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2017 Oh, Hello Stationery Co. Black Friday Sale + Gift Guide

Posted on November 20, 2017November 20, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share with you Black Friday Sale information and a Gift Guide for one of my favorite small businesses, Oh, Hello Stationery Co. I’ve purchased from this brand for over two years now, and I love supporting shop owners Kayla and Alex. Not only are all of their products designed by them, but the customer service is fantastic. I think it is really important to support small businesses, especially during the holiday season. Oh, Hello is the perfect place to grab a gift for everyone on your list, and on Black Friday you can get more bang for your buck!

This post contains affiliate links. All images are courtesy of Oh, Hello Stationery Co. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Black Friday Sale Information

Here is a run down of Oh, Hello’s Black Friday Sale. The sale runs from Friday, November 24, 2017, through Sunday, November 26, 2017, on the brand’s website HERE. If you make one of the first 100 orders, you can use the code EARLYBIRD to get 25% off the entire website, and you will also get a pack of freebie stickers. All other orders can use the code BLACKFRIDAY for 15% off throughout the weekend.

Gift Guide

Oh, Hello Stationery Co. is known for its planner stickers, but there are so many great gift options available. I’ve combed through the website and picked out my top ten favorites. Please keep in mind that I have not tried out all of these items personally, but after being a regular customer of Oh Hello’s over a long period of time I feel comfortable sharing these gift ideas with you!

1. Beauty and the Book Enamel Pins – $8.75 [BUY]

Enamel pins are extremely trendy right now, and they make amazing stocking stuffers. Oh, Hello offers a wide variety of adorable pins, but my favorite is the Beauty and the Book design. I keep mine on my bookshelf as a decoration, but it can be worn on a jacket, hat, backpack, or simply displayed on a bulletin board. If you have a friend who loves reading, this is an amazing gift!

2. Autumn Love Pencil Case – $12.95 [BUY]

I am a huge fan of the Oh, Hello pouches. I personally own a makeup bag (see my full review HERE), but I think the pencil cases are great for anyone! They are made of a neoprene material and are extremely sturdy. Plus, you can personalize each case at no additional cost. I love the Autumn Love design, but there are several cute patterns available.

3. Personalized World’s Greatest Mom Floral Mug – $16.97 [BUY]

Who doesn’t love getting a mug for Christmas? Pair it with some coffee or hot chocolate and you’ve created a wonderful, custom gift! I own an Oh, Hello mug and absolutely love it. Once again, there are a variety of styles from which to choose, but I think the World’s Greatest Mom design is very beautiful.

4. Doughnut Traveler’s Notebook Bundle – $18.95 [BUY]

Traveler’s Notebooks are all the rage right now, and Oh, Hello carries its own line in both the A6 and B6 sizes. I think this doughnut themed set makes a great gift. You can pair it with a pen or notebook cover as well!

5. Monthly Planner Sticker Subscription – Starts at $19.96 [BUY]

Picking out a gift for the planner lover in your life can be really difficult. Why not make things easy with a sticker subscription? Each month’s kit comes with a 7-sheet sticker kit, roll of washi tape, greeting card, and surprise bonus item. Each kit is beautiful and sure to make your planner buddy smile!

6. Greeting Card Sampler Pack – $24.99 [BUY]

A nice stationery set is always a wonderful gift. Oh, Hello creates fun and witty cards that they hand-cut and print themselves. This 12-piece set includes a variety of cards for events throughout the year.

7. Washi Tape Grab Bag – $5.97 [BUY]

If you have a friend that loves washi tape, a grab bag is the way to go! Each grab bag comes with 4-5 random rolls of washi that is amazing quality. I’ve used several rolls of Oh, Hello washi and highly recommend it. The designs are always beautiful!

8. Customizable Navy Whimsical Floral Planner Case – $24.95 [BUY]

If you have a friend that is always on the go, a planner case is a great gift option. Each planner case is made with the same neoprene material as the pencil case. They measure 12″ x 9.5″ and fit an Erin Condren planner with room to spare. There are many designs available, but my favorite is this floral pattern. You can also get the case personalized for no extra charge.

