Monday, December 28, 2015

Julep End of Season Sale!

The Julep End of Season Sale is now live! You can pick up favorites such as the Luxe on your Lips lipsticks and silky Body Milk at super low prices, but inventory is limited so be sure to check it out now!

*Disclaimer: Post contains affiliate links.

Julep End of Season Sale  - Up to 75% off

They're also featuring a few Mystery sets, including a Mystery Grab Bag with 10 polishes for only $20! That makes each polish only $2, and they normally retail for $14 each. There's also a set of four Mystery Mini Lip Glosses for $12 and a Mystery Accessory grab Bag for $10.

What are you waiting for? Check out the sale now!

Friday, December 25, 2015

Too Faced Love Flush Blush Review

Too Faced is my favorite cosmetics brand for a lot of reasons: they're cruelty-free, the products are great quality, and they always have really cute new items! Their Love Flush Blush line debuted over the summer, but I just recently picked up the How Deep Is Your Love? shade.

*Disclaimer: This product was purchased by See, Shop, Love!


Full disclosure: the main reason I purchased this was because it has bunnies on it! I love bunnies. I also love Too Faced's blushes. I was previously using their Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush (read my review of my favorite Too Faced products here), but I wanted to get a matte blush for winter. All of the shades in the Love Flush line are really pretty, but I picked How Deep Is Your Love? because it matched my skin tones the best. All of the blushes in this line cost $26 for 6 grams of product.


These blushes are highly pigmented and long wearing. It really does last all day, even on my oily skin! And a little goes a long way. I barely have to tap my blush brush against it to get enough color.


The compact is much thinner than the Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush, so that took a little bit of getting used to. It's so thin that I was afraid if I dropped it the blush inside would shatter. Luckily, no drops yet!


And here's my favorite part! The design inside is so cute! All of the blushes in the Love Flush line have this design. How Deep Is Your Love? is a nice pink/coral that I think would be flattering on anyone. If you like a subtler splash of color then you'll want to start off very small with this, because it is super pigmented. The color is definitely buildable, though.

Bottom Line: I think this is my new favorite blush! The cute bunny design is definitely a plus, but the color payoff and long lasting are what really make this a standout product.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Protect Your Lips with Gosling's ChopSaver!

Winter hasn't been too bad around here (yet), but I'm no stranger to dry, chapped lips due to harsh winter winds. I'm never without a lip balm, and Gosling's ChopSaver is a new favorite of mine!

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.


ChopSaver was created by Dan Gosling, a professional trumpet player. I'm a woodwind player myself (I've been playing clarinet since elementary school), and chapped lips after a long concert are no fun! This won't transfer onto your reeds and can easily be wiped off if absolutely necessary. Dan created this in his kitchen to help musicians and non-musicians alike rejuvenate their lips.

ChopSaver is made with soothing arnica sunflower extract and 10 certified organic ingredients. It has no petrolatum or harsh chemicals, and all of the ingredients are 100% natural.

I received the Fresh Citrus ChopSaver with SPF 15 to try and I love it! It feels silky-smooth upon application and soothes my lips instantly. The relief is long-lasting and I never feel like I have a waxy product on my lip, and that's thanks to it being free of petrolatum (I really dislike petrolatum-based lip balms).

You can purchase ChopSaver at CVS, Kroger, Kinney Drugs, and over 1,000 music and specialty retailers like Sam Ash and Music & Arts.
Bottom Line: I definitely recommend ChopSaver to anyone, whether you're a musician or not! I really like how long lasting the relief is, plus the citrus flavor of the SPF 15 version is really nice. It's also made with 100% natural ingredients, and you can't go wrong there!

Saturday, December 19, 2015

December Birchbox Review

I've been subscribed to Birchbox for over three years (consecutively) now, and I have to say I don't think I'll ever unsubscribe. The $10 price can't be beat, and they've sent me some really great boxes this year!

*Disclaimer: This box was purchased by See, Shop, Love! Post contains referral links.


