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Elizabeth Mott: Thank Me Later Eyeshadow Primer

Description: To get the best color payoff and prevent creasing, smooth this life saver onto your lid before applying your fave shadows.

The full size of this product retails for $20.

I am not a big eye shadow primer user, even though I probably should be. When I remember I put primer on, but usually it slips my mind.  I also have quite a few days where I simply don’t wear shadow. This product is really fantastic. I would not use this as a daily product. It is certainly a special occasion primer for me. When I have intensive work or long days yet, still need to be polished, this is my go to product. It truly makes your shadow last longer and keeps the color vibrant all day. 

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March Birchbox

Celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month with products that amplify your unique features (and help you take on the world).

Calrisonic: Sonic Radiance AM Skin Illuminating Cleanser

Full-size: $25

Number 4: Clarifying Shampoo

Full-size: $32-72

Bonus Reconstructing Masque Packet (Not Pictured)

theBALM Cosmetics: Stainiac 

Full-size: $17

treStiQue: Color & Smudge Shadow Crayon

Full-size: $26

Wilma Schumann Skin Care: Hydrating Collagen Eye Pads

Full-size: $18

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ARROW: Lip Balm

(BOOST Color Enhancing Lip Balm)

Description: This superhydrating formula adjusts to your pH, enhancing each wearers natural lip color to create this perfect hue.

This fullsize product retails for $14.

ARROW was highly promoted and the launch was greatly anticipated, but did it live up to expectation? Personally, no. I was so thrilled for a brand that was meant for busy people. I am constantly rushing back and forth, and some mornings I don’t want to wake up two hours early to get pampered. This balm seemed like the first step in a solution to that. I could put on mascara and this balm and be ready for the day. The balm goes on fine, that wasn’t my problem with it. It made my lips a bit pinker, as if I had been chewing on them. The balm dried out my lips, opposite of what it claims. This may have been to an unknown allergy to something in the product, but my throat became increasingly irritated through the day while I was wearing this. It started off tingling and turned itchy the more I applied the balm. Due to my personal experience, I have gotten off to a bad start with the brand and the product is a total let down.

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Starlooks: Custom Lip Color

(Shade: Sultry Sangria)

Description: We partnered with Starlooks to create this trendy shade for our birthday: YAY! Define your cupid’s bow with this luxe liner or fill your lips in completely - either way, you’ll look mauve-olous.

This full size product retails for $16.

The lip junkie in me was thrilled to get a lip product. I don’t have an excessive amount of lip liners, this was a great addition to the small amount I do have. This color is a bit darker and has more of an orange tint than my natural lip color, but it wasn’t too far off. I found myself using this to define and even out my natural lip color more than anything else. I also like to use this under Rouge Infusion Lip Stain from Sephora. The product has a bit more of a sparkle to in than I would have preferred, bu tit isn’t unbearable. If you are looking for smudge resistant, water resistant, or long wearing; this is not the product for you. It transfers to glasses and anything else your lips touch. It is a nice color and a nice product, bu tit isn’t something I would invest in.

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Not Soap, Radio

(Scent: Coconut Milk, Mango + Vanilla)

Description: Find your zen with this body wash of coconut milk, mango, and the calming benefits of St. Johns Wort.

The full size of this product retails for $16.

I probably enjoy new body wash more than the average person so I was quite excited when I got this in my box. The description on BirchBox directs you to use as a typical body wash and work into a lather. The back of the product, however seems to suggest using it more like a bubble bath. I used it both ways in order to test it to its full potential. Using it as a body wash,  it took about a quarter size dollop to get a good lather going to wash my whole body. However, it did not fair very well as a bubble bath. I ended up pouring half of the sample into the tub only for the bubbles to dissipate in five minutes. I like the idea of the brand, simplistic packaging with clever names plus a wonderful smell to the product. This will probably become a travel item, but no much beyond that.

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Obliphica Professional: Sea Berry Serum

(For Medium to Coarse Hair)

Description: This Nourishing serum gets to work, reviving damaged, colored, and unmanageable hair without weighing it down.

The full size of this product retails for $38.

I put hair serum, oil, ect. in my hair after every time I shower.  Naturally, I have tried endless products and I can say that this one is up in the favorites. The smell alone in intoxicating. I take a pea size amount of product to the tips of wet hair before blow drying or air drying. I also like to use this product after styling my hair to tame fly-aways and add shine. This is very light weight as long as you don’t go overboard, but that is with any product. The fact that it came with a pump is a bonus. Not too many samples have quality packaging like this and I was very impressed. 

