NYX Eyeshadow

Let me say this first: NYX has amazing customer service! 

I got an eyeshadow shade I didn't like in my September Ipsy bag, like many others. NYX ran a promo where Ipsy subscribers could swap their eyeshadow for a different color.

The shipment came in a cute lace bag.

And look! They even included a little extra.

This Super NBR Round makeup puff is super nice! I normally use my fingers to put on foundation, but I'm going to try this out.

The shade I chose was Dark Brown. It's a beautiful matte chocolate color.

I chose this color because I wanted to use it as an eyebrow filler. So far, so good. 

Thanks, NYX! You earned a loyal customer with your great service.

Sample Society November 2013

This month, I received a free Sample Society box as a promotion for first-time subscribers. These boxes are distributed through Beauty Bar and Allure magazine for $15/month.

The box is smaller in person than I pictured it when reading other reviews! However, it is packaged nicely. The paper in the box reminds me of Glossybox's packaging.

Voila! The box contents are for Kit B. The theme is Winter Wonders.

Jane Iredale Lip Drink mini lip balm: $4

This product retails for $12 normally. This sample will last a while, but it's very tiny. It is pretty cute though, and I use lip balm constantly, so this product is a no-brainer for me.

Illume Balsam & Cedar mini candle: $3

The full size candle retails for $36 and comes in a beautiful jar. This "travel sized" candle (who travels with candles??) is in cute tin. I'm burning it right now, and it smells like winter to me. It's a great Christmastime scent.

Borghese Splendore Brightening Makeup: $15

This product retails for $29.50 in the full size. It is basically a liquid highlighter. I tried a bit on my cheekbones but wasn't impressed. I don't love looking really shimmery. Maybe I can find a way to use this, or try using just a small amount.

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisturizer: $10

The full size retails for $65. This is a brand that I recently received samples in the mail from, but I didn't get a sample of this, so I'm happy to try it. It comes with a decent amount in a cute little jar that I can reuse.

Annick Goutal Eau D'Hadrien perfume: $3

The full size is $92. I love the smell of this. I normally hate perfumes and only wear fruity body spray, but this smells light and citrusy.

According to the package, the scent is a tribute to Goutal's passion for Italy. It encorporates citrus fruit, cypress, basil, and rosemary. It smells very fresh.

This box has a value of $34. I will use all of these samples up, except maybe the brightening makeup. I will use it, but very slowly, because it is extremely shimmery.

I am not sure yet if I will keep this subscription next month. I hope a spoiler comes out that will help me decide.

Glossybox October 2013: The Byrdie Box

Imagine my surprise when I got a package in the mail from Glossybox. I had signed up for a 3-month Glossybox subscription on the last day of October, but cancelled the same day because I saw the spoiler for November (black eyeshadow) and wasn't impressed.

Well, after I cancelled, they accidentally shipped the box anyway, despite my account showing that it was cancelled. I also never got a shipping email so I figured it cancelled like normal. 

I can't say I'm disappointed... I do love this box, and I can't believe I got it for free. I feel a little guilty, but I didn't do anything wrong, so I'm not too worried about it.

This is my first time every receiving a Glossybox, and the packaging is to die for. The quality of the box itself is wonderful, and I love the pretty pink ribbon. It's like opening a fancy present.

And without further ado, here is what came in my October Glossybox.

I am in love with all of these products. They are all quality items that I will use up.

Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream by Fresh: $12

This is definitely a deluxe sample. The full size retails for $42.

I am excited to try this. I love face creams and this one smells fresh, like cucumbers. 

Bulgari Eau Parfumée Soap in Au Thé Blanc: $8

This is a cute little soap bar with a fresh smell. The full size retails for $30, so I wouldn't repurchase, but I will enjoy using this up.

Balance Me tinted lip salve in super soft beige: $16.50

This product is full size. It has an off-putting smell that I can't quite describe, but it does have a plumping effect and tingly feel. It is a pretty color. I don't know how often I'll use it, but I like it.

Sesha Renu Exfoliating Gel: $16.80

The full size retails for $42. This product claims to remove dead skin cells with papaya enzymes. I'm really excited to try this. I don't have any scrubs right now, so I am happy to have this on hand.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes mascara: $23

This full size mascara has been said to beat Benefit's They're Real mascara, which is a beauty blogger favorite. I haven't opened it yet because I already have three or four tubes open, but once I throw those out, I will open this one next. I love the extravagant gold packaging. It looks really luxe.

