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Birchbox Curated Box #2 Review + Coupon – May 2019

Megan K.
ByMegan K.May 22, 2019 | 8 comments

Birchbox Curated #2 May 2019 beauty box review

Birchbox
3.7 overall rating
657 Ratings | 188 Reviews

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.

Birchbox Curated #2 May 2019 beauty box review open

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Birchbox Curated #2 May 2019 beauty box review all contents

About Birchbox

The Subscription Box: Birchbox

The Cost: $15.00 a month + free shipping

LIMITED TIME DEALS: While supplies last, use this link and use coupon code SMASHBOXGIFT to get a free full-size SmashboxDouble Exposure 2.0 Palette ($49 value) from Birchbox with a 6-month subscription!

Or you can use coupon code FREEBOBBI to get a free Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color in Angel from Birchbox with your first box! (Birchbox is $15 a month.)

Check our Birchbox Coupon List to get the most up-to-date coupon!

The Products: Beauty and lifestyle samples selected by the Birchbox team.

Ships to: US, France, Spain, and the UK

Birchbox Curated Box Review #2

 

Each box comes with a card detailing the items included and some tips on how to use them.

 

We also get a super cute sticker this month!

 

Finally, included is a card promoting a free roller gift for subscribers with any $35+ purchase.

Let's dive into our items!

 

Birchbox Curated #2 May 2019 beauty box review polish swatch

Smith & Cult Nailed Lacquer in 'Doe My Dear', 0.5 fl oz - FULL SIZE! Retail Value $18.00

This is my type of polish! I love this taupe-grey cream and for me, one coat gives me full coverage. I do have an acrylic overlay on my nails so it might give less coverage on a less smooth surface, but two would absolutely get you there! It dried quickly and was so glossy and perfect. I exclusively wear neutral shades so I am pretty happy about this full-size bottle.

 

Birchbox Curated #2 May 2019 beauty box review lipstick swatch

GrandeLIPS Plumping Liquid Lipstick in 'Vintage Rose', 0.05 oz (?) - Estimated Value $9.62 (Buy a full-size 0.13 oz for $25.00)

Though I already have full lips, I still really like this brand. This is a color I would certainly buy too! A beautiful deep rose with a semi-matte finish, I appreciated that it gave great coverage with one swipe and didn't make my lips feel very dry. There was a little tingle and some plumping action, and it also wore for hours without needing a touchup. The finish reminds me very much of the oh-so-popular Kylie Jenner lippies but with more moisture. This vial wasn't marked with an actual volume, so I guesstimated based on a similar sample tube from the same brand.

 

Birchbox Curated #2 May 2019 beauty box review high beam swatch

Benefit Cosmetics High Beam Liquid Face Highlighter, 0.13 fl oz – Estimated Value $10.24 (Buy a full size 0.33 fl oz for $26.00)

Edited to add you can buy this mini size here for $12.00! (Thanks Allison!)

An oldie, but a goodie! My first experience with this product was years ago when I had a very close friend who worked at the Benefit counter. I got so many freebies! This was one of my faves because it worked so well with my fair skin tone and it was hard to put too much on. I love this liquid highlighter in the summer on bare skin because it gives a subtle glow and isn't overpowering or very textured, which is perfect since I have some BIG pores!

 

Beautyblender Cheeky Beauty Blusher - FULL SIZE! Retail Value $16.00

I have to admit that I never really got into beauty sponges unless they came with the product. It just seemed like a lot of extra $$$ and I worried about the sponge soaking up my product. This appears to be a new size offered and it is meant to be used with blushes and highlighters. I can see how it would be a perfect size indeed! I tried this with the above High Beam, and while it did apply the highlighter evenly and with an airbrushed sort of finish, I don't think I see myself becoming a convert.

