This is my first birchbox. My initial thoughts: I ordered the box on my birthday (9th), received an email saying it had shipped on the 12th, and received it today...the 22nd. The company is based on the East Coast, but I still feel that it took a ridiculously long time to receive the box. So already not that thrilled. Furthermore, before receiving the box this afternoon, I received an email from birchbox, telling me everything that was in the box. I am thinking they sent this email to me, assuming I had already received the box. This definitely ruined the surprise aspect. So another point off.
My November Birchbox came with 4 deluxe samples
& 1 hair tie as a "treat." (not pictured)
Reviews: (left to right) First one is Supersmile complete Oral Care, a green apple flavored/scented professional whitening toothpaste. I brushed my teeth as instructed, and found the actual toothpaste to be runny (not foamy) and the flavor to be disgusting. The green apple SCENT is strong, but the flavor is not good at all. It did nothing for the breath, but even after just 1 brushing, I did feel that my teeth looked whiter. At $21 for the full sized tube, this is a maybe for me. If, after I continue to use the mini tube and it works wonders, I might contemplate paying the $21 (which is still cheaper than Crest White Strips, plus we all gotta brush, right?)
Next is supposed to be a magical hair serum. Kerastase elixur ultime (from Paris). For the full size it is $54. Already a no-go just bc of the price. It comes in pump form, and smells slightly musky, warm, vanilla-y, but not over powering. I am finicky about strong smelling things, and I liked this. The pump gives you less than a dime sized amount, and I used 3 pumps on my hair...which left it smelling good, but still frizzy. Did not do any magic wonders, which at $54 for the full size bottle, I would hope it would do more!
Be fine food skin care night cream. Has cocoa, millet & rice bran. I have not actually tried this on my face. The price for the full sized tube is in the $30 range, I think. (I threw the card away already, that has all the prices on it). I did try it out on my hand and the texture is runny but not watery, soft, substantial feeling but not thick. It is also allergen free, fragrance & paraben free.If it's really awesome I would purchase this for my mother who has sensitive skin and loves herself a good night cream. $30 is definitely do-able.
Last is the Anastasia Beverly Hills lash lifting mascara. It's supposed to volumize and hold curl. I found the formula to be really dry, and couldn't tell if it was just bc the formula is supposed to be dry or bc it had dried out since it was in a small sample tube. The wand is like any typical mascara wand, and it did a decent job volumizing, but in no way does it compare to Covergirl Lash Blast. for $22, I will take a pass.
Final thoughts: Overall, I do not feel ripped off for having spent $10 for these deluxe samples. I think, if you are a product junkie...birchbox is both a useful tool and dangerous gateway drug. You are supposed to receive 4-5 samples, and my first month I only received 4...and really only sort of liked 2 of the 4 samples. The amount of time it took to receive the package was the biggest turn off, for me (I am notoriously impatient!). I will give it one more chance (December) and see if it will impress me before cancelling it forever. I could always get my samples from Sephora, where I shop at, anyway....and they have much faster shipping.
Anyhoo....even with this mediocre-feeling review, here is the LINK if you are interested in trying out birchbox as well!
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