Weekly Favorites - January Week 2

This week has flown by, but it just means I have another excuse to share the things I've been loving this week! On Monday, I got my January Birchbox and found a CC cream that has instantly become top-shelf for me. Plus I pulled an old powder sample out of my (obviously very big) makeup bag and fell completely in love with it. Better late than never! And I've included a purchase I made today that I've been thinking about FOREVER and just finally decided to go for it. So without further ado, my January Week 2 favorites.

1  Supergoop! CC Cream Daily Correct Broad Spectrum SPF 35+ Sunscreen
I got this on Monday, and I know it sounds dramatic, but it changed my life. I never bought into the whole BB or CC cream thing before because I like a full-coverage but hey, it was free in my Birchbox so I gave it a try. And damn, it is the most gorgeous, creamy formula with a really nice buildable coverage. And the color match was perfect. I hopped right out to buy the full-size and I'll never go back. I'm thinking it will be incredibly moisturizing during the colder months, but I'm more excited to use it in summer because of its SPF, and because I don't like nearly as full a coverage in the warmer months.

2  Clinique Deep Comfort Hand and Cuticle Cream
This is an absolute winter essential for me. It's the most moisturizing, thick, nourishing hand cream I have ever used. And it's practically the only thing that will rehab my chapped winter hands. It goes on like butter, but also makes the skin on my hands look and feel fantastic. Is that weird that I care how my hands look? I dunno, but this gives my hands a gorgeous healthy glow.

3  Tarte Cosmetics Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder
I got this sample in last month's Ipsy Glam Bag, and I had just purchased the Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder, so it was a little like why? But when I went home for the holidays, this sample was actually perfect for travel. And now, if I'm being honest, I like this just as much if not more. It's great for setting make-up, for baking your under-eye area and concealer, and I would absolutely consider buying the full-size of this powder after my the Laura Mercier runs out.

4  NYC City Proof 24HR Waterproof Eyeliner
This eyeliner is absolutely brilliant. I love this more for tight-lining my eyes than I've loved any luxury liner, seriously. The consistency is so creamy and deeply pigmented, but you can also blend it to really smoke out the lower lash line. Because it's waterproof, it really will stay all day in the waterline! I have not tried it to truly line my eyes because I've been in a deep liquid eyeliner kick these days. But I'm sure it would be great there as well based on its smooth application. I am beyond happy with this product.
*I received this product complimentary from Influenster in exchange for my honest review.

5  The Real Techniques Bold Metals Brush Collection
I am so excited to have finally purchased these today. I've admired them online forever and ever, and I've tested them at Ulta (my god, they are so soft and the brush handles are so long and perfectly weighted for a really dreamy experience). I have contemplated buying them forever, and added them to my online shopping cart more times than I care to admit. But today I noticed they were buy one, get one free! So I was really mindful about which ones I'd actually use. If I'm honest, I don't apply gel eyeliner, so I don't need a liner brush. I also bought a set with an exclusive brush in it, that also comes with 2 of the standard brushes in the collection, so there was some additional value there. I am very excited to receive the shipment. They will look so gorgeous on display and I can't wait! I'm also hoping that if I love them as much as I predict, I will keep stocking up so I can have multiples of each like a real pro.

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You can check out last week's favorites here.
And don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin so you don't miss an update!

My Influenster #JingleVoxBox Has Arrived!

I was so excited when I checked the mail today (finally) after the holidays and saw my #JingleVoxBox from Influenster! While I haven't gotten a chance to test each of the products just yet, I was too excited not to share all the goodies in a bit of an unboxing post!

First off, is an adorable little Spiderman from Hallmark's itty bitty collection. These would make such a nice little gift for someone special, young or old. In fact a few of my male coworkers were giving it the eye today on my desk like "what's that and can I have it?"

Next are some cookies from Biscoff that I've definitely tried before and, wow, they are absolutely incredible! They are so delicious with coffee, so I'm really glad to have received a few of these treats!

