...

Thursday, May 10, 2012

May Birchbox: Gossip Girl

This month Birchbox teamed up with the CW's Gossip Girl, with samples inspired by the series and Manhattan's chicest events.  Here are the items included in my box:

Arquiste L'Etrog:  A perfume sample with warm notes of citron, palm leaves,and mrytle that are inspired by the aromas of a medieval harvest festival in Calabria, Italy.  A full sized bottle would set you back $165.  To me, this was a masculine scent - not bad, but not my style either.  My sample is worth about $3.

Miracle Skin Transformer Body SPF 20 in Glow:  A tinted treatment from Sarah McNamara that erases blemishes and scars on arms, legs, and decollete.  A full-size would cost $34 and mine is a .5 oz sample, which I think works out to about a $6.80 value.  My chest could use some help, so I'll be testing it there.  A swatch on my hand left behind a sheer wash of color with a slight shimmer.

Ojon Volumizing shampoo:  Made with the ultra nourishing Central American ojon oil to make your hair look and feel thicker.  I've used Ojon products before, but not this volumizing shampoo.  A full sized bottle is 8.5 oz and costs $22, so my 1 oz. sample is worth about $2.58.

stila sparkle waterproof liquid eye liner in Starry Night:  Waterproof, smudge-proof - check.  This stuff doesn't budge once on.  In fact, I had a hard time getting my arm swatch off, period.  I used an oil based makeup remover followed by soap and a few flakes come off with vigorous rubbing.  I'll try a bi-phase eye makeup remover on my next arm swatch.  Until then, I'm afraid to use it on my eyes because I'm not sure I can get it off!  Not kidding.  It's pretty though, so if you are looking for a liner that could last all day, all night, and the next few days, these could be it.  This was full size and sells for $22. 
The Birchbox extra this month was a note card.  Hand written thank you cards are always such a nice touch.  A set of 12 costs $10, so mine is worth 83 cents.  No wonder emails are so popular;-).  It's cute, and I'll use it.

Overall, I'm underwhelmed with my Gossip Girl box, but that's because the perfume sample wasn't my style and I don't use liquid eye liners.  It's not a bad box, just not my favorite.  The overall value of my box this month was roughly $35, so not bad for my $10 investment.  I do love getting my Birchbox's each month - they are quality, even if there are some samples that don't float my boat!

Clever marking on Gossip Girl's part and I know there was much anticipation for this month's box.   I'll be interested to hear what other people got and if it met their expectations.  Are you a Birchbox subscriber?  What did you think of the Gossip Girl box?

5 comments:

  1. I just signed up for Birchbox and got accepted. My first box should be arriving tomorrow actually. I'm a little nervous because I have super sensitive skin but I LOVE salon products. I love that I found your blog because I’ve been reading about your product reviews for a few weeks now and have never considered them before until now. I also love that you’re honest about the products that you try. Great blog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I look forward to receiving my Birchbox every month and have discovered some really good products through them. I hope you enjoy it too!

      Delete
  2. I am just visiting. I miss you. Signed, Beeps.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ah, you are sweet:-) I actually thought of you this morning and wondered how your workouts are going. I've been lazy but my motivation and my desire to be svelte is starting to stir again.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You got a wonderful box! I didn't really like the perfume either but you liner is gorgeous! Wish I had gotten one!

    ReplyDelete