Nighttime BB Cream? What?

Being a Birchbox subscriber, I love trying all the new product samples they send me!
I'd heard fantastic things about the brand Dr Jart+ and was eager to try one of their BB creams. So when the option to choose my sample came up, I chose the Dr Jart+ for my May Birchbox because they offered a product called Dr Jart+ BB Night Beauty Balm.

photo from Birchbox.com

I like the concept of this: a nighttime BB cream that's light, especially during hot summer nights where even the thought of using a nighttime moisturizer causes my skin to slick up faster than a paper towel blotting a piece of pizza.

But this has color/tint. That was a mistake.

If I'm supposed to sleep in it, I don't want to wake up and see a smeared version of my face on my pillowcase. It's just a disturbing thought.

And let's talk about that tint: it made my face a completely different color than my neck and the rest of me. As in, I looked like I'd tried to self tan my face. In order to actually wear this product, I would have to use powder or tinted moisturizer to color correct it, defeating the purpose of being a "sleep time" product. Granted, I'm on the cusp of "ghostly fair" skinned; so most self-adjusting products end up all kinds of wrong on me. But still, I wouldn't touch this unless you are warmer/yellow toned and tan easily; because if you are pale? The potential of the dreaded mask look; it's pretty much guaranteed.

I will say that I did like the texture, it was very light and almost felt like a serum. If there was a colorless option, I would probably have purchased it for when the temperature's climb.

Beauty Battleground: Mascara Wars

Normally, I would provide documentation for my findings, but frankly I'm so irritated at the results of my mascara head-to-head that I'm setting aside my instinct to take pictures of the results to just go on tirades.

The Products:

Benefit Cosmetics Rollerlash Mascara - purchased at Sephora.com 
- product claim (from sephora.com): Bye-bye, eyelash curler! Roller Lash not only lifts and super-curls, but this instant curve-setting formula holds for 12 hours, is easy to remove, and contains provitamin B5 and serine, known for their lash-conditioning benefits.

Mirenesse iCurl Secret Weapon 24 Hour Mascara from Birchbox subscription
- product claim (from birchbox.com): This jet-black mascara is like Taylor Swift at the Grammys—it just keeps on winning. This award-winning favorite from the Aussie brand is leading the pack, and for good reason. It separates, lifts, and curls lashes for some serious, long-lasting drama.

skepchick.org

The final battle findings:
 
Neither one of these mascaras did what it claimed!
In the interest of fairness, I attempted to use each for a week. Both on uncurled lashes and curled lashes. I got the same lame results with both!
My lashes were stick straight, clumpy, flat/no volume whatsoever. BOOOOOO! The Mirenesse was a sample, so I'm just tossing it. But the Rollerlash? Yeah I spent good money on that! It's going back. Today.


 No matter what mascara I try, I still go back to THE BEST MASCARA I'VE EVER USED and am never disappointed.

What do you think? Is there a particular mascara that holds your devotion?

What's in the Box?? (October 2013)

Guys, I've been meaning to confess, I've been a subscriber to Birchbox for a few months now.

Voraciously watching my email for my notification of "your box has shipped!" and checking and double checking the tracking link until my box arrives and I can tear into it like Christmas Morning. IT'S SO FUN!

I haven't been too excited about any of the boxes, some of the products have been fine. The random nail polish, the random lip color, etc. None have really caught my attention quite as well as two of the five products I received for October.

My October Birchbox (photo from Birchbox.com)

photo from Birchbox.com

I'm familiar with The Balm Cosmetics, having purchased a concealer pot from them several years ago and never hitting pan no matter how much I used it. Which, is incredible. So even though I knew their products were great and affordable, I never really purchased more.

I might actually buy this when I run out!

The Balm Staniac is a little tube, about the size of a cotton swab, of cherry colored jelly with a doe-foot applicator that is easily used as a lip stain or cheek stain.  Yes the tube is small for a price point of $17, BUT it travels better than the fantastic lip and cheek stain BeneTint by BeneFit. (Which is widely recognized as the best lip & cheek stain)

photo from Birchbox.com

I'm a big fan of lip balm, BIG fan. From my first swipe of a LipSmacker, I was IN. But ChapStick, never really was appealing to me. Too waxy, smelled weird, etc.

This little beauty, ChapStick Hydration Lock, was a special "find" from Birchbox. Which means it wasn't really a part of the monthly box, but IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN! 

 Reluctantly, I opened the package and swiped on the product and was instantly impressed! My lips felt smoother but not waxed over (a huge complaint of mine for ChapStick products) and they looked smoother! I've been battling with a super dry and flaky patch on my lower lip for weeks and the ChapStick Hydration Lock completely obliterated the look of it! And did so for at LEAST 4 hours. Which to me, is an eternity when it comes to lip balm reapplication!

The product states that the "flavor" is Vanilla Creme, but I couldn't smell or taste anything. I'm probably desensitized by my use of the EOS lip balms. 

There is no price point on Birchbox.com for this product since it's a "find", but I'm sure you could find it in your local drugstore or box store.

I can't wait to see what's in my next Birchbox!!