Showing posts with label Birchbox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Birchbox. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

{Beauty Tuesday} Birchbox Brag--- WAY LATE

*OMG y'all. This is my 100th Post on Blue Dog Belle* 
I cannot believe how much this little bloggy has grown already! Thanks to all of you who spend a little part of you day with me right here. 

So in my craziness last week, I completely missed Birchbox Brag with Tara and Katie. I seriously cant even believe it. Look, we even tweeted about it! 


But better late than never right ladies? I am thrilled with this month's box. THRILLED. I have found a product that has completed my life. I can't even tell you how much I'm obsessed with it. 

The Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Black is AMAZING. 

via

Not going to lie. I have worn this EVERY SINGLE DAY since I got this in my box. I love that its a marker (way easier to deal with than a brush), I love how quickly it dries, and I LOVE how thin it is. Now. For those of you who are liquid liner experts take my review with a slight grain of salt. I am not new to liquid liners, but I've only ever used my Wet and Wild MegaLiner matte black (don't judge me, it got good reviews and I'm a fan. and its $3). The eyeko is a whole new world though. It took a few times to master a slightly altered technique, but y'all I can't tell you enough how much I love it. 

Love this. Citrus and Flowers, but not too sweet. It's probably my favorite Birchbox perfume sample so far (Kate Spade Twirl is a close second though).

Why have I never thought that you might need sunscreen for your hair? Makes sense. and I'll tell you a secret... my hair is heavily highlighted... I may not be a natural blonde... shocking I know. I pay a good amount of money to have my color changed. Why would I let the sun mess it up?  

*OMG. pause. It's a sad life when I start seeing formal logic arguments in my blog posts. #LSATnerd*



Love this. It's super light weight, and great under makeup. I'm bad about putting sunscreen on for an average day. If I'm out and about, and I know I'm going to be in the sun I'm great. But on a typical M-F work day I rely on the spf's in my moisturizer or make up... but I jump around so much (and not all of my products contain SPF) I'm sure there are many days that I miss. Needless to say this is a good product. A tad expensive for what it is, but I appreciate the samples. 

I love this little treat in the bbox this month. Took me a while to figure out how to open it, but they taste great!

and finally these super fun Neon Ear Buds.... 

via

Birchbox... how did you know I'm always loosing my ear buds? I needed some new ones, and these are FAB! 

Also, please don't forget to enter the Kiki and CoCo giveaway here

Monday, June 18, 2012

Birchbox Brag

Holy Heck. Two blog posts in one day? What is the world coming to? Well. I forgot that today was the wonder Tara's monthly Birchbox Brag. woops. I've had this post ready to go for a few days now, but didn't know when to pull the trigger. Hope y'all enjoy a double dose of Blue Dog Belle today :)






stila one step bronze


Birchbox Breakdown: The formula uses a trio of complementary pigments: coppery bronze adds warmth, pink-toned bronze evens out skin tone, and Kitten (one of stila’s best-loved shades) brightens and conceals with its soft shimmery champagne hues. When you push down on the applicator, these pigments swirl together to create a lightweight serum. In addition to sheer coverage, it delivers an anti-aging mineral complex that helps regulate oil production while shrinking the look of enlarged pores, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Blue Dog Belle Breakdown: Okay. SERIOUSLY. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS PRODUCT. It's an all in one primer, bronzer, oil control, pore minimizer, life changer. I cannot express to you how much I am LOVING this product. AND. Birchbox gave me a full size sample. y'all are the best. seriously. 




tili bags

Birchbox Breakdown: Made of durable plastic, each quart-size zip and seal bag can hold a variety of belongings—from paper clips and sandwiches to makeup and toothpaste. Especially great for those on the go, they make life easier by keeping things organized.

Blue Dog Belle Breakdown: they're cute, but aren't you supposed to use clear bags for the airport? so they can see whats in them? I guess I'm just not that much of a diva. I'm not concerned about cute zip lock bags for my exotic travels. 


comodynes self tanning towelette
Birchbox Breakdown:  Made of natural viscose fibers, these napkin-sized towelettes come pre-soaked with a paraben-free, moisturizing formula that works with the natural proteins in your skin to give you a convincing tan. Dehydroxiacetone—a naturally occurring sugar with a fancy name—acts as a pigment-depositing agent, while transcutol helps with penetration. The individually wrapped wipes offer a safe alternative to sun bathing or (worse yet) lying under a tanning bed, and they’re also way easier to use than messy bottles of lotion. 

