Birchbox: June 2012

For the first time in months I was really good and didn't peak once! Maybe I'll like my box more because I have no expectations.

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.

June 2012, Box #6
This month Birchbox is ready for summer to begin and jetsetting around the world. I love that they kept the theme going on the inside of the cardboard box with the passport stamps, too cute! All the products this month are devoted to indulging in your 'inner jetsetter.' Products to help you get to your destination and others to keep you looking great while you are there. I for some reason really love this theme! Maybe because I myself am so ready to jet set my way to a vacation. If only...

Information Cards:

Products:

Comodynes: Self-Tanning Towelettes in Intense
Who needs the sun when you can get a safe, buildable, and natural-looking tan with these bestselling European towelettes?
Full Size: 8 towelettes ($14.99)
Size Received: 2 towelettes ($3.75)
I received Comodynes self tanning towelettes now in three different boxes (GoGoGirlfriend and Beauty Box 5). I have yet to use any of the wipes. I received the other towelettes during the winter so I had no interest in having tan skin. But now that I'm showing off my legs in dresses and shorts I am conscious of the fact that I am whiter than a ghost. I'll be trying these out and will let you all know how it goes. I've never used self-tanner so this will be an experiment.

stila: One Step Bronze
Fake an island glow with this three-in-one bronzer, primer, and serum. It also keeps your skin's oil production in check.
Full Size: 1 oz ($36.00)
Size Received: 1 oz ($36.00)
Holy crap I just realized this is a full-size!! I haven't been a fan of stila's makeup products, but I was still excited to try this out. This is a one step bronzer/serum/primer. It contains swirls of the product that come out separately but then you combine it all together while you apply. The three helix are: matte bronze that warms and corrects color, a luminous bronze that enhances skintone and illuminates, and a 'kitten' shimmer that brightens and helps diminish sun spots. Plus, this stuff also has active clay that helps matte, minimize pores, hydrates and balances, and diminishes fine lines. Whew! It does a lot. At first I was worried it was too dark, but it isn't too bad it blends really well. It definitely made me tanner than I am! I had a glow all day. The shimmer is a bit more than I am used to, but Im still excited to use it especially since it has yellow undertones to help even out my pink skin! By the end of the day I did notice that my skin had pink splotches everywhere and some acne I thought was going away seems to be flaring up again. I'll try using it a few more days to see if it is actually the stila that broke my skin out. Who knows it may not be it.

Masqueology: Pore Minimizing Mask
This targeted sheet mask shrinks visible pores while amping up your skin's moisture levels. Use it daily and -- if you're brave -- during your next flight.
Full Size: 3 masks ($24.00)
Size Received: 1 mask ($8.00)
This is a creepy looking mask treatment that is suposed to minimize pores and add a glow.  This is a Korean company. I am always very hesitant about beauty products from Eastern countries because they are normally not cruelty-free or vegan. And my hesitation was spot on. The mask has caviar extract, which is fish eggs. No thanks. Not on my face. Plus, it has a lot of amino acids that could be from animal sources. And the website has no information about its animal testing policy. Skipping this one.

theBalm: Staniac in Beauty Queen
We're crazy about this two-in-one lip and cheek stain: the sheer gel formula delivers a subtle, long-wearing flush.
Full Size: 0.3 oz ($17.00)
Size Received: 0.04 oz ($2.27)
Everyone this month received theBalm's Staniac. It is a gel lip/cheek stain. The color is a reddish-pink, but luckily it doesn't have carmine! Wohoo! It literally is a gel product that you just dab and blend out. It is a very subtle color that you'd have to spend some time to build into anything more than a tint. It is nice to have underneath chapstick and it seems to last pretty long. My swatch even after washing my hand has not budged. This will be perfect to have floating in my purse.

