Birchbox - January 2014

GO TIME

   

New year, new you, new me! I am DETERMINED that this year be absolutely fabulous. Maybe not exactly a NEW me, but definitely an improved, more fantastic driven me! So far the first month of this year has been a little nutty, but hey, sometimes ya gotta start off with a bang, am I right? I really can't believe January is almost over! I mean, hello, where did the time go? Haha! I've certainly needed a little pep in my step thus far this year, it's been nonstop go, go, go....and speaking of...::giggles::...Birchbox, are you psychic? How did they know that it was going to be Go Time?! They certainly were prepared with their theme this month! Here's what they had to say.....

"Happy Janaury! This year, we're flipping resolutions on their head. Forget about giving things up - in 2014, we're taking on more: more things to try, to conquer, to integrate into our lives. New products - in the form of this month's samples - are just the beginning. We'll be bringing you plenty of inspiration, from must-try beauty trends to an energy-boosting 10-minute workout that you can do anywhere.

We've also created some very pin-able cards with suggestions to keep you motivated and happy this month and beyond. We hope you like them as much as we do (which is a lot!)."

Here's to an amazing 2014! 

Katia, Hayley & the Birchbox Team

As I said, they certainly knew what my month was going to be like! Trying new things, stuff to conquer, etc. Whew! Speaking of trying new things....here's what I received in my Birchbox....

   

 

I received: a face serum, nail products, hair product, hand creme, and a hairband

PAULA'S CHOICE

RESIST ULTRA-LIGHT SUPER ANTIOXIDANT CONCENTRATE SERUM

"Water-based anti-aging serum that normalizes skin and tightens pores." - from 2014 January Birchbox card

I REALLY wanted to love this serum, I truly did. I've heard nothing but great things about it and the brand, Paula's Choice which I've never tried before. However, I just don't think this serum liked ME very much. On Paula's Choice's website it states that this serum is:

• Effective for: Acne Breakouts, Anti-Aging, Enlarged Pores, Wrinkles
• Fights multiple signs of aging
• Silky, weightless texture is perfect for oily/combination skin
• Provides superior, proven antioxidants plus skin-repairing hyaluronic acid
• Normalizes oily skin and reduces enlarges pores
• Spreads easily and sets to a smooth, shine-free finish
• Helps repair skin and reduce inflammation so it can generate healthy collagen
• Anti-irritants help calm redness and fade red marks from acne
• Can be worn under or over moisturizer, underneath sunscreen
• Clinically proven non-irritating
• 100% fragrance free, no added dyes
• No animal testing

I've been using this serum for almost three weeks now, nonstop. The first week or so I used it on my entire face, the second week I've only used it on the right side of my face so I can compare to the left. Let me break these points down and give you my view on them....

      

Effective for Acne Breakouts, Anti-Aging, Enlarged Pores, Wrinkles: As far as acne breakouts, I haven't seen any difference whatsoever. I've still had my typical acne, although I must admit I haven't had a bad case of cystic acne in quite a while. I don't know 100% if that has to do with the serum, though, because I've drastically changed my diet and have lost a significant amount of weight. Healthy eating can definitely affect your skin and breakouts, so I can't definitively say that the serum has been assisting in this. While I was using the serum only the right side of my face I didn't notice any difference with enlarged pores. They looked exactly the same on either side. Since I'm still in my 20's, I really don't have many (if any) wrinkles that I'm dealing with, so I can't comment on the effectiveness of this serum with wrinkles.

      

Fights Multiple Signs of Aging: Once again, I'm still quite young, and I don't have many signs of aging yet, although I do use anti-aging treatments to PREVENT said signs, however with that being said, I did not notice any difference using the serum in this regard.

              

Silky, Weightless Texture is Perfect for Oily/Combination Skin: This I do agree with! My skin is combination, just barely bordering on oily, and the texture was weightless and smooth. I had no problems with any greasy or sticky finish or residue after applying!

     

Provides Superior, Proven Antioxidants plus Skin-repairing Hyaluronic Acid: Once again, this is hard to tell since I've changed my eating habits. My skin has begun to look healthier, more radiant, smoother, etc. but I cannot contribute this all to this serum. I haven't seen a significant difference between the one of side of my face I've been applying the serum to and the other where I have not. I do always love skincare that contains antioxidants so this is definitely a plus for me.

     

Normalizes Oily Skin and Reduces Enlarged Pores: I have noticed that my skin hasn't seemed quite as oily as usual. Even with using greasier or heavier makeup, my skin doesn't become too oily or shiny. This serum may in fact neutralize a bit of the oil, however, once again, not a huge significant difference when only applying it on one side. As I stated before, I haven't seen a difference with enlarged pores either.

