Battle of the Subscription Boxes | February 2016

I for one, love love love beauty subscription boxes. It is the perfect way to try new products and brands, without having to spend a ton of money.

However there can be so many options it is hard to know which beauty subscription box is the best one to get, so I thought I would start a "battle or the subscription boxes" on my blog to help you if you're in the market for a beauty subscription. 

So for this battle of the subscription boxes, I am going to be talking about 

Boxycharm vs Ipsy

So... for those of you who have never heard of either of these before, let me give you a little background on the prices, products and all that good stuff, before I show you the contents of the subscription boxes. 

Boxycharm is a beauty subscription box, where you receive 4-5 full size and luxury size beauty products, at 21 dollars each month (If you do the monthly subscription). The box is not personalized, meaning everyone receives the same products but usually they are catered to all skin types and each month there is a different theme for the box. Boxycharms works with brands such as tarte, ofra, bellapierre, coastal scents etc. 

Ipsy is a beauty subscription bag, where you receive 5 sample size, and sometimes full sized beauty products along with a make up bag, at 10 dollars a month. The bag is personalized, so you fill out a questionnaire when you sign up selecting your skin color, products you would be interested in receiving, skin type etc. Ipsy works with brands such as too faced, ofra, smashbox, nyx, benefit etc. 

I am just going to be talking about the products, and over all value etc, but if you would like to see a review of the products, what I liked, disliked, then be sure to comment down below or email me and I can do that!

So let's get into the contents of both of the bags... 

Boyxcharm: The theme for this months box is Rush to Relax and there were 6 products. 

Spongelle You Have My Heart on a String Buffer - Full Size - $15.00
"A heart shapped body wash infused buffer enriched with hydrating olive oil, and a blend of energizing and toning extracts"

Ofra Banana Powder - Full Size - $12.00

Beauty For Real Blush + Glow Stick - Full Size - $24.00
"A 2-in-1 blush and highlighter"

Shray Ms. Amazing Facial Mask - Full Size - $12.00 
"An ultra hydrating mask to quench thirsty, ragged, and dull skin"

Freeze 24-7 Anti Aging Eye Serum - Full Size - $58.00

Realtree For Her - Travel Size - $12.99
"Travel Spray made up of pomegranate, hint of persimmon, and orchids"

Overall Value: OVER $130.00

Ipsy: The theme for this months bag is pretty in pink and within the bag there is 5 products. 

Paula Dorf Baby Eyes Enhancer - Sample Size - Roughly $10

"Soft, creamy eye-enhancing pencil with Vitamin E for smooth application that won't drag.

Luxie Beauty Flat Definer Brush 221 - Full Size - $12
"Cruelty and paraben-free, Vegan and Coated with Antibacterial Solution"

Chella Lipstick Pencil in Passionate Pink - Same Size - Roughly $9 

Smashbox Cosmetics Photo Finish Primer Oil - Sample Size - Roughly $6

"Blend of 15 essential and lipid-rich plant oils instantly moisturize your face for seamless foundation application with a dewy, youthful finish"

Promise Organic Ultra Moisturizing Argan Creme Facial Lotion - Sample Size - Roughly $4.50

Overall Value - Around $40 

Overall I would probably pay the extra $11 and opt for Boxycharm purely because the overall value is nearly $100 more, and you receive full sized products over sample sized ones. What I also love about Boxycahrm is that with their boxes comes a card detailing the price, and a description about the products which is extremely helpful, and often a discount code is included for disco. However what is nice about Ipsy is that the products are tailored towards you, and it comes with a cute little make up bag which can come in handy for traveling. Both subscription services come with coupon codes for discounts off those products in the future too which is pretty great if you like the product and want to repurchase.  

If you made it all the way to the end you rock!! If you have tried either of these subscription boxes, let me know what you think of them! Also I can do a review next time, or if you would like me to include a different box next time, or liked this post, let me know! Thanks for taking the time out to read today's blog, I really really appreciate it. Because I am still new to the whole blog thing, please bear with the quality of things and hopefully with time I will improve and create better quality content.

 If you have any suggestions for blog posts leave them in the comments below or contact me directly through my social media links or email.

Jessica Ann  x

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Bath and Body Works Haul

So for those of you who know me, you know I have a slight addiction to buying products from Bath and Body Works... But I usually wait until the sale and then GO CRAZY...