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Salon Grafix: Hair Spray

Description: Extra hold, please! Enjoy this bonus finishing touch to keep your hairstyle flawless al day long.

The full size of this product retails for $6.99.

I am not a huge hairspray person. I mean, I use it but not very often. When I use it I use flexible natural hold. I was skeptical about the claims of how well this product would hold your hair in place. I decided to use this when I was styling an up-do because are the only times I really need a good hold in my hairspray. I really wasn’t all that impressed with this product or its’ hold. I felt like I was getting blasted in the side of the head with a water gun as I was applying it. The hold was less than satisfactory. It held really well at first, but ended up peeling away and making my hair look worse.

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Epic Blend + Hemp Nation

Premium Lip Balm

(Flavor: Blueberry)

Description: Treat your lips to all-natural and organic TLC with oh-so addicting flavor! Apply this balm before bed for tasty dreams and soft lips when you wake up.

This full size product retails for $3.49.

Seeing a regular old lip balm in a subscription box isn’t exactly exciting, but I was hoping it would be something special. I am very picky when it comes to balms or other lip moisturizers. There is a very delicate balance and while some work, some just make my lips even dryer. This was a fine lip balm, but there was nothing special about it. The only thing that make this lip balm stand out among a sea of balms is the fact that is has hemp seed extract in the product. I am glad I got the blueberry scent over the other potential scents. If I had gotten any other I’m not sure if I would have been able to stand the smell. I see no flaws so I’ll continue to use this until it’s gone, but I won’t repurchase it. 

Kiwi-Mango Body Wash

(Scent: Kiwi-Mango)

Description: Lather up! This fruity body wash will make you feel like you’re relaxing on the beach. Put a dime-size amount on a loofah or add directly to bath water for enticing soak.

This full size product retails for $7.99.

The first thing about this product is that it is sickeningly sweet. I am usually okay with sweet products, but this was over the top. If I stood in the shower too long with this scent in the air I became light headed and my stomach hurt. I had to mix it with a more earthy and masculine scent to be able to handle it. The soap lathers absolutely wonderfully which also makes it great to use as a bubble bath. The product isn’t moisturizing, but it also isn’t drying either. I would not waste money on this. Eight dollars for two ounces of product is a little up there, especially if you aren’t in love with the product.

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Beauty For Real: Blush+Glow Stick

(Shades: Coral Crush, High Beam)

Description: A 2-in-1 blush and highlighter created to not only color and highlight, but to also provide anti-aging benefits. This cream-to-powder long wear formula delivers light reflecting benefits and glowing radiance, which ensures a smooth, beautiful, flawless finish.

This is a full size product that retails for $24.

(Highlight on Top, Blush on Bottom)

I love products that have multiple uses and this one is no exception. I will never turn down a blush and the highlighter looked promising. The color of the blush is less of a coral and more of a red tone. The name was misleading in that sense, although the color is gorgeous and very natural. The highlighter looks orange in the picture, but is actually a very pretty gold. Both products are easy to apply and build color. I have used this product by tapping on with my fingers, using a brush, and running the stick on my cheeks then blending. The ease of application is impressive and the feel of the product on your skin makes it feel like there is nothing at all. This works well on top of foundation or just to give a kiss of color on more natural looking days.

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RE:P Bio Fresh Mask with Real Calming Herb

Description: This soothing mask uses organic herbs and kaolin clay to reduce redness and deeply cleanse pores.

The full size of this product retails for $41.

Since discovering sheet masks, a mask like this has to be really good for me to smear it all over my face. I have never been a huge fan of putting a cold gooey mask on my face and then the mess than comes with washing it off. With sensitive skin I will try almost anything that says it will soothe skin and reduce redness. The mask was chunky and a bit hard to put on my face. I assumed that this was the herbs in the mask. This smelt natural and amazing, plus is relaxing beyond belief. I really wasn’t that happy with this mask. I will use it because I am always using up masks and it worked for what it promised. I just am disappointed that it was drying on my skin. Finding products for dry and sensitive skin is a struggle, so I am used to having to compromise one for the other.

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Whish Revitalizing Cleansing Oil

Description: This skin balancing cleansing oil melts away makeup, oil, and impurities. Note: apply to dry skin, activate with water.

