Birchbox, MyGlam, Loose Button, Glossy Box, Similar Subscription Makeup Samples? The Full List

One of the biggest beauty business trends of the year is the subscription sample makeup box. I'm sure most makeup fanatics have heard of these services. Basically, you can subscribe to these services for a small monthly fee and every month you will receive box of makeup samples.

Most recently, Michelle Phan (most subscribed beauty Youtuber) has come out with a new service called MyGlam. It's not really any different from the rest except that the box arrives at your door at the end of the month instead of the beginning. But wait, isn't the end of one month is the beginning of another? So yes, it is kind of the same.



Sigma Eyeshadow Palette Tutorials: Lisa Eldrige Runway Inspired on Asian Eyes

Lest you think red is a difficult eyeshadow color to pull off, celebrity makeup artist Lisa Eldridge shows an editorial version in her latest Runway Inspired tutorial. In her tutorial, Lisa uses the Sigma Eyeshadow Palette in Dare on the beautiful model, student, and blogger, Hanako Footman.


Sigma Make Me Up Collection Travel Edition Brushes Review (Make Me Cool)

Purchasing Sigma? See all the new Sigma Brushes Coupons and Special Sales before checking out!

The Sigma Beauty Make Me Up Travel Kits ($59), released today, are a travel-sized edition of the regular 12-brush Make Me Up kits. Similar to the design of the full sized Make Me Up Collection, these travel sized kits contain seven colorful brushes held in a functional and stylish container. Included the kit are the E30 Pencil, E40 Tapered Blending, E55 Eye Shading, E65 Small Angle, F30 Large Powder, F40 Large angled Contour, and F60 Foundation brushes. The kits are be available in Black (Make Me Classy), Aqua (Make Me Cool), Coral (Make Me Blush) and Purple (Make Me Crazy).

Sigma Makeup Me Up Review

Product Rave: Freeze It Mega Freeze Hairspray

What's better than a good ol' decent hairspray? How about a pink one in support of breast cancer research? Freeze It has partnered with Susan G. Komen for the Cure® to raise funds for breast cancer research. I introduce to you the pink Freeze It Fast Drying Mega Freeze Hairspray!
Freeze It SGK Mega Freeze Hair Spray
Hold that look with a superior, long-lasting hold. This formula is humidity resistant and has UV filters that shield hair from the sun and environment. Optical Brighteners™ intensify highlights and increase light reflection, improving and enhancing all types of permanent and natural hair color.

Sigma Brushes Black Friday Sales, Coupons and Makeup Giveaway - Save money and win prizes!

This post may contain outdated coupons. See the new, updated daily Sigma coupon codes and sales.

Sigma Beauty 2013 Black Friday Deals - updated:
Sigma Cyber Monday Coupon 2013


In anticipation for Black Friday 2011, Handmade Reviews will hold an exclusive giveaway blast for our readers as well as provide all the latest best Black Friday deals and coupons featuring sigmabeauty.com.

Sigma Black Friday Deals and Coupon Codes (updated hourly)

The Sigma Black Friday Free Shipping Coupon has expired, but there are still some good deals on the sales page, plus you can use the 10% off Sigma Coupon Code!

LASHEM Measurable Difference Lash Gel & Double Trouble Mascara Review: Before & After 4-Week Trial

LASHEM Measurable Difference Lash Gel is a gel for your eyelashes to increase the volume and length of your lashes. I have tested LASHEM for over three weeks now. It works, albeit very slowly. Unlike Rapid Lash, it hasn't caused any of my lashes to fall off. I can't say that I notice a huge difference in lash length overall, but a few of my little lashes have definitely grown longer.

Sigma Cities Collection Brushes Review and Photos

Buying Sigma Brushes? See all the new Sigma Discount Codes and Special Sales before checking out!


The Cities Collection, launching November 21st, is Sigma Beauty’s very limited special edition travel kit collection. The Cities kit features seven travel sized brushes from their best-selling Essential and Premium Kits: E05 Eyeliner, E35 Tapered Blending, E45 Small Tapered Blending, E60 Large Shader, F05 Small Contour, F15 Duo Fibre, and F30 Large Powder. The brushes are held in a travel-size container that turns into two brush holders (the full sized holder is valued at $20).

