Not Another LA Blonde

Tag: health

Ipsy: June 2017
Happy Tuesday y’all! I got my June Ipsy bag last week and I like about half of what I got!

Here’s the deal, I’m share with you 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 this month’s bag was VOLUME UP. The bag was cute with just lips on the front. I liked this bag more than some of the others because of its simplicity.

The Products:
1. NYX Whipped Lip & Cheek Soufflé in Cocoa Bean Value for 8ml= $6
This is a FULL size product. In my opinion, this is a pretty small item that NYX is considering to be full size. This product can be used for BOTH lips and cheek! The whipped formula is supper light so that it feels like you’re not even wearing anything. The Cocoa Bean color is a super versatile nude brown that also works great for contouring. I’m personally not a fan of this color and wish I had gotten one of the other colors offered. With that being said, it is super lightweight, but it isn’t a product that I’ll be buying on my own.
1. Skyn ICELAND Glacial Face Wash with White Willow Bark Value for 20ml = $4
The full 150ml tube retails for $30. This super foamy cleanser leaves your face feeling fresh and hydrated! It helps soothe, revitalize, and detoxify. The formula is also very mild so it’s perfect for any skin type! I always love trying new face washes, so this product was a win in my book. I like how it left my face feeling after washing it. Would I buy this product again? I’m not so sure; even though I liked it, I can’t imagine paying $30 for face wash!
1. City Color Cosmetics Bold Brow Eyebrow Powder in Medium Value for 0.8oz = $4
I think that this might be a FULL size product or pretty close to it because it retails for $4 online. This duo of matte powders creates soft, subtle definition without looking super harsh. With two colors, you can create the perfect blend to match your existing brows! I personally don’t use powder for my eyebrows and prefer Benefit’s Goof Proof Brow Pencil.
1. Doucce Maxlash Volumizer Mascara Value for 6ml =$10 (Super rough estimate as sample sizes are usually half of the full size)
The full size of this mascara retails at $22. This lash-fattening formula makes our fringe look insanely lush, fluttery, and fab. The chubby wand coats every last lash so none of them are left behind! I love trying out new mascaras and love getting them in my bag! I honestly haven’t bought mascara in about a year! I liked this mascara, and with it retailing at $22 (fairly normal for full mascara) I may purchase this in the future.
1. MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua XL Eye Pencil in M-10 Matte Black Value for 0.02oz = $10.50
The full 0.04oz eyeliner retails for $21 at Sephora. The cutting-edge formula is insanely creamy, so it glides on like butter with no tugging or dragging. This waterproof formula literally stays put until you decide it’s time for it to come off. I love pencil eyeliner so much more than liquid, so this was a pleasant surprise when I found it in my bag. I like the way it glides on and I’m also a fan of the brand! I would definitely buy this product again.

While I can’t pinpoint an exact price of the products in the whole bag, I’ve figured that the May bag is worth at least $34.50 (just a super rough estimate, not sure if the eyebrow powder was full size or not and couldn’t get an exact price on the mascara)! I think that it is fairly accurate, so 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!
June 13, 2017
FabFitFun Spring 2017 Box

Good Morning y’all! Ok so I know I haven’t posted in QUITE A WHILE but I’m still here and I just received my Spring FabFitFun Box. So what better way to end my little absence than with a post about my box?

I was super excited when this came in the mail especially since wasn’t too thrilled with the winter box. I am signed up for the yearly subscription, so I knew 3 of the items I would be getting. But that definitely doesn’t take any of the surprise away when I open the box!

Here is everything that came in my box including my Add-ons which I will talk about in another post.

Ok, so here is what came in my Spring 2017 box:

GYPSY 05 Beach Roundie – Retails $50

This was one of the items that I already knew I was getting and was able to pick the pattern that I wanted. It is a round beach blanket with a tassel trim and mine has a great spring time pattern to it. It is 100% cotton and has a diameter of 62.5 inches. So basically I’m really excited that this was one of the items in this season’s box! I’ve been eyeing these online for quite a while and the one time I went to purchase one, it was sold out; I guess that was fate telling me to just wait it out. These roundies are perfect for taking to the beach or for a nice picnic in your own backyard. I can’t wait to use my roundie for all my adventures this summer. Their website has so many different options to choose from and they’re all so cute!

