I’m not one to shy away from sparkle and shine, so upon hearing Birchbox’s theme for the holidays, I was elated for what was to come. Sure enough the samples are essentials for any holiday festivity on your list. Admittedly, I expected a little more from the box (which a lot of other subscribers seemed to echo on Facebook), but that’s probably because I’ve been spoiled by my last three amazing boxes (see: Sept., Oct. and Nov.). If you’re not a Birchbox subscriber, don’t be left out! You will love it. But back to the samples. I tested these goodies before attending Fashion ART BAR last night in Boston. Here are my reactions.
Camille Beckman Body Butter – Morelia Monarch Scent: Even though I’m partial to essential body oils this season, I may have to make an exception for this body butter formulated with shea butter and almond oil. The scent is amazing; I can’t stop smelling my hands. While the texture is a bit thick compared to my lightweight oils, a little bit goes a long way and quickly absorbs into skin. It also does a great job of locking in hydration. If you’re looking for a lotion for yourself or as a gift, this is it.
Color Club Nail Polish – Dark’n: This is my third Color Club sample from Birchbox in the 9 months that I’ve been a subscriber. I think that’s a bit much, to be honest. Don’t get me wrong, I can never have enough nail polishes, but it would be nice to sample different nail polish brands. All that said, this is a pretty silver metallic color for New Year’s and beyond. When it comes to nails, I prefer a bit of sparkle over shine so I’ll be layering this lacquer with glitter.
Manna Kadar Cosmetics – Sheer Glo in Birchbox Love: Highlighters are an integral part of my makeup ritual so this sample was a welcomed addition to my Jane Iredale highlighter. This highlighter has a creamy consistency, which was a nice change from the powder and pencil highlighters I’ve used. I was pleased that it did not make my face shiny (or sparkly), but it did provide a subtle dewy glow above my brow bone and along my cheekbones. This is already a must-have for the dry season.
Number 4 Non Aerosol Hairspray: I’m not really a fan of hairspray or Number 4 products, so you can imagine I wasn’t very excited about this sample. Nonetheless, I tried it before heading out to Fashion ART BAR last night. The result? Crunchiness, which is expected from any hairspray. But at least my hair stayed in place without getting frizzy. This is the second – and hopefully, last – time I will receive Number 4 products in my box. I sampled the Number 4 Super Comb and Protect spray back in August and loathed it after it weighed down my hair, making it flat and sticky (side note: if I could nominate the worst Birchbox sample, this would be it.). Ever since then Number 4 has left a bad taste in my mouth, so it’s quite possible I’m being too harsh on this hairspray. I will concede that this line is probably great for other hair types judging by the reviews, but it’s not compatible with my thick, curly, frequently heat-styled hair.
Beauty Extra:
Bliss that’s incredi-‘peel’!: I was a bit disappointed that this was an extra instead of a deluxe sample. But after one use (yes, only one) of the glycolic acid resurfacing pad, I decided it’s a must-have. Sure, upon application it stings, but afterward my skin looked and felt renewed and polished. I used it 24 hours ago and my skin still feels smooth, which is more than I can say about any exfoliator I’ve ever used. This product is pure bliss (sorry, couldn’t resist). I’m just waiting to accumulate enough points to purchase the full-size.
That’s it for samples. Overall, this was a good box. I’m sorry I don’t have more pictures, but I’ll be adding some to Instagram later in the week. What did you get in your BB? Feel free to brag (or complain!) in the comments. Again, if you’re not a subscriber, here’s the my special referral link to join.
