Birchbox August 2013

Birchbox not only sent me another lipstick this month, they accidentally sent me two.  Sweeettttt!!!!!!

Stila Liquid Stay All Day lipstick in Beso is an amazing, deep, velvety red that I adore.  The formula is very drying and sort of... Chips off when lips are not well exfoliated and cared for.  I do like it though, it just has such a sensual texture/look.  Perfect with a simple black dress or shirt.

It's a 10 leave in 'miracle' product - Ok, I am not a fan of miracle claims.  This doesn't seem to do much except burn my scalp.  The second ingrediant is Cetearyl Alcohol and I am guessing that is the culprate.

Whish exfoliating body wash in coconut milk is a good size and smells nice. I haven't yet tried this one out.

Whish deodorant swipe with hair inhibitor.  It's one swipe.  And it's not even an anti-perspriant, just a deoderant with an inhibitor that can not be judged from one use.  I am not thrilled with this and have no use for it.

And two tiny foil packets of Malin Goetz vitamin e face moisturizer.  I used one packet on my hand and it was hardly enough to cover.  There isn't enough product for me to allergy test and safely put on my face.  Not impressed with the product size or performance, as my hand didn't even feel well moisturized.

So, I loved getting a new lipstick but overall not an impressive box.  The Birchbox point system is still really nice though, and I was able to get 50 points ($5) for feedback on these items.

http://birch.ly/1a0bbzg (referral!)

www.birchbox.com

Popsugar Must Have August 2013

I received my August Popsugar box and I am far more impressed than I was with the July edition.  At $35 plus tax it is still a bit on the high side for my budget, but this months box is a great value for the money.

The Gorgana Circle Necklace is my favorite item, and it a special anniversary 'extra'.  I actually wear this almost daily.  It is dainty but mature and lays high enough not to interfere with a lot of necklines.

I have also been using the Bentgo box for my work lunches.  It is a convient size, and you can use just the top or bottom part if you didn't bring enough food to fill the entire thing.  Plastic flatware is included.

I received the Lulah in Vanilla Orchid, which smells amazing.  It is full sized and huge.

The May Designs Weekly Agenda is very pretty to look at.  The inside fonts are really nice.  This is a small (narrow) planner but it is handy.

Dermalogica Precleanse and Special Cleansing Gel were deluxe sized instead of full, but the actual products are pricey and it is nice to try them out without losing an arm and a leg.  I found the precleanse amazing at removing my makeup and making my face seem extra clean.  The cleansing gel did not irritate my skin either, however I broke out a bit and have gone back to using the precleanse in combination with either Simple Moisturizing cleanser or Nutrogena Acne Stress Control wash, depending on how big of a jerk my face is being.

The Lunares Apple Bowl is not something I would have brought myself but it is lovely.  I have been dropping the necklace into it at night and I can safely say it is a good jewelry loss prevention device.

The Nature Box Apple Rings tasted like dried fruit.  A nice, low calorie snack for people who hate chocolate.   And by extension, themselves.

Overall this was a spectacular box, however the necklace did carry most of the weight of the awesome.  Being that it was considered an extra, I don't know that September will be quite as impressive.  I know I should cancel for my budgets sake, but I have a feeling I will be hanging on for another month.  Last Septembers box is what originally drew my interest in the subscription.

 http://popsu.gr/gOps (referral link)

http://musthave.popsugar.com/ (weirdly unguessable regular link)

Turntable Kitchen Pairings Box July 2013

I am really excited about this subscription service.  They send a limited edition 7" vinyl record, a digital mix 'tape' (indie music), 3 interesting recipes, and a sample of a unique ingredient every month.  The mixed tape included 20 songs!  I was expecting around 8 or 9.  As I usually pay $1 - $1.30 a song from iTunes, this really adds a lot of value for me.  This subscription doesn't come with a ton of physical stuff, so it isn't for everyone.  It is basically a box of things that can be easily put together to create wonderful experiences.  This really appeals to me.  My cooking skills are pretty abysmal, and I don't really listen to music much.  That makes me a rather dull host at get togethers, but this subscription is turning that around nicely.  I had previously ordered a gift set from them that had me cooking soup from scratch and inviting over family.  It was an amazing experience, and I have already learned a lot about cooking basics.  I have fallen in love with a couple new bands as well.

