Redbox Reviews: The DUFF

Every once in a while a teen film comes along and cements itself as an essential coming-of-age film, joining the ranks of Clueless, Mean Girls, and basically every movie John Hughes wrote. Based on what I had seen in the trailer I thought that The DUFF had a chance of being one of those few films to gain cult status. Though The DUFF, based on the popular book of the same name, is not a bad film and even features some talented young actors, it lacked the independent spirit of other great teen films. It had a few laughs but no real relevance beyond its "We're all insecure but have something special to offer" message.

Bianca (Mae Whitman) is a high school senior who happens to be best friends with two popular, beautiful girls. After talking with her childhood friend and neighbor Wes (Robbie Amell, who is the movie's standout actor), Bianca discovers that she is the DUFF, or Designated Ugly Fat Friend, to her friends. Confused and angry, Bianca cuts ties with her friends and in exchange for helping him with his grades, gets advice from Wes so she can attract her crush, guitar-strumming hunk Toby.

Also starring Disney darling Bella Thorne as queen bee mean girl Madison, The DUFF follows a fairly predictable story line. A few witty lines are scattered throughout, many of which will probably be relevant for only a few more years. It's hard to imagine by kids laughing at all of the movie's jokes in 2040.

I won't give away the ending, but you probably already know that it's happy. I give The DUFF a 6.5 out of 10. Though the story and direction lacked, its young performers saved it from being a complete miss.

Have you seen The DUFF? What did you think? What Redbox movie should I review next? Let me know in the comments section. :)

How I Feel About My May Birchbox...3 Weeks Later

May's Birchbox was inspired and curated by Cupcakes and Cashmere's creator Emily Schuman. The box, like many of the recent boxes, is adorable. I've got all of my boxes stored on a shelf in my room hoping that a great DIY idea pops into my head one of these days. Maybe they could work as shadow boxes?? Hmmm...

My box was heavy on skin products this month, as are most of my boxes it seems. Maybe I should edit my profile so I don't receive as many. While the occasional moisturizer or sunscreen is fun to try, a girl can only sample so many facial cleansers.

Here's the rundown on what I received in my May Birchbox, starting with the skin care products:

• The Marcelle Clay Mask (Full-size $15) was one of my favorite products this past month. Though it is a skin care product, it's a clay mask and those are awesome. What's really great about this one is that it goes on clear. You can literally slather this stuff all over your face and it looks like you're wearing moisturizer. That's handy when you're traveling, and you're around other people, so you want to look decent while still treating your trouble spots...You get my point. 
• The Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream (Full-size $16) was the product I was most excited about. It was created in Japan, and if there's any continent that knows how to do skincare properly it's Asia. Though I was impressed with the hydration the moisturizer provided (It even removed some really dry, patchy skin on my forehead that my regular facial lotion tends to miss.), it's almost a little too creamy for use under makeup. This stuff would make a great night cream if you were in need of something that works but isn't too heavy.
• The Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45+ Shade #2 (Full-size $39) was what you expect from a beauty balm: it hydrates, provides SPF, but the coverage is very, very light. If you have skin that behaves and is for the most part even-toned, then this BB cream would be all you need. I, however, require a little bit more coverage for everyday. But the formula is light and easy-to-wear.
• The Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect spray (Full-size $32) is good but I didn't find it to be any better than my regular leave-in conditioner. It has multiple functions, however, acting as a leave-in conditioner, heat protectant spray, UV shield, and color preserver. It does have a nice smell.
• My only real cosmetic item this past month was an eyeshadow quad, and it didn't disappoint. The Coastal Scents Revealed 3 Palette in the quad Desert Bloom (Full palette $19.95) was a small but beautiful variety of shimmery colors (gold, lilac-purple, deep red and brown). The colors, though, a little loose and powdery, layered really well and are surprisingly versatile for everyday use. My only complaint is that the quad came in a hard-to-open plastic container. Maybe a small booklet-type container would have been better (but probably more expensive as well).

What did you think of your May Birchbox? Have you recycled your boxes to make an awesome craft? Let me know in the comments section below. :)

Beauty Bargains: The Best Buys from ELF Cosmetics

I'm sure no one has to tell you this, but beauty products are getting more and more expensive. While drugstore options used to be pretty cheap, the line dividing prestige and everything else is becoming blurred. At the same time drugstore brands, like L'Oreal and Covergirl, are staying up-to-date on the latest trends, like natural, nude eyeshadow colors and spidery lashes. Eyes lips face (more commonly referred to as ELF or e.l.f.) is one of those few brands that has managed to stay reasonably priced and trendy at the same time. If you haven't tried any e.l.f cosmetics or brushes, here are a few of my favorites to get you started. You'll want to stock up as soon as you take a look at those prices! 

