Birchbox vs ipsy: September 2014

Time again for another birchbox vs ipsy match-up!

What came in my birchbox?

Perlier Shea butter hand cream, Origins Plantscription, Harvey Prince Hello perfume, pixi Shea butter lip balm, and Real Chemistry 3-minute peel.

What did my ipsy bag contain?

Briogeo hair mask, Cailyn lip gloss, Pacifica eye liner, nyx eye shadow, and crown brush.

The winner: ipsy!

Ipsy had a few full size products, brands I like, and items I "need" whereas birchbox was just meh. Plus, it had the dreaded perfume sample!

Birchbox: 4, ipsy: 5

My referral links are below, should you like to sign up and give me free points:

Birchbox:

https://www.birchbox.com/invite/hv6ks

ipsy: http://www.ipsy.com/r/4xwr

Ipsy: September 2014

Another crazy late review...

September's theme was: Street Style.

The reverse had details on how to win a one-year free ipsy subscription.

The bag was another meh for me. I liked the material though. It is a soft leather-esque fabric. The size is kind of unusual. More square than normal. I'm not a fun of the studs.

First look:

Crown Brush

Infinity Shadow/Crease Duet Brush

Full size sample! Sample size: 1 brush (Full size: $6.99)

"This dual-ended brush offers the best of both worlds. The shadow brush is perfect for applying eye shadow or contouring the eye, while the crease brush is designed to be used dry for defining the eye, or wet for precision concealing."

I don't have many brushes, so this was a win for me!

NYX

Hot Singles Eye Shadow - Rehab

Full size sample! Sample size: 1.5g (Full size: $4.50)

"Hot Singles are intense! Powerfully loaded with pigments, this versatile formula lets you make a statement for any occasion. Whether your look is edgy or natural, NYX’s unique formulation is easy to blend and build on. 88 amazing shades inspired by the latest fashion runway trends."

It's hard to tell from the photo, but this shade is a kind of strange green color. This will be heading to the swap shop.

Pacifica

Natural Water-Proof Eye Pencil - Fringe

Sample size: 0.73g (Full size: $11)

"These rich water-proof, buttery smooth eye pencils glide on smooth and deliver big color pay off with every stroke. Long-lasting natural formula, provides hours of wear and contains beneficial ingredients great for the sensitive eye area."

I am always excited to try a Pacifica product, and am in need of a brown eye liner. Another win for me!

Briogeo

Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

Sample size: 1.0 fl oz (Full size: $26)

"Repair and treat dry, damaged and breaking hair with Don't Despair, Repair!™ deep conditioning mask. Fortified with ultra-hydrating avocado, sweet almond & argan oils, strengthening keratin protein, power-conditioning rosehip oil, soothing aloe, and super hair-essential vitamins B5, D, A, E and biotin. This unique complex of targeted ingredients helps increase hair elasticity and moisture to prevent breakage, promotes healthy shine and luster, and replenishes strength. Comprised of 95 percent naturally-derived ingredients. This product is free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, silicones, artificial fragrances, artificial dyes, and gluten. It is cruelty-free and contains organic ingredients."

I have a lot of hair mask type products at the moment, so I am on the fence about keeping this one. I like the smell though, and the description sounds promising.

Cailyn 

Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss - Basic Instinct

Full size sample! Sample size: 0.14 fl oz (Full Size: $19)

"CAILYN Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss delivers the stunning color impact of a lip stain and high shine of a lip gloss. This silky smooth gloss glides on your lips like butter, leaving you with a lacquer like finish."

Yay! A lip product! I am not crazy about the color, although I have yet to try it on. The value is great though!

Summary: this was a good month! I liked the products and the overall value was really good.

ipsy: http://www.ipsy.com/r/4xwr

My referral link, should you like to sign up and give me free points.  :-)

Birchbox: September 2014

So, yeah, it's December...and this is the September box. Can you guess that it's been a hectic few months?!

September was birchbox's anniversary month, and in honor of turning four they created special packing. There were three different designs, and I received the one below.

