Hey Birchbox fans!!

This month I opted not to add any of the Birchbox plus items; after browsing and re-browsing I determined I really did not want any of the items all that badly 🙂  I later found, through a blogger friend of mine, that I could add the specially curated ‘Glam Life Guru’ box by Tati Westbrook and Birchbox and still get the regular monthly box that I wanted simply b/c the box itself was so lovely!  I’m so glad I did b/c I ended up with two excellent boxes this month that I have been absolutely loving!!!

If you are new to Birchbox, Here is the lowdown:

For 10.00 Per Month you will receive a box of 5 beauty products/samples and an occasional bonus product delivered to your door each month. Join Birchbox and use code: BBJETBLUE10 for 10.00 (100 bb points) to use in shop with your new subscription.

For those interested there is also a Mens Birchbox. Details here

birchbox has added many additional options lately as well:

-prior to the month you will receive an email that will often allow you to choose one of your samples from a selection or to choose a specially curated birchbox with each product detailed. You also may stick with the option of keeping your surprise standard monthly box with a selection of the spotlighted monthly items!

-Birchbox Plus: In addition to your monthly boxes birchbox has added Birchbox Plus, this allows you to add a lifestyle item to your box for a discounted price: [anything from additional (full sized) beauty products to items for your home, entertaining and accessories!] (You will receive an email with these options prior to your months box as well)

-The very best part of Birchbox for me is the Birchbox store and the rewards system that they have. Each month you may review each product for 10 BB points ea. 100 points equals 10.00 to use in the Birchbox shop; essentially every two birchboxes received can get you 10.00 to use in the birchbox shop.  (you also earn 1 bb point for every dollar spent in the shop) There are many other promos that allow you additional bb points and other loyalty discounts throughout each year.  They offer many excellent brands in their shop.

– Birchbox also has the Ace program which you are auto enrolled in after receiving 500 bb points in a calendar year:  learn more about the Ace program.

The Box(es)

Box 1 (standard November Birchbox)

The Goods:

The Beauty Crop Lighting Crew Highlighting cream: This product is full size (10 ml) $18.00

I LOVE this highlighter. Love, Love, Love.  The shade is perfect, it has a thin liquid consistency that requires very little product and is super easy to blend.  It mixes well with other products and smells delightful.  I can’t get enough of this stuff!

Swatched Below:

Malin+Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser + Vitamin E Face Moisturizer Sample:  this is a deluxe size sample, full size product is $32.00

I’ve yet to meet a Malin + Goetz product that I do not love.  I own many.  This is an invigorating Citrus-y gel cleanser designed to balance skin and clear up breakouts.  I plan to continue use and see how it performs on a longterm basis.  Love it so far!

Montale Dark Purple:  Sample vial Full size bottle range from $120 – $170.00

I typically cringe when I receive a perfume sample in one of my sub boxes; they’re small, free, I have a huge bag full of them and rarely do I receive a scent I like.  This particular perfume smells amazing though.  I’ve never heard of it before now and I really love it.  It’s a pretty pricey perfume but I may just use some BB points and buy myself a Christmas gift for this one.  It’s perfect for me.  It is described as having: notes of rose petals, geranium bourbon and patchouli that sit on a woodsy base of gray amber, teak wood and white musk.

Parlor by Jeff Chastain Touchable Curl Cream:  This is a deluxe size sample, full size product is $24.00

This is a curl cream and I really have no use for this product.  It does have great reviews but I will give this one away to someone who can use it.

LOC (Tati Westbrook) BB Exclusive Vibrant Matte Lipstick in First Kiss:  This is full size and $8.00

This lipstick is part of the Tati line; LOC, available only though Birchbox.  The price point is low and the products are smaller in size and really portable.  I chose the nude shade, first Kiss.  I like the shade pretty well though it’s a tad bit more orange-y than I would have preferred.  The formula is pretty nice too, good coverage and it’s not really drying on my lips like a lot of matte lipsticks are.  It’s kind of a satin finish or semi-matte; I would say.  What did everyone think of this new line?

Swatched:

Box 2 (Glam Life Guru, Tati Westbrook specialty curated November box)

The Goods:

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (PhD) Dry Shampoo: Travel size $12.00 (full size is $22.00)

I’ve tried a few Living proof products and I’ve liked them all pretty well.  I love dry shampoo and honestly all of the versions/brands I have used I’ve liked.  There are a couple of real stand-outs but for the most part they seem pretty much the same to me, this one as well.  It does as it describes and it does it well.  I’ll never be sad when receiving a dry shampoo.  They are my lifeline.  I’ll save this one for my upcoming trip this month.

Jouer Lip Enhancer: This product is full size and is $16.00

This is a glossy balm designed to help minimize lines, moisturize and increase fullness. (not a stingy lip plumper) and OMG it’s amazing.  This is my favorite new lip moisturizer, hands down.  It is on the thinner side of lip balms and is an instant moisture surge that lasts.  I’ve been putting it on in the evening and prior to bed.  This is such a great product.

Shiseido Ultimune eye power Infusing Eye Concentrate:  Deluxe Sample, Full size product is $65.00

I have not owned a product from Shiseido in a very long time and was anxious to give this product a try.  It’s an eye serum with claims to firm and smooth the skin around your eyes while boosting the benefit of other eye products.  So: Use this serum under your original eye cream for max results just as you would with your face products.  This is a not too thick serum that soothed my under eye instantly; b/c I do not use an unde reye concealer and no heavy foundation I found that a small amount of this product also works well for a mid day eye ‘pick-me-up’ dabbed lightly in the under/outer eye area without disrupting my makeup.

Avène Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum:  Deluxe sample, full size product is $36.00

I have become a huge fan of Avène this year.  I use the thermal spray for calming my skin, refreshing after a hot day, hydrating my face..you name it.  I’m obsessed with it.  Their Cleanance cleanser is excellent, balancing and great for even drier more sensitive skin types yet still helps control breakouts.  This serum is another great product from Avène; a lightweight, ultra hydrating serum that is great for under night time moisturizer giving you an extra boost in moisture and smoothing of your skin.  I really love this brand!

LOC One & Done Shadow Stick in Day Trip:  This is full size $10.00

This Shadow Stick is part of the Tati line; LOC, available only though Birchbox.  The price point is low and the products are smaller in size and really portable.  I’m not a big fan of shadow sticks.  I prefer shadows and liners.  I gave this product a try anyway and it has nice pigment for a lighter metallic shade and the texture is nice, it glides on pretty smoothly.  If you like using eye shadow sticks I believe these are pretty good ones.  I found when applied to the lid and as a smoky style under eye liner this product; in this particular shade gives you a nice bronzy eye look a la ‘old school’ Charlize Theron.  I kind of liked it.  It brought me back. 🙂

Swatched:

Well, that was a long review!  These were the best two Birchboxes I have received in a long time!  There were so many great products with an excellent value.  I’m so glad I was able to add on the Glam Life Guru as well!  What did everyone think of their November Box(es) this month?

Thanks for reading!

Follow me if you like and share my blog!

P.S.  My Giveaway  entry period ends in just a couple of hours!  (11:59 Pacific, 11/30) I will announce the winner some time tomorrow!

You can also find me on:

Instagram

&

Twitter

-Kelli xoxo