Beauty box 5 August 2014 #2 Review!

So, I got an email from Beauty Box 5  saying that they messed up and sent me the wrong box, so they sent me the correct August one for free! Woo! I don't mind shipping errors when I get more stuff ;)

It looks like they have a standard set of items that they send out to everyone every month. Not much, if any, variation. I got one item that seemed to vary between boxes. See it below;)

They really pack a lot into such a tiny box!

Purlisse Pur-Protect SPF 30 Sunscreen: 15mL = $16.40 value

Wow, I was a little shocked at how expensive this sunscreen is! I don't think I'll ever buy sunscreen that pricey, but I don't mind getting samples of it! I haven't tried it yet but will when it's more sunny outside.

La Fresh Travel Lite Makeup Remover Wipes: 1 packet = $0.42

This packet is SO cute! I love tiny things! Great for your travel bag or that first night camping when you still have makeup on! ;) These come in a pack of 48 packets for $19.99. A little steep for makeup wipes. Honestly I would prob end up not washing off my makeup, but I also don't wear foundation. I use tinted moisturizer. Buuuut, I should wash my face more to stop ugly breakouts that keep happening! :(

Nanacoco Lip Gloss: 22 fl.oz. = $3.99

This one is full size! Nice! It's pretty thick and opaque, I think I'm going to give it to a friend who can pull off this color better than I can.

Novex Brazilian Keratin: 30g = $0.64

I'm interested in trying this out. Sorta think it'll weight down my thin hair but I'll update when I try it out.

Style Essentials Nail Polish: 1 polish = $1.75

This one comes in a pack of 4 for $7. This color is pretty young looking but I tried it out anyway because it reminds me of mermaids :D I could barely see any glitter, it took a lot of polish to get some on. It took forever to get it off with remover. I don't think I'll use this again lol I'll probably give it away.

Total Value of August 2014 Beauty Box 5 = ~$22.98

I've barely used any of these things but it was a fun box to get. Like little stocking stuffers lol

xo,

T

Birchbox Review [June 2014] ++FREE SHIPPING!!

June Birchbox!

This one was WAY better than my last two. It was packed with really nice products! Yay! 

It's especially getting a treat during my summer Pathophysiology class! I'm taking it in ONE MONTH to lighten my load in the fall when I start the Nursing program! 

It's pretty intense! Especially with so much life stuff going on as well... That, I won't get into haha. 

On to the box!

OooOOoo!! Filled with goodies!!

Fancyyyy! ;)

Catherine Malandrino Fragrance (~0.14 ounces) = ~$4.60?

*Had to guess on this value*

the Good: nice evening scent

the Bleh: a lil too strong

This is a nice scent, but a little "mature"? Something def for night time, at least for me. I'm putting it in my makeup bag for emergency days though, lol! For some reason I keep forgetting to put on my deodorant in the mornings :/ I am def NOT a morning person! That will have to change though; got super early classes and clinicals starting in the fall :(

Coastal Scents: Revelaed 2 Eye Shadow Palette Set [4 mini eye shadows - "Sunset"] = ~$2?

the Good: Spreads easy. Long-lasting. Doesn't get in eyelid crease after wearing for hours. Subtle colors. All around really nice eye shadow!

the Bleh: Nothing! Just wish the sample had been bigger :P

I loooved these eye shadows!! I have such trouble finding good shadow that doesn't get in the crease after a few hours (even with shadow primer!!). I also have trouble spreading shadows evenly on my eyelids. I will usually have an area that gathers more color and doesn't spread around. Not with these! And the colors are really subtle, good for day or layer for night. The glittery ones are super pretty too, not over the top! I think I might buy the whole palette with my Birchbox points! :) 

*You get points for your orders and for reviewing your samples on their website!*

Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo [75mL] = $7.63 value

Davines Love Smoothing Conditioner [12mL] = $1.40 value

Davines OI / All in One Milk [4mL] = $0.83 value

the Good: Nice scent. Gave my limp thin hair more volume! A little conditioner went a long way.

the Bleh: I wish the shampoo had a little more lather. I like my bubbles!! ;)

The Shampoo & Conditioner were awesome! My hair looks all full and healthy like it did 10 years ago! And my boyfriend commented on how good my hair smelled (without knowing I used a new shampoo - also he RARELY comments on stuff like that!! I was a bit shocked hahah)

I haven't used the All in One Milk yet. I don't usually use stuff like that because I don't really get fancied up anymore. I just go to class, study, teach youngins, or am getting sweaty & dirty walking/jogging my pup or at the dog park. Maybe I should just do it for myself, but if my hair looks THAT good I want to show it off! ;)

Gilchrist & Soames: London Collection Body Lotion [45mL] = $3.05 value

the Good: Light, pleasant scent. Absorbs quickly. Not greasy.

the Bleh: Not too hydrating on my skin.

This body lotion smells pretty good! It absorbs quickly! It's not super hydrating though. My skin was still pretty dry afterwards, but I have also not been drinking as much H2O as I should!!

Vasanti Cosmetics: BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator [20g] = $5.67 value

the Good: Not heavily scented. Felt like it was really scrubbing the grime off :P

the Bad: Needed a lot to get my whole face scrubbed.

I used this face scrub yesterday. I was breaking out and thought maybe I'd give this a try... bad idea! Haha! I'm breaking out even more :( Some pretty painful ones too! I was just stupid though, what did I expect to happen scrubbing zit?! They'll prob get more irritated. Lesson learned? Probably not! Lol :P I think my skin does better without scrubs at this age (they used to be helpful 10 yrs ago), but this could work for someone else!

They also included this little trip decision quiz that's part of a contest with JetBlue. It's kinda silly but hey if it gains an entry into their free trip contest, I am IN!! ;)

My quiz result was Portland, Maine. Wish I had visited when I was living in NYC! Oh well, still have family and friends on East Coast, so perhaps I'll do a super long roadtrip up to Maine and back down one day :P

What did you think of this Birchbox? Pretty good, eh?!

Total Est. Value of my June Birchbox = $26.66

Not bad for paying $10! AND you get points on their site for reviewing their products! Points that turn into BirchBUCKS! Woo!

What was in your Birchbox??

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++COUPONS & DEALS @ Birchbox++

+Get FREE SHIPPING on June Products UNTIL JULY 10th!+

xo,

-T

Birchbox Review [May 2014] + Coupon Code!

May Birchbox Review!!

Again, I wasn't too excited about my box. There were a bunch that I've seen online that are soooo much better than mine. I didn't really want anything that I received, but I am getting a little use out of the samples, so it's ok ;) 

When I put this on my hand to see the color it looked super frosty and I was totally turned off. However, I just tried it on my lips (duh!) and it's actually pretty nice! It's more of a nude than it looks in the pic and the bottle, and MUCH less frosty lol! I'll use this again :)

ANOTHER Supergoop sunscreen sample?! Didn't I get one in the last box?! No more sunscreen samples pleasssse! The last one I got may not have been water resistant but... Oh well, I'm in the sun every day for at least an hour, while walking my dog, so it'll get used. It's just kind of a bleh sample haha

Oh goddd, really?! Nail art stuff? I got one in a Cult Box a few months ago; actually I got two because my 1st box got broken in the mail. Now I have three white stripers. Oh well, Birchbox doesn't know what I have, but I'm pretty sure my profile says I like the "low-maintenace" style... low maintenance striping nails? Mmmm... nope! I'll give this away to a friend who's really into nail art. 

