Tag: subscription box

Dollar Shave Club Update | My December & January Boxes

Happy Friday! A few months ago I signed up for Dollar Shave Club and shared my first box with all of you HERE. I wanted to check in and share what I received from this monthly subscription service in both December and January, as these mailings are quite different from my introductory box. If you missed my first blog post, I signed up for Dollar Shave Club because not only are the brand’s razors extremely affordable, but they are vegan as well. I subscribe to The Humble Twin plan, which costs me $3.00 per month, and I receive five razors per month. Let me show you what arrived in both December and January!

DECEMBER

JANUARY

My December and January subscriptions arrived in cardboard envelopes and contained my blade refills along with an issue of The Bathroom Minutes. I think it’s a lot of fun that Dollar Shave Club has its own newsletter each month. It gives me something new to look at each month instead of just getting my blade refills! Of course, I can edit my monthly box at any time by adding in other products from Dollar Shave Club, such as hair care, skincare, and more. At some point in the future I will be sure to test out other products when I run out of something I’m currently using.

All in all, I am really happy with my Dollar Shave Club subscription, and I highly recommend joining! There is no reason to be paying a lot of money for your razors when you can get a month’s worth for just $3.00. If you would like to sign up, I would appreciate it if you would use my referral link HERE. Please also let me know if you would like me to review any of the other products Dollar Shave Club offers!

Book of the Month Club | January 2017 | Unboxing & Review

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share with you a new-to-me subscription box that I recently purchased. I’ve been eyeing up Book of the Month Club for a long time now, and finally decided to buy a subscription because of the amazing promotion the club is running in January. If you are a fellow reader, I definitely think this subscription will interest you. I made an unboxing video so you can see how my first box arrived, and I will also share my review of the service as well!

Book of the Month (hereinafter “BOTM”) is a monthly subscription service for books. There are a few different plans from which to choose, but I went with the 3-month subscription for $29.97, or $9.99 per month. This 3-month subscription also comes with a free tote bag that is a $20 retail value! Each month there are five books chosen from the BOTM judges, and you get to choose one book for your subscription. I really like that you pick the book you like best – you never have to worry about getting stuck with a book you won’t enjoy! In fact, if you don’t like any of the selections in a particular month, you are free to skip that month’s box without getting charged. Your subscription will roll over into the next month!

I decided to choose Girls in the Moon by Janet McNally for my January selection. This is a young adult book, and because I am primarily a YA reader, I thought this would be a great first pick. My book came with a sturdy bookmark that has a quick blurb about the book from the judge who selected it. I think I will really enjoy this book based on the blurb!

As I mentioned above, BOTM ran a promotion in January where everyone got a free copy of The Grownup by Gillian Flynn. I absolutely loved Gone Girl, and I’ve been wanting to read more from Flynn, so this was a great incentive for me to finally sign up for this service. I highly recommend signing up before the month is over if you also want this great freebie!

 

Another great thing about BOTM is you can choose to add two books to each month’s box for just $9.99 each. You get a choice from any of the past BOTM selections, so long as they are still in stock, and some other books, too. I’ve wanted to read The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon ever since it was released, so I decided to add it to my box. I’m so excited to get to this one in particular!

BOTM JANUARY SAVINGS

Whenever I purchase a subscription box, I’m very interested in the monetary value of the products, and whether I am saving money. I decided to crunch the numbers in several ways to determine my savings!

What I Paid: $19.98 ($9.99 January Selection + 9.99 Additional Book)

Retail Value: $66.97 or 70% off ($9.99 The Grownup + 17.99 Girls in the Moon + 18.99 The Sun is Also a Star + 20.00 Tote Bag)

Retail Value of the Books Only: $46.97 or 47% off

Amazon Value of the Books Only: $28.68 or 30% off ($5.99 The Grownup + 11.32 Girls in the Moon + 11.36 The Sun is Also a Star)

Amazon Value of Girls in the Moon + The Sun is Also a Star: $22.68 or 12% off

Thus, no matter how I crunch the numbers, I saved money by purchasing these books through BOTM Club! If you are a reader who loves to check out new releases and own your books in hardcover, I think this is an amazing option. I am so happy with my first box, and I am excited to see what the February selections are going to be. If you would like to get a free copy of The Grownup by Gillian Flynn, make sure you sign up in January! Please use my referral link HERE when you join.

