Between family matters, a trip to Toronto, and a cold that's knocked me down the last 4 days, once again I was late in reviewing my most recent Birchbox. (#badbeautyblogger) February's Birchbox seems so apropos for Valentine's Day, from the pink box to the overall theme: getting ready for special occasions and mastering "not-quite-everyday" looks. My samples definitely seemed like they were geared towards effortless date night beauty while helping me brave the last ravages of winter. And even though I haven't tried all the goodies yet, I'm excited to! Ready for a closer look?
Yay, a sheet mask! And what's more, one from a K-beauty brand. The When 10:00 PM Sheet Mask (full size $36) promises to refresh tired skin with collagen and watermelon extract. It's a bio-cellulose mask too, which means it's a super-clingy gel-like substance that adheres to every contour of your face and really seals in the serum and delivers it deep into skin, and you can wear it for longer (up to 30 minutes) without the mask drying out. My only other experience with bio-cellulose masks is this one, so I'm eager to see how this one compares.
Did you know Birchbox has a post-workout beauty line called Arrow? All the products are designed for a low-maintenance look, letting you leave your sweat session looking effortlessly polished. I saw some preview press materials for Arrow a while back and was intrigued by the line's premise and cool packaging.
The Arrow BOOST Color Enhancing Lip Balm (full size $18) adjusts to the wearer's pH for the perfect "my lips but better" pink. It takes at least 3 minutes for the clear lip balm to change hues though, so if the first swipe doesn't seem to do anything just wait before you slap on another coat. Also, kudos to Birchbox for including a full-size lip balm instead of a sample size. Not only does it feel more luxe, I have a sneaking suspicion I'm going to use this one down to the nub.
My nails are still recovering from a recent gel mani so I haven't had a chance to try the Color Club nail polish in 'That's My Jam' (full size $11) yet. What can I tell you about this deep red lacquer? It's vegan, cruelty-free, and made in the USA.
The Amika Nourishing Mask (full size $37) is a deep-conditioning treatment for hair that contains sea buckthorn berry oil. Its texture is very rich and creamy, but with how thick my hair is, I think there might only be two treatments' worth of product in the 20 ml tube. For longer locks it might very well be one, tops.
More K-beauty brand goodness. I love how my Birchbox trial has let me try new-to-me brands risk-free, with substantial enough samples that I can get a good feel for how the product works. The Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Liquid (full size $47) is no exception. This milky, lightweight liquid in a dropper bottle is rich in ceramide and promises to calm and hydrate. A little goes a long way; use sparingly over serum and before moisturizer for a hydration boost.
Finally, a friendly reminder for Canadian Birchbox subscribers: They're suspending Canadian operations indefinitely due to the bad exchange rate, so March will be the last Birchbox delivery and you have until April 30, 2016 to spend all your Birchbox Points on your fave products.
No comments