Julep Maven - November Edition!

Hi gals!! :)  This will be a busy week for me as I catch up on my November boxes.  I've received almost all of them now, except for Starlooks.  That should be in some time this week.  I will have a special Starlooks post for you this weekend though, I'm so excited!

So, first box to arrive is always Julep since they ship on the 27th of the previous month!  I opted for the whole collection...again! *sigh* I'm so incredibly hopeless.

So, this month it's the Fall Warmth Nail Wardrobe featuring their suede polishes, finally!  Now, there's a couple important things here.. if you can't read the writing it says, "I believe that the key to happiness is practicing gratitude.  And I'm grateful this month for your patience in waiting for our suede polishes - they're finally here!"  A lot of girls were upset that these were release elsewhere first..perhaps Sephora.  I really could care less.  So..anyways there was a lot of grumbling that a lot of women didn't want them now that Mavens were not the first to receive them.  I think Julep puts out some super nice colours every month, and their quality has been consistent lately so I'm just happy to go on my merry way. hehe.

So, there is always the quote card, which I love getting! :)  Another one about gratitude.

Inside the box was also this flyer.  My heart skipped a beat when I saw it because I didn't recognize a whole bunch of these colours and it appears that they are some specials in gift sets for Christmas.  I almost needed a paper bag! lol  Anyways, it happens that glitter is a coming in the December box which has shipped already, so it will be here soon as well..YAYAY!  I love glitz and sparkle!

Now, let's move on to the colours. I have to tell you that the suede finishes dry in record time! <3

Brit. Graphite Silver Suede in a matte finish.

Minka. Oxblood Red Suede in a matte finish.

Hailee. Khaki Green Suede in a matte finish.

Amber. Golden Bronze Suede in a matte finish.

Nora. Silver Aubergine Suede in a matte finish.

This is the whole bunch of suedes. This picture gives you a view of how different they are side by side because I know they can start to look the same in the bottles.

Donna. Smokey Peacock Blue Creme. (It's actually more of a tealy greenblue, sorry! Even the web pics are off!)

Trina. Deep Aubergine Shimmer.

Matte Top Coat. This is the perfect top coat for the matte suede finish polishes because it doesn't affect how they look at all.  Of course if you matte top coat on any of your regular polishes it will give it a great matte look that I adore (I use Essie!)

Here is the whole collection, isn't it so pretty?  Yes! I'm a sucker! ;)

This month,  they had body products!  Since I subbed for the whole box, I received both.  The first is the Pink Grapefruit Body Scrub.  It's 113 grams, smells of delicious grapefruit and is as soft and fluffy as a cloud! Or what I would presume a cloud felt like.  That is...if I didn't actually know that a cloud isn't a solid. :P

Isn't that delicious looking? :)  I just love jars of product that look like they're good enough to eat!

The second items was the Pink Grapefruit Body Frosting.  Also 113 grams. This one smells even more grapefruitier! :)  It's rich in texture like a body butter.  It absorbs in record time and is non greasy.  I think Julep really has a knack with their beauty products...I dare say even more than with their nail polishes lol.  I only say that because in the past the quality of the polish has varied so much.  In the past 3 or 4 months I have had no problems.

Mmmm...look how delicious that looks! :)

So, the scrub came with these.  The one on the left is a mitt.  The one on the right is a towel.  They're both made of the same fabric.  I have NO idea what to do with the towel.  It's really long, like it's 1 foot by 3 feet long.  Weird? So girls, what do I do with it..it's exfoliating and scratchy. :P  Maybe it's to help reach your back?! lol

It also came with samples of the One-Step Polish Remover Pads.  There were 3 and I tried one.  It was ok. I couldn't get all 10 nails done with one cloth, but pretty close.  I think that they're better quality and not as stinky as the LA Fresh wipes.

Here is the whole glorious box! (minus remover pads) This upgrade costs $50.  It's a good deal if you like all the polishes.

There you go!  Did you receive any colours for November Julep?  What do you see that you like?

Weekends here! Hurrah!!! And goodbye to two hellish weeks! :)

XO
~A

Starlooks - October Edition!

Heading back to October as I anticipate the arrival of November!  Is it just me or do some of these boxes feel like they're taking forever this month!  I love how Starlooks packages their box differently each month by changing the box and the ribbons they use!  It's always so much fun to see what's coming!  I really try my darndest to stay away from spoilers.  I love the surprises each month!

