Beauty Box 5

This month’s featured Cleansing Facial Wipes from Simple Skincare (our personal fave wipe!) aren’t messing around (pun intended). They really remove your makeup, all while instantly hydrating your face without leaving behind a greasy residue.

(We know, the obsession is so real.)

However, BB5 Babes are multi-tasking mavens, and we wanted to up the “favorite” label even more with routine-saving face wipe quick fixes.

Since you’ve already fallen in love with using them to take off your fiercest face at the end of the day, why not also…

Lighten excess contour shading

Nobody said Instagram Makeup was easy. We all have that oops moment, admit it. Refine your technique before you buff in your cream contour by swiping away at any overdone areas with the wipe gently, then blend and apply foundation on top. (Ta-da!)

Fix an eyeliner wing gone wrong!

Too much of a good wing? It happens to the best of us. For the most control, wrap the wipe around your pointer finger and drag your nail closely from tip to lid to thin out the shape! These wipes will be your best friend to help even the strongest of wings.

Wipe away liquid lipstick outside the lines

For pretty pout precision, use the same finger-wrapping wipe technique as the eyeliner wing fix to gently remove any stubborn pigment that took over-lining a little too far. You’ll thank us later.

Clean away makeup trial swatches from your hands

BB5 Tip: press and hold the wipe against skin for a few seconds to let it saturate the area first. (Even better, toss a pack of wipes in your purse before shopping for new shades and you’ll be set!)

Wipe residue off the inside of your makeup bag

Toting your must-have products around can leave a mark (or two). Remove any stains or spills in one swoop to keep your cosmetics case fresh.

What’s your favorite way to #MakeUp4Makeup using this month’s Simple Skincare Cleansing Wipes, babes? Simple Skincare will help you remove make up from your face (and make up bag) and put the good stuff – like instant hydration – back in. Share your #MakeUp4Makeup moment with us in the comments!

It’s National Relaxation Day, babes — and if you feel anything but calm, you’re not alone.

Listen, we get it - sometimes life is so crazy and full and fast that you barely have time to get all your mascara off at the end of the day, much less soak away your troubles in a long bath or book a massage - but everyone’s got their own calling card for chilled out bliss. Here at Team BB5 we think a DIY spa treatment is just as important as a soothing, no-checking-emails-not-even-on-your-phone vacation to destress, and so we’re sharing our fave ways and products to help you catch a relaxing vibe - both big and small.

(Oh, and did we mention our National Relaxation Collection is on sale?! Breathe easy and use code CHILLOUT for 25% off our favorite beauty to unwind with.)

Onto the good stuff! Here’s what helps us simmer down:

Sarah

Favorite way to relax: My favorite way to relax is lighting a candle, putting on a face mask, and cuddling up with a cat on the couch. I have three cats (two Bengals and a rescue) so there’s always at least one of them that’s ready for a nap. 

Favorite relaxing product: I love sweet scents so the Jaqua Sinfully Rich Buttercream Frosting Soy Candle is perfect for me. It makes my home smell as if I just baked cupcakes. Yum! Sheet masks, like this month’s Global Beauty Care’s Retinol Sheet Mask, are my favorite because they are so easy to put on and take off. 

Tara

Favorite way to relax: I will never be too busy to end a crazy day with a good mud mask & meditation session; *shout out* to my go-to app, Stop, Breathe & Think!

Favorite relaxing product: I’m just obsessed with Purlisse Pur~Protect SPF 30! It’s my all-time favorite moisturizer (I use it all day, every day) It’s seriously so light and makes my skin feel insanely soft! (P.S. this box includes the full-size!) ;)

Erin 

Favorite way to relax: As a makeup enthusiast I often have a ton and a half of product on my face at all times. For me, a full-face includes foundation, false lashes, and lipstick among other forms of beauty constraints. This means I have to constantly check if my face is staying in place while simultaneously trying not to ruin the masterpiece I created. Sometimes a girl needs to rub her eye! So, one of my favorite ways to relax is taking of my makeup at the end of the day. Then I’m free to touch my face and fully relax the day away. 

