Influenster Dean's List VoxBox Review!!!!

Hi everyone! Long time no blog!

It's been forever since I've posted up a blog entry.

It's all because I'm such a dedicated college student :)

Anyway, it's that time again to do a review on another one of Influenster's VoxBoxes.

I'll be reviewing the Dean's List Voxbox, the "college" voxbox.

See, so I was a dedicated college student, otherwise Influenster wouldn't have sent me this VoxBox!

If you don't know what Influenster is please click on the link below to my blog post explaining what Influenster is and how you can get a VoxBox:

http://cpickl3.blogspot.com/2012/10/have-you-ever-heard-of-influenster.html

HAJIMEMASHOU! はじめましょう。

OR, LET'S GET STARTED!

First, let me point out that I was sent this VoxBox for free from Influenster.

I'm not obligated to review the items in the VoxBox!

My reviews are 100% honest and not at all jaded because I received these items for free.

Now that that's all cleared up...

This is the first product that I pulled out.

I. LOVE. CANDY. PERIOD!

I received the fruit flavor in my VoxBox.

I started eating them right away! I couldn't resist!

At first, I thought they were gum, but they're actually more like bigger versions of Skittles.

Or, in this case, rolled up ball versions of the regular Air Heads.

KISS Looks So Natural Lashes in Sultry

I love lashes, so I was stoked when I saw this in the VoxBox.

However, I wasn't fond of this particular style of lashes.

I prefer more dramatic looking lashes, because I have thin, Asian lashes.

These are a little longer than my natural lashes,

so they're great to wear on a daily basis or even to work since they're not dramatic.

Here I am wearing the KISS lashes.

As you can see, with my eyes open, you can't tell that I'm wearing any lashes,

but if you're up close and if my eyes are (slightly) closed you can see the lashes.

I'm not a huge fan of KISS lashes, but I highly recommend their eyelash glue.

This is the best eyelash glue I've ever tried. It keeps your eyelashes on!!!!

By the way, this wasn't in the VoxBox. I just wanted to point this out :)

Sinful Colors Nail Polish in No Text Red

Wear No Text Red to campaign against unsafe driving!

No texting and driving!

I love their message that they're sending with this nail polish.

I typically don't wear red nail polish, because all the ones I've tried have never looked good on my skin tone. However, this shade is perfect! I'm surprised at the quality of Sinful Colors nail polish. It's a fairly cheap brand, so I just assumed that the quality wasn't as good as Essie or Sally Hansen. After trying out this nail polish, my opinion completely changed--perhaps it's the formula. I only need one coat to paint my nails and this nail polish is extremely shiny! Love it :)

Softlips Cube in Vanilla Bean

Influenster was totally reading my mind because vanilla bean is my favorite frappuccino flavor! I love how Softlips has different scents from competing brands. Vanilla bean is different unlike the usual strawberry scent. After I applied the lip balm, I felt a slight cooling effect on my lips. I love how the packaging is clear. It will be easier to see when my Softlips cube is almost done.

Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous Liquid Foundation

I love the packaging. It almost looks like a BB Cream, except it has better coverage. When I first applied this on, it was a little too light for me, but after setting it with powder and allowing it to sit for a few seconds the color "adjusted" to my skintone. One important thing is that a little goes a long way.

Pilot FiXion Ball Clicker Erasable Pens

Once again, Influenster did it!

I collect pens and have a whole stash of different colored pens.

So, I was super excited when I saw these in my VoxBox.

I received two, one in black and another in light blue.

They're clicker pens, so you simply press down on the clicker and the ink part pops out from the pen. I wished that the black pen was darker. I prefer very dark black pens. This one was a little light for me, but it writes and draws nicely. They ARE erasable. They won't leave eraser shavings, although they may tear your paper if you erase too hard.

The last product in the VoxBox was the Playtex Sport Fresh Balance Tampons.

What can I say? They're tampons! #PlayOn using these Playtex tampons because no one likes wearing pads when they're working out or playing sports. I'm not a sporty girl, so I prefer to play Just Dance 2014 in the privacy of my own home. 

What did you think of the Dean's List VoxBox?

