April Starlooks StarBox....

I just got my box today and already I am in LOOOOOVVE!!! with all of the products .

This is the one sub that I feel I really get my money's worth for what I get inside..

Starlooks every month for the low price of 15$ plus 7$ shipping for us Canadians :( get FULL SIZED ITEMS!!! YES I SAID FULL SIZE!! and they send you a FREE box during your Birthday month...

This month was a more neutral month for Starlooks and they sent out products that will help highlight your natural beauty...

               Damn every month I go crazy waiting for my box full of amazing goodies! hehehe

Look how awesome this box looks just jam packed full of makeup......

Lash Boost Mascara Base 15$

This item goes hand in hand with the Mascara we got last month in our boxes..check it out here Lengthening Mascara

This lash Base is one of the best primers I have used on my lashes ...I love how just like the mascara has little fibers in it to make your lashes look thicker and longer..

I also really love the sleek design on the tube ..

Mineralized Loose Powder in Translucent Nude 19$

I  am so very happy to have gotten this product because I am in need of a new setting powder . I have been wearing this product today and I am really loving the silky feeling of this powder.

Tendergloss in African Sunset 11$

I am really enjoying this Lipstick/gloss thingy ...I love how it gives off just the right amount of color and leave my lips very moisturized ..

(swatches of both the Powder and the Tendergloss)

Starbox Exclusive!!!! Mint Lip Balm 5$

Just like last month they included a little extra for us!! This is the mint Lip Balm that goes on after your Vanilla Lip scrub that we got last month. 

Let me say I go through Lip Balms so very fast and it's mainly because I forget to take them out of my pockets when washing my clothes and they melt out :(

I tried this product first today when I got my box and I love the minty smell/taste..

Well there ya go This is Starlooks April box.... If you too are thinking about subscribing to this wonderful service you can click here Sign up for Starbox here.....  If you are from anywhere other then The United States you will need to contact them to set up your service . and don't forget to tell them that I sent you over (Jolene Crowley) and your Birthday so they can send you your FREE Box....

                                                                                     

March & April Beauty Box 5

I am doing a duo Beauty Box 5 Review for the months of March and April because I kinda fell behind a bit ....ooops...so I will first start off with the March box..

March Beauty Box 5 Came with......

                            La Fresh Travel Nail Polish Remover wipes 

                             We got two wipes in our March box ..Full Size is 6 wipes for 4.99

These really came in handy when I woke up to see that my mani I did the night before was all messed up and I was getting ready for work...One of these removed all 10 nails with dark glitter polish really well ..and an extra bonus is the smell wasn't bad at alll... I may re-buy the next time I catch them on sale on Hautelook...

 

                 Tree Hut Shea Body Butter In Tropical Mango

                                We got 57g in our box Full Sized Retails for 6.50 for 255g

          For those of you who subbed back in Feb we got the body scrub to match.. I was really  

               happy to again get this sent as I really love Mango's and anything tropical.

                        H20 Spa Sea Salt Body Wash Gel

                We Received 30ml in our box. Full Size Retails for 21.50 for 370ml 

 I haven't tried this product yet because I am so many in queue already but I did enjoy the smell.

                H20 Aqua Firm  Eye Lift Concentrate 

                       We got 4ml in our box... Full Size Retails for 45$ for 15ml

I haven't tried this as of yet because I don't really need eye creams so i'm not rushing out to test this out. But it does seem that we got a very generous Sample considering what the full sized tube retails for.......

                         Brazen Cosmetics Eyeshadow 

              No size was listed but online they have their shadows listed as 4.99-7.99

While I think it's a pretty color it's not my taste and I will be passing it onto someone who may like it ...

So that concludes the March Box now onto the April....................

April's Box

I think was a huge step up from the March box...We got some really nice item's that were worth well more then the box it's self .....

This is the April Beauty Box 5 .....I feel that this month's box was a whole lot better then March because it included many items I have already used......

      Jean Pierre Cosmetics Oil-Absorbing Facial Tissues.

          In this box we got a full sized package that has 50 sheets .. These Retail for 2$

 I was really happy to get these I really love the packaging I found it to be super smart and functional for me because I just throw everything into my bag. I also found that these sheets really did soak up the oil on my face...I used these at work and let me tell you I get super oily when I am there.. I plan on re-purchasing these when I run out.....

 

                     Model Co Illusion Lip Enhancer Kit

                 We got a full sized Pencil in our box and this item retails for 20$

While I really do enjoy this product I am confused as to why it is called a kit.....? It's just a typical 

Lip liner with a sharpener on the end ....Anyways I did like this pencil and I did find it helped with making my lips popped when I wore lipstick...

                   LA Fresh Instant Body Smoother Wipes

                       We got AGAIN only 2 wipes :(  full size of 24 retails for 10$

    While I did enjoy the nail wipes we got last month I did not enjoy these as much :( . 

 i felt as if these made my skin even more dry and the smell was too over powering for me.

