September Little Black Bag

I had been doing so well resisting the temptation of Little Black Bag for the last two months but I saw a purse I liked and gave in. LBB had also teamed up with Benefit Cosmetics and there were bonus Benefit goodies to be had. Win Win. Over the course of my trading, I fell out of love with my purse and wound up trading it for a two item trade. I ended up with five items plus two Benefit samples.

• Spring Street - Snake Print Cosmetic Bag (Retail Value $25) This is a cute shiny snakeskin print makeup bag. I'm not exactly sure why I was drawn to it. Shiny? It's a good size but will still fit comfortably in purse. 
• 'ZAD - Cheveron Cut Out Cuff in Silver (Retail Value $26) If you've looked at my past LBB videos and posts, you know I love a good bracelet. This bracelet isn't really my usual style but the good thing about LBB is that it let's you try things you wouldn't normally try while minimizing the financial risk. I've actually worn this bracelet a few times since I got my bag and I love it!
• Kenneth Cole New York - Beaded Y Necklace (Retail Value $42)  This wound up being the most expensive single item in my bag and I wouldn't have paid $42 for it on it's own. I like that's not a symmetrical design. The beads are light and clear. I know if I decide that I don't love it my Mom will.
• Lydell NYC - 2 Row Chain & Circle Necklace (Retail Value $28) Oddly enough this is my favorite item from this bag. The necklace has a good length to it The simple circle design will go with just about any outfit. My only complaint was that it was a pretty big knot when I took it out of the box. 
• Kenneth Cole New York - Cherry Orbital Earrings (Retail $26) I'm not really amazed by the earrings. I kept trying to trade them and couldn't seem to shake them unless I went with something well under this value and I wasn't really willing to do that. Not to mention there hasn't been much on LBB lately that I've actually liked. These earrings are bad earrings. They just don't WOW me. Again, I can always gift these to my Mom.
• Benefit Cosmetics - They’re Real Mascara (Full Size Retail $23) If you've been reading my posts for awhile you are also aware that I've been on a mascara hunt. This was one of the mascaras that was recommended to me. Now I'm not going to spend $23 on a mascara unless I know I'm going to love it. So I jumped at the chance to get a sample in my bag. Preliminary testing is going well. I'm definitely impressed with the length and curl.
• Benefit Cosmetics - It's Potent! Eye Cream (Full Size Retail $32) Despite my best efforts, I still haven't found anything that really makes my dark circles go away. Sometimes they aren't as bad but they never go away completely. I haven't had a chance to try this yet but I'm always up for eye creams.

There was also a card with a sample of Benefit's Porefessional Primer. This is my absolute favorite primer so I'm excited to get a little extra. The retail value of my bag this month minus the samples is $122 which is pretty modest for LBB. I place more value on getting several items I really love.

What was in your LBB?

June Little Black Bag

June marks my fourth month with Little Black Bag. I almost skipped this month but I gave in anyway and wound up with a bag I really like. I started out with the Betsey Johnson Three Row Necklace (which I kept the entire time) and I used my Klout Perk to add an extra item to my bag. My freebie item was the Melie Bianco Envelope clutch ($45) which I wasn't feeling at all. Tons of trading later this how I finished my bag.

Watch my unboxing video! 

The item I started my bag with and held on to was the Betsey Johnson Three Row Necklace. Retail value $75. It seems shorter than it is pictured. I haven't measured it but I don't quite think it's 18". Ah well. I still love it.

I had this clutch in my favorites for awhile but this month I got serious about trying to snag one. I had this in purple originally but traded for the red. I think I would have been happy with either. This is the Melie Bianco Floral Foldover Clutch.  It also has a chain strap. Yay. Retail value $50.

I became slightly obsessed with these Steve Madden Black Square Frame Sunglasses. Retail value $40.  Someone scored a pretty generous three item trade from me. I can't decide if they are too large for my face or not. I may return them. What do you think?

My final item is the Kenneth Cole Cluster Earrings. Retail value $28. These have a nice silver AB coating. I can wear these with just about everything I own. 

This is one of my more successful bags. I got some lucky trade offers this month and managed to turn them into items I really enjoy. Final retail value $193 which I think is a new high for me.