Are you a Book of the Month Club member?

Let me know which book you chose for January in the comments!

This post includes affiliate links. Book of the Month Club Subscription purchased by me. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

January PLAY! by Sephora Unboxing | My Favorite Yet?!

Happy Monday! Today I’m excited to share my January PLAY! by Sephora box with all of you. For those who are new to PLAY!, this is a $10 beauty subscription box curated by Sephora. I received my first box back in November (see that unboxing HERE), and have been overall pretty impressed with this subscription service. In December, however, I was a bit underwhelmed with the products, so I was interested to see if January’s box would be any better. I think it is my favorite box yet!

January PLAY! by Sephora Unboxing | My Favorite Yet?!January PLAY! by Sephora Unboxing | My Favorite Yet?!

This month’s theme is No Appointment Necessary, and is filled with high-performing products that let you get expert-level results from home. I was immediately excited as soon as I lifted the informational magazine out of the box and saw the first product lying on top. As always, I’ll show you each product individually and share the sample’s retail value with you.

Sephora Collection Green Tea Eye Mask

Sephora Collection Green Tea Eye Mask – $5.00

The first thing I spotted was this Green Tea Eye Mask. I’ve seen so many beauty vloggers use masks like these, and they look like a fun and easy way to treat your skin right! Sephora offers a bunch of different eye masks in this line, and the Green Tea one is designed to give a cool, fresh sensation to the eye area and provide a smoothing effect. I am so excited to try this!

Dr. Brandt Needles No More

Dr. Brandt Needles No More – $15.13

The skincare continues with a product from one of my favorite high end brands, Dr. Brandt. We did get a product from Dr. Brandt last month, but I am totally fine with another! Needles No More is a wrinkle relaxer, and is supposed to provide both instant and long-term effects. I’m really intrigued with this one!

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel – $9.60

The last skincare item in this box is a peel from Dr. Gross Skincare. I’ve always been nervous to try a peel, but there are three treatments in this box so I guess a peel is in my future! I do like that this peel is a two-step wipe process. This should be interesting!

TOCCA Isabel PerfumeTOCCA Isabel Perfume – $2.00

Next up is a perfume sample from TOCCA, which you all know I don’t like getting in this box. Sephora gives perfume samples away for free, both online and in-store. It’s ridiculous we keep getting these! Nonetheless, Isabel is a rose-scented perfume, which I cannot use because of my sensitivity to floral scents. This is my least favorite item in the box.

Living Proof Prime Style Extender Spray

Living Proof Prime Style Extender Spray – $2.94

Moving on to hair care, we got a Living Proof sample in the box! I love this brand of hair care, so I’m happy that I received this. The Prime Style Extender Spray is designed for fine hair, which I have, and is supposed to make any style last 2x longer. I don’t usually style my hair, but I’ll be glad to have this on hand for when I do!

Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight in Hefty Highlight

Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight in Hefty Highlight – $12.57

Last but not least is a makeup item from Clinique, which I am really excited to try. This is a cream highlighter in a beautiful pink shade. I think this will look beautiful with my fair skin tone. I’ve never tried a cream highlighter before, so I can’t wait to put this to use!

All in all, I am very impressed with my January PLAY! by Sephora box. I will use every item except for the perfume, and I am very much looking forward to the skincare and makeup. The retail value for this box is $47.24, which is also excellent. I’m going to continue my subscription for sure! If you are interested in subscribing, join the wait list HERE. I’ll be sure to share what I receive next month, too!

Shop for the products in this box using the widget below and I’ll earn a small commission throug ShopStyle affiliates.

#PolishlandPresents | My Birchbox Gift List

All images used in this blog post are courtesy of Birchbox. Please visit the direct product links to see the original source.

