***JUVIA'S PLACE HAUL***

Juvia's Place Haul

Juvia's Place Haul

Juvia's Place Glycolic Acid Toner

Juvia's Place The Coffee Shop

Juvia's Place Olori I

Juvia's Place Olori II

Juvia's Place Olori III

 

*****Walgreens Haul*****

 

***ANOTHER MERCARI HAUL***

MAC Pretty Shiny Things Eyeshadow Palette

Complex Culture

Cargo Cosmetics Eyeshadow Palette

Coloured Raine Cheers to Beauty Eyeshadow Palette

Laura Geller Montauk Escape & Sunday Funday

Peachy Queen Cosmetics Eyeshadow Palette

Dominique Cosmetic Lemonade Palette

Becca Cosmetics

Urban Decay Beached

**ESSENCE LASH PRIMER OR L'OREAL VOLUMINOUS ** THIS OR THAT?

L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Primer vs Essence Volume Boost Lash Primer 

L'OREAL VOLUMINOUS LASH PRIMER

• The L'Oreal Voluminous Primer has been my go-to last primer for over 10 years, retailing at approximately $10.99 (often you can find it at your local Walgreens or Ulta for buy 2, get 1 free). Although my natural lashes are long and fluttery, I have always wanted them to be a little bit bold and more luxurious. This primer has always been both reliable and more than adequate, but over the years, as with most mascaras type products, the product begins to clump within the tube and it becomes necessary to wipe the excess product from the wand onto the edge of the tube, thereby creating an additional issue. Then, the tube begins to dry out, and the wand only picks up the clumpy dried product. It is the same for most maskara-type products, and with some brands, Too Faced's Better Than Sex comes to mind, the process of clumping and drying products happens sooner and is worst than others. And the obvious result of these issues is clumping, unattractive, dried up, useless products that which is then transferred to the very lashes you are attempting to improve. What a nightmare! With that being said, most of those who use mascara-type products, are not careful when using such products. We are either in a rush, or we are just not conscientious of the proper care of the product. Taking all of that into account, this particular product, with all its issues, is excellent for the time it stays useful. When you are careful with its use, keeping the tube tightly together, and using the product as carefully as you can, the primer lasts longer. When useful, this product extends my lashes significantly and creates the perfect primer for the right mascara. 

ESSENCE LASH PRIMER

• Now let's talk about the Essence Volume Boost Lash Primer retailing at $4.99 (often you can find it on sale at Ulta, buy 2, get 1 free, or buy 1, get 1 half off). As I said above, with any maskara type product you have to be very careful about storage, the application process, and maintaining the product's viability and usefulness. The same type of issues can and will occur as listed with the L’Oréal Voluminous with this product but there are five rather significant differences between the two products. 

1. The first difference is obviously the exposure of L’Oréal versus Essence as a brand. L’Oréal is a major world-renowned brand that has the type of recognition that every makeup brand dreams about. It is in every major beauty market throughout the world, is accessible anywhere makeup is sold, and has a long-standing reputation for innovation and excellence. Essence is owned by Cosnova Beauty, a brand from Germany. It appears as though, through my research, the company has only existed for approximately 20 years, landing in the States over a period of time. Not well known, in turn, not as highly regarded and that’s that. 

2. Quality and presentation make everlasting impacts on consumers. L’Oréal produces companies that adorn magazine covers, billboards, merchant websites, and the like. The same cannot be said of Essence because it just simply does not have the media power, consumer base, and financing to create major campaigns. 

3. The smaller consumer markets, teens, young adults, and those that follow indie brands are more likely to give a brand like Essence a try based on affordability and product market placing which appeal to these consumers like Ulta Beauty. If you are new to the world of makeup, you might tend to lean towards a smaller brand with a better price. If you are happy with the product, you’re more likely to continue to buy from the brand, especially if the alternative comes at a higher financial cost. 

4. Besides the price difference, there is the product amount in each mascara primer, with L’Oréal having .84 fl oz per tube and Essence only having .23 fl oz. Yes, you pay more for the L'Oreal but you also receive nearly 4 times the amount of the product. With that being said, Essence Volume Boost Lash Primer is cheaper in price but is reflected in the amount of product. So once you decide which, primer you prefer you actually come out virtually even in terms of the ratio of product versus price.

5. The last difference just comes down to personal preference. After using Voluminous Primer for well over 10 years, once I came upon the Essence Volume Boost, I became an instant fan. I found that there was less clumping, the application to my lashes was smoother, and elongating my lashes was just as effective with Essence as with L'Oreal. Yes, I get fewer products, but the price is comparable, and with Ulta's consistent promotions of buy1, get 1 free, the financial plus makes the decision easier. I still love my L'Oreal Voluminous Primer, but I would say that Essence is just as fantastic and more affordable. 

MY CHOICE

ESSENCE 

***BOXY CHARM & IPSY???*** DISCONTINUED SUBSCRIPTION AND WHY?

BOCYCHARM & IPSY

REVIEW

FIVE REASONS I DISCONTINUED MY SUBSCRIPTION

• CONFUSING WEBSITE

The Boxycharm Ipsy buyout has been one of the worst ideas that the subscription service could have done. The first issue I find is how ridiculously confusing the website is. It is extremely difficult to navigate, specifically for former Boxycharm exclusive users. 

• UNCLEAR SERVICES

As a former Boxycharm subscriber for many years, the merger makes it difficult to understand what is offered by Ipsy/Boxycharm. There are too many different tabs to click and it takes entirely too much time to figure out what the hell services are being offered. You have the Ipsy Refreshments, the Ipsy Glam Bags, and the Boxycharm Box, and each service has different levels, different dates of disbursement, and different dates of services charged. Making things simple is always the way to go when dealing with a merger or buyout. 

• PRODUCT QUALITY & SELECTION

When Boxycharm was in an independent company, the product quality & selection was was outstanding compared to the current items received in the boxes offered under Ipsy's thumb. My first Boxycharm/Ipsy was disappointing, but I thought that perhaps the company was just "getting its act together". So I gave them a "pass," so to speak. But by the third box, my disappointment in the quality and selection was solidified. Trying new products from different companies is part of the allure of all subscription boxes, but the companies and products featured are subpar at best.  Sure, everyone likes to try a new and exciting brand, a hidden jewel in the industry, but I for one, am not interested in completely unheard and unrecognizable brands, or the leftover surplus stock from a brand that couldn't get rid of their product. I also am a heavy "Indie" brand user. There's not enough Indie brand representation. And the Eyeshadow owner's selection is leaving much to be desired. 

• EYESHADOW PALETTE SELECTION

Where is the Eyeshadow Palette, please! Let's get real. Most subscribers are here for the eyeshadow palettes, a really good face palette, or a badass blush or highlighter. Is that what this new "revitalize" Boxycharm Box offers? Nope. Not at all. 

• CONFUSING  PRICE STRUCTURE

Ok, so wait, how much does everything cost? And what exactly box or Glam bag or whatever am I getting, what's supposed to be included and how much does whatever I just signed up for cost? And when do I get charged for whatever I signed up for? It's so vague and misleading thatbi rather not endure trying to figure all of it out.