Hey Birchbox fans!!

This Month I chose the featured box: ‘Ready for Anything’ I’ve been interested in MILK Studios products since I first noticed it pop up and with a couple of tried and true products and 2 new products to try; it seemed a good fit for me!  I also opted to add on a Birchbox plus item. (which I absolutely love & have actually been needing for some time)

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

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

birchbox has many additional perks as well:

-prior to the month you will receive an email that will 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:

The Goods:

Isaac Jacobs Organizer & Mirror: $32.00

This acrylic organizer with mirror was one of the many Birchbox Plus add-ons for March.  I tacked this on to my order for $26.00.    This is just a generic photo courtesy of Birchbox’ site in order to show what it looks like empty. (see my photo above) I am currently using mine to hold my everyday makeup items.  This acrylic organizer has a double sided mirror with 3x magnification on 1 side.  This is super cute and convenient.  I purchased it b/c I have been needing a mirror like this and figured it would be great to have one that also had the organizers; this way I could keep my everyday products in one place.  The only thing I do not like about it is how the addition of the mirror almost seems like an afterthought, as in:  Hey, we have a bunch of these very small organizers, grab some epoxy and stick these mirrors on them somewhere! Haha!  If the larger compartment did not have the mirror in its space I could have fit all of my things more efficiently.  The design could definitely be better, but it’s still a nice little organizer to have.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream:  Deluxe Sample, Full size is $26.50

I’ve always liked Kiehl’s.  I find their products reasonably priced for high quality items.  This cream is great for my skin type: prone to breakouts with both very dry and oily areas.  It’s a great final step in my evening routine, a light layer on my oily areas, heavier on the dry.  It sinks in quickly feeling light, not greasy, moisturizes my skin and has not caused any breakouts.  Very thick heavy night creams, no matter how dry the area I apply it to is, generally do.  Great product.

Wilma Schumann Hydrating Collagen Eye Pads:  1 pair, box of 5 (pair) is $18.00

I had not heard of this brand prior but have used several similar versions of these from other brands and I LOVE them.  They are one of my favorite items to receive and this particular pair were just as good as the others I have used.  I love slapping these flexible, cooling eye pads on my ‘I look like I need to go back to bed, but can’t’ looking eyes; whether silicone, gel, collagen whatever…they are an excellent little morning pick-me-up and they definitely wake up your tired eyes.  I do not have much for dark circles but definitely deal with puffiness due to lack of sleep and a bit of a shadow-y under eye line thing.  These really help with that.

PARLOR by Jeff Chastain Smoothing Blow-out Spray:  Deluxe/Travel size, full size is $24.00

This was the one item I knew I wouldn’t likely use simply b/c I do not blow dry my hair.  My hair is much too thick and long to deal with that.  If I’m getting a blowout; someone else and their products will be doing it.  I wanted to still be able to review it though so I tried it out on my son who happens to have long surfer hair, past his shoulders, just as thick has mine.  His hair is not curly but has some wave and gets quite puffy after a wash if no oil or heat styling is used.  I sprayed a good amount of the product in his hair and blow dried as usual.  It definitely mashed down the cuticle enough and gave it a soft bounce that he normally doesn’t have when using our typical argan oil. (a look he didn’t really need, haha)  It seemed like a pretty good product, though I’m not sure if it would be enough for processed/damaged thick, long hair.

MILK Studios Lip Color in C.R.E.A.M: sample size, Full size is $22.00

I was excited to find I was going to get to sample a product from Milk.  I’ve been curious about the brand since its recent release everywhere.  This sample is tiny.  I have not seen a lipstick sample like this since my mom hosted Mary Kay parties in the 80’s! HA!  It’s a really great shade and formula though & I really like it.  It’s a really wearable mauve-nude, like the color my lips already are 2.0.  It’s what I wished they looked like on their own,(no corpse or foundation lips) with this nude hue and the formula is a smooth and creamy, satiny, demi-matte.  My favorite.  The product has good staying power too.  I liked it so much that I just ordered a ton of MILK products to try and I can’t wait.  The brand looks really fun with some unique stuff and I hope the quality is throughout the brand.  Don’t worry, there will be a review! 😉

Love!!

Arm Swatch

Smashbox Photo Op Eye Shadow in Filter: deluxe/travel size slider, full size is $28.00

This is such a great little eye trio!  I love the shade, contour & highlight options, cool toned and taupes, like contour for your eyes.  The shades have excellent pigment, blend well and create a really great eye look, a neutral that can be subtle or bold.  This particular version is small & super compact and will be a perfect little item to toss in your travel bag.  Love it!

Arm Swatch

Eye look

I loved this month’s curated box!  It was one of the better ones lately, in my opinion.

What did everyone else think?

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-Kelli xoxo