Birchbox is a beauty sampling subscription service that sends 5 new items each month so you can try before you buy. Birchbox is $10 a month and you can choose a monthly sample during selection time, let Birchbox decide, or pick a pre-curated box. Birchbox recently rolled out some new subscription options such as skip a month and receive points instead; choose a Spotlight Box; or Pick One, Skip One. This month I am reviewing the Spotlight Box, and this was one of several choices available for the upgraded $15 subscription price (and is different from the usual curated box that is still only $10 for subscribers.) This subscription option is still in Beta mode.
Want to know exactly what’s coming? Swap your personalized box for one of several curated boxes filled with samples that address specific beauty needs (i.e. frizzy hair or oily skin). Try out something you’ve had your eye on—or give a new trend a go! These options will change every month.
For more info on these Beta options – check that info out here.
The box was pink on top, grey on the bottom, but next month the Spotlight boxes will be in a patterned box.
DEAL:For a limited time use coupon code DOUBLEFUN to get a FREE Bonus Birchbox with your first month of a Birchbox subscription! OR Birchbox is offering a FREE deluxe sample of Smashbox Cosmetics Be Legendary Liquid Lip Metal in Crimson Chrome (a $15 value!) with any women’s Birchbox subscription, while supplies last! Just use code REDHOT at checkout!
I picked the Spotlight on: Bodycare option because one thing I feel I need more of in my monthly Birchbox is body care!
The information card gives brief details on each item as well as the price if you were to buy the full size, plus a beauty tip.
This box was very similar in appearance to my regular Birchbox. I have received some of these items before but I usually love all of the body care items and I was excited to have more, without having to pay for full-sized products!
Everything in my Spotlight on: Body box!
JUARA Candelnut Body Creme ($7) I know I’ve tried this in a previous Birchbox but it was in a teeny tiny tube – this one was much bigger. I put it on damp skin right out of the shower.
Illipe, candlenut, and avocado oils help keep skin soft and I loved that it rubbed in quickly. I didn’t care for the scent, which hung around the entire day. No joke, it was still strong when I went to bed. It has a powdery scent and no offence to the grannies out there, it was a little old fashioned.
Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel for Body ($3.19) I wasn’t a fan of the facial version of this scrub but was really looking forward to trying this on my body! After reading the instructions and finding out that each body area needs to be rubbed for 3 minutes, I decided to use this on my feet. I mistakenly followed the instructions from the Birchbox website, which said to use on clean, dry skin (the packet says to use on damp skin, duh!) so after about a minute it wouldn’t really rub in anymore, but I had rolled up pieces of yuck on the floor of the tub. The product itself was gritty (it has sand in the ingredients) and smelled like mint.
Whish Shave Cream in Acai Grapefruit ($2.35) is a creamy lotion-like product that doesn’t lather. I prefer to use this kind of product under my arms, since I need to see a clear path through the foam when I do my legs. Make sure to get the water hot so that you can rinse your razor as you shave, otherwise the blade will become clogged. I didn’t experience any irritation and the smell was delightful, fruity and sweet!
Davines SU Hair & Body Wash ($7.20) I only used this on my body so I can’t say how it works for hair, but I loved the fresh citrus scent and it really lathered well. I used a mesh sponge and it was a nice uplifting start to my day!
MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense Body Broad Spectrum SPF 50 ($2.44) is a mineral based sunscreen that is water-resistant and can help improve skin’s condition with ceramides and glycerin. Plus, it has antioxidants to boost skin’s radiance. What a multi-tasker. Oh yeah, it can also help reduce the risk of skin cancer! My biggest complaint about this sample is that it is so TINY! The minimum amount of sunscreen that a person should wear on their body is at least 1 ounce, and that isn’t including a day spent outside, where you would need to reapply at least every 80 minutes. In other words, this isn’t even enough for one whole body application, much less enough for several uses to truly get a feel for the product.
This was my first Spotlight box and I really like that Birchbox takes several beauty concerns and curates a box to help with those needs. Even though this box was focused on the body, I felt like there was a nice variety of products so that it didn’t feel like I got a box of the same things. Nice job, Birchbox! The value for this box was around $22.18. I feel like that is on the low side for a Birchbox, and considering that it cost $5 extra, I would have thought the value would have been higher. The sunscreen size was laughable, except I take skin cancer seriously and just wish it had been bigger.
Thinking of upgrading to Beta? Here’s a preview of the Spotlight boxes for September!
What do you think of the Spotlight on: Bodycare Birchbox? Let me know your thoughts and if you’ve tried any of the other Spotlight boxes in the comments!
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