Influenster Summer Beauty VoxBox 2012

So this is my first VoxBox from Influenster!

If you don't know what I'm on about, check this out. Most of the items are sample sized, but I was pleasantly surprised to see a full sized nail polish and cuticle cream!

Quaker Banana Nut Bread Soft Baked Bar

First up, I tried the Quaker Banana Nut Bread Soft Baked Bar (now that's a mouthful. Get it? Mouthf.. yeah).

 OMG. OMFG. It was soooo good. It really tasted like banana bread, it was delicious. I saw someone say it tasted too much like a protein bar, but I didn't get that at all. It was really yummy, even without warming it up (which they suggest).

-5g Fiber*
-20% daily value of 5 B Vitamins
-6g of Protein
*Contains 3.5g of total fat per serving

You can find Quaker Soft Baked Bars at most major retailers. Suggested retail price: $3.29 for a box of 5 bars

CLEAR Nourishing Shampoo & Daily Conditioner

I've been wanting to try the Clear brand of hair products for a while, as they claim to nourish the roots and give you stronger hair.

 I quite liked the shampoo, it didn't lather too much and strip my hair, but left it feeling clean.  The condition was pretty rich, but it didn't moisturise quite as much as I was expecting. Maybe I just need to use a bit more, I was a little frugal since they are mini bottles. The scent is really nice, reminiscent of the old Herbal Essences products.

CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™ products are available at mass retailers, select drugstores and supermarkets nationwide. Suggested retail price: $4.99 – $5.99

Sally Hansen Nails & Cuticles Hand Creme

This hand creme is really nice.

It has a light orange scent which isn't overpowering and it moisturises nicely without leaving your hands feeling greasy. It is meant to soften cuticles as well and it did a pretty good job. If you have really dry, hard cuticles though, you will probably need to use a cuticle remover cream beforehand, but this is great for maintenance. 

Available at chain drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationally. Suggested Retail Price: $5.99 for full size bottle

Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color in Graphite Gravity

Full size bottle. I quite liked this polish, despite the pattern not coming through as strongly as I'd hoped. Possibly application issues on my part...

 Check out my full review here.

Available at chain drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationally. Suggested Retail Price: $9.99

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen

This sunscreen smells soooo nice! I could just sniff it all day.

It says it's water resistant for 80 minutes and provides 12 hours of moisturisation. I liked the hydration and the fact that it sunk into my skin without leaving any residue. I actually used it on my face and neck and it felt fine, no irritation or sensitivity.

Also available in SPF 12, 30, 50.
You can find Hawaiian Tropic products at most major retailers. Suggested retail price: $8.99 for a 6oz bottle.

Always & Tampax Radiant Collection

I like Tampax, I always have. They work... that's all I need to tell you lol.

The VoxBox came with a cute little pink clutch which had samples of their new Radiant collection, pantyliners, a pad and a couple of tampons. I quite like the packaging, but I'm not into applicator tampons.... this must be a US thing, because they aren't that popular in Australia. Anyway, let me stop before TMI happens. I'm using the clutch as a new cosmetics case! My Hello Kitty one broke at the zipper ;_;

You can find Tampax products at most major retailers.

All in all, I was really happy with all the products I tried and I'm looking forward to the next VoxBox I'm selected for. They were all brand new products to me and I enjoyed testing them out.

Disclaimer: I received products from Influenster to test out. All opinions are 100% my own. For more information, please see my Disclosure Policy.

Manicure Monday: Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color in Graphite Gravity

My very first magnetic nail polish is a brand new offering from Sally Hansen!

Magnetic polishes have been out for a while, but I hadn't felt the urge to go out and buy one yet. Enter the Summer Beauty VoxBox from Influenster. Included in this month's box was a full sized Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color - I received Graphite Gravity, an aptly named graphite dark grey with a curved wave design. I think the design may be the same for all the shades in this range. The magnet is embedded in the removable outer cap and has a plastic ridge that you set on your finger above the nail, so as not to touch the magnet on the polish.

Some tips for the best application:

• Remember to shake the bottle well before you apply, to activate the magnetic ingredients;
• Apply base coat and then a single layer of the Magnetic Nail Color to all nails;
• Allow nails to dry;
• Apply a thick second coat to one nail and then immediately hold the magnet over the polish;
• Continue one by one for each nail;
• Lift the magnet after 10 seconds and you'll see the design - in this instance, a curved wave design;
• Allow all nails to dry and apply top coat.

