(Ended) Blog Sale!

1) To purchase, please email me at morejmh@yahoo.com.

• Tell me the items that you would like to purchase with prices.
• The email address to which I should send an invoice.
• Your full mailing address. (Please note that this address must match the one I receive from PayPal when you pay).

SHIPPING INTERNATIONALLY. Please note that fluid perfumes cannot be shipped outside the US. 

2) All prices are in USD, and all invoices will also be in USD. Invoices must be paid within 12 hours or I will offer to the next interested person. I cannot hold items. They will be sold first come first serve.

3) All items were purchased by me. The pictures are meant to give a sense of usage and condition, but I cannot guarantee color accuracy. I also cannot answer questions about the products in general (color, finish, etc.) except to clarify condition or usage. There are lots of blogs with swatches and reviews out there that can be very helpful!

4) I take great care of my cosmetics and disclose all use or defects, but if you are worried about anything, ask before purchasing, as there are NO RETURNS.

5) SHIPPING:

·      To the US -- $4 flat including delivery confirmation.

·      To Canada and the UK -- $12 flat for first class international. For tracking and priority, it will be more.

I will indicate any larger items for which the shipping will be more.

Please allow 3-4 business days for me to ship. 

I cannot be responsible for damage that happens during shipping or for lost packages but I will include tracking numbers for items shipped within the U.S.

6) I have a smoke-free home.

Original beautyblender® (unused) $9

Elizabeth Arden Refining Toner Lotion for Normal Skin 6.8 fl oz. (90% remaining) $6
Betsey Johnson eau de parfum 1.66 fl oz. (45% left) $7
Nicka K Solid Perfume in "Rhythm 125" (used x1) $4
Clinique Facial Soap 5.2 oz (used x3) $9

Lorac Lips with Benefits Lip Gloss in "Jimmy" (opened but unused) $4
Bonne Bell lip lites in "Strawberry Parfait" (used x2) $1
Revlon ColorStay Overtime Lipcolor in "Relentless Raisin" (used x3) $1
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion 30 ml (used x1) $2
Loreal Voluminious False Fiber Lashes in "Black" (50% remaining) $0.50

wen by Chaz Dean Sweet Almond Mint Styling Créme (unused) $8
juice BEAUTY Hydrating Mist (sprayed x2) $3
MAC Prep+Prime Skin Base Visage 30 ml (used x3) $14
Lacoste Touch of Pink Eau De Toilette 90 ml (70% remaining) $11

 Sephora Collection I.T. Highlighting Fan Brush (used x2) $5

Victoria's Secret Shimmer Eye Shadow in "Pampered"(80% remaining) $4
Maybelline Stylish Smokes in 02Q "Natural Smokes" (90% remaining) $2
Lancome Color Design Quad with Drape, Off the Rack, Fog, & The New Black (90% remaining) $4

Lancome Bienfait Multi-Vital Night 0.5 oz (unused) $6
Jordana Color Effects Eyeshadow Powder in "Good Match" (used x2) $1
Two Cosmetics Duo Eyeshadow in "Heartache (swatched) $1

Beauty Smackdown: Nail Polish

China Glaze Nail Lacquer in "Flip Flop Fantasy" vs. Color Club Professional Nail Lacquer in "Barcelona"

The differences between these two polishes is virtually undetectable in the bottle, however, upon application they couldn't be more different. China Glaze took four coats to be truly opaque. Once dried it was quite matte and felt almost identical to liquid white out...not ideal and it came off in paint-like chips on the first day (even with a top coat). Color Club took three coats but it dried down and felt like normal polish. It still chipped after two days but on me, everything does. You still get the neon coral color but the formula is so much better. In a perfect world, it would be opaque after one coat but hey... baby steps. 

