Chick Lit Plus by Samantha March

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February Birchbox Review
Chick Lit Plus

February Birchbox Review

February’s Birchbox was my favorite so far! I had three favorite products this month, and my March box has just been shipped so I can’t wait to get that. Read my reviews and sign up to receive your own Birchbox each month!

“Birchbox delivers the best products and the best insider secrets, without any fuss. Every month Birchbox members will receive a curated box of luxe beauty samples. Each box will span beauty categories and deliver exciting products that fit into both your day-to-day routine, and into those days when you want to turn up the drama a notch.”

1. BENTA Berry G-1 Moisturizing Face Cream – Loved this product! It was a thick cream that smells like berries and left my face feeling soft. I read in the information that this is actually a uni-sex product, but I have to say I thought it was much more feminine due to the scent. I also read in the information that the product just became available statewide, which is pretty interesting. I would definitely purchase more of this!
2. Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint – Another favorite for February! Jouer has been featured in all my previous boxes, and this brand is quickly becoming a fave of mine. I wear moisturizer every day, and always with a SPF – even in the winter. This product has SPF 20 included, and makes my skin look dewy and smooth. It gives just the right amount of tint to my look so I can skip any bronzer that I would normally put on, and I would recommend this product!
3. Violent Lips Lip Tattoo – this is one that I wasn’t so sure about. To be honest, I never tried this product because I really have no interest in it. The tattoo’s are basically like a lipstick, but they stick on to your lips and our pretty over the top. Mine came as silver with sparkles in them – not something I think would fly in Iowa. These were a little too out there for my taste.
4. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant – My third favorite in the box! I thought this one was pretty unique, it’s actually a powder that you put on your hands and then add water to it and apply to the face. The product is made to smooth skin, clear dead cells, and remove any buildup and debris on the face. It smells kind of like oranges too, and I really enjoy using this!
5. Supersmile Powdered Mouth Rinse – I wasn’t a real big fan of this product. I’m big on whitening my teeth, and I thought the powder mixture combined with the whiten teeth and get fresh breath all in one would end up being a favorite, but that wasn’t the case. Actually using it wasn’t so bad, but it made my teeth feel really grimy afterwards. I would actually brush my teeth to try to get rid of the feeling after I was done using it, because I couldn’t stand what my teeth felt like. Not one I would recommend.

March 6, 2012
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GIVEAWAY: Destined to Fail Prize Pack
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GIVEAWAY: Destined to Fail Prize Pack

I am excited to run what you will hopefully find a fun giveaway – for myself! I recently published my debut novel Destined to Fail…

February 14, 2012
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January Birchbox Review
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January Birchbox Review

I’m a tad late on reviewing my January Birchbox (I just received February’s last week) but that doesn’t mean I loved it any less! I couldn’t decide on my favorite product in the box, it was a tossup between the face wash and the eyeliner. Read below for my thoughts – and sign up to receive your own Birchbox!
“Birchbox delivers the best products and the best insider secrets, without any fuss. Every month Birchbox members will receive a curated box of luxe beauty samples. Each box will span beauty categories and deliver exciting products that fit into both your day-to-day routine, and into those days when you want to turn up the drama a notch.”
1. Archipelago Pomegranate Body Soap – smells amazing! That was my first thought, but this soap is also very powerful – it boasts the ability to repair cell damage and encourage collagen production. While I’m usually a fan of shower gels over bar soap, I can’t help but love this product.
2. Juicy Couture Fragrance – I love getting fragrance samples, and I was excited to see Juicy in my Birchbox. This is a super feminine scent, which is what I love. Top notes of watermelon, passion fruit, and mandarin are combined with marigold and green apple. Undertones of rose, vanilla, and caramel provide an extra boost to the fragrance, making it one of my favorite scents.
3. LARABAR Mini Bars – I won’t lie – I’m not a fan of eating food that comes in the mail. But the BF did try out this blueberry muffin, and he said it was pretty good, so thanks to him for providing this review. It was pretty interesting to read about these healthy bars – each has a max of nine ingredients and they are made without preservatives or fillers.
4. Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash – I really enjoyed this product. My face is a combination of many things – some areas are too oily yet others are super dry. And that is where this face wash comes into play. Birchbox’s description reads: “Broad leaf kelp banishes excess oil, while wheat protein nourishes dry zones.” I have used this a handful of times and am seeing a difference. I would definitely buy the full sized product.
5. stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner – This was my other favorite product in the box. The worst part about it was I only got to use it three times before my sample was finished. I got the brown color, and while I usually wear blue or green eyeliner, I thought the brown really shimmered and made my eyes pop. It was super easy to line my eyes with it, and it really did stay on for most of the day. I would also buy the full sized product.

February 14, 2012
4 Comments
My December Birchbox Review
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My December Birchbox Review

December was my second month to receive a Birchbox, and I’m having a blast with my new products. December’s box was filled with fun and practical items, and my reviews are below. If you haven’t signed up to receive your customized Birchbox yet, I suggest you do!

