October Birchbox Brag

I haven't shared my Birchbox goodies in a couple months. When I bought into Birchbox, I paid for a full year subscription. I love getting my goodies each month, and I have found some fun products that I have ended up buying. I think maybe at the end of my subscription I might decide to go with another monthly product service. Not because I have anything bad to say about Birchbox, I just think I will try something new. Anywho... Here are my October goodies

This month Birchbox teamed up with goop for the box. Honestly, I couldn't tell the difference. I did go to goop.com and learned that it was started by Gwyenth Paltrow and it has some neat things, but other than that, I wasn't overly blown away by it.

Some people complain about getting food products in their box, but I don't mind. I mean I have eaten all the snacks they have sent me, and I have yet to try on all the perfume samples. This month my lifestyle extra is 3 tea bags from Mighty Leaf Teas. These are "yummy tea blends made from natural, ethically sourced ingredients." I love tea, and I will drink these, but $10 for a box of 15 tea bags is a bit steep. (Ha! When I reread this I giggled at my unintentional pun. Tea? Steep? Get it?)

I got a nice little assortment of samples: 1)Caudalie's Vinoperfect Radiance Serum to brighten skin tone and fade dark spots 2) Orofluido's Beuty Elixer (a hair treatment) and per-fekt Beauty's Lip Perfection Gel in Melrose. I really wish there was a bigger sample of this, because this tinted, moisturizing gloss is something I have been looking for.

Finally, I noticed my box was a little heavier than usual this month. It was due to the FULL SIZE DDF Brightening Cleanser. I am always looking for a good facial cleanser. This one says it will even skin tone and fade any discoloration. I'm always nervous about drying out my skin, but I have tried it a few times and it seems to be doing okay so far.

Do you subscribe to any monthly boxes? Which one do you like best?

July Birchbox

Yay! Birchbox time! For those of you who don't know, Birchbox is a monthly subscription service and they send you fun beauty samples. Spoiler Alert: I pretty much loved my box.

1. This month Glamour and Birchbox teamed up to give a "senses" themed box. Look at the cute packaging.

2. Oscar de la Renta: Live in Love "elegant floral layers ethereal notes of hyacinth and orchid over a rich base of sandalwood and cedar." 

 I don't like it. That is all.

3. Bosica: Green tea blotting linens "These shine busting sheets absorb oil with all natural green tea extracts to leave skin matte." 

I tried these out and they seem to work pretty well. These will be in my bag on vacation for sure.

4.Eyeko: Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Purple "Direct from London, these punchy color liners feature a pen style applicator that's truly goofproof." 

I have never tried liquid liner, and had always been a bit nervous about it. BUT I guess that's the purpose of these boxes. Um, so simple and the purple was fun, but not tacky. 

5. Jouer: Luminizing Moisture Tint "This light weight award winner is our daily shortcut to dewy skin that feels natural and looks good."

This stuff felt okay, but it was such a small sample that I couldn't really decide if I liked it or not. 

6. Larabar uber bar: The latest addition to our snack drawer, these healthy and satisfying bars are packed with dried nuts and fruits."

YUMMY! Love me some larabars!

7. Do you see the fun earbuds? Lime green and hot pink?Yes please! I totally needed a new pair, and these are so fun!

Do you Birchbox? How do you try out new beauty products?

Click here to sign up for your own Birchbox!

June Birchbox

I really can't explain to you how happy that little pink box makes me when I find it in my mail box. Every month I say I will wait to open it so I can get a picture of it for the blog, but when the next month comes, I can't stand it waiting and it is ripped open before I make it to the front door. (Seriously, I have no control.)

Inside the pink outer carton is this super cute little box. The Mister is annoyed that I keep saving these, but I just know come Christmas time, they will be useful. (Useful or recycled...)

So let's see what June had to offer me:

Comodynes- Self Tanning Intensive: Who needs the sun when you can get a safe, buildable, and natural-looking tan with these best selling European towelettes?
I have been wanting to try a self tanner, as I really am not down with skin cancer, but I am very much for tan skin. I also am really white, so we will see how these work. All self-tanners say natural looking, so I am hoping I don't end up looking like this or this:

Source

Stila- one step bronze: Fake an island glow with this three in one bronzer, primer and serum. It also keeps your skin's oil production in check.

Thank you Birchbox for the FULL SIZED product! I have never worn a bronzer before, and to be honest I am a little nervous, but I have been wanting to try one for the longest time.

the Balm cosmetics- Staniac in Beauty Queen: We're crazy about this two in one lip and cheek stain, the sheer gel formula delivers a subtle, long wearing flush.

I'm trying this one out right now. I always feel silly wearing color on my lips, but I like the idea of this. I do wish the color wasn't as red. I kind of think it looks like I have chapped lips.

Wonderstruck- Taylor Swift: The pop country songstress' scent is as catchy as her lyrics. We think it's worthy of a standing gig on our vanity.

I don't hate it. BUT I like Clinique Hapy Heart better.

LUNA Bar- Luna Minis: Weather we're running errands or hopping on a plane, we always have emergency snacks on hand. These just sweet enough treat are our go-to's.

At work I have a little box in my drawer with little snacks in it. Luna bars (along with Cliff, and Lara bars) are usually a feature in there. I happen to love the Chocolate Peppermint stick flavor. Because school is out, I don't have my snack drawer. So I ate this right after I took the picture. 

