Birchbox: August 2015

As I was going through my box backlog I realized that I am way behind with my Birchbox reviews, so as a homage to the unseasonably warm November we are having, I’m going to review my August Birchbox featuring guest curator, Nicole Richie.

Another really pretty Birchbox that will be transformed into a gift box or some kind of storage.

dr. brandt® microdermabrasion skin exfoliant
(Full Size: $78.00)
Description: “Breakthrough at-home treatment for a glowing complexion—no pricey derm appointment required.
Verdict: Hit!
Dr. brandt is a fabulous brand and this is a pricey item, so I’m happy to have a sample to try out. I exfoliate regularly so this product will get used.

LAQA & Co. Charm School Kit
(Full Size: $20.00)
Description: “This creamy crayon (in Humble Brag) delivers an easy-to-apply deep rose color for both lips and cheeks..”
Verdict: Hit!
This is a great size and a cheerful saturated pink. I’m not sure if it will work with my coloring but I’ll play around with it and try some combos with gloss over it.

OPI Venice Collection
(Full Size: $9.50)
Description: ”Top-notch polish from the beloved brand’s fall/winter 2015 collection (we’re in amore!)
Verdict: Sad Panda
So we all know I have a slight (okay, giant) obsession with polish so the lovely OPI red that was shown with this box was a huge motivator as to why I chose it. Instead of pretty red, I get an odd sort of shimmery brown. It’s not a bad color, but it’s really not my speed and doesn’t work so great with my complexion. Cue sad face.

Rene Furterer LISSEA Leave-in Smoothing Fluid
(Full Size: $31.00)
Description: ”Nourishing formula that protects hair during theat sytling, plus tames flaway and frizz..”
Verdict: Eh
After this year’s giant box of hair products from Nina Garcia, it’s hard for me to get too excited over a new styling product. And unfortunately I don’t heat style my hair very often and that seems to be the big selling point on this item. I’ll add it to my hair stockpile but I’m not sure if I’ll really use it.

St. Tropez Gradual In-Shower Tan
(Full Size: $25.00)
Description: “”This convenient, innovative self-tanner delivers buildable color for a natural-looking glow.
Verdict: Gift
There is no such thing as a “natural glow” for a ginger. We are white or bright lobster red. This product is a nice size and it sounds like a really cool way to self tan, so I’m passing it along to a friend.

OVERALL

Verdict: Lackluster

I chose this box because of the pretty red polish shown and it came out with a really uninspiring baby poop brown, so I was uber disappointed. There were some nice size products in here, but I won’t use the tanner at all, and will rarely use the leave in fluid. I paid $10.70 and after reviewing the products received $5.00 of Birchbox credit. That turns out to $5.70 for the exfoliator and the LAQA lipstick, so not a bad deal after all.

What did you get your last couple Birchboxes? Any fabulous hits or really awful misses?

BIRCHBOX NEWS!
Birchbox is now offering a luxe new Special Edition Box:

Limited Edition: Everyday Glamour
(Retail: $48.00)
Description: “A Wednesday night out. A work meeting. A weekend brunch. Not everything can be quite as exciting as a black-tie affair, but doesn’t your day-to-day still deserve a touch of glam? This Limited Edition Box is packed with with gorgeous, timeless products that will elevate your everyday beauty routine to new (gorgeous) heights. From a big-and-bold mascara and cult-favorite lip lacquer to strand-nourishing hair oil and an antioxidant-rich mask, this collection will keep you feeling fabulous and looking glamorous—even on a Monday. A $197 value!

THE BACKSTORY

Birchbox subscriptions cost $10 per month or $110 per year (Women’s Sub)
$20 per month or $195 per year (Men’s Sub)

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.

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