Birchbox May - Products I got and Which I Would Buy Again

 Birchbox May

May's Birchbox is all about 'It's all in the details' so for this month they wanted to zoom in on all aspects of life where the small things really matter. In the information booklet provided in the box it says "This month we're all about the little changes that can make a big difference to your daily rituals" then they introduce the products in the box. Some of the brands I recognised already and others are completely new to me and so far this is the box I am really excited to use as some of the products in it I already wanted to try out!. This month we also got to choose which shade Marsk Mineral Eyeshadow we recieved out of Fifty Shades (a grey toned pigment) or Vanilla Frosting (a very sparkly white pigment) which I chose as I wasn't keen on the Fifty Shades as it wasn't unique for me having the same shades in multiple palettes unlike Vanilla Frosting which is completely unique and I really wanted to try. I like the simple box design but it didn't completely wow me like previous month boxes have, but it is still pretty and fits in nicely with the other draws I have received.

 To start off with I want to talk about the Marsk Mineral Eyeshadow as this was which one I instantly had to try. The packaging is nice with the cream and see-through tub showing off the sparkling pigment. It is a little difficult to get it open without it going everywhere however as you have to pull the cap off as you can't shake it out like I thought you might of been able to which is a shame as you can waste some without meaning to. A little goes a long way though, in the photo I placed my fingertip to the product without applying pressure and it was around enough for one eye, it spreads really evenly as well without clumping which I was worried about as this is the first loose eye shadow I have used and I thought it would just go everywhere and I would have no control over it. I tried it first with a dry brush before making it damp and using it then for a bigger payout. The sample size will last me months as well! But it is quite affordable for the full size of $14.49. This will be perfect for summer or even a festival look with how shimmery it is or even just using it to make the bellow the eyebrow pop.

 As you've probably read already I have been using the Benefit Porefessional for the past few months which I love so when they sent me a sample size of the Matte Rescue primer that I have been dying to try out so was pretty excited for it. The packaging like the full size which is nice and they do give you quite a lot considering a blob covers your whole face if not your t-zone so it will last a while. This one unlike the other one I have is a gel formula which is nice to try out and smooths down to make my skin feel really soft and made my oily skin not a problem while I've been wearing it. I have to say that I am starting to love this more than the one I already have. Once the sample has run out I will definatly invest in it again, it is a little costly at $23.50 but it is well worth it to keep oily skin at bay!.

Since we are talking about primers this is the first ever lip primer I have tried out! I'd heard of Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics before as they're lip sticks are meant to be amazing so I was really excited to try this. Since I normally wear long lasting liquid lipsticks I decided to try out it with normal lipstick for a 3 course BBQ to really test it out and I am happy to let you know I still had a full layer of lipstick on without having to reapply! It may of faded slightly but that is amazing considering how much eating and drinking I was doing! This is definitely going to be perfect for a night out and at only $15 for the full size it is worth the price!.

I love trying new mascaras so this little gem Birchbox sent this month is my new favourite! Doucce have really excelled themselves with this mascara, the wand has an almost choppy look with different lengths to really grab every lash. I have had so many compliments on how nice my lashes look from using this mascara! It separates them completely without clumping making them almost look like fake lashes with how long and voluminous they are. I am really impressed with the wand and the formula as well as how cheap it is at $18 for a full size version of it! The only thing is there is slight smudging at the end of the day but apart from that it is really good!.

The last product I got in my Birchbox this month is a hair mask from Kueshi for damaged hair which is amazing! Not only does it smell fantastic but even after the first time using it my hair feels incredible soft and looks shiny. The sample size is big enough to use a few times to really try it out which is good and I'm so glad I don't have another dry shampoo! Not only is this working but it is a nice treat once a week to relax with in the bath as it does need a little time to settle in and work it's magic. The full size is $10.50 which is quite cheap as well so it won't break the bank every time you want to treat your hair.

Since this month Birchbox also started their new rewards system I did buy a couple of extra things from the Birchbox shop to use up the points I had got through reviewing the products I'd received over the past 5 months (It has gone so quick!) so I headed to the shop and I'll add in what I brought and the free present I got with the promo code they had on end of last month.

