March Essence Beauty Box...

Hey All! I'm very pleased with this month's Essence Beauty Box. If you follow me on Snapchat (sadesigns) you saw that I did an unboxing two days ago. I got a chance to try out some of the products. Check it out the products in this month's box.

Love the box top design. 

The beauty products. Great sample sizes. Theme is: Transform Her Everyday.

For the hair: Creme of Nature Perfect Edges and Uncle Funky's Curly Magic. 

Skincare: LaBelle Femme Body Butter and Biossance The Revitalizer which is a light face oil.

Makeup: BITE Beauty Opal Lipgloss

I'm giving this month's box a B. The hair products every month is overkill. Every month there has been 2 haircare products. One is enough. I would like to see more makeup samples or sunscreen, perfume, bronzer or a highlighter.

The La Belle body butter was amazing. Melts into your skin. I also love the opal lipgloss.  I'm excited to try Uncle Funky's Curly magic. I've been wanting to try something from their line.  I have not tried the Biossance revitalizer, but online reviews are 5 star.

February Essence Beauty Box...

Hey All! I'm very pleased with this month's Essence Beauty Box. If you follow me on Snapchat (sadesigns) you saw that I did an unboxing yesterday. I got a chance to try out some of the products. Check it out below.

Love the artwork on the box.

This month's theme is Shine Like A Star.

The beauty products. Nice and full box. 

Kiss eyelashes and adhesive. Can't wait to wear these! Cover FX makeup primer with anti-acne treatment. Lipstick by IMAN in Hot. This is a gorgeous orange shade with lots of pigment. If you don't like a bright lip this shade isn't for you. It looks fabulous on my lips.

Every month we get hair products in our box. I definitely do not need to buy hair products. Miss Jessie's Coily Custard with agave and coconut oil. Dark & Lovely Soak it up Oil Cocktail. Smells so good. I tried this as part of my LOC method. Loved the results. 

This was our Bonus gift. Colgate Optic White toothpaste. Claims it will whiten your teeth more than 3 shades in just one week. I only used it once, can't give a good review just yet. I will have to see if it's better than brushing with old fashioned baking soda. 

My favorite product thus far is the lipstick by IMAN in Hot. Great alternative to wearing red lipstick.

Winter Favorites...

 Hey All! Below is a list of things that I'm loving this winter.




Downton Abbey English Rose Tea I don't watch the show, but I love this tea. My mom turned me on to this tea. If you are a tea drinker, give this a try morning, afternoon, or evening. Delish.



Walkers Shortbread Rounds These are the perfect compliment to my Downton Abbey tea. My grandmother loved shortbread cookies and these cookies remind me of my nana. So buttery. Forget scones, give me my cookies!

Nurse Jackie on Netflix. I straight binged on Nurse Jackie, all 7 seasons. Seriously, I watched them all in about a week. I never watched it when it was on Showtime. I am so sorry it ended. What should I watch next? House of Cards? Orange is the new Black?


Hobo Lauren Clutch  This wallet is perfect. It keeps all of my stuff together. It has space for my cards, receipts, cell and a tube of lipstick. Seriously, I have gone through so many wallets because I jam so much stuff in it. Then I get frustrated when it doesn't close. Not the case with my Lauren.


Herbivore Botanicals Phoenix Facial Oil I first discovered Herbivore on etsy. Their products get rave reviews. When they had a sale around Christmas, I jumped on it. My skin is super dry. This facial oil is heaven sent! A little goes a long way.

Snapchat Okay so I'm a couple of years late. But it took that long for my kids to finally show me how to use it. It's a great app. I think I have one follower and that's my sorority sister Sharon. Let's snap and chat! Follow me on Snapchat. My id is sadesigns

Sheepskin Softsole Moc Slippers These moccasins are the bomb! Mine came from Target. They were a Christmas gift from my daughter. I don't want to take them off! I get the mail in them, take the dog out, pick my kid up from school.

