Why I Cancelled Birchbox

As the title says… I have decided to cancel my Birchbox. There are many reasons behind this decision. You may be thinking, “it’s only $10” that $10 adds up as you keep being let down by the boxes. Here’s why I cancelled: 1. Inconsistency. The Birchbox subscription is VERY inconsistent. I can get a half way decent box one month then get a horrible box the next month. 

2. Disappointment. When I do get that good box I will think okay they’re getting better, I can’t wait for next month. Then what happens next month? It’s a huge disappointment, I’ll get another bad box. 

3. Way to many hair products. I signed up for the beauty/makeup products it promises. I hardly ever get a makeup item. All I get is loads of hair products and they’re adding up quickly. 

4. The $10 is a waste if the products don’t leave me happy!

I wanted to like Birchbox so much but I just couldn’t bring myself to like it enough to keep it. 

I hope this helped you if you’re a subscriber or thinking of subscribing, thanks for reading! 

XOXO, 

Ashley

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Why it’s important to treat yourself now and then…

Treating yourself is a majorly important thing in life, in my opinion. I mean giving is also important but there are times where you just have to think “What can I do that will make me happy?” 

I have found that if I treat myself once in a while it boosts my self esteem tremendously. That new bra makes me feel pretty (even though I’m the only one that can see it). Those new tops make me feel pretty wherever I go. I just feel better about myself. 

There are many ways to treat yourself that isn’t just buying clothes: 

• Get a mani-pedi
• Buy that purse/shoes you have had your eye on
• Do your makeup, even when you have nowhere to go
• Go out for drinks with the girls or even the hubby
• Take a bubble bath and light some candles 
• Get your hair done 
• Bake some cookies/eat some ice cream
• Watch Netflix/Hulu

Those are only a few ways you can treat yourself, but don’t be afraid to actually do it… everyone needs it once in a while. I know I do! Life gets stressful and sometimes you need room to breathe. 

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy and these suggestions help you out! 

XOXO, 

Ashley

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Target Finds

Hello loves! This weekend I had to take a trip to Target with my mom, we don’t visit Target very often. We had to buy a quick birthday and bridal gift for a party on Saturday. 

Well, I walked out with more than a gift for the party… don’t we all? I walked by a clearance rack and my eyes immediately shot to the Sonia Kashuk brushes on sale. 

This is the first set I bought, they are cream and black with gold accents. The design is just a super cute geometric design. This set only costed me $14.98 on clearance! Being so cute and limited edition, I had to have them.

This second set has more brushes included, a full face set. The design is what caught my eye. They are black with gold cobras down the side. I fell in love with these because of how unique they are! The price was only $19.98, a must have. 

Overall, I’m so happy I walked by that clearance rack and saw these limited edition brushes, who can have too many brushes right? If you’re interested check your local Target, there was many left at my local target! Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed this post!

XOXO, 

Ashley

Kylie Lip Kit Review

Hello lovelies! I know I’m kind of late on the Kylie lip kit band wagon, but I wanted to really test mine out before reviewing them. I have both the Candy K and Spice lip kits. 
First off, Candy K. This lip kit is beautiful! I love the color, the perfect nude! This lippie wears beautifully and feels very silky smooth when dry. It dries very quickly, that is definitely not a bad thing! When the lip starts wearing off it looks so natural, not patchy. 

Next, Spice. I bought this lip kit because it was a gorgeous purple/fall color. When used with the lip liner this lip kit looks so beautiful and has very precise lines, no bleeding. When dry it feels so smooth like nothing is on your lips. When it starts to wear away it gives a beautiful ombré look. 

Overall, after wearing and testing these lip kits I can say they were worth my money! The $29 was very worth receiving both a liquid lipstick and a lip liner. 2 thumbs up from me! 
XOXO, 

Ashley 

September Favorites

Hello lovelies! Wow, it feels like forever since I have gotten the chance to actually sit down and actually devote my time to a post. I have been working like crazy and goodness I need a vacation… two more weeks Ashley, two more weeks. Well, enough about me, today I have quite a few monthly favorites for you guys. Maybe I should just call them current favorites.

Face Favorites

• Estee Lauder double wear foundation/powder. I love these products, they look very natural but cover any spots I have on my face and this stays matte in my face all day. No matter what I am doing I don’t need to worry about getting oily. I wear the color 1N1 in the Summer/Fall and 1C1 during the winter.
• At the end of August/beginning of September I discovered Urban Decay’s Powder foundation. This stuff is amazing, it looks gorgeous and its perfect for me when I don’t have time to put makeup on and need it on the go for work, I wear the shade Fair Neutral.
• One of my favorite blushes this month has been Makeup Geek’s XOXO, I received this in one of my Boxycharm boxes and have loved it since.
• Seraphine Botanicals blush in Happy Hibiscus has also been another favorite blush, I received this in my Ipsy bag and it is one I would purchase again.

Eye Favorites

• Rimmel Scandaleyes mascara, I have been loving this mascara this month because I ran out of my Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara and this mascara is a dupe!
• Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes!
• Jordana liquid cat eyeliner in 01 Black Leather
• Girlactik eyeliner in Black Nior. I received this in a Boxycharm and I am loving it lately!
• Colourpop crème gel eyeliner in Piggybank and Get Paid, I love both of these lately to line my waterline. They go on so smooth, I totally recommend these liners!

