Not Another LA Blonde

Category: Health and Beauty

Ipsy – August 2017

Good Morning and happy Tuesday y’all! I got my Ipsy bag at the end of last week and I’m going to be real honest… I like about half of what I got (maybe I’m just being picky lately, but I haven’t been super impressed with the last few bags I got)!

I know we never talked about the July bag, but with everything going on last month I just ran out of time!

Here’s the deal, I’m going to share with y’all what I got in my pouch this month and what I did or didn’t like about each item in my bag:

For starters, the theme of August’s bag was GOOD VIBES ONLY. My bag said Peace Love Lipstick. I liked this bag more than some of the others because of its simplicity and is cute enough to throw into my work purse.

The Products:

theBalm Cosmetics Voyage Vol. 2 Eyeshadow in Willkommen – Value for 0.57 g= $5.50

You can get the Face Palette for $39.50 which includes 9 eyeshadows, 2 blushes, a bronzer, a highlighter, and 2 lip/cheek creams. Famous for their triple-milled pigments and anti-aging ingredients, theBalm is one of our fave go-tos for gorgeous, cruelty-free products. The Willkommen eyeshadow is a deep caramel shade, perfect for creating boho-inspired looks. I think this color is super cute and if I didn’t already have like 5 of the same color then this would def be a keeper in my book. I really like theBalm products and look forward to receiving it in my bag!

FORMULA 10.0.6 Pores Be Pure Skin-Clarifying Mud Mask – Value for 1 oz = $2.06

The full 3.4 oz mud mask retails for $6.99. You’ll instantly feel the tingle of this clarifying mask as it sucks the gunk out of clogged pores. AHHHH yes, I love masks that I can paint on my face! I prefer these over sheet masks any day of the week. This one smells really good and left my face feeling really clean but not all dried out like some masks make you feel. I can’t wait to use this again and with its inexpensive price I will definitely be buying this again!

sundays Nail Polish in No. 28 – Value for 14 ml = $18

This is a FULL size product!! Based in NYC, Sundays’ nail salons have spawned a cult following for their cruelty-free, non-toxic nail polishes! Sundays nail polish has an insanely shiny lacquer finish and a totally curated color selection. This color is a lavender grey and looks really nice on the nail. I normally do gel manicures, but sometimes a girl’s just gotta let the nails breath and use a regular ol’ polish. This color will be great when the weather gets a little bit cooler and we transition into Fall!

Make Up For Ever EXCESSIVE LASH Arresting Volume Mascara – Value for 2.5 ml = $7.35

The full size 8.5 ml mascara retails at $25. This mascara gives you the fanned-out lash look with its petite brush. The blend of soft and hard fibers on the brush allows you to layer on the formula and build up your lashes while combing through to nix clumps. I LOVE getting mascara in my bag!!! Personally, I love Make Up For Ever and was super excited to get this in my bag this month. I’ve been looking for a new mascara so this came at the perfect time. (side note: I haven’t purchased mascara for almost a year now!) I really like this mascara and it’s become my go-to in the morning.

Hey Honey Come Clean: Propolis & Minerals Facial Scrub – Value for 15 mL = $5.14

The full 70 mL cleanser retails for $24. The main ingredient in this scrub is Propolis extract (a healing and anti-inflammatory compound produced by bees). It helps dissolve residue, minimize the look of pores, hydrate, and brighten up your skin. It’s also packed with non-abrasive dissolving crystalline beads to help clear dead skin cells and blackheads for a smoother complexion. This is the perfect size to throw into my gym bag for when I shower after my workout during lunch. It has a nice feel to it because of the beads (I always feel like my face gets cleaner with them) and I am totally washing away all the sweat/makeup residue after my workout!

While I can’t guarantee an exact price of the products in the whole bag, I’ve estimated that the AUGUST bag is worth at least $38.05! While there was only 1 FULL size item in the bag, I think that the $10 you pay for the bag is such a steal compared to buying each item separately!

The cost of the box every month is $10 + tax and free shipping. So for 5 products (one of which should be full size, the low price is a pretty good bargain. The bag is great if you’re looking to try out different products that you may not currently use.

