Make Up Monday-May's Birchbox Review

Yes, I know...it is mid-June and I am just now reviewing the Birchbox from last month.  I tried the products but never got around to writing a review.  So here it is.  You're welcome!  May's box was just "okay" for me.  I got a lot of skin stuff (which is fine) but some of it was just not right for me. 

1.  Benefit Cosmetics' "It's Potent!" is a hydrator that brightens dark circles and boosts your skin's elasticity over time.  A full size container is $34.  I really like Benefit's make up line.  I wrote last summer about their foundation that I thought was perfect for Texas summers!  This product I did not see much of a difference.  Now, remember Birchbox gives a small sample that is usually only good for 1-2 uses (depending on how much you use).  So it is kind of unfair to say this one does not work.  I would consider buying the full size to see how it does.

2.  Coastal Scents' Revealed 3 Eyeshadow Quad is an eye shadow set that I am totally digging.  It has 4 colors-2 light colors, 1 dark and 1 medium.  I have used mostly the dark and the 2 light colors.  I like that the light colors have a hint of shimmer which is great for summer.  They go on so smooth you barely know you are applying it.  The full size palette is $20 which is not bad for eye shadow palettes.

3.  Harvey Prince's "Hello" spritz has hints of citrus with floral notes.  It has a sweet smell that is great for summer.  I don't wear a lot of perfume since I work with kiddos that have various allergies.  After not wearing any perfume all week, I tend to forget it on the weekend too!  But this is a sweet smell that gets you ready for summer time.  Full sizes range from $26-$55.

4.  Marcelle's Hydra-C 24H Energizing Hydrating Gel was not right for ME.  I used it several times (not applying much) and it made my skin feel oily.  I even started getting breakouts on my chin when I was using it.  Not saying it's a bad product; just not a product I will use.  The full size trial is $24.

5.  PARLOR by Jeff Chastain's Moisturizing Sea Salt Spray was great!  I even took it on vacation with me last week.  I love a good sea salt spray during the summer.  I have long hair and it is often a pain in the summer to fix it every morning.  It is much easier to spray some of that and let my hair dry.  Plus it smells like the beach!  A full size bottle is $24.

Hope everyone has a great week! 

Hugs y'all!
Melissa

Make Up Monday- April Birchbox review

After this month's Birchbox, I may never end my subscription.  I mean, really, it was that fabulous!  I know last month there some products that I said I would order in full size.  I am so glad I didn't!!  This month's shampoo/conditioner was even better.  Plus I super puffy heart the smell of them. (Yes, I, a grown woman, said "super puffy heart.")  Out of the 5 products, I loved 4 of them.  Thankfully, most were reasonably priced. 

Beaver Professional Hydro Nutritive Moisturizing Shampoo: Full size bottle is $15 so not too bad.  It is considered a mild cleanser that repairs and rebuilds strands.  It gives your hair a clean smell.   Not too much fragrance but just enough.

Beaver Professional Hydro Nutritive Repairing Conditioner: Full size bottle is $16.  So for around $30, you could get a good shampoo/conditioner combo.  I have spent close to that on shampoo alone from a salon.  It's formula is meant to strengthen dry or damaged hair, leaving it softer and smoother.  I noticed my hair was definitely smoother.  Curly hair in the middle of the most humid spring season ever...yes, I notice when my hair is able to smooth down!

Jouer (Tint):  Full size compact is $22.  I will be real honest... I did not try this one completely.  I am not big on lip color that can also be used as cheek color.  You are supposed to be able to use your fingertip to dab on your lips and cheeks.  I think it is more of a mental thing for me...but still I can't do it.  As a lip color, it was good.  The shade I received was a little bright for me so I used just a small dab.  You can layer for a brighter color. 

WEI Manuka Bee Venom Mask: Set of 8 pods is $60.  Yes, it is pricey.  But man, it does make your face feel fantabulous after that first use.  It is meant to firm, soften, and minimize fine lines.  I noticed soft skin for sure.  Since I stretched one pod over 4 treatments, I did not notice the minimizing of fine lines.  I would be interested in ordering a set to check it out.  You can apply this mask 1-2 a week.

Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream: Full size bottle is $20.  My trial size came in a blueberry scent.  I loved it!  The cream has shea butter which leaves your skin feeling soft after you shave.  That is definitely a plus for me.  I don't always apply lotion after I shave so the shea butter really moisturized my legs as I shaved (even with cheap razors.)

I think this box was a total score.  I liked 4 out of 5 products.  My daughter even wants me to order her a Birchbox for her birthday.

