haircare

May Birchbox Review 2015

Birchbox was the first subscription service I ever signed up for and now it’s quite possibly my favorite! I just love receiving this adorable little box every month and seeing what’s inside. Some months are better than others, but I tend to get a ton of use out of the products. And even if it’s not my favorite product, it’s usually handy enough to use for my travels! Check out my May Birchbox Review below and share what you think in the comments!

If you aren’t familiar with birchbox, it’s a $10/month subscription to monthly deliveries of beauty and skincare samples. And don’t forget… they offer boxes for both men and women! It’s truly a mini treat to yourself once a month and it’s a fabulous, inexpensive way to get introduced to new brands and products. As an added bonus, birchbox has an amazing rewards program. You get points for each monthly sample you review and each dollar you spend in their shop. 100 points= $10, and those points add up fast!

Check out my May Birchbox Review:

May Birchbox Review 2015

Number 4™ Blow Dry Lotion
JUARA Candlenut Body Creme
W3LL PEOPLE The Expressionist Mascara
Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Energizing Hydrating Gel
CoTZ® Flawless Complexion SPF 50

Have you tried any of Number 4’s hair care products? I’ve tried quite a few that have been sent my way in past birchboxes. In my latest box was the Number 4™ Blow Dry Lotion. I was really excited to see this guy since I have uber long hair that needs serious protection from the heat I subject it to. It is not only supposed to protect your hair, but also act as a leave-in treatment to condition it as well. I didn’t notice a decrease in the dry time like many of the reviewers found, but I have pretty long, thin hair so it doesn’t take me a ton of time to dry my hair in the first place. However, I did notice it left my hair looking healthy and shiny, but unfortunately it didn’t feel the same way. It seemed to leave a residue on my hair that felt a little sticky and gave my hair too much texture for how thin it is. I think this product could be better suited for girls with thicker, shorter hair.

Next to be reviewed is the JUARA Candlenut Body Creme. I can never pass up a great body creme! This cream not only smells amazing (think light and tropical!), but it’s also super hydrating. A little goes a long way and leaves the skin feeling anything but greasy. The velvety texture soaks into the skin immediately and leaves a smoothness that lasts all day. The candlenut oil in this creme is full of fatty acids which makes is a natural healer for dry skin. This creme is a great go-to for keeping your skin hydrated after those long summer days in the sun!

As you may know, I love mascara and I get to review another one this week! I actually received a mascara that I not only haven’t tried, but I’ve never even heard of… W3LL PEOPLE The Expressionist Mascara. This product is a great lightweight and completely natural mascara. The applicator brush is amazing; the small bristles catch every lash and help grab on to lengthen your lashes while keeping them 100% clump-free. I didn’t find the formula to flake or smudge at all throughout the day. If you are looking for a bold dramatic look, this mascara probably isn’t for you. But if you want long, natural looking lashes, this mascara was 100% made for you!

Up next is the Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Energizing Hydrating Gel. The name pretty much says it all! This product has a gel texture that has a cooling effect when applied. It’s filled with green tea and cucumber extracts plus vitamins C and E, all of which help it to not only hydrate your skin, but protect it all day! The thick gel texture packs serious moisturizer that you won’t be disappointed with. It’s the perfect product to apply on a light makeup day to help brighten and protect your skin, but due to the thick texture, I wouldn’t want to layer much makeup on top of it.

And the last sample in my May Birchbox review is CoTZ® Flawless Complexion SPF 50.  I’ve received a few sunscreens from this brand before. This gentle formula helps protect you from the sun (SPF 50!) while giving you a sheer coverage for acne prone skin. The best part about this stuff is it’s SPF 50 and still has a very lightweight formula. It also has a slight tint to it which is great for any daytime, outdoor parties that you may need to dress up for. The non-greasy formula prevents clogging pores while still covering imperfections. It’s the best of both worlds!

And that’s a wrap for this month’s beauty samples! Have you heard of any of these brands or tried any of these products before? Tell me about them in the comments below!

Craving more beauty finds? Check out last month’s post, April Birchbox Review, or start getting your own birchbox delivered right to your door!

March Birchbox Review 2015

Birchbox was the first subscription service I signed up for and quite possibly my favorite! I just love receiving this adorable little box every month and seeing what’s inside. Some months are better than others, but I tend to get a ton of use out of the products. And even if it’s not my favorite product, it’s usually still great for all my travels! Check out my March Birchbox Review below and share what you think in the comments!

