Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Birchbox product reviews

It hasn't come yet...
But they uploaded what I'm getting this month.

I'm excited to try the eyeko, the facial moisterizer with spf50, and the stainiac (though I wish it was less toxic, I don't like the idea of eating the crap)

I'm completely repulsed by tanners and bronzers. They make you look old! Maybe I just spent too much time around overly tanned people, but it makes your skin look nasty. I might try it but I don't want to be orange, worse than looking old.


It may be better than any box I've gotten in the last 6 months. I've had a real bad run on my boxes. I've hated most of them. If I didn't have a year subscription I would have canceled it by now.

JUNE 2012 Pre review-I'll have to update once I get the actual products.

John Varvatos Star U.S.A. 1.7 oz
Lame since they already sent this to my man in his birchbox man (which they should know...) Also fragrances give me migraines, I wish I could opt out of them.

tili Bags Small Collection 1
It looks like a ziploc, maybe it will be nicer in person?

Eyeko Fat Eye Stick
maybe cool, I hope it doesn't wear off in 5 minutes like most of these eye sticks do, we shall see!

Likewise Facial Moisturizer + Sun Protectant SPF 50 Normal To ...
I'm looking for a good face spf 50 so I hope this works. Most of them give me acne.

Comodynes Self-Tanning Intensive
uh, yeah no. Seriously, please let me opt out of the tanners and bronzers. yuck.

theBalm® cosmetics Stainiac
Maybe this will be cool? though I'm concerned about the nasty ingredients. I like products like Korres because they have safe ingredients and I don't worry about ingesting it.

MAY 2012

Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25+
This seemed nice, except it has hyaluronic acid. I'm allergic to it as it's cross reactive to eggs. I can only think other people must have this issue with it. It should have come with an allergy warning!

Color Club® Foil Collection
Chipped within an hour. boo!

Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm
Didn't seem to do anything.

Ojon volume advance™ Volumizing Shampoo
Did not add volume, not as good as my regular shampoo which is sls free.

APRIL 2012

Alima Pure™ Organic Nourishing Lip Balm
Ug peppermint. The smell makes me want to puke. I really wish it didn't have the peppermint as it seems like it would have been cool without it.

Jurlique Moisture Replenishing Day Cream
This was nice but not remarkable. But organic without scary ingredients.

Wonderstruck Taylor Swift 3.4 oz
I hate fragrances! They give me migraines!

J.R. Watkins Hand Cuticle Salve
I wanted to like this, but it didn't seem to do much. But hey organic!

Dropps Laundry Detergent
I like my regular sls free detergent better- Ecos Lemongrass laundry detergent.

MARCH 2012

boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens
I have oily skin, but constantly blotting my skin isn't effective. 3 minutes later I'm oily again, what's the point? Mac Studio Fix foundation works better.

Kusmi Tea Paris - I Love My Detox Tea
"Sourced from China" yeah no thanks. I don't trust food from China since my cat was poisoned by Melamine. He never quite got back to his old self and died last year. :(

Oscar Blandi Pronto Wet Instant Volumizing Shampoo
Oscar Blandi Pronto Wet Instant Volumizing Conditioner

This SHIT FUCKED MY HAIR! It stripped all the color out, and it was all dry and damaged. I was so pissed I had to recolor my hair after. Avoid this crap. I complained to birchbox but they didn't even bother to reply.

AHAVA Essential Day Moisturizer - Normal to Dry Skin
It's not bad, but I don't care for the scent.

TALIKA Lipocils Expert
I have long lashes already, so it's sort of a silly product for me. I don't want longer lashes!

FEBRUARY 2012

Exude Lipstick
I wanted to like it, but it was so strongly scented with peppermint it made me nauseous.

Eye Rock Designer Liner
I tried to put these on, and honestly it's easier to use eyeliner. I think their more complicated designs would be cool though. Like the lace.

LA FRESH® Eco Beauty Acetone-Free Nail Polish Remover
I liked it until I read more about the ingredients

BLK DNM Perfume 11
Smelled nice, but fragrance gives me migraines.

JANUARY 2012

Juicy Couture - Juicy Couture - 3.4 oz
I hate this brand, and I hate fragrance.

stila smudge stick waterproof eye liner
I love stila's products, good wear, high pigments... but I'm allergic to them. Sad. I gave this to my friend.

BORGHESE CuraForte Moisture Intensifier

Another product with Hyaluronic acid. Seriously these should have allergy warning labels.

C.O. Bigelow Lavender & Peppermint Shampoo
C.O. Bigelow Lavender & Peppermint Conditioner
Ug peppermint. My boyfriend was excited though.

