Make Up Monday-June Birchbox Review

June’s box was greatness!!  The samples could not have come at a better time!!  I received a gentle face wash and 3 minute facial peel that I was desperately needing!  I also received a sunscreen, eye liner (that was BLUE!!!), leave-in conditioner and elastic hair ties (BONUS!)  Honestly, I try to stay out of the sun as much as possible.  A ginger in the sun??  I will warn you so you can be sure to buy loads of stock in Banana Boat!  But I will be out in the sun some next week so I plan to pack all my little samples and try them out on our trip to Hot Springs.  The sunscreen that came in this month’s box was COOLA.  It came in SPF 50 and is sweat-proof, water resistant and smells like mango.  The link takes you to the unscented formula.

If I hear one more time, “But redheads have such beautiful skin.  It’s like a porcelain doll,” I might throw a porcelain doll at them.  Seriously, how many china dolls do you see with unexplained blemishes?!  That’s what I was dealing with when this box arrived.  I chalked it up to switching face washes and a sample that I had tried out in May.  Then I opened my Birchbox and found this gentle foaming face wash (Shiseido).  OH.  MY.   GOODNESS!!  I am in love with it.  If was socially acceptable, I might ask the hubs if it could sleep in our bed.  I was able to squeeze four uses out of that tiny tube and it cleared up my problem area quick!  I wished I had taken a before picture to show the difference.  I noticed after the first use that the blemish party under the corner of my mouth had considerably less guests.  It’s a pricey face wash ($30 for a 4.5 oz tube) but definitely worth it.  It leaves your skin feeling clean and soft.  I also tried out the 3 minute facial peel (made by Real Chemistry.)  I have always been a little scared of at home peels.  I worried my face would burn off.  Have I ever mentioned I am a little dramatic?  Anyhow…you could use this one in the shower.  I am not sure that it will be a product I buy but it has great results.  I am not a big mask or facial peel person.  I don’t have the attention span to massage circular motions on my face for 3 minutes.  (Have I ever mentioned I tend to lose interest/attention at random times?)  It says on the back of the bottle to massage and when solids start to form under your fingertips, that is the dead skin.     (Cue the feeling of being completely disgusted by your own face!)  Man, your skin does feel good after that though!

Enough about the skin stuff.  Onto the fun eyeliner that I would never buy myself but I really am digging.  Usually I stick with black/brown or brown eyeliner…when I do wear it.  In June, Birchbox decided to push my boundaries and send me a royal blue eyeliner.  I am loving it!!  So much fun!  It goes great with the neutral eye makeup (samples that came in past months’ Birchbox and Ipsy bags). It comes in a few other colors that includes purple!! 

The leave in hair conditioner wasn’t bad.   I didn’t notice a big difference.  I like my shampoo/conditioner set so when I sprayed this in after the shower, there was no difference.  I thought maybe it would make it easier to comb out my hot tangled mess of hair, but nope.  Maybe I will experiment without my regular conditioner to see if there is a difference.

Typically Birchbox has 5 samples in the box.  This month, I got a bonus…Elastic hair tie from Emi Jay!!  I use these when I French braid my hair.  These cute little ties just don’t hold up this hot mess of hair very well.  If I had shorter hair or thinner hair, they might work great.  My mom can use them for pony tails…not me!

I really hope everyone is enjoying their summer!!  Make sure you are making memories with loved ones!!!

Hugs y'all,

Melissa

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

Friday Favorites-My Favorite Blogs...right now!

I would consider myself still a rookie at this whole blogging thing.  I have only be doing this about a year and not consistently at that.  Things get in the way like kids and the husband, a clean house, work, and maybe a much needed nap or two.  I follow a lot of blogs and most of them make me feel like a complete blog failure.  They post everyday with a collection of awesomeness.  But that's ok because I found bloggers like myself that I read more than those "big time awesomeness posters".  These make me realize that I am not the only one out there balancing a blog and life.  Their blogs are spewing with  awesome ideas/tips.  But they are REAL!  So here are some my favorite bloggers right now that "bring it" when they post.

Boyd Meets Girl is written by a sweet friend of mine who is also a speech pathologist like me!  She is a fellow Longhorn lover who moved to the windy city a few years ago.  Thankfully, she will be moving back this way soon!  Tara writes about all sorts of great mom topics.  I like her blog because she is real.  There's no sugar coating the mommy life of 2 little ones.  Make sure to check her out!!

Lonestar Lauren is definitely one to follow if you are interested in traveling...especially Texas.  I am kind of jealous of her and her carefree weekends.  She shares beautiful pictures of her travels as well as fashion.  I don't know Lauren personally but she's from Texas.  What's not to love about her and her blog?!

Hearts and Sharts is just lovable starting at the name.  Dena's a little bit cute and a little unexpected.  I met her before she moved from Texas.  She is fabulous with renovating furniture and can sew just about anything.  I bought a couple of chairs and pillows a few years ago.  She does custom throw pillows with people's faces!  (Mom would love a pillow with your face wouldn't she?!)  You definitely need to check out her latest projects.  I have this chair and pillow!!  Seriously, a deer with glasses...my favorite ever throw pillow!

Those are just a few of my favorite bloggers.  They are all from Texas so they are alright in my book!  Got to love a good Texas blogging woman!

Happy Friday 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