John Varavatos: Star USA
In honor of Father's Day, we've included this dapper cologne, a blend of ginger, juniper berries, and vetiver. Pass it on to a lucky guy friend or family member.
Full Size: 3.4 oz ($70.00)
Size Received: 0.04 oz ($3.75)
Maybe I'm greedy, but I'd much rather another lifestyle extra for myself! This is a men's fragrance that was created in hopes to offer a scent that isn't just current but goes with the trends. The top notes include ginger and juniper berries where the middle notes are spruce and cardamom and the base is vetiver and tonka. Many things that I am not completely familiar with. But the scent is actually quite nice. It is a bit spicy, a bit sweet, and woodsy. I have a male coworker that love his cologne, so I'll see if he likes it. He is actually intrigued by Birchbox Man but wouldn't pay $20 for the service.

tili: Bag
Breeze through airport security with these too-cute plastic bags. They're perfectly sized for storing all your travel essential (and beauty samples).
Full Size: 9 bags ($8.49)
Size Received: 1 bag ($0.94)
A plastic bag? Really? I would have used this for my liquids if I got it before my trip, but my box arrived too late. I don't see the point spending almost $1 for a plastic zip lock bag! Even zip lock sells nicer looking bags with patterns for maybe $4 for a pack of 20. I generally buy the generic brand since I only use plastic bags for snacks on the go. Not my favorite extra.

Total value of my June 2012 Birchbox:$54.71

Wow!! What a change from last month. I was so fed up! At first I wasn't super excited about my box, but after a few days of getting to know my products I am really happy! I am so happy about the full-size primer/bronzer from stila. I am obsessed with primers and anything that can correct my skintone. I love anything from theBalm. And maybe the third time is the charm with the Comodyne wipes since Im actually considering trying them out. A great value and some great products!

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

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

Sample Society: May 2012

I've been on the waitlist of Sample Society since they opened. I randomly decided to try and sign up in April and somehow I was able to! So if you are on the waitlist, don't wait anymore! You can sign up!

Don't know what Sample Society is?
Sample Society is a monthly subscription service that delivers a box of premium beauty samples to your doorstep. Each month you will receive 5 samples each month. The samples are backed by Allure and their team of beauty experts. The samples may range from make-up, skincare, body, hair, and fragrances. Plus, with your subscription you will receive a free year subscription to Allure! And each box will have a mini advice guide that relates to your products. Currently all boxes are the same, but they expect to have variations in the future. Sample Society costs $15 a month, and your box will always be valued way above!
Click here to join Sample Society.

May 2012
This was my first month of Sample Society! I had wanted to sign up, but the $15 price tag left me unsure. And by the time I decided why the hell not, subscriptions closed. I originally had opted-out of the Allure magazine subscription since I already have Allure for a year from DermStore, but they said that opting in would extend my current Allure subscription another year. Their customer service was amazing and fast! Plus, shipping was unbelievable. My box shipped out May 3rd and I received it the next day!

 Information Cards:

Products:
StriVectin: StriVectin-SD Concentrate
Full Size: 5 oz ($135.00)
Size Received: 0.75 oz ($20.25)
I've already tried this exact sample in my February Beauty Army kit. I learned then that this product was meant to rebuild skin layers of cancer patients. But instead they realized that it worked wonders on stretch marks and wrinkles. I've also heard that this works well on acne scars. My skin has been unbearable the past few months and Im thinking Ill try this out on my acne scars. Since this is a 3 week sample for face, I'm pretty sure that this will last me 5-6 weeks for just spotting marks.

Bond No. 9: Bleecker Street Parfum

Full Size: 0.057 oz ($175.00)

Size Received: 1.7 oz ($5.87)

Bond No. 9 is a New York perfumery that has a goal of marking every New York City neighborhood with a scent. They don't just have one for the 5 boroughs, no no they currently have over 50 different men's and women's and unisex fragrances. Some examples are Madison Square Park, Brooklyn, Central Park, and Bleecker Street the scent I received. I loved how the sample was wrapped like a bon bon, a really cute touch. I've never heard of the Bleecker Street neighborhood having not spent much time in NY, but is apparently in Greenwich Village and famous for nightclubs and Alicia Keys lives there. The fragrance is described as "art, fashion, seduction, and dessert in liquid form. A warm sensual aprodisiac that glides from day into evening." It has notes of violet leaf, cassis, jasmine, cinnamon, and oakmoss. I have to say this one was not for me. It was way too heavy on the woody/leaves and I could barely sense the jasmine. I would be opening to trying different fragrances from their collection, maybe I'm more of a Bryant Park or Madison Square Park.

