Birchbox - Canceled

After 13 months of bb, I canceled. Here's why.

It started w/ this box. This particular month, they partnered w/ Gossip Girl. Stila & Dior Extase were heavily promoted. I was super excited, when bb partnered w/ Teen Vogue, the box was AWESOME. I got a lip plumper & hand cream. Ugh...so disappointing

I was so irritated w/ this box, I didn't even blog about it. Bandaids & bronzer? I'm blessed w/ a natural tan (filipino) so the bronzer is useless. I heard the peach shade makes a pretty blush but I didn't get that one. Think those bandaids are cute? They have them for $2.50 @ Target. BB sells them for $11?!? I left some nasty feedback on that one.

I planned on canceling after I received this box. They gave me a full size Laura Geller lipstick. It was only in one box & everyone wanted it. Can't freakin cancel now. Now, I mistakenly think I'm on the good box list.

Ugh. This one did me in. While a new razor is usable, its not what I would expect from a beauty sub. Walmart sent out the identical razor for free just weeks prior. Also, got some samples from Miss Jessie's. You can get these for free on Miss Jessie's website. You can see plain as day that is says free on the packets. Why am I paying for samples I can get for free on my own? The DDF cleanser was the only saving grace. Come to find out, they handed out full size cleansers in other boxes (not the 2 oz I got). This box left such a bad taste in my mouth. Its not only the quality of boxes, its their customer service too. I usually have some kind of issue every month, whether its a damaged sample or one they didn't include. I usually get a response with in a few days. Now, its a week if they even get back to you. You call & its always a answering machine. I think bb got too big for its britches & they need to scale back.

*SPOILER* August - Glossybox

UPDATE - 8/23 A big super duper thank you to Mkcurio for letting me use her picture!

It looks like the there are different variations of colors of the Ellis lip & Illamasqua's polish but everyone will be getting the same box.

The first of the August boxes has arrived! No pictures yet, will update as soon as I know :)

Looks like a awesome box!! 2 full size products :)

Biolage ExquisiteOil Replenishing Treatment

Ellis Faas Ellis Lips (Full Size) In Creamy Lips

Illamasqua Nail Varnish (Full Size) in Alarm

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum

Touch in Sol Feel Like Honey Skin Base

Summer Favorites

Summer is slowly starting to fade. School is starting in 3 weeks! I've tried so many products this summer. Here's my favorites

 Ole Henriksen - Walnut Complexion Scrub

I LOVE this scrub. It really deep cleans your skin.

I use it twice a month since it works so good.

And its quite reasonable at $24 @ Sephora

Origins - Perfect World Age Defense Moisturizer

w/ White Tea SPF25. This is a great lightweight

summer moisturizer. It soaks up your skin quickly.

 I actually got this free during their earth day promo.

$39.50 @ Origins

Charlotte Ronson - A Perfect Mess Beach Hair

I have thick, frizzy, long wavy hair. I wash my hair

at night, use a few drops of Amika's argan oil &

put it in a bun. The next day, all I have to do is undo

the bun, spritz this on & scrunch my hair a little.

I have perfect loose curls that literally takes me minutes to

do. I always get compliments on my hair. It does have

jasmine like scent to it but it doesn't linger.

$20 @ Sephora

Stila - One Step Correct skin tone correcting &

brightening serum. Another product I LOVE. I have

some dark spots on my chin but this wonderful serum covers

them right up. $36 @ stila cosmetics

Laura Geller - Balance & Brighten Baked

Foundation in Tan. I dust on a light layer over the

Stila Correct Serum. And my skin looks nearly

flawless (as flawless as its gonna get anyway!). It looks

like I'm not wearing any makeup at all. Its light weight

& lets yourskin breathe.

$33 @ Ulta

Cargo - Beach Blush in Coral Beach. LOVE this

blush. I love almost anything from Cargo. Its

gorgeous, it blends well & did I say its gorgeous?!?

They have so many pretty colors too. They have

a decent gwp @ Ulta $30

Benefit - Ultra Plush Lip Gloss in Dallas.

