January ebay Haul Review Part 1 Mary Kay, Redkin Rough Paste, NuMe Hydro Punch

Hello, all you Average people out there!

I won an ebay auction recently, for a large lot of beauty samples.  As there are SO many, if I put all of my thoughts into one post, my computer just might explode.  Therefore, I am going to try to separate my thoughts on my new things into smaller (hopefully) posts.  

Lots of foil packets in my ebay haul auction lot!

Today when I woke up, I decided that I would test the Mary Kay samples I received.

Botanical Effects "Cleanse"

I used the Mary Kay Botanical Effects cleanse foil packet sample on my face, instead of my regular Clinique routine (3 steps).  According to the foil packet, the cleanser is: "Suitable for sensitive skin.  Free from alcohol, fragrance and synthetic dyes.  Non-comedogenic.  Clinically tested for skin irritancy and allergy."  All of these things are good, because I have strangely sensitive skin.  I cut open my packet and used it on my face while I was in the shower. My face did not feel as dry as it does after I use the facial soap (Step 1), which is a good thing.  As there was no follow up lotions or anything mentioned on the packet, I assume that this is supposed to replace all 3 steps of the routine I learned from Clinique, which is a cleansing soap, toning lotion, and facial lotion.  I liked the feeling on my face, and my dry skin (in the winter) did not feel dry at all.  My foil packet didn't say if it was the formula for dry, oily or normal skin, so I can't tell you exactly which one it was, but all three are available at Mary Kay, and retail for $14 for 4 oz.  The retail value of my .1 oz foil packet is $0.35.  This is much cheaper than my Clinique cleansers, so I may look into purchasing the full size of this product.  Grade: 5/5

Two foil packs in one!  Microdermabrasion, both steps. Refine and Replenish

While I was in the shower, I also decided to try the Mary Kay Timewise microdermabrasion steps 1 and 2; another foil packet.  I hate foil packets, but I do tend to try to use them, just so that they are not hanging around for my kids to get into them.  Both of the steps in my packet are for dry to oily skin (isn't that everyone?) and are oil and fragrance free.  Step 1, called Refine,  is basically a lotion substance that has tiny granules in it.  When I tried this, it didn't hurt at all, but felt like I was wet sanding my face.  I suppose essentially, I was.  What you are supposed to do is apply this to your wet face, and use your fingertips to rub it in, avoiding the eyes and mouth areas.  I then rinsed it off, and dried my face, then I applied step 2. Step 2 is called Replenish, and is basically a lotion.  After I applied this, also avoiding my mouth and eye areas as the packet suggested, my skin felt baby soft.  Seriously. What I liked about this product is that I don't need a special machine to apply the paste, I just use my fingers.  I really liked this, and may just look into getting some at a later date!  These products are also available at Mary Kay's website; step 1 is $30 for 2.5 oz.; step 2 is $25 for 1 fl. oz.  The retail value of my little foil packet is $1.20 for step 1, $1 for step 2, so $2.20 total.  Grade: 4.5/5

I figure, it can't make my eye wrinkles worse, right?

 I also decided to try the little sample I have of Mary Kay's timewise age fighting wrinkle cream.  The foil packet (sigh) says to "gently pat" the product around the eye area, and that is is for dry to oily skin.  I tried this out, and it seems a little greasy for my particular taste, and I am not sure if I noticed any immediate results (that would be impressive, though!).  The sample has enough in the packet that I can try it again tomorrow, and perhaps I will have a better feel for the product then. In my ebay lot, there were several wrinkle creams, and as this is the first I've tested, I can't say if this is the best one.  This product retails for $26 for a .65 oz package.  (I think their website is trying to kill me and my below average math skills; the tube online is in oz and grams, the packet I have is in fl. oz and mL.) My best guess is that my sample foil packet has a retail value of $0.40, and I got two uses out of it.  Grade: 3/5 (neutral as I have never really used wrinkle cream before and don't really know what to expect)

Front of the card

Inside the card.  The makeup samples are on the right (under a clear film) and hints and tips are on the left.  I LOVE the lipstick sample, such a cute idea!

