Birchbox Sample Choices + Curated Boxes + Skincare Made Easy Kit Review – May 2019

Birchbox

Confession: I had sampled practically of the above items so I decided to do a kitchen sink review of what Birchbox has to offer this month sans the mystery 5 items from choosing the Sample Choice. 

I have what is known as a “Cheap Subscription Box Itch Fix”

Subscription: Birchbox

Birchbox

Cost:

Monthly $10-15 depending on status as a new, current, or ACE subscriber.

 

What To Expect:

At least 5 or 6 items allegedly based on a profile.

 

Kick Back and Get Comfortable:

So after a two year separation from Birchbox because I was sad that they stopped points and would lose my ACE status, I came back.

Our loyal reader Ake put it perfectly that I had an subscription box “itch” to scratch.

 

And if you missed my first box review of my year subscription, I have put any items that I plan not to use in a “gift pile for you” baggie.

Gift pile for you!

You would appreciate this more if you like the Seinfeld spin reference and/or a hoarder that needs to be brought to reality.

To which I am both.

 

Theme

Pnut’s Birchbox Kitchen Sink Review of May 2019!

 

Soooo… after I gave a mixed review of last month’s Birchbox, I received an email to fill out a survey.

And filled out I did putting in “Full Size Samples” at every opportunity I could.

 

Every month seems to be an improvement since the new price increase but its been a long time since Birchbox blew me away.

This month really comes pretty close. It was hard to choose. 

 

Since Birchbox got some good selections this month, most of them I already had sampled, I decided to do a Kitchen Sink review of most of the items.

I got a lot to say. Mostly not in many words. But words non the less. 

 

So I will do a quick review of the Sample Choices and Curated Boxes. 9 items won over the 6 item choices so this review will be centered on the Swap Option which was the Skincare Made Easy Kit!

I want all the stuff!

 

 

May 2019 Sample Choices

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle Spray

I used up my sample. When it was in rotation I put it in my flat iron’s pouch (we all know I love my pouches). I flat iron less than a dozen times a year but I always reached out for this first. I really like this and it would be something I would repurchase if I ever run out of subscription box protection spray.

Translation: I have an ample but small army of heat protection products for the hair. 

 

Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain in Forever Pink

I LOVED this. Noted I said I loved. I loved it when I first sampled it and then went for any opportunity to get more samples via subscription boxes when it popped up. The sample size is so tiny but so cute and adorable. I loved this so much that I bought a full size because the packaging was so fancy. But after I bought it, I used it regularly and then my lips like dried out very bad.

Nothing really pisses off my lips except prolong use of the above and those plumping/burning lippies. 

So I still use this but sparingly so I do not piss off my lips.  I love the shade it turns to it is very complementing shade for me. I do not understand how one would use this on the cheeks it is too drying I think.

Maybe if you swatch heavily on the back of your hand and then put on your cheeks that might work I dunno. 

 

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

Back my GWP only days, I had bought this item after presumably sampling it. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream is the equivalent to Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. They are both Bestsellers in their brand for a reason. They do the job and they are reliable, dependable, and will likely never be discontinued.

Oldie but goodie.

 

 

Curated Box 1 

Amika Velveteen Dream Smoothing Balm

Haven’t tried it. Probably works I have not found an Amika that did not wow me.

And Amika’s packaging is so cheery which is a plus! 

 

COOLA Classic Face Sunscreen

I LOVE anything Coola…

for the most part I just threw away a BB sunscreen sample it was horrid on me. I was sad.

I prefer the cucumber but whatevs this works the same but is just scentless.

 

Lipstick Queen Mornin’ Sunshine Lipstick

Yes please! I have a full size and sample size thanks to subscription boxes. The sample size is more generous than the tiny but cute Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain in Forever Pink.  Very similar to the Jane Iredale but the product an off-white (yellowish) instead of pink, it changes to a complementary color once it reaches my lips, but this product does not dry out my lips.

For someone who hated dollar store mood color lippies, I sure love fancy ones. 

 

Marcelle Xtension Plus Skyline Mascara

I believe Marcelle is a Birchbox exclusive. I have not sampled this but imagine that it would be standard and basic as I found this brand to be.

Nothing special but it definitely does not suck subscription box brand. 

