Frozen Yogurt

One of my favorite snacks/ desserts is frozen yogurt or ice cream. So trying to lose weight and still indulge during the hot weather has been a little tough, especially when I can easily eat a pint or two of ice cream in one sitting.  It doesn't seem practical to purchase individual portions either, so something I started doing to take the edge off is taking regular yogurt (like the 80 calorie Dannon yogurts) sticking them into the freezer and letting it sit there for about 4 hours. The outer portion freezes and the center is still creamy. It takes the edge off and is a little healthier too!

Birchbox Series: June Jacobs Papaya Purifying Masque

Ever have that product that just makes you mad? This is one of those products and it really stems from the fact that this product is not cheap and it did absolutely nothing that it claimed that it would. I got 0.5 fluid ounce sample, which was about 2.5 applications. It smelled great, I was pretty excited to try it, but it did NOTHING for me. 

June Jacobs Spa Collection Papaya Purifying Enzyme Masque (August 2011) Full Size: $62.00

According to Birchbox:

“For instant complexion gratification, nothing beats an enzyme-based mask. This enzyme-based version quickly revitalizes skin, dissolving dead cells and brightening your overall complexion. It doesn’t hurt that the natural ingredients smell heavenly, and work without irritating skin.”

My take:

This did nothing. I followed the instructions to a T, and it did nothing.  It had no effect upon my skin and did not soften it, or dissolve any dead skin cells and did not brighten my skin. My everyday cleansers do much better than this cream did. 

How much is full sized:

$62.00 for 3.7 fluid ounces.

Did Birchbox make me want to buy it?

NOT AT ALL.  This did absolutely nothing for me and I would not recommend this at all to ANYONE.

Birchbox Series: Philosophy Purity

So I have never used any Philosophy products, but when I received this cleanser I got really excited because this was the rage product all over Youtube. It was THE product to have your hands on, and I needed to somehow get my hands on it. But being my silly self, I put it aside to use at a later time (makes total sense right? Ha! Not) I received a one fluid ounce sample, but it took me near 3 weeks to get through the product. 

Philosophy Purity Made Simple 1 Step Facial Cleanser (July 2011) Full Size: $32.00

According to Birchbox:

“This facial cleanser quickly dissolves dirt, oil and makeup to deep clean pores while maintaining the skin's proper moisture levels. purity made simple™ is gentle enough for the eye area and even for the most sensitive skin. As a final step, the toner balances out skin’s pH levels.”

My take:

This little cleanser sure lasted me a long time! It was very very gentle; almost too gentle for my skin. I prefer to use something that has some salisilic acid in it, so my pimples go away faster, and this was like washing with soap. (except the times I’ve washed with soap, it’s been a deeper clean). My skin did feel nice, but it was not anything special and did not get rid of my acne or breakouts. This is great for someone who has extremely sensitive skin. I don’t use the Clarasonic, just the Neutrogena Wave, which rather gentle on the skin. I did notice that the toner is rather nice, and that it had worked rather well.

How much is full sized:

$32.00 for 16 oz. 

Did Birchbox make me want to buy it?

Thank goodness I had a chance to sample the cleanser, because it made me realize that it is just too gentle for my skin. I would not purchase the product because it just isn’t what my skin type needs. 

xoxo,

Ema

Birchbox Series: Korres Showergel in Guava

Hi All,

   Another Birchbox post here and today's focus is the Korres Showergel in the scent/ flavor Guava.  I had never tried the Korres brand before although I have heard a bunch about the lip butters! (they are on my list of products I want to try one day) I had received a 1.69 oz bottle (really .69? couldn’t just get to .70?) and it lasted me about 2 weeks, which was a nice length of time and would have been perfect for travel (if I didn’t already have so many tiny bottles!)

Korres Guava Little Showergel (month year) Full Size: $19.50 (July 2011)

According to Birchbox:

“We’re not big on singing in the shower, but we can’t resist a good body wash. Korres’s lovely showergels fit the bill quite nicely. The foaming cleansers come in three transporting scents — Fig, Guava, Japanese Rose — that make for an uncommonly luxe daily shower experience. Plus, the paraben-free formula has natural ingredients to keep skin soft and hydrated.”

My take:

I have to say that I fell in love with the scent from just the first sniff. It is just so yummy and I was sorely tempted to find a drink or dessert that smelled (and would taste) like this.  Sad thing is though, after you wash off the gel, the scent does not stay (pity really). But it did make my shower time a lot more fun and was great in the mornings to awaken me.  Another good product that is paraben free, but I really did not notice my skin getting softer or more hydrated. 

How much is full sized:

$19.50 for 400ml

Did Birchbox make me want to buy it?

This was a nice product, but once again, it did not jump out at me as a  unique enough product that I would be willing to splurge on.  

xoxo, 

Ema

Birchbox Series: Befine Food Skin Care Exfoliating Cleanser

Hey All,
   Yep I'm on a roll with my Birchbox series! So today's product is the Befine Food Skin Care Exfoliating Cleanser with Brown Sugar, Sweet Almond and Oats (Phew try saying that 5 times fast!!) Birchbox gave a nice sized sample of the product (1.5 oz) and this lasted me roughly 2 -3 weeks, so that gave me a chance to really see what it was about. Of course if you have any further questions, comment below and I'll answer them as soon as possible. So, on we go...

1.       Befine Food Skincare Exfoliating Cleanser with Brown Sugar, Sweet Almond and Oats. (February 2011) full size: $25 

Yes, I did cut into the product to get every last bit (heehee)

According to Birchbox:

“Finding an exfoliator that’s effective without irritating your face is a bit like trying to find a needle in a haystack (and a scratchy haystack at that). This two-in-one product has gentle beads that first slough away dead skin cells and then melt into a creamy cleanser. It’s ideal for anyone who has sensitive skin or who simply wants to exfoliate every day.”

My Take:

Well this was a good exfoliator, my only slight issue with it (and this may be my own fault) is that I take VERY hot showers, so when I would use this product, the sugar scrub portion would melt away very quickly.  I usually could not get to scrubbing my entire face before it had melted away. Now the cleanser did melt into a nice creamy consistency and it was gentle enough for me to use daily and not be afraid of overdoing it. The formula is nice and on the thicker side with plenty of scrubbies. I did not see it really help my skin with acne, although it did leave my skin feeling fresh.  It is a natural product so the scrub did have some oil which would leave a slight film on my skin so I would follow up with some soap or even just a hot washcloth.

How much do you get?

4 oz for 25 bucks.

Did Birchbox make me want to buy it?

This was something I would not have tried otherwise, and yes I think I would purchase, but just not from Birchbox. I know the flash sale website Hautelook has this brand on sale every few weeks and the price goes down to 11 bucks. So I might purchase from there instead. So Yes Birchbox… you have made me want to purchase this.

 Have you been using any Birchbox products?
xoxo,
Ema

2 Week Weigh in Checkpoint

Hi all,
   This was my first weigh in since I started the gym about 2 weeks ago. I started at 196.5, after two weeks and spending 4-5 days at the gym for an hour and sweating like a nutter, I am now down to 188.6! WOOHOOOOO! that means 7.9 pounds down! Thank you God for some sign of my hard work!


xoxo,
Ema

Birchbox Series: Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint

Hi all,
   This is #2 of my new Birchbox Series, which is basically just a look into the samples that I finish and if Birchbox has made me want to purchase the products. This also links to, does Birchbox really match you up with your likes? So this next item on the chopping block is:

1.       Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint  (May 2011) Full size: $38

Bronzed is on the left...look at how ORANGE that is! Glow was not much better

According to Birchbox:

The oil-free formula feels positively weightless on but gives you plenty of even coverage. Skin looks soft and dewy and, thanks to SPF 20, you’ll be extra protected from the sun.

My Take:

Okay, I’m going to preface this with, I do not wear foundation or moisturizer on a daily basis. Frankly it is really rare for me to wear it simply because I don’t like the feel of another layer of makeup on my face. I’ll wear it for a fancy occasion where I need to look picture perfect, but day-to-day I don’t. I put this on and felt cakey.  My skin already is oily, so I get that “dewy” look rather quickly. I got the shades bronzed and glow, which on the website glow would seem to be my color, but it was FAR from it. (think Snooki). I touch/ rub my face often and just found this foundation to come off quickly.It's great that it has SPF, it states that it is hypoallergenic and water resistant (o.0). What turned me off the most is the color selection...um Birchbox? did you not pay attention that I said that I am fair skinned?

How much is in a full size? 

1.7 oz for 38 bucks.

Did my Birchbox get me to want this product?

I’d have to say no. Maybe if I had gotten my actual shade I would have enjoyed the product a little more. But since both “shades” have orange in them, I’d be concerned how the other colors look. Online they don’t look like the actual sample colors. When I look at the Birchbox site, they have a more neutral tone, but my samples were much much too orange.  

xoxo, 

Ema