LIP MONTHLY NOVEMBER 2014 UNBOXING: FIVE PRODUCTS EVERY MONTH + COUPON CODE!

TGIF and what a way to wrap up the week…Along with The French Box, the mail carrier brought with her today the November Lip Monthly bag.

With no further ado, let’s see what the people at Lip Monthly have put together for us for November.

First of all, let’s start with this UH-DORABLE bag!

This is a new design for this month and I’m loving it. Super cute. Nice touch, Lip Monthly, and thanks for listening to your subscribers’ suggestions!

Okay, now for what’s actually in the bag.

Well, this is an impressive little assortment. Let’s look at each item individually and see what new goodies we have to try out. Lip products are my personal makeup Waterloo.

RETAIL VALUE: $1.99

In the color “Berry Me,” this NYC Expert Last Lipstick is full-sized and extremely wearable, with a bit of shimmer. I’ve been wanting to try this product and this color will be the ideal way for me to do so. November is off to a great start!

RETAIL VALUE: $13.00

From Ofra, next up is a full-sized lip liner (I adore lip liner!) in the color Orchid. This is a muted plum shade, sort of a “your-lips-but-better” color. Actually, it appears to go perfectly with the NYC lipstick above and the Hikari lipstick below. Very nice, Lip Monthly, very nice!

And speaking of the Hikari lipstick, let’s take a closer look at that baby:

RETAIL VALUE: $13.00

I received this same color in an Ipsy bag a couple of months ago and I already know it’s a gorgeous shade, a perfect deep berry/burgundy for fall and winter. Since I already own this one, I’m passing this to my daughter, who was threatening to steal the one I received from Ipsy.

RETAIL VALUE: $3.00

From Crown, also included in this month’s bag is what is referred to as a lip brush. It’s considerably larger than my usual lip brushes and quite stiff. I think I’m going to put this brush to use as a concealer brush. Whichever way its used, it’s a great full-sized brush and I’m happy with it!

RETAIL VALUE: $4.00

The November “monthly mix-up” is this pretty package containing City Color Cosmetics eye mousse in the shade White Gold. This is not only a lovely shade, it’s also very creamy and highly pigmented. When allowed to dry, it also would be an amazing eye shadow base. And the packaging is really pretty, in a little plastic box sitting on a little golden cardboard stand. I’m always impressed when less-expensive products take an extra step in presentation.

RETAIL VALUE OF NOVEMBER’S BAG: $34.99

Lip Monthly is my favorite “fun” subscription. For only $10/month, you receive 5 full-sized products, usually 4 lip-related and 1 “monthly mix-up” product. I’ve been subscribing for a few months now and, wow, have they progressed. The curator/owner really listens to customer feedback and suggestions and does her best to please everyone with the colors and assortments and she has recently switched from a plain box to a really cute reusable makeup bag with each month’s subscription. Make no mistake, the contents are not high end nor expensive, but they are a selection of affordable drug-store type of products. If you’re looking for high-end products, Lip Monthly might not be the best subscription for you; however, if you love lip products and are an equal opportunity lover of all things lips, this might be the perfect subscription for you. It would also be a perfect subscription gift for any makeup lover on your holiday gift list. It’s certainly affordable and a lot of fun at Casa Beholding Eye.

If you’d like to check out Lip Monthly and perhaps even subscribe, here are some links to help you out:

Website: https://lipmonthly.com/referral/eO4RCHAHnq8T6m2 (ENTER HOLIDAYLIPS TO GET $5 OFF YOUR FIRST BAG)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lipmonthly?ref=br_tf

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!!! 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!!!

CLARISONIC MIA 2 VERSUS OLAY PRO X: THE 30-DAY CHALLENGE

Last night saw the entries for the Big October Beauty Giveaway come to a close. Thanks so much to all who participated and be sure to keep an eye on this blog when the winners will be announced on Halloween, October 31st. Yes, winners. We have decided as a token of our appreciation for all of the entries (over 700 at final count) that we would put together a small second place prize (pictures to follow tomorrow).

A few months ago, after being tempted to get a Clarisonic, I zipped on over to YouTube to see what various vloggers had to say about it. I’d heard all of the hype, but I really wanted to check out a few unbiased/unsponsored opinions as well. I was somewhat surprised to see a lot of comparison videos between the Clarisonic and the Olay Pro X cleansing devices. Not knowing what the outcome of any of these challenges would be, I pulled up a chair, grabbed a Coke Zero, and proceeded to watch a few.

