Beauty | October 2015 Birchbox Review

This month I actually chose one of the curated boxes, mainly because there were a few products I wanted to try and a product I already knew that I loved. It seemed like a win-win. The box is all about breast cancer awareness, which is a cause near and dear to my heart. All of the brands in this box help support breast cancer research, which is a great thing.

 

 

1.  Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

Full size $36

This is one of the products I wanted to try, so that is why I chose this particular box. To say I'm disappointed in the sample size would be an understatement. It is tiny. .25 fl oz tiny. I have a rather big face I mean, don't we all? I hope I can at least see if it's worth the $ to buy a regular sized one. This is a primer that is oil free and is supposed to create a nice, smooth, flawless finish for your foundation/tinted moisturizer/whatever. 

2. Clinque Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief

Full size $39

This is super lightweight cream-gel that is meant to soothe and plump skin, along with hydrating it. It's very creamy and sinks right into the skin, not leaving any sort of oily, greasy residue on your skin. It's also very cooling, it feels really nice when you apply it. The price is a bit much for me, personally, but I think this sample is perfect and should last awhile. 

3. Clinque Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm in Mega Melon

Full size $17

I already have the Clinque Chubby Stick Baby Tint Moisturizing Lip Color Balm in Coming Up Rosy and to say I love it would be an understatement. Also what is with the long names Clinque?! This tinted lip balm is full of shea butter and other hydrating products. I already know that I love the formula, just from using the other one I own. I'm particularly excited about the color because it's a nice, natural, nude-pink shade that will look great for everyday use.

4. Darphin STIMULSKIN PLUS Multi-Corrective Divine Cream

Full size $295

This is a luxury product, as evidenced by the price. I will never spend that much on a beauty product, but I'm happy to try a sample for next to nothing. This is a rejuvenating corrective cream that claims to visibly soften lines, nourish and brighten your skin. It's definitely a dream to apply, it's super creamy and soft - it feels really nice. But the scent is reminiscent of a flowery grandmother perfume - which is not my cup of tea. I will definitely use up this sample, and then move on to my more affordable products.

5. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum Synchronized Complex II

Full size $65

This a highly potent overnight eye serum that is supposed to dramatically reduce all signs of aging. That is some mighty big claims. I won't see results with the tiny little sample size I got, but I like the packing with the pump dispenser. The product itself is incredibly light, which is great for under the eyes - but I like to apply something heavier at night and really let it soak in. Also, the price point is way out of my range again.

I would consider this box a success because I got to try some products I have been wanting to try, I got a product I already knew I loved in a new color and I got to try some high end products that I would never be able to afford otherwise. This is just a small reason as to why I'm incredibly pleased with my Birchbox subscription! 

Beauty | Nars Lip Pencil

I am slowly getting more adventurous with my lip colors. Now that I work in an office setting and not in the classroom, I find myself playing around with my makeup look a lot more. It's much more enjoyable when you know it's not going to sweat off from chasing preschoolers around all day. I received these Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencilfrom Sephora for my birthday. I have been obsessed ever since.

I think that lip pencils are my favorite lip product. Applying them is so easy, just like coloring, and the formula tends to be super creamy and not tug on your lips. This product is no exception. As the name suggests, they are velvety smooth and apply beautifully. The matte finish is not drying at all and I have found that even as the day goes on, if you feel your lips starting to dry out you can apply some balm over it without losing the color. 

The first color (on the left) is Cruella, as you can see it's a beautiful scarlet red. The actual color is a bit darker than photographed. I am recently kind of obsessed with trying out red lipsticks (much to my husbands dismay I am sure) and I LOVE this product.

The second color (on the right) is Rikugien. This is actually from the Satin Lip Pencil line and the main difference between the two is the colors are a bit brighter in the Satin Lip line. As you can see, Rikugien is a rosy pink color and the color is pretty true to the packaging. 

I am in love with these lip pencils, both lines, and when I use up these two I definitely plan on purchasing some different colors.  They last all day and the color payoff is spectactular.

I received these as a birthday gift from Sephora, but all opinions are my own. 