       

 Spreads Easily and Sets to a Smooth, Shine-free Finish: It definitely has an easy to apply formula and does spread nicely, evenly and has good coverage. I don't feel like I need to use a lot of product so this will last me quite some time! The finish is also shine-free as they state and makes for a super smooth base when applying moisturizer afterwards. In fact, after using this serum and moisturizer I've noticed that my makeup primer and foundation/BB Cream go on a bit smoother as well!
    
Helps Repair Skin and Reduce Inflammation so it can Generate Healthy Collagen: This touches on the skin-looking-healthier issue I have. The serum COULD be helping, but it's hard to say. Once again, I'll repeat, I did not see any huge noticeable difference between the skin I applied it on and the skin I didn't apply it on. I will say this though, even though the weather is still cold and the heater has been running, my skin hasn't looked dry or dull. 

     
Anti-irritants Help Calm Redness and Face Red Marks from Acne: I do have rosacea so this was an important point for me. I didn't notice a big reduction in redness with use, but it definitely didn't irritate the rosacea! To me that's a huge plus. My rosacea did remain calm throughout the entire day as well! I don't have many red marks from acne, so I cannot comment on this. 
    
Can Be Worn Under or Over Moisturizer, Underneath Sunscreen: This can be worn under and over moisturizer because it's so lightweight! I PREFER under moisturizer only because, as I said before, it provides a nice, smooth base when spreading the moisturizer over but it works both ways. I have not tried it under sunscreen because truth be told, I don't HAVE sunscreen ::gasp:: haha! I try to limit my exposure to the sun as much as I can because I really am so fair. Even with sunscreen, I can burn very quickly. I'll be the first to admit, I am SUCH an indoor person! 
   
Clinically Proven Non-Irritating: This is true! This product did not irritate my skin in the slightest, and as I mentioned, my rosacea did not flare up at all!
   
100% Fragrance Free, No Added Dyes: One that that's great about this serum is that it really is fragrance free, which I think makes it much more desirable for many people. I also know many people who prefer dye-free products or even NEED dye-free products since those with dyes added can trigger allergies and eczema. 
   
No Animal Testing: Once again, a great plus for this serum. It seems this, plus it being fragrance free, dye-free makes it much more available for a wider range of customers who need or want those stipulations!

  

Here is a photo of the serum. As you can see the formula is quite light. The only thing I'm not incredibly fond of is the color. Well...I take that back...the color plus the LOOK of it...it reminds me of...um...well....what comes out of your nose! ::giggles:: I know that's a tad silly, but it's just an observation! That aside, the formula is great to use. 

When it comes down to it, I just feel like this serum is not quite right for me. I love the ingredients, I love the formula but I don't see it making any noticeable differences. The one thing that I noticed was that it makes my skin feel smoother when applying moisturizer and makeup. I just think that this serum might be better for someone a bit more mature, especially since it is geared towards helping with wrinkles.

NAIL ROCK

GLITTER

in Red

"The UK brand's two-step system for your sparkliest mani ever. Accent nail, anyone?" - from 2014 January Birchbox card

I've seen these kits for so long now, but I've never purchased one for myself as of yet. The Nail Rock sets come in four different types of toppers: Glitter, Caviar, Sequin and Velvet. Each kit comes with a polish and a matching topper (one of the four) that you dip your finger in while your polish is still wet for it to adhere to. The glitter is exactly what it's called, small flecks of colored glitter. The caviar is very small beads, the sequins are slightly larger glitter pieces compared to the glitter set, and the velvet is colored flocking.

    

This glitter color is called Red, but it's a slightly bittersweet red.

  

   

Here you can see the process. I painted my nails with one coat of the polish (which you can see on my thumb), only working one finger at a time since you need the polish to still be sticky so the glitter can adhere, then I dipped the finger in the glitter, gently patted it down with my fingertips so there's no clumps and let it dry. After it dried I used a toothpick to gently pick off the glitter near my cuticle - being careful not to pick at the cuticle - where I had not applied polish. It easily came right off using the toothpick since there was no polish there for it to be sticking to.

(Indoors)

   

(Direct Sunlight)

As you can see the glitter is VERY fine, quiiiite small, which makes it super easy to remove around the edges and get a nice, clean line. You just have to be careful when applying the polish. The more even your polish line is, the easier it's going to be to keep the glitter looking clean.

Now, all this being said, while I want to ADORE this kit...here are my problems with it...

