Birchbox - August 2013

Subscription purchased by me, affiliate links within post

{In this month's box}:

Miss Jessie's Original Super Slip Sudsy Shampoo

Violet Oasis 100% Organic Argan Oil

Mally Beauty Evercolor Starlight Watercolor Eye Liner in "Sailor"

BECCA Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation

Arangara Body Lotion

Miss Jessie's Original Super Slip Sudsy Shampoo

According to the packaging, this shampoo is best for curly hair. I've actually just ran out of shampoo, so I'll be trying this one out soon. Hopefully it works well. 

Violet Oasis 100% Organic Argan Oil

My love affair with oils and serums continues! I like to use these to help keep my frizz in check, they're the only things that work! Violet Osais' argan oil has no scent, which is a plus if you don't care for scented hair products. It left my hair feeling soft, without feeling greasy. 

Mally Beauty Evercolor Starlight Watercolor Eye Liner in "Sailor"

This eyeliner is quite pigmented! I received the color "Sailor," which is a dark navy blue. It's not too noticeable unless you are in brighter lighting which can be both a good and bad thing. I personally like that it's not so obvious, it looks like a toned down black with a bit of a punch. 

BECCA Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation

I still have not tried out this foundation, but I have to stress that I'm REALLY glad they did not send only one shade; we were sent SIX different shades to test! I received the shades: Olive, Noisette, Tan, Bamboo, Fawn, and Cafe. The only downside to this is there is less product to test, but I will gladly take this sample over a bigger one, because I can figure out which shade I match best to. 

Arangara Body Lotion

This lotion is a bit too thick and perfumed for me. I will be giving this one away. 

I'm a bit worn out on all these moisturizers from Birchbox, which is part of the reason I've decided to take a break from the service. These last few months I haven't felt very satisfied with my boxes, but mostly I've felt overloaded with samples. I may resubscribe later on in the year, particularly for the holidays.

You can purchase a subscription to Birchbox through my referral link {here} or just go to Birchbox.com

What did you think of this month's box?
-Claudia

Birchbox - July 2013

Subscription purchased by me, affiliate links within post

{In this month's box}:
BENTA Berry G-1 Moisturizing Face Cream, matifying
100% Pure Nourishing Body Cream, Green Apple
Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect
Benefit "Girl Meets Pearl"
Extra: Birchbox Bobby Pins

BENTA Berry G-1 Moisturizing Face Cream, matifying

I did not like this face cream at all. It left a white residue all over my face. Not the look I normally go for! 

100% Pure Nourishing Body Cream, Green Apple

I'm not a fan of apple scented products, so I was already put off by this sample before trying it. What I did not expect upon opening the foil packet was the striking sour hint within the scent. It reminds me of the sour apple gum I would have as a child and that's not really something I'd like to smell like nowadays. 

Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect

This month's box was jam-packed with samples with unexpected smells. This one blew me away. This sample smells like CHOCOLATE! It's not a bad smell, but oddly pleasant. It also left my ends feeling pretty soft. I wouldn't recommend if you're hungry, haha. 

Benefit "Girl Meets Pearl"

There is so much hype on this highlighter, but I had never actually tried it. I've used Benefit's "Highbeam" highlighter in the past and loved it, so I will probably end up loving this one as well. "Girl Meets Pearl"is slightly darker than "Highbeam" and very sheer in application. I think "Girl Meets Pearl" is more flattering in its subtlety, but not great for those nights when you want to go ALL out. 

Extra: Birchbox Bobby Pins

I don't wear bobby pins much and definitely don't wear large colorful ones. The design is pretty cute, but I doubt I will get much use out of these, so I will be giving them away to a friend. 

This month's Birchbox was all about the working girl, on and off the clock. I guess Birchbox things what us working girls need is to moisturize; two moisturizing creams (one for face, one for body) in one box? This box was just OK for me. It had a few hits and a few misses. What I loved most was the unexpected smells! This box was just fun to open. I can't wait to see what next month will bring.


You can purchase a subscription to Birchbox through my referral link {here} or just go to Birchbox.com

What did you think of this month's box?