Beauty Subscription SmackDown: June 2013

From the Ipsy bag,  I really enjoyed the Chella Ivory Lace Highligher Pencil. It's completely replaced my nude Rimmel eyeliner and my NYX Jumbo Pencil in "Milk". The formula is really creamy and stays put for over 5 hours in my waterline. Mostly though, I just like the versatility of it. I'd been thinking about trying the Psssst! dry shampoo for awhile and was really happy to see it in my bag this month. So far, I'm really liking it. It doesn't leave that weird dry powder feeling like the Big Sexy Hair dry shampoo and it smells like coconuts. It's not the strongest dry shampoo out there but it's a decent quick fix. The formula on the Starlooks lip pencil is quite nice and it's a full-sized (like the NYX blush). I received it in the shade "Tipsy" which is a true rose color. The NYX Mosaic Powder (also full-sized) came in the shade "Dare" which is bronzer that's half warm brown and half pink/burgundy. Not a shade I would have picked but I'm happy to give it a go.

From Birchbox the standout product was definitely the ColorClub polish in "Barcelona". It's a neon salmon/coral color and the formula is pretty good for being as bright as it is. The amount of product in the shampoo sample is really impressive however, I don't think it's anywhere near as nice as the Pureology shampoo/conditioner I'm currently using. There was definitely a citrus theme in this months box as everything from Davines and the suki cleanser all smelled like lemon cleaning products. The suki cleanser is also sugar-based which makes me a little nervous to put it on my face. Also, Caroline Hirons of Beauty Mouth has pretty much scared me away from any "foaming" cleansers.

Between both boxes there were several really good products! Between the two though, I think Ipsy won this round. What do you think?

Things We Won in a Blog Sale

(Swatched/Displayed in the Order That They are Mentioned Below)

I've been obsessed with Bastille's music lately, particularly the song "Things We Lost in the Fire". So the title of this post is definitely a reflection of that. I've been lurking over on http://muablogsales.wordpress.com and I can't get over how much cheaper it is to buy secondhand makeup (a decent amount of things are unused). I was a little leery of buying makeup that someone else had touched but I sanitized everything multiple times before using it and made sure I was up to date on my shots. What can I say—I’m a daredevil.

The NARS duo in "Brunes" (retails for $34, paid $20): This duo consists of a gorgeous, matte, dark gray with taupe undertones and a dark slightly shimmery slate-gray navy. The compact was in great condition and both shades looked as if they'd only been swatched. As for the product itself, it is super pigmented (not really buttery) and took a little work to blend. In general, NARS shadow formula isn't my favorite but I've still gotten quite a bit of use from this and the colors are gorgeous!

Eyeliner Lot: This was a ridiculously good deal! New, these liners all together would have retailed for over $283 and I paid $40. A majority of the shades were shimmery brown and bronze shades, which is right up my alley. There were a few standout products from this bunch that I'll probably review in greater depth later.

•       Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in "Jungle"(retails for $24)

•       Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in "Bourbon" (retails for $19)

•       Laura Mercier Kohl Eye Pencil in "Brown Copper" (retails for $20)

•       Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow in "2E" (retails for $20)

•       Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes in "11L" (retails for $18)

•       NARS Eyeliner Stylo in "Carpates" i.e. black (retails for $27)

•       Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil in "Laos" (retails for $22)

•       Chantecaille Gel Liner Pencil in "Bronze" (retails for $33)

•       Le Métier de Beauté Precision Liquid Eyeliner "Burnt Sienna (retails for $42)

•       Le Métier de Beauté Precision Liquid Eyeliner in "Bark" (retails for $42)

•       MAC Eye Kohl in "Costa Riche" (retails for $16)

Guerlain Rouge G de Guerlain Jewel Lipstick Compact in “Garconne 25” (retails for $49.50, paid $30): This is a line that I’ve been wanting to try for awhile but hadn’t sprung for. The formula on this is amazing—definitely my favorite of all time. I usually don’t spring for a red lip, but this classic red will be the first one I reach for. It leaves behind a stain, which lasts forever. The packaging is so luxurious but despite having a built-in mirror, it’s not travel friendly.  It has a magnetized closure that would easily open up inside a purse.

All together, I paid $90 for $366.50 worth of products… insane! I think I just found my new favorite way to buy makeup.

Have you bought any makeup from a blog sale? If so, which sites did you go through?