Beauty | June Birchbox Review

I was gone for most of June, so coming home to my Birchbox made my homecoming just that much more special. The theme for this month was Adventure and the products that were chosen for this month are all about being adventurous. 

coTZ Sensitive SPF 40 full size $20

This is sensitive mineral sunscreen that is designed to protect and soothe even the most sensitive of skins. It goes on sheer, has a bit of medicinal scent and is not noticeable underneath makeup at all. I'm a fan, it's a possible purchase.

W3LL PEOPLE The Expressionist Mascara full size $23.50
This is an all-natural mascara that lengthens and lifts lashes without the use of chemicals or dyes. The packaging on this sample is super sleek, and the wand doesn't appear to be anything too special. Probably will not purchase, but am happy to have the sample!

Emi Jay Solid Hair Tie 5-Pack full size $11
I have approximately 100 million of these style hair ties around my house, car, bags, etc. I'm always happy to have more!

Klorane Shampoo with Mango Butter full size $19.50
This shampoo is made with creamy, rich mango butter to help nourish, smoothe and hydrate your locks. It's supposed to be SUPER hydrating so I'm looking forward to giving in a whirl. It smells divine, and the consistency is pretty thick. I am looking forward to using this shampoo after a few rounds in the pool or lake.

Klorane Conditioning Balm with Mango Butter full size $16
This conditioner detangles, moisturizes, adds shine and improves softness. It goes great with the shampoo mentioned above. My main complaint is that the sample came in a packet and I HATE those. I assume the scent is similar to the shampoo, and I'm looking forward to trying this out in conjunction with the shampoo.

La Mav Green Clay Detox Mask full size $29.95
This mask is infused with fruit extracts and is used to treat impurities, minimize pores and help brighten skin. It's a pretty small sample size, but I think I will be able to squeeze two uses out of it. It smells very fresh and the consistency is smooth and creamy so it should be easy to spread around on your face. 

Marcelle Waterproof Eyeliner full size $11
This is a blendable waterproof eyeliner that goes on smooth and stays on all day. I got this eyeliner in the color Mulberry which is a rich purple color. I really don't see myself using this eyeliner, ever. So unfortunately, this one is a bust for me.

There you go, the wonder of adventure with the June 2015 Birchbox. Now that I am thinking about it, the eyeliner would be adventurous for me. Maybe I should take a hint and give it a whirl one day...

Beauty | Lashiq Natural Eyelash Enhancer

Lashiq Natural Eyelash Enhancer is used to help get fuller and thicker eyelashes, I don't particularly loathe my eyelashes but I was excited to try this product out anyway. Pretty much, you apply this to your upper lash line every night before bed. I have been doing it for about a month now, I figured that would be a good amount of time to be able to speak as to whether it works or not. I was SUPER diligent about this. I did not miss a night - I know, I'm surprised as well.

The wand is super tiny, making it very easy to wipe on your upper lash line. So that's good. 

Now, I'm not going to lie even though I received this product free of charge. I see absolutely no difference in my lashes. Not a bit. They don't appear to look or feel any different than before I started using this product. That's a bit disappointing, I know. But this is the only eyelash enhancer I ever tried, and I am not soured on them all. I am completely willing to try other ones and report back on them so if you have any recommendations or questions about certain ones - let me know in the comments!

This review is sponsored by Tomoson.com and I received this product free of charge from Lashiq in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.

Beauty | Mini Lush Haul

While I was in Florida visiting my sister and her family, I popped into Lush to pick up a few things. I didn't need any of them, but you know how it goes.

1. So I told my husband I would pick him up something, so I went with Kalamazoo. It's a beard and facial wash that has pineapple juice, almond oil, jojoba oil and lots of other natural stuff (which is what Lush is known for!). I went with this product for a few different reasons - it's called Kalamazoo and we're from Michigan which has a Kalamazoo. Also, it's a beard (which my husband has) and facial (which both of us have) wash. So it's something we can both use. Plus, it smells good.

2. Next up was a fresh face mask Catastrophe Cosmetic. This mask is a blueberry face mask filled with calamine, rose absolute and chamomile blue oil. This product is designed to soothe redness and irritation and help cleanse the skin without stripping it of it's natural oils. It's so fresh that it needs to be kept refrigerated. Absolutely love it.