This sample is 0.5 worth approximately $4.28.The full size of this product is 3.4 fl oz and worth $30 in retail value.

I am kinda new to the oil cleansing trend. I have been using an oil cleanser in my double cleansing routine for about two months now. I have been converted and am an unshakable believer now. The smell of this product is tropical and smells a bit like coconut. The oil comes out as an oil, not a solid that becomes an oil when put into the heat of your hands. The product works well, it’s a nice product. I will most likely take it on trips with me and use it that way. There is nothing wrong with it, but I have an oil cleanser already that I prefer better. I mentioned this product in a previous post of mine, here.  The price of this is decent price for a high-end oil cleanser. My current oil cleanser is the same fluid ounces and is $5 cheaper. Which either isn’t a big deal or is a huge difference dpending on the person. I am a firm believer that just because something is more expensive doesn’t means that it is better. 

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Bodipure: Keratin Gloves

Description: Keratin for your hands! The revolutionary hand treatment will strengthen nails and nourish skin and cuticles. Slip on, massage, beautiful hands!

This is a full size product that retails for $5.

These gloves are the ultimate treatment for someone who loves to pamper themselves, but cannot sit still long enough. I could’ve worn them for fifteen minutes while watching TV and tried to sit still. Instead, I wore them for about an hour (longer than the directions, but I wanted to get as much out of it as I could) while doing homework, working on this blog, and playing Sims4. The smell was pleasant and a bit spa like. I filed and buffed my nails before starting the treatment as recommended. They come as clear gloves with a bunch of the treatment lotion inside. You just slip them on and wait. They are a bit strange to get used to at first. The best part of these is that you can use a touchscreen while these gloves are on. It may defeat the purpose of relaxing, but my life doesn’t stop for anything, especially time for myself. The best products are ones that I can seamlessly fit into my fast paced life and this was certainly on of those. My nails were left looking healthy and strong while my cuticles and hands were extremely soft. This is a great quality product and a really reasonable price as well. I would purchase these again to use occasionally on top of my regular nail/cuticle care routine.

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Manna Kadar Beauty: 3 in 1 Shadow, Highlight & Blush

(Shade: Fantasy)

Description: Real Talk: since testing this shimmery, rose gold pigment at BB5 HQ, we have not been able to put it down! It glides on effortlessly to accent your eyes and cheeks alike with a soft glow. 

This a full size product that retails for $19.

I was disappointed when I saw that I was getting another highlighter in a box. I like highlighter is my makeup routine, but  I have found ones I like and would rather have something else from my subscription boxes. I quite quickly swallowed my words because as soon as I tried it, I was in love. I like to top my liquid highlight and blush with some highlighting powder. I had been using a Wet-n-Wild bronzer in the shade Protect Your Cabana. It was a product that I had in my collection and used on accident one sleepy day which I had used since. 

This 3 in 1 product is more of a highlight and shadow than a blush. It is very shimmery and would not be something I would use as a blush. It is a subtle color at first glance, but when the light hits it the color is beautiful. The shimmer and pigmentation when the light hits this product it unbelievable. This has a beautiful pink undertone which is what I tend to prefer to use as a highlighter instead of a yellow undertone. I have cool tone skin so the pink is a much more natural look on me. Although when my goal is to blind people with my highlighter, I’m not sure natural is truly the concern. This has now replaced my long expired Wet-n-Wild highlighter and I am thrilled.  

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Blinc Mascara Amplified

(Shade: Black)

Description: Coats the lashes with a glossy, volumizing and extending application that forms tiny, water resistant “tubes” around the lashes. Applies like a traditional mascara, giving you the ability to add as many coats as you want to build your desired look.

This full size product retails for $26.

Pass. If you need a quick answer, do not go near this mascara. It is the worst mascara I have ever had the misfortune of trying. With the claims of a revolutionary mascara and the price tag, I had decent expectations for this product. The application was messy and ended up all over, which is not common for me. The formula was wet and thick which was kinda gross to smear on my lashes. It didn’t do anything for my lashes either. It weighed them down and made them flat in a short amount of time. As soon as the formula dried, it started to flake. I had enormous amounts of flakes all over my face throughout the day. It irritated my eyes which were itchy and burning and extremely uncomfortable. A huge thing that is advertised is the easy removal at the end of the day. All it takes it water and slight downward pressure to remove the mascara, or so they claimed. It takes soaked cotton pads over your eyes for several minutes and quite a bit more pressure than you should probably put on your eyes to get the product off. The “tubes” coat whatever surface you remove the mascara above and scraping it out of my sink takes longer than removing the actual mascara, which still takes a very long time. There is no way in hell I would pay $26 for this mascara that is more like a torture device.

