First, get the oven preheated for the Tatertots and get them in the oven. You then take a frying pan and put in some chopped up onions with a little butter and salt. Once the Tots and onions are done, drizzle ketchup over your tots and grate some cheese to taste, and there you go! Totchos!
I am officially launch my new blog devoted to helping those with chronic illnesses deal with some of the unique problems that come with having a condition in the field of beauty and fashion. From gaining and losing weight constantly because of steroids, to what skin care is best, I hope this blog will be a place to share knowledge and experiences with what makes everyone feel beautiful!
I wanted to get this up earlier, but today has been a difficult day illness wise, BUT here it is! I also plan on doing some sort of giveaway soon as I get a lot of extra beauty items from all of my subscriptions so I would love to give some stuff out that way soon.
I will be posting more and more and desperately want people's input, ideas, experiences, and tips you think could help others! I want this blog to be a place everyone can come and get advice and input their own advice! Hope everyone likes it! (Also, please share if you know any other good support groups or anything like that. Would love help spreading the word! :P
This months Ipsy Glam Bag theme was Jetsetter! I have to say I was much happier with this months Glam Bag than last months. Each product I received is something I will use often and is something I did not have already in my makeup kit! Ipsy Glam Bags are a subscription service that sends you 5 deluxe samples(sometimes full size items!) in a cute little makeup bag that fits whatever that month's theme is for $10.00. A fun surprise this month was that there were multiple makeup bag options. I actually got the one that is different than the one pictured above and LOVE it. Now, to the samples!
One of my favorite items this month, this lip pencil is an amazing primer. It really helps make your lip product last a long time! I have not tried out the lip gloss yet, but I love the colors and love Urban Decay so I am sure it will be something that I instantly become addicted too. :P The pencil itself is a nice size and I should get quite a few uses out of it.
2. Chella Eyebrow Color Pencil(Possibly Full SIze)
Initially, I was not thrilled about this item as I have bold, thick eyebrows already, however, after I tried it I actually think it will be something I use! The color is taupe, so it was not to dark and did not make my eyebrows look like big caterpillars so I am happy. Though it may not be a regular step in my makeup routine, anytime I want a bolder look I will be sure to use this! I think this may also be a full size item!
3. Nuxe Reve de Miel Facial Cleanser and Makeup Removing Gel
One of my favorite items in this months bag, this cleanser works well, and completely removes all of my makeup. After cleansing, my skin is left feeling soft and smooth and my complexion is significantly brighter and evenly toned. The smell is something you will either love or hate, but personally I love it. This is something I will definitely be purchasing!
I ordered a set of these from an Ipsy deal a few weeks ago and love it. Getting this eye brush in my Glam Bag was an awesome surprise and a wonderful addition to my brush collection. This brand of brushes is coated in a revolutionary anti-bacterial material, making care for these brushes a lot easier. This item on its own cost more than my Glam Bag, and this item itself makes the Glam Bag worth it!
5. Bare Republic Naturals SPF 30 Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion
Normally I despise sunscreen on my face, as it is too thick and often makes me break out. This sunscreen, so far, has worked well on my sensitive skin. Though this item was one of my less loved, I do like it overall. I also love how light the cream feels and goes on easy, so I am sure I will be using this as we go into summer!
I would say that this bag was extremely successful, and one of my favorites. All of these items are great for summer, and I am sure I will get lots of use out of them!
This months Birchbox's curator is Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere, on the wings of her new book, Cupcakes and Cashmere at Home. This months box is beautiful and has a nice clean, elegant look, and like all Birchboxes has wonderful packaging. Each box comes with a card detailing all the items in your Birchbox. On occasion, you are also sent extra little gifts, but in general you get five beauty samples. Before boxes are sent out, on the 27th of the previous month, you are sent an email allowing you to pick out one sample from a group of four possibilities. This month, I was lucky to receive a shampoo and conditioner sample on top of the other five samples I received, totalling seven samples to review and receive points for.
Another great thing about Birchbox is their points system is amazing. Every ten points equals a dollar, and you can use points in sets of one hundred. Since each of your items you review you get ten points for, you get at least five dollars worth of points. You also get ten points when you use the share button for twitter or facebook once your box is revealed on the website. With the points system, your box only ends up costing four dollars at the most(sometimes even less), so while many of the samples are small it is definitely worth it.
Now on to May 2015's Birchbox review! Don't forget to check out the coupon code at the end of this blog post!
