Birchbox Review December 2015

What's in

the box?

Birchbox is probably considered the grandfather of the subscription boxes.  For $10 a month, you get 5-7 samples based on a very detailed quiz you take when signing up.  They never repeat a sample and you can review every sample for points that turn in to money in their online store.  Even if I dislike something, I can earn points - and when you fill out the review, it is noted.  You can see other people's reviews of the products in the store under that product.   There are sales, coupon codes, and bonus add-ons for the box.

Birchbox gave us a $10 gift card for Christmas - when you purchase $35.  I really would have just liked the $10 with no conditions.  I have free shipping as an Ace member.

Soap and Paper Factory (Green Tea) Shea Butter Hand Cream -   (full size $18) This is a nice size little lotion to get - it is just right for putting in my purse.  I like this very much. 

The Balm Frat Boy -  (full size $21)  The only issue I have with this is how small their samples are - these full sized items are so expensive and they really do not like to give you any product!
 

Here is a pic of the tiny little blush sample. 
 

Malin + Goetz Clarifying Clay Mask -  ( full size $48)  I was surprised I had not received this product in the past.  I have so many products from them from Birchboxes.   

Coastal Scents Style Eyes -  (full size $12)  This is a small eye shadow sampler for Coastal Scents.  I have a one of their large palettes and for the money, it is a good deal.

The colors I chose were some of my favorites. 
 

Kate Spade Walk on Air -   (full size $25-$95)  I have selected to receive perfume samples the least amount of times possible in a year but the last several have contained one.  I did not mind getting this one, however, because it smells so pretty and I would wear it.

 

I was very pleasantly surprised by this month's box.   I like so many of the items this month!  I will only be passing one on to my swap buddy - the clay mask from Malin +  Goetz.   I received a blush, an eye shadow, a lotion, and a perfume that I will use.

Complexion Perfection sampler was one of the bonus buys you could add on your box shipment this month.  For $20 it was a great buy - the beauty blender is $20 by itself.  You get sample sizes of the The Pore-fessional from Benefit, Lightning Crew by The Beauty Crop, Marcelle BB glow, and W3ll People invisible powder as well.  I was very pleased with it.
 

 

Lip Love Subscription from So Susan Cosmetics

What's in

the bag?

Lip Love Subscription bag is one I found while searching for fun, new subscriptions that were more reasonably priced.  This bag is from England and is $16 a month.  It contains 3 products, 2 bonus items, and a makeup bag designed exclusively for the subscription. 

Every bag has a quote on it and it is usually inspiring.  

The bags are always so colorful and pretty!  They are probably my favorite part of this subscription.

Jelly Pong Pong Paradise Pigments in Fig Jam -   ($19.99) These are the cutest packaged lip and cheek tubs.  I love their line of products because of the wonderful packaging and the fact that they are cruelty free.

So Susan Statement Skin in Candlelight - ($20) I was very excited to see this was included in our bag this month - I had seen this on some of the Instagram feeds - for Ipsy.  I really wanted to try this out. 

Haute Light in Eggshell - ($19.95) Another goodie that I was happy to receive in my bag. 

Strengthening Cuticle Oils -  ($25.95) This was our bonus accessory item of the month - I am happy to see them change it up from the usual piece of jewelry.  These are little cuticle oils and each one has a purpose.

   
Jelly Pong Pong Goju Blush is also one of the bonus items this month.  It sells for $17.95.  The bag was a winner this month - I will use every item in it and I love the packaging.  If you are thinking of a new sub to join, give this one a try - this bag had a value of $103.80 and that does not include the shipping charges you are saving. 

 

Birchbox August 2015

What's in 
the box?

Birchbox came in so early this month - I think I got it on the 11th.  It has been doing that the last couple months and I am thrilled - there is quite a drought the last week of the month till the boxes start arriving.  

