October's Ipsy Beauty Subscription Bag

Hey There!

Here's my review for the October 2014 ipsy bag, themed "beauty candy"!

Like Birchbox, it is a subscription service that costs $10 /month.  This month I got 5 beauty samples to test out!

This month's bag:

• Albertini Warm Love Pumpkin Exfoliating Mask
• Figs & Rouge Hand Cream in Rose Berry
• Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser
• Skone Cosmetics Tattooed Waterproof Eyeliner
• Starlooks Lip Gloss

I cannot get any of my pictures to work, so I found this really nice one from the internet!

SNEAK PEEK #6: Have your cake and a Glam Bag too with this gorgeous teal creation.  Double tap if you're loving this teal treat! #beautycandy #october #glambag Double tap if #october #glambag is making you feel like a kid in a candy store? This sugar binge won't make you sick. #beautycandy

A photo posted by ipsy (@ipsy) on Oct 10, 2014 at 8:26am PDT

Albertini Warm Love Pumpkin Exfoliating Mask

Review:
The smell of this mask is absolutely amazing! It gets a 5 for smell alone! It's really nice and I would totally recommend it!
Rating: 5/5
Figs & Rouge Hand Cream

Review: Another absolutely amazing smelling product! It's brilliant and fruity and I just want to eat it! I don't really like the way it makes my hands feel though....it's kind of greasy.

Rating:4/5

Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser

Review: I love this product!! It doesn't really have a smell and does the job it promises. Very very nice facial cleanser!
Rating: 5/5

Skone Cosmetics Tattooed Waterproof Eyeliner

Review: Wonderful eyeliner!!! Super long lasting and easy to apply.  I can wear it without a primer, which is saying something!!
Rating: 5/5
Starlooks Lip Gloss

Review: This is the only product in this box I wasn't absolutely amazed with.  It's a nice color but a little hard to apply and not moisturizing at all. Not a comfortable wear.
Rating: 3/5

Overall October Ipsy Bag Rating: 22/25.

Wait...did Birchbox and Ipsy tie for October?? Crazy! I was very pleased with both boxes!

Thank you for reading!
<3 Riley

October's Birchbox Beauty Subscription box!

Hello All!

I thought I would keep the ball rolling from my blog post yesterday and post another today!

WOW! Two in a week? Is this Christmas? No, this is just how it should be! [My bad, apologies...]

So I'm going to put on some music and review some of the most recent beauty boxes I've received, for all of you!

I thought I would kick this off by reviewing the Birchbox from October 2014.  Birchbox was my first box I subscribed to, and I really like it.  Birchbox is a service that costs $10 /month.  For this, you get 4-5 beauty or lifestyle products, chosen specifically for you after you fill out a quiz.  Birchbox gives you smallish samples of upscale products.  They do beauty, but I've found that compared to the other boxes, they give you more skin care than anything else.  I am not complaining about this! I love that they specialize in upscale skin care!

Let's get into it....

A photo posted by Riley Liebel (@pikarilay) on Oct 10, 2014 at 7:32pm PDT

Above is my Instagram picture of the box I posted the day I got it.

October's box came with:

• Mally Beauty High-Shine Liquid Lipstick Pen in Blossom
• Essentiel Elements Wake Up Rosemary Shower Gel
• ModelCo Power Lash Long Wear Black Mascara
• Harvey Prince Petaly Noir Perfume
• Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner

Starting with Mally Beauty High-Shine Liquid Lipstick Pen in Blossom.

Review:
I love this lipstick! It's a really cool concept and executed really well! It's kind of a lipstick, kind of a lipgloss.  It feels pretty nice on my lips, but because my lips are constantly super dry, I always wear it with chapstick.  It's a really pretty color on it's own, but looks really nice paired with other colors as well.
Rating:
5/5
I would actually buy this product.  I really like it.  I would go for another color, since I don't use lipstick up very fast.

Essentiel Elements Wake Up Rosemary Shower Gel

Review:
This is a really nice smelling shower gel! It has strong hints of mint as well, as it smell just like my mint shampoo!  It softens skin really nice and washes off well.
Rating:
4/5
I would not buy this product.  I'm picking with which shower products I buy, and even though I like the smell, it will probably take me a long time to use it, just because it isn't my favorite.

