February's BIRCHBOX! and a Review

Here is what I received in my February 2014 Birchbox!  I paid $10 and I received 4 items and a lifestyle extra!

This month's theme was called "Step and Repeat" in honor of the awards season- and all that goes along with the stars and their beauty tips!  If you are a fan of You Tube like I am be sure to check out all the beauty tips on the Birchbox videos as they teamed up with Gwen Flamberg from US Weekly! 

#1...The first item in my box of goodies was Beauty Protector Protect and Oil- which is a Birchbox exclusive!!!  Not only is this good for all hair types, but it protects against UV rays, heat styling and breakage with a personal favorite ingredient.... argon oil!  Who doesn't need this product in their lives?  Did I mention that this stuff smells AH_MAZ_ING!?   Kind of like vanilla and sweet?   The sample size  is generous and since you only need 1-3 drops it should last me a while!  The full size comes in a plastic spray bottle, but this sample is in a nice glass vial.  I only wish I had an extra dropper to control the amount I am using.  I'm not sure the value of the sample because there are no markings on it, but the full size is $21.95

***I've used this a couple times and what I liked best was how it made my hair smell.  I don't have hair issues like split ends, frizz, etc.  and I only occasionally heat style it so I can't say anything about that yet.  It did seem to help with frizzie little fly aways, and I liked that it was protecting me from UV rays.

#2......The next item I received was a fantastic new Liquid Liner in Black Ink by Cynthia Rowley.  I believe this is full sized and is valued at $18.00!  (the monthly service is only $10 ;)  )   This is a newly launched line so it is pretty cool to get to sample it and see what I think of it!  This product is supposed to be smudge proof which I love the idea of because so many eyeliners end up 'falling' and looking terrible on me!  Do you have that problem?    Interesting little tidbits....the site says that Cynthia created this after she was tired of not having a black enough liner and was resorting to using a sharpie!  LOL   She added the gold dots to make it easier to find in your cosmetic bag (black hole!)  Now that is smart!!

***I tried this out when we went out to dinner, and it wore well for the 7 hours we were gone.  There was no smudging as it claimed and it came off easily at the end of the night!  yay!  Since it has the felt tip marker styled tip, I can add that it is capable for a super thin and accurate line (perfect for a winged eye!) but can easily be made thicker as well.

#3......Next I have Rescue Omerga 3 Serum by Eleven Skin in the most darling little pump container I have ever had!  :)  This is a luxury face oil that says it will bring damaged skin back to life!  Also it "nourishes, improves moisture retention, and promotes elasticity. Skin appears brighter, energized, and more youthful looking."  The full size is a whopping $75 which is a little rich for my blood BUT I think that is one of the best parts of Birchbox!  First I got to sample a product that there is no way I would have otherwise, AND if I like it, I can save up my points and "buy" the full size from the Birchbox shop!  (I couldn't calculate how much the sample was valued at because there was no marking to indicate the size.) 

*** I am really loving trying all things 'oil, butter, and natural' right now, so this is no exception. As far  as the oil goes it did make my face feel really good and it 'soaked in' fast.  I'm not sure how I felt about the smell initially though.  It is not bad but like no other products I've used before.  It is like you took fresh herbs and rubbed them between your fingers to release their oils.....if that makes sense.    Maybe that is what "nutrient-rich sea botanicals" are supposed to smell like?  lol  The smell went away after a few moments and I was left with really soft, and moisturized skin!

#4.....I really enjoy getting perfume samples in my Birchboxes!! and this month I got a purple one!  squeal!!!   It is a Joan Vass L'eau de Cristal.  I am terrible at describing notes in perfume so let me use the Birchbox description.  "Top notes of star ruby grapefruit and Italian bergamot meet middle notes of red currant, ylang ylang, and rose oil. Rounding out the scent are slightly sweet, earthy bottom notes like patchouli, vanilla tincture, and vetiver."   This sample lacked size markings so I could calculate the value but the full size is $75

*** I am actually surprised that I like this perfume as much as I do because I can not stand anything patchouli!  It really is not the heavy musky smell I was expecting and the fresh citrusy smell of the grapefruit is just wonderful.  This is definitely one that I would consider more sophisticated and I will save it for a special occasion.  Once again...another new fragrance that I am thrilled to get the opportunity to try!

#5.......Finally my lifestyle extra was from 32 Oral Care.  They are Effervescent Breath Crystals!  I mean seriously...has there ever been a more FUN trial product in a Birchbox!????  I think not! :)  They offer 4 flavors, but my two samples were spearmint and lemon mint.   I tried this first with my boyfriend and we both thought they were innovative and effective!  Yes they actually freshen your breath!  Later I just had to share them with my sister, so via skype I hooked up and "showed" her my grown up pop rocks!  lol
Full size is $9.99 for 32 packets so this sample had a value of $0.63

So unlike other months I can't give you the OVERALL value of my samples because 3/5 did not have size markings on them.  That is okay though because I know I certainly got my money's worth, as usual, and with the $10 I paid, and then the reviews I will do online at Birchbox.com, I will be given credit for the equivalent of $5.00 towards other full sized items that I can purchase in their shop!!!  

If you would like to join me at Birchbox, and what I feel is hands down the best service out there please use my referral link to sign up  https://www.birchbox.com/invite/7l3h7  (I will get a bonus for having referred you- thank you!)  or go to their website at Birchbox.com

Thank you for reading and until the March box...stay beautiful! 


If you would like to contact me to review your products please message me at Tanya@mail4me.com

Today I had tea with Mom!

Today I had tea with my mom...this might sound rather boring to some, and certainly not worthy of a blog post but it was a very monumental moment because she has been gone for years!  Let me explain...

