June Beauty Empties (& LWIG linkup!)

 

I go through a lot of beauty products. My face is fairly heavily spackled everyday.  But sometimes many times I just buy beauty products and play around with them, never getting to the bottom of the package.  However, there are those select products that I use and use and use....and then scrape the last little bit out of the bottom.  The it comes time to re-buy...or try something new.

1. Dr. Jart Water Fuse Beauty Balm ($34):  This is hands down the best BB cream I have ever used. I've talked about it several times on the blog (here and here). It's by far the best BB cream I am ever used for pale skin.  It's moisturizing, yet provides full coverage.  It's truly a BB cream and not just a moisturizer in sheep's clothing.  And don't let the price tag scare you.  You really don't need much of this.  I use it everyday adn I get between 2 and 3 months out of one tube!

Rebuy!  (In fact, I already have a shiny new tube).

2. Mary Kay Nourishine Lip Gloss in Fancy Nancy ($15):  I love love love the color of this gloss.  It's the perfect amount of pink and shine. And it's super hydrating for your lips.  My only complaint is that it's not that long-lasting.  Therefore, I am going to try something new. 

3. Nars Blush in Orgasm ($39):  I don't  know if I can say anything about this blush that hasn't already been said by every other blogger in the universe.  This blush is an instant wake up for your face.  And it looks good on just about every skin tone.  It's pinkish-peach with an almost reflective shine.  So, it really changes color depending on your skin tone. Obviously (because I am a band wagoner), I chose to rebuy this).

4. Julep Blank Canvas Mattifying Eye Primer ($22):  My greasy eyelids need primer if my eyeshadow is going to stay in place for more than an hour.  So, I always have to keep a healthy stock of it.  I loved that this wasn't too wet or too dry.  I don't like to wait 10 minutes for my primer to dry nor do I like to have to apply it with a putty knife.  This was like a weird dry liquid.  However, the one downside is that it only comes in one shade.  The shade was right for me (i.e. super pale), but might not be for many ladies. Additionally, I wasn't a fan of the applicator.  It felt like a cheap eye shadow sponge.  I used my own brush for application.  So, in the end, I chose to try something new.

5. Mary Kay Cream Blush in Sheer Bliss (no longer available).  I love cream blush.  I prefer it to powder most of the time.  This one went on really smooth, was long-lasting, and provided just the right amount of pigment.  And now I can't find it anymore.

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1. follow your hosts

Tara @ Penniless Socialite

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2. grab a button
Or link back to one of your hosts, and help us promote Look What I Got!

3. link up!
Link up your post on what you got (for cheap)!
(Please don't link up your entire blog or any posts that are not "Look What I Got"! )

We love having you link up and we will be reading all your posts! So, if you don't follow the rules and link back you'll be put in time out (i.e. we'll delete your link).

4. mix and mingle
Visit some other blogs and let them know you found them through the link up!

An InLinkz Link-up

October Julep Maven Review

• Nail Polish in Nancy (silver sage metallic) ($14.00): I am in love with this color.  It is so perfect for fall.  It goes on really smooth for a glittery metallic.  And you can almost get away with just one coat.  So, I think it's a perfect last minute manicure or pedicure color.
• Nail Polish in Margarita (deep purple creme) ($14.00): This color is a really nice compliment to the sagey green metallic.  I can definitely see pairing these two together with a statement nail in Nancy.  This color is a bit thin and goes on streaky in the first coat, but a second coat solves that problem
• Night Shift Sleeping Mask ($34.00): According to Julep this is "A reparative moisture mask that does the heavy lifting while you’re fast asleep so you wake up to a brighter, smoother, firmer complexion." And it "Reaches deep to stimulate cell turnover and renewal."  I don't think it's really actually doing this at night.  It's more like lotion that you leave on your face rather than a mask.  I was worried that I would just wake up to a face full of zits, but my skin was actually just really soft with no additional zits.  Saying "zit-free" would be misleading.  It's the sock with vaseline in it for your face.  (Of course you've dealt with your winter heel cracking by wearing socks and vaseline to bed).

The Julep Deets

• $20.00 per month (but, you can skip a month if you need to!).
• You get to preview your Maven box each month and decide which one you want
• Each box contains 2 full-sized Julep polishes (retail: $15 each) plus one full sized Julep beauty product (ranging $15 to $40). 
• You can earn credits for referrals and other activities!

**Full Disclosure: Julep Maven is a monthly beauty subscription service.  I am in no way affiliated with Julep and have not received any compensation for this post.  All opinions are 100% mine.  