If you aren’t familiar with birchbox, it’s a $10/month subscription to monthly deliveries of beauty and skincare samples. And don’t forget… they offer boxes for both men and women! It’s truly a mini treat to yourself once a month and it’s a fabulous, inexpensive way to get introduced to new brands and products. As an added bonus, birchbox has an amazing rewards program. You get points for each monthly sample you review and each dollar you spend in their shop. 100 points= $10, and those points add up fast! 

Below is my review of my March Birchbox- the creativity birchbox:

march birchbox review 2015

Whish Shave Savour Hair Inhibiting Gel
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré (24-Hour Miracle Cream)
Mirenesse Glossy Kiss
ORIGINS Smarty Plants™ CC SPF 20 Skin Complexion Corrector
Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Heat Protect Spray

Have all my dreams come true? Is there really a product out there that can slow my hair growth between shaves? I received the Whish Shave Savour Hair Inhibiting Gel in my box this month and assumed it was like the other Whish shave gels I have received in the past, but I was wrong! This is an after shave gel that is supposed to not only hydrate your skin but slow hair growth. Like I mentioned before, it’s a gel (not a lotion) so I expected it to be a little sticky. To my surprise, it actually went on smooth and absorbed super quick. They also offer a ton of scents, I received pomegranate, which was simply yummy! I’m not sure if I’ve noticed a difference in my hair growth since I started using it, but it’s worth a try right?

Next to be reviewed is the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré (24-Hour Miracle Cream). Talk about versatility, this cream does it all! I used it both as a makeup remover and a makeup primer- I think it worked great as both! It also left my skin feeling amazing! I was a little disappointed with the tiny sample and the price of the full size bottle. It will be great for traveling, but a little expensive in my opinion for a makeup remover.

Time for a fun one, Mirenesse Glossy Kiss! I love this lip gloss! I goes on so smooth and leaves my lips feeling super soft! It’s so creamy and a great cross between lipstick and gloss. It also has an amazing gold shimmer to it that makes my lips look plump and full. I love the texture of this gloss and will definitely will be investing in other colors of this Mirenesse Glossy Kiss!

Up next is the ORIGINS Smarty Plants™ CC SPF 20 Skin Complexion Corrector. I’ve gotten quite a few CC creams in my past birchbox deliveries. This one has a great, lightweight texture to it and it just glides on the face. It has a very faint tint to the cream and leaves the skin looking a little shiny and almost pearlescent. I followed this CC cream with some powder to tone down the shine, but besides that it’s a great cream. The only other drawback I found was the smell. I found the earthy scent to be a little off-putting for a face product.

Lastly, I’m wrapping up this month’s reviews with the Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Heat Protect Spray. I have to admit something guys, I am a sucker for heat protecting sprays. If you have long hair I think it’s important to protect it as much as possible. I have a protecting spray that I currently use (and love), but I found this one to work great as well! After straightening my hair, it left my hair looking shiny and smooth and smells better than a lot of the other sprays out there! I would recommend this to anyone in the market for a heat protecting spray.

And that’s a wrap for this month’s beauty samples! Have you heard of any of these brands or tried any of these products before? Tell me about them in the comments below!

Maybe you’re just craving more beauty buys? Check out last month’s post, February Birchbox | 2015 or start getting your own birchbox delivered right to your door!

February Birchbox | 2015

Anything that gets delivered in this fun of a box has to be amazing, right? And guess what, they were! Although not every sample in this month’s box was perfect for me, a few were spot on and the samples were generous! Check out my thoughts below and share what you think in the comments!

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. As an added bonus- it makes a great gift for the girl (or boy) who has everything!

Below is my friendship birchbox. It’s dedicated to the people who cheer us on, calm us down, and make us laugh so hard we cry! 

February Friendship Birchbox 2015

 

Laura Geller Beauty GlamLASH Dramatic Volumizing Mascara

PARLOR by Jeff Chastain Moisturizing Sea Salt Spray

Marcelle Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover For Sensitive Eyes

Davines MINU Shampoo and Hair Serum

Juicy Couture Hollywood Royal Perfume

Today I’ll start with my favorite part of my beauty routine… mascara! I received the Laura Geller Beauty GlamLASH Dramatic Volumizing Mascara in my box this month. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a huge mascara snob. I usually use two different types of mascaras in the morning, a lengthening and a “thinner” if you will. I love long skinny lashes, so I would love to find one mascara that can do both!  This mascara might just be the one! It not only lengthens my lashes in just a few swipes, it’s virtually clump free! It goes on smooth and doesn’t flake off or clump lashes together. I will definitely be purchasing the full size when my sample runs out!