9. Customizable Row of Books Clipboard – $17.75 [BUY]

Looking for a unique teacher gift? Grab a customizable clipboard! Not only does this keep paperwork in check, but it doubles as a dry erase board! I’m in love with this Row of Books design since I love reading.

10. Shoot for the Stars Coin Purse – $5.95 [BUY]

Last but not least is this adorable coin purse! This reminds me of the pouch I used to carry around in college for my dorm keys and student ID. It measures 5″ x 3″ x 1/8″ and has a heavy duty zipper. The coin purse makes an excellent stocking stuffer, and you can even slip a gift card inside as an added treat!

That wraps up my 2017 Gift Guide for Oh, Hello Stationery Co.! I hope this introduced you to a new small business, or helped give you holiday shopping inspiration. If you miss the Black Friday Sale, you can use my coupon code POLISH15 for 15% off any order at any time.

What is your favorite Oh, Hello product? Let me know in the comments!

Book of the Month Club | January 2017 | Unboxing & Review

Posted on January 23, 2017January 21, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share with you a new-to-me subscription box that I recently purchased. I’ve been eyeing up Book of the Month Club for a long time now, and finally decided to buy a subscription because of the amazing promotion the club is running in January. If you are a fellow reader, I definitely think this subscription will interest you. I made an unboxing video so you can see how my first box arrived, and I will also share my review of the service as well!

Book of the Month (hereinafter “BOTM”) is a monthly subscription service for books. There are a few different plans from which to choose, but I went with the 3-month subscription for $29.97, or $9.99 per month. This 3-month subscription also comes with a free tote bag that is a $20 retail value! Each month there are five books chosen from the BOTM judges, and you get to choose one book for your subscription. I really like that you pick the book you like best – you never have to worry about getting stuck with a book you won’t enjoy! In fact, if you don’t like any of the selections in a particular month, you are free to skip that month’s box without getting charged. Your subscription will roll over into the next month!

I decided to choose Girls in the Moon by Janet McNally for my January selection. This is a young adult book, and because I am primarily a YA reader, I thought this would be a great first pick. My book came with a sturdy bookmark that has a quick blurb about the book from the judge who selected it. I think I will really enjoy this book based on the blurb!

As I mentioned above, BOTM ran a promotion in January where everyone got a free copy of The Grownup by Gillian Flynn. I absolutely loved Gone Girl, and I’ve been wanting to read more from Flynn, so this was a great incentive for me to finally sign up for this service. I highly recommend signing up before the month is over if you also want this great freebie!

Another great thing about BOTM is you can choose to add two books to each month’s box for just $9.99 each. You get a choice from any of the past BOTM selections, so long as they are still in stock, and some other books, too. I’ve wanted to read The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon ever since it was released, so I decided to add it to my box. I’m so excited to get to this one in particular!

BOTM JANUARY SAVINGS

Whenever I purchase a subscription box, I’m very interested in the monetary value of the products, and whether I am saving money. I decided to crunch the numbers in several ways to determine my savings!

What I Paid: $19.98 ($9.99 January Selection + 9.99 Additional Book)

Retail Value: $66.97 or 70% off ($9.99 The Grownup + 17.99 Girls in the Moon + 18.99 The Sun is Also a Star + 20.00 Tote Bag)

Retail Value of the Books Only: $46.97 or 47% off

Amazon Value of the Books Only: $28.68 or 30% off ($5.99 The Grownup + 11.32 Girls in the Moon + 11.36 The Sun is Also a Star)

Amazon Value of Girls in the Moon + The Sun is Also a Star: $22.68 or 12% off

Thus, no matter how I crunch the numbers, I saved money by purchasing these books through BOTM Club! If you are a reader who loves to check out new releases and own your books in hardcover, I think this is an amazing option. I am so happy with my first box, and I am excited to see what the February selections are going to be. If you would like to get a free copy of The Grownup by Gillian Flynn, make sure you sign up in January! Please use my referral link HERE when you join.

