Well, this is one of those posts that was set to go live on Monday. Then Tuesday. Now finally, I’ve had the time to write it out. Phew – busy times! Throughout the seemingly never-ending task list that is my life, I’ve been trying to find little ways to treat myself. (I wish there was a cooler way to do the opposite of yo’ self. Mo’ self?) Birchbox is one of those brands I’ve had my eye on for a while, but never made the splurge on. I know, $10 a month – bank breaker. But when you’re trying to cut back it’s one of those things that’s seemingly easy to get rid of.
Then I had that moment when I was in Sephora stuffing my basket with all of the little samples near the register. You know exactly what they are: they’re the precious mini-sized versions of your favorite ‘got to try’ brands, and are usually all under $10. Easily enough, they’re right on the way to the register so you end up plopping one or two into your purchase and before you know it – bam! They’ve got you, and you’ve got them in your arsenal.
At that moment I realized how much I enjoy those little samples and how exciting they are to try. You get the perfect amount to do a trial run with, and if you truly like it you can pick up the real deal! If you don’t like it, then bye bye unruly product. Birchbox is the perfect combo for this. The best part is that all of the products are curated for my specific beauty needs. So lets just say, I made the investment.
My first box came this month and OMG is it perfect! Literally, the outside of the box is perfect. I was so impressed with the packaging of this box that i’m currently using it as a keep-holder for random toiletries in my bathroom. Bright, colorful, and patterned. Win, win, win! (Cue DJ Khaled)
My box came with a card explaining the box, a Benefits coupon, and six samples:
Stila Look at Me Liquid Lipstick in ‘Venezia’ This mini in bright color is that perfect POP! for summer. The color reminds me of ‘Heat Wave’, but with an extra kick. I love the doe shaped applicator, and the slight chocolatey scent of the formula. It can be a bit drying, and unfortunately doesn’t last as long as anticipated, so I’ve been using it more as a stain and applying with my fingers on top of chapstick.
Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream SPF 35+ I’ll start out by saying that I’m not a huge fan of BB, CC, DD, EE, (or whatever else is out there) creams. I prefer a more full cover – or if I want a lighter look, I usually won’t wear any foundation at all. It’s definitely a bit thicker than most creams I’ve tried though, so I’ve been using it under my powder foundation. It definitely gets high points in blend-ability!
Kerastase Resistance Ciment Thermique I swear that the hair gods were looking down on me when they sent this product. My mane has definitely been a bit dry lately, so this was the perfect pick-me-up. I did find it to be a bit greasy – as I do with most hair products – so I used it on a night that I was staying in, and rinsed it out the next day. I still prefer my Moroccan Oil product but this definitely has great potential.
MDSolarSciences Mineral Creme SPF 50 Sunscreen I usually rely on my makeup to provide protection from the sun when it comes to my face. However, this cream would be great to have on hand for a beach trip or anytime I’m going bare faced. I was surprised at how thick the cream was, but it left a powdery finish when applied. Best part is that it’s never tested on animals, so poor Fido can sleep easily.
clariSEA Rapid Detox Charcoal Exfoliant: Face This is a great product to mix in with my face wash. I was surprised at how un-gritty it was and how it easily melted into my wash. It is a nice bonus in how you can add it to washing your face, without an extra step that scrubs usually require. I’ve heard that results usually take a week or so, so I’m excited to continue!
Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST! This, is magic. I’ve been going back and forth on perfumes lately and have fallen in love with this minimalistic scent. As most perfumes contain tons of notes, this has one: Cetalox. It’s a super elegant and pure smell that doesn’t overpower. I’ve been spraying it daily and don’t feel like I need to open a window to air out before I head to the public – especially on the metro. Although the full bottle is $90, it may be one of those investment products for the future.
It’s been so fun playing around with these and I can’t wait to share all of the other boxes that come my way.
Are you on the Birchbox bandwagon? If not, are you on a different beauty subscription? Let me know in the comments below! I’d love to hear what’s out there.
