Essence Beauty Box January

Sometimes, you just have to stick with it, even it seems as though the situation is dire, being patient and waiting for things to improve has its rewards.

The train is finally on the track with Essence Beauty Box, and it is moving full steam ahead! I am so happy that they have revamped operations and that customers are now able to track their packages, receive notifications through email, and are able to get their long awaited boxes on time!

And this month's contents were all pleasant surprises that I am eager to try. With colors that are rich and vibrant, and hair and skin products made with natural ingredients, everything in EBB this month is a treat for the senses.

Essence Beauty Box is a monthly subscription. At 15.99 a month, you receive samples that are previews to full sized-products that are not overly expensive and are easily accessible in retail department stores. To subscribe, click here. And be sure to visit AlvinVision for the Beauty Box opening of the month!

Natural Journey: Taming the Crunch

   As my hair grows away from its relaxed state, I am finding the true curl pattern I was born with. This rediscovery has come with accepting the new shape of my fro and how it stretches after a twist out from day to day. It also comes with the new issue of keeping my edges under control.

Bad hair day? I would say so..

With relaxed hair, my edges were tame. They stayed down, lying softly on my forehead with gentle, wispy swirls that were peppered with a touch of grey. Now, they tend to misbehave, and those grey strands stand up in defiance, giving away my age with a vengeance.


I had to do something.

I was using ORS edge control when my hair was relaxed. It worked well with a simple dab and a stroke of the brush, but my natural hair resists this product, leaving chunks of residue that looks goopy and unpolished.

After much research and visits to YouTube, I decided to try Creme of Nature Perfect Edges with Argan Oil and my usual go-to, Eco Styler Olive Olive Oil Styling Gel. I first applied the Perfect
Edges and smoothed it down with a soft brush. Next, I added a small amount of Eco Styler, and used an old toothbrush to set my wispies in place. Tying a silk scarf around my head until I was ready to depart for the day left my edges smooth and obedient, not just for an hour, but for most of the day. A small touch up in the late afternoon was all I needed.

To view my chat about taming my edges, click here. If you have another way that you use to tame and style your edges, leave your method in the comments below!

Birchbox January Opening

Happy 2016! How will you define this New Year?

The year of ________________

Strength?
Fearlessness?
Joy?
Gratitude?
Risks?

Creativity?
Ambition?

What will you fill in this blank? Birchbox asks the same question this month with their January box. The samples inside are things that can get you to thinking about embarking on the new and exciting, whatever that may be! Start the New Year off right with a new skin routine, lip color or eye liner that you have never tried...bold and fabulous!

Birchbox is a monthly subscription program that brings beauty samples right to your door for 10.00 a month. I love the beautiful boxes and the many small surprises that I get to sample, and when I review the items I try, I earn points in the Birchbox store to get full size products for free! You can visit Birchbox and subscribe by clicking here. Watch the opening of my Birchbox on my channel The Alvinvision. Become a subscriber to my channel to watch more!

Fill in YOUR "Year of _____" word in the comments below!
Happy New Year!

Essence Beauty Box...November? Yep.

Well, it has finally arrived.

    There is so much I could say about my experience with Essence Beauty Box, but I won't. To regale the whole encounter would not serve anyone, so...yeah.

     I not only received one November box, but two. Yes, about that...

     The contents of the box for November were ample, considering October was its inaugural launch. The second box is substantial, with products that are not too pricey and easily accessible in neighborhood retail and grocery stores.

While I was more excited by the contents in the October box, this month's box was still filled with clever surprises. I did find one sample that peaked my interest: the Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara. With its obscenely large brush, and its reputation for creating a 104% increase in lash volume, I honestly believed that I had a find. When I tried it, however, it under-delivered.  At 22.00 for the full size product, I expected a lot more.

     I was pleasantly surprised by the Black Opal Color Splurge Luxe Matte Lipstick. They included a red sample, that was bright, but still complementing for my skin tone.  I did have to reapply after my meal, but the color did not run and lasted through the evening. And at 7.50? A great buy! I really liked it.   

For more about the products in the Essence Beauty Box for November, check out my channel, AlvinVision and if you'd like to become a subscriber, click here.  It is important to note that funds are withdrawn as early as the 20th of the month for the following monthly delivery... just speaking from experience.
   

Solstice Slumber

  Winter has a magic all its own; as our hemisphere leans away from the sun, everything goes into a sleepy mode. The days are short, and night comes fast. It is the time for closeness, warmth, and light from within.

My View

A comfy spot for reading.

When the obligations from work are done, a free afternoon is a time to unwind. Since dinner is usually a pot of something--soup, stew, chili, greens, chowder--it is usually made ahead. So, while it bubbles on the stove, waiting for hungry bellies, I like to spend time being cozy. There is often a book or magazine to dive into, and a cup of something hot and sweet to enjoy
under a warm blanket, with feet propped up in front of the fire. My favorite playlists softly play on the speakers, melting away the chill of the season. A winter afternoon, for me, is one to two hours of a peaceful time to do nothing but take in the sound of the rain while snuggled on the sofa, either alone or with someone to while the afternoon into evening.  

A cup of white hot chocolate can easily become a new favorite!

     white chocolate chips

     1 cup of almond milk

     1/2 teaspoon vanilla

      pinch of salt

      whipped cream

      dash of cinnamon

Heat almond milk in a saucepan until warm, and add chips, vanilla and salt. Stir until tiny bubbles form. Pour into your favorite cup and top with whipped cream and cinnamon, if you wish. 

Zen in the afternoon.

 This zen garden was made from a small picture frame, spare sand and stones, and a chop stick. I found the rake at the craft store in the miniatures section.

Cold weather is a perfect time for making cookies. I made Linzer cookies with some of the best butter I've ever tasted. The cookies went well with the hot drinks we had for the afternoon. Whether it is tea or white hot chocolate, a well-made shortbread makes a great side snack!

Feet up, fire roaring...could there be a nap on the horizon? Who knows? As a great playlist fills the air with my favorite tunes, Mr. Sandman can't be far away. 

How do you spend a winter afternoon?