Didn't Think That I Could Be More Excited About Birchbox Than I Already Was...

I've already shared my love for Birchbox  in a previous post (here), but I don't think that adequately expressed how great I think this subscription service truly is.  I can not explain the absolute excitement I feel when I get the email that my box has shipped and the sheer giddiness I get when I check the mail and find that it has finally arrived. Just the fact that I get to try out so many new (and awesome) products and learn about brands I would have not otherwise heard of is enough, but there's also the informative and fun emails, blog posts, and YouTube videos to enjoy. Birchbox is truly one of the most well rounded subscriptions services out there. And now there are two more reasons to love them.

Birchbox has just launched Birchbox Man, a $20 a month subscription that will deliver high end grooming and lifestyle goods direct to your door! What an awesome gift that would be for the discerning men in your life!

But what I'm truly EXCITED about (other than the arrival of my April box) is the May Birchbox. I just received this press release:

LIVE AND LOOK LIKE YOUR FAVORITE UPPER EAST SIDER WITH GOSSIP GIRL–INSPIRED BIRCHBOX 

 Curated by the Key Makeup Artist and Hairstylist of The CW’s Hit Series, Special Edition Birchbox Features Distinct Looks Inspired by the World of Gossip Girl 

 Whether your look is downtown chic or uptown fabulous, Birchbox—the company helping women discover the best new beauty and lifestyle products—will partner with The CW’s hit drama series Gossip Girl (Mondays 8/7c) this May to curate a special edition Birchbox filled with Gossip Girl–inspired glamour. 

The Gossip Girl Birchbox will contain chic beauty products inspired by Manhattan’s poshest social set, chosen in consultation with the series’ department head for makeup, Amy Tagliamonti, and department head for hair, Jennifer Johnson. New subscribers to Birchbox will receive the Gossip Girl box as their first monthly delivery in May—just in time for the season finale of Gossip Girl airing Monday, May 14, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on The CW. Fans can also watch Gossip Girl via The CW’s new app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices. For more information on the special edition Gossip Girl Birchbox, or to join Birchbox’s growing number of subscribers, visit www.birchbox.com/gossipgirl.

 “We are so excited to announce Gossip Girl as the first entertainment brand to partner with Birchbox,” said Sonia Borris, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Operations, Warner Bros. Television Group. “Gossip Girl fans — like Birchbox subscribers — are cutting-edge trendsetters who easily navigate and populate the social media landscape, and are trendsetters in fashion and beauty. This is a perfect way to give these influential fans their own Gossip Girl experience.” “Gossip Girl is one of the biggest trendsetters in fashion, but also in beauty,” said Katia Beauchamp, Birchbox, Co-Founder. “At Birchbox, we are passionate about sharing the latest and greatest beauty products, styles and tips, so partnering with Gossip Girl was a natural fit. We think our subscribers will be delighted with the special Gossip Girl Birchbox.” 

 Gossip Girl airs Mondays at 8/7c on The CW. The series—from Fake Empire, Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios—was developed by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, who serve as executive producers with Leslie Morgenstein, Bob Levy and Joshua Safran. 

 About Birchbox Launched in 2010, Birchbox is the discovery commerce platform redefining the retail process by offering consumers a personalized way to discover, sample, shop and learn about the best beauty and lifestyle products and brands available. Birchbox members have first-touch experiences with products each month and access to educational content to help them get the most out of their products. Top brands like Kiehl’s, Benefit, Deborah Lippmann and Stila have partnered with Birchbox. 

I'll admit that Gossip Girl is one of my guilty pleasures. I DVR it every week and watch it while the hubby is at work (so I don't have to suffer his ridicule for watching it). I love it! The fashion, the style, the life in the city; I'm hooked. So I'm totally stoked about this collaboration and Birchbox set the bar awfully high after partnering with Teen Vogue for the March 2012 box (I received a full size Essie Luxe Effects nail polish AND a Tarte LipSurgence pencil in addition to several other goodies). 

If you haven't signed up for Birchbox, now's definitely the time to do it!

Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q

Speaking of Oils...

Hello lovelies! Since I previously wrote a post about Josie Maran and just recently shared my obsession with oils (including Argan Oil), I thought I'd share this press release with you...

INTRODUCING THE “MODEL CITIZEN” ARGAN OIL COLLECTION

FROM JOSIE MARAN COSMETICS

THINK: Luxury with a conscience, beauty for a cause.

WHAT THEY ARE: Three Model Citizens.  Three charities to support.  Three bottles of Limited Edition 100% Pure Argan Oil.  It takes more than a pretty face to be a model citizen—but in the case of supermodels Josie Maran, Petra Nemcova and Angela Lindvall, it sure helps. They may be famous for their beauty, but these three activists are committed to improving the world we live in, bringing new meaning to the term “model citizen.” That’s why the eco-beauty maven behind Josie Maran Cosmetics tapped fellow models Petra Nemcova and Angela Lindvall to join her in creating limited edition artwork for the bottles of her signature Argan Oil to benefit the causes they believe in. Launching in conjunction with Earth Day, each of the three limited-edition designs supports a cause close to one of the model’s hearts.

