A Birchbox Year in Review

Last month marked one year since my hubby gifted me a 1-year subscription to Birchbox, and I received my final shipment in the mail a few weeks ago. I'm a little sad it's over because who doesn't love a surprise in the mail every month!? I really had a lot of fun receiving new products every month, but I don't think I will be renewing my subscription. Here's my story...

Last year I went knee-deep into a beauty product phase. I read a thousand blogs, watched a thousand vlogs, and visited Sephora or Ulta on a weekly basis to test everything that appealed to me--from all sorts of make up to every skin care line available. {Side note: Did you know that Sephora is the best because they offer free samples of almost everything in-store?} I brought home so many samples that I had to empty out one of my vanity tabletop jars just to hold them all! I was able to test out products before I determined whether I wanted to buy it or pass. It was so much fun that I figured a Birchbox subscription would be an awesome idea! For $10/month, Birchbox sends you samples of a large range of skin care, make up, perfume, snacks, and other fun items. You fill out a profile of what you're interested in and watch the adorably packaged boxes mosey on over one by one to your doorstep each month.

I think it's a great way to sample a lot of different types of products without spending a fortune on something you might not even like, look good on you, or make your skin break out! But then I started to realize that I was backed up with sample testing from months before! As a busy mom, I don't have all the time in the world and I really should've taken note from my giant stack of unread magazine subscriptions haunting me every day. It's now 1 year later and I still have a large amount of samples to try out that keep accumulating and taking over my bathroom vanity.

For now, my sampling days are over, but here are some of the products that I actually tried, liked and made my Birchbox year worth it for me (in no particular order, btw)

1. Amika Dry Shampoo: It smells awesome and definitely works for extending a wash one more day.
2. Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream: I used this till the squeeze! Super hydrating and non greasy!
3. Philosophy Hope in a Jar Night: Great moisturizer for those really dry-face days!
4. Dr. Jart Black Label Detox BB Cream: Love this BB! It's got great coverage and it's mattifying.
5. Anastasia Clear Brow Gel: Kept my wild brows in place and it's not glumpy.