moisturizer

August 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 August 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 August Birchbox Review:

LAQA & Co. Charm School Kit
RUSK® Volumizing Mousse
Oribe Shampoo, Conditioner and Masque for Beautiful Color
dr. brandt® pores no more® cleanser
Air Repair Complexion Boosting Moisturizer

Ready to get cheeky? This LAQA & Co. Charm School Kit comes with three colors of creamy crayons that can be used for your cheeks, your lips, or even both! I received the pink, humble brag, color in my august birchbox. I tried it on both my lips and my cheeks and boy, that did not turn out well! While this crayon is just as easy to apply as doodling in my coloring books when I was little, the color is super bright, so proceed with caution! First, I tried it on my cheeks. After a lot of blending, it actually looked really pretty. On the other hand, it did not look so hot on my lips. Somehow, it feels a little waxy and was a bit chalk looking once applied. Although I will continue to use it on my cheeks, I do not suggest even trying it on your lips, unless you plan to ride around in a clown car.

If you remember from my July Birchbox Review, I tried RUSK out for the first time last month with the RUSK® Heatshift™ Re-Styling Cream. This month I received another RUSK product, the RUSK® Volumizing Mousse. I usually try to stay away from mousse since the alcohol in it’s ingredient list tends to dry hair out. But, I made an exception today to try this mousse! This rich, foamy product gave my hair texture and body without adding in crunch. I found my hair to hold it’s style much longer than usual as well. While I don’t often need my hair to be so poised and put together, this mousse will be a good go to for special nights out!

Next, I tried the Oribe Shampoo, Conditioner and Masque for Beautiful Color and I loved the whole set! My hair hasn’t looked this good in a long time. I feel like this miraculous formula somehow undid all the coloring, drying, curling, etc. that I’ve put my hair through over the years. It left my hair looking super shiny and feeling silky smooth… no to mention, it smells amazing! I think this shampoo, conditioner and masque set is definitely in the “splurge” price range for me, but it seems like it’s worth the money. Since I no longer color my hair, I don’t think I necessarily need this level of nourishment, but it would be great for someone trying to get their hair back on track! (Or someone who has a large hair budget $$!)

I’ve had a few dr. brandt products in my boxes before. I’ve even tried dr. brandt® pores no more® cleanser in the past. The main reason I like this cleanser is it was developed by an actual dermatologist. It gives me a lot of trust in this product. Not to mention it works! A little goes a long way with this lathering product. It left my skin feeling smooth, hydrated and looking refreshed! I don’t have a big issues with pores, but everyone says it helps dramatically in minimizing pores! If that’s your issue, be sure to check it out.

Air Repair Complexion Boosting Moisturizer was the final sample in my august birchbox. This moisturizer is the best face moisturizer I’ve tried in a long time. It smells amazing and is cool and refreshing when applied. It seriously rejuvenated my skin and left it immediately feeling hydrated. I tried it on one side of my face and found myself stroking that side of my face over and over! It was just so darn smooth! It will be great for my dry skin in the winter and I can’t wait to buy the full size!

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, July Birchbox Review, or start getting your own birchbox delivered right to your door!

July 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 July 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 July Birchbox Review:

Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45+
COOLA® SPF 30 Organic Makeup Setting Spray
RUSK® Heatshift™ Re-Styling Cream
Harvey Prince Hello, Limited Edition
stila look at me liquid lipstick trio

I have gotten a ton of Dr. Jart+ products in my past birchboxes. Just last month, I got the Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear™ Micro Water that I love! This month I received the Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45+ and this product apparently does it all! It’s a primer, moisturizer, treatment serum and adds SPF 45+. At first glance I love the stuff. It goes on smooth and even without having to use too much. And the color is great! Unfortunately, I found it to leave my face a bit sticky and it never quite absorbed into my skin. Since I’m someone who wears very light coverage creams on a daily basis, I found it a bit heavy for everyday use.

Makeup setting spray is new to my box of beauty tools. I’ve used it a few times for big events, but I’ve never quite understood why I would need to add it to my beauty arsenal. Well now I do! Not only does this COOLA® SPF 30 Organic Makeup Setting Spray add a layer of SPF 30, it also makes my makeup smudge free! I have a 30 minute walk to work so the elements can be rough. Some days it’s windy and my eyes water, other days I’m just hot and sweaty! Somehow a simple spritz of this setting spray kept my eyeliner from running, it kept my eyeshadow in place and protected my skin from the intense sun rays! This product is a must for you girls on the go!

