April 2014
36 posts
Last Day For Free Shipping!beautybox5shop.com
Wanted to buy some of our super cool products, but didn’t wanna pay for shipping? This is for you, friendshine.
No code, no minimum price, no strings— just love.
XOXO,
The BB5 Team
March 2014
19 posts
Rock your curls with Design Essentials!
Why shouldn’t your hair look good and SMELL good?
This month we featured Natural Curl Enhancing Mousse from Design Essentials and folks loved it! Infused with olive oil, this quick drying product is formulated to give your curls moisture, hold, definition, and sheen— without the crunch.
Need convincing? This is what Natalia, our curly-haired and super stylish Art Director, had to say:
"This is one my favorite products from March’s box! I have curly/frizzy hair and rarely ever find a mousse that leaves my curls light, defined and soft. This product works great for both natural curls and styling. After styling my hair, I put a dab on my hand and gently scrunched up the curls, working the product into my hair. It has the best scent out of any mousse I’ve used!"
April Sneak Peek!
Lipstick is tied with eyeliner as my personal makeup must-have, so trust me when I say you are going to love this.
Hydro Lipstick from Nicka K New York is that it has everything I want from a lipstick, so allow me to break it down:
- Pretty, opaque colors? Check.
- Staying power? Check.
- Hydrating formula? Check.
- Sleek packaging? Check.
- Makes you feel super sexy and totally in charge? Check and check.
Plus, at $4.99 these lipsticks are an absolute bargain— it’s my plan in the very near future to buy at least half a dozen.
Revitalize your hands, feet, and everything in between with Tree Hut!
Tree Hut rocks my world.
I had the pleasure of trying each body butter, hand cream, and foot scrub we featured this month and from the fabulous fruity scents, to the lusciously thick formulas, this brand can do no wrong!
Feel brand new with Swissco!
At a certain point in your life, taking good care of your skin becomes really important.
For a long time I focused on lipstick and eyeliner, accepting that my skin was never going to glow or look like Naomi Campbell’s due to years of acne-filled struggles and my frustration with foundation. However, about a year or two ago I started using cleansers, exfoliators, and night creams and I was really impressed by how much nicer my skin felt— I was hooked.
When I first saw this product, I can admit I was a bit intimidated at first touch, even as an exfoliating enthusiast. The natural loofah feels a little hard in its natural state, but I decided to trust Swissco because I’ve loved their other exfoliating products (seriously, using the Bath and Shower Exfoliating Gloves is my favorite part of my shower routine), and this pad did not disappoint!
Now a permanent fixture in my exfoliating routine, I use this little guy twice a week with whatever cleanser I’m testing out. It stimulates the blood circulation in my face, gets of dead skin, and, most importantly, leaves my cheeks so smooth!
Give your hair body with John Frieda!
Luxurious Volume is a great line to stock up on, especially if you worship highlights, or frequently dye your locks. Designed primarily to help our ladies with color-treated hair, this shampoo and conditioner duo gives oomph, but not weight, to any hair type (colored or not) and delivers salon-style results for a fraction of the price!
Although I’m currently rocking my natural colors, I still really like the Luxurious Volume products because they give my woefully flat and fine hair a pretty sheen and the volume that I crave.
When I use Luxurious Volume I have a hard time NOT touching my hair, because it feel so soft and looks so nice!
Fake your way to perfect skin with Bellapierre Cosmetics!
As a short woman, I always get excited when I find petite products that deliver, which is why the Makeup Base from Bellapierre Cosmetics is one of my favorite samples from this month’s beauty box!
This creamy ivory base is not only waterproof, but it’s also multi-use, which is great for your purse. And your wallet. Not only can you use it as a base for your foundation, a primer for your eyeshadow, and a concealer (for the very light-skinned ladies), but it also makes for a fabulous matte under eye illuminator!
For days when I don’t get enough sleep, I gently use my finger to apply the base in a back and forth motion under my eyes and continue applying around the bone, extending to just under my brows, to subtly brighten my skin and make me look more awake.
