I’ve already reviewed the August 2015 Birchbox, but I signed up for another Birchbox account so I could take advantage of Birchbox’s Upgraded Beta subscription plan. If you aren’t familiar with the new Beta Upgraded subscription, for an additional $20 a month, you’ll get two full-size makeup or nail polish products in addition to your 5 samples.
My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: Birchbox
The Cost: $10 a month (plus $20 for this upgraded box)
The Products: Beauty and lifestyle samples selected by the Birchbox team.
Ships to: US, France, Spain and the UK and Canada
Check out all of my Birchbox reviews and the Beauty Subscription Box Directory!
Each box comes with a card detailing the items included. The two full-size items are listed at the bottom.
The full sized items arrive in their own separate special box!
Eyeko Eye Do Mascara - Value $26
This mascara gets great reviews on Birchbox, so I had high expectations before trying it out. I'm not the biggest fan, though. The formula gave my lashes good length, but not great volume. Plus the brush itself made it difficult for me to apply the mascara directly at the lash line evenly.
Marcelle Eye Shadow Duo in Dirty Martini - Value $16
(Good to know for swaps - this is sticker sealed)
I love this eye shadow duo! The pigment is great, and the colors are both very wearable for me. The formula is also paraben and fragrance free - plus easy to blend!
(I swatched it in the last picture - you may notice I swatched the darker shade twice - I thought this was a quad of four colors and not two for a minute!)
And I love that it comes with eye shadow applicators!
Now on to the regular 5-item samples!
Coola SPF 30 Organic Makeup Setting Spray - 10 ml Value $7.20
(Good to know for swaps - this is plastic wrapped)
This product is similar to the Supergoop SPF makeup setting spray in the July POPSUGAR box - and just like the Supergoop, you have to make sure to really shake it before spraying. (And avoid breathing in when you spray!) It gave me an instantly matte finish so I'm happy - it doesn't smell as fantastic as some other Coola SPF products I've tried, but it isn't bad by any means.
IPKN Pore Apple Sun Cream - 7 ml Value $2.80
(Good to know for swaps - this is foil sealed)
My first thought when I saw this: please let it actually smell like green apple! And yay - it does! It's not a strong scent, and the formula is lightweight too - a pretty perfect SPF in my book!
Dr. Jart+ Vital Hydra Solution Deep Hydration Sheet Mask - Value $6
I can't wait to use this - it's free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, and it gets excellent reviews on Birchbox! (If only it didn't take 15-20 minutes!)
Laqa & Co Cheeky Lip in Cray Cray - .03 oz Value $6.70
This cheeky lip crayon works both as a blush or a lip tint. It’s easy to blend in too. (Swatched below)
Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy - .9 oz Value $5.15
This hand cream is just as moisturizing as the name implies - and the formula isn't as heavy as I was expecting! The other surprise with this item is the scent. I like it - but it definitely smells like a men's grooming product to me.
Verdict: This box has a value of about $70. (I paid $30). I'm OK with that value, and I'd be a lot happier if I ended up liking the most expensive item in the box! I really like my samples and the eye shadow duo though.
What do you think of the Birchbox Upgraded subscription?
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