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Play! By Sephora Unboxing June 2016!

June 28, 2016

Hi everyone! I’m excited to bring you a peek and review of the June Sephora subscription box. This curated box is $10 a month and you receive 6 deluxe size samples from prestige brands. There’s currently a wait list so if you’re interested, visit the Sephora website to add your name to the list.

The theme for this month is minimalism for a low-key summer look. Let’s take a look at what’s included.

Bumble and Bumble Don’t Blow It

This hair creme is said to add body and “enhance fine to medium hair textures for a laid-back, air-dried style.” I have curly hair and while this provided it some definition, on it’s own, it didn’t hold up. My hair frizzed up and I had to pair it with other styling products. I think it would work better on wavy or straight hair.

BareMinerals bareSkin Bronzer

A liquid bronzer that can be used by itself or customized with your foundation to give you a sun-kissed glow. I loved this product. I used it to softly contour my face and although it looks dark, it blends out nicely without looking orange.

Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Mascara

A bestselling mascara, this helps to lengthen and volumize the smallest of lashes with its specially designed brush. Personally, I am not a fan of this mascara at all. The formula burns my eyes and somehow I find that this tangles/clumps my lashes so much. I gifted this one away.

Becca Backlight Priming Filter

Easily the product I looked forward to most when my box arrived. It’s a shimmering makeup primer that helps to blur imperfections and create a luminous look. I loved how this paired underneath my foundation to create a nice glow and I found it worked nicely as a liquid highlighter. I made sure to use powder over my makeup to keep my skin from looking overly shiny as I have combination skin.

Tarte Taretguard 30 Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30

The esthetician in me is of course happy that a sunscreen was included in this box. An antioxidant- infused physical (non-chemical) sunscreen, this provides both broad-spectrum protection and moisturizing benefits. This sunscreen feels almost like a serum that absorbs quickly and is a bit on the oily side. So far, I haven’t experienced any breakouts from this though and it mixes well with foundations.

Tocca Beauty Florence

This romantic perfume, “conjures long-ago Paris with a sophisticate blend of bergamot, violet petals and blonde wood.” I didn’t care for this scent much. When I looked it up on the site, I noticed it also had notes of ivory gardenia and jasmine, both of which I really dislike. In order for me to like a perfume that contains jasmine or gardenia, these scents can’t be prominent and unfortunately that was the case with this one.

Swatches of the primer and bronzer.

Top-Bottom: Becca Backlight Priming Filter and BareMinerals bareSkin Bronzer

I was pretty happy with this box as it included some great brands that are perfect for a glowy summer look.

What did you think of this box?

Stephanie

PopSugar Must Have Box Unboxing May 2016!

May 26, 2016

Hi readers! This is the last of the subscription boxes I subscribed to this month so let’s take a look at what was included. For those who don’t know, PopSugar Must Have Box is a monthly box that includes items that range from fashion, beauty, home, fitness and food, making it a well rounded subscription box. All items are full size and valued at over $100. This box is$39.95 per month while the new PopSugar mini box is $18.95.

Let’s take a look at this month!

Spongelle Spongology Body Buffer, $20

Made with organic extracts and sulfate-free ingredients, this body wash infused sponge cleanses, exfoliates and massages skin. The moment I opened the box, I caught a whiff of this lavender eucalyptus sponge and it smelled so good. I haven’t used this yet but it’ll ensure soft skin so lotions glide on effortlessly.

Kocostar Foot Therapy, $10

Just in time for sandal weather, these foot wraps promise to give you soft soles using natural, paraben-free botanical extracts. I’ve been curious to try exfoliating foot wraps and I’ll try them out this weekend.

Happy Spritz Breathe Deeply, $25

A mist that is infused with peppermint and eucalyptus oils meant to invigorate and soothe. You can mist it over your face or spritz it on your yoga mat after a workout session. I personally prefer the latter as I love yoga combined with aromatherapy-it takes yoga to a different level.

GaiamFoldable Yoga Mat, $24.98

This blue ultra light-weight yoga mat is compact and foldable which allows you to transport in a tote bag. True to the description, it is easier to carry this around since it folds and although it’s a little bit smaller width size than my normal mat,I’m sold on the fact that it’s portable.

