Bye Bye Birchbox

It's that time of the month....meaning blogs are rolling out their September Birchbox reveals. 

After 5 months, I decided to cash in my Birchbox points and cancel my monthly subscription. If you have read my last few Birchbox related posts, then you know I had been increasingly underwhelmed by the service. Overall, I don't have anything incredibly negative to say about my Birchbox experience. Indeed, I received a handful of products that I now adore, will repurchase, and wouldn't have otherwise known about. However, my monthly selection was always hit or miss and in the long run I felt it was better to invest my monthly $10 into a product that I know for sure I will love.

I cashed in my points for this Korres Fig Showergel, which is truly divine. The scent is earthy and slightly sweet, and I am thrilled to find another natural bath product that I love. A sweet ending to a mediocre 5 month experiement.

How are you feeling about Birchbox these days? 

Do you think the service is worth what you pay for?

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Bath/Shower , Birchbox , Korres

August Birchbox- I've Got the Birchbox Blues

 

 It is approaching the middle of the month, which means Birchbox subscribers the nation over wait eagerly by their mail boxes for their packages to arrive. And we have reason to be excited, for we have received some crazy awesome and generously sized goodies in the past. Some of my previous favorite items include a full sized Laura Geller blush, a huge tube of LAVANILA body butter, and mini Zoya polishes. The memory of these goodies kept me hopeful for more to come, but I must say that Birchbox hasn't been impressing me. In fact, when I opened up this month's Birchbox and saw the sight below, I thought "Umm...That's it?!"

 

Here is what I received this month:

Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine Cologne Absolue

Of all of the perfumes samples I have received in my Birchboxes, this one smells to best to me. It is, like the name suggests, heavily orange scented with a touch of wine. I'll use this up, but I am pretty set with my fresh Citron de Vigne which has a similar scent profile.  I do like the postcard that came with this, though.

blinc Mascara

This is the one item that saved this month's Birchbox from being a total  disappointment. I like the idea that this mascara forms water resistant tubes over your lashes, and I am excited to give this a try.

Caudalie Premier Cru The Eye Cream

Itty bitty sample of a product that wouldn't otherwise think twice about. I do enjoy a good eye cream, so again, I'll try this.

Fix Malibu Wish Wash Exfoliating Powder Wash

I like the idea of this product- a powder that turns into a foaming exfoliator when combined with water. However, it sounds a bit messy!

twistband Hair Tie

Umm seriously? A metal-less hair tie is not a revolutionary concept. The Birchbox info card claims this hair tie looks as good as your wrist as it does in your hair. I'm not buying the hair tie doubling as a bracelet deal. 

Overall, I'm not too excited about this month's selection. Although Birchbox has indeed introduced me to a handful of products that I have enjoyed,  it just doesn't seem worth my ten bucks every month. I intend to cash in my Birchbox points and cancel my subscription. If I decide to subscribe to a monthly service like this again, I think I will give EcoEmi a shot, since they feature only natural and organic goodies.

How are you feeling about Birchbox these days? 

Are your disenchanted or happy with the service?

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Birchbox

July Birchbox Review

July's Birchbox overall wasn't terribly memorable (again, it is hard to top the full sized Laura Geller blush from last month's box!), but I did receive a few goodies that I actually have been enjoying quite a lot. Now that I have been using these products for a few weeks, here is a short review on each!

Redken Shine Flash

The instructions for this product were not clear, but I get the best results when misting this on dry hair. After I style my hair I spray this on for a little added shine. This product is nice enough, but I have shine sprays from the drugstore that suit me just fine at a smaller price tag. 

philosophy purity made simple one-step facial cleanser

 After reading mixed reviews about this cleanser I was a bit afraid to give it a try. Thankfully, it didn't break me out and was actually really moisturizing. While it made my skin really soft, it didn't do much for me in terms of oil control. This isn't a hit for my oily prone skin, but others with more balanced skin types might like this.

 

Korres Showergel in Fig

LOVE this! I love that this is all natural, lather wells, and smells divine. Fig is a difficult scent to describe- it is earthy and dark but still sweet.

 

Kind Almond & Apricot Bar 

This isn't something I really expected to receive in a monthly beauty subscription service, but it is totally tasty. While it  is apricot and almond, it tastes strongly of toasted coconut which I love. Yum! I have been on the hunt for these since I received my Birchbox, but haven't had any luck finding this particular flavor.

