Birchbox

(sidebar: I found my camera, and I think I should stick to mobile phone photos – unless someone wants to get me a better camera for Christmas)

Birchbox, if you haven’t heard, delivers “deluxe beauty samples” to your home for $10/month.  Registration is cake, and you can sign up for an actual year-long plan, or a month-to-month one with the option of cancellation at any time.

I’d been wanting to try the service since I read about a similar UK version on my friend Sheenie’s blog. I signed up last month, and my first Birchbox arrived yesterday. I’d made goo-goo eyes at the sample boxes on the website – they’d included products from Stila, NARS, philosophy, Kiehl’s….you get the idea.

I cracked open my box and found:Meh. I received a Borghese mud face & body mask, JR Watkins peppermint foot salve, Anastasia lip gloss, and a sample of Shalimar.

I’m truly excited to try the Borghese mask, and the foot salve. The lip gloss is, as you can see, a disturbing shade of pink. I opened it, and it appears as if the applicator is a scoop, rather than a brush. The only really terrible thing inside is the sample of Shalimar. I had to list my age on my profile, and I’m positive I didn’t say I was over 60.

MissJacque should be getting her Birchbox any day now, and I can’t wait to see what she gets!

Chrome for the Holidays

I’ve always worn nail polish on my toes. Until recently, it’s rarely been on my fingers, and I’ve certainly never worn a chrome.

The recent release of the OPI Muppets collection got me interested in Designer de Better (which I still haven’t purchased) I was at Target a few nights ago, and happened upon holiday packaging of Nicole by OPI polishes. They’re currently selling full-sized duos for $10.

I grabbed Chrome for the Holidays/some plum color I can’t be bothered to find. The plum’s currently on my toes, and is rather nondescript.

Chrome applied like a dream – I was shiny in 2 coats, which I topped with Seche Vite. I was all shiny for approximately a day and a half.

I didn’t do anything particularly wild with my nails, and it didn’t take long at all for them to start chipping. There was tipwear within a matter of hours. The chrome is an easy fix, and doesn’t seem to look too awkward with touch-ups. Had I not needed to change my nail color for Halloween, I definitely would’ve kept the chrome on for a few more days.

I prefer the quality of actual OPI products, but the Nicole line isn’t terrible. It’s definitely something I’d repurchase.

I apologize for the photo quality. My digital camera seems to have disappeared, and I’m stuck with my mobile phone.

Urban Decay Lush Lash Mascara Growth Serum-Infused Conditioning Mascara

***Bear with me, my fellow Mavens, I’m having technical difficulties – ok, ok, really it’s that I’m blonde and this is my first post.***

WOO!

I love getting packages in the mail! What a surprise when I arrived home this afternoon to a small brown box with my name on it! (FYI, due to blondness, I mean technical difficulties, this afternoon was actually Thursday October 20, 2011),  Macy’s was having a free shipping deal on makeup, and I can’t say no to free! It was also Clinique bonus time!

Here’s my stash, freshly out of the box. Ignore the wood grain. I was so excited I plopped down in my foyer to open the package!

First up, Urban Decay LUSH LASH MASCARA GROWTH SERUM-INFUSED CONDITIONING MASCARA . Highly anticipated! I was looking for an all-in-one mascara and lash conditioner. I’ve been fairly faithful to Clinque’s lash conditioner, but was looking for something that wouldn’t clump as much.

I HAVE FOUND IT!

Here is my horrible before picture. I have longish lashes, but they’re mostly blonde and they stick straight out…not very becoming!

And, here is the first application (forgive me, I am barefaced-which is why the picture is cropped to eye only). Amazing difference! This is 2 coats of mascara on the top lashes.

It was easy to apply. I began in the middle and wiggled the brush side to side as I moved upwards. Then I turned the brush vertical to get the lashes in the corners (inner and outer). This also helps me “wing” out my eyelashes.

There is no clumping. The lashes are nice and dark. The formula is flexible, I can bend my eyelashes and they are not stiff, nor do they flake. I did not have to use a lash curler or a comb. Easy, breezy application!

~ After sleeping in the formula, I can tell you this stuff just does not come off! I had no smudging overnight; the lashes were still curled and dark. I tried washing the mascara off in the shower, but neither soap and water nor facial cleanser were able to remove the mascara. I *had* to use remover. This, if you think about it, may be perfect! No more walks of shame with dark under eye smudges! You *can* sleep in this without waking up looking like The Bride of Frankenstein!

Of course I reapplied for work, upper and lower lashes this time. I look like I have false lashes!!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this product!

As you continue to wear the mascara daily, it’s supposed to improve your lashes… so I will check in weekly to show you my progress.

By the way, in case you haven’t noticed, I take horrible pictures!