Before we start, I just want you all to know that I am completely aware that it is May and I am just now posting my April review.  Not just that it is May, but it is a full week into the month.  But there’s never a bad time to chit chat about makeup, right?  I’ll just get right to it.

Atelier Cologne Vanille Intensee Cologne Absolue

Wow, that name is a MOUTHFUL.  Or handful if you’re typing.  ANYWAY, I didn’t love it.  It is a little too musky for me.  It also comes with a pretty hefty price tag.  I really have to love the scent to pay that much for it.

$80 in the Birchbox Shop

1/5 would buy

POP Beauty POP Portfolio Eyeshadow Palette

$26 in the Birchbox Shop

I have tried this brand before, but I don’t think I tried any of its eye makeup.  I chose this sample before the box was shipped to me.  I received a frosty vanilla color, a pink color, and a copper color.  They were all very nicely pigmented.  I always love eyeshadow samples because they last FO-REV-ER.  The only thing I did not like was that the shadow broke very easily and is now just floating around the palette.  I am not always the nicest with storing my makeup and handling them gently.  Having a more densely packed shadow is definitely a better choice for me.  The packaging was crap… I am sorry to say.  ELF products have nicer packaging than this flimsy plastic contraption.  I have to use a bobby pin to pry it open.  No bueno.

2/5 would buy

LAQA & Co. Lip Lube Pencil

$20 in the Birchbox Shop

Lip Lube?  Really?  I had no idea that this is what this product was called until I wrote this review.  I can look past this as I did enjoy using this lip pencil.  It glided on very smoothly and the color was gorgeous.  Glid?  Glid should totally be the past tense of glide.  I am starting the revolution.  Anyway, it is a really fun, springy pink.  The only thing I did not like about it was that it is not very moisturizing.  Lip color samples are typically another type of sample that will last FO-REV-ER.  Since I am drowning in Birchbox lip samples, it really takes a very special lip color for me to make the splurge on a full size.  Like my beloved Manna Kadar Lip Locked in Lucky.  Totally worth it.  In my opinion, I also think that $20 is a lot to spend on a lip color you have to sharpen yourself.

2/5 would buy

   Beaver Professional Hydro Nutritive Moisturizing Shampoo & Conditioner

$15 & $16 (respectively) in the Birchbox Shop

What is with the super long product names this month?  I thought this shampoo and conditioner set was nice, but I personally didn’t feel like it was anything to write home about.  It smells ok and my hair felt clean, but the conditioner was really sub par for what I need.  It was definitely not effective enough to replace my current shampoo and conditioner.  It was the perfect travel size for my trip to Vegas, however.

2/5 would buy

I think the general consensus of my April box is “meh”.  I will keep my fingers crossed for a mind blowing makeup/skin care/hair stuff experience with my May box!

Thanks for stopping by!  See y’all next time…

Marissa