Birchbox | November 2015

I'm going to preface this post by saying that even though this box was a lot better than last month's, it still wasn't good enough to retain my custom and I have now cancelled my Birchbox subscription.

I know, it's a big shock given how much I loved their boxes just a few months ago. But I, like many of their customers, have very little patience when I don't feel like I'm getting my money's worth. 

Birchbox November 2015 Contents:

So Susan Featherlash Mascara | £18

Lord & Berry Silhouette Neutral Lip Line | £9

Delarom Creme Acquaconfort | £34

Pure & Light Organic Revitalising Facial Exfoliation | £25

Beauty Protector Beauty Cream Body Lotion | £8

Thumbs Up Rosa Nail Wraps | £6.99

So Susan Featherlash Mascara

This is a lovely light mascara for days when you want a more natural look. It does flake off though so it's a bit of a pain by the end of the day.

Lord & Berry Neutral Lip Liner

I tried this out but I'm not convinced that it made a difference at all. That could just be where I don't tend to find that my lipsticks bleed/smudge if I don't wear a lip liner.

Delacrom Creme Acquaconfort

I can't remember if I've tried this or not so this definitely didn't make an impression.

Pure & Light Organic Revitalising Facial Exfoliation

I actually really liked this but there was only enough for two uses. It smelled of light citrus and had enough exfoliating grains that my skin felt amazing afterwards.

Beauty Protector Beauty Cream Body Lotion

The smell of this was amazing but it was a bit too oily for my tastes. 

Thumbs Up Rosa Nail Wraps

I haven't tried these yet as they're a little more Spring than Festive but I definitely think they're cute.

I'm not saying I'll never go back to Birchbox, but I don't think I ever really recovered from the horrific October box and it has tarnished this box for me. 

Tabitha

Xx

Birchbox | September 2015

First of all, where the f*ck has September gone? I'm either too busy at work to notice time flying by or just getting older and appreciating the moments less. Either way, I'm losing.

I received September's Birchbox a couple of weeks back now. So long ago that I've lost the information leaflet - or else I chucked it out with bitter disappointment that I (yet again) did not receive the box design of my choice. At least it's been long enough that I've had a chance to use most of the samples I received this month.

Birchbox September 2015 Contents:
Laura Mercier Face Polish | £26
John Masters Organic Citrus & Neroli Detangler | £16
Benefit Porefessional License to Blot | £15.50
Beauty Protector Beauty Wash Body Cleanser | £8
Laqa & Co Cheeky Lip Pencil in Cray Cray | £16.75
Birchbox Birchbrush | £5.99

Laura Mercier Face Polish
Being a massive fan of the primer from Laura Mercier (which is close to running out - kill me) I was very excited by this sample. I tried it out and it's just as amazing as I'd worked it up to be. It's so rare that expectations are met like this. The scrub itself has a very tiny exfoliate in it which makes it feel like a luxurious liquid sandpaper. Aggressive as that sounds, it's exactly what my oil-slick skin needs and I was gutted when the sample finally ran out. I would pay £26 for the full size of this once I marry rich and can afford to.

John Masters Organic Citrus & Neroli Detangler
I've been using this as a leave-in conditioner rather than rinsing out. According to the bottle you can do either. I can't say I've noticed it makes any kind of difference to my tangled hair but it definitely makes it smell nice. Equally though, a bit of Tresemme would do the same so I wouldn't be buying this.

Benefit Porefessional License to Blot
I'm still not sure what this product is supposed to do. Perhaps the information leaflet had some kind of magic instructions or my skin is just too greasy for it to cope. I am definitely still oily and can't say that this 'mattifying' product made a lick of difference. Likely going straight in the bin the next time I have a product cull.

Beauty Protector Beauty Wash Body Cleanser
I enjoyed this body wash as is definitely smelled good. Usual complaint about the packaging this company use being such hard plastic that you can't squeeze any product out though. Lovely change to the current Grapefruit Body Wash from Body Shop routine but I don't think it's worth £8 a bottle.

Laqa & Co Cheeky Lip Pencil in Cray Cray
Loved the colour of this and the formula goes on great. That said, it didn't last very long on my lips and I ended up with a coral outlined lip and nothing else. Good if you're used to applying lip colour back on regularly, but I prefer a longer lasting product personally.

