October Goop Birchbox 2012

This is my first ever Birchbox that I completely disliked. I was so bummed about it. First of all I was sent an email to opt in or out for the Goop box. Well I opted out I didn't want another themed box if given a choice, which I was. I opted for the usual October Birchbox themed Transformations. I have in the past whether by choice or not have received several themed boxes most of them weren't all that great. So imagine my surprise when this box arrived to my home. I was so upset. I had already seen some of YouTube videos on this box and hardly anyone was happy with them. So moving on I don't know what was the point of giving us a choice if it wasn't going to matter anyway. Now on to the Goop box. Which I aptly named the "Poop" box.

• Illume/ Red Cedar Candle- Made with soy, beeswax, and essential oils, this candle features a warm scent that comes courtesy of red cedar and vetiver.
• Jouer/ Lip Enhancer- This best-seller gives you the moisturizing punch of a balm with the satiny finish of a gloss. We're hooked and we know you will be, too. Well first of all they could have given a full-sized one. I hate the Jouer samples they are so tiny and only one if even that in uses.
• Kiehls/ Rosa Arctica Eye- Conquer dark circles with the brightening eye balm, which is made with collagen-boosting flower extracts.
• Supergoop!/ City Sunscreen Serum- Wear this award-winning brand's silky SPF 30 serum under your makeup for a weightless UV shield. Okay another item that could have been given in a bigger sample size or even the $20 purse sized would have been nice. I hate these tiny foil packets that you can get free anywhere. So another bust with that one.
• Luna/ LemonZest Bar- These are zesty snacks that are a goop fave. They're perfect to keep you full in between meals ( plus they double as a healthy dessert!) You know what no thanks I'd rather not have a food product in my box. Thank you. Especially lemon I despise lemon anything except lemonade. I don't like anything lemon. I just don't. Now, lime is okay.   

With that being said, I'm so over this months box. I hope that next months box is better. In September 2011 I first joined Birchbox and in October 2011 that's when I received my first box with them. So this month I celebrated 1 year with Birchbox and have never been so upset until now. I know that they will have great boxes in the months to come, but this one really put me off. I stay because you can get points when reviewing the samples and use them in the Birchbox store towards full-sized products so that's why I stay it's like paying $5 a for the box instead of $10. When you do the reviews so with that happy. So Happy 1st anniversary me for being with Birchbox a whole year. Here's to what next year has in store.

If you are interested in joining Birchbox please click this link https://www.birchbox.com?raf=4h5l0

Sephora's Sun Safety Kit 2012

I will be showing you what was inside my Sephora Sun Safety Kit for 2012.Which includes 17 pieces of SPF essentials and safe-self tanners for beautiful skin. I must admit I have had this sitting on my shelf for somewhile and was meaning to do a small review last month. Then of course time and other products got in the way so now I finally have a free moment. I will show this product how it came and what was inside.

So here is a little background on this kit. Sephora and The Skin Cancer Foundation have collabrated for this their sixth edition of the Sun Safety Kit. This annual partnership in sun protection is one of Sephora's most popular kits. The collection features 14 deluxe, sample-size sun protectants, three self-tanning products, and a bonus re-usable train case. This year's selections includes past favorites, as well as new additions for your sun protection arsenal. Also One hundred percent of the net profits from this kit will benefit The Skin Cancer Foundation. All this for $30 and is valued at $193. Which is not bad for all the goodies inside.

I will not be giving individual reviews for each as I will be doing individual reviews for some of the items I do use. I may not use all of them or may not care to. According to many reviews that I read on Sephora.com this is apparently done every year and sells pretty well. Since this is my first time purchasing this kit. So lets get started.

2.5 oz St. Tropez Gradual Tan Sample Value $11.20

0.03 oz Bare Essentials bareMinerals SPF 25 Mineral Veil and brush Sample Value $17.85
0.08 oz Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 Sample Value $12
0.5 oz Origins VitaZing SPF 15 Sample Value $10.29
0.4 oz Philosophy Hope Oil-Free SPF 15 Daily Moisturizer Sample Value $15.60
Sample Value for this side is $66.94

0.5 oz Boscia Oil-Free Daily Hydration SPF 15 Sample Value $12.86
0.5 oz Ole Henriksen Protect The Truth SPF 50+ Sunscreen Sample Value $10.30
0.33 oz Supergoop! SPF 30 Everyday UV Lotion for Face and Body Cream Sample Value $5.68
.169 oz Sephora Collection Age Defy Moisture Cream SPF 15 Sample Value $3.04
Sample Value for this side is $31.88

1 Tan Towel Classic Self-Tan Towelette for Face & Body Sample Value $2.40
1 Kate Somerville 360 degree Face Self Tanning Pad Sample Value $6.00
0.23 oz Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 60 PA+++ Sample Value $11.96
0.23 oz Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector SPF 42 PA+++ Sample Value $12.43
Sample Value for this side is $32.79

0.33 oz Murad Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 15 Sample Value $14.67
0.25 oz Smashbox Photo Finish Face Primer SPF 15 w/ Dermaxyl Complex Sample Value $13.13
0.33 oz Dr. Jart + Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 PA +++ Sample Value $9.19
0.5 oz Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Defense Moisture Lotion SPF 30 Sample Value $12.36 -Sample Value for this side is $49.35

So the total value for all the samples are $180.96 plus $12.20 for the acrylic train case so the grand total is $193.16. So I do think that this is a great value and even though I won't probably use all these products. Did you get one this year? What do you think about it? Have you used most of the products? Which are your favorites? Let me know.

Beautybox Five April 2012

On Friday I received my second box from Beautybox Five. Well I can say this month I was not impressed. I was hoping for a sample of Makeup Geek's new eyeshadow that she debuted. Well other than that the box was full with only one time samples and one full-sized item.


 Having that many one time samples in the box was a huge disappointment. I'm not expecting every box to have a full-sized product inside but, maybe a deluxe sized one to try more than once or twice.

The items in this months box were Smiths Rosebud Salve full-sized $6 which personally I have never used. This was the one item I did like. The next item was a Freeman sample to which I've been getting a lot lately in other boxes. This particular one was a facial exfoliating scrub in pink grapefruit sample-sized is $1.99. Then other item was from Pur-lisse pur-protect essential daily moisturizer for normal- to dry sensitive-anti-aging skin. Well I already received one of these in my MyGlam bag already. So no big whoop there. This sample was $.66. The last two samples were from La Fresh A waterproof makeup remover wipe. I got the nail remover wipe last month from another box. This wipe is for eyes and lips and is alcohol-free. The sample is $.56. Now for the last item it was from Dr T's Supergoop! sunscreen swipe in SPF 30 it's a water resistant UV protection with green tea for sensitive skin. This sample pack is $1.62.

So this months box was a bust as the items were worth only $10.83. I pay $12 a month for this box. So I personally feel I'm due another two or three samples or a deluxe sample from them. This is just my opinion but, I do think that for $12 I should be getting at least that in value. I will continue to say with them since this is only their third box and my second one. So with that I will say please stop putting such tiny or many one time samples in your boxes and concentrate on what the consumer may really want. I know this may sound harsh but, it is after all my money were talking about here. I don't have lots to spend so I want to do it wisely.