Birchbox Subscription Review: July 2016
You know all the planets are aligning if the roses that you purchased for a separate photo shoot just happen to perfectly complement the color and design of this month’s Birchbox. I picked up these pretty pink tipped white roses for the Sun Kissed Shoulders post and no more than a day later, the tell-tale pink shipping box arrived in the mail. To me, the abstract design on the box looks like rose petals and I was so happy to be able to take advantage of the flowers again!
I can totally relate to the message on this card, what about you? The two things that help make me look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed are a couple sweeps of mascara to open my eyes and tinted lip gloss to add some shimmer and radiance to my overall look. Once those two items are applied I feel ready to face the today, no more hiding behind sunglasses!
Birchbox Subscription Review: July 2016 – Let’s check out this month’s beauty products.
REN Keep Young and Beautiful™ Instant Firming Beauty Shot
SARAH’s REVIEW: Eh. Didn’t really see a visible difference. It says “instant” so it’s not like I should need to wait a week for results…
BIRCHBOX BREAKDOWN
For those extra early mornings (or after those extra late nights), we turn to our trusty shot of espresso to get us going. Likewise, when our complexion could benefit from an extra jolt of energy, we turn to this innovative gel-serum. Powered by a unique liquid matrix of hyaluronans that help skin retain moisture and diminish the appearance of wrinkles, this formula revitalizes skin instantly upon contact to create a firmer, more lifted, and plumper look.
HOW TO USE: Apply 2–3 drops to freshly cleaned face, and reapply during the day as needed. If applying over makeup, be sure to pat (don’t rub!) into skin until the product is absorbed.
COOLA® Environmental Repair Plus® Radical Recovery™ After-Sun Lotion
SARAH’s REVIEW: Pretty cool stuff in this tube. I used it on my son’s nose and cheekbones after a baseball game to help soothe his skin from too much sun, the next morning there wasn’t a trace of sunburn.
BIRCHBOX BREAKDOWN
Based in perpetually sunny California, COOLA knows a thing or two about soothing sunburn. Whether you’ve spent the day lounging at the beach or planting perennials, your sun-“kissed” skin deserves a little extra love. Smooth on this super moisturizing organic lotion to help it recover. Unlike other gel after-sun lotions, this lightweight wonder has a silky, smooth texture and sinks into skin immediately. Agave takes the sting out of sunburn, moisturizes, and promotes collagen synthesis to help repair your skin and reverse sun damage. Bonus: 70% of the ingredients are harvested from organic farms.
HOW TO USE: Gently apply after a day in the sun or whenever your skin is feeling dry.
MD Solar Sciences Daily Anti-Aging Moisturizer with SolSci-X SPF 30
SARAH’s REVIEW: Goes on smoothly, nice and light and absorbs without leaving a shine. A great SPF to protect the skin and a primer before applying make-up. Smells great too!
BIRCHBOX BREAKDOWN
Youth isn’t wasted on (just) the young: We plan to drag it out as long as possible, thanks to this age-defying moisturizer. The lightweight formula is loaded with antioxidants, hydrators, and SPF 30 UV protection to boost brightness, minimize wrinkles, and prevent the sun damage that leads to premature wrinkles and even cancer.
HOW TO USE: Smooth a thin layer onto face daily, before applying makeup.
SARAH’s REVIEW: I love the smell of fresh lemons and prefer fragrance that has clean citrus notes – a winner in my book!
BIRCHBOX BREAKDOWN
One spritz of this scent and we’re immediately swept away to Italy’s Amalfi Coast, the faint scent of lemon trees wafting in the breeze (the fact that that’s more daydream than reality is neither here nor there). The clean, citrus scent is light and refreshing, and the sweet, musky undertones of rose and sugar give the fragrance long-wearing, intriguing layers.
HOW TO USE: Spray on pulse points like wrists, neck, and behind ears.
Smashbox Cosmetics X-Rated Mascara
SARAH’s REVIEW: I remembering watch Oprah one day and she had a woman on her show that lost an eye due to an infection that she blamed on the mascara company. It freaked me out, and ever since then, I have never shared my makeup with anyone. I also make it a point to toss out my mascara every 6 months. I like this mascara and it didn’t smudge or flake.
BIRCHBOX BREAKDOWN
Ever wish you could build your perfect mascara? Great news: Now you can. Featuring Tripod fibers that stack on lashes for endless volume, this unique buildable, long-wearing formula takes lashes from classic to bold in a snap. The triple bristle brush isolates, magnifies, and saturates each lash with layers of color that never flake or smudge. The result? You can do a few swipes for a pretty day look—and a few more swipes for a luscious, fanned out, amplified effect.
HOW TO USE: Starting at base, build volume by sweeping lashes up and out. Layer for more drama.
SARAH’s REVIEW: Taking excellent care of my hair is important to me and I do not subscribe to sticking with the same hair care products all the time. When I see people with dull hair I can immediately tell that they are using harsh products that strip all the natural shine from their hair. I just used this and sad to say that it didn’t deliver on the hype.
BIRCHBOX BREAKDOWN
A lot of brilliant things happen while we’re lathering up in the shower—amazing musical stylings, the solution to that seemingly unsolvable problem at work, and now, this shine-magnifying shampoo. This moisturizing formula provides illuminating sheen without the weight while it maintains natural oils, unteases tangles, protects against UV rays, and defies the dull texture that can sometimes accompany harsh shampoos.
HOW TO USE: Massage into a lather, rinse, and admire that shine.
