I will be taking the next few days off from blogging to spend time with family for Christmas. But I thought I’d leave you with THE PERFECT last minute gift idea for the product junkie in your life. Birchbox is only $10/mo and you can gift a subscription and/or send gift cards (or e-gift cards) to spend in the Birchbox store. To learn more, click here. Here’s what I got in my December box:

Eslor Skincare System: This Soothing Refiner and Cleanser utilizes botanical extracts to gently cleanse and purify without stripping skin of the essential lipids necessary to maintain hydration. The non-abrasive Replenishing Scrub sloughs off dead skin cells that clog pores as it stimulates production of new, healthy skin and hydrates for radiant results. The creamy Comforting Mask both tones and detoxifies, gently eliminating complexion-dulling impurities to improve oxygenation and hydration. The Soothing Cream’s regenerative, calming formula offers intensive nourishment, neutralizes skin tone, and reduces inflammation and irritation. My thoughts: I haven’t given this a try yet because once again I am trying other products at the moment. But I was pretty excited to see that this came with samples of all 4 products in the system!

BeeKind™ Body Lotion: This fast-absorbing formula comes to you free of parabens, phthalates, petrol-derived ingredients, mineral oil, urea, DEA, TEA, and propylene glycol, but chock full of proven hydrators like honey, organic chamomile, and Brassica plant extract. In place of petrochemicals, there’s good old-fashioned soybean and cottonseed oil for an added moisture boost. On the eco-friendly front, a portion of the proceeds from every BeeKind™ purchase goes toward the Honey Bee Research Program at the University of California at Davis, and, on top of that, the packaging is recyclable. My thoughts: LOVE this lotion! NOT greasy at all and left my hands feeling very soft.

Number 4 Non-Aerosol Hairspray: Styling resins provide flexible hold and shine while humidity resistance technology reduces frizz, even on the hottest summer days. Heliogenol protects colored and untreated hair against free radical damage. All Number 4 products are vegan and free of gluten, sulfates, and parabens. My thoughts: I’ve been using L’Oreal aerosol spray for a long time but will give this a try when mine runs out.

Secret Agent Beauty Secret Lip Affair Nourishing & Plumping Lip Gloss: All the glosses contain pure aloe vera extract to moisturize and heal. The glosses are also packed with sacha inchi oil, which is rich in omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids as well as vitamin A, and vitamin E; the fatty acids prevent dehydration of fragile lip cells, thus making lips appear fuller. Lastly, peppermint oil extract and menthol—all-natural muscle relaxants—provide a tingling sensation that plumps lips further. (The higher the plumping level, the more sacha inchi oil, peppermint oil extract, and menthol.) My thoughts: The tingling sensation really makes your lips feel plumper but didn’t really see any plumping effect. But  I did like the natural/nude color and that it is not sticky.

EXTRA: Emily’s Chocolates Chocolate Covered Fortune Cookies: Each box contains six individually wrapped cookies. Choose from Love, milk chocolate dipped cookies featuring romantic messages; Friendship, dark chocolate dipped cookies packed with affectionate fortunes; and Truth or Dare, fortune cookies covered in creamy milk chocolate with cheeky messages inside. My thoughts: YUM. Great stocking stuffer idea!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! xoxo