Mailtime: Vegan Conscious Box September 2012!

Holy crap you guys, this Conscious Box was like a Christmas present!  There was so much in it!!  So much, in fact, that for detailed photos, I had to take two pictures.

Overview:

Overall.

I didn't even have room for the additional literature and coupons that are usually included!

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!

Birchbox September 2012: Underwhelmed.

This is the second Birchbox that left me going, "...eh."

This looks like SO MUCH STUFF, right?  It's an illusion!

This is what's really in this box.  I'm excited about two things in this box, indifferent about two, and disappointed in two.  Can you guess which are which?!

1.  Nexxus Pro-Mend Hair Care Samples - $0.25 + $0.37 + $0.21 = $0.83
2.  Benefit Skin Care Samples - $0.47 + $0.49 = $0.96
3.  Color Club Nail Polish in Status Uptade (Update?) 0.25fl oz- $4.00
4.  Twistband - $1.83
5.  Mighty Leaf Tea in Vanilla Bean, Chamomile Citrus and Green Tea Tropical - $1.99
6.  Youngblood Mineral Primer 5ml/0.17floz- $6.97

Total Value: $16.58

There is also a coupon for Madewell ($25.00 off of a $75.00 purchase).  The Lookbook in the box is a collaboration with Madewell.  It's cute, but parts of it kind of miss the fall trends.  This fall is calling for an interesting blend of shades, sages, crimsons, plums; and beige is a timeless color for balancing out so many deep, smoky possibilities.

I'm really, really excited to try the primer from Youngblood.  I've heard the name Youngblood here and there, and my interest has grown in them the more I hear.  The fact that they're so passionate about cruelty free makes me very happy (and curious).  I'm always excited about tea, so these Mighty Leaf samples are no exception.  I've been curious about the whole Twistband craze, so I'm excited to get one to try out.  I'm always happy to receive nail polish, and whereas I hate tiny bottles, I do like the color I received.  The samples leave me underwhelmed and I'm sure I'll pass them on.

I think this is the end of the line for Birchbox and I.  It's been fun, and I've had some good boxes, but overall I'm unimpressed.

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.