Birchbox May 2013

This month's Birchbox is "all about you," a beauty tell all of sorts. To be perfectly honest, I don't see how these products necessarily fit that theme. At first glance they don't seem like any products you might keep a secret from friends so they'll be "your" products or anything so I don't know.

What's in my April 2013 Birchbox

This month Birchbox partnered with Women's Health magazine and the theme is "Tiny tweaks, big results" and focuses on small things you can do/use to get big results.

What's in my March 2013 Birchbox

This month's theme is March Madness. Apparently they're hosting beauty face-offs on their Facebook page, which is how things tie in with the theme. The info card also says, "This box is filled with products that make the cut - from up-and-coming rookies to veteran all-stars."

February 2013 Birchbox

The theme of this month's Birchbox is Red Carpet Ready. It's supposed to be "an assortment of products worth of the red carpet," according to the info card that came with the box. Guess we'll have to see!

What's in my Birchbox - January 2013

The theme of the January 2013 Birchbox is "Best Year Ever." They've included products that they feel will get you off to a great start this year.

Ojon Damage Reverse Instant Restorative Hair Serum

Full size - $25 : Sample - $1.03

I'm kind of excited to try this. I recently had 4 inches cut off my hair and it's much less frizzy now than it was, but there are still some times when it just needs a little something extra to help the frizz calm down. You can use this serum before heat styling to protect from the heat or alone to control frizz. Sounds good to me!

alessandro Nail Polish in Blue Lagoon

Full size - $12 : Sample - $6

I have been addicted to nail polish lately so this is a great addition to my collection. I know some people complain about getting sample sizes of nail polish, but for me it's perfect. I rarely (if ever) use a full sized bottle of nail polish until it's all gone. It gets clumpy and lumpy and generally not good long before the whole bottle is gone. With a smaller size I feel like I at least have a chance at finishing it. This blue is really pretty and it looks darker in person than it does in this picture.

theBalm cosmetics Put a Lid On It Eyelid Primer

Full size - $18 : Sample - $5.64

I currently use ELF eyelid primer and I'm almost out so this couldn't have come at a better time. I think the ELF primer is the only one I've really tried so far so it will be nice to have something to compare it to. I believe this is a new theBalm product debuting in 2013, so if you didn't get it in your Birchbox and you're excited to try it, keep an eye out for it at the store.

Harvey Prince Skinny Chic

Full size - $55 : Sample - $2.20

To me, this smells similar to Cool Water. The info card that Birchbox sent says it's a blend of Meyer lemon, white grapefruit and pink plumeria. However, the sample packaging says green apple, mint and amber and the Birchbox website says apple, mint and grapefruit. Apparently, just take your pick of fruits and there you go. Because I'm awful at describing scents that aren't obvious, like vanilla, I'll just tell you that I like it.

Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream

Full size - $42 : Sample - $3.36

I like face creams but I'm usually kind of wary of them causing breakouts. This one is supposed to improve elasticity and radiance, protect from free radicals and hydrate for 24 hours. What I may end up doing is using this more around my eyes where I have some issues with dark circles and fine lines. It sounds like it might be helpful around that area.

Box total: $18.23

What do you think of the new format for these posts? I can go back to the old ones if people prefer but I personally think this is easier to read and follow.

Do you get a Birchbox? What did you get in yours?

What's in my December 2012 Birchbox

The theme of December's Birchbox is "All Wrapped Up" in honor of the holiday season. I was kind of hoping that because of the holidays this month, Birchbox would step up the game and give us some amazing things - more full sized products or at least more generous samples, etc. We'll see how it pans out.

If you want to hear/see my initial thoughts as I opened the box feel free to check out my YouTube channel.

Number 4 Clarifying Shampoo - Full size $32 for 250ml- Sample $6.66

I'm kind of excited to try this because I have really fine hair, but a lot of it. It seems that a lot of shampoos end up weighing it down after a few uses. Hopefully this might be a good every other shampoo type of thing or some sort of pattern to keep my hair from getting too weighed down and heavy.