My first sample, this primer works really well and greatly reduces pore size. I use it mostly around my T-Zone and it has actually started to reduce my pores size even until well after use. Overall I love this product, and this may end up being my go to primer!
I love peels and mask, and while this is not a mask it is a great, easy to use, peel that works fast and has lasting effects. The sample was way too small in my opinion, but I really loved how soft and smooth my skin felt after I used this peel. Since it only takes three minutes to use this peel, it can be much more convenient compared to other peels I use. The price tag is a little much for me though, and I have other peels I love just as much, but at a smaller price. Overall, a fun sample to get.
At first I did not pay this cream much attention, but after using it I was pleasantly surprised! Since it creates a gentle, cooling sensation, this cream is a great pick me up in the morning that wakes you up and makes you ready for the day! Though I like this product, I think it may be awhile before I need a new day cream.
This was a wonderful surprise as it is full size and the full size price is $18.00! I love when I get an item that pays for the box itself. This eyeliner works well, and I love adding a new color to my eyeliner collection! With easy application and long lasting effects, this new eyeliner is a new staple in my collection!
By far my favorite item in this months Birchbox, I have just discovered my new favorite hair care line. With a sample of the Restore Instant Repair Lotion came samples of Living Proof. Restore Shampoo and Conditioner. These were a wonderful surprise and not listed individually on the Birchbox information card. Since using this line my hair had been thicker, shiner, and just overall healthier. Having a chronic illness, things like my hair and nails are very fragile and I am always looking for products that can help remedy those problems. I can say that I will be placing an order for this amazing hair care line very soon!
Birchbox May 2015 Unboxing:
And lastly, your Coupon Code! Get $5.00 off your first month of Birchbox, just use code BB50OFF. That means you get your first month for $5.00! Thank you for reading my review and watching my unboxing video! Hope you enjoyed it, and I look forward to posting more unboxing videos and reviews!
Want premium samples sent to your door for only $10 a month? Check out IPSY's Glam Bag!
One of my favorite sites, IPSY, has weekly offers for Glam Bag subscribers where you can get a varying degree of discounts on different products from brands that IPSY has featured in their Glam Bags. I love trying new products, so I am always on the lookout for interesting products and amazing deals. One of those offers was Ziaja's Goat's Milk Collection! This collection has a day cream, night cream, and eye cream and as I was in need of a moisturizer, and it was a good deal, I thought I would try it out.
I have to say I really have loved the day cream, and use it every day. It has acne fighting ingredients as well as anti-aging properties. Since I started using the day cream, my face has been soft, smooth, and toned. I have many different medical conditions, so my skin is extremely sensitive and making me a little picky with products, but this day cream is gentle, rich, and nourishing.
As for the night cream, I have not used it quite as much, but I do like it. My main complaint is that it is quite a heavy cream, so I don't think it's something that should be used more than a few times a week for people with sensitive or combination skin.
Lasty, the eye cream is AMAZING! It greatly reduced my dark circles and left my skin soft and smooth. As I have used it more and more, my dark circles are the lightest they have ever been, and for someone with many chronic illnesses who pretty much lives with permanent dark circles under their eyes, this is a godsend. I have another cream that I use in the morning. Between the two of them, my eyes are looking that best they ever have.
Overall I really have enjoyed this collection and for those looking for an inexpensive, effective, anti-aging, nourishing, acne fighting face care regimen, this is for you!
"Let's Get Random" - My Wonka's Random's Candy Review
I got these wonderfully inventive and creative candies to try for free from one of my favorite product testing sites, Smiley360! These candies come in 70 completely random shapes, 7 different flavors and 3 different gummy textures! Each bite is full of flavor and almost always a little different, making this one of the most involved candy experiences I have ever had. Wonka's Randoms are made with real fruit juice. With that and all the variety, each bite is entertaining and delicious, and although I never got my desired shape, a foot, I now find Wonka's Randoms to be one of my favorite gummy candies! #Getrandoms
Influenster Review for Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils
I got this amazing mascara to try for free from a product testing site I used, called Influenster! I have been using it for a few weeks and LOVE this mascara. This mascara not only gives you huge, beautiful lashes when it is on, but it also nourishes your lashes to help them grow fuller and longer, naturally. It also has a nice weight to it and you can tell the quality of the product just by how nice container is! It does come with a little bit of a price tag, $32.00, but it is worth every penny! Also, if you want to do something a little more fun, this mascara also comes in multiple colors! Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils is now a must have in my makeup routine, and it even smells amazing! I would highly recommend this product!
