Cheap Brush Guards

  

  If you are into make up, I'm pretty sure you've heard about The Brush Guard. It's great for storing and drying your brushes, it helps them keep their shape and if you put them upside down it helps draw the moisture down and out. I always thought they were a bit over priced for what the item actually is, because at the end of the day it's just a tiny plastic net. I mean, $5.50 to cover only 6 brushes? Too much in my opinion.
   One day, while looking around random stuff online, I came across 1m of brush guard for $1.99. With that, I can cover way more than 6 brushes and it's only $1.99 with free shipping, which is super cheap. The only downside to this is that they ship it from China, so it might take a while for it to get to you. I ordered mine on October 21st and got it in under 2 weeks. The amount of product and the price are totally worth the wait.

See, it looks just like a piece of plastic, that's 1m (39'') long.

Before

And after! Look at that brush all pretty! Protected and set to keep it's shape!

How many brushes do you see there? 12 brushes! All covered and pretty, more than double what you get with 1 pack of The Brush Guard AND less than half the price of it!

Oh and I have some left! Enough to cover around 5-6 more brushes, so that would make it about 17 brush guards for $1.99.

  I'm really satisfied with this purchase, I got plenty of product for a really small amount of money. Not everything is rainbows and butterflies, sadly this is not perfect, cuz it doesn't fit small brushes at all, it's too wide for them, but that's fine.

  If you want to pick this up and save some money, here's the link where I got it from:

http://www.ecrater.com/p/15409171/1m-make-up-brush-guards-protectors

 As I said, It might take a while for it to get to you, but it will be worth it, trust me. I'm glad I found this product and I'll probably go back for more if I get more brushes (mmm more brushes! *drools*).

  Hope you find this useful and it helps you save some money!

Sigma Dry n Shape and F40

 I've wanted to get the Sigma Dry n Shape for quite a while, but it was out of stock. When I finally got the email saying it was back I bought it that same day! They claim it will dry your brushes within 4-6 hours, yes it will dry your SIGMA brushes in 4-6 hours, others take a bit longer. This is so much better than my technique of making holes in a carton box and putting them upside down in there! Also, when you are not drying your brushes, you can use it to carry them around!

This was my first purchase from Sigma. I really REALLY want their Make Me Crazy Essential Kit (can't afford it though). I love their packaging, isn't it super cute?

Always make sure you wash your brushes before the first use, this way, you make sure you clean any residues that might be left from the manufacturing process.

 

I wonder what's in this cute box!

Yay! My Sigma F40, I wanted this brush SO much. It's a large angled contour brush. Now that I have it, I don't think I can live without it. I use it to apply my contour and it works just great and the bristles are super soft! It hasn't shed at all, not even after I washed it and of course, I dried it using the Dry n Shape and it was done in 6 hours!

 

When you spend $30 or more, you get a free gift, no coupon required.

Yay for more brushes! I got the E25, which is a blending brush, mine is travel size, but the only difference is the size of the handle. This brush is great too, the bristles are soft and it gets the job done. Also no shedding, not even after I washed it.

Oh my! This is the star of this post!

Isn't it just super cute? And comes in SUPER handy! Before this, I had a kabuki drying for like a week (lol!) and with this, well it took like 2 days, but let's face it, it is a really hairy kabuki(lol again!)

All you have to do is put your brushes in which ever slots will fit them tight and of course put it upside down.

 Look at my brushes sitting all pretty there! I did put a towel below them just in case. 

  The reason why you have to make sure the brush fits tight(they say you should use the smallest band the brush will fit into) is the pressure applied to it by the bands. This pressure is what helps them dry, the fabric is supposed to help water evaporate, but it just look like regular elastic to me, but I guess it does what they say, cuz it works!

 Now, this will not only dry your brushes, but shape them as well, so you won't have to worry about them losing their shape, which is a great plus!

  I read a bunch of reviews about this before I picked it up and a lot of people  complained or rated it low cuz it didn't have that many slots and it didn't have small ones for eye shadow or blending brushes. If you don't have a lot of brushes like me, you have 3 options: either go without make up for that day, wash them right after you did your make up or wash them at night. By the time you have to put your make up back on, the brushes will be dry. As for the smaller brushes, well they do dry really fast, so that applies to them as well.

  I'm super happy with my purchase, the Dry n Shape was $29 when I picked it up and now they have it for $32, but it's still worth it! The F40 was $14 when I grabbed it and is now $16. I wonder why they increased their prices? The E25 retails for $10, but mine was free.

