Birchbox

This is a belated review of my first Birchbox order! I will review it a bit sooner next time but I have had a chance to really use all the products now so my review can be more in depth rather than just a first look. :)

If you don't know what Birchbox is, check out their website. Basically, for $10 a month you receive a box of around 5 deluxe beauty samples. You can buy the full sized items on the Birchbox website (or elsewhere obviously). Some items have free shipping or you can always get free shipping on orders over $50. You can cancel a subscription at any time. I plan on doing it until December because some samples will make for great Christmas gifts but then I will probably take a break. I already have so many samples in my bathroom! You can also earn reward points; every 100 - $10. I got 100 as a sign up bonus and then you can review the samples you get and earn 10 points per review. The points can be used to purchase the full sized products.  By December I should have over 300 points so that's $30 I can spend! Exciting.

The July Birchbox was designed by Cynthia Rowley and it contained her favourite items, so it was a special designer series box.  But every month it is high end samples (like brands you'd find at Sephora not Walmart).

it was smaller than I'd expected!

such a pretty box

the card explains what each product is and what the full size retails for

Redken shine flash 02 glistening mist: I really like this! It's not something I would have though to buy but it does give your hair a nice shine. I used it when I flat ironed my hair and it really noticed it. It smoothed flyaways as well. I almost felt like I was in a hair commercial. :P This sample will last a while!

philosophy® purity made simple™ one-step facial cleanser - 16 oz: I have always wanted to try this so I was excited. I have been using it since July 16th so 10 days. I have had one stubborn zit that keeps going and coming back so I don't think it works as well as it could (for me. everyone's skin is different!) but I like it. It's gentle and doesn't "upset" my skin. I am going to continue using it and see. Right now I don't think I'd buy the full size because I don't normally have a zit last this long.

Zoya Touch Collection: Zoya is my favourite polish brand so I was very happy about this!! It's a mini size so only .26oz (full size is .5oz) but it's rare that I go through a whole bottle so I love minis. This is from the Intimate collection. The shade I received is "Pandora". Most of my nudes/light pinks are from Zoya. I think they make the best ones. Here are some swatch comparisons:

It is most similar to Zoya "Melodie" except without the glitter/shimmer. It's definitely my most true nude (leans more brown than pink)

Korres Showergel: At first, I was disappointed that I got this (I wanted one of the other products I saw some people got). I have plenty of body wash as I stocked up at a sale on some cheap ones. I'd never used an expensive body wash before. Well, as soon as I actually used this in the shower... I completely changed my mind. It smells AMAZING. There are so many layers to the scent. It's also very moisturizing and worked nicely for shaving my legs. I love it! Maybe once I get through my  7 bottles of cheap body wash, I will purchase this.

I am very happy with my samples over all! The KIND bar was an extra. I actually emailed Birchbox saying I loved the samples but didn't really like receiving food samples (since it's supposed to be beauty products) and they told me it was an extra sample and that they do not usually include food. I love organic, natural food but I actually didn't love the taste of this bar! I had a few bites and then gave it to my husband

Keep in mind that not everyone gets the same samples. They do keep YOU in mind (you fill out a beauty survey) so they will not send something that doesn't work with your skin type/colour or whatever else.