Phototutorial: Coffee Time.

I haven't done a tutorial in a while.  I've been busy between my two jobs, and whereas I miss you guys, I am really, really tired, haha.

I only used one brush!  This is the SOHO Smudge Brush from my Myglam/Ipsy Bag.  I used Madd Style Cosmetix pigments in Adipose, Xray Spex, Dirty Chai, Americano and Fresh Pots.  I used my Eyeko Skinny Liner in Black, my Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil in Whiskey and MAC's eye kohl in Fascinating.  I also used my Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin, and Makeup Forever's Smoky Lash in Brown.

Myglam aka Ipsy September 2012!

I'm currently listening to my Baushaus channel on Pandora, editing photos for a future post here on Manglaze Nail Polish, but it just so happened that Myglam Bag just got here.  I mean, my Ipsy bag.. whut?

That's correct, it's plastered everywhere; Myglam is now Ipsy.  I don't really know, nor do I care what that really means, as it just seems like marketing to me.  I'm sure they're trying to shed that inconsistent image that has haunted them since the birth of the program.

So, on to the bag, that I just received on the 18th, too close to the end of the month for my liking.

See, the word ipsy is everywhere!

What's inside:
1.  Soho Smudge Brush - $5.97
2.  Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Split End Sealer 0.38 fl oz - $5.59
3.  Jane Sparkle Gloss in Sparkle Pink - $3.33
4.  Mirabella Eyeshadow in Semiformal - $10.00
5.  Circus Nail Polish in Tightrope - value still unknown
Total Value:  $24.89

First impressions:
I want to start off by pointing out that this is the second Walmart famous product I've gotten from a subscription service in a row (last month it was the Schick razor).  I am indifferent about this, as I sample most of my mid to high end products at work anyways, but it does make me sad for people who join this services for fancy stuff.  There is only ONE mid to high end product in this entire bag, and the sample isn't even a full oz [edit to add:  apparently a full size is 1.7 fl oz so I guess this is a good sample size...).  Also, this is a little nitpicket-y, and not MG/ipsy's fault, but Soho: this is NOT a smudge brush!  It's a crease or contour or even fluffy pencil brush.. but not a smudge brush.

Secondly, this is the SECOND MONTH IN A ROW they have sent us pink lipgloss.  I haven't touch the one from last month, and I'm not going to use this one either.  For starters, Jane isn't exactly my first choice for lipgloss, and neither is the color or texture of this one.. I'm not fourteen!

As for the other items, Mirabella is still a foreign brand to me and although I like that this is easy to put into a free palette, I really don't care for Mirabella as a brand so far.  And another nail polish from Andrea's Choice?  Cool, I guess.  I love nail polish, but it goes to show you that they're really inexpensive nail polishes if they've given away nearly the whole collection before you can even buy them.  Is this a tactic to guarantee that people will buy the two colors they haven't received yet in order to complete their collection?  I don't know, but I'm kind of over it.

And I almost forgot!  We got a coupon for JustFAB Shoes!  ...except that I have no idea what that is!  haha.

Final thoughts:
It's time to cancel Myglam.  I'm just not excited about it anymore, and my money is going to go elsewhere... namely Conscious Box!  And possibly even Vegan Cuts new subscription box!

MAIL: MyGlam August 2012!

What's in this month's bag?
-Circus Nail Polish in Spectacle - full size: price unknown [V, CF]
-Demeter Roll on Perfume Oil in Clean Skin - .29 fl oz: $10.00 [says CF on their site]
-Eclos Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream - .25 fl oz:  $3.12
-Eclos Cellular Activator Facial Serum - .5 fl oz:  $7.50
-s.a.l.t.y. cosmetics Glama-ZOID! Eye Shadow - 1 gm: $5.98
Total:  $26.60

First impressions:
Holy cow that eyeshadow is overpriced!  A 2.5 gram loose pigment is $14.97?!  WHAT?  My second impression was.. I like the nail polish, I actually like the roll on oil, but... whut?  The gloss smells like.. candy, but maybe not in a good way, and they're presenting it as an extra goodie, not a regular part of the bag.  This month isn't good or bad, it's just.. confusing.  I'm kind of indifferent about this month's bag.  I guess if I didn't know how damn overpriced the eyeshadow was, I wouldn't feel so eh about it, but, $14.97?!  C'mon!!  What kind of start up charges that much for "mica, boron nitride 30" mixed together in a pot?!  It's white, sparkly and sheer!  That's like.. a 600% markup, at least!  I'm so confused by this bag.  And can I just say, seeing "STEM CELLS" plastered all over the skin care has me scratching my head.  It's a serious anti-aging ingredient, and Myglam is geared towards 13 to 30 year olds.. not 40 to 60 year olds?

