Tag: <span>espionage cosmetics</span>

Tag: espionage cosmetics

Subscription Boxes

Espionage Cosmetics Nexus March 2018

 ,

March’s Espionage Cosmetics Nexus has arrived earlier than expected, so that’s pretty awesome!   As usual, both the regular Nexus and Literary Nexus are going up in this post, and the theme for March was, “Hidden Treasures.”   Up first, standard Nexus!

  • Veiled Paradise – A beautiful palette of blues and greens shimmer in what looks like some kind of underground paradise.   The colors are SO stunning on this glossy nail wrap.
  • Egg-citing Manicure – Glossy dragon scales and eggs are accented with silver foil and glitter.   The pastel colors are just right for Spring and arrived just in time for Easter weekend!

The Nexus Literary shipment is also on the same “Hidden Treasures” theme and produced two nail wraps that are wildly different from each other, but still perfectly on point.   As usual, a themed bookmark is also included.

  • The Hidden Garden – Definitely a nod to  The Secret Garden, this glossy nail wrap features blue glitter on a field of flowers with purple foil accents on the text wraps.   It’s a GORGEOUS wrap and I love how the flowers frame the tops of the text wraps as well.
  • The King’s Roar – This glossy and glow-in-the-dark nail wrap references The Chronicles of Narnia with gold foil accents.   This design is just too pretty with the greens and gold against each other.

Every month, subscribers are allowed to vote on each set of designs, and the winner is sent on to regular sale on the Espionage Cosmetics website.   The loser remains an exclusive wrap just for subscribers.   Each shipment costs $15 per month  on a month-to-month basis, plus shipping, and since the wraps each cost $10-12 online, the value of the shipment definitely exceeds the cost.   Plus, there’s the fact that you get exclusive access to new nail wraps each month.    In case you’re thinking about subscribing, check out the link below!

Subscription Boxes

Espionage Cosmetics Nexus February 2018

 ,

Another round of Espionage Cosmetics Nexus is here!   This month’s theme for both the standard and Literary Nexus was, “Voyages,” and having a husband who is a mariner, this was absolutely on point for me!   Above is the standard Nexus shipment which featured two nail wraps, both perfectly on theme.

  • Seashells & Starfish – It’s a pretty blue gradient background with pearlescent seashells and starfish printed on top.   It’s a really pretty design and will   be great for a vacation manicure.
  • That’s Nautical – A glossy nail wrap with ropes, anchors, and ships’ wheels, this features a pretty silver foil accent in the design.   Again, I think this one is going to be brought along on vacation this summer!

Nexus Literary this month on the same “Voyages” theme, featured two nail wraps that may be in my top 10 of all time.   I love that they include a bookmark every month with the Literary subscription too.   I’ve really been loving the Literary subscription – it’s such a great book nerdy addition to the Nexus lineup!

  • Odysseus’ Journey – Well I think it’s obvious this refers to the  Odyssey  by Home, the classic Greek epic poem.   I’m so in love with the color palette on this between the silver accented words and the wave design.
  • Voyages Extraordinaires – Another great fit to the theme, this design is based on the book of the same name by Jules Verne.   Tentacles frame the top of a few wraps with bronze accents on some of the words, and the accent wraps are blue waves with glitter.

Each shipment costs $15 per month on a month-to-month basis, plus shipping.   An online vote goes on to pick the winner of each shipment which then goes on to fame and glory for regular sale on the Espionage Cosmetics website.   The wraps individually cost $10-12 online, so the value of the shipment absolutely exceeds the cost, plus the ‘loser’ after voting each month is an exclusive that won’t be available to the general public.   There’s also a chance to add on a booster pack exclusive nail wrap that goes along with that month’s theme which I didn’t do this month (because I forgot, oops!).
In case you’re thinking about subscribing, check out the link below!

Subscription Boxes

Espionage Cosmetics Nexus January 2018

 ,

The first Espionage Cosmetics Nexus shipments of the year have arrived!   The theme was, “Court of Fairies” and up above is the regular Nexus shipment.   Espionage Cosmetics recently launched a new Literary Nexus shipment, so you know I signed up for both because BOOKS.   But first, Standard Nexus!

