October 2012 Birchbox

Wow! It's been a while since I've done a Birchbox review, but oh how I love doing them and what better time to start back up than October, my favorite month? This month, Birchbox subscribers had the option to opt in on a special "goop" box or stick with the regular Birchbox. If you didn't know (I sure didn't until I looked it up), goop is a lifestyle publication started by Gwyneth Paltrow. I was unaware about the goop box so I was sent the regular box. The theme this month is "Transformations."

Click HERE if you would like to sign up for Birchbox.

What I got in my box:

• the original beautyblender - So so ecstatic to see this in my Birchbox! I already have one and let me say it is an incredible product and I do not mind having another. This simple little pink sponge does wonders for applying your foundation giving you a "flawless" finish. It's a bit pricey so if you were also lucky enough to receive one of these, it pretty much in itself paid for your box.
• Lucy B Pink Frangipani & Wild Jasmine Roll-On Perfume Oils - A little alternative from the usual perfume sample, these are perfume oils that you can enjoy separately or mixed together. The pink frangipani is a citrusy scent while the jasmine is a sweet floral. Very nice scents but not very autumn-y. It would have been nice if they had been in roll-on container and not the little hard-to-open perfume vials - it always ends up popping up and spilling on me. 
• Supergoop! City Sunscreen Serum - Very odd to see a sunscreen in a fall month box. Luckily, I do live in Florida so it's pretty much sunny year-round so I'll be able to give this a try. Foil samples are always a little disappointing but at least they gave two, and I've never heard of this brand so I'm looking forward to seeing what I think.
• theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer - Let me just put it out there that I love theBalm so I was very happy to see this in my box even if the sample is small. It's still a decent size that gives you an idea of just how great this product is. It's super pretty and looks amazing as both a highlighter or an eyeshadow. Definitely need to pick up the full-size.
• LUNA Fiber Bar in Chocolate Raspberry - I'm always being told I need more fiber in my diet and these would certainly help. They taste like a Nutri-grain bar times 10 - very dense and chock-full of fiber I assume. The chocolate flavor isn't too bad but I could have used a little more raspberry. 

I was only sent four items this month (not counting the "Lifestyle Extra") and if weren't for the beautyblender, I would have been pretty disappointed. I was hoping for more "fall" related items and this box seemed stuck in summer =/

NOTE: My Birchbox this month arrived late due to a "shipping snafu." To apologize, they awarded me 100 Birchbox points (essentially $10 in the Birchbox store). Not bad. Just another testament to their awesome customer service. 

What did you guys think? What products did you get in your Birchbox? Did you get the goop box? Did you like that better than the original? Comment and let me know!

May "Gossip Girl" Special Edition Birchbox

Gasp! Am I really posting a beauty box review the next day after receiving it instead of the next month?? Yes, it's true! It's amazing what you can accomplish when your schedule opens up during the summer and you get 3 consecutive days off from work ^^ Oh, and I have a little surprise at the end of this post...

But before we get to that, let's talk about this month's Birchbox. I was especially excited this month because Birchbox teamed up with Gossip Girl for a special edition GG-themed boxed. Although I would consider myself a casual GG viewer (Hart of Dixie rules my Monday nights), I was still super excited to see what items lay in store for me since I still consider the show one of the most fashionable on television.

The packaging and presentation for this month's box was a little different from the norm with a few little GG touches. Instead of pink, the outer packaging box was a cool black with pink text. Around the actual Birchbox was a little slip cover that features the New York at night and both the Birchbox and Gossip Girl logos.

