June Birchbox: Wanderlust

This month's Birchbox features products to take on the next summer adventure you may or may not have planned, as well as that oh so human tendency for wanderlust.  I'm actually a restless person by nature and moved around extensively before settling back in Mobile.  Consequently, going on trips beyond a day trip here and there holds little appeal for me anymore.  Factor in 3 dogs to take care of, and I've become a confirmed homebody.  But don't cry for me, Argentina, because I love my box this month!  Not  a dud in sight, and even a few things I'm really excited about. 

Birchbox and Color Club teamed up to create a collection of pastel neon polishes inspired by Birchbox's four global offices:  New York, London, Paris, and Barcelona.  I received London Calling (I start singing The Clash every time I say the name in my head).  It's a pretty pistachio green that has a faint glow in the dark quality.  I think it will make for a striking pedi color!  Bottle size is mini and valued at $2.

While most of the perfume samples I've received via Birchbox have not made much of impression on me, they did introduce me to one of my favorite scents - Orange Sanguine by Atelier Colognes.  This month I received another citrus based fragrance, Fabulous by Isaac Mizrahi.  Top notes are bergamot, mandarin, and nectarine, followed by floral middle notes of tuberose, jasmine, freesia and peony.  The anchoring base notes are sandalwood, cedar and vanilla.  It's a nice hot weather scent and while I'm not finding it objectionable, it feels a bit generic to me.  Maybe because it's a tad too sweet, but being a fruity floral, that's part of the territory.  Sample value is roughly $2.

Now this, I love.  Miranesse Glossy Kiss in Flirty Kiss is both a lip and cheek tint, and the texture is amazing.  Highly pigmented, smooth, easy to apply on both lips and cheeks - plus it is free from petrolatum, mineral oil, alcohol and talc.  Miranesse is an Australian company and I'm glad they are on my radar, as I'd like to try out more.  Expect to see a more comprehensive review on this shortly, as it really is lovely.  Flirty Kiss is full sized and valued at $26.55.

I love receiving sample eye creams, and believe I have them marked as my "splurge" item.  Since you use so little, I find they last quite a while, really giving me an idea of how well they work.  I've liked the Origins products I've tried thus far, and look forward to giving the Plantscription anti-aging eye treatment a whirl.  My eyes are the area I'm showing my age the most, so crossing my fingers this is a good one :-)  Sample value is $7.25.
My "extra" this month was another Origins product, the VitaZing Energy boosting moisturizer with Mangosteen.  Birchbox has noted customer input and now primarily sends single foil packets as extras, which I don't mind at all.  Sample value is $1.05.  There were also some postcards included in the box featuring the 4 cities with Birchbox global offices, which was a nice touch.  I wasn't even aware Birchbox had global offices!

I've got to give kudos to Birchbox overall, as their business plan seems well thought out and the quality of products sampled continues to be high.  Considering some of the fly by night subscription services that have come and gone, Birchbox seems be navigating the waters quite well.  I know some lament the small sample sizes, but at $10/month and with the point system that can be used in the Birchbox shop, I remain a happy customer!

Total box value = $38.85

Disclaimer:  I subscribe to Birchbox for $10/month.