I’ve been a member for three quarters now, and each delivery has been great.  I think the first edition was the BEST, but each subsequent one has offered a chance to try products and find what I like and what I don’t, what works, and what I can pass on.

Here’s what you’ll find in the current one.  I haven’t had a chance to try everything, but I’ve made notes on those products that I have tried.

1. The Youth from Bliss, an anti-aging serum designed for hydration.
2. Cures by Avancé, a moisturizing eye cream that suitable for day or night.
3. Decléor Instant Radiance Moisturizer, a light moisturizer that still provides plenty of hydration.  I’ve been using this fairly regularly, and found that it gave me sufficient moisture for a health glow, yet not so much that I looked too dewy.  My foundation smoothed on easily, and it never felt too heavy.
4. Degree Women Body Mist provides a light splash of fragrance at an affordable cost.  I received the Sassy Intrigue scent, a mix of jasmine, rose, and vanilla.  It’s light and fresh, kind of fun, without a heavy scent.  I found it a refreshing spray for summer, but am not sure that I’d purchase it when it runs out.
5. Juara Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner is full of botanicals that has a consistency closer to a gel than a liquid.  It has a nice little bit of hydration for my maturing skin, and while I’ve been off of toner for awhile, this one might be worth a further try.
6. Mei Bath Shower Sherbet is a sugar-based body scrub that is gentle enough to use every day.  There are eight flavors, and I received Land of Milk and Honey.  This is probably my favorite product of the lot.  It’s delicious honey goodness that smells and feels good enough to eat, and leaves my skin soft and smooth.  It’s great on shaving days, and I give my rough spots a little extra attention – fab, Fab, FAB!
7. Pur-lisse Pur-Lip Comfort is a petroleum-free  lip conditioner.  I’ve only tried it a couple of times, not really enough to give it a fair review, but so far, so good.
8. Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray claims to set your makeup, making it last longer.  The spray is fresh and feels good, and using it is refreshing.  But, as far as making my makeup last any longer — well, not so much.  Refreshing isn’t a good enough reason to buy it, and I was disappointed in the results.
9. Spa Ritual Instinctual Moisturizing Lotion is full of organic products.
10. Spa Ritual Nail Lacquer in Enlightened.  This light pink nail polish is super glossy and seems to last a long time.  I’ve only used it for one manicure, and I’ll want to try it for a pedicure as well, but I’m pleased so far with the look, the application, and the wearability.  Pedi coming up soon!

Isn’t that a great variety and selection of summer beauty products?

The Beauty Fix makeup bag full of goodies is available on a subscription basis for $49.99/quarter.  There are all sorts of extra goodies that come with membership.  Like all my favorite subscriptions, I look forward to this coming and can’t wait to see it in my mailbox.

Photo credit: Beauty Fix

Post from: The List Maven

While doing that shopping, I came across a few other things that caught my eye, so today it’s back shopping at Amazon.

Here’s what I’d buy with a $100 shopping spree:

Two books that I’d love to add to my collection:

The One Hundred:  A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own ($14.93) would help me identify what my wardrobe is missing and needs, and hopefully save me some money as a build a classic wardrobe.

I’ve had my eye on the Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual since it came out last fall ($20.16).  I love Bobbi Brown’s make up collection, especially her palettes and sets, and I’d love to spend some time learning her secrets.  In the privacy of my own home!

Next, I’d add the Beauty Blender Cosmetic Sponge ($25.95).  I first read about this egg-shaped sponge over at Shopaholics Daily, and liked that it could be used with both liquid and mineral foundation.  Since I need one sponge for home and one for travel, the duo pack is a good buy.

A cute cosmetic bag that is small enough to be tucked into your purse, but yet large enough to actually hold something can be a challenge to find.  I love this simple little Sonia Kashuk Double Foldover bag in a bright pink polka dot pattern (9.99).

And because I also need a cosmetic bag for traveling, this Sonia Kashuk Train Case caught my eye (21.99).  The bold black and white geometric print was fun, and it can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.  That’s important for the hard wear and tear that things get while traveling.

This shopping spree comes to the grand total of $93.02, well under my self-imposed limit, and allowing a little give-back for overspending last week.

Amazon carries a wide variety of beauty and fashion products, so don’t overlook them when you’re price shopping!

