Birchbox #3: Spotlight

I never thought I would say it (ok, maybe I did), but right now I'm too tan. Yesterday I went to the tanning bed AND I mystic-ed on top of that. And if that wasn't enough I PaulyD-ed it up. So, needless to say when I got up this morning I was a little on the, umm, "tanner" side of things. Someone told me lemon juice can help with this situation, any truth to that before I go into my kitchen and start scrubbing my body with a lemon?? I will google fact-check that, since google is so legit when it comes to that sort of thing. Anyway, Jersey Shore tan status aside, my third Birchbox came in the other day and I'm actually not waiting a whole month to post about it, haha. It was another good one, so I hope they just keep getting better. This month the "theme" was SPOTLIGHT. So let's talk about it...



Look at all these little gems inside!!



Let's talk about what's inside. SN: I know when I've done these box reviews previously I more or less just list the contents and say a few things here and there without a lot of detail or review, and that's because most of these products are things I'm just seeing or hearing about for the first time. I like to share what's in the box to maybe encourage you to want to sign up as well, and to offer my opinions here and there. When I find something I really love, then I'll do a little review post on that particular product (and there are a few of those coming up).

CONTENTS THIS MONTH:

*colorscience pro glow and go travel puff...this little things seems amazing and I think it's going to be a real winner. It's a little puff that's already pre-filled with powder so you can de-shine your face and still look all glowy without having to reapply a full face of makeup and make a big deal out of things. They come in a couple of different shades from what I understand, and I think this is a more rad alternative to the oil absorbing sheets (although they are pretty handy little guys too).

*Eye Rock designer liner...Okay, these look like the coolest things ever! I wish I would've tried them out already, but I'm waiting for a special occasion (this weekend). They are single-use stick on liner strips, so you don't have to mess with busting out the liquid liner if you don't feel like it. If these are as amazing as I'm thinking I will definitely stock up...for 2 packs of 4 it's only $13! Check out the pic below!

*Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution...first of all, who doesn't love Kiehl's?! This is basically a brightening serum thats purpose is to even out your skin tone with Vitamin C and white birch extracts. Personally, I don't have a lot of issues right now with dark spots and noticeably uneven skin tone, so I might swing this one my mom's way to try out!

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel (Sensitive)... Honestly, I've never heard of the Juice Beauty brand before so yay Birchbox for showing me something new yet again. This is an organic facial peel that contains vitamins and fruit acids to leave your skin glowing. Who doesn't want that perfect glowy complexion?! I like this especially because it is organic and meant for sensitive skin. I have had problems in the past with some masques and facial treatments leaving me red and irritated so hopefully this one works a little magic...I want that glow!

And of course there's always a few non-beauty items thrown in the mix. There was a digital download for the band Green River Ordinance (indie rock) and then a Chuao Chocolatier Spicy Maya Chocopod, which is a dark chocolate mixed with chile and cayenne pepper. Now, I am by no means a spicy food kind of gal, but my husband can take the heat so I gave him this. He said it was "pretty good", which in my husband's terminology means it was delicious. If you dig the whole spicy chocolate thing you might love these. A full size bar is $6.

Well, it's a rainy day here and knowing that I have to run out to Target and Wal-Mart in a few makes me say "mehhhh". It's a hair-up cardigan on kind of day. Hope everyone is well and I am thinking of adding a few different types of blog posts. I try to keep things "beauty" centered but as my husband and I grow together as a couple, our lives, and all the whimsy therein, may spur a few interesting posts I have a feeling, so we shall see!!

Do you have a favorite Birchbox find, or a product you want to see a review on?? I entertain ideas!

XOXO,

J.

Taming Your Tresses: Frizz

We all fight the frizz battle every now & then, and with winter (or what is supposed to be winter but feels like spring) upon us, now is the time to arm our hair against the cold chill. Here are just a few tips and tricks to maintain luscious locks regardless of the season.

*Make sure you are using the right shampoo and conditioner.

You'll want something hydrating, so my recommendation is Sebastian's Drench combination.

Sebastian also makes some great treatment masques that you can use to further hydrate, repair, or maintain your hair.

*Colorist Josh Diffenbacher recommends that you should dye your hair with a semi-permanent color because it helps to tame fly-aways: "The protein in the dye flattens the cuticle".
(note: when the hair cuticle swells is when you get frizz; you may notice this when you're out in the elements or you've blow-dryed your hair with high heat).

*Use a leave-in Conditioner.

Using a leave-in conditioner is another great tool in your arsenal when fighting the "war" against unruly hair. After shampooing, section your hair and apply a drop of leave-in conditioner to each section to make sure your cover all of your hair.





My leave-in recommendation is Bumble and bumble's leave in (rinse out) conditioner.


*Tame other fly-away areas with a smoothing serum or similar styling product.
My 2 faves are Sebastian's Potion 9 and Aveda's Smooth Infusion Glossing Treatment.

You can actually use these products on wet or dry hair. On wet hair apply the product into your hands, rub together and begin working it through your hair starting in the back. Continue by blow-drying or styling otherwise. When using on dry hair, use as more of a spot treatment. Apply a small drop of product between your hands and rub together; apply to areas in need of attention--usually fly-aways around the front hairline and through the hair ends.

*When blow drying, use a diffuser.

Set your blow dryer on a low speed/high heat and hold 3-5 inches away from your head until your hair is dry (keeping the dryer moving, not concentrated in one particular area to avoid burning your scalp). Use your fingers to work through your hair, instead of a coarse brush or comb.

I hope some of these little tid bits help you out, let me know in the comments if you have any other tips or secrets to taming that frizz and what some of your favorite products are!!

BONUS JONAS:
Can we all please take a minute to relive last night's David Beckham-H&M-SuperBowl Commercial-Hotness??! Yes. Yes we can.

XOXO,

J.



Birchbox #2: Clarity.

Wow, January got a little more busy than I anticipated. Between school and work ( been working with an amazing photog on some rad shoots) I haven't had time to catch up on everything else. I mean, here it is 3 days into February and I am just now reviewing my January Birchbox (and it's a good one too!). So let's cut to the chase...here's my review on January's BB.



Clarity is this month's "title/theme"



And you open up the box and see....

So, let me just tell you what all came in the box and you will understand why it's so rad...

• a Larabar mini bar...an all natural bar of dried fruits and nuts...like a luna bar...yummy and good for you.
• Stila Smudge Stick (looks full size!)...it's a waterproof eyeliner in a pretty deep purple shade (purple long). I love Stila eyeliner, not only because the colors are gorgeous, and this purple really is a great alternative to black, but they last a really long time with very minimal smudging. A definite recommendation to pick one up for yourself!

• 

  Stila Smudgestick in Purple Long

  Jouer Body Butter...love this stuff too! It's really good for rough patches of skin, like the elbows. It's made with shea and olive and avocado oils, so it's great for the winter months when you're skin is feeling a little under-moisturized.
• Borghese CuraForte Moisture Instensifier...a serum you apply before you moisturize, or you can mix it in with your favorite lotion to give it a little boost. I honestly haven't tried this one yet but it sounds amazing and maybe I will do a little review on this product alone.
• Sample of Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy fragrance...okay, who doesn't love this. Don't really need to say more.
• And, as a little Bonus Jonas, if you will, there was also a little Birchbox logo magnet. Cute.

So, that was January's box, and February's box will be here next week I believe. That's exciting stuff in my little world of glam! I hope everyone has a stellar weekend, and I will try and post a little something something this weekend since it's a 3 day one for me!!

XOXO,

J.