While I am a subscriber to some beauty boxes, Birchbox is not one of them. Walgreens is running a special deal where if you sign up for a three month subscription, you get a bonus fourth box for free. I am using this deal as an opportunity to answer the question “is Birchbox worth it.” You are invited to come along with me for the ride as I unbox and review each of the four boxes, and decide at the end whether or not you should subscribe or pass.
Birchbox March 2019
Love of Color One and Done Shadow Stick in Champagne Problems
The first item in my “is Birchbox worth it” exploration is the One and Done Shadow Stick by Love of Color. It claims to deliver up to 11 hours of creaseless wear on the eyelids or as an inner corner or brow bone highlight. The champagne hue is absolutely blinding with creamy pigmentation. You must sharpen the pencil as it is not a twist up. Once this product sets down it does not budge.
Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect
Second, I have Super Comb Prep and Protect by Number 4. It is a leave-in conditioning mist that claims to protect your hair from heat and UV rays while hydrating your strands. You are to spray it onto towel dry hair after shampoo and conditioner, and then you comb it through. Additional claims include that it detangles and provides color protection. The scent is difficult to describe.
Kiehls Midnight Recovery Eye
Third, I have Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eye cream. It claims to minimize lines and dark circles while adding hydration to your under eye area. You are to pat two drops under your eyes before bed. The cream is white with an almost medicinal scent.
Comfort Zone Active Pureness Fluid
Fourth is Comfort Zone’s Active Pureness Fluid. This is almost a moisturizer and primer hybrid. It claims to provide weightless moisturization while mattifying with powders to provide you a smooth and even surface for makeup application. Additionally, it should be good for enlarged pores and excess sebum production. The formula is a clear gel with a strange scent that is almost floral.
Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo
Finally for the March 2019 box I have the Perk Up Dry Shampoo from Amika. It claims to absorb oil, to add volume, and to enhance shine. You are to shake the can well and then to spray it eight inches from your roots. Then you massage the spray into your hair, and finish by brushing.
Birchbox April 2019
Marcelle City Multi Protection Tinted Cream
Starting off the April 2019 box while we ask “is Birchbox worth it,” I have Marcelle’s City Multi Protection Tinted Cream in the shade Fair. It claims to protect your skin from UV rays, pollution, and environmental stressors by moisturizing and priming the skin with light coverage. You can use it alone or under foundation. Further claims include that it provides immediate and long term hydration, it tightens pores, and leaves your skin anti-dull or radiant. Fair is a pretty good shade match for me.
Balance Me Congested Skin Serum
Second, I have Congested Skin Serum from Balance Me. This is a spot treatment for acne that claims to reduce blemishes and to calm inflammation without drying out your skin or causing irritation. You can smooth the gel onto spots of concern or all over breakout prone skin. The liquid is thin and milky with a strong herbal scent.
Philosophy Anti-Wrinkle Miracle Worker Primer
Third is Philosophy’s Anti-Wrinkle Miracle Worker Primer. It claims to blur the appearance of pores, fine lines, wrinkles, and imperfections to create a smooth base for makeup application. You are to apply a thin layer after moisturizing, and be sure to let it fully dry before applying your foundation.
TPSY Lip Crush Oil in Sweet Tooth
Fourth I have the Lip Crush Oil from TPSY in the shade Sweet Tooth. This lip oil smells like fruity bubble gum, and the formula reacts with your body’s pH to create a custom shade of pink while hydrating your lips. On me it appears as a vibrant pink and it is very glossy in finish. I am impressed by how much pigment it has for an oil, but of course it is not full coverage.
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray
Fifth, I have Oribe’s Dry Texturizing Spray, which is a cult favorite for sure. It claims to soak up excess oil, to texturize, and to provide body/bounce/volume. You are to spray it four to five inches away from your roots, and then tousle your hair.
MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash
The last item in the April 2019 box is MAC’s In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash mascara. It claims to lengthen, to condition, and to define your lashes with a clump-free formula. The wand is long, somewhat skinny, and made of flexible silicone.
Birchbox May 2019
The May 2019 box celebrates products from companies that are women owned. A free sticker is included in the box.
