Monthly Favorites: October 2013

Hey, friends! Can you believe it's almost the end of October? Today I'd like to share with you the products I've been loving this month. These are the products I've used often, discovered, and rediscovered this month, that I've found myself reaching for over the rest. Without further ado, here are my favorites for the month of October.

Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Foundation Primer ($42 for 1oz) 

I've really been enjoying this primer lately. I hadn't used it because I don't usually wear foundation (I prefer the lighter coverage of a BB cream) but I decided to pull it out this month to test out. I love the refreshing sensation of applying it, and the moisturizing benefit it gives to my dry skin. It also creates a sort-of barrier between the makeup and your skin, preventing it from getting into your pores. Will I continue to use this $42 primer under a $7 BB cream? No, because it feels like a waste of money, but on days where I decide I want a heavier coverage and opt for a foundation, I will happily use this. I just don't want to use it all up, because the chances of me repurchasing this primer are slim. Don't get me wrong; it's awesome, but spending $42 on anything just isn't in my budget. I recommend buying this if you have dry skin and like to wear foundation. It makes everything look so much smoother and preventing a patchy, flaky appearance. 

Products I've Used Up: October 2013

Hi, friends! Today I'd like to share with you the products I've used up this month, and whether or not I'd repurchase them.

Olay Complete Daily Defense All Day Moisturizer with SPF 30 ($12 for 2.5oz)

This has been one of my daytime skin essentials for months. I find it to be really hydrating for the dry parts of my face, yet it doesn't make my T-Zone oily. Having a built-in SPF is also a time-saver, because ain't nobody got time for that extra step of putting on sunscreen separately (except for the fact that my new moisturizer doesn't have an SPF so I actually do have time for that...). The pump bottle makes it very hygienic, as jarred moisturizers tend to collect bacteria easier (since you're sticking your fingers in them daily), as opposed to in a pump bottle where your hands never come in contact with the product inside.  I would most certainly repurchase this.

Birchbox: October 2013 Review

Hey, friends! Before getting started with the post, I just wanted to give you a real life update. College is taking over my life (as it typically does), so posts will have to be limited for awhile to once a week. I promise I'm not going anywhere, and I guarantee you a post every Friday (even if it's at 11:59pm). Rest assured--College Beauty Buff is here to stay! (She's just a Good Grades Buff, also).

To begin, I'm really happy with how punctual my Birchbox shipping was this month. My box was shipped out on the 5th and I got it by the 7th! It's such a refreshing change from Ipsy.

Birchbox? What's that? - Birchbox is a monthly beauty and lifestyle subscription service. It sends 4-5 deluxe samples that are curated to your beauty profile. It is $10 a month, and has a wonderful rewards program, in which you can earn points for reviewing products and making purchases in the Birchbox Shop. You can then redeem those points for full-sized products in the Birchbox Shop! It's probably the best rewards program out there, in my opinion, which was one of the big draws in me signing up. If you're interested in subscribing to Birchbox, I would love it if you used my referral link. Thank you!

Monthly Favorites: September 2013

Hey, friends! School has taken up a lot of my time, so this post is a few days later than I would have liked it to be. But, it's still here, nonetheless! Without further ado, here are my favorite products from September: 

LANCÔME Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover 
(Sample-Size [1.7 fl oz]: $11)
(Full-Size [4.2 fl oz]: $28)

 

I recently used up a bottle of this last month, and I'm so happy I have another left! This makeup remover is hassle-free, so at the end of a long day when I just want to go to bed, I don't have to sit in front of the makeup for 10 minutes wiping my mascara off. This product is a godsend--sometimes in the mornings, the thought of having to work to remove makup turns me off from applying it in the first place, so a good makeup remover is essential. Would I repurchase? Well, I think $28 is a lot, especially since I don't have any makeup products in my arsenal that I've spent that much on. I think, instead, I'll be on the search for a cheaper alternative. I've heard the CVS Eye Makeup Remover works quite nicely, so I'll probably try that once I finish this little guy up.