When I do take off my sheepskin slippers, I put these on Sam Edelman Paige Boot  They are the cutest fringe suede booties. Very comfortable. I'm a big Sam Edelman fan, and these do not disappoint. I mostly wear them with skinny jeans, a tee and a comfy cardigan ( my winter staple).

October Essence Beauty Box Review...

Hey All!

Last month Essence debuted their Inaugural Essence Beautybox with women of color as their target audience. I received an email inviting me to join this subscription box program for $15 a month. I cancelled my Birchbox subscription over a year ago so I hopped on this. October's theme was "Finishing Touches for Fall." Take a look at the box contents.

Love the artwork on the box lid!

Pretty presentation which included a product guidebook.

The beauty products. Nice sizes. 

 Tarte Brow Architect. All in one brush, pencil and concealer for your brows. 

Calvin Klein Eternity Now perfume and L'occitane shea butter hand cream. Love them both! The perfume has grapefruit notes that I really like. The hand cream is awesome.
I highly recommend this brand. The best hand cream on the market!

Eden Bodyworks Coconut Shea Leave-in and Curls Creme Brule Curl Cream. Love Eden Bodyworks products. This leave-in is wonderful. Curls Creme Brule curl cream is nice too. Doesn't leave my hair dry or sticky like some curl creams. 

Overall I give this box a B. The reason is I can't figure out how to use the Tarte Brow Architect. If you received this box, let me know what you think. I'm excited to receive November's box!

Current Beauty Product Faves...

Hey All! Hope you all had a great weekend. The weather here in NC is gorgeous! Sharing some of my current beauty product faves.

Current Beauty Product Faves

For Body

Crystal Essence Deodorant: Think I finally found a natural deodorant that works. Love the smell and it holds me through a workday. 

Jason Coconut Oil: I can not longer use coconut oil on my hair. My hair has enough protein. Love it for my body. I rub this all over my body while still damp and my skin is soft and moisturizing all day.

For my Face

DIY Rosewater Moisturizer: Love spritzing rosewater on my face. I made my own using rosewater, almond oil and vegetable glycerin. 

Pixi Glow Tonic: Have you tried this? I heard rave reviews about it. Some call it liquid gold. Target now carries it but it sold out fast. I grabbed the last bottle on the shelf at my local Target. It smells great. I apply it to my skin after cleanses.

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil Lavender: NYX is a great wallet friendly cosmetic line. I love their products especially their lip and eye makeup. I use this jumbo pencil as an eyeliner or highlighter.

Botanics Organic Facial Oil: This is perfect for my dry skin. Does not leave my face oily/greasy looking. 

For Hair

African Shea Butter: I add my own oils to this and apply to my ends as a sealant or whenever my hair needs extra moisturizing. Oils I mix are extra virgin olive oil, almond oil, Castor oil, and rosemary oil. 

What are your current beauty product faves? Have an awesome week!

Ulta Spring Haul...

Hey All! I have to admit that I am a product junkie! I love hair, beauty, and bath and body products. I am a marketers dream. Over the weekend my daughter went to Ulta to buy makeup for her prom. I decided to tag along so I could pick up a few treats for myself. Take a look at some of my current favorites and some newbies that I can't wait to try.

Ulta Spring Haul

• Shea Moisture Dry Oil Mist (Tahitian Noni & Monoi) - I love Shea Moisture's Dry Oil Spray. This will be my first time trying the Tahitian Noni & Monoi. I've tried the Argan Oil & Raw Shea and it was amazing. It's not a heavy oil so it's perfect for the Spring and Summer. 
• Shea Moisture Lemongrass & Ginger Shea Butter Soap - As you can see I'm a big fan of Shea Moisture. This soap lasts a long time and the smell is wonderful. 
• C.Booth Honey Almond Body Lotion -  I have tried C. Booth's dry oil spray and it was great. This is my first time trying their lotion. It's a little runny but it keeps dry skin away. 
• Earth Therapeutics Loofah Scrub Oatmeal & Honey -  This smells so yummy! This brand is a newbie for me. It was part of a special deal. I love scrubs and body products scented with honey. 