Birchbox Birchbrush
I love my Tangle Teezers so I was really excited to see this addition to the box. Particularly as I've been considering a handbag sized Tangle Teezer purchase and this has saved me about £13. Perfect compact size and non-tug bristles make this one a win for me.

There was definitely a good range of products in this month's Birthday themed box. It's a shame that most of them didn't suit my tastes but there were a few highlights so not a bad box.

I've received My Little Box in the last couple of weeks too so be sure to come back tomorrow when I'll have a post on that one. Subscribe using the link to the top right if you want alerts of all my new posts.

Tabitha
Xx

Birchbox | August 2015

This month's Birchbox theme is Beauty Junkie and blissfully contains not one but two make-up samples! Make-up samples are my favourite so I'm delighted with the August theme.

Birchbox August 2015 Contents:

Rituals Fortune Scrub | £10
Lord & Berry Blush in Lotus | £17
Huygens Exfoliating Cream | £17.90
Kebelo Clarifying Shampoo | £13.95
theBalm Cosmetics Balm Desert Bronzer | £15
Formula 10.0.6 Overnight Success Spot Minimizing Patches | £2.95

Rituals Fortune Scrub
I love the smell of this! It's sweet orange and cedar wood scented so smells fresh but luxurious. It is a shower scrub combining body wash with exfoliator. The texture of the scrub itself is very fine grained so is gentle enough for daily use. This is the perfect everyday exfoliator to achieve smooth summer skin.

Lord & Berry Blush in Lotus
The first of this month's make-up samples is this blush from Lord & Berry. I loved the bronzer from Lord & Berry sent a few months back so I was excited to try this blush. They've tried to pick a shade that will be flattering for most skintones but this blush is highly pigmented so I'll definitely have to be light-handed with it. I loved how easily the formula blends though.

Huygens Exfoliating Cream
Another exfoliator in this month's box but this one is for my face. The formula is made with rice powder particles to leave a smooth complexion without irritating the skin - perfect if you've got sensitive skin. It smells like mint and citrus so it feels really fresh on the skin. I'm going to replace my usual daily scrub with this sample until it runs out and see what difference it can make to my skin.

Kebelo Clarifying Shampoo
This sample leaked a little bit so it was a little bit messy the first time I opened it. But the mess is worth it for the effect it has on my hair. I don't use a massive amount of product on my hair if I can help it but even occasional use of leave-in conditioner can leave hair feeling flat. This shampoo removes that product build-up and leaves your hair fresh and full of body again.

theBalm Cosmetics Balm Desert Bronzer
The second of this months make-up samples is this bronzer from theBalm. I have always loved the samples Birchbox sends from theBalm and this one is no different. It's a gorgeous colour that I would happily use as both a contour or eyeshadow. It's a long-wearing formula so it should last all day.

Formula 10.0.6 Overnight Success Spot Minimizing Patches
I haven't been able to test these yet since it is (blissfully) very rare that I get a spot these days. I love the idea of these though and really hope they work. The pack contains 21 single-use patches so this full size sample should last a good while. At £2.95 for 21 patches, it would be a bargain to repurchase if it works too.

I liked this month's box and thought the addition of the emoji stickers was very cute. If you're interested in subscribing to Birchbox for yourself, check out the Birchbox website for more information, Otherwise, I'll continue to un-box and review the contents here on the blog so be sure to follow by email at the top right of the page or on Bloglovin' :-)

Tabitha
Xx

Birchbox | July 2015

This month's Birchbox was for the first time ever a Birchbag. It is a celebration of summer creating a poolside splash-proof clutch full of what they deem to be 'summer essentials'. I loved this idea, even if I wish we'd been given a colour choice.

I've had this bag for a couple of weeks now (again, sorry for the delay in posts this month) so I've had the chance to try everything inside it a couple of times.

Birchbox July 2015 Contents:

Balance Me Congested Skin Serum | £16
Unani Aloe Vera Gel | £15
POP Beauty Eyeshadow Trio in Peach Parfait | £15.50
Benefit Cosmetics Dream Screen | £25
Jelly Pong Pong Glow Getter Luminizer Gel (Full Size Sample) | £8.95
Spa to You Nail File | £2.99

Balance Me Congested Skin Serum
I've always kind of liked the product from this brand but I've never loved one until now. I'm always a fan of a good serum so when I tried this one and it not only smelled amazing but worked well too, I was hooked. I've been using it almost every day since I received it. My skin looks and feels fresh after applying this serum. It's made with chamomile, aloe vera and lavender so all my favourite scents in one little tube. I will definitely be purchasing the full size of this product.

