ipsy Febuary 2014

My ipsy bag finally arrived today (probably due to all of the snow that's been pummeling the East Coast).  I received some great products, though not really in the shades I was hoping to receive.

1. Zoya Nail Polish in Odette

I actually wanted this color, of the two options (the other color was Dot, which looks a bit transparent). I tried the color on two fingernails and found that it came out a rich purple color.  I have a lot of purple nail polish, but I loved the application and this is my first Zoya polish; now I get the hype.

2. Eyetini Cordial Creme Shadow + Base In One in Ambrosia

It's funny that this product has a ridiculously long name, seeing as the actual tube of shadow just says "Shadow Tint Ambrosia" on the bottom with no other branding.  I like the color. I like the texture when I tried it on the back of my hand. Still- what's with all of the eyeshadows coming in weird forms now? Was a tin of powder too old-school? I now have: eyeshadow that comes in a lipgloss-like tube, eyeshadow that comes in an eyeliner-like stick, eyeliner that comes in a cream like a lip balm. Was something horridly wrong with powders?

3. Dr. Lin Acne Spot Corrector

I always like trying new skin care. It's 5% benzoyl peroxide, so I'm glad to try this in the winter, when I don't get any sunshine (it can cause some pretty bad burns). I really wonder if girls on ipsy will try to create a "look" that uses this product. ipsy users are encouraged to create looks based on what's in their bags, which usually includes all cosmetics.

4. Pop Beauty Plump Pout Mini in Peony Petal

It's a shame that this color is far too whorish for work, because it seems like a decent lipgloss. I love the unique shape because my purse always has a few lipsticks and chapsticks that all feel the same when rooting around for makeup. Still, a little too bright and pink for everyday.

3. City Color Be Matte Blush in Fresh Melon

This isn't fair. Online, "Fresh Melon" looks like a slightly bronzed pink suitable for every complexion. On the back of my hand (and in the picture above), it appears Bring-In-The-Clowns Pink.  It is such a shame because it feels light and silky in application.  Maybe if I use one molecule of the stuff I won't look like a sad, sad clown. I will try to salvage this.

Cheers,

Christine

Birchbox February 2014

I sneaked a look at the preview and was so excited! Then I got the products mad my excitement trickled away like a salt scrub in the shower. As usual, here are my first impressions of each product.

1. Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara

I love smashbox products and can't wait to try this one. The brush is enormous and tapered, not curled. Its biggest contender in my makeup drawer is benefit's They're Real! 

2. Ruby Wing Color Changing Polish in Kitten Heels

This polish is Barbie-shoe-pink. When you wear it outside, it's supposed to turn red. I once owned a green/yellow color change polish when I was 11 and staying at the beach for the summer. It was terrible, but that was over ten years ago (ahhhh). The way I see it, even if the change stinks, I love the toxic hot pink. 

3. Beauty Protector's Protect & Oil [Hair Oil]

Although not really right for my hair type (straight, stringy blonde), I love the smell of this product.  I wish it came with a tiny spritzer head on it- I guess I'll have to dab it on my fingers. I'll have to see if it's too heavy for my hair. 

4. smashbox's Full Exposure Palette

This would be number 1 if it weren't such a pathetically small sample. I will say this time and again: it is better to have one shade of eyeshadow you can user a brush in than to have 10 microscopic samples. This sample is actually my lifestyle extra this month, it's so small. The shadow is literally on too of a piece of wax paper with a cling film cover. 

5. Coola Face Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 BB Cream

Seriously- did you put enough trendy words on your package? I don't know if I got them all in the right order, but this lotion is not tinted enough to be used as foundation, period. Also- if your skin tone matches the color of this stuff (aka pale as paper), then you know you need more than SPF 30. Let BB cream be BB cream. Let sunscreen be sunscreen. 

See you again in a week or two when I get my ipsy bag (or sooner if I try out some nail polish).

Christinehttps://www.birchbox.com/invite/pinforlater

January ipsy!

My ipsy glambag showed up on January 15th. About 12 hours later, ipsy emailed me a tracking code. Hah. Here's what I got (in ordering of most exciting to least exciting):

1. Briogeo "Don't Despair, Repair" deep conditioning mask. 

I am a little put off by the term "mask" being applied to a conditioner (how many ways can they say, "it is a conditioner" after all?). That said, I have been using more heat on my hair lately. It doesn't say how often to use it. It is a decent sized sample; it will probably last a month if I use it 2-3 times a week. 