Holiday Gift Guide: Best Gift Sets 2011

I love gift sets. A beautiful, quality gift set exudes understated chic and class. And what a better way to save while providing your gift recipient with a plethora of great new products to try? Many brands only release gift sets during the holiday, so don't miss out on your chance to sample this season's best.

Give the Gift of Beauty to Others and Yourself

Whether you're looking for presents to gift friends and relatives or something to treat yourself this holiday, beauty products are the way to go if indulgence is your top priority. Here are a few holiday gifts many beauty lovers would enjoy.
Matte Lipstick
Nothing screams festivity more than daringly red lips. Modernize the classic red this year and go matte. Brand name or drugstore, red lipsticks are always stylish. Great matte reds of this season include MAC Russian Red ($14.50), NARS Vesuvio ($25), and Revlon Really Red ($5.00). Or if you are going for double the price, half the matte, but all of the gorgeous, don't miss out on YSL Rouge Volupeté in Red Muse ($34).

Are Heelys Really for Adults?

Ahh, Heelys. I can almost remember the day their first commercial aired. I remember how badly I wanted a pair, but was denied of them completely. A few weeks ago I was offered the chance to test the Heelys - and I gladly took the offer. Never too late to live out your childhood dreams, right? Maybe.


As hard as I have tried, I couldn't for the sake of me get these black and bright pink Heelys to work. I know they are pushing Heelys for adults now, but the obvious branded Heelys logo makes it difficult for a twenty-something year old to sport the shoes around. I can't justify wearing them - except to the yard to have some fun or to a friendly family barbecue. If Heelys ever decide to downplay their logo, I can see myself popping the wheels in for a roll about and then out again to wear as regular sneakers. In its current form, I would not buy these Heelys for myself, let alone another adult. They are difficult to maneuver and just not quite worth the hassle.

It's a completely different story for the little kids, however. My little cousins and nieces are quite jealous of the newly acquired Heelys. I only wish I had opted to receive them in a smaller size so the kids can have some fun with them instead. Who knows, maybe they will each get a pair for Christmas. If I were half my current age, I would probably be sporting these around town.


Bottom line is that I don't recommend getting Heelys for your adult friends unless you know for certain that they want them. For the little kids, why not have a little fun?


Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to me for testing or reviewing consideration. I am neither paid nor compensated for my opinion. My priority is always to my readers and I express only my honest opinion in every post.

Holiday Season: Donate Beauty Products & Clothing



The holidays are quickly approaching. As we get ready to do our seasonal shopping, we must clear some room in our closet for new holiday gifts and goodies.

Instead of throwing things out, why not donate any unused or gently-used beauty products and clothing?

List of donation places courtesy of iFabbo.

United States:
  • Beauty Bus  Delivers dignity, hope and respite to chronically or terminally ill men, women and children and their caregivers through beauty and grooming services and pampering products.  
  • Dress for Success Promotes economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
  • Donation Town  Donates clothes and household items to local charities.  Free donation pickup nationwide. 
  • Sacred Heart  Dedicated to bringing the community together to address poverty in Silicon Valley, CA.
  • Salvation Army Worldwide organization that provides social services.
United Kingdom:
  • British Red Cross  Helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are.
  • Give and Makeup  Is a non-profit initiative whose sole purpose is to get everyday essentials into the hands of women and children who need them the most.
Australia
  • ANGLICARE AUSTRALIA  Is a nationwide organization that engages with all Australians to build communities of resilience, hope and justice. 
  • St Vincent de Paul Society  The organization aspires to be recognized as a caring Catholic charity offering “a hand up” to people in need.
     
This is just a very short list of donation places. Check your local charities for more options. If you know of any donation places in your country that is not included on this list, please let us know below! Happy holidays!

Sigma Beauty Synthetic Essential Kit Review: Precision and Kabuki Brushes

The Sigmax Synthetic Essential Kit ($99.00) contains eight premium makeup brushes designed for high definition makeup application. The kit features exclusive Sigmax synthetic filament, which was created to precisely apply powder, cream and liquid products onto the skin without absorption into the bristles. The shape, density and height of each brush was designed to compliment the different contours of the face.

The brushes in the Synthetic Essential Kit can also be bought individually or bought in two separate kits: Synthetic Precision Kit ($49) or Synthetic Kabuki Kit ($56).

