It's interesting how some boxes seem like they will be awesome, but turn out meh...
TIGI: Catwalk Session Series Transforming Dry Shampoo
Master stylists always have this oil-busting dry shampoo in their kit. It leaves behind a tousled, piecey finish.
Full Size: 5.2 oz ($19.95)
Size Received: 2.0 oz ($7.67)
Dry Shampoos are a gift from the gods. I used to use baby powder on those second...or third day hair days while in college. Cheap, effective, but messy and made my hair chalky. I will always try out new dry shampoos that will prove to be a better option. TIGI's animal cruelty status is a bit iffy. The website says that it is cruelty-free but some sources say they do test when necessary by law. So I'll leave it up to you to decide. Either way, I won't be buying this dry shampoo. I sprayed it into my hair and instantly felt icky. My hair just looked chalky and felt awful and teased. It felt heavier and couldn't be styled. It was awful! So far the best dry shampoo I've tried was Freeman's Instant Dry Shampoo through Beauty Army back in February 2012 (post can be found here). I really should buy that again...
Unsure if tested on animals.
Ghiradelli: Milk Chocolate with Caramel Filling
You deserve a little sweetness. Try Gihradelli's Milk & Caramel Square solo or experiment - s'mores or baked into a cookie. who says you can't riff on decadence?.
Full Size: 10 squares ($4.99)
Size Received: 1 square ($0.50)
It really frustrates me that Birchbox has included so much chocolate in their boxes in the past year. I'm not the only one who doesn't eat milk. So many people have milk allergies, you'd think they'd think about that...
Don't know what Birchbox is?
Birchbox is a monthly subscription service that delivers a little, heavenly box of premium beauty samples to your doorstep. Each month you will receive 4-5 samples (sometimes even full-sized products) and generally a goodie (energy booster, granola bar, etc). The samples range from make-up, polishes, skincare, body, hair, and fragrances. All from luxury, quality brands. Every month is a surprise, but the samples picked for you are based on a survey you fill out letting the gals know your style and skin-type. Birchbox costs just $10 a month, and your box will always be valued way above!
Click here to join Birchbox.
February 2013, Box #35
This month, Birchbox (like Ipsy) capitalized on all the big holiday events and put together a box that is worthy of the red carpet. Stating that even if we don't have a posse of pros, Birchbox has experts that will keep us red carpet ready.
Information Cards:
Birchbox is a monthly subscription service that delivers a little, heavenly box of premium beauty samples to your doorstep. Each month you will receive 4-5 samples (sometimes even full-sized products) and generally a goodie (energy booster, granola bar, etc). The samples range from make-up, polishes, skincare, body, hair, and fragrances. All from luxury, quality brands. Every month is a surprise, but the samples picked for you are based on a survey you fill out letting the gals know your style and skin-type. Birchbox costs just $10 a month, and your box will always be valued way above!
Click here to join Birchbox.
This month, Birchbox (like Ipsy) capitalized on all the big holiday events and put together a box that is worthy of the red carpet. Stating that even if we don't have a posse of pros, Birchbox has experts that will keep us red carpet ready.
Products:
Jouer: Matte Moisture Tint in Linen
This SPF 15 oil-free tinted moisturizer blends in beautifully to even out skin and control shine.
Full Size: 1.7 oz ($38.00)
Size Received: 0.07 oz ($1.56)
Jouer has only ever popped up on my radar in birchboxes. First with their special Birchbox pink lip gloss and then with their Luminizing Moisture Tint. I absolutely love the Luminizing Moisture Tint. It is perfect coverage for the summer, adds a gorgeous pearlescent glow to your skin, and leaves my skin moisturized all day. The only problem is it is way too expensive! I currently use TheBalm's BalmShelter which sells for ~$20 for 2.15 oz, much better value. Either way I was excited to try the newest from Jouer. The matte version is oil-free version controls shine with titanium and zinc oxides and leaves skin velvety smooth. I tried this out and immediately knew it wasn't going to work well for me. My skin looked pasty, dry, pores and wrinkles amplified, and just completely flat. My combination skin did not enjoy it at all.
Cruelty-free!
Vasanti: Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator
This exfoliating cleanser uses professional-grade (read: effective) microderm crystals and papaya enzymes to brighten skin.
Full Size: 4.23 oz ($34.00)
Size Received: 0.7 oz ($5.63)
I adore receiving face scrubs. Years of acne and years of no solution, I'm always willing to try new products. This product is a dermatologist-grade scrub that brightens, exfoliates, and cleanses all in one treatment. It uses papaya enzymes to dissolve down dead skin cells, microderm exfoliating crystals to fade fine lines and acne scars, and aloe vera, coconut, and vitamins B and E to nourish and soothe skin. But it is safe for use on sensitive skin. This sounded like it was the jack pot for me. I started using it once a week and was in love. My skin felt so smooth and soft and visibly brighter. BUT! My skin broke out like crazy after a few weeks of using this. I was so embarrassed by how badly my skin looked. Even a coworker asked what was wrong with my skin... Too bad since it is certified vegan and well priced.
Cruelty-free!
Juicy Couture: Couture La La
Roll out the red carpet for this new scent, a stunning mix of mandarin, red currant, lilly, and orange blossom.
