It’s December Birchbox time! Birchbox is The Queen of subscription boxes as it was one of the first to take the market by storm. For $10/month you get a pretty box of fun makeup and skincare samples that are tailored to you by a quiz you take when you sign up. It was my only box for years and I quit getting it a few years ago. However, since starting this blog, I felt obligated to review it for my lovely readers. I’m a serious journalist, after all.
Their special boxes they do for holidays and things are so pretty. I tend to keep them (hoard them?) for things around my apartment. This one is especially pretty. 
This month’s theme is Decked Out, which makes sense for the holidays. I like it when themes make sense.
This month’s samples:
- Catherine Malandrino Style de Paris perfume
- Davines Replumping Superactive
- Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel
- SeaRX Anti-Wrinkle Facial Lift Treatment System
- Davines Replumping Shampoo and Conditioner sample packs
- Mirenesse Secret Weapon iCurl 24 Hour Mascara Curl Power
I like receiving leave in hair treatments in boxes because I don’t think this is something I will ever have to buy again at the store. This Davines Replumping Superactive claims to be more of a thickening spray. I’ve only used this a few times with minimal styling but it felt nice. However, the smell was kind of strange. Not bad but just kind of masculine. They gave me a very decent sized sample but the full size retails for $39.50.
OK, so I was super curious about this Real Chemistry Luminous 3 Minute Peel. I’ve heard some murmurs in the beauty world that this stuff is great. The company claim:
The acid-free peel gently sloughs away dead skin cells, evening tone and smoothing rough patches without irritating sensitive skin.
I will tell you the real truth: I don’t think this did ANYTHING. It didn’t make my skin better or worse. It’s possible that my skin is already well exfoliated so there wasn’t much to exfoliate but I’m not sure I can recommend this product for $48.
I was interested in trying this Mirenesse Secret Weapon iCurl 24Hr Mascara mascara because my goal is to never really buy mascara ever again. Just live sample to sample. This one works as a decent mascara but it isn’t anything mind blowing. I think the 24 hour claim is a bit lofty but this seems like an overall decent mascara but I’m not sure I would ever pay $29 for it when drugstore mascaras are awesome.
Real talk: I have yet to try this Davines Replumping Shampoo and Conditioner sample because at the time of this writing, I have been pretty much bedridden for a week and showering has been on the back burner. (I strained my back so walking, standing, showering, etc. all became pretty optional.) I want to try this shampoo and conditioner when I am going to style my hair so I can give a full review of its replumping abilities. I also want to try it with the company’s spray (above) to see how this whole replumping system works. Full sizes are $25.50 each.
You probably know by now how I feel about receiving perfume samples. (I do not like it! Stop! Just stop! I asked in my preferences for you to stop, Birchbox!) Sorry, I lost focus for a moment. However, I really did like how Catherine Malandrino Style de Paris smelled, but I only smelled it once before I lost it and during this week of not moving, I haven’t been able to recover it. So that is really the only review I can give you: it smelled good and sweet and that’s all I can remember. I remembered thinking I was less mad at Birchbox because they sent me a nice perfume I didn’t hate and then I immediately lost it. 1.7oz retails for $80.
I forgot to take an individual picture of the SeaRX Anti-Wrinkle Facial Lift Treatment System but I actually have tried it a few times. This serum claims to be very moisturizing but I think I need something a little thicker in the winter as it wasn’t hydrating enough for my skin at this point in time. But I might hold onto it and use it more during the spring/summer time and see how it works then. Full size is $34.
Final Grate: C+
I rated this a C+ because there weren’t any stand out items in this box that really rocked my world. This rating is agnostic of the shampoo and conditioner since I haven’t had a chance to use them. I just don’t think the Peel, the Serum or the Mascara were anything special but I did like the Replumping Spray.
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Lauren pays for her Birchbox subscription. Post contains referral links.