Shopping the Stash #1

So I've been buying entirely too much makeup recently and only have one face to put it on. I think I'll have to put myself on a makeup buying ban for the next 3 months or so. The one possible exception might be a foundation because for someone my age, I have very few foundations and only one without SPF (that I don't like).

I put all my stuff in this clear-ish Benefit bag thinking I might be more likely to use it if I see it. Yup I treated myself to this Benefit Legally Bronze kit using the $15 Sephora coupon. This kit is actually an amazing deal because it's only $38 for four FULL SIZE products including a Hoola bronzer and High Beam. Anyway, back to the stash...

Shu Uemura Atelier Made Eyebrow Manicure - A tinted eyebrow mascara that I picked up the last time I was in Japan. I need to use this up before it dries up.

Sonia Kashuk Brow Definer - This is a pretty soft eyebrow pencil that I can use to do my brows quickly.

NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder - I mix the two shades together and sometimes add a little bit of clear wax on top. The mini tools are surprisingly useful!

Blinc Tubing Mascara - This was a Birchbox sample and I actually quite like it. I'm going to do a full review soon.

Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express Waterproof - The Colossal is one of my favorite mascaras. This is my first time using the waterproof version (of any mascara, actually!), so we'll see how I like it.

Stila Prime Pot in Taffy - I think this was a 100 point perk from Sephora a long time ago. It's a flesh tone primer, probably similar to MAC Painterly.

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Amber Rush - I like this eyeshadow because it has serious staying power, even without primer. Amber Rush is a coppery color that I was unsure of how to wear for a long time, but I think it will look good with smudgey brown liner.

Tarte smolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner in Espresso - This was part of last year's holiday set, but I have to say this year's set is a lot better because it's no where near as glittery (although I don't believe there is a brown color). Espresso is more shimmery than glittery and lasts a long time.

Stila Smudge Crayon in Smoke - I guess this is kind of similar to the Tarte smolderEYES - a liner/shadow hybrid thing. I like this shimmery light taupe color for lining my lower lash line without looking like a Panda. Another sample, from Sample Society, I think.

Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Singles in Brulee and Nutty - Dude, these were on sale for only $1 at CVS. People make a big deal about Brulee, but it's just a matte cream color. Nutty is a nice taupe.

Lancome Le Crayon Kohl in Black Ebony - This liner is just okay for me and not worth any big bucks. I don't remember how much it cost, but I know I got it with my employee discount when I used to work for L'Oreal. This pencil is really huge though!

Garnier Skin Renew Anti Dark Circle Roller - I don't think I really have bad dark circles, so this sheer tint is just fine for me. The tint though is just bordering on too light for my skin tone.

Wow that's a lot of eye products, but I guess if you think about it, you have eyebrows, liner, mascara, shadow, so you have a lot of stuff to use on your eye area!

theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer - I like this so much I just bought the full size!

Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil - A creamy pencil concealer that I mostly use for the occasional spot.

NYX Blush in Taupe - I'm using this as a contour and I think it's a great winter contour color because you don't end up looking too bronzey or tanned. However, this shade barely registers on my medium skin tone. Oh well, at least I can go crazy with it and not end up looking beat up.

Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Betray - Such a beautiful berry color, perfect for fall/winter! Just use the teeny tiniest amount though because it is super pigmented

Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in Rose Petal - This one is a soft rosy pink which will work well with  bolder lip colors.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Crush - A nice wine-y, berry color. Darker than what I usually go for, but hey, I'm trying to branch out a little.

Urban Decay LipLove in Stung - This is a very sheery dark purple, wine colored gloss. It has a pretty strong honey smell which takes some getting used to.

CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm in Peony - I have three of these and Peony is the most pigmented by far. It's a red leaning pink, kind of like Revlon Cherries in the Snow.

That's all! I really hope I use up some products soon, but as you can see, all of these products barely have a dent in them! Le Sigh.

October Birchbox

Good Lord, how you frustrate me, Birchbox!! Now, imagine me yelling that into the Grand Canyon as Sheldon Cooper as the Flash would do.

For the first time ever, I watched a Birchbox preview video and they were talking about all these amazing brands that would be featured like Chantecaille and Eyeko and Goop, so of course I was really excited. They did mention that there was a Goop box and a "Transformations" box, so considering my horrible Birchbox luck, it figures that I received the "other" box. I guess in the end it didn't really make that much of a difference because even the Goop box recipients seemed pretty disappointed. Well, this was the last straw with Birchbox and I have cancelled the service (again). I've been really happy with Glossybox and Sample Society AND I have a glut of samples at the moment, so it won't be a big loss to lose Birchbox. Here's what I received this month...

Harvey Prince Eau Flirt (full size $55-98) - This fragrance claims to have been "clinically proven to attract men with its wickedly irresistible fragrance." Hmm interesting, I can't really say I've had men throwing themselves at me, but it does smell nice enough. The website says it has "warm, tempting notes of pumpkin pie and lavender," but I'm getting more of clean, crisp and a little fruity vibe. Oh well (or eau well?), I am awful at describing fragrances.

Mox Botanicals Pomegranate & Fig Lip Butter (full size $16) - This was alright, makes my lips smooth and has a nice scent, but nothing I'm blown away by. I also literally have a million lip balms to get through, so I wasn't that excited to get another one.

Supergoop City Sunscreen Serum (full size $20-42) - More packets of sunscreen. Woo hoo. Not. Okay, in all honesty, I really do like SPF moisturizers so I will give this a go, but I'm not thrilled about the packet aspect.

theBalm Cosmetics Mary-Lou Manizer (full size $24) - This one I was actually excited about. I've been looking for a new highlighter and Mary-Lou Manizer was on my list. It is a shimmery, golden champagne color and although you can look a little too glow-y if applied with a heavy hand, it really blends very well. What is your favorite highlighter? I'm trying to decide between Mary-Lou Manizer, MAC Soft & Gentle and Dior Amber Diamonds. Suggestions?

Luna Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter (full size 15 bars for $14.99) - I've had Luna bars before, mostly as samples I pick up from races and other events. They don't taste amazing (like for example, a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup), but they are admittedly a lot better than most (ahem, Powerbar). I think Luna bars have too many calories though - 190 for this little thing is pretty steep. My favorite protein/snack/health bars are still the Kind Bars which are delicious and made with a very good and short ingredient list.

So that's all for Birchbox. I'm a little sad to see them go, but they really need to make some improvements. I think they should charge a little more like they do for their men's box and include better items. That's my two cents anyway!