BRIOGEO Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray – Retails $20

Does your hair need some extra love? This ultra-lightweight spray is fortified with a unique blend of rosehip, argan, and coconut oils to improve hair’s softness, strength, and moisture levels, while acting as a barrier against heat. The tip FabFitFun gives is to use this after your shower when your hair is clean and still damp and then style like you normally would. I’ve used other products like this before, and normally I’m not a fan of deep/leave-in conditioners, but I do like this one! I like that I could just spray it on and style my hair like normal. I also liked that I didn’t have to stand in the shower forever and then rinse it out. This product is a decent price and I would definitely consider buying it when I run out of the bottle I got. You can also purchase this at Sephora!

MILLY Zip Pouch in Beach Please – Retails $45

Water resistant bag! This bag is the perfect size for stuffing your wet bikini in after a day of fun in the sun. I wasn’t sure if I was going to keep this when I first opened my box, but then I realized that it is great for transporting my wet bikini from my fiancés house back to my house after a day in the pool! It is also a pretty good size (10 1/4”x 8”) and would also work well for traveling and putting all those liquids in one spot rather than in 50 million little bags. This particular one is apparently not in stock, but they have plenty of other ones to choose from.

DR. BRANDT Microdermabrasion Age Defying Exfoliator – Retails $79

Reveal radiant and renewed skin! This formula contains aluminum oxide crystals, lactic acid, and smoothing botanicals to polish away dead cells and leave you with bright, smooth, healthy-looking skin. I LOVE to try new facial cleansers and was happy to find this in my box! I love the way my face felt after using this to wash my face before bed and then again in the morning. I obviously wouldn’t pay almost $80 for a face wash, so it will be a nice little luxury to use until I run out.

KARUNA Hydrating + Face Mask -Retails $28

This is a deep conditioning sheet mask. It allows pores to fully absorb essential nutrients and nourishing ingredients for ultimate hydration. I’m not a huge fan of sheet masks because, more times than not, they are WAY too big for my face and they leave too much residue for my liking. I’m not 100% sure that I will use this product so maybe one of my mask loving friends would like this. This product can be purchased as a single or in a 4-pack and can be bought online (see link) or through places like Sephora and Ulta.

REALHER Lip Kit in Neutral Pink -Retails $48

This product is made from natural ingredients, this liquid lipstick, plumping lip gloss, and lip liner trio are so pretty you’ll be kissing the mirror before you leave the house! I got the pink set and I have to say it is the perfect shade of pink; it is really natural looking and not gaudy at all. The pigment is great and the color was long lasting, I didn’t have to worry about reapplying while I was wearing this! Definitely my new go-to item.

DEBORAH LIPPMANN Nail Polish Set in Blue Orchid/Like a Virgin -Retails $19

These two nail polishes are a light cream color and a light kind of blue color, perfect for spring time. I’m not really a huge fan of receiving nail polishes in my boxes since I only do gel on my nails or nothing at all. (Who has time to wait for regular polish to dry anyway?) When I opened the bottle to take a look at it, it seemed like it was a pretty thin formula and would probably need quite a few coats to get a good color going. Unfortunately, I won’t be using this particular product, so maybe I can find someone who loves nail polish!

EMERALD DUV “Joshua Tree” Cage Bracelet -Retails $80

Can I start by saying…Wow the price of this bracelet is crazy! I would never pay that much for a bracelet! Ok, now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, this is a cute bracelet and I’m glad this was one of the things I got to choose in my box. The other option was these crawler earrings, and I’m not really a huge earing fan. This bracelet is a super cute cage style and was made in the USA. This will be perfect for dressing up or even wearing to work. It will be cute either on its own or paired with other stackable bracelets. This item is currently out of stock, but I attached the link to the website so you can take a look at all the other jewelry they offer.

BONUS ITEMS:

Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies – Retails $4.99

Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies provide you with the vital nutrients your body needs to support your natural beauty from within. Vitamin E and Vitamin C are antioxidants. Vitamin E contributes to skin health, and Vitamin C is involved in collagen production and formation, which forms the basis for vibrant skin. Biotin helps to maintain healthy hair. I have used these before so I am familiar with the product, but this was a great bonus item in my opinion. They literally don’t taste like vitamins at all and I love that they’re in gummy form!

