July 2014 GlossyBox-Spoilers Inside!!

I was going through subscription withdrawal as always towards the end of the month and voila! My July 2014 Glossybox has arrived! Glossybox is a mix of beauty, hair and skin care from deluxe brands that always comes with at least one FULL size product.  It is $21 a month.  This month one of the full size products was $45 which is more than double the cost of the box, so always well worth it in my opinion.  Sign up HERE!

I always love getting the nice boxes they send  because I have used each box for something :)

This is what I saw when I opened it.....

They always include a nice pamphlet with the full size price of each item and how to use each item.  Ipsy is the only subscription I get that actually doesn't do that.

I love surprises so I never look at the sneak peeks of what we are getting when they are posted on social media BUT this month I did see one on accident but was super happy!

GlamGlow YouthMud Tinglexfoliate Treatment Mask!!  I have had this sample several times from Sephora and love it.  It is a wonderful mud mask that cleans out pores and tightens skin.  It is made with French Sea Clay, Green Tea Leaves (there are actual pieces in there) and Volcanic Pumice Rock.  I use it several times a week.  There is a small and large size you can test out at Sephora.  Get it HERE.

Now, the star......

Skin, Inc. Anti Aging Serum.  This bad boy right here is $45!!!!  It says it will promote elasticity and log lasting hydration improving the quality of my skin.  Um, SCORE!! :)

Philip B Detangling Toning Mist.  They have sent Philip B products before and they are great.  This will remove unwanted residue and deposits (like facial toner) and because it has apple cider vinegar in it, it will increase shine by sealing the cuticle.  I was worried about the smell, but it says it goes away after a minute, so we will see!

MITCHELL and PEACH Body Cream.  I am British, enough said....whenever I get lotions like this or smells like this (this has English honey, cocoa powder and shea butter), it always brings my grandmother right there next to me.  She always comforted me and this smell is just like her.

Malin+Goetz Mojito Lip Balm.  Another full size product, valued at $12!!  First thing I thought of was drinking a mojito so I guess that was a good thing :)  That is the flavor, duh and says it will protect, hydrate and offer some shine without stickiness!

And there ya have it!

I was sad that there was no makeup this time but I was happy with 4 out of 5 so I think this month was a good box.  Last month's box was incredible so I will give them some slack!

Were you happy with your Glossybox this month?

Have a great day!

Glossybox June 2014 Stars & Stripes Box Review

It is finally here ya'll!!!  I have been really excited about this box as it is a beautiful collectors box.  I mean, I need some serious organizational help and this box is pretty enough to actually have lying around :)  And it is my end of the month beauty subscription since all the rest come at the beginning of the month so I was needing my makeup fix!! :)  This box is also valued at $55 and almost all are FULL sized products!

Just a reminder, this is GlossyBox.  $21 a month and all luxury samples, mostly always full sized (no little one time use foil packets).  Here is a list of some of the brands that they work with.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.

Okay, enough business, let's get to the unboxing of Glossybox's June 2014 Stars and Stripes box..............

 First item up is RUSK Texture Dry Finishing Spray!!

 I am very excited about this product.  The things it does to hair are wonderful!!  Instantly gives your hair volume and texturizes like a new hair cut would.  It also smells fab.  I am bad with math but I would value this at almost $6 for the size.  Get It Here.

I used it this morning and didn't use anything else!  You can SEE the volume and texture in my hair immediately :)

Next is the STRANGE BEAUTIFUL nail polish.

I have never heard of this brand and it doesn't appear to be available online.  I do know that this set was specifically made for this Glossybox so that's exciting.  The picture really doesn't show the true coloring and I apologize for that.  It is a navy blue and a true red color.  I am very happy as I am always on the hunt for a navy color and a great red.  Hopefully not hearing about this brand will be a good thing as I am a nail polish aficionado.

Next is a Sumita eyeshadow pencil.

This is full size and is $18!!  It is a champagne color that can be used all over the lid or just as a liner.  I use all of their colored mascaras and I love them! This appears to also be specially made for the July Glossybox.  Wow, I feel so fancy :) Here is the link to Sumita's website for similar products.

Moving on, we have some body butter by AYRES in Patagonia.

Jasmine, rosemary and lavender are the scents I smell when I open this little bottle of magic.  I like to use body butter on my elbows and on my heels right before bed so the magic happens while I sleep. :)
Get It Here.

Last product is another full size one.  Camille Beckman Imperial Repair Hand Therapy Lotion.

Valued at $10 and smells like lemongrass and grapefruit.  I like getting luxurious lotions in my boxes since I am constantly washing my hands at work and they dry out a lot.  This may be going in my giveaway box though so you all can get some luxury, too.  :)  Or you can Get It Here.

This is my 3rd Glossybox, but I have noticed that each box comes with some type of surprise in the form of a gift card.  My last box had a $25 gift card in it (which I lost and am still crying about) and this box has a surprise value gift card.

The gift card is to www.cwonder.com.  This site is clothes, home decor, jewelry, etc.  Also looks more affordable then I would have thought.  I am hoping that this gift card is for at least $25 to make up for the one I lost :) Wouldn't that be nice?  I'll let you know as soon as I find out!

Again, if you are interested in getting Glossybox each month, Sign Up Here! 