This photo was taken BEFORE I did my nails (as you can see by the bare thumb! haha!). Yes, that IS a half-full bottle. Or half-empty. Or however you'd like to say it...either way, I'm not too happy about it! I feel a bit gypped! The bottle isn't too large to begin with so the polish won't last me long at all, which is really such a shame because I would totally wear this color by itself! The opacity would be fabulous with just two coats, and it dries fairly quickly. I'm a sad Cookie. ::sniffle::

My second issue with this kit is, believe it or not they could have sent me ANY OTHER COLOR and I would have been so excited....but I've actually DONE a red glitter mani exactly one year ago last February for Valentines Day. I went out, purchased this large jar of fine red glitter from a craft store (shown above on the left in the photo) for merely a couple of dollars, used a red polish I had at home, and voila.....same look. Here's a comparison of the glitters...

I poured some of the glitter from each container into it's lid. On the left is the craft store glitter and on the right is the Nail Rock. You can easily tell the Nail Rock shade is a bit more of a bittersweet red once you compare it to the deep apple red of the craft store glitter.

 

I used my fingertip to swipe both of the glitters, and as you can see the craft store glitter is a bit more densely packed, while the Nail Rock glitter is a bit more fine and loose. When applying this does make a TEENSY difference, as the craft store glitter can clump a bit more, so I found it best to either dip your finger very softly into the glitter or just sprinkle it on, then lightly press it down to soften the clumps, whereas with the Nail Rock glitter, it's a bit more smooth. 

The big difference between the two of these glitters is quite obviously the price. The Nail Rock set retails at around $7, which isn't ridiculously high at all, but with a polish I used from home along with a $1-2 jar of glitter that is MUCH larger than the Nail Rock jar it seems to be a much cheaper alternative. Especially with the vast variety of glitter colors you could choose from at the craft store. However if you don't mind paying a little extra for finer, slightly less clumpy glitter that leaves you with less issues to deal with while applying, then Nail Rock may be for you! I'm still not happy about the polish only being half full. If that wasn't part of my issues I'd be much more pleased with this product. I would have been ecstatic just to receive that polish color on it's own!

FEKKAI

BRILLIANT GLOSSING CREAM

"Rich in olive oil, this creamy frizz-tamer gives strands all-day shimmer." - from 2014 January Birchbox card

I've actually reviewed this exact product on my blog months ago, and I wasn't too impressed, however when I received it again in this month's Birchbox I decided to give it another try  and see what I could make of it and I'm SO glad I did because I have a totally different view on it now! 

   

The formula is very smooth, silky and fairly light. The coloring is a super glossy pale green that's colorless when blended into the hair. It does leave an oily residue on your hands after it's blended in, so this isn't the best traveling product for a quick touchup during the day, unless you have quick access to a sink to wash your hands afterwards.

It states you only need a pea-size amount, but I've found with my hair, I prefer using about 3 times the recommended amount, especially since my hair is fairly long. One big difference between when I first tried this out months ago and now is that I now high copper-blonde highlights in my hair, which seems to have made all the difference in the world! I've used this Glossing Creme in a few different ways....

1) Applied while hair is still 80% damp, let air dry, no other styling products: This was the most effective way to use this product for great results. It made my highlights super shiny and glossy and my hair looked less frizzy than usual!

2) Applied while hair is still 80% damp, 20 minutes of air drying, then blow dried to finish along with usual styling products: This is my usual styling routine...towel-dry right out of the shower, apply leave-in conditioner or serum, glossing product (if any), curling creme, air dried while I apply my makeup, then blow dried the remaining damp hair along with whatever styling products I'm using at the time. I sometimes use a frizz-taming product to keep my strands smooth, especially since I do so much volumizing, but with the Glossing Creme, I don't really have to! It doesn't work quite as strong as some de-frizzing products, but well enough to where I don't feel like I need to use one plus the Glossing Creme for shine. My hair did have a nice light shine for hours after use as well!

3) Applied after hair is dry and styled: This was my least favorite use for this product. It still gave me a bit of shine, especially in my highlights but no where near as glossy as when applied while still damp. It also did not help as much with the de-frizzing with this method. HOWEVER, this is a good method still for applying just on the ends of the hair for some soft shine!

4) Applied during the day, hours after styling: The only way I felt this could be done with decent results is to gently smooth over the top of the hair to lightly calm some frizz and lightly applied on the ends of the hair for some shine. 

I'm definitely happy that I've tried this product again! I think having highlights made SUCH a big difference. I really do recommend trying this out if you have highlights or blonde hair since it seems to work so much better than compared to darker hair. I've been using this every day since I received it and I'll be continuing use and possibly purchasing once I'm out! I'm super happy to have such a large sample though, I still have SO much left even after weeks of use!

SOAK

HANDMAID HAND CREAM

in Yuzu

"Zesty eucalyptus-packed hydrator that heals with shea butter and vitamins A and E." - from 2014 January Birchbox card

I'm always a fan of hand creams! My poor hands (especially my cuticles!) just get dry so darn easily in the winter!
   

