November 2014 BoxyCharm Unboxing and December Spoiler

Last month I wrote a post on my first ever BoxyCharm box that I received.  I loved it so much that I cancelled GlossyBox and decided to keep the subscription!!  Each box comes with 4-5 full sized products each month and they are mostly all makeup!! Just the kind of box I needed. I love my Birchbox and Sample Society but get a nice mix of haircare and skincare with them.

This months theme was Sparkle and Shine.  Ummmmmm, Mudpipes and GLITTER people!! I love sparkle and shine.

Before I show you my goodies I want to let you know that the waitlist is currently turned off and you can get a subscription to BoxyCharm right away! It is $21 a month but the value of the box is FAR exceeded by the products received.  Click HERE to sign up today :)  They are similar to Birchbox in that after you review the products you receive, you get credits (charms) added to your account that go towards products available in their online store.

Okay first up is a product that blew my mind after using.  Mica Beauty Eye Primer.

This product is for eye lids to help eyeshadow stay on longer.  I decided to try it under my eyes as a concealer primer and boy did it work.  My concealer did not crease all day. I called my mom freaking out as we are constantly looking for a holy grail product that does that! This is a full size product valued at $44.95!! I probably could have even just used it as concealer since it is flesh colored and did a great job of evening my skin tone, too.  Loved this product!

Next is a product that I decided to throw on at the last minute on Thanksgiving since I had done purple eye makeup.  Kevin Murphy Color Bug.

Of course it is in my favorite color, too! It is non permanent and washes out. Since I have such light hair I did put some leave in conditioner on before I rubbed the chalk on.  Put a towel on your shoulders to protect your clothes as it does get messy since it is chalky.  I loved it.  My best friend Shanna has purple hair right now too and we love that we can try it without the commitment.  You will need to do a search on their site to find the nearest retailer or buy online or at Amazon.  Full size valued at $21.95!

Next up is another product I used on Thanksgiving for my eye makeup.  Tarina Tarantino's EyeLicity Glitter Liner in Glitter Mist.

It goes on super smooth and I put it on over black liner to really make it pop.  Full size valued at $16!

Next up is Ofra Blush in Paradise Pink.

This is a really pretty color.  Like a mauve.  I like corals for both summer and winter as they look really nice on my skin but this looked really pretty too.  Its amazing how a new color blush can change your face.  Wow, I used this on turkey day, too.  Makeup of the day all done by Boxycharm, HAHA!  It is very smooth and highly, highly pigmented so a little goes a long way.  Remember to not use too much or you will look like a clown.  Full size valued at $24.95!!

Last up is Bellapierre Cosmetics Shimmer Pigment in Sensation.

I haven't used this yet and I know it looks like it will be messy but give off some incredible shimmer.  I would probably put this just in the corner of my eyes to brighten them up.  This is full sized valued at $14.99!!

So as you can see the value of this box far exceeds the cost at a whopping $122.84!!  I am very pleased with this months box.  Click HERE to read last months unboxing and see how pleased I was also with that box!

And here is my complete edgy look that I wore for Thanksgiving :)

Second favorite to my makeup was my tights, I just loved them and bought them last year and didn't find them again until I was packing last weekend!  WHICH by the way we will be moved in to our new house on Monday so shortly thereafter I can get back to baking and crafting and sharing some really awesome ideas with ya'll for the upcoming holidays :)  Again, the reason I started this blog was to keep myself busy while mourning the loss of my daddy and I will especially need it during the holidays xo

I hope you all enjoyed the unboxing and maybe it inspired you to sign up to Boxycharm.  A little piece of advice, if you don't like spoilers, don't follow them on Facebook as they give spoilers leading up until the next months box is sent out!

But I will tell you this entire FULL SIZE palette, valued at $39.95, will be in the December box!!  It is comparable to Urban Decays Naked palette :)

Do you already get Boxycharm?  What did you think of this month's box?

Let us know in the comments below!!

Have a great day!! xo

Pucker Up Darlings-Lip Gloss Favorites

I have always been a lip gloss girl.  Sometimes lipstick is just too much but I am a sucker for a great glossy pout.  I love coral's, maroon's, nudes and shimmers.  Today I wanted to share the ones I have been sporting lately and give some lip gloss reviews and recommendations, thanks to my beauty boxes.

First is my newest fav (and the one my kisser is sporting above)!

LOREAL's Color Riche Extraordinary Lip Color in Coral Encore.  It goes on like a gloss but stays put like a lipstick.  Look at that shine.  The color is simply smashing.

Next up is one of the first ones I ever received and wore it every day.

Bareminerals Marvelous Moxie in Maverick.  The color is described as a rosewood shimmer.  I'm noticing it looks a lot darker on my hand than on my lips.  It smells like chocolate, but is infused with shea butter, avocado and murumuru butters.  Enough said.

Bella Pierre Cosmetics Super Lip Gloss in Vanilla Pink.  I received this full size one in my Glossybox.  At first glance, I did not think I was going to like it as it was pink.  But as you can see it is a more shimmery mauve color and it also smells incredible.  My hubby really likes it when he kisses me :) It isn't sticky either.....or he wouldn't be kissing me ;) Plus it plumps my lips when I wear it.  Cheaper than surgery!

Julep's Lip Gloss in Charming.  This came in a Maven box that I ordered and I didn't think I was going to like the color either.  It is a shimmery nude color and super pretty on with tons of shimmer.

Benefit's Coralista Ultra Plush Lip Gloss.  I knew I was going to love this one! It's coral after all!  High shine as you can clearly see. and the perfect summer gloss :) Only con is you have to squeeze it out and I am not a huge fan of that.  They also make a blush in this color!

