Birchbox v Ipsy July 2016

 

 

This month is a little late since I was away on a work trip when my Birchbox and Ipsy subscriptions arrived. I took some time to play around with the products and now I'm ready to share!

 

 

June Birchbox:

LOC Ultra-Gloss Lip Pencil in Cupid's Bow - This lip pencil has quickly become one of my favs! It is high shine without being sticky and is highly pigmented. LOC is also a Birchbox brand which means it is affordable as well as a paraben and cruelty free product.

 

Rene Furterer KARINGA Hydrating Styling Cream - This product is meant to double as a styling cream and a leave in conditioner. While I prefer a bit more hold in my styling products this did wonders for my hair as a leave in conditioner. It created a super soft texture while moisturizing my curls and reducing frizz!

 

Balance Me Radiance Face Mask - I'm a little underwhelmed by this mask. It is a gentle exfoliator but there were no noticeable results after using this. I think I'll stick to some of my other well loved face masks.

 

Marcelle Xtension Plus Curl Mascara - Another fantastic mascara sample! I love the curved wand to get close to the base of my lashes and really brush the product through. The Marcelle mascara gave my lashes some great length and curl and did not flake throughout the day. Big thumbs up from me!

 

Davines LOVE Curl Enhancing Shampoo - For Wavy or Curly Hair - Davines is a new brand for me but I am hooked! This shampoo smells incredible and leaves my hair feeling cleansed but not dried out. A huge bonus for me was the size of this sample. It really allowed me to use the product over several days and get a good sense for how it worked on my curls.  

 

Davines LOVE Curl Enhancing Conditioner - For Wavy or Curly Hair - This was a bonus product this month to go with the Davines LOVE shampoo and was a foil pack good for one use. While it did leave my curls a bit more defined, I did not love the way my hair felt after using this conditioner. It felt oddly dry and sticky instead of hydrated and soft.

 

June Ipsy:

 

Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Quinoa Frizz Control Gel - This appears to be a hair care heavy month for my subscriptions. Always willing to try new product I have used this sample until there is nothing left. My hair felt a bit stickey after using this product and I found it difficult to diffuse my hair without introducing a ton of frizz. This just did not work at all for my hair type.

 

J CAT BEAUTY Perfect Duo Brow Pencil in Dark Brown - With a very fine tip and waxy texture I found this pencil to be quite easy to work with. The color was a bit off for me but overall I really enjoyed this product. I hesitate to repurchase since the spooly end is not capped and makes storage a bit difficult.

 

Boo-Boo Cover Up in Light - I'm always on the look out for concealers so I was pretty excited to find this in my Ipsy bag this month. It has a very thick consistency so I feel it is easy to go overboard and end up with cake-y makeup. However, if you use a light touch to start and build up the coverage, I found that this product did a really excellent job at covering my under eye circles and acne scarring.

 

shu uemura anit/oxi ski refining cleansing oil - Cleansing oils are a brand new item for me and according to this product description, they are meant to be the most gentle and effective way to remove make up, dirt, and oil from your skin. Following the instructions from the website I applied the oil to my dry face and massaged it in to break up the make up and followed with water to rinse it all away. It did a really fantastic job at taking off my makeup and it did leave my skin feeling very clean and refreshed. However, this particular product is $77 for a full size which is much higher than I wish to spend on a cleanser.

 

MAKE UP FOR EVER Excessive Lash - I am really loving these mascara samples! I loved that this one from Make Up For Ever gave my lashes some volume without clumping them together. Another win!

 

 

 

Overall this was another good subscription month for me and I found some products that I will be purchasing once my samples are empty. I would love to hear what you received in your subscriptions this month or if you've tried any of these products!

 

 

Get your box here!

Ipsy

Birchbox

 

 Find me on Instagram @brunetteplanner



Travel Essentials

 

 

Before this year I had not done much traveling. Sure I went on family vacations as a child but I had parents to worry about what I would pack and what entertainment I would need on a plane. I have done a few short flights this year for work and have found a few things that have become essential for me to have in my carry on.

I find planes to be very dry and have a few things in my bag to combat this and make travel more comfortable. These things include my favorite lip balm by Pixi and a super thick handcream by J.R. Watkins. I hate feeling dry and parched so the handcream comes out frequently and I make sure to drink lots of water while flying.

Generally I am headed to a business function straight from my flight so I like to include a simple lipstick as well as some makeup wipes for touch ups and to feel refreshed once I land.

I am not the best at flying and have quite a bit of anxiety about the whole thing. To distract myself I like to have a book or some music to hold my attention. For this trip, I packed my favorite Beats headphones so that I could listen to music or watch a movie on my phone. I also packed my current planner to keep me organized during the trip.

Since this was a work trip I also needed to bring my laptop so I packed all of these items in a Baggallini tote as my carryon. This is the first time I've used this bag and I love it! It has a locked pocket on the outside for my phone, id, and boarding pass as well as several pockets on the inside to house all of my essential items and keep them organized.

What are some of your travel essentials? I'm always looking to improve my travel experience and would love to hear from you!




