June 2012 Birchbox

I haven't gotten a chance to try out any of these products yet, but I wanted to share what I received anyway.

My freshly opened box

This month's theme: Jet Set

Cynthia Rowley Dress Up Band-Aids

Apothederm Stretch Mark Cream (pretty nice sample size)

Contents of the wrapped package

Scalisi Anti-Aging Moisturizer with SPF 30

 Stainiac Lip and Cheek Stain

 Birchbox Man Sample: John Varvatos Cologne

Overall I am most excited for the Scalisi moisturizer.  I get all giddy about trying new skincare samples, especially if the packaging is pretty hehe.  I also needed some new band-aids, so the dressy Cynthia Rowley ones will definitely be put to good use.  The Stainiac sample and the Apothederm stretch mark cream are meh.  I'll try them out eventually, but I'm not quite as eager about it.  I'm sure my boyfriend will also be happy to try out a new cologne.

After this box, I ended up canceling my subscription to Birchbox.  I really just wanted to try it out and see what all of the hype was about.  It was definitely a fun experience, and I'm satisfied with most of the samples that I received.    

My Experience with the L'Oreal Consumer Panel (Free Beauty Products!)

I know there are a lot of survey companies out there, and I don't usually like to spend my time completing 30 minute surveys only to be reimbursed $2.00 for my efforts.  However, I decided to try out the L'Oreal Consumer Panel on a whim and joined back in November 2011.  To date, I've only really had positive experiences with the process.

The L'Oreal consumer panel is very low commitment-- you are not required to log in X number of times per week or month.  In fact, I go on the site only when I remember to or when I have a free minute.  All of the online surveys and questionnaires are very quick and easy (usually takes me 1-5 minutes).  For the most part, they do "at home" product testing, where they mail you beauty products to try out and you are required to complete an online survey about them after your trial period.  Alternatively, if you are from NJ, you can test their products at their testing center.

If you participate in the at home product testing, they mail you a full-size thank you gift (usually in the form of a high end beauty product) once the study is completed.  While it is not always easy to qualify for product tests, they often reward you for completing a certain number of qualification surveys for product testing.  So even if you are never able to qualify for the "at home" product testing, you can still receive some goodies! Additionally, they routinely send you a welcome gift for joining the consumer panel.  They occasionally offer monetary compensation, but for the most part it is beauty products.

To date, I have only qualified for one study on lipstick.  The picture below is the lipstick I had to try out for 1 week.  The online survey at the end of the study was very simple and only took me about 5 minutes to complete. I haven't yet received my thank you gift for completing the study, but I'll update on it once I receive it.

Below are all of the other gifts that I've received since joining.

From left to right: Lancome Artliner liquid liner, L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Smouldering Eyeliner with sharpener, Essie foam toe spacers for pedicures, and Essie Instant Dry Oil Protector for nail polish.

In addition to Lancome, I've also seen that other members have received Kiehl's and La Roche Posay products as gifts.

If you are interested in applying for the consumer panel, you can do so here.

Disclaimer: I did not receive any compensation from L'Oreal for this blog entry.  The views and opinions expressed on this blog are my own.

May 2012 Birchbox Review

I was so excited to open my second box, but my initial reaction was a little disappointment. Maybe my expectations were too high. After seeing other May boxes that look better than mine, I'm wondering if I just picked the wrong answers for my beauty profile. Once I took a closer look at what I received, I decided the samples were not too bad. These are all definitely products I have never bought.

 

 The special edition Gossip Girl Birchbox

  

 Description card

  

Dr. Jart BB cream.  

This was light and blended well with my skin. I don't normally wear foundation, so I might try this out for a wedding I have in the near future.

The contents of the wrapped package:

Color Club nail polish in "Disco Nap", Sugar Rose tinted lip treatment, Twistband Hair Tie

The Sugar Rose lip treatment looks more pigmented than it does once you actually use it.  It glides on very smoothly and looks very natural, with only a slight pink tint.  I love that it has SPF 15!  This is pretty expensive, so I'm not sure if I'd actually spend the money to buy it.  Sephora is also offering a free 2 lip treatment pack to Beauty Insiders on their birthday this year!

The Color Club polish is fun and shimmery.  No glitter in this polish, but the metallic sheen still makes it pop.  I painted my toenails this color.  Here is a close-up.

XOXO greeting card and envelope.  Not sure when I'll be using this one.

Atelier Cologne in Vanilla Insensee. Came with a postcard.  The cologne smells warm and inviting.

Overall most excited about the lip balm and the nail polish.  I could definitely go without fragrance samples in the future...I have way too many anyway.  I also feel like BB cream and last month's tinted moisturizer are pretty similar.  I guess I wanted to try out Birchbox to see if it would introduce me to really new and exciting beauty and skincare products that I would never pick up on my own.  I think I'm going to give it 1-2 more months, but I'm just not sure it's worth it to me.

April Birchbox Recap

Sorry this is a little late! I just signed up for the Birchbox beauty program and received my first month's box last week. Since I got it much later than everyone else, I'll just post pics of what I received. Next month's box will be a full review.

 

I was so excited to receive my pretty pink box.

 The card detailing this month's products.

 

 

All natural cleansing towlettes (nice size)                                        Tinted Moisturizer

  
  Birchbox's signature wrapped surprise

 Contents of the wrapped package: argan oil, exfoliative face wash, Taylor Swift Wonderstruck fragrance, and facial lotion.

Earth Day Freebies!

I went over to the mall today with a companion, and we stopped at both the Origins Counter at Macy's and Sephora. Both stores are doing the recycling program. After recycling four beauty product containers, I came away with all this!!

Each free full-size moisturizer (1.7oz) retails for $35-$46.  Pretty nice incentive to get you to help out the environment!  I always try to recycle anyway, so I especially love getting prizes to do so.


My mom and my boyfriend's mother will be getting a nice moisturizer for Mother's Day in their gifts this year :)


I've done the Origins Earth Day promotion for two years now, and I just want to add that they do recycle empty beauty product containers year round.