Mary Kay Glamour VoxBox from Influenster

I received the Mary Kay Glamour VoxBox free for testing purposes from Influenster.  Included in the box were a Mary Kay Lash Love Mascara, a Lash Primer, a Cream Eye Color in Violet Storm, a True Dimensions Lip Stick in Pink Cherie, and a Cream Eye Color/Concealer Brush.  I think it's a great mix of products that appeals to a lot of people.  I only tested the lip stick and the cream eye shadow. 

The Mary Kay True Dimensions Lip Stick in Pink Cherie is nearly identical to the Revlon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart.  It does feel a little waxier than the lip butter, but not too much, which I like.  I don't like how regular lip sticks feel on my lips.  The color is a warm neon pink, which really brings out the natural redness in my face.  I won't be wearing Pink Cherie much because of that.

The cream eyeshadow in the color Violet Storm is beautiful.  It's a gorgeous lavender color.  Unfortunately, it doesn't work for me.  It creased and melted, then wore off really bad in my eyelids.  It was fun to try, but I'm not ready to leave the house wearing eyeshadow yet.

I really dislike that Mary Kay products are both made and sold in China, where testing on animals is mandatory.  I have been trying to switch to cruelty-free products which are made in the U.S.A when possible, although it is much more difficult than I expected.  I am an impulse buyer and pretty colors are my weakness.

Review: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso.

I love getting lip product samples, whether they're in my Birchbox, a gift with purchase, or a sample like Jouer sometimes sends out if you were to e-mail them.

I think I hate the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick that I got in my August Birchbox.  It's the color Beso, which looks orange-red in the tube, but it dries much darker and turns a blue-red.  When I got my box, I tried the lip stick first thing.  I did not have a problem with it staining my lips and I don't remember it being hard to remove.  I think I may have had lip gloss on before I applied the liquid lipstick those times.  I tried it again today hoping to get a picture of my lips wearing it.  It was a total failure.

1. It's a horrible mess to apply, but I'm not the best at applying lip stick anyway, so I just cleaned the edges & corners with a bit of paper towel like I always do.  Compared to other highly pigmented lip sticks, I did have to work harder at cleaning up Beso.

2. It takes 1/2 an hour to dry, it really dries matte, and it feels uncomfortably dry on my lips.  I do not like how it feels at all.  It stays wet and sticky for about 10 minutes.  Then it starts to feel dry and sticky.  After that, it feels so dry it's almost painful.

3. I didn't blot it, so it looked freaking bumpy, so after it dried it looked like I put it on over a cold sore in a bunch of spots.  I did blot it when I wore it before, and there were no bumps when it dried then.

4. The lines on my lips look 5 times deeper with this lip stick than with anything else I've ever worn. How does it do that?  My lips looked super-dehydrated and cracked, which they are not because I use a crap-ton of moisturizing lip gloss every day.  I also exfoliate my lips.

5. Removing this Stila lip stick with the make up wipe was messy and took more than a few swipes, but completely effective and there was no staining of my lips, so I guess that's 1 positive thing. I did have to work at it.  I don't think it was that hard to get off before, probably due to the lip gloss under it.

All said, I'm giving the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick a grade of D+ because it's a bigger pain in the ass to wear than any other lip product I own.  I'm not giving it an F because it doesn't bleed outside the edges of my lips and I really like the dark red color of Beso.  I didn't use a lip liner like I do with any other red to prevent the bleeding and migrating at the edges.

Another Chanel Peridot Dupe?

Painted and Photographed Saturday, August 17, 2013.  Left: Outside.  Right: Inside.  Finger Paints brand Fall of Surprises Copper Glitter over OPI Just Spotted the Lizard and Color Club Editorial.  OPI on Thumb, Middle Finger, and Pinkie.  Editorial on Index Finger and Ring Finger.  They are the Exact Same Color.  Three Coats.  Orly Bonder Base Coat and In-A-Snap Top Coat.

August Birchbox Points Haul

Look What Arrived Today! 

Original Total $19.50.  Used 200 (4 Months' Worth) Birchbox Points.  Paid Nothing.  Shea Terra Black Soap. Color Club Editorial.  Pick 2 Pack = Vapour Lip Gloss & 12 Benefits Hair Treatment.

Excited to Try Everything.  Especially the Soap.

