Birchbox Subscription Review: June 2016
Hello Gorgeous! When I launched my blog a year and a half ago, I envisioned that I would feature the latest beauty and fashion trends because I want to blog about things that I am passionate about. The beauty industry is constantly evolving, products are getting better and new products are appearing on the market that help us feel our most beautiful. Many of us use makeup because it gives us the results we want, and it’s not just on the outside. Externally we look more beautiful and quite often that translates to a happy, more self-confident you. Even if you are not “into” makeup, you can achieve a natural look with makeup just as easily as a glamorous look, it’s all in the application.
Some days, just the swipe of a colorful and glossy lipstick is all I need to feel bright and ready to face the world. Even if I don’t apply anything else, lipstick makes me look polished and put together. I keep a sample bag from Clinique (you’ve probably seen offers of a free travel-size cosmetics bag with a purchase) in my car’s glove box, it contains: moisturizer, cover up, lipstick and mascara and I can’t tell you how many times it has saved the day. That, and the emergency $20.00 bill. And a shout out to the bottle opener too.
One of the most important things that I have learned about beauty products is that the same thing does not work for everyone. The same tinted foundation applied to a someone prone to oily skin will look different on someone with a dry skin type. This is one of the reasons why I enjoy getting my beauty Birchbox every month. I get the chance to sample the hottest new beauty products and take advantage of product improvements along the way.
Birchbox Subscription Review: June 2016
BIRCHBOX BREAKDOWN
At the end of a long day we could all use a fresh start—the same goes for our hair. When product buildup and styling stress leave your locks feeling dull, use Number 4™ Clarifying Shampoo, subtly scented with white freesia, golden amber, and warm musk, to gently cleanse without stripping moisture or color.
HOW TO USE
Squeeze one pump (a little goes a long way) of the water-activated formula into the palm of your hand and work into a thick lather. Deposit the lather evenly through damp strands and rinse thoroughly. Use daily for best results.
Number 4™ Lumiere d’hiver Reconstructing Masque
BIRCHBOX BREAKDOWN
Situation: Your hair is dry and brittle, and you’re still a few weeks away from a trim. Solution: This super-hydrating restorative treatment. Soy protein works to reconstruct and strengthen hair while natural conditioners like shea butter, jojoba seed oil, and sunflower oil nourish and moisturize—leaving our hair soft, shiny, and in far better shape than it was before.
HOW TO USE
After shampooing, wring excess moisture from hair. Apply evenly to hair starting at the ends and working your way upward to your scalp. Wait for two to five minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
BIRCHBOX BREAKDOWN
If looking at your skin with a magnifying mirror makes you feel like a scientist examining craters on the moon, we feel you. That’s why we’re hoarding bottles of this dual-action physical and chemical exfoliator that deep cleanses as it shrinks pores to the vanishing point. A boost of salicylic acid unclogs pores, caviar lime extract brightens and evens skin tone, and lentil seed extract strengthens and tightens pore walls so we’re left with the smooth skin we crave.
HOW TO USE
Gently massage cream into damp skin for one minute. Let it sit for one to two minutes to activate the deep cleansing properties, then rinse clean. For best results, use once or twice each week.
COOLA Mineral Face SPF 30 Rosilliance
BIRCHBOX BREAKDOWN
Forget the pasty-white sunblock of your childhood. This BB cream-sunscreen hybrid is the grown-up version of the classic, and we’re more than happy to upgrade. This lightly tinted, moisturizing blend soothes and hydrates skin with rose botanical stem cells while adding a touch of sheer color that’s ultra blendable and flatters a wide range of skin tones. SPF 30 protects skin from harsh rays—even in water—without leaving a ghostly white cast on our skin. Growing up never looked so good.
HOW TO USE
Use your fingers to blend a small amount of product into clean, dry skin. Wear alone for sheer coverage, or layer it under your favorite foundation.
BIRCHBOX BREAKDOWN
Dermatologists and beauty editors agree: this hydrating, rebalancing mist—sourced from the medicinal springs in Avène, France—is both refreshing and incredibly powerful. Backed by over 300 clinical studies (not to mention centuries of dermatological treatment), this multitasker soothes redness and calms all sorts of skin troubles—from sunburns to allergic reactions to eczema and itching sensations. Use it as a morning toner, spritz it as a mid-day refresher, or keep it in your purse for moments when skin is stressed. Bonus: It also works to set makeup.
HOW TO USE
Spray onto skin in a fine mist. Let it absorb for 2–3 minutes, then gently pat dry.
Benefit gimme brow volumizing fiber gel
BIRCHBOX BREAKDOWN
All it takes is a few strokes of this brow-building invention to make even the most timid brows look full and defined. Volumizing microfibers and an exclusive water-resistant gel adheres to skin and hair, thickening brows to certified bold status. The formula is also enriched with conditioning vitamin b5 and marshmallow extract. Plus, the tapered brush features a precision tip to let you shape and blend effortlessly.
HOW TO USE
Beginning at the inner edge of the brow and moving outward, use short strokes to define and shape. Build to desired fullness, then comb through to blend.
