Birchbox is back in my lineup of subscription boxes! Okay, I only skipped one month, but Birchbox was having an offer for new subscribers, which included a free beauty blender upon subscribing. I fell in love with the little pink sponge recently, and since they're normally $20 a piece, I thought why not? Birchbox is only $10 anyway, so I get a half-off beauty blender and the rest will be like extra! Although truth be told, I have missed getting little skincare samples from Birchbox. I know many people have a huge skincare/makeup stash so they don't really appreciate getting even MORE samples from Birchbox, but I'm starting to prefer mini skincare since I can get through it quicker or gift it away if it doesn't work for me. So I'm happy to be receiving Birchbox again!
What is Birchbox? Every box usually comes with around 5 or so samples. Birchbox offers a points system as well, and to earn points, you have to go on the Birchbox website and submit a short review of the items you received. For each review you submit, you are rewarded 10 Birchbox points, which is equal to $1 to spend in their shop. So really, you're spending $10 per box, but getting $5 back in store credit to spend on other awesome goodies! This comes in handy when you find a product you really love in a monthly box, because then you can use the store credit you've accumulated to essentially get it for free if you have enough points!
You also get 1 point for every dollar you spend in their shop, and sometimes Birchbox offers extra points for coupons that you can combine to save even more $$$!The theme for this month's Birchbox is Positive Force, and is in support of breast cancer awareness! The box the samples came in was pink and super pretty, and everything was wrapped in pretty pink tissue paper.
"At Birchbox, we know firsthand the power of beauty to inspire confidence, to change your mood, and to plain ol' make you happy. This October, we're harnessing the power of beauty in a different way: to raise money and awareness for an important cause. We've partnered with The Estee Lauder Companies' Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation to fund one year of breast cancer lab research hours.
Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent health issues women face, affecting 1 in 8. That number is astounding. We're proud to support the cause with dollars, awareness, and volunteer hours. We hope you'll join us - and that you love what's in this (very pink) box!"
Acure Organics Cell Stimulating Facial Mask (Full size $12.99) - This is a green clay mask that helps to shed weekly dirt and grime, while activating stem cells and reviving skin cells. I was over the moon when I saw this in my box. I love Acure products, and you can never have too many clay masks! Especially ones with green tea!
"While we love our go-to facial wash, sometimes our skin needs a way deeper clean. Enter: this French green clay face mask, which sheds weekly dirt and grime buildup. Active stem cells and CGF (chlorella growth factor) revitalizes skin cells - leaving a refreshing tingling feeling - while argan and seabuckthorn oils provide moisture and hydration."
Clean White Woods Eau de Parfum (Full size: $38-$69) - This perfume is a warm, comforting blend of bergamot, mandarin, vanilla orchid, sandalwood, praline musks, and black pepper. I didn't even know black pepper could be used for perfume, but I actually really like the smell of this! It's a little boring, but in a good way - it's a warm, clean scent that I could find myself wearing day to day. It looks kind of "old lady" from the packaging, and the description on the Birchbox website described it as an "outdoorsy" scent, but it's actually really warm and sweet!
"Even if your idea of the great outdoors involves day glamping on the roof deck of your hotel, this woodsy scent is hard to resist. Top notes of bergamot, mandarin and black pepper hit first, followed by secondary notes of magnolia, lilly, and vanilla orchid. Sandalwood, praline, musk, and amber round out this rich fragrance, which - though inspired by a hike down a wooded path - fits in just as well on a strut down 5th Avenue."
Eyeko Black Magic Mascara (Full size: $24) - This is a water resistant mascara in a tube that's supposed to add curl and volume to lashes while maintaining major staying power. I haven't had a chance to use this yet since I have a few mascaras to get through, but from what I've heard around it's really nice.
"In a bygone era, you might have bribed a local witch doctor to score lashes this long, thick, and curvaceous. Luckily, London-based Eyeko's brand of magic is far more practical. The sickle-shaped wand creates the perfect amount of curl, with a thick, rounded brush to fully coat lashes, and the water-resistant formula lasts for 12 hours. Plus, it comes with the Eyeko Shield, a unique guitar-pick shaped tool that helps prevent smudging (no hocus-pocus required)."
Number 4 Texture Styling Creme (Full size: $32) - A multitasking creme that's supposed to give flexible, weightless control and a hefty dose of texture. While I love getting hair creams/sprays (since that's all I ever really do for my hair anyway) I'll give this a try, but I haven't had much luck in the past with heavy hair cremes/pomade type products since my hair is so fine. I guess I'll just have to see!
"If you're lusting after the effortless beachy waves of stars like Blake Lively and Kate Hudson, this styling product is your summer must-have. Whether your locks are hip grazing or pixie-short, this multitasking cream gives flexible, weightless control and a hefty dose of texture (without any pesky frizz!)."
Lollia Shea Butter - Wish (Full size: $25) - This is apparently a cult classic, and is a lush and hydrating hand creme with notes of vanilla, jasmine, ylang ylang and amber woods. This is not as thick as I expected it to be, but I really love the way it smells so I'll throw it in my purse for the days when my hands need a little extra moisture. It did leave my hands incredibly soft after about 5 minutes though, so I can easily see this becoming a favorite.
"We always enjoy the winter season - not so much for the freezing temps, but for the ability to cover our dry hands with cozy gloves. Whether you're bundled up or baring summer skin, this decadent, scented shea butter hand cream will deeply hydrate and soften for hands that you can't wait to show off. And if that wasn't enough, the pretty packaging will seal the deal. Wish - warm vanilla bean, rice flower, sugared pastille, jasmine leaves sweetened with sugar cane, ylang ylang, and amber woods."
Beauty Blender (Retail value: $20)* - This was the beauty blender freebie that I received for resubscribing in the month of October. I think this promotion ended October 29th unfortunately, but I'm happy I snagged it because it's twice the value of the box itself, and that is seriously a good deal! These things are a lifesaver for me; I love how they blend my makeup perfectly and keep me from having to use my hands or a brush. Nothing against brushes, although sometimes they do streak a little, and the beauty blender leaves my foundation looking flawless every time.
Final Verdict 
I'm super glad that I decided to resub to Birchbox. I didn't know how much I missed getting little skincare/beauty samples in the mail until I didn't anymore! I've been a huge fan of mini skincare lately, since for some reason it takes me FOREVER to empty things, even with daily use. So now when I see something I'm interested in, I'll usually get a sample first/the smallest size available to see if I really truly do like it and can incorporate it into my routine. Usually by the time I'm finished with Birchbox's samples. I have a good idea of whether or not I'd like to pick up the product in the future, and that's part of the reason why I resubscribed. Birchbox sends out the perfect sized samples, and it's so much fun to see the different brands and discover new products without breaking the bank. I liked everything in the October box (even the perfume sample!) so it's a satisfying first month back.
If you'd like to subscribe to Birchbox, you can do so OVER HERE. Happy sampling!
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