Polish Review - Hard Candy "Beetle"

Happy Sunday, everyone! I have a break week coming up. Anybody else?

However, to get you through your Sunday, I have a special polish review for you! I picked up Hard Candy "Beetle" last fall. Isn't it gorgeous? (#5, in the center)

This is a stunning multichrome shimmer-foil that goes between a dark fuschia purple (most visible above), olive green, and a brown-copper. I have heard it compared to Orly "Space Cadet" a few times as well as a few other polishes that are escaping my brain at the moment. I personally don't have any dupes, but I know that it is the dupe for some expensive polishes out there!

The wear on this polish was amazing. I only had the most minimal edgewear, and my nails are in horrible condition right now. Usually when they're short, they peel like a mofo. This one lasted so well! It wore for a week before I had the chipped polish urge to pick it off.

I LOVE this polish and look forward to trying other Hard Candy products in the future! You can probably find this polish at Wal-Mart, where I did.

Beauty Army - March 2012

I lied to everyone! I said I was up to date on beauty boxes, but I received my Beauty Army box for March today!

This month, I had selected:

3. 

1. Pssssst! Instant Dry Shampoo- 1.76oz - $2.79
2. Control Corrective Medicated Pumice Wash - 4ml - $0.20
3. Cellceuticals PhotoDefense Anti-Aging Daily Skin Protector - .33oz - $7.42
4. Eye Prep FX Anti-Age Smoothing Primer - .16oz - $6.60
5. Babor Akinovage Anti-Stress Anti-Jetleg Cream - .5oz - $18.30
6. M.A.D Anti-Aging Transforming Daily Moisturizer - .13oz - $4.13

= $39.44

Always a great box! However, there have been some issues because Beauty Army has not received any new products in awhile. Hopefully there will be some new picks for April!

Birchbox - February 2012 [Vichy Box]

Last up, today, I have a special treat (for me)!

I was apparently not originally on the list of subscribers targeted for the Vichy Box. Frankly, I'm not sure why -- I have specified that I am interested in skincare products, and I am constantly looking for new choices in cleansers, moisturizers, and day/night creams...

Anyway, I emailed Birchbox, and they were kind enough to put me on the list to get a box. So, mine came a little bit later than the others (though I have to point out that they rush-shipped it!) but I finally received it yesterday in the mail, only slightly overshadowed by a letter telling me that I'd received a major grant for my summer work. :)

 

Shiny!

 

Woooot! I have to admit -- I am really excited about this box. These products seem VERY high quality! I can't wait to try them all, and I promise I will be providing reviews to all of you, too!

 

So, in the box were:

1. Aqualia Thermal Cream - $11.61 [Moisturizer - Daytime]

2. Lifactiv Night Cream - $11.61 [Night Cream with Rhamnose]

3. Purete Thermale One-Step Cleanser - $2.38 [Cleanser - Cleansing Milk, Toning Lotion, Makeup Remover]

4. Purete Thermale Eye-Makeup Remover - $0.87 [Eye-Makeup Remover]

5. Celludestock - $1.26 [Cellulite Treatment with Caffeine]

=$27.73

Nice set, isn't it? Especially for an extra free box? I can't wait to try these products. I'm so glad the night/day creams are large enough that I can actually get some good use out of them and evaluate them properly.

... also, any product that reminds you not to forget your decolletage makes me smile. :)

 

 

Love With Food - March 2012

Two more boxes to go to share with you guys today!

Yesterday I received my free Love With Food box. I was really looking forward to this: I love these kinds of food boxes, and I cook a lot when I'm not feeling too down. I was hoping that this box might jumpstart my cooking energy.

What's wrong with me this month? Am I getting too picky, or am I just striking out on subscriptions? I'm still waiting to be wowed by a February or March box. Here's hoping Conscious Box and Teen Vogue-Birchbox reinstall my faith in monthly subscriptions!

 

It comes in a cute little red box. I love the fifties theme! The company also donates a free meal to someone in need for each box, each month. :)

 

So what all was in here?

