Play! by Sephora: November

Woo getting something up before the month ends!!
*so much progress*

Anyhow, this month's theme was "Best in Glow," which i was super excited for, cuz doesn't that sound like highlighters?? it did to me.

it wasn't highlighters. BUT it was a fun box as it had all things i hadn't tried before, so that's always fun for me. I'm actually pretty familiar with all of these brands too, so it felt like a nice box to play with, and I've also been having a lot of fun going to these Play Dates at Sephora, so definitely going to keep that up as well.

also still obsessed with these little sheets. i don't think that's going to change.

So diving right in here, I'm going to start with the fragrance as i absolutely hated it.

Maison Margiela 'Replica' Lipstick On:
I like crisp, fruity, citrus, or woodsy scents, and this was more patchouli than anything else.  It's supposed to have notes of rice powder and evoke a femininity akin to that moment of putting lipstick on (hence, 'Lipstick On'), but it did not work for me at all. This is kind of a good thing since i've already been drawn in to buying more perfumes from Atelier thanks to these boxes, and while this one is supposed to have middle notes of orange blossom, that's still too much floral for my taste. I do however like this is a building fragrance, as the description on the sheet also talks about how layering this brand's 'fragrance filters' can give a whole different feel. but i'm almost too lazy to put on one perfume, let alone two. Also my coworker sprayed this on my desk, and it was awful- i had such a headache i never want to smell it again -_-
0/1

wearing the primer, eyeshadow stick, and lip gel, moisturizer underneath and mask the night before

Cover FX Illuminating Primer:
I like that this isn't a straight up sparkly primer like so many 'illuminating' ones are, and this also has a nice tint to it that I was fond of. This also felt decently moisturizing and liquidy than most primers i've used, making it really nice and smooth to put on and blend in. I didn't however feel like it really filled in my huge pores, which is basically my whole reason for wearing a primer, but it is extremely light and can be worn alone fora very natural 'inner-glow' look for when you don't want to wear makeup. Not really for me, but i can definitely see its perks and makes me want to explore this brand further.
0/2, just cuz this doesn't appeal to me personally.

Sephora Collection Ultra Shine Lip Gel in Pin Up Pink:
I'm really not a lipgloss kind of girl, but this wasn't bad. Sephora has a pretty solid in-house brand, so this really holds up. Being a gel and not a gloss, the color doesn't really collect in any one place, which is one of my biggest hangups about gloss, and the applicator is a very interesting shape that i wasn't upset about. I actually kind of even liked it. This also went really nice over one of my liquid lipstick topcoats, and gave a nice depth. i know this is supposed to have a plumping effect but i didn't really experience that. Overall though, I'm not certain I'd buy this, but it was fun to use and i'm not complaining.
edit: def getting one in the Black Friday sale....
1/3

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Rose Gold:
This is super subtle and easy to use, goes on easily and i really don't mind it as an eyeshadow base, or even alone for some subtle look. Plus I'm super pale anyway so this might show up brighter on darker skin. It is subtle enough to wear as highlighter, but maybe a little too bronzy for that to work on me as well, but i am interested in trying other colors for sure. It doesn't crease! so win.
2/4

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet:
I've been really enjoying the eye cream from this brand a few boxes ago, so no problems trying something else from them. And i like the whole using strengths from wine, but I am kind of tired of getting a new moisturizer in every box. I really feel like at this point I've found what I like and what works for my skin, and you kind of don't need 100 different moisturizers at some point. It's very light however, dry, goes on easy, but definitely isn't heavy–it's somewhat structured, and a little goes a long way without feeling greasy at all. While I'm not stoked on getting another moisturizer, I really like this and don't mind it as a touch up for post-spot treatment dryness.
3/5

