August Birchbox

I can't believe it's been a whole month since the last subscription box link up! August just absolutely flew by. My August Birchbox was a great one!

My absolute favorite find in the box was the Stila stay all day liquid lipstick.  This stuff is absolutely awesome. Mine is this crazy bright brick red called "Tesoro" but it comes in a whole bunch of other colors too. The coverage is matte and dries in seconds. It survives drinks and eating (though you may need a touch up to two). 

Next up, the Whish Deodorant Swipes with Hair Inhibitor. These are handy little deodorant wipes which are super convenient and they smell lovely. I really like the concept of this product because we all know there are days where our deodorant doesn't quite cut it, but who wants to carry a whole stick of deodorant in their purse? Not me. Needless to say this is a great idea, my only qualm is that they are a tad to expensive for me to justify in my law student budget. 

Whish Exfoliating Body Wash is a gentle exfoliant with sugar cane and oatmeal extracts. It smells great and isn't too rough. This would be a perfect pre-sunless tanning body wash.

Next up a product I've been dying to try. The KMS California Freeshape Hairspray. As a self proclaimed hairspray addict I've been intrigued by the idea of a pre-dry hairspray. Essentially you spray it on damp hair before you blowdry and you won't need any hairspray afterwards. It protects your hair against heat, and it's non-aerosol so yay for saving the environment! The hold is definitely loose, but I can tell a major difference as opposed to just using my normal heat protectant!

Finally, the OC8 Professional Mattifying Gel. Did you know in a previous time in my life I worked for a dermatologist? Well I did. It was just a summer gig, but I got to know quite a bit about the products she sold. One was this OC8 gel. So it is most definitely a professional mattifying gel. Unfortunately, I didn't have great success with it. I know when I tried it in the past it was GREAT, but this time around I didn't really have ANY mattifying results beyond my normal primer/foundation/powder. 

So, that's it for my August Birchbox! Don't forget to visit all the other lovely ladies in the link up! 

July Birchbox

Well hello there, y'all didn't think I would miss my favorite monthly link up did you? We all know I love my subscription boxes, and I'm a birchbox faithful (nearly 2 and a half years strong!). So, without further adieu, here is my July box, don't forget to link up with the lovely ladies below.

Caldrea Lotion | I.C.O.N India Oil | Model and Co Lipstick | Birchbox Bobby Pins | Dr. Jart + Ceramidin Cream

Caldrea Lotion: Love this stuff, smells yummy like it's right out of the spa. Long lasting moisture. Great overall, but still too pricey for me to justify. Would be a great present for someone though!

 I.C.O.N India Oil: I still go back and forth on the hair oils, but this one has been a lifesaver for my ends. My stylist even commented on how good my ends look 10 weeks after my last cut! Not a ton of scent (which I like), a little goes a VERY long way. Make sure to use it on your ends first! I like using about a dimes worth on wet hair, then even less after a blowout just to smooth some flyaways. 

 Model and Co Lipstick: I absolutely LOVE this lipstick. I have peony and it's a gorgeous bright pink! I've vowed to be that girl in law school with the pink lipstick (I'm weird, I know) and this one will definitely come with me on my first day. Stays put for HOURS. 

 Birchbox Bobby Pins: I'm absolutely obsessed with these giant bobby pins! First of all they are SO cute, but then they work like a dream to! They are a little hard to "open" but c'est la vie.

 Dr. Jart+  Ceramidin Cream: This stuff is supposed to have cult following for dry skin. This time of year dryness isn't really an issue for me, but I do have a few eczema patches and this stuff made them disappear in 2-3 days. I'm definitely holding on to this beauty come winter.

So were you happy with your box this month? I know I was! Don't forget to link up and share the love with the other gals!

May Subscription Boxes

Alright y'all, this month I added a new box to my repertoire and let me tell you it was a good one. So, I wanted to link up with my favorite texas gals for....



Now, I have a lot to say about these two boxes, so I'm actually going to make this a two day link up (keeping you on pins and needles I'm sure). First up, my standby, Birchbox! I actually just celebrated my 25th Box! I can hardly believe how much $$$ I've given them it.