Unani Aloe Vera Gel
I haven't burned yet this year so can't say I've tried this on sunburn. However, I've tested it out on my neck and arms after a hot day and can definitely attest to it's cooling powers. It has the added bonus of moisturising the skin too so will be particularly useful for the days following a sunburn where your skin feels dry and flakey.

POP Beauty Eyeshadow Trio in Peach Parfait
I have been doing a peach themed eye since these shadows arrived. I love the quality of these! Highly pigmented with just the right amount of shimmer for summer days. I particularly like the lighter shadow which I've been doubling up as a brow-bone/inner-corner highlight. The shadows last all day with no fading or creasing. These are a definite winner for me.

Benefit Cosmetics Dream Screen
I'm always a bit nervous about sunscreen on my face because of how oily they tend to be. But this product is extremely lightweight and absorbs for a matte finish. It felt more like a really decent primer rather than a sunscreen and with an SPF of 45 I have to say I'm impressed. My skin felt smooth and was shine-free throughout the day. As a Benefit product, it was bound to be a little pricey but I'm already adding it to my list of holiday essentials for next year.

Jelly Pong Pong Glow Getter Luminizer Gel
After their last sample refused to open more than once because of really poor packaging, I wasn't too excited about this. I have sampled this a couple of times now and I have to say that Jelly Pong Pong have really redeemed themselves with this one. It is packed with shimmer so a few tiny dots of it go a long way. I tend to shy away from liquid highlighters where I use a powder base but this interacts really well with it. I dabbed a few dots along the top of my cheekbones after setting my foundation and it blended perfectly. I'll definitely be using this a lot across the summer.

Spa to You Nail File
There's not a lot to say on this one given that it is just a nail file, but I've tried it out and it does what it says on the tin. I prefer my nail files to have polish/buff sides to them so will probably be popping this in my handbag as a back-up.

All in all, a great month for Birchbox! There were a couple of standout winners this month and I loved the concept of the Birchbag. As always, if you're interested in them then check out the Birchbox website for more info or to subscribe!

I'm going to be posting tomorrow and Tuesday to make up for my lack of posts this month so definitely come back for that or subscribe using the options at the top right of this page to be notified whenever there's a new post :-)

Tabitha
Xx

Birchbox | June 2015

The June 2015 Birchbox theme was all about ballet-pump brand French Sole and featured some gorgeous box designs inspired by the shoes. New subscribers even got to pick their box design. There were lots of great products this month plus one stand out favourite for me.

Birchbox June 2015 Contents:

English Laundry No. 7 For Her | £60
Yes To Cucumbers Facial Wipes | £4.99
Cowshed Body Lotion in Knackered Cow | £20
Beauty Protector Protect & Oil | £16
Mirenesse Glossy Kiss in Angel Kiss | £17.50
STYLondon Temporary Metallic Tattoos | £7.99
Birchbox x French Sole Shoe Box | No Price Listed

English Laundry No. 7 For Her
I would love to review this now but unfortunately, my box arrived without the actual sample :-( I sent a tweet to Birchbox who came back really quickly with an apology and after providing my details, they have arranged for a new one to be sent. I can't wait for it to arrive since the description in the Birchbox booklet makes it sound amazing.

Yes To Cucumbers Facial Wipes
These smell a little too strongly of cucumber for me but they seem to do the job they're made for. I'm pretty happy with my Tesco's own cucumber wipes which performed exactly the same as these and have a nicer scent in my opinion. I doubt I'll be switching to these in future.

Cowshed Body Lotion in Knackered Cow
Love Cowshed products so I was happy to see this addition. It smells like sweet lavender and a little goes a long way so hopefully the sample will last me a while. My skin definitely feels hydrated and the scent really lasts.This is perfect for pre-bed moisturising.

