March Birchbox Review

My March Birchbox arrived very quickly this month! If you don't know about Birchbox yet you should check it out because you're missing out. I talk more in depth about it here or you can check out their website. Let's get right to it.

I love dry shampoo and am always excited to try new ones. I had never heard of Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Shampoo, so I was excited to get my hands on this nice size sample. The smell was a little strong at first for me, but didn't seem to linger. The product itself is very heavy. It does the job and absorbs the oil, but makes your hair feel very "producty". It would be great to dirty up really clean hair.  

Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream was a nice surprise. I normally receive hair, face, nail, or perfume samples so this was a nice change. (Not that I don't love the other products I normally get). I'll admit it, I'm a shaving foam kind of girl. I know that even using conditioner is great for shaving and leaves skin feeling very soft, but sometimes I can't justify wasting expensive conditioner for shaving. With that being said, I am very excited to try this shaving cream. If it performs likes it promises it will be amazing. Oh, and the blueberry smell is very yummy.

I have already received twistband hair ties in a previous Birchbox, and loved them so much I ordered more right away. I have a few of their headbands as well, but none are fancy and shimmery like this one. I am excited to have one for more than just working out.  

My beauty extra for the month was this cute emery board done by Madewell for Birchbox. Who couldn't use another nail file laying around. I swear I have 100's, but can never seem to find one when I need it. 

Lastly, I received Incoco Nail Polish Applique. I have yet to try them so I can't tell you how they work, but I have heard great things about nail appliques in general. All you do is stick them on and then file away the excess. Not sure that I would wear this pattern on every nail, but maybe a fun accent for my ring fingers.  

February Birchbox Review

It's time for my February Birchbox review. To find out more about Birchbox view my first post or their website.

At first look this month I thought  my box seemed a little on the empty side, but after digging in I realized it was packed with some quality samples. I had to remind myself, it's not about quantity but quality. 

We will start with the Ghirardelli Milk and Caramel Square because of course it caught my eye first. I mean what girl doesn't want to get chocolate as a gift. Yum!

I can't wait to treat myself with Kerastase's Chroma Riche Masque. It is a hydrating mask for highlighted or color treated hair. Being a professional hairdresser I know this is a great brand, so I have no doubt that this will be an awesome fix for my winter dull and dry strands. 

I am very excited about Jouer's Matter Moisture Tint. In my last Birchbox I received a matte moisturizer and I have been loving the tinted bb creams, so I think this combination might be the perfect all-in-one product for me. 

I have mentioned this before, but I am pretty much an all gel polish girl now. It's not to say I don't appreciate a bottle of Color Club nail polish (in mamba), but I probably won't use it. Also I am not a fan of red, so this might end up being gifted off to someone else. 

Lastly I found Vasanti Brighten Up face cleanser in my box. I always love trying new face washes, so I can't wait to give this cleanser a whirl and see how my face feels after a couple of days. 

Do you get Birchbox? What did you get this month? 

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How to Curl Your Hair With A Wand

Hair wands are so popular, but the thing is you can get the exact same look with a regular curling iron you already own. So save your money and go buy yourself some new clothes or go out to eat.

Polka Dot Tank // Grey Sweater (both Loft)

January Birchbox

I finally got my January Birchbox, and like always I couldn't wait to open it. For more information on Birchbox check out their website or my previous posts from November and December.

The first product that caught my eye was theBalm cosmetics Hot Mama shadow and blush all-in-one. I have already received a highlighter from theBalm that I really loved, so naturally I can't wait to use this. I think it will make a perfect blush and highlighter for me, not to mention it is a great sample size.

Amika Color pHerfection Shampoo was the next sample that caught my eye. This went into my travel bag for this weekend getaway. So obviously I haven't tried it yet, but I always love the idea of a pH balancing shampoo. It's also color safe which is a big plus for me.

I am very picky about my face moisturizer because I have somewhat of sensitive skin, but am willing to try My Mulit-Purpose Mattifying Moisturizer. I recently was turned onto mattifying moisturizers from a co-worker, and I mean who doesn't want a shine free face?

The Harvey Prince Skinny Chic smelled great. I wouldn't wear it everyday, but definitely on a date night. I'm not sure if this will make sense, but it is very girly and perfumey (<--- don't think that's a real word).

The beauty extra, Deborah Lippmann the Striper to go, I think is a genius idea. It is nail polish remover mitts in a little to go package. The only problem for me is I pretty much just do shellac on my nails anymore since they are always in water at work, and this would not take that off. I wish I would have known about these 5 years ago.

Also, included in this box was a poster of 25 ways to make 2013 awesome. I thought this was a cute touch, and gave me an extra kick of inspiration.

Makeup Brushes

Makeup brushes are a great tool to apply your makeup properly and evenly. There are so many different shapes and sizes available. The brushes below are the brushes I own and believe are important for everyday use. Each brush has it's own function. Even though I may not use each one everyday it is nice to have different options available.

1. Concealer 2. Powder 3. Highligher/Bronzer/Contour 4. Blush 5. Eyelid Eye Shadow 6. Eye Crease
7. Eye Shadow Blender 8. Eye Liner 9. Smudger 10. Lip

The brushes are listed in the order I use them. Makeup brushes can be purchased at all different price ranges. My favorite inexpensive brushes are from Target, and MAC sells some of my favorite more expensive ones.

