Not Another LA Blonde

Tag: cosmetics

  • Target September Beauty Box

    Target September Beauty Box

    I’ve seen these boxes for sale online at Target before, but never had the chance to purchase one as they sell out very quickly! I got lucky this time and was able to snag one (my mom was not so lucky and didn’t get one).

    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.

    Here is what came in the September Box

    Here is a BREAKDOWN of the goodies:

    1. Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream – Value = $12.80

    This cream retails for $32 for a full size jar. This is a hydro-ionized mineral water and Biogen technology that strengthens skin and provides 24 hours of continuous hydration. I used this at night after washing my face and putting a serum on. I felt that it left my face feeling a little greasy (for lack of better word) but since I was going to bed, it didn’t matter. I think that it did make my face feel a little softer, but since my mom has been wanting to try this out forever, I let her have this item. I honestly can’t imagine me or my mom buying the full size jar for $32, which is unfortunate because I liked it enough to use again.

    2. Rimmel The Only 1 Lipstick in – Value = $6.99

    This is an all-in-one lipstick that goes on effortlessly for the perfect balance of high-impact color, moisture and all-day wear. To be completely honest, I’m not much of a lipstick gal so I don’t think I’ll be using this product. The color seemed nice and not too bright. it glided on smooth like chapstick and didn’t leave that sticky feeling that a lip gloss does.

     

    Here is is swatched on my wrist

    3. S.W. Basics Organic Lip Balm in Citrus – Value = $5.00

    Made with all-natural organic ingredients to moisturize and heal lips without leaving a sticky, waxy feeling. I have never heard of this brand before so I am glad that I was able to try it out! It glided on smoothly and definitely didn’t leave that sticky feeling that a lot of chapsticks tend to do. I received the citrus flavor and it felt refreshing on my lips. I am normally a Burt’s Bees wearer, and I probably will continue to be since I can usually find them for about $3.00 at places like Nordstrom Rack. $5.00 is kind of a lot for me to spend on 1 chapstick alone.

    4. EDEN BodyWorks JojOba Deep Conditioner – Value = $1.00

    The full size 16oz jar retails for $8.59. All-natural botanical formula restores and strengthens over-processed or damaged hair. This product is paraben and sulfate free! I haven’t had time to use this product yet, but after opening the pouch, I found the product to be thick. Since I have pretty fine hair, I think that I can get quite a few uses out of this sample bag. I regularly get my hair colored and highlighted so I can’t wait to try this out as the bleach tends to make my hair break easier.

    5. OGX Renewing Coconut Milk Conditioner – Value = $1.00

    This product has a price range of $5.79 – $10.99 depending on if you buy the 13 oz or 25.4 oz bottle. Lightly scented, creamy coconut milk formula helps to strengthen hair while leaving it soft & shiny. This conditioner smells SOO good!! I went out of town this weekend and packed this in my overnight bag and am so glad that I did. It left my hair feeling silky and soft to the touch as well as smelling great all day! I will most definitely be purchasing this in the full size very soon.

    6. Biore Baking Soda Cleanser – Value = $1.00

    A full size bottle of this retails for $5.99. Made with baking soda and pH balanced to gently exfoliate and deep-clean pores. I also took this on my little weekend getaway and I liked the way my face felt after washing it with this. I felt like my face felt clean and refreshed. I would love to buy this in the full size and use it on a regular basis.

    7. Maybelline The Fasies Push Up Drama Mascara – Value = $7.49

    Innovative cup-shaped bristles scoop, lift and volumize lashes for an ultra-dramatic look in just one sweep. This is my mom’s absolute favorite mascara, so being a good daughter, I gave it to her! Let me tell you though, she has super thin/short eyelashes and after she puts this on, it looks like she has long lashes. It doesn’t quite give the false eyelash look shown on the package, but she likes that it doesn’t clump up when applying and it lasts a long time even when using it every day.

    THE VALUE

    The value of this September Beauty Box is about $35.28. Since you only pay $10.00 plus shipping (mine was free + 5% off since I have a Target Debit Card) this is a great deal! For this particular box, it had 3 full size items and the rest deluxe size which is perfect for trying out a new product that you may not normally buy.

    I think this box is a great deal and I’m bummed I haven’t tried it out sooner! I can definitely say that I will be purchasing this box again in the future as long as it is not sold out!

    XOXO

  • August Ipsy Glam Bag: What’s in yours?

    August Ipsy Glam Bag: What’s in yours?

    Can y’all believe August is over!! It is officially SEPTEMBER and I just have 1 question…where the heck did summer go??

    As you know from my post in August, the July Glam Bag was the first bag I received from Ipsy. Unfortunately, I wasn’t too impressed with my bag last month, so I had higher hopes for my AUGUST bag!

    I got my bag about 2 weeks ago and was hoping to try all of the products this time before posting my review!