2 Elizabeth Mott "Smooth Shadow" stick in "Pearl."

There are no instructions, but this looks like a mini eyeliner/lip liner. It's clearly a shadow since 1. The name, 2. It's transparent. I am not sure if you're supposed to rub it directly onto your eye or if you're supposed to rub it on your finger and then your eye? I'll have to look it up online. The color looks like a nude shimmer on the back of my hand. 

3. Nourish Organic Lightweight Moisturizing Face Lotion.

I'm a little skeptical of all face lotions because I have an old faithful: LUSH's "Skin Drink." It smells sweet and not at all perfume-y, so I'll try it. The ingredients don't impress me. All of the tube is screaming about how organic it is, but it looks like it's mostly Shea Butter. The jury is out. 

4. Mica Beauty Cosmetics Tinted Lip Balm in "Fiesta."

This color is definitely a fiesta and the US Workplace is not invited. This balm is waaaay too bright to wear during the day time. Absolutely apply it with a brush. When I thin balm, I think dipping your finger in it. If you do that with this color, you will make a mess. It really should come in a tube or stick. 

5. proactiv+ Mark Fading Pads

This sounds like a miracle product, but a quick scan of the ingredients is sure to disappoint. The only active ingredient (read: medicine) is 2% Salicylic Acid. Really? Every acne wash, Neutrogenia soap, Clean & Clear mask, you name it... Salicylic Acid. The inactive ingredients include a ton of alcohols and witch hazel, which is all sure to dry out the skin and make you feel like your face is clean and tight. You're supposed to "cleanse the skin thoroughly before applying this product." Hmmm... 

This month's case is really cute. It's teal and has a print of beauty supplies on the bottom. Maybe I'll use it to organize my purse. 

Cheers,

Christine

Nail Rock: Matte Fuzzy Nails

It took two focused efforts, but I finally got half decent nails from my "Velvet" Nail Rock kit. 

The problem is that the fuzz you dip your nails in is compacted in its little tub. If you try dipping your nail in, you come out with big chunks of fuzz while half of your nail dries barren. So you have to pinch out clumps of fluff to rub on your nails. That works, especially if your goal is to get covered in blue, staticy fuzz. 

I think a matte coat of polish might be a better bet. Not a bad look, just way yo obnoxious to do regularly. 

Birchbox: January 2014

My Birchbox arrived mega early this month- 1/8/14. I hadn't even gotten a shipping tracking code yet. Without further ado, here's what I got (in order of "How Excited Christine Is):

1. Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk

Although I've never heard of this brand before, I've been dying to try a dry shampoo. I have very fine, very fair tresses that require daily shampooing. Also, the full-size product is $18, which is awesome. 

2. Nail Rock in "Velvet"

The nail polish bottle and little black jar are part of the same 2-part manicure set. Basically, you put on two coats on nail polish, then dip your nail in the jar (still wet). Velvet appears to be a velvety matte coat. It will be awesome if it works, though I can see many possible pitfalls (clumping, cleaning off excess, peeling in high humidity). It takes 20 minutes to dry, so it's def not for a quick look. 

3. Coastal Scents "Revealed" Eye Shadow Palette

This sample is kinda tiny. Honesty, I would have rather gotten just 1 color in a decent size. It's really hard to use these tiny palettes with decent make up brushes. Still, the shades are nice metallics. I tried them out on my wrist and they blend well. 

4. Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Day Lotion with Clary Sage

I like lotions and I like Burt's Bees. This item is a "Birchbox Find," which is supposed to be a mass-market bonus on top of the 4-5 high end products your box contains. I am way more interested in this than one of my high end products. 

5. Juicy Couture "Couture La La"

This perfume is not for me. This perfume is not for winter or even spring. It's very citrusy and very potent. A little bit goes a long way. I would say that this perfume is a good daytime summer scent for someone who like to smell like a teenage girl. Blah. 

Overall, a good box. In addition to the products, there's a $3 coupon off of Burt's Bees face hydration products and some postcard-looking cards explaining some new gimmicks to win things on the Birchbox website. 

We'll see how January ipsy compares in 1-2 weeks!

Later,

Christine

Recipe: Breaded Tofu

Ingredients:

-extra firm tofu

-flour

-egg

-Progressi Italian Style Breadcrumbs

-extra virgin olive oil

Garnishes:

-Instant lentils (I got the pouch kind but lentil soup works too)

-romaine

Directions:

1. Cut tofu into desired shape. I chose strips for easy flipping. 

2. Lay out the tofu on top of paper towels in a single layer and cover with more paper towels, pressing out the moisture.

