• RUFFIAN Nail Lacquer – The NYC-based fashion label RUFFIAN to launch their first nail lacquer collection and they hit it out of the park. I received “Fox Hunt”- a gorgeous metallic orange – that looks like it would be fabulous for fall. I can see it really popping against navy, brown, and gray in your wardrobe. I’ll be bringing it in for my next mani/pedi.
• Davines This Is a Sea Salt Spray – The sea salt formula adds texture and body to locks while leaving a matte finish. It smells divine – exactly like a day at the beach- in addition to keeping hair healthy and hydrated throughout the day.  I really like that this spray is paraben-free and has no added colorings.
• Airelle™ BERRIMATRIX™Intense Repair Complex with Copper & Vitamin E – This serum’s formula is packed with naturally derived antioxidants and botanicals that restore dry, rough skin and keep it protected from environmental aggressors.
• Racinne Ultimate Youth Power Eye Serum – This serum contains a powerful cocktail of ingredients to help rouse tired skin, minimize the appearance of dark circles and fine lines, and firm contours.
• BCBGMAXAZRIA Bon Genre – This floral scent is much better than the last ones I received. Feminine and floral, but not girly or hyper sweet. With opening notes of lychee and red berries, this scent is feminine also has middle notes of tiger lily and jasmine noir and ends with a swirl of Australian sandalwood and golden amber, giving it a sexy, smokey finish.

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• Whish Coconut Milk Correcting Gel – This anti-aging gel targets wrinkles, uneveness, dryness, and sun damage. It has a light coconut scent going on and feels vaguely sticky at first, but absorbs into your skin quickly, with no scent or residue.
• ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick – I really liked this lipstick! Its hydrating but not goopy and the semi-matte color goes on smoothly and stays. I received “Kitty” a perfect pinky nude that is similar to my natural lip color. I would use this during the day to give myself a bit more polish, but I could also layer it to give more color for a more finished look.
• Whish Hair Inhibiting Deodorant Swipes – These small wipes are soaked with all natural ingredients to help you banish B.O. and slow down hair growth. I only received one wipe, so I can’t really say how the hair thing does, but as a deodorant, it did well for a day of chasing a toddler and running errands. I think that it would be a great product to bring to gym or keep in your purse or desk for an emergency refresher.
• Violet Oasis 100% Organic Argan Oil – 100% pure, organic, and cold-pressed argan oil is supposed to be the latest wonder product: soothing dry skin, softening fine lines, and adding shine to your lovely locks. I used my sample as a body moisturizer and it definitely left my skin silky soft for the entire day.
• Miss Jessie’s Original Super Sweetback Treatment – Okay, I couldn’t even get past tearing open the packet to try this stuff, the smell was AWFUL. And by awful, I mean overwhelming like syrupy, making your eye teeth quiver, sweet. There is no way I could possibly handle putting this stuff on my head and letting it sit for 30 minutes! Miss Jessie, please fire your scentologist.
• Miss Jessie’s Original Rapid Recovery Treatment – good lord, I really don’t like this brand. See above.

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• Benefit Girl Meets Pearl – Benefit knows how to do liquid highlighters well and this one is no exception. This goes on very sheer and gives your skin a soft, subtle glow. I think it would be great to use for evenings out or even during the day when you want to look “presentable” without wanting to bother with a ton of make-up.
• BENTA BERRY G-1 Moisturizing Face Cream – This French import is labeled as a unisex moisturizer, meaning that it goes on matte (most guys don’t want any shiny faces -but most gals don’t either) and has a fairly gender neutral scent. The creamy formula goes on smoothly and it feels very light and non-greasy. I do wish that it had some SPF in it as well, maybe the French don’t care about UV rays and sun damage?
• Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect – I rarely use anything more that a comb to style my hair in the summer, but come fall I’m sure to haul out the hairdryer and straightener again. Give me a few weeks at it and my hair will be calling for some of this leave-in conditioner. The spray is supposed to protect from heat damage as well as providing a UV shield and color protection. I think I’ll stick this in the drawer to pull out when my hair needs some TLC.
• 100% Pure Nourishing Body Cream – This all natural body lotion is packed full of nourishing cocoa and avocado butters as well as softening fruit oils, making it super hydrating but without that greasy, oily feel you get from some moisturizers. I really liked how this went on and lasted all day. My only complaint was that the coconut scent I received smelled more like coconut macaroons – a little too sweet for me- and it was REALLY strong smelling -lasting all day. It actually made me hungry! Something I don’t really look for in a body lotion.
• Bonus Freebie: Birchbox Bobby Pins – I really like how these are made out of snag-free enamel and a have a slight upward bend at the tip -instead of the bumpiness of regular pins – it really helps them slide easily over strands and stay put. The cute geometric print makes the a bit of a fashion statement on top of a soldier in my war against unruly hair.

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• Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser – This all natural cleanser exfoliates using nonabrasive sugar and the lemony scent is divine. Definitely not something to use everyday, but it was really refreshing after a long, hot day at the pool. It helped get all the sunscreen and gunk off and left me feeling squeaky clean.
• Color Club® Wanderlust Collection – I’ve received several different colors of this nail polish in past boxes, but this bright, fiery coral  named “Reign in Spain” might be my favorite. Perfect for summer.
• DevaCurl 3-Step System – This set included a creamy ;anther-free cleanser, a hydrating conditioner, and a lightweight curl defining gel. It left me with some nice curl that lasted all evening and didn’t frizz up at all. Not a daily thing for me, but would use it again for a night out.
• Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner – This sample was missing from my box! I emailed Birchbox’s customer service and they were very apologetic and quick to send out the missing sample to me. I am awaiting its arrival and will report back once I get to test it out. UPDATE: I received the sample shortly after posting and I must say that it was worth the wait! The brush was easy to use, the color was saturated, and it lasted all evening!
• Bonus Freebie:  Tweezerman Filemate – This bonus sample came packaged as a little matchbox filled with teensy travel-sized file emery board. So cute! They worked great and were thick enough so they didn’t bend or crumple when in use, like many travel ones do.

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Packing up the family and heading to our beloved Hilton Head, SC. I wish that we could just throw all this into a tote and go, but it’s more like packing up a small army. Maybe we should call it a family beach invasion instead.

• Cargo Water Resistant Blush – I’ve used Cargo products in the past and I think they’re fantastic. The blush colors are flattering and go on effortlessly, so when I received this sample of their new water resistant blush, I was excited to see how it held up. This long-lasting formula is sweat-, heat-, and tear-proof. Plus, it’s packed with subtle light-diffusing minerals that give skin an effortless glow. I think that it will be a great addition to my summer make up routine.
• COOLA Classic SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturizer for Face – I like that the eco-friendly formula is made with 70 percent certified organic ingredients and it protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It has a refreshing cucumber scent  instead of your normal “sunblock” smell and it’s ultra lightweight formula isn’t greasy or filmy. Sold!
• Marvis Toothpaste –  Only the Italians can make brushing your teeth stylish. I received the invigorating peppermint flavor -there are many to choose from – and it leaves your mouth clean and refreshed without feeling like your teeth were sandblasted.
• Miss Jessie’s Original Jelly Soft Curls – I received a similar product in a previous box. Still smells like fabric softener. The smell is so strong and off putting that I tossed the sample. Too bad, because I’ve heard it works great.
• Bonus Freebie: Pilot Corporation of America Acroball PureWhite – My love for writing utensils knows no bounds, so when I saw this adorable pink and white gel pen, I probably got a bit more excited than a normal person should. It has bright neon pink ink!!  It writes like a dream, too. It will totally make my obsessive to-do list writing even more fun!

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Since I’ve re kindled my relationship with the gym, I’ve found that I’m in desperate need of a decent gym bag. I’ve been making do with my NorthFace backpack from college. Jamming my clothes, shoes, toiletries, and Josephs’s diaper stuff in there has it bursting at its zippers and me looking like I’m either ready to hike the Appalachian Trail or studying for finals.

I’ve been looking around for a new bag and here are my requirements: plenty of room for my stuff, some organizational pockets so my keys and earbuds don’t get lost, easy to carry while having my arms full of toddler, bottom mention being stylish enough that I don’t look like a bag lady. Maybe one of the above will fit the bill.