IPSY GLAM BAG DECEMBER 2014: FIRST SNEAK PEEK…WOW!!!!

Well, our sub box services are definitely dangling their proverbial little carrots in front of our chilly little noses for their December boxes. First was that UH-MAZING Coastal Scents sneak peek from our friends at Boxycharm and now we have our first sneak peek from our friends at Ipsy.

Let’s get right to it, shall we?

In every Ipsy December glam bag will be this fabulous Tarte Lights, Camera, Mascara and an awesome NYX Butter Lip Balm in one of three possible shades.

I love pretty much all things Tarte and those NYX Butter products are pure awesomeness in a tube as well.

December is looking like THE month to hop onto the subscription box bandwagon.

Treat yourselves, lovelies..You deserve it!

If you’d like more info on Ipsy and would like to subscribe, here are some links to get you started:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ipsy
WEBSITE AND REFERRAL LINK: http://www.ipsy.com/r/jk7y?sid=ipsypoints&cid=general

As always, feel free to follow what I’m up to on the following social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beholding-Eye/683364698413511
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBeholdingEye
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeholdingeye

Until next time, stay beautiful (and stay warm!!!)

XOXO

IPSY NOVEMBER UNBOXING: “GIRL MEETS GLITTER” – SPARKLY OR DULL?

And the second unboxing (or, in this case, unbagging) today is courtesy of Ipsy. The previews for this bag (and the bag itself, actually) had been pretty intriguing. Although I had peeked at my glam room (I have absolutely zero willpower when it comes to these subscription boxes, obviously), it’s still not as exciting as actually having that bright pink bubble wrap envelope in my hot little hands.

So let’s rip this baby open and see what awaits.

The bag this month is seriously adorable. Metallic silver trimmed out in pink? Yup, no way to go wrong with that combo at Casa Beholding Eye. We’re all over that. This is even cute enough to carry as a clutch to more casual holiday gatherings. Color us impressed, Ipsy.

Now to what’s actually in the bag…

This is by Marc Anthony and is their Oil of Morocco Argan oil hairspray in a great travel-friendly size. Big enough to get multiple uses, no detectable fragrance, and has gotten really good reviews at other sites. Oh yeah, we’re very happy with this product. Off to a good start, Ipsy!

As predicted, out of all of the possible choices, yours truly did indeed receive the lilliputian-sized Temptu highlighter. Well, at least it’s in a different color than the one I received in Birchbox 2 months ago. Tiny but a little goes a long way, this is in Pink Pearl. It really is a lovely color. Just keep it away from small children, for safety’s sake, because it’s definitely small enough to be considered a choking hazard.

Moving right along…

Now we’re talking, Ipsy. This is a full-sized eye shadow base/primer by Be A Bombshell in the color “Submissive,” which is a seriously gorgeous bronze shade. Actually, I love the sheerness and ability to build with this product (swatch below). I think it would work quite well as just a simple shadow as well. Loving this one, Ipsy.

Next is the J. Cat version of the OCC Lip Tar, this one in Red Potion. This is apparently the J. Cat equivalent to OCC’s Black Dahlia. It’s a really bold and lovely color and, as you can see in the swatch below (to the right of the lip color is the bronze-colored Be A Bombshell “Submissive” described above). We’re loving that Red Potion can be blended out to a lovely sheer tone or applied normally for a bold lip. While I prefer the quality of the OCC Lip Tar, this seems to be a very decent product as well. My daughter immediately fell in love with it (she had desperately wanted Black Dahila in Glossybox a couple of months ago but received Authentic instead – which yours truly immediately confiscated). Full-sized and a welcome collection to the lip arsenal, Ipsy!

SWATCHES:

Moving right along…

And here we have yet another full-sized product from Ipsy, this being the Elizabeth Mott waterproof eyeliner in Glitterati. This is really lovely, a deep jet black with just a hint of sparkle. Very subtle and definitely doesn’t scream LET’S DISCO!!! After the hand swatch dried, it was extremely difficult to make it budge, so it looks like this will definitely be long-wearing and help to avoid the dreaded raccoon eyes at the end of the night. I love a good liquid liner on occasion, as does my daughter, so this will definitely be put to good use.

All in all, a pretty great bag from our friends at Ipsy…Although after receiving 2 of the tiny Temptu highlighters now, I’m hoping to NOT receive a third one from my subscription boxes. Everything else in the Girl Meets Glitter bag receives a pretty enthusiastic 2 thumbs up, though (well, okay 4 thumbs up, since my daughter concurs).

