Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Birchbox - April 2012

I don't know what was up with Birchbox this month, but I hope it was a one time error. Shipping took WAY longer than it normally does & they were WAY late in updating our pages on the website. Having said that, I got a really good box this month. This is the first box I've been truly happy with. I felt like I got my money's worth this time around & I enjoyed my box.


Here's what I got:
* Alima Pure Organic Nourishing Lipbalm in Rhubarb
* Befine Skincare Sampler - Exfoliator & Moisturizer
* Willa Gentle Cleansing Lavender Facial Towelettes
* Wonderstruck Taylor Swift Perfume
* Dropps Laundry Detergent


The Willa Gentle Cleansing Towelettes were great. I don't normally like to use these wipe type products to actually take my make-up off on a regular basis, but they are WONDERFUL for traveling & for keeping in the car for those days you just need to freshen up. They smell great & they are REALLY refreshing on your face. I'll probably buy a full size to keep in my car. They're pretty cheap too.

Sample Size: 10 wipes
Full Size: 30 wipes - $7.00
Sample Worth: $2.33


I'm totally hopping on the bandwagon of the laundry detergent pouches. I do 3 loads of laundry a day (I have 5 kids after all) & I'm all for anything that makes that horrendous job easier. I was happy to find the Dropps Detergent in my birchbox this month. I used them on two of my dark loads & they worked just fine. They don't have any dyes or any scent & they clean great. I kind of wish they had a little smell (I like my clothes to smell fresh & clean), but that's my own personal preference. I liked these a lot.

Sample Size: 2 Dropps
Full Size: 20 Dropps - $6.00
Sample Worth: $0.60


I'm NOT a perfume person. I sneeze & my eyes water & all sorts of bad things like that. So I give most of my perfume samples away. The Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift wasn't a bad smell at all. It was floral, but fruity too. I actually liked it a lot more than I thought I would. Too bad I'm so allergic to it.

Sample Size: .04 oz.
Full Size: 3.4 oz - $59.50
Sample Worth: $0.70


I'm a BIG lover of Burt's Bees lip balms. I'm REALLY a BIG lover of their lip balms that add color to your lips like lipstick. I was SO excited to have the Alima Pure Orgainc Lipbalm in my Birchbox. This is kind of the same concept. . . a natural lip balm that adds color to your lips. I'm a little on the fence with this guy though. He doesn't smell the best, but he feels really good on your lips. . . kind of a nice tingle which I loved. This particular color, Rhubarb, is the same color as my natural lips so it didn't add any color to my lips. I REALLY wish it would have been a more concentrated color because I think I would have loved it a lot more. I'm tempted to try another color to see how I like it. I'll probably just stick with Burt's Bees because I know I already love them, but this product was pretty good.

Sample Size: .07 oz. - FULL SIZE
Full Size: .07 oz - $7.00
Sample Worth: $7.00


The Befine Skincare Sampler was definitely a DELUXE SAMPLE. It's about time I got REAL SIZED samples in my Birchbox instead of teeny tiny foil packets that don't even have a single use in them. I was VERY pleased this month with what I got.


I got 3 sample packets of the exfoliating cleanser & 2 sample packets of the moisturizer. (good size sample packets too.) I did NOT care for the exfoliator. It was a little rough on my face (which is good because it's exfoliating) but it stunk like nothing else. Oh, it was bad. I was gagging as I was rubbing it on my face which is unfortunate because I think it was a pretty good exfoliator. If it smelled better I would buy it in a heartbeat, but I seriously can't even use it anymore because it stunk so badly.

The moisturizer was great. It has a VERY refreshing smell, SPF, & it's light going on. I hate heavy moisturizers & this wasn't. I would probably buy this. I really enjoyed it.

Sample Size of the Exfoliator: .34 oz x 3 = 1.02 oz.
Full Size: 4 oz. - $25.00
Sample Worth: $6.36

Sample Size of the Moisturizer: .34 oz x 2 = .68 oz.
Full Size: 1.7 oz. - $25.00
Sample Worth: $10.00 (too expensive in my opinion)


Total worth of my April Birchbox: $26.99
Not bad for $10.00

Now I'm anxiously awaiting my May Birchbox. They are teaming up with Gossip Girl to give us a FUN box. Sign up now so you can get in on the fun by going here.

Enjoy!

Friday, April 13, 2012

My Glam - April 2012

For the first time in 3 months, I was stalking the mailbox for my
April MyGlam bag.
I couldn't wait to get my hands on the goodies they put in it this month. Wahoo! It arrived yesterday.

This was the best MyGlam bag so far. . .
* Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil - Ransom
* DermStore Lip Quench
* All-Belle Eyelashes
* MyGlam All-Over Eyeshadow Brush
* MyGlam Eyeliner Brush


I have NEVER worn fake eyelashes in my life, but I've always wanted to try them. I can never justify buying them so I was kind of excited to get the All-Belle Eyelashes in my Glam Bag. I was kind of hoping for the natural looking eyelashes, but got the SUPER THICK SUPER FAKE & YOU CAN TELL eyelashes. But that's fine. They'll be fun to play with. I haven't tried them out yet. . . after all, I'm a stay-at-home mom of 5 kids. Where in the world would I wear them? ha ha ha. I'm saving them for a date night with my husband & for special occasions. (I'll need them for Halloween for sure.)

