May 2012 Eco Emi Box

I have been anxiously awaiting my first Eco Emi box since I signed up for the waiting list back in March. It took nearly three months but I finally got it at the very end of May. Three months is a long time to wait, but it's certainly worth it, especially if you're looking for natural, organic, green, eco-friendly, cruelty free, vegan, vegetarian or Fair Trade products. I am very happy with my box and it was certainly worth the $15 - it was literally packed to the point of bursting.

Inside the Box

• Beeluxe Mangosteen & Pineapple Candle Tin (3.5 oz, $10) - LOVE!! This full-sized candle smells amazing and is the perfect summer scent!
• The All Natural Face Mint Infused Vegan Lip Gloss in Peppermint Icing (.43 oz, $4.60) - I love this pretty pink lip gloss and how minty it is!
• The All Natural Face Tangerine Vegan Lip Exfoliant (1 oz, $8.05) - It doesn't look the prettiest but it smells great! Can't wait to see how it works as an exfoliant.
• Glee Gum Spearmint and Cinnamon Gum (case of 12 packs, $10) - Looking forward to trying out this natural chewing gum! Also, what a cute little box!
• The Seaweed Bath Company Wildly Natural Seaweed Argan Shampoos and Conditioners (12 fl. oz, $16.89) - These combine seaweed extract, Moroccan argan oil, and vitamin E to cleanse and moisturize your hair and scalp. Sounds amazing!
• Ellbees Original Garlic Seasoning and Rub (8 oz, $8) - I don't do much grilling, but I'll be sure to use this stuff next time I do!
• Beanitos Pinto Beans and Flax Chips (6 oz, $3.05) - I'm always looking for new healthy snacking options and these are perfect (even if they were a little smushed in the box).
• Barleans Omega Swirl Vegan Oil in Blackberry and Fish Oil in Mango Peach (8 oz, $13.99) - I originally thought these little smoothie supplements were tea packets lol.
• Beeluxe Chocolate Lip Balm (.15 oz tube, $3) - A chocolate lip balm? Yum!

Are you subscribed to Eco Emi?

2012 Target Summer Beauty Bag

Yay! My Target Summer Beauty Bag came in the mail yesterday! I just missed out on the previous bag so I was super excited to be one of the 477,500 people to get one this time around. In case you don't know (I sure didn't know what all the hoopla was about at first), each season Target offers cute little makeup bags filled with samples from brands we've all heard of such as Neutrogena, Aveeno, Revlon, Nivea, and Pantone. Samples are about the size of what you would find in a Birchbox and, best of all, everything is completely FREE!! How do you sign up for one of these awesome, free bags? Like the Target Style page which will keep you updated on when and where you can sign up for the next Beauty Bag.

I really, really liked the packaging and makeup bag!! I immediately knew what my package was when I saw it in my mailbox thanks to the little signature Target bulls eyes all over the box. The bag (apparently made by a brand called Allegro) is not only super cute, but also of surprising high quality! WAY better than anything MyGlam has ever sent me. Very nicely constructed with no strings hanging off and the inside is even lined giving it a bit of a cushion-y feel.

Inside the Bag

• Garnier Fructis Color Shield Fortifying Shampoo & Conditioner - I stopped using Garnier products back in high school when I realized they made my hair terribly greasy, but I do have Color Treated now which I didn't back then so maybe I'll go ahead and give this a try. Nice sized foil sample and I'm intrigued by the acai berry antioxidant and grape seed oil ingredients.
• Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait - It's no big secret I'm addicted to Lip Butters and Peach Parfait is one of my favorite shades. The packaging of this sample is peculiar - once you lift up the foil, there's enough of the lip product underneath for one use. And a little side note, after looking at the little sample card, I've determined that I own 16 out of the 20 different shades! Yes, this surprises even me!
• TRESemme Split Remedy Shampoo & Conditioner - I don't think I've ever really used TRESemme, but, once again, the product seems almost targeted at me since I do suffer from major split ends and, thus, will also give this a try. Aside from that, I also like the little travel sized containers, and they both smell really nice too.
• Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF70 Dry-Touch Sunblock - It's summer in Florida so I am always in need of something to protect my porcelain *cough*pale*cough* skin and with a crazy high SPF of 70, this will certainly do the trick. Also love that this is waterproof and fast absorbing.
• Aveeno Smart Essentials Daily Detoxifying Scrub - I love Aveeno so I was really happy to see one of their products in the bag. I haven't tried out this particular scrub yet, but it claims to gently exfoliate skin and to be both soap and oil-free. I'll probably pack this with me when I stay overnight in Sarasota for my roommate's wedding =]
• Also included is a little coupon booklet that has $19 worth of savings inside. Best coupon, in my opinion? Definitely $3 off of a Revlon product! I can't wait to use this on my next Lip Butter (because I obviously just can't get enough of them)!