-Claudia

Birchbox - June 2013

Subscription purchased by me, affiliate links within post

What was in this month's box:
Color Club Wanderlust Collection nail polish in "London Calling"
LAQA & Co. Lil' Lip pencil in "Pinkman"
Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser
Davines 3-Step System: Love Smoothing Shampoo, Love Smoothing Conditioner, OIL/OIL

Color Club Wanderlust Collection nail polish in "London Calling"

I love, love, love this mint green nail polish! It has quickly become my favorite go-to color this Summer. "London Calling" is part of Color Club's Wanderlust nail polish Collection. I thought the nail polishes fit very well into the theme, which I found to be pretty refreshing. 

The other colors in the collection include: 

London Calling - sunny green

Reign in Spain - fiery coral

Pardon My French - lavender

Mod in Manhattan - brilliant off-white

LAQA & Co. Lil' Lip Pencil in "Pinkman"

Pictured is actually the second sample I received. The first one came splattered all over my box. Thankfully, Birchbox was able to send me a replacement sample (which is not what usually happens whenever I've received a damaged sample). The pencil itself was very nice. "Pinkman" was a super pigmented, bold berry that can be built up or toned down to your liking. It wasn't streaky at all, which is definitely a bonus when it comes to lip pencils! This lip pencil is available as a duo set on the Birchbox website.

Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser

I love trying new skin products, especially when it comes to exfoliants and cleansers. So you can imagine my excitement when I saw this foaming exfoliating cleanser in this month's box. Upon opening the jar, I was hit with a strong lemon scent. It is not overpowering at all, but very sweet. The cleanser itself is very lightweight and does leave my face feeling very clean. I am in LOVE with this little exfoliating cleanser.

Davines 3-Step System

The Davines 3-step system is a trio of samples to help combat frizzy hair. Perfect for my hair! The trio includes:

Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo

Davines Love Smoothing Conditioner

Davines OIL/OIL

I  have yet to try this trio out, but will update now that my current shampoo/conditioners have run out. Hopefully this trio works!

This month's box is still a bit up in the air for me, but I found a few things I truly enjoyed that might even replace current favorites.

You can purchase a subscription to Birchbox through my referral link {here} or just go to Birchbox.com

What did you think of this month's box?

-Claudia

Birchbox - May 2013

Subscription purchased by me, affiliate links within post

{In this month's box}:
Cargo water resistant blush in Bali
Coola Classic Face Cucumber Moisturizer for Face
Marvis Classic Mint Toothpaste
Miss Jessie's Original Jelly Soft Curls

*Extra: Acroball Pen

Cargo water resistant blush in Bali

My excitement seeing this cargo blush quickly died once I opened the pot and saw the crumbly pieces pour out. I've never tried a Cargo blush, but I've always wanted to try one. Being the klutz that I am, I luckily(?) know how to repair a broken blush! I'll update this {link} once I've posted the pictures on that one here. :) 

Coola Classic Face Cucumber Moisturizer for Face, Sunscreen

I've never been a big user of sunscreen, but I've grown to realize it's so important to regularly apply sunscreen. I used to think that because I tan and don't burn in the summer sun, I don't have to worry about sun care. That's not true! You can still have sun-damaged skin without getting a sun burn. Take care of your skin, ladies and gents!

As far as sunscreens go, I found this Coola moisturizer a better option than most of the sunscreens I've used. It's on the lighter feel (though it still does feel a bit heavy) and the scent is not overwhelming. You know that chemical scent you get when you swatch on some sunscreen? Not so with this! The Coola moisturizer smells, well, like cucumbers. I'm sure this will get used up what with Summer just getting started in Chicago. 

Marvis Classic Mint Toothpaste

I first got a sample of this toothpaste through my Glossybox subscription. I loved it then and I love it now. Though I don't think it's worth the splurge (over $10 a tube!), I will always appreciate receiving samples of this guy. 

Miss Jessie's Original Jelly Soft Curls

I've heard great things about this product and, though I don't usually like receiving samples in packets, I can't wait to see how well this one works. 

*Extra: Acroball Pen

It's a....pen. Kind of underwhelming for a beauty box. 

You can purchase a subscription to Birchbox through my referral link {here} or just go to Birchbox.com

What did you think of this month's box?

-Claudia

Birchbox - April 2013 (Women's Health)

Subscription purchased by me, affiliate links within post

This month's box was a collaboration with Women's Health magazine. Included in this month's box was an offer to receive Women's Health magazine (I opted out, bc I receive enough magazines at the moment). Overall, I enjoyed this month's box! Read on for more in depth reviews of each sample.

