The Good Life VoxBox from Influenster

Well friends, I finally qualified for my first ever VoxBox from Influenster! :) 

First, a little about Influenster. 

"Influenster is a free-to-join community of invited trendsetters who live to give opinions of products and experiences. Influenster creates links between brands and members to reward participation and influence future products. "

Basically, you set up a profile & link your social media pages. Then, go through and answer surveys about your lifestyle & purchasing habits to unlock different 'badges.' You can review products, ask questions about things, answer other people's questions, and share pages of your favorite items! The more you do, the higher your score! It's actually super fun and if you meet the demographic requirements they're looking for, you can qualify for VoxBoxes. These are themed boxes that contain several items to try out & review!

If you're interested in signing up for Influenster, I do have a few invites left. Just comment below & I'll work on getting an invite sent out to you. It's actually kind of fun and it's a GREAT place to research products if you're looking for reviews. 

Anyway, the box I qualified is called "The Good Life" VoxBox. For now, I'm just going to show you what I received and as I try the products, I'll post individual reviews. 

"What is the good life? It's how we all want to live: our personal picture of happiness. But the goodness isn't in the daydream, it's in our actions - the everyday pursuit of health and happiness. At Influenster, we support you in your pursuit of the good life, which is why we've put together a box packed with products to help you on yoru way. Welcome to the Good Life VoxBox by Influenster!"

Informational card which lists the items enclosed, the price, a brief description, and the company's Facebook & Twitter information! 

UrgentRX Fast Powders

Credit card-sized packets of fast-acting flavored powder medication. No water. No waiting. Just Right-Now Relief. 

facebook.com/UrgentRX

@urgentRX

the Vitamin Shoppe Garcinia Cambogia

Check out the weight management product that's been getting all the buzz lately. Garcinia Cambogia is a fruit native to Southeast Asia, India, and West Africa, and may support appetite control. 

facebook.com/THEVITAMINSHOPPE

@VitaminShoppe

Nonni's THINaddictives

This chewy crunchy cookie loaded with cranberries and almonds is a satisfying treat you can feel good about. At only 100 calories, these 3 count packs fit the bill for any snacking occasion. 

facebook.com/THINaddictives

@thinaddictives

ZonePerfect Greek Yogurt Bars

Protein to help keep you in your zone and flavor to keep you happy while you're there. Now made with the creaminess of Greek yogurt. 

facebook.com/ZonePerfect

@ZonePerfect

New-Skin Liquid Bandage

Cover. Protect. Prevent. New Skin Liquid Bandage dries rapidly to form a tough protective cover that is antiseptic, flexible, waterproof, and lets skin breathe. 

facebook.com/newskinproducts

@NewSkinProducts

 Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.

REVIEW: Starlooks August 2013

This month's Starlooks box was a special edition that was curated by Natalie Corona, also known as SparklicityNo.6 on YouTube!

A little about Natalie...

"Natalie's love for makeup and fashion started as a teen, always playing with new products and trying the latest trends! Now she is a stay at home mom living in California who loves makeup and fashion! She created her YouTube channel about three years ago to connect with other makeup enthusiasts like herself and share her makeup favorites and failures through videos! Her channel has branched out into fitness and healthy living as well as makeup tutorials and product reviews. One of her favorite monthly subscriptions to review is our Starbox!"

'The full size Starlooks products I receive every month have been some of my makeup must haves! I'm so excited to share my signature products and hope you enjoy them as much as I do! Connect with me and see how I use these and other Starlooks products on my YouTube channel SparklicityNo.6.' - Natalie Corona

From her sneak peek video, it looks like the theme for this month was MERMAIDS. Super exciting. Let's take a look at the box!

First of all, the box was adorable. Blue with super shimmery silver writing! Saved in my 'box' stash for makeup storage immediately, of course. 

A first look inside. A few of the photos from this months LooksBook!

A little information on this month's products, and a little information on Starlooks' program! :)

This month, every StarBox included a prism as an extra. It looks like they varied quite a bit in shape and color. There's a small hole near the top for hanging, or whatever you decide to do with yours! I'm thinking about putting mine on my keys.

Ok, getting into the good stuff now! Here's a look at the products from this month inside the packaging. 

And voila! Look what we have here. Glitter Glam in 'Emerald' and Infinity Lip Colors in Eons & Endless.

