Saturday, July 14, 2012

Quick Update!

Hello there, readers! This is just a quick notice to let you know why I haven't been posting. My camera is officially dead, and I don't have any other viable options for pictures. This ruins some of the great blog post I had planned, like my Wavy Nails look or another unboxing video. I don't know when I'll get another camera - probably not until my birthday in August.

However, I will still deliver on my Birchbox reviews, there just will be no preview posts since I'll be using their stock images.

Sorry for all the delays, and thanks for sticking around!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Birchbox: June Preview!

I'm a lucky subscriber to  Birchbox, a service which sends you four to five samples of luxury beauty items in the mail monthly. Every month I'll give you both a preview of the box I got and a detailed review of the items after I've been able to sample everything. If you're interested in getting your own box or gifting a friend, let me refer you here!

I got two boxes this month, and both happened to be the same box! The theme was Jet Set, and the items actually seemed to go alone with the theme this time! (Incidentally, I traded my extra box for a full-sized Stila bronzer/primer that other people were getting. Score!)

Not pictured: John Varvatos Star USA Men's Cologne


From the box...
  • Comodynes Self-Tanning Intensive: Who needs the sun when you can get a safe, buildable, and natural-looking tan with these bestselling European towelettes?. Pack of 8, $14.99
  • Eyeko Fat Eye Stick: A Birchbox exclusive, this UK brand's too-cool shadow stick combines creamy color and long-lasting wear. full-size, $15
  • Likewise Facial Moisturizer + Sun Protectant SPF 50 Normal to Oily: Get sun savvy with this zin-infused cream. It acts like a hydrating toner to mattify skin while deflecting UV rays. full-size, $44
  • theBalm cosmetics Stainiac in Beauty Queen: We're crazy about this two-in-one lip and cheeck stain: the sheer gel formula delivers a subtle, long-wearing flush. full-size, $17
  • LIFESTYLE EXTRA - tili Bags : Breeze through airport security with these too-cute plastic bags. They're perfectly sized for storing all your travel essentials (and beauty samples). Pack of 9-12, $8.49-$9.49
  • BIRCHBOX MAN EXTRA - John Varvatos Star USA : In honor of Father's Day, we've included this dapper cologne, a blend of ginger, juniper berries, and vetiver. Pass it on to a lucky guy friend or family member. full-size, $55-70
Initial Thoughts
This was a pretty good box, and one that a lot of people were coveting. Go figure that I get two! I was worried that I wouldn't enjoy the Eyeko Fat Eye stick, which I got in a pretty teal blue, since I don't wear eyeliner for multiple reasons. I can't apply it to save my life, and even when I manage to throw it up there, I look like a hooker; my face just can't handle a lot of eye makeup. However, the large size of the stick makes application easier, and I've found that I like the results if I smudge the liner with my finger tips after application.

I was also very excited to see the Stainiac in my box; not only have I been dying to try theBalm, but I love the idea of multi-purpose makeup. It really went with the theme, too, I thought. After all, the less you have to bring while traveling, the better.

The items I'm the least excited to use are the self-tanning wipes. I don't mess around with tanning, fake or real, because I'd rather not turn orange or get cancer. I've seen some good reviews on these wipes, though, so I might try them before I head to the beach next weekend.

Overall, I think this will be an interesting box. Reviews shall be forthcoming!


Do you have an experience with the brands listed? Which product are you most interested in getting a review on? Let me know in the comments! XO, Clueless!

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Julep Maven: June Review!


I heard about the Julep Maven program from MUT and was intrigued. Normally the box costs about 20 dollars a month (a bit much for me, to be honest), but they're almost always featuring great penny promo codes! I usually skip, but this month, I was a sucker for the colors and had to splurge!

First, let me apologize for the drought of posts; I blame it on exams, general stress, and a lack of interesting things to talk about. It shouldn't happen again.

Now, on to the fun stuff. I totally planned to never purchase a Julep Maven box again, simply because they cost more than I really should spend. However, when I saw the gorgeous June Boho Glam colors, I couldn't refuse. They also included some cute lip balm and sunscreen (and Pixi Sticks!), though I'm saving those for trades or gifts.


Reviews of the polish after the cut! (Plus the fun look I created using them, too!)


Sunday, April 15, 2012

Birchbox: April Preview!

