February Birchbox Unboxing - 2015

It's that time of the month again (no not that time of the month), it's Birchbox time! I am on the fence about these monthly beauty subscriptions lately for a few reasons. One is that they are very hit/miss, even though I am very careful to curate the quizzes they make you take which help determine what you receive. Another reason is that I end up with samples that I won't use, but don't feel good about throwing out. I do try to give them away to people I think would like them, but I don't have many girl friends here in the city.

Anywho, on to the photos of what I got this month!

They have really stepped up their game of the look of the box lately. I love the bright colors because I am SO READY FOR SPRING!

If you haven't seen the inside of a Birchbox box, here it is. They've started putting the smaller samples into those smaller containers which is cute, but not really necessary. I suppose it might help keep things from rolling around too much and getting damaged, but who knows.

The first item out of the box is a sea salt spray which I'm very interested in trying, but also VERY skeptical about. I have extremely curly/dry hair, so I'm afraid this might make it look ratty rather than beach-chic. I have always envied women who can attain those gorgeous beach waves. My hair tends to look horribly disheveled if it even thinks I'm near a beach.

The second item is a body lotion. I have received the body wash from this brand before in a Birchbox. It smells of rosemary and is amazing. I don't mind receiving something so similar twice because it's such good quality. The size of the sample is perfect, I will get a good few uses from it.

The third item is a conditioner. I'm glad that if they aren't going to send me a set that they at least send me the conditioner instead of the shampoo because, let's face it, we all run out of conditioner first. This has honey and calendula in, so I'm excited to smell it and see how well it works (even though there's only enough for one use. I have super long hair). 

The fourth item is a mascara. I'm cool with receiving mascaras every other month because I don't buy non-drugstore brands ($$$). However, if you don't like getting them, brace yourself because this is an item that is sent out often (though not as often as black eyeliners).

And the Fifth and last item is a CC cream with SPF. I have to be honest, I am completely disappointed in this sample. I would never consider this to be a "deluxe" sample (which is what you are promised with this service. I received this size in a BB cream before from them (different brand) and was hoping it was a one-time occurrence...apparently not. I love the brand Supergoop!, I think they have great products. I use their sunscreen all the time and will repurchase when I run out, but this sample is sad. I feel like the point of a deluxe sample is to have multiple uses to be able to make the decision to buy this product that is most likely a higher-end product ($$$). I can't make a decision to spend a chunk of money after only one use, that's not how I roll. 

Overall, nothing too exciting, in my opinion. One sample I've had something similar before, one is too small to do much of anything with, one could cause my hair some serious problems, one is a mascara, and the last is one use of conditioner (though I'm excited to try it). 

This is the kind of box that makes me wish I had just saved my money, but having someone introduce you to new products and brands is half the fun. Like I mentioned before, these services are hit/miss, so you just need to decide if it's worth it for you to start and continue. I have had some really nice boxes with exciting samples, so I won't be cancelling anytime soon. I will, however, be reviewing these products so that they are aware of my opinion on the samples.

That's all I have for now. I hope you enjoyed this post and that you have a wonderful day!

Haul: Sephora, Smashbox, Clinique, And Karuna

So I had a gift card burning a hole in my wallet, so I decided to do a little shopping! I had only ever purchased items from Sephora directly from the shop, but they were showing a points reward online that I was interested in so I decided to be lazy and have it all delivered. Let's start with the items I actually purchased. 

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

I saw Caroline Hirons do a review of this product so I decided to give it a shot. Up to this point I've been loyal to the Rosa Centifolia No. 1 Purity Balm by Ren (once I've had some experience using the Clinique one I'll do a comparison review). I first learned about cleansing balms and flannel cloths from one of my favorite YouTubers, Ruth Crilly of A Model Recommends and fell in love with this type of cleanser. I have combination skin and a history of acne issues which is too involved for this post, but cleansing balms seemed like a great idea for me. 

I still have half a tub of the Ren cleanser left and I'm hesitant to open a fresh one until I finish it, so it will be a while before I do a review. However, if you aren't familiar with what a cleansing balm is, how it works, or how to use it, read on!

What it is/how it works
In general, a cleansing balm is a mix of oils that are in a semi-solid state. What's awesome about these two things is that the oil will actually draw out and break down other oils and dirt that accumulate on your face throughout the day and the fact that it's semi-solid means that it's easy to handle and travel with! I'm all for spill-proofing my luggage. I consider it common knowledge that it's ok and sometimes preferable to use oil on all skin types. I've had severe cystic acne before and used oils with real success where the harsh/drying face cleanser my dermatologist prescribed would only irritate the condition.

