August Beauty Box 5:Radiant and Remarkable

This box had a lot of goodies in it, perfect for anyone wanting to retain their end of summer glow. :)

BB5 for August 2014



Let's start with the nail polish...of course!

I couldn't find anything about the nail polish online, but the brand is Style Essential Nail Polish. I received the classic black and white glitter top coat.  The glitters were matte,and had a nice matte finish to them, which really gave my manicure a toned down but fun vibe. :)  It applied well in one coat, but I applied two coats.

The base color I used is OPI  "You're So Vain-illa"  (from the Coco-Cola Collection)

Unfortunately, it did cause bubbles in my manicure, but because I used it over a nude color I didn't really notice the bubbles, too much :)

Nancoco Lip Gloss  -  I was hoping to get this lip gloss in a wearable color, but as you can see I received a bubblegum pink color...not for me!  Darn, another one bites the dust :(

Pur-lisse Pur protect SPF 30 sunscreen - This came just in time, because I used it for my trip second to Las Vegas. This was light and easy to apply, and was super wearable under makeup. PERFECT!

La Fresh Travel Lite Oil-Free Makeup Remover Wipes - Yep, these went to Las Vegas too. I love makeup remover wipes. They are in my vanity at home, by my bed, in my gym bag and they are used all the time! I used these in Las Vegas for those late nights when I came back to the hotel and was too tired to wash my face. I know, I now, you should ALWAYS wash your face at night, but some nights end with you and your makeup face passed out in the bed FULLY CLOTHED! With these wipes, I just grabbed one or two and wiped away the night, no fuss!

Novex Brazilian Keratin - I love a good hair treatment, and this is no exception. I haven't used it yet, but t says that  I should apply this post-shampoo and leave it in for 20-25 min. I can do that! :)

Overall, this box isn't bad! I know that the makeup items are always a gamble with darker skin tone, so I'll let those pass, but everything else looks, and was great! Thanks!

COUPON: Use coupon code HALFOFF to save 50% off your first box!

If you like what you've seen and you want a BB5 box of your own, go to http://www.beautybox5.com/

Keep It Sweet!

*Product provided by PR for review.

June and July Beauty Box 5: Summer Chic and Defining Moments

This summer has been busy, busy, busy! But with the help of BB5, I was fresh and on-point!

If you haven't subscribed to BB5, then I'm about to give you 10 reasons why you should. 

BB5 for June 2014.

This box was packed with quick, chic and easy items, that kept me fashionable in June.

Let's start with the polish..of course!
Nicka K New York "Nail Color". This color did not have a name on the label, but it is a gorgeous creamy brick red. It went on smoothly and covered well in two coats, plus the bottle is full sized. 

Application was easy and all Nicka K colors are formaldehyde free!

Organix Coconut Water Shampoo & Conditioner.  I used this for a recent trip to Las Vegas. It was perfect for travel and made packing easy. Plus it smelled AMAZING. The shampoo was perfect after I spent all afternoon at the pool, and the conditioner was light and had a lot of "slip" to it..."curly girls" know all about "SLIP" :)

Glam Natural Mascara.  Yep, another lovely I packed in my luggage for Las Vegas. This mascara was light and easy to apply, but did not deliver any dramatic effect. It was perfect for giving my eye that extra LIFT during the day after a late night. It is VEGAN, gluten-free, paraben-free and hypoallergenic. So if you are allergic or sensitive to any of these, this is the mascara for you. :)

Eslor Introductory Collection Calming Kit.  This kit was great! It was filled with samples of their refiner and cleanser, replenishing scrub, comforting mask, and soothing cream. I took this to Las Vegas, and once again was happy with it's portability and ease of use. I tried the cleanser and it was mild and thorough, and even removed my stubborn eye makeup with ease.  Everything in the kit was paraben-free, and all the products were created to hydrate and protect your skin. :)

Vita Bath Body Wash in "Wild Red Cherry".  This didn't make it to Las Vegas, LOL! I used this immediately and the smell was perfection. It smells like fresh cherries and a bit like cherry blossoms. Free of propylene glycol, mineral oils and silicone, it created a luxurious lather that left me feeling fresh and ready for my day.

