Month: September 2014

Notoriously Morbid Subscription: September 2014

Hey friends!

In a rush to beat the end of September clock, I have one last subscription to share with you before it becomes October! (I am a weirdo very strict observer of dates and I have this compulsion to review things during the actual month I received them in, so enjoy!)

Notoriously Morbid’s Vanishing Cabinet is another first time subscription for me on my quest to own all of the indies, and again I was very pleased!

I don’t really consider myself to be notoriously morbid. Maybe notoriously ridiculous or notoriously silly, if anything. But despite the fact that I’m probably not the demographic this theme resonates with, I really enjoyed all of these products! For about $13 a month you get lovely eye shadow, lip products, and maybe even a Tim Curry theme, if you are good!

So check out what I got!

notoriously morbid september vanishing cabinet

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Innocent+Twisted Alchemy Subscription: September 2014

Hi friends!!

I put 2 exclamation points because I just realized it’s the end of September and I have yet to review two of my subscriptions from the month!!!

(I needed triple exclamations this time, because I am a strict observer of dates, and hello, how did September go by? Not that I’m sad, I secretly have always thought of September as the worst month of the year.)

Anyways, let me tell you a very important fact you should be aware of if you’re considering getting into indie cosmetics:

It’s super addicting.

One minute you’re just curious about this cruelty-free company you got a sample from, and the next you are subscribed to like 3 different indie groups and hiding in bathrooms to place orders for indie flash sales. (Plz don’t judge, thnkz.) It comes on quickly, so hide your wallets before it’s too late.

So I wanted to give you that primer and warning, because today I am going to share one of my newest subscriptions, Innocent+Twisted Alchemy’s Sample Subscription. At about $12 a month, it’s a good deal and you can explore some more indie options! And then you’ll probably want to buy 5698 more things, so you’ve been warned.

Check out what I got!

innocent twisted alchemy september 2014

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Happy Hour: Real Ale Oktoberfest and Essence Mascara

Hey friends!

It’s Fridayyyyy!

I don’t know about you but it seems I can’t go to bed before 11 throughout the work week, and then Friday I pass out around 8pm. I’m such a party animal.

I meant to go to an Oktoberfest this year, but sadly I forget that most of the events around me are in September and not actually October, and thus have already happened. (I resent this inappropriately planned event if you can’t tell.)

Anyway, just because I didn’t make it out, doesn’t mean I can’t have my own Oktoberfest. I just need some vegetarian sausage, some pretzels, delicious beer and cheap, fun, mascara. (Yes, mascara is required for Oktoberfest, it’s traditional.) That’s the plan anyway.

If you are also recreating an Oktoberfest this weekend or getting pumped up for one, I have just the beer and mascara for you! (Note: These two products are also enjoyable for those of you who plan to catch up on Teen Wolf and pass out at 9 pm. Just saying.)

Welcome to Happy Hour, friends!

Happy Hour essence mascara real ale

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Cream Blush on a Budget

Hey friends!

I’ve been wanting to share the best cream blushes on a budget for a while now. Really, I meant to write this post a lonnnggggggg time ago. I first thought about it when I reviewed some of the most hyped up drugstore powder blushes. Since then, I’ve been slowly collecting drugstore cream blushes and testing them out, which led me to two conclusions:

1. Many drugstore cream blushes are overpriced. I decided not to buy anything over $10, which ruled out some brands like Revlon and L’Oreal.

2. I’m personally not the biggest fan of cream blush. I’m a powder girl apparently. I guess you never know until you try…7 cream blushes.

Anyways, I did try to keep an open mind about writing this post, because once I set my mind to do something, I stubbornly persist in doing it. (Even when this determination has to do with drugstore cream blushes.)

And many people actually do love cream blushes, so hopefully I can lead you to some cheap ones that may work for you. I also threw in a bonus way to try Benefit’s Posietint!

Cream Blush on a Budget1

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September 2014 Face Off: Birchbox Vs. Ipsy

Hey friends!

Happy Monday! (I think.)

I hope you had a great weekend. I actually left my house to do things other than work and grad school! (Naturally I used this as an excuse to wear all of the glitter.)

Mr. Danger and I went with some friends to the Oddball Fest Comedy Tour to see Hannibal Buress and Louis C.K. We got lawn tickets for $20 each on Groupon, so it was definitely a fun beer budget night. (Except for the craft beer being served at the festival at $13 a beer. OMGWTFNO.)

IMG_6943

Those are not our heads. Just so you know.

