Birchbox Review – July 2016

Today I bring to you my very last Birchbox review, at least for now. Wondering why this will be the last? Keep reading for more details on why I chose to cancel my Birchbox subscription this month. But first a rundown of the products I received  for the month of July…

I’m always happy to try out a new mascara and the Benefit They’re Real! Lengthening Mascara looks really great. Like I mentioned in my Ipsy Review this month, however, I won’t be actually trying any new mascaras until I can use up the billion (at least) that I have open right now. So this little guy will just have to get in line. My favorite product by far that I received in this box is the LOC Ultra-Gloss Lip Pencil. I got the color “Cupid’s Bow”, which is cool-toned hot pink that is oh-so perfect for summer. The formula is very creamy and long lasting and I just love it! I also got the Klorane Smoothing and Relaxing Patches with Soothing Cornflower, which will be great for a relaxing night in. I’m going to save these for a day that I’m looking for some rejuvination, since these combat dehydrated undereyes. I did get a chance to try the Davines This Is a Sea Salt Spray and while it smells amazing, it also gives your hair that lovely crunchy texture circa 1992 so I don’t know that I will continue to use it. Lastly I got the Avene Thermal Spring Water and really love the hydration it gives my face that I didn’t actually know my skin has been longing for in the summer months.

So why no more Birchbox? Well, for a few reasons…

For about a year now I have been getting at least 2-3 beauty boxes per month. As a result my sample collection is a little out of control for my liking! I have been stashing up tons of products and in general don’t like items laying around my  house that don’t often get used. (I have more beauty bags, hair serums, and single eye shadows hanging out than I care to count.) So I knew something had to go. Birchbox has a stronger focus on haircare and skincare, which I do enjoy… by I like getting makeup better. Birchbox also recently got rid of their pretty amazing rewards system, which solidified my decision to cancel. So there you have it. I have enjoyed my subscription while it lasted but also know the importance of using up what I have, XOXO.

What samples did you love this month? Anyone else throwing their Birchbox subscription to the curb?

Birchbox June 2016 – Preview

Of course I peaked!!! Did you expect anything else?!

I’m glad I did because I think this will be one of my best boxes yet…

I’m most excited for the Benefit Gimme Brow!!! I’ve heard nothing but amazing reviews from the beauty YouTubers I follow and trust. I continue to struggle with extremely sparse brows and haven’t yet tried a fiber formula so I hope this product can help me with a naturally fuller look.

Though they don’t top the list, I’m equally excited for the liquid exfoliator (something I’ve also never tried), the lip crayon (fingers crossed I get the berry shade!), and the texturizing spray (I love using them).

I’m least excited for the tinted SPF because I either wear no makeup or full coverage, anything in between isn’t my favorite.

What are you most and least excited for in your box this month?

Redeeming my Birchbox Points

Part of what makes Birchbox so incredible is their points system. As you probably know by now, Birchbox is a $10 per month beauty subscription service. What you may not have known is that by going online each month and reviewing the products you receive, you are able to get $5 per month back in points to spend on their site. Now, I’m not an expert on every beauty subscription service out there, but this is by far the best rewards system I have seen. The points add up so quickly and the products you can choose from are seriously endless.

Recently, I cashed in 200 points ($20) for two fantastic products.

I was introduced to the Amika Bombshell Blowout Spray by Birchbox, actually. Several months back I had gotten the sample size in one of my boxes. At first I didn’t really know what to do with it. My whole life I have had frizzy, curly, thick hair that doesn’t like to cooperate and most of the time has a mind of it’s own. Generally I don’t like to pack on the hair products because that just tends to make it worse by going in the complete opposite direction and make my hair greasy, lifeless, and drab.

This spray, however, has changed entire experience when I want to curl my hair. I use it after showering only when I know I’ll blow dry it and curl it that same or next day. At least, that’s what works best for me. I find that this really does give my hair extra volume, life, and shine. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for bigger hair or the blow out type of look.

The second product I found on my own. If you don’t already follow Tati Westbrook the Glam Life Guru on YouTube go follow her now! She is super fun, super honest, and puts in so much time and money to make her beauty reviews perfect for makeup lovers everywhere.

This product, LOC Vibrant Matte Lipstick, is from her line and you need it in your life yesterday. I hadn’t tried this out prior to this purchase but knew if Tati was somewhat involved in the creation of the product that it was going to be fantastic. It didn’t disappoint! I went for the shade “Glam Life” which is a berry plum. I was seriously tempted to pick the cool red tone and will probably purchase it in the near future because these lipsticks are so wonderful. The matte texture isn’t drying in the slightest. It is creamy and fuss-free.

