So I got my Birchbox in the mail a week ago and I can’t believe I forgot to post it up! Silly me. Shipping is usually pretty fast since I’m pretty close but the snow storm delayed it a bit but it wasn’t a big deal. My Ipsy one took forever though. My Birchbox was shipped out on 2/7/2014 and I got on 2/12/2014. Pretty decent time frame- last month I got to in about two days.
February is special because they teamed up with US Weekly. Usually when they have a special edition box- the products are amazing!
When I checked my “sneak peek” page early in the month it told me I was getting the Smashbox Cosmetics Full Exposure Mascara, OPI Sheer Tints Color-Tinted Top Coat, Smashbox Cosmetics Full Exposure Palette, Joan Vass L’eau de Améthyste, and Paula’s Choice RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum which got me really excited. I’ve been curious bout the Smashbox mascara and the Smashbox eyeshadow palette really intrigued me because I’ve seen it in person- and its really pretty but I wouldn’t spend $50 on an eyeshadow palette or $20 on a mascara either so I was curious what kind of sample they were giving out.
This month is called “Step and Repeat”. For those who got their box- don’t forget to take a pic and tag #Birchbox #PartyInABox to win all of those US Weekly goods in the preview video!
So here’s what I got:
Benefit It’s Potent! Eye Cream. Retail size: $6.80. This usually sells for more like $10 & up so I was really happy I got this sample after trying it for a couple of weeks from the Sephora sample I got from a previous order. I still have some left surprisingly (since the sample was even smaller than this one).
32 Oral Care Effervescent Breath Crystals with IsoVoxy in Lemon and Spearmint. Retail value of both samples: $1.33. I love rock pops so this is a cool concept too. I haven’t tried them yet so I’ll let you know how it works. I wasn’t too ecstatic about these but maybe I’ll like them after trying it out.
AYRES Bar Soap-Patagonia. Retail value: $1.57. I don’t use bar soaps ever so this is no use for me. I’ll be giving this to someone. I do like that it is all natural and is non-drying (according to the description).
OPI Sheer Tints Color-Tinted Top Coat. Retail value: $2.25. Its such a cute little polish bottle! I love OPI polishes and I actually got some glitter baby bottles as a xmas present so its nice to add to the collection. I painted this over my Julep valentine bonus polish and it looks very pretty! However it is noticeable if you don’t paint evenly over the entire nail. I see some light and dark spots and when I do another coat- it gets darker in color so each nail is kinda different shades. Nice if you are going for that look but overall I like the concept. The picture below from left to right: no OPI polish, one coat, and two coats of OPI polish.
Agave Healing Oil Treatment. Retail value: $1.00. I like the idea of this oil but I hate this kind of packaging. Its hard using a liquid or even powder form with this paper/foil packing because it seems super messy and would probably be good for a one time use.
Overall, I wasn’t that impressed with my box size wise- everything is thoughtful but the sizes are so tiny and there were other boxes that would’ve been better for me but we’ll see what they have next month.
My box was only worth $12.95 so that just me tells me they are slacking! Even though it’s more than what I paid for- I expected more full size/bigger samples. I expected more from watching the US Weekly preview and this box was just “okay” than “wow”. I still love Birchbox though so we’ll see how the rest of my subscription goes… I may or may not continue after my “1 year” subscription.
So if you didn’t get the box like I wanted you can actually buy a box knowing the stuff inside! This limited edition box has 7 loved products from your ordinary drugstore at a fraction of the cost! They are all full sizes and you get $55 worth of products for just $18. Here’s what your getting:
John Frieda Frizz Ease® Nourishing Oil Elixir
Rimmel London Stay Glossy 3D Lipgloss (assorted colors)
COVERGIRL Bombshell Volume by LashBlast™ Mascara
COVERGIRL Bombshell Shine Shadow by LastBlast™
NIVEA Kiss of Care & Color (assorted colors)
Bioré Self Heating One Minute Mask
Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure™ (assorted colors)
If you like this box- I’d hurry and order it ASAP, you know how much everyone loves their special edition boxes…
Anyone can buy the box btw but if your going to buy it you might as well become a member and get points! If you aren’t already subscribed do so here. Go to Shop>Birchbox Exclusives> and find the “Limited Edition: Birchbox Finds”.
Subscription Boxaholic 