Horrible Experience at Sephora :(

Have you ever bought one of the Sephora Favorites Fragrance Samplers For Her? Or, have you received it as a gift? It is a typical gift to receive especially during Christmas. That's when they're most popular! If you don't know what this is, it comes in a box with 12 samples of Sephora's most popular women's scents along with a certificate that you can redeem at any US Store for a free, full-sized fragrance from the 12 in this set.

I received one during Christmas  of course, and I loved it! I got to test out each scent thoroughly to decide on which one to get. I decided to get Betsey Johnson  Too Too Pretty--the one below.

It's so cute and it smells feminine and the packaging is adorable and more eye-catching than the others.

So, I went to Sephora to claim this amazing fragrance. My boyfriend and I go to the Sephora that's 45 minutes away since it's the closest and since I don't have a Sephora where I live. I arrive at Sephora and an associate tells me she just sold the last one there a few minutes before I arrived. I say, ok, I'll come back next time. She tells me that the next truck/shipment will arrive the following Tuesday. I shrug it off knowing in my mind I won't be back by then because I'm not going to waste time and gas money to simply claim a fragrance.

About two weeks later, on my weekend off of work, I drive back to the same Sephora. An associate tells me that there are none of the Betsey Johnson Too Too Pretty in stock at the store. I just say to myself, "Maybe they're just so popular that they're all sold out!" Once again, I shrug it off and continue to shop around in the mall where Sephora is located.

The next day, I drive to another Sephora that's an hour and a half away from me. I was visiting family and decided to stop by Sephora. Can you guess what the associate says? The same thing! "The truck will be here on Tuesday." It was Sunday that day and I wasn't coming back on Tuesday! I shrug it off for a third time. "Maybe they're just so popular that they're all sold out!"

A few weeks later, while I'm up in the city that's located 45 minutes away, I decide to call Sephora ahead of time instead of going directly there. An associate tells me the same thing! A week later, I get the same answer as well! 

Alright, there's definitely something that's messed up here, right?!

Finally, after a month and a half, I go to the Sephora store and ask once again, for the millionth time if the Betsey Johnson Too Too Pretty is there. I get a different answer! (Yay...not)! A new associate tells me that the fragrances were rearranged. She doesn't find the full-sized fragrance, but instead a smaller-sized one that's included in a set. I tell her I just want the fragrance. Let's call this associate Amy, since I don't remember her name. Amy then goes to speak with another associate, whom I will call Jenny. I'm just making up names here! Jenny informs Amy that Sephora no longer sells this particular fragrance in store anymore. The only one they sell is the black one not the pink one featured in the picture above.

I feel like a knife just stabbed me, literally! I've been driving back and forth from town to town and making phone calls about this fragrance and now I'm informed of this! Honestly, receiving the free fragrance was just a bunch of shit right now! I was so pissed off!

Back to the story, Jenny came up to me and explained the matter and told me I could get the black one instead or that she'll honor the black gift set instead. I told her I didn't want the black one because I didn't like the scent nor was it in the fragrance sampler set I received for Christmas. It wasn't included on the gift certificate. And, my sister had the same exact fragrance sampler and she was able to get the Betsey Johnson Too Too Pretty fragrance! Jenny then points out to me that the pink one that's there is only the tester. Amy interrupts and clearly states that there are other Betsey Johnson Too Too Pretty gift sets or totes. Jenny realizes her mistake and tells me she will honor the tote/gift set for me for free with no extra charge. The set was $62.50ish. I agreed, relieved that I could get a hold of the fragrance...finally, even if it wasn't the full-sized one at least I got a tote bag with it and a roller ball.

This is what's included in the set: a tote bag, roller ball, and the fragrance 

That's my horrible experience at Sephora! I didn't understand why I wasn't informed that they didn't sell the Betsey Johnson Too Too Pretty in stores anymore and for what reason. Why would they even include it in the fragrance sampler then...especially since the certificate lasts a year? It's sold online but I can't claim the fragrance online since I can only claim it in stores. What am I supposed to do then? Pick another fragrance? The other ones smelled terrible! Not my taste!

