When I opened my August Birchbox, I was not really overwhelmed. I had read spoilers before and I knew that this box wouldn't be able to compete the July one. I used so much the Laqa&Co lipstick I received last month! I received 1 full size product, 4 samples and 1 chapter from a book (!). The products were not inside a string bag as usual but inside a plastic pouch that could barely fit my items. You can see it in the picture above. I don't think I will use it as it is too small to fit all the items I usually carry with me when travelling!!! I will start my review with my most to least favourite products in the box.
Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator
I received a 20g sample of Vasanti BrightenUp! It wasn't clear to me what the cream was from the name and when I read that it is basically an exfoliator/cleanser, I thought that it is just another face scrub to try. But I was so wrong!! Have you ever tried one of these face scrubs that you can count the grains on your skin while you massage it on your face?? Well I have and I am not so impressed by these products. The Vasanti Brighten Up has such fine crystals (Aluminum Oxide) that it feels like a sandpaper (ok I exaggerate a bit here) - in a good way! I was so surprised! It is also enriched with papaya and aloe. You need just a bit for the whole face and you don't need to massage it for long, you can feel the effects immediately. Unlikely other exfoliators, you don't need to cleanse your face before using as it is also a cleanser. That's a plus for me that I want to minimise my beauty routine steps!I could really feel my skin much smoother afterwards and my moisturiser was absorbed quicker. I am not sure that I would use it 3-5 times per week as suggested because it feels quite abrasive, maybe once per week. It is supposed to be for all skin types. If you have sensitive skin I suggest you to try a sample first before buying it. 20 minutes after using it I could still feel my skin a bit irritated because of the exfoliation. I really like the product and it will definitely go to my Wish List!
price: £4.33 20g sample (full size product 120ml RPR £26) This is just an approximation, as the sample size is in g and the full size in ml.
my value: £5 Just a bit of it goes a long way and I really loved the result on my skin, I think it is one of the best exfoliators I have tried!
Birchbox information card:
"What: A multi-action exfoliator to ensure a renewed, refreshed complexion.
How: Wet skin and massage a pea-sized amount of product over face. Use 3-5 times a week."
price: £4.33 20g sample (full size product 120ml RPR £26) This is just an approximation, as the sample size is in g and the full size in ml.
my value: £5 Just a bit of it goes a long way and I really loved the result on my skin, I think it is one of the best exfoliators I have tried!
Birchbox information card:
"What: A multi-action exfoliator to ensure a renewed, refreshed complexion.
How: Wet skin and massage a pea-sized amount of product over face. Use 3-5 times a week."
Dead Sea Spa Magik Refreshing Bath Shower Gel
This is a 25 ml sample of Dead Sea Spa Magik shower gel. The size is ok to try a shower gel. The shower gel itself is fresh and the scent reminds me of sea. One positive is that the price is in the medium range so if someone loves it, then it is definetely a product you can afford. I am definitely going to use it but probably I will forget about it soon.
price: 51p 25ml sample (full size product 350ml RPR £7.15)
my value: 50p That's a small sample that will last for a couple of showers.
Birchbox information card:
"What: A luxurious, moisturising multi-purpose body wash/bath gel with a refreshing scent.
How: Add under running water in the bath or use as body wash in the shower."
price: 51p 25ml sample (full size product 350ml RPR £7.15)
my value: 50p That's a small sample that will last for a couple of showers.
Birchbox information card:
"What: A luxurious, moisturising multi-purpose body wash/bath gel with a refreshing scent.
How: Add under running water in the bath or use as body wash in the shower."
Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect
I received a 30 ml Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect sample. This is a conditioning spray that does everything! Strengthening, repairing, de tangling, great at taming flyway ends as well as nourishing and protecting. I am lucky enough to have hair that is not needy. I don't need any products for detangling or strengthening. But I would go for a product that protects against heat and sun. I didn't see any difference after using the product but it would be hard to tell if your hair is protected against heat/sun. It's a shame I didn't receive it before my summer holidays. I may keep it for my next summer holidays, although it is not written for how long I can safely use it after the first use.
price: £3 30 ml sample (full size product 200ml RPR £20)
my value: £2 I have long hair. This sample is small for me!
Birchbox information card:
"What: A leave-in conditioning spray to detangle and protect against heat and sun damage.
How: Spritz over damp hair and comb through before drying and styling."
price: £3 30 ml sample (full size product 200ml RPR £20)
my value: £2 I have long hair. This sample is small for me!
Birchbox information card:
"What: A leave-in conditioning spray to detangle and protect against heat and sun damage.