To subscribe to Ipsy use my referral link to discover new brands/products that you might come to love that you wouldn’t otherwise try!

XOXO

p.s Let me know if you got anything different that you absolutely loved!

Also, if you see something that you like/want feel free to check out Mercari if you have it. If I can’t find friends that want any of the goodies I’m not a fan of, I try to sell it!

August 15, 2017
Target Beauty Box: July
Happy Thursday!! Thank goodness it’s almost the weekend; it’s just been one of those weeks that seems like you have a million things to do but not enough time! For instance…this post, I got my box in the mail about a week ago and I’m only just now getting around writing about it.

The Target Beauty Box is a one-time purchase monthly box that includes deluxe and full-sized beauty products that you can find at Target and of course other retailers.

The box varies in price from $7-$10 so it’s relatively inexpensive to purchase a box. This month the box was $7! I like that you can choose every month if you want to buy the box or not since it’s not an actual subscription.

Here is a BREAKDOWN of the JULY goodies:
1. Scunci Cashmere Headwraps (Black & Charcoal) – Value for 2 = $2.00
You can buy a pack of 6 headbands for only $6 at Target! Taking comfort to a whole new level! Feel the difference with just one touch of these Super Soft Comfy headwraps. The thicker, black and grey headbands were included in my box. Normally I would love these, but I have about a million of these in my drawer. I also have fine, thin hair so these tend to slip easily and never stay in place while I’m working out. These are perfect if you have the right shape head or really thick hair that keeps things in place.
1. e.l.f. Illuminating Mist & Set – Value for 2.02 oz. = $3.00
This is a full size product!!! This fine mist creates a natural glow on the skin with ultra-fine, light-reflecting particles for an instant illuminating effect. Infused with Vitamin A, C, E, and Green Tea to help hydrate, nourish, and brighten the complexion for a healthy looking radiance. The lightweight, comfortable formula is perfect for all skin tones. Helps improve makeup wearability and prevent color from running or fading. I don’t actually use setting spray, in fact I currently have an unopened MAC one in my makeup drawer at home. I think that this spay would be good because it is inexpensive and I know a lot of people who rave about not only this brand, but this product as well.
1. John Frieda Frizz Ease Secret Weapon – Value for 0.15 oz. = $0.20
The full size, 4 oz. bottle of this is $5.39. The sample size I got is probably only big enough for one use. Instantly smooths hair and camouflages frizzy ends for a flawless, shiny finish. Use anytime, anywhere. This was one of the only products that I was truly disappointed by. I don’t have frizzy hair and have never had the need to use this type of product before. This is definitely one that I will not be using.
1. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturizer – Value for 0.25 oz. = $2.65
A full, 1.7 oz. jar retails for $17.99 in store. This is a refreshing, lightweight water gel that instantly quenches and continuously hydrates skin. This sample size seemed very tiny to me! I like and use a lot of Neutrogena product, so when I saw this I was excited to try it out. I tried this out one morning as a day moisturizer, but I would recommend using at night since it has a little bit of a smell to it. I only used it once since the sample was so small, but for the price I would buy this product to use on a regular basis. I liked the way this felt smooth on my skin and it didn’t feel thick even wearing it under makeup. I would recommend this product to be used at night before bed.
1. Que Bella Limited Edition Duo – Dead Sea Mud & Pineapple Peel Off –Value for 2 = $2.00 (approximate)
These masks usually run from about $1.99-$2.99 depending on which one you buy. Two masks nourish, firm and refresh skin with Dead Sea minerals, vitamin C and amino acids. I couldn’t find these 2 online, but I know that they were limited edition so they may be sold out already. I like this brand and have used many of their masks before, so I was excited to see these in my box. The Replenishing Dead Sea mud mask and the hydrating pineapple peel off mask both left my face feeling refreshed and like I didn’t just have a breakout a few days earlier. I love masks and I love this brand so I would recommend to anyone who asked!
1. Secret Cool Waterlily Clear Gel Deodorant – Value for 0.5 oz. = $1.06
A full, 2.6 oz. deodorant retails for $5.49. Quick-dry deodorant with new, reactivating scent technology offers long-lasting odor protection. This is the perfect size for my gym bag! The scent is great because it’s not overwhelming but you still smell fresh. I usually switch my deodorants between Secret and Men’s deodorant so that my body doesn’t get too used to one type.
1. ACURE Day Cream – Value for 1 oz. = $9.70
A full, 1.75 oz. tube of day cream retails for $16.99. face the day with gotu kola extract and chlorella. This powerhouse combo helps moisturize and protect with a one-two punch. Honestly, in my opinion, this brand tends to have a funky smell to their products. I’m not sure if it’s just the ones that I’ve used, but I really didn’t want to take any chances with this one so I didn’t bother to try it out. I’ll see if any of my friends want this product because I have a few who love this brand.
1. Neutrogena Make-Up Remover Cleansing Towelettes – Value = $1.47
This is actually considered full size since they do sell a 7 pack of wipes in store! This size is perfect for traveling or for throwing into your gym bag for on-the-go purposes. Dissolve dirt, oil and makeup (even waterproof mascara!) for clean, fresh skin in one easy step. I love getting things like this in my boxes because then I never have to buy my makeup removing wipes at full price! I use these daily after my workouts during lunch time. These don’t irritate my face and they don’t dry out my face either.

