Birchbox Review: At-Home Nail Salon

I'm not big on getting my nails done. I mean, it's nice every once in a while and if I'm going on vacation I'll get a gel manicure to hold me over, but in general I am not one of those fancy ladies who get their nails done once a week. I just can't justify spending money on something that I can easily do myself. And by now I have practiced enough that I feel like I get salon-caliber results with my nails.

And forget about pedicures. Mostly because (a) feet are gross and I don't want someone else to touch mine any more than I want to touch theirs and (b) I am so ticklish that I spend most of the pedicure willing myself not to kick the pedicurist(?) in the face with my tickle spasms. It's not a relaxing experience; however, it is sometimes necessary when my feet are particularly beat up.

Now is one of those times. Maybe it's the changing weather or something but heals are getting straight up nasty with dead skin. Also, my feet have inexplicably decided to each get blisters on the ball of each foot. I didn't even get new shoes.

So, facing the daunting task of actually having to touch my own feet (and really needing a manicure as well), I was pleasantly surprised when I received a few goodies in my recent Birchbox that related to the prettification of feet and hands.

So many fun things!

I received 5 items in my Birchbox but I'm only going to talk about three of them this post since that's what I used this evening. [Update: I used the amika Bombshell Blowout Spray and didn't love it-- it's just ok. I did like the Eyeko Black Magic Mascara though and would even consider ordering it again.]

VOESH New York Green Tea Pedicure Masque

Masque or mask?

Is a masque the same as a mask, just more French and expensive? Probably. I started with this foot mask/masque after removing my yucky old nail polish on my toes and doing a quick soak in the tub and scrub with the pumice stone. I was surprised by the clay-like color and texture of the product. I sort of assumed that it would be more gel-like. I also associate clay with drying out your skin (aka, pulling out impurities) and this product claimed to be moisturizing. I left it on for 3 minutes and then rinsed off (which took forever--this stuff is sticky).

Squeaky clean

Pros: Smells good, plenty of product in the sample

Cons: Hard to rinse off, it kind of burned on my freshly shaven legs

As mentioned previously, I am not a big mani/pedi person so the novelty of a foot mask/masque is sort of lost on me. I probably wouldn't order this on its own, but maybe if at-home pedicures are your thing you would feel differently.

Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream

Oh la la! I took this photo after painting my nails, but actually used it beforehand.

Next I used some of this lovely hand cream. I actually applied it to both my hands and feet because it says it's good for nails and my toenails are pretty gnarly. Plus, it smells like nectar and ambrosia grapefruit. 

Pros: Amazing smell, pretty package design, makes you feel French

Cons: A little greasy feeling (though that's kinda how natural lotion is)

The smell is really the selling point for me on this one. It feels great on my feet and hands, though perhaps a tad on the greasy side.

RUFFIAN Nail Lacquer in Delirium

Purple is not my usual nail color

Next up was the actual nail painting part of the evening. After a quick trim and file I got to work on two coats of this polish. I find that I can squeeze a few more days out of my manicures if I am diligent about doing thin coats and waiting a full two minutes in between each coat. And top coat is a must. I prefer Essie topcoat.

Pros: Easy to hold bottle top, I feel like it didn't smell as much as other nail polishes, good coverage with just two coats

Cons: Purple

This color is definitely not something I would have picked out for myself. But that is really the beauty of Birchbox. You get products that you would normally never buy yourself and get to try them out. So I am going to try out purple nail polish this week. My nails will be so hip and cool.

The color is way more intense in person

So those were some of my Birchbox goodies. What a relaxing way to spend an evening!