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.
 

 

Happy Weekend!

The week really flew by  - so hard to believe we are in November and the Holidays are just around the corner. 

Birchbox never ceases to amaze me.  I got an e-mail stating a product I love, Yarok Feed Your Ends,  is back in stock.  It is $19.80.  I jumped right on because I knew I had a code for being with Birchbox for 21 months - that's right, you get a code all the time - 20% off.  I had about $10 in points too.  I am an Ace so I get free shipping all the time.  That made it about $6 for this hair product to be shipped to me.  This is why I am still a BB subscriber after 21 months!  There is not a sub box out there with this type of program - you get points for reviewing, buying, referring, for just getting a box every month.  Those points turn into cash to spend in their store - and their store is fantastic.  It's not just makeup, skin and hair products - there are kitchen items, candles, clothes, and so many other items. 

My planner addiction is beyond control!  I love all the goodies - washi tape, sticky notes, pens, page flags, stickers, paperclips, and more!  Target $1 spot has revamped - it is Spot's Playground now and there are some amazing items in it!  Stuff you can give for Christmas presents - for $1 and $3!  Go check it out.  I had fun sorting through all the goodies.  I got some cute ornaments, stickers, erasers, gift tags, and stocking stuffers.

Etsy shopping is so easy it is addicting.  There are so many cute shops out there and I love the ones that give you little extras with your order.   I ordered these cute Kawaii animal pens and she sent me two paperclips and a note pad set.   How sweet was that?  Planner Hauls is the Etsy shop - go get these pens - affordable and adorable!

I have been on the hunt to increase my planner family with an A5 - I have three personal size - two from Webster's Pages and a Filofax.  But I have really been eyeing the A5 size.  I think I finally decided to get the Simple Stories Carpe Diem set.  Not just because of the planner but the inserts that are included are just beautiful.  Deciding on the color is going to be so hard!  I love the coral, the aqua, and the platinum!  I am leaning toward the aqua because that is the color I have wanted from the start of my planner obsession.

Have a great weekend!  Link your planner blog below so I can check it out!

Birchbox October 2015 Review

What's in

the box?

Birchbox is a sample monthly subscription kit for $10 a month.   The real value in this sub is the online store and the points you earn every month.  You can turn these points into money in the BB store.  

The box this month was decorated for October Breast Cancer Awareness and it is beautiful.  I love this gorgeous, marble pink.  

Stila Huge mascara -   I have wanted to try this mascara for awhile - it was my choice of the month from the 5 mascaras we could choose.  I am loving how this feels on my lashes. 

Klorane Dry Shampoo -   I have received this dry shampoo in many boxes and it really is not my favorite.  I will be passing it along to my BB swap buddy! (Hi, Swap Buddy!) 

Dr Jart Ceramidin Cream -     This is a lightweight cream to moisturize the skin.  I love the moisturizer I already use so this too will go to my Swap Buddy.

Bio Republic Aloe Rescue Mask -  I have gotten this mask several times in boxes over the last year so it too will be passed on to my Swap Buddy.  

Number 4 Lumiere dhiver Fluoro5 Elixir Restore & Repair -  This is a hair oil - I love hair oils so I cannot wait to see if this lives up to the Number 4 reputation.  

I would say this was not the perfect box for me since I am swapping out 3 of the 5 items.  I do love the two that I am keeping, however, so that is a nice trade off.  I also get to review the items (most of which I have already tried) to earn more points for spending in the online store.  I really do not know how people save them up because I usually cave at $20 worth.  Do you get Birchbox?  Join here.   If you do, did you get some great samples this month?

Purchased.  All opinions are my own and no compensation was received.

Glossybox October 2015

What's in

the box?

Glossybox is a subscription box with full and sample size makeup, hair, and skin products.  This month the theme was Paris so I had to snatch up a box.  The box is $21 a month.

First Look:

La Roche-Posay Redermic R -  ($9.50)  This is an anti-aging serum to fight wrinkles.  It contains Retinol and is paraben free. 

Nuxe Gentle Exfoliating Gel with Rose Petals -   ($26)  I love that this has walnut shells to exfoliate the skin and not something that won't biodegrade.  It is not overwhelming in its scent either so that is a plus.

De Bruyere Paris Red Lipgloss -  ($17.50)  This is very pretty - I will try to tone the red down since I never wear it.  I love that this is a Paris brand.

Lollipops Make Up Paris Nail Laquer in "Voyage A Paris" -   ($10)  This nail polish matches the lip gloss exactly in color - and wow - it is red.

Le Soft Perfume by Sabe Masson in Nemamiah -  ($25)  I really like this perfume!  It is not too strong and smells beautiful.  I have never gotten a soft perfume in a box before - I do want to order the Parisian Rhapsody. 

This box had a great value and a huge variety of products - face wash, perfume, nail polish, lip gloss and a night cream.   The value was about $80 and I paid $21.

Of course, the reason I purchased this box was for the box itself!  This is the other artwork that is on the box.

Glossybox also gave us a discount on their winter special box - excited about getting this one!  Are you going to get the holiday box?

Purchased.  All opinions are my own and no compensation was received.

Birchbox September 2015

What's in

the box?

My Birchbox arrived pretty late this month but I think it is because they had a big response for the curated box.   The boxes for the choice were so beautiful - and they told you that You're Beautiful!  

Malin+Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser and Vitamin E Face Moisturizer  -   I really appreciate it when we get the cleanser and moisturizer as a set.  I am a big advocate of using a moisturizer morning and night.  I already have a great face cleanser and moisturizer set (Perfectly Posh BFF and Night & Day) so I have passed this on to my swap buddy. 

Davines Love Shampoo and Conditioner -  Another set that goes together is shampoo and conditioner - this is a pretty nice one!  I love the size of the shampoo but the conditioner packet could have been a tad larger.  The shampoo was my choice this month.

English Laundry Eau de Parfum for Her -   This is one of the few perfumes that does not cause me to wheeze so it was a nice addition to the box.

Pop Beauty eyeshadow palette -   I have several eye palettes that I am working through right now so I passed this on to my swap buddy as well.  These have some really pretty colors for Fall.

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive -   I believe I have gotten this in a box before so I am passing this on to my swap buddy as well.  The last time I did a peel from a Birchbox product, it broke a blood vessel in my face that still has not cleared up. 

This was a very full box and even though I gave more than half away to my Sway Buddy, I was thrilled at the collaboration - plus I got to do reviews for lots of points.  I have no idea how people save them - if I have $20, I spend it! 

Birchbox Plus choice had me at the lips bag - and it came with 3 Stila lipsticks!  This is the Stila Look at Me Liquid Lipstick trio. Birchbox was celebrating its Birthday and included 3 balloons in the box as well.

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.