How: Spritz over damp hair and comb through before drying and styling."
Nude Progenius Omega Treatment Oil
The 5ml sample of NUDE ProGenius treatment oil had the potential to become my favourite product. I like skincare products and trying new ones. I have heard of NUDE brand before but I have never tried it before. I didn't appreciate the fact that it wasn't written on the birchbox page or card that this product is for normal and dry skin (it's written on the packaging box). I have combination/oily skin and I said this on my profile. This product is not for me but I have a friend that will be very happy to try it!
price: £9.67 5 ml sample (full size product 30ml RPR £58)
my value: £0 This is not a product suitable for my skin type.
Birchbox information card:
"What: This nourishing oil is rich in omega 3, 6, 7 and 9 for hydrated, smooth skin.
How: Apply two to three drops after clansing, AM and PM. Use alone or before moisturiser."
price: £9.67 5 ml sample (full size product 30ml RPR £58)
my value: £0 This is not a product suitable for my skin type.
Birchbox information card:
"What: This nourishing oil is rich in omega 3, 6, 7 and 9 for hydrated, smooth skin.
How: Apply two to three drops after clansing, AM and PM. Use alone or before moisturiser."
Wild About Beauty Powder Eyeshadow
This Wild About Beauty Powder eyeshadow is the only full size product. The shade I received is 05 fern, it's a shade of brown. The packaging is very cute and there is a mirror. I think that the packaging is not very convenient if you have a lot of these eyeshadows as it is not transparent. You have to either read the shade and remember that fern is brown or open it. The eyeshadow is matte and I go for more shimmery ones. I don't think I would buy a single eyeshadow as I prefer mini eyeshadow palettes with complimentary colours, but Wild About Beauty has some nice shades.
price: £13 full size product
my value: £0 This is not a shade I would use.
Birchbox information card:
"What: A long lasting, satin textured shadow from Louise Redknapp and Kim Jacob's paraben-free range.
How: Apply with fingertips or a brush and blend."
price: £13 full size product
my value: £0 This is not a shade I would use.
Birchbox information card:
"What: A long lasting, satin textured shadow from Louise Redknapp and Kim Jacob's paraben-free range.
How: Apply with fingertips or a brush and blend."
The Proposal by Tasmina Perry (lifestyle extra)
When I first heard that there would be a book included in Birchbox I was excited! I like reading and during summer I have more time than usual. But subscribers didn't receive the whole book but only the first chapter... I was very disappointed. There are magazines giving whole books for free and we got only one chapter. Birchbox could consider including a short novel written by the novel so we get to know her and her style, something with a beginning and an end. I consider this bit as an advertisement without a real benefit for me. If I wanted to check whether I would buy this book or not, I would have checked some reviews online and the book summary.
price: £0 I don't think that only a chapter by itself has any value.
my value: £0
price: £0 I don't think that only a chapter by itself has any value.
my value: £0
My conclusion
I paid £5.83 using a Living Social offer. The box normally costs £12.95
Total value of the box: £30.51
My value: £7.50
This month's box contains a variety of products, from make-up to hair, from skincare to bath. I can imagine that for some ladies that would be an amazing box. The value is very good. The products you receive is almost three times what you spend. I appreciate that Birchbox included 2 skincare products as I prefer them. Unfortunately, not all the products were for me. This wasn't my favourite box but I received one of my favourite samples so far, the Vasanti Brightenup exfoliator!
What did you think of the August box?
You can read my Birchbox reviews here.
You can subscribe to Birchbox by clicking here.
For a list of Birchbox and other offers click here.
For new subscribers: If you use my referral link to register, we will both get 50 points worth £5 in our account! You need to collect 100 points to use them and you collect reward points each time you buy a box or a product from the online shop.
Total value of the box: £30.51
My value: £7.50
This month's box contains a variety of products, from make-up to hair, from skincare to bath. I can imagine that for some ladies that would be an amazing box. The value is very good. The products you receive is almost three times what you spend. I appreciate that Birchbox included 2 skincare products as I prefer them. Unfortunately, not all the products were for me. This wasn't my favourite box but I received one of my favourite samples so far, the Vasanti Brightenup exfoliator!
What did you think of the August box?
You can read my Birchbox reviews here.
You can subscribe to Birchbox by clicking here.
For a list of Birchbox and other offers click here.
For new subscribers: If you use my referral link to register, we will both get 50 points worth £5 in our account! You need to collect 100 points to use them and you collect reward points each time you buy a box or a product from the online shop.