January Birchbox

                     I got my January Birchbox! It came in the mail on the 13th which was a bit earlier than I expected. If are not familiar with Birchbox you can read through my first Birchbox post here or jump to the end of this post for more information. I know a lot of ladies have been unhappy with the items Birchbox has been including in the boxes but once again I am very pleased with my box. For $10 I feel like I have gotten some great products to try out.

               Birchbox has really nice sturdy clean packaging. This month was no exception. I really like their attention to detail!

               The theme of this months box is "Clarity" Here is some information taken from the Birchbox website.
                    Happy New Year! January sets the tone for the rest of the year, which is why we’re focusing on bringing clarity to every aspect of our lives — from our minds to our beauty regimen. Accordingly, we’ve included products that will help you start 2012 with a fresh face and optimistic mood.

For starters, overhaul your complexion with a smart moisturizer that uses glycolic acid to revitalize dull skin. Keep your limbs equally healthy with a silky soap loaded with antioxidants. Now that you have the basics down, revamp your eye makeup with a pop of color: stila’s velvety liner does the trick. You’ll also find a lovely scent to update your fragrance wardrobe and a tasty snack to help you ward off vending machine cravings.

We’ve also included a list of our favorite mind, body, and soul detoxes, plus a Birchbox magnet so that you can fasten reminders to your fridge. Online, you’ll find in-depth info about your products, as well as a video tutorial of a rosy winter makeup look, tips to avoiding skin freakouts, and much more.

Here’s to a phenomenal year,
Katia, Hayley & the Birchbox Team

 Archipelago Pomegranate Body Soap

$12.50 for a 6.9 oz bar.

That drugstore bar soap isn’t doing your skin any favors. Trade up to Archipelago’s triple-milled formula, which pairs a pure vegetable oil base with rich mango seed and shea butters. White tea and cranberry extracts provide an antioxidant boost but the star is pomegranate, a power ingredient that has benefits for both skin and psyche.This fragrant soap is packed with botanicals, including pomegranate extract. The ingredient has plenty of claims to fame, including its ability to repair cell damage and encourage collagen production. In addition, the formula has Phase II Enzyme boosters, which help to detoxify skin and neutralize free radicals.

            Well, ummmm, it is a $12.50 bar of soap. That is it. It smells good and does its job but it seems nothing more than a bar of soap . At $12.50 it is extremely overpriced in my opinion. I see no difference in this soap compared to a bar of soap you would get in a cheapy bath set. Definitely not buying a full size but I will use it for sure. I mean, who doesn't need soap!!!

Clark's Botanicals Smoothing Marine Cream

 $115 for 1.7 fl oz

What’s a girl to do when she’s battling dullness, fine lines, and dry skin? Overhaul her complexion with an uber-effective moisturizer, of course. Clark’s Botanicals’ runaway best seller transforms lifeless skin with a potent blend of exfoliating natural acids and energizing algae extracts. It’s no surprise it’s a cult favorite. All Clark’s Botanicals’ skincare products use Jasmine Absolute to rebalance troubled skin. Culled from nocturnally blooming jasmine flowers, the precious oil has anti-inflammatory and immuno-boosting properties. In addition, this moisturizer features a gentle dose of glycolic acid to slough away dead cells, plus marine algae extracts to soften skin.

                I have used this twice and like it so far. It is very moisturizing which I need right now. In California we are having a very mild warm winter and it has been windy so my face is SO dry. The price for this cream seems a bit high. Okay well a lot high. I use Ponds Rejuveness cream sometimes and this reminded me of that except the Ponds is less than $10. I would not buy this in full size unless it turned out to be some sort of miracle cream.

stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner

        

 $20.00 per eyeliner

The quickest way to update your eye makeup? Swap your black eyeliner for a rich colored one. stila’s Smudge Stick liners are gorgeously wearable and come in four rich shades that make eyes pop. There’s Purple Tang, a blackish aubergine; Moray, a golden olive; Peacock, a shimmery azure; Blue Ribbon, a deep cerulean; and Lionfish, a chestnut brown. Better yet, the liners are waterproof and stay vibrant all day.Maximum pigment and minimum fuss. Each smooth, creamy liner goes on easily and won’t migrate all over your eyes. We love how the twist-up pencil allows for precise applications, no sharpeners required.

