Gardening in High Heels

cultivate a beautiful life

March Birchbox Unboxing

I was so excited to do a post with all of my favorite green nail polishes for St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow…and then I got my March Birchbox in the mail.  And I said I’d never do another video after the Dessange unboxing, but I lied.

I made a Birchbox unboxing video for you all.

March Birchbox Unboxing! The month's theme is creativity and you can definitely play around with some fun stuff here.

The March box this month is all about creativity, which is right up my alley.  It was one of those fun boxes where you could just pick one of the samples in your box or get a specialty box (like last month’s Birchbox X Rent the Runway box).  I really wanted to try Amika’s blowout spray, so that’s what I picked for my box.

Items in my March Birchbox

Amika Bombshell Blowout Spray
Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Gloss in Disco Rose
Harvey Prince Sincerely
Macadamia Professional Nourishing Moisture Mask
Jelly Pong Pong GLOW GETTER Highlighter

Some months there are only five items, others there are six.  It seems very random.  Did anyone else notice that?

So far, I’ve enjoyed the Smashbox lip gloss; it’s a pretty shade and it adds just the right amount of color to your face to be casual or to be paired with a bold eye look.  I also like the Harvey Prince perfume, though I didn’t smell it strongly throughout the day.

I don’t know about you, but when I buy perfume, I take time to smell all the different kinds and see how they wear on me; I will rarely purchase something online without smelling it first and I don’t think I’ve ever purchased a scent that came in a Birchbox.  Not that they are bad (quite the contrary!) but I like to take time to be selective.

Did you get a Birchbox this month?  What’s in it?

[disclaim]I’m not sponsored by or affiliated with Birchbox I just really like what they have going on. Link to sign up for Birchbox is a referral link.[/disclaim]

Dessange Paris Unboxing and First Impressions

Out of all of the beauty-related items I have, haircare is probably the lowest man on the totem pole.  I have enough makeup to Spackle an army, nail polish to paint another Sistine Chapel, and a fair amount of moisturizers, sprays, and perfumes to get the stink out of…well, I’m running out of analogies, but you get the point.

Dessange Pairs Oleo Miracle Replenishing line has three weightless oils to nourish your hair without leaving it heavy or greasy. It's a Paris hair secret! Loving it! #influenster #voxbox #JAdoreDessange

That isn’t to say I don’t have hair products that I buy time and time again, but I really don’t do anything outside the norm.  Shampoo/conditioner (sometimes a conditioning mask), leave-in conditioner, and finally a shine serum after I blow-dry (that is if I blow-dry at all).  And if I curl my hair, Hot Off The Press heat protecting spray.  Dry shampoo if I can’t bring myself to wash (and subsequently dry) my hair.

So when Influenster sent me new haircare items from Dessange Paris, I was intrigued.  I received the Dessange Paris Oleo Miracle Replenishing Line with a Replenishing Shampoo, Conditioner, and Oil.  I  could easily see myself incorporating all of that into my hair routine without a problem.

The whole Dessange Oleo Miracle line is infused with three natural oils: argan, camelia, and pracaxi – and yeah, I have no idea how to say “pracaxi.”  The only oil I’ve heard of here is the argan oil.  I LOVE argan oil.  Josie Maran’s argan oil is usually what I put on my hair when I’m done drying it.

As you can tell, I can’t say Dessange without a funny accent.  Oh, and a note in regards to the Replenshing Oil: you are supposed to use it on dry hair.  It’s a highly-nourshing yet non-greasy leave-in treatment.

The first thing I noticed was the smell.  It was pretty perfume-y, but thankfully it doesn’t stick around strongly.  That said, Jonathan did mention he prefers what I was using before – good ol’ Pantene – to the Dessange smell.

When I hosted a French foreign exchange student, I did notice that most of the beauty products were heavily scented, so that must be the “thing” to do.

After one day using this, I did notice my hair had more life.  I recently got it cut, which always brings out a little more volume, so we’ll see if the volume is due to the Dessange or the fresh ‘do.

