Blog Hop!!!

Hey everyone!!!!

 I just found this site that is a great way to meet and follow other bloggers!! Cool idea right? Blog Hop gives you a list of fellow bloggers every week and you can "hop" around and follow if you so desire.

   

 The current blog hop is HERE  where they have a list of blogs for you to check out (mine is on there too)
 thanks to: http://mimikaayu.blogspot.ca/ where I first got the idea!

Cheers,
Sarah

May Luxe Box by Loose Button

Hello All,

Yesterday I finally received my May Luxe Box by loose button in the mail!  I was very happy to see it but a little miffed that I never even received a tracking number (lets blame Canada post for that one)

But lets blame loose button for not even giving us an update on when the boxes will ship.  I got no email and they did not update us through the month on the status of the boxes.  They also disabled the wall on Facebook because so many people were posting nasty comments on it (about shipping problems, no responses when emailing....) I personally think that was a bad move but hey I'm just one person.

So this box is my 11th (yes 11th) box from loose button.  I got a one year subscription last year and it is almost up and I am officially on the wait list for topbox.  I dont know if I would ever switch or not but its nice to have the option.  I think I need to switch to monthly billing before Loose Button charges me $120 next month.  

NOTD - Pink tips

Hello to my lovely 6 followers!!!

I thought I would share my first attempt at a french manicure using polish guides:

 

So as you can see its a bit of a mess but I tried my best.

I used all Julep colours.  For the base I used the beige Alyson and on the tips I used Carrie (an adorable cotton candy pink)

Now I must say that even though these colours are lovely, they were a PAIN IN THE BUTT to use.  Both had a very thick texture that didnt go on evenly.  Hence why my manicure looks a little lumpy (yes I blame the polish lol). 

To help me out I used Nailene Perfect Tips and Toes which I bought for $3 at shoppers drug mart and you get 96 guides:

So all I can say is at least I tried!! lol I dont think it looks very good, maybe nail polishes that are easier to use will be better!!



Have a great day!

Sarah

P.S. My Luxe box came in the mail today so I will show what I got hopefully tomorrow.





Julep Cinco DE Mayo Mystery Box + EXTRAS!!!

Merry Afternoon!

Today I would like to talk about (yes another) subscription service company called Julep Maven.  This one is uniquely different from the others that I have posted about because it is strictly for nail polish and nail care.  So how does it work?

1. Julep is $19.99 a month (YIKES) but includes shipping.

2.  They will typically send you 2 nail polishes and some sort of nail care item (the nail polishes retail for $14 each)

3.  Here is the best part: they are aware it it more money than any of the other subscriptions so you can choose which box you want from 5 different ones AND you can choose to skip a month at any time.

4.  The total value of the boxes are always at leas $40.

How did I get hooked on Julep Maven?  They gave me my first box for a PENNY.  No joke they didn't even charge for shipping (I will give you a code later)

Now every now and again they come out with a "Mystery Box" that is the same price as the monthly box but they promise at least $60 worth of products.

SO, in the spirit of full disclosure: I got my first box for a penny, I got the March Maven box and have been skipping every month since then! Except when they come out with the Mystery boxes (maybe I shouldn't have told that, i'm a bad maven haha).

So without further ado! Here is my most recent one the "Cinco de Mayo" themed box.

Not too shabby right?

Lets break it down:

1. Emma

A soft seashell pink shimmer, so elegant alone or for extra shine over any shade.

My Thoughts: This is soooooooo pretty.  It is definitely something that looks like you could put it over just about any shade.  Perfect consistency for a nail polish.

2. Hayden

Neon peach creme.

My Thoughts: Yup. Definately NEON.  This colour can only be described as an orange creamsicle, and does not flatter my pasty skintone one bit.  But like all the julep nail polishes it has a nice consistency (a little thicker than some though).  So overall I am not really a fan.  Oh, and now I have 2 of these.

3. Alyson

Almond creme featured on all the runways for spring.  The new neutral.

My thoughts:  Not exactly my cup of tea.  But hell, I will try anything once.  I just have a feeling that it wont exactly complement my skintone... 

4. Marisa

Dark, rich cobalt blue shimmer.

My thoughts:  OH fun!!! I have exactly zero colors like this in my collection and am super excited to try this out.  My only thing though is that it is spring and I have been really into the bright, happy colours.  This is a very dark shade but I will try none the less.

5. Facial for Hands Glycolic Hand Scrub (sample size)

Potent glycolic acid combined with apricot seeds provides powerful double exfoliation that leaves your hands noticeably softer and looking younger after just one use.  Naturally scented with orange oil  for a refreshing aromatherapy boost with each use.

