Birchbox September 2012: Underwhelmed.

This is the second Birchbox that left me going, "...eh."

This looks like SO MUCH STUFF, right?  It's an illusion!

This is what's really in this box.  I'm excited about two things in this box, indifferent about two, and disappointed in two.  Can you guess which are which?!

1.  Nexxus Pro-Mend Hair Care Samples - $0.25 + $0.37 + $0.21 = $0.83
2.  Benefit Skin Care Samples - $0.47 + $0.49 = $0.96
3.  Color Club Nail Polish in Status Uptade (Update?) 0.25fl oz- $4.00
4.  Twistband - $1.83
5.  Mighty Leaf Tea in Vanilla Bean, Chamomile Citrus and Green Tea Tropical - $1.99
6.  Youngblood Mineral Primer 5ml/0.17floz- $6.97

Total Value: $16.58

There is also a coupon for Madewell ($25.00 off of a $75.00 purchase).  The Lookbook in the box is a collaboration with Madewell.  It's cute, but parts of it kind of miss the fall trends.  This fall is calling for an interesting blend of shades, sages, crimsons, plums; and beige is a timeless color for balancing out so many deep, smoky possibilities.

I'm really, really excited to try the primer from Youngblood.  I've heard the name Youngblood here and there, and my interest has grown in them the more I hear.  The fact that they're so passionate about cruelty free makes me very happy (and curious).  I'm always excited about tea, so these Mighty Leaf samples are no exception.  I've been curious about the whole Twistband craze, so I'm excited to get one to try out.  I'm always happy to receive nail polish, and whereas I hate tiny bottles, I do like the color I received.  The samples leave me underwhelmed and I'm sure I'll pass them on.

I think this is the end of the line for Birchbox and I.  It's been fun, and I've had some good boxes, but overall I'm unimpressed.

MAIL: Birchbox August 2012!

Please excuse the sunshine photo, haha.

In this box:
-Shu Uemura Full Shimmer Shampoo Sample 0.5 fl oz - $2.40
-Shu Uemura Full Shimmer Treatment Sample 0.5 fl oz -$5.67
-Viva La Juicy La Fleur Sample 0.05 fl oz - $1.40
-Jouer Birchbox Pink Lip Gloss 0.06 fl oz - $5.00
-Apothederm Stretch Mark Cream 0.7 fl oz - $11.04
-Schick Hydro Silk Razor - $8.95

Total value:  $34.46

First impressions:
I'm excited to try the Shu Uemura, and totally confused as to how there is now a US branch.  Does this mean that the beloved eyelash curler could make a return?  Or did they sell the technology to Lancome because they never plan on coming back with makeup?  The Viva La Juicy smells nice in the bottle, but of course, it gets a little weird on me.  I'll wait and ask j0hn what he thinks of it when he gets home.  The lip gloss is nice, but it's so freaking tiny!  Apparently though, it's a quarter of the product in a full size, so that makes me a little sad to put into perspective.  The Apothederm product excites and disappoints me in the same breath.  I doubt there is enough here to see a reduction in stretch marks.. especially since the bottle is only half full.  And lastly, this month's lifestyle extra came to everyone.  The razor is exciting because it even comes with coupons on the back.  I'm probably going to pass this one to my sister though, as I already have a razor I like, as does j0hn, or we use electric razors.  Maybe I'll save it for my next trip, though.

Final thought?  This box was better than I was expecting; we had no spoilers available this month and it made it a little hard to get excited about it, but it also kept my expectations low.  It's a toss up on that one.  Want to try Birchbox yourself?

This was in the box as well, and provides tips and tricks for makeup, tools, reading labels, shaving and skincare.

Birchbox & Myglam July 2012!

BIRCHBOX:
boscia Green Tea Blotting Towelettes 25 sheets - $2.50 [V, CF]
Headphones - not for sale
Oscar La Renta Live In Love sample - $1.56
Larabar Uber Bar in Bananas Foster 23g - $2.54 [CF, V*; honey]
Jouer Luminising Moisture Tint 2.3ml - $1.56
Eyeko Skinny Liner in Black full size - $15

Total value: $23.16

First impression:
I was really happy with this box.  Its value is double what I paid for it, and it had two things I really wanted to try, then a few others that I'm happy to get as well.  I really needed a new liquid liner so the Eyeko made me happy to keep BB another month.

