Sunday 17 November 2013

Two Birchboxes - one amazing, one not so amazing!



I never got around to posting my October Birchbox review but, having just received the November box, I thought it would be good to post a comparison review.  Let's just say, after the October box, I was happy to stay subscribed but I think I've changed my mind now!


OCTOBER REVIEW
I actually got this by accident - I ordered September's box for just £5 with a voucher and didn't read the website properly - I thought I was buying it as a one-off, oops!  So it came as a surprise when I had this month's confirmation email but I'm so pleased this happened as the box is amazing!  I really love how you are supposed to get 4-5 products from the selection but I got 7, even though some of them are quite small.  It seems like a much better deal than some of the other boxes that I've seen.

What I got in my box:

Eyelash Curlers
I had literally been thinking earlier on the day I got the box that I wanted to get a spare pair of eyelash curlers to carry in my make up bag so these came at the perfect time!  They are really good and give a lovely natural curl to the lashes.


Egyptian Magic All-Purpose Cream
I hadn't heard of this but it looks really intriguing.  It contains just 6 natural ingredients - honey, beeswax, olive oil, royal jelly, bee pollen and bee propolis - and nothing else.  It has so many uses, from a hair mask to treating burns.  I am excited to try it!

Dr Lipp Nipple Cream for Lips
Yep, a strange name!  Originally a cream for cracked nipples, I think this has just been rebranded to reach a wider audience!  I am visiting my friend who has just had a baby later this week so may give this to her as it is a bit thick for my lips.

theBalm Stainiac
I'm pleased to have received this as my liquid stain from The Body Shop has just run out and my one from Soap and Glory split when I went on holiday (the worst product to spill in your suitcase!!) so I am in need of a new one.  I'm also excited to try another product from theBalm as I love the Nude Tude palette.

Laura Mercier Radiance Primer
Not to be a moaning minnie, I already have this and don't love it.  As I have oily skin, it usually makes me look too shiny although I have used it in combination with a matte foundation and it gives a nice radiance.

1 = Laura Mercier Foundation Primer
2 = Dr Lipp Nipple Balm
3 = Stainiac 1 coat
4 = Stainiac blob

KMS Hair Play
I'm so glad I got this option as I think it will suit my hair perfectly - it is essentially a dry shampoo with the added bonus of giving a restyle boost.  I am looking forward to trying this.

Bluemandarines SkinLife Energetic Cellular Cream
This is an interesting little moisturiser that contains collagen and hyaluronic acid - 2 buzz ingredients in the beauty world.  It has a nice texture - not too thick but still rich enough to moisturise well.



NOVEMBER REVIEW
Unfortunately, I am not as impressed with this box.  I just don't feel that it has anywhere close to the same value for money and I don't particularly want or need any of the products inside.  I suppose this is the problem with beauty boxes - because you don't know what you are going to get, it is always going to be a gamble.  


What I got in my box:

Laura Mercier Body Souffle in Ambre Vanille
Now I love Laura Mercier and this smells delicious so I think I will enjoy using this, but I don't think such a small tube will go very far.

Weleda Shampoo for Dry/Damaged Hair
I have greasy hair so already this is not perfect for me.  Again, it is such a tiny bottle that it will only work for one shampoo - so for this reason it is no better than a sachet in a magazine.

Highlighting Pencil
I'm not quite sure of the point of this yet - it has neither shimmer nor pearlescence and it settles in my pores and lines.  I suppose it is used in the same way as a light concealer for contouring/highlighting rather than a shimmer-brick style highlight.  I will try using it for an eye look and let you know if it gets better.

Spa Find Sculpted Silhouette Bust Firming Serum
This sounds really good from the description on the Birchbox website - it contains powerful ingredients and claims to tighten skin and boost collagen production.  I will start using it and let you know how it goes, though I think it is one of those longer-term products so I am not expecting miracles straight away!

Christopher Wicks English Laundry Perfume
I love little sample bottles of perfume - I find them really handy to carry around in my handbag or in my travel bag - but you can get them for free by asking at department stores or Boots.  This is nice: sweet and young but maybe edging towards a little too sweet and too young for me!

Tea bags
I am not really a fan of fruit teas and I have a cupboard full of random tea bags so I guess these will just go in the cupboard with the others for when we have visitors.

Pencil Sharpener
I have a few make up sharpeners already so again this is something that I don't need - I may give it away for Christmas or add it to my giveaway!

All in all, for me, the October Birchbox was great - excellent value, some fab products with some I had wanted to try and others being a really exciting new find.  The November Birchbox is the absolute opposite - 3 products I would be able to get free elsewhere, 2 I don't particularly like, 1 goodie that is just too small and 1 that is possibly going to be good but I will need to use it for a while to see.  A big thumbs down from me this month I'm afraid!



Did you get a Birchbox this month?

What did you think of it?




7 comments:

  1. I have been lusting after the Laura Mercier primer, I have been thinking about getting the October box just to get it (: The boxes really do seem to be hit & miss, it would be nice if you could choose what goes into the box every month xx

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    1. Ah yeah that would be great! The worst thing is if someone else got a different option that you would have loved!

      Rebecca x

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  2. Hopefully this will cheer you up... I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award! :)

    Sheen xxxxx

    http://goldenandsheen.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/very-inspiring-blogger-award-update.html

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    Replies
    1. Ah yay thanks so much lovely! Will have a look this weekend :)

      Rebecca x

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  3. Aw that's so annoying that they vary so much from month to month. I keep thinking about subscribing to a beauty box but I see more ban posts then good. Hopefully the next will change your mind again.

    Hannah xxx
    http://adayinthelifeofanortherngirl.blogspot.com

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    1. Yeah it is annoying - sometimes I feel like I have got great value but I don't think I'd have paid for any of this month's box!

      Rebecca x

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  4. I have to totally agree with you here, what a let down the November box must have been after that superb October one! I think consistency can still sometimes be an issue with Beauty Box subscriptions!

    The Miss Beauty Saver Blog

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Hi, I love to read all your lovely comments. Let me know if you stop by!
Rebecca x