am protected is a thing of BEAUTY

Hello Ladies! Today I don't have a post about a specific beauty product but I do want to talk about beauty; inner beauty to be exact.
A lot of women have a product they they feel completes their look. For some its their favorite lipstick, or just a finishing swipe of eyeliner. But I feel that there are natural components that make us beautiful without all the makeup.
For me, it is the beauty marks on my left cheek, and the slight bags under my eyes that never dissapear ( I get it from my daddy! :D). For my sister, it is her smile. And for many of you it could be something else, like your lashes, or naturally curly hair.
Everyone has natural beauty and part of it comes from being healthy. A healthy inside shines through to the outside!
Today I went to my doctor's office and recieved my Cervical Cancer Vaccination (the One Less shot). It is usually only required for girls up to ages 18.
I am 19 but I decided to still get the shot because Cervical Cancer runs in my family. My aunt and cousin had cervical cancer, and my great grandmother died of it.
I advise all women to get checked and to be vaccinated. Don't believe the rumors about this shot being so painful! I took Ibuprofin before my appointment, and the shot hurt no more than any other vaccine :)
 So get over those fears and protect yourself from this! Do it for yourself, and for your (future) children. And while you're at it, get checked for breast cancer as well; it is Breast Cancer Awareness month! Beauty initially comes from within. Applying the makeup and product only enhances it. Let your inner beauty shine and remember to be One Less :)
-Stay Beautiful
Monique

Sephora Haul!

I'm sure everyone remembers the horrible experience I had with Sephora this summer; if not here is the post to refresh your memory!


http://vixenslovee.blogspot.com/2011/08/another-sephora-disaster.html


But there are usually bright sides to most unlucky events and in this situation, it was finally getting my palettes!




Click to enlarge


By this weekend I will have 2 posts on these exciting Limited Edition palettes from Sephora.



The first being the Colorista palette:




Click to enlarge



And the second being the Alure Beauty Editor's palette:



Click to enlarge



I have seen a minimal amount of reviews on other blogs and channels about these two palettes, and so I am really excited to share them with everyone! I will also have a companion video up on the Youtube channel as well, Keep a look-out!

FYI** I have been having terrible issues with the cameras I use lately so please excuse the poor qaulity of this posts' photos; I promise they will be better for the actual reviews!! :)

STEALS AND DEALS UPDATE!

Click the Steals and Deals tab of this blog for these and other great offers!
TONS of free goodies this week from Sephora and Ulta; Pick up your choice of 10 free Deluxe sized samples for makeup, skincare, and hair!
Don't forget to pickup the limited edition 83 peice Studio makeup collection kit from ELF, a $250 value, yours for only $4!
Happy Shopping!