How to use
Step 1: Run the flannel cloth (I use this one) under warm water, wring it dry, and apply to your face for approximately 15 seconds. This step will help to open up the pores and loosen any dirt or dead skin cells
Step 2: Take a chick pea-sized amount (it's the best comparison I could draw) on your fingers and massage into your skin for one minute. Just a note, your skin should be dry at this point.
Step 3: Add a small amount of water to your fingers and continue massaging. This will emulsify the mushy solid into a light foam (but not in a drying foam way). Continue to massage for another 15-30 seconds.
Step 4: Run the flannel cloth under warm water and use it to gently wipe away the remaining cleanser and all of the gunk.

Voila! You have clean skin that is moisturized (and who doesn't like a mini massage?).

 Karuna Brightening Face Mask

Alright, on to another one of my favorite skincare items; the face mask. And this one in particular is pretty much amazing.  I originally bought the variety pack from Sephora so that I could try out the different types (hydrating, exfoliating, etc.) and after all the research I've landed on this one as my favorite. I am particularly impressed with the ingredients and lack of gunk in these masks. The story behind the company is nice as well, so if you are interested in a little light reading, just click on their name above or google them.

How I use it: First, I warn my husband that I'm about to do a mask, not really to warn him about my physical appearance, but to warn him not to mess with me. Mask time is relaxation time and I take it pretty seriously. Second, I take the mask out of its individual pouch and carefully arrange it on my face. Third, I do nothing, for at least thirty minutes and it is bliss! I should also mention that I take up the full length of the couch and do deep-breathing exercises during this time. This is the perfect opportunity to clear your mind and fill your body with oxygen. After the time is up, I remove the mask and smooth the remaining serum-type goop over my neck and chest and allow all the goodness to absorb. 

After using this particular mask, my skin was glowing for days after. According to the website, this product in particular contains grapefruit seed extract, a blend of Asian plant extracts, salicylic acid, and peptides. I'm not a scientist, but the results were visible and I want them to continue being on my face, please.

Smashbox Studio Faves (500 point Sephora reward)

So, after purchasing products to try out (mostly trial sizes and variety packs) I had accumulated a decent amount of points. I've been on the lookout for rewards that I might actually use, and found it quite difficult. Most of the 500 point rewards contained eyeliners and things that I already have and will never use up, which is a pet-peeve of mine. Yes I know that different brands have different formulations and it may take a few shots to find the one I like, but I hate having piles of things I won't use. 

However, I saw this Smashbox package and jumped on it. I love their face primer and the lip lacquer color looked pretty. 

I'm just now realizing that I did not take a picture of the eye shadows...sorry, but they are light nudes, one has glitter and the other is matte. Overall I'm impressed with this little package. Even though the items are small, they should last a good long while, especially the shadows. I intend to do a "look of the day/night" with this set soon, so if you want to see how they look on just keep an eye out. 

Lancome Hypnose Drama (100 point Sephora reward)

 On to another rewards product! I like mascara and love to try new formulas, but it can be expensive to buy new ones if you find out that you don't like them (though I believe Sephora has a good return policy, but check on that for yourself). I haven't tried this one yet because I still have a couple open that I need to finish off.

Clinique Acne Solutions Clear Skin System (Free gift with purchase)

I had no idea that they offered you extra items if you spend over a certain amount! I really wish I had known about all this when I had the money to spend on trying things...oh well, live and learn. They give you a few options to choose from and I decided to get the Clinique one. I've never tried anything from Clinique (and now I have many things to try!) and have always seen their face cleansing system being promoted, so I decided to jump at the chance to try it for free. 

And here's what's inside...SO CUTE! I'm a huge fan of small versions of things, so these little tester sets were made for me. I do think that the bar of soap will last months while the other two items will be finished off rather quickly (I give it a week), which is annoying, but I didn't (directly) pay for it so I won't complain too much. I'm excited to try it out, but I'm just now realizing that I've got way too many cleansing products to try now...I may leave this in a travel bag or gym bag so that it gets some use sooner rather than later.

Philiosophy The Microdelivery Peel

I have tried a Philosophy face wash before and loved it, so I'm hoping that this peel will be good. The first step of this peel is the "vitamin C/Peptide crystals" and the second step is " Lactic/Salicylic acid activating gel"

Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate 

I'm not sure what this does or how it does it, but I happen to be a fan of serums, so I chose this as one of the three free samples.  

 Shiseido Ibuki

This will be my first time trying anything from this brand, and probably my last due to the price tag, but this "refining moisturizer" sounds pretty great.  

Well, I hope you enjoyed my first ever haul and I'm sure I'll be doing more in the future because I liked writing it. Thanks for reading and I hope you have a wonderful day!

