June 2012 GLOSSYBOX Review + Pictures

I don't know why, but for some reason it feels like I just got a GlossyBox not too long ago, as in less than a month ago. I looked at my last post and, indeed, it was about the same time last month. Hmm. I suppose that's a good thing!

And here we go!

Swatches of the lip glosses and eyebrow pencil:

And now for the sample price breakdown:

- Alessandro Heel Rescue Balm - $5.55
- Sienna Cosmetics Double Dose Lip Lacquer - $22.00 (full size)
- Ofra Cosmetics Universal Eyebrow Pencil - $10.00 (full size)
- Sebastian Color Ignite Multi Tone Conditioner - $4.24
- Sebastian Color Ignite Multi Tone Shampoo - $3.02
- Caswell-Massey Almond and Aloe Hand and Body Emulsion - $0.82

TOTAL: $45.63

Once again, not bad for $21. I really like that so far, every month I have received at least one (and this month I got two) full-sized products valued at more than the subscription price. This month, I am only familiar with the Sebastian brand, but I am more than willing to try all of these out!

Overall, I am happy with my box this month. Can't wait for next month!

DUPE ALERT!! MAC Viva Glam Nicki & Wet-N-Wild Pinkerbell

So yesterday I was killing time in Rite Aid waiting on my boss to come and pick me up to bring me home when I came across some "new" shades of lipstick from Wet-N-Wild. I'm not a huge fan of lipsticks from Wet-N-Wild lipsticks just because I usually can't find any shades I really like. However! As I was browsing, I came across one particular shade that looked awfully familiar: Pinkerbell. Just in the tube, it looked so much like MAC's Viva Glam Nicki. For $1.99, I could certainly afford to find out whether it was a dupe.

Check out the pictures: 

And it is! The shade, to me, looks exactly the same as the MAC version. In the swatch photo, Wet-N-Wild is on the left and MAC on the right. However, Viva Glam Nicki is much creamier, whereas Pinkerbell is rather stiff. They look the same on the lips, though! I'll have to test and compare the wear on Wet-N-Wild.

All in all, if you want to see how Viva Glam Nicki will look on you (it's for a worthy cause, anyway), check out Pinkerbell first before you commit to spending $14.50 on MAC. It's not a shade for everybody, but I really like it! 

Etsy Spotlight: Bad Bitch Cosmetics

I really try my best to order from at least two Etsy cosmetic companies every pay period. Money has been rather tight lately, so I've been down to ordering once if any at all. As some of you already know, I have a Etsy business called PiNK Culture Cosmetics. At this point, with money being the way it is, I pretty much buy exclusively from indie makeup brands.

Last month, I ordered from an Etsy-based business called Bad Bitch Cosmetics. They have such beautiful product photos and the names are certainly geared toward urban entertainment.

Anyway, I placed an order on June 9th. By the 24th, I hadn't received my package, so I wrote them. They replied four days later, saying they would ship it out again, that there were problems with the mail getting delievered. I waited. Still nothing. I wrote again on July 11th and they responded two days later saying they'd ship it out again. Finally a few days ago (on the 18th or 19th), I received my package!

In all, I paid $5.70 (including shipping) for three sample shadows in the shades Bowie, Tiny, and Toya (I'm a sucker for mint green right now). Here is what I received!

And now the swatches over Pixie Epoxy:

These are okay. A little on the sheer side but not bad overall. I love that they list individual ingredients even on samples. The ladies who run Bad Bitch Cosmetics are very friendly and patient as well, as could be seen in my little "ordeal."

I will likely be ordering from them again, if not just to get a feel for some more shades. 

Julep Maven *free* Nail Polish Purchase - Hayden

I finally got around to ordering my free nail polish from Julep, since I received a gift certificate for one in last's month's box. I had been eyeing "Hayden" for awhile, ever since I first subscribed to Julep Maven. The website describes the shade as "neon peach creme." I have never seen a color like this before, and I love it!

Pretty, right? To be honest guys, I think Julep Maven may be my favorite of the bunch of beauty box subscriptions I subscribe to. I love them all (so far), don't get me wrong, but this one is just...wow. 