I'm a lucky subscriber to  Birchbox, a service which sends you four to five samples of luxury beauty items in the mail monthly. Every month I'll give you both a preview of the box I got and a detailed review of the items after I've been able to sample everything. If you're interested in getting your own box or gifting a friend, let me refer you here!

I got my April box today, just a day after my MyGlam bag. (Which, by the way, was pretty worthless to me. I don't even know if I'm going to bother posting about it. I cancelled today after just one month!) This month's theme was "Natural Wonders," so everything was supposed to be themed appropriately.



From the box...
  • Alima Pure Organic Nourishing Lipbalm in Rhubarb: Both wholesome and chic, this tinted balm is made with plant butters and delivers a natural flush of color. full-size, $7
  • Befine Skincare Sampler: Easy does it. This exfoliator and moisturizer duo uses gentle ingredients like rice and brown sugar to keep skin supple and healthy. full-size, $24-$25
  • willa Gentle Cleansing Lavender Facil Towelettes: There's no need to cozy up to your sink - wipe away the day's debris with these aloe and lavender-infused wipes. 30 sheets, $7
  • Wonderstruck Taylor Swift: The pop-country songstress' scent is as catchy as her lyrics. We think it is worthy of a standing gig on our vanity. full-size, $49.50-$59.50
  • LIFESTYLE BONUS - dropps Laundry Detergent: Lighten your laundry day load with these single use, eco-friendly detergent packs. We love their convenience factor and adorable design. Pack of 20, $6
Initial Thoughts
I am pleased! This box didn't blow me away -certainly not like last month's Teen Vogue box! - but I'm pleased. I really, really like the theme, especially because I'd love to be more natural and eco-friendly but don't like buying new brands without sampling. I'm especially excited to try the Befine products! I got three foils of the exfoliator and two of the moisturizer. They say they're single use, but I honestly think they're big enough for me to get two uses out of each. I need a good exfoliating cleanser!

Also, my lip balm was broken, which made me sad. It's probably still useable, though I did send Birchbox an email about it. They've been pretty good about customer service, so we'll see what happens. I already have a ton of lip product, but it'll be nice to try a new one. Really, the only sample that doesn't blow me away is the Taylor Swift perfume, but that's partly because I don't really wear fragrence. I LOVE the lifestyle bonus. These detergent packets are just the kind of thing I'd want to buy but am always too afraid to do so in case they don't work.

Expect reviews forthcoming! I didn't post for almost two weeks because of exams and general stress, but I won't let it become a habit!


Do you have an experience with the brands listed? Which product are you most interested in getting a review on? Let me know in the comments! XO, Clueless!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Blogger Appreciation Award

D'awh! I was given a Blogger Appreciation Award by the lovely Rianne at Rianne's Reviews! It's very fitting since she's actually one of my favorites out of the blogs I follow. We have a lot of similar opinions, but she's much more creative when it comes to makeup than me, so if you want to really see some neat things, you best be checkin' her out, yo. (I'll stop now.)

Thank you, Rianne!


Continue after the jump to see the rules of the award and my answers to a few questions!

Monday, April 2, 2012

What's in my traincase?

The lovely blogging support site BlogLoveTherapy is featuring a blog hop this week - What's in your makeup bag? (Or, for me, what's in your traincase?) I don't want to always spam my blog with these, but I would love some more followers, and the theme was just too fitting. I have A LOT of stuff in my train case, so I thought I'd pick my essentials, plus a product or two I'm really loving right now!



1. Tarte Lipsurgence in Joy: If you've read any of recent Birchbox posts, then you know that I got this full-sized lip tint in my box this month. Despite my initial distaste of the color, I absolutely love this product. No orange lips here! I don't wear this everyday, but when I want to highlight my lips, this is my current go-to color.

2. Maybelline Great Lash mascara: My everyday mascara! I love this for day use because it makes my lashes look nice but isn't too glamorous for my boring, daily activities, like class and work. 

3. e.l.f. Studio Tinted Moisturizer in Nude: I love this tinted moisturizer because it evens out my skin tone without being as heavy as a normal foundation. Plus, at three dollars a bottle, it doesn't break the bank. 

4. essie Navigate Her: This is my top choice for spring nail color. Not only is it trendy right now, but the formula is amazing and can last me at least a week with no chips and little tip wear. 

