Product Review: Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint

Happy Monday!! Sorry I have been missing for a couple of days.  It has been a crazy couple of weeks at the Honey Do's household!  Before I get started on telling you what I thought of the Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint I received in my July Birchbox I really want to tell you a completely unrelated but hilarious story just to give you an insight into how my crazy mind works.

Let me set the scene- It's Friday evening, both hubby and I agree that we don't feel like cooking so we order pizza.  We often order from this particular company so my hubby answers the door as always to accept the pizza and sign the credit card slip.  I'm in the kitchen when I hear the pizza man greet my husband with a super sexy Australian accent.  I mean, anyone with an accent like that has to be hot...right?  My interest perks when I realize this isn't our normal pizza man.  My mind goes wild as I imagine this insanely hot shirtless Aussie at my door delivering pizza.  I mean, chances are the pizza delivery guy is wearing a shirt BUT it was pretty hot outside, maybe just maybe he decided to deliver our pizza sans shirt.  I couldn't take the chance that I might miss out on the only opportunity I might ever have to feast my eyes on the shirtless Aussie who just happened to be delivering pizzas.  So, I sneak into the living room and hide behind the wall trying to get a peek at the Aussie hotness.  Finally, I get a good clear view and...OMG...he is so NOT hot and so NOT what I was picturing at all!  Think scrawny looking unkempt barely out of high school kid.  Yep, I was embarrassed that I spent so much time trying to get a good look at this...KID.  Call me Mrs. Robinson I guess.  Later when I told my hubby about my little adventure he was quite amused, me, not so much!  Guess I learned my lesson, never judge a guy by his voice, and all Aussie men are NOT shirtless and NOT hot.

Anyway, on to the real reason you are reading this post, Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint.

  
I was pretty excited to try this stuff until I saw that the color was Bronze.  There is nothing about my skin that is even remotely close to Bronze.  However, I did see Birchbox saying that you could use this as a bronzer.  Now, I don't normally use bronzers either because I just don't think they look right on my skin.  Any kind of color I try to add ends up looking orange and very fake.  So first I tried it on my arm.

Now, obviously this is not blended in at all but it's just to give you an idea of how dark it was.  I did try it on my face one day when I didn't have anywhere to go and while I admit that it did blend in very nicely the color was still not right for my face.  I believe if my skin was just slightly darker it would have given a nice bronzed look but for me it still made my face look orange.  I did try to get a picture with it blended in but the picture just wasn't showing the slightly orange color that was much more obvious to the naked eye.  I would still love to try this stuff and I see that they have an opal or pearl color which I think would be perfect for my skin color.  However, the thing I love about these sample programs is that you get to try before purchasing and I'm not sure that I want to spend the $38.00 without trying it out first.

I did love how smooth the product was and how nicely it blended into my skin.  Overall, I think if you pick the right shade this is a perfect tinted moisturizer.  I really wish Birchbox would pay more attention to what we say on our profile so this sort of thing doesn't happen.  I may have actually purchased this product if it had been the right color.  For now, I might wait and see if I can somehow get a sample of a lighter shade.  If anyone has a suggestions on how I get a sample of a lighter shade please let me know.  

If you are interested in purchasing this product you can get it here.

Do you use a tinted moisturizer?  If you do what brand do you use?  

Thanks for reading and don't forget to enter our giveaway!

The Birchbox was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Birchbox or Jouer.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.

July Birchbox!

Happy Wednesday! Today I'm sharing with you a sneak peak at my July Birchbox. This month Birchbox partnered with Glamour for a box inspired by Glamour's Five Senses of Summer issue.  If you remember, when I first announced this box I wasn't all that thrilled with the idea.  If you read my last post you will also know that I had trouble with this box as well.  

Here's a quick overview of what happened in case you didn't get a chance to read my other post.  When I checked my Birchbox profile before I received my box I was very excited because I really liked the box it said I was getting.  When the mailman showed up and I opened the package I was disappointed to see that the box I received wasn't the box that the website said I was going to get. Not only that, but the "wrong" box also included tinted moisturizer that was bronze color that I won't be able to use and an opened Larabar that I had to throw out. I contacted Birchbox via email and didn't get a response so I called them. The girl on the phone said that they sent me the right box but put the wrong one on the site. She offered to send me August's box for free. She told me she would get back to me about the Larabar. I didn't get a response back about that. I then find out that Birchbox was sending some people the "right" box in addition to letting them keep the "wrong" box (this was apparently an issue that happened to others as well and not just me). So I emailed Birchbox back again and said that it seems they are sending some people the other box in addition to offering August for free. Someone wrote me back and told me that wasn't the way they were handling it. I wrote back and told her that I wasn't going to push the issue but that I believe in treating every customer equally and in the future they should make sure to offer the same resolution to everyone. I also sent her links to where others were saying that they got the "right" box sent to them. They are apparently sending me a new Larabar. We will see how next month goes and that will be the deciding factor for me.

