Star Box August 2012 *Special Edition* Le Sang Bleu by Lauren Bradley

Check out my video review!-------^^^^^^

Hi there again!

Here is my review of the August 2012 Star Box! I also did a video review, in case you don't feel like reading; but keep in mind, this review is more detailed and includes tidbits not featured in my video review! Enjoy!

Price: $15 a month, even for special edition boxes like this one!

Special Edition: This box was special, it was designed and curated by Lauren Bradley, fashion designer to the stars. She has recently released her newest collection, Le Sang Bleu, a lingerie collection devoted to bringing out the royalty in every woman.
Check out the collection here!

If you are interested in reading more about Lauren, follow this link!

What I Received:
-Cream Eyeliner in Sculpture, a gorgeous smokey gunmetal! ($9)
-Lip gloss in Pink Petal Rose, a beautiful pink with small blue glitters ($11)
-Star Looks 844 Pointed Slant eyeliner brush ($15)
-Mystic quart crystals (Collect these every month, toss them in a vase or jar, and make a beautiful brush holder!)
-AUTOGRAPHED (NOT mass screen printed signitures) picture of Lauren Bradley wearing her new collection Le Sang Bleu!

Pros:
-The brush alone paid for the entire box, everything else could be considered extras!
-LOVED all the products
-Eyeliner is super smooth, and SUPER water/smudge proof! Showered and rubbed the crap out of my eyes, this still did not budge without eye makeup remover!
-Lip gloss is the most gorgeous pink color I have ever tried! And I don't even like pink! Has become my favorite lip product this week
-I though the brush was going to be a dud, because it was just so soft and flimsy. But it works amazingly well with the eyeliner!
-The hand autographed photo was a nice touch, Lauren is extremely humble and devoted to her fans; she has even commented on my video and my several Facebook posts!
-Crystals are a cute and neat idea!

Cons:
-My lip gloss was faulty, it didn't have a stopper, resulting in a glossy pink mess when I opened it. I still loved the lip gloss none the less! I have depotted it so I can continue to use it.
PLUS Star Looks has promised to send me a new gloss, mess free!

Will I Buy Again?
ABSOLUTELY!!!! I cannot pass up a deal/steal like this after trying it out; Im HOOKED!

Marci, the owner of Star Looks handles all the customer service personally! That doesn't happen very often! In this week alone I have gotten about 4 responses from Marci herself; answering any questions I have and complimenting me on my review!

If you would like to try out a Star Box, be sure to check out Star Looks!

NEW SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE! FULL SIZE ALL MAKEUP $15!!

Hello Ladies!!

I could not wait to share this with all of you!

Recently, I was sent a new subscription service from an online makeup company called Star Looks.

Star Looks offers quality makeup at an affordable price! After sampling their products, I would compare their products to MAC and Inglot, but at a price more comparable to higher end drugstore products.

Star Looks offers a subscription service of their products; a present sent to your mail box every month!

Price: $15 a month (Super inexpensive!)

What you get:
3-4 FULL sized makeup products
PLUS mystic quartz crystals to collect in a vase and make a beautiful brush holder!

Worth it?
ABSOLUTELY!

I believe this is a WONDERFUL service for the price. Sure, Birchbox is only $10 a month, but you do not receive full sized products, and you don't always get solely makeup.

That is the reason I LOVE the Star Looks *Star Box*.
-Full sized products
-Crazy affordable price
-GREAT quality makeup.

If you are interested in the Star Box or in trying out Star Looks products, follow this link!

I'm Engaged!!!

ENGAGEMENT VIDEO-----^^^^

ER STORY-----^^^^

Hello there friends!! 

Just an update, I have been super busy this month of August!!

-Packing/Moving/Unpacking
-Being checked in and out of the ER AGAIN for my anaphylaxis
-Last semester of Nursing school before I graduate!
-AND I GOT ENGAGED!

It has been quite a hectic but very exciting, never boring, month for me!

I understand I have neglected my blog quite a bit, but I am back and ready to give it even more energy!

This month I have about 5 reviews to post so keep an eye out for them!

On a side note; would any of you be interested in Fiance tags/videos?
Maybe a peek into my wedding planning and a virtual wedding of sorts?
Wedding makeup/hair tutorials? Let me know!

Love and Lipstick,
Monique

June 2012 Favorites!

Hi there friends! This is my second favorites video, and I'm starting to really like filming these types of videos over any other type! I'm glad I decided to start sharing my favorites!


Any-hoo, Here is what I have been loving, what are your June favorites??


1. Natural Radiance Wrinkle Reducer patches
-Not sure if these are actually work, because I don't have any wrinkles yet, but they are very cooling and calming on the eyes! Rid of dark circles over night.