3. Now I have used this before and adored it. Let the Good Times Roll is a face and body cleanser made with maize flour, corn meal, cinnamon powder - it has a sweet scent (which is divine) and helps exfoliate your skin. It is also hydrating and lasts a long time!  

4. This is a new product for me to try out and it's called a Dream Steam. It's a little tab that you drop into a bowl filled with hot water, drape a towel over your head and the bowl and let the steam do it's magic. It's filled with calming ingredients such as tea tree oil, lavender oil, chamomile oil and rose absolute. After the tab has dissolved you can keep the water for two days and spritz it on your face when you need a little pick me up. I'm super excited to try this out. 

Lush is kinda known for their bath bombs - I don't take baths so I had never used one. While we were there we grabbed a few for my nieces to try out. They absolutely loved them! 

The first one we tried was the Ickle Baby Bot. This bomb is shaped like a robot, which is definitely part of the appeal. It has lavender, chamomile and sandalwood essential oils to help get those sleep inducing vibes get going. You drop into the bath and it dissolves quickly, releasing a super calming scent and turning the bath water a light blue color. It smelled fantastic, and definitely was a relaxing experience.

The second we tried was called Twilight. This bath bomb has a pretty pink color, and when dropped into the water changes like the sky from dusk to twilight. It has lavender and tonka to help fight insomnia and inspire restful sleep. It smelled so relaxing and was really pretty to watch dissolve.

The last one was called Pink Bath Bomb and it was fragranced with vanilla bean, which smelled delish. This bath bomb leaves a candy scent on your body, which of course my nieces loved.

I highly recommend everything from Lush, I have never had a bad experience or tried a product that I didn't end up loving. What are your favorite Lush products?

Beauty | Orange Blossom Water Toner

I was super excited when I got the email about reviewing FoxBrim's Orange Blossom Water Toner. I enjoyed FoxBrim's Vitamin C moisturizer that I received awhile back and I was looking forward to working with them again. Plus, I have used the same toner for about 5 years and I was looking for an opportunity to MOVE ON already.


The bottle this toner comes in is STURDY. I don't love that it doesn't have a pump top but I can get over that. The smell however may be more of a deal breaker. On the website it says that this toner has a "wonderful floral scent". I am not a fan. It does not smell wonderful anything to me, personally. But, when I first whiffed this product, I figured I could over it if the product was REALLY amazing.


This toner is 100% pure and natural flower water from the orange tree. I love that it doesn't have anything else added to it; its completely natural and that's why it smells the way it does. There is no perfumes or fragrances added to the product. Smell aside, the product does work. It completely removes any traces of dirt/grime/makeup left behind after cleansing. It also softens the skin and helps to balance oil production - which is definitely needed by me this time of year.


I love the way this product works, so I can move beyond the scent. Especially since it's so natural and that just makes it even better to be spreading all over my face. I give this product about 3.5 stars; marked down for smell and lack of pump top.


This review is sponsored by Tomoson.com and I received this product free of charge from FoxBrim in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.

Beauty | Regenepure Biotin Conditioner

I have a lot of hair and it falls out in crazy amounts. So when I was offered to try out Regenepure's Biotin Conditioner I was pretty sure I was going to turn it down because biotin stimulates hair growth and the last thing I need is more hair. But it does a lot more than that, this conditioner unclogs the hair follicles while replenishing them with nutrients and that is what encourages hair growth. So the hair is super healthy, full of nutrients and will hopefully fall out less which would equal less vacuuming and that would make me very happy.

This conditioner is free of parabens and sulfates; the main ingredients are biotin, tea tree oil, jojoba oil, keratin, silk protein, copper peptides and saw palmetto. It smells SO GOOD too, like mint and eucalyptus. It's a very fresh scent, which I really enjoy. The conditioner itself is super thick, you just kind of slather it on your hair and let it do it's thing. Rinse out and get on with your life. It feels very much like a mask, and I would even say it has a lot of benefits of a mask, just without the time. You don't have to let it sit for a certain amount of time which is great.

I really enjoyed the opportunity to use this conditioner and my hair definitely is reaping the benefits of it. It feels so much smoother and healthier and I definitely notice less breakage. I imagine that problem will cease to exist after consistent using of this product. I would definitely try other products in the Regenepure family.