Are you a Book of the Month Club member?

Let me know which book you chose for January in the comments!

This post includes affiliate links. Book of the Month Club Subscription purchased by me. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Dollar Shave Club Unboxing & Review | The Humble Twin

Posted on December 8, 2016December 6, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today I’m excited to share an unboxing and review of Dollar Shave Club. I decided to sign up for this subscription service a few weeks ago after hearing great things from friends and family members. Not only was I on the hunt for vegan razors, but I was sick of paying big bucks for razors at the drugstore. I also discovered that many brands charge more for women’s razors even though they are exactly the same as men’s, just with a different packaging design (some info on that HERE). How outrageous is that?! It was time to dump my old blades and go for something new.

Dollar Shave Club is a monthly subscription service where you receive razors directly to your door for one low price. I’ve been interested in the service for a while, but decided to sign up once I saw that the brand is vegan with the exception of a few products disclosed on the brand’s website. In addition, you can try your first month for just $1.00, so now is a great time to try out the service! You can sign up using my referral link HERE.

The first item in my welcome box is a helpful brochure. One thing I really appreciate about Dollar Shave Club is how user friendly the service is. When you sign up to the subscription you choose from one of three blades: The Humble Twin, The 4X, and The Executive. Then you can decide to add on other products such as shave creams, shampoos, and more. This brochure explains the entire process and includes graphics to make it even easier to understand!

Right beneath the brochure is my blade handle and the pack of blades. I’ll show you a closer look at each in turn, and share my thoughts on the razor so far.

I decided to go with The Humble Twin, which is a basic razor with two stainless steel blades. I decided to start out with the cheapest and most basic razor to see how it works. I figured there was no reason to spend more money if this simple razor would work for me! The Humble Twin is $3.00 total per month ($1.00 + $2.00 shipping). Here is what the handle for The Humble Twin looks like. It is a simple blue with silver accents, and has a rubber grip.

The Humble Twin comes with five blade refills every month so you can get a fresh shave every week. I love how simple this twin blade is, and I’m very happy to report that it works very well. I was using a razor with three blades prior to this one, and I can safely say The Humble Twin is more effective. It glides over the skin easily and removes all the hair close to the root. I haven’t had any issues with cuts or razor burn since using this razor. The only downfall is that the blade definitely wears out after one week’s use. Thus, you must change the blade every week – don’t try to make the blade last longer.

The last item in my welcome box is a sample of the Shave Butter. I used this product and I have to say I’m very unhappy with it. Normally I shave in the shower using my shower gel or soap as a shaving cream alternative and I never have any problems. When I used the Shave Butter, my razor did not glide well over the skin and it felt quite abrasive. I definitely do not recommend this product.

That being said, I am extremely happy with Dollar Shave Club’s service and The Humble Twin razor. I think this is a great way to save on razors and get an excellent shave without having to hunt for bargains at the drugstore. While Dollar Shave Club is primarily marketed towards men, there is absolutely no reason women can’t use these products as well. I’m so happy I finally signed up, and I’ll be sure to share what future boxes from the club look like! Don’t forget you can get your first month for just $1.00 by using my referral link HERE.

Are you signed up to Dollar Shave Club? Let me know in the comments!

The Pumpkin Batch Unboxing | Wicked Good Pumpkin for October 2015

Posted on November 10, 2015November 4, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! It’s no secret that I am a huge pumpkin lover, so when I heard about The Pumpkin Batch I couldn’t believe such amazingness existed. The Pumpkin Batch is a monthly subscription box that features all pumpkin goodies. That’s right, this box is filled with 4-6 items that feature pumpkin in some way. I was lucky enough to receive the October box for review, and am excited to share it with you today. Make sure you stay tuned to the end of this blog post, as I have a coupon code for all of you!

I filmed an unboxing video so you can see how The Pumpkin Batch arrives, and all of the goodies in person. I will also have photos and more information of each individual product below for you.