Dessange seems to be all about adding nourishment and shine to hair without weighing it down.  Like I said in the video, my hair is thick and heavy and it just hangs unless I take time to style it.

Truth be told, after one wash, I can’t tell much of a difference in texture or softness.  It did seem like it got “bigger” and had to brush down some frizzies that I don’t normally have, but again, it could just be thanks to a recent cut.

I’m interested to see what happens with continued use.  I think the biggest obstacle to using this is going to be getting over the smell in the shower – it’s just so heavily perfumed, like Great Aunt Bethany – but I do like the volume.

What’s your miracle hair secret?

[disclaim]Influenster sent me these products to test and review.  My community means more to me than some shampoo, so you can bet I’m going to tell you my honest opinions.

Want to be an Influenster?  Join me here!  Yes, it’s a referral link.[/disclaim]

What’s in my makeup bag – skincare

I love watching videos on YouTube where you get a peek inside someone’s makeup collection: how they store it, what their must-have items are, etc.  I have amassed quite a collection, but there are some things that I use every day.  It is ridiculously hard not to go on and on about my most loved products.  Heads up guys, this one isn’t for you (sorry, Dad).

Because I do reach for a lot every day, so I thought I’d break it down by category.  Today is the base layer: skincare.  It’s gonna look like it’s sponsored by Philosophy, but it isn’t I promise.

There are so many good skin care products, it's hard to know what's good. Check out these skin care staples!

Before we get in to it, let me tell y’all a little about my skin.  It’s pretty oily.  If diners run out of grease in the summer, they just come find me because I’m like a walking oil slick.  You may think that the winter is my skin’s time to shine, but no.  It gets patchy dryness, which I moisturize, and then break out because of the heavy moisturizer.  So I use drying treatments and we begin again.

I think I finally broke the cycle this year.  I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting older or I’m using better products or I’m eating right or…who knows.  Some of these skincare products I’ve used for a long time, others are recent discoveries, but all of them have done wonders for my skin right now.

Philosophy Purity Made Simple and Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash

I use a combo of Philosophy Purity Made Simple and The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash.  Usually I’ll use the exfoliant in the shower in the morning and Purity at night, but I also will mix the two together if I need a little extra somethin’-somethin’.

I will use Purity Made Simple at night with my Clarisonic to really get everything off.

Philosophy makes the best skin care products! Paird with my Clarisonic and it's heaven. The Triple Acid Peel Pads are a holy grail.

Philosophy The Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel

I’ve talked about these before.  I’m so in love with them for a little extra oomph in my skincare routine.  I use them once a week to brighten and even my skin tone.  Used in conjunction with Yes To Grapefruit Dark Spot Correcting Serum, and the acne scars I always battle are fading away nicely.

Philosophy Hope in a Jar Moisturizer

I never tried this before I found a kit on QVC with this and some other products that I’ve wanted to try.  This moisturizer is light and has AHAs so you get a little exfoliation at night (when I use this).  A little goes a long way.

I’ve also used and loved Philosophy Take a Deep Breath moisturizer.  It’s a light-weight gel that is so soothing.  It feels like you’re splashing water on your skin.  Love it for the summer.

They have a version with SPF, but I have not tried that.  I was going to and then I discovered…..

Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer

Okay, I have to give it up to Jonathan for this one.  I’ve been mentioning skin troubles on and off and he’s always said that I should use what he does.  Well, I have a lifetime supply of Purity Made Simple (thanks QVC super size auto-delivery!) but I was getting towards the end of my supply of Hope in a Jar moisturizer.  So I tried this.

Even though it’s “formulated for a man’s skin,” my skin is in love.  It sinks in quickly, feels amazing, and the SPF in it doesn’t get greasy or heavy.  It also is unscented and doesn’t irritate my eyes if I get it too close.  All wins in my book.

 Acne treatments

I know that treatments don’t help hormonal acne very much, but I still like to try to prevent things that may be more environmental.  I used Clean and Clear Persa-gel 10 (among other high end and drugstore treatments) and then I discovered the Target generic knock-off and it does the same thing.  I use this all over, especially in the summer.

