December 2014 Sample Society Unboxing

The last few months were meh months for Allure's Sample Society in my eyes, including last month's.  Read about it HERE.  So of course I was super excited when I opened this month's box. They surely made up for it with the goodies in the December Sample Society box which I was hopeful for with it being the holidays and all.

For those that are new here (thanks to my last giveaway we have tons of new people.....say hello ya'll!), Sample Society is a monthly beauty subscription full of deluxe to full sized items for $15 a month.  We all get the same box so that is the only drawback, that there is no personal profile to fill out.  Each month you also get a $10 off $50 purchase coupon to be used on Beauty.com (just like Sephora's site).  Click HERE to sign up today!

Let's get to reviewing, shall we......

Now I am excited about each item so this is surely not in order of preference here.

First up is Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Eye Creme.

Since I am piggybacking off of the Double Wear post I thought I would do this little guy first.  Okay, he may be small but he packs a punch (ha, I feel like I've heard that somewhere before I was married)......this creme reduces all the signs of aging around the eyes.  It is cool and more like a gel than a creme.  I have been using it every night for the last few nights and I will tell you it is making a difference.  My under eye area is much more hydrated and I can tell when I put my concealer on. The price point is high, as with most Estee Lauder items, but it inevitably seems like it will be worth it for the results.

Next up is Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base.

I love highlighters and luminizers so was happy to see this.  And what is even better is all the ones I have ever used have been pink or golden and this one is like a white sheen.  It comes in two colors and this is called Nude Radiance.

with flash

without flash

It is pretty and thin so it doesn't make your makeup drag or move when applying it.  Perfect to have in my makeup bag in my purse, but the staying power on this over blush and other points is great.  I am going to try adding this to my foundation next to give an all over healthy glow.  This seems just the right consistency and is not shimmery but luminous (duh, Brooke, that's the name of it....)

Next, is RGB Nail Polish in OxBlood.

Full size bottle valued at $18 so we have already exceeded the cost of the box.  This picture does not do it justice.  I love dark colors and this is no exception.  And funny enough it does look like blood on my fingertips.

I also think it complements my skin tone which is just another plus.  This is two coats and you can't get away with one.  But I don't have a glossy top coat on (just a quick dry) so you can see how shiny the polish itself is.

Next up is Butter London's Lippy in Abbey Rose.

This is also a full size product, valued at $20.  The color is very pretty.  Perfect for work and light skin tones.  It is more of a neutral than a pink.  This lipstick glides on and is full of avocado and shea butter.  Almost good enough to eat....almost :)

And last up is a favorite brand of mine, Crabtree and Evelyn's La Source Hand Therapy.

Growing up, my grandmother would always get me the fanciest products for Christmas.  I mean I wasn't showered in lavish gifts and stuff, I just mean she always knew just how to spoil me.  Whether with fancy bubble bath or shampoo or gift sets from brands I had no idea who they were.  I only knew if Nany liked them then they were good because she had impeccable taste.  This lotion melts into your skin and immediately soothes any dry patches and crusty cuticles.  More avocado in this baby.  I mean this could be the best hand creme I have ever used.

And there ya have it.  December's Sample Society box.  They hit it out of the park as far as I am concerned.  A great holiday box and each item I have used daily since I got the box.

Also, there is a new feature on the site, you can order any of their monthly boxes if you don't currently have a subscription for the same $15 fee.  They always have 2 day shipping which is amazing!!  Click HERE to get this December box yourself!

Have you signed up already? What did you think of this months box?  Which item is your favorite?

Let me know in the comments below!!

Have a great day!!xo

November 2014 Sample Society Unboxing

Well lovelies, the move is officially OVER!!! We are in our new place and now the anxiety moves from packing to unpacking! I can't wait to get everything set up from my vanity to my craft room :) Soooooo, that is the reason I will be doing two November unboxings that should have been done last month :) Also, it is time to celebrate the 6 month anniversary of Mudpipes and Glitter!!!! I can't believe it has only been six months.  All the people and relationships that I have formed in these last 6 months has been incredible :)

Let's get started. Sample Society has been one of my favorite boxes from the beginning.  The last few months have been kind of meh boxes though.  I am really hoping for a stellar box in December with it being Christmas and all :)  The box is $15 a month and everyone gets the same box.  But we also get a $10 off $50 purchase coupon in each box that is good for buying stuff on their website, which is pretty darn near the same as Sephora.  Click HERE to check out the site and to sign up for this monthly beauty subscription!

