Glossybox June 2015

GlossyboxJuneRemember when I used to review beauty subscription boxes all the time? I gave it up a few years ago because I ended up having many samples and little time for truly testing them all out and giving my best opinion on them.

Glossybox_USI’m back at it, and teamed up with Glossybox, for I thought was just one month. Last month they sent a Mother’s Day/May box to me, but I threw everything out as soon as I opened the box. I felt as if some of the products were already opened, and I wasn’t a huge fan of that. It’s rare that something like that happens, but I didn’t want to test anything out I’ll tell you that much.

A few weeks later I was surprised another one showed up on my doorstep, because I thought it was a one-time deal working with them. I opened it, and pretty much got happy about blogging and talking about subscription boxes again. Sweet, wasn’t expecting that. Plus this one’s a goodie.Glossybox-June-2015

Doucce-lipstick

Teeez-nail-polish

Teeez Trend Cosmetics — Head over heels nail lacquer. The nail polish is an odd ball colour. Not quite terracotta, a little more older woman style colour I’d call it. It looks nice on my nails, but the first swipe I put on I was thinking no way. I added another coat, and I have actually had it on for a few days. The formula is pretty nice, doesn’t drip when you’re moving from one nail to the other, and I love a nail polish brush that is wide (think: Sally Hansen & Dior brushes). I do love the range of colours they have on their website, so many beautiful shades. Full size: $14.00 USD

Doucce — Mineral Matt Lipstick: This lipstick colour is #907 Cherry Blossom is an easy to wear deeper colour than your lips and is one of those types of colours that doesn’t require a mirror to apply. Although difficult to rub onto the lips, I assume because it’s a matte lipstick. Personally, I’d skip over this one, as I prefer a creamy consistency and it tugs when you’re trying to apply it. Do all matte lipsticks apply this way? The case its in is pretty fancy though. Full size: $20.00 USD

Glamglow— Powermud Dualcleanse Treatment. I’m so excited to finally try out this product. Everyone seems to rave about GlamGlow products and how wonderful they are with hydration or deep cleaning the face, depending on the product you get. Too bad it’s $69 for a full sized! If you want to buy it there’s a 30% offer on glamglowmud.com with code GLOSSYBOX30

Sebastian professional— Stylebrid 9. I’ve received these Sebastian hair sprays and shampooos in previous beauty boxes and have always been pleased with them. I think they’re available at a relatively low price at drug stores, and I have no complaints about them. Tiny hair sprays are the best, don’t take up too much cupboard space and is easy to cart around with you, especially going on second day hair. This one is great since it’s lightweight and doesn’t make you feel as if you’re wearing a helmet full of hair spray. Full size: $19.96 USD

Clearisa — Retexturizing Gel. Made in California baby! I thought this was a hair product at first, considering the name. But when I read the details on the Glossybox brochure which always gets sent out with the monthly boxes, it said it was for the face. Good thing I didn’t use it before reading! When you first squeeze a bit of product out it’s a clear gel with white exfoliating beads in it and acts like a scrub. This product say it smooths skin, refines pores and also reduces pigmentation, along with many other claims. For me, it’s way too expensive and I prefer other scrubs. Definitely not buying this full sized but it’s always nice to have luxury samples once in a while. Full sized: $79.99 (ouch)

Disclaimer: As stated above, glossybox sent me this subscription box for June. Opinions are clearly my own. The glossybox link is a referral link and if you sign up I receive 200pts (1,000pts = a free glossybox for me).

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Those automatic hair curlers freak me out

InstaWave-by-KissBack for another Beauty Talk Tuesday, are ya? Last week I skipped out on a beauty post because I wanted to tell you about our new huge bed. But now we’re back to talking about beauty again.

Have you seen these automatic hair curlers around? Whether it be on TV commercials, or in my case — youtube beauty channels? They had freaked me out for the longest time. Mainly because I envisioned my own hair being sucked into the vacuum-like wand and getting tangled for the rest of my life and having to get it cut out.

Just like that time I had to have my hair cut out of a swing set in my parents back yard when I was a kid. I was twirling and twirling the seat around and then boom. Hair caught. Devastation ensued.

Well, if I caught your interest, you’re going to have to read through this post to see if I like the Kiss InstaWave automatic curler, and whether or not it scared me.

