Bonus Box!

Pin It I have been subscribing to Birchbox for awhile now and I so love getting the box of beauty samples every month. In August, they promoted a Bonus Box, themed "Head of the Class." Even though I'm not in school anymore, I had enough Birchbox points to get the box without it costing anything, so I went for it. It is the MOST FUN box complete with adorable patterned bobbi-pins, hot pink bracelets (supposed to be friendship bracelets, but I'll probably not give one to my BFF). Also included were 2 bottles of nail polish and 5 little tubs of sequins for nails, face wash, and a Stila lip gloss. To complete the awesomeness, it all came in the cutest chevron makeup bag!

Love it! Interested in Birchbox? Sign up here: http://birch.ly/14eTEhY

Until Next Time,

Meg

My Clairol Natural Instincts Glambassador Challenge

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I'm not sure if I'd actually call this a challenge. I had the opportunity to receive a free Clairol Natural Instincts hair color kit from Glamour Magazine and Clairol. My "challenge" was to take before pictures of my hair, use the color kit (I did get to choose the color that I wanted), and then provide after pictures and a testimonial. I have to admit, I was pretty nervous as I haven't colored my hair myself since I was in college and I've been going to the same colorist for the past 8 years. (For you hair stylists out there, I did come clean to my hair guy and tell him that I signed up for the challenge and that I was taking matters into my own hands with a demi-permanent hair color. I'd hate to try and deceive him as I have a horrible "poker face" and I know he would ask when I came in next). 

With sweaty palms and agonizing over it for days, I finally picked out my color choice. I tried to choose one that would be close to my current color. I ended up choosing #12 Toasted Almond (this just happens to be the same color that Giada De Laurentiis uses -- see below)

Source: sfgate.com via Clairol Color on Pinterest

The color is a light golden brown and came in the mail just a couple of weeks after the challenge announcement. It didn't help my nerves when my husband saw the box and said, "wow, that's really dark, I think you overestimated how dark your hair is." Being a person who does not go back on my word and also one who doesn't back away from a challenge (plus this is a pretty low commitment risk as the product lasts for 28 shampoos and it just so happened that I found a gray hair in my center part earlier that morning -- yikes), I went for it. Then entire process took me only 20 minutes (that includes the application, the 10 minute wait time and the conditioning rinse). It was super easy, mess free, and very quick.

The results are amazing! I love it! The color is a subtle change and added dimension to my color, which was in need of new highlights or something (see my before and after pics below). It also seemed to condition my hair rather than damage it. At times when I catch my reflection on a sunny day, the color seems to add a bit of a reddish color that makes the green of my eyes really stand out. All in all, I would definitely use this product again.

Before

Before

After

After

Thanks Glamour Magazine and Clairol Natural Instincts!
Until Next Time,
Meg

Lucky Dog!

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I know that my previous post was titled "Winner Winner..." and that when you get the subject of this post, you'll be saying, "well that lucky dog". It's true, I'm pretty lucky. I am also persistent and thorough. I enter EVERYTHING (hint: odds are better of winning when you enter)! I follow numerous blogs, enter every contest that I come across on Facebook and Twitter. I enter magazine contests, daily giveaways, EVERYTHING!

Recently, I entered a StyleWatch StyleHunters contest for Dior mascara. The first 100 or so to respond to an email won a free tube of the iconic brand's DiorShow Mascara (which I love, by the way and you can read my review here). After being one of the lucky ones to receive the mascara, I wrote a rave review on by blog, I posted on Facebook about this amazing product, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, you name it! It is because of this that I was one of a handful to be selected to receive $200 in Dior products! You can imagine my excitement  Well maybe you can't. To give you a glimpse of what my excitement looked like, I actually jumped up and down doing the ol' fist pump -- you know the one (think Napoleon Dynamite). Yes, I know, this makes me a total nerd, but hey, in the name of $200 in Dior beauty products, I'll take one for team and be nerdy any day!

I chose six products from Dior:

DiorShow Iconic High Definition Mascara

I already knew that I loved the DiorShow Mascara so I wanted to try a different version. I tried to order the NewLook mascara, but it was out of stock so I went with this one. This mascara has a rubbery brush that allows you to separate  your lashes while you coat them. I am not as graceful with the rubbery brush and typcially end up with mascara in places other than my lashes. However, I do really like that this mascara does not clump and it doesn't weigh my lashed down -- no tarantula lashes here, thank you very much!

DiorSkin Nude Liquid Foundation

I have not tried Dior foundations before and I was a bit hesitant, but I happened to need foundation, so I went for it. I searched online until I found a chart that allowed me to compare my current color of Clinique foundation (Stay Matte Foundation #9 Neutral) to what would be the equivalent color in Dior foundations (#30 neutral). I went with it and ended up very lucky -- the shade is PERFECT!

DiorSkin Nude Powder Foundation

This foundation is different than my other mineral powder foundations. It actually feels cool on my skin when I first apply it, like it is wet. It is a very sheer coverage and because of my flare up of acne over the last few months, it does not provide enough coverage for me right now. I do apply it after liquid foundation for additional coverage and mid-day to zap any shine. I love the feel of this foundation and will be using it once my skin clears. 

DiorAddict Lip Glow

This is, hands down, my favorite product out of this recent product haul. It looks like a clear balm, it glides on like a balm, and then bam! it turns pink and looks like sheer lipstick. It is supposedly supposed to bring out the natural shade of your lips. I'm not sure if that's the case, but the color is amazing and looks pretty natural, all the while feeling like regular, moisturizing lip balm. 

Before the LipGlow

After the LipGlow 

Nail Lacquer in Blazing Pink and Shadow

So far, I have only tried the Shadow. I like the polish, it goes on nicely with a thick brush. It seemed to stay put a little longer than drugstore brands. I would not purchase these nail polishes at $23 each, but I am enjoying them as a "prize". 

All in all, this is one of the best prize packages that I have ever won. The most excruciating part was choosing the products. Dior has so many great products, all with fabulous reviews. If I had to do it all over again, I'd choose exactly the same products (except maybe change out the nail polishes with another Lip Glow). 

Thanks StyleHunters for the opportunity!

Until Next Time,

Meg

Winner Winner....

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I recently won a bottle of Giorgio Armani Hydrating Body Mist from Glamour Magazine. This is not an item that I would normally purchase, but the light fragrance (and the fact that you can spray it all over and not make yourself sick with an overwhelming scent) is amazing. As for the hydrating factor, I am still on the fence about that. My skin doesn't feel any differently in the areas that I sprayed it, but I smell DIVINE!

Until Next Time,
Meg