Favorite relaxing product: I love the Happy Face Cleansing Cloth! It’s great for lazy days when I don’t fully feel like washing my face. The cloth removes all traces of my makeup with just water and doesn’t irritate my skin. It’s reusable, so it’s really the perfect tool for any glam girl to have.  

Kelsey

Favorite way to relax: I love to be submerged in water with a good playlist cranked up loudly- but I’m not picky!- beach, lake, river, pool, jacuzzi, bathtub - all of them count as a “spa” to me.

Favorite relaxing product: Natural Style By FUBU’s Deep Conditioner! I have big, unruly lions-mane frizz, but 15-25 minutes of this in my hair (piled in a bun and secured with this month’s soft ties from Did Hair!) leaves it smooth, shiny, and strong– plus, that’s 25 minutes to watch a show, read, or sip some wine in the tub!

What’s your fave way to kick back with beauty, babes? Let us know in the comments!

I’m just going to be real: something about “all-in-one” just sounds less than sexy. Maybe it’s because after working in products all day, there’s this seemingly luxurious feeling about a super-stacked vanity of shiny bottles and alluring elixirs that you layer like a fabulous mad scientist of skincare and makeup, with a complicated primping process to top it all off, instead of a do-it-all solution that sounds much more hardware store than cosmetic counter. However, some schedules are just too long, and some routines don’t always stay consistent after a tiring day of traveling, a hectic work week, running errands all over or just literally running around catching rare Pokémon in your neighborhood (hey, I’m not judging).

When you’re in a rush or you’re just trying to simplify, suddenly one product that does it all is like a pampering angel sent from above to solve your skincare woes with a wave of her wing (or, in this case, an adorable tiny pink spatula). This cherub’s name? Mirakle Cream by The Better Skin Co.

I’ll admit, I was a bit skeptical of anything with “miracle” in the title, as I think it could be over-promising just a bit, but this little tub of perfection has calmed and hydrated my skin enough that I will let it keep the title and open up the heavens of my medicine cabinet to stay and then some. The thick-but-not-too-thick formula means that a little of this cream goes a long way, but it absorbs quickly so you can use it anywhere- and by that I mean I have slathered a tiny amount on my face and neck before bed as a night cream, on my bright-pink shoulders after I spent a little too long in the sun, as well as on dry elbows, rough cuticles, and on my itchy razor-burned legs, too! I’ve mixed it with my favorite facial oil after using a drying detoxifying mask to restore moisture to my skin and I’ve had absolutely no sensitivity issues as it’s fragrance-free and packed full of soothing hyaluronic acid, beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter, aloe, and more. This cutie comes with a small spatula that fits on the lid so that you don’t have to dip your fingers into the tub (and so that you can feel like a fabulous spoiled housewife vacationing in the French Alps and applying her divine skincare with a dainty little spoon…or is that just me?) and the pretty printed label makes me want to leave it out on my counter to brighten things up.

Don’t just take it from me, here’s what one of our fave bloggers, Kara (who received it in our sister subscription, Lilee) is loving:

“Simple and effective products are the type of products I search for, as I am always careful with the ingredients I put onto my skin. The cream is gluten-free, paraben-free and fragrance free! Fragrance free is important for my sensitive skin! Beside the ingredients, I am also in love with how this makes my skin feel! It is a very thick cream, so I personally do not use this on my face…I love to use this on my body. I love using it when I get right out of the shower- once my legs are freshly shaven- and I apply an even thin layer on my legs. Letting it sink in overnight leaves my legs incredibly silky smooth- it is unreal! I even convinced my mother to buy it!”

See? Even the mom seal of approval is strong with this one.

So, what am I going to do with all my other shiny bottles now that I’ve got one product for so many multiple fabulous uses? While I’ll still work my way through them and will probably always own more than I technically need (hey, product junkies don’t change overnight!), it’s oh-so nice to have a hardworking-but-gentle cream to keep my skin happy in any situation- and to keep my carryon luggage light from just having to bring 1 thing for all my complexion complications!

