Jewelmint Review

It's no secret that I love getting stuff in the mail. I know, I know, nowadays you can order anything online and have it delivered, but I still squee when I get a package.

I heard about Jewelmint a while ago and took a look at the site's offerings but didn't bite, even though I love jewelry, particularly fun statement pieces. Jewelmint, founded by Kate Bosworth and her stylist, works as a membership subscription service. For $29.99 per month, you get a credit you can redeem for one piece of jewelry - rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and broaches. Jewelmint's designs are all unique to the site and limited edition, so if you really like something, you're encouraged to snap it up before it's gone. If, between the 1st and 5th of a month, you decide you don't want anything, you can skip that month. Otherwise, you are automatically charged, but you can save your credit and use it another month if nothing strikes your fancy. However, this IS a subscription site - your credit card WILL be charged $29.99 automatically if you do not select "skip the month" between the 1st and 5th. Shipping is included.

When you first sign up, you take a short style quiz to determine what jewelry will best suit your needs. You are then shown a personalized showroom. However, if you do not like what has been selected, you can click "see more recommendations" and scroll through other selections. Signing up and taking the style quiz is free and does not require you to put your credit card on file.

I resisted for a long time, but Jewelmint sent out a 70% off coupon for new members, and I decided that, for $9, it was worth a try.

I selected the Persephone pendant - a small silver-plated "perfume bottle" with a vintage look hanging on a 30" chain. I personally really like long necklaces; they're perfect for spicing up basic t-shirts.

Here's what I got:

This came in a timely manner in a bubble pack. The magnetized box is mint green with a black ribbon. Cute!

Inside the box, a little description of the product, "signed" by Kate and her stylist, Cher.

Nestled beneath a black sponge is the Persephone Pendant!

The top unscrews, though I doubt you could actually put perfume inside, unless you have an eye dropper. The screw-off cap is topped by a white enamel accent... a nice touch!

The pendant was fairly heavy and felt substantial, and the chain is high quality. Overall, I was pleased with my purchase; I think it will be versatile, as it will go with almost anything. The white enamel detail is a nice touch, and I love how unique it is. However, I don't know if it's necessarily worth $29.99; remember, I got this for $9 (including shipping). For $29.99, I feel like I could find something cool and unique on Etsy.

If you sign up for Jewelmint, peruse their selections, but wait until you can find a coupon to purchase your first piece - they do 50% off - 70% off, from what I've seen, and they'll send emails. I'm not sure how coupons work on subsequent purchases, but I'm determined not to buy anything else until I can get another coupon code! As usual, remember to check RetailMeNot for coupon codes!

BTW, Jewelmint has a sister site, Stylemint. Stylemint works exactly the same way, but features shirts instead of jewelry. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are the spokesgals, but I couldn't find anything I liked more than, say, the generic tees I pick up at American Eagle.

Jewelmint, for now, gets a 6 on the awesome meter.

Awesome Mascara Review

Hi there! Long time, no see! I have a bunch of fun reviews of random awesome things coming up, so stay tuned.

I'm not really a makeup person. I have a few techniques that I use over and over, but never anything complex. My eye makeup routine is particularly simple, mostly because I have sensitive eyes, an I desperately hate touching them. It creeps me out. I use eyeliner extremely rarely, and even so, I can't get close to the waterline, so I just line the corners or above the lashes. I use eyeshadow and brow pencil, and that's usually it... if I'm feeling fancy, I'll put on eyeshadow base.

I've found that one thing makes a big difference in how polished my makeup looks, though: mascara. I've had lots of issues with mascara. I hate fighting to get the waterproof stuff off. My lashes are pretty long, so when I put on mascara and blink, the lashes hit the area below my eyes and make for little black dots and smears. I also tend to get mascara flakes later in the afternoon. Not cute.

Through my Birchbox subscription, I discovered Blinc mascara. This mascara forms small tubes over each individual lash. You have to work fast, because it dries quickly, and you can't really "build" it in layers, but it's basically idiot-proof; just glide it on like normal mascara. It does not clump, which is awesome, because who wants spider eyes? Once it's on, it does not smear or smudge, and it really does stay all day. It's not waterproof, but to remove it, you apply warm water and gently push the tubes off your lashes. It's kind of strange, and it takes a little longer than just washing your face, but it's actually oddly satisfying to take off.

Anyway, this is the only mascara that has really worked for me. I've tried all the drugstore brands as well as fancier ones, but all the non-waterproof formulas smudge too easily; I'm always rubbing my eyes, and I end up raccoon-like by midday. It's also recommended for people who wear contacts. Blinc is an awesome mascara solution, and I give it an 8 on the Awesome Meter!

A quick note on Birchbox: it's a subscription service, and every month you get a box of 4-5 premium beauty samples. It's always packaged very nicely, so it feels like getting a gift each month, and I love surprises. Some months are definitely better than other months. You also get points for reviewing the items you get, buying items in their store, or referring friends, so I've gotten some awesome deals on products I've loved from their boxes - I saved up my points and got the mascara for $4. Plus, free shipping on their monthly picks. I'll review a full box next month!