Blehh... shave cream. I tried it out, and wasn't that impressed. I prefer my Dollar Shave Club shave butter! But, this will be handy on trips! I received the Whish Pomegranate lotion in a previous Birchbox and really liked the smell, so I guess this sample wasn't toooo bleh :P

Nooooo, more tea?! My profile says NO FOOD! Oh well... I like Chai so I'll drink it and hopefully it'll make me a little less annoyed, hahah

My tea collection is EXPLODING!!

I'm too broke to spend $75 at Kate Spade in order to $25 so if any of you want to spend $50 there send me an email and I'll give you the coupon code! (I think it only works once-- I'll check it, if it's a generic code I'll post it here)!

Sooo... another bleh-ish Birchbox. I'm hoping next month will be better! I'll prob need it after finishing up Pathophysiology! I just started the summer class this week, it's pretty intense! I'm SUPER glad I decided to get it out of the way this summer so, I won't have to take it along with all my nursing classes! So far so good, but the first test is on Monday! Wish me luck! ;)

xo,

T

Birchbox Review [April 2014]

April Birchbox!

As I mentioned in one of my last posts, I'm just now catching up on internet stuff! Phew! What a crazy past couple of months! I'm finishing up my 1st (and maybe last?) year of teaching secondary homeschoolers, adopted an adorable lil homeless shar-pei AND am preparing to begin nursing school this summer/fall in a new city! Crazy (but exciting!) times!!

Anyway, on to the goodies! I'm going to be brief with this because it's close to bed time andd I'm expecting my May box soon so I'll spend more time on that one hopefully!! Life is about to get even crazier, so you never know lol! :P

I think you may just be interested in what's included in the box anyway, so here it issss ;) ...

Hmm... not sure what this is really for... Transition from what?? What's a braid out and a twist out?? I'm sooo confused, and I haven't had time to look this up. Maybe I'll look into these trading websites I've read about on other blogs...

I was a little annoyed at getting a granola bar in my Birchbox, but it ended up being handy because it came before one of my frequent out-of-town drives and forget to eat sometimes... I chomped on this during the drive and it was pretty yummy! I was pleasantly surprised because I'm not a big fan of Kind Bars... they're always way too dry and sticky for me, like I need a huge glass of milk or a gallon of water to eat one. This one, however, was more chewy and subtly flavored with sweet and saltiness. I would actually purchase this again if I saw it at the grocery! I wouldn't order it though.

Blehhh! Used it during my trips to visit my boyfriend and was not impressed, actually there was not much emotion when using it because it was just blehhh. Bleh smell, bleh feeling on my skin, bleh everything. Reminds me of a cheap bodywash one can get at walmart.

I much prefer my Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Liquid Castille Soap (which I can even use on my dog AND drives away fleas!!!)

Not too happy when I saw either of these. Purple eye liner?! Whaaaat?? Am I in middle school?? Lol! It actually ended up being much darker than I expected, but I was still a little put off... I tried to take a pic, its a bit dark but fairly accurate... at least on my skin haha.

Anyway, I tried it the other night for a little party and it looked fine over light black eye shadow, but it faded fairly quickly and in patches which I hate! I'll have to do a post about eyeliners i LOVE that work wonderfully on my combo skin (dry in winter, a bit greasy in summer bc I sweat a lot... hydrated in some areas, dry/peeling on others-like my nose haha)

As for the nail polish... also really young looking... pearly mint green. I like mint green, but pearly... BLEH! As soon as I painted my nails with it, I wanted it off! I couldn't find my nail polish remover and got SO upset, it was kind of funny. I ended up keeping it on, then got lazy... it looked better as it chipped away ;P

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I guess I was a little disappointed with this month's Birchbox... probably more so because it was my birthday month, and who doesn't want [or expect, lol] everything to go as you want on your birthday?! :P

Buuuut, I have had such great Birchboxes that I am going to stay with it. It's the only one I am regularly subscribed to currently! Between the new pooch with serious ear infections (that I found out about right after adopting the poor lil guy at his 1st checkup :( ) and nursing school costs, this is the ONE thing I splurge on for myself haha. Love the little surprises in a box though! Especially when it comes during especially stressful times!! :D

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Well, phew! I said I was going to be brief and then wrote a freaking book!!

