Twistband - Hip Hair Ties Review

As some of you may remember, I received my first Birchbox around mid-August and was less than enthused.

Out of everything I tried from this months Birchbox ONE product stood out among all of the others. The Twistband hair tie.

At first glance it's like.. um, an elastic with a knot... So? REALLY? SERIOUSLY? It's actually pretty nice. I was so impressed with the black one they sent that I ordered a set of 3 from the Birchbox website (side note, because I was new I had a 20% off code AND points for referrals and reviewing AND free shipping, so I got the Twistbands and a Lippmann nail polish for just over $6!).

These bands are great for me because with normal hair ties (and my hair is pulled back 99% of the time) I lose precious strands of hair daily. More than what I personally deem normal. With the Twistband I only lose one or two, which is much more normal than the clump I get with my regular hair tie (which are supposedly made so that your hair doesn't get caught and rip out but they lie lol). They also offer a wide range of color choices, so extra points for that.

It seems like the Twistband brand is available randomly in salons. You can click here to check for retail locations in your state. From what I saw they are also available in Canada, Mexico, Italy, and Puerto Rico.

If you don't see a location near you, fear not! I also picked up a set of 8 at Sephora! They aren't the Twistband brand, they are Sephora brand, but it's the same thing. And cheaper. A set of 3 Twistband will run you $5 whereas a set of 8 from Sephora runs you $8.

I know a lot of my readers from the US get the Birchbox, what did you guys think of Twistband?

If you haven't tried out the Twistband yet, would you?

There is still time to sign up for the September Birchbox. If you're interested and want a referral just send me your email (feel free to email it to me or you can message me on Facebook) and I'll email you a referral. I do get referral points for it, so it would be appreciated ;) but if you just want to sign up on your own that is also an option!.

Bare Escentuals bare Minerals STRUT YOUR STUFF 500 Point VIB Gift Swatches, Review, and EOTD

Not gonna lie. I got this 500 pt Sephora VIB gift because I loved the peacock bag. It sort of makes me a little sick to know I spent 500 hard earned Sephora points for a BAG.. but this one expands! And holds brushes! Tell me it's ok! lol

I've mentioned before that I'm not a huge fan of Bare Escentuals. I'd seen this 500 point gift on the Sephora site and loved the look of the bag, but I had to pass because I haven't had great experience with the brand and their mineral shadows. Once I saw the bag in person at Sephora, though, I knew I couldn't resist any longer.

Clear Radiance All-Over Face Color, Peacock Glimpse

Flawless Definition Mascara

The Bare Escentuals bareMinerals "Strut Your Stuff" 500 Point VIB gift comes with "An expandable makeup bag with show-off shades for face, lids and lashes." The collection includes:
* Small Clear Radiance All-Over Face Color - I really have no use for a product like this. It DOES offer a nice brightening effect to the cheeks and actually looks nice as an eyeshadow highlighter shade. It's definitely a multi-use product and feels really nice. It's just not generally something I would personally wear.
* Small Peacock Glimpse - this mineral eye shadow color is SO gorgeous. A beautiful and extremely shimmery green, it did pat on well and I experienced very little fall out. My only sadness is that I DID expect a shade called Peacock to be a little brighter.
* Flawless Definition Mascara in Black - This mascara has a really neat brush. I actually expected it to separate the lashes well, but that part seems to be the only thing it didn't do. This mascara REALLY elongates the lashes and curls them up. I combed through the lashes and that seemed to separate them a bit, but make sure you do that before the mascara dries, or you'll have a heck of a time.
* Expandable Makeup Bag - I loveeee this bag. Peacocks are so beautiful and the colors of this bag are truly amazing. The interior features places to hold brushes as well as a clear, zippered side (the expandable side) for all of your makeup goodies. Perfect for travel or to throw in the diaper bag for when you have kiddies (which is what I'll be doing, so I can carry all my crap and one less bag lol)

For the pictures above you can see a bit of fading is already happening (yes I used a primer), and I only waited about 20 minutes before taking the pics. The mascara was done in 2 coats.

I'm unsure if this bag is still available at any Sephora, and I'm under 500 points now so I can't see if it's still on the website.. but the bag is pretty awesome and I do like the mascara quite a bit. If you're a Bare Escentuals fan it's a must have. If you're a peacock fan it's a must have, for obvious reasons.

The full size Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Eye Shadows run $13, though I don't see this particular one on the Sephora website. However I do see that it's on the Bare Escentuals website, where you can also get free shipping if you spend $50.

The small size Clear Radiance All-Over Face Color retails for $6.50 and can be found on the BE Website as well. A larger size is also available for $19.00 and can be found on the BE Website as well as Sephora.

Flawless Definition Mascara retails for $18.00 and can be found on the BE Website as well as Sephora.