 

Inside, my note from the Birchbox team described my box collection theme as "Downtown Book Party." Interesting. My box consisted of:

• Twistband Hair Tie - I LOVE these! My big gave me one in a gift bundle and it's my go-to hair tie. They're really soft and stretchy and keep your hair secure without snagging or leaving a crease in your hair. Plus, when you're not wearing them, they look cute on your wrist and you don't have to worry about them digging into your skin and leaving a mark. 
• Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF25+ - Yes! I have been looking to invest in a BB cream for quite a while now so I was really happy to see this in my box. I wasn't so thrilled with the tiny size and the fact that it's only half full, however.
• BLVGARI Omnia Crystalline Eau de Toilette Spray - I think I've gotten a perfume sample in every one of my Birchboxes. I know a lot of people don't like this and it does seem a little repetitive, but I don't mind too much because I don't have any fancy expensive perfume so I pretty much live off these samples. This is a nice scent (the card describes it as "lotus flowers, bamboo, and Nashi pears") but nothing really that special.
• stila sparkle waterproof liquid eye liner - Ahhh, probably my favorite of the bunch!! And it's a full-sized product too! Awesome! This is a great liquid liner with a really nice precise tip. The color is really unique too - I would describe it as an olive-gold.
• Ojon volume advance Volumizing Conditioner - Ehh, I have pretty thick hair so I tend to stay away from volumizing hair products. It does have a lovely scent though that reminds me of Aveda products.
• Extra: XOXO Notecard and Envelope - Cute, but a little lacking, especially after some of the great extras I've had in previous boxes.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with this month's Birchbox. It's not my favorite, but there are certainly some stand out products. I think I just expected a little more because of the Gossip Girl theme.

 

 

And a little update on MyGlam, I finally unsubscribed and I feel totally fine with that decision! Especially because Glossy Box just arrived to the US! :D

Now, for my little surprise I mentioned at the beginning of the post...I FINALLY posted my first video on YouTube!! Yay!! Starting a YouTube channel is something I'be been wanting to do for a LONG time so I'm so excited to start posting videos! I already have some tutorials and recent hauls recorded that just need to be edited and uploaded (which takes forever) and TONS of ideas (I've really been planning this a long time) so hopefully I can churn out consistent videos - if my job allows. I'm more used to being behind a camera so it took a little adjusting to and I realize I still need a lot of improvement speaking to a camera - I can't believe how many times I said 'um' lol but I hope in time I'll improve. Anyway, I hope you'll give my channel a look - even if there's only one video uploaded right now - and maybe even subscribe ^^

My YouTube Channel - GeekyFashionista

April Birchbox

Birchbox does it again with another amazing box of products! I seriously fall more and more in love with this company and its incredible customer service each month and they have yet to let me down with the contents of their boxes. This month's theme was "Natural Wonders" with products all inspired by nature.

• Befine Skincare Sampler - I got 5 generous-sized "Single Serve" packets, 3 of which contain an Exfoliating Cleanser (with brown sugar, sweet almond, and oats) and 2 a Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 (with rosemary, pomegranate, and rice). I'm really excited to try these out as I've heard great things about Befine products. 
• Orofluido Beauty Elixir - My dry/damaged hair could definitely use the nourishing oils (argan, linseed, and cyperus) in this hair treatment. I also really liked the nice little glass bottle it came in (although it was a little difficult for me to unscrew) and the vanilla amber scent smells amazing.
• Wonderstruck Taylor Swift - I really love the way this smells, and I've actually had my eye on this perfume for a while so I was happy to get a sample of it to try out for a couple days to see if I liked it enough to invest the $50+ on the full-sized version. 
• Zoya TRUE Spring Collection in Bevin - Yay, another nail polish! I've actually never tried Zoya before but it claims to go "on opaque and lasts 50% longer than traditional polishes." The photo below shows what it looks like with two thin coats (not bad), and although I do remember some slight chipping occurring the second or third day, it did last in pretty good shape for a good week.
• MicrodermaMitt Face Mitt - An all-natural silk mitt that exfoliates dead skin cells and clears up pores. I love this thing and the fact that I basically got a full-sized product (which costs $28) makes it even more awesome.

Since I wasn't able to show it last month, here's a look at Birchbox's impeccable packaging.

