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marcelle

Beauty

November Birchbox Review

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December is one of my favorite months of the year.  I love holiday shopping.  Even though I worked in retail for a very long time, I still love the smell of stores.  Since I do not get to go into malls as often anymore, when I do, it’s the best!  The energy during the holidays, the smell of stores, the excess amount of merchandise and the cold crispness in the air … I LOVE IT!  It’s even better right now because it’s actually cold in LA.  I have been wearing jackets and scarves the past few days and I love it!

Enough rambling about how much I love the holiday season.  It’s back to the real reason for this post.  I am late for my November Birchbox review, I’m sorry readers.  But, I have a good reason for waiting so long.  First of all, this was NOT a good representation of what Birchbox offers. I opened the box and was simply unimpressed. This is strike 1 Birchbox.  You hear me?  This month it was all about extras.  I received a moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner, fragrance and a lip & cheek stain.  Can you guess which one I was actually excited for?  The lip & cheek stain of course!

I’m going to try to keep this post short and sweet.  Happy reading!

jane iredale Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain (Forever Pink)| Birchbox $25:  This adjusts to your body’s unique chemistry to create a customized, flattering hue.  This was actually pretty light on me even after it adjusted to my body chemistry.  I know this is supposed to be a deluxe sample, but the product is so small it’s really awkward to use it.  Fail….

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Marcelle New-Age LumiPOWER 3-in-1 Moisturizer | Birchbox $26:  this is a day moisturizer, night moisturizer and eye cream in one.  This actually turned out to be something I liked.  It’s light, doesn’t have a smell and would be great for the summer.  I actually wouldn’t mind using this.  If you have sensitive skin or want something lightweight that won’t leave your skin greasy, this is it!

Rene Furterer Lumicia Shampoo & Conditioner | Birchbox $22/$24:  This is a luxe French shampoo.  The perfume smell is super strong.  It lathered well but my hair didn’t feel incredibly clean.  The conditioner is formulated to neutralize hard water buildup on your strands so that your have weightless strands.  I didn’t find that it really made my hair feel silky smooth like it should with a “luxe” conditioner.  Double fail.

Etat Libre d’Orange Dangerous Complicity | Birchbox $149:  This is fruity and floral – coconut and ginger are my favorites of the notes.  Unfortunately I didn’t really smell any of this.  I can tell that once I put this on, it will be very musky on me.  I am usually more drawn to clean floral scents.  This was not one of those.  Fail.

If you have read my other Birchbox reviews, I generally enjoy my samples and use them up throughout the month.  If you would like to sign up and subscribe to Birchbox, click on my link!  You may find some new products that you love.  I sure have!

Until next time!

Beauty

July Birchbox Review

It’s my favorite time of month again (except pay day of course)! Time to review some new samples.  Ready to find out what I loved?  Keep reading…

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Avene Thermal Spring Water | Birchbox $14.00:  At first I thought – what on earth do I need this for?  But after reading about it I got really curious to try it out.  Most noteworthy is that this stuff soothes redness and calms all sorts of skin problems.  You can use it as a morning toner, mid-day refresher or set your makeup.  I have been using it as a morning toner and to spray after I work out.  I wash my face, then spray it on!  Great if you want to spoil yourself!

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle | Birchbox $23.50:  This stuff smells amazing and does a million different things for your hair!  It minimizes frizz, protects your hair against UV rays and heat, safeguards color, and adds shine!  I spray it on before I go to bed and I can still smell it on me the next day while I’m at work.  I will probably buy the full size as soon as I am done with the sample!

What I didn’t care for:

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Marcelle Xtension Plus Curl Mascara| Birchbox $14.00:  Having tried almost every single high-end and drugstore brand mascara in my 33 years of life, I was not really expecting much from this one.  Sadly, I was not disappointed.  I curled my lashes and then put this stuff on.  Almost immediately I saw my eyelashes fall and go stick straight.  BUT the good thing is that this definitely does lengthen like it says!  1 point for that!

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Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream SPF 35+ | Birchbox $32.00:  Didn’t care for this primer and foundation in one.  The color was off, which isn’t their fault.  Good if you don’t wear much makeup and just want to be able to put something on your face with an SPF and some color.

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Balance Me Radiance Face Mask | Birchbox $34.00:  This felt more like a scrub than a mask.  It’s clay based (which is good) and it’s supposed to cleanse, exfoliate, and brighten your skin.  It was okay….

Weird how the only products I was able to sample on my hand were the ones I didn’t care for.  ha!  Anyway, the samples this month were okay.  2/5 were winners.  It’s nice to try products I would not normally buy.  Still enjoying getting a present every month!

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