Birchbox: October 2014

Since October is my birthday month, there’s a lot of pressure on my sub boxes to deliver fantastic surprises. It’s time to dive into the October Birchbox and see if it delivered.

The cute pink box opens up to reveal:

The even cuter brown box that will surely hold someone’s Christmas gift later this year.

Along with our info card, we got a cute little one to broadcast our favorite TV show. My current fave is hands down Once Upon A Time. There are no stories better than fairy tales. Not a one.

So now we move the tissue paper to dive into the pretties.

beautyblender® + deluxe solid cleanser
(Retail: $28.95)
Description: “Pro-favorite sponge for smooth, natural-finish foundation (plus cleanser to keep it clean)”
Verdict: HOT DAMN!
We had heard this item would be featured in boxes and of course, everyone wanted one. And as luck would have it, I am one of the chosen. I have heard so many amazing things about beautyblenders but have yet to try one. I can’t wait to give this a shot with my favorite CC cream. This item alone is well over the value of the box, and everything after this is just icing on the cake.

Camille Beckman Tuscan Honey Glycerine Hand Therapy
(6 oz Retail: $13.95)
Description: “Sweet-smelling cream that restores and protects hands with glycerin and healing botanicals.”
Verdict: Hit!
Do you see that adorable little flower attached to the top of the itty bitty jar? This thing could be empty and I’d love it. This is a nice little size to keep in your work bag and I’m adding this to my mini nail kit that I’m taking for my birthday weekend trip.

brandt® pores no more® vacuum cleaner™
(1 oz Retail: $45.00)
Description: “Award-winning gel that degunks pores for fewer blackheads and smoother skin.”
Verdict: Hit!
Blackheads are my skincare nemesis so anything that will “degunk” or remove them is a winner for me. This is pretty pricey on its own so I’m psyched to have a chance to try it out before committing to a full size.

ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick in Kitty
(Lipstick Trio Retail: $24.00)
Description: “”Hydrating, semi-matte formula in a soft pink shade that lasts as long as the party does.”
Verdict: Hit!
This was the sample I chose from the options we were given. It’s a nice neutral pink and I like the packaging with the clear top. I didn’t swatch this just because I have a ton of lipsticks currently in rotation. I’ve been wanting to try a smoky eye look for evening and I think it will pair perfectly with this lipstick. (Plus the small size of this will work great in a tiny clutch bag).

Sage and Fasten Onward
(Full size Rollerball Collection: $29.00)
Description: “Grapefruit, green apple, and lemon mingle in this energizing citrus scent.”
Verdict: Hit!
Typically I don’t care for perfumes, but I love fruity scents – particularly citrus, so this is right up my alley. I also love rollerball perfume applicators so this is a great choice for me. This is another item I’ll be taking along with me on my trip.

OVERALL

Verdict: I love it so much that I want to marry it and have its sub box babies

They could have thrown the beautyblender in with just a bunch of packing peanuts and this box would have been worth it. Not only is everything in this box something I will use, but they are all items I would have grabbed for myself if I’d seen them on a shelf. Birchbox really outdid themselves this month and this was just the perfect birthday box for me.

As for the value, I paid $10.70 and received $5.00 in Birchbox points after reviewing each item, so a great deal becomes even better.

I have plans to head out soon to the Birchbox store in Soho, so if you want to get a peek at the Brick and Mortar Birchbox, be sure to stop back.

Were you one of the lucky folks to grab a beautyblender? What was in your October Birchbox?

THE BACKSTORY

Birchbox subscriptions cost $10 per month or $110 per year.

Your options: Women’s Box or Men’s Box

Points System:
Whenever you buy something at Birchbox they give you Birchbox points. $1.00 = 1 Birchbox Point.
Each 100 Birchbox reward points can be redeemed for $10.00.
You can also earn points by reviewing the samples they send you (10 points per sample) and referring/subscribing friends. If your review all the items you receive in your box each month, you’ll receive 50 Birchbox rewards points!
If you purchase a full size of one of the sample items they sent you in that same month, you receive free shipping on them and often extra points.

Author: Writer Preziosi

Once upon a time, long, long ago, Lisa attended Syracuse University where she studied singing in a giant castle surrounded by ice and snow. After she earned her music degree, she headed to the island of Manhattan, down to the West Village, to a place called the New School. There, she earned another degree in the great art of writing stories for children. She currently works on that same island trying to help real people, while making up stories about imaginary ones. Her first book, “The Ice Maiden’s Tale,” a fairy tale adventure, was released on May 30, 2017 and is up for sale on Amazon. View all posts by Writer Preziosi