The current increase in demand for natural beauty products is at an all time high. Cheers to that! Us consumers are being smarter and more ethical when it comes to purchasing our daily products. More of the big named brands are catering to this change, but wouldn’t it be better to support the brands who were meeting these expectations all along?

Maple Holsitics is one of those brands. They have become one of my favorite brands and its easy to see why. For those of you who do not know about this brand, they are a beauty and personal care company specializing in natural and holistic products that enhance hygiene, health and daily living. All their products are PETA Certified and cruelty-free. Headquartered in New Jersey, their products are made in the USA using naturally sourced ingredients. They offer premium natural and sustainable products at an affordable price.

Not only is this brand cruelty free but they also promote sustainability by offering their own recycling program. For every six bottles you return you receive a free bottle of shampoo or you can choose to have an equivalent donation made to an environmentally-friendly charity instead. No matter what you choose, all of the returned bottles are recycled and made into new ones. Pretty cool right?

Last time I partnered up with Maple Holsitics, I reviewed their Silk18 Conditioner. This time I got to test out their new Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) provides many benefits to various health and beauty practices. For the hair specifically, ACV removes build-up and restores volume while giving your hair a natural shine. Maple Holistics' ACV Shampoo is made with natural ingredients like ACV (duh), sunflower oil, argan oil, jojoba oil and more. It is sulfate and paraben free. From color treated hair to sensitive hair, this shampoo is made for all hair types.

When it comes to the smell of vinegar, you either love it or hate it. I am one of those weirdos who absolutely loves the smell of vinegar. But don't let the fear of the scent keep you from testing out this shampoo. My first initial reaction to this ACV Shampoo was that it smelt nothing like ACV. Instead of an acidic scent, all I could smell was citrus with a hint of apple.

To cleanse your hair, rinse then apply a quarter-sized amount of product to your hair. Fair warning, this shampoo does not provide a lot of suds. So if you prefer your shampoo to be very sudsy, like myself, be generous with the amount of shampoo you use. Lather the shampoo and let it sit in your hair for 2-3 minutes before you rinse. The effects won't take in right away, so be patient. Since the ACV Shampoo is meant to really tend to your dead hairs, be sure to pair it with a nourishing conditioner, my favorite is Maple Holistics' Silk18 Conditioner.

After using the shampoo several times, I noticed my hair felt softer and fresher for a longer period of time. Overall, this is a really good shampoo. It is gentle on your hair and not acidic whatsoever. If you experience a lot of build-up in your hair, this shampoo is a good option for frequent usage. For me, build-up is not one of my main concerns. But using the ACV Shampoo once or twice a month for a real deep cleaning is something I will do!

Finding a brand that cares about both the environment and their customers is a hard find. That’s why I really love Maple Holistics. They put their customers and the future of our world first by creating these natural premium products. I can’t wait to see what new products they come up with next!

Finding a decent conditioner can be a difficult task, especially if you're searching for one that is cruelty free as well. What works for one person, doesn't necessarily work for others. Maybe your hair is damaged or dry or even frizzy. Everyone's hair has different needs. But if you're searching for a conditioner that can help with any of those three problems and be environmentally conscious then let me introduce you to the Silk18 Conditioner from Maple Holistics.

Maple Holistics is a cruelty free and PETA Certified beauty and personal care company that specializes in natural and holistic premium products that serve to enhance hygiene, health and daily living. Headquartered in New Jersey, Maple Holistics' products are all made in the USA using natural ingredients and cruelty-free processes.

Not only is this brand cruelty free but they also promote sustainability by using recycled materials. They even offer their own recycling program. For every six bottles you return you can either receive a free bottle of shampoo or choose to have an equivalent donation made to an environmentally-friendly charity. All of the returned bottles are recycled and made into new ones. How awesome is that?

Maple Holistics offers a variety of products ranging from hair care to skin care. But today, let's focus on Maple Holistics' new conditioner the Silk18 Conditioner. It is silicone and paraben free and contains eighteen silk amino acids along with argan oil, shea butter, organic pomegranate, and jojoba oil. It also contains a natural vanilla extract which gives it the most amazing sweet scent in the world. Based on the scent alone, I would give this product 5/5 stars.

Besides this mouthwatering scent, the Silk18 conditioner is great for all hair types. The conditioner claims it can tame dry or frizzy hair while also strengthening it. It all seems too good to be true right? Well, good news! It is 100% true!

After cleansing your hair with your favorite cruelty free shampoo, apply a moderate amount of the conditioner to your hair. Let it sit for two to three minutes and let it do its job. Once you rinse out the conditioner, don't panic or get upset because it doesn't appear to be working. The effects are not noticeable at first. But once your hair starts to dry the effects are evident. Your hair will be soft, smooth, silky and fabulous.

Currently the conditioner comes in either a 8 oz, 10 oz or 16 oz bottle and the price range is from $10.95 to $18.95. It is available to purchase on Amazon. The conditioner qualifies for free shipping if you have Amazon Prime, but if you do not Maple Holistics will provide free shipping if you spend at least $25.

Everyone needs a conditioner that will make them feel fabulous. Finding this perfect product requires a lot of patience. If you haven't found the conditioner that makes you feel this way, consider adding the Silk18 from Maple Holistics to your must try list. You will not regret it.

One of my favorite things about the holidays is all of the festive scents! Tons of beauty companies come out with so many holiday scented products during this time of the year. Stepping into Bath & Body Works and all the other beauty shops this time of the year is absolute heaven. However, for the past year or so I made a pledge to use only cruelty free products and have refused to buy products from companies that test on animals. After doing some research I found out some of my favorite brands are still testing their products on animals.

So I've had to say goodbye to a lot of favorite products and favorite holiday scents. But luckily, there are so many cruelty free brands out there that have amazing products. If you want to know more about cruelty free beauty check out my beginner's guide. Now let's take a look at these festive and ethical products!

Shampoo & Conditioner

Holiday Haircare Barrel from Basin. Basin is a shop that specializes in all natural bath and beauty and products. Their shampoo and conditioner bars are one of my favorite products. This year in their online shop, they are offering a limited edition holiday haircare barrel. Inside the barrel you get three shampoo bars: Charcoal, Iced Cherries, and Egg Noggin and one Scalp Soother conditioner bar. Shampoo and conditioner bars are a great alternative for haircare and bonus points for being better for the environment thanks to the lack of plastic.

Shower Gel

Peppermint Candy Cane Shower Gel from The Body Shop. The Body Shop is basically a better version of Bath & Body Works. They are cruelty free, vegetarian, and working on becoming more sustainable. The shower gel is made with organic cane sugar from Paraguay and leaves you feeling cleansed and fresh. This shower gel is also vegan.

Snow Fairy Shower Gel from Lush. Lush is another store that specializes in freshly made products. All of their cosmetics are cruelty free and vegetarian. Recently, Lush has introduced Naked Packaging which is essentially no packaging. 35% of their products are essentially unpackaged and the rest are packaged using recycled materials. The Snow Fairy shower gel is one Lush's Naked Packaging products. The shower gel is essentially a bar of soap that is creamier than your typical soap. It has a candy-sweet fragrance that will make you dream of sugar plums. Also if you're not a fan of the idea of a bar of soap there is a bottled version available.

