Popsugar Must Have February 2014

Popsugar Must Have February 2014

First Look

This month's Popsugar Must Have box had a "pamper yourself oh and also it's Valentine's Day" theme.  This was the month that people could get for $20 using the awesome 50% off code released a few weeks ago.  That made this box an excellent deal for some people, and it caused some of those who paid full price to have a few issues with the box.

PSMH February 2014

Me? I'm indifferent.  This just confirms to me that not renewing my subscription after it expires in March is the way to go.  I already signed up for FabFitFun which is $50 quarterly.  (Get $5 off the Spring box using code ZOE or EARLY5.)

Dial Vitamin Boox Lotion Infused Body Wash

I'm just going to get this one out of the way.  This body wash polarized the internets.  It is listed as a "Special Extra" in the booklet, and is not supposed to count toward the total value of the box.  Fine.  Birchbox does this all the time- they feature drugstore items in addition to the normal content for the month.  I don't have a problem with BB or PSMH doing this.  As long as it is a bonus, great.

Some people found the inclusion of this body was to be insulting.  They felt it devalued the box as a whole, and would have been better to just omit it all together.  It inflated the box weight significantly without contributing to the value.  That's their opinion, and they are entitled to it.

I am just happy to stockpile more bodywash!  This one smells like kiwis and isn't too girly.  

$3?  Price may vary depending on stores and current sales.

Whew!  Onto the "real" stuff...

Nourish Organic Argan Face Serum

Last month Ipsy included a sample of face lotion from this brand in my bag.  It was just ok.  This is better.  Normally when I read "face serum," I think of a thinner, gel-like product.  Serum?  Right?  Something with some viscosity to it? 

No.  This is a mixture of oils and oils alone.  I wouldn't call that a "serum," and it totally squirted all over the place because I was expecting something with a little more heft to it when I pushed on the pump.  Oh well.  Nomenclature notwithstanding, this is a decent mix of oils.  It is mostly safflower, with argan, sweet orange (which contributes the most to the scent), apricot and rosehip seed oils.  It also has vitamin E.  That's it.  No additives or silicones or anything.  It was a little on the heavy side on my skin, and took a little longer than I'd like to absorb, so I won't wear it in the morning.  At night,  this is great.

20 mL is $23.99 on Nourish Organic's site.

Sugarwish Mini Red Cinnamon Hearts

Cinnamon hearts always remind me of my mom.  There were very few candies in the world that our family did not enjoy, but as far as I remember, she was the only one that liked these.  I thought they were too spicy for my delicate baby mouth.  I've since aged a couple decades, and discovered that these are indeed delicious.  They are also small, which is good.  And not chocolate, which is better. 

I don't like chocolate.  It's ok if that makes you not read my blog anymore.  

Sugarwish is a mail-order candygram company.  You send a gift card to someone and they pick out the candy they want, and Sugarwish sends it to them.  The smallest size you can gift is 4 1/4lb bags for $25 including shipping.  They have the kinds of candy you normally see in the bulk-candy mall stores.

The candy hearts we were sent are 1/4lb, giving them a value of $6.25.  I definitely wouldn't pay that much for cinnamon hearts, but they did come in a cute box with a bow.  Packaging is everything!  There was also a 20% coupon. (I also think it's kinda cute that Popsugar included another company with sugar in the name!)

k. hall designs Peony Travel Candle

This is such a cute candle!  I love the tin, I love the scent (I wouldn't normally like a floral), and I will definitely burn this.  Very appropriate for a pampering/Valentine's themed box.  Would a jar candle have been better?  Yes.  But I'll make do.

$11 on k hall designs' site.

ModelCo Lip Pops Duo Lip Gloss and Lipstick

This is a dual-ended lipgloss and lipstick combination product.  Both ends smell like strawberry to me.  The gloss is clear with a little shimmer, even though it is tinted pink in the bottle.  The lipstick is a brown-leaning medium mauve color which will be flattering on most people.  I managed to leave the lipstick twisted-up after this picture and smushed it into the cap.  That is what I get for taking pictures of my stuff while on too much cold medicine.

I could not find this product individually on ModelCo's website.  It looks like this is the nude lipstick/ striptease gloss combination included in this set.  The set is $49 and includes three of these combos and a mascara.  

