Birchbox Canada February 2016 The Final Birchbox

           Well if you are not aware Birchbox is pulling out of the Canadian Market. When you log on to Birchbox.ca you see this message:

        I am pretty disappointed they have decided to leave us but lately there have been a few Canadian subscription boxes popping up lately that look pretty great.
        Originally Birchbox was going to turn any leftover payments for annual subscriptions into Birchbox points but then changed the message to offer refunds as an option. I imagine a number of people were not impressed they would not be able to get a refund. I do believe you have to contact them to get an actual refund.
       Let's talk about my very last Birchbox:

       Not going to lie I was kind of hoping they would throw a little something extra into the box to apologize for abandoning us but since they are clearly not making enough money in the Canadian market I was not expecting it.

Cynthia Rowley Beauty Eyeliner in Black
          I was not excited for another black eyeliner but I figured at least it is in a colour I will use. I was so impressed by this eyeliner! Other than a small amount of it gathering in my inner corner (I have watery eyes, every eyeliner on the planet does this) it did not budge all day. It is very pigmented, goes on smooth and may very well be a new favourite.

Number 4 Fluoro5 Elixer Restore & Repair Oil
          Well that is a hell of a name eh? Goodness. I am not over the moon about this product, at the risk of sounding like a broken record I am trying to convince my hair it only needs washed twice a week so hair oils aren't something I am really into right now. That being said I do really like this brand and the oil is very lightweight but delivers some serious shine. Apparently it has all sorts of reparative benefits so I have been putting it in my hair overnight if I am not going anywhere the next day or the night before I wash my hair.

Clean White Woods Perfume
         I am not at all interested in this sample. I don't mind getting perfume samples as long as they are packaged in a way that I can throw them into my purse or gym bag. This has a nice scent that is very natural in a non patchouli kind of way. I cant wear perfume during the week so nothing about this is exciting.

Naobay HydraPlus Cream 
         This "ultra rich face cream" isn't exactly the product I would pick for my oily skin but I love Naobay moisturizers so I was excited all the same. I have not worn it under makeup but I have been applying it before bed and on no make up days. I find it absorbs quickly without making my skin feel greasy or tacky. I am really impressed. I also used my Birchbox points to order the Mattifying Cream which will likely be a better match for me.

Obsessive Cosmetics Lip Tar Liquid Lipstick in Black Metal Dahlia
          I have only worn this once for about an hour and while I really like the colour and I lasted through dinner and tea I can't see myself reaching for it just because of packaging. The full size comes with an applicator but this sample is just in a squeezy tube. I will try it out a few more times but if I don't love it I know I wont put the effort into wearing it.
**Update: this last so long on my lips! I lasted through multiple cups of tea, a breakfast biscuit and only started to fail at lunch. That is about five hours of wear without damage. I might have to use this after all.

         Overall I am kind of disappointed in my very last Birchbox, I did not bother calculating the value of this box as it seems a waste of time since no one in Canada can sign up and Americans get different boxes. There isn't anything in here that really thrilled me. I will use and enjoy the eyeliner, the lotion is alright but not suited for my skin type, the hair oil is something I will use once in a while, the perfume I will likely throw out and the lip tar is nice but inconveniently packaged.  I guess it makes the breakup easier but hasn't Birchbox ever heard of "always leave them wanting more"?

Thanks for Reading!

A.

 

@dirty_cupcake

 

Top 5 - May 2015

          Here are the five products I could not have lived without this month. Let's get to it,

Maybelline Super Stay 14hr Lipstick in Eternal Rose

          The staying power of this lipstick is amazing, it goes on quite thick and it could be more moisturizing but it really does last for hours without fading. I also love the shape of the actual product, the top is a fairly fine point so its easy to get clean lines. This is also the only lipstick I have that actually smells nice, floral almost. 

Sally Hansen Salon Gel Polish in Kook a Mango

          I only just bought this at the end of the month but I have been searching for a coral type colour since the first nice day of the year. Just look at it! Beautiful, it just screams Spring/Summer. I have three other Sally Hansen Salon Gel Polishes and at first I was not impressed but each time I use them I love them a little more.

Love. Love. Love.

Perlier Revitalizing Body Butter in White Almond

          I got this in my April Birchbox. I got two identical boxes that month due to a shipping error and I used up the first tube of this before the month was out. I prefer my lotions to be lightly scented or have a natural scent and this one fits that mold. I find it almost smells like goat's milk soap. I also love that it absorbs almost instantly and does not leave a greasy residue on the skin. 

Chella Eyebrow Color in Tantalizing Taupe 

          I got this in my May Ipsy and I am so glad I did because I could not bring myself to pay $18 for this. Unfortunately each time I use this it becomes more likely to happen. the colour and fine tip make for such a natural look in about four seconds.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Light

          I don't know if it is because i am so extremely pale or what but I have such a hard time finding concealers that are the right colour with enough coverage. I finally picked this up a couple months ago and will be repurchasing this since I use it everyday. I find it blends into any foundation I have perfectly, covers under eye circles,  and stays put pretty well. 

Last month's favorites

Thanks for reading!

A.

