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Ipsy v. Birchbox: Round Six | August 2013

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Subscription Sunday! Today I have Round Six of Ipsy v. Birchbox, and just as I suspected, things got very interesting this month. Now that I’ve been subscribed to each of these $10 beauty subscriptions for six months now, I have a pretty good idea of what to expect. Of course, there are always surprises, but overall I am starting to see some patterns emerge. Let me go ahead and share what I got for both Ipsy and Birchbox for the month of August!

First up, as always, is Ipsy! This month’s theme is Glamour Academy, and the cosmetic pouch is a purple color with gold lettering. I really like the bag’s design this month, but I’ll have to snip off the string on the side. On the right you can see a special bonus product I received for referring friends to Ipsy. It is a Lime Crime polish in the shade Crema de Limon. Unfortunately, I do not support Lime Crime as a brand, so I am unable to use this extra. (Find out why HERE).

Now onto the goodies inside my Ipsy bag! I’ll tell you more about each one from left to right.

Pixi Beauty Lash Booster Mascara in Blackest Black – $7.14 – This tiny mascara sample is actually worth a lot due to the full size retailing for $17. I love mascara, so I will definitely use this eventually. It is a nice size for travel!
Noya Cherry Lip Balm – $3.99 – This lip balm is kosher and natural, and smells quite good! It is just a regular lip balm — no color whatsoever. It’s always nice to get an extra lip balm, but I already have more than I can use.
Chella Dazzling Dark Brown Eyebrow Color Pencil – $18 – Normally I would be thrilled to get a full size eyebrow pencil from Chella, but this one is way too dark for me so I can’t use it. I’m not sure why Ipsy sent me a dark brown color when my profile clearly states I have light brown hair.
Pacifica Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream – $5.44 – Ipsy is not on my side this month! This BB cream is great quality, but it is too dark for my skin, and is extremely shimmery. I really don’t want to be walking around with glitter all over my face.
Michael Tood Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub – $5.29 – This scrub is my favorite item in this month’s bag. I love facial scrubs, and I’ve heard so many great things about Michael Todd products. Charcoal is also perfect to clear out pores, so I can’t wait to give this a try.

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $39.86

OVERALL OPINION: While the retail value of this month’s Ipsy is nearly four times what I paid for it, I can’t use two of the items because they are the wrong shade for me. That should not happen when we fill out personal profiles for the company to let them know what shades we are. I am excited about the Michael Todd scrub, and I will get use out of the mascara and lip balm. Overall, I’m pretty disappointed.

RATING (1-5, 1 BEING LOWEST AND 5 BEING HIGHEST): 2

Next up is my Birchbox! August’s theme is Finishing School, similar to Glamour Academy I suppose! Everyone has school on the brain this time of year.

Here are the goodies inside. My first impression was utter disappointment at three foil packets. Let me tell you a bit more about the products.

Cailyn Gel Eyeliner in Black – $21 – Subscription services sure recycle brands! I got this exact same product in an Ipsy bag a few months back. Luckily I got purple last time, so I am super excited to have this in black. I really love this product because it is easy to apply and comes with its own brush! I don’t wear eyeliner often, but this is great to have.
Whish Exfoliating Body Wash – $2.75 – This is the second Whish product I’ve gotten from Birchbox as well! I didn’t like the shave cream, but this body wash sounds amazing. I’ll probably get a few uses out of it, and I like that this combines a scrub and wash in one product.
Dr. Jart+ Premium BB Cream – $4.42 – I get a lot of BB creams in these boxes as well! This one is my shade, and I will probably get a couple uses from this tiny sample. I won’t be able to buy the full size if I like it, however, because that is $39. It’s still nice to try out, though.
Miss Jessie’s Super Sweetback Treatment – $1.49 – This hair treatment is for curly hair, and is to help make curly softer and more manageable. Since I don’t have curly hair, I won’t be using this product.
Miss Jessie’s Original Rapid Recovery Treatment – $1.49 – This treatment is made for curly hair, but can apparently be used by any hair type to restore shine and moisturize the hair. I will give this one a go at least!
Whish Deodorant Swipes With Hair Inhibitor – $0.73 – The last item is a single use deodorant wipe from Whish that is supposed to wipe on your deodorant for the day and prevent underarm hair from growing. Sounds interesting, so I will try it. But I will stick to my regular deodorant!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $31.88

OVERALL OPINION: I am pretty underwhelmed by this month’s Birchbox. I will use nearly everything inside, but I wish I would get to try out some new brands and products. These subscription services keep sending the same things! I also wish Birchbox would stay away from foil packets. Three in one box is too much. I will say I am very pleased with the eyeliner, though.

RATING: 3

There you have it! My winner for the month of August is Birchbox! To be honest, I’m really not impressed with either subscription service this month. I really don’t understand why I am receiving products that do not match my beauty profiles, and I wish new brands would get involved. After six month of both services, I am very close to canceling Ipsy. Not only has Ipsy only won one round of my battle, but I tend to use up my Birchbox products more. I’m just afraid to miss out on something good!

You can join Ipsy HERE and Birchbox HERE. Each program is $10 per month. Be sure to let me know which one you liked better this month!

This post contains affiliate links. Subscription boxes purchased by me. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Subscription Sunday | August PopSugar MustHave Box

Posted on August 11, 2013August 16, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Subscription Sunday! Today I have another unboxing of my favorite monthly subscription, the PopSugar MustHave Box! But before I show you all of the goodies, I wanted to remind you that the Hot Days, Hotter Nights Giveaway is going on right now, and also let you know that starting tomorrow it is Back to School Week here at Adventures in Polishland! Be sure to tune in every day to get psyched for Back to School. Now, onto the regularly scheduled Subscription Sunday!

