Another month, another beauty box review. My Birchbox subscription was actually due to end last month but due to a big f**k up on their part, they gave me a month free. I absolutely loved December’s box and I knew January’s wouldn’t live up to the same standard…as predicted, it is very pamper heavy and not a lot of make-up but still a good box all the same. There was a decent mixture of skincare, hair products, body products and a make-up item and the box design is nice and minimalist with the theme of a fresh start.
I’ll start with skincare, and first up is the Marcelle Hydrating Mask (Full size RRP £17.50). This claims to moisturise, soothe and energise skin and contains hyaluronic acif and Pacific seaweed…I’m listening. My first thought is that it feels more than a moisturiser than a mask, however, it did leave my skin feeling soft and moisturised. I’d use it again, but it wouldn’t be the first I would reach to if I wanted to have a proper pampering treat and I’m not sure I would spend £17.50 for it.
Next out the box is This Works Morning Expert Hyaluronic Serum (Full Size RRP £37). I love Hyaluronic acid in my skincare and this also contains Vit C so “should” plump, birghten and tighten skin. This is a very small sample so I can’t say it it does any of these things, however, it applies really well, doesn’t sit on skin or leave it feeling sticky as some others I’ve used have. It left my skin feeling really soft and fresh…thumbs up!
The next product is a full sized Dr Botanicals Strawberry & Poppy Seed Cleansing Bar (RRP £9.95). I’ve received a few cleansing bars from Birchbox in the past and I need to make more of an effort to use them…but I haven’t got a soap dish and can’t face the thought of them going yucky on the side of the bath. I do want to use them more though so this is definitely on my to do list. As you might have guessed from my last statement, I haven’t used this yet but it claims to hydrate, cleanse and exfoliate which all sound good to me (I can also confirm it smells very nice). It does have very good reviews so I’m looking forward to giving this a go.
On to hair…Palmers Coconut Oil Conditioning Shampoo (Full Size RRP £4.49). One of my biggest subscription box peeves is receiving a shampoo or conditioner without the partner! And this seems to happen a LOT! Anyway, I was a bit of a snob about Palmers, but having received a few products now, am a total convert. This was the first time I had tried the shampoo (did anyone else not know this existed?) First of all, like all their products, it smells great! It also did leave my hair feeling lovely and soft, but, as I have quite fine hair which gets greasy quickly, I found this exacerbated that area and so unfortunately isn’t for me. If you don’t have this issue though I would definitely recommend.
The last product and only make-up item this month is the Lise Watier Illuminating Primer Fresh Cream-Gel (Full Size RRP £42). I love a primer that gives a glow under my foundation and am always on the lookout for “the one” so I was looking forward to trying this. I applied this under my foundation and found it left my skin looking fresh with a very subtle glow and my base stayed in place all day. It doesn’t beat my favourite product, I really like it and will definitely use up the sample…I won’t be spending £42 for a full sized one though!
So there’s January’s box done and dusted. I was slightly disappointed with the size of the samples, they were all pretty tiny, and only one full sized item this month. I really liked the primer and am looking forward to trying the exfoliating soap and there wasn’t anything that I won’t use up. I am considering cancelling my membership as I feel the samples have been getting smaller and smaller and there have been a lot of repeat products over the last year or two. Whether I can actually go through with it and miss out on a monthly box of treats? You’ll have to wait until next month to find out!
If you fancy joining Birchbox you can get 30% off a 3, 6 or 12 month subscription with this code https://birchbox.mention-me.com/m/ol/bk3zk-kirsty-arnott
Until next time,
Kirsty x
lifewithkirstyjane.com 