Showing posts with label smashbox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label smashbox. Show all posts

Monday, March 23, 2015

Birchbox March 2015



I still really love how all the boxes are totally customized this year, and this box is no exception to that! This month, we got to choose, again, between three samples, or a curated box, and I chose the amika Bombshell Blowout Spray.


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I cannot get over how cute this box is!

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amika Bombshell Blowout Spray
Lightweight styler that volumizes, smooths, and protects for a sleek yet bouncy 'do.
How To Use: Divide damp hair into sections and spritz from roots to ends before blow-drying.
Will I Use It?: I tried it, and I do not like it. Since this was my sample choice, I can't hold it against Birchbox, but this was just awful. It made my hair so crunchy and sticky, and not at all volumized or sleek. I will definitely not be using this again or repurchasing it. 

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Number 4 Clarifying Shampoo
Vitamin-rich botanicals gently purify hair while restoring lost moisture and shine.
How to Use: Work a small amount into a lather with damp hands, apply to wet hair, then rinse.
Will I Use It?: I'll definitely be giving this a try, but I'm currently trying out a couple other shampoo samples I need to get through, so I'll have to do a review in the future.
Also included in this box was a bonus sample- the Reconstructing Masque!


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Smashbox Cosmetics Be Legendary Lip Gloss in Disco Rose
Creamy lip color with a subtle sheen and serious staying power.
How To Use: Glide onto lips, layering for a bolder hue.
Will I Use It?: I absolutely will use it! I love this color, and the gloss is just beautiful on the lips. It goes on smooth, and builds up really nicely. It's not at all sticky. This is definitely a keeper, and even though the sample is tiny, it will still last me a long while.

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Supergoop! Daily Correcting CC Cream SPF 40 in Fair/Light
Next-generation SPF 40 CC Cream that triple protects against UVA, UVB, and infrared-A rays.
How To Use: Apply a nickel-sized amount over face and neck- it works as both a primer and a foundation.
Will I Use It?: I'll definitely give it a try! I love trying new BB/CC creams, and this sample should give me at least two to three uses, which is a pretty good indication of how well it's going to perform for me. I'll do an updated review once I have a chance to try it out.

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Whish Shave Savior Hair Inhibiting Gel
All-natural formula that slows hair growth while deeply hydrating skin.
How To Use: Smooth onto slight damp skin after showering.
Will I Use It?: I might save this for after the baby is born- I'm only shaving my legs once a week or so (shaving is hard when you have a belly to deal with!), so I feel like I can't properly test this product now. I will put up a review one I am able to test this out.


Other than the amika spray, I really, really enjoyed this box and will use everything in it. Although the smashbox and supergoop! samples were a little small, there's still enough included to make an informed decision about the products. I'm definitely happy with this subscription, and can't see myself cancelling any time soon!


If any of you are interested in signing up for Birchbox, please click there and use my affiliate link! I receive points which I will exchange for products that I can review on this blog.


FTC: This box was purchased by me with my own money. All opinions are my own. All product descriptions were taken directly from the Birchbox card included in the box.
The only affiliate link used is the Birchbox affiliate link directly above. Any other links to the birchbox shop are just for reference only. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.



Thursday, October 24, 2013

10 Makeup Products I Can't Live Without - Sister-in-Law edition!

I went to San Diego this weekend, and got to hang out with one of my favorite people in the entire world, my sister-in-law, Jenna.
Jenna is as obsessed with makeup as I am, if not more so. She actually is a makeup artist, and did the makeup for my wedding (as well as her own, and many others). 
I asked Jenna if she would mind sharing some of her favorite products with me, so I could make a blog, and fortunately she didn't think I was nuts, and wanted to do it! I always love the way Jenna does her makeup, so this was also eye opening for me! I just find what other people use to be so fascinating! 

Take it away, Jenna!




10 Makeup Products I couldn’t live without, in order of application. This is basically my daily routine. Obviously I’m a MAC whore.


  Prep + Prime Skin

I use this pretty much every day (unless I accidentally skip this step, which I ALWAYS regret it when I do!). I apply with my hands like a lotion. It’s a little sparkly, which always makes me happy while applying (because sparkles are the key to happiness in case you didn’t know) and it’s covered up after foundation so it’s not like my face is all Twilight-y.



 Pro Longwear Foundation

I go back and forth between this foundation and another from MAC. Overall, this one is my favorite. I like the built-in pump, I like the coverage, just overall, I like this one.



 Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

I couldn’t live without this powder. It provides top notch coverage for my very splotchy face. I’ve tried other powders, but nothing beats the coverage of this powder.



  Powder Blush

I have lots of blushes from MAC, but Margin is my all-time favorite and matches most all makeup looks.



  Mineralize Skinfinish

I use this as a highlighter around my eyes, down my nose and on the top of my lips. I also use contouring powder every once in awhile, but if I had to pick between having a highlighter or a contour powder, I’d pick the highlighter any day!



 Eye Brows

My favorite brow pencil. The only negative thing I can say about this pencil is you reach the end without warning and sometimes you don’t have a chance to get to MAC for a couple days. AHHH my eyebrows looks TERRIBLE during that time. I have a Cover Girl eyebrow pencil as my backup pencil, it just sucks so much in comparison!



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A non-MAC item! I love Urban Decay shadows. They are great and pigmented. I have both the Naked and Naked 2 palettes (among others that I love just as much). I choose the Naked 2 palette over the original Naked Palette for its packaging. The colors are equally as great, but I love that this one closes tight. I also like the matte black shadow over the sparkly shadow in the original Naked Palette for eyeliner.
My everyday look with the Naked 2 Palette is: Browbone and Tear Duct - Bootycall; Lid - Chopper, Verve, or Suspect; Outer Corner - Snakebite; and Outer V (if I want to go darker for the day) - Blackout



 Penultimate Eye Liner

Love this eyeliner. It’s so easy to be precise with it. I love doing a cat eye so it’s perfect!



FULL EXPOSURE MASCARA

Favorite Mascara. I just love the giant wand and the formula is great too.




 Lipstick

All time favorite lipstick. It’s pretty much nude with a little sheen. It’s perfect because even when it starts to wear off it’s so close to my normal lip color that you can’t tell, like with darker lipsticks. I just heart it so much!




Thanks, Jenna!
As you can tell, Jenna loves MAC. She bought me my very first MAC item, a studio fix powder, that I used on my wedding day, as well as pretty much every day for a setting powder, or a touch-up powder. We actually went to the MAC in Downtown San Diego while I was there visiting, but we only bought for my mother-in-law. I think I always get nervous in MAC, though I will say our MAC artist was very helpful, and my mother-in-law is extremely happy with our color choices for her!


I guess now I'll have to do a 10 Makeup Products I can't live without! Be on the lookout for that soon!