Long time no post!
The reason why I decided to break my extended blogging hiatus is simply that I COULD NOT pass up the opportunity to review the July Birchbox I received early this month.
I am going to warn you that, while I generally do love Birchbox's products and ideas, this months box shakes my Birchbox boat a little (for lack of obnoxious sayings).
First off I'll start by cutting the Birchbox company a little slack and saying that this month's box was a wee bit abnormal - instead of being picked out by Birchbox staff, the contents of this month's box were actually picked by American fashion designer Cynthia Rowley (who before this I had little knowledge of). The picks for this box were deemed "Cythia's Favorites" and were even wrapped in a special themed slipcover and teal tissue paper.
(box with slipcover)
(box without slipcover)
and to my shock and awe the first item listed as part of July's Birchbox WAS ALREADY IN MAY'S BIRCHBOX!! I know for a fact it was in May's box because I even wrote a post about it: the Ahava Mineral Hand Cream. Since May, I've actually purchased two full sized bottle of the cream from the Birchbox shop. This just frustrates me. The point of Birchbox's system is to allow consumers to test out new products before they decide to purchase them. But when the same sample is included in 2 boxes within 8 weeks of each other is a little crazy. Not only are the defeating their "trying new things" purpose, they're also more than likely agitating existing customers who received both the May and July boxes.
(the packaging is different for this tube than the one in the May box, yet 100% the same product)
The second product included I've been familiar with for quite some time: Philosophy's Purity Cleanser. While Birchbox couldn't have possibly known that this is the cleanser I have used every night for nearly a year now, it is a little frustrating to recieve a sample of something that is so wide known. For the most part, Birchbox focuses on new releases, or products that don't get very much press or are from lesser known brands. This product doesn't fit any of the categories. I'll be tossing this Purity sample in my travel bin...along with the 4 other Purity sample I've accumulated over the year.
Third item listed is the Redken Shine Flash 02 Glistening Mist in an aerosol can. I honestly can't say I've tried this yet. I'm always hesitant to test out shine sprays purely for the fact that too much can be very very bad (think oily haired teen Snape). I am intrigued by the aerosol can packaging, however. Generally speaking, shine mists usually come in spritzing bottle, hindering their ability to apply smoothly and evenly. Perhaps this product will break my long standing feud with shine sprays.
Forth is the Zoya polish in Shay. This item was the only strong plus to this month's Birchbox in my eyes. I'm a huge sucker for nude nails and while this one leans slightly toward the brown, it's pearlescent shine and strong opacity instantly bumped this polish up to my #1 favorite nude. I'm wearing it on my fingers currently, tipped with 2 coats of Sephora by OPI's Celibacy Club (Glee mini pack exclusive).
Last object was, well, weird. Birchbox focuses mainly on beauty products. Yet the fifth item included in the July box is the Almond and Apricot Kind bar. I've never heard of this brand. And I definitely not be purchasing it since when I visit Birchbox's shop, I'm looking to use my $10 coupon on beauty items, not food.
This month's Birchbox was a major letdown. I feel awful for those of us who received this as their first Birchbox ever - even aside from my previous experiences with 2 of the products, this box was kind of a dud.
If you recieved anything different or have a more positive view on this month's box, please let me know.
Until then, peace.
xoxo, JessieBear
