May Birch Box!!!

Birchbox hasn't disappointed me yet!  Let's see what was given to us in May!

This month, I wasn't blown away.  The box wasn't bad, but...well, it wasn't my favorite.  But hey, no one can knock it out of the park every time, right? Let's get to it.

Nexxus Color Assure shampoo, conditioner and primer★★

Let's rip the band-aid off and get to my least favorite part.  I wanted to like this shampoo, I really did. But I didn't.  The primer is something you are supposed to put on your hair before you shower, I believe to protect it from the heat of your shower.  Um, okay?  Did that.  The shampoo - I needed more.  I have a lot of hair, even as it's shorter, and the sample size was smaller than it appears to be.  And the conditioner...ehhhh?  Wasn't impressed.  My hair didn't feel right afterward. I think I will stick with my Redken.

Gilchrist & Soames Body Lotion★★★

This body lotion was okay.  I didn't feel it was any more special than any other lotion.  The scent was so-so.  I will use it, but I won't go out of my way to purchase it.  

Pix! Shea Butter Lip Balm★★★★

Great lip balm!!  Definitely going to use this one all up.  Lips feel soft and silky and with that yummy shea butter smell/taste.  Awesome

32 Effervescent Breath Treatment★★★

One I haven't tried yet...and I can't guarantee that I will.  You are supposed to drop this in to your mouth and let it fizz up, and it is supposed to kill bad breath.  I just can't seem to bring myself to do it.  If I do, I will update this review later.

Whish Shave Cream★★★★

This is a thick, creamy shave cream as it comes out.  I used it sparingly, in a thin, almost invisible layer, and it was still great!  Smelled great, too...and while I can't quite pick out exactly why that's important, because no one but the dogs walk around smelling my legs.  BUT a great smell just makes it better. Right?  Loved this over my whatever-brand-i-grab-at-Walmart usual pick.  Will hunt this down and buy!

And that's it!!  The lip balm and shaving cream saved this box for me...wasn't overly impressed with everything else.  Oh well. BirchBox June should be here in a few days, and I look forward to reviewing that one...ON TIME...

Until next time,

XOXO

Sam

May BeautyBox5!!

Okay, so I know I sort of poo-pahed BeautyBox5 last month, but they really outdid themselves this month!!  Much more impressed this go round!  Read more to find out why!!

Okay, I admit it.  I was pretty quick to be judge of BB5 last month, and this month, they totally redeemed themselves!  They are on the lower end of the boxes, and as the 5 in "BeautyBox5" suggests, the box holds 5 items.  Here's the run down:

Ban Total Refresh Cooling Body Cloths ★★★★

When I first saw these, I have to say, my initial reaction was "Really??  What am I going to do with these??"  I literally live in the desert, and summer was making a late entrance.  Last year, we had hit 100 degrees by March, but this year, we didn't hit 100 degrees until June.  So when these came in, there wasn't much need for them.  But I have to tell you, when you have spent hours in a car in even 90 degree heat, on leather seats, you can start to feel a bit funky.  Then you have to run in somewhere or meet someone.  These babies help you freshen up on the go!!  Love them.  A definite purchase in the future for me!!

Harvy Prince Hello -★★★★★

I have never been much of one to experiment with scent before.  I usually find something I like, occasionally two, and I stick with them.  My husband got my a large bottle of Beauty by Calvin Klein for my birthday last year, and it's pretty much all I wear.  Don't get me wrong, I love CK Beauty, which is why I have stuck with it for so long, but...wearing the same scent everyday can get pretty monotonous.  BB5 sent this gem in May, and I have a new favorite!  Girly, yet woodsy and sexy!  My husband LOVES it, and I feel a little younger yet a little more sophisticated while wearing it, and would LOVE a full size bottle of it!

