I recently started subscribing to the Walmart BeautyBox I decided this month to compare the too. Below you will see what was in each box and the video review of my box. Let me know what you think.
Walmart Beauty Box
Birchbox
You can pick up your own Birchbox here and the Walmart Beauty Box here. Affiliate links included.
This past weekend I finally took down my Havana twists with Marley Hair see the picture below.
I was of course appropriately worried that I would have dry, broken hair from not being able to moisturize with the twists in. I was very surprised though as I did my pre-poo, wash, deep condition and styling. My hair was and is (4 days later) the softest I ever remember it being.
I don't know what to attributie it to. The fact that the stylist coated my hair in coconut oil before twisting (the ultimate 4 week pre-poo), the fact that I did my own overnight pre-poo with coconut oil, the fact that I used Fekkai Advanced Glossing Shampoo and Conditioner (finally after receiving it in my January 2014 Birchbox),
the fact that I did a deep conditioning treatment with Cholesterol, used my homemade products from Naptural85's recipe,
or that I used a bit of my usual Shea Moisture. Many of these things were not new to me so I will be playing around with the combination to see if I can recreate the magic. Meanwhile I am enjoying the results.
More about the Fekkai products. I enjoyed the scent of both products and the fact that they both feature olive oil. I didn't notice a great deal of slip with the conditioner nor did the shampoo seem to strip my hair though it did feature sulfates (which is why I hadn't used it since I received it, but I figured with the pre-poo I would be okay). I was pleasantly surprised with the whole experience and have to try really hard to keep my hands out of my oh so soft hair!
The heat is back, the clothes are short, and the desire for fun is high....Its June!
This month in my Birchbox (a monthly subscription box that offers high end samples for only $10 a month. Get yours here.) I received great products that came with many compliments.
The Benefits CosmeticsThey're Real! Mascara earned me the compliment that my eyes looked much prettier than normal. I don't really like to use mascara because I tend to forget its there and have it all over or have the runny next day look. I found this to be one of the better mascaras I have tried and enjoyed the way it made my eyelashes really pop. If you are interested in this product you can get a full size for $23.
The Cynthia Rowley Beauty Creamy Lip Stain in Valentine was my favorite item in the box. I believe I have worn this several times during the week, every week since I received it in the box. I was also told that I must be dressing up for a man and that the pink looked great on me! I normally shy away from bold lips, as I have previously stated, but I am working on being bold and comfortable in my skin. I enjoy that the stain stays creamy for quiet a while before it sets. It is then less creamy but keeps the majority of its color. I only had difficulty when I forgot it was there and started biting the skin on my lips....whoops. A full size is $20.
I will never really get to form a solid opinion on the English Laundry Signature for Her fragrance because the second my mother caught a whiff of it she claimed it as her own. It was her birthday and how could I say no...but my mother says "I like it because it was not too strong and its soft scented". A full size is $90.
I used the Evologie Stay Clear Cleanser most days to see if it would result in less blemishes. I would say that it was pretty successful and was not over drying. I really never go without drying but that is simply my skin cycle. It was a nice marine scent and very nice feeling on the skin. A full size is $32.
The only product I didn't get to use is the Number 4 HairSuper Comb Prep & Protect product. It is a conditioning spray that protects from the sun. I have my hair braided and don't want to get any buildup that I can't cleanup. If this product works well it will likely be in my emergency travel hair kit. You naturals know what I mean:) A full size of this product is $32.
The theme of this month's box is "Away We Go" complete with a
quiz to suggest where the Birchbox subscriber's should travel to....
Birchbox is a monthly subscription services that gives you 5-6 high end beauty product samples a month and a lifestyle extra for $10 a month.
See the video below for the products I received in May:
Caldrea: The body wash had a very strong perfume smell, but this smell wasn't overbearing once washed off. It did not leave my skin either dry or moisturized. It was a fine product and if I liked body wash (I'm a soap girl) and wanted to pay $18 for it I would consider this brand. Actually I wouldn't because I would be looking for something that left my skin moisturized.
Marcelle 8-in-1 serum: I am not sure how long you are supposed to use this product to expect results. I think I made it a week. I found that it fit in well in my routine and my face felt nice. I don't however think that a week is long enough for me to evaluate its ability to lift, firm and plump fine lines. A full size of this runs $34 so I fear I will never know. :)
Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm: This felt nice and I am still adjusting to the pop of color. It is a very mod shade (pink) and I rotate it in with the other things I like to flavor my lips with. $8 for a full size.
Supergoop Everyday SPF 30 with Cellular Response Technology: I really liked this sunscreen. It has a pleasant not sunscreen smell to it. I also found that it didn't make me sweat, am I the only one who sweats when they put make up on their face? I will definitely be using this again and may even consider a purchase at $19 for a full time.
