Birchbox Subscription Review: November Beauty Files
With the Thanksgiving Holiday in just a few days, I wanted to start the week with a little beauty pick me up. I’ve been holding out on opening up my November Birchbox and finally got to it this weekend. I know it’s something small, but I look forward to getting these beauty samples. It is a little surprise present that arrives in the mail once a month, and I truly enjoy testing the samples to see which ones work for me. If I like them, the sizes are perfect for my cosmetic bag when I travel – such an added bonus!
As usual, the box was absolutely beautiful. This month they chose a floral pattern in grey and teal with the Birchbox logo in metallic copper. I’m a sucker for packaging, and I know that I wouldn’t feel the same about this subscription if it arrived in something plain. Given the choice, we all want pretty packages. End of story.
The message inside is about the holidays on the horizon and the importance of making a little time for yourself before the fun, but always hectic season begins – and I couldn’t agree more. I’m actually pretty good about taking occasions for myself and/or with girlfriends and it helps to have a supportive husband who unconditionally understands I need “Mommy time.” Everyone needs a little pampering.
Here is a roundup of the samples that I received this month
I’m a huge fan and dedicated user of Clinique skin and cosmetic products. I liked how this Liz Earle Superskin Moisturiser glided on and didn’t leave a residue at all. But, it is scented with neroli oil (an essential oil produced from the blossom of the bitter orange tree) which has a spicy note, kind of like diluted Vick’s Vapor Rub. It irritated my eyes, so not for me. I have a friend who loves this stuff and actually puts the essential oil directly on her skin, so it really depends on how sensitive you are. I usually go for 100% fragrance free for anything that I am leaving on my skin.
I used amika Nourishing Mask after shampooing, it rinsed cleanly and smoothed my fly-aways. I would recommend this.
The only occasion I use a shower gel is when I am traveling and spending the night at a hotel. I love using the hotel products, but I’m so accustomed to buying bar soap that it doesn’t occur to me to shop for shower gel. Even if it is only for a 5-minute shower, the feeling you get when you use La La Lagoon makes me think I am on vacation – and it is worth it. I needed this reminder! I would recommend this.
Sorry, the smell of musk in the RUSK was overwhelming. I would not recommend.
So this month, hands down, the best product is the Zoey Van Jones tinted eyebrow gel. I already have dark eyebrows, and use a clear eyebrow gel to keep my brows looking their best (they offer different colors to match your hair color, and a clear version). This helps lightly thicken the brows and subtly fills in any spots but would be better for someone who has blonde/light brown eyebrows who is looking to darken them. It has a very slight glimmer to it which if fun and if you get any of the gel on the skin above or below your eyebrow, it cleans off beautifully with a damp cotton swab.