I love the box design this month! It's clean and beautiful and perfect for winter. I wish there was some actual snow on the ground right now, but I'm not missing driving to work in it, either. But I digress...


I always peek at what samples I'm getting ahead of time because I have no patience. I was really happy with my sample selection and I couldn't wait to try the Catherine Malandrino perfume.

  • benefit They're Real! Tinted Primer - I have a tube of They're Real! mascara that I actually won in a Birchbox giveaway, so I was curious to see how well this worked with that. I don't really understand what makes this a primer as opposed to a brown mascara, but when I used both of them it made my lashes look nice and long.
  • Darphin INTRAL Redness Relief Soothing Serum - I do have issues with sensitive skin and redness so I was interested in trying this, but the same size is way to small for me to really get an idea of how well it works with my skin. I also didn't like the consistency--it was way too thin of a liquid.
  • Catherine Malandrino Romance de Provence - I love Catherine Malandrino's Style de Paris perfume, and I love this one even more now! It has notes of jasmine, orange flower, rose, violet, and lily against powder musk, amber, and patchouli. If I read that description alone I probably wouldn't try this, but it's actually the perfect mix of fruity, floral, and warmth.
  • Coastal Scents styleEYES Eyeshadow Palette - I picked the "Formal Eyes" colors during sample selection and I love the rose gold/mauve kind of shade. Coastal Scents makes really good eyeshadows for awesome prices; I might pick up the full-sized version of the palette (it's only $12!).
  • (MALIN+GOETZ) Clarifying Clay Mask - I'm always happy to receive a clay mask to use on my oily skin. I've used a few MALIN+GOETZ products before and they've always worked well for me.
Bottom Line: This box was well-curated to my needs and I was happy with all of my samples! I wish the Darphin serum was bigger, but aside from that I'll get good use out of everything this month.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

December Beauty Box 5 Review

December's Beauty Box 5 is themed "Smoky Season," and I think this has been one of the best themed boxes I've gotten yet! Every item fit the theme really well, and every item was full-sized!

*Disclaimer: This box was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.


Beauty Box 5 costs only $12 a month and they send five deluxe samples and full-sized beauty products. Past samples have included hair care, skincare, color cosmetics, and even accessories. Shipping is free to U.S. addresses and $3 to Canada.


Usually the boxes have at least two or three full-sized products, but this month had all full-sized ones! I really liked the selection this month and I can't wait to use everything.
  • So Fresh So Clean Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes ($2.99 for 25 wipes) - I always have a package of makeup remover wipes on hand because I like to take my makeup off as soon as I get home from work. My skin gets pretty oily and I like taking off as much makeup as a I can with these wipes before I do my full skincare routine at night.
  • Ofra Shimmer Eye Shadow ($13.50 for .14 oz) - Assorted colors were sent and I received "Millennium Bark," a dark brown. Browns are my favorites (think nude palettes) so I will get good use out of this. It's a single tin, the package says "Godet refill" on the back, but I'm going to add it to my Z Palette. If you don't have one of those already, I highly suggest one!
  • The Beauty Crop Glamazon Stick ($22 for 1.5 g) - This highlighting crayon is  nice light shimmer that I'm going to use on my brow bone and inner corners of my eyes. It's from a cruelty-free company and is also free of parabens and pthalates and is made with cocoa butter and jojoba oil.
  • Prestige Cosmetics Total Intensity Eyeliner ($5.95 for 1.2 g) - Assorted colors were sent and I got "Deepest Black," which is perfect because I don't really wear any other color of eyeliner. I haven't used it yet, but the description on the box's info card says it's creamy and easily smudge-able.
  • Beauty Box 5 Blender Brush ($10) - A blending brush is one of the few brushes I didn't already have, so I'm glad they sent this! It's really cute and has "Just keep blending" written on the side.
The Beauty Crop Glamazon Stick

Ofra Shimmer Eyeshadow in Millennium Bark
Bottom Line: I think every item in this box fit the "Smoky Season" theme very well. I have a Christmas party coming up on Sunday and I'm going to use every item to put together a smoky eye look! This box also had a great total retail value at $55.44, and all of the products were full-sized!

