I'm Back~

After some thinking, I wanted to start this up again!

I'm not sure how often I can update, or what I'd like to update with, but I'd like to continue posting on here.  It's been awhile, but after some things I've been going through, I thought i'd be nice to get back in this game.  I need to see what I could start off with, but for now, just a friendly greeting.  Until next time ... :)

Birchbox: September 2012

[Pictures to be added later]

Contents:
- Mighty Leaf Tea Tea Pouches
- Birchbox/Color Club Custom Collection
- twistband Lace up for Fall
- Youngblood Mineral Primer
- Nexxus Pro-Mend Split End Binding Targeted Leave-In Treatment, Daily Conditioner and Daily Shampoo
- Benefit foamingly clean facial wash
- Benefit refined finish facial polish

First and foremost, I need to state that I DID NOT receive my BBxCC Custom Collection nail polish AND the twistband in my box.  To think I did not receive two items in my box was a complete disappointment.  I sent them an email complaint, and immediately they credited me back for my box which was very generous of them.  I was, however, disappointed not to receive the nail polish of all things since I love collecting polishes.

I received 3 flavors of tea with my box and I gotta say, I didn't like any of them haha.  I drink a lot of tea, and tried a variety of flavors, different leaves, etc, but these did not taste the way I would have liked it to be.  The three flavors I had were the Green tea tropical, Vanilla bean and Citrus Chamomile.  Not surprising, my favorite was the green tea.  The tropical taste was stronger than the green tea, but it wasn't overpowering.  It added a sweetness to it, especially for such a light tea.  Vanilla bean lacked flavor and the citrus chamomile was overpowering with the citrus.

I loved the Nexxus Pro-Mend split end shampoo.  I had tried this product when my hair was at its longest (nearly 2.5ft long) and it really made my brittle/damaged hair feel really soft and tamed the frizz.  Of course it wouldnt remove split ends, but would work as a temporary fix, it still did a great job.  I was planning on purchasing this Nexxus treatment after my Aussie Moist had been used up, but since I had cut my hair I decided against it and went with something cheaper which is working for my current hair state.

Birchbox: October 2012

 Contents:
- Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel
- theBalm cosmetics Mary-Lou Manizer
- Lucy B. Cosmetics Roll On Perfume Oil Duo
- Vitivia Vitamin capsules
- LUNA Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter

I only used two of the products that were in this box: The LUNA bar and theBalm highlighter.

The Ouidad gel that I received in this box was the same sample that I had received free with my Sephora purchase, but in a larger size (as seen on the bottom left photo).  I just had no need to use it, especially being from the Bay Area, it doesn't get that humid in the area I live, so there really wasn't a need to try it.  However, I don't mind holding onto it if I ever do travel out of town and need a quick fix.

theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer has a nice sheer glow to it.  It doesn't stand out that much, and isn't glittery.  Just a slight shimmer.  I used it for the first time during my sisters wedding and you can barely see it, but that could be on my part since I didn't want to overdo it, especially using it for the first time.  Maybe I should have trialed it beforehand haha.

As for the LUNA bar, it's just like any other LUNA bar, but didn't have the chocolate bottom.  It was more of just a regular granola bar.  I had taken this sample with me in my clutch during my sisters wedding since I needed some sort of snack in between all the chaos.  It was pretty tasty, very peanut buttery, but it wasn't really anything that would stand out.

Birchbox: August 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contents:
- Beauty Fixation Cuticle Conditioner
- Schick Hydro Silk Razor
- WEI Pomegranate Buffing Beads
- WEI Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask
- stila stay all day foundation, concealer, & brush kit
- Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy La Fleur

I was a little shocked to open up my box and have a full size Schick razor in it.  It was a nice surprise to add to the box.  Up to this point, this had probably been my favorite box that I've received because almost all items in here were items I could use.

The Schick Hydro Silk Razor was a BB bonus.  It was probably the first thing that I used in the box and it worked quite well on the first use.  There are these tiny little pellets that are on the replaceable blade which is a moisturizing serum, which I didn't really notice that much since (of course) I used a shave gel with it.  However, when I was going to use the razor the next time, the little pellets formed a weird consistency.

I really love the Beauty Fixation Cuticle conditioner.  It's something that I need on a regular basis because I work with my hands a lot for my job and they get really dry fast.  These are great to travel with because of its tiny packaging and I like how it's disposable.  I also love how clever it was to make it as a cotton swab.  It conditions the cuticle well, but not long-term.  At least for me, but that could be my own issue because of my job.

This was the first time I've heard of WEI.  The first product I used was the pomegranate buffing beads which was great to add to my non-exfoliating face wash.  To be honest, while it felt great on the skin, I couldn't really tell a difference after I rinsed.

