Retrospective: Birchbox July 2012

See my first Retrospective for the answers to the quiz that I used.

July 2012: Month 5

Ada Cosmetics Bronzer in Bronze Peach
Photo from Birchbox

This is a really nice mineral bronzer for someone as pale as I am.  It has some shimmer in it, and this sample will last me forever.  I actually didn't have a powder bronzer before this, and it was really nice to get to try one out!  I still use this and it doesn't even look like I've made a dent.

Full size $12.45 for 3 grams.  Sample size was about 1 gram? I'm estimating based on how it looks next to some of my bare minerals products.  This one didn't have a size listed.  I'll go with 1g, which gives it a value of $4.15

Birchbox Exclusive Earbuds
Photo from Birchbox

I can never have enough pairs of earbuds, or enough neon, so these were welcome.  I think they are by my bed at the moment, for when my bf is snoring away and I can't sleep. The sound quality on these could be a little better, but I'm certainly not complaining.

These go for $10 on the Birchbox site.

blinc Mascara in Black
Photo from Birchbox

This was the first time I had heard of a tubing mascara.  The mascara basically makes little polymer tubes around your individual eyelashes when you brush it on.  This means it is super waterproof and the only way to take it off is to gently wipe or pull them off in warm water.  The little tubes will look like eyelashes as you pull them off, and you may freak out the first time!  I ended up really loving this product and if I didn't have so many mascaras to try (samples and full sized) I would buy this in a heart beat!  It darkens a little bit, makes your lashes look almost glossy, and is perfect for weddings and sad movies!  They have a new version called "amplified" and it is supposed to be more volumizing than the original.

Full size $26 for 0.3 oz.  Sample size 0.14 oz, valued at $12.13

Harvey Prince Hello
Photo from Birchbox

Since I loved Ageless by the same company so much, I was super excited to try Hello!  Unfortunately, I dropped it on the tile floor in the bathroom and it totally shattered everywhere.  It smelled good, but there was SO MUCH OF IT on the floor that it was a little over-powering :(  Oh well. 

Full size $55 for 50 mL, sample (1.5 mL) value $1.65

Klorane shampoo with Chamomile
Photo from Birchbox

This is supposed to be shampoo for blondies, and says it will help keep your color bright and not brassy.  I couldn't tell from the 4 uses I got out of the bottle if it did that, but I did NOT like the scent.  If it hadn't been the only shampoo I brought on vacation, I would have tossed it after the first use.

Full size $18 for 400 mL.  Sample size was 25 mL, making it worth $1.12

Larabar über in Roasted Nut Roll
Photo from Birchbox

The "extra" in this box was a Larabar über and I received the roasted nut roll flavor.  It was delicious and I don't have any complaints about the occasional food item in my Birchboxes.  Bring them on!

$9 for a 5 count, single bar worth $1.80


Total Value $30.85

Excellent value, useful products, and I loved everything but the shampoo.  Plus, there were 6 items to review, which translates into $6 to spend in the BB shop.



Birchbox costs $10/month, including shipping and sends you a box of 4-6 samples and sometimes full-sized products.  You can review the products you receive for 10 Birchbox points each.  For every $1 you spend in the BB shop, you also receive 1 BB point.  For every 100 BB points you accumulate, you get $10 to spend in their shop.  If you would like to sign up, my link is here and I will earn 50 BB points at the end of your first month.

This post contains products I purchased with my own money.  No compensation was received for this post and all opinions are my own.  This post contains a referral link, see above for details.

My All-Subscription Box Vacation, Part 2

I'm getting excited for my vacation this weekend! Here is what is in my makeup bag- almost everything is from subscription boxes! 

The non-subscription box products

NYC Browser Brush-On Brow Kit because nothing finishes your look like filled-in brows! This may be all I end up using. Who knows. 

Bare Minerals Original Foundation in case I need some extra coverage 

Various brushes and an eyelash curler. Some of these are from sub boxes (like the SoHo brush in my Ipsy top 5), and some are not. Either way, they are not anything special. 

These will make me feel pretty

Blinc Mascara (Birchbox July 2012) I love this tubing mascara. It doesn't wash off unless you want it to- perfect for going for a swim! 

Chella Ivory Lace Eyebrow Pencil (Ipsy June 2013) I've already written about this in my top 5 Ipsy list. 

Pop Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon in Coral Crush (Ipsy July 2013) Same with this! It's the perfect summer day lip color. 

Vincent Longo Lipstain SPF 15 Lipstick in Cherry (Glossybox January 2013) For a nice dinner out, no other lipstick can beat this one, especially in a classic red. The stain lasts all night, through dinner and drinks, and doesn't come off on anyone else's cheeks or lips. 

Mai Couture Highlighter Papier (Ipsy December 2012). For when I feel fancy. I tried using this over the winter to a formal event, but I was just too darn pale for it to look good. Maybe now that I'm 0.005 shades darker, it will look better. 

Mirabella Perfecting Powder (Ipsy May 2013). See my other list linked above for a proclamation of my love for this product. It will not leave my sight until it is used up. I will then hold a funeral for it. 

Ada Cosmetics Bronzer in Peach (Birchbox July 2012). For some contouring if I feel like it, and in place of a blush if I want to get crazy with the beachy look. This isn't too dark for my skin tone, which is amazing. 

theBalm Hot Mama Shadow/Blush (Birchbox December 2012). One of my favorite blushes of all time! I was told it made me all glowy, and who doesn't want that? This barely missed out on being on my top 5 Birchbox list. It is awesome and super-flattering. 

Coastal Scents Eyeshadow Quads (Ipsy October 2012, February 2013) Boy am I bringing <em>all</em> of my entire top 5 Ipsy products? I think so... 

theBalm Meet Matt(e) Matt Batali (Ipsy November 2012). It seems like theBalm is only selling the nude matte palette now, not the original one. Oh well, I still like this shadow, especially in a smokey eye. 

Jouer Matte Moisture Tint (Birchbox September 2012). I don't plan on wearing foundation, just this. I'm bringing the Bare Minerals for night if we go out, but this will be just fine for the day. I really like this product but not as much as I like my Dr. Jart BB. Maybe if I feel the need to buy an every-day matte product I will get this one. For vacation, it will be great. 

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil (Ipsy December 2012) Yup. I've got my whole top 5. I also have almost every color ever made of this pencil and there is not a better eyeliner that I have been able to find. It's not up for discussion. These are the best, and they come in the best colors. 

Vincent Longo Duo Lip Pencil (Allure Sample Society July 2012). For under my lipsticks, or by itself with some chapstick or gloss over it. This is a really nice pencil, and it is great to have two slightly different shades in one. Travel is all about multi-use products, right? Streamline your packing!

Look at those packing skills!

Not all of this fit in the July Ipsy bag... Everything in the first picture was left out. So, I put it all into the January bag instead. That is the biggest one they have sent out, and all of my brushes fit (diagonally). I can't wait!

This post contains items that were received in Sample Society, Birchbox and Ipsy, both of which are purchased with my own funds.  All opinions are my own.