Yes, Oh Yas! July 2018

July 28, 2018 sarah.elizabeth6142 Comments

Hey, y’all!

This month’s theme was “Summer in the Desert,” and I got 5 full-size products. I don’t know about where you live, but here in Florida it’s more like a rainforest than a desert–super humid and hot, hot, hot. Anyway, these products totally scream summer. Let’s jump in!

*Note: prices listed as photo captions are what I found on the respective product websites. Retail values listed below my descriptions are what was listed by Yes, Oh Yas!

Perfect Performance Lip Colour in “Bliss”

from Sormé Cosmetics

I’m not typically a bullet lipstick kind of gal. I tend to prefer matte liquid, so I’m not sure if I’m going to keep and use this (so far I’ve only swatched it). The color was much sheerer than I expected, but I don’t really like shimmery lipsticks. It’s infused with Vitamin E to moisturize and protect your lips, but I’m dubious about its staying power.

Retail Value: $22*

*Sormé doesn’t sell directly from their own website. They have authorized online retailers as well as brick and mortar retailers. Maybe this retailer has better deals?

Desert Vibes Eyeshadow Palette

from IBY Beauty

IBY stands for “Inspired By You” (in case you were wondering). This 12-shade palette, inspired by California desert sunsets, is an absolutely gorgeous mix of matte and shimmer shades. They apply very smoothly with no fallout, and they blend effortlessly. They’re infused with Rosehip Seed Oil to protect your skin, and with the intense pigmentation, the looks you can create are endless! The arrangement of the colors within the palette from light to dark make it easier to create smooth transitions, and it’s cruelty-free. Gotta love that!

Retail Value: $25*

*A noticeable difference from the website–not sure why…

Perse Professional Smearproof Lip Liner in “Nudist P21”

from Sormé Cosmetics (?)

This one frustrates me. I can’t for the life of me find this specific lip liner online in this color. It says Sormé Company on the back, but this color is nowhere on the Sormé website, or the authorized online retailers. Whatever it is and wherever it’s from, it applies smoothly and is a nice color. I’ll have to test out the longevity to let you know for sure, but I’ve been needing a nude lip liner, so this is perfect.

Retail Value: $23

Lemongrass Exfoliating Face Wash

from Jivi

I had never heard of this brand before, but they seem to hold themselves to some pretty high standards, which is impressive. This is from their website:

All of our products are:

Edible and 100% natural
Safe and non-toxic
Tear-free, hypoallergenic, and pH balanced
Non-comedogenic
Made without petrochemicals, parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, dyes…you get the point
Cruelty-free, and made without animal products
Gluten-free
Free of synthetic preservatives. We use vitamin E and rosemary along with our German-engineered airless bottles to give our products a 12-month shelf life
Designed and manufactured in Apex, NC

Pretty cool. This face wash caught me off-guard when I first used it because it’s an exfoliating face wash, but there’s no grittiness to it. It turns out the exfoliation comes from the pineapple and papaya enzymes that remove dead skin cells. The smell was a little weird at first, but I got used to it. It’s better than having perfumes in it! I probably would have liked the Eucalyptus Mint better, but oh well. I like that this leaves my face feeling clean but not totally dried out and stripped. I’m not used to being able to pronounce and identify every single ingredient in a face wash (or most beauty products, for that matter), so that was refreshing. 🙂 I’m definitely curious to check out some of their other products!

Retail Value: $18*

*This is a noticeable difference from the $12 value listed on the website. There’s no indication that it’s currently on sale or anything, so I don’t really know what to make of that.

Insanely Intense Tattooed Eyeliner in “Plum”

from Skone Cosmetics

I got this eyeliner in “Jet Black” in one of my first ipsy bags, and I remember liking it. I was glad to get it in “Plum” this time because it’s a nice subtle alternative to black, and I’ve been meaning to get one. The color is nice and intense, and the felt tip applicator comes to a nice fine point, so you can draw your line as thin or thick as your little heart desires. I encounter a little bit of skipping, but I’ll fully admit that that could just be user error. 🙂 Waterproof, smudge-proof, cruelty-free, and a decent price point. What’s not to love?

Retail Value: $19*

*Again with the price differences. What’s going on this month?

Total Package Value: $107*

*If you go off of the website prices, it’s $86 (assuming the lip liner price is accurate since I can’t find anything to suggest otherwise), but for $14.99, I’ll take it!

I’ve been seeing spoilers on Instagram for next month’s box, and I’m already getting excited! My July box came later in the month than usual, but at least it came! Hopefully things go back to normal in August.

