Okay, everyone. We’re in the home stretch. Christmas is right around the corner and from what I’ve gathered in the stores this weekend, the masses are still very much shopping. It’s not too late, peeps. Get out there and finish the job!

Today’s guest post is by Kar Yi Lim, one of my very favorite beauty bloggers. I stumbled upon her blog Angelic Betrayal when I was checking out a hot new beauty item, and I’ve been a fan ever since. Her honest reviews touch on the latest and greatest, while also covering the occasional classics. What I especially love is the range of products she discusses, giving drugstore brands as fair shot as the high end products. But it’s her smart writing and down to earth peek at her fabulous NYC life that keep me hooked on this young blogger’s site. So check it out, ladies. I know you’ll all love her, too.

Presenting the Angelic Betrayal Gift Guide for Beauty Lovers

In just a few days, Christmas will be upon us and the culmination of weeks of gift-finding fervor will end in a heap of new goodies for the New Year amid a flourish of festive wrappings. The holidays are one of the best times to shop for beauty products because limited edition bundles abound and often are a great value for the money. Besides, who doesn’t want to feel extra pretty and pampered this time of year? If you still have to find gifts for the beauty lovers in your life, here are some of my picks that will be great under the tree!

1. Sephora Favorites Fragrance Sampler For Her or Him ($50): Every year, Sephora releases a sampler of 12 mini fragrance samples so you can try out several high-end scents. The real kicker is that the set includes a voucher which you can use to redeem the full size bottle of your favorite in the collection. As bonuses, the women’s set includes a pink pouch, perfect for carrying your everyday essentials, and the men’s set includes a Jack Black shave gel.

2. Stila All is Bright Lip Glaze Set ($25): The Stila lip glazes are sheer, non-sticky lipglosses that younger girls will definitely adore. This set is great for stocking stuffers as you can pop a gloss into eight separate gifts. Or you can gift this entire set to a makeup beginner so they can have an entire range of shades for every occasion!

3. Lush Little Green Bag ($25.95): For any vegan beauty enthusiast, the Lush Little Green Bag is the way to go. It includes a soap, solid shampoo with storage tin, body scrub and massage bar all wrapped up in an eco-friendly scarf. Those new to Lush will experience a unique approach to effective body care – while doing good for the environment!

4. Inglot Freedom System Palette (Price Varies): An avid makeup junkie who loves color and highly pigmented eyeshadows, blushes, and lipsticks will love a customizable palette from Inglot. The pigmentation of Inglot products is incredible and the do-it-yourself approach results in an endless combination of palettes. Gifting an Inglot giftcard is probably the best way to ensure your recipient loves their palette 100%!

5. L’Occitane Savons de Provence ($25): Give the gift of simple bath time luxury with a collection of L’Occitane’s extra-gentle shea butter soaps. These French-made soaps come in a variety of lovely fragrances that will soothe irritation of the skin and mind.

6. Sephora by OPI Spice Market Collection ($19.50): Nail art has been a hit in the beauty world this year and this set of miniature polishes offers a unique variety of finishes and colors. Included is a fierce, cream orange, a shimmery red, a silver glitter and a duochrome gold to ensure whoever receives this gift has nails that are always on point. The consistency of Sephora by OPI polishes is always great and the small bottles are perfect for travel and touch-ups.

7. Jurlique Herbal Recovery Antioxidant Gel Mask ($48): After several consecutive nights of feasting and partying, tired skin will love a skincare treat and this mask is perfect for plumping and hydrating. When the holidays are over, this gift will be perfect for relaxing night at home due to its soothing, herbal fragrance and cooling gel texture. Beads of Vitamin E to reduce fine lines make this an ideal gift for a more mature recipient.

Ho ho ho, all you Juggalos. There’s still over a week till Christmas, and if I know you guys, you haven’t started shopping yet. And for those of you who celebrate Hanukkah, well, you are almost done. Get busy!

