Subscription box look

This year I decided to cancel my boxycharm subscription so I can focus on the products I have, including all the products I’ve received via boxycharm and Ipsy; the only two subscriptions I’ve had for several years.

I am keeping my ipsy subscription because you can skip months and I like the sample subscription.

Using January’s products and a palette previously received in Boxycharm I came up with this look

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

I know what you’re thinking and you’re right. I never do my hair.

The Ace Beauté Scarlet Dusk palette came in the January 2020 boxycharm box but I hadn’t used it at all so I pulled it out for this look. The a Kevyn Aucoin mascara came in the Boxycharm premium May 2020 box.

I like the formula of Ace Beauté’s shadows and I have a palette that I purchased on my own. The shadows apply pigmented and are easy to blend. Using a glitter primer I was able to apply a shimmer shade (Hibiscus) without having to wet my brush.

I think the Kevyn Aucoin mascara is ok. I like it but I wouldn’t pay full price for it. The brush is small with tight bristles that seperates lashes nicely and with a couple of layers it made my lashes look nice.

• 

• 

From Ace Beauté’s website

The January ipsy bag came with a blush and highlighter and blush, along with some face masks, a color correcting cream and a hyradte and glow oil. I didn’t think to use the color corrector but I did use the highlighter and blush.

• 

• 

I was surprised at how much I liked the Ciaté London Glow to Illuminating Blush in Matchmaker. Overall I have not been impressed with this brand so I didn’t have high hopes, plus I prefer matte blushes but this was a nice blush. The pigment is perfect for a blush and it isn’t glittery.

The highlighter is Catrice Luminous Highlighter in Lumi and it gives a beautiful wet highlight look.

I haven’t used the other products I received in the ipsy bag but I’m happy about the products I received.

I liked being able to use the products in my bag and enjoyed shopping my subscription box stash for this look.

ABH Subculture 3 looks

The Anastasia Beverly Hills Subculture palette is probably my favorite, despite the negative reviews it received.

I wouldn’t say that I have a favorite palette but if I did, I think it would be this one. Anytime I pick up this palette it’s easy to continue to use it day after day.

Here are three looks made using this palette

Look #1: I used Dawn to set my base (MAC pro paint pot in Soft Ochre), then I used Edge in the Crease, darkend the crease and applied to outer V with Mercury and finally Rowdy. I used NYX glitter primer all over the lid and applied Adorn. I used Edge all across the lower lash and Mercury in the outer lower lash.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Look #1

Look #2 : I used Dawn to set my base (MAC pro paint pot in Soft Ochre), then I lightly applied Mercury in the crease, added Destiny to outer V and used Untamed to smoke out the look. I used NYX glitter primer all over the lid and applied Electric. I used Destiny all across the lower lash and Untamed in the outer lower lash.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Look #2

Look #3 : for look #3 I pulled in the Dominique Cosmetics Celestial Thunder palette. This came in a BoxyCharm last November and I haven’t used it much. The color story is very similar to Subculture and it paired nicely.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Again started with Dawn to set the MAC Soft Ochre base, then went in with Edge, Mercury and Zero Gravity. I was hoping Zero Gravity would darken the outer V but it’s didn’t add much to a mercury so I added Storm Dust to add depth to the outer V. I used NYX glitter primer and applied Eternal Light but it wasn’t very pigmented so I layered Cube over it.

I like the variety of looks I was able to come up with and am still loving this palette.

Wander Beauty Mascara

If you have any kind of beauty subscription you’ve probably received some variation of the Wander Beauty mascara more than once.

This gold packaged volume and length mascara is the latest one I’ve tried.

• 

• 

• 

I used two coats on top and one on the bottom. Overall I like the way it made my lashes look, it wasn’t too wet when first opened and it gave me good volume. I did notice that in between the two coats, which I applied one eye then second eye, back to first eye then second eye, seemed to dry fast.

The one thing I can’t get down with is the packaging. I’m sure it’s better than a tube, because you can squeeze the last of the product onto the wand, but it’s too unconventional for me. The other thing I noticed, which it didn’t say on the packaging, is that this is waterproof, which I prefer not to use.

I like the mascara and would recommend it if you’re looking for a volumizing waterproof mascara.

Morphe 18B look

I intended to have this up Friday but, I forgot >.<.