  I totally recommend this product, it has worked wonders for me. I love it so much and it was totally worth the wait. If you want to pick it up, I say hurry up while they still have them in stock. I hope you love this as much as I do and it works out great for you too!

Target Haul

  I went to Target this weekend, just to look around and see if I could find anything interesting. I was looking for cheap brushes, a brush cleanser and an eyelash curler. Well, here's what I picked up:

SoniaKashuk® - Brush and Sponge Cleanser: $6.99, I really liked this product, it's liquid, but it lathers. It cleaned my brushes amazingly well and all the product and dirt came out great. After washing the brushes, the bristles were not dry at all and felt soft. This is worth every penny and is a great deal.

SoniaKashuk® - Eye Makeup Remover: $10.19 ($8.19 after coupon), this product is OK. My usual go-to eye make up remover is just olive oil, but this one works well too. It doesn't take off all of my mascara all that well though and it doesn't leave an oily feeling after either.

Oh noes! :O

e.l.f.- Powder Brush: $3, the price on this is the greatest part. The bristles are super soft, but I didn't even get a chance to use it once, I took it out the first time and it was perfectly fine, no shedding or anything, but I still had to wash it (always wash your brushes when they're new, to clean any possible residues from the manufacturing process). I put it back in the package and when I took it out again to take pictures to upload here, it shed BADLY, I didn't pull hard on it for the bristles to come off, they just did, it was sad, so I have to go to Target one of these days and exchange it, hopefully next one won't be bad. I heard good reviews about some of the e.l.f Studio brushes and they're super affordable, so I really hope not all of them are like this.

e.l.f.- Oil Blotting Sheets: $3, 3 pack (50 Sheets Each). I found some Clean & Clear blotting sheets (pack of 50) for $4.99 and almost grabbed them when I came across these, $3 for 150 sheets basically! Great price, they work just like they should, and have a really light, but good smell.

Swatches

e.l.f.- Cream Eyeliner with Brush in Black: $3, this eye liner is pretty good, the pigment could be better though. Then again, it's only $3, so I can't really ask for much more, but the quality for this price is great. It doesn't smudge and it is water resistant, I didn't use their brush to apply it though, I used my own brush.

e.l.f. -Hypershine Lip Set: $3, in Joyful, Festive and Merry. Merry and Festive have a really light smell, but Joyful has a stronger smell, but it's OK cuz it smells like caramel! They all taste sweet, the color is sheer and their gloss is just right.

Revlon - Eyelash Curler: $2.89, I picked this up just cuz I needed one, it's ok for just a regular eyelash curler. It has an non slip grip and comes with a replacement pad. They sell it for $4.99 online, but I got it at the store for $2.89.

Seche- Vite: $9.99, I've heard wonders about this and didn't really know they sold it at Target, so when I saw it I just had to pick it up. I couldn't find it online, but if you use the link I posted it's $5.03, so almost half what I got it for. I love this product, it's amazing, it definitely replaced my Julep top coat. They advise you to apply a thick layer of it over wet nail polish, and so I did, it dried super fast! And my nails have not chipped at all since, they look and feel like I used gel nail polish. I love this product and I don't think I will stop using it, I won't buy it at Target again though, since I can get it online for half the price.

e.l.f - Ultimate lashes: $3, I've been wanting to experiment with fake eye lashes for a while now, but didn't think it was worth it to spend $5 to get them and just throw them out later if I didn't like them. Well, this pack comes with 3 and the glue, they seemed OK, they stay in place and look good on, I like them and think the price is great! I sadly couldn't find them online, though.

  I(my bf) ended up paying $43.06 for all of this, but I know I picked up a few items that I won't have to repurchase for a while (make up remover, brush cleanser, eye lash curler, seche vite) and everything had a great price! e.l.f products are OK, some are great some not so much, but for the price it's definitely worth the try.

  I went for this "look" (inspired by this, but my eye shadows are not the greatest) using the elf black eyeliner and the false eye lashes. Sorry about the lack of make up on the rest of the face, it was late at night on Saturday and I was feeling lazy. I kinda need to get my eyebrows done, now that I look at this(I hate getting my eyebrows done!).

   Now, even if I do like getting cheap stuff at Target, make sure when you buy at Target, at the supermarket or at a drugstore, that you check the products and look for hints that would show if anyone else used them prior, cuz when I was by the pixi shelves, everything was all messy and some things that were not testers were opened and messed up. I've heard horror stories of people that try on things that are not testers, put them on their face and then just put them back. Gross! Always make sure that if the item has a seal that the seal is not broken. Sometimes people can be just so gross.

  Anyways, hope you enjoyed this mini "haul", I really liked what I got and think it was worth the money.

