Birchbox: February 2013

It's interesting how some boxes seem like they will be awesome, but turn out meh...

Don't know what Birchbox is?
Birchbox is a monthly subscription service that delivers a little, heavenly box of premium beauty samples to your doorstep. Each month you will receive 4-5 samples (sometimes even full-sized products) and generally a goodie (energy booster, granola bar, etc). The samples range from make-up, polishes, skincare, body, hair, and fragrances. All from luxury, quality brands. Every month is a surprise, but the samples picked for you are based on a survey you fill out letting the gals know your style and skin-type. Birchbox costs just $10 a month, and your box will always be valued way above!
Click here to join Birchbox.

February 2013, Box #35
This month, Birchbox (like Ipsy) capitalized on all the big holiday events and put together a box that is worthy of the red carpet. Stating that even if we don't have a posse of pros, Birchbox has experts that will keep us red carpet ready.

Information Cards:

Products:

Jouer: Matte Moisture Tint in Linen
This SPF 15 oil-free tinted moisturizer blends in beautifully to even out skin and control shine.
Full Size: 1.7 oz ($38.00)
Size Received: 0.07 oz ($1.56)
Jouer has only ever popped up on my radar in birchboxes. First with their special Birchbox pink lip gloss and then with their Luminizing Moisture Tint. I absolutely love the Luminizing Moisture Tint. It is perfect coverage for the summer, adds a gorgeous pearlescent glow to your skin, and leaves my skin moisturized all day. The only problem is it is way too expensive! I currently use TheBalm's BalmShelter which sells for ~$20 for 2.15 oz, much better value. Either way I was excited to try the newest from Jouer. The matte version is oil-free version controls shine with titanium and zinc oxides and leaves skin velvety smooth. I tried this out and immediately knew it wasn't going to work well for me. My skin looked pasty, dry, pores and wrinkles amplified, and just completely flat. My combination skin did not enjoy it at all.
Cruelty-free!

Vasanti: Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator
This exfoliating cleanser uses professional-grade (read: effective) microderm crystals and papaya enzymes to brighten skin. 
Full Size: 4.23 oz ($34.00)
Size Received: 0.7 oz ($5.63)
I adore receiving face scrubs. Years of acne and years of no solution, I'm always willing to try new products. This product is a dermatologist-grade scrub that brightens, exfoliates, and cleanses all in one treatment. It uses papaya enzymes to dissolve down dead skin cells, microderm exfoliating crystals to fade fine lines and acne scars, and aloe vera, coconut, and vitamins B and E to nourish and soothe skin. But it is safe for use on sensitive skin. This sounded like it was the jack pot for me. I started using it once a week and was in love. My skin felt so smooth and soft and visibly brighter. BUT! My skin broke out like crazy after a few weeks of using this. I was so embarrassed by how badly my skin looked. Even a coworker asked what was wrong with my skin... Too bad since it is certified vegan and well priced.
Cruelty-free!

Juicy Couture: Couture La La
Roll out the red carpet for this new scent, a stunning mix of mandarin, red currant, lilly, and orange blossom. 
Full Size: 3.4 oz ($90.00)
Size Received: 0.05 oz ($1.32)
The third Viva la Juicy fragrance I've received in my Birchbox. This version of the perfume is a little rock and a little feminine. It has notes of sparkling fruits like mandarin, green apple, red currant, and florals like hyacinth, lily of the valley, peony, violet, orange flower, and a soft musk. I will admit it is a nice, sweet fragrance. I don't see how it is suposed to have a rock edge to it. The peony and lilly are very strong and sweet. But this is a perfect daytime fragrance or something for a younger girl. And like I noted in August, I cannot find a concrete answer on Elizabeth Arden fragrances' animal testing policy. If someone knows it, let me know!
Unsure if tested on animals.

TIGI: Catwalk Session Series Transforming Dry Shampoo
Master stylists always have this oil-busting dry shampoo in their kit. It leaves behind a tousled, piecey finish.
Full Size: 5.2 oz ($19.95)
Size Received: 2.0 oz ($7.67)
Dry Shampoos are a gift from the gods. I used to use baby powder on those second...or third day hair days while in college. Cheap, effective, but messy and made my hair chalky. I will always try out new dry shampoos that will prove to be a better option. TIGI's animal cruelty status is a bit iffy. The website says that it is cruelty-free but some sources say they do test when necessary by law. So I'll leave it up to you to decide. Either way, I won't be buying this dry shampoo. I sprayed it into my hair and instantly felt icky. My hair just looked chalky and felt awful and teased. It felt heavier and couldn't be styled. It was awful! So far the best dry shampoo I've tried was Freeman's Instant Dry Shampoo through Beauty Army back in February 2012 (post can be found here). I really should buy that again...
Unsure if tested on animals.

