October 2014 Birchbox Review!

Birchbox October 2014 Review!

Day #3 of catching up on posts!

This month's box took FOREVER to arrive! I just got it last week, I think... I recently moved so the address change screwed things up. Anyway! I liked all the contents this month, yay! This has become a rare event! 

Camille Beckman: Tuscan Honey Glycerine Hand Therapy (7.1g/.25oz) = $0.58 value 

Dr. Lipp: Original Nipple Balm for Lips (3mL) = $2.90 value

This works great for super chapped lips! Not as good as bag balm though! I know some people are weirded out about buying something that was made for cow udders, but seriously... come on!! It's a great product for dry skin and it's WAY cheaper than these fancy products we want to buy because it's out there and makes all these fancy claims. The packaging for Bag Balm is really cute too ;)

Yeaaa, that just turned into another rant... Well, the nipple lip balm is great too! Oh, and it's thicker than bag balm so if you prefer thick balms this is your thing!

Jouer: Matte Moisture Tint in Nude (5mL) = $3.80 value

This was pretty thick compared to my Neutrogena tinted moisturizer, but it was ok mixed together. I need more coverage bc I have a terrible habit of picking at my skin while I'm studying which led to some discoloration where the scars are or are fading... but the thick foundations settle into my smile lines, which I HATE! So... tinted moisturizer with concealer is my go to... Anyway, this had pretty good coverage but was too thick for me, it felt like a foundation, not a tinted moisturizer.

Lord & Berry: Paillettes Glitter Eye Pencil in Black (0.4g [~1/3 size of reg. eye pencil) = $6 value

I wore this on Halloween (I didn't dress up so I thought I'd at least add some sparkle to my eyelids hahah). It went on fairly smooth and didn't smudge. The glitter wasn't really noticeable, but maybe if you applied layers it would show up more.

Toni & Guy: Casual Sea Salt Texturizing Spray (75mL) = $5.52 value

This is a pretty big sample, yay! I used this today after washing my hair, so it was damp. The directions say to use it on dry hair. It didn't do anything to my hair, so I'm going to try it on dry hair tomorrow and see how it works, if I remember I'll update the results here or message me about it and I'll reply asap! ;)

Sarah McNamara: Miracle Skin Transformer - Miracle Revival Mud (7g) = $2.50 value

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Total September 2014 Birchbox Value = $21.30

Nice!

-xo,

T

September 2014 Birchbox Review!

September 2014 Birchbox Review!

(Catch-Up Day #3) :P

Overall, I was pretty happy with this box. Mostly because of the lip balm & anti-aging serum (but not so sure later... read on!)

Harvey Prince: Hello perfume (sample vial) = ~$1 value

The scent is as you would expect from the packaging, lol. Flowery & spring-timey! It's not too overpowering, which is good. 

Origins: Plantscription Anti-Aging Serum (15mL) = $27.50 value

Hmm, not sure if I'd really put that value on the tiny sample... I'd probably value it at $3 tops (but I wouldn't buy that sample for $3 if someone was selling them). I used it on my face and I'm not sure if it was this or the peel that also came in this box... but I started getting dry, bumpy skin all around my eye area. It was SUPER ugly!! I haven't used this since (it's Nov. now), but I think I'll try it out one more time because I'm pretty sure I used it wrong. I was supposed to moisturize afterwards, and I didn't... soooo...

Perlier: Moisturizing Body Balm in Shea Lavender (30mL) = $4.29 value

Smells like lavender lotion, absorbs quickly for me, but my skin is pretty dry right now. Pretty average body lotion to me, but others seem to love it :)

Pixi: Shea Butter Lip Balm in Ripe Raspberry (1 full-size tube- comes in set of 4 for $28) = $7 value

I really liked this lip balm! Awesome that it's full size :) It gave more color than I expected, which can be good or bad, and it helped my lips feel less chapped.

Real Chemistry: Luminous 3-Minute Peel (5mL) = $4.77 value

Blehhhhh! This was an awful sample! It was super empty! I didn't even have enough for half my face so I'm not sure how well this works... I was excited about this one too :(

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Total Value = $44.56 but no... 

If I was to value it with the Origins serum at $3 (like I said above) and take out the Real Chemistry Peel (since it was practically empty and didn't even function as a sample, but was in a huge tube that tricks you into getting excited about receiving a big sample...)...

Total (re)Value = $15.29

This seems a little more accurate, lol

Still a good deal when paying $10 or less/month + 10 points for reviewing each sample (this box I get 50 points, which is halfway to the $10 reward when you get 100 Birchbox points! That means this box was really $5, assuming you would spend the other $5 on stuff from the birchbox website haha!