Review: Cargo Cosmetics Argentina Lip Gloss Quad

I picked this up in my April LBB.  This lip gloss quad features the colors Plum,  Copper, Sparkling Burgundy, and Bronze. Retail price is $24

Cargo Argentina Lip Gloss Quad and Mia

The formula is very sheer and very glossy. I used two coats for all of the swatches and photos. This may work better layered over a lipstick. On its own I would definitely recommend two coats or a heavy handed one coat.  It's a bit more of a thin liquid formula than I'm used to using.

L to R: Plum, Copper, Sparkling Burgundy, and Bronze

I really like Plum. This is sort of gloss color I gravitate toward. It's a darker color without being too dark. It's a shiny gloss but not sparkly.

Cargo Plum Lip Gloss

I actually liked Copper more than I thought I would. I usually steer clear of warm colors like this but was pleasantly surprised. It gives a nice glow without being too coppery. This gloss is also really glossy but not sparkly.

Cargo Copper Lip Gloss

The Burgundy did not want to photograph well. This is actually my second favorite color in this quad. This color is glossy and sparkly but not disco ball sparkly. I didn't notice any change in texture between the sparkly glosses and the shiny glosses. This is a good choice if you just want a little hint of color. It is probably the most sheer of the four.

Cargo Sparkling Burgundy

Finally, Bronze. I would never just pick up a bronze gloss on it's own. So this is a nice exercise for me to step outside of my comfort zone. The color is rich and metallic. This one definitely has high shine. I expected it to be super yellow on me but I was presently surprised how it turned out. I'm not sure that I'd reach for this color a lot but at least I know it's not out of the realm of possibility for me. This color might work better for you sun kissed and bronzed beauties out there!

Cargo Bronze Lip Gloss

Wear time is a bit hit or miss. This did not hold up to eating or drinking. The darker colors like Plum seem to get about two hours of decent wear. Bronze definitely transferred a lot. I'm a bit on the fence about this quad. I want to really like Cargo because I've heard such great things about them but the staying power of these glosses and the sheerness leave me feeling it's a little lacking. I'm going to say Bat's Rating: 6.5

Little Black Bag: April

Here we are into May and I still have April subscriptions to talk about. This was my third Little Black Bag. You can see reviews and videos of first LBB and my second LBB or to just learn how the service works in general. I tried to keep a sheet of my trades but looking back I missed some along the way.

L to R: Cargo Lip Quad, Zara Terez Bracelet, Cargo Lip Liner, Zara Terez Necklace

I know some people in the past have complained about the descriptions of items not being accurate. I didn't have an issue with that with my previous two boxes but I did with this one. I chose the Zara Terez Leather Bracelet (Retail $40)as my have to have this item.  

Zara Terez Leather and Crystal Bracelet

The description said crystals. When I received it, the "crystals" are plastic. Most of the metal feels plastic too. I thought about returning it but I don't hate it. I'm just disappointed. I definitely would not have chosen it for my keeper if I had known it was plastic. I've worn this a few times and the heart locket likes to come unlatched and catch on things. I'm tempted to pull the pliers out and take it off.  I also wouldn't put a retail value of $40 on it. At most, I'd pay $15 for this in a store. So the disappointment from that kinda put me off the rest of the box and it's been sitting around since I got it. I'm going to try to give the other products a fair shot.

Zara Terez Leather and Chain Fringe Necklace

Zara Terez Leather and Chain Fringe Necklace (Retail Value $40). I haven't worn this yet. I wish the chain were a bit longer but it's not a choker by any means. 

Cargo Cosmetics Reverse Lip Liner in Light/Medium

One of the ladies over at MUT got this in her bag and recommended it. The Cargo Cosmetics Reverse Lip Liner in Light/Medium (Retail Value $16) is a lip liner designed specifically for use with lip gloss. I wear lip gloss way more than actual lipstick so I thought I'd give it a try. 

Cargo Lip Gloss Quad in Argentina with guest model Mia

My final item is the Cargo Lip Gloss Quad in Argentina (Retail Value $24). I will do a full review of this and the lip liner at a later date. It's too late in the day for me to get good photos of swatches. So far I like the formula. It's not sticky or scented and applies easily. Now I need a travel sized lip brush so I can throw this in my purse and go.

So overall not my favorite LBB but I'm still a fan of the service.  I have a bag open for trading right now. hehe. The overall retail value of this bag was $120.   Have you tried Little Black Bag  yet?

