June Ipsy Glam Bag Review

I have been waiting for this bag to arrive from the very first day the Glam Room was opened with the sneak preview because, yes, I like to ruin my experience like a hyperactive 5 year old who rips into their Christmas presents early.

Can we just take a moment to awe in the fact that Rebecca Minkoff designed this month's bag? Yes, you heard right, that Rebecca Minkoff! I die. I just die.

While I would have LOVED for the bag to resemble something like the Rebecca Minkoff Mini Macs but this design is just darling and perfect for summer, totally clutch worthy.

Let's start with the first product I pulled out of the bag, the OFRA Eyebrow Pencil in Universal. I have crazy, crazy eyebrows that, even though I have naturally dark blonde hair, are completely black and thick and just all around horrible so I am obsessed with any product that might be able to help me tame them. I really like how smooth this pencil is and the color is really universal because as a rule you never want to put product on your brows that is the same color as your brow hairs. Sounds crazy I know but using a lighter color will actually prevent your brows from looking to heavy and drawn on. I'm usually more of a powder girl when it comes to my brows but I'm definitely looking forward to trying this out in my full time brow-routine. 

If you're anything like me you might be thinking something along the lines of this about the next product, "RealTree? Come on,  Ipsy, who do you think I am?"

That may have been a little judgmental, especially since I half expected it to smell like deer you-know-what. I was pleasantly surprised by this little perfume sample as it's actually very nice scent that's way more fruity (more my style) than floral. Overall, I probably wouldn't purchase a full size but I do like that the sample if big enough to get some good use out of. 

Be a Bombshell Mascara...

I don't even know where to begin with this stuff. 

OH EM GEE, this is HORRIBLE! Hands down the...worst. mascara. ever.

Like ever! 

And here's the thing, I never even put this stuff on my lashes, that's how horrible it is. I was so excited about trying out a new mascara and I've liked the Be a Bombshell products from previous Glam Bags so far but as soon as I opened the tube I was assaulted by the stink of a combination of paint thinner and lighter fluid. Two things that should not only be mixed together but should definitely not be anywhere near your eyes. Oh gosh, I was just far too afraid to even put this stuff on. I mean it burned my nostrils I can only imagine what it would do to my eyes. No. No. No. No. No. Into the trash it goes.

By far the most anticipated product in this month's Glam Bag was the NYX Butter Gloss. I am already a huge fan of NYX and their Butter Gloss might just be my favorite lip gloss ever so I was totally on board from the moment I go the email saying that every Ipsy Glam Bag for June would come with its own Butter Gloss. All I had to do was hope and pray that I didn't get a shade that I already had in my own little NYX collection. Lucky me because I received the color Creme Brulee and it is the perfect nude! I just love how smooth and, well, buttery the Butter Glosses are and I will always love them. Thanks, Ipsy!

Last but not least is the Marc Anthony Dream Waves Beach Spray which I love so much I have actually mentioned on this blog on two separate occasions which you can read about here: June Favorites 2014 and Beach Bag Essentials
I love the way it smells and feels in the hair and it works so well with my naturally wavy hair, giving me the Dream Waves it promises.

Overall, I loved this month's bag even with the absolute bust that was the mascara. Looking forward to July's bag already!
Click the link below if you'd like to check out the Ipsy Glam Bags for yourself.
Ipsy Invite

until next time, darlings.
xo
Merisa 

NYX on HauteLook

Just a quick update for you all just because I knew you'd love what I've got to say...

HauteLook is having a a HUGE sale on NYX cosmetics at the moment!

There are some mega deals going on so I just had to share my picks with you, of course!

The first thing that caught my eye about this particular sale is that everything is bundled into sets so it's a really great way to pick up some favorites while also trying out some new products at low prices.

As you already know, I love NYX butter gloss so I was immediately drawn to this set of lip products that features the butter gloss in Eclair along with 4 other products at just $12.00. A single butter gloss can run almost $5 so this deal is crazy bread!

It is really hard for me to walk away from this next set, so hard in fact it's already in my cart just waiting for me to press the checkout button.

This Spring Set features some of my favorite eye shadow colors as well as a rose gold shadow stick for just $7.50!

Originally priced at $30 this huge palette is a steal at just $18 as it includes: 

- 52 Eye Shadows

- 4 Blushes

- 4 Face Colors

- 8 Lip Colors

- 1 Lip Liner

 - 2 Lip Glosses

- 2 Dual-Sided Applicators

- Face Brush & Mirror

That's a pretty incredible deal if you ask me. Also, in case you didn't know, the majority of NYX products are Animal Testing & Cruelty Free which is a HUGE plus when buying their products as more lines need to make this possible!