 

ybf (your best friend) beauty automatic brow pencil in universal taupe

I had never heard of this brand before, and my first impression is a great one! Although the name of the brand is a bit cheesy in my opinion, this product is pretty superb. Surprisingly, this "universal shade" is actually a really great match for me. The pencil is soft, the automatic tip actually stays pointed if used at an angle, and the spoolie on the end is a great feature.  

What did you receive in your July Birchbox? Did you enjoy your selection!

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Birchbox

July Birchbox

 *Don't forget to enter my 100 Followers Giveaway!*

A few days ago my July Birchbox arrived. I cheated a bit and snooped on other blogs to see what goodies might be coming my way. The selection generally seemed a bit lackluster (its hard to top a full sized Laura Geller blush, after all!), but I really think I lucked out on this one. Granted I didn't get a mini Zoya Touch polish, but that's okay because I have plenty of polish to keep my nails happy for a while longer. I ended up being pretty pleased with this month's treats. Here is what I got:

Kind Almond & Apricot Bar 

This isn't something I really expected to receive in a monthly beauty subscription service, but I was famished when my box arrived at my doorstep and immediately tore it open. I ate half of it before I remembered to take a decent picture of it! To my surprise, this is actually really tasty. It is apricot and almond, but it is also loaded with tons of toasted coconut which I am obsessed with! Yum! I thought I was a Luna bar addict for life, but I will definitely search for these next time I'm at the grocery store.

Redken Shine Flash

The instructions and purpose on this one are not all that clear- does it just add shine, or also provide some hold? Do I use it on wet or dry hair? I won't say no to some shine, so I will have to experiment a bit to figure out how this works- any thoughts?

philosophy purity made simple one-step facial cleanser

 I have heard really mixed reviews about philosophy, particularly regarding their skin care line. I'll give this a whirl, but I am nervous about experimenting with products while my skin is throwing a mid-summer oily temper tantrum. Here goes nothin'!

Korres Showergel in Fig

This is the item I think I lucked out on! I am all about natural products, I love figs, and I have been meaning to check out Korres. Can't wait to lather up!

ybf (your best friend) beauty automatic brow pencil in universal taupe

My initial reaction to this was mixed. First off, I thought the name is the company is sort of...cheesy? In the  next moment, I was impressed that this was a full-sized product. And then I was hesitant that this color could really be universal. From just a quick swatch, it looks like it will work for me! I'll certainly try this in a FOTD soon.

What did you get in your Birchbox? 

Were you thrilled or bummed?

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Birchbox

June Birchbox

The postman bought me my favorite monthly parcel today! I have been eagerly awaiting my June Birchbox after seeing what other bloggers received in theirs. As always, your Birchbox can feature different goodies than the next gal based on your Birchbox profile and sheer luck. After last's months dud, Birchbox is now back in my good graces. Here are the samples that I got:

• Kate Spade Twirl Perfume- Birchbox describes this as a "flirty" scent, which I immediately suspected would be floral. A quick spritz on the wrists verified that Twirl is an incredibly girly floral and slightly fruit scent. It is youthful fragrance, but seeing as I dislike floral scents for myself I will probably pass this off to a friend.
• Oscar Blandi Olio Di Jasmine Hair Serum- I am pretty hooked on my Macadamia Natural Oil Healing  Oil Treatment, so I doubt this will take its place especially since it includes non-natural ingredients. Nonetheless, I'll give this frizz fighting oil a shot.
• Pangea Organics Facial Toner- I was really excited to receive this generous sample in my Birchbox! I have been on the hunt for a great natural toner, and this organic one with Italian green mandarin and sweet lime might be just what I am looking for to balance and refresh my skin. I particularly love that it comes with a misting nozzle so I can spray it on my face. 
• Pangea Organics Facial Cream- I will probably get two uses out of this sample of facial cream, which is infused with Nigerian ginger, lavender, and thyme. I am excited to pair this with the toner and potential discover new additions to my skincare routine.
• Herban Essentials Orange Towelettes- These moistened towelettes are infused with orange oil and sound great for a quick clean up on the go. This doesn't seem like something I would purchase on my own, but I'm happy to throw these into my purse.
• Laura Geller Baked Blush n' Brighten in Honey Dipped- This is definitely the crowning jewel of this month's Birchbox! This full sized blush retails for $29.50, making this Birchbox a steal. Honey Dipped, a very shimmery golden tan with copper veining, looks more like a bronzer than a blush but it is lovely just the same!

