October's Birchbox!

I didn't post September's shipment because it just wasn't fun or anything. :( I was really disappointed but of all the shipments that I've received, there is bound to be one bad one and I got it last month.....this month has made up for it! I was so hoping for better products to try and Birchbox did not let me down! Here is the list of goodies I got with the manufacturer's descriptions:

AHAVA Mineral Foot Cream
After all those ouchy hours in high heels, our feet deserve a treat- like this hydrating cream, which has natural avocado and jojoba oils to soften and soothe.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel
Groomed brows take your look from pretty to polished. This clear brow gel keeps hairs perfectly in place without any flaking or stickiness.

Number 4 Hair Lumiere D'hiver Reconstructing Masque
This rich treatment does more than hydrate-soy proteins strengthen strands from the inside, while light-reflecting polymers add major gloss.

Sunday Riley Modern Skincare Juno Transformative Lipid Serum
Celebs and models swear by this luxe cocktail of 13 essetial oils, which absorbs instantly to replenish, firm, and protect skin.

Tea Forte' Minteas
Our new obsession, these tasty mints are infused with energizing yerba mate and rich cocoa

 Have you started getting your Birchbox yet??? If not your missing out on all the latest greatest things!

Be blessed beauties!

August Birchbox arrived.........

So here it is the beginning of the month of August and I long for my Birchbox shipment. However, I was a little disappointed in this month's products.........until I tried them :) I will give a list and photo of the products and then give my opinion on them. Here we go!

June Jacobs Papaya Purifying Enzyme Masque

Powered by natural fruit extracts, this creamy mask dissolves dull cells, then boosts skin with essential oils and antioxidant-rich tea extracts.

Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel

A styling aid with brains! When this non-sticky gel senses heat, it stops hair from expanding. Welcome to frizz-free curls.

Shaveworks The Cool Fix

At last, a solution to bumps, ingrown, and other shaving and waxing side effects. Bonus: it soothes as it works.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

This award-winning primer is better than ever, with brand-new packaging. It gives skin a matte, velvet-soft finish and keeps makeup in place all day.

Twistband Hair Tie

This soft elastic gives the hair tie a sophisticated makeover--it looks as good on your wrist as it does in your hair.

OK so here is my quick opinion on these items:

Masque-It's amazing! I've never had my face feel so smooth and the smell is enough to make you want to eat it right out of the jar! At $62 for 3.7 fl oz, I think I will slowly enjoy the sample and then count my losses (or financial gain) in not purchasing this masque. Although I would love to have it, it's too pricey for me but it works so well.

Heat Gel- Eh, it's OK. I'm not overly thrilled about it. I've found other products that are cheaper and work just as well. This isn't sticky which is great but still nothing to oh and ah over. 6 oz is $16

Shaveworks gel- LOVE this stuff! I shaved and tried it and it works soooo well! I love the crisp clean scent that it leaves on your legs. It's so soft when it dries and it does keep the redness and bumps away. 2 fl oz is $11 & 5.3 fl oz is $25

Smashbox primer- OK everybody goes crazy over this primer but if I'm being honest, I like my ELF Mineral Primer just as much. Smashbox primer is a little thicker when applying foundation over it and my face feels smoother to touch but appearance is no different. The staying power is no different either. I love Smashbox don't get me wrong and I use it on my clients or when I can afford it but I'm perfectly happy with my ELF primer. :) 1 fl oz is $36 for Smashbox primer.

Twistband- When I first opened the box, I thought the packaging people had forgotten to tie something up because it was just this weird band laying in the box...but I then read the little card that comes with the shipment and saw that it was for your hair. This band is adorable and classy for sure, once it's in your hair. It is only an elastic band tied cute though. You could easily make your own in so many different prints and styles by just going to Micheal's or any craft store and buying elastic ribbon and tying it at the ends. The price is reasonable though if you don't want to DIY. Set of 3 is $5.

OK so there is my take on this month's shipment of goodies. As always I love Birchbox and I think it's great what they are doing. I'm trying things that I would otherwise have no way of trying due to price or availability or lack of knowing it's out there. So props to Birchbox for shipping such amazing things! If anyone else gets these shipments monthly, please share what you got because everyone is different!

Be blessed always my faithful followers,

Jodi

Cynthia Rowley insired BIRCHBOX

When I received my monthly package from Birchbox I knew it was going to be special by the way it was wrapped in such a beautiful cover! So you can imagine how happy I was when I opened it up and found the following items:

Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser 8 oz/$20 and 16 oz/$32. This perennial award-winner is pH-balanced to gently clear away dirt, oil, and makeup without drying out the skin.

