beauty

September Birchbox | 2014

TGIF Everyone! October is here and it’s time for me review September’s Birchbox products. If you aren’t familiar with Birchbox, it’s a company offering a subscription to receive monthly samples of beauty products (They offer boxes for both men and women!). I love it because it’s a mini treat to myself once a month and it’s a great, inexpensive way to get introduced to new brands and products. Added bonus- it makes a great gift for the girl (or boy) who has everything! Below is what I found when I opened my September Birchbox, how cute is that patterned box?!?

[birchbox.com]

That bright box included all of the following:

dr. brandt® Exclusive Clean Up Nice Kit

Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm

ChapStick® Dual-Ended Hydration Lock Day & Night

Noir Cosmetics Long-Wear Eyeliner

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream

Let’s start with the dr. brandt® Exclusive Clean Up Nice Kit. Of this kit, I received the dr. brandt® pores no more® vacuum cleaner and it’s great! After using this cleanser, I could immediately tell a difference in my skin; it felt much softer and was even visibly smoother! As an added bonus, it’s a gel texture, making it easy to apply. After application, it has a cool, tingly effect. I personally love this because I know it’s working! Although I could definitely feel the difference in the texture of my skin, I was most impressed with the visible difference it made! For $45, I’m tempted to try out the rest of the line included in the Clean Up Nice Kit.

Next up is the Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm.This BB cream is not for me. To be fair, I’ve tried quite a few BB creams through my birchbox samples, so I have become a bit picky! Although this cream is great for full coverage, I felt it was much too thick to be BB cream. It felt more like liquid foundation, which I have never been a fan of! I personally prefer more absorbent creams that don’t cake on. That being said, if you are looking for a BB cream with more coverage and thick application, this is for you! I think it would be ideal for anyone with uneven skin tone or blemishes to cover.

Now introducing the ChapStick® Dual-Ended Hydration Lock Day & Night. This duel sided chapstick is a great idea. One side is for day and the other side is for nighttime use! To be honest, I could take or leave the daytime side. I am currently addicted to my moisturizing chapstick and missed the familiar consistency and moisturizing effects of it. That being said, I do love the nighttime side! I found the night formula, to be smooth and moisturizing without being too thick. Also, I have been waking up with much smoother lips, so I know it’s working! If they sold the nighttime formula on it’s own, I would definitely recommend it, but since it’s only available in this dual-sided form, I don’t think it’s worth the buy.

And now it’s time for the Noir Cosmetics Long-Wear Eyeliner. I’ve used a lot of eyeliners in my day and this one definitely impressed me for a pencil application. I personally tend to gravitate to liquid eyeliners. They go on smooth and once dry, they never smudge! But, I always give pencil liners a shot when I get them in my birchbox. Usually, I am disappointed by mid-day when the liner has smudged and I resemble a raccoon, but this time was different! This liner went on smooth and stayed all day! My only complaint is having to sharpen it since it’s an actual pencil application, other than that, it’s a great pencil eyeliner!

Now onto Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. This sample didn’t resonate with me. Being a serum, the texture was thick and sticky. Although I’m not usually a fan of serums, I will use them if they deliver results. Unfortunately, this serum did nothing for me, not to mention the price tag! Running $79 for only 30 ml, I expected to be wow-ed by this product. I gave it a shot and after a few uses, I noticed no difference in my skin. This serum left me very disappointed and would not recommend for the value.

Lastly, I have the Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream. This moisturizer is serious! I found it too be a little thick and greasy for everyday use, but thought it worked wonders on dry spots! Once I started using it on dry spots like my elbows and feet, I noticed immediate results! This will not be my go to moisturizer, but I definitely think it’s worth keeping around for problem areas. I think I will especially find it effective this winter when my skin dries out!

And that’s it! That wraps it up for this month’s Birchbox products. Craving more? Check out last month’s post, August’s Birchbox Round Ups. Have you heard of any of these products before? Let me know your thoughts of them in the comments below!

August Birchbox | 2014

I can hardly believe September is here and summer is over! As another month wraps up, I have some Birchbox products to review and share with you! Birchbox is a service with subscriptions to receive monthly samples of beauty products. I personally use it as a mini treat to myself once a month and it’s a great, inexpensive way to get introduced to new brands and products. Below is what I found when I opened my August Birchbox.

birchbox.com

My box included:

Harvey Prince Ageless – Pink Grapefruit

Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream

SeaRX Birch Sap Moisturizing Lotion

ModelCo Bronzer

Aloxxi Thickening Serum

First I tried the Harvey Prince Ageless – Pink Grapefruit, and I have to say, this month’s Birchbox was immediately off to a strong start! I was pleasantly surprised by the fresh, sweet scent of this perfume. I am pretty picky about my perfumes, but this scent was light ,with just the right amount of citrus and floral. It all makes sense considering the Harvey brothers specifically developed this fragrance for their mom and not only wanted a pretty scent, but one that made you smell more youthful. This fragrance is amazing and great for all ages, the only drawback is the price at $98/100ml bottle.

