I was really excited about my July Birchbox. I knew I’d be getting a Benefit product and after a really great selection of treats in June, I was confident that Birchbox had finally got my profile and preferences sussed.
Recap on June’s box
I loved June’s box (review here), everything got a big tick in the box: the bag, the Origins serum, the Cowshed hand cream, the Scrub Love body scrub, the Meech and Mia brow liner, and the ecoTools blender duo. June was a total hit.
July’s box
Birchbox have gone back to a box this month and, oh my, it’s a pretty one. Beautiful colours and a gorgeous pattern for the Summer Daze theme. So, do the contents (six instead of five this month) live up to the cover?
Benefit Chachatint
I’d agonised over whether to choose mango-hued Chachatint or pinky Gogotint but, after reading a LOT of reviews on the Benefit website, decided on Chachatint in the end. I’m so glad I did. It looks scarily orange on the brush but on my lips it’s a lovely peachy coral colour. I find tints can be a little drying so I tend to use a balm on top, which means I need to top up the colour a few times like a normal lipstick. I’m not as keen on how it looks on my cheeks and I don’t like how it stains my fingers when I blend it. Even so, I think I might well buy the full size version (£25.50) when this one runs out. I can see it becoming one of my summer staple lip products. A hit.
Lord & Berry Concealer Stick (Beige)
I’m a little confused as to how a concealer can also be a highlighter but happy to give it a go. The stick has a nice creamy consistency and doesn’t drag on my skin. At the moment I still have a slight holiday tan so it’s too pale for me. Perhaps it might look better when I’m winter pasty and pale! It’s a lot more expensive (£12.00) than my usual concealer but it looks as if it will last a good while – we’ll see.
Balance Me Flash Cleanse Micellar Water
I’d had a Balance Me primer in a previous Birchbox and found it irritated my skin so I was wary about using this Micellar Water. The neroli and mandarin oils smell lovely but, unfortunately, my skin felt quite sore after using it. I already use a Garnier Micellar Water to take off waterproof mascara and my daughter’s face paints. It works really well, doesn’t irritate our skins, and is a lot cheaper than the Balance Me one, which costs £16.00, so we’ll stick with Garnier.
Percy & Reed Perfectly Perfecting Wonder Overnight Recovery
One of things I like about Birchbox is I’m introduced to brands I haven’t heard of and wouldn’t stumble across. I was sceptical about using conditioner on dry hair before shampooing but my hair does feel softer after application. I tried just shampooing the next day (as per the instructions) but my frizzy, curly, hair really does need a conditioner after shampooing too. The cream is a nice sample but at £20.00 is certainly not a replacement for my normal hair products so I won’t be repurchasing when it runs out.
Native Unearthed Coconut & Vanilla Natural Deodorant Balm
What to say about this sample? I can’t use it on a daily basis as I don’t like vanilla or coconut! Plus it clashes with my perfume. I did try it on a Sunday when I was at home all day. After a good few hours in the garden, I was whiff-free (antibacterial coconut oil) but not sweat-free (arrow root). It takes longer to dry than an aerosol spray (obviously) and I don’t like the slightly gritty feeling either. At £7.99, although I’m sure it’s better for my skin and the environment, I just don’t like it, I’m afraid.
Nanette Lepore EDP Spray
I could smell this before I even opened the outer box as it had unfortunately leaked. “Freshly-cut roses and white peaches form the top notes, while cranberry and lime add a citrus pop. Violet and amber round out the base notes for a scent that everyone will adore.” Er, no, not everyone! I can see lots of subscribers love it but I find it too sweet and overpowering. For me, perfume is a very personal thing and I’d prefer not to receive any more in my monthly box. P.S. it also makes my husband sneeze!
Did I like July’s box?
Sadly, I’m a little disappointed by this month’s selection. The only product I really love is the Benefit tint, although I think the Lord and Berry stick and Percy & Reed hair balm are good too. But the perfume, deodorant, and micellar water are just not for me. Not my best month, but I suppose that’s the way it goes. You win some and you lose some.
What did you think of your July Birchbox? Do you like your products? Did you get different products to me? Do you think I should just not be so fussy? (!)
The concealer stick looks absolutely amazing, definitely a bit more expensive that the concealer that I would go for too x
Kayleigh Zara ?www.kayleighzaraa.com
I’ve been using it recently and actually, it is amazing, well worth the money. With the VIP discount, it’s definitely one I’d recommend and one I’ll be repurchasing 🙂 x
Ooo I’m quite impressed actually! I’m looking for a new subscription box too as I’m a little bored of my little box! Might give it a go!
Amina x | http://www.AliandHer.com
On the whole I’d recommend Birchbox, even if they don’t get it right every month. And I’m nervous of cancelling in favour of another subscription box in case it doesn’t match up (!) Which box do you use? X
Wow! What a brilliant birch box, I didn’t realise they had this much good stuff in them…I’m tempted to try it out now! Brilliant post 🙂
Ah, thank you! And Birchbox are (usually!) brilliant, definitely something I look forward to every month. You can sign up for a month at a time and cancel at any time if you don’t like them – you’re not locked in to any subscription, you should try them! 🙂
I keep hearing a lot about Birchbox…now I know what I’ll be asking for at Christmas!
Haha, you should, you should! X
I have three of those Native Unearthed deodorant balms backed up to use, but so far I’ve been too chicken to try them! I think I should use them on a day that’s not too hot? I must say Birchbox has improved since the beginning of the year, I hope this good streak continues.
Haha! Or try them when you’re not going out anywhere as the coconut scent is quite strong (unless you don’t mind that!) Fingers crossed for Birchbox’s August curation.
Tbh I was disappointed myself. I continue to find I feel “meh” when it comes to Birchbox. I doubt I’ll renew when my annual subscription runs out. Great, honest review though!! And I also loooved the chachatint!!
Ah, thank you, I was a little worried I was coming across as moaning but I wasn’t nearly as pleased with July’s box as I was with June’s. Still, let’s see what August brings! Glad to find a fellow ChaCha tint fan 🙂
I keep hearing a lot about Birchbox… do you think it worthwhile?
I do, yes, on the whole Birchbox get it mostly right and I think, even if I don’t always like everything, it’s amazing value for money x