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

December Marvel Collector Corps Review

Guardians of the Galaxy was by far my favorite movie of 2015, and one of my all-time favorite movies in the Marvel cinematic universe. When I found out that the December Collector Corps box was going to be GotG themed I signed up right away!

*Disclaimer: This box was purchased by See, Shop, Love!


Marvel Collector Corps sends exclusive, full-sized items in a themed box for $25 every other month (shipping is extra). My box cost $34.51 after shipping. Each box will contain at least $50 worth of items, ranging from Funko Pop vinyls to t-shirts, and more!



There was a billing error this month and many subscribers (myself included) got charged twice. An email was sent noting the error and promising prompt refunds, and I was refunded within a few days, but such an error can be stressful for those on a strict budget, especially during the holidays. Luckily I had gotten a Christmas bonus from work so I had more wiggle room, so I wasn't in danger of overdrafting or anything.

Anyway, as you can see from the above photo, each box also has an exclusive patch and pin to go along with it. This month's patch featured Rocket Raccoon, and the pin had Groot on it.


The box contained four or five items, depending on whether or not you want to consider the Pops as one item or two (I'll consider them two). I was super excited to get this box and the items didn't disappoint!

  • Guardians of Infinity Comic - This had an adorable illustration of Rocket and Groot on the cover, but the comic inside is the regular Guardians style (i.e. not cutesy like the cover). I haven't read it yet, but I do like comics.
  • Pop! Bobblers - These two little guys were my favorite items! They're adorable and are also my two favorite characters from the movie. They have strings on them so you can put them on a Christmas tree, but I have mine out on display on my book shelf.
  • Starlord Mug - This came nicely packaged in a box with styrofoam padding, so it would make an excellent gift. I love the Starlord/Peter Quill character, but not so much this mug, so I posted it for swap. It's a very nice quality mug, though.

  • Groot Scarf - I love this scarf! One side has "Guardians of the Galaxy" writing with silhouettes of the characters, and the opposite side is of a big, long Groot. The scarf is nice and thick and well-made. It's perfect for Rochester winters, even though we haven't seen much snow yet.
Bottom Line: This Marvel Collector Corps box really brought a smile to my face! I love GotG and I was so pleased by all of the items. I was kind of hoping for a t-shirt, but the scarf and Bobblers are awesome so I'm still happy.

Monday, December 14, 2015

December Purple Moxie Box Review

Purple Moxie is "the gift box of gratitude" that sends beautifully themed boxes to your door each month. I received their December box to review and I thought the items they sent were wonderful!

*Disclaimer: This box was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review. Post contains affiliate links.


Purple Moxie sends a beautifully wrapped gift box containing three to five "Pinterest-inspired" crafts, boutique accessories, and/or natural skincare products. The box costs $29.95 per month, plus shipping (when I input my address on the order page, it was a $3 charge to ship to Rochester, NY). Boxes ship on the 20th of each month and will arrive on or around the 25th.


The box is medium-sized and had the Purple Moxie logo on it. Unfortunately the tracking number sticker is covering it in the above photo, but I still think the outer packaging is cute!


As you can also see in the first photo in this post, the first thing I noticed in this box was all of the gold! The theme for December is "Gifts of the Wisemen," and I think it's perfect for Christmas. There were six items inside, all of which were packaged so nicely.

