Lip Factory Inc. February Box Review and Look

I finally caved and signed up for the Lip Factory Inc box. While i am a bit picky when it comes to lip products the lure of this box pulled me in. First of all, while this box is all about the lips it does offer up other items for eyes and face. The sheer amount of items you get had the most pull on me. A subscription box that actually allows you to get mainly full sized items automatically gets a thumbs up in my book. But are the items quality, pleasantly surprised but, yes!

I did not get the chance to take a photo of each item but this is what was included this month
-Information card along with how to create the look
-29 Cosmetics Wine Blot Lip Therapy​​​​​​​
​​​​​-29 Cosmetics Reserves Moisturizing Lip Stick in Stompin Grapes
-​Nabi Cosmetics Lip Liner
-29 Cosmetics  Faux Leather Lipstick Case
-LaSplash Cosmetics Hula Hula ​Mineral Powder Eye Shadow​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
-​​LaSplash Cosmetics Black ​​​​​​​​​​​​​S​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​e​​​a Mineral Powder Eye Shadow​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
-LaSplash Cosmetics Oyster Shell Mineral Powder Eye Shadow
​​​​​​​​​​​-29 Cosmetics Skin Care Sample
-Extras:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Mini Kabuki Brush ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​


This box contained about 6 full sized items and enough products to create a whole eye and lip look!

While i did not follow all the instructions this was the look i created. I started out by moisturizing my lips with the wine blot lip therapy by 29 Cosmetics. I then used LaSplash cosmetics in Hula Hula as my main lid colors, Oyster Shell on the inner corners of my eye and used Black Sea to define the outer V. On the lips i used Nabi lip liner and 29 cosmetics Stompin Grapes. I used the Kabuki brush to brush a a light dusting of Hula Hula on my cheeks (very light dusting).

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Overall if you would like to sign up you can do so here! Please use my referral number 27588. 
Lip Factory is about $21 a month and you will receive a nice range of products that are mainly full size from drugstore and higher end brands. 

Ipsy Bag February 2013 Review

Are you ready to get Red Carpet ready? Forget about Valentines day, just like Ipsy did, and focus on the glitz and glamor of Hollywood's award season! Just in case you are new to Ipsy or don't know what it is, it is a beauty subscription service that allows you to sample beauty products in your own home for only 10$ (yes that includes shipping!) a month. While it is a mystery as to what you will get, you always get items worth more than this and this subscription is cosmetics based! Rarely disappointing. If you would like to sign up, you can do so here!

Just in case you didn't get an Ipsy Bag for February, here are some promo codes!

This months bag was a black, shiny, simple makeup bag which has the Ipsy logo inside.

What i received:
Pixi Flawless and Poreless (deluxe sample size)-
This translucent primer left the pores on my face visibly reduce. While i wouldn't trade the primer i use already for this product it did work quite well. I did not find it heavy on my face and found a little bit went a long way. It can be found here for $29.

Mica Beauty Cosmetics Gel Liner-
This liner, in a deluxe size, has quickly become one of my everyday essentials. It is soft and smooth enough to glide on with a soft or thin brush. It is smooth enough to blend out slightly. I like that once it is on it is resistant to tears and rain. I find it to be great quality that lasts all day and has so much more precision and lasting power than pen liner. You can find this liner here.

Pop Beauty Smokey Lash Kapow Mascara-
This mascara was just, mascara. Nothing special or different. Didn't make my lashes super lush but didn't fall flat. Did not get clumpy or make my lashes stiff. This is your run of the mill mascara that falls right on average and is good for everyday wear.

Coastal Scents Quad-
This item is not new at all. Ipsy gave this item out in October (I believe) and this is also something you can receive for free by placing any order at Coastal Scents. While it still requires a purchase, I always get irritated when I find out that a sample I pay for is something I could have gotten for free. With that aside these colors were decent. I found some a little too powdery for my taste but they were highly pigmented. The upper right shade has some fall out because of the micro glitter but this wouldn't defer me from purchasing this shade or a larger palette. These shades go well together for a full eye look or used individually.

