October 2015 Birchbox

In my August Birchbox post, I mentioned that the August box would be the last one that I would receive for a while since I was taking a break from my subscription. However, I had already been charged for the September box but it was lost in the mail so I was sent the October box in its place.

For the October box, Birchbox partnered with Look Good, Feel Better, an organization that helps Canadian women with cancer look beautiful and feel confident.

June 2015 Birchbox

This month’s Birchbox encompasses the excitement of summer with its adventure theme. This is the second month in a row that the box has had a custom design (check out the May box HERE) which is a nice surprise.

The first four items focus on skin and hair.

I love the scent of the Naobay Oxygenating Cream Moisturizer. It smells like a decadent lemon dessert. This product hydrates the skin with avocado and olive oils and 98% natural ingredients. It can be used on the face as a makeup base as well, but I plan to use it on my hands.

The product in this month’s box that I find most exciting is the Number 4 Clarifying Shampoo because it deeply cleanses hair without stripping moisture or colour. I think it’s important to use a good clarifying shampoo at least once a month to rejuvenate hair.

Also for hair is the PARLOR by Jeff Chastain Moisturizing Sea Salt Spray. This product provides soft, beachy waves without drying out the hair. I’m looking forward to seeing what this product can do for my naturally straight hair.

The last hair item is a bonus gift included in this month’s box. This Emi-Jay Hair Tie is cute and also part of a good cause since 20% of this company's profits are donated to charity.



The last two items are for the eyes.

First, The Skyn Iecland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels cool, hydrate, and refresh stressed skin under the eyes. I think these would be a nice treat for the eyes after a hot summer day.

To add a bit of colour, the Coastal Scents Revealed 3 Eyeshadow Quad features a versatile range of satiny-smooth shadows. I was a bit disappointed with this product because I know that these colours would look horrible with my colouring and would make my eyes look tired and irritated. I will pass them on to someone else.



Overall, while I am very happy with some of the items that I received, I found this month’s box to be less exciting than the April and May boxes. Hopefully the July box will be more impressive and will help me decide whether or not I should continue my subscription.

What did you receive in the June 2015 Birchbox?

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May 2015 Birchbox

Last month, I made my first Birchbox post (see what I received in the April box HERE). I really enjoyed the box that I received and decided to continue subscribing for a few more months.

Each monthly Birchbox contains five samples from a range of categories such as skincare, haircare, fragrance, lifestyle, etc. You can also fill out a beauty profile so that the company can get to know your beauty preferences. Subscriptions cost $10 per month plus $4.95 shipping.

The May 2015 box is extra special because it was curated by Emily Schuman from Cupcakes and Cashmere. The theme of the box is Elevate Everyday, which focuses on simple products that can have a profound impact on our everyday experiences and transform our moods. The outside of the box is very uplifting with its orange and gold design, and the products are very interesting and energizing.

The first three products really caught my attention with their sleek packaging. The Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream is an old favourite of mine. I have used this product in the past and loved how hydrating its shea butter formula is.

Also for a luxurious shower is Not Soap, Radio, The Stuff that Cupid Dips His Arrows in Body Wash, a rich cleanser with ginseng that’s meant to increase attraction. I love trying new body washes and can’t wait to use this one.

The sleek white tube is The Expressionist Bio Extreme Mascara from W3LL PEOPLE. This all-natural, pro-grade mascara lifts and lengthens lashes without chemicals or dyes. I’m really looking forward to trying this since I have a difficult time finding mascaras that do not irritate my sensitive eyes.



The last two items are for the face and lips. Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer is organic and uses fruit stem cells to firm and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. I think my mom would love this product, so I will pass it on to her.

Yes, you read the tube correctly; the final product, by Dr. Lipp, is called Original Nipple Balm for Lips. While the name seems a bit strange, it’s understandable since this product was originally made for nursing moms. It can also be used on parched lips, cuticles, and elbows as needed. I will definitely be trying this on my dry hands, cuticles, knees, and elbows.



Overall, I am quite impressed with this month’s box and feel as though my beauty preferences were considered (for the most part) when my products were selected. Like I mentioned last month, I’m still not sure how long I will continue with my subscription but will be trying it out for a few more months. It’s affordable and I have received some useful items so far. I look forward to seeing what I will receive in months to come.

What did you receive in the May 2015 Birchbox?

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April 2015 Birchbox

I thought it was about time that I tried the Canadian version of Birchbox. Years ago when Birchbox started offering subscriptions in the USA only, I was so disappointed that I could not subscribe. Now the company also ships to the UK, France, Spain, Canada, and Belgium.

Each monthly box contains five samples from a range of categories such as skincare, haircare, fragrance, lifestyle, etc. You can also fill out a beauty profile so that the company can get to know your beauty preferences. Subscriptions cost $10 per month plus $4.95 shipping.

The April 2015 box features products to celebrate the gorgeous season of spring. As you can see from the photo above, both the box and product packaging include colourful pops of pink and mint. Just the colours alone made me very excited to learn more about the products.

The first two items are for hair and skin. 12 Benefits Instant Healthy Hair Treatment detangles, hydrates, protects, and repairs damaged hair. I have been using this product for about a week before blow drying and I’m really enjoying it. It leaves my hair soft and shiny without weighing it down. I prefer to spray it on my hands first and then apply it to my hair because it is a very thick spray that collects in just one spot when applied directly from the bottle.

For skin recovering from the dry winter months, Perlier White Almond Revitalizing Body Butter improves tone and elasticity. I was very happy to receive this product as I love trying new body moisturizers, especially during shorts weather. It smells nice and is very hydrating.

The next item, the beautyblender double is something that I have been wanting to try for years. It’s a sponge that can be dampened and used to apply makeup with a smooth, natural finish. While most people use it for foundation, I can’t wait to use it to apply cream blush. It comes with a solid blendercleanser to keep it clean, and this month’s box includes a liquid blendercleanser as well. 
The last two items came in a little mint coloured box. The first item is a sample of Harvey Prince Hello Fragrance which boasts citrus and floral notes. While the packaging is very cute and the scent is energizing, florals are not my favourite so I will pas this on to someone else.

The other item in the mint box is a Jelly Pong Pong GLOW GETTER Highlighter packaged in a cute nail polish-style bottle. I love highlighters and can’t wait to try this pretty beige one.

Overall, I’m very impressed with my first Canadian Birchbox. At $10 a month, it is more affordable than some of the other boxes are out there, and the products sent (at least in this first box) are of great value—the beautyblender alone is worth $35! I feel as though it was $10 well spent since I know that I will use almost all the products. I look forward to seeing what I will receive in months to come.

*This post contains referral links