BirchBox December 2013 Sparkle and Shine

I was planning on doing this sooner but with the holidays I got pushed back. So now I finally get a chance to sit down and write and tell you over the next couple of weeks about all the neat things I have sitting around that are just dying to be talked about.

This is just the picture of the different items in the box, I will be reviewing them soon.

Generation Beauty May 31st Registration and Fabulous People

So today was the first day of a great event being held in L.A. this weekend called Generation Beauty. It is a meeting of Beauty bloggers, vloggers, lovers and industry professionals. I am so excited for the line up tomorrow. Today was our meet and greet with other attendees and registration.

I stopped at the mall before driving out to LA and got my free Lacie Thong from Victoria's Secret, a sample of Smashbox's CC Cream, and a baggie of samples from MAC. (I know I couldn't believe it when MAC gave me samples, I didn't know what to do). I was a happy camper for sure.

So we drove to LA, my only complaint is parking is too high in LA. I had to pay $15 for 3 hours. But that is life in LA. We went over to the Yard House to meet up with a large group of gals.

I think the internet is just a fabulous thing. I mean I met today 20+ girls today all because we share common interests and we all were looking to network and make friends, and we all use facebook. I think it's just awesome that I live in a time that it is possible to do such a thing.

I had a blast at the Yard House, we ate and talked and got to know each other and then took some pictures. I will be posting a ton of pictures from the event this weekend.

I also will share all the different places you can look up these lovely ladies, youtube channels, twitters, and blogs.

Our makeup community is so wonderful. We help each other out and it's so neat that we can all come together like this.

Mom's Nite Out May 9th, 2013 Simon Malls

I love going to events, and so when my mall says they are having an event, with it being only a mile from my home how could I say no. I have gone to this event now 3 years in a row. I really enjoy all the events that my mall puts on. They put on 3 events a year, a mothers nite, a girls nite and a fashion nite.

This year I asked my roommate if she wanted to come along. She has a 8 month old, she was excited to go. My boyfriend came along with me since he loves to go to events. (Ok more so he just likes to spend time with me.) We got there early since every year they have a lot of people that show up for the events. You had to be the in the top 50 to get a VIP bracelet, which made it so you got a swag bag. The swagbag was really nice but didn't have much in it.

I'm not sure what exactly was in it, since through out the night I filled it up with all the samples and freebies I was given.

We got in the top 50, and before running over to get our swagbags, we went to Ben Bridge to get the item they were giving away to the first 25 people. It was a purse size bottle of the perfume Flawless. They valued it at $35, I don't know if I agree with that, but it's a cute little bottle.

We walked over to both hair salon tables and they gave us a ton of travel size bottles of stuff. I got some Bumble and Bumble straight shampoo and conditioner. I really like Bumble and Bumble so I was super happy about that, since the mini bottles are like $10 each normally.

We went over and got our makeup done by the girls at Sephora and they gave us a little makeup baggies full of makeup.

After that we got lots of different packets of lotions and such. I love packets and such of samples, gives me things I get to try out and find things I like.

They had lots of contests going on. We walked around and entered them all. I won a $5 jamba juice giftcard. Which made my boyfriend really happy, because he loves Jamba Juice, better then that, they messed up our drink and they gave us 2 drinks. So we got to enjoy 2 drinks, YAY.

Then we went over to the Picture People they were doing a giveaway and taking photos. So my roommate got her pictures taken, and my boyfriend and I took pictures together. (I went back yesterday and bought 4 different poses because they looked really good.)

Finally a VIB with Sephora

So if you spend a lot of money at Sephora, like I do. ( I do buy like a million things from the clearance section though, since I'm all about how much can I get for a little bit of price. It's the bargain hunter in me) Then you may know about the Beauty Insider program, it's a card that gives you points towards freebies. I know I love freebies, so I was in on it from the day I started purchasing from the store. What you might not know is there is a second level. If you spend $350 or more in a year you get upgraded to VIB or very important beauty insider. This comes with perks of its own. I just recently purchased a few things from the store because of the 15% off sale they were having, combined with my giftcards. (I turn a lot of my giftcards into sephora giftcards or amazon giftcards depending on what we need or want at the time) I really wanted the Clarisonic Mia 2. Been wanting it for a long time but couldn't afford it. So with the discount and my giftcards I jumped to buy it. I bought the berry one. Yes there will be a post about it. Sadly I've been so busy it's been sitting unopened like a week since it arrived.

