Mandii's Muse

The holiday’s have everyone up early, and up late. I wanted to share with you my favorite long wearing products that will help your makeup stay put from morning until night. The first product is a long lasting eyebrow product. Before I get started, I am probably the last one to try this product, but I have been loving it! The Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade is such a great long wearing product.  I was skeptical at first because of having to use a brush to get it on. I like my makeup routine to be simple, and the thought of having to use a brush just screamed time sucker. However, I was wrong. I can put this on at 6:00 in the morning and my brows will still be looking great at 7:00 that evening. My shade is the Taupe shade, and it is also the same shade I use in the ABH Brow Definer. The next product I want to share is an eyeshadow product. The Mally Eyeshadow Stick Extra is a fantastic longwearing product. I applied it at 5:45 in the morning, and it did crease on me, b...

I go on makeup kicks every now and again. I’ll get stuck in a rut, and then try something new and want all kinds of new makeup. I’ve made a few trips to Ulta recently, and wanted to share with you what I’ve been buying! I almost always buy things on sale at Ulta during their 21 days of beauty! The first thing I bought was a total impulse purchase. I went to the Philosophy section of the store and stopped and smelled their fragrance Fresh Cream Warm Cashmere. Oh my gosh, it smells divine! I don’t even know how to describe it to you. It’s vanilla with warm musk, but still fresh and clean smelling. It is perfect for all seasons. I only bought a small size, but I will be buying the full size! The next thing I bought was the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer. I needed something that is a little bit longer lasting, and this fit the bill. I probably won’t use this every day, but only on days where I need them to last longer than the average workday. I also bought three lip products...

Who doesn't love getting mail? Who doesn't love getting beauty products for virtually nothing? I answered yes to both questions! It was time for me to cash my Birchbox points in for some goodies. Usually, I agonize over and over on what to get, but this year I was pretty quick in my decision making. Don't worry, I was surprised myself! My dilemma with Birchbox is this. I always love to get the most "bang for my buck" when I pick out items. I love a lot of products, but I don't want to use my points on a $34 bottle of hair oil if you know what I mean. I had 764 points, which means I had $70 worth of money to use! Two words. Yes. Please! So with this haul, I got a lot of products for my money, and I also got to try some new products too! Here is the haul! The first thing I decided to get was a leopard Baggu Duck bag. I loved my first polka dotted one so much that I decided to order a new one! Leopard is always in style, so that is why I chose that one! ...

First of all, sorry for the lack of photos. I cannot get the pictures from my phone, to my computer to put them on this blog. I had that problem before, and fixed it, but I wanted to get this blog up anyway. I'll update the post when I get photos!  I feel like it has been ages since I have done a makeup mail call! I have still been getting my subscription service boxes, but I guess the "glory" has worn off on sharing them. Well, not today! I am going to show you what was in my July Birchbox! I chose to get the box that was curated by Nicole Richie. I was not disappointed at all! There was a great mix of products, and some things that will get me ready for the last days of Summer and transition into Fall. Which is odd because we are experiencing a heat wave of sorts here in Pennsylvania. Here are the goods! Dr. Brandt| Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant: I have heard of this product, and never tried it. It has been a long while since I had a facial, and I love how m...

Even though the weather around my area hasn't shown it, we are in the peak of summer! I love all that summer brings. Warm weather, picnics, vacations, and bronze, glowy skin. My July Birchbox was one of my favorite boxes I have ever received. I chose the Beachy and Bright box, and it was just that! Here is what I received! Juara|Radiance Enzyme Scrub: This is an exfoliating scrub that removes all of the dead skin and minimizes imperfections. Oribe|Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray: I could not wait to get this product!! I hope that this will give me the beachy waves I desire. Supergood|Anti-Aging Sunscreen Serum SPF 30: I am excited to try this sunscreen because of the serum aspect. I hate how regular sunscreen feels on my face, so I am hoping this is lighter and less pore clogging. Stila|Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick: This color is bright pink, and I love it! I am a bright lipstick gal, and with a tan, and a neutral eye, this will look great! theBalm|Balm Dese...