To check out the sale head over to hautelook.com and click here for an invite

until next time, darlings.

xo

Merisa 

What We Love Wednesday!

Ahhhh! I feel like it has been forever since I did a proper What We Love Wednesday...

probably because it kinda has been but I've had so many great things come into my life lately that I just had to share so here we go!

- Essie On a Silver Platter-
You've probably heard this before but I am obsessed with nail polish...Essie nail polish to be more specific and I honestly believe I have found my favorite glitter polish ever, which as you will know is quiet a feat. Wanna know how I know this polish is really great? Of course you do, that's why you're ready this. Duh! Well, On A Sliver Platter is one of those glitter polishes that is so pretty it distracts me when I'm writing. Seriously, I actually stopped in the middle of my Modern History exam just to admire my own nail polish...a little vain but whatever, it made me really happy! haha
I don't know what it is exactly but this polish is really great because it has a shiny base that's almost opaque shimmery gold with blue glitter in varying sizes that's just really eye catching. This also makes a really great top coat for School Boy Blazer, which might actually be my favorite polish ever...which is really saying something.

-NYX lip butters-
I have heard so much about these things over the years and really just brushed them off until I spotted them in Ulta and decided to give 'em a try. I regret nothing.
These suckers are awesome! I have two, in Apple Strudel and Cupcake, and need more desperately (by need I mean want, of course). I swear they smell like vanilla or just sweetness in general (I'm awful with describing scents, you'll hear more about that in a second.) Apple Strudel is this really fun peachy color while Cupcake is a hot pink that leans more on the red side, both really great for spring and summer.
They're really opaque for glosses but they're also good for layering over other lip products like my Revlon Color Burst Matte Balms. I'm currently stalking Ulta's site trying to decide what colors I want next...I'm leaning toward Maple Blondie and Red Velvet at the moment. ;)
Keep a look out for these products in my upcoming post about my favorite lip colors for Spring!

- Gucci Guilty Black-
For my birthday back in October, I was determined to treat myself to a new perfume during my girls' birthday weekend-away. So, I waltzed into Sephora and spent a ridiculous amount of time scouring the bright display of crazy insanity that is the fragrance section. After exhausting my nose and using up every sense I had (and probably testing the sales girl's patience too) I decided to be a bit of a badass and go for the sleek black and red bottle of Gucci Guilty Black.

I'm really bad at describing scents (if you couldn't tell from above) so I checked out Sephora's site to see what they had to say about it,
 "The Guilty Black lovers bring out the most scandalous sides of each other: alone they are magnificent, together irrepressible. Fearless in their passion, they are brazen, shameless, unpredictable—ready for each and every explosive encounter. Their attraction is instinctive: they go where they sense danger and each other. 
Too much is never enough for young hedonists, who drive each other to stray ever darker. Life is thrilling and meant to be lived to the fullest. Again and again, they give in to pleasure and the excitement of breaking the rules. 
Gucci Guilty Black is a sensual oriental floral, inviting you to indulge in your burning desires."

 Can I just say that reading that automatically brings the word "badass" to my mind...exactly what I was thinking when I made this purchase and I love that! 
To be perfectly honest, I'm not a badass...in case you couldn't tell from, well, any of my previous posts. I started to feel like the scent didn't really fit my personality very well. (Sidenote: scents are supposed to fit your personality, right?) I left the fragrance alone for a little while, just letting it chill on my dresser until one day I decided to get some use out of it. Spraying it reminded me of the fun and determined time I was having during that period in my life and I'm loving that now. I truly believe that scents connect deep in our memories so I highly suggest going out and finding a fragrance to connect with a great memory...it's definitely worth it.

-My Kate Spade Bag-
If you saw my last post then you've probably already heard about my new Kate Spade bag so I won't bore you with too much droning on about it but I will say that I absolutely, positively adore it!
It seriously might just be the cutest thing I've ever owned (aside from my puppy) and I treat it like a child. Seriously, I knocked it into the corner of the Bridge on campus the other day and almost had a heart attack. It's that serious, people. I've officially become that girl!
It will most likely be my forever favorite but I will spare you by just posting it this one last time.

My sister was an absolute gem last weekend and picked me up a kick-butt iHome (it spins!) from her work last weekend and I have been playing music like crazy in the room so I've got quiet a few favorites this week.

