Birchbox September 2014 Unboxing

What it Is:  A beauty sample subscription service.

What it Does: Surprises you with five deluxe sized beauty samples every month. 

What it Costs: $10 per month (no contract, cancel anytime).

Where to Get It: Online at Birchbox.com

Similar To: Ipsy, Beauty Box 5, Sample Society

Quick Rating:  Just OK.

Birchbox Sample Choice is Coming- 8/27!

Birchbox has a new feature called sample choice, where they send you an email on a certain day and you get to choose one of your 5 samples for the month (you don't have to...if you don't, they'll just surprise you).
Personally, I like the idea of having control over one item, while leaving the other 4 a surprise. BUT...I'm having a really hard time deciding what to get.  Help!!
Here are the four choices:

Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Spray - My hair needs all the help it can get and I've heard good things about this line.


Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate - This is a really new skincare product that's just come out and it's supposed to strengthen the skin against outside stress.



Davines Ol Conditioner - This is supposed to soften without weighing down the hair.


Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Starter Kit- This comes with a small tube of the famous cleanser and a muslin cloth to exfoliate with.  I actually got this identical kit in another box and I love it, but I still have some left and I think I might want to try something different.


So which one do you think I should pick?  Here's the video that talks about the 4 products a little more in depth.


Thinking of joining Birchbox?  Click Here to join for only $10 a month!

Birchbox August 2014 Unboxing

My August Birchbox has arrived! Lets take a look...

Birchbox July 2014 Unboxing

I just got my July 2014 Birchbox a few hours ago, and I couldn't wait to share it with you- it's probably my favorite Birchbox ever!
This month's theme is Power Up and they've partnered up with Women's Health magazine to help you boost your beauty routine as well as your overall health and fitness. Instead of the normal brown box, this month's box looked like this:

 This little booklet was included inside, and features 12 little challenges to Power Up your life.

 Also included was a FREE 1 year subscription to Women's Health magazine...yay!

One thing I noticed right away about this month's box is that two of the products had 2 samples each, which is great because I can try them more than once.

 Meanwhile, Henry decided he wanted to "help" me do my review, haha.

"Let me see what's in here!" 

"Hmm...what's this for?"

The first product is by Spanish brand Naobay, and it's their Body Radiance Lotion ($24). This 98% natural lotion has Olive Oil, Avocado Oil and Shea Butter and it has a delicious citrus scent. It was lightweight and soaked in fast, leaving my skin buttery smooth. Love it!

Next is Marcelle New Age 8 in 1 Power Serum ($34). This potent anti-ager has 5 peptides and is supposed to hydrate, firm, lift, and plump fine lines, giving results in only 1 week. I'm definitely up for the challenge and can't wait to see what this baby can do. I think I've got a week's supply here!

Next is an eyeshadow sample quad from Coastal Scents Revealed 2 Palette ($39, on sale now for $19.99!). This looks like a major dupe for the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette, with it's rose-toned neutrals.

 The full palette has 20 shadows in it...

 and they also have a previous Revealed palette that could be a Naked 1 or 2 dupe!

These shadows are SO soft and pigmented- I love them and want to get the full palette!

 Next is 100% Pure's Honey Cream Wash in  Gingerade ($15). This body wash is so creamy and the scent is like a citrusy-ginger. It'll be a great pick-me up in the morning. Plus I got 2 packets so I'll be able to try it more than once!

And last but definitely not least, I received 2 sample jars of Beauty Protector's Protect & Treat Hair Mask ($25.95). I got another Beauty Protector sample in a previous Birchbox...it was a leave-in treatment spray and it smelled amazing and made my hair feel like silk. So I was over the moon when I saw these! They have the same delicious scent (like Pink Sugar) and look really thick and luxurious. I'll have to try one tonight!

So far, this is my favorite sample box this month! It had the right mix of makeup, skincare, body products and haircare. What do you think? If you're a Birchbox subscriber were you happy with your July box? Did you get different products?

To sign up for Birchbox, click here. It's $10 a month, cancel anytime!

Birchbox June 2014 Unboxing

I got my June 2014 Birchbox today, and as usual I'm excited to see what's in it.  Lets take a look...

 This month's theme is "Away We Go" inspired by all the trips people take this time of year.
Here's the card that details what's in the box:

Birchbox May 2014 Reveal

My Birchbox was late this month, but they gave me 100 points to make up for it, which I was really excited about (100 points=$10 toward product!). Plus, this box was really great so I don't mind the lateness. Check out what I got!

Perlier Shea Butter Intensive Nurturing Body Balm with Sweet Almond Milk- I've seen this Italian skincare brand many times on HSN and always wanted to try it!  This balm is thick, rich and made my skin feel like butter, plus it smells like almonds...delicious! This one's going right in my purse.

Coola Radical Recovery After Sun Lotion- This light lotion feels so nice on the skin and soaks in fast with no greasy residue.  It contains agave to moisturize, soothe and protect skin that's been exposed to the sun (and can be used on both the face and body).  I'll definitely be taking this with me to the Hamptons this weekend!

Smarty Pants Gummy Vitamins- These gummies are a complete Multivitamin, Vitamin D and Omega 3 supplement in one!  They taste delicious, like candy, with no funky vitamin or fishy aftertaste.  Love that!

Nexus Color Assure 3-Step System- This includes a pre-wash primer, shampoo and conditioner.  This oil-infused line helps to make sure your color doesn't fade out.  I can't wait to try this after I color my hair this weekend.

Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Riviera- In the tube, this looked like a really dark pink, but on the lips, it comes out as a sheer rose and I absolutely love it!  It feels so hydrating, has great shine and isn't sticky at all. See swatch below...

