Ipsy Bag June 2013 - On the Wild Side

I received my Ipsy bag a few days ago and couldn't wait to see which bag I was receiving.  It appears that the multiple variations from last month my be a new Ipsy trend.  Here is bag #1:

First look out of the pink bubble mailer..

A first look at all of the products..3 full sized items!

A nice full and well-rounded bag..definitely worth the $10 price!

My next bag will arrive in a few days and I will update this post with pics and reviews upon receiving it!

Want to subscribe? The wait list is often less than two weeks and you will get one in time for July.  If planning to subscribe, please use my referral link :) http://www.ipsy.com/?refer=u-h7y8n1ualby56gz 

Birchbox June 2013 - Wanderlust

This months Birchbox was much better than last month's box!  Below I featured the two products I'm most excited to try but love the entire box as a whole!

 

New logo launched this month..this is going to take getting used to!

Love the patterned lid!

Love the sample sizes this month!  Davines Love shampoo 2.5 oz!!  Too bad this contains sulfates, which I do not use.  Davines Love conditioner and Oil foil packets (unfortunately can not review these 3 items separately, so instead of 60 points, this box is only worth 40 points.

Laqa &Co Lil' Lip - very generous size "sample" that is more than ample to travel with and throw in my makeup bag.  No color listed, but is a fuchsia color.

Also included are 4 postcards pictured in the back of New York, Paris, London, and Barcelona, the inspiration for the Wanderlust collection nail polishes.

Color club mini- Birchbox exclusive in the shade London Calling

Suki exfoliate foaming cleanser 7.5 ml .25fl oz - Love getting samples in tiny jars!

Birchbox had over 40 variations this month.  I received box 6, after updating my profile last month as part of revamping their log and website.  This month marked one year of joining Birchbox.  See last June's box here.

Thinking about joining?  Birchbox has a great point system where you earn 10 points for each product reviewed in your monthly box and equals $1..so for $10 your are getting back around $5 per box to buy anything including gift subscriptions in $10 increments.  IF planning to join, I'd love for you to use my referral link listed here:  http://birch.ly/10oUiuJ
 
How did you like this month's box?  Comment below!

May 2013 Citrus Lane with Pics!

 

This month's Citrus Lane was for a 16 month old boy.  Very happy with the box, but have to say, I miss the themes!

 

N loved the veggie and fruit crisps, think firmer and healthy fruit roll up.  Not loving the rice cakes so much, but they did not go to waste lol.  Approximate value: $2.99 each

Retails for $9.99 from Barefoot books site, aged at 3-7 years old, but that doesn't bother me..I love always be happy to receive books!

Race car by Green toys.  I was happy to get this..Had been eying on Amazon for months. Ranged on Amazon anywhere from $5.80 to $8.  Retails for $8.99.

Can you believe this was once a milk carton?  Green toys makes all of their products from recycled materials.

Deep Steep.  A 100% Natural product.  A mom gift that I gave to Daddy lol.  Approximate value $6.



Overall, another great month for Citrus Lane.  Approximate value for this month's box was $31.  Subscription costs $25 per month, so definitely worth the retail value, especially in factoring in the free shipping.  The couponer in me however says I can get these items cheaper, but honestly, I love getting a box for N in the mail and have discovered some awesome products!  If you would like to subscribe you can save more by signing up for a 6 month subscription for $125 (rounds out to be $21/month).  Save an additional $10 if you use my referral link (we both get $10) https://www.citruslane.com/invitedby/nikkia.dowling 

Already have Citrus Lane?  What's been your favorite item to date?  Comment below!

May Ipsy 2013

Happy SUNDAY!  I'm a bit behind, but good news is that I have finished my spring quarter of school and will have a much lighter load this summer.  Meaning= quicker reviews!!  Here are my May Ipsy bags (yes bags).  May's bag was such an awesome value and Ipsy changed from just have 1 or 2 either or variations to multiple variations. So to increase my chances of getting what I really really wanted (Macadamia treatment oil), I created another account.

 

Main account: 

 

 



Overall a very solid bag..I was very pleased with this bag and a month later can say honestly I have used everything except the Urban Decay shadow.

 

This was an extra that selected Ipsy members received.  Thrilled to get this..a $20 value!!  Unfortunately I am not skilled enough to pull this off and it was too beautiful to sit in my vanity and get wasted, so I traded this for a few other items with a fellow Makeup Talk member.

