Birchbox Review: August 2012

Birchbox always sets a theme for their boxes, and this this month’s theme is Beauty School. There are 37 box variations with dozens of different products; I received a box #20 which was somewhere in the middle value-wise. It seems like I won’t be using one product out of five included in my box, which I’m not too frustrated about because I really liked everything else.

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. C.O. BIGELOW Ultra Mentha Lip Shine (0.5oz)
This is one of 3 full-sized items in my box this month, and my favorite! This lip shine is very glossy and minty, and I instantly got a tingling sensation on my lips after the application. It’s like a lip gloss and breath mints fused together, which i thought was a super cool idea.


2. Eye Rock Designer Liner (4 sets)
This was a second full-sized item in my box, and the item I was the least excited about. Although I appreciate Birchbox introducing me to new products and concepts, this is too unorthodox for me. 


The liner, although it ended up looking pretty good, was very uncomfortable to wear, and I even fixed it on my lid several times to make sure I’m wearing it correctly. 

(I think my eye kinda looks like the eye on the box!)


I think it does have serious staying power potential, but I will save these for Halloween — I don’t think I can pull it off for my day OR night look.



3. Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer (0.17oz)
I like Juice Beauty apple peel, but their moisturizers for my skin type are just “ok”. I really appreciate that they use certified organic ingredients, but I feel like they could have gone with a lighter formula because this moisturizer is still a little on the greasy side. It doesn’t seem to clug my pores, but my combination skin still looks pretty shiny in places where it shouldn’t — on my forehead, around the nose, on my chin. I might end up using it at night.


4. Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy La Fleur (0.05oz)
Now I would probably love this perfume if I was still 17, it’s very fruity/flowery and reminds me of many Escada summer fragrances which I used to adore in high school. Right now I feel like I’ve grown out of it, and prefer more sensual scents — something bitter with rose, or sweet and edible like vanilla with tonka. I’m not saying I didn’t like this perfume, but it’s just not “me” anymore.


5. Schick Hydro Silk Razor (1ct)
Last but not least, my third full-sized item is a razor which is a lifestyle extra this month. Razors are always nice, but I wish it was something different from the pile of similar ones I already have, although it’s not like Birchbox has any way of knowing what’s in my closet.


 Can’t say I really like this particular one, honestly I don’t know if it’s just me but it consistently gives me cuts and razor burns. I almost never have this issue with Gillette razors whether they’re Venus ones for the ladies, or Mach type for guys. 

Well, this concludes my August box review, as always if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask in the comments below.

Product Retail Value
C.O. BIGELOW Ultra Mentha Lip Shine (0.5oz) $7.50
Eye Rock Designer Liner (4 sets) $13.00
Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer (0.17oz) $2.38
Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy La Fleur (0.05oz) $1.40
Schick Hydro Silk Razor (1ct) $9.99
Box Retail Value $34.27

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