Beauty Box 5 February 2015 sneak peek ♥

Here's a sneak peek for beauty box 5!

All subscribers will receive a full size of:

Marsk Mineral Eyeshadow.

Shade in *Vanilla Frosting*

This sounds promising! 

A full size retails for $24.95.  

This alone pays for more than the box.

4 more surprise items will be included in our box.

BIRCHBOX Sample Choice & Guest Editor Box for February 2015 ♥

Yay our Sample Choice is here!

The February box is super cute ♥

Our sample choices this month are:

Laura Geller Beauty GlamLASH Dramatic Volumizing Mascara

Marcelle Gentle Make-Up Remover for Sensitive Eyes

(Super Secret unrevealed brand) Sea Salt Hairspray

Of the three, I'm hoping to snag the Marcelle Make-Up Remover.

I've got plenty of mascaras and I'm not too familiar with the hairspray.

I could definitely use a Make-Up Remover though.

This month's Guest Editor Box is curated by Rent the Runway.

The box is a different design too--floral design on the trim. So pretty!

With Guest Editor Boxes we already know the items we will be receiving.

Rent the Runway "It's All In The Details" Box

theBalm Read My Lips - Bam

Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner - Raina

derma e Anti-Wrinkle Vitamin A Glycolic Scrub

Not Soap, Radio Body Wash - The Stuff that Cupid dips his arrows in

Fekkai Blowout Hair Refresher Dry Shampoo

I'm hoping to reserve the Guest Editor Box for one account and the Marcelle Make Up Remover on my other account.  Here's to hoping they don't go 'out of stock' on me!

ipsyMe purchase - Manna Kadar Lip Locked Duo ♥

This is my first ipsyMe purchase.

ipsyMe is when they announce an awesome deal featuring products of that month.

I believe they announce one every Tuesday and Thursday.

I snagged the Manna Kadar Lip Locked duo.

I sampled this lip stain in my Birchbox and loved it.

Manna Kadar Lip Locked Duo - colors *Lucky* and *All of Me*

These are honestly my favorites right now.

The colors look similar but I did a swatch below.

Normally they are $24 each, but the ipsyMe deal was the 2 for $20!

Retail value $48 $20+Free Shipping

Here's a swatch.

You can tell here that the colors are quite different.

DERMSTORE Grab Bag "Hair Rescuers" contents ♥

This is the 'Hair Rescuers' Grab bag.

I was much happier with this one versus the 'Resolution Kickstarters' bag.

A first look.

I'm liking what I see--I immediately recognize a few brands.

Rescue rapid repair hair mask

I LOVE hair masks!

I have so much thick hair that hair masks work wonderfully for me.

My Sample Value $45.00

(Full size value $45.00)

Fekkai full blown volume shampoo

Hmmm...I am the complete opposite.

I DON'T want volume because I already do.

But I love Fekkai...

My Sample Value $5.00

(Full size value $20.00 for 8oz)

Klorane Dry Shampoo witih Oat Milk

Thanks to Birchbox, I've tried Klorane dry shampoo and I LOVE it!!

I'm so happy to have another one!

The scent is just amazing guys!

My Sample Value $9.00

(Travel size value $9.00)

Klorane Shampoo with desert date

Squeeee!!! Another Klorane product and this time it's a full size shampoo!

Little irked I didn't receive the conditioner...anytime a shampoo is included in a box I think the conditioner should come as a set.

My Sample Value $15.00

(Full size value $15.00)

follimedica Thinning hair therapy

Meh...another item I won't be using.

I absolutely do not have any thinning hair.

Quite the opposite actually...Perhaps my grandmother will want to give this a try.

My Sample Value $30.00

(Full size value $30.00)

JF anti-aging haircare restore

This is a very tiny sample.

With the amount of hair I have, this will be a one time use.

Interesting--it says here that this replaces your shampoo & conditioner on the days I use it.

My Sample Value est.$2.00 (no idea...)

(Full size value $36.00)

Harry Josh pro tools Carbon Tail Comb

Really cool!  I'm happy they included a 'tool' among all the hair products.

This is my second Harry Josh product.

I received hair clips in my last Dermstore order the free samples that time.

This is a really nice comb.

My Sample Value $20.00

(Full size value $20.00)

Overall, I'm very happy with this grab bag!!

I like it much more that the Resolution Kickstarters bag.

Glad to have received a full size of Klorane Shampoo.

The total value of this grab bag (roughly) comes to $126.00

All in all, this was fun.

I'm not sure I will get another one next year...but if I do, I'm sticking to the hair care set.

DERMSTORE Grab Bag "Resolution Kickstarters" contents ♥

I received my DERMSTORE grab bags today ♥

Nothing special about the packaging--the 'bags' were just packaged in a shipping box.