Refresh that cute bod with Jane's Pick!
World, meet Jane’s Pick!
An all-natural winner, these lovely handmade soaps are made from an earthy blend of essentials oils, herbs, and flowers. Personally, I love the smell and latherability (is that a word? It should be a word) of these soaps, but my favorite thing is actually just the way they look.
As a girl who cares quite a lot about appearances, Jane’s Pick All Natural Soaps pass my expectations with flying colors! Everything from the calming green package to the natural and gorgeous patterns in each bar make me a happy girl.
My take? Bar soap gets an unwarranted bad rep!
In the past I’ve tended to associated bar soap with an old-school crowd thanks to childhood experiences (hey, Grammy!) and I was wary to give my sample a go because my skin is on the dry side, but I’m pleased to report that the soap didn’t leave my shins and elbows at all flaky!
BB5 Tip: These bars are so gentle that you can even use them on your face if you’re in a pinch!
Although I prefer to use this soap as a body wash or shaving cream substitute, I seriously appreciate that using it as a face wash is a possibility. A little unconventional, I guess, but they are so pretty!
Loved your sample sliver of Jane’s Pick? We knew you could!
Whether you are looking to beautiful your bathroom, or give a thoughtful gift to a fellow bar soap enthusiast, you should check out all the different fragrances on our shop and pick up a generous full-size bar for $8 from our shop!
Smell ya later,
Alexa
February 2014
34 posts
Soothe your dry hands with h2o+!
Dude, it’s chilly out there.
And while I don’t necessarily dislike cold weather (okay, that’s not true, but I am originally from the north), I REALLY don’t like what the cold does to my skin. Dry fingers are not the most attractive, and if it gets really bad out, my skin can crack— gross AND painful.
Luckily, I have a collection of lotions that work really well, and I just added h2o to my list. The Spa Hand and Nail Cream we featured this month is lightweight but powerful, so it absorbs into my skin right away— my hands never feel greasy or have that weird sheen that some intense creams leave.
Restore your skin with Amala!
Although I’m still an oil girl at heart, this Detoxifying Body Butter from Amala is just the thing to pamper my skin during the dry and cold months.
Made with myrtle, fig, and olive oil, this body butter is seriously the best winter-time lotion I’ve ever used. The creamy, thick, non-greasy formula softened my rough patches, made my skin smell like myrtle (a criminally underrated scent), and was a delightful way to start my morning.
I was able to do my whole body with just one packet and I immediately started worrying about when I could fit a full-size of this into my budget.
BB5 Weekly Roundup: spring colors, DIY perfume, and more!
1. Never made varsity? You can still have swag. [glitter guide]
2. Yikes! What’s the worst nail advice you’ve ever heard? [all lacquered up]
3. It’s hard to believe, but spring is coming! Want to know what colors are hot next season? [allure]
4. You thought browns were boring? Think again. [makeup]
5. Be gone, breakouts! Still dealing with adult acne? Here are a few things that just might turn your skin around. [byrdie]
6. Have to attend a winter wedding? Be sure to dress cool. [brit + co]
7. Still raving about the new Naked palette? Hold on tight, because this Urban Decay’s new electric picks are going to be ahhhhhh-mazing. [temptalia]
8. So much easier (and less risky!) than carrying perfume in your purse, you should totally try this DIY. [bella sugar]
9. We were blown away by Dolce and Gabbana’s fierce, medieval fashion-scape. What did you think? [fashionista]
10. Loved the figure skating costumes even more than the actual ice skating? Relive them in all of their sequined glory. [the cut]
March Sneak Peek!
This March we want to streamline our beauty routine.
We don’t want to sacrifice our favorite things, but we DO want to save time (and space) so that there’s more time for adventure. Meet our new all-purpose favorite, Bellapierre Cosmetics Makeup Base!
This pale, creamy base works as an eyeshadow primer, concealer, and matte highlighter that can brighten your cheek bones or under your eyes. Did we mention that it’s also paraben-free?
