Thursday, March 31, 2016

Birchbox VS Ipsy: March 2016

Getting my Birchbox and Ipsy subscriptions is such a treat each month, so I thought I'd share what I received for the month of March. I like doing this to really show the value of both subscriptions, hopefully making it easier for anyone of the fence about joining in. Both packages were so bright and Springy, as were the products inside. So, let's get into it!
I was really impressed with Birchbox this month. It's rare that I love every single product included in the box, but that was exactly the case this time around. Starting with skincare, my box included a clarifying cleanser from NER:D. This cleanser is light, creamy in texture, and seems really suitable for sensitive skin. I felt as though it really refreshed and cleansed my skin without stripping it of any moisture. Next up was this crazy-hydrating lip balm from Dr. Lipp. It claims to be a "miracle balm" that you can use on anything from your hands to lips; even as a highlighter or eyebrow gel. I have been using this on my lips before bed, and I've noticed they are much softer and moisturized by morning. Moving onto makeup, I was so stoked to finally get the chance to try something from Cargo; a brand I've been browsing for a while now. I received a beautiful eye shadow duo that is perfect for everyday wear. It has a really nice champagne color and a shimmery bronze, both of which are so blend-able and pigmented.
Birchbox allows members to participate in "Sample Choice", meaning you get to chose one of the samples that will be included in your box. My pick for March went to the Parlor volumizing and texturizing shampoo and matching conditioner paquet. This set was just what my hair needed! Since cutting my hair short, I sometimes notice that it completely falls flat after washing it, requiring me to load up on sea salt or texture sprays. However, this combination cleaned my hair while leaving it a bit of give/texture to hold styling better. I will most definitely be getting the full sizes of each! Last, but certainly not least, I was sent two perfume samples from Pinrose. My attention immediately went to the beautiful packaging, but quickly shifted to the smell of these individually wrapped perfume toilettes. "Moonlight Gypsy" (my favorite of the two) was a sultry mix of earthy and citrus notes, while "Pillowtalk Poet" had a woodsy, powdery fragrance. Both scents lasted all day long, and as someone who is perpetually worried that she's wearing too much perfume, the individual wipes were perfect; I imagine they would be great from traveling, too!
While I was less enthused about Ipsy this month, there were some good products to be had. My bag included mostly makeup items, which I'm generally thrilled about. But, I have to say that I wasn't overwhelmed by any of these. First, I got this pink, shimmery eye shadow from Manna Kadar Cosmetics. Maybe it was just because I absolutely loved my Cargo duo from Birchbox, but this shadow did nothing for me. It was far too shimmery for my liking and I felt like the color would be better suited for blush than eye shadow. Next was a liquid liner by Illamasqua, a brand that I have always wanted to try. This liner has a really precise, fine tip that I imagine would give a more learned eye-liner aficionado a perfect wing. I, however, suck at liquid liner, so this one will get passed on to a friend. I was mildly annoyed to get another liner, as I have received one in almost every bag I have ever gotten; I even updated my profile to help prevent getting more for a while. But, I digress. 
I did get on quite nicely with the ModelCo lip lacquer that was included in my bag. The formula was hydrating and applied smoothly, and the peachy-pink tone is beautiful for Spring. It also smelled like watermelon which gave me major Lip Smacker flashbacks. I always like getting beauty tools in my bag, so I enjoyed this eye shadow brush from Beau Gachis Paris. I think it will be especially good for packing on loose pigment. Lastly, I got a rather large sample of blow dry cream from Marc Anthony, which I will admit has not been used. The product description says it will help nourish your hair, and keep it straight and smooth for up to three days. I am nervous to use this one because I generally embrace my sometimes-greasy, wavy mane by dousing it in dry shampoo and running a styling wand through it. So, it just seems like the opposite of something I would get good use out of. If you got it in your bag this month, I'd love to hear what you thought of it!
So, there you have it! Birchbox was the clear winner for me this month, but I'd love to hear which was your favorite. Are there any other subscription boxes I should check out? What products did you love (or hate) this month? 
Until next time,
Heather

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