B is for Birchbox...July!

My July Birchbox arrived.  I will say after last months- it is kind of a let down!   This months box was curated by Cynthia Rowley  and had a cute new "outfit to prove it.

I got 5 items.... here they are!

1.  AHAVA Mineral Hand Cream (.58 ounces)  Full size lotion (3.4 oz) sells for $20.  Value of Birchbox sample  $3.41.

2.  Philosopy Purity Made Simple Facial Cleanser (1 oz)  Full sized product  (8 0z) sells for $20.  Value of Birchbox sample  $2.50.

3.  Redken Shine Flash Spray (2.1 oz)  Full sized spray (4.4 oz) sells  for $17.  Value of Birchbox sample $8.12.

4.  Zoya Nail Polish (.25 oz)  Full sized polish (.5 oz) sells for $8.   Value of Birchbox sample $4.00.

5.  Extra Kind Almond & Apricot Bar (aka biggest disappointment in the box) (1.4 oz bar).  12 bars sell at Amazon for $16.24.  Value of Birchbox Bar $1.35.

Total Value is $19.38.  Yes, it is still worth the $10 subscription- but hoping August will be more like June! :)  The highlight... Purity in a Bottle... I own it and use it every morning, so it will be nice to have a sample size for travel refills. The lowpoint..... the "granola bar".  Seriously?

My friend SH (also a Birch Box subscriber) got all the same items as me but got a skin oil.  I am still REALLY REALLY curious about how they pick what products go to what person and how many different options there are.  Hmmm.....

Well, until next time...xoxo

B is for Birchbox!

Have you heard of Birchbox?  I just signed up and cannot wait for my box to come.  They say it will ship June 10th... yippee!!!  


Birchbox is a beauty subscription program.   It costs $10 a month and you can sign up monthly (renewed automatically) or annually.   Birchbox members will receive a curated box of luxe beauty samples in a pretty pink "birch box".   Samples run the gamut.... makeup, haircare, skincare, etc.  It costs $10 a month.  I love me some samples... mostly because I am addicted to products, but also because I love to have samples when I travel.    You collect points and can use points to get a discount on full sized products... that you can buy directly on their site.  Some the companies they feature include; Stila, Juice, Marvis, Nars, Kerastase, and more!  


When my box comes next month I will post the details of what is in it!  Can't wait!  Until next time...xoxo

K is for Keratin!

Sorry I missed posting on Friday.  Avery would not allow it.   Speaking of the baby, my hair has looked like crap since I had her.  I have hair that needs to be maintained.... blow dried and I have been able to dry my hair all of 3 times.  My hair at this very moment is wavy and frizzy and puffy and out of control!  I am majorly craving soft and smooth hair!  How can I make this happen?  With a Keratin treatment of course!

About a year and a half or so ago I got the Coppola Complex Keratin Smoothing treatment done to my hair.  It was a splurge at $300 but worth EVERY single penny.  What is this you ask?  It is a salon treatment that infuses keratin into your hair.  In addition to being pricey it takes some time as it involves a full blow dry and flat ironing of your hair.  Additionally, you cannot wash your hair or tuck it behind your ear or put it in a ponytail for three full days.  Yes, that is hard.... but again the results make it all worth it!   IF you avoid washing your hair EVERY singleday (try every other day) the results will last months and months.  It also requires that you purchase a sulfate free shampoo.  I use Pureology and love love love it!   After this treatment my hair was frizz free and smooth and shiny.  It also cut my blow drying time in half making my hair so much lower maintenance.  It was AWESOME!   I was so bummed that I did not get this done right before I got pregnant!  (As you should avoid doing this when with child!)

I am counting down the days until I can do this again.  I am thinking in another month or so before I return to work.  There are a variety of different Keratin treatments out there but I can only speak to the Coppola one.

You definitely should do your homework to make sure this is right for you.  But, if you want to find some more information or locate a salon near you, check out their website.

Until next time....xoxo

M is for Moroccan Hair Oil!

My hair is very particular, much like the rest of me! My hair does not like rain or humidity or snow or... you get the idea. It also does not like just one thing all the time, it likes when I switch things up. So, I am often alternating between various hair products, like Chi's Silk Infusion (which I have blogged about before) and my current favorite, Moroccan Hair Oil.

This Moroccan Oil Treatment for all Hair Types .85 oz
is dreamy.  It leaves my hair soft and silky and frizz free. It also makes hair shiny but not greasy. I use this when I let my hair dry on its own, but mostly when I blow it out with a hair dryer. A little goes a long way, so although it is not cheap, it will las forever!

My only compaint is the bottle. You have to screw the top off, put a dollop in your hand and then try not to have it drip everywhere as you put the top back on. They need a squeeze top bottle or something! You can get Moroccan Hair Oil at good salons or my favorite place, Amazon.com.

It is heavenly. Your hair will thank you! Give it a try! Until next time....xoxo

PS- Reminder.... Today is the last day to enter to win Skip Hop Vine Pillow Giveaway!  Get your entry in by 5pm  (EST)!!!!

T.M...... Tinted Moisturizer. Can't live without it!

I heart tinted moisturizer. For year's I used Biotherm's Tinted moisturizer... but then they stopped selling it. What the bleep I said! Since then I have tried many. I have landed on two favorites. One is a splurge and one is a steal.... both are great.

Top three reasons why I love tinted moisturizer:

1. Makes your skin smooth and even but not in a heavy way.

2. Most have spf in it- can never have enough sun protection.

3. You can just slather it on.... you don't really need to know what you are doing.

Splurge

My favorite tinted moisturizer is Laura Mercier. This baby will set you back $42 at Sephora, but it will last a good long while. You will glow when you wear this. People will notice, but they will just think you got a good nights sleep!

Steal

I only discovered Boots Tinted Moisturizer a few months ago, but I love it. It is only $11.99 at Target or Drugstore.com. Goes on smoothly, covers perfectly and great price; what is not to love?

Go ahead and get that glow! Until next time....xoxo