So a few months ago I had a 25% discount, and free shipping, and there was a site wide sale, so I decided to place a big order. And yes the struggle has been real not being able to use the products until I had time to write a blog. I LOVE LOVE LOVE watching and reading blog hauls, so I decided since I have a ton of products that it would be fun to do a haul. Also it may useful if you shop at bath and body works, to give you an idea of some of my favorite products, that maybe you have never tried!

SHOWER GELS

I know you are probably wondering, why does one person need that many shower gels.... But like I said I have a slight addiction and they all smell so good I could not just pick 1 or 2 I had to pick 8, and even that was limiting for me. The 8 I narrowed it down to are; 

Winterberry Wonder- Apple, Cranberry, Camellia, Crystal Vanilla.(Christmas in a bottle)

White Citrus- Lemon Zest, Grapefruit & Ginger Flower, Clean Woods. (An all time favorite) 

Cherry Blossom- Watermelon, Plum, Cherry, Freesia, Sandalwood. (Fruity, flower HEAVEN)

Midnight Pomegranate -  Pomegranate, Cassis, Jasmine, spice, patchouli. (Most Unique)

Warm Vanilla Sugar - Vanilla, Orchid, Sugarm Jasmine, Sandalwood. (A homely scent)

Sweet Pea - Sweet pea, Pear, Freesia, Raspberry, Musk. (Another all time favorite)

Moonlight Path - Jasmine, Lavender, lily, soft musk. (RIDE OR DIE SCENT)

Beautiful Day - Apple, Cassis, Daisies, Peony, musk. (Fabulously, fresh, fruity, & flowery)

BODY CREAM/LOTIONS 

So I didn't go as crazy with the body lotions or creams. I figured that I don't use body creams that often so I did not need a whole ton of them so I decided to get one body cream and one body lotion. And no surprise if you read above, I picked two of my all time favorite scents.  Both are super fruity, sweet pea being more flowery, and white citrus being more fresh. 

SOAP

Yes I am aware I have far to many soaps for just one person. But at least when I get married I won't have to worry about buying soap any time soon... 
You will see some reoccurring scents, because I love them so much that I not only want my body to smell like them, but clearly my hands too. I am not going to bore you by going over the scents I already have described, don't worry!!
Also, the difference between gentle foaming, and deep cleansing; well obviously one gives more of a deep cleanse (duhhhh obviously Jessica). But the deep cleansing is more of a gel like soap, whereas the gentle foaming is a liquidy soap that is super foamy. 

Gentle Foaming Soaps:

Warm Vanilla Sugar

Peach Bellini - Peach, Apricot, Mango (Tropical Paradise)

Coconut Lime Verbena - Lime, Lemon, Coconut water (Fresh lemon with a hint of coconut)

Cucumber Melon - Cucumber, Melon (What more can I say than cucumber & melon?)

Kitchen Lemon - Lemon, Citrus, Bergamot (Smells like a clean kitchen)

Black Cherry Merlot - Cherry, Raspberry, Merlot (CHERRIES)

Deep Cleansing Soaps:

White Citrus

Sweet Pea

SPRAYS

Not going to lie, I was a little disappointed at the size of the room sprays, in comparison to the body spray. But the smell of the room sprays is so poignant that I can get over the size. For room sprays, I wanted something super fresh smelling. So that is why I chose fresh balsam, which is more of a woody scent, and toasted peppermint, a minty fresh scent. Then for body spray, I chose my trustee favorite; white citrus. What a shocker...

HAND GEL

I promise I am nearly finished.  I originally had 5, but I have already used 2 because I love love love hand gels, or hand sanitizers as I call them. As you can see, I really don't switch up the scents too much because here is warm vanilla sugar, sweet pea and Japanese cherry blossom AGAIN. The hand gels are a little pricey if you buy them separately, but I bought a set of 5 and it was cheaper, so I would recommend doing that. They are the perfect size to fit in your bag, incase you ever need a quick hand clean. 

HOME FRAGRANCES

These are the wallflower home fragrance refills, I have a flower fragrance plug that these scents connect into, but of course I forgot to take a picture. I decided to try these, instead of a candle because the candles where a little pricier. The 6 scents I got are; Golden Peach Sparkle, Cranberry Pear Bellini, Cinnamon and Clove Buds, Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin, Spiced Apple Toddy, Welcome Autumn Spiced Wreath.
I haven't actually used these yet, but I have heard great things and all the scents sound AMAZING. If you would be interested in a review of these, then leave a comment down below or contact me through twitter or email.