• NYX  lipstick Chloe - I love NYX. A fantastic brand with fantastic prices! Chloe is new for me. It's an iridescent fuchsia color that will be fab for Spring and Summer. I tend to lean towards bronzey colors for Summer. This will be a switch.
• NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil Lavender - Another newbie. Their jumbo eye pencils were recommended to me by another blogger. 
• NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray - This is for my daughter. She wants it for prom. I prefer a dewy finish she likes matte. 

• Cover Your Gray Touch-Up Stick - pretty self explanatory. Chalk it up to genetics I have some gray hair. This touch-up stick is the best for in between dye jobs. I see my stylist every 8 weeks, but by week 3 my gray starts peeking through. I wipe out this stick and walla gray be gone! 

What are some of your favorite beauty products? Try anything new? I like a natural look with a hint of color, thus the reason I love bronzey colors. This season I'm stepping outside of my box and trying something new. Bolder colors. 

March Beauty Product Faves...

Hello my name is Robyn and I'm a beauty product junkie.  I'm sharing what my favorite beauty products that I purchased, received, or used for the month of March. Check them out below.


 

Starting at the top going clockwise.

1. Mally waterproof eyeliner in Sailor. A beautiful navy blue eyeliner that I received in a Birchbox. I wear it daily. The navy makes my eyes pop and it's a great change from all the years I wore black eyeliner.

2. Benefit ultra plush lipgloss in Sugarbomb. I love shimmer. This lipgloss is a pretty gold pinkish shimmer. My go to everyday, casual lipgloss. I also received this in a Birchbox. It's not sticky or doesn't leave a gross residue on your lips. Plus the small size is great for sticking in your pocket.

3. Shea Moisture African black soap Purification Masque. I'm biased when it comes to Shea Moisture products. I love Shea Moisture! As a natural curly hair girl, I have tried a TON of hair products! Hands down Shea Moisture is my top choice. I bought this masque when Target had a Bogo promo on Shea Moisture products about a month ago. This was my first time trying their African black soap line. This masque is awesome and it smells yummy!  My hair is super dry so it craves moisture. My curls pop after using this product.

4. Maybelline Clean express makeup remover. A recent purchase from Ulta. My daughter has totally taken over this makeup remover. I was looking for a gentle eye makeup remover that was a little cheaper than the eye makeup remover I purchased from Sephora. This is a great alternative! Love it.

5. NYX roll on shimmer in Nude. Remember I told you I loved shimmer. Right? Another recent purchase from Ulta that was on sale and I used a coupon! Winning! I went to Ulta looking for a fun eye makeup. I found this NYX roll on. It was a toss up between Nude and Green. My daughter was with me and she quickly shot down the green roll on shimmer. Darn! Teenagers do not want you to have any fun!

6. Tarte lipstick in Fierce. I've had this lipstick for awhile. It's a gorgeous red. I feel so Old Hollywood when I wear it. My son says I look like my mother, so I took that as a compliment.

7. Gena Pedicure foot treatment cream. Ladies sandal season is quickly approaching. You totally need this foot cream in your life. It's rich and thick with a cool minty scent. I love it. This was a sample in my Birchbox. I will purchase this from Birchbox once my sample is depleted.

8. Essie Nail Polish in First Timer. I switch my nail polish constantly. This is my latest fave. It's the prettiest mint green. So awesome for Spring. I purchased this from Ulta. Gosh I love that store!

**Please note I am employed by nor endorsing any of these products. This is just my personal opinion of some of my favorite beauty things. **

February Birchbox Review...

Happy Valentine's Day Y'all!

It's been awhile since I reviewed my Birchbox. This month's Birchbox is a collaboration with US Weekly. Since this is Awards season, the box is filled with a few items to get you red carpet ready. Check out what I received in my box.