1. Southeast Asian Charcuterie - Pork & Turkey Flavors - $1.37

2. Organic Energy Bars by Kate's Real Food - $1.16

3. 73% Cocoa Dark Belgian Chocolate with Coffee by New Tree - $1.41

4. Fig Bar by Nature's Bakery - $0.83

5. Organic Popped Fuji Apple Chips by Yogavive - $0.60

6. Hemp Hearts - $0.26

= $5.63

... uh-oh. I think, Houston, we have a problem!

As a reminder, the full subscription price after the free month is $14. It unfortunately is not even worth half of this! This was similar to my issues with My Platinum Box's first month, as well. Subscription companies need to remember that their first few boxes are critical to retaining subscribers. I'm very underwhelmed right now.

I like some of these products. I really do. But I am also a vegetarian, so I can't even use one of them, and will have to donate it to a friend. I wish I loved this... but unfortunately it looks like I don't.

I would be happy to try the box again as a free box to review, but for now, I have canceled my subscription.

 

Birchbox - February 2012

I have a few more subscriptions to share with you guys today. Next up is my February Birchbox. Honestly, I think I was jinxed this month! I could not have picked a worse selection for myself, after I saw all of the options. :\ Luckily, I think I will probably use most of the products, eventually -- I just wasn't excited, especially after I saw the other boxes that went out.

So what was actually in here?

1. Benta Berry - G-1 Moisturizing Face Cream for Boys and Girls - 3ml - $2.10

2. Colorescience Pro - Glow and Go Travel Puff - 1 puff - $10.00

3. Eye Rock - Designer Liner - 1 sheet - $9.16

4. LA Fresh - Eco-Beauty Waterproof Makeup Remover - 2 wipes - $1.25

5. Nail File (Extra)

6. Green River Ordinance Digital Download (Extra)

= $22.51 in products.

Why do I feel so disappointed? It was definitely worth the money, but... :\

I think it's because of a few problems with each item. First of all, I really like the moisturizer sample, but it's so small, it's going to be hard to evaluate it next to the Chanel. Second, I don't really want to try a new product when I'm "on the go" with the foundation, and on the Birchbox website, my account showed that I would get a compact with the foundation. So it's not all that useful to me as a "to-go" makeup item, since I can't trust something untried when I'm on a trip (especially since 99% of light foundations don't work on me, as they are too dark). 

Third, while I like the idea of the eyeliner tattoos, I'm confused how to apply them (YouTube, here I come), and even if I can, there are only one or two designs that I can plan on wearing on a regular basis because they are so large. As for the makeup wipes, those are the kinds of things I expect to pick up for free anyway -- and two is not a deluxe sample. The lifestyle extras are super disappointing this month, too -- I don't really care for indie rock, though I'll go ahead and download/listen when I have some free time, and the nail file is cute, but I think a lot of people are trying to stay away from this kind of emery board in favor of glass and crystal ones...

What (better!) boxes did you guys get? I feel like they did not take my profile into account at all, and I really feel like I got the worst assemblage of products that was out there this month. I'm jealous of the girls with Zoyas and other really nice products!

Julep Maven - March 2012 "Boho Glam"

Hello, everyone!

First off, today, I have the March 2012 "Boho Glam" Julep Maven box. This was honestly the first time I ever considered skipping a month of Julep fairly seriously. Some of the colors appealed to me, but none of the combinations -- I definitely did not like all of the three in the It-Girl box, but I didn't really want another argan oil product, since I have Orofluido already. I did go ahead and get it, though if the selections are similar next month, I might actually break down and not buy the month! :O

It came in a cute little purple bag with an extra nail file. I lost my glass file, so I sort of wish they had sent another of those, but this is still handy. :)

You can see that Alicia looks very orange on this card...

Not so much in real life. It's a salmon pink, not a salmon orange, if that makes sense.

As for Portia, Portia is not only a teal-tinted clone of Vanessa, but I have a dead-on dupe for it. I'm going to save swatches for when I do a solo review of Portia, but as a teaser:

 

Yes, kids, that's a cheap Wal-Mart Pure Ice over there. Oh well. Hopefully next month will wow me?

Which style did you guys get?

Pick Your Olympian Giveaway WINNER!

Sorry for the delay, guys!

I have a winner randomly selected for the "Pick Your Olympian" Giveaway! The winner this time around is...

... Erin S.!

Please get back to me at caryatidcouture@gmail.com by the end of the week to claim your prize!