ColourPop Ultra Matte Lippies review

Finally, I get to try the ColourPop Ultra Matte lippies. I got Dr.M, Jellies, Guess, Kapow, and the Foxy Mini set which includes the "bestsellers" Beeper, Clueless, Tulle, Creeper, and More Better.  Featured lips are Dr.M and Tulle. This is a perfect example of a love-hate relationship. 

I was so excited about these. I tried Dr.M first. The color is gorgeous but instead of being a true green, its leans a bit towards a turquoise. I wore it to work and got tons of compliments. That was the pros, now for the cons. First off, the wand doesn't pick up enough product and I have to dip about 5 times to fully cover my lips. Secondly, and some may consider this a plus, the product dries super fast. So fast that my top lip is dry before I can finish the bottom. This is with thin coats. I also cannot purse my lips at all while its drying or it will create patches. Once it did dry, it was beautiful. But as soon as i smiled, it cracked and flaked everywhere. I reapplied it at least 4 times during my 8hr shift because it kept flaking. Thicker layers made it worse. Taking it off was a bitch and it left a slight stain for a lil while. The green stain on my lips made me look sick, hence the many reapplies. Love the color. Horrible application. 

Now Tulle on the other hand went on like a dream. I was able to rub my lips together while it dried and no patches formed. It felt like my lips had on nothing. My lips felt soft but not drying. The color is similar to KVD Lolita but darker. The flawless application was also similar. This one didn't smudge or budge. No cracks or flakes.

I have not tried any others yet. Im somewhat hesitant because I'd hate for more of them to turn out like the green, and I can't return any of it. I gotta find my disposable wands for swatches before I do. 

Movie Review: Exodus: Gods and Kings

Finally got done suffering thru Exodus: Gods and Kings. Two and a half hours of ridiculousness, blasphemy, and GTFOHWTBS. Much like the movie Noah, this one also had a storyline that was so far fetched from the original story that it shouldn't even have the same names. Some of the worst examples are:

1. Moses walks around almost all of the movie without his walking stick. So there is nothing of him turning his stick into a snake. That whole part of the original story is left out. (how could you? That's one of the best parts of the story)

2. Moses is exiled, not because he kills someone, but because Ramses found out he was Hebrew. (so that's how yall doing it?)

3. The Red Sea doesnt part. Its just low tide. (booooooooo)

4. Ramses and Moses both get swept away when the water returns. And both live. (like really? REALLY?!? Pffft)

And the worst of all: God is portrayed by an 8yr old white boy. The bush burned in the background for a minute or two but it was the boy who spoke. NO. NO. NO. and NO. (this is the first time I had to stop the movie, but it wasn't the only time)

This was such a huge ton of crap. Took me several times to finish this movie cause its hard to watch such egregious faults. Dont watch it. You'll be pissed!

Influenster Frosty VoxBox

Influenster Frosty VoxBox 

This is the first VoxBox I've received in a long time. I used to get them more often but then after the revamp, it was like a cold silence. But I remained patient and my reward was this beautiful box. 

Contents:

• Boots No7 Protect & Perfect ADVANCED (2 foil packs)
• NYC New York Color Expert Last Lip Color in Sugar Plum
• Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea (2 tea bags)
• EcoTools Sleek + Shine Brush
• Fruit Vines Bites Strawberry
• McCormick Gourmet All Natural Thyme
• Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover
• Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner

I got Sugar Plum in my #FrostyVoxBox. I did not like the color. I was able to swap it for Berry Me because I still wanted to try the product. I really like this color. The lipstick is very smooth and there was not a lot of bleeding since I didnt use a lip liner. It didnt make my lips dry either. I like it.

I've always been a fan of Celestial Seasonings and Candy Cane is always a holiday fave. I was stoked to get this. I used to eat Twizzlers but hated how tough they were. These are way better. Theyre very soft and not super sweet but very flavorful. I like the bites because I can have just a few pieces if I want versus a whole rope.

While the Thyme seemed out of place in the box, it found the perfect place in my kitchen. My thyme jar on the spice rack was getting kinda low. Its not something I use often but its always good to have on hand. The brush on the other hand, I have absolutely no use for since I have locks. This will be given away to someone who needs it. My mom just got a brush in a gift set so she doesnt need another one when she barely uses the one she has. 