La Fresh Eco-Beauty Oil-Free Face Cleanser - Full size $9.99 for 30 cloths - Sample $0.67

I have yet to find a face cloth/wipe that I like and can get all my makeup off. I've heard some good things about these and I'm excited to see if they work as well for me as I've heard they do for others. Usually the issue is with my face still feeling gross from still having makeup on it or oily from whatever residue the cloth has left behind.

Apothoderm Firming Serum - Full size $75 for 1oz. - Sample $11.25

As I'm getting older I find myself looking more and more for holy grail anti-aging products that can carry me through my 30s and into my later years. Though a bit pricy at $75 for a full sample, this looks promising. It apparently has a proprietary peptide duo that will firm and brighten skin. Sounds like win to me! Now we'll just have to see how it works on my skin.

Juicy Couture - Juicy Couture - Full size $90 for 3.4oz. - Sample $1.32

I've said this before and I'll say it again: Enough with the perfume samples Birchbox! My fragrance drawer in the bathroom cabinet is starting to become overrun with these tiny vials you insist on sending nearly monthly. While I do like discovering a good perfume every now and again, I might suggest sticking to 1 sample per quarter, perhaps something that may be a good scent for that season? Overall though, I'm not that into this particular scent. I liked the La Fleur version much better.

theBalm cosmetics Mary-Lou Manizer - Full size $24 for 8.5g by weight - Sample $2.82

This is an three-in-one highlighter, eye shadow and shimmer. It's really quite neat and I can't wait to try it out. I personally see myself using it as an eye shadow and/or highlighter most often. It should be a great alternative to the Stila highlighter I got last month.

Box total: $22.72

What's in my November 2012 Birchbox

This month's Birchbox theme is Giving in honor of Thanksgiving. According to the info card "This month's box is all about giving: giving thanks, giving back, and of course giving treats." I'm not entirely sure I see how many of these things in my box are about giving to be honest.

Atelier Cologne Rose Anonyme Petite Cologne Absolue - Full size $75 for 30ml - Sample $3.70 for 1.48ml

 

I can already tell you that I don't like this. At all. The minute I popped off the top all I could think of was old lady Avon. It's supposed to have ginger and bergamot as the notes and so I'm guessing maybe it's the bergamot that makes it smell like old lady. Either way, I'm not a fan.


Miracle Skin Transformer™ Vanish Instant Imperfection Corrector - Full size $58 for 1oz - Sample $5.80 for 0.1oz

According to the info card, this is a serum-infused primer with optical diffusers. Apparently that means it's supposed to mask imperfections. It's supposed to improve wrinkles, dark spots and even skin tone. I'm actually pretty excited to try this since my current primer (by Rimmel) isn't doing much to cover dark spots. Even with primer, a few acne scars that I have still show through my foundation and even concealer after a few hours. Hopefully this can help.


Oscar Blandi Pronto Texture & Volume Spray Travel Size - Full travel size $11 for 1.5oz - Sample travel size $7.33 for 1oz

If there's two things my hair needs on a daily basis it's texture and volume. I typically wash my hair every other day and on day two it has much more texture than day one it seems. It also gets more volume from the dry shampoo I use. I kind of hope this can help my hair on day one when it's flatter and lacking in the texture and volume. I also love that it's a travel size sample, which doesn't mean it lacks in product, but that it's more portable and could easily go in my bag or be stored easily with my other hair products.


stila all over shimmer liquid luminizer try-me-set - Full size $20 for 3 different shades - Sample $6.67

So far I haven't been one for too much shimmer on my face because it tends to get oily as the day goes on. However, after swatching this on the back of my hand I think I might actually like it. It didn't have too much shimmer and seemed to be more glowy than glittery. As much as I love glitter (when it comes to crafting), I hate obvious glitter on my face.


Chuao Chocolatier Assorted ChocoPod - Full size $7.95 for 7 assorted flavors - Sample $1.14

I'm really, really anxious and excited to try this. A local store sells chocolate covered potato chips by the pound and I've always been tempted to try some, but haven't actually taken the plunge. The flavor I got has "crisp kettle cooked potato chips and a hint of sea salt" with milk chocolate. Sounds delish to me!

The box also came with a gift box meant to be used to give someone special a surprise.

Box Total: $24.64