GlamGlow Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment:
I recently bought the GravityMud Firming Treatment so have been enjoying the brand quite a bit, but i also got this same mask as a free gift for buying said mask. So not super thrilled to see this, however it is pretty snazzy to get something that retails for $22 in the exact same size. I have pretty healthy skin, so no real need for a super moisturizing mask, but it's always good to moisturize after a shower, so this is like a post-shower mask instead of a pre-one (i like to use like clay masks beforehand and wash it off in the shower). This is an interesting mask, as it's pretty sheer and not super thick, but also tingles while on your skin, feeling almost like a pepperminty sensation. I still will stick to my GravityMud however as my skin concerns really aren't moisture-related.
3/6

I really appreciated trying new things with this box, and it's all decent branded items, so I'm still down to continue with this subscription. Just because some items aren't for me, doesn't mean they're not good products. I do wish these items were more full-size or closer to that, as this is almost like paying for the freebies you can get with orders, but this really isn't bad, and i'm also changing my settings to say i have oily skin, so hopefully I'll stop getting so many moisture-heavy products, so we'll see what happens!
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LBCC 2016!

Omg so many cons, so much work, everything's been so hectic, it's been like an entire month since LBCC and i'm just getting around to this -_- I'll add punctuality to the list of things to work on. but now i have snazzy pix to add! so whatevs ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

This was my first round at Long Beach Comic Con, and it was such a fun experience, I wish it was longer! Got to see a ton of snazzy cosplayers, awesome new artists and writers, met Evil Ted Smith whose tutorials are the only reason I managed a breastplate, and got to do another super fun group cosplay.

Seriously, these group cosplays keep me in check, cuz when other people are involved, i feel like i can't let them down, so i actually get my ass in gear.

Ok, so it started out on sat morning bright and early trying to get our badges (which took an hour+), then checked out the convention floor a bit before heading over to the DC photo meet up, appropriately held on Batman Day.

Christina and I with Evil Ted

We had decided exactly 2 weeks before to get on this whole deal, and two weeks is decidedly little time to work on a cosplay, justsayin. So i feel like i'll work on aspects of mine a but more and lots of it didn't fit, but it came together enough for my happiness, and we all looked pretty good!

sunday
a whole lotta Blackmilk Clothing in one picture

Sugarpill eyeshadows, UD All Nighter Foundation

Anyhow, literally the only thing i cared about that day was the Firefly panel with Nathan Fillion, which 100% didn't happen as over 600 people were in line in front of us and the room was already at capacity, so while heartbroken, this gave us the chance to do the DC meet up, and there were so many of us! it was actually quite impressive.

All of these rad watermarked works of photographic art are by the fantastic @davidthestrange and you should 100% check out his website HERE.



My friend Christina (Exteenaw Cosplay) sewed this amazing Batgirl cosplay together AND made her cowl entirely from scratch, using craft foam and plastidip.



Momo created this awesome Huntress cosplay largely out of craft foam and various other items (like painted googly eyes and LEDs) and it turned out so amazing! She wasn't thrilled with the tape, but that just goes to show that really if you can image it, you can do it, even with tape.



Casey rocked this super sexy Black Canary she put together, so apparently I missed the whole Gotham universe plan... whoops. But dayam dat booty tho!

And my Wonder Woman was iffy at best, but I followed tutorials by EvilTedSmith who is actually one of the most impressive human beings, watched Gladzy Kei's quick Wonder Woman tutorial, and got some really great tips from Otaku and Fit to get the whole thing together. Definitely some super helpful people out there, so all around you can definitely build it if you put the effort in; it is just A LOT of effort. I honestly don't know how so many of these people accomplish so much.

I'm really looking forward to building more, now that foam isn't such a scary inaccessible thing to me anymore, and may start a cosplay Facebook page, as I'm working on some cool things with some rad people in the next few weeks! But just like wanting to get these posts up more consistently quicker, i doubt the facebook page will happen anytime soon.

goofballs

Eyeshadow TIme! Kyshadow Edition

Ok, so I know it's been forever since i went over all the eyeshadow palettes I own, so it's time to get back into the swing of things (since I've added a ton more to the collection). Starting with Kylie Cosmetics Kyshadow Bronze palette.

Looking at the packaging (so so small), the holographic aspects are fun, but this feels pretty cheap for how much it actually cost.



