Your eyes are not deceiving you. I made a Clown Contouring Tutorial. The Clown Contouring phenomenon took the world by storm a couple of weeks ago. I am lagging behind according to beauty blogging standards. But hey, it is hard … Continue reading
Before we start, I just want you all to know that I am completely aware that it is May and I am just now posting my April review. Not just that it is May, but it is a full week … Continue reading
Receiving my Birchbox each month is like having my own little box of holiday surprises all year long! This month, Birchbox decided to forgo their signature pink box and sent my treasures in this festive blue holiday box. This was hands down one of the best boxes I have ever received.
I ended up purchasing full-size versions of two of the items in the box. The best part is that I got them FO FREE. In addition to the 25% off promo code Birchbox emailed me, I was able to use my Birchbox points to purchase the full size items. The items I purchased were $42 in total, plus two bonus samples. I love this company because it is so easy to earn enough points to get free products!
I have also racked up enough points to become an Aces member. What is an Aces member you ask? It comes with perks such as free standard shipping, concierge service, exclusive shop offers, anniversary perks, and surprises. I love surprises. I am not sure if it is a good or bad thing that I became an Aces member. I did not reach this level from just writing product reviews. I confess that I had to buy a few things as well. This is similar to how I feel about becoming a VIB member at Sephora this year. It sounds like a good thing, but in reality, I have probably spent entirely way too much money.
Anyway, let’s get started on the samples, shall we?
Manna Kadar Lip Locked in Lucky
$24 in the Birchbox Shop
This lip gloss is now my holy grail lip color. This color is GORGEOUS and is appropriate for day or night. It also feels wonderful on my lips. The color stays put while moisturizing my lips, which is exactly what I need in this dry, winter-ish weather! This is one of the products I ended up buying. Love love love!
5/5 would buy
SeaRX Anti-Wrinkle Face Lift Treatment Serum
$34 in the Birchbox Shop
I have mentioned before that anti-aging treatments are not my favorite sample to receive in these boxes. Sure it’s good to shlop some anti-wrinkle cream on around your eyes before bed. But when you only have a tiny tube of product, or just a single use packet, it’s impossible to tell if the product is actually working. Unless Birchbox finds a way to send me some instant plastic surgery in a tube, I probably will not be purchasing any of these kinds of products.
1/5 would buy
Vasanti Kajal Extreme Intense Eye Pencil in Rose Gold
$18 in the Birchbox Shop
THIS! This eyeliner, guys! Is it obvious that this is the other product I purchased? Because of course it is. This sample was a sample I was able to choose for this box. I typically do not go for eyeliner that is not black. Not since college, anyway. This color is excellent for using as an eye brightener. I line my lower lashline and tear ducts with it. I instantly look like I slept 9-10 hours instead of my usual 6-7! I love how awake this liner makes my eyes look.
P.S. The full size liner comes with an awesome built-in sharpener!
5/5 would buy
Ruffian Nail Laquer in Ruffian Red
$10 in the Birchbox Shop
I wish there was a way for me to tell Birchbox that I do not want any nail polish samples. I don’t even touch them. If Birchbox was able to see how much of a horrendous nail biter I am, they would not deem me worthy of having their fancy nail polish samples. My boyfriend’s mom suggested I blog about trying to stop biting my nails. I think she is onto something because I would have a lot to whine about say on the experience. When I am ready, and when I am sure I will not fall off the wagon, I may give it a try. I have tried before, and not even that disgusting Stop Bite stuff could keep me from chomping away. Horrible. Anyway, for those of you who enjoy nail polish, Birchbox sends some awesomely sized samples.
1/5 would buy
Davines Replumping Shampoo
$25.50 in the Birchbox Shop
I have expressed my gratitude to Birchbox for sending me shampoo samples I can actually use on my keratin-treated hair. But a shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in treatment in the same box? Heaven. And Davines to boot, which is an excellent hair care brand. I use the Davines Alchemic Silver Conditioner to tone any brassiness out of my blonde hair. It works wonders, I tell you. I liked this shampoo a lot, but not enough to purchase it right away. I like to switch up my shampoo each time I run out, so will definitely put this one in the queue.
4/5 would buy
Davines Replumping Conditioner
$25.50 in the Birchbox Shop
The same goes for the accompanying conditioner. I am definitely willing to try it out in the future.
