Beauty Haul {Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale}

If you haven't stopped by the Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual, check it out before the last bits are all gone! I stopped in yesterday and the beauty and fragrance items (and there was a decent amount left) were marked down to 75% off. You really can't beat that. 

I picked up the Love Pink Perfume in Pressed Petals, Bombshell Perfume in Italian Iris, the Love My Body Lavender Vanilla Body Cream, and the Fresh Sorbets Iced Peach & Violet. If you can't tell, I have a bit of an obsession with floral scents. 

I also picked up a bottle of Love Spell perfume, that's right perfume. I had never seen this before the sale and I was so excited because the body splash and eau de toilette always wear off so fast. This one has had amazing staying power so far.  

The consistencies of the body creams are wonderful. The Love My Body has more balm-like texture and the Fresh Sorbets is a whipped formula. Both go on easily and are super moisturizing.

Did you find any hidden gems in the semi-annual tables? Comment down below!

Matching up MAC Eyeshadows

Confession: I'm addicted to YouTube beauty videos. I enjoy watching tutorials for different makeup looks that I wouldn't necessarily think of or know how to do on my own. When trying to recreate these looks, the challenge is always matching up the products they use with what I have on hand.

Now, I don't know about you, but a full collection (or even a modest collection) of MAC eyeshadows is just not in my beauty budget. And oh do beauty gurus love their MAC eyeshadow. So how do you figure out which of your eyeshadows come close to the shade used in the video that you saw a swatch of for 2 seconds? Enter this MAC eyeshadow post from Makeup Geek.

Image Credit: Makeup Geek

Although this post focuses on organization of shadows (which is a really great system if you de-pot and palette your shadows), it's the pictures in this post that amazingly useful. Each palette photo is clear and each shadow is clearly identified. So the next time your favorite video mentions Mylar or Clarity, you can use their photos to easily identify the shade.

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• How do you organize your eyeshadows?
• Who are your favorite YouTube beauty gurus?

Let me know in the comments!

Lush Happy Bathday Gift Box {What's Inside + Review}

The other day I was talking to my hubby about wanting to try out some different bath products from Lush. Well he was listening (!) and bought me the Happy Bathday gift box. I'll be having lots of happy baths with all of the goodies inside =)

If you're not familiar with Lush, they make yummy smelling bath products from fresh ingredients, many of which are vegan. They are best known for their bath bombs (you've probably seen them in a video at some point if you're a YouTube addict like me).

The Happy Bathday box included six of their bestsellers, four bath bombs and two bubble bars. What I really love about this box is the variety. Each product is unique and the selection gives you the opportunity try new scents, colors, and textures to find new favorites. My favorites so far are the Comforter Bubble Bar and the Phoenix Rising Bath Bomb--the gold dust adds a little extra bath time glamour. If you're looking for a great gift for a bath-lover, I would highly recommend this box! 

Okay, so what's inside. Clockwise from the green bath bomb in the photo above:

• Avobath Bath Bomb (lemongrass and avocado)
• Big Blue Bath Bomb (sea salt and seaweed)
• Phoenix Rising Bath Bomb (apple cinnamon)
• Pop In The Bath Bubble Bar (orange flower and bergamot)
• The Comforter Bubble Bar (cassis and blackcurrant)
• Fizzbanger Bath Bomb (apple cinnamon)

I find that I get a couple uses out of each of these products. To make them last as long as I can, I break up my bath bombs into 2 or 3 large chunks and I only crumble a little bit of a bubble bar under the running water (check out their cute YouTube video on how use them here). I don't have any special way of breaking mine up, but there are lots of tutorials on YouTube for different ways to break up Lush products if you want some ideas.

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• Have you done a Lush haul recently?
• What is your favorite Lush product?
• Do you have a bath time ritual?

Let me know in the comments!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored review. These products were purchased for me by my husband. All opinions are my own, honest opinions of the products.

