Playing Catch Up with Birchbox

I’m well aware of the fact that I’ve been lagging a little bit on the Birchbox hauls since it’s almost time for February’s Birchbox. My apologies! But hopefully this double dose of Birchbox-ness will make up for it!

My December 2011 Birchbox

My Birchbox arrived in the mail just in time for Christmas! The pink box is covered with printed snowflakes which have me pining for snow outside my window. I open my box to find a lovely Christmas card labeled, “frolic & fancy,” this month’s theme. So onto the haul:

December 2011 Birchbox

Benefit POREfessional- To me, this is the best thing in the box this month. POREfessional is popular Benefit product that can be used under and over makeup promising to minimize pores. I’m set in the primer department so I’ll just throw it into the pile of primers I already own. Nevertheless I’m still excited to try it whenever I get around to it.

Harvey Prince Yogini – I smiled when I saw Yogini perfume in my box. Birchbox must be Big Brother because how did they know I recently started going to yoga? The lady in the picture is doing a tree pose.  Sandalwood and myrrh give it an earthy smell and the grapefruit gives it a sweet note. Yogini is my fourth perfume sample from Birchbox and while I appreciate the exposure to different brands of perfumes my excitement for perfume is kind of dying down.

Jouer Lip Gloss in Birchbox Pink – Finally a makeup product! It’s a cute little tube of lipgloss with a doe foot applicator. It is a sheer but pigmented pink with no glitter. The formula is not sticky and you are able to build up the color.   

Olie Biologique – This leaked a little bit in my box because it was screwed in all way. It’s funny because this is the third oil product I’ve received from Birchbox. I must have said I have dry hair and skin in my quiz because I keep getting these kinds of products. I recently used up the last of the Orofluido, a hair oil, but this one is multiuse for the face, skin, and hair.

ShowStoppers – Double-sided fashion tape in a nude color. I’m a little concerned about the color because nude is usually too light for my skin tone. I would much rather have a clear tape but I’ll see how this works out.

EBOOST – This little orange package reminds me of EmergenC. It's only 5 calories and provides 1667% of the daily requirement of vitamin C. I will tear this open at the first sign of a cold, sickness, or if I need a little more energy. 

My January 2012 Birchbox

How are those New Year’s resolutions holding up? January’s Birchbox theme was “clarity.”

January 2012 Birchbox

Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy – I already own Viva La Juicy and it’s my favorite of the four perfumes from Juicy Couture. The perfect mix of girly, fruity, and sweet scents. 

ORIGINS Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash – I’m no stranger to Origins thanks to its overwhelming presence at the mall. I have tried a few different products - Plantscription a new anti-aging serum and A Perfect World moisturizer with white tea. I'm so thankful for Birchbox because I get the opportunity to  wash my face with higher-end and organic face products. The best part is I don't have to commit because after a few weeks I can try something else.  

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye liner in Peacock – First full-sized product in quite awhile! A bright teal water proof eye liner .01 oz $20 value. Twist up. Jazz up your everyday look by adding a pop of color. I would keep the eyelid neutral and line my bottom lash line in this teal.  After I swatched it on my hand it glided as if it was a liquid liner there was no tugging or pulling. I forcefully tried to rub off the eye liner but not even a speck of glitter rubbed off nor did it fade.   

VMV Hypoallergenics Re-Everything: Face-Hand-Body Lotion - I'm really excited to test drive this all-in-one product. The lotion is hypoallergenic, fragrance free, paraben free, preservative free, phthalate free, non-comedogenic. This is appropriate for all skin types and males and females. Although I have dry skin it never occurred to me to invest too much money in a body lotion because I have the tendency to stick to drug store body lotions. 

Extras:

LARABAR in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough– A gluten free, non GMO, and kosher snack. I've never had anything made with Fair Trade chocolate. The sample was a delicious few bites, really soft and chewy. I immediately tasted the cashews and chocolate and could see chunks of dates. Pretty Yummy!

A pink Birchbox logo magnet for my fridge. Kind of speaks for itself!

I just got my February Birchbox in the mail today so I will review it and post my haul tomorrow! Don't miss out on my posts, please follow my blog! 

November 2011 Birchbox

I was away for the weekend and guess what was waiting for me in my mailbox all weekend? If your response was my November 2011 Birchbox, *Ding-ding-ding, you're a winner! Like every month I tore into this box with excitement. This month's theme is "Getting Gifty." Can you believe we're less than two weeks away from Thanksgiving and then it's Christmas?! A holiday theme is very appropriate this month  since I should start making my list and then be checking it twice.

For this month's post I remembered to give you  pictures of the handy dandy card Birchbox includes in each box. The card has a cute little message from the Birchbox team and a breakdown of the products you received with information about the full size and its price.

Here's what I got...

The Atelier Cologne was packaged in a parchment envelope with a fun postcard as an added bonus. The cologne smells divinely sweet and sugary vanilla. Most vanilla scents remind me of Bath and Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar. This scent is perfect for cold winter days. It makes me want to cuddle up with a special someone next to a warm fire place.

