Birchbox sends samples (and sometimes full sizes) of new and exciting beauty products from top brands for $15/month. 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. I received one of the two curated clean beauty options.
This is one of our top recommendations if you are looking for a subscription box - the value and sample sizes are amazing. (Check out our list of the best beauty boxes and our reviews of Cheap Subscription Boxes for more recommendations!)
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First Impressions
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I love the design of this month’s box. It represents a sense of togetherness and camaraderie – perfectly suited for Black History Month. It’s a reminder that, as the box lid states, ‘Together, we are unstoppable.’
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Included is a product card that lists the products in your Birchbox on the front, with a Birchbox Tip listed on the back.
Now, on to the items!
ARROW Nourishing Lip Oil in Color-Enhancing Pink, 3 ml - Estimated Retail Value $6.86
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I’ve tried a handful of products from ARROW over the months, thanks to Birchbox, and I have to say, this lip oil really impressed me. Instead of the sticky, greasy feel of some other lip oils, this one from ARROW goes on smoothly and offers an intense moisturizing experience. It is not at all sticky, and better yet, there is no weird taste or smell; just pure hydration. The texture is that of a gloss, and whether it indeed did react to my pH level or it was more of an illusion, this oil did enhance my natural lip color and add a bit of ‘pop’ to my pucker. This lip oil features a powerhouse blend of coconut oil, aloe, and shea butter, and it really does absorb nicely rather than some oils that sit on top of your lips and make you feel like you just ate a bucket of fried chicken. I’m happy to have this!
ARROW Radiant Skin Moisturizer, 10 ml - Estimated Retail Value $4.80
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Now, this product from ARROW is slightly less exciting for me than the lip oil. This seems like a basic moisturizer (nothing wrong with being basic but I’m extra). I used this product after cleansing my face and applying all relevant serums, and I was pleasantly surprised by how well it absorbed into my skin. This moisturizer did not leave behind any greasy residue, which I especially appreciated, and I didn’t notice any clogged pores or inflammation. It seems to be a very gentle product overall. However, I did notice that it leaves a bit of a glow on my face. I’d rather have a natural glow to my skin rather than apply a product that glows. For me, this is largely due to the fact that I have oily skin and already have a bit of a glisten to my skin on an everyday basis. Anything with an added glow tends to make me look like I just came in from a long run… Yeah, not a good look. So, I will be passing this product along to a friend of mine who craves a bit more shine in their skin.
BALANCE ME AHA Glow Mask, 10 ml - Retail Value $11.50
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I’m pretty familiar with the Balance Me brand. I’ve always been impressed with their products, and this AHA Glow Mask didn’t let me down. This wash-off mask has a creamy texture and applied to my face very smoothly. It does have a light fragrance to it, but I didn’t find the scent to be intrusive. I really like the consistency of this product. It’s gentle and does not dry out my skin, unlike some wash-off masks that leave my skin feeling tight and irritated. Instead, this mask leaves my face feeling super smooth after washing off, and I even noticed a light glow to my skin the next day. It is an exfoliating mask, too, which surprised me – since the formula is so creamy and does not contain any exfoliator. Now, I’m usually a sheet mask kind of girl but applying this mask before I hop in the shower and rinsing it off before I get out proved to be less of a hassle and a process that fits better into my busy schedule. This product is a win in my book.
EMBRYOLISSE Lait-Crème Concentré (24-Hour Miracle Cream), 5 ml - Estimated Retail Value $1.87
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This 24-Hour Miracle Cream from Embryolisse claims to deliver quite a lot; hence, the ‘miracle’ in the name. This lotion has been formulated as an all-in-one skincare, blending together natural products including beeswax, aloe vera, shea butter, and soy proteins. It is safe for use not only on the face but on the body as well. However, the sample is made for a small Polly Pocket sized person, so I wasn’t able to apply it everywhere, but I applied this moisturizer during my nighttime skincare routine, and when I awoke, my skin felt plump, smooth, and hydrated. Because of the consistency of this cream-based product, I will likely only use this product on my face occasionally in order to avoid breakouts or when my skin needs an extra boost of moisture. It does have a slightly floral fragrance to it, but it is not an unbearable scent. I also enjoy using this cream on one of my eczema patches, and the skin there has significantly improved.
KIEHL’S Powerful Strength Dark Circle Reducing Vitamin C Eye Serum, 3 ml - Estimated Retail Value $10.00
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Ooh, I was intrigued to see a product by Kiehl’s included in this month’s box. However, the small size of this product made it difficult to get even the tiniest bit out of the tube. This Vitamin C Eye Serum is said to help diminish the appearance of lines, dark circles, puffiness, and crows feet around your eyes over time. For me personally, my sensitive skin tends to get along poorly with Vitamin C. It’s always a bit too harsh and can leave my skin feeling irritated, so I was a bit leery about trying this eye serum out. The first thing I noticed was that it leaves a super greasy residue upon application, but it does dry down after a while. Also, the scent was a bit strong for me, but if you are a fan of Vitamin C infused products, you will likely be very pleased with this eye serum.
Verdict
This month’s Birchbox had a nice variety of products. I like that the Balance Me mask, ARROW moisturizer, and Kiehl’s eye serum were curated together. It’s like they sent a new mini skincare routine to try. Balance Me’s glow mask was great and left my skin feeling soft and smooth. The lip oil from ARROW offers intense hydration, without any sticky residue or off-putting scent, and I love the way it enhances the color of my lips. Lastly, the Embryolisse miracle cream was definitely intriguing to try; with all the benefits it offers, it’s truly a ‘miracle.’ Overall, I’d say this month’s Birchbox had diversity and quality brands. The one downside for me was that most of the samples were incredibly small, making it hard to truly get a feel for the products.
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $15
Value Breakdown:
- Lip Oil: $6.86
- Moisturizer: $4.80
- Glow Mask: $11.50
- Miracle Cream: $1.87
- Eye Serum: $10.00
The total value of my box was $35.05, which is a nice value for a $15 box.
Other Things You Should Know
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, you'll likely start with next month's box.
What do you think of the February 2022 Birchbox?
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