Relaxing Sunday {Easy Home Spa Ideas}

Hope you're having a relaxing weekend! Why not end it by treating yourself to a little bath time luxury? Here's some simple ideas to turn your bathroom into a spa experience:

• Light some candles (even better in you have aromatherapy ones)
• Play calming music and practice controlled breathing
• Run a hot bath and give yourself time to soak
• Bring a magazine or novel, or just relax with your thoughts
• Drop a bath bomb (like the ones from Lush), some epsom salts, or add your favorite bubble bath into the water
• Heat up some aromatherapy towels (here's a good tutorial from the Art of Manliness, the method itself is gender neutral!)
• Use a face mask or google some DIY ones that you can make with ingredients from your kitchen

You'll feel refreshed and hopefully will get a good night's sleep to start your Monday off right.

My First GlossyBox {Unboxing + Initial Thoughts}

After seeing countless YouTube unboxings (check out Bunny/Grav3yardGirl for some of my favorites-her commentary will make your day, I promise!) I finally gave in and decided to order a GlossyBox. If you're not familiar with GlossyBox, it's a monthly subscription box that delivers a curated set of luxury beauty samples to you for $21 a month. It's a bit more expensive than some of the other subscription beauty boxes out there, but I was impressed with the size and quality of the samples. I also believe that what samples you receive are determined by a beauty questionnaire you take when you sign up. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I received some different items than some of the videos I had seen before my box arrived.

My first impression when opening the package was that the box itself was so pretty and exuded a feeling of french boutique elegance. The box and paper inside were pink and grey/black and the contents were wrapped in tissue paper and tied with a bow. The May Box was the GlossyBox US 1 Year Anniverysary Celebration Box and contained six items, two of which were full-size items!

Epionce Intense Defense Anti-Aging + Repair Serum 

The first sample was a little tube of this pricey Epionce serum. A full size will run you $136.00, making this sample worth about $18. Like I mentioned in my Birchbox Shop haul, I am relatively new to the whole serum scene.

I gave this a try today and so far I like it, but it's too soon to really see any results. The description touts that through botanical sources of Vitamins A, B, C, D and E the result will be more radiant skin. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.

Etre Belle Collagen & Aloe Vera Hydra Mask
Next was this pre-soaked cloth mask from Etre Belle. It is supposed to provide skin with extreme moisture to promote elasticity and hydration. While having a spa moment at home this afternoon, I decided to give it a try.

Basically inside the foil packet you'll find a cloth mask that has been pre-soaked with the formula. The mask has holes cut out for your eyes, nose, and mouth. You gently lay the mask on your face and press it down. Note: at this point you will look a tiny bit ridiculous. 

I left my mask on for about 15-20 minutes. It was definitely refreshing on this hot Maryland day! The scent was not overpowering and my skin felt better after use. The only somewhat of a con, if you could even call it that, was there seemed to be a lot of excess liquid in the pouch and on the mask. I'm sure this is just to preserve it in the packets, but if you're not careful it can make a bit of a mess when you're putting it on. These are listed at $39.50 for a pack of 10, making it $3.95 per mask.

European Wax Center The Exfoliate and Slow It Body Lotion

These are foil packets of products from the European Wax Center that go along with a card that was included for a free wax for first time customers. I was not the biggest fan of this inclusion for a coup of reasons.

First, I am not a big fan of foil packets. Second, there are no European Wax Centers here in Maryland, or even in D.C.

I will give them a try, but I doubt these will be products I would repurchase.

ModelCo Lip Duo Liptick & Shine Ultra Lip Gloss
The next item included in the box was the ModelCo Lip Duo Lipstick & Shine Ultra Lip Gloss which retails for $39 (I believe this is ful size). I received the Dusk Lipstick, a neutral berry color, and Striptease Gloss, which looks like a shimmery pink/peach color but goes on shiny and nude. I think these colors are flattering and would likely complement many different skin tones.

I am a big fan of the packaging of this product. It is quite substantial and would definitely travel well in a purse or makeup bag. It also has a mirror on the connector. However, because the applicator ends of the products are attached to the connector you can't put on the product and use the mirror at the same time which seems a bit backwards to me.

