My Birchbox review for February!

I went for a few months without receiving any monthly subscription boxes, and then decided to try Birchbox. I was reminded that I wanted to try Birchbox when we started up Character Badges, and went to manufacture the fancy boxes the sets arrive in. The same box company makes all the cute Birchbox boxes and was saying I should really try the monthly subscription box and see if I like it.

If you haven’t heard of Birchbox, it’s set up just like Ipsy. For $10 a month you have a box shipped to you every month, which is full of very good quality makeup, skincare, and hair products. I have read quite a few reviews that Ipsy has more makeup products, and Birchbox has more skincare and hair products.

So why did I stop Ipsy and decide to try Birchbox?

I keep my makeup simple when it comes to my eyes. I like using a  simple application of mascara from L’BRI, and while I play around with different eye shadows, I don’t like using eye pencils or liquid eye liners. Maybe one day I’ll get it mastered and start using them, but for right now I’m ok with skipping it!

Ipsy was sending along an eye pencil or liquid every box, and even when I adjusted my settings I was still receiving it. I finally decided to just stop the monthly box, as I had built up quite a collection of pencils and liquid products sitting in my bathroom!

Another thing I really like about Birchbox is that it allows you to refer friends to their company, and earn points to purchase full size products in their store. With Ipsy you could only use the points to grab additional free sample size products, and it was very hit and miss when they would even put up new freebie products.

Yes, this email does contain my referral link for new friends that want to sign up with Birchbox. 🙂 If you want to try Birchbox, you should definitely share your own link with your friends on Facebook!

My thoughts on the February Birchbox.

I was a little nervous to get it, hoping I hadn’t just wasted $10, but I ended up loving it! This month you could pick to have the regular box sent to you, or a special Date Night box. I decided to get the Date Night box, and I’m so glad I did!

Wish Renew Mud Mask – This stuff was great. It was probably my favorite thing in the box, but I have 3 things I really love so it’s hard to pick my favorite! You could tell it was a high quality mud mask (full size product is $44) and I loved that it has naturally sourced and organic ingredients. It left my skin looking clear and healthy, and ready to apply makeup. I had never heard of this brand, and I would love to try more of their products!

Amika Bombshell Blowout Spray – My hair has been really dry and flat feeling all winter. I don’t always see results with hair products like others do, just because my hair is so long and thick. I sprayed this stuff on the top of my hair during a bad hair day, and it really lifted the roots, made it look more shiny and full of volume. I was amazed! You can use it on dry or wet hair.

Lip Tar – Not the most flattering of names, but I loved it. You just need a tiny drop and it keeps color on your lips for hours and hours. It didn’t dry out my lips, which was nice.

Cynthia Rowley Brightening Illuminator – This came with instructions on where to apply it on your face for the best results. It’s supposed to highlight and lift your face. They said you could mix it with your foundation, so I did. I didn’t really notice anything amazing with it, but I’ll try it again.

Catherine Malandrino Perfume – I knew this was going to be the one product I might not even try, just because I can hardly ever wear perfume without getting a headache. I can’t walk down the laundry detergent aisle at Walmart without feeling a headache start to come on! Most perfumes give me a major headache, so if I want to smell nice I use essential oils!

Overall I loved the box and will keep getting more! 

I used some of these products along with my L’BRI makeup (all the makeup from L’BRI is 25% off this month!) for a fun look. I didn’t go anywhere special, but it made the day more special just by having nice makeup on!

I first used the mud mask, then I applied the L’BRI liquid foundation, along with the L’BRI wet/dry powder. Blush and eye shadow came from my L’BRI makeup kit (I have this from my consultant kit), and the lip tar was my splash of color!

This is the finished look! It’s from my phone, so it doesn’t look super great, but it gives you an idea on the lip color. 🙂

Let me know if you end up signing up to try Birchbox! I’d love to hear how you like it!