Birchbox November 2015

My love affair with Birchbox continues.   Birchbox ties with Ipsy to be my favorite monthly subscription box.   For $10 a month, Birchbox send 5 or more deluxe samples of makeup and skin care products.   The boxes are curated based on your answers to a survey that you can update at any time.  Birchbox is less likely to include full-size products than Ipsy and sends the products in a pretty box rather than a zippered bag.  It does seem like Birchbox includes more high-end brands than Ipsy, but that may not be the case.   One thing is for sure--it doesn't look like I'm unsubscribing any time soon!!!

So, this is my November box:

 

 

 

 

 

Every box comes with a card. On one side is a little blurb about the month's theme, the flipside has a list of the included items and the retail value (of a full sized product).  This month's theme is Feeling Fancy.

 

 

 

 

 

The included products, in no particular order:

AYRES Body Polish in Pampas Sunrise (1 oz, $3.75)

 

I love the packaging.  I think I'd like the formula . .. but I can not stand the scent.   Now, I'm not saying it smells bad.   But it says on the side "with essential oils of lemongrass and patchouli."  I hate both.   I'm more of a jasmine and vanilla or dark currant and cinnamon or peppermint kind of girl :D   I'll pass this one on--probably to my mother, who will love it.  

 

Davines This Is a Relaxing Moisturizing Fluid  (50 mL, $6)

 

I received a Davines product in an earlier box and I hated the scent (noticing a trend?  I'm sensitive to smells).  However, this one smells pretty nice, and I'm looking forward to trying it.  From the Birchbox website:  If only our dates were as modest as this super-effective hair moisturizer. It not only gives us straight, controlled locks—it’s also a total powerhouse. The flake-resistant formula adds major shine, eliminates frizz, moisturizes, humidity-proofs, and even preps hair if you’re wrangling it with hot tools. And since it works by gradually releasing ingredients, you don’t have to worry about it suddenly ghosting (also something we wish for in dates). 



Dr. Jart+ Water Replenishment Cotton Sheet Mask (1 mask, $7.50)

 

 

I've been hoping to get a sheet mask to try.  I'm nervous about this one because it's designed to address redness and dryness.  I've had a bit of redness lately but my skin tends more towards oily than dry.  Still, this will eventually be part of a 'spoil myself' evening.  


leBalm Cosmetics Blush/Shadow in Frat Boy (0.57 g, $1.50)

 

This is my second subscription box sample from leBalm, and just like the last one it is exceptionally small.  Still, it's got some great pigment.  It's a very pinky pink, so I'll have to be super careful not to look like a Raggedy Ann doll when I use it.   The formula is soft, smooth and wears well.   I'll definitely explore leBalm products the next time I'm at one of the department stores. 

LOC One & Done Shadow Stick in On Point (Full size! $10)

 

 

Birchbox has teamed up with Tati Westbrook (who I ADORE) for the inaugural set of their new makeup collection.   I chose this shadow stick for my 'sample choice' this month--three eyeshadow colors and two lip colors were available.  I'm a little disappointed in the color--not extremely, but a tiny bit--because it's a little rosier than I had hoped.    But oh my goodness it's BEAUTIFUL.   Smooth and sparkly and just gorgeous.   It covers like a dream (the swatch below is a single swipe) and you've got about 30 seconds to blend before it sets.  And then it's THERE.  I bruised my hand trying to rub it off (because that's the kind of thing I do) and it stayed right there, even through washing my hands twice!   And yet it came off easily with my eye makeup remover.   I'm sold on this new line.  Great job Tati and Birchbox!  Now I need a few more shadows and a lipstick or three :D  

Update:   I wore this last week when I had a meeting and needed to feel powerful.   I put it on over Prestige Eye Primer on the inner half of my lid and the inner corner.  I then blended it out with some other shadows and found that I needed to go back in and punch up the color (I overblend.  It's what I do).  This second coat left it looking very cakey.  It was still a nice color, just . . . cakey.   It stayed in place ALL day, and I actually had to put some effort into taking it off.   It's still one of my favorites, but I'll be using it more for quick looks than layering.  
 

leBalm Cheek and eye color in FratBoy and LOC one and done pencil in On Point
Swatched onto bare, zombie-pale skin (ok, not really, but I am pretty pale)

  

 

The full value of this month's box is $28.75.   I'm pleased with it.   That eye pencil is incredible,  I'm  impressed with the leBalm blush, and I get to try a sheet mask.  It's not the most amazing Birchbox I've received, but the products are all high quality.