@dirty_cupcake

My Nighttime Beauty Routine

           While you are sleeping is a perfect time to work in some extra hair and skin care. I would be a dirty liar if I said I followed the routine religiously but I do my best and I does make a difference.

Pantene Pro-V Overnight Miracle  $8.00

          This is supposed to repair six months worth of damage in one use, I do not know if that happened but my hair is definitely softer, smoother and easier to deal with. It does not feel sticky or leave a mess on your pillow. It washes out easily without leaving any build up whatsoever. I just rub this in from mid length down, brush it through and loosely tye it back. Such a simple thing to help heal your hair.

Julep Night Shift Sleeping Mask  $34.00/$27.20 Maven Price

          I got this in a box from Julep (I will link that post below) and while it is pricey it is a good product. It soaks into my skin overnight and the next morning I it does not feel overly greasy. When I rinse it off my skin feels very moisturized, refreshed and smooth. Why no use your night time to wear a mask? I was concerned that I would look like I had a bunch of goop on my face or that it wold make a mess but neither of these things happened.

Deep Steep Dry Oil Body Spritzer in Lavender Chamomile $14 ($7.99 at Winners)

          I saw this at Winners and originally thought it was just a body spray. I am currently obsessed with lavender  so I picked it up. I did not think I would like an oil moisturizer but it is lovely, it takes a little bit to soak in but it smells lovely and is a very relaxing scent. It moisturizes for HOURS. I am willing to pay full price to repurchase once I have used it all up.

K&N Body Butter in Candy Cane

          I got this in a Madame Ladybug box (link below) and hate it as a Body Butter, it makes a decent lip conditioner so I use it at night so I can use it all up. I wont be repurchasing this and I might not even use it all up.

Links:

Julep Maven Box

Madame Ladybug

Thanks for reading!

        

Julep Maven Box February 2015

         I have been skipping my Julep boxes just because I have so much nail polish already and it is more money than I want to spend on something I wont use. Each box is 19.99 USD and shipping is free. There also upgrades to your box for different prices. The box I got was The Maven's Choice which was an additional $5 on top of the regular price so it ended up being $24.99 USD. There have been a lot of changes since I signed up in 2013 and I haven't really kept up on all of them. I know that I can skip as many boxes as I want so I just keep skipping every month unless something catches my eye. I am not sure if this option is still available, I know for a while it was not available for new Mavens. There are different tiers for subscriptions now as well. I will link the website in case you want to check it out. 

         

           I decided to get this box because I already have the Almond Nude lip colour in the Plush Pout Crayon and I wanted to try the pink. Also the Night Mask sounded interesting so I figured I would actually get this box. 

         The Night Shift Mask is $34 or $27.50 if you are a Maven, already the cost of the box right here. According to the website it reaches deep to stimulate cell turnover and renewal, has a clinically proven peptide blend that works to retexturize your skin and  sodium hyaluronate works with botanical extracts (including the Power Cell Complex that sounds like Julep just totally made up) to deliver maximum moisture. I have only used it once but I will continue to use it even if it only gets me to remove my makeup before bed. I did notice my skin was soft and fresh in the morning and even though I only used it the once I think with repeated use it could really be beneficial. 

         This is the Orbital Eyeshadow in Earthshine which is $14.40 and it does not seem to have a Maven price. Originally I was not excited for this item simply because I have so many eyeshadows already but I tried it out and it makes for the perfect crease shade. It is described as "tree bark with chrome pearlescence" so points for that fucked up description Julep. I certainly would not pay even close to $14.40 for this but I will use it often, it works quite well with a lot of the shadows in my Urban Decay Naked 3 palette. 

           Next is the Plush Pout Crayon in Aurora Pink. $16 Maven or Not. This is described as a "Full coverage lip crayon with a moisturizing treatment core in the middle" I don't know if I would call this full coverage but I do like it. I wear it a little more sheer than the photos on the website just because I feel like it I put it on too thick it settles into the lines on my lips. It feels like a lip balm to put on and apparently also has the "Power Cell Complex" in it with age defying, skin boosting, ultra hydrating ingredients. "Rosehip seed oil delivers essential nutrients to sooth and repair. Malvaceae Lipid Extract improves barrier function so skin retains moisture. Green coffee bean oil invigorates skin and promotes cell turnover." Well ok then Julep. It's pretty, it's pink and I don't need a mirror to put it on. Done. I wouldn't buy it at $16 but the boxes it comes in I always consider. 

        Included in every box was this Hartleigh nail polish, a holographic glitter top coat. Priced at $14.00 or $11.29 if you are a Maven. There was also a little note from Jane Park the founder of Julep saying thank you for being a Maven. I don't usually like these kind of top coats because I find it hard to get the glitter and little hearts even but this is a cute touch for Valentine's Day. Again wouldn't pay that price for it. Not even close. 

        So the value of this box comes out to $78.40 or $69.10 if you are a Maven. Julep products are certainly a little pricey but I have found some great products in the past. I love the pencil eyeliner, the Ta Da quick dry drops, the Mint Condition pedicure cream, the Gylcolic hand scrub and the Rock Star hand cream. Julep is certainly not for someone on a budget.  

Check it out for yourself: www.julep.com 

Want to sign up? Feel free to use my link ;)  https://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/307362/

Thanks for reading!

A.