RocksBox Review and Unboxing (Box #1)

I received a free six month membership to RocksBox from iFabbo (thanks iFabbo!) and I was super excited to get my first shipment.  I'm not great at accessorizing, so the ability to try unlimited pieces through a service like this was very intriguing.

RocksBox costs $19 a month, but it operates a bit differently than traditional subscription services.  With other subscriptions you pay the monthly fee in exchange for one box, but with RocksBox you can try as many jewelry pieces as you want!  They send you an initial box after your first payment that contains three pieces, and then you can either keep those for up to 60 days, purchase the pieces at a discounted member rate (20% off retail), or send them back for a new set.  I'm not so sure if I'll end up purchasing anything because a lot of the pieces are more expensive than what I prefer to spend on jewelry, but who knows.  The best part for me is that I can try lots of different styles during my six month membership.

I was anxious to see what my first box would contain, and even though I ended up wearing only one of the three pieces, it still was a really fun experience (and I can't wait to receive more boxes!).  The three pieces I received were:

• Druzy Studs in Black by Margaret Elizabeth, $88
• Bean Ring by Lucas Jack, $48
• Cleo's Secret Necklace by Samantha Wills, $130

I loved the necklace, but the ring and earrings weren't my style.  For a more in-depth review of the items, check out my unboxing video below.

My main question after receiving my first box was whether or not RocksBox recycled their pieces from member to member.  In their FAQ I learned that yes, they do, but each piece is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before it's sent out to another person.  I also learned that the membership fees cover insurance on the items, so any minor wear and tear will not be counted against you.  If you severely damage or lose an item, though, you will be charged for it (completely understandable).

Bottom Line: I think RocksBox is so fun!  Even though my membership is free for the time being, I still would pay the $19 a month otherwise.  I love the idea of getting jewelry surprises, even if I don't get to keep them.  Use promo code FABB for 50% off of your first three months of RocksBox by clicking here.

See more up-close photos of my jewelry after the "read more."

Green Esthetics Argan Oil and Longer Lash Review

I prefer to purchase organic and natural (really natural, not greenwashed) products whenever possible, and it can be difficult at times to find beauty and skincare that fit the bill.  Green Esthetics offers plenty of options that are Leaping Bunny certified as cruelty-free.  I got the chance to review two of their products: Longer Lash and their Argan Oil.

I'll start with Longer Lash, which is an "eyelash growth conditioning solution."  I was interested in this product because I've always disliked my short, straight lashes.  They don't curl well and if I had to choose my most disliked feature on my face, it would probably be my eyelashes (I know, it sounds really weird!).  I have only been using this product for two days, so I can't comment on how well it works at the moment, but I plan to post before and after pictures after a month of use.  A full-sized tube is 5 ml and retails for $69.95, and it promises to grow longer, thicker lashes in 4-6 weeks.  To apply, you just brush it along the top of your lash line and let it dry before applying any makeup.

I think most people are familiar with Argan Oil, and this one from Green Esthetics is certified USDA Organic.  It contains only virgin, cold-pressed argan oil and can be used on the nails, hair, and skin.  I had previously only used argan oil on my hair, so I wanted to give it a try as a facial moisturizer.  I have used oils as moisturizers in the past, but I'm not sure I would continue to use this oil.  I applied very little but it still seemed to sit on my face a bit and didn't absorb entirely, so I will continue to use this on my hair instead.  I love using argan oil in my hair because I heat style every day, and this makes it feel so smooth and soft regardless of the damage I inflict on it!  A 15 ml bottle of this oil can be purchased from Green Esthetics for $16.95.

Bottom Line: If you're looking for a line of cruelty-free products that are organic and natural, Green Esthetics offers some great options.  Along with the two products I've reviewed here, they also have teeth whitening and hair growth products available.  The only downside to their website is that their home page is in English, but some of the sub pages are in Spanish, so it makes it a bit difficult to navigate if you aren't a Spanish speaker.

*Disclaimer: I received these products from Green Esthetics for free to facilitate my review.  I was not monetarily compensated for this review and the honest opinions here are entirely my own.

