Monday, January 18, 2016

January 2016 Birchbox Canada - Unboxing and Review

Birchbox is the original sample beauty box and started shipping to Canada last year. 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."


Recently, Birchbox Canada has made some changes - new products and new monthly features including curated boxes and sample choice. In addition, they started offering all the special boxes that American subscribers received.

Here is the January 2015 Birchbox Canada:
January 2016 Birchbox Canada - Unboxing and Review

Birchbox always comes in a pretty box and each month has a new design! I usually use these to hold samples or extra products! 
There is always a detailed product card of what you received:

Let's take a closer look at the products inside:

Derma E Hydrating Scrub ~ sample size 1 oz for $5.00 (full size is 4 oz for $20.00). As much as we love the deep-cleaning power of scrubs, sometimes they leave our skin in need of a little TLC. This dermatologist-approved exfoliator does double-duty, gently sloughing away dead skin, dirt, and excess oils with walnut shell powder while moisturizing and reviving the complexion with vitamin A and hyaluronic acid. Two skincare steps in one easy-peasy product? We’re sold.

I have received this in a past box - it is not the most exciting product, but it is actually a very good exfoliator! I don't; however, think that it is actually a moisturizing exfoliator... 

Juara Candlenut Body Creme ~ sample size 0.34 oz for $2.22 (full size is 7.5 oz for $49.00). Traditional healers of Indonesia weren’t messing around when they pinpointed candlenut oil as a cure for severely dry skin. The centuries-old balm is rich in fatty acids, which makes it a great natural hydrator and all-around skin-smoother. It's velvety formula, inspired by venerable Balinese recipes, penetrates deep into dry, rough skin for instant, nongreasy softness that lasts and lasts.

I have mixed feelings on this lotion - first of all, this lotion is ammmmazing!!! It it so thick and moisturizing and smells awesome (I just got a full size in the FabFitFun box). But, this sample is very small. Because this is a body lotion, I used the whole sample for 1 full body application. 


BioRepublic Skincare Cucumber Breeze Soothing Fiber Mask ~ 1 mask for $7.00 (full size set is 3 masks for $21.00). Save your veggies for your salad – cucumber slices are getting a serious upgrade. These soothing sheet masks bring the spa to us via natural cucumber extract, plumping plant collagen, and healing vitamin E. The powerful antioxidants and cooling powers of cucumber tighten pores, reduce the appearance of lines, and calm our stressed-out complexions, leaving us with smooth, happy skin. Who knew one little veggie could do all that?

I have tried BioRepublic masks before and I actually really like them! Of course, they are over priced so I won't be purchasing them at that price, but I will happily use them! 



TONYMOLY Delight Tony Tint in "Red" ~ sample size approx. 2ml for $1.44 (full size is 8.3 ml for $6.00). Though a stain that stubbornly spends the day on your winter white job interview ensemble is not a good look, a stain that stays put on your lips is a completely different story. This lightweight, super pigmented formula goes on your lips with a fruity smelling sheen, and dries quickly for a sheer, matte finish that won’t budge all day. It’s easy to create deeper color by adding layers of this non-drip formula, which moisturizes lips with rosehip and aragan oils. Plus, this long-lasting tint contains jojoba seed oil, which promotes cellular regeneration and elasticity for younger looking lips.

I am happy that Birchbox is getting more k-beauty products; but, I have tried this product before and I don't like it. I will be passing this on! 

Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect ~ sample size 30ml for $5.40 (full size is 200ml for $36.00). As self-confessed blow dryer addicts, we put our hair through a lot of stress. To keep our strands from a styling-induced meltdown, we’ve been using this extra hydrating leave-in conditioning mist. It doesn’t just protect hair from heat damage; it also doubles as a color protector and UV shield. The sulfate-free formula sinks in quickly and has a pretty floral scent thanks to white freesia, amber, and musk.

Ugh, more hair products from Birchbox... I just don't use that many hair products! This one does sound like something I will use, but I'm over hair samples! 

Birchbox came with 5 products (all sample sizes) and a total value of $21.06. This is a good value for Birchbox - about the average value. I am happy to see more k-beauty products in this month's box. I am happy with the mask and lotion, and will use the scrub and the hair protector, but will pass on the lip stain. This month's box was ok. 

What did you think of this month's Birchbox?

8 comments :

  1. I tossed my lip tint lol. I'm over hair samples too , they send at least one a month
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    1. Ya, I think I got the lip tint in a past Memebox or something else, and I saw in your post that you had the same problem as me before - it was patchy!
      And yes, hair samples every month. I cancelled for a while but am seriously hoping Birchbox picks it up!

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  2. Wow those masks are expensive! This box feels a bit underwhelming, but it's nice to see that KBeauty is coming more popular.

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    1. Underwhelming is a great way to sum this up - I am not thrilled with what I received! But some of the other boxes looked better, so fingers crossed!

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  3. This is the same box I got. I've only had 2 Birchboxes so far, and I'm pretty underwhelmed.

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  4. I don't totally understand the difference between a sample box and a curated box (I just joined a few days ago). Is one a surprise and the other, you know what you are getting? thanks

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    1. yes, the curated box you will know the 5 samples that you are getting so if you like the samples you would choose that. If you go for the sample box, you usually have the option of customizing 1 of the samples you get (from 3 items they will post)

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