The Borghese Mud for Face and Body looks promising. From reading the description I can expect this to be a luxe treatment for my dry skin. It is a generous sample at 1 oz. so I'm confident I will be able to throughly test it out on my body and face.

LaROCCA Champagne & Shimmer Supreme Creme smells like applesauce or citrus. I dipped my ring finger into the jar and the product was incredibly soft and creamy. After rubbing it into my hand  I know I won't be bothered by the shimmer in the product because it is very fine, doesn't clump, and disperses over the skin evenly. It hydrates nicely upon first application but I will have to further test its longevity. The description leads you to believe this is best worn at night when you are going out.

The shining star in this box, hands down, is the Zoya Nail Polish in Izzy. This magenta jewel-toned polish is another great product for the winter. I wish I could have Christmas tree decorations in the colors of the new Zoya Gems & Jewels Holiday Collection. Birchbox should have sent me Holly, the bright shimmery green,  from this collection. They could have put two and two together and inferred I like green from my name. I am so excited to receive yet another Zoya polish! I have been gushing over Shay since I got it in my July box.

A little treat included this month were coasters from Two Paper Dolls. Thank you Birchbox for giving me something to put my cup on instead of my naked tabletop.  

Notable Products from Last Month:

- Befine Lip Serum - This is a full sized product but is a half of a lip treatment duo. I used it mainly before bed and when I woke up the next morning my lips felt the same as when I went to bed. Good stuff! 

-blinc Mascara- It is a great mascara for lengthening but not volumizing. It can be kind of a pain to remove the tubules from your lashes. I found that I removed a few lashes in the process.

  

You've done it again, Birchbox! I'm never let down by the products I get. The nail polish makes it worth it for me. I'm sure December will be a great box with Christmas and New Years coming up. In fact, a Birchbox subscription will make a great holiday gift for any beauty lover in your life. If you want more information or want to sign up follow this link http://www.birchbox.com?raf=6ica4 and let them know I referred you! 

I can't wait for next month!!

October 2011 Birchbox

Birchbox makes it feel like Christmas every month. It is the one time of the month I actually enjoy – because certainly no one enjoys that other time of the month. I discovered Birchbox while thumbing through an issue of Cosmopolitan and conducted further research on Youtube- WARNING: Birchbox hauls are highly addictive.

The basic concept of Birchbox is you pay $10 each month and you are sent a box containing 4-5 deluxe beauty samples from a wide array of high end brands. You do not get to choose what is in your box but if you fill out a beauty profile they can better cater to your beauty needs. Visit www.birchbox.com for the complete run down.

October’s Birchbox is about prep and finish. These products are made to help your skin, body, and hair looks its best for the fall season. Here’s what I got this month:

·         Pangea Organics Japanese Matcha Tea Facial Mask- For all skin types this mask also contains acai and goji berry. I received a facial cleanser so I will use those together when I get the chance

·         Befine Lip Serum with chamomile and beets- This product is allergen free, paraben free, and contains vegetarian proteins to heal dry lips. Initially, I noticed this product does not have a scent and its consistency is more like an oil than a balm.

·         blinc Mascara- A popular tubing mascara claims to not smear, smudge, or run. Washes off with warm water and a wash cloth. I actually purchased the full-sized product (0.21 oz) at IMATS LA in June. Check out the size of the sample (0.14 oz)!

·         Orofluido Beauty Elixir – A hair oil containing argan, linseed, and cyperus. My hair loves Argan oil so I look forward to trying it.

·         A little something Extra… Minteas in Lime Mojito- mints infused with antioxidants from yerba mate and cocoa. These are going in my purse!     

One complaint I have about Birchbox is the time it takes my box to arrive. Birchbox is based in New York so late arrival is expected. However, there have been many times when I have not received my box of goodies until after the 20^th of the month. The anticipation almost kills me when this happens. I am guilty of obsessively refreshing the USPS tracking website to pinpoint the exact second my box is delivered. Other times I’m overjoyed when it comes before the 10^th of the month. Birchbox, please give me some consistency or make an office on the West Coast so I can get immediate satisfaction!

Despite being impatient, I thoroughly enjoy my subscription to Birchbox the last five months. Birchbox makes me feel adventurous and has made me knowledgeable about many brands without having to break the bank from buying so many full sized products. 

Notable Birchbox products from past months:

• Ahava Mineral Hand Cream- it has traveled with me in my purse and I’ve used every last drop of this nongreasy hand cream.
• Zoya nail polish in Shay- the formula is thick and goes on smooth like buttah. This neutral is workplace appropriate and absolutely on trend this Fall.
• Incoco Nail Strips – Think Sally Hansen Salon Effects but with cuter designs. Nail strips are
• Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Hair Mask –it smelled great and it made my hair soft and manageable
• Laura Gellar Baked Blush n’ Brighten- The only full-sized product I have received thus far.

Try it out if you are looking to discover new products or brands. Or stock up on toiletries to take with you in your purse or on your next vacation. Until next month…