Next to be reviewed is the PARLOR by Jeff Chastain Moisturizing Sea Salt Spray. This sea salt spray is not for me. When I’m going for the beach bunny look, I like loose, smooth waves, not sticky, tangled hair! I know sea salt spray is supposed to give beachy, textured waves, but I found my hair to tangle too easily and become unmanageable. Although the texture didn’t work for my fine hair, the scent was enticing and fresh!

Now onto the Marcelle Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover For Sensitive Eyes! Makeup remover is never the sexiest sample in a birchbox, but it is sometimes the most needed. I never want to splurge on makeup remover, or even buy it for that matter, but I’m glad I got to try this one. The formula in this little bottle is able to get off the toughest and longest lasting makeup and it leaves my skin feeling silky smooth! Now I can’t wait to take off my makeup! Luckily the sample was very generous so I will get a ton of use out of it before I need to invest in a full size, but the good news is it’s only $15 for the full bottle! What a steal!

Up next is the Davines MINU Shampoo and Hair Serum. Again, I don’t think I have the target hair for this sample. This shampoo and serum duo is eco-friendly and color safe, two things I love to see on my shampoo label! The scent left my hair smelling fresh and citrusy, but I didn’t love the texture of my hair. I usually wash my hair every two days, but there’s no way my hair would last a full two days without washing while using this shampoo. My hair immediately felt flat and dirty, there’s no way I will be investing in this hair care duo!

Lastly, I’m wrapping up this month’s reviews with the Juicy Couture Hollywood Royal Perfume. I’m already a fan of Juicy’s Viva La Juicy perfume, so I was excited to see this tiny tube in by sample mix. Like the Viva La Juicy scent, a little goes a long way. It has strong sweet scent that is perfect for a summer night on the town. It’s a blend of fruity and floral and is a great fragrance to add to your collection!

And that’s a wrap for this month’s beauty samples! Have you heard of any of these brands or tried any of these products before? Tell me about them in the comments below!

Maybe you’re just craving more beauty buys? Check out last month’s post, January Birchbox | 2015.

January Birchbox | 2015

My first Birchbox of 2015 did not disappoint! I got some fabulous makeup and pampering products to get me ready to take on the new year!

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. As an added bonus- it makes a great gift for the girl (or boy) who has everything!

Below is my “Let’s Do This” Birchbox. This month’s box is all about empowering me to take on 2015 while feeling (and looking) great!

Photo Jan 29, 8 51 46 PM

Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner

Vasanti All Star 2-in-1 Face & Eye Primer – 15ml

It’s a 10® Miracle Leave-In Product Plus Keratin

Essentiel Elements Wake Up Rosemary Body Lotion

When™ Travelmate Sheet Mask Set

Let’s begin with the Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner. I’m usually loyal to my liquid liner, but I like to mix it up every now and then. This green eyeliner helped me do just that! I received the olive green tint and it looked great with my brown eyes. I wore it all day and not one smudge! It slides on easy in application, but is dense enough to keep a sharp point, making clean lines much easier! The sample was so generous (and it’s not an eyeliner I’ll be using daily) so I don’t think I will be buying the full size, but I would love to check out one of the other colors!

Next up is the Vasanti All Star 2-in-1 Face & Eye Primer. To be honest, I don’t usually use face and eye primer. I was intrigued by the idea because 2-in-1 products are great for traveling- as long as they’re effective! I’ve been using this primer since I received it, it’s a great lightweight formula that has antiaging benefits. That’s almost a 3-in-1 now, but who’s counting? Overall, I didn’t really notice a difference in the staying power of my makeup, but I also don’t have an issue with my makeup lasting in the first place.

Time for It’s a 10® Miracle Leave-In Product Plus Keratin! I was excited to this this little gem in this month’s box. I’ve used this leave-in conditioner a few times before. It is filled with proteins that rebuild your strands and leave your hair silky smooth and this stuff really works! It almost reverses all the blowdrying, curling and straightening I do to my hair on a daily basis. I definitely recommend this miracle treatment for anyone who is looking to give their tresses a little TLC.

