Swatched: NYX - The Crimson Amulet Collection

I first saw this NYX collection on GoldieStarling's YouTube Channel when she was part of the NYX Face Awards. I fell in love with this palette and thought that the colours just looked gorgeous. A few months later after I had cancelled Glossybox for the first time, I saw that us Canadian girls were getting this makeup collection as part of the September Box. I quickly re-signed up because I thought $15 for this palette plus 4 other samples was a great deal. I was so excited to receive this palette, but since September it has sat with my other palettes unswatched and unused.

I finally broke this palette out last week and have been using it everyday since. Now I haven't used the glosses so I can't give a review on those, but the powder products and eyeshadow base I love love love.

The mini HD High Definition Eyeshadow Base reminds me of the Urban Decay Primer Potion in look, feel, and how it makes my eyeshadows last. I will definitely be buying a full size of this primer once I use up what I have.

The highlighter is beautiful. It is perfect for my skin tone and gives my skin a wonderful glow. I use it on my cheekbones, down my nose, and on my cupids bow and it just brings a very nautral looking light to my skin.

The blushes in this palette are highly pigmented. I like using the shimmer ones on light makeup days because it eliminates me having to put on a highlighter. I haven't used the red shade yet, cause in all honesty, it scares the crap out of me. It is so pigmented and bold and I just don't think that it is a colour I can pull off. I like that they included both matte and shimmer blushes in this palette.










There are 24 eyeshadows included in this palette that range from matte neutral shades to shimmery bronze, dark green, navy blue, and yellow gold. You could create endless looks with the colours you are given. I find that the shimmer shades are very pigmented and have great colour payoff. Some of the neutral shades I find are a bit chalky and don't show up that good when swatched or on the eye. One of the shades you can barely see when I swatched it because it is pretty much my skin tone.

Compared to the NYX trio palettes and individual eyeshadows I feel like these are lacking a bit in quality. And I am sure there individual blushes are of better quality, but for what I paid for this palette I am getting great value for my money.

All swatches were done over Hard Candy Eyeshadow Primer. The eyeshadows were swatched from left to right, top to bottom, row by row. Please be warned, this post is very picture heavy!

1) Dark grey/brown almost black
2) Very light pink shimmer. Reminds me of MAC Kitchmas.
3) Eggplant purple with purple and gold glitter.
4) Orange based bronze shimmer.

5) Lilac shimmer
6) Taupe shimmer
7) Gold peach shimmer. Swatch looks more gold but in the pan there is a noticeable hint of peach.
8) Navy blue/black with blue glitter.

9) Navy Blue
10) Forest green with gold shimmer
11) Medium brown with gold shimmer
12) Dark purple with brown undertones

13) Matte cream. Pretty much my skin tone.
14) Matte taupe
15) Matte light brown
16) White shimmer

17) Champagne

18) Matte dark brown

19) Pale pink with shimmer. Looks closer to white.

20) Matte dark grey

21) Pink shimmer
22) Shimmery taupe
23) Brown toned bronze shimmer
24) Yellow gold



1) Matte red. Looks kinda orange in this swatch.
2) Matte light pink.

3) Shimmery pink

4) Shimmery peach

5) Slightly darker peach shimmer.

 

 

 

Have you tried this palette before? If so what do you like or not like about it? What are some other NYX products you think I should check out?

 

 

 

GlossyBox October 2012

So after cancelling in July and not receiving a box in August, when I saw that people were getting a full size NYX palette in September I quickly re-signed up. I didn't do a post on my September box because I got it so late. I decided to stay signed up for this month because I was getting it at the $15 price still. I cancelled again, however, for  November because I want to make sure that they are consistently sending out great boxes before I commit to spending $21 a month on samples.

This months box was, in my opinion, amazing. We got almost $80 worth of stuff for only $15, and 50 lucky people got a $50 piece of jewellery in their box. I wasn't one of the lucky 50 but I still love everything I received. This months box came with a product card that was in both English and French, as well as, a coupon for shaving gel, 10% off Caroline Neron jewellery, and a information booklet about Jouviance products.

Now onto the actual products/samples in this months Breast Cancer Awareness Box.

