PDP Exclusives by Rebecca

Friday, April 13, 2012

April Birchbox

                I got my Birchbox nice and early again this month. Woot! This months theme was bringing things back down to earth with fresh products that take inspiration from the world around us. Truthfully the sounds of that made me think this box was going to suck. But I was pleasantly surprised even though once again it is primarily skin care. WE NEED SOME MAKEUP BIRCHBOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                    If you are unfamiliar with Birchbox you can get a lot of information from my first post about them here. Basically it is a subscription. You pay $10 and every month you get a box with 4-6 deluxe samples or full size beauty products. It is fun!!
         Packaging was gorgeous as usual. I have re purposed by Birchbox boxes but am running out of ideas! What do you do with yours? So far I have used them to organize my hair accessory drawer and to wrap gifts.
            I received Be Fine Cleanser and Moisturizer, Microderma Mitt, Zoya Polish, Wei face treatment and Taylor Swift perfume. After last months box which was full of suck this all was a welcome surprise.

$59 for 3.4 fl oz.
            Wonderstruck is that awe-inspiring feeling that comes from experiencing something magical. Eclectic and traditional with whimsical flair, every element of the brand is authentically Taylor.
Inspiration for Wonderstruck came from Taylor’s favorite memories and scents. The fragrance is a gourmand floral; a charming and sparkling surprise of vibrant fruits, kissed by a bouquet of soft petals and a touch of sweet indulgence.
               I personally love these little perfume samples and thought this particular scent was nice. I would buy it in full size with my Birchbox points or if I found it on sale. I am pretty cheap when it comes to perfumes. I have a little container filled with sample vials that I have been using for over a year now. Ohhh I could use an empty Birchbox box to hold them!!

$8 for .5 fl
Each Zoya shade goes on opaque with just one coat and lasts 50 percent longer than traditional polishes. And you’ll be glad to hear that the vegan-friendly formulas don’t contain formaldehyde, tuolene, camphor, and other toxic chemicals.
             I was happy to see a name brand polish in this box. I like the color I received, Bevin. I personally did not find the claim "lasts 50% longer than other polishes" to be true. It lasted as long as most other polishes. I like this and would buy Zoya brand polish again.

$28.50 for 1 mitt
          It doesn’t take a splurgy med-spa treatment to really renew your skin. As the name suggests, MicrodermaMitt’s exfoliating face mitt gives you results that are comparable to clinical microdermabrasion, minus the redness and sensitivity that can result. It purges your pores of pent-up gunk and whisks away dead skin cells—you won’t even need a separate cleanser or scrub. With regular use, your skin will look visibly smoother, and your lines, scars, and sun spots will be less noticeable.
Made of all-natural floss silk, MicrodermaMitt’s soft yet powerful face mitt sloughs away all forms of debris, from makeup and sunscreen residue to excess oil and dead skin cells. Plus, its buffing action boosts skin’s natural collagen production, leading to healthier, firmer skin over time.
                   I am a die hard Clarisonic user but this mitt intrigued me. I think it did a really nice job at making my skin feel clean and exfoliated. I would have to stop using my Clarisonic and only use this to find out if the claims that is reduces the appearance of fine lines and other skin issues is true and I am not willing to do that. However I did put this in my husbands shower so he can be the guinea pig! At $28 for one mitt it is a bit much and I would not purchase this product.

$68 for 6 face treatments
Sheet masks are all in the rage in the Asian skincare world, and once you try them you’ll be equally hooked. Not only are they super-hygienic and easy to use, they let you achieve comparable results to pricey spa facials for a fraction of the cost. WEI™, the undisputed authority on Chinese herbal beauty, created this collection of single-serving face sheet masks. Each assorted 6-pack comes with three targeted varieties: Gingko Leaf Repairing Pads to brighten skin, Black Soy Instant Lifting Pads to firm and lift, and White Lotus Hydrating Pads to restore lost moisture.
All six sheet masks in this power pack are infused with healing Eastern botanicals and other actives. The Gingko Leaf pads reduce redness and shrink pores, while the White Lotus pads soften the look of lines and wrinkles. Both contain a smart dose of hyaluronic acid to plump up skin (the slight tingly sensation means they’re really working). The most targeted of the bunch, the Black Soy pads are soaked in a unique amino acid solution formulated with fermented black soy to immediately tighten dull, sagging skin. No matter which mask you’re using, experience tells us that you can expect to notice a real difference in the mirror after just one session.
              Products like these are why I love these sampling box programs. This is so neat! I liked trying this and I thought it made my face look and feel more hydrated. I would not spend $68 for only 6 treatments though. That is way out of my price range. I like that with these boxes I get to try products I normally never would think to try or be able to afford. Fun!!

$25 for 4 fl oz
 25 for 1.7 fl oz
         Finding an exfoliator that’s effective without irritating your face is a bit like trying to find a needle in a haystack (and a scratchy haystack at that). This two-in-one product has gentle beads that first slough away dead skin cells and then melt into a creamy cleanser. It’s ideal for anyone who has sensitive skin or who simply wants to exfoliate every day. Natural brown sugar beads slough away dead skin. Because they dissolve as you scrub, there’s no danger of overdoing it. At the same time, sweet almond oil, oat protein, and ginger root extract work to soothe and hydrate skin.
Between hitting the snooze button and deliberating over our wardrobe options, our mornings always seem to turn into a fire drill. But no matter how rushed we are, we always find time to load up on this feather-light hydrator, which works for all skin types. Made with vegetable proteins and essential oils, the paraben-free formula also includes SPF 15 to protect skin from the UV rays that lead to premature aging. On top of that, we can also use it as a protective hand cream.
              I was shocked at how many Be Fine samples were inside this box! 2 face cleanser and 3 moisturizer. I really like both of them and feel like they are good values. I probably would purchase these if I did not already have a ton of skin care items. The wash made my face feel very clean and soft and the moisturizer absorbed easily without being greasy.


            So that was my Birchbox for April! What did you get in yours? Were you happy with this month?

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!

         If you know what Birchbox is then you can skip reading below.  I want to explain it again for the new followers here =0)

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.A subscription to Birchbox is $10 a month or $110 for the year.

Thanks for reading

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1 comment:

  1. I just got mine today! My first one! Was super excited! I also got the Befine skin care but I got 3 exfoliators and 2 moisturizers. My sister has bad acne so i shared these with her.

    I got 2 Show Stoppers nude strips. Supposedly they will help to keep pesky bra straps in place. I will have to check this out.

    June Jacobs Perfect Pumpkin Enzyme Polish. Another thing i will share with my sister.

    Color Club nail polish in Aqua.

    And Juicy Couture Perfume Sample of Viva La Juicy. (so far it smells good)

    I didn't get to open it till late tonight so i haven't used any of it yet. Can't wait though!

    ReplyDelete