Now onto the Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream. This shaving cream was a little different than what I normally use. I tend to gravitate to the Skintimate’s of the world that foam up and lather and this Whish product did neither. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, the consistency reminded me a lot of a standard conditioner. I loved the smell, and after shaving my legs actually felt moisturized without having to whip out lotion. I found myself using much more of this all natural cream than I normally use of the lathering shaving creams, but the results were great! Overall it was a great find and I would definitely recommend for anyone with dry skin.

Next I tried the SeaRX Birch Sap Moisturizing Lotion. This lotion is another great find! As I’ve mentioned before, I love light, quick drying lotions that absorb into the skin quickly and this SeaRX lotion fits the bill! It’s not only light and non-greasy, but it smells great too! And as a bonus, it can be used not only on your body, but on your face too. It’s rare that I find a lotion that works for both my face and my body, so this is now my go-to lotion for traveling.

Now for the ModelCo Bronzer. First, I have to say I found this sample to be VERY messy! My sample came broken up, so the powder went everywhere when I popped the container open. Therefore, I lost a ton of the actual sample to the floor of my bathroom. But, what I had left of the product I liked. It works well as a bronzer. Tt has a slight shimmer in it, so it gives that summer glow without being too disco! It’s a nice color and blends well. If you are in the market for a new bronzer, I would definitely recommend this powder.

Last, but definitely not least, Aloxxi Thickening Serum. This product was interesting. I was weary because I thought the serum was a little thick and sticky, but it did end up thickening my hair. I had to be careful to only apply it to the ends of my hair because once it got to my roots, it almost looked greasy. It mostly added volume to the end of my strands, which was great, but I usually like to get a little extra volume at my roots. I’m not really in the market for a thickening serum, but for anyone who is, this might just be the product for you!

Have you tried these brands or products before? Let me know your thoughts on them in the comments below!

That wraps it up for this month’s Birchbox products. Craving more? Check out last month’s samples on July’s Birchbox Finds.

Christian Louboutin Nail Polish

Being a shoe lover for most of my life, I have always been infatuated with Christian Louboutin’s red-soled heels. There is something about that luxurious red sole that just calls my name! A pair of Louboutins are a girl’s best friend and the perfect pump! They are classic, iconic, fun and always make a statement as you walk away!

nordstrom.com

Now, Louboutin is taking the perfect shade of red from the bottom of their heels and literally bottling it up! Christian Louboutin has finally decided to enter the beauty world and is paving his way with the release of his Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour. This nail polish isn’t an ordinary nail polish, it’s a work of art!

Let’s start with the price. It’s the most expensive nail polish I’ve seen, retailing at $50 a bottle! The bottle’s cap is an 8-inch tall spike, replicating the height of the beautifully unrealistic Ballerina Ultima shoe pictured above. Painting with the thin, elongated cap is reminiscent of painting with a paint brush. With all this going on, this lavish bottle is not a nail polish you throw into your kaboodle and hide under your sink. This ombre bottle is meant to be décor for your bathroom or vanity. It’s made to leave an impact and it does just that!

As of today, only the Rouge Louboutin shade is available, but they have decided to come out with three different color families of shades, the Pops and Nudes and the Noirs, all available August 31st.

photo credit- The Zoe Report

Christian Louboutin came up with his red sole while working on an early prototype and thought something was missing. He grabbed his assistant’s red nail polish and painted the sole of the heel on a whim! With that, the signature red sole was born!

I am loving the bottle design and all the colors above (especially the Nudes!), but is a nail polish worth $50? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

July Birchbox | 2014

Since we are officially saying goodbye to July for another year, it’s time for me to review this month’s Birchbox products. If you aren’t familiar with Birchbox, it’s a service with subscriptions to receive monthly samples of beauty products (They offer both men’s and women’s boxes!). I love it because it’s a mini treat to myself once a month and it’s a great, inexpensive way to get introduced to new brands and products. Below is what I found when I opened my Birchbox this month- a collaboration with Women’s Health!

birchbox.com

Let me tell you, the wait was worth it! My box included:

suki exfoliate foaming cleanser

LAQA & Co Sheer Lip Lube Pencil

NAOBAY Body Radiance Lotion

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels

Beauty Protector Protect & Treat Mask

First, I tried the suki exfoliate foaming cleanser. As I mentioned in my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale post, I love and use my clarisonic everyday. Although cleansing is important, I think exfoliation is key! So needless to say, I love a good exfoliator and I was excited to find this suki sample in my box. I was pleasantly surprised to find it’s made with all natural ingredients, not to mention the amazing lemon scent. It’s supposed to be a two-in-one exfoliator and cleanser. But I have to admit, I didn’t love it as a cleanser. I found my everyday facial cleaner to remove my makeup easier and more thoroughly. But once my face was clean, I thought it did a great job exfoliating! It left my face feeling soft and refreshed!