In the interest of keeping all the Mary Kay products together, I'm skipping hair for now, and going on to makeup.  I received a color card for the "berries" collection, and tried it out.  I have never tried to get eye shadow off of a little sample card before, and I had better luck with some brushes, than with others.  The mineral eye colors went on smoothly (after I got them off the card), and the colors I used are Sweet Plum (lid; a shimmery dark purple) Silver Satin (crease; a shimmery medium grey) and Moonstone (highlight; shimmery light shade). I like how the colors are in a set so I can see a full effect, and know that they will look good together.  My skills are Only Average, after all.  I can't say how these look in the pan (as I haven't seen or felt them), but they went on nicely and blended well (on top of UD primer potion).  The blush color (interesting to get on my brush!) is Bold Berry from the mineral cheek color collection.  After applying, I absolutely had the look of rosy cheeks.  I am picky about blush, and this is a very pretty color.  I never would have looked at this color in the store, as I think it would have been too dark, but it really wasn't, and looks nice. This blush has a semi-matte finish that suited my preferred look. That's the fun part about samples, though, finding something new to try!  The lip color on the card is called whipped berries, from their line of Creme lipstick, with a satin finish.  I loved using the sample for this, you take off the top layer of film, fold in half, and press your lips to it.  I only had to touch up a couple spots, it went on well and was fun at the same time! I'm not much of a lipstick fan, however, so I applied a gloss on top.  More on that in a minute.  Pricing on what I received samples of: (I am not even going to try to price it out individually as the samples were intended for one time use) 
  Grade: 4/5 

Such a CUTE little wand, I LOVE it!

I realize you can't see it, but there really IS a swatch on my hand.  it is clear, and just a touch sparkly.

Because I don't care for lipstick, I wanted to top my lips with a gloss.  I used another sample from my ebay haul, also from MK.  The Nourishine Plus lip gloss in icicle went on smooth, and had a sparkly finish.  The gloss is clear, with sparkles in it, and wasn't sticky at all.  I love how they include a tiny wand to apply the gloss with in the sample, SO cute! The sample was enough for me to use and reapply a couple times throughout the day, which is nice. There isn't a weight on the sample, so I can't tell you the value of my sample. but the full size of this product is $14 for a .15 fl oz tube, with wand applicator in the lid.  Grade: 5/5 (I hate sticky gloss, and love the sparkle!)

This is the PERFECT size to put in a teeny tiny handbag for a night out, and I LOVE that it still has a full size wand on this sample size!

I also received a "one time use" sample of MK's Ultimate Mascara, in what I assume is the color black.  I like the one time use container, and that it has a full size wand.  More companies should offer mascara samples like that!  That being said, I don't like this mascara.  My lashes still look miniscule, after multiple coats.  This did make my bottom lashes stand out a bit more, and it is staying put very well.  I had no clumping, smudging or flaking issues with it at all.  This mascara would be great for someone who already has longer length lashes, or uses falsies. I, however, have tiny lashes, and as I was going for an every day look, I didn't want to bust out my false lashes.  Maybe this would be good for bottom lashes, but not the top; either way, I don't think this product is for me.  If you want to try this one out, it is available from MK's site (or your MK rep, if you have/know one.  Retail for full size is $15.00, .28 oz tube.  I could only guess at the value of my sample, as there is no weight on the container, just "one time use".  Grade: 3/5 (simply because my bottom lashes look nice)

Cute little tube, and it was sealed on the inside (love that!), about enough in the sample for two uses.

While I was in the shower, I also tried a conditioner that was my sample lot, that is from a brand I have never heard before, called NuMe.  I live under a rock, ok, and my hair is so hard to style, I usually just give up the fight early on.  The name of the conditioner is Hydro Punch, and the pack of the tube reads, "Professional solution for dry or coloured hair making revolutionary synergy between traditional Moroccan Berber women Argan oil and innovative patented technology of Seratin-K protein complex. The active ingredients replenish moisture for intense softness, movement and shine.  Ok, I'm not entirely sure what all that means and I don't understand all of those words, but I do know Argan oil is good for my hair, and I'll try anything once.  I used this after my normal shampoo, and my hair didn't feel soft after I rinsed it out, so I used my deep conditioning treatment afterwards (I have crazy dry and super thin hair).  The final result was my hair was softer than if I don't use conditioner before I use the deep conditioning treatment, so I think it did some good.  I'm not sure I would go to the trouble of ordering this, though, so once my little tube is empty, that will probably be the end of it, since I can get decent conditioners at my local grocery store, or at the 'Mart.  If you want to try it out, it is available HERE, and is $24.99 for 8.45 oz. My .67 oz sample has the retail value of $2  Grade: 4/5

Very nice sized sample, I will get several uses out of this.