Overall, I am extremely pleased with this box, especially because I got it for FREE. It's crazy. This box is valued at about $76. I cannot believe the value in a box that is only $21. I am very impressed with Glossybox, so if any spoilers come out in the coming months that excite me, I'll definitely resubscribe. 

Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer

I recently receieved this sample of Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer in the mail. I had completely forgotten that I even requested this sample.

I honestly don't even remember where I ordered it from... either Target or directly from Simple.

I was thrilled when I opened the box. This is a great sample size (1.9 oz.) and will last me at least a month.

When I first felt this moisturizer on my hand, it seemed light and not "rich" at all. However, once I applied it to my face, I could feel how moisturizing it really is. My skin feels so refreshed after using this.

This is my new favorite nighttime moisturizer. After my sample runs out, I will definitely think about purchasing it.

NYC New York Color Big Bold Gloss Review

In my Varisty VoxBox from Influenster, I received this NYC Big Bold Gloss in Pleasantly Plump Pink.

As you can see, the gloss is a true pink color. 

The Good:

This lip gloss is not sticky at all. It goes on smoothly and feels nice on the lips. It does not have an unpleasant scent.

The Bad:

The wand is abnormally large, and I would prefer it to be smaller. The color doesn't show up on my lips very well becuase my lips are more pigmented than the gloss. It doesn't show any sign of plumping my lips.

Overally, this is a nice lip gloss that I will use up. I believe it retails for $3.99, so it's fairly cheap, but because of the huge wand, I think I would rather try a different gloss next time.

Disclaimer: I received this product complementary from Influenster.

Ipsy October 2013

 It's here! My October 2013 Ipsy Glambag arrived today.

I really love the pink packaging. It's fun to see it in my mailbox.

The theme this month is The Art of Beauty.

The bag is white with a pink lining and zipper. The quote on the front is by Ralph Waldo-Emerson and states, "Love of beauty is taste, The creation of beauty is art."

Here are all five products from my bag this month.

 The first is from Sexy Hair and the product is called Spray Clay. This product says it adds texture to a matte look. I am interested to see how this works and what matte hair looks like.

Deluxe sample

Retail: $6

Next up is the Coastal Scents medium eyeshadow brush. I am excited about this because I could always use another shadow brush.

Retail: $2.49

Bella Terra mineral powder in Navy. I don't like blue eyeshadow, as I've stated, but I'm going to give this a try as a liner. 

Deluxe sample

Retail: $12

I just used this and it is the most beautiful nail polish I've ever seen! It's a Zoya polish called Giovanna and it's an emerald green with blue undertones.

Full size

Retail: $8

Lastly is the Starlooks lip pencil in Tickle Me Pink. This swatched beautifully and I am happy to own my first lip liner!

Full size

Retail: $12

Bag value: $40.49

Not a bad value for $10. This isn't my favorite Ipsy bag, but I definitely enjoyed it and I think the products will all go to use.

What did you get in your bag?

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Ipsy October Glam Room Update

My October Glam Room updated! 

Zoya Nail Polish: I am completely open to any of the shades. They're all pretty, and I love jewel tones.

Bella Terra Mineral Powder: The color shown is Emotion, but they are also sending out Navy. If I get Navy, I will be one unhappy subscriber. I have dark circles under my eyes that do not go well with blue eyeshadow. Emotion looks beautiful, though.

Coastal Scents Medium Shadow Brush: I am decently happy about this. I don't particularly need it, but it will be used.

Sexy Hair Spray Clay Texturizing Spray: I am so happy I didn't get the blow dry gel because I never dry my hair. This should be interesting to try.

Starlooks Lip Pencil: I don't own any lip pencils, so I am happy about this. I'm hoping for the pink color and not the coral color.

The biggest disappointment is the bag. It says, "Love of beauty is taste. The creation of beauty is art." I do not like this quote at all... it's rather cheesy and pointless, honestly. And it was designed very poorly. Truly a hideous bag.

Overall, I am okay with my bag. I received great bags in August and September, so I guess I have to assume that some months won't be as good. I will use most of these items, so that means it's a success. The only thing I care about is not getting the blue shadow. 

What did your Glam Room show?