boxreviews

[boxreviews]

November Birchbox Review: Gear up for the Holidays

Invite link: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/6kd5s

Current offers:

FREE Smith & Cult The Tainted Lip Stained Flatte in Kissing Tiny Flowers (a $24 value!) with code: SMITH&CULT

OR

FREE Stila Cosmetics Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow and Stay All Day® Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner duo (a $16 value!) with code: STILADUO

November Birchbox:

Overview:

Overall the November box was alright, a little disappointing, but not a reason to unsubscribe. I was very happy I was sent two skin care products, but I could do without the perfume sample. If I receive too many more of those I will probably not subscribe anymore. The box value wasn’t amazing compared to other boxes of around the same price and seems to be just over half the value of what you’d get from Sephora Play or Ipsy. I think the biggest reason to choose Birchbox over Ipsy is skincare over make up, but it doesn’t really rival Ipsy’s value. 

5.8/10

Products:

too cool for school All-in-One Egg Mellow Cream 5-in-1 Firming Moisturizer (Full size: $36)

Smashbox Cosmetics Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick in Driver’s Seat (Full size: $24)

TOCCA Emelia Eau de Parfum (Full size: $72) 

GLAMGLOW® THIRSTYMUD™ Hydrating Treatment (Full size: $69) 

12 Benefits™ Instant Healthy Hair Treatment (Full size: $22) 

too cool for school All-in-One Egg Mellow Cream 5-in-1 Firming Moisturizer (worth according to size: $10.22; rating 8/10)

Full sized Product

Sample size

This product was my favorite in the box and was my Sample Choice for the November box. I really like the Egg Mellow products so I was very satisfied with this sample. I found it very moisturizing and I love that it has so many functions. I use this on lazy days when I don’t have time for thorough skin care. For those curious, this sample comes with a seal.

Smashbox Cosmetics Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick in Driver’s Seat (worth according to size: $2.40; rating 6/10)

Full sized Product

Sample size

I wanted to love this product. I like Smashbox products, but this color isn’t really for me. My friend loves it though. There’s a lot of pigment so a little goes a long way. The applicator is alright, but I think it’s a bit unwieldy and recommend using a finger or lip brush for application. I’ve swatched the color below. This lippie is also in the curated box, so I’m still grateful for the chance to try this product out.

Smashbox Lipstick Swatched

TOCCA Emelia Eau de Parfum (worth according to size: $2.16; rating 1/10)

Full sized Product

Sample size  

I really dislike this perfume. The smell bothers me a lot and I haven’t found a friend who likes it yet. The smell in Stella is much nicer. The packaging is also cheap so I must say, I am disappointed with this sample. I would give it a zero, but it could be worse, it might not have a spritzer top and instead be a vial to open and close.  

GLAMGLOW® THIRSTYMUD™ Hydrating Treatment (worth according to size: $9.74; rating 8/10)

Full sized Product

Sample size

I tried this product at Sephora before and I love how it came in a little tube from Birchbox. This product can be used in the morning and at night, but I think this product is best used at night because you can sleep in it and allow maximum absorption. If you use it during the day, you’re meant to wash it off after 10 to 20 minutes because it doesn’t really blend into the skin and is still visible after application. So I suggest sleeping in it. I might buy this for use at night in the upcoming cold season because it feels really nice for the weather, to both nourish and protect the skin in the cold.

12 Benefits™ Instant Healthy Hair Treatment (worth according to size: $4.13; rating: 6/10)

Full sized product

Sample size

This product was alright. The smell isn’t as strong as the Beauty Protector in my last box. I may actually prefer that, it gives the impression of being lighter. I like that it protects hair from chlorine, it might be nice for a swimmer. I don’t think that it performs any better than the Beauty Protector, but I do feel that it is lighter. But again, it doesn’t do straight flat hair any favors so I might just use this on days I’m outside for extended periods of time.

