Birchbox July Review
This month the Birchbox gods delivered another perfectly wrapped package in the form of a multi-sensory July box. Teaming up with Glamour, whose July issue celebrates the five senses of summer, Birchbox too appealed to all of our senses by providing us with products that focus on the full immersion experience when it comes to our beauty routine. Founders Katia Beauchamp and Hayley Barna want us to see it, hear it, taste it, touch it and smell it, and that’s exactly what we did. Here is a review by Harper, Khloe and Sophia of their favorite July goodies:
Khloe – I am a huge fan of last month’s theBalm Stainiac cheek stain, and it is now one of my go-to products; however, with my summer glow, I needed something that was less rosy and more golden, and this product does just that. The bronze golden color I got in my box is a warm brown infused with subtle golden shimmer (read: very subtle, or it wouldn’t fly with me!) that goes on sheer. I used this bronzer on clean skin, added some eyeliner and stila lip glaze (see below) and was ready to go, acting like the low-maintenance girl that I am usually not!
Color Club Summer Pastels Collection – Blue Ming
Harper – I have been looking to buy a fun summer color like this and am so glad I got it in my July birchbox! Blue-Ming is a great summer color and it looks fantastic on the toes. An added bonus is that this bright color gives the illusion of a fabulous tan.
Harper – It is so difficult to find a good liquid eyeliner that is easy to apply. This Eyeko eyeliner is the right eyeliner for every eye. The pen style applicator allows you to control the thickness level of the line to do a cat eye with ease! It also come sin funky colors like olive and turquoise and will make your eyes pop!
Sophia – This has become my new favorite liquid eyeliner! While Harper’s was black, mine is a gorgeous olive green that really highlights my hazel eyes. This is the easiest eye liner I have EVER applied; I’m going to be investing in the other colors ASAP!
Gloss Moderne – High-Gloss Masque
Khloe – This summer, chlorine, salt water and the heat have really done a number on my hair. I even tried a homemade super shine hair booster, which did the trick, but was a lot of work. Needless to say, I was thrilled to get this product in my box! Following the instructions, I shampooed and conditioned my hair, applied the mask and left it in for five minutes, taking advantage of the time to shave my legs and use my Clarisonic face cleanser. As soon as I got out of the shower and ran my fingers through my towel-dried hair, I noticed the difference: smooth, soft locks. After blow-drying, I was amazed at how silky and shiny my hair was, with slightly less frizz! At $39, this is definitely a splurge, but one that I think is a must, especially for summer!
Khloe – This is definitely a sweet, summer scent. When I first applied the perfume, I was a bit skeptical because I tend to go for the fruitier fragrances and I was getting a lot of the floral, forsythia and plumeria notes. However, after allowing it to set, what I found was that the citrusy, undertones of the mandarin, grapefruit, and especially the Meyer lemon shone through, leaving a fresh, clean scent. As an added bonus, this long-lasting fragrance is made with eco-friendly ingredients.
Sophia – I was delighted when I opened my box and found this scent by Harvey Prince, it’s so light and fresh and makes me feel totally girly. It’s the perfect scent for a fun summer night out with the girls or even a first date!
Khloe – I was never a big fan of lip gloss. Always sticking to simplicity and opting for lip balm, (Eos being my favorite lately), I was pleasantly surprised when I tried and loved this product. The unique pen-style applicator with a brush tip allows you to use the perfect amount, using a twist mechanism to release the gloss. Camera, the color I tried, is a pearly gold-red that provides the right amount of glossy shine and subtle color, ideal for both day and night. Birchbox offers an exclusive Lip Glaze Trio which contains two other colors: lights, a warm golden caramel with bits of golden sparkle and action, a berry shade with golden pearl pigments. The glazes are also available in other colors.
Lifestyle Extras
Khloe – I was already familiar with Larabar since fellow Renegade Chick Sophia Ashe recommended them so I was pumped to try a new flavor. I got the Bananas Foster bar in my box and loved the perfect combination of salty and sweet, gooey and crunchy, with a hint of banana flavor. I am usually not too keen on anything banana except for the real thing, but it was just the right amount and very subtle. Never baked or cooked, these bars are made with wholesome foods like fruits, nuts and spices and include no more than nine ingredients that we can all pronounce. The calories are a bit steep at 130 a pop for a small Larabar, but they are sure to fulfill cravings and keep you satisfied. Well worth it!
Sophia – I was super excited when I heard the rumor that Larabar products would be included in this month’s birch box! Unfortunately, the uber bar (unlike most Larabar products) is not Paleo-Diet friendly since it is sweetened with brown rice syrup, so I wasn’t able to enjoy mine, but my roommate says it’s lovely!
Khloe – You read correctly, these are a Birchbox exclusive (and who doesn’t like anything that is only available to a select few), and if you didn’t get them in your own July box, at $10 a pair they are a steal, so place your order ASAP. Ditch the boring white earbuds that I know you’re using, and replace them with these puppies that come in either pink and green or pink and blue. Not only are they super cute, but they are extremely durable and very comfortable. I put them to the ultimate test: a training run, and I approve! Looking for a new playlist? Check out the perfect “getting pretty” playlist and many others at Glamour.
Sophia – I’m a little bit of an earbud snob, and had convinced myself that these would not be up to par, but was surprised to find that these are actually not too bad considering the price! I definitely would recommend them as an inexpensive back up pair to throw in your gym back or to keep at your office!
As expected, the July Birchbox did not disappoint. We will be enjoying our new products for weeks to come and can’t wait for the mailman to deliver our August box – damn it July, hurry up and end already!
