Birchbox: October 2013

This month's theme is "Beauty Buzz", and they're sampling products that have been creating a lot of hype and excitement during 2013.  Let's take a look at what I received:

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser- "UK favorite that uses a two-step ritual to purify and exfoliate. A Birchbox exclusive!" Full size: $21.50, Sample size: $6.52.

This could come in handy since I'm almost out of my current face scrub. And this is a nice-sized sample; I'm sure I'll get multiple uses out of this.

Liz Earle Pure Muslin Cloth- "Ditch your harsh exfoliator and use this pure muslin cloth, which gently polishes the skin." Full size: $6.00 for 2, Sample size: $3.00.

The first of many pictures that aren't rotated. Sorry.

Neat idea, but I'll probably only use it with this specific cleanser. 

POP Beauty Aqua Lacquer in Flowering Fuschia- "A British makeup pro created this sheer gloss, which plumps and hydrates with jojoba oil." I received a full size of this product, which is worth $14.00.

I don't want to complain because this is a full-size product, BUT: Birchbox, please stop sending me lip products that are either: A) vibrant in color or B) lip gloss.  I just don't like them.  This one claims to be smooth, not sticky.  Truth--it's less sticky than most glosses, but it's still somewhat sticky because... it's a gloss.  Therein lies the stickiness.  It does sort of tingle, and while that's kinda cool...I'm just not feelin' it.

Benefit Fakeup- "Brighten tired-looking eyes with this hydrating under-eye concealer and moisturizer combo." Full size: $24.00, Sample size: $2.00.

Haven't tried this out yet, but I'm excited to. Especially with the dryer months coming up, I know I'll need some hydration under my eyes.  Though, I wish the sample contained just a little bit more product. That picture on the bottom is laughable.  It's twisted all the way up!

BIRCHBOX FIND
ChapStick Hydration Lock- "Clinically proven to moisturize lips, from 9-5. It also doubles as a lip primer and comes chock full of damage-defending antioxidants like CoQ10 and Vitamin E." I received a full size of this product, which is worth $3.29.

(A "Birchbox Find" is typically something subscribers can get at a drugstore that isn't quite in line with Birchbox's high-end aesthetic but is so amazing that Birchbox feels the need to let subscribers in on the secret.)  Now, THIS is a lip product I can get behind.  Give me all the ChapStick, please. 

I'm happy with the size and quality of samples I received this month, but with the cloth counting as a sample on its own, I feel like I didn't get much. Nevertheless, the total monetary value of my Birchbox this month is $28.81, so it IS higher than the $10.00 price tag. 

If you're interested in signing up for Birchbox, click here!

Birchbox: September 2013

Oh, how I love Birchbox.  This month's theme is "Heritage", which I adore because it makes me think of vintage flea market finds and family heirlooms.  The theme is also appropriate for Birchbox as a company, with September being its 3rd anniversary.  It's cool to be a part of its journey and growth.  If you want to subscribe to Birchbox, check the company out here.  Now, on to this month's goodies!

Davines This is a Sea Salt Spray: "This styling spray gives you beachy texture and megavolume without any stickiness." Full size- $27.00, Sample size- $10.80.

This actually arrived leaking a bit, but nothing else in the box was ruined by it.  To me, sea salt spray is more of a Spring/Summer product.  I know it's still technically summer (I'm so ready for fall weather!), but I don't know that I'll get much use out of this product in the coming weeks and months.  Nevertheless, I am excited to try this since it's supposed to be moisturizing.  Most sea salt sprays I've tried leave my hair feeling parched, so it will be interesting to see if this does the opposite.

Ruffian Nail Lacquer in "Fox Hunt": "Vibrant orange from the fashion label's first lacquer collection. Exclusive to Birchbox!" I seem to have received a full size lacquer, valued at $10.00.

Gotta love nail polish. Of the crowdsourced shade selections, this would not have been my pick.  It is a nice shade for autumn, though, so I'm sure I'll be using this soon.