Also, this thing is Super scratched up, fresh out of the box! I feel like i have to keep it in the box or it'll get trashed with normal wear. There's also not even a mirror in it, so i'm still really surprised with the price tag. One thing that's nice though, the pans themselves are a decent size, and they're mostly matte, just one or two have subtle shimmer, which is again really nice for fall.

I've discussed my feelings on the Kardashian/Jenner clan before, but regardless of personal feelings toward Kylie herself, this is still a product that Really holds up (just like so many other things in her line). It was definitely a lot smaller than i anticipated, but the color payout is fantastic, the shades are smooth and buttery, and you truly don't need much pigment to get color. Plus, the blendability is incredible. I would look at this as having the pigmentation of the KVD shade and light quads, but the blendability of Melt. I really couldn't believe how pigmented and blendable the shades are, i'm still in awe, and the bronze colors are really flattering, even on my more pink hued skin, which usually isn't the case.

End of the day close up–my eyes have a bit of the heavy lids, but after a whole day of wear the colors are still really vibrant

You can start dark and blend out to light. have a subtle or dramatic look, and dude, it's just like The Perfect palette for fall. Every time i see something new from Kylie, I want to not buy it so hard, but then it's perfect and I have to.

So here are the colors, left to right, top to bottom:
Jasper, Quartz, Topaz, Goldstone, Citrine, Tiger Eye, Hematite, Bronze, Obsidian

I find myself using all the colors quite frequently, and i've been really diving into this palette, but it doesn't have much fallout and a little color is going a long way, so even though there are a lot of things about it that make the price tag seem a little ridiculous, the eyeshadow itself really truly does hold up.

I also paired it with the Kristen Kylie Liquid Lipstick to really go with that fall deal



I'm going to challenge myself to wear a different lipstick every day until I've worn them all because I have too many to not get decent use out of them, so starting here with Kristen, I may not do a whole post on the lips, but I'll be putting them up on Insta stories and try to incorporate into these eyeshadow posts.

And the full look:

stoked it's finally fall and I can start rocking the boots again! Since i went semi-bright with the lips and eyes, I did solid black outfit to go with. Bodysuit, skirt, and tights are all Blackmilk Clothing, boots are Sam Edelman. My roots give away how long it's been since my hair got did, but look at that color! my girl is the best, hit me up for her info.

Play! by Sephora: October Edition

i know i'm a little late in getting this post up (like every other one ever), but things have just been crazy. I was super busy getting everything ready for LACC (neé Comikaze) and then that weekend was insane, then Halloween immediately after, i just haven't had a moment to spare.

So here we are. Let's Play!

This box was really awesome for me for a couple reasons:
1) the theme was Lipstick and Chill
2) I had only tried ONE of all the items, and it was a product a really like in a color i haven't used, so still kind of new
3) I actually received 2 boxes.... literally don't know how that happened. They included some of the same items, but it was half and half, so still cool

first box (desk Halloween decor in back :D)

I learned from going to my second Play Date that there were actually Four (4) whole boxes this month, which is a bit above their usual 2 box count. crazy, but wow.
But this invites comparisons and i'll group the products based on their corresponding things (there's always a hair product, skin, perfume, treatment and 2 makeup items). My rating scale is going to be a little different, i'll just count the whole thing as one box, so this way it makes a little more sense (hopefully).
But let's get to it.