I was somewhat surprised when a few vloggers indicated they really didn’t see much of a difference between the results of the two and that, for $100 less, they would stick with the Olay Pro X.

I went ahead and purchased the Olay Pro X system to see what all the fuss was about.

After using it for 3 months, I do admit my complexion looks much better and much healthier. I haven’t had a single breakout and no longer have little dry patches that would creep up by my chin or by my eyebrow areas.

Of course, all things being equal, I was so pleased with the results from the budget-friendly Olay Pro X that obviously I now must invest the big bucks to try to the Clarisonic Mia 2 so that I can compare the two for myself. If the more economical Olay Pro X works this well, the Clarisonic Mia 2 has to work even better, right? At least I always convince myself that more expensive is usually better.

Now, onto today’s business at hand. Lo and behold, the UPS deliveryman decided to come by earlier than usual today and bestowed into my outstretched hands something I had ordered from QVC. The Clarisonic Mia 2.

I chose the pink one (of course) and it came with a full-sized tube of Kate Somerville Gentle Daily Wash, which retails on its own for $32. It also came with an interchangeable head and the pLink charger unit.

Now for the interesting part…a 30-day challenge between the results I’ll obtain with the Clarisonic Mia 2 as compared to the results I’ve obtained using the Olay Pro X.

CURRENT ROUTINE: Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash + Olay Pro X.

THE CHALLENGER: Clarisonic Mia 2 + Kate Somerville Gentle Daily Wash.

PRODUCTS TO BE CONTINUED: Olay Regenerist Microsculpting Serum and Olay Total Effects

In order to get an accurate representation of whatever difference there may be between the two devices, the only item I’ll change up in the other elements of my routine are the face wash. I’ll keep using the same serum and moisturizer as I did with the Olay Pro X, to make sure any difference in the texture, clarity, or overall appearance of my skin is due strictly to the Clarisonic Mia 2 and not some phenomenal new skincare product I’ve incorporated into my routine.

START DATE: 10/28/2014.

Okay, Olay Pro X and Clarisonic Mia 2, let the challenge begin!!!

If you’d like to check out both of these systems further, here are a couple of links to get you started:
OLAY PRO X (through Target): http://www.target.com/p/olay-pro-x-advanced-cleansing-system/-/A-13109555?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&LNM=13109555&CPNG=Health+Beauty&kpid=13109555&LID=17pgs&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=13109555&kpid=13109555&gclid=Cj0KEQjw_byiBRCu9qm5lc28ufgBEiQAWq-ta4s-szNErGbkygfg7bbHNQVqcDafGcVRbButt8VMtH4aAiln8P8HAQ

CLARISONIC MIA 2 (through QVC): http://www.qvc.com/Clarisonic-Mia-2-Sonic-Cleansing-System-with-Kate-Somerville.product.A254682.html?sc=A254682-Targeted&cm_sp=VIEWPOSITION-_-2-_-A254682&catentryImage=http://images.qvc.com/is/image/a/82/a254682.001?$uslarge$

I’m a huge fan of QVC and their payment-friendly purchases, as you can tell.

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!!!

BIG OCTOBER BEAUTY GIVEAWAY – SNEAK PEEK #12 – GO BIG OR GO HOME!!!

Happy Sunday and, to fellow fans, Happy The Walking Dead Episode 3 Night! We’re all about The Walking Dead on Sunday nights here at Casa Beholding Eye. We like to think of it as quality family time gathered around the TV after work and having dinner…even though we rarely speak a word until the episode is over.

There are less than 2 days left to enter the giveaway and we’re up to Item #12 (one sneak peek featured 2 items).

This blog is lengthy but there may or may not be a little “twist” at the end, so I encourage you to read all the way through. *hint hint*

This one is probably going to rock your socks off so be prepared.

From the FabFitFun Fall Edition box is “the” big-ticket item. Renowned for skincare product extraordinaire, here it is:

From Dermalogica, one of the top names in the skincare industry, is a full-sized Skin Hydrating Booster. I love me some Dermalogica but, truth be told, my skin is sensitive and a bit combination but rarely, if ever, dry. I’m sure this is an exceptional product (as are all Dermalogica products), but it would just go into my Skincare Graveyard as I would likely never use it. My skin’s quirkiness is your gain, readers.

RETAIL VALUE: $56.00.

