Summer Nails

Ugh I'm officially a blogger slacker. 

Favorite nail color right now is Sinful Colors "Hazard." It's a creamy salmon-peach-sorbet color. At about $2 a bottle at Target, it's no Butter London. Still, it reminds me of Butter London "Trout Pout," though I'd have to see them side by side for a true comparison. 

Stay glossy,

Christine

Birchbox April 2014

This month's Birchbox came later than ipsy (le gasp!) for once. Overall, ipsy wins once again in the battle of the beauty boxes.  Still, I got some great products. I was a bit ambitious and tried all of them at least once in the 24 hours I've had my box (it arrived 4/15).

1. Color Club Nail Polish in Aquamarine Azulino

I've gotten Color Club nail polish before, so I was surprised to get it again, just in a different shade. The polish goes on smoothly with a pearl finish. I really wish it was a matte/cream finish; the sparkling finish seems a little childish or dated. Still, it's a great color for spring and the application is decent.

2. KIND Healthy Grains Maple Pumpkin Seeds Bar with Sea Salt

Birchbox, you know you're in trouble when I rate the lifestyle extra as superior to 3 of your 4 items. This snack bar was absolutely divine. The maple syrup flavor is perfectly balanced with the sea salt. I would like a box of these. I immediately looked them up and it looks like KIND distributed to Costco. Here's to hoping they sell the snack bars and not their granola.

3. Gilchrist & Soames Spa Therapy Body Wash

It smells like hotel body wash.  I guess I don't know how to be a snob about body washes. Sometimes, I buy expensive LUSH soaps for the shower because they're all natural and smell like honey or porridge or something exotic.  Usually, they leave my skin unGodly soft. This body wash is a resounding "meh." It doesn't seem any more luxurious than Target brand body wash, which is 6% the cost of this spa body wash.

4. theBalm cosmetics How ‘Bout Them Apples? Lip Balm and Cheek Stain in the color Pie

Why do one thing well when you can be terrible at two things? (Is this my new catchphrase? Yes. Perhaps. At least until I stop getting primer/lotion/suntan/lipgloss/stain/mask/exfoliant/serums.) This is too smeary/smudgy to be a good lipgloss and not spreadable enough to be a blush. Am I the only one who thinks that powder blush is best? You have more control and you're less likely to smear off your primer or foundation or concealer or whatever else you have lurking on your cheeks. Boo, thebalm. I like your branding but dislike your product.

5. Paula's Choice RESIST Anti-Aging Clear Skin Hydrator

If the name of this product included "serum" it would include all of the words I hate to see in a product in my beauty boxes. I am 26. How much aging have I really done? I have checked my Birchbox product preferences and I do not have anti-aging checked off. Setting aside the agism, this product claims to help fight acne (what?) with absolutely no benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or anything of that sort. Instead, it contains lactoperoxidase, which is not an active ingredient and is mainly used in the cosmetic industry to preserve cosmetics and extend shelf-life.  This product contains a lotttttt of ingredients that concern me. It claims you can put it on after cleansing your face, or under your makeup. Which brings me to my next point: is hydrator just another word for moisturizer? Could this product really be called, "Paula's Choice Oil-Free Moisturizer?"

Lost internet yesterday, so I am still working on the Birchbox vs ipsy comparison post. Stay tuned.

Christine

ipsy April 2014

For the first time ever, ipsy arrived before Borchbox on April 12th. Birchbox is going to have a very hard time beating this package. The purse is very cute this month. I like that it's more square than all the other bags. Without further ado, here's what I got, ranked from "most excited to try" to "mehhhh."

1. Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Pencil (travel size)

Once again, ipsy has nailed it in the eyeliner department. I have never used Urban Decay's liner, but have always wanted to try it. It's a decent size sample, especially for a high end brand. Can't wait to try this out. 

2. City Color White Gold Shadow & Highlight Mousse

 I tried this on as a shadow and it is amazing- very creamy and light. However, this product is a classic example of how ipsy really needs to include product cards with instructions/recommended use like Birchbox does. I have no idea how to use this as a "highlight mousse."  I will probably just use this as a cream eye shadow.

3. KISS Looks So Natural Lashes

I always love a good pair of fake lashes. These appear to be natural, which is great. Natural lashes look very dramatic on me. Dramatic lashes look very drag queen on me. There was a period in college when I wore fake lashes to a ton of events back-to-back. It's been a while since I've rocked fake lashes, so I'm sure to have a re-learning curve this time around. We've got a few fun events coming up in April and May, so I'll give it another go.

4. Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm in Apple Pink

This is a much more neutral lip color than a lot of the products I've gotten in the past, which excited me. Then I got it and all of the excitement drained away. I have seen Cailyn products on ipsy.com, in Google ads, and in blogger videos. The packaging really got me interested in the products, which is what they were clearly going for, because, in reality, the packaging is cumbersome and odd. A tiny lip brush (the stem) clips into a weird trumpet shape. The bottom of the trumpet screws onto the lip gloss, acting as a lid.  This design is extremely bulky and the lip brush smears lip gloss all over the inside of the trumpet. The brush is also so dinky that you're better off using a finger.  The color is not the greatest for my skin tone. It has a lot of orangey tones, which make me look like my lips are raw/puffy, like I just had an allergic reaction or ate something spicy.

5.Cover FX Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment

Why do one thing well when you can do two things poorly? This product is not a primer, at least not in the traditional sense. It's a clear gel product that really should not be used around your eyes or over your entire face. The directions indicate that the product should be used directly on acne 2-3 times a day.  It contains salicylic acid 1.0%, which is the only active ingredient and the main reason I was shocked that it doesn't come with a warning not to use it around your eyes. It's also half as strong as traditional acne cleansers, which contain salicylic acid 2.0%. I guess that it can be less strong because it's staying on your face all day, as opposed to washing it off. What I don't understand is why it needs to be matte? You're putting this on acne, then you're putting on foundation. Who cares if the first layer is matte if you're just covering it up? I am disappointed because I keep getting these products that claim to be primers, but my idea of a primer is more like Smashbox's lid primer, which helps your eye makeup stay in place and perfect for ages.

A few people always ask me whether I like Birchbox or ipsy better. Once this month's Birchbox gets here, I'll make a comparison post with the pros and cons of each, as well as the targeted demographic, who would like which better, and what my plans are for my future subscriptions.

Stay tuned,

Christine

Wall Mounted Wine Rack

 I am in love with this wine rack. It says in the product description that it can hold 18 wine bottles. Do I really want to risk it? We put all of our nice-looking wine bottles on it (Kirkland wine doesn't look classy) and it's a little sparse at the moment. If you love it, it's on amazon.

Below it you will see my wine stopper collection, bottle openers, two aerators, a crystal decanter and decanter stand, as well as an additional wine rack. The wine rack below is a temporary craiglist solution. Eventually, we need something a little bigger and better matched.

Stay chic,

Christine

IKEA Finds

I put this together from IKEA to add a little class to the side of our bathtub. I still need to add curtains and some other decor, but the bathroom is finally getting there.

The total cost (before tax) for my design was $33.96. The candle stands come in more colors and heights that I even used here.

Stay inspired.

Birchbox Upcycle 2.0

Once again, I made a nail polish organizer from this tutorial: DIY Birchbox Nail Polish Rack. You may recognize it from the last one I made: First Attempt. That first attempt used hot glue and wrapping paper. Now I see why the real deal uses duct tape; it's so much easier and looks way better. I made this one for a coworker who is using it to store her Birchbox samples (how apropos). Also- how jealous of her am I for her multitude of products?

Stay neat,

Christine

IKEA Idea- Perfume Tray

For this home project, all you need is the Glädjande Candle Dish (12") from IKEA. It's only $5.99, which is amazing. If you don't like the looks of your perfume on it, you can always use it for candles. I also have one holding candles in our guest bathroom and a 15" one in my husband's office holding his decanter set. 

Stay scented,

Christine

ipsy March 2014

Since my ipsy and Birchbox subscriptions arrived the same day (March 13th), I was able to directly compare them. I have to say- ipsy once again won in a landslide. I've been a real slacker with posting my beauty products due to some awesome hope purchases (more on that later), so I've had time to use and fall in love with all of my ipsy products. If you're interested in trying ipsy, click here. Be aware: there is usually a waiting list.

1. Chella Indigo Blue Eyeliner

I was sighing and huffy that I got yet another weird eyeliner from ipsy (see metallic purple from December that I have yet to find a good use for). Then I talked to a coworker who explained that dark blue looks amazing with black mascara by adding depth to your eyes. So I tried it. So I love it. The applicator is a very fine tip that, when angled, can draw a thicker line. I am madly in love with this product and want it in every color (but mostly blue).

2. bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie™ Lipstick in Get Ready

This lipstick means business. The application is smooth. There's no chemical smell or cakey texture. My lips felt smooth and I got compliments all day. It definitely stands out on my palepale skin and it isn't some smudgeproof, wear-all-day formula. It will get on your coffee mug, so drink through one of the stirrer straws. Still- I reapplied 2 times during the work day only because I ate.

3. Pixi Beauty Flawless Beauty Primer

I think that Pixi products are made for my complexion. This primer is lightly tinted (awsome) but does not have a matte finish (boo), so finish with a matte powder/finishing spray for sure or your will look a little greasy. I still need a moisturizer under this primer, which is expected.

4. NYX Love in Rio Eye Shadow in Cabana Boy

The palette is much lighter in person and very glittery. It's a very fine glitter, so it ends up everywhere. I used one of my favorite brushes to sweep the lightest color below my browbone and I still ended up with glitter on the tops of my cheeks. If you don't mind a little sparkle, this is a decent summer palette.

Stay gorgy,

Christine

Birchbox March 2014

For the first time ever in the history of my beauty boxes, my Birchbox and ipsy arrived on the same day- March 13th. Since I have been a slacker on posting, I have already tried most of the products and can actually rank them based on how much I like them.

1. Jergens® BB Body Perfecting Skin Cream

This is my beauty find for March. That means that this is a bonus drugstore product included in my box, along with a coupon for other Jergens products. I used this on my legs the other morning at 6:30 am. By 11:00 am my legs were still silky smooth. I didn't see any visible tint (and I'm pale as paper, so I'd see it if it was super tinted). The fragrance is light and powdery, not at all overpowering.

2. INIKA Certified Organic Eye Liner

I love trying new eyeliners, but light metallic green? I have high hopes for this liner, as I like trying new things and the built-in sharpener is so nifty.  It goes on very creamy and seems quite nice. Now I just need to figure out a look that can incorporate it. I'm thinking a blue lined lid with the metallic green lining the outside corner. Stay tuned.

3. Keims Cleanshine Energizing Shampoo

I always like to try new shampoos since spa/salon products are often very pricey. I don't at all smell any mint or eucalyptus in this product, which is unexpected given the "energizing" name. My hair is soft but not dry after using this shampoo. It doesn't seem to have any lasting scent.

4. Grand Central Beauty S.M.A.R.T. Skin Perfecting® Serum + Primer

Second to last. Ouch. This product is second-to-least-exciting because it doesn't know what to be. In my experience, primer is creamy, usually tan-ish, sometimes with shimmer. Primer helps keep your eyeshadow and blush in place longer. In my experience, serum is a load of bull.  Serum is a catch-all term for moisturizers mixed in with unsubstantiated fruit extracts and "enzymes" (in quotation marks because when did "enzymes" become desirable in beauty products? My stomach contains enzymes. Big whoop).

5. Supergoop!® City Sunscreen Serum SPF 30

See above comment on serums (stopppppp). It must be nice to be the type of person who only uses SPF 30. Must be nice. 

As always, if you're interested in signing up for Birchbox, here's my referral link: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/pinforlater

Stay sunny,

Christine

Recipe: Beer Biscuits

These biscuits take some of their flavor from the beer you use, so choose wisely! A hoppy beer will make a lightly hoppy biscuit. A heavy stout will make for a heavier, heartier biscuit. For this batch, I used Flyingdog Pale Ale.

Ingredients:

4 cups Bisquick

1/4 cup sugar

12 oz beer. 

Directions:

1. Mix all three ingredients together in a big bowl using a metal spoon. Don't over mix!

2. Spoon dough into a greased muffin pan. If you fill more than 3/4 of the way up, your biscuits will have a muffin top. 

3. Bake for 15 minutes at 425 degrees. 

4. Cool on wire rack, if you've got one.

Enjoy!

Christine

ipsy Febuary 2014

My ipsy bag finally arrived today (probably due to all of the snow that's been pummeling the East Coast).  I received some great products, though not really in the shades I was hoping to receive.

1. Zoya Nail Polish in Odette

I actually wanted this color, of the two options (the other color was Dot, which looks a bit transparent). I tried the color on two fingernails and found that it came out a rich purple color.  I have a lot of purple nail polish, but I loved the application and this is my first Zoya polish; now I get the hype.

