Beauty Product Empties - November 2017

Hello, everyone!  How has your week been so far?

For today's blog post, I have my product empties for this month.  Again, it's mostly random skincare products.  We're so close to the end of the year, so I'm desperately trying to use up the items in my 2017 Project Empty challenge.  Which is why I haven't been trying out too many other products.

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser

Bio Republic Soothing Fiber Mask

KNC Beauty Collagen Lip Mask

Urban Decay Original Primer Potion (sample)

Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil

That's everything I used up.  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Sephora Favorites Superstars: Everyday Must Haves Set

Hello, everyone!  How was your extended weekend?

My Sephora VIB sale order finally came in the mail on Friday, so I wanted to show you what I decided to get.  The only item that I purchased during the sale was the limited edition Sephora Favorites Superstars: Everyday Must Haves set.  This set costs $75.00 ($224.00 value), but came down to $60.00 after the sale.  Included in this set are 13 beauty products, 3 of which are full size.  I will say, I think Sephora should offer different shade variations of their sets or they should exclude products that won't work for all skin tones.  I was pretty lucky this year because the brow pencil and concealer pen are both in my exact shades.  However, these shades won't work for many people.  I feel like Sephora always includes the Brow Wiz and a Beauty Blender in their sets and I wish they would switch it up once in a while.  In addition, I'm also at a bit of a loss as to why they included two setting powders in the kit this year.  I wish Sephora would have included a blush or a highlighter instead of a second setting powder.

Other than that, I really like the Sephora Favorites Superstars sets.  They always include amazing products for an incredible deal.  As I said, the brow pencil and concealer pen are both in the shades I need.  I actually just ran out of my ABH Brow Wiz, so this worked out perfectly.  I've also been wanting to try out the YSL Touche Eclat pen for a long time but couldn't bring myself to spend that kind of money on a concealer.  There are a few other products that I've been wanting to try out in this set as well, like the MJB black eyeliner, the TF matte liquid lipstick, and the Benefit Hoola bronzer.  There are also a few products that I already know I like and don't mind having extras of, like the UD setting spray, the MUFE setting powder, and the KVD setting powder.  I was going to include a link to this set on Sephora's website, but I just checked online and unfortunately this is now sold out.

  
  Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray ($15.00)
 

Beauty Blender Original ($20.00)

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Microfinishing Loose Powder

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara

Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella

Too Faced Melted Matte Liquefied Long Wear Matte Lipstick in Sell Out

Kat Von D Beauty Lock-It Setting Powder Mini ($15.00)

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Mini ($16.00)

YSL Touche Eclat Radiance Perfecting Pen in 2 Luminous Ivory ($42.00)

Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzer

Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Gel Eye Crayon in Blacquer

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Golden Pink

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Medium Brown ($21.00)

What do you think of this Superstars set?

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a great week!

Winky Lux Kitten Eyeshadow Palette Review + Swatches

Hello, everybody!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Today I wanted to give you my thoughts on the Winky Lux Kitten palette that I received in this month's Boxycharm.  The palette is simple cardboard with a magnetic closure.  The design is cute if not a tad bit childish.  There's no mirror in this palette.  Usually, I would knock off points for no mirror, but this palette is only $25 so I feel like it isn't too big of a deal.  *IMO, anything over $30 should absolutely include a mirror for the price.*  All of the shadows in this palette are smooth and very pigmented.  There are a mix of matte, shimmer, and iridescent finishes.  It lacks a few "must have" shades like a black and more transition shades, but you can't always have everything with a nine pan palette.  If I had to pick a favorite shadow in this palette, the light iridescent shade (middle row, left) is probably the one.  It is so stunning in person!  Honestly, pictures just don't do it justice.  If you have the chance to swatch this in person, definitely take a look at that shade!  If I didn't get this in my Boxycharm, I would totally pay $25 just to get a chance to play with that one shade.

~Swatches~

Do you own this palette?  What is your favorite shade?

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you have a fun and safe Thanksgiving!

Boxycharm Unboxing - November 2017

Hello, everyone!  How was your weekend?  Who's excited for Thanksgiving?  My side of the family is celebrating it today because that is what works for all of our schedules this week.  Then we're celebrating with my husband's side of the family on Thanksgiving day.

Anyway, for today's post I have my Boxycharm unboxing for you!  If you don't already know, Boxycharm is a beauty subscription service that offers 4-5 full size beauty products for only $21.00 a month.  This month's theme is "Sweater Weather" and has a total value of $120.00!  I've been looking through the #BoxyWeather tag on Instagram and it doesn't look like there is any other variations of this month's box besides the color of the lipstick.  Even then, I've only seen two different shades; a bright red and a deep berry.

Cover FX Illuminating Setting Spray - $31.00
I haven't tried much from Cover FX, but I've heard good things about this spray.

Luxie Beauty Quad Eye Travel Set - $32.00
I really like Luxie Beauty brushes.  However, I prefer longer handles over these short ones.

Laqa & Co. Cloud Lips - $17.00
I've never heard of this brand before, but the formula and shade of this lipstick is very nice!

KNC Beauty Collagen Lip Masks - $15.00
I've also never tried a lip mask before, so I'm excited to try one out for the first time.

Winkylux Kitten Eyeshadow Palette - $25.00
This palette is gorgeous!  The shadows are smooth and pigmented.  I have a dedicated review and swatch post coming up on Thursday for this palette, so watch out for that.

And that's everything I got this month!  What do you think of this month's box?

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a great week!

 

Influenster Sally Hansen Voxbox Product Review

Hello, everyone!  How was your weekend?  My husband and I just had two birthday parties to go to over the weekend.  This is the time of year that is so busy for us, and for everyone else, I'm sure!  Between my family and my husband's family it's almost nonstop birthdays and anniversaries from October 1st - mid January, not to mention the holidays. *sigh*

Anyway!  I received two of the new Sally Hansen Insta-Dri nail polishes from Influenster for review.  The shades I have are Heather Hustle which is a light lilac, and Petal to the Metal which is a pink glitter.  Neither are colors that I would normally choose to wear during this time of year, but they will be beautiful for Spring.

Here are Sally Hansen's claims that I can vouch for:
The Insta-Dri polishes dry in only 60 seconds and have a 3-in-1 formula with built-in base coat and top coat which eliminates two steps from the process of applying nail polish.  This is by far the fastest drying nail polish that I own!
These polishes offer full opacity in a single coat.  *As seen in picture below!*  This formula is perfect for anyone who needs a new mani in a minute!

Here are the claims that are off the mark for me:
These polishes have a streak-free formula.  I did notice some streaking during the application process and even after the polish has dried.  I think adding a second coat might help cover that up though.
My nail polish always chips on my after one day.  Unfortunately, so do these even though they claim to be chip-free for an additional day longer than other leading polishes.

Overall, these are so-so for me.  I really enjoy how quickly they dry.  I wish all nail polishes dried as fast as these do.  However, they're a bit streaky and they chip just as fast as other brands.

Have you tried out any of these nail polishes?  What are your thoughts?

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you have a great week!

*I received these products complimentary from Influenster for review, but all opinions are my own.*