What did you get in your June Birchbox?

PS- I just posted my first blog sale. I am looking to find some of my unloved goodies new homes, so go check it out!

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Birchbox , Herban Essentials , Kate Spade , Laura Geller , Natural Products , Oscar Blandi , Pangea Organics

May Birchbox Review

Two weeks ago I received my May Birchbox and have tested the products enough to offer a full review. Overall, this Birchbox was a bit of a flop for me, especially in comparison to the April Birchbox which I was obsessed with.

 The 4 deluxe samples I received are:

1. Bulgari Mon Jasmin Noir- Birchbox describes this perfume as possessing "waves of ripe fruit and a base of heady jasmine." When I opened my Birchbox I suspected that I would not be fond of this scent, and I assumed correctly. Admittedly I generally dislike ultra feminine floral scents, but this one straight up had that dreaded "old lady" smell. No thanks!
2. Erno Laszlo Transphuse Night Serum- The full sized bottle of this stuff retails for $120 and is intended to firm skin and fight-wrinkles. Although I don't have wrinkles, I am all about preventative skincare so I gave this a try anyways. I got maybe 3 or 4 uses out of it, which is too few to really notice much of a change in the quality of your skin. Actually, I am glad that I didn't fall in love with this because there is no way I would shell out almost 200 bucks on something like this.
3. Archipelago Pomegranate Soap- I read some reviews of this month's Birchbox and several people hated how this soap smelled. I actually kind of like it, but the product itself doesn't work for me. Like most bar soaps, I felt like this one stripped my skin dry.
4. Stila Eyeshadow in Jade- This is definitely the redeeming product of this month's box. This amazingly is a full sized shadow, which retails for $18 so although I didn't like the other products this month's box was still a good deal. Jade, a shimmery gem-toned medium green, is not a color I would typically gravitate towards, but I ended up adoring the look I created with it.

I also received a few little extras in the box:

• 2 samples each of Oribe Beautiful Color Shampoo and Conditioner- I gave these a whirl, and actually needed to open both packets to get enough products to wash and condition my long hair. I really did not like this shampoo and conditioner- I felt that it left my hair very dry.
• A card by Tiny Prints- This card is cute and it is nice to have a blank one around for one of those situations where you forget to  pick up a card.

I am hoping that June's Birchbox is better than this one. How did you like your May Birchbox?

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Archipelago , Birchbox , Buffy the Vampire Slayer , Erno Laszlo , Oribe , Stila

May Birchbox

I was so excited to see that my May Birchbox arrived in the mail today! I didn't expect to receive it so early in the month. I gleefully opened my goodies, which supposedly fit into Birchbox's 'Mother's Day'/tried and true theme, but I unfortunately can't say I was as thrilled as I was last month. Here are my first impressions.

Size isn't always everything, but I noticed right away that the treats in this month's box were significantly smaller than April's.

 The 4 deluxe samples I received are:

1. Bulgari Mon Jasmin Noir- Birchbox describes this perfume as possessing "waves of ripe fruit and a base of heady jasmine." Generally,  I steer clear of fruity and flowery scents and opt for warmer, spicy one. My assumption is that this one won't suit me, but I will give it a shot.
2. Erno Laszlo Transphuse Night Serum- This puppy is itty-bitty. This nightly serum is claimed to firm the skin and fight-wrinkles, of which I has many as a sage 23 year old...This must be liquid gold, as it retails for a whopping $190 for 1 ounce! If you do the math, then the tiny .01 ounce sample is worth $19. That is insanity. 
3. Archipelago Pomegranate Soap- When I opened my box, I was immediately struck by the lovely scent of this soap. I typically prefer shower gels over bar soaps, but I adore pomegranate so I am excited to see if this changes my mind. Birchbox says it also contains white tea, which is where I believe the delicious scent derives from.
4. Stila Eyeshadow in Jade- This is the redeeming product of this month's box. Although green is not a color I often go for on my lids and this looks similar to the few greens I own already, I have never owned a Stila shadow and am eager to try this one out. Jade is a soft green with olive undertones and a shimmery finish. This amazingly is a full sized shadow, which retails for $18 so I suppose I did get a good value out of this month's box if only for this product.