Did you get a Summer Beauty Bag? What did you think?

Also, I am SO close to 100 followers (thank you so much, guys!!) so be on the look out for my very FIRST Giveaway that will include some awesome high end makeup products (haha, using that employee discount!).

Review: Benefit Snow White and the Huntsman Rare Beauty Kit

One of my first purchases at Tallahassee's brand spankin' new Sephora was this lovely Limited Edition "Snow White and the Huntsman Rare Beauty Kit" from Benefit Cosmetics that claims to give you "the fairest look of the land". I picked this up because I love the few Benefit products I own and wanted to try out some of their other products like the Benetint I've heard so much about and High Beam. Plus, it seemed like a pretty good deal at only $45 (the full-sized POREfessional and BADgal Lash Mascara are almost $50 alone).

"This pretty and practical makeup kit lets you look into the magic mirror to reveal skin pure as snow, rose red lips and cheeks, an enchanting glow, and lashes black as night. The included train case features a fairytale-inspired lavender and silver metallic print." - Sephora website

I'll first start off with the packaging and makeup case. The soft fairytale look of packaging was probably the first thing that attracted me to this kit. I also really liked that they showed actual-sized pictures of all the products inside the kit on the back. The makeup case itself is very pretty and well-made. It's not the largest case, but it's deep and can hold quite a bit of makeup - great for travel or storing products like single eyeshadows or lipsticks.

What's Inside

• BADgal Lash Mascara (full size, $19): A very nice volumizing and lengthening mascara. For truly "bombshell" lashes, simply pile it on - it layers on great without clumping. However, it's not waterproof and can give you "raccoon eyes" after several hours, and it doesn't tend to last very long.
• The POREfessional (full size, $29): I have huge pores so I was really excited about this product - and it delivered. It's lightweight, oil-free, and not greasy at all. It minimizes your pores, evens out your skin tone, and makes your skin feel like silk allowing foundation and concealer glide on effortlessly.  
• Benetint (sample size): I can see why so many people love this product! It gives such a natural, rosy color to the cheeks and lips (even if the brush still makes me feel like I'm applying nail polish to my face). Another really awesome thing about it is that it lasts pretty much all day and a little goes a long way. Quick note: apply a few dots to one cheek then immediately blend it in because it dries pretty fast...I made this mistake the first time >_<
• High Beam (sample size): A really awesome highlighter that doesn't make you look sweaty or glittery but gives you a nice, shimmery pearly glow. Like the Benetint, it dries fast and a little goes a long way (I still wish there was more though because I'm afraid of it running out).
• Also included is a step-by-step booklet that shows you how to achieve that flawless "Snow White" look using the products in the kit.

The Verdict
Overall, this is a really nice kit at a great value! The product selection fits very well with the "Snow White" theme in that they all aim to enhance your natural beauty. If you've never tried Benefit products, this makes a great starter kit; or if you're like me and just want to try out some of their popular products without splurging, I definitely think you should pick this up. Also makes a great gift for someone who likes Benefit, Kristen Stewart, or Snow White!

Sunday Social

Happy Sunday! Today, I discovered a fun, brand new link exchange from Ashley and Neely thanks to Frances. It's super easy to participate! Just answer the 6 questions, grab a button, and link up!

1. How did you come up with your blog name?
I had a really hard time coming up with a name I liked for my blog. I wanted something that definitely described who I was and what I wanted to blog about without limiting myself (along with writing about beauty and fashion, I still wanted to be able to weigh in on my geeky interests and real life every now and then). Two previous names my blog had were "Fashion and Favorites" and "xoxo, amanda". I found them to either be too generic or impersonal. I chose "Geeky Fashionista" because it was simple and basically describes me in a nutshell ^^

2. What is your favorite thing about blogging?
I love that not only does it let me to share my personal thoughts with others, it's allowed me to meet so many amazing people all over the world!

3. What is one thing you have discovered because of blogging and now can't live without?
Revlon Lip Butters - it seemed like everyone and their mother were raving about these products so I had to give them try. Who knew I was going to fall so in love with/be so addicted to them?

4. Facebook or Twitter? And why?
Twitter! I feel like I rarely use my Facebook anymore. It's great for keeping in touch with friends, but Twitter gets you in touch with the world and is great for networking.

5. If one celeb read your blog, who would you want it to be?
Probably Rachel Bilson because I adore her and her style (and show :D).

6. What is something you want people to know about your blog?
I am by far no beauty or fashion expert. I'm just an average geeky girl who is constantly learning more and more about these topics everyday and wants to share what little I do know as I learn (:

If you're looking to check out some awesome blogs, don't forget to check out the link up!

