Every month, Birchbox sends samples (and sometimes full-sizes) of new and exciting beauty products from top brands for $15/month. They allow subscribers to pick between a curated box (all samples revealed) or a single sample choice with the rest of the items arriving as a surprise. Birchbox is one of the original beauty subscription boxes and is a great way to discover new makeup, hair care, and skincare products without breaking the bank.
This review is of the "All Made Up" curated box.
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About this Curated Beauty Box
The Subscription Box: Birchbox
The Cost: $15.00 a month + free shipping. Save with longer subscriptions.
Check our Birchbox Coupon List to get the most up-to-date coupon!
The Products: Beauty and lifestyle samples selected by the Birchbox team.
Ships to: The US, France, Spain, and the UK
Birchbox October 2019 "All Made Up" Curated Box #4 Review
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There are two info cards in this month's Birchbox. One details the included six items and has "Trick or Treat" tips on how and when to use certain skincare products. The other card talks about how to get $5 off and a free box for yourself when you buy a gift subscription for the beauty-lover in your life.
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Lipstick Queen Method In The Madness Lipstick in Manic Mauve, FULL SIZE - Retail Value $25.00
Oooh la la! A full-size Lipstick Queen? Yes, please! I received another shade from this "Method In The Madness" collection from the Sunday Riley Subscription Box a while back and was pleased to see it here in a different color called "Manic Mauve". The packaging is SUPER fun and this mauve shade is perfect for me since mauves n' nudes are my "thing". The color when in stick form has some really pretty swirls of blue in it that sort of mix together once I spread it onto my lips which makes for such a lovely purple-pink color. The formula is also super creamy so while it may not have a ton of staying power, it keeps my lips hella moisturized.
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MAC Cosmetics in Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash Mascara, sample size – Buy a full size for $24.00
I had received this same mascara back in August in another Birchbox but you'll get no complaints from me getting it again. I was a fan then and still am now - mainly due to the unique brush. I love shorter bristles like this one and it even has sort of a rounded bristled end as well to make sure my lashes stay clump-free. This really pigments and lengthens the look of my lashes which makes me happy!
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Lancôme La Base Pro Perfecting Makeup Primer - Estimated Value $12.08 (Buy a full-size 0.8 oz for $42.00)
I have been trying to remember to use a primer every day that I wear makeup lately so that it doesn't all slide off my face by 4pm. While I'm no expert at primers, there seem to be at least two types I've tried personally that are either sticky or soft and powdery. This primer from Lancôme falls in the latter camp and has such a silky finish! It comes as a clear gel, but once I swiped it onto my skin, it created a soft satin feel. So dreamy! I only gave this one day of test-wearing but it seemed to keep everything in place!
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Marcelle Waterproof Eyeliner in Expresso, 0.028 oz. - Estimated Value $9.80 (Buy a full-size 0.04 oz for $14.00)
As I'm sure I've said in other reviews, I haven't been wearing much eyeliner these days. When I do, I usually reach for a liquid liner in black. However, this deep brown crayon liner glides on really smoothly across my lids and has a rich hue that lends itself to a little less bold of a look. It also has a tiny bit of glimmer to it which is surprising and subtle. I can see myself using this come fall when I'm working with subdued earth tones.
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Eyeko Brow Liner in Medium, 0.04 oz. - Estimated Value $11.43 (Buy the full-size 0.07 oz for $20.00)
Many of us in the sub box world are familiar with Eyeko, but this brow product is new to me. When I swatched it, I was a little worried because it looked sort of a pale seaweed-green color which I didn't think would make much of a difference in my brows. I was way wrong. This little felt-tipped marker-like liner worked like a charm! I have quite dark eyebrows even though my hair is a lighter brown/dishwater blonde and the medium shade matched pretty well! The first time I used it, I think I went a little overboard and ended up looking like this dog, but I know with practice I'll get the hang of it and not be so heavy-handed. This seemed a lot less complicated to use than a powder as well and gave me a little more control since it's more precise than the brow brush I use.
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The Original MakeUp Eraser, sample size - Buy a full size for $20.00
I can't believe I'm saying this but somehow I've never tried one of these MakeUp Erasers although they seem to be everywhere. Inside the cute mermaid-patterned pouch comes a small 3-inch sample of the fuzzy bright cloth that removes makeup with nothing but water. There are two different knaps - one shorter on one side and one longer on the other. I began by running the piece of ultra-soft fabric under warm water to soak it and then took the side with the shorter knap to massage over my makeup-caked face. While I don't wear a TON of makeup, I was wearing BB cream, blush, eyeliner, eye shadow, brow tint, and mascara and the MakeUp Eraser took ALL of it off. The other side of the cloth has a longer knap which acts as an exfoliator as well. My face felt incredibly clean after using this but was in need of moisturizer (or a true cleanser if you double-cleanse) after drying. Since I'm not using any makeup remover or initial cleanser with it, this "eraser" is quite gentle. I'm also saving more items (like my usual wipes or a cotton pad) from a landfill. It makes for an easy travel companion and the included literature says that it can last 3-5 years! The full-size version comes with a sateen edge (so it won't fray like the sample) and the cloth itself is made with a woven polyester blend. Color me impressed!
Here are swatches for the (top to bottom) lipstick, brow liner, and eyeliner.
Verdict: I really liked this curated Birchbox! For me, the $25 Lipstick Queen lippie is more than worth the $15 cost of the box and I was really impressed with the primer and brow liner. I was happy to finally try the MakeUp Eraser and can say I'm more inclined to purchase the full size now that I know it really does work. I may not get a ton of use out of the eyeliner, but it's nice to have a brown on hand and the mascara is going straight into my desk drawer for days I rush out of the house.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? If you subscribe to Birchbox now, be sure to check the image on the sign-up page. The box design pictured at the bottom is the first month you'll receive. You can't pick a curated box like this one as your first box, but you'll be able to pick it every month moving forward.
Check our Birchbox Coupon List to get the most up-to-date coupon!
Value Breakdown: At $15.00 for this box, you are approximately paying $2.50 for each product.
Check out all of our Birchbox reviews and our favorite beauty boxes!
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What do you think of this curated Birchbox? Would you choose it?
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