April Birchbox 2016

Good Morning! Today I bring my review of this month's Birchbox which I wish I was more excited for the products in it as I was for the design of the box. Rifle Paper Co. designed this box for this month and it's definitely going to be re-purposed (I was thinking maybe for sheet mask and mini mask samples?)

Acure Organics Pore Minimizing Facial Scrub: Probably my least favorite product in this box. Although it deeply cleans the skin well and slightly exfoliates it, I couldn't get over the smell. It might have just been me, but I feel like it almost has a curry smell to it (it might have been the Moroccan red clay that's in the scrub). I stopped using it because of the smell. But if you don't mind the smell, I do think this is a great facial scrub that does, as it says, cleaning out impurities and leaving the skin clear and soft.

Benefit Cosmetics the POREfessional face primer: It wouldn't be a monthly subscription box without one. This primer is much loved for a reason. It reduces the appearance for pores, oil- free and provides a matte base before putting on makeup. I've heard that the NYX's pore filler primer is a drugstore dupe for this if you wanted to spend less money but get the same results. However, I never personally tried the nyx primer so that's a whole other post.

Davines OI All in One Milk: As mentioned from my previous birchbox review, I'm not a big fan of putting product in my hair very often. It's described in the card that this is a "leave-in treatment" that adds "volume, shine, detangling, and heat protection".  I've tried using this product on it's own when my hair was towel dried and just for fun tried to spray some after curling my hair to give it added shine. Overall, this product didn't do much for me. I feel like I was adding unnecessary product for something that my hair didn't need.

The Beauty Crop PBJ Smoothie Stick- Guava Nice Day: I really adore the packaging and appreciate clever puns such as this one. I also love the convenience of chubby lipsticks as in how it doesn't require too much work and is very easy to reapply. The pigmentation is fantastic and give a graceful stain to the lips. It goes on the lips smooth and even though it a bold magenta, it comes off muted and soften berry. Smell is not my favorite  and neither is the color unfortunately. I only seem to wear this when I have it paired up with a deeper berry or mauve color put in the middle. However, I think the product and formulation is great. I'm just not a fan of the color. But hey, maybe I'll eventually branch out of my comfort zone this summer and wear more pinks.

Juliette Has A Gun- Not a Perfume: I saved the best for last. I wouldn't have thought that a perfume sample would be my favorite thing in this box this month. This "perfume" has one single ingredient in it which is Cetalox. This is also allergen free and described as elegant, minmalistic and pur. I'm not a big perfume girl but this is so light and simple but has a little bit of spice to it to give it a little something extra. The only downside is that it lasts for about 5-6 hours. I've gotten so many compliments this month wearing this perfume and I'm considering buying a rollerball to carry in my bag. I'm obsessed with this and I definitely recommend getting a sample from Sephora just to try it out.

Overall not my favorite box this month but I will say that perfume is going to be my staple this spring and summer. Did any of these products in particular caught your interest? Let me know down below♥

Battle of the Liners

As much as I love lipsticks, a close second is liner. I still manage to look like I'm 16 at 24 so liner really does help my eye s and perk it up a bit. I remember starting off with the e.l.f Expert Liquid Liner and for a $2 liner (in Target it's a $1) it works fantastically and gives you great control to create the perfect wing. Although the e.l.f one has worked perfectly for me, it doesn't dry down fully matte and you don't get much product so I wanted to branch out to other products and test of their performance. Is it worth the money?

On positive note, all of these liners don't fail in pigmentation. However the performance does differ.

Let's start with my least favorite and make our way towards the top (kind of)

#5 Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2 in 1 Lash Boosting eyeliner and serum:

I bought this on the spur of the moment hoping it would be a dupe for Kat Von D's liner. The pen has a fine tip brush (very similar to the Kat Von D) and gives great control when making a perfected wing. I find that this one doesn't last all day on me and the wings kind of "fly away" (haha I'm so lame). It's more of a liquid-y liner and doesn't dry down fully matte so that may have been the reasons why.

#4 Benefit "They're Real!" Push- Up Liner: Ugh. I have a love/ hate relationship with this product. I love it because it's a gel liner in a pen form but I also hate it for the same reason. The positive points: it's stays on all day and drys down to a matte intense black. However, every time I go to use this, I have to swipe it a couple of times on the back of my hand because it will sometimes be too liquid-y. I also have to swipe it so it lines up perfectly with the angle tip so you're not putting a chunk of gel liner on your lid. I also find it very difficult to make a wing with this liner so I only use this on days when I want it wider on the outer corners. to make my eyes bigger. I really love the look of gel liner but I don't know if it's worth the investment for something that you have to keep wasting product on. For that matter, I rather take more time to actually practice with gel liner.

#3 Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner: This isn't a bad liner. But definitely not my favorite. So let's start with the positives. It has great control and precision to create a wing. Although it does stay on all day, I feel like the black color fades away and sometimes will occasionally feather out with initial application. I'm happy I finally gave this a shot but it's not the liner for me but it might be for others.


Okay so here's my top 2

#2 Jordana Color Stay Envy Liquid Liner:  This might be my favorite drugstore liner ( I think it's around $1.50 but I can only find it on amazon for $6). If you can find this at you're local dollar store, pick it up. This liner is no joke. It gives intense, black color, drys down matte and will not budge. The fine brush tip makes easy wings but the wings won't fade away or smudge off. However, I will say to not pick up the colored ones. I find that those do not off the same pigmentation as the black liner and you would have to keep going back over the color. Overall, this product is a major win especially with the price tag!

#1 Kat Von D Tattoo Liner:  I think this liner is worth the hype. It has everything you want from a black liner. The only downside is that hefty price tag ($19). But I love how easy the application of this liner is but how it makes it look like you've done more work than you actually did. I feel like the brush tip gives great precision for wings and getting close to the lash line whether you want it to be a thick or thin line. I wish I didn't like this as much as I did, but hey it happens right?

Honorable Mentions (for the non liquid liners):

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Liner:  I seriously want to collect these like they're candy. These are incredible. They do not budge but it does give you enough time to smudge it out. I'm so intrigued to try the rest of the colors in the collection now.

midnight bue// jade

Of course there's other great liners out there. So what are your favorites? Anyone drugstore hidden gems that I should know about?

♥

April Favorites 2016 (and a few random shout outs)

Just as predicted (or at least for me) April flew by so quickly. I went to IMATS, became a server and continue to ate a lot of hummus (mostly at midnight). The products I've been using this month start to work in with the idea of simplicity and require minimal work. As it gets warmer out, I like to attempt to keep my beauty regime simple so everything doesn't melt off my face. I say attempt, because I still loving using my eye liners (dedicated post coming to you soon!) Here are my favorite products for the month of April.

How cute are the little succulent plants? Not even real. They we're $3 from Target and I figured it went with the whole Spring theme. But really I just love succulents too and I'm bound to collect more and become a crazy plant lady.

MBA Cosmetics Blushing Bouduet in Garden Bouquet:

I got this blush from IMATS and I'm so glad I bought it. I'm obsess with the terracotta color and warmth it gives to my cheeks so essentially it's great to work in as a bronzer as well. It stays on all day plus the floral design is adorable and fits with spring (I might have mentioned in the last post that I have an obsession with floral designs) . I think I got this between $12-$14 so in the mid-range area but I truly believe is worth it especially for the amount of product you're getting and is an excellent color for the spring and summer.

Bobbi Brown Face Mist: 

I really love products that you're able to multi-task with, I purchased this Bobbi Brown setting spray during the VIB sale. It's a little pricey, but I was out of setting spray and I figured I give this a shot. I like this setting spray because it doesn't feel too much like "hairspray" on your face. It's sets it while hydrating it which I never knew would have felt so refreshing. I have used this as a primer and it works perfectly. Plus, this smells like chamomile tea which I find very relaxing. I know that can be and acquired taste for some, but if you have a few extra bucks and looking for a hydrating setting spray, give this one a shot.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Liquid in Light Ivory (091):

I was hoping to not fall in love with a new foundation. But for a comfortable, full coverage foundation that last all day, this rimmel one will be a game changer. I have tried applying this with a foundation brush but it came off too streaky. However, with my Real Technique's beauty sponge, it's flawless but not "cakey". It covers so well, that I forget to cover up my acne with concealer (and you know I love using my Urban Decay concealer when I can). There's is a bit of a floral scent to it but nothing overpowering and the scent doesn't last all day. It says it's sweat and humidity proof. I've put this out to the test on my serving nights, which requires going back and forth from the kitchen and this foundation holds up perfectly. I'm excited to see how well it does in the actual summer sun. So far it's a major win. 

I'm all about the brighter eyes in the spring months (do the starry lights make it obvious?) So I went back to these two cult drugstore classics. The Rimmel scandal eyes eyeliner in Nude is great for the waterline and works well with opening up the eyes without being as harsh as white. Another classic is the Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser for Dark Circles. I really love this especially when the whether gets warmer since it's essential to the lazy girl routine. . 

Besame Brightening Face Powder in Vanilla:

This Besame setting powder has been my favorite for a while actually but when I want to stay matte especially in the warmer months, I've been gravitating towards. It says translucent but it is a pale yellow powder so it helps with brightening up the skin and is great for setting the undereyes since it's finely milled. Plus it smells like delicious vanilla (you know me and my love for products that smell like food).

RANDOM FAVES:

On a side note, I'm a avid mug collector (hold me back the day when I get my own kitchen). So I saw this Betsey Johnson mug (love her style) and it was on sale at Micheal's plus another 20% off so I got it for $5! Yes I could have just save that $5 for something else, but it's so adorable and the handle looks like a heart and it's so spring and perfection. Maybe it's just me but I truly believe the mug and it's level of fun-ness depends on the day you're going to have. It's important to have small things like this to keep the positive vibes going !

LIPCOLOR OF THE MONTH:
NYX Whipped Lip and Cheek Souffle in Coco Bean:

I can't seem to get myself away from the browny/mauve colors even though we're heading into spring. I've grown for a huge love for this product for it's multitasking purposes. They do have other colors that are brighter and more "spring type" (I'm thinking the Coral color will be my next purchase) but this cocoa bean color really gravitated me. These are a mousse like texture and work perfectly as a lip tint and cheek tint. This color in particular really warms up the cheeks well. The only bad thing is that the longevity isn't the best but that's what you get for a lip tint. Aside from that, I think these are quick and easy to have in the warmer months that really cut down on my makeup routine but still giving a "little something". Add bonus: it smells like vanilla frosting.

MUSIC OF THE MONTH:

Alabama Shakes. Obsessed with their laid back sound even though some of their songs have a kick to it. I feel like every time I hear a new song from them, I instantly fall in love with it. Such a unique style and band. My personal favorites so far have been "Always Alright" and "I Found You". Great tunes and definitely give them a listen.

How was your April? Any favorite lip colors this month? Or food? Or anything that just really made you happy? Share your thoughts down below
♥