Birchbox April 2012

I... am super surprised that Birchbox seems to have completely turned it around for me. The Teen Vogue Birchbox was completely amazing. And they have done it once again with the natural wonders themed box. I really be getting my hopes up though. I expect boxes to be hit and miss.

A nice little touch they added was by providing the Birchbox environmental policy. It's something I feel other eco-friendly companies wouldn't think to add. It really shows us [the subscribers] what Birchbox is trying to do about the environment as a rapidly expanding business. 

Birchbox April 2012

This is... Just such a good box, despite the fact that one of the products is something of which I already have a sample [though not through BB]. It is just such a good box and I was pretty psyched for everything I've gotten.

Befine - Exfoliating Cleanser

Befine - Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15
Easy does it. This exfoliator and moisturizer duo uses gentle ingredients like rice and
brown sugar to keep skin supple and healthy

Another brand that I have been wanting to try for a while. I've seen so many other people get samples from Befine and have always been a bit sad when I didn't.

The exfoliating cleanser... is amazing. I could easily see myself using this very frequently if not every day. My skin didn't have that usual dry and flaky feeling that I have gotten with other scrubs. This is usually a big problem with my nose, which is usually in some state of peeling.

As for the moisturizer, I'll need to do a bit more testing. Outside of the exfoliating cleanser [which I used a day before], I have not changed anything else in my face routine. However, I have been breaking out a bit. So I am not sure if this is what is really breaking my face out or what. It is a fairly mild breakout and I think it may be the SPF aspect of this moisturizer than may be making my skin protest.

A side note: even though each package says single serving [which I take to mean each whole packet gives you one use], I have managed to get several uses out of each one. You really don't need much of either product in order to get the job done.

What's a little strange is that I got 2 moisturizers and 3 exfoliating cleansers. I don't know if 5 sample sizes are just standard for the Befine skincare sampler or what. It could just be my own OCD-like tendencies for even numbers.

Wonderstruck Taylor Swift
The pop-country songstress' scent is as catchy as her lyrics. We think it's worthy of a
standing gig on our vanity

It's as if Birchbox has been reading my secret thoughts... Because I've wanted to take a wiff of the T-Swift perfume. Mostly because it was suppose to be really fruity and not like your typical perfume. And it really is probably the fruitiest perfume I've ever smelt. It does come off as a bit on the strong side and still has that light musky smell to it. Overall, I'd use this sample up but probably will not buy it.

My only tiny gripe with this product is the fact that I don't think it really fits with the theme. Harvey Prince would have been a better selection [but I could also be extremely biased on that].

Lulu Organics - Lavender + Clary Sage Hair Powder
Laced with organic lavender and sage, this sweet-smelling
dry shampoo revives flat or second day hair

This is the product that I already have a sample. I happen to be lucky enough to share an office with a company that sells [mostly] hair care products. They happen to have a ton of samples that they don't know what to do with. So they let us [the other people in the office] take some home to use.  At some point, I'll go through all the samples I've gotten for free.

But back to the hair powder. I haven't really tried any other powder dry shampoos, aside from baby shampoo. So there isn't much for me to compare. It is ok for second day hair. I wouldn't say that it absorbs the oil and stuff. My hair just has a not-so-oily look to it. However, not particularly good for 3rd day and beyond hair [yes, sometimes I don't wash my hair for 3 days]. It does kind of build up in a noticeable way in feeling. Either way, it does smell very nice.

Zoya in Bevin - TRUE  Spring Collection
Lighten up for spring with this fresh shade. The non-toxic formula goes
on opaque and lasts 50% longer than traditional polishes

I probably shouldn't be so happy about getting a polish in my Birchbox. I mean, I get at least 2 polishes from Julep a month... And this month was more because I did get a spring mystery box... But I'm still happy with this little gift. And it is definitely a nice spring color for which I currently don't have a dupe. I think I'll use this color on my toes next.

Yes To Blueberries - Brightening Facial Towelettes
These nifty wipes remove all signs of makeup and grime. Plus, they refresh skin
with fruity blend of apples, blueberry, and lemon peel extracts

I have actually been looking at this brand for a while now. I had not tried any of their products prior to this box and was happy to see these face wipes in there. With all the face wipes I've tried so far, I get that gross feeling  and need to wash my face right afterwards. I took what I thought was a risk the other day when I had no time to wash my face and used one of these.

And I was far from that. I felt nice on my skin and didn't really leave any yucky feeling of something being left on my skin. It smelled really good without really leaving that smell on my skin. Though I can't really speak on behalf of those who want to use these for getting makeup off. I don't wear much makeup ever, so I doubt I'll be getting to test these out anytime soon.

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Nails: Nothing
I need to do something nice with my nails for a professional event I have coming up. Thinking neutral.