Beauty Fix Fall Box

  Beauty Fix is a quarterly subscription service from Dermstore, where you get to pick 8 high end products out of 50 available (at least there are 50 for the fall box, thankfully), and you also get a make up bag for $49.99, some are full size and others are travel size. Once you've received your products, you'll get $25 gift card (that you can use on orders $50 or more) from Dermstore if you complete at least 2 surveys about the products you received.
  My advice to get the best value for your money is to create a spreadsheet with the products and their value and sort it from high to low, this way you'll be able to choose the items that are worth more and not lose your time with items worth $1! I know this might take some time, but it's totally worth it.

The make up bag is great, it fits a lot of stuff and the quality is good, it doesn't look cheap and it's not made with shiny fabric. I love it and have been using it to carry my make up around.

The size of the products is great!

Eminence Lip Plumper - Cinnamon Kiss: $20.98( Full size, colorless).

Exuviance - Rejuvenating Treatment Masque: $12 (Full size).

NeoStrata - Skin Active Intensive Eye Therapy: $50 (Full size).

Jonathan Product - Finish Control High Shine Flexible Hairspray: $24.95 (Full size).

Raw Natural Beauty - All Over Eye Shadow Brush:  $20.

3LAB - M Creme: $47.69 (0.38 oz, Full size is 2oz and goes for $260).

Jane Iredale - Dark Suede PurePressed Eye Shadow: $19 (Full size).

Global Goddess Beauty - Kumaon i Divine Eye Color: $5 (Full size).

 

Swatches:

The total value of my box was $199.62, almost 4 times what I paid for it. I think the value is totally worth the money and really loved the products I got. I don't think I will be dropping this subscription and can't wait for my next box. 

One thing I don't like though, is that a lot of the skincare products they have available are anti aging products, neither of which I need or like. Overall, I love this service and getting $25 off at Dermstore after completing the survey is a great plus, even if you have to spend at least $50, but come on, every time I buy something make up related I know I will spend more than $50! So it's not hard to reach that $50 requirement.

 After subscribing, I found a code on their blog, that gives you $20 off your first box. If you want to subscribe to BeautyFix, the code's: BF20BLOG and here's the link: http://www.beautyfix.com/

Fall 2012 New Beauty Test Tube

 First thing I did this morning after waking up, was checking the FedEx tracking for my NewBeauty Test Tube. Last time I checked it, it said I would get it on the 9th, so it was a HUGE surprise when I saw that it would be delivered this morning!! I was so excited when I saw the mail lady with the huge pink box, I couldn't wait to open it!
 NewBeauty Test Tube is a quarterly sampling program, with high-end products, it costs $29.99+ shipping( $38.90) and you don't only get the products, but also the latest issue of NewBeauty magazine.

When I said huge, I meant it, look at that pink box!

I love how they include the little booklet with all the products!

Moroccanoil-Intense Hydrating Mark: Value: $9 (2.53 fl oz/ 75ml, Full size is $29.98 for 8.5 oz).

itcosmetics- Bye Bye Under Eye: Value: $11.67 (0.11 fl oz/3.12 ml, Full size is $29.72 for 0.28 fl oz).

Kneipp-Pure Bliss Mineral Bath Salt:Value:$2.54 ( 2.1oz / 60g, Full size is $21.20 for 500g).

Yonka- Elastine Nuit:Value:$44 (Full size,1.7 oz/ 50ml).

dr.brandt- dark circles away: Value:$7(0.085 fl oz/2.5ml, Full size is $36.50 for 0.5 oz).

Olay-ProX Deep Wrinkle Treatment: Value: $14.98 (Full size, 30ml/ 1.0 fl oz).

philosophy-hope in a jar: Value:$7.80 (12ml/ 0.4 fl oz, Full size is 2 oz for $39.99). 

CellCeuticals- CellGenesis Eye Serum: Value: $64.95 (Full size, 15ml/ 0.5 fl oz).

 The total value of my box was: $161.94 and the tube is $38.90. I really liked most of the products I received in this season's tube, but I'm always a bit upset when I get anti aging products since I don't really need them. But either way I'll figure out something. I do think this service is totally worth the money, but I hope next tube will have more make up and less skin care!

 If you want to subscribe to NewBeauty Test Tube, here's the link: http://testtube.newbeauty.com/

October Look Bag

 I heard about The Look Bag a while ago, but reviews on it were not the greatest, though while looking into it, I found out their October bag would have 3 full sizes samples, and for $12.95, why not? 

  

This bag looks just too cute!!! Things look big there! Full sizes!!!!

