Birchbox August 2015 Lost

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Birchbox gives at least five beauty samples each month for $10. For every review I give, I get 10 points, which is equal to $1 in the shop. A five sample box like this one gets me $5 back. I also “shared” my box on Facebook (only I can see it) for an extra 10 points. That will give me a total of $6 back to redeem toward future purchases. You can read my detailed overview of the program for more information. Each month, you get a sample choice or you can select the guest editor box. This month, I selected the Coola makeup setting spray.

This was my fourth Birchbox for August. Anyone thinking that is excessive is right. It was the first and hopefully last time I received that many different boxes. There have been two months I received a replacement box giving me four (June and July), but the replacements were duplicates of the box with the damaged item. Box One, Box Two, and Box Three were different.

I really like the design of the box this month. All of the designs lately have been a lot of fun.

The first thing you notice when you open a box is the product card. It gives you a brief description of the products as well as the cost to purchase the full size. Unless you choose to opt out for some reason, you will always get a sample choice. You can either select one item from a choice of 3-4 items or the guest editor box where you know all five in advance. Since this was a replacement box, I did not make any selections.

It seems most (if not all people) are receiving a LAQA & Co Cheeky Lip in one of three colors this month. I received it in all four boxes. The pink here, Humble Brag, is the same color I received in my primary box and my third box. It is almost like a light version of a hot pink, so the title Humble (light) Brag (hot pink) seems appropriate. I like the color very much, but I do not need duplicates. I already gifted the one from my third box, but this may go as well. Too bad this was not red, because I could have ended up with one of each color and not one coral and three pinks.

This 0.03oz sample is worth $6.67. It was actually difficult to price this, because no one other than the direct company sells the full-size. It does not list a size, but it is obviously bigger and packaged differently for this sample size. That retails for $22. Birchbox sells a three-pack of these sample-sized versions for $20. I took the easy route and divided the price by three. If I knew the size of the full-sized version, I would have priced it that way instead. Pricing it off a discounted sample set devalues it a bit.

I used it below on both my lips and cheeks. It is less shiny than the Lip Lube I’ve used and loved from this brand in the past, which makes it suitable for cheeks. This goes on almost perfectly matte, so I prefer it on my cheeks to my lips. On my lips, it applied somewhat patchy and accentuated dry patches. The color lasted a long time and felt moisturizing, but I wish it wore a little nicer. Based on how much I love the Lip Lube, this inferior product slightly disappoints me.

The 0.24oz IPKN NEWYORK Pore Apple Sun Cream SPF 40 is worth $2.72. I love trying new sunscreens, because I burn easily. Finding one that prevents sunburn, does not break me out, does not leave me shiny, and does not stink is always a challenge. It makes sampling so desirable.

The Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash was another product with no size listed. I am guessing it is 1.0oz making it worth $3.50. This also came inside my husband’s August Birchbox. He really likes it, so I told him he is welcome to have this if he wants it. While I would love to try it, I have so many samples that I may not get to this any time soon.

The 1.5oz Rusk Mousse is worth $3.38. This was a sample choice this month that I did not select, because I think I already owned it before I received it in another box this month. I am also not a huge mousse fan. My hopes are not high for this, but I will try it.

The Dr. Jart+ Vital Hydra Solution Deep Hydration Sheet Mask retails for $6. This is a replacement box, but I absolutely love sheet masks. I love hydrating sheet masks even more, so this is more perfect for me than anything from the original box. It was incredibly hydrating. My skin felt softer even after a couple of extra washes. Using a sheet mask everyday (if I could easily afford it) would probably be ideal.

The box has a $22.27 value. My personal value is also $22.27, because I will use all the samples. Of course if I give away any of the duplicate items, my personal value could dip. Giving them away for being duplicates and not for lacking quality is not necessarily a bad thing though.

If you want to subscribe, remember to look at start-up offers and all available offers. When you’re ready to spend your rewards points, remember to add your free two piece sample pack when spending $35 from the Bonus Shop. See other Birchbox Subscription articles. View my main page for the guide map to the site and deeper deal exploration.

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