Beauty Box 5: June 2014 & Coupon!

After literally days of this box not being delivered because my pain-in-the-rear neighbor keeps parking in front of my mailbox... I finally got my Beauty Box 5 subscription!  I jumped for joy when it was finally in my mailbox after seeing that "Box Blocked - Notice Left" comment in the shipping tracker for so long.  Beauty Box 5 is a monthly beauty sample delivery service for $12 a month, and lucky you, they sent me a code that you can use for a FREE box (or $12 off an extended subscription).  Enter Code FREE614 for a free box!

I love getting these, The sample sizes are generous and it is small enough that it fits in my mailbox so it isn't sitting on my porch all day.

 Organix Coconut Water Shampoo and Conditioner:  Okay, so maybe this one isn't the greatest size sample, but these come in handy for a weekend away.  I love this brand.  My favorite is the tea tree oil shampoo and conditioner, but I haven't tried the coconut water version, so maybe I'll have a new favorite?

Vitabath Cupcake Couture Dreamy Pink Frosting Body Wash:  **Smiles** It smells like cupcakes. :-)

Eslor: The Art of Beauty Introductory packet:  This came with samples of four different Elsor products.  I have never heard of this brand so I'm looking forward to trying it out.

GlamNatural Black Mascara:  Between all of my boxes and the Allure Summer Beauty box, I have soooo many black mascaras.  I have heard good things about this brand though so maybe I'll have one of my sisters try it out instead.

Lastly: Nicka K New York Nail Polish in Ripe Apple - This is the perfect red, truly.  I am a happy girl.

Overall, definitely worth the $12 subscription price, 9 Stars this month BB5!

(Don't forget to use code FREE614 for a free box!)

Julep Maven: June 2014

So excited to get my June Julep Maven box!

Julep is a monthly Nail Polish subscription service for $20/month and they send you two new polishes along with an additional beauty item once a month.  The colors are always chic and I love that they dry quickly so I don't have to worry about messing them up with sheet marks when I do my nails at night!  Check out my new colors!

I get the "Classic With A Twist" box based on my style profile.  This month I got Bergen and Ariana and both are so pretty. 

I'm also pretty pumped about the Julep Oxygen smoothing base coat.  Of course I was so excited that I did my nails in Bergen (The steel-grey colored polish) before even remembering that I received a new base coat, so I'll have to try that out on my next mani.

Also: Pixie Sticks!  Definitely brought me back to my childhood!

Thanks Julep!

Birchbox Man June 2014 And AWAY WE GO

 Every month guest reviewer Jonathan (a.k.a. my handsome boyfriend) reviews his Birchbox Man for my blog.  Birchbox Man is $20/Month for a box full of manly essentials delivered straight to your mailbox.  Enjoy his post below!

 

 Well, I inexplicably have a bathroom full of fancy toiletries which means it must be time for another review. And if you like washing with lavish soaps and rubbing yourself with lotion then you’re gonna LOVE this month’s Birchbox Man!  For the rest of us, get ready to get clean ‘cause it’s soaps and lotions....FROM AROUND THE WORLD!

The items collected in this box are as follows:

 Billy Jealousy Beard Wash

Made in the manliest state of America, Texas, this beard wash will rinse out all traces of BBQ sauce and chewing tobacco juice found soaked in the average man’s beard.  Since the summer months are upon us and I am currently clean-shaven, I have very little need for a $20 beard shampoo.  But come No Shave November, you better believe I’m gonna use it!

Mt. Sapola Body Lotion - Lemongrass

This decadent lotion from Thailand leaves skin feeling soft and smooth while making you smell like a delicious Lemon Meringue Pie; just in time for summer!  I hope the full-size version comes in a bigger jar (for 24 bucks, it better) because there wasn’t nearly enough to cover my entire body.

PLANT Face Oil

This mixture of natural oils may look like something you cook with but it’s actually for your face.  Now, usually my face is oily enough on it’s own so I was pleased that it moisturized without being greasy. After reading the list of natural ingredients, and seeing that only seed and nut oils were used, I was curious enough to give it a little taste and was not disappointed!  The essential oils of Rosemary, Sweet Orange, & Ginger give it a little extra zip that tastes good by itself or on a piece of bread! 

Proper Bar Soap

This pure vegetable soap on the other hand tastes terrible!  Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fine French-made soap; rich & creamy lather, pleasant aroma, refreshing feel, but DO NOT taste it (no matter how delicious the ingredients may sound).

J Fold Card Carrier

This super-light, ultra-thin, possibly anorexic wallet is made from 100% green leather and makes a normal billfold look like William Howard Taft stuck in the White House bathtub.  While it’s small size is ideal for travel, it’d be nice if there were more slots so I can take along my Drivers License, Debit Card, Credit Card, Library Card, Blood Donor ID Card, Health Insurance Card, Social Security Card, Mr. Goodcents Centsable Club Card, Student ID, Selective Service ID, Middle School ID, Gym Membership, Boarders Gift Card, Circuit City Gift Card, Blockbuster Card, and my coupon for one free car wash.

WHERE TO NEXT? Travel Quiz/City Guide

It should be noted that the theme for this month’s Birchbox is about being a World Traveler....at this point, I feel like an extremely clean world traveler who has stolen a lot of hotel soaps and moisturizers.  Add to the fact that I literally have no money in my new wallet and I really do feel like I’ve been on vacation!  This is why I hope to win it big with a trip courtesy of JetBlue.  I haven’t read all the rules yet but I’m pretty sure all I have to do is fill out this travel quiz and they’ll send me to wherever.  Since I got a three-way tie between New York City, San Francisco, and Portland, Maine I guess I’ll be going to all three!  Thanks Birchbox & JetBlue!

Altogether, (and assuming I win the free, all-expenses paid trip) this Birchbox is the best one I’ve ever had and am quite impressed by the variety of high-quality products for today’s modern man.

Ipsy May 2014

Can I just tell you how much I look forward to Ipsy every month??  I love it.  $10/Month and GOOD samples and sometimes even full size products.  To sign up, Click this Link!

This Month's Theme is "Fresh Picks" and I am loving this bag.  I think this is my favorite bag ever and it is very much my style.. It even matches my curtains (in the background) teehee! Its super cute.

First up: Eva-NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask - I have really dry hair so I have been using this a few times a week since I received my bag and I think its great.  I use it after using regular conditioner because I'm that dry, but its definitely been helping.

Hang Ten 50 SPF Suntan Lotion - I can't get enough sunscreen.  I burn in the winter so I use sunscreen all the time.  I don't think this is my favorite brand, but it seems to work well enough.

Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray - I was a bit skeptical of this product because lets be honest,  it is just water in a spray bottle, but it does feel nice right after a workout or on a hot day.  It isn't something I would normally pay money for, but the sample is nice to try.

Pacifica eye shadow in pretty neutral colors.  I have a LOT of neutral eye colors so I gifted this one to my sister, but the brand is nice. 

 Last and favorite product - I am IN LOVE with this Too Faced Chocolate Soleil bronzer.  I thought it was going to be too dark for my skin tone, but it is perfect and it smells like chocolate because it is made with cocoa powder!  Yum!


Overall I loved this month.  9 out of 10 stars and only because I always seem to get neutral eye colors. What did you get in your Ipsy bag?  What did you think of this month's picks?