Little Black Bag Second Month

March was my second month subscribed to Little Black Bag and I'm still very satisfied.  Little Black Bag  is a monthly subscriptions service for $49.95 . It's unlike other subscription services in that you can trade with other users for different items before your bag ships.   I go into the details a bit more in my review of last month's bag.

I had a bonus item from one of my friends using my referral link and someone traded me two items for one of mine.  So my total items wound up being five!

The item I had to have was the Steve Madden Owl Cuff Bracelet which retails for $55.  I wouldn't normally go for this but something about it just appealed to me. The wings are paved in rhinestones and the feathers are delicately etched. I've worn this once so far and I really enjoy it.

The Nica Celia Wallet is an item I had my eye on last month but wasn't really aggressive about trading for it.  It retails for around $10.  It's a good size for me and I really like the purple lining.

My sister really like the Kitson Buddha Charm Bracelet which retails for $15. It's a woven aqua colored bracelet with a rhinestone embellished Buddha. It's cute and playful and a perfect color for Spring.

I've been getting more into nail polish lately but it will never replace eyeshadow in my heart! This teal blue polish from Butter called Slapper (retail $14) caught my eye and I had to have it. Some furious trading ensued and I eventually snagged it. It's definitely more teal in person than in photos.

Really more green in person

Finally I got this earrings from Robert Rose which retail for $10.  They are a nice medium sized earring and could go with any outfit.  I haven't worn these yet. There is a nice texture to the finish that will catch the light nicely.

The retail value of my bag this month was $104 which is a little less than last month. I had a lot of items but I didn't have a big ticket item.  I'm really looking forward to my next bag.  I'd like to snag a handbag and some Cargo cosmetics.

My First Little Black Bag

In the mail today, I received my first Little Black Bag! I'm so excited I had to open it and share it with you right away. I explain how this subscription service differs from all the others in my previous post about LBB. The short version is you choose one item to add to your bag and then they add two items to it. Then there is an interface on the website that allows you to trade items with other users before your bag ships. Trading is highly addictive!

The contents were well packaged. Everything was in individual bags, then wrapped in tissue paper, and then bubble wrapped. There was also a return shipping label included if you want to make any returns.

LBB packaging

The item I had to have in my bag was this Kenneth Jay Lane bracelet.  I believe they had it listed at $100 retail value. I could only find it for sale in one place for $88. Love this! It has a nice weight to it and brilliant sparkle. I love sparkle.

KJL Stretch Bracelet

The second item in my bag was this headband by Robert Rose. This is listed at a $30 retail value. It is a satin ribbon over a metal band.  The embellishment is rhinestone and feathers. I don't normally wear headbands but I thought I would give this one a try. At the least I could wear this for a belly dance performance.

Robert Rose Feather and Rhinestone Headband

The next item in my bag were a pair of silver textured earrings by Lydell NYC. I don't remember how this were priced. I think it was somewhere in the $20 range. These have a good weight to them but don't feel overly heavy. I don't think this will pull my earlobes too much.

Lydell NYC Rhodium Earrings

A convservative estimate for the contents of this bag would be $138. I think $49.95 for all of this is a good deal. I really like that you can skip months as well. I will definitely be taking advantage of that. I just don't see myself buying accessories every month.  I do want to snag a handbag one of these months though. Overall, I'm very pleased and very excited to see what they have to offer in the coming months.

Check out  Little Black Bag  for more information or to sign up and start trading!

Little Black Bag

Little Black Bag is a subscription service similar to Shoedazzle.  You take a quiz and then are offered a selection of designer jewelry, handbags, and accessories. The items appear to be a much higher quality than other subscription services I've seen.  You add one item to your bag and then depending on the value of that item, the service adds two to four more items.  I added this beautiful Kenneth Jay Lane bracelet to my bag.

I've already traded both of the other items that were in my bag. So now I really like all three items. We'll see what's in my bag when trading ends in seven days! If you're happy with the contents of your bag, you can choose to go ahead and ship it. Trying to trade up is very addicting though. 

The cost  for Little Black Bag is $49.95 per month with free shipping or you can try it once for $49.95+shipping.  Like other subscription services, you can skip a month without being charged. So there isn't too much harm in looking...unless you get sucked in my shiny things as easily as I do.