’wichcraft Granola
Might have been interesting if there was even a spoonful!


DECEMBER 2011

Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss
This smells like some lip gloss I had in 8th grade. Plus parabens.
Harvey Prince Ageless - Pink Grapefruit - 100ml
yuck more fragrance

Orofluido Elixir
I wanted to like this. And initially I did, but after about 30 minutes the smell was so strong I got a migraine. I ended up washing it off. I liked the scent, it was just way too strong.

Showstoppers® Designer Fashion Tape in Nude/Black
Non-latex! I don't tend to wear anything I need to use these for but I'll keep them in mind.

Benefit The POREfessional
I was totally excited about this, but it didn't seem to do anything. And it has a lot of dimethecone in it.

EBOOST Orange Natural Energy Booster
Yuck Stevia is disgusting.


NOVEMBER 2011

LaROCCA Champagne and Shimmer Supreme Creme
Makes you look shiny and greasy. Perhaps I'm oversensitive to this because I have oily skin. I don't care for the shiny look.

Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensée Cologne Absolue
More fragrance, gives me migraines.

Two Paperdolls Coasters
As a letterpress printer, I don't appreciate the deep impression. I'm old school. plus I could print my own! Still an ok extra

BORGHESE Fango Active Mud Face & Body - 17.6 oz
Hyaluronic Acid, again I'm allergic, as is anyone allergic to eggs.

Zoya Gems Jewels Collection
I got Izzy! I LOVE IT!! It didn't chip until day two. It's like a miracle! I'm now a regular zoya customer. Here's a link to Izzy. If you click on it you get a coupon for a FREE Bottle of Zoya Nail Polish will automatically be placed in their account and can be used immediately on their current order. TIP: If you use this coupon and add 2 more polishes to your order, you get free shipping too! The coupon will appear in the "My Coupons/ Promos" section of their "My Account" Page.


OCTOBER 2011

stila eyeshadow pans in compact
I got 24 carat gold. It's not a good color for my fair/olive skin. Though it might be nice for some. And I'm allergic to is.

Korres Body Butter
Love! It smells great! Plus nothing creepy in the ingredients! It's a little pricey.

blinc Mascara
I wanted to like it, but it flakes off.

The Laundress Delicate Wash
I don't really have anything delicate to wash.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Cell Renewal Night Cream
Smells heavenly! Wildly expensive.


SEPTEMBER 2011

colorescience pro® sunforgettable® Mineral Sun Protection Po...
Wow this was way way way too dark for me I have fair olive skin, and I got a very dark color. It's a bummer as I would have liked to try it. It's so dark it's too dark to even use as blush!

Incoco® Nail Polish Appliqué
This is the best polish ever! I love it. If you put a top coat like Zoya Armor Top Coat every other day, it should look great for a couple weeks. (though the tips may wear a bit, but no chipping!)

Jouer Lip Enhancer

I didn't enjoy the feel of this product. Or the scent. It has that same 8th grade lip gloss scent that their lip gloss has.

Truth Art Beauty Face Nourish - Birchbox Blend
It's nice, I use a couple drops in my bath water.

AUGUST 2011

WEI™ Tibetan Chrysanthemum correcting eye treatment pads
Peppermint-yuck. Also parabens.

blinc Eyeliner in Black
I wanted to like this but it didn't seem to work with my oily skin. It peeled off in spots after a couple hours.

Carol's Daughter® Monoi Repairing Hair Mask
This was a bit to heavy for my thin fine hair. But the smell is nice. I got their regular conditioner instead and it's great. Plus no nasty ingredients

Pangea Organics Cleanser for Oily to Combination Skin
I broke out after using this..I'm not sure if there was a connection. But my skin felt nice after I used it, and it's all natural ingredients.

Twistband Hair Tie
If only I had hair to tie! haha


JULY 2011

Redken shine flash 02 glistening mist
Made my heir look greasy. I don't need help with that since it does that on it's own.

philosophy® purity made simple™ one-step facial cleanser -...
It was ok but not remarkable.

Zoya Touch Collection
I got pandora, which chipped immediately, also it's the color of a dirty bandaid, not a winner for this line. I do like many of their other colors, particularly Izzy and Trixie which don't chip.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse® / Multi-Usage Dry Oil (100ml)
It's ok, but a little greasy.

JUNE 2011

amika Obliphica Hair Treatment
It was a little heavy for my hair, plus dimethicone.

kate spade new york Twirl - 3.4 fl oz
Smells nasty, and I hate fragrance.

Dr. Dennis Gross Powerful Sun Protection SPF 30 Towelettes
I kept this in my purse and used it when I forgot my sunblock.

