White Sea - Overdrawn (Estate Remix)

BIRCHBOX JULY 2012

Another great news from the mail today.  I just received a package from:

I'm beginning to really enjoy this concept of sampling different beauty products from the mail.  Really like the feeling of opening up these packages because it's like opening up a present and finding out what's in store for me this month.

When you subscribe to Birchbox, it says that you will receive "4-5 hand picked beauty and lifestyle samples from both well known luxe lines and emerging niche brands." Also, when you fill out their beauty profile when subscribing, they will tailor your beauty box for your skin, hair, and style type.
If you are loving the samples that you are using from the box, you can go to their site Birchbox.com  and shop for the full size of the samples. 

This month's Birchbox includes:

Arquiste L'Etrog perfume - it has warm notes of citron, palm leaves, 

and myrtle, capturing the aromas of a medieval harvest festival in Calabria Italy

Borghese Crema Saponetta Cleansing Bar for Face and Body - cleanses and conditions 

skin, and can even be used in lieu of shaving cream

Color Club Nail Polish in Disco Nap - lux metallic polish

theBalm cosmetics Stainiac in Beauty Queen - it's a two in one lip and cheek stain: a sheer gel formula

twistband Hair Tie - ponytail tie with snag free elastics

Lifestyle Extra: tili Bags - for airport security use, great for storing travel essentials and beauty samples

  Overall, I'm pretty excited about my Birchbox package.  I will surely start using all of these items asap!

Simplistic Summer

Now that summer is here on full swing.  It's better to go even lighter and more natural for cosmetics.  Sometimes it's great to just leave your face 'au naturel' with your favorite chapstick when heading out.

The key to maintaining a healthy beautiful summer look, and still stay fresh and non greasy - - make sure you have SPF everything and the right oil control fighting equipment (oil blotting paper, oil control lotion, etc) to ward off bacteria build up that may cause acne.  Also, don't forget a light perfume scent to keep a feminine tone, and stay hydrated with your H2O.

Keep it simple, especially on those hot days when applying a lot of make up is not ideal.  There are lots of ways to stay beautiful and fresh without applying a ton of makeup.

My normal everyday routine (in no particular order) so far is to rinse my face with cold water in the morning.  I usually apply my daily Lancome Bienfait Multi-Vital SPF 30 moisturizing cream, along with Lancome's High Resolution Eye Refill-3X eye cream. I'm currently using Neutrogena's Lip Moisturizer with SPF 15 for my lips, and I like to keep my face matte by using Matte FX oil control powder. 

I then move on to putting a hint of drama onto my eyes with Canmake's Powder Eyeliner, just to line my eyes.  Next, I like to curl my lashes and add some mascara.  If I'm feeling fancy I would apply some blush/highlighter on my cheeks, and a favorite lipstick.

Current Eyeliner: Canmake Powdered Eyeliner

I like the eyemake up, not the brush

Current Eyelash Curler: A Japanese Eyelash Curler (Oops, I forgot the name!)

Current Mascara: Beauty Addicts Showoff (from the July Glossybox set!)

 Some fragrance, and that's it.   I'm good to go.

What's your everyday routine?

MY FIRST GLOSSYBOX - JULY 2012

BeautyAddicts - Show-Off Mascara

First Aid Beauty - Smooth Shave Cream

Kinerase - Restructure Firming Cream

Shea Terra Organics - Ultimate Moisturizing Body Creme

Wella Professionals - Enrich Moisturizing Treatment

 *A Perfume Organic - Urban Organic

I decided to give GLOSSYBOX a try.  So far, I have no complaints regarding the shipment of the package, and I'm really liking the whole packaging of the box itself.

This month's beauty box is labeled "Summer Simplicity." I'm kind of excited about what is in store for me, since everything is packaged so beautifully.  

I have yet to fully use all the items, but so far I do like the Shea Terra body creme.  It has a really nice vanilla smell to it and is 99.7% natural.  I'm not sure if I'm going to use it as a body creme though.  It feels more suited for my hands since the consistency is a bit on the light side.  I'm also really excited to use the shaving cream and mascara as well. We'll see.

As for the Wella hair treatment, Kinerase firming cream, & the Perfume Organic...I wish the size was a bit bigger?  I feel like I could have gotten these items for free at Sephora.