August Birchbox 2014

 

This has got to be the best Birchbox I’ve gotten in awhile!

1) Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo - I love dry shampoos so I’m excited to try a new one. I’m curious to see how long this one would last but it’s the perfect travel size. The full size is 5.3oz & $21 This sample is 0.75oz Birchbox Value: $2.97

2) Laura Mercier Tone Perfecting Eye Gel Crème - This is the product I’m most excited about and it’s the best sized sample I’ve received in a long, long time. I love trying new eye creams and I love this brand so I can’t wait to try it! The full size is 0.5oz & $60 This sample is 0.17oz Birchbox Value: $20.40 (wow!)

3) ModelCo Shimmer Bronzer - I love all bronzers - shimmer or no shimmer so I’m curious to see how much shimmer this actually gives off. I’ve received other products from this brand and I really like them so hopefully I’ll like this product as well. Full size is 0.35oz & $22 This sample is 0.12oz Birchbox Value: $7.54

 

4) Supergoop! Forever Young Hand Cream with Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 40 - This is the only sample I’m not excited about. Don’t get me wrong, I love hand creams but this is seriously so small, I’ll probably get like 2 uses out of it. (It might as well be a foil packet) Full size is 1oz & $11 This sample is 0.17oz Birchbox Value: $1.87

5) Hello Breathspray in Pink Grapefruit Mint - This is a cool lifestyle extra. It’s different and actually useful and I think it actually tastes good. This went straight into my purse. Full size comes with 3 & is $11.50. Birchbox Value: $3.83

 

6) Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen - This was another extra so it’s nice we got a little more this time around. Even though it’s a foil packet. I’ll take a 6^th sample any day lol

Total Birchbox Value: $36.61 (not including the tinted moisturizer)

July Empties 2014

Still trying to catch up with my posts but I’m almost there! Yay!

1) Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Gentle Foaming Hand Soap in Fresh Sparkling Snow. I’ve had this soap foreverrr so glad it’s done. It’s a nice fresh scent but it wasn’t anything special. I probably won’t be repurchasing this scent if they bring it back for winter.

2) Aveda invati Exfoliating Shampoo - This was made for thinning hair but I literally didn’t see a difference. It’s also expensive so I will not be repurchasing this.

3) Aveda invati Thickening Conditioner - This also didn’t do anything for me so I wouldn’t waste your money if you’re thinking about buying this.

4) Trader Joe’s Coconut Oil - This lasted like 10 months for me. I love coconut oil. I would repurchase this brand again if it weren’t for the lid! It stuck shut and I had to cut a hole on the top. I’m definitely going to try something else but this was like $6 and lasted so long so I can’t complain lol

5) Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub - This was ok. It was more of a cleanser than a scrub. I like a more abrasive scrub. I’m not sure if I would repurchase this.

6) Clearasil Daily Clear Oil-Free Daily Face Wash - I liked this at first but then I noticed dry patches on my face. If I were to repurchase this, I wouldn’t use it everyday. I think every other day would be better. It did seem to help my breakouts.

7) Kur Strengthening Lacquer Remover - This was just like any other nail polish remover. This was given to me so I’m not sure where to get it. But if I ever saw it I would repurchase it.

8) Bioderma - Love this stuff! At first I didn’t see the hype since it stung my eyes and wasn’t the best at removing mascara. But after using other make up removers while travelling and trying out samples, I realize that this stuff is amazing! I can’t to go to Europe this month to pick some more up!

9) Aveda invati Scalp Treatment - I got this sample to use with the shampoo & conditioner. It’s supposed to promote hair growth. With this sample obviously I couldn’t make a decision of not but since the other products didn’t work I don’t think this one will either.

10) Aveda damage remedy Daily Hair Repair - I’ve gone through a full size before and I liked it. The only thing is that it’s very expensive. I rather buy Aussie’s 3-minute miracle. It literally does the same job.

11) Victoria’s Secret Pink Beach Body Mist in Sun Kissed - Loved this summery coconut scent. I finished it just in time though because I can’t wait for fall! I would repurchase this again but I haven’t been into buying mists anymore. I rather buy perfume.

