November Birchbox 2013

Yup, it's that time of the month again! I've finally used all of my Birchbox products. They have been tried and  tested, and now you get to hear how much I loved or hated them.

First and foremost is this little serum by DDF.

This "amplifying elixir" is supposed to increase my skin natural moisture retention rate. And with winter in full force, even here in the South, that's something that I find really important. My skin is now in its winter state of dry, scaly awfulness. Even my eyelids are dry, and honestly, how does that even happen?

Honestly, though, this stuff didn't come to the rescue. In fact, I've only used it twice. The first time was a disaster. My skin felt like I had a really bad sunburn. It itched and tingled. It was red and blotchy and painful. Even after a full night of sleep, I woke up to warm, tender cheeks that still looked like I'd been slapped. I was going to put this product off as another failure, but I gave it another chance. Why? Because before application, I had just exfoliated. I thought that might have something to do with it.

And sure enough, the second application wasn't nearly as painful. But it didn't really do anything for my skin. At all. And it tingled just enough to be uncomfortable, and I'm not about that. I wear beauty products to make myself happy, not to punish myself. End of story.

Next up was this perfume:

Since it's hyped so much by the Birchbox staff, I was expecting something tremendous. But in the end, this was just an ok perfume. Nothing new or noteworthy. Floral, fruity, and young with just a hint of mature musk, it smells an awful lot like everything else on store shelves right now. Kind of a meh for me.

However, the iffy box was redeemed by the next several products I used. First and foremost, this Color Club nail polish in Baldwin Blues. 

I love blue. LOOOOOOVE it. And this shade is no exception. It's a deep, denim blue that goes on perfectly in two coats. Color Club never fails when it comes to polish. This one is as stunning as all of the others that I've tried. 

TheBalm Stainiac was....alright. I'm a bigger fan of Benefit.

The color is great, don't get me wrong. It's a pinky-red color that is bright and flattering. It's the formula that breaks it for me. It's a gel, which is odd enough on it's own. But this gel has a habit of clumping up into these little nuggets of color that settle into the cracks on my lips. It doesn't provide an even coat of color. Just a spotty wash. Now, if your lips are in awesome condition, then fabulous! This product will give you a bit of a just-bit-my-lip pink. Otherwise, you'll have to exfoliate the living daylights out of your lips to get it to work well (like me). 

And last but not least, the Mox Botanicals Bath Milk. 

This little teabag was awesome! It had a bunch of great smelling goodies inside that did really well in my steaming hot tub.The scent was just right, a mix of earthy and smooth. The coconut really came through during the whole length of my bath. I can't say much about how my skin felt afterwards, because my skin always feels awesome after a bath. But I can say that I smelled really nice. 

I would love to try out the other scents that this brand has and give them all a good, solid review. 

Thanks for reading! 

October Birchbox 2013: Mass Review

As my November box makes its way toward me, I figure it's about time I drag myself away from work to review my October box. Honestly, I thought this box was awful when I first opened it. And in the end, I wasn't super impressed. Shame on you, Birchbox! I expect more from you after this long.

First is the Alison Raffaele Reality Base Foundation. This product was terribly packaged, for one. The label had already come off, leaving a sticky residue all over the bottle. And I think it would be impossible to get all of the product out of this sample.

Think, you say? Don't you know for certain?

No, because I didn't use this product. At all.

Do you see how dark and yellow that product is? Like, whoa. I'm super light skinned, as I stated in my Birchbox profile. And they send me something that even my tan friends think is yellow. 

So it's not totally their fault, I get it. But the product is also....mediocre, to put it lightly. It was really runny. The coverage was thick and impossible the blend. I just wasn't blown away. Especially not for a price tag of $38. I'd rather not pay an arm and a leg to end up streaky and yellow. Thanks, but no thanks.

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Next was the POP Beauty Aqua Lacquer. This may be one of the weirdest lip glosses I've ever gotten. And I'm not a fan of lip gloss to begin with. 

