march birch box

i'm a little late this month posting my reviews of my birchbox.....but it took me longer than usual to get around to trying (or rather being brave enough to try....) all of the samples.....

so here is the round up for this month...

Madewell for Birchbox - Emery Board   $5
really cute print and love the clear case for dropping in a purse and not having to worry about it scratching anything inside....would definitely pay $5 for another and give it a A

Serge Normant - Meta Revive Dry Shampoo  $25
okay this was the product that took me a while to get brave enough to try....my hair is very course and dry and i thought this product would be great to try out on day two or three after a blowout to keep from having to wash it one day early.....oh my goodness....this was the nastiest stuff I HAVE EVER put on my hair....it turned my hair gray, made a ring of gray film around my face (around my ears and forehead), did not "comb" out like it said it would after drying for two minutes, and basically make my hair a sticky mess....think running your fingers through your hair with jelly on your hands.....this product is terrible and i will never, ever try a dry shampoo again.... F- (if there is such a thing as an F-)

Caldrea - Body Lotion  $22
comes in three scents - Tea Olive Lime, Aloe Water Apricot, and Coconut Fig....i did try all three and liked the aloe water apricot the best - it is a light lotion that absorbs quickly. i did like it but probably wouldn't buy it...B+

Marcelle - BB Cream Golden Glow $27
it's an all in one moisturizer, tinted corrector, and make-up base - although i've grown an affinity for make up primers/bases, i didn't love this one as much as i have some of the other samples I've tried in january and february.....this one after an hour or so seemed to settle too much which accented my crow's feet.....C

Whish - Shave Crave Shaving Cream  $20
Love the blueberry scent of this product but wish it was a little more foamy/lathery....the scent is divine but not sure I'd splurge on it for $20.....B+

february birchbox

february birchbox review:

beauty protector (red bottle) protect and detangle ($21.95)

great for all hair types this spray performs seven hair-healing functions such as locking in color, adding shine, and instantly detangling

i did not test this one as my hair is so short and i really don't need a product like this, however, my girlies tested it on their locks. claire loved the way it smells but didn't really think it worked too well to detangle...she also thought, and I agree that it left her hair stiff...maybe she sprayed too much...

we give it a C+/B-

jouer matte moisture tint ($38)

SPF 15 oil free tinted moisturizer that blends in perfectly to even out skin and control shine - tested in nude tint

one thing that testing out these products has made me realize is the importance of priming my skin before make up...i wasn't so sure initially about a tinted product, but i really liked it. it smoothes out my skin tone and is a perfect primer for make up. a little goes a long way....

i give this an A and will probably pick some up from birchbox

kiehl's powerful wrinkle reducing cream ($52)

anti-aging treatment with moisturizer - has calcium and copper to restore elasticity and reduce wrinkles..i'm all about reducing wrinkles but just wasn't wild about this product - i like the idea but don't think i'd replace what i'm using now to switch to this

i'd give it a B-

oscar de la renta live in love perfume ($78)

um no. again i'm just not a perfume girl and really don't care for this sandalwood and cedar based scent...

big fat D- on this one

summary:

beauty protector protect and detangle  C+/B-

jouer matte moisture tint   A

kiehl's powerful wrinkle reducing cream   B-

oscar de la renta live in love perfume   D-

january birchbox review

I got my first Birchbox in the mail this week!!!

 Here's what was waiting for me inside:

Pictures of each product are below the "review":

Frownies Rose Water Hydrator Spray ($11.95) - I give this product a C+....I love the smell and the name of the product, but using this everyday and adding it into my cleansing routine (which is usually rushed) I don't see happening. The side of the product also mentions you can spray it anytime to freshen up.....um....if I get a lip gloss during the day on I'm doing good so for me this is a pass.....

 ModelCo SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss ($16) - A+++++, love the color (the sample is Berry Pink), the consistency, the large sample size, and the cute mirror on the side is perfection! Only problem is everyone else loves this too so its currently unavailable through Birchbox; but a google search will yield other vendors.....definite purchase for me!

Larabar ($9) - I didn't try this sample so I'm not sure how great these are....but at $9 a bar I'm not sure I'd be purchasing anyway!

My Multi Purpose Mattifying Moisturizer ($68) - A- okay at first I didn't like this moisturizer because it is really mattifying instead of being more creamy and cool on my face...because my skin still felt dry I applied my regular moisturizer over it and then the magic came when I applied make up!! I could tell a noticeable difference in the way my make up set on my face and gave a smooth appearance. So I would love to buy this product and use everyday that I "make myself up", but I'll have to earn some Birchbox points first since the price point is so steep.

Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy ($25) - D+ - This perfume is a little too teenagerish smelling for me...too floral and too sweet for my taste...but right up your alley if you like that type of smell....come to think of it I can't remember the last time I wore perfume!! Ha!

Wrap Up:

Frownies Rose Water Spray - C+
ModelCo SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss - A+++++
Larabar - did not sample, pricey
My Multi Purpose Mattifying Moisturizer - A
Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy - D+

What's great about this subscription is that it allows me to sample products I'd never know about and lets me try new things! Can't wait to see what's in my February Birchbox! I'll try to post each month on what I get!!

birchbox

I'm a huge fan of The Small Things Blog and often she reviews and recommends products she received in her Birchbox. Birchbox is a monthly mailing of high end beauty, home, and grooming product samples! For just $10 per month you are mailed a pretty box full of goodies to try out! Full sized samples can be ordered from the site!

I love getting mail and love getting goodies in the mail so I'm going to give it a try!
I just joined this month and can't wait for my first box to arrive!!!

Click this link to find out more:  www.birchbox.com