I'm already excited to see what's in my May box - ESPECIALLY because it's inspired by one of TV's most fashionable shows, Gossip Girl, with the show's department heads for makeup and hair curating the products! The arrival of the box is supposed to coincide with the show's finale on May 14th.

If you aren't already, click HERE to sign up for Birchbox - you won't regret it!

February & March Birchbox

I have been SUPER happy with the two Birchboxes I've received so far. Both have been filled with a good variety of high-end and interesting beauty products (including some I would normally never even think of trying): two things I really look for in a good beauty box subscription. They also have killer customer service and their shipping is on point.

I love the Birchbox packaging! The pink outer mail packaging is an eye-catching pink color. The actual "Birchbox" inside is made of a nice quality cardboard material. I'm very impressed with how everything is always neatly arranged and packaged within the box using tissue paper and ribbons. It really does make each box feel like you're unwrapping a gift. Note: The photo below, unfortunately, do not show this impeccable packaging as these pictures were taken almost a month or two after I received and unpackaged all my products.

• Benta Berry G-1 Moisturizing Face Cream - A French all-natural moisturizer new to the U.S. that's supposed to moisturize, regulate your skin's oil levels, and reduce breakouts. It's a fairly thick cream that absorbs rather quickly and has a light scent to it. Nothing all that special or different from your regular old moisturizer though.
• dermalogica Daily Microfoliant - I'm absolutely obsessed with this product! I was really excited to try it since it's such a unique product being a powder that turns into a paste when you add water which you can then use to exfoliate your face. Let me tell you, this stuff is amazing! My skin feels so clean and smooth after using it. I'll be so sad when it runs out, but fortunately they give you a decent amount. This is definitely a product I'll be saving up my Birchbox points for (the full size costs $50). 
• Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint - I love tinted moisturizers as an alternative to foundation and I've heard great things about this product. Wish the tube was a little larger though.
• Violent Lips Temporary Lip Tattoos - This is certainly a product I would normally never dish out the money to try. Not sure when I'm going to need gold glittery lips, unless I was going to dress up as a Hunger Games Capitol citizen, speaking of which, I realized these were used in Whitney Lee Milam's "Girl on Fire" makeup video.
• Lifestyle Extra: Supersmile Powdered Mouthrinse - Another unique powdered product - is that a trend in the beauty world right now? Haven't used them yet, but I like the idea.
• Birchbox Digital Download: 6 free song from indie rock band Green River Ordinance - Interesting bonus, but I haven't downloaded any of the songs yet. I will eventually.

 

• Annick Goutal Eau d'Hadrien - A citrus-scented perfume inspired by Tuscan groves. I'm not a big citrus fragrance person, but if I were, I'd love this. It reminds me of the grapefruit tree my family had when I was going up.
• Color Club Nail Lacquer in He Loves Me - I was so excited to see this little trial-sized nail polish in my box! And in such a pretty pink shade! Unfortunately, it's a bit thin and takes several coats but I really liked the end result. 
• Eve Lom TLC Radiance Cream - A hydrating moisturizer that brightens your complexion with vitamins A and C. This stuff definitely feels like quality and I love how it makes my skin feel cool and refreshed.
• Koh Gen Do Cleansing Water Cloth - Loved these! These travel-friendly cotton cloths are soaked in "botanical-infused thermal spring water to enrich and purify your skin." My favorite thing about them is how they're able to remove makeup, including waterproof mascara, so easily and quickly.
• Traditions by Nick Chavez Yucca Root Shampooing Cream - Made with wild yam and yucca root - interesting. Haven't tried it yet, but I'm looking forward to it. Plus, look how much they give you! Big samples make me happy!
• Lifestyle Extra: Tea Forte skin-smart Teas - Have not tried these yet, but I love the idea of a tea that helps your skin. Can't wait to try since if I end up liking them, they're only $6 for 16 tea bags.

In a nutshell, I'm really, really obsessed with Birchbox and the products they've sent me, and I can't wait to see what they bring me in April.

What do you guys think of Birchbox?