If you’d like more information about Ipsy and would like to sign up for your own little monthly treat, here are some links to get you started:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ipsy
WEBSITE AND REFERRAL LINK: http://www.ipsy.com/r/jk7y?sid=ipsypoints&cid=general

As always, feel free to follow what I’m up to on the following social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beholding-Eye/683364698413511
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBeholdingEye
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeholdingeye

Later this week we’re hoping to receive Lip Monthly, French Box, Glossybox, Lip Factory, and more, so stay tuned!

Until next time, stay beautiful…

XOXO

ALLURE SAMPLE SOCIETY NOVEMBER 2014 UNBOXING: REDEMPTION OR BANISHMENT?

I work from home as a medical language specialist and, as awesome as that sounds, being interrupted when I’m working (one would be amazed at how many people think working from home actually entails no work at all) normally irks me above all.

Unless, of course, it’s the UPS delivery man bearing gifts. Such as today, when the ringing doorbell rudely interrupted my work, only to find the UPS man ready to place my much-anticipated Allure Sample Society November box into my outstretched little hands. He’s forgiven. Immediately. For this type of interruption, I’m quick to forgive. Delivery people bearing packages are always a welcome interruption.

Now, you’ll remember my not-so-subtle snark last month regarding ponytail holders and, more specifically, L’Oreal shampoo and conditioner in a box touted to contain “high-end, luxury samples.” My first and almost last box. However, bearing in mind that all subscription boxes seem to have a “slump month,” I decided to give them another month, just to be fair.

So let’s see…Will November make up for that extremely lackluster October box?

Yep, there it is, that familiar pretty little red box with ALLURE emblazoned on its top.

I have to admit, I really am impressed with the descriptor pamphlet they send in each box. It’s really well done and the pictures are lovely, with great, easy-to-read descriptions of each product.

Nice touch, Allure. Last month I was so taken aback by the sight of the L’Oreal products that I think the quality of this pamphlet escaped me.

Okay, now let’s see what we’ve got in store for November. High-end luxury samples…Or more Walmart travel aisle products? Let’s find out.

Looks pretty awesome at first glance. Not a ponytail holder nor a drugstore product in sight.

Let’s dive in, looks like the proverbial coast (or the drugstore aisle, in this case) is clear.

First up is a welcome addition to my hair care samples. By Alterna (a line full of awesomeness, by the way), this is a sample of their Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Omega+ Nourishing Oil. Allure gives it their seal of approval for medium to thick hair; apparently this does not play well with fine hair and flattens it (never a good look). Fortunately for the me, I possess very thick, naturally wavy hair…And I’m going to enjoy every last dropper-full of this pricey little gem.
RETAIL VALUE: $38/full sized product (this is a small sample vial).

Off to a very nice start, Allure…Let’s see if you can maintain that.

The second item to jump into my skeptical little hands is a 1-ounce sample size of Malin + Goetz Bergamot Body Wash. I’ve heard great things about this line and I’ve never had the opportunity to try one of their products. Although small, this sample should last for 2-3 showers…And it smells amazing, like freshly-cut oranges on a Sunday morning.
RETAIL VALUE: $32 for full-sized 16-ounce product.

Two for two, Allure, doing great here…

Next up, I spy with my mascara’d eyes a small sample tube of MD Solar Sciences MD Crème Mineral Beauty Balm. Lucky for me, my sample is in Light/Medium, which should be a perfect shade for me in fall and winter, and I’m really loving that it’s a BB crème that dries matte and has an SPF of 50. Allure professes that it falls short in coverage but makes up for it with its ability to blur imperfections and produce a matte finish even on oily complexions. Truth be told, I don’t need a lot of coverage and my skin is basically combination, not too oily but not too dry, either, so I’m thinking this could very well by my “holy grail” of BB crèmes. And blurring of imperfections is never a bad thing, right? Can’t wait to try this one out.
RETAIL VALUE: $39 for full-sized product.

We’re halfway through the box and I’m not disappointed yet. Let’s keep going.

A trial vial of Calvin Klein’s new fragrance, Reveal. Okay, full disclosure: I adore Calvin Klein fragrances, so I know I’m going to be totally biased and love this one even before that first intoxicating spritz. And, yes, it smells lovely…Somewhere between clean, freshly-showered skin, powdery, and lightly peppery at the same time. I would definitely purchase this on my own.
RETAIL VALUE: $70 for full-sized bottle.

Allure, you’re now officially 4 for 4…Can you actually manage for a 5 for 5 with this box???