COOLA Sunscreen- This it seriously the best feeling/smelling sunscreen I've ever used. It smells like cool cucumbers and isn't thick and gloppy like so many other sunscreens. It goes on lightly, but still provides 30 SPF? I'm completely obsessed. All my pale girls out there (well really all you girls out there) you need this.

amika Nourishing Mask- This is a deep conditioning hair mask that seriously smells amazing. But I'm not going to lie, I don't think it was as nourishing or deep conditioning as I would want from a product being sold as a mask. I left this on my hair for almost thirty minutes and I still had some tangling issues. I have long damaged

Pilot Acroball PureWhite- This is a seriously great pen, and it's even pink. But guys...  this is such a strange thing to include in a box.  I'm just not feeling it. But thanks for the pen.

Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner- This eyeliner impressed me right off the bat. Quite possibly more than any other eyeliner I've ever tried. It just glides on with seriously no effort and is instantly set. You have mere seconds to blend it (my favorite eyeliner technique at the moment), so thankfully I have a steady hand! Seriously though, the staying power is amazing. The color power is awesome. Birchbox seems to be low on color options at the moment, but for a while they had a 4 mini pack for $21. Seriously y'all... I think this is my favorite eyeliner, ever.

Fabulous by Isaac Mizrahi- This perfume is definitely fabulous. It just screams "I'm a girl" It's sweet and floral, but light at the same time. I really don't have anything bad to say about this scent, but I'm not sure. I guess it's just not "me."

Marvis Toothpaste- This toothpaste is awesome. It is just a middle of the road perfect toothpaste. Not too flavored or scented or foamy. But I'm more of a whitening toothpaste gal so I'm sticking with my sensodine white.

Stay tuned for part 2 tomorrow! Don't forget to link up with the fabulous ladies above!

May Beauty Favorites

Holy Cow! How is it the last Wednesday in May? Seriously, when did that happen? After a wonderful long weekend and a very stressful start to the work week I'm feeling slightly dazed this lovely Wednesday. But you know what makes me feel better? Being able to share my May beauty favorites with you! Monthly favorites are some of my favorite posts to write, so I hope you enjoy reading them!

I have to say, this month was pretty epic. I did a little birthday shopping at Sephora, so I had lots of new goodies to play with!

1. Benefit They're Real Mascara- I am officially a believer in this mascara! If you want LONG and defined lashes you need to try this mascara. I will say the formula is probably the wettest one I've ever tried, but after a few coats I've never quite seen my lashes look as good as they do. I will say this isn't the most volumizing mascara (i.e. thickening), but my lashes are definitely longer and more defined than with any mascara I've used... ever.

2. Suave Dry Shampoo- I've gone back and forth on this product a lot since I've discovered dry shampoo, but I have finally decided this one is the best deal on the market. First of all, it's the least expensive one out there, it smells amazing and it works! I think that I have to use a little more of this product than some of the higher end dry shampoos I've tried, but for the price it's still worth it.

3. Simple Soothing Eye Balm- I have a full review of this and a few other simple products coming soon, but I am loving this eye balm after only a few days. When I turned 25 I decided it was time to start taking care of the skin around my eyes a little better and I can't tell y'all how much better my eye area looks already. If you're guilty of not taking off your eye makeup way too often every now and again, you need this product. It soothes the tired eyes you didn't know you had, plus it helps keep those dreaded bags at bay!

4. Benefit Watt's Up! Oh my goodness. Hands down the best highlighter I have ever used. I love this creamy little stick of glowing perfection. Mendi and Jayme of HLNC did a highlighter review recently and I couldn't agree with their assessment of this product more!

5. Juice Beauty CC cream- Okay, I'm eating my words a bit with this one. In my last birchbox review I didn't exactly give this product glowing reviews, but oh have I changed my mind. I guess it's something in the product but my skin has been absolutely glowing with this product! I stand by the fact that it's on the light to medium side coverage wise, but it has definitely improved the condition on my skin. PLUS my baby sample lasted me almost 4 whole weeks of daily use! Love that!

