Birchbox - October 2012 (Goop version)

I haven't done a Birchbox post since last year, but I thought I'd do one again because this was supposed to be a special one.  Birchbox decided to do a collaboration with Goop.  Now if you're like me, you don't know what the heck Goop is.  So I looked it up when Birchbox sent the email asking us to select if we wanted to receive the collab box or not.  Turns out, Goop is a site that was created by Gwyneth Paltrow where she shares some of her (pricey) favorite things for you to buy.  Uh, okay.  I had luck with the Teen Vogue collab box, so I decided to opt in.  BIG MISTAKE!!!  But I will tell you all about that after the pictures.

special goop tissue paper

I was pretty excited for this box, because it sounded like it would be great, especially since a lot of the products on the Goop website are pricier items.  Once I got shipping confirmation, I peeked on the site to see what would be in my box.  The gloss sounded nice and I've always wanted to try Embryolisse products.  Plus, I'm a big fan of lemon flavored things, so I was pretty excited to try the Luna bar too.  My excitement stayed with me until I opened the box, and then...disappointment.  As you can see, the samples are pitiful.  They're like free samples you can get at Sephora.

I understand this is a sample box.  But from my understanding, we were supposed to be getting deluxe sample sized items, not these packets that you could get for free from any makeup counter.  I get packets like this just walking by carts in the mall!  And the lip gloss size!  Well!  Let me just show you a size comparison:

And that little bit of pink you see at the bottom of the package is literally all the sample product you get!  I tried this gloss out after taking pictures and it is very sheer, like the description says.  The texture was nice though, and it did feel a little moisturizing.  But I'm definitely not purchasing the full size of this.  I'm sorry, but why would I pay $26 for a sheer gloss?  That just doesn't make sense to me.

So yeah.  I'm giving Birchbox until December to redeem themselves.  Or else, that's it!  There are other sample subscriptions out there for me to try!  I've been with them almost 2 years, and these last few months have not been worth it for me to stick around 'til the 2 year anniversary.  Oh, which reminds me...apparently they were giving out anniversary gifts, but I never got one.  I've noticed that Birchbox has not been very consistent.  The values of their boxes are so disproportionate sometimes.  Some people will get boxes worth a lot more than other people's.  For example, that month that some people got Beauty Blenders while most other people didn't.  Birchbox needs to make all their boxes comparable in value.  Just my two cents.

I've seen several videos where people were unhappy, like me.  But I've also seen videos where people were happy with what they got, and those were the ones that got a full size Essie polish in their box.  How did you feel about your October Birchbox (if you subscribe)? 

On a side note, I have been quite happy with ipsy (formerly known as myglam) lately.  I'll be posting up my October ipsy bag soon!  (I know, I know...it's late since it's November already.  What are you gonna do??  I'm trying to be better about posting these on time! lol)

BIRCHBOX: November 2011

Hello~! I feel like I haven't blogged in a long while...I've been pretty busy with school.  It seems like all the tests and projects are piled on top of each other to get done before the Thanksgiving break.  I'm done with major exams for now, and I just turned in 2 projects today.  But I've still got 2 projects to work on that's due after Thanksgiving, and a quiz to study for too.  Busy, busy, busy!  I'm excited for winter break to come already!

Anyway, I got my Birchbox last week.  It was pretty weighty, so I was expecting great things!  There were quite a few goodies in this box, and I'm happy with what I got:

l-r, front to back: LaROCCA Skincare Body Polish, Zoya Nail Polish, Chuao Chocolatier Chocolate, 

Klorane Eye Makeup Remover, Bauble Bar Bracelet & Oscar Blandi Hair Mist

More pictures and info under the cut~

BIRCHBOX: September & October 2011 + Smashbox

I missed posting my September Birchbox, so thought I'd do a compilation post.  I've actually got 3 Birchboxes to post about today! :)

Usually I'd post my box as soon as I got it and wouldn't get to try any of the products beforehand.  But since I'm a bit delayed with my September box, I've already had the opportunity to try some of the products and can do a few small reviews.  So first up is my September box:

happy birthday birchbox!

jurlique hand sanitizer: 

has a soft floral scent that isn't overpowering.  

it dries quickly and doesn't feel sticky at all.

jouer conditioning lip treatment: 

this was the smallest sample, but it lasted longer than I thought it would.  

it did condition my lips and give it a slight shine, but I didn't notice any plumping effect.  

(of course, it should be noted that I have pretty full lips already.)

truth art beauty - face nourish oil: 

uh, not sure how I was supposed to use this, lol.  