Paula's Choice RESIST BHA 9 for Stubborn Imperfections: "Whopping 9% salicylic acid spot corrector for everything from blackheads to wrinkles." Full size- $40.00, Sample size- $3.95

Isn't that just the tiniest little vial you've ever seen?  Lately, Birchbox has been sending me skincare items that are supposed to be do-it-all products (see the Vivant cleanser in this post).  Maybe it's because I have my profile set to "Low Maintenance"...perhaps I should look into tweaking that.  I guess most people would think these kind of products are convenient, but I just find them slightly confusing, honestly.  I don't know, I guess I'm weird.  I'll definitely still try this out, though. 

Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Luminous Lip Gloss in "Precious Petal": "Long-lasting, vibrant color and shine that moisturizes and plumps the appearance of lips." Full size- $18.00, Sample size- $11.08.

Oh, lip gloss.  I'm generally not a huge fan of this product category as they are usually sticky.  Any girl (or guy?) who has ever felt the struggle of getting strands of hair stuck in goopy lip gloss feels my pain.  I just prefer to stick to lip balm or lipstick.  As soon as I got my box, I tried it out to see if this one would be different, and unfortunately, I was not impressed.  Pretty shade, though.

Lifestyle Extra:
Borracha Pearly Wipes: "Peppermint-infused wipes that whiten teeth and freshen breath with hydrogen peroxide." Full size- 15 wipes for $7.95, Sample size (2 wipes)- $1.06.

What a neat idea.  I feel like everything comes in wipe form these days, and Birchbox is, once again, surprising me with these innovations.  Last month, it was a deodorant wipe (which worked well, by the way!), and this month we have wipes for teeth.  I feel like these will be like those Colgate Wisps, just in wipe form.  On Birchbox's site, they are also selling a variation of these specifically to be used after a night of drinking red wine.  Pretty cool.

And, that's all!  The grand total value of my Birchbox this month is: $36.89--definitely worth the $10.00 paid for the box.  And, even though these things aren't products I'd necessarily pick out for myself, the whole point of Birchbox is to try new things! 

Birchbox: August 2013

Man oh man, have I been in need of a pick-me-up.  So, I was pumped to get my Birchbox in the mail today!  Birchbox is a subscription service that sends out beauty and lifestyle samples once a month.  It's super fun, and only $10.00 a month!  If you're interested in subscribing, click here.  Some people wonder if it's actually worth $10.00 a month, and honestly, some months are better than others.  Luckily, you'll see below that, for me, this month is a great one!

For August, Birchbox collaborated with Ann Taylor to provide products and accessory inspiration to go along with the theme "Finishing School".

derma e Hyaluronic Hydrating Mist: "This all-natural anti-aging mist restores skin with green tea, vitamin C, and aloe. Spritz face to refresh skin antime, or use in the morning to set your already-applied makeup." The full size is $13.50, and I did receive a full size product!

Sorry the picture isn't rotated!

Holy smokes, the first product has already paid for the monetary value of the box!  And then some!  I like the idea of a setting/refreshing mist.  My only hope is that this isn't too "refreshing" for my oily skin. 

EVOLVh Ultrashine Moisture Conditioner- "Made from 20 different herbs, this nourishing formula delivers silky, obedient strands." Full size, $25.00, sample size $5.88.

I'm so glad to be able to sample a conditioner NOT in the form of a single-use foil packet.  This way, I can actually test it over a period of time.  And y'all, considering how GOOD this stuff smells.... I already know I'll be sad when it's empty.

Whish Exfoliating Body Wash- "A coconut-rich scrub that brightens and exfoliates with sugar cane and bamboo powder. A great way to prep skin for self tanner." Full size, $22.00, sample size $2.75.

Another really good-smelling product!  Good timing, too, since I'm about to run out of my current Aveeno exfoliating body wash.
 
Beauty Extra: Whish Hair Inhibiting Deodorant Swipes- "From the shaving pros at Whish, these wipes tackle odor and slow hair growth in one swipe."  Full size $16.00, and I'm just going to assume this sample is $1.00. 

Who in the world thought of this product?  Don't get me wrong, it's kind of genius--just really random.  I only received one of these, so I don't know how it smells since I haven't used it yet. Definitely interesting concept.

stila stay all day liquid lipstick- "Longlasting liquid lipstick in a wearable red that glides on like a gloss but stays put like a stain." Full size, $22.00, sample size $6.60.