After I washed my hair, I applied Argon oil (as usual), and tried another sample from my haul, to use during styling.  I have super dry, thin and kinky curly hair, so it is very hard to manage.  I received a sample of Redken Rough paste 12, and decided to try it out.  After googling it to figure out what it is supposed to do (the only hint on the container is "working material".  What exactly does that mean?), I applied a quarter sized amount to my hair (it may be thin but it's long), and worked it in.  I am happy to say that it helped define my curls a bit, and definitely added volume to my hair.  I will have to give this product a bit longer test, but my first impression is that it is something that I would like to try again, and because it's a deluxe size sample, I can!  This stuff absolutely took my below average hair, and made it at least Only Average (as we all know is all I try to be), so that is definitely a step in the right direction!  Ulta sells this in store only, and carry both the full and the "travel size" I received, the full size (2.5 oz) is $18, the .75oz sample/travel size is $5.50.  Drugstore.com also sells the full size of this product for $18.90.  Grade: so far, 4/5 (I wish it had a little more hold)

 So, here is my final look, with the products listed above.  I also used:
Maybelline New York Dream Fresh BB creme (light)
Urban Decay Primer Potion (original)
Hard Candy Glamoflauge heavy duty concealer (light)
Raw Natural Minerals Active Veil
Be a Bombshell eyeliner (Onyx)

Note the teeny, tiny lashes.

Today's awkward pose

Enjoy!

January Ebay HAUL!

You know, sometimes I forget the eBay exists. I know, it's terrible of me.  But sometimes I DO remember, and do some browsing to see what I can find.  The other day, I came across a lot of beauty samples, from past Ipsy bags, Dermstore, Birchbox, and Mary Kay.  It was relatively inexpensive, given what was in the bag (some items I was very interested in trying), and I put out a minimum bid.  To my great surprise (and child-like glee), I won the auction.  Here is a list of all the items I received; I will do several separate posts on my review of them- there is so much stuff in this bag, I couldn't do it all at once!

Check out all the stuff I received, for $24 (shipping included)!!

  In this mixed lot, there were lots and lots of samples, including some of the dreaded foil packs.  

Foil Packs!!

Mary Kay botanical effects Mask  available HERE, $14 (4 oz. tube)

 1.  Mary Kay botanical effects Mask, .1 oz foil packet. This says on the back that it is suitable for sensitive skin, so I will definitely try this out.  Retail value of this sample is $0.35

Mary Kay botanical effects Freshen available HERE, $14 (5 fl oz. bottle)

 2.  Mary Kay botanical effects Freshen moist towelette.  This is supposed to restore the skin's natural pH and improve the skin's texture, according to MK's website.  This is available in 3 different formulas; I assume that this is for "normal" skin.  This also says approved for use on sensitive skin (like me!!).  I can't put a retail value on this sample, as it is a towelette, with no weight listed; and the product is only sold in liquid form.  

Mary Kay botanical effects Cleanse, available HERE, $14 (4 oz tube)

 3.  Mary Kay botanical effects Cleanse, .1 oz foil packet.  This is also approved for sensitive skin; I look forward to trying this, as my current skin routine is 3 steps, and this appears to be only one!  Retail value of this sample is $0.35 (not bad, for a cleanser, per use!)

