I’ve been a member of Birchbox for over a year now, and it was just recently (I think around the time I received my March box), that I realized I wasn’t really getting the kinds of products I would really put to use and enjoy the most in my monthly box shipments. Each box only comes with 4-6 product samples, but there over 40 different products that are sent out each month and each box comes with a different combination of these products.

With that being said, the Birchbox team picks out your specific box based on a “beauty profile” that you fill out when you sign up. Since I have been a subscriber for so long, this beauty profile has gone through some serious changes from when I first filled it out. After receiving this month’s box, I was pretty disappointed (again) in the products I received.

I hurried over to Birchbox.com and saw that they had sent out some awesome products this month that I would have loved, but, for reasons I am blaming on my beauty profile, I did not receive any of them. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed most of my products this month, but there have been other products featured every single month that I would have liked much, much better.

The new Birchbox beauty profile is so much more specific than the old one. Since the company has integrated more and more “lifestyle” products since I signed up, there’s a specific part of the profile that allows you to choose whether or not you would like more or less of these; the same goes for perfume samples (I cringe every time I see yet ANOTHER perfume sample in my box every.single.month).

So, I switched up my beauty profile and I am already anxiously awaiting June’s Birchbox shipment. The profile really has it down to such specifics that I don’t see any reason why I wouldn’t get products that I absolutely love in the next few months.

I really love this company; it was my first “beauty box” subscription service and it really opened the doors to so many new  products and brands that I have never really tried before. I love browsing through the Birchbox online store, and I buy full-sized items as often as I can. I was honestly on the verge of cancelling my subscription, but I think that my new beauty profile will reignite my love for Birchbox.

With that being said, I didn’t HATE this month’s box; it just really didn’t impress me, much like the last few boxes I have received. Two of the hair samples I got were single use products and I received yet another perfume sample (at least it smells very pretty). There is definitely one product  I absolutely adore from this month’s box (the hair detangler/protector), so that at least makes it worth it, especially since this item is a Birchbox exclusive. I really hope that this time next month I will be writing about how awesome my June box is and how I am running to Birchbox‘s online store to buy all full-size versions of my June products.

May 2013 Birchbox Review + Product Photos:

Every month, Birchbox picks a theme and sends out items based on that theme. I didn’t fully understand this month’s theme; it was supposed to be “all about you: the order in which you try your products, your daily routine, the techniques you’ve mastered.” They printed a little form you could fill out to share the details of your beauty routine, and then post on Twitter (I have yet to do this).

I think the products in my box would have made more sense if I had updated my beauty profile sooner, but I get the gist of it: they included daily-use hair products and a sunscreen moisturizer to get me through my day, as well as an eyeliner (a definite staple of my beauty routine), and (sigh) another perfume sample. This should be the last perfume sample I receive for awhile since I opted NOT to receive more than six perfume samples a month (yay).

My absolute favorite product in this month’s box was Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle ($21.95 for 8 oz.; Birchbox.com), a Birchbox-exclusive product. This product is a versatile leave-in mist that “conditions, shields from heat and sun damage, and–of course–detangles, among other things.” This spray seals the cuticles, smoothes and moisturizes, minimizes frizz, protects color, adds shine and it “provides protection against UV rays and heat.” It is suggested to use this on damp hair, or to spray it all over before you go swimming in a chlorinated pool — that way it literally protects the hair from chemical damage.

I found that this stuff works great as a heat protector spray before you flat iron your hair. I’m not sure if this would work on all hair types, but it really locks in moisture and leaves my hair soft, shiny and smelling beautiful when I spray if before running a straightener through my dry hair. All in all, I will definitely be purchasing the full-size version of this product pretty soon. This product is paraben- and sulfate-free, 100% vegan and suitable for all hair types.

COOLA Classic SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturizer for Face ($32 for 1.7 oz.; Birchbox.com) is described as a “classic sunblock” made with “70 percent certified organic ingredients and protects from both UVA rays that lead to premature aging and UVB rays that cause painful burns.” It is a lightweight moisturizer with a refreshing cucumber scent, and I think it definitely did its job of moisturizing, without feeling too heavy. I don’t really have the need for this type of product, but it was a nice moisturizer to try out.

The formula features “vitamin C-rich strawberry extracts to soothe and tone lackluster skin” and “age-reversing antioxidants like evening primrose, acai, and linseed oils” to deflect free radicals. It also contains “naturally water-resistant plankton extract” which makes the formula “extra-durable.” I’m a huge fan of anything natural and organic, especially in my beauty products. I definitely notice a huge difference in how beauty products with natural and organic ingredients look and feel on my skin, so this moisturizer gets high marks in my book.

I love the package design of Amika products; the colors are so cheery and it honestly is so eye-catching that I would try the product solely based on the packaging (yes, I do this sometimes). The thing with hair products, for me, is that I am so devoted to my Wen Haircare line that I don’t really have the room for other hair products in my beauty routine.

I did like this deep conditioner and oil treatment by Amika, but Birchbox sent such a tiny sample size (only one use, if that), so I really can’t say much about the product. Kind of leaves you craving more, for the sole purpose of being able to honestly review it.

Amika Obliphica Hair Treatment ($34 for 3.38 oz.; Birchbox.com) is described as a “weightless serum” that “disappears into hair without any residue, and adds tons of softness and shine.” It is supposed to smooth flyaways, tame frizz and protect from heat styling. I’m in love with these all-in-one multi-tasking products, but I saw no remarkable difference between this oil and other oil/serums I have used (I’m currently in love with Alterna’s hair serum), even though I only received a small amount of this in my Birchbox to sample.

