Makeup Roundup

I got a ton of stuff from Birchbox by combining promos, allowing me to get all of this stuff for $30!

My two free mystery samples. 

I get the Vasanti Brighten Up! facial scrub all the time now, but I don't even mind. I love it. It's the most exfoliating cleanser I've ever used, and it makes my skin feel so fresh and soft.

I've had the oil treatment version of this hair product before, but the sample was so small that I couldn't really tell if it actually worked or not, and this cream is packaged in a sample of the same size, so it's not my favorite.

Facial soap was on the top of my grocery list, so I thought, why not get some off Birchbox and earn some points. I really love this wash. It's exfoliating and the lemon balm really brightens my face.

My main purchase was this Marcelle BB Gold Gift Set. It comes with a Golden Glow BB Cream, Twist Push Up Mascara, and a BB Cleanser

I didn't know the products would be so big! I feel like this was a great deal. I love the golden hues in the BB cream, so it's more of a bronze illuminator rather than pearly or pink-toned. It's really shimmery and light, but has more coverage than the Urban Decay Naked Illuminating BB Cream.

This cleanser is a little strange. It doesn't need to be rinsed off, but it's like a white lotion-like substance, which is great for moisturizing, as opposed to alcohol or oil based makeup removers, but it is a little strange to get used to.

This mascara is pretty cool too. It gives the option of a normal mascara wand, or you can twist it up for a more volumizing stroke.

Left is the twisted, volumizing option, and right is normal.

I got this really great cream eyeshadow from Performance Colors on Etsy in "Raisin."

The chap-stick applicator works pretty well on your eyelids and it's creaseless! I like it a lot.

The seller is so sweet. My order was a little delayed, and she sent me another color, a gunmetal dark grey, for free. She is so sweet!

 Here's the "Raisin" shade below:

Smashbox Haul!

Being a makeup newbie, I decided to take a chance and get some high-end makeup samples (and use my hard-earned Birchbox points for a discount)

I got the Smashbox "Try It!" beauty kit with 

Photo-finish facial primer

Camera ready BB cream

and loose powder 

Plus, I got some free samples:

Benefit "They're Real!" mascara

How Do You Like Them Apples? lip and cheek tint in "Pie"

I also took a trip to Ulta last night with my mom, and she got me the 

green color-correcting Photo Finish Foundation Primer

(because she's the sweetest there ever was!)

Lip/cheek stain: Although the color is too pinky for a lip color, it is absolutely perfect for my cheeks.  It goes on so smooth and lasts all day.  Will probably continue to buy

Green primer: Liked it, although I did not see much of a difference from my e.l.f. green-tinted primer

Mascara: It worked, but I wasn't too amazed by it.  I will probably still use Telescopic by L'Oreal

Foundation kit: I didn't use the clear primer, because I already used the green, but I definitely loved the BB cream, and the loose powder went on flawlessly.  I will probably consider buying the Smashbox CC cream (it's a little cheaper than my Kate Sommerville CC cream) as well as the full-size loose powder, but I'll probably stick to cheaper brands for primer.