Birchbox Review-August 2013

I got my August Birchbox today! This will be my 2nd box and I am so excited!

                                      

This month's theme is finishing school and they have teamed up with Ann Taylor for their picks.

After opening my box, I found that I received box #9. There were 65 different boxes this month.

The first product I pulled out of the box was the Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive. It is a peel with fruit-derived acids to dissolve dead skin. A full size version is $39. 

I think this is the product I am most excited about. I love peels! My favorite peel/mask to date is Origins Charcoal  mask.  It truly cleans out my pores and I use it weekly. If this product works as it is supposed to, I will have no problem buying it. 

Value: $4.87

I was a little shocked to see teabags in my Birchbox this month. This disappointed me. I am a tea drinker but am not a fan or either Earl Grey or Peach. This will be something I take to work to share because I won't drink this.
Value: $.37 to .80

Dreams Nail Lacquer is a calcium enriched base strengthens nails, fills uneven ridges, and prevents discoloration. I had never heard of this and I am not really into nail polishes. I will give this a try but I am unsure of how it will work. This is probably about half the size of a full bottle.

Value: $5.25

The next item I received was ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick. It is a semi-matte lipstick that claims to deliver both hydration and lasting pigment. I received the color "Kitty". It comes in a trio.
                                               

It looked a bit dark in its tube but when I put it on my wrist, it was subtle. I think I will like it and if it has the staying power claimed, it will be even better. I can't wait to wear it to work tomorrow!

Value: $8.00

The final product I received was Jasmine Seven Fresh Feet Wipes. They are alcohol-free towelettes that cleanse and soften with vitamin E, peppermint, and aloe. It says they are for feet but are great for hands too. I think these will come in handy for after Pilates. We will see.

Value: $.66

The box also included a 20% and 30% off coupon for Ann Taylor.


Total Box Value: $19.15


Overall, I think I got a couple of good items in this box, but I am not as impressed as I was last month.  What do you think? Did you get any of these items?


I wasn't completely happy with this box and decided to suspend it for the next couple of months.

*I paid for this box with my own money. My opinions are my own.*

Birchbox Review -July 2013

I am excited to get these boxes. I always want to try new beauty products, but I don't want to spend the big money and be disappointed by them.

I received my very first Birchbox today! I have to say on my initial inspection, I was disappointed. I expected a larger box and it was a  little box. I am not sure why I expected a bigger box. I suppose when I was reading reviews, the pictures didn't have a scale for me to compare so I just assumed a larger size.

The box was really cute and plain. I really enjoyed the simple branding.

This month's theme is "Power Play" and  talked about the different products for the months and a small advertisement for the show "Suits", which I have never seen before.

On the opposite side of the card was a listing of the samples included in my box with the pricing of the full size versions. It included a "Suits" pick and a "Beauty Extra". I am not sure of the significance of the segregation in the listing, but working in the marketing industry, I assume it would be to get the recipient hyped up and excited about the box. I liked how the product listing included a "How to use" on it. Often times, I buy products and don't have instructions of how to use them. This was super helpful.

Upon opening my box to reveal the samples, I found that I had box #53.

The first product I pulled out of my box is Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect. The full-size version is $32. It is a leave-in conditioner with instructions that say to mist on damp hair before styling.

8.6.13-UPDATE- I used this and loved it. It had a nice smell. I sprayed it in my hair instead of using a conditioner. It made my hair soft and shiny. I allowed my hair to air dry and even slept on it. When I woke up in the morning, I didn't need to use a straightener. My hair fell perfectly after only styling it.

Sample Size Value: $4.00

The second product I found in my box was the "Suits pick", which was Purminerals CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40. The full-size version is $38.  I didn't know what CC cream was but found out that it is a color correcting cream here.  Directions say to put a small amount on your face after cleansing. Hopefully it will match my skin tone in light. 

8.6.13-UPDATE- This was my first experience with a CC Cream. I was pleasantly surprised.  It covered all of my blemishes without looking like a caked on mess. It worked great for about a week, but then my skin started breaking out. I'm not sure if it was because of this or stress.

Sample Size Value: $8.90

The next product was COOLA Classic Face SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturizer for Face. The full-size version is priced at $32. I wasn't sure exactly what this does. It says it is a mineral sunblock and to smooth on a thin layer an hour before stepping outside. Living in Florida, I really look forward to using this. 

8.6.13-UPDATE- This had a very runny consistency. It was only sunscreen and didn't impress me.

Sample Size Value: $4.45

This is Caudalie Divine Legs with a full-size version priced at $38. I didn't know what this was and had never heard of it. It is a tinted lotion that supposedly gives you a beachy glow and doesn't rub off.  It says to apply legs using circular motions. It claims that it may look dark but will blend seamlessly. We will see how it fares against my super pale skin.

8.6.13-UPDATE- I don't typically like self tanners, but I tried to go into this with a good attitude. Every self tanner I have used has a smell that I don't like and can't handle. This was no exception. I used this on my stomach because I didn't know how far this little packer would go and didn't want to be rocking one tan leg and one super white leg. It went on dark and made me nervous, but it rubbed in very well. It looked nice but it's not something I will buy.

Sample Size Value: $1.80

In reading other people's reviews, there were some complaints about these bobby pins. I personally LOVE them! I often pull my bangs back with regular ugly old clips and these will dress up my hair nicely. A set of six is five dollars. 

8.6.13-UPDATE- These are cute and were tight. They had a great staying power. They were just difficult to take out. I felt like I was pulling apart my hair when removing them.

Sample Size Value: $1.66

The approximate value of this box was $20.81. Overall, for my first box I was not disappointed.

*I bought this box with my own money. My opinions are my own.*