The PopSugar MustHave Box is a lifestyle box filled with all types of goodies from makeup to home decor and everything in between. For $35 per month, you’ll receive a box worth at least $100. Here is a sneak peek of everything in my August box. It is jam packed, and it was heavy! Let me go ahead and share everything that is inside!

First up is a special item celebrating one year of the PopSugar box! This Open Circle Necklace from Gorjana retails for $65 and is 18k gold plated. I love the classic style, and will be sure to wear it! Plus, this item alone is already worth more than what I paid for the entire box!

Now onto the Must Have Home category! On the left is a Weekly To-Dos planner from May Designs. This planner retails for $20, and is so cute! I’m loving the chevron pattern. I also like that the pages inside are customizable, and not set to any specific year in particular. That means I can use it when I please, and never waste the pages! I’ll be sure to use this planner when school begins!

On the right is an All-in-One Stackable Bento Lunch Box from Bentgo. It retails for $19.99 and even includes cutlery! I would have never picked out this lunch box for myself, but I’m so glad to have it. It will encourage me to bring my lunch to school instead of buying one. Plus, I love the cute green color, and all of the separate compartments. It’s even microwavable!

The last Must Have Home item is this Apple Bowl from Lunares. This bowl retails for around $21.28, as it can only be purchased in a set from the Lunares website. I think this bowl is cute — it is perfect for a teacher gift or hostess gift for fall! This is my least favorite item in the box this month, just because it doesn’t fit into my lifestyle well. Maybe I’ll put some candies in it this fall!

Moving on to Must Have Beauty! The first two items on the left are from Dermalogica, and are the Precleanse and Special Cleansing Gel respectively. These travel sizes retail for a total of $19.50! I’ve never tried any Dermalogica products before, so I’m quite excited to see how these work. It’s such a treat to have high end skincare in this box! I would never be able to purchase these items on my own.

The next beauty item is the Lulah Body Wash in Magnolia Fig. This body wash retails for $11.25 and smells divine! I can’t wait to use it. It is definitely a fragranced body wash, so if you don’t like strong scents this is not for you. Otherwise, it seems so luxurious! I even love the packaging!

The last item in my August Box is a Special Extra from the brand Nature Box. I got dried Granny Smith Apples, and they taste amazing! I love that PopSugar includes healthy snacks! This one retails for $3.99, but cannot be purchased separately since Nature Box is a subscription program! You can join for 50% off by going to naturebox.com/popsugar. I’m not currently a member, but if you are let me know what you think!

And that is everything in my August PopSugar MustHave Box! The total retail value is $161.01! What an unbelievable box! I have to say that each month PopSugar gets better and better. If you’re looking for an all-around amazing subscription, I highly recommend it. Join HERE and enter code REFER5 at checkout to get $5 off your first box.

This post contains affiliate links. PopSugar MustHave Box purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Ipsy v. Birchbox: Round Five | July 2013

Posted on August 4, 2013August 5, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Subscription Sunday! Today I have round five of my Ipsy v. Birchbox challenge! July was an interesting month for these $10 beauty subscriptions — the retail value of each was only $1 apart! My winner this month really comes down to the products themselves. Let me show you what I got, and tell you a bit about each product!

First up is Ipsy! July’s Ipsy theme was Beach Beauty. This time the cosmetic pouch was a transparent, pink pouch made out of beach ball material. While the pouch isn’t exactly my style, it is great for the beach since it is waterproof. It’s also perfect for those who work retail, and need a clear bag to bring to work.

Here all all of the products! I’ll describe them for you from left to right.

Big Sexy Hair in Weather Proof – $7.80 – This hair product is supposed to prevent frizz in the humidity. I was excited to try it out, but unfortunately all it does is weigh my hair down and make it flat. It did manage my frizz, but sucked away any volume. I suggest this if you have very thick hair.
Derma E Microdermabrasion Scrub – $16.25 – I’ve been using scrubs religiously in the summer to keep my pores clean. This one is very interesting — I love the lemony scent, but it was difficult to rinse off my skin completely. I ended up with some residue, and wasn’t a huge fan of that. It’s okay, but for the price I won’t be repurchasing the full size.
Coola Face Sunscreen – $4.87 – This is the second time I’ve received a Coola product in a subscription box, and I don’t like it! The problem is in the packaging — this tiny tube isn’t even filled. I’m lucky if I get one use out of it. If the sample was larger, I would be able to tell you more about the product, but I’m not a fan of receiving these tiny sunscreen samples.
Pop Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon in Coral Crush – $4.16 – This is my favorite item this month! I’ve never tried Pop Beauty, but I’m loving it. Basically this is a jumbo lip crayon that is between a lipstick and a lip gloss. The color I got is bright, but goes really well with my skin tone. I’ve already worn it twice!
BH Cosmetics California Collection Sampler – $0.35 – You read that retail price correctly — this little sample of three eyeshadows is only worth 35 cents due to the full size palette being $7.00. My issue is that I got three eyeshadows that don’t even go together (a dark purple, bronze, and gold). If I could create a complete look from this sampler, I would appreciate it more.
Nicole by OPI in Pretty in Plum – BONUS – As a thank you for referring two new Ipsy members, I got this Nicole by OPI nail polish. I’m not including this in the retail value, as it’s not a part of the actual subscription. Otherwise, this is a really nice bonus to get!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $33.43

OVERALL OPINION: Out of all the products in my Ipsy bag for July, the only one I will use on a regular basis is the Pop Beauty lip color. I will use up the Derma E and Coola products, but I’m not too excited about them. While the retail value is triple my money, I’m not too impressed with these products. They just don’t fit into my lifestyle well.