The applicator for this product is supposed to be a "unique spatula-like applicator brush" that makes application easy. Ha. Ha ha! It's awkward and hard to get just right. I would have preferred a doe foot applicator or even just a squeeze tube. Instead, it's a combination of squeeze tube and weird "patented" (aka gimmicky) spatula. Great. 

And on top of that, the gloss just isn't that great. It thick and sticky, unlike what all of the marketing about this product says. It also tastes awful, which only matters for people like me that lick and bite their lips constantly. 

As far as hydration goes, that part was nice. It does about as well a decent lip balm. Nothing earth shattering, but hey, you take what you can get. 

Unfortunately for me, I kind of like the color. Just enough to maybe use it once or twice before it gets forgotten at the bottom of my makeup drawer. Oh, well.

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By far, one of my favorite things in the box was the Chapstick product. ChapStick Hydration Lock is my new favorite daily lip product. At this point, I've almost used the whole stick that I got in my Birchbox. 

This stuff is super moisturizing. It makes even my chapped lips feel like butter. And as winter creeps ever onward, I'm going to be glad to have a constant supply of this in my vanity. And my purse. And my other purse. And my backpack. And my wallet. 

What? I'm a hoarder for lip balms. 

There's not a whole lot to say about this, though, other than it's awesome. Great moisture, nice scent/flavor, and the usual Chapstick quality. No complaints here.

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The last product in my box was a twofer, although that's almost a shame. I feel like since they're packaged together, it should count for one product. But eh, what are you going to do?

The Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser and Liz Earle Pure Muslin Cloths are nice quality. And they should be, for the cost. The polish is nice, although using it on dry skin was odd to say the least. Definitely different from what I'm used to. 

The polish did, however, leave my skin baby soft. I kept stroking my cheek because I was impressed at how well it had exfoliated all of those awful dry patches that come with swatching products on a near daily basis. It smoothed everything out and gave me this gorgeous glow. It also didn't make my skin red like most focused exfoliators. 

The cloth helped with that. I usually use a microfiber scrubber for my face, but this muslin was just as nice, if not better. It's become a staple in my bathroom and I use it even when I don't use the Liz Earle polishing cleanser. 

Overall, a half and half box. Two flops, two winners. Maybe Novemeber will be better? 

Thanks for reading! 

September Birchbox: Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel (And the Giveaway Winner)

First off, let me state that I have never been a huge fan of products aimed at "sensitive skin." Why, you ask? Because it either a) doesn't work as intended or b) disturbs the gentle nature of my skin in some form or fashion.

I'm also not a huge fan of peels because "sensitive" or not, they always leave me feeling dry and itchy and blotchy.

This peel, made by the brand I've come to like, doesn't cut the mustard either.

When Birchbox said this product gave a "mild tingle," I knew I was in trouble. Because honestly, calling it a tingle is putting it very, very lightly. 

Bluntly put, this stuff burns. Maybe it's the fruit-based acids or the length of time it's supposed to be on. But it left my skin raw and aching after only half of the allotted ten minutes. I rinsed it off and my skin still felt hot to the touch and really tender for a good half hour afterwards. 

And maybe it's just my skin, but the next day, I had a couple of breakouts. Nothing major, just some areas on my skin that bubbled up because of the extreme dryness that this peel left my skin with. 

Perhaps this product isn't meant for someone with just sensitive skin. Maybe it's for people who have oily skin as well. Or skin that can handle some "mild tingle." But it's definitely not for me. 

Which is a shame. As much as I enjoy Juice Beauty's products, this one just isn't a winner. 

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And now, for what you've all been waiting for....The winner of the Montagne Jeunesse giveaway is....

Patricia F.! Congrats, Patricia. I've sent the company your contact information and they should be getting in touch with you shortly. 

Thanks, everyone, for your entries. I really loved seeing your comments and getting some love for an awesome brand. 

Thanks for reading!

BirchBox September: Beauty Protector Shampoo and Conditioner

I already have a shampoo that I am in love with, but I'm always happy to try something new! It helps that I adore Beauty Protector's UV Spray.

This shampoo and conditioner combo smelled just like that spray. Beachy, soft coconut. It smells like breezes on islands and summer memories. It's a gentle smell, not one that lingers all day, but enough to give me a little pep in the morning.

