Chic Couture {Series}-Colors of Love~Purple

Want something a little different on Valentine's day than the norm of red or pink? Then go purple!  Purple is one of my favorite eyeshadow colors to wear.  Yep it goes great with my boring brown eyes! And now that I think about it I like wearing purple clothes too! Here's my purple picks!

{Majority of these are from Etsy! Yay for handmade!}

Top row, left to right:

Purple Lace Headband by Gertie & Baxter at Etsy

Flower Bobby Pin Set by KriyaDesign at Etsy

True Romance Eyeshadow-Beethoven Palette by Kat Von D at Sephora

Bottom row, left to right:

Crystal Ring by MLE Jewelry at Etsy

Purple Paris Themed Clutch by Sew Kute Couture at Etsy

Belou Dress by LucieLu

I do have the first purpley Kat Von D palette and have used it a lot.  And I've gotten compliments on my eye makeup when wearing it!

That's it for the series! It was fun!

Happy Friday Lovelies!

January Birchbox & MyGlam Bag

It's been a fun 'happy mail' month for me!  

I spent my Christmas money on makeup and jewelry! Surprised?

 Urban Decay and Stella & Dot to be specific. And then joining Julep's monthly subscription just added to the bliss!  This week I got both my Birchbox and Glam Bag the same day and I'm so pleased with both!!

 Perfume, cheek blush/highlighter, moisturizer, shampoo, and nail polish remover.  I'm most excited about The Balm's Hot Mama blush/highlighter...love The Balm and I'm trying to make it a habit to contour and highlight.  The perfume is lovely...makes me want Spring to hurry up and get here!

Argan oil, nail polish, concealer brush, body butter, and hair spray. I'm most excited about the nail polish and hair spray!  Ipsy gives sneaks peaks on their Facebook page and I thought I would be getting a red nail polish so I'm loving this Frappe color! And I've never used any of the Big Sexy Hair products so we'll see how this does on my pouf! Oh and that body butter smells divine! Yay for the blood orange scent!

These subscriptions sure do brighten my month! Ha!

Happy Friday!

Glam Bag Review & November Birchbox

About a month ago I signed up for my first Glam Bag.  I wanted to see how I liked it compared to Birchbox.    I have loved Birchbox but some of the boxes are more skin care and I'm more of a beauty product junkie!

November Glam Bag!

What I got:

Brown makeup bag

{perfect purse size}

Starlet Intense Eyeliner in Chocolate

{this isn't as creamy as Urban Decay but it's still good, love that it's full size!}

Benefit They're Real Beyond Mascara

{this has a plastic brush which I am not a fan of, still a good mascara}

BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Dare Devil

{love it! not too 'sticky' and a pretty color}

Meet Matt(e) Eyeshadow in Matt Batali

{pretty purple shade, I'm a fan of the Balm!}

And the sample I was most giddy about getting...

Nailtini Nail Lacquer in Millionaire

{party in a bottle! what's not to love?}

So my overall reaction to Glam Bag....a resounding yes, yes, yes! I'm impressed.  Now I realize I'm basing this on one month and really hope I don't have to change my tune!

November Birchbox

What I got:

Masqueology Revitalizing Eye

MCMC Fragrance in Phoenix

{smells so nice!}

One Love Organics Aromatic Body Serum

{feels nice, seems to absorb into skin well}

Stila All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminizer

{gives off nice tiny sparkles, great for special occasions}

Extras

Masqueology Masque Cleanse & 7D Moisture Cream

Pillow box to reuse

This is a good box. The three things I tried I really like.  

As far as keeping my subscription, I still enjoy Birchbox to stay on board.  It is my first love!

So I'll just treat myself twice a month now! Hee!

Happy Friday!

October Birchbox

I wasn't sure what to expect with this month's Birchbox. I opted in for the Goop box. I thought I'd try it to see how or if it would be any different.  Not sure if really there's any difference at all.  I am excited to try a mascara and I've had the Luna bar before so it will be a nice treat.

After taking the group photo I realized the little lip gloss was messed up. Kinda cute packaging for that once it went where it was supposed to go! Ha!

Here's what's what:

Chantecaille Faux Cils Mascara

DDF Wrinkle Resist Plus Pore Minimizer

EVE LOM Cleanser and Muslin Cloth

per-fekt Beauty Lip Perfection Gel

LUNA LemonZest

Did you get the Goop box? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Sometimes I don't  use everything in the box but looking at the list I'll be sampling everything this time so we'll see how they all turn out!

To find out more about Birchbox go HERE.

Happy Friday!

September Birchbox

Doing things a little different this week since tomorrow I'm joining Marilyn of The ArtsyGirl Connection for her Fall Crawl. I'll be showing how I decorated my mantel for Halloween without all the spooky, scary stuff, you don't want to miss my first ever Halloween mantel!

  So today I wanted to show off my September Birchbox that I just got on Tuesday.  

Lots of goodies this month!