Since I normally stick to liquid concealers I thought I would try a cream concealer to see if it will last longer and look better throughout the day than the liquid one as I had heard that cream is much better. This is why I chose to buy Benefit Boi-ing 1 & 2 which claims to be industrial-strength concealer to instantly camouflage dark circles and discolouration for a natural-looking finish without creasing or fading which sounded amazing. The darker shade, boi-ing 02 is slightly too dark for me but I used it first for my dark circle then used the lighter shade ov
er the top to even it out. I have to say that a little really goes a long way when it comes to cream concealers and I did find that when you do put a little too much on it does crease, I was hoping this would work miracles on the fine lines near my eyes with my bags but it didn't. I do like it but I don't think it was worth the $17.50.


The freebie I got with the promo code I had at the end of last month was a lipstick from LAQA & CO called Cheeky Lip, the colour is much like a bright pure red colour which isn't my style but it was free so I'll still give it a go! The applicator is a little awkward to apply with as it is really rounded so you can't get the thin parts of your lips, it feels creamy on the lips but unfortunately doesn't last that long.

If you would like to try use the link below to get £5 off your first box 

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Birchbox April - Which Products I got, Reviews and Which I Would Buy Again

April Birchbox

Birchbox Boden Box

This months Birchbox they collabed with Boden for 'The Bold and the Beautiful' box. First of all I am so happy they brought the draw design back after than one off box which doesn't match my collection at all! then the print for the box is so pretty, it is perfect for Spring time and looks really striking when I'm looking for that month in particular. The products I got inside the draw are amazing too from Nip + Fab to Polaar to Manna Kadar Beauty. This is the first colour corrector I have tried as well and it is affordable to buy again

or try different colours. This month we got to choose between Manna Kadar Cosmetics Radiance Split Pan Bronzer and Highlighter Duo or High Definition Powder for a full size product and I chose the High Definition Powder as having oily skin I really need a good mattifying powder to keep the oil away and to stop it from ruining my make up when I can't do any top ups or so I don't need to at all and I was really impressed with everything Birchbox has sent to me this month.

The first product I want to talk about is Nip + Fab Colour Corrector in the shade 02 Banana to illuminate my skin. I use it the top of my cheek bones then going down my nose and under my eyes to really illuminate them and make them stand out. I love the applicator which is a brush to cut steps out and make it easier to do it on the go or do it in a rush. The formula is really creamy and pigmented and once it dries down it does not budge at all. This being my first attempt at any type of colour correcting I loved it and would definitely buy different shades in the future as it is only $8.95 per tube what is a bargain!

The next product I wanted to try out was Baija Paris Creme Moana in Fleur de Tiare that first of all smells amazing! and makes your skin feel baby soft. I love the packaging and the design they have put on the tube, it really stands out from everything else in the draws and in your make up bag (if you carry it around like I have been) I love how nourishing it is on my skin especially now it is starting to warm up! It smells like cotton candy mixed with a floral scent which you can smell hours after you've put it on. The size for this sample is large enough to last the whole month as well which is great as last months box had some really small samples in it. 'A blend of shea and cupuacu butter (protects and nourishes hair and skin), coconut oil, jojoba wax' which creates the sweet smell and makes it so nice on the skin. They do recommend to use this on dry patches but I use it where ever, mostly on my tattoos as it contains such nice ingredients which make them really pop even thought I have had some for years. When I do reach the end of the sample I will definitely be buying it again as it is only $15.90 for the full size!

Next of course I had to try the Manna Kadar Cosmetics High Definition Powder for my oily t-zone. I really liked the pattern they have imprinted on the powder surface as it actually helps the brush pick up just the right amount of the powder without almost drowning yourself in it. It's about the skin of a single eye shadow pot which makes it portable but I was a little shocked at the price as this is a full size version which would cost $27! I can easily see why though the formula is really nice, it feels soft on the skin and I didn't see any oil coming through or breaking up my foundation at all when I was wearing it. I haven't heard of the make up brand before and looking on the Birchbox website (it is a Birchbox exclusive) they only have the two choices and an eye shadow palette which is mostly nude shades. I will try and hunt down more from this brand to do a blog post on them as I really like this powder and I think personally if you do suffer from oily skin or just want to fight away signs of the heat that this is a must have for summer this year! It may be pricey but you can see why it is! Hopefully I will save enough Birchbox points to buy another when this one runs out!

