Every month, Birchbox lets subscribers pick between a curated box (all samples revealed) or a single sample choice and be surprised by the rest of the items. This review is of the Power Pose curated box selection for October. (In general it seems the curated boxes ship a little earlier than the sample choice boxes).
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 (get one month free and $10 to spend in the shop with an annual subscription!)
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 and some tips on how to use them.
This box is curated with Estee Lauder company products and their Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) Campaign has supported the Breast Cancer Research Foundation for the past 21 years. Birchbox partnered with both organizations this year to fund 1 year of breast cancer research hours.
This card folds out to give tips on detection and prevention and also give subscribers more info on the Breast Cancer Research Foundation:
Darphin Stimuskin Plus Multi-Corrective Divine Cream - 5 ml Value $29.50
Confession - as soon as I saw the full-size version of this cream is $295, I had to get this curated box. I'm a sucker for sampling a pricey skincare product! This cream is designed to soften lines, firm and brighten skin. I'm not sure if this sample will last long enough for me to see any major changes, but I do love how it makes my skin feel. The only thing I'm not crazy about is that it is scented. (Ideally I like my skincare products to be fragrance-free).
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer - .25 oz Value $9
This is a classic primer I've used many times over the years (thanks to subscription box samples) and I'm happy to have more. It makes your skin so smooth and does a pretty good job at eliminating shine.
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum Synchronized Complex II - .14 oz -Value $18.20
I love that this sample comes with a pump! It's a very lightweight formula (almost gel-like) and absorbs quickly. And you only need a small amount each time, so I think this sample will last me a few weeks!
Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief - 7 ml Value $5.50
This is one of those products I've sampled so many times thanks to Clinique Gift with Purchase deals! (And this box is making me realize that my love of gift with purchase samples in my teens/early twenties definitely led to my addiction to subscription boxes!)
This moisture cream is fragrance-free and very hydrating/refreshing. It's a classic, and I will use up this entire sample soon!
Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Mega Melon - FULL SIZE? Value $17
This lip crayon doesn't have any size info listed on the stick, but it does say "Not for Individual Sale." The full-size version is 3 g, so I'm guessing this is either a full-size version or very close to the same size. (And I can't remember the last time I finished a full-size lip product, so it doesn't make much of a difference to me).
I really like both the formula and the color. It adds a little moisture and color with each swipe, so you can build up the color a bit (and not have to worry about overdoing it). Here it is swatched:
Verdict: This box has an insane value - about $79! (That's not normal for Birchbox. I would say their values are usually closer to double the cost of the box). I haven't made any beauty purchases to get gift with purchase samples in a while (thank you subscription box beauty stash), so it was nice to get samples from Clinique, Estee Lauder, Darphin and Smashbox. I'll use everything in this box too, so the value is absolutely there for me this month.
Plus I love that Birchbox teamed up with Estee Lauder to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
What do you think of the October Birchbox? Did you pick a curated box or a sample?
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