Beauty Box 5

It’s a fresh year....and instead of taking on the world, we think you should take it easy.

Listen, no one said you had to make really difficult New Year’s Resolutions, okay? Even tweaking something small - like a step in your getting-ready routine - can have a major impact, and this is coming from the girl who thought all primers were icky feeling until she splurged on this color-correcting beauty and now wears it every single day, even without makeup on top because it is that ahh-mazing feeling. (Trust.)

That being said, every January I take an evaluation of my bathroom cabinet and makeup bag (and secondary bigger makeup bag, and random samples drawer, and oh yeah, also that stash of glitter eyeshadows I bought on a whim and forgot about) and see what needs to be tossed, what trends are lacking or what bottles could use some love, and gently adapt it all to give me a fresh start.

Beauty Resolutions (such an original name, right?) don’t have to be hard, so here’s my core four that I’m putting out into the 2017 universe (and into my shopping cart) to bring me all the pretty, polished vibes this year.

Number 1 - WASH YOUR FACE.

I know, I know - this one seems like a no-brainer, but hey, sometimes it pays to be simple, and a vow I make every year (just to stay on it) is to take my makeup off EVERY night before going to sleep - even if it means keeping remover wipes on my bedside table (lazy girls unite!) - and to clean my makeup brushes once a week. Life is unpredictable enough, but you deserve the best skin in 2017, so clean that pretty face and tools of yours, babe.

This year, my major Wash-It-Away Squad includes:

This cult-favorite HappyFace Cleansing Cloth that removes everything with just water. I will repeat myself: every trace of makeup with just water and yes, it lives up to the hype. I have successfully gotten my closest girlfriends, my mom, and random twitter followers hooked on this baby, and for good reason. It also travels well, since you can just pack the cloth - no other makeup remover needed. Seriously, you need it in your life.

A pack of these Night Calming cuties since they’re so soothing and everyone deserves a gentle lavender hug at the end of the day. (Bonus: whether you love her or can’t stand her, Kim Kardashian West used these in a makeup video, so either way it’s fun to buy them to truly see if she was right - which, spoiler alert, she totally was- or have a bit of reality tv memorabilia in your cabinet.)

This cleansing face brush that means serious business. It’s super cute but your “aww” goes to “OMG WHAT” when you see how much dirt and makeup it removes with gentle daily exfoliation.

A gentle shampoo, specially formulated not to harm the bristles of your makeup brushes, because they can transfer dirt and old makeup to that squeaky clean face of yours, and after all, your brushes work really hard blending your makeup -- they deserve a day at the spa, too.

Number 2 - major haircare, please!

Maybe you’ve been addicted to pinning intricate braid tutorials for a while and in 2017 you’re finally going to master the messy fishtail, or maybe the winter weather and holiday party styling has left your locks lackluster — so resolve to make your ‘do a priority this year!

Personal note: I actually notice that I heat style even more in the winter because of just how cold I get post-shower (who needs a space heater when you have a lot of hair and a blow dryer, ya know?) and so this season also is a major time for moisturizing masks!

Restore your mane with:

...a little help from the Holiday Hair Repair Bundle! It contains a a clarifying rinse to rid your mane of 2016's lingering products, a fantastic smoothing leave-in, 2 hot oil treatments to tackle frizz and add shine, and two ultra-soft hairbands to reduce breakage and it’s totally travel friendly, too.

This deep conditioning packet with hyped-for-good-reason fixes-it-all Coconut Oil! Even this single amount lasts me several washes (it's super rich!) and I always notice a major difference in my hair after using it - especially after leaving it in for 20 minutes while I Netflix binge Bob’s Burgers. One might say I’m simply coco-NUTS about it (and no, I will not apologize for that pun).

A Flat Iron Heat Protectant Spray to kiss your fried strands goodbye! You can apply it to damp hair before blowdrying or on dry hair before using your flat iron or curling iron or wand to reduce damage dramatically. Bonus: it smells insanely good, too!

Number 3 - say cheese!

Did all those Christmas cocktails, cocoa and red wine leave a mark? Resolve to invest a little in your smile this month to keep it sparkling all year long. Everyone at Team BB5 is still obsessively using the Teeth Whitening Gel by GoSmile (which was sampled in September’s Box!) and it’s so easy to add into your routine, since it requires no extra time and simply whitens while you brush your teeth. Another tip top teeth tip? A striking va-va-voom bold lipstick will make your smile appear even brighter with the contrast. Might we recommend Bodyography’s Rustica, Bellapierre’s Couture or Ruby (both on sale!) or RealHer’s Be Yourself, Be RealHer?

Lastly, (and the most entertaining Beauty Resolution yet) freshen up your lovely lineup and use some beauty innovations that have fresh formulations and are anything but boring.

For example:

A lip gloss that lights up so you can reapply anywhere (or use it to search in your dark purse!).

