BirchBox June 2015 – The Tig

THE TIG: GUEST EDITOR BOX – Curated by actress Meghan Markle, founder of The Tig lifestyle blog, this box is brimming with A-list must-haves for all your summer escapades.

My box included:

  • Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel
  • Harvey Prince Hello Body Cream
  • Davines SŪ Hair & Body Wash
  • Oribe Cote d’Azur Fragrance
  • Marcelle BB Cream Golden

I am most excited to try the BB Cream!

BirchBox Man June 2015

WRITE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE – Pack your bags with multitasking washes, rugged gear, and a solid SPF—the journey’s about to begin.

My box included:

  • Supergoop!® Everyday SPF 50 with Cellular Response Technology, 2.4 oz.
  • Happy Socks Men’s Socks
  • Davines MOMO Conditioner
  • Davines MOMO Shampoo
  • Hanz de Fuko Claymation

I signed up for BirchBox Man for my boyfriend, mainly for hair gel samples. We have been lucky to get a different on in every box. He doesn’t care much for the one included in this box, unfortunately. The rest of the items are not something he would typically use and it has been difficult to get him to use them. I really like that they included the socks though! They don’t seem very masculine, but I like them!

BirchBox May 2015 Cupcakes and Cashmere

ELEVATE EVERYDAY – Curated by Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere, this month’s picks bring out-of-the-ordinary elegance to your daily routine.

Here’s what was included in my box:

  • Naobay Oxygenating Cream Moisturizer
  • Benefit The POREfessional Face Primer
  • Marcelle Clay Mask
  • amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo
  • W3LL PEOPLE Expressionist Mascara

I feel like I have received the POREfessional at least 5 times now from various boxes. I always like getting Benefit items, but this one is getting tired.

I’m most excited to try the clay mask and mascara.

POPSUGAR Must Have Subscription Box – May 2015 Review

Our May 2015 Must Have box was curated to help kick Summer off right with a box designed to keep you happy, healthy, and, of course, stylish. You’ll find beauty products fit for the beach and bright home goods that scream Summer. We hope you live it up!

The box is $40/month, but I typically get $5 off with coupon: MUSTHAVE5

Here’s what was included this month:

  • Kitsch – Tri’d & True Y-Shaped Necklace – Value $32
  • Middle Kingdom – Mini Plum Vase in Coral Red – Value $20
  • Batiste – Dry Shampoo Cherry – Travel Size Value $4
  • Sisters of Los Angeles – Surf Sand Love Beach Towel – Value $40
  • Sage & Row – Bare Shave Cream – Value $17
  • Hammond’s Candies McCraw’s Flat Taffy – Value $1

At over $110 value, this is great for Popsugar!

Out of everything, my favorite is the Beach Towel, which I have already used a few times since receiving it. I also have been using the Shave Cream, which has already been super useful!

BirchBox Man + Mad Men April 2015 Subscription Box

Celebrate the art of workplace style with classic scents, barware, and a host of dapper accessories.

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Walmart Beauty Box Spring 2015 Subscription Review

A defining line here. A splash of color there. Every woman has her own unique way of showing the beauty within her. At Walmart, you’ll discover the latest products and most trusted brands at our low prices. Every day.

For $5 each season, Walmart will send you a box full of samples and coupons for Walmart beauty products.

 

Here’s a list of the samples and coupons I received in my Spring box:

  • John Frieda Touchably Full Shampoo and Conditioner (0.28oz/8.3ml each)
  • L’Oreal Color Vibrancy Shampoo, Conditioner, and Instant Shock Treatment (0.34oz/10ml each)
  • TRESemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo(1.15oz/32g)
  • St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub(1.0oz/28g)
  • Dial 7 Day Moisturizing Lotion – Omega Moisture (0.5oz/14ml)
  • Dove Pure Care Dry Oil (0.4oz/11ml)
  • Hard Candy All Glossed Up Lip Stain in Chic (0.081oz/2.3g)
  • Nivea Smooth Sensation Dry Skin Body Lotion (0.14oz/4ml)

 

And the Coupons/Ads:

  • $2.00 Off Coupon for any John Frieda Luxurious Volume styling product
  • $1.00 Off Coupon for any one Nivea Body Lotion or Creme
  • $2.00 Off Coupon for one Covergirl + Olay Simply Ageless Foundation Product
  • Ad for Maybelline’s new pallette: The Blushed Nudes

 