Have you ever had a horrible experience at Sephora or any other store?

REVIEW - NEW Simple Eye Makeup Remover Pads

[image source: http://www.simpleskincare.com]

Simple has come up with a new makeup remover pad just for the eyes!

Now, these aren't like the usual ones that sting your eyes,

NOR are they the ones that are oily.

They are just right...like the porridge in Little Red Ridinghood!

PROS:

great for sensitive eyes

no sting after usage

travel-size

removes waterproof mascara

fragrance free

CONS:

can be a little rough (I'd prefer using the regular makeup wipes)

That's my take on them. Have you tried them yet?

Comment below and tell me your thoughts on these!

LORAC Giveaway + Top 10 Beauty Products Under $20

In my last YT video, I promised that I was going to do a video on holiday gifts to give to someone, but after filming it today I realized that my lighting sucks! My face kept turning orange and there were too many kids to film, so I've decided to quickly put together a text-only video, on my top ten beauty products under $20 for her, and this blog post! Details on the giveaway are down below! Good luck!

1. Fragrance: Victoria's Secret Forbidden Love Spell - $12

2. Travalo - $12.50 at Kohls

3. Contact Lens Case + Holder - was $12.99 now $5-$10 at Shopko

4. SIMPLE Makeup Cleansing Wipes

5. Hair: Garnier Nutritioniste Sleek & Shine Gift Set - $10 at Wal-Mart

6. Maybelline Gift Set - $10 at Wal-Mart

7. Cynthia Crowley YBF Eyebrow Pencil in Universal Taupe

$12 each or $20 on HSN.com

8. Tarte Blush&Bronzer Duo at Sephora or Ulta

9. Wal-Mart Make-up Brush Sets - $15-$30

10. Lorac Sweet Luxuries Palette $12 at Ulta ($79 value)

Giveaway details: One of my lucky subscribers on YT can win a Lorac Sweet Luxuries Palette! I believe this is sold out, so here's your chance to win this baby!

Rules are simple:

1. Must be subscribed to my YT channel - cpickl3

2. Like & Favorite the video titled 

"Top 10 Beauty Products Under $20 for Her"

3. Comment on the YT as many times as you want until Wed., Dec. 27th, 12am.

NOTE: When I announce the winners, they are allowed only three days to claim their prize otherwise I'm redrawing!

BONUS Giveaway: Win my Love Culture sweater from a past blog post!

Remember this? Here's your chance to win it!

Details: In order to win this Love Culture sweater, you must be subscribed to my blog, which is obviously this one since I'm posting on it, and comment once on this post about your top beauty product under $20. This will also run until Wed., Dec. 27th, 12am. 

Bonus entries for this giveaway: follow me on Twitter and Instagram for two extra entries.

Twitter: CornPickl3

Instagram: cpickl3

Easy enough to understand? Great! Good luck everyone! Hope you enjoyed this post!

HELP!!!! What brush cleaner or method do you use?

I need YOUR HELP to find a way or product that will clean my brushes and make them look as good as new! I've tried plenty and I'll share some of my ways with you and tell you whether or not my methods/products work.

I'll first start off with the only brush cleaning product I've ever used:

Sonia Kashuk Brush & Sponge Cleanser - $6.99

[Image source: http://www.target.com]

I would wet my brushes a little bit and then spray this onto my brushes. It kind of cleans the brushes...to me it's more like a disinfectant spray. The smell is unappealing and this cleanser makes my brushes sticky and actually doesn't remove any of the makeup from my brushes--maybe a little. I don't recommend buying this!

The next method to clean my brushes is to use baby shampoo, which usually works a bit except using baby shampoo doesn't really disinfect the brush and rid it of bacteria. It removes most of the makeup, but not all of it, which I really want all of the makeup removed. Everyone that I know uses this method. If you haven't heard of it before, you simply pour some baby shampoo onto a plate or even a little onto the palm of your hand and then swirl the dirty brush onto your hand until the makeup comes off. Rinse afterwards and repeat if needed. Also, I've tried regular hand soap and I don't recommend it. This may help disinfect your brushes a bit but it's for your hands not your brushes and hand soap is horrible at removing makeup from brushes.

