BeautyCon Box Summer 2016

If you read my blog you may have noticed that I have been taking a break from subscription boxes lately. I just haven't seen anything that has caught my eye recently until now. 

The BeautyCon Box is a seasonal beauty and lifestyle subscription box curated by the most in demand influencers. Each season you will receive a box filled with over $100 in products. 

This box is priced at $29 seasonally or $99 annually. 

I had been eyeing this subscription for a while now and finally took the plunge while I was at the BeautyCon LA festival. 

The Curator for the Summer 2016 box is Kandee Johnson!

Kandee Johnson is more than just a makeup guru, she is a beauty connoisseur. She is an Angeleno from the suburbs of Los Angeles who has made a colorful imprint on the beauty world. Kandee is a master makeup pioneer and one of the true originators of the YouTube beauty space.

Here are the contents of the Summer 2016 box:

1) Benzac Acne Solutions Blemish Clearing Hydrator

     $7.49
2) Cover FX Contour Brush
     $38.00

3) Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Daily Moisturizer
     $14.99

4) Neutrogena Ultra Light Cleansing Oil
     $8.99
5) NYX Ombre Lip Duo
     $ 12.00

6) NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil
    $4 .50

7) Redken Fashion Waves Sea Salt Spray
    $19.50
8) Smashbox Brow Tech Shaping Powder
     $25.00
9) Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara (Deluxe Sample Size)
     $12.00 
10) La Fresh Personal Care Wipes (2 Wipes)
       $1.00 
11) VersaSpa Face Moisturizing Gradual Tanner (Deluxe Sample Size)
      $8.75
12) The Edit by Seventeen 15% Off Promo Card

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $152.22

* I am not the biggest fan of promo codes in boxes since you have to spend money to use them. I tend to not add promo code values to the boxes retail value unless the code can be used like a gift card. With that being said, I think the Summer 2016 BeautyCon Box is a hit. The box contained mostly full size items and was a nice mix of both high end and drugstore products. I have had my box for about 2 weeks now and have been happily playing around with all my new products. I am very glad that I signed up for the annual subscription and can't wait to see what the Fall box will contain. 

If you are interested in subscribing to the BeautyCon Box, click the link: BeautyCon.com

L’Oréal to Purchase IT Cosmetics for $1.2 Billion

L'Oreal's Brand Portfolio

L’Oréal, the well known beauty empire, is acquiring IT Cosmetics, the fast-growing beauty brand built by Jamie Kern Lima, for $1.2 billion.

The brand has been projected by industry sources to be on track to do $400 million in retail sales for 2016.  L’Oréal expects IT Cosmetics’ focus on a more natural look to complement its colorful and on-trend Urban Decay line, which was acquired in 2012.

Although Loreal has strong sales in Sephora and Ulta, they haven't been able to attract QVC customers. This deal will give L’Oréal access to QVC, one of IT Cosmetics’ primary distribution channels. Jamie was able to create a great relationship with QVC and thier customers because of her charismatic spokesperson personality. 

IT Cosmetics makes more than 300 beauty products, focusing on color cosmetics, brushes, tools, and most recently, skin care, which the company launched earlier this year. On QVC, Lima is known to remove her makeup to show the rosacea that prompted her to start the business in the first place – and then reapply her cosmetics live on television.

IT Cosmetics founder Jamie Kern Lima

“When we starting having success as a brand is when real women started spreading our authentic brand mission and DNA,” Lima said. “When women find a product that actually truly works for them, they tell people. They spread the word. It was real women getting real results — that’s what kept our company alive in the early years.”

TSG Consumer Partners acquired a minority stake of It Cosmetics in 2012, followed by Guthy Renker in 2013.  Loreal paid each company a hefty return to acquire these shares. 

IT Cosmetics’s sales projections for the year indicate 30 percent year-over-year growth. The brand will be part of Loreals Luxe Disvision, and will continue to operate out of its New Jersey headquarters under the current leadership team. 

“The biggest thing that I’m most excited about is utilizing L’Oréal ’s global infrastructure to really take our mission to a whole new level so much quicker and so much bigger than we could on our own,” Lima said.

“IT Cosmetics will perfectly complement the L’Oréal Luxe’s brand portfolio to satisfy the rising demand for make-up as well as hybrid skincare,” said Nicolas Hieronimus, president L’Oréal selective divisions. “The brand has earned the devotion of its highly engaged consumers and we see potential for significant growth in the years to come,” said Freedéric Rozé, president and chief executive officer of L’Oréal USA.

IT Cosmetics is the latest acquisition in L’Oréal ‘s recent deal spree. In June, L’Oréal signed an agreement to buy Atelier Cologne.

Source

Julep ULTAmate Fuschia

A few weeks back I posted about ULTA adding Julep into their brand roster. ULTA.com is already carrying some new beauty products from the company. As part of this new partnership Julep has created a new nail polish color exclusively for ULTA with help from Ultamate Rewards members.

I present to you ULTAmate Fuschia!