  • Faerie Lace – On the top, with the tagline, “Woven with Magic,” these wraps are indeed woven with glow in the dark magic!   They’re a black lace design with little faeries in the corners, and they’re clear so you can use a colored nail polish underneath.   They’re so pretty and subtly nerdy, I just love them!
  • Neverland Fairies – I think it’s pretty obvious this means Tinkerbell!   And it’s absolutely precisely Tinkerbell.   I mean, how can you have a theme about Fairies and not include Tinkerbell, right?!   And, all that glitter, just as I’d expect from both EC and a nail wrap featuring that famous gal.

So, this is the Nexus Literary shipment also from January with the same theme.   Rightfully so, they include a bookmark that goes with the theme.

  • Wedded to Hippolyta – On the top with a quote by Puck from  A Midsummer Nights Dream, these Literary wraps are perrrrfect!   The text glows in the dark and I love how they mix in the text and artwork to create a full set of nail wraps.   Also, Shakespeare!   And a badass woman.   I wasn’t able to figure out what painting the non-text wraps came from, but it works with the text.
  • Peter and Wendy – “Made of Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust,” in another nod to  Peter Pan, these wraps feature a silver foil accent with silver glittery stars.   I just love the color palette on these with the dark blues and silver.   Pure magic!

So, that wraps up January’s theme!   I absolutely love all four nail wraps between the regular Nexus and the Literary Nexus.   I’m pretty sure my next manicure is going to be Neverland Fairies because it feels more and more like spring and that huge dose of glitter content is just the happiness I need in my life right now.   In case you’re thinking about subscribing, check out the link below!


Subscription Boxes

Espionage Cosmetics BOOM!Box December 2017

 ,

The final Espionage Cosmetics BOOM!Box has arrived!   They said they’re going to take a break to tweak some things and figure out the future of the BOOM!Box, so this may be the last one for a little while.   Needless to say, they went out with a bang!   The theme was “Frozen” so I assumed it would be full of goodies from the movie of the same name, but you really never know what they’re going to come up with!   Wouldn’t you know it too, this arrived during our first snow of the winter and it’s snowed practically all week since, so the timing is pretty amusing.

  • Frozen Fractals Patch – The photo just does not do this justice!   It’s a translucent snowflake iron-on patch that’s PACKED with sparkly rhinestones.   I mean, loaded with sparkle.   It’s really flexible too, so it’ll work well no matter where you decide to use it.
  • Frosty Giant Patch – Another iron-on patch, this time of Loki nomming away at a giant ice cream cone!   This is a super cute design, and I’m going to have a hard time deciding which pieces of clothing or bags are worthy enough to be graced by such awesomeness!

  • Freeze on Contact Nail Wrap – On the left, the Freeze on Contact wrap is a little nod to Mortal Kombat and Sub-Zero!   I LOVE THESE.   LOVE LOVE LOVE.   The design features freeze beams and loads of blue glitter on a glossy wrap.
  • Abominable Snowman Nail Wrap – On the right, the Abominable Snowman wrap features cute little abominable snowman amidst glittery blue snowflakes.   I’m SO glad they added this guy to the Frozen theme!
  • Snowdrift Cuticle Balm – I was just thinking to myself that I needed to get more cuticle balm, and what could be more perfect than moisturizing cuticle balm for winter dry hands?!   The scent is “Snowdrift” which is a light sort of linen and floral scent – not overpowering at all, and it’s really pleasant.   The ingredient list is amazing too with a blend of Argan and Jojoba oils as well as Mango, Shea, and Cocoa butters.

  • Frosty EC Scarf – This scarf is printed with the new EC logo set that’s also seen on the new eyeshadow collections, but it’s so much more than a scarf!   The packaging shows 13 different ways to use it, but I’m sure that’s not the end of the possibilities.   I like that it’s lightweight but still insulating so that I can fold it up, toss it in my bag, and never be caught without a cowl or hat when I need it.   I personally use these scarves as hats – I have longish curly hair, so I do a half twist (bringing opposite seams together at the bottom, folding it in half, giving it a hole in the top) and pull my hair through the hole and the open edges over my ears.   I’ll have to post a video since it’s kind of hard to explain, but it works REALLY well and keeps my curls from getting smooshed inside a regular hat.
  • Moe + Co. Ring of Silver – Oh my.   I mean, I didn’t expect this!   What a pretty silver ring!   The ring is open in the back which allows it to be adjustable and fit any ring size.   It’s 7-strand braided design with each ‘strand’ consisting of a smooth and a twisted silver element that work to catch the light just right.

