Favorite Beauty Product Samples from July and August Birchboxes

Since the end of summer is fast approaching (so sad—but Labor Day is coming!), and I’ve not yet had a chance to post these separately, I just wanted to give you a quick look at the beauty samples I received in my Birchboxes for July and August. And I’ll share which samples I was most excited to receive!

First! July—love, you

The ‘love, you‘ theme means that products this month focus on embracing who YOU are (quirks and all) by taking good care of yourself physically and emotionally, and accentuating your beauty as one-of-a-kind. Birchbox means that it’s all about perspective—overcome any personal insecurities by turning them into sources of confidence (one ex. embrace naturally curly locks).

Speaking of tresses, I received three MINU haircare samples from DAVINES for color-treated hair. These are tailored to the fact that I usually have my hair foil treated as well as that MINU products work great for fine hair. Perfect!

This month, I pretty much love all the samples. The Grande Mascara, Gimme Brow (which comes in eight shades) and Tiger Grass color correcting cream are all from brands I already use and adore (that are also sold at a pretty wide variety of stores, including Birchbox) so I was delighted to have these minis:

*But the #1 product I really am delighted to have received for July is the Glazen Eye Gloss by BUTTER LONDON. They sent this in the shade Frosted—a lovely, truly metallic, rose gold. This eye gloss is a jelly eyeshadow that dries like a powder. The benefit of having dual textures is that it glides on smoothly with your fingertip (no tugging) and then wears ultra lightweight on lids. I think I see Glazen in the color Icing (a metallic mauve) as my next purchase from BUTTER LONDON.

Next, the August box—Old-School Summertime

‘Old School-Summertime’ beauty samples are for easy summer living and all have a laidback vibe. August is also a celebration of Birchbox’s ninth birthday and so boxes this month are revivals of some of the most loved designs they’ve had. The product card for this box was printed on a thinner paper than usual and the design folds into a fortune telling ‘cootie catcher’ (come on—think back to your elementary school days):

The pink and green cactus design selected for my box IS one of my favorites:

I received a good range of products this month, also from great brands and wearable colors of makeup. I got the color Acajou in the waterproof eyeliner by LISE WATIER, which is exactly the shade I would have selected (a deep, almost brown, mauve) that I will use to tightline. And, the COOLA primer is a go-to primer/sunscreen with its antioxidant rich White Lily, Iris and Honeysuckle Plant Stem Cells.

The only product I’m not so sure about is the Lipstick Queen Dating Game Lipstick in Bad Boy (an opaque bright fuchsia). Just not sure it is the right shade on me—you be the judge (do you like it?). I think I would have preferred Mr. Right (a bright violet purple). But I do love that Lipstick Queen colors are long lasting and feel so creamy on:

*My absolute favorite of the August samples is the Illamasqua (a new brand for Birchbox) Gel Sculpt contouring gel in Silhouette! The contour stick comes in a roll up tube and can be applied directly from the container to your skin and then blended with fingertips. When you first take the lid off the tube and twist up the product, the top of the gel has a tiny clear plastic cap on top—I’m a sucker for great packaging.

Silhouette is a universal shade that is more brown than tan. When you draw a line on skin it has a pleasant cooling effect, and can then be built up for more color payoff. Out of the tube, it gives sheer color for a more natural (vs. blinding, lol) looking contour.

Gel Sculpt would work great for quick weekend makeup or a ‘no makeup’ look. Use it under cheekbones, in thin stripes on the sides of the nose, at the hairline, upper sides of forehead, and along your jaw line for added definition. You really can’t mess up application will this ultra blendable gel.