My First Birchbox

My first Birchbox just came, and I’m so excited. It’s so fun getting a little surprise box filled with goodies in your mailbox!

If you’ve never heard of Birchbox, it’s a subscription service where for roughly $10/month you receive hand-picked (based on a questionnaire you complete on-line) high-end beauty, grooming and lifestyle samples from top brands, delivered to your door every month. Each delivery includes a mix of categories, as well as lifestyle items.

Birchbox also has a points program. You receive 1 point for each dollar spent on full-size products in the Birchbox Shop. If you’re a Birchbox monthly subscriber or yearly member, you can invite friends to join Birchbox with your unique friend referral link and you’ll receive 50 points for each friend that signs up after their first box has shipped. You’ll also receive 10 points for every product feedback survey you complete. For every 100 points you earn, you get $10 off a full-size product order.

Here’s a look inside February’s “Red Carpet Ready” themed Birchbox:

Here’s what was inside:

Juicy Couture/Couture La La - Juicy Couture perfume is one of the fragrances I use regularly. However, I hadn’t yet tried the new Couture La La. It’s a light mix of mandarins with flowers. Typically I’m not into fruity fragrances, but this is very subtle and perfect for spring.

Ghiradelli Chocolate – You had me at chocolate. Need I say more?

Curls/Cashmere Curls –

I have to be honest. With my hair extensions, I have to super careful what shampoos I use, so this one is going to my curly-haired eight year-old daughter. That’s the great thing about having daughters and getting a Birchbox subscription. If there’s something you  don’t want or can’t use, they can give it a try. Believe me, the minute I opened this box, my 12 year-old was begging for her own subscription. They do have wonderful three month gift subscriptions. In fact, I got my husband one for Valentine’s (yes, they make a Birchbox for men!). Maybe she’ll get one for her 13th birthday next November.

FusionBeauty/Lash Fusion XL –

I’m very picky when it comes to mascara. This one’s part mascara, part lash conditioner. I tried it and I thought it was just “ok”. It says it’s volumizing, but for me it seemed better at separating and lengthening. I wasn’t totally crazy about it.

WEI/Pomegranate Buffing Beads and Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask - I literally was able to give myself a mini facial with these products. First, I used the Pomegranate Buffing Beads.

This is what they looked like. You mix them with your own cleanser to clean and exfoliate dead skin. I have sensitive skin and rosacea, (something I identified in my profile questionnaire on Birchbox.com).  Even though they say this is for all skin types, I found this exfoliant to be  too harsh for my skin, even rubbing lightly. I have to admit, however, my skin did feel wonderful once I was finished though.

I followed with the Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask.

I haven’t spent the time to give myself a mask in ages. This felt great! It went on so smoothly -  almost like putting Nutella on my skin. I let it sit for 10 minutes as directed and rinsed it off. It’s supposed to purge dirt and oil from the pores. I can’t really tell how well it did with that, but I have to say, it’s been over an hour now since I rinsed it off, and my skin feels taunt and has a beautiful glow.

If you’re interested in your own Birchbox subscription or perhaps a gift subscription for that hard to buy for girlfriend, daughter or husband, here’s a link to the site. Keep in mind, if you sign up for a monthly subscription (like I did), you can cancel anytime risk free. I like that!