The two most popular makeup and beauty subscription boxes/bags I subscribe myself to are Birch Box and Ipsy. I love receiving my subscriptions monthly because it gives me an opportunity to see and try products that I might not otherwise have chosen and/or had an opportunity to experience.
I have been subscribing to BirchBox for two years. The first year I subscribed was three years ago. I was not impressed with the contents of each box. I stopped last years subscription, but I read so many good reviews on the box that I re-subscribed this year. The latest box I received was the July 2016 box.
This box has been curated by Birchbox.
# of items in the box – 6
# of full size items – O
# of deluxe sample size items -4
The categories featured in this box were skincare,haircare, suncare, makeup and perfume
OK Let’s look at what was in the box.
Three deluxe sample sized skincare items, one deluxe sample sized mascara, samples of hair care products and a sample of perfume.
I actually use the Oribe products. I love how they smell. I had heard that Tom Ford created the scent for the products in this line. Unfortunately, I have long hair and these samples wouldn’t make a dent in cleaning and conditioning my hair. Not only not enough for two washes, how about not enough for even one!
It is nice to try out different perfume samples, because you never know when you might like one. It is next to impossible to smell a perfume on your computer, so the monthly perfume sample is a nice way to receive a new scent,or a scent you would have never tried otherwise!
MD Solar Sciences Daily Anti-Aging Moisturizer with SPF 30. This product was included in a deluxe sample size. Moisturizer/Sunscreen-great size to go through airline security! Great product to throw in your handbag to reapply sunscreen with moisturizer during the day.
Ren Instant Firming Beauty Shot is a gel firming and plumping cream for the face. Ren is a good skincare company and the product’s deluxe sample is a nice enough size to get an idea if this instant firming beauty shot is right for you.
Coola Radical Recovery After-Sun Lotion was my favorite skincare product in the July Box. This lotion is ultra moisturizing and deep soothing. It uses organic agave to help skin recover from sun exposure and it provides cooling relief from sunburn. It leaves skin with a silky and smooth texture.
The makeup item in the box was a deluxe sample of Smashbox Black Mascara. I love Smashbox for some of their color products. I do like this mascara. It provides volume and length to your lashes. I like the wand and the way the bristles are designed to thicken and lengthen lashes. I also think black is a good go-to color for everyone.The size of the sample is great to throw in your bag for a touch up.
What I liked about July 2016 Birchbox is…….the deluxe size of the skincare and mascara was sizeable enough to get a good amount of the products to try. Let’s face it, the deluxe sized items are perfect for airline security (remember to put them in a plastic bag) and travel in general. The hair products were’t enough to wash one side of my head! Boo Hoo! I really liked the mascara because one can never have too many black mascaras. What disappoints me about Birchbox is I have yet to receive a full size of anything. And I can’t remember when or if I ever received any color cosmetics that were a reasonable size. Yes, I enjoy receiving skincare products, and it is very appropriate to receive sun care products in July, but I would love to have a deluxe size lipstick, or bronzer, or blush. I really do love my makeup! I am always a little bit, (really a lot) disappointed when I wait every month for a color product and one never appears.
AnyWho, tune in tomorrow to see what an Ipsy cosmetic bag is all about, and how it compares to the birch box! Tomorrow will be Part 11.
You Are Awesome!
xoxoxo
Sookie, Sylvie and Bobbie Jean (Photographer extraordinaire)
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