This review is sponsored by Tomoson.com and I received this product free of charge from Regenepure in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.

Beauty | April 2015 Birchbox

This month's Birchbox theme was Fresh For Spring: the picks for this month will put a bounce in your step and help shake up your look for the new season. Those are some pretty big promises, my look does not shake up often. The box itself is stunning; Birchbox partnered up with Rifle Paper Co this month and the floral décor on the box is gorgeous. A nice way to lead us into springtime indeed.

As always, when I opened up the box it was beautifully packaged and there were no damaged products. I was pretty happy with the samples I received this month, I got some hair stuff, face stuff and makeup. That's pretty much all you need in life, right? Wrong, but it sounded nice. If you're interested in learning more about birchbox, feel free to click here and gain some knowledge. I am a huge advocate and fan for life. FOR LIFE YOU GUYS. It's that real. Let's get to the products.

 

 

1. Beaver Professional Hydro Nutritive Moisturizing Shampoo full size $15

I know some people hate getting shampoo and conditioners in their boxes, but I am a fan. I have a lot of hair and having the opportunity to try some higher end products without breaking the bank is great for me. So, this shampoo is supposed to help repair dry and damaged hair gently. It uses avocado oil and aloe vera extracts to repair and rebuild hair. The scent isn't overpowering, but pleasant and I'm looking forward to seeing if this shampoo will help out some of my dry strands.

 

2. Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion full size $25

This is a soothing, cooling lotion for your eye area, it has a blend of ultra calming and de-puffing ingredients such as witch hazel, cornflower and aloe vera. It is safe for contacts wearers. This product intrigues me because I'm not really sure why this is a necessary product? I guess maybe I could give it a whirl in the evenings and see if I notice any sort of difference. I think this will be fun to try, but won't be a necessity.

 

3. Beaver Professional Hydro Nutritive Repairing Conditioner full size $16

This is obviously the conditioner made to go with the shampoo that I also received. It's a nourishing and strengthening conditioner and I can't wait to try it out. My hair is super dry right now, so I'm anxious to see if this does anything for it.

 

4. MDSolarSciences MD Crème Mineral Beauty Balm SPF 50 full size $38

 This is a lightweight formula that is designed to be both sunscreen and primer. It also apparently does a whole lot of other things such as brightening your skin tone, diminishing the appearance of fine lines and it leaves skin with a flawless matte finish. It does all of this by using a bunch of fancy pants ingredients. I don't really care about all of the fancy stuff, but if it's a good sunscreen then I'm in - I am super sensitive to the sun. Can't wait to give this a whirl.

 

5. Jouer Tint in Poppy full size $22

 This is a two-in-one product for your lips and cheeks and it's super creamy and moisturizing. It goes on pretty sheer, and gives a nice dewy finish. I got it in the shade Poppy which is a coral-tinged pink color that I think will be quite flattering on my pale, freckly skin.

Another great birchbox, I can't wait to dive into my samples and find something awesome to do with this beautiful box.

Beauty | March 2015 Birchbox

March's Birchbox was all about creativity; being creative and expressing yourself. The box itself was really pretty and, you guessed it, creative! I really like the fun boxes they are doing this year.

 

So I opened up my box and as usual everything was beautifully packaged and in pristine condition. I have never received a broken sample or anything of the sort.

 

 

Alright, so onto the products. Once again, I did select one of the samples to receive. It's one I really have been wanting to try, so I couldn't turn down the opportunity. I got 5 products in this box, reviewed them all and got 50 points. Birchbox and their point system is why they are superior to all other subscription box services in my opinion. I am a fan for life.

 

 

1. BioRepublic Green Tea Detox Purifying Sheet Mask full size $14.50 (includes 3 masks)

This is an antioxidant rich mask that helps to clear up skin and minimize imperfections. You apply this to a clean face, let sit for 15-20 minutes, remove and pat in the leftover serum. I love a good face mask, for sure. I have never tried a sheet mask before and anticipate a selfie being taken while doing this one. I am excited to try this.

