October Birchbox Reveal

I just received my October birchbox and I can't wait to try out all of my  new goodies. Check this post in about 2 weeks for my reviews.

*AHAVA:Revival Bath Salts in Mandarin Ceadarwood*
*Laura Geller: Spackle Tinted Under Makeup Primer in Bronze*
*Pangea Organics: Japanese Match Tea Facial Mask*
*stila: Forever Your Curl Mascara*

(Box 9)

September Birchbox Reveal & Review

September's Birchbox theme was "Celebrating You!" and like all my boxes that I have received and the ones that I have yet to receive, I always feel that the box is designated just for me!

*Incoco Nail Polish Appliqué* These are so neat. I've seen various companies like Sally Hansen, OPI, and Avon come out with their own "dry" polish and I would peruse the different designs, but never bought a package to try at home. I was ecstatic when I received these in my birchbox; it gave me the opportunity to try it out. It smells like nail polish and it was more durable than the liquid form over time. I'd much rather use the dry form as opposed to paying $20+ for someone to do my nails or wait an hour after doing my own for my nails to fully dry. Very convenient!

*Jouer Lip Enhancer* I don't think it enhanced my lips in any fashion, but it hydrated my lips really well.

*LIV GRN C2C Fragrance Collection in Earth* I was a bit hesitant when I saw this in the box, I don't really like earthy fragrances(any type of wood smell), but surprisingly enough this fragrance was light and flowery. The bonus: Its eco-friendly!

*Pangea Organics Facial Cream for Normal to Combination Skin* I don't really care for the smell of ginger, but I have to say that it made my face feel great. I've been trying quite a few facial masques, creams, and cleansers since I started my blog and so far I haven't had any crazy reactions due to my frequent cosmetic changes, so that lets me know that these products are not heavy on the chemicals and are keeping the pH balance of face.

*Birchbox Bracelet* This could have been made with a more durable material, but it has held its own against my constant cleaning, dishwashing, sweating, showering, and multiple mommy duties. Its cute and great conversational started to let people in on the amazing things birchbox has to offer.

(Box 5)

August Birchbox Reveal and Review

My August Birchbox came with all the appropriate beauty items. The great state of Texas is in a drought and all of my birchbox products were very hot weather applicable.

*Shaveworks: The Cool Fix: Targeted Gel Lotion* With the weather being as hot as it has been, I needed my legs to look as sexy as possible, because there was NO way I was going to be wearing pants for day number 60+ of 100+degree weather. Use this gel lotion over your legs AFTER you shave and it prevents razor burn, bumps, and ingrown hairs! Yay!

*June Jacobs Papaya Purifying Enzyme Masque* This masque is very light and it probably requires weekly to bi-weekly use during these hot months. My face has seen an increase in acne due to my constant sweating, but I followed this masque with a cool wrap and it was divine. I had a few more acne blemishes after using the product, so I am assuming that its doing its job by forcing the impurities to the surface.

*Ouidad Climate Control: Heat & Humidity Gel* Talk about a lifesaver. My hair is so thick and happens to have a lot of flyaways. If I use hairspray/gel/mousse I get that crusty and flaky affect. Again, this product is light, but it worked well enough to tame the little hairs and keep my hair styled for most of the day. Great for heat & humidity, but not strong enough to withstand the demands of my children.

*Smashbox Cosmetics Photo Finish Primer* Eh, I was thoroughly impressed by this primer, but it works. It smooths over your blemishes, wrinkles, pock marks, etc., so when you apply your foundation over the primer it looks more flawless. At least it met the expectations that I have of any primer.

*Twistband Hair Ties* A cute, fancier version of any hair tie without the retro look of the scrunchie. Its very chic and there are multiple ways you can tie it. I liked it so much that I bought two sets!

(Box 1)

3 sick kids = my failure to blog

Between my eldest starting school, my return to school, and managing my mom/wife responsibilities....I have neglected my beauty blog. I wanted to let you know that I do appreciate all of my readers and apologize for my failure in blogging, BUT I am back and I have so many goodies to reveal and review. Thank you for your patience! Enjoy!

LoveandToast Happiness Kit Review

I happened to win the LoveandToast Happiness Kit from a Facebook contest hosted by Beautylish and I was super anxious to try it out. I had heard amazing things about it and I love Margot Elena, the genius behind this super happy, modern, hip line. She is also the genius behind TokyoMilk, so I had very high expectations for this kit.