1. Harney & Sons Fine Teas:  2 sachets of tea. White Vanilla Grapefruit and Paris. This is the Lifestyle Extra that Birchbox adds each month. I love tea so I'm sure I will love these!

2. 100% Pure: Fruit Pigmented Mascara. 100% all natural mascara with real fruit pigments. I have some body lotion from 100% Pure that is great. This mascara smells so good. I love mascara. One of the beauty items that I wear daily along with lip gloss. Can't wait to try this!

3. Sarahpotempa: The Half-Up hair tool. This tool looks great. Use it to create a low bun or up do.

4. Whish: Pomegranate Body Butter. Love the smell. Very rich. I'm a sucker for body butters!

5. Joan Vass: L'eau de Cristal perfume. Smells like a men's cologne. Blend of bergamot and patchouli. A little too strong for me.

Overall, I give this month's box a 4 out of 5 stars.

June Glossybox Review...

Hello All! I just received the June Glossybox and let me tell you it is fabulous! June's box was curated by illustrator and blogger Dallas Shaw. I have followed Dallas' blog for about a year now so I was super excited when she announced that she will be selecting her personal favorite beauty products for the June Glossybox. Check out what I received in my box.

Cute box cover designed illustrated by Dallas Shaw

Always a beautiful presentation.

•  Tarte Complexion Enhancing Lipstick: I like this. Nude lippy with a hint of color.
• Oscar de la Renta Fragrance Samples (inside satin bag): Six samples inside. Most have a sweet floral island scent.
• SpaRitual Nail Polish: Color I received is Spirit Child Shimmer. Its so pretty! Mix of red, orange, and gold.
• C.Booth Honey Almond Dry Oil Mist: Free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, and petrolatum. This is my favorite product in the box. A light honey scent that leaves a nice shine on your skin. I will definitely get a full size of this.
• Philip B. Detangling Toning Mist: This is a leave-in pH balancing mist with apple cider vinegar for your hair. I plan on trying this when I clarify my hair, which is usually the beginning of the month.

Closer look at the Oscar de la Renta fragrance samples. My fave is Oriental Lace.

March Birchbox Review...

Happy First Day of Spring!! Spring is my second favorite season, Autumn is my first. This month's Birchbox theme is March Madness. The box was filled with products from up and coming rookies to veteran all-stars. I loved my box. I actually tried all of the products! Here is what I received and my personal review.

1. Sumita Eye Pencil (Black) full size - Love this! Two beauty items I wear everyday, eyeliner and lip gloss. This pencil glides on so smooth and lasts all day. Highly recommend this pencil. Available in other fun colors like lime green and navy.
2. Caldrea Body Lotion - Three samples of body lotion: Tea Olive Lime, Aloe Water Apricot, and Coconut Fig. I tried the Aloe Water and Tea Olive Lime. I like them both. Very rich and creamy with a subtle scent.
3. Madewell for Birchbox Emery Board full size - Birchbox teamed with Madewell to create a floral patterned emery board. Another favorite! Perfect for my purse.
4. Curls Cashmere Curls Leave-in Conditioner - Feels like a serum. Gave me great curls and did eliminate some of my frizz. I will definitely try more products from this brand.
5. Whish Shave Cream - Organic Shea butter foam-free shaving cream. Gave me a really close shave, but the scent is too strong and fruity for me. Will pass this on to my teenager.

What was in your Birchbox? If you don't get Birchbox, have you tried any of the above products?

Glossybox February Review...

I recently subscribed to Glossybox, a monthly beauty subscription which features 5 luxury travel-sized beauty products. This is a fun way to sample different beauty products from new and familiar brands before making the decision to purchase. If you are a product junkie, I highly recommend Glossybox. February's theme was International Style. Take a look at what was in my box.

The box is pink. Ahh the little things that make me happy.

Lovely presentation. It's like opening a present.

Included every month is Glossymag. Magazine filled with beauty and style tips.

