Birchbox May 2013 Review

Unboxing of my birchbox! I will update with my reviews of the products as I get to use them!

Fabulous by Isaac Mizrahi: I feel like the fragrance is too musky for me.  I prefer floral, citrus scents to ones like this one.  My finace likes it though, so I will only wear it if he asks. 

Supergoop CC Cream: This is the product I was most excited about this month so I am bummed that the sample was smaller than the perfume sample (I put the sample in the pictures for size references). 

Whish Shave Cream in blueberry: I don't normally use shaving cream so I'm not overly excited for this. It will have to be freaking amazing for me to be even a bit excited. 

Beauty Protector leave in conditioner and detangler: I have a lot of oils that all seem to condition and detangle.  However, people rant and rave about this product.  It'll be interesting to see how it measures up to the others!  

Amika nourishing hair mask: This is a deep conditioner.  I'm sure I will love it but it looks to be only good for one or two uses, amount wise. 

Amika oil treatment for the hair: Anti-frizz, shine and nourishment.  Another oil to try out!  My hair has never looked so good.  Just wish it was resealable.

Verdict: I think the reason I am so bleh about this box is sample sizes.  I just want a little more umph.  However, I see why birchbox does it.  Who would want to buy the full size when you already have enough of the product? I will continue to refrain from a purchase until I find something I love and don't already have.

May Birchbox 2013 Spoilers

So today is the day when Birchbox releases all their boxes online!  Looking through instagram, I realize that many people have already gotten their box, and mine is projected to be delivered May 14th.  However, it is common for Birchboxes to be delivered early so I will be on the look out.

To find out what you are getting:

Log in to birchbox.com, and click on box.

To find out when you are getting it:

Log in to birchbox.com, go to account settings under your name, look next to the grey truck.

To find out what others are getting and what box number you have:

https://www.birchbox.com/shop/birchbox-1/may2013/may-2013-bb-3

I put the link for my box, but to view the others just change the number on the end.

Exciting!

May Ipsy Sneak Peek #4

Ipsy did something different this month by using snap chat to send, what I thought, was going to be the next sneak peek.  However, it turned out to be a sneak peek of a sneak peek. (not my picutre)

They did however, post ads around the internet advertising this bag and the Zoya:

I personally think the bag is adorable! I'm surprised it didn't go along with the whole flowers theme but I am just as happy.  It is very summery!

Some super sleuths over at MUT found this on Ipsy's website:

The rollerball's are perfumes from Pacifica.  The silver item appears to be St. Tropez tanner.  The blue dropper is Arganics by NuMe Argan Oil.  The two white bottles are Pacifica body butter tube.  The brown bottle with green cap is Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment.

I'm loving this spoiler but hating it at the same time.  Ipsy says we will be getting two things from the items pictured, but I want to try everything.  I will most likely have some serious bag envy this month.

May Ipsy Sneak Peek #3

Item number 3 is concealer! Some are saying it may be Yaby, also, there is a question of whether we are getting all four or just one.  I hope all four, I want to try contouring! However, if it is just one, we will find out if Ipsy is really personalizing the bags!

Update:
Ipsy confirmed that we will only be getting one concealer based on our profile.

May Ipsy Sneak Peek #2

Sneak peek 2! So we can for sure say they are going for the may flowers theme.  Mirabella just posted on their facebook page:

Pixie Colour Sheers lipstick on the machine! Watch out Ipster's, this hot shade may be in your Glam Bag...

So, now it is to determine the colors.  I just want to point at that if they are full size, the value of this product alone will be at least 20 dollars! Plus 8 for the Zoya (from sneak peek 1) and a confirmed 5 products for this month... I am so happy with the value.

The hint gives away that we will only be getting one of these:

Sweet lips for spring are yours with one of these fun lip products

May Ipsy Sneak Peek #1

Gah, beyond excited for May Ipsy! 

If you look in the upper left hand corner, you can see a ZO, which has led many to believe that these are ZOYA nail polishes!

http://www.zoya.com/content/38/category/Lovely_Spring_2013_Nail_Polish_Collection.html

That is a link to the collection.  I would love any of them but I really really want the blue.  I've heard nothing but good things about Zoya.  Also, as many bad things as I thought about the Sation from April, it has lasted forever on my nails.  The no chip power alone makes me love it.  So I am beyond excited for Zoya.  

