As you may recall, I was very excited about last month's Birchbox. This month, I was admittedly pretty much stalking the website to find out what I would be getting this month... and that's where the weirdness started. Well, it's wear the weirdness ended as well, but it was some real weirdness. When I first looked at the products I would be getting, I was disappointed because it looked like I would only be getting 4 products in my box. A couple of days later, I checked back again and saw that it had changed and there were 5 products listed. Unfortunately, I was kind of bummed that I would be receiving a Harvey Prince fragrance sample. After 2 months of receiving products from Harvey Prince, I was hoping to get other brands this month. I assume they must have realized that they were going to repeat again, because the next time I looked (which was actually because I was checking for a tracking number) the fragrance sample had disappeared and was replaced with something else. Earlier this week I looked again - again checking to see when my box would arrive - and noticed that the items in my box had changed yet again. Where there was once a hair product listed, there was instead an eyeliner. I don't know what happened that the items included in my box changed three times, but it was certainly odd. Anyway, my box got here today with the items that were listed on my last peek, so keep reading to take a look at what I got!

1. Cynthia Rowley Beauty - Creamy Lip Stain in Hearthrob - 2.25g Sample - Value $10.70

"A long wearing lip stain from the NYC based designer that gives unbeatable moisture and shine."

In the picture on the site, I appeared to be getting a deep purple berry shade that I was incredibly excited about, so when I opened the box and found that the product in the tube looked like a very warm brick red shade I was pretty bummed. Anyone who reads this blog knows that I've had bad luck with boxes sending me orange lip products that I'll never wear this past year. However, when I tried this on the lips I found that it's actually a really beautiful, sheer pinky coral shade that I will definitely get a ton of wear out of during the summer. This product applies really nicely and builds well on itself for a more vibrant colour. Though distinctly sheer, it does bring a really beautiful stained look to the lips and it feels really moisturizing and comfortable. Win, Birchbox! Surprise win!

2. derma e Anti-Wrinkle Vitamin A Glycolic Scrub - 1oz Sample - Value $3.38

"This all-natural cleanser sloughs off dead skin, fades dark spots, and cleans pores."

I've received products from derma e in past subscription boxes (of bags), with varied success, but I'm really looking forward to trying this out. In my experience, my skin reacts really well to products with glycolic in it, so I feel optimistic that I'll like this scrub. It feels like the kind of scrub that won't be too rough on my skin, though it is definitely gritty, and it smells pretty damn good. As far as first impressions go, I'm all smiles, so we'll have to see how this works on the skin.

3. Dr. Lipp Nipple Balm for Lips - 3ml Sample - Value $3.40

"Originally made for nursing moms, this ultrahydrating balm is a makeup artist fave."

I was literally just recommending to a friend of mine who is having troubles with extremely dry, chapped skin that she should look into nipple balm, so it's kind of funny to me that I received this product in my box. Though the sample is distinctly teeny tiny, you only need a tiny bit of this product so I think it'll actually go a long way for me. During this cold months, I find that I really need to be diligent about moisturizing my lips, so having something that packs a serious punch in my repertoire is going to be nice, I think. I'm definitely not disappointed with this one.

4. Noir - Long Wear Eyeliner - 0.04oz Full Size - Value $15

"Enriched with vitamin E, this creamy, waterproof liner glides on smoothly for all day wear."

And... here is where it all goes a little bit wrong. So, I've received 3 Birchboxes so far and two of them have included a black eyeliner pencil. As I've mentioned before, black eyeliner pencils are pretty much the most over-included product in subscription boxes and mine are going to go bad before I'm able to use them... so I think I might end up giving this one away, like I did with the shimmery champagne eyeshadow single I received in this month's Ipsy. Note to subscription services... Black eyeliner and shimmery champagne eyeshadows are getting played, let's go with something else, shall we? Aside from my annoyance with yet another black eyeliner, this one doesn't appear to be that pigmented either. Double sigh.

5. TOCCA - Crema da Mano in Cleopatra Grapefruit and Cucumber - 1oz Sample - Value $5

"Loaded with natural botanicals, this grapefruit and cucumber lotion absorbs in a flash."

I'm currently applying a lot of hand cream. It's that winter air, friends, and it kicks my skin's ass. Obviously, this is the time of year when hand cream additions to subscription boxes are more than welcome. I have one on my desk, one in my purse, one on the table next to the couch, and one on the nightstand - and they all get regular use. I'm not in love with the scent of this, because I'm just generally not a grapefruit person, but the formula seems to be quite silky and hydrating, if a little greasy when I first apply. Not sure this can beat out my holy grail Nivea hand cream, but it'll get used up either way. And probably quickly.

Cynthia Rowley Creamy Lip Stain in Heartthrob, Noir Long Wear Eyeliner in Forever Noir

Overall, I'm actually surprised at how happy I am with this box. Admittedly, I was a little worried that I wasn't going to be for it, both when my items kept changing and when I initally opened the box, but at the end of the day I'm actually really pleased with this month's products - that damn black eyeliner not withstanding. I already can't wait for next month's box! Birchbox has definitely picked up my subscription box excitement where Ipsy has failed me recently.

If you're interested in signing up for Birchbox Canada, I would love it if you would use my referral link, just because... who doesn't love points? I admit that with no shame! Anyway, even if you don't use my link, I highly recommend you sign up because I haven't been let down yet!