6. bare Minerals in Warmth: Remember when we all used bareMinerals for everything? I never used up that container of the matte warmth powder, but I'm loving it as a bronzer lately. Since I've switched to liquid foundations I've forgotten about how great this brand is. Definitely loving this as a bronzer to finish out spring.

7. Sephora Pro Lesson Palette: Blue Eyes in all honesty I quickly added this palette to my shopping cart so I could get the free shipping, but I'm so glad I did. First of all 6 shadows for $9? Great deal. Plus it comes with instructions for 2 different looks. On top of the good deal the shadows are extremely rich and very smooth. Only one is matte, with the rest shimmery, but no glitter. My favorite shade is the coppery color (they call it soft beige), it had such pretty pigmentation that is very build-able.


In other big beauty news I've decided to add another subscription box to my beauty buying regimen. I may be going a tad overboard but when I found out about Beauty Army I couldn't help it.  Unlike most subscription services you actually get to pick your products (love that)! You start by filling out a pretty extensive beauty profile then you get 9 options to pick from (you can order up to 6). If you don't like the options? Just re-take the survey! It's $12, but I have to say this month I'm getting 3 full size products and 3 more large samples. While I still haven't received the box, I have to say I'm loving it already! If you want to learn more or sign up yourself just click here. 

Alright girls. I think that's about it for my May beauty favorites! What have you been loving this month?  

April Birchbox

I know it's already May, but I wanted to finally share my April Birchbox with y'all. I know, I know... what took me so long? Forgive me please. 

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular CC Cream

CC Creams seem to be dominating my makeup routine lately. While I'm a big fan of juice beauty, this product was a bit of a miss for me. I didn't love the smell and the coverage was minimal, but I will say that my skin looked noticeably more radiant after a few days of use. If you don't need much coverage I would say go for it, but this was a miss for me.  

Beauty Protector Protect and Detangle 

I mentioned this product in my april favorites, but I need to talk about it more. I will never be without this spray ever again. I can't even tell you what a change I've seen in recent weeks. The spray smells AMAZING, and my hair looks so healthy. My ends aren't as dry, no frizziness even as the humidity increases around here. 

Caudalie SOS Morning Eye Rescue

I really really wanted to love this product, but I don't. It smells great and goes on so smooth, but as someone who definitely suffers from morning eye puffiness I saw little to no reduction beyond the aid of a cup of coffee and a splash of cold water on my face. Plus for the cost... there's no way.

Yes to Grapefruit Daily Facial Scrub

I'm a big fan of "Yes to..." products, and this one is no exception. I absolutely loved then scent and the scrub was effective, but not overly rough. I like the idea of exfoliating my face everyday, but you definitely need a gentle scrub, this one fits the bill.

Yes To Carrots Lip Butter

This has been one of my go to lip balms for years. I've strayed a bit for my love of EOS products. I have the mint and the berry. Super moisturizing, long lasting and they smell so good.

April Beauty Favorites

This month I've picked up a few new things, and rediscovered some old ones. As always I have tried to pull together some high end products and some drugstore ones (though this month leans heavy on the high end, woops).

1. Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle -- This came in my April Birchbox (post coming soon, I promise) and let me tell you, I will never be caught with out this stuff again. DARE I say it's better than my it's a 10. I don't know y'all. My hair is thicker, stronger, shinier and I definitely have less fly-aways.

2. Kate Spade Twirl perfume-- I got this stuff in a birchbox a long time ago, and it has been one of my favorites ever since. After I heard that this perfection in a bottle was being discontinued and was making its way into TJ Maxx stores across the country I've been on the hunt. Well... I finally found it when I was in New Orleans, and I've already gone through a good chunk of the 1.7 oz bottle. Guess I needed to buy it in bulk.

3. Maybelline Color Whisper in "Who Wore It Red-er"- I just picked this up last week at CVS. Y'all know I'm all about the Revlon Lip Butters, but I was curious... While my allegience still lies with Revlon, this is a great product. Super creamy, decent pigmentation and tons of moisture.