Anyway, on to what was included in my box:

• Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint- Like I said, I opened this up to take a peek and noticed it was way too dark for my very pasty pale skin.  The color they sent me was Bronze.  We do fill out profiles and in my profile it says I am light skinned so I'm not sure why they sent me such a dark color.  If they had sent me a lighter color I would have been excited to try this.  I did try it on my hand but I might be brave and try it on my face and see if I can blend it enough.
• Oscar de la Renta live in love- I took a little sniff of this and it seemed pretty strong but did it grow on me?  You'll have to wait for my review to find out.
• LÄRABAR® über- This was opened so I had to throw it out.  You can see in the picture below how it arrived.  I'm waiting for a replacement so I will reserve judgment until then.

• stila It’s Go Time Lip Glaze Trio- The website says trio but I only got one.  I'm not sure if that is another error or what.  I love lip gloss though so I am excited to try this.
• Alterna BAMBOO® UV+ Color Protection Fade-Proof Fluide- At first I was a little peeved at receiving this because it says color protection and my hair is not color treated.  But, on the back it says you can use it to add shine to non-color treated hair so I will give it a try.  Plus it smells really good!
• Birchbox Exclusive Earbuds- I needed a new pair of earbuds and these are pretty cute!  I haven't tried them yet though and rumor has it they aren't so great, but I'll let you know what I think when I get a chance to try them.  

Stay tuned!  I liked their products in this box enough to give them individual attention so look out for the reviews coming shortly.  

Are you a Birchbox subscriber?  Did you have issues this month?  How did they resolve it?

The Birchbox was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Birchbox or any of the brands listed above.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.  

June Beauty Army Box & Subscription Woes

You may be wondering why on earth I am just now posting about my June Beauty Army Box?  Well, that's because I had a couple of issues with my June box and I wanted to see them resolved before I posted my review. 

Here's what was included in June's Box:


Atopalm Intensive Moisture Cream: This is the first problem that I had with June's box. If this product sounds familiar that is because it is familiar! I got the same product in my May Beauty Army Box and I have already reviewed it here. I also received the exact same sample in my June Look Bag. I didn't pick this item and yet somehow it ended up in my box. Now I have three samples of this stuff. Don't get me wrong, I like it enough but I don't need three samples. So, I contacted Beauty Army twice via email and didn't get a response. Then I posted on their Facebook page and sent a third email and finally got a response. They said they didn't get my first two emails. I was told the reason I got this product was because I picked something else that ended up being out of stock so it was replaced with something similar. While I understand that and don't really mind I feel like they probably should have let me know they were replacing one of my samples so I wasn't confused when I got my box. I also wish they would have tried to replace it with something I didn't already get just the previous month. They said they would give me an extra sample in my July box and I was happy with that resolution. 

 
Control Corrective Medicated Pumice Wash: This was the second problem I had with this box. I waited to try this until we went away for the weekend (last weekend) because I figured it was travel size so why not try it then. You can imagine my surprise when I went to use it last weekend and realized that the blister pack (I think that is what you call it) was COMPLETELY empty! I cut it open to see if maybe the product had dried up or something and there was absolutely NO evidence that there was ever even any product in there. I'm not sure what happened, maybe a production defect and somehow this one got sealed without getting filled? Either way, luckily I brought another facial cleanser with me as a back-up. I decided not to contact Beauty Army about this one because I didn't want to go through the hassle of emailing them again and wondering if they got my email and also because I had already contacted them about the other issue and I didn't want them to think I was trying to get a bunch of free samples.

Youngblood Mineral Primer: I choose this one because I use mineral makeup and I am always looking for a good primer. I'm happy to report that this one did not disappoint. This stuff makes my face feel like silk after applying and it provides a nice smooth base for my foundation. I was initially a little confused about the pump on this one because it doesn't have a plastic tube and nothing came out when I first tried to pump it, but after few tries I got the product to come out. You can buy the full size (1 oz) product here for $41.00. My initial reaction was that the price is a little steep but I do think this product is worth it.

Fiafini Delicate Cleansing Emulsion: I have heard a lot of good things about the Fiafini brand so I thought I would give this facial cleanser a try. It was nice and light and not too harsh. This is the second product from Fiafini I have tested and I enjoy their products. You can get the full size product (4.0 fl oz) here for $28.00.

Lucy B-Wild Jasmine: I know most people don't like perfume samples but I actually enjoy a good perfume sample. The problem with perfume samples is that everyone has such individual taste and some people may love what other people hate. That's why I only pick perfume samples if I know I might like the scent. I loved this scent! I thought it was very "summerlike", yes I like to make up my own words. You can get the full size product (3.38 fl oz) here for $48.00 which is actually a pretty good price for a good perfume.

Eyecandy Coolers: These were actually my favorite product in the box! Eyecandy says they are "reusable, chill-able, candy-colored soft gel rounds which work quickly to reduce puffiness, minimize dark circles and fine lines, relieve allergy symptoms, and instantly soothe pesky tension or stress headaches. Simply chill in the fridge or a glass of ice, and you are ready to ‘be eyecandy for the world’ in just minutes! eyecandy coolers may be safely used over and over again." These are great for those of us who suffer from migraines or stress headaches. You can get these for $12.00 a pair here. 