Happy Monday! Welcome to the next installment of #PolishlandPresents! As you can guess by the title of this post, today I’ll be sharing with you the ten items on Birchbox’s website that I think are the perfect gift items this holiday season. I’ve gone through the website from top to bottom so you don’t have to spend time searching through all of the products. I absolutely love shopping on the Birchbox website because of the Birchbox Points program. With every purchase, you earn points that you can redeem for money off. For every 100 points, you get $10 off and there is no limit for how many points you can earn and redeem. Birchbox also has great coupons and add-ons, so you are always getting the most for your money. Let me go ahead and show you my ten present picks!

ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick Trio

ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick Trio$20.00 [BUY] [REVIEW]

I absolutely love this lipstick range from ModelCo, and Birchbox offers two exclusive trios for an amazing price. If you have a lipstick aficionado to shop for, I highly recommend one of these sets. They make the perfect stocking stuffer. Either give all three to the same person, or break up the trio for different people. Pair the lipstick with a gloss or liner that you think matches, or even match it up with a complimenting nail polish. Plus, if you’re love one of the lipsticks, keep it for yourself!

Laura Geller Beauty for the Love of Baked Value Set

Laura Geller for the Love of Baked Value Set

$39.00 [BUY]

I couldn’t believe the amazing price tag on this Laura Geller set that is also a Birchbox exclusive! Six products for under $40? Talk about a steal! I own the Retractable Baked Powder Brush that comes with this kit and I really love it. I would highly recommend it for beauty lovers. This set comes in four shades, and will make any makeup junkie super happy!

POP Beauty POP Portfolio Eyeshadow Palette

POP Beauty POP Portfolio Eyeshadow Palette$26.00 [BUY]

Buying eyeshadow for the makeup lover in your life can be difficult, but this palette offers a full range of colors so you know some are sure to please! I’ve heard great things about POP Beauty eyeshadows, and they are really affordable. To get a full palette for under $30 is amazing!

Color Club Gala’s Gems Collection

Color Club Gala's Gems Collection$13.00 [BUY] [REVIEW]

I really love the Gala’s Gems Collection from Color Club, and I think it makes a great gift set for nail polish aficionados. The colors are perfect for the winter, and they have great formulas. Plus, this box is small enough to be a stocking stuffer or you can pair it with other manicure essentials for a larger gift.

Kikkerland Wooden Whale Nail Brush

Kikkerland Wooden Whale Nail Brush$12.00 [BUY]

How cute is this nail brush?! Talk about the perfect stocking stuffer! This is such a fun item for those who love to do at home manicures. I can almost guarantee your friends won’t already own something like this either! Kikkerland is such a quirky brand, but they’ve definitely created something practical at the same time.

Toca Crema Quintette Collection

Tocca Crema Quintette Collection$32.00 [BUY]

Hand creams are a gift item I reach for every year. I love buying boxed value sets like this one to split up and give to my friends and family. Plus, you can keep one for yourself! This luxurious lotion smells divine and would be a great pair with the Whale Nail Brush or Gala’s Gems set! Of course, you can gift the entire box set to one person if they love hand creams.

Verloop Rothko Touchscreen Gloves

Verloop Rothko Touchscreen Gloves$29.00 [BUY]

In the modern day technology society we live in, touchscreen gloves are a MUST for all of us in cold weather climates! I wear mine all the time! Birchbox offers these nice Verloop gloves in six different colors. Get a pair for everyone on your list and wrap an iTunes gift card up with it. They’ll think of you every time they use their phone!

Wild & Wolf Scrabble Tile Mug

Wild & Wolf Scrabble Tile Mug$11.50 [BUY]

I adore this Scrabble mug! It’s perfect for board game buffs, and it’s very hipster. If you have a friend who loves coffee or tea, wrap these items up together and you’ve got an awesome present. If you’re feeling crafty, you can also make some Scrabble Coasters to match!

Chambre de Sucre Macaron Limoge Trinket Boxes

Chambre de Sucre Macaron Limoge Trinket Boxes

$13.95 [BUY]

How cute is this macaron box?! I think it is so adorable, and would look nice on a vanity or desk. Place a pair of earrings inside, or even some cash, and you’ve got a sweet gift. These boxes come in four pastel shades, so buy one or more for a holiday treat.