 

Oribe Apres Beach Wave & Shine Spray

I have not tried this but I am sure it smells wonderful! I had to look this to see whether I would actually give it a shot if I every got my paws on this. Well, I cannot “Gift Pile For You” it because it is not a sea salt spray (but it sounds like it). Also, the word “Apres” means after, like apply after the beach. This is confusing because when I ready the description it looks like you should put the product on before the beach so the spray protects your hair.

I would think this is a good product from an awesome brand but its poorly marketed. 

 

Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator

Oh YAS!!! Vasanti BrightenUp and me are good friends. I was actually at a stage where I did not have any physical exfoliators and I bought this full size.

And then I was bombarded with more samples of this (not complaining) and other just as good exfoliators (not complaining). 

So to sum, if I ever run out of my army of physical exfoliators, I might repurchase this.

I am no longer monogamous to exfoliators. 

 

 

Curated Box 2

Beautyblender Blush Sponge

Ohhh full size! I mean its middle child (blush) between the regular (face) and micro (spot treatment), but its a full size. I would like to get this in the future.

It could be the “just right” Goldilocks size!

 

Benefit Cosmetics High Beam Liquid Face Highlighter

I sampled this. I liked this. I would like to resample this. Can not buy it because I have too many highlighters and one face.

But I still want it… I want all the highlighters!!!

 

GrandeLIPS Plumping Liquid Lipstick

Nononononononono. Burn. Literally.Burns.

Gift pile for you!

 

Moroccanoil Treatment Light

I went into a Blue Mercury and fought of a salesperson siren of having me purchase this. It worked but I was suspicious because my hair likes to act all perfect when it tries something new and then gets all fussy afterwards for the most part.

Because it did act all perfect when she applied it to my hair!

I will get to try this oil soon as it in my Allure box.

So I get to see whether it really works on my hair or if my hair is just honeymooning. 

 

Smith & Cult Nailed Lacquer

I have this via a previous LE Birchbox and I adore it! I think I love the packaging more than Zoya.

Once I got over the “dented” packaging of Smith & Cult, I fell in love with its self-made boo boo packaging. 

The shade is neutral mauve with a cool duo-chrome effect which I love. But I love it enough to keep it in my collection because I am kinda loyal to Zoya.

I made one purchase with Zoya this year. I need to be strong their holiday codes are awesome sauce. 

 

Real Chemistry Environmental Rescue Daily Serum

I have not sampled this but I have sampled Real Chemistry’s facial peel before and I LOVED it more than ORG facial peel.

I read that ORG is created to “pill” and its not skin. If that is true, that makes me sad. 

 

And here we are for the highlight of the review for the

Skincare Made Easy Kit

Skincare Made Easy Kit
Skincare Made Easy Kit

I spy with my subscription box eyes, Bobbie Brown!

Skincare Made Easy Kit

…and Katia with her “generous” code for a tenth facial roller.

Skincare Made Easy Kit

Ohhh… this explains the recent upcharge. Unnecessary sticker. 

Birchbox
Skincare Made Easy Kit
Skincare Made Easy Kit

But first (and always), the nom!

Hum Glow Sweet Glow Vegan Gummies Sample
Hum Glow Sweet Glow Vegan Gummies Sample

Hum Glow Sweet Glow Vegan Gummies Sample

Nommy, but not buying because I have enough issues remembering taking supplements.

The only exception is the powder supplement the UpSpring Powder Nursing Supplement because its literally my mommy Gatorade in a glass.

Thanks Ecocentric Mom for the introduction! See my Ecocentric Mom reviews here

 

Acure Radically Rejuvenating Sheet Mask
Acure Radically Rejuvenating Sheet Mask

Acure Radically Rejuvenating Sheet Mask

Standard. Nothing earth shattering but I rather have this then let’s say, another black eyeliner.

Or face roller. 

 

Avene Cleanance Cleansing Gel

Avene Cleanance Cleansing Gel

Other than making me feel like a French girl, this was pretty standard product. I would recommend it for oily, combo, or coming-home-from-a-hot-day-need-cold-water-with-a-cleanser-ahhhhhhh-face.

Everything about this product is pretty. That is, it looks nice and calls attention to its attractiveness amongst a crowded bathroom countertop.

