December 2016 Wrap Up - What I Bought This Month

Wrap Up by redlipgloss featuring Stila

 I can't believe December is coming to an end, along with 2016 - the year, and the Holidays, have flown by!  I think its definitely time to recap what I bought this month.

In November, with the help of Allan and my bestie, I decided to cancel the majority of my monthly beauty subscription boxes.  I was so tired of receiving the same items, all the time, and also hardly ever receiving full-sized products.  I ended my long time relationship with a few of them and signed up for only two monthly boxes - knowing that they ONLY send full-sized items.  Here's the lowdown on what I purchased this month:

BoxyCharm (New Subscription)

You have all seen the post about this box already but I can't stop raving to all my friends about it.  The products are only ever full-sized and they are really great items too.  My box had a total value $178.50 USD and only costs me $35 CAD per month.  I received:

Pure Cosmetics Eyeshadow Palette in Buff - $50 USD

Model Co Shimmer Bronzing Powder - $24 USD

OFRA Metallic Liquid Lipstick in Napa Valley - $19.98 USD

Purlisse Pur-Eye Adore Serum - $65 USD

Starlooks Ultra Longwear Mechanical Lip Pencil - $19.50 USD

Verdict: AMAZEBALLS.  If you can only have one monthly subscription box, this is the one to get.  

Ipsy (Cancelled)

This month was my last Ipsy bag as I have cancelled my subscription.  I paid about $19 CAD a month for this and HATE that everything is little.  Plus, there are only so many cosmetic bags a gal can have.  This month, I received:

Tarte Maracuja Oil

Briogeo Curl Charisma

Ciate London Liquid Velvet Lipstick in Pin Up

NYX Prismatic Shadow in Punk Heart

Cake Heavy Cream Intensive Hand Repair Balm

Verdict - FAIL.  Yes, the eyeshadow is really cute but for $19 CAD a month, this is not a good value at all.  Everything is way too small.

Beauty Box 5 (Cancelled)

This was my introductory beauty box as I am still waiting for December's.  Shipping was delayed and I don't actually know when my first box will be in.  Either way, I've cancelled it.  Items are small and for $20 CAD a month, it's just not worth the price.  This box contains:

HappyFace Makeup Cleansing Cloth

Scratch Nail Wraps 

Knotty Think Pink Elastics 

Austrailian Gold Hemp Nation Body Wash

Tints & Sass Lip and Cheek Stain

Verdict: Just, no.  Items are way too small and as much as I love the robin's egg blue box, it's not worth the money.

Benevolent Beauty Box (New Subscription)

This box made me very happy.  First, this box commits to sending only cruelty-free, mainly vegan, beauty products and the boxes will always be over $100 USD.  (At least that's what they say).  This company only emerged in May 2016 and have made a lot of women so happy with the variety of products they send out.  Oh, did I mention that everything is always full-sized?  Here's what I received:

Beautiful Birdie Full Lash Mascara - $22 USD

Dirty Lamb Coffee Scrub - $8 USD

Shea Terra Organics Rose Hips Black Soap Face Wash - $4.50 USD

Girlactik Sparkle Eyeliner and Base set - $27 USD

Tat2u Matte Lipstick in New Generation - FREE upon signup

Bunny Bath and Body Morning Jolt Caffeine Serum - $7 USD

Manna Kadar Blush in Paradise - $19 USD

Verdict: Undecided at the moment.  I love my free lipstick and the mascara is actually fantastic but the total value was only $87.50 USD.  This monthly subscription is $29.95 USD per month plus another $8 shipping - with exchange, I just haven't decided if this is a good deal or not.  I will stay for another month and decide.

I also purchased a couple items from Sephora this month to ensure I took advantage of the $25 off coupon for being VIB Rouge.

I am loving this new little blush palette and have already been using it most days.  Such a good deal as this was only $12 CAD.

I ran out of my favorite facial oil/serum and had to order more.  LOVE this brand.  Also a steal as I used a separate $25 coupon for this and only paid about $70.

Now on to the fun stuff (ha) - the gifts! I have the best friends and family, truly.  Here are some of the great goodies I received this year.

I have never tried Bliss products before but my bestie, Carmen, said they are the best. Thanks to her I get to try them out!

 My other bestie saw these shot glasses and instantly thought of me - I wonder why.  Thanks Bronwen, they are fabulous.

Also thanks to B, I get the Stila "Spirit" Eyes Are the Window Shadow Palette to play with!

And then Carmen found this adorable little NudeStix Lip and Cheek Pencil set.  The set contains 3 chubby stix, a sharpener and a really cute tin.

We did a secret santa gift exchange with all the friends and I got the vanilla chai scented lotions, scrubs and body wash from the Body Shop.  The scent reminds me of Bali!

As usual, I was spoiled.  Allan and Ben bought me a beautiful birthstone necklace as Ben's birthstone is emerald and my mom sent me a lovely perfume set.  Plus, I got oddles of Sephora gift cards...yay!

Hope you all had a great Holiday.  What was your favorite item you received?

   

DIY Facial Oil - Only 3 Ingredients Needed!

So you all know that I typically post DIY beauty tips on Fridays and I also ALWAYS try them before I post.  However, this one was way too good not to post today and I am in the process of making it.

I adore facial oils.  Truly, I don't think there is a better way to keep your skin moisturized and make your skin more supple.  I recommend oils to everyone I know because they actually work and do exactly what they say they are going to.

What I don't like about the oils on the market is the pricetag.  An ounce of facial oil can set you back about $100 and, though  there are some fantastic oils on the market, the investment is just not worth it.  Especially when you can make your own for less than $20.

I found this site today and had to share - check out the post and let me know if you end up making this as well.  I can't wait to hear your results after using your DIY facial oil!

http://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/diy-face-oil/

   

My Very First BOXYCHARM Beauty Box - December 2016

I adore beauty subscription boxes and subscribe to a number of different ones.  This past month, though, I made a change and began subscribing to BOXYCHARM and cancelled Ipsy, Beauty Box 5 and Lip Monthly.  I realized after receiving so many sample sizes that I only want to receive full-size items.

Ladies - I am SO HAPPY I made the swap, seriously.  BOXYCHARM is, without a doubt, the best box I have ever seen.

The theme this month was "Makeup on Pointe" and for all you glossers out there who know me, the theme is very dear to me as I was a ballet dancer for most of my life.  All items received had a glampy ballerina-esque vibe to them.

Did I mention that everything I received was FULL-SIZED????  My box was filled with a Pure Cosmetics Eyeshadow Palette in Buff, Model Co. Shimmer Bronzer, Starlooks Ultra Longwear Mechanical Lip Pencil in Charmed, OFRA Metallic Liquid Lipstick in Napa Valley and Pur-Lisse Pur-Eye Adore Serum.

Drum roll please - onto the prcing.  Including shipping and exchange, I paid $35 CAD for this box.  The total value on my BOXYCHARM was $178.50 USD which is absolutely OUTRAGEOUS.  I can't believe how amazing this was!!

See how shocked I am!!  I am loving this box so much and can't wait to try the palette and the eye serum.  They are, by far, my favorite additions.  What did you get in your BOXYCHARM?

For those interested in signing up for BOXYCHARM, here is my referral link.  No pressure, of course, but truly, this box is so worth it.  https://boxycharm.com/refer/Chris-XHGANRFH