Image credits:  Amazon

Post from: The List Maven

That’s a whole lot of value out of a simple gift card purchase!

I love thinking about how I’d spend huge sums of money at all my favorite stores if I had a gift card worth thousands of dollars.  It’s a tougher decision, however, if the gift card is for less, say. . . $100.  That’s large enough to get something good, but you are still going to have to be careful how you spend it.

I thought I’d start a Sunday feature talking about how I would spend a $100 gift card at some of my favorite stores.  Today I’m starting with one of my very favorite stores – Sephora.

Here’s how I’d spend $100 at Sephora:

• Medium Cosmetic Case from the Moroccan Sunrise Fuchsia Bag Collection – I need a new cosmetic case, and this pretty pink and gold bag open up large enough to hold all my essentials.  It will fit into a large tote, my carry on bag when working. or just look pretty and home on the counter.  Also available in white & gold and tangerine & gold.  ($22)
• Phenomen ‘Eyes Mascara – A new product on the mascara front, the round sphere at the tip of the wand promises to perfectly curl and separate lashes (in photo above).  Wouldn’t we all pay just about anything to have sexy bedroom eyelashes?!  By Givenchy exclusively for Sephora.  ($28)
• Body Scrub and Body Butter from Sephora’s Tangerine Grapefruit Body Collection.  This light citrus fragrance is fresh and clean, and perfect for every day wear.  I’d probably pack it for my travels, so I could always exfoliate and moisturize away all the dry skin caused by frequent travel.  ($12 scrub, $16 body butter)
• Sephora Brand FACE 25 Makeup Removing Wipes – Good for removing makeup from your face, eyes, and lips, this wipes are saturated with FACE Fluid Makeup Remover.  I love these for wiping off all my makeup at night before giving my skin a good cleansing.  Sure saves on stained washcloths and towels!  Best of all, they’re travel friendly and don’t count as a liquid or gel – a real bonus for me.  ($10 for package of 25)

That would take me to exactly $100, but one of the great things about Sephora is that you get to choose three free samples with your order.  I always use this opportunity to try out new products – so here’s what my three free choices would be:

• Tarte Clean Slate – make up primer
• Caudalie Contour Cream Eyes & Lips – gel cream for eyes and lips to help reduce lines and wrinkles
• Ralph Lauren Notorious – a sample of this oriental fragrance from a fashion icon.

Not a bad haul for $100!  Although it took some prioritizing and careful shopping to get a good combination of what I need and what I want.

How about you?  What would be on your Sephora must-buy list?

Post from: The List Maven

SHOPPING

NY Spender suggests that “if you buy only one pair of shoes this fall, buy one with stacked heels.“

Her Accessories is celebrating the cooler weather with a roundup of her favorite fall jackets.

Gleaming Things loves Givenchy’s look of layered chains, but they just aren’t in the budget right now – these picks are though!

Shopalicious finds a very stylish quilted handbag — with an eco-friendly twist! (Plus a coupon for 10% off!)

Chic by Nature has a great wrap top that you can wear out and then to bed.

There’s some serious inspiration afloat over at All That & a with more inspiration-themed jewelry.

FASHION

Sasha of Style Manila creates a boho-look on an 11-year old named Sylvie.

Tops 2 Bottoms shares an style idea, Layered, Belted, and Plaid for her weekly Work Wear Monday series.

Viva Woman shows you how corsages can make your attire more feminine and romantic.

Style…a work in progress finds inspiration in a little bear called Paddington

Petite Fashionista shows you how to update your Fall wardrobe with pieces that will keep you; comfy, cozy and chic!

The Space Between My Peers categorizes the looks at the bottom of the formality scale into Three Levels of Leisure.

BEAUTY

Beauty Bento Box features the elegantly packaged, eyeliner-slash-eyeshadow Kohl cosmetic, Guerlain Terracotta Loose Powder Kohl Liner.

Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog shows you how to get an easy, elegant smoky eye with the Smoky Eye Quad from Chanel.

My Women Stuff discusses whetherSilicone is good or bad for the skin.

Krizia from Beauty Match declares: We tried Pro-V Restoratives and said bye-bye FRIZZ!.

Beauty and Fashion Tech looks at three bright handbags that look more expensive than they are”.

Post from: The List Maven