As far as product goes, these were all right. Nothing really amazing about them.

I feel like if you were to pair these up with a whole line of similar products, it might make a difference. But as stand alone products, they were just kind of meh. I didn't notice  a disitinct difference in my hair's texture or shine. Just clean and a little softer than when I don't use conditioner. Which makes sense.

Although I have to say, for the price tag of $22 a pop, I'd look for something a little more sensational.

Nice try, Beauty Protector, but not for me.

September Birchbox: Ruffian Polish in Fox Hunt and Bonus Review

Let me start by saying that I totally voted for this color on Birchbox's website. So I'm a little bit biased. I loved it on the website and I love it even more on my nails.

Ruffian, from what I understand, is a high-end fashion brand that is just now stepping into the world of nail polish. And from my experience, they are having a hell of a good start.

This polish went on smooth as butter. Better, even, then some of the other high end brands that I have tried. It was perfectly opaque in two coats, which is stunning for a color this vivid. Means that I can save more polish for later. 

There was absolutely no streaks with this Ruffian polish. And the color is amazing. It's a burnt orange with hints of gold shimmer, and just a touch of pink if you look at it in the right light. Perfect for fall, it screams pumpkins and (of course) foxes. 

I also have to say that I was dubious about the chip free aspect of this polish. I work my hands pretty hard, and I wasn't expecting it to live up to the hype. However, I'm on day four of wearing this polish and my nails look just like they do in that picture. Minimal tip wear, but no major chips. My nails also aren't peeling, which is completely new to me. 

It might help that I'm also using Deborah Lippmann's Gel Lab Manicure set, which I purchased from Birchbox a while back and absolutely adore. 

This kit contains a tough as all get out case coat and a high gloss top coat. It adds impressive lasting power to any polish. But even this isn't perfect. It takes a really great polish to get the kind of wear that I'm experiencing with this Ruffian polish.

I have to say, if this one mini bottle is anything to go with, Ruffian is definitely in it to win it. They're a brand to look out for in the nail polish world. 

Thanks for reading!

August Birchbox 2013: uniqONE All In One Hair Treatment

This is a product genre that I'm starting to get tired of. 

Just for reference, I usually don't mess with my hair. I let it air dry. I don't blow dry it. I don't add any product. I just let it do its thing so I don't end up looking like a disaster. 

So when I saw ANOTHER hair treatment in my box, I sighed a little. Another product to cramp up my counter until I give it to my best friend. Figures.

Aaaaand another BB picture because of camera issues.

Over all, though, this isn't a bad product. 

It smells alright, but the smell fades quickly. I'm fine with that. I don't necessarily want to catch huge whiffs of floral smell all day. It was just pleasant enough that I didn't mind using it. Sweet, but not girly. Fragrant, but not overpowering. 

This was also very easy to apply. Unlike some issues I've encountered with similar bottles, this created a fine, even mist that didn't leave clumps of shine in my hair. It combed out easily and thoroughly, leaving every hair protected.

The hair treatment also left my hair feeling soft and silky, as promised. My hair didn't dry out when I hit it with my blow dryer. It stayed shiny and soft all day. However, once I stepped outside, the Southern humidity took its toll and I had frizzies like you wouldn't believe. 

In the end, this isn't a terrible product. It's just not one I'm going to use. I don't style my hair enough to use something like this every day. 

Time to shuck it off on a friend!

Thanks for reading. 

August Birchbox: Whish Deodorant Swipes and Coconut Milk Correcting Gel

Since these two products are made by the same brand, they are going to share realty on my blog.

First and foremost, the disappointment.

Image stolen from BirchBox's website, because my camera is having a hissy fit.

I was really excited to try these deodorant wipes. They smelled excellent out of the package and I always love the promise of using something natural on my sensitive underarms. I was also lured in by the promise of hair removal over time.

I should have known that too many promises lead to heartbreak.

This product smelled great on, although it was odd to apply deodorant with a wipe. Great for travel, I suppose, but wasteful for everyday use.

