Ipsy Glam Bag | January 2015

If you like trying new beauty products, like I very much do, you have got to subsribe to Ipsy. It costs just $10 a month and you get lots of great products to try, and often times, a few full-sized things, too! Click here to sign up. (Disclaimer: If you sign up through this link, I get points credited to my Ipsy account)

Here's what came in January's Glam Bag:

• La Fresh eco-beauty good day. day moisturizer - This is an interesting sample pack, but it looks like I'll get lots of uses out of it. This moisturizer is chock full of quality anti-aging ingredients and appears to be formulated with natural ingredients.

• Jouer Essential Lip Enhancer - I was really excited to see this in my bag - Jouer is an awesome brand! This balm is meant to increase the fullness of the lips, decrease fine lines and hydrate.

• Pacifica Natural Mineral Coconut Eyeshadow in Ethereal - Pacifica is a good option for a natural brand, but I have to admit I'm not thrilled with this formula or color. It's SUPER light, but might work better as a highlighter! Glad I tried it before buying a full size.

• BellaPierre Shimmer Powder in Whesek - I wasn't so sure about this mineral eyeshadow.... until I swatched it (see swatch below). It's the coolest silver color. I need an excuse to wear this ASAP! 

• Elizabeth Mott All Over Shadow brush - I love this brush! It's really soft and works great for applying eyeshadow. Cute color, too! 

If you're not fully convincined that Ipsy is awesome - check out some previous bags here:

Ipsy - March 2014

Ipsy - August 2014

Ipsy - October 2014

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know!

Ipsy Glam Bag - August 2014

Dare I say it....? I think this is the lamest Ipsy bag I've received to date. I'm not even disappointed though because I've been continually blown away each month until this very bag (and I've been an Ipsy subscriber for a year!) And because Ipsy has been so awesome every month, I'm letting this one slide because even for an OK bag, it's still pretty good. Here's what I got....

• Absolute Lip Balm in Green Apple - This is full-sized, which is pretty cool. It has a rather odd apple scent (I'm getting something more like watermelon each time I take a whiff) but it feels nice on the lips. These pots last me FOREVER so this has a great value for me.

• Lord & Berry Silk Kajal Kohl Eye Pencil - Rarely do I use pencil eyeliner so this product is a bit of a bust for me. But for those of you who do enjoy pencil liner, this feels fairly soft and has nice pigmentation. 

• Coastal Scents Forever Blush Sample Duo - The size/packaging on this is irritating to me, but the product inside is awesome. These blushes are gorgeous and super pigmented, and they're just 2 of the 18 available in this line.

• Urban Decay Perversion Mascara - This is a brand new product, and not the first Urban Decay has let Ipsters try out. I'm really excited to give this a try since it's not a cheap mascara by any means.

• dr. brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner - I received this way back in an old Birchbox but haven't really used it. I will probably give this to someone because I definitely don't need two. 

To receive beauty samples each month in your mailbox for just $10(!!!)-- click here. I'm telling you now... you won't regret it! 

Bye Bye Birchbox Haul

If you follow me on instagram, you know I recently unsubscribed from Birchbox. I subscribed for over 2 years, but felt that it just wasn't worth even $10 a month anymore, especially with services like Ipsy that provide excellent value each and every month for the same price. I had accumulated $50 worth of Birchbox points, and figured before I canceled, I ought to cash those out! Here's what I used my points for.

• Shea Terra Organics Body Creme in Bourbon Vanilla ($16) - I took a chance on this body creme. I'd never heard anything about it before, but all the scents sounded amazing (Bananas & Baobabs, White Chocolate, Gingered Pumpkin, etc) so I took a leap of faith and picked the bourbon vanilla scent. It doesn't go on super smooth, but I kind of wonder if it froze when it was delivered. Aside from that, it smells amazing and I love it! 

• Nuxe Reve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm ($19) - Beauty bloggers galore love to rave about this lip balm. It's thick, citrusy and mega-hydrating. I haven't really given this much of a go, but I'm going to put this in to my night-time lip therapy rotation soon.

