Birchbox Canada November 2015 GlamLifeGuru Box

                    

          Let me start by fangirling just a little bit. I adore Tati Westbrook and when I saw that she was curating a box there was no question, I was getting it. Tati is a beauty YouTuber and has been for the last five years. She consistently posts five videos a week that range from tutorials, reviews, Hot or Not on new releases/products, and hauls for both high end and drugstore beauty products. Before starting you tube Tati was an Image Consultant which she describes as a 9-5 desk job putting together programs with makeup, health and fashion items. Tati is in her early thirties and a little older than most of the beauty YouTubers, which I love. She has the knowledge and experience to recommend products that I know are going to work. I would love to have her makeup skills and her hair is just always perfect, Tati is easily in my top 3 YouTubers.  OK, embarrassing gushing done. If Tati was to read this, unlikely, I would probably die of embarrassment and hope to god I had my facts straight. Lets talk about the actual products in the box.

            

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels Full Size 8 for $33, Sample Value $4.13
           These are not my favourite eye pads on the market but I can not deny that they work to reduce puffiness and are a great pampering item. I am currently on vacation so these will be great to help me unwind. I think I will take Tati's suggestion and put them in the fridge for a little bit first.


Living Proof Perfect hair Day PhD. Dry Shampoo Full Size $28, Sample Value $13.01
          I am not one of those lucky girls that can wash their hair every few days or even every other day. I have tried a few different dry shampoos without much luck, mostly I use them to make my hair less disgusting for the gym, to run quick errands or if I use too much product in my hair. I am not ready to give up on day two hair and based on the reviews from Tati and others this is an amazing dry shampoo. 


theBalm Cosmetics Frat Boy Blush/Shadow Full Size $27 Value $1.69ish
           I have tried a few things from theBalm and love everything I have tried. Check out this haul for more. Lately I have also been looking to expand my blush collection so I am quite excited to try this out. The only issue I can foresee is that my blush brush is much too large for the pan. Swatch below.


LOC One & Done Shadow Stick in Day Trip Full Size $12
            Love of Color is Birchbox's new makeup line and Tati collaborated with them to make this first collection. I bought the Ultimate Collection so I already have this but I am still glad to have another as it is not a permanent collection. These shadow sticks are amazing, I normally avoid cream shadows but these do not budge at all. For a full review of these and the the matte lipsticks check this out.

                           

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre (24 hour miricle cream) Full Size $28 Sample Value $1.87
          I received this in either my last Birchbox or Ipsy bag and I don't hate having another sample. I have very oily skin so finding a moisturizer to wear under my makeup can be a challenge. I find this one absorbs quickly and does not leave my face feeling any greasier than normal. The sample may look tiny but you need such a small amount that I have not even used half of the first sample I have and I use it at least five days a week.


           Overall this box has a value of $32.70, not huge but a good value for a $10/$15 box. A couple of items are not items I would choose myself but I am glad to receive them all the same. I think I am most excited about the blush and shadow stick. 

Check out Tati's YouTube Channel

Thanks for reading!

A.

@dirty_cupcake

Check out my last Birchbox

Birchbox Canada June 2015

          It's a little late but here is my June Birchbox. I am pretty happy with it over all, I want to use up some of my makeup so I am glad I got mostly skin care and hair products. 

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels 1 pair Fulł size: $33 Sample value: $4.13

          What: peptide-packed cooling treatment to hydrate and refresh stressed skin under the eyes.

          I have tried these before and I do not hate that I got them again but I did not find they were all that effective the first time I used them. I find they are quite thick, stiff and rather uncomfortable to wear but I will give them another shot. 

Parlour by Jeff Chastain Moisturizing Sea Salt Spray  Fulł size: $27  Sample value: $5.51

           What: This celeb stylist's new nondrying spray gives you soft, beachy waves- and smells amazing. 

           When I first saw this I was kind of disappointed because I just bought a sea salt spray from Julep but then I realized this would be perfect to keep in my purse to refresh my hair through out the day. It works well, you don't need a lot and it doesn't leave your hair crunchy or greasy as some of these sprays tend to do. The smell is a little much for me, it's just quite perfumey but not to off putting. 

Number 4 Clarifying Shampoo  Full size: $36-$82   Sample value: $4.24

           What: vitamin-rich botanicals gently purify hair while restoring lost moisture and shine. 