Huile Prodigieuse Multi-usage Dry Oil 50ml/$29.50 and 100ml/$44.50
A makeup artist favorite. This multi-use oil gives face and body a pretty glow (minus any slickness), and it works to smooth flyaways, too. (I have used this on my face and body and it's smells so good and works wonders I promise)

Redken Shine Flash 02 4.4 oz/$17
A must for runway shows, this weightless spray gives hair a brilliant finish. (Your hair doesn't feel weighed down at all when you use this and it isn't oily either)

Zoya Touch Collection Nail Polish in Pandora 0.5 fl oz/$8. Neutral gets a sexy makeover in this creamy, slightly metallic nude. The perfect accessory to summer's bright fashions. (this color is so perfect for the just there pink tone)

Almond and Apricot Kind bar (no price??)
Snack right with this wholesome bar- no preservatives or hard-to-pronounce ingredients. (loved this bar FYI, it tasted yummy!)






All of these items are Cynthia Rowley's favs. I'm super stoked about what I received (as always).

BIRCHBOX for June arrived!!!!!!!!!

I am insanely excited about this month's shipment of goodies! Birchbox has truly outdone themselves on this one. For how I felt on the last shipment, they have been redeemed! I'm going to jump right into what I got so you guys can see the awesome (and huge) samples! Make sure you sign up for your monthly samples! You will get samples that are custom to your wants and needs and make sure in the where did you hear about us box you put me! (just put my blog address that works!) Ok here we go!................


Kate Spade Twirl Perfume:
This flirty scent feels carefree and joyful-just the thing to wear on your adventures at home.

I love the smell of this perfume! It's light and not overpowering but it has a smell that lasts all day. I wore this yesterday and kept telling my daughter to smell my wrist because I couldn't get enough of this. It has a summery earthy smell and it's fabulous!

Laura Geller Baked Blush N' Brighten
Made in Italy, this swirl of warm and cool tones is infinitely versatile-dust your cheeks for a flattering flush or use the lighter shades as a highlighter.

First let me say that this sample is HUGE! It's comparable to MAC face powder compacts or a drugstore face powder compact. I was amazed at the size of this "sample". I wouldn't even call it a sample. I think I just got blessed with the full size :) Anyway, this compact is also amazing! It's so creamy and insanely pigmented. I brushed my finger across it when I first got it and couldn't believe the color that came off. This gave my face a beautiful natural bronzed highlighted glow. It's great to use as a soft contour also. I used a kabuki brush and swept it across my face softly to get that highlight and then I used a contouring brush (not sure what kind it was) and put a little more on the brush to contour and it looked like two different powders but blended so well.

Oscar Blandi Olio Di Jasmine Hair Serum
Banish frizz and flyaways with this fast-absorbing serum. Work it through dry or damp hair to add moisture and gloss-no blow dryer required.

So I got my hair done and highlighted Wednesday night and couldn't wait until I could wash my hair and try this and I did and I LOVED IT! It only took a very small amount and I rubbed it in my hands and scrunched it in my hair. I didn't need as much hairspray to give it that "done" look because the serum made my hair look so healthy and shiny, not to mention is smells super good! It has an earthy smell kind which I always love for my hair. It didn't weigh my hair down and it lasted all day. I couldn't believe the difference it made in my hair!

Pangea Organics Toner and Facial Cream
Laced with mandarin and lime, this energizing toner is a skincare staple and ideal on-the-go refresher + facial cream.

I'm getting the cleanser for this so I will have the whole regimen because this stuff is yep you guessed it amazing! After I cleaned my face with my stuff, I spritzed my face with this toner about 3-4 times and it left a cooling tightening feeling. I couldn't believe how refreshed my face looked! I added the cream which moisturized so well and it didn't take much at all to reach all of my face. This has an earthly smell to it also so it isn't strong or overpowering when you spray your face. There is no burning of the eyes afterwards. I can't wait to see what the cleanser has to offer.

Herban Essentials Orange Towelettes
Infused with pure orange oil, these little guys are detoxifying, germ-killing, and mood perking

I have to be honest in saying that I haven't tried these yet. I'm not sure what I'm waiting on but I feel like I need to find the right moment for them :) From what I gather they are cleansing wipes. Here is what the description from Amazon says:

Herban Essentials essential oil towelettes are made with the highest quality pure essential oil

Not only do they smell amazing, but they are naturally antibacterial and antiseptic as well

The most common use for the towelettes is to cleanse hands and kill germs

There are millions of ways to use these wonderful towelettes!

