Birchbox Subscription Review: May 2016
| May 2016 Birchbox Subscription Review with flowers from my own garden |
This month’s Birchbox is focusing on sun protection, and I only wish I knew about the irreversible effects of sun on my skin when I was a teenager. Between growing up in Jamaica and then living a couple miles from the beach when we moved to America, I’ve had more than my fair share of sun. I am appalled to admit that my high school girlfriends and I would slather on the suntan lotion and bake in the sun for hours, stopping only to compare tan lines to see who was darker. That is definitely not a contest I want to win now.
I finally wised up years ago, and have been using moisturizers with SPF before I apply makeup. In addition to protecting my skin, it acts as a primer for my makeup and everything glides on beautifully! For longer days in the sun, such as a trip to the beach, I always include a wide brimmed hat and a large umbrella. When I want that “sun-kissed” glow, I use a high quality sunless tanning lotion on my face and body. I’ve experimented with a few sunless tanning products, and I’m getting closer to finding the ideal one that doesn’t make me look like an oompa loompa and has a clean scent (I’ll keep you posted).
As always, I get pretty excited when I get my Birchbox in the mail. Opening the mailbox and seeing that pink box never fails to put an instant smile on my face. This month’s box had a lot of samples, so let’s get to the review!
The May Birchbox contained MATRIX hair care products (shampoo, conditioner, mousse), eyeko skinny liquid eyeliner, Jouer Long-Wearing Lip Creme, Cane & Austin Miracle Pads, and Coola Classic Sunscreen (of course).
| Matrix Shampoo & Conditioner |
BIRCHBOX BREAKDOWN (Shampoo)
Legend has it Cleopatra would scatter rose petals into her milk bath as a final beautifying ingredient—and we just discovered that rose petals cast a love spell of sorts on our fine strands. This lightweight, silicone-free volumizing shampoo is enriched with delicate rose hip seed oil to gently cleanse hair, eliminating buildup while adding touchable softness, shine, and visible body. In fact, when used with the full range of Oil Wonders Volume Rose products, it increases hair’s volume by up to 78%.
HOW TO USE
Massage into damp hair, then rinse.
BIRCHBOX BREAKDOWN (Conditioner)
A dozen long-stemmed roses are nice and all, but we (and our fine strands) are a bit more love-struck by this rose hip oil-infused volumizing conditioner. The ultra-nourishing, silicone-free formula adds an amplifying boost to our limp hair, and boasts a surprisingly lightweight texture. The best park? When used in conjunction with the full range of Oil Wonders Volume Rose products, it increases hair’s volume by up to 78%. Now that’s some serious oomph.
HOW TO USE
Gently massage into clean, wet hair after shampooing. Rinse.
| Matrix Oil Wonders Volume Rose Plumping Mousse |
BIRCHBOX BREAKDOWN
If you associate mousse with the sky-high, teased tresses of the ‘80s, allow us to give you a reason to reconsider: this rose-infused reincarnation, which is very much not a throwback. Apart from its delicately alluring scent, we’re fans of this lightweight, non-crunchy formula because it offers flexible hold while inflating listless, thin strands with major volume. Another plus? In addition to boosting body, it also boosts shine.
HOW TO USE
Shake well before use. Dispense a golf ball-sized amount of mousse and apply to damp hair, moving from roots to ends. Blow-dry and style.
| eyeko skinny liquid eyeliner |
BIRCHBOX BREAKDOWN
Twiggy fans, rejoice: This London-based brand’s liquid liner lets you create mod looks in a flash. Rather than frustrating us with a hard-to-control brush tip, it features a pen-style applicator that’s completely goofproof, allowing you to control the thickness of the line you create and vary the intensity of your look. Plus, the fade-proof formula will hold up all day and night. Beauty editors adore it too: This liner is a Teen Vogue Beauty Awards winner.
HOW TO USE
If you’re a liner novice, draw a few dots as close to your upper lashes as possible with the tip and then connect the dots. More advanced users can trace a single stroke across their lashline.
BIRCHBOX BREAKDOWN
We’re lucky if a lipstick outlasts a sip of water, let alone an entire day of wear. This weightless liquid lipstick is changing the game with a unique formula created to stay put until we take it off at the end of the day (really). Each vibrant shade glides on and dries to a soft-touch finish that doesn’t leave lips dried-out or flaky. So go ahead—enjoy that latte and chow down without fear. This lipstick isn’t going anywhere.
HOW TO USE
Start by lining lips with the tip of the doe-foot applicator, then fill your lips in with color. To remove color, use an oil-based makeup remover.
BIRCHBOX BREAKDOWN
A lot of products claim to be miracle workers, but not all of them have the scientific data to back it up. With 20% glycolic acid that exfoliates, evens skin tone, and reverses age spots and fine lines, this at-home treatment is all science. The pads are strong enough to do a deep clean of your pores and boost cell turnover, but are also packed with vitamins A, C, and E and COQ10 so they’re gentle enough to use daily. Another plus? The paraben- and fragrance-free formula enhances luminosity for all skin types, including dry and sensitive.
HOW TO USE
Each morning and evening after washing, swipe pad over clean face avoiding the eye area. For sensitive skin, use once daily for the first week, then increase to twice daily. A tingling sensation may occur (it’s totally normal).
BIRCHBOX BREAKDOWN
Whether you’re working up a sweat playing beach volleyball or lounging poolside (possibly with a tropical concoction), we all need the same great sun protection. This SPF 50 sunscreen is formulated specifically to suit sensitive skin without causing irritation or breakouts. The ultrasheer lotion is infused with evening primrose and linseed oils to balance moisture levels and even skin tone, plus it’s water resistant for up to 80 minutes. The best part? The natural white tea scent definitely beats the smell of traditional sunscreen.
HOW TO USE
Apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply after swimming or sweating.