Beauty Protector Protect & Oil
You all know I love hair products so I was happy to see not one but two bottles of this in my box. This is supposed to help hydrate your ends while giving your hair a lovely shine. At the same time, it's a heat protector so ideal for protecting your strands from the UV rays. It smells sweet and luxurious so definitely a little treat for pamper days.

Mirenesse Glossy Kiss in Angel Kiss
I was excited for a bit of makeup I could use this month's since the May samples weren't for me. This is a lip crayon that can be both high shine (just apply) or a satin/matte finish (apply and blot) or used on the cheeks. The colour is well pigmented and a gorgeous shade. I'm not quite sure it's a good shade for my skin tone now it's summer, but come autumn I think this will be perfect paired with a brown matte lid and thick winged liner.

STYLondon Temporary Metallic Tattoos
This was by far my favourite addition. I've been wanting some of these for ages but haven't seen any designs I've liked yet. I used to love temporary tattoos as a kid so seeing them in these bright metallic styles like a new accessory is exciting. I can't wait to try these out! I can see myself buying these again already.

I don't see myself using the shoe bag for shoes any time soon. More likely it will be used for toiletries or jewellery but it was a nice addition to the box. Definite favourite are the temporary tattoos this month.

I hope you're all enjoying June so far. I'll be back with a new post in a couple of days on this month's My Little Box contents so be sure to check back then. Also, remember to check out the Birchbox Website if you're interested in subscribing to these yourself.

Tabitha
Xx

Birchbox | May 2015

The May 2015 Birchbox is themed "Free Your Mind" and it is all about releasing your creativity and trying things you wouldn't normally. It starts with the box design which a fun design that us subscribers get to colour in.

Birchbox May 2015 Contents:

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Tinted Moisturiser in Light | £27
Wah London Nail Art Pen | £7
Parlor by Jeff Chastain Moisturising Sea Salt Spray | £17
Whish Three Whishes Body Butter in Almond | £14.50
Jelly Pong Pong Caribbean Sun Bronzer Duo in Martinique | £15.95
Number 4 Lumiere d'Hiver Reconstructing Masque | £36
Birchbox Colouring Pencils

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Tinted Moisturiser in Light
I suppose it's always going to be difficult with products that need to match a person's skin tone, but unfortunately I'm unable to make any use of this. I did try it on my face in case it blended well, but sadly I ended up looking like an orange on top of a Milky bar. It seems to go on easy enough with a hydrating texture that sat on the skin nicely - just a shame about the shade.

Wah London Nail Art Pen

This month was another month where you were able to select your preferred product and it was a choice of this pen, press on nails or a nail polish. I don't think I sent my selection in time (I wanted press on nails) so I ended up with this pen. I like my nails quite plain myself though it was fun to experiment with this pen. It comes with two distribution methods - pull the top off for a fine pen and unscrew the lid for a thin brush. The pen was great for intricate designs but the brush function isn't for clumsy hands. The consistency of the product is very watery so it dripped everywhere. It did dry quickly though.

 Parlor by Jedd Chastain Moisturising Sea Salt Spray
With summer coming up, this is the perfect product for creating tousled waves and texture. It's made with almond oil so it didn't feel drying on my hair. It also smells like peaches and cream which was a lovely bonus. I do love a hair product though so I could be biased.

Whish Three Whishes Body Butter in Almond
I can't get enough body butters at the moment so this was a welcome addition. I love the scent of this product. It's like bathing in almond milk. My skin stills feel soft and smooth the day after using this so I'm definitely impressed. I don't see this particular sample lasting very long.

Jelly Pong Pong Caribbean Sun Bronzer Duo in Martinique
I'm not a fan of this product at all. For starters, it took several attempts by myself and others to actually open the damn packaging. Then the actual product itself was so lacking in pigment that it's hardly worth the effort. I thought maybe it might have just been stiff because it was my first time opening the packaging, but after shutting the lid again I literally can't get it open. So disappointed that there's two makeup samples this month and neither of them can actually be used.

Number 4 Lumiere d'Hiver Reconstructing Masque
This one I'm saving for the next time I highlight my hair so I can't tell you much about it. That said, I've used samples from this range before and was impressed so I have high hopes for this. You can't go wrong with a good hair mask after-all.

