Julep's Cupid's Mystery Box

Julep is offering the Cupid's Mystery Box for $19.99. I love anything "mystery" so I took advantage of the offer. They claim that you'll get:
* At least four Valentine's Day colors
* Plus a Mystery holographic OR a gift code for the color of your choice
* Different colors in every box you order
**************************************************************************
YOU MIGHT GET:
* A $1,000 VISA gift card
* Pretty jewelry from BAUBLEBAR

Your box includes $70 - $200 worth of treats!

They claim that the boxes expire on 2/10/13 @ 11:59 PT, but when I went online today, Valentines Day, they are still available. Go to www.julep.com and click on shop and look for the box in the nail polishes.

My Cupid's Mystery Box included these items:

Four nail polishes
A lip gloss
And a coupon with code for a free nail polish

Niecy - Bombshell - bright pink creme

Molly - Boho Glam - classic red creme

Rose - Classic with a Twist - a juicy watermelon red creme

Lynn - American Beauty - nude blush pearl

Lip Gloss in Camellia

If you are interested in signing up and using me as a referral enter code 5042884 !

Julep's February Box

I ended up canceling my monthly Julep subscription because the polish didn't stay on my nails. I have thin, weak and brittle nails and as soon as my nails touches water and softened up the polish started to come off. My last order from Julep I did end up getting their base coat, which I hadn't been using. And I did read someone's comment about their polish coming off and the only way it stayed on was with their base coat. So I tried it and it did stay on! So I re-subscribed to Julep!

The month of February had the theme of Hollywood actresses. When I re-subscribed I was expecting an email to tell me to make my selections, and didn't get one. I did get a notice though that my box had shipped! So I was kind of excited but kind of leery that I didn't have control over my selections. But I was happy when my box did arrive! What I love about Julep is that not only do you get you nail polish selections, usually 2 or 3 polishes depending on they style of box you chose, but their boxes are themed for that month AND they include other goodies in their boxes!

Here is what I got in my February box:


If you are interested in using me as a referral, enter code 5042884 at sign up, and you can also get your first box for 1 cent by entering "PENNY" at checkout.

My style box was the American Beauty and it was full of extra goodies with a Valentine's theme.  I received two nail polishes in Joan (for Joan Crawford) is a raspberry plum with rose gold shimmer, and Sally (for Sally Fields) is an antique ivory cream.

It included two brand new products this month. Oxygen Nail Treatment is a new product for weak and peeling nails. It contains anti-aging plant stem cells and a UV filter to prevent yellowing. The other new item is Freedom Polymer Top Coat that is activated by natural light and has a unique polymer force field that prevents chipping for days. It has a quick dry formula that is 100% smudge free in 5 minutes!

They also included a cute little eyelash curler that is rather unique in shape and design. I used it once so far and it did the trick! It's flat design makes it easy to throw in your purse or lays flat in a shallow drawer. Oh and not to forget along with the Valentine's theme....the box had some pretty black and gold crinkle filler paper and a couple heart shaped chocolates.

Joan (a raspberry plum with rose gold shimmer)

Sally (antique ivory cream)

If you are interested in using me as a referral, enter code 5042884 at sign up, and you can also get your first box for 1 cent by entering "PENNY" at checkout at www.julep.com.

Resolution Cravebox

I signed on to get the Resolution Cravebox. You can choose to enter a drawing for the Cravebox that is currently available. I haven't been denied any Craveboxes, only my first. I was thinking that...."Wow this must be tough trying to get one!", but then I was notified that it WAS available and I could chose one if I still wanted it. They will have you also do a survey I GUESS to see if you are suited for the box. Boxes range anywhere from $10-$15 each. I'm thinking that I may only do one randomly now and then instead of choosing as many as I have lately. I got this one, The Dog Lovers Cravebox and the Teen Cravebox just within the past couple weeks. I really liked the Dog Lovers box and posted a YouTube video on it. My little female Chihuahuas loved it and they are so interactive in it.

Anyways more about the Resolution Cravebox. This box cost $15. To me it was a little high priced for what you get. Well except I did get a Mary Kay product that does make it worth while. I am not big on getting food in my box when I can go to the grocery store to get them.