My plan is to post at least every Mondays and Fridays and sometimes Wednesdays. Check back Monday to see if that happens! Lol

For this look I used the Morphe 18B, Making Bank, palette

This is an 18 pan palette that comes in a cardboard palette and has a mirror. It’s no longer available but it was an $18 palette that I probably purchased on sale.

Overall, I enjoy Morphe eyeshadows. They are a bit on the dry side, you can see how dusty the upper left olive color is, but I find them easy to work with.

• 

• 

• 

  Colors used

I love the way the crease colors blended together with the yellow and olive to lighten up the look but the star is the bottom right color. I applied the color over NYX glitter primer on the inner 2/3rds of my eyelid. It doesn’t look like much in the pan but it has a duochrome finish that shifts color depending on how the light hits it. This look reminded me why I love Morphe shadows so much.

• 

  Face makeup used

I used my standard Essence Lash Princess mascara and this face trio by Pop Beauty that I got in a Boxycharm pop-up sale. The bronzer and blush look shimmery in the pans but when you apply them they have a nice finish, not shimmery or glittery and it doesn’t emphasize texture.

• Morphe 18B shades: Check Please/ Cash or Card/ Jackpot/ C-Note/ Make It Rain/ Bazillionaire/ Rake It In/ Deposits
• Beauty by POPSUGAR Trio Time Face in Coffee Break
• Essence Lash Princess Scultped Volume

Colourpop Sandstone

Here’s another colourpop look!

The Sandstone palette may be just another neutral with a yellow but I still love it!

Available on Colourpop’s website as of 10/16/2020

This palette has 4 mattes, 7 mattes that have glitter particles and 7 metallics/shimmers.

I find that these particular mattes that have the glitter through them apply with more of that glitter on the lid that previous versions have. I’m ok with it so I actually still apply these as if they were just mattes.

• 

• 

• 

• MAC paint pot in soft ocre
• Vortex in the crease to brow
• Oasis in crease, keeping it lower
• Canyon Loop on outer half of lid and into lid
• Big Butte in outer third of lid and softly into crease
• Templeton in the outer edge, in a V shape with a tighter brush. Then take a fluffier brush to blend it out and slightly blending it into the crease
• Pueblo on lid – dip brush into color, spray with setting spray then apply to lid
• Blend between Pueblo and outer lid colors
• Lower lash – Canyon Loop, Big Butte and Templeton
• Desert Sky in the inner corner, dip brush into the color, spray and apply

Brushes used, you can see the different densities

September 19 Weekly Empties

Even though it’s only Tuesday, I know I won’t have any other empties this week so here are my accomplishments!

Pixi Retinol Tonic – it was OK, I’m not really excited about the product or results for the cost

Available at Ulta

Petite N Pretty Fully Feathered Volumizing Mascara – I got this in a Boxycharm and I really liked the way it made lashes look but I don’t know that I’ll be paying the $16 for it but if this is in your price range I definitely recommend it!

Available at Ulta

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat shampoo and conditioner – these lasted me a while because I wash my hair once or twice a week. I really like the oil and protective primer but the shampoo and conditioner left my hair feeling a little coarse, I have thick wavy, color treated hair. I won’t be repurchasing these.

• 

• 

Available at Ulta

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads – I received these through Boxycharm and was able to buy backups from their pop-up sale because I really enjoyed these! They’re gentle enough to use daily or you can use them 3-4 times a week

Available at Ulta

And I used a few TonyMoly face masks which I love for extra and quick hydration

What empties do you have this week?

Morphe 35 O3 Look

Primer: Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas primer and Marc Jacobs Under(Cover) Perfecting Coconut primer
Face: Covergirl Full Spectrum Matte Ambition All Day Foundation. I think I have the lightest shade in this collection, definitely made for more melanin rich peeps.
Measurable Difference Concealer Collection. We received this in a Boxycharm box three years ago and I’ve kept this since then, still plastic wrapped. I love how well this product performs! I used it for contouring, bronzing and concealer
Laura Mercier Loose Translucent Powder for under the eyes and NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop powder for all over
ABH Contour Kit powder
Smashbox Bronze Lights Warm Matte
Colourpop Interstellar pressed blush
Marc Jacob’s Gilty O!Mega Glaze All-Over Foil Luminizer NYX glitter primer for the lid area where I applied the shimmer shade
Shadows: Tempting/ Flame Game/ Red Alert/ Power Play/ Trance
@nyxcosmetics Fill and Fluff in Espresso
Tarte Big Ego Mascara
Kylie Cosmetics Madeline

• 

• 

• 

Instagram.com/is

The NYX glitter primer made a big difference in how the shimmer shade applied and how long it stayed on!

