May Birchbox!

     Hello Beauty Junkies! I apologize for the delay in posts.... I've been a bit lazy with blogging lately. May's Birchbox included a tinted moisturizer, a small bottle of gold nail polish, a perfume vial, a tinted chap stick and a pink hair tie (not pictured). Also included was a cute note card with a matching envelope. I used the hair tie before I could take a picture because it looked so cute! Anyway, here is my May Birchbox review!

     The first product I used from this box was the pink Twistband hair tie. This hair tie boasts no snags and no crimps or dents in your hair. While I'm not fond of the color pink, this hair tie is too cute to pass on just because of the color. I love that it looks like a ribbon instead of an elastic. My only complaint about this hair tie is it just doesn't hold my hair tight enough. My hair is fine, but I have a lot of it so my hair is moderately thick and is naturally curly. If I tried to wear a high ponytail or messy bun with this tie, it would loosen and migrate downward within the hour. However, these ties work great for braids or pigtails. A recent hair trend I have loved lately is the braid and I love to wear the Hunger Games side french braid. These ties add a little bit of color and girliness to your hairstyle while being subtle. On Birchbox.com they run $18 for a pack of 12 and you can choose between bright colors or neutral colors. $18 is a little pricey for hair ties, but I would purchase them for the fun colors.  All in all, if I saw these ties at the grocery store I would purchase them. However, the only way I would order these online is if I was already purchasing another item.

     The next product I used was the Color Club Foil Collection in Disco Nap, a nice shimmery gold color. First I must say, I love mini nail polishes. Over the years of purchasing a TON of nail polish, I have never been able to use a full bottle completely before it gets chunky and goes bad. I love these little bottles because they are good for 5+ applications and you don't end up wasting money on product you didn't use. This polish applied great and even and dried rather quickly. I only had to apply one coat as it is not a very sheer polish, which I like. I find it annoying when you have to layer on coat after coat to get a solid wash of color. The first time I used this polish I didn't apply a clear coat and it chipped in about a day. Using a strong clear coat made it last a bit longer, however due to constant hand washing at my job even the strongest polish doesn't last long. This polish would look great with chunky gold sparkles over the top! The mini bottle is 0.25 ounces while the full size is 5 ounces and sells for $8 on Birchbox.com. I would possibly buy this polish in a full size, however I would love if they made a set of minis instead.

P.S. Urban Decay makes super fun mini polish collections! At full price the sets are a bit expensive ($20+), if you keep your eye out they frequently end up on sale on Hautelook.com or Urbandecay.com for as little as $8! Totally worth it for seven mini polishes in bright awesome colors!

     My favorite product that I have received in my Birchbox so far is the fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment. This is an awesome tinted chap stick that nourishes and hydrates your lips while giving you a little hint of color and SPF 15. It's free of petroleum and sulfates as well as synthetic dyes. I loved that they kept the original packaging and made it a little mini twist up chap stick. I absolutely hate lipstick, lip liner and most lip glosses, so tinted chap stick and lip stains are the extent of lip make up I wear. This one goes on smooth, gives just enough color to not end up on your teeth and leaves your lips soft. Too bad I washed and dried mine while doing laundry ARRRRGGGHHHH!!! It came out of my clothes pretty easily with some degreasing stain remover, but I was super sad because I really love this product! I would purchase this product at full price $22.50, which is pretty expensive for chap stick but that is just how awesome this product is. They have several different colors and formulas on Sephora.com, all of which I would like to try. The only thing that would make this product more awesome is if they sold a set of minis! I love minis!

     The next product is Dr Jart + Water Fuse Beauty Balm. Essentially, this is a tinted moisturizer but it boasts that it is a sunscreen, serum and moisturizer to save time and product. It seems that one size fits all for the shade as well as skin type. I put this on instead of my moisturizer and found that it wasn't moisturizing enough to be used alone. It was tinted, but not tinted enough to make a difference, so I still applied my powder. All in all, for $32 for a full size, I would not purchase this product. It doesn't seem to match every skin type and doesn't hydrate as promised. If I were going to buy a pricey tinted moisturizer, I would purchase Laura Mercier for $42 instead. This tinted moisturizer hydrates better, causing you to use less product and with SPF 20 it's great for summer. You can also pick your shade and choose between a few different formulas like oil free that would best match your skin type.