ModelCo Power Lash Long Wear Black Mascara

Review:
I LOVE THIS MASCARA! & I'm really picky when it comes to mascara! It gives eyes a really nice "60's look".  That's the only way I know how to describe it.  It has the perfect mixture of volume and length.
Rating:
6/5
I legitimately want more of this mascara! & I'm aware that I created and destroyed my own rating system, it's fine! ;]

Harvey Prince Petaly Noir Perfume

Review:
I love love love Harvey Prince fragrances! Ageless is my absolute favorite.  Petaly Noir is a much more sexy night-time scent, and I love it! Here's how Birchbox describes it, since I'm not a scent professional, "It’s inspired by long, moonlit walks and orchids in full bloom. But a single breath of this elegant scent reignited our belief in love at first sight (or, in this case, sniff). Rich with lush florals and hints of musk, this fragrance adds an instant air of romance—whether we’re taking that midnight stroll or gearing up for our morning commute."
It's lovely!
Rating:
5/5
I love this perfume! But since it is a little pricey, if I buy a Harvey Prince perfume it will be Ageless - Pink Grapefruit!

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner

Review:
I do like this product, but it's a little drying on my skin, perhaps since you're supposed to wash your face before you use it, and my face cannot really handle that kind of thing.  I think it's really cool that it changes color on your face when it's ready to wash off though!
Rating:
2/5
I will use up my entire sample, and I am glad that I have it, but I'm just not super keen on it!

So....as an overall rating for this box, I would give it a B, which I found by literally averaging all of my scores! I really really enjoy some of the products, but do like all of them as a whole!

Hope you enjoyed this review, I will be reviewing all of my other October and November boxes, so keep your eyes open! :]

<3 Riley

P.S., as usual, feel free to leave your opinions in the comments!

Benefit x Birchbox Beauty Bash!

Well hello my blogging beauties!

It's safe to say that after a long hiatus I am BACK.

I so desperately miss blogging and sharing my life and interests with complete strangers on the internet. ♥

{But let's not be strangers forever! Let's get to know each other!}

So, as a little update....this is the first September that I haven't been enrolled in classes. Kinda weird. I'm really enjoying the reduction in stress levels! I am still working at my medical billing job, and the office politics are as insane as ever, but I'm keeping my head up!

One thing that has really helped to motivate and inspire me lately is the Beauty Bash thrown by Benefit and Birchbox.  It started out as a contest with 1,000 winners, but has since been opened to 1,500.  We were all competing to be one of the 1,000, who would win a very special box full of samples of Benefit brand beauty necessities.  I entered, fully expecting to have no chance of winning this contest, but.

I WON.

{Here's a picture from the Birchbox website showing everything hostesses are given to throw the party!}

I cannot believe it still! I feel so honored to have won a contest put on by two of my absolute favorite brands.  Benefit makes such high quality products and they always have the cutest advertising and packaging.  I've been subscribed to Birchbox for over a year now and love it. {Btw, their September box is on point! Expect a blog on that soon!} 

The box of samples is for the hostess and 5 of her closest gal pals! I cannot wait to share these samples with my girls! Half of them have tried Benefit products, the other half have not, so it should be a really good mix.  The hostess is supposed to throw a party the weekend of the 26th - 28th{National Wingwomen Weekend}, so we have just under 2 weeks! 

{Another picture of the samples from the Birchbox website!}

There is an extra contest within this contest, called Hostess with the Mostest.  The winner of this prize claims ALL of the Benefit products on Benefit's website, which is over $2,200 worth of amazingness. Obviously, I would just die if I was chosen! 

Anyways, I am just so excited to be participating! I have already bought a ton of party decorations and necessities and have already started crafting a ton!

Would you all be interested in me posting tutorials on what I have made so far? You can also check my Instagram for pictures of my decor! 

Cannot wait to update you guys! :]

♥Riley

Influenster's Varsity Vox Box: NYC New York Color's Big Bold Gloss

Me wearing the NYC New York Color Lip Gloss over an orange lipstick

I was lucky enough to be chosen to receive one of Influenster's latest VoxBoxes: The Varsity VoxBox.  I love this box.  It has products that are aimed towards college students, which is perfect for me!  It contains NYC New York Color's Big Bold Plumping and Shine Lip Gloss, Kiss's Nail Dress Nail Adhesives, Clearasil Daily Clear Refreshing Superfruit Wash, Airheads Xtreme Bites, and Tide PODS.  