-Iggy Azalea "Fancy"-
If you haven't seen this video then I highly suggest you click the link above and prepare yourself for the ultimate throwback!
In the video, my ultimate hairspiration and Aussie girl crush brings back Cher and the gang in her version of Clueless. It's seriously amazing, check it out below and get ready to dance around your dorm room.

You can also check out the song and a lot more on my Spotify playlist below or by checking out my Spotify profile by clicking THIS LINK :)

-5 Seconds of Summer-
Now for something a little toward the other end of the spectrum...a pop-punk band that toured with One Direction. They're from Australia, I discovered them on YouTube, and they are absolutely adorable. There's really not much more I can say than that but you've got to check them out. I've linked some of my favorite songs below (including their latest video)...

"She Looks So Perfect" - 5 Seconds of Summer

-House of Cards-
TGFN!!! That's short for Thank God for Netflix because without it I would never have been introduced to this amazing show. As you probably already know, I'm a history/political science nerd so of course a show that chronicles the internal affairs of both the Capitol and the White House are right up my alley!
Also, it's a serious nail biter (that season 2 premiere tho!) and, as is custom with Netflix. you have the opportunity to binge watch as each season is released collectively instead of by episode.

I'm not proud of this fact but I may have watched the entire first season and most of the second in like 2 days...but I've managed to convince myself to slow down as this is a show that is meant to be savored not devoured. What makes it even better is that the two main characters are Southerners who rose to the top (they even take a trip to South Carolina in a few eps) and aren't afraid to put up a fight. Claire Underwood looks like she has some Monogrammed Magnolia spirit deep in her if you ask me.
Consider it the West Wing with a lot more spice. Now go head over to Netflix and check it out if you're not already hooked.

I hope y'all liked this look into my favorites this week! Comment below with your favorites or let me know your thoughts on some of the things I mentioned above.

until next time, darlings.
xo
Merisa


PS: confession...I actually made this post last week but forgot to schedule it for last Wednesday so sorry if some of this stuff is a little played...it's only been a week though! xo

December Ipsy Glam Bag!!!

Finals are over!!!

I am happy to report that Danielle and I both survived, even though it was a close call at some points.

I'm even happier to report that today marked another highlight - the December Ipsy Glam Bag arrived!!!

Yayyyyyy!

Just like last time, I am obsessed!!!

This month's theme is Celebration and they have hit the nail on the head because as soon as I opened that shiny pink package I wanted to go out on the town. 

These products are perfect for a fun night out. They're so versatile and will help you create the perfect look for a night of dancing or your best friend's holiday party!

Let's start with this bag though, how cute is this?

I just want to use this as a clutch for a night out and to be perfectly honest, I don't go out so thanks Ipsy for bringing that side of me out! :)

The wonders don't stop there, these products are seriously top notch and had me ripping open their packaging before even leaving the post office!

Lately, I have been on a serious blush and lipstick kick and apparently they lovely behind-the-scene peeps at Ipsy are mind readers because I got just that.

These shades are amazing and work really great with my skintone, however, I think the lipstick is a little on the cooler toned side so I'm going to need to be careful with that because I tend to lean more toward the warm tones. I think these shades also go really well together, they're practically the same color after all, but I think that goes to show that Ipsy really does put the effort in to create a bag that's going to offer the essentials for a really great look together as well as separate. My only struggle is that the blush is a heavy product and probably won't be very well suited for oily-skin types so be careful.
My favorite part about these two are definitely their names though. The lipstick from NYX is called Iced Honey while the Be a Bombshell... cream blush is called Girl Crush! LOVE!

The product I was least excited about when I opened my bag were the eyelashes (which I just realized aren't actually in this picture, that's because I had already tried them out!). \
I don't wear false eyelashes, mostly because of a tragic eyelash experience from like 3 Halloweens ago, but sticking true to my beauty girl ways I gave 'em a shot! And I loved it! 

OMG! I finally understand what all the fuss is about, false lashes are a wonder of the world! 

Check out those lashes! Overlook the new bangs, I was feeling frisky this past week and decided to DIY them.

Overall, the only product I wasn't completely satisfied with was the Nicka K nail polish. I don't what it is but Ipsy loves to put me in really neutral, brownish nail polish shades. Well, I'm just not feeling it.

I cannot even begin to describe how much I love these bags though! 

I highly recommend them!

So, if you're interested, I suggest clicking THIS LINK and heading over to Ipsy and grabbing your own Glam Bag for next month!

till next time, lovelies

xo

aFm