This months body wash is a very delicate one from the brand Polaar called the IcePure Gentle Scrub with Arctic Cotton. Now this is another new brand to me from this months box but since the first time I smelt it I loved it and looked into where I can buy more and if there are different scents. To start off with the biggest question...what is Arctic Cotton? Arctic Cotton is a powerhouse ingredient known for the moisturising properties which double acts for exfoliating both smooths and softens the skin. I used this first on my face when I was having my exfoliation day and loved it! I then used it in the shower when my skin was feeling a little dry instead of the Lush exfoliation bar and found it works just as good and the smell stays on your skin for hours after you've showered making me feel clean all day! As far as sample sizes go I think they've done a really great job with the amount they've gave out (25 ml) as I have used it for at least 3 weeks now every now and then and it hasn't really gone down at all meaning I don't need to save it for a special occasion like some of the products I get without having to worry that it is a one time thing or that I will love it and it will be really expensive. Price wise is quite affordable at $23.50 it will last months.

The last product I got from this months box is one from Oribe, another brand I haven't used before or heard of. I was expecting some type of hair product as that is what I tend to get in each box so I opened it half expecting another dry shampoo and was delighted to see a Dry Texturizing Spray inside! The packaging again for this product looks really nice with a fair size for a sample that is. I used it right away before realising that it is half dry shampoo half texturizing spray so the next time I used it I made sure it was a bad hair day or when I broke my routine and my hair got a little greasier. It is a good spray, it did make my hair more poofy and less greasy but over all I have tried so many products like this they are all starting to seem the same to me. This was the only product out of the whole box that I probably wouldn't buy again as I am starting to almost stock pile them now. If you are looking for a new dry shampoo mixed with texturizing spray I will say it is nice but for $20 I won't be buying it again.




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Birchbox March - Products I got, Reviews and Which I Would Buy Again

March Birchbox

This months Birchbox I had been really excited to get my hands on as I had seen all the advertisement of the products coming up in this months box on the Birchbox Instagram account. In the advertisement they said everyone will get to pick either Lusty Rose or Fuschia Fever Benefit They're Real! Double the Lip. I love Benefit products so I am really excited to have this sample of it and them selling the large sizes on their website with more shades than the two sample ones. The packaging to start off with is different from the usual pink as well which is unique and nice. 

The packaging isn't the only thing what is different about this months box either, the usual draw with unique design is different as well this one coming in a box instead and you receive a draw string bag as well to keep make up in or whatever you want. Not only is there Benefit in it but also Bobbi Brown, Batiste, Korres and balanceme so it really is worth the money again like it has been the past few months. I am yet to be disappointed with any of the Birchboxes I've received so hopefully I'll like everything in this months box like I have the past few! It is a shame they haven't stuck to the draw design though as it looks out of place with the other ones and it is much more plain in the design than the others. 

 To start off with I used the Benefit They're Real! Double the Lip in the shade Lusty Rose as I have been highly anticipated it and couldn't wait to use it and see if I love it as much as I do the other products I have from them. To start off with the shape is really unique compared the other lipsticks I own as it is in a tear drop shape with the liner having the point to the shape and the regular lipstick having the more bubbled underneath. It is a really easy shape to use compared to the other lipsticks as you can get precision for your lip shape, I have quite thin lips and normally lipstick goes off my lip shape quite a bit so with this lipstick I can actually follow the shape of my lip really easily which is great. The packaging looks like the other products I have with the shape and the colours they've used which is nice and it feels expensive like the other products do. I really love the colour and having the two different shades which blend really well together on your lips and having the bottom to wind the lipstick up and down instead of the top. Since I've been using it non stop and it has earned its way permanently in my make up bag I will defiantly be buying it again in the same shade and Flame Game.

