May 2016 Birchbox

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You don’t have to tell me this is late… I know but better late then never right?!

 

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Davroe Volume Senses Shampoo- Full Size $29.00

This natural shampoo thickens and strengthens hair with rice proteins and panthenol, creating va-va-voom in fine locks.

Bonus— We’ve added in this conditioner that thickens and volumizes with olive leaf and watercress extracts.  Full Size $29.00

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K Los Skincare Triple Threat Detox Masque- Full Size $39.00

Made with glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid, this hydrating masque also features cayenne pepper and other antioxidants.

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ModelCo Lip Lacquer in Morocco- Full Size Trio $16.00

This long-lasting gloss (in 1 of 3 shades) delivers rich, full-pigment color paired with brilliant moisture and shine.

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Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel for Body- Full Size $34.00

This acid-free peel gently exfoliates for instantly softer, smoother, and brighter skin.

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Supergoop! Sun Defying Sunscreen Oil with Meadowfoam SPF 50- Full Size $34.00

This oil provides skin-nourishing richness while delivering broad-spectrum UV protection.

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Ok so if you are not on board with Birchbox what are you waiting for?!  One of the reasons I keep coming back to Birchbox is their points system where you use your points to buy products in the Shop. You can get points a few different ways: One is by referring people (50 points),  buying products in the shop (1 point for every $1 spent), and by reviewing the products you received in your box (10 points for each review).  And… 100 points=$10.  So with a little math you can see that if you review all your products every month, you will get, on average, $5 in points a month.  I like to look at that as getting my box for half price!

October 2014 Birchbox

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Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo

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Weightless spray in the brands’s signature Obliphica Scent that refreshes hair sans residue.

Lara Says: Y’all know I’m obsessed with dry shampoo and I’ve written numerous reviews on this blog about the different ones I’ve tried so… Needless to say I am quite happy to give this a whirl and you can be sure I’ll let you know my thoughts!  And the packaging is soo cute!

Brant pores no more vacuum cleaner

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Award winning gel that degunks pores for fewer blackheads and smoother skin

Lara Says:  Umm… this sounds amazing!  If I wasn’t wearing a full face of makeup and have meetings for work today, I would totally put this all over right now and let you know the results.

Lord&Berry Paillettes Glitter Eye Pencil in Black

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This blendable pencil from the UK brand is studded with bits of silver shimmer

Lara Says: I received a Lord & Berry Liner in an Ipsy bag and I’ve used it a few times and I like it.   Think this is even better because it has glitter in it!!

Mally High Shine Liquid Lipstick in Melon

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This ultrashiney formula acts as a lip gloss, lip primer, lipstick, and liner all in one.

Lara Says: I love the Mally Mascara so when I had the chance to choose one of my samples this month and saw this I knew that was what I wanted.  First off, I love the color and it smells like sweet tarts!  So far after wearing for about 20 minutes it still feels moisturizing on my lips.

Skin and Co Sicilian Light Serum

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Rich in vitamin C, this treatment boosts collagen, evens skin tone and minimizes wrinkles.

Lara Says: I put a tiny drop of this on the back of my hand and absorbed quite quickly and let my skin feeling very soft and silky.  I will definitely be using this on my face and let you know.

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Ok so if you are not on board with Birchbox what are you waiting for?!  One of the reasons I keep coming back to Birchbox is their points system where you use your points to buy products in the Shop. You can get points a few different ways: One is by referring people (50 points),  buying products in the shop (1 point for every $1 spent), and by reviewing the products you received in your box (10 points for each review).  And… 100 points=$10.  So with a little math you can see that if you review all your products every month, you will get, on average, $5 in points a month.  I like to look at that as getting my box for half price!

 

Products Mentioned::

Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo  $21

Brant pores no more vacuum cleaner  $45

Lord&Berry Paillettes Glitter Eye Pencil in Black  $18

Mally High Shine Liquid Lipstick in Melon  $20

Skin and Co Sicilian Light Serum  $47

Birchbox Haul!

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I had some Birchbox points sitting just screaming to be used so I decided to pick up a few things from the Birchbox shop!  One of the things I love about Birchbox is their points system which translate into cold hard cash for you to use on whatever you want in the shop.

 

 

Benefit Gimme Brow

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Birchbox Breakdown

We spend more time than is reasonable lusting after Camilla Belle’s bold brows—which is why we’re more than a little excited about this magical brush-building invention. Just a few brush strokes deliver fuller, darker brows that stay in place all day and still manage to look natural. We told you it was magic.

How it Works

The water-resistant fiber gel adheres to skin and hair and comes in two colors: light-medium and medium-deep. The tapered brush with a precision tip lets you shape and blend with ease.

