Tuesday, May 17, 2011

My first Birchbox

I am a big fan of trying before buying and that is why I tend to be drawn to purchasing from brands that offer gift with purchase or websites that offer samples with every purchase.  It's hard for me to fully commit to a certain set of products especially when there's always new stuff coming out, so sample sizes are usually the only thing I hit pan on.

I decided to jump on the Birchbox bandwagon after seeing it on multiple blogs. 

What is Birchbox?


Birchbox delivers the best products and the best insider secrets, without any fuss. Every month Birchbox members will receive a curated box of luxe beauty samples. Each box will span beauty categories and deliver exciting products that fit into both your day-to-day routine, and into those days when you want to turn up the drama a notch.
The cost to join is $10 a month or $110 a year.  You can cancel at anytime.  I received my very fist one for May!


It came in a cute pink box with another box tucked inside.


Everything was wrapped nicely with pink tissue paper.


Inside included a card with a list of products with the description and price of the full size.


There were 4 samples total plus a blank card from Tiny Prints.










Overall I am 50/50 on the products.  I am happy with the full size Stila eye shadow and the deluxe size sample of the hand cream and soap but the perfume sample and the blank card was a bit disappointing.  The perfume sample looked like something you can easily get for free for ordering at Sephora or at the counter at the mall.  If the whole box included deluxe sized samples then it would totally be LOVE!

I am still going to give this a try for 1-2 more months to see if they will start including better products.  If not then it will be time to cancel.  I definitely think this concept is a great idea and wish that all brands had this so that someone like me can try out more products without breaking the bank!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

My current Spring Favorites

Things I have currently been loving in Spring!  Only 1 more month until Summer arrives :)




"Half lashes or lash ends.  These are so much easier to deal with than full lashes and they don't look too over done!  If you can't find them sold as half lashes you can easily just cut up your full lashes and make your own."




"Beige/Taupe/Nude nail polishes for the win!  These colors just work with any outfit from day time to night time."




"I am still obsessed with bright lips.  Orange and bright pink/fuchsia are my favorites at the moment.  The colors instantly brighten up my face.  I'm usually too lazy to do a full face these days so I just slap on a bright lipstick and I am ready for a night out."




"Since I have been into bright lips I have toned down on my eye shadows a bit.  I am loving eye popping and brightening colors all over the lids such as whites and silvers."




"I have been loving oxford style shoes.  They are just so preppy yet chic. I first started out loving oxford flats but after they started coming out with the wedge style I am totally hooked since I could use that height extension lol."




"Since the weather has been getting warm I don't like to put anything heavy on my face.  My current go to's are Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, Hourglass Primer, Korres Tinted Moisturizer, and Giorgio Armani Micro-fil powder.  They all make me look fabulous while feeling like I have nothing on."




"I have been eating a lot these days haha so drapey flowy tops have currently been a favorite of mine.  Besides the fact that they hide my pudge well they are also super comfy and just give a nice feminine look to any outfit!"




"These scents are my go to!  They are just so pleasant to my senses."




"Studs are the new danglings for me :) " 





"I don't know what it is about satchels but I have just been obsessed!  I love the style and I think they are not too big and not to small.  Perfect for carrying all that extra baggage I have."

What have you guys been loving for spring?  Please share!



Monday, May 2, 2011

Product Reviews: Wen Hair Care by Chaz Dean

If you were to ask me what are some of the least favorite things about myself are one of them would be my hair.  My dad had always had problems with thinning hair as long as I could remember and I when I was younger I was always afraid that I would start losing hair at a young age too.  My mom has thick hair and I would always wish I inherited hers instead but I was born with fine hairs and an oily scalp.  

I am always on the look out for new hair care products that either promises volume or conditioning properties.  I first got a chance to discover and learn more about Wen products when I attended the Beautylish LA Event.  Chaz Dean the founder of Wen was there himself!  

Benefits of using Wen Products:
EN's Benefits
WEN Cleanses with astringent and antibacterial properties without lathering; it adds sheen, luster, moisture, strength and manageability to the hair. Color lasts much longer and it stimulates the scalp promoting blood circulation, stopping hair loss and promoting healthy hair growth. WEN is formulated with the perfect balance for all hair types and performs amazingly well on ethnic hair, due to its moisture content. Try the WEN cleansing conditioners and styling products and notice the instant dramatic results, giving your hair the love it deserves. WEN cleansing conditioners were created with the perfect balance of herbs and natural ingredients, not only cleansing your scalp and hair, but also moisturizing, soothing, strengthening and adding sheen. WEN is designed to eliminate shampoo and its harsh and damaging effects, without sacrificing the integrity and beauty of your hair. WEN is the only cleanser/conditioner you will need to use in your daily routine, and can be used as often as necessary. Enjoy your WEN and see your hair and its texture change instantly.