3. Dip tofu in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. 

4. Heat enough oil in a skillet to cover just the bottom of the pan. 

5. Sear each side of the tofu. Flipping times will vary based on tofu thickness.

6. When lightly browned, transfer to paper towels to remove excess oil.

7. Garnish with lentils and lettuce and serve. 

Sangria Recipe

I'm on vacation in Florida this December, so eggnoggy drinks are not cutting it on the beach. Enter the strawberry peach sangria. 

You will need: 

- 1 cup (8 oz) "sweet red" wine. Sutter Home has a great one. Since I'm in Florida, I used Walmart's Oak Leaf boxed sweet red. 

- 1 shot (1.5 oz) brandy. I used VS brandy because it's cheap and smooth. 

- 2 shots (3 oz) triple sec

- 1/2 cup (4 oz) Welch's strawberry peach juice

- Ice Ice Ice

There are no instructions, other than "put it all in a glass. I like to garnish with Clementines. If I had any, a sprig of mint would be a nice addition as well. 

Good tidings to all,

Christine

Recipe Time: Plantain Chips

Costco was out of bananas, so my husband got plantains, not realizing that they're not really the same thing. 

Tonight was the first of many experimental cooking sessions as I have a massive bag of plantains and I've only ever had them fried (and hated them).

Ingredients:

2 plantains that are slightly yellow

Extra virgin olive oil to taste

Ground sea salt to taste

Tools:

Parchment paper

Mandolins slicer

Peeler

Misto olive oil sprayer

1. Cut off the ends of the plantains and peel them until they look like yellow squash. If they look like corn husks, peel more. 

2. I used my mandoline slicer to cut 1/4 inch slices. Don't. Cut them as thinly as possible. When I do this again, I'll use 1/8 inch on the slicer. 

3. I only sprayed one side of the plantains with olive oil before adding a little bit of sea salt. You can toss the slices with olive oil and salt. This would extend the cooking time. 

4. Spread in a single layer on parchment paper. The edges can touch, but they have to lay flat. 

5. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes. Flip halfway through and adjust cooking time accordingly. You want them to look white, not gummy. If they're gummy, they just taste like potatoes. 

Enjoy,

Christine

Upcycled Tea Canister

This is my latest tea can candle creation! It's a cinnamon candle in a cinnamon tea can. Making poured candles is obscenely easy. You can make a candle in pretty much anything water-tight and non-flammable. Here are the basics. If anyone reads this and asks, I'll make a tutorial. 

You will need: 

-An empty tea can

-A wick with metal backing

-Unscented soy wax

-Candle fragrance

-Candle dye (I didn't use any)

-A hot glue gun

-Scrap paper

-Scotch tape/any tape

-A glass jar

-A candle warmer

1. Clean the tea can and check for leaks. I use De-solv-it to get tricky labels off and fill it with water to see if it will leak. 

2. Heat the wax in the candle warmer, adding more and more wax as the level drops. 

3. While the wax is heating, hot glue the wick backing to the bottom of the tea can. 

4. Now you're going to make the paper stabilizer for the wick so that it doesn't fall over while you pour the wax in. Cut a thin strip of scrap paper tht is about a finger wide and long enough to go across the top of the tea can.

5. Cut a small slit or hole in the middle if the paper. Tape each end of the paper on opposite sides of the tea can and pull the end of the wick through the hole. 

6. Add as much fragrance and color to the heating wax. Follow the manufacturer's instructions if you want. 

7. I use a piece of paper folded in half to make a V as a spout to pour my wax. You should pour no more than half of the candle at a time. Let the wax cool between pouring.

8. Cut the wick to 1/4 inch and remove the paper wick support. 

9. Enjoy your candle!

Christine

December 2013 ipsy!

Huge haul this month. Are any of these sample sizes at all?

1. Mirabella eye blender brush. 

2. Pop Beauty "Bright Up Your Life Eye Shadow Trio" in "Naturally Bare."

3. Be a Bombshell "The One Stick" in "Flustered."

4. Nicka K New York nail polish in "Classic Taupe."

5. NYX extra creamy round lipstick in "Ceto."

All of these products look fabulous. They're also all huge! Happy December to me. =] 

Christine