Dallas is two shades darker than my natural

lip color. It really moisturizesyour lips & it smells

like peaches.

$16 @ Sephora

NYX - Roll on Shimmer in Nude. Oooh,

love this stuff. Its so pretty & sparkly. It looks

great w/ my Filipino skin tone. It can get pretty

sparkly so I roll it on my hand & use a brush to apply.

$4.49 @ Ulta.

L to R Nude Nyx Roll on Shimmer,

Benefit Dallas Lip Gloss

Stila - In the Moment Palette. To think I almost

didn't get this because I thought I had too many

purpleshadows. I love improvise, a deep plum color.

Whim is a reddish brown purple & captive is so

gorgeous, I don't even know hot to describe it.

It comes w/ a tetra smudge stick. Swatches soon to come...

$39 @ stila cosmetics

 See any of your favorites? What products did I miss?

Julep Mystery Box - Classic w/ a Twist & Boho Glam

My final two mystery boxes came today. I'm really happy w/ both of them.

Classic w/ a twist

Alyson - $14 FS

Catherine - $14 FS

Audrey - $14 FS

Pomegranate Body Creme $18 FS

Total Value $60

I paid $19.99

Boho Glam

Blake - $14 FS

Jodie - $14 FS

Michelle - $14 FS

The Best Pedi Prep Ever & Foot File - $20 FS

Total Value $62

All 5 Mystery Boxes

Total Value $321.32

I paid $99.95

I think I got a awesome haul here. But I'm good on mystery boxes for awhile...yikes!





Julep Mystery Boxes - It Girl, American Beauty & Bombshell

Julep really knows how to reel me in! They put out 5 different mystery boxes based on the profiles - It Girl, American Beauty, Bombshell, Boho Glam & Classic w/ a Twist.

I ordered my first two boxes together - It Girl & American Beauty. Oh man, when I saw how big the box was, I got really excited.

Wah Wah. Disappointment. Two small boxes :(



It Girl

Megan - $14 FS

Base Coat - $14 FS

Rachel - $14 FS

Jessica - $14 FS

Sandra - $14 FS

Total Value - $70

I paid - $19.99

American Beauty

Amy - $14 FS

Pippa - $14 FS

Natalie - $14 FS

Hand Scrub - $10.66 1 oz Deluxe Sample

Age Defying Hand Brightener $10.66 1 oz Deluxe Sample

Daylight Defense Lip Balm in Vanilla Mint - $6 FS

Total Value - $69.32

I paid $19.99

Bombshell

Demi - $14 FS

Vanessa - $14 FS

Gloria - $14 FS

Lip Vernis in Peony - $18 FS

Total Value - $60

I paid $19.99

The It Girl box is my favorite. Megan is gorgeous & Rachel is the only dupe. I'm underwhelmed w/ American Beauty. The colors are boring & would have rather had one full size scrub or hand cream than 2 samples. I'm thrilled to get the peony lip gloss in the Bombshell box. I've almost ordered it a few times. All the polishes are dupes but that's not Julep's fault :)

I was bad & ordered the other two boxes. I can't help myself, I just have to know whats in those boxes!Should be here tomorrow. Its coming in another big box like earlier but I'm not going to get my hopes up.



ULTA Freebies - No Purchase Neccesary

If you happen to have Allure's fall issue of the Insiders Guide to Beauty & Style, bring it into Ulta to get 6 free samples. The kenra spray looks like a coupon, the rest of the offers are in fine print in the ulta ads.

Bliss - Triple Oxygen Cream .5 oz

Exuviance - Targeted Filler foil packet

Matrix - Exquisite Oil .16 oz

Murad - Intensive C Radiance Peel .33 oz

Kenra - Blow Out Spray 1.7 oz

StriVectin - Power Serum .03 oz foil packet

They were out of the kenra spray :( 

Also noticed a decent deal on bb. You can buy a 2 pack of July's samples for $10. Not the greatest deal (since you can get a whole bb for $10) but if purchase something from July's box, you get $10 off (which makes samples free!). You can't combine with any other discount though (anniversary codes won't work).

