March 2015 Birchbox vs. Ipsy

How cute is the Birchbox this month?! This year they started sending out a differently designed box every month, and while I kind of prefer how they used to do the same brown box, this month's is super cute! Anyways, what was inside the box was just okay. I really am glad I got the It's a 10 leave in conditioner. I really like this stuff and it's kind of pricey. I'm also almost out of my current bottle, so that's pretty cool. The only other thing I like in this box is the red lip stain. I love a red lip, and I'm a huge fan of this liquid lipstick/ stains. So I'm always down for that. At first, I thought that little bottle was a nail polish, which I wouldn't like that color of. Then I read that it's actually a highlighter, which I liked the idea of more. So I tried some on my hand and saw that it was thick and kind of mushy, so not a huge fan of that one. I got another face moisturizer, and it's meant for oily skin. My profile says that I have dry skin, so I'm not sure why I received that. Also, another face oil (which is meant for dry skin, why would they put both in one box?!) At first I thought they were cool and fancy, then I discovered that I really don't like them, no matter how expensive they are, and now have about five samples that I'm never going to use. This month wasn't a huge loss, since the box paid for the leave in conditioner, but wasn't super exciting. 

Total cost of this month's box is about $81 for $10.

Get your own Birchbox subscription here.

And now on to Ipsy, which came in a super cute bag, too! This bag wasn't my favorite ever, but I think I still liked it more than Birchbox. I wasn't stoked to be getting another moisturizer (I think that is their filler item!). Although I have a NYX Butter Lipstick and really love it, I don't love the color I got. Some people can pull off this kind of brownish color, but I definitely cannot! I am happy about the eye gels though! I really struggle with puffy, tired-looking eyes, so I'm excited to see how these work. I also like the highlighter pencil. I've been meaning to try one to make my eyes look more awake, but haven't yet, so I'm happy I finally can! And although I'm not a huge eyeshadow person, I really like these pretty pink shades and think they'll look really pretty for spring! So again, not my favorite bag ever, but had some good stuff for sure! 

Total cost of this month's bag (without actual bag) is $45.50 for $10.

Get your own Ipsy subscription here.

My Nighttime Beauty Routine

Something I never really worry too much about is my skin. At night, I'll take my makeup off with a cleansing wipe, wash my face if I take a shower, and call it a night. It's really nice to be able to be lazy and still have clear skin, zits are a very rare problem here!

That's how I would've described my skincare routine in high school. Then, it seemed like when the clock hit midnight on my twentieth birthday, out came the zits, dry patches, and uneven skin tone. I seem to be going in reverse; usually high school is the worst time for skin and things get better by your twenties. Not for me. I remember thinking in high school how lucky I felt to never worry about my skin. Going to bed with makeup on happened on more than one occasion, and it was always fine. The occasional lonely pimple would appear, but some toothpaste cleared it right up by school the next day. That's why it was a total shock when the less-than-perfect skin appeared a couple years ago. Rough little zits took over my cheeks and chin, dry patches started to suck up my liquid foundation, and the darkness under my eyes became nearly impossible to cover. It was so frustrating! I'd be lying if I said it didn't really upset my sometimes.

But, like all troubling things, you need to learn to deal with it. I started to realize my skin might actually need the attention I never gave it before. The neglect was finally starting to show through. I did research, read ingredients, tested out quite a few products, and have found a night time skincare routine that's working. My skin still isn't anywhere near perfect, or even where it used to be, but it seems to be under control.

I'm sure it's going to change many times in the future, but here is my current nighttime skincare routine:

When first getting ready for bed, I remove all my makeup with a Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelette. These are just simple and effective. They're the only makeup remover wipes I've ever used and ever care to use, I love them. I always like to get all my makeup off with this before cleaning my face. That way the face wash is actually cleaning my face and not just removing makeup.

Next, I'll use one of these face washes: Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash and Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Cleanser. I usually alternate these two every day (as recommended by an esthetician). The Neutrogena one is a little tougher, good for clearing breakouts and removing excess oils, but tends to dry my face out a bit. So I use the Aveeno one to give my skin a little break from that and wash it with a more moisturizing face wash. I also use the Jan Marini one I just discovered maybe once a week, since I have sensitive skin and don't want to irritate it.

After I wash and pat dry, I tone. I only use this toner on nights when I wash with the Aveno. Just to make sure it gets nice and clean. It's very gentle and alcohol free, so I'm sure I could also use it with the acne washes, but I just like to be very careful about irritating my skin by using too much product.

Then I moisturize. Probably the most important step for me. My skin get so dry sometimes that parts of it actually start to flake. I hate that so much. This Neutrogena night cream is my favorite. It feels so soft on the skin, without feeling greasy or pilling. The moisture really lasts all night, too. Then I'll dab some eye cream under my eyes. I'm currently using a sample size of this Clarins Total Eye Concentrate that I received, but it's almost empty and I'm not sure it's good enough that I want to spend $85 on the full size. If there's an eye cream you love and recommend, let me know!

Finally, I moisturize my lips. Good ole Chapstick has always been my favorite, and I'm loving this duel ended one. The nighttime side is the perfect end to my routine. It leaves lips feeling soft and moisturized through the night.

