My Very First Birchbox!

8 / 18 / 15

After being an Ipsy member for over three years, I decided to give Birchbox a try. I had received their emails for a long time and was extremely jealous of all the great products other gals were posting. Without hesitation, I signed up for the Mad Men Box this past April (a little behind, I know). Birchbox is the first beauty subscription service and their boxes are only $10 a month including shipping and handling. I’ve noticed a lot of their products are similar to Ipsy’s but there are more skin care items. My first box was remarkable. Here’s what I received!

The breakdown:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel

Whish Shave Cream

Cargo Swimmables Water Resistant Blush

Beauty Protector Protect & Oil

Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion

The box was inspired by Mad Men, the addictive TV show on AMC. The pink retro style of the box was adorable and there was a promo insert. Each item included was something that the women of Mad Men may have used.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel

This product was one of the items that I was most excited to try. I’ve heard a lot about Anastasia Beverly Hills, but haven’t tried any of the their products. This clear gel works like a hair spray and holds your brows in place. The brush looks like a mascara wand and you brush it through your brows. I really liked the formula but the smell was a little strong. For the price, I think I might be able to find a cheaper alternative. Full size is $22. The sample was probably worth about $8. I liked that it works on any colored brow and that it doesn’t budge once it’s put in place. Although it’s not a staple, I’ve been using it about once every week or so.

Beauty Protector Protect & Oil

If you want your hair to stay in place and smell like vanilla cupcakes, buy this product by the gallons! Beauty Protector Protect & Oil was a product I needed in my life that I didn’t even know about. This tiny vial has lasted me a long time and helps smooth out my frizzy hair. It isn’t greasy feeling and has a delicious smell. Of all the items I’ve sampled from Birchbox (since April) this is one of my very favorite and I plan on buying the full sized option. Beauty Protector also sells other hair products I’d like to try in the future. A full size is about $26, so I’d guess this little sample is worth about $4.

Cargo Swimmables Water Resistant Blush

Why anyone needs a blush that is water-resistant is beyond me. I don’t wear makeup when I’m planning on swimming and when I do, it’s not blush! That being said, this product is really nice. I like the color, which is called Los Cabos. It’s a soft tangerine. You can apply if using your fingers or using a blush brush. I like the little tin it comes in. The size is perfect because I usually don’t use too much blush to begin with. There’s a subtle shimmer that’s also great for the summer. Full sized is $26. This sample is worth about $12. You can find other shades on Amazon here.

Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion

I don’t have issues with under eye circles. I thought I wouldn’t ever use this product…until I began using it to take my eye makeup off! The formula doesn’t irritate my eyes and helps me get all the black eyeliner off my lids. The smell is fresh and leaves my skin with a tight feeling. I read the directions and used it a few times as a treatment. You soak some cotton balls and lay with them over your eyes for a few minutes. My eyes looked so fresh and bright once I took the time to let the product do its magic. I don’t think this is a “must-have” item, but it helps a lot and I’m excited to have it in my ~~hoard~~ collection. Full price $25. Sample about $8-10.

Whish Shaving Cream

This product was kinda silly. It’s a $20 shaving cream. The sample was ok and I used it up but I wouldn’t spend $20 on shaving cream. The smell was yummy. Blueberry I think. BUT…$20?! C’mon. It’s supposed to help sensitive skin and keep your skin hydrated. I didn’t notice a difference between this and off brand Skintimate at Walmart. The sample size is valued at about $5 maybe?

Overall

I’m so happy to be a Birchbox member. It’s been about five months since I began my membership and I think it’s been worth it. I’m behind on my reviews but stay with me. There are more to come! This first box was a big win. My favorite item ended up being the hair oil. I least liked the shaving cream.

Love & Laughter,

Tiffany

Disclosure: I pay for my own Birchbox & Ipsy subscriptions. There are referral links in this post and also Amazon referrals. I receive points if you sign up using my link. Thanks!

Enter To Win A $50 Sephora Gift Card Right Here!

5 / 15 / 155 / 15 / 15

lp_giftcards_beautystudio_011515_image — Photo Credit: Sephora

I am so so super excited you’re taking the time out of your day to check out my new blog, Poeticlaughter. As a THANK YOU I’ve decided to launch with a $50 gift card giveaway from my favorite store, Sephora. Along with the gift card, you’ll also receive a 45-minute custom makeover. All you have to do is check out the Rafflecopter giveaway below and do the suggested actions to get entered. After a month, I’ll be announcing the winner here and on my Facebook page. The gift card also comes with an adorable little makeup mirror. Best of luck to you! Feel free to click around and learn about makeup, beauty, and life, all through the lens of love. If you’re new, click here to learn more about what you’re in for.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Love & Laughter,

Tiffany

Benefit’s Roller Lash Mascara

3 / 18 / 155 / 6 / 15

As soon as I found out Benefit was releasing a new mascara, I put myself on Sephora’s notification list. You see, I used to never wear makeup (It’s a long long story) and was really insecure about my skin (I had acne). One day, I decided to walk into a cosmetics store in the mall (Sephora) and ask for help with mascara. A boy that I went to college with was there and suggested I check out They’re Real! Mascara. Before I knew it, he had me in the makeup chair, complimenting my red hair and asking about my family. The time spent was so special and fun that I couldn’t help but splurge on a $20+ mascara. I used it everyday and fell in love with the way makeup made me feel (confident & adventurous).

That day I stumbled into Sephora is many years ago and now I love makeup and enjoy learning about new products. I began watching Youtube videos from Michelle Phan and Kandee Johnson and signed up for Ipsy Glam Bags.

The They’re Real! Mascara made for such a good connection that I was hoping to fall in love with Benefit’s latest release: Roller Lash Mascara. So without further adieu, here’s my review of Roller Lash Mascara!

This first image is without any mascara. If you noticed, my forehead is indeed dyed red. I had my hair colored the day before and still had some residue. This also explains the lack of matching eyebrow color (my hair was previously a lot lighter).

Can you tell which eye has the product applied to? (my right, your left)

Both top lashes are applied. I did about two coats and didn’t have time to brush them through because I was running out the door.

The finished look with some spotty lipgloss (that I hated after I applied).

The Review

I’m not sure if I’m 100% sold. I’ve worn the product for about three days and can’t tell a big difference between Roller Lash Mascara and other brands of mascara I’ve used. I like the fact that the product is designed to curl your lashes, but my hair is already curly and I never have to curl my lashes because they’re long and curl upwards already. If you have trouble with lifting your lashes, this may be the product for you. Benefit’s site explains that the product has a curve-setting formula that holds for 12 hours. The wand is also different than others. As you can see in the below picture, the “Hook & Roll Brush” has little hooks that help shape and curl your lashes. I think I would’ve been happier if I had brushed through the formula, but I didn’t have time. It looked a little clumpy.

What I do really like about the product is the packaging. Honestly, Benefit has a fun, funky look and their products are always cute. The top of the mascara has a vintage curler look and is rubbery so it’s extra easy to grip.

You also get a lot of product! Even though I’m not crazy about the thickness, I read on Benefit’s website that you can use Roller Lash to curl your lashes then layer on They’re Real Mascara to add more volume. For $24, it’s not worth it for me, but for those who can’t get their lashes to curl, it may be their holy grail. I won’t be returning it, because I want to try it with They’re Real. At this point though, I may have been better off investing in Yves Saint Laurent Babydoll Mascara.

Love & Laughter,

Tiffany