Mary Kay timewise microdermabrasion steps 1 & 2, available HERE, $30 for step 1, refine (2.5 oz tube); $25 for step 2, replenish (1 fl oz tube)

 4.  Mary Kay timewise Microdermabrasion set.  This is technically 2 samples, but they are attached, and are meant to be used together.  The step 1 sample, Refine, is to remove the top layer of dead skin on your face, and the .1 oz sample has a retail value of $1.20.  The step 2 sample, replenish, is to moisturize the skin after you preform step 1, and the .04 fl oz sample has a retail value of $1.  Total retail value of this sample set is $2.20 (wow!  for a foil pack, that's actually fairly pricey)

Mary Kay timewise Age-fighting eye cream, available HERE,$26 (.65 oz tube)

5.  Mary Kay timewise Age-fighting eye cream, .01 fl oz foil packet.  This product is supposed to help ease the appearance and help prevent wrinkles in the eye area.  I've never used a wrinkle cream before (I AM only average, after all), and as I received a few different ones in this eBay lot, I get the chance to try a few out. Retail value of this sample is $.40

Mary Kay color card, berry collection.

Inside the color card, samples on the right.  Everything on this card is available HERE, $6.50 (eye shadow, all shades .05 oz); $10 (cheek color, .18 oz) and $15 (lipstick, .13 oz tube)

6. Mary Kay color card, with the berry collection.  This is a super cute idea, although I am not sure if there is enough product on the card to use as a full makeover (especially the eye shadow).  The lipstick sample is super cute, too, I can't wait to try this out!  I can't share the retail value of this sample, as it has no weights or stats listed, but I can share with you the colors shown.  Mineral eye color (top) in Moonstone (left), Silver Satin (middle), and Sweet Plum (right); mineral cheek color (middle) in Bold Berry; and creme lipstick (bottom) in Whipped Berries.

Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara in black (I assume), found HERE, $15 (.28 oz tube)

 7. Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara, single use sample.  I am assuming the color is black, but there is no color specified on the tube, that I noticed.  I love that this sample has a full size wand, which is rare for a sample!  As there is no weight on the tube (that I could see, anyway), I can't list a retail value of this sample.

Mary Kay nourishine lip gloss (Icicle), available HERE, $14 (.15 fl oz tube with wand applicator)

 8. Mary Kay nourishine lip gloss foil packet, in the color Icicle.  I absolutely LOVE that this comes with a teeny tiny lip wand!  The color is clear with iridescent sparkle in it.  I can't wait to try this- I LOVE lip gloss!  This is another sample with no weight listed, so I can't list a retail value of this sample.

Mary Kay nourishine lip gloss (Fancy Nancy), available HERE, $14 (.15 fl oz tube with wand applicator)

 9. Mary Kay nourishine lip gloss sample foil packet, in the shade Fancy Nancy.  This is a sheer peach color, as you can kind of see in my swatch above.  I didn't want to do too big of a swatch, as this is a tiny sample!  No retail value available for this one, either.

Mary Kay mirror.  I couldn't find this for sale on MK's website, but there are several auction on eBay for this mirror.

Mirror when assembled, and tilted away from the camera.

10. Mary Kay mirror with tray.  This was an extra bonus in my package, and I really like it!  The mirror stores flat, and assembles easy, tilts, and has a small tray.  No retail value for the mirror available, but if you want one, check out eBay; I saw several for sale there.

Nailtiques Oil Therapy, available HERE, $6.99 (this size, .25 fl oz) or $11.99 (larger .5 fl oz size)

 11. Nailtiques Oil Therapy, full size sample, .25 fl oz (smaller size).  I think this product is meant to strengthen nails and soften cuticles, but honestly, the package insert is huge and is generic to their entire product line, and I have adult ADD so I just kind of said, TLDR.  I will give it a shot, though, and hope it doesn't make my nails fall off because I didn't properly read the insert. Retail value: $6.99

Circus by Andrea's Choice nail color (Tightrope), available HERE, $29.95, set of 5 colors

12.  Circus by Andrea's Choice nail color in tightrope.  This is ALMOST a full size product at .45 fl oz (full size is .5 fl oz, according to the website).  This is an item from a past Ipsy MyGlam bag, and one of the reasons I bid on this particular lot.  I love purples, greens and blues, (and my BFF is a RAVENS fan) and I am really excited to try out this color.  One thing I WILL say, is that the front page for the website for this polish is an unusual add for nail polish: her hands are behind her back!  Retail value of this sample: $5.99

