Blush Mystery Box ~ August

Posted on August 28, 2013 by kenziedegen

So my Blush Mystery Box Subscription Box arrived and I was PUMPED! I saw a teaser for the Philip B. Wave Spray ($22), which basically covered the cost of my monthly box. They included a Philip B. product last month as well, which was a box I loved, and so I had a good feeling about this one as well…

As usual, they sent all the items in a cute black custom drawstring bag. I really like it because it is reusable and I don’t need anymore empty cardboard boxes sitting around my house.

This month was curated by Liz Franz, Editor-In-Chief of Blush.com, Dermstore.com, basically the whole company that sends these awesome bags out. The info card lists a bit of info on Franz, as well as their featured item the Philip B. Maui Wowie Beach Mist. Then, when you flip it over, you can see the rest of the items included on the back.

And so I began to unpack my bag! First off, I got samples from Dermalogica and Dremu, which is always a nice surprise. One thing I noticed when comparing my items to other bloggers is that the colors varied depending on the item.

After the samples, I pulled out the biggest bottle, which of course was the Philip B. Maui Wowie Beach Mist mentioned above. I was happy with the flexible hair spray I received last month from them (same brand) and so I was more than willing to give this a try. The only downside is that in at least 3 boxes this summer, I’ve received Beachy Hair Sprays, just due to the season and popularity.

Next up is the Mor Emporium Hand Cream in Snow Gardenia. I really like the packaging of this bottle: it’s very classy and reminds me of my mom’s Ralph Lauren perfume bottle with its dark moody colors and gold cap. I’m not 100% sold on the scent yet, but do think it is a good product.

The Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant seems like an awesome product. I love face scrubs, exfoliators and treatments and so this totally caters to me. You just mix some of it up with water until it turns into a paste and apply all over like a face mask/scrub.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Genius Waterproof Top Coat seems like an awesome concept, except for the fact that I buy all my mascara as waterproof. I’m sure I have a few samples/mascaras lying around from past boxes and sample sales to try it out with, but I don’t think I would purchase in the future.

Pixi Beauty Endless Silky Eye Pencil in Deep Plum is a full-size eyeliner that goes on smoothly, and actually came in a color I’m excited to try out. I believe they offered Navy Blue or Deep Plum, and I think this one may go well with my complexion.

I have received Coola products before like in a past Ipsy bag, so I know that it’s a good quality brand. This Coola SPF 30 Face Classic Sunscreen is nice and doesn’t have that gross-overwhelming sunscreen smell, however the summer is just about over so I won’t be able to use it much, unless it’s really sunny and hot this weekend.

Colorscience Sunforgettable Face Primer with SPF is an ‘eh’ item for me. I have about 10 primer deluxe samples sitting in my drawer that I just don’t get around to using as often as foundation or lipstick or mascara. However, it’s definitely nice for anyone out there looking for a primer, especially as it contains sunscreen.

Skylark- Perfume Sample Set was a surprise to me. I wasn’t expecting a fragrance and I’m usually pretty picky, so I liked that this set gave you three different scents to try out. Now to decide which I like best…

All in all, I’m fairly happy with this box. I got some products I know I’ll definitely use like the Pixi Eyeliner and Philip B. Waves Spray.

The only thing I do not like is that they gave an ‘either-or’ option where you got one deluxe sample of either a Face Mask or a Primer. I would have preferred the face mask to the Colorscience Primer, just because I have SO many primers sitting in my drawers. In general, I don’t really use them as I apply a daily lotion, then foundation and primer seems like an unnecessary step in between/adds too much moisture and oil.