Items mentioned in this post:

Baggallini Laptop Tote
Beats Headphones
J.R. Watkins Handcream
Pixi Lip Balm
Simple Micellar Wipes
Burt's Bees Lipstick





*As always, all views and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

June Favorites

 

 

 

 

 

I do most of my shopping at drugstores so it would follow that most of my favorite products also come from the drugstore. This month i'm talking about some of my drugstore basics and a few that are a bit more special.

 

 

The Blush Label Melbourne Cosmetic Case - The Blush Label has some incredible prints that are bright and bold and great for summer. Plus I think this bag is just the perfect size. It fits my larger eyeshadow pallet as well as all of my makeup essentials. It's great to toss in my purse for everyday use but also great to travel with.

 

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Pallet -  This is a beauty favorite for so many people and I just recently discovered how amazing this pallet is. The shadows are so soft and creamy and they blend beautifully. There are so many looks that you can create with just this one pallet - day to night it has everything you need!

 

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream - I received this sample in a Birchbox earlier this year and started to use it this month as a part of my night time skin care routine. This cream is intensely hydrating without feeling heavy.

 

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle - This was another sample from my Birchbox from just last month. This is not only a leave in conditioner that helps detangle but it is also a heat protector. This has helped to keep my curls hydrated and makes styling easier.

 

Yes To Blueberries Age Refresh Eye Firming Treatment - I only recently started using an eye cream and have been loving this one. After consistent use I notice that the sensitive area around my eyes has more elasticity and feels super hydrated. This also makes my concealer apply more smoothly and helps it to wear evenly throughout the day.

 

Covergirl Flamed Out Mascara in Very Black - I have been a fan of Covergirl mascara for years but this one is new to me and I am obsessed!

 

Covergirl Trublend Blush in Medium Rose - This blush is a gorgeous shimmery pinky color. It can be subtle if you use a light hand but is also buildable if you want a more intense wash of color.

 

Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous Foundation - Can you tell I'm a Covergirl fan? This foundation is  medium to full coverage and wears well throughout the day. I also love that it is an oil free foundation and does not feel heavy.

 

Elf Instant Lift Brow Pencil - This is the first time I have tried a brow product and I am really enjoying this duel ended pencil by Elf. It is very easy to use and I feel like it is the perfect product for brow newbies.

Product Links:
The Blush Label Cosmetic Case
Too Faced Chocolate Bar
Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream
Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle
Yes to Blueberries
Covergirl
Elf Instant Lift Brow Pencil



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Birchbox
Ipsy

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June Birchbox v Ipsy



My June Birchbox and Ipsy have arrived!! Here's what we have for this month and my thoughts!

Birchbox

Avene Thermal Spring Water - I'll be honest, I don't understand the purpose of this product. I've seen others like it in the store and online but it is literally just water in a can. While it may be refreshing I just don't think it is worth spending money on something like this.

Balance Me Congested Skin Serum - I've been having some trouble with my skin over the last few weeks so this product excites me. It promises to be "an instant 'on the spot' natural blemish control designed to soothe and reduce both spots and blocked pores, to bring skin back into balance." I have been using this as a part of my evening skin care routine and have noticed that in the morning my blemishes are diminished and my skin looks healthier. The healthy size of this sample will allow me to really test it out before purchasing the full size.

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask - Since I have thick curly hair I should use a deep conditioner more often than I do. I have not yet tried this product out but plan to by this weekend.

R + Co TWISTER Curl Primer - This product seemed pretty promising as it claims to add moisture and definition to my curls. However, I have not been overly impressed so far. I do not brush or comb my curls but still felt that they separated with the use of this product. I still have plenty left in my sample and plan to use it a few more times before truly making up my mind. All my curly girls know that each hair day brings new challenges!

The Beauty Crop PBJ Smoothie Stick - Raisin the Roof - This is probably my favorite product from this box! I love the soft mauve color and the formulation is so smooth. It feels great on the lips and wears well throughout the day. This is a definite win for me!

Ipsy

Patchology FlashMasque Illuminate - I love a good face mask so I was pretty excited to find 2 of these in my Ipsy bag! This is a 5 minute illuminating mask with Vitamin C, Licorice and Grapefruit Extract. I love that it can be done in 5 minutes or you can leave it on longer if you have time for a proper pamper sesh. Can not wait to try this out!

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Fireball - This shimmery peachy pink shade is gorgeous! I have not yet tried out Urban Decay shadows so I am pretty anxious to get this on my eyes and see how it blends! (Also super stoked to find a great brand like Urban Decay in my Ipsy bag!)

Rodial Stem Cell Cleansing Cream - As I mentioned, I've been having some trouble with my skin lately so I am cautious to introduce too many new products to my skincare routine. With that said, I am looking forward to testing out this cleanser that can also be applied in a thick layer to use as a mask once a week.

Seraphine Botanicals Happy Hibiscus Blush - I am always happy to see cruelty free brands in my bags. This particular blush is not only cruelty free but is also vegan, GMO free, and gluten free. This is a really lovely dark pinky shade that I think will work well on most skin tones.