Lip Favorites

• Mac Whirl lipstick. This color is so beautiful and perfect for Fall.
• Mac Brave. This is my go-to lipstick!
• NYX Be Gone! Lip color remover, I bought this and wasn’t sure if it would work but it really does take off your lipstick!

Well that’s all my favorites! I hope you enjoyed this post, thanks for reading!

XOXO,

Ashley

August Ipsy Unbagging

Hello lovelies! I know I’m a bit late on posting my Ipsy Unbagging and I even forgot to take pictures *gasp!* But, that’s okay because I have pictures on my Ipsy app! 

I actually recieved the bag I was hoping for this month and that was the teal type bag with the beautiful girl getting her hair and makeup done! 

The first thing in my bag was Tarte LipSurgence lip creme in the color Wonder. I was super excited to see this in my bag because I have never tried any of Tarte’s lip products before. I’m excited to finally try!

The next product I recieved was Beaute Basics 3 toned bronzer. I am on the fence about how I feel about this product. It’s very small to be a bronzer, I’m considering just using it as an eyeshadow. 

This nail polish is such a beautiful color I’m so excited to put it on my nails! This is a Formula Xnail polish in the color Dollface. I haven’t tried any Formula X polishes so this will be a first for me! 

Next I recieved a Marc Anthony Nourishing Argan Oil deep conditioning mask. I haven’t ever tried a conditioning mask on my hair but I’m excited to try it for the first time! 

Lastly I recieved a Beau Gachis Paris Pro Series applicator sponge. I am not going to lie, I do not have high hopes for this sponge. I expect it to soak up lots of product and not blend as easy as the beauty blender. Maybe it will surprise me?

Well that’s all I got in my Ipsy this month! What did you recieve? 

XOXO, 

Ashley

Dupes for Kylie Jenner Metallic Lip Kits

We all know how popular the Kylie Jenner Metallic lip kits are, most of us dying to get our hands on them. The price… its hefty for one metallic lipstick. 

First off is King K, 

• NYX- Mischevious 
• MAC- Bronze Shimmer
• OFRA- FIFTH AVE

Next is Heir, 

• Stila- Dolce
• Too Faced- Debutante
• Sephora- Honeymoon
• LipTar liquid lipstick- Honeymoon

Next is Reign, 

• Milani- Bronze Beauty
• Too Faced Metallic- Candy Bar
• NYX- Wrath

Last but not least is KyMagesty, 

• NYX Cosmic Metal- Galactic
• NYX Wicked Lippie- Cold Hearted

Thanks for reading! I hope you all found this post useful! 

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XOXO,

Ashley

August Birchbox

Wow, I cannot believe I’m already writing my August Birchbox Unboxing. August? Already? Gosh, where did the time go? 

This month I actually chose the curated box. This is my first time ever choosing the curated box. I loved almost every product inside this box and so I figured why not? Inside I recieved: 

• Stila stay all day liquid lipstick in Patina. 
• Living Proof No Frizz nourishing oil. 
• HUM Nutrition Raw Beauty Green Superfood Powder. 
• Acure Organics Coconut & Argan Oil Cleansing Towelettes. 
• Marcelle BB Cream Golden Glow. 
• Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle. 

This being my fifth Birchbox, I think it has been my best one ever recieved. I’m so happy with it and I think Birchbox redeemed themselves! Yay, go Birchbox! 

Did you get Birchbox this month? What did you recieve?

XOXO, 

Ashley

DIY Pamper Night

It’s Friday night and I’m spending the evening unwinding with a bath and a face mask. A little pampering every once in a while could always help. There’s a few different things you could include in a pamper night. A pamper night doesn’t even need to be a Friday night, you could even do these things on a stressful Monday if you need to unwind and de-stress. 

1. Make yourself a hot/iced cup of tea or even water if you don’t like tea. 

2. Run yourself a nice hot bath. I like to add 2 cups of lavender Epsom salt (if you want you could use plain Epsom salt and 5-10 drops of essential oils). If you would like you can add bubbles instead. 

3. Light some candles. This can be very relaxing to lay in the bath with some candles lit. 

4. Put on a face mask or a sheet mask, you will feel pampered doing this believe me. 

5. Unwind in the bath with a good book. I feel like this helps me relax a lot, some time to myself with a good book. 

6. Paint your nails. When your nails are painted, you feel pampered. I know I do. I love the feeling of having freshly painted nails, it makes me feel put together. 

7. Do your skincare routine. This makes me feel good in itself. When I do my skincare routine, I feel refreshed. My routine includes cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. Every couple of days I include exfoliating but not daily. 

8. Use a lip scrub. This makes me feel good, especially when I go to put on my lipstick and my lips are nice and smooth. 

Do you have any other ways that you pamper yourself? Thanks for reading! 

XOXO, 

Ashley

Naked Smoky

Hello Loves! I’m excited to tell you all that the loved pallet Naked Smoky is on sale 50% off today only! This makes it $27! You can buy this pallet at Ulta/online, at Sephora/online or on Urbandecay.com! 

I own this pallet and I love this! I even debated on buying myself a backup for this price! I may need to 🙂 

When you purchase this online at Ulta you get free shipping with the pallet, today only. 

Are you buying this pallet? 

XOXO, 

Ashley