 So here's what I got:

York - Rejuvenating Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF 15:  (Travel size, though for a lip balm, that's almost full size) This item had a price tag on it for $3, apparently it's a discontinued item. I did find it online on some website and will post the link, however I don't recommend it, it smells "funny", like an old lip balm.

Freeman - Bare Foot Creamy Pumice Foot Scrub:  Sample size 1 fl oz, worth about $0.50, full size is worth $2.97 at Walmart and it's 5.3 fl oz. I really like this product, it feels like ground pumice when you apply it, and it smells great. I'll probably buy a full size, besides it's super cheap!

Pixi- Lip and Line Primer: (Full size)  This item goes for $18 at Target, but I found it for $6.99 at Amazon. This product smells great, like coconut candy and it works amazing, definitely brings out the color of your lip gloss and lip stick, and it also moisturizes your lips. I can't really say much about the Line Primer side though, because I don't usually line my lips.

Pop Beauty - Nail Glam Nail Polish: (Full size) I loved loved loved this crackle! It's amazing, one coat and you are set, the "cracks" are pretty big, letting you appreciate both colors, the finish is great, and it's a really deep black. You can check it out here. Out of all the things I got out of this month's Look Bag, this is definitely my  favorite. The price on this item is $3.99
 

Stila - Batura Mineral Matte Eye Shadow: This is a deep matte purple, really cute color and it has a lot of pigment! I think this item is discontinued, because I couldn't find it on the Stila website. I found this eye shadow at Amazon for $13.99.

Now, the value of this box is $28.47 and I paid $12.95, so I am getting at least double my money, but it's not so good. I think I will give them one more month and depending on that I might cancel the subscription. I like to be able to try new things and I love the fact that this did have more make up samples than skin care samples, that's always good. I just don't want to fall in love with a product and then not be able to get it because it's discontinued.

Update: After hearing some rumors about this company, I decided to do some digging of my own, so I contacted Stila and they told me my eye shadow was expired and discontinued, besides swatching it, I never used it. Also this company had no permission from Stila or Freeman's to sell their products.

Don't waste your time or money on this company, they canceled my account without my permission and have just really bad customer service. I really don't recommend this company, if you have the $12 to spend, subscribe to Beauty Army instead, it's much better and does have the authorization from the companies they feature to sell their products.
 

Julep November Box

 When I saw the USPS truck drive by my window on Monday, I couldn't have gotten more excited!! I knew what was coming that day, my new November Julep box!! I always wait for the lady to leave and then I run to the mail box, it just makes my day to open it to see my Julep box there sitting pretty waiting for me to open it, even if it's not a surprise cuz I pick my nail polish and I know what I will get, I still get super excited.

They included some info about new holiday gift sets they have, I didn't even want to look at it, cuz I know I'll want it.

I love the little quotes they add to the boxes, so cute! I am thankful for all the special people in my life, and that really makes me happy, so they are right!

 

Isn't their packaging always super cute? Love it!

This month I chose to get the Bombshell box. Everything looks so pretty sitting there!

 Donna: Regular price: $14, Maven Price: $11.20. This is a smokey blue peacock crème. This color looks really dark on their website, but it's more like a teal, and teal is SO HOT right now. I loved this color so much, it's super cute.

Trina: Regular price: $14, Maven Price: $11.20. Deep aubergine shimmer. I loved this color, and not only cuz I love purple, but it's just so pretty and perfect for any age, even my boyfriend loved the color and the flake in it, it's so fine and pretty. He said he wants to steal it to paint his car! LOL not gonna happen!

 Julep Pink Body Frosting: Regular price: $18, Maven Price: $14.40. Doesn't this look delicious? Well it smells delicious too! This is a shea butter infused moisturizer with aloe vera, Vitamin E and natural oils. The texture on this is amazing, like whipped, and one would think since it's whipped it will be really light and your skin will absorb it easily, but it kinda leaves an oily feeling after you apply it, it goes away quick tho. I really like it, but I don't think it's THAT amazing.

One-Step Polish Remover Pad: I couldn't find these on their website, and I honestly didn't really like them much, the first one removed nail polish out of one nail and it was done, and the other two semi removed nail polish out of 8 nails and they were done, one nail was left with nail polish and these things were dry. I don't think this kind of product is such a great idea, since acetone evaporates so fast. I'll stick with the usual nail polish remover method.

So now, the value of this box for a non subscriber would be: $46 and for a Maven Subscriber like me: $36.80, really good if you ask me! I pay $19 and get $36.80 worth of product!

I'm really happy with this month's Julep Maven Subscription.

Subscribe to Julep: http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/68437/