This month Birchbox partnered with Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the only A+ rated Breast Cancer organization in the US. There were two curated boxes to pick from, and I chose the one called Power Pose. All of the products inside were selected from the brands that have shown their commitment to the breast cancer cause, and as a special bonus each box included a pink ribbon pin.
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. Birchbox also has a rewards program: submitting feedback for every product from the box earns you 10 points each; and every 100 points turns into $10 in store credit redeemable for full-sized products and gifts. If you would like to use my referral link then click here to join Birchbox. Thank you!
Clinique Moisture Surge cream is a classic moisturizer that seals in water and vitamins from serums and ampoules. I remember trying it several years ago when my skin was a lot oilier than now and not liking it much, but this time the amount of nourishment was just right. I’ll finish the sample jar, but doubt I’ll purchase a full-sized jar.
Clinique Chubby Stick is another cult classic, and everyone that opted in for Power Pose box got the shade 04 Mega Melon, although to me it looks like a shimmering paprika. The color is simply gorgeous and universally flattering! The size is very generous, too, so this sample will last me a while.
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer is considered by many as one of the best silicone-based makeup primers on the market. I can tolerate heavy ‘cone bases just fine, but I still prefer mineral primers because they feel lighter on my combination skin.
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum didn’t do much for my eyes, but my mom’s been dying to try it. I already told her she can have this sample, and she was super excited about it!
Finally, the reason I picked this particular box in the first place – Darphin Stimulskin Plus Multi-Corrective Divine Cream, full-sized jar of which retails for an obscene amount. This rich moisturizer is packed chock full of essential oils, plant butters and botanical extracts, which is what the brand is known for. The formula is super dense, but somehow it sinks right in after the application. However, the fragrance was too strong for me, and I was on the verge of getting a migraine every time I slathered it on. A shame, because I liked the way it feels 🙁
THE VERDICT: I’ve been rocking the lippie for several days in a row now, and I love it! Such gorgeous color and looks super flattering! So just for the lippie alone this box was totally worth it. Other than that, the rest of the products I probably could have lived without, since that eye serum didn’t work for me in the past, the primer is good, but there are many inexpensive dupes for it, and Moisture Surge cream was just okay [I like my skin care to be on the fun side]. It was fun to try a crazy expensive Darphin moisturizer, but unfortunately I just couldn’t tolerate the strong fragrance from all those natural oils and extracts.
What do you think about this month’s box? Have you tried any of these products before? Let me know in the comments below!
| Product | Retail value |
|---|---|
| Clinique Moisture Surge | $4.82 |
| Clinique Chubby Stick | $6.80 |
| Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer | $9.00 |
| Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum | $18.20 |
| Darphin Stimulskin Plus Multi-Corrective Divine Cream | $29.50 |
| Box Retail Value | $68.32 |
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.
That’s a great box for a great cause this month. I am a fan of Darphin skincare but it’s so pricey that I don’t get it very often.
I wish I could tolerate Darphin fragrances, but it’s the third or forth product that my nose couldn’t stand 🙁
This is an AMAZING box!!! I wish I would have gotten it!
It was packed with some big name brands 🙂
In my opinion this month’s box is amazing!
Glad you like it!!
So amazing, you got great goodies. I should switch to birchbox and drop Ipsy like a hot potato 🙂
I am dragging my feet with Ipsy, I feel like I haven’t loved a box in forever.
Nice selection. I love the Chubby Sticks!
Me, too!
The chubby sticks are my favorites!!! Awesome selection!
I love them, too 🙂
My Mum swears by the EL ANR range! I got breakouts from the serum, so I gave up on those. Now the Smashbox primer, I love.
My mom does, too, she’s a big fan of that serum thingie!
The Smashbox Photo Finish Primer is an all time fave of mine! Sucks about the Dauphin cream though… =/
Glad to hear that! I am liking the primer as well, because my skin can generally tolerate silicone bases just fine.
I finally stopped getting Birchbox. I don’t mind missing this box… although I do love chubby sticks!
That chubby stick is the bomb, but you can always just pick it up as a single product.
It’s nice to see mainstream brands in Oct box!
Agreed! Sometimes it’s nice to receive some tried and true products.
Wow, that is an AWESOME box!
It’s one of the most impressive-looking boxes I received so far.
Now that’s a nice box. Congrats!
Thank you!
That is a value packed box. I can’t take the fragrance of Darphin either.
Bummer! 🙁 It’s really too bad, because my skin loved it otherwise.
Lots of great products in this box!
Glad you are liking the selection this month, Laura!
Wow – You got a great box!
As much as I love discovering new brands, sometimes it’s good to receive an assortment of familiar brands, right? 🙂
I love everything in this box!
Those are some nice brands!