And that's it! Definitely a lot of steps compared to what I used to do, but it's worth it! My skin has shown significant improvement since I started taking better care of it, and that feels so good. It might not ever look perfect, but at least I know I'm doing my best to keep it healthy and happy!

What are some of your favorite nighttime beauty products?

February 2015 BirchBox vs. Ipsy

This month's Ipsy bag was awesome! An eyelash curler (worth $25 on it's own!) a beautifully colored blush, face oil, hair volumizer, lip stain, and hand cream! All things I could definitely see myself using. This is my third Ipsy bag and I'm really loving it so far! I really think Ipsy takes into account what you say you like and dislike in their little quiz. Huge fan of this month's bag! 

Total cost of this bag (without actual bag) is $73 for $10 a month.

Get your own Ipsy bag subscription here.

Next is Birchbox, which like I've said a million times, is super give or take for me. This month was, for lack of better word, boring. Shampoo, hair oil (foil packet), eye makeup remover, hair texturizing spray, mascara, and perfume. I'm okay with the texturizing spray, seems different than anything I've ever tried, and I would be more okay with the mascara if I didn't also get one last month. Everything else gets a big thumbs down. Juicy Couture perfume? I didn't even know that company still existed, plus I just dislike all perfume samples anyways. To me, this box just seemed full of hotel room items. Sorry Birchbox, better luck next time ;). 

Total cost of this box is approx. $35.50 for $10 a month.

Get your own BirchBox subscription here.

My Favorite Drugstore and High-end Makeup

I've always been interested in makeup, but I feel like this year I really developed a love for all things beauty. I have a makeup collection that I'm pretty proud of, and feel like I know much more when makeup shopping then I did before. Reading labels and researching before buying is something I started doing this year and really enjoy knowing more about. So I made a list of some of my favorite makeup products, both high-end and drugstore, that I use most often.

Up until recently, the only thing I ever used to apply my foundation was a basic MAC 190 foundation brush. It does the job, but it never seemed to blend well and would leave streaks. When I saw that a million Youtubers loved the Beauty Blender, I had to give one a try, and I'm obsessed. It's for sure my favorite tool to use for a flawless foundation application. I definitely use this on most days, but I also have this Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. For a brush, it blends really well, and for only $9, you can't go wrong.

I've mentioned both of these foundations here before, but it's for a good reason, they're amazing! I'm currently on my fourth bottle of Revlon Colorstay and have every intention to continue buying it. For me, it's the perfect everyday, natural looking foundation. It blends well, doesn't cake, and lasts all day! The Nars Sheer Glow is kind of like a nicer version of this, the only reason I even tried it was because I hadn't discovered the Revlon yet. The only differences are the Nars would probably be better if you have really sensitive skin and want nicer ingredients. 

Bronzer is something that always intimidated and kind of scared me. Since I'm so pale, I always thought it would look really unnatural and fake on me. But with the help of mostly my sister, I learned how to apply it to look natural and just add definition to my face. I started using Hoola by Benefit, since I love that brand, and it's perfect for contouring. I never add bronzer all over my face anyways, so this is perfect to add a little glow. I also love this one from NYX. It's matte, so it can look a little heavier on, but with practice it really enhances your look.

Blush has always been one of my favorite beauty products, along with lipstick, so I had a hard time coming up with only two I use often. I generally like to go for warmer, peachy shades, I feel like they compliment my skin tone, so the color Captivating by Tarte is one of my favorites. These blushes look very natural, and really last all day without being thick and cakey. I also love this one from Milani. It's a baked blush, so it's really soft and easy to apply.

 Concealer is a really important step for me, I have the darkest under-eye circles and look like I haven't slept in days if I don't cover them. I really love the MAC Pro Longwear concealer. It's like an all in one; heavy coverage, doesn't crease, and lasts all day. I love this stuff! A really cheap option for a  heavy duty concealer is Glamoflauge by Hard Candy. This stuff is crazy thick. The teeniest dot with cover up pretty much everything. Just make sure to use primer underneath it or it'll crease.

Liquid is the only kind of eyeliner I'll wear. I'm not a fan of the kohl, smudgy look, I like a clean line. So liquid pens are the way to go. They can be tricky to master, but once you've got it down it looks really good. The only real difference between these two eyeliners is the Stila one lasts longer, but the Maybelline is a great option for the price.

 One part of my makeup I don't necessarily want to look natural is my lashes, for me, the bigger the better. I want it all; long, thick, black, curled lashes. Mine are naturally pretty long, but stick straight out (I have to use a eyelash curler). Benefit's They're Real Mascara is my all time favorite. It gives me everything I mentioned before without making them clumpy and spidery. If you can't justify $23 for mascara, L'Oreal's Miss Manga is really good. All the same results, just don't go overboard or it'll start to clump.

 I'm always on the hunt for that perfect, everyday, keep in my purse lipstick. And so far I have a few I love. I tend to look for warm pinky nude shades, and YSL's Nude Beige is perfection. My favorite lipstick color ever, plus a creamy, soft formula, and just look at the tube it comes in, beautiful! A cheap nude I really like is NYX butter lipstick in Fun Size. It's a really pretty peachy-nude color I wear regularly. It's not as smooth and soft as the YSL, but amazing for the price!

