Beauty // Birchbox Birthday Box

BOX CONTENT:

Laura Mercier // Face Polish

Birchbox Birchbrush

Laqa & Co. // Cheeky Lip Pencil // Humble Brag Shade 

John Masters Organics // Citrus & Neroli Detangler

Bliss // Lemon + Sage Soapy Suds 

Benefit // The POREfessional: Licence to Blot

Whilst scrawling through my Facebook the other day I came across a Birchbox advertisement for a lucky dip to celebrate their birthday this month. I had heard of Birchbox previously but never really looked it up or thought about subscribing. I decided to take a chance on the lucky dip and it just so happened I was lucky enough to win an offer of 50% off my first box. I thought "why the hell not" and I ordered my Birchbox Birthday Box. I was very excited when it landed at my door and couldn't wait to see what was inside. Some of the brands I had heard of or used before, like Laura Mercier and Benefit, but others, like John Masters Organics and Laqa & Co, I hadn't. 

I'm looking forward to testing out the Laqa & Co. Cheeky Lip Pencil as I'm quite in to lip crayons at the moment and have been wanting to try out some new colours or brands. The one I have is a beautiful rosy pink that will work for me if I use foundation on my lips first as my lips are quite red without lipstick. 

My skin can sometimes get a little oily if I apply too much foundation or powder, so it will be interesting to try out this Benefit POREfessional blotter, which is meant to mattify shine for up to 6 hours. Benefit is a brand I seem to have a growing interest in after being so impressed by their Benefit They're Real Mascara and am hoping to try out more of their products in the future.

Ages ago I wanted to get a Tangle Teezer when they hit the market and became a must-have beauty item, but this Birchbrush is their own version so will be giving that a go on bad hair days. It will be a good companion for the John Masters Organics Detangler, which I am keen to try out now my hair is all freshly cut and I am taking more care of my hair because I am using more heat. The detangler kind of works like a hair mask and needs to be left in for 1-3 minutes or can be used as a leave in conditioner. It will be a good product to use once or twice a week to take care of the mid to ends of your hair. 

Laura Mercier is a brand I have heard non-stop when watching beauty videos or reading beauty blogs so I am interested in the Face Polish and what it can do for my skin as it is a little red and uneven at the moment (must drink more water I know!). This creamy scrub is basically an exfoliator, but a little less rough on the skin. After cleansing the skin, you're meant to work the product in small circular motions to buff away dead skin and rinse with warm water. Hopefully, this will work well with my skin and, who knows, I could be a Laura Mercier fan in the making.

The Bliss Soapy Suds can be used as a shower gel or a bubble bath and is apparently great for cleansing and moisturising the skin. Apparently it has skin-friendly ingredients so I am hoping my skin doesn't have any reactions to this. I think this will be one of those "treat me" items because it is just a sample size after all. 

I loved how the box was designed with birthday balloons and it even came with a guide and a little welcome postcard. Plus, the samples came in a lovely tie bag to store them in until I use them. I'm still unsure whether I want to subscribe every month and so will give these products a go and look through the website more to see if I want to receive a box every month. I don't use that many beauty products or change the brands I shop from because I have sensitive skin and tend to stick to the brands I know and trust, but maybe a subscription means I become more open to brands. I think the website it really organised and it is easy to find the products you're after. I like how they have a description of the product called "Birchbox Breakdown" and how they guide you on how to use the product, alongside having an "Editiors Tip". There are many of these beauty subscription services out there now and since being exposed to Birchbox I have seen others pop up on my Facebook. I've looked through them but, overall, I think Birchbox is a standout company for me because of how the website looks, the interaction they give you on their Facebook page and the vast amount of beauty products and advice they offer you. 

Thank you Birchbox for my first box and HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY!

- Speak soon, Lisa Jayne X

NOTE: None of this content was sent to me for review. I purchased this box with my own money and am reviewing this with total honesty.