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.
 

 

Ipsy June 2015

What's in

the box?

My glam bag from Ipsy arrived the other day - it is $10 a month and contains 5 makeup, skincare, and/or hair products.  I cancelled this bag but picked it back up after seeing the bag from last month - remember - once you see the bag of the month, you will get the next month's bag.

The theme this month is Swim into Beauty. 

The bag this month is waterproof and a pretty slate black color - the zipper is orange. 

NYC Liquid Eyeliner -  ($2.99 )  This is probably the item I like least in the bag.  I am not really fond of this brand.   I have had a lot of eyeliners in my box this month - so I will be passing this on to my sister who uses eyeliner every day. 

 

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer -  ($8 )  I do not think I have tried the photo finish one - I may have used too much the first time I tried the other type because it felt very slick.  I did a little research and Smashbox will send you a sample of this, just click here.  They will charge you a shipping fee so only add it if you are already buying from their online store. 
 

tre'Stique Mini Eye Shadow Crayon in Kona Coffee - ($10)  This is a cute little crayon - I love how the lid looks like a crayon too.  I like this color a lot and this may be my favorite product in the bag. 

J Cat Beauty Liptitude in Blow Your Mind -    ($5.99)   Now this is pink!  Blow Your Mind pink evidently! I do like the look of several of the other colors and for this price point, I can get a few of them. 

BioRepublic Sheet Mask Trio in Green Tea Detox, Aloe Rescue, and Cucumber Breeze -  ($15)  This is a good mix of masks but since I am a Perfectly Posh consultant - I have several face masks I love already.  I will probably pass these on to my mother who loves getting these.

My bag was worth about $40 this month - the masks and primer were half of that.   I am just meh about the contents but I love the bag.  I did like the color of eye shadow crayon I received but not the lip stain.

Tuesday is Monday's Ugly Sister

Tuesday is here again and I have a few sets I have not reviewed around the house - the Josie Maran Pure & Free and the Smasbox Smoke Box.

Josie Maran Pure & Free - ($36)  I picked up this set at Sephora while I was browsing.  It is a five piece set of some of Josie Maran's favorites. 

 

Bear Naked Wipes -  (full size $12)  These are wipes to remove your makeup and free of loads of chemicals that are bad for you.  A portion of the sales go to the Polar Bears - a perfect reason to stock up on these. 

Argan Infinity Cream Intensive Creamy Oil -  (full size $28)  You can use this to hydrate the skin, condition the lips, and illuminate the complexion.  

Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter in Be Spirited Sweet Citrus  -   (full size $35) This smells heavenly!  So soft and a lovely citrus!  I am so happy with this.

100 Percent Pure Argan Oil Light -  (full size $48)  This is a smaller sample of Argan oil that is great for your skin.  I like this light version too.  

 Argan Black Oil Mascara -    (full size $22)  I love trying new mascara's so I was excited this included an Argan oil mascara.  I love packaging as well.   The brush is very different but actually seems to be more ergonomically correct for applying mascara.

I am very happy I picked this at Sephora instead of another palette to sit on the shelf in my collection.  

Smashbox Smoke Box - ($10) This was a deal on Hautelook last week and I could not resist it.  It came as a set with this silver case.  

O-Gloss Gold -  (Full size $22)  I love that this included a lip product.  Lip products are my favorites next to eye shadow palettes. 

Smashbox Waterproof Shadow Liner -  I thought this was an eye liner but it is actually eye shadow with a nice smudge brush on one end.  I will definitely be trying this out. 

Smoke Box eye shadow palette - ( full size $40) This is currently sold out in lots of stores but it is just the sample version.  I do like that though because I never use up a palette before I get bored with it.  

The Smashbox Smoke Box was another great deal that I am thrilled to have found out about.   These go on sale every little bit at Hautelook so keep your eye out for them.

Tuesday is Monday's Ugly Sister!

The spoiler for April's Ipsy bag is that every subscriber will receive one or the other Fit or Flirty eye shadow.    The theme for the month is “If you’re not barefoot, then you’re overdressed. "  Beautifully Bohemian! 

The Birchbox spoilers are out and choice e-mails have already been sent.  There were 3 makeup choices: a Jane Iredale lip and cheek stain, Pop Beauty eye shadow palette , and a Jouer cheek tint.