Palmolive Soft Touch from Influenster

Palmolive Soft Touch--Soft On Hands--Tough On Grease





Palmolive Soft Touch comes in 3 varieties--Vitamin E, Aloe, and Coconut Butter. I received Vitamin E and Aloe free from Influenster for testing purposes. I bought the Coconut Butter at Wal-Mart using 1 of 5 $1.00 off coupons that Influenster sent. Palmolive Soft Touch $2.64/bottle at Wal-Mart. I left the rest of the coupons in the dish soap aisle at Wal-Mart.

For cleaning power, I prefer Palmolive Fresh Infusions Lime Basil. It's harder to completely rinse off the Palmolive Soft Touch, especially the Vitamin E. Palmolive Soft Touch feels more slippery when I'm doing the dishes, but it doesn't look or feel like it lathers as well as the Lime Basil. Palmolive Soft Touch does get rid of any stuck on food and get my dishes clean and fresh, but I feel like it takes less effort to do the dishes with Palmolive Fresh Infusions Lime Basil than it does with any of the 3 kinds of Palmolive Soft Touch.

The Palmolive Soft Touch in Vitamin E and Aloe smell nice, kind of fresh, and not overpowering. I don't like the Coconut Butter scent. I've used Palmolive Fresh Sponge, the clear eco-friendly Palmolive, and Palmolive Pomegranate. They work great, but the smell of each of them makes me nauseous. The Lime Basil scent, however, is fantastic. I am trying to find candles that smell like Lime Basil. I don't mind the smell of Palmolive Soft Touch Vitamin E or Coconut Butter, but I wouldn't buy them again based on scent or cleaning power. The smells of each remind me of the clear eco-friendly Palmolive, which makes me nauseous. The Coconut Butter also left a scent and a taste on my plastic Ziploc bowls I use for my lunch at work, despite thorough rinsing. Disgusting. I do not want my food to smell and taste like dish soap. The Palmolive Fresh Infusions Lime Basil has never left a smell or a taste on my dishes. I love it for that.

I do dishes a lot. I've been using the Aloe Soft Touch and I've only tried the Vitamin E and Coconut Butter scents a couple times. Palmolive Soft Aloe doesn't dry out my hands any more than they already are, but I don't see any improvement in the softness off my hands after I do the dishes. I guess it's good it doesn't make my hands drier after I do the dishes than before I do them, but based on how Palmolive Soft Touch is marketed, I did expect improvement in the softness of my hands.

Overall, I know I will stick with Palmolive Fresh Infusions Lime Basil rather than repurchase any of the Palmolive Soft Touch. I like the Aloe variety the best. It has the best scent. They all clean great, but I prefer the Lime Basil with it's great lather, ease of rinsing, and wonderful scent.

Thanks for Reading, Everyone. Have Fun and Blessed Be.

Preview: Cricket's Bay Summer Collection Hand-Knotted Hair Ties

Here's a preview of my Summer Collection 2013, which I'm releasing in my Etsy shop in about a week.  Neon Orange.  Bright Blue. White.  Purple.  Lime Green.  I still have to heat seal the ends to prevent fraying.  The colors are not right in this picture.  I can't get the white balance right on my phone's camera.  I'm still working on getting better pictures.  I may change out the green for another color.

Review: Orly Nail Polish

I have several Orly nail polishes.

Orly Rage 40293, Cherry Bomb 40503, Twilight 40269, Meet Me Under the Mistletoe 40309, Winter Wonderland, and Star Spangled 40721.

I go for metallics, pearls, and glitters. Orly is great for these, and they last pretty well on my nails. They don't bubble and they don't take forever to dry. The glitters are wonderful with a few  coats by themselves and so beautiful with one coat over cream polishes. I also use the Orly In A Snap top coat and the Orly Bonder base coat. I used to use Seche Vite, but the Orly base coat and top coat actually work better for me.

Orly Rage is my go-to neutral nail polish. I love the color. I love the way it applies. I love how it lasts without chipping. It's great under one coat of glitter from any brand of nail polish.

Orly Twilight looks like metallic silver glitter in the bottle, but on my nails over any cream or jelly polish it just looks like a shiny clear top coat. Three coats does nothing to change how it looks. The glitter does not show up in Twilight.

How to Make a Galaxy Print Shirt

Great Video.  Step-By-Step.  Watch boatpeoplevintage Make a Galaxy Print Shirt.

Watch "DIY nebula / galaxy print - fashion tutorial" on YouTube

It comes out a beautiful mess of pink, blue, purple, and white on a black crop top.  She shows a bit of a plain black and white galaxy print on the back of the shirt as well.  I think this is an awesome idea and an awesome shirt as well.