What goodies did you get in your beauty subscription(s) this month? Anything you recommend?

Love,

Sarah xoxo

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Instagram: sarah.elizabeth614 (You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)

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Yes, Oh Yas!: Get 3-7 full-size beauty products worth $65+ delivered to you each month for $14.99 + shipping. Use coupon code SARAH614 at checkout for 10% off your first box!

Yes, Oh Yas! June 2018

June 27, 2018 sarah.elizabeth614Leave a comment

Hey, y’all!

This month’s theme was “Glam Treasures,” and I got 4 full-size products. They feel so fancy, especially with that sparkly palette. Let’s jump in!

*Note: prices listed as photo captions are what I found on the respective product websites. Retail values listed below my descriptions are what was listed by Yes, Oh Yas!

Treasure Chest Eyeshadow Palette

from Mellow Cosmetics

Whenever I’m trying a new brand for the first time, I like to check out their “About” page to learn about their history and get a feel for their vibe and company culture. I loved that Mellow’s page says outright that their products are cruelty-free and vegan (I don’t feel as strongly about the vegan aspect). That makes me a lot more likely to look into other products, knowing that this holds true for everything they make. It can be frustrating when companies aren’t very forthcoming with their stance on animal testing.

Now, about this palette…it’s absolutely gorgeous! It’s mostly shimmer shades with a few mattes mixed in. The pigmentation isn’t very intense, but it’s buildable, so if you want a more subtle look for daywear, it’s easily achievable. Totally smooth application with zero fallout, and it’s so easy to blend. The glittery gold packaging is beautiful, too. I’m definitely interested in checking out some of their other products.

Retail Value: $27.99

Punk Volumizer Mascara

from Doucce Cosmetics

Full disclosure: I didn’t test this product out. I hardly ever wear mascara, and I didn’t want another tube to go to waste, so I gave it to my officemate. It’s the least I could do since she gave me a Doucce eyeshadow palette and a bunch of other cosmetics to try out. 🙂 Here’s the mascara’s description from the website:

“The jumbo brush fiber bristles are cut smaller and larger, in succession, to coat every lash, while distributing the formula evenly throughout. The lightweight and creamy formula pulls every lash upwards to create a long lasting curl without any clumping, flaking, or smudging.”

The packaging is very modern and sleek, and Doucce states on their FAQ page that they don’t do any animal testing. If I liked mascara, I’d probably be all about this one.

Retail Value: $26.99*

*A bit of a difference from the website, but not egregious.

Eyebrow Highlighter Pencil in “Ivory Lace”

from Chella Skin Care

Another cruelty-free brand that I’ve never tried before! This pencil seems very versatile. I’ve only used it as a brow highlighter; it seems you can also use it as a concealer, depending on your skin tone (and the pencil color). It comes in 4 shades, and the darker shades could be used as a bronzer, if you wanted. I don’t use it on my dark under eye circles because I prefer a liquid that’s easier to blend, but a brow bone application blended out with a smudger brush looks great! I love the fact that it’s totally matte with no shimmer at all. If the “Ivory Lace” is any indication, the color samples shown on the website are darker than real life, so keep that in mind.

Retail Value: $19.99

Pro Blush Brush

from Crown Brush

There’s literally zero description about this product on the Crown website, so I can’t tell you for sure what it’s made of, but the bristles feel synthetic to me. I like the ergonomic grooves in the handle that make it easier to hold. Other than that, there’s nothing really noteworthy about this brush. It’s denser than some of my other blush brushes. Might keep it, might give it away, haven’t decided.

Retail Value: $22.99*

*This is quite a difference from the $12 value listed on the website. There’s no indication that it’s currently on sale or anything, so I don’t really know what to make of that.

Total Package Value: $97.96*

*If you go off of the website prices, it’s $84, but for $14.99, I’ll take it!

I think one of my favorite things about Yes, Oh Yas! so far is that they send so many products from brands that aren’t super mainstream. I love discovering new brands, and I’m super excited that all of them this month are cruelty-free! (Totally assuming about the Crown brush, here.)

What fun things did you get in your beauty subscription(s) this month? Any new favs? Sharing is caring! 🙂

Love,

Sarah xoxo

If you’d like to be notified when new posts go up, please subscribe to Balanced Life Beauty.

Instagram: sarah.elizabeth614 (You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)

Twitter: @SarahLiz614 (You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)

Yes, Oh Yas!: Get 3-7 full-size beauty products worth $65+ delivered to you each month for $14.99 + shipping. Use coupon code SARAH614 at checkout for 10% off your first box!

