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 curated box.
FYI - you can still buy this box for $10. (Or $15 if you aren't a Birchbox subscriber.)
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
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.
Now on to the items!
Beachwaver Co. Great Barrier Heat Protectant Hairspray - 1.4 oz Value $4.72
This is the one new-to-me product in the box, and I'm a fan! It's an ingredient-conscious hairspray, and it's a very low-hold. I hate the feel of stiff hair, so I usually don't use hairspray, but this is a nice compromise. It provides a little hold, and some heat protection (from the sun/environment, not heat tools - you apply this after styling). Plus the scent is subtle and pleasant. (None of that typical hairspray smell.)
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum - 5 ml Value $14.17
This serum is designed to “fight the look of dullness, dark spots, and discolorations, while instantly increasing brightness, radiance, and luminosity.” The cream formula has a light citrus scent (which I love), and it instantly helped give my skin a boost of hydration. I’ve sampled this before thanks to a few other subscription boxes, and after using it for months I’ve definitely noticed a difference in my skin – I’m happy to have more!
MAC Strobe Cream Hydratant Lumineux in Pinklite – 6 ml Value $3.96
This is a subtle liquid highlighter that is super easy to blend out. If you are intimidated by highlighters, this is perfect for you. It catches the light beautifully, but isn’t sparkly at all, and didn’t really show up in an attempted swatch picture either.
Stila HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara - 6 ml Value $10.45
(This is about half the size of the full size version.)
I've sampled this mascara and the formula is impressive. (I'm happy to have more!) It provides volume, length, no clumping, and lasted the entire day without smudges, etc. (Plus it is free of parabens, sulfates and phthalates!)
Klorane Smoothing and Relaxing Patches with Soothing Cornflower - 1 set Value $3.43
If you hate touching gel eye masks and sheet masks - these will be perfect for you. I’ve sampled a lot of eye gels over the years, and this style of eye gel is my favorite. They’re cooling, soothing, and gentle on my skin. Plus, they stay put, and you don’t have to touch the gel part. Just remove the backing and apply the gel part directly to your undereye area. I also recommend using these when applying eye makeup. Any stray eyeshadow that falls will land on these and make for a very easy clean up!
Verdict: This box has a value of about $36.73 - I think that's great for a $10 beauty box! In general, the curated boxes from Birchbox tend to have a good value, so if that's important to you, I recommend picking those each month! This box was mostly tried-and-true favorites for me (always happy to have more of these products), and one new hairspray discovery.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, this box is available for a one-time purchase! And if you subscribe to Birchbox now, check the image on the sign-up page. The box design pictured is the first month you'll receive. You can't pick the curated box as your first box, but you'll be able to pick it every month moving forward.
What do you think of the December Birchbox? Did you pick a curated box or a sample?
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.