Glossybox + Xtreme Lashes Giveaway.

(Left to Right: Black Pearl, Plum, Xtreme Black, Golden Olive, Xpresso, Graphite, & Midnight Blue)

The last time I won something it was a gigantic dinosaur in 4th grade... It was pretty much the highlight of my formidable years. It was all the encouragement I needed to to keep hope alive and sign up for giveaways when they crossed my path. Recently Glossybox featured an Xtreme Lashes eyeliner in the (U.S.) May box (definitely the best part of the box). Subsequently, they also paired up and offered a giveaway that included all seven shades of Xtreme Lashes GlideLiner Long Lasting Pencil liner, a GlideLiner Sharpener, Eye Makeup Remover and Facial Cleanser, 100 Lint-Free Applicators, and the Classic Carry-All. The contents if bought separately would have retailed for $273 +tax. However, there's a GlideLiner Design package that's nearly identical (but with 25 Lint-Free Applicators) for sale for $189. Needless to say, I squealed a little bit when I got the email saying I had won, on my birthday no less.

GlideLiner Long Lasting Pencil ($29 each): The formula of the eyeliners is so luxurious. They're the creamiest, softest pencil liners I've tried. Definitely something you'll either love or hate. They are gel-based and once they set they last all day. However, because they're so soft it can be hard to get the product in the lines of your skin as it tends to just slide over (see photo). However, that's easily remedied by going back over it or smudging. They're perfect and easy to apply on the waterline or to transfer on to a liner brush for a more precise application. They work well for an eyeshadow base as well if you're going for a smokey eye. I've actually managed to use each shade and I'd actually consider purchasing when I run out. Easily my favorite pencil liner formula-- I really wish they had some lighter shades as well-- they'd be perfect for the lower water line.
GlideLiner Sharpener ($3): Pretty much your standard pencil sharpener that sharpens regular pencils (not Jumbo, etc.). I like that it's a closed design so your pencil shavings don't go everywhere.
 Eye Makeup Remover and Facial Cleanser ($34): "Contains six calming and soothing botanicals (chamomile, comfrey leaf, cucumber, eyebright, witch hazel and rose hip." Claims to be good for all skin types (including sensitive, however, I'm allergic to one of the ingredients). Also, it's free of artifical colors, sulfates, fragrances, dyes, or mineral oils. I've only used this to remove makeup on a cotton pad and it does the job. It doesn't have any real scent, hasn't broken me out, or hurt my eyes. My skin's quite sensitive to witch hazel so I don't think I'll repurchase this. Besides, I'm in a long-term committed relationship with the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift & Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm. 
100 Lint-Free Applicators ($17 for a pack of 100): I've really only used these to smudge my eye makeup. I prefer these to cotton buds for smudging but these are definitely more expensive and less versatile. I won't be purchasing (but I'll enjoy the 99 I have left).
Classic Carry-All ($20): It seems silly to pay for a makeup bag when companies seem to give them out like candy. That said, this is a BIG fabric-lined bag with two small side pockets.

All in all, this was a fantastic giveaway. I got introduced to a new favorite and got to sample some other products that I wouldn't otherwise have.

Update: Xtreme Lashes is offering 20% off your purchase using promo code BLOGGER 20 until 10/1. 

Makeover: Bedroom Edition

I've slowly been going through the house and redecorating-- what once was a total bachelor pad. The first that I started on was the bedroom and it's the first room that I've (mostly) finished. I'm still deliberating another set of curtains, different pillows, a throw, and maybe different (less harsh) lampshades. But this is where I'm at now...

Walls: I used a flat base paint (Behr "Cathedral Grey") and then used a 25 inch stencil from Ebay over it in a high-gloss version of the same color.
Curtains: Target
Curtain Rod: JC Penney
Lamp Bases: Target
Lamp Shades: Target
Duvet Cover: Target
Pillows: Black & White (Ikea), Yellow x2 (Big Lots), Gray x2 (T.J. Maxx)
Mirror: Not labeled (Bought on Craigslist)