Blush, bronzer, and highlight in paper form (so chic!) that glides on instead of a bulky compact that’s prone to breaking.

A lace face mask to make your sheet mask selfie game even stronger - and so much more fancy.

Gloves that will give you the salon-soft hands at home — oh, and did we mention they’re touchscreen friendly, so you can double-tap while they work?

What are your beauty resolutions, babes? Anything you’re trading out? Let us know in the comments!

Xoxo,

This month’s featured Cleansing Facial Wipes from Simple Skincare (our personal fave wipe!) aren’t messing around (pun intended). They really remove your makeup, all while instantly hydrating your face without leaving behind a greasy residue.

(We know, the obsession is so real.)

However, BB5 Babes are multi-tasking mavens, and we wanted to up the “favorite” label even more with routine-saving face wipe quick fixes.

Since you’ve already fallen in love with using them to take off your fiercest face at the end of the day, why not also…

Lighten excess contour shading

Nobody said Instagram Makeup was easy. We all have that oops moment, admit it. Refine your technique before you buff in your cream contour by swiping away at any overdone areas with the wipe gently, then blend and apply foundation on top. (Ta-da!)

Fix an eyeliner wing gone wrong!

Too much of a good wing? It happens to the best of us. For the most control, wrap the wipe around your pointer finger and drag your nail closely from tip to lid to thin out the shape! These wipes will be your best friend to help even the strongest of wings.

Wipe away liquid lipstick outside the lines

For pretty pout precision, use the same finger-wrapping wipe technique as the eyeliner wing fix to gently remove any stubborn pigment that took over-lining a little too far. You’ll thank us later.

Clean away makeup trial swatches from your hands

BB5 Tip: press and hold the wipe against skin for a few seconds to let it saturate the area first. (Even better, toss a pack of wipes in your purse before shopping for new shades and you’ll be set!)

Wipe residue off the inside of your makeup bag

Toting your must-have products around can leave a mark (or two). Remove any stains or spills in one swoop to keep your cosmetics case fresh.

It’s National Relaxation Day, babes --- and if you feel anything but calm, you’re not alone.

Listen, we get it - sometimes life is so crazy and full and fast that you barely have time to get all your mascara off at the end of the day, much less soak away your troubles in a long bath or book a massage - but everyone’s got their own calling card for chilled out bliss. Here at Team BB5 we think a DIY spa treatment is just as important as a soothing, no-checking-emails-not-even-on-your-phone vacation to destress, and so we’re sharing our fave ways and products to help you catch a relaxing vibe - both big and small.

(Oh, and did we mention our National Relaxation Collection is on sale?! Breathe easy and use code CHILLOUT for 25% off our favorite beauty to unwind with.)

Onto the good stuff! Here’s what helps us simmer down:

Sarah

Favorite way to relax: My favorite way to relax is lighting a candle, putting on a face mask, and cuddling up with a cat on the couch. I have three cats (two Bengals and a rescue) so there's always at least one of them that's ready for a nap. 

Favorite relaxing product: I love sweet scents so the Jaqua Sinfully Rich Buttercream Frosting Soy Candle is perfect for me. It makes my home smell as if I just baked cupcakes. Yum! Sheet masks, like this month’s Global Beauty Care's Retinol Sheet Mask, are my favorite because they are so easy to put on and take off. 

Tara

Favorite way to relax: I will never be too busy to end a crazy day with a good mud mask & meditation session; *shout out* to my go-to app, Stop, Breathe & Think!

Favorite relaxing product: I'm just obsessed with Purlisse Pur~Protect SPF 30! It's my all-time favorite moisturizer (I use it all day, every day) It’s seriously so light and makes my skin feel insanely soft! (P.S. this box includes the full-size!) ;)

Erin 

Favorite way to relax: As a makeup enthusiast I often have a ton and a half of product on my face at all times. For me, a full-face includes foundation, false lashes, and lipstick among other forms of beauty constraints. This means I have to constantly check if my face is staying in place while simultaneously trying not to ruin the masterpiece I created. Sometimes a girl needs to rub her eye! So, one of my favorite ways to relax is taking of my makeup at the end of the day. Then I'm free to touch my face and fully relax the day away. 

Favorite relaxing product: I love the Happy Face Cleansing Cloth! It's great for lazy days when I don't fully feel like washing my face. The cloth removes all traces of my makeup with just water and doesn't irritate my skin. It's reusable, so it's really the perfect tool for any glam girl to have.  

Kelsey

Favorite way to relax: I love to be submerged in water with a good playlist cranked up loudly- but I'm not picky!- beach, lake, river, pool, jacuzzi, bathtub - all of them count as a "spa" to me.

Favorite relaxing product: Natural Style By FUBU's Deep Conditioner! I have big, unruly lions-mane frizz, but 15-25 minutes of this in my hair (piled in a bun and secured with this month's soft ties from Did Hair!) leaves it smooth, shiny, and strong-- plus, that's 25 minutes to watch a show, read, or sip some wine in the tub!