4. Supergoop CC Cream-- Now that warm weather is quickly approaching I'm a bit concerned about my face melting off... ha. Last year it was all about the BB, this year I'm sure it will be the CC, oh and did you hear? The DD creams are coming. While it's starting to get a bit out of hand, I liked what the CC claims to offer a little more coverage while still being lighter than your average foundation. While this one is a bit pricy, I really think it delivers.

5. MAC Paint Pot in Painterly-- I think I'm the last beauty enthusiast to hop on the paint pot trend, but y'all this stuff is awesome. If you aren't familiar, it's essentially a super thick tinted cream shadow/ base. You can use primer with this, but you really don't need it. I can't believe the staying power this stuff has, and it makes my other shadows pop!

6. Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder-- I've actually had this stuff for a while now, but never loved the coverage it gave me. In an effort to shop my stash I reached for this and paired it with the CC cream and absolutely loved the effect! As someone with oily skin this stuff keeps me matte for a good 7-8 hours. Just touch up a bit for happy hour and you're ready to go!

So those are my April Beauty Favorites. What have you been loving this month?

March Birchbox

Another month, another Birchbox. I can't believe it, but we're coming up on my two year birchbox anniversary (something else has an anniversary this week too, stay tuned)! I was absolutely thrilled with this month's box! So many great products and fantastic samples! 

Wish Shave Crave Shaving Cream

This is a blueberry scented shaving cream. Perfect because spring is coming, so I need be a tad more vigilant about shaving. It's super creamy and smells SO good. Plus my legs stay super moisturized after I use it! Loving this stuff so far, but not sure it's really worth $20 price tag for the full size, but I'm loving the sample!

MAKE Satin Finish Eyeshadow

I got this sample in the gorgeous grey color called: great lakes. Now we all know how much I love grey, so this is perfect! Plus I don't have a single mid-toned matte grey in my collection. Thanks Birchbox! I really love the formulation of this shadow. It's not hyper pigmented, but it blends well and is very buildable for more color impact. Plus 30% of every MAKE product goes straight to charity! Love that.  

MAKE Face Primer SPF 30

More MAKE stuff. I'm really impressed with this new brand because this primer is right up my alley. I love that it has 30 SPF, because this girl doesn't want any more wrinkles or skin cancer while were at it.  This primer is awesome. It's kind of tacky when you apply it, so it doesn't blend super well. You need a decent amount to properly cover your face, but I feel like the texture really binds with my foundation, so that stuff is not moving! Definitely considering buying this in full size.

Nick Chavez® Beverly Hills Color-Saver Sulfate Free Shampoo

Once again, birchbox knows me so well. I'm almost out of my super expensive shampoo that I was talked in to last summer. MAN was I stingy with that stuff. 1-2 times a week MAX. Anyways, I'm super excited to try this stuff out!

Plus they send me a great floral emery board! and lord knows I always need more of those. So what did you get in your box this month? Have you gotten it yet?

February Birchbox Brag!

Guess what I'm bringing back?

Yep. That's right. It's been a hot minute since I've linked up with Katie and Tara, but like I said yesterday, I am refocusing the blog a bit-- back to basics if you will. Well, I have a makeup obsession--- and that's really why I started this blog--- but you wouldn't know it if you've been reading lately. #Fail. Oh well. There's no time like the present. So here's what I got in my Birchbox this month! 

Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator

Birchbox says: To fully appreciate this dermatologist-quality scrub, a mini skincare lesson is in order. Let’s start with enzymes: these potent ingredients actually dissolve the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. Microderm crystals, on the other hand, are ultra fine minerals that buff away tired skin. Vasanti’s multi-action exfoliator includes both enzymes and micro crystals, plus healing natural ingredients. The result? Renewed, decongested skin without any redness. A single tube will last you four to six months.

Blue Dog Belle says: I adore this stuff. I have been using it daily since I got it and I can tell such a huge difference. The micro-scrubbing power of this stuff is like nothing I've ever come across. It's definitely expensive, but a little seems to go a VERY long way. I'm so happy with this! I'd definitely recommend it!

