We had such an overwhelming response to our amika Obliphica Mini Dryer gift with purchase promotion that we decided to bring it back! We’re not all that surprised at the response: the mini dryer packs a lot of power—especially considering its small size—and is covered in an adorable mod floral pattern. Here’s what you need to do to get this baby in your home: Visit Birchbox.com/shop and add $125 worth of amazing beauty products to your cart. You’ve probably been waiting to pick up some treats anyway, right?
When you check out, enter the code “amikamini.” The dryer won’t appear in your cart, but like magic you’ll receive it with your order. Do a happy dance because you’re getting free shipping and are well on the way to seriously cute hairstyling. This is limited time only so don’t wait long!
Some small print: Limit one amika Mini Ionic Hair Dryer per customer. Offer cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotions.
—Lorelei
What are you waiting for? Shop all our favorite products in the Birchbox Shop to qualify for the Amika Mini Dryer Gift!
The Show: Zero+Maria Cornejo
Hair: Martin Cullen for amika, Phyto and Beauty.com
Makeup: Dick Page for Shiseido for Beauty.com
Nails: Honey Kat for Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics for Beauty.com, using a custom gunmetal charcoal shade
The Vibe: Clean, natural and wintertime windblown. To match this season’s Icelandic-inspired collection, with its soft flowing lines, lead stylist Martin Cullen created a subdued and youthful look. He washed each model’s hair with Phyto shampoo and conditioner before drying with an amika NRG professional hair dryer and straightening locks with an amika ceramic styler. “We wanted to give an almost undercut and shaved away look to the hair,” said Cullen. To achieve the ultra-sleek style on the left-side of models’ heads, Cullen made a deep part and pulled hair tight, stitching it in near the right ear. The rest of hair was dropped behind the back into the clothes, and slightly puffed out above collars to create the illusion of a faux bob.
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The Show: VPL
Makeup: Romy Soleimani with Ellis Faas and Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics for Beauty.com
Hair: Bob Recine for Phyto, Amika, and Beauty.com
Nails: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics for Beauty.com
The Vibe: Geometric shapes and hard lines with a pop of the unexpected. To match fall’s VPL line, which is filled with strong graphic shapes and sexy silhouettes, lead stylist Bob Recine created a slicked down look, but added a free-falling crown piece for flow. To achieve the style, Recine dried hair with an amika dryer, the parted hair at the center or on the side. He then pulled away a triangular section of hair at the crown (to be released later), and combed down the sides. Products that were essential were Phyto’s Volume Mousse to get the right texture and Phytolaque Soie Hair Spray, which were spritzed on brushes to add shine. “You want that diamond finish, which is not wet or glossy, but more glassy” said Recine. Side sections were then tied into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck, and covered with the top portion of free hair that was then combed out and flat-ironed with an amika straightener.
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Show: Cynthia Rowley
Hair: Duffy for Amika
Makeup: Lottie for Make Up For Ever
Nails: Zoya
The Vibe: Individualized looks. For hair, that meant tailoring each style to the specific model. “Each girl is going to be treated separately,” said Duffy, the lead stylist for Amika. “Some may have their hair up, some might have it loose, but we’re working with their face shape and outfits.” The hairstyles themselves were centered around loads of texture, which was achieved through three different techniques. First, the models’ hair was rough dried with the hands and saturated with mousse, as well as styling products containing alcohol to dry it out. Next, small sections of hair were wrapped around hair pins in a figure eight and then set onto the pins using soon-to-launch Cynthia Rowley Amika Styler. Other small sections were then wrapped tightly around curling iron barrels the width of a pen to create tight ringlets. “I want you see the three different textures, but I don’t want you to see three defined sections,” said Duffy, who was emphatic about melding the hair together using only his hands once the pins had been pulled from the hair.
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Thanks to one too many sessions with the blow dryer and flat iron, our hair needs something beyond our regular conditioner. We spoke with two experts, the lead trichologist from Philip Kingsley’s New York hair clinic and the co-owner of Warren-Tricomi Salons, to find out how to repair damaged hair and keep it healthy all year round. Read more.
To my father’s never-ending dismay, I always forget the difference between an Allen wrench and a Phillips head and couldn’t put together an Ikea cabinet to save my life. Suffice to say, I will not be stepping anywhere near a power drill anytime soon. But, over the past year, I have become quite proficient in another type of tools — those of the beauty variety. Which is why I’m so excited about our brand new Tools category in the Birchbox Shop. We’ve filled it with the all-star cleansers, brushes, hair dryers, and more that we can’t live without. You’ll find the Clarisonic, the cleansing brush that is responsible for Team Birchbox’s glowing skin, plus a super-powered flat iron and the cutest mini eye touch up kit. Oh, and a teasing brush — everyone needs one of those.
—Mollie
Don’t know where to start? Check out Amika’s Go-Go Travel Set — a small but mighty hair dryer and flat iron duo. A must for travel but too adorable to keep hidden under your sink.
A style force to be reckoned with, Sara Zucker is well known for providing daily outfit inspiration and scoping out incredible finds via her Tumblr, Farpitzs (which is the Yiddish word for ‘all dressed up,’ just in case you were curious). As if being one of the most popular fashion voices in the blogosphere wasn’t time consuming enough, the well-heeled trendsetter also happens to be Glamour Magazine’s community manager. Lucky for us, she was able to make some time in her busy schedule to guest blog for us this week. Check back daily as Zucker shares everything from her favorite fall trends to what’s in her cosmetics bag.