{In this month's box}:
Nexxus Youth Renewal Rejuvenating Elixir
Evologie Intensive Blemish Serum
Sumita Eyeshadow Pencils
Simple Revitalizing Eye Roll-on
Atelier Cologne

Nexxus Youth Renewal Rejuvenating Elixir

This teensy sample is a leave-in treatment for hair to help counteract the "aging hair." I have a lot (and I mean A LOT) of hair, so honestly this has not really been a concern of mine. But having a lot of hair doesn't make my hair any less susceptible to aging. You guys know me, I'm always up for trying new hair products. 

I actually really enjoyed how this smelled. It's a very lightly perfumed scent that I find very pleasant and wearable. Have I noticed any radical changes? The leave-in treatment leaves my hair feeling soft, but that's not exactly revolutionary for me these days. Well, the smell alone might convince me to purchase the full size. It's just that nice!

Evologie Intensive Blemish Serum

I haven't used this one too much. I don't trust in blemish serums or treatments that claim to act so quickly. In the past, using this type of products has usually led to my dry skin becoming severely dried out. 

Sumita Eyeshadow Pencils

I was pretty excited to get this pencil last month, but I wish I had a few more looks lined up for a pink liner. I think this calls for a YouTube inspiration search spree!

Simple Revitalizing Eye Roll-on

I have amassed quite a few of these dark circle-removing roll-ons and while they are all nice feeling, I don't feel they do much. The same holds true for this Simple roll-on. It feels very refreshing, but I haven't noticed too much a difference in the dark circle department. I have pretty severe dark circles, so maybe this will work for someone else!

Atelier Cologne

No more! No more perfumes/colognes/sprays! I'm not a scent gal :( Sorry!

You can purchase a subscription to Birchbox through my referral link {here} or just go to Birchbox.com

What did you think of this month's box?

-Claudia

Birchbox - March 2013

Subscription purchased by me, affiliate links within post

{In this month's box}:

Caldrea Body Lotion packets

Incoco Nail Polish stickers

Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry shampoo

Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream

*Extra: Madewell for Birchbox Emery Board

Caldrea Body Lotion packets (full size: $22)

I think I have enough lotion samples to last me a lifetime, haha. I'm actually interested to try these out, though there's something about getting packet samples that turns me off a bit. I received three different lotion samples: Aloe Water Apricot, Coconut Fig Leaf, & Tea Olive Lime. They are aromatherapeautic lotions, which I've actually been researching a bit as of late (funnily enough). I'll update this once I've tried these out.

Incoco Nail Polish stickers (full size $9-11)

When I heard we were getting nail polish stickers, I was so disappointed. The nail polish stickers I've seen are usually geared towards tweens and generally just something I'd toss. These, however, have beautiful designs. I was not expecting to like them as much as I do and I honestly can't wait to try these out. These Incoco nail polish stickers are not childish at all, but very styling!

Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry shampoo (full size: $25)

I've tried a few dry shampoos in the past that I didn't like, so I've been pretty skeptical about trying new ones. I'm glad I received a brand I've never tried before and I look forward to seeing how this one works. Yay for less shower days! (joking, joking)

Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream (full size $20)

I actually don't use any kind of shaving cream, because my skin reacts badly to it. I'll be giving this away to a friend. 

*Extra: Madewell for Birchbox Emery Board (full size: $5)

This emery board is very flowery! You can never have too many of these and I appreciate getting one with a cute design on it :) 

Lately I feel I've been falling out of love with Birchbox. Though my boxes have been average (not too amazing, not too disappointing), I'm just not sure I want to keep the service anymore. I've been asking myself that question for too long now that I think it may be time to quit.

You can purchase a subscription to Birchbox through my referral link {here} or just go to Birchbox.com

What did you think of this month's box?

-Claudia

Birchbox - February 2013

Subscription purchased by me, affiliate links within post

Click below to see this month's box. 

Birchbox - January 2013

{In this month's box}:
Embyolisse: Lait-Creme Concentre - 24-Hour Miracle Cream
Number 4 - Clarifying Shampoo
theBalm Cosmetics - Hot Mama
Aerie Shimmer Fragrance

**Extra**Deborah Lippman - the Stripper to go
"2013 - Best Year Ever" Booklet

Embyolisse: Lait-Creme Concentre - 24-Hour Miracle Cream

I've been dying to try this cream out for a while, ever since I discovered it's considered a "holy grail" item for some makeup artists. A few months ago, this brand was actually introduced into Birchbox and I crossed maybe all my fingers and toes hoping to get the cream in my box. I didn't! So, I decided to use my stockpiled points to get it from the Birchbox store instead.