Face Masks

Masque Bar Pretty Animalz Face Masks After doing some digging, it appears this popular face mask company is cruelty free. Their winter face masks are fun and most importantly hydrating. Each sheet mask is shaped as an animal and for the winter collection you have a choice between a reindeer, polar bear, or penguin. These masks are sold at Target.

The Creme Shop Face Masks. The Creme Shop also appears to be cruelty free. Just like Masque Bar, they have fun and festive sheet masks to help you relax and provide some must needed self care this holiday season. The Creme Shop offers a variety of festive face masks and can be found at almost every retailer. I've seen these masks from stores like Target to Old Navy.

Rudolph Jelly Face Mask from Lush. This face mask is adorable, it's brown and smells like chocolate pudding. Each container also comes with a bright red nose like the reindeer it is named after. This mask is also vegan.

Lotion

Gingerbread Man Sparkle Jar from Lush. The sparkle jars from Lush are another kind of bare minimum packaging product. The sparkle jar is in the shape of a gingerbread man and to get the hydrating powder out of the gingerbread man, you must poke holes where the buttons are. The powder will be released and will melt right into your skin.

Vanilla Marshmallow Body Butter from The Body Shop. Now The Body Shop has some of the best body butters out there, they keep your skin hydrated all day. Vanilla Marshmallow is one of the seasonal scents that The Body Shop is currently selling.

Candy Cane Mini Body Butter from Basin. It's not Christmas without the scent of candy canes. The only problem with this limited edition body butter is that it is so small, but on the plus side it would be good to bring with you if you plan on traveling this holiday season.

Bath Bombs

All Seasonal Bath Bomb from Lush. Lush is the master of bath bombs, in fact that is one of the things they are most well known for. It is impossible to choose just one bath bomb, especially their seasonal options. Their seasonal bath bombs are all adorable and come in a variety of scents.

Holiday Bath Bomb from Basin. Not only does the holiday bath bomb from Basin look festive the scent is too. From cinnamon to pine needles, this bath bomb literally smells like Christmas.

Peppermint Candy Cane Bath Bomb from The Body Shop. Not only is this bath bomb affordable, it's adorable! It's shaped like a reindeer and smells like candy canes. What's more Christmas than that?

Bubble Bath

Berry Bonbon Bath Foam from The Body Shop. The Body Shop's Berry Bonbon is filled with the scents of the best winter berries. The bath foam provides plenty of bubbles so you can relax and unwind in the tub.

All Seasonal Bubble Bars from Lush. Bubble Bars from Lush are just about as popular as their bath bombs. The bubble bars are soap bars of bubble bath and come in all shapes and sizes. Their seasonal ones are extremely festive and quite adorable.

Hand Soap

Peppermint Liquid Hand Soap from Mrs. Meyer's. Mrs Meyer's hand soap is one of the most popular cruelty free hand soaps that is currently out there. Their seasonal peppermint hand soap is the perfect choice for washing your hands this holiday season.

Perfume

Snow Fair Body Spray from Lush. Who wouldn't want to smell like sugar plums this holiday season?

And there you have it, a guide for the best festive scents from cruelty free brands this holiday season. Now you tell me, what are your go to scents for this holiday season? Until tomorrow.

One of the biggest trends in beauty right now is supporting vegan and cruelty free brands. Some of the most popular brands out there have made the commitment to abstain from animal testing and use organic ingredients that do not include any animal by products. That’s right, some of your favorite foundations and creams have animal fats and tissues in them. Gross, right?

But what does cruelty free actually mean? If a company claims to be cruelty free, that means they do not test on animals at any point during the creation of a product. However, there are no restrictions on claiming to be cruelty free. For example, a company could claim to be cruelty free by saying they do not conduct any animal testings but an outside party could request for an animal testing on that product in order for a retailer to sell it. Situations like this are tricky and occur frequently. Take a look at China.

Animal testing is required by law in China. For any beauty products to be sold in China the company must have their products tested on animals. So to be technical, if a “cruelty free” company sells their products in China they are NOT cruelty free.

Sadly, animal testing is still relevant in the time we currently live in. With modern science and technological advancements, there are plenty of other ways to make sure that the products we use are safe. Like with in vitro testing, samples of human cells are used to test products in test tubes. Plus there are already over 5,000 beauty product ingredients that have already been tested and deemed safe to use. Companies can use any of those ingredients to formulate their products without needing to use any form of testing.

In some parts of the world like: the European Union, United Kingdom, Norway, India and Israel a ban on animal testing on cosmetics has already been placed. In 2016, Taiwan introduced a bill that bans animal testing on cosmetics and it will go into effect in 2019. Other countries like Australia and South Korea are considering to put a ban in place. Even my hometown state of California recently proposed legislation that will ban animal testing on cosmetics in the state.

If you agree that the products you use frequently should not be testing on animals, there is something you can do to stop it. If you want legislation to be passed in your state or country, write to your local government representatives! Plus don’t forget, as a consumer you have power! You have a choice in what companies you invest in. If you want to make a statement and show these big companies that what they’re doing is wrong, stop buying from them. And, feel free to write to them and let them know that you do not condone their policies and will not purchase from them until they make a change.

One common misconception about cruelty free beauty is that is expensive. While a lot of brands that are cruelty free are high end brands, there are some affordable drug store brands out there that are cruelty free! Elf, Nyx, Milani, Wet and Wild, Hard Candy, Sonia Kashuk, Yes To and Alba are all cruelty free drug store brands.

If you decide to make the switch and support only cruelty free brands, here are the major logos and endorsements you should look for while shopping: These three logos are the most trustworthy ones out there for companies who have a cruelty free status. If you don’t see any of these logos, that’s okay. Not every cruelty free company invests in these logos, since they do have to pay an extra fee to be able to be certified. You can always check Leaping Bunny and PETA’s cruelty free brand database. Just be careful when shopping, some companies will create fake logos to trick you into thinking they are cruelty free. If you’re not sure, it’s always helpful to check out the brand’s website and read through their policies and make an informed decision from there.

To see a full list of cruelty free brands and the long list of brands that continue to test on animals, check out Cruelty Free Kitty. This website helped me so much when I first decided to make the switch to cruelty free products only. Even to this day, Cruelty Free Kitty still helps me out in so many ways! I’m constantly checking to see what brands have changed their statuses and find some new brands to try.

There are plenty of other brands out there that make cruelty free versions of the products we all use on a daily basis. Dare I say, some of these products are even better than the originals. Here are some of my favorite cruelty free brands out there: It’s unsettling to think about how many major companies still rely on these unethical and antiquated practices. But luckily, more and more companies are straying away from those cruel and unneeded methods. Making the switch to support only cruelty free brands was one of the best decisions I have made, and I hope you decide to do the same.
Until next time.

Testing out any new beauty product can be an annoying and expensive task. Especially if you're not familiar with a brand. One great thing about today's modern age, is that beauty experts and influencers do all the work for you now. They get the latest products, try them out, and then they let you know how each product worked for them. Sounds like a dream job right?