Natural outdoor light

Lid with removable outer cap & magnet

Indoor artificial light

The formula was very easy to apply, with some slight dragging, but it leveled out in the end under the topcoat.

I think I may not have applied the second coat thickly enough, because the pattern wasn't quite as drastic as I had expected it to be. At first I was a bit disappointed, but the subtle shift in shade has grown on me and I find myself constantly glancing at my nails.


I definitely want to try some other shades in this collection and also maybe a few other brands (China Glaze comes to mind!). The ease of application and pattern that you can't easily replicate using other methods definitely attracts me towards magnetic polish (lol bad pun).


Have you tried magnetic polish before? Are you planning to?

Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color polishes are available at chain drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationally.

Suggested Retail Price: $9.99

Vente Privee - Designer Brands for Discount Prices.

Through She Speaks, I recently discovered a members only shopping website (similar to those I've used in the past) that is strictly high-fashion, designer brands up to 70% off. Vente-Privee has a bunch of high-end products at probably the lowest prices I've seen on one of these members only websites.

How does it work? You sign up, it's free to join, and you receive emails with the sales of that day which are limited quantity so you have to get in quick.

Here's an example of some of the designer products that are available on the site:

Badgley Mischka pumps - $215 $85

Badgley Mischka pumps -  $200  $78

Calvin Klein sunglasses -  $265  $65

Calvin Klein sunglasses -  $191  $58

The sales change all the time, so you always have the opportunity to access different designers and different types of products. I don't usually buy designer brands, simply because they're out of my budget, but I have been eyeing those CK sunglasses.

Have you tried Vente-Privee before? Or any other members only shopping sites? Are you inclined to?

On Twitter?
Check out @shespeaksup & @ventepriveeUSA
More Questions?
Check out the FAQ.

Disclaimer: A gift was provided in exchange for this review. As always, reviews are 100% my opinion and honest. For more information, read my Disclosure Policy.

Beauty Blogazons Weekly Roundup 7/13

Check out this weeks roundup! Some great posts from the lovely ladies of the Beauty Blogazons.

Beauty Binge: What good is your make-up if it's melting down your face? Beauty Binge helps you win the war against summer meltdown!

My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog : Laura goes crazy over an oldie but a goodie: MAC Azalea Blossom.

Beauty Product Review: Have you heard the Bzz? Check out my Smooth 'N Shine Keratin Power Semi-Permanent Hair Tamer review and see if it's worth all the Bzz!

Mani Curiously: E's loving Essie's Mirrored Metallics collection! Check out Penny Talk and her review of this shiny new stunner!

The Lacquerologist: It's time for The Lacquerologist's six month blogiversary Nail Art Contest! Submit your manis now!

Ishah x Beauty: Ishah x Beauty explores skincare with Mary Kay and finds the best microdermabrasion product ever!

The Science Of Chic: Carly raves about the new Maybelline Beauty Balm! Find out why it's her favorite summer face product.

Spontaneous Chick: Learn how to make sugar scrubs and get some of my favorite recipes.

Amber Did It!:Matching mom & daughter watermelon nail art

Midnight Manicures: Follow Jeanie at Midnight Manicures as she takes you on an adventure with China Glaze's newest collection "On Safari".

Geniabeme Beauty Blog: Genia takes the Revlon Red Lipstick Challenge! Take a look at her red lips!

adore-a-polish Swatch of Julep O Canada!

The Beauty Professor: The Beauty Professor swatches all seven shades of the Rouge Bunny Rouge Fire Drops Loose Glitter Pigment...prepared to be dazzled!

iHeartPrettyPolish: Essie Rae showcases Revlon Facets of Fuchsia polish in her Friday Favorite with a Flair Post!

Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom: The new metallics from the Zoya fall collection, NYFW Diva, are featured.

Beauty Apocalypse: We found a primer that makes your make-up wear like armor and clears your skin!

Polarbelle: Venique Nail Lacquer has a fun new summer 2012 collection called Desire the Desired and can be compared with part of China Glaze On Safari.

