My First Birchbox Review!

Hey guys! Happy Thursday! One more day until the long weekend, right?

Well, I have a fun post planned today. You might have heard some of my Twitter chatter about a recent decision to sign up for Birchbox. After months of seeing blogger babes showing off their goodie boxes, I decided it was finally time for me to join in on the fun! 

For those of you who don't know, Birchbox is a monthly service that sends you a surprise box of 4-5 deluxe samples based on the profile you fill out when you sign up. It's only $10/month... and really, what is $10? Josh and I easily spend more than that on one visit to Taco Bell... I figured it was worth it. 

You can imagine my excitement when I saw the pretty little box in my mailbox awaiting its reveal. I ripped it open and here's what I found:

Arquiste | L'Etrog

Warm notes of citron, palm leaves, and myrtle combine in this transporting scent, inspired by the aromas of a medieval harvest festival in Calabria, Italy. 

(Full Size $165)

beautyblender | blendercleanser

Keep your makeup sponges and brushes in prime condition with this soy-based formula, which removes built-up bacteria and oil. 

(Full Size $17.95)

Color Club | Nail Polish in Disco Nap

Give nails a gilded look with this luxe metallic polish 

(Full Size $8)

Dr. Jart + | Waterfuse BB Cream

Think of this four-in-one moisturizer, serum, sunscreen, and skin-perfecting tint as the extremely stylish Swiss Army Knife of your beauty line up 

(Full Size $32)

twistband | Skinny Headband

Keep your hair perfectly in place with this colorful elastic headbands. 

(6-pack $20)

BIRCHBOX EXTRA

Notecards- text messages are no match for handwritten notes on fun, modern stationary. 

(Set of 12, $10)

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My thoughts...

Now, first let me just mention, I think the picture totally distorts the actual size. For some reason I was picturing the samples to be a bit bigger, but a lot of those products weren't any wider than my thumbnail.

-Especially the BB cream... there might have been 3-4 uses out of it, maybe. Frankly, I'm scared to try and squeeze anything else out of it for fear of popping a blood vessel. I really wish there were more because I love the product- it went on so nicely and it was very light and comfortable. I could see myself wearing it all summer.

-The perfume... I'm not in love with it, although Josh seems to like it. It's a bit strong for me. I tend to like the light, girly, fresh scents rather than smelling like leaves and harvest festivals...

-I haven't actually tried the makeup brush cleanser because I'm already using the Bare Minerals brush cleanser that I love. However, this one has a nice lavender scent to it, so I might switch over soon.

-I normally don't love gold polish, but I tested it out by painting one nail. I've been walking around with the one nail painted all week and it's got a nice shimmer/metallic look to it. I think I'll paint the other 9 once I give myself a proper manicure :)

-I've been using the headband every day. It's nice, but it's really just a big elastic... seems like I could have made it myself. Makes me wonder who would really pay $20 for 6 of them? I'd rather have gotten a lip balm.

-The note card was a nice little bonus. I'll probably use it at some point. I mostly admire the design!

* * * * *

All in all, I was kinda disappointed after having such high expectations! After seeing what other samples were up for grabs, I feel a tiny bit gipped. But, I've heard mixed reviews on Birchbox... they are hit or miss, some months are good and some are "eh." I hope to get some better items next month. I can always cancel if I get too many vein-popping samples :/

Check out Birchbox to find out more on how you can sign up!

Linking up with Tara from Fabulously Evil and Katie from The Nerdy Kate!