As I was doing a little "Spring cleaning" this evening, I ran into all of my Birchbox boxes in my bathroom closet and decided to turn this blog into an excuse to pause the cleaning!
I began my Birchbox subscription in December of 2011, and I'm at my 6-month mark – having received half a year of Birchboxes! I figured such a milestone deserves a mini-review and perhaps a 'best and worst' itemized list of things that I've received in my boxes since beginning my subscription.
My overall review of Birchbox is somewhere between good and great – not wholly one or the other. As of February I hit a lull and in fact told myself I'd quit the subscription service if my March box weren't "a wow". Birchbox must've been listening because my March box was awesome and each box since I've been really happy with. Truthfully I almost forget about my subscription every month and then a get a friendly pink package in the mail and it makes my day – I love that aspect. So, to sum-up: I will be continuing my month-to-month subscription as I am very pleased with my Birchbox service.
Now for the nitty-gritty – the best and the worst list:
Best Birchbox items I've received (in the order that I've received them):
• Harvey Prince Yogini fragrance sample (*I use this once if not twice a week – I LOVE!)
• Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Birchbox Pink
• Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy fragrance sample (*This stays in my purse 24/7. LOVE!)
• Jouer Body Butter (*Again, a purse staple. Very moisturizing!)
• Heart Shaped nail file (Stays in my purse)
• LA Fresh Eco Beauty Waterproof Makeup Remover Towelette
• AHAVA Essential Daily Moisturizer for Normal to Dry Skin (*I've soaked up every last drop of this!)
• Orofluido Elixer (like a travel size Moroccan Oil)
• Tea Forte skin-smart teas (Particularly loved the honey one!)
• Color Club Neon Nail Polish (I paint my nails with this probably once a month and always get complements!)
• Befine 'Fine Food' packets: Moisturizer & Exfoliating Cleanser (Different and really worked)
• Lulu Organics Lavender + Clary Sage Dry Shampoo (BEST!)
• Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift fragrance sample (LOVE!)
• Ojon Damage Reverse Conditioner (LOVE!)
• LipFusion Lip Balm (I use 1-2 times a day! Purse staple!)
• Caudalie Cuticle Cream (Sooo goooood)
Worst Birchbox items I've received (in the order I've received them):
• EBoost Orange Natural Energy Booster drink powder (Seriously awful tasting!)
• Befine gentle cleanser (Was not strong enough for my skin type and too oily)
• LARABAR mini (At the top of the list of foods I hate is coconut, therefore this was a miss)
• Stila Smudge Stick (Just not a fan of this product. It bleeds and the color was too teal.)
• Eye Rock designer liner (Just not a fan of the stick-on concept. I'm not 13.)
• ColorScience pressed mineral foundation (Didn't match my skin.)
• Yes To Blueberries brightening facial towelettes (Had a major allergic reaction to these!)
• Zoya TRUE Spring Collection nail polish (LOVE Zoya polish, hated the moss green color)
So, as you can see the awesome products outweigh the misses. There's a few products that I received in my boxes but didn't list here because they weren't "wow", but they weren't "ugh" either. That's what ya get when you're introduced to new things though– some you like, some you don't, and some you try but you probably wouldn't purchase a full size.
Overall, it's been a great 6 months Birchbox!
Saturday, May 19, 2012
I'm Alive, I swear!
Wow, it's been since FEBRUARY that I last blogged on here! Holy Moly! One explanation: NEW JOB! Yes, I started a new job downtown Chicago... it's labor-intensive, a time suck but FUN and very rewarding – in sum, I love it. However, it's been my blogging nemesis! So, instead of trying to recap the last 3 months in one post – let's just start a clean slate!
Let's talk SUMMER! This week & weekend it FINALLY feels like Summer has arrived in Chicago. I love opening up all the windows in my apartment and letting the breeze in. Aaaah.. :) Speaking of the weather, it definitely calls for a different makeup routine than the one I follow for Fall, Winter & the colder days of Spring.
This may be premature, but I'm just really excited to talk about a product I've just tried for the first time today: Clinique BB Cream! (My shade is "Shade 02", in the event you're wondering. I'd recommend if you have more olive or fairer yellow-undertone skin. "Shade 01" is more for those with fair skin with pink undertones). So, I know one day isn't enough time to test a product to determine whether you really do love it... but I just have a *feeling* about this one.
