Taking the Full Advantage of Birchbox!!

Lately over the past couple of months there has been a lot of disappointed subscribers with Birchbox.  Some are saying that the sample boxes are lacking, they didn't feel like they got their money's worth or that it just wasn't up to par.  But this is my take on the whole Birchbox subscription.

First of all you only pay $10 per month for your Birchbox!  A lot of times you receive at least one full size sample.  A lot of times this full size sample pays for the box itself.  A lot of times people get foil packets, protein bars, or earbuds.  People have to remember that this is a lifestyle box...not necessarily a beauty box.  How I have seen Birchbox, and a lot of the other monthly subscriptions, is that it has opened my eyes to a lot of products out there that I didn't know about.  So now when I see something....I'll know what it is and I'll know how I came to be familiar with it!

Secondly I bet that the majority of people who subscribe to Birchbox don't use the subscription to it's full potential.  I do and I have been really happy with it.  And what I mean by not using it to it's full potential is that every month when you get your Birchbox you can go onto their website and do product reviews.  You basically do 5 reviews per month.  With the reviews you get 10 points per sample and each 10 points equals $1.00.  Ok so if you do 5 product reviews each month, you are basically getting $5 that will go toward anything that Birchbox has in their shop!  This is actually awesome!!  You get half the price of your box back toward purchasing products in their online store!!

So I had a total of 400 points which equals $40!  I then went online to their store and purchased 2 Eyeko eyeliners ($15 each) and Juicy Couture Rollerball Duo: Viva La Juicy La Fluer and Viva La Juicy ($25).  

They had offered the Eyeko eyeliner a while back in the summer in a Birchbox, but I didn't get it in mine.  I heard many great reviews about this eyeliner, so I went online to Birchbox's store and bought two....at that time they didn't have the selection as they do now.  I got an olive and a turquoise color.  The olive I use quite a bit, it's subtle.  The turquoise I plan on wearing for an added pop of color to my eyes for like spring and summer.  This time when I went online to check them out I purchased black and purple.  The purple is quite close to black....but I love love LOVE this eyeliner.  The precision pen tip allows you to control the thickness of the line and it goes on so smooth!  It also has a fade proof formula that makes the eyeliner last and last.

The second thing that I decided to get was the Juicy Couture Rollerball Duo: Viva La Juicy La Fluer and Viva La Juicy.  I originally was going to use my $40 points money toward a full size perfume of either Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy La Fluer or the Viva La Juicy.  I was reading reviews, smelling samples, getting confused and couldn't make my mind up on what to get.  The price was about $69/$70 for either. I saw this rollerball duo and instantly knew that this would be the solution to my dilemma on making a choice!  I didn't have to choose and got both fragrances.  So a great way to get both without spending a lot of money.  It was only $25 for the rollerball duo!  And what I love about rollerballs you can just throw them in your purse to use for a quick splash of fragrance.

But wait!!!!  Stay tuned.  I have ordered one more thing through Birchbox that I'm really excited to share!

Sebastian Color Ignite Multi Tone Shampoo and Conditioner

I haven't been keeping up with blogging as I had liked and have so many things to blog about that I know I'm not going to get to.  If you'd like to see a lot of my monthly beauty/lifestyle/doggy subscriptions you can check them out on my YouTube channel littlebitofbeauty050.

Today I wanted to blog a little bit about a particular shampoo and conditioner that I got in my July 2012 Glossybox.  I have used many types of shampoos and conditioners, from drugstore to products highly recommended to me by my hairdresser.  And with these monthly subscriptions I have been getting I have to say that I was really impressed with the deluxe sample sizes of Sebastian Color Ignite Multi Tone Shampoo and Conditioner!  

The shampoo went on as any shampoo did.  It has a very nice fragrance...but when I rinsed my hair I literally had that "squeeky" clean feeling to my hair.  After using shampoos, and usually the same after a while, you can feel the residue of continual use in my hair.  But I have to say this felt so clean!

Okay now for the conditioner!  It's awesome too!  And what is so unique about this conditioner is that it's not like your normal conditioner.  First of all when you take the top off of the container.....and I wish I would have gotten a picture of this....the conditioner comes out like a mousse!  I love this!  And when you put it in your hair and work it in, it's really different.  It doesn't have that slick slippery feel as you work it in....and all over your body when you rinse it out if you're in the shower using it.  No...it just rinses out very nicely.  

So this is definitely a shampoo and conditioner to try.  Very nice, very unique and very GREAT!

 The sizes here shown are the deluxe sample size of 1.75 oz

November's Little Black Bags for $29.95!!

I have been taking advantage of the special offer that Little Black Bag is doing.  They are offering bags for $29.95 along with their original bags of $49.95.  What I love about this is, you don't have to get another handbag each time you want to open a bag.  You can get accessories and jewelry or home items, cosmetics and also an extra little goodie they throw in your back.

