December 2012 Birchbox

I really enjoyed December 2012's Birchbox. I love receiving these little gifts in the mail, and this one was particularly festive for the holidays. If you're unfamiliar with Birchbox, it is a monthly subscription based service which provides high end beauty product samples for only $10 a month. I don't purchase many high end products unless I truly love them so this service is a great way for me to find the perfect high end gem. Plus, you can earn points by completing survey about the products you receive. 100 points equals $10 to spend in the Birchbox store, and those points really add up. If you're interested in the program, check it out here.

Items unveiled!

Unfortunately, I misplaced the card with all the product information so I'll have to leave other information from the products from the Birchbox website. Along with these products, there was a $50 gift for the program Rent the Runway. Unfortunately, from what I've read, they don't offer plus sizes so this gift was useless to me.

amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask

amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask

full size, $40

It doesn’t matter how often you shampoo and condition—without a regular mask, your strands are bound to feel a bit neglected. Give them the extra attention they deserve with this deeply hydrating mask, which uses Obliphica oil to amp up shine, restore vibrancy, and even help repair split ends. You’ll notice the difference after just one use, and over time your hair will be visibly stronger and healthier.

I used this product last night; however, I left the mask in for longer than the 2 to 3 minutes it recommends. My hair is very thick and the strands are coarse so I normally leave masks on longer. I think this is an overall nice hair mask. My hair felt soft and smooth even when I decided to blow dry it straight, and it even helped with the frizz factor I tend to have. I think this is a great mask, but I will not be purchasing the full size because of the price. I want to find a hair mask I really fall in love with before I invest the money in one. However, this one is definitely in the running!

LASHEM Measurable Difference Lash Gel Serum

Lashem Measurable Difference Lash Gel Serum

full size, $69.99
Judging from the blog chatter, this lash accelerator deserves a permanent spot on your vanity. The double-patented formula features a roster of high-tech ingredients to give you longer, lusher, and more enticing lashes. Plus, the easy-to-use wand makes application a breeze and the visible results are undeniable. 

 I have not tried this product as I plan on giving it to my mother-in-law who has sparse lashes. First thing is I would never spend $70 on something like this, especially since I doubt you'd see full results from this sample.

theBalm cosmetics Mary-Lou Manizer

theBalm cosmetics Mary-Lou Manizer

full size, $24
If being too gorgeous were a crime, this luminizing powder would turn us all into serial offenders. Ok, maybe that’s a little extreme, but can you blame us? This three-in-one highlighter, eyeshadow, and all-over shimmer is the prettiest honey-hued pigment we’ve ever laid our eyes on. We wear it when we want to sport a unified look that plays up our best features (think model-esque cheekbones and alluring eyes). 

 This is a honey-champagne shimmery highlighter. It is very pigmented and has such a smooth application. I absolutely love this product, and I can see myself purchasing it in the future. The price is comparable to Benefit - maybe even a bit cheaper? The sample size is really superb too. This works well as both a highlight and a shadow.

Aerie Shimmer Fragrance

Aerie Shimmer 1.7oz Fragrance

full size, $39.95
For its latest fragrance venture, Aerie set out to create a non-cloying scent that’s equal parts delicate and warm. Bottled in grey frosted glass, the resulting concoction is perfect for the holidays and beyond. The crisp scent combines sweet vanilla with a lovely peony and citrusy bergamot. 

 I'm not too keen on the scent, but it isn't horrible. It's just a little too sweet for me.

Chuao Chocolatier salted chocolate crunch

Chuao Chocolatier Assorted ChocoPod

full size, $7.95
This time of year, sugarplums may be dancing in our heads, but our palates are craving chocolate. Instead of settling for plain ol’ milk chocolate, we’re satiating those cravings with these decadent treats, which are handcraft from Chuao’s premium house blend . This set of miniature bars includes exotic flavors that will knock you off your fuzzy-slippered feet (in a good way). They’re the perfect gift for your favorite sugar fiend and at just 60 to 50 calories each, they can indulge without guilt. 

 As for the description, I don't think one should feel guilty for eating a piece of chocolate (or anything for that matter). But on to the product, I thought this was delcious. It was a bit crunchy, and you could definitely taste the sea salt. I absolutely love a salted chocolate so this is an A+ in my book.

I'm planning on doing a 2012 Birchbox favorites to review the samples that stood out to me as I haven't always tried the products when I do the write ups for them. That will be later this month. This month will mainly revolving around wrap ups of last year; don't fret though, I'll still have new content.

Bloglovin' | Facebook | Twitter | RSS