Subscription Woes:

I know the title of my post included "subscription woes" and that is because in the months of June/July I had more trouble with my subscription services as a whole. First there was the Beauty Army issues discussed above. Now, to give Beauty Army credit they did resolve the issue that I contacted them about and I have never had issues with them before. I am satisfied that this was an isolated incident.

I also received my July Birchbox and was disappointed to see that the box I received wasn't the box that the website said I was going to get. In the "wrong" box that I got it also included tinted moisturizer that was bronze color that I won't be able to use and an opened Larabar that I had to throw out. I contacted Birchbox via email and didn't get a response so I called them. The girl on the phone said that they sent me the right box but put the wrong one on the site. She offered to send me August's box for free. She told me she would get back to me about the Larabar. I didn't get a response back about that. I then find out that Birchbox was sending some people the "right" box in addition to letting them keep the "wrong" box (this was apparently an issue that happened to others as well and not just me). So I emailed Birchbox back again and said that it seems they are sending some people the other box in addition to offering August for free. Someone wrote me back and told me that wasn't the way they were handling it. I wrote back and told her that I wasn't going to push the issue but that I believe in treating every customer equally and in the future they should make sure to offer the same resolution to everyone. I also sent her links to where others were syaong that they got the "right" box sent to them. They are apparently sending me a new Larabar. We will see how next month goes and that will be the deciding factor for me.

Lastly, I got an email from The Look Bag on July 17th saying that they were cancelling the service (the bag was supposed to ship out on the 15th) and that if you weren't charged for the July you won't be getting it. This was TWO days after they posted on their Facebook page sneak peeks about what was in the bag and that the bags were shipping out that week. So obviously this was a very last minute decision. I found it odd that they would just quit in the middle of the month and not send people their bags. I wasn't charged for one so I figured I wasn't going to get one. So, I signed up for two new subscription boxes to see which one I like best. I will keep them a surprise for now but I think you are going to like them. Then, to my utter amazement I get my July Look Bag in the mail on Saturday! I haven't seen a charge go through yet so we will see.

Anyway, there is the short story of my subscription box woes. Hopefully things will be looking up from here and I won't have any more issues but I will keep you posted.

Thanks for reading! I will post shortly about what I actually received in my defunct July Birchbox and July Look Bag so stay tuned!

The BeautyArmy box was purchased by me with my own money. I am not affiliated with BeautyArmy or any of the brands listed above. I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.

June Birchbox Overview

I'm doing something a little different this month with my Birchbox products.  Instead of doing a post about each individual product I'm doing an overview post about all of the products.  The reason I am doing it this way is because I wasn't really impressed with the products in June's box so I didn't feel a need to do individual posts about each products.  So, let's get started shall we?

Apothederm™ Stretch Mark Cream

What They Say:  The lush cream tones and reduces the look of both ancient and recent stretch marks alike. Four natural moisturizers—olive oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, and meadowfoam seed oils—leave skin wondrously soft. Meanwhile, the unique SmartPeptide™ system increases collagen production, while licorice root and antioxidant-rich resveratrol fade discoloration. A dose of hyaluronic acid helps with long-lasting hydration.

My Impression: I was excited to try this but I was pretty sure that my stretch marks are far beyond any kind of repair. Most of my stretch marks are from pregnancy and that was over 3 1/2 years ago so if they haven't gone away by now I'm pretty sure they are here to stay. This product didn't do anything for my stretch marks just as I suspected. Now, I'm not sure if you have "new" stretch marks if this product would help or not. The biggest problem I saw with this product is that the full-size bottle (5.7 oz) sells for $89.95! Holy cow!

John Varvatos Star U.S.A. 1.7 oz

My husband did a review of this product since it was for him and you can find it here.  I loved the smell of this stuff and I am planning on purchasing it for my husband mainly because I know he never spends money on himself so I'm going to spend it for him!

Scalisi Skincare Anti-Aging Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

What They Say:  This moisturizer uses innovative peptide technology you won’t find anywhere else—it tricks your skin into thinking a wrinkle is a cut so collagen production increases to “heal” the wrinkle. Genius, right? Add White Tea Extract for radiance and soy proteins rich in amino acids to boost cell regeneration, and you’ve got yourself an anti-aging powerhouse. Plus, it meets skin cancer prevention standards set by the FDA.

My Impression: I liked that this product included an SPF which is a necessity for any moisturizer I put on my face. The texture of this product reminded me a lot of sunscreen however it wasn't greasy when applied to my face which is a plus.  I have been using this pro a couple of weeks off an on and I haven't noticed any remarkable changes in my skin and the fine lines under my eyes.  Maybe they aren't deep enough?  I'm not sure.  Again, the price of this product, $110.00 for a 1.7 oz, blew me away!  I love that Birchbox sends out some luxury brands but in order for me to pay that much for something it better work miracles!

theBalm® cosmetics Stainiac

What They Say:  The tinted gel leaves a lasting stain on lips and cheeks. Since it’s water-based, it has a longer setting time than most quick-dry stains, which means it won’t leave any unsightly streaks behind as long as you take care to blend well. Use a single coat for a subtle look or layer it on for a more visible (yet still discreet) hue.