...

Well, I wasn't expecting to get it this month, but it's nice to have a backup. The cream itself is very nice. It can be used as a primer, moisturizer, and face wash. I haven't used it as a face wash, but I do use it as a combination moisturizer and primer, and it works pretty well. It is a bit heavy on my dry skin, so if you have combination or oily skin, don't overdo it. 

Number 4 - Clarifying Shampoo

I'm not overly excited about this shampoo. Shampoo is not something I necessarily change up too often and I've been burned by shampoo samples before (see Glossybox - July/August), so these types of samples make me a bit skittish. At first smell, I was surprised by its nice, soft perfume scent, but as the smell settled into my hands (ok, maybe not the best test spot!) it began to smell more like a sweet-smelling hair dye. I'll update this later once I've tried this out.

theBalm Cosmetics - Hot Mama

Hot Mama is quite nice! I've been really taken with all the samples from theBalm I've received. Hot Mama is a duo blush and highlighter in a "universally flattering shade." I'm not sure about the universal part, but it could potentially be used as simply a highlighter for darker skinned girls. On me, this blush is almost on the cusp of being too light, but not quite there. It reminds me a bit of NARS' "Orgasm" and MAC's "Stereo Rose." I'll definitely be doing some comparing later! The sun has set, guys :(

Aerie Shimmer Fragrance

OOF. This one is a bit strong for me! I loved the packaging, though! The perfume sample came wrapped like a piece of candy. Cute!

**Extra**Deborah Lippman - the Stripper to go

Apparently these are nail polish remover mitts. I'm not sure yet what that means or how easy this'll be to use. I am switching nail colors soon, so this will be interesting to try out!

**Extra**"2013 - Best Year Ever" Booklet

This month's box came with an expandable booklet 25 tips to the "best year ever." It comes with some pretty cool tips and drawings. I'm already looking for a place on my wall to hang it up. I really appreciated receiving this booklet!

This month's box had some pretty nice things and some iffy things. I really loved the theme for this month. All in all, I think it a was a good start for Birchbox 2013!

You can subscribe through my referral link {here} or just go to Birchbox.com

What did you think about this month's Birchbox? What was in your box?

-Claudia

Birchbox - Dec 2012

{Here's what was in this month's box}:
Juliette Has a Gun - Mad Madame (scent)
Miss Jessie's Original - Pillow Soft
Model Co - SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss in Berry Pink
NUXE - Reve de Miel Facial cleansing and makeup removing gel
**Extra: Chuao Chocolatier

Juliette Has a Gun - Mad Madame (scent)

The packaging for this perfume was pretty unique, as far as my experience with perfumes goes. The sample came in a small, softly textured envelope that reminded me of a fancy invitation. It was a bit strong for me; Mad Madame was very musky. Almost like a woman's aftershave, if that makes sense. Not the scent for me - it actually made me a bit dizzy!

Miss Jessie's Original - Pillow Soft

Although I love Miss Jessie's products, I was disappointed to receive this sample in the box. For those of you who don't know, you can currently get such samples from Miss Jessie's website for FREE with FREE shipping, hence the "Free" written on the sample itself. So what's wrong with a few extra samples from Miss Jessie's? Well, if I'm paying for a monthly subscription, I want the samples I get to be of something I can't just as easily obtain myself. 

Model Co - SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss in Berry Pink

This lip gloss was actually one of (the only?) plus this month. While I don't wear a ton of lip gloss, this one was surprisingly nice. In the tube, it looks a lot brighter than it actually displays in person. On me, it is very sheer and natural looking. It's something I'd use to layer over a lipstick to give it a subtle shiny effect. Also, it tastes like MARSHMALLOWS!! That was pretty sweet. 

NUXE - Reve de Miel Facial cleansing and makeup removing gel

I have yet to try this cleanser. I've been waiting for a particularly makeup heavy night to try it. It does smell very nice. At first, I was a bit dismissive of the scent. It smelled a bit like generic body wash. But on the second smell test (boy, does that perfume scent linger), the cleanser has a very nice honey scent to it. I can't wait to see how this reacts on my skin.  

