★ April Birchbox Unboxing + March Review ★

★ April Birchbox Unboxing + March Review ★

Birchbox is a monthly beauty and lifestyle sample box for $10.88 monthly.

Ships to: U.S., France, Spain, UK, and Canada.

Each month, subscribers have one of three options to choose from.

You can choose the featured box: You see everything that will be in the box

You can choose the single sample: You pick one sample to be in your box and the rest are random

You can choose the random: Don't do anything and everything is a surprise/random

This box I chose the random: full surprise!

You take a quiz when you subscribe to help steer your items to your tastes.

You can review the items that were in your box for points. Each item is worth 10 points in the Birchbox store. $5 in store is 50 Birchbox points.

Each box comes with a card that has the monthly theme and a list of the contents. It also has the price of the items and a little blurb about the item and/or how to use it.

Five items: 1 Sealed: 4 No Seal

1. Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator - Sample Size - 0.7oz $5.66 (Full Size 4.23oz $34)

A face wash! One of my favorite items to get. This has a very fine sand in it and not much of a scent. Smells a little bit floral/soapy but I'm sensitive to scents and this one is barely there.

2. Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask - Sample Size - $4.25 (Full Size 8oz $34)

A hair mask. My least favorite item to get. Ha ha. I will use this one though because it isn't just a conditioner. The directions say you can put it on hair after shampoo and leave it for 5-10 minutes (what? lol that is eternity). OR you can  put it on under a plastic cap and let it sit for 20 minutes! I'm going to give that a try.

3. Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream - Sample Size - 22ml $2.35 (Full Size 150ml $16)

8 scents: Lavender, Pomegranate, Almond, Blueberry, Lemongrass, Coconut, Acai Grapefruit and Original

I received the Lavender scent. I'm not a big fan of the scent at all. There is barely any in this container.. I don't mind getting tiny samples but I loathe when they are in GIANT packaging and I have to work at it to get the dollop out! I feel as though I would have to cut this open.

I really appreciate getting this kind of sample though! I like getting a LARGE variety. 

4. The Beauty Crop PBJ Smoothie Stick - Full Size - $14.95

2 shades: This one pictures above and a light pinkish color (no names on website)

This is a slightly muted red but still a pigmented red shade.

 I read a lot of reviews that described this as a "perfect every day lip color" but this is the opposite of what I would consider "every day" I consider this more of a special occasion/night out/hang out color. Every day colors are usually lip dupe/natural colors to me. I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing this to work/school.

As you can see in the swatch above though you can try and put it on VERY lightly?

5. Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream SPF - Sample Size - 3ml $1.10 (full size 87ml $32)

This comes in three shades: Fair to Light; Light to Medium; Medium to Dark

Top is product
Bottom is blended in

I received the fair to light shade and it seems a little dark for my tastes. It is sheer though and it blended perfectly into my hand.

Total spent for the bag: $10.88

Total bag is worth: $28.31

Total saved: $17.43

MARCH REVIEW

1. Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Fresh Cut Treatment - Luxury Size - 1oz for $7.05 (Full Size 3.4oz $24)

I'm not sure that I see any difference using this product. I might have to get a haircut then try and use it and see if there is any different after that?

2. The Balm Cosmetics Stainiac - Luxury Size - 0.04 oz for $2.27 (Full Size 0.3 oz $17)

I use this one coat under lip balm for a little bit of color but it is a terrible product. Sticky. Horrible chemical burning taste. I would not purchase any of these full size.

3. Catherine Malandrino Style de Paris - Sample Size - 2ml for $3.20 (Full Size 50ml for $80)

I already owned this so... nothing new. Not a huge fan of the scent. I passed along this sample to a friend.

4. NER:D Skincare Miraculous Brightening Clarifying Face Cleanser - Luxury Size - 15ml for $3 (Full Size 100ml for $20)

I love this! I feel like I have noticed a brightening difference in my skin after using this. The sample was large enough to use over and over. I might buy the full size of this soon!

5. Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate (For Face) - Sample Size - 1ml for $2.23 (Full size 30 ml for $67)
5. 
   

