Blog Posts by Birchbox

By Birchbox

By Mai Wang, Birchbox

Date Night
Beauty musts for three different romantic scenarios

THE FIRST DATE
Battling the jitters is hard enough without worrying about your looks. Whether you're meeting up with a blind date or an OKCupid crush, take these fail-proof products along for the ride.

-- Boscia® Green Tea Blotting Linens: These antioxidant-infused sheets absorb oil and shine without ruining your carefully applied makeup.

-- colorescience pro® Pressed Mineral Foundation: Keep this mattifying powder compact on hand just in case you need an excuse to go powder your nose.

-- BLK DNM Perfume 11: Leave the floral fragrances behind, and spritz on this spicy scent to keep him guessing throughout the night.

THE STANDBY DATE
By now, you and your beau have settled into a comforting routine: dinner followed by a late-night Netflix marathon. It's time to spice things up.

-- stila Glamoureyes Mascara: Get the look of falsies minus the mess with this lengthening mascara.

-- theBalm® Mary-Lou Manizer:

By Lorelei Orfeo, Birchbox

An Unlikely Source of Beauty Inspiration
Thanks to Buzzfeed for alerting us to this "tasty" treat last week. It's apparently a real ad from Burger King Netherlands and, as you can see, features some amazing eye makeup. It doesn't exactly make us want a burger, but can we get the name of the makeup artist, please?

Our favorite eye makeup won't transform your eye into a burger, but we love it anyway.

See more from Birchbox:

Vera Wang Makeup Line Coming This April!

The New Spa Cuisine

30 Years Pass, Claudia Schiffer Doesn't Age

By Candice Chan, Birchbox

Left: Sevigny in December 2011; Right: Chloë on Monday at the Jeffrey Fashion Cares benefit

Back in December, Chloë Sevigny was sporting a brand new look -- a short bob and extra-blunt bangs, plus some seriously copper color. We weren't totally sold on the style, we love her much more as a blonde (though we do applaud experimentation).

Which is why we were so excited when, last Monday night, she debuted a more choppy blonde version of her bob at the Jeffrey Fashion Cares fundraiser to benefit AIDS and LBGT charities.

We're loving the beachy, more tousled look, especially with her longer bangs and brighter color. We're also predicting that the shag will be back in for the spring and summer.

What do you think? Do you like Chloë's look?

Shorter hair can sometimes lead to more frizz. Keep it at bay with this excellent hair mask.

See more from Birchbox:

Desperately Seeking Texture

3 Spring Beauty Trends for Special Events

Should High Schools Crack Down on Prom Dresses?

By Paulina Anderson, Birchbox


The Best Smelling Hair Products Ever

Almost as important as how well a hair product works is how it smells. Of all the products I've ever tried, here are my five absolute favorites:

1. Oscar Blandi Olio Di Jasmine: This lightweight serum is incredibly fragrant and instantly transports you to some distant Mediterranean garden. My mother's favorite scent is jasmine, and I can't help but think of an exotic place with a sea breeze that is reminiscent of both childhood and romance when I put this in my hair. Additional eucalyptus and ylang ylang oil essentials balance the spice of the flower, making the aroma pleasant and calming.

2. Oscar Blandi Lacca Hairspray for Volume & Hold: What can I say? Oscar Blandi has a knack for hard-working products with heavenly smells. I can't describe the dread I feel in using hairspray that infuses your hair with the fragrance of chemicals masked by false bouquet. Blandi's Lacca Hairspray instead has an incredible aroma of honeysuckle and flowers that grace

By Loren de la Cruz, Birchbox


Protecting Your Nails From The Sun

Especially in the spring and summer, it's important to apply SPF on any exposed areas like arms and legs. But we often forget about the smaller spots like our toes and ears--and even our nails! Since nails are made of protein, keratin to be exact, they need protection just like skin does. In fact, a Birchbox staffer went on vacation with her nails bare and came back with sunburnt, purple nails. She described the pain as "feeling like her fingers had been slammed in a car door."

Not only can the sun burn the skin under your nails, it can also cause damage in the form of vertical ridges. Once these ridges form, it can take up to six months for the nail to completely grow out so they disappear. (It can take even longer for toe nails-up to a year and a half.) Shielding your cuticles is also important because damage can affect nail growth and even make you more susceptible to fungal or bacterial infections.

One great way to protect your nails from the sun's

By Lorelei Orfeo, Birchbox
Foundation application tools
From sponges to brushes, fingertips to puffs, there's a world of foundation tools out there. When it comes to choosing the right one, makeup artists agree on one thing: there's no right or wrong way. We asked Emma Willis, Director of Artistry for Blushington, and Neil Scibelli, National Makeup Artist for Jouer, to break things down for us. Read on and start experimenting!

Hands
HANDS (Coverage Level 1)
For when you're rushing to get to work in the morning or just want a tiny bit of coverage. Use your fingertips to blend foundation, starting near the center of your face and working out.

Powder Brush
POWDER BRUSH (Coverage Level 1-2)
Use it when you need to mattify and set makeup. Willis' method: "Apply a very light dusting of loose powder or pressed powder with a large powder brush onto the T-Zone area only!"


SpongeSPONGE (Coverage Level 2)
Use it when you want an airbrushed, natural finish. "Wet the sponge, squeeze out the excess water, and then apply the foundation with it,"

By Birchbox