Allure Freebies!

Whoo hoo!  I actually won a couple of the Allure Magazine summer giveaways!  Lucky girl that I am, I won a bottle of Marc Jacobs Oh, Lola! perfume.  This fragrance retails for $88!  It is a lovely floral/fruity scent; I don't think it is a particularly unique scent.  However, the bottle is simply gorgeous and looks fab sitting on my dresser.

And, I won a Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick in the shade Pink Freeze.  I hadn't tried this line of lipstick before and was pleasantly surprised with the quality of this lipstick.  Pink Freeze is a bright but wearable pink shade.  So, thanks Allure!!!  I am loving my free products!

August Birchbox

 

It's August Birchbox time!  Yay!!!  As always, I was super excited for my birchbox this month.  This month's Birchbox theme was beauty innovations.  Unfortunately, this box was rather underwhelming for me.  Everything was just...okay.  

Anyway, here's what came in my box:

• Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine Cologne Absolue:  This is a very orangey scent that at first smelled a bit like soap to me.  I grew to like the scent more as I wore it.  I don't think I am likely to spend $145 to own it though!
• blinc Mascara: This is a "tube" mascara that coats your entire lash in a "tube".  I don't like this product because it does not give my lashes any volume.  However, it is great for length and definition; someone with naturally full lashes might really like this mascara.  Also, when you remove this product it tends to come off in stringy pieces that get all over your face.
• Caudalie Premier Cru The Eye Cream:  I liked this eye cream because it went on light and smooth and sank right into my skin.  I am not a fan of thick, greasy eye creams.  However, the $95 dollar price tag on this cream will definitely prohibit me from buying the full-size product.  I'll stick with my much more affordable the beloved Clinique All About Eyes!
• Fix Malibu Wish Wash Exfoliating Powder Wash: This is a power, similar looking to baby powder, that turns into and exfoliating face wash when you add water.  To me, a powder face wash seems like a step backward rather than an innovation!  I can imagine women in the 1800s using powdered facial cleansers.  This product was messy and kind of inconvenient to use.  All that being said, it did clean my face well and leave it feeling soft and smooth.  I wouldn't purchase the full-size product though.
• Twistband Hair Tie: This is a simple piece of soft black elastic to tie your hair back with.  It is supposed to be fashionable on your wrist, as well as in your hair.  I have to admit that it looks far better on my wrist than my plain hair ties.  Since I have not been able to break myself of the habit of always having a hair tie on my wrist, this is an awesome hair tie innovation for me!  I just ordered a set of several more colors of these.  Get yours on the Twistband website and use the coupon code LUCKY2 to save 40% on your order!

June Birchbox

My much anticipated June Birchbox arrived a couple days ago.  I was excited about this box because I had seen that other Birchbox subscribers had gotten full-sized Laura Geller Blush N' Brightens in their boxes.  However, I was hoping to get a blush color rather than the shade I received, which is more of a bronzer.  But $10 for a $30 product plus additional samples is still hard to beat!

Here is what came in my box:

• Amika Obliphica Oil Treatment:  This is a blend of argan and jojoba oils that you apply to wet hair for hydration and sun protection.  I think it smells really nice but cannot say that is makes my hair feel or look different, though I do not have frizzy or sun damaged hair in the first place.
• Kate Spade Twirl:  This perfume is okay but rather strong.  It reminds me of SJP NYC, which I prefer as it is a lighter scent.
• Laura Geller Baked Blush N' Brighten in Honey Dipped:  This product is more of a bronzer than a blush to me with my fair skin, and a little goes a long way.
• Pangea Organics Toner:  This toner is supposed to be an on-the-go refresher for your face.  I can't imagine spraying this on over my makeup, but it has a nice herbal scent and felt nice on my freshly washed skin.
• Dr. Dennis Gross Powerful Sun Protection SPF 30 Towelettes:  I am anxious to try these out at the beach this summer; I like the clean and compact concept of sunscreen in a wipe.

Laura Geller Baked Blush N' Brighten in Honey Dipped

May Birchbox

I received my Mother's Day inspired May Birchbox last night and tore right into it as soon as I got home!  I was pleasantly surprised to find within my box a full-sized Stila eyeshadow.  These retail for $18 each which alone makes my $10 Birchbox subscription well worth the price this month!

Here's a full list of what came in my box, as well as my initial thoughts on the products:

• Stila eyeshadow refill pan in Starlight - This is a shimmery champagne shade that is velvety smooth and great for all over the lid or as a highlight.  If you love Stila Kitten eyeshadow, you will like this for a less sparkly alternative.  I know I will be getting a lot of use out of this lovely shade.
• Bvlgari Mon Jasmine Noir perfume sample in spray tube - A jasmine based scent that smells divine!  I think I may have hit on a new favorite fragrance...if only I could afford $80 perfume!
• Archipelago Pomegranate Soap - Fancy little bar of soap that smells delish!  I don't use bar soap, but can use it to keep my dresser drawers smelling fresh.
• Ahava Dead Sea Water Mineral Hand Cream - I absolutely love the way the cream felt on my hands; I mean they were seriously silky smooth.  But, the scent is just awful; it smells like dead flowers and baby powder.  I really wish this had a different scent.
• Birchbox treat: Tiny Prints card - Cute note card that can be customized on the Tiny Prints website

I was really pleased with my box this month!  Thanks, Birchbox!!!

Beautiful Twists

Sexy Librarian Lip Conditioner, Sexy Silky Perfume Oil and Body Mist Set Seductive Vanilla Cupcakes

I just have to rave about this super cute set of body spray, perfume oil, and lip balm I got from Beautiful Twists.  I had to try the Sexy Librarian set because I am a librarian.  The whole set is just sooo yummy smelling, and I am loving how smooth the balm makes my lips.  The packaging of the products is really creative and fun.  Each lip balm or body spray has its own character including a story about the character.  These balms are ideal for the girl who can't live with out a lip balm in her purse.  Elladean on Esty creates of these amazing balms, etc.  I can't wait to try more of Elladean's lip balm creations!