As some of you may already know, October’s Birchbox wasn’t for me (review here). But rather than waste it, I ran a giveaway which was won by the lovely Jenny in Neverland. So November’s Birchbox really is make or break for me, there are lots of other subscription boxes out there and I need five good reasons to stay with this one.
November’s box
Birchbox have teamed up none other than Vogue magazine this time and the contents have been curated from Vogue’s 100 Beauty Hall of Fame. They’ve been chosen by past and present Vogue Beauty Editors and are products that we should all be able to go out and buy. So, what did I get in my box?
Benefit Hoola Bronzer
The only Benefit product I’ve ever bought is They’re Real mascara, which I adore. I’ve had a Benefit lipstick and lip/cheek tint in previous Birchboxes, which weren’t bad either. I know Hoola is a very popular bronzer and I was really pleased to get this in my box. It’s a matt powder with no sparkle so you can use it to warm up your face, or you could use it as a contour powder. It goes on smoothly and you can build up the coverage according to how pale you are or how healthy you want to look (!) I do rather miss the slight sparkle of my current drugstore bronzer though, I feel it gives my face the little lift I need (psychologically anyway). And £24.50 for the full size Hoola seems pricey so I don’t think I’ll buy it once this sample runs out.
Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream
I’ve been given this hand cream before and I know the combination of shea and aloe vera means it absorbs quickly and easily with no greasy or sticky residue. Sadly, the fragrance isn’t really me and my gardening hands need something more heavy duty than this. Crabtree & Evelyn’s Gardeners Hand Therapy is still my go to cream of choice, for efficacy, botanical fragrance, and price. Price again, I feel £21.00 is a lot to pay for a high street hand cream that doesn’t really work for me. That said though, it’s a product I’ll be happy to re-gift as it would be perfect for a friend who doesn’t spend her weekends grubbing around in the mud.
NUXE Huile Prodigieuse
You may remember how thrilled I was to get the Nuxe Shimmer Dry Oil in my August Birchbox. Well, I’m equally delighted to get the non-sparkly Nuxe Dry Oil with its blend of essential oils and Vitamin E now. This version is better for Winter-pale skin and still works wonders on my dry hair ends, cuticles, under my brows, or across my cheekbones. Plus it smells fantastic and looks very pretty next to the shimmer version on my counter top. A little really does go a long way so I don’t think £17.00 is a lot to pay for the full price multi use version – maybe one for my Christmas wish list!
Percy & Reed Smoothed, Sealed & Sensational Volumising No Oil, Oil
This is the second Percy & Reed hair product I’ve had from Birchbox (I quite liked the Wonder Balm in July’s box). My winter-frazzled and frizzy hair did seem smoother after using this oil but I didn’t notice any change in volume. I’m not too bothered about that though. My hair didn’t feel sticky either, but I still prefer my John Frieda Frizz Ease serum, which is half the price of this £14.00 oil. A nice one to try but not to repurchase.
Birchbox Brush Cleaner
If I hadn’t been reading so many other amazing bloggers’ posts I wouldn’t have had a clue what this was just from the box. I only use about five make up brushes and < coughs in acute embarrassment > I don’t remember the last time they were washed – oops. But for £5.00, this is a really cool little item, my fingers fit nicely inside the opening, and the grooves seem to do a good job of cleaning my brushes. It’s small enough to take on holiday too (not that I would want to be cleaning my brushes then but, you know, just in case). I actually think this is my favourite item this month – how crazy is that?
Did I like November’s box?
Ummm, IDK, IDK. I’m happy about the Nuxe dry oil and the little brush cleaner but the other three items, for me anyway, are a bit meh. On balance, after going through all my previous Birchboxes again, I think I’ll probably cancel my Birchbox subscription after Christmas. I’ve had some really good treats but also a lot of products that I would never use. I know there are plenty of alternative subscription boxes out there so I might try one of those. Or, I might just give beauty subscription boxes a break altogether and write about the products I actually love and use myself.