August’s Spa Day phone backgrounds are here to help you chill, space out, and give yourself the BEST at-home detox ever.

I’m just going to be real: something about “all-in-one” just sounds less than sexy. Maybe it’s because after working in products all day, there’s this seemingly luxurious feeling about a super-stacked vanity of shiny bottles and alluring elixirs that you layer like a fabulous mad scientist of skincare and makeup, with a complicated primping process to top it all off, instead of a do-it-all solution that sounds much more hardware store than cosmetic counter. However, some schedules are just too long, and some routines don’t always stay consistent after a tiring day of traveling, a hectic work week, running errands all over or just literally running around catching rare Pokémon in your neighborhood (hey, I’m not judging).

When you’re in a rush or you’re just trying to simplify, suddenly one product that does it all is like a pampering angel sent from above to solve your skincare woes with a wave of her wing (or, in this case, an adorable tiny pink spatula). This cherub’s name? Mirakle Cream by The Better Skin Co.

I’ll admit, I was a bit skeptical of anything with “miracle” in the title, as I think it could be over-promising just a bit, but this little tub of perfection has calmed and hydrated my skin enough that I will let it keep the title and open up the heavens of my medicine cabinet to stay and then some. The thick-but-not-too-thick formula means that a little of this cream goes a long way, but it absorbs quickly so you can use it anywhere- and by that I mean I have slathered a tiny amount on my face and neck before bed as a night cream, on my bright-pink shoulders after I spent a little too long in the sun, as well as on dry elbows, rough cuticles, and on my itchy razor-burned legs, too! I’ve mixed it with my favorite facial oil after using a drying detoxifying mask to restore moisture to my skin and I’ve had absolutely no sensitivity issues as it’s fragrance-free and packed full of soothing hyaluronic acid, beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter, aloe, and more. This cutie comes with a small spatula that fits on the lid so that you don’t have to dip your fingers into the tub (and so that you can feel like a fabulous spoiled housewife vacationing in the French Alps and applying her divine skincare with a dainty little spoon…or is that just me?) and the pretty printed label makes me want to leave it out on my counter to brighten things up.

Don’t just take it from me, here’s what one of our fave bloggers, Kara (who received it in our sister subscription, Lilee) is loving:

“Simple and effective products are the type of products I search for, as I am always careful with the ingredients I put onto my skin. The cream is gluten-free, paraben-free and fragrance free! Fragrance free is important for my sensitive skin! Beside the ingredients, I am also in love with how this makes my skin feel! It is a very thick cream, so I personally do not use this on my face...I love to use this on my body. I love using it when I get right out of the shower- once my legs are freshly shaven- and I apply an even thin layer on my legs. Letting it sink in overnight leaves my legs incredibly silky smooth- it is unreal! I even convinced my mother to buy it!”

See? Even the mom seal of approval is strong with this one.

So, what am I going to do with all my other shiny bottles now that I’ve got one product for so many multiple fabulous uses? While I’ll still work my way through them and will probably always own more than I technically need (hey, product junkies don’t change overnight!), it’s oh-so nice to have a hardworking-but-gentle cream to keep my skin happy in any situation- and to keep my carryon luggage light from just having to bring 1 thing for all my complexion complications!

The real question, though: do you think I’ll ever get the “...there can be miracles” song from The Prince Of Egypt out of my head every time I look at Mirakle Cream on my nightstand? Probably not…but I’m not complaining (and neither are your desk neighbors when you crank up that Whitney + Mariah after reading this post at work).

Wishing you so many skincare Mirakles!

Xoxo,

Kelsey

What’s one thing you think of when summertime rolls through? We don’t know about you, but when it gets summer-y, we start getting restless for a road trip! There is nothing more spontaneous than hopping in the car with your best girlfriends and your best playlists and heading to the nearest beach or big city. However, one thing about spontaneity is it doesn’t allow a lot of time to plan or pack, (and for our fellow makeup addicts and high maintenance gals, this can pose a problem!) but BB5's got got the solution!

July’s box theme is “Road Trip Ready” and is filled with all the things a glam girl needs on a casual trip out of town. We wanted to create a box to be your go-to when a random trip pops up. (Meaning: throw the contents of July’s box into a makeup bag and you’re ready to run out the door and meet your friends!) 

So what exactly are Team BB5’s road trip essentials? Let’s peek inside this cruisin’ collection and review!

Item one was our sneak peek: a full-size eyeshadow in assorted colors from our friends at Hikari Cosmetics!