My Impression:  I was excited to try this product because I have heard a lot about the Balm products but I have never actually tried them.  This was one of my favorite products in the June Birchbox hands down.  I love a good lip stain and this one delivered all it promised!  It sinks right into the skin and doesn't leave any kind of residue behind.  It also stayed put for several hours.  If I were to choose I would have chosen a different color like "Homecoming Queen" that has a more brown hue to it but overall I was pleased.  The best part is that at $17.00 for .3 fl oz this product is much more affordable.  

CleanWell Hand Sanitizing Wipes

What They Say:  These alcohol-free wipes use thyme oil, a natural anti-bacterial, plus super hydrating aloe vera.

My Impression:  I don't really have much to say about these other than they seems to work well and they smelled clean and fresh.  These might be good to carry around especially if you have a little one.

BAND-AID® Brand Adhesive Bandages by Cynthia Rowley

What They Say:  These sterile, individually sealed designer bandages will help you stay prepared for any emergencies that may arise. Keep a few in your purse for the next time you get a paper cut, or use them to cover up stiletto-induced blisters on your feet. Unlike traditional beige bandages, you won’t mind showing these little guys off.

My Impression:  The idea of fashion band-aids never appealed to me.  I hardly ever have a need for a band-aid and I'm really not worried about whether or not my band-aid is fashionable if I ever do need one.  Plus, I think these are a little pricey at $11.00 for a 40 ct box.

Well, there it is, my "just okay" June Birchbox.  I'm hoping and praying that my July box is better!

The Birchbox was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Birchbox or any of the brands listed above.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.  

Product Review: John Varvatos Star U.S.A. Cologne

This product goes back to the my wife's June Birchbox, and is the reason I signed up for the Birchbox Man. Good advertising on the part of Birchbox!

What They Say:

Dads and younger brothers alike dig this dapper scent. Full size product comes housed in smoky glass with a spring top reminiscent of a vintage beer bottle. John Varvatos’ cologne, like his designs, exudes a combination of off-kilter downtown cool and elegant prep.

My Opinion:

I was excited to open the package and smell this cologne.  I wasn't disappointed at all!  It has a great smell that isn't too overpowering.  The thing I hate the most is an overpowering cologne. You know, the guy that walks in the room and twenty minutes after he's left it's just as strong as when he entered?  Their description for the scent was pretty good in my opinion.  I imagined something that wasn't overpowering and a smell that makes you think stylish.  That's exactly what I got.

I've heard the John Varvatos name with working in eye care I'm familiar with the Varvatos brand eye wear.  So right away without even smelling the product I knew this cologne was going to be pricey.  After trying this product I really want to purchase it, however once I saw the price I had to take a step back.  For a 1.7oz size product you're looking at a price tag of $55.00, and for the larger 3.4oz product you're going to pay $70.00.  Now for someone like myself that doesn't like dishing out that kind of money on something that isn't a necessity, this price tag is a bit discouraging.  However, I really like the product and this may be something that I wouldn't mind purchasing in the future. Especially since my wife loved it too.

The Birchbox Man was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Birchbox Man or any of the brands listed above.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.

June Birchbox!

Finally Friday?  Could it be?  What are your plans for the weekend?  My hubby and I are having a date night tonight!  We're sending the little one over to his Nana & Pop Pop's and we're going out to dinner and then to a movie.  I love date nights because they are so few and far between. 

Anyway, I'm here because I want to show you my June Birchbox.  I actually received it a couple of days ago but didn't have the time to post it until today. 

Here are the items that were included in my box:

• Apothederm™ Stretch Mark Cream- I'm excited to try this but my stretch marks have been hanging around for a few years now, 3 1/2 to be exact, and I'm not sure anything is going to get rid of them at this point.  But, it's part of being a mom and so while I wish my skin was flawless I know those marks just remind me of my little guy.
• John Varvatos Star U.S.A. 1.7 oz- I know a lot of people were bummed about getting men's cologne but I actually didn't mind getting something for the Hubby.  My husband is one of the most selfless and giving men I know.  He is always giving me things so I was happy to give him something in return.  And, because he loved getting a sample of his very own we signed him up for the Men's Birchbox!  So stay tuned because we will be adding the Men's Birchbox into the mix shortly.
• Scalisi Skincare Anti-Aging Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30- More anti-aging stuff?  Geez, I seem to be getting a lot of that lately, is someone trying to tell me something?
• theBalm® cosmetics Stainiac- I was so excited to get this!  I love the brand and I love lip stains!  The color looked shockingly bright red in the tube but it isn't that intense, I promise.
• CleanWell Hand Sanitizing Wipes- These items were just okay for me.  I wasn't super excited to see them but I guess they could have been worse, like the plastic bags or fake tanning wipes that some people got.  I do use hand sanitizer but not usually wipes.  I think these are something that I can use on my son's hands though so I don't think they will go to waste.
• BAND-AID® Brand Adhesive Bandages by Cynthia Rowley- I rarely ever find the need for a Band-Aid except for my son and I don't think he would appreciate me slapping one of these on him!  I think he would probably say something that he says to me frequently which is "Mommy, that's for girls and NOT boys!"  These are somewhat interesting though, I guess if you have to wear a Band-Aid why not do it in style, right?

