June Birchbox

 It's Birchbox time again!  Nothing in the month's box wow'd me, but I enjoyed trying out some new products.  If you're wondering what a Birchbox is, or if you want to see previous Birchbox posts, click HERE.

100% Pure Nourishing Body Cream:

This is the first time in my life that I have been tempted to find out what a lotion tastes like.  These lotions (I got vanilla and coconut) smell AMAZING!  Unfortunately that's where my love for them ends.  The lotion is very greasy, and you can feel it on your skin all day.  Definitely not what I'm looking for in a lotion!

(Full size - $15)

suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser:

Although the scent on this was a bit strange (not unpleasant, just strange), it's a nice cleanser.  It starts off as a scrub, and then turns in to a foam.  I used it on my heels and elbows, and it did a nice job of exfoliating!

(Full Size - $32.95)

Mirenesse Glossy Kiss Lipstick:

I never really wear lipstick, so I wasn't overly excited to see this product.  However, I gave it a go, and it is a nice, subtle shade.  I won't be wearing it on the regular, but maybe for a special occasion.

(Full Size - $26.55)

Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk:

I'm so sick of dry shampoos!! They never work!  I gave this one a try, though, and I will say it works a little bit better than the others I have tried.  I was excited, because at first my hair had more volume and looked a bit less greasy.  However, about 15 minutes later, my hair was pretty much back to its typical day 2 look.  

(Full Size - $18)

Birchbox + Color Club Wanderlust Collection:

Nail polish!!!!!  

This color is called Reign in Spain.  My camera could not figure out how to capture this color.  It is MUCH brighter in person - it's definitely a neon.  It covers in two easy coats.  I paired it here with Milani's White on the Spot and Sally Hansen's Coral Reef.

(Full Size - $8)

If you're interested in signing up for Birchbox (or giving a subscription as a gift!) you can use my referral link here: https://www.birchbox.com?raf=xdgbr

Zoya Summer Tribal Nails

Kate's Nails 
I have been waiting for (what feels like) forever for Ulta to get the new Zoya collection.  I have been dying to get my hands on Josie, which is a beautiful green polish (that I will be swatching very soon!).  Ulta was conveniently having a buy two get one free sale, so I also picked up Yana and another Pixie Dust polish.  I decided to wear Yana today, and wanted to pair it with a bright, fun design.  The tribal design was all done with Zoya polishes, a striping brush, and a dotting tool.  Any other Zoya enthusiasts out there?  What is your favorite polish from the new collection?

Zoya Polishes Used:

Yana

Natty

Farah

Blu
Josie

Watercolor Accent Nail

Kate's Nails 

These nails were a total accident.  I started out with a completely different design, which I screwed up.  I was feeling lazy, though, and didn't want to start over.  So I decided to do a watercolor accent nail on top of the messed up design.  Watercolor nails are done by putting drops of polish on the nail, and then using a brush soaked in acetone to thin and spread the polish.  Not bad, for a cover-up design!

Zoya Natty

Sally Hansen Eel Skin

BUTTER London MacBeth

Sally Hansen Mellow Yellow

Sinful Colors Snow Me White

Sally Hansen Purple Pulse 

Misc. Manis in Nail Art Gallery Magazine!

Nail Art Gallery Magazine is a bi-monthly online magazine that features TONS of on-trend nail art designs.  If you're ever lacking for nail art ideas, you should definitely check it out.  You should especially check out the June/July issue, because Miscellaneous Manicures is in it!!! There are two designs featured in the Nautical section (here are the original posts for the designs: Annapolis Nails and Rhode Island Nails).  The designs are on page 74 - Go give them a look!!

Shocking Seas and Minx

Kate's Nails

Thanks to a coupon, I was able to get this gorgeous new polish super cheap.  This color, Shocking Seas by Maybelline, is my second polish purchase from their Color Show line.  The formula in these polishes leaves something to be desired, but the colors are so fabulous that I'm willing to work with the formula issues.  My nails are still in pretty rough shape (I've been taking some time off from nail art in order to help them get stronger), but they're getting better.  For this manicure, I did an accent nail using a nail decal from Minx.  This design is called "Technical Tribal".  These decals are very easy to use, but unfortunately I find that they peel off a bit too easily.  I didn't mind too much, since I only wore this manicure for a day.  On my middle finger I layered one coat of Sally Hansen's Strobe Light.  

Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat

Cara's Nails

Textured polishes are all the rage this season. I have a hard time wearing these polishes because I feel like it limits the nail art potential. But they are perfect when I want fun nails but am too lazy to do anything too artsy. Sally Hansen is the newest brand to jump on the textured band wagon. Here I have Fuzzy Fantasy from the new Fuzzy Coat collection. This polish consists of  lime green and white flecks in a clear polish. This is very similar to the Feathers collection from Nails Inc. but less expensive. Kate did a review of one of those polishes here. Here I have used two coats of Fuzzy Fantasy but I could have just as easily used one. I put it overtop of a double coat of OPI Mod About You. It coated nicely and I did not have any trouble with chunking. 

So what's your opinion about the new texture trend?

May Birchbox

I'm really happy with my Birchbox this month! I got four products that I will definitely be using, and I will probably buy the full sized version of two of them.  You'll notice that there are no pictures this month.  Unfortunately one of my samples (the sunscreen) was damaged in shipping, and leaked all over the box.  Luckily no other samples were damaged.  I have to compliment Birchbox on their customer service - I e-mailed them about the issue, and they shipped a replacement sample right away.  Well done, Birchbox!  If you're wondering what a Birchbox is, or if you want to see previous Birchbox posts, click HERE.

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle:

This is one that I will probably be buying in full size.  This is a spray in detangler/conditioner.  This product smells great, and leaves my hair super soft.  After first trying it, I was planning on saving it to use when I go to the beach this summer.  However, after spending a few windy days outside this weekend, the sample is almost gone!  It detangles really well, so this is a product I won't mind spending the money on.

(Full size - $21.95)

COOLA Classic Face SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturizer for Face:

This was the sample that was damaged, and I am so glad that I got a replacement.  I am in love with this stuff!  I have really sensitive skin, so products that use cucumber tend to be great for me.  This was no exception.  It was very soothing, and left my face well moisturized without feeling heavy.  I haven't really tested the SPF factor, but if it keeps me from burning, I will definitely be buying the full size!

(Full Size - $32)

Joie Folle de Joie eau de parfum:

This is a nice smelling perfume, but not $98 nice!  It's not a heavy scent, which I liked, but it was a bit too flowery for my tastes.  I'll definitely use the sample, but I don't feel like I'll care when the sample runs out.

(Full Size - $98)

Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner:

I'm pretty unadventurous when it comes to eyeliner - I've been using Clinique's Quickliner in black-brown ever since I was 15.  I wasn't too interested in trying out a blue eyeliner, but since the whole point of subscribing to Birchbox is to try new things, I gave it a go.  It definitely gives my eyes a softer look than my regular liner, and it applied easily.  When they say in the description that it lasts for hours, they aren't kidding.  Days, really.  Even with eye makeup remover, I had a hard time getting this off.  I'll be using this again, for sure.

(Full Size - $21 for four mini pencils)

My Birchbox extra this month was an Acroball pen from Pilot in a turquoise color.  Fun!  I've heard that you can use gel pens on your nails, so look for an attempt at that in the near future!

If you're interested in signing up for Birchbox (or giving a subscription as a gift!) you can use my referral link here: https://www.birchbox.com?raf=xdgbr