BEAUTY BOX 5 - APRIL 2014

Here is my review on the Beauty Box 5 for the month of April 2014.  Make sure to sign up and get your box monthly for $12 per month at beautybox5.com.  Make sure to check out the video for more info.

If you like the items in this month's box, you could win a full size version of all the items listed below by posting a picture of your box on Instagram,  Post quickly, the contest ends at the end of April.

Bonnie Bell Lip Definer:  This brand has been around for a very long time.  I remember when I was much younger and we used to buy the lip glosses by Bonnie Bell.  They still sell these too.  You don't see this brand around as much.  My local Meijer's does carry Bonnie Bell products.  This liner is in Warm Brick.  It is a hard pencil, not very soft at all.  It would be great to line the lips or use as an all over color and then add a gloss or lipstick over the top so you get maximum wear from it.  Liners help keep your lipstick from bleeding and feathering.  This one is alright.  Nothing special about it at all.

Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer:  I like using these kinds of products in the summer when I am wearing shorts and skirts.  This helps to even out the skin and adds a nice glow.  I usually use this same type of product from AVON called Skin So Soft Satin Glow which has been out for a few years.  I will try the Jergens' version to see if I like it just as much.  It is still off an on cool and warm here in Ohio.  I waiting for a constant warm streak to break out the shorts and sandals.  I will report back to tell you how I like this product.

BLUM Naturals All Purpose Cleansing Wipes:  The packaging for this product is just adorable.  It looks like a mini disinfectant wipe container.  It has a chain so that you can put it on your backpack or travel bag.  Very convenient.  They are great for fixing makeup mistakes, removing makeup and any other small cleaning task.  Since they are so small, they tend to "ball up" on you when you try to use them to cleanse your face.   They also can shred and tear.  You can see that I am pulling on them in both directions.  The shorter direction, they can start to fall apart but the longer direction they are quite strong.  

I like these for cute packaging and the convenience they bring to my life.

NICKA K New York Lipstick : Begonia  This lipstick is very vibrant and lovely in the tube.  It is a redish/orange, copper/gold color.  When I apply this on my lips, the copper comes out making it a bit too chromy for my taste.  It is a warm color, but if it had been, maybe, a bit more cool, it may have fit my skin tone, but with the warmth, it does not do a thing for me.  It is way to bright for me.

BH Cosmetics Eyeshadow Trio:  I like this little trio.  They are great to keep in your bag or desk or take in an overnight bag.  The pigment is great and they go one smooth.  The packaging in cardboard, but there is a magnet  in side that keeps it closed.  What a great idea.  Who wants to have eyeshadow open and end up all over the place? Not me,for sure.  I may look into purchasing some other colors from this line.

I hope you enjoyed this review of the Beauty Box 5 for April 2014.  Please watching the video below for more info on these products.  Thanks for reading and watching.

AVON HAUL #5

I purchased these items about a month ago and totally forgot that I had done the haul video for it.  Too much going on right now so sorry for the delay.  I hope you enjoy and will check out the video below for more info.

Nail Art Sponge:  $1.49  These little tools are great for those starting to learn nail art and ombre and sponging techniques.  The kit comes with the plastic handle and 5 sponges.  After you use a sponge, just take it out of the applicator and turn it over to use the other side and even use the edges.  After you run out of sponges you can put your own in the applicator as well.  You will get quite a bit of use out of this product.  I love the applicator for more control and to keep hands from getting messy.  I don't know if these are still available. I have not seen them in the current AVON brochures.  

AVON Nailwear Pro Chillin Teal:  $6.00 This is really light and soft teal with reflects of silver.  This color would make a great french manicure or a great color for someone who does not like to have a lot of color on the nail, just a hint.  It is very soft and delicate and great for Spring.

AVON Nailwear Pro+ Green Goddess: $6.00  The camera doesn't do this color justice.  It is a light and delicate green with reflects of silver.  It is more of a satin finish and is a great color, again, for someone who just wants a hint of color.