Beauty by Miss L: Showed some of her favorite summer must have accessories.

All Things Beautiful: Shares a glitzy, shimmering, & gorgeous haul from Ricky's NYC featuring Mattese Elite Makeup & Nail Polish!

Shades of Beauty, Inc.: POLL: What products make up your DIY Spa Days?

Photo Diary: out & about, random FOTDs, recent purchases & stuff.

Just wanted to show you guys some of the stuff I've been up to lately! Some of the pics are from my Instagram, @IshahxBeauty (follow me!).

Went to the Frank and Son Collectible Show (F&S) recently, it's a big warehouse type place with a plethora of collectible and novelty item dealers. They also sell Japanese manga, anime, figurines and posters and LOTS of phone charms/straps/cases etc. It's cool that my husband and I are both into stuff like that, otherwise it'd be a problem lol.

My FOTD, hair and nails. Keepin' it simple.

Glitter sandwich!

Hello Kitty lego army at one of the dealer's stalls.

I was craving Malay/Indonesian food, so after F&S we headed to this little place called Sate House for dinner.

YUMMY Chicken Sate with peanut sauce and kecap manis (sweet soy sauce).

Ikan Goreng (fried fish) with a side of mango sambal (chilli sauce). I love whole fish, it's just so much tastier! My grandfather's favourite part is the eyeball lol. Yeah, I'm not that much of a fanatic.

Random FOTD!

Ew, my hair looks orange in this lighting. Well, it fits my neon theme... Neon nails, bright pink lips, neon rainbow bow necklace, neon shirt.....

....which just so happens to be a purchase from F&S! Neon Batman shirt, how cool is that?

Another random FOTD pic.

I love my jacket, got it from Forever 21 for like $25 or something. Insanely cheap.

Random pic from when I did my ombre hair.

Huntington Beach... I love Summer! Expect to see a lot more pics of the beach in upcoming photo diaries. I need a new swim suit though, thinking of a retro style one piece because bikinis never seem to have that much boob support lol.

Chocolate love from my family back home in Australia! Cadbury chocolate Caramello Koalas and Freddo Frogs. Reminds me of good old childhood. And Tim Tams, literally the BEST biscuit/cookie EVER made. EVER. My mama sent me 2 regular, 3 double coat (mmmm), 1 honeycomb and 1 rum & raisin.

Love my Hello Kitty watch! I got it from focalprice.com, they have lots of cheap HK stuff (and yeah that's my Batman shirt again..).

I wanted to get some arm candy to go with it, so I dragged my family to the Temecula Promenade and had a look in the Forever 21 there.

Silvery....

Pink bling!

Silvery bling to the max.

After shopping, we got hungry.. This is Baked Ziti from an italian place in the Promenade food court. It was really yummy, better than I expected from one of those food court places.

Stopped at Sally Beauty Supply to pick up this little baby.... Yes, I am planning to dip dye my ends pink! I'm hoping for a baby pink, not a too shocking bright pink. We shall see.

Then a quick trip to Walmart where I got this Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain (post on that coming soon)...

....and this creme facial bleach. No, it's not for my moustache, it's for my eyebrows!! I'm going to try and bleach them to a lighter brown colour so they match my hair better.

Lastly, I'll leave you with this funny pic of my 3 weirdos.... otherwise known as my husband and 2 kids! Yeah, if you can't tell, they are Power Rangers fans :p

Yellow and Pink Dotted Gradient Nails.

Good morning :)

One of my favourite nail blogs is Chalkboard Nails. She always posts beautiful nail art and polish swatches and her ideas are super innovative. I got the idea for this dotted gradient mani from a post she did last month called 'Gradient Dot Manicure'. Her original version is absolutely stunning and I can only aspire to acheive that level of perfection ;) Practice makes perfect! I still have a little ways to go.

I wanted to do something fun and bright, playing on the two accent nail trend that's going on at the moment.

Natural indoor light.

2 coats of Spoiled by Wet n Wild Designated Driver on my index and middle fingers, with dots of Sinful Colors Star Fish and Wet n Wild French White Creme. 2 coats of Sinful Colors Star Fish on my ring and pinky fingers, with dots of Spoiled by Wet n Wild Designated Driver and Wet n Wild French White Creme. Top coat is Kiss Me NAIL MENTE Top Coat which is a great quick dry TC that gives the look of gel nails and LASTS. I love this little beauty, will do a proper review on it soon.

