BIG SEXY HAIR SAMPLE REVISITED

Sooo..... I tested this product on three separate occasions to ensure an accurate review. Let's just say that I now understand the so-so review history of this product. The day I had my hair curled, the curls fell as soon as I stepped outside--this product didn't stand a chance when faced with Florida's horrendous humidity. The two days that my hair was just simply straightened, nothing really happened. The one redeeming aspect of this product is the fact that it keeps your hair from frizzing out and adds just a smidgen of shine. It's not the most impressive thing out there but it's not bad....

IPSY BAG JULY 2013

My overall rating is 4/5

Ipsy is a monthly beauty subscription service that delivers deluxe size samples and full size beauty products straight to your door. You will typically get abut 4-5 products along with a cosmetic bag, once a month, for $10. Shipping and handling included. Your credit card will be billed on the first of every month but you can cancel your subscription at anytime. Expect your bag in the middle of each month.

I've heard a lot of great reviews about this company really stepping up their game in the past six months and decided to join in. This is my first bag from them that I PERSONALLY PURCHASED MYSELF. Below I will include pictures as well as my first impressions of each product. I'll update these later after I've actually really used the products.

I was so excited about all of these products! Although I decided to subscribe only after having seen the Benetint spoiler, because it's something I've been wanting to try it for so long.

Benetint by Benefit. This is the sample size version which is about half of the amount you would get in the full size bottle. I really like this product on my cheeks. It gave me a really pretty, barely noticeable, glow, which I believe is the purpose of blush. It's impossible to put too much since this stain is difficult to layer. I tried it on my lips and was severely disappointed. I could only get the stain to stick to the inner portion of my lips. Am I doing something wrong here? This stuff is watery and dries fast so work quick. Just saying.

Big Sexy Hair Weather Proof humidity resistant hairspray. I haven't tried it yet. I'll put this product to the test on Sunday. Let's see if it can endure Florida's humidity. (50ml)

Here are three different samples of bhcosmetics eye shadows from three different collections. The purple is from the Hollywood collection. The bronze looking color (middle) is from the San Francisco collection. The gold is from the Malibu collection. Malibu is the most pigmented of the three. They are all three very pretty, shimmery, colors  although I was hoping for more pigmentation from the Hollywood color. I'm excited to use the gold and the purple in a look that I have in mind.

The retractable Pouty Pop Crayon from POP Beauty in Coral Crush. This is a full size product. This is the second product I was most excited about. I was hoping to get the Fuchsia Flirt but this one is a pretty color as well. It's very smooth, moisturizing and highly pigmented. Overall, I'm satisfied; it's a great shade for the summertime. When applied is looks somewhat matte with a hint of shine.

 The last product is the COOLA unscented mineral sunscreen (SPF20) moisturizer. (7ml) I'll let you know what I think after I've worn it for a day. I don't really have any expectations for this product since it's just a moisturizer. I'll let you guys know if it's greasy or not.

Here's a link to the www.ipsy.com website. This is NOT a referral link.

FREE MASCARA

Occasionally, various product companies will offer some sort of giveaway via their Facebook page. So if you have a Facebook, you might want to try "liking" some of their pages--you want the latest updates from them because you never know when they'll have some sort of giveaway. I just received this Milani mascara in the mail last week for a giveaway that happened about three weeks ago.

Here's a list of some companies I "like" on Facebook (that I've personally won products from):

Milani
Aquaphor
Pantene
Aussie
VO5
Nivea
Physician's Formula
Herbal Essences
Conair

STAY IN THE KNOW

I Love Free Things, is my favorite go-to website for the latest freebies and samples available. It is constantly updated throughout the day as new offers become available. They are legitimate. I have been referring to this site for a year now and I've yet to see any scams posted. You can Google search other people's experience with the site. I personally love it. Most of the samples and freebies I've ever received have been made known to be by this site.

Check out the website here.

COVERGIRL CLEAN OIL CONTROL PRESSED POWDER

Picture source

I bought this product in the Oil-Control (blue label/container) and I am so glad that I did. Though I do really have dry skin, it has a tendency to become tremendously oily--and fast. I'm not really a huge foundation person so after my moisturizer, this is the product that I use on a daily basis. It gets rid of all the unwanted shine in my T-zone area and gives me a really fresh matte look at the end. I've never really completed my look for the day without this product and it's ideal for touch-ups when my skins starts becoming oily again. Not sure how, but it really does do its job of absorbing all the unwanted oiliness.

Not to mention, I absolute adore the plastic (glass-looking) packaging, it's so cute and it come with a quality powder puff that's definitely NOT limp and flimsy like a lot of other ones. It really lasts and doesn't fall apart on you. This product lasts for a really long time too, I've had it for a few months now and the bottom isn't even visible yet. My favorite part about this product is that you can really layer on as much as you want without getting that super powdery/ashy look. 

If you're on the fence, I would definitely encourage you to buy it. It's totally worth the seven bucks if you can find it in your color.

L'OREAL USA CONSUMER TESTING

Since I am currently a part of one of L'Oreal USA's product studies, I figure I should give you guys a review of the program itself.

Here's a quick rundown, though it's basically self explanatory. You sign-up and complete a fairly extensive survey about you. Based upon the answers that you have chosen they will match you up with:

• Informational surveys (these don't get you into a product study but when you've completed five of these, expect some mystery product in the mail as compensation.)
• Some of these will actually offer immediate compensation upon completion--some mystery product(s).

• Pre-qualification surveys (these do NOT qualify you, necessarily, for a study but it serves to weed out the individuals that they do want to send a product study survey to. There is no compensation for this.)

• Product study surveys (these are going to determine whether or not you get to be a part of one of their studies. Allow me to warn you now that these are sometimes hard to get into because they are very specific with their criteria. If they are looking for a woman in her twenties with severe acne and oily skin, they will only accept such persons; if you don't fit what they're looking for, you will be disqualified from the study. These can get frustrating but if you stick to it, you'll probably get into a few studies within a year.)

You can participate:

• From your own home and have products mailed to you (what I do)
• Visit one of their testing centers from 7:30am-5:00pm
• Clark, New Jersey
• Solon, Ohio

They do not offer monetary compensation. Only some sort of product. So far I've received a lot of beauty and skincare products. Thus the reason why I LOVE this program! :)

Here is a link if you would like to sign up. There is more information posted on their website. Click here.