Reminder: this box is £10 a month + £2.95 P+P.
First impressions:
First impressions:
I hated this box design. I mean, I like the pattern, but scratching the box off was incredibly messy. I store my boxes stacked one on top of the other so scratching it off into a pattern wasn't really an option (although I've seen some cool designs on Instagram!), since it would be scraped when I moved the boxes around. Scratching the whole thing off took a really long time and the silver dust went everywhere. Not a patch on the Rifle Paper Co. box from last month! And once again, this box is too small for the contents. The lid doesn't go on properly, which isn't great for my box stack as the Birchboxes are wobbly. I like the size of the boxes, but I do wish they were very slightly larger. I think the products fit without the drawstring bag, but I'd also rather have a wobbly box than lose the drawstring bag. It's great for keeping the box lining nice as I've said before, and it's also nice for taking products out and using the box as something else.
Inside, this box has a good range of products again: as this is the second box I've had now, this might just be a Birchbox thing. And it's a nice thing. There's a makeup tool, hair care, skin care and a makeup item. I love the variety as it means I'm not struggling to use products: I don't like using lots of new things in the same area. If I have a new primer I'll keep my base the same, if I have a new mascara I'll use an eyeshadow I've already used a lot, etc. If something new irritates my skin, I want to know what it is. Having a wide range of products is great for testing everything at once. As for brands, I've heard of LOC and Caudalie but never tried anything, so this is all new to me. Another reason I like this box! I assume that the Spectrum Collections sponge and the LOC stick are full size and everything else is a travel/sample size product.
Here's what I got this month! Shiny box surface is shiny.
4/5
I'm not the best at reviewing things like this, because these sponges get compared across the board to each other and I've only ever tried one other sponge before. I have the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge and I think I've used it maybe twice so far. I also only own four foundations. Nevertheless, when I tried this sponge with a foundation, I was impressed with it. It gave me really even and good coverage. No harsh lines, no dry cakey patches, just smooth coverage. I did think that maybe it was... wetter than the Real Techniques sponge? Even though I use both when dampened, the Real Techniques one seemed to handle the water better and my face didn't end up as damp. Still, I really liked this sponge. I also love that it comes in its own little pouch, as I have somewhere to store it. I have nowhere to store the Real Techniques one and it's really inconvenient. I'm not sure if it's obvious in the picture, but there's a cruelty free bunny on the back of the packaging too, which is a plus. I'm curious how this would work with concealer as I haven't tried that, but I will definitely be using this again (after it's had a bath, obviously).
I'm not the best at reviewing things like this, because these sponges get compared across the board to each other and I've only ever tried one other sponge before. I have the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge and I think I've used it maybe twice so far. I also only own four foundations. Nevertheless, when I tried this sponge with a foundation, I was impressed with it. It gave me really even and good coverage. No harsh lines, no dry cakey patches, just smooth coverage. I did think that maybe it was... wetter than the Real Techniques sponge? Even though I use both when dampened, the Real Techniques one seemed to handle the water better and my face didn't end up as damp. Still, I really liked this sponge. I also love that it comes in its own little pouch, as I have somewhere to store it. I have nowhere to store the Real Techniques one and it's really inconvenient. I'm not sure if it's obvious in the picture, but there's a cruelty free bunny on the back of the packaging too, which is a plus. I'm curious how this would work with concealer as I haven't tried that, but I will definitely be using this again (after it's had a bath, obviously).