If you made it all the way to the end you rock!! Thanks for taking the time out to read today's blog, I really really appreciate it. Because this is one of my first blog posts, please bear with the quality of things and hopefully with time I will improve and create better quality content.
 If you have any suggestions for blog posts leave them in the comments below or contact me directly through my social media links or email.

Jessica Ann  x

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by bath and body works, I bought these products with my own money and wanted to share the things I have bought recently. 

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My Top 10 Beauty Products

So the title of this has probably already bored 90% of the male population, but I can deal with that. 

I thought beginning with my top beauty products would be a good place to start for my beauty section, right? This is in no particular order, it took me roughly 2010284754 years to narrow it down to 10, so there was no hope of me ordering them. 

(Also, all products are linked on the product name if you are interested in purchasing them, or checking them out)

1. Make Up Forever Face and Body Liquid Foundation - $43 or £27

Hands down the best foundation I have ever ever ever ever used, I cannot recommend it enough. 

I have been blessed with pretty flawless skin, I don't really have a problem with acne or anything like that but I do have extremely, extremely dry skin. SOOOO... when I look for foundation, I want something with sheer coverage, that is not mattifying, and does not cling to my dry patches. And this foundation ticks all those boxes for me.  

This foundation is very light weight, it is a runny consistency, that gives such a natural looking coverage. What I mean is that you can still see your natural beauty shine through, but helps hide redness and other problem areas. However if you are looking for more coverage, what is nice, is that the it is build-able, without looking cakey. 

My only complaint about the foundation is the smell, it doesn't smell overly great. But once it's on your face it doesn't tend to be a problem. 

All in all this is a great product, for a reasonable price, for a high end foundation.

2. Make Up Geek Eye shadows - $6

If I had to put my top 10 in order, this would most likely be number one. I am obsessed with Make Up Geek Eye shadows. 

First of all, the color selection is phenomenal. Second of all, the quality is absolutely incredible, every eye shadow I have tried has been highly pigmented, super creamy, so blendable and just a dream to work with. And lastly, the price is unbeatable for the quality. Compare MUG $6, to Mac at $16, or Anastasia at $12, it is a steal! Especially when the quality is the same, if not better. (Not hating on Mac or Anastasia at all, just giving you my opinion). Something else I love is that the eye shadows come in single, magnetic pans, so you can buy only the colors you would want and use, which may not be the case with a pre-made palette. 

If you are in the market for some eye shadows, seriously invest your money in these MUG shadows. If you can only afford to buy a few, only buy a few and build your collection.

3. L'oréal Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara - $9.99

If there is one thing the drugstore does right, it is Mascaras. I have tried a few high end mascaras and I still find myself coming back to my drugstore ones, and specifically this one. Mascara is something that I go through pretty quickly because I use it most days, so the price tag is definitely a perk. 

I have super pathetic looking eyelashes, but this mascara gives my eyelashes extra length, without the clumpiness that other mascaras give. What I mostly use this mascara for, is for natural everyday looks and for my lower lashes. I personally cannot apply mascara to my lower lashes without making a total mess, but because the wand is so thin it makes the whole process so easy!

If you haven't tried this, and you are looking for a new mascara, I recommend this mascara, I have repurchased it several times. 

4. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz - $21 

What I love about this product is that you only need to press lightly for color pay off. The brow wiz gives the illusion of real hair and makes my eyebrows look full but natural at the same time. Also for those who want there eyebrows to be bold, it is easily done by just applying heavily. YOU DO YOU! It is also nice that it has a spooley on one end, and the pencil on the other, so you are not going back and forth between a spooley on a brush and your pencil, it is all together. (Perfect for travelling too)

Anastasia really is the winner for me when it comes to brow products. My brows look 1 million times better since I  started using Anastasia products. And I will 100% be repurchasing this when I am finished, along with the other brow products I own from Anastasia. 

5. Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel - $22

Yes... Another Anastasia product. But like I said they are my favorite, so I will keep this short and sweet. I love love love the clear brow gel purely because after I comb it through my brows, they literally do not move all day, it is like super glue (In a good way I promise). Which is what you want in a brow gel. I use it everyday, even when I do not fill my eyebrows in because I feel like it makes them looked more put together. So if you are having problems with your eyebrow hairs going crazy or your eyebrow product not lasting, then definitely splurge on this because it is worth it to have those "eyebrows on fleek".  

