My Glam Bag - February 2012

I really liked all the products I received in the January My Glam Bag, so I was excited to receive the February bag.

The February Glam Bag was delivered in its usual bright pink mailing envelope.  Inside was a pretty pink makeup bag with black hearts on it.  I could actually do without the makeup bags every month.....I already have a ton of them.  I suggest replacing the makeup bag every month with another deluxe sample :)

The bag was filled with the following goodies:

Freeman Goji Berry Facial Hydration Mask

I really enjoyed the Freeman's Cucumber Peel-Off Mask that was in last months bag, so I was excited to get a packet size Freeman Goji Berry Facial Hydration Mask for stressed and dehydrated skin types.  I used this last night and while it did leave my skin feeling soft, it didn't hydrate my skin.  In fact, it felt dry and tight, so I won't be purchasing the full size product.

X Out Shine Control

This is a mattifying, shine controlling, oil-free moisturizer.  It is a free gift with the purchase of the X Out Wash-In Treatment, from the makers of ProActive.  I haven't tried any products from ProActive because I don't have acne problems, but I do have oily skin so I will give this a try.  I won't be purchasing it because I doubt it will work any better then the mattifying, shine control, oil-free moisturizer I currently use (La Roche-Posay Effaclar M Daily Mattifying Moisturizer).

NYX Roll On Shimmer

Another full size product that we received this month was the NYX roll on shimmer.  I received the color "Pink".  This applies with a roller ball applicator and when I applied it to my arm for the swatch, I was able to just wipe it away with my hand, which would make me question the staying power of the product.  It's way too shimmery for me so I will never wear it.  This will go to one of my Nieces.

Premier Dead Sea Cinderella Stretching Mask and Eye Serum

I received a sample of the Cinderella Stretching Mask and a sample of the Eye Serum.  I checked out the Premier Dead Sea website and their products are very expensive.  The Cinderella Stretching Mask costs $149.99 for 2.04 fl. oz., and the Eye Serum costs $175.00 for 1.2 fl oz.  Both products can be purchased at http://www.premierdeadsea.com/.  The samples are pretty tiny and I'll only be able to get one use out of the mask and maybe 2 or 3 out of the eye serum, but I don't think using this product a couple of times is going to show me the benefits they are claiming.  I don't mind spending money on expensive products if I was able to use them for a week or two, to see if they do what they claim.  Chances are, I won't see any results after two applications, so it's likely I won't be purchasing them.  We'll see....I'll let you know my opinion after I use it.

NuMe Gift Card

Everyone received a $100 gift card to Nu Me Style to use on either hair tools or hair extensions.  (http://www.numestyle.com/).  There is no spending limit but must be used for purchasing hair tools (dryer, straightener, curling wands, etc.) or hair extensions.  I'm very suspicious of coupons like this.  to me, if a company can afford to give me $100 dollars off a product, they are charging too much for the product in the first place.  If any of you check out the website and find something you want, subscribe to my blog and leave me a comment below and I will give you  my coupon code (must be a subscriber to receive the code).  It can only be used once.

We also received two little chocolates for Valentine's Day.  My husband loved them :)

I was definitely happier with last month's bag, but I realize that I'm not going to like every bag.  I'll still enjoy trying all these products and sharing a few, too.

UPDATE:  As of March 13, the NuMe coupon code is still available!!

Have a great day,
Kat

Zoya Coupon Code

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to let you know about the latest Zoya Nail Lacquer promotion code.

Now through Saturday, February 25^th 2012 11:59PM EST, ONLY.
With the purchase of a Zoya Mini Color Lock System,you will receive a duo of Zoya Maisie, Zoya Kristen, Zoya Megan and/or Zoya Chloe FREE (the two you choose is up to you) PLUS... Free Shipping!

Instructions:

1. Add the Zoya Mini Color Lock System (ZTHOL1101), at least two of the following Zoya Kristen, Zoya Megan, Zoya Chloe or Zoya Maisie to your shopping cart (along with any additional items you wish to purchase).
2. Enter code: WHITNEY3 into the coupon/promo field in your cart and press "Apply Code".
3. Complete Check-Out Process, Review and Submit Order.

Happy shopping!!

Kat

ecoTools Limited Edition Beautiful Expressions Kabuki Set, 4 PC

I was in my local Walgreens store over the weekend and noticed they had a clearance basket with the ecoTools Limited Edition Beautiful Expressions Kabuki Set for 50% off.  I paid $7.50 for the four brushes.

The limited edition set includes:

• Conceal Round Kabuki
• Bronze Angled Kabuki
• Buff Flat Top Kabuki
• Contour Domed Kabuki

These brushes are small in size and not quite as soft as my other ecoTools brushes, but they are still nice brushes.  I love the contour domed kabuki as it fits perfectly into the "contouring space" of the cheek.  I'm not very good at applying contour, and this brush helps me apply the contour color to the correct spot and not get it all over the cheek area. :)

The small tapered point on the conceal brush works nicely around my eyes and nose.

So, if you like ecoTools brushes, this set at 50% off is a great value!!!  Run to your local Walgreens and pick up a set!! 

Take care,
Kat

Classic Red Nail in Zoya Dominique

I love red nail polish. I think red fingernails just look classy.