• Klorane Soothing Eye Makeup Remover ($9) - Much like the body creme, I had never heard a peep about this eye makeup remover so I took a chance. I haven't tried it, but stay tuned for my review once I do.

• Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm in Shea Butter & Vitamin E ($7.50) - This lip balm won Temptalia's 2014 Reader's Choice awards, so I knew it had to be good.... and it totally is. 

Overall, I'm really happy with what I got with my Birchbox points! Have you tried any of these products? Let me know!

Final battle: Birchbox vs. Ipsy (March Edition)

In February, I made the decision that March would be the last month I receive a Birchbox. The inconsistency of the boxes, and the lack of value compared to Ipsy finally made me decide that it's just not worth it for me to spend even $10 a month on it anymore. So today, I bring you the final battle: Birchbox vs. Ipsy.

MARCH BIRCHBOX

• Ojon Damage Reverse Restorative Hair Treatment + Hair Treatment Plus - Grrrr... this foil packet convinced me further that it's time to cancel Birchbox. I'm pretty sure I could get this for free at any department store or on the Ojon website. So annoying! I don't like to use these because the packaging is so inconvenient. 

• Gilchrist & Soames London Collection Body Lotion - This looks like a lotion bottle you get at a hotel. It actually has that same smell that most of them do, too. It's a nice throw in your purse size, but it's just not anything special, and I definitely wouldn't spend $16 on a full-size of this.
• DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew - I'm intrigued by this facial moisturizer, and hey - you get a whole ounce which is a pretty decent sample (considering full-size is 1.7 oz)! It's pricey for a full-size, retailing at $42, so I highly doubt I'd ever buy this again, but I'll be glad to use it.

• COOLA Tinted Matte SPF 30 for Face - Ugh, I'm so sick of getting samples from COOLA. This is the third or fourth sample size I have of various SPFs from COOLA. In the summer, I'll probably use this, but I just really don't care to have another tinted moisturizer.

• English Laundry No. 7 For Her - This smells REALLY good, and of course the full-size retails for $90! Oof. That's a pricey perfume. 

• Ghirardelli Intense Dark Cherry Tango Square - I really don't want a chocolate square in my beauty box. Period. I signed up for beauty samples.... 

MARCH IPSY

• Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer - This is a really nice sample size, and the product inside seems nice, too! It has very fine golden shimmer and feels nice and smooth. I think this will be great for summer.

• bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Get Ready - This is a great everyday color, perfect for work or daytime wear. Love it!

• NYX Love in Rio trio in Amazonian Babes - This trio of eyeshadows is made up of shimmering browns that are awesome for every day wear.

• Chella Indigo Blue eyeliner - This is a really great eyeliner pen, it's just a shame I don't wear blue eyeliner! I might just have to for fun one of these days to get some use out of this. This is full-sized, and a full-size costs $24!! That's quite the value, considering Ipsy costs just $10/month!

If you'd like to subscribe to Birchbox or Ipsy, click any of the hyperlinked "Birchbox" or "Ipsy" links in this post. Each subscription service costs just $10 per month for awesome beauty samples. As you can tell, I would highly recommend Ipsy over Birchbox, as I think the value is consistently good and you often get full-sized products. 

February Ipsy vs. Birchbox!

You know the drill. Ipsy & Birchbox are both subscription beauty services that send you a sampling of beauty products once a month for just $10. Click any of the hyperlinked "Ipsy" or "Birchbox" links in the post to sign up today. Let's get right to it...

BIRCHBOX

• Juicy Couture Couture La La Malibu - I swear to god, I have received a million and a half Juicy Couture samples (different variations, of course) from Birchbox. I am so freakin' sick of receiving Juicy Couture fragrance samples. All I can say is at least this one didn't come broken. 

• Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner - I always like to try a new pore refiner, so I'll happily try this one out. 

• Ruby Wing Color Changing Nail Polish in Kitten Heels - Oddly enough, there's nailpolish all over the cap of this sample, as if someone opened it up and used it. I think the mood-changing thing is a gimmick, but I'll try this out nonetheless. 

