• Caudalie Divine Oil – This dry oil hydrates parched skin and disappears in seconds without any residual stickiness or oiliness. I’ve been using it on my cuticles, but I could see it working well for any overly dry areas. The scent is truly divine, with  notes of Moroccan and Bulgarian rose, grapefruit, vanilla, and subtle floral undertones, you could definitely use it in place of your regular scent.

• Nexxus Youth Renewal – This product is supposed to combat signs of aging hair: volume loss, breakage, less shine, roughness, dryness, brittleness, unruliness and loss of color vibrancy. Now, I might have a few grays here and there (Thank you, Joseph and Shawn!) but I must say that my hair is in great condition already and not in any need of rejuvenating.
• StriVectin-SD Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles – This product claims it reduces the appearance of wrinkles, diminishes dark under-eye circles, and keeps puffiness in check. Again, I’m not a dewy teenager anymore, but I’m not yet battling crows feet. Maybe some sleep-deprived circles. . . This is one of those products that needs two to eight weeks to show results. I’ll continue to use it to see if there is any difference and will let you know how it goes.
• Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics – This balm is supposed to help diminish shine and add longevity to your make up. The long-lasting, dense formula soaks up excess surface oil and imparts a flattering, soft-focus finish. I’m not really too worried about shine right now, but I’m thinking this might come in handy as the temps rise.
• Bonus Beauty Freebie: Weleda Body Lotion – I love this stuff! I’ve used this Swiss brand’s lotions before – they also make great baby products!- and this new collection of nourishing body lotions adds to their amazing line-up. Made with all-natural fruit extracts, the lightweight formula is loaded with rejuvenating ingredients that boost elasticity and protect skin against environmental aggressors. All of the scents were light and simple. They should sell this stuff in 55 gallon drums.

Anyone interested in signing up for a Birchbox? Please click here so I get points for the referral. Thanks a bunch!

• Caldera Body Lotion – I found this lotion to be moisturizing but not greasy and soaked into my skin quickly. I received three different scents, Tea Olive Lime, Aloe Water Apricot, and Coconut Fig. All three were very subtle, soft scents, not at all overpowering or overly sweet/floral.
• Marcelle BB Cream Golden Glow – I felt like this was a bit too thick and didn’t spread easily, although the color matched my skin very well. I added a little of my moisturizer to thin it a bit and it went on great. However, I already have some of Smashbox’s BB cream that I prefer.
• Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream – Smelling overwhelmingly of blueberries, I wasn’t very impressed with this shave cream. Pretty average, I felt. Meh.
• Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Shampoo – This stuff scares me. I have really thick dark brown – almost black – hair that can get oily fairly quickly. I’m afraid that is would either make it feel gluey or that I dumped baby powder on my head. I’m still working up the nerve to try it. (Yes, I’m a chicken.)
• Bonus Freebie: Madewell for Birchbox Nail Emery Board – This month Birchbox teamed up with Madewell and included these cute emery boards -plus $25 off any order of $75 or more!

Anyone interested in signing up for a Birchbox? Please click here so I get points for the referral. Thanks a bunch!

This month’s theme is inspired by the season’s awards shows and being red carpet ready. While, I won’t be walking the line anytime soon, I will be celebrating my birthday shortly, so I’m hoping these products can get me ready for my tiny spotlight.

• Color Club Fiesta Collection – I’ve received this nail polish in past boxes and I’m happy to say that this one is just as great. I love how this brand won’t bubble or peel off and its also free of formaldehyde and other chemical nasties, so I don’t have to worry about it around the little guy. This time I received Mamba –  a great red color that isn’t too much for daytime but will still dress up nicely for a night out. 
• Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle – This leave-in hair mist conditions, protects from UV damage, as well as detangles like a pro. Something I really need with all this dry winter air.  It really smoothed and moisturized my hair while still allowing it to curl. A bonus was that it helped to de-frizz a bit as well. It reminded me a bit of Johnson & Johnson’s No More Tangles, but for grown ups!
• Juicy Couture Couture La La – The latest scent from Juicy and I swear they all smell the same to me: Fruity & Floral. Totally not my bag. Please, Birchbox, no more from this brand!
• WEI Pomegranate Buffing Beads – An interesting take on a scrub, this product comes as a dry scrub that  you mix with your regular cleanser. Made of finely ground pomegranate peel, micro beads, and other natural ingredients, I like how you can use your normal cleanser as well as how easy it would be to travel – one less tube to get through TSA. It was a bit like doing a science experiment, and I did have a near-catastrophe of spilling the powder when opening the packet, but that’s just my klutziness coming into play.
• WEI Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask – I’m normally not a fan of mud masks, I feel like they dry out my skin too much and leave my skin feeling tight and itchy. This one, however, was much more mild. It made my skin feel smooth and firm, but not parched. Made of soft China clay and infused with golden root, it was very smooth and silky to apply.
• Bonus Freebie: Ghirardelli Milk & Caramel SQUARES – Dreamy milk chocolate and silky caramel from the geniuses at Ghiradelli? SOLD!

Anyone interested in signing up for a Birchbox? Please click here so I get points for the referral. Thanks a bunch!

BTW: This month I’ve joined the Birchbloggers link party, please check out other blogger’s reviews for this month at The Nerdy Katie and Fabulous But Evil.

**Product Photo via Birchbox**

Team Colley doesn’t really get too fancy for St. Valentine’s Day. Shawn and I have always had the tradition of getting takeout sushi and I’ll make cupcakes or cookies for dessert so we can spend the evening relaxing at home. No need to get gussied up or make reservations, it’s a jeans and a tee on the couch kind of thing.  This year won’t be any different, except that I’ll have a little helper in the kitchen to make some “love cakes” this year. Wishing you and yours a Happy St. Valentine’s Day.

This month’s box was about new beginnings and products that you can use all year long.

• Number 4 Clarifying Shampoo – This clarifying shampoo has black currant and soy to restore vibrancy, acai berry and vitamin C to deliver youth-boosting antioxidants and Oolong tea and Irish moss to defend against environmental damage, as well as lemongrass and oatmeal gently cleanse and purify. Its vegan friendly and free from sulfate/sodium chloride and parabens. It had a nice clean, nice sudsy feeling, without stripping my hair and the scent was woodsy/mossy.
• theBalm® cosmetics Hot Mama Shadow & Blush All-in-One -love this company’s products and have other blushes in past from them. Color is peach, not really a good color for me now, but maybe in summer?
• Harvey Prince Skinny Chic-The fresh and fruity blend of apple, mint, and grapefruit is specially formulated to keep you energized—and curb cravings to boot. Interesting, but not really sure that it worked for me. Wears off fast, however it is supposed to be re-applied whenever you “need a lift.” I think that it  may be better as a room scent, but that’s just me.
• Lashem Measurable Difference Lash Gel Serum– I didn’t use this product. It’s not for me, since I already have thick lashes. Plus, this kind of scares me a bit.
• Bonus Freebie: fresh Lot Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream – This moisturizer is made with a proprietary blend of seven actives to prevent and treat all the signs of skin aging while keeping skin moisturized day and night. I absolutely love fresh products, their lip balm is to die for, and this one is lives up to the rest. It is rich and creamy, but not greasy. Plus, it has a great, light scent. I thought that it was a bit too heavy for daytime, but it would work perfectly as a nighttime moisturizer. Something I often need during these winter months.

Anyone interested in signing up for a Birchbox? Makes a great gift for the holidays! Please click here so I get points for the referral. Thanks a bunch!

This months box has a festive theme of gifts and their wrapping.

•  Juicy Couture fragrance – Please, Birchbox, no more floral/sweet fragrances. It’s really not my thing.
• amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask – This lush mask works as a weekly treatment or an everyday deep conditioner. Full of goodies like sea buckthorn berries, natural vitamins and omega acids, and Vitamin C. It definitely added brightness and shine to my hair. I don’t think I’d use it daily, but it was definitely a nice treat after some heavy holiday styling.
• ModelCo SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss -This non-sticky gloss goes on smoothly and gives lips a soft punch of sheer, slightly shimmery color plus the tube has a built-in mirror so you can reapply on the go. Super bonus was that it was a full-sized product!
• Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream – Sometimes the sequel is better than the original. Just when BB creams were hailed as the ultimate makeup multitaskers, along came CC creams. It offers more targeted anti-aging benefits than its BB counterparts, all while delivering a buildable layer of coverage. The creamy formula has a light, fruity scent and is designed to moisturize, prime, protect, and conceal imperfections all at once. I really loved this product! I think that it is a great improvement to the BBs I’ve tried. It goes on much more evenly and feels light as silk. Definitely will add this to my purchase list!
• Bonus Freebie: Emily’s Chocolates Chocolate Covered Fortune Cookies – yum! Cute little fortune cookie dipped in dark chocolate with a holiday themed fortune. Here’s mine: “Let the cheer and warmth of the season have a positive effect on you.” Definitely hit it on the head.

Anyone interested in signing up for a Birchbox? Makes a great gift for the holidays! Please click here so I get points for the referral. Thanks a bunch!

Yes, it is December and I’m posting about November’s box. I blame being out of town for half the month and the holidays.

This month’s Last month’s box had a theme of ‘Give’ -products from brands that give back and essentials that we are thankful for- very apropos, don’t you think?

• Masqueology – This was a three part sample from the brand, it included and eye mask, moisture cream, and facial cleanser. The moisturizer and cleanser were nice, but fairly run of the mill. The eye mask, however, was a different story. Made out of synthetic mesh, these under eye pads are soaked with a gel full ingredients to increase skin elasticity and sooth inflammation. I liked how the mesh kept the cooling gel in place. No slipping off or running. Pretty cool. They seems to work well, I’d definitely use them again after a big night out (or more likely after being up all night with the little one.
• Kiehl’s Creme De Corps – I’ve used Kiehl’s indulgent body moisturizer before and was excited to receive a sample that I can use for travel. This stuff is amazing!
• stila all over shimmer liquid luminizer – Um, I am not really the most make-up savvy. Luminizer is one that I have not yet attempted. I am afraid of looking “sparkly” -something I would prefer to leave to tween girls and exotic dancers. This, however, left a VERY subtle sheen. I would maybe use this more in the summer or for a fancy event. It doesn’t really work into my everyday routine.
•  MCMC Fragrance Phoenix Eau de Parfum -Described as having notes of  vanilla, honeysuckle, and peach. Too sweet! Ick.

Anyone interested in signing up for a Birchbox? Makes a great gift for the holidays! Please click here so I get points for the referral. Thanks a bunch!

It might be because I am too busy baby wrangling, but I am wanting to just get back to basics. I am craving comfy sweatshirts, jeans, and tennis shoes, but don’t want to look frumpy or sloppy. Here’s my take on what might just become my uniform for fall. Shopping details here.

Yes, I am reviewing my current box in the month that it came!

This month, Birchbox teamed up with the people at Goop to put together a collection of must-try essentials. For those that haven’t heard of the site, it is a lifestyle blog that  was created by Gwyneth Paltrow. It offers exclusive collaborations, delicious recipes, personal travel notes, shopping ideas, wellness tips and much more.

• Jouer Lip Enhancer – This lip treatment is a great combination of a moisturizing balm and a satiny gloss. It has a faint hint of pink color that flattering to most skin tones. It is supposed to minimize the appearance of fine lines and boosts your lips naturally without that annoying tingly sensation found in so many other plumpers.
• Kiehl’s Rosa Arctica Eye Cream – I love Kiehl’s products but I have never tried their eye cream before. It has an immediately refreshing, toning effect on the under eye area and keeps skin hydrated without any heaviness. I’d definitely purchase this in the future.
• Supergoop!® City Sunscreen Serum – Both a moisturizer and a broad-spectrum SPF 30, it fights the signs of premature aging. Built for year-round use, it’s great light enough for layering under foundation but the mattifying formula can also stand alone on the days you’re not wearing makeup. Good stuff.
• Illume Monogram Candle – This was a small, travel size version. Each is made from 100 percent natural blend of soy and beeswax and infused with a woodsy fragrance of red cedar and vetiver. Smells great and isn’t sweet or fruity like most candles.
• Bonus Freebie LUNA Bar – These bars a great! I received the LemonZest one and it was delicious. You can purchase them at most grocery stores, so I doubt that I would order them directly.

Anyone interested in signing up for a Birchbox? Please click here so I get points for the referral. Thanks a bunch!