February has been a fantastic month but I'm not sad to see it pass. But, before I jump into March and birthday month celebrations, I would like to celebrate a belated Valentine's day!
Instead of flowers, the SO sent me.... a bouquet of brushes!
And some miscellaneous stuff from Sephora.
I love EcoTools brushes but I haven't tried many of their eye brushes. Verdict? They're just as good as the face brushes. Also, this is my first time trying Real Techniques brushes and I have concluded that I love them too. Though, I did get one faulty brush within the Real Techniques Core Collection set. The Buffing Brush shed in chunks during it's first washing. Now I fear that if I wash it a second time, the whole head will come out and since the brush comes in a set, I can't buy an individual replacement. On the bright side, at least all of the other brushes are perfectly fine.
With so many new brushes, it is only fitting I get a new base product to go with them, right?
The Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation is all the rave but I've read that the original Healthy Mix Foundation is all the same. Thus, when I saw it for half the price of the serum version on ASOS, I ordered a bottle in #53 Light Beige. It's a fairly good match and the coverage is exactly what I'm looking for. If the shade wasn't sold out already, I'd get an extra bottle. Hoarder? Most definitely, but the foundation is that good.
And if things didn't seem great already, it gets so much better. The ever so wonderful and awesome Liz surprised me with...
Stila Make Me Blush blush!!!!!!
I missed out on Make Me Blush when it first came out and again recently during a flash sale on Hautelook but Liz sent me hers and I will treasure it always! The blush was supposed to help me stay strong during the ban but a few nights ago, I failed by buying a lip balm. If it helps my case, the lip balm was practically free. I had a discount that covered the price of the lip balm and a little more so really, I shouldn't be punished. But as always, I'll leave that for everyone else to decide in the comments. Let the judging begin!
January has been a very strange month. Along with losing my blogging mojo (temporarily!), I also received some very devastating news. But what better way to get my mind off of things than by opening the door for the mail man. This month I received 3 packages, all of which came from Julep.
Julep had a $0.01 deal early in December that I couldn't say no to. BUT I stupidly forgot to cancel the next subscription date and was charged $19.99 for another box (that I did not want!!). The bright side (not really) is that I ended up receiving a free introductory package too. What a delightful surprise (again, not really). Regardless of Seattle being so close to Vancouver, the boxes took forever to get here; 3 weeks, roughly.
But onto what Julep personally picked out for me based on my style, "Classic with a Twist" -
Red is a classic shade, don't get me wrong, but did I have to get one in every subscription? The worst part was the "twist" they gave me; a variety of pink's and one unsuspecting blue. Red AND pink - where is the twist in that? Pink is also a classic shade, isn't it??
Now I know I shouldn't complain because subscription boxes are all about "surprises" and if I had checked my Julep account sooner, I wouldn't have ended up with so many red's and pink's but eh? Why did I end up with two reds that are practically identical?
As for the nail polishes themselves, they're not the greatest and definitely not worth $14 per bottle. Demi (one of the burgundy red's) chipped an hour after I applied it. The formula is also on the thick side but even so, 2 coats is not enough for a seamless finish.
Last note - I hate the bottle shape. It was cool at first but after opening each bottle, I noticed the caps wouldn't align properly with the bottle. The neat freak in me wants to twist the caps a little loose so they bottles look even but that would inevitably make the polishes age and bubble up quicker.
Bottom Line:
If I wasn't clear at all - I do not like Julep's subscription program. Their subscription is the least worthwhile subscription out there for me. While the colours they offer can be enticing, I'd much rather go to the drugstores and pick out my own colours and for less than $20. But hey, if you like surprises and nail polish, this might be the subscription for you.
Have you tried Julep's subscription program? What do you think about them?
November's lovely package came from Che of lovefemme. Che hosted a three winner giveaway awhile ago and I was the lucky first prize winner.
The first prize contained the Color Club Back to Boho Collection in Set A and two holographic polishes in Revvvolution and Fashion Addict.
The Back to Boho collection A nor B has made an appearance at my local Winners and neither have I seen Alter Ego, another Color Club collection I've been lemming.
The others or what I refer to as "the bonuses"; Benefit One Prime Day, Urban Decay All Day Setting Spray, NYX The Caribbean Collection 5 Color Shadow Palette, and an adorable Forever 21 necklace!
Not pictured is the Konad stamping set included in the prize. This means I can finally have pretty designs on my nails! (I am one of those unfortunate people with no freehand skills.)
