The theme for this months Birchbox is Go Bold! Never hold back with your Summer beauty… this season brights matter!
As you open your Birchbox the card resting on top gives you a little explanation and greeting on one side and a run down of what is in your box on the other side.
What’s inside?
From Bumble and bumble, Thickening Hairspray. I’ll never say no to a travel size of a good hairspray. This one says it offers medium hold and volume. Agreed on the hold, volume not so much. My hair needs a lot more than hairspray to get any sort of lift. This is good for curly hair days, or when I’m pulling my hair back for any reason.
From COOLA®, SPF 30 Organic Makeup Setting Spray. A fabulous product to set makeup with. It kept my makeup on all day long (though not as matte as I expected based on the description, but I’m very oily) and has skin care benefits as well as SPF.
From stila, Look at Me Liquid Lipstick. The shade I got was in Venizia which is a hot red coral. I was beyond excited to get to play with this. Unfortunately it was a major dud for me. I loved the color and the fact that while it wasn’t long-lasting it did leave a bit of a stain behind. You have to be very careful when applying, if you get any on the skin around your mouth you’re screwed. It also didn’t apply evenly. I tried using just one swipe across my mouth, rather than trying to apply layers… I tried layers… nothing worked. You’d have to line your lips entirely inside and out to get this to look opaque. It was patchy as all get out.. I couldn’t even do a lip pic for you… it was pretty bad. With the $6 liquid lipsticks out there from ColourPOP you can get a lot better quality for the money.
From Liz Earle, Instant Boost™ Skin Tonic Spritzer. As much as I whine about getting skincare in beauty boxes I love to get Liz Earle! This tonic is the stuff of dreams because it’s so refreshing and smells like baby powder. It’s alcohol-free and hydrating for all skin types.
From Dr. Jart+, Ceramidin Liquid. This is more of a serum than anything, since the consistency is a little watery. It absorbs quickly without a sticky feel and leaves my skin hydrated.
Also included was a card from Birchbox & Benefit to receive a free They’re Real Mascara or They’re Real Push-Up Eyeliner with a purchase. This is to advertise their new shades of both of those lines, though the freebie is just for the basic black shades. If you’re looking to shop at Birchbox.com and want to get either of these use codes REALLASHES or REALLINER when you check out.
Lately Birchbox hasn’t been on my nice list, but I did enjoy this month’s box. Even though the Stila lipstick didn’t work out I was interested in trying it out.. and now I know how I feel about it. Oddly the skincare was my fave (Liz Earle) and I’ll get use out of the B&B hairspray.
The thing Birchbox really has going above all the rest is their rewards/referral system which gives you 10 points per review and 50 points per referral. When you get 100 points it equals $10 to spend in their shop – which is FULL of greatness. So, for example, if you review all 5 items for 2 months you get your 100 points and you’re getting your $10 back to shop with. Personally I like to hoard mine until I get to about $100 and then go on a spree when I need a bit of a pick me up. You also get points for shopping (they’ll send you codes via email) and extra goodies you can add into your cart.
Wanna sign up for Birchbox? (Click for referral) If you like what you see in this post go to the website and fill out the form. It’s just $10 a month (free shipping too!) and you get some cool stuff (I got a FULL SIZE beautyblender one month!), tho I will warn you, you’re going to get stuff you hate as well. I used to say that after it’s all said and done throughout the year you do get your money’s worth, but so far this year it’s not looking good.
***Disclosure – I buy my own Birchbox, but the links posted here do give me referral points which I can use towards product on the site. Once you sign up for your own Birchbox, you’ll also get a referral code to send out to others and get some points of your own!
I love that box (not the contents, but the actual box!!) It’s too bad about the Stila lip gloss, I’ve heard a lot of people rave about them.
Bailey recently posted..Sephora Collection Pro Brushes | Pro Stippling #44 & Pro Full Coverage Airbrush #53
The box is pretty cool! I’m going to pick up a full size of the Stila. Maybe my sample was a dud!
Venezia is one I want to get, but instead I got Tesoro! Great box, though! <3
Shipra recently posted..FOREO ISSA Toothbrush Review
I love that Bumble & Bumble hair spray. Too bad about you lippie. I got the hot pink one and it didn’t seem as patchy as yours.
Kristina Vieweg recently posted..Preview: Zoya Fall 2015 Collections!
Wow - there is quite a bit of cool products in July’s box. I don’t recall seeing any posts on it yet so it is nice to see all the goods inside. That Stila lippy is really pretty too.
Honeygirlk recently posted..Is The ISSA By Foreo Toothbrush a Must-Have? #issabyforeo #ifabbomember
I mean it is a bummer - because that stila lippy is pretty too… typing too fast… unable to gather thoughts. lmao
Honeygirlk recently posted..Is The ISSA By Foreo Toothbrush a Must-Have? #issabyforeo #ifabbomember
Oh I’m gonna need that Stila lippie!
Destany recently posted..NYX Intense Butter Gloss in Orangesicle swatches and review
I love the design of the box. But bummer about that Stila lippie. I wanted to try it in the shade Patina (always out of stock) but I’ve heard some honest reviews of it and have changed my mind.
Renu recently posted..Too Faced Love Eyeshadow Palette Review, Swatches, EOTD
bummer on stila! i like the boldness of it all but if it’s low quality, never mind!
Kath TheFabZilla recently posted..FOTD | Taupey Green
It’s a great way to find out that something doesn’t work for you though it is a disappointment.
MarciaF recently posted..Getting to know Julep Maven Box with a great freebie
I like the print of the box for this month.
Phyrra recently posted..Celebrity Inspired Hooded Eye Makeup Tips
I’m really interested in that makeup setting spray. I’ve never used them before… just started a week or so ago. I didn’t know Coola had one.
Mandy Chameleon Stampede recently posted..Simple pink and orange tips
I didn’t either! It’s a great one! PUR Minerals, Urban Decay and Skindinavia make good ones also.
I bet that Stila lippie looks amazing on you!
Erin recently posted..Acure Organics Certified Organic Moroccan Argan Oil
The shade is perfection! I wish it looked better! Another commented said she has one from a few months ago that she loves in a red shade. I think I’m going to pick a full size one up and give it another go!
Too bad about the Stila lipgloss but overall this looks like a pretty great box!
Jamie recently posted..A Month of Beautiful Giveways: Kate Somerville Skincare Prize Pack
All in all, I’d say it was a good box. I’m a little confused about the Stila Liquid Lipstick. I have one of the All Day Liquid Lipsticks in a deep red that I bought a few months ago, and once I put that baby on, it’s on for hours and hours with a great shine and no drying feeling. I wonder if this is a new formula? Too bad because the shade is fabulous
Allison recently posted..Touche Eclat Blur Primer and Blur Perfector from YSL
Girl I was SAD about this lipstick. The shade was so perfect. It looked like hell on =( maybe because it’s a sample… see now I’ll end up buying a full size anyway LMAO Next time I’m out I’ll pick one up!
Such a bummer abut the stila, Look at Me Liquid Lipstick– it’s so pretty, but definitely sounds like a miss!
Lola recently posted..8 Drugstore Haircare Picks to De-Frizz, Volumize, Thicken, Define Curls and Pamper Your Tresses
One of my favourite things about Birchbox is the quality of the samples and from brands you hear about. Not always cheap samples from brands that are unheard of.
Gauri recently posted..L’Oreal Professionnel Wet Domination
That’s too bad about the lipstick. It always amazes me when they don’t work out and they’re so highly priced. This box did contain some great skincare though. For me, the make-up products are always most exciting though.