(info taken from the Wen website)

Wen Pomegranate Cleansing Conditioner

This was included in the gift bag that I got from the Beautylish Event!

WEN® Pomegranate Cleansing Conditioner is a universal cleanser designed to give all hair types the moisture and hydration they need to stay healthy, shiny and manageable. It is an incredibly rich, yet lightweight formula that thoroughly cleanses and also gives body, volume and a smooth, polished finish. 



Recommended Usage: 24-40 pumps depending on the length of your hair.  You are suppose to separate your hair into sections and cleanse your scalp thoroughly before distributing the rest of the product to the rest of your hair.  The average time you should leave the product on is 3-5 minutes but the longer you leave it on the softer your hair will be.

Results: I have actually been using this product for about 3 weeks straight and I'm actually already out of it! :(  There is a nice sweet scent of Pomegranate.  The first few days I used this I was so amazed by how soft and manageable my hair was.  I color my hair so my ends are always dry and it is always so hard to comb and untangle every time I wash my hair.  There is also a nice minty and cooling feeling when you massage the product on your scalp.   Since I have oily scalp and occasional dandruff/dry scalp problems, on the 5th day of using this product I did notice my scalp to become a bit oily and itchy.  I have read reviews that this could be because I am not using enough products to cleanse my scalp fully.  Since I have long hair the recommended pumps is 40 and I have been using around 35-40 pumps.  My scalp however, still tends to feel oily after extended usage so what I do to solve this is that I would use the Wen Cleansing Conditioner for 3-4 days then 1 day I would use my regular shampoo and then go back to Wen again.  I found that to work best for me and my scalp doesn't get oily and itchy!  But if you don't have that problem like me the Cleansing Conditioner is definitely great for everyday use.  I think my hair was just having chemical withdrawals? lol since Wen might be the most natural product I have used on my hair.

Repurchase: Yes!  I love this stuff and the way it makes my hair feel.  I also notice less hair loss, probably because I'm not always trying to yank out all my tangles.  

Sweet Almond Mint Bath, Body, and Hair Oil

Pamper yourself from head to toe in the light, delicately sweet yet richly hydrating Sweet Almond Mint oil. Lavish your hair and skin with moisture to leave it with a healthy glow as the fragrance and sensation soothe, relax and stimulate your senses.






Recommended Usage: 1-2 drops for bath.  1-2 drops to body after shower or added to any body lotion for extra moisture.  3-5 drops to hair for an overnight treatment.

Results: I have mostly been using this whenever I take a bath.   I love the smell and just 1-2 drops creates such a nice aroma to my bath water.  The oils also help moisturize my skin while I am taking a bath so when I get out my skin actually already feels moisturized and not all dry like it usually does. I have also tried this as an after bath oil but I personally prefer this in the bath because it just makes bath time so much more exciting!  I haven't tried this as hair treatment since I feel that the hydrating mask already does an amazing job that I rather save the oil to use for bath time.

Repurchase: Yes!  I have actually never been much into bath oils but now I can see what a huge difference it could make.  You only need so little at a time so 1 bottle will last me for awhile.  I definitely would like to get more in other scents.


Sweet Almond Mint Re-Moist Hydrating Mask 

This signature treatment is designed to rejuvenate and rehydrate dry,damaged, lifeless, color-treated hair. It improves lackluster hair,giving it the ultimate moisturizing treatment, using the perfect blend of natural and botanical extracts to restore hair to a much healthier state. WEN® Re-Moist Hydrating Mask is a universal treatment to maintain healthy hair and scalp, providing moisture, shine, and nutrients to give you an at-home spa treatment that will leave your hair feeling soft, silky, lustrous, and replenished.






Recommended Usage: Apply to clean wet hair and leave on for 30-45 minutes.  The longer you leave on the better the results.  You can also use it as an overnight treatment and wrap your hair with a towel.

Results: I love this stuff!  It is by far the best hair conditioning treatment I have ever used.  The texture is like a creamy thick paste and I usually use a comb to evenly distribute the product and then pile on a little bit extra to my dry ends.  The Sweet Almond Mint has such a unique but pleasant scent.  It just smells really sweet!  I use this about once a week and I leave it on for about 1 hr or more since I have super damaged and dry hair.  After using this my hair always feels so soft and the results actually last me for about 2-3 days.

Repurchase: Yes (if I could afford it lol)  This product is a little pricey ($72.00) but a little goes a long way so a tub of this will last you awhile.  Definitely a splurge type product but worth every penny.

I definitely can say I am hooked on Wen products and am curious to try out more stuff from them!  I have been on a natural binge lately and been wanting to try out more products that contain natural ingredients especially for face, hair, and body!

FTC: Pomegranate Conditioner was given in a gift bag from the Beautylish Event.  Sweet Almond Mint Mask and Oil were sent for review purposes from a PR company.  I am not affiliated or got paid to do this post.  All reviews and opinions are based on my honest opinion.