It is time for Makeup Mail Call! This time I am coming at you with my May Birchbox! Birchbox keeps stepping it up with their boxes. They are so beautiful, I don't want to throw them away!! This month, I received some great items! May's box was curated by Emily Schuman from Cupcakes and Cashmere. She did a great job at picking out products this month! Here is what was in my box! Beauty Protector| Beauty Wash Body Cleanser: I was so happy I received this! Beauty Protector's products smell amazing, and I've always wished I could bathe in it. Now, I can! This is a gel cleanser, and has their signature scent. I cannot wait to use this! Coastal Scents|Revealed 3 Eyeshadow Quad: This quad is a mix of colors from a matte brown to a gold shimmer. These are only four colors of the new palette. Harvey Prince| Sea Salt Texturizing Mist: Again, I am so glad I received this! I love anything to do with Harvey Prince, and this is no exception. fHere's how I plan on using t...

If you are looking for a no fuss, no frills lipstick, this one is or you! I received a sample of the Jane Iredale Just Kissed lipstick in Forever Pink, in my April Birchbox, and fell into deep, deep, love with it. This lipstick applies clear, but almost instantly changes color based on your own natural chemistry. This lipstick also acts as a stain, and will last almost all day. Plus, when you reapply, the existing stain gets darker. One of the aspects that I love most about this lipstick is the consistency. It applies like a balm, but it is not too soft to instantly slide off of your lips. I may or may not have taken 15 selfies to get these 3 photos.  ;) The shade I received is Forever Pink. The best way to describe this color is "I've just eaten a cherry popsicle." This lipstick is great for those lazy Spring/Summer days when you have a few quick errands to run and want to look put together, but don't want a full face of makeup. The color that is on my lips, ...

After a long day at work, I love coming home to my monthly subscription boxes. They brighten my day, and I always look forward to ripping them open and looking at what I received!! I want to show you what was in my April Ipsy bag, there were a lot of good samples in there!! Lather|Ultra Light Face Lotion: I can always use a light moisturizer. Especially in the summer months when my skin gets dry from being outside. Once I try it out, I will let you know my thoughts! The Balm|Nude Dude Eyeshadow: First of all, I love The Balm! I received the shade Flirty, and it is a pretty shimmery purple/brown color. I think with a matte shade in the crease this would look so pretty. I have the Meet Matt(e) Nude palette, and seeing this beautiful shadow makes me want to get the full palette! Mica Beauty|Eyeshadow Primer: I am excited to try this! The texture on this primer is a little sticky, so I am curious to see how this holds the shadow on my oily lids, This is also in a pot, which coul...

Coming home to this pink box in my mailbox after a stressful day at work made my night so much better. This month Birchbox partnered with Rifle Paper Company to design the box. Let me tell you, it is gorgeous!! I think I am going to let this box sit out in my room because it is just that beautiful. First, let me get to the goodies inside the box! Beaver Professional|Hydro Nutritive Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner: This is supposed to repair and rebuild your hair. I think this combo will be more appropriate come July when my hair is fried from being outside all day. Check back with me then for my thoughts. Clean|Original Eau de Parfum: This scent does smell clean. However, I feel that too much of this could be a bad thing. Harvey Prince|Hello Body Butter: I am a huge fan of Harvey Prince. This scent is not too strong, slightly citrusy, and floral. This seems moisturizing, and not too heavy, so you could put this on your hands too. Jane Iredale|Just Kissed Lip and Cheek...

It's time for another edition of Makeup Mail Call! This month I want to show you my March Ipsy bag! This month, I received a great mix of products! Some makeup, some skincare, and some haircare! What more could you ask for? Here is what was in my bag this month! Chella|Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil: I love that this is in pencil form! I can be really precise, or just draw it on the areas I want to highlight. This is matte and flesh toned so while you are highlighting it looks like you have a glow, and not glittery. Pur-lisse|4 in 1 Cleanser and Makeup Remover: This is a gentle soy milk cleanser that is said to be non drying and sulfate free. I just bought a new face wash, so trying this will be put on hold for a while. Coolway|Glow Oil Treatment: I love having hair oil samples for travel! I have never heard of this brand, so I am excited to give this a try! Marsk|Eyeshadow: I received the color Fifty Shades, and I bet you could tell me what the color is!  ;) This is a ...