BB5 for July 2014

Revlon Bold Lacquer Mascara. I'm wearing this today! It coats the lashes smoothly, and doesn't feel heavy to the touch. I love the light feel on my eyes, and when I rubbed my lash, none of it came off. I got the dramatic look without the dramatic mess, SWEET! 

Here is my eyelash straight on, and from the side!

Super happy with this one, and it was FULL SIZE!

Hask Argan Oil Intense Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment.  I haven't used this yet, because I was waiting on my deep conditioning cap to arrive in the mail. Now that I have it, I will be using this item, this weekend. I LOVE deep conditioning my hair, as much as I love body scrubs...and I LOVE scrubs!!! A great application tip is to apply this product to wet hair using only half of the packet (for me I will probably use a third), wait 10 minutes and then rinse. Oh yeah!!

Body Drench Candy Licious Lips.  This seriously smells like a grape piece of candy, yum, I want to eat it, but I must resist.  I keep this at work, and it is perfect when my lips need a little TLC and I don't have the time to apply my lipstick. Infused with beeswax, coconut oil, and vitamin E, these taste like the real thing, without all the guilt! 

Anna Naturals Glowing Mama Walnut Face & Body Scrub.  I LOVE SCRUBS!!! I slapped this stuff on my elbows and knees and was pleasantly surprised. It's very creamy and rich, so I assumed it would not be abrasive enough, but it was.  This is going to be great for my next at-home pedicure. This scrub is Vegan and infused with moisturizing botanicals for safe and gentle exfoliation without the parabens, harsh chemicals  and artificial fragrances. 

Starlooks Lip Liner.  I did not try this product because the color pencil I received, was not in a shade that I wear. Sorry, I don't do rose colored lips, LOL! :)  The info says the liner can be used for all-over color on the lips that will last all day, without feathering.  This was another FULL-SIZE product:)

Overall, both boxes were amazing. I loved the shower gel and face samples from June, and the scrub and the deep conditioner from July. Both months had mascara, so my eyes were perfect all summer too. :)

If you like what you've seen and you want a BB5 box of your own, go to http://www.beautybox5.com/


Keep It Sweet!

*Product provided by PR for review.

March Beauty Box 5: Spring Cleaning

I know, I know, it's been awhile since I posted ANYTHING! What can I say, we have had amazing weather in SoCal and I have been enjoying TO THE MAX! :)

I'm back with another amazing box from Beauty Box 5 !

This box is all about "Spring Cleaning", and was packed with 5 key products needed to give you clean gorgeous skin :)  Starting off with...

Jane's Pick- All Natural Soaps - Made from an all natural blended infused with herbs and flowers. This smelled amazing, and since my bar was not "marked", I think it is the "Passion" bar since it smells like roses, LOL!  I used this to wash my hands, and the soap was good. I am not a "bar soap" fan so I gave it to my mother to enjoy.  She loves bar soaps, especially "french milled" and "cold pressed" etc. :)

Tree Hut Shea Body Butter - This stuff is AMAZING! I was skeptical at first since the first ingredient is WATER, but it works well. Extra thick and paraben free, this lotion deep conditions your skin with cocoa and organic shea butter. This goes on smoothly and absorbs well into the skin, plus it smells like a tropical citrus drink, YUM!!! I use this on my hands most of the time, but every once in a while I hit my elbows and knees with this and they scream "THANKS", LOL!  This is my favorite item in the box.

Bellapierre Cosmetics Makeup Base -  This is an all-in-one cream that hides imperfections and makes makeup even better. The cream is the same shade as the packaging, so needless to say, I did not try it, LOL!  I did give it to my friends daughter, who said that it went on well and she loved how it evened out her skin tone. :)

H2O Plus Hand & Nail Cream -  This little tube of hand cream packs a punch! I love hand cremes so this was a welcome addition to my collection. This lotion is lightweight, non-greasy and contains silk proteins, Vitamin E and marine botanicals. This is thicker than lotion but lighter than most creams. It absorbs well and does not feel oily. This is my second favorite product.