I purchased the Clinique BB Cream with the objective of it replacing my Makeup Forever Mat Velvet + foundation (Shade 25, in case you're wondering), for the Summer. I've been seeking something that still provides coverage, but isn't oily or feels slippery, has SPF for sunny days – you get the point. I've used a tinted moisturizer (like Origins VitaZing) before, but they're just too little coverage for me personally. I've heard a lot of buzz about BB creams lately but have been overwhelmed at the selection. Being that I'm pretty well established with Clinique products in my routine – I figured a visit to the counter might be a good place to get some questions answered and test out the product.
My experience at the counter was better than expected to be honest. When I sampled the product in my hands I was shocked by the formula. Not oily or siliconey, nor does it have a chalky finish which some matteifying products can have. It blended beautifully into my skin and is honestly weightless -- perfect for Summer! I will say however that I was surprised by the pigmentation... for whatever reason I guess I was expecting something more diluted(?)
Being that my objective is REALLY to get a true weightless, light, application– my 'use' may be slightly unconventional I'll warn you:
After cleansing with my Clarisonic (with Deep Pore scrubber) and Clinique Liquid Facial Soap, I then applied my Clinique All About Eyes cream. Then I pumped two squirts of the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel in my palm. To the moisturizer I added roughly the equivalent of one squirt (maybe a teeny bit less) of the BB Cream. Then I rubbed my hands together just enough to mix the two products and applied to my face – making sure to reach all areas on my face and rub in until even coverage was achieved.
To complete the look I applied a tiny amount of Bobbi Brown Corrector (Shade: Bisque) and Concealer (Shade: Sand) to my under-eyes using a Beauty Blender, and swept a little NARS Orgasm blush on the apples of my cheeks. Finish with an eyelash curl and some lip balm & to me, that's a super duper simple Summer routine. (*If you're one who must add a little somethin' to the eyes, a quick sweep using an Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil. *I really like the shade 'Sin').
Woo hoo! Happy kickoff to Summer & I'll really try to be better about blogging!!!
Let's talk SUMMER! This week & weekend it FINALLY feels like Summer has arrived in Chicago. I love opening up all the windows in my apartment and letting the breeze in. Aaaah.. :) Speaking of the weather, it definitely calls for a different makeup routine than the one I follow for Fall, Winter & the colder days of Spring.
This may be premature, but I'm just really excited to talk about a product I've just tried for the first time today: Clinique BB Cream! (My shade is "Shade 02", in the event you're wondering. I'd recommend if you have more olive or fairer yellow-undertone skin. "Shade 01" is more for those with fair skin with pink undertones). So, I know one day isn't enough time to test a product to determine whether you really do love it... but I just have a *feeling* about this one.
I purchased the Clinique BB Cream with the objective of it replacing my Makeup Forever Mat Velvet + foundation (Shade 25, in case you're wondering), for the Summer. I've been seeking something that still provides coverage, but isn't oily or feels slippery, has SPF for sunny days – you get the point. I've used a tinted moisturizer (like Origins VitaZing) before, but they're just too little coverage for me personally. I've heard a lot of buzz about BB creams lately but have been overwhelmed at the selection. Being that I'm pretty well established with Clinique products in my routine – I figured a visit to the counter might be a good place to get some questions answered and test out the product.
My experience at the counter was better than expected to be honest. When I sampled the product in my hands I was shocked by the formula. Not oily or siliconey, nor does it have a chalky finish which some matteifying products can have. It blended beautifully into my skin and is honestly weightless -- perfect for Summer! I will say however that I was surprised by the pigmentation... for whatever reason I guess I was expecting something more diluted(?)
Being that my objective is REALLY to get a true weightless, light, application– my 'use' may be slightly unconventional I'll warn you:
After cleansing with my Clarisonic (with Deep Pore scrubber) and Clinique Liquid Facial Soap, I then applied my Clinique All About Eyes cream. Then I pumped two squirts of the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel in my palm. To the moisturizer I added roughly the equivalent of one squirt (maybe a teeny bit less) of the BB Cream. Then I rubbed my hands together just enough to mix the two products and applied to my face – making sure to reach all areas on my face and rub in until even coverage was achieved.
To complete the look I applied a tiny amount of Bobbi Brown Corrector (Shade: Bisque) and Concealer (Shade: Sand) to my under-eyes using a Beauty Blender, and swept a little NARS Orgasm blush on the apples of my cheeks. Finish with an eyelash curl and some lip balm & to me, that's a super duper simple Summer routine. (*If you're one who must add a little somethin' to the eyes, a quick sweep using an Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil. *I really like the shade 'Sin').
Woo hoo! Happy kickoff to Summer & I'll really try to be better about blogging!!!
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