RATING (1-5, 1 BEING LOWEST AND 5 BEING HIGHEST): 2

Now onto my July Birchbox! The theme was Power Play, based off the hit show Suits. I’ve never seen the show, but as a law student I knew this box was for me! Here are all the products! Let me tell you a bit more about each one.

DDF Acne Control Treatment – $12.94 – This product came at the perfect time! I was experiencing some breakouts, and with the help of this product they are clearing right up! While this isn’t a miracle worker, it definitely got to work, and I could see improvements in my acne after a few uses. I love it!
Benefit It’s Potent Eye Cream – $6.40 – I was thrilled to receive this product! I’ve been wanting to try it out, and I’m so glad I got to. I must say I’m impressed — this cream is very moisturizing, and feels great. This sample is tiny, but it will last a while.
No. 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect – $7.00 – Another hair product! To be honest, I haven’t tried this out because I am already happy with the protectant I use. I’ll keep this one for travel, or for when I run out of my other one.
Birchbox Bobby Pins – $1.67 – These bobby pins are a cute product to get in my box, but I don’t know how often I’ll be using them. They are a bit oversized for my extremely thin hair, but I’m not overly disappointed with them. I love the cute pattern!
theBalm Instain Blush in Swiss Dot – $4.40 – I was thrilled to get this sample! I’ve been wanting to try blush from theBalm for a long time, but was afraid to pay the money and not like it. This one is a gorgeous shade — it’s very pigmented, but wearable. I’m so glad to try this one out!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $32.41

OVERALL OPINION: Birchbox is sure stepping it up! I am really excited about three of the five products in this box. Two of them are samples I’ve been wanting to try for a long time! While I’m tired of getting hair products, I’m really happy with this month’s box as a whole.

RATING: 3.5

There you have it! My winner for the month of July is Birchbox! While both Ipsy and Birchbox had very similar retail values, I plan on using the products in my Birchbox a lot more. For me, the monetary value is secondary. The products aren’t worth anything just sitting in my stash! It seems like the Birchbox survey really understands me — it has beat out Ipsy four times! I can’t wait to see what happens next month after being a member of both programs for six months!

You can join Ipsy HERE and Birchbox HERE. Each program is $10 per month.

Some of the above links are affiliate links. Subscription boxes purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Subscription Sunday | July PopSugar MustHave Box

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have my Subscription Sunday post that was due to go up yesterday — better late than never, right?! I also want to start this post by giving a big thank you to my new blog followers. I am already up to 72 new followers! Don’t forget, if I get to 500 by the end of July, I will have a huge giveaway. The first prizes are listed on my Facebook page HERE if you’d like a sneak peek. Be sure to enter your email on the right to follow, and encourage your friends to do the same! Now, onto my July PopSugar MustHave Box!

PopSugar MustHave is a monthly subscription service that sends a box of goodies to your door for $35 each month. While this is the most expensive subscription service I receive, it is also my favorite! PopSugar is a lifestyle box, meaning you can get all sorts of items. July’s box is Summer themed, and has everything you need to enjoy the warm months.

First up are my Must Have Food and Must Have Home items! Let me tell you a bit more about these items. I’ll link to where you can purchase them, and list the retail price as well!

All Natural Crunchy Cookie Chips in Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip – $5.99 – These cookie chips were oh so yummy! While I typically love chewy cookies, these cookie chips were a delicious new treat. I love that they are all natural, taking the guilt out of a sweet snack. I would definitely repurchase these!
Tovolo King Cube Ice Tray – $8.50 – This unique ice cube tray makes six, two-inch cubes. While it is geared towards classic cocktails, this can be used for all kinds of frozen treats in the summer. Whether you make popsicles, ice coffee cubes, or even regular ice for your to-go cups, this tray is sure to come in handy. I can’t wait to give it a try! Bonus points: it is dishwasher safe and BPA free!
Mighty Leaf Iced Tea in Calypso Mango – $25.00 – Iced tea is one of my favorite drinks, so I was thrilled to get some. This box is home to four giant tea bags, each making a half gallon of iced tea. I haven’t tried the tea yet, but the bags smell amazing. I’m sure this will be sweet and refreshing!

Up next are my Must Have Beauty and Must Have Fashion items!

ncLA Nail Polish in As If! – $16.00 – I always love receiving nail polish in my subscription boxes, especially high end brands that I can’t usually afford to buy. ncLA polish is great quality, and this light purple shade is gorgeous. I’ll be sure to have a review on the blog soon!
Supergoop! SPF 30 Anti-Aging City Sunscreen Serum – $42.00 – Sunscreen is definitely needed in the summer! I never know which one to grab at the drugstore, so this one from Supergoop sounds great to me. It has that typical sunscreen scent, but absorbs quickly into the skin. No grease here! I’m loving it!
BaubleBar Rose Double Curb Chain – $28.00 – I love BaubleBar jewelry, and rose gold is my favorite metal. This necklace is stunning, and amazing quality. It is sold out right now online, but I highly recommend BaubleBar. The jewelry is gorgeous, and I’m so happy to have received this piece in my box.

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $125.49

Wow! What an amazing retail value for this month’s box! The best part is, I plan on using each and every item in this box. The necklace is my favorite, but it’s always great to get practical items like the sunscreen. In the five months that I’ve been a PopSugar MustHave member, I was only disappointed once, and that was back in April. Ever since then, my boxes have been unbelievable! I highly recommend this box. You can join HERE. Get $5 off your first box with code REFER5 at checkout!

