Retrospective: Birchbox August 2012

See my first Retrospective for the answers to the quiz that I used.

August 2012: Month 6

Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy La Fleur
Photo from Birchbox

Ho hum, another perfume sample.  I think through BB I have every variation of perfume that Juicy Couture makes.  They all smell the same to me.  Young, light, fresh, and not for me. Too floral.  Meh.  I'll give this another try if I ever pull it out of my jar-of-perfume-samples.

Full size $70 for 2.5 oz.  Sample value (1.5 mL estimate) $1.42.

Miss Jessie's Original Stretch Silkening Creme
Photo from Birchbox

Yes, I have very curly hair.  No, this did not work for me.  I don't like the texture, I don't like the smell, and I don't like the way it made my hair look.  It just wasn't for me.  I tried another Miss Jessie's product recently and liked that one even less!  

Full size $22 for 8 oz.  Sample size was 2 ounces wasted on me for a value of $5.50.

Pixi Beauty Lip & Line in Orchid Rose
Photo from Blush.com since BB doesn't offer this color

See that color? That color is unwearable by someone as pale as me.  That color is especially unwearable in AUGUST when dark, vampy lips are not in style.  I love the idea, and it went on so nicely, I just wish I had gotten a different color!  Maybe I can work it this winter.  Probably not.

This is full-sized, and valued at $18.  Unfortunately, it is just sitting in my give-away pile unless I get courageous.

Schick Hydro Silk Razor
Photo from Birchbox

Birchbox started something called "Birchbox Finds" where they send you drug-store products and tell you how great they are.  You don't have to tell me how great this razor is, I had been using it already!  Thanks for the spare, though, these things can get expensive (that's what coupons are for!).  Some people were a little miffed at this, but a razor is a razor and I have some legs to shave!

Full-size, value approximately $9.99

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream
Photo from Birchbox

The final product was a sample of this cream, which smells heavily of camphor.  It's not everyone's cup of tea, but there is something about a medicinal scent that makes me think the product is working that much harder.  It was a nice sample and I wish I hadn't lost it.  It was good for little patches of dry winter skin.  I tried it on my lips a couple times, but didn't like its texture on my lips, or the camphor smell so close to my nose.

Full size $16 for 1.25 oz.  Sample size was 0.1 oz, value $1.28

Total Value $36.19, but half is a full-size lip product that is totally wrong for me.

Besides the awful hair cream, I was so disappointed in the lipliner/lipstick combo from Pixi.  I had really hoped that I could make the color work, but there is no way that is happening.  Any other color would have been great, but they sent the darkest one they possibly could have.





Birchbox costs $10/month, including shipping and sends you a box of 4-6 samples and sometimes full-sized products.  You can review the products you receive for 10 Birchbox points each.  For every $1 you spend in the BB shop, you also receive 1 BB point.  For every 100 BB points you accumulate, you get $10 to spend in their shop.  If you would like to sign up, my link is here and I will earn 50 BB points at the end of your first month.

This post contains products I purchased with my own money.  No compensation was received for this post and all opinions are my own.  This post contains a referral link, see above for details.

Retrospective: Birchbox July 2012

See my first Retrospective for the answers to the quiz that I used.

July 2012: Month 5

Ada Cosmetics Bronzer in Bronze Peach
Photo from Birchbox

This is a really nice mineral bronzer for someone as pale as I am.  It has some shimmer in it, and this sample will last me forever.  I actually didn't have a powder bronzer before this, and it was really nice to get to try one out!  I still use this and it doesn't even look like I've made a dent.

Full size $12.45 for 3 grams.  Sample size was about 1 gram? I'm estimating based on how it looks next to some of my bare minerals products.  This one didn't have a size listed.  I'll go with 1g, which gives it a value of $4.15

Birchbox Exclusive Earbuds
Photo from Birchbox

I can never have enough pairs of earbuds, or enough neon, so these were welcome.  I think they are by my bed at the moment, for when my bf is snoring away and I can't sleep. The sound quality on these could be a little better, but I'm certainly not complaining.