If you're just an average beauty user, like myself, don't be so hard on yourself. Companies don't want just the experts to review them, they need consumers like us to test out products and let our friends and family know what we think. This is all possible today with companies like Influenster.

If you have no idea what Influenster is, no worries I got you. Influenster is a website where you review products and can actually test out products for free based on your social media influence. Every once and a while members get to take surveys to see if they match up for a product campaign, which are also known as Voxboxes. With the product campaigns, you get to test out some products and you are assigned optional social media tasks, the only requirement is to fill out the survey after! The best part is that, this website is 100% free! How cool is that?!

I was lucky enough to be selected for the Covergirl Peacock Voxbox! Influenster sent me two full size Covergirl products to test out and review all for free. Inside this Voxbox were the Covergirl Peacock Flare Mascara and the Covergirl Melting Pout Liquid Lipstick in Shade Number 105.

Now just to make things clear and lay it all out in the open, I did receive these two products complimentary for testing purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Scouts honor. Now let's dig in!

The first product I actually tested out was the Peacock Flare Mascara. For me, I'm super picky when it comes to mascara. I have super short eyelashes, and I always look for a mascara that is going to give me longer lashes. While the Peacock Flare doesn't necessarily lengthen your lashes, it does give them some extra volume. The mascara has a vitamin and mineral enriched formula, which does feel nice and absorbs quickly onto your lashes. The applicator is also very great, it applies well and is able to reach all your little lashes while giving an even coverage. It's a pretty basic mascara, but it does get the job done and is a great option for a drug store mascara.

Next up is the Melting Pout Liquid Lipstick in Shade Number 105. When I saw Shade Number 105, I thought it was going to be a nude pink shade. But the color packaging does not match what the color looks like on your lips. On my lips, it was almost a shade lighter. The lipstick itself isn't very vibrant or bold. But to fix that all you need to do is either apply an extra amount of lipstick to your lips or buy the lipstick you want in one shade darker. But other than that the lipstick is not that bad. What I really like about it is the applicator, which is actually a really fluffy sponge that is soft on your lips.

Typically I'm not a huge Covergirl fan. For me specifically, I hate buying most of those drug store makeup brands simply because they're not cruelty free. Whenever I buy makeup, I buy from brands I trust, brands that promise to not test on animals. Covergirl is NOT a cruelty free brand, so I will not purchase anything from them until their policies change. But what I will do, is give them a fair and unbiased review. There products are not bad quality at all, I was pretty impressed with the two products I tested out. If Covergirl was a cruelty free company, would I go out and buy these products? Possibly. But until that happens, it's all just a what if scenario.

Until tomorrow.

Whenever you're shopping for new lip shades, it can be a fun experience or your worst nightmare. Taking swatches of all the different colors and trying to find the one that works best for you can be messy and tedious. Especially when you're trying to find the perfect lip shade for the holidays.

The first thing any beauty expert does when picking out a new lip shade is think about what type does she want. Is it a classic lipstick, a liquid lipstick, or even a tinted lip balm? What about matte or satin? With all these options it can be hard to decide what works best for you. For most people, finding a hydrating and long lasting lip product is like finding the holy grail. Here are some of the best products and shades for this holiday season.

Red is the most popular color during the holiday season, and it's easy to see why. Throughout this time of the year, all you see is red and green. So a red lip is the most practical and the traditional holiday shade. But picking the right shade of red for your skin tone can be difficult. But luckily, Rihanna being the amazing and genius woman she is created a red liquid lipstick for all skin tones. The Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color is a long lasting (12 hours!!!) soft matte liquid lipstick. All Fenty Beauty products are all the rage at the moment and it's easy to see why! Pink may not the most popular color during the holidays, but it is a pretty popular shade year round. For some ladies, it is a signature shade so why not wear it during the holidays? The great thing about pink lip shades is that there are so many different shades of pink. From bubblegum to magenta, there is a shade of pink for everyone out there. One of the best lipsticks out there are the Wander Beauty Wanderout Lipsticks. These lipsticks have a creamy matte formula that leaves a bold and bright color on your lip that also lasts for a long period of time. When you purchase a Wanderout lipstick, they actually come in packs of two. One shade is bold while the second shade is neutral one that matches the bold one. Talk about a two for one special! Nude shades are always a year round color so it is no surprise that they are just as popular during the holiday season. Sometimes finding the right nude is a real hassle. To find the perfect nude shade, it's best to go a little bit darker than your natural lip shade. Also during the winter time, one of the biggest struggles is dealing with chapped lips. So a tinted lip balm is the best thing to use during this time of the year. It will provide a nice tint to your lips while keeping them hydrated and moisturized. For those with damaged lips during the winter time, this is the best compromise. When it comes to tinted balms, a nude shade is always the way to go. The best tinted balm out there is the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment. There are a variety of shades that range from clear to berry. But if you're looking for the best nude one, the honey shade is a must have. Berry colored lipsticks may not seem very festive, but that’s not the case. While they are the most popular during the spookiest time of the year, they still are popular during the merriest. Why you ask? Well what’s more festive than sugarplums and the sugarplum fairy? NOTHING! Berry shades are so great because there are so many different kinds to choose from. From violet or red or even pink undertones, there’s a berry shade for everyone out there. And with Urban Decay’s Vice Lipstick, all those options are there. When I say they have almost 100 different shades and styles I’m not even joking. You can get a matte, a satin, a shimmer or even a high shine lipstick in whichever shade your heart desires. Dark colors have recently become more and more popular every single year. Once autumn comes around, all of the dark browns, burgundies, wine and other deep shades become instantly popular. These colors stay around until the end of winter. All these dark lipsticks scream maturity and strength. Kat Von D’s Everlasting Liquid Lipstick is one of the best liquid lipstick brands out there. All her shades are very pigmented and bold no mater what shade. So can you imagine how great her dark lipsticks will look on your lips? Bold shades have become all the rage lately. From electric blues to space grays, these bold colors only have one thing to say. Whoever is rocking them is one bad bitch. Bold shades are hard to pull off and anyone who can rock them confidently is a badass in my book. While there are a lot of brands out there who make bold shades, the most intriguing ones out there are the Glitter Flip liquid lipsticks by Ciaté London. These liquid lipsticks have seven different shades, a couple are tame but the rest are bolder colors. However, those tame shades are not boring whatsoever. Each lipstick, no matter what shade, is infused with glitter which gives it a metallic tone. What’s bolder than that? Holiday Limited Edition lipsticks always come out every year, but none have been as popular as Too Faced’s Melted Matte Liquified Matte Long Wear Lipstick from the Holiday Kiss Collection. This lipstick is sold out in just about every single Sephora on the planet and online as well. Why you ask? Well besides the gorgeous red/brown color and long lasting formula, what really makes this lipstick special is that it legit smells and tastes like gingerbread. After trying this out, I really can’t think of another lipstick that is more perfect for the holiday season.

Finding the right lip shade no matter what time of the year or occasion is always difficult and tricky. Always remember to always put your style and aesthetic first. What may be the most popular trend at the moment may not always work, and it’s important to make sure you feel confident and comfortable in your own skin. No matter what you decide, you’re going to slay this season.

