Ulta and Sephora Collective Haul

So over the past couple weeks I picked up a few products from Ulta and Sephora, so I thought I would show you what I picked up!

Shown Above:

1. Urban Decay De-Slick Oil-Control Makeup Setting Spray

2. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion 

3. Benefit Bella Bamba 

4. NARS Laguna Bronzer 

5. OPI Malaga Wine

6. OPI Lincoln Park After Dark

7. OPI Base Coat

OPI Malaga Wine

OPI Lincoln Park After Dark

Shown Above:

1. Benefit Erase Paste

2. Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

3. Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara

4. Anastasia Brow Prep

5. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil (in Whiskey and Zero, I got the duo one so I could have black and brown)

6. Benefit Go TropiCORAL Lip & Cheek Kit

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

What was included in the Benefit TropiCORAL Lip & Cheek Kit:

1. ChaCha Tint

2. High Beam

3. Coralista Blush

4. Mini Powder Brush

5. Ultra Plush Coralista

 I provided links to most of the products if you are interested in checking them out for yourself. I personally am loving all the products currently and might at a later date do a more in-depth review on them.

 *disclaimer - this is not a sponsored post I was in no way paid to do this. All opinions stated are my own*

-L

Sunny Cat

Just for a daily dose of awww, here is Sunny Cat.

OOTD

Vest - American Eagle

Long Sleeve Shirt - Old Navy

Pants - Gap

Boots - Belk

OOTD

Top - J. Crew

Scarf - TJ Maxx

Pants - Polo

Boots - Belk

OOTD

So I thought it would be fun to start an Outfit of the Day post once a week, so here is my first one!

Sweater - Polo

Scarf - J. Crew

Jeans - Gap

Boots - Belk

I actually just recently got the scarf from J. Crew it was on sale. If you are interested in it, it could still be at your local J. Crew!

-L

About Influenster and Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips

I am a member to Influenster, and if you are wondering what Influenster is I linked their about me page so click on it and get more information!

They recently re-did their whole website, and since I was a member a little before they did the redo I am extremely impressed. With the new site it is invite only, which you can either request an invite or have someone you know who is a member send you an invite. 

So, recently I received my first voxbox from them! Which to qualify I had to complete mandatory tasks if I was genuinely interested in the program they had offered to me. The beauty about this site is if you are not genuinely interested in the product or voxbox you qualify for you are not required to do the tasks. And it is actually advised if you are not fully interested in it then leave the product for someone who is. 

So, I qualified for a Teething Whitening Voxbox. I was beyond ecstatic I felt like influenster just KNEW I had been wanting to whiten my teeth recently. I did all the tasks and was notified I had been selected to try out the Crest 3D Whitestrips. 

I received 3D White Whitestrips with a Whitening Power of 4. (There are a total of 5 Levels).
If you are interested in purchasing some of your own click the above link!

I will be doing another post when I am completely done with them since 20 come in a pack, I may even post a before and after picture depending on if I can tell a difference or not in the pictures. 

Pros -

-Your teeth do get whiter after just 3 days (I almost want to say mine got whiter after just 2 uses)

-The application process is super easy! I feel like they stay on really well too. Although I did have one of the bottom applicator strips move and it wouldn't reapply so I had to throw it away.

-If you are worried about your Enamel, the box says its Enamel safe, which is nice to know!

Cons -

-The only true Con is they do make your teeth sensitive, which I expected. I think if I purchase these at another time I will be doing them in the Summer so I do not have to worry about the cold and sucking in air through my mouth!

Verdict -

-If you are looking for easy way to whiten your teeth, I highly recommend you try out this brand of whitening strips. It comes with 20 strips so you can whiten for 20 days or even do it twice a day and shorten it to 10 days.
-Always remember If You're Not Whitening, You're Yellowing!

*The whitening strips were sent to me as part of the Influenster program. All opinions stated are my own.

-L

Unboxing November Birchbox 2012

I didn't receive my Birchbox until the 21st and then didn't open it until last night since I left for Thanksgiving vacation on Monday of the same week.

But I am so excited to show you all what I got in my box this month so without further a do...

This booklet they included was so cute, it has gift ideas for women, men, home, and also for everyone. Which was really just encouraging you to buy birchbox subscriptions ;)

This is what my Birchbox looked like when I first undid the tissue paper, a few items were actually in the Give box. This months box was supporting The Art of Elysium, which in my opinion is kind of weird considering the US was just hit by Hurricane Sandy. So you would think they would encourage giving to Hurricane relief. But it is what it is.

So now for the products...

Jouer | Fragrance Cornucopia - Make room for your new purse staple: This portable scent features a heady trio of gardenia, jasmine, and honeysuckle. Full-size, $42
Lulu Organics | Lavender + Clary Sage Hair Powder - Revive second-day locks by working this organic dry shampoo into your roots. You'll get plenty of lift, but no residue. Full-size, $30
ModelCo | FIBRE LASHXTEND Lengthening Mascara - Falsies without the fuss. This innovative mascara uses tiny lash-extending fibers to give you a lengthy fringe. Tip: Rotate the wand inside the bottle to pick up the fibers. Full-size, $24
stila | all over shimmer liquid luminizer - Add a touch of this luminescent fluid to your cheekbones or décolletage, or mix with your foundation for an all-over glow. Full-size, $20
SOYJOY | Cranberry Snack Pack - Be the first to try these new gluten-free bars made with real cranberries. 5 bars, $6

So, overall impression is I am extremely pleased with the box. The mascara was what I believe to be full size and it's nice to see they are including organic products. I am excited to try out the dry shampoo, the ModelCo mascara, as well as the stila luminizer.


