Subscription Addiction | Birchbox Backup - March 2015

Product #1: Embryolisse Lait creme concentre
This is a nice face lotion. It's not drying, but I wouldn't call it super moisturizing, either. It says it's for all skin types, which makes it a problem. My skin is way way dry. I need the crazy moisturizing and hydrating products. That's the only way I can really keep up with my skin. But, this does its job and I keep it at boyfriend's place so I can moisturize after the shower. I was just glad to get rid of that Mereadesso cream that I used for forever.

Product #2: Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle
I like this product. It isn't my holy grail status product, but it works and I like it. It smells good and it does its job. It was a decent sample size, as well. I've seen a lot from the Beauty Protector brand, and I've heard only good things. So I will continue to use it and see how it goes.

Product #3: Mirenesse Glossy Kiss in Angel Kiss
So this is a deep purple. Not even kidding; it's a deep wine-y purple color. I don't want to swatch it because I know I can't use it, and I want to pass it on to someone who can. Here's the problem. I know that many people can get away with using tons of shades, whether they're everyday wearable or not. The problem is that I'm in education. My principal wouldn't be thrilled with a counselor with purple lips. 

Product #4: Harvey Prince Sincerely
You know how much I love my Harvey Prince! This is an interesting scent - it's a bit spicier, so to speak, than Hello. But I really do like it. I haven't found a Harvey Prince scent I hate yet, so this is a good way to continue on that road.

Product #5: Jelly Pong Pong GLOW GETTER Highlighter
So this is strange. I thought it was a nail polish. It's in a nail polish packaging, like one of those old Bon Bons nail polishes I bought with my allowance in the 90s. I'm not sure how I feel about the product itself though. I just don't know if I would use it.

So this was a 'meh' box for me. I think I'm being picky, but I also think... if something's not wearable or usable, why not be a little bummed?

Subscription Addiction | Boxycharm Backup - April 2015

This is the Boxycharm I have been most excited about in FOREVER. So thanks for that, Boxycharm.

April 2015 Boxycharm: April Bloom

Product #1: Coastal Scents Revealed 2 Palette
I love the Coastal Scents Revealed Palette, and while the Revealed 2 Palette has several very similar colors, I really do love this palette too. One thing that I appreciate about the Revealed palettes is how many colors there are, and how wearable they are. They aren't bright tangerine, or neon green, or anything strange. I haven't had a chance to try these out yet, but I will soon.

Product #2: OFRA Derma Mineral Powder
I don't know about this one, guys. It's so pink and sparkly, that it's just not for me at first glance. But I will for sure give it a shot. I do need to branch out, and this is an incredible value and I've heard really good things about this product anyway.

Product #3: Vincent Longo Duo Lip Pencil in Lavender Lite/Grape
This went up on eDivv for sure. While the purples are gorgeous, I don't wear purple lipstick. That's the thing about this - if the colors were different, I would definitely give them a shot. But the colors are either purple or bright Barbie pink and I can't get away with those types of colors.

Product #4: Coolway Smoothing Lotion
This is another one of those "Not really useful to me" products. Sure, I'm glad to have this, but it's not something I oohed and ahhhed over when I opened it. I'll give it a shot and see how it works. Can't hurt to try.

Product #5: Harvey Prince Mini Roller Fragrance in Signature
At first this was really disappointing because as much as I love Harvey Prince, I didn't need a third backup of "Hello". But this apparently is the signature scent. So that's a lot better. It smells good and it's in a rollerball size, which means it didn't show up half empty.

Subscription Addiction | Birchbox Backup - January 2015

Aaand we've made it to this year in Birchbox! My Birchbox is now in the closet with my other "Shop my Stash" boxes (I'll get to that in a few posts), so that's why I'm using this photo blatantly stolen from Google. AND HERE WE GO.

Product #1: Harvey Prince Hello Body Creme
I actually traded for this on eDivv forever ago, and I love it. Stoked to have a backup. I love Harvey Prince's stuff, so this makes me pretty happy.

Product #2: Miracle Skin Transformer Treat & Conceal Eye & Face
I haven't had the opportunity to try this yet, but I did put it in my "Shop My Stash" box for May, so I'll let you know how it does. It seems like one of those samples that looks bigger than it is because the cover is long and the bottle itself is short. But I may be completely incorrect and I may be pleasantly surprised.

Product #3: Neil George Shampoo
I used this up and I actually really liked it. It smelled fresh and clean, and it cleaned my hair well. It didn't weigh my hair down, it didn't do anything particularly funky to it, and it lathered well.  I can't say I'm going to run out and buy the full size, but possibly with Birchbox shop points.

