Glossybox January 2014 Unboxing

It's that time again! Glossybox unboxing time! I love getting these boxes and it's no secret that it's probably my favorite box, I'm never let down by what is sent or the value that I receive of the products. Ever since I saw the previews for the beautyblender on the website, I knew I had to have it!

If you haven't tried this subscription service yet, give it a try, even if it's just for a month. It's $21 a month and you can sign up here.

The first thing in the box is a deluxed-sized moisturizer by Vichy, Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream . This is for dry skin and claims to lock in moisture for 48 hours. The full sized product is $31.00 for 1.7 fl OZ and we were sent a generous 0.5 fl OZ - the value of this sample is $9.12








As for the belle of the ball, this is The Original Beautyblenderand Blendercleanser. The beautyblender is full sized, this normally retails for $19.95 and you also get a bonus of the cleanser.

So we've already easily made back the money we spent on this box, but they decided to also throw in a $20 Bella Pierre Mineral Blush in a very wearable color, MB001 Desert Rose. I know that mineral blushes are difficult for some to work with unless you use a light hand to avoid spilling it all over your vanity, but you can easily press this into a pan and use it as a normal blush.  This color is truly universal with a slight tinge of coral, but it definitely shows up as a more bronzed blush.

I've never tried anything from balance Me so I'm happy they also included the Super Toning Body Wash. The full size retails for $14/3.4 fl OZ and the sample is half of that size at 1.7 fl OZ giving it a value of $7. WOW this is a pricey body wash for such a small quantity but that probably has something to do with its natural and organic ingredients. Thankfully it is very scented with floral and pomegranate tones so you will only have to use it sparingly (it reminds me of a product from LUSH). The company is from the UK so I'm not sure where you can get your hands on it in the US but you can definitely order from their website.

And finally, an item that I was not thrilled about but only because I received it in my November Birchbox - Toni&Guy Casual Sea Salt Texturising Spray. However, I did try it out and found that it really did leave my hair feeling beachy and it tamed my waves - but I do not recommend putting it on in sub-zero temperatures since some strands of my hair froze solid!! The value of this deluxe sized sample is $5.51

Overall, the value of this bag was $61.58, about 3x what you pay for it! It had a well-rounded gamut of face cream, body wash, hair spray, mineral blush, and a beauty blender! I'm very happy with my box, it's a great way to start the new year and I know Glossybox will continue to step up their game.

Ipsy Glam Bag Unboxing - January 2014

Hi guys,

Check out this Ipsy unboxing for January 2014 - it wasn't my favorite glam bag ever but I still think it was well worth the $10 price tag. Also sorry for my voice sounding awful, I've been sick for a while now >.<.

Sign up to IPSY: http://www.ipsy.com/r/1lfc

What I got in this month's IPSY:
Apothederm bright skin serum
Coastal Scents small foundation brush (BR-C-S22)
Mica Beauty tinted lip balm in Fiesta
Absolute! make-up cleansing tissues (10)
Yaby natural finish liquid foundation in Buff

Birchbox December 2013 Unboxing

Click below to watch the video of my December 2013 Birchbox unboxing!

Thanks for watching this video! These opinions are solely my own, I'm not sponsored by any companies and I'm just giving you my honest opinion as a consumer about this product.

Birchbox: http://birch.ly/1kBMFFs

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Sorry if I seem especially harsh but this box was such an unpleasant surprise that even my husband said "that doesn't look like it's worth $10" about the things in my box... and he's right, I wouldn't pay half of that for this box. Who needs 1 random hair band? Who needs another really small sample fragrance? A phone wipey?? 1 use of a moisturizer?

I think there are 2 very important components to a perfect subscription service:

1) the items should be curated for everyone based on their likes and dislikes and 2) the subscriber should always feel as though they're getting more than they paid for.

It seems that Birchbox has just gotten too big for its britches, they don't invest the proper time to get to know their subscribers, what's on trend, and which companies we're really interested in trying out. I feel that the quality of their products has become mediocre, the variety is uninteresting and I would rather spend my $10 monthly on new drugstore makeup (since drugstore brands have been stepping up their game significantly). If you consider that for that price, I could get 3+ Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trios (that's 9 full eyeshadows!!) what am I wasting my money on this box of things I'll probably never use for? At least give me some products I'm halfway excited about. Ipsy and Glossybox get it right every month somehow and their customer service is exceptional especially when responding to complaints or re-sending damaged items. So I'll be saving this $10 from now on.

