August Birch Box

When I got back from my trip, my August Birch Box was waiting for me. While it didn’t soften the blow of the vacation being over, it was still a nice surprise.

To be honest, this month’s Birch Box didn’t knock my socks off. I mean, I guess they can’t all do that. (Or I wouldn’t have any socks left?) It’s still pretty good though.

June Jacobs Papaya Purifying Enzyme Masque
This mask (masque!) is really thick and luxurious. You slather it all over your face, and it doesn't harden or dry or anything. I sort of wished I had done a hair mask (masque!) at the same time, and maybe done the thing where you lotion up your hands and feet and wrap them in plastic bags too. That would have been spa-tastic. Instead, I applied the masque and then started this post while waiting for the shower to heat up.  I think it smells a bit more like coconut than papaya, but let’s just go with “gently tropical.” The amount of visible improvement to my skin was small, though I wouldn’t say my skin was dull to begin with. My face definitely feels softer and smoother. Now that I started, I kind of can't stop touching it. While it didn’t leave me oily, or even overly-moist, it does seem a bit rich for summertime. I think I might save the rest of this for enzyme-ing off dull winter skin.

Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel
I already got a free sample of this from Sephora, just for checking out. No promo code or anything, just one of the things you can choose at the online checkout, so I wasn’t that excited about this. Since I haven’t actually USED that sample, now I have two. It’s probably a good time to finally try this, since there is no shortage of heat and humidity in NYC in August. I’ll get back to you about it soon.

Shaveworks The Cool Fix
I don’t really have a razorburn or bumps issue, so I might pass this on to my husband, after I make sure it’s okay to use on a face. (It is.) Let me know if you want a review from him, otherwise, meh.

Smashbox Cosmetics Photo Finish Foundation Primer
This stuff gets written up in magazines ALL. THE. TIME. Many people consider it the best primer there is. I’ve tried it before, and I like it. I don’t know that it’s that much better than any other primer, though. I’ve certainly tried a lot of primers; I feel like 4 out of every 10 free samples I get is a primer. Eye primer, lip primer, face primer. I was considering doing some tests to see which is the best primer, but then I realized that I never ever need to buy primer because I’m always getting it for free.


Twistband Hair Tie
This is considered an “extra” though I’m not really sure why. It’s actually the thing I was most excited to find, even though at first I thought it was just a scrap of ribbon or something. (It’s hard to see the twistband in the box photo, so I’ve included another shot from their website below. I only got one band, not a set.) I’ve read about these, and have been interested in checking them out. I mean, basically, it’s just a piece of elastic with a knot in it. But the piece of elastic is kind of perfect, is the thing. It has just the right amount of stretch and smoothness, the width of the ribbon is just right and the size of the loop is just right too. Allegedly, they will not dent or damage your hair. (If it prevents pony-dents then I am SOLD!) They say it looks as good on your wrist as it does in your hair, and I guess that’s true, but it’s not like it looks that amazing either place. It’s a stretchy ribbon with a knot in it. Still, I think I love it.