“Birchbox delivers the best products and the best insider secrets, without any fuss. Every month Birchbox members will receive a curated box of luxe beauty samples. Each box will span beauty categories and deliver exciting products that fit into both your day-to-day routine, and into those days when you want to turn up the drama a notch.”

1. AHAVA Mineral Body Lotion – This lotion smells so freaking good. It smells fresh and almost powdery, but not overwhelming. This has become one of my favorite lotions and I would definitely buy a full size bottle of it!
2. Amika Obliphica Hair Treatment – I was so excited when I saw this in my Birchbox. I’m always looking for new products to use on my hair, which is often super frizzy. And I’m thrilled with the results! I used just a drop of the oil after I got done blow drying my hair, and it didn’t weigh down my strands or make my hair look greasy. The frizz was decreased and my hair looked shiner. I recommend this product 100%!
3. EBOOST Orange Natural Energy Booster – I’ll be honest, I was a little hesitant to try this. I’m not a big fan of drinking my vitamins, but I wanted to give it a whirl so I could write a review. The verdict? It actually wasn’t bad! It was orangey and even a little fizzy with a sweet taste. The energy booster is packed with vitamins B, C, and D and has a dose of natural caffeine. It was nice to reach for during cold season!
4. Inococo Nail Polish Appliqué – I’ve been hearing about nail polish stickers lately, and was happy to give them a try and see if they worked for me. It was interesting to learn that these strips are actually thin layers of nail polish, and are better for nails because they contain less solvent and have small pores to let nails breath. And – they stay on for two weeks and come off with nail polish remover! I thought they were pretty simple to put on, of course my right hand gave me troubles since I’m right-handed, but I was impressed overall with them.
5. Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss – Last month I received the Jouer Moisturizing Lip Enhancer, and it was my favorite product in the box. It was hard for me to really rate this item, because the color I received was way too pink for me. What I did was put on the Jouer Lip Enhancer, then lightly applied the Lip Gloss and blended them together. I actually really like the combination!
6. Showstoppers Designer Fashion Tape- I haven’t had an opportunity yet to use the double-sided tape, but I’m glad that I have it my drawer ready to go! You never know when it will come in handy. This tape comes in nude or black, and will stick to a variety of fabrics. Great to have when you need it!

January 14, 2012
3 Comments
My November Birchbox Review
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My November Birchbox Review

Last month, I signed up with the online company Birchbox. A girlfriend introduced me to the idea, and I thought I would love it. I have received one Birchbox so far, and it looks like I will not be wrong. I have decided to do reviews each month on the products that I receive. But first, you might be wondering what exactly Birchbox is. According to their website:
“Birchbox delivers the best products and the best insider secrets, without any fuss. Every month Birchbox members will receive a curated box of luxe beauty samples. Each box will span beauty categories and deliver exciting products that fit into both your day-to-day routine, and into those days when you want to turn up the drama a notch.”
Sounds fun right? So last month I signed up, took the beauty profile, and anxiously awaited my box. Here is what I received:
1. Alex & Isabelle Classic Hair Ties
2. Jouer Lip Enhancer
3. kate spade new york Twirl
4. Thymes Body Lotion
5. Zoya Gems & Jewels Collection
Now for the reviews:
1. Alex & Isabelle Classic Hair Ties- There are a fun spin on regular ole elastics. They won’t snag your hair either, a huge plus, and they look cute around your wrist. It’s almost like you’re wearing a bracelet, but you can use it to pull back your hair if needed. They come in an assortment of colors, so you can buy your favorite or get them all!
2. Jouer Lip Enhancer- My favorite product in the box. Not only will this help plump your lips without the ouchy tingly feeling of a regular plumper, it also moisturizes the lips- which I desperately need right now as the winter settles in. It also is just a very sheer pink color, so it looks good on. I love this stuff!
3. Kate Spade New York Twirl – My second favorite product in my box. Holy amazing smell. The first time I tried it, I ecstatically ran to my boyfriend and made him sniff my wrists. The description states that this fragrance is versatile, and I completely agree. I have worn in at work, on nights out, and when I have just been relaxing at home. And the bottle is adorable!
4. Thymes Body Lotion – I have used this on my hands mostly, but did use it on my entire body after a shower one time. The lotion has shea butter and Vitamin E packed into it, and I look for both in my body lotions. It smells great and seems to stay on my body long after I apply it.
5. Zoya Gems & Jewels Collection – This nail polish (I received Twila, the sparkly blue color) boasts that it lasts up to 50% longer than regular polish – and I think they are telling the truth! I applied the polish to my toes about three weeks ago, and I still have yet to see any cracks or peeling in the polish. I don’t wear a lot of polish because of the fact that it never seems to stay on, so I would definitely give more colors in the collection a try.
And that is my first Birchbox. My December box has already been shipped, and I can’t wait to see what I am getting. I love the element of surprise, and the low cost of only $10 (free shipping) to get these samples. What better way to try out products instead of wasting money on full size bottles and not liking them? Plus, with the reviews you write, you can earn points to redeem for full size products. Win-win for me! If you haven’t signed up yet, you can easily do so by following this link. More to come next month!

December 13, 2011
2 Comments