The formula is very light, which I'm a bit disappointed in since I was hoping for a more luxurious, richer cream, so it didn't work as well for my winter hands. It's non-greasy and doesn't leave any shiny residue but my skin did feel a little bit sticky after use compared to other hand creams. It does absorb quickly into the skin, which is great for possibly using after washing your hands, when you just want a quick softener, but I wouldn't say I'd consider this to be as luxe as it's advertised. For me this lotion would be much better used in the Spring or Summer when the weather isn't as drying. 

The fragrance I received it in is Yuzu which is combination of tart citrus and eucalyptus. The other scents available are:

• Aquae - a fresh sea breeze scent
• Lacey - a modern blend of spring blossoms and sweet bergamot
• Celebration - a subtly sweet, fruity scent
• Scentless  

    

Of course, I was sent the one scent I would be least interested in trying, haha! I'm not a huge fan of eucalyptus but the scent isn't too overwhelming and it does have that nice calming effect from the fragrance, but the citrus adds a very slight tartness. However, it's not noticeable unless you put your hands right under your nose to smell. 

 

 To sum up, this isn't the best hand cream I've used, but I'm very curious as to what the other fragrances are like. I wouldn't recommend this for super dry, chapped hands but more of a Spring/Summer lotion instead.





LIFESTYLE EXTRA

UNDER ARMOUR
BRAIDED MINI HEADBAND

"These grippy tricolor bands will keep strands in place during your next sweat session." - from 2014 January Birchbox card

::sigh:: I sincerely wish Birchbox had an option in their style profile for "I do not wear hair accessories, please do not send any". I realize this isn't really an accessory but I don't wear headbands to the gym either! I'm one of those weird girls who leaves her bangs down...because first of all...I just feel SO STRANGE when I don't have my bangs. I just feel naked! Secondly, my bangs stick up at a weird angle when I pull them back, not a pretty sight. I do, however, put my hair in a ponytail when exercising, I'm not THAT weird. ::giggles::

All that being said, the only time I use headbands such as this is to pull my hair back when washing my face. So, yes, it can come in handy for me, however I have about...oh...eight stretchy headbands for that SINGLE use. I've been stockpiling them upon receiving them from different beauty subscriptions and I really just don't need any more! I never misplace mine. I take it out of the drawer, wash my face, apply my serums, eye creams, etc, then put it right back. I think eight is more than enough to have, in fact, I was probably fine with two or three!

Comparing this to my other headbands though, as I don't have a braided one such as this, I'm not a huge fan of it. It only comes in one size, and I find it's a bit too snug for me. I've never had this type of problem before as my head really isn't large at all, but it's just a tad bit uncomfortable, enough to where if I was to wear this for a longer period, I'd probably get a bit of a headache. The good thing about it is because it has three bands, all of which have a rubber strip on the back, it isn't going to budge at all! It's staying put! With that in mind, it'd most certainly make a good exercise headband, so I'm going to try to find a friend that could use it since they'd get so much more use out of it than me!

WORTH AND PURCHASE:

1) Paula's Choice RESIST Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum:

• Full-size (1 oz) - $26.95
• I received a 0.17 fl oz sample tube - $4.58

 

2) Nail Rock Glitter Kit in Red:

• Full-size (full kit) - $7
• I received a full-size!

3) Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Cream: 

• Full-size (4 oz) - $19.99
• I received a 1.6 oz travel-size tube - $8

4) Soak Handmaid Hand Cream in Yuzu:

• Full-size (3 oz) - $10
• I received two large foils (5 ml each) - $1.13

5) Under Armour Braided Mini Headband: 

• One single headband: $9.99
• I received a full-size!

Total Paid for Box: $10

Total Worth of Box:  $30.70

Nearly four times what I paid, I can't complain at all about this month's worth! I am kind of sad that the highest worth item is the one I'm giving away and I really don't feel like the Nail Rock is quite worth $7 (especially with my bottle only half full!) but I'm still very happy with the worth of what I received and my sample sizes as well!

FINALE

No makeup finale for this box! But I shall go over what I think about it. All in all, it just wasn't my favorite box, which is a shame because I wanted to start off the year with a bang. I was so excited when I found out I was receiving the Nail Rock kit but when I received it and saw what color it was in, I was disappointed, as I said, since the ONE and ONLY glitter nails I've done with actual loose glitter is red! I'm also a bit sad the serum didn't work for my skin as well, but I'm so happy that I decided to give the Fekkai Glossing Cream another go! Hopefully next month's box will blow me away!

Here is some pics of the cards Birchbox included!

A pretty darn cute idea, I did have fun reading them! I'm thinking it would be a super cute idea to frame the front of them, since they're so bright and sassy, and using them at work on some desks or cubicles! I don't have any room on my desk since it's enclosed with so much filing, drawers, etc on it along with my laptop and notepad, but maybe it'd make some fun gifts for friends!

