Birch Box and Beauty Box 5 // Blog Temper

Sad to say I've finally cancelled my subscriptions to Julep, Glossy Box, Beauty Box 5, and Birch Box.  Phew! Like I've said in past posts of my box wars, I'm full with all these boxes!  FINALLY.  I actually feel relieved that I've cancelled.

I have kept Ipsy, they've got my vote.  For now.  Also, I've flirted with Wantable. Only because I saw it on a blog somewhere and thought it would be cool.  It's an embarrassing monthly subscription cost, please don't look!  I'll be posting that package, soon.

So, these are two of my last hurrah's!

BeautyBox5

Celebration Shimmer Powder This is nice for a touch of shimmer on your shoulders.  I wouldn't necessarily use it on my face.  I don't like putting too many foreign products on my face.  But you can get 50% off of this in a kit on bellapierre.com by using code beautybox5 before 10/15/13.

Lip Drench This is very moisturizing, and my lips are dry now!  Just the least bit tease of cooler, dry air and I'm loading the moisture on my lips, pronto! bodydrench.com

Fly Ties MY MOST FAVORITE IN THE BOX! Who can't use some hair ties? I love this because there is no tangled mess like some of the rubbery-plasticy ones can be.  Bonus, they're pretty. Go to finefeatherheads.com to get 20% site wide, before 12/15/13 with code BB20.

Instant Skin Tightener & Line Filler This type of product doesn't usually sit well on my dry skin, no matter what they try to sell me.  So, I passed this on to my lil'sis.  You can get a 30% discount on this product also, by using code BOX5 before 10/15/13 at, skiinshop.com

Makeup Remover Pads w/Argan Oil Just add water.  Ahhhh. The package says I don't have to rinse after using, but I always do.  I have to end with my cleanser and products, or I feel out of sorts. :)  These are alcohol free and claim to contain vitamin E, leaving you silky smooth.  $6.99 for 50/count. everybeautybrand.com


BIRCH BOX

Sugarbomb Extra Plush Lip Gloss This is yummy on my lips.  I like it very much! Not sticky.

All-In-One Moisturizer Mereadesso, an antiaging and day/night cream, serum, eye cream, toner, and primer.  Wow.  That's a lot in one product.  I'm still trying to see how many applications I can get out of this, to see if it has any benefit.

Nail Lacquer - Fox Hunt Ruffian brand.  This is a vibrant orange, perfect for this Fall weather and Halloween!  Love the packaging on this also.

Blueberries Cleansing Facial Towelettes I'd like to complain about all the towelettes these boxes give.  Sooooooo mannnnyyyyyyy!  I just don't like to use them.  I don't feel clean.  Maybe if I went camping a lot, they'd come in handy.

Grapefruit CC Cream Yes To, the beauty extra.  I'm pleased with this product.  Not sure if I'm going to purchase a full size, but, I haven't with any sample as yet.  So this may be my first, and the shining star of all my boxes.  Thanks for the extra beauty, Birch Box.

Thanks for the memories samples, boxes!  

Are you saying goodbye to any boxes? 
Can you recommend any worthy boxes, maybe healthy? 


Blogtemper. September blog challenge. So I'm joining in on this series late in the game, but it's okay!  I wish I had noticed it from the beginning because it seems like so much fun.  There are topics for each day of the month for you to write about, and you can either make it your post for the day, or add it to your regular post.  Choice is yours!  Below you can read the rules, and click on the button for more info.  Enjoy!
Today's topic, for Friday September 27, 2013: An anonymous letter to your Facebook friends. Be as snarky as you'd like. (but don't include people's real names.) 
I've toned down a bit on Facebook since I've started blogging.  That's a good thing!  It becomes a habit and I think a bad habit at that.  I originally joined to be in touch with a friend from Australia. Although, as soon as you sign up, BAM!, you are out there and everyone and their brother want to 'be your friend'.  I like catching up as much as the next person, but sometimes there is a bit too much information.  I may be one of these people, at one FB post or another, but, I learned.  Many don't. 
- I can't stand all the political banter.  There just gets to be too much and it gets so personal.  You look ridiculous and I am thinking about blocking your comments.  - Mean people.  If you don't like what someone has to say, just ignore it and move on.  Why give the attention to yourself to show you are an a**hole?  - Posting a subject, random, and hundreds of people comment.  I'm guilty of liking something and having everyone say the same dang comment!  I go back and 'unlike". Sorry.
- FB causes attitudes people wouldn't dare have in person. - I have to say I like FB for the media in which it helps people find lost pets, or announce lost items/people/pets.   (Wish I was here for yesterday's topic: Go to a coffee shop, order your fav drink and sit and write what makes you happy, what makes you sad.  Bummer.

