January 2013 Birchbox Review

I got my January Birchbox today and I am so excited to show you what I got! At first, getting and unwrapping the box was pretty anticlimactic for a few reasons. 1. I had a very busy day and couldn't open it up and play right away, 2. I already looked a few days ago at what I was getting, (I still haven't learned my lesson!) and 3. I made very first Sephora order ever and I was all excited using promo codes and adding samples, etc. I'm lame, I know. Anyway! On to the Birchbox samples!

When I first opened my box, I noticed it smelled really good inside. I panicked a little, since some people have complained about having broken samples spilled in their box before. Thankfully, the perfume just smells really great and all products were intact. The delicious smelling perfume was the Harvey Prince Skinny Chic. I saw a lot of people who seemed sort of offended to be receiving this product because the description says it is supposed to "curb hunger" and "energize" you. I don't see why they were upset with it, though. This product is not promoting starvation and it is not a diet pill; It is simply a perfume with apple and other food-like scents that smells very fresh and energizing. I doubt that the product really effects how hungry you are one way or another. Personally, I love it, and may purchase it whenever I use up some of my other perfumes.

The first product I actually tried out was the Embryolisse moisturizer. I liked it, it felt much silkier than my Garnier moisturizer I'm using right now, but I probably won't be purchasing it anytime soon since I still have a ton of my current moisturizer left, and for summer I'd like something with some SPF in it.

One thing I was incredibly excited to try was TheBalm's Hot Mama blush. It didn't disappoint! It very well may be the best color of blush I've ever put on. I've been wanting a peachy blush with gold sparkles in it, actually, because I've been using one of my sister's that came in one of those big Sephora boxes with all the eyeshadows and whatnot. Once again, Birchbox has answered my prayers! 

One thing that surprised me was the Lashem Double Trouble mascara. I didn't think I'd like it based on the complaints I had seen from others, and the fact that it seemed almost dried out when I first opened it. It definitely wasn't, though! It made my lashes look longer, darker, and sort of feathery? It made it look like I had more eyelashes. I just wish the sample size wasn't so small; I'd like to get a few more uses out of it!

Last but not least is the Ojon oil. I like how it is 3 different clear colors, and when you shake it, it becomes cloudy and whitish. I guess that's not important, but I haven't tried it yet, so that's all I have to go on :) 

All in all, I was pleased with this box. The last few months have all contained at least one product I really enjoyed. Did you like what you got this month?

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner

I love the cat eye look, but I rarely even attempt using liquid liner because I am terrible at using it. I've looked up so many videos on how to apply it but when I get down to it, my eyes always twitch and then I end up with a big inky mess around my eye. Then I received this Eyeko liner in my Birchbox. Instead of being a brush or sponge dipped in a bottle of inky product, it's more like a felt tipped marker. It makes application a thousand times easier for someone as messy as me.

At first, I was disappointed to see I had received Olive instead of a more wearable color like black or navy. Who even wears green eyeliner? Now I do! It doesn't look neon green or anything when wearing it. It's such a dark green that I'm pretty sure most people think it's black. But the green makes my blue eyes look much better than black ever did.

Now I wear eyeliner in an everyday setting instead of only on special occasions when I have much more time to get ready. Now I can draw on my cat eye without creating a messy glob that has to be redone 4 or more times. Plus, this eyeliner stays on VERY well. You can rub it and it doesn't budge. It will stay on all night, and probably the whole next day as well. I am very impressed with this product. I want one in every color and I would recommend it to anyone, especially if you can't stand messy liquid liner.

December 2012 Birchbox Review

Sorry this post is sooo late! I got my box forever ago but I have been struggling with some motivation issues and some personal issues lately. Things are pretty much back to normal now, though! I figure this month is still worth posting because it seems to me that when a new box is about to come out people look up reviews for the past month, too. Or at least I do! It's also kind of good that this post is late because I got more of a chance to try the products, so it's not just a first impression sort of thing.

I was a pretty big fan of my box this month! I found a use for every product. Of course, the first thing I grabbed when I opened the box was the Chuao ChocoPod in Salted Chocolate Crunch.

The picture on the package did NOT look appetizing...chocolate drizzled bread?? But I was very curious, and WOW. It was delicious. It didn't taste like bread at all, and the saltiness made the chocolate taste that much better. I loved it.

The Aerie fragrance looked really cute, but the smell just wasn't for me. I was disappointed because I wanted to like it, since it was so cute and I shop at Aerie and it would probably be more affordable than some other perfumes, but it was just a little too strong for me. I look fruity or clean scents, and this one is sort of strong and sexy to me.

The Mox Botanicals lip butter and the Number 4 Clarifying Shampoo were two very useful products. The lip butter is very smooth and hydrating and smells great. I probably won't purchase the full size though, since I don't like the sort of tubs you have to stick your finger in. It's a bit out of my price range for a lip butter, as well. The clarifying shampoo was nice, but it drove me nuts how it doesn't really lather. It was kind of sticky and thick, and didn't spread well throughout my long hair. It works well though, I have to say, and my hair felt cleaner and thicker when I was done with it. I've been using it on my face as well. I don't think I'll be spending $32 on the full size, though.

My absolute favorite thing in this box was the Eyeko skinny liquid liner. I was a little hesitant about it at first since the color I got was Olive. I thought I'd look terrible in green! Fortunately, it isn't as green as it looks online. It almost looks black on, and no one has said anything about the color when I wear it. I think I'm going to do a whole separate post with swatches. I am ecstatic that I got this! Finds like this one are the reason I joined Birchbox, and they are what keep me coming back for more. What did you guys get? Were you as happy with your box as I was with mine?