The real question, though: do you think I’ll ever get the “…there can be miracles” song from The Prince Of Egypt out of my head every time I look at Mirakle Cream on my nightstand? Probably not…but I’m not complaining (and neither are your desk neighbors when you crank up that Whitney + Mariah after reading this post at work).

Wishing you so many skincare Mirakles!

Xoxo,

Kelsey

P.S. You can $10 off your purchase from our friends at The Better Skin Co. with code BB5 at checkout through 8/10! 

What’s one thing you think of when summertime rolls through? We don’t know about you, but when it gets summer-y, we start getting restless for a road trip! There is nothing more spontaneous than hopping in the car with your best girlfriends and your best playlists and heading to the nearest beach or big city. However, one thing about spontaneity is it doesn’t allow a lot of time to plan or pack, (and for our fellow makeup addicts and high maintenance gals, this can pose a problem!) but BB5’s got got the solution!

July’s box theme is “Road Trip Ready” and is filled with all the things a glam girl needs on a casual trip out of town. We wanted to create a box to be your go-to when a random trip pops up. (Meaning: throw the contents of July’s box into a makeup bag and you’re ready to run out the door and meet your friends!) 

So what exactly are Team BB5’s road trip essentials? Let’s peek inside this cruisin’ collection and review!

Item one was our sneak peek: a full-size eyeshadow in assorted colors from our friends at Hikari Cosmetics!

Before you roll your eyes and say ‘boring’ - these shadows are the perfect traveling companion. You never want to take your large, expensive eyeshadow palette on trips. Why? Because what if you drop it? What if you lose it? What if you spill gas station coffee on your favorite shade? (GASP!) Your Hikari shadow can replace that big, bulky palette while traveling in a snap and, plus, these singles are highly pigmented, glide on skin so very easily, and last all day! With 8 colors you can potentially see in your box, the possibilities for en route looks are endless and all shades are on-trends (hello, neutrals and shimmers!) look great on any skin tone and even when layered. Whether you’re a matte maven, shimmer sweetheart, or glitter gal there is a shade for you. (Bonus tip: For a foiled, metallic look, wet your brush with setting spray or water before applying.)

We also understand a lot of Hikari eyeshadows are arriving a broken mess in your box- and we’re so bummed! Unfortunately, we can’t hand deliver them all ourselves, but we’ll absolutely send you a new shadow – just shoot us a quick email at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to replace it! For those of you who can’t throw anything away or fancy yourselves a DIY, we have a video solution to this crumbled eyeshadow issue below:

How to fix any and all broken eyeshadows (or highlighters!):

1. Using a q-tip, eyeshadow applicator, or similar item, crush the broken eyeshadow until it looks like powder.
   
2. Fill the alcohol cap with a little alcohol and gently pour in the eyeshadow container with the powder shadow.
   
3. Mix the powder eyeshadow and alcohol to create a goopy mixture. It will be messy!
   
4. With the other side of your q-tip, clean up the edges of the container to your liking.
   
5. Pick up the wet shadow by the base of the container and flatly drop it on the table. This is done to create a flattened shadow so it looks new. Repeat this step about three or four times.    
   
6. Let the shadow properly dry. This will take about 2-3 hours.
   
7. Use, blend, and enjoy!    

The second item that’s coming to a vanity near you is a round blending brush from us at BB5. 

We are so excited to present you guys with another supersoft brush with so many uses. Bust this baby out to blend eyeshadow (like the Hikari above!) to perfection or buff highlight on your cheekbones. You could even use it to sweep and blend on contour! (In fact, hmmm…maybe we’ll film a tutorial on the many ways to use this brush. ;) ) It can do double duty and replace multiple brushes so your bag isn’t so heavy and overflowing, and you can travel even lighter. Plus, if blending is your cardio, you’ve got to get some exercise in before sitting in the car all day, right? You’re welcome.

Remember the brush from last month? The oval head from Sweep Beauty? We absolutely heart this brand more than you know and they have graced our presence again with another amazing beauty duo. May we present: this gorgeous pair of rose gold tweezers with a mini mirror to match! 

