BIRCHBOX February 2017 HAUL, yes!

With the last IPSY box received, I decided to cancel that subscription and give Birchbox a try instead.

I recently got my February box from Birchbox in the mail. And, with this FIRST Birchbox, I also received another box as part of a promo code that gave new subscribers a free mystery Bonus Box! Plus, I ordered a couple of items from their site, which came in yet another box around the same time.

So, tons to review!

First, though, I wanted to mention (for those of you who might not know) that Birchbox is a monthly subscription service that sends 5 beauty samples each month at a cost of $10./month. You can either subscribe to pay monthly or pay at a slightly discounted rate up-front for the whole year (which is what I did).

 

February 2017 Birchbox – LIP LOVE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With Valentines Day in mind, the February box features a graphic design of red/pink lips. These are the items I received:

• Beauty Protector – Protect & Detangle spray

This is the dark red spray bottle with the black lid, in the picture. And, the one product of this set that I will definitely be buying a full size of right after I’ve finished with the sample. Love the scent! It smells like coconut and leaves my hair with a fabulous tropical scent.

I already religiously use a leave-in conditioner on my long hair after each wash, but this one is better than the ones I currently have because it cares for your hair in a plethora of ways. It’s a moisturizing, detangling formula that also guards against frizz, heat and UV rays. Plus, it helps lock in color (perfect, since I foil my hair), and it seals the hair cuticle for softness, smoothness and shine.

If that wasn’t enough, it is also weightless and good for all hair types. Perfect!

• dr. brandt – microdermabrasion skin exfoliant

An ‘age-defying exfoliator’ that gets rid of dead facial skin cells to reveal brighter new cells and smooth skin. Also important because exfoliation helps skin better absorb moisturizer.

This exfoliant contains skin-loving natural ingredients: jojoba, aloe vera, and chamomile. And, over time, it helps skin look younger. It comes out of the tube white, and is chalk-full of miniscule grains that help slough off dead skin.

 

• Obliphica Professional – Seaberry Serum (Fine to Medium hair)

Another hair product, this one helps treat dry, damaged hair with just a few drops on dry or wet hair. The ingredient sea buckthorn berry is rich in antioxidants that work to undo the negative effects of heat, styling and chemical treatments.  A serum, it comes out of the bottle as an orange tinted gel.

After I applied this to my tresses, it did calm any fly-aways, but also weighed down my hair a bit. My hair may be too fine for this treatment, but I can see it being beneficial if you have thick or frizz-prone hair.

 

 

• The Beauty Crop – PBJ Smoothie Stick

My box included this creamy lip crayon in the color Saucy Marsala, a medium-deep brownish burgundy, which I really like. Other subscribers may have received Raisin the Roof or Guava Nice Day.

This thick lip pencil packs a vivid tint and is of a substantial texture. You can feel the almond butter in its mixture, that also contains goji berry – both packing vitamin E.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a PBJ scent – its faint odor is slightly sweet but not fabulous smelling.

Here I am in the lip color – Saucy Marsala.

 

 

 

 

 

• Wilma Schumann Skncare – Hydrating Collagen Eye Pads, 1 pair

These work to soothe and hydrate the under eye area with rosa rugosa flower extract, hyaluronic acid and 100% pure collagen. They also aid to reduce puffiness. Their cool feel on the skin is indeed relaxing after a long day.

To use them, apply one pad under each eye after washing your face, and leave on skin for 20 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With my subscription order, I also found a promo code that I could apply for a free box:

Birchbox MYSTERY Bonus Box

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This box, contained a variety of fun items:

• the Balm – Stainiac

This tiny sample is a gel tint that can be used on both cheeks and lips, in the color beauty queen – which looks like a bright fuchsia/red in the clear tube.  Surprisingly, it goes on fairly sheer to give a hint of color on lips. Alternatively, it blends out nicely and easily on cheeks for a light flush that stays put.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Curl Keeper – Original, total control for frizzy hair

Meant for hair that is curly or frizzy, it’s not quite right for my thin, straight hair. However, it’s nice that it is a water-based product so doesn’t leave any build-up residue. It comes out of the tube a thin, watery texture and is supposed to be applied to wet or towel-dried hair.

