Birchbox February 2014

This might be my most disappointing box yet...sad face!  And there's not even a perfume sample!  It just looks so....empty this month!  Hopefully next month will be more exciting!

Well....here goes nothing! 



Even Gatsby wasn't impressed...

The B-Squad:

Agave Healing Oil Treatment

Since you only ever need a couple drops of this at any given time...the packaging is what irks me the most here...how can you save this without making a big ole' mess!  But, I'll give this a go anyway - I like hair oils but they're hit or miss for me!  Some are great while others make my hair feel really oily and built up!

Eleven Skin Refresh Cleanser

This is the thing I'm most excited about in this less than thrilling box.  I'm always game for trying a new cleanser and this is a pretty legit sample size!  Yay for tiny victories!!

OPI  Sheer Tints in Be Magentale with Me Top Coat

I'm also looking forward to giving this a go!  I've never used a tinted top coat, so this is the other thing I'm looking forward to trying out of this month's samples.

Smashbox Cosmetics Full Exposure Mascara

I do really like Smashbox, but I already have a couple of these laying around from free samples I received in  Ulta/Sephora gift bags so I was a little disappointed because of that!  However, I think as far as BB is concerned this is actually a pretty decent sample.  I'll be gifting mine to my friend Janell since she'll get more use out of it than I will!

Smashbox Cosmetics Full Exposure Palette

Again, I really like Smashbox, but I'm not a super fan of the way this was packaged!  It's a cardboard card with 8 little single use swatches of the eye shadow.  The colors are nice though, and I do like their shadows - they're pretty creamy and don't crease easily! 

Okay...so now that I think of it, it's not that bad!  It could definitely be worse but it still is probably my least favorite box that I've received to date!  Do you get BB?  If so, what was in your this month?! 

September 2013 Birchbox

I was pretty impressed with this month's Birchbox!  I've tested out almost everything I got...except the nail polish, which I'm planning to use as soon as I finish here!

 

Here's what came this month:

 

Benefit Cosmetics Sugarbomb Ultra Plush Lip Gloss

This lip gloss is great!  Not really sticky and has really nice pigmentation!  I typically love whatever Benefit has to offer, and this gloss is no exception!

 

COOLA Tinted Matte SPF 30 Face Cream

This mineral based face cream is lightly tinted and goes on really smooth.  It doesn't feel heavy on your skin and has a nice matte finish.  I can just imagine this would be the perfect thing to wear for a trip to the beach! 

 

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive

I just used this for the first time tonight - I liked it, but we'll have to see if I get any adverse side-effects in the morning!  I could feel the peel doing its thing right away with some slight tingles and after 10 minutes or so I washed it off.  My face felt a little tight, but not necessarily in a bad way.  I followed it up with some Juice Beauty moisturizer and now my face smells like lemons and fruity pebbles!  ;-) 

 

Racinne Ultimate Youth Power Eye Serum

This was my first eye serum experience.  It goes on with almost a water-esque texture (slightly thicker).  I really saw a decrease in my dark circles and my just-crawled-out-of-bed puffiness.  I only wish it did something for fine lines!  It did nicely pair with my eye cream though! (Clinique All About Eyes)

 

Ruffian Nail Lacquer - Color: Delirium

I am about to put this on my fingers now!  It's a really pretty dark purpley color with a little sheen!  I think it'll be a great fall color!

 

 

Info Cards

March 2013 Birchbox and PopSugar Must Have Box Unboxings!

So...these two beauties were delivered at the same time!  This was my first PopSugar box, and I was pretty excited at the difference in size compared to the birchbox! 

Feast your eyes on this beast!  Woah!!!

Alright, let's dive right in!  I figured I start with the Birchbox!

 Birchbox: March 2013!

 

The Goods:

Incoco Nail Polish Applique Strips:  (Full Size $9-$11)

    

I actually liked these!  They went on much easier than the sticker version from Nail Rock (which I received in my February 2013 Glossybox).  These were actually real nail polish and they stayed on for several days - I think I actually had them on for about a week or so, and instead of chipping, they just grew out.  These are great for a quick mani on the go!  No drying time!!

Here's what they look like on!

Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Shampoo:  (Full Size $25.00)

 

       This is a great travel or purse size dry shampoo!  And, bonus....It smells AMAZING!!!  If you're looking for a new dry shampoo to try - GET YOU SOME OF THIS!!! 

twistband Headband: 

       This type of headband just doesn't stay on my head....womp, womp!  But I do really like the brand!

Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream:  (Full Size $20)

      This is supposed to be blueberry scented....but it smells sickly sweet - kind of like Gushers (remember those little fruit snacks with the burst of goo inside when you bite?!)  I've used this and it's alright.  It does work, but it's more of a lotion-y shaving cream and I can't ever see myself spending $20 on a shaving cream! 

Madewell for Birchbox Emery Board:  (Full Size $5.00)

     This was the beauty extra this month.  I think this was a pretty good emery board!  It does what it's supposed to, and it even came in a little plastic sleeve, so it's perfect for your purse!

 

PopSugar Must Have Box: March 2013!

A Closer Look at What's Inside!!

**MUST HAVE FASHION**

Heather Belle Signature Tassel Necklace:  (Approx. Value $72.00)

     I really liked this necklace!  I've been trying to beef up my gold jewelry hoard, so this definitely works for me, plus tassel necklaces are right on trend this season! 

Hollywood Fashion Secrets Sweater Shaver:  (Approx. Value $6.00)

     I haven't tried this yet, but I've always been a bit curious about these and have picked them up and put them down a few times in Bed, Bath and Beyond.  However, this would have been a bit more practical in an earlier box, even for Michigan weather, March means the onset of SPRING!!!

 

**MUST HAVE BEAUTY**

Buxom Sculpted Lash Mascara:  (Approx. Value $19.00)

    I'm officially obsessed with this mascara!  I definitely see a visit to Sephora to pick up another once I've killed this one!  It makes my lashes super long and thick!  Plus the wand is a really cool 'S' shape, which is great for people like me who just slap it on, and remove the mess later!  I think the 'S' helps keep the mascara on my lashes instead of on my eyelids! 

 

The New Black Nail Polish, Pardon My French:  (Approx. Value $10.00)

     I saw that a lot of people were upset by the colors they received.  I received coral and pinky red colors, which I think will be fun for Spring/Summer, although I haven't even busted them out of the packaging yet! 

 

**MUST HAVE HOME**

The Laundress Specialty Washes, Wool and Cashmere Shampoo:  (Approx. Value $19.00)

     Good timing, PS!  This came just in time for that final washing and putting away of Winter sweaters!  Onward Ho to Spring!!!

 

Corkatoo Corkscrew:  (Approx. Value $15.00)

       I think this is just adorable, albeit kind of impractical!   I tried to use it the other day, and the corkscrew part itself was really hard to work with....the foil knife was kind of crappy (If you can even pull it open!  I had to go into the booze drawer, get my tried and true corkscrew and use the foil cutter from that to pry the Corkatoo's cutter out!!)  The beak, however really does bust a cap open on a glass bottle of Coke or a delicious bottled beer!  So, thanks for the glorified bottle cap buster! :-)

 

**SPECIAL EXTRAS**

Marshmallow Peeps:  (Approx. Value $1.00)

       I ate these upon opening the box!  I don't love Peeps, but it's been a while since I've had them and they just hit the spot, especially since I had given up chocolate for Lent!  However, I think I must have received the Zombie Edition Peeps - they all had saggy eye syndrome!

Hollywood Fashion Secrets Fashion Tape Assortment Pack:  (Approx. Value $2.00)

      I'm tucking this away for those Summer dresses that want to droop in all the wrong places!

 

**Total Box Approx. Value: $144.00!!**

Overall I was really happy with my first PopSugar Must Have Box! For those of you who don't know, the PopSugar Must Have Box is a monthly box subscription targeted at women between the ages of 18 and 39.  Unlike Birchbox and Glossybox, this is a lifestyle box.  You'll receive a selection of (mostly full-sized) products in different categories, such as home, beauty, fitness, fashion, and food.  The cost is $35/month plus tax, and the boxes typically value at over $100. 

If you're interested in checking it out or giving it a shot, click here!  Use the code REFERFRIENDS to receive $5 off your first box!  (New subscriptions only!)

Thanks for stopping by!

xx