TIGI Catwalk Session Series Transforming Dry Shampoo

Birchbox says: if you’re a devoted Birchbox reader, you’re probably well aware that we have a serious infatuation with dry shampoo. Our latest obsession is this game-changer from hip brand TIGI. A couple of quick spritzes instantly zaps excess oil, perks up flat locks, and lets us go an extra day (okay, four) without shampooing.

Blue Dog Belle says: game-changer is not an understatement. Smells amazing. So effective. Dare I say it even lets me rock day 3 hair. Eww. I know. But its happened. I will DEFINITELY be buying a full size. 

Juicy Couture Couture La La 3.4oz

Birchbox says: Created with the fearless free spirit in mind, this brand new scent from Juicy Couture is a punk rock update on the original Juicy Couture. One part fruity, one part tart, and one part floral, it’s neither too sweet nor too girly. Plus, the glam bottle is worthy of a front-and-center spot on your vanity.

Blue Dog Belle says: I'm a big fan of Juicy perfumes, and this one is lovely. But it's not my favorite. It's a little youthful for me, but I think the birchbox description is definitely accurate. 

Jouer Matte Moisture Tint

Birchbox says: Ever since we discovered Jouer’s best selling Luminizing Moisture Tint, the skin perfector has been our secret to getting a healthy, glowy complexion. We never thought anything could come between us and our beloved LMT—until we met this brand new mattifying version. The oil-free formula controls shine all day long and gives skin a soft, velvety finish. It blends in easily and keeps your face protected with SPF 15. We don’t see anything wrong with having two favorites.

Blue Dog Belle says: again, love the brand, not this particular product so much. I like fuller coverage foundations so this product is automatically not what I'm looking for. I felt that the pigment wore off quickly (with in 6 hours or so) and it didn't really keep me matte for long. If you're looking for a matte verion of their tints, this is definitely it. Just not the right formulation for me or my preferences. 

Ghirardelli Milk & Caramel SQUARES

Birchbox says: As Mary Kate and Ashley, Simon and Garfunkel, and Mickey and Minnie would probably attest, it takes two to make a thing go right. Enter our latest Birchbox Find: Ghirardelli’s melt-in-your-mouth milk chocolate squares filled with velvety caramel. The individually-wrapped squares are perfect for snacking, and each is just under 75 calories. If you can be convinced to share, they make thoughtful treats for fellow chocolate-lovers.

Blue Dog Belle says: Okay. LOVE these, and I guess this month was valentines with lots of chocolate around, but I really want my birchbox to introduce me to new PRODUCTS not random chocolate I can buy at any corner store in North America.

That's all she wrote. I was a little disappointed in my box this month. I had some really great finds, but I'm not sure, I just wasn't wowed.  What did y'all think? Do you get birchbox too? 

January Birchbox

Hello! Long time no see ladies, sorry for dropping off the face of the earth yesterday. No post. No instagrams, nothing on Facebook. Not even a tweet. What is happening to me? Well--- I'm a tad stressed about life right now. So much to do, so little time. And I didn't write any posts over the weekend- I normally write outlines for all of my posts on Sundays. So we're winging it. Woohoo. aka--- I might go MIA again until after the inauguration. But I promise to update Twitter and Instagram like a crazy person. 

Anyways. I received my Birchbox in the mail a few days ago, and I've been loving some things... others not so much. First up.

theBalm® cosmetics Put a Lid On It™

I'm still semi- new to the Balm product, but so far I love what I've seen. This is no exception. Great primer. Takes a bit to dry, but one it does you are set for the whole day. I still prefer my UD primer potion, but this is not to say I won't love using this lovely sample. Thanks!