Let me know what you think of PopSugar MustHave in the comments, and let me know what your favorite subscription programs are.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Subscription box purchased by me. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Subscription Sunday | Top 10 Julep Polishes for Summer

Posted on July 7, 2013July 10, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Subscription Sunday! Today I thought it would be fun to share with you my favorite Julep nail polishes for summer. Julep was the first monthly subscription service that I ever signed up for, and I’ve been a member for over a year now. I currently have forty Julep nail polishes in my collection, so I went through and picked ten polishes that are perfect for the summer sun. Some of these polishes have been reviewed on my blog in the past, but I hope you enjoy and discover a new shade that you love!

First up is Blake, a pastel yellow creme. Blake does not have the perfect formula — as with many yellow nail polishes it can be a bit streaky. Luckily I usually get it even in two to three coats, and the result is gorgeous! I love yellow nails in the summer, and Blake is a beautiful shade. While I love neon yellow, a pastel creme is very dainty and works well with many skin tones.

Next is Charlotte, a dusty light purple creme. Charlotte is a one coat formula, which I absolutely love. It applies perfectly, and the finish is very glossy. I think Charlotte is the perfect choice for those who don’t like ultra-bright nails, and it is also a great transitional polish from summer to fall. If you love purple nails, Charlotte is a must for your collection!

Harper is the next polish on my Top 10 list! It is an aquamarine glitter with hints of blue and an opalescent shine. Harper reminds me of a mermaid, and thus it is a must for summer! It is opaque in three coats, or you can layer it over a blue polish for an oceanic look. Harper is great for laying by the pool, and it surely sparkles in the sunlight. Be sure to let each coat dry completely between layers so you don’t smudge the glitter!

Up next is Lynn, a peachy nude polish with a hint of peach and silver shimmer. Lynn is one of the first Julep polishes I ever got, and I still love it! It is opaque in two coats and has a great formula. Some brushstrokes are visible with Lynn since it is a shimmer, but I personally like the finished look. If you’re stuck in the office all summer, Lynn is definitely work appropriate!

If you’re looking for a classic pink polish, Niecy is for you! It is the perfect bright pink, and has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats. Niecy goes well with any outfit, and will look great no matter what the occasion. I love pink nail polish, and Niecy is one of my all-time favorites!

Up next is Nina, a bright orange polish with a satin finish. Nina is a bit on the thick side, so be sure to limit the amount of polish you have on the brush when applying it. Nina is also opaque in two coats, and dries to look just like orange sherbet! Summer is the perfect time for orange nails, and Nina is a fun option from Julep. While the formula may not be perfect, the color payoff is worth it!

Next on the countdown is Payton, a bright green creme. Payton has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. Make sure you use a healthy layer of base coat with this one, as it can be staining to your nails. I just love green nails, and Payton is the perfect option for summer. I wore it for about a week in June!

Keeping with the green theme is Susie, a mint green creme. Susie has just a hint of mint pigmentation, and looks almost white in direct sunlight. It has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats, and dries very quickly. Susie is wearable any time of the year, but mint is right on trend for this summer. Everyone needs at least one mint in her collection, and Susie is a great option!

Following Susie is Teri, a bright coral creme polish. Teri has a good formula that is a bit on the thick side. It is opaque in two coats, and has a high-gloss finish. I find that Teri is very flattering for my skin tone, and I think it would look nice on everyone! Teri also isn’t too bright, so if you are looking to step into the bright nail polish world, this is a great option for you.

Last but not least is my holy grail of the Julep world, Yumi. Yumi is a pink, silver, and holographic glitter polish. It can be worn alone in three coats, but I layered one coat over Teri in the photo above. I love Yumi so much that I will need a second bottle soon! It is perfect for nail art, and can be combined with many different shades for a beautiful look. Yumi is just stunning!

All in all, you can see how much I love Julep nail polish! I love getting a box in the mail every month, and the variety of colors is fantastic. You can join the Julep Maven program and get your first month for free using code FREEBOX at checkout HERE. What I love about the program is the ability to skip any month you don’t want to purchase, and the special discounts that Maven members get. Let me know if you join Julep, and what your favorite Julep polish for summer is!

Some of the above links are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Subscription Sunday | June Love With Food Box & Giveaway

Posted on June 30, 2013July 10, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Subscription Sunday! Today I have a new subscription box to share with all of you, and it is called the Love With Food Box! This box ranges from $10-12 per month depending on the subscription you purchase, and is filled with gourmet snack foods. I am always looking to try out some healthy snacks, and Love With Food describes its program as “health-full” so I new it would be perfect for me. They also provide many snacks that are all natural and vegetarian, which fit into my lifestyle as well. Love With Food also donates a meal to a hungry child for every box that is purchased, so that is a special, feel-good bonus with every box. Let me show you what I got in my first Love With Food box, and stay tuned for a surprise at the end!

Here is what the Love With Food Box looks like when it arrives! While it looks tiny from the outside, I was really impressed with how many goodies were actually packed in there. June’s theme was Summer Bash, as you can see from the informational card. My one criticism of the box is that the card was very difficult to read when I flipped it over — I wish it was more “user friendly” or at least designed better. Moving right along, it’s time to show the food!

Onto the first batch of treats! I’ll tell you more about each one from left to right.

Do More Bar in Pineapple Coconut – This gluten-free cereal bar is basically a healthy rice krispie treat! While the pineapple flavor was not my personal favorite, this bar was delicious. I had it with my coffee in the morning, and I would certainly consider purchasing more.
SoyJoy Bar in Mango Coconut – This bar is all-natural and gluten-free, but it is definitely not my favorite! I disliked the taste and gritty texture, and would not buy more of these. I’m glad I got to try it, though, because I see these in the grocery store, and have always wondered if they were any good.
Turbana Sweet Plantain Chips – Yum! I love banana chips, and these plantain ones were just as delicious. I love how thinly they were sliced, and the touch of sweet flavor made these all-natural chips perfect for my sweet tooth. I would definitely purchase a full size bag of these!
Seaweed Love Roasted Seaweed in Olive Oil – I was nervous to try this seaweed, which basically looks like kale chips, but boy was it yummy! The aftertaste was horrible, but I would definitely buy these again so long as I could brush my teeth directly afterwards. This was the biggest surprise of the box!