I like serums like this one but this is one sample. I have serums.... this wasn't any different than putting water on my face. Plus it is really expensive? No reason to buy this rather than the one I currently use.

Thank you so much for following along

♥ November Ipsy Unboxing + October Review ♥

November Ipsy Unboxing + October Review

Ipsy is a monthly subscription box for makeup products.

I was not given this box. All opinions are my own. Based off my preferences! :D

Cost: $10 per month

They ship to the U.S., and Canada

There is a wide variety of options for Ipsy bags. You take a quiz when you first sign up (this can be retaken as many times as you like). This effects what is in your bag each month. 

Each time you get a bag you have the option of reviewing the items you received. I've found that this is the best way to effect what you get in your bag each month. The more reviews you complete the more likely you are to like your bags. 

1. Jelly Pong Pong Liquid Gossamer - Full Size - 0.27 fl oz - $22.95

Lovely color! The smell of this stuff is amazing.. a sweet (not sickly) fruity smell. I can't really smell it while putting it on. I can only smell it if I sniff the tube... which I do. Every. Time. Ha ha. Yum! Plus, look at this impressive list! My skin must LOVE this stuff.

• 48% Water-Based 
• 78% Natural 
• No Mineral Oils 
• No Phthalates 
• No Parabens 
• No Animal By-Products 
• Hypoallergenic 
• Non-comedogenic

2. Novex Haircare Brazilian Keratin Deep Conditioning Treatment - Free Sample? - 3.5oz - $3.45

Ew. Ipsy.. really? This container SAYS "Free sample" on it. That feels like a cheap throw in. There is something really shady about this product all around. I'll let you know if I end up liking it in next months review. I can't imagine this will be something I reach for though considering. It makes me irritated just looking at it. A free sample?! I'm not paying them $10 a month for them to throw in a free sample. Unless it's a bonus.

3. Smashbox Cosmetics Full Exposure Mascara - Deluxe Size - 3ml - $7.33 (Full Size is 11.23ml for $22)

And Then.. you TotallyRedeemYourselves with this magical mascara. Ahhh. A smashbox mascara!? Lets be honest people... a 22 dollar highlight and a deluxe sample of smashbox mascara? TOSS the free sample if you want! Ha ha.

• 104% increase in lash volume
• 32% increase in lash length
• 34-degree increase in lash curl

4. tre'StiQue Mini Matte Lip Crayon - $10.67

I love these little tre'StiQue Minis... you can get any 3 (lip crayons, eyeshadow, or concealer minis) for $32. So you can get 3 mini lip crayons, 3 mini eyeshadow sticks.. etc. Or you can mix and match. I wish the actual product was pointed like the cap though. Round? Yikes.

Contains vitamin E and Monoi Tahiti Butter

5. INSPR Beauty Eye Shadow - Full Size (old container) 0.05oz - $13?

Beautiful product! I love that shiny. So, it looks as though this is the full size product but they have updated the packaging. The new packaging does look amazing. I put the full price but I'm sure the new packaging ups the price some. Not sure what they used to sell these for.

It says this can be applied wet or dry!

Total spent for the bag: $10

Total bag is worth: $57.40

Total saved: $47.40

Absolute win.. the smashbox mascara and the inspr shadows are my favorites. This space bag is also ADORABLE as well though.

OCTOBER REVIEW

Click here to see the unboxing

1. Hey Honey Come Clean Propolis & Minerals Facial Scrub 0.5oz/15ml - $5.47 (FullSize is 2.2oz $23)

 This is really nice, still wish it smelled like honey. They dropped the ball with that one. This was a little too harsh for my extremely sensitive skin though. I use it to exfoliate my feet inside. Which of course made me go through it real quick but.. it was really nice!

2. it cosmetics Hello Lashes Clinically Proven 5-in-1 Mascara 0.16fl oz $11.52 (Full Size is 0.33fl oz $24)

 I was super excited to get this mascara but it isn't one of my favorites. It was flaky and clumpy almost immediately. Glad to try it out without buying a full size though!

