beauty Archives - Page 9 of 15 - Twenty Something Plus

August 10, 2015

My July Birchbox

Even though I still haven’t got around to trying all the products in my July Birchbox, I know I need to share what was in it (before skipping ahead to my August Birchbox)!

This has probably been one of the most useful boxes I’ve ever gotten. I may not be head over heels for all the products, but I can (and will) use all of them so that’s a major plus.

Every month there’s a theme and this month’s was go bold. From the box to the lipstick, Birchbox did just that!

I think I’ve said this before, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE getting to try product I would never buy strictly because of the price. $72 for an exfoliant? Not going to happen. Sample from Birchbox? Don’t mind if I do!

Ok, so to be honest, I don’t fully understand the difference between dry shampoo and texture spray. I mean, I do, but there’s just too many sprays! It is nice to be able to do an actual side-by-side comparison, though, since I still have yet to finish off my amika dry shampoo sample from last November…

I love Caudalie. And I have yet to try an oil product and hate it. This should be divine!

This Stila lipstick (yes, lipstick, because it’s that vibrant) is one of my favorites. The color, however, is not. It’s so bold that you seriously might need to wear sunglasses just to look at me when I wear it. I did find a way to make it so that I don’t feel like a clown. Maybe, if I start sharing makeup look posts, I’ll show you what I did.

If you get Birchbox, did you get the lipstick in Beso? If so, I think I hate you. Not really, but it’s the best and I missed out on the sample choice, color me super jealous. I made sure not to make that mistake for August!

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August 4, 2015

My 5 Favorite Birchbox Samples (So Far)

I cannot believe how quickly time is flying by! We are more than half way through the year, which means that I am half way through my 2015 Birchboxes.

So far, here are my favorite Birchbox samples:

Dr. Jart’s Dermaclear Micro Water really outdid itself. My expectations were serious shattered.

Just when I thought my obsession with Macadamia Professional could not get any worse, I get their Nourishing Moisture Oil Treatment, and I can’t even. The sample size was pretty big (I got this in May and still have some left), and it really helps my hair feel soft and look shiny!

Derma e is a brand I LOVE. Their products are ones of amazing quality and that I trust. If I sample one of their products, it will be one of my top picks. In February I got the Anti-Wrinkle Vitamin A Glycolic Scrub and in March I samples the Evenly Radiant Brightening Day Crème with SPF 15. Not only did I love them both, but the make the perfect pair!

It’s no secret that true beauty lovers can never have enough makeup. That being said, I had never tried baked blush because I didn’t see the point. I would have rather have every single Naked palette. I did not know what I was missing. I wear this Laura Geller Beauty’s Baked Blush-n-Brighten pretty much every day.

I feel like I have to at least give an honorable mention to the Marcelle eyeliner I just received in June, mostly because I really love the color.

I haven’t gotten my August Birchbox just yet (two words: Nicole Richie), but I’ll be sharing my July samples very soon!

July 30, 2015

My June Birchbox

Back tracking a little bit here, but I want to show you what I got in my June Birchbox, before it’s August…

While this was not my favorite box, I didn’t hate it. I know I will use everything in it, so I guess there’s that.

I’m pretty sure I will never have enough makeup. This Marcelle eyeliner is a pretty color that’s perfect for summer, and my second favorite product in this month’s Birchbox.

I was least thrilled about the Pura Vida headband. Not because it isn’t cute, but I know I’m going to end up with a headband headache. Or I’m going to lose it…

I am officially sick of shampoo and conditioner samples. I haven’t tried these yet, I have added them to my collection.

I’m a fan of Tocca, but perfume samples can really be hit or miss. Thankfully, for me, Bianca was a hit!

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to pick for my sample choice, I’m pretty indecisive like that, but I am SO glad I opted for the Dermaclear Micro Water! I seriously cannot believe how well this stuff works. I’ve already used up the entire sample, which is actually kind of bittersweet.

I’ll be sharing my July Birchbox soon, and already know that I’m going to L-O-V-E my August box!

June 26, 2015

Nordstrom Beauty Trend Event

I’d known that stores often held regular events, but hadn’t ever attended one. I wasn’t really sure what to expect.

It was suggested to attend the Nordstrom Spring Beauty Trend Event, so I obliged. After making an appointment at the Nordstrom in West Farms Mall and kind of just showing up, I got my makeup done and enjoyed a nice little gift with purchase (minus the makeup bag, which I gave to my mom. I’m really picky about bags and she collects them).

Given my shopping habits [link to Clinton Crossing event], I don’t think I’ll attend these type of events often.

However, I am happy that I did and even happier with my purchases.