Swissco Dual-sided Facial Pad - This product fell short for me. Now... I LOVE face scrubbers, pads and brushes and I use a Japanese brush on my face everyday, but this was not as effective.  The pad is small enough for a face and is a bit stiff, at first. However, once you wet it it softens up nicely.

NOW, the pad is flat and your face is not (see where this is going).  It's fine when you scrub your cheek and the side of your face, but when you need to scrub your nose and any other "tight areas", it doesn't want to bend or move. So if you want a small facial pad to scrub your cheeks, forehead and chin, you are good, but otherwise, this is not the product for you. Now, I did find one area this is good for, your upper back area. This is good for exfoliating your chest, neck and back area in the shower.   I also think this would work well for feet elbows and any other areas that need a bit for exfoliation than the usual cloth or sponge. :)

Overall, this box wasn't bad, and after using the products I used, I have to admit the creams won it for me!

If you like what you've seen and you want a BB5 box of your own, go to http://www.beautybox5.com/


Keep It Sweet!

*Product provided by PR for review.

February BB5 Box: It's their Birthday Box!

Happy Birthday Beauty Box 5, you're 2 years old :)

Let's get this party started!

Another nail item, POLISH!

Let's start off with the fun stuff...

Rockstar Nails "Nail Polish" & "Nail Sprinkles" - I received a hot pink creme with added pink caviar beads. Woo Hoo! I always love a new nail item to add to my list! :) To apply the caviar you can either sprinkle the beads over your wet nail or you can put them in a bowl and lightly press your nail into the caviar, both applications work great.

Every Beauty "Make-up Remover Pads w/ Argan Oil Extract - To use simply add a few drops of water and remove your makeup. Do not squeeze the pad. No rinsing of the face is needed. It left my kin feeling clean and smooth, and not dry. I think I may get more of these and put them in my gym bag.  I like the fact that these start dry, so that there is no hurry to use them before they dry out.  I also like the fact that they are perforated, so I can choose the size I want to use. :)

John Frieda Luxurious Volume "Touchable Full Shampoo and Conditioner" - There were 2 packets of this product and both we filled to a good size, 0.28 oz each, definitely enough to wash and condition an average head of hair. Unfortunately, my hair is neither fine nor color treated so I did not use this.  I gave it to my co-worker, who was happy to get these and said, "I use this, it's great" :)

Elizabeth Mott "It;s So Big Volumizing Mascara" - This is the perfect sized sample to put in your purse for that quick touch up, small and it packs a PUNCH! Also the brush is not "mini sized", so it is the perfect size to do your lashes on-the-go!  I liked this mascara, it didn't smudge and it really lengthened my lashes quickly, which I loved!  I normally use Dior Show as my everyday mascara, and I have not plans on changing to another brand, but this one was not bad, and is in my purse now. :)

BONUS:

A gift card for a monogram necklace by MyNameNecklace.com for $10. Woo Hoo! I may use this, to get a birthday gift or Christmas gift for a friend. :)

That's it for the February Box.  I'm sorry I did not post it sooner, but I like to try each product out first (if I can), before I write a review, so that I can actually give an opinion, rather than show you the stuff :)

Keep It Sweet!

*Product sent by PR for review

Cocotique: “The ‘Beautifully Delicious’ Limited Edition January Box curated by Chef Roblé Ali” review

Today I have a beautiful subscription box I received from COCOTIQUE! 

"Each month, you will receive a COCOTIQUE Box with 5-6 expertly curated beauty and lifestyle samples delivered to your door. Your COCOTIQUE Box will include a variety of samples from skin care, hair care, fragrance, nail and lifestyle companies.  As an extra added surprise, there will be one subscriber that will get the Bonus COCOTIQUE Box!  The Bonus box will include a gift certificate for a special gift like a collection of full size beauty products, clothing, shoes, jewelry, beauty appliances and other premium items."

 This is their January box curated by Chef Roble and the theme is "Beauty Meets Food"...yum, let's dive in!

The box arrives wrapped like a chocolate dipped gift, I love gift packaging!  Once opened, I discovered the information card on top describing each gift, and a lovely welcome card from Chef Roble himself.