Birchbox Subscription

with-100-000-subscribers-birchbox-launches-grooming-kit-subscriptions-for-men-dd550876dc
Image Courtesy of Mashable

$30-110 [BUY]

Of course, the gift of the Birchbox subscription is also a great way to go. Choose from 3, 6, or 12 month options. You can even get a Birchbox Man subscription for the guys in your life! This is a great option if you’re not sure what to get someone, but you don’t think a gift card is a good idea. I personally would love this gift!

That’s it for today’s #PolishlandPresents post! I hope you found my Birchbox Gift List helpful! Birchbox offers so many amazing deals all year round, and the site is constantly expanding to offer more goodies. Be sure to check it out, and stay tuned for more gift guides in my #PolishlandPresents series!

Subscription Sunday | November 2014 Birchbox

Happy Subscription Sunday! It’s been a few months since I’ve showed you my Birchbox, but I definitely want to get back into the habit of sharing the goodies I get each month because they’ve been totally awesome lately. If you’re new to Birchbox, it is a $10 per month subscription box in which you get sample sized products from the world of beauty and skincare, and now lifestyle items as well. Products can be any size from foil packets to full sized products, but Birchbox has a personal style profile form that gets to know you pretty well. Let me show you my November box!

November 2014 Birchbox | Adventures in PolishlandEach month, Birchbox features a different theme. November is fittingly all about giving, with Birchbox teaming up with RED to help raise money in the fight against AIDS. I think that it’s really great that Birchbox is giving back this month!

Subscription Sunday | November 2014 BirchboxNow onto the goodies in my box! I’ll tell you what each item is and it’s retail value. Plus, you can click on the name of each product to purchase it on Birchbox’s website.

  • TOCCA Eau de Parfum in Florence – $2.00 – I do like receiving perfume samples in my Birchbox every once in a while, but this one is a strong floral that I unfortunately cannot use due to my allergies to flowers. I’ll have to pass it on to someone else.
  • Supergoop Daily Correct CC Cream in Fair to Light – $2.04 – I’ve received a lot of Supergoop samples from subscription boxes and I’m never thrilled with them. I am happy that Birchbox did send me the right shade to try, but I’ll be lucky to get 1-2 uses out of this tiny tube.
  • Eyeko Fat Eye Stick in Satin Taupe – $5.00 – I am really excited about this product! This jumbo eye pencil can be used as an eyeliner, eyeshadow base, or shadow. The shade is a stunning taupe with just a hint of shimmer. I’ve already tried it and love it!
  • Perlier Revitalizing Body Butter in White Almond – $2.55 – With winter basically here, it’s time to stock up on moisturizers! This luxurious cream is made in Italy, and the perfect item to get in my November box.
  • Fekkai PrX Reparatives Intense Fortifying Masque – $6.04 – I’m most excited about this hair mask! I’m almost out of the mask I’ve been using, and this one seems awesome. Plus, it smells divine. I can’t wait to use it!
  • Justin’s Chocolate Almond Butter Squeeze Pack – $1.99 – I’ve been wanting to try Justin’s for a long time, but this stuff is super expensive ($12.99 for a jar at the grocery store!). I’m glad I got this sample because I already ate it right after this picture was taken. It was yummy, but not so yummy that I’d buy it over Nutella.

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $19.62

RATING 1–5 (1 IS WORST, 5 IS BEST): 3.5

OVERALL OPINOIN: I’m giving this box a 3.5 this month because I really love three of these products, was happy about the almond butter, and could leave the perfume and CC cream for someone else. It was a great month, but there is definitely room for improvement. I also wish the retail value was a bit higher. What do you think?

As always, you can join Birchbox HERE if you have not already. Please let me know in the comments what you got this month!

Subscription Sunday | My First NatureBox!

Happy Subscription Sunday! Today I have a new-to-me subscription box to share with all of you. I’ve heard so many people talking about NatureBox lately, that I just decided to give it a try. NatureBox is a subscription service that sends you a box filled with anywhere from 3-20 snacks per month. I decided to go with 5 snacks at $19.95 per month. It sounds expensive, but each snack bag is multiple servings, and they are guaranteed to be super healthy! NatureBox also provides healthier options with no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners. I decided that with Back to School, these snacks would be perfect to take with me to munch on throughout the day. Let me show you what was inside my first box!

