UNBOXING: Birchbox March 2015
If you were paying attention to his blog or social media, you know that I was really excited about this month's Birchbox. When they announced that every subscriber would be getting a beautyblender in their box, I was definitely on board. The value of that alone more than pays for the cost of the box, and for those of us who had been wanting to try a beautyblender but were weary of the high price tag, this was a perfect opportunity. Of course, that's not the only thing in the box, which always makes it extra exciting.
Keep reading for a closer look at what I received in my box, and also the result of what my personal favorite subscription service was this month!
1. original beautyblender + mini blendercleanser solid - Value $31
I had every intention of finally biting the bullet and picking up a beautyblender this month, but I'm glad that I got a heads up that they would be included in Birchbox before I did. I've used this a few times since I got it and so far I'm really enjoying it. People aren't lying when they say that there's something about the beautyblender that no other blending sponge quite touches. I have a feeling that me and this sponge are going to have a happy relationship. Also, the cleanser is really fantastic. I've tried cleaning this with baby shampoo, which is what I use to clean my brushes, as well as the solid cleanser and the cleanser definitely wins as far as easily getting the beautyblender clean. Exciting!
Verdict: Yes, yesyesyesyesyes!
2. Fekkai PrX Reparatives Conditioner - 2fl oz Sample - Value $7
I always see Fekkai in stores and have curiosity about how it performs, so I was happy to see this. I also love that I got conditioner, because I go through conditioner a hell of a lot faster than I go through shampoo so there's always a need for it. I love that this has argan extract in it, because I'm a big fan of all things argan oil. Overall, I'm happy with this sample and looking forward to trying it out on my hair. The last hair products I got in a subscription box turned out to be amazing, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this one as well.
Verdict: Optimistic
3. Templespa Peace Be Still Calming Face & Body Balm - 25ml Sample - Value $4.50
You guys. This smells so good. When I first opened my box and started trying things, I put this on my hand and I could not stop smelling it. I even shoved my hand under my boyfriend's nose to make him get a whiff of it. I'm pretty crap at describing scents, but this says that it contains essential oils, lemon, coriander, and nutmeg so there's that. Either way, it smells expensive. You know how some body products smell really good, but still fairly cheap... this stuff smells expensive. And wonderful. And I almost don't want to start using it because I just want to have it on hand to smell from time to time... This is how my brain works.
Verdict: Excuse me while I smell this forever.
4. theBalm Read My Lips Lipgloss in BAM! - 2.5ml Sample - Value $6.35
I was really glad that this product was included in my box before I even used it, just because I quite like products from theBalm and because the colour looked really beautiful and wearable. After wearing it, I'm doubly happy that I received it. I suspect that this is going to be a shade that I reach for a lot in the summer. It's a classic light pink shade that just's a hint more colorful than a nude. The formula is smooth and full coverage without any stickiness. Also, I find that it doesn't feel slick like it's going to move around on my face, which is always a plus. As lip glosses go, this one wins.
Verdict: Love it.
5. Folle De Joie Eau De Parfum - Sample - Value $2.00
The smell of this reminds me of something from when I was much younger, but I can't seem to place it. Ain't sense memory a bitch like that sometimes? Anyway, this scent is perfectly pleasant and I might try it out at some point, but it isn't my typical style so I'm not all whipped into a frenzy by it. Strangely enough, though, I do like getting sample size perfumes because you never know when you're going to find one that you really love, but they're also really great for travel. I like to throw a bunch of them in a pouch whenever I'm traveling.
Verdict: Not Mad
Total Value: $50.85
Overall, I'm incredibly happy with this month's Birchbox and already excited for the next one. This subscription service just keeps getting stronger and more exciting for me and I haven't been let down even a little bit yet. If you're interested in signing up for Birchbox, I would love it if you would use my referral link, but even if you don't use the link I highly recommend trying it out. It ends up costing about $15 a month with shipping, but the value of the box always far exceeds that. They also have a points system that awards you 10 points for each of your monthly products that you review. Every 100 points is a value of $10, so really you're getting $5 back every month to spend on their site as long as you do your reviews. pretty great if you ask me.