All in all, not a great month of products for me this month. I started to colour in the box but the colouring pencils weren't a great quality so I didn't really enjoy it. I know my sister will love this though - Phoebe does love a good colour-in task. I am hoping that June's Birchbox is better but at least I've still got the May My Little Box to come.

Tabitha
Xx

Birchbox | April 2015

The April 2015 Birchbox has a Tatler theme in Baby Blue and Baby Pink to celebrate Royal Baby #2 on the way. There were audible gasps of approval at the style of this month's box when I opened it at my desk yesterday.

Birchbox April 2015 Contents:

- Laura Mercier Eye Pencil | from £17.50
- Lola Barcelona Nail Polish in Born | £7.50 (Birchbox Exclusive)
- Percy & Reed London Smoothed, Sealed & Sensational Volumising No Oil Oil | £14
- Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash | £19.50
- Korres Bergamot Pear Body Milk | £10
- Befine Warming Clay Mask | £17

Laura Mercier Eye Pencil
Having fallen instantly in love with the primer from Laura Mercier sent in a Birchbox of the past (which I still use every time I do make up and have yet to actually run out of), I was very excited to try out another product! This is the Laura Mercier Eye Pencil in the colour Violet:

It's a gorgeous colour and completely smudge-proof. I put it on my hand when I first opened the box and tried smudging it off after 30 seconds only to find the line wouldn't budge. Even several hand washes later, the product was still there in the same precise line and bright colour that I had originally drawn. Between this product and the Laura Mercier Primer, it seems as though I need to expand my Laura Mercier makeup collection!

Lola Barcelona Nail Polish in Born
Makeup and nail polishes are my favourite things to receive in my monthly beauty boxes so I was pleased to see this month's addition. It's a nude/lilac shade with just the tiniest hint of shimmer that it perfect for the transition between Spring and Summer. I can't wait to try this out!

Percy & Reed London Smoothed, Sealed & Sensational Volumising No Oil Oil

Despite the mouthful of a name, I have become instantly infatuated with this product! I love oils to give my hair a sleek shine, but too often I find them greasy no matter how little product I use. This No-Oil Oil is the solution I've been waiting for. Not only does it smell luxury as monogrammed napkins, but it actually does exactly what it says it will! I rubbed 3 pumps into my hair when it was towel-dry, concentrating on the tips but moving the leftover onto the roots. 

The result was smooth and shiny hair with a gorgeous bounce. Plus, the scent of the oil was still in my hair even by the next day. I looked like a freak, but I couldn't stop sniffing my own hair.

Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash

This product was a massive disappointment. You all know I'm not a fan of receiving skincare products anyway but I've been giving them all a fair whack recently to see if any can convince me to break from my routine. This product will never convince me to breakaway from my trusted products. 

The scent was decent, but it was a struggle to even squeeze some product out of the packet. It was housed in some super thick plastic that made it difficult to comfortably squeeze out. 

I put it on my face with damp hands as instructed only to find that it didn't even foam! I wasn't expecting a bubble bath on my face since clearly that would have been uncomfortable. However, to have foaming on the packet and for me to barely experience suds was a massive let down. 

Add to that how my face didn't even feel clean afterwards. I definitely won't be forking out £19.50 for the full size of this face wash. 

Korres Bergamot Pear Body Milk

I've loved all the previous Korres products I've been sent and this one certainly didn't let me down. It smells absolutely gorgeous. I'm still not entirely sure what bergamot is, but this product smells and feels amazing. I put it on my forearm to test since they have been a little dry lately, and they already feel so much softer!

Befine Warming Clay Mask

I do love a well-deserved mini pamper session and this mask definitely made me feel pampered! It didn't warm to a point that I noticed after initially putting it on but it smelled like pomegranate seeds on top of caramalised apple so it was certainly indulgent feeling. The only downside is that it didn't dry solid on the skin which is  my favourite part of a mask - who doesn't love to crack it all with facial expressions when you're about to wash it off? That said, my skin felt plump and radiant afterwards so I'd use it again.

I hope that this was post was helpful! I'll continue to review the Birchboxes that I receive each month.

As always, all the products mentioned are available on the Birchbox website in the Shop section individually or you can subscribe to the boxes for yourself to get your own monthly surprise :-)

Tabitha

Xx

Birchbox | March 2015

I've been excited about receiving the March 2015 Birchbox since I got to pick which Benefit Mascara I could be sent. I decided on the Benefit Roller Lash and have been using it every day since. This month's box was teamed with Habitat and had very cheerful packaging.