Doucce Boombastic Lash Volumizer Mascara - Boombastic indeed! This mascara gave my lashes so much length and volume! I have only worn it once but did not notice any flaking or unusual wear. I am pretty excited to add this to my collection!

So that's everything for this month! I would love to hear your thoughts on these products! Do you use them and love them? Are you not a fan? Let me know in the comments and don't forget to have a fabulous day!

Sign up here for just $10 a month!

Ipsy

Birchbox

Find me on Instagram @brunetteplanner

May Birchbox v Ipsy

 

Stuck in a routine, I have used the same makeup and face products since my teens. I wanted to break out of this and try new products but I wasn't sure where to start. It can be a little daunting to walk into a store like Ulta that has countless options at varying price points. So I decided that the best option would be a monthly beauty subscription box. This way I could try out different products from different brands without spending a ton of money.

 

The two that I signed up for are Ipsy and Birchbox. They are both $10 a month and offer 5 different products each month. When you sign up, there is a survey of sorts that asks all about the kinds of products you are interested in trying, your skin type, hair color, eye color, and how adventurous you are willing to be.

 

This is the third month that I've been receiving these boxes and here is what I received for May!

Birchbox

MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF50

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle

TOCCA Crema da Mano - Hand Cream

Cargo Blush and Brozer Duo

COOLA Mineral SPF30 Daydream Makeup Primer


Ipsy

Hanalei Lip Treatment

INSPR Beauty Eye Fluff Brush

Jelly Pong Pong Cosmetics Caribbean Sun Bronzer Duo

Eva NYC Hungry Hair Oil Treatment

IT Cosmestics No-Tug Waterproof Mini Gel Eyeliner

I was slightly disappointed in Birchbox this month. The small sample of sunscreen will cover maybe one arm so I'm not sure what the point there is. Each box, so far, has had a heat protecting hair treatment from varying brands. I have curly hair and don't straighten it very often so these products don't get a lot of use. The one product I am looking forward to trying is the COOLA primer. I have been experimenting with primers lately so I am excited to see how this one will compare to the others in my collection.

 

Ipsy wins in my eyes this month. The lip treatment from Hanalei is incredible! I love the way it smells and it is a wonderful overnight balm that keeps my lips hydrated all night. The eye flush brush is super soft and will work well as a blending or crease brush. The blush/bronzer duo is gorgeous and the eyeliner is highly pigmented with a fine tip for precision.

Sign up for Ipsy here!

Sign up for Birchbox here!

I'd love to hear if you received these boxes this month and what products you received! Comment below or find me on Instagram! @brunetteplanner

Back At It

 

I had fallen out of love with planning. Unhappy with my MAMBI Happy Planner and unable to find another planner that inspired me, I stopped planning. I watched reviews on YouTube and kept up with my favorite Etsy sellers on Instagram. But I couldn't find that one thing that made me want to get back at it.

Skip ahead a few weeks to my 30th birthday and a very generous friend who gifted me with the Simple Stories Carpe Diem Planner. She made the dividers, filled it with monthly and weekly inserts, and stuffed the pockets with inspirational cards and fun trinkets.

My first two weeks in this planner have been experimental. I'm unsure how I want the weeks to look and I'm still playing with the horizontal layout.

I am a list maker and I found these lined pages to be perfect for my listing tendancies and perfect for a little decorative touch.

This week I used a kit from Planner Society. I believe this was part of their monthly subscription box and was also generously gifted to me by my beautiful friend. I love that the flags provided perfectly cover up the days of the week. I also found that the page flags, checklists, and embelleshments perfectly fit the spaces provided in this planner.

I am back in planner mode and already filling my Etsy cart will all sorts of stickers for my Carpe Diem planner! I hope to have a sticker haul for you all soon!

I would love to hear what your favorite planner are and if you prefer a vertical or horizontal layout! Please comment below or find me on instagram!  @thebrunetteplanner

February Favorites

 

With the close of another month, I thought I'd

share a few of the products that I have been loving in February.

 

Aveeno Skin Relief Handcream - I've had this handcream for a few months but found myself consistently reaching for it this month. It is very hydrating without leaving behind a greasy feel and does not have a perfum-y smell. This is a bonus in an office setting where a strong handcream can be overwhelming to those around you! 

Origins Refreashing Scrub Cleanser - Origins is a new brand for me and the scrub cleanser is the first product from the line that I have tried. I am now hooked! Since it is a gentle exfoliator, I have been using it every morning. It has a light citrus scent that is perfect as a "wake me up"!

OGX Kukui Oil Conditioner - I have used OGX hair care products in the past but recently discovered the Kukui Oil Conditioner. I have curly hair that frequently requires an instensly moisturizing conditioner and this one fits the bill. It leaves my hair feeling very soft, hydrated, and smelling amazing!

L'OREAL Infallible Pro-Matte 24hr Foundation - I feel like i'm a little late to hop on the Pro-Matte band wagon but I am glad I finally made it! This foundation is my favorite thing in my makeup bag! It goes on the skin smoothly, is buildable, and keeps my skin matte throughout the day.

I would love to hear what products you have been loving this month!

Leave a comment below or find me on instagram!

@brunetteplanner