As I mentioned in the unboxing video, The Pumpkin Batch includes items that are made in America. I love learning about new-to-me small businesses, and I think it’s amazing that The Pumpkin Batch does all the work in finding them for me. Let’s take a closer look at each product in the Wicked Good Pumpkin box!

Puurbody Flickering Wick Pumpkin Spice Soy Candle – $6 [BUY]

I’m not a candle person, but this one smells absolutely divine. I have it sitting in my bedroom, and even though it’s not lit I can smell it faintly in the background. This candle makes an excellent gift, and I love that it is made of 100% pure soy wax with no additives. I can tell this is a handmade item because the wax is a bit messy on the top of the jar, but because I’m keeping this for myself I don’t mind it one bit.

Wicked Whoopie Pumpkin Whoopie Pie – $3 [BUY]

I shared this whoopie pie with my mom because she is a whoopie pie aficionado. She said it was really delicious, and almost as good as the fresh bakeries in our community. I love that The Pumpkin Batch includes a fresh baked good in each box, but this one did contain a very long ingredients list with preservatives. It was also a huge splurge calorie-wise. Nonetheless, it is definitely a yummy treat!

Ravens Creek Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub – $12 [BUY]

I am so excited about this sugar scrub! Not only does it smell amazing, but I use sugar scrubs in my regular skincare routine so I know I will get use out of this. This is the one product I haven’t tried yet, simply because I just opened another scrub in the shower. I will be sure to report back and let you know my thoughts on it!

The Poisoned Applies Handmade Pumpkin Caramel – $7 [BUY]

Okay, it’s time to let you know about my favorite treat in the box! I cannot stress to you how delicious these caramels were! I may have accidentally eaten both in one sitting (oops). I don’t recommend you do that, though – they are so rich! While these are a bit expensive to buy normally, I highly recommend them as a special treat or gift. I’m still dreaming about them!

Kraken & Claw Kraken Corn in Harvest Brew – $5 [BUY]

The last item in the October box is this delicious popcorn. I also really, really enjoyed this! I’m a popcorn fan, so this made a great nighttime treat. This would also make an awesome gift during the holidays! I am going to have to browse through the Kraken & Claw shop to see what else they offer!

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOX + SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS

Overall, I really enjoyed the October box from The Pumpkin Batch! While this is not a box I would get all year round, I think it makes an amazing fall time treat. There are three different subscription options for The Pumpkin Batch. A monthly subscription is $29.99 per month, but you can save money with a longer commitment. A three-month subscription is $26.99 per month, and a full year is $24.99 per month. You can also give The Pumpkin Batch as a gift, which I highly recommend for the pumpkin lover in your life this holiday season! One gift box is $34.99, and a yearly gift is $299.99.

The Pumpkin Batch has provided all of you with a coupon code for 15% off your first box in any monthly or quarterly subscription. Enter polishpumpkin15 at checkout HERE. This coupon expires on November 30, 2015, so make sure you act fast if you want to save!

What do you think of The Pumpkin Batch? Let me know in the comments!

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The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Pipsticks Sticker Subscription | Unboxing + Coupon Code

Posted on September 12, 2015September 2, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I am excited to share with you a new sticker subscription service called Pipsticks. This service sends a bundle of stickers and other stationary supplies to your door every month for just $15. As you may know, I absolutely love to decorate my Erin Condren Life Planner with stickers. Plus, I like to send out snail my to my family and friends, and I always include some stickers on the envelope. I reached out to Pipsticks and the brand graciously sent me a welcome kit to review, and is also providing a coupon code for all of you! Let me show you what to expect in a Pipsticks Subscription!

ABOUT PIPSTICKS

Pipsticks is a monthly sticker subscription with three different plans. The Kids Club and Pro Club (for adults) are each $15, and the Family Club is $35, and includes three times the amount of goodies as the Kids Club. I got a Pro Club kit to review, which comes with at least 15 sticker sheets, a quote card, a stamped postcard, and other goodies. The stickers are curated from all over the world, and I love that Pipsticks does not include character stickers. In other words, you won’t receive Disney stickers or Minion stickers. I think that is a really smart business move, because you always know that Pipsticks is including unique stickers!