June BoxyLuxe

I’m actually really happy with this month’s box! The box contained-

– Kylie Skin Foaming Face Wash MSRP $24
– Purlisse Perfect Glow BB Cream SPF 30 MSRP $35
Tula Glow & Get It Cooling & Brightening eye Balm MSRP $28
Tarte Cosmetics Tartiest Pro Amazonian Clay Palette MSRP $49
Hallmart Collectibles Satin Pillow Case & Mask Set MSRP $50
Billion Dollar Brows Charcoal 5-Piece Brush Set MSRP $55
Pure Heals Propolis 80 Sleeping Mask MSRP $55
Bodyography Lip Pencil Set (Pouty and Rosewood) MSRP $28

Total value $324
Cost $55.11 (to southern California)

I used as many products from this month’s Luxe box as possible

I used the Tula cooling and Brightening eye balm, I liked the nice cooling sensation it gave me but I didn’t notice much brightening.

The Purlesse BB Cream feels like a light sunblock but doesn’t have a scent. It looks darker and thicker than it applies. I had to use my hands to apply it, you can see how light the coverage is in the pictures below, it gives a nice healthy glow and does even my skin out a bit. I used powder to set it

I used all the Billion Dollar Brow brushes – the cream bronze/contour wasn’t stiff enough for my cream bronzer but I think it would apply cream contour nicely. I used the powder brush for both my bronzer and blush. The bristles are loose enough that it applies a light layer of color, great for building up product or getting a natural look. The concealer brush – OUCH. I would recommend roughing this up a bit before using on your undereye, it’s too stiff and pokey

I already own the tarte palette and love it. I used: Bold /Whimsy /Edgy /Smoked /Trendy and Glam. Also used Glam as highlighter

Over all I’m very happy with this box

January Base Boxycharm

For the first time in a few months my boxycharm arrived before the end of the month and I’m so excited for most of what I received!

I’m on a no buy but I am keeping the boxycharm base and premium subscriptions, for now. I also get lux every three months but I’m thinking of getting rid of it.

This month’s base box:

I was instantly in love with the Ace Beauté palette, the colors are totally my vibe and I love the brand. We’ve received it in the past and I loved it so much I purchased additional palettes on my own.

The only item I’ve tried is the glow recipe sleep mask, which I like and use now. Even though this is the travel size, and not a full size, I’m still pretty happy with it because it’s easier to travel with.

For once, I’ll be keeping and trying out the entire box. I’m always happy to get mascaras in boxes and I’ve heard some good reviews on the concealer as well.

Are you subscribed to Boxycharm? How do you feel about this month’s box?

2020 Low Buy

After spending a large amount of time trying to figure out how to organize my collection I realized I’m in desperate need of a no buy.

A small look into what I’m dealing with 🙈

I’ve always had a habit of overspending and needing to complete collections but this year I’ve become overwhelmed with what I have and the thought of having things to go bad before they’re used.

Being realistic though, I’m setting a low buy for 2020 instead. I’m working to start now, in November, so I don’t quit cold turkey.

I started by unsubscriping from all makeup and skincare emails, if I don’t see it I won’t need it, right?

Next, I’m handing my cards over to my boyfriend. I know the temptation is too strong for me to stop myself so I’m removing part of the temptation by cutting myself off financially.

Third, I’m going to focus more on following people who are also on no/low buys and focus more on panning.

Next, I am keeping my Ipsy and BoxyCharm subscription, there’s no way I could go without ANYTHING new lol.

The last thing is I’ve set a goal for myself. Since I enjoy the perks I get from being Rouge at Sephora, I’m going to save up for some luxury items to purchase during the Rouge sales, limited to two sales a year. This way I can keep my Rouge status and finally satisfy my curiosity regarding some of these high tag items.

Wish my luck!