THE VALUE

The value of this July Beauty Box is approximately $22.08. Since this box was only $7.27 including tax and shipping (I have free shipping + 5% off with my Target Debit Card) this is a great deal! There were 8 items in my box this month and 2 were full-sized items. This is perfect for trying out a new product that you may not normally purchase.

I think this box is a great deal and I love trying new products every month! I also love the fact that if I don’t like the box one month, I don’t have to buy it! The only thing is if you want the box, you have to be quick because they do sell out every month. I can’t wait to see what will be in the August box!

XOXO

P.S. If you see something that you like/want feel free to check out my Mercari app to see if I’m selling any of the products I didn’t want. If I can’t find friends that want any of the goodies I’m not a fan of, I try to sell it!

*Any products I sell on my page are 100% unused/unopened (if sealed) and 100% authentic*
July 20, 2017
FabFitFun Summer 2017 – The FINAL Box

Happy Monday y’all! Guess what time it is!? It’s time for me to share with y’all what came in my Summer FabFitFun Box. As you know, I subscribed to FFF about this time last year with the hopes that it would change my life and bring all kinds of goodies with it. (insert eye roll) But as you can see from my title, sadly, this will be the last FFF box I post about since I have officially unsubscribed 😦 I need to save some money, and let’s face it there are so many other subscriptions out there for me to try instead.

I was super excited when this came in the mail since it’s summer time and my box last summer had some really great things in it. I originally signed up for the yearly subscription, so I knew 3 of the items I would be getting. FFF has also started something new called Choice; you get to choose between words and then based on your selection they send you something that goes with it. This season there were 2 choices.

Ok, so here is what came in my Summer 2017 Box:

Michael Stars Ruana – Retails $54

This was one of the items that I already knew I was getting and was able to pick the pattern that I wanted. This is a limited edition FabFitFun x Joyful Heart Foundation product. This ruana is going to be the star of your beach trips. It is a multi-use item that can be worn as a scarf, sarong, or wrap. It measures 41” x 72”. There were 3 different patterns that you could have chosen for this: black tie die, tan with geometric shapes, or the blue animal print. This is really cute and I can’t wait to take it on vacation with me!

Kris Nations Mystic Bar Necklace – Retails $58

This was the 2^nd item that I could pick which color I wanted. The necklace came in turquoise with a gold chain, white with a silver chain, and peach/coral with a gold chain. The stones are hand-cut by craftsmen in India and each one has an attribute that helps your live every day with positive intentions. To be honest, this item was a lot smaller than I thought it would be. The necklace is adjustable and can be 16-18 inches long. The gemstone bar measures at less than an inch long. It came in a little glass bottle (think message in a bottle) and each card in the bottle says something different. I chose to be surprised on this option and received the White Howlite one. The Howlite enhances intuition and promotes calmness. While the necklace is super cute, it’s a little small for my taste and I’m not sure how many times I’ll actually wear it.

