❧❦ Birchbox November 2013 ❦❧

The November 2013 Birchbox

My BB is still in transit, so I decided to film my sister's Birchbox instead. And it was a pleasant surprise!

Lierac Paris Huile Sensorielle Aux 3 Fleurs Blanches

The Lierac oil - for face, body and hair, has a lovely light scent that is much milder than my all time favorite Nuxe Oil.  I'm a big fan of these multi-purpose oils.  They are usually very nourishing and leave your skin feeling incredibly soft.

Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter

I enjoy using highlighter pencils, particularly on my browbone area.  Chella is a good brand that I have used before.

Folle de Joie Eau de Parfum

This fragrance was lovely - with a delicate, faintly citrus scent.

Color Club Dark and Stormy

Birchbox incudes Color Club - YET AGAIN!  It seems like they run out of new product ideas every few months, so when in doubt, they include Color Club.  It's getting very old - I have lost count of the number of times they have included this awful brand, and there is no end in sight!  One of the worst nail polish brands ever.

UniqOne Al in One Shampoo and Balm

I'm always a little skeptical of companies that promise up to 10 (or sometimes more) benefits from a single product.  UniqOne promises everything from volume to hair repair!  That's a tall order, but I'll wait to see if my sister likes it.  She is much more into hair products than I am, and I really trust her judgement.  

Ghirardelli Mint Cookie chocolate bar.

The extra this month was a full size bar of chocolate from Ghirardeli.  It is a delicious, creamy milk chocolate with a crunchy cookie center.

Considering that I am a complete chocoholic, for me this was undoubtedly the best item in the box! I was lucky that my sister shared it with me :-)

Birchbox is $10 per month.

Check out the Birchbox site here:

Take care,

- The Sassi Wench

❧❦ Ipsy - October 2013 - My Favorite Ipsy Ever! ❦❧

Ipsy October 2013

This month Ipsy sent me what turned out to be my favorite Ipsy bag - EVER!  I simply love each product, and I think that this is incredible value for money at only $10.  Ipsy claims that this months bag is worth $45.

Buxom Lips Dolly

Be Delectable from Cake Beauty - Strawberry & Cream Hand Cream

bigsexyhair - Blow Dry Volumizing Gel

Zoya Nail Polish - Mason

H2O Hydrating Treatment

For me, this months bag was the perfect mix of hair, skin, cosmetic and nail products!  Just as every sample bag should be.  

The stunning color Mason from Zoya, and the Be Delectable strawberry and cream hand cream from Cake Beauty are two items I would have purchased already, had I been aware of them.

If you are interested in subscribing to Ipsy, it's $10 a month and you can subscribe here.

Take care,

The Sassi Wench!

❧❦ GlossyBox September 2013 ❦❧

September 2013 GlossyBox USA

The September edition of GlossyBox was underwhelming, to say the least.  Many times this company gets it right, but this particular box contained two "Made in China" cosmetics and this is a concern for me.  I find that the quality of cosmetics produced there does not compare with cosmetics produced in France, Italy or the USA.  I also have a concern about the origin of the ingredients used in cosmetics manufactured in China.

BCBGMAXAZRIA Bon Genre Eau de Parfum

A lovely, true deluxe sample (are you taking note of this, Birchbox?).  I have never sampled this frangrance before and it was quite a surprise.  Of course, I have a penchant for scents that include patchouli, amber, sandalwood and vanilla so it was probably a given that I would like this.  I can also detect a substantial amount of tuberose in here, so if you have an aversion to that scent, this fragrance is probably not for you.

Be a Bombshell - Eyeliner Pen in Onyx

Made in China.  I have sampled this item before, and I'm not a fan as I find the nib too thick for my tastes.  I prefer a finer application of eyeliner than this provides.

Nioxin Diamax Treatment

This product promises to increase the thickness of each strand of hair for a fuller effect.  It also promises to strengthen the hair and make it more manageable.  Sounds exciting, and I have the perfect candidate to test this out for me!  A friend of mine has waist-length hair that she is having trouble managing, so I'm going to give this to her.  Check back here for an update.