Some have found orange oil to be a relief for depression, anxiety, high blood pressure and even hiccups

I love these samples!!! And remember if you order any of these samples you get a discount from Birchbox! (I would check Amazon also) :)

Be blessed always!!

Jodi

BIRCHBOX CAME!!!!

Well my first shipment of Birchbox samples came in last week. It was so fun to be surprised by what was inside. The box was packaged very nicely and the size of the samples did not disappoint! Here is a link to what I got on May's shipment ----> http://www.birchbox.com/shop/birchbox/birchbox-may2011-bb4/?utm_source=weekly-blast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2011-05-18_bvlgari_2

Here is a picture of the actual samples I received:

And now for my thoughts on what I got. I loved the packaging, I loved the surprise of it all but I wasn't too happy with the some of the samples :( Here is a run down of each product and what I thought about it.

AHAVA Deadsea Water Mineral Hand Cream:

The sample size was very generous! When I first put the cream on my hands the smell almost made me gag. It smells like something my great great grandma would wear. Now remember this is only my opinion! Some people like the more "matured" smell but not me! I want to smell like my age not Grandma's. The smoothness was amazing and it kept my hands very moist. I loved that it was a mineral product. I will use this until it's gone as I don't like to waste but I'm finding that putting in on before I go to bed, helps me handle the smell more, and when I wake up my hands feel so smooth and soft. So I give this a 2 out of 5 :( Here is the link to the information on the website -----> http://www.birchbox.com/shop/birchbox/birchbox-may2011-bb4/ahava-mineral-hand-lotion






Stila Eye Shadow in Mimosa:

 Again the size of the compact sample was awesome! I could use this over and over again. I received the sample color Mimosa (see sample swatches below). I was quite excited to get this color because I'm trying to venture out into brighter colors instead of the everyday natural tones so I couldn't wait to try this. (I'm actually wearing it today). Ok so when I rubbed my finger across the sample it seemed very pigmented. One swipe and the color was bright and bold on my finger. I used an eye brush to apply it was a little disappointed that it took so much to create color....so I wet down my brush and wow the color popped! For me it's just the right amount of color, not too much and not too little. There is a pretty shimmer to it too so that added some shine to my lid but just enough. I've never tried Stila products so maybe now I will since I liked this one so much..... I give this a 5 out of 5! Here is the link to the website -----> http://www.birchbox.com/shop/birchbox/birchbox-may2011-bb4/stila-eyeshadows
.

BVLGARI Mon Jasmin Noir Perfume:

This is NOT for me at all. I was breath taken (literally) by the strength of this perfume. The size was your typical perfume sample size and it came surrounded by a card that explains the scent. Again this to me reminded me of something Grandma would wear (the Grandma that wears a lot of glitter and bright red shoes and orange lipstick lol) I hate to give bad reviews on anything so I will leave it at...this is NOT for me at all.
I give this a 0 out of 5 (sorry) :(  Here is the link to the website ----> http://www.birchbox.com/shop/birchbox/birchbox-may2011-bb4/bvlgari-mon-jasmin-noir







Archipelago Pomegranate Soap:

The sample size of this was about the same that you would find in a high end hotel. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this soap! The scent is soft but yet leaves your skin feeling and smelling ah-mazing! I'm realizing that I love anything pomegranate :) I wish I could have received everything you see here in the picture but maybe that's the whole point huh? Tease you with the soap so you'll buy the entire kit. I can't imagine being disappointed with this at all! I wish I could send the scent to each of you! I give this a 5 out of 5. I will for sure use this up fast! Here is the link to order it -----> http://www.birchbox.com/shop/birchbox/birchbox-may2011-bb4/archipelago-pomegranate-gift-set



Tinyprints Card:

This little card is adorable! The card stock is very think and the website has tons of different cards to chose from. www.tinyprints.com is where you can find these cards or through www.birchbox.com also. The card is 5 inches tall by 3.5 inches wide. You can design so many different cards. And the ideas are endless for what you can do with them! I give this a 5 out of 5, they are super cute!
Here is the link to the website ------> http://www.tinyprints.com/greeting/product/14012/blank_inside_greeting_cards_blue_bird.html


And that's about it. I love knowing each month I'm getting something new to try! And remember if you sign up to receive the samples and you order through Birchbox's website, there are great incentives!!

I hope you liked this review! If you decide to order these super awesome little goodies each month, let me know! I'd love to hear what you thought about your samples :)

Be blessed!