Today’s gift guide is by Lauren Modery of Hipstercrite. Lauren is kind of an Austin Blogebrity. (Yeah, I totally made up that word. Don’t use it or I will sue you.) Her blog is wildly popular and as the name suggests, it often speaks to and about hipsters. But it’s also quite poignant and melancholy, as Lauren ponders her existence and a deeper meaning in her day to day life. She’s not afraid to anger her readers (election time) or break our hearts. She’s so much more than the word hipster implies, but at the very core of the word meaning is cool. And cool sums up Lauren to a tee.

Check out Lauren’s Hipstercrite Gift Guide

For the Hipster

Creative Scratchings hipster series- I first spotted these adorable scratch drawings while feeding my face-hole with benedicts from Another Broken Egg Cafe. Of course I fell in love with them because they’re a.) anthropomorphic animals and b.) they’re dressed like hipsters. The very talented Austin-based artist behind these prints, Janis, has several hipsterrific portraits to chose from, but my favorite is the stoic cat with his Texas tattoo and cycling cap. You don’t have to be a hipster or hate hipsters to appreciate the beautiful meta-irony of these. The Scoutmob Shoppe is currently offering select prints for $17.

For the Austin Lover

Austin skyline necklace by Vinca- I love everything this local kick-ass jewelry maker does, but my favorite piece (beside the mustache rings!) is her wooden Austin skyline necklace. Every piece of jewelry, whether it’s acrylic, wood or precious metal, is designed and cut inside her shop with the help of an awesome team of ladies (Amber Demure!). Stay stylish while supporting local business! $38

For the Music Lover

I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon- You don’t have to be a fan of or necessarily known who Warren Zevon is to enjoy this nail-biting, wall-punching book. For those who know him, Zevon was a popular musician in the 70s with hits like “Werewolves of London” and “Lawyers, Guns and Money” before losing it all due to his hard partying, drinking, womanzing, wife-beating and child-abandoning ways. After decades of being a reclusive asshole, just as Zevon tried to make amends, he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. This harrowing book, written by Zevon’s ex-wife by the request of Warren, is a must-read for any rock n’ roll fan or aspiring musician. $15.99

For the Girly-Girl

Benefit “Sexy Little Stowaways” makeup kit- I’m a sucker for beautiful branding, and eye candy packaging is what Benefit cosmetics is known for. Luckily they have quality products to back up the style. I’ve been a big fan of the San Francisco-based makeup producer ever since I tried their now sadly discontinued She-Laq eye makeup sealant. It’s difficult to buy just one item, and with prices averaging in the low twenty dollar range, their products can quickly add up. That’s why their “Sexy Little Stowaway” set is the perfect gift for converting your girlfriend to a Benefit groupie. At $34, this collection of travel-size samples includes popular products such as Bad Girl Lash mascara, Cha Cha Tint mango-tinted lip and cheek stain and That Gal face brightening primer.

Early this summer I was contacted by Jurlique to see if I would be interested in trying out some of their products. I knew their quality natural products were a bit pricey, so I was thrilled to test out a few things for free. So yes, while I received these items for free, I promised the company nothing and my review is honest. Truth!

Also, my photos were nothing special so I took these directly from Jurlique’s website. The packaging looks identical (40 ml) and is quite plain. The metal tubes keep air from getting in and ruining the products. A+ on that!

The Purely Age-Defying Refining Treatment is a medium grit exfoliator and smells faintly of citrus. I am always somewhat exfoliated, so I had to give up my Clarisonic for a few days to give this a good test. I found that it left my skin feeling soft and refreshed. It claims to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but I didn’t notice that. Any lines I’ve noticed on myself are around my eyes: the smile crinkles. I’m definitely not going to exfoliate there, so I can’t comment on line reduction. Exfoliation in general removes dead skin and gives skin a healthy glow. For me, this one is the perfect texture. Not coarse enough to cause irritation and not too fine either. A 40 ml tube retails for $35.

I was extra excited to receive the Intense Recovery Mask. Who wouldn’t love to slap on a nice clay mask and pretend you are at the spa? This one is silky and green. It’s beautifully hydrating without being greasy. If I had to compare it to something, it would be an avocado. It just feels so smooth, lush, and natural. The directions say to leave on for ten minutes before washing off and to use weekly. This was my favorite thing they sent. It is $39.