Bedtime!! Thanks for reading! Good night! ;)

xo,

T

Birchbox Review [March 2014]!

March Birchbox Contents! -- Very late and quick post!

Yay, Birchbox! If you've read my other posts about their box, you know how much I like receiving it. This month was no exception... :) The value ALWAYS exceeds the $10 they charge for it every month. Looooove!

Ok, this post is a bit incomplete but I just saw the charge on my bank statement for Birchbox so I'm expecting April box soon and need to put this up now! Sorry so late, as usual lately... I've been so busy with helping out family, bf, friends that I have not had a minute to myself, lol! 

Anyway, I may update this later tonight, but this is all for now ;)

EDIT: Still haven't received my April Birchbox :( 
But I did use another one of last months product -- see below for review!

I spy something full-size!!

Air Repair: Rescue Balm [All-Purpose Skin Salve & Lip Balm] - $? 

I haven't tried this out yet, would've been perfect in December when I went to LA... It was much drier than where I live; my lips where dried to the max! However, for some reason the skin on my nose gets really dry so I'll try a lil dab on it and see how it goes.

EDIT: I tried this on my dry nose (the bridge of my nose gets dry for some reason... I have a really bad habit of squeezing out my pores (I know, I know...) and I'm thinking that's why. Anyway, it didn't work overnight, but after a few applications I think it's helping. I also put it on my lips and it made them look nice and full! I really liked it for the lips! Matte, but full! 

Curly Hair Solutions: Curl Keeper Total Control for Frizzy Hair 

Actually, I haven't tried most of these yet because I want to save them for a time when I'm going out and actually feel like getting dressed up, lol! 

Pop Beauty: Stain Stay in Peach

I've used this a few times. Stays put for a LONG time, nice color but not for everyone. Great quality stain!

Ok, more later!!

xo, -T

Birchbox Limited Edition Snow Day Box Review!

Birchbox Limited Edition Snow Day Box 2013!

I was excited about this one! I was able to use my Birchbox points to get $10 off! You accumulate by making purchases (includes the monthly box) and doing reviews on their website for products you purchased from them or received in your Birchboxes. 

(*I included a screenshot of my checkout page at the bottom of this post)

Extras!!: I also used a promo code that was on their website for a free face scrub (free with $25 purchase - find these deals on the left side of the screen under the category "Birchbox Bonus Shop") AND I got to add on the Mystery Sample Pack for free (you can purchase it for $10 or get it free with $35 purchase)!

A packing list along with some neat little cards: Scrabble tips and "Home Spa Day" tips, which was just giving suggestions on using all the items from the box.

Travel Size Scrabble: Birchbox Edition - $36

Three Tarts: Cinnamon Marshmallow (2 pcs) - $2.20 (10 ct. = $11)

Askinosie Chocolate: Single Origin Non-Alkalized Cocoa Powder (40g) - $3.23 (130g = $10.50)

I love playing Scrabble and mini versions of things so this is perfect! It's housed in a nice sturdy box (more sturdy than what board games usually come in) and seems to have enough pieces for 2 players. Can't wait to play this with the BF instead of Words with Friends ;)

I haven't tried the marshmallows or cocoa powder yet but I'm sure they're both delicious ;)

Here's the game w/ all the pcs out.

Happy Socks (1 pair) - $10

MALIN+GOETZ: travel candle (Cannabis) - $13.40 (9oz candle = $52)

I really like the pattern on the socks and they're really soft! However, I don't really show off my socks so I'm thinking of giving them as part of a Christmas gift to a friend who does.

The candle is really nice, and no it doesn't smell like marijuana lol. It smells more forest and nice soap. Looove! But, I do have allergies and a slight cold right now so it may actually smell completely different.