Maybe multi-tasking is the key to happiness after all.
Clean easy with Every Beauty!
Hate makeup remover wipes because they sting your skin or leave your face dry? You are not alone.
It’s hard to find a reliable and gentle wipe, but Every Beauty’s Makeup Remover Pads fit the bill.
Made without alcohol or parabens, totally natural, hypoallergenic, and great for all skin types, these wipes are a dream for sensitive skin. Like all of my favorite products from this brand, these argan oil pads are kind to my skin but incredibly practical. I really appreciate that these are easy to store, and I don’t have to worry about them drying out (which also means they last forever).
Show off your pretty peepers Elizabeth Mott!
Cursed with little baby lashes? Girl, I feel you.
Until last year I was strictly an eyeliner girl because my lashes are so tiny that I can hardly see them behind my glasses, even after curling and generously applying mascara. However, after discovering the joys of my local Sephora, I started experimenting with (quality) mascara and found a few that don’t leave me feeling lash-less.
I was excited for us to feature Elizabeth Mott’s It’s So Big in the February box because I LOVE when we share eye-centric cosmetics, and because I think it’s great mascara! In complete honesty, I found this mascara to be a little more lengthening than volumizing (it makes my itty bitty lashes look so much longer!), which is why I think it’s the perfect perfect daytime tool. It definitely offers a little drama, but is very natural and office-appropriate at the same time.
The best part? The wand makes it super easy to do my bottom lashes, which is usually a chore with most brushes.
Throw caution to the wind with Rockstar Nails by Sprinkles!
A confession: I never get my nails done.
OKAY, not never, but most of the time my nails are painted from the safety of my bed and in close proximity to Netflix. I like my lazy weekend ritual, but sometimes I do yearn for the cool nail art on Instagram, which I obviously can’t do myself.
Luckily, I was staring at my chipped, black-purple nails not so long ago when these babies arrived at the office. Did the BB5 Team have a manicure party? You bet we did. And we LOVED it.
BB5 Talk: What's one of your most awkward dating moments?
Everyone has a few, and here are some of ours.
"That awkward moment when your brother-in-law sets you up on a date with someone EXACTLY like him. My brother-in-law is cool and all BUT that’s kind of awkward."
"This is one I try to forget! It was a beautiful night and I was pretty comfortable with the guy I was going out with because we had been texting and talking for a while already. Anyway, for our third "official date" we decided to see some bands play and do a little bar hopping, but my hop was very short. We were crossing the street, making our way to our next stop, when I leaped to get to the sidewalk, completely missing the curb and landing on all fours! I was horrified! Did I mention I was wearing tights, which tore, and there were plenty of passer buyers! I totally just laughed it off and acted like it was nothing but inside I just wanted to burst out in tears— not just because of how embarrassed I was, but because it hurt!"
"I went on a trip to Europe and while I was there I met this really great guy. We went out on our first date, the day before he had to leave back to the states. As we were ending the night, walking to the tram stop, it started to pour. We said our dramatic goodbye in the rain and ended up missing the tram. I felt terrible because then we had to wait another 35 minutes, AND my friend (who I begged to go on this date with me) also had to wait for our tram ride home.”
"We were on our second date and he wanted to go to the movies. There was a shoe store right next to the cinema and I just had to stop and look at these gorgeous pumps. Anyone that knows me knows that shoes are my weakness. I decided to buy the pumps, but at the register I discovered that I had forgotten my credit card at home when I switched purses. I was so embarrassed and he offered to pay for them. I insisted that he didn’t because they were over $100, but he bought them anyway. I felt so uncomfortable the entire date because I didn’t want him to think I was some kind of gold digger! "
[Photo: Classic Dating]
5 Things to do for yourself this Valentine's Day
Yes, girl, you can do bad all by yourself! Here are a couple of ideas of how to treat yourself today.
1. Pamper yourself.
Go on, girl! Get your nails and toes done, or buy yourself a nice calming massage to give your body and mind a much needed break. Remember, you always feel good when you look good.
