March Birchbox

Holiday 2013 and January Birchbox

How was everyone's holiday? Did you get everything you wanted? It's been a crazy couple of months for me so I've been really slacking on the blogging department. So I'm slowing backtracking my boxes and start to post pictures and blog about it.

Here are my Birchbox from December/Holiday 2013 and January 2014.  Nothing really to get excited about in my opinion. Often in these boxes, the sample size products are not enough to try it out, (i.e. the body cream that came with this month's box, I don't think there's even enough to cover one arm) However, items like mascara, hair spray and dry shampoo is perfect for your gym or makeup bag. So I am looking forward to try the Dry Shampoo and the Mascara.

I'm not a fan of glitter nail polish, it's a pain to take off and the glitter gets everywhere... but I will try it out and maybe this will change my mind?

The Honest Company Organic Healing Balm that came with the holiday box is great. I am already a subscriber to their bundles for my baby and the healing balm is like a very thick vaseline.

January 2014 box

Holiday 2013 box

What I Got In The Mail....Birchbox, VoxBox, Love with Food and Pampers Rewards

July Birchbox ($10 a month)

I have not tried the products yet except for the nail polish. It's a pretty metallic bronze color.

Love with Food Box ($12 a month)

This is also a monthly subscription program, there are plenty of coupon codes floating online if you do a search, and you can try this out, I got the 3 month subscription to try out. What I love about this is that for every sale they donate a meal to a hungry child. So every month you get to sample yummy snacks and feel good about giving to the community also!

Hawaiian Salted Carmel popcorn - very tasty!
and Uncle Henry's Handmade Pretzels - have not tried it yet.

Rebel Mary Peanuts - Bloody Mary flavored peanuts, very good!  I will be on the search for these!
Strawberry Fig Bar - have not tried yet

BBQ Beef Stick - just ok, nothing special.
Season salts - have not tried yet.
Orange salt water taffy - very good.
Necco wafer - need I say more?

Mary Kay Glamour Look VoxBox from Influenster 

(free -to-join community of invited trendsetters who live to give opinions of products and experiences. You get selected to test a VoxBox based on your profile and earned badges) 

I was very excited to be picked for this VoxBox, all the samples in here are full size, so it's over $80 in products here that I get to sample and keep for free!

lipstick in a very bright pink color

Cream Eyeshadow - very pretty shimmering purple color

I have been entering the codes from the Pampers and Huggies diapers. Nothing really useful you can redeem since I don't have that many points. But I see something that caught my eye, I love trying out new products and samples, so I selected the P&G Sample Basket, 100% free. Here is what I got.

Secret Clinical Strength, Olay 2-in-1 facial cloth, Downy Un Stopables Scent Booster

Dawn power clean dish cleaner, Head & Shoulders Shampoo.

Always pads and Puffs facial tissues

Olay Regenerist

September Birchbox

September was Birchbox's anniversary so everyone was anticipating a really nice box for this month. I got mine early around the 12th in September and here is what I got.

I was disappointed with this September box, nothing in there I really would use. Maybe the nail polish sticker, but it's not a color I would normally wear.  So I cancelled my Birchbox. I tried it for 6 months, and there were definitely hit and misses. I just want to give it a little break and maybe I will go back to it later. Haven't decided yet. For now, I'm saving my $10 a month.

But I also wanted to tell you about some other programs like the Birchbox if you ever want to try it out.  Christmas is just around the corner!

There's a new one out for men, that's called His Black Box. It's $12 a month and you can do gift subscriptions for your guy. I beleive they have a monthly or yearly plan as well.

Another is the QVC Beauty Test Tube.

New Beauty 10-piece Test Tube with Magazine Limited Edition $32

 What is it: A collection of some of the hottest and most in-demand products in beauty. In this test tube, you'll receive the current issue of NewBeauty magazine, along with a mix of full-sized, travel-sized, and deluxe-sized samples from DDF, Dr. Denese, Kate Somerville, Laura Mercier, Mally Beauty, philosophy, StriVectin, Supersmile, and WEN.

Who is it for: Anyone looking to sample a wide variety of fabulous beauty products at an unbelievable value.

