Benefit Sweet-n-Wow

I hauled this in my Macy's post yesterday, so I figured I'd give it a bit of spotlight time. Mainly because, well, I am in love with this.

This set is a Macy's exclusive right now and includes a full-sized box powder in Sugarbomb (arguably their most popular. Let's face it, all of Benefit's box powders are popular) and a deluxe sample of Posietint, which I've always wanted to try. Since a box powder is normally $28 and this set cost $29, I thought it was worth the extra buck to try another product.

 I hope Benefit comes out with another set like this, like Bella Bomba and Benetint or Dandelion and High Beam or Coralista and Cha Cha Tint. But anyways...

First off: Sugarbomb. This has four colors which you swirl together: a peach, a coral-pink, a light pink, and a dark plumy-mauve. They're all shimmery and when mixed together, create a gorgeous peachy-pink-bronze glow that adds a flush, highlights, and bronzes the skin. It's the perfect one-sweep product, and I love that.

I cannot stress enough that the camera does not do this color justice. It just looks so beautiful on the cheeks.

As for the Posietint, it's a bright, poppy-pink (hey, a company got a description right!) that looks awesome. I use this both on my cheeks and lips, and I think it is really nice to pair with Sugarbomb.

The staining of this product is quite lovely. It stains and stays without being stubborn in washing off. It's just perfect!

Which Benefit product is your favorite?
xoxo
Alyssa

Macy's Beauty Haul

I had a bit of money left on a gift card from Macy's that was given to me for my birthday (how great of a gift is that?) and I decided to splurge on some frivolous beauty products I had my eye on. Macy's beauty selection is fantastic, so I went ahead and made an online purchase.

I love when packages come in the mail. It took a lot for me to stop and snap this picture before I divulged. 

I ordered three things, but my set from Benefit was part of a promotion that included a free deluxe-sized sample of their POREfessional primer, which I like, so it will definitely get some use.

The Benefit set that I got is the Sweet-n-Wow kit, which includes a full sized Sugarbomb Box Powder and a deluxe sample of Posietint. Regular Benefit powders are $28 and the kit was $29, so I figured for an extra dollar I'd give Posietint a whirl. Benefit is probably my favorite makeup company, so these two products are ones I have been wanting to test out.

My camera decided to be temperamental today, but despite the shadows, the Essie nail polish in For the Twill of It actually looks pretty true to color. I saw this color on display at Walgreens and when I found out that Macy's sold the brand, it was in my basket immediately. It's a gray/purple/green metallic duo-chrome, and I am beyond excited to wear this as my first dark manicure of the season. As for the Laura Mercier Creme Brulle hand cream, well, anything that smells like/tastes like/named after/inspired by creme brulle is a major sell in my book, as it is my all-time favorite dessert (by a landslide). I was a bit nervous ordering this without smelling it first, since at $15 for a 2oz bottle the price tag is totally steep, but I was not disappointed. The perfume version will make an appearance on my Christmas list this year.

As with any beauty order from Macys.com, it came with a "goody bag" full of perfume samples. Not the best goody bag I've ever gotten, but not bad ;)

What was the last beauty product you have perfect?
xoxo
Alyssa 

Birchbox Unboxing: September 2013!

It's that time of the month again: Birchbox time! This little guy arrived on my doorstep this morning (actually in my mailbox, but you know how it is) and I was so excited I ripped it open on the spot.

This month's box is themed around Heritage and the stories behind companies in the beauty and fashion industry. It is based around the history that made brands and labels what they are today. It's also Birchbox's birthday month, so they included a little card that says that we (their subscribers) are their favorite beauty discovery of all.

I think my box was pretty well rounded this month. It contains some skincare, a little hair care, a bit of makeup, and a dash of nail polish: the recipe for a great beauty-subscription box. Most people who get these types of boxes want a little bit of everything, and I think some brands overlook that fact.

Upon first opening, the samples look very promising. A can of some sort?! Something in a box?! Is that a lip product tube?! Let's divulge.

My box for September included:

• Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Luminous Lip Gloss (Precious Petal)
• Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive
• Ruffian Nail Lacquer (Fox Hunt)
• Serge Normant Meta Luxe Hair Spray
• Beauty Extra: Egyptian Magic All-Purpose Skin Cream

The overall value ended up being roughly $31, which I was happy with! Honestly, as long as I'm getting more than I pay for I am very pleased, although I've seen/gotten some boxes that have been $50 and $60 values. You also get a voucher for a free travel sized Caudalie product with the purchase of a full-sized when you order on Birchbox's website. 

I'm satisfied with this box. I love the lip gloss, and I'm excited about everything except the Egyptian Magic cream. Foil packets DO NOT make me a happy camper. Anyone can go to a beauty counter and ask for a sample and receive the exact same thing for free. They are generally worthless and allow only one use, which isn't enough to get an accurate representation of how you feel about something. No more foil packets, Birchbox! It took away from an almost-perfect box.

Do you hate foil packets, too?

xoxo

Alyssa

Target Does it Again: Wallets!

I'm a huge fan of Target in terms of everything they sell: beauty, clothes, home decor, food, etc. In the past few years they've really become an iconic store, and they have squeezed their way to the top of my "favorite stores" list. Recently, I had found this wallet, and it has been my lifesaver.

