Birchbox: Power Play.

POWER PLAY: Noun. \'pau(-e)r 'pla\

A move that puts an individual in a position of victory and strength...and/or maximizes one's happiness or confidence...and allows for extreme freedom.

((ok, so the phonetics may not have worked out correctly as I typed them, but I do fancy that definition))

Do you ever think you are starting to be on top of things...work, cleaning, organizing, what have you?? I totally had that moment and then when my August Birchbox came in today I was going to write my open box thoughts/review and realized that I never posted anything on July. I blame the Royal Baby...oh Royal Baby.

Then I remembered that I did in fact take pictures of the July open box, but that they were on my android and I now have the iphone...so the best I can do is offer my thoughts on this one, guys.

**CONTENTS**

*Kerastase Fondant Chroma Captive-Treat.Hair products...oh my indifference yet snobbiness to them. This one claims to use ionic technology to keep hair color shiny and vibrant for up to 40 days longer than if you didn't use it. Sorry, but I am a pretty much a creature of habit and already gave this to my mom.

*ModelCo FIBRE LASHXTEND Lenghtening Mascara

Mascara. Sweet, sweet Jesus I am a mascara whore. Yes, whore. This fiber mascara is actually really nice, and they sent me the full size which retails for $24. The formula is a little wet in comparison to my other daily mascaras, but it is also quite buildable and workable to get that separation and lengthening effect. I do like this better than Maybelline Falsies for the record.

*theBalm cosmetics InStain Long-Wearing Powder Staining Blush

I am forever smitten with theBalm cosmetics, so I always love seeing them in my Birchbox. This one is a long wear blush that really does last all day, even if you don't set it with setting spray!! A little goes a long way too, so a $22 full size price isn't too too crazy considering that. Oh a swatch, a swatch, my kingdom for a swatch. Check out their site to see all the radness...believe me, all of their products are amaze.

*BENTA BERRY G-1 Moisturizing Face Cream

This is a french brand, so I was excited to try, although I haven't yet. I actually just tossed it in my bathroom drawer to be next in line for use I do believe. It is supposed to both hydrate and purify because of the ingredients of blueberry and dead nettle...interesting combination, huh?? Full size is $22 so I may do further investigation on this. Right now I am so in love with my Origins Vitazing moisturizer.

*BIRCHBOX bobbypins

They're fun and glittery and who doesn't need extra bobby pins. ::especially ones that sparkle::

There you have it. I have already unboxed the August box and taken photos. My husband received his second Birchbox man box this month and let me tell you, the male boxes are incredible...so much good stuff and he uses almost all of it!!!! It's $20/month vs. the $10/month for BB classic, but seems so worth it so far. I'm hoping he will give me some reviews on some things too so I can post from a male perspective!!

Hope everyone is set up for a fabulous weekend.

XO,

J <3.

"Keep your head up, or else the crown falls"

Birchbox: Best Year Ever & Updates.

     Happy 6 weeks old to my sweet little nephew!!! January is flying by, oh my goodness. I feel like there is oh so much to do and hardly the time to do it...and let's face it, I don't foresee giving up nap time when it does become available ;) I'm glad to be back in the studio working on different shoots, and I was able to work with a new photographer last weekend. I'm looking forward to building my portfolio and also have a few part time "job" jobs potentially lined up...it's all about marketing yourself I suppose. I am also in the process of revamping my kit and incorporating a few new product lines for client use...it's taking some time though, so somedays I feel like I should stick a big "under construction" sign on my train case. Keeping with the updating things, the husband and I have been slowly, but surely, redecorating the house and it seems to be coming together. Right now I'm a little obsessed with finding the right couch throw pillows...it's like a legit mission...and when I do find some I like, the hubs doesn't...and it always reminds me of the year we got in a fight in the middle of Target over which Christmas wrapping paper to get...it was like war in the seasonal section. We truly do fight over the most dumb things...never money, vacations, etc etc...throw pillows and wrapping paper...and each other's shoe purchases. Change is big for us this year too, we have some exciting things in the works, and the hubs starts his new job very soon, so naturally I am quite proud of my permanent roommate.

Onto January's Birchbox, titled "Best Year Ever", and here is hoping for just that!!

Box Contents



*Aerie Shimmer Fragrance... A blend of bergamot, peony and vanilla.

*Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre 24-hour Miracle Cream... Now, I love discovering new, great skin care lines/products, but I must admit that the word "embryo" in Embryolisse was a tad bit off-putting, maybe it's just me...This is a french brand (supposedly a favorite of models and makeup artists...we will see about that!). It is a moisturizer that heals dryness and leaves skin primed for foundation. Now, I have talked to a few makeup artist friends/colleagues who have said they have of recent been using a BB cream instead of a silicone based primer. I haven't tried this yet, although I did have the intention of doing so. A good primer can be pricey...I prefer the line by Smashbox and those by Victoria Secret. I do love a good BB cream, and of course something in that category by Garnier or L'Oreal would be a much more affordable alternative to a primer if your skin does respond effectively to it. So, if this moisturizer can act as a primer as it claims, it is only $16 for a full size product, which falls at the middle point, monetarily speaking, between a primer and BB cream. (for the most part anyway). I shall put this product in my "To try" box.

*Number 4 Clarifying Shampoo... I always say this, so excuse any comment that may be broken record-esque...I am always skeptical about new shampoos and conditioners...this is a clarifying shampoo by the brand Number 4, which I was not familiar with until receiving this sample product. It has a "low-suds" formula that removes any buildup without stripping hair of essential oils. It's $32 for a full-size bottle, so, even without trying it, right now I say "mehh".

*theBalm cosmetics Hot Mama... Yesss...I love theBalm cosmetics...they make some of my favorite products so I was pretty excited to get this little gem. This is a 2-in-1 blush/highlighter. It is a really pretty pigment with a subtle golden shimmer. I've swatched it below, but believe me, the swatch does not do it justice!! And a full-size is only $20, which is a great price for the product quality...check out their website for sure.

*Deborah Lippmann the Stripper to Go... This was a scented nail polish remover mitt (finger sized mitt) that was supposed to have a sweet scent and make changing your polish super easy. Notice my use of the past tense "was"??...yeah, I tried this out, and for the Deborah Lippman brand I was surprisingly disappointed. The package label said it was equipped with enough of the solution to remove polish from 10 nails, I think I got through 6 nails when there was no hope for attempting the other 4 with this mitt contraption. I was actually trying to take of the polish in the picture above, light gray and one accent blue nail (OPI's French Quarter for Your Thoughts and Dating a Royal...two faves!!). So, I had to hunt down a bottle of acetone and finish them up. Also, there was no sweet smell that I could detect; just your everyday finger nail polish remover smell. I much prefer the little container of remover that you just stick your finger in and twist...I'll be sticking with that. Sorry DL.

I hope everyone is having a great week thus far!! If you had a different content list for your January BB share below, or let me know if you have any fave products similar to those mentioned above!!
XO,
J.



Birchbox: Transformations

     My October Birchbox came in the mail today!! (also packages from eBay and Urban Decay, so yeah buddy)...I was good about posting my first impressions on the September box last month, so I figured why not post on the same day again! There's lots of exciting stuff coming up, exciting to me anyway, so I want to make sure I start managing the blog more regularly; make sure to subscribe to this blog to be updated! Let's see, I've had Birchbox for about a year, if not already a year now, and there's only been one or two boxes I wasn't amazingly thrilled by. At first I thought this box was going to be less than ideal, but 2 little products salvaged those thoughts so I will label October's box as a winner!

Box contents.


*Lucy B Pink Frangipani & Wild Jasmine Roll-On Perfume Oils ...These perfume oils are made from the essences of Australian flowers, and you can wear them separately or blend them together.  I haven't tried them yet since I'm already scented up for the day, but I used to work in a custom scent shop and I remember liking the way frangipani smelled when blended with other aromatics.

*Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel ...I've heard of this brand but I've never actually tried it. This is actually a frizz fighting gel to keep hair manageable. You put in on your hair while it's damp, and it enhances hair's natural texture. I don't have lots of frizz problems, just the occasional day or two, but this problem made me think of my mom since we try several different products when I do her tri-weekly blowouts and style, so I'm thinking I might try this out and update later.

theBalm cosmetics Mary-Lou Manizer ...I had a total MUA OMG (Makeup Artist's Oh-My-Gaw) moment when I saw this. First, I have seen and heard amazing things about this makeup line and have been wanting to get my hands on it for sometime. Now I finally have my chance with this 3-in-1 highlighter, shadow and all-over shimmer. I'm already in love with the champagne shade (I should have swatched this!). Plus, look at the packaging, it's adorable! All of their packaging is amazing and I can't wait to try and write about more from this line!



theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer.

*Vivita Pro: Vitamins A15 and C10 ...These are little capsules you twist open and smooth over your face and neck. The concentrated Vitamin C brightens your skin tone and the Vitamin A refines your pores. I will be trying these because I think my skin needs a little extra dose of something to keep it healthy and radiant during this shift into cooler weather.
*LUNA Protein bar: Chocolate Peanut Butter ...this was actually the other redeeming quality of the box at first glance, before reading into the other products. I love LUNA bars, and I was hungry when I opened this up this morning so it was a good on-the-spot snack fix. The flavor was yummy, I can vouch for that right now, and I recommend LUNA bars 100%. SN: you can usually get a good deal on boxes at Target!

Hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather, aside from sinuses and dry skin/hair. I'm looking forward to getting my new hair extensions this week and Melting Pot on Saturday with my husband to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary. Right now, CSI is on and Nick Stokes (played by George Eades) is calling my name!
XOXO,
J.



Birchbox: Jet Set.

In pretty much true "pretty and clever" fashion, my Birchbox review is not being posted in the most timely of manners. But, I will catch up and be super up to date...it will happen!! This is the summary for the June box; and as I was dealing with a wonky camera situation, I have no pictures!! Ahh! But, I will still break down the box and offer my opinion as I deem necessary. July's box was really cool, so I will get on that too ;)...about June...

Here's the breakdown:
*beautyblender blender cleanser...no not make a milkshake blender...a beauty blender sponge! This is a soy based product used to keep your makeup sponges and brushes in their best condition. Have not tried this yet as I have a specific brush regimen, but it's worth a shot because you never know what product is going to be the next great find.
*Comodynes Self-Tanning Intensive...well, you may or may not know my opinion on tanning...let's just say I dig a nice tan. However, I seem to have dumb luck when it comes to mystic/spray tans, etc. So, the idea of a self-tanning towelette kind of makes me apprehensive, and with my current salon job I don't want to screw the whole thing up and have oompa loompa elbows, feet, what have you, so I might lay low on this until I do further research and read additional reviews. If you've used this item, please share your thoughts/experience...
*COOLA Cucumber Matte Mineral Face SPF 30...now, this sounds/looks promising...it's a facial sunscreen that is loaded with antioxidants and is said to leave a shine-free finish. I'm always looking for great face stuff, especially a good SPF since there are so many summer activities happening. I actually have an outdoor concert I'm going to next week (311...bring on the Nick Hex, yessss), so I will give this a try then. A full-size bottle is $36, so we'll see if it's worth it's cost.
*Jouer Luminating Moisture Tint...It's Jouer...need I say more?? I love them! This is a tinted moisturizer that gives you that dewy, glowy (not sweaty, greasy) finish. Love. Love. And you too can have the full-size bottle of love for $38!
*theBalm cosmetics Stainiac in Beauty Queen...who doesn't love a good lip stain??! And it's 2-in-1 so you can use it on your cheeks as well. The color is more subtle than say, a tarte lip stain. But I like that it is light weight; I'm actually wearing it right now. The Beauty Queen shade is a red berry color, but since it isn't heavily pigmented it gives a fresh hint of color that compliments your natural lip color. $17 for the full-size stain, which is a pretty good deal as far as lip stains of this quality go.
*Modcloth headband...exactly what it sounds like...it's a scarf material headband. Nothing to positive/negative to say. It will be stored with the rest of my accessories more than likely. The one that came in my box is red with white polka dots, so it has a vintage appeal to it...I just don't wear a lot of red right now, so we'll see what I pair it with.
* John Varvatos Star USA...this was a Birchbox Man Extra, so I did the wifely thing and passed it on to my husband. It's described as a "dapper cologne"...(who doesn't love the word 'dapper') with a blend of ginger, juniper, berries and vetiver. I asked my husband for his review and he said "It's not bad"...there you have it! Such a detailed man answer, and manswer if you will.

I've said it before but I shall reiterate...If you love trying new products and receiving little gems and goodies every month then definitely check out Birchbox.com to see what they're all about, and if you do receive a box, let me know if you post reviews somewhere!
Hope everyone is having a great week, and be sure to log on to Facebook, search for the page "Wonderland Artistry", and hit that LIKE button for extra links, photos and more!!
XO,
J.