2) LOC One and Done Shadow Stick in Empress Me 1.35g - RRP £8
3/5
I was super excited to see this in my box as I've heard of LOC shadow sticks and heard nothing but great things. It's also a completely new thing to me as I don't own anything but powder eyeshadows, so I couldn't wait to try it out. I would perhaps have preferred the other colour as that was lighter and more suitable for everyday wear, but this is a really nice colour (a bit dirty in the photo, as I photographed everything after I'd already used it). The pencil makes it very easy to apply, it was very easy to smooth out the edges and it looked really nice. But it didn't cope with oily skin. It's definitely not "one and done" for me: it creased after only about half an hour. This is why I don't use cream shadows. They don't last. I was expecting this to be different after hearing so many great things about it, but it isn't. I haven't tried it with a primer yet as primer is still a new thing to me, so I'm still testing the ones I have to find something that definitely works, but if I use a primer and then a powder to set the primer and then this shadow stick, it's a much longer process. Three and done. When I use Urban Decay or Too Faced eyeshadow palettes, unless it's very hot outside and I'm going to be outside for a while, I don't usually need a primer. My favourite Urban Decay eyeshadow goes on smoothly with just my finger and lasts for so long without creasing I don't even know how long it would last without creasing. It's over twelve hours on me. This was less than one hour. I couldn't justify buying these shadow sticks when I already have things that work better for my skin type. That said though, this was a really pretty colour. I can imagine it's very nice on people who don't have oily skin. I will keep trying with primers until I have something I can test it out with to see if I can make it work for me. When I used it I wanted to see what it was like on its own, so I didn't even use powder beforehand. It's pretty and looks nice even as a liner, so hopefully I can figure something out.
I was super excited to see this in my box as I've heard of LOC shadow sticks and heard nothing but great things. It's also a completely new thing to me as I don't own anything but powder eyeshadows, so I couldn't wait to try it out. I would perhaps have preferred the other colour as that was lighter and more suitable for everyday wear, but this is a really nice colour (a bit dirty in the photo, as I photographed everything after I'd already used it). The pencil makes it very easy to apply, it was very easy to smooth out the edges and it looked really nice. But it didn't cope with oily skin. It's definitely not "one and done" for me: it creased after only about half an hour. This is why I don't use cream shadows. They don't last. I was expecting this to be different after hearing so many great things about it, but it isn't. I haven't tried it with a primer yet as primer is still a new thing to me, so I'm still testing the ones I have to find something that definitely works, but if I use a primer and then a powder to set the primer and then this shadow stick, it's a much longer process. Three and done. When I use Urban Decay or Too Faced eyeshadow palettes, unless it's very hot outside and I'm going to be outside for a while, I don't usually need a primer. My favourite Urban Decay eyeshadow goes on smoothly with just my finger and lasts for so long without creasing I don't even know how long it would last without creasing. It's over twelve hours on me. This was less than one hour. I couldn't justify buying these shadow sticks when I already have things that work better for my skin type. That said though, this was a really pretty colour. I can imagine it's very nice on people who don't have oily skin. I will keep trying with primers until I have something I can test it out with to see if I can make it work for me. When I used it I wanted to see what it was like on its own, so I didn't even use powder beforehand. It's pretty and looks nice even as a liner, so hopefully I can figure something out.
3) Philip Kingsley PK Prep Polishing Balm 20ml/0.67 fl. oz - full size RRP £18.50
5/5
This is one of those products that just smells expensive. Similar to the hair products from Beaver in the last box. They smelled expensive too. The scent for this one isn't the same as the Beaver products, but it's another that I really, really like. I wish these brands were more readily available here. This time, the sample is a good size for what it is - you don't really need a huge amount of it, even if you can sit on your hair - and my hair loves it. When I want a good hair day, I've been using this. It feels really nice on my hair, it smoothes everything out and my hair is like silk. But unlike other products, my hair is still workable. It's so smooth and so soft but it isn't going to fall apart if I try to do anything with it. I found with this on the ends of my hair, my braid stayed much neater than it usually does. As well as being able to brush through the ends of my hair like it's just been cut (it hasn't, for a long time), I can still do things with it without it being so silky that it's very unruly and doesn't last. For me, this does exactly what it says it does. My hair feels great, it looks great, and it's much easier to work with for styling. I'll be gutted when I run out of this.
This is one of those products that just smells expensive. Similar to the hair products from Beaver in the last box. They smelled expensive too. The scent for this one isn't the same as the Beaver products, but it's another that I really, really like. I wish these brands were more readily available here. This time, the sample is a good size for what it is - you don't really need a huge amount of it, even if you can sit on your hair - and my hair loves it. When I want a good hair day, I've been using this. It feels really nice on my hair, it smoothes everything out and my hair is like silk. But unlike other products, my hair is still workable. It's so smooth and so soft but it isn't going to fall apart if I try to do anything with it. I found with this on the ends of my hair, my braid stayed much neater than it usually does. As well as being able to brush through the ends of my hair like it's just been cut (it hasn't, for a long time), I can still do things with it without it being so silky that it's very unruly and doesn't last. For me, this does exactly what it says it does. My hair feels great, it looks great, and it's much easier to work with for styling. I'll be gutted when I run out of this.