The eye makeup remover was a delight to see. I have tried all kinds of makeup removers that are either creamy, oily, or wipes. This is my first "watery" makeup remover. I've seen them before but just never tried any so I was happy that now I have one to try. And it works great. The only problem is that it does burn a little if it gets in your eye. I just make sure to keep my eye closed until I dry the area after cleaning. 

The last two products I have yet to try. Im not a fan of foil packs because theyre usually not enough to really test a product's effectiveness. And I have a bajillion black eyeliners. But this one is at the front of the list on the next one that I start using when my other one goes out.

All in all, this was a great box and I was so happy to get it. I cant wait for the next VoxBox.

I received the product(s) complimentary to test and/or review

Killer Within Book Review

"Arnie Milhouse is a murderer. A millionaire with dozens of kills in his past and no one the wiser. But when his name surfaces in connection with the death of a D.C. call girl, Arnie knows it’s only a matter of time before the FBI puts the pieces together. As he makes plans to disappear and leave his life in Annapolis behind forever, he meets a beautiful, mysterious woman who takes an interest in him. The perfect final victim. He can’t believe his luck. 

Only luck has nothing to do with it. 

Allison McNeil has returned to Annapolis, a city that she promised herself she would never come back to, not while the cruel memories of her time at the United States Naval Academy still haunt her. But she’s willing to do just about anything to get close to Arnie, even if it means having to face down the demons of her past. Her plans work and soon she and Arnie find themselves locked in a dangerous dance of seduction and betrayal. But Arnie isn’t the only one who carries a secret and the dark truth about Allison McNeil makes a final confrontation between them inevitable. Neither of them know it, but they're on a collision course that only one of them will survive. "

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Its one of those mysteries where you already know what's gonna happen but the path to get to that point is whats exciting. I think the writing is good. Not one of those novels with pages of boring details and descriptions that aren't critical to the story. It gives you enough clues to keep you turning the page. I look forward to more from this author. 

October Loot Crate

October Loot Crate Theme is FEAR.

Death by Cats Tshirt. I had high hopes for the shirt. The last two shirts I got from LootCrate were great. And with the theme, Halloween time, mention of Walking Dead, boasts of being an epic box... I just knew this month's shirt would be great as well. Man, if only you could have seen my face.

Cats. Why cats? I'm so not a fan of cats. I dont hate them, Im just not fond of them. I would not voluntarily wear anything with cats on it or cat related. So yeah, total buzzkill that shirt was. Besides that, its a girl shirt so it's light and tight. I actually have to wear a size up cause those kinds of shirts run small so they can be tight and form fitting. So even if I liked the shirt, it wouldnt fit.

This shirt was epic alright. EPIC FAIL!

The inside of the box is really cool. I havent tried it yet but I think the box is reversible. I've missed a few boxes so don't know if that is something unique to this month's box or if they do it with all boxes now. They should definitely do it worth all future boxes. It makes the actual box another exclusive collectors item.

LA Girl Glazed Lip Paint

I've been wanting to try the Too Faced Melted lippies but that's way out of my price range. While searching for them, I found these. Almost dupes but slightly different. LA Girl Glazed Lip Paint is liquid lipstick in a lip gloss applicator/package. There are 18 colors in the collection so far. These are awesome. Rich, opaque color that feels weightless and has a minty scent. A little goes a long way. This color is called Coy. It's a soft lavender. It shows lighter on me than I expected but I still like it. I have not found these in any stores near me yet. I purchased it from eBay. I will be buying some of the other shades soon.

July Lip Monthly Box

This is my first, last, and only box from Lip Monthly. And since I only paid $5, its not bad but not worth it to me.

The company just launched this year and has a loooooooooong way to go. I signed up just only price alone. But once I actually researched them, I cancelled. I will say that they responded to my emails in a timely matter, and the box arrived on time, intact, everything included. But I've heard nothing but bad and worse about them. If they can get it together, I may consider resubbing for the $5 deal.

My disappointment lies with the color selection but at $5, you get what you pay for. So far, they just send you a bunch of random products but next month, they'll start have themed boxes. 

The packaging was wasteful, in my opinion. The actual box can only hold 2 items. The box was shipped in a bubble envelope. The rest of the products came in the bubble envelope. Why have the box at all? 

Im just not impressed. 

Ramadan Mubarak vs Ramadan Kareem

As Salaam Alaikum and Ramadan Mubarak.