Before you roll your eyes and say ‘boring’ - these shadows are the perfect traveling companion. You never want to take your large, expensive eyeshadow palette on trips. Why? Because what if you drop it? What if you lose it? What if you spill gas station coffee on your favorite shade? (GASP!) Your Hikari shadow can replace that big, bulky palette while traveling in a snap and, plus, these singles are highly pigmented, glide on skin so very easily, and last all day! With 8 colors you can potentially see in your box, the possibilities for en route looks are endless and all shades are on-trends (hello, neutrals and shimmers!) look great on any skin tone and even when layered. Whether you’re a matte maven, shimmer sweetheart, or glitter gal there is a shade for you. (Bonus tip: For a foiled, metallic look, wet your brush with setting spray or water before applying.)

We also understand a lot of Hikari eyeshadows are arriving a broken mess in your box- and we're so bummed! Unfortunately, we can't hand deliver them all ourselves, but we'll absolutely send you a new shadow -- just shoot us a quick email at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to replace it! For those of you who can’t throw anything away or fancy yourselves a DIY, we have a video solution to this crumbled eyeshadow issue below:

How to fix any and all broken eyeshadows (or highlighters!):

Using a q-tip, eyeshadow applicator, or similar item, crush the broken eyeshadow until it looks like powder.

Fill the alcohol cap with a little alcohol and gently pour in the eyeshadow container with the powder shadow.

Mix the powder eyeshadow and alcohol to create a goopy mixture. It will be messy!

With the other side of your q-tip, clean up the edges of the container to your liking.

Pick up the wet shadow by the base of the container and flatly drop it on the table. This is done to create a flattened shadow so it looks new. Repeat this step about three or four times.    

Let the shadow properly dry. This will take about 2-3 hours.

Use, blend, and enjoy!    

The second item that’s coming to a vanity near you is a round blending brush from us at BB5. 

We are so excited to present you guys with another supersoft brush with so many uses. Bust this baby out to blend eyeshadow (like the Hikari above!) to perfection or buff highlight on your cheekbones. You could even use it to sweep and blend on contour! (In fact, hmmm...maybe we’ll film a tutorial on the many ways to use this brush. ;) ) It can do double duty and replace multiple brushes so your bag isn’t so heavy and overflowing, and you can travel even lighter. Plus, if blending is your cardio, you’ve got to get some exercise in before sitting in the car all day, right? You're welcome.

Remember the brush from last month? The oval head from Sweep Beauty? We absolutely heart this brand more than you know and they have graced our presence again with another amazing beauty duo. May we present: this gorgeous pair of rose gold tweezers with a mini mirror to match! 

Every savvy chick knows the car is optimal time to pluck those stray chin or eyebrow hairs, because REAL TALK: the sunlight really makes them stand out. Keep these tweezers in your middle console for red light plucks and touch-ups for you and your girls. Plus, someone always needs tweezers for some reason on every trip (better safe than sorry!) and they’re a great tool to bring if you want to be Road Trip Ready! We love these tweezers especially because they have a great super sharp tip that’s perfect for grabbing those tiny fine hairs and precision brow shaping, and they are just about the prettiest shiniest hue we could dream up.

Every gal is different on a road trip. Some babes wear a full face, even if they are gonna be in the car all day, while others opt for a more simple look. Even if we are gonna be playing the license plate game for a few hours, Team BB5 needs some kind of makeup so we don’t scare anyone. (You never know who might be at the next rest stop!) 

We always recommend filling in your brows, whether you're wearing a full-face or a light look, since they frame the face and a bold brow can give the illusion of being put together when in reality you just rolled out of bed and hopped in your ride. We love the super fine tip on Chella’s Tantalizing Taupe Eyebrow Pencil, as it's ideal for shaping the perfect precise brow and there’s no sharpener needed! (Oh, and did we mention it pairs perfectly with last month's Brow and Lash Brush by Prestige Cosmetics? It's like we planned it or something...!)

Lastly, what happens when you get to your destination and you need a little pre-vacay glow before you head out to the pool? We can help with that with one of the cutest beauty tools we've ever included: the Mini Mitt by SkinnyTan! 

This Australian brand is known for their incredible formulas that include Guarana - a natural skin smoothing caffeine-like ingredient - and means their sunless tanner also reduces cellulite, too. The mini mitt (or mitt-lette) is the perfect size to apply any kind of tanner (mousse! liquid! cream! foam!) to your face or smaller areas of the body, plus, it's tiny enough to fit in your smallest toiletries bag. The velvety mitt texture ensures your tanner will go on evenly and streak-free, and keeps your fingers from getting stained, too! You could pair it with another formula by SkinnyTan, the Mystic Tan bronzing lotion from May's box or the VersaSpa Gradual Face Tanner from June's box - because hey, we love a good completed product trio. ;)

Which product are you crushing on the most in July's box, babes? What are you hoping for more of in August? Let us know in the comments!