Bluma Project Capri Bracelets- Set of 2, $44

These bracelets are handcrafted by Guatemalan artisans that have a combination of blue and gold hues. I think these bracelets are cute, however this is either the second or third time that PopSugar features a jewelry item with tassels and I’m not huge fan of it. We’ll see how this works.

JimmyBar! Peanut Butter Clutter JimmyBar! Clean Snack Bar, $2.49

Snack on this gluten and dairy free bar for a pre-workout energy boost. A combination of dates eliminates the need for added sugar and peanut butter makes this a perfect sweet and salty snack. Delicious!

Hint Kick (Special Extra), $1.69

Each of these drinks contain 60mg of caffeine, which is the equivalent of a small cup of coffe. It’s lightly infused with fruit flavors to provide a refreshing pick me up. I received the lemon cayenne pepper one and it had a spicy kick to it for sure. I’m not a huge caffeine drinker but I did like this one and wouldn’t mind purchasing it every once in a while.

Half Hitch Goods $10 Gift Card (Special Extra), $10

Use the credit on this gift card to purchase a quality-crafted gift for you or someone you love. I quickly scanned the website for this one and they have some neat, albeit pricey, things. If I use it, most likely I’ll purchase a candle.

Revlon Volume + Length Magnified Mascara (Special Extra), $8.99

This mega volumizing mascara formula is said to leave you with intense lashes. I like some of Revlon’s mascaras so I’m curious to find out how well this works.

Overall, I liked this month as there were a lot of great items included for summer and it’s always handy to have a foldable yoga mat. 🙂

What did you think of this month’s box?

Stephanie

Play! By Sephora Unboxing May 2016!

May 24, 2016

Hi everyone!

I was recently scratched off the waiting list for the monthly Play! By Sephora subscription box and couldn’t resist giving it a try. This box is $10 a month where you receive 6 deluxe size samples from prestige brands. This is a curated box so you can’t choose what to receive but with so many amazing brands carried at Sephora, you’re bound to receive something you like.

Let’s take a look at what’s inside!

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Kimchi

The Amuse Bouche Lipstick is a new formulation for Bite Beauty that, “provides saturated lip color with weightless coverage and a citrus flavor made from fresh pressed fruit.” I really love the citrus scent to this and the shade Kimchi is described as a shocking pink. You can tone down the shade by blotting down and applying some lip balm.

Korres Wild Rose Sleeping Facial

This is an overnight mask that is supposed to moisturize and brighten the skin thanks to the vitamin C found on here. I had a bad experience with the Korres Greek Yoghurt line so I am a little scared to try this one. My skin has been a little bit more oily so I may save this for when it’s feeling dry.

Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine

Notes of blood orange and geranium are found in this scent that is supposed to bring to mind relaxed mornings, sunrises, and soft sea breezes. It’s classified as zesty, energizing and playful. I’ve spritzed this a few times but I can’t seem to bring myself to love it. It’s a bit overpowering and not really my type of scent.

Top-Bottom: Bite Beauty Kimchi and Tarte Lip Crayon in Latergram

Here’s a swatch of Kimichi and Latergram. (See below for description of Latergram).

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

I was excited to see this mask as it was included in a previous Birchbox and I really loved how soft and manageable this made my hair. Read my review here.

Tarte Tartiest Lip Crayon in Latergram

This is a mauve colored retractable lip pencil that has a matte finish. It’s purpose is to help prime and line lips for a perfectly contoured look. Personally, I haven’t jumped on the lip contour trend and as of now, I don’t plan to. However, the staying power on this lip liner is incredible and it’s highly pigmented.

Origins Maskimizer + Drink Up and Clear Improvement Masks

I haven’t had an opportunity to try these yet but basically it’s a kit that has a charcoal mask for deep cleansing, a hydrating mask for moisturizing and a primer for the face mask that’s supposed to help it work better. I’m a little bit skeptical of the primer as it’s only ingredient is a marine algae complex and it may work good for hydrating but not necessarily help the mask work better.

