Influenster Beauty Blogger VoxBox 2012

Yay!! I was so, so excited when I received the email from Influenster informing me that I had qualified to receive a Beauty Blogger VoxBox. I've been signed up for Influenster for a couple months now and this is my very first box!

If you don't know what Influenster is, it's a FREE program where once you sign up, you can take surveys and earn badges that can qualify you to receive various FREE VoxBoxes full of sample-sized, and very often full-sized products, to try and review.

• NYC IndividualEyes in Dark Shadows - I'm a sucker for smokey eye palettes, and I loved that not only did this come with four shadows but also a primer and illuminator. The primer definitely makes a difference when you put the shadows on. I'm a fan of the NYC brand (I LOVE their Sunny Bronzer), but I had yet to try their eyeshadow palettes so I was very excited to see this in my box. The back label also lifts up to give helpful instructions on where to apply the shadows.
• Kiss Ever Pro Lashes Starter Kit - Although I have received fake lashes in my MyGlam bag, I have yet to use them or any other fake lashes..ever. One thing I wish the MyGlam lashes had came with was lash glue so I was very happy to see that this kit came with glue and an applicator. I actually ended up using these last weekend and was happily surprised with how easy they were to use. I also liked that they are made of human hair and looked pretty natural. Even though it was for Halloween, I didn't want it to look super obvious that I was wearing falsies.
• Bath & Body Works Mini Candle in Pumpkin Cupcake - I recognized the scent immediately when I opened my box and couldn't be happier. I already own the full-size candle and I LOVE it! Pumpkin and Cupcake? What a perfect combination. This mini candle is so cute and is perfect for small spaces or for people who have trouble burning through the full-size candles (don't be fooled by it's size, the scent can definitely fill a room). Plus it came with a bonus coupon!
• EBOOST Daily Health Booster in Orange - This immunity supplement will be perfect for the winter especially because I have the weakest immune system! Whenever I feel a cold coming up, I break out the Emergen-C, Airborne, and Naked Juices. I'll be sure to give this a try at the first sign of a sore throat or other cold symptom. I wish I got another flavor besides Orange though...
• Goodie Simple Style Spin Pin - Just used this for the first time today, and I must say it is amazing!! I am horrible at making buns but with these little helix-shaped pins, I am a bun-making pro. I couldn't believe how simple and easy to use they were! And it really does hold your hair in place nice and secure! Seriously, if this works for me, anyone can do it.
• Not Your Mother's Kinky Moves Curl Defining Hair Cream - I have naturally wavy hair although I often straighten it. I've heard good things about this brand, and I can't wait to see how this defines my waves. It's infused with natural grape seed and jasmine and smells amazing.
• BONUS: Boots No. 7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Lotion and Night Cream - I'm familiar with the Boots brand but haven't used their skincare items yet. I have Combination skin not Normal/Dry but I'm still interested in seeing what this does for my skin.

 

Are any of you guys on Influenster? Have you tried any of these products? What do you think? Comment and let me know! (:

October 2012 Birchbox

Wow! It's been a while since I've done a Birchbox review, but oh how I love doing them and what better time to start back up than October, my favorite month? This month, Birchbox subscribers had the option to opt in on a special "goop" box or stick with the regular Birchbox. If you didn't know (I sure didn't until I looked it up), goop is a lifestyle publication started by Gwyneth Paltrow. I was unaware about the goop box so I was sent the regular box. The theme this month is "Transformations."

Click HERE if you would like to sign up for Birchbox.

What I got in my box:

• the original beautyblender - So so ecstatic to see this in my Birchbox! I already have one and let me say it is an incredible product and I do not mind having another. This simple little pink sponge does wonders for applying your foundation giving you a "flawless" finish. It's a bit pricey so if you were also lucky enough to receive one of these, it pretty much in itself paid for your box.
• Lucy B Pink Frangipani & Wild Jasmine Roll-On Perfume Oils - A little alternative from the usual perfume sample, these are perfume oils that you can enjoy separately or mixed together. The pink frangipani is a citrusy scent while the jasmine is a sweet floral. Very nice scents but not very autumn-y. It would have been nice if they had been in roll-on container and not the little hard-to-open perfume vials - it always ends up popping up and spilling on me. 
• Supergoop! City Sunscreen Serum - Very odd to see a sunscreen in a fall month box. Luckily, I do live in Florida so it's pretty much sunny year-round so I'll be able to give this a try. Foil samples are always a little disappointing but at least they gave two, and I've never heard of this brand so I'm looking forward to seeing what I think.
• theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer - Let me just put it out there that I love theBalm so I was very happy to see this in my box even if the sample is small. It's still a decent size that gives you an idea of just how great this product is. It's super pretty and looks amazing as both a highlighter or an eyeshadow. Definitely need to pick up the full-size.
• LUNA Fiber Bar in Chocolate Raspberry - I'm always being told I need more fiber in my diet and these would certainly help. They taste like a Nutri-grain bar times 10 - very dense and chock-full of fiber I assume. The chocolate flavor isn't too bad but I could have used a little more raspberry. 

I was only sent four items this month (not counting the "Lifestyle Extra") and if weren't for the beautyblender, I would have been pretty disappointed. I was hoping for more "fall" related items and this box seemed stuck in summer =/

NOTE: My Birchbox this month arrived late due to a "shipping snafu." To apologize, they awarded me 100 Birchbox points (essentially $10 in the Birchbox store). Not bad. Just another testament to their awesome customer service. 