Sigma Precision Kit Review


Is this kit worth buying? That depends on you. I recommend this 100% for anyone looking for an excellent professional brush set. The brushes are Sigma's highest quality brushes. If you are only looking for a few brushes to fill the gap of your personal collection, you do not need to buy this entire set. If you only want face brushes, the kabuki brushes (or Synthetic Kabuki Kit) are your best choice. The Precision brushes, although just as high in quality, are not the most practical face brushes for every day personal use because of their small size. That said, the brushes apply makeup flawlessly and so precisely that they can also double up as fantastic eyeshadow brushes. If you are only looking for a few brushes or are on a budget, buy a few of these brushes individually.You will not regret at least trying the collection.

The Sigma F80 has over the year become my favorite makeup brush. The MAC 187 used to be my favorite, but Sigma F80 has made foundation application so much easier. It literally takes me seconds to apply foundation. (And when I get lazy, I use the F80 for powder, contour, and concealing.)

Beauty Break Time: Are You Thrifty?

There are less than three weeks until Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. We want to know: How savvy of a shopper are you? Do you check prices and wait for sales before buying, or do you nonchalantly pick up the lipstick on your way to checkout?

Do you snip coupons before hitting the store or search for discount codes before ordering online? If so, how do you find the promotions and deals?



During last week's Beauty Break Time discussion, Isabella won a $10 Sigma Gift Certificate!

Beauty Break Time is series of weekly debate topics and questions to get the audience to participate in discussions. Every week, one participant is selected to win a beauty prize. To make sure you receive your prize, leave a form of contact with your discussion response. Forms of contact can include email, website, Twitter, Facebook, etc. A new winner is announced every Wednesday.

Sigma Beauty New Brush Sets: Cities Collection, Make Me Up Travel Kit, Bunny Collection and Extravaganza Golden Brushes!

The Cities Collection has been released. Read the full review for The Cities Collection.
Read the full review for The Sigma Make Me Up Travel Collection.

Complete Sigma Coupon Codes and Special Release Sales: Sigma Brushes Coupons »

Sigma Cities Collection
The Cities Collection
Launch Date: November 21, 2011
The Cities is Sigma Beauty’s special edition travel kit collection! The kits feature seven travel-sized brushes from the best selling Essential and Premium Kits (E05 Eyeliner, E35 Tapered Blending, E45 Small Tapered Blending, E60 Large Shader, F05 Small Contour, F15 Duo Fibre, and F30 Large Powder). The brushes are held in a travel-size container that turns into two brush holders to keep your brushes organized, even on the go. Each kit was designed to represent the beauty and excitement of the city it is named after. There are four kits in this exciting collection: London (brown), Tokyo (pink), Paris (red) and New York (black).

  Sigma Make Me Up Travel Collection
Make Me Up Collection – Travel Edition
Launch Date: November 28, 2011
The Sigma Beauty Make Me Up Travel Kits were designed for fun, yet practical makeup application on the go. Similar to the design of the full sized Make Me Up Collection, these travel sized kits contain seven colorful brushes held in a functional and stylish container (E30 Pencil, E40 Tapered Blending, E55 Eye Shading, E65 Small Angle, F30 Large Powder, F40 Large angled Contour, and F60 Foundation). The kits will be available in Black, Aqua, Coral and Purple.

Jouer Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner in Fox and Dusty Lipstick Swatches and Review

"It is chic, simple and designed to be the perfect fit for anytime and any occasion."

Jouer Cosmetics Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner in Fox ($22)

Jouer Liquid Shimmer Eyeliners were released earlier this year as a part of their Mad About Fall 2011 Collection. Each shade in this eyeliner collection contains subtle shimmers for exciting, yet wearable looks. These eyeliners contain Vitamins A and E and are completely paraben-free. The formula is water-base, which means it takes a minute or two to dry - but also means the eyeliner is gentle on the eyes and is easy to remove. I've worn this navy charcoal eyeliner for 6+ hours without even a smudge.

Jouer Cosmetics Hydrating Lipstick in Dusty ($22) is not a true nude, but a natural color with a great hint of dusty rose.

The Hydrating Lipstick in Dusty is quite true to its name. It feels extremely moisturizing upon application. It doesn't hydrate and protect your lips like a lip balm does, but there is no need for lip balm while you're wearing the actual lipstick. The color is beautiful: not a pale nude, but more of a natural beige tone. The end result is like my lips, but lighter, dustier, and so much smoother.