Pack A - lady vengeance perfume & dirt luxe scrub

Pack B - ada bronzer in golden & amika hair mask

Pack C - amika hair oil & jart bb cream

Pack D - jouer lip enhancer & harvey prince flirt

I've heard that the ava bronzer in peach looks pretty as a blush. So, I bought that & pack B. $12.45 for 2 full size bronzers, not bad.

Its so freakin hot out!

Beauty Blogger Get To Know Me Tag

Beauty Makeup Attic has a get to know my tag on her blog. I thought it would be fun to join in. She posts the most beautiful makeup looks & has a great blog.

1. Is your hair naturally curly or straight?
Its wavy gravy

2. What is your natural hair color? black

3. Do you dye it yourself or go to a salon? dye it myself but its been awhile. Rockin metallic highlights :)

4. How often do you wash your hair? 2-3 times a week.

5. Do you wear the same style every day or change it? Usually the same style but if I'm going somewhere special, I'll put more effort in it.

6. Do you do your own mani/pedi or go to a salon? Myself

7. How often do you change your nail polish? Toes twice a month in the summer. I like to have short & neatly trimmed nail. Long nails drive me nuts but they are gorgeous.

8. Do you polish your toes in the winter or just in the summer? Just summer usually. I did get a cute christmas polish I used in Dec

9. How long does it take you to put on your makeup? 10 mins

10. What do you do first, face or eyes? Eyes then face

11. Do you "collect" makeup or just buy what you need when you need it? I hoard it! I use it too but I have quite a few things I've never opened.

12. How often do you wear false eyelashes? Never. They look so gorgeous. I have a bad habit of rubbing my eyes so I don't think they would work for me.

13. Do you do a full face of makeup everyday? No

14. Do you wear makeup when you are home alone, or with family?  No

15. Will you leave the house without makeup? Yes but I would prefer to put some cheek stain on cheeks & lips. My "no makeup" makeup look

16. How many high end products do you have? Too many to count :)

17. How often do you wash your makeup brushes? Whenever I remember

18. Do you plan your OOTD every night or decide when you are getting dressed? Decide when getting dressed
 
19. How often do you change your handbag?

20. What time do you get up and go to sleep? Go to sleep around 2AM, get up 9ishAM

21. How often or when do you work out? Can't due to health problems

22. Left-handed or right-handed? Right

23. How tall are you? 5'5

24. Do you speak a foreign language? No

25. How many pets do you have? 2 cats - Venus & Io

26. How often are you on blogger? 2-3 times a week

27. Do you read the comments posted on blogs? yes

28. Do you keep a list of products to try as you see other posts? Yes & I am tempted quite easily

29. How did you come up with your blog name? Souly Stones was the name of my jewelry company. I've been called souly since.

30. What kind of camera do you use for photographs? Fuji Film Fine Pix

31. How often do you clean your house? Not often enough

32. What is your favourite color? Purple

33. Do you swear? Like a sailor!!

35. What are you doing with the rest of your day? Hang out w/ my boy & hubby

Sample Society - July

I canceled ss back in June. I got a unexpected phone call thanking me for my feedback. I was told they were going to send me a free box & give me a $10 credit if I wanted to join again.

It was super generous of them to send a free box. I'm still not wowed by it, however. Another tiny eye cream. Much bigger sample of jouer though (bb sent ones about the size of the eye cream). Sisley Paris is a good brand but I am swimming in skincare. It was a great box for free. I wouldn't be happy if I had paid for it. This is my least favorite box by them so far.

Box Contents
Sisley Paris - Intense Anti-Aging Hydration 4 ml $25 (FS $250)
Borghese - Tono Body Creme 1 oz $4.34 (FS $36.50)
Vbeaute - Nourishing Repair Eye Cream 1ml $5.66 (FS $85)
Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint in Golden .17 oz $3.80 (FS $$38)
Vincent Longo - Duo Lip Pencil in Roseberry/Spring Rose - FS $26

Total Value - $64.80  I paid $0
A great value though I made the right decision for me by canceling.