Guess who got a free gift from popsugar?

Today, I got a very interesting little box from Fedex. I looked at the shipping label and saw it was from none other than Popsugar. Due to the whole April box debacle, I'd voiced my issues and was promised a couple of goodies for my time. I was very surprised and basically joyous at the fact of getting some free stuff but didn't really expect to get anything for a long ass time.

However, I got this small box that, honestly, didn't really portend good things just because of the sheer tininess of said box but it was FREE so who was I to argue? So what did I get? Well, 3 items. One item was a Maribelle Tresor Chocolate pearl box (apparently from the February box). The second item made me fume a bit (or a lot) because it's been sent to me many a time: thank you cards. Goddamn thank you cards with blue flowers from Snow & Graham. I have like 4 boxes of these and no one, I mean NO ONE to say thank you to. People to say 'fuck you' to I have in spades, yes, but no one to thank.
The one item that I did like was the Revlon 'Just Bitten Kissable' Balm Stain in Crush. I can never have enough lip products so that one is a score. Also included was a preprinted card (no more handwritten notes) saying that hopefully "this little package makes a good Must Have experience for you". S

So, all in all, not the greatest little consolation package but nothing to sneeze at either because it is free and I don't like to look a gift horse in the mouth, so to speak. So, thank you very much popsugar! You had no obligation to give me free stuff and getting a gift is always great!

Interesting....

Alber Elbaz for Lancôme!!! Holy mother of pearl!!!

As I was surfing the internets today, I came upon something that made me feel much better than yesterday (seriously, the whole wedding thing has me down) and here it is:

ALBER ELBAZ FOR LANCOME!!!!!!!!! 

The packaging!!! The perfection!!!

Thanks to Styleite, I got to see the awesomeness and here it is:

I WANT IT!!! 

THIS ONE TOO!

AND THIS!!

AND THISS! 

Basically ALL of this

THIS TOO!!!!!!

I think I don't even have to say it....

Omg, the packaging is perfection. 

Personal Post or Why I'm not going to a Wedding

While I await the new month of subscription boxes (I must mention that yesterday I got a dupe box with the samples I was missing courtesy of birchbox so I now have a cute little sample size J.R. Watkins balm and 2 Oribe shampoo/conditioner packets as well as 2 YES 2!! eye rollers!), I'm taking the time to write a personal post because, well, somebody hurt my feelings and this is my blog so I'm taking a little side-trip to self pity land.

I posted about a cousin's wedding a while ago and I was very much looking forward to my sartorial selection (I bought 2 formal dresses for nought, apparently) and was actually almost mildly excited to attend the wedding. However, facebook, once again, reveals all!

My mother and I were excluded from all of the events precluding the wedding while every other one of our female relatives wasn't and this includes the relatives we're in a fight with because their father is a raging cunt. Sooooo, it's clear that they do not wish our presence and honestly, after being rejected so many times, I don't want to see them either.

This, of course, comes on the heels of other wedding announcements in the same family (one cousin eloped, another just announced her engagement) and. well, we weren't invited to those events either. Now, there has always been friction with our (former) family but we weren't aware that we were this disliked. Most of the dislike is perpetuated by the lies (whoppers, I tell you! seriously, delusional doesn't do him justice) of the aforementioned raging cunt.

I feel hurt. I honestly do. I don't want to be but I am. Said cousin contacted me multiple times to get advice and to have me find stores/sales/blogs but I guess, to her, I was some sort of service person? The worse part is that I'm actually socioeconomically above them but they apparently think they're above me. It is hard to see that you won't ever be accepted by family. The worst part is that my father's family hates me too, it makes me think if I am at fault? However, dad's side are a total snake pit and their actions could easily be adapted into a very melodramatic telenovela.

I suppose I should've know I had it coming since they've never particularly shown me any love and I've never been included in their lives (I tried to befriend said cousins as a teenager but was roundly rejected) but I think most of the hate is just that, hate. It's non-sensical hate. I'm saddened by this rejection but there's nothing I can do about it. Nothing. Except not go to the wedding. I'm sure I'll be missed. LOL. If anything, I think they'll be glad I didn't show up and that's fine by me. I'm used to not having any paternal relatives (except my dad who is the definition of awesome) and now I have to get used to not having any maternal side relatives. I'm out. They definitely pushed for it and now I'm giving them the best gift, disappearing. Peace out, asshole relatives. I've got better things to do. Like wait for my May Julep upgrade box and my Popsugar box as well. Thank God for boxes and books and friends because otherwise, I might be a little sad ;)

Julep Sea Salt Mystery Box

This morning, I received my Julep Sea Salt Mystery Box! Unfortunately I didn't get the Sea Salt color I wanted (the black lava one) but such is life. According to the packing slip, I received 'version 9' and I'm guessing this is because I ordered it super late (like the last day it was for sale late). However, I'm not mad (not too happy either!!!) and I'm already looking forward to my badass May Julep upgrade (all of the items, every last one!!!) so I'm not heartbroken though I'm a bit miffed because I got stuff that I'd already gotten before (everything besides the most of the colors is a dupe!) but, again, such is life.