UNBOXING

Let’s take another look at everything inside my Pipsticks subscription! I’ll talk a bit more about what I’m loving, what I’m not sure about, and how I plan on using the stickers. First are the stationary products: the quote card, stamped postcard, and vintage inspired postcard. I love how versatile these items are, and I think it’s amazing that the postcard comes in every kit. That way you can design a new postcard every month, and send it to a different family member or friend!

Next up are the vintage inspired stickers. I absolutely love these two sheets! Each one would be great for a weekly planner layout in my Erin Condren. I am already envisioning the washi tape and color palette I would use! The quality on all of the stickers in this kit is beyond excellent as well.

The next batch of stickers I would label fun and trendy. I’m not really loving the sheet of faces on the left, but I think the emoticons and popsicles are awesome! In addition, the Polaroid Deco Stickers are great for decorating photos, coloring in, and more. I really like how Pipsticks has such a variety!

Speaking of variety, I think these kawaii stickers are beyond cute! The full sheet will work really well in my planner, and the ‘Don’t Forget’ sticker is perfect! I’m not sure how to use the little faces yet, but they are great for journaling or scrapbooks. While I don’t use 3-D stickers often, I’m excited to discover a new creative way to do so!

Of course, the kit also includes some functional stickers, which are some of my favorites. I would love to see Pipsticks include more functional stickers in the future, but the ones I received are definitely great. The stars are perfect for highlighting important events, and the small ones can be used as bullet points. I know I’ll be using all of these in my planner!

Last but not least are these little samples of Russian nesting dolls! I love these, too! They are so cute and colorful. I use small stickers of this size to seal envelopes all the time. The little bear is especially adorable.

FINAL THOUGHTS & COUPON CODE

All in all, I’m really impressed with Pipsticks and I think it is a great value for the money. If you love stickers and stationary, this is an affordable way to receive a bunch of goodies in the mail every month. Many Etsy shops put out monthly subscriptions or kits for the same price, but you receive a lot less stickers. With Pipsticks you are still supporting a small business, but you are getting a better value. Of course, I still love Etsy shops, but if you are really on a tight budget, I think this is a great option. Pipsticks is also providing all of you with a 15% off coupon code! Use code POLISH15 at checkout. If you’re in the United Stated, shipping is included, but international subscribers will need to pay an additional shipping fee. Nonetheless, I hope you will consider trying out Pipsticks! I think it’s a ton of fun!

FIND PIPSTICKS

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The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

#PolishlandPresents | My Birchbox Gift List

Posted on November 24, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

All images used in this blog post are courtesy of Birchbox. Please visit the direct product links to see the original source.

Happy Monday! Welcome to the next installment of #PolishlandPresents! As you can guess by the title of this post, today I’ll be sharing with you the ten items on Birchbox’s website that I think are the perfect gift items this holiday season. I’ve gone through the website from top to bottom so you don’t have to spend time searching through all of the products. I absolutely love shopping on the Birchbox website because of the Birchbox Points program. With every purchase, you earn points that you can redeem for money off. For every 100 points, you get $10 off and there is no limit for how many points you can earn and redeem. Birchbox also has great coupons and add-ons, so you are always getting the most for your money. Let me go ahead and show you my ten present picks!

ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick Trio

$20.00 [BUY] [REVIEW]

I absolutely love this lipstick range from ModelCo, and Birchbox offers two exclusive trios for an amazing price. If you have a lipstick aficionado to shop for, I highly recommend one of these sets. They make the perfect stocking stuffer. Either give all three to the same person, or break up the trio for different people. Pair the lipstick with a gloss or liner that you think matches, or even match it up with a complimenting nail polish. Plus, if you’re love one of the lipsticks, keep it for yourself!

