Retrospective: Birchbox January 2013

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

January 2013: Month 11

100% Pure Nourishing Body Cream in Green Apple and Cabernet Grape
Photo from Birchbox

I did not like either one of the scents (they smelled just like the apple and grape Jolly Rancher candies, and I don't like them) but I really like the texture of the body cream.  I just wish the samples would have been bigger! I could do just my legs with each one, I wish they had included enough to do my arms as well.


Full size $15 for 8 oz.  Two 0.066oz samples are approximately $0.25 in value.

Aerie Shimmer
Photo from Ipsy

This came wrapped up like a candy, which was cute, but I don't really like the scent.  It is supposed to be delicate and warm, but I just feel like it makes me sneeze.

Full size $39.95 for 100 mL, value of 1.5 mL sample approximately $0.60

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre
Photo from Birchbox

I like this face cream.  I'm glad that BB sent it.  I will probably forget all about it once it is gone, however, because it is nothing spectacular.  Perfectly adequate, though.


Full size $28 for 75 mL.  Sample size of 5 mL worth $1.87

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Black
Photo from Birchbox

I like this better than the "Fat Stick" from the same company that I received in my June 2012 box.  This stays in place all day, like it is supposed to.  It has a really long felt tip, which is a little to bendy for my personal tastes.  It is easy to make too thick of a line in places because the applicator has so much give.  It's not bad though.

This was full-sized and retails for $16 (0.07 oz)

Ojon Rare Blend Oil Total Hair Therapy
Photo from Birchbox

This is a perfectly fine hair oil, and smells great, but it is not as good as my beloved Orofluido.  Plus, I can never get it to blend together long enough to pour out an even amount of all three colors.  That bugs me.


Full size $35 for 1.5 fl.oz.  Sample size 0.07 fl.oz. for a value of $1.63.


Total Value $20.35

I liked everything in the box, with the exception of the perfume.  The other 4 samples were all great products to try out, and getting a full-sized item is always a plus!


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.

Retrospective: Birchbox May 2012

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

May 2012- Month 3May is my birthday month!  I was hoping for something extra-special that month.

BVLGARI Omnia Crystalline Eau de Toilette
Photo from Birchbox

This was a pleasant surprise for me. It is very woody, with a little fruit at the top, which gives it a very "green" scent.  It isn't something I would buy a full size of, or something that I would want to wear every day, but it is nice every once in a while.  I think it would be perfect to wear to an outdoor wedding.  Not a bad perfume sample, if they had to send me one.

Full size $64.00/40 mL.  Sample 1.5 mL, $2.40.

Dr. Jart Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25
Photo from Birchbox

This BB cream was one of my Birchbox Top 5  products, and I still use it (or one of the other BB creams from Dr. Jart) every day.  It's awesome.

Full size (I'm on my second one!) $32.00/50 mL.  Sample size 3 mL (I think), $1.92.

Ojon Volume Advance Volumizing Conditioner
Photo from Birchbox

Oh yeah, I remember this now! It was pretty adequate for a conditioner.  Did it add volume? I don't really think so.  I don't really remember, though, to be fair.  All in all, forgettable.

Full size $23.00/250 mL.  Sample size 30 mL, value $2.76

Stila Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Flash
Photo from Birchbox

Happy birthday to me!  I was super excited to receive this product.  It's a sparkly olive liquid liner, and it is easy to apply with their felt applicator.  It stays put all night... glitter, too.  I like it, I just don't wear it a lot.  Sparkly eye liner is a little impractical when your work uniform is a lab coat and safety glasses!

Full size $22 for 1.7 mL.  This was a full-sized product that they sent! Woo! (My first one through Birchbox)

Twistband Hair Tie (Emerald-colored)
Photo from Birchbox

This was my first Twistband! I like them a lot, but I make my own now.  Fold-over elastic is very cheap on etsy and you can make a ton for the fraction of the cost.  I made about 100 for Christmas gifts for my friends.

12 pack is $18 on Birchbox.  Value of a single hair tie is $1.50.  

Birchbox Notecard (1, purple)
Photo from Birchbox

The "extra" this month was a random notecard with xoxo on the front of it.  I attached it to my mothers' day gift that year.  Another weird thing to include.  It was not terrible quality, but not the best, either.

Full set of 12, $10.  Value of single card, $0.83.

Total value: $31.41.  Add that to the $6 from the 60 points for reviews and this was a great box!

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.