And finally, a makeup collection isn't complete without the perfect red lipstick. My (and a ton of people's) favorite is MAC Russian Red. It's a really nice, deep matte red that looks amazing on every skin tone. And if you've ever had a MAC lipstick, you know how nice they are. A really good alternative is Rimmel Kate in the shade 10. To me, it's the perfect crayon red color, and these lipsticks are surprisingly smooth and moisturizing for how inexpensive they are. This is the only shade I have from this collection, but it's made me want to go out and get a bunch more!

So those are a few of the amazing makeup products I've discovered this year and love. And goes to show you don't need to spend a lot to get a gorgeous makeup application. Have you ever tried any of these products? What are your all time favorite makeup products, drugstore or high-end?

xoxo!

December 2014 Birchbox vs. Ipsy!

That's right, I've added on to my monthly subscription boxes, I now am receiving Birchbox and Ipsy, thanks to the recommendation from a friend. The reason I decided to add Ipsy into the mix is because of how different it is from Birchbox. The two do have a lot of similarities; both include 5-6 deluxe sized beauty samples based on your personal beauty profile, and both are only $10 a month (with free shipping), but they are very different. Birchbox seems to be more high end beauty samples that include some makeup, hair care, skin care, and lifestyle extras (snacks, accessories, etc.) while Ipsy contains mostly makeup products from well-known brands. So for now, I decided every month that I would compare the two and decide which box (or bag) I like better for the month.

So first I'll go over Birchbox, since this is my ninth box! As you probably know, this box is very hit or miss for me. Some months I absolutely love and I feel are well worth the $10, while others I feel are very boring and repetitive. This one I actually enjoy a lot. It came with a mascara called iCurl Secret Weapon 24 Hour Mascara. Mascara is something I always am okay trying out and discovering new good ones, so good sample there. Next thing I got was a can of Rusk Texture Spray. This is a brand I've heard a lot of good things about but have never tried it myself, so I'm excited to finally do so. Plus I love small cans this size, perfect for travel! The next thing is an Amika Nourishing Hair Mask. Birchbox had previously sent me a dry shampoo from this same brand and I absolutely loved it, so I'm excited to try this one out. Having long hair like I do means dry, split ends, so good hair masks are always welcome! Next sample is a Rosemary Shower Gel. I usually don't get super exited over shower gels, but oh my gosh does this stuff smell amazing. It's made with mint and rosemary essential oils, and it's that kind of smell that you know will wake you right up in the morning, making you feel super refreshed! And finally, the last sample I received is the Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre Cream (French??) It's a moisturizer that apparently is huge with celebrity makeup artists. It contains shea butter and aloe vera, and can also be used as a makeup-remover, post shaving soother, and allover body lotion. Sounds good to me! This box also came with a $10 gift certificate to The Gap. So overall, really great box! This box was worth about $32.25.

Okay, now onto my first ever Ipsy bag. I know a lot of people who are subscribed to this bag and absolutely love it, so I wanted to give it a try myself. Based on this first bag, I already love it! Every month, your samples will come in a different cosmetic bag, which is fun but also, who needs that many makeup bags? Anyways, the first thing I got in this month's bag is a Cool Way Boost Repair Treatment. This seems pretty similar to the hair mask I got in Birchbox, but like I said, with long hair they always come in handy! Plus even these little tubes last for 3-4 times, so I get good use from them! Next, I got a (full-sized) NYX Cosmetics Butter Lip Balm. I like this brand a lot, and am always open to a new lip balm, what with this dry winter weather and all. Plus, the color I got (marshmallow) is supposed to be a good base and neutralizer for lipstick, love! The next product I got is a (full-sized) Cailyn Cosmetics Eye Polish. I had never heard of this brand before, but a ton of makeup junkies I know were stoked to be getting this sample, so it must be a good one! It came in the most beautiful rose gold color, which I'm loving right now, and looks so beautiful on the skin, I can't wait to try it on my eyes. The next product I saw that I got is this (full-sized) Crown Shadow/Crease Duet Brush. The name pretty much says it all, haha. This might be something that I'll see if someone else wants. It doesn't seems like a bad brush or anything, I'm just really happy with all the eye brushes I already have. Plus I don't really like the duo-ended ones like this, since I keep my brushes in a cup. And finally, the last sample I got is a Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara. I absolutely love Tarte, so I was thrilled to be getting one of their products in my bag. And even though I already own this mascara, I really love it and am glad I now have a small one for traveling! Keep the Tarte products coming, Ipsy! So yeah, my first ever Ipsy bag was a hit, definitely gonna stick with it and am already excited to see what's in my next one! This bag was worth about $39.50 (not including the bag.)

I really enjoyed both of these a lot! I really like being able to compare two really popular beauty subscription services, and especially love getting these little surprises in the mail every month! It's so much fun, and if you aren't already on board, I really recommend you try one, or both, out!

Get your own Birchbox subscription here.