So let’s take a look at the other 10 items in the giveaway and do a quick recap, in no particular order:

RETAIL VALUE: $38.00

RETAIL VALUE: $25.00

RETAIL VALUE: Approximately $10

RETAIL VALUE: $29.00

RETAIL VALUE: $22.00

RETAIL VALUE: $19.00

RETAIL VALUE: Approximately $20.00

RETAIL VALUE: $35.00

RETAIL VALUE: $95.00

RETAIL VALUE: $55.00

ESTIMATED RETAIL VALUE: $404.00

With an estimated retail of over $400, not to mention most of these items are top-of-the-line, in-demand products featured in recent subscription boxes, this is a giveaway in which we at The Beholding Eye take great pride offering.

A few people have asked why do a giveaway as opposed to selling the items on Ebay and making a quick buck (or a lot of quick bucks, considering the retail value).

Well, that’s a very good question.

1. Because it’s better to give than to receive? Yeah, sometimes, but I’m usually pretty self-absorbed.
2. Because before I discovered subscription boxes, I would have crawled through broken glass on my hands and knees to get my bloody hands on a just a few of these products? Definitely.
3. I’d like to let someone who will be able to use and appreciate these amazing products have a shot at owning them? Yes indeedy.
4. Because I’m nice? (Nah, get that idea out of your head…I’m actually quite snarky — as one can tell reading my other blog entries, I’m sure — and straightforward, although with a hint of diplomacy…”nice” isn’t the first word that usually comes to mind when describing myself.

I don’t know, actually. I think it’s more a combination of #2 and #3. I’ve won a couple of very small giveaways and I know the euphoria that comes with winning. As ecstatic as I’ve been to win a few relatively minor things, I can’t even imagine being the winner of this haul. I’d probably be shouting from the rooftops and dancing in the streets…and THAT’S the reason I’m really doing this. I want to make a fellow beauty-holic happy (not to be confused with being “nice,” so banish that thought out of your mind). And while these products are UH-MAZING, realistically, they don’t do me a bit of good when they’re not right for my hair/skin type or if it’s a duplicate of a great product that I’d like for someone else to be able to try. Times are still tough for a lot of people…being able to make someone happy with a box full of fantabulous beauty products just seems like the right thing for this beauty-holic to do.

So, if you haven’t entered the drawing yet, I strongly encourage you to do so now. Entries end tomorrow at midnight. I may or may not put another product into the mix (if I can find it…I put it up for safekeeping for the drawing and have yet to unearth it) but as it stands right now these will be the contents of that glorious USPS box complete with tracking you’ll be receiving if Rafflecopter chooses you as the winner.*

From this point forward, I plan to do monthly or semi-monthly giveaways, albeit to a lesser degree. Two to three times a year, I plan on doing a blockbuster giveaway such as this one. Again, it will be products I simply cannot use or duplicates I have received. Sharing the wealth and all with my readers. I hope everyone who entered will continue to follow me on social media for updates, reviews, unboxings, etc. I’m planning on getting a laptop with a camera after the holidays so I can also do vlogging.

And Happy Sunday and Happy The Walking Dead Episode 3 night from Casa The Beholding Eye to you. See our bright and shining faces? That’s yours truly photo-bombing in the background.

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…

If you haven’t entered yet, click on the Rafflecopter link below and get your name into that proverbial hat…Remember, you can’t win if you don’t enter!

ENTER HERE: a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Due to the overwhelming response to this giveaway and our heartfelt appreciation at all of the kind words, new subscribers, new followers to our social media, etc., we were thinking….Perhaps we should add a second-place winner, who will receive a cosmetic bag full of various and sundry samples we’ve been receiving in our boxes for a few months now. While not nearly as grand and glorious as first place, we think it would be a nice little “thank you” gesture for one additional reader who took the time to enter the contest. Let me know in the comments what you think about this latest addition. Au Revoir for now, and stay beautiful!

(Please note that the giveaway will only be available for US and Canadian residents, otherwise postage would be cost-prohibitive…Thanks for understanding!)

BIG OCTOBER BEAUTY GIVEAWAY: SNEAK PEEK #10 – GO BIG OR GO HOME!!!

Okay, we’re winding down to the last couple of days of the giveaway and, since it’s Friday and I’m still on cloud 9 over my Wantable Intimates box from this morning, let’s grab another item and toss it into the giveaway. Who ever thought giving things away could be so much fun?