Ojon damage reverse™ Instant Restorative Hair Serum

Birchbox must have read my mind, because I just ran out of my argon oil. Seriously, the day before my box came. I'm not sure I love this more than my orofluido elixir, this is a great product. You can use it on wet or dry hair (I've only tried dry), and a little goes a long way. Smooth the product from the mid-shaft to the ends to reduce frizz and protect ends.

alessandro Nail Polish

I'm kind of obsessed with this nail polish. The color is Blue Lagoon, and actually comes off a little closer to navy than this pictures makes it seem. The formula is great though, super pigmented color. Goes on smooth, and three days later I still have yet to see a chip. Plus they have tons of other fun colors!

Harvey Prince Skinny Chic - 50ml

I may be the only one out there who likes getting perfumes in my box, but this one was a miss for me. I can't quite put my finger on what I don't like about it, but I'm just not feeling it. Sorry. Birchbox says: 

"The dominant note of crisp green apple is tempered by marine mint and lovely lotus blossom. In the background, notes of grapefruit, bergamot, fennel, white cedarwood, amber, and iris mix and mingle."  

Which if you ask me sounds like a lot of different smells that don't necessarily mingle well.

Fresh Lotus Face Cream

Loving this great face cream. Smells lovely- very light and as you might think... fresh. It definitely moisturizes, so I would only ever use this at night, plus no SPF, but it's great! I'm new to night creams, so I don't really have anything to compare it to, but I'm a fan!

Novemeber Birchbox

stila all over shimmer liquid luminizer 

via

Review: LOVE LOVE LOVE. This is a gorgeous cream highlighter. And you can get all three for just $20! This would be a perfect stocking stuffer or just little just because gift. They're all gorgeous shades too!

Masqueology 7D Moisture Cream

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Review: really gentile scent. Super creamy. but other than that... ehh. A solid moisturizer but for me, it's not worth the $$.

MCMC Fragrance Phoenix Eau de Parfum

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Review: I think I'm one of the only people who LOVE getting perfume samples in their birchboxes. They are always big enough to last a few weeks and now I have so many I can switch up my daily scent all the time (which I love). This has to be one of my favorites. Ever. It's super floral, but it's very light at the same time. 

Masqueology Revitalizing Eye Mask

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Review: Okay--- I got this weird face mask from these people a few months ago--- and was less than impressed. Needless to say I was disappointed when I saw this in my box. but OH how I was wrong. These are this cool gel pad that you put below you eye and let it dry. First of all, I was obsessed with looking at these. They're like a mesh surrounded by gel and it's awesome. Second. They totally worked. I've been fighting fatigue like no other lately (mostly because my body hates me because I've put it through the most ridiculous sleep schedule the last 4 months), and bags are gone! Yay!

One Love Organics® Aromatic Body Serum

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Review: I'm kind of obsessed with this body serum. It's essentially just a scented oil but I've never really used an  oil to moisturize. I'm in love for real. AND, I apologize if this is TMI, but I've been dealing with some winter eczema on by legs and after only 3 days of using this... it's gone! That has NEVER happened to me before. 

Masqueology Masque Cleanse

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Review: More Masquology? I mean--- I know you're trying to sell this stuff in the store Birchbox--- but three products in one box is a little much. I want more of a variety. Needless to say this was a bit of a miss for me. Lightly scented. Cleaned my face. Not worth the price. But I appreciate the sample.

September Birchbox

It's time for another round of

This month's Birchbox was not my favorite ever, but once again I picked up a few good things.  First off they threw in a twistband. I seriously love these y'all. If you haven't picked one up, you need to! They are super flexible and don't crimp your hair!

Twistband

Then I got a pack of the La Fresh Instant Body Soothers. These are wipes for your hands, face body, etc. that are supposed to sooth skin. They smell great and are definitely refreshing, but I don't think I'd invest in them. 

La Fresh Instant Body Soother

This Custom Color Club Polish was my favorite find of the box. Birchbox and Color Club teamed up this month to put together a few of the hottest colors of the season. I got the rose gold metallic color called "put a pin in it" I'm OBSESSED. This is definitely worth the $8 investment

Custom Color Club Polish

They also threw in a few of these brush guards. Definitely a nice thing to have when traveling. These are supposed to protect your brushes and help them keep their shape. They're essentially like those chinese finger traps and they can expand around pretty much any brush.

