June Birchbox(es)!

So I was sneaky and signed up for the $1 Tati Birchbox with another email address....and I am sure if you're reading this, you did the same thing (or are now kicking yourself for not doing it!).  Here are my thoughts on both boxes!

My "Real" June Birchbox

• Coola Sport SPF 50 - Mango (Full Size 5 oz  $32 / Sample Value $3.20) - This smells nice, but had a heavier feeling than I expected it to have.  I love Coola's Matte Tint BB cream, but this is likely something I won't buy.
• Marcelle Eyeliner (FS $11.00 / SV $4.50) - I don't normally wear blue eyeliner, but I got 2 this month.  The one I got in this box was a brighter shade, which I will probably try and feel like I took a time machine back to 1988.  I swatched them and the formula is nice and they seem to have good staying power.
• Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant (FS 3.3 oz $26 / SV $7.87) - Now this, I like....a lot.  I used this way back in college (before Paula's Choice was well known) and for some reason forgot about it. I was so excited to get this in my box!  It works wonderfully!  I have dark spots from past breakouts and some sun spots, and while I haven't seen drastic improvements yet in fading those, my skin definitely feels smoother and looks more even!  I plan to buy the full size of this, for sure!
• Temple Spa Good Hair Day Shampoo and In Good Condition Conditioner (FS 6.8 oz $14 each / SV $1.73 each) - No, just no.  Hated the smell (it's minty), hated the fact that the shampoo didn't clean my hair well at all, AND the conditioner left a waxy film on my hair.  No bueno!
• L Erickson Pony Tail Holder (FS $18 for 15 / SV $1.20) - This is a pretty good ponytail holder, especially for holding your hair up while working out.  I still prefer the ribbon hair ties for casual ponytails though.
• RumbaTime Watch (Retail Value $45 / paid $28) - I love this watch!  And I can't believe Birchbox offered it at such an incredible deal!  The band is silicone, which I really like, and the color is very unique!  It's very comfortable to wear.  I definitely want to get more watches from RumbaTime!

Total Value $20.23 (not including watch)

My $1 June Birchbox

• Catherine Malandrino Style de Paris (FS $65 1 oz / SV $3.90) - I've gotten this sample before and I was so excited to get it again!  It's citrus-y and sweet and really nice!  I really want to get the full size once I get through this sample.  It's so unique!!  I usually don't get excited about perfume samples, but this one is a huge exception!
• Marcelle BB Cream Golden Glow (FS $27 1.6 oz / SV $4.05) - Another sample I have gotten before via my "real" Birchbox.  I just can't get this one to work for me.  It's just too dewy and accentuates my pores.  No thanks.  The color is nice though!
• Marcelle Eyeliner (FS $11.00 / SV $4.50) - The shade in this box was a darker navy blue, which I will actually wear!  Yay!
• Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect (FS $32 200ml / SV $4.80) - meh.  I've had this before too and wasn't super impressed.  To be fair, I did only use it with the crap shampoo & conditioner mentioned above.  I guess I should give it another shot with my normal combo.  It does smell nice though!
• Supergoop Everyday SPF 50 Sunscreen (FS $19 2.4 oz / SV $2.70) - This is nice!  I've only used it once so far, but I may consider buying the large pump bottle next summer since I am already stocked up on sunscreen for this year.  
• L Erickson Pony Tail Holder (FS $18 for 15 / SV $1.20) - see review above.

Total Value $21.15

I'm pretty happy with my boxes.  I will probably cancel the 2nd box after the July one comes and I get enough points to cash in on something around $10!  I am a little bummed I got two of the same box designs though.  

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May Birchbox Review!

First of all, can we just talk about how beautiful the box design is this month?  They've really stepped up their game with their box designs!  This month was another great Birchbox month for me.  Here are my thoughts:

• Harvey Prince Yogini (full size 50ml $55 / sample value $1.62)  - I wasn't expecting to like this after reading reviews on it when I found out I was getting it.  I was pleasantly surprised.  The description says "top notes of purifying sandalwood, refreshing grapefruit, and sensual Egyptian myrrh.  Subtle cues of golden amber, incense, and star jasmine."  I am not a person that gravitates towards incense or myrrh (because I think HIPPY) , but this was actually nice!  I could definitely smell the grapefruit, which is a favorite scent of mine.  I don't know that I'll purchase it, but I will use up the sample.  
• Smashbox Cosmetics Photo Finish Primer Water (FS 3.9 oz $32 / SV $1.31) - This is another item I was unsure about before trying it.  The traditional Smashbox primers haven't agreed with my skin in the past, but this one is so different (in a good way).  It feels so nice when you spray it on and I feel like my makeup lasts much longer!  I've been using this under MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural powder and it works wonderfully.  I've read some reviews and some say they use this as a setting spray too (which I will be trying tomorrow)!  I will definitely be putting this on my wish list!  
• Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Energizing Hydrating Gel (FS 1.7 oz $24 / SV $3.38) - I LOVE this!  It is perfect for a daytime moisturizer in the summer.  It has a gel-like consistency and it feels amazing when you put it on, and absorbs pretty quickly.  I am adding it to my Birchbox favorites for sure!  Also, the price is very good, compared to other moisturizers in my stash!
• Macadamia Professional Nourishing Moisture Oil Treatment (FS 4.2 oz $40 / SV $9.52)  - This was my sample choice for May.  I love hair oils, especially the one by Beauty Protector.  Let's be honest, I chose this sample because the sample bottle they showed in the Sample Choice video looked HUGE, so I figured it was a no-brainer!  I love this brand's spray on oil, and this one is similar, but a little more intense.  It smells AMAZINGGGG just like everything else in their line.  I'm glad I picked this!  I work a dime size amount through my damp hair and wrap it up in a towel for about 20-30 mins and it really works great!  
• Coastal Scents Revealed 3 Sample Quad (FS 19.95 / SV $1.60) - I received the Desert Bloom Sampler Quad.  The colors are pretty bold, but the quality is good.  I own the Revealed 1 and the Revealed 2 palette.  I must've missed when they released the 3 because at first I thought this was a sampler from the 2 palette!  I do like these colors, but I have way too many eyeshadow palettes to justify buying this one.  I do love the size of these sample quads though.  They really give you a lot!

The total value of the box is $17.43, which isn't the highest value I've received, but I will use everything in here, so that is a plus!

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Right now, if you enter promo code TATIOFFER, you can get your first box for $1!!!

April Birchbox Review!

Birchbox - April 2015

I ended up choosing the Mad Men New York curated box AND upgraded to get the Rifle Paper Co. tote!  This was a great Birchbox month for me.  I won't go into much detail about the tote, but I will say it was much bigger than I expected!  It's larger than a purse, but smaller than an overnight bag.  There aren't any zippers or pockets anywhere, but I still really like it and plan to get a lot of use out of it this summer!  Here are my thoughts on this month's products:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel - $22.00 full size 0.28 oz / $6.67 sample value .085 oz

I actually just cracked this one open because my full size of this was just about done.  I love this brow gel.  It's not too goopy or sticky, but holds every hair in place.  I use it with my Anastasia brow powder duo in Medium Brown.  Will definitely buy this again once I run out.

Cargo Swimmables Water Resistant Blush in Los Cabos - $26.00 FS 0.37 oz / $7.72 SV .11oz

I remember Kate from The Small Things Blog talking about this on one of her posts a while ago.  It's a really nice tangerine color with a touch of shimmer.  And it really does last all day!  Maybe even longer than Tarte Amazonian Clay Blushes?  I really have to be careful when applying this because it is soooo pigmented.  This color is ok on me - I think it will look better once I am more tan.  I really want to try the other two shades:  Bali (medium rose) and Ibiza (shimmery, sheer bubblegum pink).

Beauty Protector Protect & Oil - $25.95 FS 4 oz / $1.62 SV* .25oz

I have gotten this before in a Birchbox and loved it.  It smells amazing, just like all of Beauty Protector's other products.  I really like putting this on my hair and letting it air dry the night before I plan on curling it with a curling iron.  It really helps keep the frizz down.  It also works great before blowdrying.  Once I use up my other hair oils, this might be my next purchase!  *Note - the sample value is a guess because the sample bottle doesn't say how many ounces it is.  I'm guessing it's about a quarter ounce.

Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion - $25.00 FS 5 oz / $8.00 SV 1.6 oz

This product wasn't what I was expecting.  I was expecting a thin eye cream (hence, lotion), but it's more like a toner for your eyes...which is something I've never tried before.  It claims to help calm and de-puff eyes, plus remove any traces of eye makeup left behind after cleansing.  My eyes do feel refreshed after using this, and it didn't irritate my sensitive eyes.  I am also a contact lens wearer.  

Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream - $20.00 FS 150 ml / $2.96 SV .75 oz

This does smell nice, but I prefer foams or foaming gels when shaving my legs.  Or at least something that lathers at least a little bit.  I wouldn't ever spend that much on a shaving cream anyway.  

This was probably one of the best Birchboxes I've received, and I've been a subscriber since December 2011!  The total box is valued at $26.97, so for 10 bucks, it's a great value!  

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