I Tried: Braid Hawk (Curly Hair)

Lately I've been seeing a hairstyle dubbed the "braid hawk" floating around Instagram and I kind of like it. I typically wear my hair in only three different ways; down, side braid, and top knot. However, I have been keeping an eye out for my next "look" and when I saw this I just couldn't resist.

And then I remembered that my hair looks like this...

Which is great! I'm not complaining. I love my curly locks, and they are so indicative of my personality. Buuuuuuut it's not so great for braiding. In fact, it's really annoying for braiding, but I soldiered on because I didn't want to be left out of this cool (at least I think so) trend.

so, without further ado here are some pictures of my first attempt at the braid hawk!

Side

Front

 

Side With Eyes Closed...

 Back

Top

After trying to section off the first three pieces of hair I felt immediate regret for having begun this process, but I was committed! By the end of it all my arms were tired and had not a single drop of blood left in them, and I'm pretty sure I damaged my hair trying to section it off. 

This style is basically a poof at the front with a french braid that you loosen up afterward. I did notice that this looks better if the sides are tight to your head because it really helps to show the height of the poof and braid to give that faux-hawk look. If you have little fly-aways, just pin them into the base of the braid to hide the bobby-pin and add a little hairspray for good measure. 

I really enjoyed wearing this hair style (after I regained the feeling in my arms) and will probably do it again in the future. If you are wanting to shake up your look, but don't want to make any serious changes, I feel like this is a great alternative.

I hope you enjoyed this post, and thanks for stopping by!

Things I Like: Books And Tea

Living in NYC has its advantages, one of them is the subway (when it's running on time and not too crowded...ok so it has advantages some of the time...) because I get to read for at least 20 minutes in one direction. The underground forces you to unplug and find other ways of entertaining yourself for however long you are in transit. It's true that you can people-watch, but New Yorkers tend to avoid eye contact like the plague, so we just read, nap, or listen to music.

I like to take a book that I can put down whenever, because when your stop comes up you gotta leave. My choices for this type of reading tend to come from the "young adults" section because I can half pay attention to the book and the other half I can pay attention to where I'm at.

I found this gem at Book Court in Carroll Gardens, BK  Counting By 7s written by Holly Goldberg Sloan. Very basically this book is about a young, genius girl who abruptly becomes orphaned and how her friends go above and beyond to keep her from getting lost in the system.

This is a great read and I highly recommend it. Keep in mind that it is not written for adults (though I feel like that is part of the awesomeness), so don't compare it to Jane Austen or Jack Kerouac, just enjoy it for what it is, just plain great.

On the flip side, when I'm not in transit I like chipping away at this behemoth. Medical Herbalism The Science And Practice Of Herbal Medicine by David Hoffmann. It's technical, but pretty easy to follow. In case you couldn't tell, I am a total nerd and I love learning new things. A few months ago I got into herbalism and when I "get into" something I dive in head first. I should add that I own and have read four other books on herbalism and reference them at least twice a week. But hey, it's all pretty amazing!

I stopped by my local herb shop Remedies Herb Shop on Court street this afternoon on my way home and picked up a couple of things. 

 On the left we have red raspberry leaf and on the right we have dried lemon peel. 

This herb has an abundance of easily assimilated calcium, among many other fantastic attributes. 

I'm not sure what good lemon peel is, but it tastes good in tea and I'm sure I can find answers somewhere. Let me know if you have an idea.

Well that was a varied post, but I wanted to share a couple of things that are a part of my day-to-day and have something other than skincare and makeup on this blog because there's more to beauty than all that business (though a good skincare regimen never hurt anyone).

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great rest of the day!

REVIEW: Macadamia Professional and Essential Elements

I got my October Birchbox yesterday (watch my unboxing video here) and was so excited about two of the products in specific that I used them that very evening.

1. Macadamia Professional Flawless Cleansing Conditioner
     I have VERY curly hair that tends to be on the dry side and I've been battling frizz for months now. Maybe it's a change in the weather or my diet, but there's been a crazy lack of moisture retention.
     I washed my hair with 2 pumps of the stuff (my hair is long as well as dry) and noticed a difference even just after the shower. Now here comes the oddball part of this hair situation, I sleep on my back with my hair straight above my head so that it doesn't strangle me in the night. My sister has long made up stories about how my hair has a personality of its own, has adventures, and might even be packing a gun (no, not really...unless it knows something I don't...). This also comes in handy when my hair is wet so that there's less frizz-inducing friction on my curls.
     When I woke up in the morning my curls were super soft, bouncy, and all-around good curls (see photo below). Normally I'd have to decide to either deal with the half frizzy mop or put it up in my usual top knot to avoid the confrontation, but today I was able to roll out of bed and get on with life (which is second best to being able to stay in bed and read three different books, go to the gym, then get back into bed after a shower).
     I've only used this product once so far, but since I've experienced such good results I'm going to use it all up. I'll be sad once it's gone! If you're in the market for something like this, it's worth the money in my opinion. I just don't have the cash to put towards it for now, but as soon as I do, believe me I will be purchasing a full size of this treat.

