BirchBox December 2013 Sparkle and Shine

I was planning on doing this sooner but with the holidays I got pushed back. So now I finally get a chance to sit down and write and tell you over the next couple of weeks about all the neat things I have sitting around that are just dying to be talked about.

This is just the picture of the different items in the box, I will be reviewing them soon.

DermOrganic Soapless Facial Cleanser

I was sent by the lovely company DermOrganic some samples to try out. They were nice deluxe size samples. I received 6 samples from them, but I haven't had the chance to try out the other products yet, but I will say I really like the fact that the products are oil free and fragrance free. The skin care products are made with Argan Extract.

So I am still in the process of finding a cleanser for my skin that I really like. I hate the fact that most make me feel sticky on my skin I don't like that. So it's always a push for me looking to find myself something that doesn't feel gross on my skin.

I tried this new to me brand and I liked the way it felt on my face. It didn't make my skin feel sticky or gross. That for me is so important since I always worry that I if my skin feels gross I am more likely to touch it because I am bothered by it.

I will definitely be using this until it runs out and if I like the results of the long haul I might actually buy it.

Benefit Cosmetics GWP

Today while I was out I saw that Macy's was having an event free make overs and lots of free gifts with purchase. I sent my mother over to get her makeup done. I walked around and looked at all the different things that were for sale. Most of the gifts weren't anything I really wanted.

I saw the bag that they were offering at Benefit and I really wanted it. I love the design on the bag and I love makeup bags. ( I am actually in the market for the Snow White and the Huntsman bag, because I adore it. I have a Cinderella bag and about a million other ones.)

The gift with purchase was gotten if you bought 3 items. So I bought 3 of the mini kits, mostly because I love mini bottles and it was the best way for me to try out a lot of different products for a lot less money. This way I have quite a few products to try out for you rather then one product. I like the odds better. I am really bad about trying to get the most out of my purchases. So you will always see lots of stuff from my posts and my cash.

I bought 3 of the mini sets. One was even discounted to $9. The sets I got were:

Tan About Town

The total moisture kit

and the poreless deluxe kit which I don't have a picture of because I gave it to my mother.

the GWP I got from this was gorgeous and some deluxe sample sizes

Makeup - GwP the way to go for counter purchases

I love Clinique, Shiseido, Philosophy, Estee Lauder, and the likes of any makeup you can purchase at a makeup counter. The price tags always make it hard for me to go in for the kill and buy. Except during the GwP times. I love GwP's because it makes your purchase seem less expensive and makes you super excited to try new things. I've fallen in love with so many products because of it.

The best part about them is that you get a wide variety of deluxe size samples and full size products. So you get to try not only the new product you just bought (or your old favorite) but also 5-7 other different items, in an adorable makeup bag. You can not beat that.

Right now there are a multitude of companies offering gift with purchase in stores and online. So it's the perfect time to buy.

For example right now at Macy's Lancome has a gorgeous gift set with any $35 purchase

You get an adorable tote bag. Very vibrant and bright. Your choice of eye cream, there is three to pick from. Your choice of moisturizer, again three to pick from. A body essential either a bronzer or a lotion. You get a lip product either a juicy tube or a lipstick and lastly an eye essential which includes either a mascara, makeup remover or eye shadow palette. Best part this is all free on top of the great item you are purchasing. This year I'm digging the new bright cream shadows and I love the foundation.

Another example is right now over at Estee Lauder at Macy's if you buy any fragrance you get a bag, palette with eye shadow and blush and two lipsticks and I believe a mascara and some brushes. Now I'm not a fragrance person really, but this is a great deal.

Now Clinique is doing a gift with purchase at Nordstroms. I love the bag, it's designed by Tracy Reese. This giftset is free with a $28 purchase. You get deluxe samples of the dramatically different lotion, mild facial soap, a lipstick, lipgloss, mascara, all about eyes serum and an eyeshadow palette. So you buy 2 items and walk away with not only some great products but this entire gift set.