Make up Monday- March Birchbox

                 

I am pretty new to the "Birchbox" thing.  My sister and mom have had their subscription for a while.  I had an Ipsy subscription but wasn't happy with it.  This month was my 2nd box and so far, so good.  For those of you unfamiliar with Birchbox, it's a monthly subscription that sends you 5 trial size beauty products.  If you like a product, you can go to Birchbox's website to order full size products.    I received a moisturizer, shampoo, lip gloss, eye cream, and a blow out spray.  The only product I have not tried out is the blow out spray.  Texas has resembled Seattle lately, and curly hair girls know better than to straighten their hair on days like that!

Bee Kind Shampoo:  full size retails for $15 which is not bad for a good shampoo.  It is made with honey extract that moisturizes even the driest hair.  Usually my hair doesn't feel soft until after I condition it.  As I washed out the shampoo, I immediately felt a difference...a good difference!  I am definitely going to buy the full size!  

Key West Aloe:  Full size retails for $18, reasonable for a good lotion.  It's a body moisturizer that is made from plant oils and 30% aloe.  I love lotions.  They are stashed everywhere...in my vehicle, my bathroom, office, purse, beside the bed, etc.  My problem with most lotions is they leave you feeling a little greasy.  I feel like I have lotion on.  Key West Aloe doesn't feel that way.  The scent is subtle but clean smelling.  It soaks in and you forget you are wearing lotion.  This will be another purchase!

Mirenesse: Full size retails for $22 so again, not too bad.  This sample came with directions to use this lip crayon as lip color and cheek color.  I have only used it on my lips.  It is basically a lip stick and Chapstick in one tube!!!  I usually apply Chapstick and then my lipstick.  This is all one step!  It's hydrating as well as applying a little color.  

Amika: Full size bottle retails for $24.  It's a lightweight blow out spray that volumizes, smooths and protects.  I will give it a try when I have time to straighten this hot mess of hair.  

Supergoop! Eye Cream:  Full size retails for $45.  So here's the deal; at 34 (and 3/4) years old, I am in complete and utter denial about getting older.  When I look in the mirror, I still think my skin is the same...but it's not!  Nothing like a Throwback Thursday to make you realize that!  This anti aging cream has an SPF of 37.  It reduces dark circles, blocks UV Rays and minimizes fine lines.  I am trying it out now.  It took longer than a week to get the lines, so it will take longer than a week to minimize them.  Jury is still out on this product.  

Hope Monday is treating you well!

Hugs y'all!

Melissa

Make up Monday- "Anti-Pinch" Polish

                 

I have a confession.  I really like green.  It looks really good on redheads.  It symbolizes spring and new beginnings.  Green comes in many great shades so it's hard to pick just one.  Green nails are the easiest way to keep the pinchers away next week!!  That's why I picked a few different shades of green nail polish for this Monday's beauty post.  

                

1.  "Rise & Shine" by Sinful Colors ($1.99):  This one is great.  It's a bright Kelly green that really pops when paired with a lighter color like mint.  The Sinful Colors line is cheap and found at most drugstores.  

2.  "Emerald Cut" by Hard Candy ($4.00):  A little pricier but I still found it at Walmart.  It's a beautiful shade of emerald green.  Some "emerald green" polishes look black but not this one.  It has just enough sparkle but not overbearing.  Plus the Hard Candy label brought back memories of my late teens.  Remember when it came with a little ring?!

3.  "Shop Mintage" by Nicole by OPI ($5.97):  This one is our most expensive on the list.  I needed a cute mint for spring.  This one definitely fit that "need."  It has more green than blue.  Some mint colors have too much blue for me.  I love this one paired with a dark green like emerald.

4.  "Lucky Charming" by Pure Ice ($1.97):  Another great cheapy!  I would describe this one as a glittery sour apple color.  Super cute but requires a few coats to get a solid coverage. 

I hope you find the perfect shade before March 17th!!!

Hugs y'all,

Melissa

Make up Monday-Curly Hair Don't Care!

Fellow readers, you have humidity to thank for this blog post!!    The humidity around here has been awful lately!  Of course, that means my hair straightener hasn't seen the light of day in a while!!  There is no point in straightening curly hair when there's even a slight percentage of moisture in the air...at least in my case.  I usually use mousse to tame this mane.  But I get tired of the stiffness of my hair. You know the feeling...when you shake your head and your hair moves as one unit.  It's like I have a red football helmet on.  That's when I  started checking out other curly girl products to maintain the frizz while maximzing my curls.  I happen to be walking down the aisle of my favorite "red circles" store, and found this little beauty in a bottle!