When you make that $350 purchase point, they give you a little envelope full of new and fun things to enjoy because you have spent enough to be a part of the special crowd. (I will admit I was a little sad, the first time I saw some hit the VIB mark, they were given a little bag full of makeup, I was looking forward to that, but I was told that it wasn't something they normally do.) My store has gotten in the envelope so I had been waiting a while to get my new VIB card. So the other day when I went out to get a freebie at the cerritos mall, I stopped by the Cerritos Sephora, had the envelope. I am happy to have my silver card.

The envelope comes with a coupon for free shipping on the website, 10% off a purchase, and a free makeover in store.

Eye Kandii Cosmetics - First Indie makeup review

Today I have the pleasure of showing off some makeup I bought off Etsy.

The shop is http://www.etsy.com/shop/EyeKandiiCosmetics. I was searching for samples and kits to try out some small companies makeup and start writing about smaller brands and give me the chance to play with things I haven't had the chance to enjoy when I ran across her shop and picked up some samples because I liked the colors. I got a eye shadow sample grab bag that contained baggie samples and a product. Now I'm a sucker for surprises and since I'm wanting to try things I thought why not go this route and let her be my first review.

I got the products really quickly. They were waiting for me after work less then a week after I ordered. I was excited and opened the envelope. To my excitement there were lots of goodies to enjoy. I got a blush, a lip gloss, an eye shadow and samples. Not all the samples are labeled but that's fine by me. I can't wait to try them all. wear it on my lips for a full day.. but trust me that day is coming. :D

So first off we have the lip gloss. It is called Coral Kiss Lip Treatz Vinyl Lip Gloss. I am in love with the color. In the container it looks Neon Pink. If you know how much I love neon you'd be excited too. Here's a swatch of the color. I LOVE IT. It looks like shiny glossy lipstick. It comes off clean. I like the feeling of it. It feels moisturizing. I haven't gotten the chance to wear it on my lips for a full day.. but trust me that day is coming. :D

Next is the Jelly Bounce Blush in Honey Tan. Right off the bat I know it is far to dark for me as a blush. The color is almost a bronze color, very pretty. It seems to dry quickly so I can't use it as a eye shadow which I sometimes do with blush. I use everything for everything, lol.. but I might use it as a highlighter for myself. It has a nice creamy texture and feels soft going on. I really like it. The container I got is 20g and contains Vitamin A and E. So I like it and will find a use for it for sure. Not the best picture.

Next up is the eye shadow I got. The color is green and it is called Mojito. I already like it. LOL. The jar is completely full glad I didnt have it tipped when opening.. Haha. I'm bad about that. The color going on is a light shimmery green (dry) or a more neon looking light green over primer. (I used Elf eyelid primer.) The picture on top is the primed eye shadow and the bottom is the dry eyeshadow by itself.

I'm not going to do the samples today. Since I don't have any mini ziploc baggies to put them in once I cut them, so there will be another post on them.

Over all I am extremely pleased with what I purchased and I can see more eye shadow and lip vinyl in my future. I can't wait to try other colors out.

So go over and check out her shop, it's worth the money and you are helping someone pays bills and thats a good thing :)

Makeup - GwP the way to go for counter purchases

I love Clinique, Shiseido, Philosophy, Estee Lauder, and the likes of any makeup you can purchase at a makeup counter. The price tags always make it hard for me to go in for the kill and buy. Except during the GwP times. I love GwP's because it makes your purchase seem less expensive and makes you super excited to try new things. I've fallen in love with so many products because of it.

The best part about them is that you get a wide variety of deluxe size samples and full size products. So you get to try not only the new product you just bought (or your old favorite) but also 5-7 other different items, in an adorable makeup bag. You can not beat that.

Right now there are a multitude of companies offering gift with purchase in stores and online. So it's the perfect time to buy.

For example right now at Macy's Lancome has a gorgeous gift set with any $35 purchase

You get an adorable tote bag. Very vibrant and bright. Your choice of eye cream, there is three to pick from. Your choice of moisturizer, again three to pick from. A body essential either a bronzer or a lotion. You get a lip product either a juicy tube or a lipstick and lastly an eye essential which includes either a mascara, makeup remover or eye shadow palette. Best part this is all free on top of the great item you are purchasing. This year I'm digging the new bright cream shadows and I love the foundation.

Another example is right now over at Estee Lauder at Macy's if you buy any fragrance you get a bag, palette with eye shadow and blush and two lipsticks and I believe a mascara and some brushes. Now I'm not a fragrance person really, but this is a great deal.

Now Clinique is doing a gift with purchase at Nordstroms. I love the bag, it's designed by Tracy Reese. This giftset is free with a $28 purchase. You get deluxe samples of the dramatically different lotion, mild facial soap, a lipstick, lipgloss, mascara, all about eyes serum and an eyeshadow palette. So you buy 2 items and walk away with not only some great products but this entire gift set.