2. Eyetini Cordial Creme Shadow + Base In One in Ambrosia

It's funny that this product has a ridiculously long name, seeing as the actual tube of shadow just says "Shadow Tint Ambrosia" on the bottom with no other branding.  I like the color. I like the texture when I tried it on the back of my hand. Still- what's with all of the eyeshadows coming in weird forms now? Was a tin of powder too old-school? I now have: eyeshadow that comes in a lipgloss-like tube, eyeshadow that comes in an eyeliner-like stick, eyeliner that comes in a cream like a lip balm. Was something horridly wrong with powders?

3. Dr. Lin Acne Spot Corrector

I always like trying new skin care. It's 5% benzoyl peroxide, so I'm glad to try this in the winter, when I don't get any sunshine (it can cause some pretty bad burns). I really wonder if girls on ipsy will try to create a "look" that uses this product. ipsy users are encouraged to create looks based on what's in their bags, which usually includes all cosmetics.

4. Pop Beauty Plump Pout Mini in Peony Petal

It's a shame that this color is far too whorish for work, because it seems like a decent lipgloss. I love the unique shape because my purse always has a few lipsticks and chapsticks that all feel the same when rooting around for makeup. Still, a little too bright and pink for everyday.

3. City Color Be Matte Blush in Fresh Melon

This isn't fair. Online, "Fresh Melon" looks like a slightly bronzed pink suitable for every complexion. On the back of my hand (and in the picture above), it appears Bring-In-The-Clowns Pink.  It is such a shame because it feels light and silky in application.  Maybe if I use one molecule of the stuff I won't look like a sad, sad clown. I will try to salvage this.

Cheers,

Christine

Birchbox February 2014

I sneaked a look at the preview and was so excited! Then I got the products mad my excitement trickled away like a salt scrub in the shower. As usual, here are my first impressions of each product.

1. Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara

I love smashbox products and can't wait to try this one. The brush is enormous and tapered, not curled. Its biggest contender in my makeup drawer is benefit's They're Real! 

2. Ruby Wing Color Changing Polish in Kitten Heels

This polish is Barbie-shoe-pink. When you wear it outside, it's supposed to turn red. I once owned a green/yellow color change polish when I was 11 and staying at the beach for the summer. It was terrible, but that was over ten years ago (ahhhh). The way I see it, even if the change stinks, I love the toxic hot pink. 

3. Beauty Protector's Protect & Oil [Hair Oil]

Although not really right for my hair type (straight, stringy blonde), I love the smell of this product.  I wish it came with a tiny spritzer head on it- I guess I'll have to dab it on my fingers. I'll have to see if it's too heavy for my hair. 

4. smashbox's Full Exposure Palette

This would be number 1 if it weren't such a pathetically small sample. I will say this time and again: it is better to have one shade of eyeshadow you can user a brush in than to have 10 microscopic samples. This sample is actually my lifestyle extra this month, it's so small. The shadow is literally on too of a piece of wax paper with a cling film cover. 

5. Coola Face Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 BB Cream

Seriously- did you put enough trendy words on your package? I don't know if I got them all in the right order, but this lotion is not tinted enough to be used as foundation, period. Also- if your skin tone matches the color of this stuff (aka pale as paper), then you know you need more than SPF 30. Let BB cream be BB cream. Let sunscreen be sunscreen. 

See you again in a week or two when I get my ipsy bag (or sooner if I try out some nail polish).

Christinehttps://www.birchbox.com/invite/pinforlater

January ipsy!

My ipsy glambag showed up on January 15th. About 12 hours later, ipsy emailed me a tracking code. Hah. Here's what I got (in ordering of most exciting to least exciting):

1. Briogeo "Don't Despair, Repair" deep conditioning mask. 

I am a little put off by the term "mask" being applied to a conditioner (how many ways can they say, "it is a conditioner" after all?). That said, I have been using more heat on my hair lately. It doesn't say how often to use it. It is a decent sized sample; it will probably last a month if I use it 2-3 times a week. 

2 Elizabeth Mott "Smooth Shadow" stick in "Pearl."

There are no instructions, but this looks like a mini eyeliner/lip liner. It's clearly a shadow since 1. The name, 2. It's transparent. I am not sure if you're supposed to rub it directly onto your eye or if you're supposed to rub it on your finger and then your eye? I'll have to look it up online. The color looks like a nude shimmer on the back of my hand. 