Let me know what your experiences are, I know everyone receives different products in their boxes. I'm curious to find out if anyone else has had any similar or even differing experiences.

Birchbox November 2013 Unboxing Video

Hi all,

I just got my Birchbox in the mail today and I was so excited to show it to you guys that I had to make a quick video to show you! I figured I will switch to video format for my unboxings since its probably best for you guys to see everything up close and in comparison with other products. 

Check out the video below and subscribe for more videos!!

http://youtu.be/kKHO2dmr0J8

October Birchbox Unboxing - #BBuzz

Birchbox is one of the first beauty subscription services to have hit the market. I have been a loyal customer since March 2013. All of their products are always sent in a cute cardboard box which can be used to store your makeup products in your drawers.

The subscription: Birchbox

The cost: $10 US/month

Total product value: $29.56

Why is it unique? With Birchbox you can get "beauty extras" which are bonus products that can be provided to you (this happens once every few months) which do not count as part of your 10 products. You can also gain 10 points per review of each item on their website and 100 points (you can earn this every 2 months at the latest) gives you $10 to spend in their store.

Where can I subscribe? Click here

This month, Birchbox sent out a Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser and Liz Early Pure Muslin Cloth (these count as 2 separate items). I wish this combo counted as one item seeing as you can't really use the cleanser properly without the cloth. The cleanser deluxe sample was 1 fl oz and the full size which is 3.3 fl oz retails for $21.50 which brings this sample price to $6.51. 2 muslin cloths retail for $6, so the value of the cloth is $3.

I also received the Pop Beauty Aqua Lacquer Lip Gloss in Flowering Fuchsia which is a full sized item that retails for $14 (this item alone is worth more than the box subscription costs).

I also received a foil packet of Miss Jessie's Creme de la Creme Conditioner. The 1 oz foil packet is worth $1.33 since the full sized version of this product (12oz) retails for $16. I wasn't too thrilled with this product because I know conditioners require a few applications to actually work their magic and I can't imagine getting more than 1 use out of this foil packet, especially since I have long hair.

The last sample in the box was the Folle de Joie eau de parfum in 0.06 oz. The full size of this product (3.4 fl oz) retails for $98 which brings the value of the sample to $1.73. I like that the perfume had a spray pump, but it wasn't a scent that I would consider purchasing just because it's extremely expensive. It has tones of citrus and woodsy florals, it's definitely a more summer scent.

And last, but certainly not least, we received a beauty extra which is a Birchbox find that doesn't replace one of the 5 items in the box but is an added bonus they wanted us to try. I'm really excited about this one because you can never have enough lip balms. The vanilla creme scent of this ChapStick Lip Care Moisturizer, Hydration Lock, Vanilla Creme 0.15 oz (4 g) is very pleasant, not overpowering, and it really moisturizes your lips. This is a $2.99 value full sized product.

I'm very happy with this month's Birchbox. It's definitely building up to be a lot better than Birchbox used to be, they are sending far less foil packets (1 out of 6 ain't bad) but they still have a way's to go to match Ipsy and Glossybox in terms of product appeal. The lip gloss and chapstick were my favorite samples, I was really let down by the conditioner sample and I really wish they would stop sending me dinky perfume samples that are only good for 1 use.  

October IPSY Glam Bag Unboxing

Ipsy is a consistently amazing beauty subscription service, sending out 5 deluxe sized or full sized samples each month in a zip-up makeup bag (this doesn't count as one of your items but is an extra bonus each and every month). So far out of the ones I've been getting (Glossybox USA, Birchbox and Ipsy) this one is the best value. For only $10/month you will consistently get a box that is valued much higher. It is in direct competition with the Birchbox but it sends out far less foil packets which is great (I don't think I've ever received one even though I've been subscribed since March)!

The subscription: Ipsy

The cost: $10 US/month

Total product value: $28.79+ free bag

Why is it unique? You get beauty products curated by Michelle Phan, made famous as being the most popular YouTube beauty vlogger/guru. Every month you get a free makeup bag. You have a customizable profile which lets you choose the type of products you want to receive.
Where can I subscribe? Click here





For October, the products were housed in this adorable (yet not autumnal themed) makeup bag, constructed very well and which will last you a long time (this is customary for their quality). My only criticism is that this bag looks like it belongs in February for Valentine's Day, but I will use it just as I use the ones from their previous months (to house my beauty blender sponges, lip liners, or facial masks)

First and foremost, my favorite cleansing product of all was sent - makeup remover wipes! I received a La Fresh Oil-Free Face Cleanser sample, 30 wipes retail for $9.99 but we received 10, so this is a $3.33 value. While this isn't a full sized product, I am happy that I received 10 wipes rather than a few.