6. Maybelline Fit Me Concealer - $6.99

This concealer is seriously the best I have tried from the drugstore, so far! I find myself reaching for it over my naked concealer pretty much every time. $7 for a good concealer is seriously a steal, and so I don't feel so guilty every time I use it, like I do with my naked concealer. What is so great is that it doesn't cake up, like other concealers tend to with me, but still covers any of my spots, or my dark under eye circles from lack of sleep (college problems). It has such a natural coverage, and the colors have been a perfect match for for my skin ton. All in all a super good product for the price!!

7. Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer - $29

I loved this bronzer from the moment I tried it. A ton of bronzers I have tried have looked super orange on my pale, cool, skin tone, but this bronzer looks like perfection. It gives me a super nice bronzey look to my skin (which I need because I am extremely pale). This bronzer is also super super pigmented just a light tap with my brush and it goes such a long way. Another bonus in my eyes, is that it is a matte bronzer which I love, because I hate when bronzers have chunks of glitter in them, or a ton of shine. I do not have much more to say than it is a bomb product. So if you are in the market for a new bronzer, I would 100% recommend this! 

8. RCMA No Color Powder - $10

This is probably the newest addition to my favorites, recommended by my favorite YouTuber Kathleen Lights.  
I find, because my skin is so dry, that I can never set my whole face with powder, but with this I can and it makes me makeup look so so so flawless. What is great is that this product is so universal, because it is a no color powder it would work with the lightest skin tons (myself), to the darkest of skin tons. It is also great because it doesn't give any flash back in photography, which is good if you are going to a party or an event where a lot of pictures will be taken.

I have not tried the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder 

but the RCMA no color powder is said to be a dupe of it. What is nice is that with RCMA you get 3oz of product for $10, but with Laura Mercier you get 1oz of product for $38. So if you really wanted the Laura Mercier, but didn't have the money i would try the RCMA powder, and save yourself some money!

9. Mac Prep and Prime Fix+ - $22

When products are multi-purposeful it makes it sooo much easier for me to splurge on them. Fix+ is AMAZING for adding some hydration to your face, because it is mostly water based. It also is good for when your make-up gets a little cakey, because once again it adds hydration. I also find that with my super desert dry skin, if I spray some on to my brush before applying foundation and concealer, that it adds more moisture and makes sure that it doesn't cling to my dryness. The last thing I use it for, is my eyeshadow. Sometimes when I apply eyeshadow to my lid it just isn't as pigmented as I would want, or doesn't stand out. But here is a TIP; if you spray some Fix+ to your brush (just a little) and then put your brush into your eyeshadow, and then apply it to your lid, it brings out the color SO MUCH and gives it such a nice sheen. 

So, if you are having any of the problems I have had, then seriously invest in Fix+!!

10. E.L.F Black Cream Eyeliner - $3

I am more of a cream eyeliner girl than liquid or pencil and I love the E.L.F one. First of all, it is dirt cheap. And secondly, it is actually good quality. I have had other cream eyeliners that have dried up after a period of time and I have had this eyeliner for nearly a year and no signs of drying yet. Also the color pay off is great, it really is BLACK. I also have not had any problems with it wearing throughout the day, any time I have worn it, it has stayed all day. 

If you are a beginner, or want to save some money, or want to try working with cream eyeliners, then I would try this cream eyeliner because it is cheap but super effective. 

If you made it all the way to the end you rock!! If you have tried any of these products then let me know what your thoughts are on them! Thanks for taking the time out to read today's LONG blog, I really really appreciate it. Because this is one of my first blog posts, please bear with the quality of things and hopefully with time I will improve and create better quality content.

 If you have any suggestions for blog posts leave them in the comments below or contact me directly through my social media links or email.

Jessica Ann  x

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored. MUG is an affiliate link.

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Get To Know Me | 25 Question Tag

WELCOME TO MY FIRST EVER BLOG POST!!! I am so so so excited that I have finally started a blog. I wasn't entirely sure what sort of post I would start with, so I decided I would do a little get to know me type thing. 

25 Get to Know Me Question Tag!

1. What is your middle name?: Ann. Short and Sweet and one of the most common middle names.  

2. What was your favorite subject at school?: It has to be either Information Technology, Home Economics or Religious Education. They are all so different but I loved them all.

3. What is your favorite drink?: In America it is Mountain Dew with pineapple and strawberry syrup. SERIOUSLY THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER TRIED…And currently drinking it as I write this. I may have a slight addiction. And at home it has to be good old Mi Wadi.