Direct sunlight.

Direct sunlight.

Indirect sunlight.

Blurry right hand shot!

Although it isn't quite as clean as Chalkboard Nails' original, I really like the effect and they look fun and colourful. I'll definitely be trying this again, with a bunch of different shades. Next time I might try it on a nude base with some neons!

What do you think of the dotted gradient look? Is it something you might try? I think it's great for nail art beginners like me, as all you need are a couple of different sized dotting tools.

Skin Care 101 with Mary Kay - The best microdermabrasion product EVER.

Honestly, I don't pay as much attention to skin care as I should. I get way too caught up in pretty cosmetics, and forget to take care of my skin which is definitely NOT the way to go. There's only so much you can cover up with makeup before you need to address the real issue, which is making sure you have a good canvas to start with.

Recently my lovely friend Megan invited me to participate in a Mary Kay skin care class. Basically, they send you a booklet with samples of the Mary Kay skin care products you're going to try out.

Then you join a conference call with a few Mary Kay consultants and other people taking the class and the consultants walk you through using the samples and answer any questions you might have about the products. It was a very interesting experience for me, as I've never done a skin care class by phone! The consultant leading the class gave us a bit of background on Mary Kay and let us know that they have the Good Housekeeping award - which means that their products actually do what they claim to do! Then it was time to break out the sample book and get cracking on some skin care! I decided to try the products on one side of my face, in order to see the difference after use. My skin is dry/combination, but these products are good for sensitive skin as well.

First we tried the Time Wise 3-in-1 Cleanser. This is a creamy, slightly exfoliating cleanser which is applied with a little water and then washed off. It was very gentle and didn't leave my skin feeling tight which is a problem I've had previously with other cleansers. 

We then used the TimeWise Microdermabrasion: Refine. I've tried a few microdermabrasion products before, but this is the only one that actually made a visible difference to my skin immediately. I could see a clear difference between the right and left sides of my face, such as smoother texture, smaller pores and more even tone. This is literally the BEST microdermabrasion product I've tried, it's definitely something I will be purchasing!

The TimeWise Microdermabrasion: Replenish is applied next, to soothe and protect the skin.

The next step was the TimeWise Night Solution (as it was evening), which really softened and moisturised my skin. It has these little beads in it which supposedly burst and deliver the enzymes (or something idk lol) directly to your skin.

The last product was the TimeWise Firming Eye Cream. I don't really have sagging skin or wrinkles around my eyes just yet, but I did notice a bit of a firming up in the eye area. It was probably only noticable to me though! My problem is more undereye dark circles, so I may have to try their Targeted-Action Eye Revitalizer, which is more for dark circles.

 I must admit, I was not expecting the products to work as well as they did. I've tried other high end skin care before, but a lot of them make a bunch of claims which you don't actually get to see happen until weeks or months down the road. This was pretty much an instant result, which I was really happy with.


Along with the skin care samples, Megan also sends some makeup samples to try, which was great because I could get a feel for the formulas and the different shades.

The consultants are all really pleasant and well informed and were able to give me detailed information on each of the products, which was a great experience. I definitely recommend trying out the skin care class if you've never tried Mary Kay before, it gives you an opportunity to see how the products work for you risk-free.


Contact Megan for more information!

Megan Richardson
Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant
Tel # (949) 616-2228
Email megaty (at) marykay (dot) com
www.marykay.com/megaty

PROMO CODE/DISCOUNT COUPON!
Mention IshahxBeauty when you contact Megan to sign up for a skin care class! They have different specials for each class and you can score some great deals.

Alternatively, get a 10% discount when you order online at www.marykay.com/megaty. Register, choose your products and enter ishahxbeauty in the comments box.

(Total will be adjusted with a 10% discount when you are invoiced. It will not be an instant discount coupon.)

Shipping anywhere in the United States is free.

For international readers, find a Mary Kay Consultant in your country at this link: http://www.marykay.com/megaty/company/aroundtheworld/default.aspx

Disclaimer: Products are samples provided for use with the skin care class. All opinions are 100% my own and honest. NOT a sponsored post.