Birchbox March 2015 Contents:

- Benefit Roller Lash | £19.50

- Catherine Malandrino Style de Paris | From £50

- Philip Kingsley Smooth Cream | £18

- Serenity Skincare Dead Sea Bath Salt | £9.50

- Lord & Berry Brozer in Sienna | £19

- A Perfect Heritage by Penny Vincenzi | £7.99

- Birchbox & Habitat Exclusive Notebook

Benefit Roller Lash

I fell in instant love with this mascara! I wasn't a fan of "They're Real" by Benefit so my expectations weren't too high for this one. I was wrong to be hesitant - the formula does exactly what it says on the box and curls my lashes to perfection. I will definitely be investing in the full size when the sample has run out.

Catherine Malandrino Style de Paris

I don't mind sampling any high-end scent but there isn't a lot that can tear me away from my Diesel Loverdose. That said, this has a gorgeous scent and if I was ever in the market for a new perfume, I'd definitely consider this one. It smells like satsumas and grapefruit with just the tiniest hint of licorice. I could still smell it on my skin 4 hours later so the staying power of this one is decent too. 

Philip Kingsely Smooth Cream

Shine and luxury scents in your hair - what more could you want? My favourite thing to receive after makeup is hair products. I tried this one when I wore my hair down and slightly wavy for Mother's Day. It smells like it should cost £60 and the tiniest amount made my hair smoothed out and shiny without being heavy on my hair. 

Serenity Skincare Dead Sea Bath Salt

I don't have a bath so I couldn't actually test this out. I tried to palm it off to my boyfriend for his Mum as well as to a few of my friends but none of them were keen on long baths. Personally, you can't keep me out of a bath and I can't wait for the day when I have a house with one in it. Maybe I'll save this until then.

Lord & Berry Bronzer in Sienna

I've always heard great things about this brand but have never had the chance to try any of their products. The colour of this bronzer is absolutely gorgeous and application was smooth/subtle enough that it doesn't look orange or cakey. I still love my Sleek Face Form palette but this is a nice alternative that I can actually wear on my super pale skin.

There's a coupon inside the box for 20% off Habitat valid until the end of this month which will be great for some.

Personally, I'm just excited for the Sneak Peek card inside this month's box that said next month is a Tatler Box! It looks like we might get to choose a Laura Mercier product as well. As a fan of their primer, I'm definitely excited!

I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know if you have any Lord & Berry products you'd recommend that I try.

Tabitha

Xx

Birchbox | February 2015

February's Birchbox themed was "Birchbox Loves" and centered around the things and products that they love the most to tie-in with Valentines Day this month. On top of that, it was a very exciting month for Birchbox in general with the launch of their letterbox sized packaging! I get mine delivered to work myself, but anyone who's had to deal with a courier leaving it in a 'safe' place or had to arrange for re-delivery can finally rejoice! See birchbox.co.uk/slimbox for more on that.

This month's box was filled with high-end goodies including a full-size sample and the usual lifestyle addition. Products as follows:

London Butterflies Bath Salt Scrub | £35
theBalm cosmetics Cindy-Lou Manizer | £15
Cynthia Rowley Beauty Eyeliner in Black | £11
Liz Earle Beauty Co. Botanical Shine Shampoo | £10
Wild About Beauty Rose Water Illuminating Serum | £22 (Full Size Provided!)
The Chia Co Oats + Chia | £4.95 (pack of 5)

Now, you all know I'm not a massive fan of skincare samples as they tend to sit in a big box while I stick to my usual routine but I have been getting into my serums lately so I'm excited to give this one a try.

I'm also a huge lover of all things Liz Earle so I'm excited to try this shampoo. If there's one thing I run out of fast it's hair products so the more the merrier with those.

The scrub looks very fancy - maybe it's the magpie in me that's attracted to that but I can't wait to try it out. Maybe the next time I have a pamper evening I can make myself feel super posh with this one.