4/5 would buy
Davines Replumping Superactive
$39.50 in the Birchbox Shop
I LOVE a good leave-in conditioner. I often feel like the conditioner I use in the shower will not be enough to protect my hair from all of the terrible things I do to it. This was a decently sized sample as well. It leaves my hair light and soft, without weighing it down. Luckily the sample will last me a while!
4/5 would buy
If you are interested in receiving your own little monthly treasures, then pretty please sign up for Birchbox using my referral link!
Thanks for stopping by! See y’all next time…
Marissa
For those of you who are here to watch a makeup tutorial, bless you. This is my very first attempt at a video tutorial. That being said, I am also a complete newbie to iMovie, so I apologize in advance … Continue reading
Getting my Birchbox in the mail every month is one of the things I look forward to most. My friend purchased a six month subscription for my birthday a couple of years ago and I have been hooked ever since. I don’t know whether to thank her or blame her for this.
I look forward to my $10 pink box of tiny, fun-sized luxuries every month. Plus they always give you a sassy nickname on your shipping label!
The Beauty Profile you fill out on Birchbox is fairly detailed and they do a great job of sending you samples that really cater to your beauty interests. Sometimes they will send you something you don’t love (my mom gladly takes them off my hands). You can purchase full-sized versions all the things you do love on their website.
Every once in a while you get stuck falling in love with a perfume sample that in reality will cost you $90 to purchase. Fret not, my friends. Birchbox often sends out emails with codes for 20% off of your ENTIRE ORDER. Now I could live and die in a Sephora, but I can’t really see them delving those out anytime soon.
You can also rack up Birchbox points by purchasing full-sized products and/or writing reviews on the samples you receive in your box. 100 Points = $10. FO FREE.
I know I sound like a Birchbox ad, but I am not. I just wanted to get the word out in case you haven’t heard too much about them! So without further adieu, here are my thoughts on the products I received this month.
Number 4 Reconstructing Masque
$58 in the Birchbox Shop
With all the coloring, heat styling, and keratin-ing I do to my hair, it gets thirsty and begs for a deep conditioner every once in a while. This conditioning mask left my hair feeling soft without feeling weighed down (as some deep conditioners do). It also has kind of a cologne-y smell that is delightful. However, the hefty $58 price tag will probably keep me from splurging on this anytime soon!
(4/5 would buy)
Number 4 Clarifying Shampoo
$32 in the Birchbox Shop
I typically stay away from clarifying shampoos because I have to be super careful about not using anything with sulfates. I am so afraid of using something that will strip my keratin treatment. I was relieved to see that this would be safe on my hair. This shampoo is UH-mazing and boy did my hair need some clarifying! The scent is not super strong and it leaves your hair feeling super light and clean!
(5/5 would buy)
clariSEA Rapid Detox Charcoal Exfoliant: Face
$18 in the Birchbox Shop
I was surprised to open this to find that it is actually just a tiny jar of sand. Yes sand… salty and all. Since it is not bound together by any sort of cleanser, it would be hard to just apply to your face alone. I mixed some in with my regular face cleanser and actually really liked it! It is gentle and doesn’t dry your face out like other exfoliates.
(4/5 would buy)
Perlier Body Cream
$28.45 in the Birchbox Shop
If there is one kind of product I wish Birchbox would send me less of, it’s lotion! The good news is that the samples are decently sized and they last a while. The bad news is that I have lotion samples for days. This lotion smells pretty nice, but it does leave a greasy/sticky feel on your skin even hours later. Bonus points for pretty packaging though.
(1/5 would buy)
Lord & Berry Paillettes Eye Pencil
$18 in the Birchbox Shop
I chose this eyeliner from a selection of optional samples I could receive in my box this month. I suppose I didn’t notice that it is sparkly! I tried to put this on by itself, but it is a bit chalky and didn’t make a nice, thick black line. I put on my regular liquid liner and put the sparkly liner on top of it. I loved it! A little bit of pop without being overdramatic.
(4/5 would buy)
Jouer Matte Moisture Tint
$38 in the Birchbox Shop
I thought this would be the same sheer consistency as a tinted moisturizer, but I was pleasantly surprised! It is actually thick like a full coverage foundation. I applied it with my BeautyBlender and thought it gave a nice matte look with good coverage. My only complaint is that it is SPF 15. My pasty, Wednesday Addams skin needs a little more protection from the Texas sun than that (aka SPF 5000).
(4/5 would buy)
If you’re interested in trying out trying out Birchbox, then give it a try for a month! Thanks for stopping by! See y’all next time…
Marissa
Lollies and Lattes 