Day #155: Glam Bag vs Birchbox

Without further adieu, here is December's Showdown: Birchbox versus Glambag

First up, Birchbox:

One: Thymes Naia Body Lotion, 1.5 fl oz Love this lotion! It's a perfect size to fit in my purse or my work bag. I love the smell, it's hard to describe...it's not flowery and it's not overwhelming. It's light and almost jasminey in my opinion. Plus it's not greasy. I love it.
Two: Juice Beauty, Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream, .17 fl oz This skin cream comes in two shades: Natural Glow and Warm Glow. My sample is natural glow, which is good cause I'm pasty pale! I haven't used this cream yet, but I am excited to try it!
Three & Four: Kerastase, Nutritive Nectar Thermique Two packets of this leave-in cream...I LOVE it, it makes my hair feel silky and smooth after drying and straightening. I almost wish I had $42 to spend on the large size!
How to use it: Apply a dime-sized amount of product to slightly damp, towel-dried hair. Start from the ends and work your way upwards, massaging gently. Finish off by styling with a blow dryer or a flat iron.
Five: Thymes, Lotus Santal Body Lotion An extra treat from the Birchbox team! A small sample of more Thymes lotion. I am saving it for a special occasion.
Six: ModelCo, SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss I love this lip gloss. It comes with a little mirror on it so you can easily apply color (and make sure you don't get it on your teeth...). The color is subtle but makes your lips feel soft. I received this gloss in Berry Pink.
Next, Glam Bag:

One: NYX Loose Powder in Walnut Pearl - Love it! On the IPSY website it says this can be used on the eyes, cheeks or lips. But I think it best to stay on the eyes.
Two: Be a Bombshell Lipgloss in "Hot Mess". It looks brighter in the tube than it does when applied. I think it's still too bright for me, but maybe a good stocking stuffer??
Three: Mirabella Primer. Let me just say, this is my FAVORITE primer! A tube at my hair salon is at least $25 and I received a full tube in my glam bag. Ah-mazing! This primer makes your face super soft. In case you missed it, I wrote about this primer before. Find it here. Four: MAI Couture Highlighter Paper. I've never heard of highlighter paper. According to the package it's purpose is to "add radiance and glow to desired areas of face and body". Interesting. I will try it!
Five: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil. Love, love, love this eye-liner! It goes on smooth and if I poke myself in the eye, my tears won't wash it away :) A must have.
I have to say. It's a toss up this month. I loved both my Birchbox and my Glam Bag!!! What did you guys think??
For more information on Birchbox, click here. For more information Glam Bag, click here.
Please help Sarah & her family this Christmas!

She was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer with mets to the colon. She will be having a hysterectomy and colectomy on January 8. She will started chemo a month later. My husband and I are helping plan a benefit for her on January 20. We are also working to build up a fund to help her care for her 3 kids while she goes through this process.

We have $610 so far. If everyone on here donated just $1, we would reach our goal and then some. If you are able, please consider helping  this sweet woman and her family. Thank-you.

Donate Here - The Sarah McCurdy Project

Please, feel free to share this information around the blogosphere. Thank-you

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Day #129: November Showdown Glam Bag vs Birchbox

I was excited to get both my Birchbox and my Glam Bag this month!! Both of them were pretty good, it's a definitely a toss up this month.

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November Glam Bag

One. Nailtini Nail Lacquer in Millionare...very gold and glittery!! Perfect for the holiday season and New Years. It takes a couple coats to really bring out the color but it doesn't seem to chip too bad.

Two. Chella Eyebrow Defining Gel...I'm not entirely sure what to do with this particular product. I've never been big on highlighting my eyebrows with make-up AND I've never heard of putting gel on my eyebrows.

Three. Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Dare Devil It looks like it would be really dark, but it's actually kind of flattering. 

Four. The Balm Meet Matte Eyeshadow Truth be told, I haven't used this product yet! But I love the color.

Five. Starlet Intense Eyeliner in black I also haven't used this yet, but I am excited to receive it since I am almost out!

November Birchbox

One. Oscar Blandi Texture and Volume Spray

Two. Stila All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminzer in Rose Gold

Three. Miracle Skin Transformer Intended to be used before applying make-up, as a primer. 

Four. Atelier Cologne I love this scent. It's spicy and flowery at the same time.

Five. Chuao Chocolatier It's a chocolate covered potato chip...I'm afraid to try it. I think it will either rock my world or make me barf.

