Birchbox December 2015 — Books, Beauty, & Buys

In case you are unaware, Birchbox is a monthly beauty subscription box. It costs $10 a month and you receive multiple sample size item. These boxes allow you to try tons of new products that you may have never even heard of before. The other fun thing about Birchbox is that every time you purchase an item from their site, or review a product from your box, you receive rewards points! Once you collect 100 points, you get $10 off of your next purchase. These points definitely add up quickly between buying your box, and reviewing the products.

Each month, Birchbox allows subscribers to pick one of their samples. If you prefer surprises, you don’t have to pick one. You can choose to be surprised instead. They also offer full boxes that have been made by a guest. This month’s guest editor box was a Winter Essentials box. The sample choice this month was a the Coastal Scents Eyeshadow in 3 different color pairs. The color choices were green and gold, champagne and a pinky/red, and a dark silver with black. You could also choose a volumizing spray.

The Products I received this month were as follows:

(MALIN + GOETZ) Clarifying Clay mask (Full-size $48)- This is an exfoliating clay mask that claims to treat blemishes and oiliness. I don’t have oily skin, but I do get blemishes. I love masks and am always up for trying a new one. I’m looking forward to try it! Maybe I’ll bring it along on the honeymoon in case I get pimples that pop up.

Christian Siriano Silhouette Eau de Parfum (Full-size $22-$92)- The notes of the perfume are described as cassis, wet greens, purple berries, jasmine, rose, and freesia with base notes of woods and moss. I really like the smell of this fragrance. It smells very similar to the Sensual Amber fragrance from Bath and Body works which I love. I would definitely pick this up if it was less expensive, especially since the bottle looks so pretty! The staying power isn’t great, granted I can’t 100% judge that based off of a sample.

Gorge I’ll Make You Look Amazing Daily Spray (Full-size $29.95)- This is a leave in conditioning spray that uses lime, green tea, and quinoa, to hydrate, add shine, reduce oil, and protect hair. It doesn’t smell too bad, but I haven’t had a chance to try it yet. It will be interesting to see how it does. I’ve learned that with curly hair leave in conditioning creams tend to work more effectively than leave in conditioning sprays. I’m excited to try it though!

Coastal Scents styleEYES Eyeshadow Palette- SocialEYEs (Full-size $12)- This was the sample choice for this month’s box. I picked the green and gold for Christmas. I love gold shadows and don’t currently own a green like this one. I receivedCoastal Scents sample in a previous box and I really love their shadows. They’re smooth, pigmented, and have decent staying power. They’re also very inexpensive which is great! The gold is just what I expected from this brand. The green is a little iffy. I found that I needed to really rub my finger in it a few times to get a smooth color pay off. Otherwise it was little patchy. I’m hoping to use it as an eye liner (probably under the eye), so I’m hoping that it works well for that.

Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain in Forevr Peach (Full-size $25)- As stated, this is a lip and cheek stain and it is meant to adjust to your skin for a custom color. I was a little nervous trying this product because I have received two lip and cheek stains in previous boxes. One worked great on the cheeks but not on the lips, the other was great on the lips and not on the cheeks. I was a little put off when I took it out of the box and swatched it on the back of my hand. It was very orange. However, I gave it a chance and put it on both my lips and cheeks and loved it! It turned into a very beautiful peachy pink color that I really like. It’s very natural and very smooth. It was kind of fun watching it change as I put it on. It went on a little orange but then changed to pink. It is the most moisturizing cheek and lip stain I have ever tried and I’m definitely a fan!

Overall this is a great box! I really enjoyed everything in it and the things I haven’t tried I’m very excited about.

November Birchbox Update

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo- This dry shampoo is the whitest one I have ever used. I went to use it once and it looked like I put talcum powder on my hair. I also don’t like that you’re supposed to leave it on for 30 minutes, then brush it through. I can’t dry brush my curly hair. It would be a disaster. This product is a definite fail.

Temple Spa La La Lagoon Aromatic Bath & Shower Gel- I still haven’t tried this one, but it will get brought on the honeymoon to try! I’m excited to use it.

Liz Earle Superskin Moisturizer- I have been using this daily and am still not sure how I feel about it. My skin does feel moisturized but I have started breaking out on my chin again which stopped while I was using the No 7 moisturizer. Now, I have had high levels of stress, so that could be a definite factor. I’ll have to see what happens when I switch to a different moisturizer.

LOC One & Done Shadow Stick- I am obsessed! This shadow stick is really nice. The color is beautiful and it is very smooth. The only issue I have is it’s not 100% crease proof. But they’re relatively inexpensive and perfect when I’m feeling lazy.

MAKE Face Gloss- I had abosultely no desire to try this product so I gave it away to a friend. It was just a miss for me.

With the exception of the shadow stick, November’s box was a miss. I was not very impressed with most of it and the only thing I would purchase would be the shadow stick.