If I need to spot-treat, I reach for Origins Super Spot Remover.  This. is. amazing.  I picked this up in college after a friend recommended it to me and holy balls, is it good stuff.  Dab it on at night and wake up with a greatly-reduced (sometimes entirely gone) spot.

Peter Thomas Roth Laser-Free Regenerator Moisturizing Gel-Cream

This is a sample that I have rediscovered and loved.  I use it at night and I’m pretty sure this in tandem with the Jack Black moisturizer is how my skin has escaped dry patches during this recent cold streak.

This is totally different than any moisturizer I have used.  It says it’s a gel, but it has that “silicone” feel when you’re applying it.  Y’know, it gives your skin that slip that you typically get with primers.  I am really loving this sample, which is a shame because it’s expensive stuff!

Philosophy Hope in a Tube

Also in the Hope in a Jar line is Hope in a Tube.  It’s a great eye cream.  Very thick and heavy, though I wish it was as smoothing as they say.  I sleep with my face smushed into a pillow and I’m convinced that is why I need to use a heavy-duty eye cream. I also wear contacts so I’m tugging at delicate skin almost every day when I put them in.

I wish I had something that would stick with me more throughout the day.  I feel like by mid-morning, my under eye area looks dry and crepe-y.  Do you have any recommendations for good eye creams?

GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment

I’ve mentioned this mask before, so I’ll try to keep this short.  I was so upset when I didn’t use this all up when I discovered it had dried out on me.  I ration this stuff because it’s expensive, but so worth it.  When you feel your skin needs a good deep clean, this is what you need to turn to.

I’ve also been loving Bliss Steep Clean mask for a once-a-week skin vacuuming, but it’s totally different than the GlamGlow mask.  The GG mask is a clay mask that you can see sucking out the gunk.  The Bliss mask is more of an enzyme peel.  Still good, but in a different way.

Very favorite skin care products..Clarisonic, Jack Black, Yes To, Origins, Peter Thomas Roth, Up and Up, and Bliss

So those are the skincare products in my makeup bag that I reach for every day.  I know I seem super-high maintenance now, but a lot goes into looking this good (joke! That’s a joke guys).

What do you reach for on a daily basis when it comes to skincare?

Try this, not that: Revlon Lip Stains

Ever since I started drinking mass quantities of coffee and wearing lipstick, I have been on the search for a lip stain that was low-maintenance.  The need really hit hard during college when I would apply makeup (so after Freshman year) and leave my room for hours with little time to stop in a bathroom to check my face.

I needed something that would last for hours without touch ups because in the 15 minutes I had to walk across campus, I had the choice to stop in a restroom or eat.  Guess which one I picked.

I also need something that won’t get stuck to my lips on windy State College / Pittsburgh days.  Something that wouldn’t smear all over face would also be nice, too.

Try This, Not That: Revlon Lip StainsWhile I am not above buying high-end products, when it comes to having a variety of colors, I don’t have the budget.  I love Revlon products because they are quality drugstore finds.

But I have discovered that not all Revlon lip stains are made equal.

Anything with a marker-like tip always does great on the first application, but in my experience, it’s always downhill from there.  The Revlon Stain + Balm has that effect.  I purchased this when it first came out, used it once, and lost it.  I thought that it was good stuff (because of the first-try placebo effect) and I purchased a second one.

Revlon Just Bitten marker-tip stain isn't the best Revlon stain. Try the Color Stay Balm Stain or the Colorburst Balm instead.

I had this one for longer and it was..meh.  Not impressed.  I thought it was because I had just a normal marker-pen-stain thing, not the same product with the separate balm.

So I bought another one.  Naturally.  Then I found another shade at Big Lots and of course it wasn’t impressive either.

Try this

And then the Revlon crayon-like came out and I have at least one in each variety.  I love them.

Revlon Colorburst Balm has gread buildable coverage and feels fantastic on your lips.

Some of them aren’t powerful stains, like the Revlon ColorBurst Balms, but they are greatly moisturizing.  Some of the shades do stain a little bit.

And then there’s the Revlon Color Stay Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain.

