DERMSTORE order ♥

I received a coupon code for DERMSTORE in my Target Beauty Box and since I needed a couple items I decided to take advantage of it.

If you didn't know, Dermstore is an online beauty shop and they include lots of skincare items.

(Also make up, hair care, body care...but I want to say mainly skincare)

DHC eyelash tonic - Eyelash conditioner

This product helps nourish and strengthen your lashes.

You apply to your lashes before applying mascara.  It can also be used as a conditioner for your lashes in the evening. So far I've used it a couple times but haven't noticed much difference yet.

I'm sure this is something that takes time to take effect.

$14.00 (20% off discount) $11.20

Laura Geller Lip Strip Smoothing Sugar Scrub

I blogged about my new 'lip exfoliating' discovery, thanks to my sister.

The elf Lip exfoliator works but I wanted to venture out more and see what else is offered out there.

I love Laura Geller products and they happen to have a lip scrub so I decided to try it out.

This is a vanilla mint flavored gentle exfoliating sugar scrub.

I'll wait to use up my elf exfoliator before opening this up.

$16.00 (20% off discount) $12.80

FREE SAMPLES

Skin Ceuticals CE Ferulic

I had to look this up.  This is an "ultra-powerful antioxidant serum for all skin types".

Apply 4-5 drops to your dry face and neck.

This looks like a powerful anti-aging serum.  I'm not sure I really 'need' this right now and I'm very intimidated by this.  A full size (1oz) costs $162.00... holy cow!

This sample doesn't tell me how much is in here but it's probably work $30~$40 if I had to guess.

 

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare - Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel packet

I received a similar sample from Dermstore in the past.

Still haven't used it... It's an extra strength face peel and I just don't need any harsh peels right now.

I'll save them for a later use.

Skin Ceuticals Advanced Pigment Corrector

This product helps restore stubborn discoloration/unevenly pigmented skin.

I suppose this applies to me...I have freckles (but I actually like them).

Not sure if I'll try this out yet but again, this is another Skin Ceuticals product and a full size is a whopping $90.00 (for 1oz).  These are some pricey products.

This sample is probably worth ~$20 or so?

dermalogica Active Moist

This sample was busted when I received it.  The packet got slashed by something.

Thankfully the product didn't leak in my box.

Too bad though because I would've definitely tried this one out.

It's a moisturizing lightweight fluid for hydrating your skin.

All in all, I love the Lip Scrub and Eyelash Tonic I bought for myself but the samples were underwhelming.   They just don't have much relevance to me.

BIRCHBOX #1 ::Beauty Solutions Box:: Contents for March 2015 ♥

Wow, I received (one of) my Birchbox today--super early!

I'm guessing that the curated boxes are already put together so they are being sent out first.

Anyway, I was an extra happy girl today ♥

Awww I really like this box.

It's a baby green (looks more blue in the photo) cover.

Info card.

A first look.

This month, BB's featured box was the "Beauty Solutions Box".

BB put together a box "filled with supereffective products" to help out with our "most persistent beauty difficulties".  I'm dying to find out how these will help out a gal like me!

Whish Three Whishes Body Butter - scent *almond*

Wow, so I tried this right away.  I like the formula--not thick or greasy at all.

But the scent is a bit overpowering.  

It smells like sweet almonds which is nice but it's a bit sharp and strong.

Rather than using it as a full body lotion I'll use it strictly for my hands.

My Sample Value $3.52

(Full size value $24.00)

Dear Clark Volumizing Tonic

So this is the only product I know that I won't be using.

It's a spray for volumizing hair--the last thing I would ever do to my already full, thick hair.

The scent was a bit odd.  Not really sure what to think of this one.

I'll be passing it onto someone.

My Sample Value $4.33

(Full size value $26.00)

Supergoop! Advanced SPF37 Anti-Aging Eye Cream

I like Supergoop!. I have their CC cream and loved it.

And I could really use an eye cream.

But...why are their sample sizes so teeny tiny?

I wish they could give us a bit more to try out with.

Perhaps a little goes a long way.  This might actually last me longer than I think.

My Sample Value $6.00

(Full size value $45.00)

derma e Evenly Radiant Brightening Day Creme SPF15

I'm not exactly sure what a 'brightening' creme does but maybe it'll really brighten up my face!

From reading it, it sounds like a really fancy sunscreen.

This will come in use in the next few months as we start getting more sun.

The cream is very 'lightweight' but the tub was packed.

My Sample Value $6.99

(Full size value $27.95)

Laura Geller Beauty Baked Blush-n-Brighten - shade *Pink Grapefruit*

I'm really becoming a fan of Laura Geller!

I have her liquid eyeshadow (love!) and this blush is super nice!

I wore this today and I really really like it ♥

The shade is amazing and the palette is so beautiful.

So far, it's my number one blush.  The case even has a half mirror in it.