Dear Birchbox, Thank you for not giving me a note card this month. Also, thank you for giving this white girl a way to look golden brown. Love, Casey

Do you want to subscribe to Birchbox? Follow my referral link!

May Birchbox

I have been looking forward to recieving  my May Birchbox. It had been promoted as a Gossip Girl themed box. I was excited, and I anxiously checked my mail box as soon as I got the email saying it had been shipped. Finally, I saw the familiar shaped box, wrapped in a black band, that screamed Gossip Girl. **Confession** I have never seen Gossip Girl. In compete honesty, I don't even know what it is about. I guessed it was going to contain glamorous make-up products. I opened my box and was greeted with the contents card.

Algenist- Eye Renewal Balm: Dark circles don't stand a chance against this rich eye cream, which softens lines and deflates puffiness with a unique microalgae compound.

I've used this once, and it seemed to work well.

Color Club- Nail polish in Disco Nap: Give nails a gilded look with this luxe metallic polish.

I love nail polish. This is such a fun color. Love it.

Dr. Jart: Waterfuse BB Cream: Think of this four in one moisturizer, serum, sunscreen and skin perfecting tint as the (extremely stylish) Swiss Army Knife of your beauty line-up.

This product intrigues me, but I haven't tried it yet.

Ojon- Volume advance Volumizing Shampoo: Made with ultra nourishing Central American ojon oil, this weightless shampoo helps hair look and feel thicker.

I haven't tried it. 

And my Birchbox Extra:

Notecards: Text messages are no match for handwritten notes on fun, modern stationary.

When I read this on the card, I thought "I like fun little cards. I bet there are a couple cute ones in here." WTF Birchbox, you sent me 1 piece of 4x6 card stock with XOXO printed on it. Boo. I will trade my card stock for your laundry detergent from last week.

Overall, I wasn't too impressed with my box. Especially now that I have now seen people are getting fun liquid eyeliners. I really don't know how this box is Gossip Girl themed, besides for the black box it came in.

Do you want to subscribe to Birchbox? Follow my referral link!

My newest treat: April Birchbox

On Friday's post, I talked about treating myself. I failed to mention my newest (and pretty fun!) way that I treat myself: Birchbox. If you haven't heard of Birchbox, you are in for a treat! In a nutshell, once a month you get a box of beauty samples (usually around 5 or 6 items) in your mailbox. It's $10 a month, or you can sign up for a year for $110(basically you get one box free.) The samples inside are everything from hair products to make up to skin stuff. You fill out a beauty profile, and the products you get are customized to your profile. They are higher-end products and it is fun to try them out. In a blog-fail move, I never got around to posting about my March box. (All the items in it were picked out by Teen Vogue, and included a full size bottle of Essie polish!) I wanted make sure that I shared my goodies this month with all of you. This month's box was themed around "natural wonders."

Here's what's in my Birchbox this month:
Yes To Blueberries: Brightening Facial Towelettes
These nifty wipes remove all signs of makeup and grime. Plus, they refresh skin with a fruity blend of apple, blueberry and lemon peel extracts.
I tried these, and really liked them. I have never gotten in a good routine of face washing. I know, I know that is bad, but I am so tired at night and I usually shower at night, so I figure I am okay. I have tried Proactive, but I stopped using it when I noticed my sheets were getting bleached out. Seriously, how can something that bleaches out my sheets be a good thing for my skin? These wipes left my skin feeling really soft and they smelled good. I would love to bring these with me for the end of a hike. I also think they would be good for this summer's vacation plans and wiping my face off after playing in the beach.

Zoya: TRUE Spring Collection
Lighten up for spring with this fresh shade. The non-toxic formula goes on opaque and lasts 50% longer than traditional polishes.

The color is called Bevin, and I probably wouldn't have picked it out myself, but I am liking it. The Zoya website calls it a sage green, but I think of it as a little bluer than sage.

Erno Laszlo: Active pHelityl Soap
Rich in pure plant oils, this cult brand's moisturizing bar helps balance your skin's pH levels.
I haven't tried it, but it kind of smells like boy soap.

Harvey Prince: Yogini
Take a deep breath and relax with this calming scent. Notes of sandalwood, Egyptian myrrh, and grapefruit will help you feel as good as you smell.
Eh. Not my favorite smell. I liked the perfume sample in last month's box better (Kate Spade's Twirl)

Juice Beauty: Oil Free Moisturizer
Feed your skin with this standout hydrator, which is made with an organic fruit-based formula that won't clog pores.
The packaging says "blemish clearing." It also doesn't have the benzyl peroxide in it, which is the stuff that was bleaching out my sheets. It smells good, and doesn't feel greasy when I put it on.

If you are interested in getting your own Birchbox, you can go to their website or feel free to click on this little link. I have heard rumor that May's box is themed around Gossip Girl!
https://www.birchbox.com?raf=dzkz9
If you were to get a Birchbox subscription through my link, I would earn referral points for my account.

I'm excited ya'll.
Today I got the email I have been waiting for.
I am now officially a Birchbox subscriber.

Source

I heard about Birchbox through blogs, and I immediately wanted one. I was devastated when I was put on a wait list for a subscription. And now I can't wait for next month to open my very own Birchbox.

Are you a Birchbox member?