 

Real Chemistry Environmental Rescue Daily Serum, 0.17 fl oz - Estimated Value $4.40 (Buy a full size 1.7 oz for $44.00)

Look at this cute little serum sample! The precision applicator allows you to apply it drop by drop, so you don't waste any of this clear, thick serum. It absorbs right away and feels like silk, with a nice skin-loving formula full of antioxidants. I noticed immediate redness reduction after giving this a try and my skin didn't have any of that shininess that sometimes follows a serum application.

 

Moroccanoil Treatment Light, 0.34 fl oz  - Estimated Value $6.80 (Buy a full size 1.7 oz for $34.00)

This smells incredible! I would be thrilled to put anything with this scent on my hair or body. I actually really adore hair oils, though I never use them near my roots. My hair is dry, coarse, and super thick, meaning it is prone to frizziness and flyaways. A little bit of this oil warmed between my hands and finger-brushed through my strands gives it a little sheen and a smoother look, without compromising the natural texture that I love about my hair. I also loved this as a cuticle oil.

Verdict: I loved this box so much! In addition to amazing products, it also has a value of $65.06, which is excellent for a box that costs $10-$15 dollars depending on if you are an existing subscriber or not. It also had 2 full-size items which is always a welcome surprise. I think the only thing I can't put to immediate use in my routine would be the blender, though maybe with time I could become a convert. I know they are well loved! I think the lipstick is such a great formula and color and I am considering a full-size purchase. The nail polish was another home-run and the high beam and hair oils are fantastic too. This was one of my favorite boxes this month!

To Wrap Up: 

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? 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.

LIMITED TIME DEALS: While supplies last, use this link and use coupon code SMASHBOXGIFT to get a free full-size SmashboxDouble Exposure 2.0 Palette ($49 value) from Birchbox with a 6-month subscription!

Or you can use coupon code FREEBOBBI to get a free Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color in Angel from Birchbox with your first box! (Birchbox is $15 a month.)

Check our Birchbox Coupon List to get the most up-to-date coupon!

Value Breakdown: At $15 for this box, here’s what you are paying approximately per item:

  • Smith & Cult Polish $4.15
  • GrandeLips Lipstick $2.22
  • Benefit High Beam $2.36
  • Beautyblender $3.69
  • Real Chemistry Serum $1.01
  • Moroccanoil Oil $1.57

Alternatively, each item has an average cost of $2.50.

Check out all of our Birchbox reviews and our favorite beauty boxes!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

What do you think of this May Curated Birchbox? Did you pick a curated box or a sample?

Starting at $17.00
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Birchbox ($15 per month) was one of the very first beauty subscription boxes—we’ve been reviewing it since 2012! Each month, subscribers get a new mix of 5 beauty samples, such as makeup, skincare, haircare, and fragrance items. Birchbox lets you choose whether you’d like a box of items picked ju... read more.

Megan K.
Megan K.
I love natural/vegan beauty products, Korean skincare, unique jewelry, and weird candies from far away places. When I am not waiting for my next exciting box you can find me painting or taking photographs of interesting people. I never leave home without pug hair somewhere on my shirt and a bold lipstick on my smile.

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8 comments

Allison

Just an FYI – you can actually buy that specific size of the Benefit liquid highlighter for $12 🙂

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Megan K.

Thank you Allison! I am going to add that in! <3

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Paula

I loved this box too – BUT I couldn’t even select it within the first hour of box selections. Great for you that snagged it! I still consider it a bait and switch by Birhbox, since it was obviously available in low supply, but not advertised as such. Cancelled birchbox! Shady…

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Frances

I agree with Megan that the Cheeky Beauty Blusher is the perfect size. The mini is so tiny that it’s hard to hold and the original is too big to get into the contours.

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Megan K.

I got a mini previously and felt much the same. So small I lost it almost immediately!

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Christa

This is the box I got. It was kinda a step up as far as brand names, but for the price increase you’d think the items would be a deluxe travel size?

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cindy

This was a GREAT box – I was surprised how much I like that lipstick!

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Megan K.

I love it too!

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