As, always.  You get these cute crystals in your box!  This time I got a whole whackadoodle!  Of course, I had to share with my kiddos because they love them. :)

More often that not, Starlooks loves including freebies!  For October we received this eye tattoo.  Except, it didn't make it in time for Halloween. :`(  In any case, I was bummed I didn't get the black scrolly one.  I think this one is a little over the top. ;)

The October theme was Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil and See No Evil.  Each picture has a clue to the items received in the box! I love that!

For See No Evil, it was an eyeliner pencil in "Gold Dust".  I'm not yet sure how I feel about it...but I haven't played with it.  However, they say you can use it as an eye shadow base all over the eyelid!  Retails for $8.

It applies beautifully, it has a great pigment and is really pretty to look at.  Again, I'm just not yet sure if it's for me!

The next item was Hear No Evil.  It's an eye shadow pigment in "Posh".  I've never used a pigment before, so I'm excited to try it out!  I love purple as well! It's one of the top 3 colours I use.  That said, this is a very bold colour, so some playing around is in order! :) This retails for $12.

The colour is "Posh/Peddle".

It's quite a large container, I think this will last forever.  Isn't the colour gorgeous?  They claim it's long lasting and you should apply it carefully as a little goes a long way. "...with the lightest touch."

I tried really hard to get a good picture of it, this is the best I could get.  I'm new to pigments, so maybe I'm still missing something.  Is it buildable?

Lastly, Speak No Evil.  I love getting lip gloss and lip stick in my boxes!  This is a moisture rich lipstick in "Masquerade".  It is a rich, blood red, with a hint of orange shimmer.  This retails for $11.

Masquerade.  You can see the shimmer! Yay!

This is pretty true to colour on my monitor.  I just love it, loooove it!

**DISCLAIMER!!!**

I apologize for the poorly applied lipstick.  I did it super quick, using my camera lens as my mirror! lol.  Also, holding a DSLR makes it difficult to get a picture of your lips! hehe!

Pretty, right?!  It's so creamy, rich and moisturizing!  It definitely has shimmer as well! :)

There you have it! The October box.  It's value is $31. I pay about $18.50 shipped.  I also want to mention that they included a card that says the December box is a $99 value for only $15 (the cost of the sub). What we are receiving is a 15 shade pro eye shadow palette!!! WOW!!! Marci, the owner is such a generous spirit!  I love this company immensely!  This is a sub that I know I cannot drop!

If you're interested in signing up, contact Starlooks via email if you're in Canada or directly from their website if you are in the US! Let them know I sent you! :)

I've had the craziest couple weeks and I'm really looking forward to the weekend!  I hope next week settles down or I'll need to take a vacation! :)

XO
~A

Sunday Review - Provici Eye Makeup Remover

Today, is a quick review on the eye makeup remover that I have been using for the past year.  Yes, past year!  I've tried a few others in between, but always came back to this one so I could use it up.  This eye makeup remover is from Provici and it contains Aloe.  The bottle is quite large at 175mL.

Provici Cosmetics is a locally owned and operated beauty boutique and shop in the Exchange District in Winnipeg.  If you look at my profile picture on the top right, my hair and makeup was done by Provici.  It's $50 for hair and $50 for makeup.  The best part?  It's free. What? Well...you pay for your hair and makeup and then get to select $100 of product from their shop.  So, either way you look at it...you're either getting free hair/makeup or free makeup. :)  $100 for hair and makeup is also a steal!  Tia and her team are super talented and very gracious!

The Eye Makeup Remover with Soothing Aloe lasted me a LONG time.  You need very little for it to be effective.  It works really great on both face makeup and stubborn mascara.  I cake my mascara on.  2 types, 3 coats.  This does a beautiful job of removing it.  It doesn't contain any oil like say Lancome where you have to shake it up.  It's just a nice refreshing water like liquid.  It almost feels like a toner. It doesn't feel drying or tightening in the slightest.

The downside of this is what I suppose is meant to be the benefit.  The Aloe.  I found that if I didn't keep my eye closed tight enough and the remover got in my eye it would sting.  I already have sensitive eyes, so I'm not sure if that contributes to a hightened sensitivity to aloe.  It didn't happen every time I used it.  Only, if I didn't keep my eyes shut tight.

The retail price of the eye makeup remover is $18.  Great value for the price and really a great product.  I may repurchase it once I go through my other products as it works great.  I'll have to look and see if they have a product that doesn't contain Aloe.  I give the product 3 1/2 stars out of 5.

