Birchbox is a monthly subscription box that sends discovery samples of makeup, skincare, haircare, or beauty tools, based on a short survey you take when you sign up. Birchbox and I go way back to my college days, when I lived on their samples and stalked my mailman, Dave's, every move until my pink box was secured.
This is one of our top recommendations if you are looking for a subscription box — the value and sample sizes are amazing. Just like IPSY, Birchbox sends many different bag variations each month — so my review is just one of the variations you might receive!
My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes).
First Impressions
This month's delivery came with a card featuring a few Birchbox favorites that could be featured in your box this month. August's box focuses on products that pull their weight, and this month's box is full of hard-hitting ingredients that help refine your current beauty routine.
What's Inside
Taste Beauty Be Happy Vanilla Scented Face Mask
I have a love/hate relationship with single-use face masks. They are usually heavily fragranced and tend to irritate my skin. There isn't much information about this mask online, but it looks like you can find Taste Beauty products at Kroger's and other grocery chains. The main ingredients are water, aloe, and glycerin, so this mask should hydrate the skin, but unfortunately, I will have to pass this on to someone with less reactive skin.
AHAVA Hydrating Mud Soap - $15
Bar soaps and I are having a moment, so this came at such a wonderful time. I am attached to my unscented Vanicream bar soap; it is very hydrating and doesn't strip the skin, and this soap is very similar, except it smells like a day at the spa. I was impressed by its lather and how emollient it felt on my skin.
AHAVA Essential Day Moisturizer, 2.5 fl oz - Retail Value $51
AHAVA's blend of potent Dead Sea minerals, vitamin E, allantoin, and aloe vera supports the skin with hydration and protects from environmental damage. This vegan lotion has a thick texture, but it disappeared into my skin almost immediately, leaving my skin feeling soft and nourished.
I was shocked at the value of this lotion ($51!), and I am excited to continue using it.
OFRA Skin Vitamin C Cleanser, 4 fl oz - Estimated Value $16
OFRA's Vitamin C Cleanser has a refreshing citrus aroma and does a decent job removing makeup. Makeup-removing cleansers tend to be harsh, but this one is meant for problematic skin. It didn't leave my face feeling dry, and even though I prefer products without added fragrances, its pleasant orange-y scent helps to wake me up and lifts my mood in the morning.
Ilia In Frame Brow Gel - Retail Value $25
Ilia is a brand I have been curious about for ages; I was so excited to see one of their products in this month's box. I use brow gel every day, and this one blows all of my current gels out of the water. The brush picked up the perfect amount of product, and I did a single pass through my brows after lightly filling them in with a pencil. The hold lasted all day long without flaking or feeling crunchy. This $25 gel comes in a very small tube, so I am hoping it lasts for a while.
Three Ships Eye Hero, .5 oz - $40
I didn't believe it at first, but this lightweight eye cream can totally keep pace with my thick, heavy eye creams. It has Bio-Retinol ingredients derived from Bakuchiol (a plant-based retinol alternative), which is much gentler than retinol.
It also has beautiful skin-loving ingredients like squalane and honey locust for hydration and lift. Three Ships is a clean beauty brand, and I am always impressed with their hardworking, yet gentle products.
LOC Luminous Lip Shine in Glisten
LOC or Love of Color is Birchbox's first in-house makeup brand. When LOC first launched, I absolutely loved their eyeshadow sticks; I know I had at least 6 of them in varying shades. Seeing their packaging in this month's box made me feel nostalgic for 2015; what a good year!
Glisten is a clear gloss with iridescent pink shimmer throughout. It made my lips look fuller with a high-shine finish that didn't feel sticky. It looks great on its own, but I love using it over a lip stain or lipstick, as well.
The Verdict
I've had such a great experience resubscribing to Birchbox. This month's box tops all others in terms of well-known/loved brands and its inclusion of several full-sized products. I am still gagged by the $51 moisturizer, the $25 brow gel, and the $40 eye cream! This month felt very catered to my wants and needs, and I will absolutely be using all of my items for the next several months. Impressed is an understatement.
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $25
The total retail value of August's box is $147, excluding the Taste Beauty Happy Mask and the LOC Lip Shine.
Other Things You Should Know
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes!
What do you think of the August Birchbox?
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