November Favorites

'Favorites' posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month. 

Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer in Comet
I got this in a lighter color about a year ago. I liked the formula but didn't love the color. Recently, I saw the shade 'comet' at CVS for 50% plus I had a $1 off Rimmel coupon. (I paid about $2.00 for it, which makes me love it even more.) The applicator is awesome. I feel like the color suits me well. I've been wearing this almost every day.

Nuxe Reve De Miel Lip Balm (Pot & Stick)
I bought the pot form nearly a year ago. It's one of my favorite lip balms but using it in public just doesn't seem very hygienic. I was a few dollars away from free shipping on Amazon and decided to finally buy the stick. It doesn't leave a white cast, it tastes nice, and it's pretty moisturizing.

Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator
I got this in my Birchbox and have been using it weekly in the shower. I've been loving all face scrubs with microbeads, it just seems like a deeper cleaning and not abrasive. This one doesn't disappoint!

Himalayan Salt Lamp 
Long story short, I accidentally broke our bathroom lamp. It was from Ikea (we don't have an Ikea in Memphis - yet!) Not to mention, the $20 lamp is now sold out and is selling for nearly $80 on eBay. Umm, no thanks! I've been wanting a salt lamp for a few months but I couldn't think of a good place to put one. I guess it was a happy accident; I finally got a salt map! (This one, to be exact.) Salt lamps have a ton of benefits but I mostly just like how cool it looks. Plus, this one has a dimmer and has been making an awesome night light too!

orange lip balm & salt lamps,
-Kaitlyn

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October Favorites

'Favorites' posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month. 

Beautyblender
I was lucky enough to have received the beautyblender in one of my first Birchboxes a few years ago. I used it on and off for awhile; it's been in my makeup drawer for a few months. Recently, I fell in love with this tool all over again. It blends concealer and illuminating products so effortlessly!

Benefit Gimme Brow in Light/Medium
I've never been a fan of tinted brow gels. Birchbox x Benefit sent me this and I decided to give it a try. I've been liking this on days I don't have a ton of time to do my makeup and just want a bit more brow definition.

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet
My skin has been so dry lately with the cold weather coming in. I've been shopping my stash and trying to use up a lot of my skincare samples.  This smells awesome and has a great texture.

ELF Studio Blush Palette
I was wanting some new blushes without paying a lot. I remembered emilynoel83 reviewing these blushes, so I decided to give them a try. I got both the light and dark palettes. These palettes are cool because you can easily remove the pans from the palette and make it custom to your needs. (Two blushes from the light palette and two from the dark palette are pictured.) All of the blushes are super pigmented and have great staying power.

Jordana Easyliner for Eyes & Easyliner for Lips
I've raved about these multiple times. Through the entire month of October, Walgreens had Jordana cosmetics for 40% off; some of the colors were being discontinued and were only .59 cents a piece. I bought a few more shades that I didn't already own. These are such a good value. Best of all, they're twistable - you never have to sharpen them.

Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
I received this in my October Birchbox and started using it immediately. It's definitely helped with redness and dry skin patches. I'm contemplating purchasing the full size.

blushes & samples,
-Kaitlyn

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Empties #5

Onto another round of empties! The top picture is from my normal empties box and the bottom picture is products are I used/finished up on a cruise.

Anastasia Brow Wiz in Caramel
This has become my favorite brow pencil. On the downside, it's pretty pricey and I'm going through them super fast. I already have a few backups.

Bath & Body Works Shea It isn't So Foot Cream 
(travel size) This used to be my all-time favorite foot cream. Recently, I've just found it too greasy and I've been trying out other brands. I might repurchase in the future.

Beauty Protector Hair Mask 
(2 samples) I got these in my Birchbox. I wasn't that impressed with these. They smell nice but didn't do much for my hair. I won't be purchasing the full size.

The Body Shop Shea Body Butter 
(travel size) I've been wanting to try body butters from The Body Shop for a while. When they had 40% off plus free shipping, I purchased both the Shea and the Coconut butters. I definitely preferred the Shea. It smells awesome and it was pretty moisturizing. I will probably repurchase the Shea butter when I finish up some other lotions.

CeraVe Renewing SA Cream 
This smelled so medicine-y and sort of worked, but I didn't notice any difference over the long run. I won't be repurchasing.

Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover for lids, lashes, & lips
This is my HG makeup remover; I won't continue to rave. I already have a few backups.

Crest 3D White Radiant Mint Toothpaste 
(travel size) This was the only travel size 3D white option, I didn't really care for the flavor. I prefer 'Vibrant Mint.' I probably won't repurchase this flavor.

Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar Bar Soap
This is my HG soap; I won't continue to rave. I already have a few backups.

Gillette Venus & Olay Refill Cartridges (3)
This is my HG razor; I won't continue to rave. I already have a few backups.

INM Out the Door Top Coat
This was a decent top coat, I heard it was similar to Seche Vite without all the chemicals. Unfortunately, I prefer Seche Vite over this. I might repurchase.

Johnson's Baby Oil Gel
I love to use this on dry flaky skin (like sunburn peel, for example) right out of the shower. It really moisturizes. I'm already working on a new bottle.

LUSH Ocean Salt Face and Body Scrub
This is my HG face scrub; I won't continue to rave. I'm already working on a new tub...