Océane Makeup Remover Pen

The next Made in China item is the Océane Makeup Remover Pen.  I'm not familiar with this company, but it appears to be a Brazilian drug store brand, perhaps similar to E.L.F.  I'm not a fan of cheap cosmetics packaged in a blister pack, so I don't have high hopes for this.

Emite Makeup Eyelash Curler

I love this eyelash curler - Emite is a brand from Sweden.  This is a very well made, substantial eyelash curler.  In fact, it's quite heavy.  I'll have to test it against my Chanel and Kevyn Aucoin eyelash curlers to see how it holds up.

So, is it worth $21? 
1. I already own two other brands of eyelash curlers, so this will be a spare.
2. The Bon Genre fragrance smells very nice, but I have similar fragrances in my collection and this is nothing I would buy on its own.
3. Two Made in China products is a negative.
4. The Nioxin is nice but I don't need to use a hair thickening product so I have to give this away.
Conclusion?  I think not.  

Read more here:
GlossyBox

Take care,
The Sassi Wench

❧❦ What's in My Beach Bag? From Turks and Caicos! ❦❧

That's me swimming in Turks and Caicos

Although summer is winding down in the Northern hemisphere, it's almost always sunny in Turks and Caicos!  I was fortunate to spend Labor Day on the island of Grand Turk.  I have been to Turks and Caicos several times, and I highly recommend Turks and Caicos as a vacation destination.

A beach tote from Coach

I purchased my beach tote from the Coach Factory Outlet.  They are currently available in several colors like green, purple, pink, black and my choice, blue.  The large tote bag folds up and can be stored in the accompanying Coach pouch which can be used as a makeup or accessory bag.  This versatile tote can be used as a beach bag, a gym bag, a diaper bag or a weekend bag. 

The Coach zipper pouch can be used for makeup or accessories.

I brought along a few things to help get me through the day...

• Biotherm Haute High Protection I don't know why this is impossible to find in the USA!  
• Australian Gold Sun Face Guard Stick SPF 50.  This product provides good protection especially when you swim - that's the real test. Buy it here
• Clinique Sun Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Sunscreen Targeted Protection Stick.  This works very much like the Australian Gold Sun Stick but I like to use this on my lips.  Buy it here
• A DandyCase for my iPhone (not pictured but it's in the video) so that I could use my iPhone in the water to take video and photos. Buy it here
• Del Sol nail polish - these nail polishes change color in the sun.  Buy it here
• A Nexus - I take this everywhere because it stores a selection of my favorite books and movies Buy it here
• Tissues, deodorant, a mirror, gum, a pen, moist wipes, a hair clip, and a small tube of facial cleanser.

Until next time!

The Sassi Wench

❧❦ Sample Society Box April 2013 Allure Magazine Beauty Bar ❦❧

Allure Magazine Sample Society Box April 2013 from beautybar.com

B. Kamins Laboratories Nia-Stem Moisturize

Red Flower Blood Orange Moisturizing Lotion

Hanskin Hydro Sheet Mask 

Borghese Gentle Makeup Remover

Cotz Face Sunscreen

Jane Tran Hair Clips

This was a really good skincare box.  From makeup remover to moisturizer, it's pretty much everything I would use regularly.  Definitely worth the $15.  In addition, if you choose to purchase a full size version of any of these products, you get $15 off your purchase of $50 or more - so in essence you would get this box for free!  Even better!

The April 2013 Sample Society Allure Magazine Beauty Bar Box includes:

B. Kamins Laboratories Nia-Stem Moisturize

Red Flower Blood Orange Moisturizing Lotion

Hanskin Hydro Sheet Mask 

Borghese Gentle Makeup Remover

Cotz Face Sunscreen

Jane Tran Hair Clips

Sign up here:

Beauty Bar.com Sample Society Box with Allure Magazine

- The Sassi Wench

❧❦ Birchbox April 2013 - Caudalie ❦❧

Birchbox April 2013

Mirenesse Glossy Kiss Lipstick in Starlet

Caudalie SOS Morning Eye Rescue

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle Nourishing Hair Elixir

Yes To Cucumbers Soothing On-the-Go Facial Towelettes

Yes To Grapefruit Daily Facial Scrub & Dark Spot Correcting Serum

This is my Mom's box - mine isn't here yet.  It's not bad, by any means.  Just check out some of my older posts or videos and you will understand.