So far, I’m happy with this subscription box! 🙂

What are your thoughts on Play! By Sephora?

Stephanie

May Birchbox Unboxing 2016!

May 19, 2016

Hi everyone!

May’s Birchbox is in so let’s take a look at what’s inside!

Cool Classic Face Sport SPF 50 White Tea

This was the sample choice I picked this month as I’ve heard great things about Coola. This sunscreen is described as a sheer and moisturizing with lasting protection and hydration for an active lifestyle. So far, I like this sunscreen. It doesn’t leave a white film which I love, it absorbs quickly and I love the inclusion on white tea for added antioxidant support. It is a chemical based sunscreen so in case you’re sensitive, this may not be the best choice.

Davines OI All in One Milk

Described as a, “nourishing leave-in treatment [that] adds volume, shine, detangling, and heat protection,” this hair milk smells amazing. Hard to describe but it smells clean and fresh. I love using this when I detangle my hair and spritz a little bit on the ends when I straighten my hair. They also added as a special bonus the shampoo and conditioner from this line, which I also loved. It leaves my hair feeling so soft and manageable and again, I love the scent. I’m considering purchasing this. 🙂

Clean Blossom

This fragrance sample has notes of Tunisian neroli, orange blossom, and sensual sandalwood. I thought I would like this due to the sandalwood scent however this scent is not in my taste. The scent is way too overpowering and gives me a headache.

Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm- Pink Blossom

Tinted lip balms are always great to have as they provide moisture and color in one swipe. I like the sheer color on this one, however, I don’t feel like this is as moisturizing as I would like. If I have any dry patches, I find this clings on to the imperfections but a little bit of exfoliation helps with that.

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner

“From the go-to UK eye makeup line, this user-friendly liquid liner goes on velvety smooth.” I’ve used this about twice and I do like it but in general, I prefer gel liners. It has good lasting power though I always use a primer underneath as my eyelids get oily. The applicator tip is thin enough to create a sharp line but you can angle it a bit to draw a thicker line.

Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Bali in Pink Blossom and Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner.

Here are some swatches of the eyeliner and lip balm.

Overall, I am very pleased with this month’s box. 🙂

What did you get in your box?

Stephanie

PopSugar Must Have Box Unboxing April 2016!

April 21, 2016

Happy Thursday everyone! Subscription box week continues with April’s PopSugar box! This monthly box includes items that range from fashion, beauty, home, fitness and food, making it a well rounded subscription box. All items are full size and valued at over $100. This box is$39.95 per month while the new PopSugar mini box is $18.95.

Take a look at what’s inside!

Chrissy Tiegen’s Cravings: Recipes For All the Food You Want to Eat, $29.99

A cookbook from supermodel Chrissy Teigen that features craveable concoctions including some of John Legend’s top picks. I’ve flipped through the pages and this cookbook does not disappoint with recipes including Sweet Chili & Mustard Glazed Salmon and John’s Crispy Roasted Potatoes. Yum!

Canvas Home Tinware Salt & Pepper Shakers, $12

These vintage-looking hand glazed salt and pepper shakers are from the Canvas Home’s bestselling Tinware collection. They are super cute and antique looking.

Noon Design Shop “Lemons” Flour Sack Tea Towel, $18

A handmade supersoft towel that is made in the US and gets better with every wash. A dish towel is always welcome and will come handy.

Next By Nature Dark Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans, $3.99

“These dark chocolate espresso bites are a natural alternative to your favorite candy-free of gluten, corn syrup, and preservatives, they are a healthier way to satisfy your sweet tooth.” I ‘ll take dark chocolate covered espresso beans any time and these ones are delish! I can satisfy my cravings without indulging in The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf’s Black Forest drink.

Royal Apothic Field Poppy Conservatories Hand Creme, $24

Inspired by recipes from an antique apothecaries manual, this rich hand cream has notes of fig, tea, jasmine, lily, moss and leaf. I found this hand creme to smell a bit more on the masculine side, sort of like Giorgio Armani’s Acqua di Gio. I do like the scent but I’m not sure I’d want it for a hand cream.