Pacifica is a brand I've tried before through Ipsy.  Love them..cruelty free brand..this product has a light scent with shimmer..perfect for summer!

I am probably late, but I am loving Juice Beauty.  This has been my go to.  I sheer lipgloss in the shade Pink.

 

Yaby brand concealer in Pecan.  Actually a great match for my skin tone..they used my profile!

Zoya nail polish..big 5 free brand.  I LOVE Zoya..this is the other reason for the 2nd sub this month. Retails at $8.  This color is Piaf from the Spring 2013 Lovey Collection.  See color on my nails in pics below.

 

Retails for $12.  Received this scent in both bags.  Ipsy sampled this scent and Island Vanilla.

 

 

Bag #2

 

Created a profile with same ethnic background and skin type so I could actually use products tailored to me, but changed my style items and celebrities I follow:

 

Mirabella Lipstick in Posy.  (Note I am wearing Piaf on my nails!)

Swatch..Nice color for my work look!

 

Zoya in the shade Gie Gie, also from 2013 Lovey Collection

 

 

Anastasia Brow gel...I have to admit this was the one product I cringed when I saw what I was getting.  I received the Chella brow gel in December's (?) bag and it was okay but nothing clear mascara can't do.  But I have used this EVERY day.  It holds all day and does not flake at all...LOVE LOVE LOVE! Will def. purchase full size.

 

Another Yaby concealer (everyone received the concealer and Zoya, the other items were variations.  Obviously they did not look at profiles of persons who signed up late.  A lot complained about this as very fair people got pecan or honey (which is the shade I traded this for..also a good match for me during winter months.

 

In all, this has definitely been my favorite month of ipsy.  I've been subscribed since November 2012 and while pleased..this has took the cake.  I am sure to be a long time customer if bags like this with exceptional value continues. 

Want to subscribe?  The wait list is often less than two weeks.  If planning to subscribe, please use my referral link :)  http://www.ipsy.com/?refer=u-h7y8n1ualby56gz  Happy subbing!

 

 

May 2013 Birchbox with Pics - Beauty Diaries

My Birchbox arrived yesterday!!  This is the soonest (9th of the month) that it's gotten to me as well as the fastest (came 4 days sooner than ETA).  Thank you Birchbox!  Here is my box:

Love that I have 5 items to review; makes it easier to get to my next $10 reward.  Upon first look, great size samples.

Info card and Pilot Pantone pen, which is one of the possible lifestyle extras this month.

Vitivia: contains 6 capsules for skincare
Lip Fusion Infatuation: .09g in La Lip Jolie
Cotz Face: SPF 40, blends into natural skintone 3.0g
Beauty Protector: no size (1oz?), Detangles, protects, leave-in conditioner, all-in-one, and 100% vegan

 The beauty Protector is the only thing I've tried so far.  IT has great reviews and is great for all hair types.  While I love the smell and how soft it made my hair feel, I don't know if it's worth the $21 it retails for, but hey!  That is what birchbox points are for.

 

Interested in trying out Birchbox and receive deluxe samples each month?  Use my special link, if you please! 

Birchbox has over 30 variations of their boxes each month, customized based on your profile (age, income, interests, make-up habits..)  Your boxes upload on the account page on the 10th of each month if you want to know what to expect before it arrives.  Which variation did/will you receive? Comment below!

April 2013 Citrus Lane - 15 month old box



Here is my April Citrus Lane box!  Very pleased with this month's contents.  Here they are for a 15 month old baby boy:

 

I love Melissa and Doug toys..very good quality and wooden!

Silicon Mat..perfect for outings.  We usually try to wipe the tables down but this mat will put my mind at ease a bit more!

Full size Honest Company shampoo and body wash.  I was hoping for the sunscreen, but I'll never NOT need soap.



Love, love, love snack containers..not too much I can say about this one.  Useful and functional!


Did you love your box?  Thinking of subscribing?  Comment below!


April 2013 Birchbox

 

Better late than never!  Here is my April Birchbox..unfortunately not a lot to review.  Hence the reason for this late post.  Birchbox has not returned my love for them.  I received my box among the last waves and honestly not very impressed with any of these items.  The theme this month was sponsored by Women's Health magazine which also provided a free one year subscription to Birchbox subscribers.

 

 

Box contents

 

Overall:  Very happy with sample sizes.  I traded the Young Blood mattifer with someone on Makeup Talk, however the size was generous.  Actually this was the first box I received that had not one but 3 spoilers in it.  Nothing really excited for, but new (to me) items.