2018

UNBOXING: Birchbox May 2018 – Palm Leaves and Warm Breeze

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This month’s theme was Palm Leaves & Warm Breeze, saying ‘aloha’ to the first signs of summer.

No full-size products this month. We will use everything in the box. Well-curated but nothing particularly exciting other than the box, which is beautiful and definitely worthy of staying out on show.

DOUCCE: Luscious Lip Stain in Amber Rose, unknown size
Value: Approx £10 (not sure of sample size), full size 6g is £21

Image result for doucce lip stain amber rose

“This pigmented liquid formula applies matt, dries fast (so it won’t transfer onto anything and lasts for hours. Unlike other matte lip products, this long-lasting formula glides on smoothly for comfortable all-day wear”

BT INITIAL OPINION: A super flattering, fresh colour for oriental skintones. Formula is a little watery but the pay off is that is doesn’t ‘crack’ or dry too much like most matte lip paints. Tried the kiss test and it passed with flying colours 😀

GREENFROG BOTANIC: Geranium & Peppermint Botanical Bodywash, 50ml
Value: £1.49

Greenfrog Botanic Geranium and Peppermint Award Winning Soapberry Body Wash

“This organic formula is cruelty-free, vegan and completely free from chemical nasties! Brimming with moisturising alow vera and Saponin-rich soapberries, this gentle wash cleanses your skin whilst maintaining pH levels.”

BT INITIAL OPINION – The fresh scent is nice and the size will be great for a weekend away. This claims to be great for sensitive skin, eczema and psoriasis which would be the main plus point for us, but the sample is too small to verify these claims.

NATIVE UNEARTHED: Activated Charcoal Natural Deodorant Balm, 15g
Value: £1.99

Native Unearthed Activated Charcoal Natural Deodorant Balm

“This all-natural cream forgoes chemicals in favour of sweat-absorbing arrowroot, antibacterial coconut oil and soothing shea butter. Just smooth a pea-sized amount onto clean underarms to form an invisible shield.”

BT INITIAL OPINION – Small sample but happy to try alternative product like this although it’s not that different to a pushup stick or roll on once applied.

CAUDALIE: Make-up Removing Cleansing Oil, 30ml
Value: £5.40

Caudalie

“This 100% natural blend of sunflower, sweet almond and grape oils is a must have afor all skin types. Just massage onto dry skin to dissolve make-up, add water and rinse away to leave your skin clean and soft.”

BT INITIAL OPINION – We love cleansing oils! Will be interesting to see how this compares with our enduring classic Shu Uemura cleansing oil (which actually works out cheaper).

EYEKO: Skinny Liquid Eyeliner, 1.2g
Value: £9.60

Skinny Liquid Eyeliner

“This easy-to-use pen-style applicator will have you lining and defining your eyes in a flash. This fade-resistant formula will last all day and night.”

BT INITIAL OPINION – Black eyeliners will always get used and this one has a great reputation. Really surprised that the full size product is only 2g – super expensivo at £16. Let’s see if its performance justifies the high price tag when plenty perform well around the £5 mark.

OVERALL VERDICT:

We feel a bit conflicted with Birchbox at the moment. First of all, they got rid of Birch points and lifestyle extras and beauty tips. The quality of the boxes is very samey…on the one hand, they are mainly products we will use and are happy with. On the other hand, they are featuring high end brands less and being less exciting in general. Caudalie and Eyeko are solid brands but feature in boxes so often. In addition to this, there were no full size products. This was not so much the issue as some samples being too small as well (meaning that you can’t really tell if a product is worth buying). Whilst we’re not unhappy and have some great items to go in our travel washbags, Birchbox need to try harder.

Box price: £10.00 plus £2.95 shipping (rolling month by month subscription) – although we got this on a discount offer

Total value: £28.48

Note: We paid for this Birchbox with our own hard-earnt pennies

Like the look of Birchbox? Subscribe at www.birchbox.co.uk and you’ll get £5 off your first box! You’re welcome 😉

UNBOXING: Birchbox April 2018 – Cath Kidston

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Image result for cath kidston birchbox magic cloth

A Cath Kidston box? Well the box was pretty enough. At best, we could have hoped for some classic British brands with English garden scents, but what we got was a small handcream and some Cath Kidston advertising. Ho hum.

MODEL CO: Baked Highlighter in Frose, 1.5g
Value: £10.29

Image result for MODEL CO: Baked Highlighter in Frose

“This baked treat is an instant complexion illuminator. Just swirl a fluffy brush across the marbled powder and sweep over cheekbones for that lit-from-within glow.”

BT INITIAL OPINION: After preselecting which shade we wanted, we were looking forward to trying out this highlighter, however it is the most ridiculously tiny sample…about 1.5 cm across. We find it hard to believe that it is worth the quoted price or that anyone can use this tiny sample. Cunningly photographed. Can’t find this for sale anywhere other than Birchbox. Crazily overpriced. Just ridiculous.