White Tea & Mint Daily Shampoo & Conditioner: I happened to have extremely nasty oily hair today. So I thought what better way to test this duo? I have super thick normal hair, so when it gets dirty, I need something that will give it an amazing clean all the way down to my scalp. This duo didn't blow me out of the water. The mint gave my scalp a good tingly feeling and the white tea made my hair smell good but it performed like any other good shampoo and conditioner on the market.

Clementine Crush Shower Creme, Body Lotion, Sugar Scrub: I smell like I fell into a box of clementines and rolled around in it. I love the smell of citrus but I wish that the lotion would offer more moisture for my skin. It may just be because we've hit day 43 of 100+ weather, but when I put it on before bed, I still felt like I needed more moisture. The scrub and creme are luxurious but again nothing more than what I would expect from a scrub and creme.

Mint & Ginseng Facial Scrub: Not enough exfoliates and too much ginseng. I did not feel like my face was renewed or that the dead skin was even exfoliated BUT after using the cleanser AND the moisturizer, my face is feeling really soft.

White Tea & Mimosa Leaf Facial Cleanser: This brought back childhood memories of amazing summers, poolsides, and happiness. This cleanser, smells like the Flintstone Push Up popsicles. I indulged in it and after feeling let down by the other products, I was really happy with this cleanser. My face felt clean. It did not leave a residue or leave my face feeling dry or streaky.

Almond & Apricot Facial Moisturizer: I did not like the smell of this moisturizer but my face is feeling really soft. If you can put aside the overpowering smell of nutshells (it does not smell like almond or apricot) then yes! it does make your face feel amazing.

Green Tea & Mint Lip Scrub: This is my FAVORITE product out of the entire kit. The heat has made my lips super dry and I happened to LOVE LOVE LOVE this lip scrub. It has super exfoliating powers, so there is no need to apply a lot of pressure to your lips unless you are trying to sandblast them off of your face. Gently rub the scrub on your lips and wash. Voila! Super soft, sexy, sultry lips.

Strawberry Fields Lip Butter: Oh my goodness. When they say butter, they mean buh-tah. This delight glides on smooth and moisturizes. Again, I was on memory lane with this product as it smells like the old school Bubbletape bubble gum.

Happiness---YES! I had a wonderful sensory experience. The smells of the Clementine Crush, Strawberry Fields, White & Mimosa, Green Tea & Mint, allowed me to reflect on some of the most happiest moments in my life. A true happiness kit and if you need an extra pick me up during a rough week, then you might just want to try this kit. The design of this kit is aesthetically pleasing with its bright colors and modern design, so you just cannot help but smile.

EcoTools Eye Brush Set

I love EcoTools and this eye brush set did not disappoint. Think of a cloud swooping across your eyelids...yes, they are that soft. They have not lost their shape, bristles, or softness under intense wear and tear: I'm the kind of person who cleans brushes daily. They are durable and definitely worth every penny ($7.99@Walgreens). I happened to get this set for free with a coupon that I received from EcoTools through their Choose To Live Beautifully campaign.

Want a coupon from EcoTools so that you can grab this set or another goody for free? Go to Choose To Live Beautifully for more detail and before they run out!

TokyoMilk

This line is by Margot Elena, she also created the LoveandToast line that you may have seen me mention previously. My first TokyoMilk product was a soap bar that I received as a gift from an attorney that I was working for, but he assured me that it wasn't a sign that I need to shower, but he saw how much a loved beauty products that he thought he'd gift this one to me because it was his wife's favorite. I still have the soap, it comes so beautifully wrapped that I didn't want to use. So it sits in my dresser with my unmentionables and makes everything smell.....sexy. This line is so mysterious and chic, hence the reason why I am drawn to it. 

The bubble bath that I received was a sample of their Eiffel Tower Bubble Bath No. 15. It smelled so good, so I was super excited to fill up my tub with warm water and indulge in its sweet fragrance. I felt renewed, relaxed, and uplifted. I also had the best sleep ever that night. I don't think I was anymore tired than normal that night, but I think this product had the perfect blend of fragrances to help me relax and as a mom of 3 kids under age 5,  this made the list of my most coveted products.

Margot Elena products are all paraben free, phthalate free, petrolatum free, animal free, never tested on animals, no artificial colors, and natural alcohol (in the perfumes)