★ May Birchbox Unboxing + April Review ★

★ May Birchbox Unboxing + April 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 one sample and the rest was random (I chose the large real chemistry peel)

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.

According to the Birchbox website: "At this time, individual product feedback does not significantly impact the samples Birchbox members will receive in future boxes."

Each box comes with a card that has the monthly theme and a list of the contents with the price and instructions.

1. Real Chemistry Luinous 3-Minute Peel Body - Deluxe Size 15ml $3.15 (Full Size - 160ml $34)

I would have preferred the version of this for faces (as this one is for body). I'm happy to have ANY sort of peel or mask (favoriteeee items). 

Website claims:

Exfoliation

Gentle

Evens tone

Smooths rough patches

Not iritating sensitive skin

Full body (feet->decollete.. including bikini)

Luminous skin

Soft skin

Suitable for:

Keratosis

Eczema

Body Acne

Ingrown hair

Dry skin

2. ModelCo Lip Lacquer - In "Viva" - One 1.5ml $5.33 (Trio 3x 1.5ml $16)

 The trio is the colors Creme Brulee, Morocco, and Viva (This is Viva)

 Below: One swipe

 Above/Below: Dab a little on and it blends nicely on the lips to cover with a subtle tint

 Below: No product

 Below: Nice color!

This color looked radical in the container but is a nice pink on my lips. I expected it to be bright but it is close to my natural lip color. I saw a lot of people commenting that this wasn't sticky but as someone who doesn't prefer glosses... it is sticky to me. Ha ha. When I part my lips there is a pulling (is my definition of sticky).

WATERMELON scent! No taste.

Website claims:

Shine

High pigment

Rich color

Nonsticky

Moisturizing

Fuss-free wear

Hydrating

3. Coola Classic Face Sport SPF 50 White Tea - Deluxe Size - $3.20 (Full Size - 50ml $32)

I never wear dedicated SPF on my face because it ALWAYS breaks my face out. I will always try them though because of how important it is that we do wear SPF.

The white tea scent smells sweet with subtle floral - I'm sensitive to scents and this one is SUBTLE!

Website Claims:

sensitive skin

non-irritation

no breakouts (we'll see)

ultrasheer

infused with evening primrose and linseed oil to blance moisture levels and even skin tone

water resistant (80 minutes)

White tea scent

4. Coastal Scents StyleEYES Palette - Two shades black/grey - Sample $3 (Full Size 8 shades $12)

I have four palettes from coastal scents (revealed 1-3 and the smokey) So I passed these to a friend because I have shades VERY similar to these. 

It wasn't sealed but the packaging had a sticky seal (easily breakable)

The packaging has a magnet closure (love that)

5. Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo - Deluxe 0.75oz $3.39 (Full Size 5.3oz $24)

Dry shampoos rarely do anything for the oils in my hair! I don't use them usually though because of the scents! It is always overpoweringly SWEET or floral. They sit in a cloud around my face all day after using them. I have already used this (as soon as I opened the box) and it DOES have a very sweet floral scent but it dissipated after a few minutes. I didn't notice any difference in my hair oils though.

Website Claims:

absorbs excess oil and dirt

leaves hair clean and deodorized, lighter, softer

Antioxidant

Fatty acid-rich obliphica oil

moisturizes

strengthens hair

repairs split ends

enhances shine

Rice starch

No aluminium shavings

No talc

Safe for color-treated hair

Total spent for the bag: $10.88

Total bag is worth: $18.07

Total saved: $7.19

This isn't my favorite box thus far... I'm excited about the peel but that is the sample that I chose. I regret not going with the box that all the samples were shown because I liked at least two of those products a lot.

I'm not a fan of dry shampoo, lip gloss, or spf.. and I already own the shadows. Since I'm a new subscriber though they have very little reviews from me to base my boxes off of! 

Five items: 3 Sealed: 2 No Seal

Sealed: Sunscreen, Peel, Lip gloss

No Seal: Shadow and Dry Shampoo

★APRIL REVIEW★

 Link to unboxing

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

I enjoyed this product but it didn't wow me. The grit is ultrafine. Subtle scent.

