Favorite Products of 2012

Wow! It's been much too long since I've posted! Between a broken camera, my first semester of senior year, and a blogging job with the always-fab makeuptalk, I've been one busy girl! Although I can't promise that posts here will be often, I will try and publish something every now and then.

To get into the swing of things, I'd like to share some of my 2012 favorites with y'all, inspired by lots of my other favorite beauty bloggers! It's been a busy buying year for me (probably not a good thing on a college-student budget), so I've tried lots of new products, plus what I've gotten in my beauty subscriptions. Here are the things I would definitely purchase again - my favorites of 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!

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!

Join in the blog hop here!

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!

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!