Ah, yet another mascara sample from a subscription box. But you know what? I really love the Lorac line and I did want to try this mascara. I was somewhat disappointed with UD Perversion and the Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye mascara didn’t float my boat, but I’m hoping this Lorac Cobra Mascara will be as fantastic as it sounds. I found the brush (which was thankfully glossy and shiny and jet black, no sign of it being a “dry” mascara) on this is really intriguing, and I definitely plan to try this one out tomorrow. Here are a couple of pictures of the brush (which probably suck because I’m definitely not a photographer but hopefully you’ll see what I mean):

Hopefully the jet black against the red background make the unique-appearing shape of this brush stand out.
RETAIL VALUE: $20 for full-sized product (this is a pretty generous sample size)

And there we have it, the November Allure Sample Society box.

So, what’s the verdict? Did Allure redeem themselves from last month’s shenanigans with the L’Oreal and ponytail holders?

Why, yes…Yes, they did, and quite nicely. This is much more of what I was expecting from Allure Sample Society when I signed up. Not full-sized products, but samples of products for which a full-sized version might be out of my budget, samples of products I might not normally find on my own, or samples of products so spendy that I might be hesitant to purchase them without trying them. This box delivered just that.

Allure, I promise if you keep up this quality, I will refrain from referring to you as Sample Suck-ciety.

We’ll be signing back up for this box for December and give them another month or two to see if the quality of this box holds or if they revert back to drugstore product samples.

As of right now, I’m absolutely loving my Allure Sample Society November box and will enjoy trying every single product in here.

Allure, you have indeed redeemed yourself in my eyes (which admittedly are blurry from working but I assure you they’re loving these contents!).

If you’re as impressed with this month’s box as much as I was and would like to explore Allure Sample Society for yourself, here are a couple of links to get you started.

WEBSITE WITH REFERRAL LINK: http://www.beautybar.com (USE CODE SAMO3924 IF YOU’D LIKE TO USE ME AS A REFERRAL)
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/beautybar.com

As always, feel free to follow what I’m up to on the following social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beholding-Eye/683364698413511
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBeholdingEye
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeholdingeye

Until next time, stay beautiful…And stay tuned! Next week brings The French Box, Wantables Intimates, Ipsy, Lip Monthly, Lip Factory, and possibly more. XoXo

WINTER NAIL SHADES AND WINTER BEAUTY SURVIVAL TIPS: NAUGHTY OR NICE?

Ahhhh, Thanksgiving is almost upon us and then we’ll be catapulted into the frigid Winter months in the blink of a masacara’d eye. I love the changing of the seasons and, as every fashionista knows, with each change of season comes new trends. What better way to incorporate some winter trends into your wardrobe than with a few new nail colors? Budget-friendly and lots of fun, too.

But, before we dive right into the glorious new nail shades, let’s take a look at what you can do to keep the skin and cuticles of your hands and feet at their twinkling best, whether you’re roasting chestnuts on an open fire or dashing through the snow in a 1-horse open sleigh.

First of all, I happened upon a product a few years ago that seriously forever changed my hand and foot care routine. It’s not glamorous, the name of it is a bit giggle-inducing, it’s perfectly affordable, and it is my winter skin savior.

Feel free to giggle. Seriously. I giggled like a school girl the first time I saw it, but its claims were so amazing that I decided to purchase a small travel-sized tin.

Readily available at mass chains such as Walmart, Target, etc., or even at your local neighborhood pharmacy, Bag Balm will keep your hands and feet so amazingly hydrated and smooth that you’ll ditch those more expensive treatments and become a devotee as well. It has the consistency of Vaseline (a staple for some), yet I find the results are much more immediate. One night with Bag Balm and you’ll definitely be ready for Santa Claus coming to town.

Bag Balm can be purchased for well under $10 at pretty much anywhere you pick up your other beauty necessities.

Oh, and while you’re snapping up your Bag Balm, there are two more items you’ll want to grab to use in conjunction with it.

Yep, plain white cotton socks in whatever style you prefer. Slather the Bag Balm on your feet (paying particular attention to the areas between your toes and your heels), and then slip a pair of these over your feet. They not only prevent the product from being transferred onto your bedding, they help the Bag Balm to penetrate through the dry skin of your feet even more intensely. It’s like a not-so-glamorous spa treatment for your feet.

And while you’re there, grab a pair of plain white cotton gloves for your balm-drenched hands as well. Again, any kind or style that catches your pretty little eye. I like the idea of these disposable ones but reusable ones that can be laundered are an equally good choice. As with your feet, except using a smaller amount, slather Bag Balm over your hands and cuticles, apply the gloves, and let the magic happen while you’re sleeping. In the morning, remove the gloves, wash your hands (always using a mild soap, especially during winter months), and be amazed at the difference in how they feel…Hydrated and supple, without a spot of dryness in sight.

