The "Must Have" Subscription: Birchbox

Okay, so my latest obsession is Birchbox. If you don't already have one you totally should. For those of you who don't know what Birchbox is (If you already are up to date on this fabulous creation, then scroll down to the pictures to see a few of my favorite samples)... The best way to describe it is that it's like an online Sephora with a twist. It was created by two girls who met in college at Harvard. They came up with the idea to create a company that allowed people to try out beauty products in sample size before they reverted to buying the $30 regular sized product that would eventually find it's home in the back of the bathroom cabinet, never to be used again. It's happened to all of us. You're in Sephora or Ulta being talked into a product that is promised to be life changing, so you purchase it in hopes that you're not wasting your money. Then, you get home and absolutely hate it. Problem is.. you're stuck with it sista! Yeah, we all know the drill...

With Birchbox you don't have to worry about that. After signing up for a minimal subscription price of $10 a month, you'll receive 4-5 beauty samples shipped directly to the address of choice on the 10th of every month. The idea is that you get to try out the small samples first and THEN buy the full-sized product after deciding that you are in love with the product. If you don't like one of the samples, no big deal; you tried it and now you know. Yeah, it's amazing. So, say you like one of the samples in your box, you go online to Birchbox.com. On the home page it will say, "October Birchbox," or "November Birchbox" (depending on what month it is). Click on that link and scroll through to find the product that you're interested in purchasing. They make it that simple!

And I haven't even told you the best part yet! Once you sign up for your monthly subscription, there is a feature that allows you to personalize your Birchbox in your profile settings. They will ask you questions like: Is your skin dry or oily, would you prefer more skin products or hair products, what color is your hair, etc. This allows them to add items to your Birchbox that will be personalized just for you! 

Okay, so now that you know what a Birchbox is, I'm going to show you a few of my favorite samples that I have received in my previous Birchbox's. 

The first picture gives you an idea of what to expect from a Birchbox. The samples in the first picture didn't all come in one box, I just featured them this way to give you a better idea of the samples you could receive. I'm going to go through a few of the products displayed in the pictures above and let you know my loves/hates. Because I won't have time to go through all of them, I will leave a least at the end, giving a short description of all of the samples pictured above. Also, these are just my opinions; you might disagree with me and love a sample that I wasn't as fond of! 

To start off, I'm going to talk about the product I thought was to die for! The black mini hair spray you see featured in both pictures is a Serge Normant product. It's a hair spray/mist that keeps your hair smooth and frizz-free after styling it. It also is fabulous and shields your hair from UV rays. That's always a plus. Another thing I loved about it is that it has natural extracts of Echinacea, Chamomile and Rosemary (for those of you who are unfamiliar with Echinacea and Chamomile, they are both flowers in the daisy family). With that being said it has an AMAZING scent! The full-size is $25 and I highly recommend it.

My other favorite sample is the small spray pink bottle with the white cap. It's called 12 Benefits: Instant healthy hair treatment. The product definitely takes from it's name and I definitely refer to it as the superwoman of hair products. It seals color, smoothes, repairs, improves texture and manageability, prevents split ends, moisturizes and strengthens, protects from chlorine, wind and sun, prevents flat iron damage, adds shine and softness, protects from blow-drying, and acts as an anti-aging formula. WOW! Try saying all of that 10 times fast! The two industry experts that created it call is the heroic product that detangles, protects and heals all-in-one so definitely check this product out online at Birchbox.com!

Unfortunately, I don't have time to go through all of the products featured above, because this post is slowly turning into a short novel and you have better things to be doing than sitting on your computer listening to me ramble on and on (chuckles...ha ha). But seriously... Go help world hunger or go to the gym or something.

Here's a list of the samples featured above from my Birchbox:

1. Serge Normant: Meta Luxe Hair Spray- Airy mist/hairspray that keeps your 'do smooth and frizz-free, and also shields from UV rays. $25
2. 12 Benefits: Instant Healthy Hair Treatment- This heroic all-in-one detangles, protects and heals all at the same time! $19
3. RUFFIAN: Nail Lacquer (Delirium)- Bold purple from the fashion label's first lacquer collection. Exclusive to Birchbox! $10
4. Evologie: Stay Clear Cream- Moisturizer that protects skin and balances oil levels with a patent-pending YS3 COMPLEX. $62
5. Supergoop! City Sunscreen Serum- Anti-aging SPF 30 serum that creates a weightless UV shield. Can be worn year-round. $20-42
6. theBalm cosmetics: Stainiac in Beauty Queen- Bestselling stain that gives cheeks and lips a sheer, rosy tint. $17
7. Chapstick: Hydration Lock- Lip moisturizer. Doubles as a lip primer and has damage-defending antioxidants like CoQ10 and Vitamin E. 

Don't forget to go to Birchbox.com to find these fabulous "must-have" products!