Birchbox Breakdown; What sets this lipstick apart from the rest? It works as both a lip liner shade and a lipstick colour - helping you to save space in your make up bag! Once you've tried the custom teardrop tip, specially shaped for precise application, you'll be in love with this semi-matte formula - it defines your lips beautifully for a plump and visibly fuller pout. Oh, and it contains lanolin oil for a comfortable finish that lasts up to 8 hours!


I've got a lot of primers so to get another one I was a bit excited to test it out compared to the others I've got. Testing on my hand a little I could tell already the smell is very over powering like perfume which I am not keen on especially as it will go minimum of my t-zone if not all over my face. I haven't heard much from balanceme before receiving this in my Birchbox and using it, it did the job well making my make up stay in place and not budge but the smell was still very over powering and it felt slightly sticky when spreading on my face with my fingers. Over all it does it's job but like I said I wasn't keen on the smell and I still prefer my Benefit Porefessional over it. It might just be my opinion on it so if you have tried this and liked it or had a different experience to mine then let me know in the comments or on Twitter or Instagram. The full size costs $22 from the Birchbox shop and a little goes a long way with this primer as I only used a pea size blob to cover the whole of my face apart from a little more for the tip of my nose and chin where my make up normally fades the fastest.


Pretty much every month's box I receive a shower gel so I constantly have a supply! This month is by the brand Korres, an award-winning Greek brand for all-natural body care. Not only does it smell fantastic but it makes my skin feel baby soft after every use. The sample size is large enough to last me all month as well which is good, however when it does run out not only can you get it on the Birchbox website but you can find it at M&S as well! If you're looking for a all natural shower gel then I would highly recommend buying this! The full size is only $8 from the Birchbox website or from M&S so you can order it or find it in your local shop!



I try to look after my skin as much as I can with weekly face masks or sheets so when I got the Bobbi Brown face masks samples of Radiance Boost (white), Skin Nourish (pink) and Instant Detox (grey) I was really excited to try them out as they are quite expensive ($33 per regular size tube). As the tubes are quite small I used a foundation brush so I could use it just on the different points of my face what needed it so it would work the best for my skin. Radiance Boost I used on the dull parts of my face, it doesn't smell like anything but feels amazing like the other ones do, the little beads seem to melt away and it dries fast like the rest do. Skin Nourish I used on the harder parts of skin to soft them up slightly, I did get a little of a smell from this one but it just smelt almost like freshly cut grass which was really nice. Last of all was the Instant Detox I used on my pores mostly to clear them out, this was my favourite out of all of them as it not only smells amazing but it really worked. If I could ever afford to buy a large bottle of this then I would go for the Instant Detox. There was only enough for one test of it which is unfortunate but I could see with the product price why the samples are so small.

Most months I get something to do with my hair and this time it was another one from Batiste. I do like their products as they always smell fantastic and do what they say on the can but when I had black hair it would always turn it grey, but since I have dyed my hair back to a natural colour (if platinum roots count) I have tried it again and really liked it! It makes my hair smell amazing and it works really well with my hair now unlike before so if you do have really dark hair then I wouldn't recommend it but if you have light hair then it works perfect.












If you would like to buy any of these products or subscribe to Birchbox then use the link below to get $5 off your first box!

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Birchbox February Box - Review and Items

Birchbox February Box

In February's Birchbox they really out did themselves, not only is the draw beautifully decorated by Papier but all five items are things I will actually use. It is going to be difficult to pick a favourite out of these products as they are all things I really like.


So to start off with I will talk about

the POP eye shadow trio and the Spectrum C06 eye contour brush. Since I have been always doing the more dramatic looks with eye shadow it was nice to get three shades which will be perfect for a simple smoky eye with a really nice shimmer running over it. The eye shadows are high pigmented with a almost buttery feel to them. They stay on all day as well even when I go to work. I use my usual Benefit Porefessional primer on my lid before using a then lightest shade over the top, Working on the crease I used the next darker shade blending it with the first then finished it off with a dash of the darkest shade in the outer corner of my eye then blended towards the middle of my eye. I only used the Spectrum brush for all of this and it was incredible soft on my eyes and blended it seamlessly. I will definitely be buying more from POP beauty and some more Spectrum brushes. This single brush costs $4.99 and the full size POP eye shadow (12) costs $15.50 which is very reasonable.