                                                

Now before you start, the name did catch my eye.  But I love this product for more than just it's name! I love that I don't have to use a lot.  I love that my hair is not stiff.  I love that my hair is not frizzy.  For me, it gives my hair a loose curl (more curl than my sea salt spray but less curl than mousse).  I usually go through cans of mousse about 2-3 times a month.  I bought this tube in early August and still going strong.  You don't need much. I put this in my hair, then scrunch.  I let my hair dry slightly (usually because I am taking my 8th grader to 6:30 am volleyball practce at school).  By the time I get back home, I don't have to dry it much.  Add a little hairspray, pin back the bangs and I am ready!  Another awesome  plus is it's not much more than a bottle of mousse.  I think it was around $5-6.

So before you pull that straightener out again and complain abou the humidity, try this stuff out!

Hugs y'all!

LSG

Make up Monday...Yep, I am in Heaven!!

The past few Mondays I have blogged about exercise and getting in shape.  This week I thought I would change it up.  I don't know about ya'll, but after being to the beach and suffering through the Texas heat, my skin gets dry.  I had blogged a month or so ago about making your own sugar scrub.  But let's say, you don't want to make it yourself for whatever reason...  I bought some of the best!!  I had been using a popular "lotion and soap chain store" sugar scrub ever since we got back.  Between the sun and ocean water, my skin was dry so I had been using the sugar scrub religiously (especially after shaving!) I am terrible about putting lotion on after a shower (in that I don't).  I was ok with the popular chain store's scrub until.... cue my favorite local lavender farm!!!

We happened to go out one night to our local lavender farm for an outdoor music concert  Of course, their gift shop was open...which I LOVE!!  It smells so good in there.  We have become friends with the owners so she was showing me around, talking about the new products added to the store.  I listened and nodded, taking the sweet aroma of peacefulness (is that word?)  Then she got to the sugar scrub!!! Oh my word...it smelled like heaven in a jar!!  Not only does it smell good, but it feels good too!!  Even better?  It is made from the lavender on their farm and you can pronounce ALL the ingredients on the jar!!!   You cannot go wrong with local grown lavender and all natural ingredients.  My husband said it had kind of a root beer smell...I don't know about that, but it does smell awesome.  It feels even better going on your skin.  My skin felt so smooth and re hydrated that there was no need for lotion.  I bought a jar twice the size as the popular chain for the same price (actually, I think it was cheaper!).  The link above will take you to their products which also includes lip balm, bug balm and lots of other great products!  If you are looking for great homegrown products that are great for your skin, this is the place to check out!!

Hugs ya'll!
LSG

Make up Monday-So you got a sunburn...

I am sure you can tell what I am dealing with after a wonderful weekend...Yep, the first sunburn of the summer.  Now before I get lectured on why I did not put on sunscreen, I was not in the sun that long. Pistol had a 10:15 am baseball game Saturday morning.  I looked super cute in my button down white shirt (with the sleeves rolled up) and my new black and white polka dot shorts.  Topped it off with my "baseball mom" necklace and my favorite red converse shoes.  I was supporting his team with their colors-red and black-while still looking stylish.  I sat on the opposing team's bleachers so that I was not directly in the sun using their dugout as partial shade.  Fast forward to that afternoon, as I am running errands and delivery necklaces...

Notice the odd sunburn?  Burnt one side of my right leg all the way to my knee!  See how cute the shorts are though?! Now if I had been raised in a "normal" family, I would run to get aloe vera to slather on my leg to stop the stinging.  But no... this is where I tell you that my dad believes in one thing when it comes to sunburns, sprained ankles, jammed fingers and any other injury that is "sore."  My dad called it "Brown Vinegar" (because he has names for everything that no one else is familiar with)but it is known as Apple Cider Vinegar.  This is one tip (could be considered a beauty tip) that I use all summer long!!  Pour some on a cotton ball and dab it on the sunburnt area.  I do it before I go to bed, allowing the vinegar to work overnight and causing me to HAVE to wash my sheets the next morning. The next morning you will not feel the "sunburn hangover"-you know, when everything your sunburn touches makes you want to crawl under a rock and cry...that is if the rock does not touch the sunburn.  You will still be red but you won't hurt. 

This is fairly simple trick to use in the summer that I thought I would share as a "beauty tip".  I like to keep the vinegar in my fridge so that it is cold when I have to use it.  You definitely won't smell good but at least it works!  Hope this helps you survive the summer...and if nothing else, helps remind you to use sunscreen. I have used the vinegar on my shoulders, back, forehead, nose, etc and it has worked every time.

Hugs ya'll,

 LSG