Birchbox: May 2013

Birchbox totally sneaked up on me this month, but I'm not complaining because I kind of LOVE everything I got.  Let's dive in!

amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask: "Packed with omega acids and vitamin C, this lush conditioning mask boosts shine and even helps repair split ends." Full-size $12-$40, sample size $1.60

 

I. Love. This. Stuff. It's seriously great.  I've purchased it through Birchbox before, but purchasing an item doesn't mean you won't receive it as a sample in the future.  I am soo not complaining.  This will last me 2-3 uses; I had previously purchased the smaller $12 tube, which lasted me about 2 months.  I'm trying to save up points so I can get the $40 tub for free!  Seriously wonderful product.  The smell is heavenly, and it leaves my hair feeling so hydrated and soft.  

 

COOLA Classic Face SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturizer for Face: "This mineral sunblock is infused with organic anti-aging ingredients like evening primrose extract and borage seed oil." Full-size $32, sample size $4.33

I've received a COOLA face sunscreen before, but that one was just purely a sunscreen.  This one is a moisturizer with SPF.  Love my SPF, so I'm very excited about this.  Also, I love that it came in a little tube--the last COOLA product I got came in an non-resealable cardboard pouch of sorts, but I still loved it enough to use points on it. Hooray COOLA!

Marvis Classic Mint Toothpaste: "A stylish Italian import with an invigorating peppermint flavor." Full-size $10.50, sample size $1.40

How adorable.  I'm going on a trip in a couple of weeks for Memorial Day weekend, and this toothpaste will definitely get used!

Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner: "Inspired by traditional Indian formulas, this velvety liner glides on easily and lasts for hours." Set of 4 mini pencils $21, sample size (1 pencil) $4.25

 

Tiny baby eyeliner!  I received the shade "Suman", which appears to be just black.  A very densely pigmented black.  I usually wear brown or dark brown eyeliner since dark black can look harsh against my light skin and light eyes, but this will be fun to try!  Closeup of the product is below.

                          

LIFESTYLE EXTRA

Runa Guayusa Tea: "With more antioxidants than green tea, this caffeine-rich blend is made from Amazonian Guayusa leaves." Full-size(16 packets) $7, sample size(4 packets) $1.75 

                                  

                      

Tea.  Yummy.  End of story.  By the way, it's pronounced "gwhy-you-sa".  Fancy.

So!  The total monetary value of my May Birchbox is $14.33.  More than the $10 price tag, but not by much.  Despite this, I love and look forward to using everything I got!  Good job, Birchbox!  If you are interested in learning more about this service or want to sign up for a subscription yourself, click here!

Also, if you're reading this, I hope your Monday went well!  I went through most of the day feeling like it was already Tuesday, so the rest of this week is bound to be just swell. :)

 

Birchbox: April 2013

I missed my Monday post again!  I had a stomach ache, sue me.

This month, Birchbox partnered with Women's Health Magazine for the theme "Tiny Tweaks, Big Results".  If you are interested in Birchbox, click here to learn more!  Let's take a look at what I received for April.

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle: "Great for all hair types, this nourishing elixir performs seven hair-healing functions. Among them: locking in color, adding shine, and instantly detangling." Full-size $21.95, Sample size $2.74

This stuff smells SO freakin' good.  Very coconut-y.  I like.  And, it does a great job of detangling my hair and making it feel super soft and shiny.  I don't know if this is typical, but mine was really hard to get the spray mechanism going at first.  The product itself is pretty thick in the bottle, so I had to add a little bit of water to thin it out so that it would spray. (Also, my nail polish is definitely orange...dunno why it's showing up pink.)

Caudalie Divine Oil: "Made with a blend of grape, argan, hibiscus, and sesame oils, this multitasking wonder gives skin, hair, and nails a gorgeous glow." Full-size $49, Sample size $1.47

I always hear very nice things about Caudalie, and I feel like this was a coveted sample among Birchbox subscribers this month. So, I feel lucky to have received it!  So far, I've only used it on the ends of my hair after it has dried to smooth things out and hydrate my locks.  As with most oils I've used, a little goes a long way!