The goodies

This month was a good mix of makeup, hair care and skin care.

My favorite product in this box is the perfume.  Calvin Klein Reveal.

This is such a sensual fragrance.  It has musk and sandalwood and is just super sexy but completely wearable in the daytime.  I love it.  I don't love that my taste is so expensive.  :)

Next up is Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Omega Nourishing Oil.  Wow, that was a mouthful.

The thing that upset me about this is that in the description of the product it said it wasn't recommended for thin hair as it could weigh it down.....well, THIN hair is what I have.  Plus this sample may quite be the smallest one I have ever received.  I ended up trading this for something I wanted better.  But if you have thick hair then this would be a great product for you to get some nourishment in your hair.

Next we have MD Solar Sciences Mineral Creme Beauty Balm.

I was excited to try this one as it claims to even skin tone and eliminate redness, which the winter weather is giving my face.  Plus it has green tea in it.  But I didn't really think that this was anything more than a lightly tinted moisturizer.  Calling it a beauty balm is quite a stretch.  And my pores were still quite visible so I can't call this a primer either.  At least it didn't do very well under my Kat Von D foundation.  I may try it under my BareMinerals foundation as it might be a better consistency for that.

Next is Lorac Cobra Mascara.

Last time I tried a mascara by Lorac it ended up flaking on me.  And with my contacts that is a recipe for disaster.  So this one we will see about.  The brush on this one is kind of crooked to help with curling the lashes but it surely doesn't do a better job than my eye lash curler.  This is just an ordinary mascara to me.

And the last item is Malin+Goetz Bergamot Body Wash.

This can be used as a body wash or a shampoo or a bubble bath.  It has a light bergamot fragrance, which for those that don't know, it is kind of a boozy, citrusy smell.   A pretty small sample, too.

My thoughts overall were.....meh.  I mean the samples sizes were super small and nothing was really remarkable as far as products go.  I mean sure, these are all items you could throw in an over night bag and depending on the person be good for a day since all the products each cover a need.  But not for me.  Fingers crossed for a better month next month!

What did you think of this month's box?

Let me know in the comments below!!

Have a great day!! xo

October 2014 Allure Sample Society Reveal

As of late, Allure's Sample Society box has been my favorite.  Second only to Birchbox.  I got my mom to sign up and several friends and am always raving about the boxes....the brands, the products, the variety.....they even offered a discounted month for new subscribers.  I spread the word like the devout beauty lover I am.  It is $15 a month and each month you get a coupon for $10 off a $50 order to shop online at BeautyBar.com.  The boxes are completely different if you were a subscriber years ago, since Allure Magazine took over.  PS-I am obsessed with Allure.

I couldn't wait for this months box since last month's was such a hit, including an $85 eye cream. Read about it HERE.

And the day finally came.......

Unboxing

And my jaw fell to the floor.............THIS was this months box???  Am I dreaming?? WAKE ME UP!!  Hair ties......shampoo with sulfates......old lady perfume???  Why OH WHY, Sample Society?? Are we in a fight??

How am I supposed to explain to people why I love this box so much?  And I am not alone........Several of the people I talked to are very disappointed and have since cancelled because of this.  With all the beauty boxes out there, no one need stick around to see if it will "get better".

Let's review.......

First up is L'Oreal Paris Extreme Hair Repair Shampoo and Conditioner, Valued at $4.99 ea. (full size).

Deluxe samples

Now, it sounds good for someone who colors their hair and has a lot of damage. But the shampoo has sulfates in it, which I gave up long ago, so I will not be using the sample.  For people that have normal hair, this shampoo is just fine but if it is color treated, this is not the way to go.  And enough companies have jumped on the bandwagon that L'Oreal should offer this option in all of their lines. The conditioner on the other hand, I will try.  I like a thick, restorative conditioner and a good one should deliver results right away.  Also, because it is so thick and I have the fine hair of a three year old, I will only use it on the ends of my hair.

Next is Emi-Jay Hair Ties, Valued at $6.

