July Nadine West Review

The Box: Nadine West

The Cost: No upfront cost, prices vary per item.

The Goods:  They send you a few jewelry and/or tops and you decide which, if any, to keep and then return the rest.

The product names I have listed below are what Nadine West calls them, followed by the price I'd pay to keep the item.

Jewel Tortoise Pendant: ($14.99)  It's cute, but not my style.  I also found it on Amazon for $6.95. Returned.

Black Flowery Filigree Chandeliers: ($9.99)  Here again, these aren't my style.  I did include a note with my returned shipment that I prefer smaller pieces.  We'll see if that impacts future items. Returned.

It's All Sunshine and Ruffles Tank: ($14.89)  I'm a total ditz and forgot to write down the brand of this tank.  I'm sure on someone else it would be adorable as a swim cover-up, but this is absolutely my least favorite color ever.  I have a hard time pulling off yellows and this one made me look extra jaundiced. Returned.

This month was a total miss.  Like I said, I included notes on my return slip - which I've never done before.  It will be interesting to see if/how they take them into consideration.

Manicure of the Week - Subtly Nude

I'm usually of the "bolder = better" midset when it comes to nail polish and nail art.

Since my recent hair makeover was so bold, I was in the mood to try something very subtle when I sat down to do my nails.  I hadn't used my stamping plates in a while, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to bust them out as well.

This is a terrible picture.  They don't look janky in real life.  Promise.

I used I used Zoya Jacqueline for the base and Sally Hansen White On for the stamping.  The plate is #23 from the 2010 Bundle Monster set.

July Loot Crate Review - Villians

The Box: Loot Crate

The Price: $13.37 plus shipping

The Goods: 6-8 items perfect for a geek or gamer with a total value of $40+.

This month's theme was Villians.  They even did a custom box for the month, which I think is awesome.  The Tips for the "Perfect" Unboxing Crime bit made me giggle.

Joki Tee: ($15)  J likes the Joker and I like Loki, so this mashup is great.  Well, except that he's going to have to start sharing his Loot Crate shirts with me.  He just doesn't know it yet.

Harley Quinn Poster: (~$5)  I have a bit of a girl crush on Harley Quinn.  Is that weird?  It does bug me a little that it seems like she's basically the default character for blonde cosplayers.

Joker Bats Poster: (~$5)  J loved this.  We probably should get some little frames for these posters - with all the stuff we get from Loot Crate J's room is turning into a cool Geek Den.

Necessary Evil: Villains of DC-Comics: ($6)  This is a documentary DVD discussing the villains in the DC Universe.

Plasticolor Darth Vader Key Chain: ($5.49)  I was sitting here, about to gripe about how J never uses any of his cool keychains and then I had a fantastic idea.  This, and all of the other neglected keychains are going to become tree ornaments this year!

Deadpool Socks: (~$5.99)  I think I've mentioned it a million times, but I have a thing for socks.  J usually sticks to basic white socks, so I might actually get away with stealing these.

Bowser Magnet:  Love.  I have nothing else to say.  Just, love.

Rocket Raccoon 001: This is a cover variant exclusive to Loot Crate.  J gave me strict orders not to remove it from the wrapper when I was snapping my pictures.

Total Value: Over $40.  (Many items are exclusive, so values are educated guesses.)

This wasn't the most amazing Crate, but it was cool enough that J didn't seem let down by it.  I just read that next month's theme will be HEROES, so it will be interesting to see how they curate the opposite of this month.

Disclaimer: This post contains a referral link.

Blondes Don't Have All the Fun

I have a tendency to get super bored with my hair.  In the past, that's usually meant that I would just go chop a few inches off of it and be done with it.  I'm trying desperately to grow my hair out again, so that isn't exactly an option.  I decided instead to screw with the color a bit.

I've had this completely-light-blonde thing going on since October.

Two bottles of Candy Apple Red, some Not So Shy Violet, one ruined towel, a few curse words, and several hours later...

It's actually a bit bolder in person than it seems in this photo.  I legitimately feel like a Lisa Frank character.  It's awesome.

July Bulu Box Review

The Box: Bulu Box (Regular)

The Cost: $10/month (less with a longer subscription)

The Goods: Choose between Weight Loss or Regular options and you'll get 4-5 health and nutrition product samples. You can also earn points to spend in their shop by reviewing the samples you receive. 