Every savvy chick knows the car is optimal time to pluck those stray chin or eyebrow hairs, because REAL TALK: the sunlight really makes them stand out. Keep these tweezers in your middle console for red light plucks and touch-ups for you and your girls. Plus, someone always needs tweezers for some reason on every trip (better safe than sorry!) and they’re a great tool to bring if you want to be Road Trip Ready! We love these tweezers especially because they have a great super sharp tip that’s perfect for grabbing those tiny fine hairs and precision brow shaping, and they are just about the prettiest shiniest hue we could dream up.

Every gal is different on a road trip. Some babes wear a full face, even if they are gonna be in the car all day, while others opt for a more simple look. Even if we are gonna be playing the license plate game for a few hours, Team BB5 needs some kind of makeup so we don’t scare anyone. (You never know who might be at the next rest stop!) 

We always recommend filling in your brows, whether you’re wearing a full-face or a light look, since they frame the face and a bold brow can give the illusion of being put together when in reality you just rolled out of bed and hopped in your ride. We love the super fine tip on Chella’s Tantalizing Taupe Eyebrow Pencil, as it’s ideal for shaping the perfect precise brow and there’s no sharpener needed! (Oh, and did we mention it pairs perfectly with last month’s Brow and Lash Brush by Prestige Cosmetics? It’s like we planned it or something…!)

Lastly, what happens when you get to your destination and you need a little pre-vacay glow before you head out to the pool? We can help with that with one of the cutest beauty tools we’ve ever included: the Mini Mitt by SkinnyTan! 

This Australian brand is known for their incredible formulas that include Guarana - a natural skin smoothing caffeine-like ingredient - and means their sunless tanner also reduces cellulite, too. The mini mitt (or mitt-lette) is the perfect size to apply any kind of tanner (mousse! liquid! cream! foam!) to your face or smaller areas of the body, plus, it’s tiny enough to fit in your smallest toiletries bag. The velvety mitt texture ensures your tanner will go on evenly and streak-free, and keeps your fingers from getting stained, too! You could pair it with another formula by SkinnyTan, the Mystic Tan bronzing lotion from May’s box or the VersaSpa Gradual Face Tanner from June’s box - because hey, we love a good completed product trio. ;)

Which product are you crushing on the most in July’s box, babes? What are you hoping for more of in August? Let us know in the comments!

( P.S. Missed out on July? There’s still time to get your box! Sign up before the 22nd to get everything shown above!)

June is here and we think you’re hot enough already: so why compete with more heat? ;)

The products in this month’s box include are everything you need to ‘shade’ your complexion with sun-kissed bronzer and glowy highlight, gradually tan your face without any harmful rays, and stay cool and brushed to perfection out of the sun!

Brush Crush

You can never have enough makeup brushes, so we went overboard in the best way this month by sending 2 of our favorite classic styles of brushes - an extremely useful brow & lash beauty by Prestige Cosmetics and the new all-over-Instagram oval-shape by Sweep Beauty. 

Sweep Beauty’s oval head is ideal for contour and highlight placement, but also works beautifully for foundation, too! 

At the end of the day, this tool is for blending. If you are new to this style (and many are!), Team BB5 filmed a short tutorial for all you first timers. View it here: 

You probably have already seen a cute brow and lash brush around the internet or maybe you’re owned one, but we think every makeup junkie needs a few of these Prestige Cosmetics duos laying around their vanity, since they can be used for so many things.

The bristle side is ideal for creating natural-looking filled brows. After you swipe on your brow pencil or pomade, give your brows a quick brush to diffuse the shade and make it less harsh. Flip over to the comb side to de-clump lashes from a mascara-gone-crazy moment – spidery lashes no more!

Show Some Face

If there was one thing we’d ask you to write on your mirror in lipstick as a reminder (besides, “BB5 loves you!”) it would be to WEAR SPF. The sun can wreak so much havoc on your pretty face, and we’re big believers in both prevention and treatment. 

Rather than waiting for your tan and inflicting damage, create your own color with Versaspa’s Face Moisturizing Gradual Tanner. It is a build-able product, so it won’t shock you with a suddenly-bronzed face and contains Marine Algae to help wrinkles and luminous skin appearance, too! Smooth it onto your cleansed face and wash your hands after application; color will develop slowly over a week or so.