• Beauty Protector Protect & Oil - I love this brand! Their detangler is one of my favorites, so I'm super excited to try their newest product out as it's exclusive to Birchbox!

• 32 Oral Care Effervescent Breath Crystals with IsoVoxy - This is the weirdest thing I think I've ever received in a Birchbox. Breath freshening crystals. Odd, but I'm intrigued. 

IPSY

• Zoya Nail Polish in Odette - Full-size alert!! I very nearly bought this color for myself not too long ago, so I couldn't be happier to receive this (full-size no less!) in my Ipsy bag! If you've been reading Glazed Over for awhile, you're already aware Zoya is my favorite nail polish brand.

• Benefit High Beam - I redeemed some of my Ipsy points to get this in my bag this month, and I'm really glad I did. This is such a natural highlight for the cheekbones. Great product, great brand - love!

• J.Cat Beauty Eyelashes in EL15 - Full-size alert!! I have never tried eyelashes by J.Cat Beauty before. These look really dramatic and fun. Can't wait to try them!

• POP Beauty Plump Pout Mini in Peony Petal - This is a gorgeous everyday color. I've enjoyed all I've tried so far from POP Beauty, and I expect I'll enjoy this, too. 
• Mally Beauty Evercolor Waterproof Eyeliner in Starlight - I don't have much need for a silver eyeliner, but I will more than likely try this out as I've been curious about Mally. Seems very creamy... I so wish it was black or brown!

• City Color Be Matte Blush in Fresh Melon - Full-size alert!! Look at the size of this thing! I've already tested this blush (from a brand that's completely new to me!) and it is so finely milled and extremely pigmented. Loving this so far!

It's pretty clear Ipsy is the obvious winner this month. Birchbox was doing so well for the last couple months that I thought they were making a real turn around. Unfortunately, I get so much value in my Ipsy bag that I am THIS close to cashing out my Birchbox points and ending my subscription. 

What do you think - which do you prefer? Ipsy or Birchbox?

January 2014: Birchbox vs. Ipsy

It's here, it's here! The monthly battle between Birchbox and Ipsy. Let me know in the comments who YOU think had the better box this month.

Birchbox

This month's box includes...

• Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Day Lotion with Clary Sage - This is a super hydrating facial moisturizer that smells really fresh and nice. If you didn't get this in your Birchbox this month, I saw this exact sample for sale at Target for something like $2.
• Inika Mineral Eyeshadow in Eternal Marine - WHY do companies always send blue eyeshadows as a sample? I don't wear blue eyeshadow, damnit! For those of you who do, this is a decent-sized sample!
• Nail Rock Velvet Manicure - This is one of those textured polish deals. From the look of it, you dip your nail in to velvety powder for a textured finish. I have yet to jump on the textured polish bandwagon, but maybe I'll give this a go. 
• Harvey Prince Journey perfume - The packaging says, "Savor the delicate notes of South African freesia, Japanese orange flower and Moroccan rose." Not a huge fan of this scent, but it is a larger perfume sample.
• Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Conditioner - This isn't the first time Serge Normant has graced my Birchbox. (you may remember seeing this brand here) One thing remains true, this brand's products are super smelly but they smell good. I've got the dry shampoo, so it will be nice to have the dry conditioner as well.

Ipsy

This month's Glam Bag includes...

• Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Tri-What Leave In Conditioner - I have tried a couple Big Sexy Hair things, but nothing from the Soy Tri-Wheat collection. I don't like the smell (just from sniffing it in the bottle) but I will gladly use up a leave in conditioner. 
• MicaBeauty Tinted Lip Balm - This tinted lip balm is a mauvey-brown color. It's light on the lips, not super hydrating, but it's a pretty foolproof balm to throw in your purse for use without a mirror.
• Elizabeth Mott Smooth Shadow Creamy Eye Pencil in Pearl - This brand is new to me. It's a gorgeous champagne color, but it's not retractable so all you get is what you see.... which is not very much.
• Epice Purifying Exfoliant - This is also a new brand to me. I like that it's a nice big sample, perfect to take traveling. I'll definitely get use out of this.
• Proactiv Mark Fading Pads - This is the first time I've gotten tear-open samples from Ipsy and I'm kind of disappointed. This is part of Proactiv's line, so I'm not really sure I'm going to get a "true" test of how well these work when they're not used with the other products.