Anyway, enough about my adventures. I know you’re really here for the latest blood-thirsty show-down between the two cheapest beauty subscriptions on the block: September 2014 Birchbox Vs. Ipsy Face/off!

No. Not that Face Off. I give up. The caffeine has gone straight to my head.

I think Birchbox is John Travolta and Ipsy is Nic Cage. Thoughts?

Disclaimer: Neither Birchbox nor Ipsy are affiliated with me or my Face/Off references. All opinions are my own.)

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Happy Hour: Shiro Cosmetics and Breckenridge Autumn Ale

Hey friends!

It finally got down to the 80’s and 70’s(at some points) this past weekwned in my little part of the world. Naturally all the people around me put on sweaters and started ordering hot chocolate. Because fall is here!*

To celebrate this change in weather I knew it was time to take Happy Hour into some seasonal fall beers. I also knew it was time to debut two eye shadows that have been on display in my house these past few weeks. They have Groot and Nic Cage on them. Enough said.

Thankfully the grocery store was also selling fake orange, yellow, and red leaves because it does not look like fall anywhere near me!

So let’s bring on a pretend fall weekend with this week’s Happy Hour!

Happy Hour Shiro Cosmetics

*Fall does not officially start until September 21. FYI. Thanks.

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4 Fall Eye Trends on a Budget

Hey friends!

Last week I shared with you some tips for getting 3 fall trends on a budget. Because we need money to buy all of our pumpkin spice things, not $35 blush.

This week I was inspired by an article from Harper Bazaar about Fall Beauty trends. I liked a lot of the eye trends they mentioned this season, but again I’m but a poor, humble grad student. (Also my workplace does not allow silver space eyes, sorry HB.)

So I’ve translated Harper Bazaar’s fall eye makeup trends into a language we cheap frugal buyers can understand.

Fall eye trends on a budget

 

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Glamour Doll Eyes: September OTM

Hey friends!

I’m writing on a Tuesday!

I’ve just had so many awesome things showing up in my mailbox lately that I had to write some extra posts this week! Also a 10-year old called me a workaholic, so I’m trying to spend more time with hobbies and passions. Judgy 10-year old.

So as I mentioned in this post, I have really been loving Glamour Doll Eyes lately.

I think the prices ($6 for a full jar of loose eye shadow, $2.50 for a sample jar, and $1.25 for a sample baggie), are very reasonable, the shipping is fast, and it’s nice to know I’m supporting a lovely lady, rather than just a big company.

Naturally, when the September Color of the Month, (or OTM, as it’s referred to), subscription opened up, I jumped on it!

Unfortunately, since it’s such an awesome deal, ($8 total per month), everyone else and their mom also jumped on it. (Mom, if you are reading this, and got a 3 month subscription- let’s talk.) Fortunately, I was able to score a one month deal!

glamour doll eyes september otm

 

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Rainbow Honey Mystery Bag: September 2014

Hey friends!

How’s your Monday going? I am happy to report that I am, (crossing my fingers), going to have a somewhat normal week! I might even get to paint my nails and talk to my husband!

This is perfect timing because last week I got my Rainbow Honey Mystery Bag. My nails have been woefully boring due to lack of time, but thankfully Rainbow Honey’s September offerings are very lovely and I will soon have fingernails covered in glitter again!

Rainbow Honey also shared some new products in the mystery bag this month, addressing some of the minor gripes I had last month, so overall I was pretty excited about September’s collection.

Read on to find out what I got this month!

rainbow honey September bag

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Guardian Review!

Hey friends!

As a bonus Sunday post, I have a quick little review for you.

As many of you know, I’m really trying to move towards more cruelty-free and natural brands. (Really! See here and here and here! Oh and here!) When I was offered a chance by Influenster to review a new bug spray without Deet in it, I was pretty interested.

I mean I spend a majority of my life on porches and patios, enjoying delicious craft brews.

This was my response when someone asked me how I was getting "Bikini Body" ready for my summer.

This was my response when someone asked me how I was getting “Bikini Body” ready for my summer.

Or running races that also end with me enjoying delicious craft beers.

I got first place in my age group. There were 5 people in my age group. So pretty much the best runner ever.

I got first place in my age group. There were 5 people in my age group. So pretty much the best runner ever.

So, needless to say, I was pretty interested in the Guardian Wilderness Mosquito and Tick Repellent. Because it is not fashionable to be bit up by bugs. Just FYI.

Guardian Wilderness

Want to know if it was any good? Read on!

(Disclaimer: Influenster sent me this to review for free. However, all opinions are my own!)

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