My thoughts: Yay! I love getting stuff like this.  I work in a bar so my hands are constantly wet and sticky (there is just no helping this) and I wash them A LOT.  So anything that will help with dryness is ok in my book.

6. Julep Crystal Nail File

  

A fine grit glass nail file that is gentle on your nails.

My thoughts: I'm in love.  This makes me really happy. It works so well and I have a feeling that if you had gel or acrylic nails this would be a great go-to file for you.  I highly recommend it!  

Now lets break it down:

1. Four Julep Nail polishes @ $14 each = $56.00

2. Hand scrub @ one ounce = $10.67

3. Nail file @ $6.00

Total Value: $72.67

I'd call that a pretty good deal.  So if you would like a box of your own please use my referral link:  by clicking here and fill out a beauty profile.

Now when you do this make sure you use the code SHAREONMAY so you can get your intro box for only a penny!!!! No joke.  Do it.

Now on to a little something different........

Last time I got a mystery box the LOVELY people at Julep Maven gave me a $50 gift certificate to spend on whatever I wanted in the store so I picked out some shades I thought I would like check it out!

L to R: Carrie, Drew, Toni, Leah

1. Carrie: Classic, cotton candy pink creme.  Embrace your girly side!

2. Drew: Fabulous fuchsia creme.  Show off with summer sandals or barefoot.  Looks great coated with sand.

3. Toni: Grey creme with a hint of purple, this colour goes with EVERYTHING. A favorite of beauty editors.  Featured in Lucky magazine.

4. Leah:  Vivid and refreshing grass green with a hint of shimmer.

Now to tell you the truth I got at 8 nail polishes at the same time (a little extreme I know) and couldn't decide which one I wanted to wear so I picked 2:

Carrie and Toni!!!

I think Carrie (pink) is my favorite but it chipped a hell of a lot faster than Toni (Grey), probably because it was a thicker formula.

So overall, I got about $130 worth of product and I spent right around $30.  I usually buy OPI nail polish but Julep has such great deals and if I'm quite honest:  A better formula (goes on so nice).

Seriously try it.

And use my link please:  http://julep.com/?r=18941516

And remember: SHAREONMAY code so you can try it for a penny!

HAPPY SATURDAY!!!! 

April Luxe box by Loose button

Good afternoon gentle viewers, 

Today I am going to tell you a story of a company called Loose Button (cute name right?).  I came across them one particularly lazy Sunday afternoon while I was flipping through Cosmo magazine.  They were advertising birchbox and when I googled birchbox they inform me its only available in the US.  So I google BirchBox Canada and Loose Button popped up.

That was over a year ago and they put me on a wait list. Bah! But when they finally allowed me to have my very own I signed up for a one year subscription.  That was last July (2010) and this is my 10th box from Loose button and let me tell you we have not always been friends.  There have been months of serious joy and months when I wanted to throw the box in the garbage.  

But for the past three months I feel as if I have been getting all the leftovers in my boxes.  It is becoming increasingly difficult to get a hold of them and they have disabled their wall on Facebook because of all the nasty comments they were getting on it.  So I said thats it!! I'm fed up! so I prayed to the Loose Button gods that I would get something decent or so help me, I'm getting on the TopBox waitlist!

What did I get? 

Well I will say this for them the packaging is cute but not as sturdy as Glossybox:

Made just for me? how lovely!  So inside they always have the product info card: 

Very cute card.  Now on to the goods:

.......... Meh.  Well lets pull them out and see what we are working with.

1. CHI Silk Fusion

Full Size: 180ml and retails for $33

Sample size: 15ml approx $2.75

This leave in reconstructing treatment enriched with pure natural silk, wheat, and soy proteins protects your hair against thermal styling and environmental damage while giving your hair increadible luster. Alcohol free, enriched with pure silk and wheat and soy proteins.

So I was actually looking forward to trying this out because my sister said she uses this often.  Now when I opened it the first thing I noticed was that it smells amazing!! I don't even care if it does anything for my hair I want to smell like this always!!   On a side note I did try it and didn't really notice a difference.  Although I don't style my hair with thermal tools.

2.  Seche - Ridge Filling Base Coat

Full Size: 15ml and retails for $7

Sample Size: 3.8ml approx $1.77

Contains finely ground quartz crystals that work effectively to not only fill ridges in the nail plate, but also help disguise nail imperfections.  Seche base has an incomparable bonding ability and is specially formulated to give nail polish the best anchor to hold on to. 

Its pretty teeny compared to a full size bottle of polish.

Oh yay! a base coat for the nail polish junkie?  AND Julep Maven just sent me a top coat last week! I'm set!  I think I'll add this to my daily routine and pony up for the full size bottle.  As cute as that little one is its just under a quarter of the way gone after one use.  It glides on your nails and I did notice that it filled in my ridges once I had my nails painted.  Lovely!  

and what did I paint my nails with?