     Last, is the vial of Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensée Petite Cologne Absolue perfume. This perfume has notes of vanilla and jasmine as well as brown sugar. Its subtle, but rich and could be too heavy for a summer scent. I enjoy the smell of this perfume, but I hate the packaging! Its in a vial with a cork top that is somewhat difficult to remove. You get more perfume on your fingers than anywhere else and because of this, I believe it prevents you from truly smelling how the scent sits with your body chemistry. For $65 at full price, I wouldn't change my perfume, but I feel if this scent were packaged differently I could have enjoyed it more, possibly enough to change my mind.

     This was an awesome Birchbox and I can't wait for next month! I will most likely be purchasing a full size Sugar Lip Treatment and hoping they bring out a mini set.... maybe for the holidays? I'm also hoping Twistbands are sold somewhere other than online... but I might just have to cave and buy them online. Next few posts should be on the rest of my Hautelook Urban Decay purchase and June's Birchbox. Till next time!

Urban Decay Book of Shadows IV Review

    Hello Beauty Junkies! As I mentioned in a previous post, I recently made a purchase from Hautelook.com when they had their Urban Decay sale. I'm breaking my review into two parts because the review on just the Book of Shadows IV is a fairly long one by itself. Stay tuned for a review on the rest of the product I purchased!

    The main reason I made this purchase was for the Book of Shadows IV (or BOS IV as I will sometimes refer to it). This palette came out awhile ago and while all the Book of Shadows are awesome, this one just really didn't catch my eye, especially with a $62 price tag. I assume many other UD junkies felt the same way because the last two Books of Shadow, I Heart NY and Alice in Wonderland, sold out rather quickly right off the bat and have never been a sale item. Anyway, when I saw this palette on sale on Hautelook.com for $24 I figured it was a steal. Urban Decay palettes are always worth the money because if you purchased each shadow individually at $18, it would end up costing $288. It also gives you great variety in your look instead of purchasing one or two shadows by themselves and each palette comes with a small bottle of shadow Primer Potion. This palette also came with a full size 24/7 liquid eyeliner, a small tube of Super Curling Mascara and a little speaker with a USB cable. The speaker is to be used with a smart phone. There is a little card included with QRC bar codes you can with your phone and it takes you to several tutorials.

    So far, my satisfaction with this palette has been a little across the board. I would assume all UD shadows are made with the same quality, but when I used Blue Bus (blue shade, top left corner) and Gravity (second row from top, purple second from the left) the color didn't transfer to my lid. Instead of Blue Bus being a periwinkle with a purplish shift like it is in the cake, it looked like a smudgy, dirty mess. Gravity was the same way. Instead of being a soft dark purple, it looked blackish and dirty. I ended up trashing this look and removing these shadows. On a different occasion, I used Bender (green shade, first in second row under Blue Bus) and got the same results. Instead of being a nice green, it looked like a blackish smudge with no real color definition. I have never ran into an Urban Decay eye shadow I didn't like, so this was disappointing to me.

    

     On the other hand, I have used Zephyr (white shade, bottom right hand corner) several times as a highlighter and it is awesome. Its a golden white tone that is great for the corner of eyes and under the brow bone. I also used Bust (bottom left hand corner), Missionary (right of Bust) and Lost (brown tone under black shadow, second row) in a natural look and was pleased with their texture and color payoff. I am very excited to use Crystal (light blue shadow above Zephyr). It is a very pretty light blue with a silvery shift. If anyone recalls the scene in the movie Everafter when Drew Barrymore's character is in the ball gown with the wings, she has a "mask" painted on her face that is bluish, iridescent with shimmer and glitter. This shadow would be perfect for that look. Haha sorry for the tangent, just had to share what this color reminded me of. Another perk to the shadows is this palette is not many are repeats and ten were new shades. If you are a UD fan and you have several palettes like I do, you being to accumulate a few popular repeat shades such as Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, Sin and Bake.  Anyway, while I am not 100% pleased with all the shadows, at $24 it  was still worth the buy.

