A Few New Things in Campaigns 17 & 18

Hey there!  I just wanted to pop in and share a quick bit of info about some of my latest stuff from Avon:
Textured Cool Crossbody Bag

Soooo, this purse ended up being way cooler than I thought it would be!  In the brochure photo, it looked like the top flap on this bag zipped directly to its main body.  But no, the top flap itself unzips to a whole compartment that goes to the bottom of the bag!

 There are interior slip pockets and a zippered panel in the front portion, and the goldtone hardware feels nice and heavy.  Like I said, the larger compartment zips closed, then folds down and connects with a magnetic snap.   The faux leather feels soft and not too much like plastic.

The handle strap is adjustable and I love how long it can be.  Excellent crossbody option if you are tall!

Overall I am very pleased with this purse - it's better than I expected.

Neck & Neck Choker Set

This necklace arrives as two pieces and can be worn separately or together.  I'm a little on the fence as to whether or not I like it.  The metal it's made from is springy but also malleable, so I can bend it to fit my neck better and it will hold its shape when I take it off.  The goldtone color is pretty -- not too yellow or fake-looking.  However, the way it sits on my neck is just not doing it for me, no matter how I reshape it.  Somehow it doesn't look like it does on the model in the brochure (big surprise, I know) and when I get it closer to looking better, it's uncomfortable when I move around (I have neck and shoulder muscles that need room!).

Imari Elixir EDT 

Notes according to avon.com: "tempting juicy blackberry essence, seductive rose absolute and hypnotic pure vanilla extract".

At first, this fragrance is so strongly blackberry that the fruitiness is almost overwhelming.  It has a sharp, almost alcoholic bite to it, like blackberry liqueur.  As it dries down, however, it smells a little powdery and like ... sweet incense?  It's hard to put my finger on it, but I'm going to stick with the incense note.  I don't really get vanilla or rose out of it, which is somewhat disappointing since I love roses and vanilla!  It's not a deal-breaker though, and I've been really enjoying smelling like blackberry syrup and incense lately.

It's hard for me to place this fragrance in a season.  It is heavy and syrupy, like an autumn scent, but also soooo fruity which makes me think of summer.  I've worn it during the day and night and I like it both ways.  The blackberry note lasts a long time and I can still smell it on my skin the next morning!

That's all for now!

Note: I submit my Avon order every other campaign.  This means that I receive products from two campaigns at once, but half as often as the regular timetable.
All thoughts stated in this post are my own, honest opinions.  I have not been compensated to review these products, and all were purchased by me with my own money.

Avon Haul and First Impressions: Campaigns 21 & 22 2014

Hi there and thanks for tuning in once again!  I'm recapping my skipped purchases over the holidays... keep reading for more (including a big one not pictured)!

Avon Haul and First Impressions: Campaigns 5 & 6

Note: I submit my Avon order every other campaign.  This means that I receive products from two campaigns at once, but half as often as the regular timetable.

It's haul time!  Today I have some new brushes and a few other items that have already been out for a little while.  ...And also, it is apparently black-and-nude themed.

Catch-Up Post on Products from Campaigns 01-04 2014

Note: I submit my Avon order every other campaign.  This means that I receive products from two campaigns at once, but half as often as the regular timetable.

Warning: this is the post of a thousand bad pictures.  I decided to try taking pics on my phone instead of digging out my DSLR with the logic of, "This will be easier!"  ...Well, it is easier -- I just pay for that convenience in quality, a quality that I can't see on my phone's screen but is painfully obvious on my computer's.  That being said, onward!

Makeup Maven Prize Bundle #5

Note: I received the items mentioned in this post as part of a prize package for my placement in Avon's Makeup Maven contest in 2012.  All thoughts and opinions stated are my own!

Makeup Maven Prize Bundle #4!

Note: I received the items mentioned in this post as part of a prize package for my placement in Avon's Makeup Maven contest in 2012.  All thoughts and opinions stated are my own!

I got an exciting package in the mail today!!  This is the fourth Makeup Maven bundle (only one left after this, so sad!) and it is a good one!

Inspired by Burgundy

I loved Kaley Cuoco's burgundy eyeshadow for the 2013 Emmys the other night. Gray, brown, and burgundy are such lovely autumn colors.

Instagram Recap

Hey Avon fan!  In case you're not following me on Instagram, you should! (Indicobalterfly)  I don't post often, but when I do, it's Avon or Mark related.  Here are my last six pics:

Just For Fun!

I got inspired by a Ken Pao pin I saw on Pinterest today and dug out my Mark metallic eye shadows...

I went a little overboard with the Lava, but it was fun!

Product Sneak Peek! C22 2013

Campaign 22.  Ah, the holiday items are beginning to emerge... There's so much stuff coming out for C-22 that I'm just not even going to think about it.  I will, however, talk about a couple highlights.

Updated Mark. Eye Shadow Palette

As promised, here is the updated layout and (hopefully) better swatches of my Mark. eye shadows!

Product Sneak Peek! C20 2013

Goodness, I'm not sure where to start!  Avon has all kinds of interesting goodies coming out lately.  I think I'll begin with their first seasonal makeup collection since the release of Avon's True Color Technology.

Savage Beauty Fall 2013 Collection

Avon Haul and First Impressions: Campaign 13 & 14 2013

Note: I submit my Avon order every other campaign.  This means that I receive products from two campaigns at once, but half as often as the regular timetable.

Here's what showed up on my doorstep last night!

Product Sneak Peek! C18 2013

Lots of goodies to gawk at for campaign 18!  Here are the ones that stood out to me...

Product Sneak Peek! C16 2013

Yep, I skipped Campaign 15.  Why?  Nothing caught my eye, that's all.  :)

Here's what's interesting for Campaign 16:

Product Sneak Peek for C14 2013

Here are a few highlights for products coming out in Campaign 14 this year:

Mark Bath & Body collection in Coconut Treat:

This scent is described as "a deliciously tropical indulgence, with refreshing coconut water and mandarin mingling with luscious hazelnut and coconut cream."  Yum!!  I'm a sucker for coconut and citrus...

Big Color Eye Pencils ... Diamonds

 Since some of the original Big Color pencils already contain shimmer, I'm going to guess that these new ones have actual glitter in them, much like the Glimmersticks Diamonds.  I'm curious to see.

Last, but not least...

Nail Art Stickers

 I like subtle nail art.  These are too much for my short tips. :)


That's all for now, check back in two weeks for the next Sneak Peek!

Avon Haul and First Impressions: Campaign 9 & 10

Note: I submit my Avon order every other campaign.  This means that I receive products from two campaigns at once, but half as often as the regular timetable.

The Take:

Pastel Rainbow Eyeshadow

It's a colorful eye kind of day...

All products are either Mark or Avon.  Let me tell you what: that matte blue in the Arctic Waters quad has some oomph!  A little goes a LONG way!

Products used:
Eye Brightening Pencil, Lavender Blue
i-Mark Shadows: Whisper, Latte, Biscotti, Lotus, Dragonfly
True Color Quad, Arctic Waters (matte shade)
SuperSHOCK Max Mascara, Black

Blonde pencil and Tabac shadow through brow

This Is How I DIY: mark. Eyeshadows

I thought I'd show you how I keep my mark. eyeshadows along with swatches of each.  This is what the palette looks like:

 It's made out of an old unlined journal I had laying around.  I followed an online tutorial for hollowing out a book.