4) Caudalie Vinosource Moisturising Sorbet 10ml/0.33 fl. oz - full size RRP £23
3/5
I was really on the fence about this one. Getting moisturisers in my boxes after that Être Belle one is always going to seem a little unfair on whatever I get. This is nice, but it's not the Être Belle one. I ticked a variety of boxes for the skin concerns part of the beauty survey, and this fits what I asked for, but it doesn't suit the most important part of my skin like the Être Belle one does, so it can't compete with that. It has a lovely fresh scent to it and you don't need a lot to moisturise your whole face. It's supposed to reduce redness, and I don't have a whole lot of redness, but it did seem to eliminate what I had. What it didn't do, however, was suit my skin type. It's not for oily skin. It was very good for the areas of my skin that get dry and flaky, but I couldn't use this during the day. It's definitely suitable for sensitive skin and my skin liked it in that sense, but it really added to the shine on my face. I've been using it at night to try and alleviate the effect. It's a lovely moisturiser but with my skin type, it's no good to me compared to the Être Belle one. However, because it's good and it does do what it says it does, I was torn on what score to give it. I know there's something for oily skin by this brand and I am now super curious about that. It was mentioned in a recent video by Jordan Liberty and after seeing how much my skin likes this one as far as sensitivity and dry patches are concerned, I'd love to try the one that's more geared to my skin type.
I was really on the fence about this one. Getting moisturisers in my boxes after that Être Belle one is always going to seem a little unfair on whatever I get. This is nice, but it's not the Être Belle one. I ticked a variety of boxes for the skin concerns part of the beauty survey, and this fits what I asked for, but it doesn't suit the most important part of my skin like the Être Belle one does, so it can't compete with that. It has a lovely fresh scent to it and you don't need a lot to moisturise your whole face. It's supposed to reduce redness, and I don't have a whole lot of redness, but it did seem to eliminate what I had. What it didn't do, however, was suit my skin type. It's not for oily skin. It was very good for the areas of my skin that get dry and flaky, but I couldn't use this during the day. It's definitely suitable for sensitive skin and my skin liked it in that sense, but it really added to the shine on my face. I've been using it at night to try and alleviate the effect. It's a lovely moisturiser but with my skin type, it's no good to me compared to the Être Belle one. However, because it's good and it does do what it says it does, I was torn on what score to give it. I know there's something for oily skin by this brand and I am now super curious about that. It was mentioned in a recent video by Jordan Liberty and after seeing how much my skin likes this one as far as sensitivity and dry patches are concerned, I'd love to try the one that's more geared to my skin type.
5) Rituals Tao Wai Wang Mild Exfoliating Body Scrub 70ml/2.3 fl. oz - full size RRP £19.50
5/5
This is another winner from this box. It smells amazing and the scent fills the bathroom when I use it. It's nice and fresh, not heady, so it's really nice for the shower. It's also a really good exfoliating scrub. It can be a bit resistant to wet skin at first, so I'd advise mashing it into more of a paste in the palm of the hand before applying. A little went a lot further than I thought that it would. It's not too harsh, it didn't hurt or irritate my skin, and my skin was super soft afterwards. Even using it where I wouldn't think I'd need it (feet are a given, for example, but I've never used body scrubs), it did make a difference. Soft skin on my legs, soft skin on my arms. It creates a nice canvas for moisturising creams to get to work. I imagine this with the foot cream from last month would work very well together. One for the list!