Davines OI Shampoo & Conditioner
In continuing our quest to see “is Birchbox worth it,” I have OI Shampoo and Conditioner from Davines. The duo claims to hydrate, boost volume and shine, improve texture, protect hair from UV rays and heat damage, and to soften. The shampoo has standard directions, but with the conditioner you are to apply it to towel dry hair and leave it in for a few minutes before rinsing.
Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre
Next I have a product that is not in English, but it is called Lait Creme Concentre from Embroylisse. It claims to have a variety of super powers in that you can use it as a primer, moisturizer, makeup remover, mask, aftershave cream, or as a foundation mix-in. I have no idea how a product can function as a primer and help your makeup last while also working as a makeup remover. This product is gimmicky, if you ask me. It is a thin white cream with a floral, botanical scent. In reading reviews, most people use this product as a moisturizer only.
Davines OI All In One Milk
Third, I have the OI All In One Milk from Davines. It is a leave-in spray treatment that claims to detangle, add volume and shine, protect from heat, soften, reduce frizz, moisturize, and to help your hair dry faster. Milk is a good way to describe the thick, white spray with a fresh, clean scent.
Marcelle Xtension Plus Skyline Mascara
Fourth, I have Marcelle’s Xtension Plus Skyline Mascara. It has a skinny wand that claims to curl and lift each lash with added length and definition.
Eyeko Brow Liner
Fifth, I have Eyeko’s Brow Liner in the shade Medium. It is a waterproof, felt tip pen that fills and defines your brows. The swatch stays slightly tacky and shiny. I wish the shade Medium was darker, and the tip feels a bit too thick for my liking.
Juara Coconut Illipe Hand & Nail Balm
Next, I have the Illipe Hand and Nail Balm from Juara. It is white cream that moisturizes, hydrates, firms, and plumps your hands while also treating your nails and cuticles. It has a light coconut scent. The formula is more of a lotion than a balm.
Number 4 Jour d’Automne Smoothing Balm
Finally, I have Number 4’s Jour d’Automne Smoothing Balm. It is a styling cream that minimizes frizz, adds touchable texture, and protects against heat damage. You are to apply it to damp hair and then blow dry or air dry. It is translucent white and has a musky scent.
Bonus Birchbox
As part of my three month subscription deal, I have a bonus box to share.
Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle Leave-in Conditioner
Pressing on to figure out “is Birchbox worth it,” I have Beauty Protector’s Protect and Detangle Leave-in Conditioner. It claims to detangle, smooth, seal the cuticle, protect color, condition, and to add shine and protection from heat and UV rays. You can use it daily as it should be weightless and non-greasy. It has a strong perfumed scent.
Dr. Jart Ceramidin Cream
Next, I have Dr. Jart’s Ceramidin Cream. This is a moisturizer that claims to visibly strengthen your skin while sealing in water to prevent moisture loss. It should also improve the condition of an irritated skin barrier. You are to press it into your skin. It is nude in color and has a medicinal scent.
Balance Me Congested Skin Serum
Continuing on I have a repeat sample of Balance Me’s Congested Skin Serum. Since I am talking about it in detail above, I am not going to repeat.
Davines Love Shampoo
Fourth, I have Love Shampoo from Davines. It claims to smooth coarse or frizzy hair and it has standard use directions.
Davines Love Conditioner
Fifth, I have the Love Conditioner that makes the same claims as the shampoo. I do not like that the shampoo is large enough for multiple uses, but the conditioner packet will only last for one to two uses.
Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Lipstick in Envious
Next, I have Estee Lauder’s Pure Color Envy Lipstick in the shade Envious. It is a bright red lipstick that claims to sculpt, intensify, and hydrate the lips.
Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil 3
The final item while we ask “is Birchbox worth it” is Benefit’s Goof Proof Brow Pencil in the shade 3. It claims to fill, shape, and define your brows with soft glide on color that lasts 12 hours. This sample is ridiculously small, which makes it hard to use, but I do like the triangle-shaped tip and the decent shade match.
As I summarize the four boxes that I have, it is time to answer the burning question- is Birchbox worth it? With the four boxes I do have a variety of products covering hair care, skin care, and beauty. It is slightly disappointing that there is one repeat out of four boxes. Birchbox is introducing me to brands that I do not get from my Sephora Play or Walmart Beauty Box subscriptions. I conclude that it is somewhat worth it. If you like the amount, variety, and size of the product samples for the price that you pay, then I say go for it. Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.