With flash. Clockwise: Nail File, Maria, Madeline, Leila, Dendrie, Hand Brightener, Toe Separators 

W/o flash. Same as above. 

On to the item by item review:

I'm going to start with the colors because duh that's why we buy these things in the first place ;)

Julep Nail Lacquer in Maria

According to official description, it is a 'shimmering platinum rose' and labeled as a frost finish. At first sight, I thought it looked quite purple-y but it does have a distinct rose coloring. I'm not in love with it but it is a very pretty color. I'm happy w/ this one. 7/10


Julep Nail Lacquer in Madeline (Sea Salt Finish)

This one is the draw of the whole box. The promised land, if you will. Thus the title. There were 3 sea salt finishes being sent out and I got Madeline. I'm not super thrilled since I really REALLY wanted the black one but I'm happy enough. Happy enough to make it today's color. It isn't officially out yet apparently but I can tell you it's a very cute shell pink (almost like the lighter part of a conch shell) with a matte finish. I like this much more than the similar Liquid Sand collection by OPI (I hate their bottles with a passion!!) 19/10

Julep Nail Lacquer in Leila

Leila is touted as a 'lemon yellow opalescent shimmer' and it looks it. I'm into pastels (it's part of the 'pretty in pastel' set as well as the 'boho glam' starter box) currently so this is a welcome addition. It isn't groundbreaking but a good solid color to have in the set. 7/10


Julep Nail Lacquer in Dendrie

Ok, so when I saw the name of this color, I immediately asked myself why Julep would name a color 'Dendrite' (see the connection? Lolll puns!) but with the missing 'T', the name is actually 'Dendrie' which I've never heard before but must exist or it wouldn't be the namesake for this 'dove grey creme'. It's a full coverage grey of which I have an extensive collection now thanks to many a sub box and it seems like this is a 'vintage' color as it doesn't have the swatch sticker or even the exact same packaging on the bottle. But, BUT. I'm ok with it. I'm zen. 7/10

Julep  Age Defying Hand Brightener, Nail File, and toe separators.

These are the other items included in the box. The hand cream is full size and apparently works to fade age spots and fine lines (cool because I'm not sure I want to get old hands) and the toe separators separate toes. The nail file is negligible because I already have like 3 of the same type. :(/10


Overall:

The colors are cute but the extras sort of suck if you've already bought these mystery boxes many a time before. I might've gotten stuck with the poopy selection because I got my box so late but that doesn't mean I didn't expect the best from what Julep has to offer. I have to say this is a rare misstep from a company I love. Overall grade: C+

Box:

Julep Maven Sea Salt Mystery Box 

Price: 

24.99 for the mystery box, 19.99 for the subscription.

Frequency: 

Mystery boxes are sold at Julep's discretion (so whenever they feel like it) and the sub is monthly. 

Perks: 

Mystery boxes have a minimum of $70 value inside with a max of $200. Sometimes prizes are added. 

Recommend? 

Well, this one was not the best but others have been pretty great. Try one the next time they're offered and see if you like what they send. It's still a pretty good deal when you remember that the nail colors retail for $14.00 at sephora.

Julep Maven May '13 Box!!! Selection Window Open

The Julep selection window is open!! To me, this is christmas level (well, maybe Halloween?) excitement. Especially after seeing what is being offered this month.

The Julep Maven theme this month is the 20's Jazz Age. Gold, lipstick trios, colors named 'Coco' and 'Zelda'. Basically, incredibly on-trend and everything that I get weak in the knees for!

