Last month Birchbox offered its subscribers the option of selecting a box of products specially curated by the fashion gurus over at Rent the Runway. When I saw the products included in the box on Instagram I knew I had to get it, even though I had cancelled my Birchbox subscription years ago due to my dissatisfaction with the size and selection of their samples. In recent months it seems they've really stepped up their boxes and when I saw this box I knew I had to get back on the Birchbox bandwagon. Here's what I got and what I thought:
Not Soap, Radio 'The Stuff That Cupid Dips His Arrow In' Body Wash
This body wash was one of the main reasons I decided to buy the box. I've been eyeing this baby for the past few months but was a bit iffy about buying a body wash without actually smelling it in person. I love the brand's simple packaging and the creative idea behind their aromatherapeutic, problem-solving products. I've tried pheromone enhancing perfume before but never a aphrodisiac-laden body wash. The deliciously fruity gel has a surprising depth thanks to the combination of blackberry and vanilla and gives off a nice amount of lather. Do I buy this as a love potion you bathe in? Nope. But it's a fun, great smelling product that I really enjoy using! I think it would make an awesome gift (and wouldn't mind receiving a full bottle myself).
TheBalm 'Read My Lips' Lip Gloss in Bam!
I've always been a big fan of TheBalm but I had yet to try any of their glosses. The color looked right up my alley though it's a bit warmer than your traditional rose and skews a bit towards coral. The gloss both smells and tastes like oranges which made me love it even more. I'm sure I'll get tons of use out of it once the weather is a bit warmer.
This liner was probably the throwaway item for me in this box. I knew going into it that I probably wouldn't get much use out of it purely due to its blue color. I have a couple of blue liners but I don't get much use out of them because they don't seem to do anything for my brown eyes. I thought a navy liner might be a subtle change of pace and slightly more in my neutral-loving comfort zone but the liner is in actually a fairly bright blue. That said, the pigmentation and texture of this liner is bonkers! It applies so smoothly and glides across the lid without any effort. And the longevity is no joke either. I wore the liner all day long and it didn't budge or fade. I would (shockingly) highly recommend this liner, though maybe in a more practical color.
Fekkai Blowout Hair Refresher Dry Shampoo
I love a good dry shampoo mini and Fekkai is a brand that I admire and trust. That said, this dry shampoo went above and beyond my expectations. Though it claims to have a clear formula it does leave a bit of a white tint but it blends into your hair surprisingly easily with some rubbing and brushing. The spray smells fantastic and actually left my hair feeling incredibly clean. It got rid of all of the excess oil and I was able to go 3 days without water washing my hair. Even on the third day my hair looked and smelled fresh and was neither too dry nor too oily. I probably could have gone a fourth day but the idea skeeved me out. I'm so glad I was able to try the Fekkai Blowout Dry Shampoo because it's really one of the best I've ever tried!
derma e Anti-Wrinkle Vitamin A Glycolic Scrub
I've tried some other scrubs by derma e in the past and have really liked them so seeing this product in the box was another plus for me. I'm going to be turning 27 later this month (eek) and I've definitely started to notice changes in my skin due to aging (sigh). This scrub isn't harsh on the skin, with a creamy gel texture and a scent reminiscent of baby products. It has tiny natural exfoliants that slough away dull skin and really did make my skin look a bit brighter and more awake. I've been using this a couple of times a week and I really like it.
So after giving up on Birchbox for almost two years I'm back thanks to this beauty of a box. Each Birchbox costs just $10 and I think this box was well worth the cost! I did appreciate knowing exactly what I was getting before signing up. You're probably thinking that that defeats the purpose of a subscription box, but it's the whole reason I'm back. So, thank you Birchbox for feeding my control freak tendencies and I hope to see lots more guest edited boxes in your (and my) future.
I even decided to keep my subscription through March and see how I feel about the random items they send me. I'll keep you informed on how it goes. It also needs to be noted that Birchbox's point system is 2000x better than Ipsy's. You earn points (which actually have monetary value) so much quicker with Birchbox and you can even use them towards full-sized products in their shop. Their shop is fantastic, with lots of high-end and rare brands and amazing exclusives and kits that are an insane bargain. Even if you don't subscribe to their boxes I would recommend checking out their shop if you're in the market for some new beauty goods.
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