TAG: 7 Deadly Sins of Beauty!

I'm finally doing one of my favorite tags, the 7 Deadly Sins of Beauty Tag! I've really been enjoying the responses to this tag on Youtube and other blogs, and couldn't wait to participate in it myself! I know I’m a bit late getting on the train but better late than never!


Note: I recorded this video in one super long 21-minute take so I had to cut out a lot of stuff to keep it at a reasonable length and not bore you all to death with my rambling. Hope the editing isn't as jarring as my lighting and fast talking lol.

1. GREED - What is your most inexpensive beauty item? What is your most expensive?
My most inexpensive would definitely be one of my E.L.F. products. Here, I have my All Over Color stick because I know for certain this was only a dollar. I really don’t use it that often. Sometimes if I’m running late to class or I’m not wearing any makeup that day and I just need a little color, I’ll put a little on my cheeks so I don't look like a completely zombie.
My most expensive would be my Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Eye Cream which retails for $68. I know that’s crazy expensive but this product really is amazing and worth the investment (especially for someone who has very sensitive under eye areas like me). Plus, you really don't need that much so it lasts a long time. I also wanted to add on that my biggest splurge product would probably be my Chanel Aqua Vitalumiere foundation which I think is $54. It’s my absolute favorite foundation, but I only wear it for special occasions because it's so pricey. I am fortunate enough that I do get all of these products at a discount though because I work within a Dillards.

2. WRATH - What beauty products do you have a love/hate relationship with? 

What product has been the hardest to get?

I have a love/hate relationship with lipgloss! I love the glossy look they give and that some can moisturize and hydrate your lips, but I HATE how super thick and sticky some can be and that somehow my hair always ends up stuck in it.
My Lush products have taken some work to get since I don't live anywhere near one. Some products like my Lush Cupcake Mask can only be purchased in store so even if I wanted to order everything online, that's still one product I wouldn't be able to get my hands on. Also, any new MAC collection is always a hassle to get (ESPECIALLY the lipsticks!). 

3. GLUTTONY - What are your most delicious beauty products?



I loveee my Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub - it tastes soooo good!! Also, my MAC Tendertone has the most amazing smell - I just want to eat it!

4. SLOTH - What beauty product do you neglect, due to laziness?



I neglect curling my eyelashes. I was never big on curling my lashes because I never saw a big difference in my appearance in doing so. Plus, my eyelashes seemed to lose their curl almost instantly. And it was a pain to curl them because the curler would pull and tag at my lashes and often times make them fall out. Perhaps I was just using cheap eyelash curlers though - I recently bought a Chanel eyelash curler and LOVE it! It curls the lashes so effortlessly and the curl actually LASTS. 

5. PRIDE - What beauty product gives you the most self confidence?



Definitely, definitely FOUNDATION! I know everyone has said this, but it's true! If I could only wear one makeup product for the rest of my life, it would be without a doubt foundation. Like everyone else, I've struggled with insecurities about my skin and have tried Proactive and just about every acne scrub out there (a Clarisonic is probably my number one wishlist item right now). I love how foundation evens out my skin tone and covers up my blemishes - it just makes me feel so much more confident about myself.

6. LUST - What attributes do you find most attractive in the opposite sex?



This question seems a little out of place - I feel like they should've asked "what makeup product are you lusting after" but whatevs. Let's get physical out of the way and then move on to the important stuff - personality! I'll admit it, I have a very particular type - tall, slim, toned (not muscular), dark hair, nice eyes and smile, and - this might be weird - but a good jaw (ex. Ian Somerhalder ;). And for personality - I love a goofy guy that can make me laugh and laugh at themselves. I also like a guy who is genuinely a good person that inspires me to want to be better as well. Also, it's really important that a guy is passionate about something to me. 

7. ENVY - What items would you most like to receive as a gift?

I would love to get perfume as a gift! Up until a couple weeks ago, I actually have never owned any perfumes (plenty of body sprays, but no actual perfumes because they were so expensive), however, thanks to a big limited time 45% employee discount, I decided to get Taylor Swift's Wonderstruck and Marc Jacobs Daisy. I have to say that I have officially been bit by the fragrance bug and now I can't wait to have my own little perfume collection (I'm looking at Katy Perry's Purr next). I also think nail polish makes a great more affordable gift - I can never have enough!

And that is it for questions! I had a lot of fun doing this, and if you haven’t participated in this tag yet, I tag you! I would loveee to read your responses! Also, if you've already done this tag, feel free to post a link to it in the comments and I'll check it out! Have a wonderful rest of the day!