I hope you enjoyed this review! If you're interested in trying out Birchbox for yourself, you are more than welcome to use my referral link, just click HERE. 

 

Happy Fresh Start Makeuping!

   

Glamour Doll Eyes OTM - January 2014

GLAMOUR DOLL EYES
"OF THE MONTH" JANUARY 2014

It is a whooooooole new year of Glamour Doll Eyes! I am absolutely stoked! They seriously started this year off with a bang...not only is the first OTM eyeshadow ridiculously GORGEOUS but they now have an awesome Gift With Purchase deal on their website! With any purchase you get a free full-size eyeshadow featured that month (different from the Of the Month shade). This month they jumped on the popular Pantone shade for 2014 with a stunning light orchid shadow called Cliche (I seriously adore the name, brilliant!). Click HERE to check out the their website and take a look at the GWP shade! In just a few more days they'll feature their February GWP shade.

As for their Of the Month subscription, here is what we received this month!...

For some reason I get even more giddy about bags that you can't see through! It's just SO DARN MYSTERIOUS....

Let's take a look at what mysterious goodies were inside this bag....

 OTM Shadow, Bonus Beauty Item & Candy!

OF THE MONTH SHADOW

for JANUARY 2014

SOCIAL SUICIDE

This blue just PACKS a PUNCH, doesn't it?! I love it!

Social Suicide: semi matte royal blue with a subtle blue shift and silver sparkle

Safe For: eyes, face, nails

Um, HELLOOOOOO, is this blue not insanely fantastic? It is quite pigmented! Swiped dry, it's fabulous, blended dry, it's fabulous and over a good primer like NYX's Jumbo Pencil in Milk it's....it's.....::faints::

It's super soft and very workable as well as buildable. These were just swiped on with fingertips, so as you can see there's no patchiness or chalky finish. The sparkle is subtle with dry application or blending, but over a primer it stands out a bit more. 





OTM EXTRAS!

BEAUTY EXTRA
HYDRAGLAZE
in Social Butterfly

"This month we're allowing you to test out our new gloss before it hits our virtual shelves! This Hydra Glaze is a special release in conjunction with January's OTM shadow color. It is a sheer red with the smallest hint of a blue tint that is best applied with a lip brush or doe foot applicator. The heavenly scent coming from your container is buttercream. Caution: We put our all into this product and when applied a little goes a long way!" - from GDE January 2014 OTM card

How exciting to try out a new product before it hits the shelves! Needless to say, the color is absolutely gorgeous....

Do you SEE those beautiful blue flecks? I love it!

As you can see, it can be easily blended or be built up for more pigmentation. The formula isn't sticky at all, in fact when worn sheerer it almost feels like you've rubbed a bit of light oil on your lips. In fact, it does have sweet almond oil in the ingredients. It makes my lips feel wonderfully moisturized! They are absolutely right, it DOES smell just like buttercream, in fact I was quite hungry after I took a whiff of it, haha! MMmmmmm....

As for wear, the shine lingered for about 2 hours, then the color started to fade in about 4, but for a glaze, I was pretty happy with that staying power! I still had some soft coloration after 5-6 hours (With eating and drinking). I'll be very curious to see what shades they're going to be coming out with!





TASTY TREAT!

WONKA
LAFFY TAFFY
in Blue Raspberry

Could they have picked a better tasty treat to go with the shadow and glaze? Haha, I think not! The color matching is spot on! Brilliant, just brilliant! And yes....Hubby has stolen them. ::wink wink::






FINALE

 Makeup finaaaaale! My favorite part of GDE's OTM....playin' with the pretties! So I love being inspired by the names of their shadows, and with "Social Suicide", I wanted to do something edgy, with a little punk rock thrown in...

After applying my typical primer, BB Cream, Concealer, Face Powder, etc., I started the eyes with Urban Decay's Primer Potion in Original all over the eyelid, then blended on NYX's Jumbo Pencil in Milk over it. I then used a flat eyeshadow blending brush and patted Social Suicide all over my eyelid and slightly above my crease while keeping the line sharp where the eyeshadow stops instead of blending it. I also applied it just below my bottom lashes. I then used a matte black eyeshadow and patted it on from the outer corners of my eyes into an almond shaped cat-eye. I used a deep black liquid eyeliner and added a cat-eye wing to intensify the edge, and smudged it lightly under the outer corners of my bottom lashes. I applied heavy coats of black mascara on and used a dark blue eyeliner on my waterline.

I finished by blended the edges of the black and Social Suicide together so it faded nicer, and lightly patted on a pale blue eyeshadow with my fingertips on the inner corners of my eyes. 