Lash Card- 

This is the second time I have received this sample recently. Now my opinion may come off as a little bias on a few levels and I will explain why. First off, if you are new to mascara or eye looks having something like this to protect your freshly done makeup is genius. If you're a makeup artist you may want to use this on a client. But for someone who does makeup everyday this is pointless. I know how to maneuver a mascara brush, such that, i know how to not mess up my eye look.

Overall this months Ipsy bag was decent. A little something for novice to seasoned makeup user. While some items felt a little pointless others were spot on. Ipsy is a monthly subscription that allows you to sample beauty products for only 10$ month which includes shipping. If you are interested in signing up for Ipsy you can do so here ! 

Winter Loose Button Luxe Box United States Review and Swatches

This subscription was way too short lived for my taste! The Canadian subscription service Loose Button Luxe Box had a two season preview for the United States for both Fall and Winter Boxes. I opted into both boxes. To see my review on the United States Fall box please click here!

For two seasons, 2 boxes every three months, the cost was 50$, this is pretty reasonable considering the items were all a decent size and a bit higher end in terms of brands in comparison to other boxes. The presentation made me feel like i was receiving a luxurious gift which i guess goes with the name. A long, sturdy box, housed a draw string bag with the loose button emblem. Inside was also an envelope with the list of products. This looked more like a regal invitation than a list of samples. I appreciate simple attention to details, and at this price range it is right on point.

 The selection for the Winter season had a few hits and misses but overall i was happy. I would have loved to have continued this subscription however i did replace it with another Canadian box - Top Box which was a little bit more reasonable.

 What was included:

 Eyeko Mini Skinny Brush Mascara-
This has to be the tiniest mascara brush ever! You know that expression- size matters, and bigger is better, NOT ALWAYS! Just to compare- if you have tried the Hypose Star mascara from Lancome with its small bristles on one side you will know that sometimes the smallest bristles make the biggest lashes. I used this mascara and i was able to reach the base of my lid sweeping the mascara all the way out to the tip. Made my lashes look full but natural. I really liked this product. Plus the tube shape allows for less product to go to waste.

Essie Nail Lacquer in Leading Lady-
Essie is a great brand in terms of quality. I have never been disappointed- yet. Leading Lady is a red polish with red glitter throughout. It is not overly sparkly but does have nice shimmer. It reminds me a little of Dorthy's slippers in the bottle i wish that would have been the look on the nail but it isnt a deal breaker. Two coats was all it took for full and even coverage. I did not see chipping for at least 3 days (which is long for me since i am very busy with my hands)

Orlane Eye Contour-
This treatment is supposed to help rest the skin around the eye. I have a bit of dark circles and minimal lines. I found this to help diminish a bit of my dark circles but that was about it. Not a bad product and nice to have had in my routine while it lasted, but probably would not go out of my way to purchase this item.

 Marc Anthony Beach Spray-
We are far from summer but this spray allowed me to have soft loose waves like i had just gotten out of the pool. I like this hair product because it added some life to my sometimes lifeless and straight hair.

 Donna Karan Woman-
O am a big fan of Donna Karan fragrances so i was pretty happy to see a deluxe size perfume sample of Woman. I just wish someone had told me that removing the cap a little too quick will make the product spill everywhere. Everything smelled like a nice mix of citrus and warmth, just wish i would have had an opportunity to have really worn this.

 Kerastase Cristalliste Lumiere Liquid-
This serum left my hair feeling soft and looking shiny. I had to use almost half the little sample however. With very long hair it took more product than expected. I wouldn't switch from my current oil treatments though.

 Marc Anthony Strictly Curls
I was a little confused as to why this item was sent out to everyone even those with curly hair. Apparently Luxebox feels girls do their hair curly for the holidays. Not this girl, had no use for this item.

Loose Button Kabuki Brush-
I like how soft this brush felt. Though it is small i feel it did a nice job of blending in powder foundation and blending out blush.

Overall i will/do miss this subscription. I think overall for its price and frequency that it is a good value and contains high quality and decent sized items. The only other subscription box i could compare this box to would be Glossy Box. Hopefully Loose Button decides to give the United States another preview or gives us the opportunity to subscribe for as many seasons as Canadian subscribers.