Pangea Organics Toner for Normal to Combination Skin
I think I don't understand what toner does. I guess it's refreshing?

Laura Geller Baked Blush-n-Brighten
Ugh. What an awful color! It's completely wrong for my fair olive skin. Awful. The texture was weird too. But it was a full size product so it's a bummer I didn't like it. It was definitely a generous sample. If only the color had been lighter and less orangey pink.


MAY 2011

Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint
Duplicate. boo! If by luminizing you mean, makes you shiny and greasy looking. Not for me. Maybe someone with dry skin would be ok with it?

Archipelago Pomegranate Gift Set
The soap was nicely scented.

BVLGARI Mon Jasmin Noir
Nice scent, but gives me a migraine.

Erno Laszlo TranspHuse Night Serum
Didn't seem to do much.


APRIL 2011

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Full Strength
Great stuff. Smells yummy too!

Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Facial Lotion
I wanted to like it but I'm allergic to something in it. bummer! It seems like a really good brand.

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair Eye Treatment
Didn't seem to do much. But I like this brand.

Zoya Intimate Nail Polish Collection
I got Caitlin. It was my first zoya product. Sadly it chipped within an hour, and I was very disappointed. I'm happy that I eventually got Izzy which is great.

LIV GRN C2C Fragrance Collection in Earth
I was hopeful it wouldn't give me a migraine, but it did. And it wasn't really a great scent.


MARCH 2011

AHAVA Revival Bath Salt in Mandarin-Cedarwood
Smells great! They unfortunately don't carry it on birchbox anymore. And it's rather pricy.

Marvis Classic Mint Toothpaste
Yuck mint! I don't use toothpaste because it's all yucky mint.

AHAVA Dermud Enriched Intensive Foot Cream
Not bad.

Pangea Organics Lip Balm
Loved it! I wish it had a tint.

Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil
I tried this without reading the ingredients. The color was not good for me. And I was allergic so I had sore eyes. Hyaluronic Acid, again.


FEBRUARY 2011

NARS Orgasm Illuminator
I was excited to get this. But it just makes me look shiny and greasy. And it didn't stay on very long. Disappointing for a Nars product.

Befine Exfoliating Cleanser
I like this, and my skin feels soft afterwards. Plus no scary ingredients.

bareMinerals Flawless Definition Volumizing Mascara
I'm not allergic to it. It's ok, but I need a curling mascara and this doesn't do that. Otherwise good.

sweetriot Dark Chocolate Covered Cacao Nibs
Chocolate! Yum!

JANUARY 2011

myfaceworks 'i need to be firm' Sheet Masks
Hyaluronic Acid, again I'm allergic, as is anyone allergic to eggs.

AHAVA Dermud Hand Cream
It feels nice but I don't enjoy the scent.

Zhena's Gypsy Tea Coconut Chai Black Tea
I couldn't drink the black tea, but they sent me the red chai instead and it's great!

Oscar Blandi Olio di Jasmine Hair Serum
It was too scented, and too heavy for my hair.

DECEMBER 2010

Serge Lutens L'Eau Fragrance
Gah! this was strong and nasty smelling! Migraine! I didn't even put it on!

Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint
If by luminizing you mean, makes you shiny and greasy looking. Not for me. Maybe someone with dry skin would be ok with it?

blowPro Heat is On Protective Styling Mist
It's ok... but I'm not sure how much it does.

NOVEMBER 2010

NARS The Multiple in South Beach
It's ok, but it's a little shiny. Also it disappears quickly. Definitely not an all day product. Did not meet my expectations for a Nars product.

Too Faced Primed and Poreless Face Primer
It was ok. But it wasn't poreless.

Herban Essentials Towelettes
Nice to carry in your purse, pleasant scent. A little pricy.

Benefit So Hooked on Carmella Fragrance
Benefit Lookin’ to Rock Rita Fragrance
Benefit Garden of Good and Eva
I had hoped it wouldn't give me a migraine. But it did.

Hair Bungees
If only I had hair to tie back!


OCTOBER 2010


Laura Mercier Lip Glacé in Opal
Not really my color.

Perricone MD Cold Plasma Face Cream
Hyaluronic Acid, again I'm allergic, as is anyone allergic to eggs.

reBloom
Didn't help me sleep.

Deborah Lippmann Stripper To Go
They work. But they stink like any other acetone polish remover.


So that's my big run down on my birchboxes. I got a few more before this but they've dropped of the history and I don't remember what they were.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Mascara!

For most of my life I didn't wear mascara, preferring instead a dark liner. The problem was that when I used mascara, it would make my lashes fall out. Of course they fell out directly into my eye. The other downside as a teenager, I wore glasses. I have extremely long lashes that are really straight, so my lashes actually touched the lenses of my glasses. With mascara, that meant black streaks on my glasses. So not attractive!