I love getting samples of perfume so I can keep them in my purse or carry it in my makeup bag when I travel.  Especially when they come with the spritzer.  I love the Juicy scent, it wasn't too strong and it smelled sweet.  Although I still am a Vera Wang Princess kind of girl ;)

As for the WEI mud mask and Stila foundation, I never got a chance to use either of those.  The mud mask is because I forgot I had it in my box and the Stila foundation is because it was waaaaaay too dark for my skin tone.

Magazines: NON-NO

NON-NO is a Japanese fashion magazine which is catered towards teens and women in their early 20's.  I love this magazine!  Despite not being in my early 20's now, it was the magazine i bought when I first got into my "second" world.  This is the one fashion magazine that I always buy when I get the opportunity because of the styles of clothing that are presented.  It has the styles that I like to wear or at least try to attempt to wear (haha!)

One thing that I love about Japanese magazines, in general, is that most of the times they provide a free gift with your purchase.  It could be a small compact mirror, CD case, CD holders, etc.
In this case, I got a small amenities bag with my purchase.

NON-NO APRIL 2012 ISSUE:

On the cover is actress/model Kiritani Mirei and.... someone I can't remember right now XD
Inside was this really cute cosmetic pouch which was designed by Mercury Duo which is a brand that has lots of cute, bohemian style clothing.  (note: Nicole Richie was a model for this brand a few years ago).  While I haven't had a chance to use this pouch yet, it's pretty good quality and would last quite a while, plus the colors are gorgeous.  The pouch itself has handles on the outside, a small sleeve pouch on the outside, and 4 slots on the inside which is meant to hold your travel bottles.  I would love to use this when I travel but my only problem is, it's too narrow to hold ALL my stuff. 

When I do travel, I use a tokidoki foldable makeup carrier which was sold at Sephora a few years ago.  This one would be great for overnight travel, but not for a long vacation.  You may think it'd be great for bringing with you everyday, but the bag is a bit too large for that.

The contents of the magazine contained lots and LOTS of photographs of clothing and models wearing the clothing and the different ways to wear a few pieces of clothing each day.  There was also a small spread in the inside of actress/model Oomasa Aya sporting some Uniqlo clothing (btw love, love, LOVE Uniqlo!)

I'd love to share more about these magazines when I get them, but its been awhile since I last bought an issue.  A few years ago I remember getting a small pouch in my.... it was either Camcan or ViVi magazine... by Anna Sui which was reaaally cute, but I ended up giving it away.

Anyways..... Not sure if you've noticed, but I love the Japanese pop culture haha.  I do run another blog thats linked to this account for the other side of my personality.

Birchbox: July 2012

Birchbox x Glamour collab:

Contents:
- Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint
- boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens
- Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner
- Oscar de la Renta live in love
- LÄRABAR® über
- Birchbox Exclusive Earbuds

I love taking samples with me when I travel.  The less I have to carry the better (but that never happens XD).  I got my Birchbox before a quick vacation to LA and brought along a couple things like the boscia blotting paper and the larabar as a snack. 

I ate the larabar as a late night snack one of those nights.  I had the one with cherries in it, but overall the bar itself was standard.  It was just like any other granola/snack bar that you can find in stores.  Nothing too special about it.

I ended up not even using the blotting paper, in fact, I had forgotten I even had them.  But theyre sitting in my purse just in case I ever need them.

I havent tried anything else, although I was quite impressed with the Eyeko eyeliner.  Not only was it full sized, but the quality is fantastic.  I havent gotten a chance to use it on myself, but when I tested the tip on the back of my hand, it seemed to work pretty well.  Smooth and able to make a nice line.  But I'm going to have to try it out one time.  Although I'm not quite sure when I'd be able to use it because the color of the liner was purple.

I did, however, hate the earbuds.  I was happy to get a pair in my box and thought I could use those for travel so I didnt have to take my current pair with me (just in case I lost them).  I tried them out beforehand and boy was I glad I did.  My left earbud was broken.  Not only that, the earbuds didnt suction to my ears at all.  To me, they were poorly made, but i'm sure it's just my pair and someone else would find use with theirs.

So right now I'm anticipating my August box.  Cant wait to see whats in there.

Review: BlenderCleanser

I just used the BeautyBlender BlenderCleanser (LOL!) from my Birchbox for my makeup brushes.  The cleanser itself did pretty well at cleaning away all the makeup and dirt that had accumulated on my brushes.  Really quickly too and not too much "scrubbing" to get it to lather to cleanse. 

I'll go ahead and edit this post after my brushes dry to see if it will affect my brushes, post washing.

One complaint I have so far is that the smell is really strong.  There is a lavender scent to the cleanser and its really strong.  Like a bad kind of strong. It's less floral smelling than you'd think and more of a chemical type of smell.

EDIT//
I went to check on my brushes after 2 days and they seem really clean and soft.  It seems there is a slight residue left on the bristles.  Like a greasy or waxy kind of feel when i went to touch the bristles, but i cant really say it was from the prodct. It could have been from a less than perfect rinse out.  The next time i wash the brushes i'll use up the rest of the bottle and see if it was my mistake or actually from the cleanser itself.