 As you can see, all of the products are very reasonably priced, which is great for college students!!

One of my favorite products in this box was the NYC lip gloss.  It is very sheer in color, but still adds a little pigment, which is great for people like me who are very pale.  It adds some color to me so that I look healthy, instead of dead.  It goes on with a slight tingle, but it isn't uncomfortable like some plumping lipglosses.  

  It really is a gorgeous color.  It isn't too big or too small of a tube.  You definitely have a lot of product in there, but you can put it in your pocket.  I have worn it on its own, as well as over lipsticks and I love it for both! For being a pretty thick [but comfortable] lipgloss, it really isn't sticky like you might imagine it to be.  

 Here is a picture of the applicator, which I think is quite nice.  It's soft but effective.

 Another angle of the applicator.  It really is huge compared to other lip glosses.  This makes it very quick to apply, another appealing factor to college students!

& here is the tube once more.  

If I would have to rate it I would definitely give it 5/5, or in Influenster terms, an A.  It's easy to apply and really spruces up any looks.  I am definitely going to buy this lipgloss in other shades.  

I recently wore it to a family party and found the color to be very complimentary with my skin color and very comfortable as well.  In this picture I am wearing it over an orangey lipstick.  

Ignore my kind of odd expression here.  The lipgloss is quite long lasting!  It held through my lunch and apple juice!

 Here my lipgloss is still on after eating cheese and crackers with my cousin.

 Seen here is my apple juice, and rather odd tights. 

Thank you to my boyfriend Dave for taking my phone and snapping at least 150 pictures of our family get together! Without that I would not have any of these pictures.  

& Thank you to you, too, reader! 

♥Riley

P.S. Have you tried this lipgloss? Which shades do you have it in? What is your favorite way to wear it? :] ♥

Influenster VoxBox: Colgate SlimSoft Review!

I'm never going back to my old toothbrush!!

Influenster SlimSoft VoxBox Review!

I received the Slim Soft Colgate VoxBox from Influenster completely complimentary.  They sent it to me to sample, and only ask for a review in return! If you are not a member of Influenster, I highly recommend it! You review products and gain influence, on your way to potentially earning VoxBoxes!  

I was sooo excited to have actually been eligible for a VoxBox!!! When I finally received it I brushed my teeth immediately.

Here are some pictures of the actual Vox Box. Ignore my weird bedspread! "Introducing Colgate Slim Soft.  17x Slimmer tip bristles for a deep clean!"

 One of the sides! "This scientifically advanced toothbrush provides: 6x deeper reach between teeth and gums, 1.5x deeper access between teeth, 35% more bristles for a unique mouth feel, and ergonomic and flexible handle."

 "Colgate SlimSoft."

 Then, after I had taken pictures of the box from every and all angles, I opened it! Here are some unboxing photos! 

 OOOOO! So many cool details with this toothbrush!

 Here's the toothbrush! At first, I was extremely skeptical that this tooth brush would really be any different from any other toothbrush.  It really was as amazing as it claimed.  Here is my review that I posted on the Colgate SlimSoft page:

      "I LOVE my Slim Soft Colgate toothbrush!! I didn't think it would actually be as different as it claimed but it WAS! It's bristles are very small and soft and you can brush for an hour and I don't think it would hurt then.  I always used "soft" toothbrushes and wondered why they were so rough.  This brush is perfect.  I brushed my teeth one night with it and forgot to brush the next day...my teeth were still clean after eating and sleeping. It's gentle but super effective."

It really is a different brushing experience and I really do believe that everyone should give it a try.  Before receiving this box completely complimentary from Influenster, I was using a toothbrush I got in a pack from the dollar store.  Obviously it wasn't the best quality.  It claimed to be soft but nothing is as soft and effective as the SlimSoft!

Here is the tooth paste and mouthwash that came with the toothbrush as well.  I didn't think I liked the toothpaste at first.  Then I tried my old toothpaste. Turns out I really do like the Colgate paste! [I had been using Crest 3D White previously.]  With the Colgate Total paste, a little goes a long way! A tiny dab will foam up to be a perfect amount to brush your teeth! The mouthwash is a little intense for me, but I think that's also because I use too much.  The second time I tried it, I used less and it didn't burn and wasn't too intense! 

