This month, Birchbox embraced the theme “Inside Out” both literally and figuratively. While the front of the box is usually adorned with vibrant graphics, this time, all the color was inside, and the words Magic Inside were scrawled across the front of the cardboard box. At Birchbox, April is all about beautiful products made up of “superstar” ingredients. This time, I chose the Editor’s Box, and I’m glad I did because (spoiler alert) I loved every single thing.
What really caught my eye about the Editor’s Box was all the brand names. Benefit Cosmetics, TOCCA, and Bumble and bumble are cult favorites, and Vasanti and derma e are brands I have come to know well and love.
Bumble and bumble.’s Don't Blow It ($31) hair styler product is plant-based and gentle; I just wished my particular sample was for medium to coarse hair, because my hair is nowhere near fine! TOCCA’s Emelia Eau de Parfum ($72) may be one of my new favorite perfumes, as I love the combination of fruity (clementine, fig) and floral (magnolia). It’s such a dreamy scent and I would buy the full-size in a heartbeat.
I’ve used derma e®’s Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask ($19.50) several times before and loved it, so really I was just happy to get another sample! It’s a great exfoliant that really helps clean out your pores. Vasanti®’s BrightenUp!® New Skin Amplifying Moisturizer ($34) worked as well as its brightening cleanser, so I’m a fan--and it’s made up of healthy ingredients like vitamins C and E and avocado. Finally, I was dying to try Benefit Cosmetics’s They're Real! Double the Lip ($20), which acts as a lip liner and a lipstick in one. It worked better than I thought it would, and I liked the shade I received, “Lusty Rose.” I’d love to try it in “Nude Scandal” now as well.
Are any of you Birchbox subscribers? What did you get in your April boxes? If you aren’t a subscriber and are interested in signing up, please use my referral code by clicking here!
For Women’s History Month, Birchbox teamed up with Draper James, Reese Witherspoon’s lifestyle brand, for their “Pretty Mighty” boxes. I’m a sucker for blue, flowers, and Reese, so this was all right up my alley. I’m happy to report that inside, I did in fact find some pretty mighty products.
ARROW’s ENHANCE Waterproof Eyeliner + Brightener ($16) was among my favorites from this box. The pearlescent pink shade, versus white eyeliner, really helped brighten my eyes in a subtle way. I also liked Bioderma®’s Hydrabio H2O ($16.90), which, with its allergen-free formula, worked well to remove my makeup without irritating my sensitive skin.
Cargo’s Swimmables™ Resistant Bronzer in Medium ($29) is a pretty good bronzer and will definitely come in handy for the approaching summer, and Beauty Protector’s Protect & Volume Spray ($23.50) didn’t disappoint, either. Its paraben-free formula added shine to my hair after blowdrying and adding volume to my roots. But that didn’t surprise me, since Beauty Protector products have always been kind to me! Finally, Obliphica’s Professional Seaberry Serum ($38) for Medium to Coarse hair also worked well. It helped smooth my hair and keep away frizz, which will definitely come in handy as the weather gets warmer!
Are any of you Birchbox subscribers? What did you get in your March boxes? If you aren’t a subscriber and are interested in signing up, please use my referral code by clicking here!
My February Birchbox was yet another sweet addition to my collection. Old favorite brands returned and I got to try some new products. COOLA®’s Mineral Face SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint ($36) worked just as well as the other COOLA products in the lineup, and I especially love that this one is unscented and gives my skin a matte finish. Oribe’s Crème for Style ($42) is the ideal blowout creme for people with thick, full hair like mine, and Obliphica Professional’s Seaberry Mask ($38) for Medium to Coarse hair was also a welcome gem. It worked well to tame my locks after a thorough shampooing session.
I wasn’t, however, too crazy about the Lollia by Margot Elena Dream Eau de Parfum ($50) or LOC’s Vibrant Matte Lipstick ($10) in the shade ‘Playful.’ As far as perfumes go, I prefer floral scents and this one was just a bit too powdery for me. And while the formula of this matte lipstick wasn’t too bad--just a little patchy in places--it’s the shade I didn’t love. It was too light against my skin tone, and definitely vibrant. If I had to try another shade, perhaps I’d go for ‘Rose to the Occasion’ instead. It’s definitely more ‘me.’
Are any of you Birchbox subscribers? What did you get in your February boxes? If you aren’t a subscriber and are interested in signing up, please use my referral code by clicking here!
