Mary Kay Vox Box Review

MY FAVORITE BOX BY FAR TO DATE!!!

The value is unbeatable, I was a kid in a candy stone unboxing this!

I pulled these reviews from one of my favorite blogs:

Mary Kay Bronzing Powder: ($18.00) This powder is on the shimmery side. It’s very light. I wouldn’t call it sheer as you could clearly see its pigmentation. It’s one that you could definitely build. It’s safe to say it’s a bronzer good for beginners. There’s no way you could start off with way too much, no matter how heavy of a hand you have. However, I’d caution to say that those with oily skin may want to be careful with applying too much. I give this product a B. 

Mary Kay NouriShine Plus Lip Gloss in Mango Tango: ($14.00) This lipgloss wasn’t too sticky. It had a great pigmentation for a red. It reminded me a lot of the Revlon Lustrous lip gloss in Firecracker (not sure if this is still available). When worn alone, it looks like you’ve been sucking on a watermelon popsicle. When worn over a red lipstick, it looks absolutely perfect. I give this product a B+.

Mary Kay Gel Eyeliner with expandable applicator in Jet Black: ($18.00) Quite possibly the best gel liner I have tried. It is pigmented beyond belief. If you like a thin liner, I’d skip the applicator brush (it would be perfect for applying red lipstick vice liner). It also takes a lot to remove. I give this product an A.

Mary Kay Cream Eye Color in Apricot Twist: ($14.00) This cream shadow is so beautiful on its own. It works extremely well on oily lids as it barely moves throughout the day. I give this product an A.

Mary Kay Lash Love Mascara: ($15.00) This mascara came very wet. If you know mascara, you know you can’t judge it until it dries a little. I could give it a horrible review, but I know it would not be accurate as I’ve had so many favorite mascaras grow on me only after having it in my possession for a couple of weeks before performing as promised. I give this product no grade as it would be inaccurate.

Mary Kay Translucent Loose Powder: ($16.00) This powder worked blended beautifully without giving too much of a white cast. I don’t wear loose powder over my foundation as I do use powder foundation. (Powder over powder is never a good idea…) However, I could see myself using this to touch up during the day. This is another product I would currently not grade considering I haven’t used it as I intend to. *review of this product will come at a later date.

Mary Kay Mineral Cheek Color in Shy Blush: ($12.00) Similar to the bronzer, this blush is very minimal and great for beginners. It’s very shimmery, similar to that of NARS Orgasm.  I give this product a B+.

 

Raise Your Arms!

Thanks to Influenster and Dove I received a full size Dove Advanced Care Deodorant with Nutrium Moisture. Of course I was glad- free deodorant- but I didn’t expect to fall in love.  I find my underarms to be irritated and dark, I assume it’s a common problem and that’s why Dove’s VisiblelySmooth and ClearTone products exist- yes, yes, unfortunately for them I was already a Dove user!  This seems to work just as well in those departments though- as well as keep me drier!  So I will be making the switch!  Thanks again!

Jolly VoxBox!

Hey guys I know it’s been awhile and I owe you a TON of reviews… I think 2 Ipsys, a glossybox (which is on livingsocial!), a facy box, a popsugar.. oh my.. may be too late… BUT my love of free stuff as brought me back!!!

I have been a member for a few months but I FINALLY figured out Influenster! It’s so easy!  I was active on the site- it was fun.  I try so many products that it was easy to review them.  Within days it seemed like I was active enough for them to reward with me a holly jolly voxbox 🙂  For those of you that don’t know- voxboxes are free goodies they send over to participating members to review!  It’s awesome and TOTALLY FREE!

 

It was everything I could of wished for 🙂

Puffs Ultra Soft & Strong To Go Tissue Pack $2.17

Personally, I hate buying mini-packs of anything because the value is always below the full size product so of course I didn’t mind getting these 🙂  They are a great addition to my glove compartment- much less damaging than Dunkin Donut napkins.

