The Musings of a Working Mom

This month's beauty subscriptions are in and now it's time to compare these 2 subscriptions for the month of February - Birchbox vs. Ipsy!! Both beauty subscriptions had the same theme of "Red Carpet Ready" but which box was better? Now I like that Ipsy's bag was much more "cohesive" in the sense that all the products could be used to create a sultry, smokey eye which is definitely red carpet appropriate.  Whereas Birchbox really didn't have that "cohesive" quality other than the fact that their products can be used to help create a "HD-ready" look.  I also like that Ipsy has a cute cosmetic/makeup bag each month - even though I won't need them all, it adds to the value of your monthly subscription. The value of each box is a guesstimate but the approximate value of Feb 2013 Birchbox is ~$18.34 while the Feb 2013 Ipsy bag is ~$63.36. The winner is:  -For value: Ipsy  -For content: Ipsy Overall winner:  IPSY Fe...

The theme for the February Birchbox is "Red Carpet Ready" - which is perfect considering there seems to be an awards show just about every other weekend!  The team at Birchbox has gathered their favorite beauty products to help you get "red carpet ready" - This month's BB features: 1.   Color Club:  Nail Polish in Wild Cactus (full size, $8) - Shoo away winter blues with this on-trend emerald polish. 2.   Lancome:  Le Base Pro Makeup Primer (full size, $42) - Get an HD-ready complexion with this oil-free primer, which masks flaws and extends the life of your foundation. 3.   Miss Jessie's Original: Pillow Soft (full size, $22) - New from our favorite curl-conscious brand, this lotion leaves hair frizz-free and feather-light. 4.   Vasanti:  Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator (full size, $34) - This exfoliating cleanser uses professional-grade (read: effective) microderm crystals and papaya enzymes to brighten skin. Birchbox Treat 5...

Well my January Birchbox has finally arrived....and the theme: 2013 - the "Best Year Ever".  I like this month's theme that Birchbox has proposed for this year and the overall theme for this month's box is refocus on some of the little things that may have been pushed to the bottom of your "to-do" list last year.  I've been dying to try the Embryolisse cream - this has been on my "try" list for the past year so I'm excited about this one.  And I love the Juicy Couture fragrance - I just purchased a Juicy trio no too long ago.  I love this fragrance! This months items are: 1.   amika: Color pHerfection Shampoo (full size, $22) - This gentle shampoo contains fortifying omega acids and healing sea buckthorn berry oil to keep your hair color bright and shiny. 2.   Embryolisse: Lait-Creme Concentre - 24-Hour Miracle Cream (full size, $16) - A favorite of models and makeup artists, this cult French moisturizer heals dryness and leaves sk...

We are at the end of the year with 2012 almost behind us and 2013 right around the corner.  'Tis the season for gifting...and receiving.  This month's Birchbox theme is all about looking and feeling your best this holiday season.  Even the usually plain brown box that contains all of the awesome samples is dressed up and looking fancy for this month. Here are the samples included in this month's Birchbox: 1.   Cartier:  Baiser Vole de Parfume (full size, $100) - Make room on your vanity for this award-winning scent, a single-note composition of pure lily. 2.   Frownies:  Eye Gels (full size, $29.95) - Fight puffy dark circles with these innovative undereye patches, which are soaked with cactus-derived collagen and toning niacin. 3.   Number 4:  Clarifying Shampoo (full size, $32) - Gentle enough for everyday use, this unique cleanser has a low-suds formula that removes build-up without stripping hair of essential oils. 4.  ...

November is the month for giving...after all Thanksgiving falls at the end of this month.  That is the theme for this month's Birchbox - giving thanks, giving back, and of course giving treats.  Included in this month's box is also a holiday gift guide to help you find the perfect gift for those special people in your life.   Have you subscribed yet? This month's Birchbox contains: 1.   Curly Hair Solutions: Curl Keeper (Full size, $10) - Comb this light, water-based serum through wet hair to keep your curls shiny, defined, and frizz-free. 2.   Jouer: Fragrance Cornucopia (Full size, $42) - Make room for your new purse staple: This portable scent features a heady trio of gardenia, jasmine, and honeysuckle. 3.   ModelCo: FIBRE LASHXTEND Lengthening Mascara (Full size, $24) - Falsies without the fuss.  This innovative mascara uses tiny lash-extending fibers to give you a lengthy fringe. Tip: Rotate the wand inside the bottle to pick up the f...

This month's theme is "GOOP".  The Birchbox team partnered with the team at goop.com to give their subscribers the "inside scoop on all things wonderful" ranging from recipes to city guides to a "collection of must-try essentials" (i.e. this months box samples). This month's Birchbox includes: 1.   amika:  Obliphica Nourishing Mask (Full-size, $12-$40) - Packed with omega acids and vitamin C, this lush conditioning mask boosts shine and even helps repair split ends. 2.   Chantecaille: Faux Cils Mascara (Full-size, $42) - Meet your new wand love - this water-resistant mascara delivers exceptional volume, length, and curl. 3.   DDF: Wrinkle Resist Plus Pore Minimizer (Full-size, $85) - This high-tech moisturizing serum fills in pores and wrinkles for instantly smoother skin, while peptides and vitamins provides long-term anti-aging benefits. 4.   EVE LOM: Cleanser and Muslin Cloth (Full-size, $22-$55) - The balm-like cleanser gently pur...

September is here which means that summer is over, school's back in session, football is back and so is the "starting line for the season's fashion bonanza".  The theme for this month's Birchbox is centered around fall fashion and beauty.  Included in this month's Birchbox are: 1.   Benefit Cosmetics: Foamingly Clean Facial Wash + Refined Finish Facial Polish (Full size, $21-22) - Purify your skin with this glycerin-packed cleanser and natural clay exfoliator. 2.   Color Club:  Bircbox Custom Polish (Full size, $8) - We teamed up with Color Club to create this custom shade, inspired by the Fall 2012 collections.  The shade color is 'Status Update'.   3.   Nexxus:  Pro-Mend Split End Treatment System (Full size, $9.99-$14.99) - Infused with coconut oil and amino acids, this shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in treatment work together to fix unsightly split ends. 4.   Twistband:  Birchbox Custom Lace Hair Tie (Set of ...

My August  Birchbox delivery took a little longer than usual but I finally got mine last Friday...but much to my disappointment, a couple of my items were missing;(  I did e-mail Birchbox about this issue on Saturday and am waiting to hear back from them.  In any case...the theme for this month's box was "Beauty School" and instead of including the usual index card with item descriptions, this month they had fold-out "Beauty 101" tip cards with tips for the "beauty student" in each of us. The products included in this month's Birchbox are: 1.   DDF - Brightening Cleanser : This foaming gel uses an all-star team of skin brighteners to fade discoloration and even out skin tone.  (Full-size, $38) 2.  Juicy Couture - Viva La Juicy La Fleur:  This modern scent is a feminine blend of wild berries, mandarin, and waterlily.  (Full-size, $70) 3.   ShowStoppers - Designer Fashion Tape :  These double-sided tape strips will ensure th...

This month's Birchbox features a collaboration with Glamour magazine that "goes beyond the visual and engages all your senses".  Included in this month's Birchbox : 1.  Alterna: Bamboo UV+ Color Protection Fade-Proof Fluide - This finishing gloss prevents UV rays from fading color while organic bamboo extracts keep hair strong and soft. (Full-size, $24) 2.  Eyeko: Skinny Liquid Eyeliner - Direct from London, these punchy color liners feature a pen-style applicator that's truly goofproof.  (Full-size, $15) 3.  Harvey Prince: Hello - Get a glass half full disposition with this optimistic blend of juicy Meyer lemon, white grapefruit, and pink plumeria.  (Full-size, $26 - $55) 4.  Supergoop!: City Suncreen Serum - Wear this award-winning brand's SPF 30 serum under your makeup for a weightless UV shield. (Full-size, $20 - $42) Lifestyle Extras 5.  Tea Forte: minteas - Keep these refreshing, tea-infused mints on hand for quick pick-me-...

It's already here - my Birchbox !  This month's theme is "Jet Setting".  With the school calendar ending and graduations commencing, it's time to plan and pack for that summer trip(s).  So the Birchbox team has come up with some great luxurious products that they have found through their travels that can last through a long flight or car trip. The products included in this month's Birchbox: Apothederm: Stretch Mark Cream (full size $89.95) - Gear up for summer with this peptide-packed lotion: it fades stretch marks within weeks. Now that's an excuse to buy a new swimsuit. CleanWell: Individual Hand Santizing Wipes (full size $3.98-5.98) - No Sink? No problem. These germ-busting cloths are made with natural thyme oil to clean and soften your hands. Scalisi Skincare: Anti-Aging Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 (full size $110) - A team of biochemists spent years developing this moisturizer, which uses four different peptides to trigger collag...

I get so excited when I get that e-mail notification from Birchbox telling me that my Birchbox has shipped and then I wait quite impatiently for it to arrive in the mail but when I get that box, man do I get excited to rip it open and see what's waiting inside for me.  This month's theme is based around the season finale of CW series "Gossip Girl".  The Birchbox Team wanted to create a box filled with items used to get you to look like a million bucks for the "highlight of the social season: a black tie ball"! This month's box includes: 1.  Dior: Diorshow Extase (full size $28.50) - This dramatic mascara adds tons of volume and length. Plus, its unique ceramide complex helps fortify your lashes. 2.  Dior: Miss Dior Eau de Parfum (full size $62 - $102) - Chic and feminine, this longtime favorite is a gorgeous bouquet of floral notes deepened by a touch of patchouli. 3.  Miracle Skin Transformer Body SPF 20 in Glow (f...

This month's Birchbox is here...and the theme this month is inspired by nature - with "delicious ingredients and healthy formulations".  I think this month's box has arrived at just the right time as I am in the process of purging out the bad and unhealthy and bringing in the clean, eco-friendly, healthy, natural, just-plain-good-for-you products to use not only on my body but to feed my body as well.  The samples included in this month's Birchbox  This month's samples include: 1.  Atelier Cologne: Orange Sanguine Cologne Absolue (full size $55 - $150) - It doesn't get cheerier than this juicy scent, a pure blend of blood orange, jasmine, and sandalwood. 2.  Befine: Skincare Sampler (full size $24 each) - Revive dull skin with this gentle cleanser and moisturizer duo.  Both use rice extracts to restore skin's natural barrier. 3.  Olle Biologique: 004 Huile Moderne (full size $56) - This lightweight blend of five organic essential oils - i...

It's so exciting to pick up your mail and find that pink box waiting for you!  It's here - my March Birchbox .  This month's theme is different - the Birchbox team partnered with Teen Vogue and created a sampling of items that they felt will "help you get ready for all your spring formals and special events".  The items included in this month's special box are: Essie - Luxeffects : Layer this glittery top coat into polish for an eye-catching look. Kate Spade New York - Twirl :  You'll adore this flirty scent, which is a modern update on a timeless fruity floral. Kerastase - Elixir Ultime :  Add this nourishing oil to your hair regimen to hydrate, smooth, and sleekify your strands. Tarte - LipSurgence lip tint :  This long-lasting stain adds rich pigment and is designed to boost the moisture levels in your lips. Twistband - Hair Tie :  Give your ponytail a makeover with these colorful, snag-free elastics. ModCloth Exclusive Off...

Yay - I finally got my February Birchbox and was excited to open the box and see what goodies were waiting for me.  I have to say that my box was just OK, I wasn't totally thrilled with what I got but I was really excited with one of the items that was included this month.  The theme of this month's box was "Spotlight" - the Birchbox Team selected samples that were "designed to highlight your awesomeness - and maybe attract a little attention".   The 4 samples included in this month's box were: 1.  Beautyblender - the Original Beauty Blender ; This hot pink sponge is a pro favorite that helps your foundation look airbrushed, no Photoshop required.  -I'm very excited to try out the Beautyblender; I've heard amazing things about this tool - how it makes applying your foundation so easy and effortless, as well as making your skin look perfectly flawless and airbrushed.  I'll let you know how I like using this ...