Cargo Cosmetics The Mediterranean Kit Review and Swatches

I decided to finally use my $10 credit at Rue La La and treat myself to something I really love: new makeup! I had never used Cargo Cosmetics before, so when they had the Mediterranean Kit on sale for only $19 I had to snatch it up, and I'm really glad that I did!

This kit retails for $34, so the price I got it at was a steal.  I like getting kits like this, even though I don't really need them, because I like to try different types of products all at once (especially from a brand that's new to me).  Here's what the kit includes:

• Blush - Mendocino, .31 oz
• Eye Shadow Duo, .12 oz
• Better-Than-Waterproof Mascara, .33 oz
• Swimmables Waterproof Eye Pencil - Teal, .028 oz
• Lip Gloss - Morocco, .105 oz

My favorite item is definitely the Eye Shadow Duo.  The shadows themselves don't have names, but it's a great brown and gold combination inside of the pan.  My everyday makeup for work consists of those colors, which is one of the main reasons why I decided on this kit (Rue La La had a few up for sale).

I also really enjoy the Swimmables eyeliner.  I've heard a lot of great things about them, so I was excited to finally try one out for myself.  It definitely didn't disappoint - the color glides on incredibly smoothly and is nice and vibrant.  I haven't actually worn it yet, though, so I can't comment on how long it stays on for.

The Mendocino Blush is absolutely gorgeous.  At first I wasn't sure if I would like it since it's darker than what I usually use (The Balm's "Hot Mama,"), but I think it looks really flattering.  I have medium skin with yellow undertones, and the little gold flecks in the blush really make it complimentary to my tone.  I have to apply it with a light hand, though, because it is very pigmented.

As far as the Better-Than-Waterproof Mascara and the Morocco Lip Gloss, I could take them or leave them.  The lip gloss is actually a really beautiful shade and I do enjoy it, I just don't get too excited about lip glosses in general.  This one has a nice formula and doesn't feel sticky at all, which is nice.  The mascara is probably my least favorite item.  I'm picky about my mascaras, and this one doesn't really do much for my lashes.  They're on the short side and tend to stick straight out, thanks to my Korean genes, so I need a mascara that adds more volume and length.

Bottom Line: I am so happy with this kit!  All of the color products are wonderfully pigmented and really great quality.  I would definitely recommend them to everyone.  The cosmetic bag it all came in is an added bonus, and I adore the little dolphin charm on the zipper (you can see it clearly in the first photo of this post).

Check out more photos of the packaging behind the "read more."

700 Followers Giveaway! [CLOSED]

It's been a while since I hosted a non-sponsored giveaway, so I'm holding one now to celebrate reaching 700 followers on Google Friend Connect!  Thank you to everyone who visits my blog; I hope that you find my reviews helpful and entertaining.

Some of these prizes I purchased myself, others were received through sampling programs or were sent in exchange for FreeBeautyEvents.com posts.  Regardless of how I received them, they are all unopened and unused.  Not all of these brands are cruelty-free, but most of them are.  Those that aren't are noted with an asterisk below.  All of the retail values are approximate.  The prize package contains:

• imPRESS Press-On Manicure by Broadway Nails, $8
• Sal Black Olive Botanical Mineral Bath Salts by Verdura Botanica, $4
• Organic Vanilla Mint Lip Moisture Balm by Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques, $1.40
• *The Stuff That Cupid Dips His Arrows In by Not Soap Radio, $1.60
• Paris Amour Travel-Sized Body Wash by Bath & Body Works, $5
• Lift & Resculpt Serum XK by Dr. Lewinn by Kinerase, $35
• *Liquid Lip Shine in Nude York City by NYC New York Color, $2.49
• Lip Shimmer in Fig by Burt's Bees, $5
• Blush X3 Mineral Color in Desert Rose by Ferro Cosmetics, $17
• Rosette Necklace by Seek First, $15
• Lemon Body Wash by Dr. Hauschka, $.96
• Ultimate Hydration by Mustela, $24
• RevitaShape Anti-Cellulite Cream, $89.95

I only have one mandatory entry for this giveaway, and that is to be a follower of this blog on Google Friend Connect (it is a follower giveaway, after all).  All other entries are optional.  Enter using the Rafflecopter form after the "read more."