Now onto the LAQA & Co Sheer Lip Lube Pencil. I never seem to buy lipstick or tints for myself, so I love to get samples of them. With the luck of the draw, I received the coral shade of this lip pencil. I have to admit, I am usually a pink lip girl so I wasn’t crazy when I saw the coral shade. Even though the color doesn’t do much for me, the lip pencil was otherwise great. I liked the sheer, shiny look it gave my lips and the minty smell was a nice bonus! I checked out the other shades offered in this pencil and they look really fun! I could definitely see myself purchasing one of their more versatile colors.

Next I tried the NAOBAY Body Radiance Lotion. This lotion is yet another all natural product, made up of olive oil and avocado! This lotion is light and soaks into the skin quickly. I loved that it wasn’t greasy, but I felt you might be sacrificing moisturizer for the light consistency. The smell was light and unique, but not exactly what I want in a lotion. For the price, I don’t personally think this lotion is worth it, unless using all natural products is a priority for you.

Now for a fun one, Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels. These are a great idea! They are little gel pockets with an adhesive side that you place under your eyes for 10 minutes. Once applied, they have a cooling effect that both hydrates and refreshes your skin. Feeling stressed? It’s a great idea to add to a mini spa night at home to get rid of those dark circles under your eyes. I have to admit, it’s not something anyone needs, but it’s definitely a fun beauty treatment for a night with the girls!

Last, but definitely not least, the Beauty Protector Protect & Treat Mask. I love everything I’ve tried from this brand! Just like the rest of Beauty Protector’s products, this mask smells amazing! The only downside is you have to let the product sit in your hair for 20 minutes, but let me tell you- it’s worth it! The next day, my hair felt amazing! It gave my locks great shine and was super soft! Although I loved it, I tend to shy away from mask products or treatments because I usually forget to take the time to sit down and do them. Therefore, I prefer their Protect and Detangle Spray. Instead of one 20 minute application, you spray on your hair everyday after showering. It gives very similar results and is easier for the low maintenance girl!

Have any of you tried these brands or products before? Let me know your thoughts of them in the comments below!

That wraps it up for this month’s Birchbox products. Craving more? Check out last month’s samples on June’s Birchbox- Unboxed.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!

That’s right, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!

It’s Nordstrom’s best sale of the year and it only runs for a limited time! Nordstrom Reward Members get early access July 10th – July 17th, after that the sale opens up to everyone. Being a Rewards Member, I have been shopping the sale for a few days (not to mention I am well stocked in Nordstrom gift cards from my birthday last week- thanks everyone!!). And I’ve found there are a ton of great deals to be had out there. Below, I listed some of my favorite products and best buys from the sale, but hurry! Prices go back up August 4th!!

BEAUTY EXCLUSIVES

1- Clarisonic– a must have in your beauty regimen (I’m obsessed with mine!!). I already have the Mia 2 and my skin has never felt softer! This cleansing system pack is on sale for just $149 ($221 value!).

2- Voluspa Candles– these candles are beautiful and smell amazing. I currently have these candles scattered about my apartment. This 3-pack is on sale for $29.50 ($48 value).

3- Clinique ‘Dramatically Different’ Moisturizing Lotion– A staple in my makeup bag. I have been using this lotion for years. It’s the perfect moisturizer and leaves my skin feeling great. This is a great price, it’s a set of a deluxe size and a travel size for only $38 ($52.50 Value).

SHOES

1- Steve Madden ‘Ecntrc-c’ Snake-Embossed Slip-Ons and ‘Buhba’ Leopard Slip-Ons– If you read my blog, you know I’m a huge fan of slip-ons and I happen to love animal print too. This combination explains my love of both of these styles below. My eye has been on these Steve Madden slip-ons for awhile and this sale makes them irresistible! Hover the images below to see the sale prices.

$59.90 ($89.95 After Sale)

$69.90 ($99.95 After Sale)

2- Halogen Calf Hair Pumps– I am always looking for a deal on basic pumps. They are a classic shoe that every girl needs in her closet. This calf hair style is gorgeous and on sale for $59.90! ($89.95 After Sale). Can you guess my favorite colors? Surprise, surprise! The answer is black and leopard… I think I need both pairs!

