Every month, Birchbox lets subscribers pick between a curated box (all samples revealed) or a single sample choice with the rest of the items arriving as a surprise. This review is of the "Test the Waters" curated box.
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About this Curated Beauty Box
The Subscription Box: Birchbox
The Cost: $15.00 a month + free shipping. Save with longer subscriptions.
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 August 2019 'Test the Waters' Curated Box #1 Review
There are two accompanying sheets in this month's Birchbox. One has a throwback "cootie-catcher" on the front as a fun summertime game, while the back lists out the five items included. The second sheet is a coupon code to get 100 extra points ($10) when you spend $50+ in the shop. The flipside of the coupon explains their 10% back rewards for in-shop purchases.
too cool for school Coconut Oil Serum Eye Patch, 1 pair - Retail Value $6.00
I am currently writing this after driving through the night on a little mini-vacation and IT SHOWS. My skin looks tired, dehydrated, and very dull from 11 hours in the car and a lack of sleep. When we finally unpacked, these were the first things out of my bag! These coconut oil enriched pads gave my skin an instant hydration boost and totally made me look more awake and less rundown. Thank is a win in my book!
Smashbox Cosmetics Photo Finish Primer Water, 0.16 fl oz - Estimated Value $1.31 (Buy a full-size 3.9 oz for $32.00)
I always like items from this brand, and the thought of a weightless spray-on primer was instantly intriguing to me. I always start my morning with a hydrating mist, so I am a big fan of light spritz formulas. I love this one! Even on bare skin it gives a dewy finish and if you choose to use a BB cream or foundation on top you should notice a little boost in makeup longevity. I think I might add a tiny bit of loose powder highlighter to this spritzer and see if I can make this an extra dewy primer, perfect for summer.
R+Co HIGH DIVE Moisture + Shine Crème, 0.5 fl oz - Estimated Value $2.90 (Buy 5 oz for $29.00)
If you read my reviews at all, you know I am already in love with this brand. It gives my hair some instant polish with very little work on my part. I like to use this on dry hair on days where my hair is looking extra frizzy or I am having flyaway issues. Simply touseling it through my strands gives them dimension and a smoother finish, without looking too "done." The smell is also amazing, like a sexy indie perfume.
Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips, 0.1 fl oz - Estimated Value $3.30 (Buy a full-size 0.5 oz for $16.50)
The first thing worth mentioning about this product is that it has one ingredient, which is lanolin. If you are vegan, you will want to avoid this, as lanolin comes from wool, and is naturally secreted to give a sheeps fibers a natural level of waterproofing. Lanolin is one of the most important things I use to protect my lips in the winter when they are chapped beyond repair. Though some people find this formula to be unscented, I can always sniff out a lanolin product. It has a very distinctive scent! You can use this on lips as well as on chapped skin, making it a great multiuse product for suffering skin.
IBY Beauty Eyeshadow in 'Splish, Splash', 0.05 g - Estimated Value $1.67 (Buy the full palette for $20.00)
I thought this item was a blush, but it is actually a single eyeshadow from a palette I received in my most recent Vegan Cuts Makeup box. I wasn't crazy about the colors in the palette, but I love this, especially since I tried it as a blush before I realized it was eyeshadow. When used lightly as a blush, it honestly reminds me a little of NARS Orgasm, but much more shimmering. I also quite liked it on my eyelids, but for me, this is a blush mini.
Super heavily swatched above! Goes on light as a feather with a blush brush though.
Verdict: This Birchbox had some really fun stuff inside. I actually enjoyed each sample this time! My main issue comes from the overall value, which is really just not great. I estimated around $15.18 worth of value and since the box itself costs $15, that is just low compared to many boxes from this subscription in the past. I am actually surprised it was so low. I think this box would have really benefitted from one full-size (non-mask) item to feel complete and add a significant value boost.
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.
Check our Birchbox Coupon List to get the most up-to-date coupon!
Value Breakdown: At $15.00 for this box, you are approximately paying $3.00 for each product.
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What do you think of this curated Birchbox?
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