Rimmel's Stay Glossy 3D in Popcorn for 2.  This came in a special edition Birchbox.  Pure gloss.  Its pretty on its on as a sheer shimmer or it can be layered on top of any other color!  It is a smidge sticky.

Another winner by Benefit!  Hoola Lip Gloss.  They also make a bronzer in this color that I use.  The gloss is another shimmery nude.

NYX Butter Gloss in Eclair. This came in an Ipsy bag.  I was sure I wasn't going to like it as it is pink but it goes on so smooth and creamy and I think it looks great!  Thanks to the lighting for making me look orange in the above pic.....haha!

Lastly, I received some samples for Urban Decay's Revolution Lipstick.

I am wearing Liar.  It is really pretty, I also tried 69.  They don't come out as dark as they look from the samples though.  I put on about 3 coats just to achieve the look above.  They are sold in sticks so maybe it comes out darker when not using a lip brush for application.

The last thing that I got free was from Jouer.  It is their Essential Lip Enhancer.

It is pretty much a chapstick feel in a way.  I don't mean to minimize the product in any way, I love it and am glad I received it but so far I haven't been able to justify the $14 price tag.  Maybe continuous use will make a difference in plumping up my lips.

The thing I want to recommend is e.l.f.'s lip exfoliator!! I forgot to take a pic :)

It is amazing!  And only $3!! It removes dry dead skin on chapped lips but moisturizes too.

And there ya have it!

I would love to know your favorite glosses!

Let me know in the comments below :)

Have a great day!!

Old Faithful (My Top Go To Brands & Products)

Good morning!!

Yesterday my friend and I got to talking and she asked me if I had a list compiled of what I use and always go back to when making purchases.  Um.....can you believe I don't??  With all the subscriptions I have and all the things that I have tried, it is a great question!

I mean, hey, I love experimenting with different colors and textures but there are certain things that I have to have.  Ya know, if you could bring one thing on a deserted island....blah, blah, blah :)

The very first thing I put on my face is Murad's Oil Control Mattfier to prevent oil slicks on my face.

This truly is a miracle product for oily skin.  On the surface it reduces shine and underneath it controls breakouts.  Before using this I was using those oil blotting sheets several times a day and I haven't had to use one since!  Make sure you are patting this on your face, not rubbing it in, I find it is much more effective that way.

Next up is Benefit's POREFESSIONAL for my primer.

This fills in my pores that are the size of potholes and fine lines.  It provides a smooth canvas for makeup application and keeps my makeup from sliding off my face during the day.  It is flesh colored and can be used after makeup for touch ups but I have never needed to do that :) Some primers that I have tried are oily going on or tend to "ball up" on my face and this one has never let me down.  I also like to use Laura Mercier's Radiance Bronze Primer too if my skin is way too white in the winter.  I would put it on before my Porefessional.

Next up is my concealer, IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye.

I have hereditary dark circles (thanks Mom!) and my trick to help keep them covered is to put my concealer on before my foundation.  That way I get double coverage and am able to blend them both together for a seamless finish.  Now, if I was up all night with my new puppy, which I have been lately, sometimes I may need a dab over my foundation too!  70% of women are Neutral Medium.  This is a cream concealer, not a liquid so a little goes a long way.  I use my IT Cosmetics Brush to dab it on, not rub it, for an airbrush like finish.

I did order Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclait Concealer from Sephora and it will be here today.  This is the Creme de la Creme of concealers and I really wanted to try it and review it for ya'll so that will be coming soon!  I have heard rumors of dupes out there so I wanted to do some testing myself. :)

Foundation......depends on the season and I am actually still trying to find the perfect summer one.  I just ordered Becca's Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation and will review that soon, too.  In the fall and winter I use Hourglass Immaculate Mattifying Oil Free Foundation and it is my favorite!  And currently I am using Jouer's Luminizing Moisture Tint (read review here).

For blush, I LOVE Benefit's Benetint.

It is both a cheek and lip stain and it works for both!  As a cheek stain, it gives me a sexy flush and lasts all day long!  3 swipes on the apples of my cheeks and I'm done! I would love a sample of Cha Cha Tint as I love coral colors too :)

Eyebrows....I tried a ton of products and keep going back to IT Cosmetics Universal Brow Power Pencil.

The biggest pro for me is the color.  It can be as light or as dark as I want but it is closest to the natural taupe color of my brows.  Plus for every one sold, IT Cosmetics will donate one to the Look Good, Feel Better Foundation for women fighting cancer, which is a subject very close to my heart.

Here is my makeup of the day today!!

I am wearing all of the above and Benefit's They're Real Push Up Gel Liner. This will be another go to product from here out.  Read my latest review on it, HERE!

For eyeshadow, I am wearing Covergirl Bombshell in Ice Queen as an eyelid primer and ELF's mineral eyeshadow in Smoldering. My lashes are wearing Benefit's They're Real Mascara.  I go back and forth between black and colored mascaras and honestly I have not had to buy mascara in ages because I have so many!

I am wearing my Laura Mercier Highlighter from my latest Sample Society box and Benefit's Hoola Bronzer.Lips are wearing Bella Pierre Vanilla Pink from one of my Glossyboxes.

So.....ya think I am the poster girl for Benefit or what??  They were truly the first brand I trusted and used when I started my makeup obsession and I will continue to love them.  The only product they have ever let me down on was the Boing concealer...but that is a topic for another day!

I would love to know what ya'll use as a setting powder for your makeup.  I am still looking for the "One".

Let me know in the comments below!!

Also, don't forget, we still have a HUGE giveaway going on until next week so enter on the Mudpipes & Glitter Facebook page's Giveaway tab or click HERE!

Have a great day!!