     Included in this palette was a full sized tube of 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner. I have used this several times and have liked it for the most part. The brush is very small, which I like because it makes it easier to maneuver around your eyelashes, especially if they are curled. The formula is pretty black in color, another thing I like, but it tends to get a little shiny. I prefer my liquid eyeliners to dry very dark matte black. I have yet to use it on my bottom lash line and am a bit reluctant because it's more likely to get in my eye that way and sometimes that stuff really burns! What I don't like about this liner is the way it comes off. It peels off in little pieces that got stuck in my eyelashes that weren't easy to get out, even with my heavy duty makeup remover. I'm glad it came with this palette, however I'm not sure I would purchase it at $19 by itself.

    

     Also included with this palette was a small tube of mascara in Urban Decays Super Curl formula. After a few uses, this mascara is okay. It didn't curl my lashes as promised and isn't waterproof so it couldn't even hold a curl from my eye lash curler. It did go on very smooth and I liked the shape of the brush and its bristles. Every lash got clump free coating which is always nice. This formula gets great reviews on the Urban Decay website, however since it's not waterproof it's pretty much a deal breaker for me. You can buy this travel size for $10 if you'd like to give it a try. Stay tuned for a post on my favorite mascaras and eye lash curling tips!

    The small speaker is kind of cool, but it doesn't really give your phone any extra volume. I didn't find the speaker necessary to play the tutorials from my smart phone. The tutorials are useful, especially if you are a beginner and gave some fun, funky looks you can do with this palette. Overall, I feel a booklet of instructions or just the address of the tutorials would have been more effective than the speaker/USB system and the palette probably would have cost less.

     Overall, it was worth the $24 to purchase this palette. However, I would not have purchased this palette at regular price. I feel part of the reason this palette was more expensive (UD BOS are usually around $50-$53) was because they included the USB equipment and the speaker which were completely unneeded. The small primer potion and mascara were nice perks and I was very happy it came with the full size liquid eye liner because I have been wanting to try it for awhile. Not a terrible palette, but it didn't live up to the expectations I hold for Urban Decay. I've been happy with every shadow palette before this and I own seven! You can still purchase this product on UrbanDecay.com for $29.

Stay tuned for my May Birchbox review! 

    

Prime Before You Beat Yo Face!

    Hello Beauty Junkies! Today I would like to stress the importance of primers! Have you ever purchased an eyeshadow that looks beautiful in the cake, but the color doesn't transfer the same to your lid? Does your eye shadow crease halfway through the day? Does your foundation fade halfway through your day? Does your face get shiny by lunch causing you to reapply powder? Would you like a better coverage from your powder without wearing heavier foundation? Does your lipstick fade quickly? All of these problems can be solved with PRIMERS!!!


    First I would like to discuss eyeshadow primer because I feel this is the most important of all. I've been asked what beauty products I couldn't live without and eye shadow primer is definitely one of them. We've all purchased eye shadows, absolutely in love with the color in the store and on our hand until we go home and apply to our lids and the color magically disappears. Another conundrum with eye shadows is you find a shade you love, apply in the morning and by lunch half of the shadow has migrated on your lower lash line and the other half has weaseled its way into your crease. GET A PRIMER!!! An eye shadow primer can fix all of these problems and I promise it will change the way you wear eye shadow. Your eye lid gets oily and is relatively smooth, so when you apply eye shadow it has nothing to stick to which results in lack luster color and creasing. You end up with a color that isn't bright, isn't defined and is uneven. When you use a primer, you are giving the shadow a surface to stick to. This makes your color pop and your shadow lasts all day looking as fresh as it did that morning!