I can't say I'm very impressed with either Birchbox or Ipsy this month. I guess when it comes down to it, I'll get the most use out of the stuff in my Ipsy Glam Bag. Although I do have to note, this month's bag smells super gross! The blue bag smells like a nasty mix of chemicals and plastic. Not cool!

You can receive these samples monthly for just $10 per subscription box per month. If you're interested in starting a beauty subscription, my personal recommendation would be to start with Ipsy. Ipsy seems to have consistently good bags each month. Click any of the hyperlinked "Birchbox" or "Ipsy" links in this post to get started!

Makeup Mail: Miyu Teas & Beauty

First and foremost, thanks for bearing with me as I'm internet-less! On Saturday my husband and father in law ran cable through our house, so fingers crossed that by this coming week I'll be back up and running regularly! For now, I am bumming internet off my parents. ;) 

On to the goods - last week I got this gorgeous little Miyu sample set from Birchbox as part of their Birchbloggers program and I am so excited to share it with you. You may have noticed that Miyu Beauty recently launched their collection and made it available to Birchbox subscribers. They only have a small selection of products so far, all of which you'll see in this gorgeous sample set, appropriately named "A Prettea Little Quartet", I received. There may be few items, but each one is fabulous. 

How gorgeous is this packaging? Through every aspect of the Miyu brand, it's clear design is important to them. Everything is absolutely beautiful. Check out their website to see what I mean. 

The Prettea Little Quartet is made up of four different products - 2 facial mists and 2 different teas.  The idea is that you use these products in combination with each other in order to achieve beautiful skin by treating the inside and the outside, a philosophy I love. I think Miyu is on to something many cosmetic companies tend to look over - skin health that starts with what you put in to your body. 

There are two different facial mists, the first being the De-Stress Mi Beauty Essence which smells lightly like peppermint, with hints of licorice, ginger, honeysuckle and dandelion. The purpose of this product is to soothe and calm irritated skin. It feels lovely on the skin, and has a nice cooling feeling once applied.

This facial mist is to be paired with the De-Stress Mi Beauty Tea, a fresh and earthy tea filled with peppermint, licorice, chamomile and candied pearls (which you can see in the tea bags - adorable!)

The second facial mist is the Hydrate Mi Beauty Essence, which is meant to hydrate the skin with water-binding wild pansy and sodium hyaluronate. This spray has a light rose scent, and feels very refreshing on the skin. 

This facial mist is to be paired with the Hydrate Mi Beauty Tea, a light and fruity blend that is caffeine-free. This tea is comprised of green rooibos, goji berries, rose petals, snow pear essence and candied pearls. 

To use, spray the facial mist on prior to moisturizing your face.  Begin by using the De-Stress Mi combination of facial mist and tea for a couple weeks. Once your skin has adjusted to this regimen and become more resilient, switch to the Hydrate-Mi combination to replenish the water in your skin.

I'm loving this "Prettea Little Quartet" (so clever). All aspects of these products are delicate, feminine, and carefully considered. Lucky for you - I'll be giving one of these sets away to one lucky winner! Stay tuned for the giveaway entry, coming very soon! 

Battle of the Subscription Boxes III: Birchbox vs. Ipsy

If you read last month's Battle of the Subscription boxes, you'd know that I was seriously considering dropping Birchbox. For the last year or so, I've been only mildly impressed with what I receive for $10/month and after subscribing to Ipsy and receiving an awesome value for the same price, I thought it might be time to say goodbye to Birchbox. But this month, Birchbox majorly stepped up its game.... let's dive right in...

