Birchbox: Beauty School

A Birchbox post on time?! Yes, yes I do believe so! It's still August and I'm posting my August Birchbox overview! And since I'm not being apologetic for my tardiness, I do wish to apologize for the fact that the pictures I took from my Android for this post aren't of the best quality, which given the fact that I have so many photog friends, well, let's just say I should be able to take a decent picture from my cell phone at best!

This month's box was titled "Beauty School", so without further delay let's break this down:

Cover.

The Goods.

On Display.

Okay, you can see (above) all the little treasures that came in this month's box, so let's discuss...

* Dr. Jart Waterfuse BB Cream ...who doesn't love a good BB cream, they do so many wonderful, fantastic things for your skin (detailed post coming soon)! I haven't tried Jart's as of yet, since I've been using other things, but this product is advertised as a 4-in-1 moisturizer, serum, sunscreen and skin-perfecting tint. They compare it to "the beauty version of a Swiss Army knife"...well, we'll see about that Dr. Jart, we'll just see about that!

*DDF Brightening Cleanser ...this is a foaming gel cleanser loaded with skin brighteners that help to fade any skin discolorations you may have and even out the skin's tone. This one sounds like a winner, and they were pretty generous on the sample of this guy! You can buy the full-size bottle for $38.



DDF Brightening Cleanser.



*Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy La Fleur Perfume Sample ...it's Juicy Couture; who hasn't heard of Viva la Juicy, or at the very least witnessed it's bright, spunky packaging?! This scent is a blend of wild berries, mandarin, and waterlily. It is really more of a spring, early summer scent in my opinion...I tend to go for a warmer, deeper fragrance (anything with amber) for the fall/winter season. P.S...Fall, excuse me, "Autumn" is my favorite season, so this gal is stoked!!

*LiQWd Professional Volumizing Catalyst ..."volumizing catalyst", that sounds pretty legit, right! This is a weightless mist that is supposed to add body to your hair. I'm a bit picky when it comes to hair care, so this might be a good giveaway prize for someone else to scope out.

*LARABAR uber bar... pretty much within the same scope as a Lunabar and the like, this little guy is made of fruits and nuts and is a super healthy treat.

Well, that pretty much sums things up. I do have some posts planned up that will be debuting soon, so, you're welcome ;) I will also finally be posting information/details about my 100 Followers Facebook contest, so definitely stay tuned for that. I hope everyone has a rad Wednesday, and rest of the week. As for me, I think I foresee a Target run in my future. Peace and Love.

XOXO,

J <3.

Birchbox: Glamour

I actually thought I had posted July's Birchbox already! Alas, I did not, but the box casually sitting next to my computer prompted me to check. So, I will give my usual on this. I am not sure how many people actually read this, and yes I know I can do google analytics to track these sort of things, but I have honestly been dealing with so much, more than my usual "just don't seem to have the time" sort of mentality. But fashion, styling, makeup, hair, it's my bliss...I never thought I would find my niche in the adult career world, and maybe I still haven't, but I know I'm on the right path. I made a huge decision to get my cosmetology license after having already matriculated (yeah, big word, oooooh) from college with my Bachelor's Degree. Now, I'm beginning to realize I am more of a free spirit than I ever thought, maybe I am meant to have all this particular education for a reason...still figuring out what that means in the grand scheme of things. What prompted this "soul searching", shall we call it?? Well, I have recently had someone try and steal my bliss. Not that they were out to intentionally do it, but it happened and it's puzzled me. I am smarter than so many people give me credit for, and perhaps some people shouldn't underestimate as much. I truly do not like being in a situation were I am made to feel stupid, or less than what I am. That's all I've come up to say about that...not very poignant, I know, but hey this is a Birchbox post so here we go...

This Birchbox (July) was put together through a partnership with Glamour magazine (oohs and ahhs may be inserted here if you feel the need for additional effect)...It also has to do with the senses: smell, touch, taste, hear and see...it was actually a great little box! SN: When I got home August's box was here and I haven't opened it yet, but I've been hearing good things ;)


Box Cover.