What do you think of Vogue’s Birchbox curation this November? Have you got any other beauty box recommendations, or shall I start writing about my own favourites?
I would definitely have the use the Hoola Bronzer to contour instead, because that looks way too dark to be a bronzer on my pale skin.. ? I love the little brush cleaner too, a nifty little tool that’d make an annoying task a bit easier! ?
That’s what I thought but actually Hoola isn’t too dark, it’s very buildable. And, yes, no excuses for not cleaning my tiny collection of brushes now, haha! x
I personally really like this box! I’d love to try that bronzer but you could always pop a bit of something else shimmery over the top if you still want a shimmer (: Clarins is a great brand to have in the box too – the hand cream could definitely still be usable on your down days when gardening isn’t an option! Great photos in this post Lisa – you’ve captured the products really well! (: xx
Thank you for the photos compliment, that’s really kind, I worked hard on these 🙂 And I do think the the brands/products are good, even if they’re not all for me. But I also I think it might be time to give another subscription box a chance! xx
This looks amazing!
It’s a good selection, even if they’re not all for me!
I’ve never used the Hoola Bronzer but would love to try it. I subscribe to Boxycharm and I love getting it each month.
Jennifer
I’ve not heard of Boxycharm, I shall have to check them out and see if they ship to the UK – thank you for the suggestion! x
I currently get the Glossybox but overall they’ve been hit & miss I don’t wear makeup so that gets gifted. Overall the presentation of the Birchbox looks great (fab photos) but contents doesn’t really appeal to me
That’s interesting, I’ve heard good and not so good about Glossybox. I might try a box or two and see what I think. Thank you for the photos compliment, much appreciated!
I’ve never actually used the Hoola Bronzer, it looks nice and I’ve heard good things about it but it is pretty expensive! That brush cleaner looks pretty interesting!
Amy, Creative Nails
Yes, I think nearly £25 on a bronzer is a bit steep! I do love that little brush cleaner and the Nuxe oil though!
I was like, hey, that blog name is like my blog name! Then I realised…it was me. Hehe! You’re right, I do have a lot of boxes you could try, but I reckon you might like something like Tili box- have a look on Facebook, it’s doing really well and it’s actually by QVC, so you get some kinda good brands.
I’m sad that birchbox has ended up as a cancel for you but to be honest I suspected as much when I saw the contents of my sisters one this month. And also, it really didn’t strike me as a collection products that really screamed Vogue magazine either. Hmm.
Hehe, shoutout to my penpal ? I don’t know what I was expecting from Birchbox/Vogue, but I do agree with you. And I’ve never heard of Tili I shall check them out, thank you, I knew you’d have a great recommendation for me! Xx
Getting the hoola bronzer is pretty good for a subscription box and I love the sound of the hair oil. But I’m completely falling out of love with subscription boxes too so I know exactly how you feel!
Ellie x
I know Benefit is a good brand but Hoola isn’t really for me. Nuxe is fab though. I’d like to find another box because it’s lovely to look forward to something but I feel Birchbox has run its course for me ?
Hi Lisa! Just came across this post from Twitter! I also subscribe to Birchbox and had the same items this month (I’m really slacking on posting my review) I’m also with Glossybox as well for the same price. Oh and I must say I LOVE your photography it’s really cute! And I’m so glad I came across your blog! I’m signing up right now! ? xo
Thank you, what lovely compliments, that’s so kind! I’m going to check your blog out now too, especially with regard to Glossybox to see what you think. Thank you to Twitter too, for making the connection! X
This box didn’t seem *too* bad, but I’m definitely feeling like these boxes are jam packed with tiny little bits and bobs that seem to repeat every now and again… hmm… maybe I should come up with my own little monthly box haha!
Claudia xo
Do it, do it, do it! And put some of your yummy cakes in it! When/where can I sign up?! X
I used to have the Birchbox subscription but decided to cancel too. I simply couldn’t justify the price when I was hardly using the samples!
