August 2011 Birchbox: Overview

My friend Jamie, known as The Happy Cardigan on Word Press, kinda convinced me through her blog to jump on the Birchbox bandwagon...kinda hate her for that, but I just received mine in the mail, and am excited to try out a bunch of these things.

For those of you who aren't familiar with Birchbox ( I wasn't until Jamie introduced me to it), it is a service that will send deluxe samples of beauty products every month. The samples are picked out for you from a pool of stuff they're currently "sponsoring" or featuring. You can subscribe for $10 a month. My box took quite some time to ship here in Hawaii (not exactly a benefit of living in "paradise"). You are also able to purchase products that Birchbox features on their site. Anything you buy gives you reward points (including the Birchboxes themselves), and once you reach 100 points, you can redeem that for $10 to use on the site. The only downside to the points is that they expire every 365 days.

This is the box the samples came in. I like the size since it will fit in my mailbox in case my pops isn't home to receive it.

You'll be greeted with this card explaining the samples you receive in the box.

Here's all the samples. I haven't tried everything (although it's taken me forever and a day to post), but when I do try them, I'll try and do a post about my experience with them:

Left to right: Be fine food skin care Night Cream, Be fine food skin care Single Serve Exfoliating Cleanser

I tried the night cream, and it's nice. If you have dry skin, I would say this isn't for you. But it's the right amount of moisture for me. I will try the cleanser one night.

N4 Reconstructing Masque.

N4 Volumizing Shampoo. This sample is like a one time deal. I hope it at least cleans all my hair.

Tocca SPF 30+ Sunscreen Towelette. It came with 2 packages (with one towelette in each). I'm afraid to try it because of the fact it might get my skin all greasy, but I gotta try it eventually I guess.

Twist Band Hair Tie. Yeah...I don't think this could even tie up half my hair.

Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in Medium. This stuff isn't all that great. Almost no coverage, and it makes my face greasy anyway (not necessarily more than usual, but enough to make note of).

I like this idea of getting these deluxe samples regularly. A few things I am not too fond of is that some of these samples, like the shampoo I got aren't really deluxe in my eyes, and that it took forever and a day to ship. One solution to the shipping would be for them to stagger the shipping of the boxes so that they come to our doorsteps at approximately the same time. However these minor things are just what they are...minor. One thing that I am liking is that I got a bunch of stuff that I have never heard of. So this is a great way to introduce yourself to different companies in the beauty industry.

Sampling Etiquette

I get afraid to try on beauty products, especially lip and eye products at Sephora or even at other department store beauty counters because I see so many people misusing the tester products...quite gross. I think some people really don't grasp the concept of germs, and it's quite scary if you ask me.

A few rules of thumb when you want to test out products:

• Use the disposable wands/applicators: it keeps your germs to yourself. Also remember that these tools are one use only items, that means DO NOT DOUBLE DIP!!
• Wipe down the products: just in case the person who tested before you. Take either a cotton pad or a tissue and get some alcohol and wipe.
• To be nice to the next user, you should also wipe/sanitize after you use as well, so that if the next person isn't as hygienic, you won't be spreading germs to them.
• I don't like swatching/sampling on my own face. Most products you swatch/sample you're looking for color, or finish, so you can get a good feel out of the product from putting some on the back of your hand.

For the most part, I don't test mascaras at all. I get really grossed out because most of the customers at the counters or in the stores grab the tube and put it directly on their lashes without sanitizing and with the brush that's in the tube--NOT hygienic! For other products, I will swatch on the back of my hand. This includes eyeliner, eyeshadow, blush, and most skincare products. For foundation, most containers are clean people friendly, so I don't mind swatching on my jawline.

The one thing you should take from reading this is that you want to be very careful when testing products that you apply near any mucous membranes (eyes & lips) because these are very prone to germs. Just be careful!!

My ebates Shopping Spree

Wowzers...this past week was beauty week on ebates, and I believe it's still going on right now, where certain beauty vendors are giving double cash back. I took advantage of the 14% that Lancome was giving and the 8% that Sephora was giving. I normally do not buy Lancome stuff because it's super expensive, but since the cash back was so good, I thought I'd browse. So, I got a Definicils Waterproof for myself and a Hypnose for my aunty that did me a favor last month (she likes the stuff but can't imagine spending the dough to buy it).

I am so excited about the good deals I got. I got tons of cash back, and also a lot of deluxe and coupon code samples. Be on the lookout for reviews on these products:

• Lancome Definicils Waterproof mascara
• Lancome Genifique Concentrate (sample)
• Lancome Color Design Lipstick (sample, not too sure what color)
• Lancome Juicy Tubes in Moulin Rose (sample)
• Lancome Bright Expert (sample)
• Lamcome Juicy Tubes in Touched By Light (sample)
• Shiseido Skincare 1 2 3 Pureness Oil Control Set
• MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microfinish Powder
• Stila Smudgestick Waterproof Eyeliner in Stingray
• Bumble and Bumble Seaweed Shampoo
• Dior Best in Show Mini Mascara Duo (Diorshow in Black & Diorshow Maximizer)
• Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm Duo in Black Tea & Blackberry and Grapefruit & Ginger
• Urban Decay Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint in Quickie (sample)
• Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Packet Trio (sample)

I'm really interested in the Dior mascara (I've heard a TON of people, especially people I know personally, rave about this stuff), and the Bobbi Brown foundation. These are two products I didn't purchase a full size, but they're so expensive that I don't think I would feel very comfortable purchasing.

I got a bunch of samples from Lancome, and that goes to show the greatness of coupon codes. And the best part was I found that particular code on the ebates' website, not the Lancome one. So even if you're not interested in cash back (sorry, I think you'll have to be nuts to not be), the site is a great resource for coupon codes :D

One more note/piece of advice: since Sephora is such a great place to find all kinds of department store brand makeup, if you're interested in a certain product, go to the store and ask for samples. Now don't go off asking for samples of all the products in the store. It's suggested that your "limit" should be 2-3, or else the staff may not be too nice to you. After sampling these products, you can buy more confidently, especially if you like buying things online.

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