Retrospective: Birchbox October 2012

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

October 2012: Month 8

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum
Photo from Birchbox

For something so expensive, I'm not sure that it did anything.  My skin was the same before and after I finished up the sample, and I'm pretty sure I got more freckles than having them go away.  Was my skin tone evened as promised? I don't think so.

Full size $79 for 30 mL, sample size of 2 mL valued at $5.25

LUNA Fiber Chocolate Raspberry Bar
Photo from Birchbox

I usually like Luna bars, but I don't like chocolate and the extra fiber gave this one a weird texture.  Definitely not my favorite.  I won't buy these if I come across them in the store.

$14.95 for box of 12, making a single bar worth $1.24

Malin + Goetz Cilantro Hair Conditioner
Photo from Birchbox

This conditioner wasn't quite heavy enough for me, but it would be nice for someone with fine hair.  It smelled pretty good, though, and I liked that I got more than one use out of the sample.

$22 for 8 oz, sample size 1oz, valued at $2.75

Malin + Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser
Photo from Birchbox

This was a one-use foil packet sample and it was fine.  Nothing to write home about. Smelled great, though!

Full size is $30 for 8 oz, sample was 0.04 oz for a value of $0.15

Supergoop! City Sunscreen Serum
Photo from Birchbox

I now have a full size of this thanks to Popsugar! I took the samples from Birchbox on vacation and it did its job: no sunburn on my face. I did not want to shell out the cash for the full bottle, so I was thrilled to receive one from another source! This is a very nice face sunscreen. It absorbs really easily and doesn't go on greasy at all, like some can

Full size $42 for 50 mL, total volume of the two packets was 4 mL for a value of $3.36

S.W. Basics Lip Balm Flight in Cocoa
Photo from Birchbox.

I can't even do this again.

$15 for set of 4.  Single balm worth $3.75

Total Value $14.86

This was an ok box.  I wasn't overjoyed with anything, but would have been if the lip balm was a different favor I would have been happier.  Oh well.  The next box would hopefully be better.


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.

Least 5 Favorite Birchbox Items

My 5 Least Favorite Birchbox Products
Besides almost every fragrance sample ever sent to me, these are my five least favorite items received through Birchbox.

Photo from Birchbox

#5. Miss Jessie's Jelly Soft Curls  (May 2013)
This just did not work for my hair.  I have curly hair, yes, but I like my ringlets to be soft and touchable.  If that means a little frizz, fine.  This smelled like a laundromat and made my hair crunchy and my curls did not stay together, if you know what I'm trying to describe.  It made everything look very strand-y and 90's.  If I wanted to look like I had 90's hair, I'd spend $2.50 on some LA Looks. Not my HG curl product.

Photo from Birchbox

#4 Dropps Laundry Detergent Concentrated Pack (April 2012)
Um, bad choice of "Lifestyle Extra," BB.  Luckily, I'm not sensitive to scents in my detergents.  This smelled fine, and did its job well, but I don't subscribe to a beauty box in hopes of getting my clothes cleaner.  What's next? Tide dishwasher pods? I don't even have a dishwasher! I'm glad I at least have a washer/dryer!  Had this come in a different type of sub box, I wouldn't have had a problem with it.  It just looks out of place next to nail polish and perfume vials.

Photo from Birchbox

#3 LA FRESH Nail Polish Remover Pad (September 2012)
I like nail polish.  I'm also a chemist and I have an affinity for acetone.  I practically shower in the stuff at work, so I don't have a problem with using it to remove my polish.  I just make sure to keep my hands, cuticles, and nails hydrated.  This nail polish remover pad smelled great, and I do like the convenience of the individual packets for traveling- I buy the all acetone Rite Aid brand.  However, aside from the convenience factor, these sucked.  They left behind a very oily residue and did not even remove all of my polish.  I had to go back over everything with a cotton ball and acetone.  Waste of time.

Photo from Birchbox

#2 S.W. Basics Beeswax Lip Balm in Cocoa (October 2012)
Had BB sent me a different flavor, like cinnamon (mmm), I would have been over the moon with this sample.  However, this is representative of a larger theme within my BB products- terrible scents/colors.  This is the most offensive example.  I just don't like the smell of raw cocoa butter- to me it smells like a hamster cage that needs to be cleaned.  It's disgusting.  This lip balm is amazing and in terms of texture and hydration and staying-power, it's one of the best I have tried.  I just can only use it when I have a stuffy nose, and hope that other people aren't offended that I smell like a pet store.

Photo from Birchbox

#1 Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream (April 2013)
Juice Beauty is a great brand and I love the moisturizer I received in the June Popsugar Must Have box.  That one smells like lemonade and has a handy pump to keep the rest of the product sanitary.  Fantastic.  So, I know that this brand can make a good face product, and I just don't know what happened with this CC cream. It has no coverage, is very thick, but at the same time, almost airy, like a mousse.  It's a confusing texture.  It also smells like butt.  Their products are made with organic ingredients and are mostly plant-based (juices and oils).  I really like that about this company.  Too bad I really hate this CC cream.  If it had good coverage, it would be one thing.  If the scent faded quickly, it would be another.  Neither is true.  I gave away the two additional samples of this that came with the moisturizer in the June PSMH.


If I somehow have convinced you to sign up for BB, it is $10/month and this is my referral link.

This post contains items that I purchased through Birchbox.  All opinions are my own. This post also contains a referral link.  For each person who signs up for BB using my link, I receive 50 BB points.