December Birchbox: Sparkle & Shine

I thought it might be a good idea to get the post about December's Birchbox up before January's arrived.  Yep, I'm a bit behind.  I haven't really used any of the items yet to get a feel for them, but I can say I continue to enjoy my Birchbox subscription.  Enough that I paid for this year's subscription upfront, instead of paying month to month. 

I've been subscribing for 2 years now, and they've introduced me to quite a few products I've really liked.  Seriously, the best thing about Birchbox is their point system, as when you review items on their site, you get 10 points per item.  One hundred points = $10 that you can spend in the Birchbox shop.  Couple that with periodic discount codes, and you've got some major savings going on, such as when I got the Jouer Matte Moisture Tint for $8.50 :-)  I think the brand selection is fantastic, although the range of items offered is only a smattering of what's available in each brand. 

Since I cut my hair I've been playing with more hair products, so Pure Happy Smooth is a nice addition to that growing collection.  This thermal protector contains shine boosting keratin as well as aloe, and the 1 oz size should give me enough uses to really get a feel for it.  Sample value is $4.37.

Arcona is known for featuring cranberry in their products, and this gel is supposed to moisturize, neutralize free radicals, and keep pores clear.  Sounds great for my oily skin, and sample value is $13.33.

Ring of Fire

Laqa & Co.'s Lil Lip pencil in Ring of Fire is a glossy bright red.  I've yet to wear it but it looks very promising.  These come is a 5 piece set for $32 or a duo for $16, so I'll say sample value is $7.

The antiperspirant wipes from La Fresh will come in quite handy when I'm traveling, so I'm happy to see these.  Sample value is $1.66.

The extra this month were 3 teabags from Ahmad Tea London, and since I'm a hot tea drinking fiend in the winter, that works for me.  I'm not going to attach a value to these, but the total for the other items is $26.36.  Now, I'm looking forward to seeing what Birchbox introduces me to in 2014!

November Birchbox: More Good

I'm still not in the holiday frame of mind, although Thanksgiving is today and Christmas an eye blink away.  Perhaps it's because it seems like summer just ended, which happens when temps in the mid 70's are still occurring.  Regardless, Birchbox is helping me to reframe my mindset by emphasizing abundance in all it's forms, as well as giving back.  Featuring beauty items from their favorite charitable brands, I received:

Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil (full size, $18):  This face illuminator in pencil form can be applied in 10 different ways, but I've mainly been using it as to lessen the redness along my upper lip line and along the bridge of my nose.  Check out the video to see all the ways it can be used - quite impressive!

Next is a charcoal gray metallic/frost polish called Dark'N Stormy from Color Club.  Always nice to receive a polish, and the mini bottle is worth $4.

The hair product this month is one I already have, called It's a 10.  This leave in hair serum is supposed to repair dry, damaged hair, add shine, detangle, control frizz, seal and protect hair color, prevent split ends, stop hair breakage, create silkiness, enhance natural body, and protect from heat.  I admit I haven't really used the one I already have (hair product overload), but this seems to get great reviews so I need to remedy that.  The deluxe sample size I received is worth $10.

Femme is a 100 % natural body lotion featuring artisanal French fragrances from Tiossan Dakar.  Ten percent of proceeds from their products go towards creating innovative schools in Senegal.  More good:-).

Femme is a floral bouquet on a bed of amber, sprinkled with a dash of Ylang-Ylang for a heady and ambiguous fragrance that restores a personal sense of calm, balance and femininity.

Top Notes: Ylang-Ylang, Rose

Heart Notes: Lilly of the Valley, Jasmine, a touch of Tuberose

Base Notes: Cedar, Amber, White musk.

I found the fragrance to be very light, so it's something I would probably layer with other fragrances.  Personally, I like that, as I always put on lotion after a shower but usually want to wear one of my perfume oils as well.  Sample value is about $1.50.