To remove my make up at the end of the day I used Marcelles make up remover on a cotton pad and it just dissolved away. I have quite sensitive skin so I was happy to see it didn't irritate my skin at all and I didn't have to scrub to get my make up off. It was a little difficult in getting my usual Clinique Mascara off as I had two layers on and it didn't come off with a couple of swipes so I did have to add a little more product on a new cotton pad to get it off but it didn't irritate my eyes at all. The sample size is very large so I will have a good few weeks to use it to make sure I like it before I buy it again. To use is simple you just need to give it a good shake then take the cap off and put a few drops of it onto a cotton pad. After you've removed all your make up then it advises to wash with water, but as I only really take my make up off at the end of the day before I start my face routine I wash with my Origins Cleanser which does the trick. I was a little worried I would get a few spots as I have oily skin and I was worried as this feels like oil that it would make my skin even worse but it hasn't at all, if anything it has made it better since I've started using it.

As I dye my hair every month I try to do as much as I can to repair it like using Gardnier Ultimate Blends Shampoo in 'The marvellous transformer' so receiving Beaver Hydro Nutritive Repairing Conditioner was a really nice treat! I used it for a week straight to see the full effect of it and found that it made my hair shine more than usual and my split ends didn't look as bad as they had at the start of the week. It doesn't have much of a smell to it which is nice as I like the smell of my shampoo so I wouldn't want to loose that smell with an over powering conditioner. I left it in for a few minutes before I washed it out but I could tell the difference! My hair hasn't felt lighter and it feels a lot softer than it has for the past 2 or so years! I think I'm going to stick to using this every day I remember to to see how good it gets and will leave a comment down below to update you on how long this product lasts for and how much it repairs my hair. Hopefully in time I'll get less split ends! This costs $12 on the website and when you buy through Birchbox you'll get points back to spend on whatever you want when you've collected enough. Their reward system is 100 points = $10 and you can also collect points reviewing the products on the website when you've brought them or get them through a Birchbox subscription.

The last product I used was a really fun one to use actually! The Keeome Hydration Therapy Mask comes in a single packet but can be brought at a bundle for $29.00 for a packet of 6. Now to start off with I used my regular Origins Frothy Face Wash to cleanse my face before taking the mask out of the packet. As I wanted it to fully go into my pores I used it in the bath to make sure my pores were open (plus it is very relaxing to use this in the bath!). Taking it out, there is a lot of product in the packet (I would recommend doing it over the sink as it does drip a bit) but the whole sheet is in a template mask form so easy to put over the face. It says to leave on for around 25 minutes so all of the serum goes into the face which I think I left on for around 30 minutes before peeling it off. Rinsing with clean warm water from the sink I have to say my face has never felt so pampered, it left my skin feeling smooth and soft and there wasn't any irritation like I was worried about. It is a nice product to use every now and then (maybe once a month) as using it weekly would become quite expensive but it is worth trying!

This has got to be one of my favourite boxes so far from Birchbox as every product I was really looking forward to using! My favourite would have to be the Keeome Hydration Therapy Mask as it just left my skin feeling so soft and hydrated! But for every day use I have been using the Spectrum brush non stop!

If you would like to start your subscription with Birchbox then use the link below to get $5 off your first box!

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Birchbox - Are they worth a go?

Birchbox

I've been looking at the Birchbox website for a few months now so when they had a promotion on Facebook for a free surprise box on your first Birchbox for a limited time only I finally had the push to order a one time only box. It took about a week or two for them to arrive but it has been worth the wait. As my surprise box I received the September box as well as the January box. The packaging is nice with them being draws so when you collect enough you can use them as storage and the designs on them are nice. In each box there are five items, when you order your box you fill out a basic questionnaire about the type of things you would like to receive in your box and about your skin type etc so they can put the right products in the box for you.

Opening up the draws you get to see the products for the first time. I've got a range of things from hair to skin care to make up in both of my boxes (the September box on the left and the January on the right). I'll start with the products from the September box then move onto the January box.