This shade is a mix of bold and timeless, the perfect shade for all seasons. If you are new to Julep, their nail polish is 5-free and vegan- friendly. Julep steers clear of formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, DBP, camphor, and animal ingredients or byproducts.

I am already a huge fan of Julep nail polish. I have been a Julep Maven for over 3 years now. I was able to snag this polish for free since I am a ULTA Platinum member. First off, I absolutely love this color. It reminds me of the very first Julep nail polish color I ever received called Eva. Second, this polish applied beautifully. It was smooth, opaque after one coat, and dried very quickly. I am excited to add this new shade to my polish collection.

* If you would like to pick up your own Julep Polish in ULTAmate Fuschia it is currently available online for $14 at ULTA. Click the link for more details: ULTA, More Julep Goodies

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Kiss & Blush Cream Cheek & Lip Palette

What it is:
A universally flattering, creamy cheek and lip palette, that will help you achieve a dreamy, natural-looking flush. 

This Palette Contains the Following Colors:

• smooch (pink)
• peck (nude)
• butterflies (mauve)
• saucy (berry)
• tickled (peach)
• cloud 9 (pearl highlight)

Swatches:

Colors from L-R: Smooch, Peck, Butterflies, Saucy, Tickled, Cloud 9

Verdict: If you've read my blog before then you already know that I am a huge fan of cream blushes. I love how they sit on my skin and they are great for layering under powder blushes. That's why when I saw this new cheek & lip palette from Tarte I just had to have it. The colors are highly pigmented and have great staying power. Peck, Butterflies, and Tickled are gorgeous as blushes and the highlight color is on point. The only thing I have to note is that Saucy stains, I would suggest using this color more for your lips than your cheeks. Overall this is an awesome palette and I am very excited to add it to my cheek repertoire. 

* If you would like to pick up your own Tarte Cheek & Lip Palette it is currently available online for $42 at Sephora and Tarte Cosmetics. Click the links for more details: Sephora, Tarte Cosmetics

Kylie Cosmetics Escapes an ‘F’ Rating From the BBB

Recently, the Better Business Bureau decided to change the “F” rating they had given Kylie Cosmetics to a “No Rating.” According to a post on Kylie Cosmetics Instagram account, the grade was changed after fans of the brand disagreed with the poor rating. Kylie Jenner also stated, “I’ve sold millions of lip kits and any complaint we have received to date has been addressed in a timely manner. I’m sick and tired of people coming for my business. I love everything about Kylie Cosmetics and I will do anything in my power to protect and improve it every day.”

The Better Business Bureau reported that 134 complaints had been recorded against Kylie Cosmetics, 70 involved delivery issues and 55 involved issues with a product or service. Also 6 out of 7 customer reviews on the brands website are negative. In an investigation done by the BBB, Kylie Cosmetics claimed that their packages were being vandalized or stolen because they were highly recognizable. The BBB revealed that they were working with the brand to help them resolve their issues and that a new grade would be given once the review was complete.

Despite the troubles that Kylie Cosmetics has seen, the company doesn’t appear to be slowing down. The company’s products are still in high demand and sell out quickly online. Recently, Kylie Jenner also mentioned that a brick and mortar store was in the works. If Kylie Cosmetics can address their issues and put customers first the future will be bright for this ever expanding beauty brand. 
Source

Too Faced Totally Cute Eyeshadow Palette

I can tell that my bank account is going to start taking a beating soon. Every time I look online the new products for Fall 2016 are starting to pop up. Today I have a review of the Too Faced Totally Cute Eyeshadow palette which I wrote about during the Too Faced Fall 2016 reveal. 

What it is:
A limited edition palette with nine brand new highly pigmented eye shadow shades and a set of cute stickers so you can personalize your palette.

Colors from L to R:

• Double Scoop (matte vanilla malt) 
• Bunny Fu-Fu (matte pumpkin spice) 
• Chocolate Donut (matte dark brown) 
• Shooting Star (shimmering nude) 
• Clover (golden green pearl) 
• Storm Cloud (blackened peacock) 
• Unicorn (pink pearl) 
• I Love TF (bubblegum pink w/ silver sparkle) 
• MEOW! (deep amethyst) 

Eyeshadow Look Card: 

Verdict: OMG! First things first, the formula on these shadows is insanely buttery and so pigmented. I am loving the colors for the "Lucky Girl" and "Totally Cute" eye looks. (Basically, the bottom two eyeshadow rows.) These colors had the shimmery metallic eye shadow look that I have been loving lately. The colors for the "Ice Cream Cutie" eye look were good but nothing to exciting. The colors just looked splotchy but they were still usable. I think my favorite color in the entire palette has to be Storm Cloud. It is a beautiful duochrome shadow which reminds me a lot of the Makeup Geek Duochrome singles that were released a couple months back. After all of the neutral themed shadow palettes I have been purchasing lately, the Too Faced "Totally Cute" palette was a nice change of pace and the colors seem very wearable.

* If you would like to pick up your own Too Faced Totally Cute Eyeshadow Palette  it retails for $36.00 and is currently available at ULTA, Sephora, and Too Faced Cosmetics. Click the links for more details: ULTA, Sephora, Too Faced