* Sample Size - One Pair
* Full Size - One Pair - about $2.00 on Ebay
* Sample Worth - about $2.00


My favorite item in my Glam Bag this month was the
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil in Ransom.
I had my fingers crossed for the purple one & I actually got it. I was SO excited. I've never tried an Urban Decay liner before & they are heavenly. It goes on smooth & creamy & it doesn't pull your eye all over the place when you apply it. The color is bright & vibrant & lasts ALL DAY. Yes, I'm in love & will be buying LOTS more of these in MANY different colors.

* Sample Size - 3/4 Length Pencil
* Full Size - Full Length Pencil - $19.00
* Sample Worth - about $15.00


I'm loving my MyGlam brush set. Now I have 3 brushes & a beautiful pink case for them. The Eyeliner brush is fantastic to line your eyes & also for your eyebrows & the all over brush is soft & wonderful.

* Sample Worth - at least $5.o0, but I'd guess closer to $10.00



I'm kind of back & forth on the DermStore Lip Quench. Part of me LOVES it & part of me doesn't. It's REALLY thick & I can hardly get it out of the container. You have to push & push & push & barely anything comes out because it's SO SOLID. It also clumps up on my lips which isn't the best feeling in the world. However, it smells absolutely DIVINE. The minute I put it on my lips, I'm in a strawberry field enjoying the sweet juicy smell of fresh, ripe strawberries. It's honestly one of the best smelling lip balms I've ever had in my life. It doesn't tint your lips as much as I'd like it to, but it's still fun. It makes my lips really moist & soft for a really long time. So I think I like it more than I don't in the long run.

* Sample Size - .21 oz. (full size)
* Full Size - One Pair - .21 oz. $12.00
* Sample Worth - $12.00


I didn't like the actual bag this month as much as I have enjoyed previous month's bags. I've never been a metallic type of gal. But I can see a TON of other ladies out there LOVING this bag. I'm still putting him to good use of course, but he won't be making any debuts in my purse anytime soon. ;-)


I loved the theme "Girl's Night Out." It made me take out some of my polka dot pink heels out of my closet. Yup, I definitely need a Ladies Night & SOON.


So the value of this Glam Bag was AMAZING. Thank you MyGlam for listening to your fans & giving us what we wanted. You guys are GREAT.

Price I paid for the bag: $10.00
Worth of the bag: somewhere between $34-$40

Julep - Spring Mystery Box

Wahoo, my little black Julep Mystery Box arrived on my doorstep today. It's like Christmas morning whenever this happens!

I was REALLY nervous about this one because I have SO MANY Julep colors now that I was certain to get a bunch of duplicates, but I just can't pass up the urge for a box of mystery. ha ha ha

Much to my amazement & delight, I didn't get any polish duplicates. Talk about an awesome mystery box. . . & it was one of the small ones. I get excited pretty easily. So here's what I got. . .


* 2 Chocolate Coins
* 2 Chocolate Eggs
* January - $14.00
* Hayden - $14.00
* Pippa - $14.00
* Melissa - $14.00
* Cuticle Oil - $18.00
* Julep Nail File

Price Paid for my Mystery Box - $19.99
Total Worth of my Mystery Box - $74.00


I've been eyeing Melissa for a little while now, but just couldn't bring myself to buy it. Hooray for it appearing in my mystery box. I can't wait to try it out. Julep describes Melissa as a sheer opalescent shimmer that adds a soft glow when used alone & a high-fashion holographic when used over another color. How exciting does that sound?


Pippa has been on my want list since the day I joined Julep Maven. I've been DYING to have her & was SO SURPRISED that she showed up in my mystery box. Julep describes her as an updated neutral camel, sure to upstage. I've been wanting a nude polish for ages & this was it.


I seriously couldn't get Pippa on fast enough. I'm totally in LOVE.


I was secretly hoping to find Hayden in my box. A lot of the other Spring boxes had it & so I had my fingers crossed. There she was & I couldn't be happier. Julep describes Hayden as a neon peach. I think it's more of a neon tangerine color, but it's just SUPER FUN.


I'm a total red polish lover, but I don't have very many reds from Julep. I was very happy to finally add January to my collection. I love anything vintage & this is just perfect. It reminds me of the classic pinups from the 40's. I just couldn't be happier with my box. Julep describes January as a retro, tomato red with a modern shine. LOVE HER.


And last, but certainly not least, was my cuticle oil. I do have this already, but boy am I glad to get some more. I use this twice a day on myself & twice a day on my 7 year old daughter who suffers from crazy hangnails. This stuff has been working miracles for her & I was almost out. Hooray for replenishing my stash.


So. . . I was extremely happy with my Spring Mystery Box. Thank you Julep for being so awesome. I'll be a customer for life.