SEBASTIAN PROFESSIONAL TRILLIANCE SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER

Sample Value - 50mL/$3.16 & $3.32

Full Size - 250mL/$15.79 & 250mL/$16.59

On The Card - Cleanses and polishes the hair surface to enable greater light reflection, creating gorgeous natural shine.

My Thoughts - I'm glad that these are bigger samples and not foil packets but I am kind of getting tired of getting shampoo and conditioner samples in beauty boxes. These samples have a perfume scent and are supposed to give my hair more shine. I am excited to see if this will work.

MODELCO FLIPSTICK LIP DUO

Sample Value - $38.75

Full Size - $38.75

On The Card - SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss can be worn alone or layered over LIPSTICK Lip Couture for hours of unbeatable shine in a shade of perfect October pink!

My Thoughts - This product shade was made exclusively for GlossyBox members in the perfect pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month. I screamed when I saw this product because it is so cute yet functional. It has a mirror on the tube for application on the go and the colours are just amazing. The light pink gloss with silver and gold shimmer smells like candy. And the lipstick is such a me colour. I would never pay $38.75 for a lip duo so I am so glad it was included in this months box.

JOUVIANCE REJUVENATING ANTI-AGING CREAM NORMAL TO DRY SKIN TREATMENT

Sample Value - 5mL/$9.35

Full Size - 50mL/$93.50

On The Card - Extremely luxurious face cream, gently formulated to hydrate and increase the firmness of your skin.

My Thoughts - I don't need an anti-aging cream just yet but I always love face cream samples cause they last a long time and give you more time before having to buy a full size. However, this sample tube is practically empty I had to squeeze the enitre tube down in order to get a little bit out.

ZOYA

Colour - Loretta

Sample Value - $8

Full Size - $8

On The Card - We hand-picked four of the prettiest pinks to represent the diverse women affected by breast cancer all over the world. Toxin Free!

My Thoughts - I love getting nail polish in boxes and I'm glad that we got another Zoya polish because I loved the last one that I got. As you can tell by the swatch (which is actually 2 coats) this is an extremely sheer pink shade. I think that it will be perfect for a french manicure or when I want a nude nail.

GILLETTE VENUS

Sample Value - $16.99

Full Size - $16.99

On The Card - Venus & Olay: Boost your shave and help lock-in skin's moisture with the top-of-the-line in disposable razors.

My Thoughts - I love getting razors in boxes and for free from companies because razors are so expensive. This one looks like it is going to be super moisturizing so I am excited to try it out.

Overall Value of October's Box - $79.57!

July Glossy Box

Today I finally received my July Glossy Box! And I also cancelled my Glossy Box subscription today! I originally signed up for GB because of all the full size products we were getting for only $15 a month. However, this month I received the V3 box which was the lowest value box. I am kinda disappointed with what I received this month and decided to quit because I have too many samples.

I want to try and work through all of the beauty stuff I've amassed already and use the $15 a month towards buying the books for the Book Club I joined at my local Indigo Books & Music. Maybe down the road if the boxes get better and I'm in need of some new samples and products I will subscribe again.

Now on to the products...
 

ZOYA NAIL POLISH

Colour Name - Wednesday

Sample Value - 15mL/$8.00

Full Size - 15mL/ $8.00

- ON THE CARD -

Summer 2012 is going to be a super stylish season for nails with the latest offering, designed by the Zoya experts. It is kissed by sea and sand with the famous, full-coverage Zoya formula. FULL SIZE!

- MY THOUGHTS -

I have never tried a Zoya polish so I am excited to get to try it and a full size to boot. However, I already have 4 different brands in this exact colour. It would have been nice to receive a colour I don't already own but I am glad I at least got a colour I know I will wear. My mom tried this polish with one coat and it looked really nice.



ALESSANDRO INTERNATIONAL

Sample Value - 30mL/$5.99

Full Size - 100mL/$19.95

- ON THE CARD -

Pedix Heel Rescue Balm protects and nourishes your skin with Shea butter, allantoin and tea-tree-oil.

- MY THOUGHTS -

We got a foot cream last month so I wasn't thrilled to see another one but my feet have been super dry lately so this will be of use. I didn't open the seal but from what I can tell it smells really good.

 JOHN FRIEDA FRIZZ-EASE XTRA STRENGTH SERUM

Sample Value - 24mL/$7.20

Full Size - 50mL/$14.99

- ON THE CARD -

Instantly and dramatically transforms coarse, wiry, unruly frizz for ultra-sleek, purely polished, super-shiny results. FULL SIZE!