But hey, I smelled nice and my skin was definitely softer and cleaner than when I started.

So I go about my busy day, which is when the problems started. At around noon (I had applied the Whish wipe at 8am), I started to smell funky. And not the jazzy, cool kind of funky. I mean I smelled like I hadn’t applied deodorant in weeks.

I smelled dirty and sweaty and everyone noticed. It was like I was walking around in a funk cloud.

Needless to say, I pulled out my spare stick of deodorant that I keep with me for just such occasions and banished the cloud forever. Unfortunately, the damage was done. My shirt smelled off and even with the promises Whish gave me, I found myself putting this particular product on my “Never Try Again” list.

Again, picture courtesy of BirchBox.

Enter the Whish Coconut Milk Correcting Gel. It’s meant for after sun, which makes sense for most people when it’s the middle of summer. But I don’t get out much. Or even if I do, I apply loads and loads of sunscreen. However, I did use this morning and night, as directed, anyways.

It made my skin feel a little bit tight at first, which I assume is the aloe. I always have that feeling with aloe.

Afterwards, my skin was soft and smooth, if a little stiff feeling. It tingled a little for a while, and I imagine that the feeling would intensify if I had gone out in the sun. It’s not terrible by any means. But the smell. Well, that’s another thing entirely.

The smell is…intense. It’s fruity and fragrant. In fact, it smells exactly like this perfume that I have called Mango Tea. It smells like summer and drinks on the beach. Which is awesome, except that the smell wouldn’t go away. It was strong enough to make my nose burn at first, but it eventually died to just a ghost. But it lasted. The. Whole. Day. This face gel has better lasting power than most perfumes that I’ve used.

But in all honesty, that’s not exactly a compliment. I don’t necessarily want my perfume to have to compete with my skin care regimen. So this product will be used, but it will be relegated to days when I actually go out in the sun. 

August BirchBox: (MALIN+GOETZ) Vitamin E Face Moisturizer

First off, sorry for the lack of updates. I've moved recently, and it's been a little hectic. Luckily, I'm pretty much settled now, so this should be more consistent. And more detailed. As I write this, I am sitting at my desk basking in the joy of overhead lighting. Wide windows let in tons of sunlight. I have an entire breakfast nook just for blogging purposes! It's glorious, and I can't wait to get more writing done. You guys can expect lots of things in the future. So keep an eye out!

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This is one of the first things that I tested once I got my August Birchbox. I love Vitamin E, and I'm always looking for ways to work it into my skin care routine.

This moisturizer is honestly leaving me on the fence, though. 

It certainly does its job, don't get me wrong. It is soft and gentle, leaving my skin feeling supple for the entire day. It goes on easy, absorbing quickly into the skin without leaving any trace of greasy residue. 

One thing that should also be noted is that it didn't make my face oily later in the day. And that's saying something, since I live in the Southern US and it's August. For those of you who don't know, that means it's an average of 80 degrees Fahrenheit every day with a humidity of close to 100%. Having a moisturizer that doesn't make me oily or acne prone is a boon. 

The only thing that I don't like about this particular cream is that it smells. Really strongly. And, honestly, it smells a bit like a chemical factory. I think it's supposed to be fragrance free, but as such it smells like I just walked out of a plastic factory. 

This is really unfortunate, because I feel like (MALIN+GOETZ) really hit the nail on the head as far as moisture goes. I just don't think I could stand to smell this every day. 

Thanks for reading!

Birchbox July 2013 Uber Review

Since July was crazy for me (and August is looking to be crazier), I figured I would save myself some time and review my entire BirchBox at once. Hopefully this won't become too much of an occurrence. I like to pace things out and get the full scope of a product. July's, however, is going to be one of those wam-bam deals. So buckle up, kiddos, it's gonna be fast.

These bobby pins...what can I say about them? They're bobby pins. I only wish they weren't so straight, since they tend to stick up on my head. They're also insanely difficult to get on there just right without bending them out of shape. They're cute, though, and decent for certain occasions. 