Well, that's what was in my box.  What did you get in yours?  Did you love it or hate it?  Overall I guess I'm happy with this box.  It could have been worse.  If you aren't signed up for Birchbox here is my referral link.  Stay tuned for my review of the individual products! 

The Birchbox was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Birchbox or any of the brands listed above.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.  

July Birchbox Announcement

The Birchbox blog just posted an update indicating that for the July box Birchbox will be teaming up with Glamour.  What do you think?  Love it or hate it?

I'm on the fence about this one.  The one and only themed box I got was the Gossip Girl box and I wasn't super impressed.  I'm especially concerned about the "tasty treat".  I would rather not get a snack in my Birchbox.  However, I will reserve judgment until I see it. 

What do you think?

NOTD: Color Club® Foil Collection in Disco Nap

Hey all!  Just a quick post to share my NOTD with you.  This was done with a base of  Color Club® Foil Collection in Disco Nap and a random gold glitter nail polish I had laying around- sorry I can't remember the name but you could do this look with any glitter polish.  I simply painted my nails with two coats of Color Club® Foil Collection in Disco Nap that I received in my May Birchbox and then used a makeup sponge to sponge on the gold glitter.  I think it turned out pretty cool, what do you think?

Product Review: Kérastase Cristalliste Bain Cristal Shampoo, Conditioner & Lumiere Liquide

Happy Wednesday!  Today I'm bringing you a review of some products I received in my May Birchbox, Kérastase Cristalliste Bain Cristal Shampoo, Conditioner & Lumiere Liquide.

The reason I'm doing the three together is because they are related so it only makes sense (at least to me) to do them together.  Now, I must admit I was a little put off to see packets in my Birchbox.  I'm not a fan of packets because I don't believe that they provide enough product to actually test.  I got about two uses out of the shampoo, three or four out of the conditioner and a few more out of the Lumiere Liquide.  They lasted longer than I thought but my hair is pretty short so it doesn't take a lot of product.

Here's what Birchbox has to say about these products:

Kérastase Cristalliste Bain Cristal - Fine (Shampoo)-  Even if you don’t have naturally thick hair, you can still get bouncy, voluminous locks. Kerastase’s high-foaming shampoo is designed specifically for ladies with long, fine hair. In the shower, it turns into a mousse-like lather thanks to an infusion of oxygen and pumps volume into even the wispiest of strands. The result? Flowing tresses with plenty of shine.

How it Works- Long, fine hair needs products especially designed to meet its needs. While conventional shampoos tend to weigh hair down with their heavy formulas, this light, paraben-free formula adds incredible body and movement. An oil-solubilization system removes dirt and impurities from your roots, while conditioning agents smooth and polish each strand. An infusion of aloe vera tames frizz and adds silkiness.

How to Use- Wet your hair, and massage a quarter-size amount into your roots. Work into a rich lather, and rinse away.

Price- $36.00 for 250ml

Kérastase Lait Cristal Conditioner- The hair-centric among us have one burning question for Blake Lively: how does she get those gorgeous waves? Though our curiosity may never be fully satisfied, we can all get better hair with this shine-enhancing conditioner, which was inspired by the “Gossip Girl” star. Specially designed for long hair, it detangles knots, repairs damage, and glossifies each strand. Next up: show-stealing locks worthy of a red carpet premiere.

How it Works- Whether you have a thick mane or long, fine locks, this unique conditioner will give you tremendous volume and softness. The secret lies in the triple-threat formula. Liquid light reflectors deliver mega-watt shine, while eco-friendly polymers restore brittle, uneven follicles on a microscopic level. Vitamin-rich aloe vera hydrates hair without weighing it down, giving you the silky texture you crave.

How to Use- After shampooing, squeeze excess water out of hair, and work a quarter-size amount through your lengths and ends. Leave in for up to three minutes, and rinse away with warm water.

Price- $39.00 200 ml

Kérastase Cristalliste Lumiere Liquide- 

Ever since we watched the first season of “Gossip Girl,” we’ve been huge fans of Blake Lively’s flowing waves. So we were excited to learn that the blonde actress was the inspiration behind Kérastase’s new serum. Specially designed for long hair, the leave-in treatment adds a high-definition shine while sealing each cuticle (bye bye, split ends). Plus, the light, gorgeously scented formula won’t weigh down your strands.

How it Works- This luxe serum is made with sophisticated light reflectors to add mega-gloss and shine while smoothing away frizz. A generous amount of aloe vera—high in natural amino acids and vitamins—softens and restores dry, brittle ends (the number one problem for girls with long locks).

How to Use- Smooth a quarter-size amount through damp or dry hair, avoiding the roots and concentrating on your lengths and ends.