RUSK® Heatshift™ Re-Styling Cream is up next! This re-styling cream was basically made for me. I hate blow drying my hair and I always wait at least one day between shampoos. That’s where this dream cream comes in handy! For use on fresh hair, it’s great! It cut my blow drying time in half! And for one-day-old hair, I applied a little bit to my hair before curling and my hair lasted all day! I found it to hold much longer and better texture than my normal hairspray. Now I’m not sure how I’ve lived without it all these years!

Next up, I got a small sample of Harvey Prince Hello, Limited Edition . This perfume was inspired by the joy of waking up to a warm day with the sun shining and the flowers blooming. I mean that’s what summer is all about, right? The scent is an interesting mix of floral and citrus that literally perked me up when I sprayed it. There is something about smelling this fresh fragrance that energized me in the morning. It’s a great scent for a beautiful summer day.

Last, but not least, is the stila look at me liquid lipstick trio. I love getting lipsticks and lipglosses in my birchboxes, but this one is unlike any I’ve received in the past. This lipstick is on for the day, whether you like it or not! Good thing I like it!! I received the bright pink color, which is bold, matte and irresistible! The creamy texture glides on thick, but sets to a matte paint very quickly. And once it dries, this lipgloss won’t come off on your coffee cup or your man. And it’s easy to remove at the end of the night with makeup remover, no staining! I’m addicted to my sample and will be buying a few colors for backup!

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, June 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:

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!

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!

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.

December Birchbox | 2014

Happy 2015 everyone! I hope you all had an amazing holiday, spent time with family and friends, and got the most out of the last few moments of 2014. Somehow this amazing year has come to a close and it’s time for me to share my final birchbox of 2014!

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 extra festive holiday birchbox. The boxes are getting more and more decorative with the samples being just as exciting! Check out December’s samples below!

Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel

SeaRX Anti-Wrinkle Facial Lift Treatment Serum

Mirenesse iCurl Secret Weapon 24 Hour Mascara

Catherine Malandrino Style de Paris

Davines Replumping Shampoo

Davines Replumping Conditioner

Davines Replumping Superactive

Let’s begin with the Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel. My skin is usually pretty low maintenance, so I am all about what is quick and easy. This peel not only fits the bill, but also works great! It leaves my skin feeling refreshed and glowing. My only complaint is it leaves my skin a little dry, so make sure you have some moisturizer handy! I don’t normally use peels, but if you rely on them for skin issues, I recommend trying this 3 minute peel!

Next up is the SeaRX Anti-Wrinkle Facial Lift Treatment Serum. I’m not sure how I feel about a serum for my face, the texture is a little sticky and gel-like. I prefer a smoother, thinner lotion moisturizer. But for a serum, it did go on light and smooth. Unfortunately, I didn’t really notice a difference in my skin. To be fair, it’s a little hard to know with such a small sample if there’s actually any anti-wrinkle benefits in it.

Time for the Mirenesse iCurl Secret Weapon 24 Hour Mascara! I should start with saying I am very particular about my lashes. I have a several step process I use in the mornings when I apply my mascara and I thought this product could be a great lengthening agent to use as a base. Although this mascara does a good job lengthening, I don’t find it any more impressive than the other, less expensive mascaras I use. I did find it to hold throughout the day and to come off easily at night. But again, this is nothing overly impressive to me for the price.

Now onto Catherine Malandrino Style de Paris. This perfume smells like a dream! It has an elegant, fruity fragrance to it that lasts all day! It’s a little pricey and strong to be my go-to everyday scent, but I would love to have it for special occasions!

Lastly, I’m wrapping it up with Davines Replumping Shampoo, Conditioner and Superactive! This trio is supposed to add volume to your hair. Although it left my hair smelling amazing and feeling super soft, I didn’t think it ended up adding much volume to my look. For me, this was a great set to mix up my normal hair routine, but I don’t see the value in switching to them completely.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Check out my August Birchbox Review:

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Check out my July Birchbox Review:

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

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