First up is Ash, described by Zoya as  a vibrant cherry with a red and gold metallic shimmer. The metallics for me were super pigmented and this one was opaque in one coat. I love how bright and sparkly it is.  Don't forget to check my instagram for some video of this one as well as some matte images!

Britta is next, described by Zoya as a berry metallic with a red and purple fuchsia flash. Again this one was opaque in one coat and just LOOK at that shimmer. This one is a bit less red and a bit more pink than Ash but they're very similar otherwise. Again there are some videos and matte swatches of this one on my Instagram!

Troy was my favorite of the metallic shades. Described as a liquid pewter with a foil finish and an edgy touch of black and gold. This is another one coat one for me. I don't know why this one was my favorite but I just LOVE the depth on it. Like the others, there are matte and video of this one on my Instagram!

 Alicia is an interesting one for me. This one was quite sheer. Zoya calls her a linear holo with a touch of gold but I didn't get much of a linear effect from mine. This is three coats and it's still a touch sheer.  I love this one though because you can build it up for a nice, sparkly effect OR you can wear it with less coats for a softer look. You can also layer her over the other shades for a punch of holo. A winner in my book. Check my instagram for video of her awesome rainbow effect.

 Finley is a real stunner. This one reminds me more of polishes like Dream which is one of my most favorite Zoya shades. She's described as a deep royal purpe scattered holo and I agree with that! This is two easy coats. So gorgeous and LOOK at that shine! Video of the rainbow effect can be found on my instagram!

 Finally we have Merida. She's described as a brilliant lush evergreen scattered holo. Another really gorgeous and shiny shade. The depth on these scattered holo's is my favorite part. These will be amazing for holidays! Like the others you can check out video of the rainbow effect on my instagram plus lots more pics! :) Which Zoya shade is your favorite?

If you haven't been checking out my Instagram lately then you may not have seen these awesome Zoya one coat cremes yet.  These are from the new Urban Grunge collection which also contains six metallic/holographic colors (definitely check out the videos on my instagram for those!!).  I'm swatching in two parts, as usual! I love that Zoya is doing one coat polishes now because it cuts my mani time in half BUT that being said I didn't think that Courtney was truly a one coat polish. I had a few patchy spots on the first go.  If you tend to do very thin coats you'll still need to double up to get am opaque finish with these but a good medium coat will net you solid one coat coverage and a nice, shiny finish. So on to the swatches!!

August is a full coverage gray like a fine, expensive leather wit mid-ranged, balanced tone. My favorite of the collection.  I LOVE greys and this one is so soft and warm. I love this one for fall.

 

 Courtney is a deep red beet root shade with a full coverage, and smooth application. This one I had to do two coats of. But look at that shine!

Tara is a purple plum with a balanced tone between red and purple. Deeply saturated, full coverage, smooth application. Tara is a bit more purple than I could capture in my picture but she's a perfect plum tone. Another one that is absolutely perfect for fall.

 Mallory is a full bodied, Prussian blue withdeeply saturated color. Mallory was one of my most favorites from this collection!!

Noah is a mid-range taupe evenly balanced between yellow and grey, with a full coverage and smooth application.  I really love how Noah flattered my skin tone. She's a neutral but she has a nice balance so she should work great on most people.

Wyatt is a true racing green with a deep pigment, full coverage, and smooth application. Another favorite of mine! This is a perfect fall shade!  Stay tuned for the other half and be sure to check my Instagram for more pics and videos!

Today I want to share with you my Birchbox for August 2016.  If you'd like to see my unbox this months Birchbox you can visit my YouTube channel! This month was actually a pretty good month as far as samples go. Sometimes with these you get a lot of smaller items or things you won't use but I'm pretty excited about what I got this time overall. :) There were no "big ticket" items in this months box but the total value was $18.70 so it still exceeded the $10 I paid for it.  So what was inside?

This box has five samples and then a bonus sample.  I didn't give the bonus sample a value because it was a bonus item and it's also a packet so it probably doesn't really HAVE much value.  I'll start with the other stuff. :)

Avene Cleanance Cleansing Gel for Face and Body

Total cost full size: $20

"This soap-free cleanser, made with French thermal spring water, has been keeping European beauties fresh-faced for decades. The gentle formula purifies skin without aggravating it, and is especially good for oily or blemish-prone skin types."

This cleaner smells really fresh and was gentle on my skin without being drying. I don't like it better than my current face cleaner but I was impressed with it nonetheless. 

Beauty Protector Protect & Oil

Total cost full size: $28

"Suitable for all hair types, this uniquely lightweight paraben-free formula protects against UV rays and heat damage like no other elixir we’ve tried. And, using star ingredient argan oil, it also protects, strengthens, and adds a pretty gloss to strands. Call it love at first spritz."

I'm not generally a fan of hair oils. I have ONE that I love and use here and there. This one is light and smells really nice. It has a sort of vanilla like smell. I wish my sample had come as a spray because I think that would be a game changer. But it's still really effective and not super heavy or greasy.

  

Manna Kadar The Day Dream Palette (bronzer and highlighter only)

Total cost full size: $25 

 "This one sets itself apart from the pack with six universally flattering eye shadows, a blush, a bronzer, and two highlighters (because who can’t get enough of glowy skin?) that you’ll use to the very end. This superpigmented palette is versatile (for instance, you can wet the shadows for a more foiled look), so you can go as smoky and dramatic or as subtle as you like."  

I can't vouch for most of this palette since only the highlighter and bronzer were included as samples. I found the bronzer to be too dark for my skin and while the highlighter is nice I prefer a more pink shade there. These would be great on more medium to dark tones or people with more neutral undertones to their skin. 

 Marcelle Hydra-C 24h Engergizing Hydrating Gel

Total cost full size: $25

"Perk up and protect with this lightweight gel moisturizer. With green tea, cucumber extracts, and vitamins C and E, it nourishes and hydrates skin while guarding against pollutants and stressors. This formula glides on with a cooling sensation, soothing skin as it gets to work."

This one I was pretty excited about. I really love lightweight moisturizers because I have combination skin which tends to get oily if moisturizers are too heavy. I also was just introduced to this brand in another box and really loved the product. This gel is true to it's word. It's very lightweight but super hydrating. It also doesn't have a heavy scent like some other moisturizers I've tried. Overall this one was a win for me.

  

Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick in Patina

Total cost full size: $20 for a mini trio 

"This is the longest-lasting lipstick we’ve ever tried. When you open this cute floral pouch you’ll find three deluxe samples in colors that fit every mood: a cult-fave fuschia (Patina), a delicate pink (Aria), and a powerful nude (Carmello). The creamy matte formula also nourishes and hydrates your lips while providing pretty epic longevity." 

I got one of these mini shades from the trio.  It's Patina which is supposed to be a universally flattering pink shade. I quite like liquid matte lipsticks and this one was no exception. One thing I don't love is how they all seem to dry out my lips overtime though. I haven't worn this one for more than an hour or so and didn't have that issue with it but over longer periods of time I'm not sure how it will do yet. 

 

Bonus item!! Shea Moisture Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless Shampoo and Creme Rinse

Haven't used this one yet so no comments so far BUT I love that they gave me twice as much conditioner as shampoo. :)

Which item are you most excited for?