Small MAC Haul

I recently went to my local MAC store, not to purchase anything from the new MAC Shop, MAC Cook, or Vera for MAC collections, but to pick up the new Viva Glam from Nicki Minaj. I never can step foot in MAC and only walk out with one item, that would be too easy. So I picked up a lipstick, a lipglass, a lip liner and a brow pencil.

So first thing... Viva Glam Nicki. I was super excited about this lipstick. Its not a normal, everyday color I would wear. Its a bright, I mean BRIGHT, coral-y pink (I'm not the best at descriptions). The finish is a satin, which is one of my recent favorite finishes. The only previous Viva Glam I have purchased, by a celebrit, was the first Viva Glam Lady Gaga Lipglass. I do own Viva Glam 5 lipstick and 6 lipglass.

Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick $14.50

The second thing I purchased was the Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in "In Anticipation". The makeup artist said it would pair nicely and it does. It is described as a soft yellow pink, it really is lovely and quite wearable, glides on so smoothly. And let me tell you when they say long wear, they mean it. I swatched the products around 4 pm and when I went to take a shower in the morning it was still there!!! That is long wearing!

In Anticipation Pro Longwear Lip Pencil $18.00

Then I wanted a new lipglass and was looking for something springy, so I chose "Pink Lemonade". To me it is a coral pink. I really do like it, it has minimal sparkle or shine. It also pairs nicely with the "Viva Glam Nicki".

Pink Lemonade Lipglass $14.50

The final thing I picked up was a brow pencil. My eyebrows have been thinning along the tail and was looking for something nice to fill in and add to my brows. The makeup artist suggested "Lingering", it is a great shade for my brown hair. I was a little worried about using a pencil, powder, etc. incase it rubs or fades off throughout the day, or looked unnatural. But it looked quite nice and like my real brows.

Lingering Brow Pencil $15.00

Then when I got home I had a package waiting for me, not from MAC. I had recently accumulated some Birchbox points, for those of you not familiar with Birchbox it is a company that you can sign up monthly for $10 and receive 4 to 5 deluxe samples of beauty and skincare products. Each month you can review products to earn points, for each product you get 10 points and 100 points equals $10. With my points I chose the BeautyBlender. I have never had one and have always wanted to try it out. The one I selected was the dual set and had free shipping. I do like it and the natural finish it gives my foundation, I don't think it will take the place of my Sigma F80.

BeautyBlender - $24.95 (double set)

With Flash L to R: Nicki, Pink Lemonade, In Anticipation

Without Flash L to R: Nicki, Pink Lemonade, In Anticipation

Have you hauled lately? Picked up any of the new Viva Glams? Until next time - Shannon XO

July Birchbox

I received my July Birchbox in the mail and wanted to share all the wonderful products I received. For those who are new to Birchbox, it is a U.S. based company that will send you 4-5 deluxe samples each month and subscriptions are either monthly or annually, monthly is $10 and annually is $110. When you sign up you can create a beauty profile, so products are sent for your skin and hair type. Once you receive the products, you review at birchbox.com and earn points to purchase full size products.

Boxes are mailed out once a month, like a magazine subscription. They are shipped via USPS from the east coast, so depending on where you live within the U.S. it may take longer for you to receive yours. Being that Birchbox is a relatively new company, there are a few issues that I personally have experienced. My first box came in at the end of April, I never received my May box and my July box had a damaged sample.

I understand the delay for April was due to switching of shipping companies, but March was inexcusable.  Birchbox will send you an email when your box has shipped, with a tracking number. I  never received the email, so when 2 of my friends received theirs I looked in to mine. The money was deducted from my card on the 1st, so I emailed them twice and called over a few days. After no response, I took to Twitter... boy did that light a fire.They told me I was included in the 2nd wave, which I think is total BS, as my friend signed up at the end of April and received her box by May 6th...  Within 10 minutes I had an email with a tracking number and received the box 2 days later. The kicker, 2 days later someone from the Birchbox team emails me and says "you will receive a email and tracking number when your box ships." I was like, OK. Then the June box arrived and the one of the products was a baked brighten and blush by  Laura Gellar, it was a full size $29.50 value. It was smashed... I was so sad. They claim they had no more to send me and gave me a 100 point credit, which is equivalent to $10.

I don't want this to be a hater review, because I truly love the concept and the fact that they try to make it right. The July Birchbox was my 4th box, as I began my subscription in April, and I think they are going to keep getting better and better as their clientele grows, and more brands get involved. This month's box was filled with picks from their favorite designer, Cynthia Rowley.

Redken Shine Flash 02 - Glistening Mist

Ahava Mineral Hand Cream 

Zoya Nail Polish - Touch Collection in the color Shay

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Facial Cleanser

XO Shannon