In the Caboodle: February Julep Maven Box

This month's Julep box was a biggie!  3 polishes AND an eye shadow?!?!

• Eyesheen in Dusty Taupe ($14.40):  Julep's eye sheens are liquid....really liquid.  I say this because I usually HATE liquid eye shadow.  It's goopy and it sticks in my old lady eye creases and I am too impatient to to wait for it to dry.  However, Julep has changed my mind.  This stuff is so light, so it floats on my wrinkles and drys in a second.  And no picture of the eyesheen because I took the blurriest picture known to man of it.  It just looked like a brown blob.
• Nail Polish in Cameron (silver lilac matte glitter) ($14.00): I am not a fan of matte polishes, but this is glitter...it's different.  I can't even really describe what this is like, other than amazing.
• Nail Polish in Love (Gold, pearl & fuchsia microglitter) ($14.00): This was founder Jane's gift to us this month...and I freakin' love it.  Typically, the little gift each month is some candy or nail files, which is appreciated. However, this was the mother of all gifts.  I do not have another glitter like this in my collection.  The colors are gorgeous and it has the right amount of fuchsia in it without being Barbie glitter.
• Nail Polish in Rooney (walnut bark creme) ($14.00): I'm not usually crazy about brown nail polish.  However, this color looks so good with a Cameron (above) accent nail!  Wish I had enough forethought to photograph my mani with these colors!

The Julep Deets

• $20.00 per month (but, you can skip a month if you need to!).
• You get to preview your Maven box each month and decide which one you want
• Each box contains 2 full-sized Julep polishes (retail: $15 each) plus one full sized Julep beauty product (ranging $15 to $40). 
• You can earn credits for referrals and other activities!

**Full Disclosure: Julep Maven is a monthly beauty subscription service.  I am in no way affiliated with Julep and have not received any compensation for this post.  All opinions are 100% mine.  

linking up with Noor's Place and Glossy Blonde

In the Caboodle: January Julep Maven Box

• Nail  polish in Mae (Soft Lavendar Satin) ($14): I love this color.  I also love the finish of this nail polish.  It's a satin finish...which I think means super smooth.  It only has a slight shine to it, somewhere between a matte and regular polish.  And it glides on so nicely.  You can almost get away with just one coat!
• Nail polish in Margot (Gold Shimmer) ($14).  This is my new favorite metallic.  With one coat its perfect for an accent nail over a color polish, sort of like a light dusting of spray paint.  With two coats it's a full coverage polish great for a Saturday night out.
• Ta-Da! Quick Dry Drops ($14): Save your money and just buy that maroon can of air at the drugstore.  You're supposed to put a drop of this liquid on your nails after applying polish and "Ta-Da!"  They're dried quicker.  Actually, it's more like...Ta-Da!  Your hands are greasy, smell weird, and your nail polish is still tacky.

The Julep Deets

• $20.00 per month (but, you can skip a month if you need to!).
• You get to preview your Maven box each month and decide which one you want
• Each box contains 2 full-sized Julep polishes (retail: $15 each) plus one full sized Julep beauty product (ranging $15 to $40). 
• You can earn credits for referrals and other activities!

**Full Disclosure: Julep Maven is a monthly beauty subscription service.  I am in no way affiliated with Julep and have not received any compensation for this post.  All opinions are 100% mine.  

linking up with Noor's Place and Glossy Blonde

In the Caboodle: December Julep Maven Box

• Nail  polish in Cara (Cranberry Frost) ($14).  Admittedly, I have not tried this polish yet. I've been drawn to darker colors during the cold weather.
• Nail polish in Andrea (Bronze microglitter) ($14) - This is a full coverage glitter with teensy weensy little pieces of glitter.  I have not been able to find a better gold glitter polish.
• Sweep Eyeshadow Palette in Neutrals ($24) - I am pretty picky about eye shadows, since I own the holy grail of neutral eye shadows (i.e. UD's Naked2 palette).  However, my only complaint about the Naked2 palette is that it only has one matte shadow.  There are just some days where I don't really need to sparkle and I need to be a little bit more conservative with my eye lid decoration.  After much fruitless searching for the perfect matte palette, this one showed up in my monthly Julep box.  I could not be more pleased with it.  The colors are fantastic and it goes on smooth and lasts all day (with a little help from primer).  

The Julep Deets

• $20.00 per month (but, you can skip a month if you need to!).
• You get to preview your Maven box each month and decide which one you want
• Each box contains 2 full-sized Julep polishes (retail: $15 each) plus one full sized Julep beauty product (ranging $15 to $40). 
• You can earn credits for referrals and other activities!

