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’m really loving the unique color combo of purple and yellow for this month’s packaging. I’m equally excited to see what kind of product curation was selected for this box, and with the theme, ‘Reveal the Real You,’ I imagine it’ll be quite luxurious, to say the least.
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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!
DERMA E Radiance Toner, 30 ml - Estimated Retail Value $2.56
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I really like the Derma E brand, and I’m always down for a good facial toner. This product comes in one of those lotion-style bottles where you’re supposed to use a cotton round to apply the toner all over your face after cleansing. Unfortunately, I am most often in a rush, and although I could take the time to break out a cotton round and apply this toner to my face for the most efficiency… I don’t. In fact, I simply dump a few droplets into my clean hands and slap this stuff on my face before applying my serums and moisturizer. I am more of a spritz toner type of gal at heart. I gave this toner a try after my typical cleansing routine, and I was impressed. It’s very gentle to the skin, feels lightweight and not at all greasy, and has an ultra-light scent to it that I don’t find intrusive. I love that this toner is formulated with glycolic acid, for brighter, fresher skin, rooibos, for detoxing skin, and rosehip extract, for brightening and rejuvenating skin. Oh, and it’s alcohol free! Although I’ve never had the opportunity to give this toner a try before, I have heard great things about it, and I’m excited to see the long-term results for myself.
DR. BOTANICALS Grapefruit and Watermelon Refreshing Cleanser, 30 ml - Retail Value $9.99
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I’ve had the opportunity to try quite a few products from Dr. Botanicals over the years. Their products always seem to be high quality, but to be honest, I’ve never been blown away by any kind of instant results. That has changed… This Grapefruit and Watermelon Refreshing Cleanser has a wonderful gel texture that plays super nicely with my skin. It creates a gentle lather that easily wipes away the day’s grime and grease. After cleansing my face with this product, I was left with cleansed pores, no irritation, and much smoother skin. Seriously, the smoothing capabilities impressed me. I also was interested to learn that the high antioxidant content in this cleanser helps fight against damage caused by exposure to environmental factors. I do live in Los Angeles, so perhaps that’s why I noticed such great results with this product. I’m really happy with this cleanser, and even more importantly, it’s renewed my excitement for the brand.
GEORGETTE KLINGER Charcoal Cleansing Gel, 15 ml - Estimated Retail Value $1.80
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I’ve never heard of this brand before, but I’m always happy to receive a cleanser, and better yet, a cleansing gel. I absolutely love gel products, so I was thrilled to put this cleanser to the test. When I read that it was formulated with binchotan charcoal, I was intrigued. I don’t think I’ve ever tried a charcoal-based cleanser prior to this one, so I was doubly intrigued when I opened the safety seal and saw a liquidy black substance staring back at me. I really enjoyed this cleanser, despite the off-putting appearance. It gets a very gentle lather that cleanly washes off, leaving behind not a trace of the black goo (except in the sink, just like charcoal toothpaste). My face felt clean after use, and I even noticed a slight tightening feel from the charcoal for a few minutes afterward. This cleanser is so refreshing and has a delightful spearmint scent to it that I really enjoy.
HERO COSMETICS Mighty Patch Micropoint for Dark Spots, 6-pack - Retail Value $12.99
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I love Hero Cosmetics, and dark spots are the bane of my existence. No matter how gently I handle the healing process, my blemishes always seem to heal with a slight hyperpigmentation attached to them. These Micropoint for Dark Spot Mighty Patches have officially blown my mind… I applied two of these patches to an annoying dark spot on my chin, and I did see visible results. It was actually quite incredible. These patches utilize 173 micropoints that dissolve, infusing skin with powerful brightening ingredients, primarily Vitamin C, along with a few others. This powerhouse combination delivers the ultimate dose to your skin for maximum effect with zero pain or burning upon application. I highly recommend these. However, I will also note that you shouldn’t be disappointed if you don’t notice immediate results. The brand recommends that you use these patches between two and three times per week until the skin tone you’re targeting looks even. Depending on the current tint or overall stubbornness of your dark spot, you may need to be a bit patient to see the kind of improvement you’re hoping for. The one downside of this product is how few come in a pack, but there are still enough to see whether this is something that would work for you.
SWEET CHEF Ginger + Vitamin C Serum, 7 ml - Estimated Retail Value $4.67
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I really appreciate the ‘brightening’ theme we have going on for this month’s curation! Sweet Chef is one of my all-time favorite skincare brands, and I love when they are included in a subscription. This Ginger + Vitamin C Serum is one of those ‘holy grail’ products. I’ve had the pleasure of using this serum in the past to target dark spots/acne, and with consistent use, I did notice an improvement. The shining stars of this formula are ginger, which revives dull skin for radiant, youthful skin, vitamin C, which fights premature aging, fades hyperpigmentation, and boosts glow, and turmeric root extract, which calms down skin with its anti-inflammatory properties. After cleansing my face and toning, I apply this serum to my face. I love the cooling gel texture of the serum. It feels wonderfully refreshing and absorbs into my skin quickly, leaving it prepped and ready for moisturizer. The two highlights for me about this serum is the texture, which is not at all greasy, and the fact that it is basically scentless. That’s a double win for me.
LIQUID I.V. Lemon Lime Hydration Multiplier, 1 packet - Estimated Retail Value $1.53
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One of the hardest things for me is remembering to drink enough water throughout the day. This happens even on the days I work from home and can easily access water at a moment’s notice. I simply just forget. Maybe you don’t have the same struggle, but either way, with the summer weather just on the horizon, it’s super important to stay hydrated. This Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier comes in a lemon-lime flavor and is supposed to hydrate you faster and more efficiently than water alone. The powerhouse formula contains three times the electrolytes compared to other sports drinks, plus five essential vitamins. One thing I will say, though, is that each stick of this hydration multiplier contains 11 carbs. That’s a lot of carbs in my mind, so for me, this wouldn’t likely be the kind of thing I would drink everyday when I could just grab a Gatorade Zero for no carbs and sufficient electrolytes to keep me feeling good and not ready to pass out from dehydration under the hot California sun.
Verdict
I thought this was a really good month for Birchbox! The highlight for me was the cleanser from Dr. Botanicals, which is a wonderful gel cleanser that leaves my skin feeling smoother than usual, and I love everything about it. I appreciate the inclusion of Sweet Chef’s ginger + vitamin C brightening serum; a perfect addition to any skincare routine. Hero Cosmetic’s micropoint patches for dark spots were a welcome inclusion to this box, and the perfect thing for combating new or old acne scars. I really enjoyed my first experience with Georgette Klinger’s charcoal gel cleanser. I’ve never seen another cleanser like it, and it provided a unique cleansing experience that was new for me. Lastly, the Liquid I.V. hydration packet… I was really happy to receive this because I am almost always a little dehydrated, and this gave me the boost I needed for the day. Overall, this was a really nice box. I love how well the products went together, and it definitely delivered on luxury, even though the value could have been slightly more impressive.
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $15
Value Breakdown:
- Toner: $2.56
- Cleanser: $9.99
- Charcoal Cleanser: $1.80
- Mighty Patches: $12.99
- Serum: $4.67
- Hydration Stick: $1.53
The total value of my box was $33.54, 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 May 2022 Birchbox?
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