BEAUTANIQ BEAUTY: Fill + Tame Brow Gel in Brunette, 4g
Value: £8.60

Image result for BEAUTANIQ BEAUTY: Fill + Tame Brow Gel in Brunette

“Show unruly brow hairs who’s boss with this easy-to-use formula. The vegan formula is enriched with nourishing aloe leaf extract and glycerin so there’s not risk of crunch or sticky brow hairs.”

BT INITIAL OPINION – Small for a full size product. Another product that is hard to track down anywhere other than Birchbox. A bit of a gamble depending on the brunette shade (might be too warm) but happy to try a new product out.

CATH KIDSTON: Hand Cream, 30ml
Value: £2.50

Image result for cath kidston birchbox hand cream

“Not only is the exclusive Birthday Rose packaging as pretty as a picture but the floral lotion inside will leave your skin feeling silky-soft and smooth.”

BT INITIAL OPINION – Not exactly groundbreaking, but nice enough to put in a handbag or take for a trip away. Scent is quite strongly floral (not natural smelling). The formulation is easily absorbed. Is this really enough to warrant the Cath Kidston collaboration headline though?! We don’t think so.

PERCY & REED:  Perfectly Perfecting Wonder Balm, 30ml
Value: £7.20

“The haircare step you didn’t know you were missing?  A primer!  This multi-tasking balm boasts a  whole host of benefits;  adds moisture, boosts shine, aids smoothness, defines, softens, protects against humidity, and speeds up styling.  Phew!”

BT INITIAL OPINION – This was our favourite product in the box. A little goes a long way. We tended to use it on the ends of our hair to keep it sleek and stop flyaway hairs. Decent deluxe sample size too.

AFTER SPA:  Magic Make Up Remover Cloth
Value: £8.95

Image result for AFTERSPA: Magic Makeup Remover Cloth

“With this cloth there’s only one thing that you need – water!  Wet the cloth and massage it over your face to break down impurities and remove all types of make-up.”

BT INITIAL OPINION – This just looks like a microfibre cloth and a small one at that. But this was the most exciting product in the box for us.  We’re not sure it will be as gentle as our oil cleanser especially on waterproof mascara, but if it works well without too much rubbing or scrubbing, this will be a boone as no products are required. We’ll definitely report back.

This is a dupe for the Magic Eraser and a review from Labmuffin is here https://labmuffin.com/how-make-up-remover-cloths-work-and-review/

OVERALL VERDICT:

Pretty disappointed with the overall theming of this box and the ridiculously small highlighter. Other than that, it’s an OK box, buoyed up by the magic cleansing cloth and the wonder balm. This SEEMS like a good value box, however a couple of items seem to have a massively inflated RRP and only for sale via Birchbox…hope this is not a trend we’ll be seeing more of.

Total value: £37.54

Box price: £10.00 plus £2.95 shipping (rolling month by month subscription) – although we got this on a discount offer

Note: We paid for this Birchbox with our own hard-earnt pennies

Like the look of Birchbox? Subscribe at www.birchbox.co.uk and you’ll get £5 off your first box! You’re welcome 😉

UNBOXING: Birchbox March 2018 – Mindfulness

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Image result for birchbox mindfulness lumene

This box is absolutely gorgeous with a mandala design that’s too good not to be seen. The theming didn’t carry through in the contents though, which was meant to champion the importance of self-care.

BLAQ:  Peel Off Mask, 15ml
Value: £3.50

Image result for blaq peel off mask

“This charcoal mask will draw out toxins and purify.”

BT INITIAL OPINION: We’re lucky and our skin isn’t really congested but would still like to try this charcoal mask especially across the T zone to see if black masks really live up to their hype. The sample size is big enough for one full face application. It’ll have to be pretty amazing for us to pay full price for it. Watch this space.

BENEFIT: BADgal BANG! Volumising Mascara, 3g
Value: £7.59
Image result for benefit badgal bang mini

“Prepare for lash lift off wit this new, thickening mascara. It’s gravity-defying formula contains aero-particles, commonly found in astronauts’ spacesuits, to deliver volume with lightweight life in every swipe. The special slimpact! brush is moulded to catch every single last from corner to corner.”

BT INITIAL OPINION – What a lot of marketing garbage! We generally dislike Benefit – drugstore quality at midrange price. However, the one product we really love is BadGal mascara, so kinda curious as to whether this improves upon it. Regardless, both mascaras are super pricey (big tubes but little product), so we opt for Lancome Hypnose as our Holy Grail mascara 😀 Can this one topple it?

LUMENE: Valo Glow Boost Essence, 15ml
Value: £15.45

Image result for lumene glow essence

“A blend of refreshing arctic spring water, vitamin C and brightening technology works to revive fatigued skin and restore luminosity. ”

BT INITIAL OPINION – This is the type of product we want to see more of in Birchbox. Deluxe samples of non-mainstream but quality brands. We cannot get enough of serums, essences and acids so this is bang on target for us. Lovely glass dropper bottle. Just hope it performs! Excite!