Those little brush cleaners are amazing aren’t they?! Definitely a great way to make the hassle on cleaning brushes that much easier.
It’s a shame you didn’t really rate the other products, but it’s really refreshing to see an honest opinion! xx
Aw, thank you! I have used some of the samples over the past ten months too but there are a lot that I haven’t. I just think it’s time to try another box subscription for a change ? xx
Hi, i love these style of boxes. I love the Clarins hand cream and need to get a brush cleaner so this would be great for me.
I do reuse my boxes, the drawer style is so useful. Clarins is a good cream, just not heavy duty enough for me, but the little brush cleaner really is fab!
Oooh I have a brush cleaner just like that and it helps so much to clean them thoroughly! I really want to try Hoola as I’ve heard fabulous things about it but I’d HAVE to use it as a cheek product as I’m far too pale for all over haha!
Alice Xx
Hoola looks scarily dark but actually it’s not when you apply it, it’s very buildable. I’m an 80’s girl though, I just like a bit of sparkle! X
the packaging of this box is so luxurious! I Love that nuxe huile prodigieuse! I have it and loving it! xx corinne
This month’s box is so stylishly packaged! Very festive too. And yes, Nuxe is such an amazing multi use product, I love it too ? x
I’ve never actually heard of a Birch Box. I think I’m behind with the times ha ha! In theory it’s a good idea as you get a nice selection of products. It’s a bit of a gamble though if you don’t like them. I really like reading your honest review and opinions Lisa. Thank you for sharing <3
There are sooooo many different subscription boxes out there, it’s hard to keep track! I love having a little box of treats to look forward to each month but you do take pot luck. Thank you for the kind comments! X
Ive never heard of Birchbox before. Im going to look into it. I love all the products in your box
It’s so nice to have something to look forward to each month, definitely go for it!
I wanted to get this so badly! I decided not to because my skin is so sensitive half the time I can’t use a lot of the things that come in these boxes but I’m seriously regretting it now. It looks great! Shame you’re not in love with it x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
Ah, that’s such a shame you’ve got sensitive skin. I have to be quite careful too, I can’t use any of the Balance Me range for example. Fortunately, make up seems to be OK 🙂
I’ve always wanted to try Hoola bronzer!
It’s a great bronzer, from a fab brand, just not really for me, sadly!
A really honest review thank you so much.
Thank you! I’m always honest because I don’t see the point of not being so, but thank you for taking the time to appreciate that 🙂
I definitely feel you on knowing if you like it or not. I always find subscription services a little hit and miss, that’s why I never sign up to them. I hate being disappointed :\
Haha, yes, you’re right. To be fair, I’ve had some lovely bits from Birchbox this year, but also a lot that I haven’t used. I just fancy something different for a change! X
All products that you received I have never tried. I have been wanting to try the Nuxe dry oil but getting a big bottle is a bit scary incase I don’t like it. I recently subscribed to Boxycharm and I am loving it. 🙂
I was exactly the same! I wanted to try Nuxe for ages but didn’t want to commit to a large bottle in case it didn’t work for me. But having got both versions in different boxes I can confirm they are lovely 🙂 Unfortunately I don’t think Boxycharm ships to the UK (or if it does the customs charge would be high) so that’s not one I can look at 🙁
Oooh!
The Birch box looks pretty fab! I like that you actually get full products instead of sample sizes!
Kelly
November’s Birchbox wasn’t my favourite but it’s so nice to treat yourself, isn’t it? 🙂
It’s so interesting to see this as I got such different products in my Birchbox! However, I have to agree that the brush cleaner was (weirdly) my favourite, although I did get on a bit better with Hoola so I really liked that too. Sorry to hear that you are cancelling though, as I really love your photography!
Beth x
Oh, did you? I shall have to find your review and take a look! That’s such a lovely compliment about my photos, thank you, especially coming from you #sharethelove haha! I’ll still do a monthly beauty post but it will probably be about my own products rather than a subscription box – for the time being at least! X