October 2015 Birchbox

      Another Birchbox post since my last one was super late and I didn't want this one to be delayed either. Here's a quick look at what I got this month. The sample choices this month were all mascaras and I decided to go with the new Benefit Roller Lash. I don't really use mascara anymore but having a nice sample size mascara in my possession will be good for those sudden moments if I decide that I want to put some on. I rarely went through a full size mascara back in the day anyway. If you've been following me for awhile, you would be able to guess that the product I am most interested in trying is the Macadamia dry shampoo. I am all about dry shampoo since my fine, second day hair pretty much always needs a pick-me-up, so I am always interested in trying new dry shampoos. Overall, I am pretty content with this month's products.

Macadamia - Style Extend Dry Shampoo

Benefit - Roller Lash

N4 - Restore & Repair Oil

Biorepublic - Cucumber Breeze Soothing Fiber Mask

Too Cool for School - Dinoplatz Pearl Bay Invasion (#2 Baby pink clam) - shimmering base or highlighter

September 2015 Birchbox - You're Beautiful

      This Birchbox post is extremely delayed but it still warrants a post on my blog. Birchbox has really changed their boxes so that each month there is a different box design. Previously, it was the same plain, brown box holding the goodies, but now each one is colorful and lively. This month I received a nice variety of products, ranging from eye products (skin and makeup) to haircare, as well as perfume. Awesome!
      Emblazoned on this month's box are the words, "Psst...You're Beautiful." This is a nice reminder to anyone opening the box that, "Yes, we are beautiful." Beauty isn't just about the physical, it's also about the inside. A person with a beautiful, kind soul is just as beautiful as the person who has a great physique. Everyone is beautiful in their own way and many times people don't even realize it. What people need sometimes is a little more confidence. A person exuding confidence, ready to take on the world one step at a time with a smile on their face will have beautiful written all over them. We must always remember to love ourselves. ❤️

August 2015 Birchbox - Soak It Up!

      This August Birchbox is still going with the summer theme which I am all for. Love love love summer. Sadly, it is the shortest season here in New York. I received an after sun lotion, pore cleanser, sun cream, dry shampoo, bronzer/blush, and a bonus Kerastase shampoo sample. I am always looking to try new dry shampoos so I'm excited to try this R+Co one. I have been hearing good things about the Coola brand, so I am also definitely interested in trying more of their products. How has your summer been? Are you making the most of the last few weeks of it? I sure hope you have!

Instagram Recap #4 (July 2015)

      July is officially over and we're almost half-way through August already. Further reminder that summer (my favorite weather!) is unfortunately coming to an end. Summer is definitely too short of a season here in NYC. I'm glad I managed to squeeze in a beach day in July but I definitely need a few more before it is no longer beach friendly weather. Not ready (never ready) to say goodbye to my shorts and dresses. :/

July 2015 Birchbox

      This month's box is about going bold and Birchbox definitely made that clear with the bright, colorful box design. Summer is definitely the season to bring out the bright lip colors and just have fun! The sample choice for July was one of three Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick and I got it in 13 bella. This is the only product I tested out so far and let me first say that the color is definitely very intense and not for the faint of heart. Unfortunately, this product was a no-go for me. It accentuated lip lines and didn't dry fully to a matte finish. It reminds me very much of the L'oreal Pro-last Lipcolor. Perhaps I will do a review on both of these later on.

Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner

Havvn Night Cream

Key West Aloe Save a Tan

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

Stila Look at Me Liquid Lipstick in 13 bella

Instagram Recap #3

Happy July!

      Can you believe June went by so fast and it's already July? I definitely can't. It's like summer is already almost over and I have yet to fully enjoy the summer weather. The weather in NY has not been the greatest this summer. Where is the sun?? However, with summer being here now, I have been having way too much ice cream, almost every week! Ice cream is love. Again, as always I have been trying out new foods and even got to attend a cupcake baking class with a friend. To gaining new experiences!

June

June 2015 Birchbox

Next Stop: Adventure

      Summer is definitely a time for adventure, whether it be going on vacation to someplace you've never visited before or just trying out new experiences. Like the Birchbox card says, "Say Yes!" "Adventure is a state of mind. It's about exploring the unknown, dreaming beyond the horizon, and letting go of the word no." I told myself the beginning of this year that I would be open to trying new things and having new experiences. How you want to live your life is in your hands. Say yes to adventure this summer and the rest of the year.

May 2015 Birchbox

Finally back with a Birchbox post (although I am late on this as it is June already)!

      First off, how cute is the box? Birchbox has been coming out with all these cute designs on the boxes recently. I was definitely pleased with May's Birchbox as I got some goodies that I am excited to try out. For my sample pick, I chose the Macadamia Nourishing Moisture Oil Treatment. I had heard many good things about this before so I knew I wanted to choose this one when I saw the choices available. The second item I am most interested in is the Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream since I have never tried anything from Benefit's skin care line. I think I will be using the Jurlique Advanced Serum mostly along the neck and decolletage area as my decolletage area has experienced way too much sun and need some repair there.