Bloom That $20 Gift Card

A special extra, this gift card can be used to treat yourself or a loved one to beautiful floral arrangements. It feel this will come in handy as Mother’s Day is just around the corner.

Farmacy Sleep Tight Firming Night Balm, $48

Applying this lightweight balm before going to sleep will transform into a gentle oil gel to replenish and nourish skin overnight. I have yet to try this item but it seems interesting.

I’m happy with this month’s box, especially the cookbook. Can’t wait to try out the recipes. 🙂

What did you think of this month’s box?

Stephanie

April Birchbox Unboxing 2016!

April 19, 2016

Happy Tuesday everyone! April’s Birchbox is in and I have to say that this month’s box design is gorgeous. Very spring and elegant. 🙂

Scroll on down to see what’s inside!

amika Silken Up Dry Conditioner

This dry conditioner detangles and softens strands to “make them manageable and lustrous.” I was very happy to see that my box included an amika product. This product smells so good. Hard to describe but it says Sea Buckthorn Berry so I’m guessing it smells like that. When I use it on straight hair it tames the frizz a bit but I didn’t notice any added shine. On curly hair, it didn’t make much of a difference except make my hair smell nice.

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

An ultrahydrating mask with avocado, sweet almond and argan oils to condition and strengthen hair. It also has a blend of vitamins B5, D, A, E and biotin to repair damaged hair. This was the sample I choose for this month’s box since I am looking for a good deep conditioner now that my hair is lighter. I’ve only used this once but I was very impressed with how smooth and soft my hair felt. If this works out, I wouldn’t mind purchasing the full-size.

rms beauty The Ultimate Makeup Remover Wipes

These makeup remover wipes are made with, “pure, naturally antibacterial coconut oil, which melts away even the most stubborn makeup.” The coconut scent on these is very prevalent and reminds me a a coconut popsicle. Unfortunately, the scent is the only thing I liked about these. The wipes felt a little dry and hardly removed my mascara. Since they were a bit dry, they felt abrasive and rough. I’ve heard great things about rms beauty but this just didn’t work for me.

The Beauty Crop PBJ Smoothie Stick- Guava Nice Day

A lip crayon offers a tint of color that “features hydrating, good-for-you ingredients,” like sweet almond oil. Another great smelling product that features a nice spring summer lip color. The lasting power on this is decent though I like to put on a little bit of lip balm underneath so that it applies smoothly; otherwise, it will cling to dry patches.

A swatch of PBJ Smoothie Stick in Guava Nice Day

Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream- Lavender

A shea butter, green tea, coconut oil and jojoba seed oil shaving cream that is infused with a lavender scent. The lavender scent on this is not really my favorite as it smells kind of artificial. It spreads evenly though, has a smoother glide due to the oils and does leave skin a bit hydrated, which is great for summer time.

Overall, I was happy with this month’s box. They also included a discount coupon for Rifle Paper Co and I’ll definitely be checking that out as the designs are pretty.

What was your favorite item in this month’s box?

Stephanie

PopSugar Must Have Unboxing March 2016!

March 24, 2016

Hi guys! March’s PopSugar Must Have box has arrived and if you haven’t heard of this it’s a monthly box whose items range from fashion, beauty, home, fitness and food, making it a well rounded subscription box. All items are full size and valued at over $100. Subscriptions range from $18.95-$39.95.

Take a look at this month’s inspiration plus the contents inside!

Inspiration behind March’s box.

Hello Extra Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste, $4.49

This toothpaste is peroxide and preservative-free, vegan, packaged in a recyclable carton, and made in the USA, making it good for you and the earth. I’ve received samples of the Hello toothpaste in one of my Target Beauty Boxes and I liked it. Will try this soon.

Govino Go-Anywhere Carafe and Water Glass Set, $14.95

Made from BPA-free polymer, this carafe and glass stylishly helps you hit your daily water intake goal. It resembles fine crystal but is shatterproof, making it easy to take it anywhere you go. Picnic anyone?

