As
April box must-have: Juice Beauty CC Cream: This sample was my first introduction to CC cream. The organic makeup leaves my skin dewy without being oily – perfect for combination skin that occasionally breaks out. As I said in my first review of Juice Beauty, it’s so lightweight, it doesn’t feel or look like makeup. Although this cream doesn’t have the best coverage, it helped diminish blemishes and improved my overall complexion. Afterward, I sampled Smashbox CC Cream for a comparison, and while it provided ample coverage, it made my skin breakout, which resulted in continued usage of said CC cream to provide coverage. Needless to say, it was a stark contrast from Juice Beauty, which felt more natural compared to the foundation-like texture of Smashbox.
Runner-up: Supergoop! Advanced anti-aging eye cream: Prior to receiving Supergoop, I had been skeptical of eye creams after trying many and not seeing a significant difference. Instead, I used my facial moisturizer under my eyes and, occasionally, Nourish My Eyes Cucumber Green Tea eye pads for reducing puffiness the morning-after (I used this a lot during my teaching and grad school days!). However, I’ve noticed an improvement in my under eyes since using Supergoop. It has helped diminish dark circles and lines while simultaneously improving elasticity. The cream is runny, so a lot goes a long way and it can be worn underneath your CC or BB cream. I don’t always get a full 8 hours of sleep to prevent dark phentermine online florida circles, but with Supergoop I can at least pretend to look well-rested!
May box must-have: Beauty Protector Detangle & Protect (leave-in conditioner): First, this conditioner smells amazing. That alone makes this product a winner (ok, I’m half kidding). I’ve used heat protectant sprays in the past, and some of them are either too greasy, have an unpleasant scent (CHI), or weigh down my hair. As someone who regularly uses heat styling products on my hair, this product has saved my hair from split-ends and damage. The conditioner helps protect my locks from heat, and it makes my hair smoother and softer. Another plus is that it can detangle my thick, curly hair, making it easier to brush.
Runner -up: LAFACE Age Defying Primer: This primer really does smooth out fine lines. At 25, I have fine lines around my mouth (thanks to indulging in way too many all-nighters) and have tried numerous beauty products to diminish/eliminate them, but this primer is the only one that does the trick. The moisturizing properties leave my skin soft and radiant that I sometimes skip the makeup, adding just sunscreen over it for protection. I wrote an in-depth review of LAFACE comparing it to Smashbox (I don’t mean to keep undermining Smashbox in this post! The Smashbox primer is great, I just prefer LAFACE.) if you’re interested in reading more.
June box must-have: Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls: If you have curly frizzy hair that can’t be tamed, this is the antidote for you. After just a few drops, I had softer, manageable curls (for once!), instead of a frizzy, dry mess. Read my extended review of Pillow Soft Curls that includes a tutorial for how to get frizz-free curls.
Runner-up: LAQA & Co Lil Lip: I’m not kidding when I say this is the longest-lasting lipstick I’ve ever used. Sure, some lipstick might smudge off if I eat or drink, but not so much that I need to reapply. One coat will last several hours. I received this color in “Lambchop” and it’s a bright, summery shade that will flatter everyone.
That’s a recap of my Birchbox must-haves. What are yours? Let me know in the comments!