The morning started off pretty normal and I had anticipated that I would putter around, do a few household chores and later on craft and skype with my sister.  On my to do list was to photograph a  few of my monthly subscriptions and get them ready to review here.  One item I was super excited to see in my Birchbox box this month was a sampler of tea- and I knew I wanted some pretty props for the photo.  I thought I would simply take them down from the closet where they have been packed for years, and use them as props....nothing more.  As I was unwrapping them the sadness of her memory and all the anxiety that went with it seemed to wash away- and I not only felt a calmness, but a warm, happy feeling!  Since her death every memory has lead me to tears, and it has hung over me for days each time.  But today was different!  It almost felt like a ceremony, something beautiful was happening and I was very aware that I had finally reached a pivotal moment in the mourning process I have been going through for years.  I slowly unwrapped the separate pieces and was happy to see none had been chipped.  I carefully walked them to the kitchen where I gently washed them and then dried them almost to a polish.  I then set up the Birchbox tea, along with the two tea cups, and a little tea strainer I had found years ago at a thrift store. I took the photo and uploaded it ...

I had intended to simply post this photo on my Face Book, and add it to the many photo albums I have there.  But I FELT something.  It was like my mom was actually here with me!!!  Now before you think I am off my rocker, I mean in "spirit"...like somehow she was with me.  I am not an overly religious person.  I don't necessarily believe in ghosts and such BUT I do believe that sometimes things happen that we can't explain.  This was one of those moments for me.  After years of feeling depressed and sad, it was all gone...and I felt an overwhelming desire to have tea with my mom!  It seems a little silly as I am writing it, but as it was happening there was nothing silly about it- it felt completely normal.  I got out her old tea kettle, waited for it to boil, and then steeped our tea....yes I said OUR.  I actually poured two cups of tea, one for me and one for my mom!  I skipped the Splenda I usually use, and added the teaspoon of sugar, and a bit of milk to each cup.  I felt something was missing so I went and took out a photograph of her, and add it as well.  THERE.  Now I could have tea with my mom.  As if breaking through the boundaries of time and space, I told her I missed her and not knowing how else to commemorate the moment I said "cheers!" and gently tapped my tea cup on hers.  With that, I can say that the sad period of mourning her death was officially over, and could now be replaced with her warm sweet memories- just like the tea I was drinking in her honor!

I miss you Mom...and I always will.

In the photo, my Mom-Marilyn (in red), me (in the back), my daughter Arianna (at 4 years old) and my Aunt Connie (seated).

My OCTOBER 2013 BIRCHBOX Feedback and Review

I got my very first monthly subscription box in October and boy was I super excited!!!    I had tried to sigh up for Ipsy but was put on a wait list...soooo I found Birchbox!  (for those of you who aren't familiar with it, Birchbox is a monthly subscription service where they deliver to your home a box of 4-5 items that range from healthy and beauty- lifestyle products)  My box came and I could hardly wait to tear into it!   This month's theme was Beauty Buzz...

I received FIVE products.  The Bain deTerre (macadamia oil) nourishing shampoo AND conditioner were each 1.7 fl ounces.  That is a great sample size if you ask me, and even with my long, thick hair I was able to get 3 applications from each.  While I don't like paying a lot for shampoo and conditioner, this stuff worked really well, felt good, didn't cause any itching or problems with my skin and it made my hair super soft and shiny for a couple days---enough so that I am considering order the full size!!!  Seriously I could hardly stop running my fingers through it!  I rated each 5/5 stars.  Cost for shampoo $1.51 and conditioner $1.70

Third on the list was a full sized Pop Beauty's Aqua lacquer- or in lay mans terms...lip gloss lol.  I received the color Floating Rose "a soft pink infused with gold shimmer."  It had an odd little paddle applicator that takes some getting used to but I really liked it.  It was a little on the sticky side for me so only 4/5 stars.  Cost $14.00

My fourth product was a full sized nail polish that is a Birchbox exclusive.  Ruffian Nail Laquer in a green color called Hedge Fund!  How cute is that?  I had just painted my nails but within 24 hours I had to give it a try.  Hands down (puny eh?) it is the best formula of nail polish I have ever tried!!!  At only 0.17 fl ounces it is much small bottle than I am used to, but it makes up for it in performance!  Another 5/5 stars.  Cost $10.00

and finally my first "Birchbox find."  This fifth item was another full sized item and one I will certainly put to good use.  It was the Chap Stick Vanilla creme moisture hydration lock with CoQ10  Since I do a lot of couponing I was super excited to also find a $1.00/1 coupon for this product for the next sale I see.  Cost was about $3.00

 

So if I were to buy my samples they would have cost me $30.21 !!!  Not bad for just $10.00/month eh?!  So is a beauty box right for you?  In my opinion you can't really put a dollar amount on the joy you get from getting a little present in your mail, even if you sent it to yourself.  Unlike most other people I don't think most hold value (although maybe not exactly in dollar and cents) in the fact that I was able to reuse the pretty tissue paper in my present wrapping supplies and the sturdy box is perfect for sorting my nail art supplies in the drawer .....so nothing went to waste!   This package really had me eager to receive it, and I was able to pamper myself in a few baths and still have some products that will last a while.  To me it was very worth the $10.00 I spent on it.

My conclusion is that I really enjoy this subscription and although I originally thought that I would only get it while I waited to get off the Ipsy wait list...I have since received my second box and can't see ending my subscription to Birchbox any time soon!

If you would like to sign up, and help me earn some points towards fun products please use my referral code (it is the same as if you go to the website directly, doesn't cost you any more but just gives me a little perk for sharing this information with you.  THANKS)    http://birch.ly/19Kh6mz