I'll estimate $12.25 for this by itself.

ncLA Polish in Rodeo Drive Royalty

What could be more massacre-themed than blood-red nail polish?  Not much, and I'm happy to have another ncLA polish to try out.  We got one over the summer in another PSMH box, and I really liked it.  However, that one was a creme formula, and this one is more of a jelly.  I prefer the creme!  This went on unevenly and was tricky for even me to apply.  My bottle does have a wonky brush, though.

Rodeo Drive Royalty in bright light, 2 coats

This picture is a little lighter than the polish looks in real life.  It is closer to the bottle color.  I'd say it is the color of blood before it has a chance to oxidize- like when you are getting blood drawn into a small tube.  That color.

This is $16 on the ncLA site.  They also call it a creme and that it is cran-apple colored.  They may be less-morbid people than me.

Gorjana Brooks Jewelry Roll

This is this month's "big ticket" item: a faux leather jewelry roll from Gorjana + Griffin.  It is a poppy-red color, close to the zipper pulls in the next picture.  There are three zippered compartments inside and it is held together by wrapping some ties around the thing and kinda tying it the best you can.  The edges of that tie are not stitched onto the back of the pouch well, at all.  I also have random glue splotches around the zippers on the inside.  

Gorjana Brooks Jewelry Roll, inside

I don't feel like this would make traveling with jewelry any easier for me.  I don't often bring much with me, and what I do bring, I wear.  I have a small container I put it in while I go through security, and then it goes back on.  I will probably use this as a clutch, instead.  My iPhone fits in a pocket, and I can put my cards and cash in the others.  Voila.

This is $45 on the Gorjana website and this exact color doesn't seem to be listed.  PSMH also included a $25 off-your-next-full-priced-order coupon code.  I have two of these now, and will never use them because shipping is too expensive and I can't combine the codes with each other or with sale items.  If you think this is something you would be interested in, please let me know in the comments! I will email you one of my codes! I have two! Two people can get $25 off codes!  Yay!

PSMH February 2014

All together, this box had a total (approximated) value of $117.49.  More importantly, I'll actually use and enjoy everything included.  I still probably won't renew my subscription.  I'd rather try out other boxes!

Popsugar Must Have is $40 per month, with slight discounts if you prepay for a certain number of months ahead of time.  You get 6 (sometimes with +1 bonus) full-sized items from various categories.  It is a very diverse subscription and you never know what will be included.  It consistently has a value of over $100.

If you want to try PSMH for yourself, please use my referral link here.  I'll get a free month for every so many people who join using that link.

This post contains items purchased by me.  No special consideration or compensation was received and all thoughts and opinions are my own.  This post contains referral links to PSMH and FFF. 

Popsugar Must Have December 2013 Review

Popsugar Must Have December 2013

As always, I peeked this month!

December Popsugar!

 Popsugar suggested that the December box is, "the wish list you never knew you needed," and I'm not quite sure about that.  I wouldn't wish for wrapping paper, but I appreciate it in time to wrap gifts. 

Look at this stuff!

Mixt Studio Holiday Gifting Set

This recycled paper wrapping paper came with three small-ish sheets in different designs, twine, and tags.  I will definitely use this!  

Wrapping Paper

My favorite is the blue snowflake print, and I like that they include everything you need to wrap up some cute gifts.

Paper Prints

Three sheets (19-20 x 30 inches), twine, and gift tags, $9 on Mixt site.

Govino Go Anywhere Flutes

I'll take my champagne to go, please

This is a set of 4 sturdy plastic champagne flutes with a little finger notch in each.  I don't have champagne flutes, but I do have some mis-matched wine glasses because I keep breaking them.  For that reason, I like these plastic glasses!  I have some plastic wine glasses that came in a picnic set, but these look a little nicer.

Set of 4, $12.95 on Govino's website.

Modelco Fibre Lashxtend Black Mascara

Modelco will make me beautiful

I got this exact mascara in a birchbox about a year ago.  I liked it enough that I used up the whole tube, and that never happens.  I usually get bored and start alternating, and then throw out a handful of partially used tubes after a few months.  A nice feature of this mascara is that the tube has a mirror on the side of it!  

Reflectron of my ceiling.

The fibers add length and a little volume without looking like you have little spider legs above your eyelids.  It's not the best mascara I've ever used, but it's far from the worst.  I'll happily add it to my pile to use up.