Brush Guard

Boscia Purfiying Cleansing Gel is preservative free, which is great. I've only tested it out once, so I don't feel like I can give you a recommendation one way or another, but so far so good!

Boscia Purfiying Cleansing Gel

I think I'm just not a Beauty Balm person. I need/want more coverage. While this Dr. Jart Beauty Balm is by far the best I've ever tried, I still got oily and felt like my imperfections were obvious a few hours into wear. I do have super oily skin and am constantly battling all of my products to extend the wear, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. 

Dr. Jart Beauty Balm

So that's it. My September Birchbox. Want to see more? Here's my August, July, June, and April reviews.

AND. Don't forget about the Starbucks GIVEAWAY 

August Birchbox Brag

It's time for another round of 

Are you excited? I know I am. 

Since a few of you have asked recently, Birchbox provides a monthly delivery of high end samples, tailored to your beauty profile. Most of the time you get a nice size sample, but every now and again they surprise you with a full size! It costs $10 a month, but the value of the products you receive is always well above that.   Plus have access to the website, where you can purchase full size products. For every dollar you spend you earn 1 BB point. For every product you review, you receive 10 points. Every 100 points = $10 off your purchases. I'm a bit of a point hoarder... so I generally splurge on crazy expensive products that I would never otherwise get. 

Y'all, I can't rave enough. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my birchbox, and would highly recommend it to you.

with all that said, August's box was not my favorite ever. 

Schick Hydro Silk Razor

I think everyone got this in their box this month. While it's not a beauty sample per say, it is a pretty awesome razor. I'd definitely recommend it to y'all. Big handle and like 5 blades (side note, when are they going to stop adding blades?). Love how much longer a shave lasts with this. Dare I say it, I can go three days between shaves. Love that.

TALIKA lipocils expert

I have very thin, short, sparse, light (really what's not wrong) lashes. I'm not going to lie, I've been tempted by those lash serums a time or two. I was really excited for this deluxe size sample. You apply this botanical serum to your lash line twice a day. A month later, you supposedly see longer, thicker and darker lashes. I've been using it for a week, and have yet to see a change. HOWEVER, I am giving it a full month and will definitely follow up.

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream

This was super random. I saw it, and kind of had a WTH moment. But, this is a fabulously moisturizing cream. This would be great for super chapped skin in the winter. However... this is summer. I do have a moisture problem... but mine is on the opposite end of the spectrum. I think that this is one of those products that if you like it, you'll love it, and probably never be with out it ever again. But it just didn't really do it for me. I don't see much of a difference from petroleum jelly, honestly, and I'd much rather spend like $2 for a big jar of Vaseline than 15 for a medium sized tube of this stuff.

Beauty Fixation Lipstick Touch-up

These are cool... I guess. It's one of those pre-filled q-tips where you snap the tip and let the product drain to one end before you apply. I don't know... I feel like I don't really have a problem with lipstick running... so I don't really need these. But if you do, these are awesome. I don't though, so... not going to be purchasing.

Viva La Juicy La Fleur

Okay. LOVE this scent. Love is actually an understatement. I am obsessed with Viva la Juicy, but I think this one is even better. It's super soft and very floral, but it's so light and delicate at the same time. This will DEFINITELY be making an appearance on my Christmas 2012 list.

SHU UEMURA Art of Hair Full Shimmer Illuminating Shampoo

I've sampled shampoo from this brand before. It's great, my hair is super soft, thick, and smooth after I use it. But for me it's just not worth the almost $50 price tag. It's shampoo... come on.

SHU UEMURA Art of Hair Full Shimmer Illuminating Treatment

This however is something I would definitely consider shelling out some money for. (Let's be honest though, $65 is still too much). This treatment did wonders for my hair. I don't know that I really saw the "shimmer" but the deep conditioning aspect definitely did a lot for my tired tresses. 

So that was my August Birchbox. What did you think? Did you love this month or were you just kind of... ehh like me? Want to hop on the Birchbox train? click here to sign up.