Seeing my pink box in the mail is like Christmas. I can't help but get excited. Who wouldn't love getting makeup/haircare/skincare samples in the mail? This month's theme was Creativity. Sometimes I get stuck in a rut, so I could use some creativity sometimes! Here is what was in my box for the month of March! amika|Bombshell Blowout Spray: This spray reminds me of Redken Pillow Proof. This is said to smooth, protect, and volumize. I love Pillow Proof, so I am excited to see how this stacks up! Fekkai|PrX Reparatives Shampoo: This is said to strengthen and protect dry or damaged strands. I'm worried that this could be too moisturizing, and make my hair greasy from too much moisture. I might give this to one of my curly haired friends who need extra moisture in their hair. Jelly Pong Pong|Glow Getter Highlighter: This gives a pearlized shimmer. While I don't think it would look great on me now, in the Summer with a tan I think this would look pretty. This ap...

Makeup Mail Call again! This time I am sharing my Ipsy bag from February. I received some great products, that I can't wait to try out! Here are the products I received! Model Co Blush| Peach Bellini: This blush is a pretty pinky/peach shade. It has a slight sparkle, and will look pretty and natural with many different looks. I own lip products from Model Co, so I am excited to try a face product! Tini Beauty with Rob Scheppy|Eyeshadow: This color is a champagne shimmer shade. I have plans to wear this with this on the lid, with a matte crease and highlight shade. I'm interested in seeing how pigmented this is! Joya|Composition No. 1 Parfum Oil: This oil smells very nice! It is slightly citrusy, and musky among other things. This comes in a cute little roll on, which is great for travel. This scent will be nice for Spring. A little goes a long way! Luxie Beauty|Large Angled Face Brush 504: This brush is SO soft! The brush is angled so it will be great for blush or a ...

Makeup Mail Call! Today it is all about my February Birchbox. This month, I chose the box curated by Rent the Runway. I am not disappointed I chose that box, it is amazing! This box was full of items I will use immediately, and are perfect for these cold months. Here is what was in my box! Derma E| Anti-Wrinkle Vitamin A Glycolic Scrub: This scrub will be great to use every week to brighten my skin and exfoliate. This will also make my pores clean, and that is always a good thing! Fekkai|Blowout Hair Refresher Dry Shampoo: Dry shampoo is my best friend. I like trying different brands of dry shampoos to see how they work on my hair. I can't wait to try this higher end shampoo! Plus, this sample is a great size, and will be perfect for travel! Not Soap, Radio|The Stuff that Cupid dips his arrows in Body Wash: First of all, the color of this body wash is beautiful. It is a deep berry color, and the smell! Oh, the smell is divine! There is a perfect mix of blackberries and van...

Time for another edition of Makeup Mail Call! This time, I wanted to share with you my January Ipsy bag! This bag had lots of goodies, and I want to share with you what I received! Eco-Beauty|Good Day. Day Moisturizer: In these cold winter months, my skin can get dry. Dry skin, and makeup just don't look good together. So on my dry days, I will try this moisturizer to give my skin some extra moisture, and to have my makeup look fabulous! Pacifica|Natural Mineral Coconut Eye Shadow: This eye shadow is infused with coconut to give it a velvety finish. This color is a shimmery bronze color, and will look great with a matte crease and highlight shade. Malin + Goetz|Mojito Lip Balm: First of all, I love mojitos. Second, I love any product that has to do with the lips. I can't wait to try this out! Manna Kadar|Shimmer Glo: I use a lot of matte makeup, so I love to add a subtle glow. This will be great to highlight my cheekbones, or mix in with liquid foundation to give me...

I feel like after Christmas, and all the presents have been opened I feel a little bit sad. But not to fear, my January Birchbox is here! I say this all the time, but receiving makeup products in the mail is just the best! Here is what was in my box this month! The theme was Let's Do This! I love this, because I am still staying on track with my New Year's Resolutions! Dr. Jart+|Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45: I love this for days where I have a few errands to run, and am having a bad skin day. All I'll need is some blush and eye makeup and I'll be out the door. Essentiel Elements|Wake Up Rosemary Body Lotion: I received the shower gel a few boxes ago, and I loved how this smelled. I haven't used the gel yet, so I like having a gel and lotion to go hand in hand with one another. Mirenesse|Mattfinity Cream Lip Stain: You know how much I love lip products. This color will be great to wear to school because it is a stain and I don't have to keep reapplying! ...