Even if you’re a dedicated sunscreen wearer, you can still give your complexion some TLC with Pur~lisse’s Sheet Masks in Blue Lotus + White Tea + Seaweed! Both are extremely moisturizing after a day outside in the heat, or just to wind down after a long week.

To get the most out of your mask: open and smooth onto cleansed skin, and leave on for 15-20 minutes (taking a selfie while wearing is totally optional but so encouraged!). When you’re done, remove and massage the essences into your skin. One of our favorite mask hacks? Toss it in the fridge for a few hours for a super-cooling sensation, or steep it in hot water (be sure to let it cool off some!) to open your pores for better absorption of the skin-magic ingredients.  

Shade & Strobe

If you have been subscribed with us for a while, you know we adore Manna Kadar! Their products are so pigmented and long lasting and Team BB5 loves this month’s screw-off Radiance bronzer & highlight duo for multiple reasons. 

First, it’s a high quality, velvet texture– you can tell right away when it’s swatched on your finger or hand! The highlight portion allows for a subtle glow and the contour side is beautiful for a sun-kissed look. We have also become obsessed with using the duo as eyeshadow- especially applied with a wet brush to create a foiled look. After testing this product on babes of various skin tones and types, it creates a beautiful universal look across the board and doesn’t aggravate sensitive skin. Three cheers for Manna Kadar and the versatility and quality of their products!

What’s been your favorite product in June, babes? What do you want to see next month? Let us know in the comments!

Oh, and yes- there’s still time to snag June’s box! Sign up before the 22nd to get all the pretties above.

We’re feeling this month’s MerMayd Box vibes so strong that we had to make some wallpapers for your (shell) phone. 

Erin at Team BB5 here! A dramatic highlight has become the newest makeup trend that all the ladies want to follow and I’m not an exception. I’ve always loved the idea of golden glow underneath my foundation. Even when I was first learning about makeup I was obsessed with the idea of glam and gold. So, now that your makeup cannot be on fleek without a highlighter covering your cheekbones, I have decided to write a post on my three favorite highlights. Reminder: everyone has different skin tones and types, but these brands are great for everyone and the prices aren’t too bad either.  

Manna Kadar 3-in-1 Pigment in Fantasy $19

I first came in contact with Manna Kadar through February’s box! This little beauty is a pigment that can be used as highlight, blush, or eyeshadow. It’s a little too sparkly for blush, in my opinion, especially since I usually have sparkle in my eyeshadow, but for a highlight, it is so perfect! I would use this as a blush if you are wearing a minimal look on the eyes. When I was testing this product, my coworkers asked me repeatedly what highlight I was using and they all know about Manna Kadar! This pigment catches the light with a rosy gold hue and, I think, is good for all skin tones. My tip for this solid pigment is to use a fan brush like Pro Fan Brush #65 from Sephora or #184 Duo Fibre Fan Brush from MAC Cosmetics and light sweep the color on the tops of your cheeks.

 Sephora Radiant Luminizing Drops  in Ultra Light $14

Say hello to my new everyday essential. Like I said earlier, your makeup cannot be on fleek without a badass sheen, and this is my go-to choice for a highlight. The color is perfect for my skin tone and leaves the MOST luminizing, golden glow. Like a glow that can be seen from space, which I love. During SXSW I had some random person yell to me, “Makeup on fleek!” and I’m fairly certain it was because of this highlight on my cheekbones. This is a liquid highlight and a little goes a long way, so the price of $14 is a steal to me. My advice is to use your fingers or your beauty blender to ensure the highlight is blended on your skin. Sephora created three different shades of these drops, so make sure to pick the best color for your skin tone.

 NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator $7.50

This is the highlight I wear when I’m rocking a less dramatic makeup look. Despite the shiny look of this liquid, when blended in, it has a very subtle glow on my skin tone. An everyday highlight, I would call it: something you quickly put on while running out of the door at the last minute to get to work, but at a price of $7.50, what do you really expect? For this price, I love this highlight and I think it’s a great highlight for beginners. NYX has four shades of this particular illuminator. These two are named Sun Goddess and Gleam. The two others (not pictured) are named Sunbeam and Pure Gold. I like that NYX took into consideration that everyone doesn’t have fair skin or dark skin and created shades for every makeup user. My darker skinned ladies should stick to Sun Goddess and Pure Gold, while fair skinned ladies should go for Sunbeam and Gleam.

Happy Highlighting,

E

Allow me to come clean: (and not just literally with the body wash pictured below) the rush that I get when I find a new product to obsess over is a stupidly addictive feeling. It’s not that I’d classify myself as a shopaholic, but I just adore when the stylish stars of the beauty universe align and send me a sign via a new perfect addition to makeup and skincare routine. Of course, this means that I tend to try out a few dozen trends and welcome new brands and formulas for all sorts of reasons, but no matter what, my top criteria is that they actually WORK (like that new Rihanna song) and that they keep performing amazingly (like Rihanna with each live version of her new song that I keep watching on Youtube).

While not every single product meets my high standards, I’m extremely loyal to the ones that do, and so when the products I buy over and over actually make a difference beyond my own makeup bag, too, it’s like a haute homerun! Sure, there’s a warm fuzzy feeling that comes with supporting a giving organization each time you beautify, but if the product itself doesn’t wow you, no amount of charity is going to make you repurchase it. That being said, allow me to introduce a swoon-worthy world-changing brand: Soapbox!

April’s Beauty Box 5 featured a deluxe sample of SoapBox Sea Minerals body wash, and I’ll be honest: I was excited that the brightly colored bottle told me that for each bottle bought, SoapBox donates a bar of soap to someone in need, but I was also curious about how the suds would satisfy my sensitive skin. A few scrubs in and I was completely obsessed. Not only does this body wash smell like I borrowed it from an expensive spa, (like, one that’s priced way beyond my usual treat-your-self weekly budget of a few Netflix rentals and a face mask) but it also actually moisturized my skin with rich shea butter and washed away with no clingy feeling. As if my product crush couldn’t grow any more: it’s made in the USA, cruelty-free, vegan, paraben-free, so easy to find at my local Target, and the bottle is made with 100% recyclable materials, meaning that I’ll be able to do good by giving back with each purchase while feeling good each time I lather up.

Talk about a life-changing shower.

Want to add some more empowerment to your bathroom cabinet? Here’s a few more of our favorite brands that give back!

1. Your love for Soapbox doesn’t just have to stop at Sea Minerals! They also make shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, lotion, bar soap, and body wash in all different scents- like this refreshingly delicious Bataua Fruit. Don’t forget to copy the Hope Code printed on the back of each full-size bottle and type it in their website to see exactly where your donation goes!

2. While we were already here for the pretty packaging and gorgeous organic lipstick shades from Axiology, we flipped over how they give back: including recycled boxes sourced sustainably in Bali and a portion of their proceeds going to animal welfare organizations. That’s one major muah! 

3. We featured Lasting Smiles Organic Lip Balm in our beauty boxes last year, after hearing their amazing promise: for each 1,000 lip balms sold, one child receives life-changing cleft lip or cleft palate surgery. They work globally to provide jobs in sourcing their materials and make their tasty sticks (like this yummy Passionfruit Mango!) with good-for-you ingredients.

4. Girl power looks SO good. Make Beauty’s stunningly designed skincare and cosmetics already blow us away, but hearing that 10% of their sales go toward the We See Beauty Foundation that supports women entrepreneurs with cooperative businesses? That just makes us want to buy the glowy Universal Stick in bulk now.

5. These pretty bottles by Afterfeather Refillables are much less boring than your regular travel vessels, and they fly high when packed aboard your suitcase and with their charitable efforts. Each set is made in the USA with 25% post-consumer plastic, and 10% of their proceeds go to charities that have a direct impact on their employees!

What give-back brands did we miss? Let us know in the comments, babes!

Xoxo,

Kelsey