              Okay I like and dislike this. How is that for confusing. I feel like the $20.00 price tag is a big high for a Stila product and I dislike the color names because they do not match what the color actually is but I really like the product and the way it performs. I swatched

Birchbox Magnet

                  This was an extra in the box. Some people were annoyed by it. It did not bother me at all. I just stuck it on my fridge. I can always use another magnet.

 LÄRABAR Mini Bars

$14.95 for I assume is a multipack??

        Whenever we get a craving for something sweet, we turn to these all-natural snack bars. Not only do they taste yummy, they’re also good for you. Made without preservatives and fillers, they come in fun flavors like Blueberry Muffin, Carrot Cake, Peanut Butter Cookie, and (our favorite) Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. Each bar has nine ingredients max, and you’ll love the wholesome blends of dried fruits, nuts, and spices. There are no icky additives like high fructose corn syrup, and they’re vegan-friendly too.

               I have had Lara Bars before and liked them. They are an acquired taste in my opinion as are any of the natural type bars like these. This however was tart as heck!!! Yikes!! I couldn't eat more than a couple of bites. It tasted just like cherry pie filling.  My son sure loved it. I would buy full size Lara Bars but not in this flavor.                  

Juicy Couture - Juicy Couture - 3.4 oz

$89.00 for 3.4 oz 

         Life is too short to wear boring fragrance. This youthful blend of fruity and floral notes is designed to make you feel fabulous, even if the most exciting thing on your calendar is laundry. Accordingly, the glamorous glass bottle comes bedecked with playful charms. One spritz and you’re ready for anything.Top notes of watermelon, passion fruit, and mandarin combine with bright whiffs of marigold and green apple. Rose, vanilla, and yummy caramel undertones anchor the scent.

                 LOVE this scent!! The perfume samples are one of my favorite parts about Birchbox. I love trying out new ones without having to commit to a large expensive bottle. I think at $89.00 this is actually an affordable perfume. I plan on buying it from Birchbox as soon as I get a few more points.

       So that was my January box! Overall I liked it. There was some products I loved but all of them I will get some use from. Do you subscribe to Birchbox? If so what did you think of this months box? If you are not a subscriber read below for more information. If you decide to sign up please use my affiliate link below or click the Birchbox image on the right <3

           

What is Birchbox you ask?

Birchbox delivers the best products and the best insider secrets, without any fuss. Every month Birchbox members will receive a curated box of luxe beauty samples. Each box will span beauty categories and deliver exciting products that fit into both your day-to-day routine, and into those days when you want to turn up the drama a notch.
Co-founders Hayley Barna and Katia Beauchamp met at Harvard Business School. They created Birchbox to help women cut through the clutter of the beauty world to find products that really work for them.
Each month, you'll receive a  selection of 4-5 samples that we’ve tried (and retried) ourselves.  You'll receive anything from skincare to makeup to cult beauty tools, from well-known brands as well as emerging gems.

 Each month there are 6-10 different products and each box gets a variety of those.When you sign up for Birchbox they will ask you a few questions and that helps them decide what products to include in your monthly boxes. You can buy full-size versions of your sample in the Birchbox shop. You earn a point for every dollar spent and 100 points translates to $10 to spend on more full-size products which is really cool. You also get 10 points for each product you give feedback on. I used my feedback points for the last 3 boxes along with a 50 point I got from someone signing up using my link and got a full size Benefit Porefessional for absolutely free!!!

If you are interested in joining Birchbox click here . That is my affiliate link and I will get points when you sign up. Month to month subscriptions can be canceled at anytime. Just make sure you cancel before the end of the month!

Do you subscribe to Birchbox? If so what did you think of this months box?

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