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Birchbox Skincare Fundamentals Review + Coupon – December 2019

Jessica Hapak
ByJessica HapakDec 20, 2019 | 4 comments

Birchbox
3.7 overall rating
657 Ratings | 188 Reviews

The Birchbox Skincare Fundamentals Kit is one of the latest exclusive kits from Birchbox featuring products from every skincare step to help give your skin a glow.

FYI - this kit is still available for purchase!

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

About this Birchbox Kit

The Box: The Skincare Fundamentals Kit

The Cost: $22 (a $59 value)

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

And don’t forget your free mystery sample pack on orders of $35 or more!

This kit includes:

  • Marcelle Micellar Water – Normal Skin – Deluxe sample
  • (MALIN+GOETZ) grapefruit face cleanser – Deluxe sample
  • Vasanti® BrightenUp!® Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator – Deluxe sample
  • GLAMGLOW® SUPERTONER™ Exfoliating Acid Solution Toner – Deluxe sample
  • Sweet Chef Kale + Vitamin B Fresh Pressed Sheet Mask – 1 mask
  • Real Chemistry Environmental Rescue Daily Serum – Deluxe sample
  • Air Repair Super Hydrating Eye Cream – Deluxe sample
  • Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips – Deluxe sample
  • Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream – Deluxe sample
  • Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil – Deluxe sample
  • COOLA® Dawn Patrol™ Classic Primer SPF 30 – Deluxe sample
  • HUM Nutrition Glow Sweet Glow Gummies – Packette

Ships to: The US, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, and Northern Mariana Islands

Birchbox The Skincare Fundamentals Kit Review

Here is the info sheet for the products included.

Marcelle Micellar Water, 1.7 oz - Estimated Value $2.14 (Buy the 13.5 oz version for $17)

Micellar water is one of those products I always struggle to review. They're designed to be a basic and simple skincare product, but that doesn't give me much to write about. I like using micellar waters as my morning cleanser when I don't need a deep cleanse, and this is a gentle and hydrating way to make sure my skin is prepped for the rest of my routine without stripping my skin of its natural oils from over-cleansing.

(MALIN+GOETZ) grapefruit face cleanser 0.5 oz – Estimated Value $2.25 (Buy the 8 oz version for $36)

This foaming gel cleanser had a nice citrus scent that perks me up in the mornings, and I only needed a little bit to be able to lather up my entire face. I didn’t find this to be drying, either.

Vasanti® BrightenUp!® Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator, 0.70 oz – Estimated Value $5.63 (Buy the 4.23 oz version for $34)

I think this Vasanti product was in my first ever Birchbox, and it was a holy grail for me for a while! This was when I was a freshman in college, which was a time where I thought Clean & Clear face wash and St. Ives apricot scrub would work well for my skin- so when I tried this gentle exfoliating wash made with papaya enzymes, aloe vera, and vitamin E, I was hooked by how soft and smooth it left my skin while brightening it up. I have moved on to bigger and better (read: pricier) things, but this exfoliator still has a soft spot in my heart for its effective yet gentle formula.

GLAMGLOW® SUPERTONER™ Exfoliating Acid Solution Toner 0.24 oz - Estimated Value $1.50 (Buy the 6.7 oz version for $42)

This exfoliating toner is made with AHAs, charcoal powder, and witch hazel, and I found it to smell rather strongly of anise. I would call this a powerhouse- for my dry skin, if I used it every day it would probably be too intense, but if you have oily skin this may be a game-changer with the combination of chemical exfoliants and charcoal powder.

Sweet Chef Kale + Vitamin B Fresh Pressed Sheet Mask - Retail Value $3.50

Sweet Chef is a brand under the well-known K-beauty brand Glow Recipe, and I have actually purchased this sheet mask multiple times before (it is sold online by Target!). Along with being hydrating thanks to the kale, vitamin B, and aloe vera, this sheet mask is absolutely adorable and says the words "don't kale my vibe" on the cheek.

 

Real Chemistry Environmental Rescue Daily Serum, 0.5 oz - Estimated Value $12.94 (Buy the 1.7 oz version for $44)

This serum is designed to help treat fine lines while also fighting against free radicals due to antioxidants (meaning this would be a good morning serum before you step outside into a polluted world). I didn't notice much of a difference while using this lightweight serum, but it layered well under my moisturizer and SPF, so I'll use the sample up.