                            The Brush Hanger in Small

                           We got one Full Sized Brush Hanger that retails for 4.69

This item I saw in advance with the spoiler that they posted online... I was super excited to finally be able to try this as I have soooooooo Many brushes and I wanted to test it out to see if it does help dry them faster.....Well the day I got this I washed my brushes so I could try this out and Guess what??? It works great!!!! My brush was 100% dry within an hour ...

                          Brazen Cosmetics Eyeshadow 

Again just like last month we got a sample pot of eyeshadow from Brazen Cosmetics Value ???

I have to say I didn't like last months color and I don't like this months ..I am really disappointed with the fact BB5 as of late is lacking in that luster we crave..I feel that this color is dull and not me at all. This too will be going to someone who may enjoy it...

So these were my product reviews for Beauty Box 5 for both March and April 2013 I feel that for the most part I get my moneys worth with these boxes as I only paid 8$ with my yearly sub ..But I do feel they could step it up a bit with a bit more pizzazz ,spark,Color ......

If you are thinking about signing up with Beauty Box 5 click here Beauty Box 5 sign up ..

and please be sure to check out my new website Crystal Pistol Beauty ..

Take care all.....

Jolene 

My New Website is up and running!

Hello followers!

I am posting to inform you that my website is now up and running!! please visit www.crystalpistolbeauty.com
I have added a subscription service section and a Blogger friends section. If you are interested in being listed on either page please send me an email at info@crystalpistolbeauty.com and I will review and add!


Jolene

Glossy Box April 2013

Today I received my April GlossyBox ... I must say I am so very excited to get this box the contents that they filled it with are absolutely amazing and i know everything will get used up and very fast! I have to say in the last few months the boxes seem to be going in the right direction and I am super thrilled that I was able to get my box before the month was over....GlossyBox keep up the Fantastic work!!!!

This month a lot like others was jam packed with Full Sized goodies for the low low price of 21$ a month...This Months Theme was a partner with Canadian Olympic Medalist Tracy Little .. For those of you who do not know who Tracy Little here is her profile link Tracy Little  .

If you to are interested in signing up with GlossyBox  use my Promo Code GLOSSY5 to save yourself 10% off of your first box..

                          Just Look how Jammed packed this Box is !!!!!

                               Schick Hydro Silk Razor
                              This is a Full Sized Sample item It's retail value is 10.99
I personally LOVE getting these in the mail because I really do love the quality of the razors.

              Pop Beauty Glitz Blitz Glitter Eyeliner in Wine Wink
                       This is a Full Sized Glitter eyeliner that retails for 15.00 for .27g
I am really loving this eyeliner I Love how the glitter really shows up and it looks like little gems .

                    Jelly Pong Pong Lip Blush in Cranberry
                        This Item is a full Size and it retails for 18.70 for 2.5 g
  I am really loving that this item leaves my lips feeling moisturized and its packed full of colour.

       Swatches of Both Pop Beauty and Jelly Pong Pong 

             HeartLand Fragrances Epsom Salts in Soft Mint

                This item is a Single Use Sample size ??? Full Size retails for 10.10 for 30oz
       OMG!!!!! as soon as I opened up my box all I could smell were these amazing bath salts...
    I plan on using them tonight because the smell is just so amazing!!!

                     Boscia Recharging Night Moisture 
The size that was included was 15ml and it retails for about 13$ online .Full Size Retails for 44.00 for 40ml. There was a bit of confusion with this cream as it said full sized on the product card that we get with our box but Glossy was Quick to fix that issue.
I have used this cream before and I cannot say that it was really worth the high price tag but I will Welcome it back into my skin routine.

                                         Coupons!!!!!!!

                    This month Glossy also sent a Coupon for free Silhouette Greek Yogurt 
Along with some high Value Coupons for Schick Hydro Razor refills and Skintimate shave gel.


Again this month I was so very pleased and I am so happy to see that Glossy seems to be sending things that we will use more often .

Gel Nails Tutorial

So its been almost a year of doing my own Gel Nail Polish and I love the results. I love the fact that your art lasts longer then a day , you don't need to wait for the polish to dry because you cure it under a light... and it makes your nails nice and hard and shiny !!!

So with this still being a new trend at home I have decided to do a step by step Tutorial to help newbies out!
There are quite a few companies that offer the "at Home kits" I personally like them They are affordable and include all or most of the items you will need to learn. If you feel down the line you really enjoy doing your own nails then you can always upgrade to a more pro system or brands..




Before you start make sure you have the following items
-Cuticle stick(orange stick)
-99% alcohol ( used to clean your nail)
- lint free cotton pads
-a fine grit Nail File ( used to scuff up your nail to make the product adhere properly)
-your PH Bond(used as a bonding agent)
-Gel Foundation
-Cuticle Oil
-Gel colour of your choice
- a Gel Top Coat.
-and finally a LED or UV light ( without this you cannot cure the layers)














Step 1.