First off, Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick:

first box info

Starting with an item in both boxes, this is the one product i already had tried, but in a different color, and it's actually one of my favorite liquid lipsticks (i talk about it in comparison to others HERE). The formula is super smooth, goes on so nice and opaque, and doesn't bleed. Plus, the wear is really even and it doesn't flake. It has a powdery finish and is definitely non-drying, so this is a great formula in general. I feel like the shades are universally flattering as well, which I def can't say about the other liquid lippy i would compare it to, Stila. Seriously, everyone looks great in their colors, so this was definitely a win for me. I recommend to everyone.
1/1

Esteé Edit Flash Photo Gloss:
(Both Boxes) I'm really not a gloss kind of girl in any way, so this isn't really up my alley. I like the concept, the whole making your teeth look whiter in pix, but it's not like i'm having my pic taken that often, so i feel like i don't really reap the benefits. I did try it though, and i don't feel like it necessarily made my teeth particularly whiter, and this is a typical thick gloss feel. it looks really cool in the tube with a bluish iridescent hue, and on it has a nice sheen, so this might be anise lipstick topper, it would just have to be applied with a brush as it's got the typical flocked applicator i'm not a big fan of. But overall, it's not a bad product and i'm glad i got to try it.
2/2

Farmacy Skin Dew Hydrating Essence Mist and Setting Spray:
(Both Boxes) This was another brand i'd been wanting to try and finally got an opportunity to! This spray smells great and really does feel hydrating. I don't feel like it set my makeup as well as like All Nighter setting spray, but the refreshing makeup bit was really nice, and it did feel hydrating. Plus i could see how this would be really good for after flights. The spray is quite strong, more like a stream than a mist, so this is why i feel like it's a good pre-makeup moisturizer or a refresher than a setting spray.
3/3

Madam CJ Walker Beauty Culture Scent & Shine Coconut Oil:
(Original Box) This is definitely a lightweight serum and doesn't separate your hair like a silicone based product would, but the scent is too strong for me. It's not a bad scent, but it is powerful and definitely conflicts with perfume. Also i feel like this is good for flyaways and strays, not all-over frizz. Might be nice for some people but really not for me.
3/4

surprise box

Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask:
(Extra Box) I'm not super down to try new hair things since mine are so awesome, but nevertheless I'll still give them a try. This one is interesting in that it's a super dense cream that actually goes a long way, but i Hate the scent. it's very old lady-esque, like a perfume my grandma would wear, and i just can't get behind it. But as far as actual use goes, it says to lather it, but i didn't really get much of a lather from it, just a slick normal conditioning feel. And upon rinsing it didn't exactly feel particularly soft, but after drying it my hair was frizz-free, felt soft and smooth, and not as damaged as it definitely is. But i doubt I'll use it as it wasn't any better than my normal stuff, and this smells so gross to me that i'm personally not a fan.
3/5

Drunk Elephant TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum:
(Original Box) This made my skin feel so nice in the morning, I'm definitely incorporating it into my skincare regimen. It's a type of acid peel, so definitely not intended for every day use, but it works super well and i love that it's designed to work on your neck and backs of hands too. A little definitely goes a long way as well, so even though it's a sizeable pricetag, it's actually a good deal. Also, i should mention i have pretty sensitive skin, and this didn't irritate in the least.
4/6

surprise box info

Erborian Bamboo Crème Frappée Skin Reviving Fresh Gel:
(Extra Box) This is really just a fancy name for a moisturizer that's supposed to be nice and light yet refreshing. I've actually been liking gel moisturizers more lately, and this one with its somewhat whipped texture is a really nice alternative. It could definitely be used in the morning as it's non-greasy, absorbs quickly, and really just makes your skin feel hydrated, not wet or slick, but also does a good job of hitting those dry spots. i've only used it a few times now but i'm definitely into it, and i could see it being great to close pores after a steam or hot face wash, or on a warm day.
5/7

Derek Lam 10 Crosby Silent St.:
(Original Box) This is the first fragrance i've gotten in a box that was actually offensive tome. I hated it so much, i really couldn't even put it on. this really isn't the worst thing ever, as i'm already sad I found two fragrances I can't live without from these boxes, so nbd hating this one. Musk is just so not my jam.
5/8

YSL Mon Paris:
(Extra Box) I loved this so much more than what i was supposed to get, but it still wouldn't be something i could wear. It's a lovely scent, but definitely strong, so i put the tester in my bag to have a nice lingering scent that's pleasant in doses. I'm still chalking this up as a win, since the scent is really lovely, just not for me to wear.
6/9

It's kind of funny that between 2 boxes, i actually liked 6 things (the number of items in one box).
As some more extra things, I went to the Play! Date at my local Sephora, and got to take home a couple more samples from the other boxes from this month. I also got to try a mascara from Blinc that was super neat, even though i didn't get to take one home, so i can talk about those too.