The theme was: Fresh Paint. 

The flip side had the info on the products in the box.

First look:

Now, onto the good stuff:

Harvey Prince

Hello perfume

Sample size: unknown (Full size: $55)

"Best-selling spritz that mingles cheerful citrus with floral notes. Well, hello there! Apply to pulse points and let this upbeat scent do the talking."

I'm never a fan a perfume samples, and this this a dupe from another subscription box for me. It is headed to the swap shop.

Origins

Plantscription Anti-Aging Serum

Sample size: 0.5 fl oz (Full size: $55)

"Made with exotic botanicals, this treatment firms, brightens, and wards off wrinkles. Smooth a thin layer onto face and neck after cleansing and toning. Follow with moisturizer."

I'm still debating on whether to keep this item or swap it. I may put it up and see what kind of offers I get.

Perlier

Moisturizing Body Balm in Shea Lavender

Sample size: 1.0 fl oz (Full size: $28.35)

"From the Italian skincare brand, this richly nourishing cream smooths and softens. Massage the velvety treatment into skin, focusing on dry spots."

I don't love the smell of this lotion, and I have a hand cream that I am obsessed with right now. I think I will be gifting this item to my aunt who has a lavender obsession.

Pixi

Shea Butter Lip Balm - Ripe Raspberry

Full size sample! Sample size: 4g (Full size: $8)

"Dual-purpose balm that hydrates with Shea butter and gives lips bright, buildable color. Swipe onto lips for instant moisture. Layer on for a more intense look."

I am a bit obsessed with lip products at the moment, so this is the highlight of the box for me!

Real Chemistry

Luminous 3-Minute Peel

Sample size: 0.17 fl oz (Full size: $48)

"This acid-free peel gently exfoliates for instantly softer, smoother, brighter skin. Apply to clean face and massage to slough off dull, dry skin. Rinse away."

I'm curious to try this peel out!

Summary: overall, a good box. Nothing I am super excited about, but a good mix of products - minus the perfume sample.

Birchbox:

https://www.birchbox.com/invite/hv6ks

My referral link should you like to subscribe and give me free points.  :-)

Beauty swaps (part 10)

I've officially reached 40 swaps!! And crossed another state off my list!

Thirty-seventh swap

This was a great swap for a number of reasons: (1) I was able to send away the flower earrings, (2) I love Malin+Goetz and cilantro, and (3) I crossed Vermont off my list. Also this was my 25th swap on eDivv!

I sent off the flower earrings from my last Inevitably Chic box. I swapped with Jessie for three Malin+Goetz items: cilantro conditioner, vitamin b5 moisturizer, and rum soap bar. Cannot wait to try then out!

Thirty-eighth swap

This swap was meh for me. I didn't love any of the items being offered, but I wanted to send off the polish. 

I swapped the Julep Abbie polish, and received a Lorac lipgloss in Ruby Lustre. I'm unfamiliar with this brand and I'm not feeling the color in person. I will probably be swapping it away.

Thirty-ninth swap

So, I totally forgot to take a picture of this item before swapping it. Oops. Thank you stock photo! I received this lotion in the Paris Escape Monthly box. Not being a fan of lilies - especially the scent - I hopped onto mysubscriptionaddiction to try and swap for another scent.

I sent the Institut Karité Paris Lily of the Valley hand cream to Holly, and in exchange I received the Ultra-Rich hand cream. I figured I would like the non-specific scent over the lily or rose ones.

Holly also included a note.

Fortieth swap

Finally! I found a home for Adele! For this swap I very happily sent off the Julep Adele polish I received in a mystery box awhile ago. I was starting to worry that I would ever be able to swap this polish.

In return I swapped with first time divvy'er Hilda and received a BareMinerals Ready Eyeshadow 4.0 in The Promises. This was a great trade, and I'm excited to try more BareMinerals products. 

My eDivv "shop" is: http://edivv.com/items?shop_id=936. Come swap with me!  :-)