The New Year is always a big deal; it’s a time for change, reflection, and motivation. This time, the folks at Birchbox partnered with SELF to curate a “Refresh and Reset” Editor’s box with their favorite makeup and skincare essentials perfect for upgrading your usual makeup routine. Each week, they are even sharing beauty resolutions to help keep you on track! I tested out these samples to see if they are really worth the hype.
I’ll be honest: I’ve tried half of these samples before. They are so great, in fact, that I had to have them again! I’m talking about Wilma Schumann Skincare’s Hydrating Collagen Eye Pads ($18), Eyeko’s Skinny Liquid Eyeliner ($18), and Klorane’s Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk ($20). The eye pads are made of 100% pure collagen and really hydrate and brighten undereye circles. It’s nice to pamper yourself every once in a while, so this is a perfect treat to start the new year. Eyeko’s liquid eyeliner is also a must in my book; it glides on smoothly, doesn’t smudge throughout the day, and the super thin, pen-style tip helps you have more control when you’re drawing on a wing. Klorane’s dry shampoo is also a staple. Not only does it smell nice, but it really helps add volume and texture to your hair a couple days after washing it. I really love this compact size because it’s easy for me to throw in my purse.
The two products I haven’t tried before happened to be from brands I already love, so my expectations were pretty high. Thankfully, neither of them disappointed. I love Chella’s Eyebrow Defining Gel ($18) because it goes on clear (so you can wear it alone or over brow color) and its mascara-like applicator really helps keep your little hairs in place after defining your brows. Finally, Shiseido’s Perfect Cleansing Oil ($32) was a deluxe sample and it was also pretty impressive. I have oily skin myself so I’m always hesitant about using oil-based products on my face, but this one you rinse away. It restores hydration to your skin and creates a soft, dewy complexion. Shiseido is always a winner.
Are any of you Birchbox subscribers? What did you get in your January boxes? If you aren’t a subscriber and are interested in signing up, please use my referral code by clicking here!
My favorite time of year deserves one seriously gorgeous box, and this month, Birchbox really delivered in that department. This foil white, gold, and purple box is festive and feminine, definitely a box I’ll be hanging onto for a while! The products inside weren’t so bad, either. From new names (IPKN and Ardency Inn) to old favorites (Hey Honey and Amika), I was excited to give these all a try, and the bonus compact mirror was a sweet addition, too. After some time with these products, it’s time for the verdict!
First, the good:
As mentioned, Hey Honey and Amika are old favorites of mine, so these two products did not disappoint. Amika’s Un.Done Texture Spray ($24) gave my locks a tousled look and a little extra shine, and Hey Honey’s Walk the Walk Propolis Foot Cream ($23) was the best foot cream I ever tried. Made with chamomile and jojoba oil, it’s relaxing and effective, and the price seems justified. I’m definitely one to give myself a nice foot massage after a long day, so I’m really enjoying this one so far! Finally, IPKN’s Radiant Cream Primer with SPF 15 ($28) was a welcome addition to the box. I love trying out different face and makeup primers, and this one worked pretty well. The small touch of shimmery pearl powder also helped brighten my face before I applied my makeup.
On the Fence:
While I did like NUXE’s Moisturizer Cream Crème Fraiche® de Beauté ($34) and Ardency Inn’s MODSTER Smooth Ride Supercharged Eyeliner in Black ($16), I wasn’t as crazy about them as the other products. NUXE’s moisturizer was definitely hydrating, but I wasn’t crazy about the scent. I tend to reach for unscented or clean-smelling gel moisturizers instead. Ardency Inn’s eyeliner was super black and went on smooth, but I just prefer liquid eyeliner for a nice cat-eye flick. However, since it’s waterproof, I think it would work nicely on the lower, outer corners of the eye, and I might just use it for that.
Are any of you Birchbox subscribers? What did you get in your December boxes? If you aren’t a subscriber and are interested in signing up, please use my referral code by clicking here!
For this month’s Birchbox, I wanted to be surprised again, so I didn’t opt for the curated box like I did the last few times. Although I wasn’t as crazy about it as I wanted to be, there were some products in here that I enjoyed. I think, however, what I loved the most about this box was the actual box itself. The design is gorgeous and the “Finishing Touch” theme was really thoughtful. Let’s get into my thoughts then, shall we?