**Extra: Chuao Chocolatier

These were pretty delicious! Not sure that I would purchase in store, however. 

This month's Birchbox was quite a bit disappointing. It felt very sparse and I wasn't very excited about what I received (although I did devour that chocolate--I seem to be hungry every time I get these boxes, sorry).

You can subscribe to Birchbox through my referral link {here} or go to Birchbox.com

What did you think of December's Birchbox? Were you disappointed, too? What makes you stick with a subscription service?

-Claudia

Birchbox - Oct 2012

{What was in this month's box}:
Ouidad Hydrafusion Intense Curl Cream
Sprout Lip Balm Flights
Supergoop! City Sunscreen Serum
(MALIN+GOETZ) Grapefruit Face Cleanser
(MALIN+GOETZ) Bergamot Body Wash
LUNA Bar

Click below to read my review!

Birchbox - Sept 2012

{What was in this month's box}:

Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25+
The Brush Guard variety pack
Fekkai Essential Shea shampoo and conditioner
Birchbox and Color Club custom collection nail polish in "Put a Pin in it"
twistband Lace up for Fall
BVLGARI Mon Jasmin Noir

Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25+

If only this weren't tinted, it would be a nice moisturizer. Unfortunately, it's a pretty noticeable too-light color for my face. 

The Brush Guard variety pack

The Brush Guard! I think for some subscribers this item was a bit of a question mark. I've actually purchased a few of these in the past and love them. I don't use them every time I wash my brushes, but there is a difference in the way the brush dries. I feel it stays truer to form when the brush guard is used, but don't always use it because it takes longer for the brushes to dry. I do appreciate receiving this mini pack!

Fekkai Essential Shea shampoo and conditioner

I'm not a big fan of the packet shampoo/conditioner type samples, because I feel a lot of the product gets wasted as it's not easily transported or stored. I have yet to try this duo, but I have positive expectations because I've heard good things about the brand. 

Birchbox and Color Club custom collection nail polish in "Put a Pin in it"

This color is absolutely gorgeous! I was so disappointed when I got it. I did not expect to like it at all--it seemed like just a boring shimmery brown. The polish actually contains these beautiful pink undertones to it that make it one of the most unique brown polishes I've ever owned. I am head over heels for this color!

twistband Lace up for Fall

These don't work for me as my hair is too thick. This twistband has a pretty blue design, but it's not an item I would ever purchase for my hair.

BVLGARI Mon Jasmin Noir

This was a tough scent to describe. It's not quite sweet, not quite floral, not quite overpowering, but somewhat punchy. There was a little bit too much going on for me. Wearing this perfume would make me dizzy, so that's a no go for me. However, this might be something you'd like if you are into stronger scents. 

I was a bit underwhelmed with this box when I received it, but there are actually a few gems in here for me. You won't always get a box you love 100%, but if you get a few samples you love- it could be worth checking out.

You can subscribe to Birchbox through my referral linke {here} or go to Birchbox.com

What did you think of this month's Birchbox? What was in your box?

-Claudia

Birchbox - August 2012

{What was in this month's box}:
Miss Jessie's Original Curly Meringue
Miss Jessie's Original Creme de la Creme Conditioner
TALIKA Lipolis Expert
Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy La Fleur
Sabon Foot Cream
Schick Hydro Silk Razor

Miss Jessie's Original Curly Meringue

This stuff smells amazing. It smells like sour apple raspados (Mexican snow cones) and coconut. That may not sound appealing to some of you (or it may just sound odd), but it's a nostalgic smell for me. It reminds me of my childhood and going to the park with my family. Possibly not what Birchbox had in mind, but hey..that's a plus for me! I'm always happy to receive hair creams, because my hair is very thick, dry, and wavy on the verge of curly. Without creams, this basically means FRIZZ!! This cream leaves my hair very soft. 

Miss Jessie's Original Creme de la Creme Conditioner

I'll be honest, I haven't opened this yet. I don't like opening these packet type samples and not having a container to put them in. A lot of it ends up going to waste. I'm very optimistic about this conditioner from how well the Meringue worked. I've also read other reviews on how well this has worked for them, so I'm pretty excited to try it out!