These go for $10 on the Birchbox site.

blinc Mascara in Black
Photo from Birchbox

This was the first time I had heard of a tubing mascara.  The mascara basically makes little polymer tubes around your individual eyelashes when you brush it on.  This means it is super waterproof and the only way to take it off is to gently wipe or pull them off in warm water.  The little tubes will look like eyelashes as you pull them off, and you may freak out the first time!  I ended up really loving this product and if I didn't have so many mascaras to try (samples and full sized) I would buy this in a heart beat!  It darkens a little bit, makes your lashes look almost glossy, and is perfect for weddings and sad movies!  They have a new version called "amplified" and it is supposed to be more volumizing than the original.

Full size $26 for 0.3 oz.  Sample size 0.14 oz, valued at $12.13

Harvey Prince Hello
Photo from Birchbox

Since I loved Ageless by the same company so much, I was super excited to try Hello!  Unfortunately, I dropped it on the tile floor in the bathroom and it totally shattered everywhere.  It smelled good, but there was SO MUCH OF IT on the floor that it was a little over-powering :(  Oh well. 

Full size $55 for 50 mL, sample (1.5 mL) value $1.65

Klorane shampoo with Chamomile
Photo from Birchbox

This is supposed to be shampoo for blondies, and says it will help keep your color bright and not brassy.  I couldn't tell from the 4 uses I got out of the bottle if it did that, but I did NOT like the scent.  If it hadn't been the only shampoo I brought on vacation, I would have tossed it after the first use.

Full size $18 for 400 mL.  Sample size was 25 mL, making it worth $1.12

Larabar über in Roasted Nut Roll
Photo from Birchbox

The "extra" in this box was a Larabar über and I received the roasted nut roll flavor.  It was delicious and I don't have any complaints about the occasional food item in my Birchboxes.  Bring them on!

$9 for a 5 count, single bar worth $1.80


Total Value $30.85

Excellent value, useful products, and I loved everything but the shampoo.  Plus, there were 6 items to review, which translates into $6 to spend in the BB shop.



Birchbox costs $10/month, including shipping and sends you a box of 4-6 samples and sometimes full-sized products.  You can review the products you receive for 10 Birchbox points each.  For every $1 you spend in the BB shop, you also receive 1 BB point.  For every 100 BB points you accumulate, you get $10 to spend in their shop.  If you would like to sign up, my link is here and I will earn 50 BB points at the end of your first month.

This post contains products I purchased with my own money.  No compensation was received for this post and all opinions are my own.  This post contains a referral link, see above for details.

Retrospective: Birchbox June 2012

See my first Retrospective for the answers to the quiz that I used.

June 2012: Month 4

Comodynes Self-Tanning Intensive Towelette (2)
Photo from Birchbox

To be honest, I still haven't tried these.  I am supa-dupa pale and NEVER tan.  I use sunscreen on my face every day and in the summer I am religious about reapplying sunscreen.  I don't stop at tan, I go through to burn and then fade back to white.  Nothing but white and red for me.  So, I am afraid to try these!  I haven't had much luck with self tanners in the past and always end up streaky or orange or can't reach places like my back.  Maybe some day!

$14.99 for a pack of 8.  I was sent 2 packets, for a value of $3.75

Eyeko Fat Eye Stick in Petrol Blue
Photo from Birchbox

Another full-sized product! This is a nice, vibrant navy color.  I would use it as an eyeliner, but it is not as smudge-proof as my beloved Urban Decay 24/7 liners.  I have a 24/7 in a similar color, but it has some sparkle to it.  If I want something without sparkle and without staying power, this is what I go to.  So.. never.

Full size, $15 for 0.14oz.  I received the full size.

John Varvatos Star USA
Photo from Birchbox

This was an "extra" that was thrown in to promote Birchbox Man's new launch.  They included a sample size of this cologne to give to a "Birchbox man in your life".  I gave it to my boyfriend and it has sat unopened on his dresser ever since.  He doesn't wear cologne and probably will just end up throwing this away when he finds it under the stack of receipts it's currently hiding under.