Also included are a few extras:

• 2 samples each of Oribe Beautiful Color Shampoo and Conditioner- I am not really looking for a new hair care line, but these little packets are always handy for travel.
• A card by Tiny Prints- This is a cute little add in and I am sure I will find a use for it. Of course I would have loved to see the stationary replaced by another beauty related sample.

Did you get your Birchbox yet? What are your first impressions? For those who got a Stila shadow, did you get a different shade? Let me know!

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Archipelago , Birchbox , Bulgari , Erno Laszlo , Oribe , Stila

April Birchbox Review

After two weeks, I have fully experimented with my April Birchbox goodies and can provide a collective review. Overall, I thought this set was pretty darn great so I have decided to keep my subscription and see what Birchbox will bring this month. Here is what I think of the products featured in the April Birchbox:

• Zoya Jules-  I have been rockin' this shade as a pedicure all month. I love Zoya- they have a wide color selection, safe formulas, and super long wear. Jules, an awesome metallic golden taupe, is no exception. Swatches on fingernails to come soon!

•  LAVANILA The Healthy Body Butter in Vanilla Lavender- As my favorite product in the Birchbox, this product was featured in my April Favorites & Flunkies post. I am definitely picking up a full-sized bottle of this when this runs out. The lotion is in a sanitary squeeze bottle, is all natural, soaks into the skin really quickly while still providing ample moisture, and is a relaxing, soft lavender scent. I associate lavender with sleep so I keep this stashed on my nightstand.

•  Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel- This was just ho-hum for me. I exfoliate religiously with scrubbing cleansers, so I didn't notice a huge difference with this. It has a tart, fruit loop smell which is kind of fun, but the product burned my sensitive skin and left it bright red. Not as fun. Check this out only if you prefer non-scrubbing exfoliates and do not have sensitive skin. This also came with a small, single-use packet of their Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer, which I enjoyed more than the peel, but still not enough to purchase.

•  LIV GRN Eau de Parfum in Earth- I love the idea of a natural fragrance and this one has totally blown me away. If it smells like a flower or a fruit, I typically do not want to spray it on me. Instead, I usually opt for woodsy, spicy masculine or unisex scents. The name Earth makes it seems like it would fit the later category, but it is actually quite feminine. Despite the obvious jasmine notes, I really love this- the flowery scent is balanced by a nice sandalwood undertone that I enjoy. Plus, it drives my partner crazy in the best way possible :) This fragrance made me step out of my comfort zone a bit, but I am glad I did. Though is runs for $60 a bottle, I will be investing in a full-size of this. 

Can't wait to see what come in my May Birchbox!

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Birchbox , Juice Beauty , LAVANILA , LIV GRN , Natural Products , Zoya

April Birchbox

Hooray! I checked my mail this morning only to find that my first Birchbox had arrived! And what a perfect month to join Birchbox- all of the April selections are natural and I am excited to see if any of these make it on to my new roster of natural products. Having just started Project 10 Pan and already feeling the twinge of shopping withdrawal, my new Birchbox goodies are just the thing to curb my cravings.

The packaging is absolutely lovely- it feels very personalized, like someone thoughtfully wrapped a little parcel just for me. Here is what was tucked inside this month's gift:

Zoya Jules, a stellar soft metallic gold. I love Zoya, and this little baby on it's own is worth $4.

Lavanila The Healthy Body Butter in Vanilla Lavender. This is a deluxe sample?!? At 2.75oz, this puppy is huge!

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel. Juice Beauty also included a sample of their Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer. Can't wait to try these out.

LIV GRN Earth Eau de Parfum. I hadn't thought about seeking out natural fragrances, so this one is really exciting.

Bloomin Seed Paper. A cute extra.

A generous selection for $10. This budget queen is very pleased.

I plan to test these out for a while, and then do a collective review on all of the products included in this month's Birchbox. Keep an eye out!

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Birchbox , Natural Products , Zoya