Beauty Bites Volume 4

This/last week's recap:

Play! By Sephora 
Sephora announced last week that it's entering the subscription beauty box market with Play! By Sephora. It's a $10 subscription (like competitors Ipsy and Birchbox), which includes five products and a curated Spotify Play! List. I had multiple short-lived relationships with both Ipsy and Birchbox and I can't say I felt great about either. Both work with new and emerging brands, which I love to learn about and discover, but there were far fewer hits than misses among what I did receive - I even once received a Bic Pen. A Bic Pen! Even though Sephora sends a slew of samples anytime you place an order online, and even though you can ask for samples at any beauty store (and you can bet I do!), I'm curious to see what the company includes in its monthly themed boxes. Considering there are more hits than misses at Sephora in general, even if the choices are similar to their 100-point Beauty Insider rewards, I'll definitely consider subscribing for a test run and for that added-value playlist.

The Mindy Project Returns 

While technically not beauty related, Mindy Kaling is my own personal hero (even though I know she feels old when people refer to her as such - you're fantastic, Mindy). I shamelessly have two Mindy quotes staring at me at my office desk. So when I found out this week that The Mindy Project is set to premiere on Hulu on September 15, the same day as her book, Why Not Me? (the title is actually the less profane and cover-friendly version of one of my desk quotes), my heart wept tears of joy.

Christian Louboutin Lipstick Collection

Apparently these new Louboutin Lipsticks cure cancer, or something. Not really. But they are $90 each. When I mistakenly bought a $50 Tom Ford lipstick I had the worst buyer's remorse. And then Andres (of all people) convinced me it was okay - and I realized that particular lipstick was worth every cent. I am, however, a somewhat reasonable adult with a baby on the way and I have to draw the line somewhere. But you can bet I'll envy anyone who can actually afford these and wish them an infection that causes their lips to melt off. Too much?

Honest Company Organic Belly Balm
My belly is finally a clear bump and not an "Is she just getting fat?" pooch. I started using belly balms and butters, first with Palmer's Tummy Butter. Even though the Honest Company is under a microscope right now for defective sunscreen, I went ahead and picked up their Belly Balm after hearing great reviews. I'll be reporting back on this one and others.

Essie Gel Setter 
A little more than a month ago, Essie launched their new Gel Setter Top Coat and I got my freshly manicured hands on one just last weekend. Because my current Nailmatic polish and all-time-favorite Sally Hansen Mega Shine Top Coat are both working overtime, my mani is pretty much still intact. But to finish off my next mani, I'll be testing Essie's Gel Setter and reporting back on whether or not Sally Hansen's Mega Shine remains the reigning champ. At this point Gel Setter has three and a half stars on Essie's website with 89 reviews.

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