I also used their Hydra Glaze in Social Butterfly, but I applied it lightly since the eyes were so dark and heavy. 

       
Well that's it for my review of my Glamour Doll Eyes January 2014 Of the Month bag...I hope you enjoyed it! As always, I HIGHLY recommend giving Glamour Doll Eyes a try! Here's their website - 
   

http://www.glamourdolleyes.com/

Check them out and their products and be sure to keep the OTM in mind! 

 Edgy Punk Rock pose? No? Well a girls gotta try...

       

Happy Rockin' Makeuping!

 

Beauty Spotlight - ft. The Aloe Source

THE ALOE SOURCE

For Your Inner Health and Outer Beauty 
Plus special promotion code!

PROMOTION CODE EDIT 1/27 - I have a new and even more EXCITING promotion code to offer you now! For $20 FLAT and FREE shipping you can pick any THREE products from The Aloe Sources line just by calling this number - 877) 865-2563 and letting them know you want The Charming Cheshire $20 Deal! 

That's right! These products individually range anywhere from between $20-$50 PER ITEM, so be sure to take advantage of this awesome deal now! You won't be disappointed! Visit their website now to take a look at their product line, then give them a call to order!

www.thealoesource.com/shop

Hello there and happy weekend to you! I have a wonderful Fun Little Purchase for you today including my new favorite brand of facial skincare....The Aloe Source! I was first introduced to them through my November 2013 Glossybox. I received a travel-sized bottle of their Jojoba Radiance Cleansing Polish and I just used that pretty little baby up! IN fact, my Hubby technically helped, he absolutely adored it as well, which is very rare for him. He's very selective about his skincare, so when I heard him mention that he had been having problems with dry skin from the weather, I recommended that he try the cleanser since it helped my skin so much. Next thing I knew he was using it every day! Well I knew I had to buy more, so I decided to try out a few more items from their line....

I purchased a set they had available at the time called the Cleanse & Moisturize Kit that contained a full-size Jojoba Radiance Cleansing Polish and O2 Infusion Moisturizer. I also found a promotion code for a free gift sample set of three items (no longer available, I believe) - a travel-size Jojoba Radiance Cleansing Polish (so Hubby can has his own!), a sample jar of the Luminosity Masque and a sample jar of the Vitamin C Antioxidant Creme. 

I had a bit of a confusing surprise when my package arrived along with a lovely handwritten note thanking me for the order and letting me know that they had included a free gift of their Lip Therapy, however, the gift with my promotion code kit (the bag of three sample products) was not in the box! Haha, I was so very confused, so I emailed the company and within a few days another box arrived at my doorstep with the three piece sample kit and ANOTHER handwritten note of apology from the person in charge of Business Development along with a phone number to reach her directly. 

      

         

Soon after I received an email from her as well to ensure that I was satisfied with the customer service and order. How FABULOUS is that?! It is so rare to receive such wonderful customer service along with buying products that you absolutely love! PRICELESS. I definitely plan to continue ordering from them! I love their attitude and service to their customers, that's such a big part of the purchasing process for me.

Let's take a look at the products, shall we? Afterwards, if you think you'd like to try some of these products out for yourself or any from their line, I have a special promotion code to share! So read on!....

JOJOBA RADIANCE CLEANSING POLISH

    

"This multi-tasking, sulfate-free cleanser effectively removes makeup, oil and impurities. Gently exfoliates with a combination of jojoba microbeads and alpha and beta hydroxy acids, while nourishing aloe vera soothes skin." - from thealoesource.com

     

From my November 2013 Glossybox review:

"I have COMPLETELY used this product up, it is GONE. Well, I take that back...my HUBBY and I have completely used this product up! Hahaha! I suggested that he try it out one day because I absolutely fell in love with it and next thing I knew, he was using it every day!  

     
I has very smooth jojoba microbeads that very gently exfoliate. I had absolutely no problems with any skin sensitivity or redness from the exfoliation and the aloe vera made my skin feel super soft afterwards. I hardly needed moisturizer! I actually took to keeping it in the shower with me and just washing my face before I get out. So refreshing! It really doesn't foam much that you can see, but that's somewhat typical for an exfoliating product.

It has a fantastic light citrus scent, almost like fresh lemons. It does have grapefruit peel oil in it, so that may be the main source of the scent. It's not overpowering at all, in fact, you really don't smell it too much when applying, only if you smell the product straight from your hands. 