- MY THOUGHTS -

I just received a sample this size of the Frizz Ease Hair Cream for FREE from John Frieda directly so getting this in a box I paid for isn't ideal but I will use it. GB said that this is a Full Size on the card but actually it is only a sample because the full size is actually 50mL and we only received 24mL.

EUCERIN

Sample Value - 5mL/$0.30

Full Size - 200g/$12.00

- ON THE CARD -

Eucerin Calming Creme is a daily soothing moisturizer that prevents the reoccurrence of itchiness and reduces the risk of further irritation due to dryness. Calming Creme contains Natural Colloidal Oatmeal and its fragrance-free glycerin formula provides hydration for 24 hours.

- MY THOUGHTS -

This is the sample that got me and everyone else who got a V3 box so outraged. This tiny sample is something you can get for free at any store or directly from the company. It is not a sample we expect to see when we are paying $15 for the box. Also, people were seeing it as unfair that V1 got a full size John Frieda and Burt's Bees, V2 got a full size Burt's Bees and we got this.

DOVE SOFTENING CREME BODY WASH

Sample Value - 200mL/$5.99

Full Size - 200mL/$5.99

- ON THE CARD -

Get visibly more beautiful skin in just 1 week. Use daily for soft, smooth skin. FULL SIZE!

- MY THOUGHTS -

I have really dry skin on my legs and arms so I am excited to try this product. However because it is a Limited Offer product if I fall in love with it I may not be able to buy it.

BEAUTYSOCLEAN SANITIZER WIPES

Sample Value - 4 wipes/$1.04

Full Size - 48 wipes/$12.50

- ON THE CARD -

These convenient cosmetic sanitizer wipes are effective for sanitizing makeup that accumulates visible debris like dust, lint and food particles.

- MY THOUGHTS -

I am excited to try these. I had to throw away a bunch of makeup because it just wasn't sanitary anymore. I might buy the full size of these.

OVERALL VALUE - $28.52

June 2012 GlossyBox

So this post is a little late and it's not because I've been lazy like last month, it's because I just received my GlossyBox today! I definitely think that this box was worth the wait though. I was hearing and seeing a lot of comments on the GlossyBox.ca Facebook Page about it being a "drugstore box" and people were not happy about it. I on the other hand am really excited to get these products and try them out. This month there are a lot of full size products of things I can actually afford to buy if I like them.

The thing I don't like about Glymm is that the samples are super tiny and of products that are way out of my price range. If I end up liking them I can never have the full size because of the price. The products in GlossyBox are more drugstore, but if I like them it won't break the bank to buy the full size, and I would rather get a large or full size sample of something drugstore then a one time sample of some unknown super high end brand.

If you are looking for a sample box that delivers deluxe and full size samples every month no matter the brand then definitely checkout GlossyBox, you wont be disappointed.

Biore Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser

Sample Value: 200mL/$9.99

Full Size: 200mL/$9.99

On the Card: Have skin that can't make up its mind? Achieve the clean you want, without disturbing natural moisture your skin needs - more balanced skin in just 2 weeks!

My Thoughts: Ever since I got a free 7mL sample from the Biore Facebook page I have been wanting to buy the full size of this cleanser but could never justify it because I have so many cleansers at home already. Now I get to and I'm very excited.

Wella Professionals Ocean Spritz

Sample Value: 150mL/$16.99

Full Size: 150mL/$16.99

On the Card: Free your hair with irresistible chunky texture achieving that matte, carefree, beachy hair look.

My Thoughts: I am so excited to see this product! Not only is it a full size higher-end product, but I was actually just looking at some texture sprays the other day.

Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Revolution Complex

Sample Value: 7mL/$4.34

Full Size: 50mL/$30.99

On the Card: Advanced micro-fillers instantly smooth the look of fine lines. The anti-aging formula, with a Bio Peptide and B3 complex hydrates and improves the appearance of deep lines in just 14 days!