*Coupon: If you’d like to try Blush Mystery Box, send an email to kenziedegen@gmail.com and I’ll send you a referral link for a $10.00 off either a 1-time subscription or $10 off $30 online purchase.

xo, Kenzie

Ipsy GlamBag ~ August

Posted on August 23, 2013 by kenziedegen

So unfortunately, I am on the late-end each month of recieving Ipsy. However, my bag finally arrived at my house this week and I was beyond excited to finally have it! I was able to access my GlamRoom days before … Continue reading →

Beauty Sage Editor’s Sampler Box ~ August 2013

Posted on August 16, 2013 by kenziedegen

So I have been really intruiged by BeautySage lately, however a lot of their products tend to be on the pricey side. Then, I found out about the Editor’s Sampler Box! This specially curated box of August must-haves is only … Continue reading →

Peckish ~ August 2013

Posted on August 12, 2013 by kenziedegen

I love Peckish…. no really, I think I may be in love with them…. Perhaps, it’s because I’m currently scarfing down some “Strawberry Banana Sundae” mix as I write this. Who knows for sure? Anyway, this is my third month … Continue reading →

GlossyBox ~ July 2013

Posted on August 1, 2013 by kenziedegen

Enter my NibNaks Giveaway on Rafflecopter Here!

GlossyBox is one of my favorite beauty boxes, HANDS DOWN. I would probably be one of the best salespeople for them because I pay full price every month ($21) and always have positive comments which I share with friends and readers. I mean, like every box, there can be a hit and miss, but I would have to say I always use and adore 4/5 of the products. The only complaint I think I have is that I’m apparently the last person to recieve their box. While some reviewers had their posts up 6+ days ago, mine literally arrived on Saturday.

Anyway… their theme this month was Le Grand Bleu, which I think is appropriate for July/Summer. If you remember from my June review, you know I LOVE their packaging. Serious effort taken into consideration. A simple light pink box, with all the items inside wrapped up like a present in pink ribbon, all wrapped up again with black tissue paper!

On top of all the items was the information card which revealed the theme and showed all of the items included in this month’s box. What I like about GlossyBox is that you always get the same thing as every other subscriber. While I do enjoy customized boxes and believe that they’re great, sometimes I get jealous when someone gets a different, ‘better’ color nail polish than me, or a beach surf spray rather than a volumizing hair spray.

So here you can see all 6 items, ranging from bath products to haircare and beauty/makeup! I had already seen two spoilers and so I knew I would be receiving the Fig & Rouge Gloss, which I was pumped about, as well as a Deep Conditioning Brazillian Blowout Masque.

So here is the Fig & Rouge tube of 100% natural Lip Balm in Cherry Blossom. Their packaging (can you tell what I notice first!?) is awesome- I just love the bright summery colors, and that they use a unique little tube rather than a typical chapstick or pot of balm. I’m definitely keeping and using this product… and I can say I most likely will be purchasing it when I run out!

Next up is the Brazillian Blowout Acai Deep Conditioning Masque, a creamy rich, intense conditioning formula that reconstructs, strengthens and smoothes the hair. This is perfect for the summertime because of all the damage from the sun and chlorine. I can’t wait to test it out, and hopefully it’ll repair my split ends.

I’m not a huge fan of royal blue-shades, however I love this cute little bottle of Nails Inc. London polish! Nails Inc. London is actually a pretty big-name company, selling their products at luxuy beauty stores like Sephora. This color is called Baker Street, a solid cream royal blue shade, that is bold and attention grabbing. I’m contemplating if I want to test it out on myself or gift it to a friend.

I was a tad confused between Bulgari and Bvlgari at first (two diff. brands) but once I looked into the brand and saw all the raving reviews, I was like woah, I’ve been missing out! The smell is great- a simple floral scent reminding me of roses and very old-fashioned. I can’t wait to try it out and see if it works for either my hair or as bodywash.

Next up are these Makeup Cleansing Tissues from Absolute! which thoroughly removes eye-liner, shadow, lipstick, blush and even waterproof mascara without skin irritation. They come in a nice citrus-y scent as they have vitamin C extract! While I have never tried this brand before, I am a fan of my varieties of face wipes out there so far. I will have multiple uses for this: refreshing after the gym, removing makeup with ease, cleansing my face on a hot day, etc…

Finally, I recieved this tube of Evologie Intensive Blemish Serum. I believe this is sample-size, as compared to the sizing and pricing I’ve seen online, but I’m not totally sure. While I wish it was full-size because of the raving reviews I’ve heard about it, I’m pretty excited just to have recieved it and be able to test it out. It is a Doctor developed, patent pending, formulation that deeply penetrates the skin to quickly clear blemishes at the source. Trust me, I’ve heard this claim before from various treatments, but am hoping it really works in less than 2 days! Wish me luck testing it out.