“Living in a sustainable, earth-friendly way that benefits the planet has always been an essential part of beauty for me,” explains Josie Maran. “Petra and Angela are also so dedicated and passionate about the causes they support, and I wanted to share our enthusiasm with the world. We want to encourage everyone to join us in becoming ‘model citizens,’ and the limited-edition Argan Oils are a great place to start.”

ABOUT JOSIE AND HER CHARITY:

Josie Maran is a supermodel, mother, and the founder and Chief Eco Officer of Josie Maran Cosmetics, a company committed to creating Luxury with a Conscience beauty products that are both good for you and safe for the Earth.

Women for Women International gives women survivors of war tools to become self-sufficient. Since its creation, Women for Women International has given hope to more than 299,000 women survivors of war and conflict and helped them move toward economic self-sufficiency with our year-long program of direct aid, rights education, job skills training, and small business development. We have distributed $95 million in direct aid, microcredit loans, and other program services. Since 1993, Women for Women International has mobilized more than 250,000 women and men in 130 countries worldwide to reach out and support women survivors of war – one woman at a time.

About the Design:  “My mother, daughter, friends, and coworkers are all women who inspire, support, and challenge me everyday.  To empower each other, to hold each other up and to stand together is how we’ll change the world. I wanted my bottle to capture this powerful message and to reflect this truly important cause.”

ABOUT PETRA AND HER CHARITY:

Petra Nemcova is a model, host, author, philanthropist and the founder of the Happy Hearts Fund (HHF).

Happy Hearts Fund is a non-profit foundation dedicated to rebuilding schools and restoring hope and opportunity in the lives of children after natural disasters. HHF works during the period after emergency response is complete, implementing sustainable practices to ensure a lasting impact.  Globally, HHF is active in nine countries and has built/rebuilt 56 schools and kindergartens. Since inception our programs have benefited more than 34,412 children and 337,450 community members.

About the Design:  “Like the girl in the artwork, I hope all the children that benefit from HHF are uplifted from hardship to a brighter future after natural disaster.  That’s what the balloon hearts symbolize to me – a better life for those children. After what they’ve been through, they deserve this and I will always make this a mission of mine.”

ABOUT ANGELA AND HER CHARITY:

Angela Lindvall is a supermodel, actress, mother, an active environmentalist and a health advocate.

Healthy Child Healthy World ignites the movement that empowers parents to protect children from harmful chemicals by expanding awareness of unnecessary toxic risks to children's health, encouraging easy actions and responsible lifestyle choices, advocating for corporate policies and government legislation that protect children from environmental health risks and engaging communities to take collective actions to create a healthier world.

About the Design: “The simplicity of the dandelion symbolizes what I would like for the future of our planet: an environment free from toxins and harmful chemicals that grows and exists peacefully, and the promise of hope for the children of the world. From an early age, we’re taught to wish on dandelions and I hope to inspire people to remember to be positive and to always look forward.” 

I'm already a fan of argan oil (and Josie Maran) so I think this is a wonderful venture. And the charity connection definitely makes the splurge more worthwhile in my opinion. What is your experience with Josie Maran products? Does a product's or company's charitable affiliation make it more likely for you to make a purchase? My inquiring mind wants to know! Leave a comment below and tell me all about it. Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q

Oils: Otherwise Known As My New Obsessions

I'm wracking my brain to figure out when this obsession began. I mean, oils and butters have always been tools in my repertoire to combat dry skin and hair, but somewhere along the line, I've amassed quite the collection of various oils, for various purposes, and I love them all!

What can (the right) oil not be used for? I squirt good old Johnson & Johnson's baby oil into the tub when I put my little ones in for bath time. That way, if I can't wrestle them down to lather them in lotion once they get out, I can feel safe that their skin is still sufficiently moisturized. Or, if I'm able to keep the baby still for just a little while, baby oil is the easiest and quickest thing to apply to keep her skin soft, smooth, and protected. I also use the same baby oil when I use my scented lotions from Bath & Body Works, etc. Not only does it give my skin extra moisture (and a lovely feel and sheen), but it also extends the life of my lotions (several of which are seasonal releases and/or discontinued).

This is the kind that we use. I LOVE it! (photo via Target.com)

Then there's my BELOVED Coconut Oil. It starts as a solid, but melts in the heat of your hands and it can be used for absolutely EVERYTHING! But I use it in my hair while it's dry as an aid to detangle my curly q's. My thirsty tresses soak it right up and my hair is left soft, silky and incredibly manageable. I have no idea how I existed without it!