 

2. Paula's Choice Resist Moisture Renewal Oil Booster full size $35

This oil is made with nine plant oils, and is great for dry skin. It helps to fight redness and irritation. You just smooth 2-3 drops over a clean face, or you can even mix it in with your regular moisturizer or serum. Where was this product in January? I tried it on the back of my hand real quick, and it's silky smooth. It's definitely oily and leaves a shine and for that reason I will use this product at night. Looking forward to see how it does on some of my dry spots.

 

3. It's a 10 Miracle Leave-in Product full size $18

This 10 in one treatment helps with hair damage from brittleness to frizz. All you have do it is spray one to two spritzes into dry or wet hair. This is product that I chose. I use a detangler/leave in conditioner every night on my wet hair, and I have my current favorite but I am always game to check out other "miracle" products. The smell is kind of a little too flowery for me, but if it works I may forgive it. SUPER excited to try this one.

 

4. Elite Therapeutics  Rosemary Eucalyptus Body Crème full size $19

This is crème that nourishes and soothes, using 70% organic ingredients. This lotion smells more like eucalyptus to me than rosemary, which is a good thing in my book! When I tested the sample on the back of my hand, it smelled great, rubbed in quickly and didn't leave a super greasy residue on my hand. I have pretty sensitive skin, so I may just use this as a hand cream and see what happens.

 

5. Jelly Pong Pong GLOW GETTER Highlighter full size $12.75

This is a gel formula highlighter that gives off a subtle, pearlescent shimmer. You dab onto cheekbones and brow bones, then get on with your day. When I first saw this I thought it was a nail polish. This is a kind of glittery-shimmery so if that's not your scene, then avoid. Applying it with the nail polish-esqe wand and then using your fingers to buff in is the best way I have found to use it. It is a bit gloopy, so we will see how that works out as it gets older.

 

There you have it, March 2015 Birchbox-ness is now a thing of the past. This year is already cruising on by. Have you received any of these samples before? What did you think?



Beauty | Body Merry Products

The weather for the first part of 2015 was bitterly cold and all around just terrible for my skin. I generally have more oily skin, but I was completely dried out and flaky which was a new issue for me. I was given an opportunity to review Body Merry's Retinol Surge Moisturizer and their Dew Serum, and I was immediately intrigued by the Dew Serum. I have tried a few Vitamin C serum's and they can be a bit sticky, but Dew Serum?! That sounded amazing, light and like it might give a glowing dewy complexion. I immediately jumped on board.

First, up the Retinol Surge Moisturizer contains 2.5% Retinol  which is known to help aging skin preserve a youth-like quality, but Retinol can also be quite drying on the skin. Needless to say, I was hesitant because of that factor. But this moisturizer is THICK. In a good way. When I slathered (yes, slathered) it on my face and neck, it immediately felt soothed and hydrated. It also soaked in quickly, without any sort of greasy residue. I was incredibly surprised by that. The formula used to help hydrate, even with the retinol, is shea butter, green tea, organic jojoba oil, Vitamin E and Vitamin B5. I imagine the shea butter is the reason for the thick texture, but let me tell you that it feels great when applied. Plus, it is a huge size at 3.4 oz.

 

The magical mysterious dew serum. When I first opened it, I was so happy it was clear. A lot of the Vitamin C serum's have a orange/yellow tint to it and I feel like when I apply that to my super pale skin it tints it that color. So this was clear, and a lot less runny. The texture was almost gel-like. That got me irrationally excited. It was super cooling on the skin and dried pretty quickly. I gave it a few minutes to soak in before applying the Surge Moisturizer, just to make sure. This serum has vitamin c, jojoba oil and green tea all of which are great for your skin and help to promote anti-aging effects. I love this serum, I never once felt shiny or sticky or orange.

So there you have it, I am pretty happy with these recent finds and I will definitely continue to use them. Have you ever tried a dew serum? What were your thoughts?





This review is sponsored by Tomoson.com and I received this product free of charge from Body Merry in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.

Beauty | February 2015 Birchbox Review

The theme of February's Birchbox was Friendship. This box is geared towards celebrating the people who keep us up and calm us down. I'm not entirely sure how it does that, but the box itself was really fun. Kind of an orangey-red color with purple on it.