Lifestyle extra
Votivo candle in Azure Garden: I enjoyed the smell in the tin. The candle did not put out tons of scent while burning. A full size will run between $12 and $26.
When think about it the issue with Birchbox is that it gives you high end samples for only $10 total and if you are frugal like me the real thing is out of your price point. But I will continue to enjoy my dabble into the high end each month I receive products. Happy Weekend!
Several weeks ago during her Jamberry launch a former classmate of mine sent me a sample of her Jamberry nail color strips. I have been a long time user of the Sally Hansen Salon effects nail strips. I was very pleased with this new option because painting my nails with nail polish never lasts for me. I tend to have chips before I even make it out of the house.
Jamberrys are a more natural version made with less harsh products. They also come with more options than the nail color strips you can find in most stores. I was excited to try out the product. I also received a new Color Club nail lacquer in Gold Struck in my April Birchbox. I must say that Color Club makes my favorite traditional nail poish.
Pros
Jamberry products are much longer lasting than traditional nail color and do not require top coats for shine. They are also less harsh than other products. You can also safely reuse extra pieces for your dogs or children's nails. No Drying Time! Results remain the same the entire time the strips are on your nails with the exception of a few minor chips.
Cons
The biggest con for me is that the strips are subject to human error, this is a major concern for me because my fine motor skills are not the best, I ended up with lumpy nails. Also the nail strips require an additional step from the Sally Hansen products, you must use a heat source (according to the instructions).
You can pick up your own Jamberry products here. I also recommend actually watching the recommended video for application available here.
Over all I find this to be a great product that I would use for special occasions only because I would have to really focus to get a proper application. Other than that I plan to use up the traditional nail polish that I have gotten free through my Birchbox subscription or gifts.
As March sets in and my March Birchbox travels on its way to me I realize I neglected to share my February box. oopsie.
The Agave oil is still my favorite of all that I received in my box, the oil made my hair feel so amazing. I have not yet used the OPI nail color, I have just not had the energy on the weekends (my typical painting time). I have not yet had the teas, not really my thing, but they are on my to do list. The Clauadlie face wash was nice, but not enough to replace my current scrub. The DDF oil cleanser is very light weight and fits in well with my normal routine.
Here I review the products I've tried in my December Birchbox and discover what products are in store for me in the January. I am a paid subscriber and do not get compensated for my opinions on the products I receive.
Click below to see what came in this month's Birchbox. Also see what I thought of some of the things in last month's box. Spoiler alert! I finally got Ms. Jessie's but haven't tried it yet :)
Hey guys see the video below for my unboxing of my September BirchBox.
I found the Beauty Protector shampoo to be drying, I enjoyed the leave in conditioner. I also love the Ruffian color and have it on my toes as we speak (so to speak).
My August Birchbox failed to disappoint, I received some new hair oil, facial moisturizer (2), blue eye liner, deodorant swipes, and did not get to try all of them out. I did enjoy the facial moisturizers but found that neither was strong enough to calm my dry flaky skin. The eye liner was a great pop of color on an otherwise blank canvas, since I used it in place of an eye shadow/eyeliner combo. I was excited about the deodorant swipes but then failed to use them so far, luckily there will be other sweaty days ahead.
Its been 13 months since I started receiving a monthly Birchbox subscription, so apparently I like it as I continue to pay month to month to receive samples of products.
Since I know I forgot to mention every thing that was in my box this month check out my video below. Also note I do not receive any compensation for sharing my thoughts or what products I receive.
Why I haven't thought of this before I'm not sure. Check on the video for what I found in my July Birchbox! Also excuse my hair, this was a low maintenance style week :) I'm sure we've all had them.
On this day the mail man knocked on my door and delivered 3 packages!
One was a product I was testing, the other two were a little more exciting. My Entwine Couture audition kit and my September Birch Box.
The prizes in this months Birch Box for me were the Color Club nail polish in Insta-this (great color for fall), Kate spade new -Twirl sample scent, twistband-hair tie (it looks like a simple ribbon tied in a knot but it adds interest to a pony-tail or bun), the tili- plastic bag (colorful and made for beauty essentials), and the Fall look book (I need help with fashion :).
As I talked about in another post I love the moisture I have received from Entwine Couture, though I don't love the smell. I also didn't have much luck when I tried the styles on their site, except for the two from youtube vloggers- MsVaughTV and Nikkimae2003.
* I will be eligible to receive a portion of any products purchased due to links on my blog, though that is not why I wrote about these products. Added bonus.
