“It’s the beginning of a brand new year, and we want to make sure you have the best skincare and makeup to start the year off right. After the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, slow down and relax with an invigorating body wash or indulge in a new scent. Try a new method of applying makeup and skincare by using the Beautyblender to apply both the blush and moisturizer in your GLOSSYBOX. We hope you love the first box of the year, and can’t wait for the many more to come!” – Glossybox

Here’s what I got in my January box:

The original beautyblender® beautyblender.pure: A flawless look starts with the perfect canvas – clean, beautiful, even skin. Celebrity makeup artist Rea Ann Silva, creator of the original beautyblender® took her expertise in creating a flawless face one step further with the introduction of beautyblender.pure. Still the same amazing cosmetic applicator but without color, beautyblender.pure is simple. Perfect for delicate skin and to apply skincare. My thoughts: BEYOND excited to get this in my box this month! I bought Maskcara’s IIID foundation and have only tried it usung my fingers but am REALLY excited to try it with this sponge! I’ve heard such good things about beauty blenders!

Bellápierre Cosmetics Mineral Blush in Desert Rose: Bellápierre Mineral Blush creates a soft, radiant glow for perfect fresh-faced rosy cheeks. Recommended by make-up artists and dermatologists, Bellápierre loose mineral blush is suitable for all skin types and conditions; from oily skin to dry, mature types and even the most sensitive. My thoughts: This is highly pigmented and a little goes a long way. I do like the color though!

Balance Me Super Toning Body Wash: Our uplifting super toning body wash has been designed to improve skin tone, soften, smooth and encourage good circulation thanks to the unique blend of natural active ingredients found in juniper, bergamot, geranium and lavender. My thoughts: The scent is a little too masculine for me. My husband will probably like it though!

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream: A fortifying and soothing moisturizer that delivers 48-hours of continuous hydration for dry, dehydrated skin. Visibly improves skin’s radiance and texture, and prevents signs of premature aging with antioxidants. This rich, refreshing cream is formulated with hydrating Hyaluronic Acid and mineral-rich Vichy Thermal Water to help strengthen skin and soothe sensitivity. Aquabioryl™ locks in hydration and leaves skin silky to the touch. Paraben-free, allergy-tested and safe on sensitive skin. My thoughts: One of the first Glossybox’s I ever received was a special edition box full of Vichy products. It was the first time I had heard of them and I’ve been a fan ever since. A FAB face cream.

TONI&GUY Hair Meet Wardrobe Casual Sea Salt Texturising Spray: Creates texture and body with light hold – perfect for achieving a lived-in, beach look. Sea Salt Spray is part of the TONI&GUY Hair Meet Wardrobe Casual collection, which includes four styling products to create loose, textured and carefree looks, with a lived-in feeling. My thoughts: I bought the bumble & bumble surf spray YEARS ago when sea salt sprays first came out. I have to admit I like this one better. In fact, I used it on my hair today. I never like my hair right after I blow dry because it is too poofy. This spray “dirties” it up a bit without having dirty hair. Will def be buying the full-size version of this.

To learn more about Glossybox, click here.

When I started this blog over three years ago, I had no idea what I was doing. Nor did I ever dream that I would be a brand ambassador for any brand…let alone Crocs. Like some of you, I had no idea that they offered anything other than their traditional clogs. Crocs are known for their comfort factor but I hope that I’ve been able to show you that they have some pretty dang cute styles too. Through this partnership I also got to travel to Miami and Boulder (my first time to both) to shoot promotional videos (something I NEVER thought I would do). I even got to throw a party for all of my friends and give them free shoes. So today I just wanted to take the time to thank Crocs for the once in a lifetime experiences that I will undoubtedly be talking about until I am old(er) and grey(er). For my final shoe selection, I chose the I heart NY clogs. 1. Because I left part of my heart in NYC and 2. Crocs will always have a special place in my heart.

I am an anti-aging skincare product junkie. So I was pretty flippen excited when Glossybox told me that I was chosen to receive the special edition La Prairie Glossybox before it was even released for purchase! If you aren’t familiar with La Prarie products, it is the stuff that dreams are made of. No really…these are products that are normally out of my price range so I could not unwrap my box quick enough. The box also included two BRAND NEW never before seen products…the Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Dry Oil and the Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Cream. The full size of both of these products retail for $300/each so to be able to try before you buy is HUGE. The special edition box retails retailed for only $40! Unfortunately, this box sold out almost immediately but I’m hoping that since it was such a success, they will release more. A girl can dream, right? I am already obsessed with the Essence of Skin Caviar Eye Complex so we may have created a monster by allowing me to try these products. To learn more about the products, see below:

The box included a complete skincare regimen with generous sample sizes (prices below are for full-size products):

