Tag Archives: perfume

April’s (OOPS) Birchbox

Oh dear. It’s June and I’m here to tell you about April’s Birchbox. Forgive me? Life has just been crazy. I feel like I’m always using that excuse on here!

If you aren’t familiar with Birchbox, check out my first reveal post (from November) here for more info. But wait…there’s more posts for you to catch up on too:

April’s box was a natural kind of “go-green” theme, perfect for the spring season that was just beginning around the time I received it.

So what was inside?

  • amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask – I can’t wait to try this out! I recently purchased a Neutrogena hair mask  but I’m always up for trying a competing product to see how they are different (if they differ at all). My hair can get pretty fried because I tend to go awhile between trims (I’m cheap and I straighten it every now and then) so this product is definitely applicable to me.
  • Juice Beauty Oil Free Moisturizer – I’m always down to try a new lotion! I use moisturizer every day on my arms, legs, and face.
  • Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift – I love that this is a sample size that I can throw in a purse to have for freshening up! It smells really good.
  • Zoya True Spring Collection nail polish – Love the purple (right Meg?), I totally used this on my toes at the pool a couple weeks ago!
  • dropps Laundry Detergent – I love the idea of these, so quick and convenient! I’m sure in the long run though, buying these would be more expensive than buying bottled detergent. Is the convenience factor worth it? We’ll see, but probably not for awhile because my sister swiped them to take back to college with her…in August.

There you have it! April’s Birchbox, two months later. But really, are you surprised at all that I’m recapping/reviewing something late? If you are,  you must be new here 😉

Convenience vs price when it comes to household items – what wins for you?

Have you ever tried these products or anything similar?

March’s Birchbox

Please take a moment to vote for me (up to 10 times…a day…) in round one of the Hartford Courant 2012 Websters for CT’s Best Blogs! I’m nominated for Best Overall Blog, Best Health Blog, Best Food Blog, and Best Social Media Account! Thank you for those who nominated me, and voting for round one closes this Friday 3/30 at 11:59PM EST.

It’s that time again! I was going to say “it’s that time of the month”, but I didn’t want to alienate any male readers/any readers uncomfortable with that reference. ANYWAY, it’s time to recap what I got in my Birchbox this month!! Did you miss the last Birchbox recaps??

This month’s box was a special Teen Vogue edition! I don’t subscribe to Teen Vogue, but do enjoy reading it whenever it’s on my gym’s magazine rack and I need something to keep my mind off my high HR when I’m doing StepMill intervals. I was given the option of receiving a regular Birchbox (which is always catered to the preferences I filled out when I first signed up) or this special edition with products hand-picked by Beauty Director and Blogger Eva Chen. Eva did not disappoint!

Apparently some Teen Vogue boxes came with FRESH Lip Treatment that they sell at Sephora. I love that stuff and am kinda jealous that I didn’t get any in my box! #boxenvy

Don’t get me wrong – I still really liked this box! Not my favorite I’ve ever gotten, but quite high up there. Let’s check out the loot!

  • essie Luxeffects Nail Polish (silver glitter): I like essie a lot (and I’m in LOVE with their branding), though I tend to choose OPI when I go into my favorite salon for a mani and/or pedi. Now I can try out essie at home, and I love how sparkly that silver polish is. Perfect for a party! I’m curious as to how it will look after I put it on though – glitter nail polish always has the potential to be a major fail. So we’ll have to see!
  • kate spade new york Twirl: This smells SO GOOD. And thanks to a reader telling me in last month’s Birchbox post’s comments that the mini perfume bottles in my boxes DO in fact have sprayers on top (so I’ve been giving them to my mom for nothing, lucky mom), I deposited this little vial right into my purse. Now I always have perfume on the go and it smells fantastic. So then I smell fantastic. Everyone wins!
  • Kerastase Elixir Ultime: I’m really excited to start using this (in the rectangular black box at the bottom) and see if it makes a difference in how healthy my hair looks and feels. It’s a small spray bottle (the gold one on the left inside the box) of a keratin oil treatment. I just keep forgetting to use it in the morning…once I get that routine down, I’ll hopefully be able to see and report back some long-term benefits!
  • Twistband Hair Ties: I love this sky blue hair tie! However, I haven’t used it as a hair tie yet. I just slipped it on my right wrist immediately and haven’t taken it off since. Weird? Perhaps, but I like how it looks on my wrist! I want the sparkly ones…
  • tarte LipSurgence Lip Tint: This was a bummer. I went to put it on and I really liked the light pink, natural color it left on my lips. However, the crayon-like applicator also broke immediately halfway through applying it! Completely lame.
Please ignore my chipped green St. Patty’s nails.
Despite the disappointing lip tint, I like the rest of the box enough to give it two thumbs up!
Which product would you like to try most? Have you already tried any of them?

