Birchbox- February 2013 Shipment

The February 2013 Birchbox, the "Red Carpet Ready" edition, is inspired by all the major award shows that February brings, not to mention that lovely holiday smack dab in the middle of the month.  Here is some insight into the picks that Katia, Hayley and the Birchbox team packed up this month.

This Birchbox included 5 items as follows:

• Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle (Sample size; Full size: $21.95) Great for all hair types, this nourishing elixir performs 7 hair-healing functions.  Among them: locking in color, adding shine, and instant detangling.

• Jouer Matte Moisture Tint in Nude (.07 fl oz/2.3 ml; full size $38) This SPF 15 oil-free tinted moisturizer blends in beautifully to even out skin and control shine.

• Kiehl's Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream (0.25 fl oz/7 ml; full size $52) The latest anti-aging treatment to rock our world, this new moisturizer is loaded with copper and calcium to restore elasticity and reduce wrinkles.

• Oscar de la Renta - Live in Love (Full size $25-78) Fragrance devotees adore this elegant floral, which layers ethereal notes of hyacinth and orchid over a rich base of sandalwood and cedar.

• Extra! Ghirardelli - Milk & Caramel Square - Thanks Birchbox for giving me my first taste of Valentine's Day chocolate.

Overall rating:  Booyah! for introducing me to a great hair care and skincare product.  Beauty Protector works wonders on my curly hair and the Kiehl's cream is a welcome addition to my night care regimen.

As always, Birchbox monthly shipments cost $10 (birchbox.com).  Access to the online Birchbox magazine is included with this month's features on Pantone's 2013 Color of the Year, Hollywood Hair, as well as insights on Red Carpet-Inspired manicures and insider tips on how to primp like a star.

July 2012 BeautyBar.com/Allure Sample Society Shipment

Allure Magazine has partnered with BeautyBar.com in launching a beauty sampling program.  Each monthly shipment costs $15 dollars and contains 5 deluxe samples as well as a $15 gift code for a future purchase, and a booklet of tips.  If you end up using the code, the box pays for itself.

The July 2012 shipment contained the following:

• Borghese - Tono Body Creme (1 oz/28 g; full size 8.4 oz/$36.50) - An extra-rich treatment creme that locks in hydration with moisture intensifying molecules. 
  The body is veiled in invisible moisture, which becomes obvious in both the appearance and texture of the skin.
  Firms and smoothes skin tone.
  Features & Benefits:
  • Fennel, Witch Hazel, Matricaria, Horse Chestnut and Ivy Extracts - Hydrate skin and improve tone and texture
  • Acqua di Vita Living Water Complex - Restores all-over moisture balance
  • Peppermint, Rosemary, Lavender and Geranium Oils - Treat the senses to aromatherapy

• VBeauté- Eye Never Nourishing Repair Eye Crème (0.033 fl oz/1 ml sample; full size $85) - VBeaute Eye Never is an age-defining, line concealing eye cream that immediately smoothes and silkens the delicate skin around the eyes, minimizing the appearance of puffiness, lines and wrinkles. Formulated with the brand's powerful age-defying complexes, this eye cream boosts collagen production while protecting against free radical damage. At the same time, it helps increase moisture and relax muscle contractions to help prevent future signs of aging.

• Sisley-Paris - Hydra Global Intense Anti-Aging Hydration (0.14 oz/4g/4ml sample; full size 40ml/$250) - 


If you are suffering from major skin dehydration, turn to Sisley Hydra Global Intense Anti-Aging Hydration. Developed with a three-tiered approach to treatment, this formula uses botanical, mineral and aromatic extracts to replenish skin’s thirsty moisture cushion in the epidermis, dermis and stratum corneum layers of the skin. Skin is left intensely moisturized and revitalized, so that wrinkles and line lines are minimized and elasticity and youthful appearance are restored.
• Hydrating anti-aging skin treatment
• Utilizes botanical, mineral and aromatic extracts
• Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
• Restores skin’s elasticity and youthful appearance
Especially Suited For: All skin types
Essential Elements: Hydra Global features a unique combination of botanical (padina pavonica, wild pansy and chestnut), mineral (malachite) and aromatic extracts (essential oils of marjoram, lavender and sage) to hydrate and restore skin.
For Best Effect:Use Hydra-Global morning and night, on perfectly cleansed face and neck.

• Vincent Longo - Duo Eye Pencil - Sangria/White Glimmer (Full size 0.64 oz/1,81g/$26) - Smile your way through a glitzy event or a stop at the coffee shop with Vincent Longo’s Duo Lip Pencil. Providing you with maximum creativity and minimal guesswork, this smudge-resistant pencil is easy to apply and long-lasting. The soft texture and rich pigment allow for precise definition and shaping.
  
  
  • Sharpens without breakage
  • Non-chapping
  • Long-lasting
  • Smudge-resistant
  
  
  Available in 10 duo shades, this lip pencil has proven staying power that holds your lip color in place and eliminates bleeding.

• Jouer - Luminizing Moisture Tint SPF 20 (0.17 fl oz/5 ml sample; full size $38) - 
Jouer Cosmetics Luminizing Moisture Tint SPF 20 evens out imperfections and fades the appearance of fine lines with its light-diffusing multi-mineral formula. This lightweight, water-resistant, hypoallergenic tint features SPF 20 to protect from UVA and UVB rays while ginseng and gingko biloba leaf extract deliver antioxidants to the skin, promoting a healthy complexion.
• Moisturizing brightening tint formulated with SPF 20
• Evens out imperfections and fades the appearance and fine lines
• Water-resistant, hypoallergenic and oil-free
Especially Suited For: All skin types
Essential Elements: SPF 20 protects from UVA and UVB rays while ginseng and gingko biloba leaf extract deliver antioxidants to skin.
Free of: Fragrance, oil
For Best Effect: Apply to clean skin to even out skin tone. Layer for additional coverage.

Here are swatches of the tinted moisturizer and the duo lip pencil:




Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint; Vincent Longo Duo Lip Pencil Sangria, White Glimmer

Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint - blended; Vincent Longo Duo Lip Pencil Sangria, White Glimmer

July's tips:

1. Moisturize Your Body Like a Pro
2. How to Hide Crow's Feet
3. The Three Things Dry Skin Hates
4. Bold Lip Lessons
5. Look Good When You Oversleep

Overall rating: Booyah!

Membership is limited so if you get the chance to join the Sample Society, I highly recommend it.