Why is it different: This TestTube combines luxurious beauty products with extensive product and how-to information. New Beauty magazine provides insider information on trends and hot topics within the beauty world via respected experts from the beauty industry.

How do I use it: The included instructions and DVD provide detailed information and application tips for each product.

From NewBeauty.

Includes:

• 4.2 oz Supersmile professional whitening toothpaste
• 0.24 oz Mally Beauty waterproof volumizing mascara
• 0.5 oz DDF advanced firming cream
• 0.3 oz Dr. Denese HydroShield ultra moisturizing face serum
• 6-oz WEN cleansing conditioner
• 1-oz Laura Mercier foundation primer
• 2-oz philosophy pure grace shower cream
• 0.33 oz Kate Somerville Quench hydrating face serum
• 0.12 oz StriVectin overnight facial serum
• NewBeauty magazine
• DVD
• DVD run time is approximately 98 minutes
• Made in Italy/USA

You can also read about this blogger's box here and closeup photos of her items:
http://mynewestaddiction.blogspot.com/2011/08/august-2011-new-beauty-test-tube-qvc.html

Another Beauty Blog - Things I'm Loving Right Now

Physician's Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum

Physician's Formula Eye Booster

Description
    •    High-tech formula enhances the appearance of lashes while providing the instant definition of a liquid eyeliner, in one easy step!
    •    Lash Boosting complex targets the base of lashes where it is most effective.
    •    Innovative and easy to use eyelining tool delivers effortless definition.
    •    High-tech Japanese formula is long-wearing, water-resistant and smudge-resistant.
Shade :  Ultra Black

.016 Fl Oz./ 0.5 mL
Price :  $10.95, can be found in your local drugstores.

Why I'm Loving It:

I'm such a novice when it comes to liquid eyeliners. I fail every time I try. I end up looking like Panda with my shaky hands. Then I found this new product, I realized with liquid eyeliners, the brush is the key. This eyeliner has been compare to the Japanese popular eyeliners, because the brush is very similar. It's stiff but very thin, so it gives you a lot of control. You get so much control on how much you apply because it's a pen form. the applicator/tip isn't made of hairs but more like this rubber material so it won't splay out when you line your eyes. the formula does not crack and it dries in a snap and lasts almost all day. And it claims to make your lashes longer, I will keep testing it out to see if I see the result. Regardless, I'm no longer terrified at applying liquid liners!


Stila Eye Shadow 
in Kitten (shimmering nude pink)

Stila Kitten

What it is: 
An award-winning eye shadow in a refillable compact. 


What it does: 
Inspire your inner artist and create a palette of color with Stila's award-winning eye shadows. The assortment offers something for every Stila girl—from classic neutrals to the trendsetting shades in mattes and shimmers. The high-quality formula and texture can be worn wet or dry.

Size: 0.09 oz
$18

Why I'm Loving It:

Kitten is Stila's number one selling shade. They even make lip glosses in the shade Kitten. This is a gorgeous shimmering color, I wear it almost everyday this summer. It instantly brightens your eyes. On a lazy day if I'm running late for work or if I just want a no fuss look, I just throw this on all over my lid and then put on eyeliner & mascara. At $18 a pop, it's pricy. But check your local Costco or Sephora for combo deals. Like this one from Sephora for $14 and it has Kitten in there:

It Girl Eye Shadow Palette #2

(matte tawny nude/ shimmering nude pink/ brown with gold flecks)

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate
One night. Two drops. Younger-looking skin by morning.



Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate

• Lightweight, overnight treatment.
• Regenerates, repairs, and replenishes skin for a smoother, healthier skin.
• Works with the skin’s natural nocturnal activity when skin is most receptive to repairing itself from daily aggressors to dramatically restore skin.

• 99.8% naturally-derived and paraben-free.
•Kiehl’s Insider Tip: Layer over Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate for optimal anti-aging and healthier skin benefits.
 •    1.0 fl. oz Bottle $43.00

Why I'm Loving It:
It's kind of pricey for a little jar of 1.0 oz, but you just need a couple drops and it will be enough for your whole face. I LOVE this product for use at night! I apply this at night before bedtime over my moisturizer and when I wake up in the morning my skin is glowing, smooth and refreshed. This recovery serum goes on smoothly and the oil is very soothing to the skin and the smell of lavender is very calming and helps to relax you for a long nights sleep. After using this after few weeks, I have noticed my skin is less oily, it is matte and soft and not greasy at all.