Then I have a few products to create a really polished eye makeup look: A CityProof 24 HR black eyeliner from NYC New York Color, and a really gorgeous pair of True Volume lashes in the style "Chic" and an aloe formulated adhesive, both from KISS. Already, just looking at these lashes...oh my gosh they look so natural because the ends are tapered like natural eyelashes. I can't wait to try them.

And of course, for these upcoming cold winter months (like today because it was literally 17 degrees...) a moisturizing cream from Cetaphil. I've never tried any products from Cetaphil before so I'm really excited to give it a try.

And last but not least, a Pure Ice nail polish in bright blue shade called French Kiss that is, at first glance, not something I would have picked for myself...but that's the best reason to try it and step outside of my comfort zone.

I would absolutely recommend you all sign up for Influenster. It's a great place to explore new products, discover reviews, and you could even qualify to receive a free VoxBox of products to review! I just joined about a month ago, and I'm really excited to share some reviews with all of you.

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Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary from for testing purposes, in exchange for my honest reviews of each product.

#Blogmas Day 1: Fall Favorites

Sidebar: Can you begin with a sidebar? Whatever, I'm 30, I do what I want... Ahem... Today is my birthday! I'm 30 years old, can you believe it? I can remember back in the heyday of writing this blog, I was turning 26 and announcing my big move to NYC (where I sort of fell into a black hole and barely ever blogged again...but that's irrelevant, right?) and now four years have gone by in what feels like the blink of an eye! I don't really have any anxiety about being in my thirties *yet* so I'm just kind of enjoying the day and celebrating the things and people and life I love. If I DO decide to have anxiety, I may drop those feelings here for all of you, because it's cheaper than therapy!

OKAY, back to our regularly scheduled programming. I'm attempting to do #Blogmas this December. No, no, another bad start! I'm DOING #Blogmas this December. I'm carving out some time to devote to doing what I love! And I thought I'd begin by saying Farewell-to-Fall-and-Welcome-to-Winter® by listing a few of my fall faves for all of you below! These are things I have been beyond obsessed with across the beauty/skincare realm, with a few candles thrown in because nothing says fall like a 3-wick candle from Bath & Body Works.

1  Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Glow Palette

I need to preface by saying that this palette has literally vanished from Sephora's website since I bought it, and as far as I knew, it was a Holiday item...which I'm taking to mean that it's sold. out. everywhere. If so, I am not surprised because the Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop highlighter from Becca was THE top-selling product of the summer, and this palette gives you that signature shade in the center along with two other beautiful shades on either side - a light, stunning highlight that mixes beautifully with Champagne Pop for pale skin, and a blush overlay that looks gorgeous on the apples of your cheeks or wherever your want some GLOW. I looooove this (like, I'm obsessed) and will probably cry when I hit pan on these, but a little goes such a long way that I hope it will last me quite a while. 

2  All Things LUSH Bath

I fell for LUSH very, very hard this fall. I had never really purchased any bath bombs before (or even used my bathtub really) but LUSH bath bombs, bubble bars, and bath melts have become my ultimate guilty pleasure and the best way to #treatyoself. If you have a tub, get yourself to LUSH and try these. They're all-natural cruelty-free products and they smell and feel amazing. (Note: LUSH sells tons of other beauty and body/shower products, but I haven't tried them yet so stay tuned for reviews on non-bathtub related items!)

3  Boscia Luminizing Black Mask

This mask from Boscia has been a super fun addition to my beauty routine this Fall. It's like shiny, black vinyl applied in a thick layer on your skin, and it tightens up and peels right off in one go, taking blackheads and imperfections with it (kind of like a pore strip for your entire face!) I am addicted.