Laura Geller Beauty for the Love of Baked Value Set

$39.00 [BUY]

I couldn’t believe the amazing price tag on this Laura Geller set that is also a Birchbox exclusive! Six products for under $40? Talk about a steal! I own the Retractable Baked Powder Brush that comes with this kit and I really love it. I would highly recommend it for beauty lovers. This set comes in four shades, and will make any makeup junkie super happy!

POP Beauty POP Portfolio Eyeshadow Palette

$26.00 [BUY]

Buying eyeshadow for the makeup lover in your life can be difficult, but this palette offers a full range of colors so you know some are sure to please! I’ve heard great things about POP Beauty eyeshadows, and they are really affordable. To get a full palette for under $30 is amazing!

Color Club Gala’s Gems Collection

Color Club Gala's Gems Collection $13.00 [BUY] [REVIEW]

I really love the Gala’s Gems Collection from Color Club, and I think it makes a great gift set for nail polish aficionados. The colors are perfect for the winter, and they have great formulas. Plus, this box is small enough to be a stocking stuffer or you can pair it with other manicure essentials for a larger gift.

Kikkerland Wooden Whale Nail Brush

Kikkerland Wooden Whale Nail Brush $12.00 [BUY]

How cute is this nail brush?! Talk about the perfect stocking stuffer! This is such a fun item for those who love to do at home manicures. I can almost guarantee your friends won’t already own something like this either! Kikkerland is such a quirky brand, but they’ve definitely created something practical at the same time.

Toca Crema Quintette Collection

Tocca Crema Quintette Collection $32.00 [BUY]

Hand creams are a gift item I reach for every year. I love buying boxed value sets like this one to split up and give to my friends and family. Plus, you can keep one for yourself! This luxurious lotion smells divine and would be a great pair with the Whale Nail Brush or Gala’s Gems set! Of course, you can gift the entire box set to one person if they love hand creams.

Verloop Rothko Touchscreen Gloves

Verloop Rothko Touchscreen Gloves $29.00 [BUY]

In the modern day technology society we live in, touchscreen gloves are a MUST for all of us in cold weather climates! I wear mine all the time! Birchbox offers these nice Verloop gloves in six different colors. Get a pair for everyone on your list and wrap an iTunes gift card up with it. They’ll think of you every time they use their phone!

Wild & Wolf Scrabble Tile Mug

Wild & Wolf Scrabble Tile Mug $11.50 [BUY]

I adore this Scrabble mug! It’s perfect for board game buffs, and it’s very hipster. If you have a friend who loves coffee or tea, wrap these items up together and you’ve got an awesome present. If you’re feeling crafty, you can also make some Scrabble Coasters to match!

Chambre de Sucre Macaron Limoge Trinket Boxes

$13.95 [BUY]

How cute is this macaron box?! I think it is so adorable, and would look nice on a vanity or desk. Place a pair of earrings inside, or even some cash, and you’ve got a sweet gift. These boxes come in four pastel shades, so buy one or more for a holiday treat.

Birchbox Subscription

with-100-000-subscribers-birchbox-launches-grooming-kit-subscriptions-for-men-dd550876dc — Image Courtesy of Mashable

$30-110 [BUY]

Of course, the gift of the Birchbox subscription is also a great way to go. Choose from 3, 6, or 12 month options. You can even get a Birchbox Man subscription for the guys in your life! This is a great option if you’re not sure what to get someone, but you don’t think a gift card is a good idea. I personally would love this gift!

That’s it for today’s #PolishlandPresents post! I hope you found my Birchbox Gift List helpful! Birchbox offers so many amazing deals all year round, and the site is constantly expanding to offer more goodies. Be sure to check it out, and stay tuned for more gift guides in my #PolishlandPresents series!

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.

My March Julep Maven Box!

Posted on March 27, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I finally have a review of my March Julep Maven Box, just making it in before the month is over! This month Julep had some technical difficulties, and for some reason my box got missed during the original shipment. Luckily Julep emailed me to let me know of their mistake, and I got my box in the middle of the month. I decided to go for the It Girl box this month, and received three beautiful spring shades. Let me show you what was inside my box!