If you are interested, here are the ingredients of the product.  Provici is Cruelty Free and does not test it's products on animals. <3

Hope you had a lovely weekend!
XO
~A

The Husband Effect

My husband loves that I love beauty and everything that comes with it. You know...hair, makeup, nails.  He encourages me to try new things and never gripes about my bazillion beauty boxes.  Well, that's not entirely true.  He is giving me "the look" because I have way too much stuff.  I guess he has a point when I have to pile stuff on his side of the bed.  Ok, I get the hint.  I'm joining BBA in the new year... promise!

So, the lovely thing about my husband, Jamie is that he has pushed me to try some new things that I swore in a million years I would NEVER do.  Two, really major things to me.  First, red lipstick.  We all know that red lipstick is a scary place a lot of us don't want to go.  It's so bold, maybe it sends the wrong message?  But, you know what?  I tried it and I fell in love!  Granted, not all red is equal but trying them out is fun! I will do a post in the future about my various reds and why I think they work or don't work.

The other thing that he made me take the leap of faith on is dying my hair black.  I really hated to admit it to him...but I *love* my hair black!  Going black is not an easy thing to do!  I always found myself somewhat conservative...the older I get the less conservative I get? lol  

(the lipstick in the picture is Quo's lip crayon in crimson)

So, anyways, once in a blue moon he'll pick me up a lipstick colour or nail polish he thinks that I would like. that he likes and wants to see me try. He hooked me on the Maybelline COLORsensational lipsticks.  I have 3 of them and he picked them all out for me.  The colour payoff is amazing and flattering.  It's moisturising and long lasting! I didn't want to have anything to do with lipsticks until these. This is what the containers look like.

This particular colour he picked up at SDM.  It is a gorgeous coral colour in Coral Crush.  I'd NEVER think I would wear a coral, but was I ever wrong!  This colour is gorgeous, it's perfect for everyday.  It's flattering and striking without being over the top.  When you look at it it's intimidating though, right?

Well girls, when your husband buys you a colour you at least have to try it.  This colour makes me feel sexy and confident.  It's one that I have to stock up on because it's just that good!  Here is the swatch. You can see how moisturising it is!

Of course, since he went to SDM, Angie took care of him me by sending him home with these samples for me and some for him as well. Who doesn't love freebs? :P

I'm sorry I don't have a swatch of it on my lips, but I will get one up at some point!  I will do swatches of the 3 colours I have.

Hope you're having a great week!
XO
~A

Sunday Review: Sunsilk Hydra TLC

After having children, I have been ever so unfortunate as my hair deciding to change texture.  It's already dry but add in a coarse texture and I've got frizz galore.  What this means is that I can't just wash my hair and go in the summer.  I seriously look like I was struck by lightening. I will prove this to you in pictures one day, when I feel brave to do so!

The other thing I cannot do is wake up with nice hair.  I can wash it the day before it, straighten it and make it perfect and still wake up with it looking like I haven't touched it in 3 weeks. WHY!?!? This is a source of stress to me as I don't like to wash my hair daily.  So, I rely heavy on my blow dryer and flatiron. I wish it wasn't so.

So, like anyone who has the same problem as me, you must have purchased every kind of smoothing creme known to man.  Always on the quest for the perfect serum, drops, oils, cremes, conditioners to make your hair look smooth.  Well, for years this is the one that did just that for me.  It's the Sunsilk Hydra TLC. I just used the last drop of my last bottle and I'm sad.

This product was amazing for me.  I have truly unruly hair. There is not one day I can just wake up and go. The Hydra TLC was wonderful when I put it in damp hair to blowdry and it was equally as smoothing when I would wash my hair and let it dry about 60%, put the product in and then tie it up in a low ponytail.  I could go to sleep this way and ONLY this way and wake up with smooth hair that needs no work.

Your hair is truly soft and silky and alive looking.  The smell was also fantastic. I've tried DOZENS of different products and nothing held a candle to this inexpensive, unassuming product. *tear*

Sadly, this product is no more.  I checked on the Unilever site and it seems like they only make a range of shampoos and conditioners.  If you still want to pick up this gem it's found on different websites like ebay and amazon.  But, it's like $15 a bottle and I don't like getting gouged for a product that actually only cost $3.

My hope is that Unilever brings something like this back again, it truly was an amazing product.  I'll keep a close watch on Sunsilk now that they are working with 7 different experts.  Have you ever seen this product or tried it?

Hope you have a great week! It's a super busy one for me as I have a board meeting Tuesday and a conference over Thursday and Friday.