Blinc Mascara:
This is the 'Tube' type of mascara, where it's supposed to form a tube around your lashes, then not budge or smudge, but comes off with warm water- so you get the benefit of a waterproof mascara without the negatives. It also comes in a bunch of colors which is always a plus, and i really liked this actually. it didn't bug my lashes the way so many mascaras do, it really seems to 'dry' whereas i feel like most mascaras tend to feel somewhat gummy on.

Too Cool For School Egg Mellow Cream:
Another moisturizer in the mix, this one is a whipped texture that " works as a serum, priming moisturizer, eye cream, neck cream, and sleeping mask in one." I hadn't tried this brand before either, so it was nice to get a little tester out of it. So far I really enjoy it! It has a really smooth texture, is definitely hydrating, and doubles as a primer super well, filling in pores to create a smooth surface. Definitely more of a matte than dewy finish which really works for me. It's totally thick too, so i've been using this on my neck for sleeping as well.

Skin Inc. Pure Revival Peel:
This works almost exactly like the Cure exfoliator in my usual routine (which i go into more depth HERE), where it's a thin formula that gently rubs off your dead skin. This is an Extremely satisfying means of exfoliating, and also much gentler than a scrub, which can over activate your oil glands and cause more breakouts than the dead skin clogging your pores. I don't necessarily like one more than the other, but it is nice that i can read the language on the bottle so i can see what the ingredients are. but for me i think this comes down to price/accessibility than actually liking one formula over the other.

NERD CON/ANIME CALIFORNIA

SO. MANY. CONS.

I don't even know what my life is anymore, but i'm rolling with it. Two Cons in two weekends made lindsay a very tired girl, and that was only part of how crazy this summer was. Which is why it's taken me an age (read: 2 months) to get posts up. And with a couple more coming up, shit's getting real. But I digress.

But let's start with NerdCon!
My snazzy friend hit me up about this nerdy fashion group looking for models for a show, so i promptly followed all the designers and popped my name in and wound up in a couple fashion shows!

I am by no means a model, but at most of these things they're usually looking for normal nerdy girls who like to wear fun stuff show off some cool designs, and the awesome benefit of doing this is getting in to the con for FREE. well, as it turns out, free happens to be my favorite price for conventions. And since i'm not paying to get in, that means more free money to spend on stuff!
Right? Right. Well, actually i should be responsible. But hey pretty things!

Basically between the two of us we recruited more friends to model, so we wound up with an awesome group of five hotties modeling for 3 different designers- Girl with One Eye, Elhoffer Design, and 1138 Clothing. My friend Alex and I previously got to model for 1138 Clothing at this super odd event called RegalCon in Mission Viejo just a week or two before NerdCon, so our feet were a little wet before going to this much larger event (complete with a runway!) and felt pretty good about it.

I modeled for GWOE (complete with a nifty eye patch) which was a ton of fun–I love her dresses, the Lolita style is so cute and fun, and I've been eyeballing her stuff for a while now so it was great to kind of test run a dress. I'm a big fan of Dr. Who also, so getting to wear a Tardis-themed dress was extra rad. Kimberly (the designer) is such a sweetheart and just a peach to work with, which always makes for a nicer experience, so i couldn't have been happier.

GWOE group selfie pre-runway walk day 1

The lady running the event, Rigel Griffith, is an absolute doll and such a pleasure to be around, but she also created Orion's Originals, a really cool nerdy collection (she's pretty seriously talented and creative), so the whole event was really smooth and it was great to be involved with. This was a two-day event, with the second day going even better than the first, as I had a better idea of how counting works, so was just overall less nervous about the whole event.

the whole modeling crew day 2, photo by Doug Stidham

NerdCon was a really interesting convention, small but super charming with a ton of stuff to look at, and a lot of events to participate in! there was a Super Smash Brawl competition with actual people acting it out, Karaoke with Loki, bounce houses, archery, and LARPing all over the place so it was more than just buying stuff and seeing panels. Apparently there were 9000 people there over the course of the weekend, which is even more impressive. Definitely something I would be down attend again.