Be A Bombshell eyeliner (Onyx), available HERE, $14 (.1 fl oz)

13. Be a Bombshell eyeliner in Onyx, full size.  This is an item from a past Ipsy MyGlam Bag, also.  I was super excited to try this out, and was seriously wowed by the size of the felt tip of the eyeliner marker.  It looks kind of like a regular Crayola marker!  The swatch here shows how well it smudged right away (but seriously stayed put!), and then a thin line.  I think this one will take some practice, but I am excited to try it.  The packaging needs some work, though, I think; the cap is very easy to remove.  Retail value: $14

Stila lip glaze (Lights), available HERE(just not in this color), $12 (3 pack, .05 fl oz each) or $22 (.08 fl oz)

14. Stila lip glaze in the color Lights.  This is apparently part of a 3 pack made exclusively for Birchbox (I don't currently have a BB subscription), and is a larger sample size/3 pack regular size of .05 fl oz.  As you can see by the swatch, it's a sheer neutral gloss, in the brown family.  I had to click the tube for what really felt like forever to get the product to appear in the brush, so fair warning.  The website link above is for Stila's website, where you can order this product in a whole bunch of colors, just not this one.  Birchbox's webiste said that this product is sold out.  Retail value of this sample: $4 (1/3 of a 3 pack)

S.A.L.T.Y Cosmetics loose luxury mineral eye shadow (glama-ZOID!), available HERE, $4.50 (small 1g size) or $14.97 (large 2.5 g size)

Pretty shimmery pink/purple/white duo-tone.

15. S.A.L.T.Y. Cosmetics loose luxury mineral eye shadow in the shade glama-ZOID!.  This is another item from past Ipsy MyGlam bags, and I am excited to try it out.  I am an eyeshadow junkie, and I love loose shadows.  This is a full size sample, the small size, and apparently specially blended just for Ipsy. The picture of the swatch really doesn't do it justice; it's a very pretty iridescent purple/pink/white color, perfect for highlight or lid color for a neutral eye.  Sample retail price: $4.50

Raw Natural Minerals Active Veil with Sunscreen SPF 18, available HERE, $20 (.07 oz) sale price; this is discontinued

It is difficult to see in this swatch, as it blended so well, but there is a hint of shimmer in this powder.

16.  Raw Natural Minerals Active Veil Sunscreen (SPF 18), full size product (.07 oz).  I am excited to try this out, as I have always wanted to use mineral powder, to see how it does with my super sensitive skin.  Shimmer in a face powder kind of scares me, though: I'm not sure I'm ready for the Vampire look!  Also, this item is discontinued, and expires 3/13.  I just opened the seal, though, so hopefully I can use this until it is gone, and that the expiration date, is more of a "sell by" date.  Anyone know anything about mineral makeup and expiration dates?  Retail value: $20, although the price tag says $25.
 

Redken rough paste 12, available HERE, $18.90 (2.5 oz) or at Ulta stores; this size $5.50, full size $18

 17.Redken Rough Paste 12 sample (.75 oz).  I have super crazy dry and frizzy hair, that usually I give up on styling and just throw it up in a pony tail. I can't wait to give this stuff a try to see if it can help me do anything halfway normal with my hair.  This is a "travel size/deluxe sample size", with a retail value of $5.50 (whoo hoo!)

NuMe Hydro Punch hydrating conditioner, available HERE, $24.99 (8.45 oz)

 18.NuMe Hydro Punch conditioner.  This sample size tube is .67 oz, and although I haven't heard of NuMe before (sorry if I live under a rock, I have kids, and am only average, after all!), but I am excited to try this out too- anything to make my crazy hair close to normal!  The retail value of this sample is $2.00.

Clean Well all natural hand sanitizing wipe, available HERE, $137.99 (250 ct. foil packets), also available in canisters and wipe packs.

 19.Clean Well all natural hand sanitizing wipe, foil packet.  This is one product I like to have in a foil packet because it makes it easy to toss in my tiny purse and take it with me.  The company who makes these sells the hand sanitizing wipes in canisters and wipe packs, but I personally would be afraid to buy those because I would probably mistake them for diaper wipes.  Ouch.  This sample packet has a retail value of $0.55.