Off with the lid!!

The Contents!!



 So, unfortunately my little contents card is now M.I.A, so I don't have the legit product descriptions with all their benefits and what not...soooo...I will do my best. If you are a BB member, you know every box varies, and if you're not a member, well, you probably should be...
Here's what I got in my box:
*An Eyeko London Skinny liquid liner in black...this looks full size to me, or very close (but like I said I lost my content card so I'm wingin' this...sorrry)...It's a felt tip liquid liner, and it goes on really smooth. A few "mehh" things about it...I thought the application lacked in pigment when applying over shadow, but on it's own or with nude/neutrals it was great. The lasting power, well, it was ok, enough to get through a standard workday with no smudging I suppose...when I layered it over my Urban Decay 24/7 in Zero, that was the golden ticket of pigment and lasting power right there!!
*AHAVA Time to Clear Purifying Mud Mask... .9 oz sample size. This is a dead sea mud mask good for sensitive skin, which actually, I think I may use today...I need some purifying.
* mintease Regroup tea mints...flavor--ginger pear...this is pretty self-explanatory, yes...
*Earbuds...mine are neon blue and pink...so pretty colors are always a plus in my book! Glamour's beauty editors out together a "getting pretty" playlist that can be found at glamour.com/spotify.
*Harvey Prince "You had me at Hello" fragrance sample...this smells soooo good, I was pleasantly surprised. You can go to harveyprince.com to read up on the brand and check things out. It's a cool company they started in dedication to their mother, and all their ingredients are natural and high quality. This particular scent is made from meyer lemon, mandarin, grapefruit, forsythia (a floral) and plumeria. They use the citrus because "it's nature's way of saying 'Good Morning'", the forsythia because it's an early Spring bloom that is a welcome sign of new beginnings and possibilities and the plumeria because the flowers are traditionally used in Hawaiian leis, given to greet old and new friends. Rad!

Harvey Prince



Earbuds


As usual, leave comments and suggestions below, and if you have a link to your blog share that below too!! I'm always up for a good read. Have a good rest of the week guys, and don't let anyone steal your bliss. In fact, if you have any good motivational posts, links, pinterest pins, link them below too!!

XOXO,

J <3.













Birchbox: Jet Set.

In pretty much true "pretty and clever" fashion, my Birchbox review is not being posted in the most timely of manners. But, I will catch up and be super up to date...it will happen!! This is the summary for the June box; and as I was dealing with a wonky camera situation, I have no pictures!! Ahh! But, I will still break down the box and offer my opinion as I deem necessary. July's box was really cool, so I will get on that too ;)...about June...