2. MakeUpForEver Aqua Smoky Lash mascara
-The DRIEST mascara formula I have ever come across! Perfect for my short and sparse lashes, just wish it had a different price tag! LOL


3. Loreal Magic Souffle Smooth foundation
-The WEIRDEST foundation I have ever used. Looks like a cream, feels like a mousse, but dries to a powder consistency. This is THE BEST foundation for oily complexions during the summer.


4. Julep Daylight Defense SPF 30
-It is always hard to find the right SPF for summer because they tend to be too emollient. They make my oily skin more oily and even cause me to break out. Luckily, this SPF is PERFECT for oily/combo skin. It doesn't feel heavy at all and still provides great protection!


5. Julep Daylight Defense Lip Balm
-I don't care much for SPF in lip balms but I added this to my favorites because I can't get enough of the flavor! It tastes JUST like chocolate after eat mints!! YUM


6. Black Eyeshadow!
-Using black eyeshadow was a bad idea in the past for me. I could never blend it right and it looked patchy and messy and dirty... but I have been practicing and getting the hang of it-- now I can't help but use black in every eye look lately!!


7. Bullet Blending Brush - Coastal Scents
-Using a small little bullet brush like this has made using black eyeshadow so much easier!


8. Broadway Nails Impress Manicure in Love Bites
-This is the second time I've used these types of nails and they lasted so much longer this time around!! It must have been the way I applied last time.. But these lasted a whole 8 days!! Even after dish washing, chores, bathing dogs, etc.




Happy start to July!!

Use up Those Products!!

I wanted to share with all of you. I know this happens to me A LOT! 


I buy a product thinking I'll love it, but it doesn't work out that well and ends up being tossed to the back of a makeup drawer and never sees the light of day again!! 


Instead, I've been trying to use up those kinds of products in one way or another so my money doesn't go to waste and this is what I've come up with for three particular products.


1. Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream in Medium/Deep. -- This was too moist for my oily skin and the shade oxidized horribly with my already reddish undertones.


2. Hard Candy Glamoflauge  Concealer in Medium -- This concealer is very thick and pasty, and though the color is Medium, it is still way too light for my complexion (Emphasis on WAY TOO LIGHT!)


3. CoverGirl Original Setting Powder in Translucent Honey -- I usually use this powder in the same color but in the Clean formula, not Original. Between the formulas, the color is way off. The clean formula is a light caramel shade while the Original formula is more of a tan bronze shade. I might be able to use as a bronzer, but I don't bronze my face too often.


I mixed the BB Cream and the concealer that made a nice match of my normal foundation with a just in between consistency! Though it was a little on the light side, that wasn't a problem because I used the darker powder to even out my complexion.


How do you make use of unwanted products??

Incoco Nail Appliques: Prom Perfect Edition

I'm sure most of you know by now that I am obsessed with Twitter giveaways and surprisingly, I win often! I was lucky enough to win a pack of Incoco nail appliques and was given the limited edition Prom Perfect Pack! 


I had never tried Incoco nail stickers until winning them and here are my thoughts on them.


Price: Range from $8-$15 depending on style


Available at: Incoco.com


Selection: More than 50 shades, styles, and designs


Application: Applied somewhat easily. Had to stretch to fit which made the strip really thin and not at all attractive. CON~ Must keep away from heat or they won't stick, but must also keep away from cold or they won't stick. Just very inconvenient. Strip size was far too big to even fit half the design on my nail.


Removal: Removes with polish remover or acetone. My glitter appliques were just as annoying to get off as real glitter polish


How long did they last? These were supposed to last up to 3 weeks. They lasted about one before a few fingers chipped off completely in one whole piece! I think it might have been because of the glitter; glitter chips in whole pieces.


Worth the price? For some designs, maybe. I haven't seen any other nail sticker companies offer Ombre style appliques and Incoco does. But I would prefer the smaller sizes of the other companies for my itty bitty fingers.


Would I purchase: Maybe, if they had something I really could not find anywhere else.

May 2012 Favorites!

Favorites for the month of May; my first favorites post!


1. Hanskin Magic BB Cream 
$22.90 from NaturalRadiance.net
-gray/lilac color; perfect for the red undertones in my skin
-whitening, SPF, fights wrinkles
-Not overly greasy for my oily skin


2. CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless Concealer
-#230 $8.00 at drugstores
-brightens undereye area


3. Revlon SuperLustrous Lipstick
-Love That Pink
-$4 at Walmart


4. WetnWild Megalast Lipstick
-Don't Blink Pink
-$2 at Walmart


5. Brushes from Crown Brush (Sale/Clearance tab)

~K9 Angle 1/4 Liner $0.85
~K20 Pro Spoolie $0.79
~Disc 8 Chisel Powder $5.00
~Disc 9 Mini Blush $2.15
~K15 Lash Fan $0.85

$20 Makeup Challenge (TAG)!!

