Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Glosstini - Hunger Games Collection - Violet Flicker

      I finally got around to trying another Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Glosstini that is part of the Hunger Games Collection. My first review was on Inferno; you can check that out here if you're interested. Now here are some pictures and then a quick rundown of my thoughts!

Topcoat used is Good to Go! by Essie.

Likes:

• Like the Inferno polish, this one dries quickly, which is always one of the most important things for me.
• Applies easily
• Pretty color
• Very glittery! Contains blue, purple/pink microglitters.

Dislikes:

• Very sheer; needed 3 coats for full opacity

      This color is very sheer compared to Inferno which I only needed 2 coats of. Even though this is very sheer, opacity can be achieved and the color is easily buildable. It is a dark, pretty, glittery purple color that is good for fall and because of it's glittery property it can definitely be a festive, holiday color as well. It would also make a nice topcoat, adding a bit of sparkle to your nails.

November 2013 Birchbox Unboxing!

      I have been subscribed to Birchbox for about a year now. I haven't had any issues or strong dislikes to make me want to stop my subscription. I like being surprised and getting to try products that normally I would never try or have the opportunity to try.
     On to this November's box!

      My first thought when I got the box was, "Wow! This is my heaviest box yet!" and that was due to the sea salt spray in there which I will mention first. The product is called This is a Sea Salt Spray by Davines. It contains 100 ml or 3.38 fl oz. The regular size is 250 ml and retails at $27. This makes this sample product worth ~$11. It has a very nice fresh smell that I can't put my finger on, but it does remind me of the beach.

This is a Sea Salt Spray by Davines (100 ml or 3.38 fl oz)

      Eyeko Black Magic Mascara -- (Drama & Curl), "Using a unique paraben-free formula blending keratin and shea butter with a water-resistant carbon black finish." The words water-resistant are the most important for me! I've heard good things about this mascara but have never tried it myself. It is a 4ml (0.13 fl oz) sized sample. [Regular: 0.29 oz, $24.] Sample value: ~$11

Eyeko Black Magic Mascara (4 ml)

      BeeKind Body Lotion -- w/ honey and organic chamomile extracts. The convenient size will allow me to carry this in my bag, hello soft hands! It has a nice, fresh, not too strong smell to it and smells like lemons to me. It is also lightweight which is always a plus for me. 30 ml size. Value: ~$2 [Regular: 8 oz, $15]

BeeKind Body Lotion (30 ml)

      Derma e Samples (Evenly Radiant Cleaner, Evenly Radiant Night Creme, Evenly Radiant Serum) -- for age reverse, natural ingredients. All have a net weight of 0.12 oz (3.5 g).

      Lastly, I got 3 tea samples which I'm excited to try because I have developed a liking for teas although I am quite picky about them. I got Raspberry Indulgence, English Tea I, and Jasmine Romance. They are by the brand Ahmad Tea London. 40 of these teabags retail at $7.00.

      In terms of value, this box has a value over the $10 paid for the box. These are all products I have never tried before, some I've never even heard of so I'm excited to try them. If you like to try new things and be surprised each month, I'd say give Birchbox a try. If there are some products you don't like or wish to try yourself, they can always make great stocking stuffers and such! If you don't like it overall, you can always unsubscribe. The only other subscription service I've tried is MyGlam, now called Ipsy. I cancelled that subscription after a couple of months because I did not like the products I got and I did not think the quality overall was so great. I will definitely be sticking with Birchbox for awhile longer and will update you guys on future boxes!

Maybelline Color Elixir by Colorsensational Lip Products

Hello!

      I recently purchased these products at Rite Aid (retails: $8.99 ea.) and I thought I'd share my thoughts on these color balms. I have also spotted them at Harmon's for around $7 each. They should be in all or most drugstores by now. According to the Maybelline website, these lip products "deliver the color of a lipstick, the cushiony care of a balm, and the glass shine of a gloss." Do I agree with this? Let's see! The four shades I picked up were 005 Breathtaking Apricot, 045 Amethyst Potion, 080 Captivating Carnation, 090 Rose Redefined. Here are some pictures and swatches first. (Note: I tried to capture the colors on camera as close to true as possible.)

