This month all Birchbox subscribes will receive a LAQA&Co. Lip Lube and a Balance me wonder eye cream! I couldn't resist! Usually I am scared to order beauty boxes that I don't know in advance exactly what I will receive. What if I hate all the products in my box?!?! But even if I hated everything in the birchbox (which didn't happen!), I would be happy just to receive the Balance me eye cream. It's value is almost as much as the whole box! Plus as a new subscriber I received a Benefit mascara and liner mini duo! Awesome!!! (read here the review)
This is what I received in my box:
This is what I received in my box:
Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream
All subscribers will receive this eye cream. I have tried the Balance me Wonder eye cream before. I have received it in a previous Glossybox. This is a sample of 7ml and I know it is going to last me for at least 1-2 months! The cream is white and very light, I have enjoyed using it before and I know I will again!
price: £9.33 7ml sample (full size product 15ml RPR £20)
my value: £9.33 It's a deluxe sample, eye creams are expensive and this one is also 99% natural and made in UK!
Birchbox information card:
"What: A light, hardworking formula to brighten the eye area and keep wrinkles at bay.
How: Tap a rice grain sized amount around your orbital bone with your ring finger."
price: £9.33 7ml sample (full size product 15ml RPR £20)
my value: £9.33 It's a deluxe sample, eye creams are expensive and this one is also 99% natural and made in UK!
Birchbox information card:
"What: A light, hardworking formula to brighten the eye area and keep wrinkles at bay.
How: Tap a rice grain sized amount around your orbital bone with your ring finger."
Laqa & Co. Sheer Lip Lube Pencil in Menatour (purple)
All subscribers will receive a Laqa & Co. Lip Lube , either in Bees Knees (coral) or Menatour (purple) shade. That was a gamble for me. The coral shade wouldn't fit me but I absolutely loved the purple shade I received! This colour is on trend right now. I love purple but usually purple lipsticks are too dark for summer. This is such a summery shade! The pencil is very soft and leaves a mat finish on the lips (my picture is not the best to show you the result). The lip pencil is a sample of 2 g but there is more than enough for me. I don't think I have ever used a lipstick until there is finished. So this size is a full size product in my eyes.
price: £7.56 2g sample (full size product 3.7g RPR £14) The price is the one Birchbox gives. The product wasn't available in the Laqa&Co. webpage when I checked.
my value: £7.56 Lovely colour, great result, perfect size. How much does a nice lipstick cost? In most cases more than £7.56 and I wouldn't even use all of it.
Birchbox information card:
"What: A high gloss pencil to add a pop of sheer, nourishing and wearable colour.
How: Line lips with the chunky pencil, then fill in."
price: £7.56 2g sample (full size product 3.7g RPR £14) The price is the one Birchbox gives. The product wasn't available in the Laqa&Co. webpage when I checked.
my value: £7.56 Lovely colour, great result, perfect size. How much does a nice lipstick cost? In most cases more than £7.56 and I wouldn't even use all of it.
Birchbox information card:
"What: A high gloss pencil to add a pop of sheer, nourishing and wearable colour.
How: Line lips with the chunky pencil, then fill in."
Benefit the POREfessional
Benefit the POREfessional was included in some previous beautyboxes and I wanted to try it so much as I have visible pores on my T-zone. I was praying to the beauty box god to receive this item in my box! And yes I did!!! The product is a sample of 7.5 ml, a good size for a primer. You can use it long enough to understand if the product works for you before you buy it. The product claims to reduce the appearance of pores and fine lines. Although I was so excited to try it, the product was a let down. I followed the instructions and I watched also the video on the Benefit webpage! I used it by itself and the difference was tiny, I still had to use foundation. Using it on top of the make up... no difference. I like primers that even my skin and help me apply my foundation smoothly. The product failed to do this as well... Maybe it was my skin, my pores. I don't understand how this product is UK's No1 best selling primer.
price: £8.35 7.5 ml sample (full size product 22 ml RPR £24.50)
my value: £5 I wouldn't buy it again but I do value the fact that I had the chance to try an expensive product receiving a deluxe sample.
Birchbox information card:
"What: An award winning primer that magically erases pores and leaves skin velvety.
How: Smooth the lightweight formula over skin after moisturiser, then blend with fingertips"
The rest of the things I received in the box don't add a lot of value in the box (in my opinion). I would have been happy just to receive the items above.
price: £8.35 7.5 ml sample (full size product 22 ml RPR £24.50)
my value: £5 I wouldn't buy it again but I do value the fact that I had the chance to try an expensive product receiving a deluxe sample.
Birchbox information card:
"What: An award winning primer that magically erases pores and leaves skin velvety.
