March Birchbox Review: Harvey Prince Signature Fragrance and Number 4 Reconstructing Masque

After reading the description for the Signature fragrance by Harvey Prince, I should have known it wouldn't be my cup of tea. If you've read my other fragrance posts, I tend to go for certain types of scents, those mostly containing strong rose or peony notes. But never less, not one to waste ANYTHING, I proceeded on to use it. The scent wasn't awful by any means, I mean I did make it through the whole sample, it just wasn't something I would consider purchasing and want to wear constantly. The fragrance did have a really strong staying power. Imagine that, a scent that is not my fave holding on to my skin so I'm forced to smell it all day LOL. As with any scent, the way it smells on me or my tastes will be very different from anyone else, so don't necessarily rule it out because I didn't like it. That's why samples are great! You get to try it out for a week or so and really smell it to finally come to a decision! A plus about this fragrance (on the Birchbox site, I haven't checked others) is that it comes in different sizes. A smaller version to throw in your bag or for travel and a larger one to sit atop your vanity!

Now on to my favorite item in the March box, the Number 4 Reconstructing Masque. I had heard and read many amazing reviews about this product line in general that I was very eager to try it myself. Well, I absolutely loved everything about this hair product! The scent, the consistency, how my hair felt after......EVERYTHING!! My hair was so soft after just one use that I was amazed. What else was amazing was how little of the product I actually used. I was pretty bummed when I first saw the sample because I thought I would barely get one use out of it. However on the back of the package it said a little goes a long way, so I tried out that method, and it worked!! So not only did I find my new go to hair masque, but the fact that you only need a little bit made me feel better about the price! If you haven't tried the Number 4 hair care line yet, you should!     

February Birchbox Review: theBalm Read My Lips and Sumita Eyeliner

So if you know don't know anything about Birchobox, they put together monthly boxes of beauty and hair products for consumers to sample for $10 (plus many other perks). On top of that, each month there is a curated box that a company or person puts together with their favorite products. So for February I picked the Rent the Runway curated box and was so excited about most of the products going into it, but the gloss was one I wasn't sure of. I have used theBalm Stainiac in Beauty Queen and fell in love so I knew theBalm brand was good, I just wasn't sure of the color BAM! (a rose pink) in the Read My Lips Lip Gloss. In fact, I'm still not sure. I have worn it a couple of times and I'm just not loving the color on me. It is a little too rosey for my liking and makes me feel a little dated. The color is very pigmented, ultra shiny and pretty weightless once applied. The gloss also isn't very sticky and smells great! Maybe it will look better in the summer with a tan, but I would definitely try a couple of the five other colors they have. By the way, how cute are the names of the Read My Lips Glosses?!? BAM!, WOW!, POP!, etc......straight out of a comic book and a good play on "Read My Lips"!! 

Below is the Sumita Contrast Eyeliner in Raina. I am not going to talk too much about it because I just did a post on this eyeliner in Jaipur Gold in January so pretty much the same things apply. It's a great bold ocean blue to navy color that really lasts. The only complaint, same as the other color, is that it is only available in a set on Birchbox (I haven't checked other places). I love how easily it glides on and the colors are super fun and some even daring, well for me! 

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January Birchbox Review: Sumita Contrast Eyeliner in Jaipur Gold

Now I have to admit, when I first saw this eyeliner in my box, I wasn't too thrilled. I love a good eyeliner, but I wasn't so sure of the color. That was until I first swatched the Jaipur Gold color on my hand. I noticed it was a greenish brown with gold sparkles in it. It immediately made me think of my hazel eyes and that it could potentially bring out their color. And that it did, especially on my lower lash line. The gold really made my eyes pop and brought out the greener side that rarely shows (the picture doesn't really show it at all). Also, it has real staying power. The spot that I swatched on my hand last through T-25 and me trying to rub it off (see the video). It glides on easily which is also another plus. The only downside is that I didn't see it sold solo on Birchbox, but in the East Meets West set (also gorgeous colors). I will definitely have to purchase this eyeliner even if the set is the only way I can get it (I wouldn't mind though). Sumita also has some other really fun, bright, and daring colors to check out if this color isn't your style. They are sure to be bold and last through the night!  