Cattiva Waterproof Eyeliner ★★★

Admittedly, I haven't tried this eyeliner yet.  Out of the 4 subscription boxes I receive, in the last 2 months, I have gotten 4 or 5 eyeliners, and with it being so hot, I haven't bothered with eyeliner the last few days.  (Eyeliner sweating into your eyeballs is not a pleasant experience.)  So, my review for this one will have to be updated later.

Mask-er Aid Pre Party Prep★★★

Another little item I haven't had a chance to try yet.  To be fair, it's been end of school activities heading straight into a weekend family reunion at the lake, and now we are packing up to take the kids to camp and then visit my in-laws for a day or two.  Another item I will have to update at another time.

Aqualibrium Marine Cleansing Gel ★★★★

This is one that I did try.  And I have to say, not bad  One the plus side, my face was left feeling refreshed and hydrated...not dry like some cleansers can leave your face feeling.  Got the job done without drying out my skin.

And that's it!  Like I said, I was quite pleasantly surprised with BB5 this month, and can't wait to see what comes in the next few days!

Until next time,
XOXO
Sam

May Ipsy Bag!!

Okay!  At least I am in the correct month now!  Ipsy really wowed me this month.  I have enjoyed getting their bags, but this one is my favorite of the two!  Want to know why??

Barefoot Exfoliating Body Polish ???

I admit, I haven't yet tried this, but I will tomorrow.  We are getting ready for a family reunion by a lake, and I need to put on some self tanner so my legs are not light beacons for fish.  And before I dare put the self tanner on, I need to exfoliate.  That being said, I have used (and still do, actually) Barefoot products, and for a drugstore brand, they are at the top of my list!  They even included a $2 off coupon with one of the samples.  I have not seen this product in store before, and I am hoping the $2 coupon is not a premonition of this being expensive.  Stay tuned, though...I will add a PS in my June review for how this worked out.

Hang Ten 50 Natural Sunscreen ★★★★

I really don't know much about this company, but I did try their sun screen.  It seems to do the trick!  An SPF of 50 is great for redheads like myself (and everyone else...skin cancer is bad, mmmkay?  Protect your skin!!) AND as a bonus, it smells good AND is non-greasy!!  The back label also claims Oxybenzone free, Paraben Free, Retinyl Palmitate free, and synthetic fragrance free.  I would definitely buy this brand again!

Pacifica Eye Shadow - Duo 2 ★★★

I don't know much about this brand either, and to be honest, I haven't really even given this eye shadow a try.  I don't wear "colors", per se.  I am a more neutrals kind of girl, so the purple will not work for me.  I suppose the white might make a good eyebrow highlight, but I honestly haven't tried it.  This will probably go to the 10 year old.  However, I do love the fact they are 100% vegan, Cruelty Free, free of FD&C  coloring, and free of parabens and petroleum.  So, it is "clean" and that makes you feel good.  Also, a portion (I don't know how much) of every sale from this company goes "to support clean water".  I haven't done my research so I am not sure what that means...but it sounds good!

Purlisse Pur-Moist Hydra Balance Moisturizer ★★★★★

I was happy to see this included!!  I was introduced to this exact product from another subscription box last month and I LOVE it!  I use it everyday.  I was so thrilled to see this in Ipsy this month!!  Makes my supply last a little longer, and hopefully, for anyone else that hadn't known about it before, they will try it and fall in love like I did!

LuLu Blossom Dreamsicle Body Balm ★★★★★

As much as I love Purlisse (and I DO!!), this little tin was the front runner for Ipsy this month.  Purlisse is great, but having already been exposed to it before, it takes a second seat to this gem.  This body balm is Amazing!  The tin is only 2 oz, but it's great for on the go!  A little goes a long way and it smells heavenly.  Just.  Heavenly. Use it on your cuticles, or elbows or knees or even your feet.  Or use it on pulse points and drive your sweet-tooth having guy a little crazy.  *wink*

Ipsy did a great job with this month's bag, and I am so looking forward to next month's!

Until next time,
XOXO
Sam