The weird thing is, I couldn't find this mascara by itself on ModelCo's website!  They had normal Lashxtend (tubing) mascara, and an "unboxed" black mascara that didn't mention anything about fibers, and a fiber falsie mascara set thing that is definitely not this.  However, they are selling this as part of a set with an eyeliner for $10 on sale.  The same mascara is $24 in the Birchbox shop.

CC Made Caramel Corn in Pistachio Nut (3 oz)

Pistachio Caramel Corn!

This is really good popcorn! I was going to save it, but my willpower lasted all of one hour.  The pistachios are different in this caramel corn, but in a good way.  They add a nice salty/savory crunch that is different from the normal peanuts you see in products like this.  The popcorn was fluffy and the caramel was buttery and crunchy, and I'm glad I opened this!

3 oz bags sell for $4 on the CC Made site.

ncLA Peppermint Lane Nail Wraps.

Polka-dots and Candy Cane Stripes

I've used these nail wraps before, and they last a day or two before I peel them off.  I like this style because you put down clear nail polish before and after applying the strips.  They do not dry out if you open the package, and they give you 26- enough for at least 2 manicures.  These would also make nice accent nail designs!

ncLA nail wraps, $16.

Ghirardelli Squares Chocolate, Milk & Caramel (5.32 oz) and Holiday Assortment (7.18 oz)

Who doesn't like chocolate?... oh, right.  Me.

My willpower may not have extended to the caramel corn, but I have no problem keeping the bags of chocolate closed until Christmas.  These will stay safe until then, but when they hit the candy bowl, all bets are off!  The holiday assortment has Eggnog, Peppermint Bark, and Pumpkin Spice Caramel flavors.  The milk chocolate & caramel squares are my second favorites (I like the peppermint filled dark chocolate the best!).  I like that PS gave us two full bags of chocolate this season!  I know some people were a little disappointed that this wasn't a "higher end" brand, but it will do just fine.  These are individually wrapped and are a holiday stand-by.

You can frequently get these on sale at most mass-market supermarkets and pharmacies.  I went with the lowest price I could find (Walmart) and am estimating $3 and $5 for the two bags.

Last, but not least, (well, ok, maybe) is the "big ticket" item.

Lulu Frost for Popsugar Bracelet.

Lulu Frost Bracelet and fuzzy bag.

When looking at spoilers online, this bracelet looked chunkier than in real life.  That is a good thing.  I am not crazy about the brass chain and the silver charm with glass rhinestones... I feel like they clash.  The charm would look pretty on a silver necklace, and the bracelet chain would look better with... well, anything the same brassy color.

Bracelet being worn.  Check out my burn, too.  Ouch.

I like this more than I expected to, but that's not saying much.  I like the little fuzzy bag it came in more than the bracelet! HA!  I can't see myself paying that much for a brass chain and silver-plated zinc with little bits of cut glass.  I just can't.

Lulu Frost now has this bracelet on their site for $110.

All together, this box had a value of $169.95 (being conservative on the mascara).  I paid $33 for it with my multi-month discount.  The price per month has now increased to $39.95 plus tax.  If you would like to sign up for PSMH, please use my link here.  If I refer one more person, I get a free month!  You can use code REFER5 to save 5$ on your first box.  PSMH sends full (and sometimes deluxe) sized items from all across the board.  They send accessories, home items, makeup and beauty items, food, etc.  You never know, and that is what makes it so exciting every month.  I know that even if I don't like something, I will be able to find a home for it.

No special consideration or compensation was received for this post and all thoughts and opinions are my own. All items mentioned within were paid for by me.

Retrospective: Birchbox November 2012

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

November 2012: Month 9

Chuau Chocolatier Honeycomb Chocopod
Photo from Birchbox

My extra was a Chuao Chocolatier ChocoPod, dark chocolate with honeycomb. That lasted all of two seconds after I opened my box, and was absolutely delicious! There were little crunch bits of caramelized honeycomb in it. Yum!

7 Pods retail for $7.95, value of a single pod $1.14

Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keeper
Photo from Birchbox

I received a sample of Curly Hair Solution's Curl Keeper for the first time in November. This actually is not bad and works pretty well.  It does tend to make my hair a little crunchy, but nothing that I can't handle.  It's not that bad of a deal, too.

Sample was 30 mL ($3 value), full size is 100 mL for $10. 