My First NatureBox | Adventures in PolishlandLook at all of the goodies inside my box! As you can see, these are over 4oz each, and contain a lot of food in each pouch. I love that these pouches are resealable, as I popped one in my locker at school and can take it out whenever I’m hungry. I’ll tell you about about each snack, too.

NatureBox – Chocolate Quinoa Granola

Chocolate Quinoa Granola

I love chocolate and quinoa, so the two together were pretty tasty! These almost looked like small cookies, but were of course very crunchy. I really enjoyed these in the morning with my coffee!

 NatureBox – Cinnamon Spiced Almonds

Cinnamon Spiced Almonds

These were so good! Plain almonds can be a bit boring to snack on, in my opinion, but these were delicious. I would have liked them to be cinnamon-sugar instead of spiced, but I still loved them and ate up the entire bag.

NatureBox – Harvest Nut Mix

Harvest Nut Mix

This mix is a spin on your typical party mix, and I really like it. This snack is the one currently living in my locker at school. The protein from the nuts is filling and tasty!

NatureBox – Açai Berry Crunch

Açai Berry Crunch

This is another type of granola that included some sweetness from the berries. You can put this on top of yogurt or eat it as cereal, but I just ate it dry as a snack. It tasted great!

NatureBox – Honey Dijon Pretzels

Honey Dijon Pretzels

I’ve saved the best for last! I’m not typically a huge fan of mustard, but these pretzels were AMAZING. I ate them right up! I would definitely purchase these directly from the NatureBox shop (which is another great option this service has). I highly recommend these!

All in all, I’m so glad I tried NatureBox! I loved each and every one of my snacks, but especially those pretzels. I decided to go with the surprise option, but if you want you can pick out the snacks that NatureBox sends you each month to make sure you’ll like them. You can also mark off if you have a dietary restriction, such as a gluten-free or vegan lifestyle, on the site. Sign up now and you’ll get $10 off your first box when you use my referral link HERE. I can’t wait to taste more NatureBox goodies! Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried NatureBox and what you think of it!

Subscription Sunday | June Birchbox

Happy Subscription Sunday! Today I have my June Birchbox to share with all of you. When I received my box in the mail this month, I was super excited to open it because it was much heavier than it usually is. Let me go ahead and show you my June products!

June Birchbox | Adventures in PolishlandThis month, Birchbox’s theme is Away We Go! It seems like I’m not the only one with traveling on the brain this month – Birchbox does, too! In fact, the company teamed up with JetBlue to give away a round trip flight. I hope I win!

June Birchbox | Adventures in PolishlandHere are the first set of products in my June Birchbox. I’ll tell you a bit about each one from left to right:

  • Coastal Scents Revealed Palette Sampler – $3.20 – This eyeshadow sampler contains four neutral shades from the new Coastal Scents palette. I really like this idea for a sampler, as it lets me test out more than one shadow from a brand, and will last me a long time.
  • Davines Love Shampoo – $7.50 – This is a great size shampoo sample, and it smells amazing! I can’t wait to try it, as it’s formulated for dry and frizzy hair like mine.
  • Gilchrist & Soames Body Lotion – $3.00 – I like the idea of this body lotion as it is eco-friendly and spa-worthy, but the fragrance is a bit strong for me. This is still a great size sample!
  • Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator – $5.67 – It seems like I get a new cleanser every month. I wish there was a bit more variety, but this is a great one for travel because it is an exfoliating cleanser and a good size!

June Birchbox } Adventures in Polishland

  • Davines Love Conditioner – $1.41 – I also got a conditioner that matches the shampoo sample I got. Normally I don’t like foil packets, but I think it’s great that I can test this along with the shampoo at least once or twice.
  • Davines Ol All in One Milk – $0.83 – I also got a sample of the hair treatment from the Davines line! I can’t wait to try out the entire hair care system!
  • Catherine Malandrino CM Perfume – $0.88 – Finally, I got a perfume sample that actually smells amazing! I’m excited to test it out!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $22.49

RATING 1-5 (1 IS WORST, 5 IS BEST): 4

OVERALL OPINION: I love this month’s Birchbox! Not only did I get four amazing samples, but I got three smaller ones as well. Even though the retail value isn’t very high, it’s more than double what I paid for the box, and I’m sure to use every single one of these samples. I would definitely like more diversity in my Birchbox, but I can’t go wrong with anything here.