The Bag Balm treatment done 1-2 times a week on hands and feet will have your skin and cuticles hydrated and healthy-looking all through the harsh winter months. I even do it a couple of times per month in summer months, too, just to keep everything smooth and supple. In between Bag Balm treatments, nightly moisturizing with your usual hand and foot creams will be even more effective.

Now that we’ve covered the practical aspect of how to keep those fingers and toes sparing us from entrance onto the Island of Misfit Toys, let’s take a look at some UH-MAZING winter colors courtesy of our friends at Julep. What better way to showcase new colors than with soft, smooth and well-manicured hands and feet?

Ilsa, Sawyer, and Joanne are most assuredly earning a place in my nail collection. Gorgeous shades and totally versatile, perfect for the office, home, or even a quick kiss under the mistletoe.

Also from our friends at Julep, here are some additional products to assist with winterizing your beauty routine for the upcoming months that you may wish to try incorporating into your regimen:

Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, these are the perfect holiday treats for you…And also hit-of-the-party stocking stuffers for those fashionistas on your gift-giving list as well.

If you’d like to snap up a couple of those awesome new shades for winter or check out other winterizing beauty tools and products Julep offers, here’s a link to their page. Oh, and did I mention you do not have to subscribe to Julep to make purchases? Commitment-free shopping that won’t break the holiday budget!

JULEP POLISH COLLECTION: http://www.julep.com/shop/nail-polish.html

And, as always, feel free to follow me on the following social media. Later this week we’re expecting arrivals by Ipsy, Lip Factory, Lip Monthly, Sample Society, and possibly French Box (I’m already having palpitations just thinking about French Box…OOOH LA LA), so stay tuned for more!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beholding-Eye/683364698413511
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBeholdingEye
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeholdingeye

Until next time, stay beautiful!!!

IPSY NOVEMBER 2014 “GIRL MEETS GLITTER” – SNEAK PEEK #5!!!

And here it is, the FINAL sneak peek at the November “Girl Meets Glitter” Ipsy glam bag. While I realize many of you lovelies are able to view your glam room, many are not, so for those unfortunate souls (including myself) here is the final sneak peek. Hopefully this will hold you over on this fabulous Friday until your glam room becomes available so you can see precisely which products you’ll be receiving:

“SNEAK PEEK #5: Let’s get glowing! Lustrous hair, skin, and nails are yours with TWO of these beauties. Your future looks bright.”

And here’s a quick look back at the previous 4 spoilers:

And there you go, all 5 sneak peeks…With our sincere wishes that you get whichever products you fancy most in your November “Girl Meets Glitter” Ipsy Glam Bag.

Ipsy is $10/month and includes a cute little makeup bag with 5 items (either full-sized or sample sized, it varies) that are semi-customizable.

If you’d like to check out Ipsy or even sign up, here are a couple of links to get you started:

Referral link to subscribe: http://www.ipsy.com/r/jk7y?sid=ipsypoints&cid=general
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ipsy

And, as always, feel free to follow me on the following social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beholding-Eye/683364698413511
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBeholdingEye
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeholdingeye

Until next time, stay beautiful!!!

IPSY NOVEMBER 2014 “GIRL MEETS GLITTER” – SNEAK PEEK #4!!!

Happy Hump Day…Hopefully another sneak peek at the Ipsy “Girl Meets Glitter” November glam bag will make your Wednesday afternoon a bit easier to tolerate.

Without further ado, here it is:

“Wave goodbye to the wallflowers. You’re bound to stand out with one of these eye-catching picks. Which one are you looking forward to most?”

And here’s a quick recap of the previous 3 spoilers:

Ipsy is $10/month and includes a cute little bag with 5 items (either full-sized or sample sized, it varies) that are semi-customizable.

If you’d like to check out Ipsy or even sign up, here are a couple of links to get you started:

Referral link to subscribe: http://www.ipsy.com/r/jk7y?sid=ipsypoints&cid=general
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ipsy

And, as always, feel free to follow me on the following social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beholding-Eye/683364698413511
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBeholdingEye
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeholdingeye

Until next time, stay beautiful!!!

IPSY NOVEMBER 2014 “GIRL MEETS GLITTER” – SNEAK PEEK #3 (YES, THREE!!!)

Well, things are a poppin’ in the world of subscription boxes (or, in this case, bags). Yes indeedy, here’s yet another sneak peek at the Ipsy “Girl Meets Glitter” bag. These previews all have my palms sweaty and my heart racing….

I personally have my well-manicured little fingers crossed for the Glamglow. I’m totally devoted to their Youth Mud, and I’m sure this version will be full of awesomeness, miracles, and radiance as well.