I also received 2 free samples.

I purchased 2 grab bags.

'Resolution Kickstarters' (mainly skincare) and 'Hair Rescuers' (haircare)

They were $30.00 each.

Free Samples

LUMENE Bright Now Vitamin C BB cream SPF 20

Foil sample of a BB cream.

I've yet to find the perfect BB cream but I have a few that I like.

This one though, the shade might be a tad dark for me.

My Sample Value $0.62

(Full size value $14.99 for 1.7oz)

Yu-Be Japanese Moisturizing Skin Cream

I was happy to see this!  Birchbox samples this product but I haven't been lucky enough to receive one yet.  I love Japanese products ♥

My Sample Value $1.60

(Full size value $16.00 for 1oz)

A first look.

Pevonia Ligne Power Repair Hydrating Cleaner

This isn't a typical cleanser.  The directions say to apply to your face with wet fingertips then proceed to remove it with a washcloth.  Very interesting.

My Sample Value $13.81

(Full size value $32.50 for 4oz)

Raw Beauty Kat Burki Hibiscus Antioxidant Face Mask

I really like face masks so I'll be trying this soon.

The sample size is rather small but still worth $4!

My Sample Value $4.10

(Full size value $78.00 for 4.4oz)

Zents attar oil concentrate - scent *pear*

This is a roll-on body oil fragrance.

It has a roller applicator and a little goes a long way.

I received the pear scent and I really like this!

My Sample Value $38.00 wow!

(Full size value $38.00)

Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals Chloro Plasma

This is another treatment mask for the face.

This product is a bit intimidating...it's sounds very scientific.

You apply to your face and as microcapsules are released the color will turn dark green.

These microcapsules contain Blue Green Algae.

My Sample Value $15.25

(Full size value $75.00 for 2oz)

SKYLARK Memoir Fragrance Collection

Pleasantly surprised to find some perfume samples in here.

I've never heard of this brand but this came with 3 scents.

The vials are roll-on applicators and a decent size.

The scent is nice but I do feel like an older woman would wear this more than I would.

I like the more sweet, youthful perfumes.

But I'll hand onto these.

My Sample Value $29.95

(Full size value $29.95)

Medicell Labs Advanced Moisture Eye Mask Duo

This is an under eye treatment mask.  I have a real under eye problem..

I'm tired a lot and having 2 boys, it's crazy!

I have some poofy-ness and dark circles.

With the pricing for this, I'm betting this stuff really works!

My Sample Value $30.00 for 1 treatment

(Full size value $60.00 for 2 treatments)

Trophy Skin Argan Stem Cell Serum

Foil packet--probably 1 or 2 uses.

I love argan oil so this will be used.

My Sample Value $5.20

(Full size value $39.00 for 1oz)

Dr Dennis Gross alpha beta peel

Another kind of product I've never used. 

I'll wait to use this--I'm not really into face peels.

They remind me of a chemical peel and we all know 

what happened to Samantha from Sex and the City.

My Sample Value $2.46 for 1 treatment

(Full size value $148.00 for 60 treatments)

Overall, I'm a little meh about this grab bag.

The value is definitely there but I feel like these are products for people who are older and need strong anti-aging products.  

I'm still 32 so some of these still seem a bit harsh for my skin.

I'll research more and see what I'll be using.

I may pass some onto my mother or grandmother.

The total value for this Grab Bag (roughly) comes to $140.99

wow...that's quite the value.

BIRCHBOX PLUS Add-Ons for February 2015 - Would you upgrade?

Birchbox subscribers received an email today for options to upgrade your February box.

Birchbox Plus is when you can add on items for a special subscriber price and it will ship with your monthly box.  

This month's add on choices are:

W&P Royal Rose Cocktail Kit - $40 $26

Gorjana Brinkley Necklace - $55 $27

Gorjana Greer Necklace - $65 $32

Just like the previous months, I don't see anything I like.

I don't make cocktails at home and I don't really wear necklaces.

Also, this month Birchbox is also featuring a couple curated boxes/kits for a special price too!

The boxes are:

Home Sweet Homespun - $42 $29

The Lipstastic Kit - $57 $24

The Home Sweet Homespun is pretty cool but not really for me.

The Lipstastic Kit is cute too and kind of perfect for Valentine's but I already have plenty of lip products.  So it looks like I'll be passing on upgrading this month once again.

DERMSTORE Grab Bags ♥

I received an email from DERMSTORE about several grab bags they are releasing!

I made a purchase last month at DERMSTORE after 

receiving a coupon in my Target Beauty Box.  