I loved this month's Birchbox!  They had the right mix of skincare, hair, makeup and lifestyle products.
This was my last subscription box for May, and I would rank this second after Beauty Box 5 which was my favorite, then Julep Maven in third, with Ipsy in last place this month.

To join Birchbox for $10 a month, Click Here.  What did you get in your Birchbox this month?  Anything exciting or did it disappoint you?

Birchbox April 2014 Reveal and Review

All of my subscription boxes are showing up this week and yesterday my Birchbox arrived!  The theme of this month's box is Rainy Days and it included a Rainy Day tip of something to do on a rainy day.  Mine was to watch movies...not too creative, I do that anyway, haha.

The first thing I got was this Kind Snacks Healthy Grains bar- maple pumpkin seeds with sea salt.  I'm not really into healthy snacks (gimme chocolate any day!) but I'll probably at least take a bite of this and see what's what.  I'm not a fan of sweet and salty combos either but my husband is, so maybe he'll end up with this.

Next is Fekkai Technician Color Care shampoo.  I already have one of these that I got in a box recently but I'm not sure if it was in Birchbox or Ipsy.  Either way, I love this shampoo, so it's all good.

Next I was excited to get a sample of The Balm's new lip and cheek palette called "How 'Bout Them Apples" (remember Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting?).  The shade I got was Pie and it's such a pretty rosy color that looks amazing on my lips and cheeks.  It just gives a hint of color and kind of stains your skin without looking dewy.

Next is Cynthia Rowley eyeliner in Silver.  This color is so pretty and I can't wait to use this!

Finally, a mini nail polish by Color Club called Heirloom Pearls.  It's a white shade with a pearlescent finish. I usually find that white shades look like when I used to paint my nails with White Out in Jr. High (anyone else do that?), but the pearly finish on this will keep it from looking like that.

Overall, I was really happy with this month's box. If you're interested in joining Birchbox, it's $10 a month and you can cancel anytime. 

Birchbox March 2014 Reveal

I got my March 2014 Birchbox today and it didn't disappoint!  Take a look...

Jergens BB Body. I already have the full size, but I'm glad to have a travel size for summer vacations.  I love this stuff!  They also gave a coupon for $2.00 off.  Full Size 7.5oz. $10.79.  

No. 7 Perfume by English Laundry.  Described as a fruity floral with a vanilla almond base.  I wasn't crazy about the floral top notes when I first sprayed this, but it mellowed into the vanilla almond scent on me after only about 5 minutes and I haven't stopped smelling my wrist all night! Full Size-$90

Coola Tinted Matte Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30.  I wasn't excited about getting an SPF at first until I tried it on my hand.  This is a silky mousse like texture that mattifies and makes the skin feel smooth, almost like a lightly tinted primer!  No more greasy sunscreen- I want to buy this for the summer, although the full size is quite expensive.  Full Size 1.7oz. $36

Luster Now Instant White Toothpaste.  I'm excited about this, especially since I've been using Crest Whitestrips to whiten my teeth.  This will add that much more whitening power, plus the blue tint gives instant whitening gratification.  Can't wait to try this! 

Havvn Night Cream $30.  This is an all natural anti-aging cream developed by a professor who wanted to make a chemical free cream that works.  I tried some on my hand and it feels amazingly moisturizing on my dry skin.  Can't wait to try this tonight!

What did you get in your Birchbox this month? Anything different?

Birchbox February 2014 Reveal and Unboxing

I got my February 2014 Birchbox today and I was a bit disappointed that I didn't get Benefit's new Big Easy that they said "might" be in the box in the preview video.  Actually, there were three Benefit products they named but sadly, I didn't get any of them.  Oh well, this month's box was still pretty great.  Check it out...

This month's theme is Step, Pose and Repeat and features products to help you get camera ready.  

Here's what I got: 

Miracle Skin Transformer Spotlight- I have the original, but this one has a hint of tint with golden shimmer. 

Strivectin AR Eye Treatment- I own another sample tube of this, but was wondering what I was going to do when I ran out, since the full size is $75.  Now I have another sample tube...yay!

Bain de Terre Passion Flower Color Preserving Shampoo and Conditioner- I've never tried this brand before, but these are generous sample sizes and I can't wait to try these.  They have a blend of argan and monoi oils to help preserve color and give moisture.  Perfect for my hair!

32 Oral Care Effervescent Breath Crystals- These sound like a crazy Jetsons type of product.  It's a packet of crystals that you pour into your mouth like Pop Rocks and swish around to eliminate bad breath odors.  Cool...I can't wait to try these!

Overall, I'm happy with this month's Birchbox.  What did you get in yours? 

Birchbox January 2014 Unboxing

I just got my Birchbox today, and it's my favorite one in a while! Take a look at what was inside:

First is 2 packets of Nelson J Beverly Hills Argan Oil Moisture Healing Hair Mask.  Not only does my hair need some serious moisture and healing, but the scent they gave me was coconut- my favorite!  

Next is an Under Armour headband for working out.  It's in a fun neon green and is a braided design with a grippy underside so it won't go anywhere.

Another thing I can always use is hand cream.  This one is by Camille Beckman, and it's her Glycerine Hand Therapy in the Midnight Monarch scent (which smells exactly like Viktor and Rolf's Flowerbomb to me).

This Ruby Wing nail polish is such a pretty shade that makes me want Spring to hurry up and get here.  Plus, this changes color in the sun!

Finally, this Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish kit comes in a pretty Tiffany-blue box and it's a creamy cleanser that you massage in and then take off with the included muslin cloth.  I can't wait to try this! 

The card below details the products and the prices of the full sized products. 

To join Birchbox for $10 per month, Click HERE.