January Birch Box & Ipsy open box

Hello All!

In keeping with my New Years resolutions, I am really trying to make an effort to post more frequently.
Since I FINALLY received my January Ipsy I decided to do an "open box" and starting next month I plan on doing an open box plus a review of the previous month's boxes.

Skinny Chic Perfume by Harvey Prince:
I actually really enjoy this perfume, the scent description says "Crisp Green Apple, Sweet Mint and warm amber" I have a good first impression however I am not too sure about it's staying power. But so far this gets a thumbs up!









I don't really have much to say about this so far. It does not have any smell to it. I can't comment on the texture either because it is such a small sample I don't want to waste is.











Again I can't comment much on the hair oil. I have yet to use it however it has a very pleasant smell. It is difficult to describe but it reminds me of citrus and cranberries. I am excited to try this out.

The Balm "Hot Mama" I am excited to use. Though I feel like I was already sent a similar product from Birch Box. While the swatch on my hand isn't the best quality photo it probably also has something to do with the fact that it matches the color on my hands. The rest of my body is slightly darker so it will be more pigmented on my face.

Mascara from Lashem again I am always excited to try new mascaras but this sample is soo incredibly tiny it is almost laughable.

 January Ipsy

I again am excited to try this product and I actually plan on using it right after I publish this entry. It smells INCREDIBLE! it smells exactly like oranges but its not overly sweet.

I don't know if I am more excited about trying this brand of hairspray or the fact that this is so little and cute! It is a really decent size sample yet is the perfect size to fit in my makeup bag.

ANOTHER product I am excited to try! the Jose Maran Argan oil is familiar to me but I have never tried it. I probably will not use it for my hair, I tend to have super oil hair but I will totally try this on my face. Confession: I wasn't aware this could be used for your whole body but now that I know that I will most likely use it as a facial moisturizer.

Soho Concealer Brush I am looking forward to using. The shape of the brush is really nice and the handle fits in my hand perfectly. It is always nice to get brushes, you can never have too many!

This is my 2nd polish by Nailtini, but this is my first regular polish. The other bottle from my Ipsy a few months ago was a gold glitter which is really pretty! The color is called "Bloody Mary" I will give it a try but I'm not sure I will like it, I'm not a huge red nails fan but I will try it out. I also was slightly disappointed, the bottle in transit must have loosened up a bit and it leaked into the box it was packaged in. I am grateful it was in a box or else everything would have been destroyed. It wasn't the end of the world but it was probably a mistake on the USPS end. 

Over all I am pleased. If I had to pick Birch Box or Ipsy, I would probably pick Ipsy, I haven't been 100% thrilled with Birch Box. I think I'm going to give it one more month and then most likely cancel my membership unless it does a 360 and starts sending better products. I have heard throughout YouTube that viewers are not thrilled either.

How do you all feel about Birch Box vs. Ipsy? I would love to know!

xoxo, Victoria

New Year New opportunities!

Hey everyone, its been way too long!

As always life has been incredible hectic, and non-stop! I had a few hours this afternoon to catch up on life and I've been meaning to update. Since I last posted I've grown exponentially busy, I recently finished my fall semester at college and this May I will FINALLY graduate! I've also completed my Makeup Artist certification requirements and I can finally say I am a REAL certified Makeup Artist. In addition to school I am currently working two jobs. One at a local restaurant (I've worked there since I was 14), and my second job I just started in October at a local mall as a sales associate at a handbag designer's store. I've been running around crazy but I know it will all pay off in the end.

Now getting down to business, 2013 is so close and I am incredible excited! I don't think I've ever been this excited for New Years. I have a really good feeling that 2013 is going to be an incredible year filled with opportunities, growth, and a lot of good news!
Since I am not fully prepared today (this was a really spur of the moment post) I thought I would just share a few of my goals for 2013.  Mind you, this is not even close to being all of my goals, I actually have a few pages written down but some of them are more personal. I decided I will share the goals I feel comfortable talking about.

1) Exercise More: I really enjoy working out but I'm such a busy person I don't always have the time. So I am really going to make an effort to exercise at least 3 time a week.
2) Drink more water: Self explanatory.
3) Graduate: Also self explanatory
4) Don't buy junk. Buy quality: While I do not wish by any means to insult anyone. I feel that a lot of girls on youtube buy junk. The clothes they buy are super trendy and can usually be found at forever 21. I am REALLY not a big forever 21 fan simply for the fact that their clothes are not quality and usually fall apart faster then an article of clothing should. Being that I went to school for fashion I feel that I owe it to myself to continue buying quality clothes. I would much rather have a few quality items then a ton of junk.
5) Buy myself my first Louis Vuitton: Going along with 3 and 4 it is going to be a graduating gift to myself from myself. Giving gifts to yourself is always fun!
6) Relax more: Its clear that I am always busy.
7) Read more
and the last goal I want to share is Start blogging more seriously/ Start up my youtube channel.
these two goals are more beneficial for my future. I would love to youtube and blog for a living its something I am so passionate about and educated about. I am really going to put in the effort and become more active in the youtube and blog community. I also have a lot of blog posts and reviews I am getting ready to do.