AVON Speed Dry Crusin Coral:  $6.00  The Speed Dry collection claims to dry in 30 seconds.  What is does is it will start to set in 30 seconds but it is not completely dry for several minutes.  With these polishes, you have to work fast because when they start to set, they become streaky and hard to apply.  This color is a nice soft, feminine color for Spring and Summer.  Very light  with reflects of gold.

AVON Speed Dry Beachin Bikini: $6.00  Another soft color for Spring or Simmer.  This color doesn't come off great on camera but it is a soft orange/peach with reflects of gold

Eye Dimensions Eyeshadow:  $7.99 on sale $9.00 reg price There are 6 color trios in this line.  The others are Bronze Star, Khaki Chic, Diamante Purple and Sweetheart Plum.  The two I purchased are Sultry Smoke and Neutral Haze.  The description claims that they are a silky formula that wears for hours without creasing.  I did not experience either of these claims.  Some of the colors are so shimmery they are flaky which is not going to make application easy or silky.  I used these with an eyeshadow base and did experience some creasing and fading.

SULTRY SMOKE:  I have not used this trio yet, but I love the matte black.  The taupey color is nice but the champagne/pearl color is way to flaky.  It is too dry.  I will report back when I do use this trio.

NEUTRAL HAZE:  I have used this trio and really like the brown/burgundy color.  It doesn't have as much shimmer as the other colors and blends nicely.  The middle color which is a rose gold looses the rosy color when applied and just comes off as a champagne color.  I was disappointed with that.  The pearly color was also too flaky.  When I applied it to my brow as a highlight, it had way to much fall out and too much glitter.  I like a subtle highlight under by brow.  With this I looked like there was a disco ball on my eye.  Not attractive at all. 

HEARTS N HORNS - MARCH 2014

For the month of March, I had only a few Horns and quite a few Hearts.  I am on the fence with one item as a Heart and Horn.  I hope you enjoy this review and please check out the video that goes along with it.

HORNS

AVON Super Shock gel eyeliner - Blackened Metal:  $3.99  I wanted to try a gel eye liner to see how I would like it and to see the staying power, but was disappointed in this product.  I figured it would have some type of glitter in it due to the name, but I did not realize that when you try to take it off, the glitter goes EVERYWHERE.  Your entire eye area is lit up with glitter.  I did not like this at all.  The formula is very dry and did not go on smoothly.

WET n WILD Fergie eyeshadow primer - Take on the Day: $4.99 This is a tinted primer.  There are 2 in this line.  The one I chose is a champagne color.  The other is a mauve color.  This looks more like an eyeshadow than a base.   I did not like how shimmery it was and how it applied.  It was way too tacky for my taste.  My eyeshadows did not apply well over it and it did not make them last.  After only a few hours, the shadow was creasing and smudging.  I will be doing a review on eyeshadow primers soon.  I have many I have tried and this one is a big FAIL.

e.l.f Neutral Eyeshadow Palette:  $5.00  I got this a few months back at Walgreens and wanted to try it out.  I am on the fence on this palette.  There are matte and shimmer colors.  They are pigmented and wear well.  I really like them.  The things I am not happy about are, first, the mirror.  It is just a small mirror across the top when there is so much room for a bigger one.  I don't understand why it came with only one applicator.  There is so much extra room at the bottom that it could hold a few more.  When you have such a large palette, you would think that there would be more than one applicator.  I also did not like that quite a few of the colors are basically the same.  There are about 4 that are duplicates are very close to each month.  With such large palette I would have been nice to have more of a transition form the light neutral for a brow bone highlight to different golds and coppers to deeper browns and taupes.  I like that there is a black that is matte and one that has just bit of shimmer.  The brown in the middle, as you can see I have hit pan on, I use after I apply my primer as an all over the lid color.  This helps my other colors blend well.  All in all, I like this palette, there were just a few things that I did not like which made me 50/50 on this.

Heavenly Silk Daily Skin Nourishing Anti-Aging Firming Lotion:  I got this in a Beauty Box a few months ago and I LOVE it.  I use this on my face before I apply a face primer and makeup.  It moisturizes wonderfully.  It is very perfumed, but I don't mind.  Some do not like putting products on their face that have a perfumed scent as they think it may break them out.  I have not had any break outs with this product.  I will look into repurchasing a larger bottle.  I did find this on amazon starting at about $8.00 in a pump bottle.