 

NYC New York Color HD Color Trio Eye Shadow $2.99

NYC is an awesome, affordable brand.  I love eyeshadows and the color I received was great- a brownish pinkish purple nude- was it late night latte?  I’m not sure.  I do not fear bold colors but there is also nothing wrong with some neutrals.  This brand works just fine and is always welcome in my purse! 🙂

 

Rimmel London NEW Show Off Lip Lacquer $4.99

I am a lipstick junkie but hate gloss.  I never tried this brand and I appreciated an introduction.  Funny, at first glance I thought it was mascara!  But nope it’s half gloss half stick haha! And SO affordable!  This is very hydrating for my always chapped lips.  The color is gorgeous and lasts much longer than a gloss. I will definitely purchase again.

 

Skinny Cow Candy $3.50

I have ALWAYS wanted to try SkinnyCow! Come on- how can you not with their marketing!?! I received chocolate and peanut butter- nomnom I was not disappointed! Yes they are proportioned to be guilt free but they are so luscious and melt it is really hard to just eat one.

 

Ducklings Mini Rolls $2

I received some tye-dye print.  I was happy to see this product because I do send a lot of packages and always look for cute packing tape. Although this is not the design I would normally go for (pink zebra please!) it was funky and totally fun and different. It is good to know this product exists.

 

All and all, this box had an awesome mix of products at a value of almost $16. Chocolates, makeup, and fun random stuff?  Yes please!  I am so thankful Influenster has introduced me to these items and I hope I can one day earn more! 🙂

 

Wantable December 2013

Wantable offers three different boxes- intimates, jewelry, and makeup.  Each box is unique, tailored to customer profiles after a series of EXTREMELY DETAILED product and personality questions. The box is $36 a month for subscribers, or $40 for a one time purchase.  You also have the option to skip months or return boxes.

Here is what I got!!!

  I am not WOWed by this but it is up my alley.  Most of my pieces are too bold so this might be a good compromise.

I love these earrings!!!! Favorite in the box.  I always do love earrings.  They are pretty and lightweight and I don’t really know what else to say except I already wore them haha.

I may of estimated my ring size about half a size too small. Oh well.  I’m not a big ring wearer but I’m trying to get into it so this is a nice piece.  I do love bows and shit 😉

I’ve also been trying to get into scarves this season.  This was super soft and silky ad I love my grays HOWEVER it was kind of an odd shape and even though it has a $35 price tag the fabric seems to be undoing itself a bit.

All and all, it was an awesome box.  I need to shy away from the makeup a bit so Wantable jewelry was a nice change of pace.  I will be using everything in this box and I am extremely satisfied.

UMCheeky December 2013

I never have enough underwear so the obvious thing to do was look into a subscription service.  I never thought I’d find one wit a promo that gets locked in for life!  Unmentionabley Cheeky is normally $8 a month, with the promo FALL13 on scrubbing you lock in $6 a month!  That’s $6 a month to recieve2 pairs of underwear for life!

They aren’t thongs, but they aren’t granny panties either.  I’m not blown away but at this price I’m going to give them a few months.

Beats my usual Victoria’s Secret purchase price!

Walnut Cranberry Biscotti dipped in Chocolate

I just happened walnuts and craisins laying around, that’s not weird is it?  So I did consulted Google and came up with this beauty!  Although I had some difficulties shaping them properly, they were still presentable and delicious!  Biscotti just means cookies in Italian anyway- who said they can’t be random oval thingies.

Warning: the dough was EXTREMELY crumb-y, but that’s fine.  Just did your hands in flour while shaping, they come out perfect.

The original recipe said “drizzle” the chocolate- but I obviously dipped.  The contrast was absolutely delectable.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups white-wheat lour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3 eggs
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 2/3 cup milk chocolate chips
• 2 teaspoon shortening

DIRECTIONS

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl, whisk eggs and vanilla; add to dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in walnuts and cranberries. Remember- dough will be crumby, but should somewhat stick.
• On a greased baking sheet, with lightly floured hands, shape each half into a 10-in. x 2-1/2-in. rectangle. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until golden brown.
• In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip biscotti in it and let stand until set, both the cookies and the chocolate really need to harden before serving.

Cand Cane Stripes Party Nail

I probably should of waited a day or two to take this picture because of course the excess polish has cleaned off… and it looks x8243 better… but whatever.. I’m not a manicurist, you get the point. But I am broke and have a ton of polishes from my boxes to experiment with.  I have to say, I do see improvement since my last attempt at nail art.