Ghiradelli: Milk Chocolate with Caramel Filling
You deserve a little sweetness. Try Gihradelli's Milk & Caramel Square solo or experiment - s'mores or baked into a cookie. who says you can't riff on decadence?. 
Full Size: 10 squares ($4.99)
Size Received: 1 square ($0.50)
It really frustrates me that Birchbox has included so much chocolate in their boxes in the past year. I'm not the only one who doesn't eat milk. So many people have milk allergies, you'd think they'd think about that...

Total value of my February 2013 Birchbox:$16.68

Not my favorite month. I actually decided this month that I didn't want to subscribe again, but then they automatically resubscribed me for the year and I decided what the hell. Birchbox is such a hit or miss, but many of my all-time favorites right now were things I received in my Birchbox.

What do you think of my February Birchbox? How does it compare to yours? Let me know in the comments below!

If you don't get Birchbox, click here to join! 

MyGlam: February 2012

I was  expecting my MyGlam bag this Saturday but it was already at my doorstep Thursday afternoon. A nice surprise since Im home from work feeling crummy. MyGlam listened to customer complaints and this month switched over to UPS Innovations and sent East Coast bags first. I love that they actually listen to our feedback. It gives me hope that every month will be an improvement.

Don't know what MyGlam is? MyGlam is a once a month beauty subscription service that delivers premium beauty samples to your door. The creator of MyGlam, Michelle Phan, is a YouTube beauty expert that wants to share her favorite items with the world. The bags are delivered in the cutest reusable beauty bags. Once you join you will take a beauty/preference quiz that will help the girls choose the best products for you. The products range from beauty, skincare, hair, body, nails, and more. Every month you should also expect to receive full-sized products. MyGlam costs $10 a month, and your bag will always be valued above! Click here to join MyGlam.

February 2012, Valentine's Day Bag

The February theme was loosely based on Valentine's Day and special moments. Adding extra sparkle for a big date or a girl's night and unleashing your inner bombshell. Im in love with this month's makeup bag. I know I wont be able to keep all of them, but they will make perfect bags for gift giving. Although, I wasn't as excited about what I found inside the bag. Lots of paper and a few too many small, teensy samples. Plus, chocolates I can't eat. I'm giving MyGlam one more month to see if they can knock it out of the park like the December bag.

Information Card:

This month no pricing information was printed on the info card, wonder if it was because of the goofs last month.


Products:
Freeman: Facial Hydration Mask in Goji Berry
Turn your date night prep-time into a soothing spa experience with easy-to-use skin-perfecting masks. 
Full Size:6 oz ($3.99)
Size Received:0.5 oz ($0.33)
This is my third Freeman product in two months. I received two now from MyGlam and one from Beauty Army. After using my Freeman Cucumber Peel Mask a few times I haven't been too impressed. I love the feeling of peeling it off, but barely does anything for my skin. This month I received the Goji Berry hydrating mask which helps to restore healthy skin tone and improves moisture retention. Soothes and hydrates creating supple, soft skin. This will be a good mask to try out on a lazy Sunday afternoon. My skin is beat from the constant weather changes of DC. So we shall see.

X Out: Shine Control
Stay flawless and shine free with this oil-free moisturizer with a mattifying complex.
Full Size:? oz ($?)
Size Received:0.75 oz ($~5.00)
Oh boy, another Guthy-Renker product. That makes 3 in the last two months from MyGlam. This product is made by Proactive. Shine Control keeps skin hydrated, healthy-looking, and shine-free. I'm actually intrigued by this product. It would have been great to get in a summer bag when my forehead and nose are glistening like a mirror. It has a translucent, creamy texture that really does dry matte. And it absorbed quickly, which I loved. The skin I tried it out on is silky smooth. What Im not too excited about is that this is one of those proactive free gifts you get when you sign up for a month of their acne treatment. So the only way to get this is to buy the X Out Wash-In Acne Treatment. The website doesn't specify what the full-size is or its monetary value alone. Only that the 30-day supply for both products is 19.95. Im just assuming it has a lower value than the acne treatment itself.