If you have followed my blog, you know I am a fan of BB - mainly because I love getting rewarded for doing reviews and little things like posting on social media sites.  No one else rewards you like BB does - you are earning actual points to turn into cash in their online store.  This online store is fantastic - if you want to save up for a makeup item, have at it!  If you want to just save a little every time you order, that is your choice too!  Love the flexibility!   I have never had points expire - mainly because I love to shop in there and if I can save $10 on my order right then, I do! 

This month's theme was Soak It Up, summer, of course!  The box looks like a cute pool.  It is not my favorite art work for a BB, but it was right on point for the time of year.

 

A nice thing about BB is that they always include an information card.  It addresses every item in the box, the full size value and sometimes a nice tip or bonus about your item. 

 

Dr Jart+ Vital Hydra Solution Deep Hydration Sheet Mask - ($6) I am not a big fan of sheet masks.  I would rather have a mask that you apply - probably because I do not want to lay down to keep the mask on.  I have other stuff to keep doing lol.  I swapped this with a fellow BB subscriber.  I love my Perfectly Posh face masks, I rarely buy any for myself anywhere else.

  

St Tropez Gradual Tan in Shower - (full size $25)  I do not know what BB was thinking when they sent this out to the pale, red haired girl in my profile.  I really look kind of funny with a fake tan.  I do not tan naturally - I go from pasty pale white to lobster red and back to an off white that is not tan.  I passed this on to my swap buddy.

  

Oribe Masque for Beautiful Color -  (full size $59) Looking at this price tag, I will probably never get the full sized one unless I manage to hoard my BB points, so it was nice to get a great size sample.  This smells amazing!  I am waiting to try till after I color but I am excited about it!

  

theBalm cosmetics Balm Desert Bronzer/Blush -  (full size $21)  This is the tiniest sample ever!  Like I think the actual product is the size of a dime - small! I do not know what theBalm has against samples - all their pressed samples are like this - the lip products are a nice sample size.  I will probably put this up on my Pinterest swap board but if I do end up using it, it will be as a blush.  As my swap buddy says, it always looks like I just have a dirty face. I am crazy about the packaging for this brand though - and they do go up on Hautelook once in awhile so you can save money on your addiction there.  Kohl's has this brand in their cosmetics section for anyone who wants to check out in store.

 

Rusk Volumizing Mousse - (full size $18)  I do love the Rusk brand.  

 Oribe Shampoo and Conditioner for Beautiful color - (full size $14-42) This is probably the item I am most excited about trying.  I color my hair as the gray has started appearing so I want to see how this effects it.  I am saving it for right after I color - I am desperately in need of a dye job right now.  Here is the thing about foil packets - I do not mind getting them if they have resealable options.  I could get two uses out of this but I hate having them in the shower to get water in or leak out.  We have gotten some great resealable packets from Ipsy before and I loved that about them!

 So that is my Birchbox for August.  I do think my boxes are getting so much better.  My first two boxes were pretty bad.  I think as you start reviewing stuff and telling them what you like and didn't like, BB does listen to you.  This box had great value for my $10 and I look forward to earning those review points.

What did you get this month?  Did you find any holy grail products?

Lip Love Subscription by So Susan JUNE 2015

What's in

the bag? 

One of the international sub boxes I subscribe to is from the makeup company So Susan from England - they have a bag that is called Lip Love that is $15.99 a month and has such fun goodies in it!  This month is the I love Tea Time Bag.

Like Ipsy, every month has a bag in it.  And these always have a nice quote - this month's:

"Worrying is worthless.  Drink your tea slowly and reverently, without rushing toward the future... Live the actual moment. by Thich Nhat Hanh

There is always a card listing all of the goodies in the bag and their value.  They are always dead on on the prices - they do not inflate them to make you think you are getting a real deal.

I love the fun quotes and artwork they add to every bag.

Paradaise Pigments in Cake Pop by Jelly Pong Pong -   ($20)  This is the cutest lip stain dish - love the ice cream sundaes on it.  It is a bright coral color and you can use it on cheeks and lips. This also comes in Fig Jam, which is the hot pink version.