Also, check out this awesome giveaway at the Truly, Lovely blog!! I am giving away a $10 credit to my Etsy shop! 

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Day #92.1: October Showdown: Glam Bag vs Birchbox

While waiting for my Birchbox invitation, I came across another similar product called "Glam Bag". Instead of receiving a box, you receiving a cute little make-up bag each month and it's filled with samples from various companies. I received my first glam bag this month and decided to compare it's contents with Birchbox's contents. For more information on Glam Bag, click here.

Glam Bag

1. The first product in this months glam bag was a sample of eye shadow from Coastal Scents. I received rosy pink, gunmetal, elven silver and light pink. 

2. What's Your Type? Body Builder Mascara by The Balm Cosmetics in black

3. Pequi Oil Treatment to make your hair soft and shiny

4. Mirenesse Lip Bomb Glossy Lacquer Stain

5. Be a Bombshell Eye Liner. This eye liner is AMAZING. It looks like a freakin' sharpie. I usually mess up my eye liner and get it all over myself (hands, face, clothes...ugh. Sometimes I suck at being a girl) and this is dummy proof. I love it!

To top off all these awesome samples, they came in this super cute black, white and red chevron make-up bag. Perfect size for your purse or work bag. Birchbox...you have some competition.

Birchbox + Goop

1. Luna LemonZest nutrition bar I haven't tried this yet...I don't really like lemony foods so I might give this to my Hubby. Even if it says "For Women" on the label. Is that wrong?

2. Marie Veronique Organics Body Oil It says its a mixture of watermelon seed, vegetable squalene and apricot kernel oils. It smells kind of like lavender. It makes my skin feel sort of greasy but definitely moistures skin however.

3. Joanna Vargas Daily Serum Another skin product. Since I just slathered the body oil all over my hands and arms, I will probably use this product tomorrow!

4. Sprout Lip Balm Flights Tastes like chocolate. Yum.

5. Essie Nail Polish in "Size Matters" You really can't go wrong with Essie nail polish. The color is a pretty dark red. I love it! I just painted my nails in Essie's "Chinchilly" or else I would totally paint them tonight.

So, all in all both Glam Bag and Birchbox provided great products this month. I have to say, the items in Glam Bag kind of impressed me more this month, however the Essie nail polish has me swaying. October's winner? Glam Bag.

Until tomorrow, 

Big, beautiful & broke... Chelsea

Day #70.2: September Birchbox

1. Birchbox Fall Look-book

The booklet is a little introduction into the fall make-up, hair and clothes styles for season. A brief summary: wear you hair down, wear make-up that makes your face look natural and fresh, and incorporate vibrant colors into your wardrobe.

2. Make-Up brush guards. 3 plastic protectors to place over your make-up brushes, either for cleaning or to protect while traveling. If I ever have money to travel, these will definitely come in handy!

3. Fekkai Essential Shea Shampoo and Conditioner

I used these samples today. I can't lie, the thing I look for most in shampoo and conditioner is the smell. I love to have my hair smell like I just came from the salon. It's a little kooky, but that's me. The samples definitely left my hair smelling good. It was easy to brush through afterwards and it turned out soft and shiny. I only wish the samples were bigger...I have thick hair and didn't feel like I got good coverage.

4. "Put a Pin in it" nail polish

I can't lie, I love this nail polish! It's girly, pink and shiny. I was eyeing it up on the website so I am pretty excited to have it. It painted on smooth and dried fast. I am loving it.

5. Bvlgari Mon Jasmin Noir perfume sample

I love, love, love this perfume! I want to buy it! It's $47 or $81 depending on how big of a bottle you purchase. I love the smell, almost fruity mixed with jasmine. Definitely on my wish list.

6. Twistband

Blue lace twistband...love! Leaves no crimps in your hair. Kind of expensive on the website, but worth it. You can also find them cheaper on Etsy and Store Envy. Not sure of the quality at this time point though.

7. Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25+

Moisturizing foundation. Verdict is still out...I don't think it was the right color for my skin.

8. $25 gift card for a purchase of $75 or more for Madewell. I haven't shopped there before but maybe it's time to try it out? It's only good until September 30 though. Boo.

So, there you have it. My first Birchbox. I don't have anything to compare it to but so far, I am happy with it! I also received an invitation to start receiving Glambags. For more information on Birchbox click here. For more information on Glambags click here.

Until tomorrow,

Big, beautiful & broke... Chelsea