Birchbox recently added a new discovery kit to their lineup — The Primer Try It Kit!
FYI – This box is still available for purchase!
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
About This Kit
The Box: Birchbox The Primer Try It Kit
The Cost: $14 + $5 shipping ($38 value)
And don’t forget your free mystery sample pack on orders of $35 or more!
The Products: 5 primer samples that help you find the one that suits you best.
Ships: to the US and Canada
Birchbox The Primer Try It Kit Review
Here is the info sheet detailing the products.
MakeupDrop™ Original, sample size - Buy the full-size version for $20
The idea behind this product is that since it is made of silicone it cannot absorb product the way a typical beauty sponge does. That sounds nice, but give me my beauty sponge any day— this was so unwieldy to use I couldn’t even finish patting in primer before I gave up in frustration.
Touch In Sol No Poreblem Primer, 0.11 oz - Estimated Value $1.98 (buy the 1 oz version here for $18)
I heard some great things about this primer on Instagram and I was excited to try this sample- I know it was available during the FabFitFun Winter Add-on sale, and I figured if I liked it I would nab it if it was also in the Winter Edit sale. Spoiler Alert: I did not like it. Even though this is oil-free, a few minutes after applying my foundation on top of this my foundation started to separate on top of my skin. This was no match for my oily t-zone, but if you have dry skin this may be worth trying out.
jane Iredale Smooth Affair® Facial Primer & Brightener, 0.24 oz - Estimated Value $6.78 (buy the 1.7 oz version here for $48)
Jane Iredale makes some seriously dreamy products at price tags I really can’t afford (one day I will pull the trigger for her full-size color changing lip balm, but that day is not today). This primer is incredibly hydrating and nourishing- two things that absolutely do not mix well with oily skin. Since it is really only my t-zone that gets oily I used this on my cheeks and the sides of my face, and I was happy with how well it performed. It was silky smooth under my foundation and my drier skin areas soaked up the moisture this provided without becoming greasy.
Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Pearl Primer, 0.10 oz - Estimated Value $4.27 (buy the 0.75 oz version here for $32)
The original POREfessional is actually my go-to primer due to its ability to stand up to my t-zone, but I haven't tried the pearl-tinted version. This really has the same great performance as the original, but it has a light pinky pearl tint that gives a little ~glow~ to my skin. If you're applying full coverage foundation on top the glow will be lost, but this would be great for those light-medium coverage days.
IPKN Color Correcting Primer SPF 15 in Green, 0.24 oz - Estimated Value $4.98 (buy the 1.35 oz version here for $28)
I was so excited about this primer- have you seen these red cheeks? While the green did help to counteract my redness, this is made with rose flower oil that did not work well with my skin. If you have dry skin with redness, however, this could be a great option for you— I love that it even has SPF in it.
Smashbox Cosmetics Photo Finish Foundation Primer, 0.17 oz - Estimated Value $6.12 (buy the 1 oz version here for $36)
This is that primer that just gives me nostalgia- I am pretty sure this is the first primer I have ever tried, and it is definitely the first full-sized primer I have ever owned. This is a silicone-based primer so it will make your skin feel silky-smooth, but you run the risk of your makeup sliding right off. I actually like mixing this primer with my foundation and applying it on top of my POREfessional for foundation that stays. All. Day. Long.
Here are the primers, unblended, to give you an idea of their textures. From left to right we have the Smashbox, the IPKN, the POREfessional, the Touch in Sol, and the Jane Iredale.
The Verdict: I think this was a good discovery kit for those who are new to wearing makeup- this would be a great stocking stuffer for a teenager in your life who is allowed to start experimenting with makeup but doesn't have a grasp on what is best for their skin type (I know I wasn't allowed to wear makeup until I was 13, and then it was several long painful years of bumbling around trying to figure out what I was doing). These samples probably aren't new or exciting if you've been subscribing to Birchbox for a while, but I don't think that means this isn't a good box. This is a bit low value though- Birchbox promised a value of $38, and by my math, the samples for everything except the makeup drop add up to $24.13. I don't personally think the makeup drop sample is worth an additional $14, but your mileage may vary.
To Wrap Up:
Can you get this box if you sign up today? Yes, as of publication, this kit is still available.
Value Breakdown: This box cost $19 ($14 + $5 shipping) which means you are paying $3.17 per item.
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What do you think of the Birchbox Primer Try it Kit?
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