Influenster Campus Voxbox

So I haven't even gotten tracking information on this box yet but I got this in the mailbox today. All of these products were sent to me in the Campus Voxbox complimentary of Influenster voxbox for testing purposes. That being said, as always my reviews will be my honest opinion and nothing else. So let's jump into it.

L'Oreal Paris Advanced Straight System: SO hair washing day is my least favorite. I only wash my hair about once  or twice a week or it produces too much oil at the roots and is too dry at the ends and it's just gross. It will be interesting to see how my hair reacts to this especially since I already have pretty straight hair. So I will try this on hair washing day and update then or do a review individually.

Softlips Cube In Pomegranate Blueberry: I was hesitant to try this but I've also been wanting to try them for a while. The only reason I hadn't was because I'd heard that they were more drying than the EOS. I don't like EOS lip balms for their formula but they have super cute packaging. The Softlips Cube is heaver than I thought. I expected it too feel a little more cheap but the packing is surprisingly high quality. I love that it's so small and compact and it's actually really cute. As for the product itself I'm not huge on pomegranate but I really like this. It smells a little sweeter than I usually like but it works for this. It feels really moisturizing and sinks in pretty quick. I don't feel like I have a waxy layer on my lips. From what I've seen in stores they have a great selection of scents/flavors so I think I will be picking up some more for myself and even one to replace John's mint EOS lip balm.  Seriously, this is going straight into my purse...and then we'll get one for the bathroom and one for the car  and a couple more just because.


Sour Punch  Rainbow Straws and Punchies candies: Don't get me wrong. I love candy....just not sour candy. I think I wold have loved these as a kid when I loved sour stuff but anymore it's just a no go for me for both kinds. The straws are really overpowering to me and all I can taste is the powder that makes it sour. The Punchies are okay and I think I would really enjoy them if they didn't have a sour kick to them. I might still eat those since they aren't awful but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy these. All of that being said I gave these to some friends of mine and they really liked them. So I really think it's all about personal preferences. 




St. Ives Blemish Control Apricot Scrub: I've actually had this before. John has the full size of this I believe, my dad used this for a long time, my mom used it. I've used it before. I actually personally prefer the Green Tea scrub because it's so gentle but I'm definitely not complaining about a full size of this bad boy because mine is almost gone. This leaves my skin so soft and makes my face feel really clean. I especially like it when I have dry skin because it exfoliates really well. I recommend using a scrub no more than three times a week so as not to irritate your skin but this is really gentle and smells great!

JERGENS Natural Glow Instant Sun Tanning Mousse In Deep Bronze: Not gonna lie. I actually laughed when I saw this. Not because the concept was funny or I have anything against sunless tanners. I actually think it's safer than tanning. HOWEVER I am ghostly pale and this is in Deep Bronze. I applied a bit of this to my inner thigh where my shorts cover because I wanted to test the product but this color looked like it was just way too dark for me.So this apparently last up to a week with the extending moisturizer? Honestly I tried to follow the instructions but I really just wasn't seeing much in the way of results. I think to get a tanned look you really have to layer it. So I feel like for that reason it could look a little patchy?  I think I will try this again later in the week since we should get getting some much needed sun around here. I'll do an individual review on this in the coming weeks.




So that is what was in the Campus Voxbox. I will most likely be doing a separate review on the L'oreal Advanced Hair Care system. I will also have a skin care routine up hopefully soon and it will feature the St. Ives Apricot Scrub. I hope you enjoyed this post or found it helpful!

xoxo
Courtney

Beauty Subscription Smackdown Part 3. Birchbox vs. Ipsy March 2015

Ha! One was at least on time! Mostly...My Birchbox had a billing issue this month so it was sent out a little late which is why this is only just getting up now.

So Ipsy arrived first therefore they will be first in this post.

The theme for this months bag is "Floral Fantasy" which I think is nice for the spring. I really liked the bag itself as well it looks really classic in a way. Not too overdone.

So here is what I got:

NYX Cosmetics Butter Lipstick (color) $6 - So even though I haven't really been into lipsticks lately I like this color. Its pretty comfortable and It's really creamy. I can't wait to wear this out on a date.