Julep's May Jazz Collection

I'm usually an 'it girl' (the all nail polish profile) but I have to change it up this month. All of the profiles besides 'it girl' have a one of the 2 lip trios being released on 4/25:

Julep Jazzy Lip Trios in 'Paris' and 'New York', the round gold thing is a lip scrub ;) 

Considering the fact that I harbor an incredible weakness for lip colors (I got 2 at sephora this weekend but that deserves its own post), it was my complete goal to be able to get both the lip sets and the scrub and the nail colors. I checked the profiles and lip sets and add-ons and ended up going for this:

Yes,  I did it. I went all the way! Julep May Upgrade Collection ($35 added to base 19.99)

I couldn't help it! I typically try to restrain myself or even try to consider skipping the month but this collection caught my eye so completely that I couldn't stop myself. The set includes the 9 new nail colors, the Paris lip trio, the New York lip trio, the lip scrub, and the mascara. If everything was purchased individually, it would add up to a hell of a lot more and even more without the maven 20% discount. Ok, so I might be trying to justify it to myself but I'm very VERY excited for May!!!!!

Box:

Julep Maven

Frequency:

Monthly

Price:

19.99 + extra if add-ons/upgrades are selected

Perks:

Jules can be earned through a variety of ways and be applied to boxes, add-ons, etc. A 20% discount on everything at the online Julep shop. 

Recommend?

Yes!!!

Ipsy April '13 'Glam Bag'

Today, I finally got my first Ipsy Glam Bag ! I was on the wait-list for the majority of March and got off of it just in time for the April edition. After many an issue (apparently they can't process Amex cards correctly for some reason), I got my first bag and it is.... interesting.

Ipsy is in the ~$10 category and actually is $10.00 per month (+ tax in certain states, including CA. Yay.) So I'm guessing their main competitor is the progenitor of such boxes, Birchbox. According to the comments on their respective facebook pages, ipsy is better because they send "more" and "full sizes" but they also send brands that I've never seen before. We all know that Birchbox sticks to the high-end sort of stuff and I very much appreciate that. I'm not overwhelmingly joyous at what I got in April's glam bag but it isn't bad and I won't be canceling my subscription just yet.

The beautiful sleeping pup in the background did NOT come with the bag!

On to the item by item review:

A note: since I'm bored, I decided to do individual item pics. I don't usually do it but it is fun sometimes.

Be a Bombshell Blush in Sweet Cheeks

Be a Bombshell Blush in 'Sweet Cheeks'

This blush is from 'Be a Bombshell' and to its credit, is full-size. I love pink blushes lately and it isn't to powdery and goes on sheer and a bit shimmery. I don't know much about the brand but it doesn't seem to bad. I'm happy with this item although I'm gathering quite the collection of blushes this season. 9/10

Sation Nail Color in 'Of Corset I'll Call You'

Sation Nail Lacquer for Ipsy in 'Of Corset I'll Call You'

Another nail polish!!! I keep getting nail colors!!! Why do all these subs keep sending me nail colors!!!! I got like 5 this month. Seriously. The pros: full size, pink, cute name, never tried the brand so a new brand to try. The cons: too many nail colors! 7/10

BigSexyHair Pow Powder Play

BigSexyHair Powder Play Sample

This is the sample I was most looking forward to but it is also the smallest. This texturizing and volumizing powder is a great little addition to my hair arsenal. I have many a hair product but more are always welcome. Especially anything for volume! Unfortunately, it is tiny. Like one-use tiny. 8/10

Mica Beauty Loose Shimmer in 'Earth'

Mica Beauty Loose Shimmer in 'Earth'

I'm confused because the actual item says shimmer but the ipsy website describes it as mineral shadow. All I know is that it is loose and light-brownish or tawny but sparkly enough. My skin (EXTREMELY sensitive) didn't react super positively to this shimmer powder and itchiness occurred. Of course, this only happened to me so I can't say that it'll happen to anyone else. My skin, however, tends to break out even with the fanciest brands so it isn't due to the fact that I've never seen this brand before. I might give this one away because of my skin reaction but the color is very versatile. 6/10

The Replacement Bag :( 

"Glam Bag" in flower print with a Green Zipper and plastic lining

The promised ipsy bag was super cute in comparison, a white bag with a hot pink zipper. This one is very much not cute. It might be to someone else's taste but I'm not a flower print kind of girl so this bag is a complete disappointment to me. Fortunately, according to the insert, the original bag will be added to my may order for free. Apparently, there was a quality control issue so these bags are replacements. I'm fine with that and I like that they'll be sending me the originally promised bag next month (so close! It's already April 20th!).  No score because it's a replacement.

Overall: 

This is my first Ipsy bag and it isn't the very best introduction but I do actually like everything even if I don't love it. So, I will definitely give Ipsy another chance next month. Hopefully, next month will be better and the bag will not be anything like the one I got this month. I'd give it a B- for this month but it really does have the potential to be a staple. We'll see.