At first glance, I was fairly disappointed in my items compared to others I have already seen, as it looks like others received larger samples and more coupons in their boxes. But now that I am looking into the items more carefully, I am actually becoming more excited in some of the items I received.

hard-candy-all-glossed-up-lip-stain-chic

I was most happy to see the Hard Candy lip stain. I believe this is full size and $5 in stores, so that one item covers the price of the entire box. Chic is a nude color, not my first choice but it’s pretty and glides on silky smooth. I like it!

dial-omega-moisture

I also really liked the Dial 7 Day Moisturizing Lotion. It smells like berries/peaches to me and my skin loved it. It looks like the Omega Moisture is a newer scent featuring Sea Berries. I also saw they have a Greek Yogurt lotion which sounds delicious!

The majority of my box contained hair care type products, which is something I don’t use a lot of. I have quite a few oils that I have received in different subscriptions that have been left unused… so I don’t see the Dove one to be of much use for me. I will have to force myself to use the shampoo/conditioner samples so that they aren’t wasted. I hear other rave about dry shampoo all the time, so maybe I will give it a try, as well.

Once I am able to thoroughly test each product, I might post a review of an item that stands out to me. So far I am most intrigued by Dove’s whole Omega Moisture/Sea Berries line.

Overall, I am pretty pleased with the selection for $5. Since I generally do not shop at Walmart  or buy these types/brands of products, I am probably not their target market. I ended up cancelling my subscription, but I did enjoy getting this box and think the value is good.

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Sephora Favorites Superstars Set

A $15 off coupon for Sephora arrived in the mail the other day and I knew immediately that I would be making a purchase from Sephora very soon. After some browsing on the site, I decided on the Superstars value set for $75 (worth $225)… which after the coupon, was only $60!!! Not to mention, lots of sample goodies as usual!

This set features bestselling, head-to-toe beauty essentials. With an array of full-size products, from nail polish to styling spray, they’re perfect for every beauty lover. Gift them out to your best friends or indulge yourself with this special holiday treat.

My main reason for trying this set is because I already love Nars Orgasm blush and thought it would be fun to try a few new products. And I have to say… I am way more pleased than I thought I would be! For one, I am actually using the eye liner! And I ALWAYS hated eye liner and Stila. I think this set is definitely a winner and a great gift as well.

I like just about every product in this set and I cannot wait to use them everyday.

This set contains:
– 0.003 oz Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Dark Brown
– 0.25 oz Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional
– 0.10 oz Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real Mascara In Jet Black
– 1.7 oz Bumble And Bumble Surf Spray
– 0.34 oz Chloè by Chloè Rollerball
– 0.4 oz Formula X Nail Color in Ignite
– 0.08 oz Fresh Sugar Rosè Tinted Lip Treatment
– 0.5 oz Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil
– 0.16 oz Nars Cosmetics Blush in Orgasm
– 1 oz Smashbox Cosmetics Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 35 in Light
– 0.016 oz Stila Cosmetics Stay All Day® Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner In Intense Black
– 0.05 oz Urban Decay Eye shadow in Sin

The eye liner surprised me the most. If I keep up with wearing eye liner, I will definitely be purchasing it again. The Argan Oil smells wonderful. And of course, the Nars blush is always a winner.

The jury is still out on the Smashbox BB Cream (I haven’t been a huge fan of Smashbox in the past). And the Benefit POREfessional hasn’t lived up to my expectations, but I will have to use it a few more times to really know for sure.

Regardless, I am very impressed and excited to have this set!

Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Dry Shampoo

I know you’re busy keeping up with that social life! So don’t waste precious time in the bathroom, just use Clean Freak™. Get that perfect hair (and the perfect guy!) before all the other girls. Expect more room on your social calendar because this salon formula dry shampoo will have you and your hair ready for a night out on the town.

While I didn’t receive my Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Dry Shampoo from Influenster, I have purchased in the past and have wanted to do a review on it for awhile. Last Year, I received Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray from Influenster in the Sweetheart VoxBox. Because of this, I have become a pretty big fan of the Not Your Mother’s line and have purchased quite a few of their products since.

As usual, here is an awesome video from NYM on how to use the dry shampoo:

Application: Spray generously on roots and throughout hair. Brush through to diffuse powder and watch it absorb any excess oils. Style as desired and enjoy your newly freshened hair.