Masquelier Solederm After Sun Solution Body Lotion: ($1) It would seem that no July box would be complete without a sun product.  I'm glad it's not an SPF 30 lotion, at least. 

Rutaesomn Sleep Aid: ($.75)  I don't consume much caffeine, usually just a cup or two of coffee in the morning.  However, I could see this being useful after a game night, since I usually wind up chugging caffeine to make it through all the marathon gaming.

Beanfields Bean & Rice Chips - Barbecue: ($1.25)  I just can't get behind bean & rice chips.  They taste fine at first, but something about the aftertaste just doesn't suit me.

Helps Tea - Just For Her: ($.46)  I'm hopefully several years away from having a need for menopause-relief tea.

Helps for Kids - For Rehydration Diets: ($.46)  This is evidently meant to help with recovering from dehydration due to stomach bugs.  It's for kids, but maybe J or I can use it if we ever get sick.

Power Crunch Original Bar - French Vanilla Creme: ($.33)  This has great reviews, so hopefully it will live up to its hype.

Kickbutt Energy Ballz - Cappuccino: ($3.98)  I haven't tried these yet.  They're probably more of a J item, but if nothing else they'll come in handy during a game night.

Total Value: $8.23

Bulu Box never has an extremely high value but this is the first month that the value wasn't at least equal to the cost.

Disclaimer: This post contains a referral link.

Operation Empties #1-10

I'm a bit of a hoarder when it comes to beauty products.  I do regular purges, but it still seems like I constantly have more products than your average drugstore.  So, for 2014 one of my New Year's Resolutions was to not purchase any beauty products until I had used up everything I had of that type.  (I did give myself the cheat/loophole that items in beauty boxes don't count.  Shhhhh...)

I had no intention to blog them originally, but I really like Every Little Polish's Project Pan posts, so here we are.  

Mark. Change Is Gonna Come Body Scrub: I used to be a Mark rep back when you could do that separately from Avon, so quite a few Mark products are going to show up in these posts.  This scrub was dense enough that it exfoliated very well but fine enough that it didn't leave me feeling raw, and the scent was nice and light.

Would I repurchase? Discontinued.  I also still have a bottle (or two) stashed away.

Pantene Split End Repair: I didn't notice this doing much to repair or prevent split ends, but it did make a wonderful leave in conditioner.  It melted tangles out of my wet hair and my hair felt so, so soft once it dried.

Would I repurchase? No, but only because I'm making an effort to buy only cruelty-free brands.

Mary Kay Oil-free Eye Makeup Remover: I actually had this for quite a while before I got around to using it.  (Story of my life.)  It did break down my waterproof mascaras quite well, but it then mostly just smeared it around my face and left me feeling sort of slimy.

Would I repurchase? No.

Got2b Fat-Tastic Dry Shampoo:  This was my absolute favorite dry shampoo.  It smelled good, made my hair look less greasy without taking the shine completely away, and gave me lift and volume.  When they stopped making it, I found 3 bottles clearanced at a local grocery store and snapped them up.  Sadly, I think this was my last bottle.

Would I repurchase? Discontinued.  :(

Tresemme Split Remedy Shampoo and Conditioner: I didn't notice that my split ends improved at all while using this.  After using this duo, my hair seemed way heavier and less bouncy - things someone with fine hair definitely don't want. 

Would I repurchase? No.

Avon MagiX Face Perfector: This was actually the first primer I ever tried and I liked it so much that I bought, like, 5 tubes.  I think I finally just opened my last one.  I actually wear it by itself a lot of the time.  It leaves my skin looking soft and smooth. 

Would I repurchase? Maybe.  It's a good, inexpensive product, but there is some controversy regarding Avon and animal testing.

Yes to Tomatoes Facial Wipes:  These clean my face well without leaving it feeling extremely dry.  I'm not sure that they really cleared my blemishes, but they certainly didn't cause any new ones.  These aren't great at removing waterproof mascara, though.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

Maybelline the Falsies Volum Express Mascara - Waterproof:  I picked this at random when I was in Hawaii last October.  (Don't worry, I haven't been using it this whole time.)  It volumized fine and didn't flake or run at all.  However, it was maybe a little *too* waterproof.  This mascara was a total PITA to remove.

