Birchbox - October

October's Birchbox theme was "Prep & Finish."  Since it's almost 2012, I thought perhaps I would "prep & finish" up my missing Birchbox posts for 2011!  Hooray for wanting to complete things!

The Lineup:

• Befine Lip Serum
• blinc Mascara
• Pangea Organics - Japanese Matcha Tea Facial Mask
• Orofluido Beauty Elixir

Bonus Treat:

• Tea Forte Minteas

The Winner
Without a doubt the Orofluido Beauty Elixir is the only thing really worth talking about from this box.  Here is Birchbox's description:

HOW IT WORKS
This serum relies on a triple-threat of standout oils: argan oil strengthens strands; linseed oil smoothes cuticles to leave hair shiny; and Cyperus oil fortifies and boosts manageability.


HOW TO USE
Quick-absorbing and lightweight, this oil works on damp or dry strands.  Take three to four drops between the palms of your hands and distribute evenly through damp hair.  Style as usual.  You can also work a couple drops through dry ends or use a tiny amount to calm flyaways.


This stuff is incredible.  Makes my hair super soft (but not greasy) and smells amazing (a faint musky vanilla).  I'm never really motivated to put oil in my hair since I have such fine hair and it tends to be oily by the end of the day.  But I thought I would try this on the ends of my hair after a shower and I was really impressed with it.  I went to go buy a full sized bottle of it on BB's website and it was sold out when I looked.  So I guess I'm not the only one impressed.  They have some back in stock now so go pick some up if you want to check it out.

The Runner-up:
Befine Lip Serum.  I seem to be reaching for this quite a bit.  The texture is smooth, silky, and the definition of the serum.  It feels nice, doesn't smell, isn't sticky, and makes my lips feel hydrated and soft.  Plus, any lip conditioner that doesn't have a sunscreen in it is cool with me.

The Rest:
To be fair, I haven't tried the Pangea mask.  But in my defense, I'm overloaded with Pangea products from Birchbox and really have only been impressed with one so far.  Also, I'm pretty loyal to my St. Ives clay mask.  I've used it for years - it works, and I love it.  I will come back and let you all know when I do try it.

The blinc mascara...well let's just say you can buy L'Oreal Paris Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara for less than half the price and works just the same.  Just sayin'.

The Tea Forte mints, are terrible.  Everybody in my family tried them and nobody liked them.  In the trash they went.

I know I was harsh on this box but, you aren't going to always like/love what you try.  These are just my thoughts.

Do any of you subscribe to Birchbox?

Lorac - Close Up: Real Life to Red Carpet

Seems like every time I go into Ulta or Sephora I'm always testing the Lorac baked eyeshadows and drooling - but I've never bought any.  I resolved a few months ago that my next big makeup purchase would be from Lorac.  So during my last visit to Sephora I found the perfect set to introduce me to some of Lorac's products.  I picked up the Close Up: Real Life to Red Carpet Natural to Dramatic Face Tutorial. 

The Kit includes:

• Front of the Line PRO Liquid Eye Liner Pen (Sold separately for $23)
• Multiplex 3D Lashes Volumizing & Thickening Mascara (Sold separately for $22)
• Starry-Eyed Baked Eyeshadow Trio (Sold separately for $26)
• Couture Shine Liquid Lipstick in Trendsetter (Sold separately for $22)
• Blush in Soul (Sold separately for $20)

Plus a Tutorial Look book that has clings you can press on your mirror to instruct you while you are applying the different looks!

I've really enjoyed this kit.  The eyeshadows are beautiful!  The pearl color makes a great highlighter on the brow bone.  I've never used a liquid liner before and I'm sold on this one.  I can hold it sideways while applying and get as thick of a line as I like.  By going slow and making short strokes I can control the line and get it exactly where I want it without making a mess.  This liner holds up all day and doesn't smudge!  The mascara is decent.  I really like the brush, and it seems to lengthen more than volumize.  The gloss is beautiful!  Smells like vanilla and is thick without being sticky.  Finally, the blush.  Since I'm so fair I just need to dab my brush on the powder and dot along my cheekbones before blending out.  It gives me a beautiful flush of natural looking color - not too pink or too dark.  Just kind of rosy.  Unfortunately...I accidently dropped it on the tile floor last week and it broke.  So now I have a broken blush but it still works.  I just have to be very careful about the amount I pick up with my brush.

Overall, I'm really glad I tried this kit.  From the looks of the individual prices, I got this for a steal!  $39.00 vice $120!  Lorac, I'm impressed, and will be visiting your brand again in the future.

What do you all think?  Pretty huh?
Melissa

Mini Essence Haul - First Look

 Take a goose...or a gander, at the mini Essence haul I did at lunch today.  I'm so excited to try my new stuff out!

Four eyeshadow singles in:

• Party All Night (35) - a metallic golden/taupe color

• Knock-Out (36) - a matte teal color

• Mystic Purple (42) - a holographic grey/purple color

• It's Up To You (44) - A shimmery mango/pink color

Two "Stay With Me" lipglosses:

• Candy Bar (03)  
• Me & My Ice Cream (01)

I also bought their Smokey Eye Brush to try out.  It's like a really soft, small, pencil brush:

The Multi-Action Smokey Eyes Mascara:

Two Gel Eyeliners:

• London Baby (02)
• Berlin Rocks (03)

One last fun thing, a Smurf color nailpolish!

• Let's Get Lost (55)

Update on the nail polish :-( Doesn't even last a day without chipping.  I know somebody is thinking "it's only $1.00, waddaya want!" Well E.L.F. has polish for $1.00 that doesn't chip so I know it can be done!

Thanks for peeking!