That’s my redemption in a nutshell. It was my first time cashing in points and everything went very smoothly. I can’t tell you enough just how much I love Birchbox, XOXO.

 

Any recommendations on what to redeem my points for next time?

Birchbox May 2016 – Review

It’s Birchbox day!!!!

Birchbox is a $10 a month beauty subscription service. Sign up by clicking here to get 5 deluxe-sized samples sent to your house in a pretty new box each month. (The boxes are  useful for so many random jobs around the house.) I love Birchbox because of the customization you’re involved in and the rewards system is really great!

Here is the design of the month…

And here is the mix of items I was sent…

Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Body Peel

I hand-picked this peel to come in the box and love it. Birchbox introduced me to Real Chemistry several months back and it has proven to be such an amazing line. I loved the face peel so much that I featured it in my favorite exfoliators post. I had every intention of using this on my face, however the packaging is very clear that that is not the best idea. So I ended up using it on the heels of my feet and it felt like I had just gotten a pedicure!

ModelCO Lip Lacquer

This is essentially just a very lightly pigmented (almost clear) gloss. Nothing special in my opinion. I will save this to top other lip colors when I want more of a shine but don’t see myself using this as a solo lip product.

Vera Bradley Vanilla Sea Salt Fragrance

Birchbox is great about sending fragrances, which I enjoy because it’s not something I typically want to spend my beauty budget on. I love this scent! I was afraid it would smell too salty for my liking but it’s very subtle and reminds me of the beach for sure. It also brings me back to my childhood when I loved vanilla everything.

Supergoop Defense Refresh Setting Mist

In my Birchbox preview post this month, I predicted I would like this mist the best and I was right! As I get older, sun protection gets more important. Using this setting mist, which doubles as an SPF, could not be any easier. The packaging reads “matte finish three-in-one sets make-up, controls oil, and delivers UV photoaging protection”. Umm… thank you, Birchbox, for reading my mind on exactly what I need in my life!!!

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle

This baby smells so good. As you have probably heard me say time and time again, I don’t use leave in conditioners like this regularly. I find that they make my hair greasier faster  and that’s just not a cute look. This is something I will keep on hand but likely will not use too often.

My Rating: 

This box was pretty solid overall. I am stoked about the setting mist, that’s by far my favorite product! It will be especially perfect for the summer months. I also really love the peel and fragrance, both of which I can see investing my own money into after my samples run out. The leave in conditioner is okay to have but you may have heard me say that I have been sent so many of these that they just aren’t super exciting to get. I’m not crazy about the lip product, that’s probably the only thing I don’t like or find useful out of the mix I was sent. Good month, Birchbox. Just send some better lippies next time, XOXO.

Birchbox May 2016 – Preview

I think this is going to be a good Birchbox month!!!

The item I am most excited for is the setting mist because I’ve been looking for a spray to use to lock my makeup into place and hope this one works well for my skin. It’s a total plus that it has SPF right in it! I am least excited for the hair protector because I have so many of these types of products and don’t tend to love them for my hair.

I also love Real Chemistry, Vera Bradley, and ModelCo so really look forward to trying all of those products out as well this month!

Stay tuned for an upcoming review on everything, XOXO.

April Birchbox 2016 – Review

I’ve given all of my products a try and come to you today with a review on my April Birchbox :). To find out more about Birchbox, you can click here to access my first Birchbox  review post, where I really get into the details about this beauty subscription service.

You can also click here to sign up if you’re interested.

First of all, how CUTE is this month’s box?!

Laura Gellar New York Baked Blush-n-Brighten

This is by far my favorite product I got in the box and probably my favorite product I have ever gotten in any box! This blush is so bright and so unique and so incredible and… you need it in your life!

PARLOR by Jeff Chastain Volumizing Lifting Spray

I didn’t love or hate this. The times that I tried it my hair felt more smooth than volumized so for that reason I don’t think it does what it claims. However, the smell is amazing!

TOCCA Crema da Mano Hand Cream

Lotions are fun for me to get because I keep them everywhere! My nightstand, purse, desk, makeup counter… the list goes on. The actual product wasn’t anything to swoon over, however the scents offered in this hand cream are truly bold and different.

Dr. Jart+ Liftra Contour Cream

In my Birchbox April 2016 – Preview post, I didn’t name this as what I least looking forward to but, for me, it finishes last this month. (Let me explain…) The product itself seems decent, but the sample size is not enough for me to know if it is actually firming my skin or not. And for the very hefty prize tag of a full sized bottle, I’m honestly not that interested in ever finding out.