And here it is, Item #10 in the Big October Beauty Giveaway:

From the world-renowned Bulgari, this is an approximately 3-ounce bottle of their Bulgari Eau Parfumee Au The Blanc Conditioner. It smells wonderful (as do the Bulgari fragrances I’ve sampled). Assuming its hefty price tag means it not only smells good but actually works well, this should knock your proverbial socks off.
(RETAIL VALUE: Approx $20; full-size 6.76 oz bottle retails for $45)

And tomorrow will likely bring what is likely the final item in the giveaway. Off the top of my caffeine-deprived head (I’m only halfway through cup #2 this lovely Friday morning), I believe retail value on this giveaway is now up to $350 and contains some truly UH-MAZING products. It’s going to be like the Beauty Fairy came to visit the winner…Be sure to enter now so you don’t miss out on your chance to have a big box of awesomeness show up on your doorstep! Link at end of post for your convenience, my lovelies…

As always, feel free to follow me on the following social media and be sure to enter the big October Beauty Giveaway (link at end of this post!):

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

ENTER RAFFLE HERE: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Until next time, stay beautiful, and good luck to all who enter the giveaway!

(Please note that the giveaway will only be available for US and Canadian residents, otherwise postage would be cost-prohibitive…Thanks for understanding!)

BIG OCTOBER BEAUTY GIVEAWAY – SNEAK PEEK #9 – GO BIG OR GO HOME!!!

And in celebration of nothing in particular other than it’s Hump Day and I’ve got some trashtastic reality TV shows awaiting me on the DVR tonight, let’s roll out the next to the last sneak peek into the Big October Beauty Giveaway.

Boscia B.B. Cream Bronze Broad Spectrum SPF 27 PA++

Even though the summer months are now behind us, this little skincare delight can be used mixed with your regular BB cream or foundation to give you a kiss of the sun wherever you would like. Boscia has a great reputation in the beauty industry for having superlative skin care products, and I’ve no doubt this BB cream will be amazing for your skin (and even in the winter, protection from the sun is still vital to our skin).
(RETAIL VALUE: $38 – Giveaway item is a full-sized product)

And, in no particular order whatsoever, let’s recap all of the items:

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: Approximately $325.

Entries close on October 28th, with the winner chosen on October 31st (Happy Halloween!!!). If you haven’t entered yet, be sure to do so now!

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

ENTER DRAWING HERE: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Until next time, stay beautiful, and good luck to all who enter.

(Please note that the giveaway will only be available for US and Canadian residents, otherwise postage would be cost-prohibitive…Thanks for understanding!)

LIP MONTHLY: OCTOBER UNBOXING (5 PRODUCTS + A GREAT BAG = $10/MONTH!) AND HALF-OFF COUPON CODE!

Lip Monthly is one of my favorite little guilty pleasures. It’s only $10/month for which you get 4 lips products and a “monthly mix-up.” It doesn’t boast high-end products and it delivers great, sometimes little-known products, for subscribers to try…and this month they even mixed it up with a new bag. I had heard the October bag would have products geared more towards fall, and Lip Monthly did not disappoint. I love this little subscription. It’s a lot of fun, and my daughter and I usually share the contents, so for $10, it’s quite a bargain for Casa Beholding Eye.

Let’s see what surprises the October bag holds.

And speaking of “the bag,” gotta love this one…Great fall colors and I’m a total sucker for anything purple (or pink). Nice job, Lip Monthly!

And now for the contents…

Looking good…Right off the bat I see a nude-colored lipstick. I’m totally addicted to lipsticks and lip glosses in the nude/taupe/tan/beige/brown family, so for me this single item already makes the October bag a huge hit!

By J-Cat Beauty, this is Fabtabulous lipstick in shade FL107 Honeycrisp.
(RETAIL VALUE: $2.99 on J-Cat’s website)

Well, this is an interesting product. By Look Devine, it’s a shimmering plum lip balm that contains resveratrol, grapeseed oil, and red wine antioxidants. Fabulous ingredients and just enough color payoff to make it perfect for casual wear while keeping lips healthy and moisturized at the same time.
(RETAIL VALUE: $4.50 based on a set on the Look Devine website).