TALIKA Lipolis Expert

I have pretty long lashes already, so this is not a product I would actively search for. I have yet to try it, because I'm just not sure about this lash enhancement products. Especially before seeing any reviews on how they work. According to Birchbox's website, TALIKA's product is made with "botanical ingredients" as opposed to chemicals used in other such products. Still, I'm not going to jump on trying this just yet, especially when I'm pretty happy with the lashes I have now. 

Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy La Fleur

I like this scent. It's very sweet and citrusy. La Fleur is fresh and light. Not too overpowering. Definitely something I can see myself wearing in school.

Sabon Foot Cream

How did Birchbox know I was searching for a foot cream?! I swear, lately their boxes have been spot on! My feet have been a bit worse for wear after all the sandals and walking on gravel after a day of heels. Yeah, I know...not great! I've been using this at night before bed and the smell is very relaxing. 

Schick Hydro Silk Razor

I've used Schick razors before and love them, so I was happy to see this as an added extra. I can always use extras for those summer months, am I right?

Overall, this was a great box! I've been really happy with Birchbox as of late. This month, Birchbox teamed up with an organization called Pencils of Promise which helps bring schools and educational programs to children around the world. Throughout the month of August, Birchbox promised to donate 15% of all sales to Pencils of Promise. There are still a few days left to make a difference!

You can subscribe to Birchbox through my referral link {here} or Birchbox.com

What did you think of this month's box? What was in your box?

-Claudia

Birchbox - July 2012; Collab with Glamour

{In this month's box}:
Gloss Moderene High Gloss Masque
Ada Cosmetics Bronzer in Golden
stila It's Go Time Lip Glaze, in Camera
Harvey Prince Hello
Birchbox headphones
LARABAR uber, Bananas Foster

GLOSS Moderne High Gloss Masque

I have yet to use this, because I had a bit of a hair dye fiasco and I'm trying not to take any more chances before my sister's wedding next month. The masque smells lovely, very coconutty and I can't wait to use it.

Ada Cosmetics Bronzer in Golden

As someone who's never used pigment products, I was a bit perplexed as to how to use this. I ended up asking my sister, who uses Bare Escentuals and the like. For those of you who are as clueless about this as I was, you simply:

• take the bronzer (or pigment)
• flip it over (lid facedown)
• tap it
• then use the product that's on the lid

The bronzer was, surprisingly, not too shimmery. I found it a bit light to be used as a contour product (which is what I was hoping for), but it's a beautiful copper-bronze enhancing shade for my dark beige skin tone. It can also be used as eyeshadow or mixed into foundation for a subtle all-over glow.

stila It's Go Time Lip Glaze, in Camera

I've never tried any of stila's products, but I do constantly play with them at Sephora, so I was pretty excited to receive this in this month's box. I'm not a big fan of sticky glosses and this one is definitely that. This was another item that surprised me. I saw the glitter in the tube and was instantly turned off, but once applied, it looks much more natural. Very similar to my lip tone, but with a subdued amount of glitter. 

Harvey Prince Hello

As always, here's your non-perfuming lover review on perfume. The scent was a bit too strong for me. It was very sweet smelling and had it been more toned down, would have definitely been something I would wear. I'm sure a lot of you girls will love this scent, if you prefer a sweet but more strong smelling scent.

Birchbox headphones

I was super excited to receive this in my box, as my personal headphones had recently konked out. They are a super cute pattern. As far as sound quality goes, I didn't expect them to be knockout quality and they weren't. They aren't BAD quality, but just don't have a lot of sound depth. Definitely headphones that will last for daily use.

LARABAR uber, Bananas Foster

There's a reason why it's not pictured and that's because...I ate it! I've read reviews on the inclusion of snack items in the past, so I was a bit wary about this and expecting to hate it. Boy was I wrong! I absolutely loved this snack bar and welcome the possibility of receiving it in the future, haha. 

I really enjoyed this month's box, not only because of the fun concept (see it, hear it, feel it, smell it, taste it), but because I genuinely loved the box.

You can subscribe to Birchbox through my referral link {here} or Birchbox.com

What did you think of this month's Birchbox? What was in your box?

-Claudia

Birchbox - June 2012

{What was in this month's box}:
Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream
Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner
theBalm cosmetics Stainiac
BAND-AID Brand Adhesive Bandages by Cynthia Rowley
Melvita Floral Water
John Varvatos Star USA

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream

Upon first opening my box, my husband laughed at the size of this tiny sample. My justification for the size of this item is that the theme for this month is jetsetting. Even so, I wish this had been a bigger size. At least when it comes to skincare, I don't feel that a sample of this size can show me how my skin will react to it.

I find the smell pleasant. It's almost reminiscent of vaporub, but in a good way! It's not overpowering in a way a lot of skincare can be, so I feel this is something I can use on a daily basis and not just for when my skin needs serious moisturizing. After using this moisturizer, my skin does feel softer. This may be a product to look into later.

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner

I've been using exclusively pencil/gel liners lately, so it was refreshing to receive Eyeko's liquid liner. It is incredibly pigmented! I had never used a pencil liner before and I find it easier to use than the regular liquid liner wands. Wands? I'm not sure if there's a technical term for those. Point is, I like this liner!

theBalm cosmetics Stainiac

I was SUPER excited and crossing my fingers to get this in my box. Finally, my good luck kicks in! This was the first stain I'd ever tried and I absolutely loved it. It's a great color that I think will flatter across all skin tones, as well as long lasting and versatile. 

BAND-AID Brand Adhesive Bandages by Cynthia Rowley

These are beautiful, but I can't bring myself to use any of them!

Melvita Floral Water

This smells like...floral water! I'm not a big fan of strong scents, but I've read a lot about floral water being used for a variety of things (from freshening up to toner). 

John Varvatos Star USA

I believe this was a Birchbox extra. This is actually a men's cologne, which I passed on to my husband and...he lost. Haha, but he did enjoy the scent!

This was a really great box this month! There were a few great finds that I'll be looking into for possible  replacements later on. This box also reminded me of what these services are all about: trying new things. 

You can purchase a Birchbox subscription through my referral link {here} or Birchbox.com

What did you think about this month's Birchbox? What was in your box?

-Claudia

Birchbox - May 2012

I received the May Birchbox earlier this month, but I'm just now getting around to writing the review!

{Here's what was in this month's box}:

Caudalie hand and nail cream
FusionBeauty LipFusion balm conditioning stick
Ojon damage reverse Restorative Conditioner
Perfume sample, Arquiste Flor y Canto

Caudalie hand and nail cream

I've never been a 'nail person,' but it's something I've been exploring more lately. It may be a combination of this nail cream and Essie's protein base coat, but my nails have never felt more durable. I'm glad I received this item in the box. This is definitely a product I would never have purchased on my own.

FusionBeauty LipFusion balm conditioning stick 

I was initially intrigued by the inclusion of this lip balm, but it was a let down. I don't feel it does anything, honestly, and the taste is another put off. This is not a product I would ever use again or purchase.

Ojon damage reverse Restorative Conditioner

My hair has been noticeably softer lately, but I believe it's due to the hair products I received in previous Birchboxes. I don't know that this product is doing much to my hair at this point, but this is a review that could change when I've used it more.

Perfume sample, Arquiste Flor y Canto

I'm not a big fan of perfume samples, simply because (have I mentioned this before?) I don't like strong scents. It's just not my thing. This particular scent smells a bit like musky shower gel. It's not quite soft enough for my liking, so I don't think I'll get much use out of it.

I think my expectations were set a bit high for this month, because it was the Gossip Girl crossover box. I expected to see better items and meaning behind the selection of items. I don't see the tie-ins to the show and was so disappointed I briefly considered cancelling. What saved this sample service was the past hair products I've received, which I LOVE. So it gets another few months. Here we go...

You can purchase a Birchbox subscription through my referral link {here} or on Birchbox.com

What did you think of this month's box? What was in your box?

-Claudia

Birchbox - April 2012

It's been a while since I've posted! I've been working hard to finish up this school semester with all A's. I just have one more week to go, which is why I haven't been here in a few weeks.

Here's my review for April's Birchbox.

{What was in the box}:

Atelier Cologne - Orange Sanguine Cologne Absolue
Befine Skincare Sampler
Olle Biologique - 004 Huile Moderne
Revolution Organics Freedom Glow beauty balm
Le Palais des Thes - Tea bags

Orange Sanguine Cologne Absolue

I'm not a big fan of perfume. That's just something I'm very picky about, but I don't mind when that's included simply for that. If you're looking for a review on perfume, I'm probably not the one to ask. I'm just not a perfume person, haha. This particular one was a bit strong for me. It smells very citrusy (hey! orange!!) and a bit like Abercrombie and Fitch stores. Not a bad, but it's not really what I tend to go for.

Befine Skincare Sampler

I was pretty excited to try this out...until I tried it, had it leak out of the package almost entirely, and then realized the entire package was expired. From 2010!

Olle Biologique, Multitasker Oil

This oil can be used all over (hair, face, AND body). So far, I've only used it on my hair, as that seems the best place to gauge how well these products work...at least, in my opinion. I've been using this and last month's Kerastase Elixier Ultime every other day after showering, and it seems like the Olle Biologique product works best for my hair. Unfortunately, I have a LOT of hair, so I don't know that I see myself purchasing the full size product ($56) simply because it takes so much of the product to get it through my hair.

Revolution Organics Freedom Glow beauty balm

This was the product I was most excited about to receive in my box and it was such a let down! As you can see from the swatch, it is incredibly flakey which makes it a hassle to work with. It looks fine when blended into the skin, but I don't see myself sweeping this across my lips or cheeks while I'm on the run, which is what I was hoping for.

Le Palais des Thes, tea bags

This was an extra, which I still have yet to use but I appreciated because I love tea! Even if I dislike these, I love trying new teas!

I was initially excited to try out a few of the products, but overall, I was pretty disappointed with this month's box. The box actually had a few nice items (the beauty balm and multitasker oil), but the expired sampler was very disappointing. I'm torn between cutting the service and just keeping it. I don't think next month's box will be a dealbreaker, unless it's terrible. Until then! :)

What did you think about this month's box? What was in your box?

You can subscribe to Birchbox from my referral link {here} or on Birchbox.com

-Claudia

March - Updates and First Birchbox!

March is off to a nice start! Had the week off work, because the kids were in testing. Started my spring break off school. Ordered a giant concha pillow (link) for ridiculous, unjustifiable, but awesome reasons. Myglam should be arriving any day now. AND I got my first Birchbox today.
















I've been trolling around beauty blog sites to figure out the items for this month's box for the past week, because I'm not big on surprises. Getting these mystery boxes in the mail is a bit of a new things for me, haha.

As a new member, I was guaranteed the special "Teen Vogue Birchbox." When I found out there were only four possible TV boxes, I was ecstatic. All four boxes contain, in my opinion, a great combination of items.

So which box did I get??

In this month's box:

Essie Luxeffects polish in As Gold as it Gets
Kate Spade perfume sample in Twirl
Kerastase Elixir Ultime
Tarte lip tint in Lucky
Twistband hair tie - lime green

and a ModCloth "exclusive offer"/coupon for $10 off $75

Essie Luxeffects polish in As Gold as it Gets

• I wasn't expecting to receive a full size nail polish in my box, so I was pretty excited about that! I've never been much of a nail polish gal, so it's nice to not only try out a new polish, but one that has a different texture to it. The nail polish picture didn't show up as well as I'd hoped, because of this insanely orange color I had on, so there's that! I do wish the color were easier to take off. It took a pretty long time to get all that gold sparkle out, but that's to be expected from this type of polish.

Kate Spade perfume sample in Twirl

• I wasn't too fond of this perfume. It reminds me of a mixture between baby powder and hairspray. Not something I'd wear on a regular day or for a night out. 

Kerastase Elixir Ultime

• After only a few uses, I can already tell this is making a difference. I use this product after showering, which leaves my hair in a much nicer state than letting it air dry. I wish this came in a bigger sample bottle, haha. I will definitely be purchasing this!

Tarte lip tint in Lucky

• I've been wanting to try this out for the longest time. Unfortunately, I ended up with a shade that's too light for my skin tone. This product doesn't feel heavy on my lips and I love the slightly minty taste. The texture and feel has made me want to try out a different color from this brand, which I think is what these boxes are all about, so I think this is still a great inclusion.

Twistband hair tie - lime green

• I'll be honest, I wasn't too excited to receive this. I don't get the appeal over regular hair bands. 

+ModCloth "exclusive offer"/coupon for $10 off $75

• I'm not sure this will get much use, but I appreciate the coupon. I'll probably end up handing it off to a friend who has a style more along ModCloth's lines.

Also getting used to this new photo editing app, Diptic. What did you guys think? I'm trying out alternatives to my camera, so bear with me. I'm hoping to have a new detailed FOTD soon, but I might just be forced to fix the camera situation for that. We'll see.