My Thoughts: I was seeing a lot of girls getting samples of this in their Luxe Boxes. I don't have a need for this so it is either going to go in my giveaway bin or I'm going to give it to my mom.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion SPF 55

Sample Value: 14mL/$2.54

Full Size: 88mL/$15.99

On the Card: Ultra-light and fast absorbing, and voted #1 best-feeling sunscreen by Canadian Dermatologists. Contains HELIOPLEX which provides photostable UVA/UBV protection.

My Thoughts: I got this exact sample for free in my Neutrogena 60th Anniversary Sample Box. Although you can never have too much of a good sunscreen, I didn't really like that in a box I paid for I got a sample that I got for free from a company's website.

Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips

Sample Value: 1/$1.25

Full Size: 8ct/$9.99

On the Card: Pore Strips are the deepest way to clean your pores. In just one use, you remove a week's worth of built up dirt - and it only takes 10 minutes (isn't that great?)

My Thoughts: I already use these so it was nice to get another one.

Cover Girl Flipstick - Blendable Lip Duo

Sample Value: 3.8gr/$12.50

Full Size: 3.8gr/$12.50

On the Card: NEW! This Double ended lip color stick has a side for shimmer, and a side for colour. Blend shades together to create endless lip looks.

My Thoughts: I have seen these on TV and in stores for a while now. I have always been interested in purchasing one so it was nice to see one in this month's box. I am so glad that I got the Whisper colour. Two nice pink colours instead of the brown and gold that a lot of girls received this month.

Gillette Venus Embrace Razor

Sample Value: 1 kit/$13.43

Full Size: 1 kit/$13.43

On the Card: Get ready for the shave fit for a goddess. Our first women's razor created with 5 blades hugs every curve to get virtually every hair even bikini hair. An ultra-close shave and incredible Venus smoothness.

My Thoughts: I forgot to take a picture of the one I received. I love getting razors in these boxes because razors are so expensive! Maybe next month they can put some cartridges in the box for us cause those are really expensive as well.

Value of June Box: $61.04

Overall, I am extremely happy with this month's box. I will use almost everything in this box and I am excited to find some new favourites. I still recommend that everyone try this box for at least one month because you wont be disappointed.



May GlossyBox

 Sorry for being away for so long, I have been dealing with some things over the past few weeks, but I am back and ready to blog in my new blogging area of my room. If there are any types of posts that you would like to see me do let me know below and I will work on getting them up on here.

This post is way overdue but nonetheless here is my review of the May GlossyBox. This was my first GlossyBox and I was so impressed!! I decided to stay subscribed for now and I am hoping that they don't start spiralling into crap-hood like Glymm has.


Now onto the products...

Now these are samples!! I can try all of these enough that I will know if I like them and would want to buy the full size product. I also really like the variety of brands and products, it's not all makeup or all skincare. I was initially turned off from GlossyBox because it is $15 a month, but with these size samples it is definitely worth it. I got 10% off my first box by using a discount code, I'm pretty sure you can Google "GlossyBox Code" and you will find some blogger who is an Ambassador and has a discount code.

I love this foot cream already!! I was really skeptical because I normally don't buy special creams for my feet, but after only using this a handful of times my feet are noticeably smoother. I would definitely buy this product again.

Although I like the concept of makeup removers and own a variety of different brands I just have a love-hate relationship with them. Even ones that say oil-free leave an oil slick on my face and I usually don't grab for them when removing my makeup. I am hoping that this one wont leave my face looking gross and actually work at taking the makeup off.

This is a FULL SIZE shampoo! I was so excited to see this big of shampoo sample because I am used to Glymm's little one use samples. This shampoo came at a good time as well, as my hair has been falling out like crazy. I'm hoping this will help give my limp locks the volume they so desperately need.

I am obsessed with face washes but I don't religiously wash my face. I know its bad but I'm kinda lazy and don't like taking the time to do it. I'm really excited to try this product though as my current face wash is almost empty.

I love getting lipsticks in these sample boxes because lipstick is one of the beauty items I don't really like spending my money on. This is a full size lipstick in a great colour and I cant wait to try it out. I also love the packaging of this product. The diamond on the top of the tube is super cute!!

Overall, I was extremely pleased with my May GlossyBox and cannot wait to do my regular full review and breakdown of products when my June Box gets here. I paid $13.50 for this box and got over $50 worth of products! I hope the boxes stay this good so I can cancel with Glymm and just have one subscription a month.

What was your favourite product in the May GlossyBox??