R + CO:  Badlands Dry Shampoo Paste, 7.1g
Value: £2.52
Image result for badlands dry shampoo paste sample

“This paste is formulated with Hawaiian volcanic ash to keep your scalp clean and balanced, with coconut and sunflower seed oils to add shine.”

BT INITIAL OPINION – Uhhm, well like the innovative medium but dry shampoo is dry shampoo right? You can use it to help style too but we don’t appreciate this much more than a can of batiste. Since subscription boxes, we have dry shampoo coming out of our ears. Maybe we just wash our hair too much 😛

BAIJA:  Gommage Festin Royal Body Scrub (Caramelised Honey, 50g)
Value: £3.52

Image result for BAIJA: Gommage Festin Royal Body Scrub sample

“Packed full of honey and soothing shea, this exfoliator is a great solution for sloughing away dry patches and brightening”

BT INITIAL OPINION – Mmm. This smells great and we love a body scrub. So yummy, it’s almost somewhere between food and bath product! Everything about this feels luxe. Not expecting miracles (it’s a scrub!), but a welcome inclusion even if it doesn’t really fit in the box!

OVERALL VERDICT: Another tenuous theming with yet another Benefit sample, but it’s a good product so Birchbox are forgiven. Without the Lumene essence, this would have been a pretty poor box, but a nice balance has been struck between known and more niche mid-range brands.

Total value: £32.58

Box price: £10.00 plus £2.95 shipping (rolling month by month subscription) – although we got this on a discount offer

Note: We paid for this Birchbox with our own hard-earnt pennies

Like the look of Birchbox? Subscribe at www.birchbox.co.uk and you’ll get £5 off your first box! You’re welcome 😉

UNBOXING: Birchbox Feb 2018 – Beauty through the decades

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Image result for luseta coconut hair mask birchbox

Birchbox have been giving us the option to choose our box design or a product each month. Whilst we’re glad not to get the 80s box, we would prefer to have a choice of product than box design. The idea behind this month’s box was to celebrate timeless trends and experimental looks of their time.

THE BEAUTY CROP:  Eyeshadow Trio in Love You So Latte, 3g (full size)
Value: £7

Image result for THE BEAUTY CROP: Eyeshadow Trio in Love You So Latte

“This coffee-inspired collection contains three earthy tones. They’re packed with coffee extracts to reduce puffiness and brighten the eye area.”

BT INITIAL OPINION: First of all, what does this have to do with beauty through the decades? It’s totally contemporary! Having said that, these shades are really wearable and will suit everyone. Had never heard of the company before – not sure how Birchbox come up with the RRPs when they are exclusive to Birchbox…

MODELCO: Green conceal & correct, 2.1g (full size)
Value: £14

Image result for MODELCO: Green conceal and correct

“A green concealer counteracts redness for a more even complexion.”

BT INITIAL OPINION: A crayon is a great format for application, we do feel a bit divided about plastic pencils though as you get so little product and so much waste. We don’t use green concealer daily as we tend not to go for full coverage base, but do have slightly flushed cheeks so will probably give this a whirl when we want to go for a fully made up look.

PERCY & REED: Quite Frankly Flawless Finishing Polish, 30ml
Value: £2.40

Image result for PERCY & REED: Quite Frankly Flawless Finishing Polish

“This lightweight styler is packed with horse chestnut to keep your do in place without leaving it stiff or greasy, and sunflower wax for a gentle injection of moisture. ”

BT INITIAL OPINION – This brand is one our beauty box discoveries…we’ve come to love it for performing well at a reasonable price. Not a high value product, but we appreciate the good-sized sample and look forward to trying this product out.

LUSETA:  Coconut Milk Hair Mask, 30ml
Value: £3.84

Image result for luseta coconut hair mask

“A nourishing treament designed to repair and restructure.”

BT INITIAL OPINION – Yesss, more luxe products like this (hair masks, pamper items) to test please. Can’t really track this down anywhere other than Birchbox though. Hope it performs.

PIXI:  Shea Butter Lip Balm in Pixi Pink, 4g (full size)
Value: £8
Image result for PIXI: Shea Butter Lip Balm in Pixi Pink

“With nourshing ingredients like shea butter and vitamin E treating lips to a healthy sheen.”

BT INITIAL OPINION – Pixi! This had to be good right? We were pretty disappointed at first use – it has a strange opaque, yet not opaque pigmentation that is on the pale side (it looked chalky on our lips and definitely wouldn’t look good on dry lips). After a little more use, taking care to apply enough colour, we came to like the fresh bright candy pink colour. It’s quite flat and not very moisturising though.

OVERALL VERDICT:

Three full-size products, you’re spoiling us Birchbox! This was quite a strong if not-exciting box. However, quite suspicious and fed up of the trend of featuring brands that are only available through the Birchbox shop (with inflated prices to boot).

Total value: £35.24

Box price: £10.00 plus £2.95 shipping (rolling month by month subscription) – although we got this on a discount offer

Note: We paid for this Birchbox with our own hard-earnt pennies

Like the look of Birchbox? Subscribe at www.birchbox.co.uk and you’ll get £5 off your first box! You’re welcome 😉