Sneak Peek: Birchbox July 2014

{PART 1}

{PART 2}

To learn more about Birchbox Plus & to upgrade your July box go HERE!!!
*Upgrade your July Birchbox by July 27th


    So, what do you think of Birchbox's exciting new offers?  I am really excited to have the option to pick one of my items (I was able to secure the Ruffian Nail Polish in Rosary) for my July box, and I hope that they will continue to do this. As for the upgrade, I didn't go for it this month, only because I didn't care for the charger or headphones, & I already have the Beauty Protect & Refresh (which I LOVE), but I can see this being a success as well.Overall, I am really pleased that Birchbox listened to their subscribers requests for sample selections & box upgrades, they are really stepping up their game!

    Were you able to pick a sample for your July box? If so, which one? If not which would you like to be surprised with? Were you tempted to upgrade your box this month? If so, what item did you pick?

Birchbox June 2014!

    My June "Away We Go" themed Birchbox wasn't a big hit with me. I've said it before & I will say it again, I want more makeup related products & more full size items!!! Although, I must say this is not the worst Birchbox I have ever received. Usually my box has three to four 'foil packet' type samples & one deluxe size lip product or a one ounce hair product, and almost ALWAYS some form of a tinted moisturizer / BB cream / sunscreen. Anyway, back to the box, I am not really excited about anything. I get so many eyeliners in subscription boxes, I literally have like ten or more unopened that I have accumulated from subs alone, so that was a disappointment. The same goes for the Coola product, I have received many Coola products from Birchbox, Ipsy, & other subs. The body cream & body wash smell good, but it doesn't excite me. The only thing that I am looking forward to trying is the Nyakio Skin Care sampler that includes a coffee face polish, coffee body scrub, & a face oil. Overall, I do feel that for $10 a month Birchbox is definitely worth it, my boxes almost always have a value of $20 or more, so you are getting your moneys worth. Especially when you add on the Birchbox Points system which is amazing! If you do your monthly reviews then that is $5 per month to spend in their shop!    

• Perlier Body Cream (Estimated Value $4.25)

• COOLA Tinted Matte SPF 30 for Face (Estimated Value $3.60)

• Antica Farmacista Bath & Body Wash (Estimated Value $2.50)

• Cynthia Rowley Beauty Black Eyeliner (Estimated Value $12.00)

• Nyakio Skin Care Sampler (Estimated Value $5.39)

TOTAL VALUE:  $27.74  or  $32.74 if you add the review points value to the total.

***You can sign up for Birchbox HERE***

What did you get in your box? Let me know in the comments below!

 

MINI CCO HAUL + GIVEAWAY!!!

    I love going to my local CCOs! It is so exciting to see what they have, find some treasures, & get quality products for a discounted price. I have had alot of luck especially with limited edition items, or items of collections past that have sold out quickly. I recently went to two of my local CCOs this past week and have a mini haul to show you! I am pretty pleased with my purchases & even picked up something for a giveaway!

MAC-Riri Woo  /  Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick-Beige  /  MAC-Viva Glam Nicki}

{Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Beige}

{MAC-Riri Woo  /  MAC-Viva Glam Nicki}

{Tom Ford-Slander  /  MAC Soft Ochre}

{Tom Ford-Slander (limited edition)}

{Tom Ford-Slander  /  MAC-Soft Ochre}

1.  Riri <3's MAC lipstick in Riri Woo (LE)                paid-$11.75 originally-$16.50 saved-$4.75
2.  Riri <3's MAC lipstick (LE) {GIVEAWAY!!!}             -$11.75                 -$16.50          -$4.75 
3.  Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Beige                          -$29.50                 -$42.00          -$12.50
4.  MAC Viva Glam Nicki lipstick (LE)                             -$10.50                 -$15.00          -$4.50
5.  Tom Ford Jasmine Rouge lipstick in Slander (LE)        -$34.50                 -$49.00          -$14.50
6.  MAC Paintpot in Soft Ochre                                          -$14.00                 -$20.00          -$6.00

                                                                                    total paid-$112.00                    total saved-$47.00                                                                                                     (+TAX)

What is a CCO?
A CCO is a Cosmetic Company Outlet, owned by Estee Lauder. They carry Estee Lauder, MAC, Tom Ford, Bobbi Brown, Smashbox, Clinique, Origins, & other brands owned by Estee Lauder. You will find permanent & limited edition products priced at up to half off of the original price.
Find a location near you HERE

GIVEAWAY!!!!
I am giving away one limited edition Riri <3's Mac lipstick!
To enter the giveaway...