Here is my referral link for those interested: Click me! :)

P.S. I am letting my nails grow, so soon I will be able to do nail swatches of these colors. They are looking quite horrendous at the moment, however, so stay tuned! :)

My first MyGlam bag! (July 2012)

Another beauty samples subscription came in today! To be honest, I get so much mail at my job that I didn't even know what this was when my mail lady brought me the bright, metallic pink bubble mailer. I guess I am just so used to getting boxes. :)

MyGlam costs $10 per month for 4-5 full-sized products or deluxe samples selected my MyGlam "stylists." This month's bag was themed "beach beauty."

I was actually pleasantly surprised with my bag!

Wow, right? If you don't think that this is a steal, here is a breakdown of how much each "sample" would cost in comparison to their full-size counterparts:

Nume Hydro Punch Conditioner - $1.98

Juice Beauty Green Apple SPF 15 Moisturizer - $11.18 (Wow!)

Yes to Cucumbers On-the-Go Facial Towelettes - $2.00

Circus by Andreas Choice - These polishes are not yet released, but I can tell you that this is obviously a full-sized product and is of excellent quality.

Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish - $8.40

TOTAL: $23.56 +

And that's not even counting the retail price of the polish! I'd say this month was a total score! Can't wait until next month! <3

July 2012 Birchbox!

It's that time of month again! I wasn't expecting my package until the 16th, but I was pleasantly surprised when my mail lady dropped off my pretty pink Birchbox package. :)

Here is what came in this month's subscription:

So much has been going on with my financially that I was honestly planning on cancelling Birchbox after this month, but look at how much stuff I received this month! I can say that I am very much pleased with this month's selection, especially the skin care stuff. 

I tried to do a breakdown of the costs of each sample, but more than half of them didn't have the measurement of how many ounces are in the samples. :( As you can see just by looking at these products, you can see that they are more than worth the $10 subscription fee.

Here is the list of what I received:

- Color Club - Blue Ming nail polish

- Gloss Moderne - High Gloss Masque (for hair)

- Harvey Prince - Eau Flirt

- Manna Kadar - sheer glo shimmer lotion

- suki - Balancing Kit

- Lärabar - über

- earbuds from Glamour Magazine 

I guess this means I'm sticking to another month. :)

Etsy Spotlight: D&E Handmade Cosmetics Pics + Swatches (x6)

It's been awhile, I know, but money has been a bit tight with getting my business off the ground (I am actually selling my makeup in a consignment shop now! OMG! lol). I haven't really been spending much on myself lately.

 I have been watching a few indie companies on Etsy for awhile now, and one of them that has been in my cart for the longest was D&E Handmade Cosmetics. D&E is a vegan mineral company based in Honolulu, Hawai'i. The owner, Eva, is having a July 4th special that is still going on. The code at checkout is "HAPPY4."

Here's what I got!

Cute packaging, right? I love it! I love that you can see what colors are in the jars before you open them! Really unique style of jars. 

Now on to the swatches:

Shooting Star, Champagne, Berry Pretty (matte), Green Agave, Mango and Green Gold (free sample); all shadows were swatched over Fyrinnae's Pixie Epoxy

I liked these. I actually didn't pay any attention when I ordered that Berry Pretty was matte. The photo of it in the jar didn't make it look very matte but the swatch did. I LOVE mattes so I am quite happy. Except for Berry Pretty, all of these have a satiny finish with some added sparkle in a few of them. 

Check out D&E. Shipping was fast, you get a lot for your money (this was $9.93 shipped with coupon code HAPPY4), and Eva seems very sweet. :)

Coastal Scents Mica Swatches--Gold Edition!

Back when I first decided I was going to start my own business making eye shadow, I made it my mission to come up with a perfect gold for my mom (she only wears gold). I ordered a sample of just about every gold mica that Coastal Scents has to offer. I haven't made her gold yet--only one antique gold that she says is too dark for her--but at least I can post some comparison swatches so maybe you guys won't have to buy one of each sample like I did. :)

In order, from left to right:
- Pearlescent Sparkling Pure Gold
- Metallic Rustic Gold Mica Powder
- Gold Rush
- Paradise Gold Fortune
- 24 Karat Gold
- Sparkle Gold
- Paradise Star Gold
- Radiant Gold Mica Powder
- Illusion Luxury Gold

None of these micas are anywhere near as orange (except Metallic Rustic Gold, which is slightly orange-tinged) as my camera makes them out to be. All of these golds are quite gorgeous and, as you can see, they are all different with different textures.

I hope this helps with your Coastal Scents shopping!