My First BirchBox!

Anyone out there love subscription services?! I really, really, really, love free samples. Like, a lot. I've always thought about Subscription boxes but never really signed up for one. They're pretty inexpensive in theory for what it is that you are getting. I refused to pay more than $10 for my first round of Subscription boxes just because I wasn't sure how much I was going to be into it.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with subscription boxes, it is basically a company that you can sign up to and pay X amount of dollars a month and they send you your monthly subscription of beauty products (well in my case beauty products, but they even have these things for your dog!). Some popular Beauty Subscription Services include Ipsy, Beauty Army, and Birchbox.
I am subscribed to two different services and want to see how the first 2-3 months go and then I will ultimately pick just one to stay subscribed to. The first box to come in was Birchbox and I was apprehensive.
After reading several reviews comparing all the different companies to pick from, I've heard my fair share of positives and negatives for all of them. As far as I'm concerned, I am totally impressed with my first box!

Upon subscribing to Birchbox, I had to fill out a quiz that vaguely asked what kind of products I was interested in. I mentioned hair, skin care, and of course, make up. I was a little surprised to see they gave me a nail product because I know that I didn't pick that on my quiz but oh well! 

The best product I got was a pretty substatial sized Shampoo and Conditioner by Fredrick Fekkai from his "Glossing" line. I have been dying to try this duo out for a really long time and so I was ecstatic to find it in my preciously wrapped box. 

The next product I got was a Nail Rock glitter set that gives you a really intense glittery accent nail. I'm not sure I will get a lot of use out of this product as I really loath glittery nail polish and the whole process of removing it. But it's definitely worth a shot! And it is a full size kit, which is really impressive.

I also got a Mineral Eyeshadow in a gorgeous blueish-silver duo chrome. I will definitely get some good use out of this and I think it will be perfect for layering over black eyeshadow or worn alone. Gotta love duo chromes!

The "extra" gift was this really interesting deodorizing wipe that you can use to make your clothes smell fresher on a long day, for example if you were flying and needed to smell nice when you landed. Interesting concept...we will see.

Over all I am totally excited about my new subscription service! I'm already excited to see what I get next month!!

Hope you guys are having a nice week! XOXO

December Favorites! 2013

Ahh, it's midway through January of 2014 and I am just now getting up my December Favorites video! Things have been totally crazy busy lately, does anyone else feel like that too? I feel like everything leading up to the holidays is insane and then afterwards, it just doesn't settle down. Anyway, I hope you guys found some good favorites through December and that if you like this video you will please please please subscribe to my YouTube channel!! Youtube.com/beautyandblogging

I've Got A Lipstick Fever!

Things are getting very serious, guys. I am in the process of saving up money (well, trying to! Anyone have any good tips to staying motivated at saving money?? I could really use them!) and try not spending as much on cosmetics at the moment because I'm buying a new computer soon and apparently need new tires in the near future. Do you ever feel like, really? New tires? Didn't I just get those?

Anyways, since it has been a while since I've posted here on Beauty and Blogging I thought I would share with you a few lipsticks I have my eyeballs set on that are on my wish list. I hope you all are doing well and feeling beautiful; I hope you had an awesome holiday season and are really enjoying 2014! 

Elizabeth Arden "Red Door Red"

Inspired by my life idol, Tanya Burr, she rocked this color several times during Vlogmas and mentioned how much she loved it. Now, I know many will argue that I probably don't need another Red Lipstick (in which case, I would agree), but come on, it's gorgeous! The packaging, and color, the shade. So beautiful!

Chanel "L'Adoree" Lipstick

My reason for really needing this lipstick is that it is only seasonal and part of a collection AKA get yours while you can. I would have never known about this gorgeous shade but while hanging out with some girl friends the other day, my friend showed me this gorgeous shade and it was love at first sight. Chanel Lipsticks are super ultra pricey and I've never owned one, but, if I were to own one, this would be the one at the top of my list! Also, being as I'm the biggest promoter of purple-hued lipsticks it's only fitting I pick this up, right? 

Elizabeth Arden "Neoclassical Coral" 

The fact that I would even consider this shade is insane. I've bought so many peach and coral lipshades and never seem to like them BUT the red tones and bright pink hue in this is what is really convincing me I need it. Again, Tanya Burr wore this while in Dubai in a Vlogmas video and I was dying to know which shade it was. Once she mentioned it I knew I had to pick it up. Though I haven't bought it (yet?), it seems really unique and very beautiful. It's really like nothing else I own.