Now onto Essentiel Elements Wake Up Rosemary Body Lotion. This lotion really won me over! The smell took me by surprise at first, but it’s actually delicious. The scent is a fabulous blend of rosemary and mint, which is surprisingly invigorating. I found the lotion to absorb pretty quickly and it didn’t leave a greasy residue at all. I will probably only use this lotion for dry areas like my hands and feet, but I definitely think it’s worth investing in.

Lastly, I’m wrapping up this month’s review with the When™ Travelmate Sheet Mask Set. This mask is supposed to be great for traveling, but I ended up trying it in the comfort of my own home. I could see this being convenient to throw in your bag for a weekend trip, but I’m not sure how necessary it is for vacations. As soon as I applied this sheet mask, a cooling sensation took over my face. This mask was refreshing for the 30 minutes I wore it, but I didn’t see any lasting effects. It was fun to try this once, but I don’t see a need to add it to my beauty routine.

And that’s it for this month’s Birchbox samples. Have you heard of any of these brands or tried any of these products before? Tell me about them in the comments below! Maybe you’re just craving more beauty buys? Check out last month’s post, December Birchbox | 2014.

November Birchbox | 2014

November quickly came and went and turkey isn’t the only thing I enjoyed! I got a fabulous new birchbox in the mail and I can’t wait to share my samples with you! 

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. As an added bonus- it makes a great gift for the girl (or boy) who has everything!

Below is what I found when I opened my special gifting November Birchbox… And wait til you read about them, I feel like an especially lucky sampler this month!

November Birchbox 2014

derma e® Evenly Radiant® Brightening Cleanser

amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo

theBalm® cosmetics Cindy-Lou Manizer®

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen

Laura Mercier Longwear Crème Eye Pencil

Camille Beckman Platinume Gold Imperial Repair Hand Therapy

Chuao Chocolatier Assorted ChocoPod

Let’s start with the derma e® Evenly Radiant® Brightening Cleanser. I’ve been using this cleanser for about a week and my skin is feeling fresh and smooth. This cleanser is a little gel like and since I prefer a little exfoliation in my facial cleanser, I paired it with my Clarisonic and got great results! I love the light citrus scent and it leaves my skin feeling soft and refreshed! I have to admit, using it alone left me a little underwhelmed.

Next up is the amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo. I love this stuff! Since I have pretty long hair, I try to skip a shampoo every now and again to avoid massive damage to my locks. I’ve tried a few dry shampoos, but haven’t found anything noteworthy- they either leave white residue, smell like baby powder or don’t work at all. Then I found amika! Although I think I’ve used more effective dry shampoos, my best overall experience is with amika. It’s able to absorb oil and add volume without the smell or powdery look! Unfortunately, Birchbox is currently sold out, but I will be stocking up ASAP!

Get Ready! theBalm® cosmetics Cindy-Lou Manizer® was the next sample I tried out (and loved!) I love theBalm products in general. I have a really fun eye shadow palette from them that I love to death! The sense of humor the company brings to the packaging is super fun, not to mention they have amazing products! I’ve been using this highlighter everywhere! It’s got a light, peach shimmery look that I think is just perfect! I’ve used it on the apple of my cheeks, below my brows and even as eyeshadow- it’s so versatile!

Now onto Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen. This tinted moisturizer is lightweight and gives the perfect amount of coverage. (Keep in mind it’s a TINTED moisturizer, not foundation!) I personally hate wearing foundation so I love the light, fresh feel this moisturizer leaves. It applied smoothly and lasted all day. My only complaint is the sample size was a little small, so I was only to test it out once.

Didn’t get enough Laura Mercier? You’re in luck because I also got a Laura Mercier Longwear Crème Eye Pencil in violet! I’m not one to wear crazy eye makeup (or really any color on my eyes), but I’m loving this bold violet eyeliner. First off, the liner is the perfect texture. It’s easy to apply, goes on smooth and lasts all day. I usually have issues with pencil liner smudging by late afternoon, but this one didn’t at all! This eye pencil left me one happy camper. I have a feeling this sample will last awhile, but I will definitely be purchasing when it runs out.