 So Susan Lip Dome in Black Current -  ($12)  I love the shade of this - it is a very nice burgundy.   It is also a lip plumping hybrid lip stain and lip balm. I might have to get a few more of the colors.  I also like the melon one.

Bare Necessities by Jelly Pong Pong - ($18) This does so much for one little pencil!  It is a highlighter, eye shadow base, waterliner, and concealer in one.  I have been looking for a good waterliner and I think I found it!  This is so soft too - did not hurt my eyes to apply it.

S Susan Cashmere Blush -   ($16) This is listed as a bonus item and am I glad they threw it in the bag!  I love blush!  This one is so pretty! Of course, I love the packaging!

Infinity Earrings -   ($10)  This is another bonus item - every bag contains an extra accessory item like this.  I love these - they are such a pretty pink color.

This is my favorite bag so far from So Susan - and the past bags have been very good!  I can use every item in this bag and I love them all.  The value of this bag was $76.  This is well worth the price to sub and it helps you find some really good products - these are all cruelty free and parabens free. 

Thursday Thoughts

I am linking up with Ramblings of a Suburban Mom today for this blog page. 

I am new to collecting makeup - the only other MAC collection I have is the Cinderella collection.  MAC came out with a limited collection called Wash & Dry - I picked out a blush and a lipstick.

The lipstick I picked out was Tumble Dry.  This is the prettiest lipstick I have ever bought!  I am not too thrilled with the pigment of it, however.  It is more of a lip balm consistency.

The blush I picked out was Hipness, in a light peach.  There is not actually much blush in the container but I bought it for my makeup collection, not for everyday use, so it is fine. 

Jelly Pong Pong will be selling these adorable little lip balms called Lip Orchids - and they will come in Pink Petal and Bouquet. 

Red Nose Day was today and my sweet son was nice enough to wear it for me to post today.

He is a real sport and I am so proud of the man he is becoming.

Birchbox April 2015

What's in

the box?

Birchbox is one of the first boxes I joined when I found out about subscription boxes.  I have been with them over a year and they keep getting better and better.  In the beginning days when I did not get the items I liked, I stayed because of the points system.  Birchbox has an amazing online store that you earn points in by reviewing, sharing, and purchasing items.  

This month's box arrived later than I expected.  But I was happy to see that box in the mail.

The box this month was beautiful - they have been on a design roll with the boxes this year.  All of them have been so pretty.  I do wish I also had the monthly box.  I chose a Mad Men curated box - New York - this month.  It is different from the Birchbox monthly box.

First Look:

Liz Earle Eyebright Soothe Eye Lotion - ($8.33)  This is the reason I chose this box.  I have seen this on the Birchbox site and wanted to try it out.  It is supposed to brighten tired eyes.

Whish Shave Cream (Blueberry)  -  ($2.90)  This is a Birchbox staple item - you will get a shave cream and a lotion from Whish while you are a member of Birchbox.  I really like this cream though.  I do not mind non-lathering lotions;  my Perfectly Posh shave cream does not foam up either and it is perfect.

Beauty Protector - Protect & Oil -  ($2)  This is another Birchbox staple - I have gotten at least 2 of these products in my Birchboxes.  This is for your hair to curb those fly aways and frizzies.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel -   ($6.68)  Truthfully, I would rather this have been a lip gloss from this company.  This has rich botanical conditioners and is for smoothing those brow hairs.  I am trying to convince my husband to try this since his eyebrows are quite unruly. 

Cargo Swimmables Water Resistant Blush in Los Cabos -  ($7.50)  I was also thrilled this came in the New York box because it is so pretty.  It is waterproof and I love the packaging. 

I thought this was a terrific curated box - a great variety of products and ones I have not sampled before.

The Birchbox Bonus items have really been awesome these last few months.   This month I chose Rifle Paper Company cold drink tumbler and notebook.  The print on the tumbler is the same as the regular Birchbox this month.  The set was $20 and they shipped it with my Birchbox.