  • We Three Kings Ornament - I really like this ornament because it isn't your typical Christmas design. It has music from the We Three Kings song on it, with gold glitter inside as well.
  • BC Gold Bella Creations Everyday Skin Oil - I love using skin oils to balance out my complexion. This one is infused with frankincense and myrrh (two gifts given to Jesus by the Wisemen) and a blend of nourishing skin oils.
  • Custom Made Gift Tags - These five gift tags are perfect! I hate using boring ones, but I'm also too lazy to make any myself, so I'm glad these were in the box.
  • Holiday Wine Bag - I don't drink much wine, but I might use this to wrap a gift bottle. I love the simple design and gold accents!
  • Gold Infinity Scarf - This scarf is carried in the Purple Moxie boutique. I think it's absolutely gorgeous! It's not an infinity scarf, though (but I'll still wear it).
  • Bella Creations Handmade Cinnamon, Orange, and Clove Body Soap - This smells so lovely. It contains a blend of coconut, palm, and almond oils to nourish dry winter skin. The scents are some of my favorites; I really like this.
I think the December Purple Moxie Box is fantastic! I love the gold theme and I think it's perfect for the holidays. Even though this box is more centered around Christmas, what with the Wisemen theme, I think the items work well for any holiday occasion.
Bottom Line: The Purple Moxie Box had a great selection of beautiful items and I loved this month's theme. I think this box has a great value and I'd love to see what they offer in the coming months!

Saturday, December 12, 2015

December 5 Wacky Women Review

5 Wacky Women is "a store with personality" with a brick and mortar location in in Maryland. They also have a monthly surprise box that includes items from their store. I received their December box to review and I loved it!

*Disclaimer: This box was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review. Post contains affiliate links.


The 5 Wacky Women box costs $34.95 per month (plus shipping) and will contain four to six unique and functional products. Their inventory includes handbags, clothing, jewelry, accessories, home decor, and more. The items are hand-selected by 5 Wacky Women owner Aimee Smith and her team.


The box is medium-sized and brightly colored, as you can see above. Mine had what looked like a customs form on it, but since I live in the U.S. and this is coming from Maryland, I'm not sure what the sticker is or why it was there. Anyway, keep reading to see what was inside!

  • Small handbag - This is not listed on the information card that was in the box, but there is a "free gift" listed, so I'm assuming this one is mine! It's so cute and the perfect size for packing toiletries for travel.
  • Mindfulness Coloring Book and Colored Pencils - I have been meaning to buy an adult coloring book for a while but never got around to doing it. This one has beautiful artwork inside and is perfect for relaxation.
  • My Bar! Sea Salt Splash - I love when sea salt is in chocolate. I haven't tried this yet but I bet it's delicious!
  • Juniper Tree Candied Quince Soap - This smells so good! My favorite Diptyque candle is "Genevrier" (juniper) so I knew I would like this scent. It has a juniper scent but is also nice and sweet. The bar itself is so beautiful that I don't even want to use it!
  • Hydra Shower Burst Aromatherapy - This is a little aromatherapy thing that you place in your shower. It says to wet it briefly to activate and then leave it in a soap dish or on a side shelf, and not to place it directly into the water stream. I'm excited to try it!
  • Envirosax Reusable Bag - This is a foldable eco-friendly bag that can hold up to 45 pounds. It's perfect for grocery shopping and I love that it folds up.
Close-up of the Juniper soap

What the Envirosax bag looks like unfurled.
I didn't calculate an approximate retail value for these items, but considering that the box contained all full-sized items I'm sure it exceeded the $35 price tag of the box! I absolutely loved the selection and the categories from which the items were chosen.
Bottom Line: I think the 5 Wacky Women box is a great surprise subscription! I love shopping at stores like this and the box is a great way to treat yourself.

Monday, December 7, 2015

Live Ultimate Camuclay Invigorating Anti-Aging Clay Masque Review

Live Ultimate is a creates healthy, all-natural skin and sun care products for a variety of skincare concerns. I received their Camuclay Invigorating Anti-Aging Clay Masque to try and it's wonderful!

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review. Post contains affiliate links.


Live Ultimate uses a signature Fruitscription and Sunscription formulas that contain a powerful blend of herbal extracts, superfoods, and potent antioxidants to craft products that revitalize skin. I was interested in trying their Camuclay mask because I have oily skin, plus I'm always willing to add anti-aging products to my routine as preventive care.