Right now, my go to lip shades for the holidays will either be a red or that Too Faced Gingerbread lipstick, if I can get my hands on it! What are your go to shades this year?

Until tomorrow.

Every makeup junkie loves to get their hands on the hottest products of the season. But purchasing the latest products every so often can really burn a hole in your wallet. That's why beauty subscription services like Play! by Sephora, ipsy, Birchbox and etc exist. They offer samples of the hottest products of each month at a low price of $10 a month. In hindsight, this is the best deal and option for the beauty enthusiasts out there who are constantly shopping for the best products.

But how do you know which subscription is the best? Well that all depends on taste. Based on my experience, I noticed ipsy would send out unknown and obscure brands. However, I've really fallen in love with Sephora's Play! Box. Not only do they send me samples of the brands I know and love, they also send out samples of new products that will make appearances in the retail stores soon.

For those of you who do not know much about Play! by Sephora let me give you a quick little rundown. Play! is beauty subscription service that includes six samples from high end brands that you know and love from Sephora. For $10 a month you get six awesome samples plus some other perks, like 50 bonus Beauty Insider Points and a free one-on-one tutorial with a Sephora Beauty Expert. Not a bad deal right?

Let's take a look at what the September Play! Box had to offer, inside were the following products:

Touch In Sol Metallist Liquid Foil & Glitter Eye Shadow Duo in Talia Silver

Wander Beauty Wanderout Lipstick in Wanderberry Burgundy

Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil 12hr Wear Waterproof in Black Lace

Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream with Super 7 Complex

Algenist Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

Statement eyeshadow and eyeliner are always on trend in the beauty community, it's no surprise that the Touch In Sol Metallist Liquid Foil & Glitter Eye Shadow Duo in Talia Silver was inside the Play! Box for the month of September. The eyeshadow duo has a liquid formula that you apply first to set the look, then add a layer of the glitter shimmer on top for a bold and sparkly look. The liquid formula can also be worn alone for a less statement look. The only problems that I encountered with the duo eyeshadow was that the liquid end is on the dry side. It gets to the point where you end up using too much of the liquid and it gets very heavy and thick on your eyes. When it comes to the formula it is important to remember that a little will go a long way. However the pigmentation and quality of the shadow is impeccable.

Fall time is the best time to start breaking out the dark and edgy lipstick shades. But with the changing weather it is important to keep your lips moisturized and chapped free. The Wander Beauty Wanderout Lipstick in Wanderberry Burgundy is the perfect lipstick for fall time. Not only is the color an absolute gorgeous dark red, it is also bold and long lasting. Never before in my life have I had my lipstick survive after eating a Chipotle burrito, but my Wander Beauty lipstick lasted throughout my entire meal. What is also amazing about this lipstick is that it is a hydrating formula that applies smoothly and ends up having a matte finish. Easy to say, I think I found my new favorite and go to lipstick!

The Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil 12hr Wear Waterproof in Black Lace is great standard and typical eyeliner. It is long lasting with a strong pigment that does not smudge easily when applying. The Sephora Collection has a variety of options when it comes to their eyeliner. There are 25 different shades which also include matte, shimmer and glitter finishes. The best thing about Sephora's house brand eyeliner is the variety of options and it truly is a great quality eyeliner.

When you're 25 years old the last thing you're ever thinking of purchasing is any kind of youth preserve or anti-aging cream. So to find those two products in this Play! Box was interesting to say the least. The Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream with Super 7 Complex is a daily moisturizer that smells very earthy, almost like a garden of succulents. The only flaw with this cream is that it does irritate your skin at first while it tightens your skin. The second youthful cream in the box was the Algenist Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream. Like the Lotus Cream it tightens your face, however the irritation isn't as strong. In fact, I found the Algenist cream to be more hydrating and it left my skin feeling soft. When I start to encounter wrinkles, this would be my go to face cream.

Now normally with the Play! Boxes, the sixth sample is typically a fragrance. However, this month instead the bonus sample was the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask. On a personal preference, I'd take haircare products over a fragrance any day. So this was a pleasant surprise! The Deep Conditioning Hair Mask is a weekly treatment that hydrates and strengthens your hair. What I really love about this deep conditioner is that it truly does help treat damaged hair and makes it even softer and healthier. Plus it smells so good!! My only complaint is that I wish had more!

The September Play! Box was filled with great products perfect for transitioning into fall weather. My favorite product had to be the Wander Beauty Wanderout Lipstick while my least favorite was the Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream. But overall, I was still impressed and I'd give this box 4/5 stars!

Now let's see what the October Box has to offer! This box has the sole intentions of keeping your complexion flawless and establishing a caring and thought out beauty routine. Inside were the following products:

Urban Decay Quick Fix Hydracharged Complexion Prep Priming Spray

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation

Sephora Collection Triple Action Cleansing Water

Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Illumination™ Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer

Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum For Her

Primer is a complete must have for creating your makeup look, but finding a good one is easier said than done. The Urban Decay Quick Fix Hydracharged Complexion Prep Priming Spray is one of the best primers out there. Instead of a cream that claims to hydrate your skin, this primer is a gentle mist that truly hydrates your face while minimizing pores and brightening your complexion. With the mist under your skin, it is easier to apply your makeup and have it long lasting. This liquid spray is magical, it does not smudge and it has a tropical scent that you will just adore.

In a box focusing solely on one's complexion it's no surprise there is a foundation sample present. The Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation not only applies and blends well it also gives a flawless coverage that lasts for a long amount of time. Plus it also smoothes your skin and it doesn't feel heavy on your face. What is also great about this particular liquid foundation is that it is available in 40 different shades!

Micellar water is a lazy girl's best friend when it comes to washing her face. For those of you who have been living under a rock and do not know about the amazing beauty trend, micellar water is a facial wash, makeup remover and moisturizer all rolled into one product. Now since it has become a hot ticket item, every company out there is trying to get in on the trend. In fact Sephora has created their own version and stuck it in this Play! Box. The Sephora Collection Triple Action Cleansing Water probably would not be my go to micellar water to purchase, but it is not bad. It's very cleansing and soothing. The only thing is that is leaves your face a little sticky once you first use it but after a bit your skin feels fresh after.

Next up is the Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum, a moisturizer filled with Vitamin C that brightens and hydrates skin. What is really great about this moisturizer is that it softens your skin and give it a natural glow. Plus the citrus scent is to die for! The only problem with this is that the consistency is on the sticky side, but a little water can clean that up.

Blemishes are inevitable, no one has perfect skin 24/7. And that's okay, because that's human nature. Concealer is a must have, but finding one that gives long lasting and flawless coverage can be tricky. However, the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Illumination™ Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer provides hope. This concealer is not only a waterproof under eye concealer, it also provides anti aging benefits and reduces dark circles. It truly does give a flawless coverage and it blends well all while brightening your complexion. This concealer may specialize under the eyes but it really can cover up any blemish or dark circle you want to hide.

And for the bonus sample for October, Sephora came back with the fragrances! The Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum For Her is a sweet floral scent that is perfect for any time of the year. The sweet scent reminds you of smelling a garden when the flowers are just about to bloom, you can't help but smile when you smell it. If you're a big fan of floral scents this fragrance is perfect for you.