**Full Disclosure: Julep Maven is a monthly beauty subscription service.  I am in no way affiliated with Julep and have not received any compensation for this post.  All opinions are 100% mine.  

linking up with Noor's Place and Glossy Blonde

In the Caboodle: October and November Julep Maven Boxes

The Julep boxes are piling up.  I have a literal pile of unopened nail polishes at this point.  Somehow having the flu and the never-ending feeling of exhaustion that follows added to 12 hour work days does not make me want to give myself a manicure.  So, I guess you can look forward to daily Instagram pics of my nails for the next few weeks.  Just to weed through all these bottles I am going to have to change the color every day...or paint each nail a different color.

In the October box...

• Nail polish in Cleopatra (black latex) ($14) - I was really intrigued by this one.  It's a super cool black matte polish.  But, now that Halloween is over, I have no idea when or where I will wear this.
• Nail polish in Valerie (teal with microglitter) ($14)
• Double sided eyeliner with sharpener ($22)

• Lip Gloss in Glowing ($22).  I may have gotten the November box because of this lip gloss.
• Nail Polish in Cynthia (Sand microglitter) ($14).  I also may have been convinced into getting this month's box by the word "microglitter."
• Nail Polish in Sheila (red creme) ($14)

The Julep Deets

• $20.00 per month (but, you can skip a month if you need to!).
• You get to preview your Maven box each month and decide which one you want
• Each box contains 2 full-sized Julep polishes (retail: $15 each) plus one full sized Julep beauty product (ranging $15 to $40). 
• You can earn credits for referrals and other activities!

**Full Disclosure: Julep Maven is a monthly beauty subscription service.  I am in no way affiliated with Julep and have not received any compensation for this post.  All opinions are 100% mine.  

Linking up with Noor's Place and Glossy Blonde

In the Caboodle: August Julep Maven Box

Don't forget to enter to win a $10 Forever 21 gift card!

So, I totally forgot to post about my August Julep goodies.  (which is a good thing, because I have been totally slacking in the beauty post department). So, here's what I got!

• Double Step Foot Treatment ($22):  This stuff is a little stick of miracle.  It's super hydrating to heal cracked and dry feet, but it also protects against blisters!  I wear dress shoes everyday and this balm has seriously worked some miracles.  My feet are much less red and irritate after a day shoved into heels.
• Nail Polish in Bea (lemonade creme)
• Nail Polish in Lacey (blue with purple shimmer)
• Forget-me-not seeds (so cute!)

The Julep Deets

• $20.00 per month (but, you can skip a month if you need to!).
• You get to preview your Maven box each month and decide which one you want
• Each box contains 2 full-sized Julep polishes (retail: $15 each) plus one full sized Julep beauty product (ranging $15 to $40). 
• You can earn credits for referrals and other activities!

**Full Disclosure: Ipsy and Julep Maven are monthly beauty subscription services.  I am in no way affiliated with Ipsy or Julep and have not received any compensation for this post.  All opinions are 100% mine.  

Linking up with The Collective Blog Hop, Friend Connect Blog Hop and Grab a Friend Blog Hop

In the Caboodle: June Julep and Ipsy Boxes

The June Julep theme was “Sail into Summer” and the nail polish collection is named the “Nantucket Nostalgia Collection”.   I'll be honest, I wasn't thrilled with the colors, but I really wanted the DD creme.  Mostly, I just wanted to see what I was up against, since I have ZZ creme in development for release in 2 years.  I assume that's about when we'll exhaust all other letters.  Sarcasm aside, I did want to try it and it's already $36 for a tube.  I figured I'd spend the $20 and also get some nail polishes.

• Julep DD Creme ($36): I don't know what DD stands for, but it claims to “moisturize, prime, perfect, and protect”.  I really liked it, but let's be honest....it's just a good (slightly thicker) tinted moisturizer.  It's not a revolutionary formula, but it works and I like it.  It goes on smooth and provides great coverage.
• Nail Polish in Raegan (hot pink creme)
• Nail Polish in Peyton (kelly green creme)
• Salt water taffy....yum!

The Julep Deets

• $20.00 per month (but, you can skip a month if you need to!).
• You get to preview your Maven box each month and decide which one you want
• Each box contains 2 full-sized Julep polishes (retail: $15 each) plus one full sized Julep beauty product (ranging $15 to $40). 
• You can earn credits for referrals and other activities!

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And on to the Ipsy Glam bag!