December Birchbox

For those of you who haven't signed up for Birchbox yet, you should because it is amazing. I look forward to mine each month with so much excitement. Whoever said a box was boring was so wrong. 

You pay $10 a month and receive a box in the mail full of sample size products to try out and review. If you love them you can purchase the products online at the birchbox store. Also you get points for then reviewing the products as well as points for dollars spent. With 100 points you receive $10 off any purchase. To find out more click here.

This month my box didn't disappoint. I was surprised on how large the samples were. 

To start I dove right in and ate my Dark Chocolate Peppermint Holiday Fortune cookie. For some weird reason I love fortune cookies and this one was great. I mean what girl doesn't love chocolate. If you don't your crazy!

Eyeko supplied a Skinny Liquid Eyeliner which I am excited to try out because I usually use a pencil.

Everyone has been talking about the new CC creams and now I get to try out Juice Beauty's Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream. This went right in my makeup bag. 

Juicy Couture sample is sweet with a little bit of floral notes. It's nice to always have new perfumes to try.

Lastly, since you know I am a hair girl, I am super excited about this large Advanced Volume Shampoo sample from Nick Chavez Beverly Hills.

Pretty Ponytail

So you want to know what to do with all those curls from yesterdays tutorial? Well your in luck because that's exactly what I am going to show you today.

This tutorial is great for putting your hair up in a little fancier way than just a boring old ponytail.

Curling and Setting your Hair

This tutorial is great for a fancy updo that needs to be super curly or have a lot of texture. Also, this is great for those of you that have hair that doesn't hold curls. If you wanted a similar look with not quite as tight of curls you could use a little bigger curling iron than a 1" like I did.

This tutorial is going to be 2 parts in 2 days. I wanted to show you how to curl your hair like this first (part 1). The part 2 of this tutorial, which will be tomorrow, will be how to put these tight curls up into a fancy ponytail. 

Makeup

I'm often asked what brands of makeup I use, and I have to say I am pretty set in my ways. Once I find a product that works for me, that I love I stick with it!

(The 4 eye shadows in # 3 are: top left strappy sandals, top right dirty pink, bottom left effortless, bottom right guest list)

These are my basics for everyday that I stick to always beginning with Clinique lotion moisturizer. I have a stash of makeup that I use when I am feeling creative to spice it up or have a little extra time on my hands (which is very rare these days).

Messy Bun

You know those days where you are running so late and you just don't have time to do your hair. This tutorial is perfect for those days. It should only take 5 minutes or less to throw your hair up in this style and it still looks cute.

To see how to curl your hair like I did before I got started refer to my everyday waves tutorial here. To see a more in depth tutorial on teasing click here. Otherwise all you need are two clear elastic bands, a fine tooth comb, and hairspray.

 Sweater: Loft

Top: Loft

Leggings: Macys

Boots: DSW

Beachy Waves

There are so many little changes you can make while curling your hair to change how the end result looks. This tutorial will show you how to do those beachy waves that are more messy and unfinished than my everyday waves tutorial. This is great for a more casual look.

This style can be done on any texture hair. I used a 1 1/4" curling iron. If your hair is longer I would use a bigger curling iron.

To finish this style I used the Oscar Blandi Pronto Texture and Volume Spray I got in my Birchbox that I told you I have been loving.

You can really see the subtle ombre I was talking about in these pictures that I have going on.

November Birchbox

 

 When I found out about the company birchbox I was so excited to sign up. Basically you pay $10 a month and receive a box in the mail full of sample size products to try out and review. If you love them you can purchase the products online at the birchbox store. Also you get points for then reviewing the products and  points for dollars spent. With 100 points you receive $10 off any purchase. To find out more click here.

This month my birchbox was a good one!

To start it off I was given a full tube of ModelCo FIBRE LASHXTEND lengthening mascara (usually everything is sample size so this is a huge bonus!). I have wore it two days now and think I might really love this, which is saying something since I am picky about my mascara.

The soyjoy bar was pretty good however I felt like the cranberries were a bit tart for me. The Stella Cadente Miss Me Eau de perfume was light and refreshing.

I am waiting for a relaxing spa night to drop the feeling smitten bath bomb in my tub. The cupcake almost seems to cute to have melt away in water. The Caldrea Hand Soap I set out on my bathroom counter and am excited to try. 

The last was by far my favorite Oscar Blandi Pronto Texture and Volume spray. It is similar to a dry shampoo. You can spray it on clean hair to "dirty" it up and give it texture or on second day hair to revamp your style and give it volume. I used it to give my curling iron curls a beachy wave look, and it did just that.

Subtle Ombre

 

(just disregard th best pop in the whole world in the background)

After having blonde hair for a while I was kind of getting bored. I knew I didn't want to go really dark (I did that once and that will be the only time) but I needed a change. I never have been a huge fan of the ombre look because I felt like they were all so drastic or severe, however I have discovered I love very subtle almost natural ombre look. To me it looks best when it appears that maybe over time your ends have just faded out to a lighter color naturally and the root area may just  might be you natural color.

This is the kinda ombre I have fallen in love with.