Here's the breakdown:
*beautyblender blender cleanser...no not make a milkshake blender...a beauty blender sponge! This is a soy based product used to keep your makeup sponges and brushes in their best condition. Have not tried this yet as I have a specific brush regimen, but it's worth a shot because you never know what product is going to be the next great find.
*Comodynes Self-Tanning Intensive...well, you may or may not know my opinion on tanning...let's just say I dig a nice tan. However, I seem to have dumb luck when it comes to mystic/spray tans, etc. So, the idea of a self-tanning towelette kind of makes me apprehensive, and with my current salon job I don't want to screw the whole thing up and have oompa loompa elbows, feet, what have you, so I might lay low on this until I do further research and read additional reviews. If you've used this item, please share your thoughts/experience...
*COOLA Cucumber Matte Mineral Face SPF 30...now, this sounds/looks promising...it's a facial sunscreen that is loaded with antioxidants and is said to leave a shine-free finish. I'm always looking for great face stuff, especially a good SPF since there are so many summer activities happening. I actually have an outdoor concert I'm going to next week (311...bring on the Nick Hex, yessss), so I will give this a try then. A full-size bottle is $36, so we'll see if it's worth it's cost.
*Jouer Luminating Moisture Tint...It's Jouer...need I say more?? I love them! This is a tinted moisturizer that gives you that dewy, glowy (not sweaty, greasy) finish. Love. Love. And you too can have the full-size bottle of love for $38!
*theBalm cosmetics Stainiac in Beauty Queen...who doesn't love a good lip stain??! And it's 2-in-1 so you can use it on your cheeks as well. The color is more subtle than say, a tarte lip stain. But I like that it is light weight; I'm actually wearing it right now. The Beauty Queen shade is a red berry color, but since it isn't heavily pigmented it gives a fresh hint of color that compliments your natural lip color. $17 for the full-size stain, which is a pretty good deal as far as lip stains of this quality go.
*Modcloth headband...exactly what it sounds like...it's a scarf material headband. Nothing to positive/negative to say. It will be stored with the rest of my accessories more than likely. The one that came in my box is red with white polka dots, so it has a vintage appeal to it...I just don't wear a lot of red right now, so we'll see what I pair it with.
* John Varvatos Star USA...this was a Birchbox Man Extra, so I did the wifely thing and passed it on to my husband. It's described as a "dapper cologne"...(who doesn't love the word 'dapper') with a blend of ginger, juniper, berries and vetiver. I asked my husband for his review and he said "It's not bad"...there you have it! Such a detailed man answer, and manswer if you will.

I've said it before but I shall reiterate...If you love trying new products and receiving little gems and goodies every month then definitely check out Birchbox.com to see what they're all about, and if you do receive a box, let me know if you post reviews somewhere!
Hope everyone is having a great week, and be sure to log on to Facebook, search for the page "Wonderland Artistry", and hit that LIKE button for extra links, photos and more!!
XO,
J.

Snow White and the Huntsman: Top Ten

     I knew today had the potential to be a difficult day...father's day. This is the second father's day without my dad, and I woke up this morning so sad, and so angry that I let it affect my mood and the mood of others all day. The words of Miranda Lambert's "Over You" rang through my head like a record on repeat..."You went away, how dare you, I miss you..." And I do, everyday miss my father who unexpectedly passed away on New Years Day 2011. I still somedays wonder if I even have begun to let myself except it...but I don't think I'm necessarily in any particular hurry to answer that question. So this morning I opted for one of my favorite distractions...the cinema. The husband and I went and saw "Snow White and the Huntsman" and I was so enchanted with this film I wanted to do a little top ten blog post about it...

1. The Hair..more specifically, all of the braids and details! Maybe it's just the stylist part of me shining through but I had an eye on everyone's hair...from Ravenna's elaborate work to the smallest of braids tucked into Snow's battle ponytail. And braids are totally hot right now, right. Valentino's ads feature some great ones, Katniss's ponytails on the Hunger Games, Daenarys on Game of Thrones and pretty much every other hair pin in pinterest....love love love.
2. The 3 Drops...I love how this rendition of Snow White incorporated the three drops of blood full circle...The Queen sees the 3 red droplets on the snow covered ground and is then pregnant with Snow White, Ravenna's mother spills 3 droplets which give Ravenna beauty as her power, only to be undone by fair blood...Ravenna spills three droplets onto Snow when she is slain...I just thought it was really cool.



Muir, to the right of the Huntsman

3. Muir...Muir is one of the dwarfs...and don't think Disney dwarfs, don't think Disney anything when watching this movie! He was blind and had a special gift to "know" things, like a seer of sorts, so it seemed. There was just something about him. I don't know if it was that he was so sage in his ways, or maybe he just rang true of a familiar father figure. I really appreciated this character and the ways he was able to enlighten others.



Charlize as Ravenna, in one of my favorite of her looks.

4. Charlize Theron...helloooo...can we please give it up for Charlize for nailing the part of the evil Queen, Ravenna. Her demeanor, her dialect, her mannerisms...everything was spot on with her acting; as was everything with her hair, wardrobe, the works. She is not a character you are rooting for, of course not, but she is one to be in awe of.