If you don't know what Little Black Bag is, it is is a monthly subscription.  It costs $49.95 + shipping if you decide you want to do the subscription or $59.95 + shipping for one time.  (For a short time they are offering a bag for $29.95). You go on their site and do a style survey and from there you can go into their gallery and choose 1 item to put in your "virtual" bag.  From there LBB will go in and put in 2-4 more items totaling over $100.  Once you pick your item and accept it, you can then see what was put in your bag.  You can trade out any items that you'd like with others on the site.  You have 7 days to trade (3 days for the $29.95 bag).  You can opt to ship your bag at any time or go for the full 7 days of trading.  You also have an option to skip a month.  If you like to use me as a referral you can sign up at:  http://www.littleblackbag.com?rf=YWxsIGdyZWF0IHNpdGVzIGRlc2VydmUgYSBncmVhdCBsYXVuY2g2OTkyMjY%3DLbbsePotLbbsePLbbsePLbbsePLbbsePLbbseP&utm_medium=Other&utm_campaign=UserReferral&utm_content=Invite_179359&utm_source=other  Check it out!  It's an awesome site and a lot of fun when you get involved with the trading!

Here is what I got in this month's Little Black Bag:

First Little Black Bag

1. 'Zad Slim Leaf Cuff - $18
2. Mata Traders Connected Bangle Set - $24
3. Mocha Square Stone Earrings - $16
4. Pureology Precious Oil Conditioner - $7.50
5. Lavanila Vanilla Passion Fruit Body Was - $14

Total value of this bag is $79.50

Second Little Black Bag

1. Cejon Heart Printed Scarf - $32
2. Pureology Colour Radiance Amplifier - $7
3. Mata Traders Persian Earrings - $22

Total value of this bag is $$61

Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin

I received the Goody Simple Style Spin Pins complimentary from Influenster in my Beauty Bloggers VoxBox.  This product was ok for those of you how put your hair in a bun.  For me it was rather difficult because I don't master this particular hair style at all.  I prefer to leave my hair down.  I did try it and totally forgot to have my husband take a picture to post here of what it looked like.  But that's okay because I wasn't particularly happy with the way it turned out.

These Spin Pins are pretty unique.  I can see that if someone was in a hurry to put their hair in a bun would like these.  The box showed how to use them in three different style buns.  They went in rather nicely and held my hair quite well.  So whoever made this little twisty pin did a great job!  It costs around $7.29 for two pins.

To see more information about the Goody Simple Style Spin Pin and other products by Goody you can got to:    http://www.goody.com/  Oh....I see some other products that interest me on their website!  So check it out!!

Not Your Mother's Smooth Moves Frizz Control Hair Cream

I was really excited to receive Not Your Mother's Smooth Moves Frizz Control Hair in my Beauty Bloggers VoxBox from Influenster!

What I really like about this product is that I use it on my towel dried hair and helps with the frizz. I have thick wavy, curly hair.  And what is really weird about it is that it is a lot thicker on the left side than the right.  So I use this product a little more on the left side because it's a little more frizzier than the right.  I love the texture of the cream and it has a really nice coconut fragrance to it.  It helped with styling.  Also living in the Pacific Northwest we have a lot of rain at times and just recently I got caught in the rain.  When I came inside my hair was overly frizzy!  I took the cream and put a small amount in my hair and rubbed it in!  And the frizz went away in no time!  It costs around $6.00 for a full sized 4-oz bottle.

For more information on Not Your Mother's products you can go to:  http://www.nymbrands.com/

Not Your Mother's Smooth Moves Frizz Control Hair cream was sent complimentary from Influenster.com

Kiss Ever PRO Lash Starter Kit

I received the Kiss Ever PRO Lash Starter Kit in my Influenster Beauty Bloggers VoxBox.  This kit was a great kit those who have never used eyelashes before or even pro.  The starter kit comes with eyelashes, adhesive and applicator.  The latex-free glue has a 24-hour hold.  I liked the kit, and using the applicator made applying the lashes a lot easier.  One thing that I do when I use new lashes is that I flex the ridge of lashes to loosen them.  Make sure that whenever you get a new pair of lashes to measure and cut them to fir your eye lid.  I liked wearing the lashes.  They were a little thicker than I normally wear, so it took a bit to get use to wearing them.  They are priced around $5.99 for the kit. 