All colors will vary

In doing my research on the product, I admire the message behind the brand.  Two young girls that set out to live their dream by making hand made hair ties and 20% of all profits go to charity.  The colors are perfect for fall and I always have a hair tie on my wrist which is my adult security blanket. I just didn't expect to get teeny tiny hair ties in my favorite box.

 Next up is Bobbi Brown's Smokey Eye Mascara in Black, Valued at $28 (full size).

10 day supply

I recently started using Bobbi Brown's corrector and concealer, review to come as it is life changing, so was actually excited to get a Bobbi Brown product.  Also kind of freaked out, are they watching me??  I probably have enough mascara samples to stretch to Texas but it is one of my must have items. Even if I don't put eye shadow on, mascara is a must.  I often wonder if I singed my lashes off one night and don't remember, that is how non-existent they are. So back to the mascara, I haven't tried it yet but I have read great reviews on it.  It claims to give nice soft lashes, that are full and longer in a natural, non dramatic way.

Next up is the second item I am excited about.

Estee Lauder's Dark Spot Correcting Night Serum, Valued at $62/$92 full size.

Tiny bottle that packs a punch

I have one tiny sun spot on my cheek, I started applying this the night I got it and the spot is almost completely gone! Amazing! Now, for the price, I will learn to love my little sun spot but I also just read I can use this on my entire face, not just spots, to reduce redness and to even skin tone.  If anyone is experiencing problems with dark spots, this might be something you want to look into.  It has been less than a week since I started using it, so I can only imagine the long term effects.  And this bottle alone is valued at $15, so it covers the cost of the box.

Lastly, is Brand No. 9 High Line, Valued at $200.00.

1 of 3 scents sent out this month

I was not a fan of this scent and was shocked to see it was $200, for the smaller bottle!  Other people were happier with the scents they received but this could not compare to the perfume they gave out last month, that was beautiful.  Packaging was cute, my hubby thought it was candy :) It says it smells like wildflowers, with bergamot and purple love grass.....no, that is not what it smells like.  It smells like old lady perfume.....in the nicest way possible.

So there ya have it.  If this is your first experience with Sample Society, all I can say is give it another shot.  I love this monthly sub and was pretty let down but not enough to cancel over.  If I were to get another box like this next month, then I will.

What were your thoughts on this months box?

Let me know in the comments below!

Have a great day!

Allure's Sample Society September 2014 Unboxing

I have been contemplating another monthly subscription box since I gave up New Beauty Test Tube and Pop Sugar. I love getting these surprises every month and have become addicted to trying out new things and sharing them with ya'll. So far Birchbox, Sample Society and Glossybox are my top three boxes.  My love for the subscription box was affirmed yet again when I received my September Sample Society box.

Really quick, Sample Society is $15 a month and includes luxury brands and each month has at least one full size product.  Everyone gets the same box but they have all been such wonderful boxes each month I don't mind not filling out my own beauty profile.  Plus it is a MIX of makeup, skincare and haircare.  They are also through BeautyBar.com so you get $10 off a $50 purchase each month, which can go towards products in your box.  Check out last month's unboxing HERE.

First up, let's do the full size product, valued at $85!! They were giving sneak peeks on Facebook for a few weeks (which I hate seeing because I LOVE surprises) and I was actually really excited for this!

Restorsea Revitalizing Eye Cream. It's a small, delicate jar but the cream is nice and thick so will last a long time it seems.  It is targeted for dark circles and reduces fine lines.  Vibransea, shea butter and glycerin are the key ingredients.  So far I love it.  I have been using it for three days and the thing I like most is when I put it on in the morning, it keeps my under eye area hydrated but my concealer stays put! It doesn't slide around like some other eye creams make it. I have high hopes for this so I will keep you posted.

Next up is Alterna Caviar Repair Re-texturizing Protein Cream.

This cream is some major damage control for over processed hair.  Thankfully, I haven't had split ends in years (thanks to sulfate free products and learning how to properly blow dry my hair thus not needing to use my flat iron) so might not to need this as often as someone who does.  The reviews are pretty positive on this.  It moisturizes and fills in the hairs cuticle, making it stronger and smoother so this is a great preventative treatment, too.  Vitamin C,caviar extract and seasilk are the main ingredients here. I like that it is thin, it's not a thick product that makes you feel like you need to wash your hair when you're trying to protect it.

I am a big fan of Benefit's Porefessional but was excited to see the next product.  Lorac's POREfection Mattifying Primer.

