Birchbox March 2016 Review - Ladies First

Yea! My Birchbox is here! I absolutely love this subscription box, and I have discovered so many new brands and products that I love and have included in my beauty routine. Birchbox is a monthly subscription box that includes at least five beauty samples curated to your beauty profile for only $10 a month. Sometimes they even include full size items. Also, they have a fun theme with a cute box each month, and the samples usually go along well with that theme. I can't wait to see what samples Birchbox has in store for me this month. 

I absolutely love this box. It is super cute and super springy, which really makes me sad, because as you can see, my dog decided to eat this one while I was at work. I usually like them to organize with them or display them around the house where that makes sense, but this one will instead go into the recycling bin. This month's theme is celebrating woman. It is both Women's History Month and International Women's Day fall in this month. All the products in this box will help amplify your unique features instead of cover them up. I love this theme and the message behind it. I also feel like these products are going to be awesome. 

theBalm cosmetics Stainiac in Beauty Queen

$17.00 - 0.3 fl oz    ($2.27 Value)

I love theBalm brand. I've said it before, and I'll say it every time I receive one of their items in my Birchbox. I just get so excited about the product, no matter what it is. This lip stain is a barely there lip color, which I didn't expect but absolutely love. You can apply a little for a light pink lip, or layer it on for more of a red. This is an easy, and natural looking lip look that is perfect for those days that you won't be able to constantly reapply. Also, even though this is a small sample, it will last forever, just like every lip product. My one complain about it, though, is the stickiness of the product after you apply. I just fixed that my applying a moisturizer on top, but I wish I didn't have to do that. This does last all night, though, and I will be using it quite regularly. 

 

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser

$19.50 - 5 oz    ($3.90 Value)

Kiehl's has been newly on my radar as of late, and I received my first product of their in my curated March Birchbox. But, it's more than that. My friends have been posting their products, they've been all over YouTube, and I've been hearing great things. I really like this cream cleanser, and it makes my face feel completely clean without drying it out. Also, this is a pretty large sample, so it will last me a while, and it would also be ideal for travel. I love this so much, and I might have to switch over to this once I run out of my regular brand. Great product for me! I am completely impressed. 

Cargo Eye Shadow Duo in Beach & Bridge

$16.00 - 0.12 oz    ($13.33 Value)

This is another brand that I just love. My first item of theirs was a coral blush, and I use it all the time. This eye shadow duo contains a creamy gold and a shimmery dark mocha brown. I love both these colors a lot, and they work perfectly with my skin tone. I like that I can just wear the creamy gold for a quick all over look, or I could include the brown for a more smoky look. This duo would be perfect for travel, or even you go to quick look pallet. I keep a makeup kit in my car so I can meet up with friends straight from work, and this would be a perfect product to include. Also, this isn't a full size, since they don't sell these duos, but I'd much rather have these little tins than the palette anyways. 

PARLOR by Jeff Chasten Volumizing & Texturizing Shampoo & Conditioner

$22.00 each - 8 fl oz    ($3.88 Value)

Birchbox nailed it this month with getting my most loved beauty lines all together in one box. I am well aware of this line because of Birchbox, and I have loved everything they sent me. These products are super high end, they work really well as promised, and they also smell amazing. I have really flat, fine hair, so texturizing spray gives my hair the perfect amount of volume and movement. I also like that I can style it way easier, since my normal hair is super silky. This product didn't exactly give me the same results as a texturizing spray, but I did notice that my hair had a lot my volume and styling power than normal. I really like this shampoo, and I might even buy the full size item. I just wish that the conditioner were the same size.

Cartier Zeste de Soleil Eau de Toilette

$67.00 - 50 ml    ($2.01 Value)

Unlike most people, I really enjoy receiving samples of perfume in my subscription boxes. I always like trying new scents, and it is way easier to really get a good sense of the perfume on your own skin without having to try on many of them in the department store and not remembering which is which. Also, since I haven't been able to find a perfume that I absolutely love, it is great to try a new one out every once in a while. This is one that I like, but unfortunately, I'm not in love. It is really fresh, and exotic, and reminds me of Spring Break, so this would be something I'd be able to wear all Spring. With mostly passion fruit notes and a dash of mint, this scent will get your mind in gear for Summer. I wouldn't purchase this full item, but I am happy with this sample, and I will be getting good use out of it this time of year. 

I am pretty happy with this month's box, and it is getting me in gear for Spring. That eye shadow is natural with a tropical vibe, and I love the facial cleanser. The shampoo and conditioner gave me effortless, beachy hair, and the perfume smells like something I could wear to a beach party. Also, the lip stain gives the perfect red lip, without the noticeable weight of lipstick. This month's box was a win, win, win! I will be use everything, and it all worked well with my skin, hair, and easy going look. This month's box has a value of $25.39. That is pretty normal for Birchbox, and isn't crazy good, but it isn't disappointing either. I don't love Birchbox for the value, but instead for the quality and perfectly matched products for me. 

If you would like to try Birchbox for yourself, just click here. I absolutely love this subscription box, and I look forward to it each and every month. 