Overall, I am very pleased with this months box.  I am happy for the full sized products and that they are products I will be using.

Do you already use Glossybox?

Have you ever gotten one of the limited edition boxes?  I really wanted the one with the Union Jack on it!

Let me know in the comments below!

Have a great day!!

Makeup, Glorious Makeup

Makeup. Oh how I LOVE makeup.....And what's funny is that I really only learned about techniques and colors and what my undertone was within the last year.  I've always been only a concealer under the eyes, eyeshadow and a mascara girl.  But now, after talking to my best friends and subscribing to monthly beauty subscriptions, I can't have enough of it!!

So, today, I want to talk about the monthly subs I have and let you see some of the stuff you too can get so we can all love makeup together. In the future, I also plan on comparing them and giving reviews on some of the products that I don't know how I have made it this far without!

The first one I was introduced to is Birchbox.  (Click here to join BirchBox)

This is $10 a month and you get it within the first two weeks of the month. You can personalize your subscription based on what you want to see in your box.  Once you join, you are put on a waitlist and get added within 2 weeks.

This is what I got last month.

What's nice about this one is that it always gives a listing of the products and how much a full size item would cost.  There are usually 4 regular items and an extra "lifestyle" item.  Each month after using your product, you go on their website and review it.  For each review you get 10 points and each 100 points you accumulate is equal to $10 in their online store.  The online store is full of name brand items and always includes the items that are in your box.  Plus they are always running specials where you can get a certain percentage off of your item or get freebies added to your order.  You can also get points when you refer your friends to join.  I have always loved my monthly boxes and have placed several items with the points I have received.

The next box I was introduced to is Ipsy.  (Click here to join Ipsy)

This is also $10 a month and you get it within the first two weeks of the month.  You can also personalize your subscription based on what you want to see in your box.  Once you join, you are also put on a waitlist.  Sometimes they have promotions where you can get off the waitlist immediately.

This is what I got last month.

Ipsy usually has 5-6 items in their monthly bags.  They also have a points system in place where when you review your monthly items and you get a total of 1000 points, you can redeem the points for an additional item to be added to your upcoming monthly bag.  You get 10 points for each item you review.  You also get points when you refer friends to join.

Beauty Box 5 is the next monthly subscription that I do. (Click here to join Beauty Box 5)

This box also comes within the first two weeks of the month.  The pricing is a bit different.  It is $12 a month but you can join quarterly or pay the annual price.  I joined quarterly so each box breaks down to $7.50 a month.  I wanted to test out their products plus it was the cheapest option.

This is what I got last month.

One downfall is that everyone gets the same items in each box.  Plus they do not offer a points system and you can only purchase the items online that they place in all the boxes each month.  I do not think I am going to be resubscribing once my four months are up.  They usually only send 1 extremely good product out of the 5 that come in the box. Plus since they don't have a point system or online sales, the other boxes far exceed this one.

Another box that I tried is GlossyBox.  I need to send you an actual link in order to have you join this one and get credit for it.

This is what I got last month.

This box is $21 a month and so far my absolute favorite monthly box.  This one comes at the end of the month.  There is a profile that you can fill out also so that it is tailored to your preferences.  They also have a points system where you get 20 points for each review you give on your products and when you get 1000 points, you get a free Glossybox for that month.  Plus you get referral points, too.

All of the samples are luxury brands and sometimes they give full size products.  This month included an extra $25 gift card.  They also have great customer service.

Lastly, there is New Beauty Test Tube.  This subscription is the most expensive.  It is $29.95 plus shipping every other month.  I also need to send you a an actual link for this one to get credit for it.

This is what I got in May (plus a prime photo op for my hubby and puppy).

I received 12 full size items valued at $77.  I have mixed reviews on this so far.  All of the items I received, with the exception of 4, were drugstore products that I could have bought myself.  That is why I love beauty subscriptions, as they allow me to try things that I otherwise may not be able to.  I was upset with what came in this tube but I was not alone.  The company received an overwhelming response to this tube and has since stated they will be amending the next tube.

A full size magazine is also supposed to come separately and I have yet to receive mine.  I decided that I would try the tube one more time.  If it is the same quality of products then I will not be ordering again.  I also initially tried this because I was given a code for $5 off.

I would eventually like to try PopSugar Beauty. They always have promotions going on and the products that they offer are amazing

There are an abundance of monthly beauty subscriptions out there.  It is all a matter of preference and pricing to determine which ones really work for you.  I love trying out new products and new looks.  I surely don't wear the same looks every day and with all this makeup, why would I? :)  Plus, this is something that so many of my friends and family do that it really is a lot of fun.  There are also several groups on Facebook that allow for some swapping of products so that they help you get the most out of your box each month.

What monthly beauty subscriptions do you subscribe to?

Based on what you I see do, would you recommend any other boxes for me to try?

Have a great day!

.

Welcome!

First, I'll explain that mudpipes is another word for cowboy boots.  I'll also explain that while I was born in Chicago, IL, I have the soul of a southerner, thus my love of all things simple and country western.  This blog is going to be a mix of beauty, crafting, product reviews, tutorials and all around good stuff. Plus you will get to meet my wonderful husband, Nick and puppy, Paisley throughout my ramblings...  I hope ya'll enjoy :)