Yes, Oh Yas! May 2018

May 26, 2018 sarah.elizabeth6141 Comment

Hey, y’all!

The theme for this month’s Yes, Oh Yas! box was “Miami Art Deco”. I got 5 full-size products this month, and I was pumped to try them out. This month’s products gave me total beach vibes and made me want to at least sit poolside with a fancy drink in my hand.

*Note: prices listed as photo captions are what I found on the respective product websites. Retail values listed below my descriptions are what was listed by Yes, Oh Yas!

Liquid Lipstick with LED Light

from Cosmoholic

I thought having LED lights built into the wand was really clever, and the mirror built into the tube was also smart. The color wasn’t indicated anywhere on the tube that I could find, but in looking at the website, I’m assuming the color I got was “Prudish Pink.” I’ll admit I only swatched this product; as soon as I realized it was a lip gloss consistency, I wasn’t interested. I prefer matte finish liquid lipstick; I haven’t been a fan of lip gloss since middle school. Not saying this is a bad product, just not my thing personally, so I’ll be giving this away.

If lip gloss is your thing, you should definitely check this product out. It has some ingredients that your lips will love:

Vitamins C & E–antioxidants to protect skin from environmental damage
Jojoba–moisturizes chapped lips
Macadamia Nut Oil–full of antioxidants and fatty acids that moisturize
Green Tea–more antioxidants!

This product can be worn on its own, over lipstick, or even as a blush, according to the product website.

Retail Value: $25

Havana Eyeshadow in “Playa”

from Nomad Cosmetics

This eyeshadow is absolutely gorgeous. It’s a beautiful golden shimmer that’s universally flattering, and I love that it works well as a highlighter, too! It has Papaya Seed Oil in it to nourish your skin and help the color stay vibrant. The packaging had a classy luxe feel to it, although it is a little bulky.

I didn’t experience any fallout while using this product, which is always wonderful. This is perfect for wearing to work because I can just wear it alone for a nice subtle look, but I can also use it to highlight a more dramatic look on weekends. Versatility always earns points in my book! Cruelty-free and vegan, too? Yes, please!

Retail Value: $18*

*Not sure how to explain the $6 discrepancy, but not a huge deal.

Dew Me Baked Highlighter in “Afterglow”

from Estate Cosmetics

I’m a sucker for a good highlighter, and this one is gorgeous. I was afraid this shimmery purplish pink might be a little much for wearing to work, but if I go easy on it, it’s perfect. It blends easily, isn’t glittery, and gives my cheekbones a lovely glow.

Retail Value: $12*

*Maybe that’s including sales tax?

Smearproof Eyeliner in “Charcoal”

from Sormé Cosmetics

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a liquid liner kind of girl. I like the crispness of the line and the color intensity, plus I like not having to worry about sharpening it. I gave this a shot anyway; the square shape reminded me of some professional colored pencils I’ve seen before at the art supply store.

The color is a lovely deep charcoal, and the formula is really creamy and goes on smoothly. It has Vitamins C & E to nourish skin, as well as Lecithin to prevent dryness. It’s waterproof and smearproof, which means it lasts all day. My only complaint is that it’s difficult to keep it sharpened to continually be able to draw a precise line. I don’t know if it’s the creaminess of the formula or the square shape of the pencil, but it kept breaking off as I sharpened it. I can sort of make it work, but if I want a charcoal eyeliner, I’m pretty sure I’ll find myself reaching for my liquid liner most of the time.

Retail Value: $18*

*You can’t buy directly from their website, but they direct you to third party sellers. Maybe this seller in particular just gives a better deal.

Lip Pencil in “Retro Red”

from Laritzy Cosmetics

A good red lip liner and the perfect red lipstick are two staple items in almost anyone’s makeup collection. This pencil has a nice creamy formula that applies easily. It’s pigmented enough to be worn on its own or as a base for lipstick. I don’t know if I like it better than my Clinique Quickliner in “Intense Cranberry,” but this one is brighter, so it works better for some of my brighter reds (I own 5). I don’t get to wear red lipstick that often because I try to wear more subtle shades to work, but on the weekends, anything goes!

Retail Value: $18

Total Package Value: $91*

*If you go off of website prices, it’s $76.98, but that’s still a heck of a value for $14.99!

I loved getting to try 5 new brands for the first time! Have you tried any of these products before? If not, are there any you want to try?