Blue Dog Belle Breakdown: other than a minor mishap during application I'm in love with these. I guess I had gotten used to a self tanner that you could see as it goes on. I don't know. but I missed major swatches on both arms, and one of my legs. I was a tad pre-occupied when I was applying it, so I'm sure it was my fault, but the product itself is great. It dries quickly, which is wonderful, but that means you have to move quickly too so the towelette doesn't dry out. While the price tag is a little too high for me ($15 for 8 applications) I do think this is a great product. 


John Varvatos USA colgne for men

Blue Dog Belle Breakdown: I don't really need a Cologne for men, birchbox. I get that you're trying to plug your other product, but this box is for me. okay?

masqueology pore minimizing masque
Birchbox Breakdown: Each single-use mask may look like, well, wet paper, but it's actually dripping with complexion-saving ingredients. For starters, sodium hyaluronate prevents water loss and enhances your skin’s ability to soak up moisture. Next, panthenol calms red, irritated skin, while mushroom extract is a natural brightener that fades the look of acne scars and brown spots alike. Finally, ceramide 3 hydrates and helps skin look smoother, with less visible pores.

Blue Dog Belle Breakdown: Ehh. It feels really strange on. I felt compelled to lie down so it wouldn't slide off. With that said it was super moisturizing (but I don't really need a ton of moisture). My skin was noticeably glowing the next morning, but I'm not loving it so much that I'm jumping to order it again. cool idea, but not the right product for me. thanks. 
Stainiac by the Balm

Birchbox Breakdown: 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.

Blue Dog Belle Breakdown: LOVE IT. I've been wanting a cheek stain for a hot minute, but just haven't been able to justify shelling out $30 for a tarte one when blush could kinda do the same thing. Well let me tell you, this is not blush. The color blends into your skin so well and it stays on for a LONG time. I'm seriously going to cash in some bb points to get the full size of this puppy. 

Monday, April 23, 2012

April Birchbox

It's that time again!

I'm linking up with Tara and Katie for another round of...


My April Birchbox arrived early this month woohoo!! After an AWESOME box in March I was pumped. Then I opened it and saw this...
Dropps: laundry detergent
These small squares pack a big punch: each is filled with a fabric-friendly detergent that keeps colors bright while respecting the environment. Fresh Scent has a light, spring-inspired fragrance, the packs are great for those who want to go the odor-neutral route.


hmm... laundry detergent. okay. I tried them, but I'm not really sure they would be worth the cost. I actually make my own laundry detergent, I'll do a post on that another time, but I personally think mine is better.

WONDERSTRUCK: by Taylor Swift
Wonderstruck is that awe-inspiring feeling that comes from experiencing something magical. Eclectic and traditional with whimsical flair, every element of the brand is authentically Taylor.

Okay.... this might be worse than the laundry detergent. Don't get me wrong. Love me some T Swift. But I'm generally not a fan of super sweet floral perfumes (especially if they're made by a celebrity). Not good friends. not good.

willa Lavender Facial Towelettes 
Sometimes you want to wash your face when there’s no sink in sight. Since it’s not always a good idea to stop what you’re doing and run to the nearest bathroom, keep these super cool towelettes by your side. Perfect for girls on the go, they’re made to cleanse and refresh skin. Each 30-pack comes with a month’s supply of sweetly scented lavender wipes. Store them in your backpack, your locker, or your purse, and take them out whenever you want to remove all signs of oil and debris. Even the packaging is as cute as a button.

The Willa towelettes are awesome. They smell super fresh, are really soft, and they're natural! What's not to love?

ZOYA: TRUE Spring Collection in BEVIN
Zoya’s latest collection of polishes has us even more excited to brighten up our wardrobe and show off fun mani-pedis this spring. If you’re looking for a subdued shade, check out Bevin, a sage green with faint teal undertones. 

I LOVEEEEEEEEEEE this Zoya polish. It's a beautiful muted mint green color.

J.R. Watkins: Hand & Cuticle Salve
From hangnails to dry knuckles, your hands are subject to a whole slew of issues. Luckily, this intense salve provides long-lasting relief to delicate, over-worked hands. Formulated with over ten natural oils and plant extracts, it penetrates deep beneath your skin’s surface, revealing softer skin and revitalized cuticles. Plus, we love how all its ingredients are ethically sourced.

My thoughts on the J.R. Watkins salve: ehh. I could take it or leave it. smells good. moisturizes well, but I'm not drawn back to it.

Not the best box I've ever gotten... but as always I will continue on with the Birchboxes.

PS I heard from Krista that next month will be a Gossip Girl themed box. So excited.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Beauty Tuesday's: Getting the Hair You Want

Happy Tuesday! I want to share with you a little about my hair history. I'm almost always been blonde. Naturally I have what we in the South call dishwater blonde aka not quite a brunette but not blonde either. I started dying when I was 12 and I've never really gone back. I tried being a red head for a bit, but while it was fun it wasn't quite me. I've also died my hair darker to a medium brown, but I never really felt like ME with dark hair.