GWOE official group shot day 1

This is the point where since all us friends were together, we decided to do our group cosplay for LBCC, so had exactly 3 weeks to get our lives in order, which is a surprisingly small amount of time. Especially since the next weekend was Anime California and we needed that week to prepare, so let's move on to that.

Anime California took place on the other side of the Long Beach convention center, so had a super odd layout to begin with, but we got in for free again for agreeing to do a fashion show (yaaas). There were two shows actually, a lingerie/rave wear themed show friday night, and a more 'Sayonara Summer' themed one sunday morning, but it seemed like the themes were fairly ignored and designers just did what they wanted. Christina, Casey, and I were actually backup, so we had no idea what we were getting into or what to prepare for, so we mostly hung out waiting to be assigned to a designer or told to leave.






We eventually wound up modeling for Majesti Designs friday in a show that went til about 1230am, and also got an email from a designer in sunday's show at that time, implying we'd been chosen for her, so we knew we'd be back for that as well. Our first show with Majesti was so different from anything we'd experienced–we didn't get to see the room beforehand or where we'd be walking, it was an actual room with table we were navigating instead of a runway, and it was really dim for a show, so it was tough to see the marks to hit. And also, we didn't know beforehand what we were wearing, so the fits were definitely a bit off. Since it was more of a 'lingerie' theme, it was a bit more revealing than we were used to also.

whole Majesti group

Sunday's designer was A Red Thread, by a 

lovely lady who specializes in goth-lolita wear, and unfortunately since we were backups, nothing fit us that well, so i'm not sure we showed off the clothes the way they were meant
to be seen, but we met some really fun people and had an entertaining time. This one was much more intense than the one before, as not only did we see the runway, but we did a full walkthrough with music and timing so we knew exactly what to do and when.

whole AnimeCali Sunday show crew

It was a completely different experience in this group than with Rigel in the Nerd Chic show at NerdCon, much less organized and we had some pretty negative experiences overall, but hey, we got in for free so no real complaints. What was sad was that it was a surprisingly expensive convention, so i could only get a day pass for Derek on saturday, where we rocked our revised Ban and Lust cosplays.
This was pretty serious business.

Derek looking supa fly with his gorgeous glitter beard and handmade weapon. so handsome.

I colored and glittered derek's beard, wore purple contacts (first experience with contacts so that was something special), and with all that on top of our actual outfits we were so done by the end of the day. Having never worn contacts before, I had a hell of a time getting them in, and when i could finally take them out i was near tears as my nails are super long, and i basically had to stab my eyes with my nails to get the damn things out. But holy shit they looked good. These were our first really worked on cosplays where we actually made an effort to make stuff, whereas our first ones (steampunk ariel and eric) were more bought stuff put together, i really only made his red sash and decorated his hat. So making Lust's claws out of Insta Mold and stitching red shit all over gloves, as well as tailoring them to accommodate both the claws and restroom trips was an experience. Derek also got some good practice in stitching his rivets onto his clothes, as well as making a weapon. so all in all, not too shabby.

Derek, Christina, and I also got to do something a little different, and were all lip-synching in this super nifty cosplay video by Nerd Reactor which was surprisingly fun! You can check out Derek's snazzy dancing skills in it as well, so go check it out here, I highly recommend it.

There were definitely pros and cons to Anime California, but tbh i didn't get a huge 'anime' vibe from it; there were very few exhibitors, and the layout was a bit difficult to follow, so this might have been one of those things where if we weren't in for free we may not have gone in at all, since there were so many fun people outside of the convention center. Getting a chance to try out some fun cosplay is always a good time, and we've met some really fun characters as a result, so again i can't complain too much about the situation though it wasn't ideal.

