Category: Hair
June Birchbox – Everyday Magic
I’m ready to perform some “everyday magic” with this month’s Birchbox.
No curated box this month – I wanted the sample choice. I hadn’t yet gotten the Goof Proof Brow Pencil when I chose Benefit Gimme Brow Brow-Volumizing Fiber Gel in Shade 3 for my sample choice this month. To be honest, I’m scared of how it will look with fiber gel in my brows. My eyebrows are fairly sparse – they need volume, but…scared! I’ll report back when I try it.
Also in this month’s box: Balance Me Congested Skin Serum (hmmmm…); Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser (I LOVE anything that promises to clean my crater pores); Oribe Dry Texturing Spray (?); and The Beauty Crop PBJ Smoothie Stick in “Raisin the Roof”.
If you would like to try Birchbox, click on my referral link – https://www.birchbox.com/invite/5453f – I’ll get 50 points if you join.
Target Beauty Boxes – June 2016
One for me and one my man…
My box was $10 and loaded to the gills: Pantene Expert Intense Hydration Shampoo (a HUGE bottle – but no conditioner!); SheaMoisture Fruit Fusion Creme Rinse (I guess I can use this with the Pantene Shampoo); Pixi Mesmerizing Mineral Duo in “Apricot Glow”; Laneige Water Bank Serum (love Laneige); S.W. Basics Exfoliant (Um, basically granola); L’Oreal Paris True Match Cushion Foundation in “Nude Beige”; L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Volume Filler Cream (what will I be filling with this?); Soap & Glory Righteous Butter Body Cream (yum); Yes to Cucumbers 10-count Facial Wipes (How many of these do I have now?); CoTZ Face SPF 40 (coming to Mexico with me); and e.l.f. Lip Kiss Balm in “Bare Kiss”.
His box was $5 and not nearly as full: Nautica Life Cologne (husband said NOPE); got2B Glued Spiking Glue (husband shaves head, son has long hair); Marlowe No. 142 Men’s Shave Gel; Axe White Label Night Body Wash; Old Spice Hardest Working Deodorant; Dove Men + Care Complete Care 2-in-1 Shampoo; Nivea Men Creme (moisturizer?); Schick Hydro Men’s Razor; CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar (the box opened slightly and left soapy flakes all over the inside of the box); and Remington Beard Boss Beard Oil (husband said nope, but I’m gonna make him try it). With all these travel sizes, he’s ready to travel, too!
As always, I got 5% off with my Target Red Card and a coupon for $3.50 off any beauty purchase of $15 in each box. I also remembered to use the $3.50 off coupon from last month’s box – SCORE!
Flawless Ulta Haul
So…sometimes you just wanna buy something,
After perusing the Memorial Day sales…I was just about to place another overseas Makeup Revolution order (since they were giving away £25 Mystery Bags again), but I had a hard time getting my order up to £30. The only palette I really wanted badly was the Flawless Matte…
…and Ulta has it! On Memorial Day, they were giving away a free mystery sampler with a $50 purchase…no brainer.
So, in addition to the Makeup Revolution Flawless Matte Palette ($15), I also picked up a Makeup Revolution Baked Blusher in “Loved Me the Best” ($5) – these seem to be Laura Geller dupes – LOVE.
I also picked up one of the new NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipsticks – “Clubhopper” ($6.99) and one of the new NYX Plush Gel Lipsticks – “Breakup” ($6.99). I tried “Breakup” today – so smooth and moisturizing, but doesn’t last long on the lips.
How else can I get to $50? 2 bottles of Zoya Remove+ ($10 each) and a pack of Ulta Exfoliating Cotton Pads ($3.49). Done!
That Mystery Bag had some cool stuff: Mario Badescu Enzyme Revitalizing Mask, LORAC Alter Ego Lip Gloss in “Goddess”; Ahava Dead Sea Crystal Osmoter X6; NKD Skin Tinted Tan Mousse (NOPE); bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in “Get Ready” (my third one – I sent the last one to Sally); and Rodial Glamoxy Snake Serum (like that shit in Vegas?).
