December Birchbox unboxing:

December Birchbox:

Tocca Crema da Mano Cleopatra, Full size $10

Real Chemistry Luminous 3-minute Peel, Full size $48

Coola Tinted Matte SPF 30 for Face, Full size $36

English Laundry Signature for Her, Full size $70

Lord & Berry Pailettes Glitter Eye Pencil in Black, Full size $18

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Review:

I’m going to be honest, I’m a little disappointed in my Birchbox this month. The two face products and hand lotion, I’m sure, would be great for someone else but I have plenty so they’re really un-needed products for me. I don’t use pencil eye liner so this little baby one (you can barely hold) probably wont get used. The fragrance, I do like. I love keeping little ones like this in my bag at all times and it has a nice clean smell, so this product will get used. Over all, not a big fan of this box. Better luck next month!

xoxo,

Daryen

outfit of the day, 12.8.14

Womens Pleated Midi Skirt | Black H&M button up blouse (last season) similar here | Gray furry vest (gift) similar here and here | Natasha Mid Heel Pump | Pink Target flared pea coat (sold out) similar here and here | Chunky-knit infinity scarf |

November Birchbox unboxing:

November Birchbox:

Catherine Malandrino Fragrance, Full size $110

Cynthia Rowley Beauty Creamy Lip Stain Heartthrob, Full size $20

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner, Full size $45

Mirenesse iCurl Secret Weapon 24hr Mascara, Full size $35.96

Whish (BB exclusive) Shave Crave Shaving Cream in Acai Grapfruit, Full size $20

Bonus: Blood Orange Caramel, Full size $20

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 How Birchbox works:

Sign up for Birchbox here, and you will receive one Birchbox a month with 4 to 5 sample products inside. After you sample the products, and love them, you can buy the full size products right off the Birchbox website. I don’t know about you, but beauty products delivered right to my front door for only 10 bucks a month is pretty ideal.

Review:

This is my first Birchbox, and I am very pleased with the products. I’m a sucker for trying new mascaras, I have to have a little perfume in my purse at all times, the lip stain is a beautiful dark pink/light red that will get a lot of use, and I’m prone to razor burn that I’m sure the cream will help. So, all my beauty product loving ladies out there, sign up!

xoxo,

-Daryen

Let’s talk skin

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I don’t know if it’s the natural stress of the holidays, the fact that my days are feeling shorter, or just my stubborn skin, but I’m not enjoying these breakouts… not one bit! If you’re going through what I’m going through, I wanted to share my daily face cleansing routine and what I do for the pesky “I’m going to set up camp on your face and die here” breakouts.

My first step is washing my face with Neutrogena’s Deep Clean Cream Cleanser in shower. It’s a smooth cream with a cooling after feel that I love! Next, when I get out of the shower, I wash my face again with Clinique’s sensitive skin bar soap. I have really sensitive skin and this cleans without being too harsh. After that, I apply rubbing alcohol all over my face to help dry out any breakouts I may have. Most people use a brand of astringent, but I prefer rubbing alcohol due to my serious oily skin issues. And last, I apply Clinique’s Dramatically Different lotion all over my face right before bed. This stuff really does make your skin “dramatically different”. My face feels softer and my makeup goes on so much better now that I’ve been using it for awhile.

If you have any of those bad breakouts I mentioned, I found applying Neosporin directly to the breakout, and leaving it over night, really helps reduce the size and redness. And whenever you want to relax, feel your face tighten, reduce your pores, or just play with clay, I suggest using Freeman’s clay masks. They have the best selection and the best price tag! You can find the green one I have on in the picture above here 🙂

-Daryen 🙂

outfit of the day, 11.29.14

Weekend outfit: Red plaid shirt, dark wash skinny jeans, and brown ankle boots all from Old Navy. White Columbia vest, Academy sports. Yesterday was Black Friday and I was very disappointed in the sales. Ulta had nothing special going. Yankee …