5. The Huntsman...while we are on a roll talking about casting...Chris Hemsworth was dreamy in the most rugged of a sense as the huntsman. Swinging his axe in that Thor like way...mmmhmmm...his character was really well developed and one you can actually see make that emotional transformation throughout the storyline...Who needs Prince Charming when you have the Huntsman!!
6. The Sanctuary...After watching the struggle through the dark forest, seeing the Sanctuary, home of the fairies was like a wonderland moment, where all is beautiful and magical and whimsical. It was a classic Snow White moment when she got to be amongst the animals and be so in awe of her surroundings...a really cleverly designed setting.

7. The Stag...Snow White is led by small fairies to a clearing where standing is this most magnificent white stag with a tremendous display of antlers. Muir lets no one but Snow approach as it is something that has never been seen before. Carefully Snow makes the initial contact with the stag and I hate to sound cheesy (I hate to say "cheesy") but it was a poignant moment in the film for sure while as she stood there the stag lowered his head, surrounding her with his antlers. It was said to be a blessing because she is the life that will save everyone else. It was another awe moment with what soon followed, but I'll leave that for your own viewing.
8. All Hail the Queen...this is just one of those triumphant moments that you look for in a movie such as this. After Snow has awakened from the Queen's apple betrayal she walks outside to address all of those who had been loyal to her father. She declares they will battle and that she will keep her promises and that the kingdom will be restored. Everyone, in the dark of night, drops to their knee and you hear them cry "All hail the Queen".
9. The Huntsman, Not Charming...Classically we know Prince Charming to be the one who awakens Snow from her sleep, but not this time, sorry Prince William. Stop reading now, if you don't want to read of this somewhat predictable spoiler...William kisses Snow when they first realize Ravenna has poisoned her, but nothing comes from it. It is the huntsman, grieving in the shadows where Snow's body is being displayed that declares his feelings and kisses her for the first time. Awww, why does KStew get to kiss the best looking guys?!?!
10. The Implied Ending...Of course we see Snow White go on to be crowned Queen, but there is never a face to face declaration of feeling between her and the Huntsman. When she rises from her throne she scans the room looking face to face, and finally locks eyes with the Huntsman, she in her royal garb and he in the garb of a far from noble huntsman. But it is in that eye lock that soooo much can be inferred, and normally I don't like to have to assume, in my own way, how the story will end beyond the rolling of credits, but that moment...yes...you knew there was something more to come.

There was so much in this film, I mean it was over 2 hours long, so needless to say I probably failed to touch on something else I found remarkable. I just wanted to do something fun, fun for me anyway, on this the day that it is. If you've seen the film leave your favorite moment in the comments below, if not, go see it!! And for arguments sake, who do you prefer, the Huntsman or Prince Charming?? (and not just in the film, but in their real life qualities)...Of course for me, the Huntsman wins.

XOXO,
J.













Birchbox: Gossip Girl

Why am I such a procrastinator when it comes to this blog?? Yes, this post is for MAY's Birchbox, and although I've had the box in my possession for over a month now, my review has yet to make it on here...but alas, here it is (June's box to follow).
I was particularly stoked about this box because it is inspired by one of my absolute favorite shows, Gossip Girl. Can it get much better? Why yes, I think it can. I looked at some other posts about everyone else's GG box (since not every box is identical), and not to be bias, but I think I got one of the better boxes!! Let's talk about it's contents so you can see why I adore:

• Dior: Diorshow Extase Mascara...J'adore Dior, right?? And what an iconic designer name that definitely begs to be associated with Gossip Girl. I am conjuring up images of Blair Waldorf and Serena VanDerWoodsen as I type! This mascara is, well, a-mazing. It gives you the volume and length and adds that extra drama to your eyes. It also contains a ceramide complex which is unique in that it actually helps to fortify your lashes. A full-size product is $28.50, and although it's not at a price point for me right now that I would stock my MUA kit with it, it is a definite y-e-s for my own personal use.
• Dior: Miss Dior eau du parfum...more Dior, please and thank you. This is a very feminine fragrance that I would love for a night on the town. It has floral notes and a hint of patchouli.
• Miracle Skin Transformer Body SPF 20 in Glow...This is a tinted treatment that you can use all over your body to cover blemishes and scars and add that extra little bit of luminescence. I can't wait to try this one out more extensively.
• SHU UEMURA Cleansing Oil Shampoo...Now, SHU UEMURA, a great brand, but being a stylist I can be particular about what shampoos (and hair products in general) I use. The basics of it are that it's a scented cleasing shampoo that contains oil which turns into a foam, leaving hair "clean and bouncy". This is probably going to go with the rest of my shampoo samples I keep around, but if I do end up using it sooner and I do think it's a gem, I will speak on it down the road.
• Birchbox Extra: Notecards... This is just a cute little notecard (one...wishing there was more) that says "XOXO" on it. It's adorable, and I probably won't use it for it's practical use, it will most likely become a decorative piece.

So, that's the Gossip Girl box! Pretty cool stuff for May...June's box will be up soon, as well as another product review.
I started my new job at a hot, local salon and I've been there about a week now. The people are great and I'm really going to love growing as a stylist there! When I was finishing up cosmetology school I was beginning to feel a little bit lack-lustre about doing hair, I don't know why because I didn't feel that way about makeup. But now that I am in the salon, everything old is new again and I'm feeling more inspired to do great work. Of course, working full time in that setting cuts back a great deal on freelance makeup work, but I am trying to stay on top of that since you never want to give up on something you love. It's a balancing act, it really is. Hope everyone's summer is off to a brilliant start! And since we are talking about Gossip Girl, who do you prefer? Blair or Serena. Me personally, I'm a Blake Lively girl, but Blair Waldorf is my GG heroine.
XOXO,
J.



Tattoo Care.

     Being a self-proclaimed tattoo enthusiast (I have 7 right now, most recent being a memorial tattoo for my dad on my foot), I know how important it is to properly take care of your ink. And since tattoo aftercare is still a part of my everyday routine right now, I thought I'd share some of the best tips I've come across in caring for your forever art.


Memorial Tattoo for my dad. The Airforce logo with angel wings instead of jet wings, and that's his actual signature the artist was able to transpose from an old check. It's my favorite piece. It's not as red anymore either. A fitting tribute I'd say.



  Follow care instructions given to you by your artist-- the basics tend to go something like:

• Dont' remove your bandage until it's time to! You'll want to show off your new ink, but the bandage is there for a reason--a tattoo is still technically an open wound that is easily susceptible to bacteria and infection. So leave that sucker on there for "at least" 2 hours after your artist puts it on initially.
• NOTE: If for some reason your artist only covered your new tattoo with saran wrap, get an actual bandage on there soon as you can--just saran/plastic wrap can suffocate your tattoo.
• After removing your bandage, gently wash your tattoo with lukewarm water and an antibacterial/antimicrobial soap. This will wash away any excess ointment, blood, or ink and completely clean the area of your tattoo. Use your hands to wash--a cloth or loofah is too harsh at this point. Pat dry with a clean towel and follow with an ointment application.
• A lot of people like to use A&D ointment on their tattoos. I used to use it until I learned after my last few tattoos that a fragrant-free lotion like Lubriderm also does they trick (the A&D ointment thing can be quite a debate!).  I personally prefer the lotion because it's less greasy, but use which ever you prefer. Don't use neosporin though! This might be a good product for your run-of-the-mill cuts and scrapes, but it can actually be damaging to a tattoo, believe it or not--tattoos can have an allergic reaction to the neosporin which causes little red bumpls. When the bumps eventually do go away, so does the ink in that area--and I'm pretty sure you don't want a polka-dotted, splotchy hot mess of a tattoo.
• A lot of people also like Tattoo Goo. I have never used this personally since over-the-counter products work just fine, but if you do want that extra something something for whatever reason, just use the product as directed.
• You can of course shower with a new tattoo but you want to avoid the hot tub, swimming pool, and fresh/salt water for at least 2 weeks, as not to over-saturate your ink or irritate the healing process.
• Scabbing and peeling is a normal part of the healing process, but if you're ever concerned make sure to follow up with your tattoo artist. Warm compresses can be applied to scabbing areas for like 5 minutes a couple of times a day. You want to soften the scabs so they fall off naturally. Never pick the scabs or peel any areas of the tattoo, it can result in discoloration and ruin the overall asthetic.
• Even after your tattoo has healed you'll want to take proper precautions when out in the sun--this is always the hardest part for me since I go to tanning beds and I'm a lover of the beach--but if you want to maintain the quality of your tattoo you will need to protect it from ultra violet rays. It's recommended to use a minimum of SPF 30 to keep your body art nice and vibrant.