You can join Birchbox for just $10 per month HERE. I really love this subscription service, and highly recommend it! Do you subscribe already? Let me know what was inside your June box in the comments!

 

 

 

Subscription Sunday | March Birchbox

Happy Subscription Sunday! It’s officially been one year since I joined Birchbox, and I’m so excited to show you what is in my March 2014 box. This series first began as Ipsy v. Birchbox, but Birchbox is the only box I’ve stuck with this long. Let me go ahead and share my products with you, and if you’d like to see my first ever Birchbox, just click HERE.

March Birchbox | Adventures in PolishlandThis month’s theme is Spring Forward. Since we lost an hour of sleep this month, the products in our box are supposed to be time-savers and long-lasting. Anything to make up for the time change!

March Birchbox | Adventures in PolishlandHere are all the products I got this month. I’ll talk about them a bit more from left to right, and share each sample’s retail value.

  • Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle Leave in Conditioner – $4.66 – I’ve been able to try a lot of Beauty Protector products through Birchbox, and I don’t mind collecting them since I’ll be traveling later this year. This stuff smells amazing, and I can’t wait to try it!
  • Coola Face Mineral Sunscreen – $3.60 – I am so sick of getting Coola products in subscription boxes! The main reason is because the samples are barely enough to use even one time. Don’t let the tube size deceive you – they are never filled completely!
  • Air Repair Rescue Balm – $2.17 – This is a 100% natural healing balm that can be used anywhere, such as lips and hands. It’s designed to lock in moisture, and while I wish the sample size was a bit bigger, I’m excited to try it!
  • Jergens BB Body Cream – $1.73 – I am most excited about this sample! This product has been getting a lot of buzz lately, so I can’t wait to see if this will improve the look of my skin. It’s a decent size sample, and I got the right shade for my skin tone.
  • theBalm How ‘Bout Them Apples? Cheek & Lip Cream in Pie – $5.33 – Last but not least is a red cheek and lip cream. I’m really excited about this! The shade blends out really nicely on my hand, so I bet it will look great on my face!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $17.49

RATING 1-5 (1 BEING WORST, 5 BEING BEST): 3

OVERALL OPINION: This box is just okay for me. I really like the Jergens BB Cream and the product from theBalm, but I really wish I didn’t get anything from Coola. I don’t mind when the retail value is low so long as I can see myself using all of the products. With the exception of the Coola product, I’ll get use out of everything so I can’t complain too much. I would love to see samples from different brands in the future.

Do you subscribe to Birchbox? Join HERE and for $10 per month get a box of samples delivered to your door. For a limited time you will get 100 points when you sign up using code bb100. That’s equal to $10 in the Birchbox shop! If you already subscribe, let me know what you got this month!

This post contains affiliate links. Birchbox purchased by me. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Subscription Sunday | My First Beauty Box 5!

Happy Subscription Sunday! Today I am super excited to bring you my first unboxing of Beauty Box 5. It’s been a while since I’ve opened up a new-to-me subscription box, so I was really curious to see what would be inside. Similar to some other beauty boxes, Beauty Box 5 is a subscription service that sends you five cosmetic samples per month. Let me show you what is inside my box!

My First Beauty Box 5! Beauty Box 5!Beauty Box 5 comes in a Tiffany blue box, which I just love! Inside I found an informational card on top. On the back it explains more about how the service works, and I’m guessing they put this in every welcome box since I didn’t get the exact products pictured. Now onto the goodies!

Beauty Box 5 ProductsI’ll tell you a bit more about each product from left to right, and mention the retail value of each sample.