What's inside:

BVLGARI Mon Jasmin Noir

{It smells oh so lovely!}

Color Club Birchbox Polish

{Pretty taupeish, metallic color!}

twistband Birchbox Custom Lace Hair Tie

{Like this better than the yellow one I got previously!}

Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator

WEI to Go Sleep Over Kit

Extras:

The Brush Guard Variety Kit

Birchbox Digital Download-Tristan Prettyman

Madewell coupon

And a nice mini-mag filled with fall beauty trends.  I'm really liking the pamphlet/min-mag thing they're doing! Fun way to present good info!

What was in your Birchbox?

To find out more about Birchbox go HERE. 

And next Friday will be another Chic Couture link party where you can link up anything beauty or fashion related! Hope you'll join me!  And don't forget about tomorrow!

Happy Thursday!

August Birchbox

This month's Birchbox just might have the best thing they could ever put in a box.  A razor. Yep that's what I think!  I always buy the cheapest disposable pack there is because the ones with refills just seem so expensive to me! Am I the only one who thinks this? I'm busting that sucker out here shortly!!

{Yes it's 2:30 in the afternoon and I have yet to shower....that's what happens when your a momma!|

I got my box 2 days ago so again haven't tried anything yet except smelling the oh so lovely Juicy Couture sample. Viva la Juicy La Fleur just might have to go on the Christmas list!

Cute back to school theme and I love the Beauty 101 series booklet! So fun!

Here's what is what:

Caldrea Hand Soap

Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy La Fleur

DDF Brightening Cleanser

Pixi Beauty Blush in Purest Peach

Shick Hydro Silk Razor

Pretty excited to try all of these!!

What did you get this month?

Hope you'll link it up next Friday!!

To find out more about Birchbox go here.

And this is the last call for the August Bash Giveaway!! It's ending tonight at midnight!!

Go HERE!!

Happy Friday!!

July Birchbox

I'm so glad I get Birchbox! When you've had a challenging week, receiving that pretty pink box sure can cheer up a stressed out mommy!  I got this month's Glamour Magazine themed box on Tuesday and I've been busy with others things so I haven't tried anything out yet but I sure am excited to!  And I must say since I was a little disappointed in the Gossip Girl themed box that this box makes up for it!

Here's what I got:

Ada Cosmetics Bronzer

{I'm not a bronzer gal so I'm excited to try this! It's the cute little pot!}

Alterna Bamboo UV+ Color Protection Fade-Proof Fluide

Jouer Lip Enhancer

Stila in the moment shadow palette

{Yay for an eyeshadow sample!}

Suki Nourishing Kit

Lifestyle Extras:

Larabar uber Roasted Nut Roll

{Never had one before....it was yummy!}

Birchbox Exclusive Earbuds

What was in your box?

Don't forget the link party next Friday, I'll be adjusting a few things!

To find out more about Birchbox go HERE.

Happy Friday!

Fav Beauty Gurus

Happy Friday! What a week!

Thought I'd end it with sharing some of my favorite Beauty Gurus!  A couple years ago I was looking around You Tube and came across a tutorial for Valentine nails and was immediately sucked into the beauty guru section!!  That led to me finding Makeup Geek and I became slightly obsessed with her videos! I was amazed by her talent and inspired to try different techniques....that's when I started using eye primer and brushes and man what a difference those make!!  Have you ever watched a makeup tutorial?  Is it weird that I like to?  I'm not as obsessed anymore...a blue eyed bundle of joy came along and gets a lot of my attention but when I get something new, especially a new palette, I'll search for tutorials to get me started!

So here they are!

Makeup Geek-www.makeupgeek.com

Beauty Broadcast-www.beautybroadcast.net

*Love her dupe videos!!*

{She finds affordable duplicates for the high end stuff!}

And this is the video that started it all for me!

The following gals are also worth checking out!

Ma Nouvelle Mode-www.manouvellmode.com

*Natalia is the reason I tried red lipstick!*

A Little Slice of Special-

http://lorilynn-alittlesliceofspecial.blogspot.com/

*She does Makeup Mondays!*

So if you're looking to change things up then all of these are great starting places!!


Have a Happy Day!!

I've got a Nude'tude!

A Nude'tude eyeshadow palette from The Balm that is!  I had viewed a review/tutorial of the palette by Emily of Beauty Broadcast and knew I wanted to someday try it.  Well someday came a little sooner than I thought thanks to Birchbox!!  In my last Birchbox I got some expired samples and Birchbox made it good by giving me points.  (Points are earned when you refer someone and when you shop.) So I had about 300 points or $30! I was going to purchase Benefit's Erase Paste if I liked it after sampling it which didn't turn out so I was just looking through all the products and to my surprise came across The Balm's Nude'tude palette! I spent a total of $11 after using my points...$5 for shipping and $6 for the palette. I was so excited about it that I tweeted I almost stole it!  Thanks Birchbox! 

