I have been receiving Birchbox and Ipsy for almost a year now, so I decided to show you what I received in both January editions and do a review of both of them and let you know which one was my favorite.

Birchbox

Contents:

1. Eyeko Fat Liquid Eyeliner
2. Whish Three Whishes Body Butter
2. Real Chemistry Luminous 3 Minute Peel
3. Jouer Matte Moisture Tent
5. Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle

Each month you receive a decorative box (usually decorated like the theme) with five samples. January’s Birchbox was all about 2016 and resolutions. It came with stickers that you can place on the top of your box on what you plan on working on throughout the year. I’m still trying to figure out which one to put on mine. I’m thinking maybe creativity or strength. Or maybe both!

Each month, Birchbox gives you the option to choose a curated box with a special theme, or the normal monthly box. A few months ago, the special box was curated by Nicole Richie! They also let you have a choice of one sample in your box, but you have to act quickly because they go fast!

If you really like one of your samples, you can buy the full size product directly from their website. You can also choose a subscription where you get a full size product each month at an extra cost. If you review your box each month, you can earn points towards free products.

Interested in trying Birchbox? Click HERE!

Ipsy

Contents:

1. theBalm Cosmetics Mr. Write (Now) Eyeliner
2. Beau Gachis Paris Smudge Brush
3. OFRA Cosmetics Universal Eyebrow Pencil
4. Lasting Smiles Lip Balm in Peppermint Creme
5. City Color Cosmetics Eyeshadow Trio in Falling Leaves

Every month, your five samples come in a makeup bag printed with the months theme. January’s Ipsy bag theme was “All Eyes On You”. A lot of products in this months bag were eyeliners, eyeshadows, brushes, etc. I know I’m saying samples, but a lot of times, Ipsy will give you full size eyeliners, lipsticks or nail polishes!

If you review your Ipsy bag each month, you can earn points towards free products. Ipsy also gives you great deals on full size products. Last week I got an eyeshadow Palette from theBalm for only $20 (normally $36)!

Interested in trying Ipsy? Click HERE!

Verdict

Overall, both offer the same thing: 5 samples in a box/bag once a month at $10 a month. It seems like Birchbox is more towards skincare and hair products. I usually only get 1 makeup or nail polish sample a month from them, whereas with Ipsy I get mostly makeup samples and one skincare product. Both send name brand, high quality samples, that I really love!

But if I did have to choose one, I would have to pick Ipsy, but only because I’m more into makeup than skincare products (I have products that I like to stick with). Ipsy also offers better deals on full size products, whereas Birchbox full size products are usually just the normal price. I also love that Ipsy sends a lot of full size products, and Birchbox is only sample sized.

Another thing I like about Ipsy is that the samples come in a makeup bag that I will most likely be able to use again. The boxes from Birchbox are super cute, but I’m running out of ideas on how to reuse them! Let me know in the comments how you reuse yours, I need help!

Do you prefer Birchbox or Ipsy? Let me know, and don’t forget to subscribe!

XoXo Valerie

Face Masks  //  Night Cream (similar)  //  Nail Polish  //  Coconut Oil  //  Serving Tray

Out of every day of the week, Sunday’s are always my favorite. Most people love to spend their Sunday’s doing absolutely nothing (I do this on Saturday’s), which is okay! I spend my Sunday’s preparing for the week ahead. I’m the type of person that has to organize and plan everything out, which is why this is my favorite day!

When I first wake up on Sunday’s (which is usually around 7:30am because I can’t sleep in ), I eat a little bit of breakfast (while planning out what I am going to cook throughout the week), workout, and then head to the grocery store to get my groceries for the week. Once I get home, I start prepping my lunches for the week.

Once I finish with all that, I start my coconut oil hair mask. I got my coconut oil from Aldi (it seemed to be the cheapest), but you can literally find it anywhere. I swear by coconut oil. You can literally use it for anything from makeup remover, face scrub, moisturizer, to lip balm! Some people like to melt the coconut oil before they put it in their hair, but I just find that to be too messy. I take a teaspoon of coconut oil, warm it in my hands a little bit, then start putting it in my hair. Since I have oily hair, I usually only put it from the middle to the ends of my hair. Take more teaspoons out until your hair is completely covered where you want it. I let it set in my hair for about two hours. While I let it set, I start doing laundry, plan blog posts for the week, and clean my makeup brushes.

After my coconut oil hair mask has set, I take a shower. It usually takes about 2 washes to completely wash out all of the coconut oil. But once you are done, you will notice how soft your hair is! It also makes it thicker and grow faster. I do this only once a week. One time during the week (usually Wednesday’s), I use a 3 minute hair mask that I bought from Dollar Tree, just to give it a little extra moisture after washing.

Also while I am in the shower, I like to exfoliate my face to get off all the extra dead skin cells, so my makeup will look fresher throughout the week. Once out of the shower I apply a face mask. I usually use the Dead Sea Essentials by Ahava soothing chamomile spa facial and mud mask (found at Target), or a Nugg face mask. It helps to detoxify and deep clean my skin. I just recently bought two new face masks at Walmart by Freeman (you can see them in the photos above). I’m going to give them a try this weekend!

After I’m done with my face mask I apply my ELF nourishing night cream, then watch Netflix (I’m currently watching Friends 🙂 ) while painting my nails.

How do you prepare yourself for the week? Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe!

XoXo Valerie

Luckily, I am the type of person that has natural long lashes. But when it comes to volume, not so much. I have literally tried every mascara out there, and few have actually helped with that. Until Influenster sent me the Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir mascara!

According to Marc Jacobs, “Experience 1800% more volume and the look of false lashes with Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara. The lash-maximizing, curvy brush places the most volume at the hard-to-reach center lash line. The Flash Volume Complex creates instant, smudge-free length and volume in three strokes or less.”

I know it’s hard to tell in my selfie above, but this mascara seriously worked wonders for me. My lashes had SO much volume that I didn’t think they could have. The mascara didn’t flake off on my face (like most tend to do) which is a huge plus for me, since I wear contacts. If Marc Jacobs makes a waterproof version, I will for sure be picking that up. Ever since Influenster sent me this mascara, I have been wearing it everyday and don’t plan to stop anytime soon!

Have you tried the Velvet Noir Mascara from Marc Jacobs? Let me know what you think in the comments below!

XoXo Valerie

All products received complimentary for testing purposes thanks to Influenster.