october birchbox

this month, as many of you well know, birchbox is offering a goop-themed birchbox to some of its customers. I opted in, and while I'm glad I did, I was still expecting a little more! at any rate, here's what was in ze box:

essie | "goop pick" polish in power clutch

Between the cheeky names and the on-trend hues, essie can do no wrong. You can wear this classic shade all season.

Joanna Vargas | Daily Serum

Celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas packs her signature brightening serum with vitamins A, E, and C, plus hyaluronic acid. You'll glow, we promise.

Kiehl's | Aromatic Blends Liquid Body Cleanser in Orange Flower & Lychee

This brand's new foaming gel has mood-boosting fruity-floral scent that lingers on skin post-shower.

Naked Princess | Naked Shine Luscious Lip Gloss in Barely Coco

Show off your (nearly) bare lips with this sheer gloss, which doubles as a subtle plumper.

and my lifestyle extra was:

 LUNA fiber | Chocolate raspberry

These fiber-packed bars are a goop fave. Keep them on hand at all times.

the full-size essie polish was a total score, and the color is amazing. I've never heard of Kiehl's, but it smells really good, so I'm excited to try that out too.

I'm not to certain about the rest. the Joanna Vargas Daily Serum really worries me. when I think "serum," I think oily. and it's supposed to go on my face? to me, that has breakout written all over it. I hope it's hypoallergenic and/or noncomedogenic, because I listed both sensitive skin and breakouts on my birchbox profile. I'm very reluctant to use it.

the only thing that worries me about the Naked Princess gloss is stickiness. if it's not sticky, I'll love it. I already love the name and the shade. it just drives me crazy when the wind kicks up and my hair sticks to my lips. then, I have goopy (pun not intended) gloss stuck in my hair all day and I have to re-apply the gloss that I, seconds ago, discovered I don't like. don't disappoint me!

lastly, the Luna bar. food in Birchboxes is ok. I really enjoyed my Larabar I got in my August box. if it tastes good, I'm all for it. I just tend to get more excited about trying beauty samples is all.

so that's it! my last box of the giveaway I won at the lovely Laura's blog. I have to admit, I think 3 months' worth of Birchbox goddness has sold me on continuing my subscription. I just love getting these little surprises in the mail every month! it's the teeny, tiny, finer things in life.

anyway, I just renewed my subscription, and hopefully Laura got the points, because I tried clicking through her referral link ;) if you want monthly deliveries of high-end beauty and lifestyle samples from top brands, then join Birchbox for only $10/month! you also get expert advice, and you can earn points with every purchase. what's not to love?

full glam ahead!

a couple weeks ago, I got a lovely surprise in the mail!

 

my lovely friend Laura hosted a giveaway at her blog, and being a long-time admirer of Benefit Cosmetics, I just had to enter. and what do you know, I won! I could not have been more excited about this. the only Benefit product that I own is their Maybe Baby perfume that I bought when I was stranded in LA. she even included an adorable card in the package. she's the best ♥.

I love all of these products. I was nervous about the High Beam and Stay Don't Stray because I have sensitive skin, but I have had no problems using them. the High Beam has been a lifesaver as the school year winds down. I'm feeling quite worn out and it shows, so I dab it under my eyes and it's amazing. the Stay Don't Stray is a primer for concealer and eyeshadow. I've only used it as an eyeshadow primer, and I love it. my eyeshadow lasts longer, wears brighter, and I don't end up with eyeshadow caked in the crease of my eye at the end of the day. and of course, the Bad Gal Lash is incredible. the brush is GIANT, and it makes me look like I'm wearing false eyelashes. I rarely use black mascara because my skin is so fair, but I have been using this all the time.

Laura is a sweetheart, and her blog is beautiful and interesting (quite a feat, these days... something I'm still trying to achieve with my own blogs). check out her blog, Laura Caffeine!