As far as my favorite subscription box this month, I think it's pretty clear that Birchbox takes it. I was pretty happy with my Ipsy bag this month, as you'll recall, and it definitely convinced me to keep going with Ipsy at least one more month. I also received a pretty great great Glossybox* this month, which included some products that I'm really loving. Overall, I have to say that this was a really amazing month for subscription boxes and I'm going into next month optimistic for what's to come!
I had every intention of finally biting the bullet and picking up a beautyblender this month, but I'm glad that I got a heads up that they would be included in Birchbox before I did. I've used this a few times since I got it and so far I'm really enjoying it. People aren't lying when they say that there's something about the beautyblender that no other blending sponge quite touches. I have a feeling that me and this sponge are going to have a happy relationship. Also, the cleanser is really fantastic. I've tried cleaning this with baby shampoo, which is what I use to clean my brushes, as well as the solid cleanser and the cleanser definitely wins as far as easily getting the beautyblender clean. Exciting!
Verdict: Yes, yesyesyesyesyes!
2. Fekkai PrX Reparatives Conditioner - 2fl oz Sample - Value $7
I always see Fekkai in stores and have curiosity about how it performs, so I was happy to see this. I also love that I got conditioner, because I go through conditioner a hell of a lot faster than I go through shampoo so there's always a need for it. I love that this has argan extract in it, because I'm a big fan of all things argan oil. Overall, I'm happy with this sample and looking forward to trying it out on my hair. The last hair products I got in a subscription box turned out to be amazing, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this one as well.
Verdict: Optimistic
3. Templespa Peace Be Still Calming Face & Body Balm - 25ml Sample - Value $4.50
You guys. This smells so good. When I first opened my box and started trying things, I put this on my hand and I could not stop smelling it. I even shoved my hand under my boyfriend's nose to make him get a whiff of it. I'm pretty crap at describing scents, but this says that it contains essential oils, lemon, coriander, and nutmeg so there's that. Either way, it smells expensive. You know how some body products smell really good, but still fairly cheap... this stuff smells expensive. And wonderful. And I almost don't want to start using it because I just want to have it on hand to smell from time to time... This is how my brain works.
Verdict: Excuse me while I smell this forever.
4. theBalm Read My Lips Lipgloss in BAM! - 2.5ml Sample - Value $6.35
I was really glad that this product was included in my box before I even used it, just because I quite like products from theBalm and because the colour looked really beautiful and wearable. After wearing it, I'm doubly happy that I received it. I suspect that this is going to be a shade that I reach for a lot in the summer. It's a classic light pink shade that just's a hint more colorful than a nude. The formula is smooth and full coverage without any stickiness. Also, I find that it doesn't feel slick like it's going to move around on my face, which is always a plus. As lip glosses go, this one wins.
Verdict: Love it.
5. Folle De Joie Eau De Parfum - Sample - Value $2.00
The smell of this reminds me of something from when I was much younger, but I can't seem to place it. Ain't sense memory a bitch like that sometimes? Anyway, this scent is perfectly pleasant and I might try it out at some point, but it isn't my typical style so I'm not all whipped into a frenzy by it. Strangely enough, though, I do like getting sample size perfumes because you never know when you're going to find one that you really love, but they're also really great for travel. I like to throw a bunch of them in a pouch whenever I'm traveling.
Verdict: Not Mad
Total Value: $50.85
Overall, I'm incredibly happy with this month's Birchbox and already excited for the next one. This subscription service just keeps getting stronger and more exciting for me and I haven't been let down even a little bit yet. If you're interested in signing up for Birchbox, I would love it if you would use my referral link, but even if you don't use the link I highly recommend trying it out. It ends up costing about $15 a month with shipping, but the value of the box always far exceeds that. They also have a points system that awards you 10 points for each of your monthly products that you review. Every 100 points is a value of $10, so really you're getting $5 back every month to spend on their site as long as you do your reviews. pretty great if you ask me.
As far as my favorite subscription box this month, I think it's pretty clear that Birchbox takes it. I was pretty happy with my Ipsy bag this month, as you'll recall, and it definitely convinced me to keep going with Ipsy at least one more month. I also received a pretty great great Glossybox* this month, which included some products that I'm really loving. Overall, I have to say that this was a really amazing month for subscription boxes and I'm going into next month optimistic for what's to come!
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