Quarterly Co: No More Dirty Looks #NDL09 Subscription Box Review

The Quarterly Co. is a unique subscription box service.  They offer a wide variety of different curated boxes from different celebrities and cultural icons.  Quarterly Co. states that each box will have products that reflect each curator and promise each box will have a story behind it thereby giving you a better understanding of that person. 

For my very first purchase, I choose the No More Dirty Looks subscription service.  No More Dirty Looks are a team of two women (Siobhan O'Connor & Alexandra Spunt) who are best friends, bloggers, and authors.  They specialize in non-toxic beauty products.  I first encountered them via Twitter and have enjoyed following them, so I was especially eager to see what they would be offering in their boxes. 

The Quarterly Co. No More Dirty Looks Box #NDL09:
*Cost: $50/box.  Boxes are shipped every three months.
*Products: "Spotlight the best clean products, reawakening a tradition of self-care and showing that organic ingredients are all you need." (Quote via Quarterly Co. website)

Each box comes with a letter from the curators detailing the story behind the products chosen for that particular quarter.   The theme of this box is "Bounce back, beautiful." 

Olivia Garden Healthy Hair Bamboo Hairbrush:  value $13.95
*made from eco-friendly, natural bamboo
*ion-charged bristles = no static
*anti-bacterial

From the two-toned stripe pattern to the beautiful swirling etching on the back, this brush is absolutely gorgeous.  I never thought I would ever say that about a brush but it's true with this one.  I would never have purchased this brush on my own, but it definitely puts all my other brushes to shame.

In the enclosed letter, there was a little side note in which Siobhan's nickname for Alexandra is in fact "Hairbrush".  It hinted at telling the story behind this in the future but stated it has nothing to do with her amazing curls.  Hmmm....very intriguing!  I really like the personal touch of adding this little "secret side note" to their letter.  It is nice to get a special glimpse inside the friendship between the two. 

Amazon Beauty Rahua Jet Setter Kit value $32 ~Amazon Affiliate Link
*Kit includes: Rahua Classic Shampoo (2 fl.oz.), Rahua Classic Conditioner (2 fl.oz.), Rahua Voluminous Shampoo (2 fl.oz.), Rahua Voluminous Conditioner and a clear plastic travel bag. 
*Products are 100% natural & organic.

I was completely surprised these little travel size products cost $32!  Wow,  these are definitely what I would classify as High-End products.  I have been having such a hard time finding a good, quality non-toxic shampoo & conditioner that works for my hair.  Just one bottle alone of the Rahua Classic Shampoo-9.3 oz. is $32 (Amazon Affiliate Link), so this is definitely the way to try these out before deciding if the cost is worth purchasing it in the full-size. I am excited to see how they perform on my hair!!!

Lulu Organics Hair Powder in Lavender & Clary Sage Travel Size: value $9.50

Rahua Shampoo & Conditioner (0.34 oz. samples ): value $2 (estimated)

We all have days when we don't feel like washing our hair.  Hair powder is the key to transforming that greasy, unwashed hair into looking clean again.  I've never tried the Lulu Organic Hair Powders before and am excited to see how they hold up. 

I thought it was sort of odd that there was yet another Rahua Shampoo & Conditioner sample in my box, even if it was just a one time use sample.  I'll definitely use it but I think they could have used the opportunity to include a sample of some other brand.

My Two Cents:  I paid $50 for this box and ended up with $57.45 worth of products.  One thing I enjoy about subscribing to subscription boxes is discovering new products.  This box has introduced me to 3 new brands of non-toxic hair care products and I can't wait to try them all out! I also really enjoy the letter from the curators with the story behind why they have chosen the products they did for the box.  It really does make the box feel all the more special & unique.

What do you think of the Quarterly Co. No More Dirty Looks Subscription Box? 

~Chrissy

No more bedhead, curl your hair while getting some Zzzzz's

I love how my hair looks when it's all curled up but I've always hated the whole process of curling my hair.  If I don't have at least an hour to devote solely to twisting my hair around a curling iron, it just isn't going to happen.  Needless to say, my hair is normally worn straight.  At least that was my norm up until a month ago.  You might be wondering, did I somehow find an extra hour in my morning to devote to styling my hair?  Not a chance!  I like sleeping way too much, my friends, to start dragging my butt out of bed any sooner then I have to.  No, I stumbled upon a marvelous discovery which will change my life forever and I'm not being dramatic here.  It really is a beauty life changer.  All it took was a click on a YouTube video tutorial and voila, I am now a member of the group of women who will curl their hair on days when its not just a special occasion!

All you need for this super easy technique is a stretchy headband, a bobby pin or two, and slightly damp hair.  Place the headband around the crown of your head, on top of your hair.  Start by taking a small section of hair (1 inch or so) from the front side of your head and loop it over and around the headband.  Keep looping this section of hair around the headband, adding a little more hair with each loop.  Once you get to the back of your head, stop and begin on the other side.   You will likely end up with a section of hair in the very back that you won't be able to wrap around the headband anymore.   Twist this section tightly and pin curl it to the back of your head right above where the headband lays on your head, securing it with the bobby pins.  You can jump down to the end of this post to check out a YouTube tutorial which was done by The Paper Mama. 

This technique will work differently for different hair types and lengths.  If you want tight curls use small sections of hair, and for larger curls use larger sections of hair when wrapping it around the headband.  I also recommend using slightly damp hair.  It'll hold much longer.  Mine actually looked fantastic on day 2, even after sleeping all night on the curls.  The only problem I seem to have with this technique is the curls around my face turn out super Shirley Temple-esque, so I just pull some of the front sections back in clip or hairband and problem solved!  I am also really excited about using this technique to get some great texture and fullness to my hair to help create some fun up-do's in the future.

Have you tried this particular technique before?  How did it turn out for you?