May 2012 Birchbox! Gossip Girl!

Hello Lovelies!

For the past year, I've been thinking these monthly subscription services were a waste of money. This is because I can get samples from ordering online, or asking in store for free sooo I didn't see the allure of paying for samples that I could otherwise get for free!

But I caved in and decided to subscribe to Birchbox. I've seen videos on the boxes and I was the most impressed with their brands and selection! And that they had great full sized products in their boxes! Not to mention, they had the best reputation as far as customer service!

For those who don't know what Birchbox is, its a monthly beauty sample subscription! You get 4-5 deluxe samples and a full size product every month for $10! Its a great way to try out new brands and products!

Without further ado, I got my first Birchbox! The May box was Gossip Girl themed. Even though I don't watch the show, I can appreciate the hair, makeup and style of it all! I'm a New Yorker so I've got a soft side for my hometown!

There were a couple different themed boxes (I don't know if this is normal for Birchbox) and I got the "Downtown Book Party" theme! Which was the one I wanted (yup, I cheated and Googled the other boxes before mine came)!

It came with a nice sleeve that featured the beautiful City skyline!

And a cute little card about the theme of the box and about Gossip Girl.

On the other side of the card is a list of products, descriptions and prices of the full size products!

The rest of the inside, all wrapped. NOTE: This box did come with a cute little XOXO note card! Sorry, forgot to photograph!

First up is a BB Cream from Dr. Jart+ and a FULL SIZE Stila Sparkle liquid liner! I am a bit scared of BB creams since I have such sensitive skin but I'll give this a go! As far the Stila liner, I couldn't wash it off! Seriously is waterproof! The color is "Curacao" and its a pretty sparkly royal blue color with a little bit of a purple feel!

Then there were all the hair samples! From Kerastase's Cristalliste line there was a shampoo, conditioner and shine serum. OHEMGEE! Do you see the full-size prices of these?! I want to know what magic these can work on my hair! Though, I don't think I would ever buy the full-size! They are REALLY fragrant, not a big fan of that!

Last but not least was a little mini bottle of nail polish from Color Club in the color "Disco Nap". Ok. I had to Google what the eff a disco nap was. Word from the Goog is that its a nap one takes before hitting the clubs. A pregame nap, if you will. Haha! But its a pretty gold polish! Maybe I can get somewhat of a tan to rock this color!

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Here is a breakdown of the prices of the full sizes and sample sizes!

Dr. Jart+ BB Waterfuse BB Cream: Full Size is $32 for 1.7 fl. oz

Sample Size is .06 = about $1.13

Color Club Nail Polish: Full size is $8 for about 0.5 fl. oz

Sample size is .25 = about $4

(Though I will say this polish is full size is actually $3, haha but for this we'll say its $8)

Stila Sparkle Liner: Full Size is $22 for .05 fl. oz

This is Full Size! Yay!

Kerastase Cristalliste Bain Cristal (Shampoo): Full Size is $36 for about 8.45 fl. oz

Sample size is .34 = about $1.44

Kerastase Cristalliste Lait Cristal (Conditioner): Full size is $39 for about 6.76 fl. oz

Sample size is .34 = about $1.96

Kerastase Cristalliste Lumiere Liquide (Shine Serum): Full size is $42 for about 1.69 fl. oz

Sample size is .10 = about $2.48

Total value is $33.01 for my $10 box!

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Overall, I'm impressed! I am excited to see what else is going to come!

Anyone else subscribed to Birchbox? Or any other subscriptions? Let me know!

Interested in joining Birchbox? Sign up here! https://www.birchbox.com?raf=47sk1

♥ Chelsea

Sephora & Ulta Haul!

Hello Lovelies!

In the past 10 days I've gone to a Sephora grand opening and an Ulta grand opening! Whaaat?! Sephora opened up at my local mall, and like I mentioned before, I took the day off and it was fun! Then, this past weekend I went up to NY/NJ to visit my family and an Ulta was opening! And I've never been to an Ulta! It was quite exciting, for their opening they gave goodie bags and gift cards valued from $5 - $100 and I scored a $20 one! Yay!

As always, let me know in the comments if there is anything you want to see a review of!

First haul, Sephora! I went a little NARS crazy! Ha!

One product I have been really wanting to see in person was NARS' "Albatross" a gorgeous highlighter that looks like plain white powder online. But this is going to be one of my favorites! Gorgeous, gorgeous highlighter with an amazing gold sheen that gives you that candle-light glow!

I was on the hunt for a new summery blush and NARS' "Cactus Flower" was totally it! Its a smooth cream formula and beautiful deep rosey-coral color with gold sheen! Hopefully it will work with my oily skin.

I'm running low on my UDPP, and I have heard that NARS' primer is supposed to be like BAM! So we shall see!

Last NARS product is their velvet-matte lip pencil in "Roman Holiday", its a gorgeous vibrant pink! I haven't tried it so I hope matte doesn't equate to being dry!

Forgot to take an individual photo of this Buxom Cream Gloss (new formula!) in "White Russian". I love Buxom glosses so I'm eager to try this new formula in a pretty peach shade! Also photographed are Soap & Glory's "Hand Food", which is an amazeballz, non-greasy, hand lotion that smells great! And Jack Black lip balm in "Natural Mint", I actually got 2. One to keep by my bed and one for the purse; they're SOOO moisturizing and nice!

And now for the swatches! Left to Right: "Albatross", "Cactus Flower", "White Russian", NARS Primer and the little pink cloud is "Roman Holiday".

And now onto Ulta! It was super quiet at Ulta! Fun fact: the Ulta I went to couldn't sell anything mechanical on Sundays (the day I went) because of Jersey Blue Laws! So no one could buy blow dryers, straighteners, etc. Now you know!

I've been looking for a new powder, since I hit pan on all of mine! So I did a little research on Ulta's site and this powder got the best reviews. Its the Pur Minerals 4-1. Its not only a powder but foundation, concealer and SPF. Looks promising! I got the color "Porcelain".

Had to try some NYX products! Exciting! I picked up their HD Photogenic concealer in "Fair" and their Eyebrow Shaper which is a wax brow pencil. Hoping the concealer will help with my dark circles! And the wax pencil is nice and light!

Picked up a newly formulated Urban Decay shadow in "X" which is a beautiful peach with golden sheen! Note a theme and obsession with golden sheen? It just makes my skin look not so pasty but healthy! Anywhozie, excited to try this new formula!

Last thing from Ulta is an OPI polish in "Red Lights Ahead....Where?!" I have been looking for this polish since it came out! But there is no OPI retailer in my area! Totally love the names of the Holland Collection since I've been to the Netherlands and I'm a 25% Dutch! Gorgeous deep coral color!

And now the swatches! NYX concealer on left, then Pur powder and finally UD "X"!

This was my little goodie bag! I will say the Ulta gloss smells like cheap wine, haha.

Phew! Thanks for sticking around for this long post! Sorry some of these photos are out of focus! Didn't realize til I was editing! Hope you are having a great week! Ever been to a grand opening?!

♥ Chelsea