12) LUSH Sea Spray Hair Mist - I loved this stuff. It’s the first sea salt spray I’ve ever tried. It gave my hair texture and lots of volume. I have purchased other sea salt sprays so I’ll see how those go before deciding to repurchase this one.

13) Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - Amazing primer! I received another sample size of this and they last forever so I’m excited about that!

14) Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner - I wasn’t crazy about this. I hated the texture and it made me feel greasy. It did fill my pores though. I wouldn’t purchase this though. Thanks for the sample Birchbox!

15) Bath & Body Works Wallflower Bulb in Pineapple Mango - Love this summer scent! I will definitely repurchase next year

16) Garnier BB Cream - I loved this stuff. It was a part of my favorites a few times. It’s still pretty full since you don’t need a lot but since summer is coming to an end it will be too dark for me so I’ll be giving it to my mom who it would match perfectly and she can use it before it expires J

17) Fresh Sugar Lychee rollerball - There is so much hype around this scent and I just like it, I’m not in love with it. It does smell like a cocktail but I’ve smelled better scents. I won’t repurchase this.

18) L’Oreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara - I really liked this. The brush was a ball shape so it got the little lashes on the side. I would definitely repurchase this once I finish more of my back up mascaras.

19) Benefit They’re Real mascara - This is one of my holy grail mascaras. I’ve gone through so many tubes of this. I just love it!

20) Sephora Express Cleansing Wipes - These were ok. They were a little dry but it got my make up off. I rather buy the Up & Up brand before I buy these again.

21) Shiseido Facial Cotton - Love this cotton even though it’s ridiculously expensive. This is the third pack I’ve finished. I’ll probably wait until the VIP sale before I repurchase these.

July Favorites 2014

Almost caught up with all of my overdue blog posts!

1) LORAC TANtalizer Body Bronzing Luminizer - I used this to boost the fake tan I developed and it made my skin look amazing. The only thing is that it did transfer a little onto my clothes but it was no big deal. The glow it gave me was totally worth it.

2) Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser - I like this because it cleanses my skin really well and has a nice cooling effect which is great since it’s so hot. The only thing is don’t get it near your eyes or well that cooling effect will turn into a stinging effect.

3) First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser - I really liked this cleanser as well. I would use this to get the left over make up around my eyes that my eye make up remover may have missed.

4) First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream - This stuff is amazing! You can use it on your body and/or your face but I mainly use it on just my face. It makes my skin look and feel so soft.

5) Softsoap Juicy Pomegranate & Mango Infusions body wash - This smells so fruity and delicious! It reminds me of Hong Kong & Hawaii since I brought travel sized versions with me on those trips. I can’t stop sniffing it.

6) LORAC Pro Palette - I know everyone’s going crazy over the second palette but I’m so in love with this one I’m not sure if I’ll get the second. I love how creamy and pigmented these are. And I especially love that one row is shimmery and the other is matte.

7) Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey - I love this your lips but better shade. I have a few other shades but this one is definitely my favorite. If you build it up you can totally achieve the Kylie Jenner lip, which I love!

8) NARS Multiple in Orgasm - Although I prefer the Orgasm blush, this multiple makes it so much easier to throw on in the morning. I like powder blushes better because I have oily skin but this doesn’t make my cheeks look greasy. I just blend it out with my finger and I’m out the door.

9) Taylor Swift Wonderstuck Enchanted - This is a typical fruity celebrity scent but I love celebrity scents so this is up my alley. I love that it’s so small, it’s usually in my purse.

10) Too Faced Sweethearts Blush in Something About Berry - First of course the packaging is my favorite thing ever and second I love that there’s 3 shades in these blush so you can mix or use them individually. It’s so pretty!

July Birchbox 2014

An okay box for July. Not crazy about it but don’t mind the items either.