$55/100 mL full size, sample value (assuming 1.5 mL) is $0.82

Likewise Facial Moisturizer + Sun Protectant SPF 50 for Normal to Oily Skin
Photo from Birchbox

This was more like a sunscreen than a moisturizer, and I used it as such on our trip to Europe.  It was fine and I didn't burn, so it did its job.  That's all I have to say about that.

$44 for 50 mL.  Sample size 5 mL, value $4.40

theBalm Cosmetics Stainiac in Beauty Queen
Photo from Birchbox

This is similar to Benetint, but with more of a gel-like formula.  It can be tricky to apply quickly enough that it doesn't stain in a blob where you put it on your cheek, so I use it as a lip stain.  It's a nice bright magenta.

Full size $17 for 0.3 oz.  Sample size was 0.04 oz for a value of $2.27

tili Bags Small Collection (Quart Size)
Photo from Birchbox

This was just a thicker, printed ziplock bag.  The zippy part broke on mine, so it was no use after that.  It would be cute to use these for flying, to keep all of your liquids, but it seems a little expensive for such poor quality.

Pack of 12 is $8.49.  1 bag has a value of $0.71.

Total Value $26.95


Another full-sized product and another bag way over the $10 I paid for it.  Not bad.  I got some use out of a few things, and did not out of the others, but there was nothing that I hated.



Birchbox costs $10/month, including shipping and sends you a box of 4-6 samples and sometimes full-sized products.  You can review the products you receive for 10 Birchbox points each.  For every $1 you spend in the BB shop, you also receive 1 BB point.  For every 100 BB points you accumulate, you get $10 to spend in their shop.  If you would like to sign up, my link is here and I will earn 50 BB points at the end of your first month.

This post contains products I purchased with my own money.  No compensation was received for this post and all opinions are my own.  This post contains a referral link, see above for details.

August Spoilers, Ipsy and Popsugar Must Have

Well, that was fast!

I'm really excited to see what comes in my Ipsy bag, and I'm even more excited to get my Must Have box this month, if the spoilers are correct!!

August 2013 Ipsy Spoilers:

Photo from Ipsy

TWO OF THE FOLLOWING

(These are the best guesses for products I can find right now), clockwise from top left:

Nailtini Nail Color 

Chella Eyebrow Color Pencil

NYX Cream Blush 

Mica Beauty Mineral Eyeshadow

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

City Color Cosmetics Cheek Stain

Pacifica Alight Multimineral BB Cream

Photo from Ipsy

Pixi Lash Booster Mascara

Photo from Ipsy

ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

Michael Todd Pumpkin Facial Mask

Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Scrub

Photo from Ipsy

ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

Urban Decay Lipstick

Nova Lip Balm

Popsugar Must Have August 2013:

Photo from NY Daily News
Found by mysubscriptionaddiction.com

Here is the link to the article with the picture.  It does have the necklace that had been released as a spoiler a few weeks ago...

The contents, clockwise from top left:

Naturebox Dried Granny Smith Apples

Dermatologia Cleanser and Precleanser (sample sizes)

Weekly To Do Planner (brand?)

Gorjana + Griffin Open Circle Necklace

Lulah Bodywash

Bentgo Stackable Lunch Box

Apple Bowl by Lunares

I. AM. SO. PUMPED.

This post contains my own opinions and no compensation or special consideration was received for it.

Retrospective: Birchbox May 2012

See my first Retrospective for the answers to the quiz that I used.

May 2012- Month 3May is my birthday month!  I was hoping for something extra-special that month.

BVLGARI Omnia Crystalline Eau de Toilette
Photo from Birchbox

This was a pleasant surprise for me. It is very woody, with a little fruit at the top, which gives it a very "green" scent.  It isn't something I would buy a full size of, or something that I would want to wear every day, but it is nice every once in a while.  I think it would be perfect to wear to an outdoor wedding.  Not a bad perfume sample, if they had to send me one.

Full size $64.00/40 mL.  Sample 1.5 mL, $2.40.

Dr. Jart Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25
Photo from Birchbox

This BB cream was one of my Birchbox Top 5  products, and I still use it (or one of the other BB creams from Dr. Jart) every day.  It's awesome.

Full size (I'm on my second one!) $32.00/50 mL.  Sample size 3 mL (I think), $1.92.