Our print and product card are on the same sheet again (a paper-saving method I really like).   The print is “Queen vs. King” by  Noël Clark and is definitely a nod to the movie, Frozen.   The color palette is just perfect for the theme and fits well with all the other items.

The value here is again, really hard to determine since a lot of these items are exclusive to the box.   The nail wraps go for $10 each on the website, and the ring has an MSRP of $19, so we’re already at $39 for just those three items.   The box costs $36.25 including shipping, so the value is already above the cost!   I think this may be one of my favorite boxes yet, and it’s so hard to pick a favorite item since they’re all excellent!   I had to quality assurance test the scarf (or hat, as the case may be), and I’ve had it on the whole time I’ve been sitting here.   Anyway!   I really hope they’re able to bring this box back quickly since I’m going to miss seeing this box every quarter.   It’s really the only one that caters specifically to nerdy ladies and has a crazy wide range of items and fandoms.

In case you’re interested in other Espionage Cosmetics gear or want to join on the new Literary Nexus shipment, click through my referral link here!

Subscription Boxes

Espionage Cosmetics Nexus – November 2017

 ,

Another round of the Espionage Cosmetics Nexus has arrived!   November’s theme was “Food Fight” so I guessed that donuts would somehow be incorporated and was indeed right, but I love the tie-in to the Simpsons too (DOUBLE BONUS NERD CONTENT!).

D’oh!nuts – I LOVE THESE!   Okay, so normally I’m not a huge fan of pink, but I absolutely have to approve of it here.   I mean, it’s a glittery pink donut with sprinkles on a yellow background.   What’s not to love?!
Sushi Party – Sushi and I don’t get along since fish and I don’t get along, so while sushi isn’t my thing (I mean, I wish it was – bite size food is most excellent), I really adore these happy face little sushi nail wraps.

Total cuteness overload on both of these!   I think my voting choice is easy this month though – definitely the D’oh!nuts!!   The cost of this subscription is $15 (plus shipping) per month on a month-to-month basis and since each nail wrap retails for $20, the value definitely exceeds the cost.   If you’re thinking about subscribing, click through my referral link here to check it out!

Subscription Boxes

Espionage Cosmetics Nexus – August 2017

 ,

Another round of Espionage Cosmetics Nexus arrived, and this month the theme was, “Cheat Codes,” featuring some brand-spankin-new packaging for the Nexus nail wraps along with the debut of the new 22-tip sets in this subscription!  It’s pretty neat to see specific new packaging for the Nexus wraps as well as less paper packaging – keep it simple, right?  So, basically, the pouch is what’s inside the new packaging, but for the Nexus shipment, there’s a fancy Nexus logo on the front.  The only thing missing is the nail wrap name and what kind of wraps they are (glow in the dark, glossy, pearl, etc), but I suppose I can keep the card with the wraps so I remember (or just refer back to my blog, duh)

  • Hit the Bricks – This glossy nail wrap also has a glow in the dark feature that hints to a location of wizardry.  I’ll admit that I had to look this up since I’m not into Harry Potter, but it’s pretty clever to hide the message in the glow in the dark feature!
  • Unbreakable Code – This one I got right away since I LOVED  The Bletchley Circle miniseries.  Those would be the dials of the Bombe decryption device designed by Alan Turing, and a sample of the German code they were decrypting during WWII.  If you’re a nerd and want to see the original pages, check out this link.

Overall a pretty neat delivery for the theme!  I was expecting something completely different (some gaming cheat codes?) but it’s so neat that they always keep me on my toes or pull something completely different out of their hats than what I expect!  Both wraps usually retail for $10 on the website so the cost of $15 per month is worth it.  Only one will go onto glory for regular sale after a round of voting, but I think I know which one I’m rooting for already.  I’m definitely partial to the Unbreakable Code one because history nerd over here.  If you’re thinking about subscribing and want to give me a little love, click here  to sign up via my affiliate link.