And, after hair is dry, you can re-wet areas that need extra control to re-activate the product. It can work for several days with one application!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Barney & Sons 2 tea sachets – Hot Cinnamon Spice and Organic Green

These teas are fabulous. And, I had never tried teas by this company before, so they were a nice surprise! Barney & Sons “only sources their teas from reputable, established sellers in Asia and Indian,” for cups of tea that are flavorful and authentic.

The Organic Green contains organic green tea from China, with citrus and ginkgo. It has a bright and clean taste and is one of their speciality blends.

The Hot Cinnamon Spice contains 3 types of real cinnamon, orange peel and sweet clove. I was so impressed with the spicy and sweet flavor of this tea that I purchased a bag of 50 sachets of the decaf version of this flavor, from their website (and I’ve already received them!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Real Chemistry – Luminous 3-Minute Peel for body in Exhilarating Grapefruit

This 3-minute peel can be used anywhere on the body to lightly exfoliate and polish skin. It also assists with a number of skin concerns: tiny bumps, ingrown hair, dry patches and acne. It contains a polishing sand that helps with exfoliation.

To use it, first shower, then apply a thin layer on skin. Massage it into the skin for 2-3 minutes in a circular motion until you notice the gel combine with dead skin cells (at which point the texture will become thicker). Then, re-wash skin.

note: Its meant to be used on shoulders, elbows, hands, bikini (before shaving), calves, as well as ankles and feet. It’s not intended for areas where skin is particularly thin, specifically not the face.

• Supergoop! – CC Cream with Omega 3 and Omega 6 in Medium/Dark

At first, I thought the shade of this correcting cream would be too dark for my fair skin. But, it is a relatively thin cream and blends out with no splotchiness or heaviness.

I like that it contains broad spectrum sunscreen in SPF 35 (by way of Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide) to protect against photo aging, and fatty Omega acids that provide antioxidants. Additionally, apple extracts and reflective mica in this cream help skin look luminous. Supergoop sells a range of products to care for skin – this one comes in three ‘self-adjusting’ shades to choose from.

I intend to take a closer look at all the products on the Supergoop! website.

*And, lastly, I made a separate order from the Birchbox site (that also offers full-size items for purchase).

BIRCHBOX Site Purchases – extras order:

• BAGGU Duck Bag – Sailor Stripe, $26.

Perfect for a day at the beach or to tote your essentials along on a road trip, this bag is made of a thick, heavy-duty canvas. It’s roughly 15.5″ high x 5.5″ wide x 9.5″ across. And, although unlined, it has a small pocket with a snap closure at the top just inside, two handles at the opening for carrying, and an adjustable shoulder strap. Plus, you can snap it closed at the top, either or both directions across the top (and still have the handles accessible).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• LOC (Love of Cosmetics) Liner & Shadow Eye Trio – Dusk Till, $25. (with my cat – Raven letting curiosity get the best of her)

These mini liner/eyeshadows are the perfect size for your purse, gym bag or Duck Bag! They go on very easily and are quite soft. If you wait a couple minutes after applying the color sets and stays on all day. Shades in this set are: Black Tie (matte black), Out of Your Shell (pearl cream), and Rock Steady (metallic silver/grey).

Overall, a handy little set of some basic, totally wearable, eye colors. These also came with a handy sharpener with removable side covers, that allow for the quick disposal of shavings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Pinrose – Eau de Parfum Rollerball Trio in: Garden Gangster, Pillowtalk Poet and Merry Maker, $18.

These are perfect! They are tiny, fit in your purse (even a small purse) and apply with a rollerball tip. The three scents are each very unique:

• Garden Gangster is my favorite I think – even though it isn’t the usual type of scent I would choose. It is a ‘green’ scent with a definite spiciness, and just a hint of floral, that reminds me of being outdoors.
• Pillow talk Poet is a sweet, cozy scent. A mix of powder and musk as the top notes along with amber, clove, geranium and sandalwood – reminiscent of a lazy Sunday at home.
• Merry Maker is bright and cheerful! A delightful mix of grapefruit, nectarine and rose scents. Perhaps what you would wear to a garden party.

I’m glad I purchased these, because of their portability and range of lovely scents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you enjoyed this BIG blog! Wishing everyone a gorgeous weekend.

 

 

 

xoxo,

Jen

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