 In the September box I've received Whish Almond Body Butter (the left in the draw) the formula does three things; moisturizes with shea butter, raspberry butter and aloe, firms skin with seaweed extract then purifies with rice bran oil. I've got to say that it smells fantastic! It sinks into the skin almost instantly feeling cool and soothing with no trace of it still on the skin. The original cost of this product is £14.50. The next product in the draw (next to the body butter) is the NUXE Paris scented shower oil with golden shimmer, it looks almost like a liquid highlighter with plenty of shining flecks inside. After the first use my skin aready feels slightly softer and makes me feel like I've been pampered. Luckily non of the shimmers really stayed on my body which has happened before with shower gel with shimmer in it. This retails at £10. The next product I received is the ModelCo Creme Rouge cheek and lips in Just Peachy. It is a really light blusher which works well for the slightly pinched cheeks look and is very moisturising for the lips however I don't think it'll be something I'll be buying again as I prefer to buy proper lipstick and powder blusher (if I use any). This retails at £14. The next product is a Bioderma Hydrabio Micellaire Solution for; cleansing, taking off make up and hydrating the skin. The formula is light weight and removes even tough mascara easily without as much effort at usual baby wipes. This retails at £10.50. The last piece in the September box is Batiste Oomph My Locks Volume Spray. My sister loves the Batiste dry shampoo and this spray so I was glad to receive it in the draw knowing I wouldn't use the larger sizes and this is perfect for my make up bag for when I get ready for going out. It fades nicely in my black hair (it was a worry for me) and doesn't weigh it down like some styling products do in my hair. This retails at £4.29. Over all out of all the products in this Birchbox I would probably only buy the NUXE Paris shower oil again as it was so luxurious for once in a while kind of thing. Maybe the Bastiste Volume Spray but I think this smaller size can will last a while.

 In the January box I've got quite a lot of nice cold weather products to keep away dry skin and leave me with a slight glow. The first product is the Rituals Hammam Body Mud. Now this is a tough one for me to review as every time I use this product I'm not sure if I like it or not. I don't really have much dry skin only in the corners of my hands and considering this is for dry skin this is probably why I'm not sure on it. I have used it on my face as a mask before and found it was good at unclogging pores so I don't completely dislike it as I've found a purpose for it. This retails at £14. The next product I love! It's the Merci Handy New Wave Love & Hand Cream. Considering it's winter I haven't actually got any carry size lotions to top up my hands when the weather drops which is why I'm delighted to have this. The smell is fantastic and it doesn't leave any residue on my hands like some of the heavier weight lotions do. It retails at £4.90 which is very reasonable for it! The next product is another NUXE Paris, this one is a multi-purpose dry oil face, body and hair. This gives a very natural glow to your face when you put it underneath foundation, but doesn't make it last as long as it normally would. If you're having a minimal make up day then a few drops of this rubbed into your face makes it almost glow. This retails at £21. The second to last product is a Lord & Berry Conceal - It Crayon in Beige. I like the coverage with this concealer but as I have very pales since (porcelain) having a concealer in Beige wasn't what I would of hoped for, it is nicer but because it's a few shades too dark I think it makes my blemishes a bit more noticeable. This retails at £12. The last product in the January box is Beauty Protector, Protect & Detangle. This has many purposes; instant detangler, thermal protector, UV protector, Seals cuticle, smoothes hair, locks in colour, adds shine, weightless, non-greasy and conditions. It is very much an every day product, if you have thick hard to control hair then this is perfect for you, but if you also like to give your hair a little treat every now and then then it certainly does that. My hair hasn't felt so pampered since I don't normally do much for it, but a spray or two of this and it feels like I've had it in a mask. This retails at £18.50. Overall out of all the products I would defiantly buy the Merci Handy cream as my hands have never felt softer before and the winter weather hasn't phased through this hand cream. I think the only thing out of this box I wouldn't buy again would be the Lord & Berry Conceal-It Crayon as I did like it, but I found that I much prefer the liquid concealer.

If you like to try new things without committing to the full price of the product then I think Birchbox is worth a go, every month there will be different products with give aways you could win and the questionnaire makes such that you get things suited for you mostly. The one thing I would rate the highest has got to be the Merci Handy. It is worth every penny!.


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to get $5 off your first box!