Special Delivery: Birchbox

After seeing countless bloggers post about their monthly Birchbox, I finally broke down and added my name to the wait list. Tiane got her first Birchbox last month, and the $10 seems worth it for a few fun beauty goodies and the anticipation of a monthly snail mail surprise. I probably waited less than a month before I got the e-mail prompting me to subscribe, and I went with the month-to-month option so that I can cancel at anytime. I was so excited to see that little pink box in my mailbox Saturday afternoon, plus miniature anything is somehow more exciting and cute! My first Birchbox contained the following:

-Befine skin care sampler
- Color Club turquoise nail polish (how did they know I'm obsessed with nail polish?)
- Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy perfume (which I've tried before and love!)
- June Jacob Perfect Pumpkin Enzyme Polish (probably the product I'm most looking forward to testing out
- Show Stoppers designer fashion tape

All in all, it seems like it was worth the money. I'm already super excited for next month's Birchbox because it's a Gossip Girl theme! Do you have a subscription to Birchbox now? What's been the best product you've gotten? I want to know what else I can look forward to receiving!

Interested in trying Birchbox? Sign up here!

Illuminate Me

I've been dying to try this NARS illuminator for a while. I love the tutorial for dewy makeup seen here and I hope to perfect the look throughout the fall.

Beach Waves

Surf spray is one of my all-time favorite summer beauty products. It always works and is perfect for days where you don't feel like dealing with your 'do! My bottle is covered in sand because I usually throw it in my beach bag.

Beauty Loot

I made the mistake of setting foot inside Ulta this afternoon. I seriously forgot how amazing a store it is. It's basically a giant drugstore that only carries hair care, makeup, and beauty products. Anyway, it's great and probably a guy's worst nightmare so I'm glad I didn't drag M with me over the weekend. I managed to make it out with only minor damage. I picked up a bottle of Big Sexy Hair shampoo, which I've never tried but have heard good things about. I also got a new, summery scented Philosophy body wash (coconut frosting), and of course, I had to get a couple of nail-related goodies. I finally found the leopard print Sally Hansen nail strips, so they were a must. They must be the most popular pattern because they're always sold out no matter where I go. Last but now least, I decided on a bottle of Essie's Tart Deco polish, which is a fun orangey-melon hue that I can't wait to try on my toes.

Sometimes a little impromptu shopping trip is the best way to start the weekend!

Mane Attraction

At first, I was interested in trying the original Moroccanoil treatment to strengthen my hair and shorten blow drying time. It was helpful, but now that I've combined the oil with the repair shampoo and conditioner, I've noticed a major difference. My hair seems to get softer and shinier with each use (which never happens in these dry winter conditions).
Plus, the products all smell so good!

Have you tried any of their goodies? Next on my list is one of the hair masks.

Lip Service

Thanks to Tiane's tweet earlier today, I finally scored this perfect little orb of lip balm. Twitter is good for something! Turns out, it's been right under my nose (or at CVS two blocks away) this entire time and not at my local Target (7 miles away) like I thought. And, if that's not enough, it was also on sale. What a nice way to head into the weekend!

Chic Chignon

I was finally able to locate spin pins at Target this weekend and, inspired by Tiane's fabulous hair tutorial, set out to recreate her big bun. The result: this super-easy, slightly undone updo. It's a great alternative to my usual ponytail and the spin pins held on my first try. That never happens with my extra fine hair.

So, what do you think?

New Beauty Bff

I received this magical elixir in my Christmas stocking and have been obsessively applying it twice a day ever since. It's a miracle product, especially for the type of dry, frigid winter we've been having in the Northeast.

Further proof that Oprah really does know everything.
Run out and stock up. Thank me later.