I've noticed that my face has seemed a bit smoother, and definitely more moisturized during the dry, cold winter days after daily use. I prefer to use it for my daytime cleanser because it gives my face a little brightness boost by lightly working off a layer of dead skin and buffing up the new skin underneath! I'm so sad to see a little empty bottle sitting there now, haha, I need to go order a new one...." - Cookie

     

So quite obviously I purchased more! I use it every morning when I'm in the shower right after I wash my hair. Typically in the winter I wash my face AFTER I shower, right over the sink because I want to put on serum and/or moisturizer immediately afterwards before my skin dries out but with this cleanser I don't have to! The aloe in it keeps my skin softer, more moisturized and I don't feel like I have to rush to put on lotion! Some days I barely feel like I need to (as I mentioned above). My skin has continued to look softer, feel smoother and just overall feel healthier! Plus, I've noticed fewer and fewer breakouts with constant use.

O2 INFUSION MOISTURIZER

   

"This lightweight moisturizer energizes and revitalizes skin with aloe vera and a unique glycoprotein complex for vibrant, healthy-looking skin." - from thealoesource.com

But when I DO feel the need to use moisturizer after I use the cleanser, I've been using this one! They're absolutely right, it is very lightweight but still quite hydrating. I prefer this as a daytime moisturizer but during warmer days it would be fine for nighttime use as well.

I love the designs of the bottles! Very clean, bright and fresh. I've found myself keeping the bottle on the counter instead of in my cabinet just because I love the look.

 The formula is smooth, and once worked into the skin it forms into a very luxurious layer that absorbs easily, quickly and gives fantastic hydration. It has some wonderful ingredients in it including olive fruit oil, lavender oil, Alaria Esculenta (algae) extract which is great for boosting skin elasticity and assists in anti-aging, sea buckthorn which is very high in vitamin C, and of course, aloe. You only need one pump for full coverage on the face, but if I feel I need a bit more lotion for particularly dryer days then I'll use about one and half pumps. I'm very pleased to know that this product will last so long since I don't need multiple pumps! It's made such a difference in my day as I've had a much easier time applying my makeup since my skin has been so soft from constant use of moisturizer.

There's not any noticeable fragrance or scent, except a very light, faint typical lotion smell but you really don't notice it at all when applying. One thing that I very much love about it is that after applying my skin doesn't feel greasy or sticky at all! Just a fresh, soft finish!

BALANCING ACT
3 PIECE SAMPLE SET

I actually had no idea that this set came with a cute little travel bag, so I was happily surprised when I opened my parcel! A girl always needs some good travel bags for her plethora of beauty products needed during traveling, am I right? Here's what the insert said of the Sample Set:

Get Glowing...with the Instant Radiance Treatment

Step 1 - Refresh
The Jojoba Radiance Cleansing Polish gently removes makeup, oil and dead skin leaving your face feeling refreshed. With jojoba microbeads and stabilized aloe vera, this polish will cleanse and exfoliate for purely radiant skin.

Step 2 - Brighten
 The Luminosity Masque contains pineapple and papaya enzymes to gently exfoliate, while stabilized aloe vera and willowherb extract sooth and comfort, resulting in glowing and rejuvenated skin.

Step 3 - Hydrate
Top off the beauty regimen with the Vitamin C Antioxidant Creme. This luxurious creme enriches and hydrates, while vitamin C and stabilized aloe vera help even out skin tone and provide antioxidant benefits.

Use the Instant Radiance Treatment twice a week, or as needed




JOJOBA RADIANCE CLEANSING POLISH
TRAVEL-SIZE

No need to show you this awesome product as I already have! Needless to say my Hubby has taken full ownership of this bottle already. ::wink wink:: 




LUMINOSITY MASQUE

"This soothing gel masque combines pineapple and papaya enzymes to gently exfoliate the skin, while aloe vera and willowherb extract soothe the skin, leaving it smooth, radiant and more youthful-looking." - from thealoesource.com

I cannot say enough great things about this masque. It is one of the most unusual masques I've used, but soooooo fabulous. 

The formula is pretty lightweight for a masque and goes on a bit on the thin side but it still gives complete coverage. In the jar the product has a very pale spring-green tint, but once applied to the skin in a thinner layer, it's clear. It's a thin gel-like texture, but very smooth. Because it's fairly clear, I recommend applying under a brighter light so you can see where you've spread it on your face, that way there's no product wasted when applying over already covered skin. However, you can also somewhat feel it out with your fingertips as well.

It's recommended to leave on for 5-10 minutes. I've used this quite a few times now and I went ahead and kept it on for 10 minutes each time. Over that time it dries completely and you can't really feel it on your skin, even when you touch it, until you rinse. Once the water combines with it, it gels again making it easy to detect if you've completely rinsed it off. 

It has a somewhat sweet citrus scent that smells SO yummy! It reminds me a bit of lemon meringue pie! I can only smell it right when I apply, but once it starts drying the smell fades away. Such a shame because I love it, haha! Scrumptious!