I've been getting a lot of eyeliners in my beauty boxes and these are starting to build up since I don't use them all that often. That said, a quick test on the back of my hand has let me know that this particular pencil has a really smooth and smudgeable consistency which I'm sure will come in handy later on. I'll also say that once I went to wash my hand later, it was going nowhere which is encouraging too.

theBalm product caused me to let out a little squeal of excitement at my desk when I opened the box. I loved the lip and cheek cream 'How 'Bout Them Apples?' that Birchbox sent a handful of months ago and am excited to try more from this cosmetics line. They are just a touch above my usual price bracket but I'm always willing to pay for a good product! Especially when I love the style of packaging too.

OMG the Oats. I've been eating a bowl of these while I wrote this post and they're perfect. So easy to make - I just poured half a cup of boiled water on them in a bowl, gave them a stir and they were perfect. Each of the packets is only 45g but the oats are more than filling and just 187 calories for low-fat, low-carb deliciousness. I've been encouraged to take a look at their website just from this sample and they've got a total of three delicious flavours to try - Banana & Mango, Apple Spice, Mixed Berry. £5 for a pack of 5 isn't bad either.

I have Birchbox reward points stored up (12 points a box where 100pts = £10) so I have just placed an order for two boxes of the Chia Oats. The Birchbox shop give you free shipping on any of the products included in that month's box so with the reward points I used, I basically got two week's worth of breakfasts for free!

All in all, an excellent box as always. If you're interested in getting these boxes just take a look at their website for more information. I think it's clear that I definitely recommend them!

Tabitha
X

This post not sponsored by Birchbox - I just really love their product and wanted to share. Seriously can't wait for more of those oats. The banana and mango flavour had better not be gross. I've got high expectations after the Mixed Berry flavour. 

Birchbox | January 2015

It's 2015! Hooray! I hope you all had a wonderful New Year and have spent the first full week of it in a fairly pleasant way...even if some of it was miserable because that early alarm for work is just as screeching as it was in 2014.

Beyond anything else, the start of a new month means two things: bills and beauty boxes. I got an email to say that my Birchbox had dispatched on Thursday and had received it by Friday which totally makes up for the massive delay last month in my mind. 

Birchbox and Women's Health have teamed up this month and we were on the same page. My theme for this month has been to hit refresh on everything and I was delighted to find out that their January theme was just that - Hit Refresh. 

Alongside a booklet with 12 little challenges to help you Hit Refresh this month (including keep up a journal and a sit-up-straight challenge) there was the usual array of samples. Not being a fan of the skin care sample side of things, I'll admit that I was a little disappointed to have not one but three skin related items in this month's box. 

This month's box contained:

- stila lip glaze (£15) in the shade Glamour (E0)

- Green People Intense Repair Shampoo (£11.95)

- HealGel Face (£48)

- Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum  (£45)

- activbod Cooling Finish Lotion (£12)

- Embrace Matcha Green Tea

- Birchbox Pilates Band

I'm not going to go into any depth on the skincare product front because they usually stack up gathering dust somewhere before I ever try them 

I am excited about the Macha tea though! I've wanted to try it for a while now since I first saw an article about it on the Teapigs website long ago. I might try and find a matcha latte recipe somewhere and give it a go!

I'll also be giving the shampoo a go. Apparently a little will go a long way and it's going to strengthen/repair my hair without any 'chemical nasties'. I also can't wait to try out the pilates band though I have to admit that I'm terrified it will snap.

Lastly, I am loving the lip glaze! It's a gorgeous colour with a very deep pigment which will always make me happy with a lip product. For any lipgloss haters like me, it is just a touch sticky. BUT it's not an unpleasant sticky, more of a reassuringly stubborn non-budge lip colour. I took a swatch on my hand and hopefully captured the colour in as natural a light I can achieve this time of year in my dark little basement flat.

It was a sweet scent that is akin to passion fruit or perhaps even mango. I've been wearing it a couple of hours now and the pigment is still going strong despite multiple cups of tea. I can't wait to try it out on a daytime look. It's the perfect pop of colour without being too much for a typical day at the office.

All in all, I'm happy to have some tools to help towards my hitting refresh this month so thank you, Birchbox!

I hope you all enjoy your weekend! I'll be back with another post on Tuesday so I'll see you again then :-)

Tabitha 

Xx

This post was not sponsored by Birchbox, if it was they probably would have sent me less skincare :-P I just like their product and wanted to share.