1. Amika Obliphica Curl Defining Cream, $24, birchbox.com; 2. Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint, $30, birchbox.com; 3. Japonesque Tweezers, $20, birchbox.com; 4. Lipstick Queen Medieval Tinted Lipstick Treatment, $20, birchbox.com
With the summer heat at its highest in decades, Manhattanites such as myself (and the Birchbox team!) are clinging to tried-and-true ways to stay sweat-free. It’s a lofty goal, I’ll admit. But after seeing the image of the girl above, I was inspired to come up with a new hassle-free warm weather beauty look. Generally speaking, when temperatures soar, I strive to keep my makeup to a minimum, sticking to only a light tinted moisturizer and a bold lipstick. Of course, well-groomed brows are a must when you don’t have much else going on. And I also tend to use just one product on my hair when it’s hot to keep the curls bouncy and to prevent buildup, which can lead to a greasy mane.
For more great summer products, check out the Birchbox Shop.
Brace yourselves for Brooklyn’s beauty bombshell, Janell Hickman! While taking a brief vacay from a few facials and manicures, she will be talking about all things beautiful with us this week. Hickman formerly had an affair with fashion, but is now officially going steady with her current love, beauty. Aside from her newly launched blog, Chipped Manicure, she has also written for Refinery29.com, BeautyEtc.com, ESSENCE.com, and contributed to monthly columns as the beauty & fashion assistant at ESSENCE Magazine.
Every beauty gal (or guy) has a few products that they can’t live without. I discovered a new must-have when I underwent a big chop last November, unveiling my natural hair. Unlike before, I now have little curls peeking out and I need something to help define and control them. Amika Obliphica Hair Treatment is an incredible problem-solver because I can use it as a hot oil treatment for my parched strands and it’s so versatile, I can even apply it as a daily moisturizer.
Another go-to that I discovered out of crisis is philosophy’s Hope in a Jar. During a trip to Chicago a few years ago, I forgot to pack my skincare essentials but thankfully my best friend had a plethora of moisturizers to chose from, including the aforementioned miracle worker. So lightweight that it melts into your skin, this cream gives you a soft glow and just a dab will do.
Last, but certainly not least, I cannot go one day without my Erno Laszlo Hydra Therapy Cream Soap. One sacrifice that I had to make living in New York City was not having a bath tub—showering just isn’t the same experience as taking a luxurious bubble bath—but this soap makes it worthwhile. The scent is ultra-feminine and soft. But what I like most of all is that it lathers deliciously enough to make you feel clean without stripping your skin.
For more great essentials, check out our Birchbox Shop.
Once a week, Birchbox’s resident yoga and men’s product expert, Eric, will gives us girls some insight into his world in You’ve Got Male. Whether he’s giving his expertise on skincare (boys need advice, too!) or highlighting his new favorite grooming trend, this guy has got taste—so we’re lucky he’s on staff and willing to share.
As unusual as this is for me, I didn’t make it to the beach until Fourth of July weekend this year. Between keeping busy in the Birchbox office and weekend events in NYC, I hadn’t been able to make a trip. Being back at the beach is fun and relaxing, but I was reminded how it can wreak havoc on your skin and hair. Here are a few of my must-haves when at the seashore.
Tocca SPF 30+ Towelette in Stella: Although Stella may be a bit girly for some of the guys out there, the scent is light and not overbearing. A great improvement from your drugstore SPF scent! These towelettes are individually wrapped and measure 8” x 8”. I use one for each half of my body and they work like a dream. Forget the mess of liquid sunscreen and the splotchy results you get with a spray!
SIRCUIT® Cosmeceuticals Molecular Mist: I sprayed the Molecular Mist on my face and neck before, during, and after visiting the beach and it did an amazing job of keeping my skin hydrated and cool. The 2 oz size makes it easy to throw in your bag and the ‘heavy water’ complex used in the formula is ideal for long-lasting hydration.
Amika Obliphica Hair Treatment: After frolicking in the surf and sitting out in the sun, my hair can be left stripped and coarse. Also, given that the beach tends to be a pretty humid place, it’s important to tame frizz. I love the Amika Obliphica Hair Treatment because it restores shine and health and deals with frizz and fly-aways without being too heavy.
—Eric
Stay tuned for more of my beach and summer picks coming soon in You’ve Got Male! In the meantime, check out some more summer products in our Birchbox Shop.
As I’ve said before, I don’t do makeup in Maine. No makeup. Not a stitch. But that isn’t to say that I leave all my products in New York. This weekend, here’s what kept me happy.
Amika Obliphica Hair Treatment: My hair is long, long overdue for a haircut (so much so that my father, not one to take notice of hairstyles, asked me if I was going for the Rapunzel look). Suffice to say, my ends are dry. This weekend I slathered my hair in this light and delicious smelling oil every time I went out — for a run, to the beach — to keep it protected.
Pangea Organics Toner: My mom got sent this in her most recent Birchbox, and was kind enough to share with me. Since I was out in the sun everyday, my skin was feeling a bit dry — I spritzed it with this before applying moisturizer.
One Love Organics Love Springs Eternal Serum: I discovered this brand a few weeks ago and have been using this incredible, waterless serum ever since. It’s a little heavy for those extra humid days but when it’s perfect for when you’ve been outside and need to give your skin a little extra hydration help. It absorbs quickly and gives my face a nice sheen.
MD Solar Sciences SPF 40: Meredith would be appalled if I didn’t mention my SPF choices. I took this mineral sunscreen (actually took it off Meredith’s desk), which did the trick quite nicely. It dried to a matte finish and didn’t run into my eyes in the heat.
—Mollie
For more summer survival tricks, read our guide.