The curated boxes for the month were from Made Men and there were 2 to choose from New York or California:

Inside the Mad Men-Inspired New York Guest Editor Box:
Cargo Water-Resistant Blush in Los Cabos
Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel Mini
Liz Earle Eyebright
Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream in Blueberry
Beauty Protector Protect & Oil Argan Oil

Inside the Mad Men-Inspired California Guest Editor Box:
Laqa Lil’ Lip Lube Pencil in Honeypot
Cynthia Rowley Beauty Brightening Illuminator
Clean Original
Not Soap, Radio Body Wash in Bathing with Sharks
12 Benefits Instant Healthy Hair Treatment

Boxycharm has released its first spoiler for the April box.  Each charmer will  receive  either the OFRA's Derma Mineral Powder in "Pink Sapphire" or OFRA's Illuminating Blush Stripes.

PopSugar never does spoilers - you usually have to troll the internet near release date to find the person who takes a photo of their box first.  This has been one of my favorite boxes lately.  I am excited to see what April will include - it is was inspired by “Spring”, “Simplicity”, “Markets” and “Outdoors."

Little Lace Box's theme will be Nonna's Kitchen - all items will be for the kitchen and this is perfect because my husband loves to cook and April is his birthday month.  It will be a late surprise since this ships so late but he will love it.

Loot Crate theme will be Fantasy - it will include Princess Bride, Game of Thrones, and a Dungeons & Dragons items.  I will try to con the Princess Bride item away from my daughter and get the other items for my husband.  

That's what I have heard so far - excited for the April boxes to start arriving!

Funday Sunday!

It is a snowy day here in Indiana - 10 inches so far and it is still snowing.  We have already had the coldest consistent February in over 100 years.  Winter really needs to be done.

Ulta has the Ammo Palette by Urban Decay back in stock  - $16 for this little set - great deal! I really like the eye shadow primer.  It is a nice little bonus to get a sample one with this palette. 

I am waiting on my Little Lace Box for February still.  They had a lot of issues this month due to the dock strike on the West coast.  I understand that as Perfectly Posh had issues with two of their items in the Spring/Summer catalog because of this dock strike.  We had to wait on our brushes for the Zone Treatment kit and the Lash Pop - they are now in stock.

Speaking of Posh, it is a great time to join this fabulous company - our kits contain over $300 in merchandise and $80 in business tools.   This month's incentive is a Poshymallow scrub that you will love!

Happy Shopping!  Stay warm wherever you are! 

TheBalm from Hautelook sale!

TheBalm

Hautelook is a division of Nordstrom that does sales on products that last just a few days.  They are usually pretty good sales, sometimes as much as 50-60% off.  Kohls sells this brand if you are looking for it in your mall.  

 There were several items from this line that were on my most wanted list - the How 'Bout Them Apples has been high on the list since I got a sample of it with my Birchbox store purchase.  

How 'Bout Them Apples? - ($32 - on sale $16)  This lip and cheek cream palette is very cute and I love the packaging!  I think Pie is my favorite shade.  Love that you can use for more than one thing too.  This is really large too - so a good amount of product. 

Cindy-Lou Manizer - ($24 - on sale for $12)  This is another product I have been wanting to try since I saw it in Birchbox reviews.  So pretty and love it on!  

Nude Tude palette - ($36 - on sale for $18) I love collecting palettes and the packaging on this one is lovely!  Love the names of the colors - all start with S.  There is a mix of matte and shimmer too, but it does lean more heavily on shimmer shades.  Love the little brush and mirror that is included too - I really prefer palettes to have their own mirror at least.

Give Crease a Chance -  ($26.50 - on sale for $13)  I fell in love with double-ended makeup brushes after I got my first one in my Ipsy bag.  So when I saw the two cute ones TheBalm had, I snatched them up too.  I would never buy these at full price so I was very happy they were in the sale.

 Crease, Love, and Happiness Brush - ($24.50 - on sale for $12)  According to the website, "The larger end defines your crease and applies eye shadow, while the small end provides a soft, natural lining to your lower lashes."

 If I had bought this retail, I would have spent $143.  I got these on sale for $71 plus tax and shipping.  You can also get Hautelook as an app on your phone and they will send you e-mails to let you know what sales are coming soon.