1) Beauty Protector Protect & Treat Mask - I’ve received other samples from this brand and I’ve liked every single one so hopefully this works out as well. I’m glad they included two because I have A LOT of hair so I will definitely have to use both for one use. Full size is 4oz & $25.95 This sample 0.5oz x 2 = 1oz Birchbox Value: $6.49

2) Cynthia Rowley Beauty Creamy Lip Stain in Sugar - I’m not crazy about her beauty products but it is cool that we get these exclusives. This tiny sample looks pretty good. It’s a nice pinky nude. It will be good to keep in my purse in case I forget to through in some other lip products for the day. Full size is 0.17oz & $20 This sample is 0.079oz Birchbox Value: $9.29

 

3) NAOBAY Body Radiance Lotion - I feel like I’ve been getting a lotion in every Birchbox lately. I’ve never heard of this brand but it says it has olive oil & avocado in it so I’m intrigued by that. Full size is 250ml & $24 This sample is 30ml Birchbox Value: $2.88

4) Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel - Haven’t used a peel in forever so we’ll see how this one goes. Hopefully it works since my skin has been super dull lately. Full size is 1.7oz & $48 This sample is 0.17oz Birchbox Value: $4.80

5) Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels - I’ve been wanting to try something like this for awhile now so this is the most exciting item in this month’s box for me. My eyes have been looking tired lately so hopefully this works out. Full size is 8 pairs & $30 This sample is 1 pair Birchbox Value: $3.75

Total Birchbox Value: $27.21

June Empties 2014

Seriously so happy to finally get rid of all the trash I’ve been hoarding! lol

1) Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Hand Soap in Coral Reef - This was a typical summer scent - fruity and tropical. I like the foaming hand soaps better so I will not be repurchasing this one.

2) Batiste Dry Shampoo in Original - This is my favorite brand of dry shampoo. I liked this but I like the Brunette formula better. I would still repurchase this though.

3) Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Shampoo - I’m not crazy about this line. I’ve tried it before and it made my hair feel really greasy. This time around I used this and then would use another shampoo right after. It helped making it not so greasy and since it’s “sleek & shine” it helped with the frizz I’ve been having lately.

4) Suave Kids Detangler - This is like the third or fourth bottle I’ve finished. I love it since it’s super cheap and it works! I already have 2 back up bottles

5) Bath & Body Works Shower Gel in Exotic Coconut - I LOVE this scent! I always buy it during the semi annual sales if they bring it back. Luckily they usually have it online.

6) Shu Uemura Gentle Cleansing Oil-In-Gel - I love Shu Uemura’s cleansing oils so I decided to try this one since it’s a gel but I hated it. It did not have the same results. I would definitely stick to the cleansing oils.

7) Bath & Body Works 3-wick candle in Cinnamon Sugared Donut - This is one of my all time favorite candles. I will forever repurchase.

8 & 9) John Frieda Brilliant Brunette shampoo & conditioner - This was ok. I didn’t notice a crazy difference but it did give my hair a nice shine. I wouldn’t repurchase though.

10) The Body Shop body scrub in Lemon - I love The Body Shop’s scrubs and this scent was perfect for summer. I would definitely repurchase.

11 & 12) CLEAR Total Care shampoo & conditioner - I really like these. I have a bunch of these travel sized shampoos & conditioners and they work pretty well. They definitely get the job done.

13) Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser - I love this stuff! I got it for like $4 with my Birchbox points. But after using this whole jar, I might stick with my LUSH Ocean Salt since it’s cheaper and you get more product. But if I could find a deal, I would definitely get this again!

14) Bath & Body Works Wallflower bulb in Leaves - Love this scent! I always have some sort of back up all year round.

15) Bath & Body Works Wallflower bulb in Pineapple Mango - This is one of my favorite summer scents. I think I’ve purchased it every year since I’ve discovered it.

16) BC Bonacure Hair Therapy Repair Rescue - I didn’t notice any difference with my hair. Not sure what it was supposed to do.

17) Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm in Petal Glow - I really liked this. It’s just like Revlon’s lip butters. It’s so easy to apply without a mirror. I have other colors but this was just a natural pinky sheen.

18) YSL Baby Doll Volume Mascara - I loved this mascara! It made my lashes super full but this is expensive so I’m not sure if I’ll ever buy the full size.

19) YSL Dessin Du Regard Eye Pencil Waterproof in Black - This was one of the best eyeliners I’ve ever tried! I would definitely purchase the full size even though it’s $30!

20) Tarte Clean Slate eye primer - This was ok. It worked well but it’s not my favorite.

21) Dr. Hauschka St. John’swort Foot Cream - This was a great foot lotion, it made my feet super soft but I wish it smelled better. It has an herbal scent. I wish it was more of a minty scent.