With these Colgate products, a little goes a long way, which is great for cost effectiveness! These little bottles will last me a long time, so you could imagine how great a full size would be! It would last forever!!

Overall, I give this box a 10/10.  It was all fantastic! There isn't a product in this box that I thought wasn't up to par.  They were all superior to the products I had been using previously, and I know I've switched for good! No more buying cheap toothbrushes that hurt and don't clean effectively.  This regime is awesome!!

♥Riley

P.S., Have you tried this system? How do you like it? Have you ever received a VoxBox? :]

September's Birchbox!

This month's Birchbox arrived a while back and I thought I'd post a review of it!

 I haven't tried all of the products yet, but I'll update this when I have.  For now I'll just give first impressions.

 I'm always way too excited when I start opening the box to pay attention to the paper much.

 This is what the inside looked like!

 "Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips"  I was really confused by this product at first.  It's a very thick salve type balm that does seem to moisturize lips well.  The name is funny but the product works well.

 This "S.M.A.R.T. Skin Perfecting Polisher" seems a little weird.  I used  a little on my arm and it didn't do anything, but the paper said to use it on your face, so I'll try that soon.

 Tiny bottle of hair spray, adorable.  Looks like it will be really good stuff.

 Cute little September Pouch.

 Deep conditioning hair masque.  Can't wait to use this!

Pretty purple shade of nail polish in an interesting container.

Overall I am very pleased with this month's box.  Most of the products are things I don't use on the daily, so it will take me a little longer to use and review them all.  I really liked all of the packaging and it all seems fancy, which I love!

Thanks for reading!
♥Riley

P.S. If you have any questions, please let me know! If you enjoy my posts, please subscribe! :]

New Obsession: Birchbox!

I am completely obsessed with samples, the freer the better!  

I have been able to score tons of free samples for about a year now.  Free face cream, ring sizers, diapers [as a joke], deodorant, business cards, lotions, etc.  

I love them soooo much, but sometimes they are not the best quality, so I started looking into boxes of samples with a subscription fee.  [Glossybox, Birchbox, BeautyBar, etc.]  

After doing my research I decided to go with a subscription for Birchbox.  I chose to do the $10 /month and cancel anytime option.  

I now have received two Birchboxes [July and August] and I LOVE THEM.  It's so exciting to see the box in the mail.  You never know what you're going to get!

First, you apply to the website and if you're accepted you fill out a profile about yourself.  This includes skin and hair type, what you'd like to receive in your box, and things like that.  I was approved within the same day of applying.  

The exciting little pink box!

 Inside the pink little box! A little brown box.

Inside my first box:  bobby pins, Dr. Jart Ceramidin Cream for a sensitive face, pedicure packets, party proof lipstick, and I.C.O.N. India Oil for hair.

The bobby pins are adorable. They're kind of tough to put in but stay in place well.  The cream did not bother my face so it truly is for sensitive skin, I haven't tried the pedicure packets yet.  I love the lipstick, it's surprisingly bright!! It's not the most stay proof but it does stay pretty well!  The India Oil smells amazing! It makes my hair very soft and even though it has such a strong smell it is not over powering to wear.  

Overall: I love my first box!!

Inside my second box:  Eau Flirt perfume sample, Juice Beauty Oil-Free moisturizer, Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect, Tan Towels, and a Coastal Scents eyeshadow sample set.

The perfume smells very nice but I haven't used it yet [my mom will probably steal it!].  The moisturizer goes on very nicely.  It feels oily at first but once it's rubbed in it makes skin very soft.  The Number 4 spray has a very odd smell.  I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. [Do NOT use it with the I.C.O.N. India oil, the combined smell is awful.]  I haven't used the tan towels or eye shadow yet but I am excited to use both.

Overall: Very pleased with my second box as well!

I highly recommend getting a subscription to this service if it sounds appealing! It's only $10 for a month and you get amazing samples.  You also get points for reviewing products that can be used in the store to purchase full size products.  They also have men's boxes! 

If you are interested in purchasing a subscription: http://birch.ly/1d5nsT2 

[This blog page is not sponsored, I just really love the service!]

As always, thank you for reading!
♥Riley

P.S. If you would like me to post on how to get free samples, please let me know!