Would I repurchase? No.  

NYX Mosaic Powder - Dare: Okay, in all fairness, I actually only used about half of this before dropping it and shattering it all over the bathroom floor.  Until that point, it was my go-to cheek color.  The rose gold was the perfect happy medium between blush and bronzer for me, and it went on beautifully.

Would I repurchase?  Yes.  I actually want to try other colors as well. 

July Ipsy Glam Bag Review - Sensationally Sunkissed

The Box: Ipsy

The Price: $10/month

The Goods: 4-5 full and deluxe-sample sized beauty products chosen based on your beauty profile.

bareMinerals 5 in 1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow - Barely Nude: ($6)  This isn't the best shade for me to wear alone.  I'll have to try it as a primer.

If it were a bit darker, it would look like eyeshadow; if it were a bit lighter, it would probably brighten wonderfully.  As it is, it looks like I need to get a bit more sleep.

Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balm - Unique Pink: ($8.40)  This shade is supposed to adjust based on your individual pH balance in your lips.  The shade it turned on my lips is a sheer, sort of rosy color.  It also has a subtle minty tingle.

Clear Clinic Labs Vanished: ($9.33) My vial cracked in transit, but luckily Ipsy had put it in its own little ziplock bag so it didn't leak on anything.  I like that Clear Clinic's products are available individually, but I don't know that they are cruelty-free, so I'll stick with my Relogy treatment.

Yes, that white blur is Stella.

Pur~lisse Pur~Protect: ($16.18)  This is the second month in a row that Ipsy has sent me a Purlisse item.  Since I received a full size Pur~Protect in my FabFitFun box, I'll probably try to trade this one.

Models Own Polish - Red Sea: ($8.57)  This is my first Models Own polish!  I've always wanted to try this brand.  It is a really pretty sheer red with flaky glitter.  

This is two coats.  I think it would be pretty both layered over other colors, or by itself in multiple coats.

Total Value:  $48.48

Honestly, I was happy with this bag as soon as I saw that I was going to receive a Models Own polish.  I really like the bag this month, too.  The pink is much more neon in person and it's probably one of my top 3 favorites.

Disclaimer: This post contains a referral link.

July Popsugar Must Have Review

The Box: Popsugar Must Have

The Cost: $39.95/month

The Goods: Hand-picked food, fashion, beauty, home, and/or fitness items.

TKO Soft Grip Jump Rope: ($13.99)  Maybe if Popsugar keeps sending me exercise equipment, I'll eventually get motivated enough to actually work out.  

Michael Stars Sea Grass Crusher Hat: ($48) I'm sure this hat would be adorable on someone else, but it's just not right for me.  I'll stick with the $10 one I picked up in Hawaii.

Seriously.  I feel like Crocodile Dundee.

Dang Toasted Coconut Chips: ($2.87)  Let me just say that these + vanilla ice cream + a warm homemade brownie = heaven.  The coconut makes the whole thing healthy, right?

Sun Bum SPF 30 Moisturizing Sunscreen and Cool Down After-Sun Lotion: ($11.99 & $7.99)  I love the fact that these are vegan and cruelty free, though I do wish the SPF were a bit higher.  I really need to get out to the pool so that I can try out this Cool Down lotion! 

Acme Pastel Chevron Straws: ($7)  We very rarely use straws so I certainly wouldn't have spent $7 on a pack, but they are pretty!  I feel like I need to get some sort of straw container thing to display them in.

French Bull Salad Servers: ($12)  This is actually the item I am most excited about.  We didn't have any salad servers and these are super cute!  

Revlon Bold Lacquer Mascara: ($7.99)  This is listed as a "Special Extra."  I still have a small pile of mascaras I've yet to try.  This one has received very mediocre reviews across the internet, so I'm not in any particular hurry to try it out.

Total Value: $111.83 (Not including the mascara.)

It's not the worst box ever, but it's always rough when I don't like the big ticket item of the month.  The hat is almost half of the value of the box and I just don't see myself rocking it.  That said, I'll probably get around to using the rest of the items.  Eventually.

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