October 2016 Birchbox First Look

Birchbox finally came after some post office fails.  It's a $10.00 a month subscription box. Their points system used to be awesome but had some... eh changes.  You can refer friends for 50 points and if you ever want to use my link it's here. You'll earn points for your first five reviews, your points will expire after 6 months, but you'll still earn points for your purchases, inviting friends, and sending boxes.  You will also be able to use your points in increments before the 100 pts.

This Works

First up we have the This Works Deep Sleep Spray.  This works uses recyclable materials in their boxes, bottles, and tubes.  None of their "raw materials" are tested on animals.  This is supposed to be calming and soothing to help aid in sleep.  The scent of lavender is very pungent, so it wouldn't help me sleep as I loathe lavender, but if you like it, it may be a benefit for you.  The full size is $29.00 for the full size 75 ml spray.

MoroccanOil

 There was also the Moroccanoil Body Soufflé.   It has a nice light scent, but comes in two other scents if this one doesn't do it for you.  Rose and orange flower.  The full size is 6.4 fl oz for $56.00.  It does feel slightly greasy at first, but absorbs fairly quickly.  I think it will be good for winter dry skin.

Avène

I loved this next item.  I'm a fan of Avène.  This is the Avène Rich Hydrating Cream.  It is thick and very creamy.  It doesn't have much of a scent, which is good for sensitive skin.  It felt like my skin drank this in.  It is supposed to prevent moisture loss in the skin.  I seriously hope I don't adore this because it's not cheap.  It's not obscene either, so it might be a thing to invest in.  The full size is 1.35 fl oz for $32.00.  It is meant for dry skin, but it is almost winter and I tend to over moisturize in the winter.  Especially at night.

Air Repair

Continuing on the moisturizing express we got an eye cream! It's the Air Repair Super Hydrating Eye Cream.  It smells very faintly of sweet almond oil.  It is creamy and feels quite moisturizing.  It is made in the USA and is Cruelty Free.  It is supposed to reduce fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles.  All of the usual plagues.  It is $23.00 for the full size .5 fl oz.

Make

Lastly, we have the Make Silk Cream Lipstick in Taffy.  It applies creamy (our word of the day, apparently) and feel comfortable on the lips.  It is a flattering blush pink with a hint of purple undertones.  In translation, a very nice color for cool tones.  The full size is $25.00, so I may be sticking with the sample for a bit.

This was the curated box and it was nice, but I did cancel my subscription for next month.  I was disappointed in the sample choices.  It seemed like they were doing their warehouse cleanup or something.  With the point system being eh now, I just didn't feel it.  It makes me incredibly sad because I used to love Birchbox.  I hope to go back to it one day ♥

* I purchased this box myself.

Birchbox October 2016

2016 October Boxycharm First Look

I always look forward to getting my subscription boxes, but I have to admit, Boxycharm is my favorite box.  Every time I receive a box it has been worth every penny and then some.  If you want, this is my referral link.  When you refer a friend you receive 500 points.  You also receive points just for getting a box delivered! 

For $21.00 a month you get four to five full size products. The points earned take off money in the store.  The store isn't as extensive as Birchbox, but it's still pretty good.  1000 points will take off $10.00, 2000 takes off $20.00, and so on.  It also contains a card that lists the prices and information on the products you receive.

This month's theme was Boxy Bazaar.  I'm still unsure how often these themes are valid but whatever, lol.

Temptu

First up was the Temptu Shimmer Bronzer.  This was a full size product and sells for $29.50.  I really wanted the Ofra Highlighter, but oh well.  This can be used in several ways.  You can use it with the airbrush, you can mix with your foundation or lotion and go for the full body glow, you can use with a brush, and more.  To be honest, I probably won't use this.  Bronzers are not usually too friendly with my skin.

Luxie

I was so excited to get this.  I love getting brushes, you just can't have too many.  The Luxie Beauty Eye Blender Brush Pack retails for $36.00.  All the brushes are quite soft.  They have a pink handle and a rose gold ferrule.  The first brush is the 237 Blending brush, by it's self it is $12.00.  There was also the 205 Tapered Blending Brush, also $12.00 individually.  The last brush is also $12.00 and is the 229 Tapered Blending Brush.  These are pretty god brushes and I may already have them, but I won't complain about that.

Briogeo

I also received the Briogeo Rosarco Blowdry Crème.  It is full sized at 118 ml and sells for $24.00.  It has rosehip, aragan, and coconut oils.  It is supposed to protect your hair up to 425°.  It doesn't have phthalates, parabens, and sulfates.  I have enjoyed other Briogeo products that we've received previously and I look forward to trying this!

