Lavenderwalls & Me...: Birchbox vs. Ipsy: April Showdown

April's theme was...Rainy Days, so (I'm gathering...) all of the samples revolve around keeping life interesting during those weather conditions...?....? I don't know. I'm just going to move on.

*Cynthia Rowley Beauty Silver Eyeliner (Full-size: $16)*

Excitement Level: 2.5/5

My thoughts: I really like the way that the pencil looks with the gold lettering and bubble design. Really pretty!, but I guess that's insignificant-ish. My initial thought after seeing the color was "Ugh! Not silver AGAIN!" For some reason, I ALWAY get silver---and this one is REALLY silver...like aluminum foil silver! But, then I started to tell myself to stop thinking, "No! This is not going to work," and to say "I accept this challenge to figure out a way to make this work." I guess this is Birchbox's way of telling me that rainy days are good times to figure silver eyeliner out.

*KIND - Healthy Grains Bar in Maple Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt (15ct. - $11.88)*

Excitement Level: 1/5

My thoughts: Now, before you assume the worst, hear me out on this one, because it is technically a 5/5. The reason why I am not super excited about this product is that 1) I eat a Kind bar EVERYDAY for breakfast, and 2) I actually already purchased a box of these granola squares. With that said, Kind is, by far, my favorite snack bar in this entire world! I have tried many, but nothing tastes as good and as whole as this line. These granola squares, specifically, are delicious...and if you haven't tried it, please do yourself a favor and go try it. The flavor is great, but what I like most about it is that it contains the entire grain, the entire pumpkin seed, and expect nothing less with their other products. Sidenote, is Birchbox implying these are great rainy day snacks, because eehhhh.....?

*Madison Reed Nourishing, Color-Enhancing Shampoo & Conditioner (Full-size: $17.95 each)*

Excitement Level: 4/5

My thoughts: I am ALWAYS looking for shampoos and conditioners that are for color-treated hair that do not cost an arm and a leg like Pureology or Kerastase does. The smell's nice, although not my favorite, and the products are free of sulfates (that can strip your hair color) or parabens (which a bad for you). Definitely not something I will be saving for a rainy day to try --- I'm thinking I will be using this tomorrow when I wash my hair.

*Color Club Art Duo Pen in Black ($25/Set of 3)*

Excitement Level: 4/5

My thoughts: Wow! This is kind of cool. So, there is 2 ways to use this. If you twist the lid, there is a long thin brush you can use to paint with. If you pull the top off, you get this very fine tip pen to draw detailed design. Let me disclaim that I am not good (although I don't really put too much effort into it) at nail art or design. I'm interested to see what I come up with, though. Here is the only con I have with this particular color...The bottle is black...and so is the writing on the bottle. You can't see crap! Therefore, if I didn't have the little card that comes with my Birchbox to introduce each product, I would not have been able to figure out that this is a duo product, nor would I have known where to start. Just saying...Positive note is that I could see myself pulling this out on a rainy afternoon and playing with a little polish and nail art.

*Random Birchbox Item*

Excitement Level: .25/5

My thoughts: I don't think this really counts as one of the 5 samples that were part of my box, but I guess Birchbox wanted to really push this month's rainy day theme by providing a sample of what they are offering on their site- a set of cards that provide 52 "bright ideas" for a rainy day. I got #31...shop online for art...Thank you?

*Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil in Black Velvet*

Excitement Level: 4/5

My thoughts: One of my favorite lines of eyeliners. They go on very smooth and stay all day...and the color range is amazing. It goes from your standard blacks and browns, to colors a little more fun and daring (like hot pink...neon blues!). I am excited to try this seeing that the velvet finish is new to UD's collection...and I can always use a black eyeliner.

My thoughts: I'm anxious to see how much volume this gives! It looks to be a mousse that you spray directly onto your roots and then blow dry your hair. I think this will be fun to use. I'm also interested to see if the finish is different than what traditional mousse gives.

My thoughts: I have to say that my initial rating was a 2. I saw white gold and instantly thought that it was going to be another frosty white, silvery shadow that will make me look like a glitter ball. But once I swatched the product, I was so intrigued and impressed. The texture and formula is definitely a mousse. Light, fluffy, very responsive with the faintest touch. However, the selling point for me was the actual swatch on the skin. Once applied, the gold definitely comes out and the frosty whiteness goes away. When the light shines on the color, it is beautiful and irridescent. I can tell this will be fun to play with!

*Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm in #12 Apple Pink*

Excitement Level: 5/5

My thoughts: When you first look at this product, you think to yourself that it would not be a convenient thing to just throw in your bag. However, it is quite the opposite. Despite the funky shape, this is probably the most clever lip product I have seen in a long time. The lip balm is a pot, but the lid has a built in brush!!! So smart! I don't know about you, but the huge downside to pot lip products is that you have to get your fingers involved to put the product on. When I am out and about, I definitely don't think it is sanitary and practical. I'm pretty sure my hands are fairly clean, but why risk it? THIS lip balm solves the problem easy. The actually lip balm itself, I also have to mention, is incredible. The color is so richly pigmented that it's more like a lipstick than a balm, but I might I wear it with a little lip gloss on top for added moisture.

*Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant*

Excitement Level: 4/5

My thoughts: So, about 2 winters ago, I thought it would be a genius idea to purchase a liter size bottle of Philosophy's Microdelivery Facial Wash/Exfoliant ---it definitely was not a genius idea!....I use it everyday. I still have a lot left. I feel like it will never go away...I will never buy another liter bottle of face wash again. Don't get me wrong...the Philosophy exfoliant is a really great product and even better when used with my Clarisonic. However, could you imagine trying to finish such a huge bottle all by yourself? Needless to say, I am burnt out. SO, receiving something that is similar but still different, is very exciting. AND, I really like the light citrus-y smell. Yay!!!!

Total Ipsy Rating: Solid 4/5

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Well, I think it is pretty obvious...Ipsy definitely took the trophy for the month of April. I just felt that the cute, but unrelated Rainy Days theme mixed with the non-exciting items I received was just not impressive...at all!!! Dude, Birchbox needs to step up their game for May. Maybe I just got a bad box...Who knows...

This month, Ipsy had exciting items that are fun, universal, and relevant. It got me pumped to try out everything I received.

If you subscribe to Birchbox or Ipsy, or any other boxes, let me know below what you received. I am crossing my fingers that there were actually lots of fantastic Birchboxes (and Ipsy bags) that went out!!!!