     My favorite eyeshadow primer is Urban Decay's Eye Shadow Primer Potion. It comes in four different shades to best suit your shadow needs. I have all four and love each one of them for their specific purpose. The classic potion (purple tube) is nude and goes on invisible and is great for any shadow colors. Greed (gold tube) is a gold shade with a hint of shimmer that goes great with golden toned shadows or it wears great by itself for just a hint of shimmer especially on darker skinned ladies. Sin is a champagne hue that goes great with neutrals and earthy tones. Sin (tan tube) can also be used to highlight cheek bones on lighter toned ladies. I love Sin because it looks the best by itself out of all the shadow primer potions. Eden (beige tube) is a matte tawny shade that is meant to make dark shadows pop. It is great for bringing out color because its matte, lighter shade makes shadows appear brighter. Think painting... colors look brighter when painted on top of white rather than grey or tan. However, because of its light color I wouldn't wear it by itself. These may run a little expensive for some junkies taste, but for $19 a tube it drastically changes your eye shadow looks and lasts a pretty long time. If you are a beginner, I suggest the classic potion or Sin. These are the most useful and versatile. I love Green and Eden, but I just don't use them as much as classic and Sin. I discovered this primer while just beginning to experiment with makeup and because I was so pleased with it, I haven't used other eye shadow primers. However, I have heard that Too Faced and Smashbox both make excellent shadow primers as well so they may be worth a try depending on what works for you.


     As I mentioned in my post before about exfoliating, I love smooth skin. When your skin is smooth it helps your foundation look natural. When skin is rough and unexfoliated, foundation clumps around dead skin cells, making your foundation appear uneven cakey and unnatural. The first step to smooth foundation application is exfoliating and the second is a primer that works for your skin. Just like the eye shadow primer, face primer gives your foundation something to stick to and also prevents it from fading and creasing throughout the day. The right face primer for you is going to depend on your skin type. If you have oily skin, a primer that contains the words matte or mattefying is going to work best for you because it will reduce the oiliness and will prevent your foundation from sliding off. I have used Urban Decay's De-slick In A Tube and it did the job, however my skin is not very oily so it was a little too dry for my taste. I could see it working very well for someone with oily skin. If you have dry or combination skin, a soft gel like primer will be best for you. These are usually clear and may feel a little slick at first, but the way your foundation goes on after applying is amazing. A little goes a long way, so you can make them last awhile.








      My favorite face primer so far is Tarte Clean Slate. It's fragrance free, has a lot of natural and beneficial ingredients, last a long time and makes my foundation last all day.  Another primer I used recently after receiving a sample is the Sephora Collection Perfecting Ultra Smoothing Primer. This is very similar in look and feel to Tarte's Clean Slate, however I found it's lasting power wasn't as long as Tarte's. After logging onto Sephora.com I just found out that Tarte no longer makes just the Clean Slate primer. They now have two different formulas, one that is mattefying and one that is brightening. As of right now, I do not think either is similar to the original formula which disappoints me. Tarte's primers are close to twice the price of the Sephora Collection primer, however you get 0.5 ounces in the Sephora bottle and 1 ounce in the Tarte bottle. All in all, I feel Tarte is better to use because of the natural ingredients. Shop around and find a primer that suits you. If you are skeptical, next time you are in Sephora purchasing something, ask the cashier if there are any primer samples they could give you. If they don't have any samples, purchase what you think might work and if it doesn't, Sephora has a great return policy.

     There are two other primers that can prove useful depending on your beauty routine. I do not wear lipstick AT ALL so a lipstick primer isn't something I need. Just like shadow and face primer, I'm sure lip primer helps your lipstick last and prevents it from s feathering out from your lip line. Urban Decay makes a lip primer that has pretty good reviews. It can also be used with lip gloss.The other primer out there to discuss is eye lash primer. It is meant to condition your lashes and create a coating around them so they appear to have more volume. My own experience with lash primers is the majority of them are white, so you have to be sure to cover them completely with mascara. I like to curl my lashes and priming them makes them way too heavy to hold the curl, so while I have the Urban Decay Eyelash Primer Potion I never use it. If you don't curl your lashes and are looking to thicken your lashes up a bit, this might be the product for you.


     In closing, any good painter will tell you they prime whether its a canvas or a car. Any good make up artist will tell you they prime their artwork as well. Experiment and find what works for you, just remember to be familiar with the vendor's return policy just in case you aren't happy with the product. We all know it really sucks to spend money on a cosmetic that doesn't work for you.


Stay tuned for my next post.... I will be reviewing the May Birchbox... it's an awesome one!

Birchbox Product Reviews

     Now that I have used almost everything in my Birchbox (except the fashion tape) its time to post my reviews. I did not get a chance to use the fashion tape and didn't want to wait longer to review because my Urban Decay order is arriving soon and I don't want to fall behind. Now to begin.