Here's what was in the Resolution Cravebox:
1. Mary Kay Timewise Repair .5 oz volu-firm eye renewal cream
I love any kind of facial products and always welcome anything for they eyes - so I'm anxious to try this out! I haven't tried any Mary Kay products for a while. Mary Kay products are really good! I have been receiving quite a few Mary Kay products in the past few Craveboxes. Not complaining.....glad I have! They must have some deal lately with Mary Kay. I'm glad they are including them.
2. A&W TEN and 7UP TEN 12 oz soda cans each
I'm not a big soda drinker and I'm not a big fan of artificial sweeteners either. I guess what they are doing is putting a new product from this beverage company out there is why this is in the box. The A&W can states natural and artificial sweeteners while 7UP claims "Naturally Favored with Other Natural Flavors" which sounds redundant. They are only 10 calories per can, and one can isn't going to hurt, so I will try these. A lot of times the natural and artificial sweeteners leave a strange aftertaste in your mouth. I think I'll try the 7UP straight and the A&W in a float!
3. Perfectly Simple by ZonePerfect Limited Ingredient Nutrition Peanut Crunch bar - 1.58 oz
Haven't tried it yet but I do like nutrition/protein bars. Claims only 6 ingredients, 10g of protein and gluten-free. Anything with less ingredients that are more natural is OK with me!
4. SunRype Bars 1.3 oz each
Mango Strawberry fruitsource plus veggie 100% fruit & veggie bar
Blueberry Pomegranate fruitsource All Natrual 100% fruit bar
Strawberry fruitsource 100% fruit bar
Strawberry Mango Just Fruit & Grain 70% fruit & veggie/30% grains & seeds
**Haven't tried them yet....but will. I threw these in my nightstand drawer because at times when I'm getting dressed, or even before bed, I get a little hunger pain going on!
5. CocoaVia Daily Cocoa Extract Supplement 250mg Cocoa Flavanols Variety Pack
Unsweetened Dark Chocolate
Sweetened Dark Chocolate
Summer Citrus
Cran-raspberry
**I did try the Unsweetened Chocolate (a half packet) in my yogurt and it was pretty tasty! You can put the chocolate flavored packets in milk, hot or chilled coffee drinks, yogurt, smoothies and oatmeal. The fruit flavored can be added to your daily water drinking regimen, smoothies, unsweetened iced tea and yogurt. I think next I will try it in my hot cereal.
This is what they state on their product - "Heart, brain and eye health - even exercise performance - depend on a healthy circulatory system, which supports your total health. But as you age, your blood vessels may become less flexible and less able to expand when needed to keep circulation running smoothly. Cocoa flavanols are scientifically proven to help support healthy circulation by helping your blood vessels stay flexible and expand as needed, even as you age, With daily intake, the cocoa flavanols in CocoaVia help oxygen and nutrients reach your organs and tissues, to help you stay on top - today and every day."
6. Celestial Seasonings Metabo Balance Wellness Tea 2 / 0.14 oz each tea bag
Green Tea Supplement
* Helps support metabolism
* With green tea and garcinia cambogia
* Refreshing tropical grapefruit flavor
7. Pantene Pro-V Silky Moisture Whip
Moisturizer, styler, hydrate, coiffe
**I don't usually use these products, but that's why they are given in these boxes. So I will try. It is also in the Teen Time Cravebox.

I'm doing this on my iPad with the blogger app so it's not letting me put the above under each photo below. Sorry about that!

If you're interested in finding out about Cravebox, go to www.cravebox.com .

16 Piece Makeup Brush Set GIVEAWAY!!

I am starting off the New Year by giving away a 16 Piece Makeup Brush Set on YouTube. 

Check it out!

To qualify for the giveaway you must:
1.  Subscribe to my YoutTube Channel:  littlebitofbeauty050
2.  Like the Giveaway Video
3.  Tell me in the comment box on the video what you want for 2013
4.  Only one entry per day!
5.  You must live in the United States -  I do not ship internationally

Giveaway Ends January 15, 2013 and the winner will be announced on January 16th!

Good luck and hope you win!

BeautyBox 5 for December 2012

I usually do videos on all my beauty/lifestyle/dog subscriptions, but with the holidays and trying to get things done.......I didn't do one for BeautyBox 5! It was actually one of the better ones this month. When I signed up for BeautyBox 5 I opted to pay for a year in advance, which came out to be $8.33 per month. What I like about BeautyBox 5 is that they use minimal products in shipping. The box is small, the items inside are packed in a small bag and the box has the crinkle cut paper for packaging and protecting the items.

Here's what was in December's BeautyBox 5:
1. Jean Pierre Cosmetics Exfoliating Facial Cleansing Pads
Retail: $1.99 16 pad
2. Everyday Minerals Flat Top Brush
Retail: $12.99
* Use code BB5 before 1/15/13 to get 20% off statewide on everydayminerals.com
3. MaskerAide Hydrating Facial Sheet Mask
Retail: $4.99 1 sheet
* use code BB5 before 1/15/13 to get 20% off statewide on maskeraide.com
4. OFRA Cosmetics 3D Eye Shadow
Retail: $19.90 0.14 oz
5. Demeter Roll On Perfume Oil
Retail: $10.00 0.29 oz
* Use code BB520 before 1/31/13 to get 20% off statewide on demeterfragrance.com

POPSUGAR Must Have Luxury Edition Holiday Box

Sorry I haven't been blogging much lately.  I haven't done ANYTHING for the month of December.  Just a busy month.  I need to be more diligent on keeping up with blogging.  I will try in the New Year....that will be my New Years Resolution!!