Colorscience Pro: Loose Mineral Travel Puff in Illuminating Pearl

Full Size: 0.035 oz ($10.00)

Size Received: Full-size! 0.035 oz ($10.00)

When I saw this month's advice booklet prior to the release of the box I got so excited that they were going to feature mineral makeup. I was not too excited when I read the ingredients and realized that this puff has pearl powder which is ground up fish scales. Yuck. Even if I wasn't vegan I do not want to put fish on my face. The idea of a travel puff is a great idea, mineral powder gets everywhere, but even before I ever used this one I can see powder in the plastic pouch. I'd still be worried that this would get all over my purse. 

stila: forever your curl mascara
Full Size: 0.24 oz ($22.00)
Size Received: 0.12 oz ($11.00)
Am I the only one that is not impressed by stila products? Every single stila product I have tried I haven't been over the moon about. This mascara didn't look like it would beat out my favorite mascara (blinc) so I decided to not even try it out. It is a polymer formula that has some kind of curling memory ingredient. Huh? I think they mean that it keeps your curl all day long. The reviews online do not look stellar and people who tried the sample said they ended up with raccoon eyes even before the end of a normal day. I tried looking up the mascara on the stila website, but I couldnt find it. I wonder if they are planning on getting rid of this product completely...

Alterna: UV+ Fade-Proof Fluide

Full Size: 2.5 oz ($24.00)

Size Received: 0.25 oz ($2.40)

I love that they featured a brand that free of all the nasty chemicals and uses organic, natural ingredients. But I do not color my hair. What this fluide is meant to do is to lock in color and shield hair with a UVA/UVB barrier. Although Im always interested in sun protection, my hair is not something Im interested in protecting, since um its not really necessary... I'd rather a scalp protector. Because my hair is so thin to begin with, the number of hair products that it can handle is few. I'll be giving this to a friend.

Total value of my May 2012 Sample Society box:$49.52
So disappointed in my first month of Sample Society. The past month of crappy beauty boxes have made me realize that I need to step back from them. I cancelled Sample Society while I attempted to finish this post. It took me two weeks after I got the box to finish the post when normally I finish beauty box posts in a few hours... It shows that it doesn't matter what the value is, as long as I actually like the products. 

What do you think of my May Sample Society box? Do you think I should have given them a second chance? Let me know in the comments below!

Birchbox: May 2012 (Gossip Girl) Box 1 of 2

As soon as I drop a few subscriptions, Birchbox tells me that the May box is going to be sponsored by Gossip Girl!? I have not only seen every single episode, but dream of stealing Blair's wardrobe, and slapping some sense into the ever so annoying and whiny Serena. After much hesitation, I re-activated my second account. I have yet to receive either shipping notifications, but one of the boxes was at my doorsteps on Monday! I probably won't get the second box until after I get back from vacation (I leave Wednesday).


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.

May 2012, Gossip Girl Box #5
This month all of the boxes are curated by the beauty/hair team behind the CW's hit show Gossip Girl. The boxes were even shipped out early this month so that everyone will have their boxes in time for the season finale Monday, May 14th. Within the Gossip Girl theme, there are sub-themes for each box (Sunday Brunch, Weekend in the Hamptons, etc). This box included all the items I'd need to get ready for a Black Tie Ball. Almost every episode the lovely ladies are glammed up in the most gorgeous fashions ready to go to some gala. The information card said that I'll be able to get a million dollar look with the products. Plus, Birchbox is sponsoring a Gossip Girl trivia sweepstakes! Jst answer the trivia questions in the information card while watching the season finale and you'll be entered to win a $500 Birchbox shopping spree. I'll of course be entering!

Information Cards:

Products:
Miracle Skin Transformer: Body SPF 20 in Glow
Don't settle for anything but flawless skin -- all over your body. This tinted treatment erases blemishes and scars on arms, legs, and décoletté.
Full Size: 3.38 oz ($34.00)
Size Received: 0.5 oz ($5.00)
I've always wanted to try the Miracle Skin Transformer for face ever since I saw it in someone else's birchbox last year. The Miracle Skin Transformer is a tinted moisturizer that hydrates skin, brightens and tones skin, and protects with SPF. It is suposed to be able to cover up any blemishes, make skin look more radiant, and smooth. I was surprised by how dark and thick the treatment was, it felt like a heavy concealer. Just trying to take a swatch photo I ended up getting it on my pants and in my hair. It was extremely shimmery! And not finely milled soft shimmer, but GLITTER bomb teen style. Plus, it did not do what it said, my skin is covered in glitter but you can still clearly see the fading scratch on my hand. I also tried it on a blemish and on some sun spots without any success.