4  Cargo Cosmetics Venice Enchantment Eyeshadow Palette

I got this Cargo palette from Birchbox specifically for Fall, and I have really enjoyed creating looks with it! Full disclosure, it isn't my absolute favorite eyeshadow formulation in the entire world, but most of the shades and pigmentation are gorgeous – especially the maroons and browns in the top row. Most of the shades have glitter, and some are more shimmery but there's no true matte shade in here. While I love matte eyeshadow, I also love my glitter so this wasn't a deal-breaker for me! It was perfect for Fall, and I wore it QUITE a bit.

5, 6, 7  3-Wick Candles from Bath & Body Works

Fall isn't Fall without a 3-wick candle burning in the background, and these three were some of my absolute favorites this season. Autumn was such a perfect, crisp almost apple-like scent (I went through 2 of these) and unfortunately it's not for sale anymore, because the holiday candles have moved in after Halloween. Pumpkin Pecan Waffles is a super-sweet, delicious confection of a candle to burn in the kitchen and I bought a few of these to gift to friends and family this season. And Party Dress, I will be going back for 2-3 more of these to stock up for Winter. It's girly, feminine, and not too overpowering. This is the one where guests will always ask "What is this amazing smell emanating from your bedroom?" Obsessed. Look out for sales where these are 2 for 24 (and 12 for each additional candle). You can get a great deal!

8  Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen

This liquid liner from Clinique is the bomb. I have tried (and failed) to master liquid and gel liners for basically my entire adulthood, and this product helped me succeed! It's super easy to apply, does not budge all day, and creates the perfect super-black winged eyeliner I've been rocking this Summer and Fall. It's a must-have!

9  Clinique Just Browsing Brush-On Styling Mousse

I am in love with this brow mousse from Clinique, and it really adds some extra definition to my naturally sparse, blonde-ish brows, more so than a clear brow gel would. I still use other brow pencils to define the shape, but this is always my last touch to polish off a bold brow. Love!

10  L'Oreal Color Riche Le Matte Lip Pens

Saving the best for last, these lip pens were my absolute favorite discovery this Fall. I bought every shade, and each one is incredibly wearable. They are super easy to apply, and extremely long-wearing. And the matte finish is incredible for the price. I don't usually gravitate toward drugstore makeup because I work literally next door to a Sephora, but I'll keep buying these again and again as long as they sell them! If you try ONE thing from this favorites list, make it these!

Inside My September Birchbox!

Hello there! This is only a little late, considering my October Birchbox has now officially shipped and is on its way! But I wanted to spend some time with my August Birchbox so that I could give an honest review of each of the seven products included - as well as a sample value breakdown for you all. Full disclosure: Birchbox offers an option where you can peek at the samples you're getting before the box itself arrives, and for the past two months, I've done it. I can't help myself! But I'm hoping to get to a point where I'm fine just being surprised. Maybe I'll treat my November and December Birchboxes and Ipsy Glam Bags a bit more like presents to be unwrapped physically, vs digitally? Who knows!

Anyway, I was super impressed with this special Anniversary Birchbox, which came with a few extra samples as well as some fun balloons! It was like unwrapping a party. And many of the products were great! But for the first time I wasn't as keen on some of the others. For more on that, read the reviews below. And if you're interested in trying a Birchbox subscription, you can get the ball rolling here! Enjoy! xo Jenna

Davines LOVE Smoothing Shampoo
Full-size | $25.00 for 8.45 oz.
Sample value | $07.69
Right away this sample shampoo caught my eye because it was such a generously sized sample. I even brought it with me when I traveled to a wedding, along with the one-time-use conditioner packet. It smelled incredible, and really did smooth and tame my hair. It was definitely my favorite thing in this month's box and possibly the only thing I'd purchase in full-size.

Davines LOVE Smoothing Conditioner
Full-size | $29.00 for 8.45 oz.
Sample value | $01.37
Like I said, loved the combination of these two products, but I'm kind of bummed that this sample wasn't equally sized to the other...because I typically don't like to mix brands when it comes to shampoo and conditioner. Is that weird? Maybe. Plus I always run out of conditioner first, so I need extra shampoo like I need a hole in the head. It would still be great for travel, and I'm certainly not going to let it go to waste. But...that was my big complaint with this sample. Other than that, it was a beautiful conditioner, and the combination with the shampoo is definitely on my list of possible future purchases.

