BIRCHBOX November, December 2018 and January 2019 boxes!

Birchboxes are piling up in my office! So, I’m going to show you all of the beauty samples I received for my last three winter months of Birchboxes: November, December and January. Enjoy!

Birchbox November 2018—Keep in Touch (reconnect with your beauty routine)

November samples:

• LOC (Love of Color) multi-use create color single in Fizz (a pearly creme eyeshadow) *Full-size is $8

This cute little champagne multi-use (eyeshadow/highlight) creme color can be applied by tapping it on with fingertips. Fizz appears as one of the shades in LOC’s The Glow Squad Quad palette. This product is versatile and illuminating, plus the square little container is so cute. I think it goes on very naturally with no glaring sheen.

btw—LOC is Birchbox’s own makeup brand, that they designed to be easy to use.

• LXMI Creme due Nil *Full-size is $58

An intense face moisturizer (which I can really use) that includes rare LXMI signature ingredient Nilotica Reserve which is a vanilla only found in Uganda. This ingredient gives the cream its fluffy texture and gives it anti-aging properties. Can be used as a primer under makeup or at night as a moisture treatment. This white cream has little odor and feels ultra soothing on the skin.

• MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D BlackLash Mascara *Full-size is $24.

Lightweight but powerful enough to add conditioners, volume, length and curve (what more could you want?:). The finely tined wand tip houses 3 reservoirs that hold extra mascara and make sure that one stroke is all that is required for amazing lashes.

• QUAI Volume Spray *Full-size $26.

When spritzed on damp, freshly washed hair this weightless spray smoothes, hydrates and protects strands while you style. I like that it this spray also smells like the hibiscus extract that it includes. This is a favorite.

• TLW Let’s Get Naked Frizz Fighter *Full-size $20.

Use the hair serum after towel-drying hair to give tresses conditioning and protection from heat styling (and frizz). Made in Australia, this product comes out of the tube white but blends into damp hair seamlessly. Bonus—It also speeds drying time!Birchbox

Birchbox December 2018—Get Inspired! (products for a winter refresh)

• Chella Eyebrow Pencil in Tantalizing Taupe *Full-size $20. (sale price)

Tantalizing Taupe is just right for my hair color and complexion but it also comes in six other colors (Beautiful Blonde, Luscious Light Brown, Awesome Auburn, Dazzling Dark Brown and Elegant Ebony). The pencil case twists to reveal more creamy product (no mess) and defines brows with natural looking color.

• Davines OI All in One Milk *Full-size $34.

All in One Milk is a spray leave-in conditioner with Rouiccou Oil to nurture hair, add a UV & free radical guard, and tone down frizz. To use: Spritz on damp or dry hair for added smoothness. (I think Birchbox send me a lot of products that work well on frizzy hair, even though mine is fine and very straight, because I noted a hair concern with dry ends. This works great for me!)

• Davines OI Shampoo and OI Conditioner samples *Full-sizes are $31. and $38.

The OI hair products are fine on any hair type to moisturize and protect tresses. Both of these are ultra-hydrating, paragon-free, sulfate-free and antioxidant fueled. Plus, they impart shine! All good!

• IPKN Radiant Cream Primer SPF15 *Full-size $28.

This primer smoothes skin’s surface for a flawless application of foundation and concealer. Fruit extracts shrink pores and shimmer pearls add glow. Wear this over skincare (serum and moisturizer) and under makeup (foundation and face color). It comes out of the tube with a bit of pearl color and feels luxurious on skin. This is a favorite.

• Lavanila The Healthy Fragrance Vanilla Grapefruit Eau de Perfume                *Full-size $48. &  Rollerball $19.

I think this eau de perfume smells more like vanilla and has a hint of grapefruit. Madagascar vanilla is the ingredient that gives it its cozy lure but there are also cedar wood notes. Although this is not typically a scent family that I would wear, I like that it is paraben- and aluminum-free!

• Whish Vanilla Lip Scrub *Full-size $20

Whish is a new brand to me. And, I noticed that they also have a pink champagne lip scrub (which sounds even better)! Having this handy sample, though, is perfect for the occasional in-shower lip exfoliation (think apres ski). To reverse the effects of harsh winter weather on lips, massage a pea sized amount onto wet lips to exfoliate. Then, rinse and seal lips with a balm.

Still with me? This is a long post! One more month, new year. . .

Birchbox JANUARY 2019—Hello 2019! (beauty products to give your routine a fresh start)

• Air Repair Super Hydrating Eye Cream *Full-size $24.50

The under eye area needs more care and moisture than most of your skin. This cream hydrates, plump tired skin, and reduces puffiness. It moisturizes for 4 hours! to help skin look refreshed even when you’ve been stuck at work for hours, are weary from travel or need a reprieve from indoor, recycled air. Ingredients like a variety of natural oils and aloe vera gel come to the rescue. I will probably use this sample up first! This is a favorite.

• Beautaniq Beauty Nourishing Mascara *Full-size $19.90

Not only does this black mascara lengthen and volumize lashes but it also nourishes them with camellia and almond oil, and vitamin E. The large brush tip is hourglass in shape to capture each lash and evenly coat all of them. Layer up to three coats of mascara for full effect.

• Design.ME Fab.ME Hair Treatment *Full-size $13.50 to $24.50

This hair treatment mists onto towel-dried hair from root to tips. It protects against heat styling and smooths split ends. Preventing hair stand breakage is just one of its whopping 14 total benefits! Strong hair is fab hair. Design.ME calls this the ‘mother of all hair treatments.’ And, the light green packaging is too pretty. This is a favorite.

• Manna Kadar Cosmetics Renewing Lip Oil in Peony *Full-size $19.

Add this lip treatment to moisturize lips while giving them a sheer, warm pink wash of color. As far as I can tell this is the only color (Peony) offered which is fine because it is such a beautiful warm pink. And, the color is sheer enough that it should look fine on all complexions.

• ModelCo Baked Highlighter in Moonshine (not the liquor, but the lovely light of the moon) *Full-size $25.00

The shade Moonshine appears as swirls of extra finely milled copper and gold pressed powder in the pan. It adds a glow to the high points of the face. Other shades of this baked highlighter: Frose (the lightest color in mainly a cream shade with small ribbons of pink and gold), Golden Glow (Bronzed tan in color with tiny white and gold streaks), and Blush Pink (warm coral pink with gold and white incursions).

Overall, I am still pleased with the subscription services and really like most of the products Birchbox selects for me.

Birchbox has been a great way for me to sample products I might not otherwise know about (or want to commit to buying yet in full size). They offer 3, 6 and 12 month subscriptions that are tailored to your interests to provide at least 5 products per box. Birchbox also credits subscribers with points to redeem on future purchases when you buy full-size products (and they have cool gift sets available too).

*If you want to subscribe, gift or just check them out, please feel free to copy and paste GMG’s referral code into your browser of choice for easy access— https://www.birchbox.com/invite/x8pstgivemegorgeous

You go Gorgeous!

xo,

Jen