Get your own Ipsy subscription here.

November 2014 BirchBox: Giving

Oh, Birchbox. I have such a love/hate relationship with you. Okay it's mostly love. I can't be too picky with a box that's only $10 a month and is always a fun surprise. I loved last month's box, didn't like the one before that, and this month was okay. I was a tad disappointed because I saw that a lot of people got The Balm highlighters and Laura Mercier BB creams, both of which I would've loved, but of course got neither. Same thing happened last month when I got no Beauty Blender. It's not a big deal, I still love getting the little box of surprises in the mail every month, I just feel like I've gotten so many eye pencils, perfume samples, and lotions. Something different would be cool. But I'll still go through each product like I always do.

The first thing I noticed in my box this month was an eye pencil. And that's because it was smeared everywhere, ha! The Eyeko Fat Eye Stick I got came without it's cap, and got product all over the place. I was annoyed at first, so I emailed Birchbox letting them know, and they responded within fifteen minutes, super apologetic and said they'd send me another one ASAP, so that was nice. The color of this eye stick is really pretty and long-lasting, so I'm excited to get the good one!

Next thing I got was a Perlier Revitalizing Body Butter. Another body lotion! Definitely not exciting after getting so many, but I guess they come in handy to toss in your purse, especially for the dry, winter days coming up. It does smell really nice too!

Next, I got a teeny-tiny sample of a Supergoop BB Cream. I'll probably be able to get one, maybe two uses out of this little sample, but might as well give it a try. It seems to match my skin tone pretty well, and has SPF 40. I'll probably hold on to this little guy to use in the spring or summer.

This next sample seemed like a much better size. It's a Fekkai Fortifying Hair Masque. I know this is a really good brand, and like I said, it's a good-sized sample, which I need for my long thick hair. So this will be a good one to try!

Another perfume sample. Lame! I don't even wear perfume, it always gives me massive headaches. But they don't know that, so I guess I can't be too mad. The packaging of it is pretty!

And finally, I got a big pouch full of Chocolate Almond Butter. Birchbox mentioned that they were going to start adding little extras like this to boxes, and I'm not complaining! It's fun to get little sweets like this along with beauty samples. I haven't tried it yet, but it seems like it'll be yummy, so I'm excited about that!

Like I said, not my favorite box ever, but not bad either. I liked how even though one sample came broken, they responded really well to my complaint, so I'm totally okay with it. Another thing about this month's box that's really cool is that it's associated with (RED), a company that helps fight aids. So for every photo of the box posted on Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #shaRED, Birchbox will donate $1 to the foundation. So if you got this box, don't forget to do that!

What did you get in your subscription box(es) this month?

Get your own Birchbox subscription here.

See my past Birchboxes here.

My Favorite Foundations for Very Fair Skin

Ever since I first started wearing makeup, I've had trouble finding a good foundation for my very fair, very dry skin. I remember my very first time going to buy makeup the summer before high school, my mom took me to the MAC counter in the mall, and I was so excited to finally start wearing makeup. The woman working there swatched a few different shades on my face before telling me that even the lightest one they carried was too dark for me. I was a little bummed but she told me that a little concealer and some blush was all I needed on my face anyway.

I was fine wearing super minimal makeup for a while, but after about a year I really wanted more coverage. My mom suggested trying Cover Girl, which carried super light shades, but that makeup must be formulated for oily skin because I found it left my face feeling rough and chalky. I think I even went a while wearing makeup that was just a bit too dark for me, noticing that dreadful mask line in old photos. So I began my hunt for the perfect foundation, and now am happy to say I've found a few that really work for me!

The first one I tried and loved was bareMinerals Original foundation in Fairly Light, the lightest shade for neutral under-toned skin. I was a little unsure about it at first because it was powder I assumed it wouldn't work well on dry skin, but after a friend of mine swore on it, I bought a starter kit. I immediately fell in love. The color blended perfectly, had a natural finish, and pretty good coverage. It's been about six years since I first tried this one out and it's still a must-have in my makeup drawer.

Although I really loved that makeup, I still really wanted to find a liquid foundation that would work for me. I don't really remember how I came across it, maybe from someone on YouTube, but I decided one day to try out the Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in the lightest shade Siberia. I completely loved it. This foundation comes in so, so many different shades, and leaves your skin looking very moisturized and fresh. I really love this makeup!

I discovered my next favorite, and probably my most used foundation by trying to find a good dupe for the Nars one. I normally wouldn't feel like I need to, but $45 for one ounce of makeup started to feel like too much. I read a lot of people online suggested Revlon ColorStay for Normal to Dry Skin in the shade Buff. When I looked at this makeup in the store, it looked pretty dark, so I was nervous to try it, but for $10, I thought I'd give it a go. And I'm glad I did! This foundation is so, so similar to the Nars, and for a fraction of the cost! This is my everyday, go-to foundation, it just always seems to work well. And being on my fourth bottle now, I'm really glad I discovered this instead of spending that much money on the Nars!