A lot of people are comparing this to the Naked palettes by Urban Decay. Some like it better, some not.  I like it just as much as the UD. But I do think the range of colors is better verses both UD palettes.  The Nude'tude has a pink (Stubborn) and a purple (Sexy) shade which neither UD palettes have really. So to me this would be a better traveler.  But, even though the packaging is rad, it seems as though you get more product in the UD palettes. I think it's all in perception though!

I haven't tried all colors yet but they are good quality and if you're looking for a nude palette I rank this one with Urban Decay.  And when choosing one I would think about what colors you wear most and let that help your decision.  And actually the Nude'tude is an excellent one to start out with!

What's your favorite palette?

Happy Friday!

{I was not paid to write this post. I got some cool new makeup that I wanted to share with you!}

April Birchbox

I am very pleased that I got my Birchbox this week! This is the week I normally get it but since moving it came late a few times, making me sweat a little!

This month's box is full of organics. My favorite thing out of the box is the lip balm! I'm not quite addicted to lip balm like my sister in law is but I do have to apply some before bed time! And I carry one in my purse.  This one from Pangea Organics is not only a full size but it's bigger than the normal full size. It's feels great on and honestly I haven't tried anything else yet because I've been so pleased with it! Ha!

April Birchbox:

Befine Skincare Sampler Box

J.R. Watkins Foot Repair Salve

Pangea Organics Lip Balm

Wonderstruck Taylor Swift

Beauty Extras:

Pangea Organics Facial Scrub and Eye Cream

Want to sign up for Birchbox? For as little as $10 a month you can treat yourself to deluxe beauty samples geared towards your profile. And there's a point system so anytime you refer someone or shop, points are earned so you can shop some more!

Birchbox Website

Why yes that's a bathroom Instagram shot!  

I'm loving Instagram! It's photo fun!  And you can always follow me, I'm under vintagegwen.

Don't forget! Next Friday will be the Birchbox Beauty Bash!

And check out my current giveaway that ends Saturday!

beiFIORI $40 Etsy shop credit giveaway

Well I'm off to go try the Pangea scrub and eye cream!

Happy Friday!

Birchbox Beauty Bash {3}

It's that time of the month! Birchbox Beauty Bash time!!

I've been enjoying playing with all my samples, how about you?  And I had fun expeirmenting with red lipstick for Valentine's day!!  A bold lip look is now in my makeup look rotation!

Let's party!!

What to link up?
Birchbox Posts

Beauty Advice
Tips
Reviews
Tricks
Secrets
DIY/Handmade Products
Tutorials

Anything makeup, skin care, hair, fragrance, bath and body or beauty tools related!!

Rules:

*Link up anything in the list above.

*Link to a specific post, not your homepage.

*Follow myself and Allison and post the party button somewhere on your blog.

*Visit others and have fun!

<center><a href="http://vintagegwen.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n589/djwheeler11/beautybash.jpg"/></a></center> 

As usual the party will be open for a week so you have plenty of time!

Have fun and Happy Friday!

February Birchbox

Happy Friday lovelies!

I was sweating over my February Birchbox!  I changed my address to our new house and come to find out the address was wrong! Even though we haven't moved yet I've been checking the mailbox and it finally came yesterday!  A few days after normal time...whew! Thanks post person!!

From Twitter I had an idea what would be in the box and I'm excited to try out the goodies!

This month's goodies...Beautyblender sponge, Eye Rock Designer liner, Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint, Mineralogie Ultimate Cream Concealer.  Lifestyle Extras are Chuao Chocolatier Spicy Maya ChocoPod and a music download.  How fun!

I've never mastered fancy eyeliner techniques so these stickers look fun!

 Thinking I'll have to pair this with a red lip!

I did eat the chocolate {of course!} and oh my! The package states "Unusual, Unexpected & Delicious"...all very true!! It's just the right amount of spiciness!

Next Friday will be our 3rd Birchbox Beauty Bash so get those posts ready!!

January Birchbox

I can't believe it has been a month already since signing up for Birchbox!

I know I only have 2 under my belt but this box is my favorite so far!

I'm loving the Birchbox magnet, Juicy Couture fragrance and especially the Zoya nail polish!! 

Here's the polish in action!

Isn't it a nice neutral?  This is my first time using this brand and I was pleased that I could have gotten away with just one coat.  But since my hands are in water a lot I went ahead and did 2 coats.  I'm loving it!

Oh and the granola was pretty tasty!  I haven't used the cream or serum yet, I'm a Mary Kay user, have been for years so the creams and serums will be a little hard for me to be eager to try, if ya know what I mean. 

Anyone join Birchbox lately?

I'm excited for our 2nd Birchbox Beauty Bash next Friday!

Link up your beauty related posts such as beauty advice, tips, reviews, tricks, secrets, DIY/handmade products, tutorials(makeup or hair) and of course a Birchbox post!

Hope you'll join Allison and I!

Mark your calendars!

Happy Friday!