First, the good:
I really liked this Chella Eyebrow Pencil ($20), but I wasn’t at all surprised about that; I’ve liked Chella’s products for years! Thin and precise, it’s a great pencil for filling in patchy brows for a very natural look. Avène’s Soothing Moisture Mask ($26) was also a top favorite. I’m a big fan of face masks lately to help me relax and clean my skin before bed, and this one was no different. It left my skin feeling plump and smooth and just really clean!
On the fence:
I’m not sure how I feel about Rene Furterer’s Lumicia Shampoo ($22) and Conditioner ($24). I think it just didn’t really work with my thick hair texture so I wasn’t too crazy about this; maybe I’ll just need to try it again. I also didn’t love TokyoMilk’s Light Awaken Within Eau De Parfum ($42) -- I wasn’t a big fan of the scent, as I’m loving coconut and really floral fragrances at the moment and this has hints of citrus. The packaging of the full-size is pretty cute, though!
Are any of you Birchbox subscribers? What did you get in your November boxes? If you aren’t a subscriber and are interested in signing up, please use my referral code by clicking here!
For this month’s colorful Birchbox, I opted for the curated box for purely one reason: that Glamglow sample. I love Glamglow products and have tried a bunch of them, but this was one of the few I haven’t tried, and now I finally got the chance. This box was called “Soothing Standouts” and focused on reviving and restoring, something I have been in desperate need of lately! (haha) While I am happy with that Glamglow sample alone, I did give the other products a go, too. Read on for my thoughts, the highs, and the lows.
First, the good:
As mentioned, I loved Glamglow’s POWERMUD Dualcleanse Treatment ($69). Ultimately, it’s just such a feel-good mask that turns from mud to oil once you add water and really softens and cleans your skin--plus it smells great. I also enjoyed Oribe’s Gold Lust Dry Shampoo ($44), as it made my hair silkier than any other dry shampoo I’ve used. Usually dry shampoos just soak up the oil, but I feel like this one was actually a product as well and made my hair instantly feel better, too. Avene’s Hydrating Cream ($32) was also a pleasant addition to the box. I love a good moisturizer, especially with colder weather approaching, and this one worked well and smelled really nice.
On the fence:
The Deep Sleep Pillow Spray by This Works ($29) was an interesting addition to the box. I never used a pillow spray before but I have rubbed lavender oil on my temples and drank chamomile tea when I wanted to relax before bed. I thought this spray--a combination of the two--worked just as well, but I think I’ll stick to my hot, soothing cup of tea instead. Still, this is pretty cool to carry with you when you are traveling and spend the night somewhere different, say, a hotel.
I am also on the fence about MAKE’s Silk Cream Lipstick in the shade Magnolia ($25) for purely one reason: I didn’t love this color. It’s a vibrant, violet pink and that’s not a shade I gravitate towards at all, especially during this time of year. However, it did live up to its name. The formula is incredibly silky and moisturizing and feels great on the lips. So maybe I’ll just have to try this in another shade!
Are any of you Birchbox subscribers? What did you get in your October boxes? If you aren’t a subscriber and are interested in signing up, please use my referral code by clicking here!
September is a big month for Birchbox. Why? Because September is its birth month, of course! To celebrate, all the Birchboxes are decked out in this pretty confetti pattern and come with a range of multitasking beauty samples. I went with the pre-determined box this month since I loved all the samples they were promising! After properly trying out these products over the last week, it’s time to share my thoughts.
Early on, Dr. Jart+’s Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45+ ($39), Milk Makeup’s Ubame Mascara ($24), and Vasanti®’s BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator ($34) were all standout favorites for me. Dr. Jart+’s products are always top-notch, and this BB cream was very effective in matching my skin tone and making my skin look supple. Milk Makeup’s mascara wand was interesting but innovative and really separated my lashes and created volume. Finally, Vasanti®’s face wash was also a winner, working gently to brighten my skin and clear it of imperfections.
I also enjoyed using Supergoop!®’s Shine-On Lip Screen SPF 50 ($22), which moisturized my lips and protected them from the harsh highlight of late summer. If used as a top coat, it even adds a bit of a shine to your lipstick! Finally, amika’s Perk Up Dry Shampoo ($24) has become one of my most favorite dry shampoos yet.
Are any of you Birchbox subscribers? What did you get in your September boxes? If you aren’t a subscriber and are interested in signing up, please use my referral code by clicking here!