Overall the October Box was very impressive! Each product had positive qualities and there was nothing terribly wrong with any of them. My absolute favorites from this box were the Urban Decay Priming Spray and the It Cosmetics Under Eye Concealer! I'd give this particular box 4/5 stars. After using all these products my complexion feels better and brighter. I can't wait to see what the next boxes will have to offer. If you liked what Play! has to offer check out their website here and subscribe.

Until next time.

It's been a long time since I posted a Sephora Play! Box review. In fact, I think my last post was about the December and January boxes. Yikes, my bad. Life has been extremely busy, but now it is time to finally get back on track. So since my last review was basically forever ago, I'm going to skip forward and tell you all about the last two boxes I received, which happen to be for May and June.

For those of you who have never heard of Play! by Sephora, it is beauty subscription service that includes five samples from high end brands that you know and love from Sephora as well as a bonus fragrance sample. So for $10 a month you get six samples plus some other perks from Sephora, like 50 bonus Beauty Insider Points and a free one-on-one tutorial with a Sephora Beauty Expert. Not a bad deal right?

The May Play! Box by Sephora highlighted some of the top products Sephora has to offer while also showcasing some new brands that are currently on the rise! Inside the Sephora Play! Box for the month of May were the following products:

• Tocca Stella Eau de Parfum
• Rahua Omega 9 Hair Mask
• TrèStiQue Highlight + Perfect Multipurpose Stick in Maldives Luminescent
• Belief Hungarian Water Essence
• Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil
• Nudestix Magnetic Matte Lip Color in Greystone

The Tocca Stella Eau de Parfum is a sweet scent that combines a mix of fruity and floral smells. The mixture of blood oranges and freesia comes together to create a sweet scent that is flirty and fresh. It truly is the perfect scent for spring time and the beginning of summer.

Finding great quality hair products that are cruelty free and vegan can be hard to find. It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack. But luckily, I know I can always count on my Sephora Play! Box to provide me with some great options. The Rahua Omega 9 Hair Mask is a vegan and cruelty free hair mask that has a professional strength formula that gives great results. The mask is made with omega rich oils which provides your hair with shine and vibrancy all while treating damaged and dried out hair. After shampooing, apply the mask and leave it in for 10 to 15 minutes. The mask has a very earthy smell, you will either love it or hate it. Once your rinse the mask out and dry your hair you can already feel the change. It softens your hair and gives it a nice shine. The one problem with this product is that it is only available online.

Back in the day when I was a loyal ipsy customer, I became very familiar with the brand TrèStiQue. In fact I received the TrèStiQue Highlight + Perfect Multipurpose Stick in Maldives Luminescent in an ipsy bag as well as this Sephora Play! Box. To be quite honest, I was surprised to see this brand on the Sephora website because years ago you would never have found this brand in stores. But today, I learned otherwise, in fact, my local Sephora carries some TrèStiQue products. The more you know! However, it still seems like a majority of their products are available only online. But I digress. When you first apply the highlight, it is unnoticeable due to its very light shade. But when the light shines on the highlight, you can really see the glow.

When it comes to the Belief Hungarian Water Essence, I'm not sure what to make of it. It's technically not classified as a moisturizer, instead it is an additional step to add before. But the sole purpose of the product is to hydrate and moisturize your face. In my personal opinion, it's just an unnecessary product and step, unless your moisturizer is not getting the job done. But at that point, you're probably better off finding a new moisturizer. But anyways, I digress. When applying the water essence it can feel a little sticky at first, which definitely can throw you off. But after you apply it, your skin hydrates and softens over time.

One product that I was truly intrigued by was the Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil. It's called an oil but it acts more like a cleanser which is very interesting. It lathers very well and gets very foamy. This cleansing oil is hydrating while it removes any dirt or leftover makeup from your day.

The last sample in the May Play! Box was the Nudestix Magnetic Matte Lip Color in Greystone. This lip pencil is very thick and applies very well. However, do not be fooled by the color of the Greystone shade that is displayed online. On the website it looks like a light nude, however when you look at it up close and personal and put it on, it is actually a really dark brown. The shade itself is dark and bold, a little too dark for my taste but it is one of those shades that is in style at the moment. The color lasts all day, the only downside is that it is not hydrating whatsoever, so your lips may feel a little dry at the end of the day.

Overall Sephora's May Play! Box was not too shabby! A lot of the products were very good and only one product was a miss, so I'd give this box 4/5 stars! The one hit was the Tocca Stella Eau de Parfum and the one miss was the Belief Hungarian Water Essence. Now let's see what the June Play! Box has in store!

Now for the June Play! Box, Sephora chose six different products that were perfect for summer time. Whether you're poolside, chilling on the beach or trying to survive the heat each product can help you no matter what situation you find yourself in! Inside the Sephora Play! Box for the month of June were the following products:

• BVLGARI Omnia Crystalline Eau de Parfum
• Verb Sea Spray
• Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
• Coola Makeup Setting Spray SPF 30
• Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lovesick
• Benefit The POREfessional Face Primer

Sometimes when it comes to fragrances the scents can end up smelling really fresh and great while other times the scents end up smelling like your grandmother's closet. Sad to say but the BVLGARI Omnia Crystalline Eau de Parfum is one of the few that needs to be locked away in your grandmother's closet. The scent is so strong and overpowering you can't get a clear idea what it is supposed to smell like. In fact to me, it smelled nothing like bamboo or a crystal. Instead it smells like rubbing alcohol. So for me, this fragrance is definitely a no go.

If your hair is naturally straight like mine, it's a blessing and a curse. Sure you don't need to flat iron it daily to get sleek straight hair but curling it or having volume or texture is such a chore. But with the Verb Sea Spray adding texture and volume is not a problem at all! The sea spray is infused with sea salt and hydrating seaweed to give your hair effortless beach waves. The spray itself smells really good and naturally blends in your hair without feeling sticky later.

Dry shampoo is probably the greatest beauty invention of all time. Anything to help push back washing your hair an extra day and not have it feel greasy and gross is a lifesaver. Normally, I stick to the regular drugstore brands, like Batiste or Not Your Mother's for my dry shampoo necessities. But every once and a while I like to indulge and treat myself to a more luxurious brand. I would definitely say that the Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk is a luxurious dry shampoo, it also helps that it is an award winning product. The dry shampoo freshens up your hair instantly and also makes it feel fresh and clean. The oat milk spray smells really good and that scent transfers over to your hair very well. Sure it may be on the expensive side compared to others but if you have the extra bit of cash to splurge, why not?

Setting spray is another beauty lifesaver. Without setting spray, your makeup won't look as fresh at the end of the day. However when it comes to the Coola Makeup Setting Spray SPF 30, I have mixed feelings. First and foremost, I love how the setting spray contains SPF 30 in it for sun protection. However, when you're using the spray on your face it literally feels like you're spaying sunscreen on your face. For the first spray, it stinks and it stings. You need to close your eyes extremely hard otherwise they will burn. The first time you use the spray, it is absolutely the worst. You will smell like a skunk and your face will sting. If you're brave enough to try the spray again after the torturous first time, you'll feel slightly better. The smell goes away and the spray does not burn as much.

