Dazzleybox is, once again, underwhelming

Dazzleybox...

I, seriously, cannot even with this subscription.

While the Company managed to package this month's products much nicer this time, and the jewelry they sent was improved, I still don't think that the box is worth the subscription price.

The current price breakdown is as follows:

One month: $24.99;

Three months (buy two, get one free): $49.98;

Six months: $137.94 one time payment (breaks down to $22.99/mo); and

One year: $239.88 (breaks down to $19.99/mo).

Per the insert, this month's box includes great stocking stuffer picks.

I received a bag of all natural Mint Chocolate Chip Snack Factory Pretzel Chips, a Softlips duo pack (in the flavors/scents Praline Brownie and Vanilla), Strawberry Remix and Spearmint Orbitz gum, and 2 pairs of earrings.

The green drop earrings are very pretty,and feel sturdy. The snowflake earrings (that's what I'm calling them) are also pretty, but the sturdiness isn't there.

I didn't care for the pretzel chips. They had a cloying aftertaste to me; but my friend, P, loved them.

All in all, in my opinion this month's Dazzley Box, once again, wasn't worth the subscription price. It's just not the box for me. Next month will be my last box with this subscription, and unless December's box is magical, I won't be sorry to see it go.

Any other Dazzley Box subscribers out there? If so, what do you think of the service and products?

Later gators,
M

Glitz, Glam, and good Customer Service

This month ipsy's glamming it up and, for the most part, I like it.

For those of you who don't know, ipsy is a neat little subscription service that provides makeup, etc. (mostly deluxe-sample or full-size), with a bonus cosmetics bag, for $10/month. Each month's bag has a different theme; and as you can see, this month's ipsy theme is Glam It Up.

In addition to a host of products to get you make up ready for the holidays, ipsy also included the code ipsy30 for use at checkout to get 30% off at emcosmetics.com/ipsy. I probably won't use the code, but I'm happy that they included a product from Michelle Phan's em cosmetics line in this month's bag so I can get to try out one of her highly anticipated items. 

I'm not too keen on this month's cosmetics bag. It looks pretty enough - a glitzy gold - but definitely has a cheap feel. The products, however, I really like.

Everyone received 6 items, instead of 5, this month due to the included full-size em product. There were a few different em products that could have been received, ranging from lip gloss and color to mascara. I kind of wish I had received a lip color, but I'm good with the mascara I got. I received the em Lash Gallery Clean Volume Mascara in black. I'm becoming overly saturated with mascaras, so this one will remain in reserve for now. It's nice to have choices though.

I also received a Starlooks Gem Pencil in Amethyst, a Nailtini nail polish in the color Champagne, a small sample of GlamGlow YouthMud Tinglexfoliate Treatment, a Pixi Beauty Bronzer in the shade Summertime, and a Lip Crayon from Be a Bombshell (in Shameless).

As you'd expect, the amethyst eye pencil is a nice, sparkly silvery purple. I love it, but as I don't wear eyeliner that much, I'll probably gift it to my sisters. It's perfect for festive holiday party looks, so I know they'll love it. The Nailtini polish is nice. I'm glad that I received Champagne (a more neutral color) instead of the gunmetal grey option. Both are pretty, but I can work with the rosey copper color I received a bit more. This is my first Nailtini polish, and I really like it. The wider, flatter, brush allowed for easy application and, while I needed to apply two coats to achieve a nicer look, the end result was smooth (no streaks). Nailtini seems to be one of ipsy's go to companies, so I hope to get more polishes from this company in future bags.

The ipsy site describes the GlamGlow YouthMud Tinglexfoliate Treatment as a "10-minute professional 'facial in a jar'". I've never heard of this brand, and the word Tinglexfoliate has me a bit uneasy :). Still, I might try this out one day. The Pixi bronzer will likely be used as eyeshadow instead of bronzer, but I'm happy to receive it.

