Birchbox Limited Edition Box Ready, Set, Summer Review

As some of you may have noticed, I have not been writing many articles lately. Taking too long to write articles caused me to get this review up after the box has already sold out. There are times when Birchbox limited edition boxes disappear and reappear, so I am going ahead with this review. If it never comes back in stock and you were not even interested before reading this, I apologize in advance. Admittedly, I did not initially think I would grab this one. I do not own a pool for the float, and I have a ton of sunscreen. Those were the two main draws of this box. Ultimately, I decided I had to get it, because I have not been able to pass on a single limited edition box in a long time. Thanks to Birchbox for putting things I want in every single box for the past two years. That’s right, if you search for any of the current boxes, you will find my review. Well, a new box just came in stock, and I have not grabbed that one yet. Hopefully, I get that one up a little faster after receiving it if I do.

Limited Edition Boxes are my favorite items to purchase from Birchbox. These are a mixture of full and sample sized items that usually fit a specific box theme. All boxes have a value far greater than the cost so they are a great deal when the items you want to keep exceed the value of what you’re paying. Better boxes sell out quickly, but the ones that linger will occasionally pop up in the sale section for 30% off. Aces sometimes get 40% off on sale items. Predicting which ones will sell out is not always easy so I buy the ones I really want close to the release date. If you’re on the fence because of price, wait it out.

Birchbox released a new limited edition box to ACES on 06/04/18 and everyone else on 06/05/18, Ready, Set, Summer. You do not need a subscription to purchase limited edition boxes from the shop.

This box retails for $54. It has 12 items making the cost of each item $4.50. There are nine full-size items, and three generous travel sizes.

Birchbox is killing it with the limited edition boxes. It has been a long time since I did not purchase one. I have purchased and reviewed every box that is available now. Part of the 105 points I redeemed for this order were all earned purchasing the last box. Getting 1.3 points per dollar (as ACES get) left me with points from this order I will likely use on the next box.

The contents are loose inside the box. There was no white, crinkle cut paper this time.

A product card going over the items is inside, an important note for those planning to take select items before gifting the box to someone else. You could either omit the card or have no shame in admitting you took things. Unlike the cards that come inside the subscription boxes, the price to buy the full-size is not listed. Most of the items inside this box are full-sized.

The back of the card goes over the box theme. Ready, Set, Summer is the theme. There are no details on the back, but it does not really need them. Things in this box get you summer ready. From sunscreen to pool floats to waterproof mascara and a sunglass case, everything you need for a day in the sun is here. There are even ampoules for after sun care.

Some things come packaged and other things do not.

The 2.1oz Oribe Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray retails for $22. Birchbox does not sell this travel-size, but you can purchase the full-size at a much cheaper price per ounce. This is a sample I’ve received before, but I have not tried yet. Since the samples of this are always 0.8oz or 1oz, this travel size is a lot bigger. I’ve loved every Oribe product I’ve tried, so I am unsure why I have not tried something that promises to add shine and enhance my waves. It seems perfect for me (if it works the way I want it to).

The full-size 0.12oz MAC Cosmetics Liptensity Lipstick in Gumball retails for $21. I am a fan of MAC lipsticks in general, but I have never tried this more expensive Liptensity formula.

Gumball is a creamy blush pink with a satin finish. It is probably not the shade of pink I would have selected, but I am not afraid to wear candy pink. Once I wear this, I will edit in a picture and review.

The full-size 3oz Acure Organics Captivating Coconut™ Light Body Oil retails for $12.99. I am a huge fan of body oils, especially in the summer, because they suavely leave a nice glow. This has a coconut scent, which is one I generally like. With Marula and Argan (two of my favorites), I already know this will be moisturizing before I even try it.

The 0.12oz Benefit Cosmetics Dandelion Brightening Blush retails in this size for $15. This is a shade I already know and love. I own it in the full-size and in a micro mini that was once in a kit I de-potted. It gives an extremely natural flush with a pale, petal pink shade. You can layer this or wear it somewhat sheer. This is a fair skin shade, so I think they could have chosen a more versatile shade. As I do not need another one of these, this will definitely make it into my gifting pile.

It does come with a mini version of the brush that comes inside the full-size Box o Powders. These brushes are not ideal, but I have used them before. If you are on the run, it will work. At home, I’d suggest using a regular blush brush.

It does swatch a little powdery, but I never feel it has an overly powdery look on my face. This is one pass so it can get darker. Once I wear this (again), I will edit in a picture. I do not have any pictures of me wearing this, but I can say it is one of the powder blushes that does not last a long time on my skin. While it is on, it looks stunning.

The full-size 0.29oz Eyeko Beach Waterproof Mascara retails for $29. This promises volume, lift, curl, and UV protection all in a waterproof formula. If it delivers, I will love this mascara. I have never worn mascara swimming before, but it tempts me to try this one in the pool.

The full-size 0.28oz The Beauty Crop Glow Milk Liquid Highlighter retails for $19.50. I received a 0.14oz sample of this in a past Birchbox (while I was not blogging so I never opened or swatched it). That means I can keep the full-size from this box and gift this mini.