Smashbox is one of my top beauty brands. I talk about and recommend them so much that my mom starting buying their products off of HSN and/or QVC, and she’s not even big on makeup.

All the products I purchased were used to do my makeup that day. Picking three (the minimum in order to get the gift with purchase) was harder than I thought it’d be. But I ended up getting the three things that made the most sense.

Now that it’s basically summer I want to switch up the makeup I use everyday. I really liked how the primer was also essentially a moisturizer.

And the foundation didn’t even feel like I had any on at all!

I shared on Instagram that my mom had bought the Full Exposure palette and (still to this day) hasn’t used it. I wanted it. Bad.

I opted for the Double Exposure palette for a number of reasons.

If my mom does finally decide to hand over the Full Exposure palette, I won’t already have it.
The Full Exposure now comes in a mini, so I can alway get that and see how I like it.
I have all three naked palettes so I really don’t need the Full Exposure (I don’t think I actually mean this).
Smashbox used to have the full face kits for different complexions, I got the one for dark skin and loved it, but waited too long to buy a second kit and they discontinued it. So stupid on my part. But three of the shades in the Double Exposure palette match the three shades of eyeshadow for the dark set.

What Smashbox products do you love? Any recommendations?

June 2, 2015

Hyaluronic Acid Serum Comparison

Currently my skincare routine consists of a cleanser (or an exfoliator, depending on the day), hyaluronic acid serum and a moisturizer.

Considering I’m still fairly new to the skincare game, I try to keep it as simple as possible without sparing the necessities.

The hyaluronic acid serum I’d been using, smelled like dandelions and I noticed contained a few extra ingredients that I wasn’t sure if made a difference or not. So, naturally, I wanted to find out.

I reached out to Oz Naturals, about trying their hyaluronic acid serum, because it’s a large percent natural and organic, but didn’t contain dandelions (or Vitamin E).

How that go?

It worked just as well as the other serum!

They both helped my skin retain moisture and stay hydrated throughout the day. The main difference is that OZ Naturals didn’t leave my skin smelling like flowers (weeds, whatever). If I was concerned about skin sensitivity I would probably go with OZ Natural.

Better safe than with hives…

It also didn’t leave my skin feeling as sticking (the lack of Vitamin E, maybe) afterwards, not a huge deal against the other hyaluronic acid serum, because it went away after applying moisturizer, but still worth mentioning. Oh, and I liked the pump better than the dropper. Again nothing major, but thought I should share.

Although on Amazon they cost about the same, the list price of the OZ Natural hyaluronic serum is significantly more affordable, by about $30! Plus, it’s an Amazon #1 Best Seller.

This post was graciously sponsored by OZ Natural.

May 29, 2015

My May Birchbox

I mentioned that I was super excited about my May Birchbox. And I am!

If you know anything about blogging, then you know who Emily Schuman is. And if you think you don’t, then you’ve at least heard of her blog, Cupcakes and Cashmere.

So, when Birchbox announces that this month’s box would involve curated products selected by Emily herself, you don’t even care what the other box options are.

When I got Hello by Harvey Prince I was pumped, and Yogini resulted in basically the same feels. Other Birchbloggers shared that it smelled a bit mature, and goes on strong and then fades. While this isn’t untrue, I don’t hate it. I mean I hadn’t gotten a new scent to try in a while, so I was happy to get this.

But that being said, I won’t be buying it.

I love, love, love getting makeup samples. Lollibalm is great! It adds just a hint of color and is a cute (mini?) balm to keep in your purse.

I don’t have very many negative experiences with samples I get in my Birchbox boxes. Sometimes I don’t like them, but it happens. TokyoMilk was a product I wanted to love. But instead, it broke me out. The scent was a little overwhelming anyways, but still…

Sad panda.

I’ve gotten a similar Cotz product (not exactly the same) before, and this was way better, smoother. I like that it blocks harmful UV rays while also not clogging your pores.

I really like Macadamia Professional products a lot. So whenever there’s the option to select one, I almost always go with it. I’m glad I did!

I can’t decide what I want for my sample choice in next month’s box, so I guess I’ll just have to be surprised!

Do you subscribe to Birchbox? If you do, what did you pick for your sample choice? If you don’t get Birchbox and want to, sign up here!

May 15, 2015

Borrowed from the Boy: Birchbox Man

One year, for the manfriend’s birthday, I made the mistake of getting him a one year subscription to Birchbox Man.

For obvious reasons, I adore Birchbox, but my low maintenance gaming partner? Not so much…

Occasionally, when Andrew did decide to try a sample, he’d like it and stick with it. He’s a product loyalist like that. When his box had a cool tech product he was happy, but that was as frequent as he would have liked.

He was much more pleased when I learned my lesson and got him Loot Crate the following year.