BONUS JONAS:

Are you a tattooed tanner like me? Check out Hellbent Tanning Lotion by Australian Gold! This lotion contains 10 bronzers to enhance your golden glow. It also contains hempseed oil, vitamins, aloe vera to soften and smooth your skin to enhance your color. ColorGuard technology helps to protect the color of your tattoo (a combination of Tiger Grass and and ColorRepair Complex).

Happy Tattooing!! Share your tips below, or a pic of your fave tattoo!

XOXO,

J.

Birchbox: Natural Wonders

SO, definitely leave it to me to put something like this off, but I felt lack lustre about writing this month's (and yes I know it's the last day of April) Birchbox review...pretty much because I saw the box as a little bit of a disappointment, so much so I didn't even take my usual pictures to show off the wondrous gems inside. ::sigh:: I love you Birchbox, so here's to hoping May's box is bangin.
Anyway...the theme this month was Natural Wonders and I'll just be brief and list the contents and say a little something something where I see necessary.

1. amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask...well, it's a mask, obvious from it's name, for your hair, and it's said to contain rare omega acids and Vitamin C that boosts shine and helps repair split ends.
2. Juice Beauty Oil-free Moisturizer...now, I actually love Juice Beauty so this little guy will probably be getting thrown into my in-purse makeup bag. It's a skin hydrator made with an organic fruit-based formula that won't clog your pores.
3. Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift...besides from the packaging making it's best attempt at looking super pretty, I'm sorry T. Swift, I don't see what is so standout about this fragrance other than the fact that it's marketing face is that of the notoriously blond curly headed country princess (using the word princess loosely) that has potentially dated Jake Gyllenhaal. Yeah, no. The description of the product says "scent is as catchy as her lyrics". Ok. There ya go then.
4. Zoya True Spring Collection in Lotus...can't go wrong with nail polish. I got the shade lotus which is like a shimmery deep lilac color, which looks promising for rocking out on the toes.
5. dropps Laundry Detergent...this threw me off when I saw them in the box. They look like the little finish/jet dry pods, etc, that you put in your dishwasher but they are for your laundry. They are little eco-friendly detergent packs, single-use, that are supposed to add that extra bit of convenience to your laundry doing. Well, I use All free and clear because of it not making my skin itch, soooo prob won't be trying these. They are adorable though, I will give them that.

There you have it. April showers bring May flowers, and all that good stuff. I've been busy finishing up school, and I graduate next month. Already had a very promising interview, have to go back in for a second practical interview, so fingers crossed and say your prayers. I have still been doing makeup, had an amazing session this past Saturday, and next Saturday I have gifted hair and makeup to a local Prom goer who won a facebook contest, so yeah, rockin. If you haven't already, head over to facebook and LIKE my page, MUAH by Jacqueline Clark. As usual, leave comments and suggestions below and have a great week guys!!