This is the brand I am currently using. I love it because it has a great, faint coconut scent. (photo via jamaicanblackcastoroil.com)

I am a Julep Maven, and once a month I get a lovely black box with the best nail colors EVER! I usually just get 3 or 4 nail polishes, but one month I opted to get a bottle of Argan Oil in lieu of one of my polishes. Boy, am I happy I made that decision! For no more than I usually pay a month ($19.99) I got 3 great polishes and a good sized bottle of pure Argan Oil. I was unsure how to use it for a while, but when I revamped my night time skin routine I decided to incorporate it as my facial moisturizer. I was kind of wary about putting oil on my face in the beginning, as I have oily (and what I mistakenly believed to be acne prone) skin, but imagine my surprise when I began to wake up every morning with GLOWING (and by golly, CLEAR) skin! I'm totally a convert; I believe in the power of Argan Oil!

By itself, it's $24.99 which still isn't that bad. I use 3 to 4 drops and rub them between my hands, before gently patting them over my face. It absorbs quickly and never leaves me looking or feeling greasy. (photo via julep.com)

Last, but certainly not least, there is Bio Oil. Oh Bio Oil! I have given birth to 3 babies that each gave me battle scars on my belly that you would not believe, but I did not purchase this gem until recently. I burned one of my boobs (yes, I said boobs) with a heating pad (long story) and it left an unsightly (and very visible) scar. So I searched on Amazon and got a great deal on a bottle of Bio Oil and didn't even have to leave my house to get it! I use it twice a day and though it's been less than a month, I already see an improvement. 

These are just my top four! Now that I've opened my mind to the vast wonders that oils are capable of, I'm literally on a quest for more  (maybe I'm being a little dramatic, but like the title says, I'm kind of obsessed now). So what oils do you incorporate in your skin, hair, and beauty routines? What brands do you like and why? My inquiring mind wants to know! Leave a comment below and let me know what you're using (maybe I'll try it to). Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q

CGC: The Name Says It All

First, the good news: I made it through the entire month of March (and a little bit before and up until now) without using a comb or brush in my hair to detangle it. This, in conjunction with the use of a myriad of various new products, has led to a noticeable difference in my hair: it is longer, thicker, shinier, and presumably healthier. Yay!

Now on to the bad news. Don't judge me, but I think I see straight hair in my near future. I probably won't keep it for more than a week or two, but I am in desperate need of a hair cut (due to an unfortunate and embarrassing accident involving a lit, 3-wick candle and my hair), and I feel like the cut will be more precise on straight hair (and it'll be easier for me to assess the actual loss of length my accident caused).

Thanks to the wonderful ladies at NaturallyCurly.com, I've been able to learn so much about how to take care of and make the best of my curly tresses. In addition to an ongoing and invaluable education, with them I have found constant encouragement to be myself and a sense of camaraderie and community.

Part of the education I have received has involved something called "The Curly Girl Method." I won't go into great detail about it (as I am not a staunch follower of the practice, but do recognize it's value), but one of the core principles is the "no-poo" approach. See, most shampoos contain harsh, drying sulfates that are extremely damaging for curly hair, which is particularly fragile.Because they strip hair of it's natural oils and moisture, they  make curly hair frizzy and uncooperative. "The Curly Girl Method" encourages regularly using conditioner as an effective method of cleansing the hair without the stripping it, while incorporating gentle shampoos that contain mild cleaners (like cocamidopropyl bentaine or coco bentaine) occasionally for a deeper clean.

Use Me is line of vegan, sulfate and paraben free, salon quality products that are not only good for your hair, but are eco friendly too! I had the chance to try out the Cleanser, Moisturizer, and Curl Up & Shine Creme and was quite pleased. 

One of the things that I really liked about this line was the detailed instructions on how to properly use it. The cleanser says to use it every day or every other day, and to use it directly on your scalp and NOT the hair shaft or ends, and to rinse it thoroughly with tepid water. It left my hair clean, but not squeaky, and oh so soft. It also has a very pleasing, light and natural scent. 

The moisturizer (conditioner) has the same heavenly scent. It states just the opposite of the cleanser; you are to use it on your hair and NOT your scalp. You start by gently removing the excess water from your hair and applying the moisturizer from the ends up, while being careful to keep  it away from your scalp, and rinsing immediately with cold water. After using it, I was able to detangle my hair (with my fingers) and it was soft and smooth (silky even!). 

The Curl Up & Shine Creme has a slightly different scent from the cleanser and moisturizer (bummer). It can be used daily to prevent frizz and enhance your curls. Like the moisturizer, you start application from the ends of your hair and work your way up the shaft, putting only very little on to your scalp. It tells you that a little bit goes a long way (use only 1/2 a tea spoon or so), and once applied, not to mess with your hair until it is completely dry. This product was the only disappointment in the line. While it left my hair satisfactorily moisturized, it didn't do much to actually define my curls. But my hair felt really, REALLY good. 