His samples haven’t gone to waste, I found his stash and have been trying some of them. One month he got the same Vasanti exfoliator that I’ve sampled twice now, the second time by choice. I told him how much I liked it and thought he’d love it. He never even tried it. Yonk!

The exfoliator wasn’t the only product offered in both the men’s and women’s shops…

The smell of this shower gel (that also has a matching body lotion) is euphoric. He missed out.

A face and body wash? Don’t mind if I do!

With my short and now straight hair, I thought why not try some of his hair product samples. So glad that I did, I found two that I use and keep in my purse!

Majority of the products that he’d received were beard grooming products. He had the beard, and groomed it, but found one cream he liked and that was that. I was talking to a friend about it and she told me I should use the shaving cream too. I have yet to, but that’s now the plan.

Do you have any products that you borrow from your boy? If so, tell me what in the comments! Want more info on any of these products? Just let me know.

May 14, 2015

My April Birchbox

I know it’s May, and I just got my May Birchbox, which I am so freaking excited to share with you, but I figured I should probably share my April Birchbox first…

The box itself was designed by Rifle Paper Co.
Is it not the prettiest?!

A lot of Birchbox subscribers received this Beaver Professional Shampoo and Conditioner, and many weren’t happy about it. Probably because they’re sick of shampoo and conditioner sets, since they do kind of make it feel like you’re only getting four samples instead of five. This set was a decent size (anything beats the foil packets), and the fact that it hydro nutritive, makes me excited to try it. I haven’t yet, because I’m still using the Soapbox Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner.

This was the first month in a while that I’d opted for a sample choice instead of the monthly feature box. Why? Because I’m a makeup junkie and really really wanted to make sure I got to sample this POP Beauty eyeshadow palette. I’m still debating if I want to buy the full size set, I have a few points saved up, but I want to wait and see how I feel when I use up this sample.

This Cynthia Rowley illuminator was such a pleasant surprise! I’m trying to use it as sparingly as possible, but I really do love it.

My very first Birchbox included a Wei mud mask, so call me overconfident, but I truly bee-lieve (insert canned laugher here) that I’ll be obsessed with their bee venom mask. I’m saving this for the next time I want to pamper myself. I just wish the sample came with a brush…

I’m pretty content with all the products in my April Birchbox. Can’t wait to show you why I am seriously SO freaking excited about my May Birchbox!

Soon.

May 12, 2015

Soapbox Gives Hope

Not sure if you noticed, but in my wedding season post, my hair had recently been done professionally. A little snip snip, a few extensions added, I was happy with the results and felt really good.

Usually, if I get extensions I have them sewn in, this time bonding glue was used.
Not a huge deal.

Then, after about two weeks it was time to take the extensions out. This process involved a lot of baby oil. It was one big slippery mess. Here’s where there was a problem, afterwards, my hair was still sticky. I washed it, tried more baby oil, dry shampoo, you name it. Nothing worked, and I was starting to get grossed out by my own hair.

When better to try a new shampoo courtesy of Influenster and SoapBox Soaps?

Maybe washing my hair for a second time also helped, but the shampoo got the remaining stickiness out so my hair was squeaky clean. And the conditioner left my hair soft, especially considering I had just washed my hair twice.

Soapbox Argan Oil Shampoo helped rescue my hair from the scary bonding glue monster.

Soapbox gave me hope for my hair and after doing a little homework, I learned about the mission of the company and my heart smiled. They “use soap to improve the world”.

For under $5 at Target (because you know you’re going to be going on a run there soon anyways), you can give the world a little hope and look good while doing it!

April 27, 2015

Adding Amara Organics

Before living in Vermont, I didn’t really care if a product was at all natural or if my beef was grass fed.

While, I still use products that aren’t organic or vegan, and I am not above scarfing down a process patty…it’s nice to be made aware of healthier product options.

That being said, I recently got the chance to test out a few products I was gifted from Amara Organics.

I just started using them and have to admit that I was surprised by how well they work. Adding these products to my skincare routine.

The eye cream is 100% natural and smells like cucumbers!

I love how the Hyaluronic Acid leaves my face feeling moisturized in a way that I never thought possible. The word acid scared me a little, but it’s worth it. Just make sure to follow up with a moisturizer and you should be good for the day.

And, you guys, I’m almost thirty (kind of, sort of, give or take…) so the Retinol Serum is pretty nifty, but to be honest, I’ve been using it to combat my acne scars more so than wrinkles. I haven’t been using it long enough to see any drastic results, but I’m hopeful.

A special thank you to Amara Organics for sponsoring this post AND they are giving away three of their products to 25 lucky winners! You can enter there giveaway here.