What's interesting about this is it contains salicylic acid in it so it's unclogging pores while keeping your face smooth and primed!  It didn't ball up on me and was buildable.  It went on really nice and it did keep me shine free all day.

The perfume sample I LOVE!! Dahlia Divin by Givenchy.

It smells wonderful!  It smells sexy....sexy has a smell, ya know? It has sandalwood and patchouli.  A sexy, woodsy smell.  Mmmmmmmm.

Lastly, Tarte Self Tanning Towelettes.

I am a sun goddess.....I love tanning and laying out.  But I am always looking for healthier alternatives to the tanning bed.  I love my St Tropez Bronzing Face Lotion and I have high hopes for these.  Reviews and feedback on these is great, from what I found.  They offer just the right amount of no streak color and not orangey mess.

And there ya have it!

Again, I am very happy with this month's Sample Society box.  I will use everything and that is 3 for 3 with this subscription!

Are you ready to sign up yet??

Let me know in the comments below so we can be excited together :)  There is no referral code for a new subscription, but if you do order from BeautyBar.com, you can use the code that is on the left of my blog banner for a discount!

Have a great day :)

Sample Society Unboxing August 2014

This is my second box from Sample Society.  I fell under their spell with July's box and was very happy to get another wonderful box!  Read about July's unboxing HERE.  My mama also signed up and was just as pleased!! The thing I like most about this monthly beauty subscription is that the products are usually all brands that I have heard of.  Sure, I like learning about new brands but sometimes there is something great about already knowing how good a brand is and then getting an awesome product from them.  Know what I mean?

Here is my first look at the box.

They always include a mini Allure mag that describes each product, it's uses and what they thought after testing it.

First up, one of my favorite polish brands.

Ciate mini pot in Cha Cha Cha. This color is the perfect summer shade, a bright, neon orange which I was so glad to get since Fall is right around the corner and I am still in denial about that.  It did take me 4 coats to achieve the look that I wanted but the bold color made up for it.  It is much brighter on my nails than it is in the bottle. Speaking of fall, I am holding out on using my velvet manicure kits in grey, navy and purple.  They are gorgeous!

Next we have Kate Somerville's Dio Oil Restorative Treatment.

News to me, but Dio Oil is a rare oil from Fiji that promotes healthier looking skin and firms and evens skin tone, among other things.  Now, I am a Caudalie girl so I am interested in trying this to see how it compares.It has a hefty price tag but claims to be one of the best of the oils out there.  It can be used at night or under your makeup (after moisturizer) during the day.  I think I will do half on my face with my regular oil to really see how they compare.

Next up is Jane Iredale Longest Lash Mascara in Black Ice.

 I have mixed feelings about this so far.  When I pulled it out, it didn't look like there was any color on the wand.  And the wand looks like a caterpillar.  It seemed to lengthen my lashes but not really make them bold and dark.  Lemme show you.......

Here is just with this mascara.

And here is with my mascara added on top of it.

So I think adding my own mascara on top made a dramatic difference in my lashes but not by itself.

Next up is Oribe Surfcomber Tousled Texture Mousse.  This size alone is $21.50.

Smells great and the key to adding massive texture to your hair is using it dry.  I am still figuring out the right amount to use. I accidentally used two large sized poufs and it says to use ping pong sized haha But once I scrunched my hair it did give it some nice texture and made my pony tail really full so I'm excited to use it again.

Lastly, Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Melted Peony.

It's much brighter than the tube indicates.  Make sure you exfoliate good before putting it on, too.  It goes on like paint with a spongey tip.  Also, it is matte.  I am a glossy girl so I would have to put something on over it when I wear it but the description says that will ruin the chalky effect, so we will see.  It is a long lasting stain though, it stayed on for hours.  I really really want the color violet, it's so pretty!! Wait until you see my Birchbox unboxing and you'll see why!!

So like I said, I was super happy with this box subscription yet again and 200% happier than I was with Beauty Box 5.  Since Sample Society is through BeautyBar.com(online beauty boutique similar to ULTA), if you use my referral code, you can get 20% off of your first order.  Just click on the banner to the left of the screen or use the code MIAN969688 and click HERE.

What did you think of this month's box?  Have you used Oribe's products before? Have any tips?

Let me know in the comments below!

Have a great day!!