Birchbox sends samples (and sometimes full-sizes) of new and exciting beauty products from top brands for $15/month. 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.
FYI: Starting in June 2020, in addition to the surprise sample box option, there will be two curated boxes offered in greater quantities than the previous curated options: The Clean Beauty Box and the Katia's Picks box. Get more deets here!
This is a review of the Katia's Picks box.
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About this 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 Review 'Katia's Picks' - August 2020
As always, this month's Birchbox came with an info card that lists the products on the front, with a Birchbox Tip listed on the back.
Korres Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser, 20 mL - Estimated Value $3.47 (Buy a full-size 150 mL for $26.00)
I am always happy to see Korres in a box! They have some really fun formulas that my skin seems to really enjoy. This ultra-gentle yogurt cleanser is great for sensitive or reactive skin. It has a nice foamy sort of texture when you mix it with water and feels very soft and comforting on my skin. It left my skin feeling clean, but not tight or dry.
JUARA Candlenut Body Creme, 0.34 oz - Estimated Value $1.59 (Buy a full-size 7.5 oz for $35.00)
This cream is really quite thick, so I was surprised at how easily it absorbed! It was also one of the most hydrating creams I have tested in recent memory! I am less crazy about the scent, but the formula makes this a no-brainer for my dry hands right now. This magic moisturizing power comes from candlenut oil, which is traditionally used in Balinese recipes.
PETER THOMAS ROTH Water Drench® Hyaluronic Cloud Cream, 7.5 mL - Estimated Value $8.13 (Buy a full-size 48 mL for $52.00)
Hello Cloud Cream, old friend! True, I have seen this cream a few times. But I generally really like it, especially in summer when I choose lighter moisturizers. This is kind of a gel-cream formula and it is SO lightweight (hence the name Cloud Cream). It takes very little to cover your face and it absorbs quite quickly. You aren't going to notice much of an immediate change (at least, I don't) but you can totally tell your skin is more hydrated. From the name, you could probably tell this is full of hyaluronic acid, which is a hydrating powerhouse acid that holds more than 1000X times its own weight in water. There are also 5 different ceramides inside, too!
KNDR Luxury Hand Sanitizer, 30 mL - Full Size! Retail Value $12.00
Sure, $12 for a small tube of hand sanitizer might have felt a little crazier back in 2019. But at this point, I am just happy to see it. And why shouldn't it be pretty? While I don't see myself purchasing this product at this price, I am still happy to have it. This sanitizer has a light floral scent and is perfect for my purse.
Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream, 0.5 oz – Retail Value $5.20 (Buy a full-size 5 oz for $52.00)
I don't use many hair products outside of shampoo and conditioner and the occasional cream or oil, but this is the sort of product I really like. If you have drier hair that can be frizzy or even just hate flyaways, a cream like this is always nice to have on hand. You can apply this to damp hair or just use it on the go to polish your pony or top knot. I like to squeeze a little pea-sized amount in my palms, rub them together, then rub up along my scalp and down. It settles those wild baby hairs nicely and adds a little shine.
ARROW Weightless Brow Tint in 'Brown' – Full Size! Retail Value $18.00
Our last item is something I was pretty excited to try. ARROW is a Birchbox brand and they have some really cool items like pH color-changing lip balm! I use brow gels like this daily because my brows are kind of a hot mess and I am trying to make it look like they are a hot mess, but on purpose. Brow gels like this allow me to comb them up for a slightly eccentric but still rather cute finish. The tint here also fills in my patchy areas. This formula reminds me a little of Glossier's Boy Brow, but with a much thinner and more sheer texture.
Verdict: This Birchbox had a value of around $48.39 which isn't terrible for $15. In my experience, my Birchboxes haven't had a real knock your socks off sort of value calculation. But the items inside were pretty good! I actually liked all of them, with my favorite being the Korres cleanser. Everything else was pretty darn useful, too!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, but hurry! September is close.
Check our Birchbox Coupon List to get the most up-to-date coupon!
Value Breakdown: At $15.00 for this box, here is the approximate cost breakdown per item:
- Korres Cleanser $1.08
- JUARA Creme $0.49
- Peter Thomas Roth Cream $2.52
- KNDR Hand Sanitizer $3.72
- ORIBE Cream $1.61
- ARROW Brow Tint $5.58
Alternatively, each of the 6 items has an average cost of $2.50
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What did you receive in your August Birchbox?
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