5. What is your favorite food?: For those of you who know me this is a no brainer… It has to be my Mums Sunday Dinner. Nothing beats chicken, bisto gravy, deep fat fried roasties, stuffing  and some butternut squash!

6. What is the last thing you bought?: The last thing I bought was a movie ticket to see 5th wave. Mehhh it wasn't as good as I hoped, the ending sucked.

7. Favorite book of all time?: This question makes me feel guilty for the lack of reading I have done since coming to University.  But my favorite book of all time is probably Divergent, purely because I have never read a book so quickly in my life.

8. Favorite Color?: My favorite color is either purple, burgundy, or yellow.

9. Are you married?: Not yet, I am engaged and will be married this May. HOW CRAZY. (I use any excuse to post my engagement pictures, Andrea Wride Photography is THE BOMB)

10. Favorite Perfume?: My favorite perfume always has been and always will be Alien by Thierry Mugler. My mum loves it as well, so it's a smell that not just young people will like. It’s on the pricey side so I use it sparingly but seriously BUY THIS PERFUME. You won’t regret it. 

11. Favorite Holiday?: My favorite Holiday has to be Christmas because I get to spend two weeks at home with my family, it seriously is the best!!  

12. Do you have any pets?: YES… I have a dog called Ollie, he is a maltipoo (a mix between a maltease and a poodle). He is the cutest dog but don’t let it fool you because he could bark for days. 

13. Have you ever been out of the country, if so how many times?: Well assuming I go to university in a different country then yes. I have been out of Northern Ireland a ton of times, I’ve been to; Republic of Ireland (wow how far lol), England, Scotland, Wales, Spain, Italy, San Marino, The Vatican, Montenegro, Switzerland, Belgium, Croatia , France, Gibraltar, Portugal, Canada, America (obviously), Haiti, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Mexico, Sint Maarten and I think that’s it. I guess you could say I am pretty well travelled, but nothing compared to my brothers.  

14. Do you speak any other language?: I can only fluently speak English but I did learn German in secondary school. I am not very good at it and clearly didn’t learn much as I can remember one thing.

Ich habe durchfall. (If you speak German hopefully this made you laugh, if you don't then google it)

15. How many siblings do you have?: I have two older sisters and two older brothers, I’m the baby of the family and I LOVE it. (The picture is from 2012)

16. What is your favorite shop?: My favorite clothes shop is probably Aeropostale or Nordstrom or J Crew. But my all time favorite shop is either Sephora or Ulta or Hobby Lobby.

17. Favorite restaurant?: How can I possibly pick just one place?? Fast Food would be Chik-fil-a or Wendy’s don’t know how I survived 18 years in a different country from both of these. Then a restaurant, at home; Fitzroys or the Ramore and in Utah; Chillis (I could eat there salsa all day everday for the rest of my life) or Indian palace.

18. When was the last time you cried?: Hmm, I'm not sure when I last cried... But I'm sure whenever it was, was over something really stupid. 

19. Favorite Blog?: I have a lot of favorite blogs, Angela Lanter, Just Jodes, Sara Belleza, Tanya Burr, and tons of other ones I can’t mention them all.

20. Favorite Movie?: My favorite movie is Pitch Perfect. When it first came out my best friend, Ashleigh, and I watched it every day for a week. And I know the soundtrack off by heart.

21. Favorite TV shows?: I watch too much TV, specifically Netflix so let me list you my favorite shows (this may be long): Gossip Girl, 90210, One Tree Hill, The Following (my current show, watch it if you’re into thrillers), The Fosters, The Hills, Once Upon a Time, Vampire Diaries, Hart of Dixie, Prison Break, Pawn Stars, Life unexpected, White Collar. There is tons more I just can’t think off the top of my head.

22. PC or Mac?: It depends on what I am doing. But probably Mac.

23. What phone do you have?: I have an iPhone 5S.

24. How tall are you?: 5’3”

25. Can you cook?: YES. I LOVE cooking. Even though I am in university I cook dinner every night... I eat like a Queen. I'm not living the college lifestyle when it comes to food that's for sure.

If you made it all the way to the end you rock!! Thanks for taking the time out to read today's random blog. Hopefully I will be blogging every Monday and Friday. If you have any suggestions for blog posts leave them in the comments below or contact me directly through my social media links or email.

Jessica Ann x

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