The Camuclay mask comes in a 1.7 oz jar and is a reddish brown color. It smells exactly how you would expect a clay mask to smell--like clay. There are no added fragrances, which is something I prefer. The directions say to apply an even layer to dry skin and leave on for 10-20 minutes, then wash off with warm water. It can be used two to three times per week.


I love the way this mask feels on my skin! When I applied it I lightly massaged it into my skin because it has walnut shells in it for exfoliation. It felt refreshing on my skin and even better once I washed it off. As you can see from the ingredients list above, many of the ingredients are organic. It's also paraben-free, cruelty-free, and has no artificial fragrances or dyes.

My skin felt so soothed and invigorated after using this mask! It did well to absorb the excess oil on my skin and it was gentle enough that I could definitely use it more than once per week without worrying about drying out my skin too much.
Bottom Line: I am very impressed with the Live Ultimate Camuclay Invigorating Anti-Aging Clay Masque and I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a gentle and effective way to combat oily skin!

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Love With Food Holiday Sale!

Love With Food is having a fantastic holiday sale! Their boxes make a great gift for any food lover in your life. I have always been a fan of their boxes, you can read all of my reviews of them here.

*Disclaimer: Post contains affiliate links.

Save $5 on any Love With Food plans over $30 and get a $40 bonus and a magazine.

Use code JOY5 to save $5 on any subscription over $30. You'll also get a $40 bonus to Hello Fresh and a Rachael Ray Everyday magazine! Don't forget that, for every box purchased, Love With Food donates a meal to a hungry child. Click the banner above to take advantage of this great deal!

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Calmful Holidays with Natural Vitality!

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and also the most stressful if you view the holidays like I do. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas, but the shopping and the crowds and the parties--it can get stressful. Natural Vitality strives to inspire people to freely share their ideas for calmful living, and they've created a wonderful eBook to help you relax during the holiday season!


The Calmful Holidays eBook is full of beautiful photos and plenty of tips for calmful living. It also has recipes, Feng Shui holiday decorating ideas, yoga poses, and a music playlist! You can find the eBook here, it's free to download.


I reviewed Natural Vitality's Natural Calm supplement back in 2012 (hard to believe I've been blogging for that long!), which you can read here, and I definitely experienced positive results! If you'd like to try a bottle of Natural Calm to help you get through the holidays, enter using the Rafflecopter form below.

This sweepstakes is open to U.S. residents aged 18+. Please see the Terms and Conditions on the form for full rules.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Gift Idea: ShaveMOB Mens Christmas Gift Set

It's the holiday season! Hanukkah is fast approaching, and Christmas isn't far behind. If you're looking for a gift for one of the men in your life, may I suggest the ShaveMOB Christmas Gift Set?

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.


ShaveMOB offers products for a quality shave at affordable prices with no membership or recurring fees. Pictured above is what you'll receive if you purchase a women's kit. Both men's and women's kits have three, four, and six blade options. I received a four blade pack to try.

My ShaveMOB razor gave me a clean, smooth shave on my underarms and legs. The four blade razor is part of "The Purist" pack, and the set I received is a two month supply (one handle and four cartridges). They also have six and 12 month supplies.


But what about the Christmas Gift Set I mentioned? You can purchase one in any of the blade combos I mentioned before and add a Tea Tree Shaving Cream for only $6.99! Shipping is free within the contiguous United States.
Bottom Line: Be sure to check out ShaveMOB's razor sets! They're a really affordable way to give the guy in your life everything he needs for a close shave.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

November Snakku Review

Back in September I wrote my first review for Snakku (read that review here) and I was incredibly impressed by everything about their box! Their November box is just as great and filled with delicious treats.

*Disclaimer: This box was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.


Snakku sends hand-picked, authentic Japanese snacks that you can only find in Japan (and more well-known favorites) to your door each month. Here are their pricing options:
  • Monthly: $38.95/month
  • Three Months: $115.50 every three months ($38.50 per box)
  • Six Months: $225.00 every six months ($37.25 per box)
Shipping is free to U.S. addresses. Every subscriber is also automatically entered to win a deluxe box valued at over $100!