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Boxycharm February

Rush to Relax. From stilettos to slippers, get ready to work hard and rest easy! This month there were six products that came to a total of $133.99.

Spongelle: You Have My Heart On A String

This full size product retails for $15.

How To: Use the soft side to cleanse & tone the skin, & use the textured side in a gentle circular motion to exfoliate and stimulate circulation.

Beaty For Real: Blush + Glow Stick

This full size product retails for $24.

How To: Can be applied with fingertips, worn alone or over foundation to highlight, sculpt and warm your eyes, cheeks, lips & body.

Shray: Ms. Amazing Facial Mask

This full size product retails for $12.

How To: Test a small amount on a small patch of skin prior to full application: everyone’s skin is different. Clean skin. Apply mask for 10-15 minutes. Remove. No need to wash your face! The hydrant will set as a lotion and a perfect makeup primer.

OFRA: Banana Powder Godet

This is a sample size and retails for $58. Yes, the sample is that expensive. The full size is 0.5 oz and costs $118. This product better preform some damn miracles for that price.

How To: Apply a pea size amount under and around the eye area. Allow 2-3 minutes for product to absorb before adding moisturizer or makeup.

RealTree For Her

This is a travel size item that retails for $12.99.

How To: Spray and enjoy.

Coupon Bonus!

Use the code BOXY30 to receive 30% off of the entire store plus $5 flat rate shipping. This code expires May 31, 2016.

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Goodal Waterest First Essence

Description: This high-tech formula includes hyaluronic acid and fermented lotus flower to help skin retain moisture.

The full size of this product retails for $30.

When I got this in my box, I had absolutely no clue what the hell an essence was. After some research I realized that a serum, essence, and emulsion are drastically different things in the skincare world. The Koreans are known for their flawless skin and intensely detailed skincare routines. I am well beyond just cleanser and moisturizer. I have numerous steps and added yet another one with this product. The sample seen extremely small at first and I figured I may be able to get three uses out of this if I tried hard enough. I was surprised by the little amount needed each application and have gotten quite a good idea of the product after so many uses. The way you have to tap this onto your fingers to dispense it is certainly a con. Sometimes you will sit there trying to get enough product out and other times a bunch of product comes out without much coaxing. The essence absorbs quickly so I feel like the time that it takes to dispense increases the amount of product that soaks into my fingers and not my face. The smell is natural and fresh without being too harsh. I like this and would use an essence again if given the chance, but I don’t think I would go buy one on my own. I will most likely stick to my serums and gel serums instead. I like serums better due to them being a bit heavier and more concentrated. The essence feels nice, but ultimately a bit watery.

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Color Club: Mini Polish

(Shade: That’s My Jam)

Description: You’ll love the lush lacquer in this vegan, 100% cruelty free nail polish. Plus it’s made in the USA!

This sample is 0.25 fl oz worth approximately $4.25. The full size of this product is 0.50 fl oz and retails for $8.50.

I am not a huge nail polish person to begin with. I enjoy having my nails painted, but most of the time they are just filed and buffed.When I see a nail polish in my box it’s one of the only things that I truly huff at. I am more a fan of natural looking nail polishes than crazy bright colors. This pinkish red was a big step away from my nude/light pink shades. I do enjoy a nice red polish as a bold statement on a night out, but this is not a fit for me. First off, when I have red on my nails I want it to be a pure deep red. This was red, but it obviously had a pink tint to it, which was just not my forte. It took two coats to get an opaque color, which is typical for most polishes. The application was fine, the brush wasn’t my favorite. I am used to OPI brushes, as that is the brand I use the most. Although, my absolute favorite brushes are from the ACI top coats. The dry time on this polish was ridiculous. It took so long for it to truly dry. I am known for notoriously thin coats, but this polish budged way after it should have been dry. The wear was absolutely horrible for me. I used the same base and top coats as I typically do and this polish was not presentable. I am used to having two to three days of nearly flawless wear and then it slowly starts chipping away. This polish started chipping later that day and two days later I removed it because they looked so bad. If you love color club and have had good experience before, that’s great. They have a wonderful line and color choices. Different polishes for for different people and lifestyles and this one wasn’t for me.