All in all, despite the fact my parent's ditched me at the start of November, this month has been incredible for me. With the SO's visit, mail, shopping, eating... What more could a girl ask for?
Besides the odd coupons here and there or spam mail from Donald Trump, I received nothing throughout September. It was indeed a quiet and depressing month for my mailbox but October has been fruitful.
The alex & von website was having a sale (20% off) on all 100% Pure orders early in September. After reading countless of great reviews, I made an order through Karley of Chic and Green and had the package sent to the SO's which was then sent to me.
Included in the package is the Balm's the balm and the Beautiful palette; a gift from the SO for passing my driver's test!
The most amazingly awesome mail of the month came from the one and only Rae! I won the first of her four giveaways celebrating her four years of blogging. theNotice is one of the very first blogs I started reading when I discovered blogs so receiving mail from her is like... the highlight of my blogging career. How lame am I? Don't answer that.
Lastly, a Sasa order which JUST arrived!
This order came surprisingly fast but it could have came sooner. I ordered it on October 11th and it arrived in Vancouver on the 21st. Customs held it for a day but for no apparent reason, Canada Post kept this package in a facility near me for an extra over a week. At least my package arrived safe and sound. Who wouldn't be excited for facial mist, armpit wash and follow up essence? Don't answer that either.
In other news, my sweet mother & father are abandoning me for a month starting tomorrow. I gave them the Lancaster Ultra Soothing Lotion from Rae's prize to my parent's. They'll need it more than I do considering they're trekking Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong and other sunny destinations -sobbing to self-.
Enough about me, what about you? What have YOU received this October?
August has been a hectic month which is the excuse reason for the lack of updates. I thought I would have enough time to at least do my monthly I've Got Mail post but seriously, things have been crazy. It's expected though because August is the last month of Summer classes which ultimately means final exams. This also means it's the last month I can thoroughly enjoy the company of friends and family. Then, combined with a mother who will enslave you for two days with no pay means relaxing is out of the picture.
My mail box wasn't as busy as me last month but I don't know if I'd consider that a good thing. When the Urban Decay 15 Year Anniversary Eyeshadow Collection popped up on the Sephora website I begged the SO to order one for me.
The Hello Kitty Memoirs of a Kitty Cosmetic Bag was on sale; nearly 50% off but is no longer available. I have a drawer full of cosmetic bags from gift with purchases but none are as cute and handy as this one. The bag isn't thin nor heavy but what I like most is that it expands when it's unzipped all the way. No more yanking cosmetic bags open to get a better look!
September will be just as quiet for my mailbox as August was. As for me? I have too much to do. Classes start next week, my driver's test is the week following and then I have to help prepare for my parent's month long departure. Wish me luck!
Who else was forced to wait an extra week or two for important mail or packages?
Among many, I was forced to wait but fortunately, one of two packages made it to my doorsteps the week before Canada Post went on strike.
All the way from Australia and sent by the lovely Adeline of Through Beauty Eyes, I received her one year blog anniversary giveaway prize:
I am/was most excited about the fact I'd be receiving something sent all the way from Australia.
It's not often I can say, "Oh hey, a parcel all the way from Australia". I have never ordered anything from the land down under but maybe that will change in the future.
So the giveaway prizes were jam packed in an extremely cute Rilakkuma square cosmetic pouch, also one of the prizes. It's a lilac colored pouch with stars and Rilakkuma heads spread out. The Rilakkuma heads are wearing a sleeping cap which I find is the cutest factor.
Inside the pouch was a mix of mostly foreign make-up goods. My excitement lies deep within the 'Made in Australia' goodies; Face of Australia, Australis and, Lucas Papaw Ointment.
Adeline included her holy grail eye liner as a prize - Maybelline Eyestudio Drama Lasting Gel Eyeliner in Brown - which also claims to be Japan's "No. 1 Eyeliner in Japan". I don't doubt it's HG-material nor a #1 product but I wonder if it's any different than the Western-produced Maybelline gel eyeliner. Perhaps I'll do a comparison post?
Deep within the pouch was a Palmer's Body Gloss which is a ultra rich body lotion that leaves my skin looking luminous as it contains very fine shimmer. It's probably going to look very good with a tan which means I better slap on some SPF & get baking!
The My Beauty Diary Mask in Cooling Mask included will help my sunburned face if I over bake! A few Korean pieces buried even deeper: Etude House Bling Bling Eye Stick in#06 Great Bear Star), Etude House Collagen Moistfull samples and, VOV false eyelashes!
