Hey Birchbox fans!  August Birchbox…month two, sans birchbox points for reviews. What did you think of your box; worth it still?  Do you feel that they have upped their game as far as box products go?

This Month I let Birchbox choose my goods as opposed to the featured box.  More often than not I dig the featured box and stick with that, as a safe bet, but this time; I wasn’t really feeling it.  Still totally standing by the notion that Birchbox is making a really good effort at selecting products they feel fit the individual [since making the big points changes and such last month.] This is the 3rd month in which I’ve really noticed things like skin care for my acne prone skin, hair products for blondes and my hair type, shades I will actually wear etc.  While last month I felt disappointed with the size of some of my products (including a conditioner sample foil pack as one of my 5 items.)  This month, I was pleased with all of my sample products and sizes.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on Birchbox since they’ve initiated their changes.

The Box:

The Goods:

Davroe Tame Detangler Spray:  Deluxe Sample/Travel Size.  Full Size $26.00

This is a really great sized item and both my son and myself have hair that is prone to tangling.  I’m not a huge fan of the scent, it smells alright at first but then a bit, ‘oldish’?  It’s not awful or anything, just not the lemongrass I had expected.  The lemongrass is there to control your scalp’s oil glands…so maybe that was never its intended scent.  Either way, it works to detangle hair without altering it in any other way.  Spritzing damp hair just prior to removing tangles with my ‘wet brush’ worked well.

Manna Kadar Cosmetics Eyeshadow Single in Fantasy: *Full Size $19.00

This product shows up on the Birchbox Card and the Birchbox site as an eyeshadow that is just one of the shades in the available for purchase via Birchbox, ‘Day Dream Palette’.  The shade is a very pretty, easy to wear, every day shade named ‘fantasy’.  It’s a beautiful nude champagne/blush, pearlized hue that I thought would double as a nice highlighter.  *Because the product appeared to be a full size item, yet Birchbox only links it to a palette, I decided to see if it was in fact available this way.  I found it on Manna Kadar’s site, aptly described as a 3-in-1 blush, highlighter and eyeshadow.  Because the packaging is a bit different, I’m not certain if this version is the same size..but I included the link to purchase above.  This product is really nice, smooth with great pigment.  It’s one that will earn a permanent spot on my vanity for quick, easy, every day use items.  Love it.

for whatever reason, my photos of the ‘actual product’ kept appearing mauve or plum like.  The above swatch is an accurate depiction of the shade.

Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer: 1 oz travel size.  Full Size $28.00

I have received this once before, from somewhere, but it was a really small vial and I had so much hair at the time, it was hard to tell how much I really liked it.  This is a good sized sample, allowing me many uses and while I still like to add in some extra oil on most occasions; this is a good multi functional product.  Providing heat protection, detangling and frizz fighting oils, this stuff makes a good base applied prior to straightening and blow drying alike.  I feel like it helps my style remain a bit longer as well.

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Patina:  1 lipstick.  This product is available as a trio for $20.00

I have received this lipstick in the past, in a couple of different shades; either really dark or intensely red.  The product itself I loved; the shades simply weren’t anything I really wear.  This shade, patina, is one I actually wanted to try and I like it.  This liquid lipstick applies like a gloss but has an ultra long lasting finish.  The finish is a creamy matte which I find is less drying than most similar products.

Arm Swatch

Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Energizing Hydrating Gel:  Deluxe Sample.  Full size $26.00

This is a really nice product; similar to some that are much pricier.  My skin is combo and can get oily in areas and is also prone to breakouts.  I really like this light, cool and refreshing gel moisturizer for day time use.  It doesn’t leave my skin feeling greasy and seems to help balance my skin.

For anyone interested in a Birchbox subscription, below is their current sign on special:

Thoughts!?

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-Kelli xoxo