Beauty Reviewed: Stila Smudge Stick Water Proof Eyeliner in Peacock

by Lisa on February 22nd, 2012

Stila Smudge Stick Water Proof Eyeliner

 

In my January 2012 Birchbox shipment I received a full size Stila Smudge Stick Water Proof Eyeliner in Peacock {$20}. I LOVE eyeliner. It’s my favorite cosmetic item to try out and I’m always on the look out for the “world’s best eyeliner.” {I haven’t found it yet.}

I do love trying out new eyeliner colors and was thrilled to try out this crazy bright peacock blue color. I definitely liked the color! It was super bright, which I love, although definitely not an everyday eyeliner. I wore it on a day I was wearing all black, so it definitely stood out.

The eyeliner was soft and went on quite easily – almost too easily! I had to remove it and start over on one eye when it went on too thick.

Overall, I have to say I wasn’t thrilled with Stila Smudge Stick Water Proof Eyeliner, mainly because of the claim that it was water proof. My face didn’t get wet and I wasn’t crying, but at the end of the work day I had blue eyeliner running down my face. It was bad. I looked like I’d had myself a good long cry, which was fairly mortifying. I don’t normally have this problem and I wear eyeliner every single day.

I would wear the Stila Smudge Stick Water Proof Eyeliner in Peacock again, but probably only along my top lash line, which is hopefully less likely to run. All told, I’d probably give this product 3 out of 10 stars, and the stars are mostly for the fantastically vibrant color.

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Beauty Box 5 Review & Vlog

by Lisa on February 22nd, 2012

Last week I wrote about a new subscription box service that had just launched, Beauty Box 5. I’m excited that I already received my first shipment from them and I open it live on the video above.

Now for a brief Beauty Box 5 Review.

Beauty Box 5 is perhaps the subscription box most similar to Birchbox, which seems to be the most popular subscription service at the moment. Beauty Box 5 costs $12 per month, including shipping. For that price they will send 4-5 beauty product samples. In my February Beauty Box 5 shipment I received the following products:

I’m most excited about receiving a full-size portion of Smith’s Rosebud Salve. As I explain in the video, this is an item I have always wanted but have been too cheap to buy for myself when I’ve spotted it at places like Anthropologie. {Silly, I know.} I’m least excited about the Priti NYC Nail Polish Remover because I have tried this product in the past and it didn’t work at all. I’m willing to give it another go though. I’m not familiar with the other two brands included in the box, Comodynes or Weleda, but I’ll be sure to let you know what I think of those products.

All told, for their first box I’d give Beauty Box 5 a 6 out of 10. I’m hoping that once they get more established that we’ll see more name brands. 3 out of the 5 products being from brands I’d never heard of seems a bit much, though in general I’m definitely not opposed to being introduced to new brands and products.

I definitely plan on continuing my Beauty Box 5 subscription and we shall see what goodies March will bring!

Interested in checking out Beauty Box 5? Click here to register. As I said above, a subscription costs $12 per month and you can cancel at any time.

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JewelMint Coupon: 70% Off Your First Purchase

by Lisa on February 22nd, 2012

JewelMint-Coupon-70%-Off

 

Today only – February 22, 2012 – enjoy a whopping 70% off your first order from JewelMint! Use code “1DAY70″ at checkout to receive the discount. JewelMint jewelry costs $29.99, so with this JewelMint coupon you’ll pay just $9, and shopping is free!

My love of JewelMint is well documented on this site. This month I picked up the Tresor Ring, which I love, but my two absolute  favorite JewelMint pieces are the Flabella Earrings and the Rachel Earrings.

Having made many purchases from JewelMint, I am not eligible to participate in this promotion. However, I would still pick the Rachel Earrings! Just yesterday JewelMint just announced the release of the earrings in an emerald shade!

JewelMint Rachel Earrings Emerald

Aren’t they pretty?! I love mine, which have purple stones, and are definitely worth the $9.

Click here to check out JewelMint now!!!

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The Look for Less: Leopard Print Jeans

by Lisa on February 21st, 2012

Current/Elliott The Leopard Stiletto

Current/Elliott’s The Leopard Stiletto jeans have been seen on myriad celebrities the past few months. I have to admit that even I who is not a fan of patterned denim really likes this pair of jeans. Of course, I don’t like the $198 price tag.

Thank goodness, then, for Target who is looking out for those of us on strict budgets! They’ve just released these Vanilla Star Leopard Print Skinny Jeans that make a great look for less at just $22!

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Beach Reads: Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

by Lisa on February 21st, 2012

Spring-Break-Beach-Reads

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

I read Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood many moons ago while sitting on the beach and fell in love with the characters.

If you haven’t read Ya-Ya yet, I can’t recommend it more. It’s a fantastic story about love and friendship and powerful Southern women. It tells a great tale but it’s not too taxing and it’s definitely beach-worthy!

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Enjoy Discounted Spa Treatments During Wellness Week

by Laura on February 21st, 2012

No matter where you live, here’s a deal that we can all take advantage of, especially if we want to pamper ourselves! Wellness Week 2012 runs from March 19 – 25 this year, and during this week, you’ll be able to receive discounted spa treatments – some as low as $50. Other treatments are marked at half-price.  More than 315 spas are participating, so whether you are looking for a massage or facial, you’ll be guaranteed to find some service you like at a discount.

Wellness Week bookings open to the public on Wednesday, February 29, but if you’d like to book early, you can sign up in advance on the SpaFinder website to plan ahead and see the treatments and prices available.

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Biva Has Prada Eau de Parfum for $36

by Lisa on February 21st, 2012

Prada Perfume

 

You know, in all of the hubbub of all of the other sample sale sites, I don’t think I’ve taken the time to write about Biva. Biva is a sample sale site that really only sells one thing: perfume.

Truth: In the past two years the only way that I have purchased new perfume is from Biva!

Their prices are great, their shipping very reasonable {just $2.95 per order}, and overall it’s a great way to try out new types of perfume for less. I’ve purchased a few bottles of perfume from Biva that I never would have thought to try before, like Hermes, just because the prices are so good.

Biva introduced a sale on Prada Perfumes today that’s pretty good. I decided to pick up a 1.7 oz. bottle of Prada Eau de Parfum for $36. This is a $74 bottle of perfume, so the price is pretty darn good. The only catch here is that the perfume is unboxed. I don’t have a problem with this, since I’m keeping it for myself and since I’ve ordered from Biva in the past I know the bottle will be carefully packaged. Unboxed perfume is NOT the norm with Biva, however, and every other item in the sale does come in a box. The box just adds about $15 more to the price. :)

If you’re in the market for a new scent I definitely recommend checking out Biva! If you’ve already ordered from them, I’d love to know what you think!

Click here to check out Biva now!!!

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