For all of you who are trying to decide whether to sign up to be a Julep Maven or not, they have a REALLY GREAT DEAL going on right now. You can get your first box for only$0.01. Try it out, see if you like it, & if you don't just cancel. . . but I'm almost positive you won't.

Every month you will receive a Maven box filled with $40 of AWESOME manicure/pedicure products as well as some FABULOUS polishes for only $19.99. You have the option to SKIP as many months as you want if funds are low or if you just don't like your box. This is the only subscription service I know of that allows you to see your box before it's shipped & then allows you to decide if you like that box or if you want to trade it for one of 4 others. There's ALWAYS one you'll love.

And then the PERKS. Each month, Julep sends 100 lucky maven's a GOLDEN BOX that has $100+ worth of products just because! And then there are contests & sweepstakes you can enter all the time not to mention all the fun coupons they send out. And then there are MYSTERY BOXES! Those are the BEST. They offer mystery boxes every few months & they are worth anywhere from $60-$200 in product. It's just a fun company & their customer service is the best I've ever seen.

So if you want to get in on this great deal, just go to the Julep website here & take the style quiz. Put in the special code COLOR2012 to get your box for just ONE CENT. I know you're going to LOVE IT.

Friday, April 6, 2012

April 2012 - Julep Maven Box


Wahoo!!! It's time for ANOTHER AWESOME JULEP MAVEN BOX. These boxes truly are the highlight of my month. "My name is Dani & I'm a nail polish addict."

I chose to stick with my Classic with a Twist box this month because the colors were fabulous. I've been dying for a mint creme polish for ages & there she was!!!!


I loved the box this month. Everything was surrounded by green shredded paper just like an Easter basket. Then they added chocolate eggs & some fun toe separators for my pedicures. Julep always outdoes itself. I just love them.

Here's what came in my April Maven box:
* The Best Pedi Creeme Ever Lotion/Exfoliante
* Susie - a GORGEOUS minty creme color
* Mandy - a super bright & super fun coral pink/red color
* Chocolate Eggs
* Orange Toe Separators


I usually LOVE all the "treatments" Julep puts with their polishes each month. The Best Pedi Creme Ever is okay. I wasn't floored by it like I was with the Argan Oil last month (still loving on that, by the way), but it wasn't bad either. It's a smooth, but OILY, cream you rub onto your feet & legs to exfoliate & moisturize them. I've used it for a week now & I wouldn't say it's any better than a body butter from The Body Shop. The scent is not my favorite, but I know a LOT of people that would LOVE IT. It's a very fresh cucumber minty smell, which is fine, but I prefer a sweeter smell in my lotions. But that's just me. It's small too. . . only 2 oz.
Retail price is $22 which is a little high for me. But as a Maven I get 20% off that making it $17.60, but even then I don't think I'd pay that much.


Now on to the polishes. . . Mandy is FUN. I honestly love it WAY more than I thought I would. It's a really spunky bright coral pink/red depending on what color clothes you're wearing. It has a pinker hue when wearing pink clothes & a reddish tint when wearing reds. This color is perfect for Spring!


My little 4 year old daughter was the first one to try Mandy on. She loved it. She said it's beautiful like Ariel's hair. (I love my kids.)


But the color I was REALLY waiting for was Susie. This really is the PERFECT NAIL POLISH. This is my very favorite Julep color by far. It's a minty creme & it's GORGEOUS. I'm going to need to get several bottles of this to keep on hand because I know I'm going to use her right up.


My 7 year old daughter modeled Susie for me first.


I also got 2 add ons this month for my Maven Box. Julep offered all their Mavens 2 extra April polishes for $4.99 each to add to their boxes. OH YEAH. I couldn't jump on that one fast enough. I ordered Jessica (pastel blue creme) & Renee (pastel violet creme) & did a really fun Easter manicure for me & my 3 girls.


For all of you who are trying to decide whether to sign up to be a Julep Maven or not, they have a REALLY GREAT DEAL going on right now. You can get your first box for only$0.01. Try it out, see if you like it, & if you don't just cancel. . . but I'm almost positive you won't.

Every month you will receive a Maven box filled with $40 of AWESOME manicure/pedicure products as well as some FABULOUS polishes for only $19.99. You have the option to SKIP as many months as you want if funds are low or if you just don't like your box. This is the only subscription service I know of that allows you to see your box before it's shipped & then allows you to decide if you like that box or if you want to trade it for one of 4 others. There's ALWAYS one you'll love.

And then the PERKS. Each month, Julep sends 100 lucky maven's a GOLDEN BOX that has $100+ worth of products just because! And then there are contests & sweepstakes you can enter all the time not to mention all the fun coupons they send out. And then there are MYSTERY BOXES! Those are the BEST. They offer mystery boxes every few months & they are worth anywhere from $60-$200 in product. It's just a fun company & their customer service is the best I've ever seen.

So if you want to get in on this great deal, just go to the Julep website here & take the style quiz. Put in the special code COLOR2012 to get your box for just ONE CENT. I know you're going to LOVE IT.