Still some more goodies to go! This box sure holds a lot!

Flavrz Drink Mix in Citrus Hibiscus – This organic drink mix turns your water into a refreshing fruit juice! I was not a big fan of the citrus flavor, but I like the concept behind this mix.
Smooze Fruit Ice in Coconut Mango – It seems Love With Food was really into mango and coconut flavors this month! I absolutely love this fruit ice from Smooze! It was perfect to come home to after a hot summer day. Plus, it’s nice to have a frozen treat that is all natural and not filled with nasty preservatives.
Surf Sweets Organic Fruity Bears – These are the best gummy bears I’ve ever had in my life! Not only are they organic, all-natural, and vegan (no gelatin here!), but they were so soft and juicy. I didn’t feel as if they were going to take out all my fillings like some other gummy treats. I would purchase these in a heartbeat!
GoOrganic Hard Candies in Apple and Blood Orange – I loved these organic hard candies! They tasted just like fruit juice! Very yummy, and all natural!
Pür Gum in Pomegranate Mint – I was happy to receive a pack of gum in my Love With Food box, especially one that is made with natural ingredients! I’m loving the pomegranate mint flavor, and I would definitely consider purchasing more.

Overall, my Love With Food box was filled with lots of goodies! It’s difficult to determine the retail value of this box, but I’m guessing it was somewhere around $10 based on the prices for the full size foods. I was lucky enough to score my first box for just $2 using the promo code FBGIFT, so if you are going to join make sure to try that first! You can join HERE!

Love With Food also included a $50 gift card to nakedwines.com in my box. I decided to pass this gift card along to one of my followers! This giveaway does have some restrictions, so please read through the following very carefully:

Who can enter: US residents who are 21 years of age or older, and live in one of the states accepted by nakedwines.com. Click HERE for the full list of states.
What you win: a $50 gift card to be used on any purchase of at least $51. There is a separate $9.99 shipping charge on orders of $100 or less.
Other details: this giveaway is open until next Subscription Sunday, July 7, 2013. I will verify every entry, and any false entries will result in disqualification.

To enter the giveaway, please enter on Rafflecopter by using the following link: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Let me know what you think of the Love With Food Box, and good luck to all entering the giveaway!

This post contains some affiliate links. Subscription box purchased by me. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Ipsy v. Birchbox: Round Four | June 2013

Posted on June 23, 2013July 12, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Subscription Sunday! Today I have the first post in my new series, where I feature a subscription service every Sunday. As June comes to a close, it is time for Round Four of my Ipsy v. Birchbox comparison posts. In Round One and Round Two, Birchbox was champion, but last month for Round Three, Ipsy was the clear winner. Let’s see how these two $10 beauty boxes stack up against one another this month!

First up, as always, is Ipsy! This month’s theme is “On the Wild Side,” and it comes with the cutest makeup bag ever! I am loving the leopard print pouch with a neon accent, and I’m impressed with it’s nice quality. This is definitely going into my school bag! On the bottom left, you can see a bonus item I got for referring two new Ipsy members. It is the O-Ring Stud Wrap bracelet from BaubleBar, and probably retails for around $20. It was a great bonus! Let me talk about the items inside in more detail, working from left to right.

NYX Rouge Cream Blush in Natural – $6.00 – I’ve never tried a cream blush before, but this one from NYX seems to be a great shade for my skin tone, and is quite blendable. I don’t wear blush often, but this is a nice product to have in my makeup collection for a day I want to dress up a little more.
J.Cat Beauty Sparkling Cream Palette in Volta – $4.49 – This is my least favorite item in the bag, and something that I won’t ever use! It is a palette of five glitter eyeshadows, and is basically loose glitter on top of a cream shadow. I feel like these shadows only work for the daring ladies who love to stand out, and don’t work for an everyday look at all. I guess maybe I’ll hold onto this for Halloween!
Starlooks Lip Pencil in Bare – $12.00 – This Starlooks lip liner is actually a very nice quality and applies really nicely. The problem is the color is not for me at all! Bare is a muddy mauve that makes my lips look brown. Even layered it just did not work for me at all. I would have loved a different shade of this product, as this one I can’t use unfortunately.
Cailyn Line-Fix Gel Eyeliner in Purple – $21.00 – This gel eyeliner is a gorgeous plum shade and comes with the perfect size brush. I was very surprised on how easy it is to apply, and the purple shade is great for a more subdued look. I don’t wear eyeliner very often, but this is a nice alternative to a harsh black color. I’m glad to have this product, even though I won’t be using it often.
Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter – $18.00 – Last but not least is my favorite item this month, an eye highlighter pencil! I was actually about to buy one at the drugstore, but am so happy I got this high end one instead. It helps brighten up my eyes and make me look more awake. Best of all, it is so natural looking, and extremely blendable. It is the only eye makeup in addition to mascara that I wear daily!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $61.49

OVERALL OPINION: While I’m very happy with the Chella Highlighter, that is the only product in this month’s bag that I will be using on a regular basis. The Cailyn Eyeliner and NYX Blush are great to have, but the J.Cat Palette and Starlooks lipliner are virtually worthless to me. Even though the retail value of my June Ipsy was amazing, it really comes down to how I will use the products. I would have liked some more skincare items instead of all makeup to be honest!