Maybelline VoxBox!!

Man, Influenster is the best. Go sign up.

But for real, they just sent me this awesome VoxBox from Maybelline that had two colors of their new SuperStay24 Longwear Lipcolor, so I got to try out a new lipstick for freeeeeeeee woohoooo! The box came with the shades 'Constant Toast,' a nice shimmery nude, and 'Keep Up the Flame,' a classic red.

swatches 30 hours later

i found a picture! god these were bad

Now, these components and whole system reminds me SO MUCH of the CoverGirl Outlast ones from like, 10 years ago, but with a clearly updated formula. Remember those? the commercials had like, women getting married and it was like, don't you want a color that'll last all day on your special day? I found a picture! I remember this being like a major deal cuz they were waterproof and supposed to last through food, and you just reapply the balm all day, but it was so flaky and dry, and the balm took off more than it helped, and it was just overall gross. Well, the Maybelline ones aren't really like that, but the texture and process was like the exact same.

Anyhow, I had different experiences with the two Maybelline colors provided, but they both smelled/tasted awesome and fruity, were decently opaque, and the balm was So soft and smooth, it just glided right on.

pretty nude shimmer at the end of the day

So, I definitely preferred the nude color to the red–it was really flattering, i loved the subtle shimmer, and following the two minute directions exactly I had amazing results. It really lasted like it was supposed to, I even wore it to bed, and woke up with the color still on my lips, and they still felt soft even after all night wear. Totally impressive. The balm also glided on with absolutely zero pressure, and didn't take any of my color off. It also stayed on through chips and guac, and no evidence on the glass i was drinking from that i even had color on. Pretty snazzy.

The red on the other had was a bit of a problem child.
I went the first round following the directions, applied then waited two mins, and the balm took off a TON of color, with flakes all over the balm. So i was like whatever, i'm sure it's fine, but by the time i finished my coffee, almost all of my color was gone, i just had some thick patchy liner looking red on. So i redid the thing, waited 5 mins this time, and the balm was nice and clean after application, so I figured it just needed a little more time to set. Also, the relayered pigment came out darker, so you could see where the reapplication happened. Again, nothing flaked off with a second application of balm, so i felt like i was on the right track. After lunch however, most of my color had flaked off, and i was left with super patchy redness. So the moral of the story, wait extra long to apply the balm the first time, and expect to reapply the color after eating and drinking.

first application | after coffee | after food

This was ultimately a case of hit and miss for me. I've heard people are having amazing results though, so you never know. The nude was pretty great, but I'm definitely less than impressed with the red. Also the packaging was a bit cheap, i'm never a fan of those clear plastic boxes that break sharply upon opening, and the component itself is decently boring. it's kind of tough, as the swatches on my arm are perfect 30 hours later, so it would be hard to tell without wearing which shades are best.

Regardless, I was so stoked I got to try these out and will probably include the nude in my routine, I'm always looking for the next greatest liquid lip, and these are pretty cool, especially that it's not just a matte finish, there's a nice shiny long wear option in the world now too. 

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Play! by Sephora: September

Woo another snazzy month of Play! Subscribing to talk about :)

wearing all of this month's box goodies (even post-hair treatment)

This month's theme was 'Anything But Ordinary' (featuring a lipstick themed bag), and I would say this one was a pretty solid win.

 I'm also definitely still in love with these little descriptor pamphlets which are always a treat and totally helpful and bring me so much joy to look through.  

Ok, i'm definitely way happier this month for a few reasons- 1) i was finally able to RSVP for the Play date at my closest Sephora–Something i literally haven't been able to do since i started getting the boxes–so I'm super stoked about that. 2) there was another Atelier Cologne which while i would of course prefer to try a new brand, I'm borderline obsessed with these fragrances and the packaging even the testers come in. 3) EVERYTHING but one small item is totally new to me, and that one thing is actually something i love. Woohoo! Complete success. So let's dive in!