stila: Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Starry
Pearly shimmer meets intense pigment in this lasting liner. Better yet, the pen-like wand makes wiggle-free application a breeze.
Full Size: 0.05 oz ($22.00)
Size Received: Full-size! 0.05 oz ($22.00)
I don't understand how to use liquid eye liner or why anybody would use it every day. I understand it makes for a more dramatic look but my eyes are already bigger than my head. Why go through all the trouble of attempting a straight line when I can get precise, soft lovely lines from a pencil/crayon. This is a deep brown that has glitter in it. The box says it may contain carmine (crushed beetle), but carmine is normally only used with red colors, so I emailed stila to confirm if this shade does actually contain it. I did swatch it on my arm to show you the color. It has a sponge tip applicator that makes it easier to apply, but I still could barely get a straight line on my arm. The color is very warm and would go well with my eyes. I don't feel like the application was very even, you can see in the swatch it was patchy. From far away you can't tell, but I bet it'd be amplified with my horrific lining skills.

Ojon: Volume Advance Volumizing Shampoo
Made with ultra nourishing Central American ojon oil, this weightless shampoo helps hair look and feel thicker.
Full Size: 8.5 oz ($22.00)
Size Received: 1.0 oz ($2.59)
A shampoo made for my hair! The shampoo is formulated for fine, limp, flat hair. It works to remove oils and residues that weigh hair down and bring life back to hair with some volume. Coconut oil tames, defrizzes, and coat hairs with moisture, ojon oil moisturizes and makes hair shiny, and finaly Peruvian amaranth extracts remove oil/buildup and somehow makes hair appear thicker and fuller. Most shampoos are meant for normal hair and coat my hair too thick and don't remove enough residue. I often end up with a dry, itchy scalp and limp, greasy strands. But a shampoo formulated to hydrate my hair and scalp without leaving buildup...sadly Ojon was bought by Estee Lauder who conducts animal testing so I wont be using this product (you can read about that dilemma here).

Arquiste: L'Etrog Cologne
Warm notes of citron, palm leaves, and myrtle combine in this transporting scent, inspired by the aroms of a medieval harvest festival in Calabria, Italy. 
Full Size: 1.9 oz ($165.00)
Size Received: 0.038 oz ($3.30)
This is part of a unisex fragrance line by Arquiste inspired by history. L'Etrog is inspired by October of 1175 in Calabria, Italy. I think its a novel idea being inspired by history. I always wonder what it'd be like to go back and time (especially late 1800s, prohibition, Susie Homemaker 1950s). The cologne is based off of the festival of Sukkot (jewish celebration of the seventh month). Many of the prayer rituals involve the etrog, which is a yellow citron fruit. This cologne has main notes of citron (aka etrog), myrtle, date fruit, and vetiver. I'm not familiar with any of the notes in the scent so it's hard to describe. I guess velvety, woodsy citrus, and manly? I think the main issue I have with this fragrance is I have a very keen memory of smell. This scent reminds me too much of my uncle. Why would I want to smell like him? No thank you. Pass.

Birchbox: xoxo notecard
Text messages are no match for handwritten notes on fun, modern stationary.
Full Size: 12 notecards ($10.00)
Size Received: 1 notecard ($0.83)
Some people aren't too happy with this extra, but I don't mind! It's my favorite item in my box! I'll have a lot of thank you cards to write after graduation and this one is so cute! I love the gold/green color paired with the bright pink envelope and the xoxo on the front is too perfect! I also love that you can buy them on the Birchbox website! It would have been nice to get a few notecards, but I'm expecting I'll be getting another notecard in my second box.

Total value of my May 2012 box #5:$33.72

What a bust. I want to rub my arms in pure alcohol to get the smell of the fragrance off of me, the shampoo is tested on animals, the stila may have crushed beetles and has an uneven application, and the Miracle Skin Transformer did nothing for my skin! I'd have been better off just buying the notecard set online... I was somewhat excited about my box at first, but after taking the time to try them out and research the companies it is a major bust. The idea of teaming up with Gossip Girl was an amazing one, but to me the products weren't any different from any other month/theme. Hopefully the second box I receive is better...