Benefit DANDELION Blush Swatches, Review & 500 Point Sephora Beauty Perk

I received Benefit Dandelion in a recent 500-Point VIB Perk on Sephora.com. It actually came in a set of 3 items which were, in addition to a full size Dandelion, mini sizes of "that gal" Brightening Face Primer, and BADgal Lash Mascara.

Dandelion swatches on the arm much more pigmented than it shows up on the cheeks. I'm a little darker this summer than normal, so in the winter I might get a bit more color from it, but for right now it is a very soft and smooth highlighter. Benefit has some really amazing blushes, the colors and formula never cease to amaze me... but I really dislike the packaging =\ I just don't like the whole cardboard box deal. I do, surprisingly, like the brush with this. It's a thick and solid brush, and although small, surprisingly easy to use.

"that gal" Brightening Face Primer swatches thickly as a light pink, but when smoothed over the face it gives off a radiant glow and actually did appear to wake me up a bit. I thought this was a perfect time for testing of this product being that I'm sick... and it did seem to do an instant perk up. It was easy to pat and smooth on the face and I actually really enjoyed the texture... no oily or powdery feeling!

BADgal Lash Mascara is a deep black mascara, that, when used, lengthens and curls, but (in my experience) did not thicken. It doesn't "claim" to thicken, but it does claim to be like a set of false lashes, which it is not. However, I DO like this mascara for all intents and purposes. It didn't clump and layered up easily.

Overall, this is a FABULOUS and worthwhile set for the 500 point beauty gift. I had a ton of points saved up but between this set and another one (to be reviewed) I picked up in the store, I've burned through them all... so I have NO idea if this set is still available online.

However, you CAN purchase these items separately at Sephora, Ulta, or BenefitCosmetics.com. Dandelion retails for $28, "that gal" retails for $29, and BADgal Lash Mascara retails for $19.

***This post contains an affiliate link... for more information please read my disclosure policy.

Sephora by OPI WILD ABOUT SHIMMER Nail Polish Swatches & Review

New to Sephora, Sephora by OPI Wild About Shimmer (sheer champagne with medium gold shimmer) is part of the Safari Luxe Collection.

I don't know why, but Wild About Shimmer is photographing more silver, when in person it's more gold. The second shot is a bit blurry, but it shows off the gold more. This polish is pretty fabulous when you see it in person, but I think it actually makes a better layering polish (*cough*calling the swatchaholic*cough*) because it is very sheer. The above swatch photo was taken with 3 coats.

Another shade from this collection that is super pretty in person is A Color That Can't Be Tamed, so be sure to check that one out as well!

Sephora by OPI polishes retail for $9.50, and are available at Sephora.

***This post contains an affiliate link... for more information please read my disclosure policy.

Sephora by OPI LEOTARD OPTIONAL Nail Colour Review & Swatches

As I sit here.... patiently refreshing and adding to my NYX sale cart (LOL) I thought I'd post a nail swatch I did some time ago.

It's one of my favs in my "adult shade" category. By "adult" I don't mean anything pervy, but rather grown up. Sometimes you need the grown up nails!

Sephora by OPI Leotard Optional took 3 coats and is the pinky/brown neutral of my dreams. Very happy with this one.

Sephora by OPI retail for $9.50. Leotard Optional is currently not in stock on the Sephora site, and I grabbed the last one at my store. I'm not sure if this is Limited Edition, but hopefully it's not, because it's seriously one of their best colors and SHOULD be a part of the core line!

Sephora Friends & Family 20% Off Is Here!

The code is working! The code is FF2010

Shop Sephora.com NOW through 11/3 (I believe) to get 20% off your order. All orders over $50 ship for FREE.

Use ebates and save even MORE by getting 3.5% cash back!

Sephora by OPI ~ Rumba Romance

From the Havana Nights Collection ($9 each at Sephora stores or sephora.com) Rumba Romance is a gorgeous Bronze Shimmer. I got a lot of compliments on this one, it's perfect for a summer bronze nail.



This was REALLY my NOTD a week ago and I just took it off yesterday lol but it's a new one from Sephora by OPI and definately beautiful enough to be post worthy! Plus reader and Australian BFF Natalie wanted to see it!

NOTD & Sephora OPI 212 news

My NOTD... well nail of my reunion tomorrow (NOMRT?) is OPI Alpine Snow w/ OPI Fit For A Queensland on top... I like my nails white. I feel so mod ;)


Also, I called the new Sephora store in Times Square to see about having the 212 polish shipped to me.. they were sold out BUT the SA informed me that the 212 will soon be available at ALL Sephora locations. The company just wanted to keep it special for the grand opening. She wasn't aware of a date but if I hear anything I'll post about it.

Phew! I still have a chance!!