Product #4: Neil George Conditioner
This one's really nice on my hair. It doesn't feel tangled or greasy when I use it. Apparently it's also paraben free? Anyway. I have a crapton of conditioners to use up, so this isn't a must-have at the moment, but I did enjoy this and would possibly repurchase.

Product #5: Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner
It isn't Olive Green, which makes me say that it's good. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, since I've been pretty busy using up other eyeliners. But at this point if it isn't an unusable, ugly color, we're good. I've been getting a LOT of eyeliners lately, especially from Birchbox, so I changed my settings up a bit so maybe I wouldn't be getting so many.

All in all this box was pretty good. Nothing superb, but nothing terrible. Pretty much what I would expect from a Birchbox. Pleasant surprises with nothing I truly hated.

Surprise Haul | Makeup from Reggie!

So I've been stressed out to the max lately. Basically I am either always working, sleeping, or in school, and I barely have the energy to play with my makeup. But Reggie was so sweet to send me a care package full of stuff that I can't wait to try! It quite literally made my day so special that day, and I hate that it has taken me so long to haul!

Okay! So let's get started on one of my favorite things in this package!

The Balm Nude 'Tude Palette

From top to bottom: Serious, Sexy, Sophisticated, Selfish, Stubborn, Sassy

From top to bottom: Sleek, Silly, Seductive, Sultry, Stand-offish (can't really see it), snobby (can't really see it)

These shadows are gorgeous. I think Sophisticated, Sexy, Sultry, and Stubborn are my favorites at the moment. I will be sure to post some looks with these now that I have some more time! This palette is GORGEOUS and I can't thank you enough, Reggie!

Sincerely by Harvey Prince

Humans, I have found my perfume designer. Harvey Prince stuff smells incredible. This and Hello have both been awesome, as has Ageless. I don't love this as much as I love Hello, but this is PERFECT for spring and summer! It's got a floral scent to it without being too perfumey, and I don't smell like the elderly woman who lives next door to me. It's not overpowering, but it's smell-able. Love.

MAC Lipstick in Fresh Salmon

This is actually much more pigmented than the picture shows.  I adoooore this shade. I will be wearing it a lot. For real. How pretty is that? It's the perfect blend of peachy and salmon and pink, without being too orange and without being Barbie Dream House Pink. Very, very pretty.

Pacifica Eyeshadow in Ethereal

That is the most gorgeous color right there. It looks great on my eyes, too. I haven't used it a ton, but I love it. Plus, I love Pacifica products in general. I'm trying to incorporate cruelty free products into my regimen, and this is a great way to do it. Pacifica products are ones I've never been disappointed in. This didn't disappoint, either!

Starlooks Lip Gloss: Guilty Pleasure | The Balm Lip Gloss: Read My Lips

Top: Starlooks Guilty Pleasure
Bottom: The Balm Read My Lips Lip Gloss

These colors are so pretty! They're right up my alley! The Balm one was actually one I received in my Birchbox for February (Which I'll get to posting eventually), and I liked the color a lot. They're a tiny bit sticky for my tastes, but I may mix them with something else to get that goop to go away. The colors are too pretty to waste!

Coastal Scents Revealed 2 Palette Samples

I feel like a turd because I can't find this to swatch individually (the hazards of living with a cat and a part-time dog who love to knock things off desks...), but I remember loving it. I did receive the Revealed 2 in a Boxycharm (which again, I'll get to posting eventually), and I have adored it. I will be using these samples up post haste. Once they're found. Probably under a bed or a nightstand. Doesn't mean I didn't love them.

Coastal Scents Liquid Eyeliner

I have never been a liquid eyeliner gal, but I love Coastal Scents, so this may be the product to convert me! I'm so excited to give it a shot. I've wanted to branch out a little with my makeup as well, so that will be the perfect way to do it! 

Benefit Fake-up Concealer

I have wanted to try this for sooooo looooong, and I finally get the chance to do so! I will get right on it, and I'm ashamed that I haven't yet. It's the perfect size for me to decide if I love it or not, and I'm so stoked to experiment. Very very pumped.

So, this was a really nice package to come home to that day. It's a late haul, but it's so appreciated. It made my day and continues to make my day when I use one of the products in it. So, thank you Reggie, for your kindness and thoughtfulness! 

Empties!

Just got through a LOT of empties!

Harvey Prince Ageless Body Wash: I loved this stuff. It smelled like pomegranate and I loved it. I was so sad it was so small. I'm on a makeup freeze right now so I can't really buy any more, but it was delightful and I would absolutely repurchase it.