Goodie Girl Cookies Toffee Chaos, $4.99

Toffee and chocolate cookies. Need I say more? Oh, they are also gluten-free, made with kosher dairy and sans peanuts, and have a low fat, sugar and calorie content. Share at your discretion. 😉

Miss Ivy Pearl Five-Tassel Necklace, $38

This necklace is minimal enough to be worn with other beachy baubles or alone. I love the color but am not a huge fan of tassels. We’ll see if I can make this work.

Nanette Nanette Lepore Classic Rose Gold Watch, $55

For lovers of the rose gold trend (me!), this watch exclusively designed for PopSugar features a neutral strap that makes it easy to pair with all of your favorite outfits. So glad this one was included. *Swoon.*

LOLA Gift Card (Special Extra), $10

A gift card that provides a free box of tampons made with 100 percent cotton. Not sure if I need a subscription box for feminine products but I’ll keep it in mind.

Pixi by Petra Book of Beauty, Minimal Makeup, $24

A beauty kit that has two highlighters, two cheek tints, and four eyeshadows. It’s your secret weapon to create the perfect “no makeup” look that will enhance your natural glow and eliminate the guesswork from your daily beauty routine. As pretty as this looks, I will be gifting this away as I already have similar colors.

That’s it for this month’s box. It’s not my absolute favorite box from PopSugar, but I love the watch that was included so no loss here.

What do you think of this month’s box?

Stephanie

March Birchbox Unboxing 2016!

March 22, 2016

Hi everyone! I’m back from my short blogging break and it’s just in time to bring you my March Birchbox review. Let’s hop to it! 🙂

Cargo Land Down Under Eye Shadow Palette

These smooth eyeshadows are said to be highly pigmented and easy to blend to create a variety of looks. Most likely I will not try these as I have something similar already, however if they’re anything like their blushes, you can bet these claims are true.

Number 4 Hydrating Shampoo

This sulfate-free, vitamin-rich cleanser claims to repair and protect dry and brittle hair. I have curly hair which can definitely benefit from extra hydration. This shampoo lathered nicely despite it being sulfate-free, and left my hair feeling smoother and clean. In my opinion, the scent is a little more on the masculine side but not overpowering.

Number 4 Hydrating Condition (Bonus)

Oddly enough, I have yet to try this one but once I do, I will try to update it on here.

Dr. Lipp Miracle Balm

This “100% natural formula,” rehydrates skin, soothes sunburns, tames unruly brows and nourishes thirsty cuticles. I’ve only tried this as a lip balm and I quite like it. It has a very thick consistency, much like the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask, which intensely moisturizes lips but makes the product hard to squeeze out of the tube.

theBalm cosmetics Stainiac Beauty Queen

I’m a fan of Benefit’s Benetint, so I was curious as how this would compare. Stainiac is theBalm cosmetics’ best-selling stain that gives cheeks and lips a sheer and rosy tint. Unlike Benetint, the consistency on this is a little bit tackier instead of watery. It leaves behind a nice rosy color that has good lasting power but comes off while eating and drinking. I like it for a sheer wash of color and it’s as good as Benetint to me.

Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Eye-Opening Serum

This 5-in-1 eye serum, “lifts, firms, smooths, hydrates and restores the sensitive skin around the eye for a more youthful look.” I’m fond of a couple of Kiehl’s products and I was glad to see another sample from them. I didn’t see a huge improvement with this eye serum, perhaps because I don’t have major issues with my eye area, but it is lightweight and didn’t migrate into my eyes which I love.

A swatch of theBalm Cosmetics Stainiac.

Overall, I thought this box was well rounded and I’m happy with it. 🙂

Have you tried any of these brands? What’s your favorite product from them?

Stephanie

November Birchbox Unboxing 2015!

November 17, 2015

Hi everyone! How was your weekend? I managed to pick up a few items at Sephora plus I have some on their way so I will post on that later. I’ve also been battling a low grade fever so I’m a bit behind on comments/social media but I will get back to you. 🙂

Birchbox came in over the weekend so here’s a glance on what was included.

Malin + Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser and Vitamin E Face Moisturizer (sample)

This cleanser is said to help clear up breakouts and balance skins natural pH;the moisturizer has hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to nourish skin. I haven’t had a chance to try these two yet.