Air Repair Super Hydrating Eye Cream, 0.10 oz – Estimated Value $4.90 (Buy the 0.5 oz version for $24.50)

Any time I see a product with aloe as the second ingredient and no drying alcohol, I am a happy camper. This eye cream was nourishing, didn’t irritate my occasionally sensitive eyes, and absorbed quickly into my skin

Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips 0.1 fl oz – Estimated Value $3.25 (Buy a 0.5 oz tube for $16.50)

Way back when I was subscribed to Birchbox (I think that’s over two years ago), I got this sample from Dr. Lipp. I liked it then and I liked it now— a little goes a long way and this is a very thick balm. I like using thicker lip products like this before I go to bed, and this fits well for that purpose.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, o.25 oz - Estimated Value $4.41 (Buy the 1.7 oz version for $30)

I am a big fan of Kiehl's, and this moisturizer is a solid product from them. The fourth ingredient in this is squalane, which is a super nourishing ingredient my skin loves. This looks thick in the jar, but it is easy to apply a thin layer across my skin so it isn't too heavy.

 

Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil, 0.17 oz - Estimated Value $13.60 (Buy the 0.5 oz version for $40)

I am a big Sunday Riley fan, and this cute sample is the perfect size for travel. The first ingredient is cold pressed red raspberry seed oil, and this also has vitamin C and turmeric oil to boost your skin's radiance while providing hydration.

COOLA® Dawn Patrol™ Classic Primer SPF 30, o.17 oz - Estimated Value $7 (Buy the 1 oz version for $42)

I think mini samples are cute, but that cuteness diminishes significantly when the sample is mostly air- as is the case here. This is a silicone-based primer with sunscreen that feels like a hybrid of the Smashbox Photo Finish primer and the Supergoop Unseen sunscreen. The texture works for me, but I wouldn't use this as a replacement for sunscreen altogether.

HUM Nutrition Glow Sweet Glow Gummies, 2 gummies - Estimated Value $0.83 (Buy a jar of 60 for $25)

I have gone through a full-size bottle of these, and while I can’t say it has given me a noticeable glow that I didn’t already have, I can say that these are tasty and I will take almost any vitamin that is in gummy form. Ingredients include vitamins C and E, hyaluronic acid, and amla fruit to provide antioxidants and hydration to your skin.

Verdict: I enjoyed this kit! This would be a good way to replenish your stock of travel-sized skincare products while still having a skincare routine that covered every step, and I would love to see Sweet Chef appear more often in the subscription box world. Birchbox promised a value of $59 for this kit, and by my math the total value adds up to $61.95

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this kit if you order today? Yes, this exclusive kit is still available for purchase!

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

Value Breakdown: This box costs $22, which means you're paying approximately the following per item:

  • Marcell: $0.76
  • (MALIN+GOETZ): $0.80
  • Vasanti: $2
  • GLAMGLOW: $0.53
  • Sweet Chef: $1.24
  • Real Chemistry: $4.59
  • Air Repair: $1.74
  • Dr. Lipp: $1.15
  • Kiehl’s: $1.56
  • Sunday Riley:$4.83
  • COOLA:$2.48
  • HUM Nutrition: $0.29

Check out all of our Birchbox reviews and our other favorite beauty box subscriptions!

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Would you buy the Birchbox Skincare Fundamentals Kit?

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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.

Jessica Hapak
Jessica Hapak
I am a staunch believer that pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza and when I’m not working as a family law attorney I enjoy hiking the Louisiana trails (alligator sightings are a favorite!) or relaxing with Duchess, my cat. I’m a sucker for anything labeled a mystery box and I’ve never met a bath bomb I didn’t like.

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4 comments

Danielle

This is currently discounted to around $16, after applying $5 shipping that brings it to $22.04 so basically free shipping.

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Anna

This looks like a good kit, I do wish Birchbox would stop with the tiny AF samples. I want to use a product long enough to know if it works.

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Myk

If you’re looking to buy something extra just to get the free mystery sample pack, don’t bother! I got 2 wipes and a cologne sample. Not worth it at all!

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Alice

I recently received a sample pack with Coola primer, Dr. Jart Ceramidin moisturizer, and a hair protectant spray (forgot the name).

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