September Birchbox

• BCBGMAXAZRIA Bon Genre perfume (full-size: $55-$75) I've tried a couple BCBGMAXAZRIA perfumes, and this is by far the best smelling one I've tried. This smells really warm and spicy, perfect for the colder months. If you've ever smelled Spicebomb (the male version of Flowerbomb) it reminds me a lot of that (which I absolutely LOVE). I know a lot of people don't like these little perfume samples, but I enjoy them.

• Serge Normant Meta Luxe Hair Spray (full-size: $25) This hair spray claims to tame frizz and shield from UV rays. Aside from this, I've only tried the Serge Normant dry shampoo which I didn't like at all. Hopefully this proves better than the dry shampoo.

• Eyeko Black Magic Mascara (full-size: $24) This water-resistant mascara curls, adds volume and has "major staying power" according to Birchbox. Eyeko has been a Birchbox brand for quite some time now, and I'm excited to try another of their products. This mascara has killer ratings on Sephora.com, so I'll happily try it out.

• Ruffian Nail Lacquer in Delirium (full-size: $24) Full-size product alert!! This polish is part of Ruffian's very first collection. Retailing at $24, I'm happy to get this because I sure as heck don't ever spend that much on a nail polish. Loving this gorgeous purple!

• Grand Central Beauty S.M.A.R.T. Skin Perfecting Polisher (full-size: $38) This skin serum is made with natural botanicals that exfoliate, tone, smooth and moisturize the skin. I'm intrigued by this as I've never used anything like it. 

September Ipsy Glam Bag

• NYX Eye Shadow in Sparkle White (full-size: $4.50) Full-size product alert!! Woop woop! Sparkle White is a really gorgeous creamy off-white with golden shimmer. This would make a great inner corner highlight on the eyes. 

• Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Volumizing Mascara (full-size: $19.99) I've never heard of this brand or product before, but I'm always down to try a new mascara. This has an hourglass brush shape, and claims to lengthen and curl lashes without smudging.

• John Frieda Full Repair Full Body Shampoo & Conditioner (full-size: $6.49) This duo aims to weightlessly repair hair from frequent heat styling and coloring. I've never colored my hair and I rarely use heat on it, but my hair is awfully dry so I'm sure I could get some use out of these. These 1.5 oz. sizes will be perfect to keep around for traveling. 

• Starlooks Kohl Eye Pencil in Obsidian (full-size: $12) Another full-size product! I've never heard of Starlooks before. Just from swatching, the formula feels relatively creamy which is nice. These products can be used solely as eyeliner, but they can also be used all over the lid as a base. I'll definitely get use out of this. 

I really don't know if there's a clear winner this month! I like both subscriptions equally. If I HAD to choose a winner, I think it would have to be Ipsy because I received two full-size products, compared to just one in my Birchbox. I hope that Birchbox continues to have boxes as great as they did this month (probably a direct response to many complaining customers). Who do you think won? 

If you want to sign up for Birchbox or Ipsy, just click the links! Each are just $10/month and it gives you a chance to try some higher end products before you shell out the money on the full-size item. 

** This post contains my referral links. If you click on the link and sign up, I will earn credit towards Birchbox & Ipsy products.

Battle of the Subscriptions Boxes II: Birchbox vs. Ipsy

It's August, and a (fairly) new month means a new Battle of the Subscription boxes featuring Birchbox and Ipsy. There may not be too many more of these, as it's becoming abundantly clear to me which subscription service I'd like to stick with and which one I'm ready to dump. Let's dive right in...

August Birchbox

The Goods

Whish Hair Inhibiting Deodorant Swipes | Full-size: $16

Whish Exfoliating Body Wash | Full-size: $22

This is a brand I've received before in my Birchbox (I believe it was a shaving cream I received previously). To me, this packaging makes the product look cheap. However, I'm intrigued by the deodorant swipe, which claims to tackle odor and slow hair growth, but I don't think it's something that would replace my standard stick deodorant. The body wash smells coconut-y and is filled with sugar cane and bamboo powder to exfoliate the skin. 

