Sun, Sea & Sand - Birchbox Review

When I first started blogging my beauty posts primarily centred around my Glossybox subscription. To be frank, that didn't last long as unfortunately I didn't feel like they were living up to the hype. It's been about a year since I cancelled the subscription but recently I have been taken in by some of the other boxes on the market, particularly as I'm seeing so many being reviewed on other blogs.

I finally gave in and took up a new subscription, this time with Birchbox.

A friend of mine recently cancelled her Birchbox as she didn't feel like she was getting the 'good' products that were on offer - seeing other people unwrap some amazing high-end products having not received them herself became a bit dull. True to form, I ignored her warnings and subscribed anyway and after receiving my July box today, I thought I would share it with you.

I'm so glad I chose this brand for my new subscription as I got some really great products in the first box.

Benefit POREfessional - £24.50

I've been dying to get my mitts on this number for a while and it was a deciding factor in my subscription to this month's box. Pore minimizer that acts as a primer pre or post make-up, what's not to love?

As you can see the balm is tinted so it gives skin a teeny bit of colour as a base which I love. I actually felt like I didn't need foundation after this as I had smooth soft skin that didn't feel heavy or greasy but didn't look washed out. This wholly lives up to the hype, Benefit have really delivered on this product.

Compagnie de Provence Hand Cream Mediterranean Sea - £8.50

My first thought upon seeing this product was 'not another hand cream!' but after using it I'm actually quite on board. I tend to steer clear of hand creams as I've never found one that doesn't leave your skin feeling heavy or greasy but this one is a cut above the products I've tried before. In addition it smells... pleasant; not overpowering or really perfume-y but similarly not medicinal, it's just... nice. So when I touch my face or lean on my hand I don't feel nauseas from the scent.

Laqa & Co Sheer Lip Lube in Bees Knees (Coral) - £14.00

This one isn't quite as great as the other products in the box. I love the look of it; love the name, love the packaging, adore the colour. The results just aren't what I was hoping for, especially from a product that would ordinarily cost 14 smackeroos. Granted you get a full size product in the box so on that front, it's a good addition to the monthly installment but I found that it didn't wear as well as I'd expected, or heard, it would. The colour is lovely, and it's much subtler when its on so is totally wearable day or night. It is made using a peppermint and shea butter formula so should be conditioning but I didn't find this was the case. Lip lube is basically a sheer balm so is aimed to be a quick to apply product but because the colour coverage isn't as thick as a lipstick it takes a little longer to get an even colour and it tends to stick to the slightest crease or dry patch. However, the peppermint aspect is great as I love that tingly feeling some balms give you on application.

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream - £20.00

I'm on the fence here. Balance Me have been building a good rep for some time now and I've tried some of their products through magazine samples and didn't really rate them that much. However, this is potentially a game changer. I say potentially because I haven't finished the tube yet but so far so good...

Soigne Nail Lacquer - £11.00

This was a very pleasant surprise seeing as I've already received some of the top end products on offer this month. I got the fushia shade which isn't usually something I would wear but it's really great quality. It goes on really evenly and it's really pigmented so covers brilliantly and doesn't need a million coats to look as it does in the bottle. As I mentioned, not the colour I would have chosen but it has a thumbs up from me regardless.

Chia Co, Chia Shots - £4.95

I'm yet to try these, but Birchbox market them as the must have health addition that all the celebs swear by. I have intolerances and some dietary issues so I'm willing to give these a go to get the protein and fibre I miss out on from food groups I can't eat. I'll probably add them to salads through the summer months.

An added bonus with Birchbox this month was a Beauty Blender which came as a free gift with a promotional code upon subscribing. I have heard and read so many rave reviews of this must-have beauty tool so I jumped at the chance to add it to my box of goodies and will be reviewing it in a separate post soon.

All round, I'm pleased with Birchbox and really glad I subscribed. I hope I don't become one of the customers who feel like they're missing out in the months to come but I think that's all part and parcel with beauty box subscriptions. If that does become the case then there are plenty of other boxes I'm raring to try out.

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