...with a recipe and an announcement of his new upcoming scent !

Clo-vee Products  "Pomegranate and Orange Organic Shea Body Butter"

This was amazing! It smells so yummy, I like to apply it to my pulse points and the nape of my neck.  The balm is smooth and firm, but melts easily to the touch for easy application.  The smell is an intoxicating mix of sweet pomegranate and orange sugar!

OPI "I Knead Sour-Dough"

Yes, a polish!  I honestly feel that no subscription box is complete unless it has a nail product! LOL! 

I already have this color, and I love it.  Here is a swatch I did earlier :)

This rose tinted mocha shimmer is FABU! It is so pretty and it stunning in person! Easy to apply, and even easier to wear. ( 2 coats, no top coat)

Befine Fine Food Skin Care Goodies

A collection of pillow pack filled with their products, woo hoo! Their products are made with the most nutritious super foods. Allergen, Paraben and Preservative Free and they DO NOT test on animals. 

There is a cleanser, night cream, warming clay mask, refining scrub, moisturizer with SPF and exfoliating cleanser.  I have not had a chance to try them, but this weekend I will definitely give them a go!

C.Booth "Honey Almond Nourishing Bath and Body Wash"

This is a very luxurious bath wash.  The scent is very light and smells like honey and almonds, and is free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oil and petrolatum! I used several times and although I love the scent, it did not lather for me.  I like a body wash that lathers, and this gave me no bubbles, LOL :(   However, it did leave my skin feeling very soft and well moisturized, so that is a big plus :)

Carol's Daughter "Macadamia Finishing Spray"

I was so happy to get this!  Since I have short curly hair, it was best for my to spray it and then finger comb my curls to distribute the shine properly.   I love it! Even though I put conditioning creme and products in my hair daily, they do not always leave my hair shiny and this does the trick. Also it smells amazing, but it is not so strong that it smells ALL DAY! 

This also contains NO parabens, alcohol, petroleum, mineral oil  or artificial colors. :)

Overall this box is IMPRESSIVE!  I am NOW a new fan of COCOTIQUE, and I think I'll be signing up for future boxes. COCOTIQUE subscriptions start at $20 a month.  

If you want to sign up too, simply check them out at COCOTIQUE.

You can also follow them at: 

• Twitter: LoveCOCOTIQUE
• Facebook: COCOTIQUE
• Instagram: COCOTIQUE
• Pinterest: COCOTIQUE
• Tumblr: COCOTIQUE

Keep It Sweet!

*Product provided for review

Two reasons to subscribe to Beauty Box 5...NOW!

Today, I have my November and December "Beauty Box 5" boxes to show you and yes, they are THAT awesome!

What I love about these boxes is  that you are always guaranteed FIVE items, that offer a variety of beauty needs.

First up, November's Box...

Secret Clinical Strength Antiperspirant & Deodorant and Aveeno Positively Nourishing Calming Body Wash

Body Drench Lip Drench and Montagne Jeunesse Glacial Cooling Face Mask.

Bellapierre Cosmetics Shimmer Powder in "Storm".

Review:  I've used everything but the mask and I am really impressed my this months election. The body wash is smooth and pleasant smelling.  My skin is super sensitive to perfumes and dyes and this worked well with my skin.  I am currently using the deodorant and I really like it, the smell is not over powering , and it last all day even after my workout.  Usually I have to reapply deodorant after my workout, but with this I don't .

The lip drench was nice, I saw "was" because my Mom liked it as well and took it, LOL! It was easy to apply and served well as a base under lipstick. The smell was amazing and very yummy.  The eye shadow was my favorite, a little goes a long way as is true of most mineral eye shadows I used this as a base on my lid for a smokey eye I was doing for an evening look.  Along with these items I received coupons...woo hoo!  Coupons for items in the box and items not in the box... they  know how to make a gal happy :)

Overall, I loved this box, and I look forward to many more boxes.

Next, December's Box...

