August 2017 Sephora Play Box -- Did I Like It?

1.  KAT VON D Saint and Sinner sample pack

2.  LIVING PROOF Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo

3.  SOL DE JANEIRO Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

4.  KAT VON D Lock-It Concealer Crème #11

5.  TOO FACED Mascara Melt Off Cleansing Oil

6.  BEAUTYBLENDER beautyblender® micro.mini

I was really happy with August's box!  I already had Kat Von D's Saint and Sinner so it was nice to get a couple of spray samples that I could take with me when I travel.  Ditto with Kat Von D's Lock-It Concealer Creme.  And speaking of travel -- I am always happy to receive a deluxe sample of dry shampoo to take with me when traveling.

When I saw the tube of Sol de Janeiro's Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, I was really excited.  I had heard so many raves about it, that it was nice to be able to try it for myself. See what I thought here.  I have since bought the full size tub and body spray.

I have never tried the Mascara Melt Off Cleansing Oil; and, have, not yet, had a chance to try it.  I am looking forward to it, though.  Mascara can be one of those things that is a pain in the rear to remove.

I was impressed to receive a micro mini Beauty Blender.  I am, however, not the biggest fan of applying makeup with sponges -- even though they are all the rage now.  I loved using sponges  before great foundation and concealer brushes became available.  (Does anyone remember that sponges were always available at the drug store as well as at places like Shiseido -- for ages!)  I find it funny that they've in vogue again as if they're something new.  LOL I will probably gift this to someone who appreciates sponges.

Coco says, Ta ta for now!

July 2017 Favorites -- Jewelry, Home & More

1.  Amazon Set of 3 Deluxe Apothecary Jars: I needed to replace an apothecary jar that the cats broke. (Argh!) And I needed an apothecary jar for the shed snake skin that I ordered.  See #6

2.  HuntingtonHouse46555 (Etsy) 3 Vintage Glass Bottles 2 with Cork Lids...1 With Glass Lid...Cocaine, Opium, Laudanum:  These aren't real antiques, of course.  These are bottles that the store owner has "antiqued" and pasted antique type labels on.  Very cute!  

3.  Madonna Inn Goblets in Amethyst Luster, Black and Eggplant: My hubby and I went to the Madonna Inn, in San Luis Obispo, for our 4th Wedding Anniversary.  We had been to the Madonna Inn, about seven or eight years before; but, had my, now, stepsons in tow.  Sharing a room with two teenage boys wasn't quite what I envisioned when I dreamed of going to the Madonna Inn for the first time.  LOL!  So we decided to do it right, this time.  I really want to stay in the Love Nest room.  I have a feeling we have to book that room WAY in advance.  Anyway -- the Madonna Inn is famous for their goblets, which they have in a plethora of colors.  My hubby and I had two from our previous trip.  We got three more.  I was just in love with the Eggplant one which is a muted purple milk glass.

4.  Uusi Pagan Otherworlds Tarot:  I thought this was a beautifully done Tarot set.  In fact, I'm hoping they bring back some of the prints of some of the cards.  I'd love to hang them on my walls.

5.  Amazon Elove Jewelry Large Gothic Skull Biker Stainless Steel Men's Bracelet: I had been wanting a chunky skull bracelet for a long time.  This was an inexpensive bracelet.  I'm not willing, at this point to pay hundreds of dollars or even close to $1000 for a sterling silver one.  I wear this a lot to concerts.

6.  HereInSmallTownUSA  (Etsy) , Cruelty Free • No. 100 62" Inch HUGE Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Rattler Skin Shed:  I had been seeing pictures of shed snakeskins in apothecary jars on Instagram.  I just loved the way it looked!  I was fortunate to find a nice long rattlesnake shed.  Plus, I got a bonus small snake shed.  I waited a bit to get my apothecary jar to put it in.  I'm not afraid of snakes (not poisonous ones); but, there was something kind of oogie-wierd, for me, about pulling the snakeskin out of the bag, touching it and putting it in the jar.

7.  (From a Souvenir Shop in Pismo Beach)  Small Abalone Shell:  Before I went to San Luis Obispo, I had gotten into the idea of having a miniature altar kit for my shelf; and, even learning about some of the rituals.  I find them fascinating!  I small elegant small abalone shells in some kits.  So, when I saw this small abalone shell in the souvenir shop at Pismo Beach, I got one.

8.  Amazon FOXAS 304 Stainless Steel Skull Sugar Spoon Tea and Coffee Stirring Spoon Set of six:  I had seen these on different Instagram posts; and, had wanted to get them for a long time.  It wasn't until I ordered a certain item (which you will see in August's faves) that I decided it was time to get them.  I think they're so adorable! 

Luna says, "Ta ta for now!"

July 2017 Sephora Play Box -- Did I Like It?

1.  CLINIQUE Pep-Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser
2.  GUERLAIN Mon Guerlain
3.  TARTE  Rainforest of The Sea™ Color Splash Lipstick in Set Sail
4.  IT COSMETICS Superhero™ Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara
5.  FRESH Rose Face Mask
6.  MADAM C.J. WALKER BEAUTY CULTURE Dream Come True Wonderful Deep Conditioning Masque

I haven't used anything from the box yet.  I do know that  I love It Cosmetics Superhero mascara.  I've had full sizes of the mascara before; and, found it quite lengthening and volumizing without straightening any curl I've worked hard to put in them.  My hair is long and is prone to dryness; so, I am also curious to see if Madam C.J. Walker's Deep conditioning Masque is better than any of the moisturizing conditioners I use right now.  I may, also, try the Fresh Rose Face Mask, one of these days.  I have a difficult time remembering to use face masks.  I want to use them.  What I need to do is set them out somewhere that I can see, or else it's out of sight, out of mind.

I may give the Clinique Pep-Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser to my husband to use during travel -- if he wants to try it.  I love my Ole Henriksen cleansers too much to switch.  I will save Mon Guerlain to include with gifts for friends and family.  Same with the Tarte Rainforst of The Sea lipstick.  Ever since I've started using long wear liquid lipsticks, especially after I got my lower lip pierced (vertical labret), I just haven't been that into bullet lipsticks.

Overall, there were some items I liked in July's Sephora Play Box.  I wasn't overly thrilled with it.  An interesting note --  not everyone gets the same items in their Play Box.  I watched grav3yardgirl's  July unboxing and her items were different.  She got BOSCIA Charcoal Pore Pudding Intensive Wash-Off Treatment, MILK MAKEUP Cooling Water (Stick), BAREMINERALS GEN NUDE™ Matte Liquid Lipcolor, BRIOGEO Rosarco Milk™ Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray, IT COSMETICS Superhero™ Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara and ATELIER COLOGNE
Orange Sanguine Cologne Absolue Pure Perfume sample.

I think this may be why I wasn't overly thrilled with my box.  I watched her video and was really looking forward to trying the Milk Makeup Cooling Water stick, I knew I would like the Bareminerals Gen Nude Matte Liquid Lipcolor (vs. bullet lipstick), was curious to try that mask, would have taken the Briogeo Leave In Conditioning spray with me when travelling and I know I like Atelier Cologne's Orange Sanguine.  When I got my box, I was like, "Where's all the stuff that grave3yardgirl got?!"  I wish everyone got the same items in their box.

I've already received and opened my August 2017 Sephora Play Box, as you many know from my Brazilian Bum Bum Cream post.  A post on August's box should be coming up next week!  :

Ta ta For Now!

Our dog Sophie, looking quite contemplative.