1. Like this blog post!
2. Leave a comment on this post about your recent CCO finds, or any recent hauls of yours!
3. Like my facebook page HERE!
4. Leave a comment on the giveaway post on my facebook page!

***This giveaway is open to the Continental US only, & you must be 18 years or older.  The giveaway will end Monday July 21st, & I will announce the winner on my blog & my facebook page. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me before I choose a different winner.

GOOD LUCK!!!

DIOR 5 Couleurs Couture Colour Eyeshadow Palette Transat Edition in SUNDECK: Swatches

DIOR 5 Couleurs Couture Colour Eyeshadow Palette Transat Edition in SUNDECK 
Is limited edition & retails for $61

  "With a rope motif signed Dior, shades of blue and brown, sand and orange, are layered in shimmer, iridescent and satin finishes. These new colour harmonies captured by the 5 Couleurs palette are a make-up version of the luxury sportswear look so cherished by Christian Dior. A uniform for eyes that is both elegant and casual, worn both in town and on the beach."

          "Decked out in blue, brown, sand and orange, the 5 Couleurs palettes take on a summery nautical motif for their Transat Edition. A casual yet elegant uniform for the eyes to be worn with equal ease in the city or at the beach."    

TARTE Makin' Waves Best–Selling Summer Essentials Set: Swatches

TARTE Makin' Waves Best–Selling Summer Essentials Set

Dupe Alert: Urban Decay Electric Palette

BH Cosmetics Eyes on the '80s Eyeshadow Palette
Dupe For Urban Decay Electric Palette 

See it in action here with YouTube beauty guru SMLx0! She creates a beautiful bold look inspired by a summer sunset! And offers up an alternative to the Urban Decay Electric Palette!

Lorac Pro 2 Palette Swatches

Lorac Pro 2 Palette

(top row left to right)

(bottom row left to right)

The Best Of: My Makeup Collection Videos!

    We all love to watch them, so I have compiled a few (or more lol) of some more recent favs! I like watching them for many different reasons, they can give you ideas on storage, organization, & space utilization. But most of all, I just like to take a peek into someone else life... through their makeup. I know it sounds strange, but it can give you a rather different perspective. Also, I just love some makeup eye-candy! Seriously, I could just drool over some of these videos, either for their massive collection, their luxury "glory drawer", or just the insanely cute space that they have decorated & dubbed their "Makeup Room" (who doesn't want a room just for makeup?!)! So here they are in no particular order...

Tarababyz

Tarababyz

Lauren Curtis

Carli Bybel

Nicole Guerriero

Shaaanxo

Casey Holmes

gossmakeupartist

RAEview

emilynoel83

Amanda Ensing

Flowerbomb31

Flowerbomb31

Upcoming Mac Collections for 2014!!!

JUNE
MAC Pro Lipstick 2014 Collection - Jun 26, 2014 North America
Marian Newman Transformations Collection - Jun 26, 2014
MB/MES (repackage and extension) - Jun 26, 2014 North America
Moody Blooms Collection - Jun 26, 2014 North America


JULY
Nordstrom Anniversary Collection - Jul 10, 2014 North America
Studio Nail Lacquer Relaunch Collection - Jul 10, 2014 North America
Mineralize: Eyes 2014 Collection - Jul 31, 2014
Mineralize: Lip and Cheek 2014 Collection - Jul 31, 2014 North America
Studio Multi-effect Lash Collection (Nordies/MSO Prelaunch) - Jul 2014


