I’m back with another Birchbox unveil. This time its September’s Birchbox, which I received a few weeks ago. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Skincare
First Birchbox | May 2013 Birchbox Unveil
I’m a little late to the game but I finally signed up for Birchbox. If you haven’t heard about it, its basically a box of samples your get in the mail monthly. The samples can range from makeup, haircare, skincare, fragrance and even lifestyle products. For example in my Birchbox I received a Cargo Water Resistiant Blush, COOLA Classic Face SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturizer for Face, Isaac Mizrahi FABULOUS Issac Mizrahi Eau de Parfum, Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive, and Runa Guayusa Tea. I am excited to try out all of the products, with the exception of the tea since its green tea and that’s not at the top of the list of things to ingest while pregnant. Its only $10/monthly and I think it’s a fun surprise to get in the mail and a good way to try out different products.
Many of the products are on the higher-end, so without maybe someone giving you a sample at the makeup or fragrance counter, you wouldn’t have an opportunity to try it out without purchasing it first. I also decided to purchase the Birchbox subscription, because I figured once baby is born I won’t have any opportunity to get out and about and shop for myself too much. Baby’s coming in October, so the means the holidays will be right around the corner, which means no shopping for me, but mostly for family and loved ones.
As I try out each product I’ll more than likely do a post on it, if not once I try out all of them. Also, the products your receive are based on your profile that you fill out when you sign up for the subscription, so what you get in your box is tailored to you. If you watch reviews on Youtube or come across other’s posts on their Birchboxes, they may differ from yours. It took me a sec to figure this out, until I went back and watched Birchbox’s actual video for the May box on Youtube. I’ll tell you that it was reassuring, because I thought I was missing something.
Click here to visit the Birchbox website if your interested in learning more about how to obtain a subscription. I will tell you that I had to wait a few weeks to get my subscription, because there was a waitlist at the time.
Happy Bumping!
xxoo,
Pregnancy Knowledge | Stretch Marks
I’ve heard that stretch marks are genetic mostly, or rather not getting them is a matter of whether you’re susceptible to them genetically. My mother did not get any stretch marks throughout her three pregnancies that were lasting or noticeable. If I remember correctly, from what she told me, she ended up with one on her belly, but I do not know which pregnancy it came from of hers. Anyhow, it’s not even noticeable and I couldn’t even see it when she showed it to me. I’m hoping to have the same results. So far I have not seen any, but I’m still pretty early in my pregnancy. I have been oiling up and moisturizing since the day I found out I was pregnant. I’ve used Bio Oil, which is really good stuff, but I’m not a fan of the smell and it tends to be pretty pricey. I do know, however, that they sell it at Sam’s for a really good deal. Regularly, I use Palmer’s Skin Therapy Oil, Tummy Butter, Cocoa Butter Formula, and Stretch Mark Massage Cream. I am very consistent with my application and never scratch when my skin starts to itch. There are a tone of products on the market that claim to prevent stretch marks, reduce the appearance, and even get rid of them. I’m not going to use everything under the sun just to prevent them, but I will stay with the set regimen I’m on, because it seems to be working.
My mom used a product called “Mother’s Friend” which is apparently still on the market. It’s supposedly available in drugstores and for order online. I’ve heard great things about the Burt’s Bees Mama Butter, which I’ve seen at Target. It definitely on the higher-end of these type of products, retailing for over $20. With so many products out there to try, it’s extremely tempting to become a product junkie and want to try everything. The important thing to remember is that whatever you put on your skin goes to the baby. I want to minimize what all my skin takes in, so that the baby isn’t exposed to unnecessary chemicals and potentials toxins.
To be honest I wouldn’t really say with confidence that there is a legitimate way to prevent stretch marks. I really do think it comes down to if your skin has good elasticity and the rate at which your grow. I’ve been moisturizing for as long as I can remember, and with my genetics I’m hoping it’s enough so that I don’t look like a striped tiger after baby.
Happy Bumping!
xxoo,
Tenns
El naturale while pregnant
While pregnant I’ve tried to lighten the load when it comes to makeup and products I out on my face and body in general. To be honest, most of it came from just being exhausted and not feeling like putting any on. I’m definitely not one of those ‘all-natural’ kinda girls. I still wear makeup, deodorant, perfume, and of course still use my Bath & Body Works scented body washes. I will tell you that I have not been one of those pregnant women that doesn’t shower on a daily basis. I shower not matter what, but did find that one of the scents I was using from BBW was irritating me in my nether regions significantly, so I used that up super fast. It seems that the skin is more sensitive in such areas while being pregnant, apparently due to the increased blood flow. Since the switch to a new scent I’ve had no issues. As far as deodorant, I’m still using my same Dove Ultimate Go Fresh Revive. I do about one or two swipes at night, and follow up in the morning with a swipe or two. I do try to minimize the amount of deodorant, just because it does contain chemicals, such as aluminum that have been found to not be so good for you. I very well might switch over to something natural once baby is here, due to breast feeding. I know that Kourtney Kardashian went completely deoderantless at one point, because she had found out about the chemicals in deodorant not being good for the baby, as most chemicals aren’t good for you and especially baby.
As far as body products, I’m pretty much using mostly Palmer’s products everywhere to prevent stretch marks and stay moisturized. I do use my BBW body cream and body lotion on my extremities. When it comes to my face, I am using my same Aveeno Smart Essentials Face Scrub when I shower. I never use face wash more than once a day, and fortunately I’m blessed with really nice skin. The prenatal vitamin has also contributed to my non-blemished skin. I find that less is more when it comes to my skin. I start using too much stuff on my skin, it definitely lets me know it doesn’t like it.
When it comes to makeup, I typically only wear a full face on the weekends. During the week, I really can’t wear much makeup in uniform, so it’s typically moisturizer and I’m out the door. If I don’t do a full face on the weekends, I will still do some BB cream, concealer, and mascara. I have found that I have more freckles, but not so much an uneven skin tone while pregnant. The freckles could very well come from aging and some sun exposure. I did go through a period where my skin was dry on my cheeks, but I think the bulk of that was wind burn. We have an unseasonably, brutally cold winter and it did a number on my face. I even had to do moisturizer and layer it with a little bit of Vaseline just to help with the dryness. Funny thing it that I has pretty oily skin, so it was odd to have an oily t-zone and dry, flaky cheeks. Thankfully, I think my skin has rebounded and I’m not dealing with that anymore. I also think me switching from the Aveeno face wash to the scrub helped, which is the opposite of how it’s been in the past. Usually the scrub was what wouldn’t do too well on my skin and the face wash was more mild.
So what is your take…old habits dying hard or strictly el naturale??
Happy bumping!
xxoo,
Tenns