I don't know how they can describe this shade, "Beso", as wearable...it's actually pretty bold.  I generally love stila as a brand, and I'm excited to get to test this product out.  But honestly, I wish I'd received a more wearable color.  I don't have many occasions to rock a bold red lip.

Birchbox also threw in an Ann Taylor accessory guide, along with a coupon code for anntaylor.com! For 20% off 1 item or 30% off 2 items, simply use the code "BIRCHBOX". You're welcome! :)

I know there were 60-something box combinations this month, but I'm officially deeming my Birchbox to be awesome.  Not only are the sample sizes huge and the products interesting/exciting, but the box's approximate total value of $29.73 far exceeds the $10.00 price tag.  If you haven't looked into Birchbox yet, I highly recommend it.

By the way, an idea hit me today for a new blog series.  I may write more about this over the weekend, but I'm still playing around with it in my head for now.  Could be exciting.  :)

Birchbox: July 2013

Two posts in one day!  New record for me.  Earlier this week, I received my July Birchbox, and I'm very pleased with its contents.  The theme this month is "Power Play", with an emphasis on finding products that become your go-to products in any situation.

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner:  "Direct from the UK, this user-friendly liquid liner features a velvety smooth formula." 

Birchbox has been sampling this product for so long, I've almost broken down and bought it without sampling instead of waiting until it turned up in a box.  Well, the wait is over!  I received the purple shade, and I've been really liking it so far.  From far away, it just looks like black eyeliner, but up close, you can really see the pop of color.  I think it accentuates my blue eyes nicely.  I have received the full-size of this product, which is worth $16.00.

Kerastase Chroma Thermique--Protect: "A silky leave-in treatment that combats dehydration, deterioration, and dullness with ceramides."

In addition to hydrating dry hair, this is supposed to serve as a UV protectant for color-treated hair.  I've already been using one of the packets I received, but I haven't really formed an opinion yet.  It doesn't seem special so far.  Full size $42, sample size $5.60 for 2 packets.

Vivant Skin Care Mandelic Acid 3-in-1 Wash: "Derm-developed formula that clears up blemishes and hyperpigmentation with alpha hydroxy acids."

I haven't used this yet because...honestly, I'm not quite sure what it is.  The directions say to use it on trouble spots on face, body , and even scalp.  Why would I use a face/body wash on my scalp?  What the hell is mandelic acid?  Must be potent because you're only supposed to use it every other day.  Who knows.  Full size $31, sample size $0.59.

purminerals CC Cream Broad Speum SPF 40: "This clinically proven anti-aging formula moisturizes, brightens, and evens skin tone."

I'll be trying this today.  Really though, I have low expectations for products like this.  Most of the BB creams and CC creams I've tried have left my skin way too oily.  I received the light shade. Full size $38.00, sample size $7.60. 

Birchbox Bobby Pins: "We designed these patterned pins to add style to summer hair with minimal effort."  

These are cute!  I prefer my bobby pins to blend in with my hair, but it'll be fun to try these out. Set of 6, $5.00, sample size of 2 pins $1.67.

I love my box this month! And, it's worth $31.46.  If you're interested in subscribing to Birchbox, click my link here.  

Have a great weekend!  I'm going to continue sipping my coffee and watching Coneheads and Beverly Hills Cop on Comedy Central. :)

Birchbox: June 2013

Long time, no blog!  Sorry about that, I suppose.  What better way to get back in the swing of things than checking out what I received in my Birchbox this month?  June's theme is Wanderlust.  (By the way, totally loving Birchbox's brand redesign.)  Interested in learning more about the service?  Click here!

Oscar de la Renta Something Blue: "The brand's latest scent, a lovely blend of mandarin and linden blossoms."  While this does smell a bit mature for me, I do like it. I haven't found myself reaching for it since receiving my box on Monday, but that's mainly because it's in a vial that doesn't spritz. Full size: $85, sample size: $1.50.

Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk: "Beloved by celebs, this award-winning oil-buster revives second-day styles." I'm always down to try a new dry shampoo.  The one I got from TIGI in my February Birchbox was sooo wrong for me.  That almost made my hair even more oily.  I have higher hopes for this one! Full size: $18, sample size: $5.96.