Glitter Glam in 'Emerald.' With an intense sparkle, Starlooks' Glitter Glam is the perfect way to add even more 'bling' to any look! Try additing it to a loose powder, any eyeshadow, or even nail polish to easily create a one-of-akind look. No longer just a fantasy - with this product, you can finally add the 'Glisten of a Mermaid's Tail' effect to any makeup application! Available in nine stunning shades encompassing every reflective color of the spectrum! (Starlooks Retail: $17)

Infinity Lipsticks in "Eons" & "Endless." This kissable lipstick comes in various matte and frost finishes and provides up to 12 hours of wear without re-application! Most longwear lipsticks tend to dry out the lips, but Starlooks Infinity Lipstick stays moisturizing and smooth all day! And, because of the durable polymer added to the formula, it won't feather or bleed beyond your lip liner. Great for a bright, vibrant wear that won't budge! Dar to wear to the pool, the beach, or any water related activity - it's completely waterproof! (Starlooks Retail: $15)

Infinity Lipstick in "Endless." This is sort of a shimmy peachy with a satin finish. Goes on fairly sheer (see swatches below!). 

Infinity Lipstick in "Eons." A matte rose pink. 

SWATCHES! Infinity Lipsticks in Endless & Eons. Glitter Glam in Emerald. 

 I've been on a lip product kick lately, so I was psyched about getting two lipsticks. I especially love Eons! I thought the 'Glitter Glam' would be more of a shimmy eye shadow pigment, rather than just straight up glitter, but I like the ideas on the product information card and I think I'll try adding it to a nail polish or a teal eye shadow!

What did you all think of this month's Starbox? And, more importantly, what are you doing with your prism??

Deal of the Day: 15% off Tarte!

If you missed the Tarte Friends & Family Sale, here's another chance to pick up some of your favorite products! Take 20% off all Labor Day Weekend. :)

Deal of the Day: Zoya BOGO

*Terms and Conditions 
Available while supplies last. Valid online only at www.zoya.com through 8/25/13,11:59pm EST. Not valid in conjunction with other coupons, codes or promotions. Shipping & Handling fees apply. Continental US only. Free items will be those of equal or lesser value. Excludes Zoya Nail Treatments and Color Spoons. Art of Beauty is not responsible for incorrect addresses, credit card entry errors, web related issues or any errors associated with declined credit cards. Returns or exchanges of promotional items not permitted. Code must be entered at time of purchase. One code per account - code cannot be reinstated for canceled orders. Limit 6 free Zoya Nail Polish Colors. Please allow up to 4 weeks for processing if volume warrants it.

Sneak Peek: Julep September 2013

August 20th, 2013
Selection window is officially open! What will you choose this month from the Cityscape Collection?

Boho Glam

Tatiana: Golden burnt orange microglitter + Kristy: Midnight blue creme

Bombshell

Karmen: Golden crimson microglitter + Daria: Dark slate grey creme

Classic with a Twist

Padma: Royal plum creme + Florence: Classic camel creme

It Girl 

Catrina: Marigold yellow creme + Candace: Golden chocolate microglitter +Josephine: Deep teal grey creme

Modern Beauty

Bare Face Cleansing Oil

This lightweight, antioxidant-rich cleanser gently and thoroughly dissolves makeup, dirt, and excess oil without over-drying skin, then rinses clean with no oily residue. Recommended for all skin types.

Blank Canvas Mattifying Face Primer

Absorbs shine, locks in moisture for 24 hours, and creates a smooth, even canvas for foundation.

Featured Add-Ons

Reece:  purple holographic shimmer 

Konjac Sponge: All-natural sponge made from the fibrous root of the Japanese Konjac plant and enriched with skin-clarifying charcole. 

August 19th, 2013
Well, look what we have here! A Julep sneak peek! Admittedly, this month snuck up on me...I did not realize the selection window opens tomorrow already.



Also, Julep showed off a new look yesterday! Apparently their polishes will now come in little boxes and be called Julep Color Treat. Interesting!

Glamour Doll Eyes OTM August 2013

This month's OTM! :) One sucker is missing, because I couldn't resist!

Extra #1 for the month: Black Luna Nail Lacquer in Rapunz'l. Cream based medium purple with iridescent glitter and pearl like shimmer. Swatches pending, because of course I just did my nails before the mail came!

Extra #2 Miss Adoro lashes in #43. Love these! They remind me of dolls eyelashes. :) I was all set to put them on and then realized I have no lash glue...so that post is coming later!

And finally, this month's OTM, Suzy Q! Designed by Piper, GDE's sponsorship manager. Matte medium purple with multi colored shimmer! Primer recommended.