Dr Dennis Gross Skincare alpha beta glow pad, available HERE, $18 (10 pack of foil pack towelettes)

20. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, Glow Pad foil packet.  This is basically a sunless tanning wipe.  I am skeptical about this because firstly, I don't use tanners, and secondly, why would I want my face dark (from the wipe) but be Paley McPale Pale everywhere else? Sure, I could use more than one wipe to do my legs, hands, arms, etc., but at the price of these?  It's just not for me.  I will give this a go, though, and let you all know what my thoughts are on the actual product.  The retail value of this sample packet is $1.80.

Vichy Laboratories Liftactiv CxP UV, available HERE, $40 (.5 fl oz)

 21.Vichy Laboratories Liftactiv CxP UV bio-lifting daily care anti-wrinkle & firming cream with broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 20 sample, .1 fl oz tube.  I again, don't have much experience with wrinkle creams, and I don't understand all the words I just typed, but I will give this a try and see if I lose any of my crow's feet or forehead wrinkles.  I think that is what this is supposed to do, anyway.  Retail value of this sample is $8 (holy crow!  I ran the math on this three times, just to make sure it was right!)

Caudalie Paris Vinexpert Firming Serum, available HERE, $88 (30mL tube)

 22.Caudalie Paris Vinexpert Firming Serum tube, 7mL.  When I picked this up, it felt really light, so I thought it was possible that it was used before it made it to me (the ONLY sample in this lot that I had that thought about), but I think it's just a really loosely filled tube.  This is another wrinkle cream, and I will give it a try.  It is really expensive, though, so unless it makes my skin look like a 10 year old's, I probably won't buy it.  Retail value of this sample is (ready? sitting down?) $20.53 (I ran the math on this several times too).  

CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM, available HERE, $12.99 (3 fl oz tube)

 23.CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion in their AM formula, sample tube is 5g.  I'm not sure I understand the point of using a different lotion in the morning and at night, and I probably won't with this sample, as I only have the AM formula and not the PM.  I will give it a try, though, and let you all know! The retail value of this sample is $0.73.

Cetaphil UVA/UVB Defense SPF 50 facial moisturizer, available HERE, $11.19 (1.7 oz tube)

 24.Cetaphil UVA/UVB defense SPF 50 facial moisturizer, sample size tube (.2 fl oz).  I love using a moisturizer with an SPF in it, and as I have very pale and easily burnable skin, I love that this has a high SPF.  I will definitely give this a try and see what I think!  Retail value of this sample is $1.34.

Jergens Daily Moisture body lotion, available HERE, $6.49 (21 fl oz bottle)

25. Jergens Daily Moisture lotion foil packet sample, 1.4 g. I've use Jergens before and not been overly impressed.  This sample used to have a coupon attached to it, but the person selling the lot kept it (fine with me, honestly). For a foil packet on a card lotion sample, it's a fairly decent size, so I'm happy to try it, but I am not expecting fantastic results, but that's ok.  Retail value of this sample is $0.01.

The super cute bags I received in this HUGE lot :)

Black mesh cosmetic bag from Mary Kay cosmetics (?)

 26.Black Mesh bag from Mary Kay.  I couldn't find this on the website for sale, but I think it likely is paired with the mirror, as it fits perfectly in this bag. I love mesh cosmetic bags!

Orange and bright pink mesh bag from Ipsy/MyGlam brand.

 27.Ipsy mesh cosmetic bag, from a past MyGlam bag.  I love the colors in this bag, the bright orange and pink work great for my taste.  If I switch to a bigger purse, I will totally put my cosmetics in this- it will be easy to find with it's colors and texture!  The bags aren't available for sale without a subscription, so I don't have a retail price for this.  You can find these on eBay, though, if you want your very own!

Snakeskin print cosmetic bag with purple accents, Dermstore brand.

28. Dermstore snakeskin print bag.  I love the purples on this bag, but if I were going to keep it, the purple "dermstore" tag would have to go!  My oldest asked to have this, and once I'm done keeping my "to test" samples in it, it will happily belong to her.  I couldn't find a price for this one either, but it is super cute!