This is another winner from this box. It smells amazing and the scent fills the bathroom when I use it. It's nice and fresh, not heady, so it's really nice for the shower. It's also a really good exfoliating scrub. It can be a bit resistant to wet skin at first, so I'd advise mashing it into more of a paste in the palm of the hand before applying. A little went a lot further than I thought that it would. It's not too harsh, it didn't hurt or irritate my skin, and my skin was super soft afterwards. Even using it where I wouldn't think I'd need it (feet are a given, for example, but I've never used body scrubs), it did make a difference. Soft skin on my legs, soft skin on my arms. It creates a nice canvas for moisturising creams to get to work. I imagine this with the foot cream from last month would work very well together. One for the list!
6) Yu-Be Moisturising Skin Cream 3ml/0.10 fl. oz - full size RRP £19.50
5/5
This is a tiny little tube and there's precious little information about it, but after trying it I love it. I have a problem area on my chin where the skin can get very dry and irritated, and this week I used something that that area did not like. It was the worst it's been for a long time: huge dry and flaky area with angry little bumps of irritation and general redness. I put this on at night in just that area and a little on my lips as a balm and the next day the patch of dry skin was completely gone and my lips were super smooth. I hadn't needed a lot of it, so even though the sample is tiny it's enough to give an idea of how well the product works. For dry skin anywhere, this is great. It didn't add to the problem and irritate my skin some more and now that area has basically healed. If it happens again (it will), I know what to turn to for an emergency fix. Another one to consider for the wishlist!
This is a tiny little tube and there's precious little information about it, but after trying it I love it. I have a problem area on my chin where the skin can get very dry and irritated, and this week I used something that that area did not like. It was the worst it's been for a long time: huge dry and flaky area with angry little bumps of irritation and general redness. I put this on at night in just that area and a little on my lips as a balm and the next day the patch of dry skin was completely gone and my lips were super smooth. I hadn't needed a lot of it, so even though the sample is tiny it's enough to give an idea of how well the product works. For dry skin anywhere, this is great. It didn't add to the problem and irritate my skin some more and now that area has basically healed. If it happens again (it will), I know what to turn to for an emergency fix. Another one to consider for the wishlist!
Overall Impression:
This was a really nice box to get overall. The products didn't interfere with each other and I didn't have allergies or reactions to anything. There's a lot of new favourites in this box with the hair styling balm, the scrub and the Yu-Be moisturiser, however tiny it may be. The only real problem product is the LOC stick just because my skin is too oily for it, but I imagine that would be helped by a decent primer (when I can find one that works). As I said, it's a shame that this isn't a more wearable shade for me because then I probably would have had chance to test this out already by now. I have used it a few times and I'm disappointed by how it copes on my skin but hopeful that I can get it to work with a primer. I have several that I can try with it. One manages to crease on its own, though, so I've got a bit of experimenting to do. Plenty of powder eyeshadows crease on my skin, so it's no surprise to me that a cream shadow does as well.
The rest of the box is fine: either things I outright loved or could use for something or other. The Caudalie moisturiser does make me too oily for day use but it also does a very good job of soothing my skin after a shower before bed, when it's at its driest. The sponge was nice to get as now I have something to use while the Real Techniques one is drying and vice versa. I didn't get any products that I thought were complete garbage and definitely got my money's worth. So far these boxes have been very consistent.
The rest of the box is fine: either things I outright loved or could use for something or other. The Caudalie moisturiser does make me too oily for day use but it also does a very good job of soothing my skin after a shower before bed, when it's at its driest. The sponge was nice to get as now I have something to use while the Real Techniques one is drying and vice versa. I didn't get any products that I thought were complete garbage and definitely got my money's worth. So far these boxes have been very consistent.
Box average: 4.2/5
Cumulative box average: 4.2/5
No sneak peeks of the next box yet, so I have no idea what's in store for June! There was an option to upgrade the box to add a pair of sunglasses for an extra £18 but I didn't really like either of the styles available, so I didn't. Apart from that I've heard nothing. There's been no email sent around to choose something like there was for the colour of the Spectrum Collections sponge last time. I can't decide whether I like spoilers for these boxes or not. If it's an item that's really exciting then it makes me excited to see the rest of the box when it arrives, but there's always the potential that it's something I know I won't care about. It's also nice to get a box that's a complete surprise as I can't form any opinions on it before I open it. I did see on their Twitter that there would be a sneak peek though, so fingers crossed it's something nice!
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