And finally, a foundation I just recently discovered is the bareMinerals Bare Skin Brightening Serum in Bare Porcelain. When I heard that this brand was finally coming out with a liquid foundation, I was thrilled, it seemed like the best of both worlds! I bought this after trying it on a bunch of people at work and really liking how it looked on them, very bright and fresh looking. And I ended up really liking it on me too! The lightest shade works for me, which I still consider lucky, and the finish is really nice. The only thing I will say though is this makeup doesn't last very long. When I do wear it, I like to be able to touch up during the day. But when I'm lucky enough to find a makeup that works for me, that doesn't matter too much!

So those are the foundations I've discovered so far for extremely fair skin like mine. I will admit, even these require blending into my neck in the wintertime when my skin is extra pale, but I'm still able to make them work and am glad I found them after some crazy searching and a lot of failures!

What foundations have you found that work perfectly for your skin?

October 2014 BirchBox: Fanfare

I just got October's Birchbox in the mail, and let me just start by saying this month really made up for last month's not-great box. I'm glad I'm back to getting good boxes (hopefully) for a while. I was a little bummed because I saw a lot of other people got Beauty Blenders in their boxes this month, something I've been wanting to try a long time and would've loved to get! But nonetheless I still loved this box and am really happy with it!

The first thing I saw in my box was a pretty big sample of Macadamia Professional Flawless Cleansing Conditioner. This size (3oz.) is $15 to buy, so it was a great deal! This is supposed to be a really good conditioner you apply to your hair in the shower, leave in for a few minutes, then rinse out. It claims to clean, soften, smooth, add volume, eliminate frizz, and cut down on blow-dry time. Sounds too good to be true, but almost every review on the product says they were pleasantly surprised and that it did everything it claimed, so that gives me hope! I'm excited to try this product and hope it works like it says!

The next thing I noticed was a ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick in the color Kitty. Another "sample" that's actually a full size, love it! I've heard so many good things about this brand but this is the first I've tried from it. I already tried it on and really like it! I actually really like the color, which is cool because I'm picky about lip color, and it goes on really smooth and nicely. Very happy about this product!

The next product I got was something I've never really heard of before. It's a clariSEA Rapid Detox Charcoal Exfoliant. Apparently you're supposed to add a pinch of it to your every day facial cleanser and use to to exfoliate. Again, really good reviews, but I have to be really careful with exfoliators because of how sensitive my skin can be. But I'll give it a shot and see how it goes!

I got another eyeliner! Haha! If you love eyeliner, Birchbox is for you! I feel like I've gotten an eyeliner sample in half my boxes! Not necessarily a bad thing though, I'm always open to trying new eyeliners. This one is the Lord and Berry Paillettes Eye Pencil. It's black with a hint of glitter in it. I don't think I would normally go for glitter in any eye makeup, but never say never! Maybe will be fun to wear for Halloween!

The next thing I got is the Ellovi Vanilla Butter. The only thing is says on the container is "apply all over," so I looked online to see exactly what this is. It says it's a body butter to be applied to dry spots on body like elbows, knees and feet, can be used as a makeup remover, and can treat scars and eczema. It only has six natural ingredients, which is good, and it smells nice. I'll try it out eventually haha. 

And finally, as an extra, I got a tiny sample of Kérastase Cristalliste Lumiere Liquide Serum. It's supposed to add shine, smooth away frizz, and restores dry ends. This is a really good, high quality brand, and it was just an extra in the box, but I hate tiny containers like it came in. Usually you open it and have the product explodes all over the place, then it's really hard to get the rest out. So it would've been nice if it had a pump or dropper, but still nice for an extra!

So all in all, a pretty great box! Much better than last months, and worth the $10 for sure! Most excited for the conditioner and lipstick! Do you subscribe to any monthly beauty boxes? What did you get this month?

Get your own BirchBox subscription here.

See my past Birchboxes here.

My Experience with the Clarisonic

I mentioned in this post that I'd been wanting to try a Clarisonic cleansing system for quite some time now, and after hearing amazing things about it from my mom, sister, and a couple friends, I took the plunge and bought the Mia2 from Sephora. The woman working there talked me into buying the $150 one instead of the cheapest $100 one, something about it having a better timer, and the sucker in me gave in. I told her about my sensitive skin, and she assured me it wouldn't irritate my skin, and would only make my skin glowy and baby-soft. I couldn't wait to get it home and try it out.

That night I removed my makeup with a makeup wipe like I normally do before washing my face, and turned the little contraption on. I made sure to follow the directions exactly as stated in the instructions; 20 seconds on my forehead, 20 seconds on my nose and chin, and 10 seconds on each cheek, easy enough.

After my first use my skin didn't feel especially soft or amazing, but it did feel clean, so I guess that was good. The pamphlet says to use twice a day, but I already decided since my skin is pretty sensitive I would only use it at night. After probably four or five nights of use, not only did my skin not feel any better, I had broken out all over my face. I usually don't have that big of a problem with acne, a pimple or two on my chin during my time of the month is usually the most I ever get. But I had big red spots everywhere; my cheeks, forehead, temples, places I never usually break out. And those big painful kind, too! I was pretty annoyed, and I realized the only thing I had changed in my routine at all was using my fancy new Clarisonic.

