Beauty Finds Worth Every Single Penny

If you’re not a member of Birchbox, you really should become a member.  For $10 a month, they’ll send you a surprise package filled with deluxe samples of new items that you can try out.  If you like what they’ve sent, you can purchase the items online.

I have very sensitive skin.  As my friends say, my skin is more sensitive than most normal people with sensitive skin.  So I’m always a bit cautious trying anything on my face that isn’t for sensitive skin.  Luckily, Birchbox gives you the option of ordering boxes that are for people with extremely sensitive skin.  That means that what they send to you…it’s okay to use.

With all of the samples I’ve received from Birchbox and Influenster, it’s taken me a few months to really try out their products, because I’ve been so busy traveling and haven’t had a ME day in a while.  Luckily, I found some time over the last few weeks and here are the products that are on my…WOW! list.  As in…this was the stuff that I plan on making a part of my regular beauty regimine.

1.  FIX Malibu Immaculate Complexion Smoothing Serum. 

“This clever serum is on our skincare honor roll.  Antioxidant-rich vitamins A, C, and E brighten skin tone and soften wrinkles.  Full-size $125.”Birchbox

Good luck finding a bottle.  I went online and couldn’t find one for sale.  Why?  Because they’re sold out EVERYWHERE!  Even FIX Malibu’s website is sold out of this product.

Let me tell you why this product is #1 on my list…my face is so smooth right now, it feels like cashmere.  That’s what this stuff will do for your face.  Results are INSTANT. 

Buying a bottle may be expensive, but I assure you…it is worth every single penny.  I just pray that by the time I get through my entire sample, I’ll be able to snag a bottle to get me through the rest of the year.  If not, this will become like my addiction to Dior’s L’Or de Vie.  They literally had to pull it from my hands and tell me that I wasn’t allowed to buy it in the department store!  (Good thing, because that was a $350 a month addiction.)

This product, on the other hand, has done something to my complexion that I never thought possible…it really does liven up your skin to where it feels smooth, minimizes pores, and makes your complexion feel and look like that of an 8 year old child.  Like I said, results are instant.  I’m on day three of this product and it really is turning back the clocks of time.

2.  Orofluido Beauty Elixir.

This hair treatment taps into a trio of nourishing essential oils (argan, linseed, cyperus) to keep hair smooth and sleek.  Full-size, $29.99.”Birchbox

All I can say is this baby WORKS!  My hair is super long, but because of health issues, growing older, not being able to get all of my nutrients, my hair has started to become brittle, grays have started to pop up, and at times…become so frizzy and unmanageable that I just give up completely.

I gave this product a shot, because I’ve tried so many in the past and nothing really works except Fekkai (and that’s $25 per bottle).  I applied the oil from the roots to the ends, brushed my hair, ran out the door and realized that the product was working instantly.

Flyaways were under control.  I could literally feel the oil restoring the lustre and shine to my poor hair that I’d given up on.  I kept going to the bathroom throughout the day just to look at my hair.  It was perfect…and I didn’t have to pay $300 to get Japanese straightening to fix it.

I tried the Phyto brand that Sephora gave to me over the weekend (four different treatments)…and that product doesn’t cut it.  Orofluido did.  This hair product is worth the investment.

3.  Algenist Firming & Lifting Cream.

“Turn back the clock with this sophisticated moisturizer, which uses a unique microalgae compound to boost skin’s elasticity. Full-size, $94.” — Birchbox.

After exfoliating with my Clarisonic Skincare system, I’ve been applying the Algenist Firming & Lifting Cream (I had to finally admit my age to myself and that it was time to start using anti-aging creams).  On top of Algenist, I’ve been putting on the FIX Malibu Immaculate Complexion Smoothing Serum. 

At first, I wasn’t sure if it was Algenist or FIX Malibu that was doing the trick…but then I realized that each one is working its own magic.  Together, they’ve started to improve my skin.  Those fine lines are starting to disappear…including the ones around my neck.  After a few days, I’ve noticed that the skin is starting to change…for the better.

For people that have very sensitive skin…this is the first anti-aging cream that doesn’t make me break out into a rash.  This one is actually doing the work without the harsh chemicals in it.

4.  WEI Chinese Rose Foaming Cleanser.

This satiny cream purifies pores and releases pent-up toxins – you’ll be fresh-faced in no time. Full-size, $32.”  — Birchbox

I can’t even begin to describe how much I love this cleanser.  It really does make your skin feel like satin after using it…almost makes you feel like a china doll after using it. 

After I tried this product, I started reading up on rose water.  There are a lot of women (especially Asian women) that swear that rose water has been their trick to looking young well into their 60s and 70s.  So nice of my mother to not share this vital information with me! 

Along with this product, I do recommend using rose water…but I’ll save you a few pennies by directing you to a recipe that teaches you how to make rose water…a very simple DIY:  How To Make Your Own Rose Water.

OR if you don’t like the DIY variety, I’d like to recommend Moroccan Rose Water. I’ve visited these towns that make Moroccan Rose products.  These products are actually manufactured by women who are divorced, victims of domestic violence or widows.  They go to these co-ops to live, work and co-habitate with women like themselves.  It’s a very beautiful and peaceful place.
Also, a lot of the products I brought back from these co-ops…my friends have sworn by them.

That’s it for this month’s beauty recommendations.  I highly recommend becoming a Birchbox member so that you can get your own deluxe samples to try out for $10 a month.  A lot of the stuff I’ve received has been absolutely FABULOUS!  I’ve been very impressed with everything I’ve tried so far from them…and this is from someone who doesn’t do Sephora or beauty departments very well.  I end up lost or trying out stuff like DIOR…and then realizing it is too harsh for my skin. 

Birchbox takes the store out of the picture and delivers qualitative products to my door each month…and gives me new things to discover that I will absolutely love and incorporate into my skincare regimine.  After all, it really takes the research out of finding the right product for you.  They just deliver it to you.  All you have to do is try it for yourself.  If you love it…then you know what to buy and where to buy it.

About Michelle Kenneth

Michelle Kenneth is the voice behind PerfectionistWannabe.com.