Price- $42.00 for 50ml

 *     *     *

My Impression:  I thought all three products smelled amazing.  The smell reminded me of lilacs and I love the smell of lilacs. The shampoo and conditioner did leave my hair feeling nice and soft and did allow for a little extra volume.  Overall, if the shampoo and conditioner were not so pricey I might get them- it would set you back $75.00 for just shampoo and conditioner.  Now, I wasn't a fan of the Lumiere Liquide.  It smelled very nice, however I don't really think it did anything for my hair.  

Overall, I would recommend the shampoo and conditioner if you don't mind spending that much money on them however I don't think I would recommend the Lumiere Liquide.  

 Did you get to try these products this month?  What did you think? 

The Birchbox was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Birchbox or Kérastase.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions. 

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Product Review: Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25+

Sorry it's taking me a while to get to my sample boxes this month.  My schedule has been crazy at work and at home so it leaves little time in between for things like blogging.  I also like to use the products a few times before I review them because, well how can you review something you have only used once?  However, today I am going against my previous statement and review something I only tried once.  Why you ask?  Well because this sample only had enough in it for one use, barely.  I'm talking about the Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25+ I received in my May Gossip Girl inspired Birchbox.

Now, let me make it clear that I am aware that Birchbox is a sample program and I am fully expecting to only receive samples of products.  Still, I feel like I should get at least three uses out of a sample before I could possibly conclude whether I like it or not.  The picture you see below is the full amount of sample that was in the tube.  That's it.

It was barely enough for one application.  So, I'm giving my review based on the very limited use I got from the sample. 

Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25+ claims to be a moisturizer, sunscreen, and treatment serum all-in-one, this tinted balm even helps hide imperfections—so there’s no need for foundation or cover-up. Think of it as the Swiss Army Knife of your beauty cabinet.

How it Works:

A combination of glacier water, deep ocean water, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera deeply hydrate skin to ensure you that you look dewy, never dry. Sebum-regulating ingredients keep your complexion from becoming greasy, while portulaca oleracea extract protects skin from environmental damage. The cherry on top of this multi-tasking product is broad-spectrum SPF 25+, which blocks harmful UVA and UVB rays from reaching your skin.

How to Use:

Apply as you would a tinted moisturizer or foundation. Layer as needed.

Source.

My Impression:  I may be the minority here but I was unimpressed.  I found that this product had very little coverage and had almost totally disappeared after I applied it.  I still needed to use my foundation.  Now, the directions say layer as needed, which would be fine if I had enough product to layer.  So, unfortunately I was not sold on this product.  It could have been due to the lack of product that I received (ie. not enough to test) or it could be that the product is not for me.  Also, I'm not sure but it doesn't appear to come in any different shades.  Like I said before, I'm a pasty pale white girl and need very fair colors to match my skin tone.  Did you get this product in your May Birchbox or have you tried it in the past?  If so, what did you think?

The Birchbox was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Birchbox or any Dr. Jart+.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.   

May Birchbox!

So here I am, finally sharing my May Birchbox with you.  I actually a little over a week ago but things have been crazy here and I also wanted to finish up reviewing the April box before I started the May box.  This month Birchbox did a themed box based off of the show Gossip Girl which is a show that airs on The CW.  Now, I have to admit, I have never in my life seen this show.  I have heard about it but it didn't really seem like a show I would want to watch.  I was still excited for my very first themed box since joining Birchbox though.  The box was the same only it had a little cover over the top of the box with a cityscape view.  For whatever reason my camera would NOT take a picture of the outside of the box so I gave up and here is an image from Birchbox's website. 

 Here is the inside of the box and the card that came with it. 

Here is how everything was packaged:

And here are the products that were included in my Gossip Girl May Birchbox:

•  Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25+- This product is a tinted moisturizer, sunscreen, and treatment serum all-in-one.  I have never heard of this brand so I was excited to try it.  I was slightly concerned that it is tinted because I am very pale and usually anything "tinted" makes me look orange. Birchbox says this is the "Swiss Army Knife of your beauty cabinet"- love it!  
• Kérastase Cristalliste Bain Cristal Shampoo & Conditioner-  At first I was a little peeved that these were packets.  I got over it quick enough because I have pretty short hair so I thought I might be able to get a few uses out of these.  Birchbox says these are designed specifically for ladies with long, fine hair, which I don't have.  My hair is pretty fine but it isn't long.  However, this product promised to give shine while not weighing down hair, which I could totally use.  Did it deliver?  You'll have to wait and see. 
• Kérastase Cristalliste Lumiere Liquide- This product is a leave-in treatment that claims to add a high-definition shine while sealing each cuticle.  I can tell you that when I took a quick sniff of this product I loved the scent!  It reminded me of lilacs which in turn remind me of the month of May.  
• Color Club® Foil Collection in Disco Nap-  Another Color Club polish, good thing I love the nail polish!  At first glace I wasn't crazy about the color- gold really isn't my thing, but I'm willing to give it a try.   
• stila sparkle waterproof liquid eye liner in Curacao-  I was very excited to see this product because I love eyeliner but I am not a fan of liquid eyeliners and I am definitely not used to wearing blue eyeliner.  I will say though that the color has a beautiful shimmer and in the name of trying new things I'm going to give this one a try.
• Birchbox Note card-  I have to admit, I was pretty ticked when I saw that one note card was included as a sample this month.   What could I possibly do with one note card?  Anyway, it's a nice color I guess...