Here are the rules:

1. There really aren't any rules. If you miss a day, you can make it up or skip it. The blog police will not come knocking.

2. I will be including a linkup option at the bottom of my post each day, so you are welcome to leave your links here for others to peruse, as well. 

3. You can still post other things every day, too. I plan to do normal outfit posts, life posts, around-Austin posts, and sponsor posts just like usual.

4. I'd seriously love you if you also include the "Blogtember" button (below) either on your sidebar or at the end of your posts, but again, the blog police will not come knocking. My main goal here is to get us all back to the basics of blogging, not to gain a million new readers (though I wouldn't mind that). 

5. Here are the topics. You can be as creative and awesome or as boring and bland as you like with these. Take 'em and run with it. Use creative post titles. Interpret each "prompt" however you like. There's no wrong way to do it. Have fun.

Birch Box #2

I know it seems as if I've received dozens of boxes, but I've only received a total of 9.  Since May.  Not too crazy, right?  Of each box I do receive, I haven't hit the 3rd one yet.  I figure if I haven't loved at least 2 out of the 3, I end the subscription. After all, I do want to like the products, and they want me to buy the full size.  Right now I'm just promoting them, without any compensation.  Although, that would be nice :)

Other blogs I've read that post their boxes, seem to like the products.  Believe me, I want to love them all as well, but that's not going to happen.  Everyone is different.

Let me move on here without too much more blibber-blabber.

BIRCH BOX #2

Benta Berry  A moisturizing facial cream.  The problem here, is anything with a fragrance, kills me.  Being a skincare-snob, I'm always reading the products and want a "less ingredients is more" attitude.  'No fragrance' is a must.  The moisturizer went on nice, had a mild smell - but then it became stronger.  I couldn't wear this all day if I tried.

Birch Box Bobby Pin Really cute white and (my favorite) green design. Definitely using these fun pins.  Girl Meets Pearl Benefit brand product, skin highlighter.  It has too much sparkle for the face for me, so I would use it on my shoulders for an evening out.   Nourishing Body Cream 100% Pure brand.  I haven't opened this yet.  There was too much perfume smell on me already, so I had to wash that off and then forgot about trying the cream.  Although, it sound delicious.  I'm thinking it could be a good product with the 100% vegetarian and natural.  Super Comb Prep & Protect Number 4 brand, for the face.  (Never heard of it) It's free of sulfates, yay! I can always use a leave-in conditioner.  Especially small enough to fit into my purse, and spritz whenever.  I have such curly long hair, with the triple-H factor  (humidity hating hair), I'll be as happy as a baby in a swaddle, if this helps!   Would you try any of these products, or do you use any of them already? 

Happy Friday my blogging peeps xo

Birch Box!

I received my first BIRCH BOX!! 

It was very exciting, and I couldn't wait to open it. 

Here are the contents: 

Isaac Mizrahi Fabulous fragrance

COOLA Classic Sunscreen 

Color Club Professional Nail Lacquer 

Tweezerman Matchbox Itty Bitty Files

Mirenesse Glossy Kiss in Scarlet

As you can see, my Glossy Kiss came opened and messy.  My excitement dissipated when I saw that.  Bummer.  If I didn't use it, I could have given it away.  It is a bright stain for me to put on my lips, I can't be that bold.  Although I will try it on my cheeks.  Some of these stains work very well on cheeks.  

So I painted my nails real quick yesterday so I could post, for you to see.  

Excuse the messy look, I didn't get a chance to clean up before taking the photo.  

The polish was creamy and went on well.  

Two coats and I had a nice solid look, no streaks.  

I actually like the color for a hot summer day.  

It looked nice while at our 12th graders graduation yesterday!

My personal thoughts:

- I can always use a nail file, and having enough for each handbag we change often is a plus!

- The Broad Spectrum SPF 30 worked great at the 2-hour outdoor & sunny, graduation.

- I am sensitive to perfumes, and this one became strong for me in little time.  I won't be using this.

- The Glossy Kiss was creamy and light enough for my cheeks. If I dot lightly and use a sheer moisturized gloss over top, it works for me as well. 

What do you think of the contents of this Birch Box?  

Would you be happy with these items as your first box?