June is here and we think you’re hot enough already: so why compete with more heat? ;)

The products in this month’s box include are everything you need to ‘shade’ your complexion with sun-kissed bronzer and glowy highlight, gradually tan your face without any harmful rays, and stay cool and brushed to perfection out of the sun!

Brush Crush

You can never have enough makeup brushes, so we went overboard in the best way this month by sending 2 of our favorite classic styles of brushes - an extremely useful brow & lash beauty by Prestige Cosmetics and the new all-over-Instagram oval-shape by Sweep Beauty. 

Sweep Beauty’s oval head is ideal for contour and highlight placement, but also works beautifully for foundation, too! 

At the end of the day, this tool is for blending. If you are new to this style (and many are!), Team BB5 filmed a short tutorial for all you first timers. View it here: 

You probably have already seen a cute brow and lash brush around the internet or maybe you’re owned one, but we think every makeup junkie needs a few of these Prestige Cosmetics duos laying around their vanity, since they can be used for so many things.

The bristle side is ideal for creating natural-looking filled brows. After you swipe on your brow pencil or pomade, give your brows a quick brush to diffuse the shade and make it less harsh. Flip over to the comb side to de-clump lashes from a mascara-gone-crazy moment -- spidery lashes no more!

Show Some Face

If there was one thing we’d ask you to write on your mirror in lipstick as a reminder (besides, “BB5 loves you!”) it would be to WEAR SPF. The sun can wreak so much havoc on your pretty face, and we’re big believers in both prevention and treatment. 

Rather than waiting for your tan and inflicting damage, create your own color with Versaspa’s Face Moisturizing Gradual Tanner. It is a build-able product, so it won’t shock you with a suddenly-bronzed face and contains Marine Algae to help wrinkles and luminous skin appearance, too! Smooth it onto your cleansed face and wash your hands after application; color will develop slowly over a week or so.

Even if you’re a dedicated sunscreen wearer, you can still give your complexion some TLC with Pur~lisse’s Sheet Masks in Blue Lotus + White Tea + Seaweed! Both are extremely moisturizing after a day outside in the heat, or just to wind down after a long week.

To get the most out of your mask: open and smooth onto cleansed skin, and leave on for 15-20 minutes (taking a selfie while wearing is totally optional but so encouraged!). When you’re done, remove and massage the essences into your skin. One of our favorite mask hacks? Toss it in the fridge for a few hours for a super-cooling sensation, or steep it in hot water (be sure to let it cool off some!) to open your pores for better absorption of the skin-magic ingredients.  

Shade & Strobe

If you have been subscribed with us for a while, you know we adore Manna Kadar! Their products are so pigmented and long lasting and Team BB5 loves this month’s screw-off Radiance bronzer & highlight duo for multiple reasons. 

First, it’s a high quality, velvet texture-- you can tell right away when it’s swatched on your finger or hand! The highlight portion allows for a subtle glow and the contour side is beautiful for a sun-kissed look. We have also become obsessed with using the duo as eyeshadow- especially applied with a wet brush to create a foiled look. After testing this product on babes of various skin tones and types, it creates a beautiful universal look across the board and doesn’t aggravate sensitive skin. Three cheers for Manna Kadar and the versatility and quality of their products!

What’s been your favorite product in June, babes? What do you want to see next month? Let us know in the comments!

This month’s box has us feeling shady in the best way (like shading our cheekbones and makeup kit with pretty color!) and you can keep the BB5 vibes going with June's phone wallpapers!

We're feeling this month's MerMayd Box vibes so strong that we had to make some wallpapers for your (shell) phone. 

Erin at Team BB5 here! A dramatic highlight has become the newest makeup trend that all the ladies want to follow and I’m not an exception. I’ve always loved the idea of golden glow underneath my foundation. Even when I was first learning about makeup I was obsessed with the idea of glam and gold. So, now that your makeup cannot be on fleek without a highlighter covering your cheekbones, I have decided to write a post on my three favorite highlights. Reminder: everyone has different skin tones and types, but these brands are great for everyone and the prices aren’t too bad either.  

Manna Kadar 3-in-1 Pigment in Fantasy $19

I first came in contact with Manna Kadar through February’s box! This little beauty is a pigment that can be used as highlight, blush, or eyeshadow. It’s a little too sparkly for blush, in my opinion, especially since I usually have sparkle in my eyeshadow, but for a highlight, it is so perfect! I would use this as a blush if you are wearing a minimal look on the eyes. When I was testing this product, my coworkers asked me repeatedly what highlight I was using and they all know about Manna Kadar! This pigment catches the light with a rosy gold hue and, I think, is good for all skin tones. My tip for this solid pigment is to use a fan brush like Pro Fan Brush #65 from Sephora or #184 Duo Fibre Fan Brush from MAC Cosmetics and light sweep the color on the tops of your cheeks.