I've never used oil on my face, but I thought of this as an extreme moisturizer for the face.  

I put it around my nose, because that's my driest/flakiest area.  

Works ok, and there's not much of a scent, even though it's supposed to be BB's special blend...

incoco polish strips: 

these seem to be really popular these days.  

I haven't tried them yet, but am excited to!

And for my October box:

And my third box is one I got from an event I attended at the end of September.  Birchbox teamed up with Smashbox to create this event for their subscribers, and also gave all attendees a gift.  So this is what was in it:

All Smashbox items!  I haven't tried any Smashbox items before, so I'm pretty excited to try them. ^^

This post is kind of late...almost time for the November Birchbox to come around, lol.  Can't believe it's almost November!!  First Halloween though...which I consider the start of holiday season, lol.  I love this season...fall, winter, and the holidays all together.  I love the decorations, the food, the weather, everything.  Can't wait for everyone else to get in the holiday spirit, hehe. ^^  Ok~ enough rambling!  Until the next post~ Au revoir~

BIRCHBOX: August 2011

I got my August Birchbox today!  It was a big surprise for me, because I didn't get a shipping email or anything.  I was a little worried that it wasn't gonna come, but then...I shouldn't have been, because it usually gets to me around this time of the month. =.=;;; Anyway, I've refrained from watching Birchbox videos, because I wanted to be surprised with mine.  So after I opened mine, I went on a video watching spree, hehe. ^^;;

My Birchbox is quite different from all the videos I watched.  Here's what I got:

I got Birchbox 7, which included Atelier Cologne (back), blinc Mascara (front), Caudalie Premier Cru The Eye Cream (center), Fix Malibu Wish Wash Exfoliating Powder Wash (center, left), and a twistband Hair Tie (center, right).

blinc | Mascara
This game-changing mascara encases your lashes in a thin tube of water-resistant formula that won't smudge, smear, or run.

Fix Malibu | Wish Wash Exfoliating Powder Wash
Add water to transform this powder into a foaming exfolator.  Salicylic acid helps purify pores, while microexfoliators gently slough away dull skin.

Caudalie | Premier Cru The Eye Cream
De-puffs and hydrates the under eye area with antioxidant-rich grape extracts and anti-aging peptides.

Atelier Cologne | Orange Sanguine Absolue
It doesn't get sunnier than this juicy scent, which is a modern update on the classic eau de cologne.

This is the only product I've tried from this BB, since it's the easiest, lol.  It smells like oranges!  I love citrus scents, so this is a great scent for me.  It's citrusy and refreshing, and this might be the first product I buy full sized. :)

So a lot of people seem to be disappointed with their Birchbox, but I'm not.  Sure, it's not the best one I've gotten, but I'm very excited to try some of these products.  Particularly the mascara and eye cream.  I do wish I had gotten a product that I've seen in other peoples' Birchboxes, but wasn't in mine, and that is Shaveworks The Cool Fix.  I would've really liked to sample that product.  But, oh well...

What did you get in your Birchbox?

BIRCHBOX: July 2011

So, I think most people know about Birchbox by now, but just in case you don't, I'll try my best to explain. :)  Birchbox is a subscription service.  You sign up and fill out a profile, and they send you a box filled with 4-5 deluxe samples of products.  Birchbox does cost $10 a month, though I think you may get a discount if you subscribe for the year.  The profile helps them choose products that will work for you, so not everyone will get the same items.  I believe the purpose of Birchbox is to give you the chance to try out different high end products for a longer time frame than just a regular sample.  Also, the samples are pretty good sized samples.

For July, Birchbox teamed up with Cynthia Rowley, who picked out some of her favorite things to include in the box.  So, here's what I got in my Birchbox this month:

in the box

closer look: fruit&nut bar, ahava mineral hand cream, zoya polish in shay, purity facial cleanser, redken shine flash 02 glistening mist

the card it comes with, listing & explaining products

the box came with this pretty wrapper this month

usually it's just the cardboard box, which is nice on its own too :)

and a little extra pic:

these were the products in my june birchbox

I'll be honest, my first Birchbox in March was a bit of a disappointment.  But I stuck it out, and decided to try it for another month, and it got better.  And it has been better and better.  

Are you subscribed to Birchbox? What do you think of it?

If you're not subscribed, and would like to help me out, please let me know your email and I'll send you a referral invitation.  For full disclosure, I do get points if you sign up through that email.  But you don't need a referral to sign up.  You can sign up directly through the Birchbox website.

P.S. To give you an idea of the size of the products.  The purity sample I got was 1 oz, and the full size is 16 oz.