    Let’s get to the good stuff and I’ll share with you what I got in my pouch this month:

    For starters, the theme of this month’s bag was Sugar Highness and I think that my products go pretty well with the theme this month. The bag was cute with a girl with purple hair and different makeup products on her head like a crown. I totally understand the idea of delivering your products in a makeup bag, but I don’t really need bags at this moment (maybe I can find a good way to reuse the 2 bags that I have).


    The Products:

    1. Formula X Nail Polish in Dollface: I received a mini size so I’m not sure what the price would be on a mini, but the full size (0.4oz) is $10.50 at Sephora. This color is a light baby pink. I usually do gel on my nails, but in between visits (usually when I peel all the gel off after 2 weeks!) I paint my own nails to give them a little breather. That being said – I found this color to be the right shade of pink and had a classy look. With 2 coats this would be perfect!  
    2. Beaute Basics 3 Tone Bronzer: This was a mini version on the bronzer, but to be honest I have never heard of this brand before so I had to do some research. Lone behold, I couldn’t find much about the product (i.e a price). Here is what Ipsy had to say about it: “The triple threat of bronzers. Three silky smooth shades perfect for all skin tones. All in one carry-anywhere palette for glow on-the-go. Wear alone or together as a bonus fourth shade. Looks for days-and nights. Bendable and build able, so you can create your perfect tan. All-day formula for illumination that lasts.”  I know for a fact that I won’t use this product, so for me, this was a waste of my 5 items. 
    3. tarte cosmetics tarteist lash paint mascara: I LOVE this mascara!! I believe that the travel size I got in my bag goes for about $12 (more than you pay for the bag!). The full size of this mascara retails for $23. This is my absolute favorite mascara! I currently use the full size on a daily basis so I was super excited to get the travel size in my bag this month!                
    4. Beau Gachis Paris Pro Series Applicator Sponge: The website is currently selling this sponge as a duo set for $23, so lets assume that the price for just one is about $12-15. I have attempted to use sponges before to apply makeup and I wasn’t a fan then, so I know that I am not a fan now! This will be one of those products that I gift to someone else who will use it 🙂 
    5. Olive Natural Beauty Anti-Aging Facial Moisturizer: The full size of this moisturizer retails for $38 for a 2oz bottle. I received a 1oz bottle so I’m going to assume the cost is $19 for the mini bottle. I have plenty of moisturizer at the moment but my mom is really into trying different types of anti-aging products so I gave it to her to try out. I tried it once just so I could give you my opinion and the only thing that I didn’t like about was that my face smelled like olive oil after using it. *Side note: I used it on a day that I didn’t put anything else on my face, so maybe if I had put makeup on then the outcome would be different. 

    While I couldn’t get an exact price of the products in the whole bag, the bag is worth at least $45 (just a super rough estimate)! If this is accurate, then the $10 you pay for the bag is such a steal!

    The cost of the box every month is $10 + tax and free shipping. So for 5 products (one of which should be full size, I think my makeup brush was my full size item), 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!

  • Makeup Monday: Masks

    Makeup Monday: Masks

    Here’s the deal…I’m not very good with makeup nor do I have a beauty routine. You’d think that being in my early/mid twenties that I would have come up with something by now, but I haven’t. So here I am giving y’all a Makeup Monday post!

    I am super curious about face masks and how they make my face feel after using them!

    I recently got a sample from Sephora with a purchase I made so I decided to try it out last night.

    It was GLAM GLOW SUPERMUD Clearing Treatment.

    My sample size was perfect for 1 use, so after washing my face last night, I applied a thin layer to my face all over.

    Here is what it looked like before being applied to my face

    I let it sit for about 5 min before I rinsed it off. The first thing I noticed while it dried on my face was that it was very stiff and I couldn’t move my face all that much.

    I know, I look so cute with my Snap Chat filter

    Here’s the deal with it according to Sephora.com:
    Which skin type is it good for?
    ✔ Normal
    ✔ Oily
    ✔ Combination

    Solutions for:
    ✔ Acne and blemishes
    ✔ Pores
    ✔ Oiliness

    If you want to know more…
    This formula was clinically developed by GLAMGLOW dermatological chemists to help fight all common skin concerns including breakouts, discoloration, black and white heads, razor bumps, and in-grown hair. Powerful, skin-clearing mud visibly draws out dirt and congestion while a proprietary six-acid blend dramatically brightens and softens skin. It works to draw out dirt and pores with activated-X charcoal, leaving skin smooth and healthy-looking.

    So now here is my CONSCLUSION…After washing it off of my face, I felt that my skin was tight and smooth, but I think that it would take more than one use to determine if it was worth buying (although when I woke up this morning, I noticed that the flock of pimples on my right cheek was no longer red!). The full size retails for $69 which is kind of a lot in my book for a facial mask. I think that I’ll keep searching for one that gives me the same/better effects than this one did but at a lower price.

    I want to know if any of you have a mask you love to use! I’m always looking to try new products!

    XOXO