Also, a possible theme of may flowers for the may bag? 

Update:

You told us you wanted more makeup and better brands, and we listened. We think it's time you give the Glam Bag another try. May's bag is gonna be an AMAZING value. It includes a full-size nail polish from Zoya, plus 4 additional beauty products personalized for YOU. Act fast to reserve your spot. We currently do NOT have a Waitlist (but that won't last for long). RE-SUBSCRIBE NOW!

This was emailed out to get people to resubscribe.  So full size and five items this month? I am soooo excited. Gah.  And the colors for zoya look so pretty!

Update:

This picture was posted on Pinterest.  It has swatches of all the colors.  I still love the Blu though.

April Birchbox Review

I have a lot to say about this box!  This was my first birchbox ever and I decided to subscribe when they did that whole "subscribe before april 14th to get April's box."  People were having rave reviews about this month between the revitalizing eye roller and color changing nail polish. 

First things first.  Shipping.  Birchbox got some brownie points for their shipping and organization skills.  When I subscribed, Birchbox said my box would ship april 25th.  Low and behold, I got an email saying it had shipped probably about a week before April 25th.  THEN, it had and expected delivery date of April 25th and got here at least two days early.  Definitely earned some points in my book!

So because of finals, I ripped open my box, before taking any pictures, and am posting late.  It's been a long month.  This was the first thing I found, a "year" subscription to Women's Health magazine.  I put year in quotations because it is only ten months worth, last time I checked a year was twelve.  However, I am very very happy with this.  This alone is ten dollars and I don't already subscribe so why not!  All I had to do was fill out the card and then mail it.

This is my information card.  After reading and comparing, I realized that I had received the simple revitalizing eye roller as well.  Bonus! I'm glad because it is probably my most useable item.  Plus it is full size.

This is the eye roller.  I was so lucky to receive this during finals week... I really needed it.  You are supposed to use it in little circular motions but that picture on the package looks like it is supposed to go back and forth, so I've tried both. Either way, the eye roller feels really cold and refreshing.  I think it does wake your eyes up.  However, I am not sure if it visually does anything.  Would I buy it? probably not.  I would prefer a combo of this cool and one that helps puffiness.  However, since I have a full size bottle, I will probably use that thing every day until I run out.

The next thing I got was this Caudaile Divine Oil.  I have never used an oil before, so I am not sure what they are supposed to do.  I am guessing moisturize since the packaging says it is good for your hands, cuticles, and face.  I put some on my hands last night after my shower.  I was scared to put too much and be all oily but I also didn't feel moisturized with the amount I used.  I personally love the smell.  It smells like a vase of flowers.  However, I don't think I would want that strong of a smell on my face.  I can understand why some people were put off by the smell.  If you don't like a strong flower smell, this is not for you.

I received two foil packets of this Elizabeth Arden visible difference optimizing skin serum.  It is supposed to renew skin clarity and texturize skin as it evens skin tone.  With the name being visible difference, I was hoping for a, well, visible difference.  I put it on after the shower as well.  It feels as though it is tightening my skin, like an anti wrinkle type thing.  I think it may have evened my skin tone, and I don't even know what skin clarity means so I can't comment on that part.  I think for my last packet of this I will take before and after pictures to make sure.  I don't think I will buy this, since I have never thought I needed optimizing skin serum, however, the I really like the product, just not an "I have to have it."

I feel like a slacker writing this review.  I haven't tried any of these because every time I remember I have them, I have just brushed my teeth.  I am excited to try them though!

I haven't tried this yet either.  With finals, I never really had a reason to style my hair.  I am interested to see why this is a styling spray along with thermal spray.  I kind of think it my be like a thermal hair spray.  I shall see!

Last was this Cargo Hybrid Touch-Up Powder.  I had just been gifted a Cargo bronzer so I was worried I would have doubles when my birchbox came.  I was surprised to receive this.  What is even more confusing is on the birchbox website they are only selling bronze, not the Hybrid.  Honestly, I don't know how to use this, is it a powder, is it a bronzer, why is there a brush? Do I use one side at a time or both together? I am beyond confused.  I need to do some research.

Verdict: I feel like I received a lot for my ten dollars.  That makes me so happy! However, I don't know what half of this is or how to use it.  So I really do feel like this is an adventure discovery service, more so than Ipsy.  I love both Ipsy and birchbox for different reasons.  I am very happy I have a year to both!