Nicka K New York Absolute! Perfume Stick

The Absolute! Perfume Stick was another full-size item included in this month's box. This was a solid perfume stick that you can twist up and apply to pressure points.

I receive the scent Dream 42, which was an orange/citrus scent. I am the first to admit that I am not a big fan of citrus scents, but I don't mind this one so much. I really love the packaging, both the cardboard tube it came in and the packaging of the stick itself. I think it will be a great scent for summer and I'm excited to try a solid perfume!

Sebastian Professional Volupt Spray 
The last item in the box was the Volupt Spray by Sebastian Professional. It's a travel-sized volume-building spray gel. The full size will run you $19.95. The product notes say to spray on damp hair and then blowdry for increased volume or air-dry to enhance waves and curls. It has a clean scent and I'll definitely give it a try. There seem to be lots of volumizing products going around right now.

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Overall, I was really impressed with my first GlossyBox. I thought that the samples were substantial, represented a wide variety of products, and were a good value for the subscription price. Not sure if I'm going to stick with every month yet (trying to spend wisely!), but I wouldn't be opposed to ordering it again in the future.

• Are you signed up for GlossyBox?
• Did you receive different items in your GlossyBoy?
• Are there other subscription boxes I should check out?

Let me know in the comments below!

Birchbox Shop Mini-Haul {Unboxing + First Impressions}

I finally had enough Birchbox points to justify an order from the Birchbox shop and I'm finally getting around to opening the box and sharing the goodies with you! If you're not familiar with Birchbox, it's a monthly subscription box that contains 4-5 samples of products to try for $10 a month. You can find out more info about Birchbox here. Whenever you buy products or take surveys about items you receive in your box, you earn points that you can redeem toward full-size products from the Birchbox shop. Ok, now onto what I got!

So this is what it looked like when it arrived. It had the Birchbox logo on the box, but wasn't flaunting the usual Birchbox pink. Everything was nicely pack and any liquids were in plastic just in case. (There was also some white tissue paper, but I took it out before I snapped the picture.)

Caudalie Divine Oil 15 ml $9.00
The first thing I ordered was the Caudalie Divine Oil. I received a sample of this in my Birchbox a few months ago. I was hesitant about the whole oil craze, but this one stood out. It does not leave a film after you use it and I really like the scent. The bottle also has a spray top making it easy to apply.

Birchbox explains: "This dry oil hydrates parched skin and disappears in seconds without any residual stickiness or oiliness. And the scent is truly divine, with fresh notes of Moroccan and Bulgarian rose, grapefruit, vanilla, and the subtlest floral undertones."

Jouer Lip Enhancer .33 oz $14.00
Next I picked up the Jouer Lip Enhancer. This is the second time I've purchased the full size of this product after getting a sample in a Birchbox a year or two ago. I love this product! 

I find that using it on a regular basis leads to fuller, softer lips. You can use it on its own, before you do your makeup, or use it to regloss throughout the day.

The consistency is somewhere between a gloss and a balm and I don't find it to be overly sticky. From the Birchbox site I've learned that the key ingredients are Maxi-Lip, vitamin E, shea butter, and jojoba oil.

Yes to Grapefruit Brightening Facial Towlettes 25 ct. $5.99
The last full-sized item I purchased was the Yes to Grapefruit Brightening Facial Towlettes. I've used other products from this brand, including the Yes to Carrots hand cream and the Yes to Cucumber wipes, and loved them so I was excited to try these. The wipes are marketed to brighten your skin and correct and repair. I'm not sure about the latter part, but the pre-moistened wipes lightly exfoliate your skin  leaving it feeling fresh and looking clean. I am not the biggest fan of grapefruit, but I am enjoying these so far. I can imagine these would be great to remove makeup or freshen up after a workout.

The last three things I got were samples that were included with my order.

Jouer Signature Fragrance Mini Roller Ball

This adorable little roller ball sample of Jouer's signature fragrance was a free gift for purchasing a Jouer product. The primary notes in the perfume are jasmine, gardenia, and honeysuckle. This smells like a fresh spring bouquet in a bottle. If you like sweet, floral perfumes like I do, I would definitely recommend trying this one.