What do you think of my May Birchbox? Do you think it lived up to the hype? How does my box compare to yours? Let me know in the comments below!

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

Birchbox: January 2012

Coming home and finding my Birchbox delivered makes my good days brighter and turns a bad day right...

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-size products) and generally a goodie (energy booster, granola bar, etc). The samples range from make-up, polishes, skincare, body, hair, and fragrances. 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.

January 2012, Box #1
This month's box is all about clarity. A new year sets a new tone. The products included in the box were to help bring in 2012 with a fresh face and optimistic mood.

Information Cards:

Products:

VMV Hypoallergenics: Re-Everything: Face-Hand-Body Lotion

Simplify your skincare routine with this all-over lotion, which eliminates dryness on both face and body in one fell swoop.

Full Size: 6.3 oz ($45.00)

Size Received: 1 oz ($7.14)

My first thought on this product was the price, $45 for effing lotion!!  Even if I wasn't a student I couldn't justify spending that much on lotion. I use cetaphil moisturizing cream for my body and face and that is good enough for me. It is fragrance-free, which to me translates weird smell. It sort of smells like white clay. The lotion is really amazing, I will give it that. It soaks into your skin in seconds with little to no grease layer. My hands have felt moisturized for hours after putting it on. It says that it is an anti-aging product, so who knows. I may test it on my few teeny stress lines on my forehead. 

ORIGINS: Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash

What if your skin has dry patches and oily spots? Alleviate both concerns with this multi-tasking cleanser.

Full Size: 5 oz ($19.50)

Size Received: 1 oz ($3.90)

The given description feels like it was written for me. Annoyingly my nose gets both gross blackheads and dry and flaky. I can't win! I try and remedy the acne and end up with blotchy, red, skin. Im not sure Id call it a frothy face wash. But it smelled nice (slight mint creme) and it left my skin feeling nice and soft. 

stila: Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Peacock

It's time to put down the black eyeliner. This colorful pigment makes eyes stand out and stays put for hours.

Full Size: .01 oz ($20.00)

Size Received: Full-size! .01oz ($20.00)

I've never ever worn any pigmented eyeliner. I've always worn black and that was that. The color is absolutely gorgeous, from my test swatch it really is smudge proof and waterproof. Having blue eyes I think this eye liner will just make my eyes pop and definitely be a little more fun than a normal black. This is my favorite item in this month's box. So glad I got the peacock.

Juicy Couture: Viva La Juicy

This scent will bring out your inner girly girl. Wild berries flirt with mandarin and soft floral notes to create a fragrance that's fun and happy.

Full Size: 1.7oz EDP ($69.00)

Size Received: .05oz EDP (~$2.03)

I would never enter a store and rush over to try this perfume. Although I love floral scents (I own Marc Jacobs Daisy, Daisy Lola, etc) the top notes were not so lovely. But after it warmed up on my skin it was a very nice, soft, and sweet scent. But nothing too special. I did like the hints of jasmine and amber. It was kind of a softer/younger version of Victoria Secret's Angel (guessing the amber). But I like the VS scent better because it packs a bigger punch and is a little more vivacious. This vile won't go to waste though, I'll definitely use it up on days where Im just running errands or am going to class.

Larabar: mini bar in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

You won't find anything artificial filters in these natural bars: just dried fruit, nuts, and other wholesome ingredients. They're as tasty as they are healthy.

Full Size: 1 full sized bar, 1.6oz ($1.60)

Size Received: 1 mini sized bar, 0.78oz (~$0.78)

I havent been the biggest fan of Larabar's over the year. I hate the cherry flavor, very dry, you taste just the dates, and the organic granola-y of it. But there are some flavors that I love, including the sample that I received. The chocolate chips melted in your mouth, the dough flavor was probably the cashews. Either way it was delicious. 

Do I buy these regularly? Not at all. You ask why? The lack of fiber. When I need fast energy I need at least 10g of fiber. I have to say I like Clif Bars a lot more. 

Birchbox Magnet

No description listed

There was no description or even mention that this was part of the box, which was kind of a nice surprise. It's a flimsy magnet, but it was able to hold up this cute little card I got in the mail today.

Total Value of my January 2012 box:$34.12

What did you think of my box? How did it compare to yours? If you dont get Birchbox, click here to join! Let me know in the comments below!