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

I used this twice and I have to say that I DID notice a softness in the ends of my hair afterward. I was surprised. This still has several uses left and I might buy this after I'm out!

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

I got the lavender scent, a scent I normally don't care for, and I really like it! I will be repurchasing this product. The scent was pleasant (I'll try pomegranate, coconut, or grapefruit when I purchase). It left the area SQUEAKY clean.. I usually have issues trying to wash shaving creams off! It seemed to really help with shaving too! I'm surprised and glad to find this gem.

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

Comfortable, wears even, and can be a nice tiny of color of it is applied VERY softly. Other wise it looks like a blue toned red. No scent.
Cons: This was VERY drying... it dry down worse than any liquid lipstick I own!

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

Great color! Light coverage but it was perfect for my tastes. Didn't run when sweating.

Thank you so much for following along

♥ May Ipsy Unboxing + April Review ♥

      ♥ May Ipsy Unboxing + April 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 affects 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 affect what you get in your bag each month. The more reviews you complete the more likely you are to like your bags. 

1. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil in "Ozone" 0.8g + two samples of the Urban Decay Revolution High-Color Lipgloss in the shades "Failbait" and "Bittersweet" $17 (this price is just for the lip pencil which I've read is 3/4 the size of the full size which is $20)

These are the items I was most excited to see in my bag this month. I haven't tried anything out yet. I'm sorry I didn't add swatches but I didn't want to open these samples before I was ready to use them because I'm unable to close them. I'm excited for this anti-feathering pencil and these lip glosses. I will update this with swatches, before and after photos, and you'll see a review of these in next months post!

Here is a link to the Subscription Addiction review of her bag. The only item we have in common is this one. She has swatch pictures of these two colors.

UPDATE: I tried the "Bittersweet" shade and it was just like every other lip gloss I've tried. I'm not a fan of the texture. I did apply the ozone lip pencil under this one. If you like lip gloss these are probably the least sticky lip gloss I've tried but it still has a little bit of STICK when I open my mouth. It didn't come off on my drink as MUCH as lip gloss usually does (it was on the rim but didn't rid my lips of the color) These stain! I'm passing along the "failbait" color so I won't be testing it. Oh and I didn't even put a DENT in this sample when I used it. There is still a TON inside I would say at least four applications. Which is impressive.

This is in the shade

 This is in the sunlight

2. Briogeo Rosarco Milk reparative leave-in conditioning spray 1oz. $4 (full size is 5.1oz for $20)

The bottle says this product for nourishing, repairing, and renewing your hair. I sprayed it onto the back of my hand and it was an unusual experience. Imagine spraying watering lotion! It contains rosehip, argon oil, and coconut oil which give it a nice feel and smell. The smell is sweet but not in a sickly way. This says it should be added to DAMP hair and doesn't mention dry. I'm looking forward to adding this to my daily routine.

This is free of Parabens, Phthalates, and Silicone. The website says "This cruelty-free, 95 percent naturally-derived formula is vegan-friendly and formulated without silicone or synthetic fragrances and dyes."

3. it cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC anti-aging spf cream in "Medium" 0.135floz $4.75 (Full size is 8x larger 1.08fl oz $38)

 This is the product rubbed into the back of my hand. Blended perfectly.

 When I first pulled this out I thought immediately that it would be too dark for my skin tone. I typically use a foundation that is in-between light and medium. Medium being WAY too dark for my skin. I used this on my face and it doesn't seem that full coverage when I used it under my eyes. I'll have to use this a few more times though (maybe with a brush or beauty blender next time) to get a better idea of what I'm dealing with. 

4. Skone cosmetics Pretty Eyes Automatic Eyeliner in "Navy" FULL SIZE $15 (this color isn't available on their website unless the blue option is the same as Navy)

 I attached this photo to show the differences that can be achieved with this automatic pencil. You can make thin and thick lines as well as build the color up to a much darker blue.

The consistency is extremely BUTTERY. The color is outstanding. I wasn't that excited for a navy eyeliner but I think this color is gorgeous. I can't wait to use this soon!