The extra this month was an uber delicious chocolate from Chuao in Orange-a-go-go:  Candied orange harmonizes with the essence of bergamot orange in dark chocolate.  I need to investigate this brand some more.  Seriously.

So, not counting the extra, the value of November's box was $33.50.  Hope those that celebrate are having a lovely Thanksgiving, and that "more good" comes to everyone!

P.S. I woke up this morning to 20 degree weather.  I don't know how those who live in cold weather climates do it - hats off to you!

October Birchbox: Beauty Buzz

I'm running behind on posting the contents of my subscription boxes for October, so this week will be catch up on subscription box time.  Today I'm showing my October Birchbox, which featured some tried and true items as well as some totally new to me brands.  So, here we go!

The new to me items start with a full sized Pop Beauty Aqua Lacquer in Floating Rose ($14).  This is a mineral oil based lip gloss, but it  also contains Jojoba seed oil and Vitamin E and feels really nice on.  The applicator is the small plastic paddle type, which I'm not used to, but it works well and I'm warming up to it.  The gloss has a slight cooling sensation on my lips as well as minty fragrance, but I don't see peppermint oil in the list of ingredients.  Floating Rose is a soft pink and I'm liking the gold shimmer in it!

Liz Earle is a well regarded British brand with over 90 beauty awards to their credit.  The Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser two part system features a cream cleanser with cocoa butter, rosemary and eucalyptus essential oils that you massage into your skin, followed by the warm/wet muslin cloth to remove the cleanser.  The plant oils lift dirt off the skin’s surface without disrupting the natural barrier function and you also get gentle exfoliation.  I haven't tried these yet, but I'm intrigued.  My initial thought was that the muslin cloth needs to be washed after every 2-3 uses, so I'm not sure how practical this will be for me.  Sample value for the cleanser and cloth is about $9.

The Dermablend Smooth Indulgence foundation is actually a tried and true for me, as I purchased it in Soft Beige over a year ago (you can see my review here).  It's a medium to full coverage foundation that works really well with my oily skin.  The shade I received from Birchbox is Taupe, which is too dark for my complexion but which I can use for shading and/or blending with other foundations that are too light.  I received the full size, which retails for $32.

The extra this month is a ChapStick Hydration Lock, which is supposed to give 8 hour moisture and contains CoQ10, hyaluronic filling spheres, and vitamin E.  I'm a lip balm junkie whose philosophy is "you can never have too many", so I'm pleased.  Value of the full sized ChapStick is $2.99, making the total value of my October box $57.99, quite a good return on my $10 investment! 

September Birchbox: Heritage

This month is Birchbox's 3 year anniversary, and I think I've been subscribing now for almost 2 years.  Time flies and all that!  Fortunately, I continue to enjoy my subscription and September did not disappoint.

This month saw the inclusion of some exclusive to Birchbox nail polishes created by Ruffian, a New York based fashion label.  This is their first nail lacquer collection, and the three colors that were sent out were a purple, red, or a green.  I was hoping for the metallic olive green Hedge Fund and that's what I received :-)  This is a full size bottle worth $10.

Birchbox has been sending out Amika products forever, but I think this

is the first one I've received!  Bombshell Blowout Spray will come in handy now that I've cut off all my hair again, as I have to blow it dry.  The formula features Sea Buckthorn Berry and is supposed to provide extra texture and volume while protecting from heat.  Interestingly, the link on Birchbox to this spray is called the Blow Up spray, so I'm not sure if the name has been changed or what.  Sample value is $6.

Next up is the Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm.  This is supposed to be a four-in-one primer, moisturizer, sunscreen, and treatment serum with
brightening properties and anti-aging benefits.  It blends out nicely and while it does not provide enough coverage for me on it's own, I'll use it under my foundation for it's sunscreen and anti-aging benefits.  I like that it has an SPF of 45 but did not feel or look greasy.  Sample value is $4.87.