2. Essential Elements Wake Up Rosemary Shower Gel
     I haven't mentioned my love of rosemary yet, but now is the time. I am obsessed with it! The scent is uplifting and the essential oil has so many uses (it's excellent for circulation, do a little research and I'm sure you'll fall in love too. You should use essential oils responsibly), it's pretty incredible.
     Cold weather brings on dry skin, so I was delighted to find this rosemary shower gel in my Birchbox. My husband almost always has an itchy back from dry skin, so I've given it to him to test out. After one use his skin was noticeably softer. I'm a fan of anything that will alleviate itchiness. I'm pretty excited about trying out this product, even if it's through someone else, because it seems to be doing some good.

I've only had time to try out two of the samples from my October box, so I'll do a post on them another day if I end up liking them enough to have an opinion on them. If you want to see what they are, check out my video by clicking on the link at the beginning of this post.

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a wonderful day!

September Birchbox Unboxing - 2014

I live in Brooklyn in a very small apartment with my husband and sometimes it's good to get out and breathe some semi-fresh air and catch some rays. I picked up my Birchbox and headed off to Cobble Hill Park.

I found a little friend.

This month Birchbox sent out their boxes with a special outfit of colorful, geometric patterns. 

And the inside was chock-full of products. 

As with every box, they give you a list of the products that answers the questions "what?" "How?" and "How much?"

The first item I pulled from the box was this Vasanti BrightenUP! 

I have combination skin that drives me nuts with frequent dry patches so I'm excited to try out this exfoliator that combines papaya enzymes and microderm crystals to slough off dead skin and aloe with coconut oil to hydrate and soften the newly revealed layers.

The second item is a shave cream from a brand called Whish. This grapefruit and acai scented cream smells heavenly...however I am a devoted waxer and have no need for a shave cream, so I will be sending this to my mother or sister to enjoy (the scent really is a wonderful treat). 

 I have seen Dr. Jart+ in Sephora and reviews by many Youtubers for years now and always wanted to try a BB cream. The color looks a bit too dark for my skin, but I'm going to give it a whirl regardless (if only in the comfort of my own apartment). 

This particular one is the Black Label Detox. I'm not sure how this stuff is meant to detox, but if it works I'm all for it.

This highlighter by Temptu in "Champagne Shimmer" looks strong in the bottle, but lovely and soft on the skin. I have only swatched it, but I'm looking forward to slathering this pretty silkiness on my face.

I have tried the Caudalie Divine Oil, but not on my hair which is one of the various uses for this multi-purpose oil). I have very curly, almost kinky, hair that has a tendency to dry out so I'm thinking I'll try that out. Let me know if you've used it this way and how you got on in the comments below. 

Oh Birchbox, how sweet you are. I don't know how often they do this, but there was a little baggy with a couple of additional products. The first is this perfume by Harvey Prince. The scent is light and invigorating. The package says the notes are meyer lemon, mandarin, grapefruit, forsythia, and plumeria. This is not a scent that I would have chosen for myself (I tend to choose warmer scents), but it's always nice to try something new.

The second is a silver eyeliner pencil by Cynthia Rowley. This liner is smooth and subtle (not what I was expecting). I'm more of a gold person, but I'm looking forward to trying this product out. The polka dotted packaging is super cute too.

 After seeing two extras in the box just imagine my surprise when I saw yet another item in the box. This double-sided Chap Stick has SPF 12 in the daytime side and "tamanu oil, natural butters, and antioxidants" in the nighttime side to help retain moisture over night. I'm no expert but at least the ingredients on the night side seem to be pretty good. I'm pretty health-conscious, so I'll be checking them out in a little more depth in the near future. Haven't tried it out yet, but will soon.

This card accompanies the Chap Stick and explains that they are making an effort to introduce more affordable products into the mix. Yes, Birchbox, I will let you know what I think about this product through social media with your hashtags...tomorrow. 

Overall I am pretty pleased with the contents of this box and I'm excited to try all the things. If you've tried any of these products before let me know what you thought of them in the comments below. Have you found a clever way to use them? If so, please take a minute to share.