$59.90 ($89.95 After Sale)

3- Halogen and Steve Madden Peep Toe Booties– Booties are my go-to shoe for fall. They are so versatile and can dress up any outfit. In my opinion, every girl should have a black and a camel pair. Below are my two favorites! Hover for sale prices.

Halogen Bootie $66.90 ($99.95 After Sale)

Steve Madden Bootie $106.90 ($159.95 After Sale)

4- Lastly, a girl needs some Nikes! My current tennies have been put through a lot lately on these northern California trails and I’ve been shopping around for a replacement pair. Lucky for me, Nordstrom has some great deals on Nikes! I love this running pair below, on sale for $54.90 ($80 After Sale).

ACCESSORIES

1- Personalized Pendant Necklace– Doesn’t everyone love a personalized touch? These necklaces give you just that! These dainty gold necklaces can be personalized with any word you want! I love bar pendant necklace in the middle. They make great gifts too; the modern day take on the friendship necklace. (BFF’s forever!) $44.90 ($68 After Sale)

2- Baublebar Drop Earrings– I have a flair for drama. I still love statement jewelry and these drop earrings are no exception! I love the color and bling they bring to an outfit. It makes dressing up basics and adding personality to an outfit a breeze! These earrings can’t be beat, on sale for $24.90 ($38 After Sale).

3- Ted Baker Bow Clutch– How adorable is this pink clutch? I am obsessed! Pink and bows, what more could a girl ask for?! This clutch will definitely add a fun pop of color to any outfit and on sale for $79.90 ($120), you can’t afford to pass it up!

4- kate spade Crossbody– kate spade is always a favorite designer of mine. I think the brand is fun, simple and has a sense of humor. I love this simple black and white crossbody below. I think it’s super versatile and could see myself wearing it everywhere! It’s on sale for $131.90 ($198 After Sale).

That wraps it up for my favorites! Are you planning on shopping this amazing sale? What will you be buying? Share your #nsale purchases below in the comments!

June Birchbox | 2014

Happy Monday! Since June is officially coming to an end, it’s time for me review this month’s Birchbox products. If you aren’t familiar with Birchbox, it’s a company offering a subscription to receive monthly samples of beauty products (They offer both men’s and women’s boxes!). I love it because it’s a mini treat to myself once a month and it’s a great, inexpensive way to get introduced to new brands and products. Below is what I found when I opened my June Birchbox.

What are all those tiny samples? Well this month’s box included all of the following:

Number 4™ Super Comb Prep & Protec t

Folle de Joie eau de parfum

Jasmine Seven™ Wipes

Supergoop!® Everyday SPF 30 with Cellular Response Technology

Coastal Scents® Revealed 2 Palette Set

I’ll start with Number 4™ Super Comb Prep & Protec t. Since growing out my hair, I have started using a leave-in conditioner. I especially need it for the detangling aspect when getting out of the shower and this product got the job done. I could definitely tell the difference it made on my hair after a few days. It feels soft, smooth and healthy. The only downside is the smell. The smell is light and it isn’t bad, but it’s not what I’m used to in a hair product. It smells a little too chemically for my personal taste (almost like a perm, which just brings back terrible hair memories!). To be fair, I currently have a leave in conditioner I am in love with, both smell and results, so this one had high expectations to live up to.

Next I tried the Folle de Joie eau de parfum. This perfume is amazing! It’s a little different than the scents I normally gravitate toward, but I ended up loving it. It’s light and fresh, but has staying power to last a full day’s work. At $98 for 3.4 fl oz., the price is pretty steep compared to what I usually spend on perfume. But, if I’m going to drop $100 on perfume, this one would a top candidate!

Now onto a product I’ve never heard of, Jasmine Seven™ Fresh Feet Wipes. These are such a great idea! I thought these wipes were a weird thing to get in my Birchbox, but they ended up coming in handy! I live in the city and walk to work everyday and sometimes (especially when wearing sandals or flats) my feet get so dirty! This is a great way to freshen them up before a dinner or happy hour.

I hate putting on sunscreen, but it’s a necessary evil this time of year. Applying it is annoying and tedious and if you are at a more formal outside event, the last thing you want to do is smell like sunscreen! This is where Supergoop!® Everyday Sunscreen comes in. Contrary to the name, this sunscreen goes on so light! It’s super easy to rub in and isn’t greasy at all. Also, the smell is so fresh and light that you would never know that it’s sunscreen! This is my new go-to sunscreen. It can’t be beat!