3. Aromachology Exotic & Spicy Perfume 1ml $1.40 (Full Size 50ml $70)

 Cute little sample. I don't wear perfume that much but this one surprisingly didn't bother my lungs that much. It did say it has a higher oil load than a normal perfume. So, I suppose that is way. It smells like a sweet floral to me.

4. Touch In Sol Browza Super Proof Gel Brow Pencil in "Mink Wink" $??16.15 (Full size $19)

 I like this brow color a lot because it is easier to not go nuts with it. The spoolie on this is the SOFTEST I've ever used too. I go to it every time. Love it. I might keep that end after I run out.

5. The Balm Cosmetics Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick in "charming" 0.04fl oz $3.10 (full size 0.219fl oz $17)

*sniffles* R.I.P. Balm liquid lipstick.. I miss you. I fell in love with this and I need to go out and buy the full size (17 dollars! ugh lol) I love it that much though. I loved everything about this. The color. The feel. It dried quickly, felt weightless, and didn't feel dry! (click her to find the before and after swatches of this)

Thank you so much for following along.

☼☼April Boxycharm Unboxing + March Review☼☼

April Boxycharm Unboxing + March Review

Boxycharm is a monthly beauty subscription box that sends 4-5 full-size beauty/makeup products.

I was not given this box. All opinions are my own. Based off my preferences! :D

Cost: $21 per month (FREE SHIPPING!)

My referral link

https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/38747/

They only ship to 48 U.S. states. (They don't ship to Hawaii or Alaska yet.) Unfortunately, they don't shop Internationally yet either.

1. Coastal Scents Revealed Palette 2 $39.95 (On sale for $19.95 right now) FULL SIZE

I'm SO happy to have this. Seriously is there anyone who isn't excited to get a full palette? I wouldn't even mind getting a giant hard candy palette! 20 shadows is 20 SHADOWS! That being said I'm most excited about the bottom row of colors. There are no NAMES to these which is annoying. The black and the greyish color next to it are weak. FOURTH in from the right on the bottom... that cranberry shade. *sigh* Luuuuuuuv I want to rub it all over my FACE! I swatched it and then just STARED! Yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes. The top yellows are unusual and I don't own anything like them so that is a plus. This is a selection of mattes and shimmers.

2. Ofra Cosmetics Blush Stripes Powder Cake $35 FULL SIZE

Below in the swatches it is from left to right on the bottom. The horizontal swipe is all of the colors swirled together. I like this as a blush!

 I guess Boxycharm is branching out. I'm really excited about this. There was a second product in circulation from Ofra a loose mineral highlight. If you've been reading my blog you'll know that I ADORE Ofra cosmetics but I really didn't want a loose mineral highlight. STOKED that I got this blush strip powder cake. It's it BEAUTIFUL? I love the shades individually as well so I'll be using them AS eye-shadows as well!

3. Coolway hair smoothing lotion 2oz $24.95 FULL SIZE

 This says that you can apply it to wet or dry hair. I have very wavy frizzy hair but it's also oily. So, I hope this works for me! It has a subtle sweetish smell that I like. It has a milky sticky consistency on my hands. I'll let you know next month how this performs. I have high hopes for it after getting a hair oil from Coolway in a previous Ipsy bag. I ADORE that product so I was excited to see this one in my boxycharm box this month. Also, it being a full size 2oz seems like it will last me quite awhile! 

4. Jing Ai Velvet Shine Lip Jewel Lip Crayon in "Red Rascal" $22 FULL SIZE

So, this item kind of confused me. I received this exact item in "red rascal" in February (two months ago). Here is a link to that unboxing. I contacted Boxycharm about this and they apologized saying they meant to send out the color "Raspberry Ice" in February and "Red Rascal" and "Pink a boo" colors were to go out this month. I checked and both of mine are clearly marked as "Red Rascal" they apologized and said they are sending me "Pink a boo" in May's box. This is another flawless customer service example from Boxycharm. However, if you look at this swatch and the one I got in February... I'm starting to this is Raspberry Ice and I got Red Rascal in February... the colors are ALMOST identical though. They look like they are meant to be the same color but are from different batches or something. When swatched together on my hand here are the colors RIGHT next to each other.

