Birchbox always sets a theme for their monthly boxes, and this this month’s theme is Jet Set. There are 26 box variations with 40 different products. My box #12 was one of the rarer ones with 2 unique items that you won’t see in any other boxes. It didn’t contain any highly coveted items but overall I was very pleased with what I got.
About Birchbox:
Birchbox is a subscription service that delivers a box of luxury samples to your doorstep every month. Each box is customized to match your beauty profile to ensure you get the samples you want, you will usually get 4-5 samples and sometimes even full-sized products! The samples vary from make-up and skincare, to food and beauty accessories, and each box is carefully hand-wrapped. At $10/month Birchbox is one of the cheapest monthly beauty subscriptions out there, the value of each box usually ranges from at least $15 and can be as high as $60. They also have a nice rewards program, where for each product survey you complete you get 10 points, every 100 points earns you $10 in Birchbox credits which you can redeem in their online store for full-sized products. Click here to join Birchbox.
1. Georgie Beauty Winks by Georgie (unique to box #12)
Not going to lie, I wanted to try these exact lashes for a very long time without having to buy them first. I lost my opportunity to win them when Bloom.com had a Georgie Facebook party, so I was very surprised and happy to receive them in my first Birchbox! I couldn’t wait to try them on, so I immediately hurried to grab my makeup bag and create a look. I’m not that into the dramatic eyes trend, but after trying these falsies and seeing how glamorous I look with them on, I think this will be my new going out staple. Another thing I loved was the use of natural ingredients in the lash adhesive. I don’t think I’ve seen that one around yet, apparently Georgie uses certified organic chamomille oil to soothe the lashes, and it’s paraben-, formaldehyde-, and phtalate-free which is always a great thing in every cosmetic product.
And here is how Birchbox recommends using these falsies:
“After doing your other makeup (including eyeliner and mascara), lift lashes out of the palette and trim them to fit your eyes. Draw a thin line of lash glue onto the band, paying special attention to ends. Bend the lashes into a horseshoe shape for about a minute while the glue becomes tacky. Press the center of the lash strip onto your natural lash line and gently press down on each side (we like to do this part with the back end of an eyeliner brush). Finally, gently use fingers to pinch your lashes and falsies together.”
Check out the picture to see my result, I think it looks glamorous and natural at the same time. Love it!
Full-size: $28 at Birchbox
Sample received: $15 at Nordstrom
2. Stainiac by theBalm Cosmetics
This is the core item this month, meaning that it is present in every single box variation. I have heard a lot about lip and cheek stains before but never tried to use one, so this is a completely new product for me. My first impression was something like “OMG how do I take it off!!”, and then it hit me that this is the whole point of stains. They are smudge-proof because there’s nothing to smudge really, the color just absorbs into your skin and basically becomes one with it.
Check out the picture to see my result. The color seemed too bright at first, but the more I look at it the more it’s growing on me. It looks great on my cheeks, too!
Full-size: $17 at Birchbox
Sample received: $2.27 calculated value
3. Hair Rules Lift Volumizing Shampoo (unique to box #12)
Well, I haven’t actually used this sample yet, but I opened it to check it out and it smelled like some pretty strong perfume. I’m not sure if it’s a good or bad thing, my skin isn’t very sensitive so I don’t care all that much about fragrances in cosmetic products. This shampoo is meant to give body to fine or flat hair and protect the color since it doesn’t contain any sulfates that wash out the color. I was also surprised to find out that it also contains hyaluronic acid to moisturize the hair and scalp, how cool is that? It’s basically an actual moisturizer for the hair! So I’m very excited to try it out next time I wash my hair.
Full-size: $15 at Birchbox
Sample received: $3.75 calculated value
4. LA FRESH Eco-Beauty Oil-Free Face Cleanser
I tried one of these wipes today and they are actually quite impressive! The cloth was very gentle and soft, and had just the right amount of solution. I use facial wipes every day to take off my makeup, and I’m constantly comparing new brands to my current favorite – drugstore Ponds Evening Soothe wipes. Well, I think I have a new favorite now 🙂
Full-size: $9.99 at Birchbox
Sample received: $0.70 calculated value
5. Tili Bags Small Collection
This cute little ziploc bag was a lifestyle extra, and even though I don’t plan on flying anywhere for at least another year or so it’s something I will actually use in the future. Most other boxes contained men’s cologne as their extras, so i’m glad I didn’t get it. If I wanted men’s samples I would subscribe my husband to Men’s Birchbox.
Full-size: $8.49 at Birchbox
Sample received: $0.70 calculated value
Well, this concludes my review of this month’s Birchbox. Overall I was very happy with the samples I received. It was not among the most expensive boxes this month, but I’m glad that I can use everything, and I got Georgie Winks I coveted so much 🙂
My box value this month: $22.42