LAFACE Laboratories BEAUX YEUX Beautiful Eyes Concentrate Intensive: "A hefty dose of hyaluronic acid amps up moisture levels, while an advanced peptide complex halts wrinkle formation." Full-size $160 (what!!), Sample size $16

This is definitely the most expensive sample I've received from Birchbox.  I've been using this for the past few days, and I really like it.  It's not as thick as some other eye creams I've tried, and even though this is a small sample, you don't need to use much.  The first time I used it, I kind of felt like it tingled, which made me think it must be working.  Or doing something, at least.  Ha!

Supergoop! Daily Correct SPF 35 CC Cream: "This next-generation CC cream provides corrective coverage and triple protects against UVA, UVB, and infrared-A rays." Full-size $32, Sample size $2.03

The BB cream craze has escalated into a CC cream craze.  These products are supposed to be better than tinted moisturizers, but in reality, I think they're about on the same level.  I received the shade "Light/Medium", which is the lightest shade of the two shades offered.  I do think it's a little dark for me, but I'm just super pale.  It's supposed to be self-adjusting, so maybe it'll match me better once I get a little more sun.  Other than that, I think it offers good coverage, and I always love SPF.

LIFESTYLE EXTRA:
Hail Merry Chocolate Macaroons: "It tastes too good to be true: These decadent treats are raw, vegan, gluten-free, and made with only natural, non-GMO ingredients." Full-size $5, Sample size $1.26

These were...interesting.  They weren't what I thought a typical macaroon is like; they were more like little organic brownie chunks with a lot of coconut.  They definitely tasted "healthy", if you know what I mean.  I probably wouldn't buy them again on my own, but they were neat to try out.

ALSO, because this box was a partnership with Women's Health Magazine, every box included a card with a free year's subscription to the magazine, exclusively for Birchbox subscribers. Worth $9.99, this subscription by itself pays for this month's box. I'll definitely be mailing this in soon!

So, my Birchbox for April is worth $43.48. Very nice! Definitely mostly because of the eye cream and magazine subscription, but I'm not complaining.

Birchbox: February 2013

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!  I'm not usually a fan of this holiday, but this year has been pretty wonderful.  I got my Birchbox relatively early this month!  Which is especially amazing since some of the boxes shipped late due to all of the recent snow in the Northeast.  This month's theme is "Red Carpet Ready".  Let's take a peek at what I received, shall we?

Jouer Matte Moisture Tint: From the info card included in the box, "This SPF 15 oil-free tinted moisturizer blends in beautifully to even out skin and control shine."  

In February of 2012, I received the Luminizing Moisture Tint from Jouer, and I loved it.  When I discovered they had a matte version, I desperately wanted to try it.  Very excited to receive this sample!  I do wish the sample size was bigger (it's 0.07 fl oz), but if it's anything like the LMT, a little goes a long way.  Unfortunately, the full sizes of these products are quite the investment ($38.00).  That's pretty much the only thing keeping me from buying both.

Juicy Couture Couture La La: "Roll out the red carpet for this new scent, a stunning mix of mandarin, red currant, lily, and orange blossom."  

While my favorite Juicy perfume I've smelled is still Viva La Juicy La Fleur, this one is pretty nice.  It definitely reminds me of Clinique Happy.  Very citrus-y.  Spritz with caution. 

TIGI Catwalk Session Series Transforming Dry Shampoo: "Master stylists always have this oil-busting dry shampoo in their kit. It leaves behind a tousled, piecey finish."  

 

For me, dry shampoo is a beauty product category that is either hit or miss.  I haven't tried out this particular sample yet--I'm saving it for the weekend in case it doesn't work out.  But, I'm excited to try it nonetheless! And, I can always use it for travel if it isn't stellar.

Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator: "This exfoliating cleanser uses professional-grade (read: effective) microderm crystals and papaya enzymes to brighten skin."  Sounds fancy.  I've used this once so far, and I like it.  

 

It really does have a very fine texture that feels like you're giving your skin a thorough polishing.  Plus, this is a huge sample size, so it will last me a while.

**It should be noted that this box also included a caramel Ghirardelli Square that was consumed immediately upon sight. :)

I'd say this was a pretty great Birchbox month for me.  I'll definitely use everything I received.  Interested in signing up for Birchbox yourself? Click here.