All in all, I really liked Use Me as a line. I especially like that I feel safe using on my young daughters because it is free of chemicals and gentle on the hair.  I think that for me personally, when I use the line I use an additional styling product with, so as to give me the definition I like. 

So what are your holy grail products for your hair? What odd methods do you implement to keep your hair beautiful and healthy? Better yet, have you ever had a hair catastrophe that led to major re haul of your look? My inquiring mind wants to know! Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q

PS: FTC Disclaimer-All the products mentioned were provided to me by NaturallyCurly.com and Use Me products. I was not paid to review them and the opinion stated is honest and entirely my own. 

Kinky-Curly Knot Today Natural Leave In/Detangler (A Review)

Image via Curl Mart

According to the bottle's label,  Knot Today is a "creamy herbal conditioner...enriched with botanical extracts and is designed to smooth the cuticle and to remove knots, snarls and tangles from thick curly hair." 

Well, for us, it was a life saver! London has thick curly hair and it was always a chore (for everybody involved) to comb it out after washing it. Not anymore! This was a game changer for us! I used to wrestle to comb out my daughter's hair using a wide tooth comb and a regular leave in conditioner or baby detangling spray. Let's just say, that method was painful for both of us! When using Knot Today, I don't even need a comb to get through all the knots and tangles. It leaves her hair soft and smooth and not at all heavy. Best of all, she no longer wails like a banshee when it's time to do her hair!

Little Miss London and her beautiful curly hair

(Kinky-Curly Knot Today can be found at Target (in stores and on line),CurlMart, and Kinky-Curly.com)

Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil

I've been experimenting with different techniques, methods, products, and routines in order to find out what's best for the health and appearance of my hair. This month, I've challenged myself to not only not use any heat in my hair (no blow dryer, flat iron, hot comb, or curling irons), but also to refrain from using a comb or a brush. Even though we're only 13 days into March, I'm already seeing a huge difference.

We usually shed between 100 and 150 strands of hair daily, so some loss of hair on a regular basis is normal. One of the reasons I didn't wear my hair curly often was that EVERY TIME I detangled it, I lost copious amounts of hair. Seriously, it was alarming and scary. And I suppose it could be a combination of things (including my daily use of coconut oil and wearing a satin cap to bed), but since I've been finger detangling my hair, my hair loss has diminished drastically.

I've also been using Sunny Isles Jamaican Black Castor Oil products in my hair regimen (video product review coming soon!). Here's a break down of what I've been doing:

First, I use the Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil to detangle my hair in small sections, then I put each section into 2 strand twists...

Then, I shampoo with the Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Moisturizing Shampoo. It has a really great, natural lavender smell that's super relaxing. It also has an unusual but really neat texture; it's kind of like a thick gel. I squeeze about a quarter size of product and apply it on my roots and massage it in to my scalp, then use another quarter sized squeeze to work through the bulk of my hair, then rinse it all out (I do not put shampoo on my ends at all)...

I follow that with the corresponding Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Natural Deep Conditioner. I use enough to totally saturate my hair, twist it into a bun on top of my head and then let it soak in for at least 5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly...

Now, the next step I'm still kind of tweaking. I've heard miraculous things about castor oil (the website says that regular use promotes hair growth, improves the quality of your skin, and helps your eyebrows and eyelashes to grow!), so I was very excited about using Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil. The first time I tried it, I applied it while my hair was wet, but the product is so richly thick and dense, I had a hard time distributing it in my hair. I couldn't really tell where I had applied the product and where I still needed some.

Because I wanted to see if the products made any immediate difference in the appearance of my hair, I did not use any additional styling products, but there is a Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Oil Hair Pomade that I will be experimenting with soon. 

Here's the thing, I didn't even need any additional products! My hair was soft and smooth and my curls formed perfectly. Once my hair was dry, I could tell where I missed applying the oil, so I think that next time I'll wait until my hair is only slightly damp (as opposed to soaking wet) to apply it. I've also started to apply the lavender enhanced castor oil  at night, and am totally obsessed with it! The scent is absolutely intoxicating (and so relaxing) so it seems a natural part of my bedtime routine. I just massage the oil into my scalp, rub whatever is left on my hands through my hair, and then apply a little more on to the ends of my hair to seal it. 

I promise (PROMISE) to post some pictures this weekend so that there can be a before and after comparison at the end of the month. I'm just getting over some illness and am SO not camera ready. Also, I'll be uploading a video product review to NaturallyCurly.com's YouTube channel this weekend, so please look out for that! 

Disclaimer: All products pictured were provided by the LOVELY people at NaturallyCurly.com!