NYX: Roll On Shimmer in Onyx
NYX's brand new, intensely rich, shimmering powder that can be applied to the eyes, face, and body.
Full Size: 0.052 oz ($4.50)
Size Received: Full-size! 0.052 oz ($4.50)
The container has a roller ball tip that rolls out the loose powder pigment and glitter. It feels like it applies moist, but who knows. The color I received is Onyx, a charcoal black with silver colored glitter. Im not too excited about this color because I dont see how this product is versatile. Yes, maybe I can wear this on my eyes. But my face and body? Maybe halloween? But speaking generally about the product, although there is great pigmentation and sparkle, it wears off easily. No matter how long you wait for the product to 'set in' the glitter gets everywhere and I easily rubbed off the pigmentation too. I can only see it creasing terribly and getting black glitter all over my face. No bueno.
Included 30% NYX Roll on Shimmer coupon code (GLAMMENYX)

Premier: Dead Sea Cinderella Mask
Luxury skincare rich in life-enhancing minerals from the Dead Sea waters.
Full Size: 2.04 oz ($149)($20.73 on amazon)
Size Received: 0.07 oz ($5.11)($0.71)
The mask which is also called the Instant Stretching & Revitalizing (Lifting) Mask is packed full of essential oils and other natural ingredients, plus mud from the Dead Sea. It has a lifting or reviving effect within the 5-10 minutes you wear it. The mask stimulates the metabolism of skin refreshing tired skin and reducing wrinkles. It says it will last 3 days. It is called the Cinderella Mask because it works miracles. Use on clean skin and massage mask into face and neck, wait 5-10 minutes and rinse off. I'm actually excited about this. Especially since it is a reasonable price on amazon. My life is hectic and generally sleep and relaxation are the last thing on my list of things to do. This may be my miracle worker!

Premier: Concentrated Facial Serum w/vitamin E and C
Luxury skincare rich in life-enhancing minerals from the Dead Sea waters
Full Size: 1.7 oz ($149)($28.18 on amazon)
Size Received: 0.07 oz ($6.14)($1.16)
I also received a second sample from Premier not listed on the information card. The serum is suposed to provide an invisible veil of support for skin. It lifts, tightens, and nourishes skin improving texture and appearance of fine lines. It promises a lot. But Im intrigued to try it. It says to apply to a clean face, and massage into skin with upward strokes, and moisturizer should be applied after the serum has been absorbed. The product has many positive reviews on amazon. Who knows maybe this will help with the few fine lines I have.
Included is a information card letting you know if you like Premier on facebook you can enter to win $100 shopping spree.  And a coupon code for 50% your entire purchase on their website (MYGLAM).
WORD OF CAUTION! I found both Premier products on amazon for less than $25. That is a huge difference from what the website is charging. If you like this product buy from amazon!

NuMe: $100 Gift Card
Enjoy $100 towards NuMe's products. Hair tools that will revolutionize your everyday look.
Although a generous coupon code, Im not rushing to order. NuMe products are extremely expensive, think a straightener for $300. And the coupon is only for styling tools not hair care or accessories. I dont straighten my hair often and am happy with my Conair blow dryer. Plus, there is currently (as of 2/16/12) a NuMe Haute Look event where some straighteners and blow dryers are under $100. But I have until August 31st, 2012 to decide if I do want to use it or give it to a friend. Who knows, maybe I'll want a mini straightener for travel? Either way it is generous.

Ghiradelli: 2 Chocolate SQUARES
Dear Glammies, Here's a sweet surprise with love from San Francisco! Enjoy these decadent delights!
Full Size: 12 squares ($3.75)
Size Received: 2 squares ($0.63)
Two Ghiradelli squares, Dark Chocolate and Milk Chocolate. A cute extra, although I can't eat either. It always sucks getting dark chocolate that has milk fat in it. I swear it would taste just as good if you didn't add the milk fat. What about vanilla? I gave the chocolate's to my roommate who could enjoy them.

Total Value of my February 2012 MyGlam bag: ~$12.33 (without including $100 coupon code)
Not entirely impressed. Again little samples. Skin care and masks galore. Liked last month's better.

What did you think of my bag? What was your favorite product this month? If you dont get Myglam, click here to join! Let me know what you think in the comments below!