The one I got in Feb is on the right and this one is on the left. What do you think?

5. Harvey Prince Mini Roller EDP Perfume in "Hello" 8.8 ml  MINI SIZE

This was the item I was least excited about but I quickly changed my mind when I wore it out. My lung are super sensitive to chemicals. When I smell them I can have allergic reactions, burning lungs, scratchy throat, or asthma attacks. I ran it across each wrist (I've been told never to rub my wrists together with perfume as it breaks up the molecular blah de blah's of the scent) I made sure it soaked in then went about my day with cation. I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't have a single reaction to it except I felt a little nauseous later in the day so the follow day (today) I put one dab on each wrist and went about my day. I received compliments for this as well as a good comment from my Hubbins! This smell... is like citrus lemon, sweet, with a little musk.

Here is what the website says the scent is.

Notes: Meyer Lemon, White Grapefruit, Satsuma Mandarin, Summer Forsythia, Pink Plumeria, Wild Verbena, Tahitian Vanilla, Sensual Musk.

So, the citrus is lemon, white grapefruit, satsuma. The sweet is vanilla. The musk is Sensual musk (whatever that means!), I did not smell the flower notes of forsythia, plumeria, and verbena. It is a lovely smell. I could do without the musk though.. I'm not that big a fan of it but it is subtle!

Total spent for the bag: $21

Total bag is worth: $142.90 without discount to palette ($122.90 when discount on palette)

Total saved: $121.90 or $101.90

That is as always a FANTASTIC deal regardless of the difference between pricing on the palettes.

Before I add in the March Review... I'd like to mention that Boxycharm lets you review your items on their website. You get points for each approved review, for signing up, and after being subscribed a certain amount of time.  I racked up some points and spent them in their store! They add things usually from past boxes in this section for you to spend the points on! Of course it was on an Ofra Long lasting liquid lipstick! I adore them! I have three other shades "Laguna Beach" from a lip monthly unboxing, purchased "New Orleans" and "Atlantic City". This is my fourth shade redeemed with my points in the shade "Hollywood". Click here to see my other three shades with before and after pictures. I love the shades, smell, texture and FEEL of these long lasting liquid to matte. Perfection!

MARCH REVIEW! (link to unboxing here)

I love this previse face tonic! The smell is almost nonexistent, it didn't break out my skin, and I enjoyed putting it on. I'm not sure I see any noticeable different in the brightening of my skin though. I have noticed my skin is clearer but there are other factors I've changed in the last month that might be responsible. I just can't say. Either way I really like this product! I'll use it up but I won't repurchase. 

Ofra eyeliner in "coffee bean" this was my first brown eyeliner and I love it for use in neutral eyeshadow looks. It really softens. I'm glad I received it. I love OFRA cosmetics and they didn't let me down. The pencil is soft enough for the eye and depending on pressure I can make it very light to dark brown. This was my favorite item in this box!

Oscar blandi dry shampoo spray. This sprays white which is annoying with my dark hair some times. It didn't combat the oil in my hair any better than any other dry shampoo has. I wish I could go ONE day without washing my hair. I envy people who can. I didn't have my hopes very high for this though so no harm done. I plan on passing this on.

Tarte Cosmetics Lip Surgence Lip Tint. I still like the color and the minty flavor. It isn't very long lasting but isn't any worse that the average tinted balm. It is really SOFT though and I broke the tip almost immediately! I complain too much to Boxycharm ha ha. The tip is still on I'm just careful with it when I apply it since it doesn't extend more product I can't sharpen it. A disappointment.

The LVX nail polish in "Lemon Drop" was my least favorite item in this box. Even though it has a large purchase price it is one of the worst polishes I've ever used in my life. Three streaky coats and it still isn't full opaque! I love the color and I'll keep it to use in nail art. Extremely disappointed when a $3 JulieG polish performs better than this $16 one. 

Thank you so much for following along.