• Starlooks Lip Pencil (Tickle Me Pink) ($12):  I don't use lip liner and I just can't manage to get into it.  Plus I don't really like the color...bummer.
• NYX Cosmetics Mosaic Powder Blush (Boho Chic) ($7): I love the color of this blush and I love NYX products.  However, I have like 5 blushes opened right now.  So, I am saving this puppy for a little while.
• J.Cat Beauty Sparkling Cream Palette  (Susie) ($4.49):  This is a little too much glitter...even for me.  The "eye shadow" is super heavy and uncomfortable.  It just feels cheap.  I put "eye shadow" in quotes because this is more like eye goop.
• J.Cat Eyelashes + Eyelash Glue ($3.99):  I need to send a memo to all beauty sample things.  STOP SENDING ME FAKE EYE LASHES.  I don't like them.  They feel weird and I look like a drag queen in them.
• Cailyn Gel Eyeliner (purple) ($21):  This was by far my favorite item in the bag.  I love the built in brush.  I usually use a slanted brush, but i really liked this little pointy one.  The eyeliner goes on really smooth.  It's not super pigmented, but I was happy because I got the purple eyeliner.  It'd be too intense if it was any darker.

The whole glam bag had a value of $48.48....excluding the cute make up bag!  Even though the only product I'll be using any time soon is the liner, it was still worth it this month as the liner is valued at $21!

The Glam Bag Deets

$10 per month

5 beauty products, some full sized (2-3) in each bag, 1 cosmetic bag

**Full Disclosure: Ipsy and Julep Maven are monthly beauty subscription services.  I am in no way affiliated with Ipsy or Julep and have not received any compensation for this post.  All opinions are 100% mine.  

Linking up with Fabulous But Evil for Subscription Share, Anything and Everything Blog Hop, The Collective Blog Hop, Friend Connect Blog Hop

In the Caboodle: May Julep Maven Box and Ipsy Glam Bag

After my disappointing Ipsy Glam Bag and my awesome Julep Maven box last month, Ipsy redeemed themselves and Julep outdid themselves.

This month's theme was Spring Fling.  I don't really get this theme or how the items fit into it....other than all being awesome.

Pacifica Bronzing Body Butter: I love Pacifica products.  I have some soy candles and raspberry lotion from them.  They never disappoint.  This bronzer is super moisturizing and has just the right amount of sheen to it.  I, obviously, can't wear a dark bronzer, so I really liked this subtly of this stuff.  And, bonus, it smells great.

Zoya Nail Polish in Gie Gie: I love Zoya nail polish.  So, I was really happy to see a full size polish in my Glam Bag.

Mirabella Lipstick in Posy:  I really like this lipstick.  It's not all that pigmented, but it glides on really smooth, feels light and has just the right amount of sheen.  I think it's perfect for summer.

Yaby concealer refill: I HATE when they send me these little silver tins that just get lost in my Caboodle.  However, I do really like this concealer.  It's the perfect color and provides enough coverage even for my raccoon eyes.  I just don't know where to store this little doo dad.

Juice Beauty Reflecting Gloss:  I saved the best for last.  This was my favorite item in my Glam Bag this month.  First up, it's not sticky.  I know!  A lip gloss you can wear when it's windy and not get a long floppy mustache thing happening?  Genius!  It's also long lasting and smells fruity and delicious.  I ask for a lot out of my lip glosses, and this one delivers.  

The Glam Bag Deets

$10 per month

5 beauty products, some full sized (2-3) in each bag, 1 cosmetic bag

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And on to the Julep Maven box!

This month's theme was Jazz Up Your Style: Set the Stage.  I think they should have just gone ahead and said it's Great Gatsby themed.  Maybe there was some sort of problems with the rights?  Anyways, here's what was in my Maven box:

• Nail Polish in Zelda (pinkish champagne metallic)
• Nail Polish in Gabrielle: (a deep rich purple creme shade)
• 3 Mini Lipsticks in Lady in Red (Matte Crimson Lip Color), Sweet Lorraine (Bubble Gum Pink Lip Sheer), and Charleston (Cranberry Lip Sheer).
• 3 Rose hair clips

The Julep Deets

• $20.00 per month (but, you can skip a month if you need to!).
• You get to preview your Maven box each month and decide which one you want
• Each box contains 2 full-sized Julep polishes (retail: $15 each) plus one full sized Julep beauty product (ranging $15 to $40). 
• You can earn credits for referrals and other activities!