(MALIN+GOETZ) gentle neroli shampoo | Full-size: $20

The only good thing about this sample is that it's from a brand I've been wanting to try. Everything else about this sample SUCKS, and really makes me consider if Birchbox has lost their vision and respect for their customers. Another tear-off sample? How can I truly get a feel for how I like a product when I barely get one single use out of it? This is a complete waste of my money; I could get these free in the mail. Not happy.

Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer | Full-size $28

I just recently heard of this brand somewhere in the depths of the internet, so I'm looking forward to giving this moisturizer a go. This moisturizer hydrates with natural antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, which is cool because hyaluronic acid is naturally occurring in the body, not some weird chemical. This is a good sized sample, too - 0.5 oz!

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in 01 Beso | Full-size: $22

This is easily the best product in my Birchbox, and I am pumped about it. This is one serious red, gals. It looks like blood. If you want bold, bright red lips, look no further. Luckily this sample was included, because it's really the only redeeming quality this Birchbox has.

August Ipsy Glam Bag

The Goods

Pixi Lash Booster Mascara | Full-size: $18

This is one tiny mascara sample. Like... teeny tiny. I think this will serve me well for a few applications and then it will be time to throw it out. I love Pixi, so I'm happy to try it out, but I think the sample could have been a bit more generously sized. Oh well!

Lime Crime Nail Polish in Crema De Limon 

Lime Crime is a brand I love but have never tried anything from - I just love their whole look and personality. Crema De Limon is a bright creamy pastel yellow nail polish that came in the most adorable packaging. This will be an awesome end of summer polish. Please note, I did receive this product as a bonus for referring friends to Ipsy.

Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Face Scrub | Full-size: $18

I have been seeing everyone on the internet talking about Michael Todd lately and I'm super excited to have a chance to try it out for myself! This is a big sample, too - 1 oz! Don't be alarmed, but this scrub is black! But it has a pleasant lemon scent. I can't wait to use this!

Pacifica Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream | Full-size: $16

This is a gorgeous BB cream, filled with very fine gold shimmer. I don't think I'll use this all over my face, but it would be a great highlight. It would also work well to mix in with foundation for a dewy glow. 

NYX Powder Blush in 03 Angel 

JACKPOT! A full-size NYX blush?!! I could hardly contain my excitement when I opened my Ipsy Glam Bag and saw this gem! NYX makes some of my favorite blushes, and I don't have Angel yet which is a gorgeous nude bronzey peach with a hint of shimmer. These retail for $5 - half the value of your Glam Bag!

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Anarchy | Full-size: $22

Ohhhhhhh yeah! A good sized sample of the new Urban Decay lipsticks showed up in my Glam Bag this month! I nearly jumped for joy! This stunning hot pink called Anarchy is creamy and highly pigmented and I plan to use this down to the last bit. 

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It's no secret who won this month's battle. The clear winner is Ipsy, whomping Birchbox with full-size products, and relevant samples of new items. Ipsy has me super excited to see what's in my glam bag each month, and hey - you get a cute little makeup bag to use each month, too. If you haven't signed up yet, it's just $10 a month. Click here to get started!

If you like the Birchbox samples better, click here to start your subscription for just $10 a month.

Who do you think won?

Battle of the Subscription Boxes: Birchbox vs. Ipsy

I've been a subscriber of Birchbox for nearly two years. Up until a couple months ago, I've been pretty satisfied with the boxes and samples I received. That is, until I started watching Eleventhgorgeous on Youtube and saw their Ipsy bags (formerly known as Glam Bag), another subscription beauty sample service, and realized that there are other "beauty bags/boxes" out there that may even give you more bang for your buck.

Basically, Ipsy is a subscription service just like Birchbox. It costs $10 per month, and you get mailed five or six samples to try out and you're typically offered some sort of discount on purchasing a full-size of the products. One cool difference? You get a different bag each month that all your products come in. Those little things always come in handy, especially when travelling.