The Calendula Cream is a rich, pale yellow moisturizer. If applied directly to the skin this would be too heavy for me. Luckily I read the instructions and applied properly by warming a small amount between my fingers and tapping onto the skin. It’s a lovely little cream that will last a long time because it doesn’t take much. Rather than an every day cream, this is a rescue product, meaning it is to be used after sun or other harsh conditions. I limit my exposure to harsh elements, so this wouldn’t be particularly useful to me. But I did enjoy the feel of the product and love the calming properties. It is $35.

I was also sent Arnica Cream, which is the one product I didn’t test out. The homeopathic cream is meant to soothe traumatized skin, which thankfully, I do not have. It is cooling and provides protection against antioxidants. I imagine that this would be ideal after an accident or surgery. It’s good to know that a product like this exists although I hope to never need it. It is $36.

As the name suggests, the Rose Silk Finishing Powder is very silky. It took me a while to even try it as I was dreading the smell. Rose is NOT my preferred scent, although the powder is so nice I will use it anyway. I can’t believe how well it sets my makeup. I may be a finishing powder convert. The packaging is sturdy and the puff feels expensive. It also comes in Lavender and Citrus, both of which appeal to me. I like this enough that I might buy it in another scent when I use it up. It is $36.

Perusing Jurlique’s website, I found about a million other things I want. I’d love to try the foaming cleansers, the mists, the Love Balm, Radiance Serum, and the hand creams and treatments. If you’ve tried anything from Jurlique, leave me a comment. I’d love to read your opinions. Overall, I am impressed and will use up the full-size products they sent me. They all feel luxurious and natural.

Finally, Jurlique is giving away 20 Clarisonics and brightening product trios. If you’d like to enter, check out the instructions on the left. Winners will be selected October 1st.

Having the foresight that I would eventually need a haircut, I grabbed a Living Social deal several weeks ago. Sure enough, my hair kept growing and it was time for some scissor action. Melanie is the talented stylist and owner of J.S.P. Since it was our first time meeting, we had a quick consultation and I told Melanie what products I used and how I normally style my hair. I’m definitely on the low-end of the fussy scale when it comes to my hair. It’s thick and curly with fine strands.

She made some recommendations for layering and styling and then we got started. The truth is, I love getting my hair done. One of my greatest sources of celebrity envy is the constant hair and make-up time. It’s so nice to sit and relax and let someone else make you look pretty. If I had unlimited funds, I’d be at the salon a lot more. I look forward to getting my hair done the way Mr. Betty looks forward to beer.

J.S.P is located inside N Salon at 3027 North Lamar. A chic black studio with modern, edgy decor, it is the perfect blend of fancy and funky.

Melanie was professional and swift. We had pleasant conversation while she shampooed and combed and snipped. The blowout was the best I’ve ever had, leaving my hair silky smooth and straight. She gave me tips for straightening my own hair in a way that would maintain swingy volume. (No word yet on whether I can do it. It’s been too hot for me to try. Also, I’m pretty lazy.)

It can be scary checking out a new stylist, although Yelp mitigates some of the risk. I am a believer in salon loyalty, but I also believe in checking out new local businesses and sharing positive experiences. So if you are looking to refresh your look, give Melanie a try.

*Note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. My hair just looks really fly right now and I wanted to brag about it.

Another month, another Birchbox. I cracked up when I opened this one and saw that it had a Gossip Girl wrapper.

I am decidedly not a Gossip Girl fan, although I did watch it for a few seasons.

In typical Blair Waldorf fashion, I find myself losing interest in Birchbox altogether. I think it’s time for a break. So this will be my last Birchbox post for while…maybe ever. This is what I had in my box:

• Miracle Skin Transformer Body SPF. My tinted SPF came in the shade Glow. $34
• SHE UEMURA Cleansing Oil Shampoo. This yuzu-scented cleanser is a foaming oil. Weird. $55
• Dior Miss Dior Eau de Parfum. A classic with floral notes. $62
• Dior Diorshow Extase. This dramatic mascara is the only truly thrilling item in this box. $28.50
• Notecard extra. Meh. Feels pretty cheap. $10

Just in time for Earth Day, the April Birchbox has a natural wonders theme. Healthy, restorative and packaged with green tissue paper instead of pink, this is a fun box.