BKR Bottle in Rosy Pink – Retails $35

This was the 3^rd color option that I got to choose. The options were Rosy Pink or Romeo Blue and with pink being my absolute favorite color, you can guess which one I chose. This is a 16oz/500ML glass bottle with a silicone wrap around them. This Little size is perfect for on-the-go; I can throw it in my work bag and leave the house without feeling like I’m being weighed down! They are dishwasher safe which is a huge plus! This product is perfect for summer and something that I was really looking forward to getting in the box! I’ve been using it since my box came and I love it!

Juice Beauty Smoothing Eye Concentrate – Retails $29

Moisturize and soothe any dark circles and fine lines with this eye cream. It has certified organic grape and carrot juices blended with essential fatty acids to hydrate and nourish the eye area. Normally I’m not a huge fan of putting an extra step into my morning routine, but this is worth it. My eyes feel so refreshed and don’t look like I stayed up WWAAAYYYY past my bedtime the night before. Will I buy this on my own? I’m not sure yet.

Eau Thermale Avene Ultra-Light Hydrating Sunscreen – Retails $24

Protect and nourish your skin with this sheer, lightweight sunscreen. It contains broad spectrum SPF 50+ UVA/UVB filters and is enriched with powerful antioxidant and soothing Avene Thermal Spring Water. The formula is fragrance and oil free. It has a completely sheer finish and is great for under makeup. I used this over 4^th of July weekend and it was great; I didn’t even feel like I had any sunscreen on my face and I didn’t get that oily feeling I sometimes get. While $24 is a little on the steep side for sunscreen, if I don’t get burnt using this, it could be worth it.

Cargo Cosmetics Cargo_HD Picture Perfect Highlighter in Bronze – Retails $30

Glow, girl, glow! Formulated for high definition filming, this highlighter will give you a radiant, picture perfect finish, every single time. Its lightweight, velvety powder formula goes on flawlessly yet remains invisible to the camera. I actually don’t use highlighter so I really can’t tell you if this is good or not. All the reviews say wonderful things about this product, but I think I’ll see if one of my friends wants it.

Way Of Will 03 Soothe and Cool Massage Oil – Retails $29.50

Tough workout? Chill out with this post-training cooling massage oil. A base of sweet almond, apricot kernel and jojoba oil helps skin retain moisture and improves the protective barrier function of the skin. Jojoba oil increases hydration, elasticity, and suppleness, while German chamomile cools affected areas. This is a cool idea, but you would have to have someone to massage you. I tend to get sore in the back area due to so many years of gymnastics and cheer, so I would need help rubbing this into my skin. The combo of peppermint and chamomile smells really good.

Understated Leather On the Road Again Travel Set – Retails $28

This is currently SOLD OUT online. Pack your bags and hit the road in epic style with this gorgeous passport cover and luggage tag set. The metallic vegan leather duo featuring printed lettering will have you traveling in style. This is super cute and perfect for traveling. I can’t wait to use the passport holder the next time I go out of the country.

BONUS ITEMS:

Vital Proteins Marine Collagen Peptides – SPONSORED

Vital Proteins Marine Collagen is an unflavored drinkable collagen powder that can be easily added to any beverage, hot or cold, for a healthier complexion and a life of vibrancy. Gluten free, sugar free, and non-GMO, the Marine collagen Peptides contain 10 grams of natural collagen protein in each serving. You can buy this in a 10oz container for $49 or single serve box of 20 for $48.

THE COST:

The subscription is $50 a box sent every quarter (if you pay in full when you subscribe, it’s a little cheaper). The total value for the box I received is $287.50 not including the bonus item. For the price of the box, it comes out to be a really great deal! I’m really excited to continue using some of the items in my Summer box, but I can honestly say that I won’t be continuing to subscribe.

If you would like to subscribe to FabFitFun AND get $10 OFF, use my referral link to get in on all the fun that FFF has to offer!!

FFF is great because if you decide that you no longer want to receive the box, you can unsubscribe at any time!

XOXO

P.S. Let me know your thoughts on the Summer Box! I can’t wait to hear about your fav product!

July 10, 2017