Saturday, April 18, 2015

First Impressions of April 2015 Birchbox

**If you are receiving this post via email, you may want to check out the actual site as the email throws off the formatting**



Birchbox is a $10/month subscription box. You get around 5 samples or deluxe-size samples of beauty (makeup, skin care, hair care) products. Similar to ipsy, you take a quiz to customize your box and get points for reviewing products in your box and for referrals that you can use to “buy” products on the Birchbox website.

With Birchbox, you get the option (if you choose fast enough) to pick either the curated box, one of your samples or to just let Birchbox pick all of your samples. This month I passed on the curated box and did not get to choose my own sample so I had a total mystery box.

Birchbox comes packaged in a box within a box. This month’s box is gorgeous! Birchbox teamed up with Rifle Paper Co. The box is coral with a floral print. I will use it to organize my makeup. The box also contains a card detailing the items and the (full-size) value of each item.

 Product #1: LAQA & Co. Sheer Lip Lube Pencil (0.07 oz)
The color I received in this lip crayon is Honeypot. I think the color will vary since the color was not indicated on the content listing card. It is a nice blue-based mid-tone pink. It smells like a candy cane. It goes on smoothly, is semi-sheer and has a nice shine. It’s not sticky at all. I think I will like this!
Value: $14

Product #2: Obliphica Professional Treatment Hair Serum (0.50 oz)
This has a nice smell—I can’t quite put my finger on it—a very clean scent. This hair serum is supposed to repair and protect dry/damaged hair, and add shine. You can use this in damp or dry hair. This has seaberry in it. I’ve seen seaberry pop up in a few places so I’m guessing that will be the next big thing (like argan oil just was). If you’ve been reading my past Birchbox posts, you’ll know I don’t really care for hair products as I just never use them. I will give this a shot next time I wash my hair.
Value: $8.64

Product #3: POP Beauty Portfolio Eyeshadow Palette in Peach Parfait (0.15 oz)
It seems as though 
everyone will get the same color of this eyeshadow trio. The colors are absolutely beautiful. There is a vanilla, peach and bronze color. They are shimmery and remind me of the Pixi Apricot Glow eyeshadow duo I received in last month’s ipsy bag. I wore this trio today. The shadows are not pigmented at all. I don’t mind eyeshadows that are not pigmented because it allows me to build up the color without it being too intense. However, I could not really build up these colors. They colors are so pretty when swatched, but I’m not sure if that will translate to the eyes. The lightest color arrived broken. I’m sure Birchbox would replace this product if I asked, but I don’t think I’m going to bother.
Value: $3 (?)

Product #4: Vasanti Cosmetics BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator Exfoliating Cleanser Enriched with Papaya, Micro-crystals and Aloe (0.70 oz)

This cleanser is supposed to be akin to microdermabrasion and will brighten, smooth and soften skin.  It is parabens and sulfate free, vegan, 99% natural, etc. It smells like a cleanser, no real scent. You are supposed to use 3-5 times per week. It says that it is okay for all skin types, but I’m a little worried it might be too intense for my sensitive skin. I’ll give it a shot.
Value: $5.63



Product #5: Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream in Blueberry (0.75 oz)
I received a Whish body butter (that smelled horrible) last month so I was not excited to see a repeat brand this month. The blueberry smell is nice (like a Flintstones Push-Up Pop—let me know if you remember those!). This shaving cream has a shea butter base and is supposed to moisturize, soothe and nourish because it contains shea butter, omega 3, green tea, coconut oil and jojoba seed oil. It is parabens, sulfate, DEA, TEA and petrochemical free. I really hope this is moisturizing because I have such dry skin.
Value: $3

Overall Value: $34.27

I’m not sure if I’ll be keeping Birchbox. I think I want subscription boxes that are just focused on makeup/skincare. I just don’t get excited over hair products. Also, I received a Whish product last month and I want to try different brands. Even though the value of the products is well above the $10 price tag, the personal value just isn’t there for me.

What are your thoughts on Birchbox? If Birchbox is more your speed and you’d like to sign-up for Birchbox, feel free to use my referral link. You can read all of my Birchbox reviews here.


Disclaimer: This bag was purchased with my own money and all opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. I do receive points if you sign-up for a subscription using my referral link; however, I am not affiliated with Birchbox.

Referral Links:
Ibotta: https://ibotta.com/r/bthara
                    at checkout enter the following code: M3d2Q1dTT21MR1RTNWJ0KzhRWUo0Z0lWWWtoRnVrZmk0NGNOVWY0MVBHRT0=

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