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!