What are your goals?

I hope everyone has a really fantastic, happy, and healthy new year

-Victoria

August Favorites

Hey Everyone,

I've been super busy this whole month! Between celebrating my boyfriend's birthday, getting a new job, getting ready to go back to school, and just life in general; I've had NO time to update.

Since today is the last day in August I figured what a better way to get back into blogging then August Favorites. I've never done a monthly favorites before but I plan on doing a mix of products to feature.

With out any further hesitation, lets jump right in!

My first favorite is Skinny Iced Caramel Lattes from Starbucks.

 I mentioned that I've been busy this month and Skinny Caramel Lattes from Starbucks have been a lifesaver! The caffeine in these lattes are enough to give me an afternoon boost and the best part... a grande is ONLY 80 Calories!! That's half the calories of a regular iced caramel latte, and I must admit, its SLIGHTLY addicting. It has definitely been my favorite drink ALLL this month.

Next on my list is Jumping Juniper solid shampoo from Lush.

My hair has always been problematic, Especially in the summer, and I have really never found a shampoo that I am happy with. My strands of hair are really fine, but I have soo much of it, it tends to get really greasy and oily and I mean REALLY oily. I could wash my hair in the morning and by 8:00 at night its greasy again. I went to Lush just to look around and the guy working there convinced me to try the Jumping Juniper Shampoo. I LOVE this product. It was my first time trying a solid shampoo and this specific bar is formulated for greasy hair. I can truthfully say my hair has improved, I can go at least 2 days without washing my hair and it still looks fresh. The lather on this bar is incredible I would definitely repurchase, and I'm interested in trying the other types of shampoo bar.

Next is my Yes To Cucumber Eye makeup Removing pads.

Before buying these I would use the Clean and Clear or Neutrogena makeup removing wipes, I liked them, they removed all of my makeup and would get the job done however! They are NOT Opthamologist Tested and that was one thing about them that would bother me. I used them anyway but I was never too happy about it.
I found these on a trip to Walgreens, and I always knew about the brand but I've never tried any of their products, but i decided to give them a shot. I am so pleased, one wipe removes even my darkest eyeshadow looks, I love the smell, they are safe for your eyes and last but not least, the price! The Clean and Clear and Neutrogena wipes are about 20-25 to a pack for I believe 7-8 dollars depending on where you shop. These wipes however, are 45 pads for the same price! I am so happy I tried this product I will definitely keep repurchasing them.

Next is my Matte- Shadow Base from Naked Cosmetics

I received this from my sister as a part of my birthday gift last year and I would occasionally use it, but recently I found myself reaching for it every time I do my makeup. I actually prefer this shadow base OVER the Urban Decay Primer Potion. Don't get me wrong the Primer Potion is a good product but for some reason my tube seems to be very dry, yet the product I do get out of the tube is very sticky, I try to blend it into my lids and it just kind of sits there. The Naked Cosmetics shadow base is a very lite formulation, it blends into my eyelids nicely, its very smooth and its staying power is great, even in this heat! I will do my makeup in the morning and by 9:00 at night it still looks fresh, nothing is running, nothing is creasing even after a full day of sweating in the heat. It doesn't budge until I wash my face at night!

Next is my blush, bronzer combination. This month I have really been loving Benefit "Coralista", and Too Faced "Sun Bunny"

Every time I do my makeup I use these 2 products and people always ask if I was Down the Shore. I have a light skin tone but when I swirl the Too Faced bronzer and dust it all over it gives me a really warm and bronzy glow with out looking too orange or brown or fake. Coralista also gives me a nice flush so I almost look a little pink from being in the sun. For me and my Skin tone this is the perfect combo.

Next is my New Timex Watch

I received this watch in the beginning of August from my mom and dad as a congratulations gift for getting a new job. I was looking at Timex watches to purchase for myself (I am an avid watch collector) and my mom told me "Christmas is coming just wait" So I stopped my Timex Watch hunt but I left a "hint" for "Santa". I went a week later for a job interview and was told I was picked for the job my parents presented me with my new watch! It is the Timex "Weekender" The watch face is grey and the strap despite the color in the photo above, is a really pretty magenta. The Nice thing about these watches are the bands are interchangeable so the possibilities are endless. I really love this watch and it has quickly become my everyday watch.