     I'm going to start with the Befine moisturizer and exfoliating cleanser because these were the largest product samples.

     The exfoliating cleanser contained a decent amount of product, however it was rather difficult to get out of the pouch so depotting it proved to be a little difficult. I just used the entire pouch each time I used it. The exfoliator was surprising because it started out very gritty, but it foamed up a bit and the grittines wore off the more you rubbed it around. I liked using it, but was a bit disappointed with how my skin felt afterward. I expected it to leave my skin a lot smoother than it did, however I like an aggressive exfoliator. This product would work great for someone with more sensitive skin because it is effective while still being gentle. It contains oats which are great for calming sensitive skin. It also contains brown sugar which is a great exfoliator that dissolved in hot water and sweet almond which is another good exfoliating media. It is also a natural product with vegetarian proteins that is allergen and fragrance free which once again makes it a great product for sensitive skin. At $25 it is a little expensive, however if you have sensitive skin it may be worth it.
    
     The two moisturizer pouches came with a very generous amount! I depotted it into a jar and have enough moisturizer for a month, possibly more. It contains SPF 15 which is always a plus and while it has a faint smell of sunscreen at first it fades to a fresh smell that reminds me of the beginning of summer. It doesn't leave you feeling greasy and melds into your skin very nicely. I've been using it for a week and my skin still feels hydrated at the end of the day. Just like the exfoliating cleanser, this product is also natural without fragrance and parabens. I can see this moisturizer working for all different skin types and it lasts a pretty long time. At $25 a bottle and how long you can stretch this product, I definitely recommend it.

     This fragrance is Viva La Juicy by Juicy Couture and came with enough for more than a few applications. I like the scent because it's not overpowering and wears rather light. However, I felt it faded pretty fast and wouldn't last throughout a whole day. I love the notes of wild berries, mandarin, honeysuckle, gardenia, jasmine, amber, sandalwood, caramel, vanilla and praline, but I would have liked more of the wild berries and florals and a little less of the more musky smells like amber and sandalwood. It's a great combination, I just would tweak the ratios a bit. While the smell is nice, at $69 a bottle I'm not sure I would recommend this product.

    
     The next sample is a small vial of Shu Uemura Essence Absolue leave in oil for dry hair. Some stylists have referred to this product as "liquid gold". My hair is long and fine, but for being fine it is a little thick and naturally curly/wavy. I do not color my hair and I don't use heat styling tools very often. I like most serums and light oils, so I was excited to use this. Normally I use Moroccon Argan Oil by Organix and love it. While this product definately made my hair shiny and soft, it didn't feel that different from when I use the argan oil. I could see it being very nourishing and good for color treated or heat damaged hair. Because it is an oil and you should use them sparlingly to avoid your hair looking greasy, you could definately make this product last. I would reccomend this product, however at $68 a bottle I suggest purchasing it from a vendor that has a good return policy in case you don't like it.

     Last product is the Stila eye shadow card. These are great natural colors and give you your lid color, contour color and high lighter with enough product for about two applications depending on how you apply. Stila makes great eye shadows with great pigment, especially when used with an eye shadow primer. My only complaint is the colors are a little tame and neutral for my taste. I can definitely wear natural makeup, however I love the bold and experimental so not much of my makeup time is used doing natural looks. Regardless, I recommend Stila eye shadows and suggest purchasing a palette for the best value.


    
    So far, I'm very glad I decided to subscribe to Birchbox and I can't wait for my next one! Like I said before, if you know a girl/woman that loves makeup and beauty products this makes a great gift. After surfing the Birchbox site a little more I discovered they are offering Birchbox for men. All in all I am very pleased. Stay tuned for my next post on primers and the difference they make in your cosmetic application.

Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate!

 

     Hello again beauty junkies! Since one of the products I will be reviewing from Birchbox will be an exfoliating cleanser, I decided it would be the perfect opportunity for a post about exfoliating. This is one of my favorite parts of my beauty regime because of how your skin looks and feels after.