This blush, however, is awesome! It's become my new, go-to color. It's bright and fresh without being obvious. It lasts forever, even in the middle of summer. In fact, I wore this for a 13 hour workday and it stayed put then and for drinks afterward. It's a nice, peachy color that looks amazing with my complexion. This is going to be a full size purchase from the Birchbox store.

Benefit's It's Potent eye cream was kind of a let down. I was expecting something that would drastically reduce my under eye bruising and sagging. And it helped. A little. But even after two weeks of use, there wasn't a significant difference. Not significant enough for the price tag, anyways. Maybe it works better on people who aren't always on the go, but it was still a bit disappointing. However, it is moisturizing and feels nice on the skin while it soaks in.

Another let down this month. No. 4, a brand I generally really like, missed it with this one. The product does sort of detangle, but not as well as the Beauty Protector I got in my box a while back. It smells like fake flowers, like they were trying too hard to smell fresh. It also doesn't make my hair nearly as flawless as many of the other (cheaper) products I've used. 

This product made me change my preferences on my Birchbox profile. Why, you ask? Because the past several boxes I have gotten tons of acne centric product. And that's a shame. I put acne as a skin concern because I get occasional zits and blemishes. I wasn't expecting to have nothing but those products for at least three months in a row. 

However, this product is great. It does exactly what it's supposed to do by controlling a blemish and reigning it in. Less redness, less pain, less icky. I've found that it's awesome for my husband's severe acne (which is great). I've only used it a couple of times, but it's well worth the price tag. For someone who actually has an issue with acne. 

Overall, this box wasn't as wowing as the rest have been. It tried, but it missed the mark on more than a couple of items. I'm hoping my boxes get better from here, now that I've tweaked my profile a bit more. 

Thanks for reading!

Birchbox June 2013: Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser

This is one of those products that I love so much, it is now added to my favorites on Birchbox. Aka, my wishlist of stuff I’m going to buy once I’m not swimming in debt without a life preserver.

This stuff, first of all, smells fantastic. Amazing. Unbelievable. There are no words to describe how it makes me feel. Bright and fizzy and happy and sunny. It’s tart and tangy, lemon fresh without smelling like chemicals or anything fake. I need a perfume that smells like this. And then I need to bathe in it so I can waft around a cloud of delightful lemongrass.

I digress. This exfoliator also works wonders on skin. It’s a gentle level of exfoliation. Not too harsh, but still rough enough to slough away all of the dead skin from a winter sitting inside. It’s a great way to start the summer.

The bubbles are also something I wasn’t expecting. I know the package said “foaming cleanser,” but I wasn’t expecting this level of effervescence. It didn’t feel soapy, it just felt bubbly and nice. Like it was lifting all of the ick from my skin. Which, I suppose, it was.

Also, a little of this goes a very long way. I used this multiple times over the course of two weeks.  My skin was brighter and looked healthier. It also didn’t leave my skin dry and tight, like many cleansers and exfoliators are wont to do.

This is an excellent product that I will be purchasing again!

Thanks for reading!

June Birchbox 2013: Mirenesse Glossy Kiss Lipstick

I'm going to tell you right off the bat, this product has become my go-to lip color now. I didn't know what to expect when I opened my box, but boy, did they hit this nail on the head.

This gorgeous color applies like butter. Soft and silky, there is absolutely zero dragging. It's hydrating without being sticky. It doesn't sink in the nooks and crannies of my lips. Just an all over shimmer of beautiful peachy red with a touch of golden shimmer. 

To me, this is the lip version of theBalm's Hot Mama. 

Lasting power isn't super awesome as far as gloss goes, but the matte stain has lasted me all day at work with hardly any wear off. And with the format of the color (in a nice pencil), reapplication is a breeze. I can easily run into the bathroom at work, glide some on, and be just as refreshed as ever.

Between this and the Baby Lips I just got, I'm as happy as a clam. 

Thanks for reading!

June Birchbox 2013: Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo

I already have the Serge Normant dry shampoo, and while I like it, I don't usually very often. I shower every other day, and that's rarely much of a hassle. Usually, I time my showers around my work schedule. So in the even when I open and in the morning when I close.