How: Smooth the lightweight formula over skin after moisturiser, then blend with fingertips"
The rest of the things I received in the box don't add a lot of value in the box (in my opinion). I would have been happy just to receive the items above.
Number 4 No-Aerosol Hairspray
Number 4 No-Aerosol Hairspray a 43 ml/1.45oz sample. I can't really review this product. My hair is long and heavy, making it impossible to style them. I never use hairsprays and I am not the right person to talk about them. I'll give this one to a friend. I wish Birchbox had asked some questions in advance and personalised each box.
price: £4 43 ml/1.45oz sample (full size product 6.7oz RPR £18.50)
my value: £0 Unfortunately I won't use this product.
Birchbox information card:
"What: Great for your hair and environment, this botanical-rich formula provides flexible staying power.
How: After styling, spray product 10-12 inches away from hair for crunch-free hold."
price: £4 43 ml/1.45oz sample (full size product 6.7oz RPR £18.50)
my value: £0 Unfortunately I won't use this product.
Birchbox information card:
"What: Great for your hair and environment, this botanical-rich formula provides flexible staying power.
How: After styling, spray product 10-12 inches away from hair for crunch-free hold."
Whish Three Whishes Lavender Body Butter
A body butter is always handy. Although I really like products with lavender, Whish Three Whishes Lavender Body Butter doesn't have the standard lavender scent. I am not sure exactly of what it smells, but I don't really like it. The consistency is good, the cream is light and is easily absorbed. This is a sample of 22ml, a good size to carry with you in your bag.
price: £2.12 22ml sample (full size product 150ml RPR £14.50)
my value: £0 I don't think I will use it, I don't like the smell.
Birchbox information card:
"What: Not your granny's lavender - this sweet-scented antioxidant-rich lotion nourishes skin.
How: Smooth onto limbs and torso after a bath or shower."
price: £2.12 22ml sample (full size product 150ml RPR £14.50)
my value: £0 I don't think I will use it, I don't like the smell.
Birchbox information card:
"What: Not your granny's lavender - this sweet-scented antioxidant-rich lotion nourishes skin.
How: Smooth onto limbs and torso after a bath or shower."
The Chia Co Shots (lifestyle extra)
My lifestyle extra was a The Chia Co Shot. I love cooking and I am always happy to try something new. These are basically chia seeds, which are rich in Omega 3! They are tasteless so you can add them to any food without changing the taste. What changes is the texture of the food as you will have a lot of tiny seeds everywhere (stuck also between your teeth once you eat them!). Imagine you have added small sesame seeds in your food, the result is similar but without the taste of sesame.
Each shot is 8 g. The company suggests to add one spoon of the seeds in yoghurt, smoothies or in your food. We need around 3 g of Omega 3 per day. I hope you don't count only on the Chia shots to get these 3 g, because you would need to eat 15 g! I don't think I could use more than 1-2 spoons in my food and this is not even half the shot (one shot=8g)!
price: 49p one shot (RPR £4.95 for 10 shots)
my value: 49p Although I don't think I will buy Chia shots, I enjoyed trying something new and this shot will last for a few meals.
Birchbox information card:
"What: Bonadide superfood, packed with health-boosting omega 3, protein and more.
How: Sprinkle this handy shot onto your seaside lunch for an added healthy kick."
Each shot is 8 g. The company suggests to add one spoon of the seeds in yoghurt, smoothies or in your food. We need around 3 g of Omega 3 per day. I hope you don't count only on the Chia shots to get these 3 g, because you would need to eat 15 g! I don't think I could use more than 1-2 spoons in my food and this is not even half the shot (one shot=8g)!
price: 49p one shot (RPR £4.95 for 10 shots)
my value: 49p Although I don't think I will buy Chia shots, I enjoyed trying something new and this shot will last for a few meals.
Birchbox information card:
"What: Bonadide superfood, packed with health-boosting omega 3, protein and more.
How: Sprinkle this handy shot onto your seaside lunch for an added healthy kick."
My conclusion
I paid £10 + £2.95 P&P.
Total value of the box: £31.85
My value: £22.38
I am very pleased with the box as I received a variety of products, from make-up to skincare. There are some products I will definitely use and some... that I won't! Nevertheless, the value of the box is very good and the shipping was very fast.
What did you think of the box?
For a list of Birchbox offers click here.
Total value of the box: £31.85
My value: £22.38
I am very pleased with the box as I received a variety of products, from make-up to skincare. There are some products I will definitely use and some... that I won't! Nevertheless, the value of the box is very good and the shipping was very fast.
What did you think of the box?
For a list of Birchbox offers click here.