5. e.l.f. Essentials Brightening Eye Color in Punk Funk: I love this palette because of it's diversity (even if the name is so stereotypically irritating). I typically just wear the white on a day-to-day basis, but the pink, purple, and blue are all fun for a party.  

6. beautyblender: I got this reusable makeup sponge in my February Birchbox, and I have to say it is phenomenal. Just run this little baby under some water, let it bloat for a few seconds, and get a perfectly blended face, whether it's tinted moisturizer or foundation. Although I don't use this everyday - sometimes I'm running out of time and just slather on my face products with my fingers - I still love this neat little item.




What's in your makeup bag? What items are essential to your beauty routine? Let me know in the comments! XO, Clueless!






BlogLoveTherapy

Join in the blog hop here!

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Birchbox: March Review!

I'm a lucky subscriber to  Birchbox, a service which sends you four to five samples of luxury beauty items in the mail monthly. Every month I'll give you both a preview of the box I got and a detailed review of the items after I've been able to sample everything. If you're interested in getting your own box or gifting a friend, let me refer you here!

I said in my preview post that this Birchbox was the best I'd ever received, and after testing all the products, I can say that this is 100% true! I opted in for the Teen Vogue box instead of the normal box, simply because I was tired of getting skincare products and wanted the color and the glitter. Birchbox and Teen Vogue definitely delivered!


Sunday, March 25, 2012

Julep Maven Unboxing + Promo Codes!

I heard about the Julep Maven program from MUT and was intrigued. Normally the box costs about 20 dollars a month (a bit much for me, to be honest), but they're almost always featuring great penny promo codes! I was especially excited for their March Introductory box, so I used the code provided by the lovely Zadidoll. I wanted to get creative and made my VERY FIRST unboxing video. Excuse the poor quality and my terrible voice!




Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Review: Sula's Paint and Peel

As my lovely roomie was going through her nail polish collection, she came across Sula's Paint and Peel in Azure, a lovely aqua blue. I'd actually just seen something about the brand online not to long ago, so I thought it'd be perfect for a review! (Plus my nails were looking a bit scraggly!)



Full review after the jump!


Monday, March 19, 2012

Why Hello There, Spring!

The lovely blogging support site BlogLoveTherapy is featuring a blog hop this week - Why Hello There, Spring. The theme was based on what you'd wear for the first day of spring, and I just couldn't resist. Click on the picture for item listing and prices.

I tried to include a few different spring trends, just to see if I could. Lace is a big one this season, and I love the innocent look of a lace dress, especially if I could figure out a way to pair it with another spring trend - neon! (Do note that the orange shoes were not my idea - my lovely roomie thought of those, and she couldn't have been more right!) I actually own this essie nail polish, aptly entitled "Navigate Her." This pistachio green is very in. Pink belts and silver jewelry may not be the trends of the season, but they always have a special place in this blogger's heart.


What would you wear for the first day of spring? Which spring trends get you excited? Let me know in the comments! XO, Clueless!




BlogLoveTherapy
Join in the blog hop here!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Birchbox: March Preview!

I'm a lucky subscriber to  Birchbox, a service which sends you four to five samples of luxury beauty items in the mail monthly. Every month I'll give you both a preview of the box I got and a detailed review of the items after I've been able to sample everything. If you're interested in getting your own box or gifting a friend, let me refer you here!

I got my Birchbox this week, and it was definitely the best one I've received all year. This month subscribers were able to choose between a normal box or a special, limited-edition Teen Vogue box handpicked by beauty editor Eva Chen. They promised "sparkle-tastic" (no, I did not make that up) picks, so of course I opted in. Luckily, after getting it, I have no regrets.



From the box...
  • Annick Goutal Petite Cherie perfume: A blend of fresh fruity notes and musk, this french fragrance is the definition of understated chic. full-size, $85
  • essie luxeffects: Layer this glittery top coat onto any polish for an eye-catching look. full-size, $8
  • Shiseido Pureness Oil-Control Blotting Papers: These mattifying tissues are coated with transparent rice powder to leave your skin perfectly shine-free. 100 sheets, $18
  • tarte LipSurgence lip tint: A blend of fresh fruity notes and musk, this french fragrance is the definition of understated chic. full-size, $24
  • twistband Hair Tie: Give your ponytail a makeover with these colorful, snag-free elastics. 12-pack, $18
  • ModCloth EXLUSIVE OFFER: Use this discount code toward a fancy new frock for spring.
 Initial Thoughts
I was so excited to get two full-sized items this box! (That doesn't happen very often!) The essie nail polish and lip tint were both full-sized, meaning that my box is already worth $32 dollars! This makes me a very happy Clueless! I'm already a fan of the essie brand, so I can't wait to experiment with the sparkles. As for the lip tint, I was initially devastated to get "Joy," an orange-y color; however, the color looks wonderful on, something that I plan to expand on when I do a product review!

