Sometimes I wish Birchbox had a skip month function, because often neither the theme nor the spoilers look very appealing. This time I was only looking forward to trying the PYS [pick your sample] product, which was the body oil with high SPF from one of my favorite sunscreen brands. The theme for Birchbox May 2016 regular box is “Out of Doors”, and products were semi-curated for outdoor adventures. Every box this month included an SPF product, so at least I was able to control which one I get.
HOW IT WORKS:
At $10/month Birchbox subscribers receive 4-6 luxury samples and full-sized beauty products, tailored for them by a team of curators according to a personalized beauty profile. The value of each box usually ranges from at least $15 and can be as high as $70. Click here to join Birchbox, and don’t forget to use Ebates for 4% cashback!
CONTENTS:
1 // ModelCo Lip Lacquer [$16 for 3, available here] – Looks like these lippies were sent in all three shades, and luckily I received the most wearable one: Morocco. It’s a lovely pinkish coral color that is perfect for summer. Unfortunately, the formula was just awful [for me anyway] – the gloss felt sticky so I felt like I’m wearing glue on my lips. Don’t try this at home, folks, it’s not a pleasant feeling 🙁
2 // Juara Radiance Enzyme Scrub [$38, available here] appeals to my current skincare interests. Since the weather got warmer, my pores are looking and feeling more congested, so I am in constant search of a good exfoliating product. I love that Juara used jojoba beads which aren’t abrasive, so even someone with sensitive skin could use this scrub. I also like that it provides two kinds of exfoliation: chemical and physical. Specially selected enzymes melt away impurities deep within the pores to give the skin a really polished look. This one’s a winner, you guys!
3 // English Laundry Eau de Parfum Signature for Her [$70, available here] has been circulating between different beauty boxes for a while now, and if I remember correctly, we first saw it in an Ipsy bag a long time ago. Geranium as the star note doesn’t appeal to my nose at all, so I’ve been trying to avoid it. Well, looks like my luck has run out this time, so now I’m stuck with this useless vial of perfume I don’t like. I will probably give it away, maybe someone in my family will be happy to try it.
4 // Supergoop! Sun Defying Sunscreen Oil with Meadowfoam SPF 50 [$34, available here] was my sample of choice this month, and thank god I have it a patch test first. After exposing the area where I applied it to the sun, my skin got covered in tiny red itchy bumps that lasted about a week. I re-confirmed that this oil was indeed the culprit by testing it on another small area of my body. I dealt with the rash using my trusted Tatcha Indigo products, but this experience made me glad I didn’t just slather it all over my body. Upon inspecting the ingredient list it appears that Supergoop included several citrus extracts in the formula, which are proven to make the skin photo-sensitive.
5 // PARLOR® by Jeff Chastain Moisturizing Sea Salt Spray [$24, available here] – Ever since I chopped off my long hair I’ve been loving different sea salt sprays. My current favorite is by Bumble & Bumble, but I heard a lot of great things about Parlor, too, so this was a fun sample to try. Enriched with almond oil and vitamins, it nourishes the strands, giving them bounce and shine without the crunch. B&B is still my favorite for the look I’m trying to achieve, but Parlor sea salt spray is pretty good, too. I think it will work best for people like me who have very fine straight hair that lacks volume.
BOTTOM LINE:
Birchbox May 2016 was kind of a let down for me personally. While Juara scrub was very impressive, it was probably the only product I could see myself using regularly. The fragrance was too floral for my liking, the sunscreen oil I had great expectations for was a total disaster, and the lip gloss was goopy and sticky. Parlor sea salt spray was OK, but still nothing to write home about. my June box has to be better, right? I sure hope so!
Do you subscribe to Birchbox? When was the last time you received a bad box? What’s the worst beauty product you tried lately? Let me know in the comments below!
Disclosure: This post features products purchased by Glamorable and may contain affiliate or referral links. For more details about my product review policy, copyright, and information about affiliate links, please refer to Disclosures & Content Use page.