July was my first formal subscription box, and the founders included a handwritten note and some amazing extra recipes to get me started off.  This lead to an exciting 'spice hunt', as I needed a special thing or two to go along with the extra cards.  I found some great local stores I didn't know existed and had a blast finding things I needed.  My favorite/most awkward moment was having to ask the lady at the spice store if toasted cumin was a thing that you buy or a thing that you do.

I haven't tried the main dish from July yet, as it is a bit 'fishy' (shrimpy? That's not a fish, lol), and I know too many people with aversions to things from the briney deep to figure out who to invite for it.  I will likely make it and hog it all to myself.  I have tried out a few other fun things from the box though, including the iced coffee with maple sugar, which is AMAZING.  I am having technical difficulties measuring coffee grounds into ounces, and I think I am overdoing it.  Which is a delicious mistake, but wow do I get hyper.

The iced coffee I made is pictured here in the background.  The delightful food pictured is a recipe Turntable Kitchen posted on their Facebook.  I guess this is their most 'pinned' recipe on pinterest.  For good reason too, it tastes and looks amazing.  Egg poaching was another first for me, and a great skill to pick up.  And now I have a cheap, easy brunch option to offer anyone stopping by.

So yeah, I freaking love this sub.  Even if you are not interested in the subscription service, their blog is full of great recipes and music suggestions.  I follow them on Facebook and they even just shared an entire mixed tape with a summer wine theme.  Really, check them out - they rock:

http://www.turntablekitchen.com/

Starlooks Starbox July 2013

Starbox swept in with a much more enjoyable box this month.  Nothing particularly edgy, but definitely more fun.

The three lightest colors in the palette are the best.  A light shimmery champagne, a bold pure gold and a creamy orange.  Great summer colors with excellent pigment and a long wearing formula.  The shimmery plumb is less pigmented, but still nice.  The black is stinky.  It just doesn't apply evenly and isn't a true black.  This eyeshadow palette is overall quite nice.  As far as product goes.  The packaging is on my nerves though.  When opened, it just looks like a cheap children's watercolor palette.  I have a growing collection of cracked and broken (but still functional) Starlooks products due to the crappy packaging they use.  I am a bit wary this will be joining the ranks.

The contour brush is a great touch though, and a perfect match for last months bronzer.  I am not a contour girl in general, but I have used this with great success to bring out my cheekbones.  It is a very nice addition.

As a special extra, Starlooks included a half size of their pigment luster in Penny Wise and a sample of Quince Body Butter.  The intent is to mix and create a body bronzer.  Skipping due to allergies, but the pigment is AMAZING.  I like this packaging better than the normal vials and the color lasted me all day today even without a primer.  No creasing!

So overall this month was alright and better than the last.  I have to say I do not recommend buying their eyeshadow palettes from their site unless they dramatically reduce the pricing (from 40 something to say, 12 bucks).  Or if they improve the packaging drastically without upping the price.  Their eyeshadow just does not compare to other brands out there that you can get a far better deal on.  Urban Decay is still the best I have tried, and a 12 color palette from them at $50 is around $4.17 a color, vs Starlooks poorly packaged 5 pan version around $8.20/ea.  That's huge.

If you want to learn more about Starlooks, as always you can check them out at www.starlooks.com

Unboxing goodness:

Birchbox July 2013

I feel like all my subscriptions knew I had the week off and sent everything all at once.  I received my Birchbox quite early this month, and it is box number 5.

Oh my, is that another lipstick in my Birchbox?  Why yes.  Yes it is.  I think they love me.

ModleCo's Party Proof Lipstick in Get Naked: isn't my favorite as far as quality and pales in comparison to last months LAQA&CO.  While the coverage isn't very smooth, opaque, or even very matte (as advertised), the color is actually quite nice on me.  It is also light enough that I can get away with the uneven coverage.  I don't plan to repurchase this, but I am using it happily.

The Curl Keeper by Jonathan Torch: is a great sample size at 1 oz.  I do have curly hair, but I just got it chopped into my beloved standard pixie, so I am not seeing much difference with it at the moment.  When it gets a bit of length to it I think it will be easier to tell.

Benta Berry G-1 Moisturizing Face Cream:  is not going on my face, as it is quite heavily scented and my skin is very sensitive.  It is a French item and while I usually trust their take on beauty items completely, I will stick with their unscented Embryolisse.