Mox Botanicals: [Travel Size] Matcha & Clementine Body Soak (.50oz) - $4.47 (4.25oz = $38)

Chantecaille: Flower Infused Cleansing Milk (0.27oz) - $5.08 (3.4oz = $64)

Chantecaille: Jasmine & Lily Healing Mask (0.17oz) - $7.90 (1.7oz = $79)

Out of these 3 I've only tried the Cleansing Milk. It worked well as a gentle facial cleanser. I didn't break out from it and it didn't dry out my skin. I normally don't wash my face everyday because I'll break out and dry out. I guess my skin has become "sensitive" in the recent years. The scent was very light too, but pleasant. Anyway, I don't think I would spend $64 on face wash though. Well, I definitely wouldn't right now, but who knows later on? 

L'Occitane: Shea Butter Hand Cream (10ml) - $1.82 (5.2oz = $28)

I've bought this hand cream before so it was nice to get a little one to carry in my bag. It's a little thicker than lotions I usually use but it does absorb pretty fast and was a hand saver (get it? :P) during bitter winters on the east coast. Tip: a little goes a looong way, I still have a tube from 3 yrs ago!

Jonathan Adler: Fireplace Matches in Purple Flame (50ct.) - $10

The packaging is pretty cute! Especially for a box a matches! If I still had my antique oven that required lighting with a match these would've been perfect! Perhaps I'll take them on my next camping trip instead… I mean "glamping" trip?!

S.W. Basics Organic Lip Balm: Cinnamon (0.15oz) - $3.75 (4 tube variety pack = $15)

This lip balm is pretty good! The cinnamon flavor also has cardamom. It should be labelled Cardamom flavor instead of cinnamon bc it definitely overpowers any other scent and flavor. It's not bad though. I would've preferred more cinnamon or just a different flavor all together lol. I'd like to try the Peppermint one. 

One thing I really like about this lip balm is that it doesn't leave any medicinal weird metallic-like after taste, as do Chapstick brand and others like it. 

I don't know if I'm allergic or something, but Chapsticks will dry out my throat or something… strange. That's why I usually carry little tubs of Bag Balm concoctions I mix up to use as a balm instead (*later on I'll post a how-to).

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The following items were all additional free samples (the face scrub was the bonus item for spending $25. The last two were from the mystery pack that's $10 or free with $35 purchase).

Derma e: Refining Vit A & Glycolic Scrub with Vit C & Vit E (4oz): $12.75

I actually used this on my legs before shaving and it seemed to do what it's supposed to! Reminds me of St. Ives Apricot Scrub but not as rough and I like the smell a little more. I was surprised that they sent a full-size version and not a little sample since it was a free gift! What a deal! ;)

Ruffino Nail Polish: Fox Hunt (0.17 fl.oz) - $8 (comes in a set of 3 = $24)

Violet Oasis: 100% Organic Moroccan Argan Oil (4ml) - $2.66 (60mL = $39.95)

I received a Ruffino nail polish in my October Birchbox and really did not like the color. But I do like this one! And the quality is actually pretty good. Dries as fast, if not faster, than my Julep nail polishes!

I was actually recently admiring a friend's hair… M;)… who told me she uses Argan oil on it! Definitely trying it out on that soon! I did try it on my face already and it was wild! My skin instantly looked smoother. Seriously. 

Snow Day Box = $97.85
+ Free Derma e Exfoliant $12.75
+ Free [Pick 2] Sample Pack $10.66
=$121.26

Here's that screenshot I promised:

Whaat?! Crazy deal for only $29! Once again the people at Birchbox impress:) Love it!

So as you see above, the Snow Day box is actually $39, but I used my Birchbox points to get a $10 discount. You accumulate the points by doing reviews on their website, which you can only do on things you receive in the monthly Birchbox and I think on stuff you buy from their shop. I'll have to double check on that one.

-xo, T