 So, I signed up for Ipsy, and for now I've kept my Birchbox subscription so I could bring you this battle of the subscription beauty boxes! So here are both my July Birchbox and my July Ipsy glam bag - and we'll get to the bottom of who has the best value. 


July Birchbox

The products

100 % Pure Nourishing Body Cream | Full-size: $15

These body creams by 100% Pure are organic, and filled with anti-aging properties. These little packets have .066 fl oz  in each one. I hate using lotion out of little packets like this, because there is too much product for one use and it's annoying to keep them around without getting things all lotiony. I've never heard of this brand before, but it looks interesting. 

Benefit Cosmetics Girl Meets Pearl | Full-size $30

I hate to kill the excitement already, but this is the best sample in this entire box. Benefit's Girl Meets Pearl is a gorgeous peachy rose-gold highlight that is SO stunning. I own many highlighters, but nothing comes close to this. And the super cute packaging? I'm in love. (If you think this packaging is cute, check out their entire line. It's fabulous.) Benefit can do no wrong.

Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect | Full-size $32

 This is Number 4's sulfate-free leave-in conditioner that protects against UV rays. I won't lie... I love these mini leave in conditioners for traveling. With my long hair, I'll willingly try every brand's detanglers. Keep 'em coming.

Benta Berry G-1 Moisturizing Face Cream | Full-size $22

Okay, remember last month when I said I was loving that modern packaging on the Davines products? And then it shows up again this month with the Number 4 product above? Well, it appears that's kind of a trend - and frankly, I'm over it. This is Benta Berry's (a French brand) hydrating and purifying face cream. It smells really fresh and finishes really light on the skin. I'm really looking forward to trying this on my face.

Birchbox Bobby Pins | Full-size $5

These are two cute patterned large bobby pins. I don't typically purchase hair pieces like these for myself, but I'm happy to try these out since they're something a bit different for me.


July Ipsy Glam Bag

The Products

bh cosmetics California Collection Eyeshadow | Full-size $9.99

This is an awesome sized sample. These three bh cosmetics eyeshadows are all rather pigmented, and perfect for summer. Hollywood might be a bit too purple for my light skin, but I'm sure I can find a use for it. The other two colors are a gorgeous warm brown and shimmering gold that I know I'll get plenty of use from.

Sexy Hair Weather Proof Humidity Resistant Spray | Full-size $18.95

Sexy Hair is a brand I've seen everywhere and never ever tried, so I'm looking forward to testing this bad boy out. This is an awesome 1.4 oz sample that will serve me well while traveling, but also it's big enough to really test the product out and get a feel for whether or not I'd purchase it in full-size in the future.

Coola Mineral Face SPF 20 Unscented Moisturizer | Full-size $36

I am all about this sample. Being as fair skinned as I am, I can never get enough SPF face creams. This is a great size to throw in my purse for use on a sunny summer day. I know I also received a Coola cucumber-scented sunscreen in a Birchbox earlier this year, and I haven't actually tried it, as it's for the body and it's the same size (.23 fl oz) sample as this one (aka there's not enough to make it worth it).

Demeter Salt Air Perfume Oil Roll-On | Full-size $39.50

I am so freaking excited about this sample I can hardly even type this. I've wanted to try a Demeter fragrance since forever and finally I have my very own - and in a rather large sample size, too! (.29 fl oz) Salt Air smells so summery and tropical, it is just perfect for any warm weathered day. Also, it's in a rollerball container which I love. Easily the best sample in this Glam Bag, hands down. 

POP Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon in Fuchsia Flirt | Full-size $25 (set of 6)

Another giant sample! This pouty pop crayon is a full-sized product (0.1 oz)!! I love lip crayons, and this color is super easy to wear, creamy, and beautiful. I'm really excited to pop this (no pun intended!) in my purse for use on the go!

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So there you have it - the Birchbox vs. Ipsy showdown! To me, there is a very clear winner. But before I spill the beans, I'm curious to know which box you think wins this July Battle of the Subscription Boxes? Let me know in the comments below!