Mirenesse Glossy Kiss Lipstick: "This user-friendly pencil is a goof-proof way to score high-impact lips."  This product can double as a cheek stain as well.  I got the shade Cheeky Kiss, and I actually like the color a lot.  Very wearable for me.  The only thing that confuses me is that the product I received is a jumbo pencil that will need to be sharpened, while the product shown on the Birchbox website is a twist-up crayon.  That's my only gripe, and it's only because I'm lazy and hate sharpening makeup pencils. :) I did receive a full size of this product, which is worth: $26.55.

Twistband Birchbox Nautical Hair Tie Collection: "Seaworthy hair ties that will charm even the landlubbers among us."  Another Twistband as the Lifestyle Extra. I don't ever use these as much as I think I will. Though, I did have to smile at the anchors.  Sorority throwback, what up.  I would have been ALL about this in 2007/2008.  Full-size (pack of 6): $14, one band: $2.33.

Birchbox + Color Club Wanderlust Collection: "Exclusive neon pastel shades inspired by four of our favorite cities." I received the shade Reign in Spain, a neon coral, yet it is still soft.  I would have rather gotten the lavender shade in the collection since I already have plenty of coral polishes, but there's no way Birchbox could have known that.  Full-size: $8, sample-size: $4.

The box also included some seriously cute postcards, illustrated with scenes from four cities around the world.  I'm thinking about framing them.  Is that weird?  Whatever.

So! The total value of my Birchbox this month is.......*drumroll*......... $40.34!  Well done, Birchbox.  Not only did I get some cool things, but the value far exceeds the $10 cost for the service.  What did you get in your Birchbox?

Birchbox: May 2013

Birchbox totally sneaked up on me this month, but I'm not complaining because I kind of LOVE everything I got.  Let's dive in!

amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask: "Packed with omega acids and vitamin C, this lush conditioning mask boosts shine and even helps repair split ends." Full-size $12-$40, sample size $1.60

 

I. Love. This. Stuff. It's seriously great.  I've purchased it through Birchbox before, but purchasing an item doesn't mean you won't receive it as a sample in the future.  I am soo not complaining.  This will last me 2-3 uses; I had previously purchased the smaller $12 tube, which lasted me about 2 months.  I'm trying to save up points so I can get the $40 tub for free!  Seriously wonderful product.  The smell is heavenly, and it leaves my hair feeling so hydrated and soft.  

 

COOLA Classic Face SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturizer for Face: "This mineral sunblock is infused with organic anti-aging ingredients like evening primrose extract and borage seed oil." Full-size $32, sample size $4.33

I've received a COOLA face sunscreen before, but that one was just purely a sunscreen.  This one is a moisturizer with SPF.  Love my SPF, so I'm very excited about this.  Also, I love that it came in a little tube--the last COOLA product I got came in an non-resealable cardboard pouch of sorts, but I still loved it enough to use points on it. Hooray COOLA!

Marvis Classic Mint Toothpaste: "A stylish Italian import with an invigorating peppermint flavor." Full-size $10.50, sample size $1.40

How adorable.  I'm going on a trip in a couple of weeks for Memorial Day weekend, and this toothpaste will definitely get used!

Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner: "Inspired by traditional Indian formulas, this velvety liner glides on easily and lasts for hours." Set of 4 mini pencils $21, sample size (1 pencil) $4.25

 

Tiny baby eyeliner!  I received the shade "Suman", which appears to be just black.  A very densely pigmented black.  I usually wear brown or dark brown eyeliner since dark black can look harsh against my light skin and light eyes, but this will be fun to try!  Closeup of the product is below.

                          

LIFESTYLE EXTRA

Runa Guayusa Tea: "With more antioxidants than green tea, this caffeine-rich blend is made from Amazonian Guayusa leaves." Full-size(16 packets) $7, sample size(4 packets) $1.75 

                                  

                      

Tea.  Yummy.  End of story.  By the way, it's pronounced "gwhy-you-sa".  Fancy.

So!  The total monetary value of my May Birchbox is $14.33.  More than the $10 price tag, but not by much.  Despite this, I love and look forward to using everything I got!  Good job, Birchbox!  If you are interested in learning more about this service or want to sign up for a subscription yourself, click here!

Also, if you're reading this, I hope your Monday went well!  I went through most of the day feeling like it was already Tuesday, so the rest of this week is bound to be just swell. :)