However, every now and then, I don't want to shower. Today? I'm heading to the river park and didn't want to shower only to slather on sunscreen. And then shower again when I get home.

It was the perfect opportunity to test out this product by Klorane that I received in my Birchbox.

Overall, this is a decent product. 

The spray is really intense, so when I first used it, there was white everywhere that I couldn't get rid of. However, if you hold really far away from your head, it is a little better. The white powder brushes out easily enough. 

This isn't as volumizing as the Serge Normant one, and the fragrance really isn't as great. This smells more like clean. Just that. Nothing really noticeable. Just clean, fresh air. 

It required a little more product to dry out the oils in my hair, but it did work. 

As far as the "gentle" goes....well, I don't know what they mean by that. Isn't going to harm my hair? Well, neither has any other dry shampoo I've ever tried. Albeit, I haven't cornered the market on them, but still. It did seem to make my hair a little bit softer and a good bit less greasy.

In those aspects, this product is a decent dry shampoo. I still prefer Serge Normant's because it requires less product, has a good fragrance, and doesn't have an intense spray that makes me feel like I'm in the midst of a tornado. Still good, though. 

Thanks for reading!

June Birchbox 2013: 100% Pure Body Creams

You guys, of all people, know how much lotion I have. And how hard it is for me to get excited about a new lotion. When the market is oversaturated, y’know. Like my current burn out with sunscreen.

These lotions are, honestly, just decent.

The creams feel luxurious when they’re applied. Thick and nourishing, they definitely do the job for ultra dry skin like my elbows and knees. They softened up the skin there are good deal and helped to combat some of the constant cracking I have on my elbows. So as body creams, they did excellently.

The fragrances, as well, were superb. The coconut smelled like a fresh cracked coconut on the beach. Meaty and fruity and sweet and warm. It made me long for the Bahamas more than anything else. Similarly, the vanilla bean smelled like vanilla sugar. Really, like raw sugar that has been sitting in a jar with a freshly stripped vanilla bean pod. It was scrumptious.

The only let down was after the application. These are moisturizing, sure. But I had a problem with the creams not soaking in very well. I was left with greasy hands and elbows for a while after I put this stuff on, even after rubbing it in. I was even extra careful and didn’t use too much. I only used a third of the sample pack and had this problem.

I understand that it’s a little heavier (since it’s a cream), but I don’t want to leave grease spots everywhere while waiting for my lotion to dry.

I can see myself using this at night, however. Putting it on my tired feet and donning a pair of socks while catching up on Game of Thrones. But as an everyday lotion? I think it’s a bit much. Which is a shame, because the smells made me so very, very happy.

Thanks for reading!

May Birchbox 2013: Amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask

I’m a huge fan of hair masks. I feel like they’re great for when I have a day off and want to make myself feel awesome. I’ll thrown on a face mask, a hair mask, and watch some Lost Girl. Maybe wash my makeup brushes or something like that while I’m relaxing.

                                 

Not to mention, most of the hair masks I’ve tried lately have been awesome. There were some duds, but the macadamia oil mask? Glorious. I’m still using that sample of macadamia oil treatment and it always makes my hair look like I just stepped away from a photoshoot.

So when I saw a hair mask in my box, I was super excited. I was already planning a spa day at home!

In the end, though, this mask was kind of a let down.

I felt like it was just a hyped up conditioner. I didn’t notice as much of a difference with this as I did with my other masks.

Sure, it made my hair soft and smooth, but no more so than the Suave Naturals that I have sitting in my shower. It smelled nice, but that smell didn’t last long at all.

About the only good thing about this product was the adorable packaging.

I honestly don’t think I could shell out so much money for this product when I can just buy a super high quality conditioner that does the same thing.

It’s a shame, but I think this Birchbox was my biggest let down thus far. The Coola sunscreen was good, the Sumita eyeliner was decent. The Runa tea (which isn’t getting its own dedicated post) was delicious and pumped me up. But the Marvis toothpaste and the Amika mask were both a little on the underwhelming side. Hopefully my next box will be better.

Thanks for reading!

