Birchbox September 2015

What's in

the box?

My Birchbox arrived pretty late this month but I think it is because they had a big response for the curated box.   The boxes for the choice were so beautiful - and they told you that You're Beautiful!  

Malin+Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser and Vitamin E Face Moisturizer  -   I really appreciate it when we get the cleanser and moisturizer as a set.  I am a big advocate of using a moisturizer morning and night.  I already have a great face cleanser and moisturizer set (Perfectly Posh BFF and Night & Day) so I have passed this on to my swap buddy. 

Davines Love Shampoo and Conditioner -  Another set that goes together is shampoo and conditioner - this is a pretty nice one!  I love the size of the shampoo but the conditioner packet could have been a tad larger.  The shampoo was my choice this month.

English Laundry Eau de Parfum for Her -   This is one of the few perfumes that does not cause me to wheeze so it was a nice addition to the box.

Pop Beauty eyeshadow palette -   I have several eye palettes that I am working through right now so I passed this on to my swap buddy as well.  These have some really pretty colors for Fall.

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive -   I believe I have gotten this in a box before so I am passing this on to my swap buddy as well.  The last time I did a peel from a Birchbox product, it broke a blood vessel in my face that still has not cleared up. 

This was a very full box and even though I gave more than half away to my Sway Buddy, I was thrilled at the collaboration - plus I got to do reviews for lots of points.  I have no idea how people save them - if I have $20, I spend it! 

Birchbox Plus choice had me at the lips bag - and it came with 3 Stila lipsticks!  This is the Stila Look at Me Liquid Lipstick trio. Birchbox was celebrating its Birthday and included 3 balloons in the box as well.

Birchbox May 2015

What's in

the box?

Birchbox is a monthly subscription box that comes with 5-7 sample size products.  It is $10 a month for this starter box but they have recently added a makeup add on box you can get for $30 a month that contains 2 full size makeup products.  

The best part about Birchbox is their point system.  They have a fantastic store that you can earn points to spend there.  100 points = $10 - you earn points by reviewing the monthly products, sharing your box on social media sites, and just getting a box every month.

The little information card that was included was beautiful.  I loved the colors of the box this month. 

Dr Jart+ Ceramdin Day Tint -  ( full size $48)  This is a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen.  It is very nice.  It goes on smooth and is a nice shade.  The only thing I dislike is that it is too small.  I will barely get a couple days out of it.

Harvey Prince Sea Salt Texturizing Spray -   (full size $22) This might be the smallest sea salt spray I have ever seen.  I used almost half of it just trying it out.  It smells really good too!

Model Co Party Proof  in Dusk Till Dawn -   ($20 for three)  I love the shade they picked for this box.  It is a pretty color that matches my skin tone.  I have another of these that I received in a curated box.  I love lipsticks that smell good too. 

Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Energizing Hydrating Gel - ( full size $24) I tried this right away and it was not greasy at all.  I did not understand the energizing part of it but it is very hydrating.  

English Laundry in Notting Hill -  (full size $90) I did not like this at first but it has grown on me.  There are several of the English Laundry perfumes I would like. 

At first, I was not that crazy about this box, but now I really like it.  I will use up all of these products and might buy the full size in a few of them.   Birchbox also included a discount on a magazine that the curator, Emily Schuman, owns, called Domino.  She gave us a 15% discount in her online store as well. 

L'OCCIBOX Spring Collection by L'Occtaine

What's in

the box?

L'Occtaine has a Spring collection box and sells for $48 but with code SUGAR, you can get the box for $20 plus shipping.  I missed the last one and was really upset so as soon as I saw it, I bought it.  This is still for sale.  The whole box smelled of roses as I opened it.  I am also a lover of all things French!

First look:

 L'Occtane Serum - ($16)  The full size of this is $70 so it will probably not be purchased but I am interested in trying it.   It is an anti-aging serum.

Bonne Merre Rose Soap -   ($7)  This is a very pretty soap!  I love both sides of it and it smells like roses - hence the name. 

Champagne Bears - ($8)  I first thought these were bubble bath bears but they are a snack - a champagne gummy bear.  Gummy bears are one of my favorites and having a champagne flavored box of them is fantastic!  I just might eat these in my bubble bath surrounded by candlelight and drinking a glass of wine.

Shea Whipped Hand Cream -  ($12)  This is a nice sized tube and I love the packaging. I love Shea butter and it is whipped. 

 Shea Butter Hand Cream -   ($3.50)  This is a smaller tube and is for dry skin.  I have a lot of hand creams but I will check this out. 

The value of this is dead on without the coupon so I am glad I had it.  This was a fun Spring box that smells just like a flower garden.

Target Beauty Box

What's in

the box?

Target has a seasonal beauty box that ships four times a year.  This box is $5 and sells out fast - it is not a subscription you can sign up to keep getting; it's first come, first serve.  

Neutrogena Hydro Boost gel-cream - ($17.99)  This is a tiny little gel cream.  It is to moisturize your neck and face.  It will not last very long to test out but I will use it.  I will probably not be buying this in full size but it is a good throw in your purse in case of emergencies moisturizer. 

