Friday, June 26, 2015

June 2015 - Birchbox Canada Subscription Box Review

Birchbox is the original sample beauty box and has been in the U.S.A. since 2010 - and this is only the 6th month it has been available in Canada. It is $10 a month + $4.95 shipping to Canada (you can save money by signing up for a year for $100 + shipping costs). Each month you receive 5 sample (or full size) products based on a beauty profile you complete.

Birchbox Canada describes itself as:
"Five personalized beauty samples delivered right to your door each month. It’s the best way to find the products you’ll love."

(It should be noted that if you see the U.S. Birchbox - Canadian's receive different products. I hope this expands and we get access to all the products available to out American counterparts soon! I like that some boxes (such as Ipsy and Glossybox) offer the exact boxes to Canadians - I am hoping Birchbox does the same at some point!)

Here is the June 2015 Birchbox Canada:


Lately, Birchbox has been including pretty boxes, rather than the regular brown box. 

Birchbox also includes a detailed product card. This month also includes a card with travel tips by the founder of "The Tig". This month also included a contest with a promo-code - I received 20% off:

So, Birchbox announced that this month's box was initially supposed to include a full-sized Eyeko eyeliner for all subscribers. It was strange when people got their boxes and there was no eyeliner! Turns out the eyeliners are stuck at customs, but it was just weird that Birchbox did not email anyone subscribers to let them know! They did comment to a few people on social media that we would be getting an amazing make-up sample instead. 

Here is a closer look at the products I received: 

Beauty Protector Beauty Wash Body Cleanser ~ sample size 30 ml (1 oz) for $1.88 (full size is 8 oz for $15). We adore the refreshing clean and out-of-this-world floral scent of our Beauty Protector Protect & Shampoo so much, we’ve been seriously tempted to use it all over (don’t judge). So we couldn’t wait to lather up with the brand’s new body wash: The rich, foamy gel leaves our skin fresh and clean—and smells just as amazing as the rest of the line.
It's body wash, and I have received a body wash in my last 2 birchboxes... nothing exciting. 

Naobay Oxygenating Cream Moisturizer ~ sample size 20 ml for $18 (full size is 50 ml for $45). We’ll use avocado wherever we can—smashed onto toast, sliced on tacos, baked into extradecadent brownies—so it was only a matter of time until we were smearing it straight on our face. This eco-conscious moisturizer is loaded with avocado and olive oils. The healthy fats nourish skin, leaving our complexion hydrated—and (almost) as smooth as our favorite snack.
MY first thought is this is very small to be worth $18, but I am actually happy with this product. It is natural and organic! It took me a moment to figure out it is a face moisturizer (not a body lotion), and that makes me happy!! 



Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel ~ sample size 0.17oz for $5.80 (full size is 1.7 oz for $58). In less time than it takes to cover up a flawed complexion with caked-on foundation and concealer, you could uncover a new layer of fresh, glowing skin with Real Chemistry’s Luminous 3 Minute Peel. The acid-free peel gently sloughs away dead skin cells, evening tone and smoothing rough patches without irritating sensitive skin.
I don't use a ton of peels (maybe one per month), and I have a few to work my way through. I may give this one away. This is also a very small sample - they trick you with the box to make it look like it will be bigger! 

Cynthia Rowley Beauty Brightening Illuminator ~ sample size 0.04 oz for $11.63 (full size is 0.11 oz for $32. You just can’t beat the convenience of painting on highlighter with a brush. And now we’ve found the perfect formula to go with the perfect applicator: one that goes on smooth, dries to a pearlescent finish, and has just the right amount of shimmer (hint: not too much). This velvety highlighter works for all skin tones, delivering a subtle sheen that lights up your features. It's an ace at contouring, or just adding a little extra brightness to cheekbones, brows, and the inner corners of your eyes.
This is also a super small sample size! Although, it is a highlighter which usually last for a long time! I have quite a few highlighters at the moment, so I will wait to open this! 



Parlor by Jeff Chastain Moisturizing Sea Salt Spray ~ sample size 30 ml for $5.51 (full size is 147 ml for $27). Beach hair is no longer reserved for long weekends. Bottling the effects of that salty air, this spray from NYC stylist Jeff Chastain offers instant volume and a tousled texture. Sweet almond extract infuses strands with softness, fullness, and brilliance, while vitamin-rich algae extract nourishes and protects the scalp. Adding to this spray’s addictive nature is the scent of ripe peach, fresh-cut grass, and white woods.
Tousled hair is not really my look - I have incredibly flat straight hair so I am going to pass this on. 

Emi Jay Printed Hair Tie ~ 1 for $2.80 (full pack is 5 for $14). Whether twirling, braiding, tying, curling or combing your hair, the best styles require the very best tools. The printed hair ties are handmade, hand-dyed, and won’t snag your strands. And with a rainbow’s worth of hues and a range of patterns, these versatile ties are practical enough for everyday wear, but dressy enough for a special occasion.

I received 6 items this month, with a total value of $45.62. While this is a good value, I have to make a note that the samples were all very (very!) small this month! I think it had a decent mix of products; however, I am overall not happy with Birchbox. I have been waiting to receive products that I am really excited to use and try, and I have not gotten that from Birchbox. 

With my new cutting back on spending, and my overall disappointment, I have decided to cancel Birchbox. It's not a terrible box and I would still recommend it to those who are looking for samples and to try new things, I would just prefer to spend $15 a month elsewhere!

If you want to check out my past Birchbox reviews, you can go here.

What did you think of this month's Birchbox?

2 comments :

  1. I got a very similar Birchbox, and it was nice enough. I liked all my products. I can't really complain about any of the products - but it would have been nice to have at least gotten one or two deluxe samples. I was one of the people that asked Birchbox about the Eyeko eyeliner's and were told about this amazing sample and I really can't tell what they were talking about - I guess they were just hoping that everyone would like something in their box is my guess.

    I also cancelled Birchbox, the point system is great but compared to what the Americans are getting for their Birchboxes, it just felt "meh."

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    1. the amazing sample was the highlighter I believe? But I agree, nothing was terrible but nothing was amazing either... 2nd highlighter, 3rd body wash, etc. I didn't mind getting more skin related products, but there was just not enough variety to keep me in there! I will keep reading reviews and if it starts to improve, I would sign up again...

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