A quick look at what it looks like on the eyes! It's SUPER shimmery and lovely. Also definitely buildable if you want a more intense pop of color!

REVIEW: Birchbox August 2013

Hello lovelies! Time to share my August Birchbox!

Here's a quick peek at what I'll be sharing with you today. :) 

This month's theme was 'Finishing School,' which focuses on those final touches, specifically with your beauty routine! What's your 'finishing touch?' A spritz of your favorite perfume? Applying that perfect shade of red lipstick? A quick mist of setting spray?

This month's insert! Love this. It tells you what you're getting, how to use it, and, most importantly, how much the full size costs! 

KMS California FREESHAPE Hot Flex Spray. "Sometimes our relationship with hot tools seems to take cues from Sandy and Danny in Grease—we know those bad boys are trouble but we just can’t stay away. The good news is that there’s no need to swear them off cold turkey—all you need is a few spritzes of this hardworking thermal protection spray. It’ll keep your strands protected, allowing for complete styling flexibility until your next shampoo. It’ll keep your strand protected, and ensure that your hard-earned ‘do is locked in to place until your next shampoo."

I'll admit, I'm a little rough on my hair. I blow dry pretty much daily and I curl or straighten it pretty frequently. I tested this out a few times in the last few days and so far so good! It smells nice and leaves my hair soft and shiny. I can't vouch for how well it protects from heat yet, but I'm going to keep using it until I run out. 

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso. "We’re not exaggerating when we say this is the most long-lasting lipstick we’ve ever tried. We put it to the test and we’re happy to report that it didn’t stray or run even after our second cup of coffee and a messy Mexican lunch. The creamy formula glides on like a gloss yet has the staying power of a stain—all without drying out your lips. Take care when you apply because once it sets, it’s not budging!"

Let me first say that when they say 'Stay All Day,' they mean it. I literally put this one for probably two minutes just to see what it looked like and take a picture to stick on here. Went to take it off and NOPE. I had to scrub and use a bit of my face cleanser and it still didn't come off completely. But hey, that's a good thing! I feel like I could put this on before work and not even have to think about reapplying. I was a little nervous about the color in the tube, but it's seriously gorgeous and looks a lot different on the lips, at least I think so! It does dry matte and felt a little dry to me, but you could easily put a balm or gloss over the top and be fine. 

Whish Exfoliating Body Wash. "Whether your self-tanning efforts have gone terribly splotchy or you’re battling reoccurring dryness, consider this exfoliating scrub. The sulfate- and paraben-free body wash sloughs away dead skin cells for smooth, silky skin that’s ready for a faux glow. Bonus: The formula is gentle enough to use on your face."

I love Whish so much. Everything they make smells amazing. This one is no exception..it smells heavenly! I love to exfoliate my skin because I like that 'glow' my skin has afterwards. This one was great because the beads weren't too rough, but you could still feel it working. I do use tanning & bronzing lotions fairly often, so I'll be using this to exfoliate beforehand! :)

Whish Deodorant Swipes with Hair Inhibitor. "Unlike the average drugstore stick, this ace sweat fighter banishes B.O. and fits into our daintiest clutches. A must between underarm shaving sessions, Whish’s single-use wipes both tackle unpleasant odors and (bonus points!) slow down hair growth. Soaked in smoothing oat extract, they’ll quickly join the ranks of your can’t-live-without-them purse essentials."

Not sure why I never thought of this before. How convenient are deodorant WIPES? I always just throw a travel sized one in my bag for the gym, but these are great for the gym, going out, weddings, work, or whatever! The scent is a tiny bit strong, but they definitely do work well and they're super easy to apply. 

OC8 Professional Mattifying Gel. "To keep contestants’ faces shine-free under pressure (and scalding-hot stage lights), makeup artists for shows like American Idol and The Glee Project turn to this mattifying gel. The fast-drying formula creates an intermediate layer that absorbs grease for eight full hours. Use it to score a matte, shine-free look—with or without the help of makeup. Alcohol-free and oil-free, it’s safe for even acne-prone skin. Get ready for your close-up."

I was impressed by this gel, straight up. I always kind of see it as a challenge when a product has 'lasts ___ hours!' in the description, because I feel like it's almost never totally accurate. This did last a full eight hours on me. I was just at work, so it's not like I was out in the heat or working up a sweat, but I do normally have a slightly oily t-zone and it was totally matte for eight hours. Also, you only need a little bit of this stuff. One of these packets could probably last me a whole week.