Ok, I THINK this is everything in this lot.  I'm sorry for being so picture heavy, but I want to show everything, and hopefully you can find an awesome lot like think on eBay for yourselves too!



Total retail value of my samples: $ 99.24 vs. the $24 I paid, including shipping.  That is NOT including any price for the cosmetic bags, or the samples that I wasn't able to find a price for.  I would give this a grade of Above Average!  I love it when I come out this far ahead!  I really wanted to try several of these items, and possibly I will find a few new favorites too.  

I know, I know, I've been doing a lot of "beauty" posts lately, I'm sorry!  I'm just on this kick where I want to be a girly girl.

Like my stuff?  Want to see a detailed review for a particular item?  Leave a comment and let me know!  Love something you see here?  Hate it?  Let me know that too! 
I love to review products, so if there is something you would like me to try and give my honest thoughts on, please message me or comment and I would be happy to do so.

Disclaimer:  The items listed above were paid for by my own money.  I am not being compensated or required to review any of these items, and the opinions listed are my own true feelings.  I have not been compensated, and the links shown are NOT referral links.  The ads on the page, however do benefit me, so if you see something you like, give it a click!  Thank you!

Life's Little Lessons

I tried this last week, and really liked the reflection I experienced, so I think I will try to do it again this week.  It's been a crazy week at my home, and I have learned (or rediscovered) some of life's little lessons.  Here is what I learned this week:

If your husband has bronchitis, then expect him to be home from work for most of the week.  

If your husband is sick, your children will most definitely get sick, or pretend to be sick, to fight for your attention. 

If someone wakes you up and tells you that your child's fever is "one hundred five", don't freak out right away, because they probably forgot to say the decimal point.

Just because you've known someone for two years, and see them each week, and exchange texts and emails frequently, doesn't mean that they will remember your name when they are introducing you to another friend.

Just because someone's child has been in class with yours for six consecutive years (minus one), and sees them twice a week, every week, doesn't mean that they will remember their name when telling a story.

Generic Oreos + peanut butter + brownie mix + 350 degrees + 20 minutes = awesomeness.  Best math ever.

It's better not to be a Supermom, but to be Only Average.  Supermom will eventually fall, as all Super people have their kriptonite.  Us Only Average ones know it's ok to fall, and don't built ourselves up so high that if we do fall, WHEN we do fall, it's only a skinned knee and not a broken leg.  Way better. Plus, it's much less likely to be on tv.

The meaning of life might not be Girl Scout cookies, but when your kid is selling them, it may seem like it.

If one of your kids is on the "bubble gum" medicine, the other one will cry for an hour every day because they don't get to have some too.

If you are a department head in a volunteer position, and you miss an administrative council meeting because your kid has strep throat and your husband had to work late, the people who despise you on the council will make countless changes to your department, and it's policies.  They probably won't tell you about them until you get the minutes for the meeting a week before the next one, either.

Just because you don't care what people say about you, doesn't mean that others can't hurt your feelings.

It is possible to have two kids with two broken left arms.  Just ask my BFF.  It could always be worse.

No matter what you do, it is impossible to please everyone.  Just worry about pleasing the people you love.  Let the haters hate.  

Sometimes, it is possible to make NO mistakes, and still lose. 
 
Finally, if your husband is in possession of a vehicle and something major happens to it, it's no big deal.  If you are in possession of a vehicle and anything happens to it, it's the end of the world.


So, that's my Only Average lessons for the day.  Do you like my weekly wrapup with tidbits from my average life?  Hate it?  Have your own Life Lesson you would like to share?  Let me know, leave a comment! 
I hope you all have a great week, and stay average!
 

Profusion BARE and MIDNIGHT FEVER Palette REVIEW

I know, I know, I've done a lot of beauty product reviews lately, and I'm sorry, I can't help it!  I've become a beauty product junky!!!  Here's another review of some inexpensive palettes I have picked up over the last month, and I hope my thoughts and experiences are helpful; I AM Only Average, after all!

I like the packaging of these palettes: they have a magnet closure, and are easy to store.

