Tag: Limited Edition: Beauty in Bloom

Birchbox: April 2016

For April, I couldn’t resist grabbing Birchbox’s curated offering that was packed in the most adorable box from the Rifle Paper Co.  I swear if the Rifle Paper Co made more home décor products they’d be all over my house.

Our Adorable Box:
Box
Open Box 1Open Box 2

Marcelle
Marcelle 3-in-1 Micellar Solution (Full Size $21)
Description: “Removes makeup, cleanses skin, and soothers irritation with natural ingredients like aloe and cucumber.”
Verdict: Hit!
I tried out one of these types of cleansing waters from another brand and really liked it.  This is perfectly sized for travel so I think I’m going to reserve this for my next weekend getaway.

Liftra
Dr. Jart+ Liftra™ Contour Cream (Full Size: $60.00)
Description: “This high-tech, first-of-its-kind, collagen producing crema visibly firms, lifts and plumps skin.”
Verdict: Hit!
Dr Jart+ is a fabulous brand and this product doesn’t sound like anything I’ve tried before.  It’s also a bit spendy, so I really love getting a sample before committing to such a huge investment.

BlushOpen BlushBlush Swatch
Laura Geller New York Baked Blush-n-Brighten (Full Size: $28.00)
Description: ”Baked from liquid pigments, this blush-highligher combo delivers a natural-looking flush.”
Verdict: Love!
This product was the one in the box I was most looking forward to trying out.  I was worried it would be too warm for my complexion and make me look like an Oompa Loompa (or Michael Kors).  Even though the swatch seems a bit warm, this worked beautifully on my skin.  It really does look natural and applies easily.  A little bit gives you a sun-kissed glow.  I’ve never tried Laura Geller’s blushes before, but I was suitably impressed.

Parlor
PARLOR® by Jeff Chastain Volumizing Lifting Spray (Full Size: $24.00)
Description: ”This innovative body-enhancing spray uses marshmallow root to give locks instant volume and lift.”
Verdict: A bit burnt out
I’ve got so many hair styling products that are specifically for volume and so many from this particular brand.  I’d really love it if I got a break from the Parlor products for the rest of the year.  I think I’ve tried enough of them to know if I want to buy the full size or not.

Hand Cream
TOCCA Crema da Mano – Giulietta (2 oz Size: $10.00)
Description: “Loaded with natural botanicals, this green apple and pink tulip lotion absorbs in a flash.”
Verdict:  Hit!
This is a really elegant little hand cream and it will be perfect to keep tucked in my commuter bag.  It has a lovely spring time vibe.

OVERALL
April 2016 Birchbox
Verdict: Love!
I paid $10.70 for this box and after reviewing the products received $5.00 in Birchbox points.  I chose this box and (except for being burnt out on Parlor hair products), am really thrilled with it.  I like the variety in types of products, the interesting brands, and the generous product sizes.  This was a well curated box and I hope Birchbox can start making the non-curated options as compelling.

For the Birchbox subscribers – Do you find that the curated boxes have a better overall balance than the regular boxes?

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.

Birchbox: March 2016

With so much hubub, I have a couple leftover from March, so today we’ve got my review of the March Birchbox. For March, I opted for the curated “Ready for Anything” Featured Box

Let’s Dive in!
Box Open Box Oopen Box 2
Our usual cute packaging.

Blowout
PARLOR® by Jeff Chastain Smoothing Blowout Spray (Full Size $24)
Description: “This celeb stylist’s lightweight spritz adds instant volume and luster while protecting hair from heat damage.”
I don’t blow dry my hair that frequently, and I feel like Jeff Chastain products are all over the sample boxes, so I’m pretty ambivalent about this one. I’ll probably just use it for special occasions.

Packaged Lipstick Lipstick LIpstick Swatch
Milk Makeup Lip Color in C.R.E.A.M. (Full Size: $22.00)
Description: “This superhydrating formula adjusts to your pH, enhancing each wearer’s natural lip color to create the perfect hue.”
Verdict: Like
This lipstick is so teeny tiny that it came in its own bag so you wouldn’t lose it right off the bat. I really like the natural color on this but it’s not quite the right shade for my skin tone. I do think it will work well as a base for lip gloss, so I’ll probably use it in concert with some sparkly Stila lip gloss I own. I do wish this was a touch bigger.

ShadowEyeshadow CloseEyeshadow Swatch
Smashbox Photo Op Eyeshadow Trio in Filter (Full Size: $28.00)
Description: ”These coordinated shadows, shade, contour and highlight, for a variety of easy eye looks.”
Verdict: Not quite right
This eyeshadow trio is one of the reasons I chose this box. I really wish they’d sent me the purple or the pastel shades as I think they’d work better with my skin. As you can see from the swatches, one disappears completely and the middle tone leans a just a touch too warm for my taste (it’s hard to tell in this picture, but it ends up a bit orange). I’d really love to get shades that aren’t neutrals. They are almost always too warm for my skin tone and most of us makeup junkies have a ton of them. Let’ see something a bit more unusual in our boxes.

Kiehls
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream (1.7 oz: $27.50)
Description: ”This is the ultimate soother: it’s rich without being greasy, and sinks in without any residue.”
Verdict: Like
I haven’t tried this yet because I have moisturizers that are already opened, but Kiehls is a great brand and I’m excited to try this out.

Eye Pads
Wilma Schumann Skincare Hydrating Collagen Eye Pads (5 Pairs: $18.00)
Description: “These 100% collagen pads plump, hydrate and restore, enhancing eye contour gently and naturally.”
Verdict: Hit!
I love all kinds of face masks, and eye pads just feel very spa like. I’m going to save these for a home pampering day.

OVERALL
Birchbox 3.2016
Verdict: Like
I paid $10.70 for this box and after reviewing the products received $5.00 in Birchbox points. I chose this box so the products weren’t a surprise, but sadly the two products I was most interested in (the lipstick and the eyeshadow) just weren’t quite right for my coloring. I wish Birchbox would add on a cool/warm toned option for the makeup. It would go a long way in helping us get items that work. I’ll use the Jeff Chastain spray (albeit sparingly) and I like the Face cream and eye pads so overall, this box was still a good value.

How often does the makeup you receive in Sub Boxes work for your skintone?
If not, do you find it too warm, or cool or just not to your taste?

BIRCHBOX NEWS!
Birchbox released two Limited Edition boxes, just in time for Mother’s Day.
BB Beauty LE Box
Limited Edition: Beauty in Bloom (Retail: $64.00)
Description: “The thoughtful collection is filled with luxe treats and indulgences—like a refreshing rose mist, a cult-classic lavender hand cream, a prettily packaged perfume, and a chic vanity tray—to make even the most humdrum days feel a little bit fancier.”
I’d been hoarding Birchbox points for a while, so when a coupon code popped up, I used my points to snag this. Be sure to come back for a full review on this one.

BB Naturals LE Box
Limited Edition: New Naturals (Retail: $59.00)
Description: “Each of these innovative products is free of parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, and phthalates—and instead, packed with good-enough-to-eat ingredients like coconut oil, pomegranate enzymes, and vitamin E.”
I already own quite a few of these products, but if you love natural beauty, consider picking this box up.

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.

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