Winter 2006
Winter 2007
Spring 2008
Fall 2008

Spring 2010

Spring 2011

Fall 2011

Spring 2012

Okay... so I didn't want to inudate you with pictures, but there were a LOT of blonde moments in between those brunette winters I've had the past few years. So now that you know I change my hair color a whole bunch, let me tell you a story.

It's the Summer of 2011. My hair is extremely damaged. I have crazy split ends, horrible flyaways and a general strawlike texture I can't seem to get rid of. Fast forward 9 months and I couldn't be happier with my hair. It's long (for me) but not too long. It's soft, it holds a curl for more than a few hours, no fly aways, no more straw growing out of my head. Yay!

I did a LOT of research on how to fix my hair and consulted with my trusted hairstylist (Krystal, who has since left my salon and I can't find her!! But thats a story for another time) this is what I did.

Clear Glazes
 Are translucent, demi-permanent or semi-permanent haircolor that can do a lot in less than 15 minutes! Available in a full range of sheer colors, as well as clear, this deposit-only, ammonia-free salon treatment lasts from two to six weeks (depending upon application and the condition of your hair) and boosts color but will not lighten it. If you’re not interested in color, but would love long-lasting shine, ask your stylist for a clear shine glazing treatment after every haircut. It makes hair feel thicker, too!

A Good Hair Cut
Cut off as much of your damaged hair as you can. You need to stop the cycle of split ends before it gets worse. Your hair will grow back eventually, and look healthier imediately. 

Use Heat Sparingly
This was the source of my problems. Daily blowdries, curling irons, straightening we put our hair through the ringer. Give it a break when you can.

Use Heat Protectant
I'm sure you all do this already, but I didn't and I can't believe the difference it has made.

Rock a Dirty Hair Style
I always thought I had super oily hair that needed washing daily, but if you avoid brushing it throughout the day (with a brush or your hand) and use a little dry shampoo the next day you'll be amazed how it can last. My go to 2nd day doo's are the top knot, a poofalishous pony or the "Sarah Palin"

Products

I DIE over its a 10. If you buy one product for your hair, it needs to be this. It claims to do 10 things: repairs dry damaged hair, adds shine, smooths and controls frizz, seals and protects color, heat protectant, detangles, prevents breakage, creats silkiness, enhances natural body and prevents split ends. Honestly it really does all this. They aren't paying me to say so *but feel free to send me more!


Amika Oil Treatment
Birchbox: "Obliphica and argan oil pump hydration into damaged strands, smoothing the outer cuticle for noticeably sleeker, shinier strands. This nourishing formula also improves overall hair health, from elasticity to dehydrated ends." First off this smells amazing. I use this on days where I'm giving my hair a break from all other heat and styling products. Its silky smooth, a little goes a long way and it add a ton of shine.



That's all I've got for you today. I'll save my other styling products for another post, but try these steps and see what your hair is like in a month or two. I promise you won't be disappointed! Let me know if you have any other suggestions on how to improve the condition of your hair!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Birchbox Find: Tarte Lip Stain Pencil

I have another confession. I'm in a long term love affair with several lip glosses. I am constantly buying them because I'm constantly "losing them" aka they end up at my desk at work and then I forget about them... For example.


Yah. I know. I have more at work than I do at home though.

They also live in my purse, where they seem to multiply.

and my car.

and my vanity (where they're supposed to live).

But I have new love who I want to introduce you to. 


This is the Tarte Lip Stain Pencil with LipSurgence. This baby came to me via my march Birchbox. If you've never heard of Birchbox you need to get on it ASAP. My bff LoPro aka the Lawfully Wedded Wife  gave me a subscription last year for my birthday and it's one of the best presents I've ever gotten (that wasn't jewelry or a car). I've been on it for almost a year now, and my Teen Vogue box this March was quite possibly the best one to date. I got a full size Essie sparkly pink polish, a set of oil blotting papers (LOVE), some fun hair ties by, a perfume sample and a full size Tarte Lip Stain Pencil with LipSurgence in joy.
I was a little hesitant about the color, because it looks VERY corally orange. I'm not a huge fan of orange lips, but it goes on beautifully and is a perfect bright pinky-coral. The texture is amazing, so soft and smooth and it smells good too :)

It goes on shiny, so you don't need any gloss. But I think the best part is it is actually a Lip stain so the color stays on for hours once the shine disappears.

It does need to be re applied after a meal, but what lip color doesn't? The color definitely makes it through a cup of coffee though, and that's a HUGE deal to me. Its a tad on the pricey side, but I promise I really think its worth it.

Have you tried the Tarte LipStain line yet? What do you think?

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