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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!

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.

March 12, 2015

My March Birchbox

Guess what I got!?

My March Birchbox. No surprises there. Once again, despite the fact that I said I wouldn’t, I decided to select the feature box this month. There wasn’t a guest curator, but there was a theme.

Beauty Solutions!

Products that are the answers to some of our biggest beauty blunders…

What made me change my mind?

Well, honestly the blush. It’s baked, and I had yet to try a baked blush and wanted to know what the hype was all about. Let’s just say, Laura Geller Beauty’s Baked Blush-n-Brighten in Pink Grapefruit is my new favorite blush.

It also didn’t hurt that there was a derma e product again this month. Still can’t get enough! And paired with the derma e product from my box last month, perfect combo. My travel bag has never been happier!

Not everyone gets their monthly subscription box one the same day. So, after seeing a comment on Facebook about the smell of the Whish body butter, I was worried I would hate it. Delightfully, to me, it smells like almond scented anything else and I really enjoy it. It’s now a staple in my handbag, and I have yet another item added to my list of things to save my Birchbox points up for.

I’d never heard of Dear Clark and since discovering Ubuntu oils, I’ve been pretty loyal. However, I started running low, so giving this hair tonic a try will be happening, just not quite yet.

Usually, when I get a smaller sized sample, I am left feeling slightly cheated and a little disappointed. I’ve learned that with Supergoop! a little bit goes a very long way, so I don’t mind as much. I’ve tried this eye cream before, and I think I may still have some left from the last time I got a sample.

Is there anything from my March Birchbox that you’d want to try? Anything you already use? Let me know in the comments!

February 9, 2015

My February Birchbox

When I say that I can’t get enough of the Birchbox monthly featured editor curated boxes, I mean that I CAN NOT GET ENOUGH of the Birchbox monthly featured editor curated boxes.

For my February Birchbox I selected the Rent the Runway curated box and I am seriously so freaking glad that I did!

First, the box alone is just GORGEOUS. It really is all in the details.

After getting to try a few derma e products at Simply Stylish in NYC this past year, I discovered that I can’t get enough of the brand and their product was the main reason I decided to go with the Rent the Runway box.derma e Anti-Wrinkle Vitamin A Glycolic Scrub | $12.75

I am so in love with the Fekkai Glossing Cream that I am über excited to try their dry shampoo.

Fekkai Blowout Hair Refresher Dry Shampoo | $20

Not Soap, Radio makes amazing smelling body washes and shower gels. Plus, the scent names are super original and too funny!

Not Soap, Radio Body Wash in The stuff that Cupid dips his arrows in | $16

And I can never have too much makeup…

Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner in Raina | $11
theBalm cosmetics Read My Lips Lip Gloss in BAM! | $15

This month’s box is definitely one of my top favorites!

Excited to see what they’ve got in store for next month!

Want in? Sign up here.

February 2, 2015

Birchbox Plus Because Sometimes More is More

I don’t consider myself to be greedy.

However, sometimes a girl just wants more.

Birchbox gets that. In addition to your monthly subscription box, you can now add-on items!

When I saw the January Birchbox Plus selection, I wanted them all. I had a little extra cash at the time, so I splurged. Hey, treat yo’self, right?

This is not a luxury I will be able to indulge in often but it was SO worth it! Had it not been for this option, and reduced pricing, there is probably next to no way that I’d have been lucky enough to get my hands on some of these coveted blogger favorites.

The Everygirl Travel Mug | $18

Pointe Studio Grip Sock Set | $10-12/pair

Bow & Drape Sweatshirt | $48

And as an extra little added bonus they threw in a Tosi Almond Super Bites Mini and some Kusmi BB Detox Tea. I got all of this for under $60. Pretty sweet deal, if you ask me, and well worth the wait!

If you don’t have Birchbox and want it, sign up here.
Not convinced?
Check out some of my other Birchbox posts.

Also, make sure to stay tuned for my February Birchbox unboxing. I’m thinking about giving video another go…
Thoughts?

January 16, 2015

My January Birchbox

I was not the least bit surprised by the contents of my Birchbox this month.

Why not?
Because I selected the Relax & Recharge box.

Tea, a deep conditioning mask, eye cream? This was truly the perfect box to start off the year.

This weekend I’m planning a little at home spa session, and the samples I got are perfect for just that!

When Travelmate Sheet Mask | $28

Teapigs Tea Temples | $10

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask | $26

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream | $38

Perlier Intensive Nurturing Body Balm | $28.45*

Manna Kadar Lip Locked in All of Me**| $24

I’m still waiting on my Birchbox Plus add-ons, so stay tuned!

*When I saw the price my first thought was, um random much? But, hey at least it’s under $30!
**Not in love with the color, but intrigued enough to want to try the same product in a different shade. Perhaps Siren or maybe Pino Noir?

January 9, 2015

My Last 5 Birchbox Boxes

When Birchbox introduced the option to select a curated feature box, I was both intrigued yet hesitant. I liked getting my five little surprises in the mail, but the power to choose?

Given that the first feature box was a collaboration with The Everygirl, I wanted to at least try this newness…

August | The Everygirl

Acure Organics Brightening Facial Scrub

Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect

Not Soap, Radio Body Wash

Benefit They’re Real! Push-Up Liner

Harvey Prince Hello

September | Fashionista

Macadamia Professional Flawless Cleansing Conditioner

Naobay Body Radiance Lotion

Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Supreme Mascara

dr. brandt Exclusive Clean Up Nice Kit

Cynthia Rowley Beauty Eyeliner

October | Laggies

Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator, Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle, TOCCA Crema da Mano Luxe, ModelCo Power Lash Long Wear Black Mascara, SAGE + fasten Onward Eau de Parfum

November | Buzz Feed Life

Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips, amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo, Greenleaf Candle, Mirenesse iCurl Secret Weapon 24 Hour Mascara, Dr. Jart+ Pore Minimalist Mask

DecemberCamille Beckman Body Butter, BORGHESE Splendore Brightening Makeup, Beauty Protector Protect & Oil, Mirenesse Mattifinity Lip Rouge, Royal Apothic Cuppa Cuppa Firming Tea Treatment Mask

I could have sworn for December I had selected the featured box. After getting over my initial disappointment, I found that I actually liked the products I ended up getting even better.

Of course when the time can to renew my subscription, I had to! I mean, I have already purchased two full sized products from the lot, and they are currently in heavy rotation.

My January box should be arriving soon and come with a little something plus…