The only item I have actually used here myself are the Yes To Cucumber facial towelettes.  They are okay.  They get the job done but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy them.

The April 2013 Birchbox includes:

Beauty Protector - Protect & Detangle nourishing hair elixir

Caudalie - SOS Morning Eye Rescue daily treatment

Mirenesse - Glossy Kiss Lipstick

Yes To Cucumber Facial Towelettes

Yes To Grapefruit Daily Facial Scrub & Dark Spot Correcting Serum (BB Extra).

Birchbox is $10 per month.

Check out the Birchbox site here:

Take care,

- The Sassi Wench

New Beauty TestTube Spring Summer 2013

The Spring/Summer New Beauty Test Tube - April 2013

Paula Dorf Baby Eyes Enhancer

John Frieda Luxurious Volume Fine to Full Blow-Out Spray

Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser 

Clear Total Care Nourishing Shampoo & Nourishing Daily Conditioner

June Jacobs Papaya Purifying Enzyme Masque

Forever Young Face Wraps

Phyto Phtodefrisant Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm

New Beauty Magazine, Spring Summer 2013

3 Spalook gift card offers with a minimum purchase

Undoubtedly the best skin care beauty sample program out there, the Spring-Summer 2013 New Beauty TestTube includes:

Paula Dorf Baby Eyes Enhancer

John Frieda Luxurious Volume Fine to Full Blow-Out Spray

Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser 

Clear Total Care Nourishing Shampoo & Nourishing Daily Conditioner

June Jacobs Papaya Purifying Enzyme Masque

Forever Young Face Wraps

Phyto Phtodefrisant Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm

New Beauty Magazine, Spring Summer 2013

3 Spalook gift card offers with a minimum purchase - value $10, $25 and $50.

About New Beauty's TestTube:

Each TestTube costs $29.95.  You do have to pay $8.95 for shipping per TestTube, so you are paying $38.90 per TestTube, and you will receive 6 tubes per year.  

TestTube contains up to 10 samples (including some full size products), and it includes a $85 worth of Gift Cards to use at Spalook.com (with varying minimum purchase amounts), and a New Beauty magazine which retails for $9.95.

Included is a brochure that contains information on each sample, how to use it, the ingredients, and an About The Company segment.

Sign up for New Beauty Magazine's TestTube here: 

New Beauty TestTube

Take care,

The Sassi Wench!

❧❦ New Earring Storage & My Favorite Earrings ❦❧

For the past few years I have been storing my earrings on a plastic folding screen contraption.  But this just gathers dust and it doesn't actually protect the earrings.  Some of my earrings wouldn't fit, I wouldn't put the earrings back in there at the end of each day which meant my earrings were dropped into and piled up in a little ceramic container instead, my cat kept on knocking it over, and blah, blah, blah...

It was time for a change!  

After several days of searching, I found exactly what I was looking for.  Mele & Co. have apparently been making women happy since 1912, and I was no exception.  Enter, the Remy Forty Five Section Jewelry Box in Ivory.

It was simple, white modern (faux) leather jewelry box with one a mirror, a pocket, a tray for earrings, rings (or other small items), and a base that can be used for the same purpose as the tray above, or if you remove the divider, you can put larger pieces in there.  Perfect!

Mele & Co. jewelry box

I have to admit I was impressed that the jewelry box came with its own dustbag!

Mele & Co. jewelry box

Mele Remy Jewelry Box in Ivory

A snap closure with crystal embellishments

A removable tray with individual compartments. 

Some of my favorite earrings...

Sphene studs in white gold.

Michael Kors

More Michael Kors

Silver Snakes by Susan Sarantos

For modern gold, rose gold and silver jewelry (and lots of snakes), check out designer Susan Sarantos on Etsy.

Swarovski Crystal Earrings 

Rose gold rose earrings

Take care,

- The Sassi Wench!