I like the bag a lot at least?  I.. still don't know.  Eh.

Birchbox & Myglam July 2012!

BIRCHBOX:
boscia Green Tea Blotting Towelettes 25 sheets - $2.50 [V, CF]
Headphones - not for sale
Oscar La Renta Live In Love sample - $1.56
Larabar Uber Bar in Bananas Foster 23g - $2.54 [CF, V*; honey]
Jouer Luminising Moisture Tint 2.3ml - $1.56
Eyeko Skinny Liner in Black full size - $15

Total value: $23.16

First impression:
I was really happy with this box.  Its value is double what I paid for it, and it had two things I really wanted to try, then a few others that I'm happy to get as well.  I really needed a new liquid liner so the Eyeko made me happy to keep BB another month.

MYGLAM:
Circus Nail Color in Reverso full size - not available yet [V, CF]
Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Facial Towelettes 10 travel count - $1.996- so $2 [V, CF]
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-free Lotion 1oz - $6.19 [CF*]
Nume Hydro Punch Hydrating Conditioner 20ml - $1.9992 so $2
Josie Maran Lip & Cheek Stain in Tango full size - $19 [V, CF]
bag - not for sale

Total value: $29.19 (not including polish!)

First impression:
The value for this box is above and beyond (great job myglam)!  The full size polish is awesome, even if I did get white.  I'm excited to try everything in this box (and actually can, this month), but I'm going to hang on to the makeup towelettes for my next excursion.  So excited to have this bag!  The bag is even adorable this month!

FTC:  This post is not sponsored, I pay for my subscriptions to myglam and birchbox.

Birchbox & Myglam June 2012!

They're here!  =D

In this box:
1.  Stila One Step Bronze - Skin Ton Illuminating, Bronzing Serum; 1 fl oz
2.  Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift sample
3.  Comodynes Urban Cosmetics Self-Tanning Towelettes; 2 - 1 towelettes packages
4.  Luna Bar in Chocolate Pepermint Stick; mini size (0.7 oz)
5.  theBalm Staniac in Beauty Queen; deluxe sample size (0.04 fl oz)

First Impressions:
Birchbox this month was pretty exciting!  I have been very interested in self-tanners because I'm extremely fair and have no plans to tan.  I am a huge fan of the St. Tropez bronzing mousse we have at work, but I like the idea of a towel for ease of use.  I'm really excited to try this; they're from Spain!  I have theBalm product in the full size and love it.  The Luna bar is actually one of my favorite flavors.  I don't dislike Wonderstruck, but I'll probably pass on the sample to someone else.  As far as the Stila, I'm always excited to try new Stila products!  This one is no exception, and this is a full size product that usually costs $36!  This product alone makes this month's box.

In this bag:
1.  Philosophy Take A Deep Breath; deluxe sample size (0.4 fl oz)
2.  Living Proof Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream; 2 fl oz
3.  NYX Round Lipstick in Iced Honey; full size
4. Marbella Permanent Eyeliner Pen; full size

First Impressions:
You all know that I LOVE Take a Deep Breath, so I was excited to have this sample size to add to my brush belt (which also holds a sample size of Hope in a Jar and Eye Hope).  This gel hydrator is great for combo/oily skin types, or for people who are already using some type of serum that still needs just a little more hydration afterwards, not a full on lotion or cream.  Also, Philosophy is doing their 30% off sale until June 16, 2012, so take advantage of the coupon code Philosophy12.  I love Living Proof products, so I'm excited to try this product; also, this size is about $9-$12 in stores!  The NYX lipstick made me a little sad.  They sell in the Chinese market so it drives me crazy that their tube states "cruelty free" and I already have several colors close to this one.  However, I don't hold this against Myglam because this product is a good match for their demographic; easy to find, easy to afford, and a huge range of colors.  The last product originally left me a little disappointed, as it's a permanent eyeliner pen, but it can't be used with [contact] lenses.  I was debating using it anyways when j0hn (that brilliant boy) says, "This would be great for doing your eyebrows!  This is a good idea!"  I hadn't even thought of using it that way!  Three cheers for j0hnnyboy!  I'm unfamiliar with the brand, so I need to look them up.  They're apparently German, which gives me hope that they'll be cruelty free (European companies are usually more forward in animal rights; usually).

Overall:
I am really happy with my beauty subscriptions this month.  In value alone they were both excellent, but I was also really happy with the actual products I got in my boxes.  Look for these products to be in my June Favorites video on my youtube.. if they make the cut.