Birchbox | July 2013

Contents:

◆ 1 Birchbox Extra: Set of 2 Bobby Pins
(Sample Size - $1.67)
These bobby pins are cute, but I don't really care for them. They are really hard to get in and out of hair and they are pretty bulky as well.

◆ 2 ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick in "Get Naked"
(Sample Size - $8.00)
I'm not a huge fan of nude lipsticks, or lipsticks in general so I didn't even bother trying this. I decided to give it as a gift instead.

◆ 3 Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect
I don't know if I'm crazy or what, but I couldn't figure out how large the sample size was. I'm not sure how I feel about this product. I've used other leave in conditioners, so I'll give it a shot. It smells decent.

◆ 4 Dr. Jart Ceramidin Cream
(Sample Size - $7.68)
This cream goes on smoothly, doesn't smell too bad, and doesn't make my face feel sticky or look shiny. It says it repairs skin damage and provides hydration for up to 26 hours, so I'm hoping for the best.

◆ 5 LA FRESH Instant Body Soother
(Sample Size - $0.83)
I received two of these little body soother wipes. I don't really see the point in this product, but I tried it out anyway. It smells a lot like minty toothpaste, which was a bit strange for a product being applied to skin. Luckily, the smell doesn't stick with you. I was not impressed at all. I don't feel refreshed and it made my skin feel a little sticky.

This box's value falls around $20. I think this box was by far the worst one I've received. Out of the 5 months that I've had Birchbox, only one box has blew me away. I actually forgot to blog about it last month. It was my June box and it came with some really great exfoliator, shampoo, and high definition powder and even some really cute destination postcards which I framed and put in the living room.

After much debate, I've decided to cancel my Birchbox subscription and give some other boxes a shot. I just signed up for Eco-Emi which is a subscription box that focuses on eco friendly products. You can get anything from makeup, skin care, or even food. I'm excited after seeing some of the reviews on Youtube.

BeautyArmy | March 2013

I received my first Beauty Army box earlier this month. I really like this subscription box because you get to pick the items you're going to receive and some of them may even be full size. It is $12 a month and so far, I am happy with what I selected and received.

The box I received was pink on the outside with a pink camouflage print on the inside of the lid and cute pink and black tissue paper wrapped around the products. I really like the box and it's very reusable. Very cute packaging.

Here are the items I selected:

Dermisa | Skin Fade Cream (Full Size $14)

"Lighten and prevent age spots, freckles, and skin discoloration with this light non-oily cream".

I've tried this for a few days now. It says that you have to try it for a few months before you may be able to see results, so I don't really have much to say as far as the fading part of the cream. However, it does have a bit of a weird smell. I heard someone describe the smell being similar to hair removal products, and I agree. It's a strong smell, but luckily it doesn't last too long. I'll have to do a follow up on this product once I've used it for a while.

Macadamia Natural Oil | Deep Repair Masque (Full Size $33)

"Reveal shinier, healthier hair with this intense, 7-minute treatment."

I haven't had a chance to try this yet, but I'm excited to give it a shot! I've never used a hair masque before, but I've heard good things, so I'm hoping this works well. It has a lot of good reviews on the site.

Mark. | Scanda-Lash Black Mascara (Full Size $6.50)

"A deep, dark black mascara."

This was one of the full size items that I received. It came with a little piece that allows you to hook up to two Mark products together. I thought that was pretty cool. I tried this mascara this morning and thought it was a pretty decent, regular mascara. It's not too thick and lumpy and it adds just a little bit of definition to your lashes. I'd wear this on days when I want a more natural look.

Whip Hand Cosmetics | Medal of Honor Loose Pigment Eyeshadow (Full Size $11.90)

"The final color in the exclusive Beauty Army and Whip Hand Cosmetics Camo Collection. Medal of Honor is a beautiful shimmering gold."

I wasn't too sure about the color when I selected it, but figured I'd give it a shot. I tried it out the other day and find it to be more of a pinkish bronze than a gold. It has a good pigmentation and looks really nice on. I'm really impressed by the color.

Skinn Cosmetics | Teen Tone Eye, Cheek, & Lip Glow (Full Size $17)

"This rich creamy formula adds a natural touch of color to eyes, cheeks, and lips -- anywhere the sun may naturally kiss you."

This was another item that I received the full size of. I really like the peachy tint to this product. I tried it on my cheeks and eyelids and loved it! However, when I put it on my lips, it was a bit too chalky looking to me. It just didn't look natural. I think it might look better if I put some gloss with it though.

New York Streets | Dry Shampoo (Full Size $17.99)

"Add incredible texture to your hair with this dry shampoo. Absorbs excess oils and unwanted odors while building volume."

This was another item that I got a full size version of. This was actually the item that drew me to purchase the box for this month. I've never tried a dry shampoo, but was really interested in giving this one a shot. I now have two dry shampoos that I have received, so I'll have to compare them to each other soon.

All in all, I really liked the items I picked for this box. If you'd like to join Beauty Army, click here!

Birchbox | March 2013

I received my first Birchbox in the mail today! I pre qualified late in the month, but was lucky enough to get the March Birchbox. If you don't know what Birchbox is, it is one of the many beauty subscription boxes offered that delivers hand picked beauty samples straight to your door each month for $10. You receive 4 -5 samples, learn tips and tricks, buy what you love, and earn points.

This month was all about March Madness and Birchbox is hosting beauty face-offs on their Facebook page and teaming up with Birchbox Man to run their own March Madness bracket.

My box came with the following beauty samples:

Juice Beauty | Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream

"This color corrective cream is the ultimate multitasker. The lightweight cream natuarally improves skin tone with vitamin C and grape-derived resveratrol."

I've never used a repairing cream before, but from the description, it sounds like something I'd like. I'll have to give it a try and see if it can improve my skin tone.

Juicy Couture | Couture La La

"Meet the latest addition to our fragrance collection: a heady mix of mandarin, red currant, lily, and orange blossom."

I'm not the biggest fan when it comes to "traditional" perfumes. I have a very sensitive nose and therefore if I wear anything with scent, I will continuously smell it...so it has to be light, fruity, or something simple to not cause me to have a major headache. This perfume sample is definitely in the no category for me. It is really strong and smells a lot like perfume an older woman would wear, so I just know that it would cause me problems if I wore it.

Serge Normant | Meta Revive Dry Shampoo

"The A-list stylist created this volume-boosting mist to give second-day locks a lift. Bonus: The subtle fragrance leaves hair sweetly scented."

Believe it or not, I still haven't tried out a dry shampoo. I've heard a lot about them and have seen so many of them out there. I actually have another sample I received from Beauty Army that I need to test as well. I'm hoping that it works well, so super excited to try it!

Whish | Shave Crave Shaving Cream

"The organic shea butter in this foam-free shaving cream makes for an insanely close shave and leaves skin incredibly soft. We love the exclusive blueberry scent."

This is the one product that I have seen in a lot of the Birchboxes for March. Now, I would never pay $20 for a shaving cream, but I will definitely give this sample a try. It smells really nice and makes me crave blueberry dessert lol.

BEAUTY EXTRA

Madewell for Birchbox | Emery Board

"We teamed up with Madewell to create this adorable mini savior, patterned after a print from the new spring collection."

This box came with a beauty extra, which was a cute emery board. Nothing too special, but I can always use a spare emery board. I forgot to take a picture of the pattern, but it does have a cute spring floral pattern on the back.

For my first box from Birchbox, I wasn't super impressed, but I think I missed out on some of the good stuff since I got my box so late in the month - just my opinion though. Just hoping for a better box next month :)