 

Benefit BeneBalm 

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Birchbox Breakdown

It used to be that if you were looking to add just a touch of natural color to your lips, your best bet was to chow down on a strawberry Popsicle. Benefit has a more practical (and portable) solution: this tinted lip balm. Modeled after the brand’s iconic lip and cheek tints, the creamy formula hydrates and conditions lips while providing a wash of sheer, barely-there red.

How it Works

This rose-tinted balm softens and smooths dry lips with a blend of mango butter and sodium hyaluronate.

 

 Yes to Tomatoes Blemish Clearing Towelettes 

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Birchbox Breakdown

In a perfect world, we’d fully commit a portion of our precious evening time to washing, toning, moisturizing, and pampering our skin. In reality, we’re lucky if we remember to take off our makeup before we face-plant into our pillows (not exactly the recipe for a flawless complexion). That’s why we’re stocking up on these facial wipes. In the time it takes to get up and turn off our lights, we’re able to wipe away makeup, unclog pores, and fight off blemishes.

How it Works

These 97 percent natural wipes gently cleanse, exfoliate, and treat blemish-prone skin. Tomato extract reduces inflammation caused by angry breakouts, controls oil production, and protects skin from environmental agents that can cause acne. Salicylic acid sloughs off dead skin cells and opens up clogged pores, accelerating the healing process. Plus, it’s free of unwanted ingredients like petroleum, SLS, and parabens.

 Ahmad Tea London Bus Caddy

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Birchbox Breakdown

In addition to all-things Kate Middleton, London is famous for its red double-decker buses. As it turns out, they’re good for more than ferrying tourists—they’re also an excellent (and handsome) way to store our tea. This continental caddy holds 25 bags of the best-in-class brand’s English Afternoon blend. When you’ve exhausted its supply, just refill it with your favorite Ahmad Tea.

How it Works

Part musky, part lemony, this English Afternoon Tea combines Indian, Ceylon, and Kenyan leaves to create a tasty p.m. brew.

 

Products Mentioned::

Benefit Gimme Brow ( I bought Light Medium) $22.00

Benefit BeneBalm  $18.00

Yes to Tomatoes Blemish Clearing Towelettes $5.99

 Ahmad Tea London Bus Caddy $5.29 

 

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Ok so if you are not on board with Birchbox what are you waiting for?!  One of the reasons I keep coming back to Birchbox is their points system where you use your points to buy products in the Shop. You can get points a few different ways: One is by referring people (50 points),  buying products in the shop (1 point for every $1 spent), and by reviewing the products you received in your box (10 points for each review).  And… 100 points=$10.  So with a little math you can see that if you review all your products every month, you will get, on average, $5 in points a month.  I like to look at that as getting my box for half price!

Birchbox Exclusive Cynthia Rowley Beauty Collection No. 2

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I had some birchbox points just sitting on my account screaming to be used so I decided to give this Cynthia Rowley collection a try.

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“If the confetti design didn’t tip you off, Cynthia Rowley’s Eye Shadow Palette – No. 2 is ready for a good time. Help yourself to five candy-inspired shades: Cotton Candy, a soft lavender; Licorice, a shimmery charcoal; Cloud, a velvety taupe; Marshmallow, a versatile cream; and Confetti, a pastel pink speckled with purple and cream. The sleek palette has a magnetic closure and a built-in mirror for easy application. Equal parts playful and polished, the Mini Creamy Lip Stain in Valentine offers the moisture and shine of a gloss, paired with the ultralong wear of a stain. Not to be outdone, the Mini Eyeliner in Black goes on velvety-smooth for smudge-proof, all-day wear. Store all three products in the Neoprene Confetti Bag made from Cynthia Rowley’s signature wetsuit fabric. In short, this collection is a match made in product heaven.”

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The eye shadows are soft and blend very easily. But because they are soft they do need a light hand.  I have used the Lip Stain and the Eyeliner before as they have come in my birchbox sample box before.  I like them both as they have staying power and the eyeliner does not move!

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For a limited time, get a free Cynthia Rowley Beauty Eye Pencil in Charcoal with any $30 full-size purchase of Cynthia Rowley Beauty product in the Birchbox Shop. Just enter code CRBLINER at checkout. And if you are not yet sign up to get a birchbox, what are you waiting for ? Sign up here to get beauty and lifestyle samples once a month for just $10.00! 

Number 4 Lumiere d’hiver Clarifying Shampoo

 

I received this deluxe sample size of clarifying shampoo in a birchbox.  I have been using it about once every two weeks for around 3 months.  I’ve been really impressed with how well it cleans my hair and doesn’t dry it out.  That is a problem with a lot of clarifying shampoo, that in doing their job (stripping the hair of buildup) it takes out all of the moisture and leaves your hair with a dry and brittle feeling.  Your hair will feel clean but still feel like your hair, not a dried out version.  When I use a clarifying shampoo I also make sure to deep condition on the same day, but I’ve found with this shampoo I don’t necessarily have to.

