Fave Five: First Impressions of Beauty Subscriptions

My July Birchbox and ipsy Glam Bag have already arrived!  I'll share the details of those in the coming days, but, for now, here are my favorite things about my first month of beauty boxes.

I have so many beauty boxes for July!

1. Rewards: Both Birchbox and ipsy have easy rewards programs that allow you to earn points for free or reduced cost products.  I like free or reduced cost.  I'm on board.  
2. Trying new types of products: I don't thing I'd ever tried a facial primer before, but the Smashbox primer in my June ipsy Glam Bag was nearly life-changing.
3. Trying "fancier" products: This was clear winning reason for subscribing.  The higher-end products are a bonus, and, for some things, I've really been able to tell the difference in product.  It's fun to try new things, and any time I break up my routine, I end up examining what I'm doing and why.  Which leads me to...
4. Encouraging self care: Having new beauty "treats" encourages me to put the time into myself.  I've needed that lately when the days and weeks of home improvement projects have become all-encompassing.
5. Sharing: I know that I won't fall in love with every product in my beauty boxes, but that doesn't mean someone won't enjoy them.  I plan on sharing products from the beauty boxes with friends.  

Coming soon: July beauty boxes, more outfit photos, and a very special project!

*This post contains referral links.  If you sign up for Birchbox or ipsy through the links I may receive points towards future purchases.  This is not a sponsored post.  

Post-Beauty Box Product Changes

After just one month of beauty box subscriptions, I've already made some changes to my beauty routine.

Exfoliant: The Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Scrub from my June Birchbox opened my eyes to how much smoother an more even my skin could be.  Other exfoliants I've used have had bigger grit but less scrubbing power.  I'll be using the remainder of this before looking for a similar product at (hopefully) a lower pricepoint. 

Primer: The Smashbox Cosmetics Photo Finish Foundation Primer from my June ipsy Glam Bag is another skin-smoothing miracle.  I already ordered a (hopefully) similar primer from eyeslipsface.com because it made my makeup stay better and my skin look more even.

Makeup Removing Wipes: Duh, right?  I'm terrible about removing my makeup in the evening.  I've bought baby wipes for this purpose in the past, but they didn't remove makeup well and were somewhat rough.  After trying the La Fresh Eco-Beauty Makeup Removal Towelettes, I purchased makeup removing wipes (also from eyeslipsface.com).  I've actually been removing my makeup for the past few days.  Thanks, Birchbox, you're a good influence.

Concealer: You may think "Jeanne, you didn't have concealer in your beauty boxes."  You're right, but seeing how dark my under-eye circles have become made me want to try to cover them up.  It's not a product from the boxes, but it is a product I desired after actually looking in the mirror.  

I'll start tearing into beauty July beauty boxes in the next few days.  Check back!

*This post contains referral links.  If you sign up for Birchbox or ipsy through the links I may receive points towards future purchases.  This is not a sponsored post.  

Crystaline

Today's outfit is all about the necklace.  My friend Amanda gave it to me, and I feel like the high-priestess of cool when I wear it.  It is accented with rough-cut crystals and lengths of chain.

 

Dress, TJ Maxx; shrug, Dillards; sandals, Mossimo, Target; necklace, gifted (Thanks, Amanda!).

Widget is perplexed.

 


I have a hard time wearing big necklaces because they can give me a headache.  This one is worth the risk.

 

Time for a pedicure.

Borrowed Style

I think it's important to have a "signature style," but it's also important to try things outside of that style.  I am most comfortable in dresses, but my friend Natalie rocks the hell out of colored denim.  I was inspired by her style to buy these red jeans.  My friend Kristin is wild for boat neck shirts, and she gave me this one.  It's not my usual getup, but I certainly like it.  I didn't borrow the actual clothes, but I did borrow the style.

 

Shirt, GAP (Thanks, Kristin!); red jeans, Sam's Club; shoes, Merona, Target; earrings, Walmart; necklace, handmade by me.

 

I love these giant, spiky hoop earrings.  They make every outfit feel a little tougher.  I'm wearing these red shoes yet again because I only have access to a few pairs until I can finish some more rooms and unpack more boxes.