What did you guys think? What products did you get in your Birchbox? Did you get the goop box? Did you like that better than the original? Comment and let me know!

Halloween Black Cat nails

I love this simple black cat nail design, It's easy to do and looks cute on the nails! For Halloween I'll be wearing black sparkly nail varnish on my nails and then have this little cat design as an accent nail!

This is how I achieved the look:

Step 1 -  Paint the whole nail black and wait to dry, I used 3 coats of 17 Nail Varnish in Nightshade.

Step 2 -  Using a cuticle stick, paint a pink triangle on the nail using the middle as a

             guide for the top of the Triangle, but make sure you leave enough room for the  

             eyes! For this I used Bourjois 26.

Step 3 - Again using a cuticle stick draw on the eyes, to do this I made a circle shape and 

            then dragged the stick up to create a 'cat eye' effect. I used 17 Nail Varnish in  

            Sherbet Lemon

Step 4 - Whiskers! I used the thin metal pen end of the models own nail art pen. This has a brush and a pen, I found the brush too difficult to use but the pen was so easy to draw on the nail.

Step 5 - Once the eyes are dry, use a cuticle stick to draw on the pupils. I used 17 Nail Varnish in Nightshade but a Green Nail varnish would also work really well!

Let me know if you try these!

Lush Christmas - Cinders

  Lush Cinders - £2.25

Lush 'Cinders' is a gorgeous Christmassy limited edition bath ballistic with cinnamon, sweet orange and almond oils and popping candy. It is meant to "evoke sitting by a crackling open fire, drinking a glass of warm punch".

This is one of my favourite smells from lush, it filled the house with a lovely christmassy smell that lasted all day. I'll definitely want to stock up on these to have over Christmas along with my tradition of buying a big bottle of Snow Fairy! 

Have you tried this? What are your fave Christmas Lush products?

October Glossybox

This months Glossybox theme is DIY beauty, 5 products for a pampering night in. I really like this months box and will definitely be using them for a cosy night in! 

My favourite product this month is the Sally Hansen complete salon manicure. Apart from it being a gorgeous autumny red/brown and being called 'Haute chocolate' it's meant to be a 5 step manicure in just one bottle! It is a base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, colour and top coat all in one. This sounds amazing. I can never usually be bothered to treat my nails and aside from using jessica nail oil I never use any other treatments or base coats on my nails. This lets me do everything in one easy step. Perfect. I will definitely be looking to get some more colours if it works!

I'm really excited to try the skinetica anti blemish as it doesn't contain too many ingredients and claims to be "kind to skin". Again perfect as my skin is getting drier due to the colder weather! 

The Yves Rocher moisturiser also sounds great, enriched with Hyaluronic acid which is good for helping your skin absorb and retain moisture. 

All in all a really good box, even though Glossybox has had a few 'meh' boxes recently I'm glad I stuck with it and I'm so so excited for the november and Christmas box!

What did you think of this months box?

xx

MUA Undressed Palette

MUA undressed palette is my favourite MUA palette so far. There are some amazing colours in this palette and for £4, you cant really go wrong! 

The colours are all really pigmented with the only exception being the 2 matte shades which are great for blending out.

It has some lovely neutrals making it great for every day use and would also would be perfect to take if you were going away as it has such a great mix of colours for day and night - the shimmery golds or blue/black would make a gorgeous smokey eye for the evening.

Barry M Amethyst Glitter

Barry M Amethyst Glitter - Boots £2.99

There are So many pretty glitter nail varnishes around at the moment, Models Own have the lovely Mirror Ball and wonderland collection out, Topshop have some gorgeous chunky Glitter ones and Beauty UK also have some good pretty glitter polishes out too! I had been trying to resist all glitter nail varnishes as I already own a few, they're such a pain to get off and I normally only wear them on my toes or as an accent nail.

I completely fell in love with the colours in Barry M amethyst glitter and had to get it. Its got pretty flecks of fuchsia, turquoise, black and gold glitter through it, and it looks lovely on its own or over another colour!

Have you picked up any pretty Glitter Nail Varnishes recently?

REVIEW: Hanky Panky

I'm a believer! Who knew you could feel this comfy AND sexy at the same time? My Big raved about Hanky Panky to me, and I was a bit skeptical at first because 1) the high price tag and 2) the fact that I just HATE wearing thongs - they're just so uncomfortable for me! I came across the brand at a local boutique and decided it couldn't hurt to try... and that was the start of my Hanky Panky obsession. These are seriously the most comfortable of any kind of underwear I've ever tried! The "One Size" fit made me nervous because I'm pretty petite, but they ended up fitting perfectly! I've never been one to care about looking sexy in my underwear, but these definitely make me feel sexy (and at no expense of comfort!). They honestly feel like you're wearing nothing and it leaves NO panty lines! Plus, they come in a huge selection of colors and prints.

PROS: Soft, comfortable, super cute, and no panty lines.
CONS: A little pricey and can be difficult to find.

GRADE: A

Autumn Love

Autumn Make up - New bits from Accessorize - Rainy Day & Rainbow

JKR new book eek! - Hot chocolate and fluffy socks - Winter Warming pies

Crochet hearts - Lip essentials - Autumn Loves

Instagram - sophiemakeup

Theres nothing I love more than cosying up on a blustery autumn day with a good book, hot chocolate and warm fluffy socks! This pretty much sums up my autumn days so far. Theres still things on my list to do for autumn, conker picking, pumpkin carving and apple bobbing to name a few! I can't wait for halloween, and i've got my birthday early November to look forward to too! 

What do you love about autumn?