MYGLAM:
Circus Nail Color in Reverso full size - not available yet [V, CF]
Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Facial Towelettes 10 travel count - $1.996- so $2 [V, CF]
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-free Lotion 1oz - $6.19 [CF*]
Nume Hydro Punch Hydrating Conditioner 20ml - $1.9992 so $2
Josie Maran Lip & Cheek Stain in Tango full size - $19 [V, CF]
bag - not for sale

Total value: $29.19 (not including polish!)

First impression:
The value for this box is above and beyond (great job myglam)!  The full size polish is awesome, even if I did get white.  I'm excited to try everything in this box (and actually can, this month), but I'm going to hang on to the makeup towelettes for my next excursion.  So excited to have this bag!  The bag is even adorable this month!

FTC:  This post is not sponsored, I pay for my subscriptions to myglam and birchbox.

Birchbox & Myglam June 2012!

They're here!  =D

In this box:
1.  Stila One Step Bronze - Skin Ton Illuminating, Bronzing Serum; 1 fl oz
2.  Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift sample
3.  Comodynes Urban Cosmetics Self-Tanning Towelettes; 2 - 1 towelettes packages
4.  Luna Bar in Chocolate Pepermint Stick; mini size (0.7 oz)
5.  theBalm Staniac in Beauty Queen; deluxe sample size (0.04 fl oz)

First Impressions:
Birchbox this month was pretty exciting!  I have been very interested in self-tanners because I'm extremely fair and have no plans to tan.  I am a huge fan of the St. Tropez bronzing mousse we have at work, but I like the idea of a towel for ease of use.  I'm really excited to try this; they're from Spain!  I have theBalm product in the full size and love it.  The Luna bar is actually one of my favorite flavors.  I don't dislike Wonderstruck, but I'll probably pass on the sample to someone else.  As far as the Stila, I'm always excited to try new Stila products!  This one is no exception, and this is a full size product that usually costs $36!  This product alone makes this month's box.

In this bag:
1.  Philosophy Take A Deep Breath; deluxe sample size (0.4 fl oz)
2.  Living Proof Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream; 2 fl oz
3.  NYX Round Lipstick in Iced Honey; full size
4. Marbella Permanent Eyeliner Pen; full size

First Impressions:
You all know that I LOVE Take a Deep Breath, so I was excited to have this sample size to add to my brush belt (which also holds a sample size of Hope in a Jar and Eye Hope).  This gel hydrator is great for combo/oily skin types, or for people who are already using some type of serum that still needs just a little more hydration afterwards, not a full on lotion or cream.  Also, Philosophy is doing their 30% off sale until June 16, 2012, so take advantage of the coupon code Philosophy12.  I love Living Proof products, so I'm excited to try this product; also, this size is about $9-$12 in stores!  The NYX lipstick made me a little sad.  They sell in the Chinese market so it drives me crazy that their tube states "cruelty free" and I already have several colors close to this one.  However, I don't hold this against Myglam because this product is a good match for their demographic; easy to find, easy to afford, and a huge range of colors.  The last product originally left me a little disappointed, as it's a permanent eyeliner pen, but it can't be used with [contact] lenses.  I was debating using it anyways when j0hn (that brilliant boy) says, "This would be great for doing your eyebrows!  This is a good idea!"  I hadn't even thought of using it that way!  Three cheers for j0hnnyboy!  I'm unfamiliar with the brand, so I need to look them up.  They're apparently German, which gives me hope that they'll be cruelty free (European companies are usually more forward in animal rights; usually).

Overall:
I am really happy with my beauty subscriptions this month.  In value alone they were both excellent, but I was also really happy with the actual products I got in my boxes.  Look for these products to be in my June Favorites video on my youtube.. if they make the cut.