     Your skin produces cells and over time if not removed these old cells can cause a number of problems. They gather bacteria and clog pores, make your skin feel rough to the touch and cause your skin to appear dull and lifeless. When you slough these dead skin cells away with an exfoliator, your skin appears brighter and feels smoother and cleaner! By lifting away these cells you increase your cell turnover rate. Your cell turnover rate is how fast your skin replaces old skin cells with new ones. Because you are getting rid of old cells that clog pores, you can reduce breakouts by exfoliating, especially if the scrub contains an acne fighting ingredient like salicylic acid.


     There are a range of methods of exfoliation, some being much harsher than others. Microdermabrasion and chemical peels are two rather harsh but effective methods offered in spas/salons and dermatologist offices. Microdermabrasion uses a high powered vacuum along with crystals that, in a sense, sand blast the skin smooth. This can reduce scars and fine lines, but isn't always recommended for acne skin. Chemical peels use different active ingredients, like lactic and glycolic acid to chemically exfoliate the skin. These are also offered in spas/salons and dermatologist offices. They come in a range of strengths and active ingredients and some can be used on acne skin. Keep in mind food allergies apply to the skin, so if you are allergic to milk (in a lactic peel) or other foods let your esthetician/dermatologist know!


     The most convenient method of exfoliation is to use a gritty scrub 3-4 times a week at home. Exfoliating scrubs come in a range of grittiness as well as different ingredients such an salicylic acid used to reduce/prevent breakouts. The media in these scrubs varies from fine micro crystals to ground apricot kernels to small beads. Keep in mind things like ground apricot kernels are going to be much more aggressive than micro crystals or small beads. Aggressive exfoliants should not be used on sensitive skin or skin that reddens easily.  Also, remember these products are not for cleansing the skin around the eyes.


     Another way to exfoliate from home are enzyme exfoliants. These are a little harder to find over the counter, however there are many natural items in your fridge that contain enzymes that work as natural exfoliants. The enzymes in pineapple are a great natural exfoliant! You can used canned crushed pineapple, but the best way is to buy a whole pineapple and put some through a food processor until its rather baby food like. You can also use a mortar and pestle. Mix it with some honey and apply to your face for five to ten minutes. Your skin should be smooth and feel fresh!

!!!Please keep in mind that some people's skin have allergies to certain food products even if the person isn't allergic when they ingest that food product. Use caution and common sense when using items from your fridge for beauty purposes. Have a few cool wet towels on hand as well as a bowl of water in case you need to remove a masque quickly.!!!

** I love making my own beauty products from natural ingredients! If you enjoy using natural items from your fridge, keep your eyes open for natural tips throughout my posts! **


     Another perk to regular exfoliating is you are creating a smooth canvas for your foundation and powder. This results in your face makeup appearing smoother and more natural and we all love that.


     And ladies, exfoliating isn't just reserved for you! It has many benefits for men as well! By regular exfoliating, men can prevent folliculitis aka ingrown hairs. These plague many men, especially those that shave frequently. By exfoliating before shaving, you clear the skin of old cells which gives you a much cleaner, smoother shave. When you shave without exfoliating, you are pushing all those old, dirty cells into your pores and follicles and you get ingrown hairs. Jack Black has a great line of men's skin care products at Sephora and they aren't terribly expensive.

     Many ask what I use. I have combination skin that is normal on my cheeks and chin, sometimes dry on the forehead and my nose can be anywhere from a bit dry to a little oily. I do have pretty clear skin with a little hormonal breakout here and there so I consider myself pretty lucky. I use Equate Blackhead Clearing Scrub found at most Walmarts and for a pretty cheap price. I love this scrub because its gritty enough without being too aggressive and it contains salicylic acid to help with breakouts. Might not work for everyone, but its one of my favorite products that I have been using for several years. I also exfoliate every day, but my skin is very tolerant to exfoliators. I don't suggest starting out every day especially if you have sensitive skin or skin not used to exfoliating.

     Another method of exfoliating I love to use is a small facial brush. The bristles should be soft to the touch. If the bristles are too stiff you will scratch your face! I really want to try the rotating brushes like Oil of Olay and Clarisonic, but they are a little pricey and the small brush I use now works great! These are best used with a cleanser in a circular motion and I promise you will feel a difference in the softness of your skin immediately. 

    In closing, exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate! It has numerous benefits and leaves your skin super smooth. Who doesn't want super smooth skin? Until next time....