Onto another find, Camille Beckman Platinume Gold Imperial Repair Hand Therapy. This lotion left my hands feeling amazing! It absorbed quickly and left my hands feeling silky smooth. Although my hands felt softer to the touch than they have in awhile, they didn’t feel truly moisturized. I didn’t mind the scent of the lotion, but it definitely wasn’t my favorite. It had a light lemony/floral smell that lingered. The lotion has great results, but for the money I think you can find a better option.

Today I’m wrapping it up with a dessert, Chuao Chocolatier Assorted ChocoPod! I was a little skeptical of this chocolate when I first read the label- firecracker! Boy, talk about ending with a BANG! This chocolate not only had a spicy kick to it with added chipotle pepper, but it also has popping candy! As soon as this chocolate hit my lips, I could feel the snap, crackle, pop! It felt like I was eating Pop Rocks and chocolate all at the same time. I loved trying the firecracker one, but I can’t wait to try the other flavors (including the potato chip and oh my s’mores bars!) What a fun twist on chocolate!

And that’s it for this month’s Birchbox products. Have you heard of any of these brands or tried any of these products before? Tell me about them in the comments below! Maybe you’re just craving more beauty buys? Check out last month’s post, October Birchbox | 2014.

October Birchbox | 2014

October is here and it’s time for me review my newest 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. As an added bonus- it makes a great gift for the girl (or boy) who has everything!

Below is what I found when I opened my October Birchbox.

October Birchbox

clariSEA Rapid Detox Charcoal Exfoliant: Face
Perlier Intensive Nurturing Body Balm
Lord & Berry Paillettes Eye Pencil
Number 4™ Clarifying Shampoo
Number 4™ Reconstructing Masque
Jouer + beautyblender® Perfectly Primed Collection

Let’s start with the clariSEA Rapid Detox Charcoal Exfoliant: Face. I was a little taken aback when I opened this sample- it was just a jar of grey powder! This all natural product stated you could mix it with either your favorite cleanser or water before applying it to your face. I chose to start with water so I could get an idea of what this exfoliant does on it’s own. I have to admit, applying it was a little messy for my taste… I mean imagine scooping powder out of a jar, mixing with water then trying to get it on your face. It’s definitely tricky, but it did it’s job! It’s a strong exfoliant and even left my skin a little tender after using it just once. Although the exfoliant felt a little extreme, it left my face feeling smoother than ever! If you end up trying out the product I’m sure you’ll have smoother skin, but due to the roughness, I suggest using it only a few times a week.

Next up is the Perlier Intensive Nurturing Body Balm. I love this balm! Although it’s thick and creamy, it didn’t leave me oily or greasy! It not only has a great light scent, but it also absorbed quickly- no need to wait for it to dry before getting dressed. Although it’s fabulous as a full body lotion, I especially recommend it for those extra dry spots like your elbows and feet. You’ll definitely get your bang for your buck with this balm!

Lord & Berry Paillettes Eye Pencil was the next sample I tried out. This little pencil packed a lot of punch! It was super easy to apply, even using my tiny pencil sample! The main focal point of this eyeliner is the glitter. To be clear, it’s not shimmery, it has actual chunks of glitter in it. This look was a little extreme for me, but it could be fun to use on a night out. I think it’s safe to say I won’t be purchasing the full sized product, but I’ll enjoy having fun with the sample!

Now onto the Number 4™ Clarifying Shampoo and Number 4™ Reconstructing Masque. I’ve gotten Number 4 products in my box a few times before and have not been disappointed yet. Although these samples didn’t disappoint, I wouldn’t say they “WOWed” me either. The scent was nice and it left my hair feeling soft and healthy. But for the higher price point they charge, I expected more. There are plenty of products out there that give just as good results for a better price.

Lastly, I have the Jouer + beautyblender® Perfectly Primed Collection. Of this collection, I received the Jouer Matte Moisture Tint. This tint was a little different than the other tinted moisturizers I’ve received in my boxes. It went on smooth, applied very evenly and I found the coverage to be a little heavier than most creams I’ve used. Although I appreciated the extra coverage, it dried with a matte, powdery finish that felt a little too mature for me. If you are like me and prefer a fresher, more natural look this tint is probably not for you!

And that’s it! That wraps it up for this month’s Birchbox products. Have you heard of any of these brands or tried any of these products before? Tell me about them in the comments below! Craving more beauty reviews? Check out last month’s post, September’s Birchbox- Unboxed.