For the past couple of years liquid lipsticks have been all the rage. Every brand you can think of most likely has hopped on the bandwagon for this trend. In fact, one of the most popular liquid lipstick brands is Kat Von D. The Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lovesick is a matte liquid lipstick. The shade, Lovesick, is a gorgeous pink nude that looks good on everyone. The liquid lipstick itself is very creamy and lasts for a very long time!

Primer is a makeup necessity, using a primer helps your foundation look smoother and last longer. There are also primers out there that do much more than just the bare minimum. Take a look at the Benefit The POREfessional Face Primer. Not only does it set your foundation, it also minimizes the presence of pores on your face. Luckily, I don't have too many problems with pores but this primer still does a good job setting my foundation and making my skin feel soft and smooth.

Overall the June Play! Box was all over the place. There were a lot of hits, and unfortunately a lot of misses. This was most likely the worst Play! Box I have received to date, which is why I'd give this box 3.5/5 stars. Which if you think about it, that's not so bad! The big hits in this box were the Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk and the Verb Sea Spray. On the other hand, the big misses in this box were the BVLGARI Omnia Crystalline Eau de Parfum and the Coola Makeup Setting Spray SPF 30. I can't wait to see what the end of summer Play! Boxes have in store!

Until next time.

An investment in a beauty subscription is the best way for beauty enthusiasts and newbies to get try new products before fully committing to purchasing the full size version of a product. It's a great way to save money while keeping up with the latest beauty trends. One of the best subscription boxes out there is Play! by Sephora.

For those of you who have never heard of Play! by Sephora, it is beauty subscription service that includes five samples from high end brands that you know and love from Sephora as well as a bonus fragrance sample. So for $10 a month you get six samples plus some other perks from Sephora, like 50 bonus Beauty Insider Points and a free one-on-one tutorial with a Sephora Beauty Expert. Not a bad deal right?

Now that you know all about Sephora's Play! Box, let's get to the good stuff. The boxes themselves and the samples inside! let's go all the way back to December 2016, and see what we got!

The main emphasis of the December Play! Box was on the products you would absolutely need to look your best for a fancy night out and end the year right. In the December Play! Box were the following samples:

• Elizabeth and James Nirvana Bourbon Eau de Parfum
• Drybar Bay Breeze Hydrating Shot
• Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Primer
• Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara
• Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Always Red
• Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

When it comes to fragrances, I'm a sucker for scents that are either very sweet or floral. So when I saw the sample from the Olsen twins brand: Elizabeth and James, I was intrigued. I have heard a lot of good things about the Nirvana Bourbon Eau de Parfum, and I was impressed. It has a very sweet yet musky smell. The blend of vanilla bourbon and spice wood with a little pinch of a floral scent makes an interesting and edgy combination.

Drybar is known for their high end and luxurious products that gives any woman salon quality hair every time. Drybar has been on my Must Try list for years, so when I saw the Drybar Bay Breeze Hydrating Shot in my Play! Box, I was stoked. But sadly, my hopes were just way too high. The Bay Breeze Hydrating Shot is to be used after shampooing and it is suggested to use the entire bottle in one sitting. Which makes sense, because there is not enough spray in the bottle to use again. In fact, there's barely enough to use one time, especially if you have long and/or thick hair. The spray is also nothing like a spray, instead it is really creamy and it gets clogged in the applicator very easily. Plus, the creamy spray is really hard to spread throughout your hair, you literally need to spray it everywhere, if you can. Once you wash it out, your hair will feel rough for a bit bit it will get softer once it dries.

For any makeup enthusiast, primer is absolute must have product. But finding a primer that makes your makeup long lasting and soothe your face can be difficult to find. However, Make Up For Ever's Step 1 Skin Equalizer Primer can do both very well. The primer's formula does a great job of balancing the texture of the skin by making it really smooth. Sine the formula spreads so well, you do not need to use a lot at one time. Take a little bit of primer and massage it onto to your face and your skin and will feel very hydrated and super soft. After that, apply your favorite foundation or tinted moisturizer with no fear since the Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Primer will support and strengthen it all day.

Finding an amazing mascara that can lengthen and thicken your lashes is similar to finding a needle in a haystack, extremely rare and can take a good amount of time to find. However, the Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara comes pretty close to perfection. Even though it doesn't add a lot of length to your lashes, it does a great job defining your lashes while providing a creamy coat that does not clump or smudge even after coating your lashes multiple times.

Right now liquid lipsticks are all the rage. Celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Jeffrey Star have their own liquid lipstick brands that cost a lot of money and are constantly sold out. However beauty lovers are still obsessed with their products which in all honesty are not the best quality. But luckily, other brands like Sephora have created great quality liquid lipsticks at an affordable price. The Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain comes in every shade you could think or dream about. The consistency of the lip stain is very creamy and spreads very well, a little will go a long way. Plus it dries super fast so there are no worries about it smudging or fading away. The lip stain is hydrating and lasts all day. The shade Always Red is a classic bold and bright red, which every lady truly needs.

Whether you wear your make up for ten minutes or ten hours, setting spray is a must have! No one wants their makeup to smudge or fade right away, that's why setting spray was invented. A spray for your face that keeps your makeup in tact, that's genius. The Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray is by far the best setting spray out there. Some setting sprays make you feel like you're spraying yourself with a water bottle, but Urban Decay's setting spray is a gentle mist that soothes your face and keeps your makeup in tact for a long period of time. The one and only problem with the setting spray is with the applicator. The button will occasionally get stuck, which makes it hard to spray. But other than that, this spray is absolutely magic.

The December Play! Box was full of amazing must have products for not only a night out on the town but for daily life. Whether it was for an office holiday party, a New Year soiree, or ringing in the New Year on the couch, these products had you covered. I'd give this box 4/5 stars. The real gems of the box were the Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Always Red and Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray, while the biggest disappointment was the Drybar Bay Breeze Hydrating Shot. Now, let's see what January had to offer!

The January Play! Box really started the New Year off right. It contained products that were essential to giving your look a fresh feeling and brand new start. It really took the idea of new year, new you to a whole new level. In the January Play! Box were the following samples:

• Tory Burch Love Relentlessly Eau de Parfum
• Ouai Treatment Masque
• Drunk Elephant Lala Retro™ Whipped Cream
• Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey
• Tarte FRXXXTION Stick Exfoliating Cleanser
• IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better™ CC+™ Cream with SPF 50+

Romantic scents and fragrances are different for everyone, what could be romantic and sultry to one person could have the opposite effect on another. But when it comes to the Tory Burch Love Relentlessly Eau de Parfum it truly is the definition of romance, but not for the reason you're thinking. This scent is actually based off of the love story of Tory Burch's parents. Burch's father would write love notes to her mother and have them published in their local paper. The notes were signed Love, Relentless, and it was a secret for the two of them to share. Just the story alone is romantic. But when you smell the sweetness of the floral perfume, it honestly does smell like love. When you smell Love Relentlessly it feels like you're falling in love.

