May 2015 Birchbox Review

I'll go ahead and admit I became a horrible blogger (my last post was in October....).  However, in my defense, I've had A LOT going on the last several months.  Let's just say that graduating law school, taking the bar, finding a job, finding a place to live, and basically all of my income going straight to student loans has been quite the adjustment.  I'll spare you all from the details and get to the real point of the first of many more posts to come as I get back into my regular blogging routine!

Apparently, it's been a year since I subscribed to Birchbox!  I didn't even realize it until I received the Anniversary Key Chain from them.  So I thought, what better way to revive my blog than to write about my second May Birchbox!

This month, there was the option for a curated box by Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere.  However, I didn't opt for the curated box because I like to have somewhat of a surprise :)  The May Box is supposed to "bring out-of-the-ordinary elegance to your daily routine."

Here is the box!  I've been loving all of the cute designs this year and I've been holding onto them because Birchbox informed subscribers in January to keep every box you receive this year for a special surprise at the end of the year.  This one is very simple and fits the elegant theme.

Each box comes with a card describing what you will receive in your box.  I love that they do this especially because they include the full price of the item so you can easily compare it to the sample size.  In addition, it is nice to have a card with instructions on how to use each product.

Birchbox is $10 a month or if you want to get a month free, it's $110 for a yearly subscription.  More importantly, they have an awesome points system that allows you to share your box on Facebook, review each sample you receive and earn 10 points ($1 in the Birchbox shop) for each review and for a one-time share!  Since you receive 4-6 products each month, you should earn at least $5 in the Birchbox shop just from reviewing or sharing!  In my mind, that sort of cuts the cost of the box to just $5 ;)  If this is enough to convince you, please sign up using my referral link!

Birchbox now has an option that allows you to choose whether or not you would want more samples by allowing them to include foil samples.  Foil samples typically tend to be an annoyance to most people (including myself), but I decided to go ahead and try it out because there's nothing wrong with more samples!

Living Proof Restore Shampoo: Full Size, 8 oz = $28, Sample Estimate, .33 oz = $1.16
Living Proof Restore Conditioner: Full Size, 8 oz = $28, Sample Estimate, .33oz = $1.16

Unfortunately, this reminded me that I really just don't want foil samples.  These are items that I would have liked to try a few times to be able to make an actual decision on whether or not I could purchase them.  There was only enough for one use.  I did like the product in terms of smell and it was a pretty pearlescent white.  However, I would need a larger sample to know whether or not it actually successfully repairs damaged hair and restores moisture.  Also, it was interesting to notice these weren't actually included on my information card, which I'm assuming is because foil samples are intended to be sort of just a bonus for those who don't mind them?

 Living Proof Restore Instant Repair: Full Size, 4 oz = $29, Sample Estimate, 1 oz: $7.25

This was by far my FAVORITE item in the box.  It actually works!  I've had pretty bad split ends and damaged hair because paying for a hair cut isn't really in my budget right now.  I was amazed at how much healthier my hair looked and how it hid the split ends I already had.  Plus, the same size is so big that it will last me at least a month or longer because you only need to use a dime size amount.  I can't wait to see if it actually prevents new split ends from forming.

Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Energizing Hydrating Gel: Full Size, 1.7 oz. = $24, Sample Estimate, .24 oz = $3.39
Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel: Full Size, 1.7 oz = $48, Sample Estimate .17 oz = $4.8

The Marcelle Hydrating Gel came just in time because I was actually starting to run out of my moisturizer.  I typically use products from H20+ to moisturize because they have the only moisturizer that has never made my skin break out more.  However, I think I may switch to the Marcelle Hydrating Gel because it makes my skin feel so soft and helps my make-up go on more smoothly.  Plus it is cheaper than my other product and it has Vitamins C and E as well as green tea and cucumber extracts!
The Real Chemistry peel was my sample choice for this month.  I actually received it in my April Box, but chose it again because I loved it so much and don't want to pay $48 for it.  I love that you put it on your face and then massage it in to gently exfoliate.  I can actually feel the dead skin coming off and my face always looks brighter and healthier after using it.  It has definitely improved my skin and each of the samples has allowed for about 4-5 uses.  My make up has also been going on smoother since using it and my other products work better after using it once a week!

Mally Beauty Evercolor Automatic Eyeliner: Full Size = $18 (yay for a full size product!)
Benefit The POREfessional: Full Size, .75 oz = $31, Sample Estimate, .1 oz = $4.13

I received the Mally eyeliner in Navy, which I wasn't overly excited about.  The other colors are Black Cherry, Shimmering Steel, and Plum.  I think I would have preferred the Shimmering Steel.  The eyeliner goes on really smoothly, but I honestly don't really notice much of a difference from when I put on black eyeliner.  I love that it lasts a long time and doesn't smudge so it's definitely a product I'll use, but probably won't purchase because I have a lot of eyeliners.  The best part is I received this in the full size so that already is $8 more than the monthly cost of the box!!
I've actually sampled this Benefit product before in a previous subscription box.  I like the product and it definitely makes my skin smoother and my make-up go on easier.  I prefer to use it as a primer because it tends to give me a little bit of a ghost-like appearance even though its supposed to be fairly sheer.  The sample will allow for maybe 10 uses which isn't bad and its been working well under my favorite product: Marcelle BB Cream in Golden Glow.

Verdict: This was one of my favorite Birchboxes.  I was SO glad when I wasn't going to receive perfume samples because I hate those.  I'm not too happy about the foil samples, but that was my own doing.  Overall, I probably won't actually buy any of these products, except possibly the moisturizer because I need one and I think I have a coupon code.  However, it is fun to get to try out all of these and it always gets me excited for my next box!

The estimated total cost that I came up for this month's box is $39.89, which is almost 4 times the value!  Plus, I was able to share my box and review each product which gave me  80 points ($8 to spend in the Birchbox shop)!  I'm thrilled with the value of this month's box!

Reasons to love Birchbox: they did kept to their word by saying they wouldn't send me more than 6 perfume samples in a year (they only sent me 4 in the past year), they have awesome customer service, provide samples of high-end products, and they really make all efforts to ensure that your box each month is personally suited to you.

If you haven't already subscribed to Birchbox, please use my referral link to do so.  You won't regret it, I promise.  You can use the coupon code TATIOFFER to get your first Birchbox for $1 (note that this coupon expires May 29th so hurry up and don't miss out)!

I hope everyone had a fun and relaxing Memorial Day Weekend!  What did you think of your box this month?

XOXO,

Jen