Boo Boo Cover-up (medium) $7.64 - Can I just point out a major flop on Ipsy's part? I'm extremely fair skinned and this just isn't gonna work. I was psyched to try this but I'm very pale and this color will never work for me even in the summer. So I am pretty bummed about that. However I think I can mix this with my Maybelline Master Conceal to make this wearable.

Pūr~lisse beauty Pūr~delicate gentle soymilk cleanser & makeup remover $6.42 - I actually really like this brand so I was excited to see another product from them. I really like trying new facial cleansers and I have tested this one and it seems to work nicely. It doesn't foam and kind of has the feeling of a cleansing balm so I think I'm going to take this on trips with me instead of my expensive cleanser.

Gilchrist & Soames London Collection Body Lotion $5 - Even though I wasn't all that excited about this brand because I got two products from this brand in my last birchbox I really like this lotion. I also feel like the packaging looks and feels really sturdy so I wouldn't mind displaying it. I think the lotion itself feels a little thin but moisturizes pretty well without feeling super greasy. John also likes the smell so I might get him the full size.


VINTAGE by Jessica Liebeskind Illuminating Face Highlighter $10 - As far as I could tell this was a sample sized item. Though I couldn't find a size on the full size product, I guessed on the price. About the product though, I do love the shimmer and its so soft. I love this and I think its a great product, I might actually buy the full size.

 Also I spent my points on a bonus item. Malin + Goetz Mojito Lip Balm I have a full size of this already but its one of my absolute favorites so I snagged this for 500 points. 


Total Value: $35.06 (without bonus item) I really enjoyed this month's bag. I felt like it was well rounded and well within my comfort zone. I enjoyed the brands that were in here and look forward to what April's bag will bring.




Now onto Birchbox.



This month's theme was "creative" As far as I can tell there was little variation in the design of our boxes this month. I really like all of it and I'm pretty excited to at least have another cute box. As for products this month I wasn't super excited about the selection of stuff to be sent out but there looked like there were some interesting products in the mix so lets get started:

Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvanator $5.62 - Honestly I was pretty hesitant about using any sort of microdermabrasion product. Recently whenever I use them I break out really badly and I get big red angry pimples...Not sexy. So I've been steering away from them. Right now my face is remarkably clear except my blackheads and so I'm really trying to find a way to get rid of those and keep the big pimples away too.

Beauty Protector Protect and Detangle $1.37 - This is one of those products I just haven't had a chance to try. I don't really need anymore hair protectors. So it may take me a while to get around to this.

 Harvey Prince Imperial Gardenia $1 - Again with perfume samples? I really don't want them. I don't have any sort of issues getting my hands on those and its actually pretty darn cheap in my opinion. They aren't worth a lot product wise and I just don't wear perfume very often so I have no desire to own these.


Jelly Pong Pong Glow Getter Highlighter $12.75 - I was super excited about this. I really like cream-consistency highlighters.This kind of reminds me of High Beam from Benefit but I actually think this is easier to blend. I don't like the applicator but I love the product.


Temple Spa Peace Be Still Calming Face and Body Balm $4.83 - Most likely I wont use this on my face but I think its nice for body. I'm just really particular about what I put on my face when it comes to lotions. I think it has a nice subtle scent and it absorbs really quickly but I don't love it enough to buy a full size.


I felt like the selection of types of items was similar to my ipsy. So again I really liked the box. It was also well-rounded and I'm pretty excited. Total Value: $25.57.

And the winner is...Both! It's a tie. I really felt like both of my boxes were similar. I got a highlighter, a cleanser, and a lotion in both. I also got a product I didn't like in each and a product I like but wont get a ton of use out of. I'm choosing not to take my ipsypoints item into the mix because I picked that with my earned points. The box and the bag were equally cute and I really liked both and couldn't pick one or the other.

  So originally this was supposed to be my last Birchbox but I forgot to cancel. I will be getting a April box and I'm actually considering keeping Birchbox for a while but I haven't decided yet. Either way I don't think I will be posting reviews for April since I'm working hard on a couple other projects.  This is really late so I have even looked at what I'm getting from Ipsy and Birchbox already and just based off of that I may do an Ipsy review but we'll have to wait and see. So I hope you like this review and if your interested in signing up for either of these companies my referral links are in the side bar.

xoxo
Courtney