My opinion of the Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Dry Shampoo is that it is right on par with other dry shampoos in its price range. While I haven’t tested very many, I definitely thought it was a decent competitor. Since I am already a fan of the NYM brand, I prefer it. From what I have read of other reviews, some hated the smell while others loved it and most agreed that it did the job it was supposed to do. So the bottom line? If you like the smell… get it! Because it is a very efficient dry shampoo. Plus it is super affordable!

Check out the Product Page for the Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Dry Shampoo at Influenster for more information and reviews, plus a free shipping code for your next NYM purchase!

You can find Not Your Mother’s products at most major retailers, such as Walmart and CVS, and also at Ulta. Suggested retail price: $5.99 for 8oz.

Courtney’s Rating: B+

Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray

Now everyday can be a day at the beach… minus the sunburn! Beach Babe has everyone fooled into thinking you just left the beach (you little liar!). It adds sexy, tousled waves and a lite matte finish to any hair type. Infused with natural dead sea salt & sea kelp this salon formula has you and your hair on the boardwalk all year long.

Included in my Influenster SweetHeart Voxbox was a sample size of Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray!

I have very flat hair to begin with, so any help I can get is appreciated. So because my hair already lacks volume and texture, I am very skeptical whether a product like this will benefit me. But the packaging is adorable, and I really like what the brand is doing with their marketing and style. Plus Beach Babe smells really, really good!!

Before we get started, here’s a quick video on how to use the spray:

Application: Mist generously onto clean, damp or dry hair. Comb through evenly and style with fingers or a brush to create random texture, waves and body. Air dry naturally, use a diffuser or lightly blow–dry. Oh and don’t forget your sunblock (wink).

Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray

I have been testing out the product for a little over a week now, and I really like the texture it gives my hair! I think it works best when your hair is dry (when I used it too wet it did not work well) and even when using a hair dryer on it. I got a bunch of compliments the first day I used it so I think it definitely made a difference. It somehow gave my fairly flat hair some volume and more sexiness. I am not sure I am even using the product correctly but I really like the outcome that I have created with it!

I love how simple it is, too! Just spray a few times, scrunch hair, and go! Perfect for me!

I picked up a few other NYM products (the shampoo/conditioner, hair detangler, and the full size texturizing spray) and I am very impressed in the quality of the brand! I think I may be their newest fan!

Check out the Product Page for the Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray at Influenster for more information and reviews, plus a free shipping code for your next NYM purchase!

You can find Not Your Mother’s products at most major retailers, such as Walmart and CVS, and also at Ulta. Suggested retail price: $5.99 for 8oz.

Courtney’s Rating: B+

Disclaimer: I received these products to test for free through the Influenster VoxBox program.

Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy

The search for strong, beautiful hair is finally over. Formulated with Nutrium 10™, an advanced moisture complex of vitamins and nutrients, Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy nourishes the scalp, and creates the right foundation for strong, beautiful hair from root to tip in just 7 days.

Included in my Influenster Summer Beauty Voxbox was a sample size of Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Total Care shampoo and conditioner.

I am not sure if I have heard of the Clear hair brand before, but the smell of the shampoo and conditioner was very familiar to me. I could swear I have smelled it before, either at a salon or possibly someone I knew used it before. Either way, I was very pleased to receive this product to test out. The thing is though – I don’t have hair care problems. Sure my hair gets tangled up sometimes, but overall… I have pretty perfect hair, other than the fact that it is straight 24/7 and does not have much body, my hair is very soft and healthy – my only problems being that it occasionally gets knotted easily. Because of this, I do not think that this hair therapy is the right fit for me, per se.

Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty TherapyAnyways, I used the shampoo and conditioner a few times but I just did not see or experience anything that sets Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy apart from other shampoo and conditioner products. My favorite part of the product – the smell – did not last long once in the hair, or at least it was a lot more mild than what I personally prefer. Those who prefer the more mild scent will love this!

As a shampoo and conditioner set, it is a solid competitor to other similarly priced brands. But, as a hair therapy product, I cannot say for sure if it makes a difference. Anyone with scalp and hair issues would need to try and see if it works for themselves. I read on amazon reviews multiple times that there were issues with hair falling out, and that is definitely concerning. Everyone reacts differently to different products, so while it may work perfectly for one, it may not work at all or negatively for another.

For me, Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy was simply average. But for someone with hair issues, I would definitely recommend them to try the product!

Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy products are available at mass retailers, select drugstores and supermarkets nationwide. Suggested retail price: $4.99 – $5.99 per bottle.

Courtney’s Rating: B

Disclaimer: I received these products to test for free through the Influenster VoxBox program.