LUSH The Olive Branch Shower Gel
This smelled nice and lathered awesome but the consistency turned water-thin super fast. It's kind of pricey. I might repurchase it in the future.

Maybelline Fit Me shine-free Foundation in Porcelain 
I used this more like a concealer for spot treatment. I liked how it dried to almost a powder finish and was really easy to apply. Unfortunately, the lid cracked and the product dried up near the end. I probably won't repurchase.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser - Brightener 
MakeupbyTiffanyD raved about this product a few times. I've used the concealer for years so I decided to try out the brightener. I didn't see any noticeable changes; I won't be repurchasing the brightener and I'll continue to stick the concealer.

Neutrogena makeup remover cleansing towelettes (25 ct) 
These are my HG face wipes; I won't continue to rave. I already have a few backups.

Nugg Face Mask Flaxseed & Peppermint 
I received this in my Birchbox. It smelled nice and made my skin feel soft right out of the shower. Otherwise, I didn't notice any major changes. I won't be purchasing.

Olay Regenerist Micro-Exfoliating Wet Cleansing Cloths 
These are my old HG face wipes; I won't continue to rave. I will probably repurchase if I can find the black packaging again.

Organix Sea Mineral Moisture Shampoo
I liked the unique scent of this. But halfway through the bottle, I just grew tired of it. I think it really stripped the color from my hair too. I won't be repurchasing.

Peter Thomas Roth Mega-Rich Body Wash 
(travel size) The citrus scent was really refreshing and a nice pick-me-up. It lathered nicely, too. Although it's a little too pricey for me, I probably won't purchase the full size.

Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover 
(sample) This didn't work well removing mascara. I won't be purchasing the full size.

Skintimate Skin Therapy Moisturizing Lotionized Dry Skin Shave Gel
This is my HG shaving cream; I won't continue to rave. I already have a few backups.

Up & Up Cotton Rounds (100 ct)
Cotton rounds are a necessary staple for me. Currently, I have a bulk supply of Swiss cotton rounds, but I would repurchase the Up & Up ones in the future.

Up & Up Ibuprofen 
I'm not sure why this ended up in the picture on the cruise. Regardless, I've already repurchased.

Vaseline Lip Therapy 
My dermatologist recommended this when I asked for a lip remedy. I didn't notice any difference in my lips and didn't care for the scent/taste. I won't be repurchasing.

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September Favorites

'Favorites' posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month. 

Benefit Hoola Bronzer*
I originally got this as a deluxe sample perk from Sephora; I've been loving it to add some color to my pale face. I think it would be great for all skin tones. I've always heard so much hype about this product but it was a little too pricey for me and I was happy with my drugstore bronzers. Luckily, I won a full-sized bronzer for when I finish up this sample. (Thank you Benefit x Birchbox!)

Jordana Easyliner for Lips in Rock N' Rose
This is an oldy but goody. Recently, I've been just wearing this as an all-over lip color and topping it with a balm or gloss. It's a great shade!

Macadamia Healing Oil Spray
This is definitely in my top five favorite Birchbox samples. I've been using the Macadamia mask for years, so I was super excited to try this. (I chose it in September's Birchbox choice.)  My hair has been so soft lately and I think it's a combination of using the Macadamia mask, MoroccanOil on damp hair, and using this healing oil spray on the ends of my dry hair. The smell was a little overpowering at first but I've grown to like it.

Visiting the newly opened Birchbox SoHo Store was a life-favorite for me this month. I've been a huge Birchbox fan for over three years, so visiting the store was pretty much the only thing on my to-do list while in New York. In the store, products were organized by type, not brand - which makes it so much more convenient. I got to build my own Birchbox and purchase a few items I've been eyeing for awhile with a fun and helpful staff.

(nails: Ruffian Naked, criss-cross ring, BCBG Scarlet peplum top)

I've been loving nude nails again. Nude nail polish goes with everything, makes your fingers look longer and skinnier, and chips aren't nearly as noticeable - score!

Lately, I've been loving all things oxblood/burgundy. Every item of clothing I see in this color I end up wanting. This is such a flattering color for pale skin and dark hair. On the plus side, I'm stepping away from black and adding some color to my closet.

new samples & oxblood clothes,
-Kaitlyn

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August Favorites

'Favorites' posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month.

Milani Eye Tech Liquid Eyeliner
Black eyeliner hasn't been part of my routine in years. But lately, I've been admiring winged/cat eye looks and tutorials. The flashy "NEW" writing on this product and the fact I had some CVS Extrabucks to burn encouraged me to purchase this on a whim. It's so easy to use and comes off clean, too.  The compact size was great for vacationing/traveling.

OPI Nail Polish in Coca-Cola Red
I saw this in a magazine advertisement and immediately purchased it on eBay; I've been wearing it constantly since it arrived. It's a perfect red, exactly like a Coca-Cola can. The formula is great, as always.

Suave Moroccan Infusion Dry Shampoo
I used the Suave Moroccan Shampoo (not a huge fan). However, I did the like the smell. For only $3, I decided to give this a try. It works just as good as some of my high-end dry shampoos. Not only is good for hiding oily roots, but works pretty good on clean hair to add texture and boost waves.

cat eyes & Coca-Cola cans,
-Kaitlyn

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