This is so incredibly pigmented. I can see a number of different ways to wear this. It does sheer out beautifully, so it looks like it will make a great face and body highlighter, and it is a wonderful shade for my skin tone. As soon as I wear this, I will edit in a picture and review.

The full-size Babor After Sun Ampoule Concentrates has 7 ampoules for $39.95. This serum claims to relieve sun-scorched skin. That sounds amazing. At this price, I can almost guarantee I will not repurchase these no matter how much I love them. I tried an ampoule from this brand from the last box, and I loved it. This will probably give a similar feeling.

The full-size 8.5oz COOLA® Body Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 – Tropical Coconut retails for $36. This is a sunscreen I’ve looked up in the past, and it is always sold out. That is usually a good sign. I am more likely to reapply sunscreen when I can spray it on, and that is the major appeal to this. It claims that it does not leave a chalky residue either, which gives this bonus points. As I mentioned above, I love the smell of coconut.

The 2oz PETER THOMAS ROTH Water Drench® Cloud Cream Cleanser is worth $14. A cleanser with hyaluronic acid in it seems amazing so I am really looking forward to this. Although this is probably great for any weather, I think it will be really nice in the winter when the cold air dries my skin out.

The full-size invisibobble® ORIGINAL Traceless Hair Ring in Mint To Be is a set of 3 hair ties for $8. These are pretty crease free as promised (even on relatively thin hair like mine) unless my hair is not completely dry when I put it on. They have never snagged in my hair. If I forget to change these for a smooth one before I go to sleep, it will annoy my head. I also dislike putting my head all the way back in my driver’s seat or a chair when I am wearing this. It feels uncomfortable. Other than that, I do really like these.

The full-size Birchbox Exclusive Sunglasses Case is not sold separately. That means I have no way to price or link it. Given its thick vinyl and magnetic closure, I think it will keep glasses pretty safe inside. I have similar cases that protect the glasses inside really well even when they are in a beach bag with heavy items. It looks easy to clean due to the material, and I am sure no water will swap through if it is in the same bag with wet clothes. Since I was able to get the price of everything else, I assume these are worth $13.57.

The full-size Floatie Kings Birchbox Exclusive Wave Print Floatie is not sold separately. That means I have no way to link it. Since there is another item I cannot price, I need to price this to value the box. Similar floaties in this large size retail for $24.99. My guess is this donut-shaped floatie designed by Birchbox would retail for around the same price. It is very thick and substantial so I think it will be a durable floatie. Those sensitive to chemical scents should avoid this. Even after airing it out for weeks, it is still present. Yes, I know it would have been better to blow this up, but I am not doing that until I am ready to use it for the first time. If you are reading this, we know each other, and you have a pool, invite me over.

The colors in this box are very summery and bright.

Whenever you spend over $35, you can add a free 2-piece sample pack to your cart. This combines with any promo code, because you add it directly to your cart. Birchbox sells this for $10 for anyone spending less than $35. It has been a long time since the value was over $10 so I highly discourage anyone spending less than $35 to buy it. For the past two years, I mostly get one deluxe sample and one foil with every set. I received a 0.1oz Malin + Goetz vitamin e face moisturizer ($0) and a 0.003oz Benefit Cosmetics they’re Real push-up liner ($1.80).

Discount promo codes are on my Birchbox page, but you can always view the Bonus Shop for GWP promo offers. Promo codes cannot be combined. Choose the one you like best. I did not use a code for this order, because I emailed Birchbox after missing a code in the ACES event to ask if they would have a similar offer anytime soon. They responded that they would honor the offer I missed as long as I ordered without a promo code. That is more than I could have asked for, and I am grateful.

The box retails for $54, and it has a $256 value. I usually calculate the price of every item and list the total to compare what I come up with to the advertised value. Since two items are not sold separately and one of those items has nothing similar I can even compare it to, I had no choice but to assign the difference between everything else and the advertised value to price it. That is not what I prefer, because I find it is very rare for the box to hit the exact advertised value. Most come in under it.

My personal value is $241, because I will keep everything other than the blush, which I already owned two of before receiving this box. Some of the other items are duplicates to my collection, but they are reasonable duplicates. Keeping them makes more sense than gifting them elsewhere. Most of these items are new to my collection, and that is ultimately the reason I decided to purchase the box. I am most looking forward to the lipstick, the body oil, and the sunscreen. Yes, I have a lot of sunscreen, but a spray one is more likely to get reapplied on wet skin than a liquid one. The cost of those three items alone easily cover the cost of the box so everything else is just an added bonus.

If you want to subscribe, remember to look at start-up offers. Look at discount offers and items available in the Bonus Shop when shopping the store. Remember to add your free two-piece sample pack when spending $35 from the Bonus Shop. Tips For Getting the Best Deal lays out all the ways I know to save money at Birchbox. See other Birchbox articles and Limited Edition Boxes. View my main page for the guide map to the site and deeper deal exploration.

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