 Sephora Radiant Luminizing Drops  in Ultra Light $14

Say hello to my new everyday essential. Like I said earlier, your makeup cannot be on fleek without a badass sheen, and this is my go-to choice for a highlight. The color is perfect for my skin tone and leaves the MOST luminizing, golden glow. Like a glow that can be seen from space, which I love. During SXSW I had some random person yell to me, “Makeup on fleek!” and I’m fairly certain it was because of this highlight on my cheekbones. This is a liquid highlight and a little goes a long way, so the price of $14 is a steal to me. My advice is to use your fingers or your beauty blender to ensure the highlight is blended on your skin. Sephora created three different shades of these drops, so make sure to pick the best color for your skin tone.

 NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator $7.50

This is the highlight I wear when I’m rocking a less dramatic makeup look. Despite the shiny look of this liquid, when blended in, it has a very subtle glow on my skin tone. An everyday highlight, I would call it: something you quickly put on while running out of the door at the last minute to get to work, but at a price of $7.50, what do you really expect? For this price, I love this highlight and I think it’s a great highlight for beginners. NYX has four shades of this particular illuminator. These two are named Sun Goddess and Gleam. The two others (not pictured) are named Sunbeam and Pure Gold. I like that NYX took into consideration that everyone doesn’t have fair skin or dark skin and created shades for every makeup user. My darker skinned ladies should stick to Sun Goddess and Pure Gold, while fair skinned ladies should go for Sunbeam and Gleam.

Happy Highlighting,

Allow me to come clean: (and not just literally with the body wash pictured below) the rush that I get when I find a new product to obsess over is a stupidly addictive feeling. It’s not that I’d classify myself as a shopaholic, but I just adore when the stylish stars of the beauty universe align and send me a sign via a new perfect addition to makeup and skincare routine. Of course, this means that I tend to try out a few dozen trends and welcome new brands and formulas for all sorts of reasons, but no matter what, my top criteria is that they actually WORK (like that new Rihanna song) and that they keep performing amazingly (like Rihanna with each live version of her new song that I keep watching on Youtube).

While not every single product meets my high standards, I’m extremely loyal to the ones that do, and so when the products I buy over and over actually make a difference beyond my own makeup bag, too, it’s like a haute homerun! Sure, there’s a warm fuzzy feeling that comes with supporting a giving organization each time you beautify, but if the product itself doesn’t wow you, no amount of charity is going to make you repurchase it. That being said, allow me to introduce a swoon-worthy world-changing brand: Soapbox!

April’s Beauty Box 5 featured a deluxe sample of SoapBox Sea Minerals body wash, and I’ll be honest: I was excited that the brightly colored bottle told me that for each bottle bought, SoapBox donates a bar of soap to someone in need, but I was also curious about how the suds would satisfy my sensitive skin. A few scrubs in and I was completely obsessed. Not only does this body wash smell like I borrowed it from an expensive spa, (like, one that’s priced way beyond my usual treat-your-self weekly budget of a few Netflix rentals and a face mask) but it also actually moisturized my skin with rich shea butter and washed away with no clingy feeling. As if my product crush couldn’t grow any more: it’s made in the USA, cruelty-free, vegan, paraben-free, so easy to find at my local Target, and the bottle is made with 100% recyclable materials, meaning that I’ll be able to do good by giving back with each purchase while feeling good each time I lather up.

Talk about a life-changing shower.

Want to add some more empowerment to your bathroom cabinet? Here’s a few more of our favorite brands that give back!

1. Your love for Soapbox doesn’t just have to stop at Sea Minerals! They also make shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, lotion, bar soap, and body wash in all different scents- like this refreshingly delicious Bataua Fruit. Don’t forget to copy the Hope Code printed on the back of each full-size bottle and type it in their website to see exactly where your donation goes!

2. While we were already here for the pretty packaging and gorgeous organic lipstick shades from Axiology, we flipped over how they give back: including recycled boxes sourced sustainably in Bali and a portion of their proceeds going to animal welfare organizations. That’s one major muah! 

3. We featured Lasting Smiles Organic Lip Balm in our beauty boxes last year, after hearing their amazing promise: for each 1,000 lip balms sold, one child receives life-changing cleft lip or cleft palate surgery. They work globally to provide jobs in sourcing their materials and make their tasty sticks (like this yummy Passionfruit Mango!) with good-for-you ingredients.

4. Girl power looks SO good. Make Beauty’s stunningly designed skincare and cosmetics already blow us away, but hearing that 10% of their sales go toward the We See Beauty Foundation that supports women entrepreneurs with cooperative businesses? That just makes us want to buy the glowy Universal Stick in bulk now.

5. These pretty bottles by Afterfeather Refillables are much less boring than your regular travel vessels, and they fly high when packed aboard your suitcase and with their charitable efforts. Each set is made in the USA with 25% post-consumer plastic, and 10% of their proceeds go to charities that have a direct impact on their employees!

What give-back brands did we miss? Let us know in the comments, babes!