• Wonderstruck Taylor Swift. A sweet, light fragrance with notes of freesia and dewberry. $49.50
• J. R. Watkins Foot Repair Salve. Restorative, peppermint-scented balm to soothe rough heels and tired feet. Just in time for flipflop season. $8.99
• Pangea Organics Lip Balm. Extra-moisturizing, made with Egyptian fennel, grapefruit, and sweet orange. $12
• Befine Skincare Sampler. I received a few packs of Exfoliating Cleanser made with brown sugar, sweet almond, and oats. Also Daily Moisturizer, SPF 15, with rosemary, pomegranite, and rice. $24
• Pangea Organics Eye Cream. Made with Turkish rose oil and white tea extracts. $55
• Pangea Organics Facial Scrub. Made with adzuki bean and cranberry seed enzymes. $32

I’d like to highlight one of my holy grail face washes, Checks and Balances by Origins. This is a classic product and has many, many, many fans. I’m not discovering new ground here.

Formulated for both oily and dry skin, and many of us have a little of both, this wash has struck the perfect balance. Hence the name. A hint of mint invigorates and leaves the skin feeling and smelling fresh.

But what I really love is the insane lathering. The tiniest amount bubbles and foams up like an overloaded washing machine. Using the Clarisonic really makes it go crazy. I don’t know how I lived before this minty, bubbly, foamy wonder. You should try it.

*Disclaimer: Mad Betty was not compensated in any way for this review. I just have a love affair with this face wash.

After a year of receiving Birchboxes, I thought I might take a break for a while. Truth be told, I am drowning in samples. I need to, you know, start using them. But this month’s box was so good, I’m hesitant to put my account on hold. What if I miss something awesome? So I will wait for the next lackluster box and reevaluate.

• Traditions by Nick Chavez Yucca Root Shampooing Cream. A silky hair cleanser made from wild yam and yucca.
• Koh Gen Do Cleansing Water Cloth. This luxurious Japanese cleansing cloth is made with spring water.
• Annick Goutal Eau d’Hadrien. A bright scent with citrus notes. I really like it.
• Color Club Nail Lacquer. This pretty pink shade is called He Loves Me.
• Eve Lom TLC Radiance Cream. Brightens and hydrates skin with vitamins A and C.
• Tea Forté skin-smart Teas. I am excited to try all three flavors I received: Cucumber Mint, Honey Yuzu, and Cherry Marzipan.

I like everything in this month’s box. I especially love trying new scents. And the shampoo looks interesting, too.

Click here to order Birchbox.

The February Birchbox was fun. I anticipated a perfume sample or two, as I feel that lovely scents align with Valentine’s Day. I was wrong. Here’s what I got:

• dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. This is a powder that you mix with water to create an exfoliating paste. Pretty cool. $60
• beautyblender. The hot pink sponge that looks like an egg is a foundation blender. $26
• EYE ROCK Designer Liner. Stick on cat eye strips. I can’t wait to use these! $13
• Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint. I hope I like this moisturizer as much as Jouer lip conditioner. $38
• Extras. Heart-shaped nail file and six free songs from Green River Ordinance.

The first Birchbox of the new year had a clarity theme. From a fresh face to an optimistic mood, the products included this month are supposed to inspire clarity in all aspects of our lives. That’s a bit of a stretch, but I still enjoyed the selection in this month’s box.

• FIX Malibu Immaculate Complexion Smoothing Serum. Antioxidant-rich vitamins A, C, and E brighten skin tone and soften wrinkles.
• Algenist Firming and Lifting Cream. Moisturizer that uses microalgae to boost skin’s elasticity.
• Juicy Couture. Their signature fragrance is sweet and floral.
• Zoya Nail Polish. The color I received is called Kendal and is a pale, creamy periwinkle.
• Extras: ‘wichcraft Granola and a Birchbox magnet. There was also a card with tips for doing mini detoxes in various areas of your life: Mind, Relationships, Closet, Diet and Bathroom Cabinet. They suggest using your Birchbox magnet and putting the list on your fridge as a reminder.

The real gems in this box are the serum and moisturizer, which cost $94 and $125, respectively. I’m happy with all of these products.