I decided to put my theory to the test and didn't use it for the next three days, and as expected, my skin cleared right up! I used it one last time in the shower, thinking maybe only three or four times a week would be a good amount to use it, maybe my skin was just "purging," but the morning after only one more use, BAM, four new spots. So it's decided, the Clarasonic is not for me! I'm not sure if my skin is just that sensitive, or it's because it's really dry, or what, but I was pretty disappointed to have such a bad experience with it.

I'm not trying to tell you that this is a horrible product, it's obviously works really well for a lot of people, but something about my skin just didn't like it at all. And I did realize that sometimes the fancier, more expensive products don't work better for everyone. The Aveeno cleanser I've been using for years works just fine, so I'm gonna stick with using that. At least until another pretty new product comes out that I'm dying to try ;)

September 2014 BirchBox: Fresh Paint

With the last few BirchBoxes I've received being awesome, it makes sense to get a just okay one once in a while, that was this month's, okay. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad box or anything, it's always fun to try new things you probably wouldn't have picked up on your own, but this box just wasn't all that exciting to me.

The first thing I saw was a pretty good sized tub of Davines OI Conditioner. I love getting big samples like this one, plus this one came with the brand's shampoo and oil to try along with it. I'm always open to trying new shampoo and conditioner, it's just not the most exciting thing in the world. But this stuff seems pretty nice so I'll give it a try!

The next thing I saw was another good sized sample of Avene Cleanance Soap-Free Gel Cleanser. Definitely boring looking, kind of like a hotel wash, but sometimes the best products are! It smells super fresh and clean, which is nice. I'm just a little unsure about it because it's meant for oily skin types, which I don't have at all, and reviews from people with dry skin say their face was left feeling too tight and dry. Probably not the best option for me. My profile on BirchBox says I have dry skin, so I'm not sure why they sent me this one. I'll see if Joe wants to try this one, it'll work better on his skin.

Next I noticed a cute little dropper of Temptu Highlighter in Champagne Shimmer. Highlighter is a makeup products I really like, and enjoy trying new kinds of. I've never tried one with such pigmented color, usually I go for white/pearly ones, so maybe I'll try this as a blush or something. Honestly would have never chosen this color, but I might as well give it a shot!

This next product was the one in this box I'm most excited about, Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. I have actually been wanting to try a serum for a while, and I've heard really good things about this brand, so this was a good sample for me. I kind of hope I don't love it though, the full size is kind of pricey!

And the final thing I got in my box is the thing I hate to get in my boxes, tiny little perfume samples. Perfume isn't something I ever wear, it just gives me headaches, so I'm always a little disappointed to see that I got one. I never even keep these in my little sample bag where I put other samples I plan on trying eventually, I just throw them out, so it's a waste. This particular perfume though, called Juliette Has a Gun Anyway does smell good, clean and classic. 

So yeah, not my favorite BirchBox ever, but the really good boxes I've received in the past make it okay. The occasional dud isn't a big deal, I'm sure next month will be better! 

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See my past BirchBoxes here.

Beauty Products I'd Like to Try

One: Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System. This is a product I've been hearing about for years, mostly from my mom and sister, who absolutely love it. For me, I've always been a little turned off by the price, I guess not seeing how it was any better than a $5 face brush. But, I've been thinking about it more and more and would really like to try it out. With Fall and Winter coming up, my skin gets even more dry and dull than usual, so maybe it would be good for me to have this system. It claims to:

• remove makeup six times better than usual methods
• clears pores and reduces pore size
• cleanses so thoroughly that skin care products absorb better
• removes layers of dead skin
• leaves skin looking noticeably healthier.

That all sounds really, really good to me! Most of the reviews are really positive and some people say it feels like a facial every day! So this product is next on my "to try" list, I'll let you know what I think!

Two: Benefit Majorette Blush. I've mentioned a bunch of times how big of a Benefit fan I am, so whenever a new product comes out (this one just did today!) I'm really excited to give it a try. This blush is a cream to powder, so it can easily be applied with fingers, and can be worn alone or under a powder blush to amplify it. The color is a really pretty pinky-peach shade, and oh my gosh, the packaging is so cute, I'm such a sucker! I actually just bought a new blush, and already love mine that I use, but I do want to give this one a try. New blushes are always fun to experiment with, so I'll grab this one eventually!

Three: Bare Minerals Bare Skin Serum Foundation. I'm already I pretty big Bare Minerals fan. I really like using the powder foundation on days when I don't want to wear a ton of heavy makeup, so I was pretty interested when I found out they made a liquid. I've heard from a lot of people that it's a really natural-looking and has a luminous finish, which I love. It also is supposed to be great for dry skin, which I have. It's also cool that it only takes a couple drops into the special brush and it buffs on really nicely. This is actually sold where I work, and I've tried it on other people but haven't tried it myself yet. So far people are really happy with how it looks and it looks nice on everyone, but everyones skin is different so I'll have to try it for myself soon! 

Have you tried any of this products? What do you think of them? Are there any beauty products have you been wanting to try?

Have a great week, everyone!