January’s Birchbox

My January Birchbox was my best yet! Usually I only find myself really excited to use about half of its contents, but this time I was excited about almost every single item!

The only item I can’t really see myself using is another one of those little perfume sample vials, though this one was a brand I’m sure many of you recognize – Juicy Couture’s Viva La Juicy. It smells great, but I just don’t use the vials because I like something I can spray. I usually give them to my mom for her to hang onto.

I’m SO excited to try the chocolate chip cookie dough Larabar! I’ve heard great things about this flavor, and I love getting samples of bars, since I never buy them (I’m not a fan of bars). I’ll let you guys know what I think!

The Birchbox logo on the lower left is actually a magnet, which I’ll take into work to add to my ever-expanding cubicle decor collection. I’m so psyched about the remaining three products (at the top of the photo). I don’t wear much makeup, but eyeliner is one thing I do wear most days of the week, and I’ve heard good things about stila, so I’m hoping the stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner will live up to my usual Victoria’s Secret eyeliners that I always use.

One of my go-to makeup tools (one of…about three).

I also really like Origins and am psyched that their Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash was included in this month’s box. Can’t wait to use it – after I finish the Pangea Organics Scrub I got in my October box! I’m definitely in need of lotion, since the winter is wrecking havoc on my skin, so I’m curious as to whether the VMV Hypoallergenics Re-Everything Face-Hand-Body Lotion will do a better job than the lotion I currently use.

What a great Birchbox, definitely way better than last month. Which product would you most want to try?

December’s Birchbox

Did you win the Shabby Apple necklace giveaway? The winner has yet to come forward!

I received my December Birchbox, albeit a bit late, but the company did take the time to email me and offer me a $10 discount (in the form of 100 rewards points) on purchases as an apology. I won’t be using it unless I can find something that’s exactly $10 with shipping (I use Birchbox purely to sample, not buy), but it was still considerate of them to notice my December shipment was late, acknowledge that fact, and offer compensation.

The box came with a festive card that detailed each item in the box, and its purpose and benefits.

  • Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo: I gave this to my mom because she was practically drooling over it as soon as she saw the bottle, and I have never really needed or wanted dry shampoo. I think my mom wants to use it for occasions when she has to work out and go straight out to run errands, which I do all the time – only difference is, I don’t mind doing it with gross hair.
  • Atelier Cologne Ambre Nue: Ateli-what? AKA a small sample vial of a perfume that my mom and I couldn’t figure out if we liked or not.
  • Jouer Lip Gloss: The color, a bright “Barbie” pink, is appropriately titled “Birchbox Pink”. Haven’t tried it yet, but put it in my beauty storage drawer for next time I need a new tube of gloss!
  • Nuxe Dry Oil Shimmer: Totally intrigued by this, but not sure when I’m going to use it – or how! This multi-use oil is supposed to be applied to the face or body “to give skin a silken feel and subtle glow”. It can even be worked into hair! I’m a little wary of how subtle a shimmery oil could exactly be, or how well it would blend into my hair (and what it could do to it), but when I’m feeling adventurous I’ll try it out.
  • ShowStoppers Fashion Tape: I definitely can see this coming in handy! We’ll see if it actually sticks.
  • EBoost Orange Natural Energy Booster: I’m honestly not a big fan of “energy boosters” loaded with Vitamin B12. I like to stick to my dependable caffeine, so I ditched this sample.

Which of the items in my box would you most want to try?

Meet Caitlin

I’m a 28 year old full-time working girl living in Boston (previously lived in Connecticut). I’m passionate about food/drink, restaurants, self-love, fitness, and the ever-present search for balance. I write about that journey on this blog – I hope you enjoy!

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Design Credit

My header was originally designed by Mai Le and later tweaked by Chris Roggi to match this theme, which he helped me customize. He also moved me over to self-hosting! Both can be contacted through their sites for design & development work!

Disclaimer

I am not an RD and do not have any official training, certifications, or degrees in nutrition or fitness. This blog is a way to write about my life. Any views I express are mine alone, based on what works for me, and should never be taken as medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or a trained professional before starting a new diet or fitness plan. In addition, this blog and its content are in no way affiliated with Kate Gosselin, “Kate Plus 8”, TLC, or any related affiliates.

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