Let's Do This

Happy New Year (even though I'm like, 9 days in)! This is my real first post/blog/whatever-you-want-to-call-this of the new year. I'm rather excited to be able to come to you guys with a fresh start.

I've still not managed to get my video editing software installed on my laptop. I'm somewhat technologically challenged. That, and I'm pretty sure the software that I had before is a little out dated...since it was made for Windows 7 or lower...So, it's time to find a newer/better one. For now, I think I'll film and then do like normal, and edit from the big computer. The plus side is that...everything that I really need to do for other things can be from Lappy386.

Let's Do This. That was on the front of my Birch Box for this month, and I thought....you know what, Let's!  Mainly for this entry, I'm going to talk about my first impressions of the things I got in my box.

So here goes:
Balance Me
Wonder Eye Cream| Full-size, $38
What: Antiageing multitasker that conquers wrinkles and dark circles at the first signs of aging.
How: Dab a pea-sized amount along under eye contour, steering clear of lash line.

Me: The sample size of it seems like it would last a couple of weeks. Just enough to see if there was any type of change in the area that it is meant for. The container also says that it "smooths, brightens, and lifts", and is meant for all skin types. Even on the back it has, "Gently tap and smooth our triple-action ey cream around the eye socket to help revitalize weary eyes, smooth away dark shadows and reduce visible apperance of fine lines." I might be hitting my late 20s, but that doesn't change from the fact that I'm not worried about aging! Maybe I should do an update...like before and after pictures... Hmm...

Curly Hair Solutions
Curl Keeper Gel| Full-size, $9.99-$17.50
What: Water-based, never-crunchy formula that fends off frizz and leaves curls sleek and shiny.
How: After styling, apply a small amount of gel to hair. To reactivate, smooth with wet hands.

Me: I'm kinda iffy when it comes to gels...I always feel like they leave my sticky, and my curls never hold the way that is "promised". I usually just stick with moose. As far as the packaging goes, I like the look of this one. The last hair gel sample that I received it was almost as if, use it or lose it and it goes every where. This one looks like it might be able to keep for a time or two usage. It also has a flat bottom, to help prevent the contents going wherever they want when you are applying it to your hair. This is a huge thing for me. The back says that is has the holding power without flakiness or crispiness, and because it's water based it doesn't leave you with product build up. I'm excited to try this.

Essentiel Elements
Wake Up Rosemary Body Lotion| Full-size, $19
What: Lightweight hydrator that heals dry skin and energizes with invigorating rosemary and mint.
How: Apply generously where needed. Keens, elbows, and feet are just some of the usual suspects.

Me: Let me just start by telling you what this packaging reminds me of...Something you'd by back in the 1920s from the apothecary for stomach issues. I don't know, it's weird and old timey, like. Not that it's a problem, it just...makes me not want to trust it. Lol. As for lotion, I'm really not big into musky sents. I feel...they aren't me. This is one of those. You get a full blown face wift of Rosemary. It almost smacks you in the face with how pungent it is, with a slight hint of mint...and I mean...SLIGHT! If I were in a pickle and really need some lotion would I ever use this...and that's saying something. It's not that I don't believe that it won't work for dry skin, it's just...who wants to smell like a roasted chicken when they walk around?

Miracle Skin Transformer
Treat & Conceal Eye & Face| Full-size, $36
What: Creamy, nondrying treatment that covers-and helps get rid of-blemishes and dark circles.
How: Apply a teensy bit (a little goes a long way!) where you need coverage.

Me: I really like how this is package. It's the way I would think a concealer would be, for when you have those little areas that need coverage but aren't contaminating the rest of the product by having to touch an applicator to your face and then back in the tube. Right under the label it even says that it covers, correct, and protect. I cheated and used a small size on the back of my hand, and it blended in nicely. Super smooth and really creamer, something that I'm looking forward using.

theBalm
Stainiac|Full-size, $17
What: Best-selling stain that gives cheeks and lips a sheer, rosy tint.
How: Dot onto cheeks and blend quickly. Seep over lips to give them a wash of color.

Me: I'm normally not a fan of stains. Either they are sticky or they dry my lips out. And even then, all of them are for lips. I put a little on the back of my hand to get a feel of the texture, and to see how well it stains. It wasn't the color I thought it was going to be. Since the stain is a RED color, even for a blush, it seems like a berry color...maybe that's a lighting issue in my house, I'm not too sure yet. For the packaging- It's very sleek. The only think I found that I didn't like, was that there was no name for the color itself. Ingredients and a little more product info in both English and in French are on it, but no name for the color. 

Well, that's about it. This is the first Birch Box that I have liked in a while. Most of the other stuff for the past handful of months have left me a little disappointed. I'm rather excited, for the most part, about this Box. I'll update on what I think about these products that I used.