Other than the two methods above, I mix olive oil and dish soap together in a plate and then dip the slightly wet brush onto the plate and then swirl the rest onto the palm of my hand. I rinse afterwards and repeat if needed. Sometimes this method works well but lately it hasn't been taking all of the makeup off. Also, I find myself adding too much dish soap or olive oil which makes my brushes too oily or else dry from the dish soap.

What do you recommend for cleaning brushes? Please comment and LMK!!!!

Mini CVS Haul

These are probably the top two products that I always buy from CVS or any drugstore. I love the SIMPLE Cleansing Facial Wipes. They're the only makeup remover wipes I use. All the other ones sting my eyes. The Physician's Formula Eye Booster is also amazing! It's a 2-in-1 eyeliner + serum. It helps your lashes grow longer as well as line your eyes. The felt tip is super thin so you can draw thin OR thick lines. I absolutely love, love these two products! It was great that they were having a sale on both!

The SIMPLE wipes weren't on sale but I had a $1.75 off coupon and used that for it and for the Physician's Formula Eye Booster it was buy one get one half off, so I got one for me and my sister since she was sad that it was sold out last time we went to CVS.

Speaking of sold out products, I swear that everytime I go to CVS the Nuance by Salma Hayek Eyebrow Pencil in Brown is ALWAYS SOLD OUT...at the store and ONLINE!!!! I did contact CVS about them restocking it and was told that my local CVS has them in stock but that same day I went and it wasn't in stock. So, what I'm thinking is that they just said that the eyebrow pencil was back in stock...but it wasnt! There was a different colored eyebrow pencil in stock, but not the brown colored one. I'm so mad and disappointed!!!! Now I have to resort to buying a different brand of eyebrow pencils :(

Have you encountered a similar problem? What do you shop for at CVS?

Mini Wal-Mart Haul

I was running to Wal-Mart for some nail polish remover and ended up purchasing some other items. I had to get candy canes since I'm in such a Christmas spirit! But, I didn't even get to eat any of them since my nieces and nephews ate them all :( As for the nail polish remover pads I chose these over the regular nail polish remover because this seems faster and I hardly ever paint my nails often, so having something convenient such as this would be better. Then, right above the nail polish remover pads I spotted the Sensational Gel Nail Polish and was eager to try it. (If you read my past post--the one below this--you can see my short review on the gel nail polish). Next, I had to try out the new Revlon Photoready Eyeshadow. It comes with eyeshadows and a primer. I didn't try out the primer yet but the eyeshadows are amazing! I love how the eyelid color is very creamy and the eyeshadows in general are quite pigmented! I'm going to buy more as soon as I go shopping  again :)

That's it for my mini Wal-Mart haul! Below are some pictures:

I forgot to mention this one! This is Moon Dough that I bought for my niece in the clearance section for $2!!!! It's very messy and the dough isn't like regular dough. It's very soft and spreads easily. I wouldn't recommend letting kids play with this on carpet.

equate Nail Polish Remover Pads w/acetone

There are 10 pink rectangular sheets

one sheet can remove the nail polish off all 10 fingers

REVLON Photoready "quad' in Pop Art 535

SENSATIONAL Gel Nail Polish

Remember to read my short review on this gel nail polish! It may help you decide whether or not to buy this!

SENSATIONAL Gel Nail Polish Review

All I can say about this nail polish is...DISLIKE! This is my first time trying out gel nail polish and I'm just not a fan! I thought that this type or brand smudged easily and just didn't seem as great as the packaging displays. And, the actual packaging of the nail polish is quite small like the cheap $1 kids nail polish. I wasn't impressed and didn't feel like testing this out for a full 2 weeks. Also, taking it off is the hard part. You have to soak your fingers in acetone and hot water which is too time consuming to me. I'd rather just take off nail polish with nail polish remover. Please let me know how you like this or use it...otherwise I'm going to return it.