Birchbox
Here is a photo of my August Birchbox, in case you are interested, here is what I got (the prices are full-size prices):

Befine Exfoliating Cleanser $25

Natural brown sugar beads slough away dead skin. Because they dissolve as you scrub, there’s no danger of overdoing it. At the same time, sweet almond oil, oat protein, and ginger root extract work to soothe and hydrate skin.

 
Befine Night Cream $30

This moisturizer is packed with naturally healing ingredients. Rice Bran Proteins and Vitamin E increase elasticity in skin, while Iris Florentina extract smoothes and softens fine lines. But the power ingredient is Cocoa, which has caffeine to increase circulation and give you glowing skin.

TOCCA SPF 30+ Sunscreen Towelettes in Stella $24

The most important ingredients are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, two physical sunblocks that protect you from UVA and UVB rays. Vitamin E and B5, aloe, and marine silk help calm and hydrate even the most sensitive of skin.

 
Stila Sheer Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 $34

This weightless tinted moisturizer has been designed to do many things—and do them well. The oil-free formula keeps skin hydrated, while light-diffusing pigments soften fine lines and conceal blemishes. At the same time, a host of natural ingredients help protect skin, including vitamins A and E, ginseng root extract, gingko biloba leaf, and chamomile. Oh, and it has SPF 20, too.

Number 4 Lumiere d'hiver Reconstructing Masque $58

Soy protein works to reconstruct and strengthen hair while natural conditioners like shea butter, jojoba seed oil, and sunflower oil nourish and moisturize. Don’t forget about the silkiness factor — for that, there’s silicone polymer, which smoothes and detangles. 

Number 4 Fleurs de Temps Volumizing Shampoo $34

This sulfate-free formula is designed to detangle and cleanse hair without weighing it down. It uses natural lemongrass, golden seal, and gooseberry, plus the brand’s four signature Liquid Complexes™. Each complex is a different blend of natural ingredients designed to help protect, purify, strengthen, and revitalize hair.

Twistband Hair Ties $5

Each Twistband is made of soft elastic that keeps braids, buns, and ponytails secured. Because they’re thicker than regular hair ties, they don’t leave crimps in hair.

Birchbox

What is Birchbox?

I stumbled across this thing called Birchbox couple months back. For those that don't know what a Birchbox is, it's basically a monthly or yearly subscription that gives out 4-5 luxe beauty samples Beauty, Skincare, and Makeup products for the price of $10 a month, shipping included and no hidden fees.  You can cancel at anytime.

You fill out a brief beauty survey once you sign up, then they will pick your products for you, most likely you will get some different items than some other people. And it's shipped out from the east coast around the 10th(?) of the month, I usually get mine around the 15th.

To me, it's like opening Christmas presents every month and the sample sizes they give you is great for traveling.  Some people will argue that you can get samples from Sephora for free, why pay the $10 for it? But personally I think the items you are getting with Birchbox are bigger than the ones you get from Sephora, and the chances of you getting a full-size product is pretty good, then you will get your $10 worth for sure. Some of the full size products retails up to $100+ (i.e. a parfum), so a little sample of it is definitely more than $10.

I was introduce to a lot of different high-end brands that I haven't heard of through Birchbox and paying $10 is a great way to sample those products before dishing out $$$ to get the full size products.

If you like the samples they sent you, you can go to their website and purchase the full-size products, a lot of times they offer free shipping on those.

I wasn't really happy with my first two Birchbox because I did not get any full size products (i.e. Stila Eyeshadow that retails for $18) while a lot of of other people did.  But then my June Birchbox came, and it has a full size Laura Geller Baked Blush-n-Brighten that retails for $29.50 and it is beautiful color. I loved it!

I am not certainly not pushing anyone to get this and don't benefit in any way by telling you this. Just thought if you love beauty, skincare and makeup as much as I do, maybe you will love Birchbox!

My July Birchbox

My June Birchbox

My April Birchbox

The card that comes with each package the describes the products in detail.

My list of products I got each month.

Prices of the full size products that is in July's Box.