Maybelline Color Elixir by Color Sensational Lip C0lor -  ($5.49)  This is one of my favorite drug store brands and I love that there is a lip product in the box.  

Shea Moisture Superfruit Complex 10-in-1 Renewal System Shampoo - ($2.50~)
My only complaint is not having a conditioner to go with this.  I cannot wait to try it.  

TREsemme TRES Two Extra Hold Hairspray -  ($1.47)  This is probably the item in the box I am least excited about.  I rarely use hairspray so this will last forever.  

L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Spray & Set -  ($13.29)  I use a setting spray daily so I love getting this in my beauty box.  I did not know L'Oreal made one either, so this will be nice to sample.

This is a great box and well worth the $5 plus tax that was charged for it.  I am so happy I grabbed this one in time before it sold out.  The box also included a $3 off your next $15 beauty purchase at Target.  

IPSY January 2015

What's in 

the bag?

Ipsy is a monthly subscription bag that ships for $10.  It always includes a little makeup bag and 4-5 makeup, hair, or skin products.  It used to contain more makeup than anything but here lately it's been about half and half.  I count it a good bag for makeup when I get 3 makeup items.  

The theme this month is Fresh Start:

The bag was kind of plain this month - white on one side and blue on the other:

 Manna Kadar Sheer Glo -  (full size $29)  This is a highlighter to get a shimmery glow.  I am not thrilled with the ingredients here since it has parabens.  I will probably pass this on to my sister.  I looked on their website and it does not look like you can purchase this size tube unless it is in a package.

Pacifica Natural Mineral Coconut Eye Shadow - (~$5)  You cannot buy these as singles but as a part of a set.  I really like this and love the fact that these are natural products.  It is a shade I would have purchased for myself.

Malin + Goetz -Mojito lip balm -   ($8)  I have tried several items from this brand through Birchbox, and I have loved them.   They are also a natural based company who does not believe in putting chemicals in their products like parabens and sulfates.

Hikari Eye Liner in Storm -  ($13)  I rarely wear eye liner so I will pass this on to my sister but I like this brand.  

LA Fresh Eco-Beauty  Moisturizer -   ($13.99)  I really like the fact that this sample has a spout on it - much better than the normal foil packets that you use once and have to just toss because it does not stay in one place.  I love moisturizers and am excited to try a new one.

 There was a nice value in this month's bag but there are only about 3 of the items that I will be using.  I do like that there are 3 makeup products in it.  

Best of 2014 Makeup!

Year in Review! 

Best of 2014 Makeup!

It has been a great year for makeup - I have found great products and some really great keepers!  

Moisturizer -   Moisture 911 from Perfectly Posh - ($16)  I always start my makeup regime with a moisturizer.  I have a very dry t-zone so if I do not moisturize, my face gets so dry.  I love Perfectly Posh's Moisture 911.  It smells awesome and moisturizes so well. 

Primer - The Porefessional from Benefit - ($30)  I have gone back and forth between different primers and this one is my absolute favorite.  It has great coverage, is smooth, and has staying power.  

BB Cream -   Dream Fresh by Maybelline - ($9)  Sometimes I just use a BB cream for light coverage when I am not going to work or out.  This one is very nice and reasonable.  

Foundation -   Dream Liquid Mousse foundation by Maybelline - ($10)  I really love this foundation - it is reasonable and smooth.  So pretty on! 

Setting Spray -  Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray - ($30)  I have tried several setting sprays and this is the one I keep coming back to.  They do have smaller sizes that are cheaper.  

Correcting Powder -   Jane Tone Correcting Powder - ($12)  I like this correcting powder but the ELF dupe is also a good one at a great price.  

Blush -  Mac Prism blush - ($22)  The MAC blushes are so beautiful.  I love the natural glow you get with the Prism blush.  

Eye shadow primer - Urban Decay primer - ($24)  I have sampled a bunch of different eye shadow primers and this one is my favorite.  It does not crease and helps make your eye shadow last all day.  They do have several sizes of these too so you do not have to put out the big bucks until you have tried for yourself.

Eye Shadow palette -  Urban Decay Basics 2 ($29) and NYX Love in Paris ($10) These are the two I go to on a daily basis but I love palettes and have a few right now that I switch between

Lip Liner - NYX lip liner pencil in Mauve - ($4)  These are great for the price!  You can buy up in several shades with this price point.  

Lipstick -  Rimmel Kate Moss in 08 - ($5)  This is a lovely shade of lipstick and my go-to.  It smells fantastic too! 

(beautymadnessforever.blogspot.com)

Lip Gloss -   tarte Lipsurgence in Exposed - ($19)  I also love a ton of lip glosses since it is probably my favorite makeup product next to eye shadow palettes.  I really like the tarte glosses.  

Mascara -   Make Up For Ever ($24)  I got this for my birthday from Sephora last year and I adore it!  It is my go-to mascara right now and need to buy a full size tube.  I also like Benefit's They're Real and L'oreal Miss Manga.   

So these are my stars of 2014!  What are your favorites from this past year?