Appear to be Makeup Free

Don't get me wrong when you see the title of this post, I'm not the type that never leaves the house without makeup on. Once in a while it's nice to let your skin just breath and take a break. Especially when on most days I wear full foundation, thick mascara, etc. I love makeup a lot, I think it's a lot of fun to experiment with and figure out how you like to look, but I also think people should be okay looking natural once in a while, whether that be completely bare-faced, or with a few light products.

On those days when I'm just running errands and don't want to apply a full face of makeup, there are a few products I like to use to appear to be wearing no makeup at all, but just enhance everything a little bit.

The first thing I put on for a day like this is BB Cream. I just received this sample in my last Birchbox and fell in love. I've never worn a BB Cream before, until I discovered this one I would just wear plain SPF moisturizer. But this stuff is amazing. It simply evens out your skin tone without giving you an unnatural finish like foundation does. It's very, very light, so it does just enough while still feeling like you're only wearing moisturizer. Plus it has SPF 30, so it's perfect, I'll definitely be buying the full size when this one runs out.

Next I apply a dab of concealer under my eyes. Most people could probably get away without it, but under my eyes are super dark, so with out it I tend to look sick or really tired. I still only use a tiny bit though, to keep it looking pretty natural still. This concealer to too light for me to use on an every day basis, so it's perfect for these days.

After concealer I put the tiniest drop on Posietint on my cheeks. This color looks really natural on me, and a tiny bit is all you need for a natural flushed look. Because it's liquid instead of powder, it looks like skin once rubbed in, plus it's very sheer, so it doesn't look like you have any makeup on your face at all.

Something pretty important for me is to curl my eyelashes. Mine are pretty long, but also stick straight out, and curling them makes a big difference. I skip eye makeup completely when doing this look, but curling your lashes really opens up your eyes without looking fake.

And the final thing I'll do is put on a tinted lip balm. I really like this one from Burt's Bees. The color pretty much looks the same as my natural lip color, but just adds a bit of shine and makes them look healthier. After this, I appear to not have any makeup on at all, I'm just tricking people into thinking I have even skin and naturally blushed cheeks :)

All of this takes less than five minutes to apply, and doing just this much, even though it makes such a small difference, really helps you feel more confident when you go out with "no makeup on." Then you won't feel completely naked like I do sometimes!

pardon the poor lighting, it's the best I could do ;)

August 2014 BirchBox: Lighten Up

Man, BirchBox just keeps getting better and better! I'm so glad I decided to keep my subscription after not being that impressed with the first two, because since then they've really been awesome, and they're something I really look forward to getting every month. If you haven't gotten your hands on a subscription yet, I highly recommend you do!

Okay, on to this month's box. The theme of this box is "lighten up" and is going to be filled with lightweight products to get you through the last hot days of summer, love that!

The first thing I saw in my box was a full sized Nior Long Wear Eyeliner, full sized! That alone is worth $15 (a whole Birchbox is only $10 a month!) so that was super exciting! Black eyeliner is something I actually wear every day, with or without eye shadow, so getting a new one is always a good thing. I'm always down to try out new eyeliners. I usually wear liquid, but the crayon kind like this one is so much easier to apply, plus this one is waterproof and long-lasting, so it seems like the best of both worlds!

The next thing in this box I couldn't help but notice was the very bright and colorful mini can of Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo. Dry shampoos are a favorite beauty product of mine, and a super necessity for me. I'm excited to give this one a try because I've never heard of this brand before and it has amazing reviews! Plus it smells amazing, very light and fresh! This is also the perfect little size to toss in my purse in case I need to freshen up my hair during the day. Very happy about this sample!

The third thing I saw was the Naobay Natural and Organic Body Radiance Lotion. Body lotion isn't the most exciting thing ever, but definitely important. Especially for me, I have pretty dry skin. And anything with the word "radiance" in the product name stands out to me, who doesn't want to look radiant?! Plus it's natural and organic, always a good thing!

Next, I received a couple small pouches of Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream. This is the first time I received something in my BirchBox that I already own! But I'm totally okay with it; Benefit is one of my favorite makeup brands, and I love this eye cream! I get pretty dark circles under my eyes, and this stuff really helps liven your face up and fade that darkness. Eye cream is something I always need to use because I never want to look too tired, even if I am, and this products has proved to work very well! I'm actually almost out of my full sized tub, so these samples will tide me over once I run out and before I can get some more!

And the final product I received in my box is Dr. Jart+ Dis-A-Pore Beauty Balm. I've actually never tried a BB Cream before, I just never felt the desire to, but now that I have one right in front of me I might as well give it a shot! Apparently it evens skin tone, reduces pores, and is SPF 30, which all sounds great to me! Who knows, maybe I've been missing out on this whole BB Cream thing, we'll see!

What an amazing box, probably my favorite so far! Do I say that every month?? Hehe.

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See my past BirchBoxes here.

Current Beauty Favorites

1. Mac Mineralize Blush in New Romance

Blush is something I always love to try new colors of and different brands, but this one has made me stop wanting to look any further. I came across it while shopping in Nordstrom and just thought it was so beautiful looking. And I'm so glad I grabbed it. It's the absolute perfect soft, peachy shade and gives such a natural-looking flush. I usually don't even like powder blushes that much because they can leave a thick, powdery finish, but this one has a slight shimmer and gives a dewey, healthy glow. I really recommend MACs Mineralize blush to anyone who wants the convince of a powder but the appearance of a cream.

