Happy Monday, everyone!  I can’t believe the first month of the new year is already coming to a close.  Where has the time gone?  I feel like this year will fly by just as the last one has.  This year I am turning 29.  29!!  This year’s birthday will be affectionately known as “almost 30”.

I don’t have a photo of the Birchbox I received because I believe some items are in my bathroom, some are possibly hiding in my kitchen, and some have likely made it over to my new place.  Moving has definitely put a damper on my blogging abilities.  In any case, I have tried all the products and can still review them!

theBalm Cosmetics Staniac

Confession time: After receiving this product, and while taking a shower, I kept singing “She’s a Staaaaaainiac, staaaaaaaniac on the floor”.  It’s ok, you can judge me.  In my own opinion, I do not think this product lives up to the holy grail status it is perceived to be.  Do I think it’s a quick and convenient fix to add a little color to your cheeks and lips?  Absolutely.  Personally, I do not like how drying lip stains can be.  I will, however, enjoy the heck out of this sample whenever I decide to use it in a pinch.  You can see what it looks like on my face in the photo I posted under the Curl Keeper.  Also, I’m sure that Maniac is now stuck in your head.  You’re welcome.

2/5 would buy

Miracle Skin Transformer Treat & Conceal Eye & Face

I always love trying out a new concealer, especially one that has skin treatment built into it.  In addition to having moisturizing, anti-aging, and vitamin agents all crammed into the formula, it claims to treat and conceal dark spots.  Fortunately, I don’t have an issue with extreme dark circles under my eyes.  It’s pretty obvious when I haven’t gotten enough sleep.  But as far as being able to confirm if this concealer treats dark circles, I cannot say whether or not it is truly effective.  I have been using it on the days when I don’t feel like wasting a glob of my Mac Pro Longwear concealer.  It absolutely blends in well and feels more matte, not sticky (which is great).  However, I do wish they had a lighter color option.  They sent me the light shade, but it’s a little too yellowy for my skin tone.

3/5 would buy

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream

I will spare you my spiel on why I do not like to review anti-aging products.  It is just too hard to tell if they are actually working unless you use them over an extended period of time.  I can tell you that I like that it is natural, has a nice texture, moisturizes well, and smells like a Teavana. I am tempted to change my Birchbox Beauty Profile to have them not send me any more anti-aging products, but I am torn.  What happens when I do need them someday?  I will wish I had that nice stash of samples!

1/5 would buy

Essentiel Elements Wake Up Rosemary Body Lotion

This lotion smells peppy and fantastic!  It also soaked in pretty quickly, which is a major plus.  I can’t stand lotions that are sticky and just sit there in a layer on my skin.  When I received this box, the temperatures had just dropped so my skin was having a panic moment.  I did not think that this lotion was heavy enough to remedy my heater damaged skin.  I do think that it’s a great everyday lotion to have during the months when your skin is not sandpaper!

3/5 would buy

Curl Keeper by Curly Hair Solutions

It is not common knowledge that my hair is tremendously, insanely curly.  I have been straightening it ever since a cabinmate at Jewish summer camp introduced me to a Hot Tools Flat Iron in middle school.  The majority of the girls at the camp shared the same struggle of trying to straighten out their mess of curls in the Texas heat.  Half the reason I kept going back to camp every summer was to see what new groundbreaking hair straightening technology came out during the past year.  I could rely on my fellow curly girls to keep me up-to-date on what I would need to coerce my hair into being something it is not.  The photo below was taken when it was still about 40% wet and hadn’t hit it’s full curly potential.  This was a “can’t beat ’em, join ’em” kind of day because it was supposed to rain all day and my CHI Flat Iron can’t fight the weather.  One might say… hey, this is kind of cute.  Well, when your hair dries completely, shrinks up to half its length, and makes a triangle shape off of your head in some 1920’s bob kind of way, it’s not as cute.

Anyway, I really loved this product.  When I do brave the humidity and wear my hair curly, I like it to be manageable but still have a little bit of crunch.  This gave me the crunch I desired without looking wet all day.  I wear my hair curly more often during the summer than any other time of year (and even then it’s very rare).  I will be sure to have some of this stuff on hand for when a curly mood strikes!

5/5 would buy

Hopefully next month I won’t wait until the last minute to review my Birchbox goodies.  I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Thanks for stopping by!  See y’all next time…

Marissa