I also got a free sample of DevaCurl Waves Ahead Loo-Poo Delight – I don’t have curls, but why not try it for free? The free Butter London lippie was sold out. Sad face.
For my regular samples, I got Redken High Rise Volume Shampoo & Conditioner and Garnier Skin Active Clearly Brighter Brightening & Smoothing Daily Moisturizer.
Free shipping for an order over $50, plus got to use a $3.50 off coupon.
So look at that palette…all those warm matte colors…I tore a chunk out of my thumb nail whilst peeling the plastic off – but it was totally worth it.
Amazon Beauty Box – May 2016
Amazon is going all out, putting itself into the Beauty Box game. First the Luxury Box and now this box…
This box was a bit more – $9.99 – and has drugstore brands…BUT…instead of giving me $10 off $50 like the last box, this box automatically put a $9.99 credit into my account. Of course, I can only use it on beauty products, but it will be much easier to use.
Inside the Amazon Beauty Box: L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara in “Black”; Garnier Whole Blends Repairing Shampoo & Conditioner in “Honey Treasures”; Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Shampoo & Conditioner (I haven’t tried this before, but I love the other Fekkai samples I’ve received in the past); L’Oreal Brow Stylist Sculptor in “Brunette” (Interesting); L’Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation in “Nude Beige”; Black 15in1 Miracle Hair Treatment; and Mineral Fusion Lengthening Mascara in “Graphite”.
Lots of L’Oreal to try, but some other good stuff, too. Thanks, Amazon!
Sephora Play! May 2016 – The Forces of Nature
Sephora Play sent out a redesigned box for their 9th month. Instead of an inner box in a cardboard wrapper (like Birchbox), they sent out a standalone box (like Julep and Beauty Box 5). Instead of the tiny magazine, the product insert is now a folded one sheet. (There’s still the Play! Pass, good for 50 extra points on your next Sephora visit.) They’ve also moved away from numbering their boxes – no mention that this is box 9 on the insert.
May’s theme is “The Forces of Nature” and comes with a cute muslin pouch that says “Let’s beauty together”. Inside the pouch: Atelier Cologne “Orange Sanguine”; Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask (I’ve gotten this in boxes a few times and they’ve changed packaging to a tube instead of that annoying tub – thank you); Tarte Tarteist Lip Crayon in “Latergram” (nude); Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in “Kimchi” (bright pink); Origins Maskimizer Skin-optimizing Mask Primer, Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask and Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask (oh, how I love masks); and Korres Wild Rose Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial.
What a dynamite box – I’ll use it all…probably tonight and tomorrow.
If you haven’t signed up yet – now is the time. This is by far the best subscription box I get every month. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
Target Beauty Box – May 2016
$10?!?!?! What happened to $5 and $7?
May’s box seems a little pricey compared to more recent boxes…but when I cracked it open, I could see why – lots of products…and higher end products. Inside the “Spring Fling” box: Andalou Age Defying Night Repair Cream (I’ve never heard of this brand…all I can think of is “slicing up eyeballs, oh, oh oh, oh”); Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream (I have a couple of these stored up, but I love them); L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lip Pen La Lacque in “Lacquerized” (bright red); Clairol Hair Food Kiwi Dry Shampoo (hmmmm…); Derma e Firming DMAE Moisturizer; Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream (weird); CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser (perfect for my travel bag); Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Oil (I’m thinking this will work great with my Clarisonic); and L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronzing Towelettes (can I get a “fuck no”?).
As always, I got 5% off with my Target Red Card and a coupon for $3.50 off any beauty purchase of $15.
May Birchbox – Naturally Radiant
Once again, I was drawn to this month’s curated box – “Naturally Radiant”. You’d think I’d like getting surprised every once in a while…but if the sample choice isn’t as good as at least one product in the curated box, I’ll pick the curated box every time.