XO
~A

SDM - Beauty Boutique Gala

So, back in September Shoppers Drug Mart had a Gala event.  It was actually quite good.  I had set up an appointment to try Stila cosmetics.  The girl who did my makeover did a TERRIBLE job.  I looked like I had no makeup on and I can streaks of foundation. It was so disappointing that I didn't get a good impression of a lot of their cosmetics.  She used an apricot (like an old crayola "flesh" crayon) type pencil on my waterline..it looked like I had pink eye..ugh! The mascara did NOT show up.  It was just sad and I should have scheduled a Benefit makeover.  Stephanie does an amazing job and they're my favourite makeup brand.

Anyways... this trip was not without it's shopping...so read on it's picture heavy!

I did end up picking up a couple Stila items.  I think it was a bonus 6800 points if you purchased $60 in Stila cosmetics.  What I did like was this Stila one step bronze.  It is a skin tone illuminating bronzing serum.  It retails for $47.

"This innovative triple-swirled helix serum instantly illuminates, bronzes, primes and nourishes the skin. One step bronze immediately  creates a flawless glow, improves skin tone, and helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles."

-matte bronze - warms & colour corrects
-luminous bronze - enhances skintone & illuminates
-kitten shimmer - brightens, illuminate & helps diminish the appearance of sun spots.

-helps diminish the look of fine lines & wrinkles
-helps minimize pores
-helps hydrate & balance
-helps control oil

I just love the natural packaging of this product, as well.  I guess this is a Stila thing.

It's a pricey product, but it's a big bottle - 30mL.

I also couldn't resist picking up one of the Stila palettes.  I've been eyeing them for quite some time and with a bazillion Shoppers points, I thought this was the perfect time.  I picked up the "In the Moment" palette. There's that cute packaging again!  This retails for $50.00.

This is the extremely pretty palette, that flips up.  Inside there is a quote that says, "cherish the beauty of the moment."  I notice Stila likes to use all lowercase lettering on everything.

The back of the palette breaks down the colour names.

This is the palette opened...ahhh beauty! Purples and neutrals.  My 2 favourites. Down across the bottom is a smudge stick waterproof eye liner in tetra.

Top Row L to R: instinct, impulse, glance, improvise, catalyst.
Bottom Row L to R: desire, wonder, spontaneous, whim, captivate.

Closeup.  They've all got some degree of shimmer.  I LOVE shimmer!

I also wanted to try the John Frieda precision foam dye.  It was actually quite good and easy to use (says my husband. ;)) It was on sale for $12.99 I believe.  $2 off.

The Maybelline Lasting Drama gel eyeliner is my FAVOURITE gel liner (or any type of liner period!) This stuff is amazing and if you're terrible at applying liner..this just may work much better for you.  Mine is not anywhere near empty...but at 50% off I had to pick this up!  I think it was around $5.50.

Then, I also grabbed a Quo Pretty Fierce Lip Primer.  I'm a huge fan of Quo.  It's not your typical drugstore brand.  I've had amazing experiences with all my quo products.  This is high end stuff for a mid priced product! I've only ever tried a lip primer in a pot that looks similar to an eye primer.

Inside it looks like this:

You can see that the primer is infused in the centre of what feels like a moisturiser.

Next up, is a product I am SO in love with right now.  It's SO amazing.  If you haven't tried it...GET IT NOW!!! :)  This is the Quo Lip Crayon.  I think it's around $6 or $7.  It comes in 4 colours and I totally gravitated towards the Crimson.

This applies so beautifully!!! It's creamy, it's moisturizing, it's long lasting, it doesn't bleed. You twist it up, love that!  I am going to pick up 2 or 3 more to have when these are all gone!  This is THE most perfect shade of red.  I'll get a picture up soon.  I think it's universally flattering. If you're new to red, I totally suggest this lip crayon.  DH bought me a pink one now as well which is my perfect neutral everyday colour!

Next, was a pricey item that my husband asked me to get.  He knows how much I love sparkle and he loves red. It's Clarins Joli Rouge lipstick in hibiscus. It's $27.00. It has a sleek oval metallic case and is quite heavy. I've never felt a heavier lipstick.  It feels very expensive (duh! it is!)

The bottom basically shows you the colour.  It actually has the same amount of shimmer as it shows on the bottom.

This is what the lipstick looks like.  Love the little Clarins imprint.  It's a red colour with orange undertones.  It's very wearable and I'm loving coral so this is a nice one to add to my collection.  It smells amazing...like candy..nerds. :P

Here is a swatch.  Can you see the sparkle?

I couldn't leave shoppers without picking up something by Benefit. So, I grabbed the Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup. The Hello Flawless powder coverup is something I NEVER leave home without...it truly makes my skin looks flawless. I had to add this one.  There aren't a lot of colour choices and I'm not sure any suit me to a T.  But, this one may work..hope so, it was $42.00 smackeroos!