I had a very pleasant experience with their service so I immediately considered purchasing a grab bag.  (Here's my post about my DERMSTORE purchase)

I'm not sure how often they release grab bags but it looks like they've done a few before.

I looked around and considered purchasing one.

But then I had a coupon for $10 off if I purchase over $30.01.

You will also automatically receive 30 FREE issues of People Magazine. (again, over $30.01)

So to take advantage of the coupon and magazine I purchased 2 boxes.

The 'Resolution Kickstarters' and 'Hair Rescuers'.

I got a free 3 Day delivery so I should expect my boxes this week ♥

ipsy glam bag contents for January 2015 ♥

My ipsy bag is finally here!

It seriously took forever...it sat at a post office an hour away for 10 days!

This month's theme is 'fresh start'.

I really like the bag this month!

It's quite large and i love the colors. 

Blue on one side, white on the other...and a pink coral color on the inside.

super cute ♥

A first look.

eco-beauty good day, day moisturizer

What a cool packaging.

This is a day moisturizer for your face.  Perfect, because I needed one.

Cruelty free, all natural and even contains natural anti-aging botanicals.

There isn't a distinct scent at all which is nice and probably better for your skin.

It's very smooth and moisturizing.  Not thick or greasy.

I'm loving this!

My Sample Value $12.00

(Full size value $40.00)

MANNA KADAR sheer glo

This is described as a shimmer lotion.

I tested it out and it's very subtle.  You can't really notice much.

It also recommends mixing this with your foundation to add extra glo.

I may try that.

My Sample Value $7.83

(Full size value $29.00)

(MALIN+GOETZ) mojito lip galm

I like the applicator..the shape makes for easy application.

The 'mojito' scent isn't too strong, thank goodness.

Very moisturizing--a typical lip balm.

No color.

My Sample Value $8.40

(Full size value $12.00)

HIKARI eye liner - color*storm*

I have so many eyeliners but I love them and this (storm) gray is a very pretty color.

Unfortunately, it's not soft... It's difficult to apply to your eyelids without pulling and dragging 

on your skin.. Ouch.

Not sure I will get much use out of this one.

My Sample Value $13.00

(Full size value $13.00)

Pacifica natural mineral coconut eye shadow - color*Treasure*

All ipsy subscribers received this Pacifica eyeshadow this month.

It was between this color and a lighter one.

I'm so glad I received the darker shade.

Highly pigmented and very pretty. 

100% vegan and cruelty free.

My Sample Value est. $3.00

(Full size value $11.99 for 4 palette set)

This was a rather nice bag.  

The total value was the highest of all bags I've received so far.

I love the all natural, eco products

I hope ipsy starts sending more products that are all natural, cruelty free, and free of parabens.

The total value of this month's glam bag (roughly) comes to $44.23

BIRCHBOX #1 contents for January 2015 ♥

I almost forgot to post this one.

This is my Birchbox #1 for January ♥

A first look.

From what I see, I think I'm gonna like this box more than box #2.

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk

I was dying to try this!  

It's a dry shampoo for brunettes--instead of white powder, it's tinted beige so as to not leave visible residue on your hair.  I tried this immediately and I'm in love ♥

I've tried a couple dry shampoos and this is my favorite scent as well.

I'm going to buy the full size when this runs out.

My Sample Value $6.09

(Full size value $19.50)

TOCCA Crema da Mano Hand Cream - scent *Cleopatra*

This was a sample choice which I wanted to pick but by the time I went to choose it was already out of stock.  I somehow received it anyway so it was a pleasant surprise.

(Same thing happened to my Birchbox #2)

Smells really good--Like cucumber melon.

Generous size too.

My Sample Value $5.00

(Full size value $10.00)

Harvey Prince Hello Liquid Loofah

I thought this was a normal shower gel but it says to apply directly to skin.

So I washed up in my shower with my normal body wash then I applied this on my body.

Again, it smells so good!  The scent stayed on my skin overnight.

I wish the sample size was larger.

My Sample Value $0.95

(Full size value $22.00)

Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream SPF 35+ - shade*Light to Medium*

Very small sample but a little goes a long way.

The shade seems a bit dark for my skin tone but once I blended it in it worked out.

It says 'self-adjusting shade'.

I like this ♥

My Sample Value $2.04

(Full size value $32.00)

Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner - color *raina (navy blue)*

This is a duplicate product between my two Birchboxes BUT I received different colors. Yay!

This one is a dark navy blue.

Again, a color I don't own so I'm happy to try this out.

And this pencil is so creamy and soft and heavily pigmented.

Great eyeliner.

My Sample Value $5.50

(Full size value $11.00)

The total value for this month's box (roughly) comes to $19.58

I love this box! Every item is exciting and will be used.

I'm already having lots of fun trying out these samples.