My First Birchbox

My BFF has been getting a Birchbox for way longer than it has been cool to get Birchboxes. I am not surprised by this as she works in research and development for the cosmetic industry...it is basically like really fun homework maybe? At any rate, I don't know why it has taken me so long to finally subscribe, especially since she has let me try several things over the years that she received in her Birchbox and I have always loved them! I finally took the bull by the horns, and I got my very first Birchbox last week!

If you are not yet familiar with Birchbox, allow me to share a little. It is a subscription service where you pay $10 per month and they send you samples of different products. You fill out a short questionnaire when you first sign up to have things more personalized for you (like I have long, curly, brown hair, and I tan easily, and I like perfume but I don't want a perfume sample in every box. Those kinds of things)! You get to try different beauty products, as well as samples of other goodies. It's perfect for someone like me who loves trying new things, but hates spending a ton of money to try a bunch of different products (to usually end up disappointed).

The theme for this month's box was "Spring Forward", and, let me tell you, I am 100% onboard with that sentiment! There were a lot of fun products in this month's box.

First up, they sent me a free little makeup bag! How nice of them, and how did they know I was just about to go buy a new everyday makeup bag? Those Birchbox folks are so smart and nice! I like them already!

They must really be trying to get me to like them because they included a square of Ghirardelli chocolate. And, not only that, it was dark chocolate almond cherry chocolate! Could it be any better?!

I have tried Gilchrist & Soames Body Lotion at a couple of upscale hotels before, and I have always liked it, but I really enjoyed both the smell and the lightness of this particular lotion. Bonus points that Harris spoke up as I was greasing up applying lotion before bed one night and said he really liked the way it smelled!

I have not been in a super big tea mood this week, but I am sure the Mighty Leaf Tea is good!

How 'Bout Them Apples is a fun product, but one I would never buy myself! It is both a lip tint and cheek tint. I really like the color, but I dabbed some on my lips the first day and was disappointed with the fact that it wore off extremely quickly! I was nervous about dabbing in on my cheeks because the color they sent me (pie) was pretty bright. However, I thought "meh, why not?" yesterday and did so anyway. Have to say, I really like this as a blush! Surprise!

I am really bad about applying a daily sunscreen. I mean, my BB cream has a sunscreen, so that counts for something, right? At any rate, I like that they included the Supergoop! City Sunscreen. I have applied just a dab underneath my makeup in the morning, and I like that it is super light and I feel like a more responsible adult for using it.

Finally, my most favorite thing in the box was the Agave Oil. I was verrrryyyy weary of putting oil in my hair, but I had also just been thinking about how my hair looks like a frizzy hot mess when I wear it au natural and the humidity rises. I wasn't expecting much, but I was absolutely amazed at the way this oil controlled the frizz in my hair! Even scrunched and curly, it looked smooth! I applied just about a dime's worth after washing my hair, and then let it air dry. The next day, I brushed my hair, and, again, thought, "meh, why not?", and then added just a bit more. It was fantastic! Plus it smells soooo good! I am definitely going to be buying a full-size bottle of this goodness!

Overall, I am completely pleased with this $10 investment, and I cannot wait to see what the April box has in store! Something to combat those pesky April showers, maybe? Stay tuned!

The Beauty List

So, I am also stealing this idea from the BFF - I sure hope she adheres to the idea that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! Below are my must-have beauty items, tried and true over the years.

Clinique Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser

I actually just discovered this cleanser last year when I got a free sample of it, and I am so glad Clinique shared it with me! A little bit definitely goes a long way - it is so foamy! - and it really leaves my skin feeling super clean! However, it does leave my skin feeling a little stripped (too clean?), so I don't use it every day.

Lush Ultra Bland

This is the best cleanser I have found for simultaneously removing makeup and hydrating my skin. When I first tried this, I tested it by washing my face with a regular cleanser first, and then using the Ultra Bland. You use Ultra Bland by rubbing a small amount all over your dry face. You then wet a washcloth with warm water, and remove the cleanser. I was amazed at how much this stuff got off my face after just "cleansing" it. Plus, like I said, it is super moisturizing in and of itself. I don't use this every day because I don't wear a ton of makeup every day, and I feel like it is good for makeup removing.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

I have been using this stuff since high school, and I absolutely love it. I kind of wish it had some SPF in it, but since I have SPF in my foundation, I don't worry too much about it. Whenever I put it on, I feel like my skin has been begging for a drink of water, and I just didn't realize it until the lotion quenched the thirst (how dramatic is that?). It is very lightweight, but keeps my skin moisturized and soft.

Almay Intense i-Color Liquid Eyeliner in Black Pearl

I started using liquid eyeliner a while back, and it changed my life, I tell you! I feel like it really makes my eyes pop! This one is not too intimidating for novices, goes on smoothly, and doesn't damage the pocketbook too much. As an added bonus, it has a subtle (or not) Pirates of the Caribbean reference. Almay for the win.

Almay Smart Shade Anti-Aging Makeup

I absolutely love this foundation - the Smart Shade technology is brilliant in my opinion. I usually wear the light (200) in the winter, and medium (300) in summer. It's not an exact shade, and blends wonderfully. It is also very light, and has those anti-aging benefits, and sunscreen, which become all the more important the closer I get to the big 3 - 0. I got heart palpitations just typing that. Only 27, only 27...big deep breath.

Maybelline Volume Express One-by-One

This mascara both volumizes and lengthens my lashes without the bulk and clumps of a lot of other mascaras. It also does not make my eyes itch (which some mascaras/eyeliners do). I get tons of compliments on my lashes when wearing this!

These are the essentials, at least for me. For eyeshadows, bronzers, blush, and so on, I don't have any one particular item I stick with. I really love the brands I mention above as well as just trying new things.I will also have to side with Erica (since she is the one who introduced me to this back in high school!) who uses plain ole rubbing alcohol as her daily facial cleanser/makeup remover - I don't use rubbing alcohol on a daily basis, but I do use it as a cleanser, and even a toner, if you will, several times a month. Nothing really beats it in terms of efficiency and cost!

What are some of your beauty must-haves?