The Dr. Lipp original nipple balm for lips features purified or medical grade lanolin and is an all purpose balm that replenishes and seals in moisture.  This is the kind of lip balm I like to use before going to bed at

night, and it reminds me of Rosebud salve or Elizabeth Arden's 8 Hour Cream in it's texture.  Those are petrolatum based, and beyond lanolin, I have no idea what the Dr. Lipp balm contains, although it is supposed to be 100% natural.  It does feel nice on!  Sample value is $3.10.

Last up is Eyeko's Black Magic mascara, with a paraben-free formula featuring keratin and shea butter and a water resistant finish.  I've worn this once so far and liked it!  It reminded me a bit of a tubing mascara in how it looked when I washed it off, so I'm wondering if there are similarities in formula.  It did not clump or smudge and the color was a nice glossy black.  Sample value is about $11.

These are all items I'll use and the total box value is $34.97, well worth the $10 I spent.  Happy Anniversary Birchbox!

July Birchbox: Powerplay

The theme of July's Birchbox was taking control of any situation and making the most of every minute, no doubt influenced by the promotion of the TV series "Suits", which I've never seen.  Nor am I feeling particularly take charge or motivated in general, although I did go for a run this week.  For the first time in a long time.  Then I payed the price with really sore muscles for the next 3 days.  But, that's par for the course getting back into shape, which I was really motivated to do earlier in the week.....

I actually had an astro-physicist who read my palm once.  I'm not kidding, he really was an astro-physicist who worked for NASA, and his serious hobby was palmistry.  I think he even taught a course on it at the University of Alabama (maybe one of those adult ed courses?).  Anyhow, he told me I would go through periods of extreme productivity followed by periods of "worthlessness", and I'm in that worthlessness phase right now, it seems.  That's okay, I'm just gearing up for that next period of extreme productivity :-)  Plus, it's hot outside.

Okay, back to July's Birchbox.  I'll start with the item I'm most excited about, which is the beauty extra - the bobby pins.  Oversized and with a cute green and white pattern, I think they will make nice barrettes.  Sample value is $1.66.

I'm also liking the Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect leave-in conditioning spray.  It's sulfate free, safeguards color, and protects against UV rays.  I've got a surplus of hair conditioning sprays/oils/leave in conditioners at the moment, but given my constitutional incapability to stay faithful to any one product, I'll add this to my rotation.  I'm estimating sample value at $8, as the size is not listed on the bottle. 

I'm interested in seeing how the Benta Berry G-1 moisturizing face creams performs, as it claims to regulate and mattify skin with a botanical ingredient base featuring blueberries, white dead nettle, jasmine, burdock, and mandarin.  I've yet to find a mattifying product that works well enough for me to really notice a difference, but hope springs eternal and all.  This is a French brand and is marketed as uni-sex, which I think is kind of cool.  Sample value is $3.66.

I've already got a sample of Benefit's Girl Meet Pearl liquid highlighter, so this item was just kind of 'meh' for me.  I don't use highlighters often as they can make my oily skin look even more shiny (I can't remember using the sample I have), but I will try a few looks with this to test it out.  It does look like it would be good for mixing with foundation for a bit of luminosity.  Sample value is $1.87.

Last up is a brand I've been wanting to try for a while called 100% Pure.  I got 3 foil samples of their Green Apple Nourishing Body Cream, and I'm estimating value at 40 cents. 

Birchbox usually packs a few items into a cardboard packet type container, and I thought this month's design was fetching.  It's a special print that Tibi designed especially for Birchbox called "Empire".  There is a makeup bag/pouch with the design that is available as a gift with purchase if you spend $65, or you can buy the clutch for $28.  I've got to give props to Birchbox, as they continually partner with other companies in some pretty savvy ways. 

Total box value is about $15.50, which is one of the lower value boxes I've received.  I'm a bit 'meh' in general about July's box, but I will also use most of the items, so definitely not a bad box.  Just kind of 'meh'. 

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

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.