That wraps up my intro post for my May Birchbox.  Stay tuned as I try out and review each of these products!  Did you get a Gossip Girl Birchbox this month?  If so, did you love it?

Check out Birchbox's website if you are interested in trying one of your own. 

The Birchbox was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Birchbox or any of the brands listed above.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.  

NOTD: Color Club Nail Lacquer in Age of Aquarius

Hey there!  Just wanted to share a NOTD (Nail of the Day) post to show off the polish I received in my April Birchbox.  I'm no pro at taking nail art shots so the color representation isn't exact or anything.  If you're looking for perfect swatches I bet there are a ton out there, but I got a lot of compliments about this mani so I thought I would share.

Like I said, I'm no pro and my nails are super short so probably not the best for showing off nail polish but I LOVE painting my nails and so I'm going to share any cute manis I do with you!  By the way, if anyone has any suggesstions on any nail treatments that would help my very soft peeling nails I am all ears.

In addition to Color Club Nail Lacquer in Age of Aquarius which is the base color for this mani I used a very fine gold craft glitter applied with a makeup sponge to just the tips of my nails while they were still tacky.  I finished it off with a top coat of Seche Vite.  I love this color, what do you think?

This wraps up my April Birchbox products, finally!  Stay tuned for the un-boxing of my May Birchbox.  Thanks for reading!

The Birchbox was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Birchbox or any Color Club.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions. 

Product Review: Juicy Couture's Viva La Juicy

Today I am reviewing another product from my April Birchbox: Juicy Couture's Viva La Juicy.  The sample size I received was 0.5 FL O.Z.

Product Details:  When you’re heading out on the town, you need a glamorous scent to match your head-turning look. Viva La Juicy’s fruity floral fragrance is just the thing — it’s bold and attention-grabbing.  Top notes of wild berries and sweet mandarin flirt with lady-like middle notes of honeysuckle, jasmine, and gardenia. Warm base notes of caramel, amber, vanilla, sandalwood, and praline hover beneath it all. Source.

My Impression:  I'm not doing the normal format for my posts because there isn't a whole lot to say about a perfume sample, so I'll make is short and sweet.

I had heard of this product before but had never tried it.  I admittedly neglect myself when it comes to perfume and I usually use body sprays from Bath & Body Works instead of perfume.  I have a hard time justifying spending so much money on a scent but I still love to try perfume samples and maybe one day one of these samples will change my mind!  I LOVED that this one has a spray top on the sample vial as opposed to having to pull out a stopper and risk spilling perfume all over my hands.   I really liked the scent of this one however, I do think it is a little pricey--the full size (3.4 oz) is $89.00.  So, while I loved the scent I won't be going out and purchasing it, unless I can find it half price.


The Birchbox was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Birchbox or Juicy Couture.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.

Product Review: June Jacobs Perfect Pumpkin Enzyme Polish

Today I will be reviewing another product I received in my April Birchbox.  This is the June Jacobs Perfect Pumpkin Enzyme Polish.  The sample I received was 0.5 fl oz.     

Product Details:  Paraben and preservative free, this spicy, detoxifying face and body polish, infused with a powerful pumpkin enzyme, combined with the gentle exfoliation of crushed bamboo and jojoba micro beads helps to cleanse the skin of dead cells. Natural acids polish and refine, while rich emollients leave skin silky smooth, soft and radiant. Powerful patent pending anti-oxidant blend of white, red and green tea extracts combined with goji berry, pomegranate and grape seed extracts help to neutralize free radicals, protect skin from environmental toxins and combat the visible signs of premature aging.  Source.

Where to Buy:  You can buy this product directly from June Jacobs here or from Birchbox here.  The price is the same either way, $60.00 for 3.8 fl oz. 

My Initial Impression:  Another facial scrub, but the pumpkin scent could be the redeeming factor.  The real test would be to see how it made my face look and feel.

Pros:

• AMAZING smell- Seriously, this stuff smells like a freshly baked pumpkin pie!  If you like the smell of pumpkin you are going to love the smell of this stuff.  
• Very nice texture- Unlike most facial scrubs this stuff has a texture that isn't too grainy and isn't too fine.  
• Feels good going on- It's like a mini massage for my face!
• Leaves skin feeling clean and smooth after use.

Cons:

• Let's face it, at $60.00 this stuff isn't cheap. 

Final Impression:  This was hands down one of my favorite products I received in this months Birchbox.  I LOVED the smell of it as it reminded me of my absolute favorite time of year.  I also loved how it felt going on my face and how smooth and clean it left my face feeling afterwards.  The only downfall I have about this product is the price.  However, although you can use this product on your whole body, I believe that if you just use it on your face you can actually get a lot of uses out of the product and make it last a long time therefore getting your moneys worth. I have been using the sample tube for a little over a week now once a day and there is still a little bit left.  I'm a middle class working mom on a budget so I need to be careful what kind of money I am spending on beauty products (trust me, I spend enough as it is).  With that being said, I would definitely recommend this product if you like facial scrubs because I believe it is worth the money. 