Marcelle  3-in-1 Micellar Solution

This product is a serious win! It works wonders for taking off makeup at the end of the day. I wouldn’t recommend using it on the lips because there is a strong chemical taste, but for the rest of the face it’s perfect.

 

My Rating: 

The blush completely made this box for me. I seriously can’t tell you just how much I love it! The rest of the products… they’re all okay. I will use the lotion and micellar water for sure, the volumizing spray occasionally, and the contour cream just for the sake of using it up. Some months my excitement is spread across products and other months all of my excitement is channeled into one great product. Either way I’m happy with my box this month, XOXO.

Birchbox April 2016 – Preview

I have another new and exciting series to announce today!

Starting this month, I will be “previewing” and “reviewing” beauty box subscriptions. The preview will include my initial thoughts on what I am going to get (I always peak), as well as the items I am most and least looking forward to. A couple of weeks later, I will post a review on the same box, which will include my experience on the products after having tried them out.

Today I bring you my very first preview… April Birchbox 2016.

I opted for the featured box this month, which is how I already know everything that will be coming to me.

The product I am most looking forward to this month is the Laura Gellar baked blush. I have heard nothing but great things about this brand and this specific product. This is perfect for me because I am trying to grow my blush collection and try different shades to figure out what looks best on my skintone. The product I am next most looking forward to is the Dr. Jart+ cream, which looks like it should help with lifting the skin and eliminating fine lines. Skincare has been more of top priority for me lately, so this one is really exciting for me to try out. I’m also looking forward to trying out the Marcelle micellar water. These seem to be all the rage right now and I have not had the chance to use one yet. Although I am not super excited to try it, the Tocca cream does look nice and I strongly believe you can never have too many lotions. Lastly, I’m not all that crazy for volumizing sprays in pump bottles like the Parlor product included in this box, but will be trying it out even though it is the product I am least looking forward to.

To learn more about this beauty subscription service, visit my first Birchbox review post.

You can also click here to sign up for Birchbox!

Be sure to stay tuned for my review of these products in a couple of weeks, XOXO.

Birchbox – March 2016

My Birchbox came today!

Birchbox is a $10 a month beauty subscription service. You can sign up here to get 5 deluxe-sized samples sent to your house in a pretty new box each month. It’s a fabulous way to collect different beauty items and get to try products you may not otherwise purchase on your own.

There are two reasons why I love Birchbox… This first is because there is a level of customization you’re involved in that other beauty boxes don’t offer. Each month you get to decide between a preselected mix of items or pick one item that you’re guaranteed to get and all others are selected for you. I also love Birchbox because the rewards system is really great! You can go online and review the products that were sent to you and get $5 back per box to spend on the site.

Let’s dig in, shall we?!

Amika – “Perk Up Dry Shampoo”

This is the product that I hand-picked this month. It smells great and is perfect for my summer weekend trips to the cabin. I use dry shampoo all the time and find that buying minis in the store gets really expensive, so this is perfect for me.

Wilma Schumann – “Hydrating Collagen Eye Pads”

I couldn’t wait to get my hands on these and already tried them out. They are unlike anything I’ve ever tried! This pack comes with two gel patches that you put on for 20 minutes. They have a refreshing feeling and work great to hydrate your under-eye area.

Cargo -“Land Down Under Eye Shadow Palette”

I believe I got the color duo Beach and Suntan, which are sandy gold and smimmery chocolate. (Does anybody else find that these are really common colors to get in beauty subscriptions across the board?) They are pretty colors,but I have tons of these shades so I’m not overly excited to try them out.

Coola – “SPF 50 Sport Mango”

This smells so yummy! I tend to only use a separate sun tan lotion during the summer because my make up usually already contains SPF. However, this will definitely come in handy for my upcoming trip to Key Largo. It’s light, so would work well on the face.

Marcelle – “BB Cream Golden Glow”

I’m a little surprised this isn’t advertised as a tinted product because the color is very dark. I don’t tend to use BB Creams because I prefer a more fuller coverage look, but again will probably save this for Key Largo because I think it might be perfect for the pool and beach.

My Rating: 

This month’s box was filled with a lot of good-to-have items that will likely be useful for summer traveling, but only had one product that I was super excited to try. I’m a little disappointed because up until now I have always gotten one new product in the box that I fell in love with right away. This time I don’t see anything like that. Still, I do think that the price of the box was a great value and am content with what I got, XOXO.