2. It's a 10 Miracle Leave-in plus Keratin

I received a full size sample of this product from Ulta a few months ago, and like I do with most samples I receive, I put it in a drawer and forgot about it. The only reason I tried it was because doofus me accidentally bought two shampoos from the store instead of a shampoo and a conditioner, so I had nothing to condition my hair in the shower and needed something to make my hair look smooth. I decided I would give this stuff a shot, and good thing I did, it's amazing. Even without using a rinse out conditioner, my hair looked and felt so much softer than usual. It even blow-dried smoother and curled better. This stuff really is a "miracle" and I'm so happy I was given a bottle for free or I never would've thought to try it!

3. Benefit They're Real Mascara

This stuff is the best mascara I've ever tried, hands down, and I've tried a good amount! I had heard really good things about it for a while, so I decided to give the $10 sample size a try (which I talked about a little in this post), just incase it was no good I didn't want to spend over $20. But it really amazed me. A few coats and it really looks like you're wearing false lashes. I really love the look of long, thick lashes (who doesn't?!) and this mascara really delivers. I even like to save it for more "special occasions" because I almost feel like it's a waste to use it every single day if I'm not going to be doing much. My favorite every day alternative is Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara. It's the little bit toned down (and cheaper) version of They're Real.

4. Urban Decay Chill Makeup Setting Spray

Setting spray isn't something I've even thought about using until recently, and it's quickly become an essential part of my every day makeup routine. I naturally have pretty dry skin, and a couple mists of this stuff over my makeup not only gives me a healthy, dewey glow, but it really makes my makeup last all day! Before, my makeup would start to dry up and even flake off of my face, but this really adds moisture and makes skin look nice while locking in makeup. It's also really nice to carry in your purse if you're going to be outside in the heat to spray on your face for a refreshing cool-off. Just make sure you've let your mascara dry before spraying it on or it will get everywhere!

5. Batiste Dry Shampoo

I'll be honest with you, I don't love washing my hair every day. Or every other day. It's long, and thick, and takes so long to dry and style. It's just a pain in the ass. So dry shampoo is kind of my best friend. It's so nice to go three days without washing your hair and it not show. A spritz of this stuff on your roots will absorb any oil, dirt, and smells, and makes your hair look fresh and voluminous. I've tried a few different dry shampoos and I'm really loving this one right now. Not only does it work really well, but it comes in a dark brown color for brunettes, because it's embarrassing to catch your reflection in a store window and see white powder all over your roots (not that that's ever happened to me...) It also smells awesome and is super inexpensive, I recommend this stuff so much!

So those are my most current cosmetic loves! Have you ever tried any of these? What are your top beauty products right now?

I hope you have a happy Monday!

July 2014 BirchBox: Power Up

I was excited to see this month's BirchBox in the mail because they packaged it in a very different box than any I've gotten before. The theme of July's box is "Power Up," which they teamed up with Women's Health magazine to do. It even came with a free one year subscription to the magazine, so that was a fun little extra. BirchBox has definitely started to redeem itself for me. After only the second box, I started to consider switching over to a different box subscription. But the third and fourth box have been so much better and have made me really love it.

The first thing I saw in my box was an adorably bright pink tube with the words Whish Shave Cream written on it. Shaving cream isn't really something I've ever thought about experimenting with, I always just buy the same one every time, so it'll be cool to see what else is out there and if I've been missing out. I got the acai grapefruit flavor and it smells really good!

The next thing I noticed is a Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel. I don't think I've ever tried anything like this. It directs you to apply a thin layer to your skin, let sit for 30 seconds, massage it into skin, then wash it off. Then it supposedly reveals a new layer of luminous, younger looking skin. That incises me for sure, so I'm excited to give this one a try!

This next one is something I'm happy I get to try since I struggle with puffiness and darkness under my eyes. It's the Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream. I've tried so many different products in an attempt to get rid of my dark circles, and nothing seems to work, so I'm really hoping this thing is the one. The reviews on the site all claim very positive results, so that's a good sign! Fingers crossed I've found the one, or it's found me!

The next item is the Revealed 2 Palette Set, a small trial size of four shades of eye shadows. I'm honestly not huge on eye makeup, I prefer to keep my eyes more simple, but I also enjoy playing around with stuff like this. Plus it's good to have more makeup options for nights out.

The final thing I received in July's box is a couple packets of 100% Pure Gingerade Shower Gel. This stuff is 100% natural and 100% vegetarian, which is cool, and it claims to be invigorating enough to wake you up in the morning, we'll see about that, haha! It is chock full of really nourishing things for your skin, including green tea and sea weed. I really like the idea of this wash and am excited to give it a try.

That's all for this month! Like I said, BirchBox is really starting to prove itself to me, I'm loving it! It's so much fun getting to try out all these new products I never would've discovered otherwise. Get your very own BirchBox subscription here, I highly recommend it :)