The Birchbox was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Birchbox or June Jacobs.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.

Product Review: Befine Skincare Sampler

Today I'm doing a review on the very first products I tried from my April Birchbox.  As I mentioned in my last post I LOVE brown sugar so I was happy to see these in my Birchbox this month.  The Befine Skincare Sampler came with three "single serve" Exfoliating Cleanser with Brown Sugar, Sweet Almond & Oats and two "single serve" Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 with Rosemary, Pomegranate & Rice.  Here is the adorable little box the samples came in:

I love all of the bright colors on this box! 

Product Details:

Exfoliating Cleanser:  This is what Befine's website has to say: "This daily mini-facial for your skin melts away dirt and debris,instantly brightening and improving your skin's clarity.Yhe delicious medley of brown sugar,crushed almonds and soothing oats gently removes damaged skin cells.This multi-tasking essential is a delight for your skin!

Benefits: Removes Impurities and environmental stresses.Detoxifies and rejuvenates the skin for a healthy glow. Helps skin maintain optimal moisture balance. Provides natural anti-bacteria & antioxidant protection Calms,soothes & heals the skin."

 Daily Moisterizer:  This is what Befine's website has to say:  "This sillky, lightweight daily moisturizer hydrates and helps balance the skin's moisture levels. Packed with powerful anti-oxidents and proteins,daily moisturizer strengthens and supports the skin's firmness and elasticity,while SPF protects your skin from harmful UV damage.

Benefits: Increases circulation and restores the barrier function of the skin. Increases effectiveness of SPF,protecting skin from free radical damage. Delivers intense hydration. Skin looksyounger,healthier. Heals skin by accelerating tissue repair.Boosts collagen growth and decreases the appearance of aging."

Where to Buy: You can purchase these products from Befine's website here.  I did not see anywhere else that sold these products.  The good news is I think they are fairly cheap for good quality products, you can get both products full size for $24.00 each for 4 o.z. of the Exfoliating Cleanser and 1.7 o.z. of the Moisterizer.  They also have lots of yummy sounding products that I might just have to try out.  Their website if definitely worth taking a look at. 

My Initial Impression:  Like I said above I loved the packaging for these products, I thought it was colorful and very well done.  I also thought that the names of the products made me excited to try them.

Pros:  The smell of the Exfoliating Cleanser was heavenly!  I did like the smell of the Moisterizer although it was a very muted "clean" smell.  The Exfoliating Cleanser made my face feel so smooth after using it.  I absolutely loved using this product and I used all three packets three days in a row.  The Moisterizer had the consistancy of  light sunblock.  I used one packet of Exfoliating Cleanser for each application but I am still on my fist packet of Moisterizer due to not needing a lot of the Moisterizer with each use.

Cons:  There are very few if any cons to these products.  The only cons I can think of is that I thought it was a little difficult to get the products out of the sample packets, especially the cleanser because it was so thick.  I also learned that very little of the Moisterizer goes a long way, too much and it's a bit greasy. 

Final Impression:  I was very impressed with both of these products and I would definetly consider buying them and making them part of my every day routine.  I would also love to try some of the other products on Befine's website. 

That's all for now, stay tuned as I review the remaining products from my April Birchbox.

Check out Birchbox's website if you are interested in trying one of your own.

The Birchbox was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Birchbox or Befine.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions. 

April Birchbox!

I'm excited because yesterday I received my very first Birchbox!  I will be reviewing each of the products individually but I wanted to give you a sneak peek at what was included in the Birchbox.  Here is how the box arrived.

And here is how the products were packages inside, so cute!

Here's what was included in my box:

• Befine Skincare Sampler- This includes three packets of the Befine Exfoliating Cleanser and two packets of the Befine Daily Moisterizer with SPF 15.  I can already tell I'm going to be a fan of this stuff because I LOVE the smell of brown sugar! Check out Befine's website Here, their stuff looks yummy!
• Color Club Nail Lacquer in Age of Aquarius- I love the color in the bottle! I have to admit I have never tried Color Club polish but I love bold cream colors so this one will hopefully be one I will like.  You can check our Color Club's website Here.
• Juicy Couture's Viva La Juicy- I hear a lot of people complain about perfume samples but I love trying new scents and a quick sniff of this one smelled very nice.  You can check out the website Here.
• June Jacobs Perfect Pumpkin Enzyme Polish- This is a facial scrub that I have never heard of but I love the pumpkin smell!  Check out their website for other products they carry.
• ShowStoppers Designer Fashion Tape- I'm not sure I would ever use these but I will try to find an opportunity to fit them in somewhere.  You can check out the website here, the video on the homepage is hilarious!

I can't wait to test out these products as they are all products I have never tried before.  Stay tuned for my indivudal reviews for each product!

Check out Birchbox's website if you are interested in trying one of your own. 

The Birchbox was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Birchbox or any of the brands listed above.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.