Birchbox February 2016 Box Review

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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 got me $5 back. I also shared my box on Facebook for an extra 10 points (which is only available on the mobile app now). That gave 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. For this box, I selected the ARROW BOOST Color Enhancing Lip Balm.

The box design is simple, yet cute.

The first thing you usually see when you open a Birchbox is a product card. It lists the items in the box and the price 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 4-5 items or the guest editor box where you know all five in advance.

The back of the card usually goes over the box theme, which was what’s the occasion.

There are times when a new product launches and Birchbox includes a card discussing the product and/or a GWP involving the product. This month, they focused on Dew The Hoola, which I received from Ulta. A Benefit GWP offer is on the back.

This month, the sample choice was between four items: Hey Honey Take It Off: Exfoliating Honey Peel Off Mask, Ren Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask, ARROW BOOST Color Enhancing Lip Balm, or Whish Revitalizing Cleansing Oil.

There was also a featured box, Date Night, which includes: Cynthia Rowley Beauty Brightening Illuminator, Amika Bombshell Blowout Spray, Catherine Malandrino Romance de Provence, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Strumpet, and Whish Renewing Mud Mask.

There were no sample choices inside the featured box. Although the featured box looked nice, I really wanted to try something from the new ARROW line.

The 0.14oz ARROW BOOST Color Enhancing Lip Balm is full-size. It retails for $14. Getting a full-size item in a Birchbox is not common, but it happens more with in-house brands, like ARROW and LOC. This was my selection. I love trying lip balms and really like exploring new makeup brands. LOC was a nice introduction, and I look forward to seeing if ARROW follows its lead.

The color goes on sheer, like a regular lip balm. As time lapses, it adjusts to the PH in your lips to leave a subtle, yet beautiful pink hue. It must have incredible staying power. I tried to wipe off the swatch, but it barely budged. Some of the pink tint stayed behind after I wiped the balm off.

There is a slight mint taste to this balm. It is so faint that it took me a while to identify the flavor. This does make my lips a tad more pink, but it is definitely a MLBB shade. The formula itself feels almost like a standard chapstick. While it moisturizes fine, and I love the subtle pink tint, I am not sure it is worth the price. For a bit more, I can buy a fresh balm that moisturizes deeply and lasts longer. I would consider this if I could get it for $10 or less.

The 0.25oz Color Club® That’s My Jam is worth $4.25. It is a deep wine color in between a pink and a red. This looks more red to purple though. Compare this to my other salmon and wine polishes.

The 0.06oz Catherine Malandrino Romance de Provence Eau de Parfum is worth $3.90. I use the cheapest buy-in to calculate value, which is the 1oz size in this case. Her last scent impressed me, so I am looking forward to trying this.

The 0.5oz Corioliss Argan Conditioning Mask is worth $1.20. I love sampling hair masks and rarely buy them any more, because I get so many samples and only use them once a week.

The 1oz BORGHESE Fango Purificante Clay Cleanser is worth $8.57. This is a generous sample, especially since I only use clay masks around my T-zone.

The box has a $31.92 value. My personal value is also $31.92, because I will try everything. I am happy with this box, but I wish the hair mask would have been a little bigger. When I use 0.25oz-0.5oz per application, there is a chance this may only last one use. 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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