Sephora Collection Rouge Shine Lipstick in Love Spell:

Lipstick IS MY JAM so getting another lipstick in a box is awesome. But ok, Make Up For Ever has totally ruined me for regular lipsticks because this does in no way stack up to the Artist Rouge collection. I also really don't love the color as this is basically a basic baby pink–like Barbie status– and i'm a bit too fair for that. The texture is fine, there are just better out there, and the flavor/scent is a nice fruity one that really isn't overbearing or offensive, it's super shiny without any sparkle, and I'm basically a child with my lipstick, so this doesn't really do it for me. But in all fairness Sephora brand always puts out a solid product and this is no exception. I'd probably be more into it if i liked the color, but this seems like something you could wear even with chapped lips and feel nice about it, as it doesn't seem thick and opaque, more sheer and soft.
0/1

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper:



I Love KVD products, I really do. I am not the biggest fan of like 'pen' or 'marker' eyeliners though, so while i've heard a million great thing about this, I never tried it out, so it was super to have it in this month's box. Now, I've tried Stila's marker (which everyone raves about), UD's new Perversion pen (which is actually amazing), and now this, so I feel like I can compare them; Stila's formula is really nice, it goes on smooth and dark–i don't love the applicator and it did wear off of my oily lids pretty easily; UD's new Perversion Fine Point Pen is SO DARK, the pigmentation is to die for, and the longevity is fierce–it's totally waterproof and holds up really well if you don't rub your eyes; KVD's brush however has no equal- the fact it's a brush instead of a felt tip is stupid awesome and goes on so smooth and crisp omg. The Only drawback with KVD is it's just not dark enough. The black is so light and not as opaque as i prefer, but this applicator brush is fantastic and i got The Best lines with it.
1/2 because the brush is too good, and i think in other colors this would be a lot of fun.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel:



This is the one item I'd already tried before and actually use on the daily. It's a great product that works amazingly well with absolutely no residue, no flaking, and a totally non-crispy lovely finish. This is THE clear setting brow gel to own/use, so while it's not a new item for me, it's not a negative.
2/3 – i'm giving it a point cuz it's a great product, not due to excitement.

Atelier Cologne Collection Azul-Sud Magnolia:



This gets two pictures cuz i love it.
Sephora is continuing to REALLY impress me with these fragrance samples...this is the second one I've gotten in a box from this brand and i am JUST AS IN LOVE with it as the first! At this point i actually don't know which scent i need to go buy and permanently add to my arsenal of perfume. It's so light yet has a really lovely presence, they're just killing it with these unisex scents. Also, I really can't get enough of the little description cards that accompany the samples, they completely evoke some beautiful feeling and just give a whole story behind the fragrance that is so compelling i want to wear it constantly.
3/4

Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation:



This moisturizer might even be better than the Lancome gel from last month under makeup. I seriously had such flawless coverage that lasted ALL day with absolutely no flaking or separation, nor oiliness i usually get midday! It absorbed into my skin quickly, made it smooth and soft to the touch without any feeling of greasiness, so was great before even applying any foundation. This is an incredible product, so while i am pretty set in my ways for my current moisturizer, this might have replaced all of my foundation priming needs.
4/5

Living Proof Perfect Hair Night Cap Overnight Perfector:



I have used Living Proof in the past, and while i've had ok results, i just haven't really found a standout product that just really does it for me from them. This product definitely delivered what it promised on the quick absorption and pillow-safety–my hair felt dry immediately after application and my pillow couldn't tell the difference. But after using it, i can say my hair was a bit softer, although frizzier, and my normal detangled that i use didn't work at all while i was trying to dry my hair, which has pretty much never happened before, so i would have to say this had an impact. I don't know that this is best for curly-haired people because of the frizziness and tangling i experienced, so this is something i definitely won't go back for.
4/6

I'm really happy this box gave me a lot more hope for boxes to come, as I have a great time trying new things, and it's always fun to find gems you never would have given a chance before! can't wait for next month, especially since it's my favorite month! WOOHOOOOOOOO