Suave Almond and Shea Butter Shampoo: I've had this for.ever and it's just "meh". I don't love it, but I don't hate it either. It's cheap and it cleans my hair. I love the smell of it, though. I feel like I smell yummy after I use it. It doesn't do anything volume-wise that the others don't, but I'll probably repurchase.

Redken Body Full Shampoo: When my sister was the receptionist at a hair salon, she used her discount to get me some of this shampoo, plus it was on sale. I have one backup left, and it's pretty good! It doesn't have much of a scent to it, and it doesn't clean any better or worse than other shampoos. But I did like it. I can't justify spending all that money on expensive shampoo, but it does what it's supposed to do. I did notice a bit more volume with this shampoo, but not a ton.

Epice Purifying Exfoliant: I know this was supposed to be exfoliating, but I felt like it was scraping my face with every use. It wasn't gentle at all. I hated using it and kept it at my boyfriend's place to use it all up. Not a huge fan of it at all. I won't repurchase it.

It's a 10 Miracle Leave in Product: This stuff is awesome. It makes my hair feel soft and shiny and it's definitely awesome. I'll repurchase it when I have a bit more money to play around with. I have other leave-in products to use up in the meantime, but this is liquid gold.

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair Hair Mask: Love this! Have a backup of it, thank goodness. It's incredible. It makes my hair feel really soft after I use it, and it doesn't take a whole lot to make a difference. It smells fresh, and it doesn't weigh my hair down.

Okay, that's not as many empties as I thought, but it's some. I've got to start using some more up.

Subscription Addiction: September Birchbox Success!

This month was Birchbox's anniversary month. To celebrate four years of existence and awesomeness, they made their usual box all pretty and fancy, and included a crapton of awesome extras. As usual, I was pleased with the majority of it! Here we go!

Subscription Box: Birchbox

Description: Each month, you'll receive a selection of samples that we’ve tried (and retried) ourselves. We source our samples from both well-known brands and emerging gems. The women’s subscription includes everything from skincare to makeup, as well as fun non-beauty extras. The men’s subscription delivers top-tier grooming products in addition to lifestyle accessories ranging from hip socks to tech accessories.  

Pricing: $10/month.

Referral Link: Here

Product #1: Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm
I haven't tried this yet. Everyone raves about Dr. Jart, but I just haven't had the opportunity to try this particular product yet. It's my first BB anything, since my collection is so new, but I'm excited to try it.

Product #2: Mereadesso All in One Moisturizer (Travel Size)
I love this! It makes my face so, so soft, and the packaging is excellent, especially for a sample/travel size. RESEALABLE? HECK YES. It didn't break my face out, either. I probably wouldn't repurchase, since it's crazy expensive, but I'm going to definitely use it up.

Product #3: Davines OI All in One Milk 
My hair definitely felt soft after this, but I felt like it was weighed down. I do have to say, though, the times that I've used it, I haven't been doing my usual haircare routine. I keep this at my boyfriend's house, and I don't have a blowdryer there. It's a HUGE size, though, so I want to use it up and make sure I give it its proper due test.

Product #4: Davines OI Shampoo
The shampoo combined with the OI Milk was... strange? I don't know. I love that they included this as an extra sample because of the anniversary, and it made my hair feel clean, I just feel like maybe all three (there's one coming up) products combined weighed my hair down. I'll experiment and follow up.

Product #5: Davines OI Conditioner
The conditioner made my hair feel INCREDIBLY soft. I do love the conditioner and know for sure that wasn't part of the weighing down problem. I don't think I'll repurchase it, because it's very expensive, but I'll absolutely continue to use it until it's gone. Again, because this was included as an anniversary special, it's hard to complain too much.

Product #6: Harvey Prince Ageless Liquid Loofah
Um, my grapefruit obsession is becoming a problem! But this product is AMAZING. Harvey Prince is one of those scents I've heard so many good things about on the internet, and I'm looking forward to using it up. It's supposed to be exfoliating, but I don't really feel like it exfoliated my skin? But honestly, it smells good and made me feel fresh and clean, so who cares?

Product #7: Temptu S/B Highlighter
Apparently this is a brand often associated with the spray guns, or whatever they're called. Airbrushes? You can use it on its own, but rumor has it you can also use it with the airbrush. I'm honestly going to pass this on or trade it. I'm not going to open it, and it doesn't seem like something I'm going to take the time to use. Know thyself.

So overall, it was definitely a month where I got my money's worth! I do wish there were more makeup products in this month's box, but the samples I did get were mostly worth the money, and I have a hard time complaining about the generosity of Birchbox, especially when I got all the anniversary extras. This wasn't a box where I went "meh", like BeautyBox5 (don't even get me started), so I'm still very pleased!