 

BiodermaSensibio H2O Make-Up Removing Micelle Solution
BiodermaSensibio H2O Make-Up Removing Micelle Solution

BiodermaSensibio H2O Make-Up Removing Micelle Solution

This is my favorite “Mice Water” of all time! I have a small army of them collected via subscription and LE boxes. I always reach for them first. They are a cult item and make me feel like a French girl whist applying.

The “baby” samples of this brand’s Mice Water are soooooo adorbs. 

 

COOLA Classic Sunscreen in Cucumber
COOLA Classic Sunscreen in Cucumber

COOLA Classic Sunscreen in Cucumber

My favorite COOLA product of all time! This is my crunchy version fills the void of not getting Estee Lauder’s sunscreen that smelled of cucumbers (I do not even remember the name of it).

COOLA = My “Sparking Joy”

 

 

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eye

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eye

This is my second sample. I just finished my first sample. It’s good. Some improvement but nothing to write home about. I will use this up and go to the next one.

So many subscription box eye creams, only two eyes. 

 

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream

This was refreshing applying and I will happily use it up. Even though its more moisturizing than Dr. Jart’s Water Drop, I still prefer the drop because it does the fancy cream to water drop action.

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream

“Water Drop” action… it is the little things for me. 

 

Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay

Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay

Ok I thought this mask would be pink. But it is purplish? That is like expecting to see pink sand in a beach but its not really pink. I am kinda disappointed this packaging gives the promise of pink on the outside but no pink in the inside :/

I believe that somewhere in the world is a “colored” beach but when you go, it’s not actually that color.

Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay

Anyway, it was nice upon application and I liked exfoliating the product as I washed it away. However, the product made quite a mess on my washbowl and sink.

 

Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment

Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment

I don’t see anything special about this product. I keep trying it. People laud it. I think it’s ok.

But I will hoard it anyway and use the accumulated Sunday Riley stash at the same time.

*Attempts to be coordinated*

 

Before the verdict, here is the seventh month’s Gift Pile For You!

Nothing in and nothing out.

 

Birchbox

Verdict:

I was all set to encourage all to come on the Birchbox train BUT the first spoilers for next month suck so I waited to see the full spoiler offerings for June before posting.

I need my spoilers. 

The second round of full spoilers left me more confused. 3 sample choices and 4 curated boxes (and let’s get real the “kit” this month is really another curated box as shown on Birchbox’s site and not an actual “kit” like the just reviewed kit). I don’t think a price increase should have more choices of leftover products to unload. Let us hope next month brings up full size samples.

If this price increase just gives us recycled samples in more selections and faster shipping than eh… I like the repeated samples and if you do, then Birchbox is for you. I am not holding my breath for a ton of full size products next to mini samples back in the days but that would be ideal *hint hint Katia* 

 

I digress,

My cheap subscription box itch fix has been scratched.

I wonder whether the itch will go away in another 5 months. Stay tuned.

 

If you also have an “itch” to purchase a Birchbox subscription, you can sign up using my link here

 

Do you have a subscription box itch for a box or boxes?

Please share below even if random.

***Click here to read more Birchbox Reviews***

 

Disclosure:  I bought this subscription for Pnuts. There are affiliate and referral links to this post.

 

  3 comments for “Birchbox Sample Choices + Curated Boxes + Skincare Made Easy Kit Review – May 2019

  1. Ake
    June 23, 2019 at 7:59 pm

    I’m with you on the Sunday Riley Good Genes. I’ve never been able to see what all the fuss was about. I thought maybe I wasn’t using it for long enough since I’ve only ever had samples, but I got the half-size product in a kit and used it every day… and still nothing!

    • June 24, 2019 at 9:08 pm

      Thanks for commenting Ake! Its nice to hear from others the same thing 🙂
      I am behind on blogging and I got a ton of pictures uploaded.
      I am going to see if I can make a review of the latest Sephora Luxs it had an SKII or something mask packet. That mask packet is filled with that $$$ essence. So I snipped the end of the packet and was pretty good with applying it for a week. I just saw immediate results but nothing great after a few days that warrants the $$$ it costs.

      • Ake
        June 27, 2019 at 7:37 am

        Yes! That’s another pricey product that did nothing for me. I didn’t even get immediate results. But it’s all for the best, as my Missha FTE is a fraction the price and works better. My wallet is happy!

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