Next up was the Starlooks Matte Lip Paint in Piquant, this was 7 g of full size fun.  It sells for $19.00.  It seems to be a mauve color.  I love liquid lipsticks so I'll be happy to give this a try.  The story of Starlooks is rather sweet and came from a moment when Marci had worked with a young woman with vitiligo.  It did feel a little drying so it's probably best to moisturize prior to use.  Unlike me.  Obviously.

 The last item in the box I somehow completely missed.  I was in the bathroom, trying on the lipsticks and scrubbing swatches off my arm when I realized there had been something else in the box.  I ran back in to find this Three's Company Iby Beauty eyeshadow trio.  It is full size and has three 0.04 oz eyeshadows.  Iby stands for "Inspired by You." This is a nice little trio for travel.  I am happy to have this although it is fairly similar to the last eyeshadow palette we received.

I love Boxycharm, I really haven't had a bad box yet.  This is my favorite, but...I have been getting Glossybox, so when I receive that, I'll compare this box to that.

* I purchased this box with my own money.

2016 October Ipsy Unboxing

2016 October Boxycharm Unboxing

2016 October Ipsy First Look

Sorry for the extended hiatus, work...well, my boss wasn't the most nifty person ever and totally sucked my joy de vivre.  But let's jump into it!  Ipsy is a $10.00 per month subscription box.  You do earn points be reviewing the products and getting your friends to join, this is my referral code if you ever want to use it.  Theme this month was Black Magic.

How cute is this bag?

First of all, this bag was designed by Ilse Valfré.  She is a Mexican designer and her label is based out of LA California.  I've seen a video at Young & Reckless where she explains about her designs.  Her cat is so cute too.  I give her total props for adopting a black cat.  Some people think they are bad luck and don't adopt them :(  Either way she was a great choice for the bag designer and designed what has been one of my favorite bags.

The first item in the bag was the Noyah Lipstick.  One would have received either the Smoke color or Currant News.  I really liked both.  I was hoping for Smoke, which meant that I received Currant News.  It wasn't sad.  Noyah is a brand that makes it easy to get behind them.  They formulate with coconut oil, Shea Butter, vitamin e, they do not test on animals, they do not contain sulfates, phthalates, or parabens, and their packaging is bamboo, reducing their plastic use by 60%.  If that wasn't nice enough, when you purchase a product and tag them, they'll donate a lip balm to the homeless.  The color went on creamy, a little streaky but not bad.  It is very comfortable to wear.  I am happy to try this, the berry shade is perfect for autumn.  I may have to go buy that Smoke color though, it's very pretty.  The full size is .16 oz and is $18.00.

Patchology

The next item was the Patchology Eye Revive Flash Patches.  I have received this in a box before, I hadn't tried it because I only received one and I was saving it.  For what, I don't know.  But this time I got two.  Thanks Ipsy!  It is supposed to contain caffeine and collagen.  It reduces puffiness, tiredness, and dryness.  The full size is 30 pairs for $50.00.  Which is like $1.67 each.  When I think about that, it does make it a lot more reasonable.  I may consider buying it if it works well.

Lastly, I received a Mememe Blush Brush.  It's very cute and while it's not super soft, it is pretty soft.  It isn't really fluffy or dense.  It's fairly basic.  Unfortunately, I didn't see this on their site, so this might have been a special for Ipsy release or something.  I did see people selling them for $4.49.  I will possibly keep this as a backup or for travel.  Or give to someone.

I had two more items, but unfortunately, they didn't make into my bag.  I'm actually happy with Ipsy right now, because hours after I emailed them, they emailed me back.  They sent back a polite apology and said they will be sending out my missing items.  I use my personal email address for all my bags, so they have no way of knowing I have a blog that half a dozen people world wide read ;)  I find you can often tell more about a company about how they treat you when things go wrong.  Right now, Ipsy is making me rethink the thought I had about cancelling Ipsy.

On the subject of Birchbox, my box was delivered somewhere on the 7th.  I have no clue where that somewhere was.  I have messaged them and we'll see how that goes.

I actually made my first YouTube video on this box.  Since there are so many box openings out there, I did mine featuring Ditsy Daisy.  It's me doing a fake ditsy voice, saying things I've heard people say.  We'll see how this goes.

* I purchase my own boxes with my very very broke bank.