 

I was able to choose a product this month, and I went with the eye make up remover because, honestly, I am just about out. Plus it's a decent size sample. So let's see what Birchbox sent me this month!

1. Marcelle Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover for Sensitive Eyes

Full size $15

 

I never had sensitive eyes until I hit 30. Now, they are always aching and sore and feeling dry or strained. Such a mess. This product is half oil and half water so it easily takes away even the most stubborn makeup. It says that it is good for contact lens wearers (which I am one, so that is awesome). It also has green tea extract to calm the delicate skin around the eyes and cucumber extract to ease puffy eyes and minimize the appearance of dark circles. This all sounds grand to me, can't wait to give it a whirl.

 

2. Benefit posiebalm

Full size $18

 

 

I have seen this product around, I am a huge Benefit fan. This is a dual purpose balm that can be used on your face and/or your lips. It has a creamy formula that is hydrating and the color is quite sheer so it is very buildable to a poppy-pink color. They say this color looks good on everyone, so we shall see.

 

 

3. Miss Jessie's Original Super Sweetback Treatment

Full size $14

 

I love receiving hair treatments in my Birchbox. It's one of those things that I really like the opportunity to try it out first before I commit and make the purchase. This is a heavy-duty deep conditioning treatment for CURLY HAIR. I DO NOT have curly hair. Not even a little bit. This treatment is supposed to nourish your curls to make the soft and bouncy and easy to manage. Well, I will still use it and see if at least hydrates my hair. My hair is a frizzy dry mess right now since it's been so cold here. You just work this into your damp, clean hair and let it sit for at least 30 minutes and then rinse it out. This is first time I have ever received something in my box that is not relevant to me. I'm a little bummed, but I'm sure this treatment will work for straight haired folk as well.

 

4. Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner

Full size $11

 

I am pretty sure I got this in the shade, Bhura, which is just a brown shade. This eyeliner apparently is very blendable, it comes in bright colors and it has a non-irritating formula. It's a soft wax formula that is long-lasting. I am not huge into eyeliner, I prefer to line my eyes with some of my more playful colored eyeshadows if I am going to go that route. But I will hold onto this for awhile and see if I use it. I am interested in the formula and seeing how it goes on and if it really is long-lasting.

5. BeeKind Shampoo

Full size $15

I received a sample of BeeKind's lotion once a long time ago, and I remembered how much I loved the smell of it. So I was excited to see that I got their shampoo. This gentle shampoo is made of moisturizing honey extract, organic red clover and is scented with lemon-verbena which is my FAVORITE. Plus the packaging is recyclable and a portion of all proceeds go to help support honeybee research. I am so excited to try this, and the sample packaging is neat too.

I think this is the first box ever that I wasn't 100% happy with. That being said, I will still use everything in it with the exception of the eyeliner. If you're interested in signing up for Birchbox click on this link to sign on up!

Book Review | The Vacationers by Emma Staub

                                                    


First off, how peaceful looking is the cover art? I love it, it looks and feels so relaxing.

The plot: The Post family is going on a two week vacation to the Balearic Island of Mallorca (which is in Spain). Franny and Jim are "celebrating" their 35th wedding anniversary; daughter Sylvia has graduated from high school and is going off to Brown in the fall. Their son Bobby and longtime girlfriend Carmen are joining them from Florida, along with close friends Charles and Lawrence. Franny and Jim are attempting to salvage a marital issue; Sylvia is on a mission to lose  her virginity before college; Bobby & Carmen have a myriad of relationship issues and Charles & Lawrence are in the process of adopting a child, and the waiting is driving them crazy. As you can expect, when you run away to Spain hoping to escape your problems they usually end up escalating...especially when you are stuck in a house on an island with your family and friends. I won't go into detail on the situations, spoilers and all. BUT they aren't anything shocking or amazing, and you'll probably be able to figure it all out fairly quickly.

My thoughts: This was an easy, breezy read. Some would coin it a "beach read" but considering I read it on my couch in negative temperatures, I will not use that term. The characters were alright, none were super likeable but I also didn't wish them pain. I think this family has issues and dysfunctions like all of our families probably do. I would recommend this book to a friend, who is looking for something quick and entertaining but not wanting to push the brain.

I gave this book 3 stars Goodreads.