Why not start Christmas early, and show you my December Ipsy bag?! This month had some great samples, and ones I will definitely use!! There is nothing like getting samples in the mail at Christmas time, to help you get pretty for any parties you may be attending! Here is what was in my bag this month! Bumble and Bumble- Bb Repair Blow Dry Sereum in Creme: That was a long name huh? This is said to help repair your hair from blowouts, and help you style last for 3 days. I just recently bought a flat iron, so I know that I will need this for my hair to repair any damage that the flat iron may cause. Cailyn- Just Mineral Eye Polish: I received the color Orchid. This is a light champagne color with some sparkle, that will look great on the lid, with a light taupe matte crease, and matte highlight. This has a sponge applicator, that deposits just the right amount of color. My LOUSY attempt at pictures by the Christmas tree. Sorry this is SO bad! Nourish Organic- Renewing Eye Cre...

The day that I received my Birchbox, I also got my paycheck. Definitely a winning mail day! This month's theme was Giving. (How appropriate!) They also partnered with RED to help the fight against AIDS. Here is what was in my box this month! Bain de Terre|Argan Oil & Passion Flower Color Therapy Oil: I use a hair oil every day, and I can't wait to add this into my routine! This is said to add shine and nourish the hair. Ellovi|Tinted Lip Butter: This is said to be all natural. This leaves just a sheer wash of color, and will be perfect for wearing around the house and to run quick errands. Juice Beauty|Green Apple Sensitive Peel: This is supposed to be a gentle peel with fruit acids to gently dissolve dead skin. Not Soap, Radio|Joy inducing Body Wash: This is a lemon scented cleanser. I do like lemon scents because they are bright and cheery. I can't wait to take a warm shower and lather up! Tocca| Crema da Mano-Bianca:  This is a hand lotion scented with gr...

My Ipsy bag was the second piece of mail I opened after I came home from vacation. Getting makeup in the mail is definitely better than bills and credit card statements. Can I get an amen? The items in my bag this month were exactly what I needed to cheer me up from leaving the beach. Here is what was in my bag! iEnvy|False Lashes: This lashes look natural, and will compliment any looks I throw together for the upcoming Holiday season! Jesse's Girl|Mineralized Baked Powder Eyeshadow: This is a pretty shimmery purple shade. I think this will look beautiful on the lid with a matte purple in the crease. This is huge and will last me forever. City Color|Be Matte Lipstick: Ipsy knows of my obsession. This color is a perfect MLBB shade! This will look great with a smoky eye where I want my lips to be neutral. From what I have tried so far, this applies nicely, lasts a while. I received the color Cappuccino. Rose Berry|Hand Cream: With cold and flu season approaching, I will...

When I got back from vacation, the first thing I wanted to do was open this little pink box. I bypassed all of my other mail, and opened this first. #Priorities. This month was a great month, lots of products I need, and will use for sure! Here is what was in my box! The theme this month was Fanfare. So, they want to know what your favorite TV shows, music, movies are. For me, it is Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D. and How to Get Away with Murder. Plus, now that hockey has started, college basketball is starting, and college football is underway Mandii is definitely happy! Dr. Brandt| Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner: I SO needed this! Coming home from the beach, my pores are clogged from putting sunscreen on multiple times a day. I cannot wait to use this and clean out my pores! Essentiel Elements| Wake Up Rosemary Shower Gel: This smells delicious! There is a perfect blend of rosemary and mint that will wake you up and get you ready for the day. Another bonus, I think the packaging is ...

Image I am a firm believer in mascara and lipstick. Both can be found very cheap, or on the higher end. Being the frugal gal that I am, I tend to prefer the cheaper items, and I have had great results. Since I have been receiving my subscription boxes, I have had the opportunity to try some new samples of higher end mascaras and lipsticks, good for my beauty routine, bad for my wallet. One of my most recent samples of mascaras that I have been trying is the Urban Decay Perversion mascara. This mascara has been making its way into my daily rotation. It has a drier formula, and I find that I can apply several coats and it won't clump or give me spider lashes. It holds a curl well, and doesn't flake or make my lashes hard or break off. The brush is on the larger end and I sometimes have trouble keeping the mascara on my lashes. Honestly, that is the only con I have of this mascara. If I had some extra spending money, I would probably repurchase this mascara. You can find...