Also included was a Prestige lipstick in Penny (gorgeous golden bronze shade) and Rimmel Color Rush Mono Eye Shadow in 310 Goddess (mossy green with a velvet/Perlé finish). The only thing un-photoed is the Easter egg chocolates & mint taffy's Adeline threw in. I ate them before I even swatched everything *oink*.
Yet another package from my significant other which ended up arriving late all thanks to Canada Post:
If you follow me on Twitter you should already be in the know about this "special" package I've been expecting. Any package from my SO is special and important but this one is the last one for a long while, seriously! No more spoiling this brat, no more he says!
Soompi's "Samples? Freebies? Coupons? Savings?" thread will be the bane of the SO's existence. I am always lurking the thread and when I came across this Laura Mercier deal back in May, I couldn't say not.
A combination of deals on Laura Mercier's website had me spiraling out of control. First the free shipping on $50 & up orders (easy). Any order over $85 at the time got a bonus 5-piece deluxe sample kit. Add in a $25 off $75 purchase code, plus a free full size foundation primer with the purchase of two face products and 3 regular samples... How could I not ask for a half-year birthday present?
Conclusion: Extremely good deal = justified. Spoiled brat + satisfied = well-behaved.
Best part of the package was the Jack Black duo and travel size slant tweezers by Tweezerman:
The SO made an order on Sephora for himself yet somehow I ended up being a part of the order. I can't say I mind much but hopefully this isn't the last time he makes an order for himself because a guy with good hygiene's will know how to wash dishes well for the future! If I cook, someone else has to clean.
That's all I received for June and I couldn't be any happier!
What did you receive in June or are expecting for July?
I love getting mail and that's no surprise.
I especially love large parcels, thick yellow bubble-wrap envelopes but regular mail is great too ;)
Sometimes I'll even make a small orders online just so I'll have something to look forward to as the weeks go by. When I'm having a day but suddenly find mail with my name on it, I light up and things are good again. It sounds ridiculous and expensive but most purchases don't exceed a $5 limit.
When I came across the BeautyBar.com half-off gift certificates on Hautelook, I carefully asked the SO if I could buy a few. The SO is not the biggest fan of online or in-store shopping unless it's a MUST. Luckily, I actually needed to replace something so he happily agreed to this purchase.
Since BeautyBar only ships within the U.S., the SO had to wait for the items to be sent to him so he could send them to me. A month later and this is what I find in my mailbox:
Confession time... the Clarisonic Delicate Brush Head replacements are the only things I need but my mom needed another Philosophy Help Me retinol night treatment so I picked that up for her. It's not pictured as it's an early birthday present for her (I love my mummy<3).
For the miscellaneous purchases, I chose the LORAC Close Up: Real Life to Red Carpet Eye Tutorial as I have had my eyes on the kit for over a year now. There just wasn't a better time to buy it so I happily paid $18 for the set that retails for $36 but is valued at $110.
The Pomegranate Regimen Kit by Korres was a "Buy Before You Think" purchase which means I regret the purchase. I still have loads of cleansers and exfoliators to go through so I have no idea when I'll be able to try this kit altogether. I may just use them seperately but that defeats the purpose of this new "Regimen Kit"...
I must note that the products are much smaller than the box it's stored in. It's quite deceiving but better I pay half of $19.75 (regularly $39.50) for deluxe samples than super tiny sample packets!
The (last) super unnecessary purchase - Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm with SPF 25 in Lemon & Chamomile. As unnecessary as the purchase is, the item is very useful and possibly HG-title worthy. It came with a bonus Jack Black Sun Guard too!
That's it for my May edition of "I've Got Mail". Be prepared for a June edition because I am expecting more goodies courtesy of the SO :P
Have you received anything nice in the mail lately?
(P.S. I'll be writing up another Hoarders post soon and it'll be on my lip balm collection so you can see why I'll be going on a lip balm ban for the next 3 years...)
Disclosure
Make-Up Kismet is a personal blog written and edited by myself. This blog was created to share my experiences with whom ever reads it.
All reviews posted are written by me and are my honest opinions. All products reviewed are purchased by me for personal and/or review purposes unless stated otherwise. Each person is different, as are our experiences. With that said, I cannot be held responsible for any unsatisfying reaction to a product I review or recommend.
Photos on this blog are either from Google, other Bloggers or, my own. I try to depict all products as accurately as possible. I may edit photos for this purpose.