Hope you’re having a great weekend!

Love,

Sarah xoxo

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Instagram: sarah.elizabeth614 (You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)

Twitter: @SarahLiz614 (You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)

Yes, Oh Yas!: Get 3-7 full-size beauty products worth $65+ delivered to you each month for $14.99 + shipping. Use coupon code SARAH614 at checkout for 10% off your first box!

Yes, Oh Yas! April 2018

April 23, 2018April 23, 2018 sarah.elizabeth6142 Comments

Hey, y’all!

I was so excited to get my first Yes, Oh Yas! package this month! I got 4 full-size items– check ’em out!

*Note: prices listed as photo captions are what I found on the respective product websites. Retail values listed below my descriptions are what was listed by Yes, Oh Yas!

12 Pc. Pink Vegan Brush Set

from Crown Brushes

I’ve never tried Crown Brushes before, but I’ve heard good things. The brushes are soooooo soft, and they’re super easy to clean. The set includes:

Brow-Lash Comb Brush
Lash Brush
Smudger Brush
Pointed Liner Brush
Lip Brush
Angled Liner Brush
Deluxe Fan
Concealer Brush
Shadow Brush
Angled Shadow Brush
Blush Brush
Powder Brush

They’re not as dense as some brushes I already own, so it’s nice to have a wider variety of options. The only real detractor for me was the carrying case. It felt really cheap, and some of the compartments were already starting to tear. I’ll be keeping the brushes, but I’m probably going to toss the case or give it away, which is a shame.

Retail Value: $29.99*

*I’m a little confused about this because the insert I got in my package listed the retail value of all the items, and it said this brush set retails for $29.99. When I looked it up on the Crown Brushes website, it said it’s normally $12, but at the time of this post, it’s on sale for $8.40. $29.99 and $12 is quite a difference…

Mineral Bronzer in “Sensual”

from Bella Terra Cosmetics

The color of this bronzer is absolutely gorgeous, and it applies beautifully. It’s just too glittery for me to wear for an everyday look. I tend to gravitate more towards shimmer or matte bronzers. This would make a really lovely body bronzer on the weekends, especially with summer coming. Due to how glittery it is, I don’t think it’s something I’d repurchase, but that’s purely based on my personal preference.

Retail Value: $24.99*

*I assume this is because I received a 2g jar, while what’s listed on the Bella Terra website is a 9g jar.

Flutter Mascara in “Jet Black”

from Manna Kadar Beauty

I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m no mascara expert. I’m blessed with long thick lashes, so I don’t really need it for day-to-day life. I’ll wear a little of it when I wear my magnetic false lashes so that they have something to grip onto, but that’s really only for special occasions like weddings when I know there will be lots of photos. Otherwise, I find mascara tedious to apply and remove, and it’s my least favorite part of makeup.

I tried this mascara one day just to take it for a spin. I was concerned that it didn’t say “waterproof” anywhere on the packaging, but after a full day of work and getting a full sweat on with an aerial silks class, it didn’t flake, smudge, or run. I was pretty impressed. The hourglass applicator is interesting; it’s supposed to help you get every last lash without clumping. Not too shabby.

Retail Value: $29.99

Mechanical Eyeliner in “Gray”

from Girlactik Beauty

As I’ve said before, I’m a liquid or gel liner kind of girl. I tried this eyeliner anyway to see how I liked it. I tried it on my water line one day to see how it held up–not so much. I tried it on my lids another day; it went on smoothly and had a nice color, but it wasn’t as crisp or intense as I prefer. I ended up going over it with my Lorac Front of the Line PRO Liquid Eyeliner in “Charcoal.”

The fact that it’s angled is interesting and keeps the line uniform after multiple uses. It’s not that this isn’t a good product; it’s just not my thing.

Retail Value: $19.99

Total package value: $104.96*

*If you count the Crown Brushes based on the price listed on their website, the total comes out to $84.99. Considering the subscription is only $14.99/month + shipping, that’s still a really good bang for your buck!

I can’t wait to see what May has in store! Which of these items are you dying to get your hands on? Let me know in the comments!

Love,

Sarah xoxo

If you’d like to be notified when new posts go up, please subscribe to Balanced Life Beauty.

Instagram: sarah.elizabeth614 (You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)

Twitter: @SarahLiz614 (You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)

Yes, Oh Yas!: Get 3-7 full-size beauty products worth $65+ delivered to you each month for $14.99 + shipping. Use coupon code SARAH614 at checkout for 10% off your first box!