Click HERE to watch the video! ^__^




All Jordana products are $1.25 each, regardless of the item (at Savemart Stores only)


jordanacosmetics.com




Wet n Wild products can be found at all drugstores.


Crown Brush tools can be purchased online at crownbrush.us or at IMATS






RULES:


1. Prices are before sales tax (Tax doesn't count)
2. ALL items used will be counted (brushes, sponges, etc)
3. Total must amount to $20 or less
4. Be creative and have fun!


I tag Makeup by Imera and Ashley Romanian Butterfly!


Products Used:


Face:
-Jordana Creamy Liquid Foundation in Toast
-Jordana Forever Flawless Pressed Powder in Creamy Sand


Cheeks:
-Wet n Wild Megalast Lipstick in 906D (as cream blush base)
-Jordana Blush in Terra Cotta


Eyes:
-Jordana Eyeshadow in Heart of Gold and Brunette
-Wet n Wild Cream Eyeliner in Black
-Loreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara


Brows:
-Jordana shadow again in Brunette


Lips:
-Wet n Wild Lipstick in 906D


Tools:
Crown Brush (Sale tab)
-Pro Brow Spoolie
-1/4 Angle Liner
-Mini Blush

UPDATE: Crown Brush Sale Order

I uploaded a video about some brushes I ordered from Crown Brush. These brushes are NOT Crown brushes. I ordered these from the Sale tab at Crown's website. These brushes are from discontinued or bought out companies and Crown resells them. 


After trying them out for two weeks, here are my thoughts on these brushes, some are ok, some are just AWFUL.


Brushes are rated on this scale: AWFUL-BAD-OK-GOOD-GREAT

-Detail Nail Fan
Price: $2.00
Quality: GOOD
This is a nail brush but I use it around my under eye area and as a lash fan. 

-Jumbo Powder Dome
Price:$4.50
Quality: OK
This brush comes off a bit scratchy but it does apply powder nicely. Although, I feel an EcoTools brush available for the same price would work better.

-Angle Liner
Price: $0.85
Quality: GREAT
This brush is amazing, it is a great brush, and for only 85 cents, I feel I almost stole it! 

-Duo Fiber (Nabissa)
Price: $3.00
Quality: BAD
This brush is very soft and I thought it would work well to stipple foundation around my eyes and nose. But it was not dense enough AT ALL. This brush has so few hairs I can practically count each and every one! 

-Duo Fiber (Lancome)
Price: $3.00
Quality: AWFUL
This stipple brush is "supposedly" from Lancome but I doubt they would make such a terrible brush. It held onto its few bristles at first, but once I put it to use, almost ALL the bristles shed onto my face and stuck to my foundation! Do not buy this!

-Small Blush Brush
Price: $2.00
Quality: GREAT
I loved this brush! It hasn't shed ANY hairs at all, it doesn't smell weird, and it is just the perfect size for getting blush and highlight in small areas. I wish I had bought another.

-Lash Fan
Price:$0.85
Quality: GREAT
This is another awesome find! The synthetic bristles on this lash fan are perfect for applying liquid and cream concealer under my eyes. It gives a nice and even application

-Jumbo Angle Blush
Price: $5.00
Quality: OK
This brush is GIANT, it covers my entire cheek and cheekbone! The bristles aren't as soft as I would like them to be, but its nice for buffing out my face when I apply too much blush or bronzer. I just wish I would have gotten better quality for my 5 bucks.


****FINAL THOUGHTS***


I like Crown Brushes and I was hoping to get more out of their Sale tab. Truth is, these brushes are not from Crown, so you don't know what you are getting. I got some brushes I love, and I also got some brushes I regret purchasing. Its a toss-up, but for the cheap prices, some of these are definitely worth the risk. I recommend staying away from the bigger and pricier face brushes on the sale tab.

Update on Broadway Impress Press on Manicure

Hello! I did a video about some prizes I won in a Twitter giveaway and some asked how they held up so here is an update on how I liked them.


Product: Broadway Nails Impress Press on Manicure


Price: $6-$8


Available at: Most drugstores


Color Selection: More than 20 styles


Application: Match the appropriate sizes to your nails, peel off tab and apply to nails, hold for a few seconds


Supposed to last: 10 days


Lasted: 4 days


Would I repurchase? YES


***Final Thoughts***:


Although these didn't last as long as they were supposed to; they did serve their purpose. I was looking for something that was faster and easier than painting my nails. These are perfect for those moments when your nails look horrible but you need a quick manicure, like a date night or job interview. I think these would have lasted longer had I not used my hands so much. But because I clean, use harsh chemicals, and hot water, I feel the glue was loosened faster than they would have if used by someone else.