RATING (1-5, 1 BEING WORST AND 5 BEING BEST): 3

Now onto my June Birchbox! This month’s theme is Wanderlust, and is all about summer traveling. This month Birchbox also revamped its website and program to include a profile that really understands what products you are looking to receive. Be sure to edit yours! Let me show you the goodies I got this month.

Sukí Face Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser – $2.05 – This tub is filled with an exfoliating cleanser that smells like delicious lemons! I’m excited to try it out, and I will probably get a week’s worth of uses out of this sample. The full size product is $32.95, so this is definitely a high end sample. I’m happy to try it out, but will not be repurchasing!
Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk – $5.96 – I was a bit disappointed to get another dry shampoo from Birchbox, as I am still using the one I got back in March. I’m happy to have this for when the other runs out, but upon a first test it isn’t as nice. I am not enjoying the scent one bit! I’m a bit neutral on this sample.
Color Club nail polish in Mod in Manhattan – $2.00 – I love getting a nail polish sample! This mini size is a great value, and I absolutely love it. You can see my full review of this nail polish HERE.
Laqa & Co Lil’ Lip Color in Lambchop – $8.00 – This fat lip pencil is a super bright pink that is very daring! I love the formula and application, but the shade is quite “out there” to wear on a regular basis. I would love to try this product in a more wearable shade, but I do love having Lambchop on hand. I’ve been wanting to try this brand for a long time!
Twistband Hair Tie – $2.33 – I love yoga hair ties, and this one is so cute! The nautical design is great for summer. These hair ties are definitely on the expensive side, so I am glad to get one in my Birchbox. For girls with thin hair like mine, these hair ties are a necessity!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $20.34

OVERALL OPINION: Even though the retail value of this box isn’t very high, I will definitely use all of these products. I wish the Laqa & Co lip color was more wearable, but everything else fits in to my daily makeup and skincare routine. This is definitely a huge improvement over last month! I hope things continue to get better!

RATING: 4

There you have it! My winner for the month of June is Birchbox! Overall, I am disappointed that Ipsy sent me only makeup products this month. If I had received skincare in addition to the highlighter, blush, and eyeliner, that would have made Ipsy the winner. For now, I will continue on with both programs, but if Ipsy doesn’t step it up in terms of products that fit my lifestyle, I will have to let it go. Let me know which program you liked better this month. You can join Ipsy HERE and Birchbox HERE. Stay tuned for more Subscription Sunday posts every week!

Some of the above links are affiliate links. Subscription boxes purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Ipsy v. Birchbox: Round Three! May 2013

Posted on May 19, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Sunday! It is round three of Ipsy v. Birchbox here at Adventures in Polishland. Even though Birchbox won the first two rounds (see Round One HERE and Round Two HERE), I felt that I needed at least three months of each subscription service to really test the waters for good. At $10 each, I am getting some great new products for an affordable price. I’ve already used up quite a few of the samples! This month I got some really nice products as well. Let me show you what was inside!

First up is my Ipsy Glam Bag! This month’s theme is Spring Fling, and I am just adoring the cosmetic bag we got this month. I love the bright chevron pattern, and it is a waterproof material that will be perfect for the summer months. I’m quite impressed with the quality of the bag as well — it feels nice and sturdy! Let me describe the products I got from left to right!

Juice Beauty Reflecting Lip Gloss in Champagne – $7.50 – Juice Beauty is a very popular brand in these subscriptions! This month I got a really pretty lip gloss in a nude color. I tried this out a few times, and I do like it. It is very sheer, and although it looks very glittery in the tube it doesn’t make my lips look like a disco ball. Instead, it has a nice shine. What I don’t like is the smell! It smells strange, but I think it is because it’s organic and has natural fragrances only. Also, though this is packaged like a full size lip gloss, it is exactly one half of the full size that Juice Beauty sells online. Nonetheless, this is a great sample with a great value!
Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment – $13.50 – I have been wanting to try some of the hair cair products from Macadamia, so I am beyond excited for this product! It smells divine, and I already see a big difference in my hair since I started using it. I apply the tiniest amount from my ears down after I get out of the shower, and my hair is much softer and less frizzy than usual. This sample size retails for $13.50, and will last me a while since a little bit goes a long way. I am so happy with this sample!
Zoya in Julie – $8 – This month each Ipsy subscriber got a full size nail polish from the Zoya Lovely collection. I got Julie, but unfortunately I already own the entire Lovely collection. While I do think it is great to get a full size polish in these subscription services, the Lovely collection came out back in December, and many nail polish aficionados already own the colors they want. Similarly, my bottle came a bit damaged, and I noticed that many other subscribers received damaged bottles as well. Part of my thinks Zoya sent Ipsy all of the bottles they didn’t want to sell themselves! I love the idea behind this polish, but I wish we got something from a newer collection that wasn’t damaged.
St. Tropez Instant Glow Body Lotion – $6.27 – Next up is a self-tanner body lotion. I’ve tried the one from Jergens before, and loved the results yet hated the smell. This one is just the opposite! There is no smell, yet the color is way too dark for my pale skin, and I wasn’t able to achieve a natural look. I think this is a great sample size, but unfortunately it didn’t work for me. I’m going to try it again once I have more of a natural tan.
Yaby Concealer Refill in Buff – $4.85 – I am also very excited for this concealer from Yaby, another brand that Ipsy seems to like a lot as well! I’ve been needing a new concealer, and I’m glad Ipsy sent me one that seems like the perfect shade for me! I know some subscribers received incorrect colors in their glam bag, but make sure you go to the Ipsy website to edit your profile. I can’t wait to use this concealer, and it will fit in the Glam RX palette I got back in March.

