Retrospective: Birchbox March 2013

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

March 2013: Month 13

Madewell for Birchbox Nail File
Photo from Birchbox

It's a nail file.  I can always use another one, but this one isn't as rough as the ones from Julep so it doesn't get my nails short enough fast enough.  I hate to cut them, so I try to just file them down and into shape, but using this file takes forever.

BB values this at $5.

MAKE Face Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Photo form Birchbox

This is a better sunscreen than primer.  It really doesn't do much to even my skin tone, it just provides SPF.  I use sunscreen anyway, but it would be nicer if this diffused more light, as it claims to do.

Full size $30 for 1 oz.  Sample size was 0.18 oz, giving it a value of $5.40

MAKE Satin Finish Eyeshadow in Great Lakes
Photo from Birchbox

I got a nice little silvery grey eyeshadow in its own cute little case.  I have used it once?  Maybe? I stick to neutrals on a daily basis, and this has been in my makeup bag, but it tends to hide in a corner and I haven't used it much.  I should change that.  It does go on nicely and has decent pigmentation.

Full size $18 for 0.10 oz.  The sample size was 0.03 oz, with a value of $5.40

Nick Chavez Beverly Hills Color-Saver Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Photo from Birchbox

This is great shampoo! I really like the smell and the texture and how it cleans, plus it is sulfate free! This is my go-to travel shampoo and I'll be really sad when I run out.

Full size $22 for 8 fl. oz.  The sample size was 2 fl. oz. (great size!) for a value of $5.50.

Whish Shave Cream in Blueberry
Photo from Birchbox

This is a pretty nice shaving cream.  It doesn't lather, which might take some people a use or two to get used to, but it is decent.  I don't mind the blueberry scent, which is funny considering I hate all things blueberry.  It must not smell very true to life! This is something else that is in my travel bag.  Very convenient!

Full size $20 for 150 mL.  The sample is worth $2.93 and has a volume of 22 mL.


Total Value $24.23

I like that there was a variety of products this month.  Hair, shaving cream, makeup, skin care, and nails.  Everything was covered! I wish there were more boxes like this from BB.


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.

Birchbox Review August 2013

Birchbox August 2013
Theme: Finishing school in collaboration with Ann Taylor

First look is pretty good! I know a lot of boxes got a ModelCo lipstick in them, but I got one last month. I wish I had gotten a better color of the lipstick, like they were sending out this month, but I don't think BB was about to double up on my samples for the second month in a row.

It's a 10 Miracle Leave-in Product

This is what I'm the most excited about in my box this month! I've seen this in stores and have been tempted, but the price tag always deters me.  This sample is a full 2 fl. oz. and will give me a great idea as to if I like the product or not.  I used some just now and it smells pretty good, but it will have to pass the test on straightened hair for me to decide if I officially like it or not.

Full size $17.99 for 4 fl. oz. online at Target.com.  Sample size is 2 fl. oz. (half the full size!) and worth about $8.99

Whish Coconut Milk Exfoliating Body Wash

I haven't tried this in the shower yet, but it smells vaguely like coconuts and has a runny texture with some sugar crystals in it to exfoliate.  We shall see.  I already have an exfoliating body wash in my shower, but this is a good travel size.

Full size $22 for 180 mL, making the 22 mL sample worth $2.69

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso

This is RED.  So red.  I had about 5 seconds after I applied it to fix any mistakes and evenly distribute it until it dried.  It smells like vanilla.  So far, I'm impressed.  It hasn't come off on my wine glass and it passed the kiss test.  It is quite red though! I don't normally wear bold lip colors, but I know that this one will stay put should I ever need to bring the drama.  I have some brighter red lipsticks, but this is a little darker than anything I have currently.

Full size $22 for 0.1 fl. oz.  Sample size 0.03 fl. oz., worth $6.60.

This is me applying it without a mirror... not bad.

Whish Deodorant Swipe with Hair Inhibitor

Uhh...ok... thanks, Birchbox.  A deodorant wipe is pretty handy, I guess.  I do have to keep deodorant at work because I tend to leave the house without putting any on.  Hair inhibitor? What are they using as a hair inhibitor? What? I'm not sure that one swipe will make a difference....

Full size $16 for 30 wipes.  Value of 1 wipe is $0.53

(MALIN + GOETZ) Vitamin E Face Moisturizer

I've gotten this before in something or another.  Maybe as a Sephora sample? It's ok.  I like that they sent two packets, but I hate that they sent foil packets at all!

Full size $45 for 4 fl. oz.  Two samples total 0.08 fl. oz. for a grand total of $0.90.


Total Value $19.71.

Not bad.  I'm really glad I got the leave in and the lipstick.  Those are good enough to make me ignore the foil packets.  I'll also get $5 in BB points for reviewing the 5 products, and they included a coupon for 20% off one item or 30% off two or more items from Ann Taylor.  Nice.  I'll get some back-to-school stuff so I look good under my lab coat while I'm teaching.  Yeah.  That sounded as dumb here as it did in my head. I'll still get something though ;)



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.