samples

Sephora Score: history of a beauty junkie

- Mel

I set out to replace my Clarisonic brush head… and ended up WITH ALL THIS.

{The Lasting Impression It Kit (sephora gift) / samples from Clinique, Kate Somerville & Bliss / Clarisonic Replacement Brush Head Twin-Pack (Deep Pore) / Fresh Sugar Soiree Mini Lip Collection / NARS Essentials Set (beauty insider perk)}

Isn’t that how it always goes? I JUST NEED THIS ONE THING. But Sephora wants to give you 20 Things. Samples rule; I’m not mad. And I’m not the only one, I’m sure, who LOVES the extra goodies — being a Beauty Insider has definite rewards. That Lasting Impression Kit has, like, 15 different deluxe-sized products. Although, I’m probably all set on primers now. I’ve never tried a NARS product, but friends rave about the lip pencils. I saved up my Beauty Points to finally snag a decent 500 points gift. Time to build that account back up again! *smirk*

Sephora and Target are the same type of bank account killer: you go in for necessities, yet can never leave without dropping at least $100. True story.

Also, I have to mention these Fresh Sugar lip tints: OBSESSED.

ob·ses·sion/əbˈseSHən/
Noun: 1. The state of being obsessed with someone or something.
2. An idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind.

Yes, it’s exactly like that. I’m pretty sure there’s no cure. Naturally, I only wanted one color (Berry), but since I love the product so much, I splurged on the collection. These lip treatments have replaced my chapstick habit, for serious.

My last Birchbox…

- Mel

You know that instinct when something is just not “clicking.” That’s been the relationship between me and Birchbox for, well, longer than I care to admit. Yet, I continued on, hoping that “things” would change. Those “things” mind you, were the possibility of receiving ACTUAL makeup. 

birchbox box

The monthly beauty subscription boxes were fun at first, but the excitement quickly faded. And all I was left with was yet another face moisturizer and smaller-than-a-sample size of hair treatment. Meh. 

Last month, I said goodbye to Birchbox… of course, they were still a little attached to me and my credit card — charging me for my monthly subscription and sending me the box anyway. To BB’s credit, the amount was refunded, but not until after canceling again, submitting a cancellation survey, emailing their customer service… and then tweeting about it. Again, meh. 

PS: This is one of several issues that I’ve had with their site. A prior problem was showing double items in my cart & I couldn’t remove the extra for days. And another wouldn’t let me use my points (again, eventually corrected itself).

Without further ado, the contents of the final box — JET SET box:
Faux lashes – winks by Georgie » LOVE faux lashes. SUCK at faux lashes. I can’t hate getting another pair to practice once again, however.
Shampoo – Hair Rules » yet another hair sample. BORING.
Packaged face cleanser wipes – La Fresh » I’ll use these. Straight to the skate bag!
Stainiac – theBalm cosmetics » haven’t used yet, but added it to all the other lip things that I hope to use one day. I just love my sugar fresh too much to use anything else right now.
BONUS: a printed plastic travel pouch from tili. I’ll use this, for sure. 

For what it’s worth, I would definitely recommend the sample subscription service — it’s fun and a surprise at only $10 a month. I’m just underwhelmed by the promise of AWESOME THINGS and frequently disappointed in return. 

Alas, for now I bid adieu, Birchbox!

Birchbox: an underwhelming month of beauty

- Mel


November Birchbox time! 

And that’s about all the exclamation points I’m going to type about that. Again, I’m kind of underwhelmed with the sum of my monthly box, but there are a couple “treats” that make the monthly subscription still worthy.

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Gold Ultra Restorative Capsules – eh. unless this is some magic serum… oh, it seems that it is. Thanks, Internet!
Guerlain Shalimar Parfum Initial – Meh. Bored with perfume samples. Would have liked something more “luxurious.” Like, some Secret de Purete makeup remover. *wink*
Thymes Eucalyptus Body Lotion & Kimono Rose Body Lotion – already had a sample of this from a hotel I’ve stayed in, in the last year or two. Love the smell; perfect for my guest bath. Looking at the ingredients, I don’t think I can use it (eczema).
Zoya nail polish in Sooki – in natural light, the formula appears more orange-red than the better-matched blue-red that I can pull off, but I’m eager to try just because I LOVE NAIL POLISH!
TREAT: Two Paper Dolls Ampersand Coasters – cute. They’ll look much better on my vanity desk than my beer coasters.

Interested in Birchbox? Check out the awesomeness.