Quick rundown of what you need to know about Birchbox:
- The original subscription box
- Includes 4-5 beauty samples and usually one lifestyle sample that can really be anything
- $10 a month
- There is a variety of boxes made, so not everyone will get the same things in each box (it depends on what you put in your profile)
November Birchbox: {Give}
This month's theme was Give, and Birchbox was supporting The Art of Elysum, which is a non-profit organization that encourages actors, designers, musicians, and artists to dedicate their time and talent to children with medical disabilities and encourages creativity. I love when companies use their profits and influence for a greater good and am very happy to see that Birchbox was doing that for this month.
Here is the list of things that came in this month's box, with full-size prices included:
Total Value:
~$39.20
Limited Holiday Edition Bath Bomb in Ribbon Candy Cupcake from Feeling Smitten ($5.50/mini):
I was the most excited to see this in my box since I LOVE bath bombs. It's pretty pricey for just this mini one, so I'm not sure if I would purchase it regularly, but I'm glad that I got to try it from my $10 Birchbox. I haven't been able to use it yet, but according to their website, this is supposed to smell like berries and sugar with undernotes of rose and carnations. I can't wait to try it out! And look how cute it is! Unfortunately, mine got a little banged up during transit, so it came broken and got some powder on things, but it's okay. I can't get over how adorable it is still.
Fibre Lashxtend Lengthening Mascara from ModelCo ($24.00/full-size):
I was really excited to see this in my box also, because it's a full sized product! I haven't heard of the company ModelCo before, but it sounds familiar... in any case, I was even more excited to see that when I flipped it over, there was a mirror on the back! I love cosmetics that come with built in mirrors, only because it makes it so much easier to apply when you're on the go somewhere. I don't carry a separate mirror with me, so it's a nice feature. I haven't been able to test it yet, as I've got a bunch of mascara samples that I haven't used up yet, but I will definitely update when I do.
Baked Whole Soy & Fruit Bar in Cranberry from SoyJoy ($1.20/bar):
To be quite honest, I was really not happy to see this sample in my box. I've tried SoyJoy before and I believe it was an awful experience. The texture was very soft and mushy, and it was very dense in a bad way. I don't even think my boyfriend liked it and he pretty much enjoys everything. I haven't brought myself to take a bite out of it yet, but maybe I have a friend out there that likes SoyJoy bars?
Pronto Texture & Volume Spray from Oscar Blandi ($6.00/1 oz):
I was really excited to see this in my box too cause a girl can never have too much travel sized hairsprays. And I've always wanted to try Oscar Blandi. It's usually so pricey though, that I can't bring myself to buy a whole bottle of it when I have a perfectly good (and inexpensive) bottle of Chi hairspray that I love, but barely use, at home. I haven't been able to try it yet because I'm saving it for a vacation, but I'm sure it's fabulous. Definitely going in my "To Pack" pile.
Hand Soap from Caldrea in Mandarin Vetiver & Crimson Pear Ginger ($0.25/each):
These were little cute samples of handsoap, though I'm not sure I felt about them. They're just so small and a one time use kind of thing. I'm not sure if I would even bother to bring them on a trip, but I guess they could also go into my travel sized items pile. The Crimson Pear Ginger scent it limited edition, so that's kinda cool. I'll update on how they smell when I actually get to use them.
Miss Me Eau de Parfum from Stella Cadente (~$2.00/sample):
I always like getting perfume samples, but I feel like I can get these for free at my local Sephora or Ulta, so I don't really like to see them in my subscription boxes as an item. This one smells like baby powder to me more than anything else. I probably wouldn't purchase the full size, as it's not really me. At least I know what it smells like now though.
$15 off coupon code to Chromaticgallerie.com (BIRCHFRIEND15):
I probably wouldn't find this coupon code very helpful as I don't like shopping for shoes online. I have very wide feet, so I need to try them on in the store and walk around for a bit before I buy any shoes. I hope it's useful for someone though!
Birchbox Holiday 2012 Gift Guide:
Shows items you can buy in the Birchbox store for specific types of people. It didn't come in very handy for me, but maybe it did for others.
"Give" Refillable Envelope:
I really liked this. It's a cute idea to brighten up someone's day and I think they should include these in the boxes more often, even though the theme isn't always "Give". I would definitely purchase something like this around Christmas time to put little goodies in it for my friends.
Overall, I was satisfied with my November Birchbox. I loved the theme and the little gift envelope that came with it, as it's a really neat idea. Although it was meant for November, I think that it's a great way to pay it forward for 2013. I definitely have samples of things that I could put in it for a friend. My definite favorite of the box was the bath bomb, and the mascara is really cute too. I liked that it was full sized and has a mirror in the back. I personally love cosmetics that combine a mirror with it, since I don't carry a separate one around with me. I'm supposed to be cutting down on boxes, so I think this might be one of the ones I let go, only because I really LOVE the other beauty subscriptions I get. It makes me sad though, since I usually do enjoy the samples that I get in Birchbox. I'm just starting to accumulate more samples than I can use. I also love that they personalize your box with different things by your personal preferences, and does a really good job (in my opinion) of matching you with things that you'd like. Birchbox definitely gets a thumbs up from me.
If you'd like to sign up for Birchbox, please use this link. You'd be getting a great beauty subscription box and getting me 500 points that I could use in the Birchbox store! I believe there might be a waiting list, but I don't think it took me long to get off it. Also, if you'd like to see what was in the other boxes for November, Zadidoll usually has all of them listed on her blog.
Thanks for reading!
TheRxNina
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