POP Beauty POP Portfolio Eyeshadow Palette
Full-size | $29.00 for 36 shadows

Sample value | $02.15 for 3 shadows

I am loving the formulation of these shadows by POP Beauty. The powder is fine and richly pigmented, and it swatched and wore like a dream. In terms of the colors, each is a shimmery shade and I do love each one in its own right, but definitely wouldn't wear them together the way I would wear the 3-shadow palette from my Ipsy bag (more on that in an additional post). But the light color is a beautiful inner-corner or brow bone highlight, and the shimmery gray is a great lid or crease color. the purple is gorgeous as well, with more of a fall browns/taupes eye look (my personal preference, since an overall "cool-toned" eye is not great for my personal coloring. My holy grail eye palettes work together to create one look, since my everyday makeup bag is a travel bag that lives in my purse at all times. But otherwise, love!

English Laundry Eau de Parfum Signature for Her

Full-size | $90.00 for 3.4 oz.

Sample value | ~$01.32

I'm going to say it. I am just not a fan of perfume samples! I have been on a lifelong journey to find a fragrance that both work with my body chemistry and don't give me an all-day case of the sneezes. #allergyproblems. This was a very floral, romantic scent that I actually got quite a few compliments on throughout the day...but it also made me sneeze like crazy and feel a constant headache. Pass, thanks. I just happen to like amber and woodsy scents. If you like florals, though, this is a nice option to try. 

Malin + Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser

Full-size | $32.00 for 8 oz.

Sample value | $02.00

This was a nice cleanser, and I really loved the fresh smell even though typically citrus is not my fave. But I have liked other cleansers much more, recently. So for the price, I would just never purchase the full-size. Last month's Dr. Brandt Pores No More Cleanser is definitely #1 on my current Birchbox wish list.

Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturizer

Full-size | $46.00 for 4 oz.

Sample value | $01.13

This was the biggest disappointment in my entire subscription box history, by far. The foil packet sample may have done something to alter the scent of the product, and I want to give them the benefit of the doubt, but it smelled terrible! Kind of like plastic or synthetic; just nothing you'd want to put on your face. And it just sat on top of my skin and never really absorbed, giving me an oily residue. I have naturally dry/combination skin, so I don't often feel oily or shiny, but with this I certainly did. I hate to be rude, and I love reporting back to you guys that I love everything I try, but this was so so bad. I can not imagine a world where I would ever pay $46.00 for this. Bye, Felicia. 

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive

Full-size | $39.00 for 2 oz.

Sample value | $04.29

I really enjoyed trying this product, and while a peel isn't part of my typical beauty routine, it was fun to try. The sensitive formula was gentle, and the green apple scent was super refreshing and perfect for fall. Ultimately, I liked it and it's definitely worth a try. I'll certainly use up the full sample, but I probably wouldn't get the full-size because I just don't think I'd use it often enough. My routine already includes a weekly exfoliating scrub, and an every-other-day cleansing treatment with a vibrating cleansing brush, so a peel is just not really necessary. (I'd like to do an upcoming post on my sort of "skincare regime" soon, so look out for that.)

FINAL TALLY:

Money spent on my September Birchbox: $10.89 (including tax)

Value of my September Birchbox: $19.96

I am loving my subscription boxes (and bags) and definitely find that they are absolutely worth the monthly cost. Plus, if you're a Sephora junkie like me, with a store in walking distance and a burning desire to TRY ALL THE MAKEUP AND SKINCARE PRODUCTS EVER MADE, getting these boxes satisfies that urge to sample without spending a bazillion dollars on hit or miss full-size products. If you'd like to subscribe to Birchbox and see for yourself, you can do so at this link!