Just use tape 🙂

Lip Factory Novemer 2013

Lip Factory is a is an exclusive makeup subscription service to help you to explore the makeup brands that you have always wanted to try delivered to your door each month.  It’s $22 monthly and worth every penny.  They supposedly focus around lip products .

This month’s theme was actually “all about lips”- which I love.  I think they do this every 3 months?

Sorry I didn’t realize my pictures came out so dark!!

Palladio Herbal Lipgstick ($7) in I believe silver rose

I don’t usually opt for soft pink or shimmer so this is a happy new addition to my collection.

Retractable Lip Brush ($3.88)

Still havent figured out how to open this- not that I know what it’s used for.

Medusa’s Lip Gloss (Rumors) ($8)

This color scares me a little. Might pass it along to someone younger.

MODELCo – Lip Couture Lipstick ($17) in Luella

Perfect Fall color I lack.. and I LOVE that the case has a built in mirror, how perfect?!?!  This seems pretty long lasting and moisturizing.  I’d say it’s my favorite item from this month’s box.

Designer Skin – Fall Lip Shimmer  ($7.30)

After the spoilers I came across I was expecting a pink, not purple, but I order these to experiment so I will happily use this.  Not gonna lie I have no idea what color this was off the top of my head.  None of them on the site look like it.

Medusa’s Makeup – Lipstick (Red Square) ($12)

I d already have a bright red but this packaging is pretty cool even if it doesn’t fit into my lipstick holder thingy.  Anyway, I checked out this brand- man it’s intense! And affordable 🙂

As I predicted, it’s an amazing box.  Lip Factory clearly has an awesome value and I its 2 for 2 completely falling in love with at least one of the products.  Last month it was the blush and face mask, this month it’s MODELCo!

Taste Trunk- BBQ Trunk- November 2013

Taste Trunk is a monthly subscription box offering 5-10 products, discount coupons, backgrounds on the companies and amazing recipe ideas from one of four themes, including Gourmet, BBQ, Healthy and Sweet. Brands and items are hand selected and trunks are only $34.99/month!($29 + $5.99 shipping)

 

The package is heavy- you know for whatever psychological reasons we love that- and the packaging was pretty nifty.

The box came with recipes cards which were also packaged adorably.

 

Now for the goodies:::

 

Terrapin Ridge Smokey Onion Mustard $6.70

Unfortunately, I saw a spoiler in which this was actually brown sugar & pecan mustard flavor- which I was super excited about.  How often do you get to try that?!?!  But I guess it would of been more difficult to pair.  This will go great with a simple BBQ of hamburger and hotdogs. You win some, you loose some. Maybe I’ll still purchase it 🙂

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JB’S BBQ Sauce Ancho Peach $5.99

I think a lot of people are interested in fruity flavors, but would never make that purchase themselves.  At least that’s how I am.  Can’t wait to try it with some pork chops!

All Natural Susan’s Gourmet Pineapple and Ginger Teriyaki $2.50

I’m most excited about trying this one. Can’t really tell you why.  Yes, their is the fruity component I mentioned above… but I also just really like ginger and teriyaki.

 

 

Chateau White Garlic Marinade $5.00

I’m Italian so I have enough garlic in my life- and this kind of looks like salad dressing.  But whatever, i may not be an experiment, but it is a safe bet.

 

Two Snooty Chefs Herbs de Poulet Spice Blend $5.99

Simple, yet different. And what a cute name!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All and all the value of this box was a little on the low side, but for gifting purposes it was perfect with it’s black tissue paper, maroon ribbon, and recipe cards.  Plus these items are too unique for a weekly grocery store trip.  I will definitely purchase again!

DIY Candy Cane Bath Salts

Things You’ll Need

• 2 cups Epsom salt
• ½ cup sea salt
• peppermint essential oil (check eBay!)
•  red food coloring

Instructions

Place one cup of the Epsom salt in a small mixing bowl and add ¼ cup of sea salt. Add a drop of peppermint essential oil and mix thoroughly

Repeat the process in a separate container. Add the red food coloring to the second mixture and stir to combine.

In a wide-mouth glass jar, spoon a layer (I used a funnel made of a a cut Gatorade bottle) of the first Epsom salt mixture into the bottom of the jar. Make a layer of the red salt mixture over the white mixture. This will give the bath salts a striped look. Continue layering the salts until they are all used.

How easy was that?!?!?!