A Year (ish) in Birchbox
If you were to ask anyone who knows me, they would probably tell you that I know nothing about makeup. I'm less than savvy when it comes to all things beauty related, I just started washing my face this year *cue cringing*. Hence, with Mom's debit card in hand, I signed myself up for Birchbox. For those of y'all who don't know what Birchbox is, it's essentially a monthly subscription to a beauty supply box. When you sign up, you take a little questionnaire to allow little elves in Birchbox factories to make cute boxes filled with beauty goodies that perfectly suit your every need. If this is not how this works, Birchbox, please reach out to me, but don't ruin my elf fantasy land.
I've fielded numerous questions regarding Birchbox: Is it worth it? How much is it? What do you get each month? Are you sure the factory is run by elves?
And thus comes.. A Year (ish) in Birchbox! A peek into my favorite beauty products I've received and semi-definitive answers to the above questions.
As I mentioned, when you sign up for Birchbox you fill out a short questionnaire regarding your skin & hair type, beauty knowledge and willingness to try new products. This is where Birchbox gets their answers to what they should put in your very well packaged box each month.
The big question with the most definitive answer: How much is Birchbox?
Each month (unless you pay for a year in advance) is $10.00. You receive at least 5 sample beauty products in each box. So by my math, which is nonexistent, that's totally worth it.
When your box arrives in the mail, you will find your samples, along with a cheat sheet to what your box contains. How to use the products, the actual name of the product, and how much a full size costs.
My favorite products through the Year (ish):
stila HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara- full size $23.00
This mascara is awesome. I've since moved on to Benefit mascaras, but this non clumping bold mascara was great for me! Instead of just making my eyelashes so long they touch my eyebrows, it gave a fuller effect to my overall eyelash area. One time a guy told me I had pretty eyes while I was wearing this mascara and I've pretty much been riding on that ever since.
LOC One & Done Shadow Stick- full size trio $35.00
This is the simplest way to put on eyeshadow that will stay the whole weekend (helloo bonus!) and the color I got was this fantastic shimmery gold but not in a stripper sort of way.
Acure Organics Pore Minimizing Facial Scrub- full size $12.99
Obviously by the price, this isn't a crazy expensive sample (I found a full size at Target for $10.00) but this stuff rocks. I didn't wash my face regularly until using this facial scrub, but I'm 300% hooked now. It's a weird *excuse me* poop brown color but it leaves my face feeling fresh as shit. Literally.
Benefit Gimmie Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel- full size $24.00
Benefit is pretty much my end all be all when it comes to makeup brands, so I was stoked when I got this sample. Before using this, I pencil in my eyebrows a little with my drugstore stuff, then fill in over top with this. Is that right? Probably not. Am I attempting a Cara Delevingne look? Absolutely.
Dr. Jart+ Water Drop Hydrating Moisturizer- full size $36.00
Probably my favorite sample in all of Birchbox sample history (thank you elves!) This moisturizer is kick ass. It feels like you're splashing a whole bunch of water on your face, but the good kind of water, like Culligan or something.
In my year (ish), I have received approximately a lot of samples, and these are just some of my favorites. My boxes have also included a lot of lipsticks and perfume samples, but also some really strange under eye goops and tanning lotion that I get very limited use out of.
Is it worth it? Yes, most definitely.
Was this post far longer than I intended? Yes, most definitely.
That's all, folks.