In the last ten years I've started wearing mascara. It started with Shu Uemura Purple Mascara Given to my by my best friend. I wore that occasionally.

I was also convinced by a Mac sales clerk to try their pro lash mascara But it was mostly just clumpy. My eyelashes were still straight and that means they don't look better. I didn't love it.

But then the newer curling mascaras came out. And they are awesome! Since I already have very long lashes, the appeal of making them longer isn't all that exciting. But to curl them is brilliant!

I'd tried eyelash curlers, including the famed Shu Uemura one also given to me by the same friend. But not even a hint of curl would happen.

Disappointingly most of the "curling" mascaras still left my lashes pretty straight. And then they started making my eyes itch.

My next pick was YSL faux cils volume effect Mascara It didn't make my eyes itch, and it comes in several nice colors. I love the plum.

I got a birchbox sample of Sephora lash plumper mascara More like lash clumper! And it made my eyes itch.

I joined Birchbox and got a couple more samples.

First up I got the new Blinc Mascara. It does in fact not smudge or run. But it does peel. I kept getting little flakey bits on my cheeks. Bummer. It didn't make my eyes itch.

Next I got a sample of Bare Minerals Flawless Definition Volumizing mascara. Which was ok, it didn't make my eyes itch and it didn't clump. But it also didn't curl my lashes. So it was my go to for a while. Plus it's paraben free which it great!

A clearance on Korres makeup at my local Sephora provided my next endevor Korres pro-vitamin mascara It gives my lashes a little better color, and more curl than the Bare Minerals brand.

My lastest discovery is Diorshow Maximizer base mascara. It's a win! It curls my lashes, and makes them longer. It's not clumply like some of those fiber base mascaras, nor does it make your lashes clumpy. It adds a nice curl and it actually makes my lashes about an 1/8 of an inch longer. (not that they need to be longer!)

So in the end I tend to wear just the Korres for a quick darkening of my lashes when I'm not wearing a lot of makeup.

If I'm going out I wear the diorshow base with the YSL faux cils usually in plum, but sometimes in black.

If I'm going all out, I also add a pair of the Paperself eyelashes, my favorite are the deer and butterfly, but I also have the Under the sea ones, and the zebra ones. I love them! They look big but I trim them into 3 and wear them just at the corner of my eyes. They're pretty sturdy and lightweight. LOVE them!

I'm hoping I'll get a sample of the new Diorshow Extase now that Birchbox has it.

A girl can dream anyway!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

eyelashes for those of us with latex allergies!

Now we have some options!!

Revlon fantasy lengths has a latex free adhesive strip. For me they look pretty natural, I got the intensifying. at your local pharmacy for $6


Make Up For Ever faux eyelashes. These come with a latex free glue! They do not sell the glue separately. They have lots of interesting styles! I got No. 133 Eva, purple spikes... The band is really thick, I feel as a novice, these will be hard to get in place.
$15 limited selection in stores, or more online at sephora.com


Urban Decay Urban Lash also comes with a latex free glue! They do not sell the glue separately. They have lots of interesting styles! $15 online only at sephora.com or online at urbandecay.com coming to Macy's soon I'm told. I haven't tried these so I have no comment on them yet. But they look similar to the make up for ever ones.


Urban Decay Rocks also come with the same latex free lash adhesive. It looks like it's a bigger bottle but I can't be sure.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Mission Bazaar December 6th & 7th

It is looking like I'll be at the Mission Bazaar on December 6th and 7th with a couple of my friends! So exciting! It will be at the Mission Armory Community Center located at 1800 Mission Street, San Francisco.

I'm busily making exciting new things to sell. I'm not sure exactly what to expect since this will be my first show. Hopefully I'll see some of you there!



trollop.com/shop and trollop.etsy.com to see what you can expect!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Hi there!

I'm having a Black Friday special in my etsy shop!
trollop.etsy.com

Friday November 28th to Monday December 1st - Free shipping for all purchases over $15.00, and free gift wrapping!








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Sunday, November 9, 2008



Either 70s rock star or comic book hero?

I don't think that's Tim Gunn approved.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

grown up goth lip gloss




YSL Gloss Pur Black


Its even blacker than you might imagine! Glossy shine with no sparkles.




When I first applied it It looked great. It has a fruity mango scent. Nice texture on the lip.

After about an hour by itself (not over a lip pencil or a lipstick) it does start to migrate to the edge of the lip which is not an ideal thing. I'll try it again tomorrow with lipstick and lip pencils and see how that goes.