Every Beauty Flexible Foot Smoother

Ofra Cosmetics Sultry Lipgloss Plumper

Body Drench Daily Moisturizing Lotion and Clean & Clear Morning Burst Hydrating Gel Moisturizer

NYX Cosmetics Love in Rio Eyeshadow Palette in "Moonlit Skinny Dip"

Review:  I've used everything, and I can say this box was a real pleasure! The foot smoother is amazing.  I use a pumice stone on my feet every day in the shower and this was a perfect addition to my shower routine. It's light and has 2 different sides, one smoother than the other.  The fact that it is pliable, makes it easy to use on smaller areas and the shape is great to secure a good grip in slippery circumstances.   The lipgloss is a great color for winter, a bright berry shimmer that has a minty plumping effect. It is not thick, so it glides on nicely and hydrates the lips well while adding a color.

The lotion and the gel moisturizer are exactly what the doctor ordered for winter skin.  The lotion is fragrant and very clean and soaks into  he skin quickly and easily.  The gel moisturizer is light and hydrating, and great for wear during the day.  I wore mine under my tinted moisturizer, and it added a nice layer of extra protection against the winter air.

The eye shadow palette was a real treat.  These 3 colors are great together, and I used them for an easy fast every day eye. I used the middle color as a base, the lighter color for the brow bone under my arch, and the darker color in the crease and along the lash line. I also like that all 3 colors are in one easy and small compact. I preferred to use my own brushes, but I will use the sponge applicators for one the go application.

Overall, I am happy with this box as well, and I recommend you hurry up and subscribe to Beauty Box 5, so you won't miss out on any more of the future goodies to come.

Beauty Box 5, starting at $12 a month, free shipping.

Keep It Sweet!

*These products were submitted by PR for review. 

Beauty Box Five: Review

I know you've heard about the latest mail order craze, subscription boxes.

Basically it is a box you receive on a regular basis, every month, every other month etc.  You can find a subscription box for EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING! Food, Dog treats, makeup, hair products, fitness gear etc.

I currently have one subscription box for natural curly hair and I love it!

Today, I am sharing with you a new box to me, it's called "Beauty Box Five".  Every month you get a carefully selected mixture of travel, deluxe and full sized samples.  Plus, shipping is always FREE and you will receive discounts from partner brands as well.

Why "Five"?...it's because you get 5 beauty products every month for $12 a month.  You can get the boxes for less than $12, if you sign up for a 3 month subscription or 1 year subscription.

This is what came in my box!

Here they are one by one!

Bask "Heavenly Silk Daily Skin lotion"

This is a very light lotion, with a nice light fresh scent.  It blends into the skin nicely, and does not leave a "greasy film" on the skin.

 Swissco Nail File

This file is two sided, one side is silver sparkles an the other is black. I can not tell a difference if the textures are different, but an extra nail file is NEVER a bad thing, LOL!

H2O Plus "Aquafirm +Micro-Collagen Moisturizer"

I don't know if it fought my "fine lines" or promoted "collagen production", but it smelled nice (very light), went on well, and made my skin feel moisturized and didn't break me out, so that's a winner in my book. :)

Be a Bombshell Eyeshadow "Birthday Suit"

This is a light tan eye shadow with no shimmer. I actually like this type of shade as a sort of "primer", that I put on my eyes before applying other colors.  It goes on very light and smooth, and can be used as a nude toned shadow, on lighter skin tones.  I love the nice neat travel friendly snap case, Winner!

Nubar "Hot Pink"


I decided to mimic the bottle and do a manicure using OPI "Emotions" and Nubar "Hot Pink", LOL :)



I am a big fan of Nubar polishes, and this little mini bottle is no different. This bottle was .25, half of the regular Nubar size, but the polish inside is still amazing. This neon pink applied perfectly in two smooth coats.  It did dry less glossy than most polishes, so it needed a top coat to give it that shine.

Overall I think this box is a super cute idea, and I can think of a couple friends of mine who may be getting a subscription for Christmas. ;)

If you want to receive your very own Beauty Box Five, just go their site BeautyBox5.com and you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Pintertest and Instagram (IG: beautybox5)!

Keep It Sweet!

*Product sent by PR for review.