January Birchbox (and a couple other things)

It's here! It finally came! My very first Birchbox! 

So for my first month, I got...

- Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm 

- Harvey Prince Sample Perfume in the scent "Sincerely"

- Sumita Eyeliner in a goldish hunter green color (excited to try!!)

- Whish Body Butter in the scent Lavender 

- Vasanti Brighten Up Face Rejuvenator - this I have to say so far is AMAZING! I tried it and my face felt so fresh like I had just had a facial, it hasn't been this soft since I was a baby! I might end up having to buy this in the full size! According to their website the full size should last you about 4-6 months so that is worth the $34.00. 

So far, I am really pleased with Birchbox and excited to see what the rest of the year holds! I have been kind of obsessed with this idea of monthly subscriptions ever since my fiancé Philip started receiving Sock Panda. Now we do Sock Panda, Birchbox, Myster TackleBox, Tackle Grab, HelloFresh, and LoveYourFood. I'll do a review or reveal on more later as they come. 

XO.

Tea Tree Oil, aka Your New Best Friend

Meet Tea Tree Oil, like it says, get ready to get personal, because you two are about to become best friends.

(I purchased mine at a local health food store)

I discovered the uses for tea tree oil awhile ago, and it's not a very pretty story either. At the time I was working at a day care facility and it seemed like everywhere I turned, kids were scratching their heads! If you don't know where I am going with this then you have obviously never had head lice. Just thinking about it makes me itch! 

I read that Tea Tree was a great ingredient in keeping those horrible monsters far away because they could not stand the smell!

From there I started doing weekly washes with...

Then, I got a little curious...

Tea Tree Oil sounded pretty powerful, so I did some digging and I found so many other uses for it that I now use daily. It felt to awesome to keep just to myself. 

I found that not only is it awesome for ridding critters like lice, but also fleas on dogs! Just a little drop on their collars and it is supposed to work like a flea collar that the fleas avoid like the plague. 

Then I realized that Tea Tree Oil can also do wonders for my skin and that is where I lead you today...

Tea Tree Oil Facial Cleanser! 

I use this before I put on my make up in the morning, after I wash my face at night, and I spray some on our pillows before we go to sleep! To give you a little background information, Tea Tree Oil has been used for YEARS as a disinfectant/bacteria killer and has been proven to help with acne/blemishes and redness. Just make sure to use it in small amounts! In large amounts it can really irritate and dry out your skin. 

& It's probably the easiest thing in the world to put together.

You will need...

• Travel Sized Spray Bottle (I got mine in the travel section at Target)
• Bottle of Distilled Water
• Tea Tree Oil

I know, crazy, think you can handle it?! Basically, all you are doing is diluting the oil because it is so strong. 

Fill your spray bottle about 95% with water, add about 3-5 drops of tea tree oil, screw the lid on and shake! Thats it! You are done. Trust me, 3-5 drops is all you need because tea tree oil is extremely potent and powerful. 

Don't worry about the smell, you'll get used to it and it fades quickly. 

I have heard some people putting the oil directly onto a cotton ball and wiping down their face, but I have sensitive skin and am hesitant to try this one. 

Do some research of your own if interested, I am sure Tea Tree Oil has many other capabilities! 

XO

Koo Koo for CoCo-nut Oil

I know I am not the first, and I am definitely not the last, but I have fallen into the craze that is Coconut Oil! 

Coconut Oil is a staple in our house, but not necessarily for the kitchen like one would think. While its great to use when making dessert, I find I use it much more in the bathroom.

1. Coconut Oil is the BEST eye makeup remover! Mascara, Eye Shadow, Eye Liner, you name it. Coconut Oil gets it off completely and doesn't sting your eyes or have harsh chemicals in it that will affect your skin. 

2. Speaking of skin, Coconut Oil works wonders! I use it sometimes as a facial moisturizer after a good cleaning, body lotion to make your skin silky smooth, and once again like I said is not riddled with harsh chemicals. 

3. Lip Balm! I love to put a little Coconut Oil on my lips before bed and it works as the perfect Chapstick! 

4. Oil pulling! I have tried oil pulling for a little while now, as bad teeth is something that just runs in my family. Essentially you take about a tablespoon of Coconut Oil and swish it around your mouth, kinda like mouth wash for 10-20 minutes. I know, I know that sounds like an awfully long time... but I just do it while I am in the shower and don't seem to notice the time anymore. Since starting oil pulling my dental hygiene has improved greatly, my teeth are less sensitive, and my 6 month check up of usual fillings has turned into positive meetings of a healthy mouth! 

5. Hair mask! I have really tricky hair. You know how some people have combination skin, that can be oily and dry, well I think I have combination hair! My hair can get extremely oily in the matter of a day, where it looks like my roots haven't seen a shower in months, but the ends of my hair can be so dry at the same time. One thing I have noticed that helps is Coconut Oil hair masks! Like I said, about every two weeks or so I will lather my hair up with a decent amount, put it up in a high bun, and go to sleep like that on a towel. The next morning and a deep shampooing later and my hair is perfectly moisturized. 

One thing I do not recommend Coconut Oil for is Shaving Cream!! I tried that one time and ended up with possibly the world's WORST case of razor burn, that hurt for days! It might work for some, but that is something I would never try again. 

In a nutshell, Coconut Oil is the bee's knees. If you haven't discovered the power of its majesty, just give one of these things a shot, I'm sure you will be impressed!