"It's you... just more luminous & healthy looking! Our brightening makeup builds from light to medium coverage for a natural complexion you can believe in.  Goodbye imperfections. Hello flawless!"

The colour I picked up is Petal.  It's a 30mL bottle.  I haven't tried this yet..*gasp* I will soon though.  I just have too much makeup too use up! ugh! Inside was a foil sample of Porefessional.  I have a kajillion of these now..no more porefessional samples!!! lol

So, if you purchased the Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow, you got a FREEBIE...yah!!!

Inside is a 2.5mL bottle of cha cha tint, 4g tube of bad gal lash and a 7.5mL tube of the porefessional.  I use Bad Gal Lash religiously.  It's the best mascara I've *ever* used.  This deluxe sample lasts me a good 6 weeks to 2 months.  I know, I just finished using one.  I use it on top of a lengthening mascara.  The porefessional is a product I use on a daily basis as well.  I apply on my skin after moisturizer but prior to foundation.

ANOTHER FREEBIE!!!! So, just for coming to the gala everyone received this little goodie bag of...goodies! :)

Inside was.. a Smashbox Photo Finish primer foil sample.

Foil samples of Givenchy Electric Rose eau de toilette and Clinique moisture surge.

A sample of Diesel cologne for men. It's an oriental, woody and leathery fragrance.  It actually smells really good! Tested it out today on some man. :P

Then a 5mL sample of Avene extremely rich compensating cream.  It claims to be non greasy, we'll see!

Next, a 3mL sample of Vichy youth power serum.

A 7mL bottle of Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair.

Finally, a jar of Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair.  I imagine both of these are used in conjunction..but I will have to find some instructions as there is none on the bottles.

This is the whole lot of goodies:

Now...if you spent $100 (I think?) you got a gift box of sample goodies!! Yah!!!

Get to know your SDM ladies.  I made 2 separate purchases with the stuff above and they gave me a second box.. probably because I spent a small fortune. lol So, double the goodies...a better chance of trying the products out!

This is everything that came in ONE box. Everything was identical in both except for the Rimmel colour:

Inside was a full size Rimmel Moisture Renew cream lipgloss.

One box had Cherry Boost (top) the other had Purple Rescue (bottom).

Also, a full size essence lipstick in the colour Fifth Avenue.  Both boxes had the same colour.

Samples of reversa multi tasking care moisturizer, JR Watkins hand and body lotion in lavender and Vichy 3 in 1 calming cleansing micellar solution.

Samples of Biotherm blue therapy serum, NeoStrata Intense Anti Aging Serum (age 35+), ROC Multi Correxion, Purminerals Colour Correcting Primer and Bourjois healthy mix serum gel foundation.

Lancome Visionnaire advanced skin correctior, Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Skin Balancing Skincare trio.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Lise Watier Lift & Firm (this is for 40+).

BB creams by Gosh, Maybelline and Annabelle.

Marcelle energizing hydrating gel, porefessional and revlon crazy shine nail buffer.

Perfume samples: Vera Wang Princess Night, Lacoste eau de Lacoste, Lady Gaga Fame. Lady Gaga Fame actually does come out a muddy black colour..bizarre. It doesn't stain black or anything, but it IS a really pretty perfume! Sweet, candy sweet and floral.

Perfume samples: Thierry Mugler Alien, Ed Hardy Villain (it is for women), Justin Bieber Girlfriend.

And then... I went home.  The next day they called me and told me I won one of their baskets.  I don't have the greatest luck so it was fun!  Not the greatest basket, but how can you complain about freebies, right?

I deleted the content photos by accident, so you'll have to get by on a list...so inside:

*Green Lacoste duffle bag that was a GWP of $71.
*Foil packet samples of Clinique moisture surge, Clinique all about eyes and Jouviance antioxidant emulsion.
*Sample of Avene skin recovery cream.
*Ralph Lauren deodorizing body spray for men. (smells great!)
*ROC Soleil Protexion invisible touch with SPF 30.
*NeoStrata Invigorating Solution. (30 pre-soaked pads)
*Nina Ricci gift set with a deluxe size perfume (6mL) and a full size body lotion (100mL) in L'Air du Temps. I think I'll give this to my grandma, she would like it..it's a bit too mature for me.

*phew* This post has been in the works for quite some time! Thanks for sticking it through.  When stores (coughshopperscough) do freebie events I can't resist!

Weekend is here...so ENJOY!!

XO
~A