1. Makeup Remover Pen ($3) - I received one of these a few years ago for Christmas, and I still use it every so often when I need to clean up my eye makeup a little. This pen is especially good at polishing a cat eye that's a little messy. 
2. Poreless Face Primer ($6) - I have tried my fair share of primers, from the more expensive BareEscentuals primers to the cheaper NYX versions, but the Poreless Face Primer from e.l.f. is still one of my favorites. It has a faint eucalyptus-like smell, which I don't really mind since I like medicinal smells. It comes out white but spreads evenly, creating a smooth surface for makeup application. 
3. Makeup Mist & Set ($3) - This may not be the best setting spray, but at only 3 dollars, the one is a definite steal. I like to apply this spray before my makeup application right after priming and then after I put on my makeup to set it. It gives my makeup a more lived-in look. Sometimes I'll even apply it when I'm not wearing any makeup because it's cooling and smells great (Some of the ingredients are green tea and cucumber, so no wonder it smells good.).
4. Essential Little Black Beauty Book - Eye Edition ($8) - This is not the exact same Little Black Beauty Book that I have, but any of the e.l.f. eyeshadow palettes are great. The palettes always have a great variety of colors and the wear is pretty good considering the price. To get the best wear out of the eyeshadows, apply a primer on your lids beforehand.
5. Any cosmetic brush ($1-$6) - With high-end brushes costing anywhere between thirty and sixty dollars nowadays, it's nice to have cheaper options that can do the job. While a lot of inexpensive brushes tend to shed, e.l.f. brushes usually hold up well during application.
6. Essential Eyelash Curler - e.l.f. has different options when it comes to eyelash curlers, but during a recent a beauty haul I took a chance and bought the least expensive one. I couldn't resist; it was a dollar! It gives a natural curl to the lashes, nothing too fancy, but when I'm not in the mood for mascara, this is my go-to tool. 

You can find e.l.f. products online at eyeslipsface.com and at stores like Target and Walmart. My local Target has an especially good selection of brushes. Do you have any favorite e.l.f cosmetics and tools? Have you tried the e.l.f. High Definition Powder? I bought it recently but have yet to try it. Let me know with your comments below! :)

Date Night: Summer Edition

Date Night: Summer Edition by grecbarn featuring a black romper jumpsuit

Sleeve maxi dress, $25 / Pieces crop shirt, $20 / Walli / High rise shorts / Maurices black romper jumpsuit / Gianvito Rossi roman gladiator sandals / MIA fringe cowgirl boots / M Co patent leather purse, $33 / Lauren ralph lauren jewelry

The 5 Best Movies Made Before 1960 on Netflix Right Now

I love old movies, especially really old movies made during the Golden Age of Hollywood. There's something so glamorous about them. Maybe it's a combination of the incredible sets that were constructed in the studios, the beautiful costumes the actors wore, and the exaggerated but never silly acting style of the movies' stars. A lot of great old movies have come and gone since the beginning of Netflix's streaming service, but here are a few favorites that are available on Netflix as of May 2015...

• His Girl Friday (1940) is one of two movies in this list starring Cary Grant, one of the most charming leading men to ever grace the silver screen. As great in comedies as he was in dramas, Grant is especially good as a determined newspaper editor trying to win back his wife and star reporter Hildy, played by Rosalind Russell. Full of clever, fast-paced dialogue, His Girl Friday holds up seventy five years later as a reminder that the best comedies are usually the smart ones too.
• When I was in college I took a literature and film class that focused on the works of Alfred Hitchcock. I had seen one Hitchcock film when I was a teenager but I didn't take much notice. I don't know what was wrong with me because now Hitchcock is probably my favorite director ever. The Lady Vanishes (1938) is one of Hitchcock's earlier Hollywood films, but his distinct directing style is as evident in this film as it is in later films like North by Northwest. After meeting a kind elderly woman on a train, young socialite Iris (Margaret Lockwood) is stunned when the woman disappears and no one knows where she is. With the help of a musician (Michael Redgrave) Iris tries to find out the woman's whereabouts, discovering that her new friend is perhaps not who she said she was all along.
• Sunset Boulevard (1950), like The Lady Vanishes, has its fair share of suspense but unlike the latter film Sunset Boulevard is all drama. William Holden stars as struggling screenwriter Joe who meets an older actress Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) ready to make her big screen comeback. As Desmond becomes more and more obsessed with him, Joe is torn between the comfort of living with Norma and the stress of being the object of her affection. Beautifully shot in black and white, Sunset Boulevard is a classic film noir that has stood the test of time and is as shocking now as it was when it premiered in 1950. 
• Remember when Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks meet at the top of the Empire State Building in Sleepless in Seattle? That was a reference to the classic romantic film An Affair to Remember (1957), starring the elegant Deborah Kerr and the aforementioned Carey Grant. After meeting on a boat and falling in love, Nickie (Grant) and Terry (Kerr) promise to reunite at the top of the Empire State Building. Like all of the best love stories, the couple faces obstacles that threaten to ruin their relationship but inevitably discover they've never stopped loving each other. This one is a great date movie but beware--it may leave you shedding a few tears at the end.
• All About Eve (1950) is Bette Davis's crowning glory. She stars as faded movie star Margo who fears being overshadowed by younger, upcoming actress Eve. Like Sunset Boulevard, All About Eve shows the dark side of fame and show business, including the all-too-relevant issue of ageism against women in Hollywood. Davis's performance is so nuanced and delicate, she can simultaneously display disgust and pleasure in one single look. She's that good.

What are your favorite "old" movies? Let me know with your comments. :)

-Greer