**Full Disclosure: Ipsy and Julep Maven are monthly beauty subscription services.  I am in no way affiliated with Ipsy or Julep and have not received any compensation for this post.  All opinions are 100% mine.  
Linking up with Fabulous But Evil for Subscription Share, Anything and Everything Blog Hop, The Collective Blog Hop, Friend Connect Blog Hop This month's Supreme Whopper Sponsor is:

In the Caboodle: April Glam Bag and Julep Maven Box

Don't forget to enter my 30th birthday giveaway jamboree!!

This week you get 2 subscription boxes for the price of one...because I am waaaay behind in posting about beauty stuff.

First up, my Ipsy Glam Bag.  

Be a Bombshell Blush in Sweet Cheeks: I really liked the super pink color of this blush.  I thought it would be nice for the summer.  However, as you can see from the swatch on my hand, it's not very pigmented.  I haven't worn it all day yet, but I don't think it's going to hold up.

Sation Nail Laquer: Again, I didn't try this out for a long term wear.  However, I might as well just put on coat of clear polish.

Mica Mineral Shadow: I really like this powder as a highlighter.  It's super light and has a great shimmer.  However, I have more highlighters than one person can ever use in a lifetime.'

Big Sexy Hair Powder Play: This powder promises to add volume to your hair.  I have no idea how this stuff works.  I haven't used it yet because the sample is only big enough for one maybe two uses.  So, I need to save it for a special occasion I think.

I was not in love with 2 of the products this month....but there were 3 full sized products...so I really can't complain.

And now on to the Julep Maven box.

This was my favorite Julep Maven Box so far.  This month's theme was brights.  

I love that Julep gives you a preview each month of the available boxes.  I took my normal "Bombshell" box. The polishes were the main draw.  A shimmery raspberry color, Janel, and a bright blue, Ally.  These colors are going to be great for the summer.  I can see that electric blue on my toes.

And there was a cuticle serum that's helped my cuticles recover from the ravages of winter and some rock candy.

And this was my favorite Julep box....until May.  So, stay tuned.

**Full Disclosure: Ipsy and Julep Maven are monthly beauty subscription services.  I am in no way affiliated with Ipsy or Julep and have not received any compensation for this post.  All opinions are 100% mine.

Linking up with Fabulous But Evil for Subscription Share, Anything and Everything Blog Hop, The Collective Blog Hop, Friend Connect Blog Hop

In the Caboodle: February Julep Maven Box

Get your sparkle on!  Enter my giveaway to win a $30 shop credit to Cool Water Gems

Before I delve into my latest nail polish acquisition.  I would like to acknowledge that yesterday was my grandfather's 89th birthday...89 years of awesome.  I can say with 100% certainty that he does not read this blog.  He still reads Reader's Digest.  But, I'd like to acknowledge this momentous occasion. Next year we are going to have quite the rockin' bash for his 90th...it's going to be bigger than Diddy's white party.

And on to (slightly) less important things...nail polish.  I was honestly going to skip the Julep box for February in the interest of saving some money.  However, this box was more glorious than most.  (That's what he said...zing!)  Anyway, the box came with 2 polishes as per usual (Claudette, a brick red, and Helen, a pastel lavendar), but it came with the new Freedom Top Coat AND Oxygen nail treatment.  The Freedom Top Coat claims to give a gel-like finish and the Oxygen nail treatment claims to be "nail makeup" that covers up discolored nails with a nude shine.  I plan on giving myself a nice little red and lavendar mani for Valentine's Day

Full Disclosure: I did not receive any thing from Julep in return for writing this post.  I purchased the nail polish myself and all opinions are 100% mine.  I do, however, receive points if you sign up for a Julep Maven subscription through my link here.

Linking up to the Instagram Blog Hop and Totally Linked In Tuesdays.

This month's Supreme Whopper Sponsor is:

In the Caboodle: Rose Gold Glitter and Double Statement Nails

Julep: Charlotte and Jane

2013 is the year of the double statement nail.  I have decreed it.  I also just loved this rose gold glitter from Julep so much that I didn't want to relegate it to just one nail.  Rose gold glitter is wear it's at.  Julep's Jane is a full coverage glitter polish, however, it does take 3+ coats for it to be full coverage.  I thought the purple Charlotte was the perfect compliment to the rose gold, even though it might not be seasonally appropriate.

Full Disclosure: I did not receive any thing from Julep in return for writing this post.  I purchased the nail polish myself and all opinions are 100% mine.  I do, however, receive points if you sign up for a Julep Maven subscription through my link here.

Linking up to the Tea on Tuesday Link Party, Instagram Blog Hop and Totally Linked In Tuesdays.

This month's Supreme Whopper Sponsor is: