Saturday, February 14, 2015

February Birchbox Unboxing!!


One of my favorite Birchbox's yet!  Check out why!



Here's my Birchbox this month!


Product Information:



Reviews:

- Beauty Protector: Love this product!

- Derma e: I really don't need another scrub, so I'll be putting this in an upcoming giveaway (stay tuned!). No review for this.

- Juicy Couture Hollywood Royal: Love this scent! Its fresh, a little fruity, and totally sassy!

- Marcelle Gentle Makeup Remover: Great for sensitive skin and highly effective at removing even waterproof mascara!

- theBalm Lip Gloss in Read My Lips: Fantastic color.  Highly moisturizing.  Will definitely consider investing in a full size when the time comes!

If you would like to score 5 awesome samples every month, earn points toward products you love, and to party it up, then check out Birchbox's monthly subscription (affiliate link)!  


Its only $10/month! Plus, by reviewing your samples & posting to social media, you can earn up to $6/ month toward products in the Birchbox store! SWEET!

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

My Foray into Fashion Part #3: A Little Striped Dress & Makeup Of The Day!


I love this dress!  I scored it from the GAP on clearance, and with my $10 off from Birchbox's December Box, it was only $8.00!!  Its a fantastic stretchy dress with pockets and 3/4 sleeves! I feel really cute in this dress.  It stops just above my knees, is totally comfortable, and quite versatile!  And for once, I'm happy to be in clothing that hugs my curves a little bit! I'm totally in love!


I paired this dress with a stunning statement necklace I got in my Rocksbox for January.


I had the best time doing my makeup for this outfit!  

I tried out extremely subtle contouring with the larger brushes from the Bellange Brush Set I've been using in preparation for an upcoming review!  I used Bareminerals Bronzer, Blush and Finishing Powder. (My new homework assignment is to get serious with the contouring practice!)



I decided to draw on the bright red in my dress so I played up my lips with L'Oreal Colour Riche Lippy in #304 Ruby Opera.

I complimented my bright lip with a nude shadow on my eyelid and a very black cat eye.  I used Benefit's They're Real Liner and Mascara to achieve the effect.


Thanks for accompanying me on this journey of self-acceptance, fashion and beauty!  I hope that something I shared here has inspired you to try something new, too!
     

Monday, February 9, 2015

Beauty Blogging Lessons: Vitamin C and Serums!


I have learned a lot about vitamin C since I began blogging.  I thought I knew everything there was to know in today's market about vitamin C.  You know: Its in OJ, its good for you, and your mom swears by it for curing colds, right?

Yes, but that's only part of the answer.

Vitamin C when used topically is also very good for your skin!  



- It has been clinically shown to boost collagen production, which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

- It lightens overall pigmentation of the skin, which brightens skin complexion.

- It offers a small amount of UV protection.

*     *     *     *     *

Okay, so Vitamin C is good for our skin.  It will take about 6 months of consistent use to see a serious impact.  I've been using vitamin C serums for about 2.5 months, and I've already started to notice some changes in my skin tone and complexion.  So, I'm excited to see what 4 more months will bring!

But these serums are not cheap, and there are so many to choose from!  What should be be looking for when selecting a Vitamin C Serum for our skin?

*     *     *     *     *

What to Look For in a Vitamin C Serum:

- Dark Container: vitamin C is unstable and breaks down when exposed to light so it needs to be protected to remain potent.

- Pump Dispenser: vitamin C will break down when exposed to air as well, so try to find a dispenser that limits air exposure of the product.

- 5%-20% concentration of Vitamin C: 20% is the highest amount of vitamin C your skin can successfully absorb.

- pH balance of 3: this is the ideal pH of Vitamin C for absorption by the skin.  If the label is unclear, contact the manufacturer to ask.

- Be Aware that many Vitamin C Serums can have a very pungent smell.  If you have a sensitive nose, look for comments/ reviews that talk about the scent of the serum before you invest!

*     *     *     *     *

I hope that this is helpful to you!  Of the Vitamin C Serums I have reviewed thus far, the ones I have been found most impressive include (in no particular order): 

InstaNatural (for most pleasant scent)

Oz Radiance (for best value)

Radha Beauty (for best serum as part of a skin care line)

Valencia (for current favorite)
**Review Coming Soon!**



What other products or product types in skin care would you like to learn about more on my blog?  Which ingredients  in skin care products would you like to learn more about?





Sunday, February 8, 2015

Merry Memebox! Loving my first Memebox!

I am really excited about my very first Memebox!  I won 30+ points in a giveaway last fall, and I finally cashed them in! 


Beautiful Box!


I love all the goodies! I scored this box for $29.99; I spent 30 memebox points and got it for free! 


Product Card

side #1

side #2


My look with all the products!  I love it! :-)

Have you ever gotten a Memebox?  Which box(es) did you get?  What did you think of them?