Next are The Rockstar Super Skinny Jeans from Old Navy

I had to take this picture off of the Old Navy website because my jeans are currently in the laundry, but these jeans are HANDS DOWN my favorite! I wear them all the time, they are so soft and comfy and perfect for me because God graced me with a booty, it is tends to be difficult to find jeans, but these fit like a glove! I was skeptical because the reviews on the website were all negative but I decided to try for myself and I am IN love! I also got a coupon for 10 dollars off from September 7th to the 12th and I am certainly going back to pick up a second pair. I will probably try a different color but I can not wait!

And Last but not least is my Vera Bradley Coin and Key pouch

I have the color shown above in Boysenberry, and Once again I used the pictures from the Vera Bradley Website because they are able to show the detail better then I could. I went out shopping with my parents and I decided to pick this up and of course they bought it for me, it was on sale and currently still is on sale for 16 dollars. I LOVE this little pouch, I have used it countless times when I am just running into the store and don't feel like toting around my whole purse, I also used it as a wallet when I went to the Bronx Zoo with my boyfriend. The top zipper compartment I store my cash, my drivers license, and debit & credit cards. The front zipper is where I slip my Backberry and I hook my keys on the key hook. I love that this pouch is very roomy but not huge, it holds all my necessities and makes running into the store a breeze.

Those are all my favorites for this month and hopefully I can get back into blogging. I go back to school on September 5th which is a bummer but I am really excited! I'm going to be graduating college this year so I will be busy with homework in addition to my two jobs, but I love staying busy, it keeps me going and prevents me from getting lazy! Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed and let me know what your favorites are for August

-Victoria

Hanger Dupe!

Hey everyone,

 I have a quick heads up on a really great deal I came across today! I was shopping at my local Costco when I found these little babies...

Needless to say I flipped out. I try my best to keep things in my life organized to the best of my abilities and that is no different for how I organize my clothes! I first discovered the Joy Mangano "Huggable Hangers" I want to say about a year ago watching MakeupByMel's videos on YouTube. Before I decided to use the Huggable Hangers I was using natural wooden hangers from IKEA. The only down side to the wooden hangers were that as my wardrobe grew my closets seemed to shrink! I really love the style of the wooden hangers to me they look very chic almost as if my closet were a boutique. I think eventually when I have my own home and a bigger closet I'd switch back to the wooden but for now Huggable Hangers are perfect for me especially since I have smaller closets. 

The Huggable Hangers which can be purchased from Target sells them $4.99 for a 5 pack of hangers. One dollar per-hanger I wouldn't say is "steep" but it does add up. I bought them because I love how slim they are, how well they grab onto my clothes, and how much room it honestly saves me! My closet was so packed I couldn't even slide the hangers along, but the Huggable Hangers fixed that problem.

As I said the only down side to these hangers were the price but not anymore! While I was in Costco I found these hangers which I would consider almost exact dupes for the Joy Mangano brand. These hangers for a box of 35 is only $7.99!! They are made of the same velvet material and nearly impossible to differentiate.

 The Hanger on the top is from Costco, and the bottom hanger is the Joy Mangano brand. They are the same size, same width, pretty much identical except for 2 minor differences which are not noticeable when there are clothes on them and are hanging in the closet. 

 The first difference is...

The Joy Mangano brand have a JM stamped at the base of the hanger hook which is just for looks and serves really no purpose. 

The other difference is...

The shape or size of the hangers are slightly different. Costco brand on the left and "JM" brand on the right. I hung both hangers in my closet and did not have a problem, however I could see the hooks not fitting around thicker closet rods. 

Aside from the small details these Costco dupes are just as good as the official "Huggable hangers" if not, dare I say better due to their amazing price of about .23 cents per/hanger. 

If you can get your hands on the hangers from Costco I suggest you stock up! If for any reason you can not get the Costco hangers, certainly the original brand is just as great! Once your start using these hangers you'll never go back!

-Victoria

First Blog!

FINALLY!! I plan on blogging religiously from now on.

Sitting in my room watching Project Runway and catching up on watching my favorite Youtubers I begin to feel so inspired to start blogging!  I have been blogging for years on other websites and I love it however I recently started a blog on blogger and I am so excited to really get things up and running!

I set up this account with a name (Style By Victoria) and since I was able to lock in a name that I LOVE I had no need to worry but I've completely neglected blogging or posting anything.

My wish for this blog is to turn it into something big! I am so inspired by DulceCandy, Michelle1218, MakeupbyMel, akaydoll, and AndreaMatillano and the list goes on and on.

These girls put out videos each week and I become so inspired and I hope that one day I can have enough courage to get in front of a camera just like they do and to make videos for the beauty community on youtube. But for now I hope to reach out to some of you through my blog, and maybe one day you will see me making videos.

Until next time!

-Victoria