Can you see my camera?

I'm going to go explore some more Laura Gellar products.

My Sample Value $5.81

(Full size value $31.00)

Another well put together curated box.

You go, BB!

The total value of this month's Featured Box (roughly) comes to $26.65.

Since subscribing last November, I've learned so many new products and this is such a fun experience for me.  Every month I find something amazing. It never fails.

I totally recommend BB for anyone looking to explore the beauty world ♥

BIRCHBOX Limited Edition: Fresh Start 2015 box ♥

So I decided to purchase the Fresh Start Box after all.

It's too good to pass up!

I used my points and a coupon code AND added a free mystery sample pack.

O how I love Birchbox ♥ 

My box arrived a bit dinged up on the corner though. 

Hopefully nothing inside is damaged.

A first look.

This was my free mystery sample pack.:

Harvey Prince Ageless Body Cream - Pink grapefruit, vanilla & shea butter

This cream came sealed and I haven't opened it because I have so many opened body creams right now. I'm going to keep this one sealed until I need to open it.  I suspect it smells good though.  I love anything with grapefruit in it.

My Sample Value $1.00

(Full size value $22.00)

Laura Geller Cool Lids Cream Eyeshadow - color *Silver Sands*

I've never tried a cream eyeshadow before but I really like this!

It's a neat color and swatches really nice.

I'm going to wear it this weekend.  Really happy with this sample ♥

My Sample Value $12.42 (wow)

(Full size value $19.00)

This was a Bonus Item:

Mighty Leaf Tea (3 pouches) - Orange Duce, White Orchard and Ginger Twist

From the moment I opened my box I could smell the tea.

This was a very nice surprise--a bonus item from Birchbox!

I love tea ♥ Never tried these types of flavors so I'm excited.

My Sample Value $1.99

(Full size value ~15 pouches $9.95)

I'm loving the Fresh Start Box.

KOR Water Aura Water Bottle - color *pink*

I was secretly hoping for the other color (blue) but pink is cute.

I'm already in love with this bottle.  I've tried a few bottles in the past and they never stuck with me.

I had one of the re-useable cups that come with a straw but the straw was such a pain to wash.  

Not to mention the lid wouldn't screw correctly resulting in spills.

Retail Value $9.95

BOMBAS Ankle Socks

ooo these are super comfortable!

They keep you warm in the winter and keep you cool in the summer.

Some kind of high tech design.  

I wish I could get more of these but they are pricey.

They also donate for every purchase pair.  That's awesome

Retail Value $9.00/pair

Juice Beauty Green Apple Age Defy Hand Cream

Juice Beauty is everywhere these days.  I like their products.

I already own this cream.  I received this full size in a Citrus Lane box and I'm still using it.

I also have their Stem Cellular Moisturizer that I use on my face.

The product smells really good--they smell like lemonheads, the candy.

Retail Value $12.00 

Mullein & Sparrow Pink Himalayan Bath Salts

I'm curious to try this.  I'm more of a shower person but I take occasional baths.

It smells intense and I'm not sure how much I should be putting in my tub. 

Probably a sprinkle.  I'm hoping to try this one soon.

I couldn't get an exact value on this size but it looks like it might be a half-size.

(Half-size) Retail Value est. $20.00

Yarok Feed your Ends Leave-in Conditioner

It's a spray version of a leave in conditioner.

100% vegan and all natural.

It looks like most of the ingredients are plant-based oils.

It smells very earthy too.

(Half-size) Retail Value est. $9.90

FIG+YARROW Healing Salve

This is a "mixture of healing herbs, botanical essences and nourishing oils that soothes and calms a range of skin ailments". This can be used on cuts, burns or on very irritated dry skin.

I actually have a few cuts and irritation going on around my fingers from the dry weather.

I've never tried a product like this.  Very interesting.

Retail Value $7.00

Vapour Organic Beauty multi-use Blush - color *Aura*

This can be used as a blush, eyeshadow or even on your lips.

It looks too bright for a blush...But I'll test it out.

It probably blends well.  I'll have to experiment with this one.

(Half-size) Retail Value $18.00

ILIA Lip Gloss - color *The Butterfly &I*

I love this color! It's very subtle and close to my natural lip color.

It's not sticky at all and not very thick either.

Retail Value $24.00  

There it is! the new Fresh Start Box ♥

I'd say it's a great curated box that promises all natural organic products.

A lot of the items were a first for me as well so it makes it worth buying to try out and expand on beauty products.  

I really like the lifestyle items: the bottle and socks.  They are ultimately what made me purchase the box. 

The total value of this box (roughly) comes to $125.26.  

(Including the free samples and bonus.)

The description says a value of $107 so yes, it's definitely there.

This box is selling for $42.00 and you can easily find 20% off coupons to bring the price lower.

I also used my points which brought it down even lower.