ILoveNP Bad Mogwai Over Orly Rage

My Nails Today. Bad Mogwai from ILoveNP Etsy Shop over Orly Rage.  Black and Green Glitter over Silver/Metallic Pink.  It was easier to apply than Something About Merry.  Bad Mogwai seems to have killed the silver in the Orly Rage and brought out the pink.  I'm used to it being very silvery.  I like this color combination.  I can't wait to try this black and green glitter over other colors.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ILoveNP/

Quick Look: Birchbox May 2013

Amika Obliphica Nourishing Hair Mask

Coola Classic SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturizer for Face

Marvis Classic Mint Toothpaste

Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner

Guayusa Tea

I'm cricketsbay on Instagram.

Dark Pink Crab Apple Blossoms

Photographed 5/10.  Posted 5/14.  I'm cricketsbay on Instagram.

First Look: Birchbox April 2013

Okay, so it's May 8, 2013, and I'm posting this. I wrote it 3 weeks ago.

Monday, April 15, 2013

First Look: Birchbox April 2013

LAFCO House & Home Soap $17.00
Made In Italy.
The Birchbox Card says, “Infused with wild roses, black currants, and raspberry, NY-based LAFCO’s lush blend is a world away from ordinary bar soap.”
They’re right about that. It’s not a bad smell, just very strong. I got the scent called Fleur de Baies. I could smell it when I opened my mailbox. I was worried something in my Birchbox had leaked. I was very relieved to find there was not a mess, but I had to seal the soap in a Ziploc bag because it was giving me a headache. I can still smell it through the bag. Everything in my Birchbox, including the tissue paper and the box itself, still smells like the soap. I would never be able to use this soap because of the strong scent. It will be on my Birchbox Trade List tomorrow. I am wondering if I can trade it for another Mirenesse Glossy Kiss Lipstick.

Mirenesse Glossy Kiss Lipstick $26.55
From the Card, “Launching exclusively in the Birchbox Shop, this user-friendly lip pencil is a quick way to score a high-impact pout.”
Made In Taiwan. I got the color 14. Perfect Kiss. It’s supposed to be a coral color, but it looks like a peach color with shimmer to me. I was a bit confused about the exact name of the color at first, but I sorted it out after a look at the Birchbox website. People on the online keep saying, “I got Glossy Kiss. It’s a horrible neon orange color,” and, “I got Glossy Kiss and it’s a nice darker red.” That tipped me off because mine says Mirenesse Glossy Kiss and it’s an orangey peach color. After a closer look, the packaging says, “Glossy Kiss Starlet” on the front, the lipstick tube says, “Mirenesse Glossy Kiss,” then turn it halfway around and it says the actual color name, “14. Perfect Kiss” and the amount of product in the tube, followed by the website address Mirenesse.com. I have at least 3 similar colors. Orange and peach lip products are my favorite. I have the Maybelline Color Whisper in 30 Pin Up Peach, e.l.f. Super Glossy Lip Shine in Love It, and the new limited-edition (I think) Revlon Lip Butter in 027 Juicy Papaya.

Nexxus Youth Renewal Rejuvenating Elixer $20.99
The Birchbox Card says, “It’s not just your skin that needs antiaging (sic) help. This new shine-boosting serum cures dry strands and reduces the odds of age-related breakage.”
Made In USA. Anti-aging serum for hair? I am dumbfounded by this concept. Why not just call it an anti-breakage serum? The words “anti-aging” without the dash in the middle bug me. I think Birchbox could use a better proofreader. The serum is packaged in a little bottle with an eye dropper. According to the packaging, it’s an “Advanced leave-in treatment that rebuilds strength and combats 8 visible signs of aging hair.” All hair is aging. It’s not alive. Hair follicles, which the hair grows from are alive, but hair itself is not. I think Nexxus is using the words “anti-aging” as a marketing tool. Companies that sell skincare products and vitamins and supplements have proven that people will buy anything that says it prevents or reverses the signs of aging. The visible signs of aging hair are not specific to “aging” hair, they are just things that happen to hair as it grows. There are countless hair oils, heat protectants, and leave-in conditioners that do exactly the same thing as Nexxus Youth Renewal Rejuvenating Elixer. Maybe they should all be labeled as anti-aging hair products. It also has dimethicone, a great hair-smoothing ingredient, but unfortunately a major cause of acne breakouts if it gets on my face. I did only recently find out about the correlation between my breakouts and the hair products I use and it’s been a very enlightening process trying to replace them. So far it hasn’t been a big success.

Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate $58.00
From the Card: “With a hefty 10.5 percent pure vitamin C, this targeted antiaging (sic) serum brightens skin, protects against free radical damage, and softens wrinkles.”
Made In the U.S.A. Okay, is everybody spelling “anti-aging” without the dash now? That’s what stands out on the back of the tube for me. I would buy this product specifically because of that, if it does what the packaging claims it does. This sounds like a product I could use. I have deep crease lines on my forehead. Vitamin C is also supposed to be good for fading blemishes from acne. I could definitely use something that does that. I wish I could try this serum. The sample size says 0.17 fl. oz./5ml. I just realized that means the tube is at least ½ full of air. 5ml is the same size as 1 teaspoon. I will not be trying the Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate because it has dimethicone and dimethicone crosspolymer. I have adult acne and dimethicone is a silicon-based polymer which can cause flare ups. I am very disappointed to not even be able to try it. I am in the process of weeding out all skincare and hair products that I own which contain dimethicone. These currently include my favorite conditioner and dry hair oil by Organix brand. This is not a fun process, but it’s necessary for less acne on my face. I wonder if Kiehl’s has any products which don’t contain dimethicone.

Simple Revitalizing Eye Roll-On $6.99 or so at Target
This is not listed on the Birchbox Card. It has it’s own little card wrapped around it that says, “It helps reduce puffiness and revitalize tired eyes by instantly cooling and gently massaging the delicate eye area.” Made In USA. It’s a Birchbox Find like the Schick razor we got several months ago. I’m really hoping we can review the Eye Roll-On. Is it sad the most exciting thing about this product is that I can pronounce all the ingredients and I don’t see dimethicone or parabens listed on the label? There’s a $1.00 off coupon on the back of the card. I wonder if CVS carries Simple brand products. It carries just about every other product made by every company owned by Unilever. I am really looking forward to trying the Simple Revitalizing Eye Roll-On. I need a good eye cream. It says 0.5 oz. | 15mL. It looks to be housed in a 1 oz. tube. Why can packaging not be made to fit the amount of the product inside it? Anyway, this looks like an interesting product to try and I can’t wait to try it tomorrow morning.

Thanks for Sharing My April Birchbox, Everyone. Have Fun and Blessed Be.

Today's Daffodils

Daffodils.
I Like the Color Contrast on These.
Photographed and Posted 5/4/13.
I'm cricketsbay on Instagram.

First Look: DermOrganic

I am trying to change my haircare and skincare routine to help control my adult acne and improve the overall quality and health of my skin.  I received samples from DermOrganic last week.  I sent an e-mail asking where I could buy samples on Sunday and these arrived on Thursday.  DermOrganic makes vegan and cruelty-free haircare and skincare products.  They sent huge travel-size samples of both product lines. 

I am especially looking forward to using the skincare samples.  I am trying to cut silicones, especially dimethicones, out of my haircare routine because they clog my pores and cause me to have breakouts.  It's hard because every conditioner (and some of the shampoos) I own contains at least one kind of dimethicone.  I have had fewer pimples since I have started to not use as many products with silicones, but I do still get breakouts.  I don't know if I will ever find a good conditioner or dry oil for hair that doesn't contain silicone or a silicone dirivative.

I have been trying to go cruelty-free for several months.  It has not been a success, but I am not giving up.  I think DermOrganic products are a step in the right direction, but the Intensive Hair Repair Mask and the Leave-In Treatment do contain varieties of dimethicone.

DermOrganic sends awesome samples and I hope that using their products will result in fewer pimples and healthier skin and hair.

I'm cricketsbay on Instagram."

Thank You for Reading, Everyone.  Have Fun and Blessed Be.

Influenster Featured May Dish Product

I got an e-mail today that says I have been selected by Influenster to receive a surprise in the mail.  I am really hoping it's just dish detergent.  I don't have a dishwasher and I only have 1 pot and 1 pan.  Both are the nonstick variety.  Here's what the e-mail looks like.

Hi Tammy,

We scoured Influenster Nation for the perfect people to test an exclusive new household product, and guess what? You outshone the rest!

This product is all about give and take: it gives a little TLC while taking away the grime....but we won't give any more clues, because your product is already on its way!

Where: Your product will arrive to the address you provided in the pre-qualification survey.

What: Once you receive it, find the badge in your profile and check-in your box.

What Else: Like us on Facebook & Follow @InfluensterVox on Twitter

We can't wait for the fun to begin!

Pots & Pans,
The Influenster Team