Subscription Review: Birchbox (September 2014)

It's been a long time since I've done any kind of subscription box review. I really enjoyed my September Birchbox, so I'd like to show you what was in it:

 

The box was a fun decorative "keepsake" box this month, but unfortunately mine got really beat up in the mail, so I can't really keep it. (One of the corners, which you intentionally can't see in this photo, is pretty much destroyed.)

It was very fun to open it up and see a ton of items.

I've received a Davines OI product before (the beauty milk all-in-one spray for hair), so I was happy to see a shampoo, conditioner, and hair oil trio of products. I really liked the conditioner because it came in a jar! These products have a very distinct, kind of musky??, smell. Sometimes I like it and sometimes I don't. I thought my hair felt nice when using them, except for when I used the oil. I think that perhaps I don't really know how to use hair oils; my hair just gets really greasy and weighed down when I use anything like this.

The Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate was my sample pick for this month and I am very glad I got it. It is awesome. It smells great and my face seems like it's been doing way better lately. Also, props to my friend Christine who told me the proper way to pronounce "Shiseido" :)

 

So far the BB lip products have been hit-or-miss with me, but this Pixi tinted lip balm was right on. I really like the color and appreciate how moisturizing the balm is.

My least favorite sample was this highlighter. I don't really know what to do with it. I spent several days putting it on my cheeks, but it doesn't really make the color any different; it just adds some sparkles (I'm not particularly fond of glitter on my body, so...). Not sure what I will do with it, so if you want it, it's yours.

As colder weather approaches, I start stocking up on hand lotions. The Yu-Be lotion went right into my purse (after going on my hands). It smells like Vicks and looks like Vaseline, but it isn't too strong or overpowering (also, I am a weird person who likes the smell of Vicks), and it goes on very smoothly. I like the way it feels. More props to my friend Christine who tells me this is a really popular brand in Asian countries, and Asian women's skin is always amazing, so they must know what's up.

If you are interested in Birchbox, you can sign up here. It's $10/mo or $110/year, and I am really enjoying it. I just hit "Ace" status, which means that I accumulated at least 500 points (for me, mostly via reviews, although you also get points for buying in the BB shop or referring friends). Now I get special VIP status on shipping and customer service, as well as some other random perks throughout the year. Mostly Birchbox is a fun treat for myself each month, where I not only know I get a package each month but also where I get to learn about all kinds of various beauty products I don't know about (I was a tomboy back when everyone else was learning how to do her hair/makeup/etc).

Do you get Birchbox? What did you get this month?

Disclaimer: I received no compensation for this review, and all opinions are my own. The sign up link is my referral link.