May Birchbox 2013: Marvis Toothpaste

Now, this brand has been touted as being one of the best of the best. Great, interesting flavors. High price tag. Imported.

It seemed like I would like it. And as a standard toothpaste, I do. But it’s the price and the label that I have problems with.

Because in the end, this is just a toothpaste. It doesn’t have any magical abilities. No whitening other than what’s standard. No all natural ingredients. Just…toothpaste. And for the cost of a tube (around $11), I would expect more.

And what’s even worse is that it has SLS in it. You guys know my feelings about SLS. Especially when it comes into contact with your mucous membranes. Like, you know, your mouth. And I’m really disappointed that such fancy toothpaste has such negative ingredients in it. For the price tag, I would expect something that is at least all natural.

Imported or not, this is definitely not going to be a full size purchase. I can, instead, get fancy flavors without the sulfates from Lush. Their Toothy Tabs are delicious and fun, and although it has Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate, that isn’t as bad as sulfates. Still not perfect, but certain better than this.

Thanks for reading!

May Birchbox 2013: Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner

I’m still getting used to eyeliner. Let’s just be honest. I still have trouble drawing a straight line and sometimes I still look like a scene girl with coon eyes. It’s rough. But I’m learning, and learning means trying different products.

Thus far, I’ve only been working with the Eyeko mini eyeliner I reviewed previously for another Birchbox. So when I saw this in my box, I was excited. I wanted a color other than black, but you take what you get, right?

This stuff applies like butter. Seriously. So smooth and soft and….buttery. It doesn’t tug at my eyelid at all and it makes a nice even coat on one pass.

The pigmentation with this black is super rich. Very thick and heavy, but smudgeable for a little while before it settles down.

This product is also great for tight lining, which I only recently learned to do. Because it’s so gentle, it doesn’t hurt when I push it into my eyelashes to cover up the gap between my lashes and eyeliner.

My one complaint? I can’t make a skinny line. I feel like this is made for pretty wide, smoky styles. Definitely not a day look. Maybe in the hands of someone more talented than I. But I doubt it. It just seems to go on a little thick, and with the soft consistency, getting a thin, delicate line is a challenge.

I could probably wear this for a smoky night out. But overall, I’ll stick to using it for tight lining.

Thanks for reading!

May Birchbox 2013: COOLA Classic Face SPF 30

I’m getting kind of tired of sunscreens. I know, I know. They’re wonderful and necessary. But I feel like that’s all I’ve been hearing from Birchbox for a while. And I’ve gotten so many sunscreen samples that I’m feeling a little burned out. Summer in the South or no, it’s getting a little tiresome.

So when I saw this in my Birchbox, I wasn’t necessarily thrilled. Another sunscreen? Yippee. End sarcasm.

However, this product is pretty nice. Yes, I said it. Even me, sunscreen burn out, likes it.

It smells really yummy. Like fresh, fruity bubblegum. A little on the sweet side, but summery and refreshing.

The formula is thin. Not runny, but not goopy. A nice change from most sunscreens. It spreads out evenly and soaks in uniformly. There is no greasy residue or oily sheen after application. Just supple skin protected from the elements.

In fact, I could see myself using this as a straight up moisturizer. SPF, refreshing, light, and moisturizing? I think yes.

As far as sun protection goes, I’m going to err on the side of caution and go with the FDA. If it says SPF 30, then SPF 30 it is. I would just recommend reapplication relatively often. Your face is the most vulnerable spot for sun damage and is where most of that long term damage will show up in the form of lines, wrinkles, and sun spots.

So apply this product (or something like it) often. Me? I’m going to go ahead and invest in this product. It doesn’t make me break out and does all that it’s supposed to. I can’t be unhappy about that!

Thanks for reading!

Review: Serge Normant Meta Revive Volumizing Dry Shampoo

This product was provided to me by my friend Patricia.

Patricia received this product from Birchbox, but since I didn't get it in my Birchbox, I'm reviewing it like any other product. 

First off, I don't normally use dry shampoos. I already wash my hair only every other day, so I never felt the need. But then, to test this product, I waited a third day. I was in a hurry before leaving for work, so I read some quick directions online and then went to town. 