  • La Fresh Travel-Lite Facial Cleansing Wipes – $2.49 – I love these wipes! This is an 8-pack that is perfect for your purse. I’ll be saving this pack for my next trip!
  • H2O+ Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment – $5.76 – I’ve never tried anything from this brand before, but I’m excited to use this oil-free moisturizer. This is a decent size skincare sample as well!
  • Ofra Lipgloss Plumper in Sultry – $12.95 – This is a full size lip gloss! The shade looks nice, and I’m interested to test it out. I’ve never tried a lip plumper before, so we’ll see what happens!
  • Nubar Nail Polish in Kristal – $4.00 – Believe it or not, I’ve never tried a Nubar polish before! Kristal looks gorgeous, and I’ll have a full review of it on my blog very soon.
  • Bellápierre Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Celebration – $14.99 – This is a full size Mica powder eyeshadow in a beautiful gold shade. It’s not something I would typically use, but it’s fun to give it a try.

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $40.19

RATING 1-5 (1 BEING WORST, 5 BEING BEST): 4

OVERALL OPINION: I’m really impressed with my first Beauty Box 5! I got a great variety of items, including three full size products. Plus, the retail value is over three times the cost of the box. The only item that I’m not too excited about is the Bellápierre eyeshadow, but otherwise I’ll be using everything else!

You can subscribe to Beauty Box 5 for $12 per month HERE. Already a member? Let me know why you love Beauty Box 5, and if you think I should subscribe!

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Subscription Sunday | January Birchbox

Happy Subscription Sunday! Today I’m excited to share with all of you my January Birchbox. It was quite heavy when it arrived in the mail, so I couldn’t wait to see what was inside. If you’re new to Birchbox, it’s a $10 per month subscription service that sends out around five deluxe samples to you every month. The box mainly contains beauty and skincare items, but other goodies show up every once in a while as well. I am a huge Birchbox fan, and continue to receive it every month after canceling a lot of other subscription services. Let me show you what I got this month!

Subscription Sunday | January BirchboxEvery month, Birchbox focuses on a new theme. In January, it’s Go Time! Birchbox is encouraging all of us to try new things this year, and really dive into some adventures. Sounds like a motiving way to begin 2014!

Birchbox Products January 2014Here are the first three products in my box. I’ll describe them from left to right, and let you know the retail value of each sample.

  • Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Créme – $8.00 – I’m excited for this sample! Not only is it a great size and value, but I need something like this for my hair. This glossing créme tames frizz and adds moisture into the hair. I can’t wait to test it out!
  • Nail Rock Sequin Kit in Green – $7.00 – Birchbox always excites me with nail polish products! This kit comes with a nail sequin pot and a special base coat. This is a full size product, and I can’t wait to see how it works. Stay tuned for a full review!
  • Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum – $4.58 – This serum really intrigues me! It’s designed to tighten pores, and also has anti-aging qualities. I’ll definitely be sure to give it a try and see what happens!

Birchbox Products January 2014

 

  • Ahmad Teas Assorted Teas – $0.53 – As a lifestyle extra this month, Birchbox included three tea bags from Ahmad Tea. I seem to get a lot of tea from Birchbox, and I like it, especially in the winter. The three flavors I received are Mint Mystique, Apricot Sunrise, and English Tea No. 1. I hope they’re tasty!
  • 100% Pure French Lavender Hand Buttercream – $1.01 – The last product in my box was actually three foil packets of this hand cream. I thought that was pretty interesting, but I do appreciate getting three packets instead of just one. Even though it’s a low retail value, I can pop these in my purse for when I need moisture on the go!

Birchbox Postcards January 2014As a final bonus, Birchbox included a set of five, inspirational postcards. Each contains a cute quote on the front, plus tips on achieving your New Year’s Resolutions on the back. These are great to hang up, include in your journal, or send to friends. I love them!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $21.12

RATING 1-5 (1 BEING WORST AND 5 BEING BEST): 4

OVERALL OPINION: While the retail value of this box may not be very high, I can and will use each and every product in this box. I would prefer to not receive foil packets, but I will give Birchbox props for at least providing multiples instead of just one. I am very excited about the Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Créme and the Nail Rock kit. Plus, any time Birchbox includes a little bonus I am a satisfied customer!

Are you a Birchbox subscriber? If not, join HERE for just $10 per month. If you are, let me know what you got this month in the comments. I hope your 2014 is off to a fantastic start!

This post contains affiliate links. Birchbox purchased by me. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.