Sty(e) - an eye infection :(

[image source: www.walgreens.com]

As you can see be the picture, a sty(e) is an infection that usually occurs on the waterline, either inside our outside, and sometimes on the eyelid. Some causes for getting this infection is improper removal of makeup, sleeping with makeup on, wearing contact lenses, and...something else about your eyes having too much wax or something. The sty(e) can appear either white or reddish and can be painful as well.

I recently got one this past weekend on Sunday, October 28th. I probably got it because I wore contact lenses that weren't worn or opened in weeks-months and I also didn't take off my makeup as well as I had hoped. When I finally realized that I had one I was freaking out! I went directly online and researched a bit on sty(e)s and how you treat them or got them. They're painful for the first day or two, but it eventually fades. I still have mine. It doesn't hurt anymore but it's still visible. I recommend skipping eyeliner or any eye  makeup in general to help the sty(e) heal faster. Also, I've heard that rubbing a warm wash cloth over the sty(e) or the eye helps...some people have popped it or picked at it, but...that probably makes it worse!!!! I hope this post of mine helps you out and remember: 

DON'T SLEEP WITH MAKEUP ON!

 Better be safe than sorry, right?

My Halloween 2012 Look

Have you figured out your Halloween look yet? Maybe mine will inspire you to do something! Or, perhaps it'll be your Halloween look this year! I'm going to be a zombie...or better yet, a zombie doll

This is how I first looked before I applied the makeup

After the makeup, with the original wig

My finished zombie doll look...w/o the blood...YET

Me w/o the wigs on...which do you prefer?
Wig or no wig?

PRODUCTS USED:

NYC New York Color Individual Eyes in 0156-08 Dark Shadows
(sent to me from Influenster.com)

Cynthia Crowley Your Best Friend Eyebrow Pencil in Universal Taupe

Revlon PhotoReady Foundation in Golden Beige
(my lightest colored foundation)

DUO Eyelash glue (dark colored one)

Eyechanger.com white contacts
(these were sent to me for free awhile ago)

Urban Decay Naked Palette 2

any kind of toilet paper, or tissue for the scar

Influenster Beauty Blogger VoxBox 2012 Unboxing

Hi everyone! Remember me talking about Influenster? Well, here's my first unboxing video for the Beauty Blogger VoxBox 2012. If you didn't catch my blog post about Influenster you can scroll down more and look for the post, otherwise watch the video and I'll briefly explain it. Hope you enjoy!

Below are pictures of the products and my first impression of them:

Not Your Mother's Kinky Moves Curl Defining Hair Cream

First impression: I've heard of this brand before and heard great things about it. I can't wait to try it! Hopefully it will improve how my hair behaves when I curl my hair since it usually falls flat.

Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin

First impression: I'm not a huge fan of pins and I also don't do much with my hair either. But, I'm willing to make an exception to try this out and review it.

Bath & Body Works Mini Candle in Mahogan Teakwood

First impression: To me, this smells just like A&F colgne! I love it and can't wait to light it up. This would be so much cheaper than buying the cologne...especially for my BF. Next to the candle is a coupon that you can use to save $10 on a 3-wick candle.

Kiss Ever Pro Lashes Starter Kit

First impression: They look nice and seem like they'll function well. I DO need a new pair of lashes anyway.

EBOOST Dietary Supplement

First Impression: I do love energy drinks so I guess I'll probably love this too. Plus, a college student like me needs all the energy she can get!

NYC New York Color Individual Eyes Custom Compact in Dark Shadows

First impression: Aw, it's cracked! Damn it! As you can see in the picture, the packaging isn't covered with glitter...it's covered with eyeshadow fall out! Despite that an eyeshadow in here is cracked, I can still work with it...and I love how this has a primer and illuminator.

Vitabath Fragrance Mist in Luscious Lemon Creme

First impression: What am I supposed to do with it? I'm guessing I just spray this on when bathing to smell good? I'm not fond of lemon scents, but at least I'll smell clean :)

BTW, this was the bonus item given to select members. The other bonus item was Boots No. 7 Beautiful Skin.

That's it! Remember to subscribe to my YouTube channel cpickl3 and go check out Influenster to find out how you could receive a VoxBox. Also, note that I will be doing a separate review on the products mentioned here once I officially try them out.