Amanda's February Birchbox

I can't believe it's the last week in February already! Has this month flown by for anyone else? I really enjoyed the products in my Birchbox this month. I know some months are better than others but I really got some good products that I plan on purchasing once they run out. Let's take a look at all the goodies I received:

1. Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator

2. TIGI Catwalk Session Series Transforming Dry Shampoo

3. Jouer Matte Moisture Tint

4. Ghirardelli Milk & Caramel SQUARES

5. Juicy Couture Couture La La

1. Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator

According to the Birchbox Breakdown: To fully appreciate this dermatologist-quality scrub, a mini skincare lesson is in order. Let’s start with enzymes: these potent ingredients actually dissolve the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. Microderm crystals, on the other hand, are ultra fine minerals that buff away tired skin. Vasanti’s multi-action exfoliator includes both enzymes and micro crystals, plus healing natural ingredients. The result? Renewed, decongested skin without any redness. A single tube will last you four to six months.

My review: I really liked this product. It was a great exfoliator that was SO gentle on my skin. Usually my sensitive skin gets red and even more flaky after using other products but not this one. It was perfect and left my skin so smooth.

2. TIGI Catwalk Session Series Transforming Dry Shampoo

According to the Birchbox Breakdown: If you’re a devoted Birchbox reader, you’re probably well aware that we have a serious infatuation with dry shampoo. Our latest obsession is this game-changer from hip brand TIGI. A couple of quick spritzes instantly zaps excess oil, perks up flat locks, and lets us go an extra day (okay, four) without shampooing.

My review: I LOVED this dry shampoo. I have a few other TIGI products that I love so I wasn't surprised that this product also was great. It smelled fantastic (even Jay said he loved the way it smelled!), made my hair less oily/greasy looking and gave some body and volume to my hair. The sample size is huge -- I was very happy that there is still so much more for me to use. I think this beats out my normal Tresemme dry shampoo!

3. Jouer Matte Moisture Tint

According to the Birchbox Breakdown: Ever since we discovered Jouer’s best selling Luminizing Moisture Tint, the skin perfector has been our secret to getting a healthy, glowy complexion. We never thought anything could come between us and our beloved LMT—until we met this brand new mattifying version. The oil-free formula controls shine all day long and gives skin a soft, velvety finish. It blends in easily and keeps your face protected with SPF 15. We don’t see anything wrong with having two favorites.

My review: Another home run! I thought this product blended great and although it's matte it was not drying at all (and I have really dry skin this time of year). I felt like the coverage was better than most tinted moisturizers I've tried. I was impressed and am sad the sample is so small!

4. Ghirardelli Milk & Caramel SQUARES

According to the Birchbox Breakdown: As Mary Kate and Ashley, Simon and Garfunkel, and Mickey and Minnie would probably attest, it takes two to make a thing go right. Enter our latest Birchbox Find: Ghirardelli’s melt-in-your-mouth milk chocolate squares filled with velvety caramel. The individually-wrapped squares are perfect for snacking, and each is just under 75 calories. If you can be convinced to share, they make thoughtful treats for fellow chocolate-lovers.

My review: Another product I couldn't try, sadly. I will have to give this one to Jay to try out for me! I get why they throw these treat products in our boxes from time to time but for someone like me who can't eat them, it's one less product that month. I could see them as being a bonus or extra for the month, but not instead of a product.

5. Juicy Couture Couture La La

According to the Birchbox Breakdown: Created with the fearless free spirit in mind, this brand new scent from Juicy Couture is a punk rock update on the original Juicy Couture. One part fruity, one part tart, and one part floral, it’s neither too sweet nor too girly. Plus, the glam bottle is worthy of a front-and-center spot on your vanity.

My review: Another great perfume sample from Juicy Couture. I loved the scent and thought it was light and fruity.

So what did you think of what I got this month? Do you want to sign up for your own Birchbox? Click here!

Adrianne’s January Birchbox

It’s the first Birchbox of the new year! January’s products are focused on freshness and making 2013 the best year ever. This month’s box even came with a fold-out poster with 25 ideas on how to make 2013 great—with beauty ideas and fitness tips to ways you can maximize your happiness. What a fun idea!

1. Oscar Blandi Hair Lift Thickening & Strengthening Serum 

2. Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Styling Heat Protect Spray

3. Juicy Couture - Viva La Juicy 

4. Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner 

5. Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè (24-Hour Miracle Cream) 

1. Oscar Blandi Hair Lift Thickening & Strengthening Serum: The idea behind this serum is phenomenal—a weightless gel-like formula to thicken, protect and strengthen hair. According to Birchbox, this product is designed to add moisture to hair while making hair appear more than 40 percent thicker. For me? I did notice that my hair looked thicker after applying and blow drying my hair. But, as with most styling products my hair deflated after about an hour after styling. Not only that, the serum seemed to gunk up my hair and made it feel un-clean even though I just shampooed. I wouldn’t purchase this one. I’d rather have my hair feeling clean than weighed down with a product that only works for about an hour. 

2. Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Styling Heat Protect Spray: I try to take really good care of my hair, and that involves not heat styling too much. I can’t get around blow drying my hair, but I do try to avoid using a curling iron or straightener every day. Heat protecting sprays are a must for anyone who uses heat to style their hair. This product has a very light lemony scent, which smells wonderful. To use it, all you have to do is spray it on towel-dried hair before you use your blow dryer. I tried spraying this on my hair before a couple of blow-outs and noticed that my hair felt very smooth and looked shiny, but my hair felt a little weighed down and gritty. 

3. Juicy Couture - Viva La Juicy Perfume: Fruity. Playful. Floral. Sweet. Just a few words to describe this lovely perfume. I can vouch for this product because I’ve had the opportunity to test it with more than just this sample. I actually purchased this perfume a couple of years ago and really loved it. It’s a wonderful scent. It’s bold, but not overpowering. The bad part? Ninety bucks for a bottle. The price is the ONLY reason I haven’t repurchased this fragrance. 

4. Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner: I was recently on the hunt for a liquid liner and found one that I really like. It figures that I’d get a sample this month. Last year I tried an Eyeko eye crayon and wasn’t terribly impressed, so I had mixed feelings about trying another one of their products. But, I am happy to say that I was blown away by this product. 

The best way to describe this product is to liken it to a Sharpie marker. It’s a pen that contains a felt tip—no messy dipping into a tube of eyeliner. The color is dark and intense and it really does go on exactly like a Sharpie marker. The formula isn’t gooey or messy and there’s practically no drying time. I would definitely purchase this eyeliner in one of the other five colors they have available. 

5. Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè (24-Hour Miracle Cream): Is it possible to be in love with a face cream? Because if so, I am. I had heard of the Embryolisse skin care line through some blogs I follow and have been hoping to try their face cream. It’s made with aloe, shea butter and soy proteins in order to make the formula thick and moisturizing. According to Birchbox, it can also be used as a makeup remover, baby cream and soothing agent post-shave! I am perfectly happy with using this cream as a moisturizer. Though the cream is thick, it’s not too heavy and doesn’t leave behind any kind of oily feeling. It goes on easily and leaves the skin feeling incredibly smooth. And if that weren’t enough, the cream has a very sweet and fresh scent. If you’re looking for a new facial moisturizer, this one is absolutely worth a try. You won’t be disappointed!

Have you recently discovered any beauty products that you fell in love with? Share in the comments?