This masque is named PERFECTLY! It is the most wonderful luxury item to have for a spa night. After use you can see your skin is tighter, smoother, more radiant and a bit brighter! This is one of the few face masques I've used that has had such a noticeable and immediate difference. My skin absolutely loves it! Once again, the same with the other products, it doesn't take much to give full coverage. The size of the sample jar is 0.25 fl oz and I've used it five times since I received it and I still have several uses left! Will I be repurchasing after I run out? You betcha! If you have a spa night with the ladies? Maybe before a special event and you want to look refreshed, radiant and with bright skin the next day? I HIGHLY recommend trying this! 

VITAMIN C ANTIOXIDANT CREME

 "This luxuriously rich crème hydrates parched skin, while a stabilized vitamin C complex and aloe vera provide antioxidant benefits for a glowing, youthful-looking complexion." - from thealoesource.com

So I've been using their O2 Infusion Moisturizer during the day, but I've been using this super luxurious creme at night! Chock-full of so many wonderful oils such as grapefruit peel, hempseed, wild flax seed, meadowfoam, jojoba seed, and corn oils as well as some great extracts like aloe, olive, and grapeseed, this creme is just super rich, and super creamy.

I used a super thin swatch because...well frankly I love it so much I didn't want to waste it, but even though it's so thin, look how thick and rich it looks! That was with the tiniest dab with my fingertip! 

My skin just soaks up this stuff. It makes a great nighttime moisturizer and has the same moisturizing finish as a body butter for the most part. It doesn't feel quite as thick, but the way my skin feels after application is just as hydrated. It's non-greasy and leaves no sticky residue and my skin feels like it just drank it's 80 ounces of water for the day! 

It has a veeeery faint citrus scent, but it's not really detectable unless you hold the product close to your nose and breathe in deep.

Over time I've noticed the few fine lines I have on my face have appeared smoother, my skin looks more supple and when I wake up in the morning, even with the heater on all night, my skin hasn't dried out at all and still looks as fresh as it did when I went to bed. A little of the lotion goes a long way, so it's best to start with just small amounts, blend them into the skin, then add more as needed. This is a fantastic winter skincare product, since it's so rich, but I'd say it can even be light enough to wear through the summer as well! 





LIP THERAPY
with Aloe Vera & Coconut Oil

"This hydrating treatment nourishes, comforts and protects the lips. A blend of reparative natural waxes and coconut oil cushion the lips and create a protective barrier, while stabilized aloe vera and allantoin nourish and soothe." - from thealoesource.com

Before you ask, no the end did NOT come opened like it is in this photo when I received it, I was just so darn excited when I opened everything that I peeled off the wrapper on the top to try it without remembering that I wanted to take photos first! Haha!

This product came to me at JUST the right time, my lips are NOTORIOUS for cracking and drying in the winter and even with daily use of chapsticks, lip butters, balms, etc. they are just plain STUBBORN and will not soften. Lip Therapy has been a serious help!

It's a tad bit thicker than a typical chapstick, but isn't sticky, in fact it's quite smooth on the lips. It doesn't have any detectable flavor, but it does have a very slight warm sweet scent with a little hint of mintyness.

The coverage lasts a good 1-2 hours with light eating and drinking, but the skin continues to stay moisturized for about 4 hours before feeling the need to reapply. Once again, my lips get very dry very quickly so this time frame may be longer for others who don't have that problem. So glad to have something to toss in my purse for everyday use, especially one that works just as well if not better than a medicated balm.




PURCHASE

The Cleanse and Moisturize deal, which is no longer available, was $44 for both the cleanser and the moisturizer. Here are the prices for the items individually:

• Jojoba Radiance Cleansing Polish (6.7 fl oz) - $30  
• O2 Infusion Moisturizer (1.7 oz) - $44
• Luminosity Masque (1.7 fl oz) - $34
• Vitamin C Antioxidant Creme (1 fl oz) - $40
• Lip Therapy (0.15 oz) - $8

They do have some kits, though, that contain a few of these products in it as well as others. The closest set that has products from this review is the Instant Radiance Treatment Kit (full-size of my sample set) that has the Jojoba Radiance Cleansing Polish, Luminosity Masque and Vitamin C Antioxidant Creme for $87 which is a $17 discount from purchasing all three individually.

    


      

FINALE
     

Well I am IN LOVE with The Aloe Source's products, if you couldn't tell. I'm completely pleased with every product I've tried and their customer service is amazing, they're really give that excellent personal touch, which is very much appreciated. It's going to take quite some time to get through the products I currently have, but I've got my eye on some other goodies in their line that look awesome as well! Did I mention obsessed? Eye Firming Complex, Botanical Cleansing Milk, Botanical and Clarifying Toners? YES PLEASE!

   

Happy Healthy Skincaring!