For more information on Kiss Ever PRO Lash Starter Kit and other products they offer check out http://www.everezlashes.com/home

Kiss Ever PRO Lash Starter Kit was sent complimentary from Influenster.com

NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compact from Influenster

I received the NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compact from Influenster in my Beauty Bloggers VoxBox.  I was really happy to receive this shadow palette because I use the neutral colors that come in this palette.  It comes with the lid primer, illuminator, applicator and complementing shadows.  With the four color palette, specially coordinated to intensify and enhance your eye color, you can create a look as individual as your are!  Very nice palette!  I've never used NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compact before, so this was nice to receive this palette.  The shadow palette was sponsored by Influenster for testing review.  The price for the palette is $4.99, which is a very reasonable price!  Very affordable.

http://newyorkcolor.com/

Bath and Body Works Mini Candle from Influenster

I received this Bath Body Works mini candle in the fragrance Cider Lane in my Influenster Beauty Bloggers VoxBox.  First off I'm a big fan of anything Bath and Body Works and I have been picking up these little mini candles there.  I was really happy to get the mini candle and the fragrance is oh so yummy!  I could smell it first thing when I opened my box.  I love fall fragrances in candles and this is a wonderful fragrance.....all things fall.  I already had a mini candle holder so took out my summer candle and threw this in!  So cute!  I love these because I keep it on my vanity and I burn them.  Just the right size.

Also included in the box was a coupon for Bath and Body Works 3-wick candles for $10!  You could purchase 5 with the coupon!  So I took that in and got a 3-wick candle for Christmas!  And heading up to the cash register I also grabbed another mini candle in Nutmeg and Spice and a mini candle holder for the holidays! Oh I love the fragrances in our home!
www.bathandbodyworks.com

Bath and Body Works candle was complimentary to test through Influesnter's Beauty Bloggers VoxBox!  Thank you!!

Birchbox + Goop October 2012

This month Birchbox teamed up with goop.com.  Birchbox is a monthly beauty/lifestyle subscription that is $10 per month. They deliver high-end beauty and lifestyle samples from top brands. They also have a man's Birchbox, so get one for the man in your life! You can go to www.birchbox.com and sign up for your monthly subscription.
Birchbox + Goop
Goop.com is Birchbox's go-to resource for lifestyle inspiration, like wholesome recipes or a tip packed city guide, they have the inside scoop on all things wonderful. This month Birchbox enlisted goop to put together a collection of must-try essentials.

What is in this month's Birchbox:

** essie / goop Pick - nail polish in power clutch - Full-size $8.  I was really excited to get this nail polish in my box this month.  I am going to use it with Zoya's Fleck Effect Top Coat to make it really pop!

** Joanna Vargas daily serum - Full-size $85 - I'm really excited to get this in my box!  I always any kind of serum!!

** Kiehl's Aromatic Blends Liquid Body Cleanser in Orange Flower & Lychee - Full-size $24 - I have been using this in my bath and it's a really nice body cleanser with a nice fragrance!
** Naked Princess Naked Shine Luscious Lip Gloss in Naked Shine - Full size $26 - This is a really small sample, but it's a GREAT lip gloss!!  I would consider purchasing one through Birchbox!
Lifestyle Extra - Luna Fiber Bar in Chocolate Raspberry - Pack of 15 $14.95 - MMmmm chocolate and raspberry!  Great combination!  This is my second Luna Bar that I have received in my Birchbox!

I was pretty well pleased with this month's box.  I know a lot of people weren't and were expecting more when they teamed up with goop, and were disappointed.  I know a lot were looking forward to getting an Essie nail polish in their box and didn't.

Stay tuned for November's Birchbox!!

Influenster Beauty Bloggers VoxBox

I was so excited to be selected to get Influenster's Beauty Bloggers VoxBox 2012. Influenster is a program where you sign up and unlock badges to help you with chances of getting one of their VoxBox. When I say unlock badges, they have many lifestyle badges that you click on and answer questions of different types of lifestyles....may it be being a new mother...... going to college...... having a pet such as a dog or cat ..... or being a baby boomer! The more badges you can unlock....the better chances you have at getting one of their sponsored VoxBox!

One thing I have noticed that really helps here is being able to promote the products you receive in your VoxBox. Which means having different social medias are great for doing this! I have a YouTube channel, I submit blog posts, I tweet about it, and share pictures on Instagram and Pinterest!

What I got in my Beauty Bloggers VoxBox:

NYC New York Color Individual Eyes Custom Compact: $4.99
Kiss Ever Pro Lashes Starter Kit: $5.99
Bath & Body Works Mini Candle: $3.50
EBOOST: $1.40
Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin: $7.29
Not You Mothers Smooth Moves Frizz Control Hair Cream: $6.00

The value of this box is $29.17 and all the products are sponsored by Influenster.  

If this sounds like something you are interested in......check it out!  Who doesn't like free stuff!  You can sign up through my referral link at:  http://www.influenster.com/registration/7c587a3a0d27017f8582f522bb08be08 

Also if you're interested in checking out my profile on Influenster - 
http://www.influenster.com/profile/lovenest428

Stay tuned for updated blog reviews on the items I received!!