My instant favorite this month is the lip crayon. This is my first lip crayon, and I'm liking it :). I love the color, a mauve with a hint of sparkle; and the crayon shape allowed for quick, easy, and precise application. Nice.

So, what's up with the customer service title? My first bag this month arrived open, and I mean every single product was open and looked used. It was a makeup horror show in that pink mailer. I emailed ipsy, and they replied saying that a new bag would be sent immediately. They were able to send me all the same items (except the Gem Pencil - originally, I had received the Topaz (bluish-silver) color, instead of Amethyst) which is awesome. I already have a silver Gem Pencil from a past Starlooks box, so I'm happy that I ended up with a purple one. Customer service at its finest.

What do you other ipsters out there think of your bags; and what do you think December's theme will be?

Later gators,
M

Lounging in the Mediterranean, with Starlooks

This month's Starlooks Starbox certainly delivers on color!

I love every product they sent out this month, even the bonus that I've seen people complaining about - but more on that later.

Everything was packaged beautifully, as usual. Starlooks really succeeds with their packaging. I always feel like I'm getting a birthday gift when their box arrives.

This month subscribers received the "Monaco" 5 Shade Shadow Palette, an Infinity Pot Liner in the color Orion, and a Slanted Liner Brush.

The Palette is gorgeous. The colors range from matte to more satiny finishes. I'm not yet sure how I'm going to use the red and canary yellow. The sample look from this month's lookbook (see this post's first pic) is striking, but not really my style. I'll graze YouTube and find some cool looks to try out :).

The Infinity Pot Liner (in Orion) compliments the Baldwin Blues nail polish that I received from Birchbox, so that's a plus. It goes on well, is a lovely shade and, of course, pairs with the Slanted Liner Brush.

As I mentioned above, also included was a bonus eye and lip pencil sharpener. I've seen quite a few people questioning why we received out, and complaining. In my opinion, why complain? Pencil sharpener = light years better than the usual bonus crystal shard :)

The box also includes this discount code for 40% off any starlooks.com purchase (expires December 15th). Just enter ILOVESTARLOOKS at checkout.

If you are interested in subscribing to Starbox, I would appreciate it if you used my referral link. Sign up before December 10th to ensure that you receive the highly anticipated $99 value palette!

If you're already a subscriber, what did you think of this month's vibrant box? If you have any look ideas, feel free to share those in a comment as well.

Later gators,
M

Hey Mike, Mike, Mike, guess what day it is.

It's that time again!

My Birchbox came this past Hump Day, and it's GOOD :)

This month's theme is More Good (yea, a Thanksgiving themed box! :), and I really like the selection of goodies they chose for me.

Seriously, this month's box is chock full of goodies I actually like, and can use. (More) good on you, Birchbox.

"As any Thanksgiving feast can attest, this is not the time for holding back.  Rather, this month - and the entire holiday season- is about abundance in all forms. More thanks, more giving, more thoughtfulness, more samples, and of course more pumpkin pie and stuffing.

All month [Birchbox'll] be bringing you ideas for how you can bring more good to your life..."

More pumpkin pie and stuffing? Yes, please! I can taste my dad's cornbread stuffing already :) Man, I love Turkey Day.

This month I received:

1) Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow oil-free SPF 25 foundation: I'm excited about this. I did a quick test on the back of my hand and, while I first thought the shade would be to dark, it blended so smoothly and easily that I think it will work. I use Bare Minerals foundation, but i think this will work well as a little something extra for dark under-eye circles;

2) Ayres Midnight Tango Body Butter: The description card says that the "moisturizer has a heady (dare we say sexy?) scent", and that's 100% right. It smells AMAZING, and made my hands feel wonderfully soft. I may invest in the full-size of this one;

3) Vasanti Cosmetics BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator: This face wash apparently mimics the microdermabrasion process, leaving the face smooth and glowing. We'll see how this one works. I'm using a couple of different face washes now, but I'll get around to this one eventually. It's a nice sample size though; and

4) Color Club Nail Polish: I received a cool blue color called Baldwin Blues. I love receiving nail polish, and I don't yet have a blue this shade.