3. Nourish Organic Lightweight Moisturizing Face Lotion.

I'm a little skeptical of all face lotions because I have an old faithful: LUSH's "Skin Drink." It smells sweet and not at all perfume-y, so I'll try it. The ingredients don't impress me. All of the tube is screaming about how organic it is, but it looks like it's mostly Shea Butter. The jury is out. 

4. Mica Beauty Cosmetics Tinted Lip Balm in "Fiesta."

This color is definitely a fiesta and the US Workplace is not invited. This balm is waaaay too bright to wear during the day time. Absolutely apply it with a brush. When I thin balm, I think dipping your finger in it. If you do that with this color, you will make a mess. It really should come in a tube or stick. 

5. proactiv+ Mark Fading Pads

This sounds like a miracle product, but a quick scan of the ingredients is sure to disappoint. The only active ingredient (read: medicine) is 2% Salicylic Acid. Really? Every acne wash, Neutrogenia soap, Clean & Clear mask, you name it... Salicylic Acid. The inactive ingredients include a ton of alcohols and witch hazel, which is all sure to dry out the skin and make you feel like your face is clean and tight. You're supposed to "cleanse the skin thoroughly before applying this product." Hmmm... 

This month's case is really cute. It's teal and has a print of beauty supplies on the bottom. Maybe I'll use it to organize my purse. 

Cheers,

Christine

Nail Rock: Matte Fuzzy Nails

It took two focused efforts, but I finally got half decent nails from my "Velvet" Nail Rock kit. 

The problem is that the fuzz you dip your nails in is compacted in its little tub. If you try dipping your nail in, you come out with big chunks of fuzz while half of your nail dries barren. So you have to pinch out clumps of fluff to rub on your nails. That works, especially if your goal is to get covered in blue, staticy fuzz. 

I think a matte coat of polish might be a better bet. Not a bad look, just way yo obnoxious to do regularly. 

Birchbox: January 2014

My Birchbox arrived mega early this month- 1/8/14. I hadn't even gotten a shipping tracking code yet. Without further ado, here's what I got (in order of "How Excited Christine Is):

1. Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk

Although I've never heard of this brand before, I've been dying to try a dry shampoo. I have very fine, very fair tresses that require daily shampooing. Also, the full-size product is $18, which is awesome. 

2. Nail Rock in "Velvet"

The nail polish bottle and little black jar are part of the same 2-part manicure set. Basically, you put on two coats on nail polish, then dip your nail in the jar (still wet). Velvet appears to be a velvety matte coat. It will be awesome if it works, though I can see many possible pitfalls (clumping, cleaning off excess, peeling in high humidity). It takes 20 minutes to dry, so it's def not for a quick look. 

3. Coastal Scents "Revealed" Eye Shadow Palette

This sample is kinda tiny. Honesty, I would have rather gotten just 1 color in a decent size. It's really hard to use these tiny palettes with decent make up brushes. Still, the shades are nice metallics. I tried them out on my wrist and they blend well. 

4. Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Day Lotion with Clary Sage

I like lotions and I like Burt's Bees. This item is a "Birchbox Find," which is supposed to be a mass-market bonus on top of the 4-5 high end products your box contains. I am way more interested in this than one of my high end products. 

5. Juicy Couture "Couture La La"

This perfume is not for me. This perfume is not for winter or even spring. It's very citrusy and very potent. A little bit goes a long way. I would say that this perfume is a good daytime summer scent for someone who like to smell like a teenage girl. Blah. 

Overall, a good box. In addition to the products, there's a $3 coupon off of Burt's Bees face hydration products and some postcard-looking cards explaining some new gimmicks to win things on the Birchbox website. 

We'll see how January ipsy compares in 1-2 weeks!

Later,

Christine

Recipe: Breaded Tofu

Ingredients:

-extra firm tofu

-flour

-egg

-Progressi Italian Style Breadcrumbs

-extra virgin olive oil

Garnishes:

-Instant lentils (I got the pouch kind but lentil soup works too)

-romaine

Directions:

1. Cut tofu into desired shape. I chose strips for easy flipping. 

2. Lay out the tofu on top of paper towels in a single layer and cover with more paper towels, pressing out the moisture.

3. Dip tofu in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. 

4. Heat enough oil in a skillet to cover just the bottom of the pan. 

5. Sear each side of the tofu. Flipping times will vary based on tofu thickness.

6. When lightly browned, transfer to paper towels to remove excess oil.

7. Garnish with lentils and lettuce and serve.