Initial thoughts:

  1. It was going to burn my fingers.
  2. My hair was going to get caught.
  3. It was going to be easy to use.
  4. My hair would stay curled.

Unfortunately for 3 and 4, it was false to all, even after using the tool a number of times. Sigh.

The curler itself has two heat settings: low and high. I set it on low because my fine hair doesn’t need to go up to 420*F any any time in its hair-life. It also has two directions you can rotate the iron which makes an obnoxious noise when you use it. But that’s nothing to fret over.

Curling-my-hair

Letting-hair-goIt’s important to note that you remove your curl going in a downwards (not out/diagonal) motion. I’m not sure what happens if you break the rules and take your hair out diagonally. I decided not to try.

Curling-harCurling this side of my head (and the back side) was something I’ll definitely have to get used to. I found it quite difficult. This is my annoyed face. It took a couple of tries to get this particular piece of hair to curl without falling out. It’s my hairs problem, not the product. My hair is too silky, even as second-day-hair.

Tangled-hairI tangled my hair a couple of times, but it didn’t get stuck like I thought it would. I had to take this picture though, the curl after that little rats nest needed another moment in the automatic curler. Hoo, wee.

After-curlingAfter I curled all of my hair. It left it with more of a wave, and it didn’t take nearly as long as it would with a regular curling wand – did the trick, and if I really wanted it to stay put, I would’ve had to spray a ton of hairspray in. I just left it be, though.

Reasons why I’m pretty sure it didn’t work in my hair:

  1. My hair is difficult to curl (and hold a curl without an entire can of hair spray).
  2. My hair is silky and fine, thus making it slip out of the automatic curler and not have a strong curl from the beginning.

Who I think would benefit from this type of curling wand:

  1. Those who are lucky and have a ton of thick hair.
  2. People with longer than shoulder length hair.

With-curler-in-hand

What are your thoughts on an instant curling product? Would you use it?

Disclaimer: I received this product for review.

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How to wear the Dior Lip & Cheek Glow

Dior-Lip-Glow-headerAs I’ve stated many a time, I love a sun kissed and dewy look to my makeup. The only powder I wear on my face is a bronzing colour (mainly gravitate towards California Bronze by bareMinerals, see how I apply it!) and everything else is cream or liquid based.

Lip-and-Cheek-Glow-Size-comDior Lip & Cheek Glow is perfectly marketed towards people like me. Dual purpose, takes up little room in the makeup bag since it’s one product, not two. And, created a lasting all day colour to the cheeks and lips.

Here, let me explain.

Dior-Cheek-and-Lip-GlowWhen I first opened it up, I was all “Oh hayy no, this won’t work”. Since it was a bright pink, and I usually go for either softer natural looking blushes, or something with peachy undertones.

Dior-Lip-and-Cheek-GlowEven opening the nail polish like bottle, and looking at the applicator, I thought it was a little weird. It smells minty (yum). You’ll notice that the applicator is a soft spongy round shape. I apply the smallest amount to my cheeks and layer it, because I can see myself messing it up and having a weird stain blob on my cheekbones.

However, I have it all down pat now, since I’ve been using it often after I received it in January. The soft, round applicator is perfect for lip application, but to use it on your cheeks, I dab the applicator directly to the cheek bones, and blend (dab) with my ring finger. It’ll feel wet (like water, duh) when you’re dabbing it in, but it’ll dry up and leave a nice stain to the cheeks. You can also layer it until you get the desired pigment colour.

Applying-Dior-Cheek-Glow

Blending-Dior-Cheek-Glow

For my lips, I also use the applicator and apply a couple of dabs to the bottom lip, and blend the rest in with my finger. I don’t like a ton of colour on my lips, and this just adds a subtle amount of pink. Lip-and-Cheek-Glow-on-lips

I have read reviews in the past about Benefits Bentints, but they are more like a runny texture and more vibrant in colour – where as the Dior Lip & Cheek Glow is a bit thicker, gel consistency smells amazing and most likely would be easier to work with than a more liquidy finish. I can’t compare the two though, as I haven’t tested the Benetints for myself.

The finished look, with my laundry bin and hair dryer just hanging out in the background.
Lip-and-Cheek-Glow-After

 Disclaimer: Dior Cheek & Lip Glow was sent for review 

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