Anyways I just started getting Popsugar's Must Have Boxes.  My first one was for this month, and I did post of video on YouTube.  I will try and blog about that in the next day or so, but right now I want to share with you Popsugar Must Have Luxury Edition Holiday Box!  I was literally shaking and tingly when I was opening the box and doing the video.  I was so very impressed with what they had in their box. 

Fist of all it came in a very nice black box tied with a silver tie!  When I opened it, it came with everything wrapped in a silver paper, and then opening that.....everything came wrapped in black tissue paper and bubble wrap with the black crinkle paper inside to help protect in shipping.

Opening it and pulling out each individual item was so exciting for me.  Like I said I was literally shaking!  They had a really nice selection of products to surely please and pamper the woman in you!  Everything from chocolates, candles, an antique clutch, moisturizer, a lip and nail dual, hand soap and gold colored cuff piece of jewelry!  Popsugar you did an awesome job!  I was so excited opening this box!

This is what was in my box:

What was in my box:
~ JewelMint Clutch  www.jewelmint.com
~ Epicuren After Bath Moisturizer   www.epicuren.com
~  Vosges Mini Chocolate Bar Library  www.vosgeschocolate.com
~  Compagnie De Provence Liquid Hand Soap   www.compagniedeprovence-usa.com
~  Tocca Scented Candle   www.tocca.com
~  Heather Belle Cuff  www.heatherbelleco.com
~  Deborah Lippmann Lip & Nail Duet www.lippmanncollection.com

Taking the Full Advantage of Birchbox!!

Lately over the past couple of months there has been a lot of disappointed subscribers with Birchbox.  Some are saying that the sample boxes are lacking, they didn't feel like they got their money's worth or that it just wasn't up to par.  But this is my take on the whole Birchbox subscription.

First of all you only pay $10 per month for your Birchbox!  A lot of times you receive at least one full size sample.  A lot of times this full size sample pays for the box itself.  A lot of times people get foil packets, protein bars, or earbuds.  People have to remember that this is a lifestyle box...not necessarily a beauty box.  How I have seen Birchbox, and a lot of the other monthly subscriptions, is that it has opened my eyes to a lot of products out there that I didn't know about.  So now when I see something....I'll know what it is and I'll know how I came to be familiar with it!

Secondly I bet that the majority of people who subscribe to Birchbox don't use the subscription to it's full potential.  I do and I have been really happy with it.  And what I mean by not using it to it's full potential is that every month when you get your Birchbox you can go onto their website and do product reviews.  You basically do 5 reviews per month.  With the reviews you get 10 points per sample and each 10 points equals $1.00.  Ok so if you do 5 product reviews each month, you are basically getting $5 that will go toward anything that Birchbox has in their shop!  This is actually awesome!!  You get half the price of your box back toward purchasing products in their online store!!

So I had a total of 400 points which equals $40!  I then went online to their store and purchased 2 Eyeko eyeliners ($15 each) and Juicy Couture Rollerball Duo: Viva La Juicy La Fluer and Viva La Juicy ($25).  

They had offered the Eyeko eyeliner a while back in the summer in a Birchbox, but I didn't get it in mine.  I heard many great reviews about this eyeliner, so I went online to Birchbox's store and bought two....at that time they didn't have the selection as they do now.  I got an olive and a turquoise color.  The olive I use quite a bit, it's subtle.  The turquoise I plan on wearing for an added pop of color to my eyes for like spring and summer.  This time when I went online to check them out I purchased black and purple.  The purple is quite close to black....but I love love LOVE this eyeliner.  The precision pen tip allows you to control the thickness of the line and it goes on so smooth!  It also has a fade proof formula that makes the eyeliner last and last.

The second thing that I decided to get was the Juicy Couture Rollerball Duo: Viva La Juicy La Fluer and Viva La Juicy.  I originally was going to use my $40 points money toward a full size perfume of either Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy La Fluer or the Viva La Juicy.  I was reading reviews, smelling samples, getting confused and couldn't make my mind up on what to get.  The price was about $69/$70 for either. I saw this rollerball duo and instantly knew that this would be the solution to my dilemma on making a choice!  I didn't have to choose and got both fragrances.  So a great way to get both without spending a lot of money.  It was only $25 for the rollerball duo!  And what I love about rollerballs you can just throw them in your purse to use for a quick splash of fragrance.

But wait!!!!  Stay tuned.  I have ordered one more thing through Birchbox that I'm really excited to share!