Box:

Ipsy

Price:

$10 (+ tax in CA)

Frequency:

Monthly

Perks:

Ability to make 'looks' on the ipsy website, contests. 

Recommend?

For the price, I'd say yes. The brands aren't as high-end or mainstream as my beloved Birchbox but there are many full sizes included and they can help you discover more 'budget' brands. 

Popsugar Must Have May Box Announcement

Popsugar's April's box was lackluster (enough that I didn't even bother to review said box; short review: 4 items, all not great) and many of my peeps over at makeuptalk were NOT happy about April's box, especially after the March box that was generally thought to be a win.

Soooo, possibly (ahem, definitely) sensing a bit of a downturn in consumer confidence after that mistake, Popsugar Must Have is giving away 10 (10!!!!!!!) Clare Vivier clutches in May's box. Now, while April was a huge miss, I have to give Popsugar some props: 

I emailed them around the time the April box was released and basically told them it was bs and that I'd rather not deal with that box at all. Instead of dismissing me, Popsugar CS asked me what I felt was wrong with the box and I replied with a dissertation length missive. At this point, I thought I'd get no response or maybe a canned one. Instead, I got another email asking if I could tell them what I DID like and why. Another missive later, I got another response saying they'd read my suggestions, etc. etc. and that they'd like to send me some goodies for basically (totally paraphrasing here) being so darn awesome. I was even asked what stuff from the previous boxes I'd enjoyed in order to send me a couple of things I liked! So while I'm not happy with April's box, I do love the  must have box, especially after they (with no real incentive to do so) actually asked me for opinions and responded with human sounding replies. I can't deny, that for me, Popsugar's CS went above and beyond and I really appreciate that. 

Now, back to the present. May's box is almost certainly going to be a return to form for one of my favorite subs and this contest is a definite reason to stay subbed or to start subbing now. I'm a purse addict and the idea that I could win one of these makes me positively salivate (or drool if I don't want to sound like a douche!) with the hope that I could win a pretty, pretty clutch!! All current subscribers are apparently already entered and all new subscriptions will be too. I'd say go for it peeps because you could end up winning a clutch that's worth more than said clutch and everything else in the box added together. 

If you haven't, sub here for a chance to get it with May's box.

I swear these types of things get me hook, line, and sinker. I never EVER win anything. To date (as in my entire existence), I've won 2 things: a Voldemort t-shirt at a screening for one of the Harry Potter movies because it had been my birthday that week so I wasn't nearly the only one to win and a Starlooks Starbox which I was so excited to win until I read that 99 other people won too! If it had been, say, 20 others then I would've felt more special. Chances are I'll never get even close to getting the clutch but I might as well try. Plus, I'm very much looking forward to the May Must Have box just because I love getting surprises in the mail. Seriously. 

So, if you've been thinking about trying out this sub, then I guess this is the month to try it out because you might be one of the 9 other lucky ones (because I will get one, I will it so!!!!!!!) to get this clutch plus you can always cancel after May's box if it isn't pass muster. 

To all of my fellow subscribers, good luck!!!! I'm so desperate to get one of these but the odds are not ever in my favor (see what I did there?) so this might just be a public announcement that will actually reduce the odds of me getting the clutch (oh no! I'm legit reconsidering publishing this because I be cray cray) but actually, I can be happy for me fellow box addicts.

Box:

Popsugar Must Have Box

Price:

$35 (+tax in CA, I pay $37.80) 

Frequency:

Monthly plus there are seasonal boxes sold separately. 

Perks:

One of the bigger boxes, referrals, discount codes 

Recommend?

Yep. I keep trying to stop loving it but my recent customer service experience was the clincher in my staying with Popsugar for the foreseeable future (barring a box filled with literal dog poop!!!) 

Discount Codes: 

These are the most codes that have been recently floating around:

REFERFRIENDS

REFER5

GET10 ($10 off from a 3 month sub) 

SAVE5PSMH

GET25 ($25 off from a 6 month sub)

COMING UP TOMORROW:

The Julep Maven selection window opens!!! I've gotten some hints about upcoming lip color but I'm waiting until tomorrow to see if the fuss is really warranted and then I'll post how I weakly probably ended up upgrading to getting absolutely everything ever sold by Julep.

Also, I'll be posting the review of the Julep Sea Salt Mystery Box that I ordered a couple of days ago and that I have a shipping notice for as soon as it is delivered!