And here are Sneak Peek #1 and #2 as well, just to whet your beauty appetite:

Ipsy, you are knocking my fabulous little barre booties off of my pedicured feet right now!!!

Ipsy is $10/month and includes a cute little bag with 5 items (either full-sized or sample sized, it varies) that are semi-customizable.

If you’d like to check out Ipsy or even sign up, here are a couple of links to get you started:

Referral link to subscribe: http://www.ipsy.com/r/jk7y?sid=ipsypoints&cid=general
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ipsy

And, as always, feel free to follow me on the following social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beholding-Eye/683364698413511
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBeholdingEye
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeholdingeye

Until next time, stay beautiful!!!

IPSY NOVEMBER 2014 “GIRL MEETS GLITTER” – SNEAK PEEK #2

UPDATE: No longer unofficial as Ipsy has just posted it on their Facebook page…Woot!

Okay, my lovelies, this is an “unofficial” sneak peek but word on the street is one of these products will be included in the November “Girl Meets Glitter” bag. It’s a veritable feast for the eyes, and I can’t wait to get my greedy little hands on this bag…

I’ll be a happy Ipster with pretty much anything pictures…Well, except the Starlooks lip gloss since I already received that in last month’s bag.

Ipsy is $10/month and includes a cute little bag with 5 items (either full-sized or sample sized, it varies) that are semi-customizable.

If you’d like to check out Ipsy or even sign up, here are a couple of links to get you started:

Referral link to subscribe: http://www.ipsy.com/r/jk7y?sid=ipsypoints&cid=general
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ipsy

And, as always, feel free to follow me on the following social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beholding-Eye/683364698413511
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBeholdingEye
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeholdingeye

Until next time, stay beautiful!!!

BIG OCTOBER BEAUTY GIVEAWAY – GO BIG OR GO HOME – SECOND PLACE PRIZE!

Tomorrow is the big day, when a winner will be chosen and announced, so stay tuned…

Now, as promised, here is a picture of the second place prize, which includes a variety of items received in various boxes over the past couple of months and will be placed inside the Thursday Friday canvas makeup bag featured in the FabFitFun Summer box (RV $35).

And here are a couple of pictures of the contents that will be sent to the second place winner:

We aren’t going to put a retail value on each item in the contents as most are samples sizes (and the approximate retail value on many of these can be found in this blog, now that I think about it). Included are It Cosmetics Universal Brow (a very popular item!), 2 nail lacquers, deluxe travel sizes of Neil George shampoo and condition, deluxe travel size of suntan oil, a deluxe sample size of Be A Bombshell Smooth Criminal finishing powder, a 4-tray sampler of Coastal Scents Revealed neutral shadows, and more.

Our sincere thanks again to all who entered…and stay tuned tomorrow for the big announcement.

As always, feel free to follow what I’m up to on the following social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beholding-Eye/683364698413511
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBeholdingEye
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeholdingeye

Until next time, stay beautiful!!!

ALLURE SAMPLE SOCIETY: NOVEMBER 2014 SPOILER #1, COUPON CODE, AND GIVEAWAY UPDATE!

For those of you subscribing to or thinking about subscribing to Allure Sample Society, here’s the first spoiler they’ve posted for the November box.

“Everything about this body wash is pleasing to the senses. There’s the scent, courtesy of actual bergamot oranges instead of synthetic fragrances. There’s the airy lather—just a small amount produces suds. It’s so great at making bubbles that you can toss a few capfuls into the tub for a bath. There’s glycerin in the formula, which means it doesn’t dry out skin the way many body gels do; it moisturizes instead. (It’s safe even on sensitive skin and eczema.) And finally, there’s the bottle: It’s both graphic and understated, a perfect combination.”

If you’d like to subscribe to Allure Sample Society, here are some links to get you started:

WEBSITE: http://www.beautybar.com
FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/beautybar.com?fref=photo

WHEN SUBSCRIBING, FEEL FREE TO USE MY REFERRAL CODE (SAMO3924) AND ENTER 5FORYOU AT CHECKOUT TO SAVE $5 ON YOUR FIRST BOX.

The November box will be the determining box for the Keep It or Kick It here at Casa Beholding Eye. Hopefully the rest of the products are awesome!

Remember to enter the giveaway if you haven’t done so already. All of the items included have been posted and tomorrow night entries officially close, with the winner chosen October 31st – Halloween (our favorite holiday at The Beholding Eye).

As always, feel free to follow what I’m up to on the following social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beholding-Eye/683364698413511
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBeholdingEye
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeholdingeye

Until next time, stay beautiful!!!