Jouer Signature Fragrance Rollerball
Photo from Birchbox

I also received a little roller ball vial of Jouer Fragrance Cornucopia oil. The note that I picked up right away was the honeysuckle, it brought me back to my childhood walking to and from the ocean on a road lined with honeysuckle bushes! This is a very wearable scent for me, I keep it in my purse for those perfume emergencies.

The sample size is 1.18 mL, it is $42 for the 7.09 mL full size, which includes a tiny 2mL lip gloss. Assuming the lip gloss is a bonus gift, that would make this sample value $6.99. 

ModelCo FIBRE LASHXTEND Mascara
Photo from Birchbox

I love that there is a mirror on the tube! This is one of the nicer fiber mascaras I have used. It definitely makes my lashes longer, and slightly fuller-looking. 

This is full-sized, retail is $24.

Stila All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminizer in Bronze Shimmer
Photo from Birchbox

This adds a nice subtle shimmer wherever you apply it. Honestly, I tested it out after I got it and haven't used it since.  Maybe I'll put it in my makeup bag to remind me.

The sample size is 1.5 mL, full size is $20 for 14.1mL, making this a $2.13 aliquot.


Total Value $37.25

Overall, I was really happy with this box.  That chocolate was DELICIOUS and I used the mascara until it was dried up and no longer useable.

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.

Birchbox July 2013

Am I supposed to know what "Suits" is? A *show* picked out a face cream? huh? Birchbox teamed up with the USA network show, "Suits" this month to bring us a new box of perfectly adequate samples.

July 2013 Birchbox, Suits Edition

Anything look familiar? How about this... 

photo from Birchbox

Yeah. I got the same sample in my November 2012 box. However, when I went to my Birchbox box history to confirm this, I saw that they had already realized the error of their ways and had credited me with 100 extra points. Way to be on top of your game, BB! I'm impressed. Fortunately, this is a decent hair product for me and I was tempted to buy the full size after using up my first sample of it. Have you seen my hair? It's curly. It likes products like this. 

I'm all set on face creams for the rest of my life.

This was the Suits pick, and it is Benta Berry G-1 Moisturizing Face Cream. It smells light and a little flowery and seems like every other face lotion I haven't heard of but will slather on my face anyway. Again, I don't break out easily and don't have any kind of dry or oily skin issues. This will be fine for me. 

Their cute design is their only redeeming feature.

These are big and got stuck in my hair and I don't like them. 

Party proof? Halloween party, maybe!

I was really excited to see this lipstick in my box. However, it is in the color "Get Naked" which makes it look like I don't have lips at all. If this was another color, I would be in love! It smells like strawberries and goes on really smoothly. It doesn't dry my lips out, though it accentuates the creases and dry patches a bit. It's too bad about the color choice for my particular complexion. 

Where did my lips go??

I also got a spritzy sample bottle of Juicy Couture's Couture La La. It smells like every other Juicy sample I've gotten. I have a pretty bad nose for scents, so it takes something unusual for me to notice it. Couture La La is a little floral and a little fruity and pretty blah for me. According to my boyfriend, "it doesn't smell like much of anything. Nothing stands out." I hate getting perfume samples, but this was my first one in a few months, so I can't complain too much. 

Here is a summary of the value of my July box: 

Curl Keeper, 30 mL: $3 value. (Full size $10/100 mL) 

Moisturizer, 5 mL: $3.67 value (Full size $22/30 mL) 

Bobby Pins, 2: $1.67 ($5/6) 

Lipstick, 3.8g: (Full size) $8 as part of Birchbox's set of 3 for $24. From ModelCo site: $16.95 

Couture La La sample, 1.5 mL: $1.35 ($90/100 mL) 

Total value: $17.69 (low end) or $26.64 (high end) depending on how you value the lipstick.

I will also get 40 points for reviews (can't review the curl keeper a second time) and the extra 100 points for the duplicate. This adds $14 to my total. Considering I only pay $10/month for this service, I think it's a great deal. Have I had better boxes? Yes. But, I can use the points toward something I love instead of something I just want to use up. 

Here is my referral link, if you would like to sign up.

This post contains products purchased by me through Birchbox.  All opinions are my own.  This post also contains a referral link; I will receive 50 points for every person who subscribes to Birchbox by clicking my link.