My Lifestyle Extra this month was a trio of tea pouches from Mighty Leaf. I received Vanilla Bean, Organic African Nectar and the one I'm most exited to try Green Tea Tropical (a blend of sweet pineapple and guava). I'm a regular tea drinker, so I'm sure I'll enjoy these.

So, as I've said, I'm more than pleased with my November box. To all you other Birchboxers out there, what did you think of your boxes? Did they contain 'more good'?

If you're not yet a subscriber, but would like to be, I'd appreciate it if you used my referral link (share the love and all that goodness). Just click HERE :)

Later gators,
M

It's Kate Spade time again :)

It's Birchbox's Kate Spade Saturday Accessories giveaway day again; and today's selection looks fantastic!

Is easy to sign up and enter, and I'd love it if you used my referral link to do so (thanks in advance :). Just click this link: http://bit.ly/18Nytmr.

So, what's your favorite Kate Spade accessory?

Good luck & Later gators,
M

It's once again time to stunt!

Sorry for the late post about these shades. Last month into this one has been at least a dozen different kinds of busy. Hopefully things will calm down a bit since we're heading into the holidays. 

Hopefully :)

Anyway, about my newest specs. They are called the Keith Haring's, and I have a bit of a love/hate relationship going on with them. 

I love the flash, and retro two-tone look, of them. When looking at the lenses, I love the people tint; but when I have them on, the awkward verticalness of the shading makes looking through them a nauseating experience. 

I do feel like Edna Mode from "The Incredibles" when I have them on, so that's a plus :) All in all, I give them 3/5 stars. 

Keith Haring's

An artist who brought his work to the masses. 

Like these Stunners he was much sought after, 

having exhibits around the world and public

displays that are standing even now. Keith

Haring's art was colorful, cartoonish and fun. 

Follow in his footsteps and make the world Stun!

Collection: Fine Arts; Level: Fly

What do you think of this month's Stunners?

If you'd like to receive your own monthly sunglass gift by mail, head over to https://www.stunnerofthemonth.com.

Later gators,
M

Birchbox is at it again!

It's Kate Spade Saturday Accessories giveaway time & I'd love it if you used my referral link to enter --> http://bit.ly/18Nytmr.

Thanks in advance & good luck! :)

Later gators,
M

Thanks for the birthday wishes Starlooks :)

My birthday box came this past Saturday! A bit belated for my birthday, but that's okay. 

I was hoping for a vibrant, retro red lipstick, but it was not to be. I still like what I received though :)

The box contained three products, an eyeliner, an eyeshadow, and a lipstick.

Gorgeous

I wish that they included a product description card like they do with their regular monthly boxes, because there was no label on the eyeshadow, so I don't know what color it is - but it corresponds with the Indigo Frost (J215) eyeliner. The lipstick - Mila (Is40) - is an interesting mauvey color. It's no come-hither red, but it's nice and seems to apply well (based on the tiny swatch I've done so far).

I love how Starlooks sends out these extra boxes. Gifts by mail are the best :)

To any other Starbox subscribers out there, what did you receive in your birthday boxes?

Later gators,
M

Kate Spade Saturdays/Giveaways with Birchbox

Every Saturday in November, Birchbox will be giving away a collection of their favorite Kate Spade Saturday accessories to a lucky winner! 

I do not own this photo at all.

Photo courtesy of Birchbox/Birchbox on Facebook :)

All you have to provide to enter is your name and email address. So, if you want to enter (that gorgeous weekender bag in the third row of the first column is part of today's package, btw), you can do so from their Facebook page, or you can use my referral link (--> http://bit.ly/18Nytmr), and help me get another entry of my own :) Thanks in advance!

Later gators,
M