LOC Vibrant Matte Lipstick in First Kiss

Birchbox has a new in-house brand called LOC. This month’s sample I choose was a lipstick that was curated by YouTube beauty star Tati Westbrook. It’s a matte pinky beige color that is so pretty but unfortunately doesn’t last long and definitely needs to be paired with lip balm or lipgloss so it doesn’t dry out lips.

LOC First Kiss

Montale Dark Purple

This fragrance sample has “notes of rose petals, geranium bourbon, and patchouli [that] sit on a woodsy base of gray amber, teak wood and white musk.” It smells a lot like berries and while I do like it, it’s not unique enough that would compel me to purchase the full size.

Parlor by Jeff Chastain Touchable Curl Cream

An “innovative formula [that] combines the siky texture of a serum with the light hold of a cream.” Another item I have yet to try but I do find that I always need to layer hair products with these type of creams to really hold my curls in place and prevent frizz.

The Beauty Crop Lighting Crew Highlighting Cream

I had seen this in other bloggers’ pages and I was excited when I discovered this was included. It smells like pineapple, (yum!) and really does add a glow so a little dab will go a long way. It can also be mixed with body lotion to give your body a festive and luminous glow. Note: Make sure to blend this quickly when you use it.

The Beauty Crop Highlighting Cream

Overall, this box was okay. I wish the lipstick was formulated as more moisturizing but the highlighting cream was a great choice and made this box.

What are your thoughts on this box?

Stephanie

PopSugar Must Have Unboxing October 2015!

October 20, 2015

Disclaimer: This post contains a referral link.

Hi everyone! How was your weekend? October’s PopSugar Must Have Box arrived over the weekend, prompting a great start. 🙂 Take a peek at what was included in this month’s box!

Inspiration behind this months box.

The Honest Company Sea Salt + Sugar Body Scrub Lavender Vanilla, $17

Perfect for fall and winter, this body scrub has sugar and salt to slough away dead skin cells while shea butter and almond oils hydrate the skin. Oh, and it is Lavender scented. 🙂

Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling, $25

I’ll be honest and say I’m not really a fan of The Mindy Project but I did read the first chapter in this book and I found it entertaining. This book is a collection of essays that “shed light on her less-than-perfect fit in Hollywood.”

It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product, $11.96

Considered a special extra, this leave-in product detangles, adds shine and stops frizz. “It’s a 10 Haircare is a proud partner of Right Action For Women, helping provide advanced cancer screening to women.”

Belgian Boys De Stoopwafel, $1.59

The second item I tried after taking pictures and this was heavenly! It’s a caramel-filled waffle that’s a nice treat without being overly sweet.

Donation to Breast Cancer Awareness

“In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, PopSugar Must Have has made a donation to Right Action For Women.”

Easy, Tiger Brown Paper Liquor Bag Set, $8

Definitely not something I would have ever thought to purchase, these imaged paper bags can be used to carry your favorite bottle of wine to any special occasion.

Savvy Sleepers Luxury Satin Pillowcase, $36

This 100% satin pillowcase “prevents sleep wrinkles, reduces hair breakage, and protects salon blowouts for the ultimate sleep experience.” I do notice that sometimes I wake up with these creases on the side of my face with my regular pillowcases and since switching to this, they seem less pronounced. More time will tell.

Richer Poorer Hope Slipper Socks, $15

These pink slipper socks were designed by PopSugar to support Breast Cancer Awareness month. “Richer Poorer proudly supports the fight against breast cancer and the important work of Right Action for Women.” These will come in handy once things start cooling down over here but for now, these will be put away as the sight of them causes me to cringe with this hot weather.

Danielle Steven Monogram Gift Card, $40

Another special extra, this $40 gift card can be used to receive your own monogrammed statement piece.

Also included were coupon codes: 20% off Savvy Sleepers and 30% off products purchased online from The Honest Company.

If you’re interested in trying out PopSugar Must Have, click here and if you need an incentive, check out this sneak peek of what’s included in every November PopSugar Must Have Box.

Have a great Tuesday,

Stephanie