Push back cuticles and shape the nail the way you want it .Then Lightly scuff up your nail bed . Then start cleaning your nails on whatever side you wish to start with the alcohol and the cotton pad making sure there is no residue/shine left on the nail.(this is a very important step)

Step 2.
After you have cleaned the nail start applying the PH Bond and allow to dry ..
      ( I know my Nails are so gross )

Step 3. 
Start applying the Foundation Gel ..Try to apply very thin layers onto the nail that way you don't end up with really thick and weird looking nails.Make sure you cap the ends of your nails with the gel too...( if you are like me and have shortish nails it's hard to cap the end and not get the gel all over your fingers !!!
That's okay just dip a cotton swab into some acetone and clean up the messed up area.


Step 4.
Once you are finished applying the foundation coat it's now time for you to put your nails under the LED Light  DUN DUN DUN !!!!! Now if this is your first time ever using an LED light you may notice some heat/burning ... This is normal so sometimes what I like to do is apply a little sunscreen before and I find it helps with that weird sensation.Now back to the light you should only need to use the LED for 30 seconds or 3 minutes using a UV Light for each coat.














( THIS IS IMPORTANT DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY INTO THE LIGHT)


Step 5.

Now it's time to apply your first coat of the Gel Colour you picked out .. I picked out Rendezvous By Gelish. So again apply your colour the exact same way as you did for the Foundation but you can add a bit more and to remember to cap the free end and then back into the light for another 30 seconds per a coat.

(MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT TOUCH YOUR NAIL AS IT'S TACKY AND IT WILL RUIN WHAT YOU HAVE DONE)


Step 6.

After you have applied as many coats as you have to get the desired look you will need to apply the Gel Top Coat. This product helps give the shiny look and with out this top coat your gel polish will not last long at all.
So again like you did your other coats apply your top coat as thinly as possible and to clean up any mistakes.Then back into the Light to finish this baby off....



Step 7.

once you are done curing the top coat soak a cotton pad with the 99% alcohol and rub into the tacky nail to remove the tackiness and then finish it all off with some cuticle oil to nourish the nail.














This should be the finished look.!!



Now you do not have to just settle with just gel colour's you can also use this method.


Step 1.
clean the nail and apply Gel foundation and cure.

Step 2.
Wipe the gel foundation with 99% alcohol and remove the tackiness .

Step 3.
Apply whatever regular Nail Polish on top of Gel foundation and let dry.

Step 4.
Once the regular nail polish is FULLY DRY apply Gel Clear Top Coat and cure and remove the tackiness with the alcohol and enjoy a chip free mani for at least a week.

You can also apply glitter top coats and loose glitter into your gel Mani's ..as there are so many endless possibility's.

Removal

Step 1.
Scuff up the shine on the polish with a nail file

Step 2.
Soak a Cotton swab in pure Acetone and wrap it around the nail and put foil on top for about 15-20 minutes. Or You can soak your nails in a bowl full of acetone .....and scrape off with an orange stick.

Step 3.
CUTICLE OIL!!!!!



Brands that offer at home Kits

Red Carper Manicure
Sally Hansen
QUO by Orly
Gelish
Sephora OPI
SensatioNail
CND Shellac

GlossyBox March 2013 Box

A few weeks back I received my March GlossyBox....I must say I wasn't too in love with this box....I didn't hate it either but I feel it could have been a lot better.My box was packed with creams and hair products I don't think I will honestly use very much ...I do on the other hand feel that the box was well worth the price as a few of the items were worth well over the price of the box it's self..

well without anything further here is my March 2013 GlossyBox

                 L'oreal Paris Youth Code Dark Spot Corrector Serum 
                                   This Item is a Full Sized Item and retails for 29.99
              I did end up trying this serum for about two weeks and I did see a bit of a difference 
                    But not enough that would make me want to re-buy this when it runs out.

                    
         Tresemme Platinum Strength Deep Conditioning Treatment 
        
                           This Item is also a Full size and it retails for 5.99 for 177ml
I wish I could really give a honest review on this product but I have not used it and do not see               
                           myself using it anytime in the future as I use Salon products.

                     Model CO Cheek & Lip Tint In Rosy Red

                         This Is ANOTHER Full Sized Item !! It Retails for  24.00 for 10ml
           While I really love the Model Co products I feel indifferent about this product.
        I am not too fond of stains as I find they never really look the way you want them too.
     

            Jergens Natural Glow 3 Days to Glow Moisturizer
              Again This is a full Sized Item and it Retails for 12.99 for 120ml
                 I really do like this product I find it does give me a glow within 3 days that I really like.
                 I also like the fact that the smell isn't so very overpowering when you use it.
       This is one of the items in the box that I really did enjoy and will repurchase in the Future.

                 BM Beauty Platinum Tiara Eye Shadow

                        This item is a sample I believe at 1g. 2g Retails for 10.80
             This shadow is very pretty and I know I will out it to good use at some point.




So as you can see this is my March 2013 GlossyBox ... as you may have noticed this box was packed full of Full Sized Items so the Value is worth the price of the monthly subscription.
I really do love GlossyBox but I feel they really need to start stepping it up a bit because this box was rather dull ..

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