Birchbox – the monthly surprise

It doesn’t matter how old I get, I still love surprises.

It doesn’t matter how old I get, I still love getting mail.

So surprises in the mail obviously make me happy. That’s why when I learned about BIRCHBOX I was immediately interested. Birchbox is a monthly kit that is sent out towards the beginning of each month. It costs $10 which includes shipping. Each month you receive a package containing deluxe samples from established brands. Some of the brands on their list are Cargo, Deborah Lippman, Oribe, Kiehl’s, Korres, Laura Mercier, Nars, and Lipstick Queen. That’s just a sampling of the types of brands they offer.

I’ve just received my first box  and I’m pleasantly surprised by what’s in it. I’ve tried other programs like this and usually ended up with small samples of items I wouldn’t necessarily buy or the programs cost a lot more money. For $10 a month though I can afford a fun package.

Here’s what was in the November box: a mini Nars Multiple in South Beach, a deluxe sample of Too Faced Primed and Poreless Face Primer, 2 Herban Essentials Towelettes and the cutest set of 3 Benefit fragrances (So Hooked on Carmella, Lookin’ to Rita and Garden of Good and Eva). According to the website there could have been Hair Bungees in black but they weren’t in my particular box.

I was delighted to open this package. Even though I don’t wear fragrance you can see by my photo that this will make the cutest gift for someone. I like to wear Nars Multiples and South Beach is a color I didn’t already own. I have other Too Faced primers but not this particular one so it’s great to have this deluxe sample size to try it out. The Herban Essentials Towelettes are perfect to carry with in a purse especially since I can’t tolerate the smell of ones they give to you at certain restaurants. Each towelette has been infused with all sorts of good for you benefits. They’re natural germ killers with detoxifying properties plus the scent is supposed to give you an instant energy boost.

There is a program they have too that gives you credit toward future products. They sell the full sizes of items that have been included in the boxes and you receive credits when you purchase those as well as credits for the monthly boxes. You’ll always receive 4 – 5 products in the box with a variety from skincare to makeup to tools. Plus they have an online magazine with articles about using the type of products sent. To me this whole idea is quite impressive.

It’s nice to know that I’ll have BIRCHBOX coming every month but I can cancel at any time without a problem. You can prepay for 12 months for the price of $110 but I’m not willing to put out that amount of money. $10 isn’t a hit on my wallet each month especially when it means something fun is coming in the mail!! I’m looking forward to December now in spite of the cold and snow. — Marcia

Disclosure: I purchased this on my own and am not being paid for reviewing this. Just like I said, I love surprises.