Xoxo,

It may be springing up flowers outside, but Team BB5 is still trying to treat our just-outta-winter skin inside, and the one thing we want to soft, smooth, and ready to be Instagrammed holding cute things all year round? Our hands, of course!

Since your digits go through a lot- texting, driving, high-fiving, manicures, and just generally, LIFE- it’s important to keep them happy and hydrated. The skin on your hands shows aging quicker than many other parts of your body, so take matters into your own hands- literally!- and treat them to some of our favorite applause-worthy remedies.

Our current favorite soothing lineup includes:

1. Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Intensive Hand Cream in Vanilla Apricot

If you’re scarred from ever moisturizing in public and having someone turn up their nose at the smell of your lotion, this rose gold tube is your new savior. Not only is the fragrance absolutely divine, but it contains miracle-status argan oil to hydrate deeply.

2. Skinclinical’s Extreme Healing Repair Concentrate

Rough hand patches are no match for this amazing intensive treatment that heals chapped skin without ever feeling greasy. Bonus: use it all over - elbows, knees, arms - as its formulated for all skin types, from dry to sensitive to eczema and psoriasis-prone complexions, too!

3. Jaqua’s Buttercream Frosting Luscious Hand & Body Lotion

Have a sweet tooth? Beware: this rich lotion smells good enough to eat! Enriched with Vitamins A & E, it’ll soothe your dry skin while giving a seriously just-like-frosting aroma. (No, really...you’ll be convinced there’s a cupcake at the bottom of the tube.)

4. Red Carpet Manicure’s Cuticle Elixir

Forget Murphy’s Law- it’s Mani’s Law: you’re never near a salon when your nails start chipping or looking less-than-perfect. Luckily, this magical oil goes to work quicker than an appointment at softening cuticles and the sensitive skin around your nailbeds to keep your fingers fresh.

5. BODIPURE’s Keratin Gloves

These little lifesavers were a hit in our January Beauty Box, and we have the soft results to prove it! Just slip them on for 20 minutes (they’re touchscreen friendly, so you don’t even have to stop tweeting during use!), massage the solution in, and treat yourself to major moisture for your hands and nails.

6. Elite Therapeutics Rosemary Eucalyptus Body Crème

Organic rosemary and eucalyptus oils make this lotion smell so fresh while helping improve circulation and cellular regeneration wherever applied, too! Added to the fact that it’s paraben-free with no artificial flavors or colors, and it’s a real all-around all-natural winner.

7. L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream

If you’ve read any beauty blogs in the past, then you may be rolling your eyes, but hear us out! This silver tube is a cult classic for a reason! The silky texture, 20% rich shea butter formula, and superfast "soak-in” time make it a must-have in your purse.

8. Rachel’s Plan Bee’s Original Bee Cream

We’ve expressed our love for RPB before, and our crush keeps on growing! This amazing balm-like consistency of this cream melts into your skin- a little bit goes a long way! A hint of vanilla combined with organic beeswax and essential oils lock in moisture while smelling oh-so-nice.

Our last February face makeup look is here! 

Felicity used 4/5 items in this month’s box to create this simple mauve makeup look, plus, some of our other new discoveries and old standbys!

Here’s the product breakdown:

Elizabeth Mott’s Thank Me Later Eye Shadow Primer (February Box fave!)

Manna Kadar Cosmetics’ Day-Dream Palette 

Manna Kadar Cosmetics’ 3-in-1 Blush, Highlighter and Eyeshadow in Fantasy (February Box fave!)

Starlooks’ Luxe Longwear Eyeliner Pen in Plum (featured in our August 2015 box!)

Geri G’s Ultra Plush Mascara (Spoiler Alert: it’s featured in our Indie Makeup Limited Edition Box!)

Starlooks’ Longwear Mechanical Lip Pencil in Sultry Sangria (February Box fave!)

Epic Blend Hemp Lip Balm in Coconut (February Box fave!)

The Beauty Box 5 shop is having a major sale just in time for spring! All of our lovely Bellapierre Eye Kits are half-price! That really is a major steal and with the upcoming season change it’s definitely time for some new additions to that makeup collection. 

In this video, Elisa at Team BB5 is modeling a fun, gorgeous look created with Bellapierre eye and lip products - and we couldn’t forget to prime her eyes with Elizabeth Mott “Thank Me Later” primer from February’s beauty box to prevent creasing. Here’s what we used: 

Eyes: 

Elizabeth Mott “Thank Me Later” Eye Primer

Bellapierre Eye Candy in Champagne

Total Intensity Eyeliner in Deepest Black

Styli-Style Line & Seal Twist Mechanical Eye Liner in Lapis

Bellapierre Shimmer Powder in Cocoa

Bellapierre Shimmer Powder in Snowflake 

Bellapierre Shimmer Powder in Haha 

Geri G. Mascara in Black - Found in BB5′s Indie Makeup Box (spoiler alert!)