My mom ended up buying it for herself when I passed on it, and then ended up passing it along to me after she switched to a different one. It's a purple continental wallet by the brand Merona. I've never had such a big wallet, but I've found it to keep me super organized.

I have this card case from Coach that I keep inside to hold my ID, debit card, and insurance card--just the basic necessities. If I'm switching to a tinier bag that can't fit my whole wallet for the day, I'll throw some cash in there as well and just take that. But day to day, I like having my whole wallet with me.

I also keep a lip balm in my wallet, so if I'm in a hurry to switch bags and forget to grab one, I'll always have one in here! Currently it's the Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil.

If you are looking for a nice wallet, I would check Target. The price points are wonderful (This was $14.99 but some are more and some are less!) and the quality has been really lovely so far.

Do you like big or small wallets?
xoxo
Alyssa

Forever 21 Bracelet Haul

I go back to school a week from today (shudder) so naturally, I've been doing quite a bit of back-to-school shopping. I walked into Forever 21 with the hopes of finding some new accessories, as they tend to be incredibly cute and very affordable. Well...my mistake. I came out with $30 worth of jewelry purchase (which, in Forever 21 can get you a lot) and 7/8 of my items were bracelets.

I've been searching for some girly/cute/quirky jewelry pieces lately. I really love that sort of style, and going back to school, I thought it would be a nice idea to add some more to my collection. While I love necklaces, rings, and earrings, bracelets are my favorite at the moment, and stacking them is a trend I adore.

I found a bangle ($2.80) and two cuff-style bracelets today (each $3.80). I saw the lightening bolt bangle and my first reaction was, "That reminds me of Harry Potter! I have to have it!" (I'm a major Harry Potter geek) and my second was "I've never seen a bangle like this!" It's quirky, fun, and just a tad edgy. I'm in love. As for the cuffs, I've seen arrow cuffs all over the internet, and I grabbed this when I saw it. Again, it's quirky and cute, but different enough that I don't have anything like it. Just like the other cuff, which is a key! I love keys, and this one was just too cute and girly to pass up.

The next two are chain bracelets, and when I saw these, I was in love. They will be great to stack or to wear on their own, and I haven't seen anything like them! The smiley face one was $2.80 and I got it half because it is just so adorable and half because I hope when I wear it it will remind me to keep smiling! The owl...well come on, how is that NOT girly/quirky/cute? I adore owls (although pandas are my all-time favorite animal) and there are a million and one owl necklaces on the market, but an owl bracelet is a bit different. Plus, at $3.80...why not? (Speaks the compulsive shopper) (I need help)

Dainty bracelets are something my collection seriously lacks, so these were a must. Both priced at $1.80, I think they will be great with more serious outfits. The heart one reminds me of my grandmother, who has dementia but in her prime was obsessed with hearts and showered me with clothes/jewelry/items that included them. The triangle one I just felt was classy yet trendy, and took an edgier style and toned it down a few notches to make it elegant.

And to finish this up, I bought some earrings! I'm obsessed with bows, and these earrings are just adorable! They were $3.80 for the set, and since I tend to shy away from dangly earrings for school, studs are a good investment.

Are you obsessed with Forever 21's jewelry section?
xoxo
Alyssa

My Latest Girly-Obsessions (September 2013)

I've been in kind of a rut with blogging lately, so I decided to type up a post on two things that have been love-at-first-sight items for me in the past two or three days. Both things are right up my alley, and I'm more than pleased with them in terms of purchases. They were well worth the money. 

These items are my new (and first) Alex and Ani bracelet and my Q&A Five-Year journal. I have been eyeing Alex and Ani for a few months now, but made my first purchase at a jeweler-chain in a local mall on Thursday. As for the journal, a girl whose beauty videos I watch on YouTube has this, and when she mentioned it, I began to lust. I told myself I was going to wait until the new year, but I've grown so impatient I thought I'd start it for the new school year. 

Sorry for my shadow!

Alex and Ani is a line of bangles that promote positive energy, and each one has a charm symbolizing something different. The brand does initials, zodiac signs, birthstones, and just random symbols that all stand for something uplifting and positive (for example, they have a compass that symbolizes moving in a new direction and being adventurous). I've wanted the Gemini one (in silver, which I wear most often in terms of hardware) as it is my zodiac sign, so while on a shopping trip where I was spending money more frivolously than normal, I went for it. 

Each bracelet includes a card that explains the significance behind the symbol, letter, or quote embellished on your bangle. You can look at the cards when you're buying them, which I really like, as you can find a meaning tailored to a goal you want to achieve or changes you want to make in your life. 

Next up: my journal. This is a Q&A A Day for Five Years journal, and the concept behind it is quite simple. Every day you turn to the page of the current date and answer the corresponding question. You do this every day, and when a year has passed, you do it over again in the next slot.When completed, it shows you how you've grown and changed (or haven't) over the course of five years. I think this is a great idea! I'm awful at keeping a diary, so this is an amazing alternative. 

For example, this is the question for May 20th: What is the craziest thing you've done for love? The questions vary greatly. Some you have to think about, others are easy. I'm so excited about this. 

You want to join in on my obsession?

Alex and Ani:

       General Website

       Gemini Bracelet

Q&A Journal:

        On Amazon

        Barnes and Noble

What's your latest girly obsessions?

xoxo

Alyssa