5. Laboratoires Klorane Smoothing and relaxing eye patches with soothing cornflower two sets of 2 patches is $6. Full size is seven sets of 2 for $21.

I received two sets of two for a total of two treatments. These were NOT wet inside like the usual face masks. I LOVE face products especially things for my eyes that feel SPA LIKE! These were very soft and comfortable. They were cooling and my eye area feels tingly still after a few hours. The packaging was a little off putting though because most of the language is in French (as far as I can tell.) English is the second language added. The directions said to apply these and leave them for 20 minutes! I'm not sure why but I found it very relaxing. I can't wait to get more products like this as I also enjoyed the VERY LIGHT floral/sweet smell these had.

Total spent for the bag: $10

Total bag is worth: $46.75

Total saved: $36.75

I love the canvas bag sent with the red washable interior. So far I love and will use all five of these products! I think this is the first PERFECT bag I've gotten from Ipsy. :D

EXTRAS

After you get each Ipsy bag you have the opportunity to review each item on the website. As stated above this will let Ipsy know which items you like getting, what brands you like and don't like, and you receive points for each review you complete. 

Each item reviewed gets you 5 points. You can receive points for other actions on the website. Below I'll include any items I've received as extras I've used points to redeem (if ANY). You must redeem them before the first of the month for it to be added into that bag.

You get 100 points for subscribing to Ipsy. 10 for sharing your glam bag sneak peek (sent out before you receive the bag) 5 points are awarded for sharing which item in your bag is your favorite. Things like this are monthly!

You get 250 points for each person who signs up for their own Ipsy subscriptions if they sign up with your UNIQUE link.

https://www.ipsy.com/new?refer=1wq8x

This is mine if you wish to use it. 

These two items are the first I've redeemed points for. I'm EXTREMELY excited to receive them.

Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser 250 points

The first time I received this item from Ipsy was in October 2014. It was in this exact sample size. I used it to wash my face and I fell in LOVE with it. This is a 0.5oz sample size worth $6 as the full size 4oz bottle retails for $32 dollars. I haven't been able to bring myself to spend $32 on a face wash... but I've been tempted! It smells like CRUSHED real strawberries. Heavenly.

Measurable Difference Lash Attitude Faux Lashes + adhesive tube 100 points

Who doesn't like free lashes?! These are $2.99 on the website. Which shows me at least that the points system is accurate! 100 for a 2.99 product and 250 for a $6 product is close enough for me. False eyelashes are some of my favorite things!

 APRIL Month Long REVIEW

Here is a link to this unboxing which will have prices and links to product websites

This Hikari blush in "Charmed" is a lovely color and LASTS! I didn't think I could enjoy such a BRIGHT bold pink because I like a light hand with blush. I don't typically wear foundation and I have a lot of red in my face so it isn't necessary. However, on the days I do wear some coverage this is a beautiful option.

This Mullein & Sparrow Tinted Lip Balm was very sheer and smelled like seeds. I couldn't get passed that smell and this also made me never reach for it once for over a week. Rather than keeping it I passed it on to someone who would use it.

This MICA beauty cosmetics eye primer is fantastic! I've only ever used tube primers and I've never been a huge fan of them. They work but not exceptionally so and I always forget to put it on. This however BLEW me away! My eye-shadow was crease free for the entire day. I'm in love with this product. Soooooo glad I received it.

 I wasn't initially excited to get this color from The Balm Cosmetics Nude Dude in the color "Flirty" but once I swatched it I was surprised and delighted. This is a LOVELY color with gold undertones. I've used it multiple times since getting it and while there was some fallout.. I haven't tried an eye-shadow that hasn't. I suspect I just have a heavy hand when it comes to them!

This Lather ultra light face lotion was a bit of a disappointment. I really wanted it to work out for me but after using it up I'm sure it was breaking me out. I have very oily skin and it is difficult to combat. I just can't see a way where I could get away with hydrating my skin at all without suffering breakouts! This soaked in well and I really liked the subtle fresh smell it had.

Thank you so much for following along.