Birchbox Review ~ January 2013

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My camera is still on the fritz, so no individual product photos or examples of me using them this time around. But! That won't stop me from reviewing these products!

What I Got:

• Number 4 Clarifying shampoo - sample size
• theBalm Cosmetics Hot Mama shadow & blush all in one
• Harvey Prince Skinny Chic - perfume sample
• Lashem Measurable Difference - Lash gel serum sample
• Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face cream - two samples

What I thought:

I love trying new shampoos and I was stoked to get this nice sized sample in my box. The Number 4 Clarifying shampoo smells great, I like the way it lathers and while I wish I had a conditioner to pair with it after using, it still seems to make my hair feel squeaky clean and soft after rinsing. It definitely takes care of product and hair dye build up and  it very gentle on my dried out hair.

I only just recently started wearing a little bit of blush on my cheeks, November's box came with Stila all over shimmer liquid luminizer, in a pink blush color and I love it. I was excited to try this shadow and blush all in one from theBalm Cosmetics. The packaging is adorable off the bat, featuring a cute pin up style beach girl and it has a magnetic closure. The color is a peachy-pink which I was a little stand offish for my skin tone, when I wear it on my cheeks I have to put it on very lightly as this stuff goes on strong, as for wearing it as an eye shadow...I LOVE IT! It's so pretty and stays on all day, it goes great with a smokey brown or a summer bronze. I am surprised how versatile the color is as an eye shadow and it is more than welcome in my extensive collection of eye shadows.

I seem to have an ever growing collection of perfume samples which I quite enjoy. I get tired of scents after prolonged use, so being able to switch it up without committing to purchasing a full size is great. The Harvey Prince Skinny Chic perfume has a cheerful package and I love the way it smells. It claims to have a scent to help you feel energized and curb your appetite. I unfortunately have misplaced this small sample bottle over the course of the month, I hope to find it cause I truly did love the way it smells and I'd like to test out this appetite curbing theory...

I would like to assume that I don't yet need "youth preserving" for my face, but I always am open to try moisturizers on my sensitive and picky skin. The Fresh Lotus face creams smells absolutely amazing, very clean and botanical. I love the way it feels and it certainly brightened my face and evened out my skin tone. I've already used up both samples and am considering buying a full size. 

And last we have the main thing that stood out in the box. Lashem gel serum. I have looked into ways to make my lashes longer and fuller, I have always disliked how short and fine mine are. I have very sensitive eyelids and have been weary about trying a serum after hearing about them drying out your lids. I was still willing to try this stuff. I took a before picture to document if there has been any change, unfortunately I haven't been very good at applying this stuff every night. I can say however that it has not dried out my lids or caused any irritations, and I could swear that after a week my lashes seemed to be a BIT fuller, but not longer. I hope that this tiny sample has enough in it to keep trying it and see some results, although I almost hope I don't because a full size of one of these is pretty pricey...

So there it is! I will stick to these reviews whether or not I have nice camera photos to share along with them. I love getting a Birchbox every month and look forward to new things to try. If you want to sign up, click here, it's only 10 bucks a month!

See my first and only Birchbox review I've done here.

xomando

Goals for 2013!

• Take Sewing Machine in for Maintenance / Get a new one?

I love my machine and it's been great, but it's not sewing through thick layers very well anymore and I know I need to take it in or get a new one. I haven't been able to make very much without getting frustrating or screwing up a project. This is definitely a priority for the beginning of the year!

• Make-over the Sewing Room / Organize / New furniture

This is another important step to make, I desperately need storage, shelves and a better work space in my sewing room. I think I can accomplish my dream sewing room a little bit at a time by the end of the year!

• Sew regularly / Start Etsy Shop

This is a given after the two first goals. By the end of 2013 my Etsy Shop should be open, no more screwing around!

• Crochet a lot more / Keep Learning

I think I definitely have a knack for crochet, not to mention I greatly enjoy doing it. It's hard for me to stick to something when a project takes longer than a day. I need to get over that and keep doing it!

• Stick to Weight Watchers

I did great in 2011, lost a bunch of weight, felt great about myself, slept better and over all felt healthier. My junky food addiction and laziness has to stop. I'm back to counting my points on weight watchers and I'm going to stick to it this time!

• Exercise / Get Back into Jogging and Skateboarding

This goes hand in hand with eating healthier and counting points. I was getting really into jogging and feeling better than ever, skateboarding was so much fun to do with Cody and I was really liking it. It's been months and I plan to get back into it!

• Try a New Healthy Recipe Each Month

Last night I made a new healthy recipe and I have one on the stove cooking now. I always love cooking but I'm getting bored with the same ole meals each week. Each month I want to try something new, and maybe even make a post about it!

• Organize printed out recipes and keep them that way!

Do you ever print out recipes and set them aside and never make them? Or maybe you do and then the paper gets stains on it through out cooking...I hate that! I have tons of set aside recipes, I want to make a binder with page protectors, nice and organized and in categories and keep them that way!

• Practice Driving / Have License by the End of the Year

Okay... Last year I said I was going to do this, obviously I did not. This is ridiculous, I'm 27 years old and more than ready to get my ass around on my own. Time to set the anxiety aside and do this. It's comforting that Kaylah has the same goal this year, We're going to do this girl!

• Blog More Often

I'm not going to continue to apologize for "oh it's been so long since I've made a post so here are some Instagram photos!" I love blogging and I'm just lazy. I do plan to blog more this year, which brings us to the next goal...

• Review Birchbox : EACH Month ALL Year

 Yes, I need to do this, I rave about my birch boxes and it was fun reviewing it and I'm going to stick to it this year

• Be More Responsible / Save $$$

This one is pretty much self explanatory. I enjoy shopping, even though I thrift and shop clearance racks only, those two dollar items add up. Time to budget each month.

So there you have it, my goals for this year. I feel confident about pretty much all of them. What are your goals for this year? Do we have any common?

xomando