Ok, I'm done with my crazy ranting. I aced my exam today so I'm in a good mood :)

Oh, and it snowed yesterday!! I looove it

-xo,

T

Birchbox Review August 2014

Birchbox August 2014 Review!

Not as late as my July review, lol, but still catching up!

Some shiny goodies in there...

CAILYN Cosmetics Dizzolv'it Makeup Melt Cleansing Balm:

Looks fancyyy, however, this makeup remover was not effective for me. I used it after applying some (non-waterproof) mascara that I received in the Beautybox5 and gel pencil liner from Julep. I'm pretty sure I used as per the instructions, but I still had quite a bit of black makeup still on my eyes after rinsing off this balm. I think I prefer using baby oil or plain face lotion to remove my eye makeup. Oh they're WAY cheaper options!

Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume:
I was really happy with this [not] perfume sample! I loooved the smell! Too bad it's so pricey! Maybe one dayyyyy <3

Marcelle BB Cream Golden Glow:

It's a little dark for me so I mixed it with a tinted moisturizer I use daily and it was perfect. It provided more coverage than my tinted moisturizer which is perfect for days I have a bad breakouts... like the past couple weeks :( It was pretty thick so I don't think I could wear it without mixing with my thinner tinted moisturizer. It would settle in my smile lines, blehhh. 

ModelCo Bronzer:

This bronzer is pretty nice! Smooth and soft consistency, and can be layered for darker "bronze" look if you want or use it as eyeshadow! It wasn't too shimmery/glittery either, which is a good thing in my book! And who doesn't love a full-size product in their sample box?!

Supergoop!® Forever Young Hand Cream with Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 40:

Yippee... yet ANOTHER Supergoop lotion in my box... I get one in almost EVERY box!! Come on Birchbox! Mix it up!! I'm sooo tired of Supergoop. Receiving so many of their samples is making me not want them which means I won't buy the product. I don't know why, I think I'm just associating the product with my annoyance at getting their products so often. Maybe a tad irrational, but I don't care, I want variety!! And really I prob wouldn't need to buy sunscreen for another year because of how many Supergoop samples I've received! 

Ok, done with the rant. I have to be honest, I haven't even tried this hand cream yet so I won't review it lol. I'm sure it's a great quality product though. I've been satisfied with their other sunscreens.

As with the other post, if I get time to total up the value I'll update the post :)

What did you think of last month's Birchbox? What goodies did you receive?

xo,

T

Birchbox July 2014 Review

Whoops! I never posted this!! I've been so busy with nursing school! :D It's sooo time consuming!! My house is still a complete mess and FILLED with unpacked boxes from moving in almost a MONTH ago :( 

Anyway, if anyone cares to see what was in past Birchboxes this one is from July 2014! 

A FREE subscription to Women's Health! Cooool :) 

Update: I sent in the card right after I got the box and received my first issue this month (September)

Number 4™ Super Comb Prep & Protect

It's a nice product and I would've loved it when I was younger and used more heat tools on my hair (and had fuller/thicker hair), but it kinda just seems to weigh it down. I don't color my hair or use heat tools on it ever. I have split ends and its thinning. This product is prob not for me :( It's a nice product and I would've loved it when I was younger and used more heat tools on my hair (and had fuller/thicker hair), but it kinda just seems to weigh it down. I don't color my hair or use heat tools on it ever. I have split ends and its thinning. This product is prob not for me :( 

Supergoop!® Daily Correct CC Cream ​SPF 35+

I have been wanting to try this CC Cream so was excited to get it in my box. It worked well to cover up flaws without being too foundation-like. However, it was still pretty thick and I ended up mixing it with my tinted moisturizer to thin it out. I have smile lines so thick makeup settles in there and makes them more noticeable; so I tend to avoid heavy face makeup.

Cynthia Rowley Beauty Eyeliner

Blehh to silver eyeliner!! Looks disgusting on me, and I get flashbacks of bad makeup days in middle school...

The consistency was great though... I wish it had come in black!!! :( I would've used it everyday!

SmartyPants All-in-One Gummy Vitamins for Adults

I like this taste, but don't like receiving food or vitamins in my box. The sample size is puny too, not even a serving size worth. All bad things aside, the taste is good and it makes taking vitamins more of a treat than a chore. Sounds cheesy lol

Harvey Prince Hello Body Cream

It's a nice smelling lotion that works fairly well to moisturize the skin. It's not super greasy and seems to absorb pretty quickly. My skin is a bit dry though.

No totals for this BirchBox because it's so late and I have limited time, lol! I'll update it if I total it up later. I'm a nerd and actually enjoy doing things like that soooo... it might happen :P

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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xo,

-T