The only thing stopping me from repurchasing this product is the price.  Are you ready for it? A 25 ounce bottle (which is large granted) is $72.00.  Yes you read that correctly $72.00, for that price I could buy nine bottles of Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo!  While the Neutrogena is a bit more drying, it effectively does the same thing at a fraction of the cost.

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Do you use a clarifying shampoo and if so what is your favorite? 

Products Mentioned::

Birchbox

Number 4 Lumiere d’hiver Clarifying Shampoo

Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo

July 2014 Birchbox

Its that time again!  I feel like birchbox has really stepped up their game with the past few boxes.  I have been getting more products and bigger sizes… Good for you Birchbox!

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So lets take a peek into what this Health themed box holds for me today…

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As you can see lots of goodies!  Alright first off

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We have this Ruffian nail polish from their Rapture collection in the shade Ambrosia.  Birchbox started offering something new to their subscribers this past month were you  get to choose one of your samples and/or shade!  I was super excited about that as one of the two samples was something I already had (Cynthia Rowley lip gloss) and in the Rapture Collection there are three colors and two were similar to shades I already own.  I don’t have anything like this metallic purple so I’m excited to give it a try on my nails this weekend!

Also included as a bonus is a Ruffian Acetone-free towelette to remove the polish, Thanks Birchbox!

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Next are these two cute little sample pots of Beauty Protector Protect and Treat Mask.  I like the Beauty Protector line so I’m excited to try this and it smells amazing like the rest of the line.  I think I could get 2-3 uses out of every pot so I think I should be able to give a pretty solid review on this hair mask.

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Ok Birchbox, one complaint for this box…I feel like I always get a lotion and it takes me forever to get through even sample sizes!  So if we could lay off of that for a few months that would be super nice.  But, this Naobay Body Radiance Lotion does have a nice scent and I will add it to my collection on my desk at work.

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Isn’t this little Posiebalm from Benefit the cutest thing! Why is it that women (well at least me…) have a fit when something is in a small package?  This lip balm is just so cute in its little package!  This is a mango butter balm that has a very sheer wash of pink.  I swiped it on as soon as I got it out of its packaging and its been on for about 30 minutes and is still moisturizing.

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Lasty is the most intriguing product in this months box.  It is the Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel.  The card says that this is an acid free peel that gently exfoliates for softer, smoother, brighter skin instantly… We shall see, I hope I can get a few uses out of this bottle so I can give a true review.

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Ok so if you are not on board with Birchbox what are you waiting for?!  One of the reasons I keep coming back to Birchbox is their  points system where you use your points to buy products in the Shop. You can get points a few different ways: One is by referring people (50 points),  buying products in the shop (1 point for every $1 spent), and by reviewing the products you received in your box (10 points for each review).  And… 100 points=$10.  So with a little math you can see that if you review all your products every month, you will get, on average, $5 in points a month.  I like to look at that as getting my box for half price!

Products Mentioned::

Birchbox Subscription- $10.00 a month 

Ruffian Nail Lacquer in Ambrosia- $11.00

Ruffian Dressing Room Nail Lacquer Remover Towelettes- $12.00

Beauty Protector Protect and Treat Hair Mask- $25.95

Naobay Body Radiance Lotion- $24.00

Benefit Posiebalm- $18.00

Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel-$48.00

Review:: Be A Bombshell….Lash Out Mascara

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I received a full size mascara in my Birchbox and my Ipsy bag this month.  I love me some mascara so I was excited to try both of them out.  First off this mascara has a horrible smell, I mean like really really bad.  I debated even using it but I figured what wouldn’t hurt and hopefully I wouldn’t smell it on my eyelashes.

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No Mascara, it is looking mighty scary!!

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One coat on the left eye, no mascara on the right.  I don’t think this picture really shows it well but with one coat all this really did was coat my lashes.  There was a little definition but not any volume and not much curl.

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Whoo Hoo now both eyes have a smelly mascara coating…

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And with two coats on the right eye, you really can’t tell much of a difference.  If you read my post on the Mally volumizing mascara that I got in my Birchbox, there was a huge difference between one and two coats.

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So… Finally verdict?  Not worth the $15.00  The smell is enough not to repurchase but I felt like this mascara ‘coated’ my lashes.  There was a little definition, but no volume or length added.

Products Mentioned:: 

Be A Bombshell…Lash Out Mascara $15.00

Mally Volumizing Mascara $20.00

Birchbox $10.00 a month

Ipsy $10.00 a month