Whenever your hair needs a little pick me up, a good deep conditioner or hair mask always does the trick. I'm a big fan of hair masks so I was excited to try the Ouai Treatment Masque! The mask itself smells really good, and that nice fresh smell transfers right to you hair while making it silky and smooth. If you have damaged hair, this mask will be your best friend because it really does revitalize and strengthen your hair. The only problem with the hair mask is that you do not get enough, especially in the sample size. My half ounce bottle was not enough and I really wanted and needed more!

If you want to try out an award winning moisturizer, then you need to check out the Drunk Elephant Lala Retro™ Whipped Cream. In 2016, it won the Allure Best of Beauty award and it is easy to see why! The cream is extremely hydrating and moisturizing, it's perfect for dry and fine skin. Plus it smells really good! What's also so great about the brand, Drunk Elephant is that they are a cruelty free brand that supports the International Elephant Foundation. A great quality product from a great quality brand, can you ask for anything better?

If you're looking for a lipstick that gives no color or tint to your lips then Clinique's "Almost Lipstick" is what you're looking for. In all honesty, "almost lipstick" is just a clever name to give to a sheer lipstick. But really, who would honestly buy a sheer lipstick? Isn't the point of lipstick to add some color to your lips? The only thing the Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey has going for it is that it is hydrating and moisturizing. This product is basically an overpriced "tinted" balm.

Most face washes or cleansers are not necessarily very travel friendly or convenient to use. They can be bulky or even leak through the top lid. I can't tell you how many times I have had some of my beauty products leak all over my toiletry bag while traveling. It is an annoying circumstance to say the least. So when I find products that are perfect for traveling, I get excited. My latest discovery came from this Play! Box, the Tarte FRXXXTION Stick Exfoliating Cleanser! The cleanser comes in a little stick, which is very similar to a glue stick. It's very easy to apply, all you have to do is apply it directly on your skin in circular motions. This cleanser is gel that is also good for all face types and it can even be used as mask too. The cleansing stick is only one ounce, so you can take it anywhere! From traveling on an airplane or to the gym for your post workout shower, this little cleanser is the perfect when you're on the go.

On the days when you don't feel like wearing a lot of makeup, a CC cream or tinted moisturizer can be your life saver! It gives your face the coverage it needs with little to no work. One of the best CC creams out there is the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better™ CC+™ Cream with SPF 50+. CC cream stands for color correcting and this cream provides a full and flawless coverage while protecting your skin with SPF 50. It is also very soothing on your face. There are five different shades for this CC cream, and each shade is adaptable and true to its tone.

Overall, the January Play! Box was a smashing hit, filled with a variety of great quality products to start the New Year off right. I'd give it 4/5 stars, the major hits of the Play! Box were the Tarte FRXXXTION Stick Exfoliating Cleanser, IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better™ CC+™ Cream with SPF 50+, and the Drunk Elephant Lala Retro™ Whipped Cream. The only miss was the Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, which was a major thumbs down. This Play! Box would have scorn higher but that "lipstick" really brought down the overall value of the box.

But on the bright side, I know whenever I get my Play! Box from Sephora, there will be some amazing products to test out! In fact, February and March's boxes are already looking promising, be on the lookout for that upcoming review!

Until next time.

Today there is so much competition when it comes to beauty subscription boxes. Before there were mainly two competitors: The Trendsetter, Birchbox and The Wannabe, ipsy. But now there's a new opponent in this competition. Let me introduce you to Play! by Sephora.

Just like ipsy and Birchbox, Sephora's Play! box includes five skin care, makeup, or hair care samples plus a bonus fragrance sample all for $10 a month. All the samples come in a cute draw string collectible bag that goes with each month’s theme.

Now for those of you that are wondering if I left ipsy because I got off the waitlist for Sephora's play box, that is 100% correct. Once Sephora announced they were creating their own beauty subscription service, I was fully committed. Unlike ipsy, Sephora gives me samples of the brands I love and want to try. By some chance I don't know the brand, I already trust it because it is backed by Sephora. When I would receive an unknown brand from ipsy I was always hesitant to try it, especially if they did not have their own website and were only sold on Amazon.

Something that Play! offers that the other subscription services do not offer is the Play! Pass. With the Play! Pass you can redeem it in store for 50 bonus Beauty Insider points when you make a purchase and it also includes a free one on one tutorial with one of Sephora's Beauty Experts. The passes do expire after 30 days, it is normally good until the end of the following month. I have yet to use the Play! Pass to redeem my one on one tutorial, but I plan on using that sometime in the future! Also in the Play! box you will find the Play! Book. It includes tips, tricks, how-tos, and beauty advice for the products in the box. The Play! Book introduces you to each product and helps you get the most out of them.

Let's get down to this Play! Box for November 2016. The theme was "Best In Glow" so all products were focused on radiating your beauty. What all these products have in common is that they will enhance your look with a natural shine. Even the little draw string bag came with a cute little design that showed off a cartoon woman getting ready to pamper herself to a spa day.

Now let's get to the good stuff! Inside this Play! Box were the following products:

• Cover FX Illuminating Primer
• Sephora Collection Ultra Shine Lip Gel in Pin Up Pink
• Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Rose Gold
• Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet
• Glamglow Thirstymud™ Hydrating Treatment
• Maison Margiela ’Replica’ Lipstick On

The Cover FX Illuminating Primer is a glow inducing and silicone free primer that does indeed give your skin a nice glow. However if you use a too much primer in one setting it can make your face look a little oily, so it is important to remember that a little goes a long way. This primer is not irritable at all so it is good for sensitive skin.

I'm not a huge lip gloss fan but when it comes to subscription boxes, I can't escape lip glosses. The Sephora Collection Ultra Shine Lip Gel in Pin Up Pink is a sheer gloss that comes in a hot pink tint. Since it is very sheer, you only get little bit of color. But it does add a nice shine to your lips.

The best item in this Play! Box had to be the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Rose Gold, hands down. The rose gold shade was gorgeous and added a strong shimmer to your eyes. What's so great about this eye crayon is that it glides on so smoothly and it lasts all day.

One of the most needed products for the winter time is moisturizer. So when I saw the Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet in the Play! Box, I was really excited to try it out. This moisturizer is a light gel cream that hydrates and softens your skin. Once you apply the cream to your face it makes your skin feel smooth and strong. This moisturizer is really gentle and did not cause any irritation, so it's a thumbs up for those of you with sensitive skin!

The Glamglow Thirstymud™ Hydrating Treatment was the most high end beauty product, well besides the perfume sample. The mask itself is amazing, it smells really good and it really soothes your skin. Plus it will absorb right into your skin, so there is really no need to rinse off after. It makes a great overnight mask. The only downside of this product is the price, the full size version of the product is $69 and you only receive 1.7 oz. I will definitely be cherishing this sample.

Lastly but certainly not least, there is the perfume sample, Maison Margiela ’Replica’ Lipstick On. Getting a perfume sample is something I really love about the Sephora Play! Box. Trying out new perfumes is always fun! The Maison Margiela ’Replica’ Lipstick On is a sophisticated floral scent that smells really good.

For my first Sephora Play! box, I was really impressed. I received a lot of brands that I like and some that I really have been dying to try! So far, Play! has made a lasting impression on me and I would give this box 4 out of 5 stars. I can't wait to see what else Play! has in store!