These are the products that will make me naturally radiant: Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer (um, I don’t use bronzer, but let’s just pretend this is brown blush?); ModelCo Lip Lacquer in “Creme Brulee” (interesting color); COOLA SPF 30 Organic Makeup Setting Spray (I need to get on the setting spray bandwagon); Davines LOVE Smoothing Shampoo & Conditioner (a repeat from last September; a deluxe shampoo and a single use packet of conditioner KILLS me…especially when it is a spendy brand that I love – when I win the lottery, I’m switching to Davines); and CLEAN Blossom Eau de Parfum (not bad, but not my favorite).
All in all, an AWESOME box. I don’t ever see myself cancelling Birchbox…
If you would like to try Birchbox, click on my referral link – https://www.birchbox.com/invite/5453f – I’ll get 50 points if you join.
May Beauty Box 5 – Mer-May-d
My very last Beauty Box 5 has arrived…after nearly two years, I’ve decided to end my subscription. I just wasn’t getting a thrill out of the boxes anymore.
May’s theme is “Mer-May-d” – oh, they made a funny. Inside this summery, waterproof themed box: Briogeo Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Spray (interesting); Appeal Cosmetics Luxurious Lipstick in “Crush” (bright ass orange – never heard of this brand); Mystic Tan Mocha-Kissed Bronzer Lotion (Nope); Glamour Dolls Mermaid Lashes Splash Proof Mascara (Nope); and Elizabeth Mott You’re So Fine Liquid Liner in “Glitterati” (Nope on the waterproof part, but maybe on the glitter liner part).
Waterproof products are such a pain in the ass to get off and since I wear contacts, I try not to rub them any more than I have to. I prefer products I can remove with soap and water…but will pull out the makeup remover if I HAVE to.
Au revoir, Beauty Box 5.
Amazon Luxury Beauty – Spring 2016
So now Amazon is getting in on the beauty box game. They offered this luxury beauty box for FREE with a qualifying luxury purchase…or $8.99 by itself. I opted to just pay for the box.
I have never heard of most of these brands, but there are a few gems inside the box. Let’s see what I got…L’Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate Body Cream; Sabon Body Lotion in “Delicate Jasmine” (yummy); Ahava Deadsea Water Mineral Hand Cream; Toppik Hair Fattener (odd); bliss Foot Patrol; La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid; Julep It Girl “Carla” ( I don’t have this one!); Juicy Couture Malibu; Nuxe Merveillance Regenerating Night Cream; Vichy Idealia Life Serum; Lierac Mesolift Serum; Vincent Longo Sweet Melody Trio Eyeshadow (I fail to see how these colors would look good on the eye – matte violet, baby pink and mint green…uh, NO.); Shaveworks The Cool Fix (for ingrowns and razor burn – yes please); Marvis Cinnamon Mint Toothpaste; Calvin Klein Euphoria; and Catherine Malandrino Romeance de Provence.
Something in the box smells like patchouli, but I haven’t figured out what it is yet…
There was also a coupon for $10 off a $50 luxury beauty purchase…I may have to browse…
April Birchbox – Effortlessly Elegant
Yet again, I chose the curated box option this month. “Effortlessly Elegant” is a collaboration with Rifle Paper Co. and includes products to get you ready for Spring.
I chose this box primarily for the Laura Geller Naked Blush -N- Brighten in “Tropic Hues”. For the last three decades, I haven’t really paid attention to blush – but for some reason, 2016 is the year I started freaking out about blush. Weird. Also in this month’s box: Marcelle 3-in-1 Micellular Solution (What the fuck is the deal with Micellular Water?); Dr. Jart+ Liftra Contour Cream; PARLOR by Jeff Chastain Volumizing Lifting Spray (I think a I have a full set now); and Tocca Crema de Mano in “Guilietta” (green apple and tulip – not bad).
If you would like to try Birchbox, click on my referral link – https://www.birchbox.com/invite/5453f – I’ll get 50 points if you join.