If you are interested in trying Birchbox it is a $10 monthly subscription box that rewards you with 10 points for every monthly subscription box you receive. Or every $10 spent in their shop. These points can be used in the Birchbox shop on your favorite products!

*disclaimer - this is not a sponsored post I was in no way paid to do this. All opinions stated are my own*

-L

October 2012 Birchbox unboxing - Goop box edition

Better late than never since I opened my box up almost a week ago and am now just blogging about it.

So this month Birchbox gave me the option of selecting a limited edition Goop Box or selecting the regular Birchbox so I opted to receive the limited edition Goop box. 

So here is what I received in my box this month . . . 

So here are all the products I received.

I received an Essie nail polish in "Lady Like"

So a breakdown of what I got listed on the product card...

Essie | goop Pick - Between the cheeky names and the on-trend hues, essie can do no wrong. You can wear this classic shade all season. Full-size, $8

jouer | Lip Enhancer - The best-seller gives you the moisturizing punch of a blame with the satiny finish of a gloss. We're hooked and we know you will be, too! Full-size, $14

Kiehl's | Rosa Arctica Eye - Conquer dark circles with this brightening eye balm, which is made with collagen0boosting resurrection flower extracts. Full-size, $46

supergoop! | City Sunscreen Serum - Wear this award-winning brand's silky SPF 30 serum under your makeup for a weightless UV shield. Full-size, $20-$42

Luna | LemonZest (Lifestyle Extra) - These zesty snacks are a goop fave. They're perfect for keeping you full in between meals (plus they can double as a healthy dessert!). Pack of 15, $18.75

So for my personal opinion on unboxing the products I am overall somewhat pleased with everything. The full-size Essie nail polish definitely makes me happy. My only issue is this is technically suppose to be a "Goop" box and if you don't include the lifestyle extra only 2 items are considered "Goop" and the sunscreen is really just being recycled from left over samples I feel like. (In a previous birchbox the sunscreen was a product sample)

But like I said overall I am somewhat pleased I am definitely excited to use the Kiehl's Rosa Arctica Eye balm, and since I opened my box a week ago I have been able to very the nail polish and I love the color on me! 

If you are interested in trying Birchbox it is a $10 monthly subscription box that rewards you with 10 points for every monthly subscription box you receive. Or every $10 spent in their shop. These points can be used in the Birchbox shop on your favorite products!

*disclaimer - this is not a sponsored post I was in no way paid to do this. All opinions stated are my own*

-L

How I spend my week....

So it's been a couples weeks since my first post on this here blog. I figured I would update this and give you a look into how I spend a majority of my time during the week. (School!)

I for some ungodly reason signed myself up for 8 ams every.single.day, someone please tell me what I was thinking? But I will say this, I am enjoying this semester and my variety of classes more than I have ever enjoyed any other semester here at my University.

I am finally in a majority of classes that focus on my major, which is Food Science and Human Nutrition. I am taking a Food Chemistry class that deals with the reactions and chemistry (duh!) of food. I particularly enjoy my Human Nutrition class, I've learned a lot about carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and other human nutrition aspects. 

One class I detest though is a food science class that deals with preservation and processing. I don't know if it's just how it is taught or how late in the date it is, but I truly am not enjoying it. But I understand I will not like every class I am going to take in order to get my degree.

Well, thats all there is to really update about.

-L

September 2012 Birchbox Unboxing

I received my September Birchbox in the mailbox today! Since subscribing to get the monthly Birchbox I look forward to opening up and checking out all the fun new product samples.

This month didn't have a particular theme like some previous months boxes. But it does say on the card "September marks the starting line for the seasons fashion bonanza . . . We've put together a mini-mag filled with ten of our favorite fall beauty trends"

Y'all this mini-lookbook is so cute! It ranges from saying what eyeshadows are hott for fall to even given a step by step direction on a side braid with a twist!

But anyway less chat, lets take a look at this months goodies. . .

So this is the first glimpse when I opened the box it shows the card that gives the details of the products that are in my box. And this months tissue paper is a greenish-blue.

This is all the products and flyers included in my box.

This is what the product card says with detailed information about the products:

boscia | Oil-free Nightly Hydration: This preservative-free moisturizer refines pores while soothing away irritation. Full-size, $36 

Color Club | Birchbox Custom Polish in the color Insta-This: We teamed up with Color Club to create this custom shade, inspired by the Fall 2012 collections. Full-size, $8

Jouer | Matte Moisture Tint: This SPF 15 oil-free tinted moisturizer blends in beautifully to even out skin and control shine. Full size, $38

kate spade new york | Twirl: A blend of fruity and floral notes, this modern classic feels joyful and carefree. Full-size, $18-80 (depending on size)

twistband | Birchbox custom lace hair tie: Designers went gaga for lace this season and we don't blame them. Get on board with these ouch-free hair ties. Set of 6-12, $14-22

Madewell | Discount Card: $25 off $75 or more purchase.

Lifestyle Extra 

Mighty Leaf Tea Company | Teas: Swap your afternoon latte for these yummy tea blends, made from natural, ethically sourced ingredients. Box of 15, $9.95

Birchbox Digital Download: Tristan Prettyman is our latest musical crush. Download two of the singer-songwriter's brand new tracks at tristanprettyman.com/bb

I am super excited to try out these products. I will do a later review post for this months Birchbox products to give my honest opinion on them all.

If you are interested in trying Birchbox it is a $10 monthly subscription box that rewards you with 10 points for every monthly subscription box you receive. Or every $10 spent in their shop. These points can be used in the Birchbox shop on your favorite products!

*disclaimer - this is not a sponsored post I was in no way paid to do this. All opinions stated are my own*

-L