June Birchbox - Wanderlust

It's here, it's here! My June Birchbox is here, and it comes with an updated logo and branding. This month's box is all about wanderlust, or traveling - it includes samples to serve one well on any summer adventure. Let's dive in...

Color Club Nail Polish in Mod in Manhattan | Full-size: $8

This color is part of an exclusive collection created by Birchbox and Color Club called the Wanderlust Collection which was inspired by four of Birchbox's favorite cities. Mod in Manhattan is a milky off-white that appears to have the slightest tint of pink in it. I have to say I'm not the least bit excited about this color. I don't like my nails being all white - to me that looks like pure white-out, and is a bit sophomoric.  I like Color Club polishes a lot, but I'm not sure I'll be wearing this any time soon.

--What I love: The brand - Color Club polishes are a favorite of mine. 

--What I can live without: The color!

Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo | Full-size: $24

My first thought upon seeing this sample was how pleased I was by the size. I mean, when you get shampoo or conditioner samples in the little rip off packages, there's never enough product to truly tell how well you like it. But THIS is a good size! This shampoo has a really fresh natural scent that I love. This product claims to soften and nourish hair, especially dry and frizzy hair. I will definitely take this little sample with me while traveling, but I can guarantee you I wouldn't spend $24 on a full size bottle of this - outrageous. 

--What I love: The branding. I'm in love with this packaging - simple and modern.

--What I can live without: The price of a full-size bottle. 

Oscar de la Renta Perfume in Something Blue | Full-size: $85-115

Marked by a blend of mandarin and linden blossoms, Something Blue by Oscar de la Renta has summer scent written all over it! It seems most of the beauty world hates getting perfume samples, but I'm part of the minority that loves getting them! Unfortunately, this scent reminds me of a perfume from the Gap that I had in middle school. Considering I'm in my mid-20s, I'd like to think my scents have matured a bit since then.  

--What I love: Nothing, really. Boo.

--What I can live without: The aggravating sample packaging - I prefer spray samples, but this is the pop off top container. I can live without the scent, too. 

suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser | Full-size: $32.95

This product from suki is a two-in-one cleanser and exfoliater that lathers and smells like lemons. I like the scent a lot and I'm betting I can get a couple uses out of this sample - awesome! This is a brand I've never heard of before, but I'm looking forward to trying it out. 

--What I love: The scent and the two-in-one awesomeness.

--What I can live without: The price of the full-sized item - crazy talk. 

Davines Love Smoothing Conditioner | Full-size: $27.50

Another product from Davines, but am I missing something? Why in the world did I get a massive shampoo sample but my conditioner sample surely won't be enough to cover even a fourth of my hair?!?! This is one of my biggest pet peeves regarding samples - this little bit of conditioner will never give me an impression of your product, so why would I waste my time? Not sure I'll even bother trying this one out. If it were as big as the shampoo sample, it would be perfect.

What I love: I like that I got both the shampoo and conditioner to try out.

What I can live without: The sample size and packaging - total fail.

Davines Oi/Oil Absolute Beautifying Potion | Full-size: $40

Yet another Davines product - and this one I'm really looking forward to trying. This oil claims to instantly tame frizz and strengthen hair over time. I'm prone to frizzy hair, so I will certainly get some use out of this. Considering how little oil you need to use in one application, I should get a good amount of use from this sample. 

--What I love: I love hair oils, hoping to love this once I try it, too.

--What I can live without: The packaging. A tube would have been much more convenient for multiple uses.

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Overall, I expected more from this Birchbox. After the announcement of their rebranding, which came about a week or two before I received this box, I expected they'd kick off their first newly branded box with some stellar products. The variety of brands and the tiny product samples were disappointing, and I'm not so sure it was worth my $10. 

On another related note, I signed up for Ipsy - a subscription service similar to Birchbox, but it appears you get much more value from the $10 a month price point. I'll get my first "glam bag" (as they call it) in July, and I can't wait to share it with you. A battle of the subscription services will have to happen... stay tuned...

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