Birchbox March 2016 Review - Ready for Anything

My Birchbox is here and much earlier than I've ever seen. I did order this featured box in addition to my regular birchbox, so I am guessing that is why. Birchbox is a monthly subscription box that offers at least five beauty samples and sometimes full size items curated just for you and delivered right to your door. You get all that for only $10 a month. Plus, if you review the items, you get a dollar back for each one to spend in their shop on full size products. I love this subscription box, and I've found some great items that I just cannot live without. 

Each month, Birchbox sends out a different patterned box to go along with the theme. I really enjoy these boxes, and I've absolutely loved some of the patterns. You can use them to decorate you home, to organize all your samples, or really how ever you like. This one isn't my favorite or my least favorite. I won't be putting this particular one on display, but I will be more than happy to organize more of my samples with this.

This month's curated box is put together by Birchbox themselves. Usually, they will have a guest pull together the samples and the theme, but Birchbox is all on it on their own. This month's theme is Ready for Anything. It is all about having a small kit of products that will help you transform from day to night or even get ready in a flash. So, when your friends invite you to a pop up concert, or you're short on time, these items will make sure that you are ready for anything. 

Wilma Schumann Skincare Hydrating Collagen Eye Pads

$18.00 - 5 pairs    ($3.6 Value)

I am starting to develop fine lines, wrinkles, and puffiness around my eyes, so it is great to find a product that tackles all three. Collagen is the cure all ingredient to stop your face from aging, but will also reverse the wrinkles and aging that has happened from all those years of living your life. These take about twenty minutes to work, so they are the perfect product to use on a at home spa or your relaxing Sunday. I have yet to try these out, because I am waiting for a time that my eyes need some extra TLC, but I am excited to see how well they work. 

Smashbox Photo Op Eyeshadow Trio in Filter

$28.00 - 0.09 oz    ($12.44 Value)

I know that many people are absolutely in love with the Smashbox brand, but it doesn't sell to me like many others. I do look at it as a higher end brand, and I do think it is higher quality, but it has never been my favorite or go to brand. This trio palette is the perfect three colors that you would ever need to create the basic eyeshadow look. They don't have a shimmer either, so this trio is perfect for a more natural look. I like the two lightest colors, but the dark isn't something that I would wear too often. The pigmentation is really nice too. I think that everyone will be obsessed with this trio, but I'm not everybody, and it just isn't my favorite. I will keep it in with my other shadows, but another palette will make my emergency kit. 

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream 

$27.50 - 1.7 oz    ($4.04 Value)

Everyone has been obsessed with Kiehl's line lately, and while I've known about it for a while, I have yet to try any of their products. I am a huge fan of face cream, and I use it every single day. This cream was the perfect weight, and it completely moisturized my skin without being too heavy. I also liked how it settled into my skin. I've used creams before that just laid onto without really soaking in. I am a fan of this cream, and I will use up this entire sample. I hope that Birchbox starts including more of their products in my monthly boxes. If not, I might have to splurge on some of their items. 

PARLOR by Jeff Chasten Smoothing Blowout Spray

$24.00 - 4.9 fl oz    ($4.90 Value)

I actually don't own a blowout spray, and I've recently considered buying one to help protect my hair from heat. This doesn't only save your hair from heat, but it also adds volume and luster. I am a huge fan of Jeff Chastain products, and they all smell amazing. This spritzer was a little difficult to get product evenly in my hair, but I did notice a great amount of difference in my hair with volume and shine. This product is a miracle spray, and I absolutely love it, but I wish it were a little cheaper. I am going to use every last drop of this sample, and maybe I will splurge on the full size product. 

MILK Studios Lip Color in C.R.E.A.M.

$22.00 - 0.01 oz    ($3.08 Value)

This may be a tiny, tiny sample, but I am really excited to give this a try. This is a brand new product in the Birchbox shop, and every color is already sold out. I can totally see why, too. This lipstick's formula is amazing. It is creamy, so it leaves a nice medium coverage, it is moisturizing, so it doesn't leave your lips flaky, and it lasts all day. I was surprised to see this still on my lips hours after putting it on. Also, the matte finish is completely in style, and I feel great in the color. It is "nude" which is completely true for my lips. It almost matches my lip color, but it makes them look fuller and gives me a more polished look. I really love this lipstick and I have been wearing it every single day since I received it. This is a tiny sample, but I know it will last me a lot longer than I think. Hopefully it will be back in stock when I run out. 

This curated box is really everything that you need to pull it together in no time. I am really in love with the blowout spray, face cream, and lipstick. Those collagen eye patches are awesome, and they will be used the minute I notice some slouch under my eyes. The eyeshadow trio is just ok, which I am sure I am the only one who is going to say that, but that brand just isn't for me. This month's box has a value of $28.06, which is pretty great for only spending $10. Sometimes Birchbox has an amazing value, but this is pretty normal for their boxes. I am alright with this, because I love most of the items from this box, and they will all get used, so the value is even higher for me. I can't wait to see what Birchbox has in store for me next month. 

If you would like to try Birchbox for yourself, just click here. It is my favorite box every month because I always receive items that I love, and it is a great value.