Cheeks and Lips:

Bellapierre Cheek and Lip Stain in Coral 

Babes, we have a confession to make: we’re kind of absolutely obsessed with being exclusive. You know, like, giving you products you can’t find just anywhere. So, that being said, we went a little liner crazy this month, but we think you’ll love the outcome. 😋

With February being our birthday month, we couldn’t resist celebrating in every way possible- and customizing is one of our favorite things to do! Any time we can making a one-of-a-kind beauty fave for you, babes, we jump at the chance and this time around, Starlooks made our lip pencil dreams come true!

We picked a mauve shade to feature in every February box because, well, Kylie was onto something with her mauve obsession, no? It’s the shade of the moment, while serving as the perfect color for transitioning from winter to spring and looking oh-so flattering on every skin tone. 

Of course, naming is everything, so while we’re celebrating our 4 years of existing (all thanks to you, by the way!), we thought we’d pop a bottle (responsibly, of course) and call it Sultry Sangria. And, while we were naming, we thought it only appropriate to share a fave sangria recipe to share and pair with this lovely liner, because, well, duh, right?

So, if you’re feeling festive, here’s our own spin on (drinkable) Sultry Sangria!

BB5′s Sultry Sangria 

1 lime

1 cup strawberries

1/2 cup raspberries

2 cups watermelon juice

A bottle of your fave Rosé wine

Ginger Ale to taste

1 Starlooks Sultry Sangria Longwear Mechanical Lip Pencil, of course!

Gather all your materials, photograph them cutely, and maybe give a good hairflip for some extra sass because you are about to become a Sangria master. Proceed.

Core and slice your strawberries in half. Place them and the raspberries in a pretty pitcher and then muddle the berries in the bottom of the pitcher. (’Muddling’ is just a fancy word for ‘smooshing’, by the way.) We left a few pieces intact for presentation.

Next, add your watermelon juice. If you’d like, you can substitute really any fruit juice that suits your fancy- we just went with watermelon to make the best mauve-matching shade of sangria. ;)

Pour in Rosé to your liking. Not a wine gal? No problem! You can sub in another fruit juice (pineapple or cranberry would be divine!) or just add in more of that A+ watermelon juice, too.

Finally, cut your lime in half. Squeeze in the juice of one half (be careful- those seeds can get away from ya!) and slice the other half to place into the pitcher, too.

Once you’ve added everything, give it all a gentle shake and then place it in your fridge to let all those flavors combine for at least 12 hours. (We left ours in for closer to 26 because we’re rebels like that.)

When you’re ready to serve, add ice to your glasses and fill halfway with the sangria mixture, making sure some of that marinated fruit makes it into each glass! Top each glass off with ginger ale and sip gorgeously, babes!

The best part? Your Sultry Sangria lip pencil will last through a (or 4, who are we to judge?) glass of this concoction without smudging, so cheers, babes!

XOXO,

The BB5 Team

This is Jenny, back to bring you part three of the 2016 Skin Spa!

At this point, we’ve already rid the wrinkles of holiday stress and started correcting our skin tone with a splash of vitamin C just in time for smooth skin season. While my skin is repairing its owner-induced hyper-pigmentation, I decided to give my great cover-up jobs a little boost with Kaleidaskin’s Color Solve Primer in Red, featured in the Indie Makeup Limited Edition Box (spoiler alert!).

Kaleidaskin’s Color Solve corrects different difficult pigments by layering colored minerals on your skin. Certain colors of light then refract off the primer. For instance, I have pale skin, and I often need the reds and pinks corrected in my skin. By using a red-corrector, reds are refracted off my skin to make my pale complexion look luminous and dewy.

Kaleidaskin makes several different primers like the red corrector. They base their product off the color wheel. So a person with yellow skin tones would want to use the violet corrector because they’re opposite of each other on the color wheel.

Now I’ve noticed that my fine lines are getting a bit atrocious with the color correcting primer; it’s a lot thinner than what I’m used to. I consulted our in-house makeup artist about my issues, and she gave me some great insight (as always). She reminded me that it’s ok to mix product, but be careful to leave some setting time before applying makeup. Be sure to use your products from thinnest to thickest. My regiment now looks like this:

Juice Beauty Serum

Moisturizer

Kaleidaskin Color Solve Primer in Red

Line Filling Primer

Makeup

Setting Spray

Another great attribute of this product is that you don’t even have to apply makeup with it; wear it alone for a great natural glow. I would love to try the Dynamic Line Filler and the Color Correcting Primer in Green, as well. I love my glowing pale skin when I use Kaleidaskin; I feel like I’m finally starting to belong to the skin I’m in!

Snag your own Color Solve Correcting Primer in Red as part of our Indie Makeup Limited Edition Box, while supplies last!

Xo,