On Valentine's Day, Zoya had a buy one nail lacquer, get one red nail lacquer free promotion. I purchased Dominique and received Carmen free.  As you all know, I love Zoya nail lacquer. It goes on smoothly, dries quickly, and wears wonderfully.

Dominique is a bold medium orange-toned brick red creme.

  

This is two coats of Zoya Dominique with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat.

Carmen is a bright, medium true red in a glossy creme finish. I chose this color to send to a dear friend of mine who lives in Germany, and her name is...Carmen!! I can't wait to send it to her! 

To get special promotions from Zoya, "like" them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

What Zoya colors are your favorites?  Do you love a classy red nail?

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day.

Take care,

Kat

L'Oreal Professionnel Mythic Oil Review

I received a sample of the L’Oreal Professionnel Mythic Nourishing Oil in one of my Birchboxes.  I can’t remember if it was November or December.  I found it in the drawer where I keep all my sample items and decided to give it a try.

According to L’Oreal, the Mythic Oil is:   beautifying oil enriched with a complex of avocado and grape seed oils to deliver unique benefits to the hair without weighing it down. Hair is nourished, repaired and protected from external aggressions and shine is restored leaving hair supple and soft to touch. Avocado oil, rich in fatty acids and Omegas 3, 6 and 9 nourish, while grape seed oil packed with vitamins and essential fatty acids penetrates quickly to nourish hair deeply and powerfully.

I washed my hair as normal and left it wrapped in a towel for a few minutes to soak up the excess moisture.  I have thick hair, so I put a nickel size amount of the nourishing oil in the palm of my hand and warmed it by rubbing my hands together.  The consistency of the L’Oreal Mythic Oil is a little thinner then the Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment I use.  I ran my hands through my hair to distribute the oil from the mid section to the ends and concentrated a little more on my ends.  It blended into my hair very easily and has a light, fresh scent.

I am so pleased with the results of this product.  After I dried my hair, I noticed immediately how soft and supple it was.  The ends of my hair looked smooth and less frizzy.  My hair had a nice shine and there was no greasy feeling at all.  The scent does stay in the hair, but it is very subtle and smells really nice.  I keep running my hands through my hair because it’s so soft!!!  When I have finished with my Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment, it will be replaced by the L’Oreal Mythic Nourishing Oil.  I highly recommend it.

You can purchase L’Oreal Mythic Nourishing Oil on www.amazon.com (sellers and prices vary).  You can also purchase 4.2 ounce bottle for $20.99 at www.sleekhair.com.   Birchbox (www.birchbox.com) sells it but just like all products sold by Birchbox, they charge more, $32.00 for a 4.2 ounce bottle.  The L’Oreal website says it’s available in fine hair care salons but none in my area sold it.  As a comparison, the Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment costs $39.00 for 4.2 ounces.

Have any of you tried the new L’Oreal Mythic Nourishing Oil?  Do you use hair oil treatments?  If so, which products do you use and how do you like them? 

I hope you're all having a great day!!

Kat

My First Glam Bag by MyGlam

Glam Bag is a monthly subscription service similar to Birchbox. It costs $10 a month and you receive a custom Glam Bag (actual makeup bag) filled with 4 or 5 full-sized or deluxe-sized samples of beauty products (cosmetics, skin care, hair care). Glam Bag started in December of 2011 and was created by several YouTube "beauty guru's".  It was so popular they sold out of their December Glam Bag and had to stop accepting subscriptions.  They opened subscriptions again in late December, so I was able to sign up then. When you first join the site, you take a beauty quiz to create your personalized beauty profile. Then every month you are sent a bag of goodies for $10 (includes shipping and handling)!  You can join by the month, or a year at a time.

My January Glam Bag contained:

• Wen Sweet Almond Mint Conditioner (2 fl oz)
• Freeman Cucumber Peel-Off Mask (6 fl oz - full size product)
• SheerCover Duo Concealer in Light/Medium
• The Balm Shady Lady Eyeshadow in Luscious Lani (full size product)　

Freeman’s Peel-Off Mask in Cucumber: This is fairly sticky when applying it to the face. The directions say it takes 5 minutes to dry but I find it takes much longer then that. Maybe I put too much on. It feels cool and tingly on my skin and once it dries it peels off easily. It leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth and looks a little brighter and firmer. I love facial masks and use several brands from high end to drug store and I really liked this Cucumber mask. I will most likely purchase it when this tube is gone.

Wen Sweet Almond Mind Conditioner: Please see my blog review below.  Didn't care for it....won't purchase it.

Sheercover’s concealer in light/medium: This has good coverage and a very creamy consistency. I did feel like I needed to set the concealer with a bit of powder.  I like that it comes with a light and a medium shade. 

The Balm Shady Lady Eyeshadow: I love this eyeshadow!!!  I love the color and the pigmentation is amazing. I would say this color is very similar to Urban Decay Sin - just not quite as shimmery as Sin. The container is very large and will last me a long while. I had never heard of The Balm cosmetics but I like this eyeshadow so much that I am anxious to buy more.

This Glam Bag was a great value.  Just the eyeshadow alone cost $16.00.  I like it better than Birchbox because the samples are from popular brands and the sizes are much larger than the "deluxe" samples you receive from Birchbox.  You can subscribe to the MyGlam My Bag at www.myglam.com.

Do any of you subscribe to the Glam Bag or Birchbox?  Which one do you prefer?

Take care and I hope you're having a great day!

Kat