Birchbox Review

What is a Birchbox?

Holy beauty samples, it's Birchbox time! If you watch TV you've probably seen countless Birchbox commercials or maybe you heard about it from a friend, or maybe you're thinking to yourself, "what is a Birchbox?"  Well here it is! It's a monthly subscription where you receive 5 samples (and sometimes a bonus sample) of beauty, grooming, and/or lifestyle products.  Every Birchbox comes with a postcard which explains each sample in depth.  It's $10 a month for women and $20 a month for men.  The price is double for men because they tend to receive more expensive and full size products in their Birchboxes.  To sign up go to www.Birchbox.com, pick which box you want to receive, fill out a beauty profile (so you get samples that fit your needs), and then wait for your first Birchbox to come in the mail. 

Birchbox Points

I have had a good experience with my Birchboxes so far.  I have received 8 boxes and have been pleased. Customer service is always there in case you have any questions.  Which is great for me because I am full of  questions, LOL. I love that Birchbox only sells quality items, because this way you can try out different prestige brands.  When you do fall in love with your samples and you want more, just go to Birchbox.com and purchase the full size product. Since the products are expensive there are ways you can get a discount.

For every dollar you spend at the Birchbox store you receive 1 Birchbox point.  You receive 10 Birchbox points for your first Birchbox, but after that if you want to accumulate points you have to either spend money at their online store or write reviews for the products you sample in your Birchbox.  After receiving your monthly Birchbox, you have 30 days to write a review on each product received.  For each written review you will receive 10 Birchbox points.  I love this because once you accumulate 100 Birchbox points you get $10 toward their online store.  Besides getting beauty products from the online store you can get wine glasses and all types of fashion accessories.  Birchbox really has a large selection to choose from. 

My Birchbox

The beauty products I have received in my Birchboxes are really good for the most part.  The only downside to Birchbox is that you can't choose the products you want, and that's why you make a beauty profile.  So there have been a few occasions where I wasn't happy with a perfume (example: both the Harvey Prince perfumes smell like strong air freshener) or face wash, and sometimes I don't want any more hand lotions. The products I do like definitely make it worth my while though. So overall I really like what I get, and if there is something I am not too found of I am not bothered. My friends and family will benefit from the samples I don't use any ways.

So here are all my Birchboxes thus far. This will give you a good overview of what Birchbox has to offer.  What I really liked was that in my first Birchbox I got a full size Noir Cosmetics long wear eyeliner. This eyeliner is $15 on Birchbox.com, which is awesome considering that the Birchbox was $10.  I would definitely recommend subscribing to Birchbox, especially if you are a product junky like me!! Stay tuned and I will give a full review on all the products I got in this April's Birchbox.

March

  

Mirenesse Glossy Kiss (lip crayon for lips and cheeks); Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè (moisturizer that works as primer and makeup remover); Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle; Jelly Pong Pong GLOW GETTER Highlighter; Harvey Prince Sincerely 

February

Benefits Cosmetics Roller Lash; Miss Jessie's Original Super Sweetback Treatment; Evologie Intensive Blemish Serum; Paula's Choice Clinical KP Treatment Cloths; Juicy Couture Hollywood Royal

January

Neil George Shampoo; Harvey Prince Hello Body Creme; Neil George Conditioner; Miracle Skin Transformer Treat & Conceal Eye & Face; Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner

December

Tocca Crema da Mano- Cleopatra (hand lotion); Coola Tinted Matte SPF 30 for Face; Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel; Lord & Berry Paillettes Glitter Eye Pencil in Black; English Laundry Signature for Her

November

Harvey Prince Petaly Noir; Number 4 Hair Super Comb Prep & Protect; Birchbox Bonus* chuao Chocolatier Pop Corn ChocoPods; Camille Beckman Platinumè,Gold Imperial Repair Hand Therapy; Eyeko Fat Eye Stick in Satin Taupe; Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint

October

Number 4 Hair Clarifying Shampoo & Reconstructing Masque; Coastal Scents Revealed 2 Eyeshadow Palette Set; Dr. Jart+ BB Black Label Detox; Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips; Vasanti Cosmetics BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator

September

Curl Keeper Gel; Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser; Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm in Honey Nectar; dr. brandt Pores No MoreVacuum Cleaner; Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream

August

Catherine Malandrino Style de Paris Fragrance; LAQA & Co. Sheer Lip Lube Pencil- Bees Knees (Coral); K6 Skincare Clean Antioxidant Facial Cleanser; Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream - Acai Grapefruit; Noir Cosmetics Long Wear Eyeliner

DIY White Flower Headband

Time to bring in Spring with flower headbands! This step by step guide will show you a fun and easy way to create your own white flower headbands.  To get this elegant look you will need to go to a craft store and get:

• 7.32 mm suede lace cord 
• a bouquet of fake white flowers
• metal accent beads
• 5 bobby pins
• a hot glue gun
• scissors

Step 1

Cut the suede lace cord so that it measures 41 inches long.

Step 2

Tie a knot on both ends of the cord, and then slip the metal accent beads onto the cord. Once the beads are on tie another knot at the end so the beads do not slip off.

Step 3

Cut five white flowers off the bouquet of fake flowers.

Step 4 

Line up the five flowers along the middle of the cord. 

Step 5

Use the bobby pins as place holders for where you want the flowers to be glued.

Step 6

Take the bobby pins off the suede lace cord one by one and hot glue a white flower in the bobby pins place.

Step 7

Cut off the leaves from the fake flower bouquet.

Step 8

Cut the leaves so that they cover the back of the white flowers.

Step 9 

Take the leaves you just cut and glue them to the back of the flowers so that the cord is sandwiched between the flower and the leaf. This will complete the headband.

Style Tips

Just like the cherry on top of a sundae, headbands are such a fun way to finish a hair style.  I love wearing this headband with my hair curled away from my face.  The curl adds great texture to the style and compliments the white flowers with an elegant look. 

*When I tie my headband I like to use a double knot.  A double knot will ensure that the headband stays on your head, and the suede lace cord can easily be untied.*