           First of all: wow expensive shampoo. Second: it's amazing. It takes some getting used to because apparently it is very concentrated so you have to emulsify it in your hands first and then lather it into your hair. It really does take any and all buildup out of your hair without leaving it feeling terrible and dry. Afterwards my hair felt amazing, had more volume and a light citrus scent. I don't think I would pay full price for this but I would use my Birchbox points to get it. 

Naobay Oxygenating Cream Moisturizer   Full size: $45   Sample value:$18

          What: made with avocado and olive oils, this 98% natural cream nourishes and hydrates skin. 

           I always enjoy getting moisturizers and lotions and this one is no different. I have a hard time using facial moisturizers because my skin is so oily. I read some reviews that said people with combination skin had found that it helped prolong their makeup so I decided to use it as a primer one day. My skin was still oily but my makeup did not separate and really stayed put. I'm going to try using this under a primer and see if that works even better. 

Coastal ascents Revealed 3 Eyeshadow Quad   Full size: $24  Sample value: about $5 

           What: versitile range of satiny-smooth shadows in wear-with-anything hues.

            I've though put about buying some of the revealed pallets but I just feel like I have enough eyeshadow. I do like these colours, not something I would think to pick up but I am excited to try these out after my project pan. They are not extremely pigmented but are easily buildable and go on very smooth. 

Bonus item: Emi-Jay Hair Tie   Set of 5: $13  one: $2.60

          What: We've added in this chic hair tie from Emi Jay for all your summer 'dos. 

           This is a cute little green, ribbon style hair tie. I have a few of these type and they are just something cute to add to your pony. 

Total value of box:  $39.48

          I am happy with my box this month, there isn't anything I won't use and most of the items I will get quite a few uses out of. My favourite is either the shampoo or the moisturizer.

Check out last month's box!

Sign up for your very own.

Thanks for reading! 

A.

           

Product Raider April 2015

         
 This week I have been creature sitting for my family while they are in Cuba. Jerks. I have had my own fun by raiding my mother and sister's beauty products. It is like shopping without spending the money. 

          Above are the products belonging to my sister, the bubble bath may be my fathers. He is a strange man. 

Redkin's Fashion Work 12 Versatile Working Hairspray 

          I don't think I have ever loved a hairspray so much. This is perfect for curling my hair, it keeps the curls in place all day and I can run my fingers through it with out worrying about losing the shape. I like that it is part styling product and part finishing spray. I will be going out to purchase this in the near future. 

Stainiac by the balm

          I did not like this at all. I believe she got it from Birchbox a couple months ago. It is like putting half set jello on my lips. Not a fan. 

Biosilk Thermal Shield. 

           I really liked this product too, I have thermal protectant at home but I am not in love with it. Princess picked this up at Winners for like $10 less than it usually retails for. If I saw this at Winners I would pick it up in a heartbeat. It does a great job keeping away static and flyways  without leaving gunk behind. 

Orofluido hair oil

           I am pretty sure Princess has had this for years and years. It works well, has a rich smell and clearly you do not need to use a lot. 

Peppermint Vanilla Bubble Bath by Avon

           Pretty standard bubble bath, it smells lovely and the bubbles last a decent amount of time. Avon makes pretty solid bubble bath. 

          And these are Momma's products, she has a lot more I want to try but I do not want to open anything of theirs that has not already been opened. 

Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels by Skyn Iceland 

          I actually gave these to Momma for Christmas but I feel I deserved to use a pair after her idiot dog kept me up all damn night every night. They felt very strange to put on and kind of tingled, I do think they made my eyes less puffy. I would not pay full price for them but if I found them on Hautelook again I might purchases them. I am interested to ask Momma what she thought of them. 

Full and Plush Root Amp Spray Mousse by Garnier 

          This product took some getting used to, the first couple times my hair was kind of crunchy and sticky. I wouldn't use this if I was wearing my hair straight but I think it would be great for the rare times I curl my hair. 

Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser by Neutrogena 

            This is the product I loved the most. Lately my skin has been rebelling like a preacher's daughter on her first spring break. I can not find a balance between dry and oily. This cleanser manages to clean thoroughly and remove makeup all without over drying. I went out and bought another cleanser by Neutrogena in hopes that it will help me find the right balance for my skin. 

         Special thanks to Momma and Princess for unknowingly lending me all these products. 

Thanks for reading!

A. 

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@dirty_cupcake