For years growing up, during the month of Ramadan, Muslims would greet each other with As Salaam Alaikum and Ramadan Mubarak. The response would be Walaikum as Salaam and Ramadan Kareem. Some years back when Imam W.D. Mohammed was still alive, he gave a talk about the difference between the two. I did not hear it firsthand but I think it was brought up during a Jumah khutbah, and my dad (who did hear it firsthand) relayed it to me. According to my dad, the Imam said that he did some extensive research on the life and practices of Prophet Muhammad PBUH and his companions, and while there was plenty of evidence of use of Ramadan Mubarak, he could find absolutely nothing on the use of the phrase Ramadan Kareem. The Imam concluded that maybe the Arabs, who did not have the same respect for other (western) Muslims, came up with the phrase to address them. Amongst themselves, they greet each other with Ramadan Mubarak, but to other foreigners, their greeting would be Ramadan Kareem. Though several older Muslims bear witness to hearing the Imam explain it, nobody can pinpoint which lecture/speech he said it in. I would like to hear it for myself, so Inshallah someone will find it. Google didnt help much either since many of the Imams lectures arent indexed for searching. I did find the following explanation that is somewhat kinda sorta along the same lines.

Imam Benjamin Bilal. Jumu’ah 09/07/07

"Again, we wish everyone Ramadan Mubarak which means, “Blessed Ramadan”. And the most appropriate response to Ramadan Mubarak is Ramadan Mubarak. Now, I know that we have gotten used to saying Ramadan Kareem and Ramadan Sayeed. However, Allah says that when a greeting is given to you, you should reply with a greeting more excellent or at least it’s equal. So, if I say Ramadan Mubarak and you say Ramadan Kareem, you’re giving me less than what I gave you. As predominantly Muslim African Americans, we have to begin taking serious measures towards learning the accuracy in the Qur’anic language or else people will come along and introduce ideas into the religion that are actually foreign to the letter and spirit of the Qur’an and what El Islam represents.

In the Qur’an Allah says that, Ramadan is the month that is full of blessings or “mubaraka”. That’s what Allah says. So, to say “Ramadan Mubarak” is right in line with what Allah says about Ramadan in the Qur’an itself. But nowhere in the Qur’an will you find these other appendages. Therefore, if I’m giving you something that is from the Qur’an and you are giving me something in return that is from some other source, you’re giving me less than what I gave you. That does not represent obedience to the letter or spirit of the Qur’an." 

Since the Imam told us to stop using Ramadan Kareem, I've seen it used less but still see it used by some. Im not here to tell anyone how to be a Muslim or what is right or wrong in their actions. I wanted to know this information for myself and share with anyone who is interested.

May Graze Box

This is my first time trying Graze. I heard a lot of good things about them. It's a snack box subscription. For $6 a box, you get 4 random healthy snacks from their collection of about 90 items. You can view their entire collection and rate the items to narrow the margin of choices for your box.

"Our boxes are filled with delicious and nutritious food. From nuts, seeds, dried fruits, tasty crackers, dips to some well-deserved treats, every Graze snack has a healthy benefit."

My box included:

sweet mustard ranch
mustard breadsticks, sour cream and onion cashews and poppyseed pretzels

These were ok, not bad. I only disappointed that the cashews tasted like regular cashews. I could hardly taste the seasoning but they were still good.

key lime pie
lime infused raisins, sponge pieces, mini meringues and green raisins

I really liked this one even though I'm not a fan of raisins. This has maybe converted me. It's so good.

summer berry flapjack
rustic rolled oat flapjack with berry-infused cranberries

I let my dad try this one and he liked it

jalapeno fiesta
jalapeno peanuts, roasted sunflower seeds, salsa almonds and roasted pumpkin seeds

This was good too. Not super spicy but a lil kick. The almonds were very flavorful. They were the standout in this mix.

Overall I loved my box. This is definitely a keeper. These really came in handy before my workout. I can't wait to see what comes in the next box.

If you want to try Graze, click here to get your 1st and 5th box free, and with that subscription a $1 donation to the Graze School of Farming.

Mary Kay Influenster VoxBox #MKGlam

Playing with some of my Mary Kay makeup from Influenster VoxBox. The creamy eyeshadow is called Apricot Twist. On my skin it looks golden but I couldnt get it to show up in the pic. I also lightly dabbed a little bit under my eye as a highlighter. As I was lining my lid with the gel eyeliner (first time using gel eyeliner ever) the gold and black made me think of the Egyptians. So I tried an Egyptian inspired wing liner. The lipgloss is called Mango Tango and its a red orange. I like the feel and smell of it but I'm not too keen on the color. Threw in my nails cause they're cute and sparkly