It's Been Awhile - Quick Update

Hello everyone! Long time no post!

      I know it has been a long time since I've last posted. Thank you to my readers, old and new, for sticking with my blog and to anyone who drops by. I thought I would do a quick, update post and say hello. I am in my last year of college so my main priority is to focus on that and to juggle all the tests and assignments I have. I am also working on the side so that really doesn't leave me much time to blog or much time to myself in general. I haven't decided to stop blogging, but it probably will be awhile until I can really find time to put up an actual post. For this post, I thought I would do something a little different and post up some Instagram pictures from the past two months, for those who don't follow me on that, so you can catch a glimpse of what has been going on with me. I don't have many pictures but I will say that the majority of them consist of food. Yes, I love food, if that isn't apparent enough. :) You can check out more pictures on my Instagram here or just find me @beautopiaxoxo. I hope you all are doing well and thanks for reading!

February

 

March

January 2015 Birchbox - Let's Do This!

       Hello 2015! This is my first post for the new year and what better way than to start it off with my monthly Birchbox posts. I will list all of my past Birchbox posts at the end if you want to take a look at them. :)

November 2014 Birchbox Unboxing

It's time for another Birchbox post!

October 2014 Birchbox Unboxing

September 2014 Birchbox Unboxing!

Long time no post!

      I have not been doing a good job at posting this month. The school season has started again and all I want to do in my free time is sleep. I am back today with another Birchbox post where you can take a look at what I got this month. September is Birchbox's anniversary month and so they jazzed up the boxes this month with designs. There are supposed to be three different designs too. The box is cute so I'll be keeping this one to store things in.

August 2014 Birchbox Unboxing!

Hello everyone!

      I am back with another Birchbox post and this month's theme is Lighten Up. I got 5 products this month along with a sample of Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer.

July 2014 Birchbox Unboxing!

Hello everyone!

      How have you guys been? I've been sort of MIA these past two weeks because I have been quite busy Where has the time gone?? Today, I am back with another Birchbox post where you can take a look at what goodies I got in my box this month. This month's box was a collaboration with Women's Health magazine and I got 5 products.

June 2014 Birchbox Unboxing!

It's that time again for another Birchbox post! This month's box is partnered with JetBlue with a travel theme.

 

May 2014 Birchbox Unboxing!

Can you believe it's May already? Time really seems to fly and it always surprises me.

      This month's box is Kate Spade Saturday themed with the colors yellow, black and white.

April 2014 Birchbox Unboxing!

The monthly Birchbox unboxing!

      There's the saying, "April showers bring May flowers." This month, Birchbox went with a rainy day theme and even the tissue paper was blue. As usual, I got 4 samples, along with one extra, in this case, a lifestyle extra. FYI, I will include links after each product if you are interested in checking them out or are looking for more information.

 

March 2014 Birchbox Unboxing!

It's been a long time everybody!

      I've been busy lately and so tired which is why this post is going up so late. I hope everyone's been having a great March though! :) This month's box has been a hit for me.

February 2014 Birchbox Unboxing!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! :)

     It's already almost the midst of February, how time flies doesn't it? Here's my monthly Birchbox unboxing post and a look at the things I got. This month Birchbox collaborated with Us Weekly

Paula's Choice - RESIST Ultra-light Antioxidant Concentrate Serum 

This product was super greasy for me and didn't absorb well. I really did not like this product.

Value: $5.10, 0.17 fl oz. [Regular: $30, 1 oz]

Sarahpotempa - The Half Up

This is a tool used to help create half-up dos or low buns  perfect for short or fine hair according to the packaging. I found it very hard to use and not good for short or fine hair. It was hard to do a low bun for me because I have quite a lot of hair. Overall, I was not impressed with this product.

Value: $9

W3ll People - Universalist Multi-Use Color Stick in #8 Dusty Rose

This product is meant for the eyes, cheeks and lips. Made from all natural ingredients and infused with organic aloe. I think it's great that it's comrpised of all natural ingredients, but I don't care much for this product that just adds color. I tried this on my lips and didn't like the taste of it.

Value: could not determine since weight was not included with sample package

[Regular: $33, 10 g]

Whish - Three Wishes Body Butter

Another product I'll be able to throw into my bag due to its size! Smells nice and fresh.

Value: $3.52, 22 ml  [Regular: $24, 150 ml]

This month's beauty extra was two tea samples from Harney & Sons Fine Teas. They are single silken wrapped satchets. I got one in White Vanilla Grapefruit and another in Paris (which consists of black tea with fruit and caramel.)

Value: $0.96 for 2 satchels  [Regular: $9.60 for 20 satchels]

      Overall, I was not impressed with this month's box and it was a miss for me. I didn't like the products and am only interested in the tea samples and the body butter. As usual, the box, in terms of value is over the $10 paid for. I know that not every box will be a hit for everyone, but hopefully, the next box with contain more products to my liking. 

      Thanks for checking out my post! I hope you all have a wonderful day and a wonderful Valentine's Day. If you like what you see here on my blog, follow or leave comments! :)