Note: A little goes a very long way. I barely sprayed any into my hair and I got results. I also didn't hold down the nozzle. I spritzed it, almost. Little bursts was all I needed. And the results were great!

Now remember, this is day three of not washing my hair. Prior to this, my hair was greasy and stringy and awful. I didn't even take a picture because it looked so icky. In fact, it was so bad, I didn't think anything could help. After all, I touch my hair pretty often throughout the day, so by day three, my hair is pretty gross. 

But at work, when I told people that it was third day hair, no one believed me. They all thought I had washed my hair that morning. I didn't get any greasiness until later that night, when I finally pulled my hair out of its pony tail and brushed it through. And even then, I thought that it was more like the middle of day two. 

Also, this stuff smells amazing! It's woodsy and clean, and the cedar is a nice touch. It's not perfumey or anything. It hangs around, but it's not overpowering. 

As far as volume goes, I did notice a little bit of lift. My hair certainly wasn't as dead as it normally is on day two/three. But that could also be because they recommend you comb your hair upside down to work the powder through. 

Overall, this is a fantastic product that I see myself using a lot. It's great for when I'm running late and don't have time for a full shower. I can throw this in, comb it through, and then shower when I get home from work. 

Thanks for reading!

April Birchbox: Number 4 Blow Dry Lotion

First and foremost, I really don’t blow dry my hair that often. Maybe once in a blue moon. I usually just let my hair dry naturally, since that seems to be what makes it happiest. Not to mention, blow drying often can really damage hair, and mine is finicky enough without assistance.

So when I received this product in my Birchbox, I was pretty ambivalent. I knew it probably wouldn’t end up being purchased simply because I have no need for a blow dry lotion.

But I used it. And reviewed it. For you guys. (You’re welcome.)

And really, I’m glad I wasn’t too excited about it. I think I might have used too much, but even on the side where my hair soaked it in fine, it wasn’t impressive. My hair wasn’t shinier or healthier looking, and it didn’t seem to make the style stick anymore than usual.

On the side where I accidentally put too much in…well…My hair was mostly dried and I had to rinse it out in the sink because it was like wearing a helmet. A sticky, oily looking helmet.

Even after rinsing it out, my hair was kind of tacky all day. It certainly made my hair stay in place, but it worked almost like the hair putty that I have for costuming.

Overall, it just wasn’t a pleasant experience. Maybe if I used it properly, but even then I don’t think I would get the results I was looking forward to. Still, it was nice to try! And it also established BeautyProtector as my  number one hair product for blow drying.

Thanks for reading!

April Birchbox: Lierac Paris Toning Radiance Serum

Let me start off by saying that I have never used a serum before. Let alone with instructions almost completely in French. So I don’t really have anything to compare this to, but I’ll try my best.

Right out of the box, I love the bottle. It’s glass and tiny and adorable. You can never go wrong with adorable.

The product itself smells clean and fresh, not overbearing. A little hint of floral.

The serum is a mix between a cream and a gel, I feel. Soaks in fast enough, so there is no greasy texture. But once it dries, it feels just a little bit tight. However, I have come to expect that from anything that says toning.

Now, I used this product after removing my makeup and before applying my moisturizer for the night, just as the instructions said. Then, in the morning, I would apply before my moisturizer and makeup. Honestly, I would have used moisturizer over it even if the instructions hadn't said to, since it didn't make my skin feel nourished enough without a little something extra.

After several days of use, I did notice a slight improvement in my skin. It was brighter, clearer, and looked healthier. Now, whether that was from the added sunlight I got during that time or whether it was the serum remains to be seen.

Overall, though, the product was pleasant enough to use. Not moisturizing enough to replace my daily face routine, but it was light and brightening and made my skin feel healthier. In fact, it even seemed to reduce some of the acne that I was getting along my hairline.

While I won’t be buying this exact product, I’d never tried a serum before and now I might keep an eye out for one that strikes my fancy a little more. It was soft and subtle and didn’t make my face oily, like most moisturizers tend to do during the summer. And let me tell you, that’s always a plus. 

Thanks for reading!