3. Essie Nail Polish: She's Picture Perfect 

Full Size: 15ml and retails for $8

Sample Size: FULL SIZE

Today Essie Nail Polish has grown to be one of the industry's most popular professional polish brands.  Due to Essie's long lasting formula, Essie nail polish has been worn by many celebrities including princess Kate Middelton on her wedding day.

Now that i'm looking at these pictures I think they don't really do the polish justice.  This is a fantastic colour!! I put this on last Thursday and its now Tuesday without a chip.  Its sort of a beautiful lilac shade and has a bit of a pink sheen in the light.  Gorgeous!  Thanks Loose Button!

4. Pantene Pro-V Aqua Light Shampoo & Conditioner 

Full Size: 375ml each and retails for $6 each.

Sample Size: 50ml each approx $1.60 total 

Congratulations!  you have been selected to try the new Aqua Light Shampoo and conditioner from Pantene's professional hair care line.  The aqua light range has a lot of new innovative ways of achieving weightlessness, using things like water-soluble ingredients and light gel formulations.

Hmmm... how to put this nicely... the fact that Loose Button put Pantene in the boxes this month (something you can get for free in a P&G brandsampler), and then they disabled the wall on Facebook, had a lot of people canceling their subscriptions this month.  Now I will say this: I wasn't super impressed that this was in my box but it was the product responsible for the lovely smell when you opened it.  So what I will do is throw these in the back of the junk drawer for the next time I travel to Edmonton to see my dad.  Case Closed.  Don't do it again Loose Button.

So what do you think?

     Total Value of the Box: $14.12.

I Paid: $10 + tax

So all in all this was actually the first time in months I was pleased with my box!  Perhaps I will hold off on the TopBox wait list for a while at least.  I wasn't super impressed with the monetary value of the box but I was happy because these are things I will use a lot (I want to bathe in the CHI smell)

Now if you are interested, Loose button has subscriptions available for 1,3, and 6 months at a time for 12$/month or you can buy a full year for 120$.

Their referral program isn't working at the moment (I'm trying hard to give you a good review here Loose button, your not making it easy) so the website is: loosebutton.com 

Thanks for reading!  

April Glossybox Review (and my first Post!!)

Hello Lovelies!

To begin my blogging adventure I decided to do a review on the April Glossybox.  What is Glossybox you say?

Well it is a monthly subscription service that delivers beauty products to your door every single month!  They promise 5-6 deluxe size samples and comes in a seriously adorable box.  They charge 15$ a month on your credit card.  Glossybox is a relatively new service to Canada and this is the third month they have been in operation and, in my humble opinion, is the best one of them all (there are 6 subscription services in all I believe).  

Glossybox (I think) is supposed to go out around mid-month (it used to be the beginning of the month) but I didn't get it until May 2nd.  Many ladies post on Facebook with their panties in a bunch because it was late (again).  But I don't really mind because MAN was it worth it!!

So what did I get in my box you ask? Lets start with the cute box:

And they always send you a little thank you note that contains the product information on the other side:

And the other side:

Now on to the goods:

Man I am a happy girl look at all my stuff!!!!  Lets take a closer look shall we?

1.  Elizabeth Grant Skin Care Shower gel in Exotic Apricot:

Full Size is 240ml and retails for $20 

Sample Size: FULL SIZE

Elizabeth Grant skin care shower gels are delightful fragrant cleansing gels, which foam as you clean.  Capturing the true essence of grace, style and individuality in every person.

Well I'm not sure if it captured my "grace, style, and individuality" but it was a lovely shower gel and paid for the box itself.  I would not buy this product again however because I don't usually like to spend 20 bucks on shower gel and quite honestly I'm not a fan of the smell.  I might be giving this one away.  BUT it was very nice and lathers well so perhaps I would have enjoyed a different scent.

2.  AVEENO Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer

    

Full size is 120ml and retails for $23

Sample Size: FULL SIZE

This amazing moisturizing formula is clinically shown to improve the look of tone, texture, dullness, blotchiness and brown spots - for naturally radiant skin

Another full size product? Thank you!!!  This was my favorite product in the box.  Its not to heavy and not too light and left my skin feeling amazing.  On the plus side its also SPF 15 which is a bonus for me as I have very pale skin and can only burn, never tan in the sun (anyone else in my boat?)

3. Wella Brilliance Conditioner Fine to Normal Hair

Full Size is 250ml and retails for $14

Sample Size: 30ml approx $1.68

This lightweight Brilliance conditioner moisturizes coloured hair, leaving even fine hair full of vibrant shine and free-flowing movement.  With diamond dust!

