December 2014 Birchbox Canada - Beauty Box Review and Unboxing

This has seemed like such a long time coming - Birchbox has finally started shipping to Canada!! Lucky for us! 

Birchbox is the original sample beauty box and has been in the U.S.A. since 2010 - it is $10 a month + $4.95 shipping (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."

December 2014 is the first Birchbox Canada; here is a look:

The theme for this month's box is "Decked Out". The box was designed to help start the holiday celebrations early - it is filled with festive beauty samples! 


Here is a look at the products inside:

Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator ~ sample size 20g for $5.66 (full size is 120g for $34). Powerful scrub brightens, exfoliates and cleanses gently with instant results for soft, smooth and radiant skin – enriched with papaya, professional microcrystals and aloe. 
Best face scrub ever!! I received this in a past box and absolutely loved it! I just ran out last week, so you have no idea how happy I am to see this product! 

Harvey Prince Ageless Liquid Loofah Exfoliating Shower Gel ~ sample size 15 ml for $1.10 (full size is 354 ml for $26). We used to think the fountain of youth existed in a fairytale forest, but now we’re pretty sure it’s in the shower. This energizing body wash not only cleanses and softens skin with a bevy of botanicals—it leaves behind the mood-boosting Harvey Prince fragrance, Ageless, an uplifting blend of pink grapefruit, mango, and sandalwood.  
The "ageless" scent is delightful - very grapefruity and floral! I wish this sample was slightly bigger though, it will only be a couple of uses as a body wash!

Benefit High Beam ~ sample size 0.08 oz for $5.69 (full size is 0.45 oz for $32). Benefit High Beam is an ethereal pink liquid highlighter that creates a radiantly dewy complexion. For an angelic sheen, this pink shimmering lotion adds a soft, natural afterglow.
Oooh, I love me a good highlighter. I have received a couple of highlighters recently in subscription boxes, but I love Benefit so I am going to happily add this to my highlighter collection! 

Cynthia Rowley Beauty Eyeliner ~ sample size 0.03 oz for $13.50 (full size is 0.04 oz for $18). A luxe, creamy liner from the NYC-based designer for smudge proof, all-day wear. Cynthia Rowley has an exclusive make-up liner with Birchbox.
This eyeliner is so smooth and goes on perfectly. The black is so rich - I really thought before that I didn't need any more pencil eyeliners; however, this is actually so smooth I have to keep it!! 

Amika Nourishing Mask ~ sample size 20ml for $3.67 (full size is 60 ml for $11). It doesn’t matter how often you shampoo and condition—without a regular mask, your strands are bound to feel a bit neglected. Give them the extra attention they deserve with this deeply hydrating mask, which uses Obliphica oil to amp up shine, restore vibrancy, and even help repair split ends. You’ll notice the difference after just one use, and over time your hair will be visibly stronger and healthier.
I seem to have gotten a lot of hair masks in subscription boxes - they weren't in my rotation of hair care items before. They are great in the winter when it is extra dry outside! I haven't tried this one yet, but it smells good so I will use it! 

So for $15 I received 5 sample products with a total value of $29.62. I will use all of the products I received (and I really loved the face scrub and eyeliner) but I do wish a few of the samples were a little bit bigger! I think the hair mask and shower gel were only a couple of uses.