This month the theme was pastels, and each maven got a bonus strawberry mint lip balm in her box. I love lip balms, and was happy to get that as a bonus! I’m also loving all of the polishes this month!

First up is Teri, a gorgeous peach creme that leans towards coral. Teri is opaque in two coats and has a good formula that is a bit on the thick side. This polish is a little streaky, but the color is so gorgeous that I don’t mind. Teri is perfect for spring! I put this on as soon as I opened my box this month and got a few compliments on it at school!

Next up is Simone, a pastel lilac that leans towards pink. Simone is also opaque in two coats, and has an amazing formula! My one disappointment is that the blue shimmer effect that is prominent in the bottle is very subtle on the nail. Nonetheless, Simone is beautiful and a great color for all skin tones.

Last but not least is Shenae, a shimmery mint green polish. Shenae is opaque in two coats and the formula is great! I had no problems whatsoever with application. As you know, I love mint greens, and this is the first I’ve tried with shimmer. This is an all-around great polish, and the color is just stunning! Shenae is definitely on trend for spring.

All in all, I’m very pleased with my March Julep Maven Box! Each polish is beautiful, and the formulas are amazing for the most part. If you would like to join the Julep Maven program and get a box of polish and other goodies each month, you can sign up HERE! Your first box is free with code FREEBOX at checkout, you just pay shipping. The best part is you can skip your box each month if you don’t like the colors, or if you don’t have room in your budget. You can also cancel at any time. Let me know what you think of my March box!

New Subscription Service: Nail Art Society!

Posted on February 14, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Valentine’s Day! Today I have an exciting post reviewing the new monthly subscription service Nail Art Society! Similar to Julep, Nail Art Society will send you a package each month for $19.95. Inside you will find nail polish and other nail art tools that you need to create a complete manicure. If you are just getting into nail art, this is definitely the program for you. Stick around because at the end of this post I’ll let you know how to lock in your membership for just $9.95 each month!

Here is everything that came in my first Nail Art Society bag. In the first photo, from left to right, is a Cherimoya Nailed It Nail Art Pen in Black, Layla Magneffect in Turquoise Wave, a container of Swarovski crystals, and tweezers from Stella Beauty Products. There is also a card that gives you step by step instructions on how to use all of the products for the month. The second picture just highlights the other literature in the bag. On the left is detailed instructions from Layla about applying the magnetic nail polish, and on the right is a card showcasing the current nail art trends. Let me show you the manicure I created with all of these goodies!

I decided to follow the manicure idea that Nail Art Society provided subscribers with this month. First, I started off with the magnetic polish from Layla in Turquoise Wave. I was very impressed with this polish. I’ve tried one other magnetic from this line, but Turquoise Wave was much more user friendly! It is a gorgeous light, metallic blue when you first apply it, but with the magnetic effect it adds a dark dimension. The easiest way to apply this polish to to first paint one coat on all of your nails like you would normally do. Then, add a thick coat of polish to one nail and quickly turn around the brush to hold the magnet right above the nail for a few seconds. If you work quickly you will get a great result!

To complete my manicure, I used the Cherimoya Nail Art Pen to create a tiger pattern on my ring finger. Then I used the tweezers to place some of the crystals on my pointer finger in a vertical stripe. To do so, layer a think coat of top coat on your nail, and then carefully press the crystals down firmly. Follow up with another layer of top coat to finish the look!

What do you think of my manicure? It is definitely funky! I’m not sure that I would wear this every day, but it was fun to try out the look and learn some new nail art techniques. Plus, I think it is great that Nail Art Society shows you how to create a complete manicure using all of the tools they give you in the bag each month. I do wish they had included the value of everything in the bag, because when I tried to research the price of some of the products I didn’t have much luck. I do know that Layla Magneffects sell for around $15, so that’s a great value on its own!

If you like what you see, make sure to sign up for the Nail Art Society program! You can lock in your membership for $9.95 each month by using the promo code PUREICE when you sign up. I am not aware of the coupon’s expiration date, so be sure to use it before it’s too late! Simply click HERE to join!

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.