Birchbox December 2017

Well this is unfortunate... I’m backed up enough that it’s come down to doing double posts over the next few days/couple of weeks. What month are we in again?

December was a late month for Birchbox. I went through hell trying to cancel my annual subscription and switch it to monthly billing and once that was settled I had to run the gauntlet of getting them to accept my credit card payment. Typically I would not have cared this much but 1) they were giving out an eyelash curler with every box in December and 2) I foraged up a promo code through www.mysubscriptionaddiction.com that offered a second additional box with a new subscription. What’s best: I was able to resubscribe with my old account so all of my preferences that are constantly ignored were still listed.

December’s box included:

Sumbody Salt Scrub - $1.58 Cruelty Free (but NOT Leaping Bunny certified)

Marcelle Ultimate Volume Nano Mascara - $10.80 (estimated value), Cruelty Free

Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum - $14.17

Whish Botanical Primer - $8.75 Cruelty Free, Vegan

Aveda Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother - $7.35 Cruelty Free

I finally got around to using the Sumbody Salt Scrub and I found it quite enjoyable. The salt granules are so fine that the Scrub itself is very mild, probably great for those with sensitive skin or prone to rashes. While I prefer a grittier Scrub, my love stems from the moisturizing combination of pistachio and sunflower oils, cocoa butter and Shea butter. I was stunned by hydrating this scrub was. Unfortunately it is best suited for corporal use because of how oily and rich it is.

 

 

I’ve been complaining about being on mascara overload for some months now so naturally I received three more in December alone. Marcelle Ultimate Volume Nano Mascara is your average mascara. Ill be honest, I couldn’t remember anything remarkable one way or another about this mascara and had to revisit the tube. The one standout that I could recall prior to retesting the formula was how much I hated the wand. The wand has tiny, hard bristles which I usually like in a mascara wand but not like this. The bristles are so small and so stiff that it actually makes applying mascara a rather painful experience. After repeated use I have to say it adds volume but this shit is just wet and clumpy. Oh my god, using this was a struggle and I got instant tarantula lashes after two coats. The second coat was my attempt at building more volume and combing out the first slightly clumpy coat. I blame the brush, really. But if I want a messy grungy ‘90s look I’m set. 

I liked the Sunday Riley C.E.O. Brightening Serum, but that’s because I like serums. The sample was too small to get an idea of whether or not it actually works. It leaves a bit of a tacky finish when it dries so I’m pretty quick to chase this with a cream moisturizer. I absolutely love the citrus scent though but I would probably steer clear if you are sensitive to fragrances or scented skincare. 

My favorite item in this box is hands down the Whish Botanical Primer. It applies with a smooth lotion texture but has that lovely slip of a silicone primer. I found it highly hydrating without leaving me greasy looking. I can’t say I ever really see a difference in my foundation wear with primer unless it’s for the worst so this primer didn’t disappoint in that area either. 

I got a little mileage out of the Aveda Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother on my three year old with minimal complaint. It smells great, like an inoffensive salon and it helps smooth and derange her baby-fine hair without weighing it down too much. I can’t see myself ever going out of my way to buy this since I, still loving the lightweight hydration if Garner Fructis Sleek & Shine, but it’s definitely serviceable. 

 

The last item in my Birchbox was the eyelash curler valued at $13. I do not often curl my eyelashes (or wear makeup, for that matter)but it’s nice to have a sturdy, quality eyelash curler. This one has a nice rubber handle and doesn’t give me any trouble with curling my lashes. This curler replaced my hideous eyelash curlers that looked like a torture device from the set of A Clockwork Orange. 

I received a second Birchbox in December. This one was a bonus box for resubscribing. I switched from annual to monthly after a year of glancing-blow-or miss-boxes (I can’t recall ever receiving a full hit in any month). 

 

First up in this box was a teeny tiny Benefit POREfessional Pearl Primer. It has that texture I’ve come to hate about most pore filling primers. They constantly leave my face feeling flaky and ashy. I also did not notice any illuminating properties. It was a good, small tube for 3 days of a 5 day business trip though. In the end I think I would prefer something a bit more hydrating. If not hydrating, I would definitely take something closer to the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer in texture. 

Yay, another Evologie Blemish Serum. This is my third one so far and holy hell does this little dude work wonders on acne, especially now that I do get more hormonal acne lately. 

I got Klorane Smoothing and Relaxing Eye Patches with Soothing Cornflower in my bonus box. Usually I poo poo any form of sheet mask or eye patches but these were a nice treat. Of course I'm not going to see any sort of improvement with just one use but they did make for a very nice spa day one evening.  The patches themselves are dry with a nice peach fuzz on one side and a soothing gel texture on the side that adheres to the face. They did not slide at all and it felt very nice having the soothing texture without that jelly like slime residue. The obvious question here is "well now, if it's a dry patch do they actually work?" Answer: no clue, but it was a nice treat for an evening.

A second mascara. This one was the Stila Cosmetics HUGE Extreme Las Mascara. I absolutely HATED this mascara. It did thicken my lashes a little but it flakes like crazy. After going blind on a few occasions I decided it's time to retire this mascara. Not like I don't have several others  (beloved or hated) that I can turn to instead. The lash flake fallout just wasn't even worth it, unfortunately. I did love the wand and gorgeous packaging though. I felt like there was quite a bit of effort put into the aesthetics of the tube, even if it is made of plastic and the wand wasn't one of those ridiculously oversized ones that can get your lashes and brows all in the same stroke.

 

My last cluster of samples were from Davines. I received the shampoo, conditioner and hair serum from the brand's MINU series. These smelled oddly culinary, almost like cooking sage. Other than the smell, there was nothing special about any of the three products. Perhaps I am at a disadvantage in reviewing these because I do not have color treated hair. The shampoo was a generous 2.5oz bottle while both the conditioner and hair serum were in the form of foil packets. Unfortunately the foil packets were too small to get an idea of how well they worked on my hair type. Just one of these days I wish I would receive a larger conditioner than shampoo sample. I don't know if it's common to use twice as much conditioner as shampoo but that's definitely the outline for my hair care material usage.

Overall I cannot say it was a bad box. Waiting until damn near December 31st almost killed me but then I guess with a December review getting posted in mid February I have absolutely no room to speak. I was able to get plenty of use out of the face primer, some moderate use out of the body scrub, I'm loving the brightening serum and the anti-blemish serum, I had a short spa day with the eye patches and I was able to replace other older mascaras I already had open. The best part of these boxes is that I was able to travel with most of their contents as my toiletries when I recently had to travel for work.