Birchbox SoHo

Last weekend it was absolutely gorgeous out so we decided to go to the city. Since I hadn't been to the actual Birchbox store yet, it was my main focus! You would've thought it was my first time going shopping in a make-up store with how excited I was. It was a little embarrassing to say the least! We got there a few minutes before they opened so I tried to play it cool when they opened the doors like "yeah I'm totally not waiting to come in or anything". I know, I'm a super dork. We had the store to ourselves for a little bit while looking around which was so nice. The staff was super friendly and the store looked impeccable! I was in awe! We looked at absolutely everything there was. I loved the store, but I don't think my husband was too impressed. The men's section was pretty small and men can't build a box for themselves unless they want to build a women's box (which I don't recommend, you'll see why in a minute).  

My husband and I both have Birchbox subscriptions and love them, so I had to build a box for myself while we were there. For the most part I loved everything I picked, however, there are a couple complaints I have. I didn't understand why it was more expensive to build you own box when you get the same amount of products. I also didn't care for the fact that you had to pick something from each section (body & nails, skincare, fragrance, hair, and makeup). I could've done without the fragrance and body & nails selections and gotten a couple other things I wanted, but oh well, it was still fun to do. They were also doing a gift with purchase so I got to pick the Green Apple Peel by Juice Beauty as my selection which was nice! Overall I did love it and look forward to going back, especially with the holidays coming up! If you have a chance to go you definitely should! 

My Picks:

Green Apple Peel Sensitive by Juice Beauty (gift with purchase)

Body & Nails, OPI Sheer Tints-I'm Never Amberrassed 

Skincare, clariSEA Rapid Detox Charcoal Exfoliant 

Fragrance, English Laundry-Signature for Her

Hair, Macadamia Professional Healing Oil Treatment

Makeup, LAQA & Co. Fat Lip Pencil-Ring of Fire

October Birchbox Review: ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick

I had been looking for a nude lipstick for quite some time. I always saw ones that other people recommended or pinned on Pinterest, but I was always too hesitant to try one. Normally I go for a ip balm with a hint of color (Sugar is my fave, I have many colors), a lip stain in a pink color (Stainiac from Birchbox is my fave), or something bold like hot pink (my fave in this category is Make Up Forever lip liner 16C bright fuchsia pink  with lip gloss S26 pearly electric rose on top). Nude just wasn't my thing. I didn't know where I would wear it to buy an expensive one, yet if I went to a drugstore, I never liked any of the shades. It was quite the conundrum, so I just gave up and stuck with what I already knew and loved. As a matter of fact, the first time I put on the ModelCo lipstick (in Kitty) I hated it. It wasn't my first choice, but the other lip glosses were taken, so I was like great I'm stuck with this. A few days later, I was looking through Pinterest (surprisingly as much as I mention Pinterest I'm not on it that much anymore lol) and saw pictures of smokey eyes and nude lips. A trend I was familiar with, but hadn't tried. The pics gave me inspiration so I decided to play around. I mean what could it hurt right? My whole face was done, except for my lips. I grabbed the lipstick with a "let's get this over with" attitude, but looked closer as I was applying it and was pleasantly surprised with what I was seeing.......I loved it!!!!! I don't know what happened from the first time I tried it to this time, maybe the smokey eye, maybe taking more care in applying it, but I loved it! The color looked great, the lipstick felt great, and it had a lovely scent to it that I can't place (sort of like strawberry bubblegum). When my sample runs out (it's pretty substantial so it might be awhile) I will definitely have to get this! Below are the smokey eye with the lipstick in Kitty looks! Enjoy the rest of your week!