Birchbox!

As you've noticed I have not been posting my boxes. A mix of horrible timing and me being lazy, my box posts have suffered. Do not fret, while I don't have my pictures. I will give a whole rundown of July and August.

July 2012 - (sample - brand - full size price)

• Hello (perfume) - Harvey Prince - $55 (50ml)
• Sunscreen Serum (2 packets) - Supergoop - $42 (1.6fl oz)
• Bamboo UV+ Color Protector - Alterna - $24 (2.5 floz)
• Liquid Eyeliner - Eyeko - $15 (0.07fl oz)
• Earbuds - Birchbox Exclusive - $10 **Extra Treat**

There are a few things that I really enjoyed in here. The ear buds are fun neon colors and work great. Hello, is a great perfume. The sample came with a pump top, and the scent on top is a nice blend of citrus and floral, very light, and under I pick up the vanilla and musk notes. It is something that I could wear on a semi regular basis and not get tired of it, I would not even keep it strictly as a seasonal scent either.

I received the Eyeko eyeliner in Black, the color was a little on the thin side, but there was good staying power. My roommate received the Olive color, we both were excited to get a full size product but she does not like green that much and I have a few black eyeliners, so we swapped. The olive is much thinner, needing a couple layers, and even using a finishing spray to lock in the colors on my eyes the green still wore off on my upper lid and did not last that long. Not thoroughly impressed by the product but I would give the brand another not if I had the chance.
July was overall a good month and now that I have insanely red hair the hair protector will come in handy, seeing how summer will last another few months here in Florida. 

   

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August 2012 - (sample - brand - full size price)

• Viva La Juicy La Fleur - Juicy Couture - $70 (2.5 fl oz)
• Moisturizing Summer Glow - Comodynes - $20.98 (1.35fl oz)
• Self-Tanning Towelettes - Comodynes - $13.99 (8 towelettes)
• Makeup Remover Swab - Beauty Fixation - $5 (24 applicators)
• Razor - Schick - $9.99 **Birchbox Find**

August was a little funky for me. This was not the box I was expecting to get (insert sorta bummed face here). I took a sneak peak at my box because it didn't get shipped out until the 11th or so, and the products I saw and got super excited for were not ones that I received. I did contact customer service, and all I got was thanks for the heads up. Usually they are more accommodating or friendly for that matter, but I just did a baseline review for the products I was supposed to receive just to get my BB points.
A main reason that I was really bummed was that in my original box i was meant to get a TILI Lip Blush, and really I got self tanner. If you all knew how pale I was you would know I cannot really use either product without it looking wonky on me. Yes, I know I live in florida, but I hate the beach and I work indoors. I have a slight florida sun kiss but it does not last long lol.
The makeup remover swab/q-tip things, are great! they're one time use and perfect if you wake up after a long night and you may have passed out without cleaning your face before you had the chance too. I am really paranoid about getting soap in my eyes, and these get in the little corners to clean up the stubborn eyeliner that doesnt want to budge.

The Birchbox Find, their new must have selection that EVERY box gets one of, was the new Schick Hydro Silk razor. It is nice, it is a razor, it shaved my legs, lol. If you didn't use yours, keep it for a back up or if you are going on a trip. I did not think that it was anything special, but it did the job it was meant to do.
Overall, August was a little meh. Not the best, and not the worst I have ever received. If anyone is looking for some high-end self tanner I can send you these lol.

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There is good and bad news to wrap up this post.

The good news is that I have been selected to participate in the Naturals Vox Box coming out in a month or so. I have had a chance to participate in this before and it was great! the products were fun to test out and I am really looking forward to sharing with you guys all the fun natural goodies I get.

Bad news is at the moment I have bowed out from receiving my next few boxes. I'm taking some time off from a lot of my subscriptions, to save up some money for a possible move. There is a great opportunity for me to become 28 year old freshman, lol. Okay, it isn't as bad as it sounds. I really want to get my MLS, and there is a college up north that offers a 4 year program to work through your BA and get your MLS at the end of it. It works with the schedule I have set, I am already working in the field I am just looking to get the degrees to back me up! ^_~

Birchbox June 2012

Well hello there ladies, and the occasional fella, it IS that time of month again. The best pink box a girl can buy, Birchbox!

I have to give myself a little pat on the back this month, I didn't peak at any videos or blogs about what they got until I had a chance to rip mine open. It only took me eleven months to gain this self restraint, lol.

Ladies, what is just as good as getting mine? Watching all of my friends who I have convinced to join get theirs and post all of the goodness. My roommate finally caved, so if I can sneak a peek I will let you know what was inside.

The June 2012 theme is Jet Set, products for the beauty maven on the go. The first thing I noticed about this box was the inside of the outside, if that makes sense. Here let me show you...

Fun, right? Now the items I received, other than being mini/sample/travel sized, are not overly jet setting but they are still great. A little bit of everything, including a fashionable zip-top bag that could be used at airport security...but it isn't clear, so it will stay at home holding some loose odds and ends. On that note, let me show you what else is inside.

A short rundown of the value of my box (product / size / value)

• Ultra Rich Lip Tint  -  0.40 fl oz.  -  $ 19
• Wonderlust Tonic  -  1 fl oz.  -  $ 4.30
• LaFresh Nail Polish Remover  -  2 pads  -  $ 1.12
• Stainiac  -  1.2 mL / 0.04 fl oz.  -  $ 2.54
• tili  -  1 bag  -  $ 0.94

Total Value  -  $ 27.90

Weeee!! Check out my awesome new lip products. Those are the two things that I am the most happy about. The full-size Clark's Botanicals lip tint is the shinning star. Quite literally too, it is very sparkly and the color is not too bright. For me it falls into the lip gloss, but it is still pretty amazing either way.

I have swatches ready of the lip stuffs, and I cannot wait to let you know how the polish remover and Wonderlust work. Have a beautiful evening ^_~

Birchbox May 2012

It's that time of month again, Birchbox time of course!


This month was inspired by the chic styles of Gossip Girl. I am not the biggest fan of the show, I admit I only watched one season and during that season I got super into it, but it didn't catch my attention to the point that I was sitting on the edge of my seat to see what Chuck was going to do next season. Although, Chuck is sneaky and super stylish. Okay, okay, the show is good but I cannot handle another show to keep track of right now, maybe I will watch the last two seasons on DVD.

Anyway...The box is Gossip Girl inspired, and I received the 'Chic Sunday Brunch' box, well one of the varieties. This is what was inside:

  

Samples (brand, item, value):

• Arquiste - L'etrog  -  $ 3.39
• beautyblender - blendercleanser  -  $ 2.92
• Color Club - Disco Nap  -  $ 4.00
• Dr. Jart + - Waterfuse BB Cream  -  $ 1.13
• twistband - Skinny Headband  -  $ 3.33
• Extra - Notecard  -  $ 0.83

Total Value  -  $ 15.60

The best part of the box, Dr. Jart+ BB cream. Worst part of the box, the beautyblender - beautycleanser. The main reason I name that as my least favorite in the box, I don't have a beautyblender, and I totally want one!

The nail polish is great, but I'm not the biggest fan of gold. The only exception in Zoya - Jules, it is the softest, nicest gold, and I really dislike that color, I'm a silver/white gold/platinum kind of girl. The white tones look better on my skin than yellow, it's just a personal preference.


Surprisingly I LOVE the headband, but have lost it just as soon as I got it out of the box. doh! I know I hear crap from vlogs/bloggers about their hate and discontent towards Birchbox for even putting the same hair ties in the boxes. I, for one, love them. I still have and regularly use the one I received in my August 2011 box. I have large wrists so these are great and don't cut off circulation to my hands. I got a small silver one a couple months back and that one goes in and out with my other one. They are not as bad as people make them out to be.

Overall I liked my box, it was not the best nor the worst. It is just a jumble of things kind of thrown together. I'm happy to try some new things, and other things I'll throw into my swap night pile for next time. I'll be back soon to post the swatch for the polish and BB cream. ^_~

Bevin

In my April Birchbox I received a sample of Zoya nail polish. One of the many things I love about getting Birchbox are these polish samples. I've gotten 6 or 7 over the last nine months or so, and it is just a little bump in my nail polish addiction. I'll post a pic once I get things unpacked and put up on shelves.

This color is Bevin, and it is from the 2012 Spring Collection - True. The sample is half the normal bottle, 0.25fl oz. and values for $4.00 us.

Onto the swatch!

Natural Light - daytime

Flash - nighttime

Full Size - Mitzi  /  Sample Size - Bevin

I like this color, it is a very soft teal color, almost like a grey teal, and will look good with most of my clothes. I cant wait to see what fun designs I can use this in ^_^ A direct link to the color - Bevin!

I love me some Zoya nail polish, it always seems to last a little longer and is additive free, so it is a little more friendly than some others.

Hope you like this and cannot wait to post more colors!

April Birchbox

It's that time of month again! Birchbox Time!! ^_^

I was a little greedy last month and wanted to get both my regular and the Teen Vogue boxes. I was pleasantly surprised with both boxes and totally worth it. So this month is the last one that I'm getting two boxes, I am a little sad but maybe in the future I will get it again, or maybe another sample box if I can find one that stands up to Birchbox.

Double the fun!

 

Original Box - BB 1.0

In here we have: (brand - product - value of sample)

• Befine - Sampler of Cleanser and Moisturizer  -  $4.79/$15.00
• WEI - White Lotus Hydrating Face Treatment Pad  - $11.33
• Taylor Swift - Wonderstruck  -  $1.16
• Zoya - Bevin True Collection  -  $4
• MicrodermaMitt - Face Mitt  -  $28.50

Total Value: $64.78

2nd Box - BB 2.0

In this box we have: (brand - product - value of sample)

• Atelier Cologne - Orange Sanguine Cologne Absolue  -  $2.75
• Erno Laszlo - Active pHelityl Soap  -  $6.66 or $3.33 (I couldn't find the size of the sample so these are the value if the sample was 1oz or 0.5oz - it is a very small sample)
• Juice Beauty - Oil-Free Moisturizer  -  $2.38
• Pür Minerals - 4-in-1 Mineral Tinted Moisturizer  -  $6.00
• MicrodermaMitt - Body Mitt  -  $28.50

Total Value: $46.29/42.96

Everything together

Very excited to give things a try! I'm happy to get another Atelier Cologne, I received the Vanille Insensée which is AMAZING. I would love to give all of their scents a sniff! I tried to figure out the values of everything right, but I may be off a little on some but all in all, paying $20 for $100 worth of product is so worth it.

I will swatch things and give a more detailed review of products, I have Bevin on right now and I'll post on it tomorrow, as well as the scents as I wear them through the day.

I'm looking forward to seeing my friend's Birchboxes. I'm getting more and more of my friends into it and I love to see the differences in the products. ^_^

Off to bed tonight, see you all tomorrow!