Victoria Secret Pro Airbrush FX Face Primer:  I was looking on ebay for face primers and saw this and wanted to try it.  I am so glad I did.  I LOVE this primer.  It is lightweight and goes on so smooth and does not irritate my skin.  My foundation goes on smooth and silky as well and last all day without breaking down.  I have also used it as an eyeshadow primer and it works just as well.  I have since repurchased 3 more tubes.  They were only a few dollars even with shipping. Ebay is a great way to test out items you are looking for.  You can almost always find a sample size of just about anything you are looking for.  I will look into repurchasing a larger bottle of this.

Jordana 12hr Made to Last eyeline pencil:  $1.99  I had heard about this eyeliner all over youtube and did not know where to purchase it. I kept hearing that I could get it at Walgreens, but I had not seen it at my local store.  I stumbled upon it while purchasing some Sinful Colors and realized that the Jordana products are stocked right above the Sinful Colors display.  There is not a sign or anything, you just have to look.  I was looking for an eyeliner that would stay put on the lower lash line.  I have tried many , all with the same result, transfer and smudging and the "black eye" effect.  This eye liner did not smudge or transfer.  I always put a primer on my lower lash line as I will put an eyeshadow over the eyeliner to help it say, but I always had a problem.  Well, that problem has been solved with this eyeliner.   It goes on creamy and smooth.  Just beware that it you keep the lid off too long it will start to dry and crumble a bit when you try to apply it.  Just make sure to keep the lid on, anytime you are not using it, even in between each eye application.  Don't  just set it down and put on eyeshadow or to get a lash out of the way, so it won't start to dry. I still use a primer and apply eyeshadow over the liner, I have no problem with fading, smudging or anything.  It says all day.  When it is time to take it off before bed, it can be stubborn.  I use a PONDS facial wipe and also eye makeup remover to get it off.  I have a back up of this liner and will always have one.  I will NEVER be without this liner.  It is awesome.

Wet n Wild Megaclear Brow and Lash Mascara:  $1.89  I like using clear mascara to define and separate my lashes before I apply my mascara.  I really like this one.  The formula is light and sets quickly.  There is an "alcoholy" smell, but it disappears quickly.  I got this during a sale on Wet n Wild and with a coupon for $1 off, why not.  The brush is wonderful.  Not to big and not too small.  It holds a good amount of product and distributed it evenly.  I don't use it on my brows as mine are a bit thin and I am trying to train them to grow a certain way.  I have my right eye done and am working on my left.  Training your brows helps them to grow in the shape you like so when you apply your brow liner, you don't have to do much for the shape, you are just filling in if needed.  When they get the way you want them. which can take a bit of time, then you can use brow gel or mascara.

e.l.f Small Stipple Brush and Small Angled Brush:  $3.00 each  I had heard about the stipple brush on youtube and wanted to try it out and I LOVE it.  My foundation goes on smoothly and blended wonderfully.  I have been using my AVON foundation brush which leaves an airbrushed finish, but I have switched to the e.l.f brush.  I now use the AVON brush for concealer and it works great for that too.  The stipple brush is a dual fiber brush with some longer bristles and then densely packed shorter bristles.  I don't need a lot of foundation with this brush as it distributes it so well and evenly.  I use the CoverGirl Clean Makeup in the Sensitive formula in Tawny.  It is a medium coverage foundation but is buildable.  It is a creamy and light foundation and lasts all day.  The angled brush is great for applying eyeshadow to the lower lash line and for smudging eyeliner on the upper lash line.  I also use it to apply eyeshadow to the crease when I want light crease definition.  I also use it in my outer corner to help define a line or just to put a small amount of shadow there instead of using a larger eyeshadow brush or smudge brush.  These brushed are affordable and available anywhere e.l.f is sold.

I hope you enjoyed this review.  Please check out the video below for more info.  If you have any suggestions or comments, I would love to hear from you.  Thanks for reading and watching.