Game. Changer.  I found this through LeighannSays on YouTube.

It doesn’t feel sticky, it lasts, and the color is buildable.  I have the color Honey and it is a fantastic nude with a hint of pink that really pulls your look together but also adds moisture to your lips.

I think Revlon still sells the separate stain and balm product in stores, but it isn’t available online.  The crayon product is a great reboot.  I prefer the format of crayon-like products because they are easy to carry and apply.  I just wish the cap stayed on a little bit better.  It’s taken me a long time to remember that I really have to make sure it’s closed before I put it in my purse.

Revlon ColorBurst Balm and Color Stay Lip Stains are moisturizing and have great color pay off!

What lip stains do you prefer?  Have you found any lines that have similar products but one is vastly superior than another?

February Birchbox First Impressions

I have been getting Birchbox for 30 31 boxes now.  I’ve done a few box reviews, but I’ve never done a first impressions.  I go through a love-hate relationship with them (I love trying new products but I hate falling in love with them and having to buy them. Oh the struggle), but since I started the #365DaysOfEmpties project, I need to keep my stash of samples up.

February Birchbox Unboxing

February just came in and I am super-excited because I decided to pick a specialty box.  I like when Birchbox lets you pick a specialty box, like this one, or pick one of your samples.  The sample choices they offered for February were samples I already tried and wasn’t like, “Yes I need another one of these,” so I went with the Rent The Runway X Birchbox box.

Rent The Runway and Birchbox made a great box collab for February in 2015

derma e Anti Wringkle Vitamin A Glycolic Scrub

I usually don’t purchase scrubs (aside from Philosophy’s The Microdelivery Wash) because a) I have a big stock of that and b) I’ve been dedicated to my Clarisonic since high school and it gets the job done.

I do like to add in a good weekly exfoliation, though I’ve been partial to AHAs instead of physical scrubbers.  This says it sloughs off dull skin, fades dark spots, and cleans pores so it sounds like a great multitasking addition.

Fekkai Blowout Hair Refresher Dry Shampoo

Thanks to Birchbox, I haven’t paid for dry shampoo in about a year or year and a half.  I love other Fekkai products they’ve sent me and I can’t wait to try this one.

Did you know that for best oil-absorbing results, you should spray on dry shampoo at night and let it work while you sleep?  I can’t remember where I learned that (probably Birchbox) but it’s a great trick.  It really works!

Not Soap, Radio Body Wash in The Stuff That Cupid Dips His Arrows In

This smells so fantastic.  I opened it up and instantly reminded me of a Bath and Body Works spray I had once that I think was also blackberry and vanilla.

I’m not particular about my body wash, but I have been using Philosophy for a while.  It’s creamy and rich and smells great.  I hope this one is as good.  I probably won’t buy it though because it’s $16 and I stocked up on Black Friday when Philosophy was having a sale.  I also received fantastic products from The Williamsburg Inn Spa from my mom for Christmas so I’m good.

Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner in Raina

I have no idea why this is called “Color Contrast.”  It would be cool if it was a duochrome finish.  But it’s just colored liner.  This is a pretty dark blue.  I couldn’t tell that Raina is blue until I went on the website.

Birchbox suggests to layer liners..maybe that’s where the name comes from?

I have had their liners from Birchbox before and have really liked them.  They have great staying power and the color is intense.  Maybe that has something to do with the name.

theBalm Read My Lips in Bam

This is such a gorgeous peachy petal pink.  I really like that it has antioxidants in it so it’s good for you yet it’s also pretty and glossy.

I can’t wait to see if this is sheer or if it’s as pigmented as theBalm and Birchbox claims.  They also say it’s non-sticky.  I really hope that’s true because there is nothing worse than putting on lip stuff in the morning, stepping outside, and having your hair drag lines of color across your face or attaching itself to your face thanks to the wind.

Do you subscribe to Birchbox?  I can’t wait to hear what you got!

[disclaim]The Birchbox link is a referral link.  I earn points if friends sign up.  I’ve stuck with them for 31 boxes, so clearly there’s good stuff here![/disclaim]

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