Birchbox - May 2012 - Gossip Girl

Hey Everyone!!!!  

I know this is going up a little late but I received my May Birchbox last week!!!  I just recently started taking classes again...my 2 week spring break was not nearly long enough, which is why the delay in this post.

Any who.......getting right into it.  This months theme was Gossip Girl - Chic Sunday Brunch.  The box is filled with products to help any little social butterfly look their best on the weekends.  And because I received this box last week, I have tried out most of the products so I will do a description and mini review of each.

The Fragrance.....Flor y Canto by Arquiste (0.0038 fl. oz liquid / 1,13 ml)

This has to be one of the most amazing things I have smelled.  In the bottle/vile it smells extremely floraly...but as soon as this hits skin it takes on this warm, rich scent.  According to the packaging it came in the notes are:  Mexican Tuberose, Magnolia, Plumeria, and Marigold.  For more information you can visit their website at arquiste.com 

*Full Size:  55ml - $165

Next up was the Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream (0.5 fl. oz. / 15ml)

The cream is on point.  The description says "Nothing sets off a glossy new mani like super-soft skin, and this French brand's antioxidant cream definitely delivers".  It goes on just so silky and smooth, not greasy what so ever.  The only issue I have is with the smell.  It doesn't offer a name to the scent of the lotion, but it sort of smells like orange tic tacs mixed with like a metal or metallicy odor.  It's hard to describe but it just smells a bit off.  Does an amazing job though smoothing out your skin!

*Full Size:  75ml - $19.00

Now it's not a Birchbox unless there was some sort of lip product.  I was really excited to see Fusion Beauty Lip Fusion Balm (0.17 oz. / 4.7 g) and this item is full size.  I have never tried any of Fusion Beauty's products and just ripped this stuff right out of the box.  The balm itself has no color, but does have a nice minor minty scent.  It applies to the lips like butter!  Creamy and silky...it glides over your lips leaving them soft and feeling hydrated and full (without any sort of tingle).  This lip conditioning stick is meant to protect against sun exposure as it does have SPF15 in it.  Again, this was a full size product and well worth the $10 alone!!!

*Full Size:  0.17 oz - $22.00

Hair product...I get so excited to try new things and I have to say this box really excited me with new brands that I have been itching to try and now finally have the chance to.  Which leads me to the Ojon Damage Reverse Restorative Conditioner.  I apologize for not being able to list the size of my sample...I have used this product already and sadly it has already gone out in the trash.  I will say though, I have a MASSIVE amount of hair (both extremely long and thick) and I was able to get 3 uses out of the conditioner.  I have color, highlights, and that fun jazz in my hair so it is pretty brittle and dry after cleansing.  This conditioner went on nice and made my hair feel really silky after rinsing it out.  The smell was bearable, although not my favorite.  I am not sure if it was the conditioner but I have noticed some slight itching and flaking from my scalp since I have used this with my other products.  I don't think I would purchase this in full size.  I get the same effect with my Macadamia Hair Mask Treatment...and no dandruff lol.

*Full Size:  8.5 fl. oz. - $25.00

And last but certainly not least is the infamous Birchbox Extra.  This product is usually a miscellaneous lifestyle item, not really pertaining to "beauty".  I am actually really excited about this item, which sounds kind of nerdy because it's a note card and envelope.  It's a Birchbox pink envelope and the note card is all red with white trim and white xoxo in the center of the card.  Where the other side is all white with red trim.  I am going to give my boyfriend something in the very near future as a "just because" and I can put this card to use when I give him his gift.  It's very cute and subtle, yet not too "girly".   

*Full Size:  Set of 12 - $10.00

Thank you guys for reading, I hope you all enjoyed this.  Leave a comment below and if you are subscribed to Birchbox let me know what you received in your May Box!  Take Care Everyone!!!

NuMe 25mm Curling Wand

First off let me start by saying I feel like a complete @$$ for not sticking to my word....I promised almost a month ago that I was going to start posting more stuff and keeping up with this.  Between work and school my schedule just got a bit crazy.  I am winding down my first semester back at school since 2005 and just needed to get myself adjusted to all of this again.  In a few short weeks I will have a nice 2 week "spring break" and then next semester I will be taking fewer classes which means more time for this and starting my YouTube videos and Vlogs!!!! =) 

With that being said....I am excited to post my very first review.  I am subscribed to both Birchbox and MyGlam.  In the February MyGlam bag we recieved a gift card for $100 off any NuMe hot tool.  They had an amazing sale on their curling wands, and then with the gift card from MyGlam, just made this wand a complete STEAL!  The retail price of the wand was in the upwards of $225 (I think)?  It was marked down on sale for $165 and then with my $100gift card from MyGlam it made the wand $65!!!!

They have 5 different types/measurements of wands.  I have the 25mm, which is roughly about a 1 inch barrel size.  They have a selection of colors (black, pink, zebra, and I think white).  The wand heats up extremely fast, but only has an on/off switch, you are not able to adjust the heat.  It has the swivel cord on the end of the wand to help deter from tangling.  

It also comes with the heat protectant glove to avoid burning yourself (it may be uncomfortable at first, but you get used to wearing it).

Over all I am very pleased with this wand.  It was exactly what I have been looking for to give me the perfect, beachy wave look that regular curling irons and wands couldn't.  I have really thick and long hair, so I had to divide my hair into more sections and it took me about 45 minutes to curl all of my hair.  It was fast and after the first few curls, I got the hang of using the wand.  

I know it seems a bit pricey but I think it's well worth the investment.  I also have a higher end straightner and I would never use anything else.  It does such an effective job and in less time than a regular straightner, and the same can be said for the NuMe Curling Wand!  If you have any additional questions please leave comments and I will be more than happy to answer them for you guys.  

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day =)