Juicy Couture, Couture La La:  I don't wear perfume out side of very special occasions, however this is a very nice, clean, and feminine scent.

Birchbox Bobby Pins:  These are so cute!  I don't have enough hair for them right now, but I will hang on to them for a bit.  They grip the packaging quite fiercely, so I expect they would need to be worn with some care.

Overall these were great items, although they really weren't all up my alley.  Birchbox is only $10/mo, and for every item reviewed you get 10 points to save up and use in their online shop.  If you would like to learn more you can visit them at:

http://birch.ly/1a0bbzg (referral link)

www.birchbox.com (regular link if preferred)

For a closer look at these items, here is my unboxing video:

Popsugar Must Have Box July 2013

This is my first Popsugar Must have box.  It is a subscription I have been following for a long time, drooling over the contents and reviews on the MakeUp Talk forum (www.makeuptalk.com).  It is a lifestyle box with a mix of beauty, fashion, food and other lifestyle items such as books and work out gear.  I was under the apparently false impression that this would be some sort of special anniversary box.  Moments after my unboxing, I received an email about next months special anniversary gift...  I do need to learn to adjust my expectations with 'special boxes' a bit, lol!  At $35/mo, this is a bit too pricey for me (although well worth it for anyone with the right budget).  I will likely stick around for the special anniversary necklace in August and move on.

I received the following:

Baublebar Rose Double Curb Chain necklace - Very, very heavy.  Clunky and a bit masculine.  It doesn't seem to lay quite right either.  The quality seems decent though, and I have seen some people absolutely rocking it online.  I am trying to find the 'right' outfit for it and keeping an open mind.

Supergoop SPF30 Anti-Aging City Sunscreen Serum - My first beauty serum!  So far it does not seem to be irritating my skin, although I am building up slowly to play it safe.  It seems a touch greasy but it feels nice.  I am a little baffled as to how it should be reapplied as often as directed.  Over makeup?  Under?  Without?  Combined?  No clue.  I am enjoying it though, and this is a perfect time of year for a sunscreen.

Mighty Leaf Iced Tea in Ginger Peach - I am way over excited for this.  It smells amazing!  I don't have a glass pitcher large enough to make it (lol!), so I may have to end up wasting a bit in a smaller container and steeping it for a bit less time.  This is also perfect for summer and a great choice to include in the box.

Tovolo King Cube Ice Tray - And speaking of summer perfect, yowza.  These ice cubes are monstrous and highly amusing.  The size is perfect for a million pinteresty things.  I am just gonna make ice in it though.

NCLA As If! Polish - Such a pretty color!  I have it on my toes now and it is holding up beautifully.  Opaque in one coat as well.  As soon as my current color chips it is going right on my fingernails as well.

Hannahmax Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip all natural Crunchy Cookie Chips - Jeez, is the name long enough?  Anyway my package was defective.  Shortly after opening they all vanished.  I am going to have to find more to research this phenomenon...

My Cat Nikita was also quite pleased with the box...

And for a closer look at the products from this box, here is my video:

 And here are links to their site for more info:
http://popsu.gr/gOps (referral link)

http://musthave.popsugar.com/ (weirdly unguessable regular link)

Starlooks Starbox June 2013

Starlooks June anniversary edition is in and it is ok.  Useful, quality items.  They kind of made a flashy deal out of this months box (please note the spiffy box design) and I can't figure out why.  With two eyeliners and a bronzer, it seems unbalanced and underwhelming.

Not that it is bad - it isn't at all.  I have used the bronzer in Montego Bay quite a bit, and their precision eye pen is perfect for the winged liner look.  The tip is so narrow it is perfect for getting into tight spaces.  The white eyeliner is in their fabulous creamy formula, although I don't personally have much use for it.  I really have nothing to say about the peace sign button.  It's just a cheap children's style button. 

I really think the box would have been more balanced and possibly more sixties if they had switched out the eye pen for maybe a pink lip color.  Or traded in the button for a braided head band.  Just something.  I am satisfied with this box, just bummed that it doesn't seem very special after the build up.  Oh well.  

Starlooks is $15/mo plus shipping (about $3).  If you would like to learn more you can check them out at www.starlooks.com.  

If you would like a closer look, check out my unboxing video here: