FabFitFun Summer 2018 Unboxing & Review

*Affiliate links used/Purchased

Hey beauties! I'm back with another FabFitFun unboxing. After receiving my first box last season, I decided to stick with FabFitFun a little bit longer and see how things went! Turns out (spoiler alert) this season's box may just be the best one yet. If you'd like to learn more about everything I was sent this summer, keep on reading.

Elevate Your Wardrobe with Your Bijoux Box

*PR Samples/Affiliate links used

As a self-proclaimed girly girl and lover of sparkly things, I've always had an appreciation for jewelry. From dainty necklaces to chunky bracelets, I'm a fan of unique and pretty pieces that can accent my wardrobe. Maybe it's my Mom's fault (who frequently nagged me to at least put on a pair of earrings before I left the house) but I've come to believe that an outfit really doesn't feel complete without accessories. Even if it's just a pair of simple studs or a watch, that little extra touch can really elevate your whole look.

It's been a long time since I've received any kind of jewelry subscription service, so when Your Bijoux Box reached out to me to collaborate, I was totally down. Every month Your Bijoux Box curates a collection of three unique and stylish pieces to send to your doorstep, along side a fun little bonus gift. So if you're curious to learn a little bit more about this service and what subscribers were sent in the April box, keep on reading!

A First Run With FabFitFun

*Affiliate links

If you're a regular in the YouTube beauty community, you're probably no stranger to FabFitFun unboxings. Over the past couple of years I've religiously watched them on my favorite channels, because your girl is nosey and I'm always curious to see what people are receiving. FabFitFun is a seasonal subscription box that contains beauty, lifestyle, fashion, fitness and wellness items. Each box costs $50, however you're guaranteed to receive over $200 worth of product.

While it's always sounded like a great value,  I've been subscribed to so many other boxes throughout the years that it never felt like the right time for FabFitFun. Obviously no one ever needs a subscription box. They're all about the anticipation and the surprise, and giving yourself something fun to look forward to. Now, I'm all about that #treatyoself mentality, but I still have a budget and try to make my purchases within reason. So I just went on my merry way, with the knowledge that maybe someday I'd give FabFitFun a try.

And then the Spring 2018 box happened.

There were quite a few things inside that piqued my interest, and for the first time I felt like I had serious FabFitFun FOMO. So I went ahead and pushed that subscribe button, purchased the box, and am finally here to let you guys know whether or not FabFitFun is actually deserving of the hype.

Subscription Showdown: February 2017

Hello friends! I hope you're having a wonderful weekend. It's been feeling particularly spring-like in these parts and I'm loving every single second of it. There's definitely a part of me that's a little perturbed by the fact that it was 70 degrees in Connecticut before the end of February, but as someone who hates cold weather I really can't complain. Anywho, back to the reason you're here! It's time yet again to unbox some beauty goodies and see which of my $10 monthly subscriptions brought their A-game.

For those of you that are new to these parts, I'm a huge fan of monthly subscription boxes and have tried quite a few different ones over the years (you can see which ones here). At the current moment the only two beauty subscriptions I'm receiving are Ipsy and Sephora Play, both of which are $10 a month and contain 5 deluxe sized beauty samples. While these two subs seem pretty identical on paper, they do each have their own unique flair. And that's why I created this series! Not only am I personally nosy and love seeing what other people are getting in their bags, but I also want to give you some perspective on the kinds of products you can expect to receive from each of these subs so you can figure out which one might be best for you!

Subscription Showdown | January 2017

Oooh snap, it's FINALLY time for a throwdown! Both of my monthly beauty subscriptions came while I was in LA for Generation Beauty, but I'm home and ready to unbox (unbag?) them both for you all. If you're new around these parts, Subscription Showdown is a series I film over on my YouTube channel where I compare my Ipsy Glambag and Sephora Play box. Both subscriptions only cost $10 a month and contain 5 deluxe-sized samples that are tailored to your unique beauty profile. Over the years I've discovered so many amazing products through both of these services, so its hard to pick an overall favorite. Instead, I just take things month by month to let you know which one is my personal victor. Curious to see which of these subs stole my heart this month? Just keep on reading!

Subscription Showdown | November 2016

Hey friends! It's time for another Subscription Showdown. For those of you not already familiar with this series on my YouTube channel, every month I sit down and unbox my Ipsy Glambag and Sephora Play box so I can show you how they stack up against one another. Each subscription is only $10 a month and contains 5 deluxe beauty samples, so I'm always curious to see whether one outshines the other. Want to see how these two beauty subs threw down this month? Keep on reading!

E.L.F. Vox Box Unboxing

Guys, I'm not going to lie. This week was pretty rough. From about 6:45 Monday morning onward I felt like I was fighting an uphill battle against the universe. When we get to today's video I explain a little bit more of what happened, but let's just say I felt like I was non-stop riding the strugglebus.

Fortunately, my week did have one seriously bright spot in it. My E.L.F. Vox Box arrived! For those of you who haven't seen my previous unboxing videos, Vox Boxes come from an online community called Influenster. Influenster works with different brands to help spread the word about their products and provides freebies to different influencers to test and review. Anyone can join, so don't worry if you aren't a blogger! All you need is to be willing to try cool stuff and share your opinions on social media and such. Over the past two years I've been part of some pretty amazing campaigns, and feel really lucky for all the opportunities they've given me.

This time around I've been sent a bunch of goodies from budget-friendly beauty brand E.L.F. Cosmetics. Prior to 2016 I don't think I had given E.L.F. enough attention. They have a massive line of insanely affordable makeup and skincare that I'm always hearing great things about. It's been on my to-do list to get more familiar with their products, so I welcomed this Vox Box with open arms!

Fall 2016 Stitch Fix Unboxing & Review

Guys, I am SO PUMPED my next fix has arrived! Fall fashion is hands down my favorite of the entire year. Cozy sweaters, plaid button-downs, scarves, boots - the obsession is real. Having learned from my first couple of fixes, I decided to be extra proactive this time around and create a Stitch Fix specific Pinterest board to share my favorite trends with my stylist. I can tell that she totally used some of the outfit pictures I posted for inspiration when she put together this fix for me, which meant that I ended up with some pieces I really loved!

Of course, I had to film an unboxing video to show you guys my first impressions of everything I got. And now that I've had a few days to think it over, I've finally made my decisions about what I'm purchasing and what I'm sending back. Curious to see what made the cut? Keep reading to find out!

Kat Von D Lock-It Vox Box Review

Friends, when you're a beauty junkie like myself, there's nothing quite like the promise of new makeup to lift your spirits. A few weeks back I was having one of those epically frustrating, overly-stressed work days that can send even the most chipper of individuals into an existential crisis. Every minute closer to 5:00 seems longer than the last, until the span of time between 3:00 and 3:07 feels like an hour. Suddenly, my phone makes a little ping. An e-mail! Even if its nothing interesting, it's still a welcome distraction from the time-torture inside my cubicle. So I reach over and check, half expecting my electric bill, only to find out that it's Influenster telling me I've qualified for a new campaign!

I'm pretty sure in that moment I took the phrase "doing a happy dance" literally and immediately jumped out of my chair to share the news with my equally beauty-obsessed coworker. This wasn't just any Vox Box. I was being sent 5 (five!!) products from Kat Von D's new Lock-It range to test and review. Truth be told, I've read way more about Kat's products than I've actually experienced them first hand. Many of her products are constantly being raved about by the beauty community at large (Lolita Liquid Lipstick, anyone?), but I'd yet to take the plunge and purchase something myself.

Fast forward to a month later and I've finally got my own thoughts to contribute to masses. Did Kat's products live up to the hype? Read more to find out!

Summer Stitch Fix Review

I don't know how things are in your neck of the woods, but in my neighborhood, it's seriously feeling like summer. Connecticut has the luxury of being ice cold in the winter, sweltering hot in the summer, and generally confused during the spring and fall. But really, I shouldn't be complaining, even if the thermostat is rising above 90. I'm a summer baby, and I'll take the heat and sunshine over frostbite inducing temperatures any day.

Now that it's officially time to bust out the warm weather clothing, I figured I was due for another round of Stitch Fix. For those of you who missed last season's post, Stitch Fix is a personal shopping and styling service. Every time you schedule a fix, your stylist will look through your profile (you can even link a Pinterest board for visuals) and pick out 5 clothing and accessory items he or she thinks you'll love! After your fix arrives you have 3 days to try everything on, see how things work with your wardrobe, and decide what you want to purchase. If there's anything you don't love, you just send it back to Stitch Fix in the prepaid mailing envelope they give you. And if you love everything, you'll get a 25% discount when you purchase your entire fix. There is a $20 styling fee to have a fix created for you, but that fee will be automatically applied toward anything you choose to purchase.

I personally like to schedule a fix every season, just to give my wardrobe a little refresh. However, you can schedule them as frequently as every couple of weeks, or as infrequently as an annual treat. You're never roped into any monthly fees, and you can also set price points for different types of clothing to help your stylist create a fix that fits within your budget. Basically, Stitch Fix is really what you make it out to be, which is one of the things I love about it. It's gotten me to be a little more adventurous with my wardrobe, and has helped me to find some pieces I love that I might never have thought to try on!

So, confession. I made a bit of a boo boo with this season's fix. Everything turned out fine in the end, and I learned some valuable lessons in the process, but yeah...let me tell you the story.

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence Review

*PR Product/Affiliate Links used

As much as I have a weakness for eyeshadow palettes and lipsticks, the one thing I never regret investing my money in is quality skincare. Makeup is fun and beautiful to look at, but nothing is more important to me than taking good care of the face it sits on top of. You can totally build a great regimen on a budget (check out this full skincare routine I've put together for under $100), but that's not to say that luxury products are never worth the splurge. For me it's all about getting bang for my buck. Do I want to drop an extra $40 or $50 for pretty packaging and a name? Not really. But if I'm investing in top-notch, effective ingredients that actually deliver as promised, I can get behind that. The tricky part is understanding what exactly you're paying for before you hit that checkout button. And that, my friends, is why I'm here. I want to help you #educateyoself so you can make informed decisions about the things you're spending your hard earned money on.

Recently I was sent two insanely splurgey products from Influenster to test and review - the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence and the SK-II Facial Treatment Mask. And when I say splurgey, we're talking triple-digit-burn-a-hole-in-your-wallet-splurgey. There are very few products I've tried that are more expensive than these, which left me all the more curious as to whether or not they actually work. Now, I haven't explored much of the Asian beauty scene, but I have heard many rumblings about how amazing this particular brand is. With innovative ingredients, SK-II products promise to transform your skin and deliver a youthful, radiant glow. Transform is a pretty powerful word, and an enticing one at that, but ultimately I need more than words to become a believer. So, in the name of science and informed consumerism, let's get into this!

Spring 2016 Stitch Fix | Try on & Review

Can anyone tell me why it looks like a winter wonderland outside? It's April, Mother Nature. Let's get with the program. Regardless of the state of the outdoors, I am insisting on channeling all things Spring. My Stitch Fix has arrived and I am ready to share my pretty new clothes even if it's too cold for me to actually leave the house wearing them.

For those of you who might be unfamiliar with Stitch Fix, it's a fashion-forward personal styling service. After you fill out a detailed profile outlining your sizes and style preferences, your Stitch Fix Stylist will pick out 5 clothing and accessory items to suit your tastes. When your box arrives you have three days to try everything on, see how things work with your existing wardrobe, and decide what you'd like to keep. Then you return whatever isn't your jam, and buy whatever you love. Want to keep it all? You'll get a 25% discount on your entire Fix if you decide to purchase all 5 items. Having your own personal shopper only costs $20, and this styling fee gets credited back to you as long as you keep at least one piece from your fix.

It's a pretty excellent concept, especially if you're one of those people who hates wandering aimlessly through the mall, or barely has time to eat breakfast in the morning, let alone go shopping for new clothes. I personally have been enjoying Stitch Fix as a way of introducing new and unique pieces to my wardrobe that I might not have thought to buy for myself otherwise. Which brings us back to today's post! I wanted to show you all what I got in my Spring Fix, and share my thoughts on the process and what I decided to keep.

March 2016 Birchbox

It's hard to believe another month is winding down, although I have to admit I'm pretty excited for April to get here. The plants in front of my condo are starting to sprout little leaves and buds and I seriously can't wait for everything to be lush and green and colorful again.

While this month's Birchbox didn't have anything particularly spring-y in it, it definitely came with a few solid beauty staples that I'm happy to add to my collection. Come check it out!

March Unboxing: Birchbox & Wantable Accessories

Happy Sunday, everyone! I'm feeling mighty groggy this morning thanks to the fact that my body and the clock are in disagreement over what time it should be. I know I shouldn't hate on Daylight Savings too much, seeing as that means it'll still be sunny outside well past dinner time. I just don't like the feeling of already being late because an hour of my schedule has just completely evaporated.

So much to do. SO LITTLE TIME.

Anyway, before I get into the hustle and bustle of another weekend day, I've got an unboxing video to share with you all! My Birchbox and my Wantable Accessories Collection both showed up in my mailbox yesterday, which naturally meant I needed to show you guys what was inside. It was a bit of a mixed bag this month, but I'll let yesterday-me do the rest of the explaining.

February 2016 Birchbox

Friends, it's a miracle. I'm actually going to post my February Birchbox review IN FEBRUARY! I know, don't let the shock get to you too much. This month's theme was "What's the occasion?", giving an indirect nod to Valentine's Day. I can't say that the products I got were truly geared toward a date night or special occasion, but they are certainly perfect for everyday. Come take a look!

Giant Unboxing Video

Today's post is all about an exercise in will power.

Somehow I've managed to put all of my beauty mail aside for almost an entire week so that we could unbox it together. Dedication, man. It's the mark of a true beauty blogger.

In today's unboxing post we're going to take a look at everything inside my February Birchbox, one of the latest Target Beauty Boxes, as well as my Wantable Accessories Collection. Hopefully my being patient will be worth your getting to see my absolute first reactions and impressions to everything I got!

January 2016 Birchbox

Hello there beautiful people! I am absolutely the worst when it comes to posting my subscription box reviews in an even remotely timely fashion. I do not know why I fail so hard, but I hope you all will still love me regardless. I have more faith in your being understanding than I do in my ever posting things in the actual month that I'm supposed to. ANYWAY, moving on to the topic of today's lovely post! A brand new year is here, and with it the first of many cheerful boxes full of beauty-related joy.

Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara Review *

When it comes to makeup products I use on the daily, mascara is always near the top of the list. Even if I feel like doing the bare minimum, a few coats of mascara always make me feel a little bit more pulled together. That being said, I'm pretty ruthless about the types of mascaras I'll use. I want something that will give me blacker than black, pumped up lashes that isn't going to flake, smudge, or make me look like a raccoon at the end of the day. And with my stockpile of products to test and try, if a formula doesn't deliver, I'm not going to waste my time with it.

Up until the last month or so I'd gone back to using my trusty Maybelline Lash Sensational, which you all are probably sick of me talking about at this point (it's just so good, forgive me). And then I got some amazing news. Influenster was going to be sending me the Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara to test out! I'd never tried a Marc Jacobs product before, although I've made googley eyes at their displays for quite some time now, and what better place to start than with one of my most tested beauty staples? I had high hopes and high standards for this mascara to live up to, and had my fingers crossed that it would be every bit as amazing as it sounded.

December 2015 Birchbox

It's hard to believe that December only has a few days left. All the anticipation and festivities leading up to Christmas make this month fly by, although I can't really complain with all the good times that've been had. Today's post is all about my favorite gift that keeps on giving year round - my monthly Birchbox! This month's theme is All Wrapped Up, and the box is beautiful as any present you might have had under your tree. So, without any further rambling from me, let's see what's hiding under that tissue paper!

November 2015 Birchbox

So, I sat down at my computer last night and thought to myself, "What do I feel like blogging about?" I've got a ton of ideas for content, many of which involve filming videos and creating fun new makeup looks. But I was tired, after having kind of a miserable day, and realized that what I really felt like writing about was my super amazing Birchbox from last month. As you may know, these past few months have been a little rough for me, and it's kind of thrown me off my blogging game. I decided that the best way to preserve my sanity was to give myself permission to break some of my self-imposed rules, even if that meant blogging less, or not creating the same content that I was used to making every month. That being said, Birchbox has always had a special place in my heart, and I do genuinely enjoy sharing my thoughts on my monthly box. As much as I would like for my reviews to go up in the appropriate month, I realized that I'm way happier to actually write these posts when I've had ample time to test and try everything. So as much as there is a part of me that feels bad putting this post up over a week later than I ideally "should", there is a much larger part of me that realizes it's okay to let it go.

So, with all the good vibes being channeled, let's get to the fun stuff!