Full Size: 3.4 oz ($90.00)
Size Received: 0.05 oz ($1.32)
The third Viva la Juicy fragrance I've received in my Birchbox. This version of the perfume is a little rock and a little feminine. It has notes of sparkling fruits like mandarin, green apple, red currant, and florals like hyacinth, lily of the valley, peony, violet, orange flower, and a soft musk. I will admit it is a nice, sweet fragrance. I don't see how it is suposed to have a rock edge to it. The peony and lilly are very strong and sweet. But this is a perfect daytime fragrance or something for a younger girl. And like I noted in August, I cannot find a concrete answer on Elizabeth Arden fragrances' animal testing policy. If someone knows it, let me know!
Unsure if tested on animals.
This SPF 15 oil-free tinted moisturizer blends in beautifully to even out skin and control shine.
Full Size: 1.7 oz ($38.00)
Size Received: 0.07 oz ($1.56)
Jouer has only ever popped up on my radar in birchboxes. First with their special Birchbox pink lip gloss and then with their Luminizing Moisture Tint. I absolutely love the Luminizing Moisture Tint. It is perfect coverage for the summer, adds a gorgeous pearlescent glow to your skin, and leaves my skin moisturized all day. The only problem is it is way too expensive! I currently use TheBalm's BalmShelter which sells for ~$20 for 2.15 oz, much better value. Either way I was excited to try the newest from Jouer. The matte version is oil-free version controls shine with titanium and zinc oxides and leaves skin velvety smooth. I tried this out and immediately knew it wasn't going to work well for me. My skin looked pasty, dry, pores and wrinkles amplified, and just completely flat. My combination skin did not enjoy it at all.
Cruelty-free!
This exfoliating cleanser uses professional-grade (read: effective) microderm crystals and papaya enzymes to brighten skin.
Full Size: 4.23 oz ($34.00)
Size Received: 0.7 oz ($5.63)
I adore receiving face scrubs. Years of acne and years of no solution, I'm always willing to try new products. This product is a dermatologist-grade scrub that brightens, exfoliates, and cleanses all in one treatment. It uses papaya enzymes to dissolve down dead skin cells, microderm exfoliating crystals to fade fine lines and acne scars, and aloe vera, coconut, and vitamins B and E to nourish and soothe skin. But it is safe for use on sensitive skin. This sounded like it was the jack pot for me. I started using it once a week and was in love. My skin felt so smooth and soft and visibly brighter. BUT! My skin broke out like crazy after a few weeks of using this. I was so embarrassed by how badly my skin looked. Even a coworker asked what was wrong with my skin... Too bad since it is certified vegan and well priced.
Cruelty-free!
Roll out the red carpet for this new scent, a stunning mix of mandarin, red currant, lilly, and orange blossom.
Full Size: 3.4 oz ($90.00)
Size Received: 0.05 oz ($1.32)
The third Viva la Juicy fragrance I've received in my Birchbox. This version of the perfume is a little rock and a little feminine. It has notes of sparkling fruits like mandarin, green apple, red currant, and florals like hyacinth, lily of the valley, peony, violet, orange flower, and a soft musk. I will admit it is a nice, sweet fragrance. I don't see how it is suposed to have a rock edge to it. The peony and lilly are very strong and sweet. But this is a perfect daytime fragrance or something for a younger girl. And like I noted in August, I cannot find a concrete answer on Elizabeth Arden fragrances' animal testing policy. If someone knows it, let me know!
Unsure if tested on animals.
Master stylists always have this oil-busting dry shampoo in their kit. It leaves behind a tousled, piecey finish.
Full Size: 5.2 oz ($19.95)
Size Received: 2.0 oz ($7.67)
Dry Shampoos are a gift from the gods. I used to use baby powder on those second...or third day hair days while in college. Cheap, effective, but messy and made my hair chalky. I will always try out new dry shampoos that will prove to be a better option. TIGI's animal cruelty status is a bit iffy. The website says that it is cruelty-free but some sources say they do test when necessary by law. So I'll leave it up to you to decide. Either way, I won't be buying this dry shampoo. I sprayed it into my hair and instantly felt icky. My hair just looked chalky and felt awful and teased. It felt heavier and couldn't be styled. It was awful! So far the best dry shampoo I've tried was Freeman's Instant Dry Shampoo through Beauty Army back in February 2012 (post can be found here). I really should buy that again...
Unsure if tested on animals.
You deserve a little sweetness. Try Gihradelli's Milk & Caramel Square solo or experiment - s'mores or baked into a cookie. who says you can't riff on decadence?.
Full Size: 10 squares ($4.99)
Size Received: 1 square ($0.50)
It really frustrates me that Birchbox has included so much chocolate in their boxes in the past year. I'm not the only one who doesn't eat milk. So many people have milk allergies, you'd think they'd think about that...
Total value of my February 2013 Birchbox:$16.68
Not my favorite month. I actually decided this month that I didn't want to subscribe again, but then they automatically resubscribed me for the year and I decided what the hell. Birchbox is such a hit or miss, but many of my all-time favorites right now were things I received in my Birchbox.
What do you think of my February Birchbox? How does it compare to yours? Let me know in the comments below!
If you don't get Birchbox, click here to join!
Hi, I found your blog on Makeuptalk in the blog forum.
ReplyDeleteI think these boxes are rather hit and miss. Sometimes you get great products and other times not so great. Some of the sample sizes are sometimes a bit too small even for samples. They should be sending enough product to at least give you a good idea of how it works.
http://diaryofatrendaholic.blogspot.ca/