Subscription Boxes

Espionage Cosmetics BOOM!Box August 2017

 , ,

The latest quarterly round of the Espionage Cosmetics BOOM!Box has arrived!  The theme this round is, “The Perfect Storm,” so I had an idea of what might be involved here, but as always, was surprised and pleased to see what showed up in the box!  This time around, we have a sheet that explains all the products in the box that also doubles as our art print on the other side which is exactly what’s printed on the mousepad as well.

  • Weather Witch Nail Wraps – These great wraps have glitter and glow in the dark content, so they’re extra bonus awesome!  Could this be a subtle nod to everyone’s favorite weather witch, Storm from the X-Men?  They fit perfectly with the theme.
  • Electrostatic Spark Nail Wraps – Glossy and glow in the dark on these wraps which feature a perfect storm of lightning strikes.  These are so fun and will be a great last-gasp-of-summer manicure.

  • Cyclone Bookmark – This heavy brass bookmark features a domed medallion with a tornado inside.  It’s a really substantial piece and will go great to mark my place in any book albeit I feel like I may have to re-read  The Tempest just because.
  • Lucky 13 Lacquer Quick Dry Top Coat – This is SUCH a smart idea to add into this box!  The top coat by Lucky 13 Lacquer is honestly the quickest drying top coat I’ve ever used and it works incredibly well with the nail wraps (yes, I had to try it out right away!).  The brush is nice and wide, so it can cover a whole nail in pretty much one pass, and it dries to a thick, glossy finish that protects your nail wraps without shrinking or curling the edges.  It’s also 4-free.

  • Mouse Pad – This elemental beauty is a creation of Suzanne Van Pelt and is printed on a mouse pad.  She looks as if she’s getting ready to hurl a fire-ball, standing in front of a stormy background.  This gal fits in perfectly with the theme, and it’s neat to see a mouse pad in this box!
  • Product Sheet – The back of this is the same image as the mousepad, but what a way to double task and use less paper!  The design of the product sheet is pretty great, so I couldn’t help but include it here too.
  • The Three Wise Cats Incense  – This scent was created just for this box by  The Three Wise Cats  and is a really pleasant scent that’s reminiscent of the way the air smells after a storm.  It’s fresh and clean and not at all like traditional hippie patchouli incense.  It smells SO good that I have half a mind to keep the bag by me here at the computer while I work since whenever I walk into the room, it smells so nice.

It’s always hard to put a value on these boxes, but the nail wraps alone are worth $20, and the box costs $36.25 including shipping, so the value definitely exceeds the cost.  The value of the exclusive items that are only available with this box though make this pretty priceless!  They always fit the theme into every product selected for the box and I’ve never yet been disappointed.  The theme for November’s box has already been announced, and it’s, “Frozen,” which, YES!  Perfect timing for that theme, and it’ll be interesting to see what they pull out of the nerdiverse to deliver on theme.

If you want to give me some love and save a little at the same time, check out my referral link here!

Subscription Boxes

Espionage Cosmetics Nexus – July 2017

 ,

Another month of Espionage Cosmetics Nexus is here!  This was July’s shipment, and the theme was, “Pirates.”  I’ll admit that I was expecting something a little more traditional, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that they went right to the edges of the theme to create these neat nail wraps!

  • Piracy – A glossy nail wrap with glow in the dark accents, this nail wrap features little skull and crossbones, but they’re not your usual skull and crossbones!  Each one features a different icon related to media piracy, but the product card notes that this nerd manicure was, “legally downloaded from the Nerd Misfit noggins at the Clubhouse of Fandom & Glitter.”
  • Hey, You Guys! – AHHH!!!  This is definitely a nod to the pirates from  The Goonies and IT’S PERFECT.  This glossy nail wrap also features a glow in the dark accent that’s right on point.

I’m pretty sure I have to vote for “Hey, You Guys!” this month because, how can you not?!  I mean, “Piracy” is cute and all, but GOONIES!  I’m definitely glad to have them both though, and I’m looking forward to see who wins this month.  If you’re thinking about subscribing and want to give me a little love, click here to sign up via my affiliate link.