Profusion is a lower end line of makeup, available at several different stores, and online.  I purchased these palettes at two different stores, at a very reasonable price.  Both of the palettes have 10 eye shadow colors, a sponge applicator (yuck!), and a black eyeliner pencil.  

The top swatch is a clean line made with the pencil.  The bottom one I smudged out with my finger.

I will start with the eyeliner, as it is exactly the same in both palettes.  The eyeliners glide on smoothly, and smudge really well.  I have been spoiled by Urban Decay's 24/7 eyeliners, so I am used to insane staying power.  These pencils have an average wear, I suppose, but are not my favorite.  I will pass them on to a friend, I think, or keep them here for a friend, for when they want to touch up their makeup before we go out!  Grade: 3/5

I love how these have a mirror.  Handy!

The first palette I picked up was at the discount store, Five Below, for $5.  Five Below is one of my favorite stores to frequent, especially if my kids need a gift to take to a birthday party.  The best thing about Five Below is that every item in the store is $5 or less, and they have a fairly large assortment of things, that change all the time.  While I was there doing my Christmas shopping, I noticed a palette that was strikingly similar to Urban Decay's NAKED palette.  I don't have the naked palette, and I want one ($50 is a lot, that I would have to explain to my husband!), so I picked up the BARE palette for $5.

A closer view of the shadows in this palette.  Unfortunately, they don't seem to have names.

First impression was that there were some great neutrals in the palette! I liked using these colors and adding a colored shadow for "pop", and creating a very pretty neutral eye.  After using the shadows for about a week, however, I noticed that the consistency of some of them wasn't all that great.  Some of the shadow pans in the palette had lumps of powder in it, like the factory hadn't mixed everything up properly.  The shadows still work, but I didn't like the fact that the pans weren't a smooth, silky consistency.  

I swear, there really ARE 10 swatches here.  You just can't see them all very well.  See what I mean about the pigmentation?

One thing that I DO like is that the palette is a mixture of shimmer and matte shades.  I like that I can do a neutral eye, including highlight, with this one palette.  The other thing I noticed is that the shadows are not super pigmented in this palette.  You have to use a lot to get the color effect.  I would also recommend wearing a primer with this shadow, as I had crease problems without primer.  This is still my go-to box for a neutral selection, but I wish it were of a bit of a higher quality.  Sometimes you DO get what you pay for.  Grade: 2.5/5

Love the leopard print on these also!

I was at my local Walgreens last week, and saw that they had the same BARE palette that I had picked up at Five Below.  They also had another palette that I DIDN'T get at FB, that I was sorry later that I hadn't gotten.  Both palettes were originally $4.99, and on CLEARANCE now (after Christmas sale) for $3.74 (?).  I quickly picked up this dark beauty, the MIDNIGHT FEVER palette and I haven't been sorry.  This seems to be an attempt to dupe the SMOKED palette from Urban Decay.  As I don't have this palette either, I can't speak for dupes, but this palette is perfect for a nice smoky eye.

A closer look at the 10 shades.  This palette also did not give the colors names.

I should have picked this one up in the first place!  The quality is a bit nicer, although I still have crease problems if I forget my primer.  The pans seem to not have the chalky bits in it, like the BARE palette, but they are not as silky smooth as high end shadows.  They are still absolutely useable, and wearable, and it would be easy to use this palette to go from a day look, to a dark, sexy, smoky eye look at night.  I expected the shadows to all be dark, with a name like MIDNIGHT FEVER, but I was happily surprised to see a highlight shade and some pretty browns in here also.  

With the exception of the highlight color all the way on the left, these are much easier to see than the BARE ones.

This palette also has both shimmer and semi-matte shades, plus a matte black, which is a plus.  Some of these shadows are really nicely pigmented, but others, not so much.  This palette is absolutely worth the $5, much less the clearance price I paid! This is definitely a deal worthy of an Only Average Mom! GRADE: 3.5/5

Do you have any Profusion products, or these palettes?  If so, do you love them or hate them? Is there another product you think I would prefer to these?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Is there another product you would like to see my Only Average thoughts on? Let me know, because I always love to try new things!

Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion, on a product I paid for out of my own pockets.  I have not been compensated for this opinion in any way, and it is my honest thoughts on the products listed above.