I also received a very useful tool that is quite universal and I don't think anybody would be upset to receive. You can never have enough eyeshadow brushes, so thanks for the Coastal Scents Medium Shadow Brush. I am happy to report that this is a nice and dense brush at the affordable price of $2.49 and I received the full sized product.

My absolute favorite product in this month's bag was the Zoya nail polish (color "Neve") which is a shimmery navy blue (or sapphire blue metallic), perfect for fall. This nail polish is also free of formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate and camphor. This sample was full sized and retails for $8.

The next product which I was very excited about was the Wet n Wild Fergie 5-Color Eyeshadow which is full sized and retails for $4.99 at Walgreens in the color "Desert Festival". See swatches of the colors on the right. The colors were of a nice consistency, as I have come to expect from Wet n Wild eyeshadows (the best eyeshadows you can purchase in the drugstore) they are creamy, blendable and easy to work with. All of the colors are flattering and would work well on any skin tone and the compact is so large you get a ton of product.

Sexy Hair Big Sexy Blow Dry Volume Gel was also in this month's bag, and we received a 1.7 fl oz. sample (since the full size is 8.5 fl oz and retails for $14.96 regularly) the value of this deluxe sample is $3.00. I'm excited to try this and I have heard many great things about this brand!





My bag had a total value of $28.79
I'd love to hear about what others got in their Ipsy Glam Bag this month, I saw there were many other possibilities for products!!

October Glossybox Unboxing - Byrdie Edition

I've gotten many requests to show my readers what's in the subscription boxes I get monthly so I figured I would start with October! I subscribe to Ipsy, Birchbox and Glossybox, so I will review all of those for you every month starting now.

The subscription: Glossybox

The cost: $21 US/month

Total product value: $76.57

Why is it unique? You get beauty products from Europe, Asia and everywhere else. Very high quality products every month, I have never received a dud and I've been subscribed since March 2013.

Every month, you receive substantial codes for some of the products provided in the Glossybox. This is quite customary for any subscription service. Here's a preview of the contents of my October box (usually these arrive in the mail near the end of the month). I was VERY excited when I saw the preview of the box with a full-sized Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes mascara!

This month subscribers received a Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream in a generous deluxe sample size, (this retails for $42 at 1.7oz) we received the 0.5oz so the value of this product is $12.35. It smells just like what you would imagine a lotus to, very plant-like. I have been using it and it is quite moisturizing, but it's quite a pricey product that I don't think I would purchase on my own. This is a nice, luxurious sample to get.

I received a Renu Exfoliating Gel which retails for $42 at 50 ml and we received a 20 ml deluxe sample so the value of it is $16.80. Subscribers either received this sample or Sesha's Anti-Wrinkle Mask. This feels delightful on the skin, it really does feel like it's cleaning up the dead skin cells on my face, but again this is quite an expensive product, especially since it's a cleanser, so it's nice to receive such a large sample because I probably won't go out and purchase it.

Subscribers also received a deluxe sized sample of Bulgari's Eau Parfumee Au The Vert, which reminds me of a spring scent because it's made with "Green Tea" as the base note. However, this is the most adorable sample I have ever seen because it's in a miniature retro glass container. The full sized product is 1.33oz and retails for $62. The sample is 0.17 fluid oz so it is valued at $7.92. The scent is fresh and light, definitely not overpowering and I find that it takes on an even better smell on my skin.

balance Me. has provided every subscriber with their limited edition tinted lip salve that is 100% natural. The product received was the full size which retails for $16.50 at 10ml. You can see that it swatches to a much letter intensity than the pumpkin color inside the tube. It's an extremely liquid formula, not sticky or unpleasant to wear. The super soft beige color was created exlusively for Birchbox. The gloss smells like peppermint and emphasizes lip size, creating a bee-stung effect. Great product, I would definitely recommend trying this out.

And now the product we've all been waiting for, Tarte's Lights Camera Flashes Mascara!!! This puppy retails for $23 for the full size and that's exactly what Glossybox gave us! The packaging is magnificent, there is no funky smell like some other mascaras, and it lengthens and provides so much extra volume to my lashes that I can actually feel the difference. My lashes have never hit the skin above my eyelid, but with this, they definitely do and I love it! The applicator is easy to use, it's a silicone bristled applicator and I have an extremely easy time applying the wet formula with it. I highly recommend trying this mascara, in my opinion it's worth every penny.