Until tomorrow.

For the past two years, I've been unboxing and critiquing the Glam Bags I receive from ipsy. I've accumulated all different kinds of beauty products. But this past November, I decided it was time to unsubscribe from ipsy.

Why did I choose to unsubscribe from ipsy? Well over the past two years, I've gathered a bunch of different beauty products. Some that I absolutely fell in love with, but a majority of the other products were just mediocre. I would get a lot of the same items and brands all the time. But it was not the "higher end" brands that I wanted to try, instead I mainly got obscure unheard of brands. There were some great unheard of brands that I tried, the only bad part about that was that I could not purchase those items again because those brands were never sold at any of the stores I frequent. But enough about that, here are the final reviews for September and October.

First we have the September Glam Bag, which was a "Glamazon" theme. What is a Glamazon? Well the best definition I could find on Urban Dictionary describes a Glamazon as a woman with an overdeveloped sense of beauty, glamour, and fashion.

So based off this name and theme, this bag should be a total knockout. Let's start with the bag itself, it's super cute and very girly! The color scheme works well together and the print is adorable. It definitely gives of a chic and trendy feel.

So let's get to the good stuff! Inside this Glam Bag were the following products:

• Pixi by Petra Mattelustre Lipstick in Rose Naturelle
• Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask
• ulta3 Nail Colour in Sizzling Red
• IT Cosmetics Superhero™ Mascara in Super Black
• tre'StiQue Mini Highlight Stick in Maldives Luminescent

The Pixi by Petra Mattelustre Lipstick in Rose Naturelle is a dark nude shade that pairs really well with any pink lip liner. The lipstick is matte but not a very good one, it does not last as long as a matte should. The one thing I really dislike about this lipstick is the weird aftertaste it leaves on your lips. If you're going to eat anything take this lipstick off before you eat because you will get a really bitter taste in your mouth.

I always love trying new hair products, especially any kind of deep conditioner, so I was excited to test out the Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask. When I washed my hair I used a generous amount of this deep conditioner and overall I was very impressed! It softens your hair and makes it shinier while getting rid of any tangles! Score!!

When it comes to nail polish, I seem to have the worst luck. I'm really bad/lazy when it comes to painting my nails but I'm getting better with time. The ulta3 Nail Colour in Sizzling Red is a bold color that goes on bright red. The color is almost like a fire truck red shade. The nail polish applies very easily which is nice, the only downside is that the nail polish will stain your skin so be very careful! I had pink fingers for a decent amount of time. This nail polish lasts for a short amount of time. Depending on how active you are you could chip the nail polish within the first couple of days.

I was so excited to see the IT Cosmetics Superhero™ Mascara in Super Black, I've been dying to try this mascara! I heard so many good things about it, so when I tried it I was happy to see it lived up to the hype. The mascara itself is creamy but it does not smudge despite the creaminess. It gives your lashes plenty of volume and adds the perfect amount of length to them. Best mascara ever!

Last but certainly not least, there is the tre'StiQue Mini Highlight Stick in Maldives Luminescent. What I really love about this highlighter is that it is a creamy crayon that goes on very smoothly. Sometimes it is hard to find a really good shade for a highlighter but this shade was almost iridescent, it adds such a nice and natural shine to your face. This is probably the best highlighter I have ever received from ipsy!

Overall, I'd give the September Glam Bag 4/5 stars. I was really impressed with a majority of these products. My hit for this month would be the IT Cosmetics Superhero™ Mascara in Super Black, while my miss for this month would be the Pixi by Petra Mattelustre Lipstick in Rose Naturelle. But now onto the October Glam Bag!

Now we've come to the last Glam Bag I will ever critique, this is a real bittersweet moment. The Glam Bag itself is super cute, it was obviously a Halloween theme. The print of the witches was super cute and it went well with the theme. If you notice, I received some additional products in this Glam Bag. That is because I had enough points to redeem not one but two additional samples with my ipsy points.

Inside this Glam Bag were the following products:

• theBalm Cosmetics CabanaBoy Blush
• Ciaté London Fierce Flicks Eyeliner
• Trust Fund Beauty Gimme Good Face - Face Primer
• MeMeMe Blush Brush
• Ziaja Natural Olive Cream Light Formula
• Luxie Rose Gold Tapered Highlighting Brush
• Nudestix Mini Lip + Cheek Pencil in Mystic

I always get so excited whenever I see anything theBalm, it's one of my favorite brands! So I was stoked to see the theBalm Cosmetics CabanaBoy Blush in my Glam Bag! I absolutely adore the shade, it is the perfect color for a nice natural blush tone while also giving your face a nice glow. What I also love about this blush is that it can also be used as an eyeshadow.

I've been on the hunt for a new liquid eyeliner for quite some time now, but I think I can finally conclude my journey. The Ciaté London Fierce Flicks Eyeliner is everything I have ever dreamed of for an eyeliner. This eyeliner goes on so smoothly and so precise. Even with my shaking hands, my eyeliner was done in one try. With other eyeliners, I would need to start over at least twice. It also does not smudge and it is long lasting.

The Trust Fund Beauty Gimme Good Face - Face Primer is a decent face primer with some texture issues. When you first put it on, it becomes really flakey but once you spread it around your face it starts to get really gooey and soft. It is a weird sensation but somehow it ends up making your face really soft. But from there is does an okay job keeping your makeup looking fresh. After a couple of hours you can't really tell that you were ever wearing makeup.

One of my favorite things to receive in a Glam Bag are makeup brushes! So when I saw the MeMeMe Blush Brush I was excited. What I really like about this brush is that it can be used for any kind of powder. It is a soft brush that applies powder very well and it does not go on too dark, It distributes the powder evenly. You can't go wrong with a nice soft brush that apples well!

The last sample that ipsy chose for me was the Ziaja Natural Olive Cream Light Formula. What's really great about this moisturizer is that is is soothing on your face and it really softens it. The only downside of this moisturizer is that it has a really thick texture and a very generic smell.

The first sample I chose to redeem with my points was the Luxie Rose Gold Tapered Highlighting Brush. Honestly, I picked this brush because it was pretty and because it was a makeup brush, I needed to stock up! It is 100% vegan friendly and works best as a highlighter brush. The brush itself is super soft and it applies very lightly but overall very well.

The last sample I chose to redeem with my points was the Nudestix Mini Lip + Cheek Pencil in Mystic. ipsy has been giving out Nudestix samples for the longest time and I was never lucky enough to get one, so when I saw that one was available to redeem for points I jumped at the opportunity. The shade of the pencil is a nice nude pink that pairs well with any lipstick shade. What is also so great about this pencil is that it is long lasting and it can also be used for your cheeks and not just your lips!

For my final Glam Bag, I'd say it went out with a bang, I'd give it 4/5 stars. The big hit in this Glam Bag was the Ciaté London Fierce Flicks Eyeliner while the miss was the Trust Fund Beauty Gimme Good Face - Face Primer. Both of my samples were a 5/5, they were everything I hoped and dreamed they would be!

Overall I will miss ipsy, it will be sad to not get one of those pink packages in the mail every month. But who knows, maybe something bigger and better is on the way.

Until tomorrow.