My First Birchbox! Part 1: First Thoughts

I recieved my first Birchbox today! Shipping didn't take terribly long considering it's coming from the east coast ( I am on the west coast ) and they shipped on the tenth and it reached my doorstep by the sixteenth.

The first box Birchbox sends you is an introductory box of favorite products. This includes a Stila shadow card with three shadows, a sample of Viva la Juicy fragrance, a vial of Shu Uemura Essence Protective Oil, three pouches of Befine Exfoliating Cleanser, two pouches of Befine Daily Moisturizer and two envelopes of Hollywood Fashion Secrets fashion tape.

 Let me just say the pouches of the moisturizer and exfoliator are HUGE! You could get several uses out of each pouch so I suggest squeezing them into a small jar to prevent product drying out in an open pouch.

 **Side note: I hoard small glass/plastic cosmetic jars because I use them for everything! They are great for storing deluxe samples that come in pouches among other things. They are great to have around especially if you have friends who are also makeup junkies. If they have shadows like loose pigments, you can trade colors! Any makeup junkie knows a little loose pigment goes a loooooong way and most loose pigments come with more than enough for one junkie!**

The fragrance sample comes in a mini spray bottle instead of the vial with the plastic lid that can be so difficult to remove. I love when fragrance samples are packaged this way because some fragrances don't always wear well directly on the skin and the spray bottle is much easier to disperse the correct amount.

The eye shadows are a little neutral for my taste, but are a great color combination with a very clear instruction card on how to apply. I love Stila products especially the lip stain, but usually find the eye shadow colors to be a bit boring.

The Shu Uemura Essence Protection Oil comes in a small vial with a lid similar to afore mentioned fragrance vials, but because it's of thicker consistency it doesn't make a huge mess. I am excited to use this product because my hair does well with oils/serums.

The Hollywood Fashion Secrets fashion tape comes in two envelopes with assorted kinds of tape, including hem tape. I've used different fashion tape before and because I am rather busty and there's so much tension on that area, it doesn't usually hold my garment in place. However, I will give this tape a try and because I am short I can put the hem tape to good use.

I am super excited to use these products and do my first product reviews! I am definitely impressed with the size of the samples. They give you enough to really try the product because we all know that one use isn't enough to decide if a high end product is worth buying.

To my fellow beauty junkies, so far I recommend Birchbox. It's a fun treat for $10 every month and you could find a product that you love! If you live outside the U.S. there are other companies like Luxe Box (Canada), Glymm Box (Canda) and Glossy Box (U.K.). I have to say, after reading some reviews on Luxe Box and Glymm Box I'm a little jealous. They get candy :)

Stay tuned for my first product review!

Upcoming Reviews!

Let me start this post by telling you about Hautelook.com. If you're not familiar with the website, it is a discount website where name brand retailers all the way from makeup to clothes to home decor have killer sales to unload any product they need off the shelves. This doesn't mean the items are defective! It's just sale merchandise that isn't moving. For example, Urban Decay decided to give its brand label a face lift and had to get rid of all the "old" labels. This resulted in getting the exact same product for a huge discount. I purchased a set of bangle bracelets designed by Amrita Singh for $12 that were originally $75. The site does have it's draw backs such as limited sale time (usually three days), long shipping time and limited item selection, however I am able to over look these for the killer savings. This site is definitely worth keeping on eye on, especially for holiday presents.

Items from Urban Decay I will be reviewing: Urban Glow highlighter, 24/7 Shadow Pencil Stash, 24/7 Concealer Pencil, Urban Lash Kit in Minx, Body Jewelry Temporary Tattoos and the Book of Shadows IV


The second website I would like to tell you about is Birchbox.com. It's my first month subscribing to Birchbox and I should be receiving my first box within the next few days. Birchbox is a website that you pay a monthly subscription for ($10) and each month you receive a box with 3-5 deluxe samples of different high end beauty products. I love keeping up with new products so this seemed worth the money. Another cool thing about this site is you can buy friends/family subscriptions instead of magazines! It's a cool surprise for the beauty junkie in every family/social circle!


So stay tuned for my first two reviews on a good amount of products! Thanks for reading!