Beauty Subscription Showdown September 2013: Follow Up

     Hello Everyone! About a week ago I posted my Beauty Subscription Showdown for the month of September showing you what I received in my Birchbox and Ipsy bag. I got a lot of great products and many of them needed testing out before I could give you my final thoughts, so that is where this post comes in! I'll include the video for you if case you haven't seen it, but I will say that I did give out my very first 10/10 rating! So exciting!

Ipsy

NYX Eyeshadow in Hollywood: Unfortunately, I haven't gotten a chance to play around with this eyeshadow much after filming. I do want to say though that I was pretty disappointed with this single from NYX and I would have enjoyed a different color/ formula much more. From what I have seen, these shadows tend to be pretty good quality for the price but due to the high volume of shimmer in this shade, it was not one of my favorites.

Starlooks Kohl Eyeliner in Obsidian: I really grew to like this eyeliner after using it for the past week. It is a harder pencil that requires a little more work to get on but honestly that is why I like it. I own the cult favorite Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Zero which is a very creamy, black pencil that goes on very smoothly. The reason I grew to love this harder formula was because it was very natural looking on the eyes. The color was also more of a dark grey which could be a good or bad thing in regards to your own preference but for me it was a plus. I liked the more subtle shade because I could easily work it into my outer lash line to create the effect of more lashes without it looking too unnatural.

It's So Big Volumizing Mascara by Elizabeth Mott: I can definitely say that I was not a fan of this mascara. It reminded me so much of the Marc Jacobs one I mentioned in the video as far as consistency, but also how to applied and looked on the lashes. It was a very wet formula as I had guessed and it didn't do much as far as volume was concerned. This mascara did lengthen my lashes, it stayed put all day, and even built well but you could only take this formula so far. I did however enjoy this product on my bottom lashes in the fact that it was very lightweight and natural looking. 

Victoria Jackson Taupe Eyebrow Pencil: This pencil really surprised me. I mentioned that I thought that it was going to be a little too light for my brows and after filming that video I hopped online to see the other shades available. I come to find out that this shade is the only one offered! It's supposedly a color that will work for all hair colors and of course I was a little skeptical. After using this for the first time I was surprisingly pleased with the color but it was the packaging and formula that disappointed me! The pencil itself is a little too creamy for my taste and even though it does include a sharpener I don't see myself using it. The color goes on easily and evenly but I feel like it is much more likely to move and to be wiped off compared to my Anastasia Brow Wiz. This pencil was a little more waxy than the Brow Wiz formula and I did like that aspect but I hated the fact that this Victoria Jackson packaging didn't include a spooly. I always like combing my brows before and after I apply product and I kept having to dig one out or reach for my Brow Wiz. It was just a hassle!

Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm in Big Apple: I was really excited for this product once I pulled it out of the bag this month but it didn't hold up to that excitement. This color had a TON pigment and I have no idea why they marketed it as a "tinted lip balm" for a few reasons. One, it was definitely more of a lipstick formula in the fact that it was pretty thick and the color was super opaque. Two, it had no moisturizing properties to it at all! I was shocked when I applied this to my lips using the included brush. The color was matte (which I am a fan of) but the formula was so uncomfortable to wear. The only way I could see this working is if I made sure to add a thick layer of chapstick down before this product and possibly even on top. As far as the color goes, I was very pleased but I just can not get over the formula and way it was marketed as. I have plenty of other red lipsticks that I will be turning to before reaching for this one.

Birchbox

Amika Blow Up Spray: I have used this once since pulling it out of my box and it was okay. It added a little more volume to my fine, thin hair without weighing it down or making it greasy. I love the way it sprays and the fact that I can use it on wet or dry hair! Would I purchase the full size? Probably not, but I do see myself using up this sample.

Ruffian Nail Lacquer in Hedge Fund: Gosh! I postponed this blog post for so long so I would hopefully get a chance to use this for you and include a picture. Unfortunately, I never got around to it but I will be reaching for it next time I paint my nails! 

Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream: I thought that I would like this hand cream more than I actually did. The scent did seem to be a little more overpowering than I initially thought so that was a bummer! As far as moisture goes, I have used better lotions but I love the fact that this is good for your nails and cuticles as well.

Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara: I got to be honest here... I was expecting so much more from this product! If you have seen the video you will know that I was really excited when I saw this in my box this month. I thought that it was going to live up to all of the hype it has been getting for the past few years, and for me it didn't! It's a good mascara but nothing more special than some of my drugstore favorites! It is very volumizing in the fact that you don't need 3+ coats but with that comes a bit of clumpy-ness. So disappointing!

Voesh New York Lemon Pedicure Mask: This is the one product that surprised me the most after trying it! At first, it was one that I wasn't super excited about but I do have a funny story of how I went about using it. Are you ready for story time?

     The night I filmed this video I planned on using this packet. I got out my cotton socks that I always use after applying a very moisturizing lotion to help it soak in and sat down on my bed. I opened the packet and noticed that this was no lotion! It was the consistency of a face mask and was a light tan color which completely caught me off guard after applying it to one foot. I then decided that this product was no where near what I was expecting and re-read the directions. They said that you needed to rinse this product off after letting it sit for five minutes so I gracefully (yeah right...) hopped on one foot into the bathroom. I finished applying this using the whole packet and waited the five minutes thinking that this product was just too much of a hassle to like- I was even a little disappointed! After the five minutes were up, I sat on the side of the bath tub while I washed it off. It didn't come off super easily but once it was I noticed the amazing difference it created! My feet have NEVER looked so smooth and moisturized! The places of dryness I had struggled with in the past were completely hydrated and healthy looking. I was shocked and believe it or not, so impressed that I ordered the full size immediately!

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Love, Lacey