I've heard great things about twistbands, but I am worried about how well it'll hold up my hair during a work-out. I'm not a huge fragrance fan, but the french perfume smells nice, so I'll give it a try. The blotting papers, however, don't excite me much.

Expect to see some reviews trickling in over the next few days!


Do you have an experience with the brands listed? Which product are you most interested in getting a review on? Let me know in the comments! XO, Clueless!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

The Ten Beauty Commandments of the Clueless


If you're anything like me, then you love beauty but don't have the money, skill, or patience to really master the "techniques" often featured in magazines. I believe in beauty for the normal girl, the one who has enough sense not to wear purple eye-liner but still wants to wear the "in" look. Follow my journey as I test the products, experiment with the looks, and teach you how to wear the fads without breaking the bank or spending hours in the bathroom.


But first things first: I present to you the Ten Beauty Commandments of the Clueless. I live by these ten simple rules, and I consider them the first steps to being less clueless. Try them yourselves, but remember there are always exceptions!

1. Less is more.
 Despite what middle schoolers everywhere seem to think, piling on the product doesn't equal a better look. The point of make-up is to look naturally pretty, and everyone knows that orange tan you've suddenly spotted is not natural. As cliched as it sounds, less really is more. (And please, middle schoolers, put the eye-liner down.)
 
2. Always do your (online) research.
The great thing about the internet is that it's crazy easy to find out information about any product. If you're trying something for the first time, find out what others are saying. Magazines are not good sources for reviews - remember, they're usually paid to promote certain products. Instead, try looking at other blogs, make-up forums, or even Amazon.com to find out what actual consumers are saying.


3. Why pay more when you can pay less?
Despite what luxury brands want us to believe, it's often possible to find a great dupe at drugstores or elsewhere. Of course, there are always exceptions, but in general don't be afraid to opt for the cheaper version. Your wallet will thank you.


4. Never judge a color by its cover.
The color of almost any product never matches it's packaging. Do a test swatch before purchasing to see if you actually like the color, whether it's eye-shadow, nail polish, lip gloss, or whatever. Purchasing online? Google Images is your friend - find pictures of others modeling the product to get a better idea of how it wears.


5. Some rules are made to be broken.
Believe it or not, it actually is, in fact, okay to wear white shoes after Labor Day. Take similar rules with a grain of salt - just because a magazine says it's so doesn't mean they're always right.


6. Matchy-matchy is almost never in.
Although some rules are made to be broken, some you'd benefit from following, and avoiding total matchy-matchy is one of them. Need a quick guide? Don't match your shoes or bag with your outfit.


7. If it seems appropriate for Halloween, it isn't appropriate for anything else.  
Fashion magazines love to show us crazy outfits and make-up styles, but how many people do you actually see walking around with lip tattoos or furry skirts? Thought so. Save the crazy stuff for Halloween.


8. Wash your face every night.
Do not sleep with make-up on.  Do not sleep with make-up on. Do not sleep with make-up on. Do not sleep with make-up on. Do not sleep with make-up on. Do not sleep with make-up on. Do not sleep with make-up on. Can I be any clearer?


9. Protect your face and hair.
You need to protect your face with sun-screen, even in the winter. Try getting facial products that have at least an SPF 15. Likewise, any heat styling tool - including hair dryers - can damage your hair in a matter of weeks. Find products that will protect them to keep your face and hair healthy.


10. Do it for yourself.
No matter what's in or out, if you like a look, go for it. Ask yourself why you are in to beauty. If it's for anyone else's benefit, you're doing it wrong. What's written in this blog - or in any blog or magazine, really - is simply a matter of opinion. Find your style and strut your stuff.



What are your top ten beauty commandments? Let me know in the comments! XO, Clueless!