Incoco Nail Applique

Next I received a set of Incoco Nail Appliques in the pattern Freshly Picked. These appear to be another variation on the patterned nail polish strips. I haven't had a lot of luck doing a full manicure with them (I have tiny nails!), but I have been using them for accent nails and that seems to be working. 

LiftLab Lift + Fix

The last thing that came was an eyedropper bottle of the LiftLab Lift + Fix. This is a totally new brand to me. This is described as an all around serum that is supposed to protect skin from environmental damage and fight the effects of aging. I haven't tried many serums, but I'm willing to give it a shot.

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Ok, so that was a lot of info about what was in my Birchbox shipment. 

* Have you tried any of these products? If so what are your thoughts? 

* Have you received anything you'd like to share about from the Birchbox shop?

* Are there other products I should be trying?

Let me know in the comments below!

Got2B Powder'ful First Impressions {+GIVEAWAY}

Thanks to BzzAgent, I was not only sent a bottle of the got2b POWDER'ful to review, but they also sent to additional bottles to give away!

I've used this a few time and here are some initial thoughts:

- The powder is very easy to use. You shake some onto your hands and then apply it your roots. Because you use your hands to apply it and work it in, you have a lot of control over exactly where the product ends up.
- This makes teasing your hair (excuse my Jersey girl moment) incredibly easy. You can easily achieve lots of volume and texture at your roots.
- The powder has an interesting texture, but not in a bad way...just took a little getting used to.
- The product, like all of the other ones in this line, smells good.
- Product washes out easily and doesn't leave build-up on your roots.

I'll post a tutorial of how I style my hair using got2b POWDER'ful, but for now I wanted to give you a sneak peek and launch the giveaway.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure: Products were provided gratis by BzzAgent. All reviews and opinions are my own, honest opinions.

Olay Fresh Effects Va-Va-Vivid Review

Last thing I received to review in my Influenster Voxbox was the the Olay Fresh Effects Va-Va-Vidid Powered Contour Cleansing System. This was great timing since I was in the market for one. I would definitely consider checking out this product next time you're at the drug store.

Pros: Triangular brush head makes it easy to clean in the corners of your face, contoured head slides easily over curves of forehead and cheeks, leaves skin feeling fresh and looking brighter, minimizes shine.

Cons: I thought the handle could have been designed a bit better and this product does not provide a deep clean that will erase blackheads.

I received this product gratis to review in my Influenster Voxbox. All opinions are my own, honest opinions about this product.

Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Spray Review

Thanks again to Influenster, I received the Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray to review. And I love it. I've always been a fan of rocking beachy waves, but it's hard when you have straight hair like mine that hates to hold a curl. And since I already have super thick hair, I'm always hesitant to use products because of the build up they cause. Thankfully that was not an issue here!

I used it on dry hair, spraying it throughout. Then I braided my hair while getting ready. When I let the braid out, I combed through my hair with my fingers and gave another spritz and was good to go.

Pros: Did not make hair oily, no yucky build up, easy to use, great price point

Cons: It can take a lot of product to achieve the look if you have long or thick hair like me.

Find out more about Not Your Mother's brand and the other products they offer on their website or Facebook page.

I received this product gratis to review in my Influenster Voxbox. All opinions are my own, honest opinions about this product.

Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant Review

Thanks to Influenster, I received the Secret Clinical Strength Stress Protection Deodorant in my Sweetheart Voxbox! With it being tax time there are lots of long stressful days, so I'll take all the stress protection I can get.

Pros: Goes on smooth and clear, lasts all day without having to reapply, and keeps you dry and odor free.

Cons: The scent was very strong! It was a nice scent, but it interfered with my perfume. It could easily take the place of body splash.

All in all, I would highly recommend this product if you're in the market for a new deodorant. Be sure to check out all of the scents. If you want to find out more about Secret, check out their website or find them on Facebook.


I received this product gratis to review in my Influenster Voxbox. All opinions are my own, honest opinions about this product.