Total Estimated Value of Box: $28.65

Rating of Box: 5.8/10

Invite link: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/6kd5s

[boxreviews]

October Birchbox Review: Behind the Scenes

Invite link: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/6kd5s

Current offers: 

FREE Smith & Cult The Tainted Lip Stained Flatte in Kissing Tiny Flowers (a $24 value!) with code: SMITH&CULT

OR

FREE Stila Cosmetics Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow and Stay All Day® Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner duo (a $16 value!) with code: STILADUO

October Birchbox:

Overview: 

Overall the October box was alright, not a wow, but not a reason to unsubscribe. There were decent products in the box. The box value wasn’t amazing compared to other boxes of around the same price and seems to be just over half the value of what you’d get from Sephora Play or Ipsy. But I have to say, Birchbox customer service is amazing. Very polite, incredibly helpful, it’s so nice that I’d even make this box a 7.5/10 if I were to take that into account.

5.8/10

Products: 

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner (Full size: $22)

Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume Eau de Parfum (Full size: $100)

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle (Full size: $23.50)

Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin™ Cream (Full size: $48)

Coastal Scents® Blush & Bronzer Palette (Full size: $19.95)

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner (worth according to size: $12.57; rating 7/10)

Full sized Product 

Sample size

This is a really great eyeliner. The color is so strong and the applicator is so easy to use. It glides really well. I think I might buy this one for my sister actually. I’ve swatched it below so you can see the strength of the color. The sample size was also quite amazing, it’s more than half of the full size, perfect for travel.

Eyeko Eyeliner Swatched

Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume Eau de Parfum (worth according to size: $3.40; rating 3/10)

Full sized Product 

Sample size

I wanted to love this product. I mean, what a great name. It’s kick-ass and stereotype defying. But the smell is a bit like an old lady. Not to say that old ladies can’t kick ass, but it’s a bit too heavy for me and not the kind of scent I favor and the after scent aka, the scent that is left after a few days is a bit off. There are people who probably love this scent, but it is definitely not for me. However, I did like the presentation, the little box was cute, better than many perfume sample presentations.

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle (worth according to size: $2.75; rating 5/10)

Full sized Product

Sample size  

I also wanted to love this product, I really did. There are qualities of this product that I really like, such as the UV protection, shine addition, and cuticle sealing, but the detangling, heat and color protection, and smoothening are not needed for me. Not to mention, while the smell is pleasant, it is very strong and overwhelmed all the other scents in my box. I have naturally straight, sleek, tangle free hair and only after days of not washing my hair does it ever frizz. However, I do constantly need more volume and while this product claims to be weightless, it isn’t doing my hair any favors. I think this product would be great for my friend who has thick color-treated hair. 

Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin™ Cream (worth according to size: $6; rating 8/10)

Full sized Product 

Sample size

This product was my favorite in the box. It’s very moisturizing and calms redness quite well. However, it might be too heavy on oily skin. I really love it though and I think it’s a perfect winter product. For those with skin irritated by winds, this product would be perfect, it provides so much moisture my skin isn’t even bothered by gusts. It also has an herbal scent which I find very pleasant. I would definitely purchase this product for use in the winter.

Coastal Scents® Blush & Bronzer Palette (worth according to size: $0.28; rating: 6/10)

Full sized product

Sample size

This product was alright. I’ve swatched the blush and bronzer below. The formula was actually quite nice, looking at the strength of the pigment in the blush, it’s effective. The shade of bronzer I was given would not be bad as a contour, but it doesn’t really warm my skin like a bronzer is meant to do. My friend says it looks really nice as a nose contour, but as a bronzer I think it muddies up the face. This shade is also not great for everyone, it might be skin tone color for some of you medium skinned folk out there. My friend for example, can’t see this shade against her skin, though the blush still shows up nicely. I don’t think purchasing this product is in my future, but I will finish my sample.

Blush and Bronzer Swatched

Total Estimated Value of Box: $25

Rating of Box: 5.8/10

Invite link: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/6kd5s