• Foam Cleanser (1.7 oz $300): Deeply cleanse and hydrate your skin while delicately removing all traces of makeup and surface impurities with our sumptuous Foam Cleanser. Natural plant extracts are at the heart of the water-activated mousse formula’s purifying and soothing action, which leaves the skin refreshed and smoothed. Perfect for all skin types.
• Cellular Refining Lotion (2.0 oz $95): Complete the cleansing process. Refresh your skin with Cellular Refining Lotion, an alcohol-free toner. It is formulated with gentle plant extracts for maximum hydration and to calm irritation. This rich lotion soothes and softens the skin, while flushing out the pores and helping to minimize their appearance.
• Essence of Skin Caviar Eye Complex (0.5 oz $135): One drop is all it takes. Essence of Skin Caviar Eye Complex is like a mini eyelift. A lightweight, rapidly penetrating gel, it firms, nourishes and re-energizes the eye zone. Tone and texture improve. Fine lines and wrinkles fade away. The delicate skin around the eyes is hydrated and brightened, as signs of stress and fatigue melt away and imperfections are erased. Also acts as a primer so eye makeup stays on like a dream.
• Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Dry Oil (1.7 oz $300): This sheer, weightless dry oil instantly becomes one with your skin. By helping support your skin’s natural lipid barrier function, a combination of rare and pure oils in the Swiss Ice Crystal Complex seals moisture within your skin longer than ever thought possible. Your skin will glow, and look smooth and reborn. La Prairie has harvested the power of three near-miraculous survivalist plants to create a regenerative breakthrough – the Swiss Ice Crystal Complex. It can help protect your skin from environmental assault and climate trauma. The secrets within these plants can give your skin power it needs to put aging on ice.
• Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Cream (1.7 oz $300): This glistening, moisture-rich cream melts instantly into your skin, immediately helping to restore its youthful appearance. It works to fortify your skin’s resilience to life’s ever-increasing aging assaults. Biotechnology merges with nature as plant stem cells help renew the look of firmness and smooth the appearance of wrinkles. Luxurious hydration continuously drenches your skin from a water-reservoir deep within. La Prairie has harvested the power of three near-miraculous survivalist plants to create a regenerative breakthrough – the Swiss Ice Crystal Complex. It can help protect your skin from environmental assault and climate trauma. The secrets within these plants can give your skin power it needs to put aging on ice.

To learn more about Glossybox, click here.

*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post but I did receive the box gratis for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

My hair is driving me nuts. I can not stand this in-between length. So between grey roots and funky length, I can NOT wait to get my hair done on Saturday! When I first got it cut, I had way more of an a-line (longer in front) cut and now it just looks like a long bob & slightly mushroom-head-ish. Although you can’t tell in these pics because I kept pulling it back. I was planning on growing it out again but after seeing Jessica Alba’s new cut…guess who’s pic I will be bringing into the salon?

Outfit Details:
Grey Mix Tank c/o CAbi
RoseWater Valentina Jacket c/o CAbi
Current/Elliott Leggings (old)
Metallic Heels c/ Justfab
Swept Away Bag c/o Jigsaw London (sold out)

I guess just by virtue that I finished all of these products you know that I like them. But I thought I’d give a more detailed review of each to let you know why I will/won’t be be repurchasing them.

Youngblood Hi-Definition Hydrating Mineral Perfecting Powder (translucent) – What it is: Whether skin’s under the HD spotlight or regular daylight, help it look flawlessly airbrushed and naturally radiant with this sheer finishing powder! The advanced formula absorbs excess oil to keep makeup looking fresh for hours, and locks in moisture for a hydrated feel all day. My thoughts: I LOVE LOVE LOVE this stuff. I really can’t remember how I even found it but I use it daily when I apply my makeup as well as for touch-ups throughout the day if I get a little shine. I love that it is a loose powder and it doesn’t interfere with the color of my makeup. I’ve already purchased another full size. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Bite Beauty Line & Define Lip Primer – What it is: The silky, weightless primer contains lauroyl lysine and silica to naturally nourish lips, retain long-term color, and prevent feathering. Resveratrol, jojoba oil, and argan oil condition and smooth, while the perfect amount of mint plumps for naturally sumptuous lips. My thoughts: I gave this a try after my Paula Dorf lip primer was discontinued. At first I didn’t love it because it didn’t go on quite as smooth as the other one did but it totally grew on me. I just love how it makes my lipliner glide on so much smoother and keeps my lipstick from bleeding. I don’t notice any lip plumping though. Will definitely be purchasing again.

Bliss Firm Baby Firm Total Eye System – What it is: Bliss’ one-of-a-kind dual-sided, dual-action total eye system firms and smoothes the eye area while reducing the appearance of dry fine lines and wrinkles. Start with the upper lid gel, which helps provide a firmer, revitalized appearance. Then use the under-eye cream, which hydrates and smoothes. Firm, Baby, Firm Total Eye System is formulated with gardenia stem cells and phyto-retinoids (recognized for their elasticity-boosting and lifting effects) in an aloe base that will put you on the road to fresher, more youthful-looking skin. My thoughts: I was super excited to try this because I really don’t come across many eye creams that are for your “upper” lids. And I have tried every eye cream/potion/lotion/serum under the sun. I am cursed with hereditary droopy upper lids that I know will one day be hanging OVER my eyes. It instantly makes your lids feel tighter. I wasn’t as in love with the under-eye cream. I mean, it’s good but not as moisturizing as some of the others I’ve tried. I do like that it’s a two-for-one but for the price, I wish I could just buy a bigger tube of the “upper lid” gel.

Disclaimer: I purchased the Youngblood powder and Bite Beauty lip primer but the Bliss Total Eye System was gifted to me for reviewing purposes. As always, all opinions are my own.

P.S. Since this is a random post, what better way to share it than on Random Wednesdays with Because Shanna Said So.