(Left to right) 005 Breathtaking Apricot, 045 Amethyst Potion, 080 Captivating Carnation, 090 Rose Redefined

(Clockwise starting from the top left): Breathtaking Apricot, Amethyst Potion, Captivating Carnation, Rose Redefined

Order of colors same as above. One coat.

Top row: Breathtaking Apricot, Rose Redefined
Bottom row: Captivating Carnation, Amethyst Potion
All with 2 coats.

      The packaging of this product is quite different from other products out there with its bullet shaped lipstick inside the clear container with a nice silver toned cap that makes it look chic and new. It has an angora brush unlike others with the doe shaped applicator.

Colors:
     To begin with, I found that Captivating Carnation and Rose Redefined were quite similar on the lips. Captivating Carnation is a little more muted and is like a "better than your normal lip color" kind of color. It is a very wearable, everyday color. Rose Redefined is a tad pinker in color than Captivating Carnation. It is also a very wearable shade.
     Breathtaking Apricot in the bottle looks like a pink-tangerine color with shimmer. On the lips, it is more of a brighter pink that makes me think of a "Barbie pink." It is a very nice color, however it seems to accentuate lines on the lips, which I find to be true of many of the lighter lip color shades in general, is it just me?
     Amethyst Potion is a nice berry color that is perfect for fall and winter. Color seems to settle a bit into lines over time. The use of a lip liner or lipstick base color underneath may help with this problem.


Overall Comments:

• Application is very nice and smooth. They are easy to apply and there is no bleeding. 
• Two coats will usually give full opacity. 
• They are very pigmented and color is buildable.
• They are definitely very shiny, so if you are not into the shiny look then this product is definitely not for you!
• They feel thick on the lips but are not sticky. They have a creamy, butter-like feeling on the lips.
• Feels moisturizing and color doesn't move around which is very important!
• They have a minty taste/smell to them? If you are very sensitive to taste, then this product may not be for you. I am very sensitive and picky in regards to the taste of products, but I find this product's minty taste tolerable.
• Has a tingly feeling on the lips, which makes me think of lip plumping products.

So I have to say I do agree with Maybelline's description of the Color Elixir's description: "color of a lipstick, the cushiony care of a balm, and the glass shine of a gloss." I was pleasantly surprised by the color payoff and how smooth the gloss feels on the lips. If you are looking for a product fulfilling those three descriptions, then these products are worth a try! There are 20 shades in the collection, so plenty of options to choose from, ranging from nudes to purples and reds. :)

Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Glosstini - Hunger Games Collection - Inferno

          All Hunger Games Fans would be excited to know and see the Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Glosstinis the Hunger Games Collection in stores now. I've seen them in pretty much every drugstore although purchasing them may be a little hard since they always seem to be out of many of the colors. I purchased mine from Bed Bath and Beyond and I happily laid my hands on six of them.

(Left to right) Flamed Out, Rouge Red, Inferno, Pink Pyro, Violet Flicker, Scalding Emerald

Inferno is the first one I have tried so far, so today's review will be on this one. 

          Two coats need to be applied for full opacity and is what is seen in the pictures. It has a purplish base color which can be seen when you apply one layer. Once you apply a second layer, that isn't as obvious anymore. It is rich in gold and bronze flecks or microglitters and is very shiny. The overall color is a coppery reddish-brown color that is reminiscent of fall foliage. It is a beautiful color that is perfect for fall and with all that shimmer makes it great for the holidays too! It applies very well and easily and dries quickly as well. I always have a problem with nail polishes not drying fast enough but this did not disappoint. The color does match up with the its name "Inferno." 

          The small packaging makes it very cute, although I have to say I don't like the top so much. While it's silver color makes it eye-catching and different from normal tops, I don't like that fingerprints are easily left behind all over the handle. That aside, though, the color is beautiful and I would recommend it. If you are looking to lay your hands on some of these polishes, I'd say, add this one to your collection if you don't already have something similar! 

Hello!

Welcome to my page! This is where I will post pictures and posts on anything fashion or beauty related. I will do reviews on products that I try out or buy, do swatches, and such. Honestly, I'm not really sure how this will go but I just want to share my opinions on products with you guys because I love beauty products and clothes. I hope you guys enjoy my posts! I hope you all have a wonderful day!