Next is a product I’ve been wanting to try. This one is Starlooks Lip Sugar. This is a brown-sugar-based lip scrub that smells absolutely delicious…in fact, dangerously delicious, like I’m-going-to-lick-it-off-of-my-lips-immediately delicious. This will be perfect to use before the Look Devine lip balm. NOM.
(RETAIL VALUE: $2 based on Starlooks’ website)

This month’s “mix-up” is an eyeliner by LA Girl in the shade GP618 Blue Metallic. As with my lips, I tend to stick with what works best for me, and sadly Blue Metallic isn’t one of those shades. My daughter will be inheriting this gem, and she’ll be delighted with it.
(RETAIL VALUE: $3.00 based on LA Girl’s website)

And the last little lip treasure in this month’s bag is a lip balm by Noyah in Cherry. This is labeled as “kosher” and is apparently all natural with only 4 ingredients.
(RETAIL VALUE: $3.99 based on Noyah’s website).

And there we have it, the October Lip Monthly bag. Costing only $10/month, the contents of this bag have an estimated retail value of $17, so in this box-a-holic’s humble opinion, it’s a good value and gives me a chance to try 5 new products that I’ve never previously used. Also, everything is full-sized (with the exception of maybe the Starlooks brown sugar lip scrub, but I believe this is full-sized as they sell in a set of 5 on the Starlooks website).

Brava, Lip Monthly, and thank you once again for providing me with 5 fun products that will surely be put to good use…and 2 lip balms are fantastic now that the cooler (and drier) weather is kicking in here in sunny central California.

If you’d like to check out Lip Monthly and perhaps even subscribe, here are some links to help you out:

Website: https://lipmonthly.com/referral/eO4RCHAHnq8T6m2 (ENTER FALL5 TO GET $5 OFF YOUR FIRST BAG)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lipmonthly?ref=br_tf

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 if you haven’t entered the Big October Beauty Giveaway, here is the link so you can jump in now…You definitely don’t want to miss out on a chance to win this amazing haul of makeup and beauty treasures!

ENTER RAFFLE HERE: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lip Monthly September 2014 Unboxing: Yes, 5 Products for $10/month

Well, while a lot of my subscription box shipments seem to be hostages of the infamous DHL Global Mail, Lip Monthly has arrived on time. Let’s see what they’ve put together for us this month.

Here are the bag and its contents:

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Once again, that adorable little monogrammed bag holds all sorts of interesting products. Let’s start with the one that caught my eye first, that nail polish:

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By “Julie,” I couldn’t find the name of the shade but it’s a gorgeous coral/salmon color that’s perfect for the last few weeks of summer. I’d never heard of this brand but it’s a shade I’ll definitely use over the next couple of weeks as summer finally (mercifully) turns into fall.

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Next is yet another sample size of the bane of most beauty box subscribers existence this summer, Purlisse sunblock. Don’t get me wrong. Purlisse is an amazing brand and is very spendy, but once you’ve received 3 sample-size and 2 full-size products over a 3-month period, well…the less I see of Purlisse from this point forward, the better. I’ll be using this one in a giveaway so stay tuned!

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Here we have a lip crayon by Cherimoya in the color “Fig.” Really gorgeous color, applies matte but not drying on the lips, and is a shade that will work through the rest of summer and into early fall.

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Also by Cherimoya, here is a liner for lips or eyes in the color “Latte.” While too pale to use around my eyes, it’s a gorgeous color that I’ll definitely be using as a lip liner. I love a nude lip, and this pencil will a great addition to my lip arsenal.

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And rounding out this month’s bag is this strawberry-kiwi lip balm by Eco Lips. I go through lip balms like a maniac all year round, so lip balms are always a welcome addition to any of my subscriptions.

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And as you can see, the approximate retail value of this month’s Lip Monthly bag is $37, which you get for $10 (including shipping!) with your Lip Monthly subscription.

I really look forward to my Lip Monthly bags. The products are always extremely wearable and fun at the same time. I hear next month’s bag will contain 4 lip products, 1 mix-up product, and be very fall-friendly. I’m looking forward to that bag…as well as the 30-degree drop in daytime temperatures here in central California.

If you’d like to check out Lip Monthly for yourself, here are links to the website and to their Facebook page. For $10/month, I’m finding it’s quite a deal!

Website: http://www.lipmonthly.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lipmonthly

Also follow me at the following social media sites:

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

Coming soon: Ipsy, BoxyCharm, BirchBox, FabFitFun, and Walmart Beauty Box.

Look for my GIVEAWAY coming up soon…Lots of amazing products for one low price…FREE!

Stay beautiful!