Beauty Memberships

Birchbox is an online beauty store, but instead of offering a couple of small free samples with purchase like Sephora, it offers a $10/month membership.   Each month it will send you a "birchbox" full of large samples to try out, then for a discounted price you can buy larger versions of those you tried out and liked.  The site also offers a great loyalty points programed earned with purchases made.

I wanted to get a couple of boxes before I  blogged about it.  Two in, I've decided it is totally worth the $10 that are automatically charged to your cc every month.

April:

My favorite from this collection was the "Befine Daily Moisturizer"  an SPF 15 lotion with rosemary, pomegranate and rice extracts.  It went on smooth not greasy and left skin very soft.


May:

My fav. here is the Algenist Regenerative Anti-Aging Lotion.   Has Alguronic Acid, Vitamin C & E , and Algae Extract which repairs, corrects and firms respectively.

BONUS: so much fun to open the box and discover these products, it is like a gift every month for the price of a couple Cafe Mochas at Starbucks!

The BB craze!

The BB cream or "Blemish Balm" was invented in 1968 by German inventor Dr. Christine Schrammek , it became a huge hit in Japan where it is still THE product to use.   It was first used for treating wounds and scars and as a post-op treatment.   It has really become a craze in Asia and is now starting to become more and more popular here....it is basically a tinted moisturizer, that gives SPF protection while nurturing the skin as it protects it.  

I just picked up the Garnier version Skin Renew and love it.  I am not big on foundation and never have been, but this is a great cover without being heavy or streaking.   It contains a Hyaluronic Acid and Lipidure Microspheres to retain water in the skin which plumps it up and also has Vitamin C to lessen spotting.  Perfect if you want some light natural coverage and SPF!

Some other brands with good BB products to try out are "Missha" , "SKIN79" , "BAVIPHAT"    and "Skinfood"

Some Summer Color

The best hair ties that give a touch of color, do not snag hair and several can be worn on the wrist as a fashion statement!  Easy Cool!

I love this contraption made by e.l.f . Use the lash side to condition your lashes at night or to separate and define your lashes after you apply mascara.  Use the other side to define and condition your brow.  Bonus - super cheap and the tube lasts for many applications....

This IS the go to long sleeve crew neck.   Hard to find but made by Copper Key, it wears like a second skin.  So thin you can layer several at once or fold it up and put in your purse for a quick warm up.  It is perfect to pull out when the wind starts to pick up on those cooler evenings at the beach when your skin needs a soothing after too much sun, or even as PJ tops, they just feel good!