Lastly, Coastal Scents® Revealed 2 Palette Eyeshadow Set. I love this mini palette! I am a definite fan of bronze shimmer shadow and that’s just what they gave me. The colors are great neutrals for any complexion and very versatile. The texture of the shadow is great, easy to blend and long lasting. I have a hard time picking out just one or two eye shadows, so I prefer splurging on a palette like this. This palette looks like it has a great range of color offerings and for just $34, it is certainly a contender for my next round of Birchbox points I earn!

That wraps it up for this month’s Birchbox products. Wanting more? Check out last month’s post, May’s Birchbox Finds. Have you tried any of these brands or products before? Let me know your thoughts of them in the comments below!

May Birchbox | 2014

Hi all! As the month of May wraps up, it’s about that time to review all the products included in my birchbox. If you are looking for an inexpensive way to treat yourself, birchbox is the way to go! Without fail, every month when my new birchbox arrives I get excited. This is partly because I know I’m about to find my next beauty obsession, but also because the surprises that wait inside are always fun to test out! Below is what I found when I opened my May birchbox.

May Birchbox Finds- glamourita.com

What all is packed in there? Well this tiny box included all of the following:

Caldrea Body Wash and Lotion

CoTZ Face Natural Skin Tone SPF 40

Nexxus Color Assure Pre-Wash Primer, Shampoo and Conditioner

PIXI Beauty Shea Butter Lip Balm

Greenleaf Candle

Bonus- It even included a 25% off promo code for Kate Spade Saturday!

As always, this month’s box included some slam-dunks that I will for sure be purchasing, but it also included some duds that just weren’t for me.

Let me start with the Caldrea Body Wash in the coconut fig leaf scent and the Caldrea Body Lotion in the tea olive lime scent. I thought both the scents of the body wash and the lotion were light and refreshing. The body wash (gel form) didn’t lather as much as I prefer and after showering, my skin was left a little dry. Speaking of… next I used the Caldrea body lotion and I ended up really liking it! It too has a light, refreshing smell and it left my skin feeling silky smooth. It went on thin and absorbed quickly, which is a huge plus for when I’m getting ready in a hurry.

Onto the CoTZ Face- SPF 40, this sunscreen is great! In general all face products I use must have SPF in them. On a daily basis I usually use a tinted BB cream with SPF 30. This past weekend I went to an outdoor music festival and decided to give CoTZ a try. I was pleasantly surprised by the texture of this product! I was expecting a thicker sunscreen (since it’s higher SPF) and for it to feel sticky after application. Instead, it goes on smooth and blends well! You can barely tell you have anything on. It leaves a great matte finish and most importantly, it protected my skin well!

In the Nexxus sample, it included a pre-wash primer, shampoo and conditioner. This product line is supposed to keep your colored hair vibrant and protect it from fading. I didn’t have enough of the sample to comment on whether it actually keeps your hair color vibrant over time, but I can speak to the immediate effects it had on my hair. First of all, I have never used a pre-wash primer, but it is supposed to seal your hair and repel water and it did just that (which seems to be a weird concept to me when you are WASHING your hair). Next, the shampoo didn’t really lather and left my hair a little tangly. Lastly, the conditioner seemed pretty standard, but didn’t quite take care of the tangles caused by the shampoo. Overall, my hair still felt dirty after the shower. It looked healthy and shiny, but it got greasy much faster than usual. Overall, I would not use again. There are a TON of color-safe shampoo/conditioners out there that I wouldn’t suggest settling for this one.

Next up is my favorite product of the month, PIXI lip balm! To be fair, I am not a huge fan of lipstick, but I am a chapstick-a-holic and this balm is the best of both worlds. My sample was the Pixi Pink tint and this hue was a little brighter than I normally buy for myself, but it ended up adding some much needed color to my makeup bag. Since this balm has the moisturizing effects of shea butter, I find myself reaching for it every time my lips feel dry and in return getting the added color of lipstick! Thinking pink isn’t for you? It comes in 5 hues, ranging from nude to raspberry!

Last up from my birchbox is the Greenleaf Candle in the First Blush scent. As soon as I opened my birchbox I could smell this wonderful candle. It’s such a great flowery scent for summer and really livened up our apartment. Surprisingly, after burning it for a short time, the scent didn’t waft throughout my apartment quite as well as it does with my other candles. And with the price being almost twice as much as the candles I use now, they aren’t worth the splurge.

That’s all for this month’s birchbox finds! Have you tried any of these products or brands? If so, let me know your thoughts on them!

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BEAUTY EXCLUSIVES

SHOES

ACCESSORIES

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