NEW Burt’s Bees Protein Powder in Vanilla -Retail $2.99 (for a single pouch)

This is a sample size of Burt’s Bees new protein powder. I can’t wait to try this out and see how it works. It contains 15 grams of plant-based protein and includes 1/3 cup of real fruits and vegetables per serving. It also contains antioxidants – Vitamins A, C and E.

The total value for this box is $377.00 including the two bonus items, which to me is such a great deal for the price of the box! I’m really excited to continue using the items in my Spring box, but I can’t wait to see what the Summer box has to offer!

To subscribe to FabFitFun AND get $10 OFF, use my referral link to get in on all the fun that FFF has to offer!! You won’t regret it!

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 Fall Box! I can’t wait to hear about your fav product!

May 4, 2017
His: Target December Box

So the December box was kind of neat because they offer a box for both him and her! This review is strictly for the box for HIM! I gave the items to my younger brother to try them out and here is a little of what he had to say.

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 a BREAKDOWN of the goodies in the December box:

1. Gold Bond Ultimate Refresh 360 Body Powder – Value = $0.70 for 1 oz

This body powder retails for $6.99 for the full 10 oz size. I don’t actually know much about this product since it is currently still wrapped up like it is below and sitting on our bathroom counter.

2. Old Spice Dirt Destroyer Puresport Body Wash– Value = $0.95 for 3 oz bottle

The full 16 oz bottle retails for $4.99. This is currently the body wash in the shower in the bathroom we share. That right there was a good sign that he was going to like the product. He likes the way it smells and leaves you smelling good even after you get out of the shower. I’m not going to lie, I’ve used it a few times and even I like the way it smells!

3. Colgate Optic White Platinum Toothpaste– Value = $1.62 for 1.45 oz

For a full size 3 oz tube this retails for $3.34! I have been using this toothpaste since I opened the box. I like the way my mouth feels after I’m done brushing my teeth. I feel like it is a good product and would definitely buy the full size tube. I have also noticed that my teeth appear to look whiter after a week of using the tooth paste twice a day.

4. Gillette Fusion Hydra Shave Gel– Value = $2.12 for 2.5 oz

The full 7 oz size retails for $2.74. Again, this is another product that is a staple for not only both of my brothers but for my Mr. as well. It leaves their faces smooth and fresh looking. They like the way it foams up as they rub it onto their faces. Since this is something they already use, it is definitely something that they will continue to buy in the future.

5. Every Man Jack 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner – Value = $1.20 for 2 oz

The full size bottle (13.5oz) is $7.99. This was a product that none of the males in my life had heard of or used before. My one brother said he likes the way this smelled when he was washing his hair and liked that it didn’t smell girly in any way. Since it is a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner, it left my brother’s hair feeling soft and not like a brillo pad like it normally does.

6. Old Spice Swagger 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner – Value = $0.56 for 1.7 oz

A full 25.3oz bottle retails for $6.99. Again, this is another staple in our house as my youngest brother uses this. He normally changes it up with Head & Shoulders, but he likes the way this one smells when he uses it and it leaves his hair smelling good too. This size bottle is perfect for throwing into his gym bag to use after weight-lifting before school.

7. Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Body Wash– Value = $0.55 for 1.8 oz

The full 18 oz bottle retails for $4.69. This is another product that is an absolute staple in our house. Mr. Fiance uses this daily when he showers and my mom buys it for my dad as well. I like this because it leaves Mr.’s skin feeling soft and smooth even if he doesn’t put lotion on! This is great for travel and will definitely be used!

8. Nautica Voyage Sport Cologne – Value = $0.70

A full size (1.7oz) bottle retails for $34.99. This was nice that it came in a mini spray bottle rather than the wand. My brother is currently wearing this and I have to say it smells kind of like the Old Spice Pure Sport. It smells good on him and he likes it, so I guess that’s all that matters! He’s not really a big cologne guy but he does wear it for special occasions.

THE VALUE

The value of this December Beauty Box for Him is about $8.40. Since this box was only $7.00 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 no full size items, but worked out since almost all of the products were things that someone in my family uses all the time! This was such a great box

I think this box is a great deal and I can’t wait to see what January will look like! I can definitely say that I will be purchasing this box again in the future as long as it is not sold out!

XOXO

December 29, 2016