March Little Black Bag Review

Ah, I've been so lazy about posting recently!  Sorry about that.  I had filmed an unboxing video for this Little Black Bag but I didn't like how it turned out and I didn't end up filming another, so a regular blog post will have to do.

The items I received in my March bag were excellent and this has been my favorite bag yet.  Trading went really well and I was able to amass a total of five items, not including the two bonus products I got.  The above photo is of my smaller items; my main item was the Pink Cosmo Studded Barrel Satchel ($65).  It's the item that I opened with and I intended to break it down into a multi offer (which I did), but in the end I ended up trading for it again because it was really the only bag I wanted at the time.

I love this purse.  It's pretty big--I imagined it would be the same size as the Street Level Basic Satchel I had gotten in my second January bag, but it's wider and longer.  They had it available in a bunch of colors and I know the light blue one was pretty popular, but I love black bags and this one is perfect for me.  I'm not too big into the studs trend, but I liked this one because the studs aren't too crazy.  The faux leather is also really soft and I like how it's got those marks in it (I don't really know how to describe them, but you can see them best on the left side of the purse in the photo above) because it makes it look more like real leather.  Overall, the bag seems really well made.  I just hope none of the studs fall off, because I know that's been a problem with other Pink Cosmo bags.

The other items I received were:

• 'ZAD Owl Stud Earrings ($16) - These are so cute!  I really like owls, and birds in general, but I wasn't sure if I was going to like these since they seem a bit more appropriate for a younger girl.  I think I can still pull them off, though, because they're nice and small.  My favorite part is that the eyes are made of pink rhinestones (you can see them better in the photos after the "read more").
• Danielle Nicole Davina Mini Crossbody ($28) - This is the perfect little crossbody!  I was really excited to get two bags in one LBB because it was the first time I've been able to do so.  I know it only retailed for $28 and it isn't as big of a deal as getting two $80 purses, but I'm still really happy with it.  It's definitely small and not very wide, but I'm going to use it over the summer for when I go to festivals, the zoo, etc.  It's got enough room for my phone (iPhone), some chapstick, and my cards and cash (which I'll put in my Vera Bradley zip ID case).
• Flea Market Girl Key Rope Bracelet ($12) - I love this bracelet!  It's cute and dainty, which is my favorite type of jewelry.  I got it on my last day of trading and was unsure about it because I was afraid the rope would be too thick, but it's perfect.  The rope is super soft and the charm is adorable.  It works well for layering.
• All The Rage Stone Collar Drop Necklace ($22) - I stepped outside of my comfort zone with this one and I'm so glad I did.  I think this necklace is so pretty, and a good first foray into statement jewelry for a person like me.  I've only recently gotten into experimenting with accessories, and I like that this is versatile enough to wear to work or just out to lunch.  I know it kind of looks like a bra in the photo above, but when I'm wearing it I don't think it conjures up that imagery as much.
• FusionBeauty Illumifill Line Filling Luminizer (bonus item) - Everyone who opened a bag in the beginning of March got one of these.  It's a full-sized item and retails for $49, but I can't imagine ever paying that much for it.  I tried it and I don't like it -- the applicator is clunky and it stinks as a luminizer.  I don't have any lines to worry about at the moment so I can't comment on how well it helps those, but it was barely visible as a highlighter.  I don't recommend this product at all.
• Vosges Haut Chocolat Peppermint Bar (bonus item) - I do recommend this one!  I've always wanted to try Vosges, but I was never willing to pay $7 for a candy bar, so I was happy when I was offered this in a multi trade.  It's delicious, but still not worth $7.  You could definitely find a comparable chocolate for cheaper.

Bottom Line: I was so happy with this bag!  It was a $49.95 bag, but that doesn't really matter now because they have the new system in place.  But anyway, the overall retail value was $143, not including my bonus items, which is a pretty good haul I think.

More up-close photos of my items after the "read more."