Ojon Volume Advance Volumizing Conditioner
Photo from Birchbox

Oh yeah, I remember this now! It was pretty adequate for a conditioner.  Did it add volume? I don't really think so.  I don't really remember, though, to be fair.  All in all, forgettable.

Full size $23.00/250 mL.  Sample size 30 mL, value $2.76

Stila Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Flash
Photo from Birchbox

Happy birthday to me!  I was super excited to receive this product.  It's a sparkly olive liquid liner, and it is easy to apply with their felt applicator.  It stays put all night... glitter, too.  I like it, I just don't wear it a lot.  Sparkly eye liner is a little impractical when your work uniform is a lab coat and safety glasses!

Full size $22 for 1.7 mL.  This was a full-sized product that they sent! Woo! (My first one through Birchbox)

Twistband Hair Tie (Emerald-colored)
Photo from Birchbox

This was my first Twistband! I like them a lot, but I make my own now.  Fold-over elastic is very cheap on etsy and you can make a ton for the fraction of the cost.  I made about 100 for Christmas gifts for my friends.

12 pack is $18 on Birchbox.  Value of a single hair tie is $1.50.  

Birchbox Notecard (1, purple)
Photo from Birchbox

The "extra" this month was a random notecard with xoxo on the front of it.  I attached it to my mothers' day gift that year.  Another weird thing to include.  It was not terrible quality, but not the best, either.

Full set of 12, $10.  Value of single card, $0.83.

Total value: $31.41.  Add that to the $6 from the 60 points for reviews and this was a great box!

Birchbox costs $10/month, including shipping and sends you a box of 4-6 samples and sometimes full-sized products.  You can review the products you receive for 10 Birchbox points each.  For every $1 you spend in the BB shop, you also receive 1 BB point.  For every 100 BB points you accumulate, you get $10 to spend in their shop.  If you would like to sign up, my link is here and I will earn 50 BB points at the end of your first month.

This post contains products I purchased with my own money.  No compensation was received for this post and all opinions are my own.  This post contains a referral link, see above for details.

The week in nails, August 4

I started with Color Club in "he loves me" with Julep Jane as an accent. No base coat, 3 coats CC, 1 coat Jane over 2 coats CC, topped with Seche Vite. 

The problem with CC polishes is that they chip so fast! I got two days out of this before some of my nails got bad enough for me to change the worst of them. 

I did 3 coats of Spoiled "my button fell off" on three nails of each hand (thumb included) and topped them with Seche. 

This lasted another two days. 

I then switched it up completely and did 2 coats of China Glaze "Stone cold" from the Capitol Colors Hunger Games collection. Matte polishes always chip very fast, so I tried to mitigate that by doing a coat of Julep base coat, a coat of Sally Hansen Black Diamond, and then the CG. 

This lasted about an hour before chipping so I sealed the tips and did a French mani with Black Diamond. This lasted 3 days. 

S

What I do to make my hair behave

My hair is curly and neither thick nor thin.  For my 2013 resolution, I vowed to stop heat styling it (blow dryer, flat iron, and curling iron) every day and just let it do what it wants.  It has taken me 8 months to finally accept my curls, and to make peace with them.  In return, my hair has been behaving nicely and is much healthier than when I started this last December (I cut all the damage off before the new year).

So, let's start from the beginning of the day.  I usually shower at night and then style in the morning.

I'm surprised my boyfriend has stuck around for 3 years of waking up next to this!

Oh yes.  Way out of control.

I start by spraying it down with water.

Getting better

I feel like a lion tamer

Then I comb out the tangles and distribute the water.

Sorry for the lack of makeup; I had just woken up.

There is hope after all.

It's product time.  I have tried a bunch of different mousses, gels, and creams, but this one is my favorite:

Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl Defining Lotion

It's even better than most of the non-drugstore products I've tried.

I scrunch it in

Scrunch, scrunch, and scrunch some more.

Get the back.

Much better.

This is the final product after it has air-dried.

Voila!

Curly girl.

It was raining on the day I did this, so it's a little frizzy.  Normally I will smooth some oil (Orofluido) over my hair to tame it a little more, but I wasn't going anywhere and didn't bother ;)