Birchbox staffers have been known to play the beauty field. With so many fun samples floating around, can you blame us for having a hard time committing? Then again, when we find something we love, we stick to it. In this new feature, we’ll be asking Birchbox staffers to share the products they just can’t quit. First up, co-founder and braid guru, Katia.
Katia, Birchbox Co-founder
Beauty profile: Combination skin, thick and dry hair, adventurous/trendy.
Products I can’t quit:
Benefit They’re Real: Seriously obsessed. It is a magical mascara. Gives you drama without creating clumps, and doesn’t move all day. I love that it’s dark black, but still looks pretty and natural.
Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Shampoo: This smells amazing and deeply cleans without drying out my hair. I think I am producing less oil in my hair since starting to use it months ago.
Boscia Luminizing Black Mask: This peel-off treatment is so gratifying! Black is genius because you can see everything that happens (or comes off). It clears pores without the unwelcome drama of home extractions.
Anastasia Brow Wiz: I won’t leave home without this. It makes a huge difference and you can easily control how much of an impact (or lack of impact) you want to make.
Bonus! Latest discoveries:
Talika Lipcoils Expert: Two weeks in, I see a small difference, and there are no bad side effects! All other lash serums make my eyes burn.
Pretty waves or straight hair are okay for everyday but sometimes we want our hair to look a little bit cooler. Try this edgy half up style on your next night out. All you need is a hair serum, bobby pins, a teasing brush, and hairspray. Would you try this yourself? Let us know in the comments or better yet, send us pictures or videos!
You may have noticed lots of your favorite brands coming out with oil-based products in the last year, and for good reason. These products are a far cry from the greasy, dirty kind of oil that clogs your pores and weighs down your hair. In fact, these oils are all about working with your skin and hair type to either cleanse or hydrate. My favorite cleansing oils fit the old adage “like attracts like” by pulling out the bad oils and leaving skin with plenty of moisture, not stripped. My must-have hydrating oils sink in immediately and are much longer-lasting than moisturizers. Check out a few of my all-time faves below.
The Vibe: Classic and clean. To tie together the four distinct student designers’ collections in the Vantan Tokyo show, lead hair stylist Brandon Yamamoto opted to keep styles elegant and wearable, so that the looks would meld with each unique aesthetic in the four lines. Yamamoto created loose, lazy waves that could be worn in front of or behind shoulders by prepping hair with Yokan Craft melt for texture and hold, then adding shine and calming fly-aways with Essence Absolue Nourishing Oil. For soft waves, he wrapped hair loosely around a curling iron to avoid any hard, ringlet looks.
We’re guilty of sticking with the same hair cut for years — if it’s not broke, why fix it? — but that can be a little boring. But not everyone has our issue. Paulina, one of our amazing operations associates, is always eyeing new cuts and styles. She’ll be sharing her tress inspiration and tips every other week in Hairistocracy. Her latest hair obsession: ombre!
Before (left) with a single color and after (right) with ombre hair.
About two weeks ago, I got the itch to seriously change up my style. Since I’m growing out my hair and that limits what I can do cut-wise, it dawned on me that it was finally time to change my color. I have never, I repeat never, dyed my hair before so this was a big step for me.
The moment you start reading Alex Yeske’s dreams + jeans blog, you know one thing for sure: the girl has excellent taste. Musing on everything from fashion to beauty to design, the recent Syracuse grad has a knack for spotting pretty things — a skill that no doubt serves her well in her day job as a graphic designer for Madewell. This week, we’re lucky enough to have her guest blogging for us about everything from her beauty must-haves to how to get the perfect blow dry.
Who doesn’t love getting product recommendations from friends? I asked a few fellow bloggers that I know well to recommend some of their favorite products.
Mackenzie of Design Darling: I always thought that as a redhead, I couldn’t rock a red lip, but I gave it a go this summer and I’m suddenly smitten. Pair NARS’ matte lipstick in Jungle Red with dewy skin and a dash of black mascara — it’s attention-getting for all the right reasons!
Molly of A Piece of Toast: My only makeup essential that has not changed since I was a sophomore in high school is my Shu Uemura eyelash curler. I truly cannot live without it. I first put on my mascara (a rotation of cheapies from Target) and then use this curler, and I seriously feel like a movie star!
Well, it’s finally here guys: Summer! Today, June 21st, marks the Summer Solstice, or the longest day of the year. Before you get all excited, keep in mind that today is really only about two seconds longer than yesterday. With that said, there are TONS of things you can accomplish in those two seconds. Don’t believe me? Read it and weep (with happiness):
1.Dismiss Oily Skin: TATCHA Aburatorigami blotting papers soak up excess oil from your face instantly.
2. Hydrate Dry Skin: On the other hand, you can also hydrate your cakey, dehydrated skin and keep makeup in place with a single spritz of Sircuit Molecular Mist.
3.Glossify Your Lips: Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss comes in five shimmery shades, all subtle enough to apply without a mirror.
4.Get a Tan: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pads are a tan and exfoliator in a towelette. Swipe these on in two seconds (making sure you get all areas of your face and décolletage evenly) and your tan will develop over the next three hours.
5.Get Shiny, Shiny Hair: Shu Uemura Essence Absolue delivers perfect hair with one pump. Work it from mid-lengths through the ends (one Miss-iss-ipp-i) for a high gloss effect.
The Birchbox Beauty Diaries is a regular feature where one of our team members tries out a new beauty look every day for one week. Whether it’s lipstick or eyeshadow, different hairstyles or fun makeup techniques, we’ll give you five fun ideas for how you can shake up your routine.
Birchboxer: Thanh Tran
Title: Director of Interactive
A Week of: Really beautiful blush
Monday: Shu Uemura Glow On Blush in Pearl Wine Pink, $24, shuuemura.com
This was a bright fuchsia powder blush. The brightness was actually perfect for Valentine’s Day, and it made my exciting plans of interviewing pediatricians a touch more romantic. (Oh, the life of a 8-month-pregnant woman). Later, I layered some shimmery gold eyeshadow over it to add a little bit of sparkle for dinner.
Tuesday: Stila Custom Color Blush, $20, birchbox.com
By now, I know not to be too afraid of the bright pink blush. It worked perfectly for the rosy cheek look, and it really does change shades. Science is amazing!