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $40.12

OVERALL OPINION: I’m very happy with my Ipsy glam bag this month! The value is great, and I got three products I will definitely use. Unfortunately I already had the nail polish, and the St. Tropez lotion isn’t really my thing. Other than that, I will get a lot of use out of the other products. I am most excited about the Macadamia hair treatment!

RATING (1-5, 1 BEING WORST & 5 BEING BEST): 4

Now onto my May Birchbox! This month there wasn’t really a theme, but each box came with a fun Mad Libs type activity. Fill in the Beauty Diaries phrase and tweet it to Birchbox, and you could win a full size product of everything in your box! See my Tweet HERE! Now I will tell you more about the products I got this month.

Amika Nourishing Mask – $1.60 – First up is a foil packet of a deep conditioner for hair. This mask is supposed to repair damaged hair with its special sea buckthorn berry ingredient. I will probably get 2-3 uses out of this packet, although it will be difficult to use in the shower. I would have liked different packaging to make this sample more user friendly. I also appreciate being able to try a high end hair product, but this packet just doesn’t excite me!
Runa Tea Bag Sample Box – $1.75 – My favorite product this month is a sampler box of four teas from Runa. I got four tea bags in these flavors: traditional, ginger-citrus, mint, and cinnamon-lemongrass. The tea bags smell amazing, and are supposed to have twice the antioxidants as green tea! It’s nice to get a little snack item in a beauty box. Even though the retail value isn’t high, I know I will be able to afford a box of the tea if I decide I like it and want more!
Sumita Color Contrast Eye Pencil in Suman – $5.25 – Each Birchbox subscriber got a mini Sumita eyeliner this month, and I luckily got it in a black color! I rarely wear eyeliner, but this one seems very nice. It is a very creamy consistency, and glides on easily. It is definitely smudge-proof as well. Even though I won’t use it often, this is a nice product to get in a box like this!
Coola Classic Sunscreen for Face – $4.32 – This tiny sunscreen sample from Coola was mostly empty when I got it, and exploded a bit when I opened it. Unfortunately there is not much for me to try! I admit it smells great, but I’m very disappointed with this sample. I cannot fathom spending $32 on the full size product. I understand that it is organic and high end, but that is quite a lot for sunscreen. I hope to get at least once use out of this tube.
Marvis Classic Mint Toothpaste – $1.40 – I’m not sure how I feel about getting a “luxury” toothpaste in my Birchbox. I will definitely use it up, of course, but I typically spend $1.40 or less on my regular toothpaste when it is on sale! I do love that this is an Italian import, since I am part Italian, but this is another product that I won’t be buying the full size of. The tube is great for travel, though, and it smells minty fresh!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $14.32

OVERALL OPINION: I am so disappointed this month! This is the first time Birchbox provided me with samples that can really only be used 1-2 times each with the exception of the eyeliner, and perhaps the toothpaste. My box was considerably lighter this month, and the retail value of these items really stinks. It’s always nice to try high end products that I can’t afford to buy regularly, but I wish I could get more out of them. These products won’t even last until next month’s Birchbox.

RATING: 2

There you have it! My winner for the month of May is Ipsy by a landslide! After being beat out by Birchbox for two months, Ipsy finally provided me with some great products. At this point I am going to give each subscription another go. I sure hope that this was just a fluke with Birchbox, since my last two months were amazing. I am still an undecided girl when it comes to which program is better! Which one do you like more?! If you have yet to join, you can sign up for Ipsy HERE and Birchbox HERE.

Some of the above links are affiliate links. Subscription boxes purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Ipsy v. Birchbox: Nail Polish Edition!

Posted on May 1, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! In the month of April, I received a nail polish in both my Ipsy Glam Bag and my Birchbox, so I thought it would be fun to compare the two and see which one I like best. You can see my full breakdown of April’s Ipsy and Birchbox HERE. It turns out the two polishes I received are actually in the same color family! Let me show you them both.

First up is Sation in Love at First Byte from my Ipsy Glam Bag. Love at First Byte is a sheer peach polish. I am wearing three coats in the photos above, and as you can see it is still not opaque. I typically don’t like sheer polishes that show the nail line, but this one was actually quite nice. It’s the perfect polish for when you want polished nails, but want something understated as well. Love at First Byte also had a great formula. If you like sheer polishes, this one is for you! It retails for around $5, and can be purchased on Amazon HERE.

Next is Peony from Ruby Wing, a peachy pink polish from my April Birchbox. I did have formula issues with Peony. It was quite streaky and patchy, and required three coats. This polish is also supposed to change colors when exposed to sunlight. Unfortunately, I didn’t experience any color change whatsoever when I exposed my nails to the sun. With all of that said, you may think that Peony is a complete dud. However, I’ve been wearing this polish for four days now, and I am really loving the color. I think it looks great with my skin tone, and is perfect for summer. Even though it wasn’t the perfect polish, I still think it was a great addition to my Birchbox. Ruby Wing Color Changing polishes have been spotted at Five Below stores for $3!

All in all, I’m quite happy to have received a nail polish in each of my monthly subscriptions. Neither polish stands out to me as a true winner of this matchup, since I like different qualities of each one. The Sation is a more professional look, while the Ruby Wing is a fun bright color. Let me know in the comments which one you like better!

Ipsy and Birchbox are monthly beauty subscriptions for $10 each. You can join Ipsy HERE and Birchbox HERE.