Swatches of Fox (a navy charcoal), Dusty (natural nude)

Shimmery eyes and nude lips can make for a great Fall statement. How do you like to pair your shimmers and nudes?

Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to me for testing or reviewing consideration. I am neither paid nor compensated for my opinion. My priority is always to my readers and I express only my honest opinion in every post.

Sigma Beauty Holiday Gift Guide (and Sigma Coupon)

Sigma Beauty has come out with a new catalog, the Holiday Gift Guide. The new Sigma catalog features several prominent beauty bloggers and Youtubers. I hope this guide can aid you in your holiday gift buying. :) Click here to read the full catalog.

I am loosening my belt for Thanksgiving dinner and anxiously awaiting the Black Friday sale. (Be prepared for a spectacular Sigma Beauty Black Friday sale.) I hope to get all my gifts bought during this sale. ;) When do you do your holiday shopping?

If you are interested in buying from Sigma, please remember that there is always at least a 10% off discount when you use a Sigma coupon code.

Disclosure: I am an official Sigma Representative and obtain the latest Sigma news and products in order to update my readers. This post contains affiliate links. Please read about our full honesty and disclosure policies.

Anastasia Beauty Express For Brows and Eyes Review

The Anastasia Beauty Express kit contains all you will ever need for your brows. This set comes in two colors: blonde and brunette. I was fortunate enough to receive the brunette set to test out.

Eyebrow Kit
Brow Wax Cream, Brow Powder Duo, Eyeshadow Duo, Stencils, Angled Brush

I have been testing the Beauty Express kit out for weeks and find myself extremely impressed with it. The wax along with the powders really help keep the color on all day. Mixing the duo ensures that the color comes out natural looking. The eyeshadows included aren't too shabby either as they are perfect for a neutral look. The stencils are really useful for beginners, though they tend to be longer than I like. The brush is a good one as it is stiff and perfectly angled. 

Anastasia Beauty Express
Anastasia Beverly HillsBeauty Express For Brows and Eyes in Brunette

This kit is an improvement over the Benefit Cosmetics Brow Zing, although its size makes it less ideal for traveling. And priced at $39.50, this can be a steep investment for your brows. Consider it if you are having troubles getting your brows just right. The Beauty Express is available at Sephora, Ulta, or Anastasia's website.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to me for testing or reviewing consideration. I am neither paid nor compensated for my opinion. My priority is always to my readers and I express only my honest opinion in every post.

Beauty Break Time: Who Influences You to Shop?

Are you influenced by celebrity endorsements? Does seeing a gorgeous lip color on your favorite television star make you want to run out and get that very same lipstick? Do bloggers or Youtubers have any say on what you buy or wear?

Share your opinion with us. Let us know whether try not to let the media influence your decisions or you just love the inspiration.


During last week's Beauty Break Time discussion, Joyce (1) won a $10 Sigma Gift Certificate!

Beauty Break Time is series of weekly debate topics and questions to get the audience to participate in discussions. Every week, one participant is selected to win a beauty prize. To make sure you receive your prize, leave a form of contact with your discussion response. Forms of contact can include email, website, Twitter, Facebook, etc. A new winner is announced every Wednesday.

Sigma Brushes Bunny Collection and Extravaganza Collection - plus 2012 Coupon Code

New Sigma Makeup Coupon 2012

Thanks for waiting everyone! I was able to obtain the latest 2012 Sigma Coupon Code! The newest code will always be posted on the right sidebar and on this page. Click to see new Sigma coupon. Happy savings!

Sigma Bunny Brushes Collection 2012

I wrote about Sigma's Bunny Collection a while back. Unfortunately, it hasn't been released yet. I know many have of you have been anticipating the release of these all-vegan synthetic makeup brushes. The official release date is December 5th. Long time, I know. I can't wait either - but I am sure it will be well worth the wait!

A little sneak peek at the vegan brushes:

Another preview of the Extravaganza Collection (official release date unknown, but anticipated to be the same date as the Bunny Collection):

Photos courtesy of Simone



Disclosure: I am an official Sigma representative. My priority is always to my readers and I express only my honest opinion in every post. Read more about our disclosure and privacy policies.