Every month, Birchbox sends samples (and sometimes full-sizes) of new and exciting beauty products from top brands for $15/month. They allow subscribers to pick between a curated box (all samples revealed) or a single sample choice with the rest of the items arriving as a surprise. Birchbox is one of the original beauty subscription boxes and is a great way to discover new makeup, hair care, and skincare products without breaking the bank.
This review is of the "After Dark" 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: The US, France, Spain, and the UK
Birchbox October 2019 "After Dark" Curated Box #1 Review
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There are two info cards in this month's Birchbox. One of the cards details the included five items and has "Trick or Treat" tips on how and when to use certain skincare products. The other card talks about how to get $5 off and a free box for yourself when you buy a gift subscription for the beauty-lover in your life.
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Love of Color Liquid Shimmer Shadow in Moonlight, FULL SIZE 0.03 oz. - Retail Value $10.00
I am no stranger to Love Of Color's liquid shadow since I received a different color of this product in a previous box back in July. This small tube packs a ton of pigment in a gentle rose-bronze tone. It's really consistent and buildable so you can use it to add a touch of glam or layer it on for a bold look. I appreciate how easily this goes on and use my fingertip to smooth it across my lids which makes me need one less brush. Once it dries, it stays put too so there's no fallout like you'd get with a powder.
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amika Supernova Moisture and Shine Cream, 0.67 oz. - Estimated Value $5.08 (Buy a full-size 3.3 0z for $25.00)
I love how amika products smell and this supernova cream is no exception. The product itself is a lotion-consistency and should be combed through damp hair after washing to help tame frizz and add moisture. I don't need an incredible amount of moisture, but I do need help with my frizzy flyaways. Because I have fine hair, I never want to put anything heavy in my hair and this cream is very lightweight. I used a very small amount and concentrated on the ends of my hair. It definitely looks shinier and I did notice fewer flyaways. This is a win in my book!
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Love Beauty and Planet Volume and Bounty Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower Shampoo, 3 oz. - Estimated Value $2.00 (Buy a full-size 13.5 oz for $9.00)
Volume is exactly what my hair needs and as soon as I washed out this shampoo in the shower, the texture of my hair changed. It felt a bit more dense, in some respect. I like that it's plant-based, cruelty-free, and made without dye, parabens, or silicones. It also happens to smell really lovely with a sweet floral coconut scent. Even though this is a trial-size, its chubby little body will yield quite a few washes while traveling.
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Love Beauty and Planet Volume and Bounty Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower Conditioner, 3 oz. - Estimated Value $2.00 (Buy a full-size 13.5 oz for $9.00)
Ditto on this conditioner. Smells nice, has a moisturizing formula, and a little bit goes a long way. It makes my hair shiny and feel soft yet look a bit fuller.
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Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser, 1 oz. - Estimated Retail Value $4.60 (Buy a full-size 5 oz for $23.00)
When I first squeezed some of this out of the tube, I did a double-take thinking it may be a mud mask. That's because it's made with Brazilian clay that exfoliates and draws out toxins. I found this to be ultra-gentle and quite spa-like while using. Once washed clean, it didn't leave my face overly squeaky clean but added some moisture as well so I wasn't immediately running for hydration in another product.
Verdict: This curated Birchbox included five items and has an estimated retail value of $23.68 which isn't bad for a $15 box, but I think most people want a higher value. For me, this one wasn't really anything to write home about. I enjoy the shampoo/conditioner combo and 3 ounces will last me quite a few trips, but seeing as though the eye shimmer was the big-ticket item of the box and I have one already, I wasn't really wowed. I did like the Kiehl's cleanser but perhaps not enough to go out a full-size once I've used this one.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? If you subscribe to Birchbox now, be sure to check the image on the sign-up page. The box design pictured at the bottom is the first month you'll receive. You can't pick a curated box like this one 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, here's what you are approximately paying for each product:
- Eyeshadow: $6.33
- Shine Cream: $3.22
- Shampoo: $1.27
- Conditioner: $1.27
- Cleanser: $2.91
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