Starting from left:

1. Nail Rock Nail Wraps. Leopard print nail wrap. I may try it on one nail. Having them on all 10, is overkill. This is something I will give to my daughter.
2. Lisi Liquid Line Eyeliner. This is a full size product! Color I rec'd is black magic. It's black with a shimmer. I tried this today and I love it.
3. Da Vinci Cosmetics Shimmer Powder. Shimmering mineral powder that gives a subtle glow to your eyes or cheeks. Color I rec'd is Harmony. Also tried this today on my eyes using an eye shadow blush. Very pretty. Slight glow that can be worn day or night.
4. Bulgari soap. Very strong scent. As soon as I opened the box, I smelled the soap. I like a softer scent. You don't need to smell me before you see me.
5. Evologie Duo Pack Blemish Serum & Stay Clear Cream. This was also full size. Rapidly clears blemishes and reduces post acne scars. Good to keep on hand for the occasional hormonal acne breakout.

February Birchbox Review...

Hey All! Starting off the week with a review of my February Birchbox. I love getting packages in the mail, especially my monthly Birchbox! I have been getting Birchbox for about 9 months. Hands down this month is the best box that I have received. This month's theme is Red Carpet Ready. Take a look at what I received.

Products designed to get you Red Carpet Ready.

Always a beautiful presentation

• Skin & Co Roma Cleansing Body Gel: shower gel from Rome with orange and olive extracts. Smells nice.
• Wei Pomegranate Buffing Beads: Facial scrub that buffs away dead skin cells. Brightens face and evens out skin tones.
• Wei Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask: Clay mask that lessens the signs of premature aging. I love clay masks! Can't wait to try this out.
• Dermablend Smooth Indulgence Concealer: Medium coverage concealer in Spice. A pretty good match for my skin tone.
• Ghirardelli Square Milk Chocolate with Caramel: Delish! Its gone! Ate it right after I took the pictures of my box.
• Shu Uemura Art of Hair Protective Oil: Leave in Oil for Dry Hair. Nicknamed "Liquid gold." A full size bottle will cost $68. Like this oil, but I am fine with my unrefined virgin coconut oil from Trader Joe's for $5.99. That's my liquid gold!

Glossybox January Review

I recently subscribed to Glossybox, a monthly beauty subscription which features 5 luxury travel-sized beauty products. After hearing that Glossybox was doing a collaboration with Leandra Medine of the Man Repeller, I wanted in. I absolutely love reading Leandra's blog and totally love her amazing sense of style. Due to an overwhelming high demand of the Glossybox/Man Repeller collaboration, I didn't receive my box until February. I was very pleased with the presentation and the products. Take a look at what was in my box.

The Man Repeller Box and Glossy Mag

Sweet Note from Leandra. Pretty Presentation.



My Goodies.

• Estee Lauder Extreme Lash Mascara. Nice size. I can always use mascara.
• Fresh Umbrian Clay Mattifying Serum. For Normal to Oily Skin, controls shine and minimizes the appearance of pore. I love Fresh products. I can't wait to try this on my combination skin.
• Le Metier De Beaute Replenishing Daily Solution. Rich formula that conditions and hydrates skin. Paraben free. SPF 30. A full size of this costs $225. I can't wait to wash my face so I can try this!
• Narciso Rodriquez for her Eau De Toilette Spray. Has a warm floral scent that is not overpowering. Nice.
• OPI Can't Let Go liquid sand nail lacquer. Super excited about this because it's full size and it's purple! I'm all about purple since my Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl! This nail polish is a matte purple with accents of shimmer. Long lasting and because it's matte, no top coat is necessary.
• Sebastian Professional Potion 9. Styling hair cream with nine botanical extracts to restore moisture. Received great reviews on Amazon. Claims to keep frizz away. We shall see.
• Tarte Glamazon Pure Performance Lipstick. Full size. Gorgeous tube! Love the red. Contains mango, shea and avocado butters. I know I will love this!

 

 

If you subscribe to Glossybox, let me know what you think of the Man Repeller box.