This product contains Sea Buckthorn Berry (Obliphica) oil which “pumps hydration into damaged strands, smoothing the outer cuticle for noticeably sleeker, shinier strands.” The formula is also supposed to improve overall hair health, “from elasticity to dehydrated ends.” For the steep price, I really don’t think I will be purchasing the full-size version of this. It definitely didn’t blow me away.

The other Amika hair product in my May Birchbox, Amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask ($40 for 500 ml.; Birchbox.com) was also a single-use sample size, and even though it did make my hair feel smooth and healthy, I still like my Wen deep conditioner a lot better. This deeply hydrating mask “uses Obliphica oil to amp up shine, restore vibrancy and even help repair split ends.” I did notice a difference in my dry, damaged, over-processed hair after one use, but the results are on par with that of my usual deep conditioner (Wen).

Amika’s Nourishing Mask is also supposed to make your hair healthier and stronger over time. The Obliphica oil in this deep conditioner is “sourced from rare Sea Buckthorn Berries”, and is “rich in natural vitamins and omega acids that sink into each follicle, repairing any signs of heat and styling damage.” Amika’s Nourishing Mask also contains Vitamin C which “adds brightness and shine.”

I love the idea of putting all-natural ingredients on your hair, and it’s nice to see that more and more products are being formulated this way. Gone are the days of harsh chemicals and sulfate-rich haircare products. I have noticed a COMPLETE difference in my hair over the last two years or so after nixing sulfates and other chemicals from my haircare routine.

Amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask really is a wonderful product, and I would highly recommend it, even with the heavy price tag, to anyone who is looking for a product that will literally “fix” and repair hair for a smooth, silky, shiny, strong and healthy result.

I have been slowly exploring new and exciting eyeliner colors, straying away from my everyday blacks and browns, so when I saw this pretty gray color in my May Birchbox I was definitely excited to try it out. Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner ($11 for full-size version; Birchbox.com) is an affordable versatile collection of liners with “sensational blending abilities, bold colors and non-irritating formulas.” It is created with a soft wax formula that goes on smooth “to create clean lines”, or to be smudged “to smoky perfection.”

I was shocked at just how smooth this eyeliner really glided along; it is quite possibly the smoothest liner I have ever used. This product also boasts a “stay-put formula”, and it really lived up to that claim when I ran into a bit of a hard time trying to remove the swatch from my hand. The soft wax formula is also perfect for the delicate skin around your eyes, as it won’t tug or irritate, and it contains “a dose of hydrating glycerin” that protects against irritation.

All in all, this liner is definitely a winner. I still have yet to fully try it as part of my beauty routine. When I get new eyeliners, I usually don’t try them out completely until I have the time to sit there and play around with it, just in case they don’t work the way I want them to. It seems as though this liner will live up to all its claims, even after just trying it out as a swatch on my hand and on my eyes quickly before washing my face for the night.

The only downside that I’ve noticed about this eyeliner is that it goes on SO smoothly that the end doesn’t stay pointed for as long as other liners; I found myself already sharpening this twice and that was just after testing it out. It comes in four very pretty shades on the Birchbox website, and I would love to try out the full-size version in “Ziba”, the lime green color. I received it in “Saletii”, which is a perfect charcoal gray, and a liner color that I don’t already own.

And, finally, the last item in my May Birchbox was a perfume sample. As I said before, I am so sick of getting one of these samples every single month in my box. I get so many perfume samples from makeup counters and Sephora that I am honestly running out of room to store them. Hopefully next month Birchbox takes my updated profile into account and doesn’t send me another perfume sample.

Isaac Mizrahi Fabulous Eau de Parfum & Rollerball ($69 for 1.7 oz., plus a 0.34 oz. rollerball; Birchbox.com) is a very pretty, girly scent that even comes in a pretty, girly bottle with a polka-dotted top piece and a squeeze bulb, or “puff” at the top. This is Isaac Mizrahi’s debut scent, and it has “bright citrus and soft floral notes.” It is a fresh and sweet scent, “without being overly girly,” as the citrus and floral notes are complemented with musk.

Top notes include smoky bergamot, to create depth, while jasmine sambac, tuberose, and peony “add a touch of femininity.” Base notes of vanilla, patchouli and sandalwood “complete the alluring mix.” All in all, this is a very pretty-scented perfume and it is true that it’s not TOO girly. I think it’s a great basic scent that any woman could enjoy.

xx 

I’ve had extremely annoying internet issues over the last few days and my internet was either working extremely slow or not working at all, so it took me forever to finish this post and get it up. My May Birchbox arrived exactly a week ago, so I hope this isn’t too late.

I am really hoping that Birchbox takes my new beauty profile into account for next month and sends me some different products. They really send out such great stuff and I got kind of upset when I looked at the full page of products that were featured in subscribers’ May boxes; I was disappointed in the products I received.

I still really love this company and for a flat fee of $10/month you really can’t complain. I ordered a couple of full-size items from Birchbox last week that arrived just two days later (I was shocked), so I will be getting those reviews up soon. Thanks for reading

NOTE: Most of the links to Birchbox in this post link to a page to sign up for Birchbox with my referral code (so I receive points!). All links next to items go directly to that item’s page in the Birchbox online store, and if you just want to browse the website, or buy from Birchbox’s online store, you can simply go to www.birchbox.com. Thanks!

xoxo,
Amanda