AUGUST
Joey Arias Collection - Fall 2014
Veluxe Pearlfusion 2014 Collection - Aug 7, 2014 North America 
A Novel Romance Collection - Aug 21, 2014 North America / Sept International
Spring Trend Forecast 2014 Collection - Aug 21, 2014 North America

SEPTEMBER
Artificially Wild Collection - Sep 4, 2014 North America  
Casual Colour 2014 Collection - Sep 4, 2014 North America  
Nasty Gal Collection - Sep 4, 2014 MAC Online Exclusive & Select MAC Stores
Studio Sculpt 2014 Collection - Sep 4, 2014
The Simpsons Collection - Sep 4, 2014 North America 
Turquatic 2014 Collection - Sep 4, 2014 North America  
Matchmaster 2014 Collection - Sep 11, 2014 North America
Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Collection - Sep 11, 2014 North America


OCTOBER
Brooke Shields Beauty Icon Collection - Oct 2, 2014 North America
Rocky Horror Picture Show Collection - Oct 2, 2014 MAC Store Exclusive
Ultimate Collection - Oct 2, 2014 North America
Kinky Boots Collection - Oct 9, 2014 MAC Online Exclusive & Select MAC Stores
The Matte Lip Collection - Oct 9, 2014 North America / Oct 2014 International 

    I must say, I am pretty excited for the rest of the year in MAC collections! Particularly interested in The Simpsons & Rocky Horror Picture Show, I am hoping for some unique limited edition packaging! Also Nasty Gal, Artifically Wild, A Novel Romance, & the Ultimate collection sound pretty promising!  What are you most excited for?  What are you expecting or hoping for from these collections? I would love to know your thoughts!!!

Birchbox Special July offer: Pick your nail polish or lip stain shade!

    I just received an email from Birchbox with the following:      

    We love surprises—there's nothing more delightful than getting samples every month handpicked just for you—but sometimes we like to pick exactly what we want (and we know you do too). That's why we're giving you the chance to do some of the selecting yourself: This month, you can pick the shade of Ruffian Nail Polish that you'll receive in your  July box! But act fast—quantities are limited!      
    
Rather add a lip stain to your collection? Pick a lip stain from Cynthia Rowley Beauty instead.      

Pick by 6/26 to get your shade!   

    Note: This offer is available for Birchbox subscribers only and is not transferable. Limit of one order per customer. This offer is available exclusively for the intended recipient.

 

Click here for the Ruffian Nail Polish selection
Click here for the Cynthia Rowley Beauty Lip Stain selection

Try checking your email to see if you have the same or even a different offer!!!

Link Love

BuzzFeedYellow's video People Try Contouring For The First Time! Supper Funny... Enjoy :)

Hot New Products: Contouring

    Contouring seems to be the hottest new beauty trend, & recently there has been quite a few new  products for contouring & highlighting  released in various different forms & styles by well known brands. Here are just a few...
 

{ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Contour Kit / BECCA Contour Perfector}

{NARS Contour Blush / SMASHBOX Step-By-Step Contour Kit}

{MAKE UP FOR EVER Sculpting Kit / TARTE The Sculptor Contouring Face Slenderizer}

New at Sephora: Summer Makeup Value Sets

    I love value sets, & Sephora always come out with the best, especially around summer! Here are a few of my favorite that have just released for summer. Some are VIB exclusives...

{SEPHORA FAVORITES Summerstash / SEPHORA FAVORITES Meet Your Match} 

{JOSIE MARAN Four-Piece Glowing Beauty Set  / TARTE Makin' Waves Best–Selling Summer Essentials Set}

{TOO FACED La Crème de La Crème Long Lasting Lip Collection / TOO FACED Pardon My French Set}  

  

{STILA HereComes The Sun Makeup Set / BECCA 24/7 Tints Kit}

{OCC In Your Face Kit / OCC Lip Tar Test Tubes x 3 Set}

{BUXOM Full-Bodied Lip Gloss Collection - Nudes & Brights  / LAURA MERCIER Hi–Lite Duo}