Some of the above links are affiliate and/or referral links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Ipsy v. Birchbox: Round Two! April 2013

Posted on April 20, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! I am back with round two of my battle of the beauty subscriptions now that I finally received my Birchbox in the mail! Unfortunately the post office held onto my box without delivering it for almost a week. Luckily it arrived safe and sound, and I am so excited to share this comparison post with you! Last month I reviewed both Ipsy and Birchbox for the first time, and Birchbox won the first round (all details HERE). Let me share with you what I got for April for each of these $10 subscription programs. Which one do you think will win this matchup?!

First up is Ipsy! This month’s theme was Pretty in Pink, and came in a cute white and pink cosmetics bag. My bag had a few small stains on it, so I emailed the company and they are going to send me a replacement. I’m definitely happy about that great customer service! I really do like this cosmetics bag, and I think this will be going in my school bag since it won’t take up a lot of room and can hold some lip balm, hand lotion, etc.

Now onto the products in my Ipsy Glam Bag! Last month I got five products, but this month I got four. I’ll describe everything in detail for you from left to right!

Be a Bombshell Blush in Sweet Cheeks – $16.00 – This blush is a beautiful and very pigmented pink! I think it will work well with many skin tones, but it does pack a lot of color so a little bit will do the trick. The packaging is adorable, but feels a bit flimsy. I am definitely excited to use this for a more polished look!
Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Nourishing Styling Treatment – $4.44 – At first I was excited to try what is marked a “healthy” hair treatment, and is even called soy renewal. However, after reviewing the ingredients on this product it seems to be full of chemicals, and has hardly any soy extract at all. I am definitely going to give it a try, and see if it manages my frizzy hair, but I wish it was actually as healthy as the packaging makes it sound!
Sation Nail Lacquer in Love At First Byte – $5.00 – I was thrilled to find a full size nail polish in my Ipsy bag! I’ve never tried Sation polishes before, so I can’t wait to use this gorgeous peach color. It does appear to be a sheer finish, but I won’t know for sure until I try it. Let me know if you’d like to see a review of this polish on my blog!
Mica Shimmer Powder in Earth – $11.96 – This is the only product in my bag that I don’t plan on using this month. While this is a gorgeous and shimmery eyeshadow, it is just not for me. I don’t wear eyeshadow very often, and the glitter in this is just too much for me. If you love eye makeup this would be perfect for you, though!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $37.40

OVERALL OPINION: I am definitely loving this month over last month! I plan on using everything but the Mica Shimmer Powder, and I love having full size products. I do wish that the Healthy Sexy Hair lived up to its name, but that’s not really an Ipsy problem. This month’s cosmetics pouch is quite cute as well!

RATING (1-5, 1 BEING WORST & 5 BEING BEST): 4

Now onto my April Birchbox! This month they teamed up with Women’s Health for the theme of Tiny Tweaks, Big Results. I had a feeling when I saw this cute packaging that there would be lots of good things inside. I cannot wait to share the contents!

Look at all of these goodies! I will get right into describing all of the contents from left to right.

One-Year Subscription to Women’s Health Magazine – $9.99 – This card was hiding at the bottom of my box, but I almost fell on the floor when I read it closely. Not only does this give me a one-year subscription to Women’s Health, but there is also an option to decline the subscription and get a $9.99 refund. That’s right — if I don’t want the magazine I can send this card in and get back $9.99! That is the price of my entire box! I haven’t decided if I want the magazine or the money yet, but this is an amazing value right off the bat!
Atelier Cologne in Ambre Nue – $2.80 – I love perfume samples, so even though they are not high in value, I like getting one in my monthly box! I like to change up my perfume, so samples are the perfect way to do that. This will be used up for sure!
Lierac Paris Concentré Mésolift Serum – $10 – I am excited to try this serum that is supposed to help hydrate skin, shrink pores, and fight off wrinkles. I just finished using a deluxe sample of another skin serum, so I’m happy to replace it with this one in my skin care routine! These serum samples last for weeks, and allow me to use luxury products that I would never be able to afford otherwise.
Number 4 Blow Dry Lotion – $10.67 – While I don’t blow dry my hair that often, this lotion is supposed to protect my hair from the heat and make sure it is smooth. I haven’t tried this yet, but it smells amazing and it looks like I can get a lot of use out of this sample. I will have to give this a try!
Ruby Wing Color Changing Nail Polish in Peony – $4.67 – I love that I have another nail polish! This time it is a mini size, but still a great value. I’ve never tried color changing nail polish before, but I cannot wait to use this one! I love the pink color. I think this will be great for summer!
Simple Revitalizing Eye Roll-On – $10.99 – This month I got this product as a Birchbox Find! As someone who has trouble getting up in the morning, and has very puffy eyes, this product is amazing! I already gave it a try and I am loving it so far. It feels amazing and is made for someone who has sensitive skin like me. As an added bonus, Birchbox added in a coupon for $1 off any Simple product. I love coupons and I will definitely use this one!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $49.12 + $1 Simple coupon

OVERALL OPINION: I could not be more thrilled with this month’s Birchbox. Not only is the value just under $50 for a box I paid $10 for, but I love all of the products and will make sure to use them all. Even though it arrived a bit late this month, I am so happy to have this Birchbox! Plus, I love that this website has a fabulous rewards system. For each product you review you get 10 points! Every 100 points is $10 to spend in their shop.

RATING: 5

There you have it! My winner for the month of April is Birchbox! Not only was the retail value for my Birchbox significantly higher than Ipsy, but I enjoy the Birchbox products more. Ipsy is definitely more focused on makeup, while Birchbox has a focus on skincare. Since I don’t wear too much makeup, Birchbox is more tailored to my lifestyle. I am going to give both of these subscriptions one more battle round, and if I am not impressed with Ipsy I will cancel. At this time, Birchbox is an amazing value! You can join Ipsy HERE and Birchbox HERE.

Let me know what you think of these subscription programs in the comments!