As you can see, Snakku takes great care with their beautiful packaging! I loved the pink wrap on this month's box. The snacks are all well protected inside with paper strip padding. Even though the snacks are delicate, I've yet to receive one that was broken or crushed.


This month's box featured snacks from boutique shops in Tokyo. Here's what was inside, moving clockwise from top:
  • Mukashi no Senbei - This is one of the "popular snacks," meaning it's more widely available outside of Japan. They're old school rice crackers that have been grilled in a fire kiln. I love rice crackers and these had a great crunch and simple flavor.
  • Double Anzutsumi - Another popular snack, these are stuffed mochi cakes. They came in the sweet potato and red bean flavor.
  • Kinesha - These are seasonal folded butter biscuits and they are amazing! They're from a lesser-known snack store in Ginza and come in three flavors (plain, maple, and chocolate) to represent the autumn foliage in Japan. I can't even describe how delicious these were--perfectly buttery and full of flavor. The maple one was my favorite!
  • Tokyo Banana - How adorable is the packaging on these? They're found only in Tokyo and are very popular there. They're fluffy sponge cake made from real banana with a banana maple custard filling. I am not the biggest fan of bananas, but these are pretty good!
  • Nidoage Mochi - This is a double grilled soy glazed mochi cracker. I absolutely loved these and I wish I had more! The soy flavor is so good. These are also one of the popular snacks.
  • Tokyo Banana Pie - This is a delicate biscuit made by Tokyo Banana, also with very cute packaging! I liked these better than the Tokyo Banana because the banana flavor was less strong and the cookie was crisp and light.
  • Mame Yakko - These are the three white/clear packaged treats on the left hand side of the photo. The snack in the red packaging is actually one of the Kinesha cookies; I accidentally included it in this photo instead of with the other Kinesha. Anyway, the Mame Yakko are made by a small shop in the Ginza neighborhood and are made from a mixture of edamame beans and rice. The cracker is doused in a secret broth before it's baked, lending a crisp, clean, savory finish. These have a great crunch and tasted great! The flavors include edamame, spicy dashi broth, and traditional roasted kinako soybean.
  • Season Meiji Horn - These popular snacks are a delicate biscuit sandwich made with Japanese purple yam. I haven't tried them yet, but I love the purple color!
  • Sweet Sake Soft Candy - These are the last of the popular snacks and are a mellow candy made with real rice sake. I haven't tried these yet, either, but I'm very interested to see what "mellow" candy tastes like.
Bottom Line: I really enjoyed the November Snakku box! I love trying snacks that can only be found in Japan, and I like that they include so much info about the shops that make them.

Monday, November 23, 2015

November Beauty Box 5 Review

November's Beauty Box 5 has a "Boosted Basics" theme, and I really liked the items they sent this month!

*Disclaimer: This box was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.


Beauty Box 5 sends five deluxe samples and full-sized products for only $12 a month! Shipping is free to U.S. addresses and $3 to Canadian ones. They send everything from color cosmetics to skincare, and more!


It looks like there were a lot of foil samples this month, but they're actually mostly full-sized products that just happen to be in that type of packaging. I thought the variety this month was really good.

  • Kaunis Facial Mask ($14.95, full-sized) - This is an anti-aging sheet mask from a Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free company. It contains plant extracts that help to regenerate skin.
  • LA Fresh good day. day moisturizer ($11.76 for .5 oz) - This is a wonderfully light and silky facial moisturizer made with an anti-aging botanical complex.
  • Altchek MD Eye Gel Pads ($4 for two pads) - These soothe puffiness, fine lines, and tired skin in 30 minutes. I like using these when I need to relax.
Bottom Line: This month's box had a total approximate retail value of $30.71! I feel like Beauty Box 5 has been sending some really high-value boxes as of late and I've been very happy with the sample selection.