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My favorite items in the July 2013 GlossyBox have to be the Fig & Rouge Lip Balm, Acai Deep Conditioning Masque and the Citrus Face Cleansing wipes from Asbolute! What do you all think of the box? I have my fingers crossed that next month will have a lipstick and mascara!

Interested in signing up? Click here and use the code SUMMER for a free OPI nail polish or JULYMAG for 15% Off a 3, 6 or 12 month subscription!

xo, Kenzie

Total Beauty- New Box, Discount Code & Samples!

Posted on June 14, 2013 by kenziedegen

So I recently signed up for Total Beauty at TotalBeauty.com because I received an e-mail about scoring a few freebies! When I created an account and got all set up, I realized that Total Beauty also has its own subscription box, however they show you all of the contents.

So, when I heard there was a Mystery Box for only $20 that it supposed to be worth $100+, I got so excited…. AND THEN I found some discount codes for it as well, woo-hoooo! If you eenter the Coupon Code: TBC20 you will receive 20% off of your Mystery Box Collection, which is even better than the 10% Get10 coupon codes I’ve been seeing lately.

So, only $16 for this $20 box, with over $100+ worth of items instead AND Free Shipping!? I’m hooked.

Click the image above or any of the highlighted links in here to get your own!

And, while we’re on the topic of Total Beauty… I signed up to win a Deluxe Sample of Benefit The Pore-fessional, and lucky me, I received it in the mail a day ago! It included one deluxe-size sample, good to actually be able to test it a few times to decide if I like it, plus a few one-use packets that I can either distribute to friends or bring for one-the-go.

xoxo, Kenzie

I’m Baaaaaaaaaack! The Re-Launch of Stylish in Suburbia

Posted on May 14, 2013 by kenziedegen

Happy Monday everyone! And by that, I mean I hope you stayed tough through that first day back in work/class after a never-long-enough weekend!

So, you’re probably confused as to what happened to my blog. Did Mackenzie fall off the face of the earth? Did she give up on it? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Right around the time I launched Stylish in Suburbia, I was applying to 38457595 jobs and finally landed one and threw all my time and energy into it. Now that I’ve gotten over much of the chaos of my new-found career, I’m devoting my time and effort to get back to doing what I love: blogging!

So, I am re-launching Stylish in Suburbia with a few new twists. I will still continue to post my rambles and insight about the day-to-day life of a working fashionista, the new clothing and beauty products I can’t keep my hands off, and a few photoshoots from time to time. However, I will also be adding something different and quirky: I’m going to review some of the amazing beauty and fitness boxes I’ve been receiving via mail. On a whim, I signed up for Ipsy about 6 months ago, and I’ve been head over heels for it! Out of all the bags I’ve received so far, I’ve managed to score some awesome products like St. Tropez Bronzing Cream, NYX loose mineral eyeshadow, and Lash Cards (perfect for not covering my eyelids in mascara!). These products are only few among the many I’ve received so far, and I don’t plan on cancelling anytime soon.

Instead, I’m going ALL OUT and signing up for a variety of different boxes, from BuluBox and Love With Food to Julep and Beauty Army. So, I hope you’ll join me for the journey as I continue to post my favorite outfits, styles, and trends to reviewing these surprise boxes, and even more under the sun! I don’t plan on leaving anything out, so if you have any requests, or questions feel free to comment or e-mail me. AND if you would like me to review a box, I would be more than willing! Who doesn’t love free stuff PLUS helping others make the right decisions about purchases.

xoxo,

Mackenzie