WTF? Diamond dust? what is that supposed to do? I don't know about you guys but I like my diamonds right where I can see them: on my jewelry.  Haha, now that little rant is over, this is a very nice conditioner.  It didn't wow me or anything but was just fine.  What I like is the decent size so at least you can get a few washes out of it (unlike the flimsy packets you get from magazines). Now, if I had known they were going to send Wella conditioner in April, I wouldn't have used up the Wella shampoo they sent in February (oh dear), next time can you send the shampoo and conditioner at the same time?    kthanks.

4. Wella Brilliance Treatment Fine to Normal Hair

   

Full size is 150ml and retails for $14

Sample Size: 25ml approx $2.33

Brilliance treatment with triple-blend technology blends three lightweight polymers to instantly restore hairs vibrancy, .... and you guessed it: With diamond dust!

No comment on the diamond dust.  But I have to be honest:  I haven`t tried this yet.  Not sure what to do as there are no instructions.  Leave it in? Rinse it out? But I'm assuming its a conditioner because it smells exactly like the conditioner, looks exactly like the conditioner, and is probably 4 ingredients away from the conditioner.  On the plus side everything from Wella smells AMAZING.

5.  Marcelle Xtension Plus Mascara 

Full size is 9ml and retails for $12.50

Sample Size:  FULL SIZE

NEW! Give your lashes extra length and curl with Marcelle XTension Plus Mascara.  Define and separate lashes while minimizing clumps and create maximum lengthening potential for a lash extension look without adding extensions.

  

My thoughts? Meh.  I already have long eyelashes but my problem is that they are very thin.  So I need something that is volumizing not lengthening.  With that being said it is still a nice mascara that does the job, I wore it for a day and there were no flakes or clumps.  One disclaimer: I am not a fan of the small, plastic bristles, as I have a tendency to poke myself in the eye.  But here is how it looks on me:

As you can see, it didn't really curl my lashes lol.

6. Marcelle BB Cream Beauty Balm (BONUS)

Full size: 45ml and retails for 22.95

Sample Size: Flimsy little packet (??)

New! Marcelle BB Cream: Try this first BB cream formulated especially for Canadian women! Your 8-in-1 skin enhancer does it all for you, instantly! offered in 2 shades with self adjusting pigments to suit all ages and skin types.

Ok so I haven't tried this one either.  But man do the cosmetic companies crack me up sometimes, especially for Canadians? is our skin so different from the rest of the world? but I have been meaning to try a BB cream for quite some time now.  Their claim to fame (rapidly growing fame) is that one creme can replace your moisturizer, primer, and foundation for a light coverage.  I'll definitely be giving this a shot!

So once again everything lined up all nice and pretty:

So overall I was SERIOUSLY impressed with this months Glossybox! Well done! The total value of the the box is hovering around $60 and I got 3 full size products for only $15! why wouldn't you try it out? if you do I would be much obliged if you would use my referral link: HERE    

The referral program is where every time someone signs up for glossybox using your link, you get 200 glossydots.  For every 1000 glossydots, you get a free box!

The one downside is that this is only their 3rd month and we have already received Aveeno and Wella products in the past.  Perhaps they are still looking for more brand partners? its entirely possible, I wont hold it against them. 

So, like I said this is my first post so feel free to leave comments (good or bad).  I have been taking pictures using my camera phone so i'm afraid that's as good as they get Please let me know what you think!

Hello All!!

I figured before I start posting about the ramblings of a makeup hoarder (aka me) I should introduce myself first.

My name is Sarah and I live in the Vancouver area (not Vancouver).  I'm a full time student who is off for the summer, and have a part time job working in a bar as a server.  I figure since i'm off for the summer I will FINALLY start blogging like I said I would six moths ago.

I live with my boyfriend and my cat, we have a cozy little home here in the burbs (suburbs).  This is Riley, he is my buddy and will be helping me with all my posts:

After much debate I decided to name the blog Crazed and Caffeinated Beauty.  Why?
1. In my 23 years of life I have found that people who are slightly off their rocker (crazed) tend to be really fun.
2. Caffeinated, because anyone who knows me knows I love the Java.  Seriously.
3. And naturally I had to add something that would let people know its a beauty blog.

So I decided to start this blog because I love everything and anything that has to do with makeup and skincare.  I get so excited when my monthly sample boxes come in the mail (will post about that later) and just walking around Sephora always brightens my mood.  I have carefully curated an impressive (in my humble opinion) collection and have learned some really cool tips and tricks along the way and figured it was time to share it with the blogging community!

So bear with me as I try and figure out blogger (and maybe one day twitter) and even after two years in college my grammar still sucks.

If you don't want to follow me I will understand, at least I know my mom is reading it :)

So to begin, I figured go with something easy right?  Will be posting Glossybox and Luxebox April additions soon.